Datamax-O'Neil DPL Programmer’s Manual - Manual (Page 18)

Immediate Command Functions
10
SOH A Send ASCII Status String
This command allows the host computer to check the current printer status. The printer
returns a string of eight characters, followed by a carriage return. Each character (see
below) indicates an associated condition, either true (Y) or false (N). Byte 1 is
transmitted first. See <SOH>F.
Syntax: <SOH>A
Sample:
<SOH>A
Printer Response: abcdefgh<CR>
Where:
Possible
Values
Interpretation
Transmit
Sequence
a - Y/N Y = Interpreter busy (imaging) 1
b - Y/N Y = Paper out or fault 2
c - Y/N Y = Ribbon out or fault 3
d - Y/N Y = Printing batch 4
e - Y/N Y = Busy printing 5
f - Y/N Y = Printer paused 6
g - Y/N Y = Label presented 7
h - Y/N Y = (Internal) Rewinder out or fault 8
SOH a Send ASCII Extended Status String
This command allows the host computer to check an extended current printer status.
The printer returns a string of seventeen characters, followed by a carriage return. Most
characters (see below) indicate an associated condition, either true (Y) or false (N). Byte
1 is transmitted first. See <SOH>F.
Syntax:
<SOH>a
Sample:
<SOH>a
Printer Response: abcdefgh:ijklmnop:qrstuvwx<CR>
The printer response size may grow as new requirements are defined. The response will
always be backward compatible and terminated with a <CR>. The user should not
assume a fixed length response.