Microcom 438 - Manual (Page 50)

Chapter 5 Printer Commands
438 Operator’s Manual - 880052-0100 5-3
configured for binary compression (D23 -SW3 bit 7), which is required if saving
graphics, the ^E will not function. This means that if the printer is going to be
using binary compression, the 5 NULL’s method should be used to request
status instead of the ^E command.
5 NULLS + 02: The 5 NULL method commands are a way to pass commands to the
printer even when the printer in configured in binary compression mode. The
command is sent to the printer as HEX characters; 00 00 00 00 00 02 are sent
to the printer in order to issue the command. This command is used to cancel
pending jobs/commands and to remotely clear errors returning the printer to
an idle >READY< state. If the condition causing the original error condition
still exists, sending new jobs will cause the printer to go back into an error
condition. This command simply provides the ability to remotely clear error
conditions and return the printer to a state that allows normal communication.
5 NULLS + 04: The 5 NULL method commands are a way to pass commands to the
printer even when the printer in configured in binary compression mode. The
command is sent to the printer as HEX characters; 00 00 00 00 00 04 are sent
to the printer in order to issue the command. This command is used to cancel
and exit an LTS Dispense Mode (^D97, ^D98) and to return the printer to an
idle >READY< state.
5.1.1 Enquiry Responses
It is important for the host computer to know the status of the printer as labels are being
produced. This facilitates security in the system and flags electrical, mechanical, and
functional error conditions. Enquiries also aid the system designer in adjusting the pace of
the printer with that of the operator or host system.
The printer returns enquiry responses to the host in two different modes depending on how
Software Switch#1 is configured. (See Section 5.2.1.1)
Text Mode: The response is sent to the host as text as shown in Table . The strings are
sent out the active communication port with a CR LF (0x0D 0x0A) separating each one.
The end of the response is terminated with an extra CR LF.
Byte Mode: The response is sent to the host as a hexadecimal number (byte) as shown in
Table . Each string is represented by a single byte with nothing separating them. The end
of the response is terminated with a 0xFF character.
5.1.1.1
STL Status Responses
If the STL Emulation (Switch Bank #6 bit 2; D26 command) is enabled, the printer will report
STL type responses instead of the normal LDS status responses. The STL mode continues
to follow the Text and/or Byte mode rule above but will only Display the Decimal codes.