Microcom 412 User Manual
Page 44
Printer Commands
Chapter 5
412 Operators Manual
36
^M
Terminate text or data string: Must be used to terminate a text or data string. (Same
as a carriage return or enter key on a PC keyboard.)
^H
(DEL) Deletes the last printable character entered: This is usually only used when
communicating to the printer through the keyboard. (Same as the backspace key on a
PC keyboard.)
^K
Print test label: A test label consists of a series of diagonal lines. It is useful in
determining the condition of the dots on the print head (equivalent to ^D11).
^L
Form Feed. (Equivalent to ^D12)
^Q
XON: Instructs the printer to continue sending data.
^S
XOFF: Instructs the printer to stop sending data.
5.2
PRINTER ENQUIRIES
It is important for the host computer to know the status of the printer as labels are produced.
This facilitates security in the system and flags electrical and mechanical errors. Enquiries also
aid the system designer in adjusting the pace of the printer with that of the operator.
The 412 printer is capable of returning responses to enquiries in three different ways
depending on how the machine is programmed (see software dip switch #1, ^D21, section 5.3.
The text equivalent response returns a defining word, giving the state of the machine. The ^
equivalent returns an ASCII '^' response followed by the defining alpha character. The control-
code equivalent returns an actual control code.
The printer will send to the host one of the following responses in response to a series of 5
NULL characters (The ^E or ^D5 commands can be used if binary compression is disabled.
Refer to soft switch 3 position 7 in chapter 5.3.1):
Enquiry Responses
TEXT
^ALPHA or
CONTROL CODE
DEFINITION
>READY<
>CUTTER ERROR<
>RIBBON BROKE<
>HEAD IS UP<
>DATA ERROR<
>TAKE LABEL<
>LOW STOCK<
>RESTARTED<
>OVER TEMP<
>UNDER VDD<
>OVER VDD<
>INPUT 1<
^F
^G
^K
^L
^U
^V
^Y
^Z
^]
^\
^^
Normal condition
Cutter cannot rotate
Printer is out of ribbon
Print head is raised
Communication error
Printer is waiting for a label to be taken
Out of paper
Printer has been reset
Head temperature is high
VDD voltage is low
VDD voltage is high
Optional INPUT 1 sensor triggered
Table 7