1.5 Outline of Label Printing Method
This printer has two label printing methods, one is that all label format
data received is printed, and the other is that format data which has been
received beforehand, is printed or partially modified and printed.
1 All data received method
ASCII code "STX" + "L" sets the printer to label format mode.
The printer clears the field register area and control is transferred
from the system level interpreter to the label format interpreter.
At this time, use of label format commands is enabled.
Printing data such as characters, bar codes and graphics is
transmitted. Each data set has a special field structure that
includes information such as print position and size. The label
format interpreter, stored in the field register area checks the
printing data received, and generation of bit map data is then
started. Powerful commands such as specification of the number
of copies, characters strings and automatic increasing or
decreasing of bar code data are included in the label format
commands. In addition, the format data stored in the global
register area can be read out and used.
After completing label formatting, an ASCII "E" is transmitted.
The printer prints the labels specified by the data in the field
register area and control is then returned from the label format
interpreter to the system level interpreter.
2 Using formatted data
In this mode, fixed format labels are printed. While label data
formatting is completed, an ASCII "X" is transmitted instead of "E."
The printer forms the field register area and completes formatting
without printing and control is returned to the system level
command processor. From this point on, the system level
command processor allows the printer to print fixed format labels
by using the format data in the field register area.
If ASCII "STX" + "G" is transmitted to the system level command
processor, the labels are printed according to the contents of the
specified field register.
In addition, change of data and number of copies is provided.
(Only data can be changed. Format information such as print
position and size cannot be changed.) Printing with the "STX" +
"G" command can be performed repeatedly.