Printhead; System Counters - Intermec EasyCoder E4 Programmer's Reference Manual

4. Printhead

5. System Counters

EasyCoder E4 Direct Protocol v2.10 – Programmer's Reference Manual
Chapter 7
The thermal printhead can be tested in three different ways:
• FUNCTEST$ ("HEAD")
• ? HEAD (type of check)
• ? SYSVAR (<parameter>)
? FUNCTEST$ ("HEAD")
The returns from the FUNCTEST$ ("HEAD") command are:
HEAD OK, SIZE:nnn DOTS
HEAD LIFTED
FAULTY PRINTHEAD
? HEAD(<type of check>)
<type of check> = -1
<type of check> = -7
Important!
Always either run a ? HEAD (-1) instruction after replacing the
printhead or print a test label to set the printer for the resistance
of the new printhead!
? SYSVAR (<parameter>)
<parameter> = 21
<parameter> = 22
There are a number of counters in the printer's system, that can
be read and returned to the host:
? SYSVAR (<parameter>)
<parameter> = 14
<parameter> = 15
<parameter> = 24
SYSVAR(24) is important, since essential functions, like coun-
ters and error messages will be lost at power up and other func-
tions will be reset to their default values. Save all such data in
the host and retransmit them to the printer as soon as a power-up
has been detected by a polling program taking advantage of
SYSVAR(24).
Reading the Printer's Status
(nnn is the number of dots)
(lower the printhead and try again)
Checks printhead. Returns -1 if OK, else
0 and sets up the printer for the measured
mean printhead resistance.
Returns mean resistance of printhead in
ohms
returns printhead density in dots per mm
returns the number of dots in the printhead
number of errors detected since last startup
number of errors detected since last
SYSVAR(15)
power-up status since last SYSVAR(24)
(0 = No; 1=Yes)
(an error is detected)
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