Printer Operation And Programming; Data Buffer; Spool Mode; Character Printing And Fonts - ABLE Systems Ap1300 User Manual

7

PRINTER OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING

The Ap1300 utilises a Fujitsu FTP-628MCL103 printer mechanism, with a fixed (parallel) print head
with 384 horizontally-arranged thermal elements. The paper is advanced by a stepper motor, and
printing takes place in a single dot row for each step of the paper. Each printed dot is approximately
1/8 mm square. The printing speed and dot density are controlled according to the battery voltage
and the head temperature.
Various printing modes, including graphics, are invoked by 'Escape' sequences. Control codes and
status report protocols are described in detail in the Programmers' Guide, available separately.
7.1

DATA BUFFER

The Ap1300 has a nominal 20k byte buffer to optimise throughput: this enables data to be received
into the buffer while previous lines are being printed. Printing will be initiated on receipt of a valid
logical line of data or a complete graphics pattern.
The buffer may be cleared by data command or by a hardware reset. A partially full line will be
printed on receipt of an appropriate control code, or after a programmable timeout delay.
7.2

SPOOL MODE

Spool mode is can be entered by:
a command from the host;
Paper Out condition or Head Up condition being sensed;
fast charging detected;
an error condition (e.g. head over temperature, battery over voltage, etc).
In spool mode, the buffered data are stored without being printed until the mode is exited by:
a command from the host;
the 'causing condition' (e.g. Paper Out or Head Up) being cleared;
the paper feed button being double-clicked.
7.3

CHARACTER PRINTING AND FONTS

The default 32-column character set is formed from a 24x10 dot matrix, and is based on the industry
standard IBM® character set Code Page 437. This character set has been modified to include the
Euro symbol ('€') at position 80H (128 Decimal), in place of the usual capital C with cedilla ('Ç').
Various combinations of single or double width, single or double height, inverted, underlined, and
other attributes may be mixed within a line.
Customised fonts may be created using the Able Systems Font Editor Utility, and downloaded to the
Ap1300. Only a single custom font may be loaded in the printer at one time.
7.4

GRAPHICS PRINTING AND OTHER PROGRAMMING MODES

Various dot-addressable graphics modes are supported, at up to 384 dots per line. The Windows
driver operates in the graphics mode. Refer to the Programmer's Guide for full details of this and other
advanced programming modes.
Ap1300 User Guide Page 10 of 16