Control Codes
Page 134 100-88002 Rev B
If the first character <Length> is from 1 to 31, the printer will automatically select Code
A, B, or C depending on the data present. If the data is all numeric, the data can be
printed as pairs. This effectively doubles the amount of data that can be printed. The
check digit is generated and printed by the printer.
Note: If the first character is greater than <31> and not <135> through <137>, the
printer will discard the first character and print the data as defined in Code A..
Space is defined as a <0>, which makes programming difficult and causes control
character conflicts for the printer. To solve the problem, the Epic 880TM Printer
subtracts 32 from all characters that are to be included in the bar code. In the Code
128 definition, an ‘A’ is <33>; however, the printer converts an ASCII ‘A’ (<65>) to a
<33> internally. This sets Code 128C and the start codes off by 32.
Barcode 128 consists of 107 unique symbols. 101 of the symbols take on different
meanings based on the start code or an embedded shift code sequence. Code stick A
consists of alphanumeric characters and ASCII control codes (see the table below).
Code stick B consists of Alpha numeric with lower case alpha, Code stick C consists
of numeric pairs.
In automatic mode, any ASCII data from 0 to 127 could be entered. Values less than
32 will be encoded as Code stick A NUL- US, values from 96 through 127 will be
encoded from Code stick B. Where ever possible numeric pairs will be encoded from
Code stick C.
In the past, FNC1, FNC2, FNC3, and FNC4 have not been accessible to the
programmer. The EAN 128 barcode requires that FNC1 be made available. To
provide EAN 128 compatibility, the acceptable character range has been expanded
by 10 to include the ability to specify FNC1, FNC2, FNC3 and FNC4. In automatic
mode, values of 130-132 will be accepted, however, the resulting barcode may be
unreadable.
128
Code
Valu
e in
Deci
mal
Valu
e in
Hex
FNC3 128 80
FNC2 129 81
Not
Valid
130 82
131 83
132 84
FNC4 133 85
FNC1 134 86
Start
A
135 87
Start B 136 88
Start C 137 89
Figure 29 Expanded Function Coding
Note: In automatic mode, FNC4 is always specified as 133 regardless of what code
stick is currently active.