SATO CT410, CT400 Protocol Control Codes, Using Basic, Control HEX Description Character Value

Section 4. Programming Reference

These commands set the operational parameters of the printer, like “set the print speed to 3.”

<ESC> {Command} {Parameter} {Data}

Some commands can contain both Parameter and Data elements, such as “print a Code 39 symbol containing the data”.

PROTOCOL CONTROL CODES

Protocol codes are the special control characters that prepare the printer to receive instructions. For example, the <ESC> character tells the printer that a command code will follow and the <ENQ> character asks for the printer status.

There are two pre-defined different sets of Protocol Control codes to choose from. Each set is made up of six special characters. The Standard Protocol Control codes are non-printable characters, and the Non-Standard Protocol Control codes are printable characters. The Non-Standard set may be useful on host computers using protocol converters or in an application where non-printable ASCII characters cannot be sent from the host. This manual uses the Standard Protocol Control codes for all of the examples.

CONTROL	HEX	DESCRIPTION
CHARACTER	VALUE
SOH	01	Status Request
STX	02	Start of Data
ETX	03	End of Data
ESC	1B	Command code to follow
NULL	00	Cutter command
~	7E	(Responds to either)
ENQ	05	Get printer status, Bi-Com Mode
CAN	18	Cancel Print Job
DLE	10	Print Stop
DC1	11	Print Start
Off-Line	40 Hex	Take printer Off-Line

USING BASIC

It may be useful to test your CT printer using a BASIC program on a PC. You may also write your actual production programs in BASIC. Whatever the reason, if you will be working in BASIC, some of the following hints may help you get started:

1.Set the WIDTH of the output device to 255 characters to avoid automatically sending <CR> and <LF> characters after every line. The command string should be continuous and uninterrupted by <CR> and/or <LF> commands. The examples given in this manual are printed on separate lines because they will not fit on one line and do not contain any <CR> and/or <LF> characters. If these characters are needed, they are explicitly noted by the inclusion of <CR> and <LF> notations.

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