Microcom LDS II, Programming Manual

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LDSII Programming Guide - 880015-0123 3
Chapter 1: Designing Using LDSII
Label formats or scripts are very easy to design using LDSII by following these basic steps
below. LDSII printers require the use of hardware flow control (CTS/RTS) for proper data
management to occur. Software flow control should not be used to manage data being sent
to an LDSII printer.
1. Determine the media type, media size, and print speed desired for your application;
enter this data into the script header.
2. Determine the type of handling operation desired and use the appropriate LDSII
printer control commands.
3. Define the formatting instructions for the type and placement of data.
4. Enter the text data that corresponds to the formatting instructions.
5. Send the script to the printer.
1.1 Special Control Codes
The printer can accept either the one-character control code
(“Ctrl + E”) or the two-character
caret (^) plus alpha character (“^E”). Control codes are processed immediately while the
^Dxx commands are processed in the order they are issued. It is recognized that some
mainframe and mini-
computers cannot use the ASCII carat “^” character. The ASCII pipe
symbol “|” can be used as a substitute for these instances. Below is a list of special control
codes used by LDSII. A one (1) second delay should follow all control codes before
executing the next command to assure that the code and/or command executed correctly.
^A Begin Script : Marks the beginning of an LDSII script file entry.
^C Clear Halting Error : When issued five consecutive times with a one second delay
between each ^C the printer will clear blocking or halting error conditions returning
^Dxx command responsiveness. If the printer has remaining jobs in the queue, the
printer will return to a >PAUSED< state instead of the >READY< state. Please note
that if the condition that caused the error still exists, pressing the print button and/or
sending further scripts will cause this error to be reported again. Halting error
messages are conditions that must be corrected before printing may resume. Refer
to section 6.3 for additional information regarding error conditions.
^D Standard Command Preface : Combined with three-digit number issues a
command. See Chapter 2 for more information regarding ^D commands.
^E Printer Enquiry : Causes the printer to list its current status to an active
communications port.
^H Back Space : Causes the printer to issue a back space.