ABLE Systems Ap1300 User manual

USER GUIDE
to the
Ap1300
Thermal Printer
Revision: “1.1”
Filename: “ap1300usg11.doc”
Date: “23 Nov. 2005”
A
BLE Systems Limited
DENTON DRIVE, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE, CW9 7TU, ENGLAND
Tel: [phone] Fax:[phone]
Website: www.able-systems.com e-mail: [email protected]

Ap1300 User Guide Page 2 of 16
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Table Of Contents........................................................................................................................2
2 Introduction...................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Notes on Printer Firmware Revisions (Including Flash)...........................................................3
2.2 Copyright Notice And Disclaimer..............................................................................................3
2.3 Documentation Revision History ..............................................................................................3
2.4 Ordering Part Codes, Options and Accessories.......................................................................4
3 Modes Of Operation.....................................................................................................................5
3.1 Idle Mode..................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Sleep Mode...............................................................................................................................5
3.3 Spool Mode...............................................................................................................................5
4 Battery Packs...............................................................................................................................6
4.1 Overview of Battery Operation .................................................................................................6
4.2 Fitting and Connecting the Battery Pack..................................................................................6
4.3 Charging the Battery.................................................................................................................6
4.4 Battery Pack Handling Precautions..........................................................................................7
4.5 Battery Pack Capacity ..............................................................................................................7
4.6 Primary Cell Cradle ..................................................................................................................7
4.7 Alternative Power Arrangements..............................................................................................7
5 Paper............................................................................................................................................8
5.1 Loading Paper ..........................................................................................................................8
5.2 Paper Out and Head Up Sensors.............................................................................................8
6 Led Indications.............................................................................................................................9
7 Printer Operation and Programming..........................................................................................10
7.1 Data Buffer..............................................................................................................................10
7.2 Spool Mode.............................................................................................................................10
7.3 Character Printing and Fonts..................................................................................................10
7.4 Graphics Printing and Other Programming Modes ................................................................10
8 Interface Details .........................................................................................................................11
8.1 RS-232 Serial Interface (Applies to Ap1300, Ap1300-IR and Ap1300-BT)............................11
8.2 IrDA Interface (Applies to Ap1300-IR only)............................................................................11
8.3 Bluetooth Interface (Applies to Ap1300-BT only)...................................................................11
9 Connections and EMC Precautions...........................................................................................12
9.1 Connector Details...................................................................................................................12
9.2 Connector Pinouts..................................................................................................................12
9.3 Battery Charger Details..........................................................................................................12
9.4 Combined Data/Charger Adaptor Cable ................................................................................13
9.5 EMC Statement ......................................................................................................................13
9.6 EMC Caution ..........................................................................................................................13
10 Wall and Belt Mounting Instructions...........................................................................................14
11 Getting Started...........................................................................................................................15
11.1 Connecting to a PC – A Checklist ..........................................................................................15
11.2 Windows™ Printer Drivers .....................................................................................................16
11.3 Your Application Program.......................................................................................................16
11.4 On-Line Information................................................................................................................16
11.5 If All Else Fails........................................................................................................................16

Ap1300 User Guide Page 3 of 16
2 INTRODUCTION
This document is a User Guide, written for the person connecting and using the Able Systems
Ap1300 thermal printer. Please read this Guide carefully before making any connection.
A separate Programmer Guide provides details of the control codes, and describes the internal
operation of this product.
2.1 NOTES ON PRINTER FIRMWARE REVISIONS (INCLUDING FLASH)
Able Systems reserves the right to modify and improve the firmware in its printer products at any time.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure backward compatibility, no guarantee in this respect is given or
implied.
The Ap1300 includes a flash-reprogramable microcontroller. This allows firmware upgrades under
customer control. Refer to the factory for more information.
2.2 COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
Copyright subsists in all Able Systems intellectual property, including controller firmware (embedded
software) and circuit diagrams, pin connection lists and application data. No warranty in respect of
patent rights of Able Systems Limited or of third parties is given. Unauthorised reproduction or
amendment of controller firmware may result in prosecution.
Design Registration of the Ap1300 printer has been applied for.
Fujitsu is a registered mark of its owner Fujitsu Limited. References to this or other owners' marks in
this document are for illustrative purposes only.
Able Systems do not assume responsibility for interchangeable functionality of other parties'
command sets.
2.3 DOCUMENTATION REVISION HISTORY
Title (and Revision Number) Issue Date Comments
User Guide to the Ap1300 Rev 1.0 11 Mar 2004 This document is the original release
User Guide to the Ap1300 Rev 1.1 23 Nov 2005 Product code prefixes removed throughout.
Note added regarding prohibited printing during fast
charge in Section 4.3
Minor changes to Section 8.2
Added to Ap1300-BT information in Section 8.3
Added reference to PDA’s in Section 11.2

Ap1300 User Guide Page 4 of 16
2.4 ORDERING PART CODES, OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES
The following table details full Able Systems part codes for products related to the Ap1300 printer:
ASL Product Code Description
Printers AP1300 Standard RS-232 printer (includes 1800mAH NiMH Battery Pack)
AP1300-IR As standard printer, with additional IrDA interface
AP1300-BT As standard printer, with additional Bluetooth interface
Ap1300-KIT1 Complete kit suitable for evaluation of AP1300 printer
Ap1300-IR-KIT1 Complete kit suitable for evaluation of AP1300-IR printer
Ap1300-BT-KIT1 Complete kit suitable for evaluation of AP1300-BT printer
Evaluation
Kits
Each kit contains the following items:
Ap1300 Printer (Standard, IrDA or Bluetooth version, including battery pack)
'Universal' input trickle charger
D-9 data cable for PC
2 standard paper rolls
Wall / Belt Mounting bracket and fixing kit
Primary Cell Cradle
Quick-start guide
N.B. Alternative items may be substituted if stock is unavailable.
A05836TPR1 Thermal Paper Roll (36 mm dia, 14.5 m long approx)
Paper
AP1300BP-01 Battery Pack (1800 mAH NiMH)
Power
Packs BC1300 'Universal' input trickle charger (UK/Euro/USA)
BC1300B UK plug style trickle charger
BC1300FC 'Universal' input fast charger and vehicle charger (UK/Euro/USA/Aus)
Chargers
AP1300-D9 Data cable with D-9 for direct PC connection
AP1300BR-01 Combined wall-mounting bracket and Belt-clip
AP1300-PCC Primary Cell Cradle (Fits 4 x AAA primary non-rechargable cells)
Cables and
Adaptors
AP800FEU Font Editor Utility software for PC
Support
Utilities Setup Utility
Flash Upgrade Utility
Windows Drivers
}
} Available from the factory on request.
}
N.B. The list of options and accessories available is likely to change over time. Please check our
web site ( http://www.able-systems.com ) for the most up-to-date information.

Ap1300 User Guide Page 5 of 16
3 MODES OF OPERATION
The Ap1300 has three operating modes, when not actually printing:
y"Idle Mode": ready to accept data, but no data are in the buffer awaiting printing, and the
printer motor is not running;
y“Sleep Mode": effectively switched off;
y"Spool Mode": active, but storing data for later printing.
Modes are indicated by different colour combinations on the front-panel LED (see section 6).
No light is emitted in sleep mode.
No hardware power switch is fitted, as power control is either automatic or by command from the host
computer. To save power, the printer enters sleep mode after a period of inactivity. It can also be
programmed to stay idle indefinitely or to go to sleep on command.
3.1 IDLE MODE
In idle mode, the printer is ready to receive data, which will be printed as soon as complete lines or
graphics patterns are decoded. It responds to the paper feed button in the normal way, and can also
produce a demonstration print (see below). Power consumption is such that a fully-charged battery
pack would last up to 10 hours, but the printer will normally switch from idle mode into sleep mode
when there is no activity, extending battery life.
3.2 SLEEP MODE
The printer enters sleep mode after a period of inactivity. This period is factory-set to 30 seconds
(except the Ap1300-BT which is factory-set to 4 minutes), but is programmable from the host.
In sleep mode, power consumption is negligible, but data stored in the buffer are lost. Special
routines allow for data to be printed out automatically before going to sleep. User programmable
settings such as Baud rate and operational preferences are, however, retained during sleep mode or
battery replacement. The system designer can maximise battery life by arranging that the printer is
generally in sleep mode, except when printing.
The printer enters sleep mode as follows:
yby command from the host;
yat the end of the (programmable) period of inactivity (This period is extended in spool mode);
ythe battery voltage falls below a pre-set lower limit.
But, the Ap1300 will never enter sleep mode when:
ya charger is connected;
ydata is being received;
ythe RS-232 "Wake-up" control line is 'active';
yan IrDA connection is present ("Ap1300-IR" only).
The printer is woken up from sleep mode as follows:
yby pressing the paper feed button;
yby connecting the external battery charger;
yby an RS-232 data stream from the host: a certain period of logical '0' bits is required,
typically a string of 50 NUL characters at 9,600 Baud. These data will be lost. There is a
delay of up to 100 ms before the serial output lines are established and the printer is
ready to accept data;
yby the RS-232 "Wake-up" control line becoming 'active';
yby Infra-Red activity ( "Ap1300-IR" only).
3.3 SPOOL MODE
In spool mode, data is received and stored, but not printed. This is useful when printing needs to be
suppressed during data transfer (for example in mobile radio systems); or when the printer is unable
to print because the paper has run out or the lid is open.
The Ap1300 will automatically enter spool mode when the paper is out, when the head is up, or if
some other error condition occurs, or alternatively by command from the host. Spool mode may be
cleared by host command, automatically when the condition is cleared, or by "double-clicking" the
feed button. Power consumption in spool mode is similar to that in idle mode.

Ap1300 User Guide Page 6 of 16
4 BATTERY PACKS
4.1 OVERVIEW OF BATTERY OPERATION
The Ap1300 is normally supplied with a standard 1.8Ah NiMH battery pack. The primary power for
the printer comes from the battery pack.
The printer can operate with or without a charger connected. If required, the charger can be operated
continuously to keep the battery fully charged, although a high printing duty cycle may reduce the
charge in the battery. Operation from the charger alone is not possible: a battery pack must always
be fitted.
N.B. For safety the battery pack is shipped fitted into the battery compartment, but discharged
and disconnected.
Before use, the battery must be connected (see below) and then fully charged.
4.2 FITTING AND CONNECTING THE BATTERY PACK
The procedure for connecting the battery pack is as follows:
1. Remove the screw from the battery compartment door (if fitted),
2. Push down, and slide back the battery compartment door,
3. Fit the battery pack connector taking care to insert it correctly,
4. Fit the battery pack ensuring wires are correctly routed and not trapped.
4.3 CHARGING THE BATTERY
Plug the battery charger into a suitable mains outlet socket and insert the jack plug into the power
connector at the rear of the printer. The LED will flash orange to show that the printer is on charge.
There is also the option of charging the printer via the jack socket in the D9 data connector.
N.B. Please note that while the printer may be used as normal when trickle charging, printing
is disabled during a fast charge cycle.

Ap1300 User Guide Page 7 of 16
4.4 BATTERY PACK HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
WARNING! Battery Handling Precautions
The battery pack is fitted with an internal safety fuse, but the user must take care to avoid
short-circuiting the contacts by preventing them from touching any metallic object. For
example, the battery pack should never be carried loose in a pocket where it could rub against coins,
keys or other metallic objects.
Short-circuiting the contacts of the battery pack will cause a heavy current to flow, which may lead to
excessive heating of the battery pack or any metallic objects connected to it. This could cause burns,
or start a fire.
WARNING! Do Not Try To Open The Battery Pack
The standard battery pack contains five Nickel-Metal-Hydride Cells. Exposing the cells
increases the risk of leakage or short-circuiting.
CAUTION: It is strongly recommended that the external charger is disconnected whenever the
battery pack is removed or replaced.
Please observe local standards for the handling, transport and disposal of Nickel-Metal-Hydride Cells.
4.5 BATTERY PACK CAPACITY
The Ap1300 is supplied with a 1.8Ah NiMH battery pack. This battery pack should be recharged while
installed in the printer. This takes about 15 hours with the Trickle Charger, or about 3 hours with the
Fast Charger. The capacity of the battery pack when fully charged will normally be sufficient to print
normal text along about four full rolls of paper. However, the amount of printing which can be
achieved depends greatly on the printing density, idle time and other factors such as the ambient
temperature and the history of the battery pack.
With the printer awake but idle, a fully charged battery would last for up to 10 hours, but the built-in
sleep mode shuts down the printer completely, reducing energy consumption to a negligible rate.
In the event of the battery becoming exhausted, the printer will automatically protect its own control
circuitry by entering sleep mode if the instantaneous battery voltage drops below a threshold (e.g.
during a particularly heavy section of print). In this case data stored in the buffer is lost.
The battery pack should be capable of up to 500 complete charge and discharge cycles, though this
may be reduced in very repetitive applications. If a particular battery pack appears not to be holding
charge as well as expected, it may be worn out and should be replaced by a new one. Please consult
the factory for further details and recommended battery treatment.
During battery charging, especially fast charging, the printer may become quite warm. This can
crease the paper within the mechanism. The system designer may wish to feed out some paper
before printing begins, either controlled from the host, or by the user pressing the paper feed button.
4.6 PRIMARY CELL CRADLE
Also available, as an accessory, is a battery cradle suitable for 4 x AAA primary (non-rechargable)
cells. If the standard rechargable NiMH battery pack becomes discharged and there is no time, or no
available mains charger, to recharge it, then the AAA battery cradle may be used to power the printer
for short periods.
N.B. The cradle is suitable for four AAA 1.5V primary (non-rechargable) cells only.
4.7 ALTERNATIVE POWER ARRANGEMENTS
Alternative arrangements, such as direct power from a vehicle 12V or 24V starter battery, or direct
power from a high capacity voltage source, will be made available in due course. Please contact the
factory if your application requires such power arrangements.

Ap1300 User Guide Page 8 of 16
5 PAPER
Pressing the paper feed button when the printer is idle advances paper at typically 50 mm per
second, depending on the battery voltage. However, the feed button has several additional functions:
A single press and release of the button:
yin idle or spool mode, advances paper (in steps of 1/16 mm);
yin sleep mode, wakes up the printer into idle mode;
"Double-clicking" the button: (i.e. pressing and releasing twice in quick succession just like a PC mouse)
yin idle mode, prints a demo/test message including the firmware version, encoded
calibration data, and the full character set;
yin spool mode, or having been out of paper, prints any stored data and enters idle mode.
Some of the functions of the paper feed button can be invoked or disabled under control of the host.
5.1 LOADING PAPER
Paper rolls must be 57.5 ± 0.5 mm wide, 36 mm maximum diameter, and have the thermally sensitive
coating on the outside. The printer can accept rolls which are coreless or wound on a core.
Suitable rolls are available as ASL Product Code:
A05836TPR1 Thermal Paper Roll (36 mm dia, 14.5 m long approx)
The procedure for loading paper is as follows:
1. Slide the Lid Release Button forwards until the Lid springs open.
2. Unwind a small amount of paper from the roll and Insert the Paper Roll into the Printer.
3. Close the Lid down, and the paper is loaded.
After loading, check that the paper advances properly, and tear off any excess by pulling the paper
sharply towards you across the serrated tear bar. In the event of a jam or other paper loading
problem, release the lid and straighten the paper before closing again.
5.2 PAPER OUT AND HEAD UP SENSORS
A reflective optical Paper Out sensor within the mechanism detects an out-of-paper condition, and/or
senses black marks to register with pre-printed forms. A mechanical Head Up sensor detects when
the lid is open.
By default, the printer enters Spool mode automatically if either sensor becomes active. Spool mode
is automatically exited, and any stored data printed, when new paper is loaded and the lid closed.
This behaviour may be modified. Please refer to the Programmers’ Guide for details of how to
configure these functions.

Ap1300 User Guide Page 9 of 16
6 LED INDICATIONS
The LED indicator at the front of the Ap1300 has a number of colour combinations, which repeat in up
to a 4-phase pattern to provide status information (see table below).
In summary, if the LED is constant green it indicates that the printer is operating normally from its
battery pack. Flashing on and off indicates that Spool mode is active and no printing can take place.
Orange advises the battery is being charged. Red warns of a low battery or other problem.
No light indicates that the unit is in sleep mode, has a flat battery, or the battery is not connected.
LED Pattern Table
Pattern Battery Buffer Mode
Constant Green Running Normal
Fast Flashing Green Running Spool *
Long Green - Short Red Battery Low Normal
Short Green - Short Red Battery Low Spool *
Short Green - Long Orange Trickle Charging Normal
Long Orange Flashing Trickle Charging Spool *
Fast Flashing Orange Fast Charging Spool (Printing prohibited)
Fast Flashing Red Error Condition Spool (Printing prohibited)
No light Flat, or in sleep mode
* (Spool may have resulted from Paper Out or Head Up conditions)
Although this table may seem complicated, few applications will produce many of the combinations.
Other LED Patterns
Other LED patterns may be programmed into the Ap1300 on request or by the system designer.
Please refer to the Programmers’ Guide for details of how to configure these functions.

Ap1300 User Guide Page 10 of 16
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:
ya command from the host;
yPaper Out condition or Head Up condition being sensed;
yfast charging detected;
yan 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:
ya command from the host;
ythe 'causing condition' (e.g. Paper Out or Head Up) being cleared;
ythe 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.