Carl Valentin Pica 104 User manual

Interface manual - English
Thermal transfer printer
Pica series
79.28.065 • April 2009
Technical modifications are subject to change without prior notice.
Carl Valentin GmbH • Neckarstraße 78 – 80 & 94 • 78056 Villingen-Schwenningen
[email protected] • www.valentin-carl.de

Table of contents
1
SERIAL DATA TRANSMISSION.............................................................................................1
XON / XOFF - Protocol............................................................................................................................................1
Connector assignment (9-pin DSUB socket) ...........................................................................................................1
Connecion RS 232 ..................................................................................................................................................2
Connector assignment RS485 and RS422..............................................................................................................3
PARALLEL DATA TRANSMISSION .......................................................................................4
Connection ..............................................................................................................................................................5
ROTATION OF TEXT, CODE AND GRAPHIC .......................................................................6
DATUMPOINT......................................................................................................................... 6
DATA FORMAT.......................................................................................................................7
Explanations............................................................................................................................................................8
Definition of field attributes/field properties (optional) ..............................................................................................9
Field names...........................................................................................................................................................10
Field selection by free definable field number........................................................................................................11
Foreground and background .................................................................................................................................12
MASK SET ............................................................................................................................13
Text .......................................................................................................................................................................13
Standard code .......................................................................................................................................................14
2D bar codes .........................................................................................................................................................16
Rectangle ..............................................................................................................................................................22
Line........................................................................................................................................................................22
Internal graphic......................................................................................................................................................23
TEXT SET .............................................................................................................................24
Examples...............................................................................................................................................................25
GRAPHIC..............................................................................................................................26
General graphic format..........................................................................................................................................26
Graphic in PCX format...........................................................................................................................................27
VARIABLES ..........................................................................................................................29
Set structure ..........................................................................................................................................................29
Link field ................................................................................................................................................................29
Counter..................................................................................................................................................................30
Extended counter ..................................................................................................................................................31
Currency variable ..................................................................................................................................................32
EAN128 Parser......................................................................................................................................................32
EPC calculation (Electronic Product Code) ...........................................................................................................33

Table of contents
2
PARAMETER SETS..............................................................................................................34
Label parameter ....................................................................................................................................................34
Label photocell ......................................................................................................................................................38
Dispensing photocell .............................................................................................................................................39
Device settings ......................................................................................................................................................40
Interface ................................................................................................................................................................42
Offset values..........................................................................................................................................................44
Service functions ...................................................................................................................................................46
Print .......................................................................................................................................................................47
Remote console.....................................................................................................................................................51
Internal memory.....................................................................................................................................................52
PARAMETER SETS FOR OPTIONS....................................................................................55
Network .................................................................................................................................................................55
Cutter.....................................................................................................................................................................58
Dispenser ..............................................................................................................................................................59
AUTOSTATUS ......................................................................................................................61
CHARACTER SETS..............................................................................................................63
International ANSI character font...........................................................................................................................65
Codepage 437.......................................................................................................................................................66
Codepage 850.......................................................................................................................................................67
Codepage 852.......................................................................................................................................................68
Codepage 857.......................................................................................................................................................69
GEM German ........................................................................................................................................................70
GEM English..........................................................................................................................................................71
GEM French ..........................................................................................................................................................72
GEM Swedish........................................................................................................................................................73
GEM Danish ..........................................................................................................................................................74
FONT EXAMPLES ................................................................................................................75
Bitmap fonts (not proportional) ..............................................................................................................................75
Bitmap fonts (proportional) ....................................................................................................................................75
Vector fonts ...........................................................................................................................................................75
INDEX ...................................................................................................................................77

Interface manual
1
SERIAL DATA TRANSMISSION
XON / XOFF - Protocol
The XON / XOFF protocol is used in "memory"-mode. The XON-code (HEX 11) indicates that the
printer is ready to receive data. When XOFF-code (HEX 13) is shown the transmission of data has to
be interrupted. To avoid possible data loss some information will be stored into the data-memory.
When receiving, that the memory is empty the XON-code (HEX 11) will be shown again.
Connector assignment (9-pin DSUB socket)
Pin Signal Beschreibung
2 R x D Receiving data line
3 T x D Transmitting data line
4 DTR HW Handshake
5 GND GND Signal

Interface manual
2
Connecion RS 232
1. printer (DSUB 9-plug) PC (DSUB 25-socket)
TXD PIN 3
RXD PIN 2
GND PIN 5
transmitting data
receiving data
PIN 3 RXD
PIN 2 TXD
PIN 7 GND
PIN 4 RTS
PIN 5 CTS
PIN 6 DSR
2. printer (DSUB 9-plug) PC (DSUB 9-socket)
TXD PIN 3
RXD PIN 2
GND PIN 5
PIN 3 TXD
PIN 2 RXD
PIN 5 GND
PIN 7 RTS
PIN 8 CTS
PIN 6 DSR
Terminal assignment (cable)
XON / XOFF - report: e.g. connection to an IBM-compatible computer
Hardware handshake:
1. printer (DSUB 9-plug) PC (DSUB 25-socket)
TXD PIN 3
RXD PIN 2
GND PIN 5
transmitting data
receiving data
PIN 3 RXD
PIN 2 TXD
PIN 7 GND
PIN 4 RTS
PIN 6 DSR
PIN 5 CTSDTR PIN 4
2. printer (DSUB 9-plug) PC (DSUB 9-socket)
TXD PIN 3
RXD PIN 2
GND PIN 5
DTR PIN
PIN 3 TXD
PIN 2 RXD
PIN 5 GND
PIN 7 RTS
PIN 6 DSR
PIN 8 CTS

Interface manual
3
Connector assignment RS485 and RS422
9-pin DSUB socket)
PIN at DSUB socket Function RS422 (full duplex) Function RS485 (semi duplex)
1 GND GND
2 n/c n/c
3 n/c n/c
4 RxD- n/c
5 RxD+ n/c
6 n/c TxD (RxD)-
7 n/c TxD (RxD)+
8 TxD- n/c
9 TxD+ n/c

Interface manual
4
PARALLEL DATA TRANSMISSION
Interface: parallel Interface
synchronising with STROBE - signal
handshake with BUSY - signal
all signals are TTL - compatible
Connection: AMPHENOL - plug 57-30360
PIN 1 In regular condition, this signal is in "HIGH"
position. With decreasing amplitude the data
acceptation is completed from
DATA 1 . . . . . DATA 8.
PIN 2 . . . 9 DATA 1 . . . . . DATA 8
parallel data information
PIN 10
A
CKNLG
PIN 11 In regular condition this signal is "LOW".
With decreasing amplitude of STROBE- signals,
BUSY will change onto "HIGH" - level.
This level will stay as long as the printer is busy
with the already received data byte.

Interface manual
5
Connection
AMP 36 (Centronic's socket)
Signal
Pin-No.
Signal name Direction Function
1 STROBE (input) The STROBE signal indicates that data can be
received. The impulse width to the receiving line has
to be 0,5 µs at least.
2 DATA 0 (input)
3 DATA 1 (input)
4 DATA 2 (input)
5 DATA 3 (input)
6 DATA 4 (input)
7 DATA 5 (input)
8 DATA 6 (input)
9 DATA 7 (input)
The signals are data bits sent to the printer. A HIGH
level corresponds to logical 1 and a LOW level to
logical 0.
10
A
CKNLG (output) An impulse of approx. 12 µs confirms data input for
a LOW level and signalises the further listening
watch of the printer.
A HIGH level indicates that the printer cannot
receive any data.
On the following conditions the signal HIGH is
possible:
1) for data input (impulse for each sign)
2) during a printing process
3) in Offline status
11 BUSY (output)
4) for printer failures
12 PE (output) A HIGH level indicates that paper is used up.
13 SELECT (output) High Online
14 AUTOFEED
15 GND
16 GND Signal ground.
17 CHASSISGND Mass, not connected with signal ground.
18 + 5V Approx. 4,8 V (max. 100mA)
19-30 GND Return conductor for twisted pair conductors.
31 not used -
Signal goes to LOW, in case
1) the paper is used up
2) the printer is Offline
or
32 (output)
3) an error occurs.
33 not used
34 not used
35 not used
36 not used

Interface manual
6
ROTATION OF TEXT, CODE AND GRAPHIC
DATUMPOINT
The so-called datumpoint is the relation point for indication of position. In the meantime the datumpoint
is also the point at which the selected object is rotated.
To determie the datumpoint in the mask sets, the possible datumpoints are numbered from left top (1)
to right bottom (9). The default datumpoint is left bottom (7). This datumpoint is also used even if no
indication is found in the mask set.
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9

Interface manual
7
DATA FORMAT
The format of data consists of 4 parts, the mask part, the text, the code (if necessary) and the
command part.
For a n-line label the following has to be transmitted:
n mask sets
n text sets
n graphic sets (if necessary)
1 command set
The command set always has to be transmitted at the end!
To each text on a label belongs one MASK SET and one TEXT SET with the same field number.
To each code on a label belongs one MASK SET, one TEXT SET and one CODE SET with the same
field number.
To each box or line on a label belongs only one MASK SET.
To each graphic on a label belong several GRAPHIC SETS according to its size res. height, e.g. a
graphic with a height of 10 mm needs 80 graphic sets.
Examples:
label with 3 lines text: 3 mask sets
3 text sets
1 command set
label with 3 lines text and 1 code: 4 mask sets
4 text sets
1 code set
1 command set
label with 2 lines text, 1 box and 3 lines: 6 mask sets
2 text sets
1 command set
For all data sets the following is valid:
Each set starts with: SOH = start of header →HEX format 01
and ends with: ETB = end of data transmission block →HEX format 17
Alternatively it is possible to set SOH to 5EHex and ETB to 5FHex. This is necessary if the connected
system (e.g. UNIX) cannot transfer control signs.
All other data sets →ASCII format, but they will be transmitted as hexadecimal characters.
Example: A = identification of mask set - transmission: 41HEX
n = field number '01' - transmission: 30HEX, 31HEX

Interface manual
8
Explanations
x coordinate: distance from right label rim in mm
is measured from the right label rim up to the lower left point of the corresponding
line
y coordinate: distance from upper label rim in mm
is measured from the beginning of the label down to the lower left point of the
corresponding line
bitmap fonts - not proportional (Matrix – mm)
01 = FONT 01 0,8 x 1,1 mm - 127 characters
02 = FONT 02 1,2 x 1,7 mm - 255 characters
03 = FONT 03 1,8 x 2,6 mm - 255 characters
04 = FONT 04 4,0 x 5,6 mm - 127 characters
05 = FONT 05 1,8 x 3,2 mm - descender - 255 characters
06 = FONT 06 1,5 x 2,9 mm - 127 characters
Bitmap fonts
not proportional:
07 = FONT 07 1,2 x 2,2 mm - descender - 255 characters
Bitmap fonts – proportional
21 = FONT 21 1,0; 9 (1,0; 13) - 255 characters
22 = FONT 22 1,8; 14 (1,8; 21) - 255 characters
23 = FONT 23 2,6; 21 (2,6; 31) - 255 characters
24 = FONT 24 5,6; 45 (5,6; 67) - 255 characters
28 = FONT 28 4,0; 32 (4,0; 48) - 255 characters
29 = FONT 29 0,8; 6 (0,8; 9) - 255 characters
Bitmap fonts
proportional:
To reach best print results it is recommended always to chose the biggest
possible font.
Vector fonts*
proportional text:
When in mode "proportional text", the height and width of text have to be entered
in mm.
These values refer to the capital "M", i.e. the values of other characters are
changing in proportion.
Vector fonts*
autoscale:
When in autoscale mode, height and width of text has to be entered in mm.
The height of the text refers to all capital letters. When using small characters and
descenders the height is changing in proportion. When entering the width, the
complete file has to be considered. The text will be adjusted automatically, which
means that the width of the characters is changing.
*only Pica 108/12

Interface manual
9
Definition of field attributes/field properties (optional)
Explanation: Additionally to mask set 'AM[ ] ...' the possibility was created to define further field
properties. In order to achieve a high flexibility, the field properties received own
names/identifications. Therefore the sequence as well as the number of field
properties are free. If necessary, the mask set 'AC[]' is transferred additionally to mask
set 'AM[]' to the printer.
Structure mask set: (SOH)AC[]at1=value;at2= value;...(ETB)
Attribute (at): Description
ITF 14 (see chapter 'Mask set ITF code')
BT
BW
QZ
Bearer bar type
Bearer bar width
Quiet zone in 1/100 mm
Field name (see page 10)
NAME Definition of field name
Field number (see page 11)
FN Free definable field number
Foreground and background (see page 12)
BGND Background of field
FGND Foreground of field
This table is constantly extended. The current version is available on demand.

Interface manual
10
Field names
Application (customized)
1. The label is created with Labelstar PLUS.
2. Label data are saved on memory card of printer.
3. An external control (SPS, balance, ERP system, etc.) modifies variable fields of the label (e.g.
weight, article no., batch no., etc.) and starts the print of label.
Explanation
So far the fields were designated by numbers (1, 2, 3, ...) which were determined by the order of
creation in Labelstar PLUS. By later modifications of label, these field numbers were possibly changed
whereby the access to a certain field was no longer possible. By the field names this dependence is
annulled.
Procedure
a) Labelstar PLUS
- Entry of 'Field identifier'.
- Selection of option 'Transmit field identifier'.
b) Save label on memory card of printer.
c) The external control loads first the saved label from memory card of printer with
(SOH)FMB---rF(ETB)
See chapter 'Memory card'.
d) With text set (SOH)BV[NAME]...(ETB) the contents of field is determined.
e) With parameter set (SOH)FBC---rS-------(ETB) the print is started.
See chapter 'printing'.

Interface manual
11
Field selection by free definable field number
With the following described attribute it is possible to assign a free definable field number to a field.
This field number does not have to be clear, i.e. several fields can have the same field number. In this
way the same field contents can be assigned to different fields.
The following attribute identification is defined:
Attribute Description
FN free definable field number
After the field number was assigned with AC mask statement,
(SOH)AC[n]FN=nr(ETB)
n = field index
nr = free definable field number
it is possible to access to the field and/or the fields with the new BF text statement:
(SOH)BF[nr]text(ETB)
nr = field number
text = field contents
Example
// Assignment of field number for field 1 and field 2
(SOH)AM[1]1000;2500;0;4;2;7;400;400;0(ETB)
(SOH)AC[1]FN=100(ETB)
(SOH)AM[2]2000;2500;0;30;2;4000;9;3;0;1(ETB)
(SOH)AC[2]FN=100(ETB)
// Access to field 1 and field 2 by field number
(SOH)BF[100]1234567890(ETB)

Interface manual
12
Foreground and background
For following objects/fields the foreground and background can be specified explicitely:
•Bitma
p
text
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
Post Identcode
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•TrueDoc text
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
ITF 14
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•Gra
p
hic from memor
y
card
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
Code 39
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•Line
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
Code 39 etended
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•Rectan
g
le
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
Code 93
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•QR Code
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
EAN 13
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•GS1 DataBar
(
RSS
)
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
EAN 8
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•CODABLOCK
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
EAN 128
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•DataMatrix
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
EAN ADD ON
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•PDF417
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
Pharmacode
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•CODABAR
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
PZN Code
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•Code 128
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
UPC A
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•Code 2/5 interleaved
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•
UPC E
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
•Post Leitcode
(
onl
y
fore
g
round
)
The following attribute identification is defined:
BGND Background of field
FGND Foreground of field
The following values can be assigned to the attributes:
0 black
1 white
2 inverted
3 transparent
4 standard
black: The field contents is generated in black onto the label (previous standard).
white: The field contents is generated in white onto the label.
inverted: The field contents is generated inverted to the background onto the label.
transparent: The field contents is generated transparent onto the label – no change of contents
that is generated till then.
If the attribute for the background is set, this effects on all fields within this range, generated so far.
With the selection of white or black the fields beneath are covered. If inverted is selected then they
change their color.
The attribute value for the foreground always refers to the current background. If no attribute is
explicitely set, all generated fields so far in this sector are regarded as background.
At the generation, alwayst the first attribute for the background (if set) and then the attribute for the
foreground (if set) is processed.
Example:
// Creation of field for bitmap text
(SOH)AM[1]2000;5000;0;1;0;21;2;2;50;7(ETB)
// Text field contents
(SOH)BM[2]Inverted text(ETB)
// Invert text field
(SOH)AC[2]BGND=3;FGND=2(ETB)

Interface manual
13
MASK SET
Text AM[n]y;x;p;a;d;z;dy;dx;lp;dp
A identification for mask set
M identification for protocol version
n field number
y Y coordinate in 1/100 mm
x X coordinate in 1/100 mm
identification for phantom field
p 0 = print 1 = no print
identification for field type
1 = Bitmap font
2 = Bitmap font inverse
4 = Vector font proportional*
5 = Vector font autoscale*
6 = Vector font proportional inverse*
a
7 = Vector font autoscale inverse*
rotation
d 0 = 0° 1 = 90° 2 = 180° 3 = 270°
character font for not proportional Bitmap fonts (1+2)
01 = FONT 01 0,8 x 1,1 mm 127 characters
02 = FONT 02 1,2 x 1,7 mm 255 characters
03 = FONT 03 1,8 x 2,6 mm 255 characters
04 = FONT 04 4,0 x 5,6 mm 127 characters
05 = FONT 05 1,8 x 3,2 mm - descenders 255 characters
06 = FONT 06 1,5 x 2,9 mm 127 characters
07 = FONT 07 1,2 x 2,2 mm - descenders 255 characters
character font for proportional Bitmap fonts (1+2)
21 = FONT 21 (1,0; 13) 255 characters
22 = FONT 22 (1,8; 21) 255 characters
23 = FONT 23 (2,6; 31) 255 characters
24 = FONT 24 (5,6; 67) 255 characters
28 = FONT 28 (4,0; 48) 255 characters
29 = FONT 29 (0,8; 9) 255 characters
character font for vector fonts (4-7)*
01 = Helvetica Bold 02 = Helvetica Bold italics
03 = Helvetica Roman 04 = Helvetica Roman italics
05 = Swiss Light 06 = Swiss Light italics
07 = Baskerville 08 = Baskerville italics
09 = Brush Script 10 = Brush Script italics
z
11 = Monospace 12 = Monospace italics
extension in direction Y
dy Bitmap Fonts
Vecor Fonts
Vector Fonts Autoscale
factor 0..9
character size in 1/100 mm
field height
extension in direction X
dx Bitmap fonts
Vector fonts*
Vector fonts Autoscale*
factor 0-9
character sign in 1/100 mm
field width
lp distance between single characters in 1/100 mm
datumpoint
1 = left top 2 = centre top 3 = right top
4 = left centre 5 = centre centre 6 = right centre
dp
7 = left bottom (default) 8 = centre bottom 9 = right bottom
*only Pica 108/12

Interface manual
14
Standard code
AM[n]y;x;p;a;d;h;v1;v2;pz;z;dp
A identification for mask set
M identification for protocol version
n field number
y Y position in 1/100 mm
x X position in 1/100 mm
identification for phantom field
0 = print
p
1 = no print
identification for field type
30 = Code 39
31 = Code 2/5 interleaved
32 = EAN 8
33 = EAN 13
34 = UPC
A
35 = UPC E
36 = CODABAR
37 = Code 128
38 = EAN ADD ON
39 = EAN 128
40 = Code 93
41 = PZN
42 = 2/5 Industrie
43 = Leitcode
44 = Identcode
46 = Code 39 extended
47 = Code 128
A
48 = Code 128 B
a
49 = Pharmacode
rotation
0 = 0°
1 = 90°
2 = 180°
d
3 = 270°
h height of symbol in 1/100 mm
v1 relation 1; module width 'THICK'
v2 relation 2; module width 'THIN' res. SC factor
check digit calculation
pz
0 = no check digit calculation
1 = check digit calculation
4 = inverse - no check digit calculation
5 = inverse - check digit calculation
human readable line
z 0 = no human readable line
1 = with human readable line
datumpoint
1 = left top 2 = centre top 3 = right top
4 = left centre 5 = centre centre 6 = right centre
dp
7 = left bottom (default) 8 = centre bottom 9 = right bottom

Interface manual
15
ITF Code
AM[n]y;x;p;a;d;h;v1;v2;pz;z;dp
A identification for mask set
M identification for protocol version
n field number
y Y position in 1/100 mm
x X position in 1/100 mm
identification for
p
hantom field
p 0 =
p
rint - 1 = no
p
rint
identification for field type
a 31 = Code 2/5 interleaved
rotation
0 = 0°
1 = 90°
2 = 180°
d
3 = 270°
h height of symbol in 1/100 mm
v1 relation 1; module width 'THICK'
v2 relation 2; module width 'THIN' res. SC factor
check digit calculation
pz
0 = no check digit calculation
1 = check digit calculation
4 = inverse - no check digit calculation
5 = inverse - check digit calculation
human readable line
z 0 = no human readable line
1 = with human readable line
datumpoint
1 = left top 2 = centre top 3 = right top
4 = left centre 5 = centre centre 6 = right centre
dp
7 = left bottom (default) 8 = centre bottom 9 = right bottom
In order to print the bearer bars of an ITF 14 barcode, the following additional properties for Code 2/5
interleaved must be set:
For this the following field properties are determined:
Property identifier Description
BT bearer bar type
0 = no bars
1 = above/below
2 = rectangle
BW bearer bar width
in 1/100 mm
QZ quiet zone
in 1/100 mm
Example
// BARCODE (1/100 mm)
(SOH)AM[1]4498;7076;0;31;2;3000;12;4;0;1;3(ETB)
(SOH)AC[1]BT=2;BW=150;QZ=600(ETB)
(SOH)BM[1]1234567890123(ETB)

Interface manual
16
2D bar codes
PDF417
AM[n]y;x;p:a;d;s;sw;ah;ec;z;dp
A identification for mask set
M identification for protocol version
n field number
y Y position in 1/100 mm
x X position in 1/100 mm
identification for phantom field
p
0 = print
1 = no print
identification for field type
a
50 = PDF417
rotation
0 = 270°
1 = 290°
2 = 180°
d
3 = 270°
s symbol size
aw relation width
ah relation height
error correction level
0 - ECC Level = 0
1 - ECC Level = 2
2 - ECC Level = 6
3 - ECC Level = 14
4 - ECC Level = 30
5 - ECC Level = 62
6 - ECC Level = 126
7 - ECC Level = 254
ec
8 - ECC Level = 510
style
0 = Standard
1 = Truncated
2 = Naked
z
3 = Bare
datumpoint
1 = left top
2 = centre top
3 = right top
4 = left centre
5 = centre centre
6 = right centre
7 = left bottom (default)
8 = centre bottom
dp
9 = right bottom