TEC B-372-QP User manual

TEC CORPORATION
No. TAA-0175
GENERAL-PURPOSE THERMAL
LABEL/TAG PRINTER
Models: B-372-QP
B-572-QP, B-572-QQ
B-672-QP, B-672-QQ
B-872-QP, B-872-QQ
EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT INTERFACE
SPECIFICATION
First Edition: February15, 1993
Second Edition: March 31, 1993
Third Edition: December 13, 1993
Fourth Edition: March 11, 1994
Fifth Edition: June 17, 1994
Sixth Edition: October 6, 1994
Seventh Edition: December 1, 1994
Eighth Edition: January14, 1995
Ninth Edition: January20, 1995
Tenth Edition: April 16, 1996
Eleventh Edition: February15, 1997
Twelfth Edition: July26, 1997
Thirteenth Edition:December 15, 1997
Fourteenth EditionAugust 12, 1998
Table of Contents

< 1 >
MODIFICATION HISTORY
TAA-0175 EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT INTERFACE SPECIFICATION
Date Modified
Page Description
93/2/15 - Newly published.
93/3/31 6 The connector has been changed (the connector actually used is described).
57L-40360-27CB →57RE-40360-73B
57-40360-1 →57E-30360
7 The shape of the connector pins has been changed (from round pins to square
pins).
22 The programmable range table has been changed.
27 • The unit of the print density fine adjust command has been added.
• Misprint has been corrected (back feed length →print density).
• Fine adjust value “00” has been added.
28~29,
32, 35, 42,
51, 81
The effective print area table has been changed.
48~49 1-4 module width (3-digit bar/space) designation has been changed to 2-digit 1-
module designation (to simplify designation method).
* The parameter symbols have been changed.
50 The number of bar/space width digits has been changed from 3 to 2.
* The parameter symbols have been changed.
53 The explanation about the module width has been added.
57, 58, 62 The number of bar/space width digits of the command example has been changed
from 3 to 2.
59 The misprint has been corrected (“,” to “;”).
83 • The maximum storable command capacity per kind has been added.
• The saved data call command and the bit map writable character program
command have been added to the commands which are not saved.
84 The error types at saved data calling have been added.
88 The cause of the command error has been added.
115 Two types of MSI check digit (which are not included in the specification) have been
deleted.
117 The maximum number of CODE39 digits has been changed.
118~119 • The maximum number of NW7 digits has been changed.
• The minimum number of CODE128 (without automatic selection) digits has been
changed.

< 2 >

< 3 >
Date Modified
Page Description
93/12/13 Cover, 22,
29, 32, 35,
42, 51
The model names have been changed.
3 • XOFF output at power off has been added.
• XON output has been added.
9 The maximum current has been changed from 100 mA to 500 mA.
11 • The DIP SW1-2, 3, 4 have been changed (no message displayed →English).
• Use of the built-in rewinder has been added to DIP SW1-6.
• The XON/XOFF output function at power on/off has been changed in DIP SW2-7,
8 transmission control system.
12 The strip position fine adjustment has been added.
13 • The strip position fine adjustment has been added.
• The label gap has been changed to the effective print length, and initial value for it
has been changed from 2 mm to 74.2 mm.
• The label width has been changed to the effective print width.
14 The reset function has been added.
15 Note (5) has been added.
16 Note (6) has been added.
19 The explanation of the reset command has been added to precautions.
20 The message display command has been added.
22 • The range of tag pitch ”A” has been changed.
• The note about the effective print width has been added.
23 • The explanation for the print stop position in strip mode has been added.
• The note for the ribbon save issue has been added.
24 The strip position fine adjustment has been added.
25 The figure explaining the feed length fine adjustment has been modified.
25-1 The strip position fine adjustment has been added.
26 • The limit for the feed length fine adjustment has been added.
• Note (5) has been added.
26-1 • The example for the strip issue has been added.
<< One page added >>
28 The notes for the designated coordinates have been added.
33 The character magnifications have been changed.
36, 43, 52 The print samples have been changed to the actual printing.
40, 47 The note for the character string number has been added.
47 The note for the outline font which cannot be printed properly has been added.
50 • The format has been changed.
• The character-to-character space designation at MSI and ITF has been added.
53 • The notes for the bar width, space width and character-to-character space have
been added.
• The explanation for the space width for NW7 has been added.
54 The explanation for the bar code height of 0000 has been added.

< 4 >

< 5 >
Date Modified
Page Description
93/12/13 54~55 The figures for the drawing position of numerals under bar have been changed to
the actual print label.
56 The explanation for zero suppression has been added.
57 The note for the bar code number has been added.
58 The example command for the bar width, space width and character-to-character
space have been changed.
(30 PRINT #1, ESC$; ”XB02; 0830, 0550, 3, 1, 03, 03, 08, 08, 03, 3, 0150,”; to 30
PRINT #1, ESC$; ”XB02; 0830, 0550, 3, 1, 02, 04, 07, 08, 04, 3, 0150,”;)
62 The example command for the bar width and space width of bar code have been
changed.
(30 PRINT #1, ESC$; ”XB02;0830, 0550, 3, 1, 03, 03, 08, 08, 03, 3, 0150,”; to 30
PRINT #1, ESC$; ”XB02; 0830, 0550, 3, 1, 02, 04, 07, 08, 04, 3, 0150,”;)
63 • The back feed function has been added to strip mode.
• 3”/sec. has been added to the issue speed.
• The issue speed parameter range has been expanded.
• The explanation for an error when the cut interval is designated has been added.
65 • The back feed function has been added to strip mode.
• The explanation for the back feed speed has been added.
• The explanation for ribbon saving has been added.
67 The explanation for status response has been added.
68 • The back feed function has been added to strip mode.
• 3”/sec. has been added to the issue speed.
• The issue speed parameter range has been expanded.
69 • The back feed function has been added to strip mode.
• The explanation for the back feed speed has been added.
70 • The strip position fine adjustment has been added.
• The explanation for status response has been added.
71 The misprint has been corrected.
72 Notes (3), (4) and (5) have been added.
74 Note (6) has been added.
77 Note (8) has been added.
78 The example for the writable character command has been corrected.
80, 82 The char. width has been changed to the graphic width.
84 Note (1) (for the Save Terminate Command) has been added.
Note (4) (for the Saved Data Call Command) has been added.
85 The broken dots check time has been added.
85-1~2 The Message Display Command has been added.
<< Two pages added >>
86 • Notes (1), (2) and (3) (for the Reset Command) have been added.
• Note (1) (for the Status Request Command) has been added.
87 The explanation for control code { . | . } has been added.

< 6 >
Date Modified
Page Description
93/12/13 88 • The explanation for an undefined command has been added.
• Restoration by Restart key has been added.
88~88-1 The errors have been described more in detail.
<< One page added >>
89 • The EEPROM error has been added.
• The Reset Processing has been added.
90 The explanation for the status transmission has been added.
91 • The explanation has been added to the printer status for HEAD OPEN.
• The remaining count has been deleted from the HEAD ERROR message.
• The EEPROM error has been added.
92 • The explanation has been added to the printer status for HEAD OPEN.
• The remaining count has been deleted from the HEAD ERROR message.
• The EEPROM error has been added.
93 • The restoration by Restart key when a communication error has been changed
from No to Yes.
• The explanation has been added to the printer status for HEAD OPEN.
• The remaining count has been deleted from the HEAD ERROR message.
94 • The restoration by Restart key when a communication error has been changed
from No to Yes.
• The EEPROM error has been added.
• The display method for the code which cannot be displayed when a command
error occurs has been added.
95 The remaining count has been deleted from the HEAD ERROR message.
96~98 The character code tables have been changed and explanation has been added.
119 The transfer method for no auto selection of CODE128 has been changed.
94/3/11 Cover, 1 The model names have been changed as follows.
B-372-QP →B-372-QP
B-572-QP →B-572-QP, B-572-QQ
B-872-QP →B-872-QP, B-872-QQ
15, 16,
16-1 The note on inserting and removing the flash memory card has been added.
<< One page added >>
52, 55 The size of numerals under bars and the pitch between characters have been
changed.
61 The character string No. has been changed to the bar code No.
65, 66 The minimum print area in ribbon saving issue mode has been added.
72 The note that the forward/reverse feed command is ignored also in cut issue mode
has been added.
88-1 Misprint corrected: “expansion I/F” to “expansion I/O”

< 7 >
Date Modified
Page Description
94/6/17 12 The head broken dots check function has been added to the self test.
13, 14 The initial value for the effective print width has been changed according to the
models.
14 The parameter setting function in online mode has been added.
22, 29, 32,
35, 42, 51,
81
The label size setting range has been changed:
Label pitch/tag pitch
Label length
Backing paper width/tag width
Label width
Label-to-label gap
Effective print length
Max. effective print length for on-the-fly issue
22-1 The label length condition in cut issue mode has been added.
<< One page added >>
25-1 The supplementary explanation for the strip position fine adjustment has been
added.
27 The explanation regarding the link field using the clear command has been added.
33, 34, 38,
38-1, 40,
40-1, 41,
42, 45,
45-1, 47,
47-1, 48,
49, 50,
50-1, 56,
56-1, 57,
58, 58-1
• The data string in the format command has been added.
• The link field No. parameter has been added in the format command.
• The explanation about the data strings to be printed has been added.
• The explanation about the link field No. has been added.
• The examples for data strings to be printed have been added.
• The examples for the link field No. have been added.
<< Seven pages added >>
59, 59-1,
59-2, 60,
60-1, 60-2
61, 61-1,
62-1
• The link field data command has been added to the data command.
• The explanation about the link field data string has been added.
• The examples for the link field data strings have been added.
<< Six pages added >>
94/10/6 Cover, 1,
14, 22, 29,
32, 35, 42,
51, 81
The models for Japan have been added. (B-474-TS15, B-874-TS15)
2, 6 The character codes have been added. (JIS8, Shift JIS and JIS Kanji codes)
11,
96~98-1 The character codes when selecting the Japanese message have been added.
<< One page added >>
11 The explanation regarding the built-in rewinder for the B-872/874 has been added.
13 ~ 14,
63, 65-1,
68, 69-1
The feed speed/issue speed of the B-872/874 has been changed to 4”/sec.
<< Two pages added >>

< 8 >
Date Modified
Page Description
94/10/6 22-1 The explanation regarding the backing paper width and tag width on the B-474 has
been added.
30, 31-1,
32 The square corner rounding function has been added.
<< One page added >>
34,
36~38-1,
40-2~41,
43-1~45,
47-2,
59~59-2,
59-5 ~
60-2,
60-5,
61-3~4, 98-
2~8, 128-
1~4
The Kanji function has been added
(16 × 16, 24 × 24, 32 × 32, 48 × 48)
(Outline Kanji)
<< 22 pages added >>
34, 37, 41,
44, 53, 116 The DBP Modulus 10 addition function has been added.
34, 36-1,
41, 44 The character rotation function has been added. (01, 12, 23, 30)
34, 41-1,
49, 50-1 The explanation regarding omissible parameters has been added.
<< One page added >>
43, 125,
128 Katakana has been added.
48, 52, 53,
55~56, 99,
120
The description has been changed from “EAN128” to “UCC/EAN128.”
50, 52, 53,
99, 116-1 Industrial 2 of 5 has been added.
<< One page added >>
50-2,
52~53-1,
56-2,
58-2,
61-1,
61-4,
62-2,
102-1
Data Matrix has been added.
<< Eight pages added >>
50-3,
52~53-1,
56-3,
58-2,
61-1,
61-4,
62-2,
102-2
PDF417 has been added.
<< Three pages added >>

< 9 >
Date Modified
Page Description
94/10/6 56, 61 The way of describing the maximum print digits has been changed.
85 The broken dots check time on the B-372 has been added.
94/12/1 11, 11-1 The description of the DIP SW has been added.
• The paper detection sensor can be selected on the B-872/874.
• SW position
<< One page added >>
12, 24, 26 The cut (strip) position fine adjustment range has been changed from ±20 mm to
±50 mm.
22-1 The note on the maximum print width has been changed.
26, 26-1 The procedure for the label having a length of less than 38 mm in cut issue mode
has been added.
<< One page added >>
40, 46 Misprint corrected: “+5” to “+05”
65-1 • The notes on the issue speed have been added.
• The explanation for ribbon saving on the B-872/874 has been added.
69-1 The notes on the feed speed have been added.
85 The broken dot check time on the B-872/874 has been added.
86 The explanation that the command is effective only in serial interface has been
added.
95/1/14 85 The head broken dot check time on the B-872/874 has been changed from 16
seconds to 10 seconds.
88-1 The note on the head open status on the B-872/874 has been added.
95/1/20 47 The note on outline font painting has been added.
<< One page added >>
96/4/16 Cover, 1,
13, 22, 29,
32, 35, 42,
51, 63-1,
65-1, 68,
69-1, 81,
85
The model for Japan (B-374-TS15) has been added.
11 The automatic forward feed standby (DIP SW1-5) in cut mode has been added.
23, 23-1 The note for the label size setting command has been added.
<< One page added >>
26, 26-1 • The note has been added.
• The explanation about ejection of the label having width of 38 mm or less has
been added.
38, 45, 56 • The maximum number of increment/decrement digits has been changed from 20
to 40.
• The maximum number of digits to be zero suppressed has been changed from
20 to 40.
56 The explanation about increment/decrement designation for CODE 128 (without
auto code selection) has been added.

< 10 >
Date Modified
Page Description
96/4/16 63-1, 64,
64-1, 69,
71
The explanation about the automatic forward feed standby has been added.
<< One page added >>
63-1, 69,
71 The explanation about treating the label having width of 38 mm or less has been added.
67-1 The explanation about setting the value to feed to the stop position has been added.
<< One page added >>
70 The notes to stop at the home position has been added.
128-2 to
128-5 Special characters other than JIS codes have been added (2220H to 287FH).
97/2/15 Cover, 1 These models have been added. (B-672-QQ and B-672-QP)
11 • The cutting operation (DIP SW 1-6) has been added.
• The note “DIP SW. 1 does not contain the auto ribbon saving function” has been
added as Note 4.
• The B-672 has been added to Notes 2 and 3.
12, 13, 20,
27-1 The ribbon motor drive voltage fine adjust command has been added.
27-1~86 According to the addition of the above command, the section number has been
changed.
14 The B-672 has been added in the table of NOTE 1 .
20 The QR code data command has been added.
22 The B-672 has been added in the table.
22-1 The B-672 has been added in Remark 1.
23 The B-672 has been added in Note 10.
23-1 The B-672 has been added in Example (3).
29, 32, 35,
42, 51, 81 The B-672 has been added in the effective print area table.
38, 45, 56,
56-1, The explanation of alphabets and numerals for increment/decrement has been added.
58-3~58-9 The QR code has been added. Therefore, the explanation of the command has
also been added.
63, 68,
88-1, 90 The B-672 has been added.
63, 65-1,
68, 69-1 The explanation that the B-672 does not contain the ribbon saving function has been added.
63, 66-1 Mirror printing has been added.
65-1, 69-1 • The description that the max. speed in strip mode on the B-672 is 4”/sec has
been added.
• The B-672 has been added in the table of the issue speed.
79 • The explanation of the BMP file has been added.
• The explanation of the OR drawing has been added.
82-1~82-3 The explanation of TOPIX compression mode in the graphic command has been
added.

< 11 >
Date Modified
Page Description
97/2/15 85 The head broken dots check time on the B-672 has been added.
90 The description of the strip waiting status has been added.
92 The description of PAUSE in the LCD message of the parallel interface has been
added.
97/7/26 12, 13 • The description for the selection of strip status has been added.
12, 13 • The stacker use selection has been added.
26 • The explanation of the head-up operation when using the stacker has been
added.
63-1, 69 • The explanation that a cut interval equivalent to one label is compulsory when
using the stacker has been added.
64-2, 69-1 • The explanation of the operation when using the stacker has been added.
88-1, 91,
92, 94,
94-1, 95
• Descriptions for stack overflow and stacker error have been added.
85 • Head broken dots check has been added.
97/12/15 63, 65-1,
68, 69-2 • The explanation that the ribbon saving function cannot be selected when the stacker is used has been added.
63, 63-2,
68, 69 • The explanation of the reflective sensor (manual threshold value) has been added.
Cover, 1,
11, 14, 22,
22-1, 23,
23-1, 29,
32, 35, 42,
51, 63,
65-1, 68,
69-2, 81,
90
• The model B-873-TS15 has been added.
• The B-873-TS15 has been added in the table of the effective range.
12, 19, 87 • The explanation of the control code designation (manual method) has been
added.
12, 13 • The explanation of the Kanji code selection has been added.
34, 59-2,
75 • The explanation of mixing Kanji and writable characters has been added.
48, 49,
102-3 • Postal codes (customer code, POSTNET, RM4SCC and KIX CODE) have been added.
• Postal code tables have been added.
50-2, 50-3,
56-2, 56-3 • Parameters have been changed and the explanations have been added according to the new Data Matrix version.
50-5, 56-4,
56-5, 61-5,
61-6
• Parameters have been changed and the explanations have been added
according to the new QR code version.
• The old explanations have been deleted since new explanations have been
added.
50-6, 56-5,
61-7 • Command parameters have been added according to the addition of Maxicode.

< 12 >
Date Modified
Page Description
97/12/15 74, 77, 83,
84, 91, 92,
93, 94-1,
95
• ID No. (save No.) has been changed to a max. of 99.
• The explanation for using the 4-Mbyte flash card memory has been added.
• The number of digits for the remaining capacity message has been changed
according to the 4-Mbyte flash card memory.
88-1 • The description for detecting a ribbon error on the B-872/874/672 has been
added.
98/8/12 Some of the descriptions for the JA model have been deleted.
All pages All pages have been paginated again. For the following descriptions, the paginated
pages have been written for the modified pages.
3 The explanation for the READY/BUSY (DTR) protocol when the power is turned on
has been added.
11, 162 The Italian messages have been added. Therefore, the function for the Italian
messages has been added to the DIP SW 1, and the LCD messages in Italian have
been added.
13, 14 The parameter settings in the system mode have not been added in the previous
revisions. However, they have been added in this revision.
13, 14,
163, 164 The explanation for the new currency symbol (Euro) has been added.
201 to 206 The new currency symbol (Euro) has been added to print samples.
33 The explanation for the limiter for the print density fine adjustment has been added.
70, 71, 78,
79, 88,
105, 106,
173
The explanations for the MicroPDF417 have been added.
74, 75, 78,
90, 177 The explanations for the CP code have been added.
76, 77 The bar code types have been added.
85, 86, 87,
101, 102,
103, 104
The explanations for the Data Matrix have been added.
101, 175,
176 The explanations for the MaxiCode have been added.
121, 129 The table for the issue/feed speed has been changed.
139 The explanations for the TOPIX compression mode have been added.
101, 197,
198 The explanations for the POSTNET, RM4SCC, KIX CODE, Customer bar code, and Highest priority customer bar code have been added.
134, 207 The operation-confirmed flash memory cards have been added.

< 1 >
SPECIFICATION CHANGES BY MODELS
TAA-0175 EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT INTERFACE SPECIFICATION
Date Description Applicable Models
97/2/15 • The description of the QR code and TOPIX compression data
has been added. B-474-TS15 (V2.4)
B-874-TS15 (V1.3)
• The model (B-672-QP/QQ) has been added. B-672-QP/QQ (V1.0)
• The description of PAUSE in the LCD message of the parallel
interface has been added.
• The explanation for alphabets and numerals for increment/
decrement has been added.
• The description of the strip waiting status has been added.
• The explanation of the BMP file has been added.
• The explanation of the OR drawing has been added.
• The mirror printing has been added.
• The model (B-672-QP/QQ) has been added.
B-372-QP (V2.4)
B-572-QP/QQ (V2.4)
B-872-QP/QQ (V1.3)
B-672-QP/QQ (V1.0)
97/7/26 • The stacker use selection has been added. B-374-TS15 (V2.6)
B-474-TS15 (V2.5)
• The partial head broken dots check command has been added. B-474-TS15 (V2.5)
97/12/15 • The reflective sensor (manual threshold value) has been added
to the sensor type in the feed command and the issue command. B-372-QP (V2.5A)
B-374-TS15 (V2.6A)
B-474-TS15 (V2.5A)
B-572-QP/QQ (V2.5A)
B-672-QP/QQ (V1.0A)
B-872-QP/QQ (V1.3A)
B-874-TS15 (V1.3B)
• Postal codes (customer code, POSTNET, RM4SCC and KIX
CODE) have been added.
• The version of Data Matrix has been updated.
• The version of QR has been updated.
• The Maxi Code has been added.
• Save No. has been changed to a max. of 99.
• The 4-Mbyte flash memory card is now able to be used.
• Kanji and writable characters are now able to be mixed.
• Control code designation (manual method) has been added.
• Kanji code selection has been added.
• The method for detecting a ribbon error on the B-872/874/672
has been changed.
B-372-QP (V3.0)
B-374-TS15 (V3.0)
B-474-TS15 (V3.0)
B-572-QP/QQ (V3.0)
B-672-QP/QQ (V2.0)
B-872-QP/QQ (V2.0)
B-874-TS15 (V2.0)
B-873-TS15 (V1.0)
98/8/12 • The MicroPDF417 has been added.
• The CP code has been added.
• The LCD messages in Italian have been added.
• The new currency symbol (Euro) has been added.
• The description for the limiter for the print density fine adjustment
has been added.
• The 4-MB flash memory cards (available cards) have been
added.
B-372-QP (V3.1)
B-572-QP/QQ (V3.1)
B-672-QP/QQ (V2.1)
B-872-QP/QQ (V2.1)

i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.SCOPE........................................................................................................................................ 1
2.GENERAL DESCRIPTION......................................................................................................... 1
3.INTERFACE................................................................................................................................ 2
3.1 SERIAL INTERFACE.............................................................................................................2
3.2 PARALLEL INTERFACE........................................................................................................ 6
4.KEY OPERATION FUNCTIONS.................................................................................................11
4.1 DIP SW. FUNCTIONS...........................................................................................................11
4.2 SYSTEM MODE FUNCTIONS..............................................................................................13
4.3 ON-LINE MODE FUNCTIONS...............................................................................................15
5.TRANSMISSION SEQUENCE....................................................................................................16
6.INTERFACE COMMANDS.........................................................................................................21
6.1 OUTLINE OF COMMANDS...................................................................................................21
6.2 LIST OF COMMANDS...........................................................................................................22
6.3 LABEL SIZE SET COMMAND...............................................................................................23
6.4 POSITION FINE ADJUST COMMAND..................................................................................27
6.5 PRINT DENSITYFINE ADJUST COMMAND.......................................................................33
6.6 RIBBON MOTOR DRIVE VOLTAGE FINE ADJUST COMMAND........................................34
6.7 IMAGE BUFFER CLEAR COMMAND...................................................................................34
6.8 CLEAR AREA COMMAND....................................................................................................35
6.9 LINE FORMAT COMMAND...................................................................................................37
6.10BIT MAP FONT FORMAT COMMAND..................................................................................41
6.11OUTLINE FONT FORMAT COMMAND................................................................................52
6.12BAR CODE FORMAT COMMAND........................................................................................63
6.13BIT MAP FONT DATA COMMAND.......................................................................................95
6.14OUTLINE FONT DATA COMMAND......................................................................................98
6.15BAR CODE DATA COMMAND..............................................................................................101
6.16ISSUE COMMAND................................................................................................................115
6.17FEED COMMAND..................................................................................................................126
6.18EJECT COMMAND................................................................................................................131
6.19FORWARD/REVERSE FEED COMMAND............................................................................132
6.20FORMAT COMMAND............................................................................................................134
6.21BIT MAP WRITABLE CHARACTER COMMAND..................................................................135
6.22GRAPHIC COMMAND...........................................................................................................139
6.23SAVE START COMMAND.....................................................................................................146
6.24SAVE TERMINATE COMMAND............................................................................................147
6.25SAVED DATA CALL COMMAND..........................................................................................147
6.26HEAD BROKEN DOTS CHECK COMMAND........................................................................148
6.27MESSAGE DISPLAYCOMMAND.........................................................................................149
6.28RESET COMMAND...............................................................................................................151
6.29STATUS REQUEST COMMAND..........................................................................................151
TOC 2

ii
7. CONTROL CODE SELECTION.................................................................................................. 152
8. ERROR PROCESSING............................................................................................................... 153
9. STATUS RESPONSE ................................................................................................................. 156
10. LCD MESSAGES AND LED INDICATIONS............................................................................... 159
11. LCD MESSAGES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES...................................................................... 161
12. CHARACTER CODE TABLE...................................................................................................... 163
13. BAR CODE TABLE..................................................................................................................... 167
14. DRAWING OF BAR CODE DATA.............................................................................................. 178
15. AUTOMATIC ADDING OF START/STOP CODE....................................................................... 199
16. PRINT SAMPLE.......................................................................................................................... 201
16.1 PC-850................................................................................................................................... 201
16.2 PC-8....................................................................................................................................... 204
TOC 1

- 1 -
1. SCOPE
This specification applies to the external equipment interface for use with the Model B-372-QP, B-572-
QP/QQ, B-872-QP/QQ, and B-672-QP/QQ general purpose thermal label/tag printers.
2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The external equipment interface connects the host computer with a printer through a serial interface
(RS-232C) or parallel interface (Centronics) for making various settings and printing labels.
This specification describes how to use the external equipment interface.

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3. INTERFACE
3.1 SERIAL INTERFACE
(1) Type : Conforming to RS-232C
(2) Mode of Communication : Full duplex
(3) Transmission Speed : 2400 BPS
4800 BPS
9600 BPS
19200 BPS
(4) Synchronization Method : Start-stop synchronization
(5) Start Bit : 1 bit
(6) Stop Bit : 1 bit
2 bits
(7) Data Length : 7 bits
8 bits
(8) Parity : None
Even
Odd
(9) Error Detection : Parity Error Vertical parity error check
Framing Error This error occurs if no stop bit is found in the frame
specified starting with the start bit.
Overrun Error This error occurs if the next data is input before the
data input to the UART from the host is read by the
printer CPU.
(10) Protocol : No-procedure method
(11) Data Input Code : ASCII code
European character set 8 bit code
Graphics 8 bit code
JIS 8 code (for the JA model only)
Shift JIS Kanji code (for the JA model only)
JIS Kanji code (for the JA model only)
(12) Receive Buffer : 5K bytes

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(13) Transmission Control : XON/XOFF (DC1/DC3) Protocol
READY/BUSY (DTR) Protocol
XON/XOFF (DC1/DC3) Protocol + READY/BUSY (DTR) Protocol
 XON/XOFF (DC1/DC3) Protocol
 When initialized after power on, this printer becomes ready to receive data and sends an
XON code (11H). (Transmission or non-transmission of XON code is selectable by means
of the DIP switch.)
 The printer sends an XOFF code (13H) when the blank positions in the receive buffer
become 800 bytes or less.
 The printer sends an XON code (11H) when the blank positions in the receive buffer are 2K
bytes or more.
 When there are no blank positions in the receive buffer, the printer discards data received
exceeding the receive buffer capacity, without storing it in the buffer. (After detecting the
XOFF code, the host computer must stop transmission before the printer receive buffer
becomes full.)
 The printer sends an XOFF code (13H) when the power is off. (Transmission or non-
transmission of the XOFF code is selectable by means of the DIP switch.)
 READY/BUSY (DTR) Protocol
 When initialized after power on, this printer becomes ready to receive data and turns the
DTR signal to “High” level (READY).
 The printer turns the DTR signal to “Low” level (BUSY) when the blank positions in the
receive buffer are 800 bytes or less.
 The printer turns the DTR signal to “High” level (READY) when the blank positions in the
receive buffer are 2K bytes or more.
 When there are no blank positions in the receive buffer, the printer discards data received
exceeding the receive buffer capacity, without storing it in the buffer. (After detecting the
BUSY signal, the host computer must stop transmission before the printer receive buffer
becomes full.)
 XON/XOFF (DC1/DC3) Protocol + READY/BUSY (DTR) Protocol
 When initialized after power on, this printer becomes ready to receive data and turns the
DTR signal to “High” level (READY). It also sends an XON code (11H).
 When the blank positions in the receive buffer are 800 bytes or less, the printer turns the
DTR signal to “Low” level (BUSY) and sends an XOFF code (13H).
 When the blank positions in the receive buffer are 2K bytes or more, the printer turns the
DTR signal to “High” level (READY) and sends an XON code (11H).
 When there are no blank positions in the receive buffer, the printer discards received
exceeding the receive buffer capacity, without storing it in the buffer. (After detecting the
XOFF code or BUSY signal, the host computer must stop transmission before the printer
receive buffer becomes full.)
 The printer sends an XOFF code (13H) when the power is off.
NOTE: In READY/BUSY (DTR) Protocol, data should be sent 200 ms or later after the DTR
signal becomes “High” level (READY) when the printer is turned on.

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(14) Input/Output Signals
(15) Connector Pin Assignment and Signal Description
Pin No. Signal
Name Function Signal Direction
1FG  Ground line for circuit protection
2RD  Line for data which the printer receives from the host.
 Logic 1 is a Low level, while logic 0 is a High level.
 It is in the Low (Mark) state when no transmission is in
progress.
←Host
3TD  Line for data which the printer sends to the host.
 Logic 1 is a Low level, while logic 0 is a High level.
 It is in the Low (Mark) state when no transmission is in
progress.
Printer →
4CTS  Input signal from the host.
 For the printer to send data, the signal must be “High”
level.
←Host
5RTS  Output signal to the host.
 It indicates that there is data to be output to the host.
 After the power is turned on, it is always at “High” level.
Printer →
6DTR  Output signal to the host.
 It indicates the ready state for the received data.
 It is at “Low” level when the receive buffer is near full,
and at “High” level when near empty.
Printer →
7SG  Ground line for all data and control signals.
20 DSR  Input signal from the host.
 For the printer to receive data, it must be at “High”
level.
←Host
Printer Host CPU
FG
TD
RD
RTS
CTS
DSR
SG
DTR