format [esc] xd; aa, b, ccc, ddd, eee, fff, ggg, h, iii ------ iii [lf] [nul]
term aa: writable character set
01 to 40
b: writable character code
20h to ffh (set in hex.)
ccc: left offset
000 to 719 (in dots)
ddd: top offset
000 to 719 (in dots)
eee: character width
001 to 720 (in dots)
fff: character height
001 to 720 (in dots)
ggg: horizontal spacing/proportional spacing
000 to 999 (in dots)
h: type of writable character data
0: nibble mode (4 bits/byte)
1: hex. mode (8 bits/byte)
iii --- iii: writable character data to be stored
explanation (1) type of writable character
up to 40 writable character sets can be stored. however, the maximum number
of characters varies depending on the writable character size and number of
characters because of the limited memory capacity.
(2) character code
up to 224 characters can be stored per character set. the maximum number of
characters in 40 sets × 224 characters = 8960 characters. it varies depending on
the writable character size and number of characters because of the limited
memory capacity.
[nibble mode]
(1) the writable character data to be stored is separated into four dot units and sent in the following order (1 →248). (high order digit: “3”)
(2) the data of writable characters to be stored is 30h to 3fh.
(3) the minimum unit in the x direction is 8 dots. dots with no data are transmitted as data 0.
(4) the data count of writable characters to be stored must be as follows:
data count of writable characters to be stored =
{(no. of char. width dots + 7)/8} × no. of char. height dots × 2
* the value in the brackets is rounded down to the nearest whole number.
[hex. mode]
(1) the writable character data to be stored is separated into eight dot units and sent in the following order (1 →124).
(2) the data of writable characters to be stored is 00h to ffh.
(3) the minimum unit in the x direction is 8 dots. dots with no data are transmitted as data 0.
(4) the data count of writable characters to be stored must be as follows:
data count of writable characters to be stored =
{(no. of char. width dots + 7)/8} ×no. of char. height dots
* the value in the brackets is rounded down to the nearest whole number.
(1) with the same writable character set designated, character width and character height can be designated for each writable character code. in other words, character size can be changed for each character, thus saving memory.
(2) proportional spacing and descending of characters are possible according to the parameters of horizontal spacing/proportional spacing, left offset, and top offset.
(3) when top offset = 000, the reference coordinates are at the above left in drawing because the base line is at the top. (coordinate setting is facilitated for logo.)
(4) even if any character set or character code is selected, no memory will be wasted.
(5) when using a new flash memory card, the format command ([esc] j1) must be transmitted.
the remaining memory capacity after formatting is the writable character area (715k bytes).
however, when the 4-mbyte flash memory card is used, the remaining memory is 3147 kbytes.
(6) the already stored character code can be stored again if the writable character command ([esc] xd) is transmitted but memory will be consumed every storing again. memory can be efficiently used by sending the format command ([esc] j1) before storing.
(7) when performing the label issue operation after sending the bit map writable character command ([esc] xd), the image buffer is cleared automatically.
(8) when the storing operation is not continued after storing the writable character and logos, the printer automatically enters the online mode (label issue operation) after about 10 seconds. in this case, the image buffer will be cleared automatically.
refer to format command ([esc] j1)
examples writable character set: 03
writable character code: 70h
