Practical Automation ITX 3000 series Manuale utente

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

Page 1 of 82 Date: 4/27/05

ITX 3000/2000

Printer Series

User’s Manual

PRACTICAL AUTOMATION INC.

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

Page 2 of 82 Date: 4/27/05

TABLE of CONTENTS

1HOW TO CONTACT US.................................................................................................................................................... 6

1.1 LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY................................................................................................................................6

1.1.1 Warranty Terms...................................................................................................................................................... 6

1.1.2 Warranty Procedure................................................................................................................................................ 6

1.2 FCC NOTIFICATION .................................................................................................................................................... 7

1.3 REGULATORY COMPLIANCES ................................................................................................................................... 7

2ITX 3000/2000 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................... 8

2.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................... 8

2.2 Product Description........................................................................................................................................................ 8

2.3 Choosing FGL Emulation or Raster Graphics Mode..................................................................................................... 9

2.3.1 Programmer’s Notes:.............................................................................................................................................. 9

2.3.2 Managing Barcodes ................................................................................................................................................ 9

2.3.3 Detailed Printer Data ............................................................................................................................................ 10

2.4 MODEL NUMBERING SYSTEM ................................................................................................................................. 11

2.4.1 ITX Printer Model Numbers:................................................................................................................................11

2.4.2 ITX Power Supply Model Number....................................................................................................................... 12

2.4.3 Example of an ITX 2000 and 3000 Printer Model Number.................................................................................. 12

2.4.4 ITX Power Supply Options................................................................................................................................... 12

2.4.5 ITX Separate Component Model Numbers .......................................................................................................... 13

3PREPARATION FOR USE............................................................................................................................................... 14

3.1 Unpacking and Inspection ............................................................................................................................................ 14

3.2 Installation Location..................................................................................................................................................... 14

3.3 Power Connection ........................................................................................................................................................ 14

3.4 Data I/O Interface Connection ..................................................................................................................................... 14

3.4.1 Data I/O Interface Connection – Parallel IEEE-1284........................................................................................... 14

3.4.2 Data I/O Interface Connection – Serial RS232..................................................................................................... 14

3.4.3 Data I/O Interface Connection – USB 2.0 Full Speed.......................................................................................... 14

3.5 Adjustable Width Ticket Printers – Models with “A” and “AS” Suffixes..................................................................... 15

3.6 Ticket Stock Supply....................................................................................................................................................... 15

3.7 Ticket Stock Loading..................................................................................................................................................... 15

3.8 Auto-Sizing.................................................................................................................................................................... 15

3.9 Test Print ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15

3.10 Printer Set-up Confirmation......................................................................................................................................... 15

3.10.1 Configuration Settings.......................................................................................................................................... 15

3.10.2 EEPROM Settings................................................................................................................................................ 15

3.10.3 Configuring the Printer’s Data Interface:.............................................................................................................. 15

3.10.4 Print Speed Selection............................................................................................................................................ 16

3.10.5 Is a Printer Driver Required?................................................................................................................................16

4OPERATOR CONTROLS and INDICATORS............................................................................................................... 17

4.1 Rear I/O Panel.............................................................................................................................................................. 17

4.1.1 Data Interface Module Details.............................................................................................................................. 17

4.2 Switch and Display Panel............................................................................................................................................. 18

4.3 Panel LED Indicators................................................................................................................................................... 18

4.3.1 Power/Paper.......................................................................................................................................................... 18

4.3.2 Ready.................................................................................................................................................................... 18

4.3.3 Attn/Err................................................................................................................................................................. 18

4.4 Panel Switches.............................................................................................................................................................. 19

4.5 Panel Switch Operations .............................................................................................................................................. 19

4.5.1 Offline Operations................................................................................................................................................ 19

4.5.2 Power-On Operations ........................................................................................................................................... 19

5PRINTER PROGRAMMABLE CONFIGURATION SETTINGS............................................................................... 23

5.1 Overview....................................................................................................................................................................... 23

5.1.1 Factory Settings .................................................................................................................................................... 23

5.1.2 Special Customization .......................................................................................................................................... 23

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5.1.3 EEPROM Parameter Storage Memory................................................................................................................. 23

6PRINTER STATUS INFORMATION............................................................................................................................. 24

6.1 ITX Printer Status Overview......................................................................................................................................... 24

6.2 Operator Status............................................................................................................................................................. 24

6.3 Port Level Interface Status ........................................................................................................................................... 24

6.4 Reverse Channel Status - Printer Status Programmer’s Information for Windows ..................................................... 24

7DATA INTERFACE AND AUXILIARY I/O.................................................................................................................. 25

7.1 IEEE-1284 Parallel Interface Cable ............................................................................................................................ 25

7.1.1 Parallel Port Signaling.......................................................................................................................................... 25

7.1.2 Parallel Interface Cable Schematic....................................................................................................................... 25

7.1.3 Parallel Interface Cable Quality............................................................................................................................ 25

7.1.4 Parallel Interface Card Assembly ......................................................................................................................... 25

7.1.5 Parallel Interface Pin-out Table............................................................................................................................ 26

7.2 RS232 Serial Interface.................................................................................................................................................. 27

7.2.1 RS-232 Serial Interface Card Assembly............................................................................................................... 27

7.2.2 Serial DIP-Switch Settings ................................................................................................................................... 27

7.2.3 Serial Interface Pin-out......................................................................................................................................... 27

7.3 USB Interface ............................................................................................................................................................... 28

7.3.1 USB Interface Pin-out Table................................................................................................................................. 28

7.3.2 USB Interface Cable............................................................................................................................................. 28

7.4 Auxiliary I/O Connector ............................................................................................................................................... 28

8TICKET STOCK HANDLING OPTIONS...................................................................................................................... 29

8.1 Ticket Separation/Delivery Options.............................................................................................................................. 29

8.1.1 Cutter/Ejector or Tearbar – uITX Desktop Model................................................................................................ 29

8.1.2 Cutter/Stacker-Retainer or Tearbar – pITX Countertop Mountable Model.......................................................... 29

8.1.3 Cutter/Ejector - kITX Kiosk Mountable Model................................................................................................... 29

8.1.4 Cutter/Ejector - eITX Desktop Model (with Ticket Enclosure Cabinet) ............................................................. 29

8.2 Low Ticket Stock (Paper) Monitoring – Auxiliary Input Port ...................................................................................... 29

8.2.1 Low Ticket Stock (Paper) Host Status Information.............................................................................................. 29

8.2.2 Printer Reactions to the Low Ticket Stock (Paper) Condition.............................................................................. 29

8.2.3 Ticket Holder with Low Ticket Detection............................................................................................................ 30

9TICKET STOCK INFORMATION................................................................................................................................. 31

9.1 Ticket Stock Specifications............................................................................................................................................ 31

9.1.1 Form Type ............................................................................................................................................................ 31

9.1.2 Ticket Stock - Thermal Paper Types: ................................................................................................................... 31

9.1.3 Ticket Stock - Paper Converter Vendor List......................................................................................................... 31

9.1.4 Ticket Stock Drawing (ITX 2/3002/3Fixed & ITX 2/3004AS Adjustable Width “ AS” Suffix Models) ............ 33

9.1.5 Ticket Stock Drawing (ITX 2/3003A & ITX 2/3004A - Adjustable Width “A” Suffix Models)......................... 33

9.1.6 Ticket Stock Drawing – Common to all ITX Printer Models............................................................................... 34

9.1.7 Stock Width.......................................................................................................................................................... 34

9.1.8 Stock Thickness.................................................................................................................................................... 34

9.1.9 Perforations........................................................................................................................................................... 34

9.1.10 Registration Marks................................................................................................................................................ 34

9.1.11 Ticket Length........................................................................................................................................................ 35

9.1.12 Ticket Stock Pre-Printing Information.................................................................................................................. 35

9.1.13 Example 2.0"Length Ticket Drawing for Fixed Width and “AS” Adjustable Width printers ............................ 36

9.1.14 Example 5.5"Length Ticket Drawing for Fixed Width and “AS” Adjustable Width printers ............................ 36

9.2 Ticket Stock Thermal Response Characteristics........................................................................................................... 37

9.2.1 Print Activation Energy ........................................................................................................................................ 37

9.3 Ticket Position Optical Sensors.................................................................................................................................... 37

9.3.1 Sensor Location: ITX 2000/3000 – Fixed Width Models..................................................................................... 38

9.3.2 Sensor Location: ITX 2003A/2004A/3003A/3004A – Adjustable Width Models............................................... 38

9.3.3 Sensor Location: ITX 2004AS/3004AS – Adjustable Width Models .................................................................. 38

9.3.4 Sensor Position Adjustments ................................................................................................................................38

9.3.5 Cutting Behind the Perforation............................................................................................................................. 39

9.4 Ticket Form Length Determination .............................................................................................................................. 40

9.4.1 Printer Ticket Length Determination.................................................................................................................... 40

10 EEPROM PARAMETER STORAGE MEMORY...................................................................................................... 41

10.1 EEPROM Parameter Memory Overview...................................................................................................................... 41

10.2 EEPROM Change Menu Entry..................................................................................................................................... 41

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

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10.2.1 EEPROM Change Menu Operation...................................................................................................................... 41

10.2.2 Active and Inactive Menu Line............................................................................................................................. 41

10.3 EEPROM Menu #1 Printout......................................................................................................................................... 42

10.3.1 EEPROM Menu #1 Parameters Definitions ......................................................................................................... 42

10.4 EEPROM Menu #2 Printout......................................................................................................................................... 44

10.4.1 EEPROM Menu #2 Parameters ............................................................................................................................ 44

10.5 EEPROM Menu #3 Parameters.................................................................................................................................... 45

10.6 Restoring Factory Default Settings............................................................................................................................... 46

11 ERROR CODES............................................................................................................................................................. 47

11.1 Annunciation – Flash/Beep........................................................................................................................................... 47

11.1.1 Sequence Length – Flash/Beep............................................................................................................................. 47

11.1.2 Weighted Positions............................................................................................................................................... 47

11.1.3 Counting ............................................................................................................................................................... 47

11.1.4 Example................................................................................................................................................................ 47

11.2 Error Code Table – Flash/Beep.................................................................................................................................... 48

11.2.1 Error Code Table Notes........................................................................................................................................ 48

11.2.2 Error Code Table Information .............................................................................................................................. 48

11.2.3 Error Code Computation....................................................................................................................................... 49

12 DIAGNOSTICS and MAINTENANCE ....................................................................................................................... 50

12.1 Diagnostic Entry........................................................................................................................................................... 50

12.2 Diagnostic Sub Menu.................................................................................................................................................... 50

12.2.1 Special Functions.................................................................................................................................................. 50

12.2.2 Burn-in and Cut Tests........................................................................................................................................... 51

12.2.3 [F3] – Serial Port Test........................................................................................................................................... 51

12.3 Hex Dump Mode Functions.......................................................................................................................................... 51

12.3.1 Hex Data Dump.................................................................................................................................................... 51

12.3.2 Data Rate Measurement Test................................................................................................................................51

12.4 Periodic Maintenance................................................................................................................................................... 51

12.4.1 Paper/Registration Mark Sensor Maintenance...................................................................................................... 51

12.4.2 Printhead Cleaning................................................................................................................................................ 53

13 POWER SUPPLY INFORMATION............................................................................................................................ 54

13.1 Power supply D.C. Output Cable ................................................................................................................................. 54

13.2 Power Management...................................................................................................................................................... 54

13.3 Power Supply Requirements......................................................................................................................................... 54

13.3.1 Power Supply Additional Requirements............................................................................................................... 54

14 OPERATOR RE-PROGRAMMING OF FLASH MEMORY - PROCEDURE ...................................................... 55

14.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................... 55

14.2 Requirements ................................................................................................................................................................ 55

14.3 Flash Re-Programming Process................................................................................................................................... 55

14.3.1 Entering the Flash Load Mode.............................................................................................................................. 55

14.3.2 Flash Data Loading............................................................................................................................................... 55

14.3.3 Flash Loading Completion.................................................................................................................................... 56

14.3.4 Flash Loading Time.............................................................................................................................................. 56

14.3.5 Warning ................................................................................................................................................................ 56

15 FGL APPLICATION PROGRAMMERS INFORMATION..................................................................................... 57

16 ITX FIRMWARE OPTIONS FOR WINDOWS ......................................................................................................... 58

16.1 ITX ‘G’ Version Firmware ........................................................................................................................................... 58

16.1.1 Windows ‘G’ Driver Selection Table ................................................................................................................... 58

16.2 ITX FGL Firmware Driver........................................................................................................................................... 59

16.2.1 Windows FGL Driver Selection Table ................................................................................................................. 59

16.3 Installing the Windows Driver...................................................................................................................................... 60

16.3.1 Interface Choices – G Version Firmware Printer.................................................................................................. 60

16.3.2 Interface Choices – FGL Version Firmware Printer............................................................................................. 60

16.3.3 Adaptive Print Speed (G-Only) ............................................................................................................................ 60

16.3.4 Printer Status Information..................................................................................................................................... 60

17 SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................................................................ 61

18 REPLACING AN ETX 2000 PRINTER WITH AN ITX 2000 PRINTER................................................................ 62

18.1 Interface: ...................................................................................................................................................................... 62

18.1.1 Selection: .............................................................................................................................................................. 62

18.1.2 Cables:.................................................................................................................................................................. 62

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

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18.2 Power Supply:............................................................................................................................................................... 62

18.3 Physical Profile:........................................................................................................................................................... 63

18.3.1 Locked Internal Ticket supply:............................................................................................................................. 63

18.3.2 Desktop Printer:.................................................................................................................................................... 63

18.3.3 Countertop Mountable Printer:............................................................................................................................. 63

18.3.4 Kiosk Mountable Printer:...................................................................................................................................... 63

18.4 Printer Language: ........................................................................................................................................................ 63

18.5 Printer Driver:.............................................................................................................................................................. 63

18.6 Printer Status Monitoring:............................................................................................................................................ 63

18.7 Ticket Stock : ................................................................................................................................................................ 64

18.7.1 Thermal Coating:.................................................................................................................................................. 64

18.7.2 Registration Marks: .............................................................................................................................................. 64

18.8 Conversion Process Steps:............................................................................................................................................ 64

18.9 ITX. ETX 2000 to ITX 2000 Model Number and Part Number Cross Reference Table ............................................... 65

19 APPENDIX...................................................................................................................................................................... 67

19.1 IEEE 1284 Parallel A-B Cable Schematic.................................................................................................................... 67

19.2 ITX 3000/2000 Mechanical Drawings.......................................................................................................................... 68

19.2.1 Mechanical Detail Drawing: uITX Desktop Printer (2.00” and 3.25”)................................................................. 68

19.2.2 Mechanical Detail Drawing: uITX Desktop Printer (4.00” A and AS Models) ................................................... 68

19.2.3 Mechanical Detail Drawing: pITX Countertop Printer (2.00” and 3.25”)............................................................ 69

19.2.4 Mechanical Detail Drawing: pITX Countertop Printer (4.00” -AT Model) ......................................................... 69

19.2.5 Mechanical Detail Drawing: pITX Countertop Printer (4.00” –AST Model)....................................................... 70

19.2.6 Mechanical Detail Drawing: kITX Kiosk Printer (2.00” and 3.25”) .................................................................... 70

19.2.7 Mechanical Detail Drawing: kITX Kiosk Printer (2/3.25-AC Model) ................................................................. 71

19.2.8 Mechanical Detail Drawing: kITX Kiosk Printer (4.00 –AC Model)................................................................... 71

19.2.9 Mechanical Detail Drawing: kITX Kiosk Printer (4.00” –ASC Model)............................................................... 72

19.2.10 Mechanical Detail Drawing: eITX Desktop Printer (with ticket enclosure cabinet) ........................................ 72

19.2.11 Mechanical Detail Drawing: pITX Countertop cutout (2.00” and 3.25”)........................................................ 73

19.2.12 Mechanical Detail Drawing: pITX Countertop cutout (4.00” Model)............................................................. 73

19.2.13 Mechanical Detail Drawing: PS60-14 - ITX Power Supply............................................................................. 74

19.2.14 Mechanical Detail Drawing: PS60-H Mounting Bracket ................................................................................. 74

19.2.15 kITX Optional Bottom Mounting Plate (2.00” and 3.25”) ............................................................................... 75

19.2.16 kITX Optional Bottom Mounting Plate (4.00”)................................................................................................ 75

19.2.17 kITX Optional Side Mounting Rails................................................................................................................. 76

19.2.18 Output Ticket Baskets:...................................................................................................................................... 76

19.2.19 pETX to pITX Countertop Adapter Plate - Model ITX-APETX0................................................................... 77

19.2.20 Ticket Holder w/ Low Paper Sensor................................................................................................................. 77

19.3 Electrical Circuits......................................................................................................................................................... 78

19.3.1 Typical Output Driver Application Circuits ......................................................................................................... 78

19.4 Registration Mark Location/Sensor Position - MathCad Template (V1.01)................................................................. 79

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

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1HOW TO CONTACT US.

PRACTICAL AUTOMATION INC.

The Alinabal Group of Companies

45 Woodmont Road

P.O. Box 3028

Milford, CT 06460

VOICE: (203) 882-5640

FAX: (203) 882-5648

EMAIL:pa@practicalautomation.com

INTERNET: http://www.practicalautomation.com

1.1 LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY

1.1.1 Warranty Terms

Practical Automation, Inc. warrants each new ITX series printer to be free from defects in materials and workmanship to the

original purchaser. Our responsibility is limited to repair or replacement of the printer and/or accessory or part thereof at our

option for a period of one year from the date of shipment.

This limited warranty does not extend to any defect, malfunction or failure caused by or resulting from improper service,

packing, maintenance or repair, abuse, neglect, accident, or any other cause beyond the control of Practical Automation, Inc. or

to any product whose serial number has been removed, altered, replaced or rendered illegible.

Except and to extent provided herein, Practical Automation, Inc. makes no warranty, either express or implied, including any

warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Practical Automation, Inc. shall not be liable to the purchaser or to any other person or firm for any specified or consequential

damages of any kind which result from the use or misuse by any person or loss of profits or product resulting from any defect

or malfunction or failure of this product.

No person, agent, distributor, service facility or company is authorized to change, modify or amend the terms of this limited

warranty in any manner or fashion whatsoever.

1.1.2 Warranty Procedure.

If you cannot resolve your equipment problem, notify Practical Automation, giving the model and serial number of your

equipment. Describe your problem in detail.

Upon receipt of this information, Practical Automation will send you service information if the trouble is easily corrected. If the

trouble requires factory service, we will so advise and provide written return authorization. Loaner printers can usually (subject

to availability) be shipped within 24 hours during the work-week by Practical Automation. Customers are required to pay all

shipping charges.

Refer also to the Warranty Terms and Packaging and Shipping instructions before returning any equipment.

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

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1.2 FCC NOTIFICATION

FOR USERS IN THE UNITED STATES

WARNING:

Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's

authority to operate the equipment.

Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC

rules. These limits are designated to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated

in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and

used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this

equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the

interference at his own expense.

Shielded cables must be used with this unit to insure compliance with the Class A FCC limits.

FOR USERS IN CANADA

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Class [A] digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cet appareil numerique de la classe [A] respecte toutes les exigences du Reglement sur le material brouilleur du Canada.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.3 REGULATORY COMPLIANCES

CE Mark: Compliant

Safety: ANSI/UL 60950 3rd ED. CAN/CSA C22.2 NO. 60950-00

IEC/CENELEC STDS EN 60950: 1999

CB REPORT: IEC 60950 3rd ED.

EMI/EMC: FCC Class A

EN 55024:1998 and EN 55022 1998 Class A

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

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2ITX 3000/2000 OVERVIEW

2.1 Introduction.

This instruction manual provides information for the ITX series printers and associated options. It provides installation,

operational, configuration programming, systems applications notes and maintenance information.

2.2 Product Description.

The ITX series printers are high-speed ticket printers designed for use in movie-theater and event ticketing applications. They

have many features designed to make ticket printing faster and more reliable. The ITX has been optimized to work from

character-based operating systems (Dos, Unix, Linux, Etc.), permitting any combination of graphics and fonts to be printed, or,

with the optional “G” version firmware and a printer driver, in the Windows operating system environment for fast WYSIWYG

printing. Refer to section (2.4.1) for specifying the printer’s firmware option that is desired.

The ITX series has both fixed and adjustable ticket width models available. All models use direct thermal imaging and have

been optimized to print on ticket stock with registration marks. The ITX fixed width models print on standard 2.00" (50.8 mm)

or 3.25" (82.6 mm) wide ticket stock. ITX adjustable width printers can accommodate ticket widths from 2.00" (30.8mm) to

4.00" (82.6mm). Designed for use in applications where fast printing is required, the ITX has features and options structured to

support unattended operation in a kiosk or similar environment. An optional low paper sensor can be mounted with the ticket

stock supply to signal the application when the ticket supply needs to be replenished.

The ITX 2000/3000 (203/300 DPI respectively) can be connected to the system using one of the following data interfaces:

Parallel IEEE-1284, Serial RS-232 or Full Speed USB 2.0 Interface. The interface cables are standard “off-the-shelf” cables.

The ITX delivers extensive status information over these interfaces. This status provides the OEM host system with

information such as: Low Paper, Out of Paper, Ticket Count, error conditions, etc. This status information permits the host

application to be tightly coupled to the ticket printing process.

An external 24V power module provides the input power for ITX series printers. This single supply 24V operation makes for

easier integration into an OEM system power distribution scheme. An additional benefit is a power management scheme that

budgets the printer's operation to a modest 60W average power allocation.

The printer and control electronics are mounted in a single chassis. Depending on the printer model it can be mounted into a

counter-top (e.g. movie theaters), stand-alone on a desktop, with a locking ticket cabinet for enclosing the ticket stock or in a

kiosk mountable configuration. The separate power supply module is connected to the printer through a 6 foot (1.8 meter)

shielded cable with a circular DIN connector. This modular packaging scheme is extremely convenient and suitable for

mounting into any OEM system.

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

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2.3 Choosing FGL Emulation or Raster Graphics Mode

Depending on the firmware installed, PA ticket printers can operate one of in two modes: FGL Emulation or Raster

Graphic mode. In general, new Windows applications should use the Raster Graphic mode, which relies on the Windows GDI

(Graphic Data Interface) process to create the print information. This provides the most font flexibility and best graphic

rendering.

FGL mode relies on the internal printer fonts and barcode generators to create the ticket. FGL uses a wide range of

ASCII printer commands to select the fonts and enable the other features. PA also offers an FGL Windows Printer Driver,

however, its intended use is primarily for backward compatibility with legacy ETX 2000 applications that were operating with

its FGL Windows driver. The FGL Windows driver, when the host application selects and only uses the printer internal fonts

can be very efficient and responsive. However, in application circumstances where Windows WYSIWYG printing is the goal,

the printer’s FGL firmware and the FGL Windows Driver are a less efficient combination of resources than the “G” firmware

and its Windows driver.

Here are some reasons that might direct you to use the FGL Emulation mode:

-1- When using a command based operating system such as DOS or Unix. (Without the available resources, of a

graphical operating system, such as Windows, programmatic creation the printer raster graphical information can be very challenging).

-2- When using the Serial (RS-232) Interface (only supported by the FGL printer).

-3- If your Ticketing Application specifies an FGL printer (ex: ETX or ITX). Consult your ticketing software vendor for their

recommendation of the printer model to be used.

In most other Windows situations, the Raster Graphic mode is preferred. You should order the ITX printer with the ‘G’

suffix (ex: ITX-2003G). If you have purchased the incorrect model, it is possible to download the correct firmware into the

printer.

Refer to section 16 for information regarding the correct printer driver for your application.

2.3.1 Programmer’s Notes:

The choice of which printer mode to use can be based on many factors, as outlined above. However, the fundamental

choice for the programmer is the location of the programmer’s drawing surface. For FGL emulation it is within the printer and

manipulated using printer commands sent over the interface. For the Raster Graphic mode, the ticket is created using Windows

programming methods, and drawn by the Windows GDI process. The printer commands are abstracted from the programmer by

the Windows Printer Driver, which sends them directly to the printer. The GDI process treats everything as graphic objects,

including fonts. The rendering process yields a large amount of printer data, but the Raster firmware is optimized to process

this data very efficiently.

When using PA’s V2.0x Windows Printer Drivers all of the advanced spooler and status features are supported by both

modes (FGL or “G”).

2.3.2 Managing Barcodes

One of the best features of FGL printers is the ability to create barcodes, automatically, using ASCII printer

commands. The most common use of this is from a command line based OS such as DOS or UNIX. Some FGL-based

applications can create FGL barcodes, in a Windows environment, by sending the printer command strings, as text, formatted in

a printer font. This process is outside the Windows WYSIWYG process and thus can be difficult for some programmers to

integrate with other Windows-based fonts and graphics.

For Raster Graphic printers, several vendors have created DLL utilities that will generate a graphic image of the

barcode, which can be placed on the ticket the same way as any other image. This can be advantageous to the programmer who

needs the creative flexibility provided by Windows environment. This method also allows designers to include proprietary

barcode symbols, which may not be included in the FGL palette.

For example, this vendor provides the Windows tools needed to create 2-D barcodes (PDF-417):

http://www.bizfonts.com/pdf417/

Other vendors provide similar tools for a variety of barcodes.

2.3.3

ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual (UMITX315.PDF)

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Detailed Printer Data

The following is a brief explanation of the process by which the FGL or “G” printer forms the printed image of a

character.

In order to print a simple line of text, each the letter’s graphic image (its pixels) need to be converted into printer dots.

For FGL printer, which has 13 internal fonts, one of these fonts is selected by a command, followed by the test for the

letters to be printed, using that font. For example, to print the word “Text”, in FGL, you would send “<F1>Text”. The printer

has an internally stored image of the dot patterns, for each printer font, and it uses this to print the selected font.

For Raster Graphics, the font selection is made using Windows programming methods. For example, a small Arial font

could be selected for the printable string of “Text” (as in the example above). The Windows GDI, using the Windows Printer

Driver, would then render this character string (convert the each letter’s graphic image, its pixels, into printer dot image data,

and commands). This data would be passed, to the printer, over the interface. The image below shows the graphical data.

Dots: Data (hex)

***** * F8 00 08

* * 20 00 08

* ** * * **** 20 C8 9E

* * * * * * 21 25 08

* ***** * * 23 E2 08

* * * * * 21 05 08

* ** * * ** 20 C8 86

Thus “Text” is converted to 7 rows of 3 bytes each. In addition, the Raster language requires a command prefix of at

least 2 characters, so each line is at least 5 bytes. This results in 35 bytes from the Raster Graphic driver, whereas only 8 data

bytes are required with FGL. For larger fonts, the difference can be 100:1, or more.

The Windows Raster programming method allows the use of any Windows font or graphic without special commands.

To support this larger data payload the “G” version printer has its electronic hardware, firmware and driver organized to handle

this very efficiently. Both modes have similar throughput. Note also that its is possible to change the operating mode of the

printer by simply downloading the preferred firmware to the printer.

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