User manual

4
GENERAL DESCRIPTION - READ THIS FIRST
Many people will have neither the time nor patience to read through this entire programming guide. For those of
you, we recommend that you skip to Appendix A and B of the manual. Appendix A contains sample basic
programs, while Appendix B quickly lists all of the Ghostwriter commands. If you plan to use any special
functions not covered in these examples, a quick look at the "command sequence" section and the applicable
"supplement" section should provide you with the rest of the information you need. The technically oriented are
invited to read the whole manual. The rest of you might find it more enjoyable to skip the "Theory of Operation"
section and go straight to the "General" section. In any case, please feel free to call us if you have any
questions.
BRIEF THEORY OF OPERATION
In order to produce a ticket or label the Boca printer must first receive ticket data written in FGL. All data
transmitted to the printer is immediately placed in its 4k byte circular input buffer. The printer uses this
information to produce a ticket image. The Ghostwriter uses two independent ticket buffers for storing the ticket
image. The data from the input circular buffer is processed and then loaded into one of the printer's two ticket
buffers. After the ticket data is fully processed, the printer begins printing that ticket and then starts processing
the next ticket's data. This processed data is then loaded into the second ticket buffer. At this point, the two
ticket buffers are full so no new information can be processed from the input buffer. However, the printer can
still receive more data at this point until it has reached its maximum limit of bytes loaded. Once the ticket has
finished printing, the printer can again start processing data. It will start printing the second ticket buffer while
inserting processed data into the first ticket buffer. The above cycle will be repeated for each ticket. This
double-buffered approach allows the computer system to derive the maximum ticket output from the printer.
In serial mode, the printer will go busy if it has more than 3000 characters stored in its circular input buffer. This
is for protection against systems that still send some data even after the printer goes busy. In parallel mode, the
printer will go busy if it has more than 4000 characters stored in its circular buffer. (Note: the printer goes busy
momentarily for each character sent during parallel transmission.) Since the printer is constantly processing
data from the input buffer, it will typically take a transmission of much more than 4000 characters to fill up the
buffer. In both parallel and serial mode, the printer will remain busy until it has reduced the number of stored
characters below 2500.
In addition to the ready/busy function, the printer can transmit x-on/off and status when operating via its serial
interface. X-off (13H) is sent in conjunction with the printer going busy. X-on (11H) is sent whenever the printer
goes ready. An ACK (06H) is sent following the successful printing of a ticket. After the last ticket is printed, the
printer will send an ACK followed by a 10H indicating an out of ticket condition. A ticket jam will result in the
transmission of an 18H (no ACK will be sent).
GENERAL INFORMATION
FGL has evolved over a period of many years. During this time, the Ghostwriter has been used with many
different logic boards (421487, FGL I - 421532, FGL II - 421570, FGL III - 421670, FGL IV - 421770, FGL40 –
422270, 21/41 – 422770, 42/22 – FGL42, 24/44 – FGL44 and 26/46 – FGL46, Q46, Z46, A46). Although the
basic FGL language has remained constant, new features are added with each revision. Some of the new
features found in this manual may not be available on certain individual printers. Should you find that you are
unable to access any of the features delineated in this manual, please feel free to consult the factory to verify
whether or not this option is available in your printer.
This manual has been written specifically for the newest FGL46 board. This board features a fast state-of-the-
art 32 bit RISC microprocessor. This new board is an enhanced version of the FGL 42 board and processes
data about 4 times faster. It contains twice the memory of the FGL42 board.
The Ghostwriter prints on a variety of ticket and label sizes. The standard widths are 2", 2.125", 2.5", 2.7",
3.25", 4" and 8". Dot sizes of .00492" (203.2 dpi) and .00328" (304.9 dpi) and .0015” (600 dpi) are available.
For the sake of clarity, we will assume a standard ticket to be 2" wide by 5.5" long. Additionally, we will refer to
the above dot densities as 200 and 300 dpi.
TICKET/LABEL FORMATTING
A ticket can be thought of as a large dot matrix. The printer can place a dot anywhere on the ticket according to
set spacing requirements. These spacing requirements are a function of the particular print head used on the
printer. The ticket is comprised of a series of dot rows and dot columns. For a standard size (2" x 5.5", 200 dpi)
ticket there are 384 dot rows and approximately 1050 dot columns. Note, that the printer usually reserves a