News

Practical Automation

April 8, 2004

Practical Automation's Kiosk Printer's Paper Detection Monitoring System

Practical Automation offers a variety of kiosk printers that handle the full

spectrum of paper detection monitoring. This includes the monitoring of

status for; out of paper, low paper, paper or ticket not taken and jam

detection. Many other status strings can be "Called" using API or

equivalent commands.

Printer Status Overview.

The kiosk printers have a wide range of status information available to suit

any application environment. There are three types of status: Operator,

parallel interface and reverse channel parallel interface. Operator status

is that which is displayed on the printer's switch and display panel LEDs.

The parallel interface status is the commonly known, compatibility mode

status (Centronics), which has been part of the parallel interface since its

inception Lastly, reverse channel parallel interface status is a method for

reading data from the parallel interface, as defined by the IEEE-1284

standard. Depending on the requirements of the application the operator

status, in combination with the parallel status, may be all that is

required. For other applications the detailed information available by the

parallel reverse channel status may be needed.

Operator Status.

Operator status is available through a Switch and Display panel using a

system of error codes and annunciator LEDs and buzzer.

Parallel Interface Compatibility Mode Status.

The parallel interface has several signals, which provide a top-level view

of the printer's status. These are: Busy; PError ; Select; nFault.

Collectively they convey if the printer is ready for data, has paper and

does not have a detected fault. In many applications this level of status is

sufficient.

Parallel Interface IEEE-1284 Reverse Channel Status.

The status data available via this channel includes all the data noted above

as well as additional detailed information. This detailed status information

is required for the systems management of certain applications.

Reverse Channel Status Types.

There are two types of status information returned to the host:

-1- IEEE 1284 ID String data.

-2- Detailed Status Data.

The ID string data is configured to meet the requirements of the IEEE

specifications for that information. The detailed status is a unique

configuration of status information specific to the kiosk printer. This

string is returned to the meet the IEEE-1284 protocol.

Low Paper Monitoring.

When the low paper sensor is used there are several options for how the

printer will react to this low paper information. The programmable options

are: "STATUS Only"; "WARNING ONLY"; "BUSY after document printed" ;

"DISABLED."

NOTE: If low paper is not monitored and actions for paper replenishment are

not controlled by the host then the "BUSY after document printed" selection

must be used to insure the printer will not run out of paper in the middle

of a printed documented.

Low Paper Host Status Information

The low paper status information is always available, for reading by the

host system, unless the "DISABLED" option is selected. It is the

responsibility of the connected host system to detect and react to this

condition by dispatching service personnel to attend to the paper condition.

Printer Reactions to the Low Paper Condition

There are several programmable printer responses to the low paper condition.

If the "STATUS Only" (default mode) is selected, the printer will only

display the condition on the switch and display panel, by a slow flashing of

the P/P (Power/Paper) LED. If the "WARNING ONLY" is selected, the printer

will sound a warning beep each time a document is printed. If the "BUSY

after document printed" option is selected the printer will complete the

document in process and go offline. This reaction is distinguished from out

of paper, in that the low paper warning provides enough paper in the path to

complete the document in process. If the "DISABLED" option is selected the

printer ignores the low paper signal. Note: For all Status Modes except

"DISABLED" the low paper condition is available to the host as Status Data.