Miscellaneous Communication Features; Power-Cycle Recovery; Data Pass Through; Multi-Drop Configuration - TransAct POSjet 1500 Programmer's Manual

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Programmer' s Guide POSjet 1500 Port Protocols and
Connection Specifics

Miscellaneous Communication Features

Power-cycle Recovery

Sometimes the host needs to know if the printer was power cycled. An example would be after the receipt tape was
changed. It is not necessary to turn off the printer to change the receipt. However, if the operator does, any
information sent to the printer before the power cycle will be lost.
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The POSjet 1500 Printer has a flag that is set after a reset. The flag stays set until the host requests a reset. The
[ENQ] <11> command reads the flag. If the command returns power-cycled status, the power has been reset or
power cycled since the last request. All unprinted information has been lost.
If the print operation is critical, it is a good idea to check the power-cycle flag before and after all transactions. An
alternate approach is to check the flag after every off line to on-line transition.
Note: If the printer mode was changed by the [ESC] y <2> or <3> command, a power-cycle reset will return to the
initial configuration.

Data Pass Through

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The POSjet 1500 Printer supports data pass through (sometimes referred to as display pass-through). Data pass
through is activated by the print-suppress command with the pass through bit set. In pass through mode, the printer
can be requested to transmit any data that it receives. When this is the case, the printer's inquire commands are
active but of little use. Typically, the printer's transmit data is connected to the next device in line. Inquire
commands have no data path back to the host. If pass through is to be used, it is a good idea to deactivate the
inquire commands. (Use [ESC] y <6>).
Before pass-through data can be used, it must be activated in the configuration menu, which is the third selection in
the print-suppress/pass option.
All data after, but not including, the print-suppress command is pass through. When deactivated, the print-suppress
command is again not pass through. During pass through the multi-drop commands are active (if configured).
The printer will act upon a multi-drop control command found in the pass through data. If the printer is deselected
during pass through, it stops passing on the data. When the printer is re-addressed, data pass through is active.

Multi-drop Configuration

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The POSjet 1500 Printer supports a multi-drop configuration where up to three printers can be connected in
parallel. Each printer has a different address A, B, or C. The printer does not accept any print information unless it
is addressed. Multi-drop configuration is only available in serial mode, as parallel printers cannot be connected
together.

Off line Active

A configuration flag that prevents the printer from going off line (in most cases) is available. Off line mode allows
the application to query the printer for status rather than assume a status from the control signals. The feature allows
the host application to query the printer at all times except when there is no power; a full input buffer; or a hard
failure. For example, when the printer's cover is open, the printer stops printing but still accepts data and inquiries.
The inquire cover status command returns, "Cover open."
Hard failures result when there is no power or a printer fault occurs. If the printer is off line, either the input buffer
is full or a hard fault has occurred. The host application should not allow the input buffer to fill.
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