User guide

5
Chapter 3: How the Printer
Works
The printer performs all actions through jobs. Jobs are submitted using an
external source such as the printer driver or an internal source such as the Printer
Manager or the Front Panel on the printer. The printer can send two different
types of jobs—a card job or an exception job.
A Card Job includes actions such as pick or print and add magnetic stripe data. A
card job results in a card processing and being counted as successful or
unsuccessful.
An Exception Job also has actions, such as get settings, and can have data, such as
an IP address. Any cards picked for exception jobs are counted in total picks, but
not in other card counts.
The printer maintains a queue that can have up to two jobs in it. Jobs are
processed in the order received. If the queue has a print job, the queue accepts the
next job submitted. If the queue receives an exception job, the queue blocks any
additional jobs from being accepted.
Using the front panel, including suspending the printer and using the menus,
blocks other jobs from being accepted. Using the Printer Manager momentarily
blocks other jobs, when a request is submitted and the response if provided.
Because these actions are very short in duration, blocking is not often noticed.
Only one Printer Manager session per printer is allowed. Any additional requests
for Printer Manager sessions will be blocked.
Printer Components
This section describes the components from the outside of the printer and the
internal components of the printer. A duplex-option printer is shown in the
illustrations.