Printer User Manual

Page 29
Select the Magnetic Card Reader
The Host sends ASCII serial command string to enable the Magnetic Card
Reader. The printer turns on the <READY> LED if the proper command string is
received.
Receive the ASCII Data Output from printer
Once the magnetic card is swiped by the operator, the printer transmits in ASCII
format <Track Data> or <Error Message>. A good read automatically turns off
the reader. The printer turns on the red <ERROR> LED if an error is
encountered.
Magnetic Card Command String Description
ESC - M - nn - 1 - CR Read Track1 only
ESC - M - nn - 2 - CR Read Track2 only
ESC - M - nn - 3 - CR Read Track3 only
ESC - M - nn - 4 - CR Read Track1 and Track2 simultaneously
ESC - M - nn - 5 - CR Read Track2 and Track3 simultaneously
ESC – C Cancel Read
Turns off the <READY> LED
Table 2
(nn = ASCII "01" through "99" seconds)
Recognized Magnetic Card command strings
Six Magnetic Card command strings are recognized by the printer, these commands are
summarized in Table 2.
The command syntax is as follows:
ESC M n n Track # CR
(1) ( 2 ) (3) (4)
(1) Turn On the Card Reader
The first two characters "ESC" and "M" will turn on the Card Reader.
(2) Set the Card Read Timeout
The next two digits "01" through "99" sets the timeout in seconds before the
printer turns off the Card Reader. A good read automatically turns off the
reader.
(3) Select Track number to read
The Fifth character specifies the Track number(s) to read.
Sending "1", "2" or "3" enables read of single track 1, 2 or 3.
Sending "4" enables simultaneous read of tracks 1 and 2.
Sending "5" enables simultaneous read of tracks 2 and 3.
There is no command to read tracks 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously.