MODES OF OPERATION
The printer has three operating modes when not actually printing:
"Idle Mode": ready to accept data, but no data are in the buffer awaiting printing, and the printer is
not printing;
“Sleep Mode": effectively switched off;
"Spooling Mode": active, but storing data for later printing.
Modes are indicated by different color combinations on the front-panel Status Indicator. No light is
emitted in sleep mode.
There is no power switch, as power control is either automatic or by command from the host computer.
To save power, the printer enters sleep mode after a period of inactivity. It can also be programmed to
stay idle indefinitely or to go to sleep on command.
IDLE MODE
In idle mode, the printer is ready to receive data which will be printed as soon as complete lines or
graphics patterns are decoded. It responds to the paper feed button in the normal way, and can also
produce a self test printout. Power consumption is such that a fully-charged battery pack would last up to
10 hours, but the printer will normally switch from idle mode into sleep mode when there is no activity,
extending battery life.
SLEEP MODE
The printer enters sleep mode after a period of inactivity. This period is factory-set to 30 seconds (except
Bluetooth models which are factory-set to 4 minutes), but is programmable from the host.
In sleep mode, power consumption is negligible, but data stored in the buffer are lost. Special routines
allow for data to be printed out automatically before going to sleep. User programmable settings such as
Baud Rate and operational preferences are, however, retained during sleep mode or battery replacement.
The system designer can maximize battery life by arranging that the printer is generally in sleep mode,
except when printing.
The printer enters sleep mode as follows:
by command from the host;
at the end of the (programmable) period of inactivity (This period is extended in spooling mode);
the battery voltage falls below a pre-set lower limit.
But, the printer will never enter sleep mode when:
a charger is connected;
data is being received;
the RS-232 "Wake-up" control line is 'active';
an IrDA connection is present (IrDA models only).
The printer is awaken from sleep mode as follows:
by pressing the paper feed button;
by connecting the external battery charger;
by an RS-232 data stream from the host: a certain period of logical '0' bits is required, typically a
string of 50 NUL characters at 9,600 Baud. These data will be lost. There is a delay of up to
100 ms before the serial output lines are established and the printer is ready to accept data;
by the RS-232 "Wake-up" control line becoming 'active';
by Infra-Red activity (IrDA models only).
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