Ap863 Users’ Guide Page 5 of 18
3
MODES OF OPERATION
The Ap863 has three operating modes, when not actually printing:
Ÿ
"Idle Mode": ready to accept data, but no data are in the buffer awaiting printing, and the
printer motor is not running;
Ÿ
“Sleep Mode": effectively switched off and awaiting either a press on the paper feed button,
connection of the external charger, or some external data to exit sleep mode and enter idle
mode;
Ÿ
"Spooling Mode": active, but storing data for later printing.
Modes are indicated by different colour combinations on the front-panel LED (see section 6).
No light is emitted in sleep mode.
No hardware power switch is fitted, 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, factory-set to 30
seconds, but programmable from the host. It can also be programmed to stay idle indefinitely or to go
to sleep on command.
3.1
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 demonstration print (see below). 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.
3.2
SLEEP MODE
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 maximise battery life by arranging that the printer is
generally in sleep mode, except when printing or sending status data.
The printer enters sleep mode as follows:
Ÿ
by command from the host;
Ÿ
at the end of the (programmable) period of inactivity.
But, the Ap863 will never enter sleep mode when:
Ÿ
a charger is connected;
Ÿ
in spooling mode (see below);
The printer is woken up from sleep mode as follows:
Ÿ
by a 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;
Ÿ
by pressing and releasing the paper feed button;
Ÿ
by connecting the external battery charger.
When the Ap863 is used with either the direct mains powered PSU or the direct vehicle adaptor, no
external charger is required. However, making a connection from a PC handshaking output (DTR or
CSR) to the ‘Charger’ input may be used to force the Ap863 to wake and sleep under PC control.
3.3
SPOOLING MODE
In spooling mode, data is received and stored, but not printed. This is useful when printing needs to
be suppressed during data transfer (for example in mobile radio systems); or when the paper needs
to be changed, or a jam cleared, and the buffer contains data.
The buffer will automatically enter spooling mode by a paper low condition (this is selectable); it can
also enter spooling mode by a command from the host.
The spooling mode is exited by a command from the host; or, the paper feed button being double-
clicked (see below). Any stored data will then be printed out. Power consumption in spooling mode is
similar to that in idle mode.
