Swecoin TTPM3 User manual

Publ. No.: 104860, Ed. AX, May 28, 2007
TTPM3 Printer/Encoder
Technical Manual

2
Acknowledgments
Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems
Incorporated
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation
This is a publication of Swecoin AB
Box 322, SE-192 30 SOLLENTUNA, Sweden
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-mail [email protected]
[email protected]
Web site http://www.swecoin.se
© Swecoin AB 2005, 2006
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in parts is prohibited without written consent of the copyright
owner. We have taken great care to ensure that the information in this manual is correct and complete.
However, if you discover any errors or omissions, or if you wish to make suggestions for improvements, you
are welcome to send your comments to us. Swecoin AB disclaims any liability resulting from the use of this
information and reserves the right to make changes without notice.
Edition AX, May 2007
Printed in Sweden

Introduction
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 3
CONTENTS
1 Introduction...................................................................................................................5
1.1 Document printing ...........................................................................................5
1.2 Magnetic encoding ..........................................................................................5
1.3 Document handling .........................................................................................5
2 Installation.....................................................................................................................6
2.1 Installing a desktop printer ..............................................................................7
2.2 Installing an OEM printer mechanism ...........................................................10
3 Operation.....................................................................................................................12
3.1 Operator controls...........................................................................................12
3.2 Paper loading ................................................................................................12
3.3 Paper jam removal ........................................................................................14
3.4 Self test mode/ticket repeat mode.................................................................15
3.5 Error handling................................................................................................15
3.6 Single-ticket handling ....................................................................................16
4 Programming ..............................................................................................................20
4.1 Syntax............................................................................................................20
4.2 Initialization after power OFF ........................................................................20
4.3 Printing and encoding capability overview ....................................................21
4.4 How the commands are described................................................................24
4.5 Summary of commands ................................................................................25
4.6 Command Reference ....................................................................................27
5 Ticket Examples..........................................................................................................52
Text attributes..........................................................................................................55
6 Default parameter settings ........................................................................................56
6.1 How the parameters are described...............................................................56
6.2 Summary of parameter settings ....................................................................57
6.3 Parameter Reference....................................................................................59
7 Error codes and Status reporting .............................................................................65
7.1 Status ............................................................................................................65
7.2 Security additions..........................................................................................65
7.3 Errors.............................................................................................................66
7.4 Extended acknowledgement .........................................................................67
8 Maintenance ................................................................................................................68
8.1 Fault finding...................................................................................................68
8.2 Cleaning the print head .................................................................................69

Introduction
4 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
8.3 Firmware........................................................................................................69
9 Specifications .............................................................................................................70
9.1 Interface description......................................................................................70
9.2 Document stock.............................................................................................71
9.3 Firmware........................................................................................................76
10 Index.............................................................................................................................78
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REVISION HISTORY
Edition AX: Not yet issued working copy for Edition A

Introduction
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 5
1 INTRODUCTION
This document describes installation and operation of TTPM3 Ticket Printer/Encoder,
which creates credit-card-wide tickets with magnetic encoding and thermal printing.
1.1 Document printing
TTPM3 uses the direct thermal printing technique and can print the entire surface of the
ticket with text, bar codes, or graphics, or any combination hereof. Text block position and
orientation is software programmable as is the character size.
The data sent to the printer is converted to a ticket image which is stored in the unit until
an ”All Clear” software command is sent, or the power is turned off/on.
1.2 Magnetic encoding
Three magnetic tracks can be encoded: Either with standard low coercivity recording, or
optional “household-magnet proof” high coercivity recording.
ISO track version1: ISO track 1 at 210 BPI
ISO track 2 at 75 BPI (Bits-Per-Inch)
ISO track 3 at 210 BPI
Center track version: 7 mm wide center track at 75 or 210 BPI
The TTPM3 can be used for encoding on one, two, or three tracks simultaneously.
Read-after-write is automatically performed.
You can also enter an already encoded ticket into the TTPM3 and read the magnetic
stripe and output the data to the host computer.
See also “Magnetic encoding- and decoding-related commands” on page 42.
1.3 Document handling
TTPM3 printer has two rear inputs for ticket stock. Both can take continuous ticket stock
like fanfold or roll ticket material. You can configure the printer so that one is used for
continuous stock and the other is used for handfed tickets.
There is an optional front load mechanism that makes it possible to load single tickets
through the ticket exit. This replaces the upper ticket entry at the rear of the printer. In
addition to this, the front load has a wastebasket function for redirecting used or invalid
tickets to a wastebasket, thus preventing useless tickets being presented to the customer.
You can select to partially eject the ticket so that the customer takes it from the frontload
mechanism, or fully eject the ticket so that it falls into a tray. You can also select that a
ticket should be redirected to a wastebasket as described above.
1
Encoding in ISO standard format, or in hexadecimal format (bit-by-bit), is software selectable.

Installation
6 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
2 INSTALLATION
The TTPM3 comes as desktop printer, or as an OEM printer mechanism for kiosk
applications.
Input 1 (lower)
Input 2 (upper)
Interface
connector
Power switch
Power
inlet (24V)
Ticket output
Control panel
Figure 1. Desktop printer
Control panel
Input 1 (lower)
Input 2 (upper)
Interface
connector
Ticket output
Printhead-open lever
Power
inlet (24V)
Figure 2. OEM printer mechanism

Installation
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 7
2.1 Installing a desktop printer
1. Connect the cable from the power supply to the connector at the back of the printer.
2. Connect the power supply to a line outlet with safety ground. The ground potential
should be the same as for the host computer. If ground potentials differ, use a short
distance modem between the computer and the printer.
3. Connect a serial cable between the COM port of the host computer and the serial
input of the TTPM3 printer. For pin assignment, see page 70.
4. Turn on the printer. The blue and green indicators should light up.
5. Press the front button. The green indicator starts flashing and the yellow indicator
lights up, indicating “Out of Paper”.
6. Turn the tickets so that the magnetic stripe is on the left side facing downwards, as
seen from the front of the printer.
7. Insert tickets in the lower document entry. The printer feeds the tickets forward and
cuts and ejects one ticket.
The printer is ready for use.
2.1.1 Network option
If the printer is equipped with a network card only network interface should be used.
1. Open the cover
2. Insert the network cable in the hole at the rear of the cover.
3. Connect the cable to the TCP/IP connector at the rear of the network card.
4. Take out the configuration ticket that sits in the holster on the side of the network card.
5. Start a web browser and enter the IP address printed on the configuration card, for
example http://192.168.0.52

Installation
8 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
6. Now the server in the TTPM shows. Here you can set new address and print a new
configuration card:
7. If you have problem finding the TTPM from your PC, please check that the PC uses
the same third digit in the IP number as the printer does, for example: 192.168.0.52. If
this digit differs, please temporarily change it to the same third digit as on the
configuration card. Then connect to the printer and give the printer a new IP address
that works in your network environment.
NOTE! – The serial connector on the back of the printer is used by the network card, so
you cannot run both interfaces at once.
2.1.2 Testing
If you want to test the printer through the network you can use the SwcSockTerm.exe
utility program that allows you to send command scripts and binary files to the printer.

Installation
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 9
2.1.3 Output tray or nozzle?
The output nozzle is used if the operator only prints one ticket at a time and should take
the ticket from the printer.
The output tray collects the printed and coded tickets in a neat stack. Use the tray if you
intend to print many tickets at a time.
1. If an output nozzle is fitted, press it out from behind and remove it
2. Loosen the two screws in the front a couple of turns
3. Hook the tray onto the screws and tighten them
4. Press tray downwards so it is securely fastened
SW97105 R3
Fit output
nozzle
Hook tray onto
Screws and tighten
OR
Figure 3. Installing an output tray or nozzle

Installation
10 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
2.2 Installing an OEM printer mechanism
The TTPM3 OEM printer mechanism should be installed in some kind of enclosure such
as a self-service kiosk.
Preventing ESD and earth currents from affecting the printer operation requires proper
connection of the printer chassis to protective earth through a mounting platform or
through a separate earth conductor.
Trouble free printer operation also requires the printer’s optical sensors to be shielded
from ambient light.
Additional space is required for paper stock and handling. Consider mounting the printer
on a movable platform so that the printer can be maintained outside the printer enclosure.
Figure 4. Dimension drawing for printer mechanism. All measurements are in mm

Installation
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 11
With Swecoin power supplies, just connect the cable from the power supply to J5.
If you use another type of power supply unit, 24 V cables are available from Swecoin AB,
order No. 01370-000.
Should you make cables of your own, connect the voltages according to the following
illustration. Note that protective ground and minus output should
not be interconnected in
the power supply. At the printer end of the cable, use an AMP Mate-N-Lok connector
housing and two contact-sockets:
Housing: AMP No. 350777-1
GND
+24 V
Socket: AMP No. 350689-1
Figure 5. Power connection
Mode
Idle
150 mA
Standard text printing
2 A average
Peak current
6 A
Table 1. Current consumption
NOTE! – The 24 V ground, as well as the chassis of the printer, must be connected to
ground potential (safety ground).
After fastening the printer, proceed with the installation instructions for desktop printer on
page 6.

Operation
12 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
3 OPERATION
3.1 Operator controls
On/Off
Error
Out of
Tickets
Ready
Clear
Jam
Eject
Ticket
Feed
Ticket
!
Green indicator
Fixed:
Blinking:
Flickering:
Temporarily OFF:
Printer ready.
Insert ticket.
Receiving data.
Commands are executed.
Yellow Indicator
Fixed: Out of paper.
Blinking:
Print command
received, but out
of paper.
Red indicator
Error, turn OFF
and ON the printer
to clear.
Feed pushbutton
1.Cuts and ejects a ticket .
2. Press and hold at power ON to enter
self test mode. Press again to encode
and print one ticket. The printout shows
current firmware version. Turn printer
OFF and ON to exit self test mode.
Eject pushbutton
1. Ejects any document in
the selected ticket track.
(Same as when an !E
command is received.)
2. Press and hold at power
ON to run cleaning card
through printer.
Clear pushbutton
Press and hold at power ON
to turn on paper jam clearing
mode. Press front button to
advance ticket forward and
middle button to retract ticket
backwards. Turn printer OFF
and ON to exit paper jam
clearing mode.
Keyboard
1
2
Blue indicator
Lights when
power is ON
Power ON/OFF button
Switches on or off the
TTPM3
Figure 6. Indicators and pushbuttons
3.2 Paper loading
The yellow indicator indicates paper out.
Press the center button to eject remaining tickets if you want to replace paper stock
before paper is out.

Operation
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 13
3.2.1 Loading through rear document entries
Insert the ticket stock into the desired document entry. When the ticket is detected by the
input sensor it will be pulled into the active position. Consecutive ticket stock is usually
loaded in the lower document entry, and single tickets in the upper document entry.
If the printer is configured for two consecutive entries, you may also use fanfold tickets in
the upper document entry.
Upper document entry
SW97113R2
Lower document entry
Magnetic stripe
Figure 7. Position of the magnetic stripe when loading paper
3.2.2 Paper stock positioning
The ticket stock should be oriented with the magnetic stripe down to the left as seen from
the front of the TTPM3. It is good practice to place the pile of fanfold tickets at a distance
of at least one ticket length behind, and straight out from the printer.
SW97116R2
90°
Figure 8. Positioning the ticket stock

Operation
14 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
3.2.3 Loading through front document entry (optional)
An !L3 command must be sent to the printer to prepare it for front loading. When this
command has been received and the input sensor detects a ticket being inserted into the
document exit, it will be pulled into the active position of the upper rear document entry.
For the magnetic stripe to be readable, the ticket must be inserted with the stripe facing
down to the left, as seen from the front of the printer.
Magnetic stripe
FL
Figure 9. Position of the magnetic stripe at front load
3.3 Paper jam removal
Open the cover to locate and remove the ticket that is stuck in the mechanism. Use the
following procedure:
3.3.1 Select paper jam clearing mode
1. Power OFF.
2. Push and hold the “Clear Jam” pushbutton while turning ON the power. The red
indicator shows a steady light to indicate paper jam clearing mode.
3.3.2 Tickets stuck in input module
Press and hold the “Eject Ticket” push button to feed the ticket towards the rear of the
unit.
3.3.3 Tickets stuck in output module
Press and hold the “Feed Ticket” push button to feed the ticket towards the front of the
unit.
3.3.4 Exit paper jam clearing mode
Power OFF and back ON again, the TTPM2 is operational but any ticket information
previously sent to the unit is lost.
You can also power OFF the printer and turn the feed rolls manually to remove the
blocking ticket.

Operation
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 15
3.4 Self test mode/ticket repeat mode
3.4.1 Self test
1. Press and hold the front pushbutton at power ON to enter self-test mode.
2. Press again to encode and print one ticket. The printout shows current firmware
version.
3. Turn printer OFF and ON to exit self-test mode.
3.4.2 Repeat fixed print
1. Start self-test mode as described above.
2. Download the ticket data to the printer, and print one ticket. The data must only
contain fixed text, fixed encoding data, and graphics.
3. Press the front button once and an exact copy of the first ticket will be printed. This will
be repeated each time that the front button is pressed.
4. Turn printer OFF and ON to return to normal operation.
NOTE! — Do not hold the front button depressed!
Doing so will result in erroneously cut tickets often resulting in paper jam.
NOTE! — Repeating fixed print only works on printers where the auto clear function is
OFF. Auto clear is enabled / disabled with a parameter setting.
3.5 Error handling
The blue and green indicators lights up at power ON. If they fail to light up, switch the
TTPM3 OFF and ON again. If the indicators are still OFF, check your power connection
both in the TTPM3 and in the wall outlet. Also check your main power supply fuse.
3.5.1 TTPM3 start-up
The TTPM3 has Flash memory where the firmware and parameter settings are stored. All
print field definitions are stored in RAM and disappears when the printer power is
switched OFF.
POWER FAILURE CLEANUP
If “Clear ticket path at startup” is enabled (parameter 8), TTPM3 tries to find out if a ticket
is in the ticket path at any other location than at the top of form position at power ON. If it
finds a ticket, it destroys the magnetic encoding, prints VOID on it and outputs the ticket.
If the printer is equipped with a front load 3 unit, the ticket is redirected to the waste bin.
START-UP SYNCHRONIZATION
To enable the TTPM3 to synchronize itself to the incoming data after power up, either
after a usual power ON, or after a power failure, the printer has to receive either a !C
command that it will execute, or a !P command that it will ignore.

Operation
16 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
Using the !C command to initiate the TTPM3 clears all data that has previously been
stored. To avoid having data cleared, the !P command can be used, for example, to retain
document data stored in the TTPM3 prior to a power failure or power OFF.
NOTE! – Please remember that the TTPM3 has to receive either the !C or !P command,
after power up. All other commands and data will be ignored until !C or !P has
been received.
3.5.2 Normal operation
Different error types can show up during processing. The most common is that the
TTPM3 is out of paper. All errors encountered by the printer, and requiring operator
assistance, are indicated with a signal from an indicator on top of the printer. The
operator then has to follow a specific procedure depending on the type of error that
caused the stop. The procedures are as follows:
• Yellow indicator lights up
Indicates “No paper” in the selected paper entry. Insert new paper supply or new -
single ticket. The document will be automatically loaded to active position.
• Yellow indicator ON and green indicator ON or flashing.
No paper in the selected paper entry. Data string and print command have been
received. Insert paper into the selected paper entry.
• Red indicator lights up
Indicates unsuccessful read-after-write. The TTPM3 makes a second attempt to
encode and read the ticket. During that attempt the red indicator will go out. For each
unsuccessful attempt, the red indicator lights up again. If a single-ticket operation is in
progress, the red indicator stays ON until a new ticket is inserted and successfully
processed. Also refer to the previously described procedures regarding the yellow and
green indicators.
• Red indicator is ON
If the Red indicator stays ON, even though ticket stock is present in the selected entry
station, this indicates that the paper path in the TTPM3 has been blocked. Follow the
description on the next page to remove blockage.
NOTE! – No data is lost in the process of detecting and acting on errors as long as the
printer is not switched OFF.
3.6 Single-ticket handling
3.6.1 Overview
The TTPM3 comes with one of two different single-ticket handling systems: upper rear
entry load (standard), and front load (optional). In both cases, the upper document entry
of the printer is used for the single-tickets.
This means that single-ticket processing restricts the use of fanfold ticket stock to the
lower entry.

Operation
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 17
Active position, upper track
Standby position, upper track
Active position,
lower track
Input module
Standby position,
lower track
Write headRead headWaste bin ticket exit
Magnetic encoder/decoder
Printer
Front load
ticket entry/exit
Cutter
SW97104A
REAR
FRONT
Figure 10. Active and standby ticket position
PREVIOUSLY ENCODED TICKETS
One use of the single ticket handling is to process a ticket several times. For example, if
you issue a return train ticket (Stockholm to Oslo and back to Stockholm) you can add
print, and re-encode the magnetic stripe when the first part of the journey is made.
1. Use the applicable decode-command to read the previously encoded ticket
information.
2. The data is transmitted to the host computer, and the ticket is positioned in the active
position of the upper entry, ready for a new encoding and printing.
3. Printing and encoding is affected using the same commands as for processing a ticket
from a fan-fold ticket stock, and the ticket is ejected to the customer.
TIP!
To avoid printing on top of the existing print of a previously used ticket:
• Include information in the magnetically encoded string, about which area of the ticket
has already been used for printing
• Read the magnetic stripe and let the host computer position new text on free spaces
of the ticket.
• Update the magnetic stripe with correct information about used areas if the ticket
should be used further.
3.6.2 Inserting a single ticket
In the standard TTPM3, inserting a single-ticket into the upper rear document entry, will
trigger the single ticket loading process.
In front load printers, the application program must issue the command !L3 to trigger the
single ticket loading. The yellow indicator on the printer will blink to indicate that the
application program wants the operator to insert a single ticket. When a ticket is inserted,
the loading process starts. To speed up ticket handling, the magnetic code of track two is

Operation
18 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
read and placed in memory when loading the ticket from the front load option. !D will read
track two data from memory without having to move the ticket.
The single ticket loading process will retract the fanfold ticket stock in the lower document
entry to a standby position, and position the single ticket in the active position of the
upper entry.
The subsequent command string automatically processes the operation on the single-
ticket form.
3.6.3 Read and decode
The following read (and decode) commands apply for the single ticket in active position:
!DA
Reads and decodes all three tracks and sends the data separated by CR LF.
!D1
!D2
!D3
Read and decode the track indicated by the digit. With front load option, track 2
(or center track) is read and the data stored in memory when the ticket is entered
through the front entry.
!D2 only reads the data from memory without moving the
ticket.
The read string is decoded and scanned for an end character (?). If found, the
string is sent to the host computer in ASCII format. The start character is not
included, but the stop character (?) and the checksum are transmitted. If no
number is found, or if it does not comply with the ISO standard, a NAK+A is
transmitted.
!O1
!O2
!O3
Read data from track 2 (or center track) and transmit data to host.
No decoding takes place in the TTPM3.
A one is transmitted as ASCII 1, and a zero as ASCII 0.
After reading the stripe, the ticket is automatically returned to active position waiting for
either an eject-command for a command sequence for printing or encoding (or both)
followed by
!P for processing of that command string.
3.6.4 Encode and print
1. Encode a new or modified string on the magnetic stripe. Use any of the magnetic
encoding commands
!I , !J , !M , or !K # , !N , !K depending on what tracks are
available in your printer, and what encoding you want. See page 42.
2. Format the new print using the
!F command described on page 35.
3. Encode and print the ticket with the
!P command.
The ticket will be ejected to the operator when correctly encoded and printed. In case of
unsuccessful encoding, the single ticket is cancelled
1
and a new single-ticket form has to
be inserted into the applicable document entry. A blinking yellow indicator prompts this.
1
The number of encoding retries, as well as the text to be printed on cancelled tickets, can be set with the !F M command. See
page 40. Cancelled tickets can be redirected to the optional front load waste bin by inserting an } or @ character in the string to
be encoded on the stripe, see page 44.

Operation
0705 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 19
3.6.5 Ejecting the ticket
If you want to eject the ticket without modifying the encoding or adding new print after
reading the magnetic stripe, use an applicable eject command:
!E Ejects the ticket through the upper rear document entry.
!L4 Ejects the ticket through the front entry.
!L5 Ejects the ticket to the waste bin of the TTPM3 Front Load 3.

Programming
20 TTPM3 Printer/Encoder–Technical Manual 0705
4 PROGRAMMING
4.1 Syntax
• A command string always starts with an exclamation mark (ASCII 33 or HEX 21)
serving as command identifier. The exclamation mark must be at the first position of
the line, that is, directly after a CR LF. Otherwise it will not be recognizes as command
identifier.
• The characters immediately following the “ ! ” (21H) form the actual command to the
printer. The command consists of 1–3 characters and is followed, when applicable, by
a sub command, formatting commands, and data separated by space characters as
shown in Figure 11.
• Carriage Return and Line Feed end each command.
Command identifier
Command (1 to 3 characters)
Sub command
Formatting commands
separated by spaces
Data enclosed in
quotation marks
Space character
(ASCII 32 or HEX 20)
Only used with some commands
Graphical data starts directly without any quotation mark
and ends after the specified number of bytes
New line = CR LF
(ASCII 13 10
or HEX 0D 0A)
SW97119
1
1
1
2
2
1
Figure 11. Command syntax
4.2 Initialization after power OFF
To initialize the printer after power ON you just send a clear command (!C) and the printer
is ready for use.
NOTE! – If no clear command has been received, the first !P after power ON initializes
the printer. No ticket is produced from the data sent before this !P.