we bought a Printronix RFID printer T4304 with these dates:
FirmwareP301189 V1.21A
Serial NumberT4K431948007
Our wish is
to produce RFID-Labels with an QR-Code which includes the EPC-number
of the label. The QR-Code shall look like this:
http://qr.mycompany.com/epc/E280689123456789012345
We were hoping to use it with the Software Nicelabel. But Nicelabel
is only able to produce a QR-Code with only the EPC-Number but not
with our http://qr.my..../epc/ in front.
I had the idea to save the printjob as file. So I was able to
manipulate the file and send that file as printjob to the Printronix
printer like this:
lpr -S 192.168.1.2 -P raw myprintjob.prn
I found the document PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C.pdf
which describes how the printer language is working. But I cannot
fulfill my destination.
My myprintjob.prn looks like this:
!PTX_SETUP
ENGINE-IMAGE_SHFT_H;0
ENGINE-IMAGE_SHFT_V;0
ENGINE-WIDTH;04146.
PTX_END
~NORMAL
~PIOFF
~DELETE LOGO;*ALL
~PAPER;INTENSITY 8;MEDIA 1;FEED SHIFT 0;CUT 0;PAUSE 0;TYPE 0;LABELS 2;SPEED IPS 6;SLEW IPS 6
~CREATE;FRM;99
SCALE;DOT;300;300
RFRTAG;96;EPC
96;DF511;H
STOP
ISET;0
FONT;FACE 92250
ALPHA
AF511;24;INV;POINT;329;1033;10;10;
STOP
BARCODE
QRCODE;INV;XD9;T2;E0;I1;95;843;
"http://qr.mycompany.com/epc/","EPCCODE"
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;FRM
~REPEAT;1
~AF511;<DF511>
~NORMAL
The result is a QRcode which only includes the first part of the string:
"http://qr.mycompany.com/epc/"
but not the "EPCCODE". I am looking for a hint how to do this.
Maybe I could find out the EPC-code via REST or telnet or so and create a special printjob for every single label?
Thanks for your help,
Richard
Printronix T4000, talk with port 9100 to get info from the printer
Author
Richard Lippmann, Stadt Zirndorf, EDV
Documentinformation
name: talk-with-port9100-to-get-infos-from-printronix-rfid-printer.md
revision: 2021-12-02 - init
What I want to achieve
I want to know the RFID-code from the label which is under the print-head.
With this information I am able to build a printjob with Qrcode which includes
the RFID-EPC.
I was not able to find out how to create a print-job with a qr-code.
I do not want this information in qrcode: ABC1234...567
But I want this information in qrcode: http://qr.mydomain.com/rfid/epc/ABC1234...567
With that I am able to take a picture of the label and go to a web-application
which helps me further with the device the label is on.
Documenation, where to find information
The printer language is described in the document which is easy to google: PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C.pdf
My environment
Printronix T4000 printer with RFID-unit to read the RFID from the current label.
How to get info back from my printer
Usually Port 9100 is used to send a printjob to the Printronix-printer. Send job,
don't receive data. But you can switch the printer to be verbose, to send you
back information over the 9100-connection.
Glossary
EPC = this is the unique number which is in every RFID-label, just like
a MAC-address in a network card
PGL = the printer language. We can send printjobs with it, but also get information
from the printer about Configuration etc.
Human connect to the printer via Linux commandline
ssh me#shell.mydomain.com
export MYPRINTER=192.168.100.3
nc -v $MYPRINTER 9100
Put verbose mode on
The printer usually only receives information, but does not talk back.
You have to switch on the back-communication.
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS
END
Put verbose mode off
I you are programming this interface with a programming
language like python, perl, ... it's a good idea to switch
verbose mode off after you did your job.
~CONFIG
SNOOP;OFF
END
IDENTITY
To see information:
put verbose mode on
send ~IDENTITY command
put verbose mode off
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS
END
~IDENTITY
The result is:
T43040,V1.21A,12,131072KB
STATUS
To see information:
put verbose mode on
send ~IDENTITY command
put verbose mode off
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS
END
~STATUS
The result is:
BUSY;0
PAPER;0
RIBBON;0
PRINT HEAD;0
COUNT;000
GAP;0
HEAD HOT;0
CUT COUNT;000000000
PRINT DIST;000001529
PRCT COMPLETE;000
TOF SYNCED;1
SENSED DIST;00450
END
Read one RFID-EPC-code from current label
These are things mentioned in this command:
~CREATE - start creating a new "form" (or subroutine to execute later)
VERIFY - the name of the subroutine we are creating. Keep it simple,
less than 15 characters, no special signs (see docu PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C
page 60 under "CREATE" and page 29 under "Form Name" for exact informations)
NOMOTION - don't move the label to the next one after executing this job
DF511 = This is a variable-name, there seem to be a lot of variables in the printer
which are called by their numbers: DF1, DF2, ... I don't know which one I am
allowed to use, DF511 seems to work
96 = the RFID-EPC on my labels are 96 Bits long
H = Hexnumbers, the code is 96 Bit long, but I would like to see it like this:
ABC1234...567
VERIFY - a command to send information to the commandline.
~EXECUTE;VERIFY;1 - execute the form 1 time
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS
END
~CREATE;VERIFY;432;NOMOTION
RFRTAG;96;EPC
96;DF511;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF511;H;*STARTEPC=*;*=ENDEPC\n*
END
~EXECUTE;VERIFY;1
~NORMAL
The result is:
STARTEPC=E28068940000501EC931EC87=ENDEPC
Read two RFID-EPC-codes
Reads 2 Barcodes and gives back the EPC-codes. With this command the label get
sent (moved) through the printer.
These are things mentioned in this command:
~CREATE - start creating a new "form" (or subroutine to execute later)
VERIFY - the name of the subroutine we are creating. Keep it simple,
less than 15 characters, no special signs (see docu PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C
page 60 under "CREATE" and page 29 under "Form Name" for exact informations)
NOMOTION - don't move the label to the next one after executing this job
DF511 = This is a variable-name, there seem to be a lot of variables in the printer
which are called by their numbers: DF1, DF2, ... I don't know which one I am
allowed to use, DF511 seems to work
96 = the RFID-EPC on my labels are 96 Bits long
H = Hexnumbers, the code is 96 Bit long, but I would like to see it like this:
ABC1234...567
VERIFY - a command to send information to the commandline.
~EXECUTE;VERIFY;1 - execute the form 1 time
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS
END
~CREATE;VERIFY;432
RFRTAG;96;EPC
96;DF511;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF511;H;*STARTEPC=*;*=ENDEPC\n*
END
~EXECUTE;VERIFY;2
~NORMAL
The result is:
STARTEPC=E28068940000501EC931EC87=ENDEPC
STARTEPC=E28068940000401EC931EC86=ENDEPC
Related
I need some sort of schedule thing to schedule a task to happen at x:y (12:00 for example) in Tcl.
The scenario is a router using Openwrt with Tcl 8.6.10 with limited RAM and storage where I have some sort of IRC client "bot" (using socket to connect). The "bot" was just a barebone that I modify to suit my needs. Most of the things work fine, except that I don't have way to schedule easily things. I wanted something like how eggdrop has "bind time" where the bind thing is "bind time flag "cron-style string" caller".
The "bot" scheme is like:
Main Tcl script:
<info+code to connect to IRC>
<while loop>
<some code in case of IRC disconnection>
<list of files with tcl code aka sub-scripts>
<usage of source based from a list of the filenames>
<code for error handling>
<end of while loop>
The list of files is source filelist.tcl, where filelist.tcl is a set var {filename1.tcl filename2.tcl...}. The filenamex.tcl has some basic code to respond to IRC server or IRC input from channels and reply to channels.
I can make some sort of schedule if I base a execution like if {[clock format [clock seconds] -format "%H:%M"]=="12:00"} {code to execute} and hopefully wait for a server ping/pong but that can lead to repeated code inside of the if body.
I been looking around and found a package called cron but I don't know how to use it correctly because there are not many examples and I don't know to use vwait properly and I don't want vwait to hang the bot waiting for a value to change. I also read about tcl threads for maybe parallel execution.
So I need some code inside of a sub-script that looks like (a package cron style):
#beginning of file
#add a task specifying hour and minute
task-at "12:00" proccaller
proc procname {optional} {
<some code to be executed at specific hour+time>
}
#end of file
I also don't know how to use after command to use it.
How can I accomplish I want?
Thanks for the replies and yes, it would help if I study event loops and coroutine, which probably comes next.
Some time has passed since I posted the question and kinda sorted the thing by creating a sub-script in a folder named scripts with the following structure:
#beginning of the script
if {![file exists executed]} {set executed "no"}
#the following clock instruction returns for example: Tuesday 22:14
switch -glob -- [clock format [clock seconds] -format "%A %H:%M"] {
"*12:00" - "*12:01" {
#Basic example of sending a message to the irc channel when it's midday
if {$executed=="no"} {
puts $fd "PRIVMSG #CODE :It's midday right now."
flush $fd
set executed "yes"
}
}
#...more time comparisions and code
default {set executed "no"}
}
#end of script
And the script is almost the top of the list of scripts to be loaded so if I wish to send some command down stream at giving time, the command can be executed.
There is double timings because the "bot" reacts, at least at minimum, to the irc server's ping which happens each 90 seconds and it may skip some minutes.
This is not an answer but an unproper workaround.
I am working on a pexpect script that is running populating an output file name and then a prompt for the file's parameters.
The program that the script runs asks for Device: then Parameters: always on the same line.... so if the file path-name that is entered for Device is long, sometimes the Parameters prompt wraps to the next line.
My code looks like..
child.expect_exact('Device:')
child.sendline('/umcfiles/ftp_dir/ftp_peoplesoft/discount/AES_DISCOUNT_15010.TXT')
child.expect_exact('Parameters:')
This times out.. and here is what is in child.before
' /umcfiles/ftp_dir/ftp_peoplesoft/discount/AES_DISCOUNT_15010.TXT Param\r\neters: "RWSN" => '
so the expect fails... (a child.expect('Parameters:') also fails)
How can I ignore the \r\n if it is there, because depending on the length of the path/filename I am using it may not be there at all, or be in a different position.
Thanks!
Actually... I found a way to calculate how much is left on the given line, and dynamically set my expect to how much of the Parameter prompt should be visible... seems to be working
#look for end of line and fix how much of 'Parameters:' we look for in pexpect
dlen = 80-len('Device: /umcfiles/ftp_dir/ftp_peoplesoft/discount/AES_DISCOUNT_15010.TXT')
pstr='Parameters:'
if dlen > len(pstr):
dlen=len(pstr)
else:
dlen=dlen-3 #remove the /r/n
child.expect(pstr[0:dlen])
I have a simcom7600 modem which I am trying out via AT commands.
I was able to use AT commands to setup the modem, and connect to an MQTT broker and exchange messages. Now I am trying to figure out how I can do something similar, but then with my own TCP/IP stack. Before diving into the deep there, I would like to confirm that I can get into data mode (PPP) which I am not able to, it seems.
I attached my modem (AT+CGATT=1), and activated it (AT+ACACT=1,1). I verified that I have a carrier/provider (AT+COPS?).
So I thought I was all set to send the ATO (online) commands. But it returns NO_CARRIER every time I try. I have no idea what I am doing wrong.
The logging that confirms above statements:
AT+COPS?
Sending command: AT+COPS?
AT+COPS?[CR][CR][LF]+COPS: 0,0,"NL KPN simyo",7[CR][LF][CR][LF]OK[CR][LF]
AT+cgatt?
Sending command: AT+cgatt?
AT+cgatt?[CR][CR][LF]+CGATT: 1[CR][LF][CR][LF]OK[CR][LF]
AT+cgact?
Sending command: AT+cgact?
AT+cgact?[CR][CR][LF]+CGACT: 1,1[CR][LF]+CGACT: 2,0[CR][LF]+CGACT: 3,0[CR][LF][CR][LF]OK[CR][LF]
ATO
Sending command: ATO
ATO[CR][CR][LF]NO CARRIER[CR][LF]
PS: the [CR][LF] stand for resp. \r and \n, I replace them before I log for ease of reading.
I obviously have to supply more info to the modem, but from this manual I can't seem to figure out which commands I miss, and how I could validate step by step that I am on the right track.
I found this nice document. I'll share it here in case somebody else struggles with this as well.
When I send the following commands:
ATZ (reset)
ATE0 (disable echo)
AT+CGREG? (check registration to PDP network)
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet" (set APN for my provider, they expect the string "internet")
ATD*99# (start data mode, aka PPP)
then I can break out and move back into PPP with the following commands:
+++ (send + character, wait for 700ms, send + character, wait for 700ms, send + character) => back to AT command mode
ATO (back to data mode)
NOTE: the APN your provider expects, is I think in all cases an easy Google. Your provider will most likely explain how to manually set your APN in case your phone won't do it automatically.
I'm using LabVIEW and its VISA capabilities to control a Keithley 2635A source meter. Whenever I try to identify the device, it works just fine, both in reading and writing.
viWRITE(*IDN?) /* VISA subVI to send the command to the machine */
viREAD /* VISA subVI to read output */
However, as soon as I set the voltage (or current), it does so. Then I send the command to perform a measurement, but I'm not able to read that data, with the error
VISA: (Hex 0xBFFF0015) Timeout expired before operation completed.
After that, I can not read the *IDN? output either anymore.
The source meter is connected to the PC via a National Instrument GPIB-USB-HS adaptor.
EDIT: I forgot to add, this happens in the VISA Interactive Control program as well.
Ok, apparently the documentation is not very clear. What the smua.measure.X() (where X is the needed parameter) command does is, of course, writing the measurement outcome on a buffer. In order to read that buffer, however, the simple viREAD[] is not sufficient.
So basically the answer was to simply add a print command: this way I have
viWRITE[print(smua.measure.X())];
viREAD[]
And I don't have the error anymore. Not sure why such a command is needed, but that's that. Thank you all for your time answering me.
As #Tom Blodget mentions in the comments, the machine may not have any response to read after you set the voltage. The *IDN? string is both command and query. That is, you will write the command *IDN? and read the result. Some commands do not have any response to read. Here's a quick test to see if you should be reading from the instrument. The following code is in python; I made up the GPIB command to set voltage.
sm = SourceMonitor()
# Prints out IDN
sm.query('*IDN?')
# Prints out current voltage (change this to your actual command)
sm.query('SOUR:VOLT?')
# Set a new voltage
sm.write('SOUR:VOLT 1V')
# Read the new voltage
sm.query('SOUR:VOLT?')
Note that question-marked GPIB commands and the query are used when you expect to get a response from the instrument. The instrument won't give a response for the write command. Query is a combination of write(...) and read(...). If you're using LabView, you may have to write the write and read separately.
If you need verification that the machine received your instruction and acted on it, most instruments have the following common commands:
*OPC? query to see if the operation is complete
SYST:ERR? query to see if any error was generated
Add a question mark ? to the end of the GPIB command used to set the voltage
As i read in some fingerprint manual we can send text file to the printer. Means we can write the program in the text editor and send the whole program as a text file to the printer using the communication program using some transfer commands.
for in my host there is a file called myfile.txt in D:/ with the fallowing data
10 PRPOS 200,200
20 DIR 3
30 ALIGN 5
40 PRIMAGE “GLOBE.1”
50 PRINTFEED
RUN
How can i send this file to printer and execute the instrucations to print the image.
Please give me some code reference.
There are several ways to do this from the command line. For example:
type foo.txt > lpt1:
Or
copy foo.txt lpt1:
Or
print foo.txt
Or
notepad /p foo.txt
If you need to do it programmatically, you can execute any of those commands using the system() function or CreateProcess().
If you're on an Intermec handheld and you're connected to a Bluetooth printer, you should be able to open a serial port to COM6 and send your file over. What programming language? There should be plenty of Serial Port communication code examples out there.
My experience with Intermec PM4i label printer was a roller coaster but know I have a working app.
I tried Windows printer pipeline through generictext driver. It does work from Notepad but with few corner cases.
Printing directly from Notepad works fine until I tried QRCODE image with a very long text line. Image did not print out. Made qrcode text a short few characters and same script worked fine.
INPUT OFF
NASC 1252
BF OFF
FT "Swiss 721 Bold BT",12,0,100
PP 50,500:PT "Text line goes here"
PP 400,400:AN 7:BARSET "QRCODE",1,1,7,2,4
PB "ABC123 aabbcc....very long text goes here...I mean about 200 chars or more"
PRINTFEED
It was like Notepad cut text to a right side border and command string was broken. I made a printing preferences A3-landscape and it accepted longer text but still was not enough for all use cases.
All printers have a physical max printing width but it should not be considered in a fingerprint/directprotocol script files. After all we are not printing this text as-is but submitting commands to the printer.
My solution was to create Java application which opens a raw TCP socket to 11.22.33.44:9100 address and writes text lines, lines terminated by NL(#10). Works fine. Another helper tool I did was Delphi app.exe to read IP address from Windows printer object. I can submit label printouts "directly" from Excel application.
End users edit Excel data rows and click PRINT LABELS button
vba macro parses a fingerprint template file with ${FIELD1} find-and-replace substitutes
file is written to %wintemp%/intermec_script.txt folder
call app.exe to read IP address of user chosen printer
call java app to submit intermec_script.txt to IP:PORT socket
I should create same socket submit app in Delphi to drop javavm dependency but this solution was faster for my use case. I am more familiar with Java than my Delphi skill level.