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Example: The following escape sequence sets the timer to 99 seconds and activates the MRC to read the track #1.
Escape Sequence: ESC M 9 9 1 CR
Hexadecimal: 1B 4D 39 39 31 0C
Decimal: 27 77 57 57 49 13
or
Escape Sequence: ESC m 9 9 1 CR
Hexadecimal: 1B 6D 39 39 31 0C
Decimal: 27 109 57 57 49 13
Magnetic Card Data Output Format
The track data retrieved from a magnetic card is transmitted to the host in ISO7811 ASCII format as summarized in the
table below. The first four characters (“%/1/”) flag the track number, the track data follows the flag string terminated with
‘?’-CR-LF.
‘%;+’ are the track start characters, While ‘?’ is the end of track character.
If no data is available for a track then that data field will be empty. If an Error is encountered on any track, a single ‘E’
will be the output for that track’s data field. The ISO 7811 ASCII Format is detailed below:
Track1 Track 2 Track 3
%/1/ Data ?CRLF ;/2/ Data ?CRLF +/3/ Data ?CRLF
Magnetic Card Read Error Messages
The characters <%> and <E> preface all error messages. Following these two characters is a comma, two ASCII digits
representing the error number (01 through 99), another comma, English description of the error encountered, and finally
a CR-LF which terminates the <Error Message> string. The syntax is as follows:
<%><E>, nn, Error text in ASCII, <CR> <LF>
Where nn is the error number encountered
The printer may transmit three (3) types of Read Error messages. Refer to the table below for detailed description of the
error messages.
Error # Error Message Transmitted
05 Time-out Expired
07 Invalid Track Number
09 Cancel Request
Interfacing to the Magnetic Card Reader
This section details the software steps required to access the MC reader from a computer or a terminal.
(1) The Host selects the printer by activating the RTS input line or sending wake-up characters to the printer.
(2) The Printer Sends the XON command to the host to indicate that it is ready to receive data from the host.
(3) Once XON is received the host sends an ASCII serial command string to enable the magnetic card reader (e.g. Esc-
m004-cr). The printer switches on the GREEN <READY> LED.
(4) Once the operator swipes the magnetic card, the printer transmits, in ASCII format, the track information found on
the magnetic card.
A good read automatically switches off the MC reader and the <READY> LED.
(5) The <READY> LED illuminates RED if an error is encountered while reading the magnetic card.
The printer transmits a timeout error message if the operator fails to swipe a card in the time period set by the host
application.