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Installation on Windows
Installation Guide 38
Printing Cards Using Bidirectional Communication
In the Windows environment, the typical printer installation uses bidirectional
communication. See
"Installation on Windows" for details about installing the printer. When
bidirectional communication between the printer and driver are active, the following occurs:
• The driver “reads” the type of printer connected and its options (such as duplex or
magnetic stripe), and then enables the settings (in the Printer Toolbox and Printing
Preferences) for the features available.
• The driver “reads” the type of ribbon in the printer (or, for manual-feed printers, whether
it is set for rewritable cards) and enables settings that correspond to the capabilities of
the print media.
• The driver monitors the printer, and reads any errors the printer issues. The driver
displays a message when it reads an error. You must correct the problem with the printer
to continue.
• When you choose some settings, such as edge-to-edge printing, the driver sends
settings to the printer.
• When you choose some buttons such as “Clean Printer” the driver sends a command to
the printer and the printer implements the process.
• When the user sends a card to print, the driver renders the data so it can be used by the
printer. The driver also polls the printer to determine when it is ready to print, and then
sends the card data to the printer. The printer receives the card data, and prints the card.
The printer issues status and other information. The driver can read whether the printer
is busy, is ready to print cards, or has an error. The driver reacts to the printer
information as already described.
• When the driver communicates with a network printer, it waits until the printer is
“available” before sending card data. The time between sending a card and the start of
printing is not predictable when printer over a network.
The Printer Toolbox and the Printing Preferences dialog box provide the user with
information about the printer features and status. See InfoCentral > Features > Printer
Toolbox to learn about the Printer Toolbox. See InfoCentral > Advanced > Printing
Preferences to learn about using Printing Preferences. See InfoCentral > Features to learn
about features the printer might have and how to choose settings for the features.