Printers & Printing

• Choosing and Configuring Printers
• Install Bluetooth Printer
• SM-T300 Printer
• Reprint Violation
• Zebra Printer
• Ticket Printing (Legacy) - Zebra Printer Configuration (Android Only)
• Changing Bluetooth Mode

Choosing and Configuring Printers

The Choosing and Configuring Printers configuration process allows enforcement officers to connect and properly format their mobile Bluetooth printers within the legacy OPS-COM Android application. Its primary purpose is to ensure the application communicates with the correct hardware drivers, allowing for clear and accurate physical ticket printing in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel configuring their handheld devices.

Setup and Configuration

Before configuring the printer within the OPS-COM application, the physical printer must be powered on and actively paired to the Android device via the device's native OS Bluetooth settings.

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure the organization's chosen Bluetooth printers (such as Star Micronics or Zebra models) are fully charged, loaded with paper, and paired to the assigned handheld device.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must configure the application settings to recognize the paired printer and driver before issuing their first physical citation.

Using this Feature

Officers must explicitly select both the appropriate software driver and the specific hardware device within the application's system settings.

Accessing System Settings

1. Tap System Settings from the main menu of the OPS-COM application.

2. Scroll through the menu to locate the specific printer settings options.

Selecting the Driver and Printer

1. Tap Bluetooth print driver to select the proper driver for the hardware you are using. By default, the printer driver is set to Star Micronics. If you are using a Zebra printer, tap to select Zebra. Selecting the driver will automatically close the pop-up and return you to the main settings menu.

2. Tap Bluetooth Printer to open a list of paired Bluetooth devices.

3. Tap the name of the specific printer you are actively using to finalize the connection.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Match your drivers to your hardware: It is critical that the selected driver matches your physical printer type. If these two settings do not match, the printer will either fail to work entirely or it will begin to print out unreadable code and odd characters instead of a properly formatted violation.

• Verify functionality before patrolling: Always issue a test violation after configuration. Printing a test ticket ensures the printer is connected, formatting correctly, and working exactly as expected before you step out into the field to begin enforcement.

Install Bluetooth Printer

The Install Bluetooth Printer process ensures that your Android handheld device can communicate with your mobile printing hardware. Its primary purpose is to establish a successful Bluetooth connection at the operating system level, which is required before the OPS-COM application can print physical violation tickets. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel preparing their devices for field use.

Setup and Configuration

Connecting the hardware is the first step in the printing workflow. This process takes place entirely within the Android operating system settings and must be completed before configuring the printer within the OPS-COM software.

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure the physical printer is fully charged, powered on, and set to discoverable mode.

User Side: Before attempting to pair the device, users must verify two things:

1. Ensure the printer is properly set up and able to connect to the tablet.

2. Ensure the tablet has its internal Bluetooth receiver enabled.

Star Micronics Printers If your organization is using a Star Micronics printer, please refer to the specific Changing Bluetooth Mode documentation to ensure the hardware is transmitting the correct signal type before pairing.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel must pair the tablet and the printer directly through the Android device's native settings.

Pairing the Printer

1. Tap Bluetooth within your Android device's main system settings to open the connection options.

2. Tap Search for Devices (or a similarly named scan button, depending on your Android version).

3. Wait for the scan to complete. Your printer will appear in the listing of available devices.

4. Tap the specific printer name in the list to initiate the pairing process between your printer and tablet.

5. Enter the printer PIN using the on-screen keyboard if the device prompts you for a security code.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Remember the default PIN: If the system asks for a Printer PIN during the pairing process, the default Bluetooth PIN is usually 1234. If this code is rejected, please consult your printer's official hardware manual for the correct code.

• Complete the setup in OPS-COM: Pairing the printer to the tablet is only the first step. Once the operating system successfully sees and connects to the printer, you must log into the enforcement app and complete the Choosing and Configuring Printers setup so the software knows which driver to use.

SM-T300 Printer

The SM-T300 is a mobile Bluetooth hardware printer used to issue physical citations from the legacy OPS-COM Android enforcement application. Its primary purpose is to print physical tickets in the field, and this guide outlines how to configure its core hardware connection and power-saving settings. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

Before the SM-T300 printer can successfully pair with your Android handheld and print tickets, you must ensure its internal hardware settings are configured to broadcast a standard Bluetooth signal and manage power efficiently.

All setup is performed directly on the physical printer using its hardware buttons.

Configure Bluetooth Mode

To pair the printer with an Android device, the printer must be set to the standard Bluetooth mode, rather than UART or Bluetooth (iAP).

1. Hold down the Feed button and Power button simultaneously for approximately 6 seconds until the printer enters setup mode.

2. Press the Power button to cycle through the available connection modes.

3. Stop cycling when the screen displays Bluetooth.

4. Hold down the Feed button and Power button simultaneously for approximately 6 seconds to confirm and save your connection setting.

Configure Power Down Settings

To preserve battery life during patrols, you can configure the printer's timeout setting. It can be set to "no power down" or configured to power down automatically after 1 to 5 minutes of inactivity.

1. Turn the physical printer on.

2. Press and hold the Power button, then immediately press and hold the Feed button at the same time for approximately 5 seconds until the screen becomes backlit and enters Settings mode.

3. Press the Feed button to step through the settings menu until the screen displays PWDN X min off (where X represents the current timeout duration).

4. Press the Power button to cycle through the available timeout options.

5. Press the Power button and Feed button simultaneously once you have selected your desired wait time.

Configuration Confirmation Once you save your power down settings by pressing both buttons, the SM-T300 will automatically print out a short paper summary of your current settings and return to standard standby mode.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Optimize your battery life: Always configure a power down timeout of 3 to 5 minutes to ensure the printer battery lasts through an entire enforcement shift. Leaving the printer constantly powered on when not actively ticketing will drain the battery prematurely.

• Verify connection modes: If your Android tablet cannot discover the printer during the initial pairing process, verify that the printer is in standard Bluetooth mode. If it is accidentally set to Bluetooth (iAP), which is generally reserved for iOS devices, standard Android tablets will struggle to connect.

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Supporting References

For more advanced configuration or troubleshooting, administrators can refer to the official Star Micronics resources and SDK documentation below:

• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.StarMicronics.StarIOSDK

Reprint Violation

The Reprint Violation feature allows enforcement officers to print a duplicate copy of a previously issued parking ticket directly from their handheld device. Its primary purpose is to quickly replace lost, damaged, or misprinted citations while officers remain active in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the legacy Android application.

Setup and Configuration

This feature is a native function of the enforcement application and does not require specialized backend configuration. However, it relies on properly configured external printer hardware.

Admin Side: Administrators must ensure that field personnel are equipped with functioning mobile Bluetooth printers and that these devices are authorized within the OPS-COM system.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must ensure their handheld device is actively paired and connected to their designated mobile printer before attempting to reprint a ticket.

Using this Feature

Field personnel can rapidly retrieve and reprint recent violation notices directly from the application's main menu.

Reprinting Tickets

1. Tap Reprint Violation from the main menu of the legacy Android enforcement app.

2. Review the list of recently issued tickets displayed on the Reprint Violation Notice screen.

3. Tap the specific violation record that you want to reprint.

4. Follow the subsequent on-screen printer instructions to complete the physical printing process.

Check printer readiness Before navigating to the reprint screen, always verify that your mobile printer is powered on, has sufficient battery life, and is loaded with ticket paper. This prevents application timeouts or connection errors during the print command.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Verify the correct ticket: Always double-check the ticket details on the screen before tapping to reprint. Confirming the license plate and time of issue ensures you are leaving the correct duplicate citation on the offending vehicle.

• Address the root cause of misprints: If you find yourself frequently reprinting tickets due to faded ink, connection drops, or paper jams, report the hardware issue to your administrator. Continuous reprinting wastes time and thermal paper resources in the field.

Zebra Printer

The Zebra Printer configuration process allows enforcement officers to properly pair and format Zebra mobile Bluetooth printers for use with the legacy Android enforcement application. Its primary purpose is to ensure the Android device communicates correctly with the printer hardware and formats tickets accurately for a standard 3x7 receipt roll. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel configuring their handheld devices.

Setup and Configuration

Before configuring the printer within the OPS-COM application, the physical printer must be paired to the Android device, and its media settings must be configured using a specialized Zebra utility application.

Admin Side: Administrators must ensure that field tablets are updated to at least Android Version 12 to successfully pair with Zebra printer models (e.g., ZQ520BT).

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must download the official Zebra Printer Setup Utility from the Google Play Store to configure the printer's specific media settings.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel must first pair the hardware via the Android operating system, then configure the print dimensions using the downloaded utility app.

Pairing the Printer

Tap Connections within the Android device settings, then tap Bluetooth. Tap the specific printer name (e.g., ZQ520BT) from the list of available devices to begin pairing. Verify the pairing code that appears on both the printer screen and the Android device. Tap the check mark button on the physical printer to confirm the code. Tap the confirmation message on the Android device to finalize the pairing.

Setting up the Printer for Use

• Open the installed Zebra Printer Setup Utility on your Android device.
• Tap the Media Settings menu. Tap Media Settings again on the subsequent screen.
• Enter Receipt for the format to begin setting up the 3x7 printer roll. Enter 3.1 for the width and 7.85 for the length.
• Select Inverted for the orientation.
• Tap Next to proceed to the next configuration screen.
• Select Continuous for the Media Type.
• Select Direct Thermal for the Type of Transfer.
• Select Rewind for the Mobile Handling setting. Tap Next.
• Tap Apply on the final screen to save your configuration to the printer.
• Tap Print Test Label from the main Media Settings screen to verify that the print is centered and oriented properly.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Verify your Android OS version: Ensure your tablet is running at least Android Version 12 before attempting to pair. Older versions of the Android operating system may struggle to maintain a stable Bluetooth connection with modern Zebra hardware.

• Always print a test label: Do not skip the Print Test Label step within the utility app. Confirming the physical alignment of the 3x7 formatting saves time in the field and prevents wasted receipt paper from misaligned citations.

• Complete the software setup: Remember to select the newly configured Zebra printer within the OPS-COM app. Once this hardware configuration is complete, you must still log into the legacy enforcement app and select the Zebra driver under the internal system settings.

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Supporting References

• Zebra Tech Docs

• Zebra Setup Utility Downloads

• Zebra RW Series Manual

• ZSDK Demos Android

Ticket Printing (Legacy) - Zebra Printer Configuration (Android Only)

The Legacy Zebra Printer Configuration Android process allows administrators and field officers to connect Zebra mobile printers to Android devices for use with the legacy OPS-COM Parking Enforcement application. Its primary purpose is to establish proper communication and printing settings, enabling the issuance of physical parking tickets directly from a mobile device. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and enforcement personnel setting up their handheld devices.

Setup and Configuration

This involves a one-time setup process to pair the mobile device with the printer hardware and configure the software to utilize the correct drivers.

Admin Side: Administrators must install the application, pair the printer via Bluetooth, and configure the internal application settings.

Application Permissions Every time a pop-up window appears asking for permissions (e.g., Microphone, Camera, Location access), you must choose Always or While Using App. If these permissions are denied, the application will not work properly.

Application Installation

1. Power on your Zebra printer.

2. Navigate to the Google Play store on your Android device and install the OPS-COM Parking Enforcement app. (Note: If you already have the application installed, uninstall and reinstall it to ensure a clean setup and prevent potential connection issues.)

Connect to Bluetooth

1. Open System Settings on your device and enable Bluetooth if it is not already active.

2. Tap Scan on the device, then tap and hold the feed button on the physical printer until the Bluetooth symbol appears. Release the button once it appears to put the printer into discoverable mode.

3. Tap your printer name (or printer serial number) from the list of available devices and tap Pair.

4. Compare the pairing code on the Android screen to the one printed by the printer, then tap Pair on the popup to confirm.

Connect to the Enforcement App

1. Open the OPS-COM Parking Enforcement app and log in.

2. Tap the Menu icon (☰) in the top-left corner and tap System Settings.

3. Scroll down to the Printer Settings section.

4. Tap the Printer Driver drop-down menu and choose Zebra.

5. Tap Saved Bluetooth Printer to prompt the app to scan for nearby Bluetooth devices.

6. Tap your specific printer from the list of discovered devices.

7. Tap the Save button when prompted to save the printer.

8. Tap the Menu button, then tap Home to return to the main screen and start using the app.

Using this Feature

Once the setup is complete, the printer is fully integrated into the violation workflow and handles ticket generation automatically.

Printing a Ticket

1. Issue a standard parking violation through the application.

2. Tap the on-screen prompt to print the ticket when the violation entry is complete.

3. Retrieve the successfully printed physical ticket from the Zebra printer.

Advanced Media Settings Configuring specific printer hardware settings, such as media size, rewind handling, and orientation, can be done through the separate Zebra Printer Setup Utility found on the Google Play Store.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Perform a one-time setup per device pair: Remember that this configuration must be performed for each unique combination of a mobile device and a Zebra printer.

• Maintain Bluetooth range: Ensure the mobile device remains within the effective Bluetooth range of the printer. For a stable connection in the field, keep the devices within approximately 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.

• Troubleshoot connections efficiently: If you experience printing issues, always verify that the printer is powered on first. If it is on and charged, re-selecting the printer from the Saved Bluetooth Printer menu within the application settings can often quickly re-establish a dropped connection.

Changing Bluetooth Mode

The Changing Bluetooth Mode process outlines how to correctly configure Star Micronics mobile printers to communicate with Android handheld devices. Its primary purpose is to resolve pairing issues caused by the printer being set to the iOS-specific Bluetooth (iAP) mode, ensuring seamless physical ticket printing in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the legacy Android application.

Setup and Configuration

This hardware configuration is performed directly on the physical Star Micronics printer using its hardware buttons. It does not require any backend adjustments within the OPS-COM administrative portal.

Admin Side: Administrators deploying new printers should ensure they are configured to standard Bluetooth mode before issuing them to the field.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers experiencing pairing failures must manually adjust the internal printer settings using the physical buttons before attempting to connect the hardware to their Android device.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel must interact with the physical buttons on the printer's front panel to navigate its internal menus and adjust the operational connection mode.

Adjusting the Printer Settings

1. Hold the Power button down for 3 seconds until the printer beeps to power it on.

2. Hold down both the Power button and Feed button simultaneously for approximately 5 seconds until the printer enters settings mode (indicated by a flashing LED), then release the buttons.

3. Press the Power button to change the currently displayed setting from Bluetooth (iAP) to Bluetooth Mode or Bluetooth (the exact naming varies by model, but ensure the iAP suffix is removed).

4. Hold down the Power button and Feed button simultaneously for another 5 seconds to exit and save your changes.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

• LED Indicator: The correct, updated Bluetooth mode will be displayed directly on the LED indicator screen.

• Settings Receipt: Once you save your changes and exit the configuration area, the device will automatically print a detailed paper list showing your new internal settings.

Button Functions in Settings Mode While navigating the internal printer settings, pressing the Power button changes the currently displayed setting, while pressing the Feed button skips to the next available setting in the menu.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Avoid the iAP mode for Android devices: Never leave the printer in Bluetooth (iAP) mode if you are using an Android handheld. Even if the Android OS appears to successfully pair with the printer in the device's native Bluetooth settings, the OPS-COM application will not be able to communicate with it or print tickets successfully.

• Confirm your configuration with a test print: Always follow the instructions in the Install Bluetooth Printer guide to pair your device and perform a test print after changing the mode. This ensures the hardware is communicating correctly with the OperationsCommander Android application before you begin an active patrol.