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Bluetooth Printer Mode

The Changing Bluetooth Mode procedure explains how to adjust the internal hardware connection settings on Star Micronics mobile printers. Its primary purpose is to ensure the printer broadcasts a standard Bluetooth signal compatible with your devices. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel setting up their printing hardware.

Setup and Configuration

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

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure the physical field printers are fully charged before attempting hardware configuration changes.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Ensure the printer is powered off and disconnected from any previously paired devices before beginning this setup process.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel must interact with the physical Power and Feed buttons on the printer to access and modify its internal broadcast mode.

Changing the Printer's Bluetooth Mode

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

  2. Hold down both the Power button and Feed button simultaneously for approximately 5 seconds until the printer enters settings mode and the LED screen flashes. Release the buttons.

  3. Press the Power button to change the current mode from Bluetooth (iAP) to standard Bluetooth Mode or Bluetooth (the exact wording depends on your specific printer model).

  4. Hold down the Power button and Feed button simultaneously for another 5 seconds to exit and save your changes. The printer will immediately print a detailed paper list showing your new settings.

  5. Verify that the correct standard Bluetooth mode is now displayed on the printer's LED indicator screen.

Hardware Button Navigation While in the Printer Settings mode, pressing the Power button changes the specific setting option you are currently looking at, while pressing the Feed button skips forward to the next available setting category.

Confirming Settings

Once the printer hardware is properly configured to broadcast a standard Bluetooth signal, return to your device to complete the pairing process.

  1. Issue a test violation within the OPS-COM Enforce application to ensure the tablet and printer are communicating successfully.

Best Practices and Considerations

  • Avoid the iAP suffix for Android devices: Always ensure your printer is set to standard Bluetooth or Bluetooth Mode when pairing with Android tablets. The Bluetooth (iAP) mode is designed exclusively for Apple/iOS devices. Even if your Android tablet appears to successfully pair with the printer while it is in iAP mode, the enforcement application will not be able to print tickets.

  • Always test the connection: Always perform a live print test after altering hardware modes. Confirming the physical ticket prints correctly saves time in the field and ensures officers are not stranded with non-functioning hardware during a patrol.

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