RibbonMinder Operation231RibbonMinder**RibbonMinder is a software feature that uses a bar coded label on special high-capacity ribbon spools and a photo-reflectivesensor mounted beneath the right-hand ribbon spool. A bar coded label is affixed to each ribbon spool on opposite sides, sothat the underside of the right-hand spool, when installed in the printer, always contains the following encoded information:• Identifies the ribbon as IBM• The thickness and length of the ribbon fabric to select the correct motor stepper tables• The expected yield, which is used by RibbonMinder software to set the ink depletion rate• An identification sequence that is not duplicated on any other ribbonTo verify the authenticity of the ribbon, the bar coded label is scanned by the sensor as the spool rotates; the input data arethen decoded by the printer and interpreted by RibbonMinder software.Reading the information from the bar code, the system automatically sets up the RibbonMinder parameters which dictate theribbon life, based on pre-determined depletion rates to a set dot density. The desired ribbon end point and alert actions can beadjusted to accomodate individual requirements.NOTE: The labels attached to each ribbon spool do not use the same identification sequence number. This permits the ribbonto be flipped over and re-used one time, while the system recognizes and tracks it as a new ribbon installation. In thismanual, “new ribbon” means a brand new ribbon or one that has been flipped once.RibbonMinder OperationRibbon ink consumption continuously displays on the printer operator panel LCD, decrementing as ink is consumed. At thedefault settings, when ribbon life reaches 2% the message changes to “301 RIBBON INK LOW / INSTALL NEW IBM RIBBON.”The operator panel status lamp flashes, but the printer continues to accept new print jobs until ribbon life reaches 0%, at whichtime the printer stops printing and enters the fault state.The default settings for RibbonMinder are enabled at the factory, and the system functions without intervention as long asgenuine IBM ribbons are used and the RibbonMinder options have been set. The user can change settings, as discussed laterin this section.Operator Panel MenusRibbonMinder menus are located on the “PRINTER CONTROL” menu. (TheUser’s Manual explains how to navigate the menusystem and has complete menu maps.) From the PRINTER CONTROL / Ribbon End Point menu, pressing the ENTER keybrings up the first selection in the Ribbon End Point submenu. (See the figure below.) Pressing the RETURN key returns you tothe previous menu. Pressing the SCROLL↓ or SCROLL↑ key from any of the lower level menus toggles the display between
