On Tue, 11 Nov 2003, Johan Bengtsson wrote:

JB> > JB> I see you mention the software method, then you mention two methods
JB> > JB> (PJL + SNMP) that interacts with the hardware counter on the printer.
JB> > JB> It's possible to do that with PS commands as well - that should
JB> > JB> definitely be mentioned.

I request some comments on this text, corrections and suggestions for
things to add that I have missed or failed to mention.


PostScript

Adobe's PostScript language is a simple interpretive programming language
with powerful graphics capabilities [PS]. Its primary application is to
describe the appearance of text, graphical shapes, and sampled images on
printed or diplayed pages.

PostScript LanguageLevel 2 implementations version 2011 and greater, and
PostScript LanguageLevel 3 features a new system parameter PageCount [PS].
But not all products do necessarily support it. PageCount tracks the
number of pages that have been successfully processed since manufacture,
counting the number of copies for each showpage (multiplicated with the
number of pages requested for every showpage). Pages not physically
printed are counted, making the count inaccurate during the job, but
accurate after adjustment at the end of job.

Just as with PJL, a connection is held open to the printer. A control
sequence is sent in order to retrieve the status of the printer. Whether
you get the status via this depends on the printer, it may or may not
work. If one manages to verify that the printer has finished with the job,
commands can be issued to retrieve the system parameter PageCount.

On the pro side for this solution is that many printers support PostScript
today. They though have differerent implementations and support different
LanguageLevels. Whether they support the needed features may be uncertain.
One may have to use different PostScript code with different printers for
it to work correctly.

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