R13 Release Notes - Colordyne Technologies

End User
Release Notes
NorthStar Firmware/Software Release 13
NorthStar Release 13 is a major release for additional features, as well as fixes for
several bugs from previous releases.
Highlighted Changes
Improved Intra-job Dehydration Recovery (FW)
The dehydration recovery in Roll to Roll mode has been improved to reduce the
chance of causing cross-color contamination on the printhead surface.
Windows 8 Operation Support (Driver)
R13 supports features in the Windows 8 environment using in Windows 7 compatibility
mode. However, printing is not supported for native Windows 8 applications, those that
only support the new Window 8 API.
USB2HTTP (Driver)
The feature usb2http has been added to the Host Driver, enabling multiple USB
printers to be connected at the same time, and independently controlled by the same
web browser. It also enables firmware to be re-flashed via the web browser, plus
provides several features to support customer software user interfaces (UIs).
Improved Version Checking (Driver)
R13 has improved Host Driver version checking, enabling an upgrade to the newer
version, even if the existing driver is not uninstalled first.
“My Print Setting” in Import/Export Tab (Driver)
The Print Settings option can be selected on the Import/Export Tab to enable users to
save “My Print Settings” configurations after they have been generated. They are saved
in the export file (in an ASCII byte format) and can be imported using the Import
function. This functionality enables users to save a particular configuration of printing
preferences so that it can be easily recalled, instead of using the default values.
Disable Software Update’s Check on Driver Install (Driver)
During the Host Driver installation, the automatic checking for Windows updates and
firmware upgrades has been disabled since the actions are unsupported in the
software.
Fix Media Tab Rounding Error (Driver)
Formerly, the Media Tab had a rounding error in which the horizontal and vertical
offsets slowly decremented in certain scenarios when changing between tabs. This now
has been fixed.
Stitch Mode Printing Fix (FW)
When printing long stitched files, a race condition existed that caused the printing to
lose track of the page data during printing. This no longer happens.
Ink Level Sensor (ILS) Behavior Improvement (FW)
The pooling duration for determining the status of the Ink Level Sensor (ILS) has been
increased from 1sec to 5sec. This reduces significantly the possibility of incorrect Out Of
Ink (OOI) status reports. Previously, the ILS would detect OOI, then label the ink tank as
OOI and would not recover. So, in cases of the printer being tilted, the ink tank would no
longer be usable. Now, in R13, the OOI status that is detected by the ILS does not lock
the ink tanks and, as soon as the ILS detects ink again, the ink tank can be used.
8hr and 16hr Standby Maintenance Operations (FW)
Firmware has now been corrected so the Standby Maintenance Operations work even
with the IDS valve cycling. This improves the system recovery from dehydration and
color mixing in extended standby.
Fix for Wipe_Basic Position (FW)
Previously, because of variations from one printer to another, in some cases wipe_basic
could miss a section of the nozzles and not wipe all of the nozzle plate. In R13, the
length of the wipe_basic has been increased to provide better tolerance stack up and
ensure that all of nozzles are always wiped.
Tilt Sensor Disabled (FW)
The tilt sensor is now disabled in the nvm by default. This enables printer users to
continue to printing, even if the tilt sensor’s values are more than a 2 degree angle.
Instead, users are expected to install printers on a lever surface, using other equipment
to check levelness, for example, a bubble sensor. The tilt sensor’s perceived readings
are still visible through the OEM’s Toolbox and no change has been made to the
Toolbox.
“Wiper Preemptive Recovery” Added to the Toolbox
A new algorithm in the Toolbox, “Wiper Preemptive Recovery,” has been added to the
Toolbox. It enables users to re-moisturize the wiper module with ink to recover from the
excessive dehydration in the system. This algorithm is user-initiated only. It is
recommended that it be run once a week, as well as after extended durations
Of printer idle time.
Mask Optimization
Mask Optimization is a facility that switches between two different methods of image
processing, affecting how an image is processed and printed. By default, Mask
Optimization is selected to make sure that it optimizes the image processing for the
majority of the printing applications used by the end users. However, for some users
(Particularly those using FlexMail), printing artifacts appear in the output. If this
happens, the user should deselect “Mask Optimization” to correct this issue.
Localization
Strings that are new for Release 13 have been localized in the standard languages
(English US, English UK, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese
Colordyne Technologies, LLC
R13 Release Notes
Page 2
Traditional, Chinese Simplified, and Korean). An error in the French translation of
“Composite Black” has now been corrected.
Known Issues
Release 13 has the following known issues. Fixes to these issues are expected in the
next release.
1. Driver may display erratic behavior trying to print after using a non-printing mode
(NPM), for example, to get costing information. If this happens, power cycle the
printer.
2. Printers that use a RIP application with a version of usb2http that is different
from the version in the Host
3. Driver may find that the Toolbox fails to load. If this happens, use Task Manager
to quit usb2http, then, open the Toolbox. Before using usb2http, close the
Toolbox.
4. When printing in Blackmark mode, the first physical label is skipped at the start of
a job. No images are lost, but one label is left blank.
5. Currently, the top offset adjustment also moves the cut position in the same
amount.
Questions?
No. 086
Date Apr. 14, 2014
Product NorthStar
Category Release Notes
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If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at
Colordyne Technologies LLC.
Colordyne Technologies, LLC
R13 Release Notes
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