Chip cards with Javelin card printers

The following notes explain the different chip card options available to the Javelin card printer range.

If you are unsure about the difference between a contact card and a contactless card or the difference between a memory card and a micro-processor card, then please visit one of the following sites before reading on:

A card printer from the Javelin range includes letters after the model number, eg Javelin J310 CEM. The letters denote the following:

Notice that the E denotes chip contacts only fitted - there is no coupler (chip reader/writer) fitted. This is because there are so many different chip card couplers available that the choice is normally a personal one or determined by the type of cards to be programmed.

You can not program a chip card if you only purchased an 'E' model Javelin card printer.

The chip contacts are terminated at the printer's chassis in a 9-way female D-type socket. (Refer to the relevant printer user manual for the actual pin-outs.) Using a custom cable between this socket and a chip card PCB, it is possible to use your own desktop smart card reader with a Javelin.

If requested at the time of purchase, NBS can fit a coupler for you. Our couplers are custom made to take power from the Javelin and to fit securely to the printer's chassis. There are three types:

The contact coupler uses the original contacts fitted to the Javelin. The contactless coupler uses a custom made antenna fitted in place of the contacts. The combi-kit uses a custom made contact and antenna assembly in place of the contacts. Unlike the straight E model where it is the actual contacts terminated at the chassis, for any of the NBS fitted internal couplers, it is the coupler's serial interface terminated at the 9-way male D-type on the printer's chassis. The supplied 9-way D-type cable can then be connected directly between the Javelin and a spare COM port on the PC.

Controlling the Javelin from software

The Javelin responds to the direct command MS (move smart) by feeding a chip card to an area between the input hopper and the print station. In the case of a Javelin fitted with contacts, at this time, a solenoid is energised to hold the contacts onto the card. For testing purposes, you can use the Printer Tools dialog (accessed through the printer driver properties) to send a direct command:

Printer Tools dialog

Javelin printer driver tools

You will need to modify your software to feed a chip card before sending a normal print job. Use the following psuedo code as a guide:

  1. Open LPT1
  2. Write to LPT1 '(ESC)'
  3. Write to LPT1 'M'
  4. Write to LPT1 'S'
  5. Write to LPT1 '(CR)'
  6. Close LPT1
  7. Do chip processing
  8. Then:
    • If chip processing failed, send direct command ME (move eject) and abandon
    • Otherwise, do normal print job

Note: only 4 bytes are written to the port for MS (in hex) 1B 4D 53 0D

Alternatively, NBS can supply a 32-bit DLL containing functions that have been successfully called from Microsoft Visual C++, Microsoft Visual BASIC and Borland Delphi. The DLL comes with documentation and sample source code. The exported funcions include:

Once the chip has been programmed, sending the print job in the normal way is enough for the Windows driver to instruct the Javelin to feed the card to the print station before printing commences.

Controlling the Gemplus couplers from software

NBS recommends you contact Gemplus directly and purchase the appropriate SDK and training required. This is because the level of software support required for a smart card project can be enormous, with long delays being introduced as questions are relayed to and from NBS.

However, to get you started and to test the coupler hardware in the Javelin, NBS recommends you familiarise yourself with the NBS Mifare Tools software supplied with the printer.