Ricoh IM C300 MFPs - anyone else got one?

[localzuk]

So, we have a bunch of these printers from Ricoh - the IM C300, which replaced the MPC307 in their line-up. I have a slight issue though, as I'm trying to get RFID readers set up on them and have hit a snag - the instructions in the latest Papercut embedded SmartSDK manual do not match the system on the Smart Operator Panels on these devices.

 

The instructions (which work on the IM C5500), call for me to access the User Tools menu - this no longer exists on the IM C300. Only the "Settings" app. Am I going mad? Is the User Tools menu there somewhere? The manual for the IM C5500 talks about switching the settings type here but the manual for the IM C300 manual is missing anything about "Settings (Classic)" here.

 

ITS are telling me that the menu must exist, as all Ricoh machines have it, but this machine simply doesn't have it - it seems that Ricoh removed it.

 

So, am I wrong here?

[DavidYoung]

That's strange. I have done PaperCut installations on the A3 IMC machines like the 5500 but not the A4 ones. On the A3 ones, the User Tools options is on one of the home pages (swipe right) I think.

 

It surely must have it as all the printer/copier settings exist there (they are basically still running the same underlying firmware as the older machines with Android on top).

 

What about trying to complete the instructions using the web interface though things are not necessarily very easy to find there?

[localzuk]

Nope, all that is now in the "Settings" app on the IM C300. The User Tools app just doesn't exist - it isn't mentioned in the User Manual at all. Whereas it still exists in the IM C5500 machines.

 

You can't do the RFID reader installation via the web interface - those settings have never been available via there even on the old SDK/J ones.

[DavidYoung]

Have you got an option for Screen Features under settings? I think that is where the RFID settings are?

 

I wonder if the old user tools is now hidden behind a code like SP mode was.

[localzuk]

Nope, no Screen Features any more. All features are just in the Settings App - with the display and printer settings just all in that app. They aren't treated separately.

[localzuk]

Here's some screenshots of what it all looks like. This is where you'd register a USB device if plugged in the back of the copier. Our RFID readers plug in to the control panel itself, via the hidden port on the side, and are hidden under a plastic cover on the machine so you don't actually see them. So, previously, this would all have been in User Tools.

 

[DavidYoung]

Wow, that is completely different to what I know! They must be updating their software. Doesn't help if they don't tell anyone where to find the settings though! I wonder if you should make a service call to Ricoh about this? I have done that before during PaperCut installation where Java hasn't initialised properly (old machines) and the engineer was able to point me in the right direction.

 

By the way, where is this hidden USB port? The annoying thing with our SOP/IMC machines is that the USB for the reader sticks out the side of the display rather than round the back where it used to on the JSDK machines.

[localzuk]

Its in the side of the display, but it is a mini USB port, which allows you to hide the connector. There's only about 3 inches of cable showing at all, between the screen and the base.

 

 

I've got a ticket open with ITS, who support Papercut for us. So hopefully they can figure it out.

[DavidYoung]

That's cool. I hadn't noticed this before. Do you just use a mini usb-USB A socket adapter?

[localzuk]

That's cool. I hadn't noticed this before. Do you just use a mini usb-USB A socket adapter?

You can, though it'll be a tight squeeze for your cable. The readers we have were bought with mini-USB cables to swap into them for this exact purpose.

[localzuk]

Right, I've figured it out. We had some other RFID readers in use previously and these worked OK. However, swapping to these new ones just wouldn't work...

 

The issue is reboots. To remove one type, you have to go to Settings -> System Settings -> Network/Interface -> External Interface Software Settings -> Tap on the "Proximity Card Reader Software Settings" and choose "Do Not Use". Then OK and reboot the machine.

 

Then go back in to the same place, and plug in the new reader. It will register it. Now you have to reboot again.

 

All sorted.