Scripting Ricoh Copier Codes

[DavR]

Hi all,

 

We're looking at implementing some print restrictions on our Ricoh copiers to reduce wastage, and we're going for Hold prints and user codes. We're not in the market for Papercut or Equitrac just yet. We're currently unrestricted and unaccounted, which for four copiers is pretty pricey.

 

I've used the Ricoh custom driver tool to create a driver than only allows Hold prints, that seems to work well. However, to get that to work and to allow full accounting of print jobs, under the user's Printer Preferences I need a User ID in the Job Type details, and a User Code in Valid Access tab.

 

Ideally, to minimise the support impact, I'd like to script the entry of these codes, maybe base User ID for the Hold job on username and drag in the four digit user code from an AD field. I've identified the registry keys for these, User ID lives in a simple string under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RICOH\JOBCODE\JCUserCode and User Code lives HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RICOH\JOBCODE\JCUserCode under a binary value, which I haven't figured out how to transpose yet.

 

Anyone got any idea how my four digit copier code (eg 1234) transposes into the registry binary value (eg f0 31 b2 3e ca eb d1 eb)?

 

Has anyone here ever attempted to script the input of these codes? Is it even worth trying?

 

Cheers,

Dave.

[mrwoberts]

How many codes are you talking about? Because with 'not that many' you could potentially change the code in the interface, and capture the Reg value. Time consuming, I know, but it would work.

[DavR]

Individual codes for every member of staff unfortunately, otherwise yeah I could've just pushed out some GPP registry entries conditional on group membership or similar.

[mrwoberts]

Ok, there may some Ricoh software that packages the printer driver with the respective printer code.

Take a look at this

Printer Driver Packager NX | Support & Downloads | Global | Ricoh

 

Otherwise, let me know the exact binary code you get for user codes, 0001, 0002, and 0003. If it accepts a 5 digit user code, could you do the same for the first three codes, 00001, 00002, 00003.

I plan to compare them with mine, to see if they are transferable, because I know of a way to script the creation of each code in a range and capture the binary equivalent.

[DavR]

I'll take a look at that Ricoh tool, but I don't think repackaging the driver with each (80+) printer codes is likely to be the answer.

 

For binary conversions, I get the following:

 

No code = 97 b6 ac b9 a9 b1 d0 10 (this appears when I set up and save my Hold details)

 

0001 = aa c6 dc fd 19 a4 0d 0f

0002 = 9f 11 cd 99 ee 7f bb dc

0003 = bf fb 52 a4 29 4d 72 6a

 

00001 = e3 6f 8a 78 11 84 a4 24

00002 = 4f 20 03 01 4a cf 64 c5

00003 = 38 42 36 09 cc bc 63 9f

 

Many thanks mrwoberts! If I can work out some kind of conversion between the decimal and binary, I might well have the makings of a script!

[MatthewL]

Have you not got an option you can tick in the printing defaults to hold and prompt for a pin box when they print where they can then enter the code?

 

I've yet to find any print driver you can populate, best is to pop up a box asking for the code.

[DavR]

Have you not got an option you can tick in the printing defaults to hold and prompt for a pin box when they print where they can then enter the code?

 

I've yet to find any print driver you can populate, best is to pop up a box asking for the code.

 

Yeah, that is an option I played with, but because I'm using the Hold job type, I need to populate two fields. I could get away with the one popup, but two is pushing it.

 

I suppose there is maybe the option of scripting / prepopulating the User ID for Hold print details, as that's just plain text, and then having one popup for authenticating User Code, but it's a bit messy.

[mrwoberts]

@DaveAshworth

 

I just tried the User Code on my Ricoh Aficio MPC3000 printers and it doesn't give me the info I was expecting, so could you tell me the exact model of Ricoh you have and I'll load those drivers...

[DavR]

mrwoberts, I'm using the MP C5000 PCL6 driver.

[mrwoberts]

@DaveAshworth

 

Codes 0-99, and their binary equivalent (see attached).

 

RicohMPC5000_UserCodes_0-99.txt

[DavR]

@DaveAshworth

 

Codes 0-99, and their binary equivalent (see attached).

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]33023[/ATTACH]

 

Wow, how did you get those? Impressive!

 

They are one out though, my 0001 is 0xAAC6DCFD19A40D0F, whereas that's your 0002.

 

Unfortunately, our codes don't start at 0001, they start at 1111 and go through to 1200+ (not my work I might add, picking up after someone else who started this).

 

Ideally I'd prefer a bit of script that takes the "0001" value and converts into the binary, rather than having a static lookup table, but by the sounds of it that might not be easily achieved.

[mrwoberts]

Ok, here's a new batch... 1000 - 1500.txt

This is a CSV file so you can adjust things with Excel if you need to.

 

RicohMPC5000_UserCodes_1000-1500.txt

 

I know what you mean about a conversion formula, but if this works for now you at least have something to start from.

[DavR]

Thanks for that!

 

I will have a bash and see if I can do anything with those. Won't be for a little while now though, I've had a surge of general nonsense land on my desk this week.

[Jooky]

Hi Dave,

I know it's an old post but I was wondering if you finally found a way to script (c++ or similar) the User ID somehow...

I'm facing a similar problem but cannot find anything about setting User ID via code.

Thanks in advance!

 

P.S. You've mentioned where in the registry the User ID can be found, but I couldn't find it there (Windows 10 64bit).

I've identified the registry keys for these, User ID lives in a simple string under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RICOH\JOBCODE\JCUserCod e

[DavR]

Hi @Jooky,

 

I never did get a seamless solution, no. I think in the end I bodged something with registry to get User ID to be Windows Login name (first eight characters), and did a custom driver with a pop-up box for the four digit User Code.

 

We've since upgraded copiers, my new copiers I set User ID to be Windows Login name as a Printing Default from day one, and again the driver is tweaked to prompt for four digit User Code.

[DavR]

P.S. You've mentioned where in the registry the User ID can be found, but I couldn't find it there (Windows 10 64bit).

 

Ah, yes, also we were using MPC 5000 units on Windows 7.

 

I think from circa MPC 5001 they started encoding username, so it wasn't in a plain text field.

 

We're on MPC 5002 on Windows 10 now, and I can confirm that it's all buried in binary for me....