Monitor Active Directories & Printer Ports For PCL Batch Processing

HotDir.exe monitors active directories and PMon95/PMonNT.dll monitors printer ports for converting PCL print streams quickly and transparently.

Hot Directory Program (HotDir.exe)

The HotDir software automatically creates and monitors a specified and active directory. When a new file is saved or created in this directory, the HotDir software can launch up to three workflow processes in succession.

This product is provided to PCLTool SDK Licensees to help them capture HP PCL print streams from legacy, server-based or other applications that require this method of file capture. This is useful when performing batch processing or other high-volume document applications that require several processing steps.

As an example, a print file generated on mainframe can be saved in a Windows active directory. Instead of converting the .PCL file into a .PDF, .XML, .TIF, or other file format using a graphical user interface, you can set up the HotDir software to automatically run the transformation application and to convert the .PCL file into a .PDF file. This process eliminates user errors and converts files quickly, transparently and in an unattended mode.

HotDir software can be "autostarted" by our PTService.exe to always launch it whenever the server re-boots. And, it runs behind other applications. In addition, it can be accessed by clicking the icon in the Windows task bar.

HotDir Functions:

• Capture PCL from DOS programs to print to non-PCL or Windows-ONLY printers using the PCLPrint.exe program.
• Capture PCL from applications to extract ASCII text for migrating the index or full data into other applications.
• Convert print streams into XML or other "web-ready" formats for electronic billing applications.
• Capture print streams for conversion to PDF or TIFF formats with index/routing data for archiving/email applications.
• Capture print streams for conversion/decollation into individual faxable documents with extracted email addresses, then place in the fax server queue.

Port Monitor (PMon95/PMonNT.dll)

Port Monitor (PMon1:) captures Windows spool files (.SPL) coming from a printer driver or PCL files sent directly (or indirectly) to the PMon1: port.

Once the print stream is captured by PMon, RDest.exe can rename the file and redirect it into a collection folder (which can be an active directory). Or, it can direct it as STDIN input to a batch file, which can then be re-directed to PCLXForm.exe, PCLPrint.exe, PCLView.exe, PCLTool.exe and other application .exes.

PMon's Setup Program (PMSetup.exe) uses a config.ini file to control the setup process which can perform a variety of functions:

Port Monitor Functions:

• Install a PCL Printer Driver, rename to any name and configure it to use the PMon:1 port.
• Capture PCL from DOS programs to print to non-PCL or Windows ONLY printers using the PCLPrint.exe program.
• Capture PCL from applications to extract ASCII text for migrating the data into other applications.
• Converted into XML or other "web-ready" formats for electronic billing applications.
• Capture print streams for conversion to PDF or TIFF formats for archiving applications.
• Capture print streams for conversion into faxable formats.

Serial Data Input Spooler Program (SSpool.exe)

The Serial Data Input Spooler program (SSpool) captures serial data sent to a Windows COMn: port. It watches for input to be sent to COMn:, then redirects the data as input to any program.

It may call PCLXForm to extract the index text from a medical report and convert the file to PDF or TIFF for importation into a document management system. Or, it could change output tray settings, add barcodes, then print it to any printer using PCLPrint.exe.

The serial data is usually coming from a Parallel to Serial (P2S) device that is plugged in-stream between the system that can only print it's data to the P2S device. And, then from the P2S device to the PC where SSPool is watching for input to reroute to any of PCLTool SDK's various transformation or printing tools.

SSPool is normally used in capturing medical reports from high-priced medical devices in order to satisfy the new HIPAA document imaging requirements without having to waste time printing the document, scanning the document and then manually indexing it. The cost of cabling, P2S device, PCLTool SDK and a PC can be 20 times less costly then the workarounds that medical device vendors often recommend.

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