How does the copy function of the Pharos Canon MEAP integration work?

How does the copy function of the Pharos Canon MEAP integration work?Answer

Overview

The Pharos iMFP software will track and charge for copies made by a user. There are two options available for copy; Canon's Native Copy and a Pharos Simplified Copy application. Native Copy provides all of the copy capabilities of the Canon device. The Pharos Simplified Copy application provides a subset of the copy capabilities.

Simplified Copy

The Pharos Simplified Copy application provides a subset of the copy capabilities of the Canon device. The intent is to simplify the copy experience by only providing the most commonly used copy functions. The target audience is a student that is not provided training on the use of the copier.

Additionally the Pharos Simplified Copy application is able to cancel a copy job as soon as the user runs out of funds. This is not the case for the Canon Native Copy. Because of this feature the Pharos Simplified Copy application is typically used in cost recovery applications where negative user balances are not desirable.

The following copy features are supported by the Pharos Simplified Copy application:

General 

• Number of copies (1-999)

• Single sided copies from the platen

• Single or two sided copies from the ADH (if equipped on the copier)

Copy Ratio 

• Standard copy scale ratios (11x17àSTMT, 11x17àLTR, 11x17àLGL, LGLàLTR, LGLà11x17, LTRà11x17, STMTà11x17)

• Custom copy scale ratio (25%-400%)

Paper Select 

• Each tray as configured in the device

Stapling 

• No staple

• Single staple upper right

• Single staple upper left

• Single staple lower right

• Single staple lower left

2 Sided 

• 1 sided à 2 sided (with optional ADH only)

• 2 sided à 1 sided (with optional ADH only)

• 2 sided à 2 sided (with optional ADH only)

• Book Mode à 2 sided

Color 

• Auto

• Full Color

• B&W

Contrast 

• Auto

• Custom contrast (+8 à -8)

Native Copy

The Pharos solution is able to track and account for copies made using the Native Canon Copy application. This is the standard copy application that the operator uses if no Pharos software were installed.

The largest limitation of the Native Copy application is that the accounting is done at the end of a copy job. The Pharos solution will not interrupt the copy job in the middle, even if the user has run out of funds. This presents the opportunity for a student account to go into a negative balance at the end of a large copy job. For some institutions this is an unacceptable risk. In this case the Canon Native Copy application can be disabled on the device and the Pharos Simplified Copy application used.

Note: At this time the firmware of the Canon iRC3170 does not support the disabling of the Canon Native Copy application. All other Canon devices are able to disable this application.