Send a command to USB device (Scanner) to keep it awake

[wisem2540]

We have a problem with a certain Scanner that does not seem to have a way to disable the power saving settings in the driver.  Is there a way with autoit to "ping" this device just for a second to keep it active? 

[wisem2540]

It looks like I should be able to accomplish this by sending a call to the TWAIN DLL or maybe by using windows image acquisition.  Still searching

[orbs]

@wisem2540, case to mention the scanner model?

[wisem2540]

@orbs The scanner in question is a Fujitsu 7160.  There does not appear to be a way to turn of sleep

[orbs]

@wisem2540,

the manual (page 202) says you can set the waiting time for "power saving mode" as high as 235 minutes (nearly 4 hours). surely that should be sufficient?

also, you can also completely disable "power off" (different feature, same page). that depends on what exactly is bothering you.

P.S. the reason i'm exploring the formal approach is that any non-formal approach would involve some sort of a hack to the device manager or driver - best avoided.

[wisem2540]

@orbs

I totally understand.  This is for a medical facility which uses an application that does not tolerate a sleeping scanner.  We have already exhausted the formal approach and consulted with the vendor.

Do you think using a "Select Source" command would be enough to get this done?  What do you suggest?  I am about to set this up in a lab to start playing around.

Interesting piece of info...  According to the vendor, and we tested this as well, the scanner is able to sense when paper is inserted into the feeder.  The auto-feeder does wake up the device.  Perhaps its possible to trick that sensor into thinking paper is always there?

[spudw2k]

I'm reminded of a(n) (allegedly) good old opsec story where a new computer system was installed at a Doctors office that would time-out, as designed, but undesirably by the users.  Their solution?  Insert and pen cap into the keyboard so it contiunually presses a key (ctrl for example) and keeps he computer alive.

If you leave paper in there does it prevent it from going to sleep? Me thinks a piece of tape is in your future, or just leave a piece of paper in it when you're done.


I must caution....the lamp turns off for a good reason.  Leaving it on all the time will substantially reduce the lifetime of the scanner.  Be prepared to replace the scanner hardware more frequently and have a backup.

Edited June 15, 2016 by spudw2k

[ViciousXUSMC]

My first poke around the net found this: http://www.burrotech.com/quickscan/

I have no idea if it will work, but it has a cmd interface, so it will be easy to work with autoit to set some kind of script to use this program.  The question is does the program itself work or do what you need it to do.

Luckily free so no significant risk giving it a try.

 

This is why I do not like USB printers/scanners I prefer network.  So much easier from a driver/useage/deployment standpoint. 

 

The other things I would try are to use tool around with what ever native programs the scanner has and see if you can use those, and finally something like using devcon to disable and re-enable, scan, or status check the device in the device manager. 

Edited June 15, 2016 by ViciousXUSMC

[wisem2540]

1 hour ago, spudw2k said:

I'm reminded of a(n) (allegedly) good old opsec story where a new computer system was installed at a Doctors office that would time-out, as designed, but undesirably by the users.  Their solution?  Insert and pen cap into the keyboard so it contiunually presses a key (ctrl for example) and keeps he computer alive.

If you leave paper in there does it prevent it from going to sleep? Me thinks a piece of tape is in your future, or just leave a piece of paper in it when you're done.


I must caution....the lamp turns off for a good reason.  Leaving it on all the time will substantially reduce the lifetime of the scanner.  Be prepared to replace the scanner hardware more frequently and have a backup.

 

Unfortunately leaving paper in the machine does not accomplish what I am looking for.  I will check out quickscan, and there is another utility called CMDTwain.

[ViciousXUSMC]

I updated that post, id probably try devcon before any 3rd party program.  I have used it before, its a trusted MS tool. 

 

http://www.robvanderwoude.com/devcon.php

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff544707(v=vs.85).aspx

 

Edited June 15, 2016 by ViciousXUSMC

[wisem2540]

@ViciousXUSMC

I tried various scans and updates with Devcon, nothing seemed to wake the scanner.  Do you have one that you would recommend?

Also I tried using CMDTwain and selecting an image source, no change there either

[ViciousXUSMC]

I cant do much without any way to test it myself.  

The last thing I can find just searching is this:

Maybe that twain.dll will work for you.