Setting Up the mPOP on AirPOS for Android.

The Star mPOP is an all in one POS device designed to work with mPOS software such as AirPOS. The unit consists of a thermal printer and built-in cash drawer that allows a tablet or desktop POS to connect to it in order to print receipts and store cash. The mPOP also supports an optional barcode scanner and customer line display.

Firstly plug in the mPOP to the mains and if you are planning to use the scanner, connect it using the USB ports on the bottom of the unit before opening the AirPOS application.

Next we're going to connect AirPOS to the Star mPOP via bluetooth, so that we can tell AirPOS that we want to use the mPOP to print receipts, behave as a cash drawer and also for scanning barcodes

Firstly we have to connect the mPOP to the Android tablet. To do this:

  • Press the Home button on the tablet to return to the Home screen
  • Locate the Settings app on the tablet and tap to open it
  • On the left hand menu in the Settings app tap on the Bluetooth menu item
  • If Bluetooth is turned off press the slider to turn it on
  • The tablet will start searching for devices, under devices you should see something like STAR mPOP-G9904
  • Tap on this Star mPOP listing to begin pairing the iPad to the mPOP unit
  • If you are asked for a PIN code enter 1234

The STAR mPOP listing should appear under My Devices when connected

Next we're going to setup the mPOP in the AirPOS POS App.
Press the Home button on your iPad to go back to the Home screen, find the AirPOS POS App and tap on the AirPOS logo to open it.

Login if need be with your PIN code to access the app screen.

Next press the settings button (it looks like a cog wheel in the right corner of the POS).

On the Settings screen press the Peripheral menu item on the left hand side of the App window

You will see a screen and an Add Printer button, press this (see above).

The AirPOS application will start searching for nearby available Star printers and you'll see a screen like that below.

After a few moments any nearby available Star printers will be listed on your screen.

Tap on the 'Test Print' button to the right of the mPOP and the screen will change to one like that below and the mPOP will print a test print.

Tap on the green 'Use this printer' button and you'll see the screen change to one similar to that below.

If you have a scanner attached to the mPOP set the 'has scanner' switch to yes. If you have the new customer facing digital line display set the 'has line display' to yes. Tap on the back button to return to your catalogue view and that's your mPOP configured to work with AirPOS on your Android tablet.

Using the Star mPOP Barcode Scanner with AirPOS

The mPOP comes with an optional barcode scanner. If you have configured the mPOP to print and kick the cash drawer successfully then the barcode scanner, when attached to the mPOP USB ports on the bottom, should simply function allowing you to scan barcodes into AirPOS. You will see a 'Scanner Connected' pop up appear in the AirPOS app when the scanner is connected and ready for use.

NOTES

  • After each transaction please make sure that the cash drawer on the mPOP is properly closed, as if it is even slightly open the unit will not print receipts.
  • If the mPOP barcode scanner does not scan barcodes after an idle period where the mPOP has not been used, you may need to restart the AirPOS POS App in order to re-connect the scanner. This is a known issue with the Star mPOP which will be fixed in a future release.

mPOP Utility.

Star Micronics have released a utility which can be helpful in the installation of your mPOP and troubleshooting faults. The mPOP utility for iPad and Android tablet can be downloaded by searching for 'mPOP Utility' in your devices app store. Alternatively you can click here for the Apple app Store and for the google Play Store you can click here.

It can be used for...

  • Bluetooth Setup: Using the Pairing wizard (Android Tablet only).
  • It can also be used to test that the printer is printing and that the cash drawer kicks. If you have the model with the barcode reader it can be used to test the reader.
  • Multi-Function button. This is a little red button on the side of the mPOP machine behind the paper tray. When enabled it can be used to open the cash drawer.
  • To enable this you'll need to use the mPOP utility. Open the mPOP Utility application. If 'Unselected State' is flashing tap on it and select the mPOP from the available list of devices as shown below and then press the back button at the top left of the screen.
  • Tap on the Settings button as shown below and scroll down to 'Cash Drawer Control'.
  • Tap on 'Cash Drawer Open Switch' then tap on 'Enable' at the bottom of the screen and touch 'Apply'.

mPOP Troubleshooting.

  • If the Power LED does not turn on even when the power is turned on, it may mean that the power cable is not properly connected. Please check.
  • It may also mean that the electrical outlet is loose. Check and make sure that the power outlet is properly connected.

Unable to connect the tablet (cannot pair with Bluetooth).

  1. Check that the power cable is properly connected.
  2. Check that there aren't any other tablets/devices connected to the mPOP.
  3. Check that the mPOP isn't connected to another iOS device such as an iPad or iPhone. If it is then end the connection and try connecting to another host device.
  4. If the mPOP was previously used with another tablet you may receive a notification to say that the wrong PIN or passkey was used, even when Bluetooth has been switched off on the previous device. In this event it may be useful to reset the mPOP to it's factory Bluetooth settings. To do this press and hold the reset button ( 1 ) while switching on the power ( 2 ) as shown below. Keep pressing the Bluetooth reset button without releasing it. When the initialization starts, the Power LED and the Error LED located on the top surface of mPOP will blink.
  1. Check that the mPOP isn't connected via USB to a PC. If a USB connection is used for communicating with a PC the USB connection takes precedence over Bluetooth and a Bluetooth connection is not possible.
  2. Check that 'New Pairing Permissions' in the mPOP Utility is not set to 'OFF'. If it is then repairing with previously connected tablets or new tablets is prevented. If you check Bluetooth Settings in the mPOP Utility, 'New Pairing Permission' should look like the following image.

Cash Drawer does not open.

  1. Check that the power is switched on and the cable is properly connected.
  2. Check that there is a Bluetooth connection with the host tablet.
  3. Check that there are no coins, bills or foreign objects stuck inside which are preventing the drawer from opening. You can pull the front face of the drawer forward to confirm.
  4. An object over 8kg in weight placed on top of the unit can also prevent the drawer opening. You can manually open the drawer in one of two ways:
  5. Using the lock release lever.1. Put the mPOP on it's side and locate the lock release lever at the back and towards the middle of the mPOP. 2. Insert something slim and tapered in the hole of the lock release lever (like a pen) and by sliding this towards the front, the cash drawer will open (see below).

Multi-Function button. This is a little red button on the side of the mPOP machine behind the paper tray. When enabled it can be used to open the cash drawer.

To enable this you'll need to use the mPOP utility. Open the mPOP Utility application and select the mPOP from the available list of devices then tap on the Settings tab on the bottom to access the Memory Switch Settings.

  • Tap on 'Memory Switch Settings and scroll down to 'Cash Drawer Control'.
  • Tap on 'Cash Drawer Enable Switch' then tap on “Enable” at the bottom of the screen and touch “Apply”.

Receipt is not printing properly

  1. Check that the power cable is properly connected.
  2. If a white sheet is being ejected instead of a receipt, then it may be possible that the paper roll is set in the opposite direction. Check the direction of the paper roll to make sure that the paper is set correctly. please have a look at the following link for  Paper Setup
  3. Is the correct paper being used? Please see Paper Roll Specifications
  4. If the Power LED is blinking or the Error LED is lit or blinking, check the status of the mPOP by visiting the following link LED Display
  5. Is there a paper jam? Push the front of the printer to open then pull out the printer. Pull the lever forward to open the printer cover and remove all jammed paper and fragments.
  6. Can you get the printer to self-print? To do this turn the printer off and open the printer. Pull the printer out and locate the multi-function button behind the paper tray. While holding down the multifunction button turn the power on. Release the button when printing starts.

Resetting the Bluetooth Settings.

Beside the USB ports underneath the mPOP is a small red pinhole. This is the Bluetooth reset button. Turn off the power using the switch on the side. While pressing the Bluetooth reset button located on the bottom surface of mPOP, turn on the power switch located on the side of the mPOP. Keep pressing the Bluetooth reset button without releasing it. When the initialisation operation starts, the Power LED and the Error LED located on the top surface of mPOP will blink. When blinking starts, release the Bluetooth reset button. When the initialisation operation has finished, the LED will stop blinking, and only the Power LED will remain lit.