diff --git a/.mailmap b/.mailmap
index 46c0229..9de2698 100644
--- a/.mailmap
+++ b/.mailmap
@@ -8,3 +8,4 @@ Cody (Quantified Code Bot) <cody@quantifiedcode.com> Cody <cody@quantifiedcode.c
 Renato Lorenzi <renato.lorenzi@senior.com.br>        Renato.Lorenzi <renato.lorenzi@senior.com.br>
 Ahmed Tahri <nyuubi.10@gmail.com>                    TAHRI Ahmed <nyuubi.10@gmail.com>
 Michael Elsdörfer <michael@elsdoerfer.com>           Michael Elsdörfer <michael@elsdoerfer.info>
+csoft2k <csoft2k@hotmail.com>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/AUTHORS b/AUTHORS
index dd865d0..d0ab9b0 100644
--- a/AUTHORS
+++ b/AUTHORS
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ Asuki Kono
 belono
 Christoph Heuel
 Cody (Quantified Code Bot)
+csoft2k
 Curtis // mashedkeyboard
 Davis Goglin
 Dean Rispin
diff --git a/src/escpos/constants.py b/src/escpos/constants.py
index 4e61419..a764290 100644
--- a/src/escpos/constants.py
+++ b/src/escpos/constants.py
@@ -249,3 +249,7 @@ S_RASTER_N  = _PRINT_RASTER_IMG(b'\x00')  # Set raster image normal size
 S_RASTER_2W = _PRINT_RASTER_IMG(b'\x01')  # Set raster image double width
 S_RASTER_2H = _PRINT_RASTER_IMG(b'\x02')  # Set raster image double height
 S_RASTER_Q  = _PRINT_RASTER_IMG(b'\x03')  # Set raster image quadruple
+
+# Status Command
+RT_STATUS_ONLINE = DLE + EOT +  b'\x01';
+RT_MASK_ONLINE = 8;
diff --git a/src/escpos/escpos.py b/src/escpos/escpos.py
index 0af1e55..a986304 100644
--- a/src/escpos/escpos.py
+++ b/src/escpos/escpos.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import qrcode
 import textwrap
 import six
+import time
 
 import barcode
 from barcode.writer import ImageWriter
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ from .constants import CD_KICK_DEC_SEQUENCE, CD_KICK_5, CD_KICK_2, PAPER_FULL_CU
 from .constants import HW_RESET, HW_SELECT, HW_INIT
 from .constants import CTL_VT, CTL_HT, CTL_CR, CTL_FF, CTL_LF, CTL_SET_HT, PANEL_BUTTON_OFF, PANEL_BUTTON_ON
 from .constants import TXT_STYLE
+from .constants import RT_STATUS_ONLINE, RT_MASK_ONLINE
 
 from .exceptions import BarcodeTypeError, BarcodeSizeError, TabPosError
 from .exceptions import CashDrawerError, SetVariableError, BarcodeCodeError
@@ -77,6 +79,12 @@ class Escpos(object):
         """
         pass
 
+    def _read(self, msg):
+        """ Returns a NotImplementedError if the instance of the class doesn't override this method.
+        :raises NotImplementedError
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
     def image(self, img_source, high_density_vertical=True, high_density_horizontal=True, impl="bitImageRaster",
               fragment_height=960):
         """ Print an image
@@ -733,6 +741,20 @@ class Escpos(object):
         else:
             self._raw(PANEL_BUTTON_OFF)
 
+    def query_status(self):
+        """ Queries the printer for its status, and returns an array of integers containing it.
+        :rtype: array(integer)"""
+        self._raw(RT_STATUS_ONLINE)
+        time.sleep(1)
+        status = self._read()
+        return status or [RT_MASK_ONLINE]
+
+    def is_online(self):
+        """ Queries the printer its online status.
+        When online, returns True; False otherwise.
+        :rtype: bool: True if online, False if offline."""
+        return not (self.query_status()[0] & RT_MASK_ONLINE)
+
 
 class EscposIO(object):
     """ESC/POS Printer IO object
diff --git a/src/escpos/printer.py b/src/escpos/printer.py
index a15fe21..b658efb 100644
--- a/src/escpos/printer.py
+++ b/src/escpos/printer.py
@@ -84,6 +84,10 @@ class Usb(Escpos):
         """
         self.device.write(self.out_ep, msg, self.timeout)
 
+    def _read(self):
+        """ Reads a data buffer and returns it to the caller. """
+        return self.device.read(self.in_ep, 16)
+
     def close(self):
         """ Release USB interface """
         if self.device: