JPH09146727A - Cad device and cad system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a CAD device and system easy for setting each sort of a printer. SOLUTION: Each of CAD devices C1 to C4 is provided with a plotting means 1 for supporting the preparation of drawing data D, an input means 2 and a display means 3 for inputting/outputting various information from/to a user and an output control part 11 for transmitting the prepared drawing data D to a printer P connected through a communication line K. A server S is provided with a storage means 4 for storing plotting and communication conditions in each sort of the printer as a shared file. Each of the CAD devices C1 to C4 is also provided with an inspection means 5 for inspecting communication states with printers P1 to P6, a discriminating means 6 for discriminating the sort of a printer and a setting means 7 for acquiring a condition corresponding to the judged sort by referring to the means 4 and setting up a communication condition T and a plotting condition S based upon the acquired condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CAD device and C
The present invention relates to improvement of an AD system, and particularly relates to a CAD device and a CAD system in which setting for each printer model is easy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A CAD device is a drawing support device that creates a drawing on a display screen of a computer using a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard. A general mode of outputting a drawing from a CAD device is to connect a printer such as a plotter printer or a laser printer to the CAD device with a communication cable and send the drawing data to these printers.

However, there are various types and models of printers (collectively referred to as "models"), and depending on the model,
Acceptable data format such as drawing output language, control code system, paper size, printable range in paper, type of font, etc. are different. Therefore, in order to output the drawing, it is necessary to set the drawing conditions that match the printer used. Examples of drawing conditions are, for example, the size of a drawing that can be created, usable fonts, and the like.

Similarly, regarding communication, there are various conditions regarding communication speed, error check format, synchronization implementation format, etc., and appropriate conditions must be set according to the printer to be used.

[0005]

By the way, in order for the user to make these settings himself / herself, not only the above-mentioned specifications of the printer but also the communication conditions including the interface between the CAD device and the printer are specifically investigated / understood. It is indispensable to perform complicated work for setting. Furthermore, in order to properly carry out these tasks, sufficient knowledge about these matters is required. However, since the user of the CAD device is not an expert in printers or communication, these tasks and required knowledge impose a heavy burden.

Further, conventionally, there is no means for easily testing whether or not an appropriate condition is set. Therefore, an abnormal operation is discovered by actually outputting the drawing, and the setting error is not made for the first time. Was generally found. For example, the typical symptom of incorrect data format is the output of voluminous amounts of meaningless strings and spaces. As a result, it is difficult to improve the work efficiency of the CAD device because the setting work is often redone.

Further, since the possibility of detecting such an abnormal operation depends on the contents of the drawing data to be output, it has been desired to improve the reliability of the CAD device.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a CAD device and a CAD system in which setting can be easily performed for each printer model. is there. Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable CAD device and CAD system.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a CAD apparatus according to claim 1 supports drawing by using a computer, and sends the created drawing to a printer connected by a communication line. In the CAD device, storage means for storing at least one condition of the drawing and communication for each model of the printer, an investigation means for investigating a communication state with the printer, and a result of the investigation It is characterized in that it has a determining means for determining the model of the printer, and a setting means for performing setting based on the condition corresponding to the determined model.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the communication and drawing conditions are automatically set according to the model of the connected printer, the setting for each printer becomes easy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the CAD apparatus according to the first aspect, the checking means is configured to test the state of the communication with the connected printer. To do.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the investigating means tests the communication state between the CAD device and the printer when necessary, for example, when a command to test is input. Therefore, it is unnecessary to output actual drawing data for the test. Further, the test result is not influenced by the contents of the drawing data held in the CAD device, so that the reliability is improved.

The invention of claim 3 relates to claim 1 or 2.
In the CAD device described above, when the plurality of printers are connected, the surveying unit, the determining unit, and the setting unit collectively perform the surveying, the determining, and the setting for each printer. It is characterized by being configured in.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the settings relating to the plurality of printers are collectively performed, the work becomes easy and efficient.

Further, in the invention of claim 4, in a CAD device for supporting drawing by using a computer and transmitting the created drawing to a printer connected by a communication line, the state of communication with the printer is investigated. The checking means is configured to test the status of the communication with the connected printer.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the investigating means tests the communication state between the CAD device and the printer when necessary, such as when an instruction to test is input. Therefore, it is unnecessary to output actual drawing data for the test. Further, the test result is not influenced by the contents of the drawing data held in the CAD device, so that the reliability is improved.

A CAD system according to a fifth aspect of the invention is a CAD device that supports drawing by using a computer and sends the created drawing to a printer connected by a communication line.
Includes a plurality of nodes forming a network, stores at least one condition of the drawing and the communication for each model of the printer, and a storage unit shared by each CAD device is provided in any of the nodes. Each of the CAs
The device D has a checking means for checking the communication state with the printer, a judging means for judging the model of the printer based on the result of the checking, and a storing means for storing the condition corresponding to the judged model. Earned by referencing,
And a setting unit that performs setting based on the acquired condition.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the setting conditions for each printer model are commonly referred to and used by each CAD device by a shared file of the network server. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the setting conditions are duplicated / distributed among the CAD devices and are not unified, and it is easy to unify the output drawings among the CAD devices.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment is realized by a program controlling a computer centered on a processor. Therefore, description will be given assuming a virtual circuit block that realizes each function (processing) of the present invention, and control of the order relation and condition relation in the process execution will not be shown again.

1. First Embodiment (1) Configuration The first embodiment corresponds to the CAD device according to claims 1 to 3 and the CAD system according to claim 5, and its purpose is to make the CAD device easy to set for each printer model. And CAD
Is to provide a system. Another object of the first embodiment is to provide a highly reliable CAD device and CAD system.

The first embodiment is a CAD system in which a plurality of nodes form a network, and FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment. That is,
In the first embodiment, in addition to the network medium M, a plurality of CAs are used.
The D devices C1 to C4 and the server S are included. CAD device C
1 has two printers P1 and P2, a CAD device C2,
C3 has one printer P3 and one printer P4, respectively.
Two printers P5 and P6 are connected to the D device C4.

The CAD devices C1 to C4 are the CAD devices C
As shown in FIG. 1, it has a drawing means 1 for supporting drawing, that is, creation of drawing data D, an input means 2 for inputting / outputting various information with a user, and a display means 3. The input unit 2 typically includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

Each of the CAD devices C1 to C4 has an output control section I for transmitting the created drawing data D to the printer P connected by the communication line K. Each output control unit I
Includes an interface circuit for communication and a communication control procedure.

Each of the printers P1 to P6 has a CAD
Although connected to the devices C1 to C4 via a communication line K such as an RS-232C cable or a Centronics cable, there are various types of printers that use the same type of cable, and the drawing and Communication conditions are different.

The server S is provided with a storage means 4 for storing the drawing and communication conditions for each model of the printer P as a shared file on the hard disk (claim 4). Here, an example of the communication conditions for each model is shown below.

[0026]

[Table 1] Communication speed: 9600bps Data length: 8bit Stop bit: 1bit Parity: None Handshake: Xon / Xoff

[0027]

[Table 2] Communication speed: 4800bps Data length: 8bit Stop bit: 1bit Parity: None Handshake: Hard wire

Similarly, the storage means 4 stores the drawing output language of each printer P, the drawing range, the pen used, and the character font used as drawing conditions for each model.

On the other hand, each of the CAD devices C1 to C4 investigates means 5 for investigating the communication state with the printers P1 to P6.
And a determination means 6 for determining the model of the printer P based on the result of the investigation, and the condition corresponding to the determined model is acquired by referring to the storage means 4, and communication is performed based on the acquired condition. And a setting means 7 for setting the condition T and the drawing condition S (claim 1).

The output control unit I, the communication condition T, and the drawing condition S are present in the CAD devices C1 to C4 in the same number as the printers corresponding to the connected printers P1 to P6. It is created under the drawing condition S corresponding to the printer P. Therefore, for example, CAD
The device C4 has the same configuration as the CAD device C1, but the CA
The D device C2 has one output control unit I, one communication condition T, and one drawing condition S, and any drawing data D is created under the drawing condition S of the same printer P3.

(2) Operation The first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure has the following operation. The conditions can be set by, for example, "Communication /
This may be performed when a menu of options such as "plot setting" and "communication confirmation" is displayed in a list format on the display screen, and the user selects the option of condition setting with the mouse or keyboard.

[Investigation of Communication State] First, as a simple example, a procedure for setting the communication condition T1 and the drawing condition S1 corresponding to the printer P1 and the output control unit I1 in the CAD device C1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting conditions in the first embodiment. in this case,
First, the investigation means 5 investigates the communication status with the printer P1. In this investigation, for example, a communication control signal is transmitted to the printer P1 through the communication control unit I1 (step 2
1), by receiving the response signal (step 2)
2).

At this time, if the type of the control signal to be transmitted is specified from the device name, it is not necessary to try to transmit another type of control signal, so that the processing efficiency is improved. For this purpose, for example, the communication device name is "COM1".
RS-232C, Centronics if "PRN",
It is only necessary to confirm the correspondence in advance as shown in.

[Determination of Model] Next, the discrimination means 6 discriminates the model of the printer P1 based on the result of the investigation (step 23). This determination can be performed based on, for example, the feature of the combination of ON / OFF of the control signals in the response signal. That is, a table is created in which the characteristics of combinations for each model are created, and the pattern in the response signal is collated with this table to determine the model.

[Setting of Conditions] Subsequently, the setting means 7 stores the conditions T1 and S1 corresponding to the determined model in the storage means 4.
(Step 24). Then, the setting means 7 performs setting based on the acquired condition (step 25). In the CAD device, each item of the set conditions is held as a memory area or a disk file as information such as a numerical value, or is held as a physical fact state such as a state of a relay switch according to its property.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the communication and plotting conditions are automatically set according to the model of the connected printer P, so that the setting for each printer is easy (claims). 1).

In the first embodiment, the setting conditions for each model of the printer P are commonly referred to and used by each of the CAD devices C1 to C4 as a shared file of the network server. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation where the setting conditions are duplicated / distributed among the CAD devices C1 to C4 and become ununiform, and it is easy to unify the output drawings among the CAD devices C1 to C4 (claim 4).

In the shared file, RS-23
If the storage area for the condition is divided for each type such as 2C or Centronics, or if it is provided as a separate file, the reading of information becomes easy.

[Screen display] At the end of the setting, a message to that effect, communication setting / plotting setting and model name corresponding to each printer P at that time may be displayed.

[Batch setting] When a plurality of printers P1 and P2 are connected as in the CAD device C1, each printer P1 and P2 is sequentially repeated by repeating the above-described series of procedures. The settings for P1 and P2 are collectively performed (claim 3). That is, the printer P
After completing the setting for 1, the printer P2,
The process is repeated for the communication line K2, the output control unit I2, the communication condition T2, and the drawing condition S2.

When there are a plurality of interfaces and printers P as described above, the corresponding conditions and printers P are set for each corresponding group when holding a plurality of communication and drawing conditions as setting contents. To each "COM1"
The same device name such as or "PRN" may be used for comparison.

As described above, in the first embodiment, since the settings relating to the plurality of printers P are collectively performed, the work becomes easy and efficient (claim 3).

When the drawing means 1 performs drawing, the printer P1 or P2 used for drawing output is selected. For example, when the printer P1 is selected, drawing is performed based on the drawing condition S1 set corresponding to the printer P1, and the drawing data D1 is created. Then, the drawing data D1 is transmitted to the printer P1 through the output control unit I1 according to the set communication condition T1.

[Test] By the way, the checking means 5 is configured to test the state of communication with the connected printer P (claim 2). When performing such a test, in addition to when an instruction to test should be input, it is performed every time before drawing output, or when the total number of output drawings reaches a certain number. You can set it freely.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the test procedure in the first embodiment. That is, at the time of the test, the investigation means 5 transmits an initialization signal based on the set communication conditions to the printer P (step 31).
When a plurality of printers P1 and P2 are connected, an initialization signal based on the communication condition T1 or T2 corresponding to the printer P1 or P2 to be tested is transmitted. Then, based on the response (step 32), it is determined whether the communication is normally performed (step 33). This determination can be performed, for example, by preparing the response patterns in the normal state and the abnormal state in correspondence with the setting conditions for each model, and comparing the response patterns with the actual response pattern.

If the test is normal, a message to that effect (step 34) may be displayed, and if the test is abnormal, an error display (step 35) may be displayed. It may be appropriate to omit the indication to that effect.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when it is necessary to input a command to test, the checking means 5 is used.
Tests the communication status between the CAD device and the printer P. Therefore, it is unnecessary to output actual drawing data for the test. Also, the test results are CAD
The reliability is improved because it is not affected by the contents of the drawing data stored in the device (claim 2).

2. Second Embodiment The CAD device C is not provided with a discriminating means or a setting means, but is provided with an inspecting means 5 for inspecting a communication state with the printer P1, and the inspecting means 5 communicates with the connected printer P1. It is also beneficial to configure it to test the condition (Claim 5). FIG. 4 shows the second configuration constructed as described above.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The result of the test instructed by the user is displayed on the display means 3.

In the second embodiment, the investigating means 5 tests the communication state between the CAD device and the printer P when necessary, such as when an instruction to test is input. For this reason,
It eliminates the need to output actual drawing data for testing. Further, since the test result is not affected by the contents of the drawing data held in the CAD device, the reliability is improved (claim 5).

3. Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes other embodiments as exemplified below. For example, although the above embodiment has been described with a CAD-dedicated device in mind, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case of outputting a sentence created by a word processor to a printer. Further, in the above-described embodiment, both the conditions for drawing and communication are set, but it is also sufficiently practical to automatically set only one of them.

Further, the type of the communication line connecting the printer and the CAD device or the communication line used for the network is arbitrary. Further, the "model" of the printer broadly means the elements of the printer that bring about a difference in communication or drawing conditions. Not only the printer type, manufacturer, and model, but also the type of font ROM installed, the version of control software, and It is a broad concept including operating modes.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
CAD device and CA for easy setting for each printer model
A D system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a CAD system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting conditions in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a test procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a CAD device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C ... CAD device P ... Printer S ... Server M ... Network medium 1 ... Drawing means 2 ... Input means 3 ... Display means 4 ... Printer 5 ... Survey means 6 ... Judgment means 7 ... Setting means K ... Communication line I ... Output control section T ... Communication condition S ... Drawing condition D ... Drawing data STEP -... Each step of the procedure

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A CAD device that supports drawing using a computer and sends the created drawing to a printer connected by a communication line, wherein at least one of the drawing and the communication is provided for each model of the printer. Storage means for storing one condition, investigation means for investigating the communication state with the printer, discrimination means for discriminating the model of the printer based on the result of the investigation, and the discrimination means corresponding to the discriminated model. A CAD device comprising: a setting unit that performs setting based on a condition. 2. The CAD apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the checking unit is configured to test a state of the communication with the connected printer. 3. The surveying means, the determining means, and the setting means, when a plurality of printers are connected, collectively perform the surveying, the determining, and the setting for each of the printers. The CAD device according to claim 1, wherein the CAD device is configured. 4. A CAD device, which supports drawing using a computer and sends the created drawing to a printer connected by a communication line, has a research means for investigating a communication state with the printer, The CAD device, wherein the checking means is configured to test the status of the communication with the connected printer. 5. A plurality of nodes including a CAD device, which supports drawing using a computer and sends the created drawing to a printer connected by a communication line, forms a network, and each model of the printer. In any one of the nodes, a storage unit that stores at least one of the conditions of the drawing and the communication and that is shared by the CAD devices is provided in the node. An investigating means for investigating, a discriminating means for discriminating the model of the printer based on the result of the survey, and the condition corresponding to the discriminated model is acquired by referring to the storing means, and the acquired condition is obtained. A CAD system comprising: a setting unit that performs setting based on the above.