GB2241597A

GB2241597A - Computer based document printing system

Info

Publication number: GB2241597A
Application number: GB9004419A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Kennedy
Original assignee: SKC SOFTWARE SERVICES
Current assignee: SKC SOFTWARE SERVICES
Priority date: 1990-03-02
Filing date: 1990-02-28
Publication date: 1991-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-28
Also published as: BE1002029A6; GB2241597B; GB9004419D0

Abstract

A computerised document generating apparatus for use in generation and printing of documents having a relatively large number of data values. The apparatus utilises random access memory and permanent and exchangeable magnetic disks in a manner which allows use of data values from a large number of files without excessive requirements of the random access memory circuit during generation and printing of a document. This is achieved by use of a target file which is stored in the random access memory circuit, 24, and receives values from other files 25, 27 before generation and printing of a document. The data values of the target data file are independent and may be used without further processing involving reference to values of other files. The other data files are then transferred by writing them to floppy disc, 31 and fixed data relating to the format of the document to be printed are transferred to RAM for processing with target data file to generate a formatted document for printing, 33, 35. Such documents may include reports relating to performance of industrial processes, said reports including parameter values for the processes. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY AND PROCESSING UTILIZATION IN MICROCOMPUTERS The present invention relates to improvements in random access memory and processing utilization in microcomputers such as that described in United Kingdom Patent Specification No.

2127190B.

In such apparatus, a microprocessor directs the storage and processing of data signals in permanent memory devices such as hard disks and in read/write temporary memory devices such as random access memory circuits where the ratio of permanent to temporary memory capacity is of the order of 20:1. In many situations, such a ratio is satisfactory. However, when it occurs that a large amount of data is processed by the microprocessor at any one time such as in process control systems or document generating apparatus it is possible that the random access memory circuit will be unable to handle the volume of data.

Clearly, for relatively large computerised systems and for microcomputers in critical applications the solution to this problem is to add additional random access memory circuits.

However, when microcomputers are used in domestic or small business environments this work can be inconvenient and expensive.

European Patent Specification No. 43,391 Al (IBM) discloses a microprocessor controlled terminal in which procedure and data records are copied into a dynamically managed portion of RAM.

A backing store is used and segments are deleted from RAM on a least-recently-used basis. Thus, in most instances, matter of least relevance will be deleted.

While such an arrangement would appear to be satisfactory for many processing activities, and especially in a distributed system, it would not, we believe, provide for efficient and correct memory and processing utilization in a document generating apparatus. Specifically, in view of the interrelationship of data in such an apparatus, it would not be practical to delete data segments in this manner. Further, the connection of a backing storage device is often not feasible and connection by cable to a main storage device may not be possible for stand-alone device.

The present invention is directed towards providing an operational process and apparatus to overcome these problems.

According to the invention there is provided an operational process for efficient utilisation of random access memory circuits in a computerised document generating apparatus of the stand-alone type and having a user interface device, an output interface circuit, a processor circuit, a permanent disk, an exchangeable disk, a read only circuit and a printer, the operational process comprising the steps of:: the processor circuit reading a plurality of data files from an exchangeable disk inserted in the apparatus and subsequently writing the data files to the random access memory circuit; the user interface circuit receiving data values for insertion in one or more of the data files; the processor circuit directing transmission of the received data values to the data files stored in the random access memory circuit; the user interface circuit receiving instructions for the generation and printing of a document, said document including values of the data files stored in the random access memory circuit; the processor circuit verifying contents of the data files and selecting data files having a substantial amount of data relevant to the document to be printed;; the processor circuit verifying the manner in which data values from the selected files may be used for generation of a document and identifying a data file as a target data file only if data values stored therein are independent and may be used without further processing involving reference to data values of other data files.

the processor circuit transmitting selected data values for the document from the other data files to the target data file in the random access memory circuit; the processor circuit writing all of the data files except the target data file to the exchangeable disk and subsequently reading fixed data relating to the document to be printed from the permanent disk and transmitting the fixed data to the random access memory circuit; the processor circuit generating a document format by processing of data values in the target data file and the fixed data, said processing function not involving reference to the other data files; and the output interface circuit transmitting document generation signals to the printer for printing of a document using said generated document format.

In one embodiment the data files are in spreadsheet format and the step of the processor circuit generating the document format comprises the further steps of: the processor circuit sorting the data values of the target data file in numerical order in the random access memory circuit; the processor circuit storing any located zero values adjacent each other in the target data file; and the processor circuit deleting the zero values in succession before generation of the document format.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a computerised document generating apparatus of the standalone type and comprising a user interface device, a processor circuit, an output interface circuit, a permanent disk, an exchangeable disk drive, a random access memory circuit, a read only memory circuit and a printer, wherein:: the processor circuit comprises means for reading a plurality of data files from an exchangeable disk inserted in the apparatus and writing the data files to the random access memory circuit; the user interface device comprises means for receiving data values for insertion in one or more of the data files, and the processor circuit comprises means for transmitting the received data values to the data file; the user interface device comprises means for receiving instructions for the generation and printing of a document, said document including values of one or more of the data files; the processor circuit comprises means for comparing the data required for the document with data values of the data files, means for selecting a target data file having a substantial amount of data relevant to the document to be printed and the data values of which are independent and may be used without further processing involving reference to data values of other data files, means for transmitting data values for the document from the other data files to the target data file in the random access memory circuit and means for writing all of the data files with the exception of the target data file to the exchangeable magnetic disk and subsequently reading fixed data from the permanent magnetic disk and transmitting the fixed data to the random access memory circuit; the processor circuit comprises means for generating a document format by processing of data values in the target data file and the fixed data values, said processing function not involving reference to the other files; and the printer having means for printing a document using said generated document format.

In one embodiment the data files are in spreadsheet format and the processor circuit comprises: means for sorting the data values of the target data file in numerical order in the random access memory circuit; means for transmitting any located zero values for storage in the target data file in block format; and means for deleting zero values of the target data file in succession.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a block illustration of a document generating apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating portion of an operational process carried out by the document generating apparatus; and Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating another portion of the operational process carried out by the document generating apparatus.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a computerised document generating apparatus of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.

The apparatus 1 is of the stand-alone type and includes a user interface device, namely, a keyboard 2 connected to a microprocessor 3 via an interrupt generator 4 and an interrupt priority decoder 5. A peripheral interface adapter 6 and a port select circuit 7 connect the microprocessor 3 to a printer 8. The relevant connections are on control lines and bidirectional data buses, not shown. Printed documents 10 are represented diagrammatically.

The microprocessor 3 is also connected to an exchangeable or floppy disk drive 11 and to a permanent or hard disk drive 12 via a disk controller 13. A read/write memory 14 and a read only memory ROM circuit 15 are also connected to the microprocessor 3. Read/write memory is often referred to as random access memory or RAM, and for clarity this is the term used in the specification.

In this embodiment, the hard disk 7 has a capacity of 20Mbytes, the RAM 14 has a capacity of lMbyte and typically, a floppy disk inserted in the apparatus 1 will have a memory of 800Kbytes.

In operation, the apparatus 1 reads document generation routines and data files stored on floppy disk and stores these in the RAM 14. There are six data files in the form of spreadsheets and these files are written to the RAM 14 together with the routines for directing generation of documents. In this case, the six data files alone require about 800Kbytes of memory space. Clearly, in conventional apparatus problems would arise due to shortage of random access memory space if documents were being generated including information from all six files as such files would have to be stored in the RAM 14 during generation and printing of the documents together with additional data including document generating routines, document formats, and printing commands.

Referring specifically to Figs. 2 and 3, operation of. the apparatus 1 to overcome such memory capacity problems is illustrated. In step 20, the data files are read from the floppy disk and are transmitted to the hard disk in step 21.

If, however, the files are to be used immediately, they are stored in the RAM 14 and step 21 is skipped. When documents are to be generated, data values are received at the keyboard 2 in step 23 and subsequently, in step 24 the data files are transmitted from the hard disk to the RAM 14, if necessary.

The microprocessor 3 then directs insertion of the received data values in the data files stored in the RAM 14 (step 25).

The apparatus 1 then receives at the keyboard 2 instructions for the generation and printing of documents. Such documents may include reports comprising an analysis of results carried out during metallurgical tests, or an analysis of parameters such as temperatures, pressures and velocities of fluid flow in a chemical process plant. However, a document including a large number of data values of any type may be generated and printed by the apparatus 1. The instructions received in step 27 would include layout, format and narrative for such documents and the data is generally transmitted for storage in the RAM 14 for use during generation of the relevant documents. Other set-up data is generally stored in the hard disk.

For each document to be generated, the microprocessor 3 writes all of the relevant data files to the RAM 14 in step 28.

Subsequently, the microprocessor 3 checks the identity of the files and locate the files of most relevance to a particular document to be generated. For example, in generation of a report of chemical process parameters, one file may include average values for the parameters over a lengthy time period whereas other files would include values for particular weeks and still further files may include values indicating the response of certain parameters to variations in one or other parameters such as pressure. A specific example is where different files include parameters such as temperature, pressure and composition of a chemical solution in response to insertion of a certain ingredient at a given temperature.

The microprocessor 3 then verifies the manner in which data values from the selected files may be used for generation of a document. If data values are not independent and may be used only if further processing must be carried out with reference to data values in other files, then that data file is rejected. In step 29, the microprocessor 3 locates the file which is most relevant to the particular document to be generated and which does not require such processing and identifies this as a target data file.

In step 30, the microprocessor 3 directs transmission of data values from all other data files stored in the RAM 14 to the target data file. This step involves both amending values of the target file and the addition of further values which would be required for generation of the particular document. As the files are in spreadsheet format there will generally be many available cells for insertion of additional data values. When this process step has been carried out, the microprocessor 3 writes all of the data files, with the exception of the target data file to the floppy disk. Thus, the only remaining data stored in the RAM 14 are the routines for directing generation and printing of the document and the target data file, together with data derived from the operating system stored in the ROM 15.

In step 33 the microprocessor 3 generates a document format by processing of data values in the target data file and by reading set-up and layout data relevant to the particular document to be generated from the RAM 14 and from the hard disk. The peripheral interface adapter 6 and the port select circuit 7 then transmit document printing signals to the printer 8 in the appropriate serial or parallel format.

It will be appreciated that by utilising the RAM 14 and the other memory devices in this manner, the requirements of RAM are significantly reduced during generation and printing of a document and the chances of requiring excessive memory capacity and subsequent loss of data and inability to print are significantly reduced. This allows complete versatility in use of the apparatus 1 for generation of documents without the need to take specific precautions regarding the amount of data and the detail involved in the documents which are printed.

It will be appreciated that this is a significant advantage in expansion of an industrial plant where the number of data values involved may multiply on addition of new equipment and processing control devices.

A further aspect of the invention involves the reduction of processing required of the microprocessor 3 in generation of a document format. As the data files are in spreadsheet format there will, in many cases, be zero values for a large proportion of the cells of the spreadsheet. Such zero values are often required to be eliminated from ;the document to be generated. Heretofore, the approach to eliminating the zero data values has been to individually identify each cell containing a zero value and subsequently deleting the cell together with any narrative cell. Needless to say, in cases where there are thousands of cells this procedure is quite time-consuming and requires a large amount of processing power of the microprocessor 3 and space in the RAM 14.

Referring specifically to Fig. 3, the operational process carried out by the microprocessor 3 to overcome this problem is illustrated. In step 40, the microprocessor 3 using a numerical order sorting technique sorts the values of the cells of the target data file. This operation is carried out in a separate portion of the RAM 14 and the values are subsequently re-inserted in the target data file. Because they are in numerical order, the sorted values include a block of zero values adjacent each other. Using one series of delete commands, the microprocessor 3 deletes the whole block of zero values before further processing for generation of the particular document. In this manner, the apparatus of the invention provides for deletion of excess data values in a relatively simple manner requiring little processing.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims

1. An operational process for efficient utilisation of random access memory circuits in a computerised document generating apparatus of the stand-alone type and having a user interface device, an output interface circuit, a processor circuit, a permanent disk, an exchangeable disk, a read only circuit and a printer, the operational process comprising the steps of:: the processor circuit reading a plurality of data files from an exchangeable disk inserted in the apparatus and subsequently writing the data files to the random access memory circuit; the user interface circuit receiving data values for insertion in one or more of the data files; the processor circuit directing transmission of the received data values to the data files stored in the random access memory circuit; the user interface circuit receiving instructions for the generation and printing of a document, said document including values of the data files stored in the random access memory circuit; the processor circuit verifying contents of the data files and selecting data files having a substantial amount of data relevant to the document to be printed; the processor circuit verifying the manner in which data values from the selected files may be used for generation of a document and identifying a data file as a target data file only if data values stored therein are independent and may be used without further processing involving reference to data values of other data files.

2. An operational process as claimed in claim l wherein the data files are in spreadsheet format and the step of the processor circuit generating the document format comprises the further steps of: the processor circuit sorting the data values of the target data file in numerical order in the random access memory circuit; the processor circuit storing any located zero values adjacent each other in the target data file; and the processor circuit deleting the zero values in succession before generation of the document format.

3. A computerised document generating apparatus of the stand-alone type and comprising a user interface device, a processor circuit, an output interface circuit, a permanent disk, an exchangeable disk drive, a random access memory circuit, a read only memory circuit and a printer, wherein: the processor circuit comprises means for reading a plurality of data files from an exchangeable disk inserted in the apparatus and writing the data files to the random access memory circuit; the user interface device comprises means for receiving data values for insertion in one or more of the data files, and the processor circuit comprises means for transmitting the received data values to the data file; the user interface device comprises means for receiving instructions for the generation and printing of a document, said document including values of one or more of the data files;; the processor circuit comprises means for comparing the data required for the document with data values of the data files, means for selecting a target data file having a substantial amount of data relevant to the document to be printed and the data values of which are independent and may be used without further processing involving reference to data values of other data files, means for transmitting data values for the document from the other data files to the target data file in the random access memory circuit and means for writing all of the data files with the exception of the target data file to the exchangeable magnetic disk and subsequently reading fixed data from the permanent magnetic disk and transmitting the fixed data to the random access memory circuit; ; the processor circuit comprises means for generating a document format by processing of data values in the target data file and the fixed data values, said processing function not involving reference to the other files; and the printer having means for printing a document using said generated document format.

4. A document generating apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the data files are in spreadsheet format and the processor circuit comprises: means for sorting the data values of the target data file in numerical order in the random access memory circuit; means for transmitting any located zero values for storage in the target data file in block format; and means for deleting zero values of the target data file in succession.