JPH0334658A - Communication adaptor device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the reliability of a data communication by recognizing an alarm state by a slave alarm recognizing part, informing it to a host device. CONSTITUTION:A slave alarm recognizing part 12 recognizes an alarm state of a printer side, for instance, paper end, thermal alarm, printer local, power source disconnection, etc., and informs them to a host device 2 by a control code determined in advance. Also, a host communication alarm recognizing part 13 monitors data received from the hose device 2, and prevents the generation of a data omission. In this state, the alarm contents recognized by the host communication alarm recognizing part 13 are displayed on a display LED of an alarm information display part 14. In such a way, in the host device 2, an alarm state of the printer can be known, and an error of a data communication can be recognized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a communication adapter device that enables communication between a host device such as a minicomputer, a personal computer, a word processor, etc. and a low-order device such as a printer located at a remote location. It is something.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, when outputting sentences and figures created by a host device such as a minicomputer, personal computer, word processor, etc. to a printer, etc. through a communication line, the host device and the lower device are connected via a communication adapter device. Connected.

FIG. 6 shows a connection state diagram of a conventional communication adapter device.

In the figure, 1 is a communication adapter device, and a host device 2
Converts the serial data sent from the computer to parallel data. The higher-level device 2 is a device such as a minicomputer, a personal computer, or a word processor, and creates data to be output to the lower-level device 3. The lower-level device 3 is a printer or the like, and outputs the data received from the communication adapter device 1.

4.5 is a modem, which transmits data created by the host device 2 to the communication adapter device 1 located at a remote location through a telephone line.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional communication adapter device.

In the figure, the upper-level device interface section 6 is the upper-level device 2.
performs interface processing between the communication adapter device 1 and the communication adapter device 1;
The data received from the host device 2 is sent to the received data storage section 7. The received data storage section 7 stores data received from the host device 2 and sends it to the interface conversion section 8 as appropriate.

The interface converter 8 converts serial data received from the higher-level device 2 into parallel data for transmission to the lower-level device 3. The lower-level device interface unit 9 performs interface processing between the lower-level device 3 and the communication adapter device t1, and the main control unit 10 controls the entire inside of the communication adapter device 1.

Next, the operation of the above conventional communication adapter device will be explained.

When the 1i source of each device is turned on and set to the initial state, the data created in advance is transmitted from the host device 2.

In this case, a general purpose serial interface such as an R5232C interface is used and the data is transmitted to the remote communication adapter device 1 via the modem 4.5.

Within the communication adapter device 1, a host device interface section 6 receives and receives serial data, and a received data storage section 7
Store serial data in . The stored serial data is then converted into parallel data by the interface converter 8 in order to be transmitted to the lower-level device 3. The lower-level device interface section 9 sends the converted parallel data to the lower-level device 3.

The main control unit 10 controls the entire communication adapter device 1 and performs interface management, buffer management, conversion management, etc.

(The invention attempts to solve the problem)However, in the communication adapter device 1 described above, since the communication is only in one direction in which data is sent from the higher-level device 2 to the lower-level device 3, the alarm of the lower-level device 3 The status cannot be known by the higher-level device 2.In other words, since neither an alarm recognition unit nor an alarm signal is provided, it is not possible to know whether printing has been performed normally based on the data sent to the lower-level device 3. , it cannot be said that it is a highly reliable system.

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional communication adapter device described above, and enables the host device to know the alarm state of the printer when sending data via a modem to a downstream device in a remote location. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication adapter device that can recognize errors.

(Means for Solving the Problems) For this purpose, in the communication adapter device of the present invention, a host device interface unit that performs interface processing with a host device, a reception data storage unit that stores communication data, and a serial data storage unit that stores serial data in parallel. An interface conversion unit that converts data into data, a transmission data storage unit that stores the converted parallel data, a lower-level device interface unit that performs interface processing with lower-level devices, and an upper-level communication alarm recognition unit that recognizes communication errors with higher-level locations. 1m section, a display section for displaying alarm information thereof, a lower alarm 1m section for monitoring failures in lower-order devices, and a main control section for controlling each of the above-mentioned sections.

In the case of a system that remotely controls a printer via a modem, the communication adapter device configured as described above is connected to a lower-level device such as a printer located in a remote location.

(Operation) According to the present invention, as described above, there is provided a host device interface section that performs interface processing with a host device, a reception data storage section that stores communication data, and an interface conversion section that converts serial data into parallel data. , a transmission data storage unit storing the converted parallel data;
A lower-level device interface unit that performs interface processing with lower-level devices, a higher-level communication alarm recognition unit that recognizes communication errors with higher-level positions, a display unit that displays alarm information, and a lower-level alarm recognition unit that monitors failures in lower-level devices. and a main control unit that controls each of the above parts.
If a communication error is detected within the communication adapter device, it is displayed, and failures in lower-order devices can also be monitored.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication adapter device of the present invention.

In the figure, a host device infrastructure unit 6 performs interface processing with the host device 2, and a general-purpose R5232C interface is used for remote control via a modem.

The received data storage section 7 stores data received from the host device 2. In addition, the received data storage section 7 can store 40 bytes of data, and in order to prevent buffer overrun, all stored data can be
When it reaches 374 on the sofa, there is an X indicating that reception is not possible.
-0FF signal is notified to the host device 2, and 17 of all buffers are
When it reaches 4, X-0N indicates that it is ready to receive data.
It is designed to notify the signal. X-0N this notification
It's called a notification.

The interface conversion section 8 converts the serial data stored in the received data storage section 7 into a parallel interface in order to transmit it to a Centronics interface printer. The transmission data storage section 11 stores parallel data converted by the interface conversion section 8, monitors the status of the printer, and controls the main control section 10.
The transmission data is sent to the lower-level device according to the command.

A lower-level device interface unit 9 that connects the communication adapter device 1 and the lower-level device 3 performs interface processing with the lower-level device 3, and is provided with a Centronics interface to connect all general-purpose printers.

In addition, the lower alarm recognition unit 12 recognizes alarm conditions on the printer side, such as vapor end, thermal alarm, printer local, power off, etc. ! and notifies the host device 2 using a predetermined control code.

The higher-level communication alarm recognition unit 13 monitors data received from the higher-level device 2 and prevents data omission from occurring. The contents of the alarm recognized by the upper communication alarm recognition unit 13 are displayed on the display LED of the alarm information display unit 14.

The main control unit 10 controls the entire communication adapter device 1 and executes communication procedures between the higher-level device 2 and the lower-level device 3.

Next, the operation of the communication adapter device will be explained.

When 1t'a of the communication adapter device 1 is turned on, a program is started, the status of the printer is monitored, the internal buffer of the device is cleared, and each initial process is performed.

When the initial processing is completed, an X-0N notification is sent to the host device 2 to the effect that it is in a receivable state, and a predetermined control code 01 (hexadecimal 11) 1) is sent. The host device 2 uses this χ2. After recognizing the ON code, data transmission begins.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the format of data to be communicated.

The data is received from the host device 2 in the form of a data string of 50) I code child data length + print data + ETX code. The SOH code is a start code and indicates the leading end of data, and the data length indicates the data length from the sOH code to the IETX code.

Furthermore, the print data is coded data to be printed on the printer. The ETX code is an end code and indicates the end of one data block.

The data in the above format is stored in the received data storage section 7 via the host device interface section 6. After the communication adapter device l receives the SOH code, it recognizes the data length and sends it to the E
Count the length of time until receiving the TX code, and if the ETX code is located at the position indicated by the data length, it is considered normal reception.
If not, it will be treated as a communication error.

The communication adapter device 1 further monitors the time between characters in the print data. That is, the reception time between characters is determined in advance, and if data is not received within that time, it is processed as a timeout.

In addition, the reception data storage unit 7 is capable of storing 40 bytes of data, but in order to prevent buffer overruns, an Sending A predetermined control code D3 (13 hexadecimal) 1) is sent to the host device 2.

On the other hand, when the host device 2 receives the X-0FF code, it stops data transmission and transfers the X-0FF code from the communication adapter device 1.
Wait for the N code to arrive. This X-0N / .

The serial data stored in the reception data storage section 7 is sequentially extracted, converted into parallel data by the interface conversion section 8, and stored in the transmission data storage section 11.

Here, when the status of the lower-level device 3 is monitored by the lower-level alarm recognition unit 12 and the lower-level device 3 is in a reception waiting state, the parallel data stored in the transmission data storage unit 11 is sent to the lower-level device interface unit 9. lower-level device 3
sent to. The lower device interface unit 9 uses a Centronics interface, and can connect a general-purpose printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing bin numbers and signal names on the parallel interface side.

Compared to conventional communication adapter devices, 11-pin BUS
The Y signal, the 12-pin PAPEREND signal, the 13-pin 5RLECT signal, the 18-pin poER signal, and the 32-pin FAIILT signal are added. The BUSY signal indicates that the printer is processing print data.
The EREND signal indicates that there is no paper, and the 5EL
The fICT signal indicates the printer is ready, the POWER signal indicates the printer's power state, and the FAULT signal indicates the printer's alarm state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the status of each signal line and alarm contents.

H indicates a high level and L indicates a low level. The lower alarm recognition section 12 monitors this state and notifies the main control section 10. Lower alarm i! The identification unit 12 further monitors the recovery status of the printer and notifies the main control unit 10 when the failure has been recovered. The main control unit 10 notifies the higher level device of information from the lower level alarm recognition unit 12 using a predetermined control code.

FIG. 5 shows the control code notified to the host device 2.

A control code is assigned to each notification such as a completion notification, printer failure notification, and recovery notification.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above in detail, according to the present invention, there is a host device interface section that performs interface processing with a host device, a received data storage section that stores communication data, and a system that converts serial data into parallel data. an interface converter for converting, a transmission data storage unit for storing converted parallel data, a lower-level device interface unit for performing interface processing with lower-level devices, and an upper-level communication alarm recognition unit for recognizing communication errors with higher-level positions. , a display section that displays the alarm information, a lower-order alarm recognition section that monitors failures in lower-order devices, and the internal funds of the adapter device.
Since the main control unit is provided, the following effects can be achieved.

(1) Since it has a function of counting the data length of data received from a host device, it is possible to improve the quality of data communication.

(2) In the buffer inside the adapter,
By controlling the flow of 0PF, it is possible to prevent buffer overruns.

(3) If the communication error with the host device is detected by the L of the communication adapter device
It can be displayed on the ED, and reliability can be improved.

(4) By making it possible to receive fault signals from the printer, the interface with host devices can be made smoother, making it possible to provide a system with high quality and reliability.

(5) It becomes possible to control a printer with a Centronics interface using a general-purpose interface, making it possible to construct a wide range of systems.

(6) Using a modem communication line, it becomes possible to print remotely to a printer located in a remote location.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the communication adapter device of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure shows the data format to be communicated, Figure 3 shows the bin number and signal name on the parallel interface side, Figure 4 shows the status of each signal and alarm contents, and Figure 5 shows the information sent to the host device. FIG. 6 is a connection state diagram of a conventional adapter device, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional communication adapter device. 1...Communication adapter device, 2...Upper device, 3...
・Lower device, 4, 5...Modem, 6...Upper device interface section, 7...Received data storage section, 8...
Interface conversion unit, 9... Lower device interface unit, IO... Main control unit, 11... Transmission data storage unit, 12... Lower alarm recognition unit, 13... Upper communication alarm recognition unit, 14 ...Alarm information display section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (a) a host device interface unit that performs interface processing with a host device; (b) a received data storage unit that stores communication data; (c)
) an interface conversion unit that converts serial data into parallel data; (d) a transmission data storage unit that stores the converted parallel data; (e) a lower-level device interface unit that performs interface processing with lower-level devices; (f) ) a higher-level communication alarm recognition unit that recognizes a communication error with the higher-level position; (g) a display unit that displays the alarm information; (h) a lower-level alarm recognition unit that monitors a failure in the lower-level device; (i) the above. A communication adapter device comprising a main control section that controls each section.