JPH0546522A - Data copying method for external input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the copying speed and also to simplify the copying operation by securing the direct connection between the input/output interfaces of both external input/output devices via a data transmission line and transferring the data with one of both external input/output devices in a write state with the other set in a read state respectively. CONSTITUTION:A keyboard 3 of en external input/output device 10 is provided with a date read key and a data write key, and the data transmission and reception programs of a ROM 5 are started with operation of both read and write keys. Then the direct connection is secured between the input/output interfaces 4 of both devices 10 via a data transmission line. Then the data stored previously in the device 10 which undergoes its drive control through the data transmission program are directly sent to the other device 10 with operation of the keys. Then the device 10 which is controlled by the data reception program copies the received data to a file after registration.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvement of a data copying method for an external input / output device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of copying data by an external input / output device, a method of copying data between two external input / output devices via a host computer and a floppy disk or the like serving as a storage medium of the external input / output device are used. It is known that a storage medium itself is once taken out to make a copy of the storage medium itself, and the copy is set in another external input / output device to copy data.

[0003]

However, in the method of copying data between two external input / output devices by using the host computer as an intermediary, the host computer reads all the data to be copied, temporarily stores the data, and then stores the other data. It is necessary to transfer the stored data to the external input / output device, and there is a problem that it takes time to copy the data when the data amount increases. For example, if it takes T seconds for both reading and transferring data by the host computer, it is necessary to read all the data to be copied and then transfer it to the other external input / output device. It takes a minimum of 2 · T seconds to copy data from the device to the external input / output device.

On the other hand, when the storage medium is once taken out and a copy of the storage medium itself is made by another device, it is difficult to make a copy unless the storage medium used by the external input / output device is of the same type. In addition, if an attempt is made to create a copy on a different type of storage medium, in addition to a device for copying the data, various input / output terminals are required to suit various storage media, which makes the copy operation complicated. There are drawbacks.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for wasting time and complicated operations for processing such as reading and transferring by the host computer, and using only an external input / output device and some connecting means. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data copying method capable of copying data between external input / output devices easily and as quickly as possible.

[0006]

According to the data copying method of an external input / output device of the present invention, a data read key for reading prestored data and outputting it to the input / output interface, and a data read key input to the input / output interface. A data writing key for registering the stored data as a file is provided in the main body of the external input / output device, and the input / output interfaces of the two external input / output devices are directly connected by a removable data transmission line, and one external input / output Data stored in the latter external input / output device is operated by operating the data write key of the device to put it in the write state, while operating the data read key of the other external input / output device to put it in the read state and starting transfer. The above object was achieved by directly transferring the data to the external input / output device and copying the data.

[0007]

After the input / output interfaces of the two external input / output devices are directly connected by the data transmission line, the data write key of one external input / output device is operated to enter the write state, and the other external input / output device Operate the data read key to enter the read state.

When data transfer is started, the data stored in the latter external input / output device is directly transferred to the former external input / output device via the data transmission line and registered in the former external input / output device as a file. It

Since it is not necessary to copy the data to be copied to another device or a storage medium for copying, the retention time of the data is short, and the copying operation can be performed at a higher speed than the conventional method. Since it is not necessary to perform a copying operation using the attached device, the operation becomes easy.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an external input / output device 10 according to an embodiment. The external input / output device 10 is a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as CPU) as a control means.
1, a CPU 1 has a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 5 storing a control program of the CPU 1, a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 2 used for temporary storage of data, etc. 2, an input / output interface 4 , Keyboard 3, liquid crystal display 8 and disk controller 6 are connected via a bus 9.
A floppy disk 7 serves as a file means for storing NC data and the like, and has an index data storage section and N
C data storage section. In the index data storage unit, the file name set by the operator when the NC data is downloaded corresponds to the NC name.
The file No. is stored together with the start address of the NC data storage unit that stores the data. Are stored in a one-to-one correspondence with the file No. The value of is incremented sequentially with the initial value set to 1 and automatically updated and set as the NC data is downloaded. The index data storage unit further includes a file No. Of the file number, that is, the total number n of files is stored. The head address of the NC data storage unit for storing new NC data is automatically set in the index data storage unit of n + 1. Also,
A start code is always attached to the head of each NC data in the NC data storage unit, and an end code is always attached to the tail thereof.

Liquid crystal display 8 of external input / output device 10
Is configured to display separate alphanumeric data in the upper and lower first and second rows, as shown in FIG.
The keyboard 3 provided on the front surface of the external input / output device 10 includes various character and numeric key groups 16 as well as an up arrow key 11 and a down arrow key 1 for scrolling the data display.
2, END key 13 for command command and start key 1
4, an input key 15 for inputting setting data, a data read key 19 and a data write key 20 unique to the embodiment
When the data read key 19 or the data write key 20 is operated, the process shifts from the remote mode process to the local mode process, while the END key 1
When 3 is operated, the processing in the local mode is ended and the remote mode similar to the conventional one is restored. On one side of the upper end of the external input / output device 10, a data transmission line 17 for connecting the interfaces 4 of the device 10 to each other.
A connection terminal 21 for mounting a disk is provided, and a slit 22 for mounting / dismounting the floppy disk 7 to / from the internal disk controller 6 is formed on one side of the external input / output device 10.

When copying the NC data and the like by connecting the external input / output devices 10 to each other, the operator first of the two external input / output devices 10a and 10b used for copying the data, as shown in FIG. Connect the connection terminal 21 to the data transmission line 1
7, and the input / output interfaces 4 of the external input / output devices 10a and 10b are connected to each other.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the outline of the data transmission process which is operated in response to the operation of the data read key 19, and FIGS. 7 to 10 are the data write key 20.
5 is a flowchart showing an outline of a data receiving process which is operated in response to the operation of FIG. 1, and each of the control programs corresponding to each process is the RO of the external input / output devices 10a and 10b
It is stored in M5.

The processing operation of the CPU 1 relating to the data copying method of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. The external input / output device 10
Floppy disks 7a and 7b storing NC data and the like are preset in a and 10b, respectively, and the NC data is copied from the external input / output device 10a to the external input / output device 10b.

In this case, since NC data is copied from the external input / output device 10a to the external input / output device 10b, the operator operates the data read key 19 of the external input / output device 10a while the external input / output device 10b is operated.
The data write key 20 is operated.

The CPU 1 of the external input / output device 10a, which has detected the operation of the data read key 19 and started the data transmission process in the local mode, first sets the file name search index i and the copy data selection index j to 1 and 0, respectively. (Step S01), and it is determined whether or not the values of the indexes i and j match (step S02). Since i ≠ j at this stage, the determination result in step S02 becomes false, and then From the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7a, the file No. The file name corresponding to i is read and displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 in the external input / output device 10a (step S0
3) The current value of the file name search index i is set in the copy data selection index j (step S04). The copy data selection index j is the file No. of the file name currently displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8. An index that remembers
That is, the file N selected as a candidate for copying
o. Is an index to memorize.

The file name selected as a candidate for copying is displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 and the file No. corresponding to this file name is displayed. The CPU 1 which has stored in the copy data selection index j starts the processing from step S05, but if the operator's operation such as the down arrow key 12, the up arrow key 11, the END key 13 and the start key 14 is not detected, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S05. , Step S09,
Since the determination results of step S13 and step S14 are both false, the CPU 1 executes these determination processes and then shifts to the process of step S02 again, and thereafter, step S02, step S05, step S09, step S13 and step S13. Only the determination process of S14 is repeatedly executed and the system stands by, and the display of the liquid crystal display 8 and the current value of the copy data selection index j are held during this period.

Therefore, the operator operates the down arrow key 12 and the up arrow key 11 during this period to scroll the file name displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 to display the file name of the NC data to be copied. Will be made.

CPU 1 which has detected the operation of the down arrow key 12
(Step S05), the value of the file name search index i is set to 1
It is incremented (step S06), and it is determined whether or not the value of the index i exceeds the total number n of files (step S07). If the value of the index i exceeds the total number n of files, a file name search is performed. While the index i is reset to 1 (step S08), the value of the index i is the total number of files n.
If it does not exceed, the value of the index i is held as it is,
Step S09, Step S13 and Step S14
After executing the discrimination processing of No., the processing shifts to the discrimination processing of step S02 again. In this case, step S06
Alternatively, since the value of the file name search index i has been updated in the process of step S08, the determination result of step S02 becomes false, and the CPU 1 causes the updated file name search index i to be updated.
The index data storage section of the floppy disk 7a is searched based on the value of the file No. The file name corresponding to i is newly read and displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 in the external input / output device 10a (step S03), and the value of the file name search index i is reset to the copy data selection index j. (Step S04).

Therefore, each time the operation of the down arrow key 12 is detected in the determination processing of step S05, the file No. of one larger value is successively displayed in the first line of the liquid crystal display 8.
The file name corresponding to is scrolled, and the file number. When the value of reaches the total number n of files, the file No. Returning to the file name of 1, the scroll display similar to the above is executed. Then, the copy data selection index j
Always displays the file number corresponding to the file name currently displayed. Will be stored. Down arrow key 1
The processing for scrolling the file name in the reverse direction by the operation 1 is shown in steps S09 to S12.
I will omit the explanation of the contents.

The operator who has displayed the file name of the NC data to be copied on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 by operating the down arrow key 12 and the up arrow key 11 is
Next, the start key 14 of the external input / output device 10a is operated to start the transmission of NC data corresponding to this file name.

The CPU 1 of the external input / output device 10a which has detected the operation of the start key 14 (step S14) first determines whether or not the ready signal from the external input / output device 10b, which is the receiver, is input to the input / output interface 4. However, if the preparation completion signal has not been input, the determination process of step S15 is repeatedly executed to wait for the transmission of NC data.

When the external I / O device 10b is ready for reception and the ready signal from the external I / O device 10b is input to the I / O interface 4, the CPU 1 of the external I / O device 10a causes the external I / O device 10a to operate. After displaying the message "data is being transmitted" on the second line of the liquid crystal display 8 in 10a (step S16), the file N is stored in the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7a.
o. The value of the head address in which the NC data of j is stored is detected, and based on the value of the head address, the floppy disk 7
Until the end code is detected by accessing the NC data storage unit of a. The NC data of j are sequentially read (step S17), and the NC data are sequentially transferred to the input / output interface 4 of the external input / output device 10b via the data transmission line 17 (step S18). Then, when the completion of the transfer up to the end code is detected, the message "data being transmitted" on the second line of the liquid crystal display 8 is cleared (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S01 (or step S02 may be performed) again. Then, it returns to the initial standby state of waiting for the selection of the file name to be copied, the operation of the END key, or the operation of the start key for a new transfer operation.

When the operator operates the END key 13 after all the transfer work relating to the file name requiring copying on the floppy disk 7a is completed, the CPU 1 of the external input / output device 10a executes the END key in the processing of step S13. The operation of 13 is detected, the processing of the local mode is ended, and the remote mode is set.

On the other hand, the CPU 1 of the external input / output device 10b, which has detected the operation of the data write key 20 and started the data receiving process in the local mode, first selects the copy data as the file name search index i and the file name selection index. Each index (hereinafter referred to as a file name selection index) j is initialized to 1 and 0 (step T01), and the index i
It is determined whether or not the values of and j match (step T02). Since i ≠ j at this stage, step T0
The determination result in 2 is false, and then the file N is read from the index data storage unit of the floppy disk 7b.
o. The file name corresponding to i is read and displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 in the external input / output device 10b (step T03), and the current value of the file name search index i is set in the file name selection index j (step T04). ).
The file name selection index j is the file number of the file name currently displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8. , That is, the file number selected as a candidate for the file name of the NC data after copying. Is an index to memorize.

The file name selected as a candidate for the file name of the NC data after copying is displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8, and the file N corresponding to this file name is displayed.
o. The CPU 1, which has stored in the file name selection index j, starts the processing of step T05 and thereafter, and the down arrow key 12
And the arrow keys 11 and various alphanumeric keys of the alphanumeric key group 16 and the operator's operation of the input key 15, the END key 13, the start key 14, etc. are not detected, step T05, step T09, step T13,
Step T16, Step T20 and Step T21
Since the determination results of No. 1 are both false, the CPU 1 executes these determination processes and then moves to the process of step T02 again, and thereafter, step T02, step T05, step T09, step T13, step T16, step T
Only the determination process of step 20 and step T21 is repeatedly executed, and the process waits, while the display of the liquid crystal display 8 and the current value of the file name selection index j are held.

Therefore, the operator operates the down arrow key 12 and the up arrow key 11 during this period to scroll the file name displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 and select it as the file name of the NC data after copying. The file name of NC data to be displayed is selected from the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7b and displayed. The process related to the scroll display of the file name is the same as the case of the data transmission process, so the description is omitted.
In the data receiving process, in addition to the file name registered in advance in the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7b, the file name is created by operating various character / numerical keys in the character / numerical key group 16 and the input key 15. By doing so, the file name of the NC data after copying can be newly set.

When creating a new file name and copying the transfer data from the external input / output device 10a, the operator first operates the down arrow key 12 to operate the file N in the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7b.
o. The first line of the liquid crystal display 8 is made non-display by designating the file name unregistered portion of n + 1. Next, the file name is created by operating the various alphanumeric keys of the alphanumeric key group 16, and the various alphanumeric characters input by the operation of the alphanumeric key group 16 are processed by the external input / output device by the determination processing of step T13. 10b CPU1 detects one after another,
The CPU 1 which has detected the input of the characters and numbers additionally stores the input characters and numbers as character strings in the input data storage buffer (step T14) and displays the current value of the input data storage buffer on the second line of the liquid crystal display 8. To the operator (step T15).

When the operator who has set a new file name operates the input key 15, the C of the external input / output device 10b is operated.
The PU 1 detects the operation of the input key 15 in the determination process of step T16, displays the current value of the input data storage buffer on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 and clears the display of the second line (step T17). The current value of the input data storage buffer is the file number. j, that is, the n + 1th file name is registered in the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7b and the final value n is updated to n + 1, and the file name selection index j and the file name search index i
The value of n is reset to each of the values (step T18) and the input data storage buffer is cleared (step T19).

By operating the down arrow key 12 and the up arrow key 11, the file name of the NC data to be selected as the file name of the NC data after copying is displayed on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 or a new file name is displayed. The operator who has set to display on the first line of the liquid crystal display 8 then selects the start key 14 of the external input / output device 10b.
To start receiving NC data from the external input / output device 10a.

The CPU 1 of the external input / output device 10b which has detected the operation of the start key 14 (step T21) outputs a preparation completion signal indicating that the reception is ready and transmits it to the external input / output device 10a (step S21). T22), the NC data transferred from the external input / output device 10a is sequentially received, and the start code is awaited to be detected (step T2).
3, step T24). Next, after detecting the start code, the CPU 1 of the external input / output device 10b displays the message "data being received" on the second line of the liquid crystal display 8 of the external input / output device 10b (step T2).
5), file No. from the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7b. The value of the head address stored corresponding to j is detected, and the start code transferred from the external input / output device 10a is written to the position of the head address in the NC data storage unit (step T26).
Each time the NC data transferred from the external input / output device 10a is read, the file No. in the floppy disk 7b.
The data is written in the NC data storage unit of j (step T27, step T28). When the end code from the external input / output device 10a is detected and copying of the designated NC data is completed (step T29), the external input / output device 10b is detected.
The CPU 1 stops the output of the preparation completion signal and clears the message "data being received" on the second line of the liquid crystal display 8 (step T30, step T31).
Initially, the process shifts to step T01 (or step T02 may be performed) to wait for selection of a file name candidate of NC data after copying and new setting, END key operation, or start key operation for new writing operation. Return to the standby state.

Then, when all the writing work for the file name requiring copying is completed and the operator operates the END key 13, the CPU 1 of the external input / output device 10b is operated.
Detects the operation of the END key 13 in the process of step T20, ends the process of the local mode, and enters the remote mode.

When NC data is copied using the file name newly set in the data reception process, the value of the registered number n of the file name is automatically incremented by 1 and the updated file number. Only a new file name is registered in the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7b corresponding to the value of n.
There is no change in the data stored in the C data storage unit. On the other hand, the file name registered in advance in the index data storage section of the floppy disk 7b is N
When the C data is copied, all the previous NC data registered in the NC data storage unit corresponding to this file name are deleted, and the external I / O device is stored in the NC data storage unit corresponding to this file name. The new NC data transferred from 10a will be stored. That is, according to the data receiving process, a new file name is set while all the NC data stored in advance in the NC data storage unit of the floppy disk 7b is held and the external input / output device 1 is set.
The transfer data from 0b can be copied.

[0035]

According to the data copying method of the external input / output device of the present invention, the input / output interfaces of the two external input / output devices are directly connected by the data transmission line, and the data write key and the data read key of each external input / output device are connected. Data can be copied from each external input / output device on one side to each external input / output device on the other side simply by operating the There is no need to copy after sucking it up on the medium, the retention time of data is shortened, copying work can be performed at a higher speed than the conventional method, and it is necessary to perform copying work using another auxiliary device. Since it does not exist, the copying operation becomes easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an external input / output device of an embodiment to which a method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the external input / output device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connection state of an external input / output device during copying.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of data transfer processing by the external input / output device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a continuation of the flowchart showing the outline of the data transfer process.

FIG. 6 is a continuation of the flowchart showing the outline of the data transfer process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of data reception processing by the external input / output device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a continuation of the flowchart showing the outline of the data reception process.

FIG. 9 is a continuation of the flowchart showing the outline of the data reception process.

FIG. 10 is a continuation of the flowchart showing the outline of the data reception process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microprocessor (CPU) 3 Keyboard 4 Input / output interface 5 ROM 6 Disk controller 7 Floppy disk 9 Bus 10 External input / output device 17 Data transmission line 19 Data read key 20 Data write key 21 Connection terminal

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An external input / output device having a data read key for reading prestored data and outputting it to an input / output interface, and a data write key for registering the data input to the input / output interface as a file. Provided on the main unit, the input / output interfaces of two external input / output devices are directly connected by a detachable data transmission line, and the data write key of one external input / output device is operated to enter the write state, while the other external input / output device The data stored in the latter external input / output device is directly transferred to the former external input / output device for copying by operating the data read key of the output device to start the transfer in the read state. Copying method of external input / output device.