JPS5840860B2 - How a store-and-forward device works - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a simple copy capability interleaved with text processing functionality for processing text-type data signals in a communication environment where text processing may be repeated to a plurality of different destinations. Relating to a store-and-forward unit.

Automatic editing and text processing are becoming developed technologies.

Computerization of such text processing is becoming widespread from a price-performance standpoint.

Traditionally, many text processing systems that include a plurality of different types of units have used specific text control characters that are unique to the collection of such different types.

Some manufacturers of text processing equipment have developed independent, different, and incompatible text control characters that give their equipment and products greater capabilities than are available in other types of equipment and products. I'm giving it to you.

With the existence of multiple different types of text processing devices and the advent of enhanced communication systems, the possibility of interconnecting systems with different types of text processing devices and incompatible text control characters becomes very high, and many Such an interconnection is economically desirable.

That is, it may be desirable for a first text processing system at location A to provide text signals to a second text processing system at location B via a communications network.

The two text processing systems require different types of text control characters.

If the connection is simply a fixed service connection, a single text processing procedure is required to transmit the text signal between the two locations.

However, in many communication systems, multiple such text processing systems may be interconnected according to predetermined switching conventions.

A large variety of text control characters are required, so if location A wants to transmit text signals to four different receiving text processing systems, the text processing must be repeated up to four times.

Such text processing on the same text reduces the text performance of the transmission unit.

Other text processing systems have various types of equipment connected, each requiring different text control characters.

For example, a character generator that supplies an image to an electrophotographic copy making unit via a laser beam may require a first set of text processing control characters.

Magnetic card automatic typewriter. The system requires a second set of control characters.

Two-day (commonly referred to as binary synchronous) communication links additionally require a third type of control character.

Still other connections to other devices require still other sets of text control characters.

Alternatively, when a single text has to be transmitted to more than one such utilization system, it may be necessary to repeatedly process the same text to the receiving destination or text processing system.

Given the desire to minimize product cost, such repetitive processing substantially degrades the performance of the text processing system.

Therefore, it is highly desirable to increase text processing capacity while minimizing product cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating a text processing type store-and-forward unit that eliminates the repetitive processing of the same text delivered to a plurality of various destinations.

One method according to the invention contemplates operating a store and forward device for providing signals to one or more of a plurality of different destinations, each destination requiring a different signal format.

Here, the store and forward device receives a text character signal along with a text control signal that is interleaved with the text character signal to indicate a function to be performed on the text character signal.

A store-and-forward unit stores text character signals and analyzes received control signals.

Such received control signals are modified by the store-and-forward unit by substitution and addition to generate an entirely new set of control signals containing control functions for all of the plurality of possible destinations.

The store-and-forward unit can then select a destination and send the text character signal along with any control signals generated.

In another aspect of the invention, data indication signals are transmitted along with the new control signals, while those of the new control signals that are not available or recognized by the selected destination are deleted.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which it is noted that like numbers refer to like parts and features in the various figures.

FIG. 1 depicts an apparatus incorporating the principles of the present invention.

The apparatus is embodied in the copy making machine described with respect to FIG. 1B.

In FIG. 1, system control processor 5CP60 includes programming that uses the present invention to adapt copy-making machine 10, shown in FIG. 1B, as a store-and-forward unit.

5CP60 is a system text processor 60A using universal text format and, under program control, a system control processor 5CP6.
0 to remote terminal connector RTC17.

RTC 17 includes a communication link 17B for communicating with motem 17A and other units.

Furthermore, the 5CP60 connects it to a local terminal device LTI6, which can be, for example, an IBM magnetic card automatic typewriter.
It includes a recorder adapter 60C for connection to.

LT 16 includes a recording channel 16A connected to a magnetic card reader/recorder 16B.

Additionally, 5CP 60 includes page memory 64, which is a semiconductor random access memory.

Memory 64 is connected to processor 60A as well as laser input controller (LIC) 12B for providing an image on the photoconductor drum, which will be described later with respect to FIG. 1B.

Controller 12B includes an image processor 12'BA and an image generator 12BB.

Image processor 12BA receives image display signals from page memory 64 and converts the image display signals into a format for use by image generator 12BB which generates a light image.

Text type image display signal is RTC17 or LT16
can be received from any of the following.

RTC 17 and LT 16 each have their own set of control codes that are not compatible with each other.

The received image display signals along with control codes are passed to system text processor 60A via respective adapters 60B, 60C.

In accordance with the present invention, system text processor 60A analyzes the control code characters and modifies them so that the new modified code can be used with any of a plurality of possible text destinations.

Such text processed image display signals are stored in page memory 64 as working storage associated with system text processor 60A for use by laser input controller 12B.

If text processed signals are to be retained for later transmission, such text processed signals are transferred from page memory 64 to non-volatile storage 19.

From the non-volatile storage device 19, the system text processor 60A fetches the storage signal and outputs the RTC signal as shown.
1γ.

It may be retransmitted to any of the LT16 or laser input controller 12B.

In such a transmission system, text processor 60A does not retext the signal.

Text processor 60A analyzes the control characters to remove unwanted characters, while simultaneously converting code characters from one code to another, ie, from an internal code to, for example, an EBCDIC code.

1A and 1B each illustrate a copy making machine 10 constructed using the principles of the present invention and which may be advantageously used in the image communications network shown in FIG.

The central part of the copy making machine is a copy making section CPP13.

Although CPP 13 is illustrated as a transfer electrophotographic production section, there is no intention to limit it to this.

A plurality of image inputs are provided to the CPP 13.

Such inputs, selectively designated by numeral 12, include a document scanning optical input optically associated with semi-automatic document feeder 5ADF11.

The 5ADF 11 includes a document glass on which an original document is placed either manually by lifting the lid of the 5ADF (not shown) or via semi-automatic document feeding from an input tray (not shown).

The optical image from the 5ADF11 is converted into a CPP using well-known optical techniques commonly found in some types of simple copiers.
Transferred to 13.

Furthermore, the original document input optical system 12 is connected to the CPP via the common human power 23.
13 includes a laser input controller LIC that receives word processing display signals for forming an optical image that is an image input to 13.

The original document input optical system 12 is a laser input control device LIC12.
It includes not only 5ADF control device 0IC12A but also 5ADF control device 0IC12A.

The laser input may receive signals from a local terminal LT 16, which is a word processing terminal that receives word processing signal-bearing magnetic cards at the input slot 16A and ejects such cards to the output slot 16B.

The signal from LTl 6 is temporarily stored in non-volatile storage NVS19.

Additionally, a remote terminal connector RTC 17 communicates with various remote units collectively designated by the numeral 18 for communicating in the image communications network as shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, numeral 18 designates the other portion of the network as shown in FIG.

The word processing signals from LT16 or RTCl 7 are initially stored in memory 64 (FIG. 2).

The multiprocessor machine controller MPMC 15 uses the LI as well as the NVS 19 from the memory 64 to generate data to be transferred to the CPP 13, as will be further disclosed below.
Transfer the signal to C12B.

When generating the first set, the signal from memory 64 is low.
Activate IC12B.

In the second and higher numbered set, the signals stored in NVS 19 are sent to LIC 12B- and memory 64 to be supplied for image generation.

In one embodiment, print jobs received by RTCl7 and LT16 are alternated.

A priority mechanism can be used if required.

Copy making machine 10 includes a copy output section 14 having a plurality of copy receiving units.

When laser input device L112 provides an image to CPP 13, the produced copy is directed toward output 14B, as further described below.

When the 5ADF 11 is used as an input to the optical system 12, the copy making machine 10 is in copy mode and the CP
Copies made by P13 are placed in copy output tray 1.
4A or the copy collating device 14C.

In some embodiments, output section 14B is dedicated to copies made during print mode.

MPMC1 5 controls all units in copy making machine 10.

The various units controlled in conjunction, such as LIC12B, NVS19°RTCl7 and LT16, are designated M in FIG. 1A.
It is controlled by a bidirectional bus collectively designated by IDI.

Other units are related to copy making and include MP
It is controlled by MCl 5.

Communication is with copier discharge control device CEC15A, printer discharge control device PEC15B, CPP 13.5ADF
This is done by one bidirectional data bus 10C shown as being connected to controller 12A.

The interaction of the various units of copy making machine 10 will become clear from the following description.

The operation of the machine described above in carrying out the invention is illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 1C.

The flowchart in Figure 1C shows the system text processor 6.
The operation of 0A is shown.

The text received from the text source, either the terminal LT 16 or the RTC 17, is first subjected to text analysis in step 54.

This analysis is subject to text formatting constraints programmed into system text processor 60A.

Text formatting constraints include everything used in normal text processing, such as margins, tab settings, and font selection.

Such constraints are typically applied to the LT16 or RTC via an operator control word (OCL) that is transferred along with data display control signals such as a default card or signal set.
17.

Text analysis further includes comparing control characters received from LT 16 or RTC 17 with available control codes.

This is a table lookup operation in the sense that all of the event codes that can be received from LT 16 or RTC 17 are associated with all of the codes that can be used in the system shown in FIG.

A computer program in system text processor 60A adds other control characters to, replaces, or modifies the received control characters according to format constraints and available control codes.

For example, while some of these modifications are set forth in Table 1 below for use in the machine of Figure 1 for selected control characters, other control characters may also be It should be understood that other types of text processing operations similar to those shown in the table are subject to.

In Table 1 above, the left hand column shows the input text received via the input RTC 17.

Alphabetic characters represent control characters available for binary data synchronous communication.

The Greek letter alpha represents interleaved text characters.

Its coding is irrelevant to embodiments of the invention.

As a matter of fact, the universal text represented in the second column is the conversion of the input text into an internal code as far as text characters are concerned.

If, for example, the universal text is then returned to the RTC 17 for retransmission to a remote unit, the coding of the text changes.

This operation is a direct substitution well known in the text processing field.

In Table 1 above, the universal text in the second column is created as a result of receiving the input text in the first column.

The third and fourth columns show control codes for the same functions in printer text and word processing text, respectively.

For example, when the first line of input text arrives, the control code is FH.
When an I is detected, as seen in the third column, the printer text does not recognize the FHI and performs the same function with Cf(I, so a CHI is inserted after the FHI in the universal text.

It should be obvious from Table 1 that a CHI is similarly inserted in the case of the following RHI, but when a control character in the input text is detected, other texts such as printer text and word processing text Control characters with the same function as in are additionally inserted following the control characters in the input text to create universal text.

Thus, Universal Text, as the term implies, has control characters that are correctly recognized no matter where they are sent.

Some of the universal text in Table 1 do not appear to contain corresponding printer text control characters.

For example, NL in the second row and RFP in the third row are like this.

These correspond to FOR and EOP of printer text, respectively.

Although these characters are represented by different characters, the printer can recognize NL as EOR and RFF as EOP, so there is no need to insert FOR and EOP in the universal text in this case.

In a general aspect of the invention, the universal text is sent unchanged to the destination without any deletion.

Although the transmission contains redundant control characters that are useless (unrecognized) by the destination, no processing is required to modify the universal text when sent to any destination.

In certain aspects of the invention, redundant control characters are removed during transmission.

For example, when using RTC17 as the destination, the universal text control character FHI, CHI is FHI
resulting in the deletion of CHI compared to the second 'control character RH
I.

CHI causes only RHI propagation.

If the text corresponding to these control characters is transmitted to different destinations, both control characters can be
becomes.

If this text is sent to LT16, the control characters are again converted to FHI and RHI by deletion.

Other control characters using well-known input text formats have been similarly converted to various adapted texts as shown in the table.

After text analysis, the universal format text signal is stored in page memory 64, which serves as a buffer for the universal text.

Universal text from buffer or page memory 64 is passed through system text processor 60A to step 5.
6 (FIG. 1C), the undesired control code is deleted and transferred.

In addition to deleting undesired control codes, the three connection destinations 12B,
16 and 17.

Additionally, if the universal text is to be transmitted to additional destinations, the universal text is stored in non-volatile storage NVS 19 for later retrieval.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a ROM-type encoding/decoding device that may be used in a store-and-forward unit in the form of the copy-making machine of FIG. 1B.

Input text is received from LT 16 or RTC 17 via a buffer (not shown).

The control devices 60D, which can be computer programs in the system text processor, each have an AND circuit 300°3.
The set of AND gates that receive the text signal from the LT 16 or RTC 17, respectively, via 02 is selected.

The received text signal is one character at 1 o'clock in ROM3 (
13 and ROM 304.

ROM 304 receives text signals and provides conditioned encoded text or data signals to universal text or page memory 64.

Control characters from RTC 17 are decoded in ROM 303.

When additional control characters are to be added to the universal text, the ROM decoder 303 uses the OR circuit 30 to delay the text until the additional control characters are properly inserted into the universal text memory 64.
6 to a buffer (not shown).

The signal on line 305 similarly energizes cycler 307 to provide additional ROM cycles for reading additional control characters.

The ROM decoder also has a memory field that provides a signal to cycler 307 via cable 308 indicating the number of additional characters to be cycled from ROM 303 to universal text memory 64.

Cycler 307 provides timed readout signal pulses on line 309 along with swath information on cable 310 to read out such additional character signals.

That is, the field provided on cable 308 not only contains the number of characters to be read, but also the starting memory address of the first additional control character to be read.

In addition, all additional characters in Cycla 307 are ROM30.
A hold signal is provided on line 311 until read from 3.

After the hold signal is removed from line 311, the buffer (
(not shown) continues to supply input text as described above.

In this regard, universal memory 64 also includes RO
It includes a swath incrementor which causes the text received as modified by M303, 304 to be in contiguous portions in universal text memory 64.

The transfer of universal text processing signals to NVS 19 has been omitted for simplicity.

Text analyzer-modifier 60CA for LT16 is 6
It operates similarly to that described for 0CB.

The construction of the ROMs 303, 304 follows conventional, well-known ROM construction techniques, and the signal contents of the ROMs are formed according to those shown in Table 1 above.

The output of an embodiment of the ROM decoding apparatus of the present invention for providing adapted text is shown as a unit 56A containing a single ROM 315.

Universal text page 64 under control of SMP62
supplies universal text to the ROM decoder 315 one character at a time.

It should be appreciated that the ROM decoder 315 is suitable for transmitting the adapted text to one of a plurality of destinations, but additional ROM is provided for each destination.

Each time one control character is deleted from the universal text, ROM decoder 315 has a field of signals representing the number of control characters to be deleted.

For example, if one control character is deleted, R
The OM decoder 315 sends a "jump next" signal to the universal text code to eliminate reading the next control character.
Supply to memory.

If five characters are deleted, the next five characters are not transmitted from memory 64.

Thus, the transmission of text from universal text memory 64 to a destination device involves a minimum number of cycles, thereby maximizing the throughput of the store-and-forward unit in transmission mode.

Eliminating this text processing cycle is an important factor in providing maximum performance at minimum cost.

By examining Table 1, if the universal
It is clear that the first control character received from the text should be removed.

In such a case, ROM decoder 315 replaces the first control character with the second character and jumps to the second character even when the second character is permissible for the adapted text. programmed.

For example, in the first row of Table 1, the control character CHI must be used when going from the universal text control characters FHI, CHI to printer text.

However, only one transmitted character cycle is desired.

Therefore, if the ROM decoder 315 is adapted for printer text transmission, the decoding of the FHI in the ROM decoder 315 removes the transmission of CHI characters from the CHI output and universal text during the first cycle. This causes a jump of one character position.

procedure is used in conjunction with the deletion of other control characters.

In one example, universal text may have a variable number of control characters for a given input character.

In such cases, the universal text includes a length field indicating the number of control characters.

This length field is decoded by ROM decoder 315 to determine the actual number of characters to jump to in universal text memory 64 output or transmission mode.

It is of course possible to create a universal text using a computer microprogram instead of using the configuration shown in FIG.

In this case, when a control character in the human text is detected, the microprogram routine associated with the control character is called and can make the necessary additions, insertions, and changes to create the universal text.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block signal flow diagram of a device incorporating the present invention. 60...System control processor, 60A...
...System text processor, 60B...
・・・Communication adapter, 60C・・・Record・
Adapter, 64... page Memory, 17...
- Remote terminal device connector, 16... Local terminal device, 12B... Image generator, 19... Non-volatile memory. FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a control system for operation of the machine shown in FIG. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a machine constructed using the arrangement shown in FIG. FIG. 1C is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the machine shown in FIGS. 1-1B for manipulating text in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention when implemented in a fixed logic system rather than a programmable system.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A method of operating a store-and-forward device for transmitting signals to any one of a plurality of different destination units using mutually incompatible text control character signals, the method comprising: receiving a message comprising text control character signals inserted between text character signals; accessing a memory with each control character signal in said received message; a step of reading out a control character signal that performs the same function; and a step of creating a universal text by additionally inserting the control character signal thus read out into the received message consecutively with the control character signal in the received message. and storing the universal text; and transmitting the stored universal text to one of the destination units. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting includes the step of deleting other control character signals in order to transmit only the control character signals used by the destination unit receiving the transmission. How a store-and-forward device works.