JPS61127028A - Data converter using magnetic disk - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the cost per memory capacity and at the same time to improve the application factor of a host computer in an operating mode of an output device. CONSTITUTION:The conversion codes of the print data to be converted is recorded in a specific area of a magnetic disk 103. This conversion code is called out to a memory of a code converting part 104 when a power supply is applied. Thus a preparatory state is secured and the print data given from a host computer are supplied to the disk 103 via an input buffer memory 101. The data supplied to the disk 103 are sent to a code converting part 104 via an output buffer memory 102 and converted into codes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a data conversion device using a magnetic disk for converting print data from a computer into a control code for a printer to be connected and driving the printer. .

(Prior Art) Various personal computers have been developed and are commercially available, and corresponding printers, XY plotters, etc. are also commercially available.

However, since the control codes and output speeds are different, it is impossible to connect them if they are made by different manufacturers.

Even if products from the same manufacturer are of different series, it is often impossible to connect them.

In order to solve this problem, a proposal has been made and partially implemented to interpose a data conversion device using a RAM between the computer and the output device to enable mutual connection.

However, data conversion devices using RAM have problems such as high cost per storage capacity.

(Object of the Invention) The object of the present invention is to reduce the cost per storage capacity by using a magnetic disk as a recording medium, and to convert data that can improve the utilization efficiency of the host computer while the output device is operating. The goal is to provide equipment.

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, a data conversion device using a magnetic disk according to the present invention includes a write bus/sofa memory that receives print data from a combiator, and stores data input to the buffer memory. A magnetic disk that stores conversion codes for a plurality of types of printers connected to the device, a read buffer memory that receives the contents of the disk, a conversion code memory that stores conversion codes for printers connected to the device, and a code. It consists of a conversion section, input means for inputting the type of printing printer, and a central processing unit that controls each section, and the central processing unit reads the control code of the connected printer into the conversion code memory and inputs it to the computer. completes preparations for receiving print data from the computer, inputs it to the disk via the write buffer memory, retrieves the contents of the disk via the read buffer memory, and processes the code converter in accordance with the contents of the conversion code memory. It is configured to convert the code and drive the connected printer.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings and the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of data in a data conversion device using a magnetic disk according to the present invention.

A specific area of the magnetic disk 103 is scheduled to be converted 1
The conversion code of the printed data is recorded.

A conversion code for converting print data from the host computer connected to the input port of this embodiment device into data for driving the printer connected to the output port of this embodiment device at the same time as the power is turned on. is called into the memory of the code conversion unit 104. This state is shown in FIG. 1 by a broken line.

This creates a preparation state, and print data from the host computer is input to the magnetic disk 103 via the input buffer memory 101.

Further, the data input to the magnetic disk 103 is sent to the code converter 104 via the output sofa memory 102 and is code converted.

The converted data is connected to the printer via the output port to drive the printer.

FIG. 2 is a front view and a rear view of an embodiment of a data conversion device using a magnetic disk according to the present invention.

A magnetic disk insertion slot 2 and a buffer memory remaining capacity display section 4 are provided on the front surface of the housing 1.

On the back side of the housing 1, input ports 201, 202 and output ports 203, 204 are provided.

Similarly, a digital switch 3 provided on the back side is a device for inputting the type of printer or the like connected to this device.

This embodiment device uses Centronics (US connection standard for communication between devices) IN as the human-powered boat 201, R3232C IN (US connection standard for communication between devices) as the input boat 202, and output port 203. Centronics OUT is used as the output port 204, and R3232COUT is used as the output port 204.

Therefore, in this example, Centronics-R5232
C, Centronics-Centronics, R5232C-
Centronics, R5232C4R3232C can be connected.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the circuit of a data converter using a magnetic disk according to the present invention.

In the figure, 310 is a system bus line of this device, which is used for data transfer and instruction transmission between devices, which will be described later.

The parallel interface 10301 is connected to the input port 201 shown in FIG. 2, and is a parallel interface (2)0 that accepts Centronics output from a host computer (not shown).

The R3232C i7'Ace IO 302 is connected to the input port 202 shown in FIG. 2, and accepts the R3232C output from a host computer (not shown).

Clock oscillator 303 is an oscillator that generates a clock for this device.

The baud rate generator 304 is connected to the clock from the clock oscillator 303 and outputs a baud rate.

CPU 305 is an 8-bit CPU and forms the central processing unit of this device. The functions of the CPU 305 will be described later with reference to a flowchart.

The magnetic disk 103 is loaded into a magnetic disk driver 315 and operated by a signal from a magnetic disk controller 306. 307 is a data separator. 308 is an IC for direct memory transfer.

The data for R3232C converted by this device is R
It is output from the serial IO 309 for the 5232C output port via the output port 204.

The 4-byte ROM 311 is used as an initial program loader.

The memory 312 is a RAM, and includes the input cover sofa memory 101 and the output cover sofa memory 1 described with reference to FIG.
02, the code converter 104 is defined within this memory 312.

The parallel interface IO313 is connected to the output port 203 shown in FIG. 2, and the data for Centronics converted by this device is sent to the output port 203 shown in FIG.
03 to the printer.

Operating power for each of the circuits is supplied from a power source 314.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the central processing unit (CPU 305).

(*401 to *402) When the power is turned on, each part of the hardware shown in FIG. 3 is initialized by the initial program in the ROM 311.

(*403) The remaining amount display section 4 shown in FIG. 2 is cleared.

C*404) Reset the pointers of the input buffer memory 101 and output buffer memory 102 described with reference to FIG.

(*405) The printer type inputted by the digital switch 3 shown in FIG. 2(B) is read.

($406 to *409) are programs that determine the printer type A-N from the read contents.

(*410 to $411) If the printer is not one of the registered printers, an error message is displayed and the printer is stopped.

○When it is determined that the program is one of A to H, the program moves to the respective program. The explanation will be given assuming that printer A is now connected.

(*420 to $421) The code conversion unit 104 (specifically, a specific area of the RAM 312) shown in FIG. 1 reads out the conversion code for printer A from the magnetic disk 103.
Set to .

(*422) A signal indicating that preparation for accepting input data is complete is output to a host computer (not shown).

This makes the routine shown in FIG. 4 (part 3) valid.

(*423) Enter data processing.

(*440) A routine that accepts data for one character from the host computer becomes valid and executed.

(*441) Indicates to the host computer that data can be accepted (next data will not be accepted while routine 3 is being executed).

(*442) If data can be accepted, input one character of data from the input port.

(*443) Update the input amount of data.

(*444) The remaining amount is output to the display section 4 in FIG. 2.

(*445 to *446) Read data for one character into the input cover sofa 101 and update the pointer.

(*447) Based on the reading, it is determined whether the input sofa is full.

(*450~$451) If it is full, magnetic disk 1
Write one sector worth of data to 03.

(*452) Empty the input buffer 101.

(*448 to *449) Indicates to the host computer that data can be accepted and creates a state in which one character can be accepted.

(*423-*424) It is checked whether there is any data to be exported to the magnetic disk (see Part 2 of Figure 4).

(*425 to $426) Read data for one character from the magnetic disk and convert the data for printer A.

(*427) Determine whether the connected printer is in a state where it can accept data.

(=428) Output data for one character to the printer.

(*429) Update the total remaining amount.

(*430) Return to start (*423).

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above in detail, the data conversion device according to the present invention allows host computers and printers of different series to
XY profilers, etc. can be matched, and the efficiency of use of the device can be expanded.

Since the data conversion device according to the present invention uses a magnetic disk, the contents are preserved even if there is an accident such as a power outage. Although it is not impossible to configure a backup system using a conventional data conversion device using a RAM, a system for backing up a large capacity RAM is large-scale and cumbersome.

The data conversion device according to the present invention can reduce the cost per unit capacity.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of data in a data conversion device using a magnetic disk according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view and a rear view of an embodiment of a data conversion device using a magnetic disk according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit of a data conversion device using a magnetic disk according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control device. 1... Housing 2... Magnetic disk insertion section 3... Digital switch 4... Buffer remaining amount display section 101... Input buffer memory 102... Output sofa memory 103... Magnetic disk 104...Code converter 201.202...Input port 203.204...Output port 301...Interface ■0 302...Interface ■0 303...Clock oscillator 304...Baud rate Generator 305...Central processing unit (CPU) 306...Magnetic disk controller 307...Data separator 308...IC 309 for direct memory transfer...
・Interface IO 310...System path line 311...Initial program loader 312...
RAM 313...Interface IO 314...Power supply

Claims (1)

[Claims] a write buffer memory that accepts print data from a computer; a magnetic disk that stores data input to the buffer memory and conversion codes for a plurality of types of printers connected to the device; and a magnetic disk that accepts the contents of the disk. Consisting of a read buffer memory, a conversion code memory for storing a conversion code of a printer connected to the device, a code conversion section, an input means for inputting the type of printing printer, and a central processing unit for controlling each of the above sections, The central processing unit reads the control code of the connected printer into the conversion code memory to complete preparations for accepting print data from the computer, inputs it to the disk via the write buffer memory, and converts the contents of the disk. A data conversion device using a magnetic disk configured to take out a code through the read buffer memory, convert the code in the code converter according to the contents of the conversion code memory, and drive the connected printer.