JPS63276120A - Buffer memory for xy plotter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize an off-line application of an XY plotter even in a plotting system applying the bidirectional communication, by adding a function to an XY plotter buffer memory to perform output of the state value of a plotter set previously. CONSTITUTION:The state value of an XY plotter such as its plotting range corresponding to a form size, etc., is set previously at an output value setting part 12 of an XY plotter buffer memory 7. Here a computer 1 inquires the memory 7 about the present plotting range of the plotter. Thus the plotting range set previously at the part 12 is delivered to the computer 1. Then the plotting data sized by the computer 1 in accordance with said plotting range is stored in a floppy disk of a memory part 11. This floppy disk is loaded into the memory 7 connected to the XY plotter. Thus the XY plotter draws a prescribed chart.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a buffer memory for an XY plotter.

In particular, the present invention relates to a buffer memory suitable for a drawing system that employs bidirectional communication handshaking.

[Conventional technology]

One of the purposes of conventional buffer memories for XY plotters has been offline use of the XY plotter. However, in this offline use, the XY plotter is naturally separated from the computer.

Therefore, data is transferred by handshaking through bidirectional communication. In the plotting system, even if an external computer inquires about the status of the XY plotter, the buffer memory cannot respond to the inquiry, so the system stops operating.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The above-mentioned conventional technology does not take into consideration the fact that data is transferred by handshaking in two-way communication, and there is a problem of operation stoppage.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system that allows offline use of an XY plotter even in a plotting system that employs two-way communication.
The aim is to realize a buffer memory for an XY plotter.

[Means for solving problems]

The above purpose is to provide an output value setting section in the buffer memory for an XY plotter in order to provide the buffer memory with a bidirectional communication function, especially a function of outputting preset status values regarding the status of the plotter. This is achieved by

[Effect]

Since the buffer memory is added to the output value setting section,
If the XY plotter is not connected, the status of the XY plotter inquired by the computer can be output on behalf of the XY plotter and transmitted to the computer. The state value to be output can be set in advance on the buffer memory. This allows the computer to receive answers from the buffer memory even if the XY plotter is not connected, and data continues to be transferred from the computer and stored in the memory section of the buffer memory.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. This figure is a block diagram of a computer and a buffer memory when an XY plotter (not shown) is used offline in a plotting system without being connected to the computer.

The computer 1 constituting the drawing system has an input section 29
Display section 3. It consists of a memory section 4, an interface section 5, and a control section 6 that controls these.

The buffer memory 7 for the XY plotter connected to this is connected to the input side interface section 8. Output side interface section 9. In addition to the operating section 10 and the memory section 11, it further includes an output value setting section 12 and a control section 13 that controls these.

The above 12 is provided according to the present invention,
It is used to set the plotting range, window range, scaling point, and/or coordinate range related to the plotting range of the XY plotter corresponding to the paper size.

The program of the drawing system is stored in the memory unit 4. In this embodiment, the memory section 4 uses a floppy disk 14 as a recording medium, and by exchanging the floppy disk 14, it is possible to change to another drawing program. Input of drawing data is performed by the input section 2 and can be displayed on the display section 3.

Plotting data for an XY plotter (not shown) is sent to a buffer memory 7 via an interface section 5.

In the buffer memory 7, the operation mode, file number, etc. are selected using the operation unit 10.

As in this example, when the XY plotter is disconnected, a store mode is selected in which plotting data transferred from the computer 1 is exclusively stored in the floppy disk 15 of the memory section 11. Note that the output side interface section 9 is for transferring the stored plotting data to the XY plotter, but as in this example, it does not operate when the XY plotter is not connected.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an example of communication handshake between the computer and the buffer memory in this embodiment.

The computer 1 inquires of the buffer memory 7, for example, about the current plotting range of the plotter, as shown at 8110 in the figure. The buffer memory side reads out the plotting range preset by the output value setting section 12 based on the instruction from the control section 13 (step 580 in the same figure), and outputs it from the interface section 8 to the computer 1 (step 590 in the same figure). .

Computer 1, which received this (8120 in the figure),
The drawing is sized according to the drawing range (8130 in the figure), and the process proceeds to the next step.

If there is no response from the buffer side, the computer stops waiting for a response (3120 in the figure).

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of output value setting in the buffer memory 7.

Operation panel 16 at the back of the operation unit 10 and the output value setting unit 12
An output value setting key 17 is arranged above.

Here, if you press the Na 1 key, for example, the drawing range corresponding to the A1 size version is set, and from Nα2 to Nα
By pressing the 4 key, the drawing range corresponding to the A2 to A4 size is set.

FIG. 4 shows an example of offline use of the XY plotter of this embodiment.

As described above, the drawing data transmitted from the computer 1 side is stored on the floppy disk 1 of the buffer memory 7.
5 is stored. When the floppy disk 15 with data stored in this way is loaded into the buffer memory 7 connected to the XY plotter 18, the plotting data in the floppy disk 15 is transferred to the output side interface section 9 in the buffer memory 7. The image is sent to the XY plotter 18 via the XY plotter 18, and predetermined drawing is executed.

In this embodiment, the printing range corresponding to the A1 to A41 size paper to be used can be set arbitrarily, and the setting can be done using the keys on the front of the operation panel, so the setting operation is extremely simple. There is.

In the above embodiment, the plotting range of the XY plotter is output from the buffer memory, but other XY plotter status values, such as scaling points, window ranges, or coordinate ranges related to the plotting range, may also be output. It is also included in the present invention to do so.

Furthermore, although the output values were set using keys on the operation panel, it is of course possible to use other setting means such as dip switches.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, preset plotter status values can be output to the XY plotter buffer memory in response to an external request, so even a two-way communication handshake plotting system that queries plotter status values can be used. , the XY plotter can be used offline.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing part of a handshake operation in bidirectional communication, FIG. 3 is a front view of a buffer memory, and FIG. 4
The figure is a configuration diagram of the XY plotter when used offline. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Computer, 2... Input part, 3... Display part, 4... Memory part, 5... Interface part, 6
...control section. 7... Buffer memory, 8... Input side interface, 9... Output side interface, 10... Operation section, 11... Memory section, 12... Output value setting section, 13
...control section. 14...Floppy disk, 15...Floppy disk, 16...Operation panel, 17...Output value setting key, 18...XY plotter.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Input side and output side interface sections connected to a computer and an XY plotter, respectively, a memory section for storing plotting data, and selection operation of key operation mode, file number, etc. A buffer memory for an XY plotter comprising an operation section for controlling operations and a control section for controlling the operations of each of the sections, characterized in that an output value setting section is provided for presetting state values of the plotter to be output to the computer side. Buffer memory for XY plotter. 2. In claim 1, the output value setting section includes:
A buffer memory for an XY plotter, characterized in that at least one of a plotting range of the XY plotter corresponding to the paper size and a coordinate range related to the plotting range is set. 3. In claim 1, the output value setting section includes:
A buffer memory for an XY plotter, characterized in that a scaling point of the XY plotter corresponding to the paper size is set. 4. In claim 1, the output value setting section includes:
A buffer memory for an XY plotter, characterized in that a window range of the XY plotter is set corresponding to the paper size.