GB2113153A

GB2113153A - Interface for phototypesetting systems

Info

Publication number: GB2113153A
Application number: GB08138207A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Neilson
Original assignee: GREENWAY AND SONS Ltd DANIEL
Current assignee: GREENWAY AND SONS Ltd DANIEL
Priority date: 1981-12-18
Filing date: 1981-12-18
Publication date: 1983-08-03
Also published as: GB2113153B

Abstract

A phototypesetting system comprises two computer based composing systems 1a, 1b which are connected to a phototypesetter 2 via an interface device 3. This interface device 3 includes a multiplexer for multiplexing the copy from the two composing systems 1 to the phototypesetter 2 and status signaling sections 10a, 10b arranged to convey status signals relating to the operating condition of the phototypesetter 2 back to the composing systems 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION interface for phototypesetting systems The present invention relates to an interface device for phototypesetting systems.

Phototypesetting systems are known which involve the use of a computer based composing system and a phototypesetter which has text delivered to it from the composing system and produces phototypeset copy on a medium such as a type of resin-coated photographic material.

According to the present invention there is provided an interface device for interfacing between at least two computer-based composing systems and a phototypesetter comprising an electronic multiplexer for selectively delivering signals from each of the composing systems to the phototypesetter and a signalling arrangement for sending to each of the composing systems status signals relating to the phototypesetter.

Preferably at least some of the status signals are set by the operator of the phototypesetter, for example by means of front panel switches. The status signals may include signals relating to parameters such as the paper width to be used on the phototypesetter, there being available a number of different widths appropriate for different widths of copy, and signals indicating whether the phototypesetter, or a section thereof where it includes more than one output device is to be temporarily dedicated to one of the composing systems.

Preferably the phototypesetter has at least two output devices to which incoming copy can be routed by the interface device, the interface device being arranged to route copy from an available phototypesetter output section appropriate to the copy in question in terms of the required paper width. This routing may be overridden by the operator to temporarily dedicate one of the sections to one of the composing systems.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:~ FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a phototypesetting system incorporating an interface device according to the present invention; and FIGURES 2a to 2d show in detail the circuitry of the interface device of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows two computer based composing systems 1 a and 1 b which may each be of the "Composing System VII" type, by Ferranti Limited which has the facility to compose the copy from text input via one or more user-operated terminals.

The composing systems 1 a and 1 b are interfaced with the phototypesetter 2 by means of an interface device 3 embodying the present invention. The phototypesetter may be an APS 5 from Autologic Inc which has two output sections which may be operated simultaneously.

The interface device 3 comprises a multiplexer 5 which accepts copy from the systems 1 a and 1 b via lines 6 and 7 and contains suitable circuitry to drive a cable 8 which may be sufficiently long to enable the phototypesetter 2 to be physically remote from the composing systems. The cable goes to the phototypesetter interface 9 located by the phototypesetter and which has associated with it two status circuits 1 Oa and 1 Ob which are connected respectively via lines 11 a and 11 b to the systems 1 a and 1 b to indicate the current status of the phototypesetter.

Referring now to Figure 2a, the multiplexer 5 includes two connectors 12a and 12b which connect the multiplexer via the lines 6 and 7 to the systems 1 a and 1 b. These connectors are in turn connected to a multiplexing section 13 which includes "74" series data multiplexers which are in turn connected to a set of line drivers 14 which are suitable to supply RS 232 levels to an output connector 15 connected to the cable 8.

The multiplexer also includes a pair 16 of line receivers also connected to the connector 15 for receiving signals from the phototypesetter interface 9, as well as multiplex control logic 17 and handshake routing logic 18 for enabling handshake signals to be appropriately routed to the composing systems 1 a and 1 b.

Figures 2b to 2d show the circuitry of the phototypesetter interface 9 and status boards 1 Oa and 1 Ob. These may be located in a control box having a front panel with user-operable switches and a number of displays both to verify the status as set up on the switches and to indicate various other variables.

Referring to Figure 2b, this shows switching control circuitry generally designated 20 operable by the operator by means of switches generally designated 21 and 22 and having associated with its logic circuitry 23 and 24 which produces logic signals in accordance with the state of the switches. The switches 21 include a number of switches to select the width of paper in use and also switches to indicate whether film or paper is being used by the phototypesetter. The switch 22 include a first switch 22a to produce a "no access" signal to prevent access to the phototypesetter, a switch 22b which is used to produce a "release" signal which instructs a composing system to release control of the phototypesetter at the completion of a job and a switch 22c which produces an "available" signal to indicate that one of the sections of the phototypesetter is available.Figure 2b also shows a number of lamps and lamp driver circuitry to indicate the state of these and a number of other switches shown in Figure 2d.

Figure 2c shows an input connector 24 connected to the remote end of the cable 8 and a number of line receivers 25 connected to a number of the pins of the connector 24 to receive data over the line 8 from the multiplexer 5. This data is captured by data latches 26 and applied via suitable drivers 27 to a number of pins of an output connector 28 which is connected to the phototypesetter 2.

Figure 2c also shows power-on reset circuitry 29 and a pair 30 of line drivers delivering signals via the connector 24 and cable 8 back to the multiplexer to indicate which section of the phototypesetter is selected for each of the composing systems. Also shown is handshake control circuitry 31 for producing appropriate timing signals for handshaking between the composing systems and the phototypesetter and a display section 32 which includes a number of front panel LEDs which are used to display signals generated in the interface 9 and status circuitry 10a and lob.

Figure 2d shows a section 33 which handles status outputs from the circuitry 1 Oa and 1 Ob and also control inputs from the systems 1 a and 1 b to enable the composing systems, interface device and phototypesetter to interact in the desired manner. Figure 2d also shows switching control logic 34 including switches 34a and 34b which can be used to assign a section of the phototypesetter to each of the composing systems 1 a and 1 b and an "auto" switch 34c to establish an automatic mode of operation in which each composing system looks to see whether there is a suitable phototypesetter section available to it and, if there is, to transmit copy to it.

Finally Figure 2d shows multiplex selection logic 35 which derives signals to be delivered to the multiplexer 5 to indicate which composing system is assigned to which section of the phototypesetter. This includes logic to prevent invalid operation, for example the same section of the phototypesetter being accessed simultaneously by both composing systems.

In summary, the status control switches of the interface device 3 enable the operator of the phototypesetter to define the manner in which the composing systems 1 a and 1 b and the two sections of the phototypesetter 2 interact with one another. The width of paper used in each section may be defined and each section of the phototypesetter temporarily dedicated to one of the composing systems. As mentioned above an auto mode can also be established where each composing system looks to see whether there is a phototypesetter section available which is appropriate, in terms of the paper and copy widths, to the job in question.

It will be appreciated that the invention may also be employed where there are more than two composing systems and more than 2 sections of the phototypesetter. The interface device may also be used to provide information regarding the operating status of the phototypesetter to remote terminals.

Claims

1. An interface device for interfacing between at least two computer-based composing systems and a phototypesetter comprising an electronic multiplexer for selectively delivering signals from each of the composing systems to the phototypesetter and a signalling arrangement for sending to each of the composing systems status signals relating to the phototypesetter.

2. An interface device according to claim 1 , for use with a phototypesetter having at least two output devices to which incoming copy can be routed by the interface device, the interface device being arranged so as, in use, to route copy from one of the composing systems to one of the output devices for which a predetermined condition is indicated by the status signals relating thereto.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the predetermined condition is the width of print material available at the output device.

4. A phototypesetting system comprising at least two composing systems, a phototypesetter and an interface device according to claim 1,2 or 3 connecting the composing systems to the phototypesetter.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the arrangement is such that at least some of the status signals are, in use, set by the operator of the phototypesetters.

6. A phototypesetting system according to claim 5 wherein the-status signals include signals relating to the paper width.

7. A system according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the interface device is arranged so as to permit the user to temporarily dedicate an output device of the phototypesetter to a particular one of the composing systems.

8. An interface device for interfacing between at least two computer based composing systems and a phototypesetter, such interface being constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2a to 2d of the accompanying drawings.

9. A phototypesetting system constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.