Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2004-08-10
Garcia, Gabriel (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C358S001120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06775024
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for selective detection and readout of at least one character string, wherein the at least one character string is input into a data processing unit and is incorporated into a primary output signal stream output at an output interface of the data processing unit, wherein the number of characters of each character string in each case does not exceed a predetermined maximum number and wherein position control signals are allocated to each character string and are inserted into a predetermined portion of the primary output signal stream, wherein the position control signals can cause a primary output device which is capable of being connected to the output interface to output the character string allocated thereto in each case at a predetermined output position of an output medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Data processing units of the most varied construction and size are used on a large scale for the most varied tasks, for example for controlling and monitoring equipment, installations and automated processes, for office and communication tasks, in research and development as well as in the entertainment sector. For output of the processed data a large number of the most varied data processing units are connected to the most varied data output devices. The data processing units include for example mainframe computers, PCs, mini- and microcomputers, but also control and regulating devices. Output devices can be display devices, such as cathode ray tubes or LCD displays, or also printers or plotters. The output devices are connected at an interface to the data processing unit. The interface can be a standard interface, for example a parallel Centronics interface of a serial RS-232 interface. The output interface of the data processing unit must be adapted to the input interface of the output device. With regard to the hardware this means first of all that the signals emitted by the data processing unit at the output interface must be adapted as regards their voltage and current level and as regards the time defaults to the requirements of the output device. Furthermore, the serial or parallel output signal sequences should also be adapted in their logical significance, for example as regards the coding used, the control signals used and the protocol used, to the requirements of the output device.
A vast number of data processing units can receive, process and output character strings. A character string should be understood as a sequence of coded characters. A character may for example be a text character (letter, number, special character) or a pseudo-graphics character. Characters are usually coded with the aid of a predetermined number of bits, wherein the number of bits determines the number of different characters which can be coded by the code. There are a series of standard codes for coding the most common characters, for example ASCII code or ANSI code.
The majority of available output devices can receive signal streams containing character strings of a standard code from serial or parallel interfaces and process them for output. In addition, the majority of output devices require signals which control the positioning of the output characters on an output medium. In the case of a printer these are for example characters which indicate the start of a new page, a new line or a specific position in the line, as well as the font used, the size of the character or color. Displays require signals which for example display the position of the characters to be output on the screen or clearing of the screen. The various known output devices (printers, displays) use a large number of the most varied control signals and control signal sequences.
In an existing data processing unit it is frequently necessary to change the connected output device for a new one or to add a further output device. Then the problem often occurs that the control signals output from the output interface by the data processing unit under the control of the programs run on the data processing unit can no longer be completely and correctly interpreted by the new or additional output device. Even when a standard hardware interface is used with the same signal levels and time signal sequences, as a rule only a proportion of the transmitted characters are correctly interpreted by the output device. In particular the control signals used for formatting and positioning of the output characters can often no longer be correctly interpreted by the new or additional output device.
Similar problems occur when parallel to or as a replacement for an existing output device another output device intended to further process and output only a proportion of the output character strings is to be connected to the data processing device. A typical example of this is the connection of a printer for printing address labels parallel to a printer printing standard letters. The address label printer should filter out from the output signal stream output by the data processing unit to the letter printer only the address components located in the letterhead and should print these on an address label. It should ignore the rest of the data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention therefore is to be able to selectively detect and read out character strings in an output signal stream from a data processing unit without a subsequent intervention into the existing software of the data processing unit being necessary and without the need for the user to have knowledge of the software which generates the output signal stream.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a method with the features of claim
1
. The character strings to be selectively detected and read out are the character strings input into a data processing unit in normal operation which are incorporated into a primary signal stream output at an output interface of the data processing unit. The number of characters of each character string does not exceed a predetermined maximum number. The input of the character strings and the incorporation into the primary output signal stream is usually controlled by the programs running on the data processing unit. A character string is understood to be not only the input sequence of an operator which is for example made visible on an input mask of a screen of the data processing unit but also the sequential output signal sequence to the output interface which is generated therefrom. The character string does not have to be input into the data processing unit by an operator; it can also reach an input area by output of a program running on the data processing device or another device. A data processing device should be understood to be any device or part of a device to which a character string can be input in coded form and which outputs this character string, possibly changing the coding, at an output interface. The maximum number of characters of each character string is predetermined by the software running on the data processing unit and is indicated for example by the width of an input field visible in an input mask of a screen. Position control signals are allocated to each character string and inserted into a predetermined portion of the primary output signal stream, wherein the position control signals can cause a primary output device which is capable of being connected to the output interface to output the character string associated therewith in each case at a predetermined output position of an output medium. The predetermined portion of the primary output signal stream is for example that portion which describes a page of a screen or a printer and is initiated or terminated by a corresponding control signal. The output medium is for example a printed page or a label or a page of the screen. The position control signals are those control signals which can influence the output position of a character string on the output medium. In addition further control signals can be incorporated into the output signal stream which for example control the way
Blakely & Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman
Garcia Gabriel
LandOfFree
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