GTCO CalComp MM II 1201, User Manual

Page 1: ...ion B Baud Rate Section C Communication Protocols Section D Report Formats Binary Report Format ASCII BCD Report Format Operating Characteristics and Functions Section A Controlling the Report Flow Point Mode Remote Request Mode Stream Mode Switch Stream Mode Report Rate Increment Mode Axis Update Mode Section B Setting the Resolution Resolution Predefined Resolution Definable Set X Y Scale Sectio...

Page 2: ...cs Tablet Section A Power Prox Light Section B A Quick Functional Check Section C Diagnostic Functions Code Check Echo Self Test Send Test Results Operating Environment Care and Service Section A Operating Environment Section B Service Section C Care and Cleaning Section D Changing the Stylus Refill Specifications Changing the Set Up Jumpers ASCII Conversion Chart Quick Reference of Commands and D...

Page 3: ... for computer manipulation Steering a computer screen pointer Selecting locations on menus Drawing and tracing The components required for a functional MM II are Tablet Stylus or cursor Interface cable Power source The tablet is similar to a drawing board The stylus and cursor are handheld devices that are used for pointing or drawing on the tablet The interface cable connects the graphics tablet ...

Page 4: ...to a inch of material drawings photos etc between the tablet and stylus cursor allowing it to issue reports The active area and proximity in effect establish a three dimensional volume within which the stylus cursor can issue valid reports Reports issued from outside of this volume are out of prox and therefore do not represent the current position of the stylus cursor Reports are measured in coun...

Page 5: ...n The tablet reports the same coordinates for any point within the square With different resolution settings you can receive different reports for the same tablet location In the illustration below points A and B are the same physical locations on the tablet but their coordinates are different because of the resolution setting ...

Page 6: ...y rate except as follows After turning on the tablet or issue the Reset command wait approximately ten milliseconds before sending commands Commands that require a tablet response If you send a command to the tablet that requires a response the tablet does so within two milliseconds Wait until the host receives the entire response before issuing another command to the tablet Section D Alternative ...

Page 7: ... host and power source 3 Turn on the tablet 4 Attach the document clips Optional NOTE Always have the computer and tablet power off when attaching or detaching any part of the MM II If the power is on nothing serious happens to the MM II but it could have the potential to corrupt the file being worked on or cause the computer to malfunction Installing MM II Graphics Tablet 1 Plug the stylus cursor...

Page 8: ...let from both simultaneously Pin 9 and the power supply socket are connected inside the 25 pin D connector Therefore power applied to one also exists on the other Ensure that nothing is attached to the source not in use Power from the host must supply 12 VDC at 250 mA less than 50 mV ripple 10 regulation and a rise time less than 100 milliseconds Once the tablet is connected to the computer instal...

Page 9: ...on and receiving power Second it is a proximity indicator The light remains lit when the stylus cursor is in prox It blinks when the stylus cursor is out of prox If the light blinks when the stylus cursor is in prox one of two problems exists Either the stylus cursor is not connected to the tablet or it is malfunctioning Service information appears in Chapter 8 4 Attach the document clips Optional...

Page 10: ...t Chapter 3 Interfacing with the Host For successful communication between MM II and its host they must have the same hardware interface baud rate communications protocol and report format Section A Hardware Interface The hardware interface consists of one cable terminated with a 25 pin male D connector If the computer requires a different connector contact your GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologie...

Page 11: ...e tablet from the power supply and host simultaneously Pin 9 and the power supply socket are connected inside the 25 pin D connector Therefore power applied to one also exists on the other Ensure that nothing is attached to the source not in use RS 232C Interface The RS 232C lines are configured as DTE Data Terminal Equipment The signal levels comply with standard signal levels for data transmissi...

Page 12: ...75 to 19 200 baud After turning on the tablet the first character it must receive from the host is an ASCII space SP The tablet uses this to identify the host baud rate and to set its own accordingly Section C Communication Protocols The MM II communication protocols are Number of start bits 1 Number of data bits 8 Number of stop bits 1 Parity odd or none The standard product has odd parity To cha...

Page 13: ...MM II 13 Binary Report Format Binary Format for Absolute Coordinates Binary Format for Relative Coordinates ...

Page 14: ...MM II 14 Key LSB is the least significant bit MSB is the most significant bit Fa Fb and Fc are the flag bits They identify the status of the stylus and cursor buttons ...

Page 15: ...r 0 Command controlled PR is the proximity bit 0 is in prox and 1 is out of prox PH is the phasing bit which is always 1 X0 X1 etc and Y0 Y1 etc are the X and Y coordinate bits ASCII BCD Report Format The ASCII BCD format depends on the coordinate system and resolution Resolution Absolute Coordinates Relative Coordinates 1 to 508 lpi 20 lpmm 1000 lpi or 40 lpmm XXXX YYYY F CR LF XXXXX YYYYY F CR L...

Page 16: ...inate digit where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9 is an ASCII comma Y is a Y coordinate digit where each digit is an ASCII character from 0 to 9 F is the stylus and cursor flag character identifying the button status ...

Page 17: ...w Tablet resolution Tablet origin location The tablet accepts commands from the host at any rate except in a few situations These are listed in Chapter 1 Section C Commands Controlling the Tablet s Operation So that the MM II is operable upon arrival at your facility it is set to predefined default settings The unit defaults to these settings each time you turn on the tablet or issue the Reset com...

Page 18: ... prox the last valid report is issued for each button press Remote Request Mode In Remote Request Mode the tablet issues one report each time the host sends a trigger command Issue the mode command once Thereafter send only a trigger command for each report After initiating Remote Request Mode the tablet issues the report resulting from the first trigger within ten milliseconds Issue reports with ...

Page 19: ... Switch Stream Mode the graphics tablet issues report continuously while pressing a stylus cursor button The Report Rate described below controls the number of reports issued per second If the stylus cursor is out of prox when pressing a button the last in prox scanned report is issued continuously Report Rate ASCII command Report Rate equal to Maximum throughput Maximum throughput 2 Maximum throu...

Page 20: ...lus cursor has traveled a minimum distance in the X or Y direction This minimum distance is the increment It applies to both axes and is measured in counts of resolution Its limits are 0 to 95 counts NOTE When using Increment Mode we recommend using a resolution setting of 50 lpi or higher How Increment Mode Works The last report issued becomes the center of an imaginary square The square s sides ...

Page 21: ...nary square The process repeats The following illustration shows the imaginary square created around a report point The increment is five The following example shows the reports issued as the stylus cursor travels across the tablet The increment is ten We have assumed that the first point collected is the origin 0 0 ...

Page 22: ...nd then convert the sum into your preferred number base For example if the desired increment value is 10 decimal desired increment 32 increment value in decimal increment value in hexadecimal increment value in ASCII 10 32 42 decimal 2A hexadecimal ASCII To disable Increment Mode set the increment to zero with the ASCII space character SP The length of a count can vary depending on the resolution ...

Page 23: ...n met when the tablet receives this trigger the tablet advises an updated report Stream Mode and Increment Mode The tablet issues a report only when the increment is met It can issue reports up to the established Report Rate Also pressing a stylus cursor button reissues the last valid report twice once when the button is pressed and then again when it s released The difference between these report...

Page 24: ...on points The points issued are Point Report Description 1 2 3 4 No 5 6 0 0 10 0 10 10 20 10 point is 30 10 30 20 Reference point the first point collected in Axis Update Mode X update was met Y was not Last Y value repeated Y update was met X was not Last X value repeated X update was met Y was not Last Y value repeated issued between points 4 and 5 because the same report is not issued consecuti...

Page 25: ...in counts The length of a count can vary depending on the resolution and measurement system the tablet is using Therefore the update length can vary For example Resolution Measurement System Update Value in Counts Length of One Count Update Length 50 lpi 200 lpi US US 5 5 0 02 inches 0 005 inches 0 1 inches 0 025 inches Combining Axis Update Mode with Other Modes Point Mode and Axis Update Mode In...

Page 26: ...ection B Setting the Resolution Resolution is the fineness of detail that the tablet can distinguish Resolution is expressed in lines per inch lpi or lines per millimeter lpmm A detailed definition of resolution appears in Chapter 1 Two resolution functions are available Predefined Resolution and Definable Resolution Each time the tablet is turned on or issues the Reset command the tablet defaults...

Page 27: ...her Clarify the resolution to be any value from 1 to 508 lpi Here s how to use Definable Resolution 1 Determine the resolution that s desired for the entire length of the tablet axis If the other device s resolution is expressed in units per such as 37 lines per inch multiply that number by the tablet axis length Example other device s resolution x length of tablet axis desired axis resolution 37 ...

Page 28: ...00 pixels 11 7 inches 68 37 X axis 1024 pixels 12 7 inches 87 52 Y axis The tablet would truncate these values to 68 and 87 Therefore round them high to 69 and 88 This ensures that the entire screen is addressable from the tablet Multiply the rounded values by the tablet axis length to derive the desired resolution for the overall axis 69 x 11 7 inches 807 3 is the desired X axis resolution 88 x 1...

Page 29: ... In the example of 800 by 1024 portrait screen the command sequence is Command X Low Byte X High Byte Y Low Byte Y High Byte 72 28 03 06 04 NOTE To change the resolution of only one axis send zeros as the other axis s resolution 4 To verify the new resolution settings use the Send Configuration command Section C Other Functions Absolute and Relative Coordinates Delta Mode These commands change the...

Page 30: ...rox are zero Origin Use the Origin command to define the location of the tablet s origin 0 0 It can be the lower or upper left corner of the active area The default is the lower left When the origin is in the upper left corner Y coordinates are positive not negative This departure from the standard Cartesian coordinate system is to aid in the compatibility between the MM II and terminals with a sc...

Page 31: ...s the Reset command there is a ten millisecond delay before it is ready to receive further data from the host Send Configuration Send Configuration issues a report to the host that identifies the resolution of each axis The report format is one of the following Key LSB is the least significant bit MSB is the most significant bit ...

Page 32: ... flag bits They identify the status of the stylus and cursor buttons T is the Tablet Identifier which is 1 or 0 PR is the proximity bit 0 is in prox 1 is out of prox b0 through b13 is the maximum X or Y value at the set resolution ...

Page 33: ... of the axis Example Resolution setting is 200 lpi The X and Y axes are 11 7 inches long Therefore the resolution is 2340 for each axis The Send Configuration report is Tablet Identifier Use this command to set a bit in the binary report format to a one or a zero This can be helpful in a dual tablet configuration to distinguish between the reports coming from one tablet versus the other ...

Page 34: ...phics tablet on standby It is useful for systems that do not constantly use the graphics tablet End the standby state by sending the Resume Transmission command While on standby the tablet can buffer up to ten commands which it executes after receiving the Resume Transmission command If a Stop Transmission is issued while data is being transmitted no data is lost The MM II severs the data transmis...

Page 35: ...er AB It causes the tablet to use the binary report format 8 data bits no parity Command overrides set up jumper AC It programs the UART to use an 8 bit frame 8 data bits odd parity After the command is executed the tablet responds with an ASCII ACK 8 data bits odd parity Command overrides set up jumper AC It programs the UART to use a 9 bit frame 8 data bits odd parity After the command is execut...

Page 36: ...is attached to the tablet The string is one of the following CSR4 CR Four button cursor CSR16 CR 16 button cursor STYLUS CR Stylus Section D Reserved Commands Do not use the ASCII commands zh zd or zf or their equivalents They are reserved for factory use If a reserved command is issued by mistake clear it by repowering the tablet ...

Page 37: ...Present high level commands from the application that control the tablet A typical driver consists of four major parts Configure Host and Tablet o Structure the host communications port port address baud rate etc o Shape the tablet resolution report mode etc Report Collection Interrupt Routines o Assemble the report collect the report s data bytes into an array o Check for errors Process Reports f...

Page 38: ... The following flowcharts are for a MM II in the Bit Pad One configuration Configure Host and Tablet Structure the host communications port port address baud rate etc Shape the tablet resolution report mode etc ...

Page 39: ...MM II 39 Report Collection Interrupt Routines Assemble the report collect the report s data bytes into an array Check for errors ...

Page 40: ...MM II 40 Cont ...

Page 41: ...MM II 41 Process Reports from the Tablet Decode the report Filter reports if required by the application Notify the application if applicable that a report is ready to be issued to the application ...

Page 42: ...atural For tracing the cursor provides the user with more control and precise sighting Also the cursor has multiple buttons to which can assign specific functions The cursor and stylus are interchangeable However before changing from one to the other turn off the tablet This allows the tablet s internal software to re initialize for each device Stylus The stylus has a switch inside the barrel To a...

Page 43: ...t you can perform Its purpose is to ensure that the interface is working and that all parts of the tablet active area are being read by the stylus cursor 1 Connect the tablet to a dumb terminal The terminal must be set up to communicate in full duplex at 9600 baud If the unit is a Bit Pad One or Two configurations the terminal s data protocol must be a 9 bit frame odd parity and eight data bits 2 ...

Page 44: ...ng a number called the checksum to the host Each firmware version has a unique checksum We recommend that you record the checksum when the unit first arrives and periodically thereafter The checksum should always be the same A change indicates a change in the firmware The checksum is in a six byte format HHHH HHHH is a hexadecimal number in ASCII This is the format regardless of the report format ...

Page 45: ...tablet Therefore remote commands issued while Echo is in effect are ignored by the tablet To abort the Echo function issue the Reset command or repower the tablet Self Test Self Test checks the following Analog circuitry Stylus cursor status Digital circuitry The tablet performs self test evaluations each time it is turned on and each time the Reset or Self Test command is issued The test results ...

Page 46: ... coil test pass 1 fail 0 Digital circuitry test pass 1 fail 0 Stylus cursor proximity in prox 1 stylus cursor out of prox 0 Total test result based on A C and D pass 1 fail 0 If the test result is a Hex 8FH or 87H the tablet passed the tests Another result means that the tablet failed ...

Page 47: ...ratures can occur in some rather surprising places atop a TV set in direct sunlight or in a car on a hot or cold day Section B Service You should have no problems with the MM II However if a problem arises try one or more of the following Check the hardware connections Ensure that the computer is working If possible perform the tests described in Chapter 7 If applicable check that the device drive...

Page 48: ... unit from its power source before cleaning Using a soft damp not wet lint free cloth wipe the case clean with a mild detergent solution Never disassemble any part of the MM II except to change the stylus refill Never immerse in liquid Never bang it around or drop it Never scratch or mar the tablet Cursor The transparent part of the cursor that encases the cross hair is called the paddle The top s...

Page 49: ...MM II 49 Section D Changing the Stylus Refill To change the stylus refill unscrew the cap and pull the refill straight out Insert the new refill until it is firmly seated ...

Page 50: ...f the tablet that senses the stylus cursor location and where valid reports are obtained Jitter Stylus or cursor 1 count of resolution Jitter is the different in values collected by the graphics tablet for the same point for example 200 201 and 202 Jitter can be caused by electrical noise from environmental sources or from the tablet s analog to digital conversion circuitry Noise affects the signa...

Page 51: ...e that could occur An alternative to changing the jumpers is to use the Z commands described in Chapter 4 In brief to change the set up jumpers 1 Disassemble the tablet 2 Change the jumper caps 3 Reassemble the tablet Disassembling the Tablet 1 Ensure the tablet is turned off and all cables are removed 2 Turn the tablet upside down on a clean smooth surface that will not mar it The bottom cover sh...

Page 52: ...bottom and top covers are held together by tabs on the bottom cover 4 Turn the tablet on its side Tap it gently against the work surface This shifts the bottom cover enough to loosen the tabs from their slots at the upper edge ...

Page 53: ... together Flex the top cover away from the tabs until they snap loose Do the same at the bottom edge When the bottom cover is free remove and set aside The printed circuit board is now visible Do not remove the board from the cover It protects delicate shielding below 6 The jumper locations are shown here ...

Page 54: ...aps as you wish The jumper caps are black plastic sleeves open at two ends To remove a cap pull straight up To attach a cap push straight down onto the two jumper pins Both ends of the cap are the same so it does not matter which way you attach it ...

Page 55: ...ide down over the top cover Slide the bottom edge of the bottom cover into the top cover so that the tabs fit into the slots 3 Snap the bottom cover down against the top cover The bottom and side tabs should be seated in the slots 4 Replace the three cover screws Gently tighten but do not over tighten Too much pressure can strip the screw threads Ensure that there is no gap between the top and bot...

Page 56: ...MM II 56 Appendix C ASCII Conversion Chart ...

Page 57: ...MM II 57 ...

Page 58: ...MM II 58 ...

Page 59: ...MM II 59 Appendix D Quick Reference of Commands and Defaults Command Summary ...

Page 60: ...ent Origin Report Mode Report Rate Resolution Tablet Identifier 0 Axis Update Mode off Absolute 0 Increment Mode off Lower left corner Switch Stream Maximum throughput 500 lpi 0 Standard Product Configuration Baud Rate Report Format Parity 9600 Binary Odd ...

Page 61: ...ion contained in this document is subject to change without notice GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies assumes no responsibility for technical or editorial errors or omissions that may appear in this document or for the use of this material Nor does GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies make any commitment to update the information contained in this document This document contains proprietary info...