Interfacing with a Host Computer

1281 Area / Line Meters feature built in circuitry to interface with virtually any Computer. You can select (via switchpad) hardware drivers readily incorporated into the instrument for unparalleled use with different computers and programs. The basic1281 models can be used with the drivers described below.. However if a digitizer upgrade kit is added, all drivers listed for the 1282 Digitizers can be utilized. The KB - Keyboard emulation drivers : Permit data entry into any PC program which accepts numerical keyboard data  (spreadsheets, data base programs, word-processors, etc.) The ADB - Driver for use with Apple Macintosh Computers. The PR - Printer Interface Driver for Lasico's 1285-14 printer/calculator.

Communicating with a Host Computer using the keyboard emulation mode (KB) is by far the least complex method of computer interfacing. There is no need to wrestle with variables like baud rate, parity, stop bits, etc. Simply disconnect your keyboard from the computer and plug it into the digitizer. Subsequently a KB cable goes from there to the vacated keyboard receptacle of the computer. The KB interface does not interfere with normal computer operation and its keyboard remains fully functional regardless whether or not the digitizer is switched on. Most important: There is no need for special software since the Model 1281 delivers finished and scale compensated results. A program driver is not necessary and the KB interface permits communication with virtually any program accepting numerical data . This includes such popular spreadsheets like Lotus 123, Excel, Quattro, D-Base and Wordprocessor Programs , most Construction Estimating Software, etc. Series 1281 models incorporate KB code for PC's (XT, AT, 286, 386, 486, Pentiums, etc.) under DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95 /98/ NT, etc.  The data from the 1281 goes always precisely where a keyboard entry would go!

Similar in principle to the KB interface, it communicates with Apple's Macintosh systems via one of its ADB ports. The1281 Area / Line Meter is simply connected to an ADB receptacle by means of the optional 1285-ADB cable and measuring data streams into the computer much like keyboard data would.

This interface was designed to work in conjunction with a special printing calculator (Mod. 1285-14) All measuring and counting results can be transmitted to the printer, labeled, dated, extended by cost factors and processed through the calculator section in any way desired, with subsequent hard copy printout.

Home