Interfacing with a Host Computer

One of the most important features of series 1282 Digitizers is its advanced capability to interface with Host Computers. You can select (via keypad) hardware drivers readily incorporated into series 1282 Digitizers for unparalleled use with different computers and programs. 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 SERIAL  Interface Drivers , including drivers emulating major tablets for use with Auto-Cad , etc and for programs designed for WinTab drivers. The PR - Printer Interface Driver for Lasico's 1285-14 printer/calculator. The RSKB - Special Serial Driver for DOS programs not designed for digitizer input.

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 the 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 1282 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 1282 Digitizers 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 digitizer goes always precisely  where a keyboard entry would go!

The RS232 driver should be used for work with Cad programs, various Engineering programs and in general for software designed for work with tablet digitizers. The software must incorporate a driver for digitizer input. The Model 1282 can emulate many of the popular tablet digitizers. Emulated Tablets include: Calcomb 2000/2200/4000, GTCO DP5/MD7, Hitachi HDG 1111 / 1515, Kurta 1/2, Numonics 2200, Summagraphics Bit Pad 1/2. A Software Wintab Driver (No. VT) is available for work with programs running under Windows and needed for use with AutoCad Release 14 and up.

is a modified RS232 serial interface which may be used in conjunction with the RSKB software driver (available from Lasico) with "DOS" programs not designed for a digitizer input. (Example:Spreadsheets, Wordprocessors, etc.) This interface option works similar to the KB interface described above. Interconnection is identical to that of the RS232 Interface shown above and a No. 1285-22 Serial Cable is needed to utilize this driver.

The RT Interface is another available option. It is optimized for Main Frame and Mini Computers. While the data transmission uses the RS232 format, the operating characteristics have all the advantages of the KB interface, i.e. it can be used with programs not equipped with a driver for digitizer input.

Similar in principle to the KB interface, it communicates with Apple's Macintosh systems via one of its ADB ports. The1282 Digitizer is simply connected to an ADB receptacle by means of the optional 1285-ADB cable and digitizer 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.

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