Claims
- 1. In an electronic calculator including a keyboard input unit for entering information into the calculator, a memory unit for storing sequences of instructions to be performed by the calculator in making selected calculations, computing means responsive to information from the keyboard input unit and to operating states within the calculator itself for selectively performing selected ones of the sequences of instructions stored in the memory unit to make selected calculations employing data entered from the keyboard input unit and to give an output indication of the results of those calculations, wherein the improvement comprises a plug-in modular keyboard section, integrally including at least one key and an associated read-only memory containing additional sequences of instructions, for providing the user with additional keyboard functions.
- 2. An electronic calculator comprising:
- a keyboard input unit for providing the user with a plurality of keyboard functions and for entering into the calculator commands used to initiate selected ones of those keyboard functions and data used in making selected calculations to perform the selected keyboard functions;
- means for storing commands and data entered into the calculator;
- a memory unit for storing sequences of instructions to be performed by the calculator in making the selected calculations to perform the selected keyboard functions;
- a plug-in modular keyboard section, integrally including read-only memory means storing additional sequences of instructions, for providing the user with additional keyboard functions and for entering into the calculator commands used to initiate selected ones of those additional keyboard functions; and
- computing means responsive to commands from the keyboard input unit and to operating states within the calculator itself for selectively performing selected ones of the sequences of instructions stored in the memory unit to make the selected calculations employing data entered from the keyboard input unit and to give an output indication of the results of those calculations, said computing means being responsive to commands from the plug-in modular keyboard section and to operating states within the calcuator itself for selectively performing selected ones of the additional sequences of instructions stored in the read-only memory means to make selected calculations employing data entered from at least one of the keyboard input unit and the plug-in modular keyboard section and to give an output indication of the results of those calculations.
- 3. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein said keyboard input unit includes a receptacle into which said plug-in modular keyboard section may be removably plugged, and said keyboard input unit and said plug-in modular keyboard section include electrical connection means for electrically connecting said keyboard input unit and said plug-in modular keyboard section.
- 4. An electronic calculator as in claim 3 wherein said plug-in modular keyboard section includes a plurality of keys, each of which is associated with a predetermined one of said additional keyboard functions.
- 5. An electronic calculator as in claim 3 wherein said plug-in modular keyboard section includes a plurality of keys, each of which may be associated with a function defined by the user.
- 6. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein:
- said keyboard input unit includes a plurality of command keys and a plurality of data keys for entering into the calculator keyboard commands and data associated with separate mnemonic codes;
- said memory unit is employed for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions to be performed by the calculator in executing selected keyboard commands;
- said read-only memory mens of the plug-in modular keyboard section comprises first read-only memory means;
- said calculator includes second read-only memory means coupled to said keyboard input unit and storing keyboard mnemonic codes representing a program of selected keyboard commands and data; and
- said computing means is responsive to actuation of a command key for performing at least one microprogrammed sequence of instructions stored in said memory unit to execute the keyboard command entered into the calculator by actuation of that command key, said computing means being further responsive to the keyboard mnemonic code associated with a keyboard command, when that keyboard mnemonic code is encountered in processing a program stored in said second read-only memory means, for performing at least one microprogrammed sequence of instructions stored in said memory unit to execute the keyboard command represented by that keyboard mnemonic code.
- 7. An electronic calculator as in claim 6 wherein said second read-only memory means comprises a programmable read-only memory.
- 8. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein:
- said keyboard input unit includes a plurality of command keys and a plurality of data keys for entering into the calculator keyboard commands and data associated with separate mnemonic codes;
- said modular keyboard section includes a plurality of definable keys;
- said read-only memory means of the plug-in modular keyboard section comprises first read-only memory means storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions representing a table of predetermined mathematical functions;
- sid calculator includes second read-only memory means coupled to said keyboard input unit and storing keyboard mnemonic codes representing at least one program employing selected keyboard commands and data;
- said computing means is operable for associating a selected one of said definable keys with a selected program stored in said second read-only memory means and for associating at least one of the mathematical functions of the table stored in said first read-only memory means with the selected program; and
- said computing means is responsive to actuation of the selected definable key for executing the selected program, including each associated mathematical function of the table stored in said first read-only memory means.
- 9. An electronic calculator as in claim 8 wherein said second read-only memory means comprises a programmable read-only memory.
- 10. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein said calculator includes logic means responsive to designation of an automatic decimal point mode for automatically placing a decimal point at any predetermined one of a plurality of positions in noninteger data subsequently entered into the calculator from said keyboard input unit without the necessity of manual entry of the decimal point in that noninteger data by the user.
- 11. An electronic calculator as in claim 10 wherein said keyboard input unit includes:
- decimal point control means for designating placement of the decimal point at any one of said plurality of positions; and
- automatic decimal point mode control means for designating the automatic decimal point mode and causing said logic means to automatically place the decimal point at the one of said plurality of positions designated by said decimal point control means in noninteger data subsequently entered into the calculator.
- 12. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein:
- said keyboard input unit includes a percent key for entering a percent operator into the calculator and a plurality of keys for entering numerical data and arithmetic operators, including an addition operator, into the calculator; and
- said computing means is responsive to entry of a sequence of numeral data and operators, including entry of a first number followed by entry of the addition operator followed by entry of a second number followed by entry of the percent operator, for calculating the sum of the first number and a percentage thereof as specified by the second number.
- 13. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein:
- said keyboard input unit includes a percent key for entering a percent operator into the calculator and a plurality of keys for entering numerical data and arithmetic operators, including a subtraction operator, into the calculator; and
- said computing means is responsive to entry of a sequence of numerical data and operators, including entry of a first number followed by entry of the subtraction operator followed by entry of a second number followed by entry of the percent operator, for calculating the difference between the first number and a percentage thereof as specified by the second number.
- 14. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein:
- said keyboard input unit includes a percent key for entering a percent operator into the calculator and a plurality of keys for entering numerical data and arithmetic operators, including a multiplication operator, into the calculator; and
- said computing means is responsive to entry of a sequence of numerical data and operators, including entry of a first number followed by entry of the multiplication operator followed by entry of a second number followed by entry of the percent operator, for calculating the percentage of the first number specified by the second number.
- 15. An electronic calculator as in claim 2 wherein:
- said keyboard input unit includes a percent key for entering a percent operator into the calculator and a plurality of keys for entering numerical data and arithmetic operators, including a division operator, into the calculator; and
- said computing means is responsive to entry of a sequence of numerical data and operators, including entry of a first number followed by entry of the division operator followed by entry of a second number followed by entry of the percent operator, for calculating the number a percentage of which as specified by the second number equals the first number.
- 16. An electronic calculator comprising:
- keyboard input means for providing the user with a plurality of keyboard functions and for entering into the calculator commands used to initiate selected ones of those keyboard functions and data used in making selected calculations to perform the selected keyboard functions;
- a memory unit for storing sequences of instructions to be performed by the calculator in making the selected calculations to perform the selected keyboard functions;
- a plug-in modular keyboard section, integrally including read-only memory means storing additional sequences of instructions, for providing the user with additional keyboard functions and for entering into the calculator commands used to initiate selected ones of those additional keyboard functions;
- processing means responsive to commands from the keyboard input means and to operating states within the calculator itself for selectively performing selected ones of the sequences of instructions stored in the memory unit to make the selected calculations employing data entered from the keyboard input means, said processing means being responsive to commands from the plug-in modular keyboard section and to operating states within the calculator itself for selectively performing selected ones of the additional sequences of instructions contained in the read-only memory means to make selected calculations employing data entered from at least one of the keyboard input means and the plug-in modular keyboard section; and
- output means for providing an output indication of the results of the selected calculations performed by the processing means.
- 17. An electronic calculator as in claim 16 wherein:
- said keyboard input means includes a receptacle into which said plug-in modular keyboard section may be removably plugged; and
- said keyboard input means and said plug-in modular keyboard section include electrical connection means for electrically connecting said keyboard input means and said plug-in modular keyboard section.
- 18. An electronic calculator as in claim 17 wherein said plug-in modular keyboard section includes a plurality of keys each of which is associated with a predetermined one of the additional keyboard functions.
- 19. An electronic calculator as in claim 17 wherein said plug-in modular keyboard section includes a plurality of keys each of which may be associated with a function defined by the user.
- 20. An electronic calculator comprising:
- keyboard input means, including a plurality of command keys and a plurality of data keys, for entering into the calculator keyboard commands and data associated with separate keyboard mnemonic codes;
- main memory means for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing selected keyboard commands;
- read-only memory means for storing keyboard mnemonic codes representing a program of selected keyboard commands and data;
- output means for providing an output indication of the results of selected keyboard commands executed by the calculator; and
- processing means coupled to said keyboard input means, read-only memory means, and main memory means, said processing means being responsive to actuation of a command key for performing at least one microprogrammed sequence of instructions stored in said main memory means to execute the keyboard command entered into the calculator by actuation of that command key, said processing means being further responsive to the keyboard mnemonic code associated with a keyboard command, when the keyboard mnemonic code is encountered in processing a program stored in said read-only memory means, for performing at least one of the microprogrammed sequence of instructions stored in said main memory means to execute the keyboard command represented by that keyboard mnemonic code.
- 21. An electronic calculator as in claim 20 wherein:
- said main memory means is employed for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing library commands, each library command being associated with a separate mnemonic code;
- said read-only memory means is employed for storing, as part of a program, mnemonic codes associated with selected ones of said library commands; and
- said processing means is responsive to the mnemonic code associated with a selected one of said library commands, when that mnemonic code is encountered in processing a program stored in said read-only memory means, for performing at least one microprogrammed sequence of instructions stored in said main memory means to execute that library command.
- 22. An electronic calculator as in claim 21 wherein at least one of said library commands differs from any of the keyboard commands.
- 23. An electronic calculator as in claim 20 wherein said read-only memory means comprises a programmable read-only memory.
- 24. An electronic calculator as in claim 20 wherein:
- said read-only memory means comprises first read-only memory means;
- said keyboard input means includes a plug-in modular keyboard section having a plurality of command keys for entering into the calculator associated keyboard commands, each of which is associated with a separate mnemonic code;
- said plug-in modular keyboard section integrally includes second read-only memory means for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing keyboard commands associated with the command keys of said plug-in modular keyboard section;
- said first read-only memory means is employed for storing, as part of a program, keyboard mnemonic codes associated with selected ones of the keyboard commands associated with the command keys of said plug-in modular keyboard section; and
- said processing means is responsive to the keyboard mnemonic code associated with a selected one of the keyboard commands associated with the keys of said plug-in modular keyboard section, when that keyboard mnemonic code is encountered in processing a program stored in said first read-only memory means, for performing at least one of the microprogrammed sequences of instructions stored in said second read-only memory means to execute the keyboard command associated with that keyboard mnemonic code.
- 25. An electronic calculator as in claim 24 wherein:
- said main memory means is employed for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing first library commands, each first library command being associated with a separate library mnemonic code;
- said second read-only memory means is employed for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing second library commands, each second library command being associated with a separate library mnemonic code;
- said first read-only memory means is employed for storing, as part of a program, library mnemonic codes associated with selected ones of said first and second library commands; and
- said processing means is responsive to the library mnemonic codes associated with selected ones of said first and second library commands, when those library mnemonic codes are encountered in processing a program stored in said first read-only memory means, for performing selected ones of the microprogrammed sequences of instructions stored in said second read-only memory means to execute those selected first and second library commands.
- 26. An electronic calculator as in claim 25 wherein at least one of said second library commands differs from any of the keyboard commands associated with the command keys of said plug-in modular keyboard section.
- 27. An electronic calculator as in claim 26 wherein at least one of said second library commands differs from any of said first library commands and from any of the keyboard commands.
- 28. An electronic calculator as in claim 24 wherein:
- said second read-only memory means also stores microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing function block library commands, each function block library command being associated with a separate function block library mnemonic code;
- said first read-only memory means also stores, as part of a program, a function block library mnemonic code associated with a selected one of said function block library commands; and
- said processing means is responsive to the function block library mnemonic code associated with a selected one of said function block library commands, when that function block library mnemonic code is encountered in processing a program stored in said first read-only memory means, for performing at least one of the microprogrammed sequences of instructions stored in said second read-only memory means to execute that function block library command.
- 29. An electronic calculator as in claim 28 wherein at least one of said function block library commands differs from any of the keyboard commands associated with the command keys of said plug-in modular keyboard section.
- 30. An electronic calculator comprising:
- keyboard input means, including a plurality of command keys and a plurality of data keys, for entering into the calculator keyboard commands and data associated with separate keyboard mnemonic codes, said keyboard input means further including a plurality of definable keys;
- main memory means for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing selected keyboard commands;
- first read-only memory means coupled to said keyboard input means and associated with said plurality of definable keys, said first read-only memory means being employed for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing library commands, each library command being associated with a separate library mnemonic code;
- second read-only memory means, coupled to said keyboard input means, for storing selected ones of the keyboard and library mnemonic codes representing at least one program of selected ones of the keyboard and library commands, each program being associated with a separate one of said definable keys;
- output means for providing an output indication of the results of selected ones of the keyboard and library commands executed by the calculator; and
- processing means coupled to said keyboard input means, main memory means, and first and second read-only memory means, said processing means being responsive to actuation of a selected one of said definable keys for executing the selected ones of the keyboad and library commands of the program associated with that definable key.
- 31. An electronic calculator as in claim 30 wherein said plurality of definable keys and said first read-only memory means comprise an integral modular keyboard section that mey be removably plugged, as a unit, into the calculator.
- 32. An electronic calculator as in claim 30 wherein:
- said library commands comprise first library commands;
- said main memory means also stores microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing second library commands, each of said second library commands being associated with a separate library mnemonic code;
- said second read-only memory means also stores, as part of a program, library mnemonic codes associated with selected ones of said second library commands; and
- said processing means is responsive to the library mnemonic code associated with a selected one of said second library commands, when that library mnemonic code is encountered in processing a program stored in said second read-only memory means, for performing at least one of the microprogrammed sequences of instructions stored in said main memory means to execute that second library command.
- 33. An electronic calculator as in claim 32 wherein at least one of said second library commands differs from any of the first library commands and from any of the keyboard commands.
- 34. An electonic calculator as in claim 30 wherein said second read-only memory means comprises a programmable read-only memory.
- 35. An electronic calculator comprising: keyboard input means, including a plurality of command keys and a plurality of data keys, for entering into the calculator keyboard commands and data associated with separate keyboard mnemonic codes, said keyboard input means further including a plurality of definable keys;
- main memory means for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing selected keyboard commands;
- read-only memory means coupled to said keyboard input means for storing keyboard mnemonic codes representing at least one program of selected keyboard commands and data, each program being associated with a separate one of said definable keys;
- output means for providing an output indication of the results of selected keyboard commands executed by the calculator; and
- processing means coupled to said keyboad input means, read-only memory means, and main memory means, said processing means being responsive to actuation of a selected one of said definable keys for executing the keyboard commands of the program associated with that definable key.
- 36. An electronic calculator as in claim 35 wherein:
- said main memory means also stores microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing library commands, each library command being associated with a separate library mnemonic code;
- said read-only memory means also stores, as part of a program, library mnemonic codes associated with selected ones of said library commands; and
- said processing means is responsive to the library mnemonic code associated with a selected one of said library commands, when that library mnemonic code is encountered in processing a program stored in said read-only memory means, for performing at least one of the microprogrammed sequences of instructions stored in said main memory means to execute that library command.
- 37. An electronic calculator as in claim 36 wherein at least one of said library commands differs from any of the keyboard commands.
- 38. An electronic calculator as in claim 35 wherein said read-only memory means comprises a programmable read-only memory.
- 39. An electronic calculator comprising:
- keyboard input means for entering information including commands and data into the calculator;
- memory means for storing microprogrammed sequences of instructions performed by the calculator in executing selected commands;
- microprogrammed processing means responsive to information entered into the calculator from the keyboard input means and to operating states within the calculator for selectively performing selected ones of the sequences of instructions stored in said memory means to execute selected commands employing input data and and to provide an output indication of the results of execution of those selected commands; and
- interface means for coupling a selected external input/output peripheral unit to the calculator, said interface means comprising a single unit physically including both logic means for transferring data between the calculator and the selected input/output peripheral unit and microprogrammed read-only memory means for enabling said processing means to perform logic operations associated with the selected input/output peripheral unit.
- 40. Electronic processing apparatus comprising:
- a basic keyboard input unit including a first plurality of keys for entering information into the apparatus;
- a plug-in keyboard input module including a second plurality of keys for entering information into the apparatus;
- plug-in adaptor means positioned within a portion of the basic keyboard input unit for mechanically receiving and electrically engaging the plug-in keyboard input module;
- memory means for storing information entered into the apparatus from either the basic keyboard input unit or the plug-in keyboard input module;
- computing means for processing information entered into the apparatus; and
- output means for providing an output indication of at least some of the information processed by said computing means.
- 41. Electronic processing apparatus as in claim 40 wherein one or more of the keys of either the basic keyboard input unit or the plug-in keyboard input module includes a removable transparent cap portion within which the user may interchangeably insert a key identification label.
- 42. Electronic processing apparatus as in claim 40 wherein said plug-in keyboard input module also includes a read-only memory associated with said second plurality of keys.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 318,451, filed Dec. 26, 1972, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3654449 |
Boyce |
Apr 1972 |
|
3760171 |
Wang et al. |
Sep 1973 |
|
3839630 |
Olander, Jr. et al. |
Oct 1974 |
|
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
318451 |
Dec 1972 |
|