Hewlett-packard Company

Chris J Christopher

Wayne F Covington

Robert E Watson

Freddie W Wenninger

Richard M Spangler

Myles A Judd

Frank E Cada

Kent W Simcoe

Eugene V Burmeister

Donald E Morris

Jeffrey C Osborne

Fred W Wenninger

Jerry B Folsom

John H Nairn

Joseph W Beyers

A programmable calculator utilizes an initialization key for setting all program variables, including array variables that are stored as part of a program in the calculator memory, to a predetermined initial value.

Programmable calculator including program variable initialization means

An adaptable programmable calculator employs modular read-write and read-only memories separately expandable to provide additional program and data storage functions within the calculator oriented toward the environment of the user, and an LSI NMOS central processing unit, which includes the capability of bidirectionally transferring information between itself and various input/output units. The input/output units include a keyboard input unit having a full complement of alphanumeric keys, a magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit capable of bidirectionally transferring programs and data between the calculator and a magnetic tape, a 32-character solid state output display unit capable of displaying every alphabetic and numeric character. The calculator employs a natural algebraic program language that allows the user to enter lines of one or more alphanumeric algebraic statements into the calculator from the keyboard input unit while visually observing each line as it is entered to check for errors therein. The user may immediately execute each entered line or store that line as part of a program in the read-write memory, may subsequently recall the executed or stored line so that it may be reinspected, and, if necessary, edited and re-executed or re-stored, thereby automatically replacing the previously stored line. The program language of the calculator is contained within a plug-in language read-only memory and may be changed by inserting a different language read-only memory.

Programmable calculator

An adaptable programmable calculator is provided by employing a modular read-write and read-only memory unit capable of being expanded to provide the calculator with additional program and data storage functions oriented towards the environment of the user, a central processing unit capable of performing both serial binary and parallel binary-coded-decimal arithmetic, and an input-output control unit capable of bidirectionally transferring information between the memory or central processing units and a number of input and output units. The memory, central processor, and input-output control units are controlled by a microprocessor included in the central processing unit. Also the calculator may be operated manually by the user from an alphanumeric keyboard input unit or automatically by a program stored within the memory unit to perform calculations and provide an output indication of the results thereof. It may also be employed to load programs into the memory unit from the keyboard input unit. Also, the computer language allows the user to enter a line comprising an alphanumeric statement into the calculator from the keyboard input unit while visually observing an alphanumeric display of that line to check for errors therein, permitting the user to cause the entered lines to be immediately executed by the calculator or stored as part of a program within the memory unit, and permitting the user to subsequently recall the executed or stored line so that it may be reinspected, reevaluated, and, if necessary, edited and executed or re-executed, or restored in edited form. The calculator employs a compiler for converting each statement entered into the calculator in BASIC language into an internal stored format. It also employs an uncompiler for regenerating in the BASIC language statement any entered line converted to the internal stored format. The compiler and uncompiler operate on a line-by-line basis.

Electronic computing apparatus employing basic language

An adaptable programmable calculator is provided by employing a modular read-write and read-only memory unit capable of being expanded to provide the calculator with additional program and data storage functions oriented towards the environment of the user, a central processing unit capable of performing both serial binary and parallel binary-coded-decimal arithmetic, and an input-output control unit capable of bidirectionally transferring information between the memory or central processing units and a number of input and output units. The memory, central processor, and input-output control units are controlled by a microprocessor included in the central processing unit. The input and output units include a keyboard input unit with a plurality of alphanumeric keys, a magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit capable of bidirectionally transferring programs and data between a magnetic tape and the calculator, and a solid state output display unit capable of displaying every alphabetic and numeric character and many other symbols individually or in combination. All of these input and output units are included within the calculator itself. An output printer, an X-Y plotter, a typewriter, a teletypewriter, a magnetic or paper tape reading and recording unit, an extended read-write memory unit, a magnetic disc reading and recording unit, a modem for connecting the calculator via telephone lines to a remotely located computer, and many other peripheral input and output units may also be employed with the calculator. The calculator may be operated manually by the user from the keyboard input unit or automatically by a program stored within the memory unit to perform calculations and provide an output indication of the results thereof. It may also be employed to load programs into the memory unit from the keyboard input unit, to separately or collectively transfer data and programs bidirectionally between the memory unit and an external magnetic tape and to code programs or sections thereof stored in the memory unit as being secure when they are transferred to an external magnetic tape, whereby preventing users of the calculator from again transferring them to an external magnetic tape or obtaining any indication of the individual program steps once they are reloaded into the calculator. In addition, the calculator may be employed to edit programs stored in the memory unit and to print out program lists, labels, and messages. The calculator employs an extended version of BASIC computer language and allows the user to enter a line comprising an alphanumeric statement into the calculator from the keyboard input unit while visually observing an alphanumeric display of that line to check for errors therein, permitting the user to cause the entered lines to be immediately executed by the calculator or stored as part of a program within the memory unit, and permitting the user to subsequently recall the executed or stored line so that it may be reinspected, reevaluated, and, if necessary edited and executed or re-executed, or restored in edited form. Any entered or recalled information may be edited by employing the keyboard input unit to selectively delete or replace incorrect or undesired portions of the information or to selectively insert corrected or previously omitted portions thereof on a line-by-line or character-by-character basis. Syntax errors are automatically detected by the calculator when the entered statement is terminated, and execution errors are automatically detected upon attempted execution of the statement or statements. Both types of errors are indicated to the user via error messages displayed by the output display unit. In the event the calculator is being used in combination with an external printer unit indications of syntax or execution errors may, if desired, be printed. The calculator employs a compiler for converting each statement entered into the calculator in BASIC language into an internal stored format. It also employs an uncompiler for regenerating in the BASIC language statement any entered line converted to the internal stored format. The compiler and uncompiler operate on a line-by-line basis. The magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit employed in the calculator allows the user to chain together several program segments and allows program manipulation of several blocks of data on an individual basis, thereby providing more efficient utilization of the available calculator memory. An interrupt feature of the cassette unit facilitates searching for a particular file located on a magnetic tape at the same time the calculator is performing other functions.

Programmable calculator having structure for controlling an x-y plotter

An adaptable programmable calculator is provided by employing a modular read-write and read-only memory unit capable of being expanded to provide the calculator with additional program and data storage functions oriented towards the environment of the user, a central processing unit capable of performing both serial binary and parallel binary-coded-decimal arithmetic, and an input-output control unit capable of bidirectionally transferring information between the memory or central processing units and a number of input and output units. The memory, central processor, and input-output control units are controlled by a microprocessor included in the central processing unit. The input and output units include a keyboard input unit with a plurality of alphanumeric keys, a magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit capable of bidirectionally transferring programs and data between a magnetic tape and the calculator, and a solid state output display unit capable of displaying every alphabetic and numeric character and many other symbols individually or in combination. All of these input and output units are included within the calculator itself. An output printer, and X-Y plotter, a typewriter, a teletypewriter, a magnetic or paper tape reading and recording unit, an extended read-write memory unit, a magnetic disc reading and recording unit, a modem for connecting the calculator via telephone lines to a remotely located computer, and many other peripheral input and output units may also be employed with the calculator. The calculator may be operated manually by the user from the keyboard input unit or automatically by a program stored within the memory unit to perform calculations and provide an output indication of the results thereof. It may also be employed to load programs into the memory unit from the keyboard input unit, to separately or collectively transfer data and programs bidirectionally between the memory unit and an external magnetic tape and to code programs or sections thereof stored in the memory unit as being secure when they are transferred to an external magnetic tape, thereby preventing users of the calculator from again transferring them to an external magnetic tape or obtaining any indication of the individual program steps once they are reloaded into the calculator. In addition, the calculator may be employed to edit programs stored in the memory unit and to print out program lists, labels, and messages. The calculator employs an extended version of BASIC computer language and allows the user to enter a line comprising an alphanumeric statement into the calculator from the keyboard input unit while visually observing an alphanumeric display of that line to check for errors therein, permitting the user to cause the entered lines to be immediately executed by the calculator or stored as part of a program within the memory unit, and permitting the user to subsequently recall the executed or stored line so that it may be reinspected, reevaluated, and, if necessary, edited and executed or re-executed, or restored in edited form. Any entered or recalled information may be edited by employing the keyboard input unit to selectively delete or replace incorrect or undesired portions of the information or to selectively insert corrected or previously omitted portions thereof on a line-by-line or character-by-character basis. Syntax errors are automatically detected by the calculator when the entered statement is terminated, and execution errors are automatically detected upon attempted execution of the statement or statements. Both types of errors are indicated to the user via error messages displayed by the output display unit. In the event the calculator is being used in combination with an external printer unit indications of syntax or execution errors may, if desired, be printed. The calculator employs a compiler for converting each statement entered into the calculator in BASIC language into an internal stored format. It also employs an uncompiler for regenerating in the BASIC language statement any entered line converted to the internal stored format. The compiler and uncompiler operate on a line-by-line basis. The magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit employed in the calculator allows the user to chain together several program segments and allows program manipulation of several blocks of data on an individual basis, thereby providing more efficient utilization of the available calculator memory. An interrupt feature of the cassette unit facilitates searching for a particular file located on a magnetic tape at the same time the calculator is performing other functions.

Programmable calculator having extended input/output capability

An adaptable programmable calculator is provided by employing a modular read-write and read-only memory unit capable of being expanded to provide the calculator with additional program and data storage functions oriented towards the environment of the user, a central processing unit capable of performing both serial binary and parallel binary-coded-decimal arithmetic, and an input-output control unit capable of bidirectionally transferring information between the memory or central processing units and a number of input and output units. The memory, central processor, and input-output control units are controlled by a microprocessor included in the central processing unit. The input and output units include a keyboard input unit with a plurality of alphanumeric keys, a magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit capable of bidirectionally transferring programs and data between a magnetic tape and the calculator and, a solid state output display unit capable of displaying every alphabetic and numeric character and many other symbols individually or in combination. All of these input and output units are included within the calculator itself. An output printer, an X-Y plotter, a typewriter, a teletypewriter, a magnetic or paper tape reading and recording unit, an extended read-write memory unit, a magnetic disc reading and recording unit, a modem for connecting the calculator via telephone lines to a remotely located computer, and many other peripheral input and output units may also be employed with the calculator. The calculator may be operated manually by the user from the keyboard input unit or automatically by a program stored within the memory unit to perform calculations and provide an output indication of the results thereof. It may also be employed to load programs into the memory unit from the keyboard input unit, to separately or collectively transfer data and programs bidirectionally between the memory unit and an external magnetic tape and to code programs or sections thereof stored in the memory unit as being secure when they are transferred to an external magnetic tape, thereby preventing users of the calculator from again transferring them to an external magnetic tape or obtaining any indication of the individual program steps once they are reloaded into the calculator. In addition, the calculator may be employed to edit programs stored in the memory unit and to print out program lists, labels, and messages. The calculator employs an extended version of BASIC computer language and allows the user to enter a line comprising an alphanumeric statement into the calculator from the keyboard input unit while visually observing an alphanumeric display of that line to check for errors therein, permitting the user to cause the entered lines to be immediately executed by the calculator or stored as part of a program within the memory unit, and permitting the user to subsequently recall the executed or stored line so that it may be reinspected, reevaluated, and, if necessary, edited and executed and re-executed, or restored in edited form. Any entered or recalled information may be edited by employing the keyboard input unit to selectively delete or replace incorrect or undesired portions of the information or to selectively insert corrected or previously omitted portions thereof on a line-by-line or character-by-character basis. Syntax errors are automatically detected by the calculator when the entered statement is terminated, and execution errors are automatically detected upon attempted execution of the statement or statements. Both types of errors are indicated to the user via error messages displayed by the output display unit. In the event the calculator is being used in combination with an external printer unit indications of syntax or execution errors may, if desired, be printed. The calculator employs a compiler for converting each statement entered into the calculator in BASIC language into an internal stored format. It also employs an uncompiler for regenerating in the BASIC language statement any entered line converted to the internal stored format. The compiler and uncompiler operate on a line-by-line basis. The magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit employed in the calculator allows the user to chain together several program segments and allows program manipulation of several blocks of data on an individual basis, thereby providing more efficient utilization of the available calculator memory. An interrupt feature of the cassette unit facilitates searching for a particular file located on a magnetic tape at the same time the calculator is performing other functions.

Programmable calculator including terminal control means

An adaptable programmable calculator employs modular read-write and read-only memories separately expandable to provide additional program and data storage functions within the calculator oriented toward the environment of the user, and an LSI NMOS central processing unit, capable of handling sixteen-bit parallel binary operations, binary-coded-decimal arithmetic, sixteen-bit parallel input/output operations, two-level interrupt from up to sixteen input/output devices, and a direct memory access channel. The input/output units include a keyboard input unit having a full complement of alphanumeric keys, a magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit capable of bidirectionally transferring programs and data between the calculator and a magnetic tape, a 32-character solid state output display unit capable of displaying every alphabetic and numeric character and many other symbols individually or in combination, and a sixteen-column alphanumeric thermal printer for printing results of computations, program listings, messages generated by the user and the calculator itself, and error conditions encountered during use of the calculator. All of these input/output units are included within the calculator itself. Many other external input/output units may be employed with the calculator. The calculator may be operated manually by the user from the keyboard input unit or automatically through a program stored within the read-write memory to perform calculations and to provide an output indication of the results thereof. While a program stored within the read-write memory is being executed, the user can perform calculations manually from the keyboard. Execution of the program is temporarily suspended at convenient points within the program to allow execution of the calculations manually selected by the user. If desired, the user may be prevented from manually selecting calculations from the keyboard input unit by disabling the keyboard input unit during program execution. The calculator employs a natural algebraic program language that allows the user to enter lines of one or more alphanumeric algebraic statements into the calculator from the keyboard input unit while visually observing each line as it is entered to check for errors therein. The user may immediately execute each entered line or store that line as part of a program in the read-write memory, may subsequently recall the executed or stored line so that it may be reinspected, and, if necessary, edited and re-executed or re-stored, thereby automatically replacing the previously stored line. The program language of the calculator is contained within a plug-in language read-only memory and may be changed by inserting a different language read-only memory.

An adaptable programmable calculator is provided by employing a modular read-write and read-only memory unit capable of being expanded to provide the calculator with additional program and data storage functions oriented towards the environment of the user, a central processing unit capable of performing both serial binary and parallel binary-coded-decimal arithmetic, and an input-output control unit capable of bidirectionally transferring information between the memory or central processing units and a number of input and output units. The memory, central processor, and input-output control units are controlled by a microprocessor included in the central processing unit. The input and output units include a keyboard input unit with a plurality of alphanumeric keys, a magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit capable of bidirectionally transferring programs and data between a magnetic tape and the calculator and, a solid state output display unit capable of displaying every alphabetic and numeric character and many other symbols individually or in combination. All of these input and output units are included within the calculator itself. An output printer, an X-Y plotter, a typewriter, a teletypewriter, a magnetic or paper tape reading and recording unit, an extended read-write memory unit, a magnetic disc reading and recording unit, a modem for connecting the calculator via telephone lines to a remotely located computer, and many other peripheral input and output units may also be employed with the calculator. The calculator may be operated manually by the user from the keyboard input unit or automatically by a program stored within the memory unit to perform calculations and provide an output indication of the results thereof. It may also be employed to load programs into the memory unit from the keyboard input unit, to separately or collectively transfer data and programs bidirectionally between the memory unit and an external magnetic tape and to code programs or sections thereof stored in the memory unit as being secure when they are transferred to an external magnetic tape, thereby preventing users of the calculator from again transferring them to an external magnetic tape or obtaining any indication of the individual program steps once they are reloaded into the calculator. In addition, the calculator may be employed to edit programs stored in the memory unit and to print out program lists, labels, and messages. The calculator employs an extended version of BASIC computer language and allows the user to enter a line comprising an alphanumeric statement into the calculator from the keyboard input unit while visually observing an alphanumeric display of that line to check for errors therein, permitting the user to cause the entered lines to be immediately executed by the calculator or stored as part of a program within the memory unit, and permitting the user to subsequently recall the executed or stored line so that it may be reinspected, reevaluated, and, if necessary, edited and executed or re-executed, or restored in edited form. Any entered or recalled information may be edited by employing the keyboard input unit to selectively delete or replace incorrect or undesired portions of the information or to selectively insert corrected or previously omitted portions thereof on a line-by-line or character-by-character basis. Syntax errors are automatically detected by the calculator when the entered statement is terminated, and execution errors are automatically detected upon attempted execution of the statement or statements. Both types of errors are indicated to the user via error messages displayed by the output display unit. In the event the calculator is being used in combination with an external printer, unit indications of syntax or execution errors may, if desired, be printed. The calculator employs a compiler for converting each statement entered into the calculator in BASIC language into an internal stored format. It also employs an uncompiler for generating in the BASIC language statement any entered line converted to the internal stored format. The compiler and uncompiler operate on a line-by-line basis. The magnetic tape cassette reading and recording unit employed in the calculator allows the user to chain together several program segments and allows program manipulation of several blocks of data on an individual basis, thereby providing more efficient utilization of the available calculator memory. An interrupt feature of the cassette unit facilitates searching for a particular file located on a magnetic tape at the same time the calculator is performing other functions.

Growing community of inventors

Loveland, CO, United States of America

Chris J Christopher