Casio Computer Co., Ltd.

Takashi Orimoto

Katsuyoshi Kaneko

Junichi Yoshida

Ryo Ishikawa

Kazuyasu Yamane

Takayuki Hirotani

Shigeto Suzuki

Kazuyoshi Watanabe

Kouji Moriya

Takashi Shirasaka

An electronic device maintains data utilizing a ferroelectric memory, not requiring a backup power source voltage. Data such as schedule data and telephone number data is stored in a ferroelectric RAM which switches between a dynamic mode and a nonvolatile mode. When a clock mode is designated by a 'CLK' key, a memory control circuit causes the ferroelectric RAM to be switched to the nonvolatile mode to maintain the data stored therein. When a schedule mode or a telephone mode is designated by means of a 'Sch' key or a 'Tel' key, the ferroelectric RAM is switched to the nonvolatile mode to write/read data therein/therefrom. When it is detected that a battery voltage is lowered or the battery is removed from the electronic device, the ferroelectric RAM is switched to the nonvolatile mode to protect the stored data.

Electronic device having ferroelectric memory

A data communication system comprises a portable data processing terminal, such as an electronic notebook, and an external data processing apparatus, such as a personal computer. When the electronic notebook is connected to an RS232C I/F box connected to the personal computer, an I/F switch provided in the electronic notebook is switched on to supply a connection signal to an RS232C I/F circuit in the electronic notebook. An interruption signal is supplied from the RS232C I/F circuit to a CPU of the electronic notebook so that a communication program previously stored in a ROM is activated and a communication request is sent to the personal computer. The personal computer responds to the communication request sent from the electronic notebook and returns a response signal so that a data communication process is performed.

Data communication system and portable data processing terminal used

A service center has a plurality of controlled areas. When the service center provides service information through a radio communication network, the service center first broadcasts toward all the areas with outline items of the information with corresponding key codes attached thereto. Users each receive the outline items of the information with a user's terminal and determine as required whether a detail item of the information should be had immediately (an urgent one) or can be had later (a regular one). The results of the determination are reported to the service center, which immediately provides the urgent detail items of the information for the respective users who made requests for having those detail items. The service center broadcasts regular detail items of the information with attached corresponding key codes other than the requested urgent ones of the information toward the terminals which requested the regular detail items of the information at a predetermined time. Each terminal has stored a key code attached to the outline item of the information which the terminal requested in a regular manner, and receives only a necessary detail item of the information.

Information providing systems and portable electronic devices

A processor outputs a state signal representing the process state toga reset circuit. Upon reception of a reset signal from an external reset switch, the reset circuit outputs the reset signal to the reset terminal of the processor under the condition that the state signal allows a reset operation. The reset circuit also has a counter for starting a count operation upon reception of an externally input reset signal. Even when the processor is in a runaway state and cannot output the state signal for allowing the reset operation, a forced reset signal is supplied to the processor after a predetermined time is counted by the counter.

Reset circuit of electronic device

In a video game apparatus, a first joystick and a second joystick each contain a stick, a game start key and a mode select key. A control circuit controls the video game apparatus in the following manner. In a one-player mode as selected, only the output signal from the joystick whose start key is operated, is supplied to the main frame of the video game apparatus. In a two-player mode as selected, the output signal from the joystick whose start key is operated is supplied to the main frame. In turn, a game is started. With the progression of the game, the output signals from the first and second joysticks are alternately applied to the main frame.

Growing community of inventors

Akiruno, Japan

Takashi Orimoto