Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A programmer adaptor module for converting a non-programmable calculator into a programmable calculator, said non-programmable calculator including an arithmetic-logic unit connected via a bus to a keyboard, said keyboard operating to generate key-closure signals on said bus representative of the respective keys thereon as they are manually pressed, and said arithmetic-logic unit operating to receive said key-closure signals from said bus and to take predetermined action in response thereto; wherein said programmer adaptor module includes: digital encoder means for connection to said bus to receive said key-closure signals and for encoding said key-closure signals into sequences of digital words representative of the sequence in which said keys are manually depressed; digital memory means for storing therein and for subsequently retrieving therefrom said sequences of digital words; means for generating mode control logic signals; memory input control means having first inputs connected to said encoder for receiving said digital words therefrom, second inputs for receiving said logic signals, and coupled to said digital memory means for storing therein said sequences of digital words when said logic signals are in a first predetermined state; and memory output control means having first inputs connected to said encoder for receiving said digital data words therefrom, second inputs for receiving said logic signals, and coupled to said digital memory means for retrieving therefrom portions of said sequences of data words starting with a first predetermined word and ending with a second predetermined word and for generating simulated key-closure signals on outputs for connection to said bus to simulate the closing of said keys in the sequence represented by said retrieved portion of words in response to receiving predetermined digital words from said encoder means when said logic signals are in a second predetermined state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
A programmer adaptor module for converting a non-programmable calculator into a programmable calculator, said non-programmable calculator including an arithmetic-logic unit connected via a bus to a keyboard, said keyboard operating to generate key-closure signals on said bus representative of the respective keys thereon as they are manually pressed, and said arithmetic-logic unit operating to receive said key-closure signals from said bus and to take predetermined action in response thereto; wherein said programmer adaptor module includes: digital encoder means for connection to said bus to receive said key-closure signals and for encoding said key-closure signals into sequences of digital words representative of the sequence in which said keys are manually depressed; digital memory means for storing therein and for subsequently retrieving therefrom said sequences of digital words; means for generating mode control logic signals; memory input control means having first inputs connected to said encoder for receiving said digital words therefrom, second inputs for receiving said logic signals, and coupled to said digital memory means for storing therein said sequences of digital words when said logic signals are in a first predetermined state; and memory output control means having first inputs connected to said encoder for receiving said digital data words therefrom, second inputs for receiving said logic signals, and coupled to said digital memory means for retrieving therefrom portions of said sequences of data words starting with a first predetermined word and ending with a second predetermined word and for generating simulated key-closure signals on outputs for connection to said bus to simulate the closing of said keys in the sequence represented by said retrieved portion of words in response to receiving predetermined digital words from said encoder means when said logic signals are in a second predetermined state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said digital memory means is comprised of a digital shift register.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said digital memory means is comprised of a random access memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said keyboard includes a plurality of keys interconnected in a matrix of row lines and column lines, and wherein said encoder has inputs for connection to said row and column lines for receiving said key-closure signals therefrom, and said memory output control means has outputs for connection to said row lines for generating said simulated key-closure signals thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second inputs of said memory input control means and said memory output control means include a common input lead for carrying a RUN logic signal and said memory input control means stores said sequences in response to said RUN signal being false while said memory output control means generates said simulated key-closure signals in response to said RUN signals being true.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said memory input control means includes means for entering said first predetermined data word in said memory means in response to receiving a digital data word from said encoder means representative of a START key on said keyboard being depressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said memory input control means includes means for entering said second predetermined data word in said memory means in response to receiving a digital data word from said encoder means representative of a HALT key on said keyboard being depressed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said memory input control means further includes means for deleting from said digital memory means, the last digital data word entered in said memory means in response to the receipt of a digital data word from said encoder means representative of a DELETE key on said keyboard being depressed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said memory output control means includes decoder means coupled to said memory means for detecting said first and second predetermined data words and for generating control signals to respectively start and stop the generating of said simulated key-closure signals.