Single actuator electronic minicomputer

Claim 1

A single actuator electronic digital calculator device, comprising a display, electronic sequencing means for providing sequencing of the display through a plurality of characters representing both data and data operations, a digital calculator means for processing data signals in accordance with data operator signals, and a single switch means controlled by the operator of the device for, in a first state thereof, actuating said electronic sequencing means so as to provide sequencing of said display and for, in a second state thereof, deactivating said sequencing means to provide selection of a said character and for causing entry of a digitally encoded signal representing the selected character into said calculator means, said electronic sequencing means comprising character generator means for, when actuated, generating a said plurality of characters on a continuous, cyclic basis, and said display comprising an electronic display means, responsive to said character generator means, for displaying said characters in sequence on a continuous cyclic basis when said character generator means is actuated, said device further comprising a single actuator for actuating said switch means, said actuator, in a first state thereof, causing switching of said switch means to the first state of said switch means and, in a second state thereof, causing switching of said switch means to said second state of said switch means, and means responsive to said single actuator for controlling the sequencing rate of said electronic sequencing means over a continuous spectrum of rates.