DE3804375A1 - Electronic computer for capturing commodities using symbols and further processing of them - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is to invent an electronic computer which makes possible faster, simpler input with few errors, for a limited number of commodities. The way this is achieved is that numeric values are replaced by numeric value keys, which combine several digits, graphic symbols are assigned to the numeric values, and the numeric values are structured and quantised in 10 pfennig steps. The computer works with numeric symbols with one or more positions (e.g. 2,- or 1,80) and/or graphic symbols and/or words and/or abbreviations.

Description

Normally, today's computers only work with single digits Number symbols and are quite complex to construct because they work with links.

The invention has for its object an electronic Inventing a computer that is designed according to need, one enables faster, simple and error-free entry, is as simple as possible, is handy and mobile and can work independently (without any central office), but exchange data with a central office if necessary can.

The calculator works with one or more digits Number symbols (e.g. 2, - or 1.80) and / or graphic symbols and / or words and / or abbreviations.

The concept of the calculator is such. B. for trade or Warehouse thought, because here a relatively small number of different Articles exist and mainly here only need to be registered or added.

Two examples are given as examples of the keyboard.

Keyboard Fig. 1

Here the usual numerical keyboard was replaced by one replaced the z. B. fixed numerical values and / or graphic symbols contains. The numerical values and / or graphic symbols are directly on attached to the button or next to the button in a tab.

The graphic symbols could e.g. B. be the following:

Packaged ice cream with different symbols or beer, Jug of coffee, cup of coffee, etc. or countersunk screw, oval head screw etc. or 100 screws, 200 screws Pcs. Etc.

The keyboard is programmed in two ways. As first by programming the EPROM or by Hardware wiring determines which button which which Function to fulfill, or which numerical value the numerical key receives.

This programming is carried out by the manufacturer of the device. (See variant C). The second programming the user of the device makes.

He writes the ice names on the corresponding tabs on the Numeric keys, e.g. B. the domino ice cream should cost DM 1.80, then Domino is written on the tab of the numerical key 1.80. If the numerical keys go from DM -, 10 to 3, -, it can e.g. B. occur that there are several ice names at the price 1.90 and at e.g. B. Price 1.10 no name.

This assignment automatically results in one Price list.  

To enter the value 2.90, three buttons are normally used operated. This takes a lot of time and is more dangerous for incorrect entries. When this value is added to one is, it is normally necessary to have a key for addition or press Enter. This does not apply here.

Just the numeric keys (in this case as first pressed the key labeled 2.90) in succession and the display 1 automatically shows the added Value.

Display 2 shows the numerical value from the last one entered Numeric key to see. To control the operator. Became a If the wrong numeric key is pressed, press the "C" key for Individual deletion.

If several numerical value keys were pressed incorrectly, the "AC" button for total erasure and operated from the front be started. The "AC" button is also pressed when should start with a complete new entry.

The last pressed button lights up as a check.

Fig. 1A

The numerical keys are arranged logically and systematically, so that the numerical keys can be found quickly. At this Order takes the amount from one row to the next row the same column by 1, - or off and the amount increases from left to right and always ends with a whole Number.

(Internal) structure of the computer:
Variant A (not controlled by software) Fig. 2, 3 and 4
Variant B (controlled by software) Fig. 5
Variant C (controlled by software) Fig. 6

Option A Fig. 2

The numerical values are added by an event counter, the one corresponding to the numerical value via a clock Number of pulses to be sent.

The function in detail using an exemplary embodiment.

The last digit in the displays is always 0, the comma appears after the first two digits and the number key values are graded in -, 10 amounts. To z. B. to get a value of 1.80 in the display, the event counter is sent 18 pulses.

Initially, the "AC" button is pressed to put all of the components in bring the starting position (reset signal). Is z. B. the If the numerical key 1.20 is pressed, the clock is started, continuously sends impulses and the counter starts counting. At the same time, the divider was activated using the numeric key encoded so that it counts to 12, a reset pulse itself there and stops the clock.

Now the number 1.20 appears on display 1 . Then z. B. the numerical key 2.30 is pressed, the clock is started again, the divider coded and given 23 pulses to the event counter. The counter adds up the values and shows the value 3.50.

Displays 1 and 2 are switched off during the counting process. Display 2 , which shows the last numerical value pressed, always receives the impulses simultaneously with display 1 , but is always set to 00.00 when the clock generator receives a start impulse.

If an incorrect numerical value key was pressed, the "C" key must be pressed, this causes the display 1 and 2 to be set to 00.00 and the value of the penultimate number total value is transferred from the memory to the display 1 . A decimal counter can also be used as the memory, which receives a certain value from a corresponding number of pulses and counts down when it is read out until it has reached zero and here it emits corresponding pulses to the event counter. The divider works e.g. B. with decimal counters with 10 decoded outputs each (e.g. with the CMOS IC 4017). To z. B. up to max. to count to 99, two counters are connected in series. Each numeric key is assigned a specific code via an AND gate, which is implemented by diodes.

The displays are LED or LCD displays or the like and are direct or controlled in the multiplex process.

Here functions were added so that the calculator after can subtract and multiply the same basic principle.

Fig. 3 and 4 Subtract Fig. 3

The event counter must be able to count up and down. If a numerical key with the value 2.50 is pressed, appears the value 2.50 in the display. Then the value 1.20 should be subtracted the minus button must be pressed. This will make the Counter set to count down and then the counter gets 12 pulses, so the value 1.30 appears in the display.

Multiply Fig. 4

The sub-function of multiplying is shown here.

If the numerical key with the value 0.40 is pressed, the value 0.40 appears in the display. The divider A sent 4 pulses to the event counter and stored the value 4 in its memory A. If you then want to multiply by the value 6, the multiplication key must be pressed.

By pressing the numerical key 0.60, the value is passed on to divider B.

A 1 is subtracted from this value, this happens automatically by coding.

Now the divider B causes the divider A is 4 from its memory A to pick up and then five times four pulses to the event counter to send, or 20 impulses. The value 2.40 appears in the display 1. Storage B is now back to zero. The value in the event counter is automatically stored in its memory E. If the multiplication key is pressed again, this value, in this case 24, is written into the memory A. Here it goes on as described before.

Variant B Fig. 5

The entire control system is controlled by a single board Computer taken over. This can e.g. B. the following main components to have:

One CPU (Z 80), which takes over the entire control, one Program memory (EP) -ROM (2716), a working memory RAM (1616), a PIO for keyboard query and control of the Display units, a clock for the CPU.

The keyboard can e.g. B. be queried in the multiplexing order Saving signal lines and the display units can, for. B. as with variant A can be controlled with pulse trains or also in the multiplex process or by direct control of the individual segments.

If only one display is used, pressing will appear Numeric key the corresponding value. When pressed again The display goes out for a brief moment and then shows the corresponding value of the numeric key.

By briefly extinguishing the display you have an optical Check whether the same numerical key is pressed several times this has been registered by the device.

With a display it is also possible that the value of the Numeric key first appears briefly and then the total. For acoustic control, when a key is pressed, briefly a buzzer.

By burning the EPROM, the device can always do the best Be adapted to needs.

This can, for. B. each key almost any numerical value be assigned or any possible function.

Alphanumeric characters may appear on the display, i.e. e.g. B. "100 screws for the price of DM 3.50". If the ad for If certain texts are too short, the text appears as ticker. If necessary, the RAM is battery or battery buffered or it is a EPROM or a bladder memory. This then makes it possible Forwarding data to a main computer using an interface, then z. B. makes a final bill in the evening.  

This also means that inventory recording is possible with this (electronic notebook). But it is also possible, for. B. in the morning the device with certain data and / or small programs to load. The display can be according to variant A (LED or LCD) be carried out. The keyboard not only contains numeric keys, but also fixed words or abbreviations (e.g. Kg, m, l, Package, piece) and possibly an alphanumeric keyboard to be able to make the use very flexible. Double occupancy the buttons are also possible.

The device is powered by a power supply unit that may be used simultaneously charges the battery, batteries, accumulators, cigarette lighter socket or solar cells. When operating with batteries is a Overcharge and under-discharge protection circuit provided.

The device turns on after a time (e.g. 2 min) when it is not used automatically to save electricity. By any key press will start it again.

Variant C Fig. 6

The display is controlled as with variants A and B or the individual segments are controlled directly via the PIO.

A keypad is available separately or as double key available, e.g. B. a numeric key has the number 2 as a secondary function.

With the numeric keypad (incl. "." = Comma character) by the user programming the numeric keys themselves made, so he is no longer on the programming of the manufacturer.

The numerical key values are not quantized. The numerical keys can e.g. B. Values of 2.56 DM or 345.78 DM or 9876 (lire).

This means that any number key is assigned any value can be.

These values are stored in the EPROM or similar. Change is also possible with the numeric keypad to calculate.

If several numeric keys were pressed and then the key for Pressed total, the total value of z appears in the display. B. 22.50 DM. The ice cream buyer gives the ice cream seller a 50 DM Appearance. The ice cream seller is now typing a button for change and then type the amount of DM 50 into the numeric keypad. The amount of change from then appears in the display 27.50 DM.

The RAM is battery backed up or a similar one Component such as B. EPROM, bladder memory.

In order to keep the power consumption low, the single board computer operated with the lowest possible clock frequency, but automatically switches to a higher one if necessary, and / or if the CPU has not been pressed for a long time (approx. 10 s) goes into the wait state.  

If necessary, the CPU is started automatically. As a store a static is used to allow the data to go through the wait state is not lost.

The clock frequency is through an inexpensive RC link or through generated a ceramic filter.

The device contains a transmitter and receiver (e.g. high frequency, Infrared or ultrasound) and can be used with a central device or exchange data with an identical device.

The central device can e.g. B. a normal PC (e.g. IBM compatible) be by appropriate software and hardware additions can perform these tasks.

This is e.g. B. very useful in gastronomy. Is z. B. in a restaurant with the help of this device accepted, it can be checked whether certain goods are available. Second, the orders can be placed in the central device already received and collected if necessary will. The device contains a small printer with the z. B. the Billing, receipt is printed out. The data for this will be determined in the computer or transmitted by the central device or arise from a "dialogue" between the device and the Central unit.

Fig. 7

The device has one or more displays, one of which is the The user turned to the device and the other to the customer. The Customer display can be connected via a flexible cable and can be positioned cheaply and optimally.

Claims (21)

Electronic computer for recording articles with the help of symbols and their further processing, characterized by the following features: 1. Numerical values are replaced by numerical value keys that combine several digits. 2. Graphic symbols are assigned to the numerical values. The numerical values are built up in (10 pfennig) steps, quantized. 3. The programming of the numerical key is done by the user, by simply labeling the corresponding Numeric key price tags. 4. The last pressed button lights up and you corresponding numerical value appears in a separate Display. 5. If the ad is not used for arithmetic, used as a clock display or as a temperature display. 6. The addition is not achieved by links, but through defined pulse sequences from an event counter be counted. 7. The device is independent of the network, small and mobile. 8. The device can be constructed using SMD and / or CMOS technology or it is in hybrid technology or with highly integrated IC’s built. The keyboard can be a membrane keyboard. Electronic calculator for entering articles with the help of Symbols and their further processing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following features: 9. The control of the device a single board computer or a A chip computer takes over. 10. A data interface is available. This can, for. B. a small portable printer can be connected. 11. Double key assignments are possible. An alphanumeric Keyboard is available and a corresponding one Display.   Electronic calculator for entering articles with the help of Symbols and their further processing, according to one of the claims 1-11, characterized by the following features: 12. The display is controlled as in claims 1-11 or the individual segments are directly (driver is looped in) controlled via the PIO. 13. A numeric keypad is available separately or as a double key Button available, e.g. B. has a numeric key as a second function the number 2. 14. The programming is done by the user with the numeric keypad the numerical keys themselves. 15. In addition, that is possible with the numeric keypad Calculate change. 16. The device contains a transmitter and receiver (e.g. high frequency, Infrared or ultrasound, and can be used if necessary a central device or an identical device change. 17. The RAM is battery backed up or a similar one Component such as B. EPROM, bladder memory. 18. In order to keep the power consumption low, the clock frequency kept as low as possible.