EP0111481A1

EP0111481A1 - Manually programmable computer data entry and storage device and method

Info

Publication number: EP0111481A1
Application number: EP19820902292
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dale E. Fiene; Richard Management Invest. & Tech. Co. Ltd. YUNG
Original assignee: Management Invest & Tech; Management Investment and Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Management Invest & Tech; Management Investment and Technology Ltd
Priority date: 1982-06-11
Filing date: 1982-06-11
Publication date: 1984-06-27
Also published as: WO1983004446A1

Abstract

Appareil et procédé permettant d'effectuer une programmation manuelle aisée d'un équipement commandé par microprocesseur ou ordinateur. Dans un tel équipement, on a besoin de dispositifs et de techniques simplifiés pour introduire des données dans l'ordinateur. Le procédé décrit permet à l'usager de lire les données sans avoir besoin d'un appareil de lecture ou d'affichage. Ce procédé est utilisé en combinaison avec un contrôleur automatisé (10) ayant une mémoire (12) et un dispositif d'actionnement (14) utilisé avec un lecteur (18) et un appareil manuel de stockage et d'introduction de données (16) pour introduire des données sélectionnées par l'usager dans la mémoire (12). L'appareil manuel de stockage et d'introduction de données (16) comprend une base d'introduction de données avec une pluralité d'adresses (20) pour l'introduction manuelle de données de l'usager exploitables par une machine (22, 24, 26, 28 et 30). De préférence un matériau de base résistant d'entrée de données au niveau d'adresses de données (20) permet d'effectuer des modifications répétées des données. Dans une forme préférée, le dispositif manuel de stockage et d'introduction de données (16) comprend une bande en plastique allongée avec des adresses de données (20) pour recevoir des marques de repère au crayon détectables photo-optiquement.Apparatus and method for easy manual programming of equipment controlled by a microprocessor or computer. In such equipment, simplified devices and techniques are required for entering data into the computer. The method described allows the user to read the data without the need for a reading or display device. This method is used in combination with an automated controller (10) having a memory (12) and an actuator (14) used with a reader (18) and a manual data storage and input device (16) for entering data selected by the user into the memory (12). The manual data storage and input device (16) includes a data input base with a plurality of addresses (20) for manual input of machine-readable user data (22, 24, 26, 28 and 30). Preferably a resistant base material for data entry at the data address level (20) allows repeated modifications of the data. In a preferred form, the manual data storage and input device (16) includes an elongated plastic strip with data addresses (20) for receiving photo-optically detectable pencil mark marks.

Description

MANUALLY PROGRAMMABLE COMPUTER DATA ENTRY AND STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for easy manual programming of microprocessor controlled or computer controlled equipment. As computers become more commonly used for a variety of functions, a need has arisen for simplified devices and techniques for entry of data into the computer. This is particularly true with respect to microprocessors and small or special purpose computers which are used to control various electro mechanical devices. Known apparatus and methods used in larger commercial applications are less than satisfactory for use with the special purpose computers designed for consumer use.

Punched paper cards and tapes are often used for entering data into large general purpose computers. Howeve such cards or tapes generally require a large and expensive automatic tape or card punching machine operated from a keyboard, known as a key punch machine. These key punch machines punch in the card or tape a coded pattern of holes for each letter or function of the keyboard in the paper. While such codes can be visually read, the codes are sophisticated and only persons trained in the reading of such codes can do so. In fact, the codes are so difficult to read, card punch machines are often provided with a separate printer to print the letter with its associated punched code.

_OMPI While the holes could be manually punched in the cards or tape with a simple hand tool, such as is done with computer cards used for voting, entering data on these cards or tapes in this manner requires a thorough knowledge of the code being used and is impractical. Another disadvantage unique to punched cards or tapes, is that once the card or tape has been perforate it is not easily changed, if changeable at all. Each card is usable for only one particular set of data or instructio Magnetic tape and disc have also been used to stor and enter data into computers. A principal advantage that they have over punched cards or tape is that they are erasable and reuseable. However, a magnetic tape or disc always requires a sophisticated tape recorder operated from a keyboard. Moreover, there is absolutely no possibil of visual reading data stored on the magnetic tape or disc as with punched card or tape. Reading of the tape or disc only be done through use of the magnetic tape or disc playe with a suitable visual display. In retail stores and the like it is now known to encode price and inventory information in bar code form on item labels. These labels are read into a computer by a photo-optical reader maintained at a cash register termin Such labels, however, require precise machine printing of the bar codes according to exacting standards and, like punched tape, are also difficult to decipher.

It is also believed that input test data has been entered into a computer for scoring standardized tests by machine reading pencil markings made at selected data answer locations on the answer sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of my invention is to pro- vide a user of microprocessor, or computer controlled equipment, or controllers, a apparatus and method to easily manually program the controller to obtain the desired results from the equipment.

OMPI In keeping with this objective, the invention provides the combination of a controller having a computer with a memory and an actuator controlled by the computer in accordance with user selected data entered into the memory, and a manual data entry and storage apparatus for entering user selected data into the computer. The manual entry and storage apparatus includes a data entry and storage device having a plurality of locations for selective manual receipt of machine readable, user selected data manually enterable thereat, and means for machine reading the data of the data entry and storage device into the computer.

In a preferred embodiment, the data entry and storage device comprises an elongate member with a surface having a plurality of selected data entry locations for receipt of pencil marks or the like to designate selection of the data locations. The member is in the form of an elongate strip containing instructional information and identifying the association of the different data locations with particular data. After the data marks are entered on the strip with a pencil-like instrument, the user manually passes it through the reader which reads the selected data into the computer memory.

The device with the markings at the selected data entry locations is then preserved. Preferably it is kept with the controller, so that the user can visually read it at a later time to determine what was previously entered into the computer. If it is desired to enter a new set of data, the markings associated with the old data to be change are erased, and new markings are made at the newly selected data locations. After reprogramming of the data entry and storage device is completed, • it is again manually passed through the reader to enter the new set of data. Alternatel data is entered on another blank data entry and storage devi which is then used to reprogram the computer.

However, preferably the data entry and storage devi is reusable, and a further objective of this invention is to provide such a computer data entry and storage device which is manually reprogrammable, so that it may be use^^ repeatedly. In keeping with this objective, in a preferre embodiment, a data entry base is provided with a plurality of locations for the entry of machine readable data and endurable means at the locations manually alterable for repeated receipt of machine readable data manually entered at the locations. In one embodiment, the endurable means comprises an erasable surface which is markable with pencil marks and which is endurable to withstand repeated erasures and repeated marks. Other embodiments of the data entry and storage device include reusable simple hand operated mechanisms for repeatedly mechanically, magnetically or otherwise marking selected data locations.

Since the device provides durable means at the locations manually alterable for repeated receipt of machin readable data, the device is easily altered to correct inappropriate data or instructions. Furthermore, the devic is easily manually reprogrammed to provide convenience to the user for updating his instructions to the controller, microprocessor or computer. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a data entry and storage device for programming a controlle in which the device contains visually readable instructions or designations to inform the user the manner of entering data onto it so that complicated codes do not have to be learned by the user in order to program the controller. Still further object is to provide the above described method of using the data entry and storage device to program a microprocessor, a controller or other device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing objects, features and advantages will be discussed in greater detail, and other objects, features and advantage_.s of the present invention will be made apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is given with reference to the several views of drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a controller and manual data entry and storage apparatus of present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the data entry and storage device with data entered thereon;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a manually progra mable thermostatic controller with a data entry and storag device being hand fed into its reader;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the data entry and storage device; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of yet another embodiment of the data entry and storage device;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, partially sectioned, perspective view of a further embodiment of the data entry and storage device;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of still another embodiment of the data entry and storage device;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of yet a further embodiment of the data entry and storage device; Fig. 9 is still a further embodiemnt of the data entry and storage device;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodime of a controller constructed in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of still a further embodiment of a controller constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

^• Referring to Fig. 1, a functional block diagram of the present invention is seen to comprise a controller 10 in combination with the manual data entry and storage apparatus 12. The controller 10 has a microprocessor or other computer 12 with a memory (not shown) and an actuator 14. The term computer used herein and in the claims shall mean not only a microprocessor or other computer of general

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O PI * W1PO construction having a central processing unit, read only memory and a random access memory , but shall also include any programmable electronic device which may be specially designed to perform only certain special functions. Numer data readers and microprocessors are well known, and neith the details of the reader nor the details of the computer and actuator form any part of the present invention and are therefore not described in detail.

However, briefly often the computer 12 will comprise a microprocessor with a central processing unit, or CPU. The memory includes a read only memory, or ROM, in which the basic computer programs are stored, and a random access memory, or RAM, whithin which user data is temporarily stored. The actuator includes suitable interf circuitry for producing output signals of sufficient magni tude and appropriate form to control selected devices con¬ nected therewith.

The computer controls the actuator 14 in accordan with its programs stored in the ROM, such as general instr tions to turn on a furnace at a selected time of the day, and as specified by the user programmable data stored in the RAM which specifies the selected turn-on time.

The manual data entry and storage apparatus 12 comprises a manual data entry and storage device 16 and a reader 18. The manual data entry and storage device 16 manually receives data from a user, such as the time- of day to change the temperature to a temperature selec¬ ted by the user. This data is entered in a form readable by both the user and by photo-optical detectors, magnetic detectors, or any other suitable well known automatic data readers. After entry, the user passes the manual data entry and storage device 16 through the reader 18 which automatically reads the data stored thereon into the users portion-of the computer emmory. Preferably, for purposes of simplicity, the reade

18 is of the type which permits manual movement by the use of the device 16 through the reader. Alternately, it has an apparatus for automatically feeding the device 16 past a read head within the reader 18.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a programmable, computer-controlled thermostat. As best seen in Fig. 2, a preferred embodiment of the manual data entry and storage device 16 comprises an elongate strip having a base, or body, 18 along which are serially provided a plurality of data entry locations 20 at which data is manually enterable by means of a graphite pencil or other suitable marker. The base 18 carries instructional and identifying information which designates the different data locations 20 as to the type of data and the value of the data associated with each of the locations. Instructional information, such as an arrow 17 showing the direction of movement for reading, is also provided.

In this particular example, the different types of data include time point, day of the week, temperature and time. For each of ten different time points, such as time point four indicated by a mark 22, the device 16 is programmed with the day, such as Saturday and Sunday indicated by a mark 24, temperature, as indicated by mark 26 and time, as indicated by mark 28 or mark 30. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the device specifies that for time point four on Saturday and Sunday, the controller should cause the tempera¬ ture to go to 60° F., mark 26, at 12 A.M., mark 28. Alternately, the time of 2 P.M. could be indicated by mark 30.

A different device 16 is provided for each of the ten different time points. A program for a thermostatic control for a week which utilizes only five of the time points, might appear as follows:

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^V TIME POINT DAY TEMP. TIME 1 M T W TH F S SU 60° 12 midnight 2 M T W TH F S SU 68° 5 A.M. 3 M T W TH F 72° 6 A.M. 4 S SU 72° 8 A.M.

5 M T W TH F 68° 10 P.M.

The various data locations preferably have endurable, markable surfaces to which pencil or other markings are repeatedly adherable and erasable. In this way, a change or correction to the program can be made simply by erasing the appropriate marks on the device 16 and entering new marks at different data locations 20, as desired. In the form of applicant's invention shown in Fig. 2, the device 16 comprises a Mylar or other markable and endurable, hand held plastic strip, and the various data locations are integrally formed with base 18. As will be described in greater detail, alter¬ nate forms of the manual data entry and storage device are contemplated. Referring to Fig. 3, a thermostat controller is shown about to be programmed by means of strip 16 being manually passed through the slot 32 within which is located a photo-optical read head 34 of a reader 18. The controller also has other manual controls such as a fan control switch 36 and a mode selection switch 38.

The mode selection switch 38 has different settings for heating, cooling, turning power off, time indication and for programming. A digital display 40 provides an indication of temperature and can be used to display other functions generated by the computer, such as time of day. A clock associated with display 40 indicates to the computer the time of day and the day of the week. The thermostat also has a thermocouple or other device for receiving current temperature data from the environ- ment. This data is used to automatically inform the com¬ puter when a selected temperature or time has been reached.

As seen, the computer controlled thermostat of Fig 3 is programmed by simply manually sliding the manual

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Yλ W1P data entry and storage device 16 for each time point past the read head 34 by sliding it through the read slot 32.

The computer actuator and reader are all mounted within a housing 40, and the housing 40 is provided with a storage compartment 42 for purposes of storing the data entry and storage devices 16 for each of the ten different time points. The program which has been entered into the computer can thus simply be determined by removing the devices 16 from their storage compartment and visually examining them. If a change is desired in any aspect of the program, the manual data entry and storage device 16 associated with the particular time point which is desired to be altered is simply removed and alterations are made to the data stored by the device 16, as desired. Then the altered manual data entry and storage device 16 is again passed through the read slot 32 and past read head 34 to read the new data into the computer.

For simple programs, a single read head reading a single channel of data will often be adequate. However, as indicated in Fig. 2 by mark 30, in an alternate embodi¬ ment, multiple read heads are provided for a plurality of parallel channels. In this way, the length of the manual data entry and storage device 16 can be shortened and the density of the information contained thereon in- creased. If ten parallel channels were readable by ten read heads, then the entire program for all ten time points could be entered into the computer with a single pass of device 16 past all the read heads.

The coding is preferably binary digital, or bar code although other coding schemes including analog coding may be employed. The coding scheme is preferably asynchronous or, if a mechanical feeding device is provided for feeding the device 16 past the read head 34 at a con¬ trolled speed, the coding can be synchronous. Confirmation that the correct data were entered into the memory may be provided by a suitable comparator program which will compare the inputs from repeated passes past the read head 34 of the same device 16. While the embodiment of the manual data entry and storage device 16 shown in Fig. 2 in which the data is entered with pencil marks and removed by erasure is preferred because of its simplicity and low cost, other embodiments are contemplated. In Fig. 4, an embodiment of the manual data entry and storage device 16 is shown in which the base 18 is provided with a reading surface 23 having a plurality of depressions or holes with each hole being associated with a different data location 20. Instead of marking the data locations 20 with a pencil or the like, the locations are marked with a plug or other marker 25 which is inserted into and releasably held in the opening. The marker 25 is flush with the top surface of the base. Alternately, the location 20 is marked with a plug 27 which is raised above the surface 23 of base 18. The absence or presence of a plug 25 and 27 in a particular hole may be mechanically detected by the reader. Alternate the marker 25 and 27 may comprise a different tone than surface 23 so as to be photo-optically detected, a magnetic element to be magnetically detected, or they may contain a plurality of data elements detectable by an ultraviolet scanner or the like. Raised plug marker 27, on the other hand, is intended to be mechanically detected by a mech¬ anical reader. Referring to Fig. 5, the base 18 is provided with a plurality of data locations 20 and means for moun¬ ting marker members 26 for slidable movement into or out of reading, or marking relationship with the data locations 20. These markers 29, likewise, are photo-optically detec- table, mechanically detectable, magnetically detectable or otherwise detectable by the associated reader.

Referring to Fig. 6, yet another embodiment of the manual data entry and storage device 16 is shown in which the markers comprise push buttons 31 movably mounted within the data locations for movement into and out of marking relationship therewith. In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the push button markers 31 are mounted to le'af springs 33 which are flexibly movable between a lowered

J position in which the marker lies substantially flush with or beneath the top surface 23 of base 18, and a raised position in which the marker 28 protrudes above the top surface 23. Again, the push button markers 28 may be machine detectable through any available technique, such a magnetically, photo-optically, capacitively, mechanically, inductively, etc.

Referring to Fig. 7, another embodiment is shown in which the markers comprise bits of tape 35 provided from a tape supply 37 which are adhered to the base 18 by adhesive or the like.

Referring to Fig. 8, in another embodiment, the markers comprise elements 39 containing a plurality of hook-like members 41 which are releasably attached to thread-like members located on the base 18 of device 16. Alternately, they comprise elements 43 having thread-like members 45 releasably attachable to hook-like members 47 carried by base 16.

Referring to Fig. 9, in yet a further embodiment, the markers are in the form of ferromagnetic elements 48 adhered to a magnetic base 18 or in the form of magnetic elements 50 adhered to a ferromagnetic base 18.

Referring to Fig. 10, in a further embodiemnt, the manual data entry and storage devices 16 are mounted for slidable movement past a reader 18 within a housing 52 which also contains the controller 10. The manual data entry and storage devices 16 are permanently mounted for slidable movement past the reader 18 from an extended position without the housing whereat manual access to them can be gained to change the data entered thereon. A separate read head associated with each device 16 is mounte within housing 52 in reading relationship therewith.

Referring to Fig. 11, in yet another embodiment, the manual data entry and storage devices 16 are mounted to a housing 54 to which is also mounted the controller

10 and a movably mounted reader 18. Instead of the manual data entry and storage devices 16 being moved past the reader, the devices 16 are held stationery for display and

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OMPI entry of data, and the reader 18 is moved across the de¬ vices 16 to read the data therefrom.

While particular embodiments have been shown, it should be appreciated that many variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the claims. For instance, while only a thermostatic controller and other types of residen¬ tial or building functions are shown, it is clear that the data entry and storage device is useful with many types of commercial microprocessor controllers, various locking and security mechanisms, computer toys, home entertainment controllers and a variety of other applications. For instance, the device 16 could be used as a manually reprogrammable key or security pass for an electronic lock.

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Claims

CLAIMS 1. The combination of: a controller having a computer with a memory and an actuator controlled by said computer in accordance with user selected data entered into said memory; a manual data entry and storage apparatus for entering user selected data into said computer, including: a data entry and storage device having a plurality of locations for selective manual receipt of machine readable user selected data manually entered thereat; and means for machine reading the data of said data entry and storage device into said computer.

2. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac- cordance with claim 1 including a housing for said reading means, said housing having means for releasably holding said data entry and storage device.

3. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 including hand held data entering means for manually entering said data at said locations.

4. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 including a housing for said reader said housing having means for releasably holding said data entering means.

5. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said reading means includes a read head and an automatic mechanical feeder device for receiving said data entry and storage device and moving it in data reading relationship with said machine read head.

6. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said data entry and storage device is hand held and said reading means includes means for reading the data of said device as it is manually moved in reading relationship therewith. »

7. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 including means for mounting said -Th¬ reading means for movement in reading relationship with said data entry and storage device.

8. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 including means for mounting said data entry base for movement to a position away from the reader where it is accessable for manual alteration theret

9. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 including a frame, a plurality of data entry and storage device means for mounting said plurality of data entry and storage devices to the frame, and means for mounting at least a portion of the reading means to the frame.

10. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said reading means is a synchronous reader.

11. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said reading means is an asynchronous reader.

12. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said data entry and storage device is hand sized.

13. A data entry and storage device in accor- dance with claim 1 in which said reading means is a digital reader.

14. A data entry and storage apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said reading means is a binary code reader.

15. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 1 in which said reading means is an analog reader.

16. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said data entry and stor- age device is manually reprogrammable for manual removal of formerly entered data and the manual addition of new data.

17. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said data entry and stor¬ age device comprises a base having a plurality of data locations at which data is manually removeable and enterab

18. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said data is relatively enterable at said data locations by marking said locations with a machine detectable marker.

19. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac- cordance with claim 1 in which said marker is a visually detectable marker and said reader is a photo optical reader.

20. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said data locations have surfaces markable by means of manual deposition of material adhered to the surface.

21. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said mark is visually detectable.

22. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said mark is erasable.

23. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said mark comprises a material manually deposited at selected locations, and said mark is erased by removal of said material from the locatio

24. A data entry and storage apparatus in ac¬ cordance with claim 1 in which said mark is removeable by

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OMPl manually rubbing it from the surface at said data location.

25. A data entry and storage apparatus in accord¬ ance with claim 1 in which said mark is mechanically detectable and said reading means is a mechanical sensor.

26. A data entry and storage apparatus in accord¬ ance with claim 1 in which said mark is magnetic and said reading means is a magnetic sensor.

27. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device, comprising: a data entry base having a -plurality of locations for the entry of machine readable data; and endurable means at said locations manually alterable for repeated receipt of machine readable data manually entered at said locations.

28. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said data entry base is hand held.

29. a manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 28 in which said data entry base is a flexible strip.

30. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said data entry base is a plate-like member.

31. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry . and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said data entry base is rigid.

32. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said data entry base includes means at one of said locations for visually designating it as being associated with a particular kind of information.

33. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said machine readable data is in a digital form.

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34. A mannually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said machine readable data is in a binary form.

35. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said machine readable data is in anolog form.

36. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said endurable means is a hand eraseable surface sufficiently endurable for repetitive receipt and removable of machine readable marking material without substantial degradation of said surface.

37. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27, in which said endurable means includes an opening defined by said data entry base.

38. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 37 in which said opening includes means for releasable, repetitive receipt and removal of a mating plug member.

39. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 37 in which said opening is a slot adapted for repetitive receipt of insert member and removal of the same without sub- stantial permanent distortion of said slot.

40. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 1 in which said endurable means has a generally hard, smooth surface for repetitive receipt and removal of a machine readable marking material adherable thereto without substantial permanent deterioration of said surface.

41. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 40 in which said generally hard smooth surface is made from plastic.

42. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device of claim 40 in combination with a' source of said marking material.

43. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said endurable means includes a plurality of connectors for releasable connection with machine detectable elements.

44. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 43 in which said connectors comprise interlocking hair¬ like thread members of releasable engagement with said hook members or a plurality of hood members for releasable engagement with thread-like members.

45. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said endurable surface is manually, magnetic- ally alterable for receipt of magnetically detectable data.

46. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 45 in combination with a magnetic marker, and means for releasably adhering said mangetic marker to said surface.

47. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said endurable means is a magnetizeable member.

48. A manually reprogrammable data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 47 in com¬ bination with a marker releasable attached to said member by mutual magnetic attraction therewith.

49. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said endurable means includes a machine detectable marker member slideably mounted to said base for movement into and out of engagement with one of said data entry locations

50. A manually reprogrammable computer data _ entry and storage device in accordance with claim 49 in which said marker is hand movable.

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51. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 50 in which said marker element is mounted to said base at said data location for slideable movement into and out of a machine readable position at said data locations.

52. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 49 in which said base has a selected direction of relative movement during reading and said marker is mounted for movement in a direction non-parallel thereto.

53. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 52 in which said marker comprises a slideably mounted pust button.

54. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said data entry base comprises a hand held strip member and said endurable πeans at said data entry locations have eraseable, visually markable surfaces for reciipt of photo-optically detectable data marks.

55. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 54 in which said data entry locations are seriatim

56. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 54 in which said data base carries means visually detectable for permanently uniquely identifying different ones of data entry locations as being associated with data for the selection of different data for entry and storage.

57. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 54 in which said data entry locations are arranged ^* seriatim i_n a plurality of parallel rows .

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58. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 54 in which hand held member is an elongate strip.

59. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim

58 in which data entry locations are arranged seriatim along the length of the elongate strip.

60. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 58 in which said data entry locations are located adjacent an edge of said strip.

61. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 58 in which said data entry locations have data entered thereon in the form of eraseable markings on at least one of said data entry location surfaces.

62. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said data is arranged thereby in the form of an eraseable marking on at least one of said data entry location surfaces.

63. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 62 in which said marking is made from a graphite- like material.

64. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which said data is manually entered by means of a pencil-like device.

65. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in which machine readable data entered at said locations is mannually removeable.

66. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 65 in which said data is in the form of a marking removeable by rubbing the marking off of a surface of said endurable means.

67. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim 27 in combination with a computer memory and means for reading data manually entered at said data entry locations into said computer memory.

68. A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim

67 in which said reading means has means for reading said data into the computer memory as the data entry base reader is manually moved relative to each other in reading relationship.

69. ^"A manually reprogrammable computer data entry and storage device in accordance with claim

68 in which said data entry base is hand held and said reading means reads the data thereon as the data base is manually moved through the reader.

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OMPI

70. An apparatus for entering data into a con¬ troller by means of a reader for automatically reading said apparatus, comprising: a data entry base having a plurality of selectable data locations respectively associated with different items of control data; means carried by said data entry base for visually indicating to a user the association of said data locations with said items of control data associated therewith; and means at said locations for receipt of handwritten visually detectable marks thereon detectable by said reader to indicate selection of the data locations.

71. The apparatus of claim 70 in which said data locations comprise a hand writable surface for receipt of pencil-like marks.

72. The apparatus of claim 70 in which said data locations are located on said data base at positions thereon accessible to a read head of said reader as the base is moved relative thereto^'in a single scanning motion.

73. The apparatus of claim 72 in which said data locations are seriatim.

74. The apparatus of claim 70 in which said base carries means for visually indicating the appropriate direction of movement of the apparatus for reading by said reader.

75. The apparatus of claim 70 in which said base carries means for visually indicating to the user the type of control data associated with different control functions.

76. The apparatus of claim 70 in which said base comprises an elongate paper-like strip.

77. The apparatus of claim 70 in which said base has a handle portion thereof spaced from the data locations for holding the apparatus as it is moved in reading relationship with the reader.

78. A method of using the apparatus of claim 70 to enter user data into a controller having a reader, comprising the steps of: handwriting marks at selected ones of said data locations; and moving said apparatus past the reader in readi relationship therewith to enter the data thereon into the controller.

79. The method of claim 78 in which the step of moving said apparatus past the reader is performed manually.

80. The method of claim 78 including the steps of altering the means; altering the visually detectable marks to change the control data carried by said apparatus to new data; and again moving the apparatus past the reader to enter the new data into the controller.

81. The method of claim 80 in which said step of altering is performed by erasing the marks at selected ones of said data locations.

82. The method of claim 80 in which said step of altering is performed by manually adding additional marks to selected data locations not previously marked.

83. The method of claim 80 including the step of storing the apparatus in close proximity with the reader after the control data thereof has been read into the controller.

84. A method of entering user data into a controll through use of an automatic reader, comprising the steps of: manually entering reader detectable control data codes directly onto a data entry and storage device; and moving said data entry and storage device and reader relative to one another in reading relationship to read the data entered onto the data entry and storage device into the controller.

85. The method of claim 84 in which the step of entering data onto said device is performed by manually making reader detectable marks at selected data locations carried thereby.

86. The method of claim 85 in which the step of making said marks is performed by manually marking said data location with a pencil-like apparatus.

87. The method of claim 85 in which said step of marking said data locations is by attaching a marking elemen to the data location.

88. The method of claim 87 in which said marking element is magnetically detachable and said reader is a magnetic reader.

89. The method of claim 87 in which said marking element is photo-optically detachable and said reader is a photo-optical reader.

90. The method of claim 87 including the step of movably mounting said marking element to said device, and in which step of marking is performed by manually moving said marking element into marking relationship with said data locations.

91. • The method of claim 84 including the steps of: altering the control data stored on said data entry device; and again moving the device and reader relative to one another to enter the altered control data into the controller.

92. The method of claim 91 in which said step of altering is performed by removing the marks from selected ones of the data locations.

93. The method of claim 92 in which said step of removing is performed by erasing the marks.

94. The method of claim 91 in which said step of altering is performed by marking previously unmarked data locations.

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