EP0047078A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable device
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1981-08-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A programmable device and method of operating the same, including a memory module 53 connectable to a core device 51 consisting of a processor having an operator interface 54. The displays in this manner act as alterable labels for their associated switches. The operator interface 54 includes of a plurality of switches with associated displays. Upon insertion, the module 53 simultaneously establishes the information content of the displays 54, and the functional capabilities of the processor 51. Generally, the information content of the displays is identical to labels normally associated with the switch. The core device without the memory module is practically devoid of functional capabilities. An apparatus device is added to the device so that the processor apparatus device is added to the device so that the processor communicates with the operator other information such as the status of the operation being performed or the like. The connectable module 5, preferably, is a plug-in type and is constructed of Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) circuits or Read Only Memory (ROM) circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence J. Housey, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/023; G06F3/0238
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A programmable device comprised of: (a) an operator interface having: (i) a plurality of switches, and (ii) a plurality of display means disposed such that each switch is associated with a display means; (b) a processor coupled to said display means and to said switches, said processor having udefined functional capabilities; and, (c) a memory module connectable to said processor whereupon connection to said processor, said module defines therein, (i) the functional capability of said processor, (ii) the information content. displayed by said displays, and (iii) a mapping scheme of said switches to the functional capability of said processor
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A programmable device comprised of: (a) an operator interface having: (i) a plurality of switches, and (ii) a plurality of display means disposed such that each switch is associated with a display means; (b) a processor coupled to said display means and to said switches, said processor having udefined functional capabilities; and, (c) a memory module connectable to said processor whereupon connection to said processor, said module defines therein, (i) the functional capability of said processor, (ii) the information content. displayed by said displays, and (iii) a mapping scheme of said switches to the functional capability of said processor
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The programmable device according to Claim 1 wherein said switches are comprised of transparent switches and the display means are positioned in optical series to their associated switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
A programmable device comprised of: (a) an operator interface having a plurality of switch-displays, each of said switch-displays having display means and switch means therein; (b) a processor having yet-to-be-defined functional capabilities and coupled. to said switch-display such that activation of said switch means will be communicated to said processor, and coupled so that said processor controls information content of the display means; and, (c) a memory module connectable to said processor where upon connection to said processor, said module defines therein, (i) the functional capability of said processor (ii) the information content displayed by said display means, and (iii) a mapping scheme of said switch means to the functional capabilities of said processor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
A programmable device comprised of: (a) an operator interface having a plurality of switch-displays, each of said switch-displays having display means and switch means therein; (b) a processor having yet-to-be-defined functional capabilities and coupled. to said switch-display such that activation of said switch means will be communicated to said processor, and coupled so that said processor controls information content of the display means; and, (c) a memory module connectable to said processor where upon connection to said processor, said module defines therein, (i) the functional capability of said processor (ii) the information content displayed by said display means, and (iii) a mapping scheme of said switch means to the functional capabilities of said processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The programmable device according to Claim 2 or 3 further comprised of output means coupled to said processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The programmable device according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein said connectable memory module is comprised of a plug-in memory module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The programmable device according to Claim 5 wherein said plug-in memory module is comprised of Read Only Memory circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The programmable device according to Claim 5 wherein said plug-in memory is comprised of Programmable Read Only Memory circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The programmable device according to Claim 6 wherein each of said display means is comprised of at least one light-emitting diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The programmable device according to Claim 6, wherein each of said display means is comprised of at least one liquid crystal display.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for operating a programmable device comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a connectable memory module to a core device having a processor with yet-to-be defined functional capabilities, said processor coupled to an operator interface having therein a plurality of switch means with associated display means; and (b) defining, by the memory module, (i) the functional capabilities of said processor, (ii) the information content communicated to an operator by said display means, and (iii) a mapping scheme of said switch means to the defined functional capabilities of said processor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for operating a programmable device comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a connectable memory module to a core device having a processor with yet-to-be defined functional capabilities, said processor coupled to an operator interface having therein a plurality of switch means with associated display means; and (b) defining, by the memory module, (i) the functional capabilities of said processor, (ii) the information content communicated to an operator by said display means, and (iii) a mapping scheme of said switch means to the defined functional capabilities of said processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for operating a programmable device according to Claim 10 further comprising the step of communicating to the operator the status of an operator chosen task via an output means coupled to said processor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for operating a programmable device according to Claim 10 or 11 wherein said connectable memory module is comprised of a plug-in memory module. -
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
13 The method for operating a programmable device according to Claim 12 wherein said plug-in memory module is comprised of a . Read Only Memory circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for operating a programmable device according to Claim 12 wherein said plug-in memory module is comprised of Programmable Read Only Memory Circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for operating a programmable device according to Claim 13 wherein said display means consists of at least one light-emitting diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
the method for operating a programmable device according to Claim 13 wherein said display means consist of at least one liquid crystal cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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