Electronic checklist using solid state readouts

• US 4,251,813 A
• Filed: 03/05/1979
• Issued: 02/17/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Franklin E. Carre
• Original Assignee: Franklin E. Carre
• Inventors: Carre, Franklin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trafton, David L.
• Application Number:
  US06/017,192
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/798, 340/802, 340/813, 340/693, 340/711
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

An electronic checklist uses solid state readouts to display alphanumeric data such as would be found in a short but concise checklist. Operation of the checklist is enhanced by interfacing circuitry which contains page and line selecting features. A chip select decoder and a character sequencing counter operate in conjunction with other ROM addressing circuits to route characters from the ROM to the display. An emergency power supply circuit and a voltage regulator circuit are also given.

Claims

1. In an electronic checklist using solid state readouts, characters of alphanumeric information may be displayed by a means comprised of:

an operator actuated rotary switch, said switch being connected to an encoder, said encoder having an output forming the most significant bits of a read only memory address, each combination of bits delineating a portion of said memory;

an operator actuated momentary switch, said switch being one of two inputs to a debouncing circuit, said debouncing circuit having two outputs, one of which forms an input to a counter, said counter having an output forming the next most significant bits of said read only memory address, each combination of bits delineating a portion of read only memory address subsequent to portion delineated by output of said encoder;

a second input to said debouncing circuit from said encoder in combination thereof with said momentary switch resulting in the activation of a clock, said clock having an output forming the input to a second counter, said second counter having one of a combination of outputs which deactivates said clock after a prescribed number of clock pulses, other outputs of said second counter forming the least significant address bits of said read only memory;

a decoder having inputs derived from outputs of said second counter, said decoder having one of a number of mutually exclusive outputs each forming an input to an alphanumeric display cluster;

alphanumeric display clusters each having an input derived from said read only memory, said decoder, said clock, and said second counter, said read only memory containing encoded alphanumeric data, said decoder providing cluster selection, said second counter providing display character selection, and said clock providing character write commands.

2. In an electronic checklist using solid state readouts as described in claim 1, an emergency power supply means is comprised of a battery which is rechargeable, said battery having an output controlled by a switching and charging circuit that is controlled by certain switch positions of said rotary switch, charging of said battery being accomplished by application of normal input power, the said emergency power supply having its output protected by a diode means to avoid battery depletion when not in use.