Programmable electronic device

• US 4,984,295 A
• Filed: 02/20/1990
• Issued: 01/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Terry, Brian K., Engstrom, Scott M., Myers, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Ralph
• Application Number:
  US07/483,973
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 455/151, 455/186, 455/89, 335/205, 335/219, 340/825.72, 73/1 G, 368/69, 364/184, 364/188
• US Class Current: 455/186.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

The programmable electronic device, such as a radio, includes a memory for storing program information. A controller, such as a microprocessor, is connected to the memory for programming and reading the memory. A keypad is provided for data entry and is connected to the microprocessor. A magnetic switch, such as a Hall effect switch, is located within the radio and controls the program enable line of the microprocessor. The Hall effect switch is actuated by an externally supplied magnetic field for enabling programming of the memory of the radio.

Claims

1. A programmable ratio comprising:

memory means for storing radio program information,

control means, operatively connected to the memory means, for programming and reading the memory means,

data entry means connected to the control means, the data entry means including a keypad,

program enable means connected to the control means, for selectively enabling and inhibiting programming of the memory means, and including field actuable switching means located within the device and actuable by an externally supplied field for enabling programming of the device, and

a programming fixture selectively receivable about the radio, the programming fixture including a magnet positioned to provide said externally supplied field for actuating said field actuable switching means.

2. A programmable radio as defined in claim 1, in which:

the field actuable switching means comprises a Hall effect switch.

3. A programmable radio as defined in claim 2, in which:

a manually actuable switch is operatively serially connected with the Hall effect switch.

4. A programmable radio as defined in claim 3, in which

the control means comprises a microcomputer.

5. A programmable radio as defined in claim 4, in which the program enable means includes a program control line connected to the microcomputer.

6. A programmable electronic device, comprising:

memory means for storing program information,

control means, operatively connected to the memory means for programming and reading the memory means,

data entry means connected to the control means,

program enable means connected to the control means, for selectively enabling and inhibiting programming of the memory means, and including field actuable switching means located within the device and actuable by an externally supplied field for enabling programming of the device, and

a programming fixture selectively receivable by the device, the programming fixture includes a magnet providing said externally supplied field,

the field actuable switching means comprises a Hall effect switch,

a manually actuable switch is operatively serially connected with the Hall effect switch,

the control means comprising a microcomputer,

the program enable means including a program control line connected to the microcomputer, and

a switching transistor actuated by the manually actuable switch and the Hall effect switch, for switching the control line between high and low for controlling programming of the device.

7. A programmable electronic device as defined in claim 6, in which the switching transistor comprises a bipolar transistor, and

a series circuit including the Hall effect switch and a tunnel diode control the switching transistor.

8. The programmable electronic device as defined in claim 7, in which the series circuit further includes a field effect transistor, and

the manually actuable switch controls the field effect transistor.

9. A method of programming a radio having a programmable memory comprising:

placing a fixture about the radio, the fixture having a magnet positioned to actuate a magnetic switch within the radio;

manually actuating a switch which cooperates with the magnetic switch to enable programming of the device;

actuating a keypad on the device to program the radio memory;

releasing the manually actuated switch, and removing the programming fixture from the radio to prevent further programming of the radio memory.

10. A method of programming a radio having a programmable memory comprising:

placing a fixture about the radio, the fixture having a magnet positioned to actuate a Hall effect switch within the radio;

manually actuating a second switch which cooperates with the Hall effect switch to enable programming of the radio;

actuating a keypad on the device to program the radio;

releasing the manually actuated switch, and removing the programming fixture from the device to prevent further programming of the radio.

11. A method of programming a memory of a two-way radio comprising:

placing a fixture about the radio, the fixture having a magnet positioned to actuate a magnetic switch within the radio to enable programming of the radio;

actuating a keypad on the memory of the radio to program the radio; and

removing the programming fixture from the radio to prevent further programming of the memory of the radio.