Multicipher entry

Claim 2

In a device for entering data into a memory having at least one register with a plurality of digit positions, said data entering device comprising a keyboard having a plurality of value entry keys, and means responsive to depression of a first one of said value entry keys for entering a corresponding value into one of said positions of said register and responsive upon subsequent depression of any one of said value entry keys for entering the corresponding value into an adjacent one of said positions, the improvement comprising: A. a special key on said keyboard; B. conditioning means, settable to a discrete state; and c. said data entering means being operative in response to depression of said special key when said conditioning means is in said discrete state, to cause a next depression of one of said value entry keys to enter the corresponding value into a position shifted by a plurality of positions with respect to said adjacent position.

Claim 3

A data entry device as defined in claim 1, wherein said conditioning means is a switch settable to first and second positions, said discrete state corresponding to said second switch position.

Claim 4

A data entry device as defined in claim 1, wherein depression of the special key determines the location of a radix point in said plurality of digit positions.

Claim 5

A data entry device as defined in claim 3, wherein the value keys enter decimal digits into said register and the special key is a decimal point key.

Claim 6

A data entry device as defined in claim 1, wherein each register position is identifiable by a discrete address, and said value entering means include address means set to successive addresses upon each depression of any of said value keys, and set to an address differing by a value N from a said successive address upon depression of said special key when said conditioning means is in said discrete state.

Claim 7

A data entry device as in claim 5, wherein the value keys enter decimal digits into said register and the location of the decimal point relative to the digits entered in said register is fixed in response to depression of said special key.

Claim 8

A data entry device as in claim 1, together with means generating a plurality of timing signals, some of said signals being representative of respective positions in said register, said memory operating in repetitive cycles under control of said timing signal generator; a normally-disabled counter; and means enabling said counter for operation under control of said timing signals and in synchronism with said memory, said counter developing a number of counts equal to the plurality of register positions plus one additional count in response to each depression of any of said value keys and developing said number of counts plus a further count having a value one less than the number of said plurality of shifted positions, in response to depression of said special key when said counter is enabled with said conditioning means in said discrete state.

Claim 9

A data entry device as in claim 7, wherein entry of said value into said register occurs when the count on said counter returns to an initial value.

Claim 10

A data entry device as in claim 8, wherein said initial value is zero.

Claim 11

A data entry device as in claim 7, wherein said cycles each comprise two half-cycles, said memory has three registers, two of said registers each having N digit positions and the other register having 2N digit positions, the digit positions of said other register being interleaved with the digit positions of said two registers, all digit positions of each of said two registers being present in a respective half-cycle of the memory; and said counter has a counting capacity M, in excess of the number N of digit positions in each of said two registers but less than the number 2N of digit positions in said other register; and further including means to select one of said registers for value entry and means conditioned by selection of one of said two registers and responsive to depression of any of said value keys to cause said counter to develop a number of counts equal to N plus a correcting count equal to M-N in each said half-cycle plus one additional count in each full cycle; and means conditioned by selection of said other register and responsive to depression of any of said value keys to cause said counter to develop N counts in each said half-cycle plus a correcting count equal to 2(M-N) in one said half-cycle plus one additional count in each full cycle.

Claim 12

In a data entry device having a keyboard, a plural position register, including at least one position for storing decimal point information; digit keys on said keyboard; means for addressing each position of said register; means for controlling the sequence of operations in a first routine incidental to entry of a value into an addressed position of said register in response to operation of any one of said digit keys, including means to set said address means to the address of an adjacent position after entry of said value; the improvement comprising: a decimal point key on said keyboard; a switch on said keyboard, said switch normally being in one of two positions; means responsive to depression of said decimal point key to control the sequence of operations in a second routine incidental to recording decimal point information in said decimal point position of said register; and further responsive, when said switch is in the other of said two positions, to enable said first routine control means for entry of a zero into said addressed position and for setting of said address means to the address of said adjacent position, together with a further setting of said address means to an address N positions away from said adjacent position.

Claim 13

In a data entry device having a keyboard, a plural position register, including at least one position for storing decimal point information; digit keys on said keyboard; means for addressing each position of said register; means for controlling the sequence of operations in a first routine incidental to entry of a value into an addressed position of said register in response to operation of any one of said digit keys, including means to set said address means to the address of an adjacent position after entry of said value; the improvement comprising: a decimal point key on said keyboard; a switch on said keyboard, said switch normally being in one of two positions; means responsive to depression of said decimal point key to control the sequence of operations in a second routine incidental to recording decimal point information in said decimal point position of said register; and further responsive, when said switch is in the other of said two positions, to enable said first routine control means for entry of a zero into said addressed position and for setting of said address means to the address of said adjacent position, together with a further setting of said address means to an address N positions away from said adjacent position.