The present invention relates to a programmable electronic calculator and, more particularly, to a programmable electronic calculator which includes a plurality of tape recorders as outer memories.
A programmable electronic calculator or a portable, personal computer has been developed, which includes a tape recorder as an outer memory for storing a program or data. The programmable electronic calculator includes a control system for driving the tape recorder in order to conduct the read operation and/or the write operation of the program and the data into and from the tape recorder.
However, in the conventional programmable electronic calculator, the programmable electronic calculator does not store the command for controlling the tape drive except for the read operation and/or the write operation of the program or the data.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a programmable electronic calculator which includes a control system for driving a tape recorder which is connected to the programmable electronic calculator as an outer memory.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape drive control system in a programmable electronic calculator, which independently drives a plurality of tape recorders connected to the programmable electronic calculator.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
To achieve the above objects, pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two tape recorders are connected to the programmable electronic calculator.
The programmable electronic calculator stores commands for driving the tape recorders, which are applied to the tape recorders via an interface circuit. A first tape recorder functions as an outer memory of the programmable electronic calculator for storing a program or data processed by the programmable electronic calculator. A second tape recorder functions as a reproduction device for providing audible guidance for the respective steps of the operation, if required.