GB2159642A

GB2159642A - Improvements in or relating to calculators

Info

Publication number: GB2159642A
Application number: GB08413943A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Magnay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-05-31
Filing date: 1984-05-31
Publication date: 1985-12-04
Also published as: GB8413943D0; GB2159642B

Abstract

A calculator arrangement suitable for use by an active, mobile user comprises a battery powered calculator (12) and associated printer (14) and means (22) for attaching the calculator and printer to the wrist of a user. The arrangement preferably includes a hollow annular housing (24) for receiving a length, eg roll, of paper (26) to be supplied to the printer, the housing being adapted to fit around the wrist of the user. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to calculators Field of Invention This invention relates to calculators, particularly portable calculators, and has as an object provision of a calculator arrangement suitable for use by an active, mobile user.

Summary of Invention In its broadest aspect the present invention provides a calculator arrangement comprising a battery powered calculator and associated printer, and means for attaching the calculator and printer to the wrist of a user.

The present invention thus provides a calculator arrangement which can be carried and used on the wrist of a user. The arrangement can thus be used by active, mobile personnel and should find particular application for use, for example, by assistants in small shops such as greengrocers where the assistants are generally active and mobile and where customers typically purchase several items on each visit. At present an assistant in such a shop generally adds up the cost of individual items either in his head or by making notes on a scrap of paper. Both techniques are somewhat unsatisfactory because of the possibility of errors and because no record is available for the customer. By using a calculator arrangement in accordance with the invention the possibility of mathematical errors can be reduced.In addition, the print out produced by the printer can be given to the customer, providing a detailed record.

In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement includes an annular housing for receiving a length, eg roll, of printer paper and adapted to fit around the wrist of a user. Such a housing provides a neat, convenient location for storage of printer paper, and can also perform the additional function of assisting in retaining the arrangement on the wrist of a user.

Hence, in a preferred aspect the present invention provides a calculator arrangement comprising a battery powered calculator and associated printer, means for attaching the calculator and printer to the wrist of a user, and an annular housing for receiving paper to be supplied to the printer, the housing being adapted to fit around the wrist of the user.

The housing may be openable or removable to enable installation a replacement supplies of paper.

The calculator and printer can both be of conventional construction, preferably being comparatively small and lightweight for convenience and comfort of the user.

The calculator conveniently includes a set of input keys and a display, eg a liquid crystal display, for displaying input figures to enable verification of values prior to calculation.

The printer may include a paper feed slot through which paper is fed from a supply. eg located in an annular housing as discussed above.

For arrangements for use by shop assistants, as discussed above the calculator can be comparatively simple and need perform only basic functions such as addition. subtraction and possibly also multiplication. As a result, the keyboard may be comparatively simple, with a relatively small number of keys, facilitating use.

The printer may be programmed to print additional information, eg details of a shop such as name, address and VAT registration number, onto each bill or other print out.

The calculator may include memory means for storing details of entries. to be retrieved at intervals. eg hy providing a cumulative print out, for records purposes.

The arrangement conveniently includes one or more straps. possibly similar to conventional watch straps. for securing the calculator/printer to the wrist of a user.

The battery or batteries may be replaceable or rechargable, in conventional manner.

The invention will be further described. by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings In the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of calculator arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a reduced scale schematic plan view of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the arrangement of Fig. 1, at a scale similar to that of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of an alternative embodiment of calculator arrangement in accordance with the present invention, with a modified input key layout.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a housing 10, eg of rigid plastics material, within which are located a calculator unit 12 and associated printer unit 14. The calculator and printer units may both be of conventional construction: the calculator includes an array of input keys 16 and a display window 18 eg for a liquid crystal display: and the printer includes printer means (not shown) eg a dot matrix printer for printing on a supply of paper fed through a paper feed slot 20, and a print button 28 for initiating printing. The calculator and printer units are powered by one or more batteries located in the housing 10, the battery or batteries being replaceable or rechargeable in conventional manner.

The housing 10 is intended to be carried on the wrist of a user, and is provided with two sets of straps 22 for securing the housing in position. The strap sets resemble conventional watch straps, having a cooperating buckle and holes. Although not shown, the rear face of housing 10 may be of slightly curved concave configuration, approximately following the contours of a typical human wrist and arm, to give a good, comfortable fit.

The arrangement further comprises a hollow annular housing 24, possibly of similar material to housing 10, within which a supply of paper 26 to be fed to printer feed slot 20 is located. For clarity, only one turn of paper is shown in Fig. 3, but in practice a paper supply roll having a plurality of turns will be used. The annular housing 24 is dimensioned to be able to fit around the wrist of a user, and is preferably of sufficiently large diameter to that the hand of a user can pass therethrough to facilitate fitting. Housing 24 is openable or replaceable to enable replacement paper supplies to be provided.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 is generally similar to the above described embodiment and differs only in the layout of the calculator keys 16.

Claims

1. A calculator arrangement comprising a battery powered calculator and associated printer, and means for attaching the calculator and printer to the wrist of a user.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, including an annular housing for receiving a length of printer paper and adapted to fit around the wrist of a user.

3. A calculator arrangement comprising a battery powered calculator and associated printer, means for attaching the calculator and printer to the wrist of a user, and an annular housing for receiving paper to be supplied to the printer, the housing being adapted to fit around the wrist of the user.

4. An arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the housing is openable or removable to enable installation of replacement supplies of paper.

5. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculator includes a set of input keys and a display.

6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the printer includes a paper feed slot through which paper is fed from a supply.

7. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculator includes memory means.

8. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, includes one or more straps for securing the calculator/printer to the wrist of a user.

9. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery or batteries are replaceable or rechargeable.

10. A calculator arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

11. An arrangement according to claim 10, modified substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.