FOR 3.663 AND 6.336

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application Serial Number 16/353836, filed on March 14, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of the invention is electronic input interfaces.

Background

[0003] A standard numerical keypad has ten number keys (zero through nine), a decimal point, and function keys. There are ten number keys because most calculations are processed in base 10.

[0004] Numerical keypads are known, however, for other bases. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,604,620 to Rakes discloses a calculator having a slider that can be used to change between different numerical base systems, and that operates software that can perform basic calculations in different numerical base systems. Rakes does not disclose a calculator interface with twelve dedicated number keys, which can be used to input numbers specific to the base- 12 number system, or for to represent the usual ten digits, plus two other constants.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application No. 2014/0046989 to Chandler discloses a calculator that displays results of a mathematical operation according two different numerical bases. However, Chandler still relies upon the standard ten numerical keys (zero through nine), and fails to disclose a calculator interface with twelve dedicated number keys.

[0006] The current inventor has appreciated that wave interference and many other physical phenomena can be best understood using base 12 mathematics. See for example the article, Unified Mathematics of Geometry and Music, which is registered in the copyright office as Reg. No. TX 8-674-258.

[0007] The current inventor has also appreciated that it may be useful for a numeric keypad to have dedicated keys to represent the numbers 3.663 and 6.336. [0008] Thus, there is still a need in the art for input devices dedicated to a base-12 mathematical system, or to include dedicated keys to represent the numbers 3.663 and 6.336.

Summary of The Invention

[0009] The present invention provides a numerical input device that includes various function keys plus twelve numerical input keys, the usual zero through nine keys, and additional keys representing either (a) l Obaseio and 1 lbaseio, or (b) 3.663 and 6.336. In any of the embodiments discussed herein, mathematical functions can be performed in base 10 or base 12 numerical systems.

[0010] Various resources, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of The Drawings

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of a hand-held, computer, or other calculator having an interface with function keys, a decimal key, number keys for digits one through nine, a key for NULL, and two additional number keys, one that uses the symbol to represent PHEO (3.663), and the other that uses the symbol Ό to represent SIEV (6.336).

[0012] Fig. 2 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a calculator having an interface that uses the term PHEO (3.663) instead of and the term SIEV (6.336) instead of ^ .

[0013] Fig. 3 is a schematic of another embodiment of a calculator having an interface that uses the "*" sign is used to represent PHEO (3.663), and the "#" to represent SIEV (6.336).

[0014] Fig. 4 is a schematic of another embodiment of a calculator having an interface that uses the symbol to represent PHEO (3.663), and the symbol Ό to represent SIEV (6.336).

[0015] Fig. 5 is a schematic of another embodiment of a calculator having an interface that uses the symbol ^ to represent PHEO (3.663), and the symbol ^ to represent SIEV (6.336).

[0016] Fig. 6 is a schematic of another embodiment of a calculator having an interface that uses the symbol ^ to represent PHEO (3.663), and the symbol ^ to represent SIEV (6.336). [0017] Fig. 7 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a calculator having a base-12 interface, with two additional keys that represent“l Obaseio” and“1 lbaseio”, respectively.

[0018] Figure 8 is a schematic of relevant internals of any of the calculators of Figures 1-7.

[0019] Figure 9 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a calculator having a base-12 interface, with a number key configure to represent 3.663, another number key configured to represent 6.336, another number key configured to represent l Obaseio, and another number key configured to represent 1 lbaseio.

Detailed Description

[0020] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0021] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a calculator having interface 100 with various function keys, a period key, and thirteen number keys. The number keys are used to input the usual one through nine digits, an additional number key that uses the symbol m to represent PHEO (3.663), another number key that uses the symbol to represent SIEV (6.336), and another number key that uses the symbol o to represent NULL (9.999). Although not shown, the calculator has a physical or virtual toggle to switch between o representing zero and o representing 9.999.

[0022] All of the keys of Figure 1, as well as Figures 2-7 and 9 herein, should be interpreted generically as being implemented in any combination of hard (physical) and soft (virtual) keys. Similarly, the calculators of Figures 1 - 7 and 9 should be interpreted generically as any of a stand-alone calculator, an iPad™ or other tablet, a laptop or desk top computer, and so forth. Thus, the entirety of what is displayed in Figures 1 - 7 and 9 should be viewed as the front view of a hand-held calculator, and alternatively viewed as a window on a display screen of a larger device. [0023] Figure 2 is very similar to Figure 1, except that here the symbol ^ has been replaced by the term PHEO (3.663), the symbol ^ has been replaced by the term SIEV (6.336), there is a designated zero key, and the symbol ON (9.999) has been replaced by the term NULL.

[0024] Figure 3 is also similar to Figure 1, except that here the symbol G has been replaced by the "*" sign is used to represent PHEO (3.663), and the "#" to represent SIEV (6.336), and the symbol ON (9.999) has been replaced by a designated zero key.

[0025] Figure 4 is also similar to Figure 1, except that that here the symbol m has been relocated to the lower left comer of the interface 400, the symbol Ό relocated to the lower right corner of the interface 400, and a zero key used to represent zero or 9.999.

[0026] Figure 5 is also similar to Figure 1, except the zero key is relocated to the bottom right corner of the interface 500, and is used to represent zero or 9.999.

[0027] Figure 6 depicts another embodiment of Figure 1, except that here the symbol m has been replaced by the value 3.663, and the symbol ON has been replaced by the value 6.336, and the symbol ON has been replaced by a zero key to represent zero or 9.999.

[0028] Figure 7 is similar to Figure 1, except that here the symbol has been replaced by the term“l Obaseio” to represent PHEO (3.663), and the symbol has been replaced by the term “1 lbaseio” to represent SIEV (6.336), and the symbol o (9.999) has been replaced by a designated zero key to represent zero or 9.999.

[0029] Figure 8 depicts relevant internals of the calculator of Fig 1. Corresponding internals are contemplated for each of the interfaces of Figures 2 - 7.

[0030] As depicted, interface 100 generally comprises a battery 125 or other power supply, a processor 127, power connectors 126, data connectors 128 to the input keys, and data connector 129 to the display area.

[0031] Figure 9 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a calculator having a base-12 interface, with a number key configure to represent 3.663, another number key configured to represent 6.336, another number key configured to represent l Obaseio, and another number key configured to represent 1 lbaseio. [0032] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and“comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps can be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something designated from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.