DATAMATH  CALCULATOR  MUSEUM

Texas Instruments TI ViewScreen 82 (2004)

Date of introduction:  2004 Display technology:  LCD dot matrix
New price:  $250.00 (SRP 2008) Display size:  8 * 16 characters
Size:  10.4" x 9.7" x 1.5"
 263 x 247 x 38 mm3
   
Weight:  29.3 ounces, 830 grams Serial No:  2130003230
Batteries:  (4*AAA from Calculator) Date of manufacture:  mth 03 year 2008 (H)
AC-Adapter:  AC9201, AC9201E Origin of manufacture:  China  (S)
Precision:    Integrated circuits:  Toshiba T6A04A
Memories:      
Program steps:    Courtesy of:  Joerg Woerner

The TI ViewScreen panel connects with a cable to the Texas Instruments Graphing calculators. Placing the panel on the overhead projector enlarges the image of the handheld screen so that each student can follow along. Don't miss the US Patent Application U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,294 with the title “Display demonstration system for providing enlarged projected image of calculator display” filed already in September 27, 1991.

The TI ViewScreen 82 was introduced in 1993 and connects to the TI-82 VSC (ViewScreen Calculator). It was delivered either as the ViewScreen panel package with the power supply and a carrying case or as part of the ViewScreen system including the Graphing calculator. 

In 2008 four different ViewScreen panels were available for TI's Graphing calculators:

Panel 1: TI-73 VSC, TI-73 Explorer VSC, TI-80 VSC, TI-82 VSC, TI-83 VSC,
   TI-83 Plus VSC, TI-83 Plus Silver Edition VSC, TI-84 Plus VSC,
   TI-84 Plus Silver Edition VSC
Panel 2: TI-89 VSC, TI-89 Titanium VSC, TI-92, TI-92 Plus, Voyage 200
Panel 3: TI-85 VSC (2nd design), TI-86 VSC
Panel 4: TI-Nspire, TI-Nspire CAS, TI-Nspire Touchpad, TI-Nspire CAS Touchpad

Based on the manufacturing year of the TI-82 View Screen Panel, you'll notice different markings on the front and compatible calculators listed on the Product Label on the backside of the device:

1993-1994: TI ViewScreen
                     Product Label: None
1994-1995: TI ViewScreen
                     Product Label: TI-81, TI-82
1995-1997: TI ViewScreen
                     Product Label: TI-80, TI-81, TI-82
1996-1999: TI ViewScreen 80, 81, 82, 83
                     Product Label: TI-80, TI-81, TI-82, TI-83
1999-2004: TI ViewScreen 73, 80, 81, 82, 83Plus
                     Product Label: TI-73, TI-80, TI-81, TI-82, TI-83, TI-83 Plus
2004-2008: TI ViewScreen 73, 80, 81, 82, 83, 83Plus, 84Plus
                     Product Label: TI-73, TI-80, TI-81, TI-82, TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus

Dismantling this TI ViewScreen 82 with Date code S-0308H manufactured in March 2008 by Inventec Shanghai in China reveals no surprises and looks almost identical to the first design introduced in 1993. A large, transmissive LCD panel is connected to a Toshiba T6A04A display driver known already from the TI-82 Parcus introduced in 1999. The reminder of the electronics resembles the receivers of the signals from the connected ViewScreen Calculator, contrast adjustment of the screen and power supply for the electronics.

The Toshiba T6A04A combines 120 column drivers and 64 row drivers and the display RAM with a capacity of 120 x 64 bits in a tiny tape carrier package (TCP) and connects directly to an 8-bit Interface.

The Presentation Link Adapter connects the student versions of the TI-84 Plus family to the ViewScreen panel using the calculator's USB port.

With the phase out of the overhead projectors from the daily life, Texas Instruments developed with the TI-Presenter a perfect replacement for the ViewScreen panels based on modern video technology.


horizontal rule

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.

© Joerg Woerner, August 8, 2020. No reprints without written permission.