DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM
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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Canon LE-80
| Date of introduction: | 1972 | Display technology: | LED-modules |
| New price: | DM 398.00 | Display size: | 8 |
| Size: | 5.7" x 3.3" x 1.4" 147 x 83 x 35 mm3 |
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| Weight: | 8.6 ounces, 245 grams | Serial No: | 531983 |
| Batteries: | 4*NiCd AA or 4*AA Alkaline | Date of manufacture: | mth 03 year 1973 |
| AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | Japan | |
| Precision: | 8 | Integrated circuits: | TMS0101 |
| Memories: | |||
| Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
The
Canon LE-80 was the successor of the Canon LE-10 and
marked with the TMS0101 Canon's first use
of a single-chip calculator circuit manufactured by Texas
Instruments.
The TMS0101 "calculator-on-a-chip" was an MOS integrated circuit announced
by TI in September 17, 1971. Read the original press release here.
The LE-80 still uses an analogue battery meter to give you
an idea about the remaining operation
time of the rechargeable battery pack.
Later LE-80 variations added either the square-root function (LE-80R) or a memory (LE-80M). The LE-82 fits into this line, too and added a percentage key to the basic functions.
With the LE-81 Canon introduced a very odd calculator that doesn't fit with its bright white housing and the Toshiba calculator chip-set into the design philosophy of the LE-80 series.
When Texas Instruments introduced in Fall 1973 the successor of the 1st Generation TMS0100 Product Family, they actually diversified the portfolio into three different branches:
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TMS0600: Increased ROM (384 Words
* 11 Bits), Identical SAM (13 Digits Registers), external display drivers. Process shrink, higher functionality • TMS0700: Identical ROM (320 Words * 11 Bits), Identical SAM (13 Digits Registers), external display drivers. Process shrink, identical functionality, cost reduction of IC • TMS0800: Identical ROM (320 Words * 11 Bits), Reduced SAM (11 Digits Registers), integrated segment drivers. Process shrink, reduced functionality, higher integration |
Canon Inc. took immediately advantage of the new portfolio and added functionality like adding a memory and square root function to the TMS0600-based LE-81M or adding 10-digit capabilities to the TMS0700-based LE-100. But more important was the introduction of the compact LE-83, dropping the rechargeable battery pack and reducing manufacturing costs dramatically. While the LE-83 was still based on a TMS0700 chip, used the more capable and yet more economic LE-84 the advantages of the TMS0800. Final step in cost-down was the LE-85, using the TMS0800, too but manufactured in Taiwan instead of Japan to take advantage of the lower labor costs.
In 1974 Canon introduced with the LD-80 their first pocket calculator with the green VF-Display (Vacuum Fluorescent) and stopped the LE-series.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.