To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, let me start by emphasizing that everything presented below is purely hypothetical. I don't claim that all of the concepts are my original ideas, just that this particular combination was put down by me at this time. The pictures are not intended to fool anyone. Finally, hp had nothing to do with the preparation or presentation of the information.


For reasons of which I am not quite sure, I decided to create a concept for a modified 33s, which I dubbed the 33sii. The 33s has many well-documented and much-discussed shortcomings. The most serious flaws and my proposed changes to address them are as follows:

• too few program labels - Establish two-character global and local programming labels. Global labels would be two letters. The first letter would go from A to Z, the second from A to P, which would give 416 global program labels. The local program labels would be two characters, a letter and number. The first character would go from A to Z again, while the second would be a number from 0 to 9. This would give 260 local program labels. The local labels could be re-used as desired in separate global label structures.
  
• too few storage registers - implement single and double character storage registers designations. For quick access, there would be ten registers labelled with single numbers, from 0 to 9. Two-character registers would have the first letter from A to P and the second from A to Z, for another 416 registers.
  
• no way to back-up programs - give the calculator one-way communications from a PC to the 33sii. The communications path could be via a cable or SD memory card. To fully use this one-way communications path, a simulator program for the PC would be developed and included with each 33sii. Programs could be developed on the simulator and then downloaded to the 33sii. If you were careful to develop your meaningful programs on the PC and then download them, you would not have to worry about losing your programs if you ran out of memory or suffered a power failure or some other glitch that cleared memory. Users could share programs, and third-party software development and marketing would become viable. The purpose of this limited communications/storage system is of course to retain NCEES approval for use on FE/FS and PE/PS licensure examinations.
  
• While lack of memory is not a current complaint, with the programming label improvements, more storage registers and the ability to download programs, additional memory would be viable to actually use. Expansion to at least 64KB would be appropriate.
  
• Aesthetics in general - Rather than promulgating a completely new design, I decided to attempt to see if I could modify the 33s to make it tolerable to a larger portion of potential users. Basically all I did was "de-chevronize" the keyboard. My restyling would allow a slightly smaller size (approximately 1 cm shorter), so hp could justify the restyling on that basis rather than admitting that the original design was a mistake.
  
• ENTER key in the "wrong" place and the “wrong” size - I guess I think it would be too much to expect or even hope that it could be double-wide in the “classic” location. However, I see no reason that the functions of the existing XEQ and ENTER keys could not be reversible in the MODES menu. For the sake of this exercise, I left the keys labelled as they are now in my conceptual image of my the 33sii. To facilitate swapping the functions, durable stick-on labels could be included with the calculator.
  

• Communications – Two-way communication from the PC to the 43s, to enable upload and download of programs and data and back-up of user memory. As above, either cable or SD card would be OK.
  
• Larger Screen – I don’t want to turn the 43s into a graphing calculator. However, I have always thought that it would be nice to not sacrifice a line in the display to the labels when a menu is active. I’ve also thought that it would be neat to be able to see the entire stack plus the Last x register. So I would increase the screen size to 48 by 131 pixels. Normally, the display would show a row of soft-key labels or directory labels, plus the x, y, z, t and Last x registers. The entire display area could also be used for an expanded version of the bit-mapped graphics capabilities of the 42S.
  
• The top row of keys would be dedicated to user functions or to select sub-menus, programs, variables, etc., thereby eliminating the need for the TOP.FCN command.
  
• Expansion of user memory to at least 128KB to take advantage of the ability to upload and download programs and data.
  
• Memory organized into a directory/sub-directory structure.
  
• Variable Stack Height – There has been discussion in the past about stack heights other than 4. I do not want an unlimited stack as in the RPL models, but some variation might be useful. I would propose allowing the stack height to be set anywhere from 3 to 10 levels. The top would always be t. So if you set it to 3, you get x, y and t. The naming and labelling of levels beyond 4 would wrap around the alphabet. With 10 levels, you would have x, y, z, a, b, c, d, e, f and t.
  
• PC simulator program – As with the 33sii, a simulator program for the PC would be included, with the ability to develop programs on the PC and download them to the 43s.
  
• The equation solver of the 33s seems to be popular, so I would port it to the 43s, while retaining the classic solver of the 42S.
  
• Complex Number Handling – The complex number handling capabilities of the 42S were very good, but I have long wanted a few enhancements. Based on my own ideas and ideas developed in previous discussions at this forum, I would propose the following. Complex numbers would be entered in a more direct fashion: key in the real part, press a key labelled "i", then enter the imaginary component. For polar-form entry, key in the magnitude, press shift-"i", then key in the angle. Numbers would remain displayed in the form in which they were entered until converted with R->P and P->R functions or operated on. (There would be user-selectable rules for display after operations with two numbers that are in different display formats.) The COMPLEX function would remain, but it would bring up a menu of pertinent functions for working with complex numbers rather than forming a complex number from two reals or breaking a complex number into two reals.
  
• Direct Alpha Entry – I tried to lay out the keyboard so that alpha characters could be entered directly from the keyboard in alpha mode.
  
• As far as the location and size of the ENTER key, as above I just don’t see hp going back to the double-wide size. However, in this case I put it in the classic location, with the ability to swap it with the R/S key in the MODES menu. As above, stickers could be included for those inclined to swap the functions to use the arrangement of the 33sii.
  
• Time Functions – clock and time functions added, with the ability to set alarms, run programs, etc.
  
• Flash Rom – rom in flash memory so it can be updated, either to fix bugs or add enhancements.
  
• To fit the current hp philosophy, an algebraic mode like the 33s could be added. No need to ever use it if you don’t want to.

It looks better than HP's design, but I still couldn't stand to look at it for long. Even accepting (for the sake of argument only!) the lack of a real [ENTER] key, the other keys still have weird shapes, the top and bottom of the case still are curved, and the faceplate still has those stupid curves on the edges. What you have is an improvement, and no doubt there will be some who'll like it, but I'm not interested in anything other than straight horizontal and vertical lines in the design -- a perfectly square or rectangular grid design.

Thanks a lot for this very detailed and argumented concept study.

Both are nice and worth upgrading, for sure.

What is most striking is the scrren of the 43S, with full stack display.
I got no much used to this on my 28S...

At first sight, I have some concern regarding the key layout of the 43s, because I don't think % or PI should be primary keys, whereas y^x is not.
May be a "next" key, like the 28 and 48 series, should be useful for a better navigation in the function catalog.

Just my 2c, as a quick first reaction to your post.
Admittedly it deserves a much more in-depth comment and feedback...

Wayne,

I didn't think I had much chance of making you happy, so I consider your statement that "What you have is an improvement.." to be high praise indeed! (That is a sincere statement, no sarcasm intended.)

I too would prefer a more classical design, but I went down the path of modifying the current product rather than starting from scratch. I considered "squaring-up" the keys, but since this was mostly an exercise I decided to stop where I did.

I hope hp will someday build a product you would want to own, but I don't hold much hope.

Best regards,

Jeff

Jeff,

I applaud your effort. Your added features and changes in the 33Sii would be a improvement over the current model, especially the look of the keys. Your enhancements for the 43S are in line with allot of what has been discussed in the past. The only other addition I would wish for would be an array of unit conversion like that of the 48G. But that could always be added as an upgrade on the OS. Cosmetically, I like the old dark brown/black face plate with the yellow orange/gold & sky blue shifted commands. They really are the best colors for finding what you want in all light conditions. You did a great job at adapting what was already on the market and I would find it very hard not to buy several of the 43S units, if they made it to market. I would also like to thank you for letting us visually share your dream of the ultimate RPN calculator. Most of us have talked about what it would have as features, but I don't think anyone has given us picture of what a finished product might look like. Thank You.

Thanks Jeff for the images. Wayne, just a quick work to get out most of the 33s stylistic stupidities. Still, the colour scheme is terrible and the 'buttons' below the display look improper. Sorry for the quality, it was a very quick work ;-)

Thomas

This now looks obvious that turning the buttons below the display into regular keys or more compact style would allow to gain another 15mm in height.
Real estate on engineer desks is worth an effort for compacity.

Do the "keys" have tradition hp calculator "keys" feel , I have owned 33s before , but it maked me disapointed deeply , one of the reason I give up 33s since the "keys" feeling , other than 32k memory , I can't find anything it better than 32sii . It is the my last hope of new release of hp calculator , I except hp release 43s , I will buy it immedately, if it make me disapoint again , I think I will give up hp calculator , but other than classic hp calculator.

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Do the "keys" have tradition hp calculator "keys" feel...

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I didn't think I had much chance of making you happy, so I consider your statement that "What you have is an improvement.." to be high praise indeed! (That is a sincere statement, no sarcasm
intended.)

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I was sincere about it being an improvement, too. In fact, I specifically put that comment in to avoid the impression that I was criticizing what you did. Essentially, the parts I disliked were what was left over from HP's original design, and the parts I liked were the ones you had changed.

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I hope hp will someday build a product you would want to own, but I don't hold much hope.

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Neither do I, but thanks for the good wishes.

That makes a large difference for the better.

Jeff, thanks for your ideas and the brilliant graphical work you've done. I agree on almost everything you've written.

As you and also others have mentioned already, there were previous discussions here, and there is a parallel effort at OpenRPN. Based on the 12C, please find my newest proposal for the IQ43SL here:

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Sorry for the low graphic quality.

Notice added on May 28th:

If you want to know more about my considerations leading to this design, please read kbd_lv1 in this directory. The file kbd_lv2 contains the menus. Please note these files were stored on May 12th.

Edited: 28 May 2006, 8:21 p.m.

Jeff --

A fine effort. I even recognize the incoporation of a Forum exchange we had in 2004 regarding complex numbers!

I'll offer detailed comments this weekend.

Ultimately, I think that this should become an article, after input is considered and incorporated.

-- KS

Jeff :

The "keys" feel is one of my consideration of new style of hp calculator , the main fault of 42s is it can't import and export the program and data , according your concept 43s can solve this fault , the "keys" feel can be suited and to be minor problem , the other thing is "manufacture quality" , most of tradition hp calculator have "highly quality" , I never doubt hp's design but produce in China , I just have moderated confidence. I wish hp pay more attention on "Q.C."

Will the 43s add the tradition hp I.R. or general IrDA ? Similar to 48 series can communicate hp I.R. printer , the other hp caiculator with I.R., and also with USB or SD card for connect PC.

your 43s concept give me the image is something like that "42s+27s+ALG" , it just my imagination.

Karl,

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, we have had at least one exchange regarding complex numbers. I was thinking of those exchanges when I credited Forum discussion for the concepts I presented, not wanting to claim credit for ideas that were communally developed. We use complex numbers for the same thing (AC power system analysis), so no surprise that we think along similar lines.

I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not sure I consider my work to be “Article-worthy”. Just a flight-of-fancy, after all. It will be preserved in the Archives.

I look forward to your further comments.

One could even make room for menus with 10 items to select from a wider LCD. Any opinions in this matter?

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and the faceplate still has those stupid curves on the edges

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Note that all HP handheld calculators before the Voyager series
had curved sides. I don't recall anyone complaining about them.

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To facilitate swapping the functions, durable stick-on labels could be included with the calculator.

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"Durable stick-on labels"? Now we've moved into the realm of science fiction.

Haven't you ever seen people try stick-on labels on the keys of computer keyboards? It's a disaster. The only way to make them stick *almost* well enough is to use a permanent adhesive. And the legends will still wear off the labels unless you laminate them. If they are laminated, they eventually delaminate.

Adhesive labels might be OK for non-contact surfaces (i.e., between the keys or above the top row). But a 41-style overlay is better for that.

There was a durable solution used on old Wang desk calculators : clear key tops with a simple printed legend on paper you could change at will, located between the actual key and its removable keytop.

See R.Bensene's site for photos (great site BTW !).

This solution may be a little impractical on tiny keys like on calculators however.

Removable keys are possible, recently while cleaning a fruit-juice-stuck keyboard with individual keys I actually had to take extra care not to mess with the original key arrangement. So by carefully devising an authorized way to open the keyboard and having keytops separate from the body (unlike old TI1200s for example where everything is a single piece), one could rearrange the keys. I imagine modules / programs / whatever extensions could be sold with a set of dedicated keytops.

There is lots of room for new ideas there.

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"Durable stick-on labels"? Now we've moved into the realm of science fiction.

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Haven't you ever seen people try stick-on labels on the keys of computer keyboards?....

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Note that all HP handheld calculators before the Voyager series had curved sides.

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Yes, but it was a slight, single curve along the long sides that was barely noticeable, with squared-off corners. The curved sides on the 33s wouldn't be that bad if not for the stupid double curves on the faceplate that give it the appearance of a Coke-bottle shape.

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The curved sides on the 33s wouldn't be that bad if not for the stupid double curves on the faceplate that give it the appearance of a Coke-bottle shape.

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Perhaps so. I never paid that much attention to that aspect of the faceplate, as the key shapes are too distracting.

Edited: 31 May 2006, 12:45 p.m.

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Employing an over-used cliche - we can put a man on the moon (or at least we could 37 years ago), but making durable stick-on labels is science fiction? Yikes! (Actually, in reading Failure Is Not An Option by Gene Kranz recently, I'm not sure we really could put a man on the moon, we just did. But that's another discussion.)

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Indeed, given the technological limiatations of the time the success of the Apollo program owed a great deal to skilled pilots along with engineers on the ground. I remember an interview with one of the mission controllers regarding Apollo 8 who said they estimated their chance of a safe return at around 50%.

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I've seen what appear to be pretty durable stickers made out of vinyl or similar plastic, so I thought I'd offer that up rather than just say you can have your ENTER key any where you want it, as long as it's the 4th key in the bottom row. But I can see that you are probably correct and it would not really be feasible on a small, heavily used area like the top of a key.

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You're thinking in the right direction. A nice cheap solution to make them durable would be to use clear vacuum-formed key covers.