DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments TI ViewScreen 85 (1997)
Date of introduction: | 1997 | 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: | 18001279 |
Batteries: | (4*AAA from Calculator) | Date of manufacture: | mth 06 year 1997 (B) |
AC-Adapter: | AC9201, AC9201E | Origin of manufacture: | Taiwan (I) |
Precision: | Integrated circuits: | 2*Toshiba T6A39A, T6A40 | |
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 85 was introduced in 1994 and connects to the second generation TI-85 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. The first generation of the TI-85 VSC was permanently connected to a much smaller ViewScreen panel.
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-85 View Screen Panel, you'll notice different calculators listed on the Product Label on the backside of the device:
•
1994-1997: TI ViewScreen 85 Product Label: TI-85 • 1997-2008: TI ViewScreen 85 Product Label: TI-85, TI-86 |
Dismantling
this TI ViewScreen 85 with
Date code I-0697B manufactured in June 1997 by
Inventec Corporation in Taiwan
reveals no surprises and looks almost identical to the first design introduced
in 1994. A large, transmissive LCD panel is connected to three Toshiba
T6A39A and T6A40 display driver known already
from the TI-81 introduced in 1992. 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
arrangement of two Toshiba T6A39A column drivers and
one T6A40 row driver found in
the TI ViewScreen 85 is obvious from the layout of the printed circuit board
(PCB).
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.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, September 5, 2007. No reprints without written permission.