Bohsei Model 1000 a.k.a. Far East Generic Design II (VFD)

You feel familiar with this Bohsei Model 1000 calculator? Yes, it is a variation of the "Far East Generic Design II" calculator with a green Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) instead the more common red Light-emitting Diode (LED) display. As of today we know with Binatone Mastermind MK3, Caltron, Kingsonic 1200, Olympia 801MS, Prinztronic 8000, Seneca 4008, Sovereign MKII, and Voesa 1200 at least 8 siblings of this Bohsei Model 1000 calculator. This calculator caught our attention in 2023 while researching Texas Instruments' TMS1040 Product family of "single-chip calculator circuits" and noticing its interesting keyboard with only 25 keys.

Dismantling this Bohsei Model 1000 manufactured on September 30^th, 1977 in Hong Kong reveals a very cost effective design using a single-sided printed circuit board (PCB) centered around a TMS1044 single-chip calculator circuit connected to a 9-digit Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), a keyboard assembly and powered by 2 AA-sized alkaline batteries.

The TMS1044 is a member of the TMS1040 Product Family based on the TMS1070 "computer-on-a-chip" introduced in 1974 with the original TMS1000. While the TMS1070 can directly interface with low-voltage VFDs up to 35 Volts does it still need external resistors and a zener diode to bias the anodes and grids of the display with respect to the filament. The TMS1040 added an extra V_PP pin to connect a negative 30 Volts bias voltage for its modified output drivers. With the TMS1070 featuring 11 R Outputs for the Digits, 8 O Outputs for the Segments and 4 K Inputs for the Keyboard, reduced the TMS1040 the number of R Outputs to 9, consequently are all known TMS1040 calculator designs using a 9-digit VF Display.

Looking closer onto the PCB you'll notice two diodes placed somehow between the TMS1044 and the keyboard assembly - at first glance an unusual approach. Preparing our DCM-50A Platform to allow the Characterization of Single-Chip Calculator Circuits of the TMS1040 Family, we reverse-engineered the Model 1000 calculator and understood that Texas Instruments started to add with the TMS1040 a "virtual" 5^th Keyboard Input line by using two additional diodes emulating the 5 K Inputs of the TMC0980 Family. While the TMS0100 single-chip calculator circuit introduced the concept of an 11x4 keyboard matrix scanned with the 11 Digit Outputs and 4 Keyboard Inputs, would the reduction to just 9 Digit Outputs of the TMS1040 allow for only 9x4 keys and switches, in some calculator applications a possible show-stopper. Adding an extra "virtual" Keyboard Input allows consequently for a 9x5 keyboard matrix - but the featured Bohsei Model 1000 sports obviously only 25 keys and an hard-wired power [on/off] switch. The TMS1044 was used with a wide range of calculators, this Model 1000 and the Brinlock Model 806 with 23 keys marked the lower end, while the Privileg 858 MD unleashed the potential of the chip with 31 keys and an additional sliding switch and the Unisonic Model 1040-1 being the middle child with its 27 keys. And yes, we tested the TMS1044 "harvested" from this Bohsei Model 1000 calculator as a Privileg 858 MD on the DCM-50A Platform.

Comparing the functionality of these calculators demonstrates the bandwidth of products made possible with the TMS1044 single-chip calculator circuit:

The Canon F-31 using with the TMS1045 another product of the TMS1040 portfolio sports 30 keys and a 4-position switch and hence making good use of the "virtual" 5^th Keyboard Input line.

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

© Joerg Woerner, February 9, 2023. No reprints without written permission.