Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a modular integrated circuit for a 4 bit microcomputer family utilizing a modular concept which is adaptable for a variety of applications and specific circuit desgins. The modular circuit is designed as a large block of cells which contains an ALU, instruction decoder, bus structure and a small amount of RAM and ROM as well as ROM control logic. In addition, the block contains attachment points for additional ROM and RAM and for special input/output devices such as I/O bus, timekeeping, A-D, D-A, display drive, communication ports and general purpose control lines.

Abstract: A programmable device and method of operating the same, including a memory module connectable to a core device consisting of a processor having an operator interface. Displays in this operator interface act as alterable labels for their associated switches. The operator interface includes of a plurality of switches with associated displays. Upon insertion, the module simultaneously establishes the information content of the displays, and the functional capabilities of the processor. Generally, the information content of the displays is identical to labels normally associated with the switch. The core device without the memory module is practically devoid of functional capabilities. An output device may be added to the device so that the processor may communicate with the operator other information such as the status of the operation being performed or the like.