HP-41CL Remote Keyboard / Scripting

[David Hayden]

With today's easy robotic kits, it probably wouldn't be hard to create a Key Pressing Robot (KPRtm).

I envision something like a plotter that moves in the X & Y directions, plus the ability to raise and lower a plunger. Put the calculator in a jig on the KPR and software translates your text listing into key presses based on a configuration file.

Where this really could shine is with calculators that lack I/O. Imagine being able to enter a long program into a 35s or 15C

Heck, it might even be a good project for a high school robotics class.

A few details would make this fairly robust. After placing the calculator into the jig, there might be a calibration step to ensure that the KPR knows exactly where the keys are. Think of the difference between a tall key and short key 41C. The actuator might be two pieces connected by a short spring to avoid over-pressing a key. Ideally, to add a new calculator, you'd just have to write a new config file.