Aurora DS17

Datasheet legend
Ab/c: Fractions calculation
AC: Alternating current
BaseN: Number base calculations
Card: Magnetic card storage
Cmem: Continuous memory
Cond: Conditional execution
Const: Scientific constants
Cplx: Complex number arithmetic
DC: Direct current
Eqlib: Equation library
Exp: Exponential/logarithmic functions
Fin: Financial functions
Grph: Graphing capability
Hyp: Hyperbolic functions
Ind: Indirect addressing
Intg: Numerical integration
Jump: Unconditional jump (GOTO)
Lbl: Program labels
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display
LED: Light-Emitting Diode
Li-ion: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Lreg: Linear regression (2-variable statistics)
mA: Milliamperes of current
Mtrx: Matrix support
NiCd: Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable battery
NiMH: Nickel-metal-hydrite rechargeable battery
Prnt: Printer
RTC: Real-time clock
Sdev: Standard deviation (1-variable statistics)
Solv: Equation solver
Subr: Subroutine call capability
Symb: Symbolic computing
Tape: Magnetic tape storage
Trig: Trigonometric functions
Units: Unit conversions
VAC: Volts AC
VDC: Volts DC
Years of production:   Display type: Numeric display  
New price:   Display color: Black  
    Display technology: Liquid crystal display 
Size: 6½"×4"×½" Display size: 10(8+2) digits
Weight: 6 oz    
    Entry method: Algebraic with precedence 
Batteries: 2×"V389" button cell Advanced functions: Trig Exp Hyp Sdev Cmem 
External power:   Memory functions:
I/O:      
    Programming model: Partially merged keystroke 
Precision: 11 digits Program functions:  
Memories: 3 numbers Program display:  
Program memory: 40 program steps Program editing:  
Chipset: Sharp LI3301A   Forensic result: 9.0000156204  

Aurora DS17Here's a most unusual calculator that I just received from a fellow collector (thanks, Dennis!) It is just one of those plain vanilla 40-step programmables on the inside, but on the outside! "Hybrid keyboard"? Just who on Earth comes up with an idea like this?

And it's not a very well implemented idea, unfortunately. The lower half of the keyboard is attached to the main PCB using a dreaded heat seal ribbon. Unlike that heat seal that connects the display, which is thankfully still functional, this one isn't; much of the lower half of the keyboard is dead, or nearly so, and my attempts to repair the heat seal connections were not particularly successful. Maybe one day I'll try and replace it with soldered wire (though I'm worried that the flexible circuit that is part of the keyboard may not be solderable); until then, at least the π button works, so I was able to take a scan of the calculator just the way I like it!