Electrodex EL-64 digital diary
This is an early digital organizer and diary. It has a
calendar, notes, address book and schedule. It allows to protect part of
data by password. Everything is shown in large text LCD. To "scroll"
entries a rotating knob is used like in some paper organizers.
The first manufacturer was Rolodex, then it was copied, cloned or
licensed to different companies. My unit is made by "Zeon Tech", the
software is licensed by "Tele-art".
Rolodex units had one more function: It was possible to transmit and
receive data by infrared link between units. Usually one side contained
transmitting and another had receiving infrared device, so two units
were set properly before transfer.
Manufacturer | Rolodex, later many others | |
Origin | USA | |
Year of unit | Early 1990s | |
Year of introduction | Early 1990s | |
Type | Digital diary | |
Battery: - 3 AA batteries or 4.5V DC power supply. - Button cell battery for memory backup Memory: batery-backed RAM, 64kB for data. |
||
Manual | ||
Inside, all system internals are in display unit. Bottom part contains rotary encoder, IR LEDs, RAM backup battery and keyboard. In my unit, all ICs are only sillicon structures covered by resin, so it's not possible to perform repairs or reverse engineering.
Rolodex 32K
As a smaller version of Rolodex 64K, a 32K small unit has been introduced. It was marketed as "pocket" or "mobile" version of Rolodex 64K. Thanks to infrared transfer it is possible to exchange data with 64K version. Unlike 64K this version has no power supply socket - can be powered only by batteries.
Manufacturer | Rolodex | |
Origin | USA | |
Year of unit | Early 1990s | |
Year of introduction | Early 1990s | |
Type | Digital diary | |
Battery: - 4 AA cells. - Button cell for backup |
||
Manual | ||
Unfortunately my unit has damaged LCD, so I can't see much. Its knob by default doesn't rotate full turns, but only "steps", like in some microwave ovens :). Keyboard, with its rubber keys, is not very comfortable.