Cosmac Elf Computer - Tales from the Crypt

COSMAC ELF COMPUTER - TALES FROM THE CRYPT
Humanoido discovered an ancient historical dusty crypt with tons of original COSMAC Elf stuff from the 1970s, topped with the original color photo album over 40 years old (when common digital cameras did not exist).

The time capsule was opened on Friday September 4th, 2015, exactly 36 years from January of 1979. 

Remarkably, almost 4 decades later, near a half a century of time has passed, propelling the contents of the lonesome COSMAC ELF computer system and its original photos into a future world. Photos, amazing they survived the time travel experience, show the working COSMAC Elf computer, with power supply, an analog meter monitoring supply voltage, SONY 5-inch diagonal TV, Motherboard and ASCII keyboard for expansion.

Humanoido got his start on the 1802 processor chip, and by home brewing a wire wrapped 1802 computer system on a phenolic electronics board. This system was later expanded with Netronics boards.

This COSMAC Elf may have become the first vehicle computer, being placed in a Dodge pickup truck to keep track of mileage, navigation distances and directions, rates of travel, and displaying graphic trip maps.

The system was also the first to calculate telescope design data from the observatories first Telescope Systems Design Program as written and expanded by Humanoido in Tiny BASIC. This was instrumental in creating 40 and 50-inch telescopes, the largest amateur telescopes in the world at that time. The Elf program has survived the time and evolution of 8 different computing systems and language variances, and is currently in use today for designing CCD telescope systems.

Humanoido used the Elf computer in another science mechanics application to design a mirror grinding machine for astronomical telescope making. The program written calculated the size and rates of belts, pulleys, and motors.

The Elf was also used to compose and reproduce classical music and explore computer programming with the 1802 chip. The chip is often referenced to the 1802 chip series found in the Voyager spacecraft, the longest lasting probe in NASA's space program which has left the outer boundaries of the solar system and is approaching deep space.

This Netronics Cosmac Elf version with the RCA CDP1802MPU primary processor chip is running the famous Star Ship program. The graphics at the top are actual program code. The system has an RF modulator to feed the video to the TV, and since the photos were taken in 1979, this system was fully expanded and can run Tom Pittman's TINY BASIC software in 4K of RAM.

Like the Voyager Spacecraft in Deep Space, this COSMAC Elf computer system is working perfectly.  We can only speculate on the discoveries from new worlds in the next 40 years.

The materials and contents of the Crypt are now donated to the science museum. More information will appear at the COSMAC Elf web pages, links given below.

http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.com/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.html

http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2013/04/cosmac-propeller-elf-ii-page-2.html

Propeller Cosmac Elf Update

PROPELLER COSMAC ELF UPDATE

by Humanoido
It's time to update the Propeller COSMAC ELF project. This has led to more than one ELF clone (a base unit and the expanded version) and some new ideas to implement to make both more accurate to the originals. Finishing touches are being added to both units.

The first is a bare bones machine with minimal support components. The project is physically constructed and wired, and a new front panel print needs some adjustments to create a better size fit. This ELF clone is amazing!

The second is more like the expanded Netronics ELF machine which supports the ASCII keyboard, TV and runs Tiny BASIC. This unit won't need IDE software support from a PC computer as we'll load it up with self booting Tiny BASIC.

While some emulation projects try to go for extreme operating speed, we've kept the Elf closer to real life. For example, the chip is slowed using RCSLOW bringing it closer to the original 1802's crystal clock.

The internal slow oscillator runs at approximately 20KHz, which is a lot slower than the chip's RCFAST oscillator at approximately 12MHz. This is also a lot slower than using a 5MHz crystal which can take the chip up to 80MHz. The original Elf was between 1 and 2 MHz. We're still looking at matching a closer speed value. We are currently using a 10MHz crystal and the software can switch to PLL1X at possible 10MHz operation. The crystal can be replaced with a different value. Of course this effects the TV driver so we need to explore this in more detail. It's likely we'll reserve the TV driver only for the expanded version and drop the crystal requirement in the first version.

We now have two Tiny BASIC versions - one is more basic than the other (has minimal statements) and one is more capable (can load and save programs).

Another very interesting approach is one of the TV. In the original Elf, a video modulator was used to send/transmit the signal to the TV. The Propeller chip is also capable of sending/transmitting a TV signal from a single pin which emulates the video modulator quite well. The Propeller can also do PAL and VGA standards but we're going to use the TV and RF usage like the original Elf. You could still use VGA and other standards by tweaking the software.

One approach is to just expand it and keep the additional features but not necessarily use the newer expansions. For example, we have a color BASIC in one Elf version and gaming ports. A color Elf with gaming ports is something we might have seen if Netronics had stayed in business longer. So we may extrapolate on this new Elf clone.

Other aspects are being worked out in more detail, in particular, we decided to emulate the original storage cassette by using EEPROMs and one SD-CARD. We can boot to Tiny BASIC from the eeprom and load/save programs with the card. What we put in eeprom and the card is still being worked out. This gives virtually unlimited storage for programs. There's still some messy details to work out in the system.

A nice larger cabinet is bought for the expanded ELF version (It's not a hand-held device!) and it will have a nice designed boiler face plate.

You can build one too. The expanded ELF will be much like the original elf in cost. The new expanded version has suppliers with current pricing of $150 or $200 (that will include a working board with a power supply, 128K memory, with ASCII keyboard, expansion port, USB port, video and audio ports, gaming port, game controller, programming and A/V cables, and even a mouse (plus other extras included). The 1-MB SD-Card unit will cost about $50 however the ELF will run just fine on the 128K memory card. Details will be provided later on where you buy a completed board with all the mentioned goodies.

Another tip: you can find lots of free support software in the OBEX. However, be aware the real gold mines are posted programs in the Forum. This is because they are often small versions that fit into smaller memory and fit the Elf project much better.

To put everything together: you will need to add the free development software from Parallax, free Tiny BASIC versions, a cabinet, create the front panel, drill and install a few switches, and overall it's a nice clean simple project that will run all the developed COSMAC ELF emulated software. I'm still deciding what to emulate but have a good idea. Plus, Stay tuned for more details on this!

Alas, I must apologize for my limited off and on time working on this really cool project and surely I will continue to move forward and develop it, improve and refine it, and some surprises are upcoming! Stay tuned!

LINKS
Propeller Elf II (Page One)
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.html

COSMAC Propeller ELF II (Page Two)
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2013/04/cosmac-propeller-elf-ii-page-2.html 

More Cosmac Elf Postings
COSMAC Elf Clone Built with PICs
Faster COSMAC ELF

COSMAC Elf Clone Built with PICs

COSMAC ELF CLONE BUILT WITH PICS
Ted Rossin put together a modern day version of a COSMAC ELF retro computer using a PIC processor.

"The PIC is clocked with a 7.16 MHz crystal which is 4x the rate of a standard Elf with Pixie chip.  This gave me 32 PIC instructions per 1802 state cycle to get the job done.  I use the internal PLL to multiply the clock by another 4 as the PIC needs 4 clocks per instruction.  For most 1802 instructions this was cake but some were quite challenging as the PIC has to implement the instruction plus keep TPA and TPB going as well as implement the normal 1802 bus cycles not to mention the need to respond to the mode pins, DMA and interrupts."

http://www.tedrossin.net46.net/Electronics/RCA/RCA.html#ElfClone

Faster COSMAC ELF

FASTER COSMAC ELF

What do you get with a COSMAC ELF in FPGA? You get an Elf that's 100 times faster than the original.

Project by Eric Smith. "The original COSMAC Elf ran at 1 to 2 MHz.  Every machine cycle required eight oscillator cycles, and each instruction required two or three machine cycles, so each instruction took 8 to 12 microseconds at 2 MHz, or 16 to 24 microseconds at 1 MHz.

The FPGA-Elf runs at 25 MHz when using a Spartan-3E FPGA in the slow speed grade, but it also needs only one oscillator cycle per machine cycle.  That means that each instruction takes 80 to 120 nanoseconds.  That’s 100 times the speed of a 2 MHz COSMAC Elf!"

http://whats.all.this.brouhaha.com/2010/07/30/fpga-elf-is-100-times-faster-than-original-cosmac-elf/

http://whats.all.this.brouhaha.com/2010/07/30/video-of-demo-of-fpga-elf/ 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IhDMDVBYio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmko_V0tQrc

Propeller COSMAC ELF II Annexes the Future

Retro MC computer

PROPELLER COSMAC ELF II ANNEXES THE FUTURE
Can retro computers from yesteryear find any place to be of use in the future? What possible tasking can these slow unwittingly singular computers do for future applications? You might be surprised!

BACK TO THE FUTURE: First, they still have their wits, and when annexed to modern technology, can update to modern parallel functioning. They have great function and use, with the strong points built in, such as binary functions, smart input devices, and smart output panels. They can dedicate their task, operate in real time, and continue their life with purpose and usefulness.

— don't walk, side step, or even think about riding side saddle with these old computers or their simulators, because they have the greatest value in the 21st Century —

For a good example application, we took our trusty MC Minimal Computer which was converted both hardware and software into a version of the COSMAC ELF II and we tasked it for use at the Ultra Space Center as a dedicated and real time reporting Numerical Binary Comptometer.

This serves the constant reporting of binary output, which is now a dedicated secondary service provided to the Big Brain Supercomputer Machine Array. In this experiment, the Propeller powered COSMAC ELF II is the output and provides annexing ten two-position switches and one pushbutton, with eight red Binary reporting status LEDs. Running under its own power, the Retro computer version is useful as a dedicated tasker running parallel with other jobs.

PAGE ONE
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.html
PAGE TWO
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2013/04/cosmac-propeller-elf-ii-page-2.html

COSMAC Propeller ELF II

Historical COSMAC Elf II by Netronics from the 1970s

COSMAC PROPELLER ELF II
and Everything About Elves...
PAGE ONE http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.html
PAGE TWO  http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2013/04/cosmac-propeller-elf-ii-page-2.html

This is the second page to our humble COSMAC Propeller ELF II web presence. It seems on the previous post, the memory was being maxed out and acting a bit strange, so we want to continue to solidly anchor and host more fantastic info about the new "Elves" on this new page, including our own development of the Propeller COSMAC Elves. Let's begin with a small update response to Doug who is in the group of the most avid 1802 ELF enthusiasts!

PROPELLER COSMAC ELF

Humanoido's 1st Propeller Elf II

Doug writes
This is a fun site to peruse and a great summary of all of the elf items around the web. Really quite a piece of work. I do, however, have trouble gleaning what the latest situation is with the Propeller project as, to my eye, the info is scattered around the blog. 

Doug, thanks sincerely for your generous and kind comments. You are correct about the Propeller COSMAC Elf II project needing a good distillation of step by step procedures, as currently it's a bit scattered all around, and perhaps an upcoming focus page of its own will be useful when the project is considered ultimately completed and available for consumption...

As currently, it's happily ongoing and the information at the site is indeed distributed across the postings in blog formats. I have very limited time due to an inordinate travel schedule so every moment of free time back at the home base is spent on these projects - the ELF is going well, if not slow to take shape. For the time being, the posts will not be in any consecutive order. Sorry about that. The hardware guts seem to be working and there's software too, but embarrassingly I'm a bit stuck on creating the font panel print, trying to decide the exact layout and get it to fit on the cabinet and coincident with the switches and controls, with the dimensions afforded by the new printer (which all changed compared to the old printer).

Once this hurdle is surpassed, it should be smooth going to get the graphics up on the new screen. I also plan to shop for a dedicated little TV, much like the one I used on the original Elf II. No need to use a video modulator however as the Propeller chip outputs standard NTSC and other formats. You only need a resistor or two to activate it.

1st Prop Elf II wiring - an evening's work

As it stands, there are two version of this modern ELF. One is based on a raw single Propeller chip built with a circuit on a solderless breadboard. The impetus of this ELF machine is software to make it do things with the binary toggle switches and LEDs hung on the I/O ports. The programming at the high end is in SPIN and PASM. I use this to emulate and simulate samples of 1802 code with the toggles. The second ELF version is a bit more supreme, still with one Propeller chip but with memory cards, EEPROM chips, and more fancy stuff. It's a go for video card emulation and other niceties including a keyboard, TV, game paddles, VGA, color, sound in and out, Tiny BASIC, etc.

This version has lots of games on it. It can be stand alone, i.e. booting automatically into Tiny BASIC. Both Propeller Elves have a lack of the old Kansas City tape standard and cassette drives for program load and save. That's something I don't miss one bit. The modern more reliable EEPROMS hold up to 128K each of nonvolatile programs and the tiny cute plug card is a 1MB device.

Stay tuned please. As soon as I get more developed, and photos, the stuff will be posted at this web site: http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.html (now updated to this page two) I also want to thank everyone who contributed to the site, and please, if you have any new information, post a link, email me details or just alert me to what's happening new. The Yahoo COSMAC ELF group is really fantastic with a great bunch of guys and actually if I had more time I would live here. :)  A big thanks to the cosmacelf group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cosmacelf/
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A COSMAC Elf Implementation 
http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~hilpert/e/cosmacElf/index.html

Brent Hilpert
from Vancouver, B.C., Canada

"This is an implementation of the COSMAC Elf, constructed in 1977 going by the labeling and component date codes. It presents an example of early hobbyist computer construction. Printed in the foil pattern is "G. VENTURI Tech 77" and in handwriting "AW Kits 77". As the unit originated in the Vancouver, B.C., Canada area, it was likely a project at KitsilanoHigh School." Check Brent's web site for more photos, links, info and downloads for the following: 1802 Instructions, Some simple programs, Schematic (on a single page), Log, Photos of original form 
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PROPELLER COSMAC ELF : REFERENCE MATERIAL
THE COSMAC ELF: FOCUS ON SPECS AND UNIQUE FEATURES

PE Base system specifications

• 1802 CPU at 1 to 2MHz
• 256 Bytes RAM (2 x 2101)
• Dual Digit Hexadecimal Display
• 'Q' Output LED
• 8 Bit Toggle Switch Data/Program Input
• 1 Input Switch and 3 System Control Switches (RUN/LOAD/Memory Protect)

GOING COMMERCIAL Several commercial computers and computer kits were based on the original COSMAC Elf, including the Netronics Elf II, Quest Super Elf, and STG COSMAC Elf 2000.

NO ROMS The COSMAC Elf design takes advantage of a special feature of the RCA 1802 microprocessor to operate without ROMs or any other nonvolatile memory.

LOAD MODE NO MONITOR The 1802's 'Load Mode' allows the user to enter programs directly into system memory without the use of a monitor or any other program.

Q INPUT The Q output of the 1802 is a single bit output capable of directly driving many output devices, similar to the later 8085's SOD output. In practice, this line was used for many general purposes, including a software-driven serial output, providing audio output, output to cassette tape for data storage, and pulse-width modulation.

1861 PIXIE GRAPHICS The 1861 Pixie Graphic IC uses the DMA mode of the 1802 to access system memory for its bitmap information. The 1802's R0 register provides addresses to memory for the 1861, auto-incrementing with each call for video data.

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ANNIVERSARY EDITION ELF

Did you know there's a COSMAC ELF 30th Year Anniversary Edition? Take a look at the Muller Lab web site.

http://www.mullerlab.com/cosmacelf.html
"The first project, COSMAC Elf - 30th Anniversary Edition, was developed Dec 2005 - Jan 2006. This is a microprocessor training system based on the CDP1802 microprocessor, and an Aug 1976 magazine article. The prototype was produced early Feb 2006, and the second later the same month."
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J Kearney built this Elf

http://www.jkearney.com/elf/

It's pretty close to the original (Part 1) ELF.  I do have an 1861 video chip as was used in the revised (Part 4) design, but I wanted to build the original version. Originally I had used a laser-printed front panel, but members of the cosmacelf mailing list pointed me at a source of dry-transfer letters,  so I redid it the authentic way (Detail of switches and panel lettering).  Another nice thing that happened after I first built it was that I located some authentic RCA CMOS logic ICs for a number of the types used in the ELF. 

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1802 MEMBERSHIP CARD UPDATE
Rev D, E 1802 "Membership Card"

Popular Electronics Elf shrunk to Altoids tin

"For those just tuning in, the Membership Card is a reproduction of the original Popular Electronics Elf computer, but shrunk to fit in an Altoids tin! It works the same, and runs the same software." - Lee Hart

BREAKING NEWS! 

Herb writes, "Saw your post about your "COSMAC ELF Blog" on cosmacelf Yahoo.

http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.com/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.html 
Thanks for describing the 1802 Membership Card. I suggest you update your link to the  "kit support page is at this link". It now points at Revision C; the current revision is E at this link:
http://www.retrotechnology.com/memship/mem_revD.html
Rev E is a minor change to Rev D. In any event the "home page" link you have is unchanged, and it points to the current revision. I have not updated the "product page" you point to for the current revision; but it also points to the "home page" for more information. Herb Johnson
retrotechnology.com host Web site for the 1802 M/S card.
http://www.retrotechnology.com/ for vintage computing restoration, preservation, repair of 1970's computing of S-100, Mac, minicomputers also preserving old tech in iron, glass, rock alternate domain: retrotechnology.net
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PROPELLER COSMAC ELF
FLAGGING THE PROPELLER COSMAC ELF

One thing we want to start doing is flagging information pertaining specifically to the Propeller COSMAC Elf II project. This will make things easier to sort out when constructing the project and following along. For now, we'll use the following flag: PROPELLER COSMAC ELF

=============================================
PROPELLER COSMAC ELF
Propeller COSMAC Elf II Control Panel Project Let's examine the front panels from the original Popular Electronics article run in the August 1976 issue. As seen, the ELF has eight toggle switches for setting eight bits of data for program input, one input switch, and three system control switches that include Memory Protect, Run, and Load. That's 12 switches. The first Prop Elf will use binary switches for data and will not use the HEX keyboard. The 1802's 'Load Mode' allows the user to enter programs directly into system memory without the use of a monitor or any other program.

Note, the original Elf had no power switch, as the power supply was external to the computer's main board. The current Propeller Elf II has an internal battery option or, as with the original Elf, can use an external power supply with power fed into the front panel's two banana jacks. As completed, this config has a front control panel with eleven switches. Ten of these are toggle switches and one is a push button.

LIST OF PE ELF SWITCHES
8 - Data
1 - Input
1 - Memory Protect
1 - Load
1 - Run

DUAL FUNCTION TOGGLE SWITCHES
With the Prop Elf, some toggle switches are programmed for dual function. For example, the list is as follows:

LIST OF PROPELLER ELF SWITCHES
8 - Data (toggle)
1 - Input (push button)
1 - Load/Run (toggle)(dual function)*
1 - Memory Protect (toggle)

* Up toggle is Load, Down toggle is Run

LAYOUT OF CONTROL PANEL

            O    O    O    O    O    O    O    O/O
0          
            0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0

*  *             =            o

KEY
O LED DATA LIGHT
O Q OUTPUT FUNCTION
0 DATA TOGGLE SWITCH
= DUAL PURPOSE TOGGLE
o PUSH BUTTON
* BANANA POWER JACK

NOTE: THE LED AT THE FAR RIGHT HAS DUAL PURPOSE AND CAN SERVE AS EITHER A DATA LED OR A Q OUTPUT. ANY LED CAN SERVE AS A Q LINE WITH UP TO EIGHT SIMULTANEOUS Q LINES OPERATING IN PARALLEL DEPENDING ON SOFTWARE. 

LINKS
Popular Electronics Elf Article
http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bill_r/elf/html/elf-4-41.htm 
=============================================

Original Elf HP display

PROPELLER COSMAC ELF  
REPLACING THE HEWLETT-PACKARD HP 5082-7340 DUAL HEX DISPLAY THE PROP ELF uses eight LEDs as a Binary display. This replaces the segment hex display, simplifies the computer from some aspects, and keeps in line with the first computers like the Altair 8800 computer that was sold in Radio Electronics and featured in the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics.

Sample LED pushbutton connections

The Binary display is connected on the Prop's pins using red LEDs in a one to one pin wiring - the pins are set to output in the programming and switched on and off in binary formats.



LINKS
COSMAC Elf Page One
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.htmlDan Veeneman Historic Display Site
http://www.decodesystems.com/old-displays.html
http://www.decodesystems.com/hp-5082-7340-2.jpg
Data Sheet HP Dual Hex Display 5082-7340
http://www.decodesystems.com/hp5082-7300.html
Parallax Propeller PEK
http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/PEKitLabs-v1.2.pdf
Altair 8800
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_8800
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Top data LED as a Q function

PROPELLER COSMAC ELF  
USING THE LED DATA DISPLAY AS A Q OUTPUT

The original PE Elf used a single Q output LED as a display. THE PROP ELF uses eight data LEDs for its Binary display. These display LEDs will also handle functions of the Q Output LED. Any LED, all LEDs, or the single LED on the far right can be used for the Q function.

 As seen in the photo, one of the eight data LEDs is used for Q Output. In this view, the Q is the top LED (B7) or the LED on the far right side of the Elf when setting bottom down on a desk. The Elf is frequently used in a vertical configuration, which looks like a really tiny cute tower. "The original Q output of the 1802 is a single bit output capable of directly driving many output devices, similar to the later 8085's SOD output. In practice, this line was used for many general purposes, including a software-driven serial output, providing audio output, output to cassette tape for data storage, and pulse-width modulation." The Propeller chip is capable of all these functions and more. Of course data storage will not involve this LED's pin for cassette tape but rather EEPROM in the first Elf, and EEPROMs and SD Card in the second Elf.

=============================================
COSMAC ELF - What does the cosmac represent? Anyone know the meaning of this abbreviation? We did a little research and found that it represents Complementary-Symmetry Monolithic-Array Computer architecture.

From RCA Engineer v22n5, February/March 1977
Solid State Division's microprocessor business is built around the CDP1802 microprocessor, a CMOS implementation of Joe Weisbecker's COSMAC architecture, which is radically different from the Intel and Motorola architectures. COSMAC was specifically developed to minimize logic complexity, allow very compact programs, and interface efficiently with the outside world. This lower complexity permits us to manufacture the CDP1802 in CMOS at a cost comparable to NMOS and PMOS competition with its more complicated logic. And Solid State Division is able to compensate for its late start in this business by capitalizing on the well-known electrical benefits of CMOS technology - low and flexible power requirements, unexcelled noise immunity, and tolerance to wide temperature extremes.
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Propeller COSMAC ELF II Annexes the Future

We took our retro PROPELLER POWERED COSMAC ELF II and annexed it to the future. Back to the future, the 1802 simulator is helping to supplement Binary jobs at the Ultra Space Administration's Flight Control Center, with it binary front panel including dual position toggle switches, push button and eight binary LEDs.

 =============================================

 

 check back for more as this site is continued and ongoing...

Can One Propeller Chip Think?

CAN ONE PROPELLER CHIP THINK?

When one looks at the human definition listings of “think,” do specific multiple definitions fit the Propeller Elf Machine Brain which embodies a single Propeller chip?

One Propeller chip with eight internal processors is considered as the smallest prodigy offspring of the Big Brain. It's the embodiment of the Propeller Elf Brain, a machine with a purpose designed to think. Is it possible these small children can think and to what extent?


Considering the chip as a small mind, it satisfies the first definition to have "content contained." It has ROM which contains 32K of content.

It satisfies the second definition of think which specifies “decision making.” It can take 3 numbers and decide which is higher, lower, equal, or even prime, irrational, near pi, etc.

In definition 3, it can “invent” a question by running LERNER which is a program by Dave Hein to instil learning into the Propeller chip.

It concurs with definition 4 as in “belief” when it follows a code definition and continually relies upon it, or declares variables.

It satisfies the sixth definition because it can “remember” things in volatile RAM memory and exhibit recall.

It satisfies definition 8 because it can “evolve” as in progressing a numerical expression or engaging in program modification - a well known feature of the Propeller chip with SPIN language.

In satisfying definition 9, it can arise a given condition by a programmed "preoccupation" as in calculating the odds of a given case.

It satisfies definition 10 in that it can “weigh” two considerations by comparison, such as if A>+B THEN C, and it can “concentrate” on performing one task and the program can make “inferences.”

In 10 sub 5, it can “consider” by initiating an analysis of numbers and mathematical expressions with weights.

In 10 sub 6, it can “dispose” in a given way by engaging in a challenging problem to solve which will require much thought.

It satisfies the noun definition - it could achieve extended thinking as in “meditation” where it would focus on a single objective and clear other variables and programs.

The Eleven Elements of Propeller Thinking

1. Contain Content
2. Decision Making
3. Invent
4. Believe
5. Remember
6. Evolve
7. Preoccupation
8. Weigh
9. Consider
10. Dispose
11. Meditate

Propeller Elf is a small and powerful thinking machine with one Propeller chip and eight internal processors.

Links
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/think

Pure Thought

IS PURE THOUGHT WORK OR NO WORK?

Can a "thinking only" Big Brain or Propeller Elf do work? The scenario: a Propeller Elf is given a thinking program, as in calculating a non ending progression of numbers, that continues forever to think, as long as the power is applied within the closed system as a whole. It may become a pseudo perpetual motion or perpetual thinking machine. In this case, is work being performed? It depends on the program and the definition of work. Taking the Physics definition of work, a program that loops, and moves processor bits from point A to point B and back again, is doing no work at all, regardless of how many times it completes full loops. If the code moves processor bits from point A to point B which don't return, work is accomplished. In physics, mechanical work is a scalar quantity that can be described as the product of a force times the distance through which it acts, and it is called the work of the force. In the Prop Elf, the scalar quantity of bits that do mechanical work (become a 0 or a 1) traverse distance through the propagation of electrons in the chips substrate. The conclusion is, the Prop Elf may have two different types of thinking programs, one which is doing work and one that does no work, by definition. One thinking program can also terminate in one state or another, designating work or no work.

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_(physics) If a constant force of magnitude F acts on a point that moves d in the direction of the force, then the work W done by this force is calculated W=Fd.

Propeller Elf

TINY PROPELLER ELF COMPUTER WITH NO PARTS

Incredible as it seems, this tiny working and thinking brain computer has no parts! It's another Big Brain offspring known as Adjunct 009. To view a list of all adjuncts and offspring, click here.

The Propeller Elf (PE) is a Propeller thinking brain computer with no parts. It's goal in life is to think. It runs on SPIN software using the conventional support for the Parallax Propeller chip and communicates through a standard Propeller Plug. Prop Elf is a spin off of the Big Brain "No Parts" project. All software utilized is found at the Parallax Propeller Forum. PE uses eight internal processors known as Cogs and also utilizes the internal components built into the Propeller chip. Thinking takes place with the RC clock and the chips built in protection circuits so no crystal, resistors or caps are required. It can use virtual devices. Debugging is with the PST Parallax Serial Terminal software. For more information regarding the internal structure of the Propeller chip, refer to the Parallax Propeller manual and downloads.


Pure Thought - Work or No Work?