Functionality disable and re-enable for programmable calculators

Abstract

A handheld calculator with disable/re-enable capability. The calculator includes a keypad, a display screen, and circuitry internal to the calculator. The circuitry includes a microprocessor, a storage unit for storing data and programs for execution by the microprocessor to implement calculator functions. The storage unit has stored therein a disable/re-enable program that recognizes a first predetermined calculator event and in response thereto disables one or more programs, and that recognizes a second predetermined calculator event and in response thereto re-enables the disabled program. The invention allows Apps, programs and additional information that may be embedded within the Apps and programs in a calculator or other handheld calculating device to be rendered temporarily inaccessible within a relatively short period of time, and then to be restored to the calculator, again, in a relatively short period of time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld with disable/re-enable capability, comprising:
 a microprocessor, and   a storage unit for storing data and programs for execution by the microprocessor to implement functions of the handheld that relate a program of the handheld and access to a file in storage; and   a testing environment disable/re-enable program for entering and exiting a testing environment mode of the handheld, the disable/re-enable program stored by the storage unit and processed by the microprocessor, wherein the disable/re-enable program recognizes a first predetermined event of the handheld and in response thereto disables one or more programs of the handheld, and recognizes a second predetermined event of the handheld and in response thereto re-enables the disabled one or more programs of the handheld.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined event of the handheld comprises the activation of a predetermined key sequence. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld of  claim 1 , wherein, in response to the first predetermined event the disable/re-enable program selectively disables one or more functions of the handheld. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld of  claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined event of the handheld comprises the entry of a predetermined code by way of a keypad. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a communications port; and 
 a communication module for managing communications with one or more handheld in a network interconnected by way of the communications port. 
 
     
     
         6 . The handheld of  claim 5 , wherein the second predetermined event comprises the receipt of predetermined data from the network. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld of  claim 3 , wherein the disable/re-enable program selectively disables functions of the handheld by:
 setting a flag bit for each of the function of the handheld to a predetermined value in the storage unit; and   prior to executing a function of the handheld, determining whether the flag bit for the function of the handheld has the predetermined value, and executing the function when flag bit for the function is not the predetermined value.   
     
     
         8 . The handheld of  claim 7 , wherein the flag bits are in flash memory in the storage unit. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld of  claim 6 , wherein a teacher's station is connected to the network, and wherein the predetermined data is sent by the teacher's station. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld of  claim 5 , wherein a teacher's station is connected to the network, and wherein the teacher's station sends the disable/re-enable program to the handheld by way of the network. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld of  claim 1 , wherein the disabling and enabling of the functions of the handheld retains at least one of the program or file in storage and deems the at least one of program or file inaccessible. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld with disable/re-enable capability, comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a non-transitory storage unit for storing data and programs for execution by the microprocessor to implement functions of the handheld that relate a program of the handheld and access to a file in storage; and   a disable/re-enable program for selecting one or more programs of the handheld relating to functions available to display on a display of the handheld and executed by the microprocessor during an exam, wherein the disable/re-enable program stored by the non-transitory storage unit and processed by the microprocessor and wherein the one or more disabled programs of the handheld are at least one of unavailable to be selected from the display of the handheld and are disabled from being executed by the microprocessor.   
     
     
         13 . The handheld of  claim 12 , wherein the disable/re-enable program for selecting functions of the handheld is displayed by pressing a predetermined key sequence. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld as in  claim 12 , wherein the disable/re-enable program for selecting functions of the handheld is non-responsive when the functions of the handheld are disabled. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld as in  claim 12 , wherein the disable/re-enable program for selecting functions of the handheld is protected by a predetermined code by way of a keypad. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a communications port; and 
 a communication module for managing communications with other handheld in a network interconnected by way of the communications port. 
 
     
     
         17 . The handheld of  claim 16 , wherein the second predetermined event comprises the receipt of predetermined data from the network. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld of  claim 17 , wherein the disable/re-enable program selectively disables functions of the handheld by:
 setting a flag bit for each the function to a predetermined value in the storage unit; and   prior to executing a function of the handheld, determining whether the flag bit for the function of the handheld has the predetermined value, and executing the function when flag bit for the function is not the predetermined value.   
     
     
         19 . The handheld of  claim 18 , wherein the flag bits are in flash memory in the storage unit. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld of  claim 17 , wherein a teacher's station is connected to the network, and wherein the predetermined data is sent by the teacher's station.