If programming is the reason you want to avoid a micro, then a PSoC is just what you need, you can layout the needed logic on the IDE schematic and avoid any coding. (unlike the above example)

@danadak (aka 'Dana') also wrote about the PSoC, described it in a high level. A good to know, useful and powerful possibility.
I want to avoid programming not because I'm afraid of it, but because I'm full of it (learned it in a school/university and worked as a programmer ... it's too easy and won't develop my electronics skills (will actually delay my progress - at least for my current level).
How else would I know of diode logic and pay attention to missing decoupling caps and MOSFETs

My only advice would be to choose a larger EEPROM with at least 15 addresses, as to accommodate the 11 lows and the additional 4 combos.

But, I still like the EEPROM solution, you can build a simple manual programmer if you don't have any other way to program.

Although it saves board space and simplifies wiring, 'my heart hurts a bit' using EEPROM on this - it's like using a canon to hit a sparrow (I need only 1 output), so enhancing the address bits to 15 will probably mentally kill me or I won't be able to sleep knowing that I have a device on my desk with 15 addresses EEPROM while only 1 output bit is being used ... for buzzer
(in case of an EEPROM as a chosen solution, I probably will 'join' it with a few gates)

the informal disadvantage of EEPROM - It takes at least a month to be delivered by AliExpress
Thanks for the inputs.

 

the informal disadvantage of EEPROM - It takes at least a month to be delivered by AliExpress

Where are you located? Ali Express is the last place I'd order EEPROMs, and most semiconductors, from. They're likely to be counterfeit or salvaged parts and most sellers have no clue about what they sell.

With 15 address lines, you're looking at 32Kx8. Not many manufacturers made 256Kb EEPROMs. If you're not planning to change the programming much, 256Kb EPROMs are more readily available.

You still haven't given the bit patterns you want to decode.

 

Where are you located? Ali Express is the last place I'd order EEPROMs, and most semiconductors, from. They're likely to be counterfeit or salvaged parts and most sellers have no clue about what they sell.

Hehe...probably....I ordered 5 units of 7-segment decoder, struggled with it for several hours - until realized all 5 are corrupted.
That's why I haven't fully tested yet the 7 segment display (ordered again from other seller) ... you pointed out on my 'mis-design':

anode drive circuit won't work because LS04 can't source much current

I'm from Israel. I checked several local stores for electronics components - they're too overpriced (I guess a consequence of being a small market)

You still haven't given the bit patterns you want to decode.

Sure I did:

Buzz when:
(total 15 bits)

bit a	bit b	bit c	bit d	I coded through ICs
0	0	1	0	(a NOR b) AND c AND ('0' NOR d)
0	0	1	1	(a NOR b) AND c AND d
1	1	0	0	a AND b AND (c NOR d)
1	1	1	1	a AND b AND c AND d

AND 11 other bits are all '0's


(I have NOR, AND ICs (2 input per gate) and also NOT ICs)
'On-paper' I managed to produce '1'/'0' buzz output with 12 NORs and 17 ANDs

 

Hehe...probably....I ordered 5 units of 7-segment decoder, struggled with it for several hours - until realized all 5 are corrupted.

Were these also from Ali Express?

I've ordered some MOSFETs from them and the half dozen I've used appear to be functioning. I still need to measure threshold voltage and maximum drain current, but they work as simple low power switches.

Sure I did:

Which 4 bits to a,b,c,d represent? Are the other 11 bits more or less significant than the 4 mentioned?

It would be clearer if you just gave the hex values for the bit patterns you want to sound the buzzer.

 

Were these also from Ali Express?

Yeah. All my components are from there ... learned my lesson to test each ordered part
also my tools are from there...I think. I didn't know how DVM probes are important, until I ordered DVM from Ali - what a crap ...haha)
Of course I would never buy an oscilloscope from there

Which 4 bits to a,b,c,d represent? Are the other 11 bits more or less significant than the 4 mentioned?

It would be clearer if you just gave the hex values for the bit patterns you want to sound the buzzer.

when to buzz (bin+hex ..whatever is comfortable) - total 15bits:

Binary	000 0001 0000 0000 ‭000 0001 0100 0000‬ ‭100 1000 0000 0000‬ ‭100 1001 0100 0000‬
Hex	100 140 4800 4940

 

Your decode logic can be simplified (I didn't check it for correctness).


I get D'C'B+DCB'A'+DCBA (I didn't pay attention to your labels and made D the most significant bit). Those terms are ANDed with a NOR of the other 11 bits.

 

Your decode logic can be simplified
...
I get D'C'B+DCB'A'+DCBA....

What a great observation, it will indeed spare a few gates.
Thanks !

Thank you all for valuable inputs, they all help in shaping correct electronics attitude while building things and also reveal new concepts.

Even after @dl324 logic simplification, looks like the buzzer logic will need too much gates - EEPROM would suite here better (it also could be reprogrammed easily to change buzz times).
However, I'll probably use TTL gates here, since in another thread I posted (Is there a reason to choose TTL gates over CMOS ?) I clearly understood my bad choice in TLL over CMOS, so now I stuck with some TTL "stock".

I'm doing my homework on things you pointed out here and also will have to check several open issues. I'll probably open separate threads, in case of a need:
- debounce to switches
- decoupling caps (on power source and on some/all ICs)
- how to actually wire a passive buzzer
- how to actually drive my 7seg_4digits (@dl324 proposed MOSFETS. I have BJTs 'with some existing knowledge' to be refreshed...will need to figure out the wiring)
- read more about Diode Logic (maybe can be used here to simplify the wiring)

Thank you all !!!

 

- how to actually wire a passive buzzer

Use a transistor to drive it high or low side.

- how to actually drive my 7seg_4digits (@dl324 proposed MOSFETS. I have BJTs 'with some existing knowledge' to be refreshed...will need to figure out the wiring)

You can replace the P channel MOSFETs with PNP transistors. The decoder needs to be able to source 1/10th of the maximum collector current.

- read more about Diode Logic (maybe can be used here to simplify the wiring)

Here's a 3 input NOR:

R3 can be omitted in most cases.

 

RTL logic - https://archive.org/details/RTL_Resistor-Transistor_Logic_Cookbook/mode/2up


Regards, Dana.

 

RTL logic - https://archive.org/details/RTL_Resistor-Transistor_Logic_Cookbook/mode/2up

Good one. Will put on my 'to-be-covered' list