Sequencer

Claim 2

In combination: a single counting means responsive to input signals for repeatedly producing N counts, each count corresponding to a different number of such signals, where N is an integer; a plurality of decoders, each having a plurality of output terminals, each decoder, when in operative relationship with said counting means, responsive to up to N of said counts for producing, in response to each different count, a signal on a different one of its output terminals, only one of said decoders being in operative relationship with said counting means; and means responsive to the last count decoded by said one decoder for placing a second decoder in operative relationship with said counting means and removing said one decoder from said operative relationship.

Claim 3

In the combination as set forth in claim 1, further including: means responsive to the last count decoded by each decoder for resetting said counting means to a predetermined count.

Claim 4

In the combination as set forth in claim 1, the number of said decoders being equal to two, and further including: means responsive to the last count decoded by the second decoder for placing the first decoder in operative relationship with said counting means and removing said second decoder from said operative relationship.

Claim 5

In the combination as set forth in claim 1, said last-named means comprising a flip-flop.

Claim 6

In the combination as set forth in claim 1, said last-named means comprising means for removing power from said one decoder for disabling the same and for applyIng power to the second decoder.

Claim 7

The combination of: an electronically tunable television tuner having a plurality of channels, each channel having a terminal adapted to receive a selection signal; a decade counter; two 10-stage decoders, each responsive to a group of up to 10 counts and in the range one to 10, where each group need not include the same number of counts, only the first said decoder being in operative relation with said decade counter, each decoder having a plurality of output terminals, each such terminal being connected to different ones of said tuner terminals for supplying a selection signal to that terminal; means responsive to the decoding by said first decoder of the last count to which said first decoder is responsive for placing the second decoder in operative relationship with said counter, resetting said counter, and removing said first decoder from said operative relationship; means responsive to the decoding by said second decoder of the last count to which the second decoder is responsive for placing the first decoder in operative relationship with said counter, resetting said counter, and removing said second decoder from said operative relationship; program selection means for selecting from among said plurality of channels the ones desired for viewing; and means responsive to the production by either one of said decoders of a selection signal for a channel called for by said program selection means for maintaining that decoder producing said selection signal.

Claim 8

The combination of: an electronically tunable television tuner having a plurality of channels, each channel having a terminal adapted to receive a selection signal; a decade counter; two 10-stage decoders, each responsive to a group of up to 10 counts and in the range one to 10, where each group need not include the same number of counts, only the first said decoder being in operative relation with said decade counter, each decoder having a plurality of output terminals, each such terminal being connected to different ones of said tuner terminals for supplying a selection signal to that terminal; means responsive to the decoding by said first decoder of the last count to which said first decoder is responsive for placing the second decoder in operative relationship with said counter, resetting said counter, and removing said first decoder from said operative relationship; means responsive to the decoding by said second decoder of the last count to which the second decoder is responsive for placing the first decoder in operative relationship with said counter, resetting said counter, and removing said second decoder from said operative relationship; program selection means for selecting from among said plurality of channels the ones desired for viewing; and means responsive to the production by either one of said decoders of a selection signal for a channel called for by said program selection means for maintaining that decoder producing said selection signal.

Claim 9

In the combination as set forth in claim 6, said means for removing a decoder from operative relationship with said counter comprising means for removing power from said decoder.

Claim 10

The combination comprising: a counter responsive to input signals for producing N counts. each count corresponding to a different number of such input signals, where N is an integer; M decoders, where M is an integer greater than 1, each decoder having inputs adapted to receive the counts produced by said counter, and having outputs for producing up to N separate decoded outputs; means for coupling the inputs of said M decoders in parallel to the outputs of said counter; means for applying power to one of said M decoders at a time for rendering one of said decoders operative at a time; and means responsive to the last count decoded by a powered decoder for deenergizing said powered decoder and for energizing another one of said M decoders, for producing up to M times N (MXN) decoded outputs from said N counter.

Claim 11

The combination comprising: a counter responsive to input signals for producing N counts. each count corresponding to a different number of such input signals, where N is an integer; M decoders, where M is an integer greater than 1, each decoder having inputs adapted to receive the counts produced by said counter, and having outputs for producing up to N separate decoded outputs; means for coupling the inputs of said M decoders in parallel to the outputs of said counter; means for applying power to one of said M decoders at a time for rendering one of said decoders operative at a time; and means responsive to the last count decoded by a powered decoder for deenergizing said powered decoder and for energizing another one of said M decoders, for producing up to M times N (MXN) decoded outputs from said N counter.

Claim 12

The combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein M equals 2; wherein said means for applying power to said decoders includes a switch in series with each decoder, and a flip-flop, wherein said switches are connected to a different one of the two complementary outputs of a flip-flop, whereby only one of said two switches is enabled at any one time; and wherein the set and reset inputs of said flip-flop are connected to a different one of the last decoded outputs of said decoders, whereby the decoders determine the state of the flip-flop.

Claim 13

The combination as set forth in claim 6. wherein said last-named means comprises means for preventing said decade counter from advancing to a new count.