Control system

Claim 2

A control circuit comprising: an insulated gate field-effect transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, said source and drain electrodes interconnected with circuit means to form an electrical circuit operable to control functions in an electric apparatus by changes in the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of the transistor; a charging capacitor connected between said gate electrode and said source electrode; a source of reference potential; means including a first switch for connecting said source of reference potential between said gate and source electrode when said switch is closed; and a charging circuit including a second switch for changing the charge on said capacitor when said second switch is closed to control the source to drain conductivity of said transistor such that the controlled function is adjusted to a desired condition.

Claim 3

A control circuit as defined in claim 1 including means for adjusting said reference potential to establish a predetermined gate to source reference potential when said first switch is closed.

Claim 4

The combination comprising: a semiconductor device having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode exhibiting a high input impedance, with the first and second electrodes interconnected with circuit means to form an electrical circuit operable to control functions in an electric apparatus by changes in the conductivity of the first-second electrode current path of said device; a capacitor connected to the control electrode of said device; a source of reference potential; means for coupling said source of reference potential to said capacitor; a source of control voltage; means for coupling saiD source of control voltage to said capacitor; and a discharge path for said capacitor including switch means for resetting the control electrode of said device to said reference potential to control the first-second electrode current path conductivity of said device such that the controlled function is adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 5

The combination comprising: a semiconductor device having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode exhibiting a high input impedance, with the first and second electrodes interconnected with circuit means to form an electrical circuit operable to control functions in an electric apparatus by changes in the conductivity of the first-second electrode current path of said device; a capacitor connected to the control electrode of said device; a source of reference potential; means for coupling said source of reference potential to said capacitor; a source of control voltage; means for coupling saiD source of control voltage to said capacitor; and a discharge path for said capacitor including switch means for resetting the control electrode of said device to said reference potential to control the first-second electrode current path conductivity of said device such that the controlled function is adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 6

The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said semiconductor device is a field-effect transistor.

Claim 7

The combination comprising: a field-effect transistor having a source electrode, a drain electrode and a gate electrode, said source and drain electrode interconnected with circuit means to form an electrical circuit operable to control functions in an electric apparatus by changes in the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of said transistor; a source of reference potential; a capacitor having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said gate electrode of said transistor; adjustable means coupled to said source of reference potential and the second end of said capacitor for controlling the amplitude of the reference potential applied to said second end; a source of control voltage; and means for coupling said source of control voltage to the first end of said capacitor.

Claim 8

The combination comprising: a field-effect transistor having a source electrode, a drain electrode and a gate electrode, said source and drain electrode interconnected with circuit means to form an electrical circuit operable to control functions in an electric apparatus by changes in the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of said transistor; a source of reference potential; a capacitor having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said gate electrode of said transistor; adjustable means coupled to said source of reference potential and the second end of said capacitor for controlling the amplitude of the reference potential applied to said second end; a source of control voltage; and means for coupling said source of control voltage to the first end of said capacitor.

Claim 9

The combination comprising: a field-effect transistor having a source electrode, a drain electrode and a gate electrode, with said source and drain electrode being interconnected to provide an electrical circuit; a source of reference potential; a capacitor having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said gate electrode of said transistor and said second end connected to said source of reference potential; means for controlling the amplitude of the reference potential applied to said second end; a source of control voltage; means for coupling said source of control voltage to the first end of said capacitor; and a discharge path coupling the first and second ends of said capacitor and including switch means for resetting the gate electrode of said transistor to said reference potential.

Claim 10

The combination comprising: a field-effect transistor having a source electrode, a drain electrode and a gate electrode, with said source and drain electrode being interconnected to provide an electrical circuit; a source of reference potential; a capacitor having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said gate electrode of said transistor and said second end connected to said source of reference potential; means for controlling the amplitude of the reference potential applied to said second end; a source of control voltage; means for coupling said source of control voltage to the first end of said capacitor; and a discharge path coupling the first and second ends of said capacitor and including switch means for resetting the gate electrode of said transistor to said reference potential.

Claim 11

The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said field-effect transistor is of the insulated gate variety.

Claim 12

The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrical circuit is operable to control functions in an electric apparatus by changes in the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of said transistor and said switch means b resetting the gate electrode of said transistor to said reference potential controls the source-drain electrode current path conductivity of said transistor such that the controlled function is adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 13

The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said field-effect transistor is of the insulated gate variety.

Claim 14

In an apparatus of the type including circuits adapted to control a plurality of functions of said apparatus, a control circuit comprising: a plurality of semiconductor devices each including a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode exhibiting a high input impedance; a plurality of charging capacitors, each charging capacitor having a first and a second end with the first end coupled to the control electrode of one of said plurality of devices; means for operably connecting the first-second electrodes of each of said plurality of devices with said apparatus circuits such that the conductivity of the first-second electrode current path of each of said plurality of devices controls a given function in said apparatus; circuit means coupling a source of potential to the second end of each of said plurality of charging capacitors; a plurality of switch means, each of said plurality of switch means connected in a circuit coupled between the first and second ends of one of said plurality of charging capacitors; and means for simultaneously actuating said switch means such that the conducTivity of said first-second electrode current path of each of said plurality of devices is brought to a reference level to cause each controlled function to be adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 15

In an apparatus of the type including circuits adapted to control a plurality of functions of said apparatus, a control circuit comprising: a plurality of semiconductor devices each including a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode exhibiting a high input impedance; a plurality of charging capacitors, each charging capacitor having a first and a second end with the first end coupled to the control electrode of one of said plurality of devices; means for operably connecting the first-second electrodes of each of said plurality of devices with said apparatus circuits such that the conductivity of the first-second electrode current path of each of said plurality of devices controls a given function in said apparatus; circuit means coupling a source of potential to the second end of each of said plurality of charging capacitors; a plurality of switch means, each of said plurality of switch means connected in a circuit coupled between the first and second ends of one of said plurality of charging capacitors; and means for simultaneously actuating said switch means such that the conducTivity of said first-second electrode current path of each of said plurality of devices is brought to a reference level to cause each controlled function to be adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 16

A control circuit as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for simultaneously actuating is operable by a control positioned on said apparatus.

Claim 17

A control circuit as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for simultaneously actuating is operable by means responsive to a remotely generated signal.

Claim 18

A control circuit as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for simultaneously actuating is operable by a control positioned on said apparatus and by means responsive to a remotely generated signal.

Claim 19

A control circuit as defined in claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of devices is a field effect transistor whose source, drain and gate electrodes correspond respectively to said device first, second and control electrodes.

Claim 20

In a television receiver of the type having circuits to control the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation of the color viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope, a control circuit comprising: a first and a second field-effect transistor, each transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; the source and drain electrodes of said first transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said first transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the volume of the reproduced sound; the source and drain electrodes of said second transistor operable connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said second transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope; a first and a second charging capacitor each having a first and a second end, each of said charging capacitors coupled to one of said first and said second transistor so that each transistor includes a charging capacitor coupled to its gate electrode; circuit means coupling a source of potential to the second end of each of said first and said second charging capacitors; a first and a second switch means, each of said switch means connected in a circuit coupled between the first and second ends of one of said first and said second charging capacitors; charging means coupled to said first and said second charging capacitors for independently changing the charge on said capacitors to independently control the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first and said second transistors such that the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope may be adjusted to desired conditions; and means for simultaneously actuating said first and said second switch means such that the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first and said second transistors is brought to a reference level to cause the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope to be adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 21

In a television receiver of the type having circuits to control the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation of the color viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope, a control circuit comprising: a first and a second field-effect transistor, each transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; the source and drain electrodes of said first transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said first transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the volume of the reproduced sound; the source and drain electrodes of said second transistor operable connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said second transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope; a first and a second charging capacitor each having a first and a second end, each of said charging capacitors coupled to one of said first and said second transistor so that each transistor includes a charging capacitor coupled to its gate electrode; circuit means coupling a source of potential to the second end of each of said first and said second charging capacitors; a first and a second switch means, each of said switch means connected in a circuit coupled between the first and second ends of one of said first and said second charging capacitors; charging means coupled to said first and said second charging capacitors for independently changing the charge on said capacitors to independently control the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first and said second transistors such that the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope may be adjusted to desired conditions; and means for simultaneously actuating said first and said second switch means such that the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first and said second transistors is brought to a reference level to cause the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope to be adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 22

A control circuit as defined in claim 15 wherein said means for simultaneously actuating is operable by a control positioned on said television receiver. 17 A control circuit as defined in claim 15 wherein said means for simultaneously actuating is operable by means responsive to a remotely generated signal.

Claim 23

A control circuit as defined in claim 15 wherein said means for simultaneously actuating is operable by a control positioned on the television receiver and by means responsive to a remotely generated signal.

Claim 24

A control circuit as defined in claim 15 wherein said charging means is responsive to four distinct remotely generated signals, two of which function to selectively cause said charging means to add charge to one of said fiRst and said second capacitors and the other two of which function to selectively cause said charging means to subtract charge from one of said first and said second capacitors, and wherein said means for simultaneously actuating is operable by means responsive to a fifth distinct remotely generated signal.

Claim 25

In a television receiver of the type having circuits to control the volume of the reproduced sound and saturation and tint of the color viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope, a control circuit comprising: a first, a second and a third field-effect transistor, each transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; the source and drain electrodes of said first transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said first transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the volume of the reproduced sound; the source and drain electrodes of said second transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said second transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope; the source and drain electrodes of said third transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said third transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the tint of the color viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope; a first, a second and a third charging capacitor each having a first and a second end, each of said charging capacitors coupled to one of said first, said second and said third transistors so that each transistor includes a charging capacitor coupled to its gate electrode; circuit means coupling a source of potential to the second end of each of said first, said second and said third charging capacitors; a first, a second and a third switch means, each of said switch means connected in a circuit coupled between the first and second ends of one of said first, said second and said third charging capacitors; charging means coupled to said first, said second and said third charging capacitors for independently changing the charge on said capacitors to independently control the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first, said second and said third transistors such that the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation and tint of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope may be adjusted to desired conditions; and means for simultaneously actuating said first, said second and said third switch means that the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first, said second and said third transistors is brought to a reference level to cause the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation and tint of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope to be adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 26

In a television receiver of the type having circuits to control the volume of the reproduced sound and saturation and tint of the color viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope, a control circuit comprising: a first, a second and a third field-effect transistor, each transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; the source and drain electrodes of said first transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said first transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the volume of the reproduced sound; the source and drain electrodes of said second transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said second transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the saturation of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope; the source and drain electrodes of said third transistor operably connected with said receiver circuits such that the conductivity of said third transistor source-drain electrode current path controls the tint of the color viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope; a first, a second and a third charging capacitor each having a first and a second end, each of said charging capacitors coupled to one of said first, said second and said third transistors so that each transistor includes a charging capacitor coupled to its gate electrode; circuit means coupling a source of potential to the second end of each of said first, said second and said third charging capacitors; a first, a second and a third switch means, each of said switch means connected in a circuit coupled between the first and second ends of one of said first, said second and said third charging capacitors; charging means coupled to said first, said second and said third charging capacitors for independently changing the charge on said capacitors to independently control the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first, said second and said third transistors such that the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation and tint of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope may be adjusted to desired conditions; and means for simultaneously actuating said first, said second and said third switch means that the conductivity of the source-drain electrode current path of each of said first, said second and said third transistors is brought to a reference level to cause the volume of the reproduced sound and the saturation and tint of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope to be adjusted to a predetermined condition.

Claim 27

A control circuit as defined in claim 20 wherein said television receiver includes a manually operated control for adjusting at least one of the volume of the reproduced sound, and the saturation and tint of the colors viewable on the face of the television receiver kinescope housed within an openable enclosure, and said means for simultaneously actuating operate by means responsive to the opening of said enclosure.