Special effects generator

Claim 2

Video switching means for providing a series of switching pulses derived from regularly recurring synchronizing pulses, said series of pulses used for application to an electronic switch for controlling the switching rate thereof in response to said series of pulses to enable switching between at least two video signals, comprising: a. means responsive to said synchronizing pulses for providing a series of pulses of wider duration than said synchronizing pulses, said series of pulses having the same repetition rate as said synchronizing pulses, b. first means responsive to said series of pulses for eliminating every other pulse in said series and every portion of said series pulse which extends beyond a predetermined position of said synchronizing pulse, c. second means responsive to said series of pulses for providing every pulse eliminated by said first means, and for eliminating every portion of said provided pulses which extend beyond a predetermined portion of said synchronizing pulse, d. third means coupled to said first and second means for adding said pulses provided thereby to provide a new series of pulses at said synchronizing repetition rate, each of said pulses in said new series having a duration which commences from said predetermined position of said synchronizing pulse to a second position in a given direction from said predetermined position, e. fourth means coupling said third means to said electronic switch for controlling the switching thereof.

Claim 3

In a special effects generator of the type for providing a pattern signal for displaying at least two video signals in a predetermined pattern, said generator operating on synchronizing signals utilized in a television system for producing a raster on a receiver display generated in two mutually perpendicular directions, in combination therewith apparatus for moving said displayed pattern on said receiver display and preventing segments of said pattern from simultaneously appearing at opposite edges of said display, comprising: a. phase shifting means responsive to at least one of said synchronizing signals for providing a phase shifted synchronizing signal, b. means coupling said phase shifted signal to said generator for providing a phase displacement pattern signal in response to said phase shifted signal, c. first means responsive to said synchronizing signals for providing a first signal of a different frequency and of a phase in accordance with the phase of said synchronizing signal, d. second means responsive to said phase shifted synchronizing signal to provide a second signal of the same frequency as said first but of a phase in accordance with said phase shifted signal, e. coincidence means responsive to said first and second signals and said phase displaced pattern signal to provide a new pattern signal whereby any phase shifting of said synchronizing signals by said phase shifting means is controlled to cause only said desired segment to be displayed.

Claim 4

In a special effects generator of the type for providing a pattern signal for displaying at least two video signals in a predetermined pattern, said generator operating on synchronizing signals utilized in a television system for producing a raster on a receiver display generated in two mutually perpendicular directions, in combination therewith apparatus for moving said displayed pattern on said receiver display and preventing segments of said pattern from simultaneously appearing at opposite edges of said display, comprising: a. phase shifting means responsive to at least one of said synchronizing signals for providing a phase shifted synchronizing signal, b. means coupling said phase shifted signal to said generator for providing a phase displacement pattern signal in response to said phase shifted signal, c. first means responsive to said synchronizing signals for providing a first signal of a different frequency and of a phase in accordance with the phase of said synchronizing signal, d. second means responsive to said phase shifted synchronizing signal to provide a second signal of the same frequency as said first but of a phase in accordance with said phase shifted signal, e. coincidence means responsive to said first and second signals and said phase displaced pattern signal to provide a new pattern signal whereby any phase shifting of said synchronizing signals by said phase shifting means is controlled to cause only said desired segment to be displayed.

Claim 5

The special effects generator according to claim 1 wherein: said first means comprises a bistable multivibrator having an input terminal responsive to said synchronizing pulses to provide at an output a signal of one-half the frequency of said pulses.

Claim 6

The special effect generator according to claim 1 wherein: said second means comprises a bistable multivibrator having an input terminal responsive to said phase shifted synchronizing signals to provide at an output terminal a signal of one-half the frequency of said phase shifted pulses.

Claim 7

The special effects generator according to claim 1 wherein: said at least one synchronizing signal is the horizontal synchronizing signal.

Claim 8

The special effect generator according to claim 1 wherein: said at least one synchronizing signal is the vertical synchronizing frequency.

Claim 9

A special effects generator of the type utilized for simultaneously displaying at least two video signals in a predetermined pattern, said special effects generator including means for moving a portion of said pattern associated with one of said video displays with respect to the other, in combination therewith apparatus for preventing an undesired segment of said moved pattern from appearing at one edge of the simultaneous display when said moved pattern has a desired portion thereof positioned at an opposite edge, comprising: a. controllable switching means responsive to said at least two video signals for selectively switching therebetween to provide any one of said video signals at an output terminal, when controlled by a suitable pattern signal applied to a control terminal associated with said switching means, b. a synchronizing generator for providing at least one synchronizing signal for said video signals to permit a stable raster display, c. positioner means responsive to said synchronizing signals for providing phase shifted synchronizing signals to enable the movement of said predetermined pattern, d. a pattern generator having an input responsive to said phase shifted synchronizing signal for providing at an output a series of pulses determined in accordance with said predetermined pattern, e. a first divider coupled to said positioner means for producing a first divided synchronizing signal therefrom with a phase in accordance with said phase shifted synchronizing signal, f. a second divider coupled to said synchronizing generator for producing a second divided synchronizing signal at a phase in accordance with said unshifted synchronizing signal, g. coincidence means responsive to said first and second divided signals and said series of pulses to provide a new series of pulses for application to said control terminal of said swiTching means to enable said switching means to provide a signal for generating a simultaneous display of said video signals, whereby only said desired portion of said pattern representative of said one signal appears at an edge of said display, when said pattern is moved.

Claim 10

A special effects generator of the type utilized for simultaneously displaying at least two video signals in a predetermined pattern, said special effects generator including means for moving a portion of said pattern associated with one of said video displays with respect to the other, in combination therewith apparatus for preventing an undesired segment of said moved pattern from appearing at one edge of the simultaneous display when said moved pattern has a desired portion thereof positioned at an opposite edge, comprising: a. controllable switching means responsive to said at least two video signals for selectively switching therebetween to provide any one of said video signals at an output terminal, when controlled by a suitable pattern signal applied to a control terminal associated with said switching means, b. a synchronizing generator for providing at least one synchronizing signal for said video signals to permit a stable raster display, c. positioner means responsive to said synchronizing signals for providing phase shifted synchronizing signals to enable the movement of said predetermined pattern, d. a pattern generator having an input responsive to said phase shifted synchronizing signal for providing at an output a series of pulses determined in accordance with said predetermined pattern, e. a first divider coupled to said positioner means for producing a first divided synchronizing signal therefrom with a phase in accordance with said phase shifted synchronizing signal, f. a second divider coupled to said synchronizing generator for producing a second divided synchronizing signal at a phase in accordance with said unshifted synchronizing signal, g. coincidence means responsive to said first and second divided signals and said series of pulses to provide a new series of pulses for application to said control terminal of said swiTching means to enable said switching means to provide a signal for generating a simultaneous display of said video signals, whereby only said desired portion of said pattern representative of said one signal appears at an edge of said display, when said pattern is moved.

Claim 11

The special effect generator according to claim 6 wherein: a. said first and second dividers each comprise a binary multivibrator.

Claim 12

The special effects generator according to claim 6 wherein: a. said synchronizing signal is the horizontal signal.