Matrix tuning system

Claim 2

A pulse-producing circuit comprising a voltage source, a resistor and capacitor connected thereacross, and an output circuit connected across said capacitor but not said resistor, said output circuit comprising, in series with one another, a trigger device, the normally open but closable contacts of a switch, and means for connecting thereto a utilization circuit adapted to be used in combination with said pulse-producing circuit, said trigger device having the characteristic of becoming conductive when the voltage thereacross is at a first value no greater than that of said voltage source and then becoming nonconductive when the voltage thereacross is at a second value less than said first value, the values of the circuit components being such that when steady state current flows through said trigger device and said closed switch the voltage drop through said circuit components, including said resistor, gives rise to a voltage across said trigger device which is less than said second value, thereby causing said trigger device to become non-conductive even though said switch remains closed, and, in combination therewith, television tuner means operatively connected to said utilization circuit and effective to change its tuning status when the latter is pulsed by said pulse-producing circuit.

Claim 3

The pulse-producing circuit of claim 1, in which said switch comprises a pair of spaced terminals adapted to be operatively bridged by the finger of the operator.

Claim 4

The pulse-producing circuit of claim 1, in which said trigger device is a gas-filled tube.

Claim 5

The pulse-producing circuit of claim 3, in which said switch comprises a pair of spaced terminals adapted to be operatively bridged by the finger of the operator.

Claim 6

A pulse-producing circuit comprising a voltage source, a resistor and capacitor connected thereacross, and an output circuit connected across said capacitor, said output circuit comprising, in series, a trigger device, the normally open but closable contacts of a switch, and means for connecting thereto a utilization circuit adapted to be used in combination with said pulse-producing circuit, said trigger device having the characteristic of becoming conductive when the voltage thereacross is at a first value no greater than that of said voltage source and then becoming nonconductive when the voltage thereacross is at a second value less than said first value, the values of the circuit components being such that when steady state current flows through said trigger device the voltage drop thRough said circuit components, including said resistor, gives rise to a voltage across said trigger device which is less than said second value, said utilization circuit comprising flip-flop circuit means normally in a first condition, shiftable to a second condition upon receipt of a pulse from said pulse-producing circuit, and reset pulse generator means operatively connected to said flip-flop circuit means and effective when said flip-flop circuit means is in said second condition to produce an output which resets said flip-flop circuit means in its first condition.

Claim 7

A pulse-producing circuit comprising a voltage source, a resistor and capacitor connected thereacross, and an output circuit connected across said capacitor, said output circuit comprising, in series, a trigger device, the normally open but closable contacts of a switch, and means for connecting thereto a utilization circuit adapted to be used in combination with said pulse-producing circuit, said trigger device having the characteristic of becoming conductive when the voltage thereacross is at a first value no greater than that of said voltage source and then becoming nonconductive when the voltage thereacross is at a second value less than said first value, the values of the circuit components being such that when steady state current flows through said trigger device the voltage drop thRough said circuit components, including said resistor, gives rise to a voltage across said trigger device which is less than said second value, said utilization circuit comprising flip-flop circuit means normally in a first condition, shiftable to a second condition upon receipt of a pulse from said pulse-producing circuit, and reset pulse generator means operatively connected to said flip-flop circuit means and effective when said flip-flop circuit means is in said second condition to produce an output which resets said flip-flop circuit means in its first condition.

Claim 8

In combination with the pulse-producing circuit of claim 5, television tuner means operatively connected to said flip-flop circuit means and effective to change its tuning status when said flip-flop circuit means shifts from said first to said second condition.

Claim 9

The circuit of claim 5, in which said trigger device is a gas-filled tube.

Claim 10

In combination with the pulse-producing circuit of claim 7, television tuner means operatively connected to said flip-flop circuit means and effective to change its tuning status when said flip-flop circuit means shifts from said first to said second condition.

Claim 11

The circuit of claim 7, in which said switch comprises a pair of spaced terminals adapted to be operatively bridged by the finger of the operator.

Claim 12

In combination with the pulse-producing circuit of claim 9, television tuner means operatively connected to said flip-flop circuit means and effective to change its tuning status when said flip-flop circuit means shifts from said first to said second condition.

Claim 13

The circuit of Claim 5, in which said switch comprises a pair of spaced terminals adapted to be operatively bridged by the finger of the operator.

Claim 14

In combination with the pulse-producing circuit of claim 11, television tuner means operatively connected to said flip-flop circuit means and effective to change its tuning status when said flip-flop circuit means shifts from said first to said second condition.

Claim 15

A television tuning system comprising a first set of switches corresponding respectively to units digits, a second set of switches corresponding respectively to tens digits, a support, a matrix of units and tens connection points on said support, a plurality of said units points being connected to each of said units switches respectively and a plurality of said tens points being connected to each of said tens switches respectively, said points being arranged in pairs corresponding to units-and-tens numbers, a plurality of selectively actuatable tuning control means effective when actuated to tune a receiver to a particular channel identified by a units-and-tens number, each of said tuning control means being actuatingly connected to that pair of connection points corresponding to its particular units and tens identifying number.

Claim 16

A television tuning system comprising a first set of switches corresponding respectively to units digits, a second set of switches corresponding respectively to tens digits, a support, a matrix of units and tens connection points on said support, a plurality of said units points being connected to each of said units switches respectively and a plurality of said tens points being connected to each of said tens switches respectively, said points being arranged in pairs corresponding to units-and-tens numbers, a plurality of selectively actuatable tuning control means effective when actuated to tune a receiver to a particular channel identified by a units-and-tens number, each of said tuning control means being actuatingly connected to that pair of connection points corresponding to its particular units and tens identifying number.

Claim 17

The television tuning system of claim 13, in which said switches are connected to their respective sets of points via the pulse-producing circuit of claim 1.

Claim 18

The television tuning system of claim 13, in which the number of said pairs of points in said matrix is greater than the number of said tuning control means.

Claim 19

The television tuning system of claim 15, in which said switches are connected to their respective sets of points via the pulse-producing circuit of claim 1.

Claim 20

The television tuning system of claim 15, in which said switches are connected to their respective sets of points via a pulse-producing circuit.

Claim 21

The television tuning system of claim 17, in which said tuning control means comprises flip-flop circuit means which shifts from one condition to another on receipt of a pulse from said pulse-producing circuit.

Claim 22

The television tuning system of claim 13, in which said switches are connected to their respective sets of points via a pulse-producing circuit.

Claim 23

The television tuning system of claim 19, in which said tuning control means comprises flip-flop circuit means which shifts from One condition to another on receipt of a pulse from said pulse-producing circuit.