US3766483A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal seeking tuner control system
Assignee: RCA Licensing Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-29
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A tuner control having three discrete states for raising, lowering or maintaining frequency of a voltage controlled tuner. Oppositely phased bi-polar error voltages derived from a discriminator are applied to the input terminals of the control. When the converted frequency outputted by the tuner is at a desired value, indicating reception of a carrier signal, no error voltage is produced and the signal-seeking device is disabled. However, when the converted signal deviates from a desired frequency range, an error voltage is derived. The phase and polarity of the error voltage which is then developed causes the network to produce either a first, higher or a second, lower voltage to cause a controlled voltage applied to the tuner to rise or fall. The tuner is thus caused to home in on a desired, central frequency range. When the desired frequency range is attained, the error voltage recedes to a level which allows the tuner control to become disabled once more.
Inventors
- 👤 A Wolfram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:44
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03J; H03J7/00; H03J7/18; H03J7/20; H03J7/24; H03J7/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a television receiver including a voltage-controlled tuning means for outputting a converted signal: discriminator means for producing a first signal having a first polarity when the frequency of the converted signal is less than a predetermined frequency, and for producing a second signal having a second polarity when the frequency of the converted signal is greater than said predetermined frequency, and for producing a third signal when the frequency of the converted signal is equal to said predetermined frequency; control means connEcted for receiving said signals produced by said discriminator means, said control means producing a first, higher, voltage in response to said first signal and producing a second, lower, voltage in response to said second signal and producing a third voltage in repsonse to said third signal; ramp generator means connected for receiving said first, second, and third voltages, said ramp generator producing a voltage continuously changing in a first direction upon reception of said first, higher, voltage and continuously changing in a second direction upon reception of said second, lower, voltage and remaining at constant amplitude upon reception of said third voltage; and means for applying the voltage produced by said ramp generator means to the voltage-controlled tuning means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a television receiver including a voltage-controlled tuning means for outputting a converted signal: discriminator means for producing a first signal having a first polarity when the frequency of the converted signal is less than a predetermined frequency, and for producing a second signal having a second polarity when the frequency of the converted signal is greater than said predetermined frequency, and for producing a third signal when the frequency of the converted signal is equal to said predetermined frequency; control means connEcted for receiving said signals produced by said discriminator means, said control means producing a first, higher, voltage in response to said first signal and producing a second, lower, voltage in response to said second signal and producing a third voltage in repsonse to said third signal; ramp generator means connected for receiving said first, second, and third voltages, said ramp generator producing a voltage continuously changing in a first direction upon reception of said first, higher, voltage and continuously changing in a second direction upon reception of said second, lower, voltage and remaining at constant amplitude upon reception of said third voltage; and means for applying the voltage produced by said ramp generator means to the voltage-controlled tuning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said discriminator means is provided with a first and a second output terminal, said discriminator means producing error signals at said output terminals which have opposite polarities.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, further including switch means for coupling said control means to said ramp generator means upon the reception by said control means of an error signal from said discriminator means, and for decoupling said control means and said ramp generator means when said error signal is no longer received.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said control means further comprises a first and a second input terminal, second switch means adapted to be energized upon reception of an error signal having a first polarity at said first input terminal, and third switch means adapted to be energized upon the reception of an error signal having a first polarity at said second input terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 4, further including circuit means coupled between said second and said third switch means for deriving a first, higher voltage when said second switch means is energized and a second, lower voltage when said third switch means is energized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
Control means for causing a voltage-controlled tuner to operate within a desired range, comprising: first switching means adapted to be coupled across a source of direct potential, said first switching means being energized upon the reception of an error signal having a first polarity; second switch means adapted to be coupled across the source of direct potential, said second switching means being energized upon reception of an error signal having a second polarity; impedance means coupled between common terminals of said first and second switching means for providing a first, higher voltage when one of said switching means is energized and a second, lower voltage when the other of said switching means is energized; voltage means for producing a continuously changing voltage; third switching means for applying the voltage provided by said impedance means to said voltage means; and means coupled to said voltage means for applying a control voltage to the voltage-controlled tuning means in response to said continuously changing voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
162 words
Control means for causing a voltage-controlled tuner to operate within a desired range, comprising: first switching means adapted to be coupled across a source of direct potential, said first switching means being energized upon the reception of an error signal having a first polarity; second switch means adapted to be coupled across the source of direct potential, said second switching means being energized upon reception of an error signal having a second polarity; impedance means coupled between common terminals of said first and second switching means for providing a first, higher voltage when one of said switching means is energized and a second, lower voltage when the other of said switching means is energized; voltage means for producing a continuously changing voltage; third switching means for applying the voltage provided by said impedance means to said voltage means; and means coupled to said voltage means for applying a control voltage to the voltage-controlled tuning means in response to said continuously changing voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said first switching means comprises first transistor means operatively coupled across a source of direct potential, and second transistor means adapted to receive said error signal for disabling said first transistor means: and said second switching means comprises third transistor means adapted to be coupled across a source of direct potential, and fourth transistor means adapted to receive said error signal for disabling said third transistor means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Th invention as defined in claim 7, wherein said impedence means comprises a potentiometer including a resistive element coupled between corresponding terminals of said first and said third transistor means, the adjustable element of said potentiometer being adapted to be connected to said third switching means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 8, further including means for limiting the Voltage applied to said voltage means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said means for applying a control voltage to the voltage-controlled tuning means comprises fifth transistor means including a control terminal and an input and an output terminal, said control terminal being operatively coupled to said capacitor means, said input and output terminals being adapted to be resistively coupled across a source of direct potential.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |