Digital tuning of voltage control television tuners

Claim 2

In combination with a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage, apparatus for numerically selecting a channel in an associated voltage controlled tuner comprising: selecting means for providing binary coded signals responsive to numerical channel commands; register means for storing said signals in binary coded form; a reference voltage source; means responsive to said automatic fine tuning voltage comprising a plurality of resistance elements coupled in series to said reference voltage source, said plurality having at least a first junction for providing a variable reference voltage, and a signal translating stage having an input terminal for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and an output terminal coupled to a second junction of said plurality of resistance elements, said translating stage providing a current in response to said automatic fine tuning voltage to said resistance elements which combines with current provided by said reference voltage source; converting means responsive to said variable reference voltage and to said signals stored in said register means for converting said last-named signals to corresponding voltage levels; and means coupling said converting means to said tuner for providing tuning voltage to said tuner responsive to said numerical channel commands and to said automatic fine tuning voltage.

Claim 3

In combination with a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage, apparatus for numerically selecting a channel in an associated voltage controlled tuner comprising: selecting means for providing binary coded signals responsive to numerical channel commands; register means for storing said signals in binary coded form; a reference voltage source; means for providing a variable reference voltage comprising a plurality of resistance elements coupled in series to said reference voltage source, and a signal translating stage having an input terminal for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and an output terminal coupled to said plurality of resistance elements, said translating state providing a current in response to said automatic fine tuning voltage to said resistance elements which combines with current provided by said reference voltage source; converting means responsive to said variable reference voltage and to said signals stored in said register means for converting said last-named signals to corresponding voltage levels, said converting means comprising a second plurality of resistance elements arranged in series and couPled across said variable reference voltage, and a plurality of gates each having input, output and control terminals, each of said input terminals being coupled to a respective one of said resistance elements of said second plurality, said control terminals being coupled to said register means for receiving signals therefrom to selectively close a particular one of said gates, and said output terminals being coupled in common for providing a single tuning voltage output according to the one of said gates closed by signals from said register means; and means coupling said converting means to said tuner for providing tuning voltage to said tuner repsonsive to said numerical channel commands and to said automatic fine tuning voltage.

Claim 4

In combination with a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage, apparatus for numerically selecting a channel in an associated voltage controlled tuner comprising: selecting means for providing binary coded signals responsive to numerical channel commands; register means for storing said signals in binary coded form; a reference voltage source; means for providing a variable reference voltage comprising a plurality of resistance elements coupled in series to said reference voltage source, and a signal translating stage having an input terminal for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and an output terminal coupled to said plurality of resistance elements, said translating state providing a current in response to said automatic fine tuning voltage to said resistance elements which combines with current provided by said reference voltage source; converting means responsive to said variable reference voltage and to said signals stored in said register means for converting said last-named signals to corresponding voltage levels, said converting means comprising a second plurality of resistance elements arranged in series and couPled across said variable reference voltage, and a plurality of gates each having input, output and control terminals, each of said input terminals being coupled to a respective one of said resistance elements of said second plurality, said control terminals being coupled to said register means for receiving signals therefrom to selectively close a particular one of said gates, and said output terminals being coupled in common for providing a single tuning voltage output according to the one of said gates closed by signals from said register means; and means coupling said converting means to said tuner for providing tuning voltage to said tuner repsonsive to said numerical channel commands and to said automatic fine tuning voltage.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said register means comprises: a bistable circuit element having an input terminal and complementary output terminals; and first and second registers each having input, output and storage-enabling terminals, said input terminals of said registers coupled in common to said selecting means for receiving binary coded signals representative of a selected channel number, said output terminals of said registers coupled to said converting means for providing channel representative signals thereto, and said storage enabling terminals respectively coupled to ones of said complementary output terminals of said bistable circuit element for receiving enabling signals to store said binary coded signals in said first and second registers.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said selecting means comprises: ten switches arranged for respectively providing signals corresponding to ten numerical digits, zero through nine; and converter means for converting signals provided by said switches into binary coded signals.

Claim 7

In combination with a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage, apparatus for numerically selecting a channel in an associated voltage controlled tuner comprising: selecting means for providing binary coded signals responsive to numerical channel commands; register means for storing said signals in binary coded form; a reference voltage source; means responsive to said automatic fine tuning voltage and coupled to said reference voltage source for providing a variable reference voltage; converting means responsive to said variable reference voltage and to said signals stored in said register means for converting said last-named signals to corresponding voltage levels, said converting means comprising a plurality of resistance elements arranged in series and coupled across said variable reference voltage, and a plurality of gates each having input, output and control terminals, each of said input terminals being coupled to a respective one of said resistance elements, said control terminals being coupled to said register means for receiving signals therefrom to selectively close a particular one of said gates, and said output terminals being coupled in common for providing a single tuning voltage output according to the one of said gates closed by said register means; and means coupling said converting means to said tuner for providing tuning voltage to said tuner responsive to said numerical channel commands and to said automatic fine tuning voltage.

Claim 8

In combination with a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage, apparatus for numerically selecting a channel in an associated voltage controlled tuner comprising: selecting means for providing binary coded signals responsive to numerical channel commands; register means for storing said signals in binary coded form; a reference voltage source; means responsive to said automatic fine tuning voltage and coupled to said reference voltage source for providing a variable reference voltage; converting means responsive to said variable reference voltage and to said signals stored in said register means for converting said last-named signals to corresponding voltage levels, said converting means comprising a plurality of resistance elements arranged in series and coupled across said variable reference voltage, and a plurality of gates each having input, output and control terminals, each of said input terminals being coupled to a respective one of said resistance elements, said control terminals being coupled to said register means for receiving signals therefrom to selectively close a particular one of said gates, and said output terminals being coupled in common for providing a single tuning voltage output according to the one of said gates closed by said register means; and means coupling said converting means to said tuner for providing tuning voltage to said tuner responsive to said numerical channel commands and to said automatic fine tuning voltage.

Claim 9

A channel address system for selecting a channel in a television receiver having a voltage controlled tuner and circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage comprising: selecting means for providing electrical signals representative of a selected television channel; band decoding means having an input and first and second output terminals, said input terminal coupled to said selecting means for receiving channel number-representative signals, said first output terminal providing signals in response to ones of selected channel numbers and said second output terminal providing signals in response to others of selected Channel numbers; at least to analog voltate generators; gating means coupling said generators to said tuner and responsive to signals from said first and second output terminals for passing a tuning voltage from a selected one of said analog voltage generators to said tuner; and means coupling said automatic fine tuning voltage to said analog voltage generators for modulating said tuning voltage to provide precise tuning of said voltage controlled tuner.

Claim 10

A channel address system for selecting a channel in a television receiver having a voltage controlled tuner and circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage comprising: selecting means for providing electrical signals representative of a selected television channel; band decoding means having an input and first and second output terminals, said input terminal coupled to said selecting means for receiving channel number-representative signals, said first output terminal providing signals in response to ones of selected channel numbers and said second output terminal providing signals in response to others of selected Channel numbers; at least to analog voltate generators; gating means coupling said generators to said tuner and responsive to signals from said first and second output terminals for passing a tuning voltage from a selected one of said analog voltage generators to said tuner; and means coupling said automatic fine tuning voltage to said analog voltage generators for modulating said tuning voltage to provide precise tuning of said voltage controlled tuner.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means coupling said automatic fine tuning voltage comprises: a reference voltage source; a plurality of resistance elements coupled in series to said reference voltage source; and an amplifier having an input terminal for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and an output terminal coupled to said plurality of resistance elements, said amplifier providing a current in response to said automatic fine tuning voltage to said resistance elements which combines with current provided by said reference voltage source.

Claim 12

A channel address system for selecting a channel in a television receiver having a voltage controlled tuner and circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage comprising: selecting means for providing electrical signals representative of a selected television channel; decoding means having an input and first and second output terminals, said input terminal coupled to said selecting means for receiving channel number-representative signals, said first output terminal providing signals in response to ones of selected channel numbers and said second output terminal providing signals in response to others of selected channel numbers; first and second analog voltage generators; gating means coupling said generators to said tuner and responsive to signals from said first and second output terminals for passing a tuning voltage from a selected one of said analog voltage generators to said tuner; and means coupling said automatic fine tuning voltage to said analog voltage generators for modulating said tuning voltage to provide precise tuning of said voltage controlled tuner, said last-named means comprising a reference voltage source, a plurality of resistance elements coupled in series to said reference voltage source, and an amplifier having an input terminal for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and an output terminal coupled to said plurality of resistance elements, said amplifier providing a current in response to said automatic fine tuning voltage to said resistance elements which combines with current provided by said reference voltage source; said first and second analog voltage generators comprising respective first and second pluralities of resistance elements arranged in series and coupled to said means for coupling automatic fine tuning voltage, and first and second pluralities of gates, each gate having input, output and control terminals, each of said input terminals on gates of said first plurality being coupled to a respective one of resistance elements in said first plurality, each of said input terminals on gates of said second plurality being coupled to a respective one of resistance elements in said second plurality, said control terminals of each gate being coupled to said selecting means for receiving signals to selectively close particular ones of said gates, and said output terminals being coupled to said gating means for providing tuning voltage signals thereto in accordance with the selected ones of said gates closed by signals from said selecting means.

Claim 13

A channel address system for selecting a channel in a television receiver having a voltage controlled tuner and circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage comprising: selecting means for providing electrical signals representative of a selected television channel; decoding means having an input and first and second output terminals, said input terminal coupled to said selecting means for receiving channel number-representative signals, said first output terminal providing signals in response to ones of selected channel numbers and said second output terminal providing signals in response to others of selected channel numbers; first and second analog voltage generators; gating means coupling said generators to said tuner and responsive to signals from said first and second output terminals for passing a tuning voltage from a selected one of said analog voltage generators to said tuner; and means coupling said automatic fine tuning voltage to said analog voltage generators for modulating said tuning voltage to provide precise tuning of said voltage controlled tuner, said last-named means comprising a reference voltage source, a plurality of resistance elements coupled in series to said reference voltage source, and an amplifier having an input terminal for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and an output terminal coupled to said plurality of resistance elements, said amplifier providing a current in response to said automatic fine tuning voltage to said resistance elements which combines with current provided by said reference voltage source; said first and second analog voltage generators comprising respective first and second pluralities of resistance elements arranged in series and coupled to said means for coupling automatic fine tuning voltage, and first and second pluralities of gates, each gate having input, output and control terminals, each of said input terminals on gates of said first plurality being coupled to a respective one of resistance elements in said first plurality, each of said input terminals on gates of said second plurality being coupled to a respective one of resistance elements in said second plurality, said control terminals of each gate being coupled to said selecting means for receiving signals to selectively close particular ones of said gates, and said output terminals being coupled to said gating means for providing tuning voltage signals thereto in accordance with the selected ones of said gates closed by signals from said selecting means.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 8 including: register means having at least first and second registers for respectively storing tens and units portions of a channel number provided by said selecting means interposed between said selecting means and said decoding means, said register means coupled between said selecting means and said analog voltage generators.

Claim 15

In cOmbination with a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage or the like, apparatus for numerically selecting a channel in an associated voltage controlled tuner comprises: ten switches for providing signals representative of a television channel number; a storage register for storing signals provided by said switches; a reference voltage source; a first plurality of resistors coupled in series across said reference voltage source, said resistor series having at least first, second and third junctions, said first junction adapted for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and said second and third junctions adapted for providing voltages that are subdivisions of said reference voltage and vary in proportion to said automatic fine tuning voltage; a second plurality of series coupled resistance elements coupled to said second and third junctions; a plurality of gates each having input, output and control terminals, said input terminals respectively coupled to particular ones of resistance elements in said second plurality for providing a plurality of different voltages to said inputs, said output terminals coupled in common for providing a single output and said control terminals coupled to said storage register for receiving signals therefrom to selectively close particular ones of said gates; and coupling circuitry for connecting said single output to said voltage controlled tuner for providing a tuning voltage thereto.

Claim 16

In cOmbination with a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage or the like, apparatus for numerically selecting a channel in an associated voltage controlled tuner comprises: ten switches for providing signals representative of a television channel number; a storage register for storing signals provided by said switches; a reference voltage source; a first plurality of resistors coupled in series across said reference voltage source, said resistor series having at least first, second and third junctions, said first junction adapted for receiving said automatic fine tuning voltage and said second and third junctions adapted for providing voltages that are subdivisions of said reference voltage and vary in proportion to said automatic fine tuning voltage; a second plurality of series coupled resistance elements coupled to said second and third junctions; a plurality of gates each having input, output and control terminals, said input terminals respectively coupled to particular ones of resistance elements in said second plurality for providing a plurality of different voltages to said inputs, said output terminals coupled in common for providing a single output and said control terminals coupled to said storage register for receiving signals therefrom to selectively close particular ones of said gates; and coupling circuitry for connecting said single output to said voltage controlled tuner for providing a tuning voltage thereto.

Claim 17

A channel address system for selecting a channel in a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage and a voltage controlled tuner comprising: ten switches for providing signals representative of a selected television channel number; first and second digital to analog converters having control terminals coupled to said switches, respective output terminals for providing analog voltages in response to signals supplied from said switches, and combining means for receiving signals from said automatic fine tuning voltage to modulate the respective analog output voltages; a band decoder responsive to signals provided by said switches for providing an output at a first output terminal in response to particular ones of selected television channels and an output at a second output terminal in response to particular others of selected television channels; a first gate having an input terminal coupled to said first digital to analog converter, a control terminal coupled to said first output terminal of said band decoder and an output terminal coupled to said voltage controlled tuner; and a second gate having an input terminal coupled to said second digital to analog converter, a control terminal coupled to said second output terminal and an output terminal coupled in common with the output terminal of said first gate.

Claim 18

A channel address system for selecting a channel in a television receiver having circuitry for developing an automatic fine tuning voltage and a voltage controlled tuner comprising: ten switches for providing signals representative of a selected television channel number; first and second digital to analog converters having control terminals coupled to said switches, respective output terminals for providing analog voltages in response to signals supplied from said switches, and combining means for receiving signals from said automatic fine tuning voltage to modulate the respective analog output voltages; a band decoder responsive to signals provided by said switches for providing an output at a first output terminal in response to particular ones of selected television channels and an output at a second output terminal in response to particular others of selected television channels; a first gate having an input terminal coupled to said first digital to analog converter, a control terminal coupled to said first output terminal of said band decoder and an output terminal coupled to said voltage controlled tuner; and a second gate having an input terminal coupled to said second digital to analog converter, a control terminal coupled to said second output terminal and an output terminal coupled in common with the output terminal of said first gate.