US3916093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal identifier for a signal-seeking tuning system
Assignee: LOUIS W PARKER TRUSTEE
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Filing: 1974-04-29
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An intercarrier television receiver is provided with a motordriven signal seeker coupled to the tuner of the receiver and operative to continuously tune the receiver until stopped by a control signal. The television signal is identified by the generation of a control signal using the intercarrier frequency across a tuned circuit within the receiver. To eliminate spurious control signals resulting from image frequency heterodyning, the comparative frequencies of the video IF and sound IF signals are monitored, and the control signal is rendered inoperative upon detection of a reversal of the normal comparative frequencies of the video IF and sound IF signals. The system further includes means for muting the picture- and sound-producing components of the receiver until the signal seeker has tuned the receiver to a point of correct signal reception.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis W Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:29
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/50; H04N5/505; H03; H03J; H03J7/00; H03J7/18; H03J7/20; H03J7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
In an intercarrier television receiver, tunable signal translating means responsive to received picture carrier and sound carrier signals to produce picture IF, sound IF, and intercarrier frequency signals, said tunable signal translating means having a signal seeker coupled thereto for continuously varying the tuning of said receiver over a predetermined television frequency spectrum, control means coupled to said signal seeker for selectively interrupting the operation of said signal seeker at points of correct tuning in said spectrum, a control circuit including tuned circuit means coupled to said signal translating means and tuned to the intercarrier frequency for generating a control signal in response to the production of a beat frequency between the picture and sound carrier signals at said intercarrier frequency, said control means being operatively responsive to generation of said control signal to selectively interrupt the operation of said signal seeker, and means for monitoring the presence and absence of amplitude modulation on said intercarrier frequency signal to determine whether said control signal has been produced by the reception by said receiver of picture carrier and sound carrier signals spaced from one another by said intercarrier frequency or whether said control signal has been produced by image frequency heterodyning within said receiver during said continuous tuning operation, said last-named means being responsive to the presence of said amplitude modulation on said intercarrier frequency signal, indicative of a reversal of the normal comparative frequencies of said video IF and sound IF signals, for rendering said control signal inoperative to interrupt the operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
In an intercarrier television receiver, tunable signal translating means responsive to received picture carrier and sound carrier signals to produce picture IF, sound IF, and intercarrier frequency signals, said tunable signal translating means having a signal seeker coupled thereto for continuously varying the tuning of said receiver over a predetermined television frequency spectrum, control means coupled to said signal seeker for selectively interrupting the operation of said signal seeker at points of correct tuning in said spectrum, a control circuit including tuned circuit means coupled to said signal translating means and tuned to the intercarrier frequency for generating a control signal in response to the production of a beat frequency between the picture and sound carrier signals at said intercarrier frequency, said control means being operatively responsive to generation of said control signal to selectively interrupt the operation of said signal seeker, and means for monitoring the presence and absence of amplitude modulation on said intercarrier frequency signal to determine whether said control signal has been produced by the reception by said receiver of picture carrier and sound carrier signals spaced from one another by said intercarrier frequency or whether said control signal has been produced by image frequency heterodyning within said receiver during said continuous tuning operation, said last-named means being responsive to the presence of said amplitude modulation on said intercarrier frequency signal, indicative of a reversal of the normal comparative frequencies of said video IF and sound IF signals, for rendering said control signal inoperative to interrupt the operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tuned circuit means is coupled via rectifier means to an RC circuit having a time constant which permits a signal at the sync frequency to be developed acRoss said RC circuit when said intercarrier frequency has amplitude modulation at said sync frequency thereon, said monitoring means including means responsive to the generation of a signal across said RC circuit for permitting continued operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said signal translating means includes a sound converter operative to generate said intercarrier frequency signal, said tuned circuit means being capacitively coupled to the output of said sound converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tuned circuit means is coupled to the intercarrier sound system of said receiver whereby said tuned circuit means is operative to produce a frequency modulated intercarrier frequency signal having no significant amplitude modulation thereon upon reception by said receiver of properly spaced picture carrier and sound carrier signals, and is operative to produce an intercarrier frequency signal having amplitude modulation thereon at the horizontal sync frequency upon occurrence of image frequency heterodyning within said receiver, said control means being selectively responsive to the presence of said amplitude modulation on said intercarrier frequency signal for permitting continued operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said control circuit includes means for rectifying the intercarrier signal across said tuned circuit means to produce a DC control signal of predetermined polarity which is normally operative to interrupt the operation of said signal seeker, said monitoring means being responsive to the presence of said amplitude modulation on said intercarrier signal to generate a further DC signal in polarity opposition to said DC control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 5 including first transistor means coupling said rectifying means to a capacitor to generate said DC control signal in said predetermined polarity across said capacitor, second transistor means coupled to said first transistor means and responsive to the presence of said amplitude modulation for generating said opposing polarity signal across said capacitor, and means coupling said capacitor to said control means whereby the resultant signal across said capacitor controls said signal seeker.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said signal translating means includes an IF amplifier the output of which is coupled to the input of a sound converter, said tuned circuit means being coupled to the output of said sound converter whereby said tuned circuit means is operative to produce a frequency modulated AC signal at said intercarrier frequency upon reception of a proper signal by said receiver, said control circuit including means responsive to said frequency modulated AC signal for producing a DC signal of predetermined polarity constituting said control signal, further tuned circuit means tuned to a frequency different from said first-mentioned tuned circuit means, said further tuned circuit means being coupled to the output of said IF amplifier, and means responsive to the generation of an amplitude modulated signal, at the frequency of said further tuned circuit means, across said further tuned circuit means for rendering said control signal ineffective to interrupt the operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said receiver includes picture producing means and sound producing means, and further control means for muting said picture producing means and said sound producing means when said signal seeker is in operation, said further control means being responsive to generation of said control signal for discontinuing said muting operation coincident with interruption of the operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said receiver includes means responsive to said IF signals for producing video and sound signals, transistor coupling means for selectively coupling said video signals to said picture producing means, furthEr transistor coupling means for selectively coupling said sound signals to said sound producing means, and means coupling said control signal to each said transistor coupling means for controlling their signal coupling operations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 9 including limiter means for controlling the magnitude of the control signal which is coupled to said transistor coupling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes means for rendering said control signal inoperative by varying the amplitude of said control signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
154 words
An intercarrier television receiver comprising tunable signal translating means responsive to correct reception of a television transmission for producing picture IF and sound IF signals having frequencies spaced from one another by an intercarrier frequency, a signal seeker coupled to said tunable signal translating means for continuously varying the tuning of said receiver over a predetermined television frequency spectrum, said receiver including a tuned circuit tuned to said intercarrier frequency, a first control circuit coupled to said tuned circuit and responsive to the production of a signal at said intercarrier frequency across said tuned circuit without any significant amplitude modulation thereon for generating a control signal effective to interrupt the tuning operation of said signal seeker, and a second control circuit responsive to the presence of a predetermined amplitude modulation on the intercarrier frequency signal across said tuned circuit for rendering said control signal ineffective to interrupt the tuning operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
An intercarrier television receiver comprising tunable signal translating means responsive to correct reception of a television transmission for producing picture IF and sound IF signals having frequencies spaced from one another by an intercarrier frequency, a signal seeker coupled to said tunable signal translating means for continuously varying the tuning of said receiver over a predetermined television frequency spectrum, said receiver including a tuned circuit tuned to said intercarrier frequency, a first control circuit coupled to said tuned circuit and responsive to the production of a signal at said intercarrier frequency across said tuned circuit without any significant amplitude modulation thereon for generating a control signal effective to interrupt the tuning operation of said signal seeker, and a second control circuit responsive to the presence of a predetermined amplitude modulation on the intercarrier frequency signal across said tuned circuit for rendering said control signal ineffective to interrupt the tuning operation of said signal seeker.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The receiver of claim 12 wherein said first control circuit includes rectifier means for producing a first DC signal of predetermined polarity comprising said control signal, said second control circuit including means responsive to said amplitude modulation for producing a second DC signal in polarity opposition to said first DC signal operative to effectively nullify said control signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The receiver of claim 13 wherein said amplitude modulation comprises modulation at the horizontal sync frequency on the intercarrier frequency signal produced across said tuned circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The receiver of claim 12 wherein said receiver includes an IF amplifier, said second control circuit including a further tuned circuit coupled to the output of said IF amplifier and tuned to the frequency of said sound IF signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The receiver of claim 13 wherein said second control circuit includes means responsive to amplitude modulation on the sound IF signal produced by said tunable signal translating means during said tuning operation for supplementing said second DC signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |