US4173737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Limited position, non-volatile memory tuning system
Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
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Filing: 1978-05-04
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Granted: 1979-11-06
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Expires: 1998-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A limited-position television tuning system includes a read-only memory (ROM) dedicated to VHF channel coarse tuning information. UHF coarse tuning information and VHF/UHF fine tuning information are contained in an electrically alterable ROM (EAROM). Equalization information for equalizing both fine tuning information and automatic frequency control (AFC) information for VHF is contained in another ROM. The memories are addressed by a viewer-operated switch. Information is read out as pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals by counter-interrogated comparators. A hybrid scaling circuit includes a pair of operational amplifiers (Op Amps) and three transistors, with each PWM signal being applied to a separate transistor. The fine tune transistor, along with the receiver AFC signal, drives the first Op Amp which, in turn, supplies operating potential to the equalization transistor, the output of which is coupled to the input of the second Op Amp. The output of the coarse tuning information transistor also drives an input of the second Op Amp, the output of which is used to develop the tuning voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter C. Skerlos
- 👤 Richard A. Smirl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:09
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03J; H03J5/00; H03J5/02; H03J5/0245; H03J5/0254; H03J5/0263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
8 words
A television receiver including: a voltage controllable tuner;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
8 words
A television receiver including: a voltage controllable tuner;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
means producing coarse tuning information for a selected group of channels; means for producing fine tuning information for said selected group of channels; means producing equalization information, related to the slope of the tuner voltage-versus-frequency characteristic at said selected channels; means developing AFC information related to the actual tuning condition of said receiver compared with a reference tuning condition; means proportioning said fine tuning information and said AFC information with said equalization information; means combining said proportioned fine tuning information and said proportioned AFC information with said coarse tuning information for the selected channel; and means generating a tuning voltage therefrom for said tuner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
means producing coarse tuning information for a selected group of channels; means for producing fine tuning information for said selected group of channels; means producing equalization information, related to the slope of the tuner voltage-versus-frequency characteristic at said selected channels; means developing AFC information related to the actual tuning condition of said receiver compared with a reference tuning condition; means proportioning said fine tuning information and said AFC information with said equalization information; means combining said proportioned fine tuning information and said proportioned AFC information with said coarse tuning information for the selected channel; and means generating a tuning voltage therefrom for said tuner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The television receiver as set forth in claim 1, including memory means for storing said coarse, fine tuning, and equalization information; means utilizing the stored informations for developing corresponding PWM signals; and means for applying said PWM signals to said means generating said tuning voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The television receiver as set forth in claim 2, wherein the combining means include a hybrid arrangement of operational amplifiers and transistors for processing said PWM signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
The television receiver as set forth in claim 3, wherein said hybrid arrangement comprises first and second operational amplifiers and first, second and third transistors, each having an input and an output; said PWM signals being supplied to respective inputs of said transistors; the output of said first transistor being supplied to the input of said first operational amplifier; the output of said second transistor being supplied to the input of said second operational amplifier; the output of said first operational amplifier providing operating potential for said third transistor, the output of which is coupled to the input of said second operational amplifier; and said AFC information being supplied to the input of said first operational amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
A limited-channel television receiver including; a voltage controllable tuner; first fixed memory means producing coarse tuning information corresponding to a selected group of channels; adjustable memory means producing fine tuning information corresponding to said selected group of channels; second fixed memory means producing equalization information, related to the slope of the tuning voltage-versus-frequency characteristic of said tuner at frequencies corresponding to the channel numbers of said selected channels; means developing AFC information related to the actual tuning condition of said receiver compared with a reference tuning condition; means accessing and interrogating said memories for a selected channel to read out the corresponding informations therein; means proportioning both said fine tuning information and said AFC information with said equalization information; means combining said proportioned fine tuning information and said proportioned AFC information with said coarse tuning information for the selected channel; and means generating a tuning voltage therefrom for said tuner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
A limited-channel television receiver including; a voltage controllable tuner; first fixed memory means producing coarse tuning information corresponding to a selected group of channels; adjustable memory means producing fine tuning information corresponding to said selected group of channels; second fixed memory means producing equalization information, related to the slope of the tuning voltage-versus-frequency characteristic of said tuner at frequencies corresponding to the channel numbers of said selected channels; means developing AFC information related to the actual tuning condition of said receiver compared with a reference tuning condition; means accessing and interrogating said memories for a selected channel to read out the corresponding informations therein; means proportioning both said fine tuning information and said AFC information with said equalization information; means combining said proportioned fine tuning information and said proportioned AFC information with said coarse tuning information for the selected channel; and means generating a tuning voltage therefrom for said tuner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A limited-channel television receiver as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first and second fixed memory means are ROMS and said adjustable memory means is an EAROM; viewer-controllable counter means for adjusting the information in said EAROM; and means communicating results of said adjustments to the viewer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A limited-channel television receiver as set forth in claim 6, wherein said informations are read out as PWM signals and wherein said combining means includes a hybrid scaling circuit having a pair of Op Amps and three transistor choppers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A limited-channel television receiver as set forth in claim 7, wherein said selected group of channels are VHF channels; said receiver including a plurality of tuning positions at a first group of which said VHF channels are receivable and at a second group of which said UHF channels are receivable; and means under control of said viewer sequentially accessing said tuning positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
A limited-channel television receiver as set forth in claim 8, wherein the contents of said first ROM memory means is coarse tuning information for said VHF channels, the contents of said second ROM memory means comprise equalization information for said VHF channels and the contents of said EAROM memory means comprise coarse tuning information for said UHF channels and fine tuning information for both said UHF and said VHF channels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A limited-channel television receiver as set forth in claim 9, wherein each tuning position in said first group is dedicated to a different VHF channel and each tuning position in said second group is capable of being viewer-programmed to receive any UHF channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3715687A
Cited
US3810022A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-05 | 1983-05-07 | 1983-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-05 | 1987-05-07 | 1987-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-05 | 1991-05-07 | 1991-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |