US4366502A — Bar type channel identification apparatus for a t…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 264 words

In a television including a tuner responsive to the magnitude of a tuning signal for tuning RF carriers to produce an IF signal; search means for changing the magnitude of said tuning signal until an RF carrier corresponding to a television channel has been tuned, said search means generating a search signal having a first level when said tuning voltage is changing and a second level when said tuning signal stops changing after an RF carrier for a television channel has been located; signal processing means responsive to said IF signal for generating at least one video signal; a picture tube responsive to said video signal for generating at least one electron beam; deflection means responsive to said IF signal for generating horizontal and vertical deflection signals for said electron beam; channel identification apparatus comprising: first means responsive to one of said vertical and horizontal deflection signals and said tuning voltage for controlling said signal processing means to produce a tuning bar on said screen having a position in a direction perpendicular to its length determined by the magnitude of said tuning voltage; second means responsive to the other one of said deflection signals and to said search signal and coupled to said first means for selectively causing the length of said tuning bar to have a first predetermined value in response to the first level of said search signal and to change by increments at the rate of said other deflection signal to a second predetermined value, different from said first predetermined value, in response to the second level of said search signal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 264 words

In a television including a tuner responsive to the magnitude of a tuning signal for tuning RF carriers to produce an IF signal; search means for changing the magnitude of said tuning signal until an RF carrier corresponding to a television channel has been tuned, said search means generating a search signal having a first level when said tuning voltage is changing and a second level when said tuning signal stops changing after an RF carrier for a television channel has been located; signal processing means responsive to said IF signal for generating at least one video signal; a picture tube responsive to said video signal for generating at least one electron beam; deflection means responsive to said IF signal for generating horizontal and vertical deflection signals for said electron beam; channel identification apparatus comprising: first means responsive to one of said vertical and horizontal deflection signals and said tuning voltage for controlling said signal processing means to produce a tuning bar on said screen having a position in a direction perpendicular to its length determined by the magnitude of said tuning voltage; second means responsive to the other one of said deflection signals and to said search signal and coupled to said first means for selectively causing the length of said tuning bar to have a first predetermined value in response to the first level of said search signal and to change by increments at the rate of said other deflection signal to a second predetermined value, different from said first predetermined value, in response to the second level of said search signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 19 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein: said first value is substantially greater than said second value.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 85 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein: said second predetermined value is selected so that said tuning bar is not within the portion of said screen visible to a user; and said second means includes a switching element and recall means for selectively causing the length of said tuning bar to have at a third predetermined value, greater said second value at which said tuning bar is within the portion of said screen visible to a user when said switching element is activated.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 45 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said first value substantially equals the dimension of said screen visible to a user in the direction of the length of said tuning bar and said third predetermined value is substantially less than said first value.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 66 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 4 wherein: said first means is responsive to said horizontal deflection signal for causing the length of said tuning bar to be substantially vertical; said second means is responsive to said vertical deflection signal for selectively causing the length of said tuning bar to change in the vertical direction in response to the second level of said search signal.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 199 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein: said first means includes first sawtooth generating means for generating a first sawtooth signal in response to said horizontal deflection signal; first comparator means for generating a first pulse when the amplitude of said first sawtooth signal has a predetermined amplitude relationship to a first threshold value; and first threshold control means for controlling the amplitude relationship between said first sawtooth signal and said first threshold value in response to the magnitude of said tuning signal; said second means includes second sawtooth generating means for generating a second sawtooth signal in response to said vertical deflection signal; second comparator means for generating a second pulse when the amplitude of said second sawtooth signal has a predetermined amplitude relationship to a second threshold value; and second threshold control means for changing the amplitude relationship between said second sawtooth signal and said second threshold value at a predetermined rate in response to the generation of said second level of said search signal; and gating means coupled to said signal processing means for causing said video signal to have a predetermined level in response to the coincidence of said first and second pulses.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 119 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein: said first sawtooth generating means includes a first capacitor; first charging means for applying said horizontal deflection signal to said first capacitor to charge it; and a first current path for discharging said first capacitor with a first current; said second sawtooth generating means includes a second capacitor; second charging means for applying said vertical deflection signal to said second capacitor to charge it; and a second current path for discharging said second capacitor with a second current; and said second threshold control means causes the amplitude of said second current to decrease at said predetermined rate in response to the generation of said second level of said search signal.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 7 wherein: said recall means selectively causes the amplitude of said second current to increase when said switching element is activated.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 74 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein: said second threshold control means includes a variable impedance element having a current conduction path connected in shunt with said second capacitor and having a control input for controlling the conduction of said current conduction path; a third capacitor connected in shunt with said control input; and a resistor connected in series with said control input for applying said search signal to said control input.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 68 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 9 wherein: said first threshold control means includes a fourth capacitor connected in series between said sawtooth generating means and said first comparator means for coupling the AC component of said first sawtooth signal to said first comparator means and DC insertion means for adding the tuning signal to said AC component of said first sawtooth signal at said first comparator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 151 words

The channel identification apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein: said first comparator means includes a coincidence logic gate having one input to which said fourth capacitor and said DC insertion means are connected for additively coupling the AC component of said first sawtooth and said tuning signal to said coincidence logic gate and having a second input to which said second pulse is applied, coincidence logic gate producing a third pulse when the signal applied to said first input has a predetermined amplitude relationship to the switching threshold of said coincidence gate and said second pulse is present; and differentiating means for differentiating said third pulse to generate a fourth pulse corresponding in time to one of the edges of said third pulse; and a second logic gate for generating said first pulse when said fourth pulse has a predetermined amplitude relationship to the switching threshold of said second logic gate.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-12-27	1986-06-28	1986-12-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-12-27	1990-06-28	1990-12-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-12-27	1994-06-28	1994-12-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Bar type channel identification apparatus for a television receiver

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag