Abstract: Apparatus and method for establishing the proper signal levels for exciting the red, green, and blue inputs to a picture tube in a color television receiver are described. An R. F. signal for producing illumination of a limited portion of a color picture tube face is supplied to the color television receiver. Another signal, from the apparatus, is connected to the video amplifier of the receiver to maintain the picture tube light output level constant at one or the other of two predetermined levels. A plurality of photo diodes, color filters, and electrical circuits are used to monitor the level of red, green, and blue light produced in response to the signal. The proper color temperature is realized by adjusting the gainof the R, G, and B amplifiers while monitoring the respective levels of green, red and blue light produced by the picture tube.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically compensating for frequency drift in a digitally tuned varactor tuner. An Automatic Frequency Control signal for tuning the varactor tuner is produced in response to the direction of a tuning error. A signal level detector is used to inhibit the AFC signal when weak signals are being tuned by the varactor tuner thereby preventing continuous searching by the tuning system.

Abstract: In a plasma type display panel of the type having a plurality of parallel row and parallel column electrical conductors forming an array of matrix cross points for providing discrete discharge and light emitting sites upon selection and addressing one or more said sites by selection and addressing circuit means electrically connected to the panel conductors, an improved method and apparatus for providing all or part of the selection and addressing circuit means in one or more high density thick film circuit modules adapted to be detachably engaged with the panel and having conductors thereon in superposed relationship with the parallel panel conductors.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for playing a video game from a location remote from a television receiver or other CRT display apparatus. Other devices are provided for generating position indicating signals for game markers and transmitting said signals to remotely located video game circuitry by means of an optical link. The remotely located game circuitry cause markers to be displayed on the CRT display in accordance with said position indicating signals.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a timing signal source comprising an oscillator for providing a carrier signal; an electronic network connected to the oscillator and including a sensor means for providing a reactance which varies as a function of the rotational position of the engine, the network further including a reference means for comparing the reactance of the sensor means and providing modulation of said carrier signal; a detector for demodulating the modulated carrier signal and providing an output signal indicative of a predetermined rotational position of the engine. The output signal is supplied to switching circuitry for switching the primary of an ignition coil and providing a high voltage output pulse at a time synchronized with said predetermined rotational position of the engine.

Abstract: Retaining means that are integrally formed as a part of a housing and its associated cover. Two U-shaped extensions are formed as part of the housing while two oppositely facing tabs are formed on extensions of the cover. The oppositely faced tabs slide into slots formed by the U-shaped extensions. The retaining means can be easily assembled and disassembled without requiring any assembly hardware.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for serial data transmission wherein each data word has a fixed bit length and each bit is transmitted during a fixed duration data period following a sync pulse. The sync pulse for each data word has a duration equal to a data period. Each data bit pulse has a duration less than a data period. The method and apparatus is particularly suitable for remote control systems for use with television receivers.

Abstract: Upper and lower separate pistons confining a constant volume of liquid in upper and lower chambers separated by a horizontal partition. A valve closing an aperture in the partition and opened by liquid in upper chamber moving to lower chamber when upper piston is pushed downwardly, the lower piston being moved downward by the liquid thus added to lower chamber. Orifice in valve permitting coil spring on lower piston to slowly raise lower piston and thereby return liquid from lower to upper chamber while valve is closed and downward push is absent from upper piston. A normally-open switch in electric fuze circuit, closable by lower piston upon attainment of a predetermined downward displacement, the upper piston being downwardly pushable through a one-way clutch by a plunger downwardly pushable by an external force and upwardly returned by an internal coil spring.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically peaking a luminance signal in response to the signal-to-noise ratio of a received signal. Manual adjustment means are also provided whereby the luminance signal may be "peaked" to increase the slope of transitions in the luminance signal, or "depeaked" whereby the slope of transitions of the luminance signal is decreased.

Abstract: A facsimile system incorporating an up-down counter to achieve framing between a facsimile transmitter and a facsimile receiver. The facsimile receiver initially has a sweep rate different from a standard sweep rate. The up-down counter counts the facsimile transmitter and receiver sweep rates and provides the count difference between the facsimile receiver sweep rate and the sweep rate at which the transmitter is operating; the count difference corresponds to the difference in sweep position between the facsimile transmitter and receiver. Speed control circuitry is used to change the facsimile receiver to the standard sweep rate upon a predetermined output from the up-down counter which signifies that the transmitting and receiving facsimile are in framing synchronization. A method of controlling the commencement of counting of the up-down counter and of the resulting synchronizing framing is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for automatically restoring the loss of high frequency components in the luminance signal of a television receiver. The luminance signal is continuously sampled and a signal representing the high frequency content in the luminance signal is used to alter the frequency characteristics of the luminance signal path so as to maintain the frequency spectrum of the luminance signal substantially constant. Additionally, the frequency alteration of the luminance signal path is made responsive to the dynamic level of the video signal to provide increased peaking in the gray picture areas relative to the higher level whites. The system also functions to reduce the upper video spectrum noise level.

Abstract: This invention relates to the television art. Specifically, apparatus for separating luminance and chroma information in a color video signal using comb filtering techniques is provided. Picture quality is enhanced by increasing frequency content while decreasing noise in the recovered chroma signals. Separation is achieved with a minimum compromise in vertical resolution.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for generating simultaneously luminance and chroma signals in a video game for use with a standard NTSC television receiver. Game object color can be changed on the occurrence of a game event. Independent control over the brightness and hue for each marker is provided.

Abstract: A high efficiency switching regulator for maintaining a constant d.c. voltage is described. An efficiency improvement of better than 20 percent is realized by use of an alternate low impedance current source for supplying base current to the control transistor of a switching regulator.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for identifying the presence in a pre-established location of an object having preselected electrical or magnetic properties. By applying two periodically varying electro-magnetic fields of the same frequency to the pre-established location, the presence of the object is determined by unique perturbations of the electro-magnetic fields produced by the object. The applied electro-magnetic field is generally nonuniform in the pre-established location to maximize the interaction between the object and the electro-magnetic field. A pick-up coil is utilized to sense the resulting field perturbations. A magnetometer can be optionally incorporated in a sensing system to inhibit erroneous indications produced by magnetic objects.

Abstract: A remote control transmitter and receiver for controlling all of the usual viewer-adjustable functions of a television receiver. A plurality of key/switches permit the viewer to select the channel to be tuned and the function to be controlled. Digital logic circuits generate pulse coded signals that identify channel numbers or controlled functions. Function level control pulses are generated by rotation of a code wheel connected to a thumb wheel to provide proportional control of selected functions. The pulse coded signals and function level control pulses are transmitted via an infrared optical link to the receiver where companion circuitry decodes the pulse coded signals and adjusts the levels of selected functions in response to the function level control pulses.

Abstract: An audio control system for altering the frequency content of an audio signal with a d.c. control voltage. An audio signal is divided into a plurality of signal channels representing different portions of the audio signal frequency spectrum. Each signal channel is terminated by an attenuator which is responsive to a d.c. control voltage. The attenuated signals are then combined. By changing a d.c. control voltage a change in tone, volume, balance or loudness of an audio signal in a stereoamplifier or the like may be achieved.

Abstract: A low cost paperboard pallet is provided to transport delicate cargo such as television receivers and fine furniture in a safe manner. The invention allows a cargo to be secured and removed in an upright position avoiding any requirement to tip or support the cargo in an other than normal orientation.

Abstract: A light receiver for use in a light activated remote control system. A modified cylindrical lens having a wide horizontal acceptance angle and a narrow vertical acceptance angle is directly coupled to a photodetector. The resulting combination provides optical gain with a minimum compromise in directivity.

Abstract: A voltage controlled frequency source has an output frequency which varies in accordance with primary power line frequency variations. The output frequency of the voltage control frequency source is used to control the rate at which data is fed into a teleprinter machine thereby providing the teleprinter with data at a rate that can be varied in accordance with power line frequency variations. A method of modifying input data rate into a teleprinter machine in accordance with frequency variations of the primary power line frequency is also provided.