Abstract: A television receiver having picture-in-picture capability and having multiple electronically selectable auxiliary baseband signal inputs provides automatic selection of the proper audio signal by use of bilevel digital switching circuitry.

Abstract: A diode clamp in a kine driver circuit clamps the voltage at the grid (G1) element of a picture tube to a level derived from the voltage at the cathode element of the picture tube. Deriving the grid (G1) voltage from the cathode voltage ensures that if the kine driver amplifier saturates, the voltage applied to the grid (G1) will always be less than that applied to the cathode. Thus, excessive beam current is prevented from flowing immediately following cold cathode turn-on, which excessive beam current would otherwise cause a phenomenon known as "focus flutter".

Abstract: A multi-brand universal remote control handunit stores compressed device control codes to make efficient use of the available memory space. In addition to storing data pointers to pairs of pulse off and pulse burst components of a transmission, the memory also stores data indicative of several characteristics of transmissions within a given brand of device to be controlled.

Abstract: A programmable auxiliary control unit for a television receiver has switch selectable features which enable it the receiver to interface more easily to a variety of signal sources, by controlling the operating parameters of the television receiver. The controlled parameters are, for example, automatic turn-on, automatic autoprogramming, automatic forcing of the television receiver to a predetermined channel, automatic increasing of the volume at the television receiver, and automatic disabling of the numeric keyboard of the television receiver.

Abstract: A tuning system for tuning non-standard frequency RF signals which utilizes searches for non-standard RF signals by examining both a synchronization component and an AFT signal at each of a successive number of search frequencies. If the AFT signal indicates the detection of a carrier, the frequency at which this occurs is stored. However, this frequency is not caused to be tuned unless the search has been completed and the synchronization signal has not indicated the presence of a carrier. Thus, the reliability afforded by the synchronization component is maintained while adding the capability for tuning scrambled channels.

Abstract: A programmable remote control transmitter receives, in a learning mode, remote control codes for remote-controlling various devices and remote-controls the devices according to the received remote control codes by emulating their respective transmitters. The transmitter includes a first repetition pattern discriminator for compressing the remote control codes into first compressed data representing the pulse burst component and the pulse off component a second repetition pattern discriminator for converting pairs of the first compressed data into second compressed data, and a memory for storing the second compressed data. The transmitter also includes circuitry for use in a remote control mode of operation for reconverting the stored compressed data back into codes suitable for transmission to a particular device to be controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display system using a remote control transmitter handunit having both a "pointing function" capability for moving a cursor displayed on a display screen by changing the angular position of the remote control handunit, and the capability of sending dedicated function data directly to the receiver. Thus, numeric data representing, for example, channel number or time of day, being unsuitable for selection from a menu is directly transmitted along with "pointing function" data transmission.

Abstract: A feedback amplifier for providing an amplified signal to first and second utilization networks includes first and second feedback paths. The amplifier output is coupled via a first coupling resistor to a first terminal to which the first utilization network is connected, and via a second coupling resistor to a second terminal to which the second utilization network is subject to being connected. The first feedback path couples the amplifier output to the amplifier input exclusive of the first coupling resistor. The second feedback path couples the amplifier output to the amplifier input and includes the second coupling resistor. The amplifier output signal remains substantially constant in the presence or absence of said second utilization network.

Abstract: A low cost antenna mount is disclosed for mechanically securing an antenna to an electronic device and simultaneously providing assurance of good electrical contact with the input circuitry of the device. An antenna base (1) with a machined groove (2) is inserted through a hole (4) in a molded plastic antenna housing (5). An integral electrical contact and cam follower (7) is secured to the interior of the antenna housing (5). A cam (15) is used for moving the integral electrical contact (7) and cam follower (7) into mechanical and electrical contact with the antenna base (1). The cam follower (7) is formed from a single strip of spring metal and is bent at three places to form a guide (6) for receiving the antenna base (1) as it is inserted into the hole (4) in the antenna mount. The cam follower (7) is biased to follow the inclined surface of the cam (15) as it is rotated to securely lock the antenna base (1) in place and simultaneously make good electrical contact therewith.

Abstract: A technique for generating predefined dual tone, multiple frequency signals composed of two non-harmonically related frequency components according to industry standards is disclosed. The frequencies of each tone pair are adjusted within a predetermined tolerance so that their peaks are time coincident within a minimum number of cycles. A sampling frequency for the adjusted frequency tone pair is selected to be synchronized with the occurance of the time coincident peaks of the tone pair. The adjusted frequency tone pair are summed and then sampled at the selected sampling frequency and stored in a table in a digital memory. The digital memory contains a plurality of tables, one for each sampled summed tone pair, and the tables are variable in length being optimized for the summed tone pair stored in the table.

Abstract: A telephone unit is adapted for mounting in either a vertical or a horizontal mode. In the vertical mode, the telephone cradle includes an upwardly extending hook member which projects into the space occupied by the handset to engage a downwardly facing recess in the handset to support the handset in a fixed position. In the horizontal mode, the hook member is retracted from the space occupied by the hook member, and a movable wall is positioned to bias the handset into the same fixed position relative to the cradle.

Abstract: A radio frequency signal coupler includes first and second conductors formed on an insulating body for coupling signals between respective input and output couplings. A series resonant circuit is formed on the insulating body between the first and second conductors for shunt attenuating interfering signals. The series resonant circuit includes a capacitance part that also functions as a protective spark gap.

Abstract: A helical resonator comprises an insulating body portion having therein a cavity. In one embodiment, a helical conductor is formed on the inside wall of the cavity and another conductor is formed on the outside of the insulating body. In another embodiment, the helical conductor is formed on the outside of the insulating body and the other conductor is formed on the outside wall of the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed helical resonator is formed as an integral part of the body of a signal coupler for coupling an antenna to a tuner and electrically forms a series tuned trap connected between conductors of the signal coupler.

Abstract: A CCD imager has a line-transfer register the contents of which are transferred at pixel scan rate, one or two lines at a time, through a side-loaded CCD shift register forward clocked at a multiple of pixel scan rate, to an electrometer. Forward clocking the CCD shift register at higher rate than pixel scan rate reduces the differential delay between the various points of side-loading the CCD shift register, so line selection artifacts are confined to the line retrace interval. Line selection artifacts are then suppressed by normal line-retrace-interval blanking.

Abstract: A television camera includes optics for directing light from an illuminated scene to an imager, a signal processor for developing a video signal from an imager supplied signal, and apparatus for controlling the magnitude of the developed video signal to reduce brightness variations (flicker) caused by artificial scene illumination. The controlling apparatus develops a first signal representative of the average illumination of the scene, a second signal representative of the amount of the directed light which the imager actually responds to, and a control signal in response to the signal processor for controlling the magnitude of the developed video signal.

Abstract: A television (TV) receiving system includes a first TV receiver for receiving TV signals in a first range of frequencies, such as are used for cable, VHF and UHF broadcasting including a frequency synthesizer type local oscillator. The frequency synthesizer uses a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) controlled by a tuning voltage responsive to a first frequency feedback signal. The receiver includes a coupling arrangement for adapting the receiving system for use with an external plug-in unit including a second TV receiver for receiving TV signals in a second range of frequencies, such as are used for direct broadcast satellite (DBS) signals. The second TV receiver provides a second frequency feedback signal. The receiving system includes a multiplexer for selectively coupling one of the first and second frequency feedback signals to the frequency synthesizer for controlling the VCO.