Patents Assigned to RCA Corporation
  • Solar panel
    Patent number: 4686322
    Abstract: A novel solar panel is disclosed which has a supporting substrate which is comprised of one or more plies of resin reinforced novoloid fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Erich F. Kujas
  • High current lateral transistor structure
    Patent number: 4684970
    Abstract: A high current lateral transistor for an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The emitter and collector regions extend into the base region for a distance of approximately one half the thickness of the base region. A second region of the same conductivity type as the collector, surrounds the collector and is spaced therefrom. The base contact shorts together this second region and the base region so that when the transistor goes into saturation excess current will not flow into the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice W. Sloane, Thomas V. Sikina
  • Multichannel computer generated sound synthesis system
    Patent number: 4685134
    Abstract: A system capable of synthesizing multi-channel sound for a computer includes a sound generator for each audio channel. A circuit provides a programmable delay so that one generator produces sound in one channel that is delayed with respect to the sound in the other channel. Multiple generators may be provided in each channel with each such generator having an independently programmable delay circuit associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Charles M. Wine
  • Method for increasing the switching speed of a semiconductor device by neutron irradiation
    Patent number: 4684413
    Abstract: A method for decreasing the turnoff time in a crystalline semiconductor region within a semiconductor device comprises initially providing a semiconductor region having a predetermined density of pinning centers. The semiconductor region is then irradiated so as to yield crystal damage that is equivalent to or greater than that which would be produced by irradiating with 1 MeV neutrons at a fluence greater than approximately 10.sup.13 cm.sup.-2. The region is then annealed at a temperature of approximately 350.degree. to 450.degree. C. for approximately 15 minutes to one hour so as to yield a density of stable recombination centers correlating with the pinning centers that provides a stable minority carrier lifetime within the semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Alvin M. Goodman, Lawrence A. Goodman, John P. Russell, Paul H. Robinson
  • Non-linear processor for reducing the dynamic range of a digitized error signal
    Patent number: 4684983
    Abstract: In systems in which the current digitized level value of a synthesized-signal sample (e.g., a television video signal sample) is determined by summing a transmitted error-signal-sample level value and a delayed previous synthesized-signal-sample level value, the dynamic range of the transmitted error-signal samples are reduced by as much as one-half. This is accomplished by passing the error-signal samples through a first non-linear processor (NLP) before transmission thereof and then passing the summed output through a second NLP. Both NLPs exhibit the same specified transfer function taught by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Alfonse Acampora, Chung H. Lu
  • Slow motion television system having variable interlace
    Patent number: 4685002
    Abstract: A slow motion system includes a variable interlace constant line-rate video camera, a variable speed recorder and a line-rate converter connected in cascade. During slow motion shooting the camera interlace ratio is increased, the recorder playback speed is reduced by the interlace ratio and the converter increases the line-rate of the recorded signal in proportion to the interlace ratio thereby providing a constant field-rate constant line-rate video output signal having a temporal resolution which increases as the interlace ratio increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Kerns H. Powers
  • Silicon light emitting device and a method of making the device
    Patent number: 4684964
    Abstract: A light emitting device comprises a body of silicon having regions of opposite conductivity type and a region about the p-n junction between the regions of opposite conductivity type which contains lattice defects and excess hydrogen. This device emits light at a wavelength between about 1.2 and about 1.3 micrometers. The method of the invention includes the steps of damaging the region about the p-n junction and hydrogenating the damage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Jacques I. Pankove, Chung P. Wu
  • Multiple array panel matrix measurement system
    Patent number: 4684982
    Abstract: A system for measuring spaces in a periodic matrix includes a plurality of light sources for simultaneously illuminating the matrix with light at a plurality of discrete locations. A plurality of linear photodiode arrays simultaneously receive the respective light/shadow images from the matrix at the discrete locations, and associated control and quantizer circuits produce signals representative of the spaces and areas therebetween. RETICON interface circuits are coupled, respectively, to the control and quantizer circuits for simultaneously converting the signals for each location into data values and transmitting the data values in parallel to respective RAMs. RAM interface control circuits are coupled, respectively, to the RAMs for sequentially addressing the respective RAMs for seriatim transfer of the data values to a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Frank S. Krufka
  • Apparatus subject to random accelerative motion for sensing motion of a magnetically susceptible part
    Patent number: 4684888
    Abstract: A magnetically susceptible part motion sensor where the sensor is subject to random accelerative conditions. The sensor comprises a first accelerometer and magnet combination and a second accelerometer and nonmagnetic body combination. The accelerometers are substantially identical and the nonmagnetic body is substantially identical in weight, size and other characteristics to the magnet. Therefore the signal produced by the accelerometers due to random accelerative motion are identical but the first accelerometer produces a signal component corresponding to the passage of the magnetically susceptible part. A differential amplifier is connected to receive the outputs of the two accelerometers and to produce an output signal corresponding substantially only to the passage of the magnetically susceptible part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Tabak
  • Signal background noise detector
    Patent number: 4684989
    Abstract: Apparatus for estimating noise in an electrical signal having substantially redundant recurring intervals includes circuitry for producing difference samples corresponding to signal differences between the recurring redundant intervals. A number of difference samples are averaged, and ones of the difference samples contributing to each average are subtracted from the averages. Magnitude values are extracted from the differences between the averages and the difference samples. A predetermined number of the magnitude values are averaged to produce a noise estimate signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara J. Roeder, Leopold A. Harwood, Hermann J. Weckenbrock
  • Transistor base current regulator
    Patent number: 4684878
    Abstract: The collector-to-emitter voltage (V.sub.CE) of a transistor switch and its base drive are designed to have maximum specified values when the transistor switch conducts the highest specified load current. The base drive to the transistor switch is reduced when the load current is reduced, or when the beta of the transistor increases or is greater than a minimum specified value. The base drive to the transistor switch is regulated by sensing the V.sub.CE of the transistor switch and producing a control current which decreases with decreasing V.sub.CE and increases with increasing V.sub.CE. The control current is then used to supply a regulated base current to the transistor switch while maintaining the V.sub.CE of the transistor below, the maximum specified value, for values of load current below the maximum specified level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond L. Giordano
  • Spacecraft structure with symmetrical mass center and asymmetrical deployable appendages
    Patent number: 4684084
    Abstract: An orbiting satellite system includes an asymmetrically deployed antenna and two deployable solar cell arrays. The solar cell arrays are deployed to a location which compensates for the asymmetry of the antenna so that the resulting station keeping thruster torques balance. Also, the system surfaces may be configured and the arrays so deployed to balance solar pressure torques on the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: William V. Fuldner, Eugene R. Ganssle
  • Method of making a floating gate memory cell
    Patent number: 4683640
    Abstract: A method of making a floating gate memory cell wherein the capacitance between the control gate and floating gate can be independently controlled. Independent capacitance control is achieved by forming the inter-level dielectric in a step which is independent of the gate oxide growth process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Lorenzo Faraone
  • Luminance/chrominance separation circuitry
    Patent number: 4684977
    Abstract: A frame comb type composite video decoder which does not require motion adaptive processing circuitry generates low frequency luminance signal components from one field of composite video signal. The high frequency luminance component is derived from two lines of composite video signal from each of two fields disposed before and after the field from which the low frequency luminance signals is developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Dischert, Joseph R. Ader, Robert J. Topper
  • Ripple-borrow binary subtraction circuit
    Patent number: 4685079
    Abstract: A binary subtracter stage for subtracting single bit binary numbers includes a first exclusive OR gate to which the numbers to be subtracted are applied. The output of the exclusive OR gate is connected to one input of a second exclusive OR gate which has a second input connected to a borrow input signal. The output of the second exclusive OR gate provides the difference between the single bit binary numbers. A borrow output signal is generated with the combination of a pass transistor coupled between the borrow input and borrow output terminals and a three state logic circuit which has its output termial connected to the borrow output terminal. The pass transistor is controlled by the output of the first exclusive OR gate and the three state logic circuit is controlled by the single bit binary numbers to be subtracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: John Armer
  • Spacecraft structure
    Patent number: 4682744
    Abstract: A tubular circular cylindrical member, an attached frustro-conical member, and attached annular stiffening rings are formed of a metal matrix composite (MMC) material such as SiC/Al. The combined cylindrical and conical structure has a tapered wall thickness which reaches a maximum value at the point nearest the attachment of the structure to its launch vehicle. The entire structure and rings are quasi-isotropic, have a homogeneous microstructure, are low in weight, high in strength and stiffness, and are thermally stable with minimum distortion due to exposure to thermal cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Raj N. Gounder
  • Video signal processing apparatus
    Patent number: 4683490
    Abstract: The present application discloses a video signal processing apparatus for minimizing cross-color and cross-luminance interference in a composite video signal. A first filter is coupled to a color difference signal input terminal and generates a signal occupying a first region of a predetermined spatio-temporal frequency space. A second filter is coupled to a brightness signal input terminal and generates a signal occupying a second region of the predetermined spatio-temporal frequency space exclusive of the first region. An encoder forms a composite video signal from the filtered color difference and brightness signals such that they occupy mutually exclusive spatio-temporal frequency spaces. A television receiver for decoding the composite video signal is described which comprises the serial connection of a vertical-temporal filter and a horizontal filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher H. Strolle, Terrence R. Smith, Brian M. Hadwen
  • Compatible wide-screen television system camera
    Patent number: 4683498
    Abstract: A solid-state imager for a television camera which generates a compatible wide-screen signal, i.e., a wide-screen signal with compressed left and right edge portions for each television line. The solid-state imager includes photosensitive picture elements (pixels) which are nonuniformly distributed in each row of the imager in accordance with the amount of compression desired in the left and right edge portions of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Topper
  • Parabolic voltage generating apparatus for television
    Patent number: 4683405
    Abstract: A dynamic focus voltage generating circuit for television generates a parabolic voltage at the horizontal rate that is responsive to a synchronizing signal. The parabolic voltage is generated from a sawtooth waveform having an upramping portion, a downramping portion and a flat portion such that only the length of the flat portion of the sawtooth waveform varies when the frequency of the synchronizing signal changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Truskalo, Thomas F. Nolan
  • Image display including improved light-absorbing matrix
    Patent number: 4682075
    Abstract: An image display including a viewing screen comprising spaced elemental image areas and a light-absorbing matrix of partially-graphitized carbon black adjacent these areas. The matrix may be made by overcoating a stencil and stencil support with an aqueous slurry of the carbon black, drying the overcoating, and then removing the stencil and overlying overcoating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan R. Nelson, William K. Wissing