Abstract: A digital TV receiver includes an apparatus for generating a skew corrected clock. The apparatus consists of a fixed frequency, free running oscillator for producing a signal having a frequency which is a fixed integer multiple K of the desired nominal frequency of the skew-corrected clock signal, and a divide-by-K circuit which is reset once every horizontal line. In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the state of the divide-by-K circuit is captured and saved for use in a chroma demodulation apparatus just before it is reset.

Abstract: A component audio/video system includes a system controller having an input/output port adapted for connection via a bidirectional data bus to a plurality of peripheral audio/video devices. At times determined by a system master clock the controller transmits, via the bidirectional bus, user programmed sequences of commands at user specified times to user selected peripheral devices for controlling the operating modes thereof. After transmission of a command of a sequence, the controller monitors the bus to detect a received return status message from the selected device and in response to the received message selectively (1) re-transmits the last command, (2) interrupts the transmission and (3) transmits a further command in the sequence whereby a number of individual devices may be controlled by a single master clock and the possiblility of conflict between a currently transmitted command and a current device operating mode is minimized.

Abstract: A unitary tuning structure of a UHF tuner includes an inductance loop, an inductance adjustment element attached to a top portion of the inductance loop so as to be foldable with respect to the inductance loop about an axis parallel to the printed circuit board to which the inductance loop is attached and a capacitance adjustment tab attached to a side portion of the inductance loop so as to be foldable with respect to the inductance loop about an axis perpendicular to the printed circuit board. In another form of the unitary tuning structure, a second inductance loop can be attached within the first loop.

Abstract: A method for preparing an integral cathode substrate and support includes the steps of placing formed metal parts on a pin holder, masking selected surface portions of the formed metal parts, etching the unmasked surface portions, and then removing the mask. The present method is an improvement over prior methods since the parts are arranged in a staggered array to increase the turbulence of the etchant during the etching step. The turbulence provides additional oxygen to increase the rate and uniformity of the etching.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing first and second signals for providing a difference signal comprises a mixing transistor. The first and second signals are applied between the base and emitter electrodes of the transistor. A non-linear impedance is coupled in series with the emitter electrode. Spurious signal components are reduced in amplitude compared with the difference signal.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for partially decoding an encoded widescreen, extended definition television signal into a signal that is compatible with existing consumer video cassette recorders (VCRs) and video monitors. The encoded signal is compatible with existing television standards to produce a video image having a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio. Signals representing side panel information, to be appended onto either side of the 4:3 center panel, are encoded in the signal and are not visible in the image produced by a conventional receiver. The disclosed system includes decoding circuitry which recovers the side panel signals, appends them to the center panel signal and changes the time correspondence of the total signal so that it represents an image having a 5:3 aspect ratio. Luminance and chrominance components of the decoded video signal are provided as output signals of the decoder and to input ports of a conventional video cassette recorder (VCR) such as an S-VHS or ED-Beta machine.

Abstract: A bit-serial integrator includes the cascade combination of a bit-serial adder, a first bit-serial register and a second bit-serial register. Input signal is applied to one input of the adder and the output terminal of the second bit-serial register is coupled to a second input of the adder. A transparent latch is coupled to an output of the first bit-serial register and is conditioned to pass a predetermined number of sample bits and then to latch and output a particular sample bit for the duration of a sample period. The output of the latch is an integrated, scaled and truncated representation of the input signal.

Abstract: A picture-in-picture video signal generator includes a source of an auxiliary video signal, and a producer of successive samples representing the auxiliary video signals. A self-sequencing memory includes a data input terminal coupled to the producer of auxiliary video samples; a write address input terminal, for receiving an initial write address; a data output terminal and a read address input terminal for receiving an initial read address. Write control circuitry is coupled to the write address terminal of the self-sequencing memory, and generates initial write addresses in synchronism with horizontal line intervals of the auxiliary video signal. A source of a main video signal is also provided. Read control circuitry is coupled to the read address terminal of the self-sequencing memory, and generates initial read addresses in synchronism with horizontal line intervals of the main video signal.

Abstract: A cathode-ray tube includes a shadow mask mounted therein. The mask has curvatures along its major and minor axes. The curvature along the major axis is greater at the sides of the mask than at the center of the mask.

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: An integrator of a Sigma-Delta modulator includes an amplifier having an inverting input terminal and an output terminal. AN integrating capacitor is coupled between the input and output terminals. An input signal is coupled via a switched capacitor arrangement to the input terminal. The switched capacitor arrangement includes first and second transmission gates, operating at a first frequency, and a second capacitance that are coupled in series. In each period of the operation of the transmission gates, the first transmission gate is turned off before the second transmission gate for preventing a charge injected by the second transmission gate when the second transmission gate is turned off from being coupled to the input terminal of the amplifier.

Abstract: An evaporated material distribution controller includes specially configured portions having shaped edges to maintain the ratio of the thickest and thinnest portions of the layer of material deposited onto a surface within a ratio between 1.5:1.00 and 1.00:1.00.

Abstract: A power supply includes a source of first and second switching signals that are at opposite phases. First and second MOS power transistors have main current conducting electrodes coupled to a transformer and have gate electrodes that are respectively coupled to the first and second signals to provide push-pull operation. When a transition occurs in a first one of the MOS transistors from a conductive state to a nonconductive state, a voltage is developed at its gate electrode due to its input Miller capacitance. The gate electrode voltage is coupled to a control terminal of a controllable attenuator that attenuates the switching signal that is coupled to the gate of the other MOS transistor. This delays the initiation of the conductive state in the other MOS transistor until immediately after the first transistor becomes nonconductive, thereby avoiding simultaneous conduction in the two transistors.

Abstract: A multicolor filter for a display device includes separate filter elements for individually providing the primary colors of light. The areas of the filter elements are tailored in accordance with the percentages of primary light colors in pure white light, the percentages of primary light in the illuminating source, and the light transmission capabilities of the filter elements. Additionally, the filter elements are configured so that the centroid of the filter elements are within the close proximity of a straight line passing through adjacent filter elements.

Abstract: A degaussing circuit for a video apparatus incorporates circuitry that controls various aspects of the degaussing operation. The control circuitry causes the degaussing current to be terminated after a period of time to eliminate the flow of residual degaussing current. The control circuit also causes the degaussing circuit to be reset, to enable redegaussing to occur. The control circuit also prevents redegaussing from occurring after a brief interruption of power to the video apparatus.

Abstract: In a switching power supply for a television apparatus, a switching stage is coupled to a source of DC input voltage and to an energy storage inductance for developing a source of DC supply voltage. Operation of the switching stage generates a switched waveform voltage in the inductance. The primary winding of a flyback transformer is coupled to and energized by the DC supply voltage. A second winding of the flyback transformer is coupled to the inductance and provides a magnetic path, via the flyback transformer, for energy to circulate between the source of DC supply voltage and the energy storage inductance. An auxiliary winding is magnetically coupled to the inductance and to a load circuit, such as a high power audio stage, for transferring at least a portion of the circulating energy to the load circuit. Additionally, the flyback transformer may be used to directly transfer energy to the load circuit.

Abstract: A video display apparatus includes a cathode ray tube and a high voltage transformer. The high voltage transformer incorporates a high voltage winding having a tap which provides a focus voltage for the electron gun assembly of the cathode ray tube. The transformer also includes a supply winding which provides power to the electron gun assembly drive circuit. The supply winding is wound to be closely coupled to the portion of the high voltage winding not associated with the generation of focus voltage so that increasing beam current produces nonuniform loading of the high voltage winding.

Abstract: A deflection yoke field modifying device corrects N-S pincushion distortion without increasing A-zone convergence errors. The device may be of the form of a ferrite ring which is located near the electron beam exit end of the deflection yoke. The ring may be mounted on the yoke insulator. The ring shunts flux from the vertical deflection field in order to provide the desired N-S pincushion correction.

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.