Abstract: A video signal processing system produces an output signal suitable for producing a closed caption display and is responsive to a "freeze" command from a user for modifying generation of the output signal such that the content of the closed caption region of the display does not change. The system provides for user selection of various freeze modes including one in which just the caption region of a display is frozen, another in which just the video region of the display is frozen, and another in which both the caption and video regions of the display are frozen.

Abstract: A controller for a switch mode power supply includes an undervoltage protection circuit responsive to an input supply voltage indicative signal. The input supply voltage indicative signal is also coupled to a foldback point correction circuit. The correction circuit causes a decrease in a maximum duty cycle of a control signal when the input supply voltage increases and is still smaller than a predetermined magnitude. A zener diode limits the input supply voltage indicative signal in a manner to prevent a further decrease in the duty cycle when the input supply voltage exceeds the predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: Run/standby switching including switching to standby upon excessive current loading are provided in a switched mode power supply useful as an auxiliary power supply in a television. A switching controller IC is coupled between a primary transformer winding on the rectified raw B.sup.+ input voltage and ground. A switching transistor is coupled to the control input of the controller and is biased by the raw B.sup.+ input voltage for pulling down the control input. A run/standby control circuit and an overcurrent protective circuit disable the switching transistor during run mode operation and enable the switching transistor upon an overcurrent fault. The switched-mode power supply is further provided with a quick-reset capability to enable the power supply to consistently provide output voltages which are within nominal output voltage levels despite rapidly repeated dislocations in the operational mode of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a CRT (10) having a tension mask (24) and support frame assembly (35). The support frame assembly (35) is rectangular and has two long sides that parallel a central major axis thereof and two short sides that parallel a central minor axis thereof The mask (24) has a substantially cylindrical contour, being curved along the major axis and straight along the minor axis. The frame assembly (35) includes two first members (36, 38; 136, 138) that parallel the major axis and two second members (40, 42), attached to the ends of the first members, that parallel the minor axis. Each of the first members (36, 38; 136, 138) includes a rigid section (50; 150) and a compliant section (52; 152) cantilevered from the rigid section (50; 150). The compliant sections (52; 152) have a distal end (54; 154) and a proximal end (56; 156). The mask (24) is attached to the distal ends (54; 154) of the compliant sections (52; 152).

Abstract: A switching circuit for a television set is coupled to the television microprocessor and associated power supply on one end, and to the standby power supply portion of a T-chip on the other end. The T-chip is not powered during the "off" times of the television thus reducing the power consumption of the circuit. The switching circuit operates to enable the standby power supply of the T-chip upon receipt by the microprocessor of an "on" command after which the T-chip will enable the horizontal drive circuits upon the receipt of a further "on" command.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided for an auxiliary power supply in an apparatus having run and standby modes of operation. The auxiliary power supply is energized by raw B.sup.+ voltage and operates in a switched mode, responsive to a feedback signal indicative of loading. A switching circuit, also energized by the raw B.sup.+ voltage, changes the auxiliary power supply between operational and non operational modes responsive to an on/off signal. The on/off signal is indicative of the run and standby modes of operation of the apparatus, for example a run supply voltage generated by another power supply in the apparatus. The switching circuit includes a switch optically coupled to a voltage threshold detector. The switch interrupts the feedback signal, for example by shunting to ground, in a manner which inhibits operation of the switching controller during the standby mode of operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A simplified serial data bus provides interconnection between equipment such as computers, imaging apparatus, and consumer electronic devices. The simplified bus utilizes the cable and connectors of a data bus standard. An apparatus for data communication comprises a connector for receiving a plurality of signal carrying conductors. A control circuit is coupled to the connector for supplying a control signal to one of the plurality of conductors. A detector is coupled to the connector for detecting a voltage source on the one of the plurality of conductors. The control signal is inhibited responsive to detection of the voltage source.

Abstract: A power sensor circuit for use in a convergence system which comprises a convergence circuit for generating a convergence correction signal. The power sensor circuit receives at least one supply voltage and generates an output signal having a magnitude selected in accordance with whether the at least one supply voltage is above a first threshold. The output signal is coupled to the convergence circuit, which enables or disables the convergence correction signal in response to the magnitude of the output signal.

Abstract: A receiver system automatically adaptively tunes to broadcast signals that are variable in the number of channels that are transmitted, their signal coding type and their modulation format. A system receives a digital bitstream representing video information encoded in one of a plurality of different formats, and transmitted on one of a plurality of transmission channels. The system includes a processor for identifying and capturing program guide information including a plurality of channel maps. A channel map associates a transmission channel with a video channel output and the channel map is also associated with an encoding format. The system also includes an adaptive decoder for decoding the bitstream to provide the video channel output in response to the program guide information.

Abstract: Program Guide information is formed suitable for incorporation in a video program datastream and for storage on a storage medium or for broadcast in variable broadcast encoding formats. A method of formatting video data to be suitable for output on one of a plurality of output channels and in one of a plurality of encoding formats is employed. The method involves forming program guide information including a channel map associating an output channel with a video program. The program guide information also associates the channel map with an encoding format. The program guide information and the video data are incorporated into a datastream and the datastream is provided to an output channel. The method may also involve generating a parameter indicative of an encoding format and combining the encoding format parameter and the channel map in the program guide.

Abstract: In a videocassette recorder including "VCR PLUS+.TM." videocassette recorder programming system capability and TIMER PROGRAMMING capability, it is herein recognized that the respective menu for programming in each of the two available systems should automatically be selected in response to the pressing of the PROGRAM key by a user, and in response to which of the two systems was last used for programming the VCR.

Abstract: A timing recovery system for a digital signal receiver receives a signal, representing successive symbols, from a transmitter. The symbols are subject to exhibiting multiple symbol rates. The system derives a sample enable signal from the received input signal and employs a single, fixed frequency oscillator. A source of samples representing the received signal are sampled at a fixed frequency. An interpolator is coupled to the sample source and is responsive to a control signal. The interpolator produces samples taken at times synchronized to the successive symbols from the transmitter. A phase error detector is coupled to the interpolator, detects a phase error between the sample times of the transmitter synchronized samples produced by the interpolator and times of the successive transmitter symbols, and supplies a phase error signal. The phase error signal is coupled to one input terminal of a summer and a source of a nominal delay signal is coupled to the other.

Abstract: A method of error-free, simple programming of a data decoder for the purpose of recording desired data programs is achieved when a data guide table, generated at the transmitter end, for programming the recording, and a data status table for signaling the data programs currently running are evaluated. In addition to date, time, broadcasting company, identifying number and length of the files, the data guide table contains information on the hardware and software configurations, which is required for receiving, for decoding and for outputting the desired data program, and further information for automatically reloading software possibly missing at the receiver end. In this way, it is possible as early as during programming of a data program to carry out a check of the system configuration required at the receiver end and to output an error message or warning to the user if his own system is not suitable for receiving, decoding or outputting the desired data program.