Abstract: A billboard video display system comprises a plurality of cathode ray tubes arranged in a predetermined configuration, each of the cathode ray tubes including a viewing screen characterized by a coarse color phosphor pattern. The electron beam generated by each of the cathode ray tubes is scanned across its respective viewing screen and modulated for developing a plurality of color picture elements. The picture elements so produced combine to form a selected billboard video display picture with the picture elements associated with each respective tube representing an unrecognizably small portion thereof.

Abstract: A varactor controlled television receiver tuning system is operable for tuning all VHF and CATV television channels in four frequency bands including the low VHF band extending between 54-88 MHz, the mid/high VHF band extending between 120-216 MHz, the CATV superband extending between 216-300 MHz and a CATV hyperband extending between 300-400 MHz. The tuning system comprises a plurality of identically configured resonant circuits each responsive to a pair of band switching signals for assuming a total inductance for tuning each of the four different frequency bands, each of the resonant circuits being alignable by adjusting a different variable reactance element in each frequency band.

Abstract: Improved cathode ray tube centering and support devices are disclosed for use in a television receiver cabinet having an escutcheon (devices) with an opening for conformally receiving and accomodating the substantially rectangular face panel of the tube. Corner guide devices rearwardly extending from the opening in the escutcheon provide for guiding each corner of the face panel into the opening. A plurality of tapered ribs projecting inwardly from each of the cradling devices provide for exerting a progressively increasing force fit on the face panel. Devices are provided for forcing, or otherwise urging, the corners forwardly into the corner guide devices and the tapered ribs. As the corners of the face panel are forced into the corner guide devices, the tapered crush ribs yield and conform to the contours of the corners, effectively centering the tube in the escutcheon (devices) and the cabinet, and providing for the firm retention of the tube in the cabinet.

Abstract: A vertical drive generator and a horizontal gating generator are described which time-share circuitry common to both generators to provide vertical drive pulses and horizontal gating pulses for use in a television receiver. The vertical drive generator converts variable width vertical rate pulses to constant width vertical drive pulses in a manner such that the duration of each drive pulse is determined by a digital counter. In the interval between the generation of successive vertical drive pulses, the counter is reset to provide timing control for the gating generator. In the preferred embodiment, the latter generator develops AGC gating pulses and burst gating pulses at selected times and for selected durations.

Abstract: A channel equalizer and ghost cancelling technique are disclosed for removing ghosts from a communications signal which includes a training signal and data. The training signal and its ghosts are processed as a finite length sequence of numbers. The equalizer includes a chain of cascaded filters, the first of which receives the training signal and its ghosts for assuming a filter condition which reduces the finite sequence by two points at the filter's output. Each successive filter in the chain receives the output of an immediately preceding filter and assumes a filter condition in which an additional two points of the finite sequence are eliminated or forced to zero. The filter conditions assumed in response to the training signal and its ghosts are maintained while the data is applied to the filter chain so that ghosts of the type experienced by the training signal are removed from the data.

Abstract: A gating network is described for enabling and disabling a conventional sampling circuit. The gating network includes a pulse generator which develops an enabling pulse in time synchronism with the signal to be sampled by the sampling circuit. The enabling pulse and the signal to be sampled are applied to an AND gate which develops a control signal whose duration is no longer than the signal to be sampled. The control signal is applied to the sampling circuit to enable its detection of the signal to be sampled.

Abstract: An ultra-compact projection television receiver is disclosed comprising in combination cabinet means for enclosing the receiver components including a vertically reciprocable, rear projection viewing screen selectively storable in the cabinet. Precision elevating means provides for raising and lowering the screen between a stored position in the cabinet and a receiver-operable viewing wherein the screen is emerged. A television system has an ON control mode for providing television sound and pictures and an OFF control mode. Control means coupled to the elevating means and the television system provide for sensing the position of the screen in its reciprocation, and obstructions to said reciprocation manifested by increased resistance to said reciprocation, and correlatively controlling the elevating means and the OFF/ON control modes of the television system in response thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in the manufacture of a color cathode ray picture tube. The tube has a glass face panel with a rearwardly extending flange with a plurality of studs extending radially inwardly from the flange. The tube includes a shadow mask suspended in precise proximity to the panel by an equal plurality of leaf springs. The rearwardly extending springs are attached to the mask in an orientation substantially parallel with the axis of said tube. The springs have an aperture at the distal end for engagement with an associated one of the studs. Engagement means for each of the springs for engaging the apertures with the studs during insertion of the mask into the panel comprise the following: Spring depressor means provide for bending the spring adjacent to the mask, and the spring depressor means include channel means parallel with the spring for accepting the distal end of the spring.

Abstract: A television receiver incorporating telephone interface circuitry permitting the viewer to not only answer incoming calls but also place outgoing calls by means of the television receiver is disclosed. An infrared link is used for remote control telephone answering and dial-out with a tuner-integrated microcomputer used to drive a character generator permitting the number dialed to be displayed on the television receiver's video display and to be provided to a standard telephone line. An automatic re-dial feature is provided by means of the microcomputer's memory whereby the last phone number dialed by the remote transmitter may be stored in memory, recalled by means of a single button selection, presented on the on-screen display and automatically dialed.

Abstract: A dimmer and dimmer override control is described for adjusting the amplitude of a video signal applied to a video display device. The control includes an amplifier for amplifying a video input signal, a light sensor for generating a dimmer control signal corresponding to the intensity of ambient light, and a transistor clipping circuit which clips the video signal at levels which vary as a function of the amplitude of the dimmer control signal. The clipping action is defeated by another transistor circuit which responds to a dimmer override signal for disabling the transistor clipping circuit.

Abstract: A network is described for use in enhancing the bandwidths of color signals in a color television system. The network is a feedback arrangement in which amplifiers multiply each color signal by a variable factor K to provide manifold color signals. High frequency luminance components are inserted into the modified color signals to develop high frequency color output signals. The modified color signals are weighted by selected coefficients and summed. The value of the summed signal is used to vary the factor K so that the high frequency luminance components in the color output signals are substantially equal to the high frequency components of the luminance signal.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for assembling a frameless, relatively thin and torsionally flexible shadow mask and four relatively thick and inflexible mask-suspension brackets. The apparatus, which is for use in the manufacture of color television cathode ray picture tubes, provides for conforming of the brackets to the contour of the skirt of the mask, and the welding of the brackets thereto. The brackets according to the invention have a planar central section and two arms for the embracing of and attachment to the skirt around the corners of the mask. Each bracket has at least one region in each arm adjacent to the central section that is perforated to decrease the cross-sectional area of the region and thus increase electrical resistance of the region.

Abstract: An adjustable yoke assembly for a CRT (cathode ray tube) is described for optimizing the orthogonality and concentricity between the yoke's horizontal and vertical fields in order to obtain a desired raster shape. The yoke assembly includes a liner which carries one deflection winding, a core which carries another deflection winding and which is mounted on the liner, and an adjustment ring which is mounted on the liner and fixed to the core. The liner includes at least one elongated member which projects radially outwardly from the liner so as to engage detent means, such as serrations, carried by a finger which projects outwardly from the adjustment ring. When the core is manually rotated on the liner to adjust the relative position of the deflection windings, the adjustment ring rotates with the core in a detented manner to provide accurate positioning of the core's winding and optimum orientation of the yoke's horizontal and vertical fields.

Abstract: A control panel cover assembly for use in an ultra-compact, jack-in-the-box, rear-projection television receiver. The receiver is housed in an open-topped cabinet having lid means pivotally attached at the back thereof for selectively opening and closing the cabinet providing for emergence and storage of an elevatable unitary optical assembly including a rear-projection screen. The unitary optical assembly includes rigid, box-like shroud means. The receiver has a widthwise-oriented control panel means located inwardly adjacent to the top section of the front panel of the receiver. The control panel cover assembly according to the invention comprises an outwardly swinging cover member which is attached to the lid at the front thereof by at least one inwardly-spring-biased hinge. The front panel of the receiver has a recess adjacent to the control panel for receiving the cover member.

Abstract: A televison receiver is disclosed comprising a cabinet which houses a television system having telephone network access means. The television receiver provides both for presentation of television programs and for dialing out and conversing through the talk channel and listen channel of an associated telephone network while viewing a television picture. The receiver has at least one function control means including operational mode selection means for providing a television program mode, and alternately, a two-way telephone; conversation with-television-picture mode, and with numerical keypad for dial out. The television receiver user can initiate a telephone call by dialing through the television receiver telephone network access means. Upon termination of the conversation, the televison receiver user can restore the television program mode.

Abstract: An AC signal processing circuit fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip used in a television receiver is both defeated and the DC level characterizing its output terminal is controlled in response to a manually operable switch communicating with a single input pin of the chip. A control circuit comprising a pair of differential amplifiers fabricated on the chip is responsive to the switch for enabling the AC signal processing circuit or, alternatively, for inhibiting the circuit while simultaneously causing its output to assume a controlled DC level.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for establishing proper video output voltages in a color television receiver prior to setting the receiver's G2 voltage. In the preferred embodiment, the circuit includes three emitter follower stages, each coupled to the output of a video amplifier. The collectors of the emitter follower stages are coupled to a supply voltage through a common resistance. A two position switch is connected across the common resistance such that, during normal receiver operation, closure of the switch shunts the common resistance. When G2 set-up is to be effected, the switch is opened so that a predetermined voltage is dropped across the common resistance and the three emitter follower stages have similar, predetermined D.C. output voltages.

Abstract: A frequency and phase lock loop is disclosed in which AFC and phase locking functions are completely separated thus permitting signal acquisition range and closed loop bandwidth parameters to be independently established. Interference between phase lock loop (PLL) and automatic frequency control (AFC) signals resulting in the loss of a beat frequency signal for matching VCO and reference signal frequencies is eliminated thus affording enhanced PLL frequency pull-in range.