Abstract: A system and method of automatically deriving and using a black level control signal for use in long term target integrating camera systems is disclosed. The method employs the steps of, sequentially, first operating the camera in a long term target integration manner at a pre-selected exposure time and detecting and holding the inverse peak level of the television video signal derived from this scan taken from the central portion of the target, generating a corrective signal from the held inverse peak level and applying that corrective signal to the camera while operating the camera for long term target integration periods in essentially the same manner and exposure time to produce a corrected television scan signal, and using that corrected signal to reproduce an image.

Abstract: Apparatus for decoding a serial data stream having remote control informations. Detector means for detecting a serial data stream containing said remote control data are provided to supply a microprocessor with serial data. The microprocessor employs the programming steps of sampling the data at a rate in excess of two times the data rate. The number of consecutive samples of zero bits between samples of a one bit are as counted. A register is loaded with a one bit every time a one is sampled, and loaded with a zero bit when the number of consecutive zeros exceed a predetermined number.

Abstract: An all electronic tuning system is described for establishing a frequency of a local oscillator in a television receiver. When a channel selection is made, a number representing the desired channel is entered in a memory circuit. A first plurality of frequencies is generated in response to a channel selection, and a VCO employed as a local oscillator is caused to increase in frequency. When the VCO frequency differs from the first plurality of frequencies by a predetermined amount, a second plurality of frequencies is generated. Each frequency generated in said second plurality of frequencies is compared with said VCO frequency. When a predetermined difference exists between said VCO frequency and said second plurality of frequencies, a count is recorded. When the recorded count is equivalent to the number obtained in the memory circuit, the VCO tuning is inhibited and the VCO frequency is stabilized until a subsequent channel selection is made.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating a size-controllable, segmented character for use with a television receiver. The character generator can be used to display the television channel number to which a television receiver is tuned. Associated apparatus is provided for endowing a displayed character with a cursive slant. The apparatus controlling the size of the displayed character can be set to cause the character to continuously diminish, after a predetermined time, eventually disappearing.The character segments are defined by clocking apparatus related to the horizontal and vertical scan of a television display unit. In addition from horizontal and vertical clocks enabling all possible character segments, enabling signals are generated by the receiver apparatus specifying particular segments of a desired character.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing an automatic frequency tuning system capable of supplying a local oscillator signal with a preselected frequency. The frequency of an output signal of the local oscillator is electronically varied across a frequency region which includes the preselected frequency. The output signal of the local oscillator is combined with the output signal of a reference signal generator. After the combination of the local oscillator signal with the reference oscillator signal produces a preestablished condition which is the result of the local oscillator signal attaining the preselected frequency, the frequency of the local oscillator signal is held constant. The local oscillator signal is thereafter compared to the reference oscillation signal and a change in the local oscillator signal frequency is corrected by means of an automatic frequency control feedback loop containing a discriminator circuit.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1.