Abstract: A method and apparatus used to step and correct the position of raster lines in a sinusoidal or zig-zag deflection system. By combining the magnetic flux generated with a rotation “twister” coil and a vertical deflection coil, scan lines can be uniformly spaced and separated nearly to their ends. Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated with the twister coil is adjusted going in the left to right direction then reversed in polarity and readjusted while returning from right to left. It is this controlled twister flux that combines with the linear vertical deflection flux to straighten and then step each scan line to produce an aligned raster.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used to step and correct the position of raster lines in a sinusoidal or zig-zag deflection system. By combining the magnetic flux generated with a rotation “twister” coil and a vertical deflection coil, scan lines can be uniformly spaced and separated nearly to their ends. Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated with the twister coil is adjusted going in the left to right direction then reversed in polarity and readjusted while returning from right to left. It is this controlled twister flux that combines with the linear vertical deflection flux to straighten and then step each scan line to produce an aligned raster.

Abstract: A system for enhancing brightness and resolution while correcting certain types of convergence, geometry, color and luminance errors caused by the display device, the viewing position or both. This system involves merging images from two or more sources, overlapping and offsetting pixels, or overlapping scanning lines “merged raster” in a CRT or several (3) “merged rasters” in color CRT's, and adjusting video content and timing, to compensate for the current viewing position and/or device distortion. Display and/or viewing perspective distortion characteristics are measured from the observers viewing position for the raster or each non-converged raster and stored as correction factor data in non-volatile memory. This data is used to modify the digital addressing of video image memory, to read and to correct pixel data for each image, adjust color, modify magnitude, and to drive the displays video amplifier at the correct time with the corrected amplitude and image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used to step and correct the position of raster lines in a sinusoidal or zig-zag deflection system. By combining the magnetic flux generated with a rotation “twister” coil and a vertical deflection coil, scan lines can be uniformly spaced and separated nearly to their ends. Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated with the twister coil is adjusted going in the left to right direction then reversed in polarity and readjusted while returning from right to left. It is this controlled twister flux that combines with the linear vertical deflection flux to straighten and then step each scan line to produce an aligned raster.

Abstract: Dynamic adjustment techniques for aligning video images in cathode ray tube (CRT) devices are disclosed. A host computer stores correction factor data and video image data in video graphics controller RAM. The host computer processes and transmits the correction factor data, representative of the cathode ray tube distortion characteristics, to the CRT device during the retrace time of the electron beam and video image data during the trace time. The correction factor data may be generated by a vision system, a gain matrix table, interpolation engine or manual methods. Circuitry, within the CRT device, for separating the correction factor data from the video signal is disclosed along with the methods and apparatus used to decode correction data. Data can also be transferred from the monitor back to the host computer over the video connector.

Abstract: A system for automatically aligning video images on display devices such as cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors that use the processor and memory of a host computer to implement the alignment process. The system uses a host computer processor and previously generated correction factor data, representative of specific display distortion characteristics, to produce driver signals necessary to affect the alignment of video images on a CRT screen. The previously stored correction factor data may be retrieved from a characterization module within the display device or from any other convenient storage location. The correction factor data is processed by the host computer to produce correction control data which is transmitted, over a bi-directional serial connector, or a video connector, to the display device where the data is read by correction and driver circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-speed approximation device that generates zone correction values in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Group correction values are stored for specific physical locations on the screen for each correction factor parameter. Higher resolution correction signals can be produced by generating zone correction values. Zone correction values are produced for binary fractional addresses that correspond to specific physical locations on the screen. By addressing specific binary fractional addresses that correspond to the location of the video image on the screen, new group correction values do not have to be produced each time the horizontal or vertical size or centering or frequency of the video image is changed. Additionally, by using start addresses and end addresses, zone correction values only have to be produced for the area which the video image occupies on the screen.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic adjustment of video images on a cathode ray tube in diverse geographic local magnetic fields. The present invention uses a CRT magnetometer that accurately senses differences in the strength and direction of a local magnetic field in three axes, i.e., the x, y, and z axes. The cathode ray tube includes a digital monitor board or monitor circuitry that has a processor and memory and is capable of retrieving correction factor data and magnetic correction data generated by a vision system. The digital monitor board receives CRT magnetometer signals and uses the signals with magnetic correction data to adjust the correction factor data to generate locale specific correction factor data for the sensed local magnetic field. The digital monitor board is capable of decoding the locale specific correction factor data using DACs, PDMs, PWMs, and interpolation engines to generate correction signals that are used to adjust the video image to correct for magnetically induced distortion.

Abstract: A circuit within a video monitor for making corrections during horizontal scan includes a data storage device containing information relating to a selected display parameter, an integrator receptive of the stored information and adapted to produce an integrated signal therefrom, and an amplifier receptive of the integrated signal for supplying signals to the video monitor based on the integrated signal. The information supplied from the data storage device to the integrator is encoded in a pulse density modulated waveform via a tri-state gate and a one-shot timer. The information stored in the data storage device is stored in bytes, each byte containing a "sign bit" and a plurality of data bits. The present invention also discloses the use of an on-screen display chip that uses stored fonts to generate a pulse-density modulated signal. Gradients between rows of fonts can be generated using selected fonts from a font gradient table or can be produced using an up-down counter.

Abstract: A system for generating correction factor data that is representative of the distortion characteristics of a cathode ray tube. The correction factor data is stored with a cathode ray tube to allow later alignment of a video signal, or can be provided on a storage medium or on a network. Distortion data, and resultant correction factor data is generated for a series of discrete physical locations on the cathode ray tube screen. In this manner, the entire screen surface can be utilized to align a video image. Maximum correctable distortion data is also generated in accordance with the present invention to provide exit criteria for cathode ray tube manufacturers. The exit criteria is based upon maximum correction factor data that can be generated to correct distortions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for generating timing pulses to control various functions in a video monitor including the switching of video amplifiers in cathode ray tube (CRT) devices, the control of the phase and frequency of phase locked loops, etc. Unlike previous methods, where switching is timed and controlled by monitoring the retrace voltage level, the system of the present invention monitors the change in direction of current in the retrace tuning capacitor. Monitoring the retrace capacitor current, provides an extremely accurate method for timing in horizontal deflection circuits. The apparatus of the present the invention comprises a small bead inductor placed in the current path of a horizontal retrace capacitor within the horizontal deflection circuit of the cathode ray tube device. Measuring the voltage across the bead inductor allows a very precise monitoring of the current through the retrace tuning capacitor.

Abstract: A system for synchronous alignment of cathode ray tube (CRT) rasters by application of time variable rotation driver signals to the CRT rotation coil during trace of the raster. The system may be implemented by either digital or analog means of measuring and storing cathode ray tube raster distortion data as rotational correction factor data. The rotational correction factor data is used by device circuitry to generate and apply the required time variable rotation driver signals, to the CRT rotation coil, to effect the desired CRT raster alignment.

Abstract: A circuit within a video monitor for making corrections during horizontal scan includes a data storage device containing information relating to a selected display parameter, an integrator receptive of the stored information and adapted to produce an integrated signal therefrom, and an amplifier receptive of the integrated signal for supplying signals to the video monitor based on the integrated signal. The information supplied from the data storage device to the integrator is encoded in a pulse density modulated wave form via a tri-state gate and a one-shot timer. The information stored in the data storage device is stored in bytes, each byte containing a "sign bit" and a plurality of data bits.

Abstract: A system for transforming coordinate systems in an automated video monitor alignment system includes a camera and computer to capture an image of the display bezel surrounding the cathode ray tube and of the image displayed on the CRT. Three dimensional models of the CRT tube and display bezel are used to compute and compensate for camera perspective. Camera pixel data can then be transformed to `flat plane` coordinates. When the relative orientation of the camera and CRT are corrected, the effects of parallax can be eliminated, allowing more accurate inspection, measurement, and lower cost fixturing on the production line. Thus, an accurate coordinate transformation from a camera-referenced coordinate system to a monitor-referenced coordinate system is made. Correction factors for correcting errors due to refraction can also be generated empirically in accordance with the present invention. Slope coordinate data is generated for a sample monitor for predetermined slope coordinate locations on the tube face.

Abstract: A new fiber optic connector housing and a new fiber optic receptacle, both of which conform to a new standard proposed by the X3T9.3 committee of the American National Standards Institute, are disclosed. In addition, four accessory devices for electro-optic modules, each of which includes one or more essentially conventional plug frames which fit into either one or more conventional, individual fiber optic connector housings or the new fiber optic connector housing, are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for transforming coordinate systems in an automated video monitor alignment system includes a camera and computer to capture an image of the display bezel surrounding the cathode ray tube and of the image displayed on the CRT. Three dimensional models of the CRT tube and display bezel are used to compute and compensate for camera perspective. Camera pixel data can then be transformed to `flat plane` coordinates. When the relative orientation of the camera and CRT are corrected for, the effects of parallax can be eliminated, allowing more accurate inspection, measurement, and lower cost fixturing on the production line. Thus, an accurate coordinate transformation from a camera-referenced coordinate system to a monitor-referenced coordinate system is made.

Abstract: A circuit within a video monitor for making corrections during horizontal scan includes a data storage device containing information relating to a selected display parameter, an integrator receptive of the stored information and adapted to produce an integrated signal therefrom, and an amplifier receptive of the integrated signal for supplying signals to the video monitor based on the integrated signal. The information supplied from the data storage device to the integrator is encoded in a pulse density modulated wave form via a tri-state gate and a one-shot timer. The information stored in the data storage device is stored in bytes, each byte containing a "sign bit" and a plurality of data bits.

Abstract: A new fiber optic connector housing and a new fiber optic receptacle, both of which conform to a new standard proposed by the X3T9.3 committee of the American National Standards Institute, are disclosed. In addition, four accessory devices for electro-optic modules, each of which includes one or more essentially conventional plug frames which fit into either one or more conventional, individual fiber optic connector housings or the new fiber optic connector housing, are disclosed.

Abstract: A new fiber optic connector housing and a new fiber optic receptacle, both of which conform to a new standard proposed by the X3T9.3 committee of the American National Standards Institute, are disclosed. In addition, four accessory devices for electro-optic modules, each of which includes one or more essentially conventional plug frames which fit into either one or more conventional, individual fiber optic connector housings or the new fiber optic connector housing, are disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic precision video monitor alignment and calibration system is described which functions to precisely align all of the adjustable display characteristics of a video monitor to a high degree of precision. This alignment system can function in an automated calibration mode wherein it is independent of human input and automatically performs a series of alignment/calibration operations to precisely adjust all of the display characteristics of the video monitor in a fraction of the time required by a person to manually align the video monitor. The alignment system includes a digital control circuit located within the video monitor to precisely set and maintain each of the monitor display characteristics. The values maintained by this control circuit can be input by a person, or set automatically by a computer controlled display alignment system.