Patents by Inventor Joseph C. Stephens

Joseph C. Stephens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5486866
    Abstract: A free running frequency alignment method in a video display having a sync generator comprising a first oscillator having a first frequency and a second oscillator having a second frequency. The first oscillator is phase modulated by the second oscillator which has a free running frequency different from a standard frequency. The free running frequency of the first oscillator is to be controllably aligned to the standard frequency by a method comprising the steps of applying a frequency determining initial control value to the first oscillator and measuring an average free running frequency responsive to the initial control value. An absolute difference frequency is calculated between the average frequency and the standard frequency. The absolute difference frequency is tested for a frequency value less than a predetermined value which signifies an aligned condition. If the difference frequency is less than the predetermined value the alignment is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Helfrich, Joseph C. Stephens, Kevin E. McClain, Brian Lee
  • Patent number: 5473386
    Abstract: A video display has microcomputer control via a data bus and comprises a first sync generator coupled to the data bus for control by data thereon. A second sync generator is without controllable coupling to the data bus. A deflection amplifier is coupled to a deflection coil for generating a deflection current therein. A circuit for controlling the second sync generator is coupled to the first sync generator and is responsive to a digitally controlled signal therefrom. The second generator output signal is coupled to the deflection amplifier for deflection generation responsive to the digitally controlled signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Helfrich, Joseph C. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5355058
    Abstract: A deflection apparatus comprises a deflection amplifier coupled to a deflection waveform modulation circuit such as a diode modulator. An East-West modulation signal is generated by a digital to analog convertor in accordance with a reference potential coupled thereto. The modulation signal has a DC component for width control, and is coupled to an input of a comparator. The reference potential is also coupled to an input of the comparator to establish a reference bias therefor. The comparator has an output coupled to the deflection waveform modulation circuit to provide the East-West modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Jackson, Joseph C. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5323092
    Abstract: A deflection apparatus comprises a deflection amplifier coupled to a deflection waveform modulation circuit such as a diode modulator. A source for generating a modulation signal. The modulation signal comprises an AC component and a DC component, each having levels which define an amplitude ratio. An amplifier alters the amplitude ratio, and the altered amplitude ratio signal is coupled to the deflection waveform modulation circuit for deflection waveform modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Helfrich, Joseph C. Stephens, David R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5013980
    Abstract: An input signal at a horizontal frequency is coupled to a deflection circuit through an isolation transformer during a power-on operation but not during a power-off operation. A voltage at a horizontal deflection frequency is developed in a linearity inductor of the deflection circuit. The voltage in the linearity inductor is rectified to produce a rectified signal that is coupled to an input terminal of a regulator oscillator of a power supply. The rectified signal is coupled to the regulator oscillator in an electrically nonisolated manner with respect to electrical shock hazard isolation and is electrically isolated by the transformer from the input signal. The regulator oscillator generates trigger pulses for controlling the switching operation of an SCR switch of the power supply to produce an output supply voltage that energizes the deflection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Stephens, Enrique Rodriguez-Cavazos
  • Patent number: 4916366
    Abstract: A horizontal deflection circuit includes a flyback transformer. A secondary winding of the flyback transformer is coupled in series with a diode switch to produce a trace rectified supply voltage that energizes a vertical deflection amplifier. The diode switch also provides switching operation in an East-West diode modulator. During, for example, service mode operation, when the vertical raster is collapsed, the trace current in the secondary winding is substantially reduced. The reduced trace current is sensed for producing a control signal that causes the peak current supplied by the diode switch to the diode modulator to be smaller than the trace current in the secondary winding. This ensures that the diode switch remains conductive throughout horizontal trace, thereby, preventing an undesirable increase in the supply voltage from occuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Wilber, Joseph C. Stephens
  • Patent number: 4812719
    Abstract: A switch regulator includes a controllable SCR switch that is coupled in series with a filter inductor and a horizontal deflection generator, and the series combination is coupled across a source of unregulated direct voltage for providing a path for an increasing current flow in the inductor during a portion of a trace interval in which the switch is closed. Horizontal rate signals are coupled from the deflection generator to the switch via a first winding for controlling the opening of the switch. A catch diode is coupled to the filter inductor to form a path for a decreasing current flow in the first inductor during at least a portion of a retrace interval. The first winding is coupled in series with a second inductor to form an arrangement that is coupled between the unregulated voltage and the SCR switch. A current in the second inductor maintains the switch conductive during a portion of retrace that varies in accordance with a beam current for improving regulation of an ultor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Stephens, Lawrence E. Smith, Michael E. Boyer