Patents by Inventor Patrick D. Griffis

Patrick D. Griffis 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: 4511924
    Abstract: A frequency translation phase-locked loop (PLL) is provided for detecting the audio information from a received television signal. The PLL includes a switching arrangement which, in a first position causes the loop to process the IF picture and sound carriers for detecting the audio information in an intercarrier type of detection method and, in a second position causes the loop to process the IF sound carrier for detecting the audio information without the use of the received picture carrier, in a "separate" (split-sound) type of audio detection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick D. Griffis, Abraham E. Rindal
  • Patent number: 4479235
    Abstract: A system for synthesizing stereophonic signals from an audio information signal source is provided. The system includes a transfer function circuit for producing a modulated signal which varies in amplitude as a function of frequency in response to the audio signal, first and second amplifiers for providing amplified output signals, and a switch circuit for coupling selected ones of the audio signal and the modulated signal to the inputs of the first and second amplifiers. In a first position, the switch circuit causes the first and second amplifiers to operate in a matrix mode for matrixing the input signals to provide first and second synthesized stereophonic output signals, and in a second position, the switch circuit causes the amplifiers to operate in a non-matrix mode with respect to the input signals supplied thereto for providing an amplified audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick D. Griffis
  • Patent number: 4470070
    Abstract: A frequency translation phase-locked loop (PLL) is provided for detecting the audio information from a television signal. The PLL includes a mixer and a phase detector, responsive to the intermediate picture and sound carriers respectively, which carriers are amplified by a single IF amplifier. A first filter is coupled between the output of the television receiver tuner and the input of the IF amplifier and has a frequency response for passing the picture and sound carriers. The input of the mixer is coupled to the output of the IF amplifier and is substantially responsive to the amplified picture carrier. The phase detector has a first input also coupled to the output of the IF amplifier and is substantially responsive to the amplified sound carrier and a second input coupled to the output of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick D. Griffis
  • Patent number: 4405948
    Abstract: An arrangement for suppressing the audible effects of operating supply voltage transients developed when a sound reproducing system including a gain controlled audio amplifier is initially energized and de-energized. A control path supplies the amplifier with a gain (volume) control voltage of positive and negative senses corresponding to maximum and minimum sound volume. A first capacitor is coupled between the control path and a source of positive operating voltage from which the gain control voltage is derived. A normally non-conductive threshold conduction device and a second capacitor are coupled in series with the first capacitor between the control path and ground. The threshold device is biased to be rendered conductive for coupling positive-going supply voltage transients away from the control path via the second capacitor when the system is initially energized, thereby suppressing the audible effects of the positive transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick D. Griffis
  • Patent number: 4404429
    Abstract: First and second sound channels are provided for processing audio signals. Each sound channel includes means responsive to a D.C. control voltage for controlling the volume of the audio output signal of the channel. A volume control potentiometer is coupled across two terminals of a source of supply voltage and a D.C. volume control potential is developed at a tap of the potentiometer. The volume control potential is applied to a control electrode of a controlled current path. The controlled current path includes the parallel combination of a first voltage divider and a second, variable voltage divider. A tap of the first voltage divider is coupled to the D.C. control input of the first sound channel, and a tap of the second voltage divider is coupled to the D.C. control input of the second sound channel. By adjusting the second, variable voltage divider, the control voltage provided by the second voltage divider may be set to equalize the D.C. volume control characteristics of the two sound channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick D. Griffis
  • Patent number: 4387413
    Abstract: A semiconductor package is provided in which the semiconductor element is bonded to a slab of metal and is encapsulated in a body of insulating epoxy. Lead terminals are connected to the semiconductor element within the body and extend out from one end of the body. The metal slab extends out from the body from the same end as the lead terminals and in a plane which is parallel to that of the terminals, thereby forming a heat sink tab for the device. The package may be rigidly mounted on a printed circuit board by inserting the lead terminals and the heat sink tab into respective holes in a printed circuit board and soldering the terminals and tab to copper foil on the board. The solder connection of the heat sink tab to the copper foil provides an excellent thermal contact between the tab and the foil, in addition to providing a rigid support for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick D. Griffis
  • Patent number: 4254447
    Abstract: An integrated circuit heat dissipator is provided which will additionally hold the integrated circuit in a printed circuit board prior to soldering. The heat dissipator is comprised of a single elastic piece of metallic material having oppositely facing sides joined by a fold at the top. A tab is located at the bottom of each of the sides which is suitable for insertion into a printed circuit board. The tabs have a width which allows them to contact only the heat-conducting pins of the integrated circuit. The heat dissipator is mounted adjacent to the integrated circuit with one of the tabs contacting the heat-conducting pins. The elastic material gives the heat dissipator a spring-like property which causes the tabs to press outwardly from each other when inserted in a board so as to fixedly hold the heat dissipator and the integrated circuit in the printed circuit board prior to soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick D. Griffis
  • Patent number: 4239939
    Abstract: A system is provided which synthesizes stereophonic sound by developing two separate sound channels from a single monophonic sound source. A synthetic stereophonic sound system constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention may be advantageously utilized in combination with a visual display such as a television receiver. A monaural signal is applied as the input signal for a transfer function circuit of the form H(s), which modulates the intensity of the monaural signal as a function of frequency. The intensity modulated H(s) signal is coupled to a reproducing loudspeaker, and comprises one channel of the synthetic stero system. The H(s) signal is also coupled to one input of a differential amplifier. The monaural signal is coupled to the other input of the differential amplifier to produce a difference signal which is the complement of the H(s) signal. The difference signal is coupled to a second reproducing loudspeaker, which comprises the second channel of the synthetic stereo system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick D. Griffis