Abstract: A picture display apparatus has respective modes in which it displays at least three different types of pictures in sequence in response to actuations of a single switch. The picture display apparatus may be incorporated within a conventional television receiver having a programmable timer, and in such case the first type of picture is the normal television picture, the second type of picture is a display of the current day of the week and current time, and the third type of picture is a display of programming information stored in the programmable timer. When the switch is actuated within a predetermined time from the occurrence of a characteristic event in the respective mode, the next type of picture in the sequence is displayed. When the switch is actuated after the predetermined time has elapsed, the first type of picture in the sequence is displayed.

Abstract: A television receiver having a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory) in which a program and a font data are written, and a RAM (random access memory) for work area and a shift register. The font data to be indicated as a channel numeral is loaded to the shift register by an interrupt procedure and the output from the shift register is supplied to the video signal system whereby to indicate the channel numeral after the channel is changed.

Abstract: A single, hand held remote control unit produces command signals used to control all operational aspects of a video tape recorder and an associated television receiver, and the video tape recorder and television receiver include switches that upon actuation can provide various interconnections so that all operating modes of the two units are possible. Actuation of the switches is performed by controllers, arranged at the particular units, and which receive the coded command signals from the remote control unit to set the switches in accordance with any of several keys that can be actuated on the remote control unit. In one aspect, depressing a single playback key at the remote control unit will produce coded signals received by the controllers to set the television receiver to an unused channel frequency and cause the video tape recorder to reproduce a prerecorded video tape, with the reproduced signal fed to the television receiver over that unused channel for display.

Abstract: Remote control apparatus is provided for generating and transmitting remote control signals for controlling the operations of one or more devices. For example, the remote control apparatus may be used to control video playback and display devices, whereby previously recorded video signals may be played back and displayed. The apparatus includes a plurality of selector switches, each being selectively operable to initiate the transmission of a respective command signal for commanding a corresponding operation in the controlled devices. An encoder is coupled to the selector switches and is responsive to the operation of a respective one thereof to generate an encoded command signal. This command signal is transmitted to the controlled devices, wherein it is received and utilized to implement the commanded operation. A selectively operable control switch also is provided.

Abstract: A remote control system capable of selectively controlling a desired one of plural devices in response to the transmission of remote control signals from a transmitter. A central control includes a decoder decoding a remote control signal so as to produce a corresponding device control signal, this device control signal being coupled to the plural devices so as to control a desired one thereof in accordance with the decoded signal. The central control includes at least one, and preferably plural, input terminals. Plural receiving elements, spatially separated from each other, are coupled to respective ones of the input terminals, preferably by a conducting lead, and, preferably, a receiving element is provided directly at the central control. The receiving elements are capable of receiving a remote control signal transmitted, for example, by infrared transmission, from the transmitter.

Abstract: A power supply control apparatus for a television receiver has a manually-actuable power switch for switching the power supply of the television receiver between its ON and OFF states, a digital timer for generating a time code representing the current time, a key input for generating a start-time code and an end-time code respectively representing programmable start and end times, a memory for storing the start-time and end-time codes, first and second coincidence detectors for generating first and second coincidence outputs whenever there is coincidence between the generated time code and the stored start-time and end-time codes, respectively, and a conditioning circuit for conditioning the power switch in response to the first and second coincidence outputs, so that the power switch is enabled and disabled, respectively, following the occurrence of the start and end times when the outputs of the timing circuit and the first memory coincide, a second coincidence detector for detecting the coincidence of the

Abstract: Channel selecting apparatus for use with a signal receiver coupled to a first tuning device and a signal recorder coupled to a second tuning device is operable to tune the first and second tuning devices to preselected channels for receiving broadcast frequencies. In one embodiment, the signal receiver is a television receiver including a video display, and the signal recorder is a video tape recorder (VTR). Selectively operable channel selectors, common to the first and second tuning devices supply channel selector signals to determine the tuning condition of both tuning devices. When the VTR is actuated, a locking circuit locks the second tuning device to the tuning condition determined immediately prior to such actuation regardless of a subsequent difference in the channel selector signals. The locking circuit in the absence of the actuation of the VTR, enables the tuning condition of the second tuning device, as well as that of the first tuning device, to be determined by the channel selector signals.

Abstract: Channel selecting apparatus for use with at least first and second tuning devices, each tuning device being responsive to a channel selecting signal supplied thereto for being tuned to a corresponding frequency. At least first and second selectors are provided for producing first and second selector signals, respectively, representing those channels to which the first and second tuning devices are tunable. A set of adjustable elements, common to all of the tuning devices are settable to produce respective channel selecting signals. At least first and second sampling circuits, associated with the first and second tuning devices, respectively, are responsive to first and second phases, respectively, of a switching signal to sample a channel selecting signal applied thereto. A set of switching circuits is provided, each switching circuit being coupled to a respective one of the adjustable elements to receive a respective first selector signal and a respective second selector signal.

Abstract: An oil pump control lever 3 is spring biased toward the fully open or maximum supply position 3b to implement fail-safe engine operation if the control wire 4 for the lever is cut or loosened. The far end of the wire 4 is connected to a handlebar throttle control lever 8 on the opposite side of its pivot point 10 from the connection of a throttle control wire 7, and the torque applied to the throttle control lever by the throttle control wire exceeds that applied by the oil supply control wire.