Abstract: An emitter follower amplifier is coupled between the output of a high voltage video amplifier and the cathode of a kinescope for reducing the effective capacitance presented to the video amplifier that is attributable to the kinescope cathode, socket, spark gaps, and related stray capacitances. A secondary undesired capacitance loading of the video amplifier is effectively reduced by regulating the collector-emitter voltages of the emitter follower output transistors at substantially constant values thereby improving parameters such as slew rate and bandwidth of the overall video display system. Nonlinear circuitry in the follower circuit facilitates accurate AKB current sensing and provides simplification of the voltage regulation circuitry. White limiting circuitry is included within the video amplifier for reducing excess peak white drive that results in objectionable smears.

Abstract: A television receiver includes telephone network interface circuitry which allows the receiver to receive and process Caller-ID signals for display during the ringing period of the telephone set. The television receiver also includes circuitry which allows a list of priority callers to be entered. In this way, the incoming Caller-ID codes are compared to the telephone numbers of the priority callers. Upon detection, the Caller-ID information of a priority caller is displayed on screen during television viewing. The telephone numbers of those callers not listed as priority callers are not displayed during the ringing period of the telephone. Both displayed and non-displayed telephone numbers which correspond to unanswered telephone calls are stored in a Caller-ID list for display at the user's convenience. In this way, the user is able to enter data to select beforehand which calling telephone numbers are permitted to interrupt his or her television show by displaying Caller-ID information on the screen.

Abstract: A projection television system includes an automatic contrast control section for controlling the amplitude of the luminance signal in response to the peak value of a luminance-representative image component signal in order to prevent white-spot blooming. Circuitry is provided for deactivating the automatic contrast control section when a user sets the contrast control level above a given threshold level, e.g., corresponding to the maximum contrast control level. As a result white-spot blooming is inhibited in order to ensure sharp images for a contrast control range below the given threshold level while allowing maximum white image components to be produced (at the expense of white spot blooming) when the contrast control level is set above the threshold level, depending on the preference of the user.