US4077049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal television interface
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1977-01-26
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1997-01-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for generating horizontal and vertical synchronization signals in synchronism with synchronization signals generated from an on-going television program received by a user is provided by employing a capacitive or inductive coupling to extract the electric or magnetic field surrounding the horizontal output transformer and deflection yoke of a television receiver and shaping the output of the coupler to provide pulses at the horizontal synchronization rate of the received program. These pulses are further multiplied, divided and shaped to provide vertical synchronization pulses. The dividing circuits include means for temporarily changing the divisor to accomplish proper framing. Auxiliary presentations can be displayed in conjunction with programs normally received by synchronizing the auxiliary presentations with the received programs by employing the generated synchronization signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph H. Baer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/04; H04N5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for generating synchronization signals from an ongoing program received at a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from the TV r.f. signal transmission source; means electrically coupled to said extracting means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate, including means for dividing the extracted signal by a predetermined number; and means for changing the divisor of said dividing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for generating synchronization signals from an ongoing program received at a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from the TV r.f. signal transmission source; means electrically coupled to said extracting means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate, including means for dividing the extracted signal by a predetermined number; and means for changing the divisor of said dividing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said predetermined number is two hundred-sixty two and one half.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said dividing means includes means for multiplying the extracted signal by a factor of two and means coupled to said multiplying means for dividing the two times signal by five hundred and twenty five.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including means coupled to said dividing means for shaping the output therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said extracting means includes a capacitive coupler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said capacitive coupler includes a conductive plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said capacitive coupler includes a length of conductive wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said extracting means includes an inductive coupler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said inductive coupler includes a core of magnetic-flux enhancing material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
Apparatus for overlaying an auxiliary presentation on an ongoing program received by a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source; means electrically coupled to said extracting means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate; means for generating an auxiliary presentation coupled to said signal extracting means and to said means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate; and means for framing the auxiliary presentation on the screen of a television receiver including means for temporarily changing the rate of the signal generated to one other than the vertical synchronization rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
Apparatus for overlaying an auxiliary presentation on an ongoing program received by a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source; means electrically coupled to said extracting means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate; means for generating an auxiliary presentation coupled to said signal extracting means and to said means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate; and means for framing the auxiliary presentation on the screen of a television receiver including means for temporarily changing the rate of the signal generated to one other than the vertical synchronization rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further including means for coupling the output of said auxiliary presentation generating means to a television receiver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for overlaying an auxiliary presentation on an ongoing program received by a television receiver from TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source; means coupled to a power line for generating a sixty Hertz signal simulating a vertical synchronization signal at a rate slightly different from the actual vertical synchronization signal rate of the ongoing program; and means for generating an auxiliary presentation coupled to said signal extracting means and to said means for generating a sixty Hertz signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for overlaying an auxiliary presentation on an ongoing program received by a television receiver from TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source; means coupled to a power line for generating a sixty Hertz signal simulating a vertical synchronization signal at a rate slightly different from the actual vertical synchronization signal rate of the ongoing program; and means for generating an auxiliary presentation coupled to said signal extracting means and to said means for generating a sixty Hertz signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further including means for coupling the output of said auxiliary presentation generating means to a television receiver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for generating synchronization signals from an ongoing program received at a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from the TV r.f. signal transmission source; means coupled to said extracting means for shaping the extracted signal; and means electrically coupled to said shaping means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for generating synchronization signals from an ongoing program received at a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: means adapted to be positioned proximate a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from the TV r.f. signal transmission source; means coupled to said extracting means for shaping the extracted signal; and means electrically coupled to said shaping means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for generating synchronization signals from an ongoing program received at a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: a capacitive pickup adapted to be positioned proximate and external to a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from the TV r.f. signal transmission source; and means electrically coupled to said capacitive pickup for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for generating synchronization signals from an ongoing program received at a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: a capacitive pickup adapted to be positioned proximate and external to a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from the TV r.f. signal transmission source; and means electrically coupled to said capacitive pickup for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for overlaying an auxiliary presentation on an ongoing program received by a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: a capacitive pickup adapted to be positioned proximate and external to a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source; means electrically coupled to said capacitive pickup for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate; and means for generating an auxiliary presentation coupled to said capacitive pickup and to said means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for overlaying an auxiliary presentation on an ongoing program received by a television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source, comprising: a capacitive pickup adapted to be positioned proximate and external to a television receiver for extracting a signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronization signal received by the television receiver from a TV r.f. signal transmission source; means electrically coupled to said capacitive pickup for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate; and means for generating an auxiliary presentation coupled to said capacitive pickup and to said means for generating a signal at the vertical synchronization rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |