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Sommaire du brevet 1175562 

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

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  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Brevet: (11) CA 1175562
(21) Numéro de la demande: 1175562
(54) Titre français: DISPOSITIF AUTOMATIQUE DE CONTROLE DE LA POLARISATION POUR KINESCOPE AVEC TRAITEMENT DE SIGNAL NUMERIQUE
(54) Titre anglais: AUTOMATIC KINESCOPE BIAS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING
Statut: Durée expirée - après l'octroi
Données bibliographiques
(51) Classification internationale des brevets (CIB):
  • H04N 09/16 (2006.01)
  • H04N 09/20 (2006.01)
(72) Inventeurs :
  • HINN, WERNER (Suisse)
(73) Titulaires :
  • RCA CORPORATION
(71) Demandeurs :
  • RCA CORPORATION (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(74) Agent: ROLAND L. MORNEAUMORNEAU, ROLAND L.
(74) Co-agent:
(45) Délivré: 1984-10-02
(22) Date de dépôt: 1982-01-26
Licence disponible: S.O.
Cédé au domaine public: S.O.
(25) Langue des documents déposés: Anglais

Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT): Non

(30) Données de priorité de la demande:
Numéro de la demande Pays / territoire Date
295,118 (Etats-Unis d'Amérique) 1981-08-21
8102271 (Royaume-Uni) 1981-01-26

Abrégés

Abrégé anglais


RCA 75,602
Abstract of the Disclosure
Apparatus is disclosed in a video signal processing
system for automatically monitoring and controlling the
blanking (black) current level of an image reproducing
kinescope. A kinescope cathode output signal proportional
to the level of cathode black level current conduction is
induced during periodic monitoring intervals during which
image signals are absent. The cathode signal is induced in
response to a grid drive pulse applied during the monitoring
intervals. The induced cathode signal is processed by a
digital signal processing network to produce incremental
bias control voltage steps for modifying the cathode bias,
if necessary, in a direction to produce a desired cathode
black current level. In addition, there is disclosed a
special form of grid drive pulse which serves to prevent
system "hunting" in the vicinity of the correct cathode bias.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


- 31 - RCA 75,602
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. In a system for processing an image representa-
tive video signal having periodically recurring image
display intervals and image blanking intervals during which
image information to be displayed is absent, said system
including an image display kinescope having an electron
gun with cathode and grid intensity control electrodes;
and means for coupling video signals to said kinescope
electron gun; apparatus for automatically controlling the
level of cathode blanking current conducted by said kinescope,
comprising:
means for providing a reference bias voltage to
said cathode electrode during a monitoring, interval within
said blanking interval when said blanking current conduction
of said kinescope is to be monitored;
means operative during said monitoring interval
for deriving a signal proportional to the level of cathode
current conducted during said blanking interval; and
signal processing means responsive to said derived
signal, comprising
digital signal processing means for
sensing the condition of the level of a
sequence of N derived signals, where N
is an integer greater than 1, to develop
a first signal when a sensed sequence of
derived signals corresponds to a condition
of desired cathode blanking current level,
and a second signal when a sensed sequence
of derived signals corresponds to a deviation
of said cathode blanking current level from
said desired level; and
bias control voltage generator means
responsive to said second signal for
supplying a bias control voltage to said
video signal coupling means with a sense
(continued on next page)

- 32 - RCA 75,602
Claim 1 continued:
for modifying the bias of said kinescope
cathode in a direction to adjust said
cathode blanking current level toward said
desired level.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said
signal processing means includes
means for sensing the magnitude of said derived
signal to provide an output signal with a first logic state
when said derived signal exhibits a magnitude corresponding
to a cathode current level greater than said desired level,
and to provide an output signal with a complementary logic
state relative to said first logic state when said derived
signal exhibits a magnitude corresponding to a cathode
current level less than said desired level; and
means for supplying said output signals from said
sensing means as input signals to said digital signal
processing means.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said
bias control voltage generator means comprises:
a digital counter responsive to input timing
signals and having plural outputs, an enable control input
for enabling or disabling said counter in response to signals
applied thereto, and a count control input for determining
the counting sense of said counter in response to signals
applied thereto; and
a digital-to-analog signal converter responsive to
said plural counter outputs for providing said bias control
voltage in sequential incremental steps in accordance with
the logic state of said counter outputs and the timing of
said counter.

- 33 - RCA 75,602
4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein
said counter timing signals occur at the rate of said
monitoring intervals.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said
digital-to-analog converter comprises
a resistive voltage divider network with plural
inputs coupled respectively to said plural counter outputs,
and an output coupled to said video signal coupling means.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said
digital signal processing means comprises:
a serial shift register timed to operate during
intervals when said derived signal is present, and having
an input for receiving output signals from said sensing
means, and plural outputs; and
a logic control network responsive to the logic
state of said shift register outputs, and having first and
second control outputs respectively coupled to said enable
and count control inputs of said counter.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein
said counter is enabled when said first output of
said logic control network exhibits one logic state in
response to a condition wherein a given number of said
plural shift register outputs exhibits one logic state and
a given number of said plural shift register outputs
exhibits a complementary logic state; and
said counter is disabled when said first output of
said logic control network exhibits a complementary logic
state in the absence of said condition.

- 34 - RCA 75,602
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein
said counter is enabled for the condition wherein
said plural shift register outputs exhibit the same logic
state.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein
said second output of said logic control network
exhibits one logic state for causing said counter to count
in one direction such that said bias control voltage adjusts
said-kinescope cathode bias in one direction towards the
desired level; and
said second output of said logic control network
exhibits a complementary logic state for causing said
counter to count in another direction such that said bias
control voltage adjusts said kinescope cathode bias in
another direction toward the desired level.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said
signal processing means comprises:
a signal comparator responsive to a reference
signal and to the magnitude of said derived signal for
providing an output signal with first or second logic
states when said derived signal is sensed as having a
magnitude corresponding to a cathode current level greater
than or less than said desired level, respectively;
a first digital counter responsive to said
comparator output signal, said first counter having plural
outputs and being timed to operate during intervals when
said derived signal is present;
a logic control network responsive to the logic
state of said plural outputs of said first counter for
providing first and second logic control output signals;
a second digital counter with enable and count
control inputs respectively responsive to said first and
(continued on next page)

- 35 - RCA 75,602
Claim 10 continued:
second output signals of said logic control network, and
having plural outputs;
a digital-to-analog signal converter responsive to
said plural outputs of said second counter for providing
said bias control voltage in sequential incremental steps
in accordance with the logic state of said outputs of said
second counter; and wherein
said second counter is enabled in response to
said first output signal of said logic control network when
said plural outputs of said first counter exhibit a first
predetermined logic state; said second counter being caused
to count up in response to said second output signal from
said logic control network when said plural outputs of said
first counter exhibit a second predetermined logic state,
and being caused to count down in response to said second
output signal from said logic control network when said
plural outputs of said first counter exhibit a third
predetermined logic state.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein
said plural outputs of said first counter
correspond in number to said integer N where N is greater
than three.
12. Apparatus according to Claim 10, and further
comprising
means for presetting said second counter to a
predetermined point the counting range when said system is
initially energized.

- 36 - RCA 75,602
13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein
said second counter is preset to the middle of the
counting range such that said bias control voltage is
initially established at a mid-range value.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein
said signal processing means includes sensing
means responsive to the magnitude of said derived signal
for providing an output signal with first or second logic
states when said derived signal is sensed as having a
magnitude corresponding to a cathode current level greater
or less than said desired level, respectively; and
said digital processing means responds to said
output signal from said sensing means for providing said
first signal representative of said desired current level
condition when output signals from said sensing means
exhibit complementary logic states during N consecutive
derived signal intervals; and for providing said second
signal representative of said deviation from said desired
current condition when output signals from said sensing
means exhibit the same logic state during N consecutive
derived signal intervals.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein
said N consecutive intervals of said derived
signal corresponds to two consecutive intervals.

- 37 - RCA 75,602
16. Apparatus according to Claims 14 wherein
said bias control voltage generator means comprises:
a digital counter responsive to input clock
signals and having plural outputs, an enable control input
for enabling or disabling said counter in response to
signals applied thereto, and a count control input for
determining the counting sense of said counter in response
to signals applied thereto; and
a digital-to-analog signal converter responsive
to said plural counter outputs for providing said bias control
voltage in sequential incremental steps in accordance with
the logic state of said counter outputs and the clocking
of said counter.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein:
said first and second signals from said digital
processing means are applied to said enable control input
of said counter for enabling and disabling said counter in
response to said first and second signals, respectively;
and wherein said digital signal processing means further
includes
means for inhibiting said counter for an interval
greater than said N intervals in response to said output
signals from said sensing means exhibiting complementary
logic states during said N consecutive derived signal
intervals.
18. Apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein
said digital signal processing means supplies a
count control output signal to said count control input of
said counter; said count control output signal exhibiting
one logic state for enabling said counter to count up when
said second signal uniformly exhibits one logic state during
said N consecutive intervals, and for enabling said counter
(continued on next page)

- 38 - RCA 75,602
Claim 18 continued:
to count down when said second signal uniformly exhibits a
complementary logic state during said N consecutive intervals.
19. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and further
comprising:
means for imparting a prescribed amplitude offset
to said derived signals such that adjacent derived signals
within said sequence of N derived signals mutually exhibit
a difference in magnitude including said offset.
20. In a system for processing an image
representative video signal having periodically recurring
image display intervals and image blanking intervals during
which image information to be displayed is absent, said
system including an image display kinescope having an
electron gun with cathode and grid intensity control
electrodes; and means for coupling video signals to said
cathode electrode; apparatus for automatically controlling
the level of cathode blanking current conducted by said
kinescope, comprising:
means for providing a reference bias voltage to
said cathode electrode during a monitoring interval within
said blanking interval when said blanking current conduction
of said kinescope is to be monitored;
means for providing an auxiliary signal to said
grid electrode with a sense for forward biasing said grid
electrode during said monitoring interval;
means operative during said monitoring interval
for deriving a signal proportional to the level of cathode
current conducted during said blanking interval in response
to said auxiliary signal; and
(continued on next page)

- 39 - RCA 75,602
Claim 20 continued:
signal processing means responsive to said
derived signal, comprising
digital signal processing means for
sensing the condition of the level of a
sequence of N derived signals, where N
is an integer greater than 1, to develop
a first signal when a sensed sequence of
derived signals corresponds to a condition
of desired cathode blanking current level,
and a second signal when a sensed sequence
of derived signals corresponds to a deviation
of said cathode blanking current level from
said desired level; and
bias control voltage generator means
responsive to said second signal for supplying
a bias control voltage to said video signal
coupling means with a sense for modifying the
bias of said kinescope cathode in a direction
to adjust said cathode blanking current level
toward said desired level.
21. Apparatus according to Claim 20 wherein
said auxiliary signal comprises repetitive pulses
exhibiting a prescribed amplitude offset such that adjacent
pulses within a sequence of N pulses mutually exhibit a
difference in magnitude corresponding to said offset; and
wherein
adjacent derived signals within said sequence of
N derived signals mutually exhibit a difference in magnitude
including an offset proportional to said prescribed offset.

- 40 - RCA 75,602
22. Apparatus according to Claim 21, wherein
said bias control voltage changes in fixed
increments for proportionally modifying said kinescope
cathode bias voltage in incremental control voltage steps;
said derived signal exhibits a peak amplitude
undesirably subject to variation within a range of amplitudes
induced by noise; and
said prescribed offset is chosen to establish a
given relationship between said control voltage step and
said noise induced amplitude range.
23. In a system for processing color image
representative video signals having periodically recurring
image display intervals and image blanking intervals during
which image information to be displayed is absent, said
system including a color image display kinescope having
plural electron guns each with a cathode electrode, and an
associated grid electrode energized in common with said
cathode electrodes; and means for respectively coupling
video signals to said cathode electrodes; apparatus
separately associated with each of said cathode electrodes
for automatically controlling the level of respective
cathode blanking currents conducted by said kinescope,
each of said apparatus comprising:
means for providing a reference bias voltage to
I said cathode electrode during a monitoring interval within
said blanking interval when said blanking current conduction
of said kinescope is to be monitored;
means for providing an auxiliary signal to said
grid electrode with a sense for forward biasing said grid
electrode during said monitoring interval;
means operative during said monitoring interval
for deriving a signal proportional to the level of cathode
current conducted during said blanking interval; and
(continued on next page)

- 41 - RCA 75,602
Claim 23 continued:
signal processing means responsive to said derived
signal, comprising
digital signal processing means for
sensing the condition of the level of a
sequence of N derived signals, where N is
an integer greater than 1, to develop a first
signal when a sensed sequence of derived
signals corresponds to a condition of
desired cathode blanking current level, and
a second signal when a sensed sequence of
derived signal corresponds to a deviation of
said cathode blanking current level from said
desired level; and
bias control voltage generator means
responsive to said second signal for
supplying a bias control voltage to said video
signal coupling means with a sense for
modifying the bias of said kinescope cathode
in a direction to adjust said cathode blanking
current level toward said desired level.

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


~175562
- 1 -- RCA 75,602
AN AUTOMATIC KINESCOPE BIAS CONTROL
SYSTEM WITH DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESS ING
This invention relates to apparatus for automati-
cally controlling the bias of an image reproducing
kinescope in a video signal processing system such as a
color television receiver or an equivalent system, in order
to establish proper blanking current levels for the electron
10 guns of the kinescope. In particular, this invention
concerns such automatic bias control apparatus including a
digital signal p.rocessor for developing bias control
voltages to establish the proper blanking current levels.
A color image reproducing kinescope included in a
15 color television receiver comprises a plurality of electron
guns each energized by red, green and blue color representa-
tive signals derived from a composite color television signal.
Optimum reproduction of a color image requires that the
relative proportions of the color representative signals
ao be correct at all kinescope drive levels from white through
gray to black, at which level the three electron guns should
exhibit significantly reduced conduction or be cut-off.
The optimum reproduction of a color picture and
gray scale tracking of the kinescope are impaired when
25 the biases of the electron guns vary from desired levels,
causing unwanted kinescope blanking level (black level) errors
to be produced. These errors are visible as a color tint on
a displayed monochrome picture, and also upset the color
fidelity of a displayed color image. Such errors can be
30 caused by a variety of factors, including variations in
the operating characteristics of the kinescope and associated
circuits (e.g., due to aging), temperature effects, and
momentary kinescope "flashovers."
Since it is desirable to assure that the
35 proportioning of the color signals to the kinescope is
correct at all picture brightness levels, color television
receivers commonly include provisions for adjusting the
kinescope and associated circuits in a set-up or service

11755~'~
1 - 2 - RCA 75,602
operating mode of the receiver in accordance with well
known procedures. Briefly, a service switch with "normal"
5 and "service" positions is operatively associated with the
receiver signal processing circuits and the kinescope. In
the "service" position, video signals are decoupled from
the kinescope and vertical scan is collapsed. The bias
of each electron gun is then adjusted to establish a
10 desired blanking current (e.g., a few microamperes) for
each electron gun. This adjustment ensures that the
kinescope is properly blanked in the absence of an applied
video signal or in response to a black reference level of
the video signal, and also ensures a proper proportion of
15 color signals at all brightness levels. The kinescope
driver circuits associated with each electron gun are then
adjusted for a desired gain (e.g., to compensate for
kinescope phosphor inefficiencies) to assure a proper
proportion of red, green and blue signal drive when the
20 receiver operates normally.
The kinescope blanking adjustment is time-consuming
and inconvenient, and typically should be performed several
times during the life of the kinescope. In addition, the
kinescope blanking and gain adjustments often interact with
25 each other, thereby requiring that successive adjustments
be made. Therefore, it is advantageous to eliminate the
need for this adjustment such as by having this adjustment
performed automatically by circuits within the receiver.
Various automatic kinescope bias control systems
30 employing analog signal processing techniques are known.
The known systems typically measure the value of a very
small cathode blanking current periodically during a given
interval (e.g., occurring within a vertical image blanking
interval of the television signal when picture information is
35 absent) when a suitable (black) reference level signal is
applied to an intensity control electrode of the kinescope.
A derived control voltage is used to correct the biasing of
a kinescope driver amplifier to produce a desired level of

1~55~Z
1 ~ 3 - RCA 75,602
cathode blanking current. However, the known analog systems
suffer from disadvantages which are avoided by an arrangement
5 according to the present invention.
Known systems employing analog signal processing
techniques typically perform the following functions. The
cathode blanking level current is sensed, and a proportional
cathode signal is derived, during cathode blanking current
10 intervals. The cathode signal is then filtered to develop
a voltage proportional to the magnitude of the cathode
signal. A DC bias control voltage is obtained by additional
filtering, and is applied to the kinescope driver amplifier
via a feedback control loop so as to correct for any
15 kinescope biasing error and associated cathode black level
current error.
The control loop serves to stabilize the cathode
black current level at a desired correct value. The accuracy
of the control mechanism is a function of the control loop
20 gain, which is on the order of 70 db for a typical analog
system. Highly accurate bias control requires high control
loop gain. However, a high gain control loop can exhibit
instabilities (e.g., random fluctuations or oscillations of
the cathode bias level) in large part due to the one or more
25 filtering functions which are performed to develop the DC
bias control voltage. These filtering functions each
utilize RC time constant networks which introduce signal
processing delays and phase shifts in the control loop,
which tend to compromise the stability of the control loop.
In accordance with the invention, the network for
generating the bias control voltage comprises a digital
signal processing network. An automatic kinescope bias
control system employing the digital signal processor offers
precise kinescope biasing control, is stable with very high
35 control loop gains, (e.g., on the order of 150 db to 200 db),
and is not prone to producing random fluctuations or
oscillation of the cathode bias level. The system does not
require integrating or storage capacitors (e.g., for

11755~Z
1 - 4 - RCA 75,602
filtering), and can be readily fabricated as an integrated
eircuit. In addition, the digital processor requires only
5 inexpensive, low power, low speed logic circuits.
Specifically, the digital processor senses the
eondition of the amplitude of a sequence of periodically
derived signal whieh are proportional to the level of
blanking current conducted by the kinescope cathode. The
10 digital proeessor develops a first control signal when the
amplitudes of a sequenee of derived signals corresponds to
correet eathode bias, and a second control signal when the
amplitudes of a sequence of derived signals eorresponds to a
deviation from correct bias. The second control signal
15 enables a bias voltage generator to develop an incrementally
ehanging bias eontrol voltage whieh modifies the eathode
voltage until a eorreet eathode bias voltage and eorresponding
blanking current level are obtained.
In accordance with a feature of the invention,
20 the derived signal corresponds to periodically recurring
cathode pulses which are induced during signal blanking
intervals in response to periodic grid excitation pulses.
In accordance with another feature of the invention,
a preseribed amplitude offset is imparted to the derived
25 signals sueh that ad~aeent derived signals within a sequence
of derived signals mutually differ in amplitude by an amount
ineluding the offset, to prevent system hunting in the
vieinity of eorreet bias.
In the drawing:
FIGURE 1 shows a bloek diagram of a portion of a
eolor television reeeiver including video driver and cathode
pulse proeessor apparatus in an automatie kineseope bias
eontrol system according to the present invention;
FIGURE 2 illustrates waveforms helpful in
3G understanding the operation of the apparatus in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 shows a circuit arrangement of the video
driver and associated networks shown in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 shows circuit details of a portion of the

117SS62
1 - 5 - RCA 75,602
cathode pulse processor of FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 5 shows circuit details of a digital signal
5 processor included in the cathode pulse processor;
FIGURE 6 shows additional details of the digital
processor arrangement of FIGURE 5;
FIGURE 7 depicts a block diagram of another
version of the digital signal processor included in the
10 cathode pulse processor of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 8 illustrates timing signal waveforms
helpful in understanding the operation of the arrangement
of FIGURE 7;
FIGURES 9-11 depict alternative circuit versions
15 of a portion of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 7;
FIGURES 12 and 13 depict alternative circuit
versions of another portion of the arrangement of FIGURE 7;
- FIGURES 14 and 15-17 illustrate signal waveforms
helpful in understanding a feature of the invention;
FIGURE 18 shows a circuit for generating a
particular form of an excitation signal related to a feature
of the invention;
FIGURE 19 illustrates signal waveforms associated
with the operation of the circuit shown in FIGURE 18;
FIGURE 20 shows a circuit for generating signals
utilized by apparatus according to the invention; and
FIGURE 21 illustrates signal waveforms associated
with the circuit of FIGURE 20.
In FIGURE 1, television signal processing circuits
30 10 (e.g., including video detector, amplifier and filter
stages) provide separated luminance (Y) and chrominance (C)
components of a composite color television signal to a
demodulator-matrix 12. Matrix 12 provides output low level
color image representative signals r, g and b. These signals
35 are amplified and otherwise processed by circuits within
cathode signal processing networks 14a, 14b and 14c,
respectively, which supply high level amplified color image
signals R, G and B to respective cathode intensity control

1~556Z
1 - 6 - RCA 75,602
electrodes 16a, 16b and 16c of a color kinescope 15.
In this example, kinescope 15 is of the self-converging
5 in-line gun type with a commonly energized grid 18 associated
with each of the electron guns comprising cathode electrodes
16a, 16b and 16c.
Cathode signal processing networks 14a, 14b and
14c are similar in this embodiment. Therefore, the
10 following discussion of the construction and operation of
processing network 14a also applies to networks 14b and 14c.
In network 14a, a black level insertion network 20
(e.g., comprising an electronic switch) couples and decouples
the r signal output from matrix 12 to a video signal input
15 of a kinescope driver 21 in response to a timing signal BLK.
Driver stage 21 includes a signal amplification network for
developing high level output signal R which is applied to
kinescope cathode 16a. Another output of driver 21 is
coupled to an input of a cathode pulse processor 22. This
20 output of driver 21 provides induced cathode pulses (CP)
during cathode current monitoring intervals, as will be
discussed. Processor 22 is timed to operate in response
to timing signals C, SR and CLP to produce an output bias
control signal VB which is supplied to a bias control input
25 of driver 21 or modifying the bias of the amplifier
circuits within driver 21 to control the blanking (black)
level current conducted by cathode 16a, as will also be
discussed.
A pulse generator 28 responds to vertical retrace
30 blanking signals V derived from vertical deflection circuits
of the receiver for generating timing signals BLX, C, SR and
CLP. Signal V recurs at a 60 Hz. rate for a television
receiver according to NTSC broadcast television signal
standards in the United States, and at a 50 Hz. rate
35 according to PAL television standards. Unit 28 also
generates an output grid drive voltage pulse GP during an
interval when the cathode blanking current of kinescope 15
is to be monitored. The output of unit 28 from which signal

1~755~.
1 - 7 - RCA 75,602
GP is provided also supplies an appropriate bias voltage
for grid 18 (substantially zero volts in this example)
5 at times other than the grid pulse interval.
The kinescope cathode current monitoring interval
occurs after the end of vertical retrace blanking, but before
the beginning of the picture interval of the television signal
containing picture information to be displayed. The
10 monitoring interval occurs during a portion of a larger time
interval that encompasses several horizontal lines during
which picture information is absent. However, the operation
of monitoring the kinescope cathode blanking current produces
no visible effects on a displayed picture since the kinescope
15 is overscanned at this time (i.e., the kinescope electron
beam is deflected to strike the face of the kinescope above
the picture display area).
By way of example, the monitoring interval
encompasses the first two horizontal lines that occur after
20 vertical retrace blanking ends, as indicated in waveform a of
FIGURE 2 with reference to the periodic positive horizontal
blanking pulses occurring at the line rate.
The BLK pulse encompassing the vertical retrace and
monitoring intervals is shown in waveform b of FIGURE 2. The
25 grid drive plllse GP, which encompasses lines 1 and 2 within
the monitoring interval after the end of vertical retrace, is
shown in waveform c. The grid pulse preferably exhibits a
fixed positive amplitude within a range of +5 to +1~ volts,
depending upon the requirements of a particular system, with
30 respect to a lower pulse pedestal level corresponding to a
normal grid bias level of zero volts in this example.
Referring back to FIGURE 1, a gate included in
black level insertion network 20 is opened in response to
signal BLK during the vertical retrace and monitoring
35 interval (FIGURE 2) to inhibit conduction of signal r from
matrix 12 to driver 21, and a black reference voltage is
substituted in the r signal path. This establishes a
given black reference

~175562
1 - 8 - RCA 75,602
bias level at the video signal output of driver 21 which
drives kinescope cathode 16a, thereby also providing a
5 quiescent reference level for cathode 16a during the
BLK interval. The kinescope functions as a cathode
follower in response to grid pulse GP, wherein a similarly
phased version of the grid pulse appears at the kinescope
- cathode electrode during the grid pulse interval. The
10 amplitude of the cathode pulse CP so induced is proportional
to the level of the cathode current conduction but is
somewhat attenuated relative to the grid pulse due to the
relatively low forward transconductance of the kinescope
electron gun grid drive characteristic. The magnitude of
15 the cathode pulse is sensed by circuits within processor 22
to determine if the electron gun is conducting a desired
amount of black level current, or conducting excessively
high or low current.
Output bias control voltage VB from processor 22
20 is applied to the bias control inpu-~ of driver 21 for
modifying the DC (bias) operating point of driver 21 when
necessary/ in a direction to develop a bias level at the
signal output of driver 21 sufficient to produce the desired
cathode blankina current level by closed loop action. The
25 gate within network 20 returns to the closed position after
the monitoring interval ends, whereby color signals from
the output of matrix 12 are coupled to the signal input of
driver 21.
FIGURE 3 shows circuit details of black level
30 insertion network 20 and video driver 21 of FIGURE 1.
In FIGURE 3, black level insertion network 20 is
shown as comprising a single pole, double throw electronic
switch 30, and an associated source of reference voltage 33.
Source 33 includes a ~ener diode 34 in conjunction with a
35 variable voltage divider including a potentiometer 35.
Video driver 21 comprises a cascode amplifier including
transistors 40 and 42. Video drive signal R is applied to
the kinescope cathode from the emitter circuit of transistor

117SS6Z
- 9 - RCA 75,602
42 via a resistor 43. The cathode pulse CP induced during
the monitoring interval is derived from the collector
5 circuit of transistor 42 via a protection resistor 44.
When switch 30 is in the open position (as shown) during
the vertical retrace and monitoring interval, video signal r
is decoupled from driver 21, and a black level reference
voltage from the wiper of potentiometer 35 is applied
10 to the base input circuit of transistor 40 via switch
contacts "a" and "b". Accordingly, a reference quiescent
level is caused to appear at the emitter of transistor 42
which is DC coupled to the kinescope cathode. At all other
times, switch 30 is in the other position wherein video
15 signal r is coupled via switch contacts "c" and "b" to the
base input circuit of transistor 40 for amplification by
driver 21.
The bias control voltage VB provided from the
output of cathode pulse processor 22 (FIGURE 1) is DC
20 coupled to the base input circuit o~ amplifier transistor 40.
Increasing (i.e., more positive) levels of control voltage
VB cause a proportional decrease in the kinescope cathode
bias voltage developed at the emitter of transistor 42,
which in turn serves to increase the black level current
25 conduction of the kinescope cathode. Conversely, decreasing
levels of voltage VB result in proportionally reduced
cathode current conduction.
Cathode pulse cr can also be derived by employing
a voltage divider network as disclosed in my U.S. Patent No.
4,263/622, among other techniques. However, deriving the
cathode pulse fr~m the collector output of active load
transistor 42 as shown in FIGURE 3 is advantageous since it
provides a greater cathode pulse amplitude at a lower output
impedance.
FIGURE 4 shows the input circuit of processor 22,
comprising a clamping amplifier 50 and a comparator 65.

117556Z
1 - 10 - RCA 75,602
Clamping amplifier 50 comprises a signal inverting
operational amplifier 52 with an inverting signal input (-)
5 and a non-inverting reference input (+). A voltage divider
comprising resistors 53, 54 and a diode 56 together with a
resistor 55 and a capacitor 62 comprises the input circuit
of network 50. A reference voltage Vrl developed in the
voltage divider is applied to the reference input of
10 amplifier 52. In order for the output signal from amplifier
52 to accurately represent variations in the peak amplitude
of cathode pulse CP, it is necessary for the output signal
from amplifier 52 to be referenced to a predictable level.
This is accomplished by means of a feedback clamping network
15 including a single pole, single throw electronic switch 60
(shown in the open position) and input clamping capacitor 62.
Network 50 operates as follows. At all times
except during the cathode pulse interval, switch 60 is
rendered conductive (closed) in response to clamp timing
20 control signal CLP. This occurs during times Tc preceding
and following the cathode pulse interval Tp. By feedback
action the inverting input of amplifier 52 is clamped to
the output level of amplifier 52, which is then at Vrl
reference potential. This feedback action is accomplished by
25 means of switch 60, when closed, in cooperation with input
capacitor 62. During cathode pulse interval Tp, switch 60
is rendered non-conductive (open) as shown in response to
signal CLP, and an amplified, inverted version of the
cathode pulse appears at the output of amplifier 52. The
30 cathode pulse output from amplifier 52 exhibits a (variable)
peak-to-peak amplitude with respect to a stable reference
level produced by the clamping action. The amplitude of
the cathode pulse from amplifier 52 is sensed by comparator
65.
Comparator 65 comprises an operational amplifier
with an inverting input (-) coupled to the output of
amplifier 52, and a non-inverting input (+) coupled to a
reference voltage Vr2 also generated in the voltage divider

li7~S~;~
1 - 11 - RCA 75,602
comprising resistors 53, 54 and diode 56. The comparator
produces a logic "1" output level when the amplitude of the
5 negative-going cathode pulse from network 50 exceeds a level
Vrl - Vr2. This occurs when the cathode black current level
is greater than the desired current level, corresponding to
a condition of low cathode bias voltage. The comparator
produces a logic "0" output level when the cathode pulse
10 amplitude from network 50 is less than Vrl - Vr2. This
occurs when the cathode black current level is less than the
desired level, corresponding to a condition of high cathode
bias voltage. Correct cathode biasing is evidence when the
cathode pulse peak amplitude is substantially equal to
5 Vrl Vr2.
In the case of correct cathode bias, the comparator
produces a random sequence of output "1" and "0" logic
signal levels in response to a sequence of cathode pulses,
due to unavoidable random noise which is superimposed on
20 each cathode pulse. This noise originates from the
kinescope and amplifier 52, among other sources in the
receiver , and causes the amplitude of individual cathode
pulses to randomly fluctuate slightly above and below the
comparator switching level. The output logic signals
25 produced by comparator 65 are hereinafter referred to as
signals CP', and are suitable for further processing by a
digital signal processor as shown in FIGURE 5.
The value of reference voltage Vrl applied to
amplifier 52 exceeds the value of reference voltage Vr2
30 applied to comparator 65 by an amount equal to the offset
voltage of diode 56. The voltage difference between Vrl
and Vr2 in conjunction with the gain of amplifier 52 deter-
mines the amount of control over the cathode pulse amplitude
that can be provided by the closed control loop. In accord-
35 ance with the requirements of a particular system, thisvoltage difference can exhibit a value within a range of
from several millivolts to several volts. However,

117556Z
1 - 12 - RCA 75,602
better control of the "black level" cathode current in the
vicinity of kinescope cut-off is achieved for smaller
5 values of this voltage difference.
In FIGURE 5, the digital signal processor
comprises a 16-bit shift register 70, a logic control
network 76 including an AND logic gate 71, first and second
NOR logic gates 72 and 73, and an inverter 75, and a counter
10 77 controlled in response to outputs from control network 76.
Gates 71, 72 and 73 are arranged to perform an EXCLUSIVE-OR
logic function.
Signals CP' are applied to the serial input of
shift register 70, which is clocked during each cathode
15 pulse interval by the triggering (i.e., leading) edge of a
clock pulse SR occurring during the cathode pulse interval.
Each SR pulse permits either a logic "1" or logic "0" signal
level (in accordance with the levels of input pulses CP')
to be shifted sequentially into the shift register storage
20 cells, corresponding to outputs Ql through Q16' with
shifting occurring from left to right. Control network 76
examines the 16 parallel outputs (Ql ~ Q16) of shift
register 70 by means of 16-input AND gate 71 and NOR gate 72
and develops a control signal at the output of NOR gate 73
25 for either enabling or disabling the operation of counter 77
via an INHIBIT control input. In this example, inverter 75
responds to the level of the Q2 output of the shift register
to develop a control signal for causing counter 77 to either
count UP or count DOWN. However, inverter 75 can be
30 arranged to sense other outputs of the shift register.
Counter 77 comprises an 8-bit counter clocked by
a pulse timing signal C at the vertical field scanning rate.
The triggering edge of this signal must not occur during
the cathode pulse interval to avoid changing the kinescope
35 cathode bias during the cathode pulse interval. Thus the
triggering edge Gf this signal can coincide with the end
of the cathode pulse interval, or can occur shortly
thereafter. The eight outputs of counter 77~ Ql ~ Q8' are

11755~i2
1 - 13 - RCA 75,602
connected to a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) network 78
comprising an R/2R ladder network.
Network 78 generates an output DC voltage ranging
from zero volts to +12 volts in response to the state of the
counter outputs. Since counter 77 can provide 256 output
states (i.e., 28 states), the DAC output voltage resolution,
or incremental voltage step, is equal to +46.875 millivolts
10 (i.e., +12 volts/256). The DAC output voltage is coupled
via a voltage follower 79 to video driver 21. This voltage,
VB, is used for controlling the kinescope cathode bias.
In practice, a kinescope black level bias adjustment range
of about 40 volts is required at the kinescope cathode
15 electrode (e.g., from +140 volts to +180 volts). In this
example, an eight-bit counter as shown permits DC bias level
control over this range in increments of 156.26 millivolts
(i.e., 40 volts/256 counter states).
Logic control network 76 is arranged to discriminate
20 between three cathode bias conditions and three corresponding
output bit patterns of shift register 70. When the cathode
current level is too high (i.e., the cathode bias voltage is
too low), the switching level of comparator 65 (FIGURE 4)
will be exceeded and signal CP' will comprise a "1" logi~
25 level signal (a positive pulse) for every cathode pulse.
Assuming this condition does not change, the outputs of
shift register 70 will all be at a "1" logic level after
sixteen vertical fields. This condition is sensed by AND
gate 71 and NOR gate 72 of network 76, causing a "0" logic
3~ signal to be developed at the output of gate 73. In addition,
since the Q2 output of shift register 70 is a "1" logic
signal, a "0" logic signal is developed at the output of
inverter 75. This enables counter 77 to count down.
Consequently, bias control voltage VB decreases in increments
35 of 156.25 millivolts for each vertical field, and the
cathode bias voltage proportionally increases in a direction
to reduce cathode current, until the correct bias condition
is reached.

~7~ Z
1 - 14 - RCA 75,602
Conversely, when the cathode current level is too
low (i.e., cathode bias voltage is too high), signal CP'
5 will exhibit a "0" logic level for each cathode pulse and
the shift register outputs will all be at a "0" logic
level after sixteen vertical fields. In this case counter 77
is enabled to count down. Consequently, bias control
voltage VB increases during each vertical field by 156.25
10 millivolts until the correct bias condition is reached.
When the cathode bias condition is correct, signal
CP' will comprise a random series of "1" and "0" logic
signals. Accordingly, the outputs of shift register 70 will
no longer comprise a uniform series of either "1" or "0"
15 logic levels. This condition when sensed by network 76
will cause gate 73 to produce a logic "1" signal for
inhibiting counter 77 and thereby stopping the bias
correction process. This result will occur as soon as one
of the shift register outputs exhibits a complementary logic
20 level compared to the other outputs (i.e., only when the
shift register outputs do not exhibit the same logic level).
Logic control network 76 can be modified to
inhibit counter 77 only when a certain fraction (e.g., one
half) of the shift register outputs exhibits a given logic
25 state. In addition, to accelerate the correction process
while maintaining good resolution, it may be advantageous
to apply more than one clock pulse to the counter during
each field period when the bias level is far from being
correct, and to apply only one clock pulse to the counter
30 when the bias level approaches the correct level to ensure
good resolution.
FIGURE 6 shows a more detailed but modified
version of the arrangement in FIGURE 5, wherein corresponding
elements are identified by the same reference number. The
35 arrangement of FIGURE 6 resembles and operates substantially
the same as the FIGURE 5 arrangement, except that provision
is included for achieving correct cathode bias sooner after
the receiver is initially energized.

117S56Z
1 - 15 - RCA 75,602
In FIGURE 6, counter 77 includes first and second
presettable counters 80 and 82, and shift register 70
5 includes first and second resettable shift registers 84 and 86.
An electronic "power up" switch 90 (e.~., including a
monostable multivibrator) operates in conjunction with the
power switch of the receiver and is coupled to the present
inputs (P) of counters 80, 82 and to the reset inputs (R)
10 of shift registers 84 and 86. When the receiver is initially
energized, switch 90 develops a negative-going pulse for
causing shift re~isters 84 and 86 to be reset, and for
presetting counters 80, 82 to the middle of the countingrang~
For this purpose terminals 4, 12, 13 and 3 (the "jam inputs")
15 of counters 80 and 82 are connected to ground and to the
positive voltage supply (+12 volts) as shown such that,
upon application of the negative-going pulse to the present
counter inputs (P), the outputs of counters 80 and 82 are
caused to exhibit logic states corresponding to the middle
20 of the counting range. This produces a bias control voltage
VB at the center of the control range, corresponding to a
voltage value likely to be in the vicinity of a value
required to achieve correct biasing.
The digital automatic kinescope bias control
25 system as so far described exhibits significantly greater
stability than analog systems for the following reasons.
Whenever kinescope cathode bias requires correctio~
a constant amount of bias correction voltage (156.25 mv.j is
applied for each field period, independent of the control
30 1GOP gain and independent of the size of the error to be
corrected. Therefore, more time is required to correct a
large error compared to a small error, and there is
substantially no chance for correction "overshoot" with
associated control loop instability to occur.
As mentioned previously, the correction process
continues as long as the shift register outputs all exhibit
the same logic state (either "1" or "0"). As soon as the
cathode pulse level equals or substantially equals a level

1~755~'~
1 - 16 - RCA 75,602
corresponding to correct cathode bias and the CP' pulse
changes levels with respect to the preceding level (i.e.,
is complementary with respect to the preceding one), the
5 contents of shift register 70 will no longer all be the same.
As a result, the correction process is stopped substantially
immediately, without delay. The state of the counter and
the bias control voltage are then fixed and the control
loop essentially "opens", which advantageously serves to
~0 prevent fluctuations of the cathode bias voltage. However,
logic control network 76 continues to monitor the shift
register outputs during the following field intervals.
A continuing random pattern of complementary logic levels
at the shift register outputs confirms that cathode biasing
15 is correct, and the correction process remains inhibited.
If a single complementary input signal were caused
by a random noise pulse occurring during the cathode pulse
interval, the occurrence of another such complementary input
signal during a relatively large number of measuring
20 intervals, such as sixteen in this example, is unlikely.
Therefore, the correction process begins again sixteen field
periods after the noise induced complementary logic signal
caused the counter and correction process to stop, and
continues until a true random bit pattern is detected at
25 the shift register outputs. Thus, the control process
exhibits stable operation even in the presence of random
noise which may originate in the control system or in other
parts of the receiver.
The system described above, as well as the
3~ alternative system to be described subsequently, exhibits a
very high control loop gain on the order of 150 db to 200 db.
This gain is determined by the gain of clamping amplifier 50
and comparator 65 shown in FIGURE 4, and by the gain of video
-driver 21 in FIGURE 3.
The digital signal processor as thus far described
operates on the basis of an analysis of a number of N samples,
where N equals sixteen in this instance. For this purpose
the processor utilizes a sixteen bit shift register as well

li755~Z
1 - 17 - RCA 75,602
as sixteen-input AND and NOR gate configuration as shown in
FIGURES 5 and 6. Values for N of between four and sixteen
5 are considered suitable for the described system. A value
for N of sixteen produces stable operation under very noisy
conditions, while a value for N of four is sufficient when
the system operates in a low noise environment.
FIGURES 7 and 9-13 show simplified versions of
10 the digital signal processor which perform the same
function as the previously described processor but with
significantly reduced size, cost and complexity. With
reference to FIGURE 5 and corresponding FIGURE 6, the
simplified digital processor to be described replaces
15 shift register 70 and logic control networ~ 76. The UP/DOWN
counter 77, digital-to-analog converter 78 and voltage
follower 79 from which bias control voltage VB is supplied,
remain unchanged in a system employing the simplified
digital processor. In the discussion which follows, the
20 combination of counter 77, digital-to-analog converter 78
and voltage follower 79 are referred to as the "bias control
voltage generator".
Referring to FIGURE 7, the simplified digital
signal processor comprises a pulse sequence analyzer 95
25 responsive to input signal CP' (as previously described).
The pulse sequence analyzer responds to timing signals FF
and GATE for producing output control signals UP and TRIGGER.
The TRIGGER signal is supplied as an input to an inhibit
pulse generator 96 for producing an INHIBIT output signal.
30 The INHIBIT and UP signals are supplied as control inputs
to the UP/DOWN counter (i.e., counter 77 in FIGURES 5 and 6)
and serve the same purpose as the UP and INHIBIT signals
described previously in connection with the arrangement of
FIGURE 5. Pulse generator 98 in the system of FIGURE 7
35 also produces signals BLK, C, GP and CLP as previously
discussed, and additionally produces timing signals GATE
and FF. Signal FF essentially corresponds to timing signal
SR as described in connection with the system of FIGURE 5,

1 17~`562
1 - 18 - RCA 75,602
and is used to time the operation of a flip-flop circuit
in network 95.
6 The relative timing of signals CP', FF and GATE
is shown by waveforms a, b, and c in FIGURE 8. Signal CP'
is a pulse which has either a "1" logic level, as shown,
or a "0" logic level and occurs during the cathode pulse
interval. The rising positive edge of signal FF occurs
10 during the cathode pulse interval in order to transfer the
logic level manifested by signal CP' into storage circuits
within pulse sequence analyzer 95, as will be described.
The GATE pulse, which is not required for all of the circuit
implementations described below, occurs at the end of the
15 cathode pulse interval or shortly thereafter.
FIGURES 9, 10 and 11 show three circuits suitable
for use as pulse sequence analyzer 95. Each of these
circuits operates to generate a positive TRIGGER pulse only
when signal CP' exhibits a positive logic "1" level during
20 one of two consecutive cathode pulse intervals. Thus the
occurrence of a TRIGGER pulse indicates either of two
conditions. First, it indicates that signal CP' exhibits
a "1" logic level during the present monitoring interval
(i.e., the cathode output pulse level exceeded the comparator
25 threshold switching level) but that signal CP' exhibited
a "0" logic level during the previous monitoring interval.
Second, it indicates that signal CP' exhibits a "0" logic
level during the present monitoring interval (i.e., the
cathode output-pulse level was below the comparator
~30 threshold switching level) but that signal CP' exhibited a
"1" logic level during the previous monitoring interval.
These two conditions indicate that kinescope cathode
biasing is likely to be correct. Trigger pulses are not
generated when signal CP' exhibits repeated "1" or repeated
35 "0" logic levels in consecutive measuring intervals,
corresponding to a condition of incorrect cathode biasing.
In this case the UP/DOWN counter is enabled and the bias
correction process proceeds as discussed previously, until

1~ 7~S62
1 - 19 - RCA 75,602
correct bias is achieved. At this time the TRIGGER pulse
is generated, together with a counter INHIBIT signal, and
5 the correction process stops. Thus with the simplified
digital processor a decision to correct kinescope cathode
bias is made on the basis of two cathode pulse (CP') sampler.
- However, a number of samples with an integer value greater
than two can also be used.
Each of the pulse sequence analyzers in FIGURES
9-11 comprises an input D-type flip-flop clocked at input
CX by signal FF during the cathode pulse interval. Signal
CP' is applied to the D input. The "Q" flip-flop output
exhibits "1" or "0" logic levels when signal CP' exhibits
15 "1" or "0" logic levels, respectively, at the time the
positive-going edge of signal FF occurs.
The circuit of FIGURE 9 includes a two-bit shift
register formed by D-type flip-flops 100 and 102, an
EXCLUSIVE-OR gate 104 and an output AND gate 106. The
20 output of gate 104 is at a "1" logic level only when the
logic states of flip-flops 100 and 102 are not equal. This
occurs only when signal CP' exhibits a "1" logic level
during only one of two consecutive cathode pulse intervals.
The positive TRIGGER pulse output is generated when this
26 output of gate 104 is gated via AND gate 106 in response to
positive pulse signal GATE. The width of the output TRIGGER
pulse corresponds to the width of the GATE signal. The
GATE pulse serves to pass the information from the output
of gate 104 to the output of gate 106 after the end of the
30 cathode pulse monitoring interval. Thus a positive-going
signal edge transition appears at the output of AND gate 106
when the output of gate 104 is at a "1" logic level and
when the GATE signal is initiated, thereby triggering
inhibit generator 96. The UP counter control signal can be
35 derived from the Q output of either of flip-flops 100 or 102.
The UP signal exhibits a "1" level when signal CP' exhibits
a "0" level during two consecutive cathode pulse intervals,
indicating that pulses CP' were then absent, whereby the

117556Z
1 - 20 - RCA 75,602
counter counts up to correct a low cathode current condition.
Conversely, the UP signal exhibits a "0" level when signal
5 CP' exhibits a "1" level during two consecutive cathode pulse
intervals, indicating the presence of pulses CP', whereby
the counter counts down to correct a high cathode current
condition.
In FIGURE 10, whenever complementary outputs
10 Q and Q of a flip-flop 110 change logic state in response
to a change in the logic state of input signal CP', a
positive edge transition appears at either output Q or
output Q. These outputs are coupled to respective RC
differentiating networks 112a and 112b, followed by
15 rectifier diodes 114a and 114b which serve to suppress
negative-going pulses produced by differentiator action in
response to negative-going edge transitions at outputs Q
and Q. Thus only positive pulses produced by differentiator
action will be supplied to the inputs of an OR gate 118,
20 which will produce a positive output TRIGGER pulse with
each change of state of flip-flop outputs Q and Q. The UP
counter control signal is derived from the Q flip-flop
output. The RC time constant of each of differentiators
112a and 112b is chosen to produce a positive pulse of a
25 duration (e.g., on the order of one microsecond) sufficient
to trigger inhibit pulse generator 96.
FIGURE 11 shows an alternative form of the circuit
shown in FIGURE 10. As in the case of FIGURE 14, the circuit
of FIGURE 15 includes an input D-type flip-flop 120 and an
30 output OR gate 128 for providing the UP and TRIGGER signals.
Coupled between the Q and Q outputs of flip-flop 102 and
the inputs of OR gate 128 is a network comprising AND gates
122, 123 connected as non-inverting gates to which operate
as delay elements, and AND gates 124, 125. This circuit
35 operates the same as that of FIGURE 10, but produces TRIGGER
pulses of shorter duration than those produced by the circuit
of FIGURE 10.
The bias control voltage generator should be
'

1175~6Z
1 - ~1 - RCA 75,602
disabled for a given number (e.g., eight or sixteen) of
vertical field scanning intervals when a TRIGGER pulse is
5 generated, since the presence of a TRIGGER pulse might
indicate that kinescope cathode bias is correct. This is
accomplished by the INHIBIT pulse output of inhibit pulse
generator 96 in response to the TRIGGER pulse. The duration
of the INHIBIT pulse is greater than the duration of the
10 TRIGGER pulse, and corresponds to the duration of the given
number of intervals during which the bias control voltage
generator is to be disabled.
When biasing is correct, logic level transitions
of signal CP' will be produced at random and continuously.
15 Thus the inhibit pulse generator will be triggered
continuously, thereby generating a continuous INHIBIT
signal for disabling the bias control voltage generator.
On the other hand, assume that cathode bias is incorrect
and that the bias control voltage generator is operating
20 to correct this condition. If a false, noise induced
TRIGGER pulse is caused to be generated before correct
cathode bias is achieved, the bias voltage generator will
be disabled for the given number of vertical intervals, but
will resume proper operation immediately thereafter.
FIGURES 12 and 13 depict two versions of inhibit
pulse generator 96. In FIGURE 12 the inhibit generator
comprises a monostable ("one-shot") multivibrator 130 and
an associated RC time constant network 135. In this
example the values of the RC timing elements of network 135
30 establish a width of the counter inhibit pulse corresponding
to sixteen vertical field intervals.
The arrangement of FIGURE 13 employs a presettable
counter 140 which does not require an RC timing netwcrk.
Each input TRIGGER pulse presets counter 140 to a state which
35 is programmed by biasing the JAM inputs. In this case the
JAM inputs are biased at ground potential for programming
the counter to exhibit a zero count (i.e., 0000 at outputs
Ql to Q4) when a TRIGGER pulse is applied to the preset input.

~556Z
1 - 22 - RCA 75,602
At this time output Q4 exhibits a "0" logic level and the
I~HIBIT output of inverter 142 exhibits a "1" logic level
5 for inhibiting the counter. The counter then counts up at
the vertical field rate of cloc~ signal C. Output Q4
exhibits a "0" level, and the output of inverter 142
remains at a positive "1" logic level, until the eighth
counter clock pulse arrives, at which time the INHIBIT
10 output of inverter 142 exhibits a "0" level whereby the
bias control voltage generator is enabled.
The design of the disclosed system involves a
consideration of a "sensing threshold" parameter which is
related to the function of sensing the cathode black current
15 level, and a "control voltage step" parameter which is
related to the function of generating the cathode bias
correction voltage.
For the purposes of the following discussion the
"control step" is defined as the incremental cathode voltage
20 change caused by a (one step) incremental change in bias
control voltage VB, in response to a one step increase or
decrease of the up/down counter. In the examples given,
the control step is 156 millivolts. In systems employing a
six-bit up/down counter in the digital processor, the
25 control step is 625 millivolts (i.e., the 40 volt cathode
voltage control range, divided by the 64 counter states).
The "sensing threshold" is defined as the minimum
cathode voltage change (i.e., induced cathode pulse CP
amplitude change) that the system is able to respond to,
30 and is influenced by the noise range associated with the
cathode output pulse. If the cathode pulse amplitude is in
the vicinity of and close enough to the threshold switching
level of comparator 65 (FIGURE 4), meaning that cathode bias
is correct or substantially correct, the switching level
3~ will fall within the noise range of the induced cathode
pulse and the comparator output signal CP' comprises a
random sequence of complementary logic levels. The bias
correction process is stopped when this condition is sensed.

~17~S62
1 - 23 - RCA 75,602
The "sensing threshold" is more specifically defined as
the cathode voltage change which produces a change in the
5 induced cathode pulse amplitude equal to the width
(magnitude) of the noise range. The waveforms of FIGURE 14
are illustrative in this regard.
FIGURE 14 shows waveforms a, b, and c of cathode
pulse CP associated with three conditions of cathode black
10 level current conduction. Cathode pulse CP of waveform b
corresponds to a condition of correct cathode bias. In this
case the noise range associated with the cathode pulse
encompasses the comparator threshold switching level such
that noise effects cause the amplitudes of individual
15 cathode pulses to peak above or below the switching level,
thereby generating a random sequence of 1 and 0 logic levels
from the comparator output. Cathode pulses CP of waveforms
a and c correspond to conditions of low and high cathode
current, respectively. In the case of waveform a the
20 cathode pulse amplitude and associa~ed noise range are
below the comparator switching level, whereby the comparator
output comprises a uniform series of logic "0" levels and
the bias correction process is enabled. The correction
process is also enabled in the case of waveform c, where
26 the cathode pulse amplitude and associated noise range
- exceed the comparator switching level and the comparator
output comprises a uniform series of logic "1" levels.
In a practical television receiver system, the
kinescope cathode voltage can change because of a variety
30 of factors, such as thermally induced drift of the video
driver DC output voltage. This in turn causes the cathode
black level current and the amplitude of the induced cathode
pulse to change. In order to correct this condition, the
noise range associated with the cathode pulse amplitude must
35 be shifted entirely above or below the comparator threshold
- switching level to enable the bias correction network to
respond.
In some cases it may be desirable to design the

1175S62
1 - 24 - RCA 75,602
system so that the control step is on the order of 500 or
625 millivolts (e.g., to speed up the bias correction
5 process). However, if the control step is sufficiently
large relative to the sensing threshold, the system may
undesirably begin to "hunt" whereby the cathode voltage is
caused to vary continuously by one control step above and
below the desired correct level. The following example
10 illustrates this "hunting" condition.
Assume that the control step (the incremental
cathode voltage change) is more than slightly greater than
the sensing threshold (the cathode voltage change that
produces a cathode pulse amplitude change equal to the
15 width of the noise range). Accordingly, a single control
step will cause the cathode pulse amplitude to change by
an amount more than slightly greater than the magnitude of
the noise range. Also assume that the cathode current
and thereby the induced cathode pulse are caused to increase
20 (e.g., due to thermal drift) such that the entire cathode
pulse noise range slightly exceeds the comparator switching
level. The bias control voltage generator will then develop
a control step (incremental cathode voltage change) in a
direction to oppose the cathode current increase. However,
25 because the control step is more than slightly greater than
the sensing threshold, the control step serves to reduce
the cathode pulse amplitude such that the entire cathode
pulse noise range is now below the comparator switching level.
By a process analogous to the above, in continuance of the
3~ "hunting" process, the next control step generated will
operate to increase the cathode pulse amplitude such that
the entire cathode pulse noise range is again above the
switching level.
The described "hunting" phenomenon, and the means
35 by which it is prevented, will now be discussed with
reference to the pulse waveforms of FIGURES 15, 16 and 17.
Each of these FIGURES depicts sèven groups of pulses. For
the purpose of the following explanation, each group

1`~7556Z
1 - 25 - RCA 75,602
nominally includes four pulses corresponding to induced
cathode pulses as applied to the input of clamping amplifier
5 50 in FIGURE 4. The time between each pulse in a given group
corresponds to a vertical field interval. Each group of
four pulses (from group 1 to group 7) is typical of a
certain cathode bias voltage (from +150.624 volts to
+149.688 volts in control steps of 156 millivolts). For
10 a given cathode voltage, the peak amplitudes of the
associated cathode pulses can be expected to vary within a
noise range NR. The average of the expected amplitude
variations within the noise range is shown as AVG.
In FIGURE lS, the peak amplitudes of the cathode
15 pulses vary within a first noise range NRl such as may
exist in a highly noisy circuit environment. Pulses
within group 1 correspond to a condition ofhigh cathode
voltage, wherein the comparator output exhibits a uniform
series of 0 logic levels (0000) since noise range NRl of
20 pulses in this group falls below the comparator switching
level. Conversely, pulses within group 7 correspond to
a condition of low cathode voltage, wherein the comparator
output exhibits a uniform sequence of 1 logic levels (1111)
since noise range NRl of pulses in this group is entirely
25 above the threshold level. If either of these conditions
persist for a prescribed number of vertical field monitoring
intervals (e.g., sixteen), the bias correction voltage
generator will be enabled and will incrementally increase
or decrease the cathode voltage in control steps of 156
30 millivolts until the correct cathode bias voltage is achieved.
In this example the system will stabilize at a correct bias
of +150.156 volts or +150.00 volts (e.g., producing a cathode
black current on the order of two microamperes), at which
time the associated pulses of groups 4 and 5 exhibit peak
35 amplitudes within noise range NRl such that the comparator
output exhibits a sequence of 1 and 0 logic levels, thereby
inhibiting the correction process. In this example the

1175562
1 - 26 - RCA 75,602
magnitudes of the control step and noise range NRl are such
that "hunting" is not produced- Also in this case, either
5 of the cathode voltages associated with pulse groups 4 or 5
is considered acceptable, although greater accuracy can be
achieved if needed by employing a smaller control step.
FIGURE 16 depicts a situation wherein the magnitudes
of the control step (156 millivolts as in FIGURE 15) and a
10 noise range NR2 are such that "hunting" is produced. In
this case average pulse amplitude AVG is the same as in
FIGURE 15 for the same cathode voltage, but the noise range
NR2 is smaller than noise range NRl of the FIGURE 15
illustration.
In this case "hunting" results, as seen with
respect to pulse groups 4 and 5, since a one control step
change in the cathode voltage in the vicinity of the correct
bias voltage maintains noise range NR2 either fully above
or fully below the threshold level. Thus the comparator
20 does not generate a random sequence of 1 and 0 logic levels
necessary to disable the correction process to preclude
hunting. Instead the comparator output alternates
continuously, or "hunts", between a uniform series of 0
logic levels (pulse group 4) and 1 logic levels (pulse
26 group 5).
The "hunting" process noted above is acceptable
as long as the control step is too small to cause a visible
change in the color balance of an image reproduced by the
kinescope. This is usually the casefor a control step on
30 the order of 156 millivolts. However, a control step on
the order of 500 or 625 millivolts is considered to produce
an undesirable visible change in color balance.
The described unwanted "hunting" action can be
eliminated or reduced to a tolerable minimum by employing
36 a modified form of grid drive signal GP as will now be
discussed.
One version of the modified grid drive signal,
GP2, is shown as waveform d of FIGURE 19. Signal GP2

~17~S~2
1 - 27 - RCA 75,602
comprises a two-level grid drive signal with positive
pulses occurring at the vertical field rate. Adjacent
5 pulses exhibit mutually different, offset amplitude levels
1 and 2, respectively. Each pair of adjacent pulses recurs
at one-half the vertical field rate. The offset between
amplitude levels 1 and 2 is fixed and is established as a
function of the magnitude of the control step relative to
10 the magnitude of the noise range in a given system.
As seen from the illustrations of FIGURES 15
and 16, "hunting" is produced when the magnitude of the noise
range is small relative to the magnitude of the control
step (which produces a proportional change in the cathode
15 voltage and cathode pulse amplitude). In such circumstances,
hunting can be prevented by dimensioning the amplitude
offset of signal GP2, so that the difference between
amplitude levels 1 and 2 serves to effectively increase
the noise range. This result can be seen from the
20 illustration of FIGURE 17.
FIGURE 17 illustrates a cathode pulse response
wherein an "effective" noise range NR3 is associated with
the peak amplitudes of the cathode pulses. It is noted
that the response of FIGURE 17 is for a system where the
25 actual noise range attributable to existing random noise is
the same as the relatively small noise range NR2 of FIGURE
16. The control voltage step employed in this case is
the same as with FIGURES 15 and 16.
In this case, noise range NR3 corresponds to a
30 simulated noise range which is greater than noise range NR2
and! in this example, substantially equals noise range NRl.
The simulated noise range is produced by employing signal
GP2 with alternating offset levels 1 and 2, which in turn
produces cathode pulses such that adjacent cathode pulses
35 exhibit alternating offset peak amplitude levels. The
amplitude offset of grid signal GP2 is chosen to produce an
amplitude offset between adjacent cathode pulses that is
sufficient to effectively increase the actual noise range.

~i755~2
1 - 28 - RCA 75,602
Thus simulated noise range NR3 includes an actual noise
range component (substantially equal to NR2 in this case)
5 and a simulated noise range component (in this case desirably
made equal to the difference between noise ranges NRl and
NR2 to effectively bring noise range NR3 up to the level of
noise range NRl). A system response as shown in FIGURE 17
therefore effectively corresponds to a system response as
10 shown in FIGURE 15, and operates such that "hunting" is
prevented as noted in connection with FIGURE 15. In other
words, simulated noise range NR3 is larger than the change
of the average cathode pulse amplitude within the noise
range (AVG) produced in response to a change of one control
15 step.
A circuit suitable for generating signal GP2 is
shown in FIGURE 18 and c~mprises a flip-flop 150 arranged
as a frequency divider, transistors 152 and 153, and
resistors Rl and R2. Vertical rate signal V at vertical
20 scanning frequency fV is frequency divided by flip-flop 150
to provide a signal V' at one-half the vertical frequency
(1/2 fv) which is applied to the base input of transistor
152 (see waveforms a and b of FIGURE 19). The base input
of transistor 153 receives a signal GP (waveform c of FIGURE
25 19), corresponding to an inverted version of signal GP as
shown in waveform c of FIGURE 2. Signal GP2 (waveform d of
FIGURE 19) is derived from the collector of transistor 153
via a protection resistor 155. The ratio of amplitude level
1 to amplitude level 2 is established by the values of
: 30 resistors Rl and R2.
Waveforms e and f of FIGURE 19 illustrate alter-
native versions of the modified grid drive signal, wherein
each grid pulse exhibits an amplitude offset between
levels 1 and 2. The amplitudes of these signals change
35 more than once during each cathode current monitoring
interval, thereby permitting the system to develop more
information for bias control purposes during each monitoring
; interval. Systems using modified grid drive signals of this

75S62
1 - 29 - RCA 75,602
type are capable of a faster control response, and in such
systems the input digital shift register would be clocked
5 to receive information during times when the grid pulse
levels 1 and 2 are present.
FIGURE 20 illustrates a circuit suitable for
developing signals CLP, BLK, C, SR and FF, as well as the
two-level grid drive signal GP2, in response to input
10 vertical rate signal V. Waveforms of the signals associated
with this circuit are shown in FIGURE 21. The GATE signal
required for the circuit of FIGURE 9 must be generated by
other means, such as by a "one-shot" monostable multivibrator
triggered by the positive-going (leading) edge of signal CLP.
In essence, the described bi-level grid signal
technique corresponds to a means for imparting a given
amplitude offset to the induced cathode output pulse.
However, the described "hunting" effect can be prevented
by other means. For example, for a given noise range, the
20 control step can be reduced in magnitude so that the magnitude
of the noise range is effectively increased relative to the
control step. This alternative requires that the bit-size
of the counter in the bias control voltage generator be
increased to develop smaller incremental step of control
25 voltage VB, and results in a longer time to achieve correct
bias. As other alternatives, the threshold switching level
of comparator 65 and the gain of amplifier 50 (FIGURE 4)
can be switched between two values. However, the bi-level
grid pulse technique may be preferred for some systems
30 wherein the grid signal is generated external to the cathode
signal processing network (which may comprise an integrated
circuit), since the grid signal amplitude offset and thereby
the simulated noise range can then be easily set to suit
the requirements of a particular system according to the
35 existing random noise level, parasitic signals, and the
method used to derive the cathode pulse (which may influence
the signal-to-noise ratio).
The CA and CD-type integrated circuits (e.g., types

1~75562
1 - 30 - RCA 75,602
CA 324 and CD 4029) shown in FIGURES 3, 4, 6, 9-13 and 20
are commercially available from the Solid State Division
6 of RCA Corporation, 5Omerville, New Jersey.

Dessin représentatif

Désolé, le dessin représentatif concernant le document de brevet no 1175562 est introuvable.

États administratifs

2024-08-01 : Dans le cadre de la transition vers les Brevets de nouvelle génération (BNG), la base de données sur les brevets canadiens (BDBC) contient désormais un Historique d'événement plus détaillé, qui reproduit le Journal des événements de notre nouvelle solution interne.

Veuillez noter que les événements débutant par « Inactive : » se réfèrent à des événements qui ne sont plus utilisés dans notre nouvelle solution interne.

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , Historique d'événement , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

Historique d'événement

Description Date
Inactive : CIB de MCD 2006-03-11
Inactive : Périmé (brevet sous l'ancienne loi) date de péremption possible la plus tardive 2002-01-26
Inactive : Périmé (brevet sous l'ancienne loi) date de péremption possible la plus tardive 2002-01-26
Inactive : Renversement de l'état périmé 2001-10-03
Accordé par délivrance 1984-10-02

Historique d'abandonnement

Il n'y a pas d'historique d'abandonnement

Titulaires au dossier

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Titulaires actuels au dossier
RCA CORPORATION
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
WERNER HINN
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Description du
Document 
Date
(aaaa-mm-jj) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Revendications 1993-12-15 11 369
Dessins 1993-12-15 15 221
Abrégé 1993-12-15 1 21
Description 1993-12-15 30 1 288