ITT IDEAL COLOR 3671 OSCAR CHASSIS 30AX IFB18 458526/8A INTERNAL VIEW.

First model series from (ITT) featuring the 30AX SYSTEM CRT TUBE WITH PHILIPS Technology but fabricated by SEL (ITT).

First model series employing a CHASSIS isolated from Mains technology type.

Featuring a 40W Music Power (20W RMS) speaker.

The chassis is the last type featuring the VIDOM TECHNIK on the chassis.
(WAS an optical LED featured diagnosis system directly fitted on chassis)


- POWER SUPPLY UNIT LINE SYNCHRONIZED (BU426A) WANDLERNETZTEIL 69111556

- LINE DEFLECTION + EHT + E/W CORRECTION UNIT
(HORIZONTAL ABLENKUNG) 458521/9

- FRAME DEFLECTION 30AX (VERTIKAL ABLENKUNG) WITH (TDA2652 Quite RARE) 69111560

- SYNCH UNIT (SYNCHRON MOD.) 69111530 TDA9503


- VIDEO UNIT 458615/8B (TELEFUNKEN TDA2140 + TDA2151 + TDA2161)


TDA9503, Line Circuits for TV Receivers (18-Pin Plastic Package)
These integrated circuits are advanced versions of the well-known types TDA1940, TDA1940F, TDA1950 and TDA1950F are identical
TBA940/950, TDA9400/9500 etc. integrated line oscillator circuits. except the following: at pin 2 the types having the suffix "F" supply ,
They comprise all stages for sync separation and line synchronisation horizontal output pulses of longer duration compared with the basic I
in TV receivers in one single silicon chip. Due to their high degree of types Integration, the number of external components is very small.
This integrated circuit contains the horizontal sweep generator (HO), the amplitude filter (AS), the sync-signal separating circuit (SA) and the frequency/phase comparator (FP). For the purpose of suppressing noise pulses which are caused via the operating voltage during the upper and the lower inversion point of the horizontal sweep generator (HO) which contains a single capacitor (C) and a first threshold stage circuit (SS1) with two fixed thresholds, there are provided a second and a third threshold stage circuit (SS2, SS3), to the inputs of which the sawtooth signal is applied, and with the thresholds thereof, approximately 2 μs prior to reaching the upper or the lower peak value of the sawtooth signal, are being passed through thereby. The output signal of the second threshold circuit (SS2) and the output signal of the third threshold stage circuit (SS3) which is applied via the pulse shaper circuit (IF), are superimposed linearly and, via the stopper circuit (blocking stage) (SP) serve to control the application of the composite video signal (BAS) to the amplitude filter (AS), or else they are applied to a clamping circuit which serves to apply the operating points of the amplitude filter (AS) and/or of the sync-signal separating circuit (SA) to such a potential that these two stages, for the time duration of these output pulses, are prevented from operating.
1. An integrated circuit for color television receivers, comprising a voltage- or current-controlled horizontal sweep generator (HO), an amplitude filter (AS), a synchronizing-signal separating circuit (SA) and a frequency/phase comparator (FP) which serves to synchronize the horizontal sweep generator (HO), with said generator being a sawtooth generator containing a single capacitor (C) and a first threshold stage circuit (SS1) having two fixed thresholds, said integrated circuit further comprising:
a second and a third threshold stage circuit (SS2, SS3) each being supplied with the sawtooth signal on the input side, comprising each time one threshold which, approximately 2μs prior to the reaching of the upper or the lower peak value of the sawtooth signal, is being passed thereby;
a pulse shaper circuit (IF) coupled to the output of said third threshold stage circuit (SS3) which pulse shaper circuit reduces the duration of the output pulse thereof to about the duration of the output pulse of said second threshold stage circuit (SS2), and
a stopper circuit (blocking stage) (SP) coupled to the outputs of both said pulse shaper circuit (IF) and said second threshold stage circuit (SS2), said stopper circuit having a signal input to which there is applied a composite video signal (BAS) and a signal output which is coupled to the input of said amplitude filter (AS).


2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the outputs of both said pulse shaper circuit (IF) and said second threshold stage circuit (SS2) are coupled to a clamping circuit which applies the operating points of said amplitude filter (AS) and said sync-separating signal (SA) to such a potential that they are prevented from operating.

3. An integrated horizontal sweep circuit comprising:
a generator for generating a sawtooth signal;
an amplitude filter having an input for receiving a composite video signal and having an output;
a sync-signal separating circuit having an input coupled to said amplitude filter output and having an output;
a frequency/phase comparator having a first input coupled to said separating circuit output,
a second input receiving said sawtooth signal and an output for controlling said generator; and
a control circuit responsive to said sawtooth signal for inhibiting said composite video signal when said sawtooth signal is within predetermined signal level ranges about the upper and lower inversion points of said sawtooth signal.


4. An integrated circuit in accordance with claim 3 wherein:
said generator comprises a capacitor, circuit means for charging and discharging said capacitor, and a first threshold circuit controlling said circuit means in response to said sawtooth signal reaching a first level corresponding to said first inversion point and a second level corresponding to said second inversion point.


5. An integrated horizontal sweep circuit comprising:
a sawtooth signal generator;
an amplitude filter having an input receiving a composite video signal and having an output;
a sync-signal separating circuit having an input coupled to said amplitude filter output and having an output;
a frequency/phase comparator having a first input coupled to said separating circuit output, a second input receiving said sawtooth signal and an output for controlling said generator; and
a control circuit responsive to said sawtooth signal for inhibiting operation of said amplitude filter and/or said sync-signal separating circuit when said sawtooth signal is within predetermined signal level ranges about the upper and lower inversion point of said sawtooth signal.


6. An integrated circuit in accordance with claim 5 wherein:
said generator comprises a capacitor, circuit means for charging and discharging said capacitor and a first threshold circuit controlling said circuit means in response to said sawtooth signal reaching a first level corresponding to said first inversion point and a second level corresponding to said second inversion point.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an integrated circuit for (color) television receivers, comprising a voltage- or current-controlled horizontal-sweep generator, an amplitude filter, a synchronizing signal separating circuit (sync-separator) and a frequency/phase comparator which serves to synchronize the horizontal sweep generator which is a sawtooth generator consisting of a single capacitor and of a first threshold stage having two fixed switching thresholds, cf. preamble of the patent claim. Such types of integrated circuits, for example, are known from the technical journal "Elektronik aktuell", 1976, No. 2, pp. 7 to 14 where they are referred to as TDA 9400 and TDA 9500.
Especially on account of the fact that the amplitude filter as well as the horizontal sweep generator in the form of the aforementioned sawtooth generator, are integrated on a single semiconductor body, it is likely that noise interference pulses coming from the individual stages, and via the supply voltage line, may have a disturbing influence upon the horizontal sweep generator, i.e. upon the threshold stage thereof, in such a way that either the lower or the upper or successively both switching thresholds are exceeded before the time by the voltage at the capacitor, owing to the noise superposition, so that the generator will show to have a "wrong" frequency or phase position. This frequency/phase variation, of course, is compensated for by the circuit, with the aid of the synchronzing pulses, but only in such a way that the noise effect remains visible in the television picture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is characterized in the claim is aimed at overcoming this drawback by solving the problem of designing an integrated circuit of the type described in greater detail hereinbefore, in such a way that noise pulses acting upon the capacitor voltage or the internal reference voltages for the switching thresholds (see below) in the proximity of the two switching thresholds, are prevented from having the described disadvantageous effect. Accordingly, an advantage of the invention results directly from solving the given problem.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. This drawing, in the form of a schematical circuit diagram, shows the construction of an integrated circuit according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The horizontal sweep generator HO comprises the capacitor C as connected to the zero point of the circuit, and which is charged and discharged via the two shown constant current sources CS1 and CS2, thus causing the intended sawtooth voltage to appear thereat. Moreover, the horizontal sweep generator HO comprises the first threshold stage circuit SS1, having an upper and a lower threshold. As soon as the capacitor voltage exceeds one of the thresholds, the first threshold stage circuit SS1 switches over to the other threshold. The two thresholds are defined by the voltage divider P as connected to the operating voltage U, and in which the corresponding threshold inputs are connected to corresponding tapping points. The output of the threshold stage circuit SS1 controls the electronic switch S, so that the constant current source CS2 as connected thereto, is either disconnected from or connected to the zero point of the circuit. Accordingly, in the disconnected state, the capacitor C is charged via the constant current source CS1 arranged in series therewith while in the connected state the capacitor C is discharged across the aforementioned constant current source CS2 arranged in parallel therewith, if, as a matter of fact, the current of the constant current source CS1 arranged in series with the capacitor C, is smaller than that of the parallel-arranged constant current source CS2.
Now, for the purpose of avoiding the aforementioned drawbacks, there is provided a second and a third threshold stage circuit SS2 and SS3, respectively, as well as the pulse shaper circuit IF. To the respective input of the two threshold stage circuits SS2, SS3, there is applied the capacitor voltage, in the form of the sawtooth signal, and these stages have a threshold voltage which, approximately 2 μs prior to the reaching of the upper or the lower peak value of the sawtooth voltage, is being passed thereby. This means to imply that the threshold voltage of the second threshold stage circuit SS2 is somewhat lower than the voltage of the upper threshold of the first threshold stage circuit SS1, and that the threshold voltage of the third threshold stage circuit SS3 is somewhat higher than the voltage of the lower threshold of the first threshold stage circuit SS1. The two thresholds of the threshold stage circuits SS2, SS3 can thus be realized in a simple way by providing further tapping points at the voltage divider P, as is shown in the accompanying drawing. Thus, the second threshold stage circuit SS2 is provided for at a voltage divider tapping point below the tapping point chosen for the upper threshold, and the tapping point for the third threshold stage circuit SS3 is provided for above the tapping point which has been chosen for the lower threshold of the first threshold stage circuit SS1.
Since, within the area of the lower inversion point of the sawtooth signal there results an excessively wide output pulse of the third threshold stage circuit SS3, the pulse shaper circuit IF is arranged subsequently thereto, for reducing the duration of the output pulse as applied to its input, to about the duration of the output pulse of the second threshold stage circuit SS2. This pulse shaper circuit IF, for example, may be realized by a monoflop, in particular by a digital monoflop (=monostable circuit).
The output pulses of the second threshold stage circuit SS2 and of the pulse shaper circuit IF are then super-positioned linearly, with this being denoted in the drawing by a simple interconnection of the two respective lines. The combined signal is applied to the input of the stopper circuit (blocking stage) SP, to the signal input of which there is fed the composite video signal BAS, and the output thereof controls both the amplitude filter AS and the synchronizing signal separating circuit SA.
The combined signal may also be used to control a clamping circuit applying the operating points of the amplitude filter AS and/or of the sync-signal-separating circuit SA to such a potential which prevents it from operating.
If now the sawtooth signal reaches the range of its upper or its lower inversion point, the composite video signal BAS is not applied to either the amplitude filter AS or the sync-signal separating circuit SA, so that shortly before and shortly after the inversion points, signals are prevented from being processed in the two stages AS, SA. This, in turn, has the consequence that during these times noise pulses are prevented from superimposing upon the operating voltage U, so that there is also prevented an unintended triggering of the first threshold stage circuit SS1.
Moreover, it is still shown in the drawing that the amplitude filter AS, the sync-signal separating circuit SA and the frequency/phase comparator FP are arranged in series in terms of signal flow, with the latter, in addition, receiving the sawtooth signal, and with the output signal thereof acting upon the two current sources in a regulating sense. In the drawing, this is indicated by the setting arrows at the two current sources.
While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

ITT IDEAL COLOR 3671 OSCAR CHASSIS 30AX IFB18 458526/8A On-screen channel display:An on-screen television display including means internally of the receiver for generating characters to indicate the channel number, time of day or other data. The system includes circuit means responsive to the horizontal and vertical sync signals of a television receiver for positioning and timing of the display. BCD data is coupled to a character generator, and the output of the character generator is then multiplexed with positioning and timing signals. The multiplexed output is coupled to a video interface which supplies the video signal to the cathode ray tube.


1. A system for displaying a character indicating the channel being received on the raster of a broadcast television receiver comprising: means for developing coded data indicative of the character to be displayed, decoding m

eans having a plurality of inputs and outputs, means for coupling the coded data to given inputs of said decoding means, said decoding means being a device for developing signals on a predetermined combination of outputs in response to each selected coded input, circuit means for processing the signal on each of said outputs of said decoder into a given line segment generated video signal and comprising means for multiplexing the outputs of said decoding means in accordance with the line of scan of the beam of the cathode ray tube of said broadcast television receiver, and means for adding the generated video signal in a video circuit of said broadcast television receiver to develop a character display on the raster of the television receiver in addition to any other signal being processed by said video circuit.

2. A display system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said decoding means comprises a seven segment decoder.

3. A display system in accordance with claim 2 wherein a line counter is provided to count horizontal scans of the cathode ray beam and wherein the output of said counter is coupled to said multiplexer to control the same.

4. A display system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said decoder is a seven segment decoder and wherein means are provided to gate the data output of said decoder which represent the vertical segments of the character to be displayed during given horizontal scans of the beam of the cathode ray tube.

5. A system ,in accordance with claim 1 including timing circuit means, means for multiplexing coded data representing each of said characters in accordance with timing signals from said timing circuit means, a seven segment decoder for decoding said multiplexed data, and means for using said decoded data to apply a video signal to the cathode ray tube of the television receiver.

6. A display system in accordance with claim 5 wherein there is provided an oscillator, means for keying the operation of the oscillator to the horizontal sync of the television receiver, and a counter for counting an output of said oscillator and for producing said timing signals.

7. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said data multiplexer has units digits gates and tens digits gates, said timing signal multiplexing data between said units and tens digits gates into at least four output lines, and means for coupling said multiplexed data to inputs of said seven segment decoder.

8. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 7 wherein means are provided to blank the display system output for a time interval between the switching of said data multiplexer from the units digits gates to the tens digits gates to provide spacing between the units and tens characters on the

raster of the cathode ray tube.

9. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 8 wherein select means are provided to select one of a greater number of variable character displays, said means including a BCD signal responsive select circuit.

10. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said select means includes a four-six character select circuit for selecting either four or six character display.

11. A system for displaying a character on the raster of a television receiver comprising: means for developing coded data indicative of the character to be displayed, a seven segment decoder, means for coupling the coded data to the input of the seven segment decoder, means for using the output of the seven segment decoder to illuminate a seven segment display on the raster of a cathode ray tube, and wherein three outputs of the seven segment decoder represent the horizontal segments of the character to be displayed and the remaining four outputs represent the vertical segments thereof, and wherein there is provided a multiplexer, a horizontal scan counter, means for coupling the counter outputs to the multiplexer, means for coupling the three horizontal segment outputs to the multiplexer, a timing counter, means for using the timing counter to gate the four vertical segment outputs during each scan associated with the character display, and means for coupling the four gated vertical segment outputs to the multiplexer.

12. A display system in accordance with claim 11 wherein there is provided an oscillator, means for keying the oscillator to the horizontal scan of the cathode ray beam, said oscillator having a frequency substantially higher than the horizontal line frequency of the cathode ray tube, means for coupling the output of the oscillator to the timing counter to control the same.

13. A display system in accordance with claim 12 wherein means are provided to use the horizontal sync signal of the television receiver to enable said timing counter.

14. Apparatus for use with a television receiver, said receiver comprising a horizontal scanning circuit, a vertical scanning circuit, a video signal circuit, and a display device coupled to said scanning and video signal circuits, and creating a character on said display device in the form of line segments oriented in generally horizontal and vertical directions and superimposed over other information displayed thereon and comprising:
data means for developing coded data indicative of the character to be displayed;
decoding means having a plurality of outputs and producing at each of said outputs a signal representative of the presence of a corresponding line segment in the character to be displayed;
an oscillator coupled to said horizontal scanning circuit and synchronized to the operation of said horizontal scanning circuit and producing a signal at a frequency greater than the horizontal scanning frequency;
counting means coupled to the output of said oscillator and developing signals representative of the position of the horizontal scan;
gating means coupled to said decoding means and said counting means and gating said signals representative of the presence of a corresponding generally vertical line segment in response to the position of the horizontal scan;
matrix means for matrixing said gated signals representative of the presence of corresponding generally vertical line segments and said signals representative of corresponding generally horizontal line segments to form a plurality of line signals each representative of the video signal required to generate said character on said display device during a horizontal scan;
signal selection means for selecting one of said line signals in accord with the position of the vertical scan; and
combining means coupled to said video signal circuit for combining said selected line signal with a signal representative of said other information displayed on said display device.


15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said character is displayed in the form of the presence or absence of seven line segments and said decoding means comprises a seven segment decoder having seven outputs and producing at each of said outputs a signal representative of the presence of a corresponding one of said seven line segments in the character to be displayed.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 creating at least two characters on said display device wherein said data means develops coded data indicative of the characters to be displayed and said apparatus further comprises multiplex means coupled to said data means, said decoding means and said counting circuitry for applying to said decoding means coded data indicative of different characters to be displayed in response to the position of the horizontal scan.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising means for preventing the display of said characters for a time interval including the switching of said multiplex means to provide spacing between said characters.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a time delay circuit coupled between said oscillator and said horizontal scanning circuit and preventing the operation of said oscillator until a predetermined time period has elapsed following the commencement of a horizontal scan.

19. Apparatus for use with a television receiver, said receiver comprising a first scanning circuit for scanning in a first direction, a second scanning circuit for scanning in a second direction generally perpendicular to said first direction, a video signal circuit, and a display device coupled to said scanning and video signal circuits, and creating a character on said display device in the form of line segments oriented in generally said first and second directions and superimposed over other information displayed thereon and comprising:
data means for developing coded data indicative of the character to be displayed;
decoding means having a plurality of outputs and producing at each of said outputs a signal representative of the presence of a corresponding line segment in the character to be displayed;
timing and gating means coupled to said decoding means and said first scanning circuit and gating said signals representative of the presence of a corresponding line segment in said second direction in response to the position of the scan in said first direction;
matrix means for matrixing said gated signals representative of the presence of corresponding line segments in said second direction and signals representative of corresponding line segments in said first direction to form a plurality of line signals each representative of the video signal required to generate said character on said display device during a scan in said first direction;
signal selection means for selecting one of said line signals in accord with the position of the scan in said second direction; and
combining means coupled to said video signal circuit for combining said selected line signal with a signal representative of said other information displayed on said display device.


20. A system for displaying at least two characters on the raster of a television receiver comprising: an oscillator, means for keying

the operation of the oscillator to the horizontal sync of the television receiver, a counter for counting an output of said oscillator and for producing timing signals, means for developing and multiplexing coded data representing each of said characters to be displayed in accordance with said timing signals, a seven segment decoder having a plurality of inputs and outputs for developing signals on a predetermined combination of said outputs in response to each selected coded input, means for coupling the coded data to given inputs of said decoder, circuit means for processing the signal on each of said outputs of said decoder into a given line segment generated video signal, and means for adding the generated video signal in the television receiver video circuit to develop a character display on the raster of the television receiver in addition to any other signal being processed by said video circuit.

21. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said data developing and multiplexing means has units digits gates and tens digits gates, said timing signal multiplexing data between said units and tens digits gates into at least four output lines, and means for coupling said multiplexing data to inputs of said seven segment decoder.

22. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 21 wherein means are provided to blank the display system output for a time interval between the switching of said data developing and multiplexing means from the units digits gates to the tens digits gates to provide spacing between the units and tens characters on the raster of the cathode ray tube.

23. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 22 wherein select means are provided to select one of a greater number of variable character displays, said means including a BCD signal responsive select circuit.

24. A channel number display system in accordance with claim 23 wherein said select means includes a four-six character select circuit for selecting either four or six character display.

25. A system for displaying a character indicating the channel being received on the raster of a broadcast television receiver comprising: means for developing coded data indicative of the character to be displayed, decoding means having a plurality of inputs and outputs, means for coupling the coded data to given inputs of said decoding means, said decoding means being a device for developing signals on a predetermined combination of outputs in response to each selected coded input, circuit means for processing the signal on each of said outputs of said decoder into a given line segment generated video signal and comprising an oscillator having a frequency substantially higher than the horizontal line frequency of said broadcast television receiver and means responsive to the horizontal synchronization signal of received broadcast television signals for keying said oscillator, and means for adding the generated video signal in a video circuit of said broadcast television receiver to develop a character display on the raster of the television receiver in addition to any other signal being processed by said video circuit.

26. A display system in accordance with claim 25 wherein said circuit means further comprises counting means coupled to the output of said oscillator and developing signals indicative of the horizontal position of the beam of the cathode ray tube of said broadcast television receiver.

27. A display system in accordance with claim 26 further comprising means coupled to the horizontal scan circuitry of said broadcast television receiver and said counting means for resetting said counting means.

28. A system for displaying a character indicating the channel being received on the raster of a broadcast television receiver comprising: means for developing coded data indicative of the character to be displayed, decoding means having a plurality of inputs and outputs, means for coupling the coded data to given inputs of said decoding means, said decoding means being a device for developing signals on a predetermined combination of outputs in response to each selected coded input, circuit means for processing the signal on each of said outputs of said decoder into a given line segment generated video signal and comprising an oscillator having a frequency substantially higher than the horizontal line frequency of said broadcast television receiver, means responsive to the horizontal synchronization signal of received broadcast television signals for keying said oscillator, and means for multiplexing the outputs of said decoding means in accordance with the line of scan of the beam of the cathode ray tube of said broadcast television receiver, and means for adding the generated video signal in a video circuit of said broadcast television receiver to develop a character display on the raster of the television receiver in addition to any other signal being processed by said video circuit.

29. A display system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said decoding means comprises a seven segment decoder.

30. A display system in accordance with claim 28 wherein a line counter is provided to count horizontal scans of the cathode ray beam and wherein the output of said counter is coupled to said multiplexing means to control the same.

31. A display system in accordance with claim 30 further comprising means coupled to the horizontal scan circuitry of said broadcast television receiver and said counting means for resetting said counting means.

32. A system for displaying a character indicative of the channel being received on the picture display device of a broadcast television receiver comprising: means for developing data indicative of the character to be displayed, decoding means having a plurality of inputs and outputs, means for coupling said data to inputs of said decoding means, said decoding means being a device for developing signals on a predetermined combination of outputs in response to each data input, circuit means for processing the signal on said outputs of said decoder into a video signal for generating a line segment character and including an oscillator having a frequency substantially higher than the horizontal line frequency of said broadcast television receiver and means responsive to the horizontal synchronization signal of received broadcast television signals for keying said oscillator, and means for adding said video signal to other video signals being processed by said broadcast television receiver to develop a character display on said picture display device.

33. A system for displaying a character indicative of the channel being received on the picture display device of a broadcast television receiver comprising: means for developing data indicative of the character to be displayed, decoding means having a plurality of inputs and outputs, means for coupling said data to inputs of said decoding means, said decoding means being a device for developing signals on a predetermined combination of outputs in response to each data input, circuit means for processing the signal on said outputs of said decoder into a video signal for generating a line segment character and including an oscillator having a frequency substantially higher than the horizontal line frequency of said broadcast television receiver and means responsive to the horizontal synchronization circuitry of said broadcast television receiver for keying said oscillator, and means for adding said video signal to other video signals being processed by said broadcast television receiver to develop a character display on said picture display device.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of on-screen display of a channel number, for instance, has been proposed in an article entitled, "Broadcast and Television Receivers" IEEE, Vol. BTR-15, No. 2, July 1969, however, the character generators which are available commercially are generally "read only memories" designed to display either 16 or 64 alpha-numeric characters. These character generators require 350 memory bits for 10 characters. In such a device, all 35 possible positions in a 5 × 7 font are used for the numerals. The character generator is the most expensive element of such a system.
A Co-pending

Patent Application of Ralph Joseph Ludlam entitled, "Electronic Channel Selection & Device", Ser. No. 265,231, now abandoned, describes a system for producing digital information representative of a selected channel. This data may be used by the display system of the present invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of art to which this invention pertains is on-screen display of characters in a television receiver with character generation locally in the receiver.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an important feature of the present invention to provide an improved system for the display of characters on the screen of a television receiver using character generating means locally in the receiver.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive means for generating characters in a system as described above.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an on-screen character display system for a television receiver which utilizes a character generator having a segment decoder for transforming digital information into line segment information and having means for gating and multiplexing the line segment information into a usable video output signal.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a character generator described above including a seven segment decoder having direct coupling from the output of the decoder to a multiplexing stage for the horizontal segments of each character and having coupling to the multiplexer through a gating circuit for the vertical segments of the character.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a circuit as described above which includes a vertical and horizontal delay means as well as vertical and horizontal blanking means to properly position the characters at a predetermined location on the screen of the television receiver.
It is an additional feature of the present invention to provide a circuit as described above which includes means for blanking the character generating portion of the video signal between characters to provide adequate spacing.
It is also an object of this invention to provide circuit means for generating additional characters such as characters to indicate the time of day on the screen of a television receiver.

Other References:

Olson et al., "The Practical Application of On-Screen Display to a Television Receiver", IEEE Transactions on Broadcast and TV Receivers, _Aug. 1973, pp. 169-175.
Walker, "For TV Tuners a Digital Look", Electronics, Jun. 26, 1975, pp. 65-66.
Evans et al., "Direct Address Television Tuning and Display System Using Digital MOS Large Scale Integration", IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, vol. CE-22, No. 4, pp. 267-288, Nov. 1976.
Electronics, vol. 48, No. 24, Nov. 27, 1975, "Philips TV Set Indicates Station Tuning and Color Settings on Screen", pp. 6E and 8E.
Werner, "Linear Color Bar Display for CTV Sets", Radio Mentor Electronic, vol. 41, No. 9, pp. 350-351, Sep. 1975.



ITT IDEAL COLOR 3671 OSCAR CHASSIS 30AX IFB18 458526/8A Synchronized switch-mode power supply:In a switch mode power supply, a first switching transistor is coupled to a primary winding of an isolation transformer. A second switching transistor periodically applies a low impedance across a second winding of the transformer that is coupled to an oscillator for synchronizing the oscillator to the horizontal frequency. A third winding of the transformer is coupled via a switching diode to a capacitor of a control circuit for developing a DC control voltage in the capacitor that varies in accordance with a supply voltage B+. The control voltage is applied via the transformer to a pulse width modulator that is responsive to the oscillator output signal for producing a pulse-width modulated control signal. The control signal is applied to a mains coupled chopper transistor for generating and regulating the supply voltage B+ in accordance with the pulse width modulation of the control signal.

Description:

The invention relates to switch-mode power supplies.
Some television receivers have signal terminals for receiving, for example, external video input signals such as R, G and B input signals, that are to be developed relative to the common conductor of the receiver. Such signal terminals and the receiver common conductor may be coupled to corresponding signal terminals and common conductors of external devices, such as, for example, a VCR or a teletext decoder.
To simplify the coupling of signals between the external devices and the television receiver, the common conductors of the receiver and of the external devices are connected together so that all are at the same potential. The signal lines of each external device are coupled to the corresponding signal terminals of the receiver. In such an arrangement, the common conductor of each device, such as of the television receiver, may be held "floating", or conductively isolated, relative to the corresponding AC mains supply source that energizes the device. When the common conductor is held floating, a user touching a terminal that is at the potential of the common conductor will not suffer an electrical shock.
Therefore, it may be desirable to isolate the common conductor, or ground, of, for example, the television receiver from the potentials of the terminals of the AC mains supply source that provide power to the television receiver. Such isolation is typically achieved by a transformer. The isolated common conductor is sometimes referred to as a "cold" ground conductor.
In a typical switch mode power supply (SMPS) of a television receiver the AC mains supply voltage is coupled, for example, directly, and without using transformer coupling, to a bridge rectifier. An unregulated direct current (DC) input supply voltage is produced that is, for example, referenced to a common conductor, referred to as "hot" ground, and that is conductively isolated from the cold ground conductor. A pulse width modulator controls the duty cycle of a chopper transistor switch that applies the unregulated supply voltage across a primary winding of an isolating flyback transformer. A flyback voltage at a frequency that is determined by the modulator is developed at a secondary winding of the transformer and is rectified to produce a DC output supply voltage such as a voltage B+ that energizes a horizontal deflection circuit of the television receiver. The primary winding of the flyback transformer is, for example, conductively coupled to the hot ground conductor. The secondary winding of the flyback transformer and voltage B+ may be conductively isolated from the hot ground conductor by the hot-cold barrier formed by the transformer.
It may be desirable to synchronize the operation of the chopper transistor to horizontal scanning frequency for preventing the occurrence of an objectionable visual pattern in an image displayed in a display of the television receiver.
It may be further desirable to couple a horizontal synchronizing signal that is referenced to the cold ground to the pulse-width modulator that is referenced to the hot ground such that isolation is maintained.
A synchronized switch mode power supply, embodying an aspect of the invention, includes a transfromer having first and second windings. A first switching arrangement is coupled to the first winding for generating a first switching current in the first winding to periodically energize the second winding. A source of a synchronizing input signal at a frequency that is related to a deflection frequency is provided. A second switching arrangement responsive to the input signal and coupled to the second winding periodically applies a low impedance across the energized second winding that by transformer action produces a substantial increase in the first switching current. A periodic first control signal is generated. The increase in the first switching current is sensed to synchronize the first control signal to the input signal. An output supply voltage is generated from an input supply voltage in accordance with the first control signal.


ITT IDEAL COLOR 3671 OSCAR CHASSIS 30AX IFB18 458526/8A CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT IN A PICTURE DISPLAY DEVICE UTILIZING A STABILIZED SUPPLY VOLTAGE CIRCUIT:A stabilized supply voltage circuit for a picture display device comprising a chopper wherein the switching signal has the line frequency and is duration-modulated. The coil of the chopper constitutes the primary winding of a transformer a secondary winding of which drives the line output transistor so that the switching transistor of the chopper also functions as a driver for the line output stage. The oscillator generating the switching signal may be the line oscillator. In a special embodiment the driver and line output transistor conduct simultaneously and in order to limit the base current of the line output transistor a coil shunted by a diode is incorporated in the drive line of the line output transistor. Other secondary windings of the transformer drive diodes which conduct simultaneously with the efficiency diode of the chopper so as to generate further stabilized supply voltages.

1. An electrical circuit arrangement for a picture display device operating at a given line scanning frequency, comprising a source of unidirectional voltage, an inductor, first switching transistor means for periodically energizing said inductor at said scanning frequency with current from said source, an electrical load circuit coupled to said inductor and having applied thereto a voltage as determined by the ratio of the ON and OFF periods of said transistor, means for maintaining the voltage across said load circuit at a given value comprising means for comparing the voltage of said load circuit with a reference voltage, means responsive to departures of the value of the load circuit voltage from the value of said reference voltage for varying the conduction ratio of the ON and OFF periods of said transistor thereby to stabilize said load circuit voltage at the given value, a line deflection coil system for said picture display device, means for energizing said line deflection coil system from said load voltage circuit means, means for periodically interrupting the energization of said line deflection coil comprising second switching means and means coupled to said inductor for deriving therefrom a switching current in synchronism with the energization periods of said transistor and applying said switching current to said switching means thereby to actuate the same, and means coupled to said switching means and to said load voltage circuit for producing a voltage for energizing said 2. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the duty cycle of said switching 3. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an efficiency first 4. A circuit as claimed in claim 3 further comprising at least a second diode coupled to said deriving means and to ground, and being poled to 5. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second switching means comprises a second transistor coupled to said deriving means to conduct simultaneously with said first transistor, and further comprising a coil coupled between said driving means and said second transistor and a third diode shunt coupled to said coil and being poled to conduct when said 6. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a horizontal oscillator coupled to said first transistor, said oscillator being the 7. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said inductor for deriving filament voltage for said display device.

Description:

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement in a picture display device wherein the input direct voltage between two input terminals, which is obtained be rectifying the mains alternating voltage, is converted into a stabilized output direct voltage by means of a switching transistor and a coil and wherein the transistor is connected to a first input terminal and an efficiency diode is connected to the junction of the transistor and the coil. The switching transistor is driven by a pulsatory voltage of line frequency which pulses are duration-modulated in order to saturate the switching transistor during part of the period dependent on the direct voltage to be stabilized and to cut off this transistor during the remaining part of the period. The pulse duration modulation is effected by means of a comparison circuit which compares the direct voltage to be stabilized with a substantially constant voltage, the coil constituting the primary winding of a transformer.

Such a circuit arrangement is known from German "Auslegeschrift" 1.293.304. wherein a circuit arrangement is described which has for its object to convert an input direct voltage which is generated between two terminals into a different direct voltage. The circuit employs a switch connected to the first terminal of the input voltage and periodically opens and closes so that the input voltage is converted into a pulsatory voltage. This pulsatory voltage is then applied to a coil. A diode is arranged between the junction of the switch and the coil and the second terminal of the input voltage whilst a load and a charge capacitor in parallel thereto are arranged between the other end of the coil and the second terminal of the input voltage. The assembly operates in accordance with the known efficiency principle i.e., the current supplied to the load flows alternately through the switch and through the diode. The function of the switch is performed by a switching transistor which is driven by a periodical pulsatory voltage which saturates this transistor for a given part of the period. Such a configuration is known under different names in the literature; it will be referred to herein as a "chopper." A known advantage thereof, is that the switching transistor must be able to stand a high voltage or provide a great current but it need not dissipate a great power. The output voltage of the chopper is compared with a constant reference voltage. If the output voltage attempts to vary because the input voltage and/or the load varies, a voltage causing a duration modulation of the pulses is produced at the output of the comparison arrangement. As a result the quantity of the energy stored in the coil varies and the output voltage is maintained constant. In the German "Auslegeschrift" referred to it is therefore an object to provide a stabilized supply voltage device.

In the circuit arrangement according to the mentioned German "Auslegeschrift" the frequency of the load variations or a harmonic thereof is chosen as the frequency for the switching voltage. Particularly when the load fed by the chopper is the line deflection circuit of a picture display device, wherein thus the impedance of the load varies in the rhythm of the line frequency, the frequency of the switching voltage is equal to or is a multiple of the line frequency.

It is to be noted that the chopper need not necessarily be formed as that in the mentioned German "Auslegeschrift." In fact, it is known from literature that the efficiency diode and the coil may be exchanged. It is alternatively possible for the coil to be provided at the first terminal of the input voltage whilst the switching transistor is arranged between the other end and the second terminal of the input voltage. The efficiency diode is then provided between the junction of said end and the switching transistor and the load. It may be recognized that for all these modifications a voltage is present across the connections of the coil which voltage has the same frequency and the same shape as the pulsatory switching voltage. The control voltage of a line deflection circuit is a pulsatory voltage which causes the line output transistor to be saturates and cut off alternately. The invention is based on the recognition that the voltage present across the connections of the coil is suitable to function as such a control voltage and that the coil constitutes the primary of a transformer. To this end the circuit arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that a secondary winding of the transformer drives the switching element which applies a line deflection current to line deflection coils and by which the voltage for the final anode of a picture display tube which forms part of the picture display device is generated, and that the ratio between the period during which the switching transistor is saturated and the entire period, i.e., the switching transistor duty cycle is between 0.3 and 0.7 during normal operation.

The invention is also based on the recognition that the duration modulation which is necessary to stabilize the supply voltage with the switching transistor does not exert influence on the driving of the line output transistor. This resides in the fact that in case of a longer or shorter cut-off period of the line output transistor the current flowing through the line deflection coils thereof is not influenced because of the efficiency diode current and transistor current are taken over or, in case of a special kind of transistor, the collector-emitter current is taken over by the base collector current and conversely. However, in that case the above-mentioned ratios of 0.3 : 0.7 should be taken into account since otherwise this take-over principle is jeopardized.

As will be further explained the use of the switching transistor as a driver for the line output transistor in an embodiment to be especially described hereinafter has the further advantage that the line output transistor automatically becomes non-conductive when this switching transistor is short circuited so that the deflection and the EHT for the display tube drop out and thus avoid damage thereof.

Due to the step according to the invention the switching transistor in the stabilized supply functions as a driver for the line deflection circuit. The circuit arrangement according to the invention may in addition be equipped with a very efficient safety circuit so that the reliability is considerably enhanced, which is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,686. The invention is furthermore based on the recognition of the fact that the pulsatory voltage present across the connections of the coil is furthermore used and to this end the circuit arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that secondary windings of the transformer drive diodes which conduct simultaneously with the efficiency diode so as to generate further stabilized direct voltages, one end of said diodes being connected to ground.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, a few embodiments thereof will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a principle circuit diagram wherein the chopper and the line deflection circuit are further shown but other circuits are not further shown.

FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show the variation as a function of time of two currents and of a voltage occurring in the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a 3b, 3c and 3d show other embodiments of the chopper.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show modifications of part of the circuit arrangement of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1 the reference numeral 1 denotes a rectifier circuit which converts the mains voltage supplied thereto into a non-stabilized direct voltage. The collector of a switching transistor 2 is connected to one of the two terminals between which this direct voltage is obtained, said transistor being of the npn-type in this embodiment and the base of which receives a pulsatory voltage which originates through a control stage 4 from a modulator 5 and causes transistor 2 to be saturated and cut off alternately. The voltage waveform 3 is produced at the emitter of transistor 2. In order to maintain the output voltage of the circuit arrangement constant, the duration of the pulses provided is varied in modulator 5. A pulse oscillator 6 supplies the pulsatory voltage to modulator 5 and is synchronized by a signal of line frequency which originates from the line oscillator 6' present in the picture display device. This line oscillator 6' is in turn directly synchronized in known manner by pulses 7' of line frequency which are present in the device and originate for example from a received television signal if the picture display device is a television receiver. Pulse oscillator 6 thus generates a pulsatory voltage the repetition frequency of which is the line frequency.

The emitter of switching transistor 2 is connected at one end to the cathode of an efficiency diode 7 whose other end is connected to the second input voltage terminal and at the other end to primary winding 8 of a transformer 9. Pulsatory voltage 3 which is produced at the cathode of efficiency diode 7 is clamped against the potential of said second terminal during the intervals when this diode conducts. During the other intervals the pulsatory voltage 3 assumes the value V _i . A charge capacitor 10 and a load 11 are arranged between the other end of winding 8 and the second input voltage terminal. The elements 2,7,8,10 and 11 constitute a so-called chopper producing a direct voltage across charge capacitor 10, provided that capacitor 10 has a sufficiently great value for the line frequency and the current applied to load 11 flowing alternately through switching transistor 2 or through efficiency diode 7. The output voltage V _o which is the direct voltage produced across charge capacitor 10 is applied to a comparison circuit 12 which compares the voltage V _o with a reference voltage. Comparison circuit 12 generates a direct voltage which is applied to modulator 5 so that the duration of the effective period δ T of switching transistor 2 relative to the period T of pulses 3 varies as a function of the variations of output voltage V ₀ . In fact, it is readily evident that output voltage V _o is proportional to the ratio δ :

V _o = V _i ^. δ

Load 11 of the chopper consists in the consumption of parts of the picture display device which are fed by output voltage V ₀ . In a practical embodiment of the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 1 wherein the mains alternating voltage has a nominal effective value of 220 V and the rectified voltage V i is approximately 270 V, output voltage V _o for δ = 0.5 is approximately 135 V. This makes it also possible, for example, to feed a line deflection circuit as is shown in FIG. 1 wherein load 11 then represents different parts which are fed by the chopper. Since voltage V _o is maintained constant due to pulse duration modulation, the supply voltage of this line deflection circuit remains constant with the favorable result that the line amplitude(= the width of the picture displayed on the screen of the picture display tube) likewise remains constant as well as the EHT required for the final anode of the picture display tube in the same circuit arrangement independent of the variations in the mains voltage and the load on the EHT generator (= variations in brightness).

However, variations in the line amplitude and the EHT may occur as a result of an insufficiently small internal impedance of the EHT generator. Compensation means are known for this purpose. A possibility within the scope of the present invention is to use comparison circuit 12 for this purpose. In fact, if the beam current passes through an element having a substantially quadratic characteristic, for example, a voltage-dependent resistor, then a variation for voltage V _o may be obtained through comparison circuit 12 which variation is proportional to the root of the variation in the EHT which is a known condition for the line amplitude to remain constant.

In addition this facilitates smoothing of voltage V _o since the repetition frequency of pulsatory voltage 3 is many times higher than that of the mains and a comparatively small value may be sufficient for charge capacitor 10. If charge capacitor 10 has a sufficiently high value for the line frequency, voltage V _o is indeed a direct voltage so that a voltage having the same form as pulsatory voltage 3 is produced across the terminals of primary winding 8. Thus voltages which have the same shape as pulsatory voltage 3 but have a greater or smaller amplitude are produced across secondary windings 13, 14 of transformer 9 (FIG. 1 shows only 2 secondary windings but there may be more). The invention is based on the recognition that one end of each secondary winding is connected to earth while the other end thereof drives a diode, the winding sense of each winding and the direction of conductance of each diode being chosen to be such that these diodes conduct during the same period as does efficiency diode 7. After smoothing, stabilized supply voltages, for example, at terminal 15 are generated in this manner at the amplitudes and polarities required for the circuit arrangements present in the picture display device. In FIG. 1 the voltage generated at terminal 15 is, for example, positive relative to earth. It is to be noted that the load currents of the supply voltages obtained in this manner cause a reduction of the switching power which is economized by efficiency diode 7. The sum of all diode currents including that of diode 7 is in fact equal to the current which would flow through diode 7 if no secondary winding were wound on transformer 9 and if no simultaneous diode were used. This reduction may be considered an additional advantage of the circuit arrangement according to the invention, for a diode suitable for smaller powers may then be used. However, it will be evident that the overall secondary load must not exceed the primary load since otherwise there is the risk of efficiency diode 7 being blocked so that stabilization of the secondary supply voltages would be out of the question.

It is to be noted that a parabola voltage of line frequency as shown at 28 is produced across the charge capacitor 10 if this capacitor is given a smaller capacitance so that consequently the so-called S-correction is established.

In FIG. 1 charge capacitors are arranged between terminals 15 etc. and earth so as to ensure that the voltages on these points are stabilized direct voltages. If in addition the mean value of the voltage on one of these terminals has been made equal to the effective value of the alternating voltage which is required for heating the filament of the picture display tube present in the picture display device, this voltage is suitable for this heating. This is a further advantage of the invention since the cheap generation of a stabilized filament voltage for the picture display tube has always been a difficult problem in transistorized arrangements.

A further advantage of the picture display device according to the invention is that transformer 9 can function as a separation transformer so that the different secondary windings can be separated from the mains and their lower ends can be connected to ground of the picture display device. The latter step makes it possible to connect a different apparatus such as, for example, a magnetic recording and/or playback apparatus to the picture display device without earth connection problems occurring.

In FIG. 1 the reference numeral 14 denotes a secondary winding of transformer 9 which in accordance with the previously mentioned recognition of the invention can drive line output transistor 16 of the line deflection circuit 17. Line deflection circuit 17 which is shown in a simplified form in FIG. 1 includes inter alia line deflection coils 18 and an EHT transformer 19 a secondary winding 20 of which serves for generating the EHT required for the acceleration anode of the picture display tube. Line deflection circuit 17 is fed by the output voltage V _o of the chopper which voltage is stabilized due to the pulse duration modulation with all previously mentioned advantages. Line deflection circuit 17 corresponds, for example, to similar arrangements which have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,224 issued Mar. 31, 1970 to J.J. Reichgelt et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 737,009 filed June 14, 1968 by W. H. Hetterscheid and U.S. application Ser. No. 26,497 filed April 8, 1970 by W. Hetterscheid et al. It will be evident that differently formed lined deflection circuits are alternatively possible.

It will now be shown that secondary winding 14 can indeed drive a line deflection circuit so that switching transistor 2 can function as a driver for the line deflection. FIGS. 2a and b show the variation as a function of time of the current i _C which flows in the collector of transistor 16 and of the drive voltage v ₁₄ across the terminals of secondary winding 14. During the flyback period (0, t ₁ ) transistor 16 must be fully cut off because a high voltage peak is then produced at its collector; voltage v ₁₄ must then be absolutely negative. During the scan period (t ₁ , t ₄ ) a sawtooth current i _C flows through the collector electrode of transistor 16 which current is first negative and then changes its direction. As the circuit arrangement is not free from loss, the instant t ₃ when current i _C becomes zero lies, as is known, before the middle of the scan period. At the end t ₄ of the scan period transistor 16 must be switched off again. However, since transistor 16 is saturated during the scan period and since this transistor must be suitable for high voltages and great powers so that its collector layer is thick, this transistor has a very great excess of charge carriers in both its base and collector layers. The removal of these charge carriers takes a period t _s which is not negligible whereafter the transistor is indeed switched off. Thus the fraction δ T of the line period T at which v ₁₄ is positive must end at the latest at the instant (t ₄ - t _s ) located after the commencement (t = 0) of the previous flyback.

The time δ T may be initiated at any instant t ₂ which is located between the end t ₁ of the flyback period and the instant t ₃ when collector current i _C reverses its direction. It is true that emitter current flows through transistor 16 at the instant t ₂ , but collector current i _C is not influenced thereby, at least not when the supply voltage (= V _o ) for line deflection circuit 17 is high enough. All this has been described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,224. The same applies to line deflection circuits wherein the collector base diode does not function as an efficiency diode as is the case in the described circuit 17, but wherein an efficiency diode is arranged between collector and emitter of the line output transistor. In such a case the negative part of the current i _C of FIG. 2a represents the current flowing through the said efficiency diode.

After the instant t ₃ voltage v ₁₄ must be positive. In other words, the minimum duration of the period T when voltage v ₁₄ must be positive is (t ₄ - t _s ) - t ₃ whilst the maximum duration thereof is (t ₄ - t _s ) - t ₁ . In a television system employing 625 lines per raster the line period t ₄ is approximately 64 μus and the flyback period is approximately 12 μus. Without losses in the circuit arrangement instant t ₃ would be located approximately 26 μus after the instant t ₁ , and with losses a reasonable value is 22 μus which is 34 μus after the commencement of the period. If for safety's sake it is assumed that t _s lasts approximately 10 μus, the extreme values of δ T are approximately 20 and 42 μus and consequently the values for δ are approximately 0.31 and 0.66 at a mean value which is equal to approximately 0.49. It was previously stated that a mean value of δ = 0.5 was suitable. Line deflection circuit 17 can therefore indeed be used in combination with the chopper in the manner described, and the relative variation of δ may be (0.66 - 0.31) : 0.49 = 71.5 percent. This is more than necessary to obviate the variations in the mains voltage or in the various loads and to establish the East-West modulation and ripple compensation to be described hereinafter. In fact, if it is assumed that the mains voltage varies between -15 and +10 percent of the nominal value of 220 V, while the 50 Hz ripple voltage which is superimposed on the input voltage V _i has a peak-to-peak value of 40 V and V _i is nominally 270 V, then the lowest occurring V _i is:

0.85 × 270 V - 20 V = 210 V and the highest occurring V _i is

1.1 × 270 V + 20 V = 320 V. For an output voltage V _o of 135 V the ratio must thus vary between

δ = 135 : 210 = 0.64 and δ = 135 : 320 = 0.42.

A considerable problem presenting itself is that of the simultaneous or non-simultaneous drive of line output transistor 16 with switching transistor 2, it being understood that in case of simultaneous drive both transistors are simultaneously bottomed, that is during the period δ T. This depends on the winding sense of secondary winding 14 relative to that of primary winding 8. In FIG. 1 it has been assumed that the drive takes place simultaneously so that the voltage present across winding 14 has the shape shown in FIG. 2b. This voltage assumes the value n(V _i - V _o ) in the period δ T and the value -nVo in the period (1 - δ )T, wherein n is the ratio of the number of turns on windings 14 and 8 and wherein V _o is maintained constant at nominal mains voltage V _o = δ V _inom . However, if as a result of an increase or a decrease of the mains voltage V _i increases or decreases proportionally therewith, i.e., V _i = V _i nom + Δ V, the positive portion of V ₁₄ becomes equal to n(V _i nom - V _o +Δ V) = n [(1 -δ)V _i nom +ΔV] = n(0.5 V _inom +ΔV) if δ = 0.5 for V _i = V _i nom. Relatively, this is a variation which is twice as great. For example, if V _i nom = 270 V and V _o = 135 V, a variation in the mains voltage of from -15 to +10 percent causes a variation of V _i of from -40.5 V to +27 V which ranges from -30 to +20 percent of 135 V which is present across winding 8 during the period δ T. The result is that transistor 16 can always be bottomed over a large range of variation. If the signal of FIG. 2b would be applied through a resistor to the base of transistor 16, the base current thereof would have to undergo the same variation while the transistor would already be saturated in case of too low a voltage. In this case it is assumed that transformer 9 is ideal (without loss) and that coil 21 has a small inductance as is explained in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 737,009 above mentioned. It is therefore found to be desirable to limit the base current of transistor 16.

This may be effected by providing a coil 22 having a large value inductance, approximately 100 μH, between winding 14 and the small coil 21. The variation of said base current i _b is shown in FIG. 2c but not to the same scale as the collector current of FIG. 2a. During the conducting interval δ T current i _b varies as a linear function of time having a final value of wherein L represents the inductance of coil 22. This not only provides the advantage that this final value is not immediately reached, but it can be shown that variation of this final value as a function of the mains voltage has been reduced, for there applies at nominal mains voltage that: If the mains voltage V _i = V _i nom +Δ V, then ##SPC1## because V _i nom = 2 V _o . Thus this variation is equal to that of the mains voltage and is not twice as great.

During switching off, t ₂ , of transistor 16 coil 22 must exert no influence and coil 21 must exert influence which is achieved by arranging a diode 23 parallel to coil 22. Furthermore the control circuit of transistor 16 in this example comprises the two diodes 24 and 25 as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 26,497 above referred to, wherein one of these diodes, diode 25 in FIG. 1, must be shunted by a resistor.

The control circuit of transistor 16 may alternatively be formed as is shown in FIG. 4. In fact, it is known that coil 21 may be replaced by the parallel arrangement of a diode 21' and a resistor 21" by which the inverse current can be limited. To separate the path of the inverse current from that of the forward current the parallel arrangement of a the diode 29' and a resistor 29" must then be present. This leads to the circuit arrangement shown in the upper part of FIG. 4. This circuit arrangement may now be simplified if it is noted that diodes 25 and 21' on the one hand and diodes 23 and 29' on the other hand are series-arranged. The result is shown in the lower part of FIG. 4 which, as compared with the circuit arrangement of FIG. 1, employs one coil less and an additional resistor.

FIG. 3 shows possible modifications of the chopper. FIG. 3a shown in a simplified form the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 1 wherein the pulsatory voltage present across the connections of windings 8 has a peak-to-peak amplitude of V _i - V _o = 0.5 V _i for δ = 0.5, As has been stated, the provision of coil 22 gives a relative variation for the base current of transistor 16 which is equal to that of the mains voltage. In the cases according to FIG. 3b, 3c and 3d the peak-to-peak amplitude of the voltage across winding 8 is equal to V _i so that the provision of coil 22 results in a relative variation which is equal to half that of the mains voltage which is still more favorable than in the first case.

Transistors of the npn type are used in FIG. 3. If transistors of the pnp type are used, the relevant efficiency diodes must of course be reversed.

In this connection it is to be noted that it is possible to obtain an output voltage V _o with the aid of the modifications according to FIGS. 3b, c and d, which voltage is higher than input voltage V _i . These modifications may be used in countries such as, for example, the United of America or France where the nominal mains voltage is 117 or 110 V without having to modify the rest of the circuit arrangement.

The above-mentioned remark regarding the sum of the diode currents only applies, however, for the modifications shown in FIGS. 3a and d.

If line output transistor 16 is not simultaneously driven with switching transistor 2, efficiency diodes 7 conducts simultaneously with transistor 16 i.e., during the period which is denoted by δ T in FIGS. 1 and 2b. During that period the output voltage V _o of the chopper is stabilized so that the base current of transistor 16 is stabilized without further difficulty. However, a considerable drawback occurs. In FIG. 1 the reference numeral 26 denotes a safety circuit the purpose of which is to safeguard switching transistor 2 when the current supplied to load 11 and/or line deflection circuit 17 becomes to high, which happens because the chopper stops. After a given period output voltage V _o is built up again, but gradually which means that the ratio δ is initially small in the order of 0.1. All this is described in U.S. patent No. 3,629,686. The same phenomenon occurs when the display device is switched on. Since δ = 0.1 corresponds to approximately 6 μs when T = 64 μs, efficiency diode 7 conducts in that case for 64 - 6 = 58 μus so that transistor 16 is already switched on at the end of the scan or at a slightly greater ratio δ during the flyback. This would cause an inadmissibly high dissipation. For this reason the simultaneous drive is therefore to be preferred.

The line deflection circuit itself is also safeguarded: in fact, if something goes wrong in the supply, the driver voltage of the line deflection circuit drops out because the switching voltage across the terminals of primary winding 8 is no longer present so that the deflection stops. This particularly happens when switching transistor 2 starts to constitute a short-circuit between emitter and collector with the result that the supply voltage V _o for the line deflection circuit in the case of FIG. 1 becomes higher, namely equal to V _i . However, the line output transformer is now cut off and is therefore also safe as well as the picture display tube and other parts of the display device which are fed by terminal 15 or the like. However, this only applies to the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 1 or 3a.

Pulse oscillator 6 applies pulses of line frequency to modulator 5. It may be advantageous to have two line frequency generators as already described, to wit pulse oscillator 6 and line oscillator 6' which is present in the picture display device and which is directly synchronized in known manner by line synchronizing pulses 7'. In fact, in this case line oscillator 6' applies a signal of great amplitude and free from interference to pulse oscillator 6. However, it is alternatively possible to combine pulse oscillator 6 and line oscillator 6' in one single oscillator 6" (see FIG. 1) which results in an economy of components. It will be evident that line oscillator 6' and oscillator 6" may alternatively be synchronized indirectly, for example, by means of a phase discriminator. It is to be noted neither pulse oscillator 6, line oscillator 6' and oscillator 6" nor modulator 5 can be fed by the supply described since output voltage V _o is still not present when the mains voltage is switched on. Said circuit arrangements must therefore be fed directly from the input terminals. If as described above these circuit arrangements are to be separated from the mains, a small separation transformer can be used whose primary winding is connected between the mains voltage terminals and whose secondary winding is connected to ground at one end and controls a rectifier at the other end.

Capacitor 27 is arranged parallel to efficiency diode 7 so as to reduce the dissipation in switching transistor 2. In fact, if transistor 2 is switched off by the pulsatory control voltage, its collector current decreases and its collector-emitter voltage increases simultaneously so that the dissipated power is not negligible before the collector current has becomes zero. If efficiency diode 7 is shunted by capacitor 27 the increase of the collector-emitter voltage is delayed i.e., this voltage does not assume high values until the collector current has already been reduced. It is true that in that case the dissipation in transistor 2 slightly increases when it is switched on by the pulsatory control voltage but on the other hand since the current flowing through diode 7 has decreased due to the presence of the secondary windings, its inverse current is also reduced when transistor 2 is switched on and hence its dissipation has become smaller. In addition it is advantageous to delay these switching-on and switching-off periods to a slight extent because the switching pulses then contain fewer Fourier components of high frequency which may cause interferences in the picture display device and which may give rise to visible interferences on the screen of the display tube. These interferences occupy a fixed position on the displayed image because the switching frequency is the line frequency which is less disturbing to the viewer. In a practical circuit wherein the line frequency is 15,625 Hz and wherein switching transistor 2 is an experimental type suitable for a maximum of 350 V collector-emitter voltage or 1 A collector current and wherein efficiency diode 7 is of the Philips type BA 148 the capacitance of capacitor 27 is approximately 680 pF whilst the load is 70 W on the primary and 20 W on the secondary side of transformer 9. The collector dissipation upon switching off is 0.3 W (2.5 times smaller than without capacitor 27) and 0.7 W upon switching on.

As is known the so-called pincushion distortion is produced in the picture display tubes having a substantially flat screen and large deflection angles which are currently used. This distortion is especially a problem in color television wherein a raster correction cannot be brought about by magnetic means. The correction of the so-called East-West pincushion distortion i.e., in the horizontal direction on the screen of the picture display tube can be established in an elegant manner with the aid of the circuit arrangement according to the invention. In fact, if the voltage generated by comparison circuit 12 and being applied to modulator 5 for duration-modulating pulsatory voltage 3 is modulated by a parabola voltage 28 of field frequency, pulsatory voltage 3 is also modulated thereby. If the power consumption of the line deflection circuit forms part of the load on the output voltage of the chopper, the signal applied to the line deflection coils is likewise modulated in the same manner. Conditions therefore are that the parabola voltage 28 of field frequency has a polarity such that the envelope of the sawtooth current of line frequency flowing through the line deflection coils has a maximum in the middle of the scan of the field period and that charge capacitor 10 has not too small an impedance for the field frequency. On the other hand the other supply voltages which are generated by the circuit arrangement according to the invention and which might be hampered by this component of field frequency must be smoothed satisfactorily.

A practical embodiment of the described example with the reference numerals given provides an output for the supply of approximately 85 percent at a total load of 90 W, the internal resistance for direct current loads being 1.5 ohms and for pulsatory currents being approximately 10 ohms. In case of a variation of ± 10 percent of the mains voltage, output voltage V _o is stable within 0.4 V. Under the nominal circumstances the collector dissipation of switching transistor 2 is approximately 2.5 W.

Since the internal resistance of the supply is so small, it can be used advantageously, for example, at terminal 15 for supplying a class-B audio amplifier which forms part of the display device. Such an amplifier has the known advantages that its dissipation is directly proportional to the amplitude of the sound to be reproduced and that its output is higher than that of a class-A amplifier. On the other hand a class-A amplifier consumes a substantially constant power so that the internal resistance of the supply voltage source is of little importance. However, if this source is highly resistive, the supply voltage is modulated in the case of a class-B amplifier by the audio information when the sound intensity is great which may detrimentally influence other parts of the display device. This drawback is prevented by means of the supply according to the invention.

The 50 Hz ripple voltage which is superimposed on the rectified input voltage V _i is compensated by comparison circuit 12 and modulator 5 since this ripple voltage may be considered to be a variation of input voltage V _i . A further compensation is obtained by applying a portion of this ripple voltage with suitable polarity to comparison circuit 12. It is then sufficient to have a lower value for the smoothing capacitor which forms part of rectifier circuit 1 (see FIG. 3). The parabola voltage 28 of field frequency originating from the field time base is applied to the same circuit 12 so as to correct the East-West pincushion distortion.