Channel Selecting Apparatus for a Television Receiver With an Electronic Tuner

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to channel selecting apparatus for a television receiver, and more particularly is directed to a channel selecting apparatus for a television receiver having a so-called electronic tuner employing, as its tuning element, a varactor or voltage-controlled, variable reactance device, such as, a variable capacitance diode.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Most existing television receivers employ electro-mechanical tuners in which a channel-selecting knob is manually rotatable through various positions established by a detent mechanism and which respectively correspond to the twelve vhf channels. At each of such positions of the knob, suitable switch contacts are engaged to activate a respective circuit by which the receiving frequency for the designated channel is obtained. Such electro-mechanical tuners are susceptible to failure because of loose or dirty switch contacts and defects in the detent mechanism. Furthermore, electro-mechanical tuners of the described type become extremely complex and even more unreliable when designed to tune the uhf channels in addition to the vhf channels.

In order to overcome the above problems of electro-mechanical tuners, so-called electronic tuners have been proposed for television receivers. In these proposed electronic tuners, a varactor, that is, an analog voltage-controlled, variable reactance device, such as, a variable capacitance diode, is employed as the tuning element, and the control voltage therefor is obtained either by means of a potentiometer array or a phase-locked loop arrangement. In the case of the potentiometer array, a number of potentiometers are connected between a stable voltage supply and ground, and each potentiometer is adjusted to provide a voltage which, when applied to the varactor by way of a respective solid state switch, will tune the receiver to a respective one of the local channels. Further, manually operable switches are provided to control the solid state switches associated with the several potentiometers. In the foregoing arrangement, it is difficult and costly to obtain stable potentiometers, and rather elaborate mechanical assemblies are required to provide for the adjustment of the several potentiometers so as to correspond to respective local channels.

In the existing electronic tuners employing a varactor with a phase-locked loop, the variable frequency output of the varactor controlled tuner is applied through an amplifier to a prescaler which divides such output frequency by a fixed number, and the resulting divided frequency is then further divided, in a variable counter or divider, by a number that is determined by a preset logic controlled by manually operable channel-selector switches. The output of the variable counter or divider is then compared, in a phase comparator, with a stable reference frequency obtained, for example, from a crystal-controlled oscillator, with the resulting error signal being used to control or vary the control voltage for the varactor. The foregoing phase-locked loop arrangement is disadvantageous in that the amplifier used to raise the low level of the output of the tuner for driving the digital prescaler may be costly, and further in that such prescaler has to operate at an undesirably high input frequency.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved channel selecting apparatus for a television receiver having a tuner with a varactor or voltage-controlled variable reactance device as its tuning element, and in which the above described problems and disadvantages of the previously proposed channel selecting apparatus for electronic tuners are avoided.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a channel selecting apparatus, as aforesaid, which can be easily and inexpensively formed as an integrated circuit, and which is capable of tuning the associated television receiver to any desired channel with very high accuracy and reliability.

Another object is to provide a channel selecting apparatus, as aforesaid, which is devoid of any potentiometers or variable resistors for establishing the control voltage of the varactor, thereby to avoid the problems that may arise from the high contact resistance or changes in the resistance value of potentiometers that can occur due to vibration, temperature variations or simply with time.

Still another object is to provide a channel selecting apparatus, as aforesaid, which may be very simply preset or programmed for determining the local channels that are to be received.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, in a channel-selecting apparatus for a television receiver having a tuner with a varactor as its tuning element, digital codes representing or identifying respective channels are stored at respective addresses in a memory, and a digital-to-analog converter provides an analog control voltage for the varactor in correspondence to each digital code selectively read out of the memory in a channel selecting mode of the apparatus. Further, in a programming mode of the apparatus, changing, digitally coded counts of a counter which is counting sweep pulses are applied to the digital-to-analog converter for similarly controlling the varactor and selected counts of the counter, for example, those which result in the appearance on the receiver screen of pictures or test patterns broadcast on selected local channels, are written at selected addresses in the memory as the channel identifying codes.

In preferred apparatus according to this invention, the digital-to-analog converter is constituted by a pulse-width modulator which produces a chain of pulses at a constant repetition rate with the widths of such pulses being varied in dependence on the absence of coincidence between a circulating digital code and the digitally coded count from the counter as established either by read out of a channel identifying digital code from the memory or by counting of the sweep pulses, and the output of the pulse-width modulator is passed through a low pass filter to provide the analog control voltage of the varactor in dependence on the modulated pulse width.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a channel selecting apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating, in greater detail, an up-down counter for generating channel identifying codes and a memory which are included in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail block diagram of a pulse-width modulator which forms an important component of the apparatus shown on FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A-4E are waveform diagrams to which reference will be made in explaining the operation of the channel selecting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing a channel selecting apparatus according to another embodiment of this invention; and

FIGS. 6A-6I are waveform diagrams to which reference will be made in explaining the operation of the channel selecting apparatus of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that a channel selecting apparatus according to this invention is there illustrated to generally comprise a generator 10 of a clock pulse A.sub.o which is applied to a timing counter 20 for producing a circulating digital or binary code A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3 -A.sub.14 ; a sweep pulse generating circuit 30 which is manually controllable to selectively produce up-sweep pulses P.sub.U or down-sweep pulses P.sub.D ; and an up-down counter 40 which, in a programming mode of the apparatus, counts the sweep pulses P.sub.U or P.sub.D to establish channel identifying digital codes B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3 -B.sub.14 corresponding to the changing counts of counter 40 and which may be selectively written at selected addresses in a memory 50. Further, the channel selecting apparatus according to this invention, as shown on FIG. 1, generally comprises a memory control circuit 60 for selectively establishing the previously mentioned programming mode of operation or a channel selecting mode in which a channel identifying digital code previously written or stored at a selected address in memory 50 is read out therefrom, as indicated at C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3 -C.sub.14, with such read out code being applied to counter 40 for establishing the corresponding count in the latter; an address selecting circuit 70 that is manually controllable for activating a selected address in memory 50 for either the writing of a selected channel identifying code at such address or the reading out of a previously stored channel identifying code from the selected address during the programming or channel selecting modes, respectively; and a band indicating signal forming circuit 80 which, in the programming mode of operation, is selectively operable to produce a signal indicating the band of the channel indicating code then being written or stored at a selected address of memory 50, with such band indicating signal being also written or stored at the respective address. Finally, the channel selecting apparatus according to this invention, as shown on FIG. 1, generally comprises a digital-to-analog converter 90 which provides an analog control voltage for the varactor of a selected band in an electronic tuner 100 in correspondence to the count of counter 40 established by a channel identifying digital code selectively read out of memory 50 in a channel selecting mode of the apparatus, or in correspondence to the changing counts of counter 40 produced when the latter counts sweep pulses from generating circuit 30 in the programming mode of the apparatus; and a video intermediate frequency amplifier 110 which receives the tuned frequency output of tuner 100.

In the channel selecting apparatus as generally described above, the clock pulse A.sub.o from generator 10 may have a frequency of, for example, 4 MHz resulting in a period .tau. of 0.25 .mu. sec. In the timing counter 20, such clock pulse A.sub.o is counted to produce pulses A.sub.1 to A.sub.14 which are frequency-divided in sequence so as to range from the pulses A.sub.1 having a period of 0.5 .mu. sec. and a pulse width of 0.25 .mu. sec., to the pulses A.sub.14 having a period of 4.096 m.sec. and a pulse width of 2.048 m.sec., thereby to form a 14-bit circulating digital code constituted by the pulses A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3 -A.sub.14. It will be apparent that such 14-bit circulating digital code changes its state 2.sup.14 times, that is, 16,384 times, within the circulating or repeating period of T=2.sup.14 .tau.=4.096 m.sec. (FIGS. 4A and B).

In the sweep pulse generating circuit 30 as shown on FIG. 1, a fine up-sweep switch 31FU, a fine down-sweep switch 31FD, a coarse up-sweep switch 31CU and a coarse downsweep switch 31CD are connected in series circuits with respective resistors 32.sub.1, 32.sub.2, 32.sub.3 and 32.sub.4, and such series circuits are connected in parallel between a voltage source 45V and ground. The switches 31FU, 31FD, 31CU and 31CD are normally open, as shown, to provide signals at the relatively high level "1" at the junctions of such switches with the respective resistors 32.sub.1, 32.sub.2, 32.sub.3 and 32.sub.4. Further, the switches 31FU, 31FD, 31CU and 31CD are adapted to be selectively manually displaced to the closed condition thereof for providing a signal at the low level "0" at the junction of the closed switch with the respective resistor 32.sub.1 -32.sub.4. Such signals "1" or "0" from switches 31FU, 31FD, 31CU and 31CD are applied through inverters 33.sub.1, 33.sub.2 33.sub.3 and 33.sub.4 to first inputs of NAND circuits 34.sub.1, 34.sub.2, 34.sub.3 and 34.sub.4, respectively. The pulses A.sub.14 having a period of 4.096 m.sec. are applied from timing counter 20, as coarse sweep pulses, to second inputs of NAND circuits 34.sub.3 and 34.sub.4. Further, the pulses A.sub.14 from timing counter 20 are applied to a frequency divider 35 so as to be divided in the latter, for example, by 64, for providing fine sweep pulses having a period of 262.144 m.sec. and such fine sweep pulses are applied to second inputs of NAND circuits 34.sub.1 and 34.sub.2. The outputs of NAND circuits 34.sub.1 and 34.sub.3 are connected to first and second inputs of a NAND circuit 36 which has its output applied to an inverter 37 for producing either the fine or coarse up-sweep pulses P.sub.U, while the outputs of NAND circuits 34.sub.2 and 34.sub.4 are similarly connected to first and second inputs of a NAND circuit 38 which has its output applied to an inverter 39 for producing either the fine or coarse down-sweep pulses P.sub.D.

As shown schematically on FIG. 2, the counter 40 may be a conventional 14-bit up-down counter having 14 flip-flops 41.sub.1, 41.sub.2,-41.sub.14 which have their states changed sequentially in the up or down direction when counting the up-sweep pulses P.sub.U or the down-sweep pulses P.sub.D, respectively, in the programming mode of operation to establish the respective bits of sequentially changing 14-bit channel identifying codes B.sub.1, B.sub.2 -B.sub.14. In such programming mode of operation, the channel identifying codes are applied from counter 40 to memory 50 for writing or storage of a selected one of such codes at a selectively activated address in the memory, and the sequentially changing channel identifying codes are also applied from counter 40 to digital-to-analog converter 90 for providing a correspondingly varied control voltage for the varactor in a selected band of electronic tuner 100. The flip-flops 41.sub.1 -41.sub.14 of counter 40 are further adapted, in the channel selecting mode of operation, to have their respective states established by the respective bits C.sub.1 -C.sub.14 of a memorized channel identifying code which are read out of a selectively activated address in memory 50 to AND circuits 42.sub.1 -42.sub.14 which also receive a load pulse P.sub.B during the channel selecting operation for passing the bits read out of the memory, as hereinafter described in detail, and which have their ourputs respectively connected to flip-flops 41.sub.1 -41.sub.14.

As also shown on FIG. 2, the memory 50 may be desirably comprised of 16 memory units 51.sub.1, 51.sub.2,-51.sub.16 at respective addresses in memory 50, with the memory unit at each address being capable of storing 16-bits of digital information, that is, the 14-bits of a selected channel identifying code from counter 40 and 2-bits from an encoder 52 for the band indicating signal received from circuit 80 for indicating whether the channel identified by the 14-bit digital code being stored at the respective address is a vhf of uhf channel, and, if it is a vhf channel, whether it is a low channel or a high channel in such broadcast band, respectively. Further, the memory 50 is schematically shown to include a decoder 53 which, in the programming and channel selecting modes of operation, receives the 2-bits of digital information representing the band of the channels identified by the 14-bit codes being applied to, or read out from, respectively, the memory units for providing a corresponding band identifying signal applied to electronic tuner 100 for selecting the corresponding band of the latter. Finally, the memory 50 is schematically shown to include a decoder 54 which receives a 4-bit digital code from the address selecting circuit 70, as hereinafter described in detail, and which is effective to activate or address the corresponding one of the memory units 51.sub.1, 51.sub.2 -51.sub.16. Preferably, the memory units of memory 50 are composed of non-volatile cells, such as, metal-nitride-oxide-silicon (MNOS) elements, so that the contents thereof, while being electrically alterable, are held unchanged during periods when memory 50 is disconnected from a source of power.

Returning again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the memory control 60 includes a mode change-over switch 61 having a movable contact that is manually actuable to selectively engage fixed contacts a and b. The fixed contact a is connected to a voltage source +5V so that, when the movable contact of switch 61 engages fixed contact a to establish the programming mode of operation, a signal P.sub.A at the relatively high level "1" is obtained from switch 61. On the other hand, the fixed contact b of switch 61 is connected to ground so that, when the movable contact of switch 61 is engaged with fixed contact b for establishing the channel selecting mode of operation, the signal P.sub.A is at the relatively low level "0. " Memory control 60 is further shown to have a normally open switch 62 which is connected in series with a resistor 62a between a voltage source +5V and ground. The signal P.sub.A from mode change-over switch 61 is shown to be applied to one input of a NAND circuit 63 which has its other input connected through an inverter 64 with a junction in the connection between switch 62 and resistor 62a. It will be apparent that, when switch 62 is in its normally open position, as shown, the output of inverter 64 will be at the low level "0," whereas, when switch 62 is manually closed to effect a writing operation with the apparatus in its programming mode, the output of inverter 64 will be at the relatively high level "1." The output of NAND circuit 63 is shown to be applied to an instruction signal forming circuit 65 which, when the output of NAND circuit 63 is at the low level "0," supplies an erasing pulse P.sub.E and then a writing pulse P.sub.WR to the memory unit at a selected address in memory 50 so as to erase the previously stored contents in such memory unit and, thereafter, to write in the selected memory unit the 14-bit channel identifying code then being received from counter 40 and the 2-bit code which represents the band of the channel identified by the code being written in the respective memory unit. On the other hand, when the output of NAND circuit 63 is at the high level "1," instruction signal forming circuit 65 applies a read pulse P.sub.R to memory unit 50 so as to effect the read out of the contents stored in the memory unit which is then selected.

The band indicating signal forming circuit 80 is shown to include normally open switches S.sub.L, S.sub.H and S.sub.U which are connected in series with respective resistors 81.sub.L, 81.sub.H and 81.sub.U between a voltage source +5V and ground. Junctions between switches S.sub.L, S.sub.H and S.sub.U and the respective resistors are connected to inverters 82.sub.L, 82.sub.H and 82.sub.U, respectively, which have their outputs connected to first inputs of NAND circuits 83.sub.L, 83.sub.H and 83.sub.U, respectively, while the second inputs of such NAND circuits receive the signal P.sub.A from mode change-over switch 61. The outputs of NAND circuits 83.sub.L, 83.sub.H and 83.sub.U are applied to a band memory 84 which is effective to apply a band indicating signal P.sub.L, P.sub.H or P.sub.U to encoder 52 in memory 50 in response to a low level or "0" output from the NAND circuit 83.sub.L, 83.sub.H or 83.sub.U, respectively. It will be apparent that, in the programming mode of operation established by engagement of switch 61 with its fixed contact a to provide the signal P.sub.A with the high value "1," the output of the NAND circuit 83.sub.L, 83.sub.H or 83.sub.U has the low value "0" only when the respective switch S.sub.L, S.sub.H or S.sub.U is manually closed for indicating that the channel identified by the 14-bit code to be written at a selected address in memory 50 is a low vhf channel, a high vhf channel or a uhf channel, respectively.

The address selecting circuit 70 of the illustrated channel selecting apparatus according to this invention includes 16 normally open address selecting switches S.sub.1, S.sub.2 -S.sub.16 which are each selectively manually actuable to the closed condition for selecting a corresponding one of the 16 addresses or memory units in memory 50 to be activated during a programming operation or channel selecting operation of the apparatus. The address selecting circuit 70 is further shown to include neon tubes or other indicators N.sub.1, N.sub.2 -N.sub.16 corresponding to the switches S.sub.1, S.sub.2 -S.sub.16, an address counter 71 which, in response to the closing of a selected one of the switches S.sub.1 -S.sub.16, produces a corresponding 4-bit addressing code applied to the decoder 54 in memory 50 for addressing the corresponding memory unit in the latter, and a decoder 72 which receives the coded output of address counter 71 and, in response thereto, provides a "0" output signal on a respective one of 16 output lines L.sub.1, L.sub.2 -L.sub.16. The switches S.sub.1 -S.sub.16 are connected, at one side, in common, through series resistors 73 and 74 to ground, while the opposite sides of switches S.sub.1 -S.sub.16 are connected to lines L.sub.1 -L.sub.16, respectively. Further, the lines L.sub.1 -L.sub.16 are connected through resistors 75.sub.1 -75.sub.16, respectively, and a common resistor 76a with a voltage source +100V, while the neon tubes or indicators N.sub.1 -N.sub.16 are connected between the lines L.sub.1 -L.sub.16, respectively, and the same voltage source +100V through a common resistor 76b. The junction between series-connected resistors 73 and 74 is connected to the base electrode of a switching transistor 77 having its emitter electrode connected to ground and its collector electrode connected to a voltage source +V.sub.cc and to an inverter 78. The output of inverter 78 is connected to one input of a NAND circuit 79 which, at its other input, receives the pulses A.sub.9 produced by timing counter 20 and having a period of 0.128 m.sec. Finally, the output of NAND circuit 79 is applied to address counter 71 which is operative to count each "0" output of NAND circuit 79.

In order to provide the load pulse P.sub.B to AND circuits 42.sub.1 -42.sub.14 of counter 40 for read out to the latter of the channel identifying code C.sub.1 -C.sub.14 stored in a selected memory unit of memory 50 in the channel selecting mode of operation, the illustrated apparatus according to this invention is further shown to include an inverter 43 receiving the signal P.sub.A from memory control 60 and having its output connected to one of the inputs of a NAND circuit 44 which, at its other input, is connected to the output of a monostable multivibrator 45 which is triggered by a relatively high collector output "1" from transistor 77 or from a transistor 46 of a time constant circuit 47. The output of NAND circuit 44 is connected to an inverter 48 which, in turn, has its output connected to AND circuits 42.sub.1 -42.sub.14 of counter 40 so that the load pulse P.sub.B is produced when the output of NAND circuit 44 is "0," that is, when signal P.sub.A has the value "0" for the channel selecting mode of operation and monostable multivibrator 45 is triggered to produce a pulse having the value "1" for a predetermined period of, for example, 50 m.sec. In the time constant circuit 47, the base electrode of transistor 46 is shown to be connected between a capacitor 46a and a resistor 46b which are connected, in series, between the voltage source +V.sub.cc and ground, while the collector of transistor 46 is connected through a resistor 46c with the voltage source and the emitter electrode of transistor 46 is connected to ground. Therefore, when the apparatus is initially connected to a power source, transistor 46 is made conductive and, hence its collector output is "0." After a predetermined lapse of time, for example, of 50 m.sec., transistor 46 is turned off so that its collector output rises to the value "1" for triggering monostable multivibrator 45 which then provides its output for the predetermined time of 50 m.sec.

In the channel selecting apparatus according to this invention, the digital-to-analog converter 90 preferably includes a pulse-width modulator 91 operative to produce a chain of pulses at a predetermined repetition rate with the width of each of such pulses being dependent on the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2,-B.sub.14 obtained from counter 40 either in response to the counting by the latter of the sweep pulses from generating circuit 30 or in response to the read out of a channel identifying code stored at a selected address in memory 50, and a low pass filter 92 which receives the chain of pulses from modulator 91 for providing the anaolog control voltage for a varactor of electronic tuner 100 in dependence on the modulated width of the pulses. More particularly, the pulse-width modulator 91 determines the pulse width of the chain of pulses applied to low pass filter 92 in dependence on the absence of coincidence between the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 obtained from counter 40 and the circulating digital code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 applied to modulator 91 from timing counter 20.

As shown on FIG. 3, the pulse-width modulator 90 may advantageously include 14 exclusive OR circuits 901,902,-914 having first and second inputs which respectively receive the bits or pulses A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 of the circulating code and the bits B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 of the channel identifying code. The outputs of all of the exclusive OR circuits 901-914 are applied through an OR circuit 93 to the reset terminal R of a flip-flop 94 which has the pulse A.sub.14 with a period of 4.096 m.sec. applied from timing counter 20 to the set terminal S of flip-flop 94. The flip-flop 94 is adapted to be set by the falling edge or side of each pulse A.sub.14 so as to provide an output of value "1" at its output terminal Q, that is, to initiate an output pulse P.sub.W. Further, flip-flop 94 is reset to terminate the output pulse P.sub.W, that is, to return the output voltage to "0," in response to the falling edge or side of an output P.sub.O from OR circuit 93.

As is apparent from FIGS. 4B-4E, an output pulse P.sub.W is initiated at the output Q of flip-flop 94 when the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 returns from the state (11111111111111) to the state (00000000000000). So long as the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 is not coincident in level with the channel identifying code then being applied to pulse-width modulator 91, one or more of the exclusive OR circuits 901-914 produces an output "1" with the result that the output P.sub.O of OR circuit 93 remains at the level "1" (FIG. 4B). Upon the coincidence of all bits of the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 with the corresponding bits of the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 during each circulating period T of the circulating code, the outputs of all of the exclusive OR circuits 901-914 attain the value "0," with the result that the output P.sub.O of OR circuit 93 falls from the value "1" to the value "0" so as to reset flip-flop 94 and thereby return the output of the latter to the value "0." Thus, during each circulating period T of the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 from timing counter 20 an output pulse P.sub.W, that is, an output of the value "1," is obtained from flip-flop 94 during the time interval between the return of the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 from the state (11111111111111) to the state (00000000000000) and the coincidence of the circulating code with the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14. Therefore, when a change is effected in the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 being applied to pulse-width modulator 91, a corresponding change occurs in the width of the output pulse P.sub.W obtained from modulator 91 during each circulating period of the circulating code.

For example, as shown on the left-hand portions of FIGS. 4A-4E, if the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2,-B.sub.14 applied to pulse-width modulator 91 is (00000000000001) the output pulse P.sub.W produced during each circulating period of the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 commences at the beginning of the circulating period, that is, when the circulating code returns from the state (11111111111111) to the state (00000000000000), and each such output pulse P.sub.W terminates at the commencement of the first pulse A.sub.1, at which time the circulating code (00000000000000) coincides with the received channel identifying code (00000000000000) to cause the output P.sub.O of OR circuit 93 to fall from "1" to "0." Thus, the output pulse P.sub.W produced during each circulating period of the circulating code has a pulse width of .tau.. On the other hand, as shown on the middle portions of FIGS. 4A-4E, if the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 being received by the pulse-width modulator 91 is (00000000000010), the coincidence of that channel identifying code with the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 occurs, during each circulating period of the circulating code, at the commencement of the first pulse A.sub.2, so that the resulting output pulse P.sub.W obtained during each circulating period has a width of 2.tau.. Similarly, as shown at the right-hand portions of FIGS. 4A-4E, if the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 received by modulator 91 during each circulating period is (00000000000011), the coincidence of such channel identifying code with the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 during each circulating period of the latter occurs at the commencement of the pulse A.sub.1 appearing during the existence of the first pulse A.sub.2 so that the resulting output pulse P.sub.W obtained during each circulating period has a pulse-width of 3 .tau..

Thus, the output pulses P.sub.W produced by modulator 91 during the successive circulating periods T of the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 have their pulse-widths determined by the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 then being received by the modulator, and the low pass filter 92 is effective to smooth such output pulses P.sub.W from modulator 91 and to deliver an analog or DC voltage having a value that corresponds to the width of the pulses P.sub.W.

In the electronic tuner 100 a signal V.sub.H,V.sub.L or U received from decoder 53 of memory 50 selects either the high band or the low band of a vhf tuning section or the uhf tuning section, respectively, for operation, with the voltage controlled variable reactance element or varactor, such as, a variable capacitance diode, of the selected tuning section being controlled by the analog or DC control voltage from low pass filter 92 for determining the receiving frequency. Finally, such receiving frequency is applied to the video intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 110 and the output of the latter is applied to a video detector circuit (not shown) as in a conventional color television receiver.

The above described channel selecting apparatus according to this invention operates as follows:

When it is desired to program the channel selecting apparatus, that is, to store at the various addresses in memory 50 channel identifying codes corresponding to various channels that are receivable in the region where the television receiver is located so that, thereafter, such channels can be received or selected merely by actuation of the switches S.sub.1 -S.sub.16 corresponding to the respective addresses, the mode change-over switch 61 is engaged with its fixed contact a for selecting the programming mode of operation. If it is desired, for example, to store at the address or memory unit 51.sub.1 of memory 50 a channel identifying code corresponding to the receiving frequency for channel "one" in the Tokyo area of Japan, the address selecting switch S.sub.1 is manually closed. Closing of switch S.sub.1 turns ON transistor 77 in address selecting circuit 70 so that the collector output of such transistor has the value "0." Thus, the output of inverter 78 becomes "1" with the result that NAND circuit 79 provides a "0" output on receiving each of the pulses A.sub.9 from timing counter 20. The address counter 71 counts each of the "0" outputs from NAND circuit 79. When the resulting 4-bit code from address counter 7 corresponds to the address or memory unit 51.sub.1 selected by the closing of switch S.sub.1, the decoder 72 responds to such 4-bit code from address counter 71 to provide a "0" output on the corresponding output line L.sub.1. In response to such "0" output on line L.sub.1, transistor 77 is turned OFF with the result that the output of NAND circuit 79 remains at "1" and address counter 71 ceases counting. Accordingly, the 4-bit code corresponding to switch S.sub.1 is applied to memory 50 for selecting or activating the address or memory unit 51.sub.1 corresponding to switch S.sub.1.

Since channel "one" in the Tokyo area, that is, a low vhf channel, is to be programmed in memory unit 51.sub.1, switch S.sub.L of the band indicating signal forming circuit 80 is closed to provide an output "1" from the respective inverter 82.sub.L. Since mode change-over switch 61 is engaged with its fixed contact a, its output P.sub.A is "1" and, therefore, the output of NAND circuit 83.sub.L becomes "0." Band memory 84 responds to such "0" output from NAND circuit 83.sub.L to provide the band selecting pulse P.sub.L which, through encoder 52 and decoder 53 of memory 50 provides the signal V.sub.L for selecting the low band or channel of the vhf tuning section in tuner 100.

Having selected the address or memory unit of memory 50 at which a channel identifying code is to be programmed and the band or section of tuner 100 which is appropriate for the channel to be programmed at such selected address, the sweep pulse generating circuit 30 is made operative, for example, by manually actuating the coarse up-sweep switch 31CU and holding the latter in its closed position. The closing of switch 31CU causes the associated inverter 33.sub.3 to provide the output "1" to NAND circuit 34.sub.3. Therefore, at each "0" state of the pulses A.sub.14 from timing counter 20, which pulses have a period of 4.096 m.sec., NAND circuit 34.sub.3 provides an output "1." Since the fine up-sweep switch 31FU is open, the output of its associated inverter 33.sub.1 is "0" and the output of the respective NAND circuit 34.sub.1 is "1." Therefore, the output of the NAND circuit 36 becomes "0" at every "1" output from NAND circuit 34.sub.3, that is, at every "0" state of the pulses A.sub.14. Accordingly, an up-sweep pulse P.sub.U appears at the output of inverter 37 at every "0" state of the pulses A.sub.14 from timing counter 20. Since such pulses A.sub.14 have a relatively short period of 4.096 m.sec., the pulses P.sub.U appearing while switch 31 CU is held in its closed condition may be considered coarse up-sweep pulses which, when being counted by counter 40, cause relatively rapid changes in the count of such counter 40. In other words, when counting the coarse up-sweep pulses P.sub.U from generating circuit 30, the count of counter 40 is changed, in sequence, in the upward direction to similarly change the resulting channel identifying code B.sub.1 ,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 obtained from counter 40 at every circulating period of the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 from timing counter 20, starting from the state (00000000000000), as shown on FIG. 4C. The changing channel identifying code from counter 40 and the circulating code from timing counter 20 are applied to pulse-width modulator 91 in the programming mode of operation. Since the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 changes at every time .tau. = 0.25 .mu.sec. which is the width of the pulses A.sub.1, the width of the output pulse P.sub.W from modulator 91 is increased by .tau. at every circulating period T of the circulating code starting from a pulse width of zero. Thus, so long as switch 31CU of sweep pulse generating circuit 30 is held in its closed condition, the channel selecting or control voltage from low pass filter 92 is increased progressively, for example, by about 2 m.V at every period T=4.096 m.sec. of the circulating code, and hence the receiving frequency established by tuner 100 increases progressively.

When a video picture being broadcast or transmitted by channel "one" appears on the screen of the televison receiver, the coarse up-sweep switch 31CU is released by the operator so as to return to its normal open condition. Upon opening of switch 31CU, the supplying of the coarse up-sweep pulses P.sub.U to counter 40 is terminated so that counter 40 ceases its counting action and the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 then obtained from counter 40 determines the approximate value of the receiving frequency of tuner 100 for the desired channel. Thereafter, the fine up-sweep switch 31FU may be manually actuated and held in its closed condition to provide fine up-sweep pulses P.sub.U from inverter 37, which fine up-sweep pulses have a period 64 times that of the coarse up-sweep pulses by reason of the divider 35. In counting the fine up-sweep pulses, the counter 40 sequentially changes the resulting channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 at every period 64T=262.144 m.sec. Thus, the width of the output pulses P.sub.W from pulse-width modulator 91 is increased by .tau. at every period 64T and, accordingly, the channel selecting or control voltage from low pass filter 92 is increased by about 2 mV at every period 64T for similarly changing the receiving frequency by tuner 100. When viewing of the picture on the screen of the television receiver indicates that fine tuning has been achieved in respect to the video signal broadcast by the desired channel, switch 31FU is released to return to its open condition and thereby halt the supplying of the fine up-sweep pulses to counter 40. Accordingly, counter 40 stops counting with the resulting channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 corresponding to a value of the analog control voltage applied from digital-to-analog converter 90 to tuner 100 corresponding to a receiving frequency for the fine-tuned reception of channel "one." Thereafter, the writing switch 62 is manually closed so that the associated inverter 64 provides the output "1." Since the mode change-over switch 61 remains engaged with its fixed contact a to provide the output P.sub.A with the value "1," the NAND circuit 63 provides the output "0." As a result of such "0" output from NAND circuit 63, the instruction signal forming circuit 65 first supplies an erasing pulse P.sub.E to memory 50 so as to erase any contents previously stored in the memory unit 51.sub.1 selected by the closing of switch S.sub.1. Then, circuit 65 applies a writing pulse P.sub.WR to memory unit 51.sub.1 with the result that the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 established by counter 40 for fine-tuning of channel "one" and the band identifying signal P.sub.L from band memory 84 are then written in the respective cells of memory unit 51.sub.1.

Following the programming of memory unit 51.sub.1 with a channel identifying code and a band indicating code corresponding to channel "one," the other memory units 51.sub.2 -51.sub.16 of memory 50 may be similarly programmed with coded information corresponding to other vhf and/or uhf channels that are receivable in the region where the television receiver is located. Thus, for example, if it is desired to program memory unit 51.sub.2 with coded information corresponding to channel "three" in the Tokyo area, mode change-over switch 61 is kept in engagement with its fixed contact a for establishing the programming mode of operation, and address selecting switch S.sub.2 is closed for addressing memory unit 51.sub.2. Since channel "three" is also a low vhf channel, switch S.sub.L of band indicating signal forming circuit 80 is again closed and, for example, coarse up-sweep switch 31CU of the sweep-pulse generating circuit is held in its closed position until counter 40, in counting the resulting up-sweep pulses, has changed the channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2,-B.sub.14 from the code for fine tuning of channel "one" to the code for approximate tuning of channel "three." After the channel identifying code has been further modified by fine tuning, as described above, writing switch 62 is again closed for effecting the writing in memory 51.sub.2 of the channel identifying and band indicating codes for the desired channel "three". Thus, at each of the addresses of memory 50 there can be sequentially written or stored the channel identifying and band indicating codes corresponding to a respective desired channel.

Although the programming of the channel selecting apparatus according to this invention has been described above as being effected by the sequential closing of the coarse up-sweep switch 31CU and the fine up-sweep switch 31FU, in which case, the coarse or fine up-sweep pulses P.sub.U are counted in the upward direction by counter 40 for progressively increasing the receiving frequency of tuner 100, it will be apparent that the programming operations can be similarly effected by the successive closing of the coarse down-sweep switch 31CD and the fine down-sweep switch 31FD so that counter 40 is made to count in the downward direction for progressively decreasing the receiving frequency of tuner 100. Whether counter 40 is made to count in the upward direction or in the downward direction, as aforesaid, is merely dependent upon the relationship of the receiving frequency for a channel which is to be programmed relative to the receiving frequency for the channel which has been previously programmed and, in each case, the direction in which counter 40 is made to count is selected so as to minimize the time required for the programming operation.

After the programming of memory 50 has been completed, as described above, the mode change-over switch 61 is manually actuated to engage its fixed contact b and thereby provide the output P.sub.A with the value "0" for establishing the channel selecting mode of operation for the apparatus. Since writing switch 62 remains in its open position, the output of the associated inverter 64 is "0" and, accordingly, NAND circuit 63 provides the output "1" to instruction signal forming circuit 65 so that the latter supplies the reading pulse P.sub.R to memory 50.

Preferably, when the power source for the channel selecting apparatus is initially turned ON, the address counter 71 of address selecting circuit 70 is reset thereby so that the 4-bit code issuing from counter 71 will activate or address the memory unit 51.sub.1 in memory 50.

When the power source for the channel selecting apparatus is initially turned ON, the transistor 46 in time constant circuit 47 is made conductive so that its collector output is "0" for a predetermined period of, for example, 50 m.sec., whereupon transistor 46 is turned OFF and its collector output rises to the value "1." Such rise in the collector output of transistor 46 triggers the monostable multivibrator 45 to provide an output pulse from the latter at the level "1" for the predetermined time of 50 m.sec. Since the output P.sub.A from mode change-over switch 61 is "0" for the channel selecting mode of operation, the output from inverter 43 is "1" and, therefore, the output from NAND circuit 44 is "0" for the predetermined time or period of the output pulse from monostable multivibrator 45. Such "0" output from NAND circuit 44 causes the inverter 48 to produce the output "1," that is, the load pulse P.sub.B for the period of the output pulse from monostable multivibrator 45. The load pulse P.sub.B, when applied to AND circuits 42.sub.1 -42.sub.14 in counter 40, allows the read out to counter 40 from memory unit 51.sub.1 of the channel identifying code C.sub.1,C.sub.2 -C.sub.14 previously stored therein and which, in the example described above, represents channel "one" in the Tokyo area. At the same time, the band indicating code stored in the respective cells of memory unit 51.sub.1 is read out from the latter to decoder 53 so that, in the described example, the signal V.sub.L is applied to tuner 100 for selecting the low band of the vhf tuning section. During the existence of load pulse P.sub.B, the bits C.sub.1 -C.sub.14 of the read out channel identifying code are applied to the respective flip-flops 41.sub.1 -41.sub.14 of counter 40 with the result that such flip-flops assume the states for providing the channel identifying code B.sub.1 -B.sub.14 from counter 40 to pulse-width modulator 91 which corresponds to a control voltage for tuner 100 suitable for fine tuning of the receiving frequency to that of channel "one." Therefore, upon the initial supplying of power to the channel selecting apparatus, the latter tunes the television receiver for the reception of the channel which has been programmed into the first address or memory unit 51.sub.1 of memory 50.

Thereafter, if it is desired to receive a channel programmed in a memory unit of memory 50 other than the first address or memory unit 51.sub.1, for example, if it is desired to receive channel "three" programmed in the second memory unit 51.sub.2, as described above, the switch S.sub.2 of the address selecting circuit 70 is manually closed and, as previously described in connection with the programming mode of operation, the address counter 71 counts the pulses A.sub.9 until the 4-bit code from address counter 71 addresses the second memory unit 51.sub.2 for causing read out of the channel identifying code and band indicating code stored in that memory unit during the programming of channel "three" in memory unit during the programming of channel "three" in memory unit 51.sub.2. When the code from address counter 71 addresses the memory unit corresponding to closed switch S.sub.2, decoder 72 provides the signal "0" on the respective output line L.sub.2 so that transistor 77 is turned OFF and its collector output rises from " 0" to "1." Such rise in the collector output of transistor 77 triggers monostable multivibrator 45 and, as previously described, the output from monostable multivibrator 45 results in the production of a load pulse P.sub.B from inverter 48. In response to the load pulse P.sub.B, the channel identifying code being read out of memory unit 51.sub.2 correspondingly changes the states of the flip-flops of counter 40 so that the latter provides the corresponding channel identifying code B.sub.1,B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 to pulse width modulator 91. Therefore, the output pulse P.sub.W obtained from modulator 91 during each circulating period of the circulating code A.sub.1,A.sub.2 -A.sub.14 has its width determined by the channel identifying code so as to result in an analog control voltage from low pass filter 92 to tuner 100 sufficient to cause the latter to establish the receiving frequency for channel "three."

It will be apparent that the channels programmed in the other memory units 51.sub.3 -51.sub.16 may be similarly selectively received merely by manual closing of a respective one of the address selecting switches S.sub.1 -S.sub.16.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that a channel selecting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is there shown to be generally similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 1, and has its components and parts identified by the same reference numerals as were employed for identifying the corresponding components and parts of the first described embodiment. It will be apparent that the channel selecting apparatus of FIG. 5 differs from that described above with reference to FIG. 1 only in respect to the arrangement and operation of its sweep-pulse generating circuit 130 which replaces the sweep-pulse generating circuit 30 of FIG. 1. More particularly, the sweep-pulse generating circuit 130 is shown to comprise only a single up-sweep switch 131U and a single down-sweep switch 131D associated with inverters 132.sub.I and 132.sub.2, respectively, to provide a signal "1" at the output of the associated inverter upon the closing of the switch 131U or 131D. The output of inverter 132.sub.1 is supplied to NAND circuits 133.sub.1 and 133.sub.2, while the output of inverter 132.sub.2 is supplied to NAND circuits 133.sub.3 and 133.sub.4. The switches 131U and 131D are further connected to a NAND circuit 135 so that, when one or the other of the switches 131U and 131D is closed to provide a "0" output to NAND circuit 135 (FIG. 6A) the output from NAND circuit 135 will trigger a monostable multivibrator 136 to produce an output pulse P.sub.M (FIG. 6C) having a predetermined pulse width, for example, of about 5 seconds. The pulse P.sub.M is applied to NAND circuits 133.sub.1 and 133.sub.3, and is further supplied from monostable multivibrator 136 to an inverter 137 for providing an inverted pulse P.sub.M (FIG. 6D) which is applied to NAND circuits 133.sub.2 and 133.sub.4. The pulses A.sub.14 (FIG. 6F) from timing counter 20 are applied as coarse-sweep pulses to NAND circuits 133.sub.2 and 133.sub.4 and also applied to a frequency divider 133 by which the frequency of the pulses A.sub.14 is divided by 64. Such frequency-divided pulses (FIG. 6E) from divider 138 are applied as fine-sweep pulses to the NAND circuits 133.sub.1 and 133.sub.3. Finally, the outputs of NAND circuits 133.sub.1 and 133.sub.2 are applied to a NAND circuit 139U for producing up-sweep pulses P.sub.U, while the outputs of NAND circuits 133.sub.3 and 133.sub.4 are applied to a NAND circuit 139D for producing down-sweep pulses P.sub.D. As previously described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sweep pulses P.sub.U and P.sub.D are selectively applied to counter 40 so as to be counted up or down, respectively, by the counter 40 in the programming mode of operation of the apparatus.

More particularly, in the programming mode of operation of the apparatus illustrated on FIG. 5, the address selecting circuit 70 and the band indicating signal forming circuit 80 are initially operated for selecting the memory unit of memory 50 in which a desired channel is to be programmed and for selecting the band of tuner 100 which is suitable for such channel, whereupon one of the switches 131U and 131D, for example, the switch 131U, is closed at the time t.sub.1 (FIG. 6A) so as to simultaneously provide the output "1" from the associated inverter 132.sub.1 (FIG. 6B). The closing of switch 131U further causes the output of NAND circuit 135 to rise from "0" to "1" and thereby trigger monostable multivibrator 136 to produce the pulse P.sub.M (FIG. 6C). The pulse P.sub.M is maintained at the level "1" for a period of 5 seconds from the time t.sub.1 while the output of inverter 132.sub.1 is also "1." Thus, during the period of five seconds from the time t.sub.1 to the time t.sub.2, the output of NAND circuit 133.sub.1 is "0" (FIG. 6G) each time the pulses from frequency divider 138 (FIG. 6E) become "1." However, after the time t.sub.2, that is, after five seconds from the time t.sub.1 when switch 131U is initially closed, pulse P.sub.M from monostable multivibrator 136 terminates so that the output of NAND circuit 133.sub.1 remains at the level "1" (FIG. 6G). At the time t.sub.2, the output P.sub.M (FIG. 6D) of inverter 137 becomes "1" so that, from the time t.sub.2 to the later time t.sub.3 when switch 131U is released for return to its normal open condition, the output (FIG. 6H) of NAND circuit 133.sub.2 becomes "0" whenever the pulses A.sub.14 (FIG. 6F) attain the level "1." As a result, the NAND circuit 139U produces a fine up-sweep pulse from the time t.sub.1 to the time t.sub.2, that is, for a period of five seconds after initial closing of switch 131U, and, thereafter, NAND circuit 139U produces a coarse up-sweep pulse until the time t.sub.3 when switch 131U is released for return to its open condition (FIG. 6I).

In a manner similar to that described above with reference to the switch 131U, it will be apparent that, when the down-sweep switch 131D is closed, a fine down-sweep pulse is obtained from NAND circuit 139D for the first 5 seconds following the closing of switch 131D and, thereafter, a coarse down-sweep pulse is obtained from NAND circuit 139D until switch 131D is released to return to its open condition.

It will be apparent that, when programming memory 50 of the channel selecting apparatus, for example, to provide the channel identifying code for channel "one" at the first address or memory unit in memory 50, the switch 131U may be manually closed to produce the fine and then coarse up-sweep pulses P.sub.U to be counted by counter 40. If, during such counting of the up-sweep pulses P.sub.U, the count of counter 40 goes beyond that for establishing the optimum channel identifying codes B.sub.1, B.sub.2 -B.sub.14 for the reception of channel "one," then the down-sweep switch 131D may be closed for causing fine down-sweep pulses P.sub.D to be supplied to counter 40 for a period of up to 5 seconds from the closing of switch 131D. During the down counting by the counter 40 of the fine down-sweep pulses, the channel identifying code issuing from counter 40 can be easily returned to the optimum value for reception of channel "one." Accordingly, by the selective operation of only the two switches 131U and 131D, the optimum codes for any desired channels can be readily obtained for programming or storage in respective memory units of memory 50.

It will be apparent that, in the channel selecting apparatus according to this invention, as described above, digital codes representing or identifying respective channels, and which are produced by the counting of sweep pulses, are stored at respective addresses in a memory during programming operations of the apparatus, and a digital-to-analog converter provides an analog control voltage for a varactor of an electronic tuner in correspondence to each digital code selectively read out of the memory in a channel selecting mode of operation of the apparatus. Thus, the apparatus according to this invention does not require potentiometers or variable resistors with movable contacts for selectively establishing the control voltage for the electronic tuner, which potentiometers or variable resistors are unreliable in that the values thereof may change due to vibration, temperature variations and/or merely with time. Accordingly, the apparatus according to this invention provides improved reliability and accuracy in tuning for reception of the desired channels, and may easily be formed as an integrated circuit with consequent savings in the cost thereof.

Furthermore, the apparatus according to this invention may be easily programmed for selection of any of the channels that may be received in the region where the television receiver is located.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.