Digital video signal processor with distortion correction

• US 4,199,656 A
• Filed: 04/23/1976
• Issued: 04/22/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IDR, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IDR, Inc.
• Inventors: Saylor, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US05/679,909
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 178/6, 178/6.8, 178/DIG. 23, 178/5.6, 178/5.8 R, 178/68, 178/69 D, 179/15 AD
• US Class Current: 178/66.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/035 Circuits for the digital non-picture data signal, e.g. for slicing of the data signal, for regeneration of the data-clock signal, for error detection or correction of the data signal

Abstract

An apparatus for compensating for signal distortions in an input digital signal, such as a pseudo video scan line having a television video scan line format and capable of comprising a complete self-contained packet of digital information sufficient to provide an entire video displayable row of video data characters, said signal comprising a plurality of ones and zeroes defining the digital information therein, the pseudo video scan line having associated peak-to-peak signal levels respectively defining the ones and zeroes wherein the signal distortion in the signal comprise the respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with at least some of the plurality of ones and zeroes differing from the respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with others of this plurality, the peak-to-peak signal levels resulting from zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in the signal, provides a compensated output digital signal from the distorted input digital signal having the same information content wherein the plurality of ones and the plurality of zeroes comprising the compensated output digital signal all have the same respective peak-to-peak signal levels varying about a common base level. The compensating apparatus comprises means for tracking both the zero-to-one and the one-to-zero transitions in the input digital signal operatively associated with means responsive to both the zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions for providing the compensated output digital signal in which all ones and all zeroes are of the same respective levels.

Claims

1. An apparatus for compensating for signal distortions in an input digital signal comprising a plurality of ones and zeros defining an information content for said input digital signal, said input digital signal having associated peak-to-peak signal levels, respectively, defining said ones and zeros wherein said signal distortions in said input digital signal comprise said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with at least some of said plurality of ones and zeros comprising said input digital signal differing from said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with others of said plurality of ones and zeros comprising said input digital signal, said peak-to-peak signal levels of said input digital signal resulting from zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said input digital signal, said compensating apparatus providing a compensated output digital signal from said distorted input digital signal having the same information content as said input digital signal defined information content, said plurality of ones and said plurality of zeros comprising said compensation output digital signal all having the same respective peak-to-peak signal levels varying about a common base level, said compensating apparatus comprising means for tracking said zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said input digital signal, first means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to each tracked zero-to-one transition in the peak-to-peak signal level of said input digital signal for clamping the level of said zero-to-one transition at a first predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued rise in said level of said distorted input digital signal zero-to-one transition and maintaining said clamped zero-to-one transition at said first predetermined signal level until the presence of a subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted input digital signal is detected whereby said signal level becomes unclamped, said tracking means tracking said subsequent one-to-zero transition in said unclamped signal, and second means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition for said unclamped signal for reclamping the level of said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition at a second predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued fall in said level of said distorted input digital signal subsequent one-to-zero transition until the presence of a subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted input digital signal is detected whereby said signal level of said reclamped signal again becomes unclamped, whereby said compensated output digital signal is provided from said distorted input signal.

2. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tracking means tracks said subsequent zero-to-one transition in said again unclamped signal and said zero-to-one transition responsive means is responsive to said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition for providing said clamping thereof at said first predetermined signal level until another subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted input digital signal is detected, whereby said signal level once again becomes unclamped, said tracking means and said first and second clamping means cyclically clamping and unclamping said distorted input digital signal at said respective first and second predetermined levels in accordance with the occurrence of the respective zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in the peak-to-peak signal level of said distorted input digital signal for providng said compensated output digital signal.

3. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second predetermined signal level is the negative of said first predetermined signal level, said compensated output digital signal plurality of ones and zeros varying in level about a zero common base level.

4. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first predetermined signal level is a first predetermined value above said common base level, and said second predetermined signal level is a second predetermined value below said common base level, said first and second predetermined values being equal in magnitude.

5. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said distorted input digital signal comprises a distorted input digital video signal and said compensated output digital signal comprises a compensated output digital video signal.

6. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said input digital video signal comprises a pseudo video scan line having a television video scan line format and capable of comprising a complete self-contained packet of digital information sufficient to provide an entire video displayable row of video data characters, said pseudo video scan line having an associated transmission time equivalent to said television video scan line.

7. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said pseudo video scan line comprises a composite video signal.

8. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said packet of digital information comprises at least address information for said displayable row and data information for said displayable characters in said displayable row.

9. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 where said first predetermined signal level clamping means comprises first diode means and said first predetermined signal level is substantially the threshold voltage of said first diode means.

10. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second predetermined signal clamping means comprises second diode means and said second predetermined signal level is substantially the threshold voltage of said second diode means.

11. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said tracking means comprises capacitive means.

12. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 11 further comprising means for providing a compensating charge voltage to the clamped signal for compensating for any decay in said clamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive ones in said input digital signal and to the reclamped signal for compensating for any decay in said reclamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive zeros in said input digital signal.

13. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said decay compensating means comprises a resistive-capacitive network means.

14. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tracking means comprises capacitive means.

15. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 14 further comprising means for providing a compensating charge voltage to the clamped signal for compensating for any decay in said clamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive ones in said input digital signal and to the reclamped signal for compensating for any decay in said reclamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive zeros in said input digital signal.

16. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said decay compensating means comprises a resistive-capacitive network means.

17. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second predetermined signal level clamping means comprises diode means and said second predetermined signal level is substantially the threshold voltage of said diode means.

18. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first and second diode means comprise silicon diode means.

19. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first diode means is a silicon diode means, said first predetermined signal level having a magnitude of substantially 0.7 volts.

20. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said second predetermined signal level clamping means comprises second silicon diode means and said second prdetermined signal level is substantially the threshold voltage of said silicon diode means and has a magnitude of substantially -0.7 volts, said common base level being 0 volts.

21. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first predetermined signal level is a first predetermined value above said common base level, and said second predetermined signal level is a second prdetermined value below said common base level, said first and second predetermined values being equal in magnitude.

22. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said distorted input digital signal comprises a distorted input digital video signal and said compensated output digital signal comprises a compensated output digital video signal.

23. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein said input digital video signal comprises a pseudo video scan line having a television video scan line format and capable of comprising a complete self-contained packet of digital information sufficient to provide an entire video displayable row of video data characters, said pseudo video scan line having an associated transmission time equivalent to said television video scan line.

24. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said pseudo video scan line comprises a composite video signal.

25. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said packet of digital information comprises at least address information for said displayable row and data information for said displayable characters in said displayable row.

26. An apparatus for compensating for signal distortions in an input digital signal comprising a plurality of ones and zeroes defining an information content for said input digital signal, said input digital signal having associated peak-to-peak signal levels respectively defining said ones and zeroes wherein said signal distortions in said input digital signal comprise said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with at least some of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said input digital signal differing from said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with others of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said input digital signal, said peak-to-peak signal levels of said input digital signals resulting from zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said input digital signal, said compensating apparatus providing a compensated output digital signal from said distorted input digital signal having the same information content as said input digital signal defined information content, said plurality of ones and said plurality of zeroes comprising said compensated output digital signal all having the same respective peak-to-peak signal levels varying about a common base level, said compensating apparatus comprising means for tracking said zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said input digital signal, first means operatively connected to said tracking means and response to each tracked one-to-zero transition in the peak-to-peak signal level of said input digital signal for clamping the level of said one-to-zero transition at a first predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued fall in said level of said distorted input digital signal one-to-zero transition and maintaining said clamped one-to-zero transition at said first predetermined signal level until the presence of a subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted input digital signal is detected whereby said signal level becomes unclamped, said tracking means tracking said subsequent zero-to-one transition in said unclamped signal, and second means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition for said unclamped signal for reclamping the level of said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition at a second predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued rise in said level of said distorted input digital signal subsequent zero-to-one transition until the presence of a subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted input digital signal is detected whereby said signal level of said reclamped signal again becomes unclamped, whereby said compensated output digital signal is provided from said distorted input signal.

27. A compensating apparatus in accordance with claim 26 wherein said tracking means tracks said subsequent one-to-zero transition in said again unclamped signal and said one-to-zero transition responsive means is responsive to said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition for providing said clamping thereof at said first predetermined signal level until another subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted input digital signal is detected whereby said signal level once again becomes unclamped, said tracking means and said first and second clamping means cyclically clamping and unclamping said distorted input digital signal at said respective first and second predetermined levels in accordance with the occurrence of the respective one-to-zero and zero-to-one transitions in the peak-to-peak signal level of said distorted input digital signal for providing said compensated output digital signal.

28. In a real time frame grabbing video display terminal for substantially instantaneously providing a continuous direct video display of a selectable predetermined video frame of information on a video display means from continuously receivable information remotely provided over a transmission media, said continuously receivable information comprising a plurality of pseudo video scan lines, each of said pseudo video scan lines having a television video scan line format and capable of comprising a complete self-contained packet of digital information sufficient to provide an entire displayable row of video data characters, said pseudo video scan line having an associated transmission time equivalent to said television video scan line, said packet of digital information comprising at least address information for said displayable row and data information for said displayable characters in said displayable row, said pseudo video scan line being a composite video signal, said terminal comprising microcomputer means for controlling the operation thereof, said microcomputer means being operatively connected to said transmission media for receiving said continuously receivable information and selection means operatively connected to said microcomputer means for variably selecting said predetermined video frame to be continuously displayed;

the improvement comprising an apparatus for compensating for signal distortions in said received pseudo video scan line, said received pseudo video scan line comprising a plurality of ones and zeroes defining said digital information, said received pseudo video scan line having associated peak-to-peak signal levels respectively defining said ones and zeroes wherein said signal distortios in said received pseudo video scan line comprise said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with at least some of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line differing from said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with others of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line, said peak-to-peak signal levels of said received pseudo video scan line resulting from zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan lines, said compensating apparatus providing a compensated output pseudo video scan line from said distorted received pseudo video scan line having the same information as said received pseudo video scan line defined information, said plurality of ones and said plurality of zeroes comprising said compensated pseudo video scan line all having the same respective peak-to-peak signal levels varying about a common base level, said compensating apparatus comprising means for tracking said zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan line, first means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to each tracked zero-to-one transition in the peak-to-peak signal level of said received pseudo video scan line for clamping the level of said zero-to-one transition at a first predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued rise in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line zero-to-one transition and maintaining said clamped zero-to-one transition at said first predetermined signal level until the presence of a subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level becomes unclamped, said tracking means tracking said subsequent one-to-zero transition in said unclamped signal, and second means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition for said unclamped signal for reclamping the level of said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition at a second predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued fall in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line subsequent one-to-zero transition until the presence of a subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line whereby said signal level of said reclamped signal again becomes unclamped, whereby said compensated pseudo video scan line is provided from said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said continuous direct video display.

29. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 28 wherein said compensating apparatus tracking means tracks said subsequent zero-to-one transition in said again unclamped signal and said zero-to-one transition responsive means is responsive to said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition for providing said clamping thereof at said first predetermined signal level until another subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level once again becomes unclamped, said tracking means and said first and second clamping means cyclically clamping and unclamping said distorted received pseudo video scan line at said respective first and second predetermined levels in accordance with the occurrence of the respective zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in the peak-to-peak signal level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said compensated pseudo video scan line.

30. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 28 wherein said compensating apparatus first predetermined signal level is a first predetermined value above said common base level, and said second predetermined signal level is a second predetermined value below said common base level, said first and second predetermined values being equal in magnitude.

31. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 28 wherein said compensating apparatus first predetermined signal level clamping means comprises first diode means and said first predetermined signal level is substantially the threshold voltage of said first diode means.

32. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 31 wherein said compensating apparatus second predetermined signal level clamping means comprises second diode means and said second predetermined signal level is substantially the threshold voltage of said second diode means.

33. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 32 wherein said compensating apparatus tracking means comprises capacitive means.

34. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 33 wherein said compensating apparatus further comprises means for providing a compensating charge voltage to the clamped signal for compensating for any decay in said clamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive ones in said received pseudo video scan line and to the reclamped signal for compensating for any decay in said reclamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive zeros in said received pseudo video scan line.

35. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 28 wherein said compensating apparatus tracking means comprises capacitive means.

36. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 35 wherein said compensating apparatus further comprises means for providing a compensating charge voltage to the clamped signal for compensating for any decay in said clamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive ones in said received pseudo video scan line and to the reclamped signal for compensating for any decay in said reclamped signal resulting from the occurrence of successive zeros in said received pseudo video scan line.

37. In a real time frame grabbing video display terminal for substantially instantaneously providing a continuous direct video display of a selectable predetermined video frame of information on a video display means from continuously receivable information remotely provided over a transmission media, said continuously receivable information comprising a plurality of pseudo video scan lines, each of said pseudo video scan lines having a television video scan line format and capable of comprising a complete self-contained packet of digital information sufficient to provide an entire displayable row of video data characters, said pseudo video scan line having an associated transmission time equivalent to said television video scan line, said packet of digital information comprising at least address information for said displayable row and data information for said displayable characters in said displayable row, said pseudo video scan line being a composite video signal, said terminal comprising microcomputer means for controlling the operation thereof, said microcomputer means being operatively connected to said transmission media for receiving said continuously receivable information and selection means operatively connected to said microcomputer means for variably selecting said predetermined video frame to be continuously displayed;

the improvement comprising an apparatus for compensating for signal distortions in said received pseudo video scan line, said received pseudo video scan line comprising a plurality of ones and zeroes defining said digital information, said received pseudo video scan line having associated peak-to-peak signal levels respectively defining said ones and zeroes wherein said signal distortions in said received pseudo video scan line comprise said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with at least some of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line differing from said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with others of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line, said peak-to-peak signal levels of said received pseudo video scan line resulting from zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan lines, said compensating apparatus providing a compensated output pseudo video scan line from said distorted received pseudo video scan line having the same information as said received pseudo video scan line defined information, said plurality of ones and said plurality of zeroes comprising said compensated pseudo video scan line all having the same respective peak-to-peak signal levels varying about a common base level, said compensating apparatus comprising means for tracking said zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan line, first means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to each tracked one-to-zero transition in the peak-to-peak signal level of said received pseudo video scan line for clamping the level of said one-to-zero transition at a first predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued fall in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line one-to-zero transition and maintaining said clamped one-to-zero transition at said first predetermined signal level until the presence of a subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level becomes unclamped, said tracking means tracking said subsequent zero-to-one transition in said unclamped signal, and second means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition for said unclamped signal for reclamping the level of said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition at a second predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued rise in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line subsequent zero-to-one transition until the presence of a subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level of said reclamped signal again becomes unclamped, whereby said compensated pseudo video scan line is provided from said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said continuous direct video display.

38. An improved terminal in accordance with claim 37 wherein said compensating apparatus tracking means tracks said subsequent one-to-zero transition in said again unclamped signal and said one-to-zero transition responsive means is responsive to said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition for providing said clamping thereof at said first predetermined signal level until another subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level once again becomes unclamped, said tracking means and said first and second clamping means cyclically clamping and unclamping said distorted received pseudo video scan line at said respective first and second predetermined levels in accordance with the occurrence of the respective one-to-zero and zero-to-one transitions in the peak-to-peak signal level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said compensated pseudo video scan line.

39. In a real time frame grabbing system for substantially instantaneously providing a continuous video display of a selectable predetermined video frame of information on a video display means from continuously transmittable video information comprising means for transmitting said video information as a plurality of pseudo video scan lines, each of said pseudo video scan lines having a television video scan line format and capable of comprising a complete self-contained packet of digital information sufficient to provide an entire displayable row of video data characters, said pseudo video scan line having an associated transmission time equivalent to said television video scan line, said packet of digital information comprising at least address information for said displayable row and data information for said displayable characters in said displayable row, each of said pseudo video scan lines further comprising a horizontal sync signal at the beginning thereof, said horizontal sync signal providing a record separator between adjacent pseudo video scan lines, said transmitting means further comprising means for providing a vertical sync signal after a predetermined plurality of pseudo video scan lines have been transmitted, said pseudo video scan line being a composite video signal, said system further comprising television signal distribution means for distributing said transmitted composite pseudo video scan line signals to said video display means for providing said continuous video display and receiver means operatively connected between said television signal distribution means and said video display means for processing said distributed composite pseudo video scan line signals and capable of providing a displayable video row signal to said video display means from each of said pseudo video scan line signals pertaining to said selected frame for providing said continuous video display;

the improvement comprising an apparatus for compensating for signal distortions in said received pseudo video scan line, said receiver means comprising said compensating apparatus, said pseudo video scan line comprising a plurality of ones and zeroes defining said digital information, said received pseudo video scan line having associated peak-to-peak signal levels respectively defining said ones and zeroes wherein said signal distortions in said received pseudo video scan line comprise said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with at least some of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line differing from said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with others of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line, said peak-to-peak signal levels of said received pseudo video scan line resulting from zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan line, said compensating apparatus providing a compensated output pseudo video scan line having the same information as said received pseudo video scan line defined information, said plurality of ones and said plurality of zeroes comprising said compensated pseudo video scan line all having the same respective peak-to-peak signal levels varying about a common base level, said compensating apparatus comprising means for tracking said zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan line, first means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to each tracked zero-to-one transition in the peak-to-peak signal level of said received pseudo video scan line for clamping the level of said zero-to-one transition at a first predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued rise in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line zero-to-one transition and maintaining said clamped zeroone transition at said first predetermined signal level until the presence of a subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level becomes unclamped, said tracking means tracking said subsequent one-to-zero transition in said unclamped signal, and second means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition for said unclamped signal for reclamping the level of said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition at a second predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued fall in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line subsequent one-to-zero transition until the presence of a subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level of said reclamped signal again becomes unclamped, whereby said compensated pseudo video scan line is provided from said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said continuous video display.

40. An improved system in accordance with claim 39 wherein said compensating apparatus tracking means tracks said subsequent zero-to-one transition in said again unclamped signal and said zero-to-one transition responsive means is responsive to said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition for providing said clamping thereof at said first predetermined signal level until another subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level once again becomes unclamped, said tracking means and said first and second clamping means cyclically clamping and unclamping said distorted received pseudo video scan line at said respective first and second predetermined levels in accordance with the occurrence of the respective zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in the peak-to-peak signal level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said compensated pseudo video scan line.

41. In a real time frame grabbing system for substantially instantanteously providing a continuous video display of a selectable predetermined video frame of information on a video display means from continuously transmittable video information comprising means for transmitting said video information as a plurality of pseudo video scan lines, each of said pseudo video scan lines having a television video scan line format and capable of comprising a complete self-contained packet of digital information sufficient to provide an entire displayable row of video data characters, said pseudo video scan line having an associated transmission time equivalent to said television video scan line, said packet of digital information comprising at least address information for said displayable row and data information for said displayable characters in said displayable row, each of said pseudo video scan lines further comprising a horizontal sync signal at the beginning thereof, said horizontal sync signal providing a record separator between adjacent pseudo video scan lines, said transmitting means further comprising means for providing a vertical sync signal after a predetermined plurality of pseudo video scan lines have been transmitted, said pseudo video scan line being a composite video signal, said system further comprising television signal distribution means for distributing said transmitted composite pseudo video scan line signals to said video display means for providing said continuous video display and receiver means operatively connected between said television signal distribution means and said video display means for processing said distributed composite pseudo video scan line signals and capable of providing a displayable video row signal to said video display means from each of said pseudo video scan line signals pertaining to said selected frame for providing said continuous video display;

the improvement comprising an apparatus for compensating for signal distortions in said received pseudo video scan line, said receiver means comprising said compensating apparatus, said pseudo video scan line comprising a plurality of ones and zeros defining said digital information, said received pseudo video scan line having associated peak-to-peak signal levels respectively defining said ones and zeroes wherein said signal distortions in said received pseudo video scan line comprise said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with at least some of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line differing from said respective peak-to-peak signal levels associated with others of said plurality of ones and zeroes comprising said received pseudo video scan line, said peak-to-peak signal levels of said received pseudo video scan line resulting from zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan line, said compensating apparatus providing a compensated output pseudo video scan line from said distorted received pseudo video scan line having the same information as said received pseudo video scan line defined information, said plurality of ones and said plurality of zeroes comprising said compensated pseudo video scan line all having the same respective peak-to-peak siganl levels varying about a common base level, said compensating apparatus comprising means for tracking said zero-to-one and one-to-zero transitions in said received pseudo video scan line, first means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to each tracked one-to-zero transition in the peak-to-peak signal level of said received pseudo video scan line for clamping the level of said one-to-zero transition at a first predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued fall in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line one-to-zero transition and maintaining said clamped one-to-zero transition at said first predetermined signal level until the presence of a subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level becomes unclamped, said tracking means tracking said subsequent zero-to-one transition in said unclamped signal, and second means operatively connected to said tracking means and responsive to said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition for said unclamped signal for reclamping the level of said tracked subsequent zero-to-one transition at a second predetermined signal level irrespective of any continued rise in said level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line subsequent zero-to-one transition until the presence of a subsequent one-to-zero transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected, whereby said signal level of said reclamped signal again becomes unclamped, whereby said compensated pseudo video scan line is provided from said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said continuous video display.

42. An improved system in accordance with claim 41 wherein said compensating apparatus tracking means tracks said subsequent one-to-zero transition in said again unclamped signal and said one-to-zero transition responsive means is responsive to said tracked subsequent one-to-zero transition for providing said clamping thereof at said first predetermined signal level until another subsequent zero-to-one transition in said distorted received pseudo video scan line is detected whereby said signal level once again becomes unclamped, said tracking means and said first and second clamping means cyclically clamping and unclamping said distorted received pseudo video scan line at said respective first and second predetermined levels in accordance with the occurrence of the respective one-to-zero and zero-to-one transitions in the peak-to-peak signal level of said distorted received pseudo video scan line for providing said compensated pseudo video scan line.