Microcomputer for use with video display

On 23 January 1979, Steve Wozniak received U.S. Patent No. 4,136,359 for a “Microcomputer for use with video display,” a foundational invention describing how a low-cost microcomputer could generate color, high-resolution graphics on a standard raster-scanned CRT television/monitor. At the heart of the patent is a clever solution to a real-world TV problem: keeping color graphics vertically “clean” (not ragged) while still staying close to standard TV synchronization frequencies. The patent discloses a timing approach where the horizontal sync counter is tied to an odd submultiple of the color subcarrier reference frequency, then uses a deliberate “delayed” count to compensate for phase reversals between scan lines-so color graphics remain vertically aligned without abandoning standard sync behavior. It also explains a distinctive way to generate color signals directly from digital memory using a recirculating shift register, avoiding bulkier analog-style color generation methods common in earlier approaches. In practical terms, it describes how a microcomputer can turn stored digital values into a video color signal suitable for a TV display-helping make color graphics feasible in affordable home microcomputers. The patent lists Apple Computer, Inc. as the assignee and identifies the inventor as based in Cupertino, reflecting Apple’s early engineering footprint. It was filed on 11 April 1977 and issued on 23 January 1979. This invention later became closely associated with the engineering breakthroughs behind early Apple personal computers, and it is highlighted by the National Inventors Hall of Fame as part of Wozniak’s recognized contributions to personal computing. Key facts: • Patent: U.S. Patent 4,136,359 - “Microcomputer for use with video display” • Inventor: Stephen G. Wozniak • Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc. • Filed: 11-Apr-1977 | Issued: 23-Jan-1979 • What it enabled: Color + high-resolution graphics on standard CRT/TV displays via novel timing + digital color-signal generation Summary: Steve Wozniak, a prominent figure in the technology sector, is recognized as the sole inventor of the US Patent No. 4,136,359, which pertains to a microcomputer designed for use with video displays. This invention played a crucial role in the evolution of personal computing by integrating video display capabilities into microcomputers, thereby enhancing user interaction and accessibility. The microcomputer's design allowed for more efficient processing and display of information, which was a significant advancement at the time. Wozniak's work laid the groundwork for future developments in personal computing, making technology more user-friendly and paving the way for the widespread adoption of computers in homes and businesses. The patent highlights the importance of video display technology in the functionality of microcomputers, which became a standard feature in later models. Wozniak's contributions to this field were recognized with his induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, underscoring the impact of his innovations on the technology landscape.