Abstract: An acceptable or desired plan for changing the links of a telephone network is developed by using knowledge based rules to generate an ideal plan which meets first constraints, such as demand and modernization constraints, and by modifying the ideal plan to meet one or more second constraints, such as overall cost, while deviating minimally from the ideal plan.

Abstract: An optical fiber tap or coupler in which optical energy is extracted from or coupled into an optical fiber via a bent section of the fiber and in which compression means is provided for applying a compression force along the fiber including along at least the radially outermost portion of the bent section to reduce the likelihood of fracture.

Abstract: A cable for supplying power to electrical equipment is adapted to also provide security for the equipment by being formed to have a first state when it is connected to the equipment and a second state when it is disconnected from the equipment, whereby detection of the states of the cable permit detection of removal of the equipment which can then be communicated through repair AC power lines to a central station.

Abstract: A combined switch and filter comprising coupled first and second quarter-wave transmission line sections and switching elements for providing selective coupling and filtering between ports of the switch coupled to the ends of the quarter-wave sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an MSK signal by using a dual modulus frequency divider which divides an incoming digital clock signal of frequency f.sub.0 by the factors n and (n+1) in dependence on the data type of the data to be transmitted and in which the frequency f.sub.0, the data rate f.sub.d and the factor n are such as to satisfy the relationship f.sub.d =f.sub.0 .multidot.2/(n(n+1)).

Abstract: Migration and/or dissolution of Ni from the cathode of a molten carbonate fuel cell is retarded by the incorporation of a constituent adapted to effect such retardation.

Abstract: An interconnecting apparatus for a subscriber premises which allows the DC battery providing sealing current to the tip and ring telephone lines serving the premises to be used as a backup battery for a subscriber terminal and which allows the supply serving the subscriber terminal to be used to charge the central office battery and provide sealing current when the latter battery is low.

Abstract: A practice for producing a halftone reproduction wherein a predetermined screen function is used to process the gray levels of the scanned original and wherein the halftone reproduction is made capable of exhibiting gray levels over the entire gray tone range of 0 (black) to 255 (white) by selecting the screen frequency in the screen direction so as to result in a screen frequency in the print direction which is other than a sub-multiple of the print frequency.

Abstract: Reproduction of an original containing screened artwork is accomplished by selecting the scanning frequency to have a predetermined relationship to the screen frequency of the artwork and by utilizing adaptive thresholding methodology to convert the scanned digital signals to processed binary signals which are such as to result in the average gray levels over corresponding arrays of binary signals and digital signals being approximately equal.

Abstract: A handset for use with a key pad wherein the body of the handset is provided with one or more apertures which are adapted to permit access to one or more keys of the key pad when the handset is brought to a position proximate to the key pad.

Abstract: A method and system for reproducing halftone originals utilizing threshold gray level values of the scanned pixels of the halftone original to determine adjacent pairs of pixels bordering the edges of the halftone dots. Edge errors for the adjacent pairs of pixels are determined using the scanned gray level values and a threshold value. A processing window defines sub-arrays of pixels whose thresholded gray level values are processed based on the edge errors. For each sub-array, the edge errors of the adjacent pairs of pixels are summed. The thresholded values of the adjacent pairs of pixels are then selectively changed in the order of pixel pairs of descending edge error until the number of values changed equals the closest integer to the summed edge error.

Abstract: A keyboard is adapted for entry of graphical information into a computer by providing the keyboard with an extended, two dimensional member situated in overlapping relationship with at least one of the keys of the keyboard and which is adapted to generate for storage and display by the computer a signal designating a position on the member.

Abstract: A bracket for connecting an armored cord to a telephone housing in which the bracket is of unitary construction and comprises a bottom plate having a central portion with a laterally running slot adapted to receive the sheath of the armored cord and a top U-shaped plate overlying the central portion of the bottom plate and having a laterally running slot adapted to receive the flexible cable of the armored cord and to provide an abutment for the end termination of the cable.

Abstract: A telephone system employing a centrex exchange having multi-station pick-up groups wherein a station controller means is situated between the exchange and the centrex telephone stations and provides lamp control of the secondary stations of the pick-up groups, and wherein the centrex exchange provides control of the call transfer from the primary stations of the pick-up groups to the respective secondary stations.

Abstract: A pattern recognition system for recognizing an unknown pattern comprised of symbols which are part of a pattern system which is devoid of inherent context such as numbers. Artificial contextual information based on other than symbol features and the pattern system and in the form of probability weighted expected interpretations are stored and used in the processing phase of recognition. In the system disclosed, the system comprises a neural network whose forward and feedback paths are controlled by the output cells of the network based, in part, on the contextual information.

Abstract: A partial oxidizer and reformer comprising a tubular member having a wick adjacent its inner wall and a catalyzed metallic spiral adjacent the wick and further comprising an annular member connected to and surrounding the tubular member and in which is disposed a catalyst bed.

Abstract: Fuel cell apparatus with for rapid start-up is realized by including in the stack cooling/heating loop a burner which is situated downstream of the loop blower and by further situating the entry port for replenishing gas to the loop upstream of the blower.

Abstract: End plate structure for a fuel cell stack including a first plate and a second plate of lesser thickness and having a first region and second and third regions at transverse opposite ends of the first region, the second and third regions each having a first portion extending outwardly of the plane of the first region and a second portion extending toward the central portion of the first region, the first plate being supported on the second portions of the second and third regions to define a channel in which is disposed a resilient means.

Abstract: A telephone pay station wherein a disconnect circuit is provided for disconnecting the pay station from the central office in response to the coin collect signal generated at the central office.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the state of charge of a nickel-alkaline secondary battery wherein the monitor cell is comprised of a sealed metal-gas cell having a nickel electrode and an oxygen counter-electrode.