Abstract: A system for voice and video distribution amongst a plurality of telephone subscriber locations operating on a broadband cable network. The subscriber locations are adapted to establish RF transmitting and receiving channels for carrying voice and signalling information and each further includes a tunable video signal generator and a tunable video signal receiver for coupling video signals to and from subscriber location video RF broadband channels of the cable network. A central switch is also coupled to the cable network and enables each RF transmitting channel to be selectively coupled to any of the RF receiving channels and also enables a particular subscriber location video RF broadband channel to be assigned to a subscriber location.

Abstract: A system for voice distribution amongst a plurality of telephone subscriber locations operating on a broadband cable network wherein RF transmitting and RF receiving channels for carrying voice and signalling information are established at the subscriber locations and coupled with the broad band network and a central switch is also coupled with the broadband network and enables each RF transmitting channel to be selectively coupled to any of the RF receiving channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking the transmission of echo signals in telephone communications circuits is disclosed. The apparatus employs a voice-activated switch in the transmit channel at each telephone terminal of the telephone circuit to block transmission of signals below a selectable threshold. Under all conditions where received speech signals are present at a telephone terminal, a higher threshold for the switch at that terminal is selected than would otherwise be used to block noise in the channel. This higher threshold is set above the level of the echo signals to prevent their transmission from that terminal by the switch.

Abstract: A solar cell coverslide, oversize to protect the cell against damage from radiation, is modified to have an edge portion configured to bend light incident on said edge portion inwardly toward an underlying solar cell. An adhesive fillet may be formed between the undersurface of the overhanging portion of the coverslide and the top edge of the solar cell to facilitate further the transmission of light striking the configured edge portion into the solar cell.

Abstract: A digital voice switch for detecting speech signals in the presence of noise on a communication channel. The voice switch employs a threshold adjustment circuitry and three threshold detectors which include a speech detector, a noise detector and a disabling detector. The speech detector having a variable speech threshold level detects the presence of speech signals in the communication channel. The noise detector having a variable noise threshold level detects the presence of noise. The threshold adjustment circuitry, which is capable of providing rapid threshold adjustment, operates in conjunction with the noise detector to detect the noise level and to adjust the speech and noise threshold levels according to the level of the noise present in the communication channel. The disabling detector having a fixed maximum threshold level operates to disable the function of the threshold adjustment circuit while speech is present.