Abstract: A method of constructing a filter screen is described. This involves forming a polymer support frame including therein a plurality of substantially similarly sized rectilinear apertures, defined by an integral rectilinear matrix of wire reinforced struts of polymer material. An upper edge of each strut is ridged and an upper surface of each boundary of the support frame provided with a plurality of ridges. One or more woven wirecloths are fitted over the ridges and tensioned. The wirecloths are secured in place by heating at least the ridges so as to soften the polymer material sufficiently to allow the wirecloths to penetrate crests of the ridges and upon cooling to remain embedded therein. This maintains tension in the wirecloths after cooling. The wires in one of the wirecloths are preferably tensioned differently from those in the other, so that different tensions exist in the wires of the two cloths after bonding to the frame.

Abstract: A switching system in which telecommunications features are improved by the proximity status of a predetermined user to a communications terminal. Proximity status information deduces a predetermined user's presence or absence to answer incoming calls on a communications terminal associated with the predetermined user and silences the audible alert if the predetermined user is absent from the area. The proximity status information may also be used to control security features on a terminal so that only the predetermined user can use the terminal when the predetermined user is deduced to be present.

Abstract: An accelerated access system for a computing device, in which the computing device is connected to a first data network, such as the Internet, via a second data network such as a wireless telecommunication network. The system comprising a server for downloading data from the first data network before that data has been requested by a user of the computing device and a cache for storing the downloaded data. For example, during browsing of the Internet by a user of the computing device the server downloads data linked to an Internet site being displayed by the computing device for storage in the cache. Then when a user subsequently requests the data stored in the cache it appears on the screen of the computing device faster than it would take to access it from the Internet.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering arrangement with a steering handwheel which is connected with a hydraulic steering unit, and with a steering motor connected with a pump via a steering valve. In a steering arrangement of this kind, a simple construction is desired, though under maintenance of the required security. For this purpose, the steering valve can optionally be operated by a steering handwheel or by a hydraulic pressure generated by a control pressure generator.