Abstract: A method of managing a communications network is described which makes use of information about the current state of the network and in addition, information about past and/or future states of the network. Information about the current state of the network is stored in a management information base (MIB) and the information about the past/future states is either stored in this MIB, or separate past/future MIBs are created. The information about the past/future states is stored in a way such that it can be operated on in the same way as the information about the current state of the network. By storing the information in this way management of the network is improved. For example, future states of the network can be tested before being implemented. Also, information about past states can be used to predict future states. Fault management, configuration management, accounting management and performance management can all be improved by using the information about past/future states.

Abstract: This invention relates to internal antenna arrangements for radio communications handsets. Internal antenna size and shape represents a constraint on handset miniaturisation if good antenna efficiency and bandwidth characteristics are to be maintained. The use of acoustic enhancing volumes of free space about a handset's speaker unit also constrains further miniaturisation. The present invention provides an internal antenna arrangement which facilities further miniaturisation and which combines antenna volume with the acoustic enhancing volume.

Abstract: An in-store product display area gondola array for positioning between a pair of parallel aisles and an end aisle and arranged for rear loading. An end cap rack is moveable away from a row of two or more fixed racks into the end aisle to provide loading access of the end cap rack from the rear. The fixed racks are disposed between the parallel aisles, face one of the parallel aisles and mount a row of two or more moveable racks facing the other of the parallel aisles. A pocket adjacent the end cap is aligned with the row of moveable racks to receive one of the moveable racks to provide access to the rear surface of a fixed rack for rear loading thereof.

Abstract: An optical comb filter is constructed from a monolithic arrangement of two identical integrated optics format arrayed waveguide diffraction gratings connected back-to-back via a star coupler incorporating a field stop (spatial filter0. Alternatively, only one of the diffraction gratings is employed in conjunction with a combined field stop and retro-reflector, the other end of the diffraction grating being optically coupled with one port of an optical circulator.

Abstract: A design of expanded-beam type wavelength multiplexer or channel drop and insert filter using oblique light incidence upon a concatenation of substrate mounted dielectric filters involves mounting the beam-expanding graded-index lenses in pre-aligned V-grooves, and only later securing fibers to those lenses. This approach simplifies component alignment problems by reducing the number of degrees of freedom and, by virtue of the fact that the mechanical design allows implementation using minimal amounts of adhesive, provides long-term stability of optical performance.

Abstract: A machine tool has a carriage, has a workpiece carriage for carrying a workpiece from which material is removed by a tool carried by a tool carriage. A two-axis scale is attached to one of the carriages, and cooperates with a reading head attached to the other carriage. The output from the reading head is processed by signaling processing means to provide an indication of the position and/or movement of the carriages relative to each other and for generating positional data about one or both of the carriages to assist in controlling their movement in order to perform a machine operation. By directly measuring the relative positions of the two carriages, problems arising from, for example, distortions of the machine frame on which the carriages are mounted are at least mitigated.

Abstract: A communication system typically comprises a number of interconnected broadband-narrowband interfaces (304, 402-404) that together interact to provide a communication resource (400) that can support a call across the system At a time when the communication resource (or a portion thereof) is apparently in place, a terminating node of a broadband-narrowband interface sends a verify-request message (452) backwards across the communication resource. A connection broker (322), coupled to both ends of the communication resource in a particular broadband-narrowband interface (404), is aware of the issuance of the verify-request message, and is therefore able to assess and report, principally, on path connectivity of the communication resource (either within the broadband-narrowband interface or between adjacent interfaces).

Abstract: A rechargeable flashlight, having a head end and a tail end, has an incandescent bulb disposed to direct its illumination out of the head end and has a switch accessible at the tail end. The flashlight houses an assembly of rechargeable batteries and a voltage converter that steps up the voltage provided by the rechargeable batteries and powers the incandescent bulb with the stepped-up voltage when the switch is in the “ON” position. When the switch is in the “OFF” position, the rechargeable batteries may be recharged while they are inside of the flashlight, via positive and negative contact rings disposed coaxially about the switch in the tail end of the flashlight. A recharger is positioned to provide current through the positive and negative contact rings for recharging the batteries inside the flashlight when protrusions carried on the recharger housing snap into a circumferential groove provided in the flashlight housing.

Abstract: A cable separator spline and a cable containing the cable separator spline in its core. The spline extends longitudinally and has a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending open pockets in which cables, such as twisted pair cables, can be placed and form part of the core. A cross-section of the spline has a major axis and a minor axis with the major axis being longer than the minor axis. At least one and preferably at least two pockets are on the major axis, and at least one and preferably at least two pockets are on the minor axis. The core containing the twisted pair cables in the pockets can of course be shielded and jacketed, just jacketed or any other desired cable construction that would benefit from the use of my elongated separator spline.

Abstract: An integrated circuit transimpedance amplifier for an optical receiver is formed by a bipolar process comprising fixed value resistive elements in a network to provide AGC. The resistive elements are arranged in a parallel configuration and a transistor switching network is provided to enable at least one of said elements to be isolated from a gain stage of the amplifier thereby providing a means of varying amplifier gain.

Abstract: The device is meant to move the solar protection means from a first position, among at least two predetermined positions, toward a second position to adapt to a variation in sunshine. It comprises a logic (6) which breaks down movement from the first to the second position into a minimum of two steps separated by a time interval (T1). A command (STOP) activated by a user during said interval (T1) activates the following step and reduces the interval by a fraction. The activation of an order after the interval (T1) and during the operation of the following step increases the interval (T1) by a fraction. The control device is in this way capable of adapting to the behavior of the user.

Abstract: A servo-controlled magnetic valve has a main valve (13) and a servo valve (14). The servo valve opens when, after an empty stroke, a solenoid plunger (7) entrains a slide member (23) that carries the servo closure member (20) and, as a result, pressure is released to the low pressure side (17) from a pressure chamber (25) on the side of the servo piston (24) that is remote from the main valve seat (15). The servo piston (24) is an annular piston that surrounds an insert (19) that carries the main valve closure member (18) and the servo valve seat (20) and which, during the operating stroke, entrains the slide member (23) by means of first stops (26) and the insert (19) by means of second stops (28). In that manner, it is possible to obtain sufficient opening of the main valve (13) and a small overall height of the magnetic valve while retaining an initial empty stroke of the solenoid plunger (7).

Abstract: This invention relates to a disposable foil pan having a continuous wall and a top ridge surrounding the pan. The wall has at least 10 spaced wall segmented flutes. There are preferably an equal number of segmented flutes on opposite sides of the pan i.e. 3 on each side and 2 on each end of a rectangular or oval pan. The wall segmented flutes having a combined width equal to at least 35% of the length of the wall. Each wall segmented flute has an indented surface facing an inside of the pan, and a raised surface forming the outer wall of the pan. The segmented flutes preferably have a segment length of 0.75 to 2.0 inches and a segmented depth of about ⅛ to ⅜ inches.

Abstract: A multi-layer heat resistant film laminate with good optical properties, extended shelflife, and memory characteristics and its method of manufacture, the laminate having the generalized structure of (outside) A/B/C/D/C/B/E (inside), where A is an outer moisture barrier layer, B is an intermediate adhesive layer, C is a polyamide layer D is an oxygen barrier layer, and E is a sealant layer.

Abstract: A mail inserter machine having a drive system including a drive motor, gear reducer unit and indexing unit. The drive motor and gear reducer communicate by a belt driven around pulleys residing in a plane and the gear reducer communicating through a direct shaft drive with the indexing unit. The indexing unit rotating a belt pulley which carries a belt connected to a timing pulley for driving a cross shaft. The belt pulley and timing pulley residing in a plane parallel to said drive motor and gear reducer unit pulleys. Said drive system arranged in a lower portion of the mail inserter machine chassis, whereby the said parallel planar pulleys thereby generate forces vectored in parallel directions enabling a greater size, greater precision, high durability, and greater dynamic stability for the mail inserter machine.

Abstract: A two pole contactor, particularly for a domestic electricity meter, comprising a solenoid with a plunger actuator and a movable contact for each pole mounted on a pivotal blade in a symmetrical opposed configuration. The plunger is connected to the blades by a leaf spring whose ends engage sliders connected to the blades to impart a similar and even movement to each blade.

Abstract: An improved lightweight, multi-layer, reflective swimming pool cover containing two thermoplastic layers. The top layer has a dark-colored polyethylene film and the lower layer has a polyethylene film with a aluminum concentrate, or other suitable reflecting material, deposited thereon along the entire layer, thereby becoming a reflective surface. The layers are suitably bonded together to form a water and air tight seal so as to provide the cover with a reflective surface on which are integral reflective solar heating and insulative pockets configured in a predetermined spatial relationship to each other. The cover acts to continually reflect radiating heat back into the pool and provides an effective and enhanced insulation barrier against radiant heat loss from the pool.

Abstract: In a mobile communications network, each subscriber is allocated a unique identity code and is provided with a card (a SIM card) bearing that code which provides subscriber access to the system. A list of identity codes together with corresponding subscriber details are stored in a first store. When a card is to be replaced, a new identity code is created for the subscriber and is stored in the first store and in a second store. A mapping is provided between the new identity code and the corresponding existing subscriber identity code. The new identity code is then associated with the corresponding subscriber details and is activated while the existing code is de-activated.