Abstract: A connector assembly (10) has been developed with an aligning coupler (300) and connectors (100, 200) which simplify the joining of a pair of mateable optical fiber termination structures (112, 212). The coupler (300) comprises a pair of rigid elongated members (310, 340) having inner surfaces (312, 342) and tapering outer end surfaces (328, 358). Resilient members (370) hold the elongated members together to define a fiber termination structure receiving orifice (380) which has a cross section normally narrower in one dimension than that of the termination structures. Due to the resilient members, the elongated members can separate to ease insertion of the termination structures and then come back together to urge precise-aligning outer surface means (122, 222) on each termination structure into registration against a precisealigning coupler reference surface (332) in the orifice. Thus registration is maintained until the connector assembly can be fastened.

Abstract: A connector (10) has been developed which is capable of snap-mounting into a predetermined position in a housing (100). The connector is specifically configured with surfaces (38, 42) which cooperate together in separating corresponding surfaces (106, 130) in the housing so that the connector can move into the predetermined position.

Abstract: A scheme for digitally encoding continuous-tone information from an original pictorial image includes processing electrical signals via separate networks (20,30) to generate (a) high-resolution detail data of "black" and "white" pels, and (b) low-resolution gray-scale or background data approximating the grayness of two-dimensional blocks (104) of pels (102).In the gray-scale network (30), the electrical signals are first compared (31) to different position-dependent threshold values to generate a binary signal (108) of black and white pels which represents gray-scale. Then, any of the pels (102) determined "black" in the detail network (20) are subtracted (36) from the gray-scale binary signal to generate a modified gray-scale binary signal (110). The black pels in the modified gray-scale binary signal for each block (104) are counted (42), the count approximating the background gray level of each particular block (104) of pels (102).

Abstract: A connector (10) comprising an index strip (100) with wire-retaining slots (112) for receiving individual conductors (20), a connector module (200) with wire-engaging contact elements (40) and an index-strip portion (203), and a module cap (300). The wire-retaining slots (112, 212) in the index strip and index-strip portion of the connector module have flexible inwardly curved flanges (130, 230) adjacent to one end of the slot. Each corresponding pair of flanges, which depend from adjacent slot-defining upright members (110, 210), deflect inwardly into the wire-retaining slot during wire indexing to securely grip an inserted conductor (20, 30), the deflected flanges being capable of biasing toward each other to create an even tighter grip on a conductor when conductor pull out from that end is attempted.

Abstract: A multipair telephone cable (50) has been specifically developed for voice frequency and T1 carrier frequency transmission between cities. The copper wire gauge, dielectric diameter, and insulation expansion are uniquely designed so that this single cable design can be used for either air core or waterproof versions of the cable. Advantageously, both cable versions are compatible with existing carrier and voice frequency electronics. Also, the load coil spacing for voice frequency transmission and the regenerative repeater spacing for carrier transmission coincide in both versions.

Abstract: An improved optical cable (10) having increased bending flexibilitiy along with increased tensile strength comprises means for controlling coupling between a cable jacket (28) and its reinforcing strength members (26). In one embodiment, a reinforcement bedding layer (23) is applied between a plastic-extruded inner jacket (22) and the outer cable jacket (28). Before extrusion of the outer jacket (28), the reinforcing strength members (26) are helically applied onto the bedding layer with predetermined strength member surfaces (27) making intimate surface contact with the bedding layer. Because the bedding layer is impervious to the plastic extrudant used to construct the outer jacket and is capable of rendering the predetermined strength member surfaces sufficiently inaccessible to the plastic extrudant, encapsulation of strength member lengths (25) containing the predetermined strength member surfaces (27) by the plastic extrudant is prevented.

Abstract: A connector (100) in accordance with the present invention comprises a dielectric enclosure (102) having a plug receiving cavity (104) open to the front of the enclosure, and a wall (106) forming one wall of the cavity. The top wall includes an interior cavity surface (130), a front surface (124), and an exterior surface (134). On its front surface are a plurality of parallel first grooves (126) extending from associated orifices (128) to the cavity surface, and at least one second groove (132) extending from the exterior surface to the cavity surface, forming a groove end (136) open to the exterior surface (134). The second groove is for positioning a spare spring contact (242) carried by an adapter (200). Spaced flanges (140), projecting from the wall, define with the exterior surface an adapter-receiving channel (142). The channel includes latching slots (150) and guiding ribs (146) for snap-mounting the adapter.

Abstract: A device (70) for switching optical signal paths of the type utilizing a plurality of light-transmitting optical fibers (40, 50) comprises a flexible elongated sleeve (20) having a longitudinally continuous interior cross section (24) with a plurality of corners (30) forming fiber-aligning grooves. The sleeve loosely receives a first fiber (40) from a first sleeve end (26) and a plurality of second fibers (50) from a second sleeve end (28). Each second fiber has its coupling end biased against an assigned corner. Also, the ends of all the second fibers are contained in one transverse plane (23). The coupling end (46) of the first fiber adjacent the transverse plane and a portion (42) of the first fiber, remote from its end, is fixedly secured to the sleeve. Coupling of the first fiber with any of the second fibers is achieved by flexing the sleeve to move the first fiber end to the corner containing the selected second fiber.

Abstract: An improved electrical jack assembly (20) for converting to modular use a telephone terminal block (10) with screw terminals (11) is disclosed. Leads (32) in the jack assembly connect at one end (31) to contact elements (27) in a modular jack (22) affixed to an assembly housing (21) and at the other end (33) to screw-engaging connectors (34), each of which comprises a body (37) of conductive material with a base (40) and a plurality of resilient elongate members (42) extended therefrom. The free end portions (45) of the members (42) include sharp-pointed contact tips (47). The free end portions (45) also tend toward one another to define with their tips (47) an opening (48) for snugly receiving a head (12) of an assigned screw terminal (11), where the tips (47) can bear against the screw head (12) to effect reliable electrical and mechanical connection.

Abstract: A self-locking cable guard for mechanically protecting an aerial cable from damage by squirrels and other animals comprises a longitudinally elongated body having an inverted-V cross section with the legs of the V bent inwardly toward each other to form bent leg sections so as to define a substantially enclosed cavity for receiving and locking onto the aerial cable. The bent leg sections are specifically configured and spaced apart by a predetermined distance to define an expandable resilient spaced gap which facilitates snap-on installation of the guard and at the same time prevents access to the enclosed cable by a squirrel's jaws.

Abstract: Splicing of two mating optical fiber ribbons is achieved with a connector comprising a multigrooved substrate with vacuum slots normal to the fiber-receiving grooves and a mating cover. Air drawn through the vacuum slots during the splicing operation holds the exposed ribbon fibers in the grooves to ensure transverse alignment of the fibers for splicing. The cover mounts onto the substrate to lock the fibers in place after they have been axially aligned and abutted. Slots in the cover allow venting to prevent suction buildup under the cover.

Abstract: A cabling technique for assembling an optical communication cable having a helically twisted stacked array of optical fiber ribbons and an extruded cable jacket to which helically stranded longitudinal strength members are tightly coupled.

Abstract: While randomized splicing of twisted conductor pairs within groups in pulp cables is generally desirable to avoid electrical degradation resulting from systematic additions of capacitance unbalances, restoration of such cables, when severed, requires identification of each conductor pair for splicing. A cable design with a restoration color code has been developed which features groups having a manageable number of conductor pairs for identification splicing. Each group comprises several conductor pairs which have unique color combinations and which are precisely arranged in the group so the remaining conductor pairs having repeating color combinations can be identified by position relative to the uniquely colored pairs.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a graphics transmission system using a chalk writing blackboard, a transceiver and a memory. The blackboard is a pressure-sensitive device under control of circuitry in the transceiver producing indicia of the instantaneous position of the chalk on the writing surface. An eraser tray and eraser at its base provide a means to automatically condition the transceiver to interpret a pressure as erase rather than a write command, simply by the absence of the eraser from the tray. Further signal processing yields a more faithful sampling and reproduction of the written signal. A tape recording adjunct is interconnected through a modulation and phase lock loop network that reduces transmission channel and recorder-introduced signal distortion both in the record and the playback modes.