Abstract: A method for deriving character features in a character recognition system for recognising characters, such as letters and digits, and a character recognition system in which the method is applied. After deriving a character description from a recorded image pattern of a character to be recognised, a unique point Pi of said character description is appended, by means of a distance transform, to each point Ri of a subset R={Ri/i=1, - - - ,N} of preselected reference points in the plane of said image pattern. Feature values of one or more features possessed by the character description in each appended unique point are then determined. If the character description is a contour description, the unique point Pi appended to each reference point Ri is that point where the reference point Ri has the shortest distance D(Ri) to the contour of the character, and the character features selected are the shortest distance D(Ri) and the direction H(Ri) of the contour in the appended point Pi.

Abstract: With the object of removing moisture from a system of N≳2 elongated hollow guiding members (20) for cable-like elements (27), in the system a gas flow (G) is maintained. The gas flow is supplied to the system by way of a gas-supply opening (29) of a coupling-in number (23) coupled to first ends (21) of a number of K hollow guiding members (20) and discharged from the system by way of a gas-discharge opening (30) of a coupling-out member (23) coupled to first ends (21) of the L=N−K remaining hollow guiding members. A coupling-through member (26) coupled to second ends (24) of the N hollow guiding members (20) provides a gastight coupling-through between the second ends (24) of the K hollow guiding members and the L second ends of the L remaining hollow guiding members. Preferably K=N−1, and the N−1 hollow guiding members are located within the Nth hollow guiding member.

Abstract: A telecommunication system comprising a telecommunication network apparatus and at least one terminal. The terminal comprises a radiotelephone section and a pager section. The radiotelephone section and the pager section can be uncoupled from and coupled to each other. The telecommunication network apparatus comprises paging means for transmitting, to the pager section, calls from callers who form part of a preferred group if the pager section is uncoupled from the radiotelephone section. The terminal is provided with coupling detection means for detecting whether the pager section is uncoupled from the radiotelephone section and, if so, for transmitting an indication signal hereof to the paging means.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of installing cables (2) in cable ducts (6a, 6b, 6c) using installation devices (1) propelling the cables (2) into the ducts (6a, 6b, 6c). In accordance with the invention, the installation devices (1) are powered by means of pressurized fluid (f), such as air, transported through the ducts (6a, 6b, 6c). This results in a smaller number of compressors (4) and operators being necessary. The duct in which a cable is installed and/or parallel ducts may be used for transporting the pressurized fluid (f). The feed direction of the cable (=>) may coincide with, or be opposed to, the transport direction of the fluid (->). The invention further provides an installation device (1) for use in the method. Method and device for installing cables.

Abstract: With the object of removing moisture from a system of N.gtoreq.2 elongated hollow guiding members (20) for cable-like elements (27), in the system a gas flow (G) is maintained. The gas flow is supplied to the system by way of a gas-supply opening (29) of a coupling-in number (23) coupled to first ends (21) of a number of K hollow guiding members (20) and discharged from the system by way of a gas-discharge opening (30) of a coupling-out member (23) coupled to first ends (21) of the L=N-K remaining hollow guiding members. A coupling-through member (26) coupled to second ends (24) of the N hollow guiding members (20) provides a gastight coupling-through between the second ends (24) of the K hollow guiding members and the L second ends of the L remaining hollow guiding members. Preferably K=N-1, and the N-1 hollow guiding members are located within the Nth hollow guiding member.

Abstract: A known system having a transceiver device (such as a radiotelephone or walkie-talkie) for the transmission and reception of speech information via a speech channel in a wireless manner is only able to transmit and receive short data messages via an organization channel, switching means present in the transceiver device determining the channel with which the transceiver is coupled through. As a result of expanding the system with a modulator/demodulator, it can transmit and receive large quantities of data via the speech channel, an increased efficiency of the system being obtained by triggering the switching means from the modulator/demodulator device.

Abstract: A pointing device (1), such as a joystick, is provided comprising an integrated Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) generator (104) for generating DTMF pointing signals in response to movements of a tiltable stick (12). Preferably, the pointing device (1) also comprises a card reader/writer (106) operatively connected with the DTMF generator (104) by means of a control device (101) for exchanging smart card commands as DTMF signals. A device according to the invention allows games to be remotely played, a smart card (2) being used to pay for the games and/or to collect prizes via a telephone network.

Abstract: A method of securely loading and validating commands (COM) in a smart card (SC) is disclosed. Especially in the case where application-specific commands are loaded by an application provider (AP), that is off-line with respect to the card issuer (CI), it must be ensured that the commands are valid. The invention provides a method involving the protection of the commands (COM) by means of authentication codes, these codes (MAC1, MAC2) being produced using two different keys: one key (K1) is stored by the card issuer (CI), the other (K2) by a trusted third party (TTP). A further authentication code (MAC3), produced using a key from a set of keys (K3*), may be utilized to selectively validate commands for individual applications (e.g. AP1, AP2).

Abstract: A device for determining the quality of an output signal to be generated by a signal processing circuit with respect to a reference signal is provided with a first series circuit for receiving the output signal and with a second series circuit for receiving the reference signal and generates an objective quality signal by a combining circuit coupled to the two series circuits. Correlation between the objective quality signal and a subjective quality signal, to be assessed by human observers, can be considerably improved by coupling a converting arrangement to a series circuit for converting at least two signal parameters into a third signal parameter, and by coupling a discounting arrangement to the converter arrangement for discounting the third signal parameter at the combining circuit.

Abstract: A device for determining the quality of an output signal to be generated by a signal processing circuit with respect to a reference signal is provided with a first series circuit for receiving the output signal and with a second series circuit for receiving the reference signal. The device generates an objective quality signal by means of a combining circuit coupled to the two series circuits. Poor correlation between the objective quality signal and a subjective quality signal, to be assessed by human observers, can be considerably improved by disposing a scaling circuit between the two series circuits for scaling at least one series circuit signal. Furthermore, it is also possible to scale the quality signal as a function of the scaling circuit.

Abstract: Known ground-station systems offer users of mobile stations a different standard procedure for each ground station.

Abstract: A system for increasing the value of an electronic payment card. The system comprises, e.g., a security module arranged for authentication of the card, and an authorizing device for authorizing a value increase transaction to the card. The system is arranged for sending a value increase message to the card, upon which the value stored in memory in the card is increased, if the card has been found to be authentic and the value increase transaction thereof has been authorized. The system also has memory, in which identification data of the card is stored and, linked thereto, data relating to the authorization of the value increase of the card. If a value increase transaction is interrupted after authorization for the transaction had been given, a restore transaction occurs. In the restore transaction, the authenticity of the card is checked and the value increase transaction occurs on the basis of the authorization information previously stored in the system memory during the value increase transaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for electronic orders and payments by means of a communication network (6), such as a telephone network. A facilitating unit (2) comprising a voice response system (21) and a communication server (22) makes it possible, with the aid of simple subscriber equipment (8, 10) and a smart card (9), to order services and to effect electronic payments. The facilitating unit (2) is designed so as to be readily scalable and expandable. Preferably, it is also possible to revalue a smart card (9) by way of the system (1) of the invention.

Abstract: An authentication system having a first device and a second device between which signals may be communicated. The first device includes a first memory for storing a definition signal and the first device generates a first signal to be communicated to the second device. The first device also generates a first alteration signal, and introduces an alteration into a first section of the definition signal stored in the first memory in accordance with the first alteration signal. The second device includes a second memory for storing the definition signal, and generates, in response to a receipt of the first signal, a second signal to be communicated to the first device. The second signal includes a second section of the definition signal stored in the second memory, and the second device also generates a second alteration signal and introduces an alteration into a third section of the definition signal stored in the second memory in accordance with the second alteration signal.

Abstract: A device for determining the quality of an output signal to be generated by a signal processing circuit with respect to a reference signal. The device is provided with a first series circuit for receiving the output signal and a second series circuit for receiving the reference signal. The device generates an objective quality signal through a combining circuit which is coupled to the two series circuits. Poor correlation between the objective quality and subjective quality signals, the latter which will be assessed by human observers, can be considerably improved by a differential arrangement present in the combining circuit. This arrangement determines a difference between the two series circuit signals and reduces this difference by a certain value, preferably one that is a function of a series circuit signal. Poor correlation can be improved further by disposing a scaling circuit, between the two series circuits, for scaling at least one series circuit signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pinpointing an interruption in a link for transmitting digital signals between a first station and a second station on the basis of the times of occurrence of signal changes on the link. In accordance with the invention, the method is characterised by generating signal changes after the link has been restored. Preferably, the time of restoration is determined on the basis of data signals received, and a detection signal is fed to the link after the determination of the time of restoration. On the basis of the difference in time of observing restoration and of receiving a detection signal, the location of the interruption is determined. For this purpose, the length of the link need not be known.

Abstract: Known methods for construct a tree, for a context tree algorithm for coding symbols, construct trees by adding nodes. These methods need a giant memory capacity, which can be reduced in case unnecessary nodes are not added to the tree. This should be done through dependence on values of parameters belonging to a node where each parameter defines a number of symbols received that have a certain value.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system, a mobile terminal is connected, before initiation of a handover procedure, to a first base station, and first data packets flow from the first base station by way of a first link to a data-packets switch which, in response thereto, transmits third data packets by way of a third link. After termination of the handover procedure, the mobile terminal is connected to a second base station, and second data packets flow from the second base station by way of a second link to the data-packets switch which, in response thereto, transmits third data packets by way of the third link. By, during the handover procedure, coupling both the first link and the second link to the third link by way of the data-packets switch, during the handover procedure data packets are switched in an advantageous manner, which requires no great accuracy and no additional analyzing/converting device.

Abstract: The registration at a terminal on the basis of registration data which are stored in a terminal memory and the need to deregister oneself subsequently at the same terminal has the disadvantage that, if the deregistration is forgotten, the terminal memory is unnecessarily occupied by invalid information. This is prevented if the deregistration is performed from a further terminal, the possibilities including both an explicit deregistration and an implicit deregistration on the basis of a further registration. If the registration data are split into identification data and terminal data, more efficient use is made in that case of the terminal memory and if the identification data are split into user data and service data the possibility even arises of deregistering a user at a particular terminal for some services but not for other services.

Abstract: Improved integrity of a payment system for paying for services or goods, for example, telephone facilities, through use of electronic payment cards. In any session to increase a card balance, a “flag” is placed (“1”) on the payment card which indicates that the session must not be interrupted. After completion, the flag is removed again (“0”). A session to pay for the product or the service or to increase the balance can only be established if the flag is absent (“0”) indicating that the last session to increase the balance was correctly completed. If, on the other hand, the flag is still “1” at the start of a session, a correction routine is first performed in which the previous session to increase the balance is then correctly concluded to prevent the flag being removed by fraud, the flag can only be removed by a central system (PSTN/ABS) through issurance of an authorized instruction.