Abstract: A method and system for generating a location identification grid and for using a location identification grid. The location identification grid can include a first geographic area that correspond to a pre-existing area. This pre-existing area can correspond to a postal code such as a zip code, a telephone code such as, an area code, or any other desired pre-existing area. The location identification grid can be subdivided into smaller geographic areas to allow more accurate identification of a location. The location identification grid can include a second geographic area. The second geographic area can be a subdivision of the first geographic area. The location identification grid can be used with signals that identify a location within a location identification grid. These signals can include a first component corresponding to the first geographic area and the second component corresponding to one or more second geographic areas.

Abstract: A sorting system is disclosed, for example for mail items. In the disclosed system, a circulating storage system can receive items from an inlet, and deposit them in an appropriate output receptacle which has been allocated to items in a particular group. For example, the items can be sorted by destination, and each output receptacle can be allocated to a particular destination. In the event that the destination of an item has not output receptacle allocated thereto, the system controller can determine whether to allocate a receptacle, or whether to recirculate the item within the circulating storage system. This possibility allows items to be grouped together within the system, until there are sufficient items for a particular destination to allow them to be handled efficiently, and in particular allows the allocation of output receptacles to destinations to be controlled efficiently.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sorting system, relying on the identification of items to be sorted by means of codes applied thereto, in which it is possible to infer the identity of items whose codes have become unreadable. The system relies on identifying the item by reference to the codes of items which precede and which follow the item.

Abstract: A network terminating unit, for interconnecting analog and digital communication systems to a digital network, having an analog voice module for connection to an analog private exchange, a high speed data communication module for connection to high speed communications devices, and an interface for common channel signalling connection to a digital network. The unit may further include a module for common channel signalling connectivity to a digital private exchange.

Abstract: An organic phosphor which is a solid insoluble in water and organic solvents and which may be used in a phosphorescent printing ink or a paper coating composition comprises molecules of at least one phosphorescent activator held within a matrix of a condensation resin that does not itself absorb ultraviolet or visible radiation at the excitation and emission frequencies of the phosphorescence activator(s). The phosphorescence activator(s) is/are a compound or mixtures of compounds of the general formula(A).sub.m --Ar--CO--X (I)wherein Ar denotes a fused ring polycyclic aromatic group;m is zero or an integer of from 1 up to the maximum number of ring positions available for substitution;X denotes an alkyl group or a group of the formula (A).sub.m --Ar-- or (B).sub.n Ph--wherein Ph is a phenyl group and n is zero or an integer of from 1 to 5; andA and B represent ring substituents, or an acid addition salt thereof when said compound is basic.

Abstract: A sorting system comprises a number of sorting conveyors (1, 2 --- 12) each being capable of selectively discharging items fed onto the conveyor at an input thereto, from any one of a number of destination outlets and a plurality of aggregating conveyors (21, 22 --- 29) corresponding in number to that of the outlets of each sorting conveyor and extending transversely of the sorting conveyors, each aggregating conveyor being capable of receiving items from the respective sorting conveyors at a corresponding outlet in each case and of feeding the received items towards an output.

Abstract: A diverter for diverting articles travelling on a conveyor, comprises a diverter member (1) which is mounted on a linkage for movement into and out of the path of the articles and which has an elongate article contact surface to cooperate with the articles travelling on the conveyor. The linkage includes a pivotal connection (4a) with the diverter member (1) intermediate the length of the surface so that the diverter member (1) on contact with each article gives the article a sustained push to guide the article laterally of the conveying direction followed by a final nudge to complete the lateral displacement.

Abstract: A weighing arrangement comprises a conveyor system defining a path for articles and including a first feed conveyor, a second upwardly inclined conveyor arranged to receive articles from the first conveyor and a third, downwardly inclined conveyor. The first and second conveyors have respective first and second motors for independent drive.The weighing apparatus has a weight measuring component in the form of a rotatable cylinder which cooperates with load sensing means.In use, an article is fed from the conveyor to the cylinder of the weighing apparatus. Operation of the weighing apparatus is based on the principle that as the article changes direction to be discharged via the downward conveyor there is an instant at which the total mass of the article passes through its center of gravity so as to act directly downwardly via the cylinder on the load sensing means.

Abstract: Informaton for display at a terminal apparatus of a computer is stored in blocks the first part of which contains the information which is actually displayed at the terminal and the second part of which contains information relating to the display and which may be used to influence the display at the time or in response to a keyboard entry signal. For example, the second part of the block could include information for providing the complete address of an another block which would be selected by the operation of a selected key of the keyboard. The second part of the block could alternatively influence the format and/or color of the display at the terminal. When a block is read from the store of the computer the second part is retained in another store which may be located in the terminal or in the computer itself or perhaps both. The invention is particularly useful in reducing the complexity of the operating protocol of the computer.

Abstract: A sorting machine for sorting generally flat items, for example letters, comprises a plurality of sorting destinations arranged in levels, and a conveying system for conveying the items each to an assigned destination. The conveying system includes a plurality of endless flexible tensile elements (8) extending along the machine, the elements each being arranged to cooperate with an adjacent element such as to be capable of transferring the items from one element to another thereby to convey the items from one level to another.There is conveniently provided a climb section at one end of the machine where an element passes over an inclined pulley (9) to take the element to the next higher level.

Abstract: A security glass which possesses substantial resistance to penetration by impact by a heavy implement and which exhibits only a small amount of spall formation is a glass flexible bonding material, e.g. polyvinylbutyral, laminate in which the layer of flexible bonding material positioned other than at the forwardmost flexible bonding material layer position possesses increased thickness. The rearmost glass layer is generally relatively thin and is preferably chemically toughened.

Abstract: Two optical fibres to be coupled end-to-end are respectively located within a cluster of straight rigid elements. The meeting ends of the elements are tapered to provide docking ramps which ensure precise axial alignment of the clusters.

Abstract: A detector device for detecting the passage of articles of a conveyor comprises an energy source element 8, an energy responsive element 10 and reflector means 27, 9 and 28, positioned so that a beam of energy from the source element 8 to the responsive element 10 first traverses the conveyor path substantially parallel and close to the conveyor surface and is then reflected back and forth across the conveyor path in a plane substantially perpendicular to the conveyor surface.

Abstract: A sorting system for generally flat articles includes a number of receptacles (2) mounted on a conveyor (1) each of which is disposed to receive and convey an article to be carried lying with its surface of maximum size perpendicular to the conveyor line of travel and which are each angularly displaceable about an axis extending lengthwise of the conveyor between two positions in which a controllable discharge outlet (9) of the receptacle is positioned on opposite sides respectively of the conveyor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is tested by applying to it the output of a clocked word generator. The resulting output from the circuit is analyzed by a phase sensitive detector comprising a series of sampling switches and integrators which are synchronized with the generator frequency. The output spectrum is compared with that of a reference to evaluate the quality of the circuit.

Abstract: A credential, such as a passport or an identification card, is provided, for example by impregnation or coating, with a phosphorescent composition which includes at least two phosphorescence activators which exhibit different emission characteristics both with respect to wavelength and lifetime so that, when the composition is irradiated, the initial afterglow changes color, for example from green to blue.

Abstract: A technique for aligning and coupling dielectric optical waveguides comprises threading the end of a waveguide through the central opening of a triad ball connector and forming by fusion a generally spherical glass bead on the end of the waveguide using, for example, an electric arc. The waveguide is then drawn back so that the bead contacts the balls of the triad connector to accurately locate the waveguide. The bead acts as a locating element and also has beneficial focussing properties.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling operation of a plurality of audio teleconference terminals comprises a plurality of inputs which are connected each to a particular terminal. A speech detector detects from which terminals speech signals are received and actuates switching means to connect those terminals in open loop teleconference.