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: 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: 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 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 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.

Abstract: A communications cable based on optical fibres comprises a core 2 with external helical channels 13. The fibres 6 in the channels are accessible through removable parts 15 of an outer sheath 4.

Abstract: A method of growing crystalline semiconductors such as GaAs is disclosed. The method involves epitaxial deposition from the vapor phase and provides dopant material such as sulphur in the form of a molecular beam. The molecular beam is developed by effusion from a knudsen cell. The difficulties previously encountered using sulphur as such a cell are counteracted by use of an electrochemical cell as the sulphur source. The technique allows complicated doping profiles to be produced.

Abstract: Gold is preferred as the conductor material in a metallization layer of a semiconductor device because of its high conductivity and freedom from electromigration effects but gold is inclined to diffuse into the semiconductor substrate typically silicon, so degrading the p-n junction characteristics within the semiconductor substrate and rendering the device inoperative. Previously this problem has been overcome by placing a protective barrier layer of titanium between the gold layer and the substrate. The gold/titanium interface is subject to corrosion and this corrosion adjacent the substrate containing the active areas of the device also leads to failure of the device. This is prevented by covering the gold metallization layer of the device on its top, bottom and side surfaces with titanium. This prevents the diffusion of the gold into any other layer of the semiconductor device above or below it and there is no gold/titanium interface exposed adjacent any active area of the device.

Abstract: A supervisory channel is provided on a digital transmission system by frequency modulation of the data signal transmitted along a transmission link which includes repeaters. The frequency modulation can be carried out using an elastic store. Each repeater includes means for demodulating the frequency modulation so that each repeater can be addressed and interrogated. Each repeater can also phase modulate the data signals on the return link to a terminal station so that signals indicative of an interrogated condition can be transmitted to the terminal station.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer for a microphone comprises an electret wherein an additional capacitance substantially greater than the capacitance normally inherent in the electret is connected in parallel with the electret. The additional capacitance may be of the order of 10 times greater than the capacitance normally inherent in the electret and may be produced inherently in the transducer or by a separate component connected to the transducer.

Abstract: A digital switching device of the stored program type operating under the control of a central control unit has an input time switching stage, an output time switching stage, and a space switching stage intermediate the time switching stages. Each time switching stage has a connection store for controlling reading of data from said stages, and the space switching stage includes comparators for comparing the contents of the connection stores. The space switch is controlled on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: A graded index optical fiber is produced in a double crucible with an elongate heated exit nozzle. The core and cladding glasses of the fiber diffuse into one another in the nozzle.