Abstract: A test system for evaluating the operating state of a headend of a broadband communications network for communicating telephony signals between a telephony system and subscribers of communications services. Modulators at the headend transmit telephony signals in the forward band of the broadband communications network. The forward telephony channels are demodulated and demultiplexed by a plurality of subscriber terminals into individual telephony signals directed to an addressed subscriber. Signals returning from subscribers are digitized into standard telephony signals onto the reverse band of the broadband communications network, and demodulated by demodulators of the headend into a standard telephony signal that is interfaced to the telephony network. The test system evaluates the operating state of a selected demodulator of the headend by modulating a carrier with a predetermined data pattern to generate a upstream test signal.

Abstract: A broadband communications system for coupling telephony or other digital networks to a CATV network. The system transmits a multiplex of telephony signals in the forward band of the CATV network. Each forward channel is QPR modulated on a carrier and contains multiple subscriber telephony signals. The forward telephony channels are demodulated and demultiplexed by a plurality of subscriber terminals into the individual telephony signals directed to an addressed subscriber. Audio and control signals returning from the subscriber are digitized into standard telephony signals and QPSK modulated on a carrier onto the reverse band of the CATV network. The multiplicity of reverse band telephony channels are demodulated and multiplexed into a standard telephony signal which is directly interfaced to the telephony network.

Abstract: A broadband communications system for coupling telephony or other digital networks to a CATV network. The system transmits a multiplex of telephony signals in the forward band of the CATV network. The forward telephony channels are demodulated and demultiplexed by a plurality of subscriber terminals into the individual telephony signals directed to an addressed subscriber. Signals returning from subscribers are digitized into standard telephony signals onto the reverse band of the CATV network, and demodulated and multiplexed into a standard telephony signal that is interfaced to the telephony network. A multiplicity of subscribers are initially assigned to a selected reverse band channel. If more than one subscriber contends for use of the reverse channel by transmitting in the channel, signals from the contending subscribers interfere and prevent any subscriber's identity from being decoded and acknowledged. The contending subscribers wait for a random wait time and re-attempt to transmit.

Abstract: A broadband communications system for coupling telephony or other digital networks to a CTV network. The system includes transmitting a multiplex of telephony signals in 3 MHz channels in the forward band of the CTV network. Each 3 MHz channel is QPR modulated on a carrier and contains multiple subscriber telephony signals. The forward telephony channels are demodulated and demultiplexed by a plurality of subscriber terminals into the individual telephony signals directed to an addressed subscriber. The individually addressed telephony signal is then applied to a line card which connects the subscriber telephone equipment to the system. Audio and control signals returning from the subscriber are digitized into standard telephony signals and modulated on a carrier in 50 kHz reserved telephony channels onto the reverse band of the CTV network.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and handling empty beverage containers. The empty containers may be received either individually or in cartons upon a moving conveyor. An alignment mechanism separates the containers and moves them to one side of the conveyor. A switch arrangement senses cartons, so that the system can process cartons of empty containers in a different manner than individual empty containers. The containers, whether individually or in cartons, pass through an illumination station wherein they interrupt illumination falling upon a row of photocells. Output signals from the photocells are transmitted to identification circuitry together with clock signals generated in synchronism with the movement of the conveyor. The identification circuitry generates registration signals, which are used to compute value of the containers being received. A paddle mechanism shifts the cartons to a separating station, which forwards properly filled cartons to a storage area.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for observing containers which are transported through an illumination station, and generating a recognition signal on the basis of leading edge scanning information. Leading edge scanning information is produced by a trigger photodetector and a plurality of vertically arranged registration photodetectors. A container which is to be recognized is carried through the illumination station by a conveyor, and the conveyor generates conveyor clock pulses corresponding to actual movement of the container through the illumination station. The trigger photodetector senses the leading edge of the container, and it generates a trigger signal which enables a counter to begin counting conveyor clock pulses. The registration photodetectors are positioned downstream from the trigger photodetector and are connected for terminating the counting of conveyor clock pulses upon detection of the container leading edge at their respective positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and handling empty beverage containers. The empty containers may be received either individually or in cartons upon a moving conveyor. An alignment mechanism separates the containers and moves them to one side of the conveyor. A switch arrangement senses cartons, so that the system can process cartons of empty containers in a different manner than individual empty containers. The containers, whether individually or in cartons, pass through an illumination station wherein they interrupt illumination falling upon a row of photocells. Output signals from the photocells are transmitted to identification circuitry together with clock signals generated in synchronism with the movement of the conveyor. The identification circuitry generates registration signals, which are used to compute value of the containers being received. A paddle mechanism shifts the cartons to a separating station, which forwards properly filled cartons to a storage area.