Abstract: An optical component system includes an optical component having a plurality of ports through which light signals exit the optical component. The system also includes a light sensor array having a plurality of light sensors. The light sensor array is coupled to the optical component such that different light sensors receive light signals that exit the optical component through different ports. The system also includes a light barrier positioned between the optical component and the light sensor array and between adjacent light sensors. In some instances, the light barrier is one of a plurality of light barriers that are each positioned between adjacent light sensors.

Abstract: An optical component system includes an optical component having a plurality of ports through which light signals exit the optical component. The system also includes a light sensor array having a plurality of light sensors. The light sensor array is coupled to the optical component such that different light sensors receive light signals that exit the optical component through different ports. The system also includes a light barrier positioned between the optical component and the light sensor array and between adjacent light sensors. In some instances, the light barrier is one of a plurality of light barriers that are each positioned between adjacent light sensors.

Abstract: Insulation displacing connectors extend upwardly from a base of the terminal block into connector chambers of driver modules movable relative to the base between upper and lower positions. Passageways within the modules direct service wires moved through the passageways into the connector chambers and into entrance openings underlying upper edge portions of the insulation displacing connectors within the chambers. Movement of the module from its upper position to its lower position drives the service wires downwardly from the entrance openings of the connectors into and through slots underlying the entrance openings, to establish electrical contact with the service wires and the connectors and, in the case of larger diameter wires, to impale the service wires upon impaling elements resisting pullout of the wires.

Abstract: Insulation displacing connectors of an "inverted" type extend upwardly from a base of the terminal block into connector chambers of driver modules movable relative to the base between upper and lower positions. Passageways within the modules direct service wires moved through the passageways into the connector chambers and into entrance openings underlying upper edge portions of the insulation displacing connectors within the chambers. Movement of the module from its upper position to its lower position drives the service wires downwardly from the entrance openings of the connectors into and through slots underlying the entrance openings, to establish electrical contact with the service wires and the connectors and, in the case of larger diameter wires, to impale the service wires upon impaling elements resisting pullout of the wires.

Abstract: A low power, low cost distributed digital loop (DDL) carrier system that combines television and voice telephone signal transmission over coaxial cables. The DDL system employs a passive/active tap module (114) that controls the steering of the video and telephone signals. The high frequency down stream telephone signal is not processed until a routing terminator (110) converts it to lower frequency signal for transmission in the lower frequency subsplit channel. The telephone signal is then transmitted back up through the subsplit where the active circuitry of each tap intercepts the telephone signal, selects the needed signal and transmits it down to a network interface unit (120) located at the subscriber premises.

Abstract: The invention comprises a telecommunications terminal block with integral but separate test port captured cap feature as well as a method of manufacturing same in an automated fashion. The block permits the electric connection of various size gauges of wires without the severing of the smallest gauges of wire or ruining the block when initially contacting on the largest gauge wire.

Abstract: The invention provides for an electrical connection device wherein the portion of the device making the electrical contact is part of but spaced apart from the point of mechanical retention of the wire to which an electrical contact is made. More particularly, the invention provides a terminal block wherein the major portion of mechanical retention is at a point different from that point at which the electrical contact is made.

Abstract: The invention provides for an electrical connection device wherein the portion of the device making the electrical contact is part of but spaced from the point of mechanical retention of the wire to which an electrical contact is made. The invention also provides for an electrical connection/wire insulation disconnect indicator to enable the installer to know when an electrical contact is formed or an insulated wire can be withdrawn from the apparatus without stripping the electrical insulation therefrom.

Abstract: An automated inspection system for identifying objects by their geometrical shapes includes an orientation device wherein objects are conveyed one-by-one at constant velocity to abut at least one stationary member which urges the objects to an orientation common to other conveyed objects. After objects reach a stable common orientation, an inspection device is operated to detect waves which interact with the conveyed objects against the stationary background.

Abstract: An acoustic inspection system includes acoustic transducers to transmit and receive continuous acoustic waves at a constant frequency. Changes in phase and/or amplitude of acoustic waves reflected at different times from a fixed reference target through an isothermal transmission medium are detected. The temperature of the acoustic transmission path is controlled in response to the detected phase changes to maintain the wavelength of acoustic waves constant independent of changes in humidity and barometric pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus (and method) for parts sorting and the like wherein parts and the like are transported into an interaction region and irradiated with wave energy which interacts with the parts and the like to provide wave energy that emits from the interaction region. The positions of the parts and the like as they move through the interaction region are detected at spaced locations along the path of travel therethrough. The wave energy that emits from the interaction region is sensed to derive a characteristic of the parts and the like at each of the spaced locations to provide signals from which the characteristic can be determined. The signals are analyzed for each spaced location to derive data representative of the characteristic which serves as the basis for sorting.

Abstract: A system for achieving inspecting and/or positioning of an object that includes: an array that is operable to generate acoustic or low-frequency electromagnetic wave energy of a single or narrow band of frequencies, to transmit the wave energy to an interaction region where it interacts with the object and to transmit the wave energy, after interaction, to sensing means, sensors of the array being disposed to receive the wave energy and being operable to convert the wave energy to electric signals representative of the received wave energy; a processor connected to receive the electric signal and adapted to process the signals into amplitude and/or phase information for each sensor; and an analyzer to interpret the amplitude and/or phase information to derive therefrom a characteristic of the object, e.g., a geometric characteristic or an electromagnetic characteristic.