Abstract: A modular jack for a telephone, particularly for use in a handset, has a minimal height or profile by using a circuit board, on which the jack is mounted, as one of the walls defining the aperture into which a modular plug is inserted. The overall height of the jack is reduced by the thickness of the circuit board. The jack and board assembly has the smallest height dimension possible.

Abstract: Programming of a communications terminal is carried out by insertable programming members carrying a plurality of actuators. Each actuator has at least one and usually two actuating members which engage with a circuit to modify the electrical characteristics of the circuit. The actuating members themselves may contact conductor paths, connecting them selectively to a ground conductor, or interconnecting two conductor paths. The actuating members may actuate indirectly through an intermediate member. Actuating members can be at predetermined different positions along an actuator. Typically one programming member is associated with a push-button, the programming member, for example having two columns of four actuators. On depressing the push-button, the particular coding is rapidly scanned by the electronic circuitry and the particular service associated with that code is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital station apparatus, such as a digital telephone set, capable of being operated in parallel on a subscriber's digital loop (e.g. in an extension mode) without the need to route all the PCM signals to common equipment. Only one of the parallel sets is active at a time; all the others are passive. In the passive state the telephone set receives only, and does not transmit. It monitors its own signal magnitude relative to the signal magnitude produced by the active "extension" on the same digital loop. When its own signal magnitude has satisfied a comparison criterion, then that passive set becomes active and both transmits and receives, while all other sets on the loop are passive.