Abstract: A network device uses a multiple component connector plane to interconnect functional cards within the network device. Each of the components of the connector plane may be configured to contain a subset of the total interconnectivity of the connector plane and, optionally, to interconnect one or more subsets of the functional cards in the network device. The reduced connectivity of each component enables each component to be made in a less complex fashion. Using printed circuit board technology, this reduction in complexity enables lower layer count boards to be used to form the connector plane, resulting in lower overall costs. The connector plane may be a mid-plane or a back-plane.

Abstract: An attachable module for expanding or enhancing the functionality of a desktop telephone terminal is disclosed. The module comprises a body on which are mounted a display, a plurality of function keys and a scroll key, all of which are connected to electronic circuitry housed within the body. An appendage projects from the body and comprises a pair of upwardly extending toothed protrusions and an electrical connector. The protrusions and electrical connector are intended to mate respectively with a pair of complementary cavities and a complementary electrical connector located in the underside of the terminal. The appendage is comprised of several sections of varying dimensions, yielding a structure that, in combination with the body of the module, provides a strong and stable mechanical connection when the module attached to the terminal.

Abstract: A proximity detector structure comprising a pair of light guides which are optically isolated from each other, each of the light guides having an end surface at one end thereof, a light source for transmitting light along one of the light guides to its end surface, a light receiver for receiving light carried by another of the light guides, a light emitter at the end surface of the one of the light guides for emitting light carried by the one of the light guides, and a light gathering structure at the end surface of the other of the light guides for receiving light emitted from the light emitter and reflected from an external surface and for passing the received light into the other of the light guides, the light emitter and light gathering structure being shaped so as to couple unreflected light directly from the light emitter to the light gathering structure.

Abstract: The characteristics of a desktop telephone terminal can easily be enhanced or modified with the use of external devices such as personal computers. Different types of accessory interface cartridges are used for the different types of external devices. To facilitate attachment of the interface cartridges both electrically and mechanically, a stand is provided for supporting the terminal at different desired tilted positions and an accessory connection module (ACM) is mounted in the stand. The ACM has an electrical connection to the underside of the terminal and has one or more electrical connectors which are aligned with apertures in the stand. These apertures are accessible when the terminal is on the stand and permit plugging in of one or more of the cartridges.