Abstract: A message flow environment permits a developer to define a debug session in which nodes in a defined message flow have a debug function. A debug controller is used to select nodes as breakpoints using data in shared memory accessible to the nodes in the defined message flow. Each node having a debug function will determine whether it is a breakpoint by accessing the shared memory. Where a node determines that it is a breakpoint, the node will communicate debug information to the debug controller. An independent daemon runs to permit a developer to define breakpoints from the set of debug nodes. The nodes having a debug function maintain a stack in the shared memory which is sent to the debug controller by each breakpoint node when reached by a message.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly comprises a rechargeable battery unit and a data and power connector plug. The battery assembly has a deployed configuration in which the battery assembly has the general form of and functions as a conventional battery format, and a recharge configuration in which the data and power connector plug is made accessible to enable said connector to be connected to a suitable receptacle on a computing or peripheral device for recharging of the battery.

Abstract: A recently received portion of a transmit signal is utilized, and a pitch period of the received signal is determined. Then, the determined pitch period is utilized to search for similarities in the originally transmitted signal. This searching is done over a range of delays. Once the optimal delay is determined, it is then utilized as the delay between the transmitted signal and the received signal. Once this delay is known, the received signal can be time-aligned with the delayed signal.

Abstract: Determining the time delay between a transmitted signal and an echo. Then, the echo canceller is adjusted by the delay amount so that the echo canceller tail length is relatively short.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for establishing a plurality of ATM adaption layer type 2 channels between interworking functions across a single ATM virtual channel connection. Within each interworking function there are a system management layer entity an ANP layer management identity and a protocol stack. The ANP layer management entities are further sub-divided into a series of functional blocks comprising: Originating procedures, Terminating procedures and Status Record entity. The Status Record entity records whether each AAL2 channel amongst the plurality of AAL2 channels is assigned/unassigned or activated/de-activated. A new AAL2 channel is established between interworking functions when a System Management entity sends in Assign—Request primitive to ANP layer management entity requesting an available AAL2 channel. The status record entity within ANP layer management entity is interrogated and an available AAL2 channel is identified.

Abstract: Point to point protocol (PPP) traffic is transported over an asynchronous transport link by encapsulating the traffic in AAL2 minicells and transporting the minicells in a single virtual circuit. Minicells from a number of users can be multiplexed in the same virtual circuit.

Abstract: A method of keeping an alcoholic beverage in an open topped vessel cool, said beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content, and said method comprising forming ice in the beverage in the open-topped vessel said ice having a cooling effect on the beverage, said ice being formed in the beverage from water of said water content.

Abstract: A method of adapting synchronous time division multiplexed (TDM) traffic at an interface between a synchronous network in which the traffic is transported in frames identified by corresponding pointers and labels and an asynchronous network in which the adapted traffic is transported in cells, the method comprising mapping said synchronous frames into primary multiplexed groups, mapping each said primary multiplexed group into traffic cells in a respective asynchronous virtual channel, and providing that virtual circuit with a corresponding virtual channel indicator, and wherein said pointers and labels are mapped into one or more separate asynchronous cells for transport ahead or said traffic cells.

Abstract: Echo detection and monitoring systems and methods are provided. According to the invention, the outgoing and incoming voice bearer channels of a voice communication are monitored. The outgoing and incoming signals are time aligned, and measures are then taken to determine whether echo is present in the signal. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the outgoing signal is fed through an adaptive filter.

Abstract: A water supply pipe has a tubular liner of a polyolefin elastomer/plastomer installed therein. The polyolefin elastomer/plastomer includes a substantially linear ethylene inter-polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution from 1.8 to 2.2.

Abstract: A telecommunications network architecture provides transport and switching of user services, particularly PSTN/ISDN services. In the network, connections are set up between end points which typically comprise narrow band exchanges serving subscribers. Calls are set up between the end points via call servers using e.g. ISUP signalling between the end points or exchanges and the call servers. The call servers set up connections via a concatenated series of paths or tunnels across an intermediate MPLS network via media gateways serving respective nodes in the MPLS network. User information packets are carried across the MPLS network by the attachment of an appropriate label, this label being removed on egress from the MPLS network to recover the original packet.

Abstract: An interface arrangement provides interfacing between a frame based telecommunications network in which traffic is transported in frames and an asynchronous network in which traffic is transported in cells or packets. Each TDM frame supports a plurality of data structures each comprising one or more channels. Credits corresponding to bandwidth entitlement are issued at a substantially constant rate and are assigned to the data structures according to the size of those structures by a connection control. Each data structure is accorded a threshold number of assigned credits, and when this number has been reached, the data structure is assembled into cells or packets for dispatch into the asynchronous network.

Abstract: A display device (1) has an extendible screen (2) and at least one extendible side member (3). The extendible screen (2) is extendible in an extension direction from a relatively compact form to an extended form. The screen (2) in the extended form has opposed edges (17) that are substantially parallel to the extension direction. An extendible side member (3) is provided for at least one of said opposed edges (17). The or each extendible side member (3) is extendible to provide support to and structural rigidity to the screen (2) when the screen (2) is in the extended form. The display device (1) provides an extendible rigid screen (2) suitable for example for creating a rigid collapsible tablet computer, or enabling a compact portable display to support a rigid touch-screen, or for incorporation into a mobile phone or remote control unit.

Abstract: A water supply pipe has a tubular liner of a polyolefin elastomer/plastomer installed therein. To install it, a messenger pig is attached to a line that pulls the liner through the pipe. The liner is produced by extrusion and die drawing during extrusion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for establishing a plurality of ATM adaption layer type 2 channels between interworking functions across a single ATM virtual channel connection. Within each interworking function there are a system management layer entity an ANP layer management identity and a protocol stack. The ANP layer management entities are further sub-divided into a series of functional blocks comprising: Originating procedures, Terminating procedures and Status Record entity. The Status Record entity records whether each AAL2 channel amongst the plurality of AAL2 channels is assigned/unassigned or activated/de-activated. A new AAL2 channel is established between interworking functions when a System Management entity sends in Assign_Request primitive to ANP layer management entity requesting an available AAL2 channel. The status record entity within ANP layer management entity is interrogated and an available AAL2 channel is identified.

Abstract: Traffic from a number of different service type users is multiplexed into minicells for transmission over an ATM link. Service type information is transmitted in a service specific field and is stored. This stored information is used to derive length information to delineate the different length user minicells. The technique occupies less bandwidth than the conventional methods for transmitting cell length information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for establishing a plurality of ATM adaption layer type 2 channels between interworking functions across a single ATM virtual channel connection. Within each interworking function there are a system management layer entity an ANP layer management identity and a protocol stack. The ANP layer management entities are further sub-divided into a series of functional blocks comprising: Originating procedures, Terminating procedures and Status Record entity. The Status Record entity records whether each AAL2 channel amongst the plurality of AAL2 channels is assigned/unassigned or activated/de-activated. A new AAL2 channel is established between interworking functions when a System Management entity sends in Assign_Request primitive to ANP layer management entity requesting an available AAL2 channel. The status record entity within ANP layer management entity is interrogated and an available AAL2 channel is identified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling persistence measurement of channel associated signaling for a plurality of line circuits, eg, T1, E1, OC3, STM 1 circuits, which extracts channel associated signaling data from a plurality of line circuits; assembles the channel associated signaling data into a data frame; contains the data frame in a suitable carrier, eg, an AAL 0 cell; monitors a continuous stream of the data frames, to check for changes in line status; and generates an event message data frame when a persistent change of line state has been detected. The extracting of associated signaling data may be provided on a separate card to a call control processor, and using separate processor functionality.

Abstract: A water supply pipe has a tubular liner of a polyolefin elastomer/Plastomer installed therein. The polyolefin elastomer/plastomer includes a substantially linear ethylene inter-polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution from 1.8 to 2.2.

Abstract: To obviate inefficient use of bandwidth in a packetised system, such as a broadband ATM domain, the use or amount of header information sent in relation to a channel is restricted by one of two principal mechanisms, as exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4. First, control information incident to a packet interface (20) is interrogated by a processor (21) to determine (50) packet length requirements. A packet length indicator is then generated (52) for inclusion within a header (44) of a packet. Alternatively, a frame (30) is pre-partitioned (60) into several packets (32-42) having different lengths. An addressed subscriber unit (28) is allocated (64) a particular channel, i.e. at least one particular packet within the frame (30), based on data throughput requirements (62), whereby the location of the packet within the frame inherently identifies the length of the packet. Optionally, the data rate used within that packet may also be identified inherently by the location of the packet within the frame (30).