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).

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: 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: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for multiplexing traffic from a plurality of fixed bit rate sources over an ATM network. The traffic from the fixed bit rate users is multiplexed to form a TDM trunk group which is assembled into AAL2 minicells prior to being converted to ATM cells for transmission on the ATM network. By combining the fixed rate traffic sources into a TDM trunk group and then mapping the trunk group into AAL2 minicells, it is possible to improve efficiency of fixed bit rate traffic transmission using the ATM protocol.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: Collisions caused by simultaneous allocation of the same channel identifier (CID) to two AAL2 connections over an ATM virtual channel connection between first and second nodes in an asynchronous network are avoided by the use of status records. Each node maintains a record of currently assigned CIDs and compares the CIDs of incoming connection requests with that record. Where the CID of such an incoming request is found to have been assigned, a message is returned to the request originator refusing the connection request. Preferably a set of CIDs is assigned to one node so that, in the event of a potential collision, that node seizes the connection.

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: Apparatus for supplying a draught beverage, comprising beverage cooling heat exchange means, a beverage outlet for cold beverage from said heat exchange means to issue from the outlet, openable and closable valve means for controlling supply of beverage to said outlet, and a beverage circulation loop for beverage to circulate in said loop.

Abstract: Device for use in rehabilitation of water supply pipes includes a tubular liner (10) which is deployed through a pipe (11) for example by a line attached to a messenger pig which is propelled through the pipe. The liner (10) has a multi-lobed pleated cross-section, and is of a polyolefin elastomer material, e,g, a substantially linear ethylene inter-polymer. The liner is extruded and die drawn during extrusion to produce a reduced diameter highly oriented structure.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: An open topped drinking vessel containing a beverage, the beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content and having a head overlying an ice formation made of many ice crystals, the ice formation having been produced by ice formed in the beverage whilst the beverage is in the drinking vessel.

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 network arrangement for transporting service (Servco) traffic between terminals via an asynchronous path comprises a servco access layer incorporating multimedia gateways for access by said terminals, an asynchronous network layer, a service layer incorporating adaptation layer switches each coupled to the network layer, and a transport layer providing a connection medium between the adaptation layer switches. The Servco traffic is carried in ATM minicells over the network layer. Delineation of the minicells is effected by searching the received ATM stream for a valid code word indicating the start of a minicell, and, for that minicell and subsequent minicells, determining length information so as to determine the start of each next minicell.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a system for multiplexing data from a plurality of user data sources across an ATM adaption layer type-2 connection, in which a multiplexed trunk group extends across a plurality of common part sub-layer protocol data unit (CSU-PDU) mini-cells, and across a plurality of ATM cells. Large trunk groups are assembled by use of a single bit continuation indicator in the service specific convergence sub-layer header (SSCS) of successive CPS-PDU mini-cells. A packet payload type field (PPT) of the common part sub-layer (CPS)/service specific convergence sub-layer (SSCS) is used to indicate timing of changes in number of user data sources in a trunk group and provides for robust error recovery on loss of a single CPS-PDU mini-cell.

Abstract: An arrangement for interfacing between TDM and ATM networks consists of a family of devices that comprises two groups. The first group comprises devices that perform multiplexing, segregation and routing field translation for the respective traffic type. They may also remove or substitute an outermost layer of encapsulation. These first group devices are bi-directional and output buffered with respect to the network. The second device group comprises devices that perform format conversions between the service payload (voice, video or data) and an adaptation layer control format. These second group devices are also bi-directional and buffering depends on the particular function, e.g. real-time, segmentation.

Abstract: In an adaptation layer switching network, functional partitioning is provided by providing a separation between service specific sublayers (SSCS), common part sublayers (CPS) and transport convergence. This enables the support of a range of SSCS functions via common set of CPS blocks.

Abstract: In a distribution network system delivering services to customers, convergence of internet and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocols provides common distribution of data and real time communications services in the network.

Abstract: A draught beverage (170) which may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, for example a lager or cider in an open-topped drinking vessel or glass (172). The beverage comprises a water content and dissolved gas content. The draught beverage is dispensed from a font at a cooled temperature below the freezing point of water at ambient atmospheric pressure. The dispense temperature may be in the range of −1° C. to −12° C. The beverage in the glass may or may not be subjected to external excitement energy, for example ultra-sound, to encourage formation of nucleation sites in the beverage. Either way dissolved gas bubbles out of the beverage causing occurrence of nucleation sites at which ice (188A, 188B) from the water content forms. At least in part the ice has a slushy character. A head (174) also forms on the dispensed draught beverage and below the head the ice (188A,188B) locates and develops downwards into the beverage.

Abstract: A telecommunications system comprises an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network having uncommitted bandwidth, and a plurality of adaptive grooming routers (AGR) coupled to the network. The AGRs comprise a group adapted to function as a virtual transit exchange whose fabric and control are distributed over the group. The vitual comprising the AGRs incorporates independent connection control and call routing functions and has means for determining the current system status whereby to set up narrow band connections across the ATM network based on that status determination.