Nortel Networks Corporation

Northern Telecom Limited

Bell-Northern Research Ltd.

Paul John Koens

John I Johnson

Dean Boggia

Lorne Arthur Whitehead

Clifford D Read

Martin Leslie White

Andre John Van Schyndel

Ulrich Buschmann

Joseph J Lommen

Ernest R Dynie

Johnnie Irving Johnson

Friedrich Bertignoll

Jon David Scott

Camilo M Tabalba

Ernie R Dynie

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.

Multiple component connector plane for a network device

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. Operationally, the module can increase the size of a 'speed call' list, increase the number of external lines available at the touch of a button and increase the number of other functions accessible by pressing a single function key. The scroll key allows the user to browse through pages of functions when their number exceeds the number of function keys on the module.

Display-based add-on module

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.

Light guide implementation of a proximity detector

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.

Plug-in accessories

Display adjunct for a telephone base

Telephone base

A light diffusing apparatus, which may be used as an elongate visual indicator in telephone sets, video cassette recorders etc, provides very even illumination (i.e., evenly diffused light without any discernible bright spots) when illuminated by spot light from one or two light emitting diodes. The apparatus includes a light guide having a light path of sufficient length to disperse the spot light from the emitting diodes. The dispersed light from the light guide then passes through a light diffuser. The light output end of the light guide and the light input surface of the light diffuser have uniform texture surfaces to further diffuse the dispersed light. The light diffuser may include diffusing particles. Very even illumination without any discernible bright spots is provided.

Light diffusing apparatus with U-shaped light guide

An improved electro-optic module able to sustain high voltage transients is disclosed. The module is able to eliminate unwanted signals by providing a discharge path for high voltage transients, away from the electronic and opto-devices. The module is comprised of an optical connector having a connecting end adapted to receive and secure an optical fiber cable, a circuit board attached to the optical connector and which is electrically isolated therefrom and means for isolating the circuit board from the connecting end of the optical connector.

Transient voltage suppression for electro-optic modules

Growing community of inventors

Ashton, Canada

Paul John Koens