GB2028058A - Telephone subscriber metering system - Google Patents

Abstract

A metering system forming part of a subscriber's telephone installation having four displays (a), (b and c), (d) and (e) for displaying information to the subscriber relating to the outgoing call and previous calls and charges, a first processor (4) controlling the display (a) and receiving remote "charge code" information from the exchange and a "rate" signal from a rate selector (3), a second processor (6) controlling the display (b and c) receiving a call "start/stop" signal from the exchange and timing pulses from a clock circuit (2) via a gate (7) and also an output from the processor (4), a third processor (8) controlling the displays (d) and (e) and receiving "interrogate" and "reprogram" signals from the exchange and an output from the second processor (6). The system also includes a "float" charged standby battery so that the information will continue to be displayed if a fault develops on the telephone line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Telephone subscriber metering system The present invention relates to a telephone metering system, and more particularly to a metering system which is installed on a telephone subscriber's premises.

Conventional metering equipment for recording the number and cost of telephone calls made from a subscriber's telephone forms part of the telephone exchange. Telephone metering equipment is therefore not visible to the subscriber, unlike gas or electricity meters. Devices are available which allow a telephone subscriber to measure the duration, and the cost, of outgoing calls personally. However, the accuracy of such devices is limited by the fact that the subscriber must remember to select the correct charge rate and switch it on promptly at the moment of connection. Subscriber operated devices of this kind are not under the control of the telephone authority.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone metering system which displays to the subscriber certain information relating to an outgoing call.

According to the present invention there is provided a metering system forming part of a subscriber's installation, said metering system being controlled from the telephone exchange and including means for electronically registering information relating to an outgoing call, for display to the telephone subscriber making the call.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the following information is displayed: (a) The call charge rate applicableforthe outgoing telephone call in progress (expressed as pence/units of time).

(b) The cumulative cost (including Value Added Tax, hereinafter abbreviated to V.A.T.) of the outgoing telephone call in progress.

(c) The cost of the telephone call last completed.

(d) The total cost of all telephone calls made since the last meter reading (read by means of remote controlled interrogation) plus the cost of any rental or other charges due.

(e) The total cost of all telephone calls and other charges registered at the time of the last meter reading (read by means of remote-controlled interrogation).

Preferably, a subscriber metering system embodying the present invention has no mechanical moving parts or subscriber-operated controls.

Preferably, the metering system is sealed against unauthorized adjustments ortampering.

Preferably, the metering system is normally powered by the 50V D.C. telephone exchange supply via the incoming telephone lines, but has an internal secondary battery which is continuously float charged and which ensures continuous operation of timing and display circuits in the event of an exchange or telephone line fault.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the sole figure shows one embodiment of a subscriber metering and display system in schematic form.

Referring to the drawing, a metering system includes a power supply and standby battery unit 1 powered from the 50V D.C. telephone line. Unit 1 provides the necessary D.C. voltages for continuity of operation in the event of a telephone line or exchange fault.

Unit 2 is an electronic clock circuit which generates timing pulses for the determination of call duration, and switching signals dependent upon the day and hour. The switching signals are fed to unit3 which is a rate selector whose output can also be remotely controlled by means of override signals from the telephone exchange. Telephone charges in the United Kingdom are currently based on three rates: cheap, standard and peak.

A processor 4 receives rate information from unit 3 and charge code information from an S.T.D. code recognition unit 5 at the telephone exchange. The cost of a direct-dialled call depends upon one of eleven coded charge letters or numbers allocated to the dialling code, as well as the call duration and the appropriate rate in force. The coded charge numbers or letters are, broadly speaking, based on the distance between subscribers. The applicable charge code is determined by comparison of the dialled S.T.D. code numbers with a memory previously programmed with the information contained in the published list of telephone dialling codes for the area concerned. The memory circuit may form part of the subscriber's local metering equipment, or may as in this case be centrally located as part of the telephone exchange.The processor 4 computes the applicable call charge rate from the information received, and this charge rate is shown on display (a). To permit the charge rates to be altered for calls made via the operator (and also for whole days, such as Christmas and New Year), remote digital commands from a unit 10 in the telephone exchange can override the normal rate-selection circuits. The results of such commands are displayed in the normal way of display (a).

The processor 4 also feeds charge code and charge rate information to a second processor 6.

Timing pulses originating from unit 2 are fed to the processor 6. These pulses are started and stopped by a gate 7 at the beginning and end of the chargeable period of each call, by start/stop signals originating from the telephone exchange. The cumulative cost of each call is processed by the processor 6, subjected to the current rate of V.A.T., and shown on display (b). Afterthe call is completed, the final reading of display (b) is retained as a static display (c) until the next outgoing call is originated.

At the start of the next call, timing pulses are fed to a processor 6, and the contents of static display (c) are transferred to totalizing display (d) via a third processor 8. Display (b) resets to zero and starts indicating the cumulative cost of the current outgo ing call. Display (d) registers all rental and standing charges plus the total cost of previous calls.

The telephone authority has the ability to interrogate the totalizing display (d), which then transmits the currently displayed total to the interrogating equipment at the telephone exchange shown as unit 9. This is typically done every three months. The information extracted by the interrogating equipment 9 is simultaneously transferred from display (d) to static display (e) via the processor 8. Display (d) resets to indicate the standing charges (such as rental) in accordance with reprogram commands received from unit 9. The cumulative cost of subsequenttelephone calls is then added to these standing charges until the next interrogation.

A subscriber metering system embodying the present invention therefore includes the following advantageous features:- Display (a) shows the cost of the current call in pence/units of time. This enables the subscriber to check that calls made via the operator are being charged at the correct rate.

Display (b) shows a running total of the cost (including V.A.T.) of the current call, reminding the subscriber of the mounting cost while an outgoing call is in progress.

Display (c) shows the cost of the last call, not yet transferred to display (d). This is useful in cases where the cost of an individual call is to be repaid.

Display (d) displays the rental and other standing charges. The cost of telephone calls is automatically added to this figure, enabling the subscriber to monitor his accrued costs.

Display (e) indicates the total telephone charges accumulated up to the moment of interrogation, permitting subsequent verification of the telephone bill by the subscriber.

As will be seen from the drawing each subscriber's meter and display unit comprises the units 1,2,3,4,6,7, and 8 together with the five displays (a) to (e). The units 5,9 and 10 are housed in the telephone exchange and are common to all subscriber's within the particular telephone exchange area.

The provision of the above described metering system wou Id enable the accuracy of telephone charges to be verified periodically by the subscriber (or the Weights and Measures Inspector) against the current charge rates published by the telephone authority.

A subscriber metering system embodying the present invention can be used in conjunction with existing metering equipment, or as an alternative to existing equipment. It is intended for installation and periodic maintenance by the telephone authority, preferably on a rental bases.

Claims (3)

1. A metering system foring part of a sub- scriber's telephone installation, said metering system being remotely controlled from the telephone exchange and including means for electronically registering information relating to an outgoing call, for display to the telephone subscriber making the call.

2. A metering system according to claim 1, wherein said means for electronically registering information for display comprises a plurality of displays on which one or more of the following information is displayed: (a) the call charge rate applicable for the outgoing telephone call in progress; (b) the cumulative cost (including V.A.T.) of the outgoing telephone call in progress; (d) the total cost of all telephone calls made since the last meter reading plus the cost of any rental or other charges due; (e) the total cost of all telephone calls and other charges registered at the time of the last meter reading.

3. A metering system according to claim 2, wherein the information (d) and (e) above displayed to the subscriber is interrogated and reset by said command signal.

3. A metering system according to claim 2, within the information (d) and (e) above displayed to the subscriber can be read at the telephone exchange by electronic remote-controlled interrogation from said exchange.

4. A metering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said system which forms part of the subscriber's telephone installation includes a secondary battery which is continuously float charged from the telephone exchange and which ensures continuous operation of the display units in the event of an exchange ortelephone line fault

5. A metering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said system is sealed against unauthorized adjustment or tampering.

6. A metering system according to claim 1 including a clock circuit, a rate selector, three processors, and four display units; the first processor controlling the first display unit and the second processor from an input received from the rate selector and an input received from the exchange containing "charge code" information; the second processor controlling the second display unit and receiving firstly timing pulses from a gate which is controlled by from the clock and a call "start/stop" signal from the exchange, and secondly an output from the first processor; the third processor controlling the third and fourth display units and receiving "interrogate" and "reprogram" command signals from the exchange to read outtotal cost of calls made; said display units displaying information as follows:- first display unit: the call charge rate applicable for the outgoing call in progress; second display unit: the cumulative cost of the outgoing call in progress or the last call made; third display unit: the total cost of all telephone calls made since the last meter reading; fourth display unit: the total cost of all telephone calls and other charges registered at the time of the last meter reading.

7. A metering system forming part of a sub- scriber's telephone installation constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 26 Oct 1979 Superseded claims 1 to 3.

New or amended claims:

1. A metering system forming part of a sub scriber's telephone installation, including: means for electronically registering cost information relating to an outgoing telephone call; means for displaying to the telephone subscriber said cost information relating to the outgoing call as well as certain cost information relating to the preceding outgoing telephone calls; means for interrogating said displayed cost information from a command signal generated from the telephone exchange so as to read out certain of said displayed cost information for transmission to the telephone exchange; and means for resetting at least a part of said displayed cost information on receipt of said command signal from the telephone exchange.

2. A metering system according to claim 1, wherein said means for electronically registering cost information for display comprises a plurality of displays on which the following information may be displayed: (a) the call charge rate applicableforthe outgoing telephone call in progress; (b) the cumulative cost (including V.A.T.) of the outgoing telephone call in progress; (c) the cost of the telephone call last completed; (d) the total cost of all telephone calls made since the last meter reading plus the cost of any rental or other charges due; (e) the total cost of all telephone calls and other charges registered at the time of the last meter reading.