GB2130764A

GB2130764A - A telephone call-cost mini computer having selectable programmes and functions

Info

Publication number: GB2130764A
Application number: GB08232296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Birch; Edna May Kirby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-12
Filing date: 1982-11-12
Publication date: 1984-06-06

Abstract

An electronic mini computer comprises (1) a 24 hour clock (2) an accumulating cost calculator and (3) a memorised grand total, each of which may be presented upon an illuminated display and/or as a data print-out. The device may be in the form of an independent unit or it may be incorporated with the associated instrument or machine. Parameters such as change rate per unit time may be set into the computer and when for example a telephone call is timed the cost may then be displayed.

Description

SPECIFICATION A telephone call-cost mini-computor having selectable programmes and functions This invention relates to a novel electronic device for computing the cost of an action such as for example the making of a telephone call but its application may extend to any similar action where several variable factors are involved the computing of which by other means would be inconvenient and time-consuming.

Unlike other consumable products such as gas and electricity have meters on the customer's premises the telephone subscriber has no such means of reference to enable him to regulate the usage thereof, the device described herewith provides a convenient means in which electronic circuitry and an illuminated display are combined to (a) indicate the accumulating cost of the telephone call, (b) indicate the grand total of successive calls to be displayed at will, (c) display a 24 hour clock. The various functions of the electronics are pre-programmed, the selection of the desired combination of such functions being effected by means of press-button switches in the form of a key-board, the operating sequence being substantially as follows. Before making a telephone call the user refers to the local diallingcode book and the clock and selects the appropriate keys i.e.L, A or B for the distance to the callee, and Cheap, Standard or Peak for the rate of charge, the Start button being pressed when the callee answers upon which moment the accumulating cost of the call appears on the display panel. Pressing the Finish key at the end of the call cancels the accumulating cost and adds that amount to the grand total stored in the memory of the device to be recalled at will on the display panel. To compensate for periodical changes in the charge rates variable controls are provided within the device suitably protected against accidental mal-adjustment as is the cancelling of the grand total memory which may be effected at the discretion of the user.

In order to make use of the device to the maximum advantage by selecting the appropriate key combination the cost of calls to foreign countries may be computed by referring to the International Direct Dialling information supplied by the telephone company. Any calls made through the operator will have the cost thereof supplied on request this can then be seen as an accumulating total on the display panel by following the normal procedure as described with the Finish key being pressed at the appearance of the cost figures, the grand total being adjusted by that amount. In order to conserve the power supply it is preferable that the illuminated display be extinguished at times other than those determined by the user.

The device may be in the form of a selfcontained transportable unit independent of the telephone system but it may also form an integral part of the telephone instrument to automatically record (a) the number called (b) the cost of the call (c) the grand total in the form of a print-out such information being desirable to companies and the like wishing to regulate their escalating costs without resorting to expensive computors

Claims Claim (1) A transportable electronic device to simply and accurately compute the cost of commercial transactions such as telephone calls involving combinations of variable factors.

Claim (2) as in claim (1) powered by internal batteries.

Claim (3) as in claim (1) powered from an external source.

Claim (4) as in claims (1), (2) and (3) wherein the electron-circuitry is programmed for specific purposes the required programme being selected by means of identified keys in the required combination.

Claim (5) as in claims (1), (2), (3), and (4) wherein the values of the variable factors may be adjusted by means of components protected from mal-adjustment.

Claim (6) as in claims (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) wherein an accumulating total is exhibited as an illuminated display.

Claim (7) as in claims (1) and (6) wherein the accumulating total display is extinguished at the termination of the transaction, this total being added automatically to the grand total stored within the device to be displayed at will.

Claim (8) as in claim (1) wherein there is 24 hour clock to be displayed either continuously or extinguished at will.

Claim (9) as in claims (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) whereby the device may be incorporated with the associated instrument or machine.

Claim (10) as in claim (9) whereby the device may provide information displayed and/or as a permanent record in the form of a print-out bearing all desired data.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on date of issue of search report.

Superseded claims 1-10.

New or amended claims:- 1-9 (1) An electronic device to simply display and calculate the cost of commercial transactions such as telephone calls involving variable factors.

(2) As in claim (1) powered by either internal or external supply.

(2) As in claim (1), (2) wherein the functions of the electronic circuitry are selected by external identified keys in the required combination.

(4) As in claims (1), (2) and (3) wherein the variable factors may be internaily adjusted to avoid accidental mal-adjustment.

(5) As in claims (1), (2), (3) and (4) wherein an accumulating total is exhibited as an external display.

(6) As in claims (1) to (6) wherein the accumulating displayed total is extinguished at the end of the transaction, this amount having

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

SPECIFICATION A telephone call-cost mini-computor having selectable programmes and functions This invention relates to a novel electronic device for computing the cost of an action such as for example the making of a telephone call but its application may extend to any similar action where several variable factors are involved the computing of which by other means would be inconvenient and time-consuming.

Unlike other consumable products such as gas and electricity have meters on the customer's premises the telephone subscriber has no such means of reference to enable him to regulate the usage thereof, the device described herewith provides a convenient means in which electronic circuitry and an illuminated display are combined to (a) indicate the accumulating cost of the telephone call, (b) indicate the grand total of successive calls to be displayed at will, (c) display a 24 hour clock. The various functions of the electronics are pre-programmed, the selection of the desired combination of such functions being effected by means of press-button switches in the form of a key-board, the operating sequence being substantially as follows. Before making a telephone call the user refers to the local diallingcode book and the clock and selects the appropriate keys i.e.L, A or B for the distance to the callee, and Cheap, Standard or Peak for the rate of charge, the Start button being pressed when the callee answers upon which moment the accumulating cost of the call appears on the display panel. Pressing the Finish key at the end of the call cancels the accumulating cost and adds that amount to the grand total stored in the memory of the device to be recalled at will on the display panel. To compensate for periodical changes in the charge rates variable controls are provided within the device suitably protected against accidental mal-adjustment as is the cancelling of the grand total memory which may be effected at the discretion of the user.

In order to make use of the device to the maximum advantage by selecting the appropriate key combination the cost of calls to foreign countries may be computed by referring to the International Direct Dialling information supplied by the telephone company. Any calls made through the operator will have the cost thereof supplied on request this can then be seen as an accumulating total on the display panel by following the normal procedure as described with the Finish key being pressed at the appearance of the cost figures, the grand total being adjusted by that amount. In order to conserve the power supply it is preferable that the illuminated display be extinguished at times other than those determined by the user.

The device may be in the form of a selfcontained transportable unit independent of the telephone system but it may also form an integral part of the telephone instrument to automatically record (a) the number called (b) the cost of the call (c) the grand total in the form of a print-out such information being desirable to companies and the like wishing to regulate their escalating costs without resorting to expensive computors

Claims Claim (1) A transportable electronic device to simply and accurately compute the cost of commercial transactions such as telephone calls involving combinations of variable factors.

Claim (2) as in claim (1) powered by internal batteries.

Claim (3) as in claim (1) powered from an external source.

Claim (4) as in claims (1), (2) and (3) wherein the electron-circuitry is programmed for specific purposes the required programme being selected by means of identified keys in the required combination.

Claim (5) as in claims (1), (2), (3), and (4) wherein the values of the variable factors may be adjusted by means of components protected from mal-adjustment.

Claim (6) as in claims (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) wherein an accumulating total is exhibited as an illuminated display.

Claim (7) as in claims (1) and (6) wherein the accumulating total display is extinguished at the termination of the transaction, this total being added automatically to the grand total stored within the device to be displayed at will.

Claim (8) as in claim (1) wherein there is 24 hour clock to be displayed either continuously or extinguished at will.

Claim (9) as in claims (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) whereby the device may be incorporated with the associated instrument or machine.

Claim (10) as in claim (9) whereby the device may provide information displayed and/or as a permanent record in the form of a print-out bearing all desired data.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on date of issue of search report.

Superseded claims 1-10.

New or amended claims:- 1-9 (1) An electronic device to simply display and calculate the cost of commercial transactions such as telephone calls involving variable factors.

(2) As in claim (1) powered by either internal or external supply.

(2) As in claim (1), (2) wherein the functions of the electronic circuitry are selected by external identified keys in the required combination.

(4) As in claims (1), (2) and (3) wherein the variable factors may be internaily adjusted to avoid accidental mal-adjustment.

(5) As in claims (1), (2), (3) and (4) wherein an accumulating total is exhibited as an external display.

(6) As in claims (1) to (6) wherein the accumulating displayed total is extinguished at the end of the transaction, this amount having been added to the memorised grand-total stored within the instrument to be displayed at will.

(7) As in claims (1), (2), (3) and (4) wherein a time-clock may be displayed continuously or extinguished at will.

(8) As in claims (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) whereby the device may be incorporated with the associated equipment.

(9) As in claims (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) whereby the device may provide temporary visual display and/or permanent record in the form of a print-out.