JPH03184459A - Charge collecting type cordless telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent coin or a card thrown in accidentally by another customer while a slave machine is used by closing the insertion port of the coin or the card with a shutter while the slave machine is used, and opening the shutter for a short time when additional coin or card is inserted. CONSTITUTION:When the slave machine 2 is raised from a slave machine placing board 4 and the coin 22 almost equivalent to speech charge is thrown in to a coin insertion port 8 by a user, the coin insertion port 8 is automatically closed. Since the coin insertion port 8 is closed with the shutter 9a while the slave machine 2 is used, the accidental throw-in of the coin 22 by another customer can be prevented performed. When it is judged that speech is extended by the customer using the slave machine 2, the coin insertion port 8 is opened only for prescribed time Ts by performing the key operation of a shutter open key 9 provided in the neighborhood of the coin insertion port 8. Thereby, the additional coin 22 can be thrown in while the shutter is opened.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a toll-collecting telephone set in which call charges are paid in money or a prepaid card, and particularly relates to a toll-charging cordless telephone set having a handset connected wirelessly. .

[Prior Art] Pink telephones installed in coffee shops and shops are the same as red public telephones in terms of the mechanism in which the user pays the call fee by directly inserting the coin into the telephone's coin slot. However, with outsourced public telephones, the telephone installation company collects call charges directly from the telephone, whereas with pink telephones, the business owner who has installed the pink telephone pays it to the telephone installation company as a subscriber usage fee.

On the other hand, pink telephones are generally installed at checkout areas near entrances and exits, but in recent years, in order to improve customer service, these pink telephones have been connected to a conventional telephone base unit and this base unit via a wireless line. It has been proposed to create a cordless phone consisting of a cordless handset and a cordless handset. Therefore, the customer can use the handset to talk on the phone at his or her seat.

In such a fee-charging cordless telephone, a handset stand that also serves as a charger is provided near the base unit, and the handset is usually placed on this handset stand. When the user of this pink telephone uses the base unit, he picks up the handset of the base unit from the hook, inserts a coin into the coin slot, and then performs a dial operation to start a call. When the call ends and the handset is placed on the hook, the coins inserted in excess of the call charge are discharged into the coin return slot as remaining coins.

On the other hand, when using a handset, pick up the handset from the handset stand, insert a coin into the coin slot of the handset, return to a position near the handset or your seat, and press the dial key on the handset. Press the key to start a call.

When the call ends, the user presses the off key located near the dial key on the handset. Then, coins exceeding the call charge inserted into the coin slot of the base unit are discharged to the coin return slot as remaining coins.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, even with such fee-charging cordless telephones, the following problems still exist.

In other words, the customer using the handset must pick up the handset and then
As mentioned above, insert the number of coins into the coin slot of the base unit, taking into account the destination of the call, the duration of the call, etc.

Note that the inserted coins are temporarily stored in the storage orbit inside the base machine. The customer then returns to his or her seat and begins a call by operating the dial keys on the handset.

When a call is started, a billing signal is transmitted from the station every time a predetermined period of time elapses depending on the destination of the call, and the coins accumulated in the accumulation track are stored one by one in the coin wheel.

In this way, when several customers are talking using handsets at their seats, generally the handset is used for the base phone.
light was on and the handset was not placed on the handset stand placed near the base unit, so another customer who came to the place where the handset was installed to make a call was surprised to find that the handset was not installed. Since you can confirm that it is in use, you will not use the base unit to make calls.

However, customers who are not familiar with this cordless pink telephone or who need to make a call in a hurry may pick up the base handset and insert coins into the coin slot without checking that the handset is in use. In some cases, the dial key conversion is executed by inputting . However, since the telephone line is connected to the handset, I cannot hear the tone signal even when I hold the handset to my ear. Therefore, at this point, you notice that the slave unit is in use. However, the coins that this customer accidentally inserted are considered to have been additionally inserted by the customer using the handset, so the coins that were accidentally inserted will not be returned to the customer who accidentally inserted them. .

Therefore, there is a concern that financial troubles may arise between the customer using the handset and the customer who accidentally inserted coins.

The present invention was made in view of these circumstances, and
By installing a shutter that closes the money or card insertion slot of the base unit while the handset is in use, it is possible to prevent other customers from accidentally inserting money or cards, and the user of this phone can To provide a fee collection type cordless telephone that can prevent financial troubles between people and improve the reliability of the entire device used by an unspecified number of people.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has an insertion slot for inserting money or a card, and includes a main body communication section that includes a call charge collection section that collects call charges and a handset. A charge collection system consisting of a base unit and a slave unit that is wirelessly connected to the base unit and has a remote call unit that enables calls in accordance with the charges collected by the call charge collection unit on the base unit. In a cordless telephone, there is a shutter that opens and closes the insertion slot, a handset usage state detection means that detects that the handset is in use, and when the handset usage state detection means detects that the handset is in use. , an insertion port closing means for closing the shutter, and an insertion port temporary opening means for opening the shutter for a predetermined time required for inserting money or cards.

[Function] With a toll-charging cordless telephone configured as described above, the money or card slot of the base unit is used while the customer is talking using the handset at his/her own seat away from the base unit. is closed with a shutter, so other customers cannot accidentally insert coins or card coins. Therefore, financial troubles between customers can be prevented.

In addition, if a customer who is using a handset wants to insert additional money or cards, for example, by pressing the shutter release key, etc.
Since the insertion slot is open for a certain period of time, additional coins or cards can be inserted during that time.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing the entire toll-charging cordless telephone according to the embodiment. The telephone of this embodiment will be described as a pink telephone installed in a coffee shop or the like. Also, coins will be used.

As shown in the figure, this pink telephone has a base unit 1 that is connected to the central telephone office through a line of sight, a handset 2 that is connected to the base unit 1 via a wireless line, and a base unit 2 that is connected to the base unit 1 via a wireless line. It is comprised of a slave device stand 4 which is connected to the device 1 via a cable 3 and also serves as a charger.

A handset 5 is placed on a hook stand 6 on the top surface of the base unit 1, and a dial key 7, a coin slot 8. A shutter release key 9 is provided, and a coin return opening 10 is formed at the lower front position. Furthermore, an antenna 11 for wireless communication is attached to the rear of the top surface.

The handset 2 includes a speaker 12 which the user puts to his ear, a microphone 13 which detects the user's voice. An operation panel 14 and an antenna 15 are attached. The operation panel 14 includes
As shown in Figure 2, call key 1 for starting a call.
4a1 Dial key 1 for manually inputting the destination number
A charging warning lamp 14d and the like are provided to indicate that the output voltage of the 14C1 charging circuit has decreased, which is used to forcefully terminate the 4b1 call.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the handset stand 4 has a recess 16 formed in its upper surface into which the bottom surface 2a of the handset 2 on the microphone 13 side is inserted. A pair of charging electrodes 17a are connected to the charging circuit 17 on the bottom surface 2a of the handset 2 side.
, 17b are attached, and furthermore, another pair of electrodes 18a, 18b which are short-circuited to each other are attached. The charging electrode 17 is provided in the recess 161N on the slave device stand 4 side.
a, charging plug 19a opposing 17b;

19b1 and electrode plugs 2(')a, 20b opposing the electrodes 18a, 18b are attached.

Therefore, when the slave unit 2 is placed on the slave unit stand 4, the charging voltage VB is supplied from the power supply circuit 37 of the base unit 1 to the charging circuit 17 via the cable 3. Further, since the electrode plugs 20a, 2Ob are short-circuited via the electrodes 18a, 18b, the electrode plugs 20a, 20b and the electrode 18
a and 18b constitute handset usage state detection means 21 that detects whether handset 2 is in use or not.

Further, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the general structure of a call charge storage section formed in the base unit 1. As shown in FIG. A shutter 9a is attached to the coin slot 8 and is rotated by a solenoid. In the normal state, the shutter 9a is urged upward by, for example, a spring, and when the solenoid is energized, it rotates in the direction of the arrow to close the coin slot 8.

Coins 22 inserted from the coin input port 8 with the shutter 9a open roll along the accumulation track 23 and are discharged to the coin return port 10 or stored in the safe 24. Also,
A storage lever 25 and a money collecting lever 26 are attached to the branch point to the safe 24. Each lever 25,26 is driven by a separate solenoid. The accumulation lever 25 has a function of accumulating the coins 22 inserted from the coin input port 8 into the accumulation track 23, and when the solenoid is energized, it rotates in the direction of the arrow and moves the coins 22 to the coin return port 10. Prevent falls. On the other hand, the lever 26 for collecting coins 2 accumulated in the accumulation track 23 by the lever 25 for accumulation
2 into the safe 24. Specifically, each time a billing signal is input from the outside, the solenoid is energized, the collection lever 26 rotates downward, and the coins 22 are stored one by one in the safe 24. When the master device 1 and the slave device 2 are not in use, the coins 22 inserted drop into the coin return slot 10 as shown.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of base unit 1. As shown in FIG. The pair of signal lines 27a and 27b have one end connected to each input terminal 28a,
23b to the office line, and the other end is connected to the transmitter/receiver 30 or the dial pulse generating circuit 31 . It is connected to the main unit's communication section, which includes a dial key 7, a communication circuit 32, and a handset 5.

A tone ringer 3 is connected to the signal lines 27a and 27b to detect an incoming call and cause the speaker 33a to emit a ringtone.
3b1 A billing signal receiving circuit 34 that receives a billing signal transmitted from the station during a call and energizes the billing lever solenoid 34a that rotates the billing lever 26 for a short time.
b is connected.

Further, the two signal switching circuits perform a switching operation for the signal lines 27a and 27b in response to a switching signal from a switching control section 35 composed of, for example, a microcomputer. The switching control unit 35 includes a hook switch 6a that is attached to the hook stand 6 of the handset 5 and detects a pick-up operation of the handset 5, and the aforementioned handset that detects that the handset 2 is placed on the handset stand 4. A detection switch 21, a shutter release key 9, a shutter solenoid 9b for rotating the shutter 9a, and a storage lever solenoid 36 for rotating the storage lever 25 are connected.

Furthermore, a power supply circuit 37 for supplying a drive voltage VC to each electronic circuit and a charging voltage VB to the handset 2 is incorporated.

The handset 2 is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. That is, speaker 12. Microphone 13 and operation panel 1
A telephone call circuit 38 to which the No. 4 cut key 14c is connected, and a dial pulse generation circuit 39 to which the dial key 14b is connected.
This constitutes a remote communication section. This remote communication unit is wirelessly connected to the transmitter/receiver 30 of the base unit 1 via the transmitter/receiver 40 . Further, each electronic circuit is supplied with a driving voltage vc from the charging circuit 17.

Therefore, the switching control unit 35 configured with a microcomputer of the base unit 1 controls the on/off state changes of the hook switch 6a, the on/off state changes of the child unit detection switch 21, and the key of the shutter release key 9. Monitors operation signals and detects state changes and key operation signals.
The program is configured to control the operations of the two signal switching circuits, the shutter 9a, and the #i load lever 25 according to the flowchart of FIG. 7 in response to this state change and key operation signal.

When the flowchart starts and the hook switch (FS) 6a changes to the OFF state in step S1, the handset 5 of the base unit 1 is picked up, so the state of the slave unit flag is checked in S2. Then, if the handset flag is cleared to 0, it means that handset 2 is not currently being used, so the parent device flag indicating that parent device 1 is to be used is set to 1. and,
A switching signal is sent to the signal switching circuit 29, and the signal line 27a is
.

27b is switched and connected to the main body communication section on the main unit 1 side.

Thereafter, the storage lever solenoid 36 is energized to rotate the storage lever 25 in the direction of the arrow. Then return to the beginning of the flowchart. Note that if the handset flag is set to 1 in S2, the handset 2 is currently in use ψ, so the process returns to 81 without doing anything.

Further, when the hook switch 6a changes to the on state in S3, the call on the base unit 1 side ends and the handset 5 is put down, so the base unit flag is reset to 0. Then, the accumulation lever solenoid 36 is de-energized and the accumulation lever 25 is returned to its original position.

Next, when the handset detection switch 21 changes to the OFF state in S4, since the handset 2 has been taken up from the handset stand 4, it is confirmed that the parent device flag is cleared to O, and the handset flag is Set to 1. Then, a switching signal is sent to the signal switching circuit 29 to switch and connect the signal lines 27a and 27b to the handset side, that is, the transceiver 3° side. Next, the storage lever solenoid 36 is energized to rotate the storage lever 25 in the direction of the arrow. Then, in this state, it waits for a predetermined time 'rs, such as 10 seconds, required for the coin insertion operation to elapse. When the predetermined time T has elapsed, it is determined that a coin has been inserted from the coin slot 8, and the shutter solenoid 9b is energized in S5. Then, the shutter 9a rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the coin slot 8 is closed. Note that if the base unit flag is set to 1, it means that the base unit 1 is currently in use, so the process returns to 81 without doing anything.

Furthermore, when the handset detection switch 21 changes to the on state in S6, the call by the handset 2 has ended and the handset 2 has been placed on the handset stand 4, so the handset flag is cleared to 0 and the storage The storage lever solenoid 36 is de-energized and the storage lever 25 is returned to its original position. Further, in S7, the current to the shutter solenoid 9b is cut off, and the shutter 9
Return a to its original state. Therefore, the coin slot 8 is opened.

Further, when the shutter release key 9 is operated in S8, it is determined that the person using the handset 2 operated the shutter release key 9 to insert an additional coin, and S9
The shutter 9a is opened at . Then, when the above-mentioned predetermined time T5 has elapsed in SIO, it is determined that the additional coin 22 has been inserted into the coin slot 8, and the shutter 9a is closed in S11.

Next, the usage and operation of the pink telephone as a toll-charging cordless telephone constructed in this way will be explained.

First, when making a call using the base unit 1, after confirming that the handset 2 is placed on the handset stand 4, when the handset 5 is picked up, the two signal switching circuits are switched to the main unit talking section side. In particular, the accumulation lever 25 of the accumulation track 23 rotates in the direction of the arrow. Note that when the handset 2 is placed on the handset stand 4, the solenoid 9b of the shutter 9 is not energized, so the coin slot 8 is open. After the user inserts the coin 22 into the coin slot 8, the user inputs the number of the destination using the dial key 7. When a telephone line is established with the other party and a telephone conversation is started, a billing signal is generated each time the telephone call time, which is determined according to the telephone distance, elapses, and the billing lever 26 is rotated downward for a short period of time. The coins 22 stored in the storage track 23 are sequentially stored into the safe 24 using the storage lever 25.

When the call ends and the handset 5 is put down, the storage lever 25 returns to its original position. Therefore, the accumulation trajectory 23
The remaining coins exceeding the call charges accumulated in the coin return slot 10 fall into the coin return slot 10. The user can then collect the remaining coins.

On the other hand, when making a call using the handset 2, the handset 2 is picked up from the handset stand 4. Then, the signal switching circuit 29 of the base unit 1
switches to the remote communication section of handset 2. Further, the accumulation lever 25 of the accumulation track 23 rotates in the direction of the arrow. Note that, at this point, the coin slot 8 is still open. Then, the user receives 22 coins, which approximately corresponds to the call fee.
into the coin slot 8.

Then, a predetermined interval T, such as 10 seconds, required for inserting the coin 22, from the time of zero when the handset 2 is taken up from the handset stand 4.
When s has elapsed, the shutter 98 rotates and the coin slot 8 automatically closes.

Afterwards, the user of child 82 brings this child device 2,
For example, return to your seat and press the call key 14 on the operation panel 14.
After pressing a, the user inputs the number of the destination using the dial key 14b. When a telephone line is established with the other party and a telephone conversation is started, the telephone charges are sequentially deposited into the safe 24 in the same manner as described above.

When the call ends and the cut key 14c is pressed, the call line is cut off and collection of call charges by the call charge collection section is stopped. Note that at this point, the storage lever 25 is in a state of being rotated in the direction of the arrow, so the remaining coins 22 remain in the storage track 23. Then, when the caller brings the handset 2 to the position of the base unit 1 and places it on the handset stand 4,
The storage lever 25 returns to its original position. Therefore, accumulation trajectory 2
Any remaining coins that exceed the call charges accumulated in 3 will be returned.
Drop into IO. Further, the shutter 9a returns to its original position, and the coin slot 8 is opened. Therefore, the user of the handset 2 only has to collect the remaining coins.

In this way, while the handset 2 is in use, the coin slot 8 is closed by the shutter 9a, so if another customer picks up the handset 5 of the base phone 1 while using the pink phone, Also, it is possible to prevent the coin 22 from being accidentally inserted.

Therefore, if you accidentally insert the coin 22, the child aI2
Since there will be no financial troubles with other customers using the phone, the reliability of the pink phone can be greatly improved.

Additionally, if the customer who is using the handset 2 decides that the conversation will take a long time during a call, the customer returns to the installation location of the base unit 1 while using the handset 2, and presses the shutter release key 9 provided near the coin slot 8. When the key is operated, the coin slot 8 opens for a predetermined time T5. Therefore, an additional 22 coins in that open period.
All you have to do is input.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the handset 2 is used at its own seat away from the base unit 1, the cut-off key 14c is used at the own seat.
Even if the user presses , the remaining coins 22 will not be returned to the coin return slot 10 unless the handset 2 is placed on the handset stand 4 near the base unit 1. Therefore, even if another customer goes to the installation location of base unit 1 to use this pink phone between the time the user of handset 2 ends the call and the time the user arrives at the installation location of base unit a1, Even so, the remaining coins are not returned to the coin return slot 10 at that time. Therefore, the user of the handset 2 can reliably collect the remaining coins. Further, even if the number of coins returned is small due to a misunderstanding by the user of the handset 2, the next user near the base device 1 will not be accused of unexpected charges.

In this embodiment, a coin is used as the amount information that can be inserted into the base unit 1, but a prepaid card may also be used. Further, in the embodiment, pink telephones installed in coffee shops and shops have been described, but the present invention is not limited to pink telephones.

In addition, in the telephone of the embodiment, a shutter release key 9 for temporarily opening the shutter 9a is provided near the coin slot 8 of the base unit 1;
It may be arranged on 4. In this case, the fact that the shutter release key 9 has been pressed is wirelessly transmitted to the base unit 1, and the shutter 9a of the base unit is opened for a predetermined period of time. In such a telephone, the shutter 9a can only be opened by the person using the handset 2. Therefore, the money or cards inserted into the base unit 1 by the user of the slave unit 2 can be managed more strictly. Furthermore, while talking on the phone at one's own seat, the user can ask, for example, a store clerk or the like to insert additional coins into the open coin slot 8 of the base unit 1.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the toll-charging cordless telephone of the present invention, the coin or card insertion slot is closed by a shutter while the handset is in use. and,
When the user of the slave unit inserts additional money or cards, the shutter is opened for a short time by pressing a shutter release key, for example. Therefore, it is possible to prevent other customers from accidentally inserting money or cards while using the handset, and it is possible to prevent financial troubles between users of this handset. It is possible to improve the reliability of the entire device used by the person.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show a fee-collecting cordless telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is an overall external view, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the operation panel of the handset, and Fig. 3 is a view of the handset. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the call charge collection section in the base unit, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the base unit, and FIG. The figure is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the slave device, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation. 1...Main unit, 2...Slave unit, 4...Slave unit stand, 5...
...Handset, 6a...Hook switch, 7,1
4b...Dial key 8...Coin slot, 9...
・Shutter release key 9a...Shutter 10・
・・Coin return slot, 11.15・・Antenna, 21・・
・Slave unit detection switch, 22... Coin, 23... Accumulation track, 25... Accumulation lever 29... Signal switching circuit,
30.40...Transmitter/receiver, 35...Switching control unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A telephone charge collection unit and a handset (8) having an insertion slot (8) into which money or cards are inserted, and a telephone charge collection unit (8) for collecting telephone charges;
5), and a remote that is connected wirelessly to the base unit and enables calls in accordance with the charges collected by the call charge collection unit of the base unit. A fee-collecting cordless telephone comprising a handset (2) having a talking section, a shutter (9a) for opening and closing the insertion slot, and a handset usage state detection means for detecting that the handset is in use. (
21), an insertion port closing means (S5) that closes the shutter when the handset usage state detection means detects that the handset is in use; and an insertion port closing means (S5) that opens the shutter for a predetermined time required for inserting money or cards. A fee collection type cordless telephone equipped with an insertion port temporary opening means (S9 to S11).