DE1103402B - Charge counter for self-dial telephones - Google Patents

Description

Dial-Up Call Metering The invention relates on the calculation of charges in direct dial telephone traffic.

As is well known, it has been the owner of a telephone connection since Introduction of the self-dial telephony service for the Deutsche Bundespost no longer possible the telephone charges for his long-distance calls individually and directly ascertain. The fee counting systems at the Bundespost count the fee units, and the Bundespost later only sends the participant the invoice with the total amount of fees too.

If the subscriber wants to remedy this deficiency in order to know his charges for each call immediately, he can have the Federal Post Office connect a charge counter (charge unit counter) on a loan basis, which enables the charges to be calculated. The advantage here is that the charge unit counting is coupled to the connection and is therefore official and that the system functions automatically. The disadvantage is that the meters can only be obtained on loan and the rental fees of 2, - 1.2g or 2.50.DA per month are usually too high for private individuals. Another significant shortcoming of these counters is that the system only shows the number of charge units used, but not the amount in VZg and J? / J. Rather, to calculate the fee amount, the displayed fee units must be multiplied by -, 16 2 / 1g. For devices without a zero position, the difference between the start and end position of the display must be used as a basis for the calculation, which is more specific. Notes is required and is therefore particularly cumbersome and a hindrance for the actual purpose of the device. Another disadvantage is that it cannot be read on the device to what extent the current charge unit of - exploit.

As a charge meter that is independent of the current pulses of the Federal Post Office, a charge meter for telephone sets for determining the charges with self-dialing long-distance traffic (German Auslegeschrift 1008 366) is known. This device works with a spring mechanism, which is tensioned at the beginning of the conversation and allows a roller with zone and fee scale to run back into the original position with a maximum of one full revolution of the roller during the conversation. The telephone user should end the call before the reel runs out and then stop the reel by replacing the handset; or he should start the device a second time after exactly the first return of the roller by pressing down the tensioning and start lever again, or even several times if the conversation lasts for a long time. The final totals of the roller should then be multiplied by the number of complete returns of the roller, and the result of the last incomplete return of the roller must be added to the total to arrive at the total and the final amount.

This device also has significant defects that make it appear unsuitable for everyday use. Because in addition to observing the usual technical details, the content of the conversation usually distracts the speaker from using other technology. It is therefore only to be expected or trusted of the speaker, who is usually supposed to operate the billing device himself and at the same time, that he can devote his attention to the technology at the beginning of the conversation, i.e. when the connection is established and when the conversation is ended. This is easy to see and must therefore be the goal of an expedient construction. However, if a conversation lasts longer than the one-off return time of the device described (German Auslegeschrift 1008 366), it is not only a matter of concern, but it will usually happen that the speaker either forgets to set the device to return voltage again, or but he runs the risk of doing this too soon or too late. All such faulty measures inevitably lead to inadequate, if not entirely unusable, results that do not correspond to the intended purpose of the device.

In the case of very long conversations, it is also possible that error results come about - the user no longer knows - or no longer wants to know - how often he has re-tensioned the device, i.e. how often he returns the totals for the displayed result of the last started return has to add up. Even a design of this device or the roller in such a way that the one-time return is sufficient for the duration of every conversation, even longer, does not provide a useful solution. Because even a construction with more than 10 to 15 minutes of rewind would require the roller and thus the device so large that the device could therefore not find any practical use in common private homes. Or, with moderate dimensions of the roller and longer than about 10 to 15 minutes return time, the roller scale would have to be so differentiated and fine that it can only be read with a magnifying glass and, as a result, not only reading errors but also display errors on the result would be unbearably falsifying. In the known fee clock for telephone sets for determining the fees in self-dialing long-distance traffic with a simple return of the spring clockwork, no satisfactory design option corresponding to the requirements for usability in practice can be seen. In addition, the dial roller designed for this fee clock is too imprecise for use. The inaccuracy is considerable: A daily conversation in zone 7 of 2 minutes (120 seconds) costs according to this scale and tariff 1.92 -91 "i ?, With? Minutes (180 seconds) duration = 2.88` @ .lL; es however, the charge of, for example, 21/2 minutes (150 seconds) cannot be read, which according to the tariff costs 2.50 219. The advantages of the widely differentiated tariff in the self-dialing remote service are thus ignored and cannot be used by the telephone user.

On the other hand, a daily conversation in Zone 2 would be from 4 minutes duration (240 seconds) according to the scale -, 96 =: @ Z cost while one for the can speak the same amount for 270 seconds according to the tariff, i.e. 1/2 minute longer. The listed errors take effect with longer calls and further zones and missing intermediate amounts even more falsifying.

The invention is based on the stated disadvantages. to eliminate. This is done according to the invention in that a roller or disk makes one full revolution every 9 minutes and that the result after each full rotation of the roller or disk is registered or added to by a counter will. The second, smaller roller takes over the ones noted on the large roller Sums of the accrued costs, it has a memory function, which should prevent that the user must pay close attention to the device during long-distance calls or operating actions must be carried out on it. In addition, intended or unintentional mistakes avoided. After finishing the call and stopping the Device must then, for calls lasting longer than 9 minutes, the results can only be added to the total fee amount on both reels.

The details of the billing meter are described as follows: Before the start of the automatic long-distance call, the zone and the is on the charge meter Time of day (day or night according to tariff) by moving a setting and reading window 3 (Fig. 1 and 2) across the width according to lines 6 and 7.

The zeroing of the billing meter results in a known manner, z. B. only by pressing the start button 2.

After dialing the phone number, the start button will be 2 at the moment pressed when the connection is made, that is clearly in the earpiece hear. The meter's engine will then start running, and so will the main dial of the device shows the amount in ./1Z in the input and reading window 3 on line 8 and J, who the current call has already cost. In addition, the Window visible to what extent the fee unit charged to 16 J @ ' is already "used up". This is most expediently done by the fact that in the course of the Each fee unit has an inclined colored wedge 9 (Fig. 3) the input and reading window 3, line 8, fills. Is the cutout z. B. almost all red, this shows that the fee unit has almost expired. 'With everyone If the charge unit is newly started, the window will first appear white again gradually red as it expires.

The transition from charge unit to charge unit also changes the labeling of the main scale in AZZ and from -, 16 to -, 32, -, 48, -, 64 etc.

As soon as the conversation is over, d. H. once the phone fork is depressed the device is stopped, which z. B. by operating a button 4 (Fig. 1) can happen. The amount in AZZ and AJ can now easily be shown as a total result can be read off that the call cost.

As is well known, the calculation of charges for automatic long-distance calls at the Bundespost is based on time intervals and a regular calculation of 16 A per time interval (speaking time in seconds). The consultation times in seconds are different depending on the charge zone (distance) and time of day and night and are currently according to the Bundespost: Zone KII 1I I III I IV IVI VI VII VIII Daily fee ................. 90 60 45 30 20 15 12 10 81 /; Night charge ................ 90 90 67.5 45 45 45 45 l 45 45 The day fee is calculated: Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Public holidays are the same in the federal territory and in the state of Berlin, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. As is well known, the zones valid for each local network can be found in any telephone book and can be seen by the user when looking for the code (area code). The construction of the billing meter is based on the following principle: A scale with 219 graduation is designed in the form of a disk or as a roller 1 and continuously makes one revolution in 9 minutes: start at the beginning of the call, stop at the end, drive in the known way in an electrical way Each zone is assigned a row in the scale, whereby individual zones can be grouped together because of the same charges, e.g. B. Night charge zone III to VIII, night I and day and night K (result see Fig. 2, line 7).

Since the roller (or disk) rotates continuously at a constant speed of one revolution in 9 minutes, the 21Z graduation must be different for each zone strip on the scale. For this purpose, the individual zone strips of the scale on the roller (or disk) - depending on day or night or. Zone affiliation - divided into a different number of value levels, which, starting at -, 16, each progressively indicate a multiple thereof. The strips are distributed over the entire scale according to the time cycles (see Fig. 3) and divided linearly into the following number of fields: Day fee: Day and night fee: Zone VIII = 63 Zone K = 6 Zone VII = 54 Zone VI = 45 night fee: Zone V = 36 Zone I = 6 Zone IV = 27 Zone II = 8 Zone III = 18 Zone II = 12 Zone III Zone I = 9 to VIII = 12 When the device starts running, all the stripes on the scale (see Fig. 3, there not all stripes are drawn, not even to scale) move forward at the same speed, but show different values to the extent that this corresponds to the charge zones . In order to get to the correct value, the correct strip of the scale must be read. B. by moving the setting and reading window 3 is facilitated. Within this window, the charges due on scale 8 for the call are displayed in the bottom line during the call and stopped when the call is finished. The amounts appear, starting everywhere with -, 16 Ag, progressively increasing by -, 16 .l / 62 each time, i.e. after the respective time cycle (the speaking time in seconds) has elapsed, the amounts are in each case by the following, by -, 16 OZZ the next higher amount, which always shows the previous total.

To know to what extent the talk time has elapsed for each time cycle ("Used up"), all fields of all stripes of the scale are with oblique colored wedges 9 (Fig. 3) provided for each time cycle t in such a way that the course of the time cycle is clearly visible is to be followed. The further the setting and reading window 3 in the charge line 8 has become colored, the further the current talk time has progressed, d. H. consumed. This process is repeated with each time cycle and enables so economical telephoning. In principle, it does not matter whether the construction of the Billing meter, the main scale in the form of a roller or disk, the roller however, it has structural advantages.

In principle, it would also be irrelevant whether it was a disk design disc or display window (e.g. designed as a clock hand) rotate. However the rotating disk with the fixed display device would still be the Preferential fees.

Especially at the time of the cheap night tariffs it often happens that is spoken for more than 9 minutes. You have to be reliable for these conversations too and determine the charges without further operation of the device during the call can. The best way to do this is to do a second, smaller memory roller 10 takes over the totals of the large main roller 1. the The sums are (read from left to right in Fig. 2, line 5): 10.08; 8.64; 7.20; 5.76; 4.32; 2.88; 1.92; 1.44; -. 96; -. 96; 1.28; 1.92.

These sums correspond to the respective number of fields per strip of the large scale roller times -, 16 -1.2Z.

The large main dial points to line 8 at the beginning of your second round (of the second 9 minutes) again, starting with -, 16 Azt in all strips.

At the end of the conversation, the amounts of both reels are 1 and Add 10 in lines 5 and 7 to the total. The small roller 10 (Fig. 1) has only a memory function, it takes over with every 9-minute lap of the main roller 1 of their scale in line 8 the totals, just as after the second round (after 18 minutes), etc. for further rounds. This solution is as simple as possible and inexpensive construction, which is a prerequisite, is no better possible. Because a longer duration for one revolution of the main roller than in 9 minutes would be constructive and according to the principle found, only possible with 18 minutes, 27 minutes, etc. and would thus inevitably make the roller (scale) too large, or the readability would suffer. - The roller must not rotate more slowly than once in 9 minutes, otherwise the different time cycles will not all be at the same time at the end of the revolution would have ended and thus the found optimal principle of continuously circulating Scale roller is not to be realized.

Claims (7)

PATENT CLAIMS: 1. Charge meter for automatic dial-up calls, at which after manual operation by time-dependent rotation of a roller or disk the elapsed call time or the accrued costs that differ according to zone (Fees) are made visible, characterized in that the roller or disc makes one full revolution every 9 minutes and that the result after each full rotation of the roller or disk by a counter (second, smaller roller = Memory roller) is registered or added to. 2. Fee meter according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive of the device is mechanical by clockwork or electrically or a combination of both types. 3. Charge counter after Claim 1, characterized in that on the roller (disc) in the direction of rotation Strips are arranged in such number as different according to the tariff Zones there. 4. fee meter according to claim 3, characterized in that the individual Stripes in a number corresponding to the respective times for a fee unit Fields are divided linearly. 5. fee meter according to claim 3 and 4, characterized marked that in the individual fields of the different stripes depending on the Call charges incurred by the device are recorded. 6th Charge meter according to Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the individual Fields in the stripes with diagonal colored wedges (warning wedges) or others Warning marks are provided. 7. fee meter according to claim 1 and 3 to 6, characterized in that a combined, adjustable setting and reading window encloses the selected zone setting and the associated meter reading of both rollers. Documents considered: German Auslegeschrift No. 1008 366.