FR2646980A1 - Call discriminator apparatus for telephone sets - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus which the user may plug into a telephone line so as to monitor the use thereof. It makes it possible simultaneously to permit, prohibit and permit with a time limitation the calling of certain telephone numbers or the dialling of certain numbering sequences previously recorded by the user. The monitored numbers are registered into a memory 13 from the dial or keypad of one of the monitored sets 3, 4. A microprocessor 12 enables the line to be cut if the number called is a prohibited number, or if communication with this number exceeds a predetermined time span. The memory 13 can be erased by a means 14 controlled by a key 23.

Description

Telephone discriminating device.

 The present invention relates to a call discriminator apparatus for telephone lines, that is to say an apparatus intended to prevent the use or limit the use of certain numbers or services accessible by these lines.

 On some of the discriminators known to date, the prohibited numbers are coded by rudimentary electromechanical means (switches, coding wheels) or the discriminator is limited to counting the number of digits dialed on the phone (8 digits for a Paris-Paris call , 10 digits for a Paris-province call). These discriminators, on the one hand are therefore inconveniently used and, on the other hand, do not allow great flexibility in discrimination, since they do not, for example, allow only certain numbers to be authorized. 8 digits, or to ban only some of the 10 digit numbers.

 In general, the discriminators known today are therefore extremely limited in terms of their functionality and the possibilities of discrimination that they offer.

 The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks of the prior art, and to develop a discriminating device which makes it possible both to authorize, prohibit and authorize with a time limit the call of certain telephone numbers or the dialing of certain dialing sequences previously recorded by the user.

 To this end, the invention relates to a device for discriminating calls for telephone sets consisting of a box suitable for being interconnected, without the possibility of disconnection by third parties, between the point of arrival of the line at the subscriber and said stations connected to this line, characterized in that said box includes key access means allowing the introduction into a memory, by operation of the dial or the keyboard of one of said stations, controlled numbers or sequences as well as conditions of their control, means making it possible to detect on the telephone line the numbers dialed from said controlled stations, means of comparison capable of comparing them with said numbers or sequences of numbers stored in memory, means of measuring the duration of the call , and means suitable for cutting the line and thus interrupting the communication, immediately or after a determined period of time, if the num ro compound corresponds to one of those stored.

 With such a device, the number of prohibited or authorized combinations is practically unlimited.

 For non-volatile memories (electrically reprogrammable nonvolatile memory or random access memory saved by battery or accumulator) of the current type, the number of sequences recorded can reach several hundred.

 In order for the apparatus R to be reprogrammable, it is provided that it further comprises key erasing means making it possible to erase said memory.

 The device therefore remains usable in the event of numbering changes which could be imposed by the Post and Telecommunications Administration.

In addition, the information can thus be modified at any time by the user provided that he is authorized to do so; it must have a "key" to access this function for modifying memory parameters. In practice, this "key" can be a mechanical key which, introduced into an electrical switch, indicates to the device that it must prepare to receive new parameters; this "key" can also be of a purely electronic nature, the composition of a confidential mental code from the keyboard or the dial of a telephone.

 In any case, we see that an important innovative feature of the device lies in the method used to "teach" the device the prohibited sequences or numbers and the corresponding time limits.

 Indeed, the means chosen to achieve "learning" is the dial or the keyboard of a telephone, a device already naturally present in the vicinity of the device.

 A particular embodiment of the invention is described. below by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing.

The reference numbers used in this figure designate the following elements
1: Telephone line.

 2: Telephone exchange.

3, 4: Transmitter / receiver telephone terminals
mounted in parallel.

 5: Line arrival terminal on the device.

 6: Line input terminal in the device.

 7: Device line output terminal.

8: Terminal of departure of the line downstream from
device to the controlled stations.

9: Means for detecting on the line
telephone numbers dialed from
items 3 and 4. Decimal numbering and / or
multi-frequencies.

10: Means for cutting the telephone line
and thus interrupt a communication.

11: Means for electrically supplying the
device from the telephone line.

12: Microprocessor and software.

13: Non-volatile memory or random access memory saved
electrically for recording
authorized, prohibited sequences and durations
allowed.

14: Means of erasing the memory. Access to this
function is protected by a key 23 (mechanical key
mental key).

15: Backup power supply (if any
).

16: Means for entering learning mode.

17: Means of access to learning mode.

18: Means for serving the user
a learning order has been received
(audible indication in stations 3 and / or 4).

19: Other means of serving on
the user that a learning order has
been received (light signal 20 for example).

20: Light signal.

21: Device housing.

22: General terminal of arrival of the line at
the maid.

23: Means of access to the erase function of the
parameter memory.

24: Means allowing to indicate to the user that
the duration has expired and the communication is
be cut.

An example of programming this device can be as follows
Or a subscriber wishing to prohibit the call, from extensions 3 and 4, of the number 3615 for more than two minutes.

The subscriber picks up the handset from set 3 or 4 and dials the following sequence on the dial - or keyboard - ii 14 3 6 i 5 2
This sequence corresponds to the following instructions: initial training sequence (internal use in
the device).

1: sequence saved in the memory location
n "1 (1 taught number).

4: number of digits making up the prohibited sequence.

3 6 1 5: sequence prohibited with 4 digits.

2: interruption of the telephone line two minutes later
the composition of the preprogrammed sequence.

 If the device has successfully received the above sequence, it sends the subscriber an acknowledgment of receipt ", in practice an audible signal in the telephone handset (for example an audible telephone line cut because the tone disappears during the cut).

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:  1. Call discriminator apparatus for telephone sets, of the type allowing a subscriber to prohibit the call from third parties, from controlled sets, of certain numbers and / or sequences of numbers, or to limit the duration of communications with all or part of them, this device consisting of a box (21) suitable for being interconnected, without the possibility of disconnection by said third parties, between the arrival of the line at the subscriber and said stations (3, 4), characterized in that said housing (21) comprises access means (16) with key (17) allowing the introduction, into a memory (13), by operation of the dial or of the keyboard of one of said stations (3, 4), controlled numbers or sequences as well as the conditions for their control, means (9) making it possible to detect on the telephone line (1) the numbers dialed from said controlled stations (3, 4), means comparison (12) suitable for comparing them to said numbers o u sequences of numbers stored in memory, means for measuring the duration of the call, and means (10) suitable for cutting the line (1) and thus interrupting the call, immediately or after a determined period of time, if the number dialed corresponds to one of those stored.  2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means (14) key erasure (23) for erasing said memory.  3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said key means comprise an electrical switch suitable for being actuated by a mechanical key.  4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said key means are of electronic type, and are actuated by the composition of a confidential mental code from the keyboard or dial of a telephone.  5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (18> for audibly signaling to the user that a learning order has been received.  6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (19, 20) for visually signaling to the user that a learning order has been received.  7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said memory (13) is a non-volatile memory.  8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said comparison means (12) comprise a microprocessor.  9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (24) for audibly signaling to the user that the duration has expired and that the communication will be cut.