GB1568452A - Automatic device for ticketing a telephone call - Google Patents

Description

(54) AN AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR TICKETING A TELEPHONE CALL (71) We, JEAN HUGON of 3, Rue Villebois-Mareuil, 91400 Orsay, France, JEAN BROSSERON, of 2, Rue des Peupliers, 91630 Marolles-en-Hurepoix France, and SERGE SARRIC of 3, Chemin des Coulons, 77400 Thorigny-sur-Marne, France, all Citizens of France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:: The invention relates to an automatic device for ticketing a telephone call installed in premises of a subscriber or in an automatic telephone exchange whereby particulars of a call for charging purposes, i.e. the number of the called party, the number of debited charge pulses produced by the exchange and the time date of the call beginning (date, hour and minute), are printed for each telephone call which is requested and obtained by the exchange via the single telephone subscriber's line.

By means of a few simple, readily changed internal connections or by means of changing a circuit, such automatic device for ticketing telephone call can be used: - either (in view of its moderate cost) as a subscriber's check meter (SCM), i.e. which is installed in the subscriber's premises, associated with a dial or keyboard telephone set and connected to the telephone subscriber's line to record the total number of call units chargeable to that line; in such cases, the device advantageously can comprise, in addition to a printer, a display unit for informing the subscriber of the cost of the call while the call is being made; or - as a subscriber's meter (SM) provided in the automatic telephone exchange and associated with the subscriber's line for confirming the total number of charges or call units recorded by a subscriber's check meter, e.g. for check in the event of a dispute.

Irrespective of the application (SM or SCM), the automatic telephone exchange must be designed to deliver telephone charge pulses along the lines of calling subscribers.

In accordance with the invention, an automatic device for ticketing a telephone call installed in premises of a subscriber or in an automatic telephone exchange and receiving charge pulses from said exchange via the telephone subscriber's line or directly from said exchange, and for recording, in the form of printed digits, data relating to dialling, charging, and the time date of a call as requested and obtained by said subscriber, comprises:: - first means connected in parallel to said telephone line for detecting pulses and inter-pulses after said subscriber goes off-hook, resulting from the off-hook of said subscriber, dialling of the digits of a call number and the on-hook of said subscriber; - means for measuring the duration of said pulses and inter-pulses detected by said first detecting means; - means for judging said detected pulses and inter-pulses valid when their durations are within predetermined values; - means for storing such validated dialling pulses at the beginning of said call and thereby obtaining the digits of said call number; - means for producing the digits of said time-recording data; - second means connected to said telephone subscriber's line or directly to said exchange for detecting charge pulses transmitted on said line during said call;; - means for measuring the duration of said charge pulses produced by said second detecting means; - means for judging said detected charge pulses valid when their durations exceed a predetermined value; - means for storing said validated charge pulses accumulated during said call and thereby obtaining stored digits of the charge number during said call; - means for printing the digits of said call number, said time-recording data and said charge number; - means connected to said validated dialling pulses storing means and controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print dialled digits in response to the detection of the first validated charge pulse after the detection of the validated off-hook pulse;; - means connected to said time-recording data producing means and controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print time-recording data digits in response to the detection of said first validated charge pulse; and - means connected to said validated charge pulse storing means and controlled by said detected pulse and inter-pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print said charge number digits in response to the detection of the on-hook pulse.

In order that the invention may be readily understood. a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a function block diagram showing one preferred embodiment of the automatic device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a diagram showing the rated characteristics of the dialling signals delivered by dial telephone sets connected to a local public exchange; - Figure 3 is an example of a call ticket delivered by the printer of the device; - Figure 4 shows the notation of the digital and logic signals used in the device embodying the invention, the same notation being used for the connections associated with these signals; - Figure 5 is a diagram of the coupler and the circuits for detecting dialling pulses and inter-pulses and charge pulses in the device;; - Figure 6 is a block diagram of the time base and the re-initialization circuit in the device; - Figure 7 is a block diagram of the dialling pulse and inter-pulse analyser in the device; - Figure 8 is a block diagram of the charge pulse analyser in the device; - Figure 9 is a block diagram of the figure counting circuit in the device; - Figure 10 is a block diagram of the time-recorder in the device; - Figure 11 is a block diagram of the printing control circuit and the logic-printer interface in the device; and - Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 represent the algorithms of the operating programme of the device embodying the invention, namely the operation of the circuits in Figures 6 to 11.

As shown in Figure 1, the device embodying the invention comprises the following sub-assemblies or circuits: (a) a coupler 10 for connecting the device to a subscriber's line SL serving the subscriber's station S; (b) a charge pulse detector 20 transmitting a signal CH whenever line SL receives a charge pulse during a call requested by station S; (c) a cut-off detector 25 detecting cut-offs or inter-pulse opening the line loop when the subscriber comes off-hook, including dialling and on-hook cut-offs, the detector 25 delivering a signal L when the line is closed and a signal C when the line is opened;; (d) a dialling analyser 30 receiving the signals L and C and classifying them, in accordance with their duration, into digital pulse, inter-digital pauses and on-hook cut-offs, decoding the sequences of cut-offs so as to identify and store the call number, and delivering these data when it receives a signal indicating the detection of the first charge pulse; (e) a charge analyser 40 receiving the charge pulse detection signals CH, digitally filtering the signals CH so as to validate those having a sufficient duration to correspond to a charge pulse, counting the validated signals and storing the charge count while the call is being made; (f) a figure or character counting circuit 50 connected to the analysers 30 and 40 so as to deliver counting signals increased by a unit at the end of each operating phase of the analysers; ; (g) a time recorder 60 delivering digital datage signals indicating day of month, month, hour and minute when a telephone call is made; (h) a printing control circuit 70 receiving the output signals of circuits 30, 40, 50 and 60 and delivering, in the order assigned by the figure counting circuit 50 when the first charge pulse is analysed by the charge analyser 40, signals to print the dialled digits, then a signal which controls the advance of the printing medium, then signals to print the time-recording data, then a signal which controls the advance of the paper and finally, when the calling subscriber on-hook at the end of the call is recognized by the dialling analyser 30, signals which control the printing of the number of received charge pulses; and (i) an interface 80 and a printer 99, the interface 80 decoding the control signals delivered by the circuit 70, the dialled digit signals delivered by the dialling analyser 30, the time-recording data signals delivered by the time-recorder 60 and the charge count signal delivered by the counter 50, in order to perform the functions ordered by the control signals.

Figure 1 also shows a circuit 90 comprising a time base for sending timing signals which, in predetermined phases, authorize the processing of the signals received and delivered by circuits 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70, the circuit 90 also comprising a circuit for re-initializing circuits 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70.

The printer 99 is preferably of the character-by-character printing kind, so as to avoid the use in each circuit of memories capable of storing all the data necessary for putting together a line of printing. Advantageously, in view of its simplicity and moderate cost, use is made of a printer providing a permanent record display by means of heating segments on heat-sensitive paper. Finally, characters represented by a selection from only seven segments can be used if some of the reference letters for the printed data are replaced by conventional signs.

Advantageously, as already stated, the device embodying the invention also comprises a charge count display unit 43 receiving charge count signals from the charge analyser 40 via the figure counting circuit 50 so as to display the number of charge pulses accumulated while the call is being made. The display unit 43 comprises characters by luminous segments (electroluminescent diodes) or by reflecting segments (liquid crystals).

Figure 2 shows the rated characteristics of a dial pulse train delivered by dial telephone sets connected to the local public exchange. The rate cut-off voltage is -48 V and the effective voltage is between -45 and -52 volts depending on the state of the battery; the cut-offs or dial inter-pulses have a duration of 66 milliseconds; the loop voltage between cut-offs is 0 volt or slightly negative by a few volts. and the dial pulses inside a single dialled digit have a duration of 33 milliseconds; the duration of an inter-digital pause is 200 milliseconds at least.

With regard to the charging pulses it is known that, depending on the central office's automatic switching equipments and the nature of the calls (local or trunk) the charge pulses have a duration varying from 30 to 200 milliseconds and have an alternating-current frequency of 50 Hz or 12 kHz. If required, the device embodying the invention can comprise a detection circuit for taking account of one of the other of these frequencies, or can comprise circuits, switchable by connecting strips, for detecting both frequencies.

Figure 3 is a large-scale view of a call ticket delivered by the printer 99. The first line relates to the call number which is dialled and obtained by the calling party, the second shows the day of the month (the first two figures), the month (the next two figures), the hour (the next two figures), and the minute (the last two figures) at the beginning of the call, and the third line shows the number of charges to be debited. The first and last lines are flanked by symbols showing their purpose, respectively t and C. As has been explained, these symbols are chosen so that they can be printed by means of characters, each containing seven segments. The sign t indicates the called number and the sign C precedes the number of charges.Thus the ticket in Figure 3 is read as follows: Call number 15-56-440 000 Date 5 April, 13.35 hours Number of charges 23 Actually, the printer has 17 columns, in order to identify the longest numbers requested in automatic calls, i.e. foreign countries for which the charge area code has four digits.

Figure 4 gives the notation of the symbols used in the circuit diagrams and operating algorithms in the subsequent figures. The meaning of these symbols will be given when they are mentioned for the first time.

In order to facilitate the reading of the diagrams in Figures 5 to 11, the following conventions will be adopted: (a) the same symbol denotes both the signal and the connection or connections transmitting the signal; (b) with regard to each circuit block, the inputs are shown on the left side and the outputs on the right side; (c) some connections are represented only by their origin (circuit output terminal) and their end (circuit input terminal); and (d) groups of connections, each of which is allocated for transmitting a particular value of a given digital signal, may be represented by a single connecting line bearing the symbol of the signal and the corresponding values.

As has been said, the automatic device for ticketing a telephone call according to the invention can be used in SCM operation (proof for preparing charges) installed in a subscriber's premises, or in SM operation (determination of charges) installed in an automatic exchange and allocated to a given telephone subscriber's line.

During SCM operation, the time base 90 which controls the operating phases and will be described later, is triggered when the calling party comes off-hook (when a loop is closed).

During SM operation, triggering of the time base 90 is produced either by detecting of the off-hook pulse or of the first charging pulse.

We shall now, with reference to Figures 5 to 11, describe the various circuits in the device embodying the invention. Frequently, the description will be reduced to specifying the input and output signals, since the skilled addresses needs only to know these in order to construct the circuits. Next, the chronology of the various operating phases controlled by the distribution of the time base signals T1 to T8 will be described with reference to the algorithms in Figures 12 to 15.

The power connections are not shown.

Figure 5 is a diagram of the coupler 10, the charge pulse detector 20 and the cut-off detector 25 in Figure 1. The coupler 10 comprises resistors R1 to R7 for obtaining the voltage levels corresponding to the inputs of detectors 10 and 25, and a diode bridge 11 connected between the wires of subscriber's line SL of telephone set S in order to derive signals having the same polarity irrespective of the mode of the connection.

The charge pulse detector 20 comprises at least one frequency detector such as: - a detection stage 21 and a tunable filter 22 for SCM operation with a 12 kHz charging pulse frequency; or - a balanced detection stage 23 for SCM operation with charging pulse having a frequency of 50 Hz; the input of stage 23 is connected a) to the outputs of the diode bridge 11 via resistor R6 and a balancing network formed by resistors R2, R3, R4 and resistor R5 and b) to a reference voltage m via resistor R7; or - a photocoupler 24 in the case of SM operation, the photocoupler detecting the telephone charging pulses coming from the telephone exchange.

The device embodying the invention can be adapted for these various purposes either by making the detectors interchangeable or by incorporating them in the device and switching their outputs by means of connecting strips a, b and c. In all cases, the demodulated telephone charge pulses are transmitted via the line CH.

The cut-off or line state detector 25 is connected to the common point of the resistors R3 and R4. It has two outputs, one of which transmits a logic signal L (loop) when the line is closed and the other of which transmits a logic signal C (cut-off) when the line is opened.

Before describing the logic and digital circuits which prepare printer control signals on the basis of the signals L, C and CH, we shall give some information, with reference to Figure 6, about the components for performing the general functions of synchronizing and initializing the circuits.

A time-base 91 delivers synchronization or timing pulses T1 to T, via eight respective connections. The eight timing pulses T1 to T8 are consecutive and each has a duration of 500 micro-seconds. The repetition frequency of each timing pulse is thus 250 Hz.

Depending on the chosen operation for the device, the time-base 91 is triggered, as already stated, by the loop signal L alone when a off-hook pulse is detected either by this signal L or by the first CH signal corresponding to the detection of the first charging pulse.

Re-initialization is ensured by means of the INIT input connected to the output of a circuit 92. As shown in Figure 6, the circuit 92 is used for re-initializing the greater part of circuits of the device when energized and at the end of each call. As before, in the case of the circuits to be described hereinafter, the symbols of the control signals (PRF, VC, Cm20(), CC = 10, CC = 0) and the references (55, 31, 31, 52, 52) for the transmitter circuits are given on the left side of the appropriate block 92. Explanation regarding each control signal will be given during the description of the corresponding transmitter circuit and the corresponding phases of the algorithm. One of the control signals is the signal ZS delivered by the zero resetting circuit 93 when the device is energized by means of switch 94 of power supply 95. Depending on the operating conditions, the power supply can be a cell, battery or the mains. In the latter case, the supply preferably comprises a buffer battery for operation in the event of a mains failure.

The dialling analyser 30 shown in Figure 7 comprises circuits 31 to 35 defined hereinafter.

A dial inter-pulse and pulse validation circuit 31 validates the duration of pulses and inter-pulses on the basis of signals L and C and delivers the following signals: - logic signals CT, each corresponding to a discrete value of time internal, such as CT3.125 = 3.125 ms, Cm6 25 = 6.25 ms, Cut50 = 50 ms. CTioo = 100 ms, CT15( = 150 ms, CT2)o = 200 ms, these values enabling determination of the lower limit of the duration of the cut-off signal C expressed in milliseconds or the duration of the loop signal L, likewise expressed in milliseconds, the signals CT being conveyed by a corresponding number of connections as shown at outputs 3 of the circuit 31 in Figure 7;; - a logic signal VL for indicating the validation of a loop signal L when its duration is equal to at least 24 ms, meaning that the closing of line is not due to interference in transmission but corresponds to an inter-digital pause or to the end of a drilling; and - a logic signal VC for indicating the validation of a cut-off signal C when its duration is at least equal to 16 ms, meaning that the opening of telephone line may correspond to a dial inter-pulse or to an on-hook pulse.

The input signals CC = 0 and T1, T2, T3 and T8 authorise the sending of signals VL and VC in accordance with criteria which will be indicated during the discussion of the algorithms (Figures 12 to 15). The signal CC = 0 is delivered by a figure counter 52 of the figure counting circuit 50 which will be described hereinafter with reference to Figure 9.

All the CT signals are transmitted to a inter-pulse detector 32 which delivers a logic signal CT28,80 when the duration of the cut-off signal C or the loop signal L is between 28 and 80 ms, i.e. corresponds to a dial inter-pulse of a dial pulse train making up a dialled digit.

The logic signals CT2oo, CT28,80, VL and VC are also transmitted to a dialling trigger circuit 33 adapted to produce a digit cut-off storing signal UM DTC when a digit formation signal CT28,80, indicating the beginning of a count of dialling digits, has not yet been taken into consideration in the sequence of digits controlling a printing phase.

As shown in Figure 7, the signals VL, VC and CTnn feed an inter-digital pause detector 34. If the signal CT200 (which, it will be remembered, indicates that the cut-off or loop duration is at least equal to 200 ms) and the signal VL are present at the same time, it can be deduced that there is an inter-digital pause loop. An inter-digit loop unit memory of detector 34 passes to state one and produces a logic inter-digital pause signal UM INT and a loop unit memory of detector 34 also passes to state one and produce a logic signal UM L.

The logic signal UM INT also is transmitted towards the afore-mentioned figure counter 52 via a gate circuit 51 of the figure counting circuit 50.

If the signal VC then appears, corresponding to the beginning of a new dialling cut-off, the signal UM INT is replaced by its complement UM INT.

A dialling detection circuit 35 comprises gates and a counter and delivers signals which control the change of decade and the printing of the dialled digits. The circuit 35 receives the signal UM DTC from the dialling trigger circuit 33, the signal VL from the validation circuit 31, the signals UM INT and UM L from the inter-digital pause detector 34, the signal CC = 1 from figure counter 52 (Figure 9) and the signal PRF from the printer test memory 55 (Figure 9).

The dialling detection circuit 35 delivers the following signals: (a) if the signals VL, UM L and UM DTC are equal to one, the circuit 35 delivers a signal UM DPH from a dialling phase unit memory of the circuit to a charge pulse recognition circuit 41 (Figure 8), and a signal UM DD from another unit memory of the circuit 35 to a printing control input circuit 71 (Figure 11) to indicate that a dial pulse has been taken into account, a decade signal Din the counter of the circuit 35 also being increased by one unit, (b) if, on the other hand, the printer free signal PRF and the routing phase signal CC = 1 of counter 52 in Figure 9 are both present during the timing signal T7, the circuit 35 delivers the complementary signal UM DD.

The charge analyser 40 shown in Figure 8 comprises the circuit 41 for recognizing telephone charge pulses and a circuit 42 for counting the recognized charge pulses. The circuit 41 receives charging pulses CH transmitted from the charge pulse detector 20. It does not take them into account unless they have a duration greater than 20 ms, so as not take a account of interfering signals which may interfere with the counting. If the device embodying the invention operates in SCM and the time base is triggered by an off-hook pulse, the circuit 41, in addition, does not authorize the transmission of charge pulses until it has received the signal UM DPH from the dialling detection circuit 35.

Each charge pulse which is recognized and transmitted results in the transmission of a signal UM CH produced by a charging unit memory of the circuit 41, and the first charge pulse gives rise to a signal UM CHPH produced by a charging phase unit memory of the circuit 41.

The signals UM CH are delivered to a counter and binary coded decimal encoder 42. This counter-encoder 42 transmits over a busbar of 16 wires the charge count MCDU (CH) (4 wires for each figure of the charge count) which is delivered a) with the signal UM CRPH to the charge count display unit 43 and b) to the printing control input circuit 71. The charging phase signal UM CRPR is also delivered to the figure counter 52 via the gate circuit 51 in Figure 9.

The figure counting circuit 50 shown in Figure 9 is adapted to note the advancing of routing phases (dialling, charging and time recording) in order, via printing control input circuit 71 (Figure 11) to control the recording of the conventional signs t or C and the advance of the printer paper. It comprises a logic gate circuit 51 which receives the following signals:: a) the printer free signal PRF which is supplied by the test memory 55 of printer 99 Figures 1 and 11) after a printer test signal PRT has been delivered by the printer 99; b) a paper advance control signal PAC which is delivered by the printing control input circuit 71 (Figure 11); (c) the charging phase signal UM CRPR which is produced by the charge pulse recognition circuit 41 (Figure 8); (d) the inter-digital pause signal UM INT which is produced by the dialling detection circuit 34 (Figure 7); and (e) the signal CC = 1 which is delivered by the figure counter 52.

If, simultaneously with the signal PRF (printer free) the signals CC = 1, UM INT and UM CHPH are equal to one or if the signal PAC is equal to zero, a figure counting unit memory in circuit 51 delivers a signal UM CC, thus advancing the counter 52 which, through a busbar of 11 wires, delivers logic signals corresponding to 11 values of CC from 0 to 10. The value CC=10 causes the re-initialization of all the circuits of the device via the initialization circuit 92 (Figure 6).

As already stated, the action of the various signals CC will be described, without exception, during the examination of the algorithms (Figures 12-15).

The time-recorder 60 (Figures 10) comprises a time-recording display request logic circuit 61 producing a logic signal TR R, a time-recording display control circuit 62 producing a logic signal TR D, a time-recording counting circuit 63 producing a logic signal UM TRC, a time-recording storing circuit 64 producing a logic signal UM TR and a circuit 65 which includes a time-recording block and controls printing of the time-recording digits.

The circuit 61 supplies the time-recording request signal TR R to the circuit 62 when circuit 61 receives signals CC=9 and CC=3 during SM operation and the signal UM TR = 1 is delivered by circuit 64. The circuit 64 has inputs respectively connected to receive the signals CC = 8 and CC = 0 from counter 52 and signal TRCC = 7 from the circuit 65.

Circuit 62 delivers the time-recording display control signal TR D to the circuit 63, which delivers the signal UM TRC if the printer 99 is in free state corresponding to the signal PRF from test memory 55 being equal to one.

The circuit 65 which is controlled by the signals UM TRC and TRD supplies the time-recording counting digits to printing control input circuit 7L as shown in Figures 10 and 11.

When the time-recording counting is completed. the circuit 65 also supplies the printing control input circuit 71 with the signals TRCC = 6 corresponding to the last digit to be recorded and TRCC = 7 corresponding to completed time-recording digit counting. Signal TRCC = 7 also controls the resetting to zero of the circuit 64.

The printing control circuit 70 shown in Figure 11 comprises the input circuit 71 which receives the logic information signals, a circuit 72 which controls the paper advance of the printer 99 and a printing control logic circuit 73 which controls the printing of the digits and signs.

The circuit 71 receives the following signals: - the time-recording control signal TR D; - the charging phase signal UM CRPR; - the validated loop signal VL; - the validated cut-off signal VC; - the dial pulse indicating signal UM DD: - the cut-off or loop duration signals CT2(N, CTl5(); - the inter-digital pause signal UM INT; - the figure counting signals CC = 0 through CC = 9; - the time-recording storing signal UM TR; - the last time-recording digit signal TRCC = 6; and - the accumulated charge count signal MCDU(CH).

The reference symbols of circuits which transmit these signals, are shown on the corresponding inputs of the circuit 71 shown in Figure 11.

The circuit 71 uses these various signals, by methods defined by the algorithms (Figures 12-15) to supply a paper advance control signal PAC and the following signals: (a) signals Dis t and Dis C which control the display of the signs t and C; (b) a digit display control signal Dis D: and (c) the signals M, C, D and U. i.e. the signals encoded in binary coded decimal code which determine the value and rank of the digits to be printed.

If the printer 99 is free, i.e. PRF present cr PRF = 1, the paper advance control signal PAC triggers a paper advance performance signal PAP via the paper advance control logic circuit 72. The circuit 72 also delivers a printing control signal START to the interface circuit 80.

The other signals from circuit 71 are delivered to the printing control logic circuit 73 which converts them into rank digits (position of symbols) and symbol digits.

The printing control circuit 70 as shown in Figure 11 controls the printer 99 via the interface circuit 80, which comprises: - a presser and depresser driver 81 converting the signals PAP and START into signals which drive the presser and depresser of the printer 99 and control the printing speed of the therma-sensitive printing paper and line change device in the printer; - a rank decoder-driver 82 converting the rank digits which are delivered by the circuit 73 intd binary signals controlling the 13 ranks; and - a digit decoder-driver 83 converting the symbol digits which are delivered by the circuit 73 into binary signals controlling the seven heating segments.

We shall now, with reference to the algorithms in Figures 12 to 15 describe the operation programme of the device embodying the invention. The rectangles representing the processing phases are given the same reference numbers as the instant of performance corresponding to timing signals T1 to Ts of the time base 91 shown in Figure 6.

First, we take Figure 12.

Referring to the left side of Figure 12, at the time T1, the charge recognition circuit 41 has stored the state of connection line CH (phase 101). If the charge signal CH is equal to zero, the charge pulse duration counter of the circuit 41 is reset to zero at time T2 (phase 102, T2).

If a charge signal CH has already been stored (UM CH = 1), the charge count in circuit 42 is incremented by a unit at time T3 (phase 103, T3). The logic signal UM CH is reset to zero at time T4 (phase 104, T4) in the absence of a charge signal CH, and the following subprogramme F (Figure 15) is executed.

If a charge signal CH is delivered by the charge pulse detector 20 and if its duration is greater than 20 ms, the charge count MCDU (CH) of circuit 42 is incremented by a unit at time T2 (phase 105, T2) and is transmitted to the circuit 71. This transmission which is not authorized during operation except after the first dialling signal UM DPH = 1 causes the signals UM CH and UM CHPR (phases 106 and 107, T3) to change to the state one at T3, and the following subprogramme F (Figure 15) is executed.

Now referring to the right side of Figure 12, the printer test memory 55 has stored, at the same time T3, the printer-free signal PRF (phase 108, T3) in accordance with the following conditions and the description of Figures 5 and 6: - SCM operation: appearance of the loop signal L corresponding to the off-hook pulse; - SM operation: appearance of a loop signal L or a charge signal CH.

If the inter-pulse and pulse validation circuit 31 does not record a valided cut-off having a duration less than 200 ms, or if the circuit 31 records a validated cut-off having a duration greater than or equal to 200 ms and if the signal CC=0 is not delivered by the figure counter 52, the circuit 31 tests the state of signals L or C (phase 109, Ts).

If the loop signal L has a duration greater than or equal to 24 ms. the circuit 31 validates the loop signal by converting it to VL (phase 110. T2) and the programme reloops through the subprogramme K (Figure 14).

If the loop signal L has a duration less than 24 ms. the duration of the preceding cut-off signal C is taken into account. If the cut-off signal C has a duration smaller than 16 ms, a loop or cut-off duration counter CT in the circuit 31 is reset to zero at time T2 (phase 111, T2). If the cut-off signal C has a duration greater than or equal to 16 ms. the signal C has been validated and converted to VC by means of the cut-off duration counter 312. A counter VC in the circuit 31 is incremented by a unit. After this incrementing, the subprogramme L (Figure 13) is executed.

If the cut-off signal C has a duration greater than or equal to 16 ms. circuit 31 validates the cut-off signal C by converting it to VC (phase 113. T2) and the programme reloops through the subprogramme K (Figure 14).

If the cut-off signal C has a duration less than 16 ms. the duration of the preceding loop signal L is taken into consideration. If the loop signal L has a duration smaller than 24 ms, the loop or cut-off duration count CT in the circuit 31 is reset to zero at T1 (phase 114, T,).

If the loop signal L has a duration greater than or equal to 24 ms. the signal L has been validated and converted to VL. The count VL in circuit 31 is reset to zero (phase 115, T3) and the count CT is incremented by a unit. After this incrementing, the subprogramme L (Figure 13) is executed.

After the count CT has been incremented, the count CT which is represented by some signals CT, is determined by comparison of signal CT2"" and the signal CT2X.80 in accordance with the subprogramme L, as shown in Figure 13.

If CT is greater than or equal to CT2()( or if CT is less than CT2"" but between CT28 and CT80, i.e. equal to Cm28,80, the following phases are then executed in succession: (a) if the signals VL and CT2oo which supply the inter-digital pause detector 34, are equal to unity, there is a state change of the loop unit memory UML of the circuit 34 (phase 117, T4), a state change of the inter-digital pause unit memory UM INT phase 118, T4) and a transition either to subprogramme F (Figure 15) if the printer 99 is free (PRF = 1) or to subprogramme P (Figure 14) if the printer 99 is not free (PRF = 0);; (b) if VL is equal to unity, CT is less than 200 ms and the output states UM L, UM DTC of the circuits 34 and 33 are equal to one, the decade signal D' transmitted from circuit 35 is incremented by a unit and there is a state change to one of the outputs UM DD, UM DPH of the circuit 35 (phases 119 and 120, T4); if UM L, UM DTC are equal to one and CT is greater than 150 ms (CTl5() = 1), the subprogramme M (Figure 14) is executed if the printer 99 is free (PRF = 1) or, if not, the subprogramme N (Figure 14) is executed (PRF = 0); (c) if VL is equal to zero and VC also equal to zero, the subprogramme P (Figure 14) is executed; (d) if VL is equal to zero and VC equal to unity, the output UM INT of the circuit 34 is reset to zero (phase 123, T4) and the output UM DTC of the circuit 33 is simultaneously reset to zero (phase 121, T4) when CT is outside the selection limits 28 ms and 80 ms, or is brought to the state one (phase 122, T4) if CT is within these selection limits.If CT2(x) is equal to zero, the subprogramme P (Figure 14) is executed or, if not, the subprogramme M (Figure 15) is executed if the figure count CC of the counter 52 is equal to zero. If CC is different from zero and if CT2(X) = 1, the subprogramme G (Figure 15) is executed if the printer 99 is free (PRF = 1) of, if not, the subprogramme P (Figure 14) is executed (PRF = O).

Now referring to Figure 14, the subprogrammes M, N, P and R are described hereinafter.

The subprogramme M executes the following phases.

If the figure count CC of counter 52 is different from zero, the subprogramme N is executed. If the figure count CC is equal to zero and if the device is in SM operation, the output UM TR of the time-recording storing circuit 64 is put into state one (phase 124) and the time-recording digit count TRCC of the circuit 65 is reset to zero (phase 125); if the figure count CC is equal to zero and if the device is in SCM operation, the output UM TR of the circuit 64 is set to zero (phase 126); in both cases, since TR CC and consequently the time-recording display control signal Dis TR are cancelled, the circuit 71 transmits to the printing control logic circuit 73 the signal display control signal Dis t indicating the beginning of dialling of the called number (phase 127, T5), and the paper advance circuit 72 supplies the pressure and depresser driver 81 with the printing signal START (phase 128, T63 whereas the signal UM CC from the circuit 51 passes to the state one (phase 129, T6) since the output PRF of the printer test memory 55 is equal to zero as soon as the START signal is sent.

The sub-programme N is then executed. At this phase, the timing signal T7 resets to zero the output UM DTC of the dialling trigger circuit 33 (phase 130, T7) and the subprogramme P then is executed.

This subprogramme P which consists to bring the figure count CC of the counter 52 and the time-recording count TR CC to light (if any). comprises the following phases: (a) if the signal UM TRC delivered by the time-recording counting circuit 63 is equal to zero and if the signal UM CC delivered by the figure counting circuit 50 is also equal to zero, the subprogramme is executed: (b) if UM TRC is equal to unity and UM CC is equal to zero, the time-recording count TR CC transmitted by the circuit 65 is incremented by a unit at time T7 (phase 132, T7) and the subprogramme R is executed: (c) irrespective of the logic value of UM TRC. if UM CC is equal to unity, the figure count CC delivered by the counter 52 is incremented by a unit at time T7 (phase 131, T7) in the same manner as the time-recording count TR CC (phase 132, T7) and the subprogramme R is then executed.

The sub-programme R consists in the re-initialization at time T8 of the following logic circuits, i.e. the zero setting of: - the inter-digital pause unit memory UM INT in the circuit 34 (phase 133, T8); - the figure count unit memory UM CC in the circuit 51 (phase 134, T8); and - the time-recording digit digit memory UM TRC in the circuit 63 (phase 135, T8).

The programme is then re-looped through the subprogramme K (Figure 12). The subprogrammes K, J, F and G, shown in Figures 14 and 15. which depend on the figure count CC, are described hereinafter. The subprogramme K (Figure 14) relates to dialling and is initiated by CC = 1.

If the duration count CT is at least equal to 200 ms and if the cut-off signal VC is equal to unity, the control signal UM CC which is delivered by the gate circuit 51 and controls the figure counter 52, is brought to or held at state one (phase 136, T6) and the subprogramme P is then executed.

If the count CT is less than 200 ms and the output states UM INT, UM DD of the circuit 34 and the circuit 35 are equal to unity, the circuits 71 and 72 order the display of a digit to T5 and through the printing control logic circuit 73 the printing thereof to T6 (phase 137, T5 and phase 138, T6). If the output state UM DD of the dialling detection circuit 35 is equal to zero, the phases 137 and 138 are not carried out.

In all cases, if the inter-digital pause signal UM INT is equal to unity and if the charging phase signal UM CRPR supplied by the circuit 41 is equal to unity, the signal UM CC at the unity state is delivered by the gate circuit 51 to T6 (phase 139, T6), the signal UM DD delivered by the circuit 35 is reset to zero (phase 140, T6) and the decades count D' of the circuit 35 is reset to zero (phase 141, T6). If UM CRPH is equal to zero, the phase 139 is not carried out but the phases 140 and 141 are, and the subprogramme P is executed as previously described.

If CT is less than 200 ms and UM INT equal to zero, the programme is looped on the subprogramme P.

The subprogramme J (Figure 14) is initiated by CC = 2. In this subprogramme J, the printing control input circuit 71 sends the paper advance control signal PAC to T6 (phase 142, T6 and the output state UM CC of the gate circuit 51 is set to unity (phase 143, T6) so as to move forward the figure count CC of the counter 52. Next, the programme is looped on to the subprogramme P.

Now referring to Figure 15, the subprogramme F relates to the printing of time-recording digits (or figures) and is initiated when the signal CC=3 is received by time-recording display request circuit 61. It comprises two simultaneous sequences of phases.

The first, consisting in the time-record printing proper, comprises the following phases: - if the output state UM TR of the time-recording storing circuit 64 is equal to unity, the time-recording request signal TR R is sent from the circuit 61 to the time-recording control circuit 62 (phase 144). If the time-recording digit count TR CC of the circuit 65 is equal to 7 corresponding to time record completion, the circuit 64 delivers the signal UM TR to T6 (phase 145, T6) and the subprogramme P is executed: - if the count TR CC of the circuit 65 is equal to 6 corresponding to the last time-recording digit, the circuit 71 supplies the paper advance control signal PAC to T6 (phase 147, T6) and the time-recording counting circuit 63 supplied the signal UM TRC = 1 to T6 (phase 146, T6); then the subprogramme P is executed; - if the count TR CC is less than 6, the time-recording control circuit 62 delivers the time-recording display control signal TR D toT5 (phase 148, T5). the circuit 71 controls the paper advance circuit 72 which delivers the START signal to T6 (phase 149, T6), the circuit 63 delivers the signal UM TRC to T6 (phase 146. T,l) and the subprogramme P is executed.

The other phase sequence of subprogramme F comprises the following phase, if the signal UM TR is equal to zero: the order Dis C to print the sign C (phase 150. Tg) which indicates the printing beginning of charge digits (or figures) is sent from circuit 71 to printing control logic circuit 73, followed by the START signal to T6 (phase 152, T6), and then, the change to the state one of the output UM CC of the gate circuit 51 (phase 155, T6).

Next, a return is made to subprogramme P.

The subprogramme G comprises a certain number of subprogrammes depending on the state of the figure or digit count CC delivered from the counter 52. When CC = 4, the circuit 71 transmits to the printing control logic circuit 73 the four bits representing the thousand charge number digit (M) (phase 153, T) at the same time as the display signal Dis D and the circuit 72 delivers the START signal to the printer 99 (phase 154, T6); then the signal UM CC passes to unity (phase 155, T6) and the subprogramme P is executed (Figure 14) in which the figure count CC is incremented by a unit (phase 131. T7) and the circuits 34, 51 and 63 are then re-initialized in the subprogramme R (Figure 14).The subprogramme G is repeated by sending the hundreds (C). the tens (D) and the unity (U) digits until the value of CC reaches 8, which results in the resetting to zero of the count TR CC in the circuit 65 (Figure 15, phase 156), the return of the signal UM TR of the time-recording storing circuit 64 to the unity state (phase 157), the sending of the paper advance control signal PAC from the circuit 71 and the return to unity of the signal UM CC of the gate circuit 51. If the figure count CC is equal to 9 and the signal UM TR is equal to zero, a one is transmitted into the flip-flop 513 (FF CC = 1; phase 155. T6). If UM TR is equal to unity, the subprogramme F is executed from the phase 144 and also the subsequent phases until re-initialization.The figure count CC then takes the value 10 and the subprogramme H begins with phase 158 during which the initialization order signal UM INIT of the circuit 92 is increased by a unit. If UM INIT is equal to unity, the initialization circuit 92 delivers the signal INIT to all the logic circuits (phase 159) and stops the time base 91 (phase 160).

Finally, the number of analog circuits is reduced to a minimum according to the invention. Most operations are performed by logic or digital circuits which can be incorporated in LSI or MOS. The device is therefore compact, inexpensive and can be mass-produced.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call installed in premises of a subscriber or in an automatic telephone exchange and receiving charge pulses from said exchange via the telephone subscriber's line or directly from said exchange, and for recording, in the form of printed digits, data relating to dialling, charging, and the time date of a call as requested and obtained by said subscriber, said device comprising:: - first means connected in parallel to said telephone line for detecting pulses and inter-pulses after said subscriber goes off-hook, resulting from the off-hook of said subscriber, dialling of the digits of a call number and the on-hook of said subscriber; - means for measuring the duration of said pulses and inter-pulses detected by said first detecting means; - means for judging said detected pulses and inter-pulses valid when their durations are within predetermined values; - means for storing such validated dialling pulses at the beginning of said call and thereby obtaining the digits of said call number; - means for producing the digits of said time-recording data; - second means connected to said telephone subscriber's line or directly to said exchange for detecting charge pulses transmitted on said line during said call;; - means for measuring the duration of said charge pulses produced by second detecting means; - means for judging said detected charge pulses valid when their durations exceed a predetermined value; - means for storing said validated charge pulses accumulated during said call and thereby obtaining stored digits of the charge number during said call; - means for printing the digits of said call number, said time-recording data and said charge number; - means connected to said validated dialling pulses storing means and controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print dialled digits in response to the detection of the first validated charge pulse after the detection of the validated off-hook pulse;; - means connected to said time-recording data producing means and controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print time-recording data digits in response to the detection of said first validated charge pulse; and - means connected to said validated charge pulse storing means and controlled by said detected pulse and inter-pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print said charge number digits in response to the detection of the on-hook pulse.

2. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call as claimed in claim 1, including means controlled by said validated charge pulses storing means for displaying said charge number digits during said call.

3. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call as claimed in claim 1, including means controlled by said detected pulse and inter-pulse judging means for resetting said validated dialling pulse storing means and said validated charge pulse storing means in response to the detection of said validated off-hook pulse.

4. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call as claimed in claim 1, including means controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for resetting said validated dialling pulse storing means and said validated charge pulse storing means in response to the detection of said first validated charge pulse.

5. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. incorporated in LSI or MOS. The device is therefore compact, inexpensive and can be mass-produced. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call installed in premises of a subscriber or in an automatic telephone exchange and receiving charge pulses from said exchange via the telephone subscriber's line or directly from said exchange, and for recording, in the form of printed digits, data relating to dialling, charging, and the time date of a call as requested and obtained by said subscriber, said device comprising:: - first means connected in parallel to said telephone line for detecting pulses and inter-pulses after said subscriber goes off-hook, resulting from the off-hook of said subscriber, dialling of the digits of a call number and the on-hook of said subscriber; - means for measuring the duration of said pulses and inter-pulses detected by said first detecting means; - means for judging said detected pulses and inter-pulses valid when their durations are within predetermined values; - means for storing such validated dialling pulses at the beginning of said call and thereby obtaining the digits of said call number; - means for producing the digits of said time-recording data; - second means connected to said telephone subscriber's line or directly to said exchange for detecting charge pulses transmitted on said line during said call;; - means for measuring the duration of said charge pulses produced by second detecting means; - means for judging said detected charge pulses valid when their durations exceed a predetermined value; - means for storing said validated charge pulses accumulated during said call and thereby obtaining stored digits of the charge number during said call; - means for printing the digits of said call number, said time-recording data and said charge number; - means connected to said validated dialling pulses storing means and controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print dialled digits in response to the detection of the first validated charge pulse after the detection of the validated off-hook pulse;; - means connected to said time-recording data producing means and controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print time-recording data digits in response to the detection of said first validated charge pulse; and - means connected to said validated charge pulse storing means and controlled by said detected pulse and inter-pulse judging means for controlling said printing means to print said charge number digits in response to the detection of the on-hook pulse.

2. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call as claimed in claim 1, including means controlled by said validated charge pulses storing means for displaying said charge number digits during said call.

3. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call as claimed in claim 1, including means controlled by said detected pulse and inter-pulse judging means for resetting said validated dialling pulse storing means and said validated charge pulse storing means in response to the detection of said validated off-hook pulse.

4. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call as claimed in claim 1, including means controlled by said detected charge pulse judging means for resetting said validated dialling pulse storing means and said validated charge pulse storing means in response to the detection of said first validated charge pulse.

5. An automatic device for ticketing a telephone call substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.