ITMI932528A1 - DEVICE TO PREVENT THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF TELEPHONE AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR HOME USE - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a device for preventing the unauthorized use of telephone sets and the like, particularly for domestic use

How ? known, telephone sets, especially those for domestic use, offer few possibilities? protection against unauthorized persons who forward calls.

Furthermore, appliances for domestic use, unlike a telephone switchboard, do not allow the various users to use different levels of use of the appliance while with the present invention some users are authorized to make long-distance calls, some only local calls, etc.

With the advent of paid voice services offered by telephone companies, which normally involve a much more? high compared to normal calls, it often happens that children and adolescents and others use these services much more? than is desired by the parent - the user who pays the phone bills.

Some devices equipped with the dials utilize a locking padlock which prevents the rotation of the disk when the user wants his device not to be used. With the advent of telephone sets equipped with a numeric keypad, this solution, for obvious reasons, is not applicable. In addition, the lock of the padlock requires a key that can be used. be lost or broken.

Furthermore, this padlock prevents urgent calls such as emergency calls, first aid, etc.

Purpose of the present invention? that of realizing a device to prevent the unauthorized use of telephone devices and the like, particularly for domestic use, which is able to prevent unauthorized calls from the device while maintaining normal functionality? machine in connection with unprotected calls or receiving calls from outside.

Within the scope of the aforementioned aim, an object of the present invention? that of realizing a device that is able to work both with devices equipped with a dial and with those equipped with a numeric keypad.

Another object of the present invention? that of realizing a device that operates according to different authorization levels for the various users of a single appliance.

Another object of the present invention? that of allowing protection and access to the telephone with the use of a password or code.

Not least object of the present invention? that of realizing a device of high reliability, relatively easy to manufacture, install and at competitive costs.

The above task, as well as? the aforementioned and other purposes which will appear better later are achieved by a device for preventing the unauthorized use of telephone sets and the like, particularly for domestic use, characterized in that it comprises switching means for a telephone line of an apparatus telephone on which said device is placed, said switching means being driven by means for controlling the numbers and / or characters coming from said apparatus, said control means being able to enable or disable said telephone line by means of said switching means as a function of said numbers and / or characters coming from said telephone set.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of example, but not of limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a? the section along the line B-B of figure 1b;

Figure 1b? the section along the line A-A of figure 1a;

figure 2? the electrical diagram of the device according to the present invention;

figure 3? the flow chart illustrating the generic operation of the device according to the present invention;

figure 4? the flowchart illustrating the interception of calls or keywords;

figure 5? the flow chart illustrating the programming of the device according to the present invention;

figure 6? the flowchart illustrating the deletion of the numbers protected under the keyword;

figure 7? the flowchart illustrating the insertion of the protected numbers under the keyword;

figure 8? the flowchart illustrating the insertion of the numbers always allowed.

With reference to figures 1a and 1b, with 1? the device according to the present invention is indicated. The device ? equipped with a casing 2 comprising a first chamber 3 for housing the plug (9,10) of the telephone 11, a second chamber 4 for housing the batteries for powering the device and a third chamber 5 where the electronic components of the device according to the present invention. The phone plug can? be of any type: the numbers 9 and 10 indicate two possible versions of these plugs (traditional plug, pin).

Container 2? provided with its cover 6 which allows access to the first 3 and second 4 chambers. The lid 6? articulated by means of a hinge 7 and? provided with its own lock 8 which prevents the lid 6 from being opened by unauthorized persons. In this way, with the lid 6 closed, the plug 9 or the plug 10 cannot be easily excluded from the device.

The container 2 further comprises two fastening ears with slots 12a and 12b by means of which? It is possible to fix the container 2 to the wall and to the lower part of a piece of furniture so that? is not visible.

On one of the sides of the container 2 and in communication with the chamber 5, for housing the electronic components,? an output socket 13 is placed, into which the pin 14 of the output cable 15 is inserted, with which the device is connected to the telephone network socket.

In Figure 2? illustrated the electrical diagram of the device according to the present invention.

The phone to which the device is connected? always indicated with the number 11. The telephone line outgoing from the telephone 11 is connected to two distinct high-impedance input decoders, the first 16 for signals based on a pulsed decimal code and the second 17 for multi-frequency signaling at two tone (DTMF). The two decoders 16 and 17 can be selected alternatively, by means of a selector 18, in relation to the type of telephone set to which the device is to be applied.

If the telephone set 11? provided with a combiner based on a pulse code, the selector will connect? the first decoder 16 ("pulse decoder") to a unit? control 19, preferably a microprocessor.

If, on the other hand, the combiner of appliance 11? two-tone (DTMF), it will be? the decoder 17 ("tone decoder") to be in input to the microprocessor 19. The decoders 16 and 17 provide a 4-bit binary word in input to the microprocessor 19 corresponding to the composite digit belonging to a number or keyword that the user is composing.

The microprocessor 19? equipped with two non-volatile memories 20 and 21, advantageously of the EEPROM type. The first memory 20 serves to store the data relating to the operation of the device ("data memory"), while the second memory 21 serves to store the program of the microprocessor 19 ("program memory").

The microprocessor 19 also drives switching means 22, advantageously constituted by a unit? I / O, placed on the line that connects the telephone set 11 to the telephone network. The switching means are used to enable and disable the telephone line of the apparatus 11.

Furthermore, signaling means 23 adhere to the microprocessor 19, consisting of a loudspeaker and means for indicating the mode. 24, consisting of a light emitting diode (LED).

Finally, two switches are connected to the microprocessor 19, the first switch 25 serves for the selection of the mode? of operation of the device (programming / interception of calls), while the second switch 26 serves to restore an initial password (for example 0000), in the event that the user has forgotten it. The second switch can? be designed as a button (figures 1a and 1b), protected by the cover 6, and accessible only to the user in possession of the key to the padlock 8.

Operation of the device according to the present invention? the following.

At the time of installation, the selector 18 is set according to the combiner of which? provided the appliance 11.

The device ? characterized by two modes? of operation according to the state of the first switch 25.

With switch 25 closed, the device will be found? in the programming state, while if that switch? opened, the device will be found? on hold until the first call arrives.

When the first switch 25 is closed, the microprocessor 19 disables the telephone line by means of the unit? I / O 22 and at the same time turns on the LED 24 to indicate that the telephone set can? send commands to the device. Pi? precisely using the phone as a keyboard you can? change the keyword, put a number or a series of numbers under the keyword, delete a number or a series of numbers previously placed under the keyword, insert a number or a series of numbers that will always be allowed.

The microprocessor 19, through the loudspeaker 23, will warn? the user of the success, failure or status of the operations that he will carry out from time to time.

During the periods when the first switch 25? closed, the device is in a waiting state until the arrival of a number that will come? interpreted as the key word, the LED 24? turned on and the line? interrupted. In this state the phone 11 will be? seen from the telephone exchange as if he had the handset turned down.

When the key word is dialed correctly on the keyboard of the apparatus 11, the microprocessor 19 deactivates the key word, if it had been active in the procedure, allowing all subsequent calls. If, on the other hand, the key word had been previously inactive, then the microprocessor 19 activates the key word, subsequently not allowing calls to be made to forbidden numbers, which can be selected during the programming phase.

In case you dial a telephone number corresponding to one of the forbidden numbers, if the keyword? active, the telephone line will come? interrupted before the connection is established.

There is a group of numbers, which can be defined during the programming phase, which cannot be conditioned by the use of the key word, such as: emergency numbers, police, family members, relatives etc.

As in the case of programming, the microprocessor 19, by means of the loudspeaker 23, will warn? the user of the success, failure or status of the operations that he will carry out from time to time.

The operation of the device will now come? explained more? in detail, with reference to Figures 3-7, where the flow diagrams relating to the two operating states of the device according to the present invention are illustrated.

In Figure 3? shown the flow chart describing the generic operation of the device.

Block 50 indicates the start of operation of the device which can? be corresponding to the lifting of the receiver of the apparatus 11. Control passes to block 51 which awaits a call or the sending of an outgoing keyword. If there is no number arriving from the telephone 11, the control remains at block 51, in order to carry out a continuous check of the telephone line.

In the event that there is an outgoing call or keyword, control passes to block 52, which verifies in what state the first switch 25 for selecting the mode is in? device operation. If the switch 25? closed, one passes to the programming block of the device 53, illustrated more? in detail in Figure 5.

If instead the switch 25? open, control passes to the interception block of calls and / or keywords 54, illustrated more? in detail in Figure 4.

At the end of blocks 53 and 54, control always returns to the call or keyword waiting block 51.

With reference to Figure 4, when the switch 25? open and control? passed to the call interception block / keyword 54, block 55 checks whether? a keyword that? compiled on the keyboard of the device 11. In the presence of a keyword, the control passes to block 56 which disables the telephone line through the unit? I / O 22.

Then block 57 checks whether at that moment the keyword? active or not. If the keyword is active, it is deactivated by block 58 and the loudspeaker 23 is made to ring by the microprocessor 19 twice briefly (block 59), indicating that the keyword? been deactivated.

Control then passes to block 60 which restores the telephone line previously disabled by block 56.

If block 57 verifies that the keyword is not? activates, block 61 activates the keyword and block 62 causes the loudspeaker to sound once briefly, indicating that now the keyword? active.

After activating the keyword, the control as in the previous case passes to block 60 which restores the telephone line.

In general, two short beeps equal to 250 ms and interspersed with a pause of 250 ms indicate that a command? been performed (confirmation signal), while a single long signal of 1000 ms indicates that yes? incurred an error (error signal). If the password is activated, the loudspeaker emits a single short signal (250 ms). The frequency of the beeps? equal to 1000 Hz produced by a square wave generated by the microprocessor 19.

Returning again to block 55, if on the keyboard of the device 11? a number other than the keyword has been dialed (for example, a telephone number), the control from block 55 passes to block 63 which checks if the keyword? active at that moment. If the keyword is not? activates the control returns to block 51 of Figure 3 and the device goes into the waiting state, letting the call pass.

If block 63 verifies that the keyword? active, block 64 checks whether the called number? always allowed (for example emergency numbers, etc) and if it is allowed, it does not block it by passing the control to the call waiting block / password 51.

If the number called is not one of those allowed, block 65 checks whether the number called? protected under the keyword. How ? was mentioned before, the keyword can? protect a number or a series of numbers, such as for example all long-distance calls, intercontinental calls, paid voice services, etc.

If the called number is not protected under the password, the control is redirected to the waiting block 51.

In case the number is protected under the password, the loudspeaker 23 emits an error signal through block 66 (single long beep) and the line and the call are interrupted by block 67. The line is restored by block 68 after a time of at least 200 ms and the control passes to the waiting block 51.

If it is desired to program the device, the first switch 25 must be closed and the device enters the programming state (block 53, figure 3). At the beginning of the programming phase, the signaling LED 24 is turned on by block 69 (figure 5) and block 70 disables the telephone line by means of the unit? I / O 22. Control then passes to block 71 which awaits the arrival of the keyword. Once the keyword? arrived, block 72 verifies whether it? correct. In the event of the arrival of an incorrect keyword, the loudspeaker 23 emits an error signal (block 73) and the control returns to the block waiting for the keyword 71.

Is the keyword coming in? correct, the loudspeaker emits a confirmation signal (block 72a) and control passes to a series of blocks 74-77 placed in cascade.

Each of the blocks offers the possibility? to perform an operation on or associated with the keyword. Each of these operations is recalled with a unique number entered on the keypad of the telephone set.

Pi? specifically, the first block 74 of the series waits for the number "1" typed on the keyboard, which means that you want to change the keyword. In the case of a "1" arriving at block 74, the loudspeaker 23 emits the confirmation signal (block 78) and the device continues with the change of the password passing the control to the block 79 for entering the password.

Block 79 awaits the arrival of the new keyword whose end will be? defined by a fixed sequence of numbers (for example "111") if the telephone 11 has a dial dial or by the special character "#" if the telephone 11 has a 2-tone dialer (equipped with a keypad with special characters and "# ").

If the new keyword doesn't? correct will be? generated an error signal (block 79a) and the control will return? to block 79. While if it will come? composed a correct keyword will pass? to block 80 which will replace? the old one with the new keyword in the data memory 20.

At the end of the replacement of the password, the loudspeaker 23 emits a confirmation signal (block 81), the telephone line is re-enabled (block 82) and the signaling LED 24 is turned off (block 83).

If, on the other hand, the user wishes to enter certain numbers so that they are protected under the keyword, upon completion of the verification of the correct keyword by blocks 72 and 72a, it is necessary to type the number "2" on the keyboard that causes the control passage from block 74 (which waits for a "1") to the second block 75 of the series. Upon arrival of the "2" at block 75, the loudspeaker 23 emits a confirmation signal (block 84) and control passes to the block for entering the numbers under keyword 85. The operation of block 85 will occur. explained better later (figure 7).

If, on the other hand, you want to delete some of the numbers under the keyword, when blocks 72 and 72a have checked the keyword, you must type the number "3" on the keyboard which causes the control to pass from blocks 74 (which waits for a "1") and 75 (waiting for a "2") to the third block 76 of the series. Upon arrival of the "3" at block 76, the loudspeaker 23 emits a confirmation signal (block 86) and control passes to the block for deleting numbers under keyword 87. The operation of the block will occur. explained better later (figure 6).

In case it is necessary to enter numbers that are always allowed (emergency numbers, family members, etc), it is necessary to type the number "4" on the keyboard which causes the control to pass from blocks 74 (which waits for a "1"), 75 (waiting for a "2") and 76 (waiting for a "3") on the fourth block 77 of the series. When the "4" arrives at block 77, control passes to the block for inserting always allowed numbers 88a, after the loudspeaker has emitted a confirmation signal (block 88), which enters the numbers always allowed in the data memory 20. Operation of block 88a will occur. explained better later (figure 8).

It is possible to introduce other blocks similar to blocks 74-77, to call other functions, for example deleting all numbers under the keyword from memory 20.

If a number other than "1", "2", "3" or "4" is entered, it is not accepted by any of the blocks 74-77 and the loudspeaker emits an error signal (block 89) and the recognition of the number entered takes place again (block 74).

After entering (block 85) or deleting (block 87) the numbers under the keyword or the numbers always allowed (block 88a), the loudspeaker 23 emits a confirmation signal (block 81), the telephone line is re-enabled (block 82) and the signaling LED 24 is turned off (block 83).

Figure 7 illustrates, in detail, the operation of the block for inserting numbers under the keyword 85.

A waiting block 102 waits for the numbers arriving from the apparatus 11. At the moment in which digits begin to arrive, the control passes to block 103, which verifies whether the telephone? equipped with a push-button keyboard or a disk dialer. If the appliance? provided with <'> a keyboard, the first incoming digit will be? a character typed by the user, and the control will pass to block 104. In the event that the apparatus uses a disk dialer, it will not occur. sent a "#" character and the control passer? at block 110.

Block 104? a wait block and check for incoming numbers. As soon as ^ a number arrives, block 105 checks whether it is a character which would mean "end of the number typed by the user". Upon arrival of the number to be put under the keyword, block 106 checks whether the sequence of this number? correct (number with no characters not allowed ("#"), etc). If such a sequence? corrected, the control returns to block 105, until? an end-of-number character ("*") does not arrive. If instead the sequence? wrong, the loudspeaker 23 emits an error signal and the control returns to the standby block 104.

Upon receipt of a character, block 105 passes control to block 108, which stores the number under the keyword pi? a character in memory 20 after which the loudspeaker emits a confirmation signal (block 109).

If the appliance 11? equipped with a disk combiner, the block under the keyword? been entered in full. With the disk combiner, this number is terminated by the user with a fixed sequence, typically "111", which requires less effort than the other possible combinations. Block 110 checks whether this sequence "111"? been typed.

Block 111 checks whether the sequence of the number to be placed under the keyword? correct, and if it is not, the loudspeaker 23 emits an error signal (block 112) and control returns to block 110.

When the keyword is terminated with a sequence "111", block 110 passes control to block 113 where this keyword is stored in memory 20. Similarly to the previous case, the keyword is terminated with a and not with the sequence "111", after which the loudspeaker emits a confirmation signal (block 109).

The special character stored at the end of a number to be placed under the keyword will be interpreted by the program as any string of numbers. There? does that mean what if? was put under the keyword the number "00" will be? like putting all numbers starting with "00" under the keyword.

Figure 6 illustrates, in detail, the operation of the block to erase the numbers under the keyword 87.

Similarly to Figure 7, vi? a waiting block 89 and an identification block of the dialer 90.

For devices equipped with a keyboard combiner, as in the case of entering numbers under the keyword, there? a waiting block 91, which checks if there are numbers arriving, a block 92 which checks if? an end character of the number has arrived which must be deleted from under the keyword, a control block of the sequence 96 and a block 97 for the emission of the error signal, in the event that this sequence is incorrect.

Upon arrival of the end character of the number to be deleted from under the keyword, control passes to block 93 which checks whether the number entered? truly protected under the keyword. In the negative case, an error signal is emitted (block 97) and in the positive case, block 94 deletes this number from memory 20, after which a confirmation signal is emitted (block 95).

For devices equipped with a disk dialer, similar to the procedure for entering numbers under the keyword, vi? a block 98 that checks if the number? been terminated with the sequence "111", a block 99 which controls the sequence of the number to be deleted from under the keyword, a block 100 for signaling the incorrect sequence.

Upon arrival of the ending sequence of the number to be deleted from under the keyword ("111"), the control passes to block 101 which checks whether the dialed number? truly a protected number under the keyword. If that number does not? corresponding to one of the numbers stored in memory 20, an error signal is sounded (block 100), while if this number? corresponding to one of the stored numbers, it is deleted from memory 20 by means of block 94, after which a confirmation signal is sounded (block 95).

Figure 8 illustrates, in detail, the operation of the block for inserting the always allowed numbers 88a.

Similarly to the two previous cases, there? a block 114 which checks if there are incoming numbers, and a block 115 which identifies the type of dialer of the telephone set depending on whether a "#" character is sent or not.

How does the always-allowed number entry block 88a work? similar to that of blocks 85 (figure 7) and 87 (figure 6). For devices equipped with a keyboard combiner, there? a block 116 which checks for incoming numbers, a block 117 which checks if? an end character of the number always allowed has arrived, a sequence control block 118 and a block 119 for signaling the wrong sequence.

When the number always allowed (enabled) is terminated with the character, this number pi? the character is stored in the memory 20 by the block 120, after which a confirmation signal is emitted (block 121).

Similarly to the previous cases, for devices equipped with a disk combiner, there? a block for waiting for the sequence of the end of the number always allowed ("111"), a block for controlling the sequence 123 and a block 124 for signaling the wrong sequence.

When the ending sequence of the number always allowed ("111") is dialed, the control passes to block 125 which stores the number that precedes the sequence "111", plus? a character !?.?.?? in memory 20, after which a confirmation signal is sounded (block 121).

Similarly, can you? also create a block for the cancellation of the numbers always allowed.

The found so? conceived? susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

For example, the device can? be installed outside the telephone set or inside.

The device can? have more? fixed banned keywords and numbers, for example:

1) level 1 keyword: only local calls;

2) level 2 keyword: only long distance calls;

3) level 3 keyword: all.

In addition, the device can? also be equipped with a 7-segment display to view the number called, the last numbers called, etc.

If the power goes out, the phone works normally why? the rel? of the unit? I / O 22? normally closed, without for? no control over the number called, cos? to avoid the exclusion of the device, also the power supply of the device can? be mechanically protected.

In addition, the confirmation and error beeps can be sent back to the telephone receiver.

Furthermore, these signals can be of the vocal type (digitized) in place of the acoustic signal.

Finally, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones.

In practice, the materials used, as well as? the shapes and dimensions may be any according to requirements, without thereby departing from the scope of the protection of the following claims.

Claims (17)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1. Device for preventing the unauthorized use of telephone sets and the like, particularly for domestic use, characterized in that it comprises switching means for a telephone line of a telephone set on which said device is placed, said switching means being driven by means for controlling the numbers and / or characters coming from said apparatus, said control means being able to enable or disable said telephone line by means of said switching means as a function of said numbers and / or characters coming from said telephone apparatus. 2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said numbers and / or characters constitute a keyword. 3. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting the signals constituting said numbers and / or characters, said detection means being associated with said control means. 4. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means consist of at least one decoder. 5. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said at least one decoder is selected by means of a selector interposed between said control means and said at least one decoder. 6. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one decoder? consisting of a pulse decoder. 7. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one decoder? consisting of a two-tone multifrequency signaling decoder. 8. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises storage means associated with said control means. 9. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises signaling means suitable for signaling errors in use of the device. 10. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means are adapted to disable said telephone line by means of said switching means as a function of at least one telephone number previously memorized in said memorization means. 11. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means are adapted to disable said telephone line by means of said switching means as a function of at least a series of telephone numbers previously memorized in said memorization means. 12. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means by means of said switching means hold said telephone line enabled to receive telephone numbers stored in said storage means as numbers whose call? always allowed. 13. Device, according to one or more? of the rd characterized in that it comprises means for restoring said keyword. 14. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a casing into which the plug of the cable of said telephone set is inserted, said plug being mechanically protected by a cover which can be locked by a lock. 15. Device, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said password reset means are mechanically protected by a lid which can be locked by a lock. 16. Container for housing electronic devices, comprising a first chamber for housing the electronic components of said electronic devices, characterized in that it comprises a second chamber for housing a connector of a device controlled by said electronic device , said second chamber being mechanically protected by a lid which can be locked by a lock. 17. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more? of the characteristics described and / or illustrated.