JPH03184460A - Charge collection type cordless telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To return the remainder to a user without fail by returning the remainder exceeding the amount of the coins put into a base unit or the call charge of a card when a hand set is put on a hand set stand after finishing the use of this hand set. CONSTITUTION:A hand set 2 is picked up from a hand set stand 4 and coins 22 almost corresponding to the call charge are put into a coin put in port 8. Afterwards, this hand set 2 is carried and user returns to the seat of the user itself. After pushing a call key 14a of a control panel 14, the number of a calling destination is inputted by a dial key 14b. When pushing an OFF key 14c after finishing the call, a call line is interrupted and the call charge is stopped being collected by a call charge collection part. When a caller carries the hand set 2 to the position of a base unit 1 and puts the hand set on the hand set stand 4, the remained coins of the amount exceeding the call charge accumulated in an accumulation track 23 drop down to a coin return port 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a toll-collecting telephone in which call charges are paid in money or by card, and particularly to a toll-charging cordless telephone having a handset connected wirelessly.

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

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

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

Note that the slave device stand may be integrally formed with the parent device.

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

When the call ends, the user presses the off key located near the dial key on the handset. Then, the coins that exceed the call fee inserted into the main machine's prostitute coin input slot are discharged to the coin return slot as remaining coins.

Furthermore, when the slave unit is in use, the slave unit use ψ lamp lights up on the parent unit.

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

In other words, a customer makes a call using a handset at his/her own seat,
When the off key is pressed to end the call, coins exceeding the call charge inserted into the coin slot of the base unit are ejected to the coin return slot as remaining coins. Therefore, when the customer brings the child device to the location where the parent device is installed, he or she collects the coins that have already been returned to the coin return slot. However, if the customer's seat is far away from the location where the base unit is installed, it may take about 30 seconds to one minute for the customer to go to the location where the base unit is installed.

Therefore, it is highly likely that another customer will go to the location where the base unit is installed in order to use the toll-charging cordless telephone during that time. If the coin is returned to the return slot at that time,
Very careless. In addition, if the number of coins returned is small due to a mistake on the part of the user, there is a risk that if the next user is near the base unit when the handset is returned, the next user may be accused of unexpected charges. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of such 1F circumstances, and the remaining amount can be returned to the user when the handset is placed on the handset stand after the use of the handset is finished, thereby ensuring that the remaining amount is used. To provide a fee collection type cordless telephone that can be returned to a person, can prevent troubles in returning money, and can improve the reliability of the entire device used by an unspecified number of people.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a base unit including a call charge collection unit that collects call charges using money or a card, and a main body communication unit including a handset, and a base unit that includes a main unit including a handset. A toll collection type cordless telephone consisting of a handset connected wirelessly to a handset and a handset equipped with a remote calling section that enables calls in accordance with the charges collected by the calling charge collection section of the base phone. A handset device mounting base for placing the handset on or near the handset, a handset detecting means for detecting that the handset is placed on the handset mounting stand, and a handset detecting means for detecting that the handset is placed on the handset mounting stand. The device also includes a collection fee return means for settling the remaining amount of money or card and returning it from the base unit.

[Function] With a toll-charging cordless telephone configured in this way, even if the customer uses the handset to make a call at his or her own seat away from the base unit, the user can press the hang-up key when the call ends. Even so, any money or cards that exceed the cost of the call inserted into the base unit remain in the West. Then, when the customer who has finished the call takes the handset to the location where the base unit is installed and places it on the base, the remaining coins or cards are discharged to the return slot of the base unit.

Therefore, the user of the slave device can secure the remaining coins or cards.

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

FIG. 1 is an external view showing the entire toll-charging cordless telephone according to the embodiment. The telephone of this embodiment will be described as a pink telephone installed in a coffee shop or the like. As shown in the figure, this pink telephone has a base unit 1 connected to a central office via a central office line, a handset 2 connected to the base unit 1 via a wireless line, and a cable connected to the base unit 1. 3, and a slave device stand 4 which also serves as a charger and is connected to the slave device stand 4 via a power cord 3.

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

The handset 2 includes a speaker 12 which the user puts to his ear, a microphone 13 which detects the user's voice. An operation panel 14 and an antenna 15 are attached. The operation panel 14 includes
As shown in Figure 2, call key 1 for starting a call.
4a1 Dial key 1 for manually inputting the destination number
A stamp-140 for forcibly terminating a 4b1 call and a charging warning lamp 14d''9 for indicating that the output voltage of the charging circuit has decreased are provided.

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

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

Therefore, when the slave unit 2 is placed on the slave unit stand 4, the charging voltage V is supplied from the power supply circuit 37 of the base unit 1 to the charging circuit 17 via the cable 3. Further, since the electrode plugs 20a, 2Ob are short-circuited via the electrodes 18a, 18b, the electrode plugs 20a, 20b and the electrode 18
a and 18b constitute a handset detection means 21 that detects that the handset 2 is placed on the handset stand 4.

Further, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the general structure of a call charge storage section formed in the base unit 1. As shown in FIG. Coins 22 inserted from the coin input port 8 roll along the accumulation track 23 and are discharged to the coin return port 10 or stored in the safe 24. Further, an accumulation lever 25 and a money collection lever 26 are attached to the branch point to the safe 24. Each lever 25.26
are each driven by a solenoid. The accumulation lever 25 has a function of accumulating the coins 22 inserted from the coin input port 8 into the accumulation track 23, and when the solenoid is energized, it rotates in the direction of the arrow and moves the coins 22 to the coin return port 10.
Prevent falls. On the other hand, the money collecting lever 26 controls the function of storing the coins 22 accumulated in the accumulation track 23 into the safe 24 by the accumulation lever 25. Specifically, the solenoid is energized every time a billing signal is input from the outside.
The collection lever 26 rotates downward to store the coins 22 one by one into the safe 24. When the master device 1 and the slave device 2 are not in use, the coins 22 inserted drop into the coin return slot 10 as shown.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of base unit 1. As shown in FIG. A pair of signals! 27g and 27b have one end connected to each input terminal 28a,
28b to the office line, and the other end is connected to the transmitter/receiver 30° or the dial pulse generating circuit 31.2 through the signal switching circuit 29. It is connected to the main unit's communication section, which includes a dial key 7, a communication circuit 32, and a handset 5.

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

Further, the signal switching circuit 29 performs a switching operation for the signal lines 27a and 27b in response to a switching signal from a switching control section 35 consisting of, for example, a microcomputer. The switching control unit 35 includes a hook switch 6a that is attached to the hook stand 6 of the handset 5 and detects a pick-up operation of the handset 5, and the aforementioned handset that detects that the handset 2 is placed on the handset stand 4. A storage lever solenoid 36 that moves the detection switch 21 and the storage lever 25 together.
is connected.

Furthermore, a power supply circuit 37 for supplying a driving voltage V to each electronic circuit and a charging voltage Vll to the slave device 2 is incorporated.

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

The switching control section 35, which is composed of a microcomputer, of the base unit 1 monitors the on/off state changes of the hook switch 6a and the on/off state changes of the child unit detection switch 21, and detects the state changes. Then, in response to this state change, the signal switching circuit 2 is activated according to the flowchart of FIG.
9 and the accumulation lever 25.

The flowchart is started and 1. When the hook switch (FS) 6a changes to the off state in S (step) 1, the handset 5 of the base unit 1 is picked up, so the state of the handset flag is checked in S2. If the handset flag is cleared to O, then the handset 2 is not currently being used, so the parent device flag indicating that the handset 1 is to be used is set to 1. Then, a switching signal is sent to the two signal switching circuits, and the signal line 27
a.

27b to the main body communication section on the base unit side. after that,
The storage lever solenoid 36 is energized to rotate the storage lever 25 in the direction of the arrow. Then return to the beginning of the flowchart. Note that if the handset flag is set to 1 in S2, it means that handset 2 is currently in use, so do not do anything.
Return to

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

Next, when the handset detection switch 21 changes to the off state in S4, since the handset 2 has been taken up from the handset stand 4, the S
Confirm that the base unit flag is cleared to 0 in step 5,
When the slave unit flag is set to 1, the slave unit in use lamp 9 appears on the same samurai.
lights up. Then, a switching signal is sent to the f3 switching circuit 29 to switch and connect the signal lines 27a and 27b to the handset side, that is, to the transceiver 30 side. Next, the storage lever solenoid 36 is energized to rotate the storage lever 25 in the direction of the arrow. Note that if the base unit flag is set to 1 in S5, it means that the base unit 1 is currently in use, so the process returns to 81 without doing anything.

Furthermore, when the handset detection switch 21 changes to the on state in S6, the call by the handset 2 has ended and the handset 2 has been placed on the handset stand 4, so the handset flag is cleared to 0, and the handset flag is reset to 0. Turn off the machine in use lamp 9.

Furthermore, the a voltage of the storage lever solenoid 36 is cut off, and the storage lever 25 is returned to its original position.

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

First, when making a call using the base unit 1, after confirming that the handset 2 is placed on the handset stand 4, when the handset 5 is picked up, the signal switching circuit 29 is switched to the main unit talking section side. At the same time, the accumulation lever 25 of the accumulation track 23 rotates in the direction of the arrow. Then, the user inserts the coin 22 into the coin slot 8.
After inputting the number, use the dial key 7 to input the number of the destination.

When a call line is established with the other party and a call is started, a billing signal is manually generated each time a call time that is determined according to the call distance elapses, and the bill collection lever 26 is rotated downward for a short period of time. The coins 22 stored in the storage track 23 are sequentially stored into the gold coin 24 using the storage lever 25.

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

On the other hand, when making a call using the handset 2, the handset 2 is picked up from the handset stand 4. Then, the signal switching circuit 29 of the base unit 1 switches to the remote communication section side of the slave unit 2. Further, the slave device in use lamp 9 lights up. Further, the accumulation lever 25 of the accumulation track 23 rotates in the direction of the arrow. After the user inserts coins 22 approximately corresponding to the call fee into the coin slot 8, the user takes this handset 2 with him and returns to his/her seat, for example.
After pressing the call key 14a on the operation panel 14, the user manually enters the number of the destination using the dial key 14b.

When a telephone line is established with the other party and a telephone conversation is started, the telephone charges are sequentially deposited into the bank 14i24 in the same manner as described above.

When the call ends and the cut key 14c is pressed, the call line is cut off and collection of call charges by the call charge collection section is stopped. At this point, the storage lever 25 is moved in the direction of the arrow h, so the remaining coins 22 remain in the storage track 23. Then, when the caller brings the handset 2 to the position of the base unit 1 and places it on the handset stand 4, the handset in use lamp 9 goes out and the accumulation lever 25 returns to its original position. Therefore, the remaining coins exceeding the call charges accumulated in the accumulation track 23 fall into the coin return slot 10. Therefore, the user of the handset 2 only has to collect the remaining coins.

In this way, even if you use the handset 2 at your own seat away from the base unit 1 and press the off key 14c at your own seat, you can use the handset 2 on the handset stand 4 near the base unit 1. The remaining coins 22 will not be returned to the coin return slot 10 unless the remaining coins 22 are placed in the coin return slot 10. Therefore, even if another customer goes to the location where base unit 1 is installed to use the pink telephone, between the time the user of handset 2 ends the call and the time the user arrives at the location where base unit 1 is installed. Even if the remaining coins are returned to the coin return slot 10 at that time, the remaining coins are not returned. Therefore, the user of the handset 2 can reliably collect the remaining coins. Also,
Even if the number of coins returned is small due to a misunderstanding by the user of the handset 2, the next user near the base device 1 will not be accused of unexpected charges.

In the embodiment, pink telephones that use coins installed in coffee shops and shops have been described, but the present invention is not limited to pink telephones.

Also, a prepaid card may be used instead of coins.

Further, coins and prepaid cards may be used at the same time. In this case, a card insertion slot is provided in addition to the coin slot, and a card reader/writer is incorporated inside. Then, when the handset is placed on the handset stand, the card is returned from the card return slot.

Further, the slave device stand may be formed integrally with the parent device.

Furthermore, the child device placement stand and the parent device may be connected wirelessly to notify the parent device wirelessly that the child device has been placed.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the toll-charging cordless telephone of the present invention, when the handset is placed on the handset stand after the handset is used, the money loaded into the base phone is released. Or you are trying to return the balance that exceeds the call charges on your card. Therefore, the remaining amount can be reliably returned to the user, troubles related to refunding money can be prevented, and the reliability of the telephone as used by an unspecified number of people can be greatly improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show a fee collection type cordless telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is an overall external view, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the operation panel of the handset, and Fig. 3 is a view of the handset. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the call charge collection section in the base unit, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the base unit, and FIG. The figure is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the slave device, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation. 1...Main unit, 2...Slave unit, 4...Slave unit stand, 5...
... node set, 6a... hook switch, 7.
14b...Dial key 8...Coin slot, 10
...Coin return slot, 11.15...Antenna, 21.
... Handset detection switch, 22 ... Coin, 23 ... Accumulation track, 25 ... Accumulation lever 29 ... Signal switching circuit, 30.40 ... Transmitter/receiver, 35 ... Switching control Department.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A base unit (1) equipped with a main body communication unit including a call charge collection unit for collecting call charges in money or a card and a handset (5), and connected to the base unit by wireless, A charge collection type cordless telephone comprising a handset (2) having a remote calling unit that enables calls according to the charges collected by a call charge collection unit on the base unit, wherein the handset is connected to the base unit or the handset (2). A handset device mounting stand (4) for placing the handset device in the vicinity thereof; a handset detecting means (21) for detecting that the handset device is placed on the handset device stand; A fee collection type cordless telephone set comprising a collection fee return means (35) for settling the remaining amount of the money or card and returning it from the base unit when the placement of the money or card is detected.