JPS60120650A - Charging system of public telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To deposit a call charge at each unit talking time by detecting a destination area number from a dial transmission number after off-hook to display the call charge for a fixed unit talking time. CONSTITUTION:A dial signal of composite audible frequencies is transmitted to a line terminal 1 from a signal generator 18 through the operation of a keyboard 17. The dial information by the operation of keyboard is transmitted to a CPU7 via an input/output circuit 5a, the address destination area number is detected from the dial information by the table key search of an EPROM24, a talking charge corresponding to the destination is obtained and displayed (19). The talking charge is displayed as a charge per a certain fixed unit time (e.g., 3min) and since a coin is to be deposited at each unit time, the user forecasts easily the required number of coins and the chance of occurrence of forced disconnection of talking due to deficiency of coins is made less.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention is directed to a public telephone system that allows remote area calls such as long-distance calls, international calls, etc., and collects call charges in accordance with a multi-collection signal that occurs periodically. This relates to the billing method for telephones.

[Prior art]

Generally, in public telephones (hereinafter referred to as telephones).

When long-distance calls are allowed, the number of ground seconds is determined according to the destination area, and each time the number of ground seconds elapses, the exchange sends out a charge signal, and the station collects a fixed amount of unit call charges accordingly. Multi-charging system or separate application by the applicant [Public telephones with distance-based time differential charging system (Patent application 1973)
4-131741), a terminal multi-charging system is adopted in which the telephone independently generates a multi-collection signal every time the number of seconds above ground passes, and collects a fixed amount of unit call charges based on this signal. has been done.

However, in these systems, the unit call charge to be collected is set by the national government, and the number of seconds above the ground is changed depending on the distance from the destination area, so in a call to a long distance area, the number of seconds above the ground is 2.5, for example. Due to this cycle, coins are stored and it is necessary to add coins frequently during one call, and the prediction of the required coins is incorrect. This has resulted in disadvantages such as telephone calls being disconnected due to lack of currency.

Furthermore, even with telephones that accept high-denomination coins, it is impossible for the user to know the number of seconds above the ground, and it is impossible to predict the required call charges. Since we are unable to prepare the type and number of sheets,
The call ends immediately after storing high-value coins, resulting in a drawback that unexpected damage may occur.

For telephones that can accept high denomination coins, when dialing an international call, do they store a high denomination coin every time the number of ground seconds corresponding to the destination country elapses? Therefore, the above-mentioned drawbacks have become more pronounced.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention has the purpose of fundamentally overcoming such drawbacks of the conventional art, and detects the destination area code from the dialed number after off-hook, calculates the call charge for the 11th call time based on this, and This call charge is displayed, and the accumulated coins corresponding to the displayed call charge are stored every time the unit call time elapses, and the call charge is notified to the user.The unit call time is fixed, and the call charge is reduced. This provides an extremely effective billing method for public telephones that is variable depending on the destination.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to figures showing examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire configuration.The line terminal 1 to which the line from the telephone office is connected is connected to the incoming call detection circuit 3 via the contact 9st of the relay GS provided in the main unit 2. It is always connected, and when it detects the arrival of a call signal, it drives the buzzer 4, and also provides incoming call information to a processor (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 7, such as a microprocessor, via an input/output circuit 5a and a bus 6. It is supposed to start.

Unfortunately, when the hook switch 8 generates an off-hook report due to off-hook, the start circuit 9 responds and relay G is activated.
In order to drive S and give start information to the CPU 7 via the input/output circuit 5b and the bus 6, the CPU
7 starts the corresponding control, while the contact 9s1 operates, and the diode bridge 1 including the polarity reversal receiving circuit 10
1 and the power supply circuit 12 to connect the communication circuit 13 to the line terminal 1 to close a DC loop to the line,
It is possible to make a call using the handset 14.

In addition, the power supply circuit 12 generates a local power supply E based on the line current that has become constant (by the diode bridge 11) according to the flow of line current accompanying the closure of the DC loop, and turns on. It is supplied to each part via the contact gB2 that has become
Even during on-hook, a current is passed through the break side of contact gs I to the extent that the exchange does not respond, thereby sending out the local power supply E to circuits that require power supply even during on-hook and circuits that operate at the same time as off-hook. Power supply E2 is supplied.

On the other hand, the CPU 7 is connected to the ROM connected via the bus 6.
(Read 0nly Memory) Execute the call processing program in 15 and read the same RAM (1 and
m Access Mem.

ry・)16 is controlled while accessing the necessary data.
ROQ El etrically Program
The control data stored in the mable ReadOnly Memory is used as necessary.

That is, in the case of a call, the signal generator 18 sends out a dialing signal using a composite audio frequency in response to the keyboard 170 imitation, the display circuit 19 displays the call charge, and when the called party answers, the caller sends a dial signal from the exchange. Sequential control of sorting and storage of various coins such as low denomination, medium chain, and high denomination coins by the sub unit 20 and coin storage mechanism (hereinafter referred to as storage mechanism) 21 in accordance with response information given from billing signal receiving circuit 10 in response to polar pulses. However, when sending out a dial signal, it allows free calls, prohibits calls from prohibited numbers, etc., depending on the data in the EPROM, and also, in response to a multi-storage signal generated by the timekeeping of the timekeeping circuit 22, the EPRO
According to the data in M, the coins corresponding to the unit call charge are stored every time the unit call time elapses, and when there are no more coins waiting to be inserted, an emphasis tone is sent from the signal generator 18 to the handset 14. , and also performs forced disconnection of one call.

On the other hand, in the case of a telephone call, the relay GS is driven according to the off-hook information from the hook switch 8, the DC loop is closed, and the call is allowed. The CPU 7 determines that there is an incoming call, and does not perform the above-mentioned controls.

The sub-unit 20 also includes a measurement circuit 23 which is connected to each sensor provided in the storage mechanism 21 to detect the turbidity, outer diameter, thickness, etc. of the inserted coin, and which records the measured values of the coin. An EFROM 24 is provided which stores the upper and lower limit values of the measured values determined by the coin sorting data as coin sorting data. Depending on the measurements from circuit 23 and the coin sorting data in EPROM 24,
The CPU 7 determines whether the inserted coin is correct or not, and also controls the storage mechanism 21 via the input/output circuit 25 to return irregular coins, accumulate and store regular coins, etc.

Note that control data etc. are also stored in the IPROM 24 as part of the call processing program, and the EPI'
It is used together with the call processing program in tOM15 to regulate the control operation of CPTJ7.

In addition, a printed circuit board or the like is used in each unit 2.20, and the sub-unit 20 is combined with a storage mechanism 21, and the space between the sub-unit 20 and the main unit 2 is extended from the sub-unit 20. The plug connected to the tip of the cord and the reel is electrically connected to the connector 26 of the main unit 2 in a detachable manner.

In addition, a 'T'' switch 27 is provided, and when this is operated, the CP and U7 receive this operation information via the input/output circuit 5a, and even when the keyboard 17 is operated, no dial signal is sent. Since the call charge per unit call time corresponding to the dialed calling number is determined and displayed on the display 19, the call charge can be confirmed without actually making a call.

It should be noted that if the keyboard 17 is operated while off-hook without operating the 'T'' switch 27, a dial signal will be sent, and the same display will be displayed at this time as well.

However, this unit call time is determined as an operationally reasonable time, such as 3 mIn, and the corresponding call charge is determined by the CPU 7 detecting the destination area code from the dialing number, and calculating the call rate for this destination area code. The table is stored in the EPROM 24 and is determined by the table key search method.

Note that the means for calculating call charges etc. using a table is provided by the "One Call Frequency Display Device" (Japanese Patent Application No.
4-48050), the number of seconds shown in Table 3 may be replaced with the call charge.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the control situation by the CPU 7, and shows the call rate displayed by the display 19.

ゝBluff 2 display “101 and 1 on foot” 7MO2
If is N (NO), operate the %%T” switch?'10
N of 3 and “accumulated amount” 0? “104 Y (YES)
) Nice response, ″″on the hook’? '105ON and 1 keyboard operation? Assuming '106 Y', end of 5 digits of dialing number? #10 If γ is Y, determine the charge for one call per call time using the method described above #10
8 is carried out, and the display 19 is driven accordingly to display 1 call charge '109.

Then, 'on hook?' Based on the premise of 1100N, the called party responds according to the output of the polarity reversal receiving circuit 10. “111 is Y
In this case, for example, 1 clock circuit star set to 3m1n)' 112 is performed, the call charge is subtracted from 2 unused amount indicated by the total amount of accumulated coins, 113 is performed, and unused amount ≧O? In response to Y in ``114'', one coin storage process ``115'' corresponding to the displayed call charge is performed to give priority to low-denomination coins, etc., and based on the detection output from the storage status check sensor of the storage mechanism 21, it is determined that ``storage is defective.'' 4”1
Judging 16, if this is N, 1 on hook? “11
In response to No. 7.

``Clock circuit time up?' 118 becomes Y,
The process returns to step 112 and repeats the subsequent steps.

In addition, in step 115, if coins with an amount exceeding the call charge are stored, the difference in the call charge is calculated, this difference is added to the total amount of accumulated coins, and the subsequent 1 unused/amount is calculated. , if the difference is greater than or equal to the call charge, repeat step 11 until the difference becomes less than the call charge.
In step 5, storage of coins is omitted.

In addition, in step 114 ON or step 116 Y, the process moves to ``Sending a termination tone'' 121, interrupting the drive of the relay GS, and opening the loop (800 ms) 122, forcibly disconnecting the call and restoring the exchange. Well, the display 19 shows 1 blank display "123, 1 on hook?' In response to Y of 124, 1 emphasis tone transmission stops"
After performing step 125, perform “hook processing” step 126! l
), the drive of the relay GS is interrupted during 8QQmecc to open the DC loop, and if it remains on-hook, the drive of the relay GS is stopped and the DC loop is completely opened.

In contrast to the above, if the result in step 103 is Y, ``dial transmission prohibition'' 131 is performed and the 1 display 19 is displayed.
... Display "132" and then 1 on hook? '133 ON%1 keyboard operation? "Y of 134 and 'End of 5° digit? "According to Y of 135, step 108
, 1-call charge determination '136 and 1-call charge display'137 are performed in the same way as in 109, and 1-on-hook? "13B
In accordance with Y, the process moves to step 126.

Steps 106 to 1 are performed before step 104.
09 may be inserted to check that the unused amount is equal to or greater than the call fee when the called party answers.

The dial transmission is prohibited until step 104 becomes Y, and the same effect can be achieved by omitting step 131. The dialing is disabled until step 116 becomes Y, and the same processing is performed according to step 103. It is also possible to replace the steps in FIG. 2 or omit unnecessary steps depending on the situation.

In Figure 1, the power supply circuit 12 may not be used, but another power source such as a commercial power source may be used.When making a long-distance or international call, if sequential billing signals arrive from the exchange, It is the same if you ignore things other than waiting for the called party to respond.The coins used may be of a single type or multiple types, and in the case of multiple types, the coin storage track and coin slot may be common or each type may be different. Any of these may be used, and the present invention can be modified in various ways, such as not only the front loop method but also the rear loop method for opening the DC loop.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above invention, according to the present invention, the call charge per unit call time is displayed according to the dialing number, and the type and number of coins required are predicted based on this. It is very convenient for the person who is using the telephone, there is no chance of forced termination of a call due to lack of coins, and a remarkable effect can be obtained in a telephone that allows calls to remote areas.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures show an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a telephone block diagram and Figure 2 being a flowchart showing the control situation by the CPU. 1...Line terminal, 7...CPU (processor)
, 8Φ...-Fuchs inch, 9.o @ Italy start circuit 10... Polarity reversal receiving circuit, 13... Call circuit,
14...Transmitter/receiver, 15°...ROM, 16...
・RAM, 17...Keyboard, 18...Signal generator, 19...Display, 24...KPROM
, 27...'T" switch, GS...IJL/
+, g, s...contact. Patent applicant: Tamura Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In public telephones that collect call charges according to multi-collection signals and continue calls to remote areas, the destination area number is detected from the dialed number after off-hook, and the unit call time for the destination area number is calculated. A charge is collected and the call charge is displayed, and accumulated coins corresponding to the displayed call charge are stored as the call charge in response to the multi-collection signal generated every time the unit call time elapses. billing method for public telephones.