RU2124273C1 - Method for automatic telephone communications using telephone cards and telephone card which implements said method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: automatic telephone exchange. SUBSTANCE: method involves splitting digits of identification number into groups which are highlighted by color or are located in various geometric shapes. After user has entered identification number of telephone card, computer system which is connected to telephone set, ask user for digits of one of groups of identification number. In case of wrong choice of group of digits, user may be asked for same or different group of digits. Call is to be canceled after several error choices. Telephone card is designed as rectangle which is made from hard plastic with rounded edges and which has number which is split into groups of digits. EFFECT: prevention of use of card by another person. 4 cl, 2 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to the field of automatic telephone communications and, in particular, to methods of automatic telephone communications using telephone cards with a preliminary payment.

 A paid telephone system contains a number of telephone sets connected via telephone lines to a computer (computer system) installed on an automatic telephone exchange of the telephone network and allowing the subscriber to enter the telephone network and then time-based recording of calls made from these telephone sets using information contained on special calling cards. The information read from the card when entering it into the receiving hole of the telephone or entered by the subscriber by dialing the corresponding number is compared with the information contained in the data bank of the computer system. This determines the validity of the card. If the card is recognized as valid, a phone call is allowed. The amount corresponding to the duration of the telephone conversation is deducted from the information contained in the data bank and corresponding to this telephone card, with the subsequent recording of a new result. At the end of a telephone call, this new information is recorded in the computer system memory or directly on the card using the appropriate device - in the case of using a magnetic card (International application N 86/03915, class H 04 M 17/00, publ. 1986).

 The telephone card is a rectangle with rounded edges made of hard plastic measuring (90 (± 5) • 60 (± 5) mm, on one side of which a strip of magnetic material can be applied, storing information about the amount of payment, and also having a multi-digit identification number (pin - personal identifi - cation number.) Reference information is also printed on the telephone card.

 After dialing a certain code, the subscriber logs out to the computer system (hereinafter referred to as the system), after which he dials his card number. The system informs him (for example, by highlighting the relevant information on the display of the telephone, or by means of a voice message) about the amount (amount of money) corresponding to this card, after which the subscriber dials the number he needs to communicate with another subscriber. Payment for the conversation is automatically deducted by the system from his card, and after the conversation the system informs the subscriber of the amount of money remaining on his card.

 During the operation of such systems, the solvency of telephone cards is possible due to the insecurity of their identification numbers from being read by an unauthorized person (for example, when a subscriber dials this number on a street payphone). This information can be sold and used by other subscribers, which is common, in particular, in the USA. Moreover, as a rule, magnetic cards are not used so that a call can be made from any telephone set, and all information is stored in the system’s memory.

 This is precisely the drawback of the existing method of automatic telephone communication using prepaid calling cards.

 The proposed method allows to eliminate the indicated drawback, making the identified identification number non-functioning. To do this, the identification number itself is divided into several groups, and on the telephone card, the numbers of each group are placed on fields of various colors and / or in any geometric shapes, about which there is information in the system database. When a subscriber calls, the system (for example, using a voice message) asks to dial after the identification number of the card the numbers of one of its groups located on a field of a certain color or in a certain geometric shape. The next time you call on the same card, another group of numbers may be requested. With several (for example, three) erroneous dialing, the call is canceled. The request itself is generated by the system using a random number sensor.

 In FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an automatic telephone system using prepaid calling cards.

 In FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a prepaid calling card.

 The automatic telephone communication system (Fig. 1) contains telephone sets 1 connected via telephone lines 2 to a computer (computer system) 3 installed on the automatic telephone exchange 4 of the telephone network. The system carries out time-based call accounting. Telephone sets 1 can be switched on using telephone cards 5. In this case, card 5 is inserted into the receiving hole 6 of telephone set 1. According to the information contained in the data bank 7 of the computer system, the validity of card 5 is determined. If card 5 is recognized as effective, a telephone call is allowed otherwise, card 5 is withdrawn from apparatus 1. The amount corresponding to the duration of the telephone conversation is subtracted from the information contained in the databank 7, followed by the recording of a new result. The automatic telephone system, in addition, may contain a remote computer 8 located outside the automatic telephone exchange 4 and connected to at least some telephone sets 1.

 The telephone card (Fig. 2) is a rectangle 9 with rounded edges of hard plastic measuring 90 (± 5) • 60 (5 ±) mm and may have a layer of magnetic material 10 deposited on it that stores information about the amount of payment, as well as having printed (10-15) -valid identification number 11 (pin - personal idetification number). Reference information is also printed on the telephone card. Identification number 11 is divided into several groups 12 (2-3 digits per group), and on the telephone card the numbers of each group 12 are placed in fields of different colors and / or in some geometric shapes.

 The claimed method of automatic telephone communication using calling cards with advanced payment is as follows.

 By dialing a specific code (for example, "1-800"), the subscriber logs on to system 3, which informs him of this and asks to dial the card number 11 (or part of this number - for example, 7-8 digits of the number printed on the card).

 In this case, the validity of card 5 is determined. If card 5 is recognized as effective, system 3 informs the subscriber (for example, by displaying relevant information on the display of telephone set 1 or sending a voice message) about the amount (amount of money) corresponding to this card 5 and asks to dial one from groups 12, located on a field of a certain color or in a certain geometric figure on map 5 (for example, “numbers on a green field”). In this case, complete information about each card 5: number 11 and groups 12 (color fields and / or figures) is stored in the data bank of system 3. The group of numbers is randomly selected by the system using a random number sensor.

 In the event of an erroneous dialing, the system request is repeated, and a different group of 12 digits of identification number 11 may be requested. After several erroneous dialings (for example, three), the call is canceled. In case of correct dialing (the dialed number coincides with the data stored in the system), system 3 asks the subscriber to dial the telephone number he needs to communicate with another subscriber. The amount corresponding to the duration of the telephone conversation is subtracted from the information contained in the databank 7, with the subsequent recording of a new result. At the end of the phone call, system 3 informs the subscriber of the remaining amount of money corresponding to his card. When the amount of money corresponding to the card reaches zero during a conversation, the connection is interrupted after the subscriber receives an information message about this.

 Information about the amount of money corresponding to the card can be stored both in the databank 7 and on the card 5 itself as a record on the magnetic layer 10. In the latter case, the construction of the system is simplified, however, the price of the payphone 1 and the card 5 itself increases, since the possibility is excluded use a regular telephone, not equipped with a magnetic card reader.

 Thus, some complication of the method and, accordingly, the data bank of the system eliminates the possibility of reading reliable information to unauthorized persons.

Claims (4)

 1. The method of automatic telephone communication using telephone cards, based on the use in a paid system of telephone sets connected via telephone lines to a computer system installed on an automatic telephone exchange, which means that the subscriber dials a certain code to access the computer system and the telephone card identification number, after which the validity of the telephone card is determined, and if the telephone card is not recognized as valid, the call cancels otherwise, the computer system informs the subscriber about the amount of money corresponding to the telephone card, after which the subscriber dials a number to communicate with another subscriber, the amount of money corresponding to the duration of the telephone conversation is deducted from the amount of money contained in the data bank of the computer system, followed by by recording a new result, at the end of a telephone conversation, the computer system informs the subscriber of the remaining amount of money, characterized in that the identification number of the telephone card is divided into groups of numbers, after determining the validity of the telephone card, the computer system prompts the subscriber to dial after the telephone card identification number the digits of one of his groups of digits into which he is divided, in case of erroneous dialing, the computer system request is repeated, and the same or different group of digits of the telephone identification number is requested cards, after several erroneous sets the call is canceled.  2. A telephone card for implementing the method according to claim 1, which is a rectangle with rounded edges made of hard plastic, having a multi-digit identification number printed on it, characterized in that the identification number is divided into several groups of digits, each of which contains several digits.  3. The card according to claim 2, characterized in that the numbers of each group are placed on the fields of different colors.  4. The map according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the numbers of each group are placed on the fields representing any geometric shape.

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