US1074677A - Enumeration of telephone-calls. - Google Patents

Description

S. D. WILLIAMS. ENUMERATIUN 0F TELEPHONE CALLS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 31, 1908.

1,074,677. Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cm. WASHINGTON. D. c.

S. D. WILLIAMS.

ENUMERATION 0F TELEPHONE CALLS.

APPLICATION FILED 0013.31, 1908.

1,074,677, v Patented 00t.7,1913.

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S. D. WILLIAMS.

ENUMERATION 0P TELEPHONE CALLS. APPLIOATION FILED OCT. a1, 1908.

1 74,677, Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

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S. D. WILLIAMS. ENUMERATION or TELEPHONE CALLS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 31, 1908.

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S. D. WILLIAMS. BNUMERATION or TELEPHONE CALLS. APPLICATION FILED OUT. 31, 1908.

1,074,677. Patented 0011.7,1913.

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SAMUEL DICKINSON \VILLIAMS, OF NEIVPORT, WALES.

ENUMERATION 0F TELEPHONE-CALLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 7,1913.

Application filed October 31, 1908. Serial No. 460,551.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL DICKINSON WILLIAMS, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland,and residing at 8 Faulkner road, Newport, in the county of Monmouth, Wales, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Enumeration of Telephone-Calls, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a system and means of electrically enumerating and registering the number of calls made in the speaking circuits of telephone subscribers, and is adapted for use in connection with telephone exchanges.

The invention consists in providing means whereby, on a call being made by a subscriber, the subscribers enumerator and an enumerator in the subscribers circuit at the exchange are simultaneously operated either by the exchange attendant or by the completion of the speaking circuit by the called subscriber, the current which operates said enumerators operating at the same time to out said enumerators out of circuit.

The invention further consists in the systems and means of checking the registration of telephone calls hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing connections at the subscribers end of the circuit for use in a magneto ring-up and battery speaking current system; Figs. 2, 3 and 4: show diagrammatically the corresponding circuits at the exchange; Fig. 5 shows a form of switch adapted to control the enumerator circuit at the exchange; Fig. 6 is an elevation of a triple switch of the type used in the arrangements shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4:; Fig. 7 is an end view of the same; Fig. 8 a diagram of the connections of the switch, and Fig. 9 a view of the switch in another position; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the switch in another position; Fig. 11 being a plan of the same; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate an arrangement in which a magneto ring up by the calling subscriber automatically brings his enumerator into the speaking circuit for operation from the exchange; Fig. 15 shows a modification at the called subscribers end by which the enumerating current is sent on the calling subscriber removing his telephone from its hook; Figs. 16 and 17 show further modifications of the locking and unlocking device controlling the enumerator at the exchange and that at the calling subscribers instrument.

According to one plan of my invention, I will describe it as applied to one well known. form of subscribers instrument viz. the Ericsson table set where a magneto current is used for ringing up and a battery current is used for speaking. As however, there is in regard to exchange switchboards much diversity of electrical and mechanical principles and in the application of such principles to methods of construction and system of manipulation, I will confine myself to a reference to one general form viz. that where an indicator drops on a call being received, is restored on connection being made, and drops again on a ring oif being given. At the same time it must be distinctly understood that my invention does not intrinsically or essentially depend upon any one particular style of telephone as to either transmitter or receiver or on any one particular principle form, construction, or arrangement of switchboard or plan of connections or manner of operation, but that it is adaptable and can be adapted to other forms of telephone instrument than the one just above named, and to other plans of circuit than those herein described by making the necessary and corresponding switching, contact, and current arrangements. At the same time it must be noted that my invention has been devised with a view to adaptation to existing exchange plant and to the working conditions in such a way as to in sure a minimum of alteration of same involving time, labor or expense.

Briefly put, I employ the mechanical principle of a numbering or paging machine but in my case the pawl and detent with counter spring which moves and controls the ratchet wheel is worked by the action of an electromagnetic device which is included in the circuit at each telephone subscribers end with a corresponding numbering machine and electrical device also in the circuit of each such subscriber at the exchange, so that the exchange attendant whenever an effective call has been made can, by moving a switch, or the called up subscriber, on getting his connection, by taking his telephone off its hook can actuate both registers or in this description refer to corresponding letters and numerals in the accompanying drawings and in order to identify the parts all the better the same letters and numerals always apply in the same figure to the same parts.

VThe coils of the call hell are, by the weight of the telephone (through the switch in the bracket on which the telephone rests when not in use) normally connected to line ready to receive a ring up current. I arrange in the shunt portion of the ringing circuit (2'. e. that portion whereby, when a ring up current 1s sent, the bell at Such senders end is enabled to be cut out) a single arm switch a, Fig. 1, which forms part of such shunt circuit so that by its motion onto or off its contact stud a 00, it can close or open the said shunt circuit and must therefore of necessity be operated to close same when a ring up call or current has to be sent. In conjunction with this single switch arm, a, I provide a double arm, 6, which may be of any appropriate design say V or approximately U shape turning on a point at its vertex. Both switches, a and b, are mechanically connected by a bracing piece, 3, across. Both switches, as will be seen, turn about centers in the same line and therefore a motion imparted to b when a ring up is to be sent operates a also. )Vhen this motion is made by the calling subscriber, switch a makes contact with stud, a w, and the path is thus made for the magneto current to be sent; also arm 1 of switch I) makes contact with stud 0 and the path is thus made for the speaking circuit which splits through the enumerator coil, IV, and the switch restoring coil was (both coils can be of equal resistance) said speaking circuit being completed when the telephone is taken off its bracket and the latter assumes the position shown by thedotted lines, it being of course understood that the telephone apparatus proper 2'. e. transmitter, receiver, induction coil, etc. are included at some suitable point in the said speaking circuit such for instance as at point marked 23 the line in addition to going through the secondary of the induction coil going on both sides of the primary as well so as to afford a path of least resistance for the enumerating current; 2'. e. the connections can follow the present practice where, instead of, as in early days, the microphone being situated with a local battery in the primary and the receiver in the secondary or line, the connection of the primary with the secondary is merged one into the other and the microphone and the receiver are inserted in the known manner adopted with the common battery system. Further, as it is necessary that the battery power used for a microphone transmitter must be of small quantity and low voltage it will be seen that although the line circuit would be complete when speaking was proceeding the current then passing would in practice be quite insufficient to effectively energize the coils l and 1 7 Switch 5 is itself, or bearsin both its arms, 1, and 2, a conductor throughout and is part of the speaking circuit,'one terminal thereof going to the vertex and the other to the contact stud, 0, within thelimit of the travel of the arm, 1. Adjoining contact stud, c, (which corresponds to arm 1) is a second contact stud d (which corresponds to arm 2) and a wire connection in which the enumerator is inserted goes from one stud to the other, the object being two-fold, (1) that when the switch is in'the position shown at Fig. 1 which is the normal one for receiving a call the path for the speaking circuit (which is completed'by lifting the telephone off the bracket the. latter then assuming the position of the dotted lines as already referred to) cuts enumerator coil, and (2) that when the whole switch is operated by movingarm, 2, which takes it off contact stud (Z' and makes arm, 1, and switch a engage on their renormal or No. 1 position, the coil-VV being therebycut out and thus rendered incapable out the of being again operated from the exchange,

until the subscriber makes a-fresh call.

The travel of the arms 1 and 2, is regulated by a limiting stop, i, which also serves to limit the travel of switch a when moved itself by hand through the means of slot, 5, in the connecting cross piece, This latter device is to enable a path to be made for the ring off current from the magneto without otherwise "disturbing the switch, 7), and the circuits which depend thereon. After the ring off has been given switch a is turned back by hand. As these connections and de-,

vices may not'at first sight be readily comprehended I think it useful to recapitulate them by stating that the normal position for receiving a call with of course the telephone at rest on its bracket is for the combined switch, a and b, to be in the position as shown in Fig. 1,-that is, for switch a to be open and this means also that arm, 2, of switch 6, is closed on contact stud, (Z, with arm No; 1 open from contact with contact stud 0. This represents when a ring up is to be received that the path of the speaking current is thus made, in that the speaking circuit is now ready for completion by the fact of the telephone being taken from off the bracket upon which it rests when not in use. Seeing, as already described, that switch arm No. l is open and on contact stud, o, my electric enumerate-r is at this end out out of the speaking circuit, and therefore when a call is received as in the preceding example it does not work. When a call is to be sent, switch a must be turned over to make contact with its contact stud a This means that arm No. 2 of switch I) goes oit contact stud (Z and arm No. 1 comes on contact stud 0 thus bringing my electric enumerator into the speaking circuit ready to be operated from the exchange when the telephone is taken from oil its bracket for use. (As to this operation from the exchange my specification deals later on.) Switch a bears an armature which is worked by an electro-magnet w w in a local circuit in parallel with the enumerator on the line. One end of such local circuit connects with the vertex of switch 6 and the other end goes to the return line. Normally this armature is close up to the poles of the magnet this situation representing the switch to be in the position for receiving a ring up. But when it is desired to send a ring up (and for this purpose the combined switches a and Z) are moved over by hand to the sending position as already described) the armature is by the self-same movement pulled away from its magnet m 02. Then, however, an enumerating current is sent from the exchangeas I shall proceed to describe the same current energizes this magnet a? a; and the armature and the combined switches a and I) together with it are drawn over into the normal position without interfering with the speaking (except a momentary click be ing heard in the telephone) which may be 'then proceeding in the main circuit through arm No. 2 of switch 6 then in contact with its stud (Z. On arm, 2, of switch I) is an extension with an insulated contact device the construction and function of which I will describe later on.

I will now describe my invention in relation to the telephone exchange.

At the exchange connected with each subscribers circuit and call indicator is one of my electric enumerators with a separate switch for operating both it and the one at the subscribers end simultaneously and by the same current. In parallel with the line Z and Z I form in the exchange two local circuits 1 and f, Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Circuit 1 includes an electro-inagnet 1 which works an armature arranged on a pivoted switch arm m forming with its contact stud f the circuit 1. In this circuit f also is included an electro magnet 1 which works a pivoted armature 00 likewise acting as a switch. Also, situated opposite to magnet l and working the same armature (which is thus between the two) is a further electro-magnet 1 included in a separate and independent local circuit 9 one terminal of which is a contact stud g and the other is the switch arm m the two sides of the circuit coming down respectively on to the particular switch arm in a switch is which controls the current for working the enumerator in the exchange and also that at the subscribers end. This switch it is a compound device consisting of three arms all linked across so as to have an equal and simultaneous motion. These arms I designate as m, n and 0. The first (m) makes and breaks contact in the line or speaking circuit, the second makes and breaks contact in a circuit j (with a battery included) in parallel in the main line, and the third (0) makes and breaks contact (with a battery included) in the exchange local independent circuit g. Although these switch arms are mechanically linked together they are so disposed as re gards their spacing apart and their relationship to the contact studs of the circuits they control that their posit-ions are as follows when normal, or say in posit-ion No. 1: Switch 'm is on its stud and the main circuit is closed, switches a and 0 are off their respective studs and their circuits are open. WVhen this triple switch is operated by being moved into position No. 2 the reverse ensues, viz. switch on is oil its stud and the main circuit is broken while switches a and 0 are on their studs and their circuits are closed, the currents therein then pass respectively to the enumerator at the exchange and to that at the calling subscribers end. Working in immediate mechanical contact with this triple switch at the exchange is the electro-magnetic switch at which normally is closed when the triple switch is in position No. 1 so that the coil 1 is susceptible of being actuated by a current arriving simultaneously in the circuits 1 and This latter circuit f thus becomes automatically broken while the efiect of the said current has also been to operate coil 1* and pull over switch @29 so as to make the Path for the current to flow in the independent local circuit 9 when it is closed by switch arm 0 being moved on to its stud, when the triple switch is moved into position No. 2. This as will be seen allows the enumerator at the exchange and that at the calling subscribers end to be operated by that current which then flows in the only two effective circuits then closed, viz. the main line or speaking circuit and the independent local exchange circuit 9. The switch 11: is, however, automatically moved back to the normal position by the projection m overlapping the armature 00 and engaging therewith when the triple switch is depressed.

The electro-magnet-ic switch 00 is so placed as regards its construction and juxtaposition to the triple switch that when the latter moves into position No. 2 it also moves the switch 00 into the closed circuit position for the circuit f which it controls, but when 'the triple switch is returning to its normal or No. 1 position it does not further affect the position of switch 00 that, as already mentioned, can only be influenced by a current from the calling or sending end which then moves it over into the same position of normal or No. 1 of the triple switch ready to be again operated by hand as before. It must be noted that this triple switch and switch 02 are all arranged in combination on one lever key situated near the subscribers indicator 7) 011 the exchange general switchboard so as to be convenient for being operated by the attendant by one touch or downward depression of the hand with the usual spring attachment for self restoring. The current flowing in circuit g simultaneously with operating the enumerator energizes the electro-magnet l which attracts the armature m and thus breaks the circuit 9, and this circuit 9 (as already mentioned) can only be restored when the electro-magnet 1 receives a current in circuit which current effectively can alone come from the sending or calling subscribers end and this current in turn the calling subscriber sends automatically when he operates the switch a b at his instrument immediately preceding and essentially preparatory to his sending a ring up call to the exchange. I have used above the word effectively and what is meant is this, that when the triple switch is operated and a current flows through switch a into the main circuit and splits into the parallel circuit 1, nothing, in the sense of sending any current, happens to armature m (which is then up against the poles of electromagnet 1) but that by that movement of the hand it is pushed back on to its contact stud and thus makes again the path or circuit f ready for the next calling up current in the main line. The effective currents in circuits 1 and f sent by the calling subscriber I arranged for as fo-llows:-On arm No. 2 of switch 5, I form an extension with an insulated contact plate, g, at its extremity so insulated from the rest of the switch and in itself that on its outward travel when the combined switch a and b is being moved slides over two contact studs and bridges a 7 gap 3 in the main line (with a battery inserted) and thus completing the circuit a current is sent into line as already indicated. Then the combined switch a and b is pulled back into the normal by the enumerating current from the exchange the return travel of the plate Q opposes an insulated surface to the contact studs forming the gap above referred to without sendinga further current. I

I show in diagram form in Figs; 2, 3, 4 and 5, the devices, arrangements, and connections at the exchange, which I have described in detail, and which I may summarize as follows :Fig. 2 shows the normal or No. 1 position at the exchange for receiving a call. The arrows show the path of the current sent from the calling end by the contact plate 9 on subscribers switch a b.

Fig. 3 shows the effect ofthe current sent from the calling end by the contact plate q as described, the arrows here indicating the path of that current until same in circuit f is broken by motion of the armature switch 00 i Fig. 4 shows the triple switch ashaving been operated with the result that a battery current is sent into circuit 9 which works the enumerator e and also pulls the armature a back into its normal position as shown and also a battery current sent into the main line by the switch arm a in circuit, 1', to work the enumerator and switch a b at the calling end. The reverse motion of the triple switch is to that shown here (which latter is the position No. 2) gives again the normal position as shown at'No. 1.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative arrangement, which I prefer, of coils 1 and 1 and armature 00 In Fig. 6 I show in a side elevation one plan, which I prefer, of practically carrying into effect the device of the triple switch which I have indicated in diagram to illustrate the principle of its. construction and action. 7

Fig. 7 is a front view showing that when the lever key of which m is the finger piece is pressed down the contact levers m, n and 0 are depressed, as is also the armature lever switch key 00 by the projection 8 on 0, and by means of its overlapping piece 00 this key 512 in turn takeswith it the armature switch 00 and thus the contacts are made and broken and the various circuits affected and controlled as already described. In the case of a non-effective call, 2'. 6. when the exchange operator is unable to get the person called for and reports to the-calling subscriber to that effect, and no call has in that event to be registered, the lever key of armature switch a is pressed down by the operators hand and this by its projection 00 takes with it armature switch m which thus, without afiecting the enumeratoi's 'involved, restores the position guo ante ready for the next call. So that it will be seen that the restoration to the normal when an effective call has been made is accomplished by a depression of leverkey m and when a nonefiective call has been made the restoration to the normal is accomplished by a depression of lever key 711?. In regard to the function as already described of this lever key m I must now describe a further function of the armature switch m in connection with the ring up current sent from the calling end. It will be seen that if a subscriber can, by means of the arm a in his switch (Fig. 1) send a ring off current, he could equally send a ring up current in the same way without moving the double arm 1) whose function it is to send by the contact device 9 on arm 2 the battery current to the exchange which makes the path or circuit there (circuit 9', Fig. 3) which would enable the exchange enumerator to be worked should the call become an effective one. I therefore arrange on the end of armature switch 00 an extension m which can come through an opening in the switch board (like the keys m and 717. may do) and can be made to control the motion or action of a drop-shutter or glow lamp or other suitable form of indicator that a subscriber is calling the exchange. So that a subscriber would understand that unless he used his switch properly when making a call there would be no proper indication at the exchange of that call and he would therefore go without attention. At the same time the exchange operator would always have the means of seeing, by the condition of the indicator (whether drop-shutter, lamp, or what else) if the call had been properly made.

Iwill now proceed to illustrate further the action. of the triple switch at the exchange, and it must be borne in mind that the coils of this device must be wound with wire of low resistance so as to be incapable of effectually responding when a magneto ring up or ring off current of comparatively high tension is sent, although a coil so wound as to respond in such as the latter case could be placed as shown at 2 so as to enable a magneto ring ofi current to restore to normal a drop shutter, quench a lamp, or so otherwise actuate any other suitable device to indicate that the conversation is finished.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the normal position of armature m 2'. e. the position prior to a ring up. \Vhen the combined switch a b at the sending or calling end has been actuated the battery current sent into the line by the contact plate 9 energizes magnet 1 and attracts the armature at that end thus moving it ofi' magnet 2 and the enumerator circuit g is thus closed as already described. On the triple switch at the exchange being operated the depressing of the key m by means of the projection 8 on arm 0 pushes down arm a and the lug m thereon takes down 00 and thus moves it away from magnet l back on to magnet 2 thus breaking the circuit 9. Thus by the act of sending the registering current (in case of an effective call) or by the act of restoring to normal (in case of a non-eifective call) by depressing key m the armature on 00 would be put into the posit-ion shown at 2 Fig. 5, and a magneto ring off could not therefore in fluence that armature any further and therefore such a current would not move the armature m in such a way as to open the circuit of the enumerator e-that circuit can only be opened, as already explained, by the depression of key m or key m So that I wish to say, in further amplification of the preceding text, that what I mean is that a coil of fine wire could be used in parallel with circuit 7 at about the point shown to actuate a device to show that the conversation was ended. This could be a magneto ring off current without influencing magnet 1 which could be wound with thicker wire suitable for a battery current as stated and could be placed as shown at 2 but not neces sarily in connection with armature at 12 Fig. 6 shows in the manner somewhat of a side-elevation the triple switch in combination with the lever keys at the exchange at the normal or No. 1 position ready to receive a ring up call.

Fig. 9 shows the result of a ring up call. Fig. 10 shows the lever key m being operated with the result that the whole of the mechanical combination is brought into play, and on the key m being restored by the counter spring 8, key m key m and switch a? are left in position as shown at Fig. 6 ready for the next ring up.

Fig. 8 is a plan in diagram of the circuits and contacts connecting the triple switch with the line, and the exchange enumerator and the armatures m and a.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the triple switch m, n, and 0; 8 is the projection taking on to the lever key switch armature 00 and m is the extension thereon which controls the restoring of armature switch 58 a side elevation of which is shown at Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is part plan (looking from below) of the magnets 1 1, and l and the armature switches 00 and 00 the levers, m, n and 0 as indicated in Fig. 6 working in between the limbs of the coils and being situated above the armature switches and therefore not shown in this figure.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention is described as applicable to a local battery, magneto call system in which u a speaking key, a ringing key and enumerating or registering key and a cord circuit and plug for insertion in the jack of a calling subscriber are provided at the exchange for each subscriber.

Dealing in the second place with the sys tem wherein I describe the magneto current as used for ringing up to also unlock the calling subscribers enumerator at the exchange by allowing an armature which holds the registering key from being worked to become released, I prefer a modification in which I form the registering key m with less scope of action than indicated, and the locking armature may be arranged to have a side motion as shown in Fig. 16. This means that in Fig. 16 I show the locking armature working in a plane at right angles to the key m. In this latter arrangement on one side of the locking armature I place an electromagnet a a in the line Z and on the other side, a restoring magnet b b in a local circuit Z which is closed by the key m passing over two contact studs on its return to the normal; or r may be mechanically restored by a cam projection on m with an oblique action. The normal position is that at F ig. 16. On an unlocking current arriving from the calling end magnet a a is energized, armature switch 1 is pulled over and assumes the position shown by the dotted lines. This means that m is now left free to move in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 17. m represents the jack in the general switchboard so that on the insertion of the plug, key m is pushed back and is thereby operated and the registering currents are sent by the contacts as already indicated. On the withdrawal of the plug the spring, 8, makes the key assume its normal position, and in doing so it passes contact studs '0 '0 in the local circuit Z of coil 6 Z) and sends a current which pulls back the armature also to the normal and thus the key becomes automatically looked after each disconnection and remains so until unlocked by the next call in that subscribers circuit.

Should it be deemed convenient to locate each enumerator at the exchange in the immediate vicinity of its jack then in that event I provide as one important feature of my invention that it be fixed so as to be in immediate mechanical combination with the key m the motion of which in the jack by the thrust therein of the plug is utilized by means of the spur or tooth (or the like) on the key m at the point p as shown at Fig. 17 engaging with a corresponding detent and counter spring (not shown as it is well understood in connection with a ratchet movement) to impart the necessary motion to a toothed wheel of the exchange enumerator which is thus operated mechanically instead of electrically as contemplated in the idea of an enumerator located in a detached manner 2'. e. as not immediately by the jack but at say a short space therefrom or on. a separate board.

It will be obvious that the descriptions of circuits and their combinations with switches and corresponding contacts in relation to the application of my invention are very numerous and can be varied to an exceedingly great extent without however departing from what, I claim as the essential principle of my invention which? briefly stated is the simultaneous registration of a telephone call at the exchange and at the calling end, both being contributory parties thereto, or in any variation the calling subscriber to be always a party'thereto. For

example I show another modification of my invention in Figs. 12, 13 andil, which illustrates an arrangement where a magneto ring up on the part of a calling subscriber automatically brings that subscribers enumerator into the speaking circuit in which position, if the call becomes an effective one, it can be operated by the current sent from the exchange which current at the same time also automatically takes the enumerator out of the circuit so that it is impossible for it to be operated a second time for the same call. Fig. 12 shows,'in this arrangement, the normal position for ringing up (which is also that for receiving a ring up). Fig. 13 shows a ring up being given with the result that the armature switch p has been pulled over to coil cZ Z which thus makes a path for the circuit of the enumerator. Fig. 1 1 shows the position for speaking and the registration current having operated the enumerator and in doing so switched it out of fur- V ther action without however interfering with the speaking circuit. In this arrange ment the magneto current not only operates at the sending end as just described in relation to bringing into and taking out of action the enumerator but at the same time when a ring up current is sent it of course unlocks theenumerator at the exchange as already described. In this plan of circuit it will be evident that a ring off would produce the same effect as a ring up current 2'. 6. it would again bring in the enumerator which of course at this stage would not be required. I therefore provide an ordlnary single switch as shown at W Fig. 12 to send subscriber and with the act of registering on the part of the exchange. Thus an important object is gained viz. that after a ring up has been. given and while (presumably) being put through the risk is obviated of any tampering on the part of the subscriber with the enumerator with the iew to evade the call being registeredthereon.

The systems and arrangements described herein refer to the calling subscriber being a contributory party to the making of the register by having the control of unlocking his enumerators at his instrument and-at the exchange, but of course the principle of my invention could be applied to theconverse of this viz. where the operator at the exchange on receiving a ring-up in the ordinary way could have the unlocking control of the calling subscribers enumerators both at the exchange and at the calling end; or the subscriber may call the exchange and in doing so unlock his enumerator there and then the exchange in answering the call tov ask for number required may unlock the calling subscribers enumerator in readiness for action in case the call becomes eflective; but both these plans would be open to the objection that such would be altogether ex parte arrangements which could hardly be deemed satisfactory to the public in view of the possibility of their being made use of to the prejudice of the subscriber.

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 can be modified as illus. trated inFig. 15 so asto allow the act of the called up subscriber in taking his receiver off its hook to answer a call (when put through) to produce the register at the exchange and at the instrument of the calling up subscriber. In such a case therefore, as is obvious, the act of the exchange operator in this respect is omitted as also the arrangements as described at the exchange connected therewith. In Fig. 15 which illustrates the called subscribers instrument on the receiver being taken off after receiving a call I add a second arm p to the switch p bracing thetwo across as shown. Arm 20 goes to line Z at, its pivot and works on and off a contact stud 6, and makes and unmakes a path in a part circuit going to line l through contact stud p by which when the called up telephone is taken off its 100k and latter assumes position shown by the dotted lines a momentary current is sent which actuates the registering enumerator of the calling subscriber at the exchange and at the latters own instrument also, these enumerators having been put in circuit by the magneto ring-up as described with reference to Figs. 12, 13 and 14., the enumerator atthe called upsubscribers instrument being then out of circuit as shown in the figure. The connection between the two subscribers is made by the plug of the calling subscriber being inserted in the jack of registration for one effective call.

the called subscriber, the contacts therein being 50 arranged thatby the thrust in of the plug the exchange enumerator of the called subscriber is cut out but the main line circuit is maintained. In the case of a non-effective call the exchange reports it in the usual way and by sending a current into the line (the calling subscriber having re placed his receiver) it reaches the ringing part of that circuit and energizes coil 79 which pulls back the switch into the normal viz. ready to receive a call, which is the position shown.

The telephone hook as regards its relation to contact stud p is a one-Way switch only, 2'. 6. makes contact in passing to the position of the dotted line, but not on itsreturn.

As is so definitely stated in thisspecification the essence of my invention is briefly put, the simultaneous registering of a telephone call at the exchange and at the instrument of the calling subscriber in conditions which insure certainty of action and accuracy in result, and its application to any particular system of line arrangement or exchange switchboard must manifestly be a matter of devising the connections which would necessarily be involved as corresponding to any one case in point. Of course it is obvious that the enumerator may be omitted at either the subscribers end or at the exchange without interfering with the joint control of its operation being still retained by the contributory parties thereto, viz. the calling subscriber and the exchange, or the calling and called subscribers by intervention of exchange.

The ideal conditions to be fulfilled in order to secure an efficient working system of registering telephone calls with certainty of action and to the satisfaction of both the exchange and the subscriber would appear to be the following: 1. That the exchange, of course, should control the making of the register in the sense of alone having the power of actually producing it for itself at the exchange, and on the compliance with simple specified conditions on the part of the subscriber also producing it at the sub scribers end. 2. That the registration at both points viz: the exchange and the calling subscribers end should be done simultaneously and electrically at the time the call is made by the one act of the operator at the exchange. 3. That the calling subscriber should be a conscious contributory and essentially necessary party to producing the above duplex registration viz. both that for himself and that for the exchange. 4. That the registration in both cases a. e at the exchange and at the calling subscribers end should be capable of being made once only for one effective call, or stated negatively it should be impossible to make more than one 5. That the one act at the exchange of connecting the lines of the caller and the called, or that of the called subscriber, on getting his connection by the exchange, in taking his telephone off its hook, should automatically produce the register both at the exchange and at the calling subscribers end but that such act should not affect the register of the called subscriber, and that the act of disconnecting the lines at the exchange should automatically restore to their normal position the devices employed ready for acting when the next call comes. 6. That in the case of a non-effective call it should be impossible for any registration to be made, and that pending an effective call there should be the freest facility for conversation between the exchange and the caller on the one hand and between the exchange and the called on the other hand without it being possible to produce any registration.

My present invention provides a system and a means for complying with the foregoing, as it will be seen that it is based upon what I consider the fundamentally necessary condition that there must be two parties contributory to the making of the record.

The enumerators both at the exchange and at the subscribers end can be locked and may be sealed in somewhat the same way as electric meters are sealed, the exchange and the subscriber having each others key as a mutual guarantee against tampering. In each case they start from zero and may be arranged to run for so many days or months or up to a certain number, and the figures on both, which can always be ascertained by mere inspection, should exactly coincide.

The attendant having once registered the call in the way described cannot either wilfully or in error make a duplicate register for the one call as far as the senders enumerator is concerned at the sending end, and if the enumerating switch at the exchange is operated either by accident or design more than once for one call, then the enumerator at the exchange shows it but that at the senders end does not, and by this means the sender has the complete satisfaction of knowing that the number of calls shown on his register is absolutely reliable.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls comprising in combination an enumerator for each subscriber at the subscribers instrument and at the exchange, electromagnetic means operating said enumerator, a device operated by the subscriber to put said electromagnetic means in circuit by an action necessitated in ring ing up the exchange and electromagnetic means adapted to out said enumerator out of the circuit immediately an enumerator actuating current is sent, as and for the purposes described.

2. Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls, comprising in combination, an enumerator for each subscriber at the subscribers instrument and at the ex-'' change, electromagnetic means operating said enumerator, a circuit including said electromagnetic means and a source of current; a break in said circuit, means operated by the subscriber in making a call said means closing said break in said circuit,

exchange, electromagnetic means operating said enumerators, a circuit including said electromagnetic means and a source of current, a make and break in said circuit, means necessarily operated by the subscriber in making .a call before said circuit can be made, and means by which the enumerator actuating current breaks said circuit, as and for the purposes described. 7

4. Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls, comprising in combination, enumerators for each subscriber one at the subscribers instrument and one at the exchange, electromagnetic means operating said enumerators,a circuit including said electromagnetic means and a source of current, a breakin said circuit, means operated by the subscriber in making a call said means closing said break in said circuit, means adapted to complete said circuit, and means in said circuit adapted to break said circuit on the passage of an eniunerating current.

5. Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls, comprising in combination, an enumerator for each subscriber, electromagnetic means operating said enumerator, a circuit including said electromag netic means and a source of current; a key in said circuit, means operated by the subscriber to make contact at said key in mak-' ing a call, an electromagnet in said'circuit adapted to operate said key to break contact, and meansdistant from the subscribers instrument adapted to complete said circuit, as and for the purposes described. 7

6. Ap aratus for registering the number of telep one calls, comprising in combina- 7 tion, enumerators for each subscriber one at the subscribers instrument and one at the exchange, electromagnetic means operating said enumerators, a circuit including said electromagnetic means and a source of current, a key in said circuit, means-operatedby the subscriber to make contact at said break contact, and means distant from the subscribers instrument adapted to complete said circuit, as and for the purposes described.

7 Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls, comprising in combination, an enumerator for each subscriber at the'subscribers instrument and at the exchange, electromagnetic means operatin said enumerator, a circuit including said electromagnetic means, a switch normally open in said circuit, means for closing said switch when a call is made by the subscriber, a source of current means for closing said circuit through sai'c electromagnetic means and said source of current, and means whereby said current opens said switch.

8. Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls, comprising in combination, an enumerator for each subscriber at the exchange, electromagnetic means operating said enumerator, a circuit including said electromagnetic means, a switch normally open in said circuit, means for closing said switch when a call is made by the subscriber, a source of current, means for closing said circuit through said electromagnetic means and said source of current, and means whereby said current opens said switch.

9. A telephone system; comprising in combination; an enumerator for. each subscriber; a double armed switch; a connection from the common terminal of said switch through the subscribers telephone instrument to the line wire; contacts cooperating with said double armedswitch, one of said contacts being connected directly to the second line wire and the other of said contacts being connected through said enumerato-r to said second line wire, a single switch movable through and by said double armed switch, a circuit in parallel with the line and including a magneto adapted to be closed by said single switch, and an electromagnet in parallel with said enumerator adapted to operate said switches and break the circuit through said enumerator, as set forth.

10. Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls, comprising in combination, a circuit normally closed through the subscribers bell coils, a shunt circuit passing through a ringing-up switch, an enumerator for each subscriber at the subscribers station and at the exchange adapted to be placed in circuit on the line when said switch is operated, and a circuit including an electromagnet, adapted to cut said enumerator out of circuit when an enumerating current passes, as set forth.

11. Apparatus for registering the number of telephone calls,ccomprising in combina tion, enumerators for each subscriber at the subscribers instrument and at the exchange, circuits including said enumerators and a source of current, switches in said circuits, means for closing said switches by a ring up current, and means for opening said switches by the enumerating current, as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL DICKINSON WILLIAMS.

Witnessesi S. NASH, H. D. JAMEsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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