US1359913A - Measured service telephone system - Google Patents

Description

W. W. OWEN. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHGNE SYSTEM.

1,359,913 APPLICATION HLED HAY ll, l9". Nov 23. SHEETS-SHEET I.

fmranlar w. w. OWEN. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION mm MAY II. 1911. 1,359,913, 7 Patented NOV. 23, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wm m "I W. W. OWEN. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY II 191'. 1,359,913 Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEEI 3. 1:

. ,Invenlar 7% W. W. OWEN. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYS TEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY H. 19H- Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

unrrso STATES'PATENT orrics.

WILLIAM W. OWEN, OF ELG-IN. ILLINOIS, ABSIGNOB TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

7 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM Wsurnn OWEN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Elgin, county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Measured-Service Telephone Systems, pf

ticular reference to measured servicejje uip ment for use in'operating a subscf'i ers meter.

automatic means r accurately registering long distance connections on a subscribers meter when connection is established between subscribers in exchanges which lie some distance apart and which connection must be extended through a number of intervening exchanges, whereby the subscriber may be charged according to the distance over which he extends the call, and the use of a supervising operator may be dispensed .with.

These and other objects of. my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated oneembodiment of my invention in connection with automatic switches of well known type and construction.[ But I wish it tobe understood that my invention maybe used in connection with any well known ty e of switches.

In Figures 1, 2, 3 an 41 have shown a pair of subscribers A and A connected for conversation through a line switch C, selec- ,tor E, and selector-repeater F of a first ex change (Figs-1 and 2); throu'gh an incoming 4'0 selector E'a-ndfa selectoI-"repeater'F' of a second or intervening exchange-(Figs 3) and through incoming selector 2 and a connector switch of a third exchange (Fig. 4).

45 Fig.:5, stews another arrangement which may be used to control the rigister-control ling device and will be ex laiued later.

Althou lithe elimination-of t e operator in establis ing local calls in on exchange and 5p charging therefor has been made possible by the use of automatic switches and equipment it has become very, necessary to I provide some 'means whereby a subscr ber may call either another subscriber "in his own exchange 'or city or a subscriber in another Specification 0! Letters Patent.

More specifically my invention relates to y gress through any number of intervening tery type and comprises the; trahsmitter 2,

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

Application filed l iay 11, 1817. Serial No. 167,862.

town or city without having to first call an operator. Some means must therefore be provided for automatically registering upon the calling subscribers meter the proper charge which is to be various length of trunk lines.

-My invention is particularly adapted for use in a community where a number :of "towns or cities are closely associated and where the subscribers desire to call between cities quite frequently.

In order to accomplish this result I have provided a register controlling mechanism or each outgoing'switch in an exchange,

and which is operated in a step by step manher during the progress of the call through exchanges, and then released by the response of the called subscriber to send back a number of impulses to the calling subscribers long distance meter J. trunk line coming into an exchange is provided with a device, which, when the trunk line is seized, sends a number of impulses back to operate the register controlling mechanism of the outgoin exchange in which the cal originated ac cording to the ion th of this trunk line. It will be seen there ore that a call may proexchanges, the trunk lines between whic may be of various lengths and eachof which ma require a number of digits, and that eac time the call extends to another exchange a number of impulses, according line to this exchange w: I be transmitted to the register to the len th of the trun controller, which will store up these im-v pulsesand return them to the subscribers f meter when thecalled, for: subscriber an-' s wers. Although I have shown two meters in this case, one-for local calls and another -for ion distance calls it may be readily seen that one meter only could be us namely meter J, and a connector of well known type.) such as is shown'in U. S. Patent. No. 1.278.282, granted September 10, 1918, to Yanochowski .& Hershey, used to send back an impulse over a simplex circuit when the calledsubscriber answers so that the meter would be'operated once for local calls' and a numberof times for long distance calls.

Referring now to Fi L f'tbe substation A may be of any well own common batmade for calls over 60 Each incoming 75 switch of the so recei er 3. calling device 4. controllin the relay +2. back bridge relay 43'. busy relay impuisc springs 5 and 1', switch hook for 45. SPI'WS. relay 4%. private control relay ll).

controlling the usual switch hook springs to disconnect the ringer 8 and condenser 9 and to connect tlu transmitter and receiver, in series with the impulse springs, across the line conductors 10 and 11 leading to the central otfice. In addition to this customary equipment. 1 have also provided a. meter J which is, connected to the mid point of a bridge which' is normally connected across the line conductors 1G and llthrough the springs 12 and 13 and 14 and 15, and which are opened to disconnect said bridge while a the calling device is bcin operated.

T he line switch C in w iich the line condoctors 10 and 11 terminate is similar in all respects tothat shown in British Patent 21:12.98 of lfillland comprises atnong other details a plunger (not shown) attached to the end of a so called plunger arm 16, which i ntillll'olltld by a magnet 17. to force into omm-t. in pairs, a bank of contact springs 1K to 25 inclusive. to thereby extend the line conductors 10 and ll to a trunk line leading to a Selector switch E.

The master switch I), for controlling the groupcf line switches similar to line switch C. is alsov similar to the master switch shown in the above, mentioned patent and need not be further described.

The selector switch E (Fig. 1) is similar in construction to that shown in United tates Letters Patent #815,321. granted March 13, 1906, to Keith. Erickson and Erickson. except that the side switch has been omitted and the circuits somewhat modified to adapt it to the modern two-wire system of operation. It comprises among other details, a line relay 27, release relay 28. bridge cut-off relay 29, series relay 30, rotary interrupter relay 31. vertical and rotary magnets 33 and 32, and release magnet 34. that is slow to dei nergize when their energizin circuits are broken, and control the switc ing over from the vertical to the rotary magnet. The line relay 2? controls the vertical'and rotary magnets 33 and 32 to raise the shaft wipers 3,5. 36 and 37 to some level of the banks and to rotate them into engagement with a pair of contacts in said levelwhich lead to an idle selector repeater F Fig. 2).

he selector repeater .1 is similar in construction to that shown in ap ilication Serial #'5,985 of Talbot (l. lttl'tlll 1.fil8(l Uctober21st. 1911, now Patent No. 1,312,:3o8,

' Aug. fil -.1919, with the addition of a regisamong ot er details a line relay 41, release The relays 28 andBt) are slow acting."

rotary interrupter relay-ti. private magnet 48, and a pair ol slow acting auxiliary rc lays 3H and .31 The line relay ll opcrates in response lo ilnpulses to first control the vertical and rotary magnets 52 and .33 to raise the wipers (34 to (37 inclusive. to some level of the banks and to then rotate them into connection with a set of contacts sinii lar to Uh to 71 inclusive, the contacts on and 69 of which are connected to a trunk limleadiing to an incoming selector t." another exchange. The release magnet 54 is also provided for restoring the switch to normal after it has been operated. It will be noticed that this repeater I" has four wipers (H- to (57 inclusive. The line wipers 6-1. and 6:) are the only ones however which have connection leading beyond the switch. the

wipers U6 and (37 being used for selecting idle trunks in a sub-group. the trunk lines oi each group or level. being divided into such subgroups and the contacts 73 and 74 which are assui'ncd to be the last of a subgroup being connected together, so that, as explained in the application above rcferred to, the-wipers will rotate automatically over busy trunks of a sub-group until the last one is reached. when they will stop wict this trunk is idle or busy. and if busy. return a busy signal to the calling subscriber.

Each selector repeater is also provided with a register controlling mechanism ll,-

rcom irising a ratchet wheel (51 rigid on a shaft. which is adapted to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by means or a stepping magnet (it). A cam wheel (32 is loosely mounted on the shaft so that when the ratchet is first operated the cam wheel remains stationary, but when the ratchet is released from its advanced position by the encrgization of release magnet 59. it is then rotated in a clockwise direction with the ratchet wheel by'means of the dog 63, and the clock spring not shown. Thestepping magnet (30. is operated by impulses from special relays in another exchange over a simplex circuit. including the two trunk condoctors leading to theother exchange in parallel and through the windings of the polarized back bridge relay 43, while the release magnet 59 is controlled over a local" pcater is seized by an incoming selector and;

operates to repeat the in ulses' over the simplex circuit to the prece in'g exchanged" Associated, with the trunk line 86 and 87 which leads to an incoming selector in 1-.

selector energizes and closes a bridge, the

middle point of which is connected to battery, across the trunk conductors 86 and 87, a circuit is also closed by the relay 84 the bridge cut-oil relay 77 w mechanism R as soon for the relay 8:) which disconnects the relay 84 and locks itself up througli: a contact of on the bridge cut-ofi relay energizes these two relays are disconnected from their'ccntrolling re ays.

The selector switch i 3) is similar to the selector E (F' '.-1).av'i the exception of the magnet-75, vihich is legged oil from the release trunk to increase the current flowing thereover to the'ne xt switch for purposes which will be explained. The selector repeater F'-'(Fig. 8) is exactly similar to the selector repeater F (Fig.2). The selector E 4) is exactl similar to the selector E. 2). It wil be noticed that another set of relays similar to the relays 84 and 85 (Fig. 3) are associated withthe trunk leading'to selector E except that in this case the trunk line is assumed to be double the length of trunk line 86 and 87 and therefore another relay is added so that two impulses of current are returned to the as this trunk is seized. The connector switch H (Fig. 4) is similar in constructiontp that shown in U. S. Lettors Patent 1- 815,176 granted March 13, 1996 to Keitln' 'ckson and Erickson, except that the circuitsjiave been somewhat modified l4) adapt it to the modern twoswire system'oi operation. t t

Thefigflled substation A and its'associated'jane switch. C are similar in all re spects tocthe calling station A and line line switch C from 21, con uctor 11, substation switch 1). r

s apparatus involved I will now explain in detailhow a subscriber at substation A may obtaihjconnection with a subscriber at. substatio'h A, and how the proper charge for suchcall may be automatically changed on the calling subscribers meter. Upon theremoval of the receiver at the substation-A a circuit is closed by the hook switch for the line winding 25 of round G'- through iiprin'gs 120 and, y A, "conductor 10, springs 23 and 22, and winding flh ;.to,batlfi 'B. The winding 25, upon i'zing, c oses a circuit rom groundfiftmughsprings 20 and 20,, pullin winding ,ihnd auxiliary winding 26 to battery B. I: windingflll upon energizing, attr the plunger arm 16 ar d torces the plunfir (not stigma) mtcthmbankof a slow acting relay extends from groun number, the line relay 27 o trunk lines.

van a general description of the 'peater.

wiper 37, springs 96 and 97 and over the previously terminals before which it is held by the hand winding of meter J, springs 18 and 22, springs 89 and 88, and upper winding of relay 27 to battery R. The meter J does not operate at thistime as current flows in oposite directions in the two windings. The ine relay 27 upon energizing, closes a circuit from round G through springs 99 and 100 and re ay 28 to battery B. Relay 28 is and maintains a holding ground on the release trunk to hold the line switch C in operated osition. This circuit (i G through springs 102 and 103, s%rings 24 and 20 and winding 18 to battery When the calling device of the substation A is operated for the first di it of the called the selector E energizes and deiinergizes in response to the opening and closing of the line circuit by the springs 5 and 6. In response to this operation of the line relay the yertical magnet 33 is first operated to step the wipers 35, 36 and 37 to some level of the banks and the rotary magnet .32 is then brought into operation to automatically rotate said wipers into engagement with an idle set of contacts in this-level, in this case 38, 39 and 40, which lead to a selector repeater F which is used in outgoing calls and has access to outgoing As soon as the wipers come to rest on an idle trunk, the relay 29, which is short circuited during the rotation over busy trunks by a ground potential on'the private contacts, energizes to disconnect the operating magnets of the selector from the trunk conductors and to extend the connection to the conductors leading to said selector re- The circuit for the cut-oil relay 29 extends from ground 'G through s rings 102 and'lOi-l, relay 29, interruptens rings 104 of the rotary magnet, oil-normal: springs 105, and relay 31 to battery B. The-relay 29 is of sufficiently high resistance to prevent enough current flowing over this circuit to operate the relay 31.

As soon asthe relay 29 energizes a circuit isclosedior the line re'lay 41 of the selector from repeater F1 (Fig. 2) which extends of regroundG through the lower winding traced circuit to and through thesubstatiorrA and back over the, other side of the line through springs 89 and 90, wiper flficontact '38, springs and 109, and

springs 106 and 107, contaiTlO,

through the u )per winding of relay 41 to battery B". ielay 41. upon energizing, closes a circuit from ground G" through springs 1-12and 113. and through relay 42 to battery ll. Relay 42 energizes over the above circuit and prepares a circuit for the vertical magnet and alo supplies a holding ground to the magnet 29 and winding 18 of the switches l) and This holding circuit extends from ground (-1 through springs 115. relar 51. contact 39, wiper 36,-springs 92- and 13. relav 29. and throu h the relay 31 to battery B. A branch of this circuit extends through springs 24 and 20 and holdingnvinding 18 to battery B. The relay 51 of selectorrepeater l is a marginal relay and does not energize over this circuit.

l pon the calling device at the substation heing opcrated for the next digit. the line relay 41 of the selector repeater F operates in response thereto to control the circuit of the vertical magnet to step the wipers ill. (35. (S6 and 67 to some. level of the banks in which a certain group of contacts lead to incoming selectors of another exchange. The circuit of the vertical magnet extends from ground G through springs 112 and 11-1, springs 116 and 117. relay 14. vertical magnet and side switch wiper 58 to battery B. Relay 41 energizes and remains energized during the operation of the relay -11 and closest! circuit for the private mag net 48 from. ground (i through'springs 11'.) and 121) and private magnet 48 to battery ll.' \Vhenathe relay 1% decnergizes after this series itimpulses cease the circuit of the privatlltnagnet. opened and said magnet deenergizes' to allow the side switch to )tlSH from first I to. second position. The liattery B is thereupon switched from the vertical to the rotary magnet so that when the calling device is operated for the next digit the rotarymagnet isoperated' by the line relay 41 and operates to rotate the wipers (l4. 6:). 66' and 67 into connection with the first v set of contactsot the desired sub group of trunks leading tothe desired exchange and to then automatically rc te' said wipers into connection with an idle set oi contacts in said sub group. As soon as the impulses for this third digit cea-sep the slow relay 4%, which was also energized in series with the rotary magnet, deenergizes and allows tlul private magnet to the energizev and trip t 1e side awitchto third position. The side switch wi my 56 upon passing to third position exten s a guarding potential via the private wiper to the multi has of the private contacts in the banks 7 trunk. The side sivitch wiper 57 on passing to third position closes a bridge across the trunk 43 011611050123236 and 87 which includes the windings of t 'polarized hack bridge relay thereby iroviding an energizing all switches which have access to this circuit for the line relay 76 of the selector E (Fig. 3) which extends from ground G" through the lower winding of relay 76. springs 122 and 123. trunk conductor 87, contact 69, wi er 65, side switch wiper 57. back bridge re ay 43, springs 166 of line re-. lay 11, wipr 64. contact 68. trunk-conductor 86, springs 124 and 125, and upper winding of relay 76 to battery B The current in this circuit is not in the proper direction to energize the polarized hack bridge relay 43.

It is not thought necessary to further explain the operation of the selector repeater F as its operation is fully explained in said application #655385.

I'pon the line relay 7(5 energizing a circuit is closed. from ground 6" through springs 126 and 127 and relay T8 to battcrv 1%. Relay 7?. upon energizing. prepares the circuit for the vertical magnet as usual and also closes a circuit from ground G" through springs 128 and 129, springs 130v and 131. springs 132 and 133 and relay 81 to battery 13. Relay 81 upon energizing, operates to deliver an impulse of current over a simplex circuit to the: stepping magnet 60 of the register controlling mechanism. This simplex circuit extends from hatterv B. through the windings 142 and 143 iii par allel. trunk conductors 8G and 87 in parallel and windings of back bridge relay 43 in parallel. resistance 14}, springs llfifsprings H6. and magnet 60 to ground (11. The relay 84 also closes a circuit from ground G through springs 138 and 139. relay 85. and springs 14? amid-18 to battery B The relay H5 in turn energizes and opens the circuit of relay 81 and locks itself to ground G through springs 110 and 141. It will be seen therefore that only a mhlnentarv impulse is transmitted to the magnet (ill over the simplex circuit. The magnet (jtloperates in response to this impulse to attract its armature and step the ratchet wheel 61 one step in a counter clock wise direction where it is held by the armature of release magnet 59 which normally rests in en agement with the teeth of said ratchet. he cam wheel (32 being loosely mounted upon the same shaft with the ratchet does not move at this time.

When the calling device is operated for the next digit of the called number, the line relay 41 is operated in the same manner as for the preceding digit, but in this oas'e, ther gized to remove the impedance of the. ack

bridge relay 43 from the impnlsing'cirquih The line 'reley 761s therefore operated to false the wipers 149; 150 andlfil to some said wipers into connection with some trunk.

level of the banks, whereupon the rotary magnet is automatically operated to rotate line leadingto a selector repeater which has access to outgoing, trunks from this ear-- I change inthis case the selector repeater F. The operation of the selector E is like that ziplained in connection with selector E 1g. 1). As soon as the wipers 149, 150 and 151 come to rest on the contacts 151: i

' 153 and 154 the cut-off relay 77 is energize in the manner explained in connection with relay 29 of switch E and operates to disconnect the magnets from the trunk conductors and to extend the connection to the seized selector repeater. Relay 7 7 also opens the locking circult for the relay 85 and also the initial energizing circuit for the relay 84 at the springs 14? and 148 and 130 and 131 so that said relays return to normal position. As soon as relay 77 energizes a circuit is closed for the line relay 155 of the selector repeater F which extends from ground G through the lower winding of relay 155, springs 162 and 165, contact 153, wiper 150, springs 164 and 123, conductor 87, contact 69, wiper 65, side switch wiper 57, windings of relay 43, springs 166, wiper 64, contact 68, trunk conductor 86, springs 124 and 163, wiper 149, contact 152, springs 158 and 160, and u )er winding of relay 155 to battery B". he line relay 155, upon energizing, closes a circuit for the slow acting release relay 156 extending from ground Gr through springs 168 and 167 and relay 156 to battery B. The relay 156 energizes over this circuit and operates to open the circuit for the release magnet and to prepare'the circuit of the vertical magnet 170.' A circuit is also closed by the relay 156 for supplying a holding ground to the cutoff relay 77 of the selector J and which ground also makes the selector :repeater'busy to other selectors. This circuit extends from ground G through springs 179 and 180, relay 178, contact 154, wiper 151, springs 181 and 182 and through relays 77 and 80 in parallel with the resistance 7 to battery. The comparatively low resistance of the. magnet 75 allows sullicient current to flow over 'the above circuit to energize the relay 178 of the selector repeater F. It may be here noted that all incoming selectors. that is switches which are accessible to other can changes, are provided with a' resistance similar to 75. The purpose of this resistance being to cut, oil the resistor controller of a selector repeater when it is used for a through call, as only the register control mechanism of the outgoing switch in the originating enchange is used, so that no matter how many exchanges the call may pass through, only one controlling mechanism will be used. The relay 178 of the selector repeater, upon energizing over thiscircuit,

ter controlling mechanism R and to sub stitute the relay 176 in the simplex circuit in place of the stepping magnet for pur poses which will be explained,

When the calling device is operated for the next digit of the called number, the circuit of the line relay 41 is again broken a number of times and, upon each deenergization operates to separate the springs 166 and to thereby-open the bridge across the trunk conductors 86 and 87, which operation results in the operation of the line relay 15!) ot the selector re ater F (Fig. 3) in accordance with sai digit to raise the wi are 183, 184, 185 and 186 to some level of t e banks in a manner'well known. The slow acting relay 173 of the selector repeater F is connected in series with the vertical magnet and remains energized during the entire .operation of said magnet. In its operated osi' tion relay 173 closes a circuit for the private magnet 17 2 from ground G throu h springs 191 and 192 and private magnet 1 2 to battery B. As soon as the impulses for the vertical magnet cease the relay 1T8 deiinergizes and opens the circuit of the rivate magnet 172 whereby the side switch is tripped to second position. When the call ing device is operated for the next digit the line relay '41 of selector, repeater F is again operated to repeat a series of impulses to the line relay 155 of selector re ater F, which in this case (the side switc being in second position) control the rotary magnet 1T1 .to rotate the wi are 183, 184, 185 and 186 into connection wit the first trunk line of a sub group which leads to the selector switches of a desired exchange, whereupon the wipers are automatically rotated to an idle one of said trunk lines through the medium of relays 194 and 195. In case all the trunk lines of a desired group of trunks are I busy the wipers will come to rest upon 'the last trunk line thereof and the calling subscriber will be given a busy signal through the medium of relay 193, which is controlled over the fourth wiper 186. As soon as the wipers come to rest on the contacts 187 and 188, the side switch is permitted to pass to a third position. The side switch wiper 196 extends a guarding ground from ground G" sta rtcd.

3 mums hridgereIay 157, springs 198, wiper 183,0011- tact 1H7. trunk cmuluctor 199. springs 209 and 210, and upper winding of relay 201 to battery ii. The current In this circuit is not in the proper direction to energize the polarized back bridge relay 157 but the line relay 2 of the selector energizes and closes a circuit for relay 202 from ground G" through springs 211 and 212 and through said relay 202 to battery B.

i As soon as the slow acting relay 202 energizcs a starting circuit is closed for the special impulsing relays 213, 214 and 215 in the same way that the relays H4 and 85 associated with the trunk 86 and 87. were This circuit extends from ground (1 through springs 203 and 204, springs 20:: and206, springs 22H. springs 210 and 211', and relay 215 to battery 13"". The relay 215 isenergized over this circuit and operatestomonnect a bridge consisting of resistances 218 and 219 which are connected together to, battery B at the mid point. across the trunk conductors 199 and 200-, through the springs 220 and 221. The springs 222 also engage at this time and close a circuit from the ground (1 through springs 222. s irings 223, and rcla 214 to battery 13". he relay 211 on energizing opens the springs 21? and 210 first and then closes springs 224 and 225. The opening of the springs 217 dci ncrgizc thc relay 21.) which opens the l'iridgc across the conductors 199 and 200 and the closure of springs 221- and 22:") again closes said bridge across said i ondurtors. The springs 221'. closed by the operation of relay 214. close the circuit of slow acting relay 213 i'rom ground (1 through si n-ings lziti relay 213. and springs 227 to hatteryyll". The relay 213. upon energizingfloc (s itscli' to ground 23 through springs 229 and opcns the circuits of relays 217i and 214 at springs 22R and 223. rcspcctivelyi It willbc seen therefore that during the operation of thcsej'rcla'ys. two impulses oi currc nt have been transmitted back over a simplex circuit to the preceding exchange. In this case the trunlrline 199 and 200 is assumed to he double the length of the trunk line 86 and 87, therefore requiring double the rate ol charge. The impulses above. mentioned pass -1rom battery 13" through the windings 21S and 219 in parallel; springs 220 and 221. or 221 and 225. trunk conductors 199 and 200 in parallel, and through the windings cl tho back hridgerelay 157 in parallel through the resistance 230, springs 231, and rcla 170 to ground (1. It willihc remembered that when the. relays 84 and R5 of the trunk 86 ant-l 87 were energized the impulses were repeated hack over the simplex circuit to the stop )ing magnet of the register contrtillcr. In this case, however, the relay 176 is encrgized twice by said impulses and in turn traced circuit. 'lbc limrelay operates to close a bridge across the trunk conductors leading back to the preceding exchange, whereby the impulses from battery I allel through the stepping magnet to ground (1". The magnet (i0 energizes twice over this circuit and operates to step the ratchet wheel 131 two more steps.

When the calling device is operated for the next digit the impuls s are repeated first by the linc relay -11 of selector repeater F to the line relay 155 of sele tor repeater F and then repeated to the line relay 201 of the selector E (Fig. 4). The relay 201 operates in response to this series of impulses to (first raise the wipers 238, 239 and 249 opposite some level of the banks, at which time said wipers are automatically rotated into connection with thc contacts 241, 242 v ating magnets of the switch and the special relays 213. 214 and 21:: and to extend the connection through to the connector switch 11. l'pon this extension of the connection a circuit is closed for the line relay 245 of the connector switch 11 which extends from ground (1 through the lower winding of said relay. springs 247 and 248, contact 242, WlPKF Q iU. springs 25] and 209, conductor 200, contact 188, wiper 184. side switch wiper 197. relay 157. springs 198, wiper-183, contact 1H7. conductor 199. springs 299 and 252, wiper 2314, contact 241 aiulthrough springs 2-19 and 250 and n iper winding of relay 245 to battery Ti. he current is still in the, wrong direction tooperate relay 157, but ]'tlt1 \"245 0119I'Ili(S over this circuit and closes a circuit for relay.2-16 from ground (l'-- through springs 252 and relay 246 to battery 1i. Relay 248 in turn energizes and 1 5 in turn. by means of springs 19'8, repeats said impulses to the line relay 245 of connector switch H (Fig; 4) over the previously 245 in response to the first of said digits operates to raise the .wipers 255. 256 and 257 through the medium of the vertical magnet 253 to some level of the banks and in response to the last digit to rotate the wipers by means of the rotary magnet 261 into connection with the contacts 258, 259 and 260 which are connected to the desired line.

Assuming the called line to be idle, the side switch will immediately pass to third position u n the cessation of said impulses and the ca led subscribers bell will be operated by the current from the generator I, which is applied to the called line intermittently through the medium of the ringin relay 262 and interrupter 263. The site switch wiper 264 upon reaching third position, closes a circuit for the ho'ldlng or cut of? winding 2650f the line switch C which operates to disconnect said line switch from the called line. Ground is also supplied through said side switch wiper to the relay 266 which connects the trunk connection through to the called subscribers line.

The called subscriber upon removing his receiver in response to the signal, closes a circuit for the back bridge relay 267 as follows: from ground (i through the lower winding of relay 267, springs 268, springs 270, wiper 256, contact 259, substation A, springs 271 which were closed by the energization of the cut off winding 265. contact 258, wiper 255, springs 272, springs 273 and upper winding of relay 267 to battery B. '1 1e back bridge relay 267, upon energizing over this circuit, 0 crates to close the circuit of the ring out ofl relay 269 and to reverse the connections of-the line relay 245 to the trunk conductors in a well known manner. The relay 269 energizes and opens the circuit of the ringing relay 262, and locks itself to ground at the off normal springs.

or his reversal of the connections of line relay 245 to the trunk conductors. reverses the flow of current in the previously traced circuit includin said line relay 245 and the back bridge re ay 157 of the selector reoeater F. The back bridge relay, which has up to, this time remained in normal po sition, energizes in response to this reversal of current and operates to in turn reverse the current in the trunk conductors back toward the calling man. Relay 157 also closes a circuit for the relay 174 at one point which has no effect at this time, due to the fact that relay 178 is energized and hlds sa d circuit open at another point. This con d reversal of current in the trunk conductors 86 and 87 causes the back bridge relay 43 to energize in the same manner as relay 1 7. to in turn reverse the current back to the calling line to operatethe local call meter J. which is 0 rated once only or each call, and also c sies a circuit from ground G through springs 274, springs 275, and release magnet 59 of the register controller R to battery B. It will be remembered that reregister controller.

lay 51 of selector repeater F was not energized and therefore springs 275 will remain closed. The release magnet 59, upon energizing, withdraws its armature from the teeth of ratchet wheel 61 and allows said ratchet to be returned to normal by the clock s ring. This call having progressed throu litwo exchanges, thereby usin two long istance trunk lines, one of doub e the length uired for a unit of charge, the ratchet w eel has therefore been operated three times or three steps and upon returning to normal will carry the cam wheel 62 three steps in a clockwise direction. thereby forcing the springs 276 and 277 and 278 and 279 into contact three times momentarily. The result of this operation is to connect a bridge including the windings 280 and 281. which are connected to batter at the mid point. across the conductors lea ing to the calling substation. The meter J is thereby operated three steps by the impulses from battery B" through windin 280 and 281 in parallel. springs 279 and 2 8 and 277 and 276 in parallel. springs 282 and 283 in parallel. and over the trunk and line conductors in parallel to the substation A, springs 12 and 13 and 14 and 15 in parallel, and windings 281 and 285 in parallel Ehrough the winding of meter J to ground 'hen conversation is finished the connection is released by the calling man in the usual manner. Let us assume that a call is set up andthe called subscriber fails to answer. In this case the register controller R will have been stepped around a number of steps. The relay 49 is provided, so that, when the release magnet 54 of the selector repeater is energized,a circuit will be closed for the relay 49, which operates to close a circuit for the release magnet 59 of the mechanism R and to also 0 n the simplex circuit which is controlled by said mechanism at the springs 282 and 283. It will there- ,fore be seen that in an uncom leted, or unwill. be I?- answered call the mechanism turned to normal without operating;the subscribers meter.

In case the called line is found to be busy the usual-bus signal is returned to the calling subscriber andthe connection is re leased in the above.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification ofplex circuit to the stepping magnet "of; the This switch comprises a pair of wipers 286 and 287 whose functionris to deliver impulses over a simplex circuit by or relays 213., 214 and 215, to repeat the impulses over dreams same manner as described opening and closing a bridge, comprising 7 the windings 289 and 290 connected to batisq tery B" at the mid pointi'across atrunk line.

The third wiper 288' is'provid'ed for energizing the motor magnet 291 to rotate the three wipers in a step by step manner. The springs 292 may be controlled b the release relay of a-selector similar tore ay. 78 of se' lector E (Fig. 3), and will operate to close an initial energizing circuit for the motor magnet 291, after which the wiper 288 will maintain said circuit closed until the wipers have reached normal position. Any number of the contacts over which wipers 286 and 287 rotate may be connected together to give any' number of impulses.

t will be, seen therefore that I have provided a very eiii'cient and flexible method of charging automatically for long distance calls, and that no matter how many exchanges a call may pass through, how large saidmxchanges may be, or how long the truifli lines may be, the subscribers meter will always be operated once for each unit length of trunk line over which his call may have progressed. It will be understood that although I have shown the register controller associated with a selector repeater of a certain type that it is equally as well adapted for use with simple repeaters, rotary connectors or any other switch which has access to outgoing trunk lines. Also although I havelshown a limited number of switches in each exchange it will be seen that each exchange may be of any size and a call may progress through any number of switches in each exchange without affecting in any way the assessing of the proper toll. F or con venience I have used two meters, one for local and one for-long distance calls, however it is understood that one meter only may be used and that this meter may be controlled in any well known manner.

IIaving fully described and illustrated my invention I will attempt to point out what I consider to ,be patentable in the appended claims. I

W'h at I. olai nasmy invention is:

1. In a telephone svstem, subscribers lines, trunk linesmf different character, means for extendingl{r connection from a calling to a called subscribers line over said trunk lines, a mete'r for the calling line a meter controlling device common to said lines, means associated with each trunk line for operating said device a predetermined number of times for each call to in'turn operate said meter a numberof times to record charges varying inaccordance with the trunk line used. P 2. In a telephone system, subscribers lines,

c; min linesof different. character, means for 6f eirtendinga connection from a calling to a railed -subs i-ibers line over said trunk lines,

a meter. controll ing device. means associated with each .i'trunk line for operating aid device for rci-cording charges 'arv w m .a-eordanoe with -s x, L .i V 1.

the trunk line used when the device is re- '-leased, and means for releasing said device.

3. In a tele )hone system, subscribers lines, trunk lines 0 different character, means for extending a connection from'a calling to a called subscribers line over said trunk lines, ameter for the calling line, a metcccontrolling device common to said lines. means individual to each trunk line for operating said device a predetermined number of times for each call for recording charges on said meter varying in accordance with the trunk line used. a

4. In a telephonesystem, subscribers lines. trunk lines of different character, means for '80 extending a connection. from a callingto a called subscribers lineorer said trunk lines,

a meter for the calling line, a meter control-. ling device, means associated with each trunk line for operating said device for rt cording charges varying in accordance with the trunk line used .when the device is released, and means for releasing said device controlled by the called subscriber.

5. In a tele )hone system, subscribers lines, trunk lines oi different character, means for extending a connection from a calling to a called subscribers line over said trunk lines,"

a meter for the calling line, a meter controlling device common to said subscribers lines, means associated with each trunk line for operating said devicea. predetermined number, of times for each call for recordin charges varying in accordance with the trun line used.

6. In a telephone system, subscribers lines. trunk lines of different character, means for extending a connection from a calling to a called subscribers line over said trunk lines, a meter for the calling .line. a meter controlling device common to said lines,- anv impulse sender associated with each trunk line for operating said device a predetermined number of times for each call for recording charges varying in accordance with the trunk line used.

"7. In a telephone system, subscribers I lines, trunk lines of difi'erent character, means for extending a connection from a calling to a called snbscribers line over said 1 trunk lines, a meter for the calling line, a meter controlling device, means associated with each trunk line for operating said dcvice over a circuit including the two sides a of said trunk lines in pa rallcl for recording 9 sides of said trunk lines in parallel. and means for releasing said device. for renderling charges i arying inuccordanee with the trunk line used.

9...ln afltelephone system, subscribers lines. trunk lines of different character,

means for extending a connection from a calling ,to a called subs 'rihers line over said trunk lines. a meter for the calling line. a meter controlling device common to said lines. means assm'iated with each trunk line for operating said device a predetermined number of times for each call for recording char es varying in accordance with thetrunk line used upon the response. of the called sul-iscriber.

10. In a telephone system. a plurality of exchanges. a ca ling line in one exchange, a, meter and a meter controller in said one exchange. means for extending a call from said calling line through a plurality of said exchanges. means in each exchange for operating said device when the call is extended thereto. and means for releasing said dc,- rice to in, t|irn operate said meter.

0 ll. InTa telephone system. a plurality of exchanges. a calling line in one exchange. a meter anda meter controller in said one exchange. means for extending a call from said calling line through a plurality of said exchanges, means in each exchange for opcrating said derice in a particular manner w ieuthe call is extemhal thereto. and means for releasing said derice to in turn operate said meter.

12. Iri a telephone system. a plurality of exchanges. a calling line in one exchange. a meter and-a meter controller in said one excha e, means for extending a call from saidciiiling line through a plurality of said exchanges. means in each exchange for operating said device when the call is extended thereto. and means controlled by the called subscriber forreleasingsaid device to .in turn] operate said meter.

13 in a telephone system. a calling and a, ealle d subscriber, a meter for the calling subscriber. an automatic switch accessible to said calling line ton extending a call therefrom, link circuits accessible to said switch; a {m b step meter controller asso ciated with sai switch. means for connecting said calling line with said automatic switch, and for operating said switch to extend a connection over a number of said link circuits to the called subscriber, means associated with each link circuit for automatically operating said controller a nnnw ber of times when the connection is extended thereto and means controlled 'by the called subscriber for releasing said conincluding a plurality registering turn controlled by called subscriber, ameter for the calling subscriber. an automatic switch accessible to said calling line for extending a call therefrom. link circuits accessible to said switch, a step b step meter controller associated with Stllt switch, means for connectin said calling line with said automatic switc and for operating said switch to extend a connection over a number of,said link circuits to the called subscriber, means associated with each link circuit for automatically op erating said controller a number of times when the connection is extended thereto over a circuit includin the two sides of the associated link circuit in parallel. and means eoulrolledby the called subscriber for releasing said controller to thereby operate said meter in accordance with the length of the link circuit over which the connection extends.

15. In a telephone system. a calling line. a called line. llltillls for connecting said lines by means of a series of trunklines. a measured serriee device for the callin line, and means associated with each trunk ine in the series for registering a char rice for the use of such trun line.

Hi. In a telephone system. a calling line, a called line. means for connecting said lines by means of a st'IlPS' of trunk lines. a measured service device for the calling line including a meter and ameter controller. and means assm-iated with each trunk line in the series fmregistering a charge upon said de rice for the use of such trunk line.

l7. in a telephone systemfa calling .line. a called line. means for connecting said lines by means of a series oi trunk lines. a measured service device for the calling line including a meter and a meter controller. means associated with each trunk line for registering a charge upon said controller for the use of such trunk line. said meter in turn controlled by' said controller to assess said charge thereon. V

18. In a telephone system. a calling line. ;I called line. means for connecting said lines of trunk lines, a ineasured service device for the calling line including a meter and a meahs associated with each trunk line for a charge upon said controller for suelttruhk line. said meter in shill controller to assess suid'chaige therconwhen the called subscriber answers.

19. In a telephone system. a calling line. it called line, means for connecting said lines including a plurality of trunk lines, a measured serricelalcvice for the calling line including a meter and a meter controller. means associated with each trunk line for registering a charge upon said controller for the use of such trunk line when connection is made therewith. said meter in turn couthe use of e upon said dei) adjusting said controller in accordance wit 1 the character of said trunk line, said regis- H51 operated by said controller in accordance with the adjustment thereof to assess toll.

21; In' a telephone system, calling and 3 elled subscribers lines, a register for each line, means for connecting any two of said lines over a plurality of trunk lines of dif-. erent character, a register controller, means associated with each trunk line for variabl Y adjusting said controller in, accordance wit the character of said trunk line when connection is made therewith, said register operated by said controller in accordance with the ad'ustmcnt thereof to assess toll.

n a telephone system, calling and called subscribers, a register for each line, means for connecting any two of. said lines over a plurality of trunlr lines of different character, a register controller, means. asso- .o ciated with each trunk line for variably adjusting said controller in accordance with the character of said trunk line, said register operated by said controller in accordance with the adjustment thereof to assess toll ,3 when the called subscriber answers.

23. In a telephone system, calling and called subscribers, a register for each line, means for conuccting any two of said lines over a plurality of trunk lines of different character, a register controller, means asso- 0 line, trunk lines, means for extendin a connection from a calling to a called in by means of said trunk lines, an impulse sender for each trunk line, means for receiving and storing up a number of impulses from each impulse sender when the counection is extended. to its associated trunk line, said means controlled from the called line to repeat said impulses to the meter of the calling subscriber to assess the pro )er toll.

25. In a telephone system, ceiling and called subscribers lines. a meter for each line, trunk lines, means for extendin a connection from a calling to it called 'iue by means of said trunk lines, an impulse sender for each trunk line, means for receiving and storing up a number of impulses from each impulse sender when the connection is extended to its ussociutcd trunk line, said means controlled fr6m the called line to repeat said impulses to the meter of the calling subscriber to assess the proper toll when the called subscriber answers. v

26. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, trunk lines of difl'erent character, means forextending connections from celling to called subscribers. lines over any of said trunk lilies, a meter for the calling inc, :1 meter controlling, device common to said lines, means associated with each trunk line for operating the device a predetermined number of times, and means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for operutin said device to in turn operate said meter in accordance with the prcdetcrn'iined number of times which the device was operated. y

27. In a telephone system in which there are zones for callin arbitrarily established and a meter on one 1 line adapted to be 0 crated a variable number of times 'depcn ing upon the numbe of zones through which a. call has progressed when the called subscriber. answers, means in each zone through which a call is successively extended for operating the meter one or a. plurality of times in atmordance with the charge for e chi zone the accumulated char-e for all he zones through which the cal progresses comprising the complete charge for the cell.l b v I Signer me at (him ook count State 0! Illinois, this 3111 Di May, 191

W- OWEN.

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