US2289562A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Description

July 14, 1942.

F. WOLF TELEPHONE SYS TEM Filed April '7, 1939 INVENTOR" FRITZ WOLF ATTORNEY.

Patented Jul 14, 1942 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Application April 7, 1939, Serial No. 266,511 In Germany April 28, 1938 21 Claims.

The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for calculating fees in automatic remote signalling installations and in particular telephone systems. The determination of the fee by means of meters at the exchange does not always satisfy the requirements that subscribers make of the management, as the meter which informs the subscriber from time to time of the basis for the fee calculation shows only the sum of all the fees and does not make provision for the amount of the fee for individual connections to be indicated. r

In order that the subscriber may be able to obtain information about individual fees, socalled fee-printing arrangements have been developed which sum all the possible data for the connection (number of the calling subscriber, call direction and number, renewal of conversation, number of fee units, etc.) on a card and form a record for the subscriber of each connection or of each high valued connection.

Since such printing arrangements are comparatively complicated and costly an economic operation is possible only when the apparatus is situated at the exchange, i. e. 'in common for a number of subscribers stations. Thus the expense of printing apparatus and of switch means for controlling the said printing apparatus is greater the higher the number of subscribers requiring tickets for the high valued calls which they originate.

The invention depends on the fact that only a comparatively small number of subscribers, namely those who make a number of high valued calls, require tickets supplied from a printing arrangement, while by far the greater number of subscribers require only the determination of the fee by meters in the normal manner.

The invention relates to an economic arrangement whereby the expense of the printing apparatus and the switch means for the operation thereof is reduced as far as possible, this result being obtained by dividing subscribers having access to the same connecting arrangement into two groups, those whose conversation fees are recorded by meters and those for whom a special account is provided by means of a central printing device. The printing device for recording the requisite accounts is connected or is not connected according to the group to which the calling subscribers set belongs, connections being by switch means associated with the subscribers belonging to one group.

The arrangement according to the invention operati-ons for controlling the printing apparatus in particular for recording the number of the calling subscriber without considerable reduction in the economic working of the system. It is known to hunt for the calling subscriber by means of a central identifying arrangement and then to transfer impulses corresponding to the calling number through a central arrangement to the printing apparatus. Further it is known to provide the subscribers station with arrangements for transmitting impulse trains corresponding to the calling number. The first method results in difficulties of circuit technique. The second requires considerable expense and is too costly when all subscribers stations have to be illustrated with reference to an embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 1 two subscribers stations TnI and T112 are shown of which the fees for the subscriber Tnl are recorded merely by the subscribers meter ZI at the exchange, while for the "subscriber 'InZ all the data of interest concerning the particular connection is printed on a voucher. It is understood that it is possible to register fees'for the subscriber Tn! on a subscribers meter if necessary. According to the embodiment the printing apparatus is operated only for high valued connections. Fig. 2 shows the sequence of operation of the contacts of the mechanical impulse sender arranged to transmit the telephone number of the subscriber TnZ.

In the first place a local connection set up by the'subscriber Tnl will be described.

When the receiver is removed the following call circuit is completed: earth, winding of relay RI, contact 3tI, lower talking conductor, junction line ALI, subscribers station Tnl, upper talking conductor, junction line ALI, contact Ztl, resistance Wil, battery, earth. Relay RI energizes and at contact 'ITI closes and completes the operating circuit for the magnet DI of the preselector VWI earth, battery, wiper d of the preselector VWI in the normal position, contacts 'lrI', fitl, magnet DI, relay interrupter RUI, earth. Under the control of the relay interruptalso permits essential simplification in switching 55 or the magnet receives stepping impulses by which the wipers of the preselector are operated until they find a free connecting arrangement, for example the group selector GW. The following test circuit is then completed: earth, vertical ofi normal contact 33K (closed so long as the group selector is in its normal position) resistance Wi5, contact 3| a, resistance Wi3, wiper c of the preselector VWI, windings I and II of the relay T I, contact 'Irl, wiper d of the preselector on the contact segment, battery, earth. In this circuit the relay Tl of the preselector operates and by Opening its contact Btl interrupts the stepping circuit for the magnet DI, and by closing contact 5tl short circuits the high resistance winding II of relay Tl so that the free group selector which has been seized is guarded against further seizing. The subscribers meter Zl connected in parallel to winding I of the relay TI can operate either in the test or in the lockin circuit. Contacts Ztl and 3t! open, opening the call loop and relay RI is de-energized. Contacts ltl and 4H close and connect the subscriber Tnl to the talking conductors. The following circuit is then completed: earth, battery, winding of the relay A in the group selector, upper talking conductor, wiper a of the preselector VWI', contact ltl, subscribers loop, contact 4t], wiper b of the preselector, choke Dr, earth. Relay A operates in this circuit, which also serves to supply the subscriber with feeding current, and removes the short circuit for winding I of relay C by opening contact 31a, so that this relay operates in the locking circuit. Contact 320 closes and holds the relay C energised independently of the 01f normal contact 33K.

The subscriber now transmits the initial impulse train. Relay A in the group selector receives the impulses and controls the vertical magnet of the group selector (not shown) so that the wipers of the group selector are raised to a particular contact bank. The group selector then hunts in known manner for a free line. In Fig. 1 a repeater UE for time zone metering, shown only in part, is associated with the group selector. This repeater, however, is usually reached by the group selector when the subscriber sets up a high valued connection and the group selector is set corresponding to a particular digit. For local connections the group selector is followed by a further group selector or a final selector.

When the group selector has found a free connecting arrangement the following test circuit is completed, earth, contacts Ma, Ma, winding I of relay P, winding II of relay P, the short circuit for which is broken by contact 430, wiper c of the group selector and battery potential in a subsequent connecting arrangement. The test relay P of the group selector operates in this circuit and by short circuiting the high resistance winding I of relay P at contact 42p guards the selected connecting arrangement against seizing by another group selector, and by closing contacts 28p and 29p switches through the talking conductors of the group selector. The subscriber now transmits further impulse trains necessary for setting up the required connection. Relay A in the group selector also receives these impulses and transfers them over: earth, contacts 410, 39a, upper talking conductor, contact 28p, wiper a of the group selector to the impulse receiving relay of the following connecting arrangement.

When the receiver at the calling substation is hung up after the conversation the circuit for relay A in the group selector is broken and the relay is de-energized. Contact 3 la closes and the circuit for winding I of relay C is short circuited so that the contacts of this relay are restored to normal. Contact 430 closes and the winding II of relay P is short circuited. The release of relay P is prevented, however, by the completion of the following seizing circuit: earth, battery, winding III of relay P, contacts 380, 28p, wiper a of the group selector and earth in a subsequent connecting arrangement. At contact 30p the connecting path is held in the direction extending to the calling subscriber and at contact 42p in the direction extending to the called subscriber. Metering potential is connected to the lower talking conductor from a subsequent connecting arrangement so that the following circuit is completed for the metering relay Zr in the group selector: battery potential in the subsequent device, lower talking conductor, wiper b of the group selector GW, contact 29p, winding of the metering relay Zr, contact 210, earth. The double contact 3421" closes and short circuits the resistance W2'4 in the locking conductor producing a current in this conductor which stepson the meter of the calling subscriber. The release of relay P in the group selector brought about by its winding III being short circuited at contact 312T leads to disconnection in the known manner.

When a local connection is set up by the subscriber Tn2 the stepping on of the subscribers meter Z2 takes place when the connection is terminated. The switching operation for completing the connection and for controlling the meter corresponds completely to that occurring in the case of a local connection for the subscriber Tnl. The locking conductor in the preselector of the subscribers station T112 is differentiated from that of the subscriber Tnl only in that the alternating current phase relay E is connected parallel to the cut-01f relay in the case of subscriber T112. Moreover between the subscribers meter and the contact of the cut-off relay which looks the line after it has been tested, a low resistance circuit SpK is connected. These difierent switch means have, however, no control over the switching operations which occur at a local connection. The current increase on the locking conductor afiects this subscriber in the same manner so that the subscribers meter Z2 is stepped on by one unit over: wiper c of the preselector VWZ, meter Z2, locking circuit SpK, contact 25t2, wiper d of the preselector VWZ, battery, earth.

A high valued connection as set up by the subscriber Tnl will now be described. The setting of the group selector takes place in principle in the same manner but the wipers are elevated to a contact bank to which a repeater UE is connected for time zone metering. When such a free repeater is found the following test circuit is completed: earth, contacts Ala, 4230., windings I and II of relay P, wiper c of group selector GW, winding of the relay CI in the repeater and battery potential in a subsequent device. The relay P in the group selector operates in this circuit bringing about the switching operations already mentioned, and the relay CI in the repeater UE is also energised. Further impulse trains transmitted from the subscriber are transferred to the repeater UE over the following circuit by intermittent closing of contact 39a: earth, contacts 4lc, 39a, 28p wiper a of the group selector, contacts 46y, 47y, winding of the relay Al, battery, earth. In manner not shown here, theimpulses are transmitted to the subsequent connecting arrangementby means of a contact of the relay Al When the connection for the calling subscriber is completed and the called subscriber replies, the relay G in the repeater is operated by means of battery potential which .is applied to the lower talking conductor: battery in a further connecting device, lower talking conductor, contacts54g, 55y, winding I of relay G, earth. The relay G locks up in the following circuit: earth, contacts Glicl, 69g (closed before contact 549 opened) my, winding II of relay G, battery, earth, Further the relay G closes the following circuit: earth, contacts 56 cl, 51y, 59g, 60w, winding I of relay X, battery, earth. The relayX at contact 68a: secures the circuit for the winding II of relay G independently of contact my. Further it opens the double contact 6331/6412 so that the following circuit is completed: earth, contacts 55cl, Big, 62w, winding II of relay X, winding of relay Y, resistance Wi'l, battery, earth. In this circuit the relay Y operates and the relay X is further held energized. Contact 511/0136118 and breaks the circuit'for the winding I of the relay X while the circuit for winding II ofrelayX and relay Y is completed independently of contact Blg bythe closing of contact 581/.

When the calling subscriber hangs up and so terminates the connection, the relay A in the group selector GW restores. At contact 3Ia the winding I of the relay C is short circuited so that it restores after a short interval. Contact 210 closes and connects earth potential to the metering relay Zr which is connected to the lower talking conductor. Relay Pis not de-energised when its winding "II isshort circuited by means of contact 430 since in the meanwhile the following circuit has been completed for winding III of relay P: earth, battery, winding III of relay P, contact 380, upper talking conductor, contact 28p, wiper a of the group selector GW, contact 459 in the repeater'UE, winding of relay W, contact Ms, earth. Since relay P continues to be energised the talking conductors remain switched through and the connecting path is held at the contacts 30p and 4210.

When as in the present instance, a high valued connection is set up by the calling subscriber, the bank contact DK in the group selector is closed. Alternating current is connected therefore, over a condenser, bank contact DK and contacts 360 and 3521*, in addition to direct current. The alternating current is so selected that'it does not disturb the blocking operations. When a subscriber, whose fee is indicated by a meter at the exchange, makes a call the alternating current connected does not perform any operations and therefore, in this case, remains without effect.

In the repeater UE in the same circuit as-that in which the relay P in the group selector is energised over its winding III the relay W is also energised. The relay W completes a holding circuit for winding II of relay G at contact 61w independently of contacts68zc, 69g and y. Further contact 62w opens and breaks a circuit for the winding II of relay X and for relay Y so that these relays are de-energised. A further connection of winding I of relay X is rendered impossible by the opening of contact 6010. A further holding circuit is completed for relay G over contact 10y.

In known manner, relay W in the repeater transmits the signal for the termination of the conversation and thearrangements provided in the repeater forcdetermin'ing and transmitting the metering impulses are connected, this not being represented here in detail. Contact, 5327c, which isclosed a number of times corresponding to the number of impulses to be' transmitted, is shown. The metering impulses produced by this contact are transmitted over the following path to the metering relay Zr in the group selector: earth, battery, contacts 532k, 51y, 50w, lower talking conductor, wiper b of the group selector GW, contact 29p, winding of the metering-relay Zr, contact 210, earth. The metering relay Zr operates the double contact 3422* a number of times corresponding to the transmitted metering impulse whereby the resistance Wi4 is short circuited at each interruption and a current increaseis produced on the locking conductorwhich steps-on the meter Zl of the subscriber 'Tnl. When the metering impulse is completed then the metering discriminating relay S (not shown) in the'repeater UE is operated in known manner and contact 44s is now opened. The seizing circuit in which the relay W in the repeater UEand relay P, winding III, in the group selector are energised, is thereby interrupted and both relays restore. Contact 421) in the group selector opens and the holding earth is disconnected from. the guard conductor extending to the subsequent junction arrangements and thus the signal for the release is transmitted. Contact "30p also opens holding earthis disconnected and the signal for release is given to the subscriber. In the preselector, therefore, relay TI restores and in known manner the preselector VWI is returned to its normal position. The release of relay P also effects the release of the group selectors in a manner which is not'shown.

In the repeater after the opening of contact 42p the relay Cl is restored so that contacts 560i and 66cl are opened. At the latter contact the circuitfor relay G is finally interrupted.

In'the connection described above the relay G in the repeater UE remains energised without interruption until the release of the connecting p'ath takes place after the completion of the connection and transmission of metering impulses. The printing arrangement in the repeater is indicated by the reference RE. This printer mechanism per se does not form a part of the present invention, but, for example, it may be of the type disclosed in the R. Tilden et alfPatent 1,793,761, issued'February 24, 1931, or in the C. I. Lattig Patent 2,010,868, issued August 13, 1935. Connection of the printing mechanism to the upper talking conductor is possible only over back contact 46g and operated contact 48y. Since, however, the release of relay G takes places only during the release of the connecting path i. e. when relay Y is already restored, the printing arrangement is not operated for this connection.

The operations occurring when subscriber TnE sets up a high valued connection during which the printing mechanism is brought into use will now be described. The printing mechanism which is centrally situated in the exchange must record the number of the calling subscriber as essential information. In the present embodiment the arrangement'is such that by means of an impulse sender associated individually with the calling station impulse trains corresponding to the call number are transmitted over the talking conductors to the printing apparatus RE which may be associated with the repeater UE. It is assumed that an arrangement is provided in the exchange which contains marking signals for numbers of subscribers. It may consist of a common, continuously operated shaft on which a series of impulse wheels are arranged each of which can transmit the impulse trains corresponding to the call number of a particular subscriber.

The operations are described more nearly in the following. When the subscriber Tn2 lifts the receiver for the purpose of initiating a high valued connection the relay R2 in the preselector VWZ operates in the circuit: earth, winding of relay R2, contact Mt2, lower talking conductor, contact l6e, junction line AL2, subscribers station TnZ, junction line, contacts 8e, I3t2, resistance Wi2, battery, earth. Contact 2412 closes and .energises the rotary magnet D2 of the preselector VW2: earth, battery, wiper d of the preselector VWZ in the normal position, contacts 2412, 26162, magnet D2, relay interrupter RU2, earth. The wipers of the preselector are steppedon under the control of the relay interrupter until they connect with a free group selector. When this occurs the following test circuit is completed: earth, battery, wiper d of the preselector in the operated position, contact 24r2, windings II and I of relay T2, wiper c of the preselector, resistance Wi3, contact 31a, resistance Wi5, off normal contact 33k, earth. The relay T2 which operates in this circuit opens contact 26252 stopping the rotary switch and by disconnecting the high resistance winding II of relay T2 at contact 25t2, guards the free group selector which has been selected against seizing by another line. Between contact 25t2 and the winding I of relay T2, a low resistance circuit is connected to the talking conductor the low resistance circuit being of such a nature that it does not disturb the blocking operations. Contacts I 3t2 and H252 open and break the circuit for the relay R2 in the preselector. Contacts l2t2 and |5t2 close and the talking conductors are switched through. Thus the following circuit by which the subscribers station is provided with feeding current is completed: earth, battery, winding of relay A, wiper a of the preselector VW2', contacts l2t2, 8e, subscribers loop, contacts I56, l5t2, Wiper b of the preselector, choke D'r, earth. Relay A in the group selector is energised and relay C is energised since contact 34a opens and removes the short circuit from the winding I of relay C.

The subscriber now transmits the first impulse train by which the group selector is stepped on to a contact bank over which a repeater UE is reached in known manner not shown. When the wipers of the group selector select a free repeater the following circuit is completed: earth, contacts 410, 40a, windings I and II of relay P, wiper c of the group selector, winding of the relay CI in the repeater, battery potential in a subsequent connecting device. In the group selector the relay P operates and, in the repeater, the relay Cl. Contacts 28p and 29p close causing the talking conductors to be switched through and, contact 42p closes and locks the selected repeater against seizing by a further switch The locking conductor is connected with holding earth over contact 30p and thus the connection is held independently of contact 320. Since the subscriber Tn2 is making a high valued call the first impulse train closes the bank contact DK.

The further impulse trains transmitted by the subscriber are forwarded, as already described, by means of contact 39a to the impulse receiving relay A! of the repeater UE and then in a manner not described to subsequent junction devices.

The connecting path is established, the called subscriber replies, battery potential is connected to the lower talking conductor from a subsequent connecting device over contacts 549 and 55g and relay G is energised over its winding I. Contact 69g closes locking relay C over its Winding II. Further, as already described winding I of relay X is energised over contact 599 and opens the double contacts 63m and 64:0 causing the relay Y to energise over contact Sig while relay X is maintained energised over winding II. This circuit is locked by contact 58y. The circuit for the winding II of relay G is maintained over contact 681:.

When, on the completion of the connection, the subscriber Tn2 hangs up, the relay A in the group selector restores, and by closing contact 3la restores relay C. The relay P is maintained energised over winding III and contact 380 in the previously mentioned seizing circuit and relay W in the repeater UE is also energised. Contact 36c closes and alternating current is connected to the talking conductor over the bank contact DK in its operating position and contact 352r whereby the alternating current phase relay E connected in parallel to relay T2 in the preselector and connected by means of contact Hit to the locking conductor is energised over both windings I and II. Contacts 8e and We open and disconnect the subscriber from the connecting path by opening the speech leads. The following circuit is completed: earth, battery, winding III of relay E, contacts 23 22S0, 2lf or 20U, He, [5752, wiper b of the preselector VW2, lamp GL, winding II of the relay C, earth. The lamp is lighted by the increased potential so that relay C is again energised over its winding II. Relay 0 opens its contact 380 and thus breaks the seizing circuit in which the relay P in the group selector and the relay W of the repeater were energised. The relay W in the repeater thus restores while relay P remains energised since its winding II is again connected in circuit by the opening of contact 430. Relay W in the repeater is therefore only energised for a short interval during which the following operations occur in the repeater: The circuit: earth, contacts 56cl, 58y or Gig, 62w, winding II of relay X, winding of relay Y, resistance WiI, battery, earth, is opened at contact 62w for a short interval. The relay X is finally restored during this interval while the relay Y, having a delayed armature release, remains energised in the following circuit after relay W releases: earth, contacts 56cl, 58y, 62112, 533:, winding of relay Y, resistance Wi'l, battery, earth. The relay G also restores, since its holding winding II is disconnected at contacts 61w, 68a: and My. In the repeater therefore the seizing relay CI and relay Y only are energised. The printing apparatus is connected to the upper talking conductor over the restored contact 46g and the operated contact 48y. Earth potential is connected to the printing apparatus over contacts 410, 39a, 28p, wiper a of the group selector, contacts 46g, 48y. If a printing apparatus is associated individually with the repeater UE, the printing apparatus is prepared for use by the earth connection so that the impulses which follow, indicating the call number, are received and registered. The arrangement can, however, be such that a number of printing apparatus are provided in common a number of repeaters. The connection or" earth potential in this instance serves as an impulse for finding and connecting a free printing apparatus to the repeater concerned.

The impulse sending arrangement associated with the preselector VWZ is so connected that various contact operations take place mechanically. This is illustrated in Fig. 2. The contact movements corresponding to the call number of the subscriber TM are indicated by J and are generated by an impulse wheel. In the present example it is assumed that the subscriber has the call number 4216, the impulse wheel therefore is in a position to transmit the impulse trains corresponding to the individual digits of this number by intermittent operation of contact H7. S indicates a contact arrangement which opens contact 22.90 for a short period previous to the transmission of the impulse trains by the impulse wheel. After the transmission of the impulse trains contact arrangement U operates first contact 2% alone and then contacts 2M and l9u' together.

When the impulse sending arrangement is in such a position that contact 2250 is opened, the short circuit of the winding of the relay F is removed and this relay is energised in the abovementioned circuit together with the winding III of relay E and winding II of the relay C in the group selector. Contact 23 opens and ensures that relay F is not short circuited on the release of contact 2250. At contact lily the contact H J operated by the impulse wheel is connected over contact 9c to the upper talking conductor and the following circuit is closed: earth, contacts H7, It Be, I2t2, wiper a of the preselector VW2, winding of the relay A in the group selector, battery, earth. The relay A operates in this circuit and opening contact 39a prevents the connection of earth potential to the upper conductor and hence to the printing arrangement RE which is now prepared to receive impulses. Contact Ila operates and transmits impulses which interrupt the circuit for relay A. The relay A now transmits the impulses sent out from the impulse wheel to the printing apparatus in the repeater earth, contacts 4Ic, 39a, 28p wiper a of the group selector GW, contacts 46g, 48y, printing apparatus RE. In the printing apparatus the different type wheels are positioned on the individual digits of the call number of the calling subscriber by means of the individual impulse. In the interval between individual impulse trains it is possible to change over from one printing wheel to another in the printing apparatus.

Simultaneously with the impulse trains corresponding to the call number, metering impulses may be transmitted from the time zone repeater over the following path: earth, battery, metering contact 53270, which is operated a number of times corresponding to the niunber of units to be recorded, contact 523 printing apparatus RE.

When the call number has been transmitted to the printing mechanism the operated contact 2011. is closed without interrupting the rest contact (provision being made for make before break). The following circuit is completed: earth, contacts I81, l u, 2011. winding of the relay F, winding III of the relay E, battery, earth.

In this circuit the relays E and F are energised for the time being. Rest contact Zllu opens and disconnects the potential from the lower talkin conductor so that relay C in the group selector restores.

Contact H7 is operated again simultaneously with contact Zfiu (see Fig. 2). Since earth potential is disconnected from the upper talking conductor by the release of contact llj relay A in the group selector is de-energised.

Relay 0 in the group selector now releases and leads to the release of the connection. Winding II of relay P is short circuited at contact 430 causing its contacts to restore since, no earth potential being available from the repeater, its winding III can no longer remain energised. Contacts 30p and 42p open and remove holding earth from the blocking conductors extending to the call subscriber and to the repeater. In the repeater the relay Cl restores and breaks the circuit for relay Y by opening contact 5601.

In the preselector the holding circuit for relays E and F is broken by the operation of contact l9u sometime after the operation of contact Na and the relays restore.

The remaining operations required for the release are not explained further since they are known and are not essential for the invention.

The differentiation between the high value connections set up between the subscriber Tnl and the ones set up by the subscriber TnZ resides in that, relay C is restored permanently after the terminating signal transmission from the subscriber Tnl while, on the transmission of the terminating signal from subscriber Tn2, relay C restores only for a short period and then operates again. During the short release period of relay C a circuit is opened in which are connected a normal and a slow-to-release relay. The normal relay only is restored while the slowto-release relay remains energised and is used for connecting the printing apparatus.

It should be mentioned that other information may be transmitted and registered by the printing apparatus. The recording of the date and the time is conveniently performed Within the printing device. Thus, since the printing apparatus is associated with the repeater for time zone metering i. e. is situated at the station where the stepping devices for the meter are situated, the required direction may easily be obtained from the switching device (zone switch) which is provided for the marking operation and a corresponding marking signal may be transmitted to the printing arrangement after the connection is set up.

If it is required to record the calling number storage elements which take up the impulses transmitted from the subscriber and transmit these to the printing apparatus may be associated with the repeater after the printing apparatus is connected.

I claim:

1. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, the subscribers lines in one of said groups each provided with a call recording meter to register calls, the subscribers lines in the other of said groups each provided with a switching means for transmitting impulses corresponding to' its associated subscribers telephone number, a repeater accessible to said lines, means in said repeater operated responsive to the completion of a call thereover by a sub scriber in said one groupof lines for controlling the said subscriber's associated call recording meter, a printing mechanism, andmeans in said repeater operated responsive only to the completion of a call thereover by a subscriber in said other group of lines for connecting said printing mechanism thereto to record the number transmitted by said last-mentioned subscribers switching means.

2. In a telephone system as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are connecting devices associated with said repeater for connecting said printing mechanism to said repeater, and means in said switching means for transmitting a signal to opcrate said connecting devices.

3. In a telephone system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for associating said printing mechanism with said repeater comprises a plurality of relays associated with said repeater, and means in said switching means for transmitting a signal to operate said relays.

4. In a telephone system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the subscribers lines have access to said repeater by means of a line switch individual to each of said subscribers and wherein the said switching means is controlled over a test conductor including a wiper of said lineswitch by an alteration in current strength thereover to thereby transmit the calling subscribers telephone number.

5. 'In a telephone system as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a switch for connecting said lines with said repeater, and means in said switch operated by said switching means for controlling the operation of the printer mechanism connecting means in said repeater.

6. In a telephone system, an automatic switch, a trunk line, a subscribers line, means controlled by said subscriber for extending a connection via said switch to said trunk line, a telephone number transmitting device individual to said subscribers line, means responsive to the termination of said connection for disconnecting said subscriber from said switch and connecting said device thereto, a printer mechanism, means in said trunk line operated responsive to the connection of said device to said switch for operatively associating said mechanism with said trunk, and means in said device operated responsive to connecting with said switch for transmitting said subscribers telephone number to said mechanism to record the same.

'7. In a telephone system, a repeater, a first class and a second class of subscribers lines, means for extending a connection from any line to said repeater, means associated with said repeater for transmitting meter operating pulses to a subscribers meter, a printer mechanism, means in said repeater for associating said printer mechanism with said repeater to record subscribers telephone numbers, said repeater operated responsive to th termination of a connection established thereover for connecting said meter pulse transmitting means thereto only when a subscriber in said first class of lines has extended the connection and for associating said printer with said connection when a subscriber in said second class of lines has extended the connection, means individual to each of the lines in said first class of lines for recording the number of said meter pulses, and means individual to each of the lines in said second class of lines for transmitting the number of the subscriber that has extended the call to the printer mechanism.

8. In a telephone system, a main exchange, toll lines, subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, switches controllable by calling subscribers to extend connections over said toll lines, said subscribers lines divided into first class and second class lines, the lines in a first of said classes provided with individual message registers, means associated with said toll lines for discriminating between the classes of lines extending connections over said toll lines, said discriminating means operated in one manner only in the event that a subscriber in the first of said classes of lines has extended the connection to transmit impulses to control the operation of that subscribers message register, a printer mechanism, said discriminating means operated in another manner to associate said printer with said toll line only in the event that a subscriber in the second of said classes of lines has extended the connection, and means individual to each line in the second of said classes of lines for transmitting the associated subscribers telephone number to said printer mechanism.

9. In a telephone system, automatic switches for extending toll and local calls, a subscribers line having access to said switches, an impulse transmitting device individual to said line and normally disconnected therefrom, a call register individual to said line, means in said switch train operated responsive to the termination of a local connection extended from said line for operating said call register, a printing mechanism, means in said switch train operated responsive to the termination of a toll connection extended from said line for associating said printing mechanism with said switch train, and means also operated responsive to the termination of said toll connection for disconnecting said line from said switch train and for connecting said impulse transmitter thereto, said transmitter transmitting impulses to operate said printer and thereby record the subscribers telephone number.

10. In a telephone system, a first and second subscribers line, a toll line, automatic switches controllable from said lines to extend calls over said toll line, a register for said first line, an impulse transmitter for transmitting said second subscribers telephone number, means in said toll line operated only responsive to the termination of a toll call extended from said first subscribers line for controlling said register to register the call, a registering mechanism, means in said toll line operated only responsive to the termination of a toll call extended from said second subscribers line for associating said registering mechanism with said toll line, and means thereafter controlled by said impulse transmitter for operating said registering mechanism to register said second subscribers number. r

11. In a telephone system, a train of automatic switches including a repeater, two classes of lines having access to said train of switches, a call recording device associated with each line in one of said classes of lines, a line number identifying device associated with each line in the other ofsaid classes of: lines, means in said repeater operated only responsive to a connection established thereover from any line in said one class of lines for transmitting pulses to control the call recording device of the calling line, and means in said repeater operated only responsive to a connection established thereover from any line in said other class of lines for connecting a register to said repeater to record the calling line number transmitted by the associated identifying device. I a

12. In a telephone system; subscribers lines divided into a first and second group, means individual to each line in said first group for registering completed calls, means individual to each line in said second group for transmitting the telephone number of its associated calling subscriber, a train of automatic switches, means in one of the switches in said train operated responsive to the completion of a call thereover by a subscriber in said first group for operating the said subscribers registering means accordingly, a printing mechanism, means in one of the switches in said train operated responsive to the completion of a call thereover by a subscriber in said second group for associating said printer with said switch train, and means in one of said switches operated by the transmitting means individual to the calling subscriber for controlling said printer to register the number of the calling subscriber.

13. In a telephone system, subscribers lines of one class, subscribers lines of a different class, service meters one for each of said lines in said one class, a printing mechanism, means controlled on a time zone metering basis for operating said meters and said printing device, said lastmentioned means operating the meter individual to the line of a calling subscriber of said one class a variable number of'times responsive to the completion of a connection by the said calling subscriber and operating said printing mechanism a variable number of times responsive to the completion of a connection by a calling subscriber of said different class of lines to thereby assess a charge against the calling subscriber in accordance with the duration and destination of the call, and means individual to each of the subscribers lines of said different class operated responsive to the completion of a connection for transmitting the telephone number of its associated calling subscriber to said printing mechanism to identify the subscriber to be charged.

14. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, the subscribers lines in one of said groups each provided with a call recording meter, the subscribers lines in the other of said groups each provided with a switching means for transmitting the telephone number of its associated line, a repeater accessible to said lines, means operated responsive to the completion of a call including said repeater extended by a subscriber in the said one of said groups of lines for controlling the subscribers individual call recording meter a variable number of times according to the destination of said call, a printing mechanism, and means operated responsive to the completion of a call including said repeater extended by a subscriber in the said other of said groups of lines for initiating the operation of the said calling subscribers telephone number switching means and for connecting said printing mechanism to said repeater to thereby record the telephone number transmitted by the said switching means.

15. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, each of said subscribers lines in one of said groups provided with a call recording meter for registering calls, a switch accessible to said lines, a printing mechanism individual to said switch, and means operated responsive to the completion of a call including said switch for operating the calling subscribers associated meter a variable number of times when the calling subscriber is one of the subscribers in said one group and for operating said printing mechanism a variable number of times when the calling subscriber is any one of the subscribers in the other of said groups of lines to thereby make a charge for the call in accordance with the destination of the completed call.

16. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, each of the subscribers lines in one of said groups provided with a call recording meter for registering calls, each of the subscribers lines in the other of said groups provided With a transmitter for transmitting the telephone number of its associated subscribers line, a switch accessible to said lines, a printing mechanism, means operated responsive to the completion of a call including said switch for operating the calling subscribers associated meter a variable number of times when the calling subscriber is one of the subscribers in said one group and for operating said printing mechanism a variable number of times when the calling subscriber is one of the subscribers in said other group of lines to thereby make a charge in accordance with the destination of the completed call, means operated responsive to the completion ofa call by a calling subscriber in said other group of lines for initiating the operation of said transmitter associated with the said calling subscribers line, and means controlled by said transmitter for operating said printing mechanism to record the said calling subscribers telephone number to thereby identify the record made by said printing mechanism of the destination of the said completed call.

17. In a telephone system wherein subscribers control automatic switches to extend connections, subscribers of a first class each provided with individual meters for registering calls, subscribers of a second class each provided with individual switching means for transmitting its associated subscribers telephone number, means operated responsive to the completion of a connection by a subscriber of either class for transmitting a variable number of pulses in accordance with the destination of the completed call, a printing mechanism, said pulses controlling the calling subscribers meter when a first class subscriber has completed the call and controlling said printing mechanism when a second class subscriber has completed the call, and means operated in the event that the call is completed by a second class subscriber for initiating the operation of the said second class calling subscribers telephone number transmitting means whereby said printing mechanism is operated to record the telephone number of said second class calling subscriber.

18. In a telephone system, subscribers lines of one class, subscribers lines of a different class, service meters one for each of said lines in said one class, a printing mechanism common to the lines of said different class, and means controlled on a time zone metering basis for operating said meters or said printing device, said last-mentioned means operating the service meter individual to the line of a calling subscriber of said one class a variable number of times responsive to the completion of a connection by the said calling subscriber and operating said printing mechanism a variable number of times responsive to the completion of a connection by a calling subscriber of said different class of lines to thereby assess a charge against the calling subscriber in accordance with the duration and destination of the call.

19. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, each of thesubscribers lines in one of said groups provided with a call recording meter for registering calls, a switch accessible to said lines, a printing mechanism individual to said switch, and means for controlling the call recording meter of a calling subscriber a. variable number of times in accordance with the destination of a call completed via said switch by any subscriber in the said one group of lines and for controlling said printing mechanism in accordance with the destination of a call completed via said switch by'any subscriber in the said other group of lines.

20. In a telephone system, two groups of subscriber lines, each of the subscriber lines in one of said groups being provided with a meter for registering calls, printing mechanism operative to produce a record of the pertinent items pertaining to a call, a link, means for setting up a call from a calling subscriber line in either one of said groups via said link, and means included in said link and governed in accordance with the one of said groups including said calling subscriber line for selectively controlling the meter individually associated with said calling subscriber line or said printing mechanism, whereby the meter individually associated with said calling subscriber line is operated a variable number of times in accordance with the destination of the call in the event said calling subscriber line is included in said one group of lines or said printing mechanism is selectively operated in accordance with the destination of the call in the event said calling subscriber line is included in the other of said groups of lines.

21. In a telephone system, a first and a second group of subscriber lines, each line in said first group provided with a call recording meter, a repeater accessible to all of the lines, a printing mechanism operatively associated with said repeater, means for completing a telephone connection including said repeater from a calling subscriber line in either of said groups to a called subscriber line, and means in said repeater for selectively controlling the call recording meter of the calling subscriber line in accordance with the destination of a call in the event that the call is completed from a subscriber in said first group and for selectively controlling said printing mechanism in accordance with the destination of a call in the event that the call is completed from a calling subscriber line in said second group, whereby a charge is made according to the destination of a call.

FRITZ WOLF.

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