WO1989010035A1 - Appareil accompagnant un telephone - Google Patents

Appareil accompagnant un telephone Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989010035A1
WO1989010035A1 PCT/GB1989/000379 GB8900379W WO8910035A1 WO 1989010035 A1 WO1989010035 A1 WO 1989010035A1 GB 8900379 W GB8900379 W GB 8900379W WO 8910035 A1 WO8910035 A1 WO 8910035A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
telephone
payment
speech
user
control means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1989/000379
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Brian Gerard Docherty
James Churchman
Original Assignee
Tetrel Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tetrel Limited filed Critical Tetrel Limited
Publication of WO1989010035A1 publication Critical patent/WO1989010035A1/fr
Priority to NO90904390A priority Critical patent/NO904390L/no

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
    • H04M17/02—Coin-freed or check-freed systems, e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
    • H04M17/023—Circuit arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus for use with a telephone. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with payment for use of a telephone.
  • Payphones are well known.
  • a known payphone allows a caller to establish a connection with the person being called and, if payment is not then made, mutes or breaks the connection.
  • Payment allows the call to be maintained for a time dependent on the payment and then, if no further payment is made, the connection is muted or broken.
  • a "prepayment" payphone is also known where payment is made in advance of establishing the connection. When the time for which payment is made expires, further payment is required; otherwise the connection is muted or broken. If not all the paid time is used, the remaining payment is returned. See for example U.S. Patent 4 198 545. All payphones break the connection when the paid-for time expires and no further payment is made.
  • an apparatus for encouraging the user of a telephone to make payment for the use comprising means responsive to initiation of establishment of a communication link via the telephone and the absence of detection of payment to indicate to the user the absence of payment without at any time automatically disestablishing the link.
  • the indication of absence of payment may be a signal imposed on the link and audible to the user, or may be a flashing light.
  • the audible signal is so loud to the user as to make conversation impracticable (without, of course, being so loud as to cause any harm whatsoever to the user).
  • the audible signal comprises synthesised speech instructing the user to pay.
  • the apparatus includes a sound reproducing device (e.g. a loudspeaker) separate from the telephone which produces the audible signal.
  • the audible signal could be both imposed on the link and produced by the loudspeaker.
  • apparatus for use with a telephone including a speech synthesiser, responsive to actuation of the apparatus to produce spoken instructions relating to the use of the apparatus.
  • an apparatus for use with a telephone to operate as a payphone including a speech synthesiser, control means for controlling the synthesiser and for monitoring payment and controlling use of the telephone in accordance with the payment, and manually actuable means for setting in the control means data relating to payment, the control means being responsive to actuation of the actuable means to cause the speech synthesiser to produce speech signals for prompting the setting of the data.
  • the speech signals may be reproduced by a sound reproducing device (e.g. a loudspeaker) independently of the telephone and/or may be imposed on the telephone line for reproduction by the earpiece of the telephone.
  • a sound reproducing device e.g. a loudspeaker
  • FIG 1 is a schematic block diagram of illustrative apparatus in accordance with the invention for use with a telephone to encourage and/or control payment for use of the phone.
  • the illustrative apparatus of Figure 1 is, in use, serially connected between a simple telephone and the telephone line.
  • the apparatus has a socket 1 into which plugs a plug connected to the telephone, and a plug 2 for plugging into a socket connected to the line.
  • the plugs and sockets are standard.
  • the illustrative apparatus of Figure 1 operates in three main modes as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
  • the apparatus encourages payment for a telephone call by producing spoken instructions which are imposed on the telephone line to be audible to the user and/or reproduced by a loudspeaker 3 of the apparatus, without at any time disestablishing any call established via the telephone.
  • the apparatus controls use of the telephone in accordance with payment made by the user, produces spoken instructions prompting payment on the line and/or on the loudspeaker 3, and disestablishes any call upon non-payment.
  • data e.g. charging rate
  • the processor 4 controls a speech synthesiser 5 when the data is being set to produce spoken prompts for the user, simplifying the process of making the setting.
  • the standard socket 1 which has six contacts conventionally numbered _1 to 6 ⁇ _ is coupled to the standard plug 2 having like contacts via three conductors 6 linking contacts 2 ⁇ _ 3 ⁇ and 4, the contacts 5 being linked via a pulse detector 7 and a removable short-circuit link LI which shorts out a relay switch 8. Contacts 1 and 6 ⁇ are not used.
  • the pulse detector 7 is of known form.
  • a small impedance 7a and a large impedance 7b feed a small proportion of the line current to an opto-coupler 7c.
  • the opto-coupler provides isolation between the telephone line and the apparatus.
  • processor 4 which is a dedicated microprocessor.
  • the processor 4 responds to various inputs as follows.
  • the processor also responds to signals from a coin validation unit 9 which determines the value of coins inserted into the unit, and for each coin of a particular value provides a signal representing that coin to the processor 4.
  • Coin validation units are well known in the art.
  • the processor 4 calculates the amount of payment made.
  • the processor 4 also responds to the call signal at input I to time the duration of the call. In addition, the processor 4 acts as a real time dock.
  • the processor 4 also responds to the operation of programming switches or keys PI and P2 in a programming device 10.
  • the switches switch the voltage at inputs PI and P2 between HI (+V) and L0 (ground) in order to set data in the processor in the manner described below.
  • Other inputs to the processor 4 include a clock signal from an oscillator 12; a signal at input BL indicating "low battery” in the power supply unit 11; and a signal at input PP indicating whether the first mode or the second mode is set.
  • the signal at PP is LO when the first mode is set, PP being coupled to ground via a removable link L2.
  • the signal at PP is HI when the second mode is set.
  • the processor 4 controls the speech synthesiser via a signal transfer arrangement shown schematically at 13.
  • the processor has other outputs B to E and to a relay coil and coil driver circuit 14 as will be described in the following.
  • the speech synthesiser produces complementary pulse width modulated (PWM) speech signals Sp and Sp representing various spoken messages.
  • PWM pulse width modulated
  • Ampli ier 15' drives a loud-speaker 3 the inertia and impedance of which effectively integrates or filters the PWM signal to reproduce the spoken message.
  • Amplifier 15 is part of a high impedance current source 16 which imposes the speech signals on the telephone line (without shunting the line), the source 16 being connected across contacts "_ and 5_ ! _ via a coupling capacitor 17.
  • the amplifier 15 feeds an output isolation transformer TF, the secondary of which is connected to an integrating filter arrangement 18 to integrate the PWM speech signals.
  • the speech signals may be reproduced by the loudspeaker 3 alone, or by the telephone earpiece alone, or by both.
  • the processor 4 is programmable to produce signals B and C for selectively disabling the amplifiers 15' and 15.
  • the magnitude of the speech signals may be varied.
  • the magnitude has two selectable values controlled by a level control 19 in response to a binary level control signal D produced by processor 4.
  • the magnitude of a speech signal produced by an amplifier 15 or 15 is the difference between its maximum value defined by e.g. the positive voltage supply to the amplifier and the base level of the signal.
  • the level control switches the base level between the negative (e.g. ground) level of the voltage supply and a value intermediate the negative (ground) level and the positive voltage.
  • An LED 20 which is controlled by the output signal E, lights up when it is necessary to make payment.
  • link LI shorts out the relay switch 8 and link L2 connects input PP to ground.
  • the LED 20 flashes and the user hears (in the speaker 3 and ⁇ or the handset of the 20 telephone) a message, for example,
  • This message is repeated at e.g. 2 second intervals 25 until the user inserts a coin into the validation unit 9 or the call is cleared.
  • a coin upon hearing the distant party answer
  • the LED 20 will flash and a persistent payphone like bleep or pay pips will be heard on the line. Inserting another coin will arrest these actions and allocate another time period calculated by the processor 4 according to the digits dialled, the charge rate set, and the amount of payment made.
  • the user can insert mulitiple coins to build up a lengthy allocation of time. In the apparatus of Figure 1 no coins can be refunded.
  • This message will be repeatedly transmitted on the speaker and/or on the telephone line until the user does insert a coin.
  • This message will be audible to both the calling and called parties if transmitted on the telephone line.
  • This message on the line may be so loud to the calling party as to disrupt communication between the calling and called parties.
  • a preferred version of the apparatus is selectively operable in the first mode in two ways, called programmes one and two, as follows
  • the pay pips are generated quietly on the line followed by the "insert a coin" messages on the line and on the speaker at the loud setting. This is accompanied by LED flashing.
  • the pay pips are generated quietly on the speaker followed by the "insert a coin" messages on the speaker at the quiet setting. This is accompanied by LED flashing.
  • the established communication link is not ended automatically by the apparatus at any time.
  • the link is only ended when one of the parties hangs up of their own volition.
  • This mode differs from the first mode in that if the user fails to pay at the appropriate time, the processor 4 energises the relay coil via the driver 14 and opens the normally closed switch 8 breaking the connection between the calling and called parties.
  • the user lifts the handset on the associated telephone and dials the desired telephone number.
  • this message will be repeated at 2 second intervals for a short period e.g. 30 seconds until the user inserts a coin. If at the end of the period no coin has been inserted, switch 8 is operated to break the connectio .
  • the switch 8 is operated to break the connection.
  • the second mode operates in the following manner called programme zero.
  • the pay pips are generated quietly on the line followed by cut off. This is accompanied by LED flashing.
  • the apparatus is housed in a locked case. Installation of the apparatus is particularly straightforward. Having unpacked the unit the user can place it on a desk or mount it on a wall using screw holes provided on the rear of the case.
  • the owner opens the case of the unit with a key provided.
  • a battery holder is removed from the case and four e.g. C size cells are inserted in to the holder.
  • the holder is replaced in the case. 2 Setting the Time and Day
  • Two programming keys are provided within the unit.
  • One PI selects the function to be altered, the other P2 sets the value of the function.
  • Programming is particularly straightforward and involves the assistance of spoken prompts and messages through the internal loudspeaker.
  • Depression of P2 will produce: e.g.
  • the user can depress PI to confirm his choice. Upon doing this the unit will confirm, e.g.
  • a further depression of PI will produce the prompt e.g. :
  • Depressing P2 will produce the prompt e.g.:
  • An inactivity timer will operate within the software such that a lack of key depressions for ten seconds will return the unit to the idle state. From the idle state depressing P2 will cause the unit to speak the current day and time. This will allow the owner to check settings periodically. Hence pressing P2 produces for example:
  • the unit charge in the apparatus can be altered to allow the user to recover a greater or lesser amount of money than the call charges that will be raised in his telephone bill by BT or Mercury.
  • the current unit charge raised by BT is 4.4p.
  • An inactivity timer will operate such that a lack of key depression for ten seconds will return the unit to the idle state. From the idle state depressing P2 will cause the unit to speak the unit charge. This will allow the owner to check settings periodically. Hence pressing P2:
  • the reminder mode function allows the owner to set the way in which the user will be reminded to insert another coin.
  • the preferred version of the apparatus is selectively operable according to programmes zero, one and two. These programmes are selected using the programming keys PI and P2 as follows.
  • Pressing PI after one of these prompts will set the chosen programme.
  • the reminder mode directs reminder messages to the speaker or to the speaker and the telephone line.
  • the owner may wish to make this distinction depending on how they want to use apparatus. For instance, if the owner is to be the sole user of the unit and will only need gentle reminding of the need to save for his telephone bill then reminder messages might only be directed to the speaker. Where many users may use the apparatus the more insistent reminder (speaker and telephone line) might be required.
  • Depressing P2 once will prompt e.g.
  • An inactivity timer will operate such that a lack of key depressions for ten seconds will return the unit to the idle state.
  • the alternative embodiment also allows the owner to set the degree of urgency and insistence that will be associated with the reminder messages. This setting controls the rate at which the messages are repeated, and the loudness with which they are transmitted. The owner makes this selection on the basis of the location and likely users of the apparatus. The selection may be made as follows: Depressing Pi six times in rapid succession - or once just after having set the unit reminder mode will prompt:
  • An inactivity timer will operate such that a lack of key depressions for ten seconds will return the unit to the idle state.
  • the local telephone is plugged in to the internal socket 1 within the case. Any excess line cordage is wound around the hooks provided inside the case, and the cord is led out through a slot in the case.
  • the owner may now close the case and lock it.
  • the only further installation requirement is to plug the case into the telephone wall socket using the plug 2.
  • the user will only need to concern themselves with programming again when:
  • the batteries are changed 3 He wishes to increase the unit charge in line with BT or personal needs.
  • the software of the unit will default to initial settings of e.g.
  • the processor 4 responds to the signal at input BL to produce the following message when a call is made on the associated telephone: e.g.
  • a high impedance voltage detecting circuit 100 may be, and is preferably, included. This is connected between the terminals shown to determine when a break in line current is caused by the public telephone exchange. On such occasions, the line voltage will disappear in addition to the line current. On the other hand, a break in the line current caused by the local telephone i.e. hook switch activity or pulsing, will not cause the exchange line voltage to become zero. Thus, circuit 100 outputs a signal to microprocessor 4 which microprocessor 4 utilizes to discriminate between line current breaks caused by operation of the local exchange, which current breaks are ignored, and other line current breaks which are analysed as pulses for application of the appropriate charge band.
  • relay switch 8 relay coil and driver 14 may be omitted.
  • the loudspeaker 3 and amplifier 15' may be omitted.
  • the first mode has been described with reference to a spoken message on the line for disrupting the call.
  • another audible signal could be imposed on the line instead to disrupt the call.
  • the speech systhesiser could be replaced by another signal source.
  • the links Ll and L2 may be omitted.
  • the current source 16 may be omitted or the amplifier 15' and speaker 3 may be omitted.
  • the level control 19 could be omitted.
  • more than two sound levels could be provided.
  • the LED 20 could be omitted.
  • the apparatus may be combined with a telephone in which case the socket 1 may be omitted.
  • the apparatus is selectively operable to generate no audible messages but to flash only the LED.
  • the LED is flashed instead of generating the messages and the pay-pips. This mode of operation is selected using the programming keys PI and P2 in the same manner as described above.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)

Abstract

Un microprocesseur (4) répond aux impulsions du numéro composé et au paiement (ou à l'absence de paiement) par l'intermédiaire d'une unité de validation des pièces (9) afin de commander un synthétiseur de parole (5) qui produit des messages parlés sur une ligne téléphonique (6) et/ou sur un haut-parleur (3) de manière à enjoindre à l'utilisateur de payer pour se servir du téléphone. On peut faire en sorte que l'appareil soit "arrêté" automatiquement en cas de non-paiement ou qu'il produise sur la ligne des messages qui entravent la communication sans jamais automatiquement la "couper" . L'utilisateur peut entrer dans l'appareil des données relatives au fonctionnement de l'appareil (par exemple le prix de la communication). Le microprocesseur (4) permet au synthétiseur (5) de produire des signaux parlés servant à guider l'utilisateur lorsqu'il entre ces données.
PCT/GB1989/000379 1988-04-13 1989-04-13 Appareil accompagnant un telephone WO1989010035A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO90904390A NO904390L (no) 1988-04-13 1990-10-11 Anordning for bruk sammen med et telefonapparat.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8808716A GB2217550A (en) 1988-04-13 1988-04-13 Telephone apparatus
GB8808716.8 1988-04-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989010035A1 true WO1989010035A1 (fr) 1989-10-19

Family

ID=10635119

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1989/000379 WO1989010035A1 (fr) 1988-04-13 1989-04-13 Appareil accompagnant un telephone

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0438406A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU3445089A (fr)
GB (1) GB2217550A (fr)
WO (1) WO1989010035A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2658680A1 (fr) * 1990-02-21 1991-08-23 Technacom Sa Dispositif de commande a paiement d'un telecopieur.
ES2107381A1 (es) * 1995-09-19 1997-11-16 Ecuphone S L Dispositivo emisor de mensajes sonoros, aplicable en telefonos accionados por monedas.
ES2150394A1 (es) * 1999-04-13 2000-11-16 Telefonica Sa Dispositivo de control de fraude aplicable en telefonos publicos mod lares.

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4016540A (en) * 1970-12-28 1977-04-05 Gilbert Peter Hyatt Apparatus and method for providing interactive audio communication
US4198545A (en) * 1978-03-08 1980-04-15 Communication Equipment And Engineering Company Automatic call timing telephone apparatus
GB2105149A (en) * 1981-08-28 1983-03-16 Gen Electric Co Plc Coin collecting apparatus
EP0088639A2 (fr) * 1982-03-09 1983-09-14 Martha Newkirk Réseau d'accès pour télécommunications commandé par carte de crédit
FR2575016A1 (fr) * 1984-12-13 1986-06-20 Grandmougin Michel Procede pour obtenir une communication a partir d'un appareil telephonique public suite a un prepaiement avec monnaie
JPS61208957A (ja) * 1985-03-14 1986-09-17 Tamura Electric Works Ltd 公衆電話機
US4731818A (en) * 1985-12-05 1988-03-15 Communication Equipment & Engineering Co. Self-computing credit card telephone paystation method and system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4016540A (en) * 1970-12-28 1977-04-05 Gilbert Peter Hyatt Apparatus and method for providing interactive audio communication
US4198545A (en) * 1978-03-08 1980-04-15 Communication Equipment And Engineering Company Automatic call timing telephone apparatus
GB2105149A (en) * 1981-08-28 1983-03-16 Gen Electric Co Plc Coin collecting apparatus
EP0088639A2 (fr) * 1982-03-09 1983-09-14 Martha Newkirk Réseau d'accès pour télécommunications commandé par carte de crédit
FR2575016A1 (fr) * 1984-12-13 1986-06-20 Grandmougin Michel Procede pour obtenir une communication a partir d'un appareil telephonique public suite a un prepaiement avec monnaie
JPS61208957A (ja) * 1985-03-14 1986-09-17 Tamura Electric Works Ltd 公衆電話機
US4731818A (en) * 1985-12-05 1988-03-15 Communication Equipment & Engineering Co. Self-computing credit card telephone paystation method and system

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 11, no. 145 (E-505)(2592), 12 May 1987; & JPA 61281754 (NIPPON TELEGR & TELEPH CORP.) 12 December 1986 *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 11, no. 46 (E-479)(2493), 12 February 1987; & JP-A-61208957 (TAMURA ELECTRIC WORKS LTD) 17 September 1986 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2658680A1 (fr) * 1990-02-21 1991-08-23 Technacom Sa Dispositif de commande a paiement d'un telecopieur.
EP0446159A1 (fr) * 1990-02-21 1991-09-11 Societe Anonyme Dite Technacom S.A. Dispositif de commande à paiement d'un télécopieur
ES2107381A1 (es) * 1995-09-19 1997-11-16 Ecuphone S L Dispositivo emisor de mensajes sonoros, aplicable en telefonos accionados por monedas.
ES2150394A1 (es) * 1999-04-13 2000-11-16 Telefonica Sa Dispositivo de control de fraude aplicable en telefonos publicos mod lares.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3445089A (en) 1989-11-03
EP0438406A1 (fr) 1991-07-31
GB2217550A (en) 1989-10-25
GB8808716D0 (en) 1988-05-18

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