Abstract: A telephone having a dialer for repetitively dialing a desired number at 40 second time intervals. The telephone is initially used in the normal manner, and when the number being called is busy, the user hangs up the telephone and depresses a button to place it in a reiterative dialing mode. Thereafter the telephone, at 40 second intervals, repetitively dials the desired number. Each time a busy signal is detected the telephone disconnects from the line, and dials again 40 seconds later. When a ring signal is detected, indicating the number called is no longer busy, an alarm alerts the user to pick up the receiver. All of the logic and control circuitry involved, except the power supply, is built into the telephone.

Abstract: A telephone accessory device for monitoring the cost of a telephone call at the location of the calling telephone. A keyboard is provided through which the number to be called is entered; this number appears on a display and can be checked for accuracy before the number is actually "dialed" by depressing another key on the keyboard. At this time the initial billing rate and initial billing time period appear on digital displays, as well as the billing rate for the next billing time period and the corresponding period duration. Circuitry is provided to continually maintain the billing displays on a current basis, to provide an accurate indication of the cost of the call. At the conclusion of the call the total cost thereof is automatically entered into an accumulator which provides information as to the total month-to-date costs of calls placed from the telephone.