Abstract: A cost-efficient method that utilizes encryption techniques to prevent the unauthorized use of telephone customer calling card account and personal identification numbers (access codes), by electronic telephone network eavesdroppers and telephone company employees. The access codes are encrypted by the telecommunications carrier's access code collection device. The encrypted access codes are subsequently used instead of the clear-text access codes in all subsequent transmissions and subsequent processes that make use of access codes including billing and printing of calling card access codes.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for administrative monitoring of a calling card fraud prevention system is disclosed. An administrative monitor continuously oversees the functions performed by components of the fraud prevention system and thereby detects abnormalities in system performance. The administrative monitor regularly compiles status information from system components and applies a set of predefined thresholds in order to determine whether abnormalities are present. Upon detection of an abnormality, the administrative monitor generates a health warning, which is displayed on workstation monitors to provide notice of the problem.

Abstract: A reinforcement pay phone upper housing for mounting to and protecting a pay phone is disclosed, including an outer casing having at least a front panel and two opposite side panels extending from the front panel to be mounted to the upper portion of the pay phone so as to at least cover a portion of a front side and two lateral sides of the upper portion of the pay phone in order to protect the upper portion of the pay phone. An inner plate is arranged inside the outer casing and fixed to an inner surface of the front panel. The inner plate has an opening for mounting dial keys which extend out of the front panel through corresponding openings provided on the front panel. An intermediate reinforced plate is interposed between the inner surface of the front panel and the inner plate, having a reinforced section on which an opening for the dial keys is formed.

Abstract: A group conferencing arrangement for a counseling service permits the simultaneous connection of two or more service representatives to a call-in caller, i.e. without the need for one service representative to add-on the second service representative conferee. The call-in caller signifies their wishing to partake in a plural service representative call by dialing a special 800 or 900 telephone number or signifying the same via entering an appropriate response to an audio response unit. Each service representative may have a terminal equipped with a display or other means for receiving the identity of the call-in caller and the other service representative connected to the group conference call.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and preventing the fraudulent use of phone services in which the recipient of a telephone call is responsible for charges only after they agree to accept the telephone call is disclosed herein. The system and method includes a mechanism for detecting the initiation of a telephone call, wherein associated with the telephone call is a telephone number. The present invention searches a database for a prior occurrence of the telephone number. If the telephone number is found in the database, the information in the database associated with the telephone number is analyzed to determine if the telephone call is fraudulent. The system and method compares the information in the old record with a threshold to determine if the telephone call is fraudulent. The system and method completes the telephone call if the step of comparing determines the telephone call is not fraudulent in response to the step of comparing.

Abstract: To prevent so-called "clip-on" fraud from occurring at a public telephone station, such as a coin operated public telephone, a unique signature identifier is transmitted at the telephone following the transmission of the dialed number. If remote equipment determines that the expected identifier is not correct, or it fails to receive the signature, then the remote equipment terminates the call. Once the call is completed, then the public telephone is expected to periodically transmits a second identifier. The completed call may also be terminated if the remote equipment does not receive the expected second identifier at an expected rate or if a received second identifier is not correct.

Abstract: A method for foiling cellular telephone cloning by verifying subscribers of a cellular communications network is accomplished by having each subscriber provide a multi-digit verification number (for example, a local telephone number, typically not his/her own), unique to that subscriber, to the cellular telephone company and long distance carrier to verify legitimate subscribers. The verification numbers provided by the subscribers are stored in respective databases and correspond to electronic serial numbers of subscriber telephones. Shortly after each power-up of the cellular telephone, the subscriber either invokes an automatic dialer or manually dials the verification number. A computer in the cellular network receives the subscriber's first call (containing an electronic serial number, network identification and verification number) after power-up and verifies the dialed verification number against the verification number stored in the database.

Abstract: An improved anti-stuffing coin return for a telephone paystation, which is highly resistant to explosives due to front and rear openings, has a pair of diverging side walls and at least one internal movable plate, all made from a high strength material. The outer casing may include a push button that cooperates with the movable plate to help move any materials stuffed therein and allow coins to flow to a coin retrieval area adjacent an open front area. Additionally, a coin slide in the coin path may pivot to substantially block the force and gases of any explosive materials detonated therein.

Abstract: A telephone-line powered coin telephone chassis which operates on as little as 23 milliamperes of off-hook loop current and which shuts down on-hook. Capacitors power a microprocessor for a short time during on-hook coin control immediately after a phone call. The chassis is designed to operate with the WESROC.RTM. coin telephone monitoring system and has built-in circuitry which makes a direct communications link between a remote unit of the WESROC system and the chassis. Connectors are built into the chassis for electrically connecting the chassis to the WESROC remote unit and to coin telephone components external to the chassis. Built into the chassis is circuitry for preventing tone fraud and pin fraud, detecting the presence of the handset, a push-button line diagnostic test, an interface for a volume switch and an interface for an electronic coin chute.

Abstract: A low-power, integrated coin acceptor for a payphone containing audit circuitry is described. The integrated coin acceptor connects to the telephone tip, ring and ground lines and connects to a dumb or smart payphone chassis to provide both coin validation and audit functions. The integrated coin acceptor is compatible with the audit software used by the central office, and assures a seamless transition between coin acceptor operation, audit data recording and audit information transmission. Components related to the audit function include a line interface to the tip, ring, and ground lines, a DTMF transceiver, battery backed-up RAM memory, EEPROM memory, real time clock, and battery and control circuits for data retention. During audit interrogation activity, the integrated coin acceptor takes control of the phone line, but contains circuitry that will return dial-tone to the user if an off-hook event occurs.

Abstract: A coin return apparatus, for use with a pay telephone, which provides a discontinuous coin return path between the coin return structure and the coin discharge opening of the pay telephone and which resists "stuffing", "stringing", and "pinning". The coin return apparatus includes a housing which is mountable within the pay telephone and a movable door mounted to the housing. The housing includes a chamber therein and a first opening which is communicable with a passageway of a coin return structure of the pay telephone and which is selectively communicable with the chamber. The housing further includes a second opening which is communicable with the environment about the pay telephone and which is selectively communicable with the chamber. The movable door is movable between first and second positions relative to the housing.

Abstract: Prior to completing a telephone call, a database is accessed within a telecommunications network to determine whether the call should be completed. The billing number to which the call is to be charged is compared to a customer record assigned to the billing number and stored in the database. The customer record is checked against a treatment category code which combines geographic call restrictions and thresholding. A call may be identified as potentially fraudulent and blocked if the customer record associated with the billing number indicates that the account is in arrears. In addition, at predetermined intervals during the progress of the call and at the end of each allowed call to be charged to that billing number, the time and/or cost of each call is estimated and added to the total stored in a user-defined threshold counter in the database. When the total stored in the counter exceeds a predetermined threshold limit, a potentially fraudulent call is identified.

Abstract: A coin handling protection device is disclosed which prevents thieves from stuffing compressible material through the coin insert slot and into the coin return chute of coin-operated machines. The device prevents stuffing the coin return chute by incorporating a blocking plate across the top opening of the coin return chute such that compressible material stuffed into the coin insert slot is diverted into the open space within the payphone unit. The device is suitable for use in existing coin handling apparatus.

Abstract: A telephone station (1) having a handset (14) can be connected to a telephone exchange (5) by means of first and second switches (6, 7) by way of two lines (2, 3). When the switches (6, 7) are closed the telephone station (1) can be supplied with electrical energy from the telephone exchange (5) by way of the lines (2, 3). Within the telephone station (1) the first switch (6), a first coil (8), a circuit member (10), a second coil (9) and the second switch (7) are electrically connected in series. The switches (6, 7) are actuable by the handset (14) of the telephone station (1). The two coils (8, 9) are wound in opposite directions around a body (12) of magnetic material.

Abstract: A blast proof apparatus for the coin return cavity of a public phone, having the embodiment of the coin return cavity cover comprises an inner cover and an outer cover; a spring element between the said inner cover and the outer cover forming an elastic force to bind the two covers closely contact with each other, a plurality of through holes formed on the surface of the inner cover, the said cover combination being then placed to the coin return mouth by a pivot so the cover is able to be pushed inward for money removing process. If an explosion occurs inside the coin return cavity, the high pressure formed by the explosion pushes the outer cover outward through the through holes on the inner cover and is released in order to avoid possible damages in the coin return apparatus.

Abstract: A data record processing system including a dynamic data record excluder generates a unique record identification in response to a received data record. Alternatively, the received data record may include the unique data record identifier. A data record index stores at least a portion of the received data record and the unique data record identifier. A dynamic data record excluder determines whether or not the received data record was previously received by searching the data record index, and generates a data record exclusion indicator if the data record was previously received, thereby excluding processing of the previously received data record, to avoid duplication and to allow the data record processing system to process the most recent data record.

Abstract: A cellular paystation system has a transceiver, paystation and an interface. The cellular paystation system operates to prevent return dial tone fraud by providing from the interface a first dial tone to a calling party using the paystation when an off-hook condition is first detected at the paystation by the interface, and then preventing another dial tone from being provided to the calling party until an on-hook condition of the calling party is detected by the interface at the paystation.

Abstract: An anti-vandalizing device prevents removal of the coin-return bucket through the coin-retrieval window of the lower-housing cover of a coin-operated telephone while still accommodating coin vault security involving use of one key by the coin collector and of a differently coded key for the upper housing by the maintenance person responsible for fixing the bucket in the lower housing. A guard ring mounted inside an aligned window of a guard wrap reduces the effective size of the guard wrap window to where the bucket cannot be retrieved therethrough even after being crushed against the anti-rocking screw while still accommodating user coin retrieval of his unused deposited coins. The guard ring is slidably mounted on the back side of the guard wrap so as to be retrievable from above in the space between the lower housing cover and the guard wrap when the upper housing is removed. In one embodiment a ridge about the perimeter of an installed guard ring window seats within the guard wrap window.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for implementing service functions in association with a communication between an originating station and a called station. A communication including identification information is received at a first network element from the originating station. A transaction is opened for use in a bi-directional exchange of messages relating to the communication between the first network element and the second network element. The communication is held at the first network element while the identification information is sent from the first network element to the second network element. The second network element determines processing instructions for implementing the service functions. The second network element then sends the processing instructions to the first network element. The transaction is then closed. In response to receiving the processing message, the first network element routes the communication for connection from the originating station to the called station.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deterring fraudulent use of a fixed wireless telephone, comprising sensing motion of the telephone with a motion sensor and preventing operation of the telephone after it has been placed in motion and until entry of a security code to reset operation of the telephone. A central facility may also be automatically notified in the event movement of the telephone is detected.

Abstract: An electronically controlled locking system for use with coin telephones. The system is preferably utilized in conjunction with and controlled by the Wesroc.RTM. Coin Phone Monitoring System. Existing coin phone lock mechanisms consist of a primary lock and a secondary lock. The primary lock actually physically secures the coin vault door in position. The secondary lock locks the primary lock in a locked position. Both locks are mechanical systems which are actuated by mechanical key devices of a common type and structure. This mechanical system is prone to fraud and theft. The present invention provides an electronically controlled latching mechanism for controlling the operation of the existing locking mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods immediately alert a telephone company or other owner/host or operator of a payphone that a vandalizing stuffing has occurred, thereby enabling it or him or her promptly to dispatch a maintenance person to the particular payphone or station to fix it. Stuffing sensing switches are advantageously mounted in a coin return mechanism, and in electromechanical payphones electrically connected to the telephone company central office over one of the existing RING and TIP wires connecting the stuffed or compromised payphone with the central office. Conventional testing techniques periodically employed in the office by the telephone company over the existing wit. installation will then sense whether a payphone has been compromised or stuffed. In electronic payphones, a payphone computer monitors the sensing switches and calls the owner/host or operator to report a problem or gives a local alarm.

Abstract: Pin fraud of battery reversal pulse metered sophisticated coin telephones is detected and prevented by the method and apparatus of the invention. By carefully monitoring within the switch office the loop current that is flowing in the 48 volt battery circuit, especially in the more positive terminal portion of the 48 volt battery circuit, loss of current to a fraud ground at a remote coin telephone can be detected. Once a fraud ground is detected, the call is terminated. The current detector of this method and apparatus can also be used to terminate a call for the normal on-hook break of the loop current. A convenient location in the switch office and an inexpensive component configuration make the addition of this pin fraud detection and prevention apparatus very cost effective.

Abstract: A sensor that senses the absence of a high-magnetic permeable coin box (10) that, in its quiescent state, is mounted within a compartment (12) of a coin operated device, such as a pay telephone (14). The compartment has at least one interior surface (16). The sensor includes an electromagnetic switch (20) having two states (open circuit, closed circuit) that affect a signal to an output device (22) when the switch (20) is activated from one state to another. In preferred form, the switch (20) is a reed switch. A magnet (18) normally provides magnetic flux flow to the switch. When the magnetic flux flow is disrupted, the switch (20) changes from one state to another. The switch (20) and the magnet (18) are fixably-connected to at least one surface (16) of the compartment (12).

Abstract: A fraud detection system is used with a communications network, the network including a billing system having a database of customer account information and of account-associated call logging information including called numbers. Each customer account includes customer name and address information and a settable indicator which when set indicates that the account is a debt account having a predetermined debt status. The fraud detection system is responsive to a debt account accessing, in use, the database for selecting a customer account, for obtaining a group of called numbers associated with the debt account and a group of called numbers associated with the selected customer account are compared. The respectively obtained groups and, if the degree of similarity of the calling characteristics of the two customer accounts meets a predetermined criterion, an indication that the selected customer account is a probable fraudulent-application account is provided.

Abstract: A monitoring computer (115) monitors a communication resource within a wireless communication system for transmissions by a communication unit. Upon detecting the transmission, which contains a unit identifier, the monitoring computer compares the unit identifier with stored system access information for the communication unit. When the unit identifier is not compatible with the stored system access information, the monitoring computer reprograms at least a portion of the system access information of the communication unit. In this manner, discrepancies in communication unit programming may be corrected.

Abstract: An anti-stuffing device involves removing the floor at the end of the coin return chute to create a floor opening, placing a wall over the end of the chute to stop coins coming down the chute, pivotally mounting at the bottom end of the wall a compound lever so that its one leg closes-off the floor opening when in a first position towards which it is biased, and attaching one end of a compression spring to the other leg of the compound lever and its other end to the bottom of the pivoted door normally closing-off the front opening to the coin return bucket. The spring is of such length that when the bucket door is closing-off the front opening, it yieldably urges the compound lever to its first position closing-off the floor opening and when the lower end of the bucket door is pushed inward it pushes the compound lever so that its one leg moves away from the floor opening and allows the pay telephone user's coins for uncompleted calls to be retrieved by him. Methods defeat old and new stuffing techniques.

Abstract: Increased network security is provided by monitoring in real time one or more characteristics or attributes of telephone calls that are placed through the network and notifying the network customer (i.e., the party responsible for paying for the telephone calls), in real time, when the attributes are indicative of abnormal or fraudulent network usage. The network customer, once notified of the abnormal usage, is in a position to take steps to minimize unauthorized network usage. For example, the network customer can selectively block network usage, deny access to the network on a call-by-call basis, or trace the call to catch the unauthorized user while the call is still in progress.

Abstract: AN automatic calling service is provided wherein a subscriber predefines one or more destination telephone numbers, and calls to such number or numbers are billed to the subscriber's local telephone number. Calls are made to such destination numbers through a platform that may be reached via a toll free number. The calling party identifies him/herself as a subscriber, by entering a personal identification number, to authenticate him/herself as a person entitled to make such calls. Based upon the identification provided, a determination is then made as to whether the subscriber has stored one number, or more than one number. If one number is stored, the caller need not identify the destination number, and advantageously, that number is then dialed. If more than one number has been specified, the subscriber is prompted to provide an indication of the particular number desired. The call is then completed to the desired number.

Abstract: A method of avoiding undesirable interferences between services in a telecommunications system that includes basic software for a basic service and supplemental software for services supplemental to the basic service. The supplemental software is divided into action software which acts solely on the basic service, and supplemental software which acts on the remaining supplemental software. A supplemental service is represented by action elements. Combinations of action elements form nodes in a mathematical binomial tree. Only those combinations which correspond to interference, i.e., an undesirable behaviour, between supplemental services will form a number of structures, called interference event trees. Before a supplemental service can be executed, its action elements are compared with nodes in the interference event trees (55), with the intention of ascertaining whether or not the former coincide with action elements belonging to the nodes in the latter.

Abstract: A card for tonal entry of PIN codes into a telephone is provided. The keys of a key entry device are contacted in a proscribed sequence to enter a number into the card with each use of the card. The keyed in number is compared with a number stored in the card. If the numbers are the same, an acknowledgement tone is sent. Upon obtaining of the acknowledgement tone, the annunciator in the card is held to the telephone mouthpiece and activated by the user to produce a tonal representation of the PIN number. If an improper number sequence is keyed in by the user, the card produces a warning signal requiring reentry of a number. After three or four successive failures of the user to enter the correct number, the card is disabled and a new one has to be obtained by the cardholder.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for detecting fraudulent network usage patterns using real-time network monitoring of at least two disparate networks is shown which receives at least one event record from each of the disparate networks, analyzes each of the received event records to determine its type based on user-defined parameters, identifies predetermined fields in the analyzed event record to be used as keys, measures network usage associated with the key, summarizes usage statistics against at least of the keys, compares statistic totals to predefined thresholds, and responds with an alarm or the like when the thresholds are met or exceeded.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preventing access to a telephone service by unauthorized users employ an access code preferably having a fixed component which identifies an authorized user, and having a plurality of variable components associated with the fixed component so that at least one of the plurality of variable components is currently valid for the purpose of processing a telephone call by the service. The variable component is changed from among the plurality of variable components with each telephone call in a predetermined sequence to prevent stealing of the access code by unauthorized users. A credit card may be employed listing the plurality of variable access codes in a predetermined sequence to allow the authorized user to determine which variable component will be currently recognized by the telephone service based on the number of telephone call made with the credit card.

Abstract: An anti-stuffing lead-in-chute device for coin acceptor on a payphone, having an assembly of a multi-angled lead-in-chute which communicates at its top gripping point with a draw bar on a lever. Said lever, in response to manual operation of the coin return release, pulls down said gripping point on top of said lead-in-chute assembly so that an outside plate opens up from its bottom. In the meantime, an arm, sitting between two panels, pushes center plate which in turn kicks out stuffing when a conventional plate on coin mechanism pops out in response to manual operation of coin return release. Also in response to manual operation of the coin return release, a thin spring hook rotates up and around an axis to facilitate clearance of stuffing near the coin slot. The entire assembly returns to its normal working position after releasing stuffed tissue, cloth or similar material.

Abstract: Data terminal equipments placed in a rental company and a mass retailer are interconnected via a data transfer network over an intelligent network for rendering an accounting service. The intelligent network accommodates a credit accounting service manager and a credit accountant. In response to a subscriber registration request for a credit accounting service issued from a data terminal equipment, the credit accounting service manager stores a credit card member number and a subscriber number of a portable telephone as a pair in a database. In response to a call setup request issued from a registered telephone, the credit accountant retrieves a credit card member number from the database using a subscriber number and produces credit withdrawal information.

Abstract: A method for controlling telephone fraud of the type whereby a caller places calls or accesses services via unauthorized use of a credit card number or other authorization number. For such control, an initial call using the number and meeting a certain primary criterion (such as placement to a geographical area known to receive numerous fraudulent calls) is intercepted and it is determined whether or not that call is an authentic use of the number. If authentic, other calls are then allowed without interception, even though they may meet the primary criterion, unless or until a secondary criterion is met. Meeting the secondary criterion (which may relate to calling patterns indicative of fraud) also causes a call to be intercepted and a determination made as to whether the use is authentic. For interception due to either criterion, if the call is determined to be inauthentic, the authorization number may be removed from service.

Abstract: An upright stand is provided for a coin-operated machine, such as a coin-operated telephone. The stand employs a base firmly attached to an underlying support from which a column having vertical enclosing walls rises upwardly. At its top the column defines a seating opening for receiving a coin-operated machine, such as a coin-operated telephone, in snug, seated engagement within the seating opening. The coin-operated telephone is laterally confined within the enclosing walls of the column. The stand employs an internal mounting system by means of which the telephone is secured within the confines of the column at the upper end thereof by fasteners which are inaccessible from the exterior of the casing of the telephone and from the exterior of the column. Utilizing the stand, a coin-operated telephone is protected from thieves seeking to steal money from the coin box, as well as from vandals.

Abstract: A telephone is secured against vandalism involving inserting a bare electrically conductive wire through the slot in the MEDECO lock securing the upper housing to the main housing. The free end of the inserted wire is made to contact either the "12" or the "1" terminal on the key pad on the back of the dial housing, to place system ground on the relay controlling the coin switch at the bottom of the chute for inserted coins and neutralize it so that coins can not be released to the coin box if a call is completed nor to the coin return bucket if a call is not completed. An advantageously shaped and located and mounted wire guard prevents the vandalism. The thin guard includes a wire blocking portion, a flange mounting portion, and intermediate portion connecting the blocking and mounting portions, and an inturned portion on its free end for overlying the terminals.

Abstract: A mechanism prevents explosion damage to coin pay telephones by providing an almost horizontal offset in the coin path so that a wad of paper cannot be moved by the weight of subsequently inserted coins. For existing phones, a retrofit provides a horizontal offset by locating a horizontal slot to one side of the existing coin chute entrance and having in back of it a relatively horizontal slippery surface for sliding the coin sideways and then downwards into a tunnel in alignment with the existing coin chute. The tunnel has a sloping bottom surface so that the coin rolls therein under the force of gravity into the existing coin chute. In another embodiment, the horizontal slot is further arranged perpendicular to the existing slot and the relatively horizontal slippery surface slides the coin back towards the horizontal slot and then downwards into the tunnel with a bottom sloping surface operative to roll the coin into the existing coin chute.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for collecting call detail, monitoring customer account balance for excessive charges, and controlling the capabilities of cellular subscriber stations on the cellular telephone switch in substantially real time is disclosed. A communication system co-located at a cellular MTSO is used to capture detailed call information by examining the switch's Automated Message Accounting data in real-time. Call records are parsed, rated for toll and air charges and stored in a database. A software system monitors the billing activity on the customer account for excessive charges. When excessive charges take place, a connection between the communication system and the cellular telephone switch control port allows commands to be issued directly from the communication system to the cellular telephone switch providing operational control of selected cellular telephones.

Abstract: A telephone is secured against vandalism by a double layer face plate or assemblage of tough materials. The assemblage consists of an outer plate covering most of the front of a telephone upper housing or casing, and a second layer covering the housing casing in areas not covered by the outer layer. Two such areas are those which involve openings in the outer or first layer for mounting the standard information pads above and below the dial push buttons. The second layer is open in the area of the push buttons, but the outer layer is provided with a grid thereat for preventing the housing or casing pushbutton grid from being pried out. The outer plate may be provided with wings to also secure the sides and top of the housing or casing against drilling and the insertion of a wire to pin the coin switch vane or to ground the coin switch relay to hold up deposited coins. The outer plate may also be provided with depending portions to cover the telephone coin box and coin return bucket.

Abstract: Access of a user to a resource, such as a telecommunications network, includes storing, in a first call data base, a first set of attributes concerning an ongoing call from a caller. A second call data base stores a second set of attributes concerning the history of prior calls made by the caller. A rules data base stores rules concerning attributes for determining whether to disconnect the call, block future calls, or take other action. A determination is made whether data in at least one of the call data bases matches the rules in the rules data base. The call is then disconnected, the next call blocked, or other action is taken, in response to a match between data the call data bases and data in the rules data base. Preferably, the second call data base is updated in response to matches with the rules data base.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making a credit/debit card purchase without revealing the card number to the vendor of services or goods. The card holder is connected to a data base and provides the card number, plus holder identity verification, to the data base. The data base then verifies whether the card holder is authorized to incur the expense of the purchase, and, if so, provides an authorization indication or code to the vendor; the card number cannot be derived from the authorization information, thus helping to preserve the secrecy of the card number.

Abstract: A coin-operated pay telephone is made secure from the removal of the coin return mechanism by a vandalizing bar and the subsequent collection of returned coins by vandals. A security bar is inserted behind the coin chute and down through an opening in an intermediate strengthening plate to block rocking of the coin return mechanism by a vandalizing bar and its translation forward out of the casing through the opening in which a finger is normally inserted to retrieve coins for incompleted telephone calls. The security bar includes a shoulder which rest on top of the rear edge of the coin return mechanism. The rear of the security bar includes a horizontal slot which is received on the portion of the strengthening plate behind its opening to prevent displacement of the security bar.

Abstract: A public telephone system includes public telephone sets assigned with different specific numbers and allowing speech communication using cards and a center apparatus connected to the public telephone sets through a telephone line. The center apparatus includes a list number forming unit for forming one list number from numbers of a plurality of invalid cards produced by illegally rewriting the cards, a registering unit for registering each formed list number in association with a series number, management number, and telephone number of each of the telephone sets, a storage unit for storing the list number and the series number, management number, and telephone number of each telephone set, all of which are registered by the registering unit, and a list number transmitting unit for calling, through the telephone line, each public telephone set corresponding to the telephone number registered in the storage unit and transmitting a list number corresponding to each telephone set.

Abstract: A fraud detection apparatus receives a telephone call including area and national numbers from a switch and determines when the telephone call is fraudulent. The fraud detection apparatus includes a switching processor capable of receiving the area code and national numbers from a local telephone switch. The switching processor may also have the capability of storing potential fraudulent call information, such as area codes, billing numbers and domestic or international directory numbers. The processor determines the telephone call to be fraudulent when any or a combination of the above numbers matches one of the potential fraudulent numbers stored in its memory.

Abstract: An improved protective coin return for a telephone paystation having a pivoted outer sweep flap with a downwardly depending end flap and at least one pivotable inner flap, all made from a high strength material. The outer sweep flap and the at least one inner flap replace the conventional door on coin returns so as to provide an open front portion whereby a telephone user may look into the coin retrieval area. Additionally, the outer and inner flaps cooperate together to expel unwanted materials from the coin return through a rear opening having a pivotable vapor flap cooperating therewith so that substantially all forces and gasses of any explosive materials detonated therein are blocked and dissipated.

Abstract: Pay telephone coin opening cover assemblies which include portions of the pay telephone and a mask fashioned to cover the coin return opening. The mask includes a structural element or elements which cooperate with coin return opening structure and existing interior portions of the pay telephone structure to secure against the opening a face plate which is attractive and unobtrusive in appearance. The invention allows a conventional pay telephone to be recycled into a coinless pay telephone which is attractive in appearance, friendly to the user, and cost competitive.

Abstract: An improved protective coin return for a telephone paystation having a pivoted outer sweep flap and at least one pivotable inner flap, all made from a high strength material. The outer sweep flap and the at least one inner flap replace the conventional door on coin returns so as to provide an open front portion whereby a telephone user may look into the coin retrival area. Additionally, the outer and inner flaps cooperate together to expel unwanted materials from the coin return and substantially block and dissipate the force and gasses of any explosive materials detonated therein.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a protective cover assembly for a coin-operated telephone having a coinbox-containing region which includes a protective cover plate dimensioned and configured for removable attachment adjacent the coinbox-containing region of the telephone, and a removable access plate associated with the protective cover plate for gaining access to the coinbox disposed within the coinbox-containing region of the telephone. The two-part construction eliminates the need for removal of the full protective cover assembly in order to gain access to the coinbox of the telephone.