Abstract: A method and apparatus for telephone call answer supervision, capable of detecting the completion of both national and international calls, which employ different answer confirmation formats, and provide confirmation that a placed call has been answered if least one of the following conditions occurs: 1) a tone of a given frequency, transmitted on the transmit line of a telephone, is detected as received back on the receive line; and 2) audio activity having a non-repetitive cadence is detected on both the transmit and receive lines of the telephone. Also provided is an autonomous pay telephone, such as a mobile telephone, which includes an arrangement for determining and accessing a call rate, per unit of time, for a call placed to a given telephone number, a display for displaying, in real-time as the call progresses, charges for a completed call as well as an accounting arrangement for storing charges accessed for each completed call.

Abstract: A telephone call is conveniently placed between a telecommunications device and a central office. A first plurality of signals representing a telephone dialing digit not including "0", followed by a multiple-digit phone number, is received. At least one signal which indicates a desired method of making payment for the telephone call is then received. Arrangements are made for payment of the telephone call according to the desired method of payment. The telephone call is then placed by transmitting a second plurality of signals representing the multiple-digit phone number to the central office.

Abstract: A prepaid telephone system having multilingual capabilities is provided in a public switched telephone network. A telephone user buys a predetermined amount of service beforehand and receives a card imprinted with a unique account number. A plurality of toll free access telephone numbers allows the user to access the prepaid telephone system. Each of those telephone numbers causes the prepaid system to interact with the user in the language in which he or she wishes the system to operate. The user is prompted in the chosen language to enter his or her card number. The authenticity of the number and the available credit is determined. If there is a certain minimum amount of credit available, the user is prompted to enter the phone number of a desired party. The user may also dial a speed dialing alias which connects the user to special services including news, weather, travel, translation, and other services.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention comprises a telephone switchboard 20 and first coupling distributors 17-19, which are arranged in a central telephone exchange 13, second coupling distributors 10-12 arranged in areas provided with public telephones 1-3, and connected to the first coupling distributors through transmission path 14-16, movable radio terminals 21-26, and base stations 4-6, connected to the second coupling distributors, for relaying radio signals between the radio terminals and the central station. The transmission path 14-16 are used for transmitting signals between the base stations and the central station, as well as between the public telephones and the telephone switchboard.

Abstract: Communication apparatus using baseband, digitally formatted optical signals provides an infrared optical communication link between a terminal unit and station unit. Pulse width modulation or continuously variable slope delta modulation digital procotols are used to encode and decode the transmitted and received digital optical signals. A microprocessor senses the presence of a connection command signal to complete the optical communication link. In one embodiment of the invention, a station unit associated with a coin operated type pay telephone instrument communicates with a remotely located terminal unit to permit a user to access and be connected to the public telephone network via the terminal unit. The station unit senses the digitally formatted optical signal and decodes it to derive the supervisory and audio frequency signals and in response to the supervisory signals causes the telephone line to be connected to and disconnected from the station unit.

Abstract: An integrated customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) and regulated paystation telephone system permits the functionality of the paystation to be remotely programmed, in order to increase the versatility of the paystation in either mode of operation. The integrated paystation telephone system includes a central microprocessor coupled with a memory that stores the firmware for operating the paystation telephone. Circuitry is provided under the control of the microprocessor to operate such functions as the power control and coin relay (the relay which excepts or refunds a deposited coin) in either mode of operation. The paystation telephone system is remotely configured to operate in either the COCOT or regulated mode without requiring any hardware changes. Because of the remote configuration of the paystation telephone system, various features can be programmed, increasing the versatility of the paystation.

Abstract: Maintenance unit for modular public telephone, the unit being made up based on a microprocessor, a block for communication with the modular telephone, a rotating switch to take measurements and a condenser charger for the modular public telephone, with a rapid condenser charger to feed the modular telephone that will load the logic and the activators, allowing the unit to communicate through any telephone situated on a line protected by a validation and identification unit, and carrying out the same through the selection of the identification number on turning switches. The unit also has circuit blocks to measure feed condenser voltage, line current, alternative voltage with respect to grounding and the state of the battery.

Abstract: Telephone communication apparatus permits an individual, while using a telephone, to select the language which both will be utilized in all messages given to the individual by the telephone and will be utilized by an operator, reservation clerk, or other individual that the individual contacts for assistance while using the telephone apparatus.

Abstract: An adjustable height mounting pedestal (10) for public or coin telephones (18) comprises a tubular upright post (12) having a plurality of arrangements of mounting holes (80) corresponding to varying telephone mounting heights ranging from a drive-up curb side height to a standard handicap access height. A backboard mounting enclosure (16) is longitudinally aligned with and overlapping the upright post (12) such that the backboard (16) adjustably slides along the upright post (12) during installation of the mounting pedestal. A single installer can accurately determine the center height of a coin slot (19) of the telephone (18) before mounting the telephone within the backboard mounting enclosure (16) by use of a coin slot center height indicator (141). The upright post (12) allows mounting of a backboard (16) and telephone at a selectively variable height, and also allows the mounting of a second backboard (16') and telephone at the selected height.

Abstract: A mobile telephone system for public transportation vehicle, such as trains, cabs, etc., provides passengers with a wide variety of public services presently not available in any other system. Such services include access to facsimile machines and other peripheral devices, a range of payment options such as credit card or cash, and voice synthesized as well as visual instructions on how to operate the system making the system user friendly to an unrehearsed user.

Abstract: A public pay telephone station constructed to accept user carried media which may be in the form of CD disks which are capable of storing a variety of data or information for interacting with the public telephone station. The station is provided with a display screen and control switches. Interaction is provided between the database in the user disk and distributed databases in the telecommunications network. The system provides sophisticated services based upon the massive data storage capacity of the CD disk used in conjunction with a microprocessor and memory in the telephone station as combined with the virtually limitless distributed storage data and capabilities of the telephone network.

Abstract: A call progress circuit for both a customer owned, coin operated telephone and a regulated telephone is provided that does not mute the paystation's transmitter, so that voice signals from the calling party may be heard by the called party, thereby preventing an answering party from hanging up prematurely. The call progress circuit employs a transmitter-sourced audio signal discriminator which monitors audio signals placed on the line from the called station, the calling paystation and a central office, and controllably removes or subtracts out those audio signals that originate at the paystation transmitter. The discriminator includes a pair of tunable bandpass filters respectively associated with a telephone line receiver and the paystation transmitter circuit. Coupled to these filters is an audio spectrum scanner which sequentially adjusts the sensitivity characteristics of the filters.

Abstract: A coin fraud prevention system which includes a coin telephone having a voice transmitter, comprising a coin tone sensing arrangement for sensing coin tones, coupled to the voice transmitter of the telephone; and a coin telephone disabling arrangement in the coin telephone coupled to an output of the coin tone sensing arrangement for disabling the coin telephone in response to sensing of the coin tones from the transmitter; wherein further the coin tones include at least one or two coin tone frequencies, and the system has a bandpass filter having at least one pass band corresponding to the tone frequencies, and a tone detector coupled to the bandpass filter for generating a coin telephone disabling signal in response to receipt of the tone frequencies, wherein the disabling signal is connected to the coin telephone disabling arrangement, so as to prevent dialing of the call.

Abstract: Voice message storage from a first plurality of telephones, such as a plurality of coin operated pay phones, is provided by a multiprocessor system including a CPU, a software driven line card connected to each coin operated telephone line, and a single voice message computer. The voice message computer and the line cards are coupled together through a private internal data bus which is independent of the telephone lines and the central office switch systems. The voice message computer provides spot advertising of selected messages during dead times in the telephone connection, provides abbreviated, coin-free, speed dialing, coin box accounting, and remote automated coin box diagnostic monitoring. Voice messages are stored in the voice message computer, which originate both at a pay phone for later delivery to a phone through the central office switching system, or which originate with a telephone directly connected to the central office switching system.

Abstract: A volume control for a telephone having a receiver, a manual key for generating a volume increment for each operation of the key; a volume increment counter connected to the manual key for counting volume increments; a controlled gain amplifier connected ahead of the receiver; and a gain control network connected between the controlled gain amplifier and the counter for controlling the gain of the amplifier in response to the number of volume increments counted in the volume increment counter. A unique feature of the volume control is that it maintains the selected gain level when the central office collects or refunds coins or makes an initial rate or coin present test.

Abstract: A line powered telephoe is disclosed in which the telephone is not powered from a separate external source. The improved pay telephone is powered solely by loop current available on the telephone line from the central office. A rechargeable battery is provided to store excess loop current to enable operation of the pay telephone when not off-hook to the central office. Power consumption by components of the telephone is minimized by shutting down unnecessary functions on a selective basis to ensure that sufficient excess loop current is available to recharge the battery. In addition, an improved switched-capacitor circuit is disclosed to enable storage of electricity at a voltage potential higher than the off-hook line voltage to enable firing of standard high voltage relays for coin collection and coin return.

Abstract: A telephone system and method of operation are disclosed which use a microprocessor control system (10), a speech generator (34) and speech memory (46) to automatically place calls without the need of a live operator. The telephone receives a destination telephone number and billing format information from a user. The microprocessor control system (10) alters the access format of the destination number and places the call as a direct dial telephone call. The billing format information is stored in a call record memory (11). The billing format information may later be retrieved to facilitate the billing of charges for the call to an appropriate party.

Abstract: A plug-in telephone facility includes conventional telephone communication apparatus together with a conventional coin-operated mechanism supported within a housing enclosure. A plurality of telephone plug receptacles are supported within the housing and may be accessed by a user's personal telephone communication device. Embodiments are shown which provide alternatives to a conventional pay telephone as well as convenient roadside facilities accessible from a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A coin slot cover for telephones to indicate an out-of-order condition. A plate with a pair of locking tabs extending therefrom that may be inserted into the coin slot of a pay telephone.

Abstract: An interface unit for coupling an international-type pay-telephone to a land-based or cellular telephone system. The interfacing unit of the invention has a microcomputer, and an associated EPROM in which is stored the exchanges of the telephone numbers that are accessible by that local payphone-terminal, which EPROM also stores a table indicative of the tariffing rates associated with the respective exchanges called. The invention also includes the tone-detectors for detecting the dialed DTMF digits of the pay-telephone, for the conversion thereof for storage in the microcomputer for the determination of a valid telephone number dialed in order to determine the associated tariffing rates. The tone detectors also detect the tone-signals received from the telephone system. The invention also includes "isolating" switching circuitry for isolating the coin-operated pay terminal from its couplement to the telephone system until the telephone call has been connected.

Abstract: The invention enhances a payphone by providing multilingual instructions to the user on how to complete a phone call. This is accomplished by providing a language directory listing at the payphone. Upon actuating the proper code for the language desired on the dial of the payphone, instructions will be given in that language.

Abstract: A telephone system uses a badge which contains electronically stored data including information about pre-paid credits. When a call is made, data is read from and into the badge to leave a credit balance standing in the badge after the charges for a call have been deducted.

Abstract: A standard keyboard or keypad for a coin operated telephone is connected to balance an artificial line rather than the actual phone line. The artificial line simulates operating conditions at the end of the loop regardless of whether the phone that the keyboard is in is actually near or far from the central office. As a result, the standard keyboard can be operated using a current at or near its designed minimum operating current. Additionally, a microcontroller for controlling the operation and decoding of the keyboard is programmed to have a small duty cycle of on time during decoding so that the bulk of the power normally used by the microcontroller can be switched to the keyboard when it is detected that a key is depressed. Thus, a line powered low power controller can be used in conjunction with a standard keyboard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection and prevention of pin fraud in a coin operated telephone is disclosed. A circuit detects loss of loop current and triggers the opening of a pair of switches thereby disconnecting the microphone from the phone. The A-relay is also switched to its refund and collect position. As a result, the fraud path through the microphone is disconnected, and the central office can perform all its control functions unimpaired. Thus, the incentives for perpetrating the fraud are eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to enable a low power telephone controller to operate with either a carbon microphone or a dynamid microphone is described. A jumper in a preamplifier and filter circuit is preset to accommodate the audio transfer characteristics of one or the other type of microphones. For either microphone, a small DC current of less than 500 .mu.A is used to sense the presence of either type microphone and serves the dual role of biasing the carbon microphone to the appropriate level to be amplified so that the input to an audio circuit in the controller us very nearly the same for either microphone. The audio circuit then processes and dynamically balances the signal to the telephone line, where it is output.

Abstract: A credit/calling card pay telephone method and system, employing appropriate expanded local intelligence at the telephone instrument unit for enabling local card checking and call transaction record keeping, and interfacing with a PC host computer periodically automatically to transmit batches of such records to the computer for locally generating customer billing thereat.

Abstract: In a telephone system, a composite detection circuit and method for use in mechanized loop testing to detect both AC ringing and DC coin control voltage at a test access unit. An equalization circuit distinguishes between the two voltages and selectively amplifies the DC components of the voltages, thus amplifying the positive DC coin control voltages out of the detection range of the negative AC ringing voltages and vice versa. Two distinct outputs indicate either a positive or negative voltage detected. Two identical circuits are used, one on the ring line and one on the tip line, to detect positive and negative ringing and coin control voltages.

Abstract: A security mechanism for use in a telephone paystation upper housing consisting of a specialized latching mechanism which operates when a non-legal key combination is utilized to gain access to a paystation upper housing to inhibit unlocking of the upper housing and to inhibit the removal of key utilized to gain access to the upper housing. The mechanism is available in kit form and may be added to existing paystations without major modification thereto.

Abstract: The charge and collect-call functions of a public telephone are arranged automatically by a microcomputer system preferably connected on customer premises between the phone terminal instrument and the local loop, wherein control of said instrument, network signaling and call placement voice prompting of the call parties, recognition of responses from the parties and the network, call detail records of numbers and timings, and data communications with other computers are accomplished by the microcompter system without requiring human operator assistance or the transmission of calls over excessive distances to reach such an operator.

Abstract: A low power control apparatus for a coin operated telephone controls a full range of phone functions as well as an electronic coin acceptor. The control utilizes phone line power. Power for all the normal operations of the coin operated telephone and its coin acceptor is also supplied from the phone line. The control is preferably microcontroller based and designed utilizing low power components. In the control, an interface circuit serves to connect the phone tip and ring lines to either a power supply circuit or to a totalizer and escrow control circuit. The power supply also provides power to an audio network including a variety of fraud prevention circuits, a modem, and several time generator circuits. A monitor system monitors the status of several security switches to monitor the phone's condition. Hardware and software design features control the application of power to circuits only when needed.

Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10).

Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10).

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method of operation are provided which allows for the recording and downloading of message prompts to a telephone (80) from a remote location. A message is recorded by a recorder (70) and the recorded message is digitized by an audio digitizer (72). The messages are organized into formatted message files and stored in a storage medium (74). A host computer (76) transmits the message files through a standard telephone connection to a particular telephone station (80). The messages are used by the telephone station (80) to prompt users of the telephone during the processing of telephone calls.

Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting duration of tones and other audio signals, and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call (as indicated by audio signal duration) which is also determined by the interface (10).

Abstract: A telephone system and method of operation are disclosed which use a microprocessor control system (10), a speech generator (34) and speech memory (46) to automatically place calls without the need of a live operator. The telephone receives a destination telephone number and billing format information from a user. The microprocessor control system (10) alters the access format of the destination number and places the call as a direct dial telephone call. The billing format information is stored in a call record memory (11). The billing format information may later be retrieved to facilitate the billing of charges for the call to an appropriate party.

Abstract: A device for mounting a telecommunictions device for the deaf ("TDD") to a pay telephone booth which provides an enclosure for storing the TDD when not in use, and a mechanism for attaching the TDD to the booth so that it can be moved between a position where it is contained within the enclosure to a position where the handset of the telephone may be received in the handset cradle of the TDD to provide access to public telephone to the deaf and hearing impaired.

Abstract: A telephone system and method of operation are disclosed which use a microprocessor control system (10), a speech generator (34) and speech memory (46) to interact with a calling party placing a long distance phone call. The telephone receives a billing account number from the calling party thorugh a keypad (24). The telephone determines the validity of the billing account number by attempting to place a telephone call using the billing account number to a controlled telephone number. If the attempt is successful the billing account number is valid and a communication path is established through a telephone line interface (38). The microprocessor controlled system (10) generates a billing record for the call which is stored in a call record memory (11). The billing record can later be retrieved to facilitate billing the call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for starting telephone charging in a pay phone.The starting device essentially comprises a scrambler circuit (42) which is inserted in the line (26) when the handset is taken off-hook and which is inhibited only when the user actuates a pushbutton (20), and a microphone inhibit circuit (40) which is inserted when the user dials the called number and which inhibits simultaneously with the circuit (42). Charging begins when the button (20) is actuated.

Abstract: An anti-fraud device is mounted internally within a coin-operated telephone to prevent fraudulent calling due to "pin fraud". The device includes circuitry which senses the presence of ground fraud conditions to disconnect the transmitting element from the telephone to prevent the defeat of a coin collect supervisory signal to cause coins temporarily held in the coin hopper to drop into the coin collection box rather than to be returned to the user.

Abstract: A telephone having a hook switch is coupled to tip and ring conductors for receiving loop current from a central office responsive to an off-hook condition at the hook switch. The electronic circuitry within the telephone for facilitating various functions is powered entirely from the loop current flowing from the central office during the off-hook condition; with loop current being maintained after termination of the off-hook condition in order to perform certain call functions.

Abstract: A dynamic microphone and dynamic microphone amplifier used with a pay station telephone system has the amplifier physically located within a pay station and includes an isolation transformer to prevent ground faults in the dynamic microphone in the handset from being sensed by telephone network control circuitry. The dynamic microphone amplifier is mounted on a printed circuit board which includes an isolation transformer for the speaker element in the receiver of the handset. The leads from the transmitter dynamic microphone and receiver speaker are connected to the amplifier circuit board by way of a modular pin connector physically located in the pay station housing. The isolation transformers function as ground fault isolation devices to prevent ground faults in the handset from affecting the operation of the associated telephone system and to reduce the risk of electrric shock to a user.

Abstract: A ground detect circuit for use in telephone paystation consisting of a comparator circuit which compares the voltage across a telephone transmitter included in the paystation to prevent users from fraudulent use of the instrument by grounding the handset transmitter to signal the central office that initial rate deposit has been made when in fact it has not. The ground detect circuit upon detecting the presence of ground at the transmitter generates a signal which can be utilized to disable an associated calling device.

Abstract: A telephone display which can be programmed from a remote site. A standard pay telephone is equipped with a modem, processor, and memory storage devices whereby it can receive a character string transmitted over telephone lines from a remote programming site. The processor displays messages embedded in the character string on a display panel attached to the telephone booth, and optionally on an interior display panel removed from the telephone booth. The character string has format controls for displaying the messages, and may also have clock commands for displaying certain messages at certain times of the day. A priority message is flashed on the display panel whenever the telephone handset is removed from its cradle.

Abstract: A self-contained, pre-pay coin operated telephone wherein when the user removes a handset from a switchhook, a local dial tone is generated, prompting the user to enter a telephone number of a called party. Once the first digit of that telephone number has been entered, the locally generated dial tone is removed and the user completes the entry of the telephone number. Once the proper coin has been deposited, the internal computer causes the telephone to couple itself to a central office. The telephone number entered by the user is then sent to the central office under control of the internal computer. During this time, the microphone in the handset is muted such that the user cannot communicate through the telphone. Once the user hears the called party answering, then the user must actuate a push-to-talk switch to indicate to the computer that the party has answered.

Abstract: A public telephone set that processes call charge information is provided. The set includes a register for holding a pre-determined number of digits of the dialed number and a memory in which dial control codes corresponding to the predetermined number of digits are stored in advance. Depending upon the telephone number that is dialed, a memory location is directly addressed to obtain a control code. The control code specifies a memory location in which charging information such as a charge or time increment is stored. This information is then processed to determine the appropriate charge for the number dialed.

Abstract: A lock-down holder for a desk top coin operated telephone includes a base adapted to receive and retain a telephone. The base is adapted to be affixed to a rigid surface and may further include a coin drawer for purposes of increasing the coin storage capacity of a telephone set.

Abstract: A safety seat stand apparatus for coin-operated telephone sets includes: a stand body with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion having an open receiving chamber formed in the horizontal portion for securing a coin-operated telephone therein; a drawer-type coin box with a first lock device movably provided under horizontal portion in communication with the open receiving chamber; an information panel structure provided on the vertical portion of the stand body for posting various charges and information thereon; and a check member with a second lock device and a press piece closely engaged with the vertical portion of the stand body so as to safely secure the coin-operated telephone set in the open receiving chamber through the second lock device and the press piece; thereby, a coin-operated telephone set combined with the safety seat stand apparatus can be fixed on any solid supporting object for convenient usage.

Abstract: A telephone paystation coin refund and collect circuit for operating a coin relay with power obtained from a two-wire business telephone line. The circuit employed utilizes charge storage capacitors and MOS-FET transistors for current pulsing of the relay coil with current flow in either direction as determined by a signal from an associated microprocessor controller.

Abstract: A telephone system enabling prepayment for telephone calls, wherein special code and credit information is stored in memory in special exchanges and debited as the call progresses.