Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a call from a credit card telephone paystation reads magnetic encoded data on a credit card and produces a credit card identification signal. The credit card identification signal is identified as valid prior to enabling the telephone call. Call information data is stored at the telephone paystation including the credit card identification signal, the called number, the time and date of the call and the call duration. The stored call data is transmitted at periodic intervals to a central billing computer upon request by the central billing computer.

Abstract: A credit card telephone station adapted to permit the initiation of telephone calls in response to the movement of a credit card having a stripe of magnetic characters on one face thereof past a magnetic card reader includes a housing for containing a telephone receiver-transmitter and circuit means including a magnetic card reader for enabling a call to be made. A telephone handset and supporting hook switch is provided and dial means accessible from the exterior of the housing is utilized for dialing calls. The telephone station includes a credit card receiving slot structure having an open edge accessible from outside the housing to permit a magnetic stripe containing portion of the credit card to be moved along a slot while manually gripped by a user. The slot structure includes a pair of spaced apart sidewalls, one of said walls having a window defined along a longitudinal path of movement for the credit card.

Abstract: A coin receiving prepay telephone station for local calls includes a telephone receiver and transmitter with a handset and a supporting hook switch cradle therefor. The station further includes a coin chute having an open end for receiving a coin and a lower end for discharging coins into a coin box. A solenoid controlled arm is movable transversely into and out of the coin chute adjacent a level near the open end for normally retaining a coin deposited in the chute in a partially exposed retrievable position permitting manual extraction from the chute if a call dialed from the station is not answered. Circuitry is provided for activating the solenoid controlled arm to move out of the coin chute permitting the coin previously retained therein to drop into the coin box when a called party answers a call of over three digits dialed at the station.

Abstract: Station apparatus is provided for exclusively handling calls without the use of coins including credit cards calls, collect calls, third party charge calls, in WATS calls (800 numbers), emergency calls, directory assistance calls, etc. The station apparatus is especially useful to provide service when interconnected with central office equipment that does not have provisions for automatically blocking local calls, i.e. equipment that does not have local call exclusion features such as found in electronic exchanges. The station apparatus prohibits local calls by opening the loop to the central office if more than a predetermined number of digits are dialed unless the first digit is a "0" or a "1". Thus, the dialing of such numbers as 911, 411, 611, 1911, 0, 0+ is permitted while local calls are prevented.

Abstract: A high security full prepay telephone paystation utilizes a low current escrow unit and a coin counter for determining the amount of money deposited in the escrow. Also, circuitry is provided for sensing whether any money at all has been deposited in the escrow. If no money has been deposited, the circuit permits dial and voice signals to pass to permit "0," "1" and certain emergency numbers, such as "911" to be passed to central offices designed to accept such numbers without the need for depositing a coin. If money is deposited, but that money is insufficient as determined by the coin counter, the dial and voice circuitry is inhibited. In addition, an improved coin box and paystation locking mechanism further improves the security of the station.