Abstract: Maintenance terminal of a validation and identification unit defined as a tool designed to accomplish two functions allowing the local initialization of the validation and identification unit or of the adaptation unit of public modular telephones, so being not necessary for the operation system of modular telephones to call these, allowing extensive diagnosis and failure identification, also in a local mode, whenever the central processing unit be operative through the use of an interactive man-machine language.

Abstract: The systems consists of an intrinsic collaboration among a message concentrator unit, a center operating unit, several visual displays, printers, information storage devices including operating and management software, insuring that modular telephones and both validation and identification units and access units control together with regional billing centers and a validation and billing center, as well as terminals of collecting entities by interchanging diverse specific operating messages within the public modular telephone management system-the whole context and operation arisen from their performance.

Abstract: An universal access optical fiber junction box consisting of a box in which the access system to the cables is composed of a series of small external channels and open and independent rubber plugs allowing to handle the cables and optical fiber junctions with a minimal interruption of service, allowing, furthermore, to replace independently all the elements composing the box.

Abstract: A public modular telephone management system. By using several units and systems, as well as ancillary elements for managing public modular telephones, it is possible to provide the public modular telephones with means of making payment for the service by using several types of cards such as: credit, prepayment, telephone subscriber or multiservice cards.

Abstract: An edge mask for a printed circuit board comprises a T-sectioned strip 1, to the base web of which can be secured a printed circuit board, via lugs and screws. The strip 1 carries a handle 3 at each end pivoted on a respective shaft 13 having side walls which pass through a slot 8 and cut-away 7 and end in hooks 14 which engage a subframe member 11 of apparatus in which the board is assembled. The handles can occupy alternative retaining and pulling out positions, and are biased by respective springs 15 into the retaining position. Contact strips 10 are also provided for effecting an earth connection to the apparatus frame.

Abstract: A modular public telephone has two independent armored boxes, one of which contains the telephone mechanism and the other of which is a strong coin receiving box. Both boxes are provided with front doors, and the upper box has a number of windows for receiving the respective operating modules including a coin insertion module a credit card insertion module, a display module, a keyboard module, a coin return module and a handset receiving module. A number of the modules can be interchanged or substituted.