Abstract: A smart earth leakage circuit breaker is installed on a distribution line through which an electric current flows. The breaker measures, by means of a CT, a leakage current flowing through the distribution line, and if the measured current exceeds a preset rated sensitivity current, cuts off electricity by means of trip operation. The smart earth leakage circuit breaker further comprises: a measurement unit tracking and measuring, based on measurement information of the CT, a value of the leakage current exceeding an alarm current value; the MPU setting conditionality and the alarm current value less than the rated sensitivity current and when the conditionality is satisfied based on information measured by the measurement unit, issuing a warning by means of an alarm unit; and the alarm unit operated and controlled by the MPU and warning of an abnormal symptom of the distribution line.

Abstract: A coin validation arrangement, usable for example in pay telephones, uses one or more inductive sensors having a small effective magnetic field so that the inductive sensor responds only to the material of a strip across the coin. Preferably a plurality of inductive sensors are used, mounted at different heights above the floor of a coin guide, at different positions along the coin path. At each position along the coin path there may be either one or a plurality of inductive sensors. Preferably the inductive sensors are surface mount inductors on a printed circuit board which forms part of one wall of the coin guide. Such arrangements are particularly useful for recognizing coins having an outer ring made of a different material from the central disc, and for distinguishing such coins from uniform composition coins.

Abstract: A method for limiting overpayment at a coin-operated telephone is disclosed. According to the method, a customer may initiate a call by first depositing a plurality of coins and then dialing the desired number. Once the number is dialed, the phone obtains the rate and compares the rate to the value of the coins deposited. If fewer coins could not have been used, the coin accepting mechanism is inhibited and the call continues normally. If fewer than all deposited coins are required to make the call, then all the deposited coins are returned to the customer and a new deposit requested. The phone then accepts coin deposits until the call rate has been met. Once the call rate has been met, further deposits are rejected and the call continues normally. Alternatively, the customer may dial the number first. The phone then obtains the rate and requests a deposit. The customer then deposits coins until the call rate is met. Once the phone recognizes that the call rate is met, further coin deposits are refused.

Abstract: Pin fraud of battery reversal pulse metered sophisticated coin telephones is detected, an announcement of the detected fraud made, and the fraud is stopped if the detected fraud continues 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, an announcement is made to at least the calling station where the pin fraud was detected, which says in effect "The pay telephone you are using is charging improperly for the service provided. If such improper charging continues the present call will be discontinued." A convenient location in the switch office and an inexpensive component configuration make the addition of this pin fraud detection, announcement and prevention apparatus very cost effective.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using and/or switching to an auxiliary communication pathway to increase system reliability and/or reduce maintenance costs is disclosed. One feature is directed to a smart network interface device (SNID) implemented using latching relays. The SNID has very low power requirements and can be remotely controlled in a reliable manner through the use of simple tone signal commands over common POTS line pairs. Upon detecting a fault condition on a main line pair, the SNID is remotely instructed to disconnect the faulty line pair and switch the telephone customer's line connected to the faulty line pair to an auxiliary line pair. To operate in a POTS telephone environment without the need for an additional power supply, the SNID is designed to be powered from the power available from the auxiliary line pair. The power supply circuitry of the SNID is designed to have a near infinite input impedance with regard to input signals below twenty volts.

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: Methods and systems are disclosed for the management of a remotely-deployed unit such as, for example, a telephone station. A local station revenue signal generated at the remote station corresponds to an amount of revenue generated at the remote unit. The generated revenue signal is processed with a generated cost signal, which corresponds to an amount of cost incurred in supporting the station, whereby the profitability of the station can be determined in an automated and/or real time or near real-time manner, and overall management of the unit becomes more efficient and effective. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for managing a remotely-deployed station wherein at least one local end usage signal is generated, which corresponds to a total amount of usage, such as direct-dial or commission-related telephone line usage for example, measured locally during a given time period.

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 box monitoring circuit for use in pay telephones, providing coin detection, coin volume totalization, and full coin box signaling to the telephone central office. An included coin chute assembly has three channels that cause nickels, dimes, and quarters to pass through specific locations within each channel. Light sources and light detectors detect the passage of coins. A microprocessor is utilized to control the light sources, monitor the detectors, and volumetrically count the coins passing through the coin chute. On reaching a full condition, a microprocessor then controls a relay to signal that the predetermined coin box level has been reached.

Abstract: A coin receptacle which maximizes use of the space within the receptacle and minimizes the frequency of collection visits. The coin receptacle solves the problem of pyramiding and dead space within by providing a resilient, angled surface positioned in the path of the failing coins. Upon striking the resilient surface, the coins tend to spin or rotate and land flat, and are distributed throughout the receptacle. The structure minimizes the possibility of down time.

Abstract: A recessed wall unit to accommodate a telephone, cordless telephone and/or an answering machine. The box for telephone devices of this invention consists of a generally rectangular box with an electrical outlet and a telephone jack internally mounted within the box. The outlet is supplied electrical power by typical wiring coming into the box through an inlet. Telephone wires are also feed to the internally mounted telephone jack through another inlet. A cover plate attaches to the front of the box to completely close and cover the front opening of the box. A telephone, cordless telephone or answering machine can be mounted on the front of the cover plate. The power supply for the telephone device can be plugged into the internally mounted outlet. The telephone device is connected to the internally mounted telephone jack. The power supply, outlet, power cord to the telephone device, telephone jack and all wiring is hidden from view behind the cover plate and within the box.

Abstract: Apparatus for auditing the usage and indicating the status of a remote coin telephone system to a central computer via a telephone line. The apparatus comprises a power conversion and supply section connected to the telephone line and which derives current from it. The power conversion and supply section has a capacitor for periodically storing and providing electric charge. A microcontroller is connected to the power conversion and supply section. The apparatus also comprises a data signal reception and transmission section, which is connected to the microcontroller and to the telephone line, and a circuit section which detects telephone line voltage, current and frequency signals connected to the telephone line, which are a function of the operation of the audited coin telephone system.

Abstract: A device for measuring the skin temperature of a conduit the device including a curved, sheathed thermocouple element adapted to be removably inserted within a similarly curved guide tube which carries a positioning pad at one end, the guide tube, in turn being received by a like curved, insulated shield.

Abstract: A public cordless telephone system which comprises abase unit and a branch unit connected to the base unit through a radio link to be used by many unspecified persons. The public cordless telephone system comprises a base unit connected to a public line network, a charger provided integrally with the base unit or separately therefrom, and at least one branch unit connected with the base unit through the radio link and having a battery as a power source, and removably mounted to the charger for charging the battery when mounted on the charger. The system detects the charge in the battery of the branch unit when the branch unit is mounted to the charger, and inhibits use of the branch unit when the remaining charge is insufficient to make a call. The system further includes a theft detection function that continuously transmits a theft signal from the branch unit until the battery of the branch unit is exhausted.

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: The pay phone apparatus of this invention includes a multiplicity of pay phones; a central switching board including a central switching device for each pay phone; and, a pair of telephone lines connecting each pay phone and its related switching device. Each pay phone has a coin mechanism to receive and hold nickels, dimes, and quarters deposited therein. The mechanism sends nickel, dime, and quarter coin signals to its related switching device each time a nickel, dime or quarter is deposited therein and operates to return coins held thereby to the user of the pay phone or to deliver them into a coin box in the pay phone in response to coin return and coin accept signals directed to it from the switching device.

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 passive, non-intrusive pay telephone monitoring system is disclosed for maintaining a talley of the amount of money present in a money box. A signal is sent over the line, interconnecting the pay telephone with its central office equipment when money in the box is collected by a collection agent, and the collected amount of money and the time of collection are then stored for verification of the collected amount.

Abstract: In an electronic coin telephone set, a fraud prevention arrangement prevents fraudulent coin tones originating at a telephone transmitter from being provided to a central office over a coin subscriber loop. The arrangement comprises a first and second transmission channel for alternately connecting the transmitter to the central office and also a fraud filter disposed in the second transmission channel. The fraud filter attenuates a selected frequency originating at the transmitter that is indicative of coin deposits. When coin deposits are not required by the central office, the transmitter is connected to the central office through the first transmission channel. When coin deposits are required by the central office, however, the arrangement connects the transmitter to the central office through the second transmission channel thereby avoiding the fraudulent generating of coin tones through the telephone transmitter.