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: A technique for de-assigning signals from the fingers of a rake receiver is disclosed. In general, embodiments of the present invention place more stringent standards on signals that have been newly assigned to a finger and may be spurious and place less stringent standards on mature signals that have proved themselves over time but may be experiencing only a temporary signal quality shortfall. Illustrative embodiments of the present invention accomplish this goal using one or more of four techniques. The first technique de-assigns a signal from a finger when a measure of signal quality of the signal crosses a threshold, while changing the threshold as a function of the duration that the signal has been assigned to the finger.

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: 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: A circuit operated in response to deposit of a coin through a trigger switch to selectively operate one of a plurality of signal generators. When coins are deposited through said coin trigger switch, blocking light from a light source to a light detection means, an associated signal driver activates a selected tone signal generator.

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.