JPS61176247A - Public telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the automatic collection of call charge by providing CONSTITUTION:A CPU A1 controls a push-botton type dial mechanism 4, a display device.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a public telephone set, and in particular to a public telephone set in which billing pulses are created using a call charge memory and a discount information memory provided in an internal storage section. Regarding.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] In general, in public telephones, the user picks up the handset and operates the hook switch, then inserts coins worth more than the unit call charge into the coin slot, e.g. Using the button-type dialing mechanism, you manually dial the number of the telephone you are calling. This dialed number is entered into the central office exchange via the telephone line. Then, when the handset of the telephone to be called is picked up and the hook switch is activated, the communication line is connected and the conversation begins.

When a call is started, a billing pulse is sent from the exchange at the central office to this public phone, with a period of time during which a call can be made at one call rate, which is determined by the type of dialed number of the destination, such as an area number. .

The public telephone that receives this charging pulse stores the coins inserted from the coin slot of the money storage mechanism one by one into the coin storage section in synchronization with the period of the charging pulse. When the call ends, the remaining coins are returned from the coin return slot.

However, in public telephones in which coins inserted into the coin slot of the money storage mechanism are stored in the coin storage section by a charging pulse sent from the exchange at the telephone office, the amount corresponding to the call fee is stored in the coin storage section. It is not possible to automatically collect call charges unless provided externally. Therefore, in countries or regions where telephone exchanges have adopted systems that do not have the function of transmitting billing pulses, in order to collect accurate call charges, it is necessary to go through the telephone exchange operator. There was the inconvenience of having to make a phone call and ask the operator for the charge.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a memory for call charges corresponding to the type of dialed number and a memory for call charges corresponding to the call time period in a public telephone. By providing discount information memories and creating billing pulses using the stored contents of these memories, call charges can be automatically collected even if billing pulses are not supplied from the telephone exchange. The purpose is to provide public telephones.

[Summary of the Invention] The public telephone of the present invention includes a call charge memory that stores billing pulse cycle data for each dial number type, a clock circuit that outputs time information representing the current time, and a call charge memory that stores charge pulse cycle data for each dial number type, a clock circuit that outputs time information representing the current time, and a call charge memory that stores charge pulse cycle data for each dial number type. A discount information memory is provided which stores the discount rate of λ, reads periodic data corresponding to the dial number input into the dialing mechanism from the call charge memory, and uses the read periodic data to store the discount rate corresponding to the current time. After correcting the discount rate with the discount rate read from the information memory, money corresponding to the call charge is automatically collected by inputting a charging pulse having the period of the corrected periodic data to the money storage mechanism. It is.

[Embodiments of the invention] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a public telephone according to an embodiment. For convenience of explanation, a coin-operated public telephone will be described below, but the same applies to a card-operated public telephone. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (A) (central processing unit) consisting of a microprocessor, etc., for transmitting the dialed number input from the dialing mechanism to the telephone exchange and controlling telephone calls. In addition, 2 in the figure is this CPLI (A
) A CPU (B) that generates a billing pulse in accordance with the type of dial number sent from the CPU (B).

CPU (A>1 controls, via the input/output circuit 3, a button-type dial mechanism 4 and a display device 5 that displays the dial number.A handset (not shown) is taken up by the input/output circuit 3. At the same time, the hook switch 6 operates and a switch signal is input.Ranani CPU (A) 1
is an exchange within the telephone office! ! an input/output circuit 10 for controlling the telephone communication circuit 7 connected to the telephone line 9 via the telephone line 9; C.P.L.I.
(B) Input/output circuit 11 for exchanging information with '2. RO that stores fixed data such as control programs
Controls M12 and RAM13 that temporarily stores variable data.

The C'P U '('B) 2 is a ROM 14.0 that stores fixed data such as the input/output circuit 11° control program and call charge memory. RAM that temporarily stores variable data such as dial numbers input via the input/output circuit 11
15. It controls a clock circuit 16 that outputs time information representing the current time, such as day 0 of the month and day of the week 1 hour 0 minutes, and an output circuit 18 that sends billing pulses to the money storage mechanism 17.

In the ROM 14, as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to a control program area RO1 for storing control programs, a call charge memory R○21 and a discount information memory RO3 are formed.

The call charge memory RO2 stores billing pulse cycle data for each type of dial number. In other words, for toll-free dialing numbers such as directory assistance and emergency calls, the billing pulse cycle data is set to infinity, and for local numbers, the call time per call frequency is 3 minutes (180 seconds). In this case, periodic data of a billing pulse of 180 seconds is stored. Further, each time indicated in seconds during which a call can be made with one call rate is stored as cycle data of billing pulses corresponding to each area code. In the case of an international call, as well as the above-mentioned area code, each time indicated in seconds is stored as billing pulse periodic data corresponding to the dial number of the international call.

Further, the discount information memory RO3 stores a discount rate for charges corresponding to the time period of the call. That is,
Daylight saving time storage area RO4 that stores the period (month and day) during which daylight saving time is adopted; Holiday storage area RO5 that stores holidays for one year; Weekday discount time storage area that stores night discount hours on weekdays excluding Sundays and holidays. RO6, area for storing the discount rate of charges for this time period RO7, Sunday.

A holiday discount time storage area RO8 for storing nighttime discount hours on holidays such as public holidays, and an area RO9 for storing discount rates for charges during this time period are formed.

In the RAM 15, a dial number area RA1. A dial counter RA2. that counts the number of digits of the input dial number. A billing information area RA3 is formed in which periodic data of billing pulses sent to the money storage mechanism 17 is stored.

However, when the power of this public telephone is turned on, the CP
U (If A>1, dial mechanism 4 according to the flowchart in Figure 3.
The system is configured to send the dialed number input from the central office to the exchange 8 and CPU (B) 2 of the telephone office. That is, when the main routine starts in FIG. 3, the initial setting process (A) in FIG. 4 is executed at Pl. In the initial setting process (A), first, each input/output circuit 3, 10, and 11 is initialized, and the memory contents of the RAM 13 are cleared. Next, the handset is picked up and the hook switch 6 is released to wait until the telephone line to the exchange is connected.

When the initial setting process (A) in FIG. 3 is completed, it is confirmed that the next dial operation is valid, such as that the elapsed time from the previous key operation in the dial mechanism 4 has not exceeded the limit time. After checking, the control input/output process (A> shown in FIG. 5) is executed at P2. In the control input/output process (A), the operation status of the hook switch 6, the connection status of the telephone line, and the connection status of the telephone line Confirm that the telephone is in a call (outgoing call) state, etc.Furthermore, if the handset of the destination telephone is picked up and the called party answers, set the answer flag.Also, if the handset is placed and the telephone is hooked. If the switch 6 is restored or the call line is cut off, it is determined that the handset was placed down before the call line was connected to the destination telephone, and the call ends.Also, in the case of an incoming call, the dial Since there is no need to identify the number and create a billing pulse, the process ends in the same manner as above.

In FIG. 3, when the control input/output process (A) is completed,
A key of the dial mechanism 4 is pressed down, and a one-digit dial number corresponding to the operated key is detected. Then, the dial number entered manually is displayed on the display device 5 and sent to the CPU (B) 2 via the input/output circuit 11. Also, the input/output circuit 10. Call circuit 7. It is sent to the telephone exchange 8 via the telephone line 9 and waits for the key to be released from the pressed state. CPU (B) 2. of the one-digit dial number input from the dial mechanism 4 above. The sending operation to the exchange 8 is completed.

Further, the CPU (B) 2 executes the C
It is configured to execute billing pulse creation work based on the dial number input from the PU (A) 1 via the input/output circuit 11. That is, when the main routine starts in FIG. 6, the initial setting process (B) in FIG. 7 is executed in P3.

In the initial setting process (B), after initializing the input/output circuit 11 and the output circuit 18, the dial number area RA1. Clear dial counter RA2° billing information area RA3. -Then, the dial number input interrupt processing shown in FIG. 8 is permitted.

In the dial number interrupt input process, the input/output circuit 11
The one-digit dial number input from is stored in the dial number area R'A1 of RAM'15.

At the same time, the count value (D, CTE') indicating the number of dialed digits of the dial counter RA2 is increased by 1.

If the increased count value (number of digits) does not exceed, for example, 24, which indicates the limit value of the dial identification ability, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 6 while maintaining the dial number input interrupt in the enabled state. In addition, dial number area RA1
When the number of digits of the dial number stored in 24 exceeds 24, the dial number input interrupt is inhibited to prevent input of a new digit of the dial number.

When the initial setting process (B) in FIG. 6 is completed, P4
The discount rate reading process shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

In the discount rate reading process, first, it is confirmed that the installer of this public telephone has previously set the public telephone so that various rate discounts can be executed. Next, from the clock circuit 16, the current 9th day of the month.

Read day of the week 0 hours 8 minutes. And the current time read is RO
It is checked whether the period (month/day) in which summer time (daylight saving time) is adopted is stored in the daylight saving time storage area RO4 of 'M14. And if applicable, clock circuit 1
The current time read from 6 is converted to summer time. In other words, the time is advanced by a certain amount of time. Next, it is checked whether today is a holiday stored in the holiday storage area RO5 of the ROM 14 or a holiday such as Sunday. If it is not a holiday, it is checked whether the current time corresponds to the nighttime discount time stored in the weekday discount time storage area R06, and if so, the discount rate in the area RC>'7 is read out. On the other hand, if today is a Sunday or a public holiday,
It is checked whether the current time corresponds to the night discount time stored in the holiday discount time storage area RO8, and if the current time corresponds to the night discount time stored in the holiday discount time storage area RO8, the area R
Read the discount rate of O9. Incidentally, if the current time does not correspond to a discount time on weekdays or holidays, there is no need to discount, and the process returns directly to the main routine of FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, when the discount rate successive processing of P4 is completed,
At P5, control input/output processing B shown in FIG. 10 is executed. In control input/output processing B, input/output circuit 11 and CP'U
(A) Operation state 1 of the hook switch 6 via 1 confirms the incoming call and the called party's response. hook switch 6
is on or an incoming call is detected, CPU(B)2
ends the process. Conversely, if the hook switch 6 is off and there is no incoming call, the process moves to detecting a response from the called party, and if there is a response from the called party, a response flag is set. Then, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

In Figure 6, if there is no response from the called party, the 11th call will be made at P6.
Execute the billing information calculation process shown in the figure. In the billing information calculation process, the dial number stored in the dial number area RA1 of the RAM 15 is read by the interrupt input process, and the type of number, such as an area number, included in the read dial number is stored in the call charge memory RO2 of the ROM 14. Search by number type. If the dialed number indicates a free call such as directory assistance, there is no need to collect the call charge, so infinite cycle data is stored in the billing information area RA3. Next, if the dialed number indicates a local call number, then, for example, 1.80 seconds representing 3 minutes per call is stored in the billing information area R, A3. Furthermore, if the dialed number indicates a long-distance call or an international call, periodic data of one call frequency corresponding to the long-distance number or international call number is read out.

Next, in the discount rate reading process shown in FIG. 9, it is checked whether or not the discount rate has been read out. If the discount rate has been read out, the periodic data read out from the call charge memory RO2 is used at this discount rate. The divided value is stored in the billing information area RA3 as new periodic data.

On the other hand, if the discount rate is not read out in the discount rate reading process, the periodic data read out from the call charge memory RO2 is stored as is in the billing information area RA3.

Note that the dial number required for identification is in the dial number area R.
If it is not stored in A1 or is in the middle of being stored, dial identification is performed up to the dial number that is being stored, skipping the billing information calculation process, and returning to control input/output process B in P5 to continue the same process.

In the main routine of FIG. 6, when the billing information calculation process is completed and a called party response is detected, the control input/output process C of FIG. 12 is executed at P7.

In the control input/output process C, after detecting the state of the hook switch 6, a charging pulse having a period equal to the data stored in the charging information area RA3 is sent to the money storage mechanism 17 via the output circuit 18. The money storage mechanism 17 stores the coins inserted from the coin slot one by one into the storage section in synchronization with the cycle of input charging pulses. Note that when the call ends and the hook switch 6 is restored, the transmission of the charging pulse is stopped.

In the main routine of FIG. 6, after one billing pulse is issued by control input/output processing C at P7, P
The discount rate reading process shown in FIG. 9, which is the same as in 4, is executed.

If the discount rate changes while the public telephone is in use, the control input/output process C of P7 is executed again.

In the public telephone set as described above, the user picks up the handset, inserts several coins into the coin slot of the money storage mechanism 17, and then manually inputs the dial number of the destination telephone from the dial mechanism 4 using the keys. Then, the dialed number is sent by the CPLI (A) 1 to the exchange 8 of the central office via the telephone line 9, and the input/output circuit 1
1 to the CPU (B) 2. CPU (
B) 2 stores periodic data indicating the call time of one call frequency corresponding to the input dial number in the call charge memory R○ when the handset of the called party's telephone is picked up and the call starts.
Read from 2. Then, the read cycle data is corrected with the discount rate read from the discount information memory 3, and a billing pulse of the corrected cycle is sent to the money storage mechanism 17. Therefore, since coins corresponding to the call charges are stored in the coin storage section, the call charges can be automatically collected.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, there is a call charge memory in a public telephone that stores call charges for each type of dialed number after being converted into billing pulse cycles, and a call charge memory corresponding to the call time period. A discount information memory storing a discount rate is provided, and a billing pulse corresponding to a regularly discounted call fee is created using the stored contents of each memory and is input to the money storage mechanism. Therefore, even if a charging pulse is not supplied from the central office exchange, accurate call charges can be automatically collected without the intervention of an operator.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure shows a public telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main memory of the storage section, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are CPU (A
), Figures 6 to 12 are flowcharts showing the operation of the CPU
It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of (B). 1...CPU (A), 2...CPU (B), 3
゜10.11... Input/output circuit, 4... Dial mechanism, 8... Switching machine, 12.14... ROM, 13.1
5...RAM, 16...Clock circuit, 17...Money storage mechanism, RO2...Call charge memory, RO3...
Discount information memory, RAl...Dial number area, R
A3...Billing information area. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue ^, N. 1N Kaisho 6l-176247 (8) Figure 10 also 11 Figure 11 Figure 12 Procedural amendment □xn eQ, March 8th ■ Prayer Commissioner Manabu Shiga, Indication Patent of Case @60- No. 16828, name of the invention Public telephone, relationship with the Nagisa case to be amended Patent applicant (057) Anritsu Electric Co., Ltd., agent

Claims (1)

[Claims] a dialing mechanism (4) for inputting a dialing number corresponding to the telephone number of the destination; dialing number data indicating the type of dialing number; and a time period during which a call can be made at one call rate determined corresponding to the dialing number data; A call charge memory (RO2) that stores periodic data indicating the period of prescribed charging pulses; a clock circuit (16) that outputs time information indicating the current time; and time zone data indicating the time period in which the call charges are discounted. and a discount information memory (RO3) for storing data on a discount rate of a call charge determined corresponding to the time period data; data retrieval means (CPU (B) 2) to read from;
correction means (CPU
(B) 2) and; an output circuit (18
) and; 1 every time a charging pulse is output from the output circuit.
Money storage mechanism (17
), regardless of whether or not a charging pulse is sent from the exchange, call charges are collected each time the call frequency increases, with call charges corresponding to one call frequency determined in advance. A public phone featuring: