Patent ID: 6278768
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A portable fixture for simulating and testing various functions of a conventional payphone, the fixture comprising:a numeric keypad operably positioned upon the fixture housing;two sets of electrical connectors associated with the fixture, the electrical connectors adapted to be removably interconnected with a handset of a conventional payphone;a quick connect/disconnect receptor associated with the fixture for accepting a conventional phone line;a three pin connector interconnected with the fixture and adapted to be interconnected with an escrow relay device of the payphone;an umbilical cord associated with the fixture, the umbilical cord adapted to be interconnected with a motherboard of the payphone, the umbilical cord adapted to relay information to and from the fixture;a hook dial switch associated with the fixture, the hook dial switch having a first orientation simulating an opened phone line and a second orientation simulating a closed phone line;a diagnostic circuit interconnecting the receptor and the three pin connector, the diagnostic circuit functioning to selectively operate the coin return and coin accepting functions of the payphone, the diagnostic circuit including;a bridge rectifier interconnected with the receptor, the rectifier functioning to convert the voltage associated with the phone line to a predetermined polarity;a capacitor interconnected to the rectifier, the capacitor functioning to selectively deliver a charge equal to the potential of the phone line;a push button interconnected to the capacitor, the push button having a first orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is opened and the capacitor is charged, and a second orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is closed and the capacitor is capable of being discharged;a selection switch interconnected to the push button, the switch having a first orientation wherein the diagnostic circuit is opened, a second orientation wherein the coin returning functions of the payphone are tested, and a third orientation wherein the coin collecting functions of the payphone are tested.