Patent GB-346766-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic telephone systems
IPC: H04M15/38
Filed: 1929-11-13
Abstract: 346,766. Automatic exchange systems. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES, Ltd., SKILLMAN, T. S., FREETH, L. G., and BERRY, R. J., Columbia House, Aldwych, London. Nov. 13, 1929, No. 34640. [Class 40 (iv).] A registering and controlling mechanism is adapted to store a number of wanted line designations for use subsequently in establishing corresponding speaking connections. The mechanism is particularly applicable for setting up toll calls without the assistance of a toll operator and for this purpose the calling line designations are also stored therein. The line designations may be recorded by punching tapes or cards which are automatically fed to sending mechanism when the subsequent circuits are ready to receive them. In the layout shown, a calling party S obtains access over a finder LF to a local register Rand dials a toll prefix whereupon a switch OS hunts for an idle junction to the toll exchange. The calling party, on receipt of tone, dials the wanted number followed by his own number. These numbers may be stored in R or may be sent direct to a register TR (in the toll exchange) which has become associated over FS, with the junction. As the number of digits exceeds the capacity of the register, an auxiliary register is associated therewith as described in Specification 335,529, [Class 40 (iv), Telephones &c.]. Register TR releases the connection or connects the calling line to an operator in case of delay or incomplete dialling. When all the digits have been stored TR is connected over SS to punching mechanism PM by way of a distributor if more than one such mechanism is required to handle the traffic. TR, and the connection extending thereto, releases when TR has discharged itself or to the tape T or card. When a toll line becomes idle, it is connected over a circuit CM, comprising switching and signalling relays, and a switch TS to a sender SM. At the distant end of the toll line, register R1 is seized and sends back a signal to start the sender SM which transmits the digits of the wanted number and, after these have been sent, a signal from SM causes CM to switch the impulse circuit to a toll switching trunk which has become associated therewith over TSF and over which connection is made to the calling party by means of switches OT, LS1, LS2, FL. Monitoring operators' positions OPM, MO are provided at the toll and distant exchanges, position OPM being provided with printing mechanism operated by the impulses from SM to record calling and wanted numbers. If the wanted party is busy, OPM is signalled and the operator rings the operator at MO and requests her to offer the call. If the calling party is busy, the operator at OPM informs the called party. In a modified arrangement, a calling party may obtain toll facilities by first dialling his own number and may be recalled over the switches by which access to the toll exchange was obtained. Or, he may not dial his number, a record of the number being obtained by the position of his line in the banks of the non-numerical switches. Ticket punching and reading arrangements. When a call comes into the punching mechanism, clutch magnet 17 starts the conveyer 4 and ticket issuing magnet 3 ejects a ticket from holder 1. When the ticket reaches stop 7, magnet 17 is de-energized and stops the conveyer, magnet 18 removes the stop, and time-stamp 5 operates on the tail of the ticket (Fig. 2). Code impulses received from TR operate the punches 6, magnet 19 being operated after each digit to step the conveyer. When TR has discharged itself, clutch magnet 17 again operates to feed the ticket to conveyer 8 which deposits it in holder 9, Fig. 3. If a toll line is free, the ticket operates a contact 20 to start the sender, clutch magnet 21 starts the conveyer 11 and magnet 10 issues the ticket which moves to stop 14 whereupon stamp 12 records the time of sending and magnet 22 removes the stop. The ticket passes under feelers 13 which transmit code impulses according to the holes in the ticket which is fed forward by stepping magnet 23. When the connection has been completed a signal operates magnet 21 so that the ticket is carried, by conveyers 15, 16, to the right-hand side of guide 24 into a bin. If the call is not completed, a busy or time alarm signal operates magnets 21, 25 so that the ticket passes to the left-hand side of guide 24 into a " re-try " bin.