Patent GB-450742-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to metering in automatic telephone systems
IPC: H04M15/38
Filed: 1935-10-28
Abstract: 450,742. Automatic exchange systems. SOC. ANON. DES ATELIERS BRILLIE FRERES, 4, Boulevard de Villiers, Levallois-Perret, Seine, France. Oct. 28, 1935, No. 29723. Convention date, Oct. 27, 1934. [Class 40 (iv)] Apparatus connected to subscribers' lines at the exchange prints the called numbers, the time at the beginning and end of conversation, metering signs at the beginning or end of conversation and in case of multiple metering, prints the time and metering sign at the end of each time period. The apparatus comprises a paper strip carried by rollers 3a, 3b and stepped forward by magnet 3 the stroke of the armature of which is controlled by magnet 4 so that with 4 unoperated, the ratchet 3c is moved one step by 3 whereas with 4 operated at the end of conversation, the armature makes a full stroke and moves 3c two steps to make a space between records. The digits are repeated to magnet 1f which steps a number wheel 1, the wheel being restored to normal after printing has been effected by magnet 6. The wheel 1 is carried by a frame 1m stepped, at the end of each digit, along a bar 1n by magnet 1r and rack 1p, the frame being released at the end of conversation by magnet 1s which releases the stepping pawl and also a holding pawl. The metering sign + and a sign º used when an irregular metering impulse is received, are printed by magnets 8, 8<1>. The time and date on wheels 2 are printed by magnet 7, and the inking ribbon 5a is stepped by magnets 5, 51. Circuit arrangements, Fig. 5. Leads 10, 11, 12 are connected to the negative, metering and third wires respectively of subscriber's line circuit the positive wire of which is opened and connected to leads 9, 9<1>. When a calling subscriber loops his line, 14 pulls up and when non-numerical switching has been effected 13 operates, holds 14, operates 15 and switches through to impulse relay 17 and a polarized shunt relay 18 which remains inert. On receipt of the first digit slow release relays 24, 25 pull up and the impulses are repeated to magnet 1f of the number printing wheel 1, 16 pulling up and locking at the end of the first impulse, for a purpose which will appear later. At the end of the digit, 24 and 25 relapse, 25 more slowly than 24, so that circuits are made for printing magnet 6 and for magnets 1r, 5, 5<1> which step the number wheel assembly along the paper and step the ink ribbon when 25 has released. A circuit is also completed for magnet 1f to step the number wheel 1 to normal. Further digits are recorded in similar manner. When the called party replies, current reversal operates 18 followed by 19 which operates 26 whereby the time printing magnet 7 and paper and ribbon feeding magnets 3, 5, 5<1> are energized. The polarizing winding of 18 is opened and 20 pulls up slowly. If metering occurs on reply of the wanted party and during conversation, relay 23 is not used and is disconnected at 29. The metering signal over lead 11 operates 21 which holds 26 operated until 20 and 22 energize, operates magnet 8 to print the metering sign +, and energizes 22 slowly to open the circuits closed by 21. When 20 operates, 26 relapses to release the paper and ribbon feed magnets which thereupon take a step ; relay 17 is disconnected from subscriber's line and 18<11> is short-circuited to clear the line for conversation. In case of multiple metering each operation of 21 causes the metering sign to be printed and the time recorded, the paper and ribbon being fed one step. When the calling party replaces his receiver, 13, 14, 15 fall back, followed by 16 slowly, but in the meantime 26 pulls up to print the time and energize the paper and ribbon feeding magnets 3, 5, 5<1>, but as magnet 4 has been energized by the relapse of 13, magnet 3 as previously described takes up two ratchet teeth instead of one. Magnet Is is also operated to restore the number wheel assembly. Metering at the end of conversation only. Relay 23 is connected up. The operation of 21 in response to the metering impulse or impulses causes the metering sign and time to be printed as previously described and the paper and ribbon to be stepped on. Relay 21 also operates relay 23 through its first step (contacts 231, 232) and when relay 13 connected to the third wire is released, 23 operates fully due to increased current over its upper winding and disables the time printing magnet 7 and the magnet 4 which causes paper stepping magnet 3 to take two steps, so that when 26 is operated by the relapse of 15, the paper and ribbon are fed one step only and the time is not recorded. Unsuccessful calls. The operated relays relapse on removal of ground on the third wire when the calling party releases. The momentary operation of 26 during the release period of 16 causes the time to be printed, the ribbon fed one step and the paper two steps as previously described, the number wheel assembly being also restored to its normal position. Irregular metering. If a metering impulse arrives when the subscriber is not on the line, 21 operates and performs the various operations previously described including the energization of magnet 4 to cause paper stepping magnet to take two steps, except that in the present case magnet 8<1> is operated to stamp the non-metering sign (º) Relay 22 pulls up slowly to open the circuits closed by 21 and then relapses. Modification, Fig. 6 (not shown), for use with delayed metering on reply of wanted party. In Fig. 5, relay 19 operated by current reversal and relay 21 operated by the metering impulse both close circuits substantially simultaneously for relay 26 which controls the time printing and paper and ribbon feeding operations. In delayed metering systems this would effect two different time recordings. In the modification, two step relay 23 which is used in Fig. 5 in case of metering at the end of conversation, is used also for metering consequent on the reply of the wanted party, manually operated switches being used to condition the circuits for the two systems of metering. In delayed metering, relay 19 does not operate relay 26 but prepares circuits for operating two-step relay 23, the first step by a timed pulse and the second step either by a further timed pulse or by the operation of metering relay 21 whichever occurs first. Relays 21, 23 each close circuits for relay 26.