Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US4933965?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6,202,008
Timestamp: 2014-03-13 12:58:08
Document Index: 451703229

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 10', 'ART 10', 'ART 10', 'ART 10', 'ART 10', 'ART 10']

Patent US4933965 - Short time validity storage of a billing account number at a local ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA telephone system and method of operation are disclosed which use a microprocessor control system (10), a speech generator (34) and speech memory (46) to interact with a calling party placing a long distance phone call. The telephone receives a billing account number from the calling party through a...http://www.google.com/patents/US4933965?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4933965 - Short time validity storage of a billing account number at a local telecommunications stationAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS4933965 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/301,028Publication dateJun 12, 1990Filing dateJan 23, 1989Priority dateJan 23, 1989Fee statusPaidPublication number07301028, 301028, US 4933965 A, US 4933965A, US-A-4933965, US4933965 A, US4933965AInventorsJohn A. Hird, Lindsey D. Owen, Michael R. RiceOriginal AssigneeIntellicall, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (2), Non-Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (39), Classifications (10), Legal Events (26) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetShort time validity storage of a billing account number at a local telecommunications stationUS 4933965 AAbstract A telephone system and method of operation are disclosed which use a microprocessor control system (10), a speech generator (34) and speech memory (46) to interact with a calling party placing a long distance phone call. The telephone receives a billing account number from the calling party through a keypad (24). The telephone determines the validity of the billing account number and, if the billing account number is valid, a communication path is established through a telephone line interface (38). Valid billing account numbers are stored in the telephone for a predetermined period of time. The stored numbers are polled prior to the validation process to determine if an entered number has already been validated. In this manner, a calling party making multiple calls with the same billing account number need only wait for his account number to be verified once.
What is claimed is: 1. A localized telecommunications device for processing a telephone call for a user in conjunction with a telecommunications network wherein the user may utilize a billing account number comprising:circuitry at the device for determining the validity of said billing account number using the telecommunications network; and circuitry for storing said billing account number at the device for a predetermined period of time if said billing account number is determined to be valid, such that said billing account number need not be revalidated for calls made during said predetermined period of time. 2. The device of claim 1, and further comprising circuitry for polling said circuitry for storing said billing account number to determine if said billing account number has already been determined to be valid.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the device comprises a pay telephone station and wherein said circuitries are resident in said pay telephone station.
4. The device of claim 2, and further comprising circuitry for storing account numbers determined to be valid for use in subsequent billing of calls to a user.
5. The device of claim 4, and further comprising circuitry for storing at the device information relating to the duration of the calls for subsequent billing of the cost of the calls to the user.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the device comprises a pay telephone station and wherein said circuitries are resident in said pay telephone station.
7. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:circuitry associated with the device for determining the chargeable amount of time attributable to calls made by the user of the device; circuitry associated with the device for receiving destination determining information input by the user; circuitry associated with the device for creating a billing file containing information related to the amount and who is to be charged for the call; and a first memory associated with the device for storing said billing file such that said billing file may be retrieved from the device in order that charges for the call can be billed to the user. 8. The device of claim 7, and further comprising:a second memory associated with the device for the local storage of rate information; and circuitry associated with the device responsive to said chargeable amount of time and said destination determining information for selecting a portion of said rate information relevant to the call and adding said portion to said billing file. 9. The device of claim 7 wherein said information related to the amount and who is to be charged for the call comprises said billing account number, said chargeable amount of time, said destination determining information and the time of day the call was placed.
10. The device of claim 7, wherein the device comprises a pay telephone station, said first and second memories and said circuitries resident within said pay telephone station to enable the placing of telephone calls, the storage of said billing files and the storage of valid billing account numbers to be accomplished within said pay telephone station.
11. A localized telecommunications device to be utilized by users in conjunction with a telecommunications network wherein users may utilize billing account numbers comprising:circuitry for attempting to make a first telephone call to a first called party using a billing account number; circuitry for determining if said billing account number is valid using the telecommunications network; circuitry for creating a first connection path through the telecommunications network from the device to the first called party in order to place said first telephone call if the determination is made that said billing account number is a valid billing account number; circuitry for storing said valid billing account number for a predetermined period of time; circuitry for attempting to make an additional telephone call to an additional called party; circuitry for receiving a new billing account number entered by the user in order to place said additional telephone call; circuitry for determining if said new billing account number and said stored valid billing account number are the same; and circuitry for creating an additional connection path through the telecommunications network from the device to the additional called party in order to place said additional telephone call if said new billing account number and said stored valid billing account number are determined to be the same. 12. The telecommunications device of claim 11, and further comprising:circuitry for storing said valid billing account number for use in subsequent billing of the cost of the calls to the user such that said stored valid billing account number need not be revalidated prior to being used for said billing. 13. The telecommunications device of claim 11, wherein the device comprises a pay telephone station, said circuitries resident within said pay telephone station to enable the placing of telephone calls and the storage of valid billing account numbers to be accomplished within said pay telephone station.
14. A method of processing a telephone call for a user utilizing a localized telecommunications device in conjunction with a telecommunications network wherein the user may utilize a billing account number comprising the steps of:storing the billing account number in a memory for a predetermined period of time if the billing account number is determined to be valid using the telecommunications network, such that the billing account number need not be revalidated during the predetermined period of time; and polling the memory to determine if the billing account number has already been determined to be valid. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the localized telecommunications device comprises a pay telephone station and wherein said steps are completed by the station.
16. The method of claim 14, and further comprising the step of storing account numbers determined to be valid for use in subsequent billing of calls to a user.
17. The method of claim 14, and further comprising the step of storing at the device information relating to the duration of the calls for subsequent billing of the cost of the calls to the user.
18. The method of claim 14, and further comprising the steps of:storing rate information in a first memory resident in the device; determining the chargeable amount of time attributable to calls made by users of the device; receiving destination determining information input by the user into the device; selecting a portion of the rate information relevant to the call depending on the chargeable amount of time and the destination determining information; creating a billing file; and storing the billing file in the device such that the billing file may be retrieved from the device in order that charges for the call can be billed to the user. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the device comprises a pay telephone station and wherein said steps are completed by the station to enable the placing of calls, the storage of the billing files and the storage of valid billing account numbers to be accomplished within the pay telephone station.
20. A method of processing telephone calls for users utilizing a localized telecommunications device in conjunction with a telecommunications network wherein users may utilize billing account numbers comprising the steps of:attempting to make a first telephone call to a first called party using the device and a billing account number; determining if the billing account number is valid using the telecommunications network; creating a first connection path through the telecommunication network from the device to the first called party in order to place the first telephone call if the billing account number is determined to be a valid billing account number; storing the valid billing account number for a predetermined period of time; attempting to make an additional telephone call to an additional called party using the device; receiving a new billing account number entered by the user in order to place the additional telephone call; determining if the new billing account number and the valid stored billing account number are the same; and creating an additional connection path through the telecommunications network from the device, to the additional called party in order to place the additional telephone call if the new billing account number and the valid stored billing account number are determined to be the same. 21. The method of claim 20, and further comprising the step of storing the valid billing account number for use in subsequent billing of the cost of the calls to the user wherein the stored valid billing account number need not be revalidated prior to being used for the billing.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the device comprises a pay telephone station and wherein said steps are completed by the station to enable the placing of calls, the storage of the billing files and the storage of valid billing account numbers to be accomplished within the pay telephone station.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the field of telecommunications systems. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which enhances the functionality of a local telecommunications station in the placing of calls using telephone billing account numbers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The private ownership of pay telephone technology has been an added source of revenue for a variety of businesses for some time. The actual cash collection from the coins deposited by users of pay telephone stations is an important aspect of such revenues. More recently, due to technological advances and changes in the business climate, businesses have been able to add income from long distance telephone calls. With the use of an Automated Operator Service (AOS), a private owner of a telephone can bill users of the telephone for both inter-LATA and intra-LATA long distance calls.
While AOS systems can generate revenue where none existed before, they are very inefficient. An AOS usually operates from a central office. Hence, in the case of an intra-LATA call, the call may have to travel hundreds of miles and finally terminate a few miles from its origination point. The unnecessary miles traveled through the network are expensive and this cost is usually borne by the user, through higher long distance rates, or by the owner of the telephone through lower commissions.
In addition, private owners of pay telephones have heretofore lost a considerable amount of revenue because of the inability to charge for calls placed using telephone billing account numbers such as telephone credit cards. Although such phone calls have been made on the privately owned and maintained pay telephone, the primary telephone companies have reaped the benefit of placing the calls using billing account numbers.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a telecommunications system which can automate and simplify the processes currently handled by a traditional AOS. Specifically, a need has arisen for a pay telephone station which can automatically route long distance calls without the intervention of an outside service, and which allows the pay telephone owner to charge revenues for the completion of a credit card call and calls using other forms of billing account numbers.
In order for a local pay telephone owner to bill for these calls, the local pay telephone station must have the ability to determine the validity of a billing account number entered by a user. This verification process necessarily slows the time required to process a call. A pay telephone station which could store a billing account number which has already been verified could substantially reduce the time required to process later calls placed by the same party. Therefore, a further need has arisen for a pay telephone station which is capable of storing billing account numbers which have been verified and is capable of accessing the stored information in order to reduce call processing time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a telecommunications device is provided which performs functions similar to the telephone company or an AOS, but does so locally and automatically. More specifically, a device is provided which is interactive with the calling party and the called party through the use of prompting messages. These messages can supply information or prompting to the users of the device and can thereby automatically complete calls that would otherwise require the services of a live operator. By using these messages, the device can locally complete calls for a calling party using a telephone credit card number or other billing account number.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a telecommunications device is provided which can receive a telephone billing account number from a calling party. The telecommunications device can then determine if the billing account number is valid. If the billing account number is determined to be valid, the telecommunications device places the call and stores the validated billing account number for a predetermined period of time.
An important technical advantage of the present system is its ability to locally store validated billing account numbers for a predetermined period of time. This local storage of valid billing account numbers greatly reduces the call processing time necessary for telephone calls placed by the same calling party on the same telephone.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing greater detail of portions ,of the block diagram of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3, is a block diagram illustrating the process of downloading speech files encompassed in the present invention;
FIGS. 5a-7c are schematic diagrams showing a pay telephone stat:-on constructed in accordance with the present invention in detail;
FIGS. 8a-8g are flow charts showing the process of placing a collect or 0+ call according to the present invention:
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the process of speech file generation used in the present invention:
Microprocessor control system 10 further comprises scratch pad memory chip 10f which may comprise, for example, a Hitachi 6264 8K access memory chip. As shown in FIG. 5a, address lines AO-A12 and datalines D0-D7 connect scratch pad memory 10f with microprocessor chip 10a. Scratch pad memory 10f uses inverse WE signal which is connected to the inverse WE pin of the chip. Inverse OE signal is connected to the inverse OE pin on the chip. Inverse RAM signal is connected to the inverse CS pin on scratch pad memory 10f. These signals are used to enable scratch pad memory 10f and are all generated by gate array 10d. Scratch pad memory 10f is used by microprocessor 10a as a stack RAM for storing registers during interrupts, intermediate results and other transient data storage.
As discussed previously, address lines A2-A15 couple microprocessor 10a to gate array 10d. As shown in FIG. 5a, gate array 10d generates control signals BA14, inverse EPROM, inverse EEROM, inverse RAM, inverse OE, inverse 68XO, CK306, inverse EXPBUS, inverse BRAM1 verse RDST, inverse CMDL, inverse WE, inverse 8255, inverse BRAM2, WDOG, inverse OL1, SPARE, OL2 and inverse ALD. Gate array 10d communicates with microprocessor 10a through address lines A2-A15 and through a R/inverse W signal, an E signal and a Q signal. The RST2 pin is connected to ground.
Microprocessor control system 10 further comprises a programmable I/O chip 10k also shown on FIG. 5a. Programmable I/O chip 10k comprises a Signetics 5090 addressable 8 bit latch with high current outputs suitable for driving relays. Programmable I/O chip 10k uses signals DO, A0, A1 and A2 to communicate with microprocessor 10a. Programmable I/O chip 10k is set to a known state by inverse RESET signal and is selected by the inverse OL1 signal generated by gate array 10d. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5a, programmable I/O chip 10k generates COLLECT and RETURN signals which when connected with pull up resistors 130 and 132 to a +5 volt supply, drive the mechanisms in the coin return/collect 22. The COLLECT and RETURN signals are input into a SGSL298 Relay Driver which powers a solenoid which electromechanically enables the return or the collection of coins placed in the coin acceptor 20. Programmable I/O chip 10k also communicates with the call status detector 28 using the SETCMD signal and and the CLEAR signal. Programmable I/O chip 10k also generates an inverse ONHOOK signal which drives relay resident in telephone line interface 38b.
Further components of microprocessor control system 10 are shown in the continuation of the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 5b. Microprocessor control system 10 further comprises a counter/timer 10b. Counter/timer 10b may comprise, for example, a Hitachi 6340 counter/timer chip. This chip uses the clock signal CK306 generated by gate array 10d coupled to the inverse Cl pin. The inverse C3 and inverse G2 pins are coupled to call status detector 28. The inverse RESET pin is connected to the inverse RESET signal which is generated by the power supply. The ENABLE pin is connected to the E signal. The inverse CSO pin is connected to the inverse 68XO control signal generated by gate array 10d. The CS1 pin, RS2 pin, RS1 pin and RS0 pin are coupled to address lines A3, A2, A1 and A0, respectively. Counter/timer 10b is also coupled to datalines D0-D7. The inverse IRQ pin is connected to inverse IRQ interrupt signal.
An output 01 of counter/timer 10b is coupled to an RXCLK and a TXCLK pin on UART 10c. UART 10c may comprise, for example, a Hitachi 6350 universal asynchronous receipt transmit device. The RS pin of UART 10c is coupled to the AO address line signal. The CSO and CS1 pins are coupled to the A4 address line signal. The E pin is coupled to the E signal and the R/inverse W pin is connected to the R/inverse W signal. The inverse CS2 pin is connected to the inverse 68XO control signal generated by gate array 10d. UART 10c is also coupled to datalines D0-D7. The inverse IRQ pin is connected to the inverse IRQ interrupt signal. UART 10c generates the RXD signal and the TXD signal from its RXD pin and TXD pin, respectively. These signals couple UART 10c to a gate array 10e.
Real time clock 12 is also shown on FIG. 5b, and may comprise, for example, a Motorola 146818A real time clock chip. Real time clock 12 is used to store the year, month, week, day, time of day and is also used to generate other timing functions. Real time clock 12 is connected to the D0 to a VRAM signal as is the PS pin. The VRAM signal is a battery power supply in the system which powers the real time clock 12 even when there is a loss of external power to the phone. The inverse CE pin and the CKPS pin are connected to ground. The ALE pin is connected to the OL2 signal and the DS pin is connected to the SPARE signal. The R/inverse W pin is connected to the R/inverse W signal. The inverse RES pin is connected to the inverse RESET signal. The inverse IRQ pin is connected to the inverse FIRQ signal. The OSL0 and OSC2 pins are connected to an oscillator 136 comprising crystal 138, resistors 140 and 142, and capacitors 144, 146 and 148 connected as shown in FIG. 5b. Oscillator 136 runs at 32.768 kilohertz and is used by real time clock 12 to keep track of time.
Both chips 11/14a and 11/14b are connected to a VRAM power supply signal. By using the VRAM signal, RAM 11/14a and RAM 11/14b both become battery backed random access memory chips which allows for nonvolatility of the memory and greater system realiability in the event of an external power failure. RAM 11/14a is write enabled by the inverse WE signal connected to its inverse WE pin. The RAM 11/14a is selected by the inverse BRAM2 signal coupled to its CS pin. The OE pin is connected to the inverse OE signal. RAM 11/14a is coupled to address lines A0-A13. Its A14 pin is connected to the BA14 signal. The BA14 signal is used to divide the memory space on chip 11/14a into two 16K address more than 64K memory locations by banking in these two 16K blocks. Chip 11/14a is controlled by the BA14 signal, the inverse BRAM2 signal, the inverse WE signal and the inverse OE signal all of which are generated by gate array 10d. Chip 11/14a is coupled to microprocessor 10a through datalines D0-D7.
The second RAM 11/14b is write enabled by the inverse WE signal which is coupled to its inverse WE pin. The inverse CS pin is connected to the inverse BRA ML signal which is used to select RAM 11/14b. Inverse BRAM1 and inverse WE are both signals generated by gate array 10d. The inverse OE pin is connected to the inverse OE signal which is an additional control signal also generated by gate array 10d. RAM 11/14b is also coupled to microprocessor 10a through address lines A0-A14 and data lines D0-D7.
The telephone line interface 38 is shown on FIG. 6c. Telephone line interface 38 comprises a current detector 38a which is coupled to the ring input from the telephone line. The current detector 38a comprises a parallel connection of a first optical coupling 296, a resistor 288 and a second optical coupling 292. The first optical coupling 296 comprises a light emitting diode 295 and a transistor 297. The second optical coupling 292 similarly comprises a light emitting diode 291 and a transistor 293. The current detector 38a operates to detect current in either the positive or negative direction through the telephone line. Current in the positive direction in the telephone line will cause the REVERT+ signal to be active, while current in the negative direction in the telephone line will cause the REVERT- signal to be active. When current in the positive direction exist in the telephone line, diode 295 will emit light which will cause transistor 297 to turn on, and will activate the REVERT+signal. Current in the negative direction in the telephone line will similarly cause the REVERT- signal to be activated. The optical couplings 296 and 292 allow for the current detector 38a to detect current in the telephone line while still remaining electrically isolated from the telephone line as is required by FCC regulations.
Microcomputer 414 also generates the inverse VWRB signal and the inverse VRDB signal from its PB0 and PB1 pins respectively. The PB2 pin is coupled to the EXCLK pin of modem 30 shown on FIG. 7c. The PB3 through PB5 pins are coupled to a DTMF receiver 52 shown on FIG. 7c. The PB6 pin is used to enable a call status detector 50 shown on FIG. 7c. The PB7 pin generates the inverse WRS signal which is transmitted to the latch 408 shown on FIG. 7a. The PCO through PC3 pins generate the PO through P3 control bus which controls speech synthesizer 400 and call status detector 50. The PC4 pin transmits the inverse MINT signal to the programmable I/O 10h. The LA1 signal is received from gate array 10i on pin PC5 of microcomputer 414. The PC6 pin is used to generate the VDATA signal which is connected to the programmable IlO 10h and gate array 10i. VDATA is a bidirectional data line for communication between the system processor and the Intellistar system processor. The CLK pin transmits a clock signal to the call status detector 50 and the DTMF receiver 52 shown on FIG. 7c. The PC7 pin is coupled to the DATA pin of modem 30 shown on FIG. 7c. The inverse of NMI is connected to the VCLK signals which is generated by the gate array 10j. Call status tone generator 56 is resident on microcomputer 414 and generates a signal from the CALL STATUS pin which is transmitted to summer 58a shown on FIG. 7c.
Collect and Direct 0+Calls Aspects of the telephone system constructed in accordance with the present invention may be better understood in connection with a flow chart representation of the steps necessary to perform these functions. FIGS. 8a-g represent the decision making process carried out by microprocessor control system 10 in carrying out the EZ collect and direct 0+ call on a telephone constructed according to the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, any decision made in the flow charts occurs in microprocessor control system 10.
In the case of a collect call or a credit card phone call, the local telephone station receives the destination number and billing information and places the call in a 1+ format. In another aspect of the present invention, the telephone could place a call placed using a 950 exchange and also convert the call to a 1+ format. This type of access format is known as a feature group B access format. A telephone constructed according to the teachings of the present invention can similarly convert a call placed using a feature group D access format using a 10XXX prefix The telephone of the present invention can also be programmed to convert calls placed using all forms of charge accounts from bank cards to gas cards. The telephone of the present invention can recognize and convert any similar call placement access formats and all such formats are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The actions of the telephone station described in conjunction with the EZ collect and credit card phone calls would be substantially identical for any call placement access format. Due to the great number of these possible access formats, only the exemplary EZ collect and credit card phone calls will be described in detail.
In summary, the present invention provides for a telecommunications station which can perform locally a variety of functions which required prior systems to use a central office or centralized AOS. A pay telephone station constructed according to the teachings of the present invention can locally verify telephone billing account numbers and place a call using the verified number. The verified number is then stored for a predetermined period of time. A telephone constructed according to this aspect of the present invention accordingly enjoys the technical advantage of the capability of accessing the stored validated numbers to substantially reduce call processing time. In this manner, a patron placing calls at the same telephone using the same billing account number need not wait for the number to be revalidated. In addition, the system can locally generate a billing record of the call which can later be retrieved to facilitate the billing of the patron.
A telephone constructed according to the teachings of the present invention enjoys the technical advantage of comprising a microprocessor control system. This system enables the local station to use locally stored speech messages to interact with the patron during the patron's use of the station.
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