Improvements in and relating to the Counting and Recording of the Number of Messages Transmitted over Telephonic Circuits.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 23rd Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 25th Jan., 1887.
Improvements in and relating to the Counting and Recording
of the Number of Messages Transmitted over Telephonic
Circuits.
I, JOHN DAVIES MILLER, District Manager to the National Telephone Company,
Limited, 13 Panmure Street, Dundee, in the County of Forfar, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to ensure accurary in the counting and recording of
the number of messages transmitted over telephonic circuits while obviating the
necessity for the operators in the telephone exchange undertaking the same. To
that end I register automatically the successive connections made in the telephone
exchange or in the subscribers instrument or elsewhere in a circuit by means of an
electrical counter or recording instrument operated by the closing or opening of said
circuit or of a local circuit in the act of making connection between subscribers
or of bringing the subscribers telephone into use.
The electrical counter or recorder may be of any well known kind or it may be of a
special form as hereinafter set forth and it may be brought into action upon the
closing or opening of a circuit by means of the indicator, spring-jack, plug ringing
off indicator or relay or other operative part of the apparatus in the exchange in the
operation of connecting one subscriber's line with another, or by removal or replacing
of the subscribers receiver or the ringing of the magneto or pressing of the button of
the call bell or by like means in connection with the instrument of the subscriber who
calls or receives a message. In a telephone exchange the counter or recorder is by
preference placed in connection with a local battery circuit to which each of the
subscribers wires is connected from the indicator, jack, plug or other operative part,
and in said circuit is an electro-magnet acting directly or through a relay upon a pawl
and ratchet or upon the escapement of clockwork mechanism to convey an intermittent
or step-by-step motion to a train of wheels the spindles of which are provided with
index hands arranged to move over suitably graduated dials from which readings of
the numbers of steps or movements may be taken. The armature of the electro-
magnet in this arrangement is attracted and acts upon the ratchet or escapement each
time the local circuit is closed, and the closing of the circuit is or may be effected by

page_text: bringing into contact any two metallic connections for example by the dropping upon
a terminal or spring of the indicator of the subscriber calling, by the insertion of the
plug in the spring jack, or by the raising of the switch cord weight in making
connection between subscribers or by similar means. In one convenient plan the
plug has a notch and its point presses upon a pin to make contact between two
spring terminals of the local battery circuit provided for cach spring jack on the
switch table; in another plan the plug itself provides the necessary contact with a
terminal of the circuit or with the spring jack in which case the counter or recorder
may be in the subscribers circuit and connected to earth, the contact being a
momentary one. As each contact is made or broken by the insertion or withdrawal
of the plugs in making connections between or disconnecting subscribers an action of
the electro magnet of the counting apparatus and a movement of the index takes
place. The counting mechanism or the dial may however be arranged to indicate the
transmission of a single message for every two, four, or other number of contacts
made in cases where several connections occur in putting through subscribers for as a
rule at least two currents will be transmitted to the counting apparatus in connecting
together two subscribers as a circuit closing or contact making device is provided for
each subscribers line, and a large number of the circuit closers will generally be
connected to one counter. The counting or recording apparatus may be placed in the
operating room or in a separate room or even at a distance the connection being made
by wires and the currents transmitted being re-inforced when necessary by the use of
relays. In this way the counters or recorders for branch exchanges may be placed in
the central exchange.
The indications of a counter such as that herein before described may be taken down
periodically by an operator, but a permanent register or record may be obtained by
causing the electro-magnet of the counter to operate a barrel or disc having affixed to
it a ruled sheet on which a pencil or marking style rests and records the intermittent
movements communicated to the drum as in self-recording meteorological instruments.
By means of a screw on its axle the drum while revolving also travels longitudinally
under the point so that the pencil or style marks a spiral course on the sheet from end
to end, the marked sheet forming a permanent record. An alarm bell and local
circuit may be arranged to indicate when the sheet has been filled and an auxiliary
drum may be arranged to take the place of the first when it has become filled or
during the changing of the sheet.
The drum may be driven by the electrical step-by-step motion or by an ordinary
clock (as common in meteorological recorders). The sheet may be divided into the
hours of the day and the currents from the contact closers made to act on an electro-
magnet carrying a pencil or point on its armature to bring the pencil in contact with
the sheet on the drum so as to make a slight mark or prick thereon. In this way a
permanent record of the connections made at different hours of the day would be
obtained, and the counter or register may show the duration of the connections in
such cases as where there is viz; only one circuit closer to one counter, the electro-
magnet being arranged to respond to both the current sent from the circuit closer at
connecting and that sent at disconnecting. The first mark of the pencil on the sheet
would indicate connection, the next disconnection and the distance between the two
would in such case indicate the duration of the connection in minutes.
Instead of being in the exchange the circuit closers and electrical counters or
registers may be applied to the subscribers telephone instrument. The circuit closer
may then be applied to and be actuated by the receivers switch-hook, the driving
gear of the magneto (in magneto-bell instruments) the press button (in press button
instruments) or other moving part of the apparatus so that a current or currents may
be sent to the counter on the telephone being put in use. Should it be desirable to
record the messages or connections sent or originating from the telephone instrument
and not also those received or given in answer to another subscriber calling, then the
circuit closer would be applied to the calling apparatus of the telephone instrument
(either magneto-bell or push button battery). The subscriber would not ring in reply
to another subscriber calling but merely take his receiver off and begin conversation:

page_text: the other subscriber would understand that after he has rung he has merely to take
the receiver off the hook and also begin conversation without waiting for a reply ring
on his bell. The calling apparatus would therefore only be used in originating
messages and the circuit closer would only send a current to the counter on the
calling apparatus being used, therefore only such connections or messages as
originated from the telephone instrument to which it is attached would be registered
by the counter.
The above description of the application of my invention to the telephone instruments
applies equally to telephone instruments on private lines and which have no connection
with an exchange, and the invention may also be adapted to automatic exchanges that
is, to exchanges wrought electrically or by the subscribers instruments without the
assistance or intervention of operators, the circuit closer being applied to any suitable
moving part of the automatic apparatus.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Counting and Recording
of the Number of Messages Transmitted over Telephonic
Circuits.
I, JOHN DAVIES MILLER, District Manager to the National Telephone Company,
Limited, 13 Panmure Street, Dundee, in the County of Forfar do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
To that
The object of my invention is to ensure accuracy in the counting and recording of
the number of messages transmitted over telephonic circuits while obviating the
necessity for the operators in the telephone exchange undertaking the same.
end I register automatically the successive connections made in the telephone exchange
or in the subscribers instrument or elsewhere in a circuit by means of an electrical
counter or recording instrument operated by the closing or opening of said circuit or
of a local circuit in the act of making connection between subscribers or of bringing
the subscribers telephone into use.
be of
The electrical counter or recorder may be of any well known kind or
may
the special form illustrated in side elevation, plan and end elevation respectively at
figures 1, 2 and 3, sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings and it may be brought into
action upon the closing or opening of a circuit by means of the indicator, spring-jack,
plug, ringing off indicator or relay or other operative part of the apparatus in the
exchange in the operation of connecting one subscriber's line with another, or by
removal or replacing of the subscribers receiver or the ringing of the magneto or
pressing of the button of the call bell or by like means in connection with the instrument
of the subscriber who calls or receives a message. In a telephone exchange the counter

page_text: or recorder is by preference placed as indicated at figure 4, sheet 2 of the drawings
in connection with a local battery circuit to which each of the subscribers wires is
connected from the indicator, plug or other operative part and in said circuit is an
electro-magnet A, whose armature a, acts directly (or through a relay) upon a pawl B,
and ratchet B' (or upon the escapement of clockwork mechanism) to convey an inter-
mittent or step-by-stop motion to a train of wheels C, the spindles of which may be
provided with index hands arranged to move over suitably graduated dials from which
readings of the number of steps or movements may be taken, or as shown on Sheet 1
a series of numbers are engraved upon wheels or rings upon the spindle c of the
wheel C and are exposed to view at each complete revolution of the spindle, through
orifices in a casing D. The armature a of the electro-magnet A, in this arrangement
is attracted and acts upon the ratchet B', (or the escapement) each time the local
circuit E is closed, and the closing of the circuit is or may be effected by bringing
into contact any two metallic connections or circuit closers F, as represented in
figure 4, sheet 2 for example by the dropping upon a terminal or spring of the
indicator of the subscriber calling, by the insertion of the plug in the spring jack, or
by the raising of the switch cord weight in making connections between subscribers or
by similar means. In a convenient plan as represented in figures 5 and 6, sheet 2,
the plug G, has a notch or contraction g, and its point presses upon a pin h to
make contact between two spring terminals or circuit closers F, of the local battery
circuit E, provided for each spring jack on the switch table. In another plan as
represented in figure 7 sheet 2, the plug G, itself provides the necessary contact with
a terminal F, of the circuit E, or as represented in figure 8 sheet 2, with the spring-
jack I, in which case the counter or recorder may be in the subscribers circuit and
connected to earth the contact being a momentary one, and occurring when the spring
jack in passing the terminal F, touches it. In the arrangement shown in figure 9, a
local circuit E, is completed by the insertion of the plug which by raising the spring
jack lifts a spring F, to make contact with a terminal in the circuit E. In figure 10,
an ordinary press button F, is adapted as a circuit closer and is operated by the
insertion of the plug in the jack. As each contact is made or broken by the insertion
or withdrawal of the plug G, in making connections between or disconnecting sub-
scribers an action of the electro-magnet of the counting apparatus and a movement
of the index takes place. The counting mechanism C, or the dial D, may however be
arranged to indicate the transmission of a single message for every two, four or other
number of contacts made in cases where several contacts occur in putting through
subscribers for as a rule at least two currents will be transmitted to the counting
apparatus in connecting together two subscribers as a circuit closing or contact
making device is provided for each subscribers line and a large number of the circuit
closers will generally be connected to one counter. The counting or recording
apparatus may be placed in the operating room or in a separate room or even at a
distance the connection being made by wires and the currents transmitted being
reinforced when necessary by the use of relays. In this way the counters or recorders
for branch exchanges may be placed in the central exchange.
The action of the recording apparatus when a connection is made between two
subscriber's lines by fitting the plugs in the spring jacks under any of the ways above
described is as follows:-
On the plug being inserted in the first subscribers line spring jack momentary
contact is established between the contact springs or circuit closers and a current
passes through the electro magnet of the counter attracting its armature and moving
the ratchet wheel one tooth. On inserting the plug for the second subscriber a similar
action takes place and the ratchet wheel is moved another tooth; on withdrawing the
plugs when connection is finished the ratchet wheel is moved in a similar manner
rother two teeth or four teeth in all for the whole operation and by means of the
gearing C, the counter is advanced one figure. To avoid recording "calls" which do
not result in connection of one subscriber with another the operator may be provided
with a special plug which is cut short so as not to actuate the contact or circuit
closer.

page_text: Figures 11, 12.13 and 14 sheet 3, show contacts applied to weighted switch cords
as means for acting on the recorder. The circuit closer in figure 11 consists of a
lever J, which is moved by the weight W into contact with the terminal springs F,
in the circuit E, when the plug G, is raised to connect subscribers. Figure 12 shows
the circuit closer or contacts F, actuated by the weights pressing upon spring
terminals F, while figures 13 and 14, show in elevation and plan the lower end of the
plug G, acting on a spring terminal F, as it is raised and dropped into place on the
switch table. In certain exchange systems using weighted cords when a subscriber
on one switch-board is connected with one on another switch board; a cord on each
board is used and consequently eight currents would be given in such a case by the
contacts while four only would be the number when the two subscribers to be
connected happened to be on the same switch-board. To overcome this a number of
cords may be distinctly set apart for such connections between board and board
having a contact piece on one end or plug only, and when cords which are not
weighted are used or where the contacts are not applied to the switch cord this is
overcome by not having circuit closers on the jacks for connections between table and
table generally called "junction" jacks.
With reference to cords which are not weighted the contacts might be arranged on
a stand to hold the plug ends when not in use; the contacts would be actuated by any
of the methods indicated upon sheet 1, of the drawings, on the withdrawal of plugs for
the purpose of making connections and on their replacement. Special plugs might be
set apart for connections between board and board as already described. Figure 15,
sheet 4, shews the counting apparatus applied to subscribers switch-board indicators.
K, K, K, are the indicators, A the electro-magnet of the recorder, L an alarm bell, and
E are batteries.
In this case the contacts ordinarily attached to the indicators for ringing an alarm
bell at night are utilized. The counter takes the place of the bell and a contact a in
the armature of the electro magnet A, actuating the counter as shown enables it to act
as a relay for the bell L. An ordinary relay might be used instead of this contact. A
switch 1, is provided to disconnect the bell during the day or as required. This arrange-
ment would include "calls" in its counting and it would be better adapted to small
than to large exchanges.
Figures 16 and 17, sheet 4, show another form of contact applied to indicators, kis
a stud insulated from the flap or drop of the indicators so as only to make momentary
contact when the flap is put up. To prevent "calls" being registered care should be
taken in putting the flap up or the operator may be provided with a key or press-button
to break connection with the counter when putting up the flaps for "calls" only.
It is obvious that with these and with other forms of indicators similar contacts may
be applied providing for the object of a momentary contact on the fall or replacement
of the flap and it is also obvious that such contacts are suited to indicators used in con-
nection with switch-cords and known as "ring-off" indicators the counting apparatus
or recorder always being geared in accordance with the number of currents it would
receive in the act of making and unmaking a connection between two subscribers. If
not so geared but arranged to register for every current then the total registration
would require to be divided by the number of currents for each connection to give the
actual number of connections.
Instead of being in the exchange the circuit closers and electrical counters or
registers may be applied to the subscribers telephone instrument, and the recorder may
in such case be employed to register the number of messages transmitted by the sub-
scriber and thus serve as a means by which the owners of the exchange may charge for
the service rendered, while the subscriber is in a position to verify at his instrument the
accuracy of the charge made. The circuit closer may then be applied to and be actuated
by the receiver switch-hook, the driving gear of the magneto (in magneto-bell instru-
ments) the press button (in press-button instruments) or other moving part of the
apparatus so that a current or currents may be sent to the counter on the telephone
being put in use. Should it be desirable to record the messages or connections sent or
originating from the telephone instrument and not also those received or given in

page_text: answer to another subscriber calling then the circuit closer would be applied to the
calling apparatus of the telephone instrument (either magneto-bell or push button
battery.) The subscriber would not ring in reply to another subscriber calling but
merely take his receiver off and begin conversation; the other subscriber would under-
stand that after he has rung he has merely to take the receiver off the hook and also
begin conversation without waiting for a reply ring on his bell. The calling apparatus.
would therefore only be used in originating messages and the circuit closer would only
sent a current to the counter on the calling apparatus being used therefore only such
connections or messages as originated from the telephone instrument to which it is
attached would be registered by the counter.
Figure 18, sheet 4, shows an application of the invention to telephone instruments
instead of to exchange apparatus. It shows the telephone switch-hook N, of an ordinary
magneto-call bell with the usual contact springs. m is an extra spring fitted as shown
and used with one of the ordinary springs m¹ to make contact for actuating the counter.
The springs m and m¹ are only in connection while the switch hook is in the act of
passing up or down; when it is up as shown by dotted lines the spring m is out of
contact and when down the spring m, is out of contact. This plan is easily adapted to
other patterns of switch hooks.
Figures 19 and 20 sheet 4, show other forms of contact devices adapted to switch
hooks with one spring and with two springs. The contact springs or circuit closers F,
in these examples
are acted on by the movement of the hook N, in lifting off and re-
placing the telephone. Figure 21, sheet 5 shows an arrangement applicable to magneto
call bells. O is the magneto armature and P, a press button which forms short circuit
on the armature and has to be pressed to break the short circuit when ringing, when
also contact is made to actuate the counter or recorder. Figure 22 shows a contact
device adapted to ordinary press button or key of instruments where batteries are
employed instead of magnetos for ringing purposes.
The switch hook form of contact represented at figures 18 and 19, will count both
messages sent and received with two currents for cach. The contacts shown at
figures 21 and 22 will count messages sent and received with one current each and if
it be arranged that the instrument at far end is never rung in reply to being called then
the messages sent only are recorded.
Figure 23, sheet 6, shews an arrangement with press button instruments for recording
only messages received. The relay I besides closing the circuit for the bell also closes
contact F for the counter or recorder. The subscriber at far end in this case should
not ring back when his bell is rung but merely take receiver off and begin conversation.
Fig. 24 sheet 7 shows another arrangement for a like purpose. When the bell is rung
to call attention to receive a message the arm S is released and falls on contact F,
closing the circuit for the counter or recorder. When the telephone is taken off the
switch-hook to speak, the rod S₁ attached to the switch-hook replaces the arm S for the
next call. When mechanical means of replacing the arm S, are not convenient an
electro-magnet S2 in connection with a battery and a momentary contact on the switch
hook may be employed as shown in figure 25. It is obvious that instead of having the
arm S, released by the ordinary bell armature a special electro-magnet and armature
may be provided for this purpose. Subscribers in this case should also not ring in
reply. Instead of the arm S falling on a contact point it might pass between two light
contact springs in going up and down and only make momentary contact, in passing
to actuate the counter. In this way the battery for the counter would not be kept in
action should the subscriber not attend to his bell ringing. Figure 26, sheet 7, shows
a similar arrangement to the last but applied to magneto-instruments and with special
electro-magnet M, as above and with a double press-button or key P. By means of the
key P, the magneto armature O is short circuited while the instrument is at rest or
ready to receive messages and the electro-magnet M for making contact to actuate the
counter is in circuit. When P, is pressed (which has to be done in order to ring) the
magneto armature is thrown into circuit and the contact electro magnet M short circuited.
Figure 27, sheet 7, shews a contact applied to magneto gearing to count messages
sent and received or sent only. In this form of gear the driving wheel O' is loose on

page_text: the axle or driving shaft 02 but attached thereto by a strong spiral spring 0³ the
purpose being to break the short circuit on the generator by means of the end of the
axle moving in the direction of the arrow out of touch with the spring f, when the
gearing is put in motion in ringing. The contact consists of an arm S, swung loosely
on the axle and carried with it; a guide S¹, for the arm and a couple of contact
springs F in connection with battery and counter. When the gearing is put in motion
the arm S, is carried with the axle in the direction shown by the arrow and presses the
two springs F, together, thus making contact for the counter.
The indications of a counter such as that hereinbefore described may be taken down
periodically by an operator or inspector, but a permanent register or record may be
obtained by causing the electro-magnet of the counter to operate a barrel or disc having
affixed to it a ruled sheet on which a pencil or marking style rests and records the
intermittent movements communicated to the drum as in self-recording meteorological
instruments. While the drum revolves the pencil or style which is caused to travel by
means of a screw marks a spiral course on the sheet from end to end, the marked sheet
forming a permanent record. An alarm bell and local circuit may be arranged to
indicate when the sheet has been filled and an auxiliary drum may be arranged to take
the place of the first when it has become filled or during the changing of the sheet.
The drum may be driven by the electrical step-by-step motion or by an ordinary
clock (as common in meteorological recorders.) The sheet may be divided into the
hours of the day and the currents from the contact closers made to act on an electro-
magnet carrying a pencil or point on its armature to bring the pencil in contact with
the sheet on the drum so as to make a slight mark or prick thereon. In this way a
permanent record of the connections made at different hours of the day would be
obtained, and the counter or register may show the duration of the connections in such
cases as where there is, vizt. only one circuit closer to one counter, the electro magnet
being arranged to respond to both the current sent from the circuit closer at connecting
and that sent at disconnecting. The first mark of the pencil on the sheet would indicate
connection, the next disconnection and the distance between the two would in such
case indicate the duration of the connection in minutes..
Figs. 28, 29, 30 and 31, sheet 5, show one form of a permanent register or counter
actuated electrically. A cylinder or drum T, with a sheet of paper, appropriately ruled,
attached to it (as common in meteorological recorders) is driven or caused to revolve
by an electro-magnet A, and ratchet wheel B', actuated by currents from contacts or
circuit closers in any of the ways before mentioned. A pencil or pointer t, travels in a
fine screw geared with the drum axle and traces a continuous line on paper on the
drum. The sheet is ruled so that the end of the line traced indicates the number of
connections made, the divisions being suited to the number of currents sent by form of
contact employed, or the driving wheel so geared to the drum as to indicate actual
number of connections. The register may be arranged to give an alarm when nearly
filled by the pointer t closing a battery circuit U, having in it a bell as shown in
figure 30, and it may also be arranged to automatically throw a second or auxiliary
register into circuit when the first is filled by breaking the circuit of the first register
as indicated at figure 31. The auxiliary drum could also of course be switched into
use while the attendant changes the paper of the first one.
Figures 32, 33 and 34 show a drum similar to that above referred to but driven by
clockwork to go for a suitable period of time. The drum sheet is divided into hours etc,
so that the time at which most connections are made may be recorded. The drum is
geared to a fine screw which in this case carries the recording electro-magnet A, to the
armature a of which the pencil is attached as shown. Brushes t² and rails t³ are
provided to conduct actuating currents to the electro magnet as shown.
In this case
only marks or dots at the occurance of contacts will appear on the sheet and not a
continuous line. These can be divided by the number of contacts to each connection to
get at the actual number of connections or a suitable gear such as the wipers may be
attached to the electro-magnet so that the pencil is only brought into touch with the
drum once for every connection as indicated enlarged at figure 34. An alarm bell and
an auxiliary register may be arranged as in figure 30. An alarm bell may also be

page_text: arranged to indicate that the clockwork requires winding this being actuated by a
suitable electrical contact on the main spring (or weight) of the clockwork.
By having the form of circuit closer (or contact) employed to remain closed and
therefore to send a continuous current while the message lasts then a line would be traced
instead of dots which would indicate the time or duration of the messages the drum
sheet being appropriately ruled. Such an arrangement would be suitable for checking
the duration of messages at call offices and on trunk wires, etc. If desired the register
could be arranged so that the clockwork would only be set in motion when the message
begins and be stopped when it ends. This would be accomplished by means of a
suitable electro-magnet carrying a detent or pawl in its armature acting on the escape
wheel of the clockwork. Should it not be convenient to employ a contact giving a
continuous current then the arrangement shown in figure 35 may be employed. The
momentary current at the commencement of the message by passing through the
electro magnet V, would throw the pencil into touch with the drum and the current
passing through V₁ when the message is finished would throw it out of touch again.
With a continuous current form of contact the drum may be arranged to be driven
clectrically and yet to indicate the duration of the message by employing the arrange-
ment shown in fig. 36. So long as the message continues the drum is caused to revolve
and the "make and break" being arranged to give a certain number of interruptions
per minute and the sheet on the drum being ruled in accordance the line traced by
the pencil indicates the duration of the message. The.driving electro-magnet obviously
may be made its own "make and break" instead of having a separate electro magnet
for that purpose. A, is the driving electro magnet of the drum of the recorder, W is
the make and break device, and N is the switch hook having a continuous contact.
The above description of the application of my invention to the telephone instruments
applies equally to telephone instruments on private lines and which have no connection
with an exchange, and the invention may also be adapted to automatic exchanges, that
is, to exchanges wrought electrically or by the subscribers instruments without the
assistance or intervention of. operators the circuit closer being applied to any suitable
moving part of the automatic apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :—
1. The several arrangements of devices for automatically effecting the closing of an
electric circuit and for counting or recording the number of messages transmitted over
telephonic circuits, substantially as herein described with reference to the several sheets
of drawings annexed.
2. In combination with an electrically operated counting or recording instrument
in a telephonic or battery circuit, a circuit closer or contact device automatically
operated by the indicators, plugs, or spring-jacks of a switch board or other operative
part or parts of said board moved in the act of making connection between subscribers
in a telephone exchange system substantially as described with reference to figures 1 to 17
of the annexed drawings.
3. In combination with an electrically operated counting or recording instrument in
a telephonic or battery circuit a circuit closer or contact making device actuated auto-
matically from at or by the subscribers instrument to record the number of messages
transmitted from or to said instrument substantially as herein described with reference
to figures 18 to 27 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The specific form of continuous recording instruments and devices hereinbefore
described with reference to figures 28 to 36, of the annexed drawings in their
employment as and for the purpose set forth.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agents.