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Telephone call metering device

  • US 4,122,308 A
  • Filed: 06/03/1977
  • Issued: 10/24/1978
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1977
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A telephone call cost determining device for determining the cost of a telephone call from a first telephone of a calling party having a corresponding first telephone number and a first area code associated therewith, to a selected one of a multiplicity of second telephones each having a corresponding second telephone number which may include an area code, said cost being dependent upon a predetermined billing rate schedule and the duration of the call, said device being situate at and operatively associated with said first telephone, comprising:

  • a first memory for storing a first coded signal corresponding to said first telephone number;

    telephone rate memory means for storing coded rate signals corresponding to a billing rate schedule for telephone calls initiated from a calling telephone having a number within said first area code, said stored rate signals comprising rate information for telephone calls to each of said multiplicity of second telephones from any telephone having a number within said first area code;

    said memory means having means for determining rate information for local calls within defined local rate zones, (ii) non-local calls having distance-dependent rates, and (iii) non-local calls having fixed rates for calls between predetermined rate centers;

    a keyboard for generating a second coded signal corresponding to said second telephone number of said selected telephone;

    addressing means responsive to said first and second coded signals for addressing said telephone rate memory means to select a third coded signal corresponding to rate information stored therein respecting the cost of said call;

    telephone call timing means responsive to a call connection signal and a call termination signal for providing a coded call duration signal corresponding to the time interval between said connection and termination signals;

    cost determination means responsive to said third coded signal and said coded call duration signal for generating a fourth coded signal corresponding to the cost of said call between said first and second telephone; and

    means responsive to said fourth coded signal for displaying the cost of said call to the calling party.

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