Programmable computerized telephone call cost metering device
First Claim
1. A programmable computerized telephone call cost metering device comprising:
- (a) a keyboard input device for entering data, and commands;
(b) an output device for displaying data, and information;
(c) means for interfacing said programmable computerized telephone cost metering device with a telephone for automatically sensing when a called party responds to and terminates a call;
(d) means for erasably programing said programmable computerized telephone call cost metering device with a complete rate schedule of telephone costs for an entire area;
(e) means associated with said keyboard input device for selectively and changeably entering specific service type and exchange information of the telephone being interfaced to identify the particular combination of rates from the rate schedule to be used for the telephone, and(f) means associated with said keyboard input device for selectively and changeably entering an access security code for protecting input and programmed information from being altered by anyone not entering the selected access security code, whereby the cost of a multiplicity of telephone calls with various rates made on said telephone will be displayed on said output device, when the exchange and any area code of a called number is inputted on said keyboard input device, and the total cost of a call will be displayed during the duration of a call.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable computerized telephone cost metering device which gives a visual display of the cost (per unit of time) of a call before the user completes dialing his intended number, total cost of call in progress, and total of costs for day or month. Metering device may be programmed for user'"'"'s telephone exchange and type of service he has contacted with his telephone company, and programing may be inputted and updated by any of several methods including: direct user inputting of information, insertion of an EPROM chip, voice recognition device, and an automatic inputting of data from a remote data bank by means of a built in MODEM. Security of access is assured by use of user programmed access code. The metering device may contain a built in telephone or may be used with existing telephone instruments. There are a host of other operating features which this combination of computer, telephone, information storage, input and output devices can perform depending upon the configuration of the computer operating system.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A programmable computerized telephone call cost metering device comprising:
- (a) a keyboard input device for entering data, and commands;
(b) an output device for displaying data, and information; (c) means for interfacing said programmable computerized telephone cost metering device with a telephone for automatically sensing when a called party responds to and terminates a call; (d) means for erasably programing said programmable computerized telephone call cost metering device with a complete rate schedule of telephone costs for an entire area; (e) means associated with said keyboard input device for selectively and changeably entering specific service type and exchange information of the telephone being interfaced to identify the particular combination of rates from the rate schedule to be used for the telephone, and (f) means associated with said keyboard input device for selectively and changeably entering an access security code for protecting input and programmed information from being altered by anyone not entering the selected access security code, whereby the cost of a multiplicity of telephone calls with various rates made on said telephone will be displayed on said output device, when the exchange and any area code of a called number is inputted on said keyboard input device, and the total cost of a call will be displayed during the duration of a call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- (a) a keyboard input device for entering data, and commands;
Specification