Telephone system
DCFirst Claim
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1. A unique method for making telephone calls from any available telephone, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) obtaining a special code by depositing a prepayment amount;
(b) storing the prepayment amount in a memory in a special exchange for use in verifying calling party calls;
(c) dialing said special exchange when a telephone call connection is desired;
(d) inputting such special code for verification;
(e) inputting the number of the called party;
(f) verifying the special code and comparing the prepayment amount less any deduction for previous calls in the memory and the minimum cost of the inputted call;
(g) connecting called party to the calling party in response to the verification;
(h) monitoring the prepayment amount less deductions for the running cost of the call; and
(i) disconnecting said call when the prepayment amount has been spent.
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Abstract
A telephone system enabling prepayment for telephone calls, wherein special code and credit information is stored in memory in special exchanges and debited as the call progresses.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A unique method for making telephone calls from any available telephone, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) obtaining a special code by depositing a prepayment amount; (b) storing the prepayment amount in a memory in a special exchange for use in verifying calling party calls; (c) dialing said special exchange when a telephone call connection is desired; (d) inputting such special code for verification; (e) inputting the number of the called party; (f) verifying the special code and comparing the prepayment amount less any deduction for previous calls in the memory and the minimum cost of the inputted call; (g) connecting called party to the calling party in response to the verification; (h) monitoring the prepayment amount less deductions for the running cost of the call; and (i) disconnecting said call when the prepayment amount has been spent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A telephone system for facilitating telephone calls including toll calls from any available telephone station for prepaid customers, said system comprising:
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(a) means for coupling a calling party station to a special exchange; (b) memory means in said special exchange for storing special customer codes and credit information individual to each prepaid customer; (c) means for verifying said calling party responsive to a code transmitted from the calling party'"'"'s station to the special exchange when one of the codes matches the code in the memory means and the calling party has unused credit and; (d) means for completing a call from said calling party station to a called station responsive to said verification, said means for verifying including means for monitoring the credit of the calling party during a completed call. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for making telephone calls comprising:
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(a) issuing a valid special code to a calling party when a prepayment amount is deposited to the credit of said calling party; (b) storing the prepayment amount in a memory in a special exchange; (c) dialing said special exchange when the calling party wishes to make a telephone call to a called party; (d) inputting a special code and the number of the called party; (e) connecting the calling party to the called party only if the special code inputted by the calling party is a valid special code, and in addition, only if the current initial prepayment amount in the memory exceeds the minimum cost of a call to the inputted number; (f) monitoring the running cost of the call in accordance with its duration; (g) disconnecting the calling party from the called party when the calling party hangs up, or when the running cost of the call exceeds the current initial prepayment amount, whichever occurs first; and (h) deducting from the initial prepayment amount the running cost of the call.
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Specification