Integrated cocot and regulated paystation telephone system

• US 5,311,582 A
• Filed: 01/19/1993
• Issued: 05/10/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Quortech Global Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Teleservice Corp.
• Inventors: Young, Thomas, Strode, Stephen H., Davenport, Marcus K., Shipman, Richard K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/005,417
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 379/150, 379/143, 379/144, 379/145, 379/146, 379/154, 379/155
• US Class Current: 379/143
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths

Abstract

An integrated customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) and regulated paystation telephone system permits the functionality of the paystation to be remotely programmed, in order to increase the versatility of the paystation in either mode of operation. The integrated paystation telephone system includes a central microprocessor coupled with a memory that stores the firmware for operating the paystation telephone. Circuitry is provided under the control of the microprocessor to operate such functions as the power control and coin relay (the relay which excepts or refunds a deposited coin) in either mode of operation. The paystation telephone system is remotely configured to operate in either the COCOT or regulated mode without requiring any hardware changes. Because of the remote configuration of the paystation telephone system, various features can be programmed, increasing the versatility of the paystation.

Claims

1. In a paystation telephone system, the improvement comprising:

first means for allowing the operation of the paystation telephone system as a customer-owned, coin operated telephone (COCOT) connected to a telephone line ring/tip pair; and

second means for allowing the operation of the paystation telephone system as a regulated line telephone connected to said telephone line ring/tip pair and a ground line from a central office, said first and second means being integrated together in the paystation telephone system.

2. An improvement according to claim 1, wherein the first and second means include:

a microprocessor controlling the paystation telephone system;

a coin relay control circuit operating a coin relay for collecting or returning coins deposited by a paystation user in response to both microprocessor generated firing signals and central office generated firing signals, the coin relay control circuit receiving power from the telephone line ring/tip pair; and

call progress circuitry, coupled with the microprocessor, monitoring audio signals applied to the telephone line ring/tip pair from both a called station and from the paystation user.

3. For use in a customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) system having a business line and in a regulated system having a regulated line, a paystation telephone, comprising:

a microprocessor connecting with one of the business line and the regulated line through audio signal processing circuitry;

a memory coupled to said microprocessor; and

a downloading circuit for remotely downloading firmware for said microprocessor into said memory via said one line wherein said microprocessor operates in accordance with the firmware for controlling the paystation telephone in the COCOT or regulated line system.

4. A paystation telephone system allowing audio signals from a paystation user to be applied through a handset to a telephone line coupled to the paystation telephone system, comprising:

a microprocessor controlling the operation of the paystation telephone system in two modes;

as a customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) when coupled to a business telephone line and as a regulated telephone having a central office when coupled to a regulated telephone line;

a memory coupled to the microprocessor for storing status and program information for the paystation;

a power control circuit receiving a power and audio signal from the telephone line;

a coin relay control circuit operating a coin relay for collecting or returning coins deposited by the paystation user in response to both microprocessor generated firing signals and central office generated firing signals, the coin relay control circuit receiving power from the power control circuit;

audio signal processing circuitry connected in circuit with the power control circuit and the microprocessor and including a speech generating circuit and a modem;

a voice network connecting the audio signal from the power control circuit to the handset;

call progress circuitry connected to the voice network for monitoring the audio signals applied to the telephone line from both a called station and from the paystation user through the handset;

wherein the microprocessor provides control signals to the power control circuit for switching the power and audio signal output, to the coin relay control circuit for either collecting or returning the coin, and to the voice network for selectively muting a transmit microphone in the handset, and for controlling the operation of the call progress circuit; and

wherein the status information in the memory is read by the microprocessor indicating the mode of operation.

5. A paystation telephone system according to claim 4 wherein the paystation telephone system is remotely configured from a host computer which downloads the status and program information into the memory.

6. A paystation telephone system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a read only memory circuit storing a boot program to initialize operation of the microprocessor;

a keypad providing keypad inputs to the microprocessor signalling digits dialed on the keypad;

a system clock bi-directionally coupling with the microprocessor providing time and date information;

a hook switch detector providing hook condition signals to the microprocessor indicating whether the handset is on or off hook;

a coin chute circuit coupling to the microprocessor for signalling the receipt of coins from the paystation user; and

a plurality of sensors providing sensor inputs to the microprocessor for monitoring various conditions of the paystation telephone system.

7. A paystation telephone system according to claim 6, still further comprising:

an encoded card reader device providing information, encoded on a paystation user'"'"'s card, to the microprocessor;

a power supply circuit receiving the power and audio signal from the power control circuit and supplying a regulated voltage for the paystation telephone system components; and

a backup power source coupled to the memory and the system clock.

8. A paystation telephone system according to claim 6, having a paystation housing wherein one of the plurality of sensors is a housing ground sensor, the housing ground sensor including:

a housing detect relay operable via microprocessor signals to initiate a test of whether the housing is properly grounded; and

an isolator circuit coupled between the housing detect relay and the housing to receive current through the housing detect relay during a test of the housing ground and providing a ground status signal to the microprocessor.

9. A paystation telephone system according to claim 6 wherein the paystation telephone system has a cash box, one of the plurality of sensors being a cash box sensor providing a cash box status signal to the microprocessor indicating whether the cash box is present in the paystation telephone system.

10. A paystation telephone system according to claim 4, wherein the coin relay control circuit comprises a coin refund inhibit relay, coupled in circuit with the coin relay, controlled via the microprocessor control signal provided to the coin relay control circuit to open circuit the coin relay to prevent its operation in response to central office generated firing signals.

11. A paystation telephone system according to claim 4, wherein the coin relay control circuit comprises a collect/refund relay having collect and refund circuit paths coupled in circuit with the coin relay and being operable in response to microprocessor control signals to reverse the collect and refund circuit paths.

12. A paystation telephone system according to claim 6, wherein the system clock includes a timer circuit for timing actual connect time between the paystation user and a called party, the timer being operable in response to a connect signal from the call progress circuitry.

13. For use with a paystation telephone system coupled with a telephone line, including a microprocessor, signal processing circuitry line, including a microprocessor, signal processing circuitry and a memory, the microprocessor controlling the operation of the paystation telephone system, a method for remotely configuring the paystation telephone system, comprising the steps of:

downloading firmware from a remote host computer through the telephone line and signal processing circuitry to the memory for controlling the paystation telephone system as either a customer-owned, coin operated telephone (COCOT) or a regulated line telephone;

operating the paystation telephone system via the microprocessor in accordance with the remotely downloaded firmware.

14. A method for determining a mode of operation of a paystation telephone system, coupled with a telephone line, including a microprocessor, signal processing circuitry and a memory, the microprocessor controlling the operation of the paystation telephone system, comprising the steps of:

reading a status word stored in the memory;

checking a status flag in the status word indicating the mode of operation; and

controlling the paystation telephone system in accordance with the indicated mode of operation;

wherein a mode of operation can be at least one of a customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) mode and a regulated telephone mode.

15. A method for using a paystation telephone system connected with a telephone line, comprising the steps of:

paystation telephone as a customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) when the paystation telephone is connected with a business line telephone line;

operating the paystation telephone as a regulated telephone when the paystation telephone is connected to a regulated line telephone line;

performing said operating steps without making hardware changes to the paystation telephone.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of selectively enabling and disabling operating features of the paystation when connected to at least one of the business line telephone line and the regulated line telephone line.

17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

inhibiting operation of a coin return device, the coin return device being controlled by a coin relay in response to an energizing signal generated by a central office when the telephone paystation system is coupled with the regulated line, the step of inhibiting step comprising the steps of;

arranging a coin inhibit relay in circuit with the coin relay to receive the energizing signal, over an energy signal line, and connect it with the coin relay;

providing a control signal from a microprocessor in the paystation telephone system to open circuit the connection between the energy signal line and the coin relay wherein the coin relay is selectively turned on or off via the control signal.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

performing voice messaging services when the paystation telephone system is connected to a regulated line, the performing step comprising the steps of;

detecting an off-hook condition of the paystation'"'"'s handset via a hook switch circuit indicating a telephone call is to be placed;

monitoring the telephone line for the presence of a ring signal, busy signal or an answer by a called party using a microprocessor in the paystation telephone system;

performing normal paystation telephone system functions if the called party answers;

reading a status word stored in a memory via the microprocessor to determine if voice messaging services are available if there is no answer;

requesting an operator input signal if the voice messaging services are available;

once a selection is made, inhibiting the operation of a coin return device controlling a coin relay via a control signal from the microprocessor;

setting a system clock to signal the microprocessor to seize the telephone line once the original telephone call is terminated and terminating the original telephone call;

again seizing the telephone line after the original call is terminated;

reactivating the coin return device via another signal from the microprocessor;

dialing, with the microprocessor, the voice message service;

detecting an on-hook condition of the handset;

allowing a central office to operate the coin return device by energizing the coin relay to collect a previously deposited coin when the paystation is coupled to the regulated line; and

operating the coin return device by energizing the coin relay to collect a previously deposited coin when the paystation is connected to the business line.

19. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

collecting charges, via the paystation telephone system, controlled with a microprocessor, from a paystation user in response to a refund signal generated by a central office when the paystation telephone is connected with the regulated line, for incoming telephone calls received by the user, the collecting step comprising the steps of;

detecting an off-hook condition of a handset;

reading a ring sensor input to the microprocessor to determine whether the paystation was ringing prior to detecting the off-hook condition indicating an incoming or outgoing call;

voicing an incoming call rate, generated by the microprocessor and associated speech circuitry, onto the telephone line for the paystation user if the ring sensor indicates an incoming call;

detecting the payment of the incoming call rate;

detecting an on-hook condition of the handset;

reversing a refund signal line connected to a coin relay controlling the collection and refunding of payments;

releasing the telephone line;

allowing the refund signal generated by the central office when the telephone line is released to fire the coin relay whereby the step of reversing the refund signal line allows the payment to be collected.

20. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

preventing the unauthorized placement of coin tones on the telephone line through a transmitter circuit in the paystation telephone, the transmitter circuit allowing audio signals from a paystation user to be applied via a handset microphone to the telephone line to which the paystation is connected, the step of preventing comprising the steps of;

detecting the placement of a long distance call from the paystation;

monitoring the telephone line for the presence of coin tones generated by the paystation user; and

muting the handset microphone for a predetermined time whenever the coin tones are detected.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the step of monitoring includes the steps of:

setting a transmitter filter to pass a first coin tone signal;

detecting, with a microprocessor in the paystation telephone system, whether the first coin tone signal was present;

setting the transmitter filter to pass a second tone signal if the first coin tone signal was detected; and

detecting whether the second coin tone signal is present.

22. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

detecting whether a paystation telephone housing is grounded, the step of detecting comprising the steps of;

initiating a check of the paystation telephone housing'"'"'s ground connection;

activating a housing ground relay switch to supply current through an isolator circuit to the housing;

reading an output signal provided from the isolator circuit to a microprocessor in the paystation indicating whether or not the current flowed through the isolator circuit for a properly grounded housing; and

setting a status flag if said output signal indicates a missing ground connection.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of:

reporting the missing ground connection to a central maintenance computer;

24. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

accurately timing connections for local telephone calls between the paystation and a called station, the step of accurately timing comprising the steps of;

detecting the local telephone call via keypad signal inputs to a microprocessor in the paystation telephone;

monitoring the telephone line for an answer by the called station using call progress circuitry;

starting a timer once the called station answers the local telephone call whereby the actual connect time between the stations is determined.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the paystation telephone system is operable to charge for connect time exceeding a predetermined period, the method comprising the further steps of:

signalling when the predetermined period ends;

requesting an additional payment from the paystation user;

determining whether said additional payment was received;

resetting the timer for an additional time period if the additional payment was received.

26. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

preventing telephone calls when a cash box, storing coins deposited through a coin chute by a paystation user, is missing from the paystation telephone, the step of preventing comprising the steps of;

detecting a coin input into the coin chute of the paystation telephone system;

reading a cash box sensor indicating whether the cash box is present in the paystation telephone system; and

inhibiting the generation of one of the coin tones and an initial rate signal onto the telephone line when the cash box sensor indicates the cash box is missing.

27. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

allowing any pre-authorized type of encoded card to be used in the paystation telephone system when connected to the regulated line which accepts only certain cards, the step of allowing comprising the steps of;

detecting in a microprocessor a card number input via an encoded card reader reading a user'"'"'s card associated with the paystation telephone system and storing the card number input in memory;

determining whether the user'"'"'s card is authorized for use by the regulated line;

sending the card number signal over the telephone line if it is authorized by the regulated line;

comparing the stored card number with a list of preauthorized types of encoded cards accepted by the paystation if the stored card number is not authorized by the regulated line;

checking the validity of the stored card number if it is one of the pre-authorized cards;

sending a master card number stored in the paystation, known to be acceptable by the regulated line, over the telephone line when the checking step determines the stored card number to be valid.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the step of checking the validity comprises the steps of:

determining whether the stored card number has expired; and

determining whether the stored card number is stolen.