Exchange for providing service functions for given periods of time

• US 6,434,227 B2
• Filed: 04/10/1997
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation (NEC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Toshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, BING Q
• Application Number:
  US08/834,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20010055378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,951 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114, 379/128, 379/131, 379/139, 379/144, 379/188, 379/190, 379/192, 379/203, 379/201, 379/244, 379/247, 379/112, 379/130, 379/123
• US Class Current: 379/207.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42136 Administration or customisation of services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42144 by service provider

Abstract

A storage device has an operation effective value memory for storing operation start days, effective period deadlines, and number of effective days of service functions. A controller does not provide a service function when an extension telephone set is operated to use the service function if the present day is past an effective period deadline stored in the operation effective value memory.

Claims

1. An exchange having a plurality of classified service functions, comprising:

a main switch means for accommodating a plurality of terminals each terminal having an extension telephone operable without a calling card;

an operation effective value memory for storing an operation effective value representing an effective period deadline of a service function or the number of times that the service function can effectively be used; and

a control device for preventing the service function from being provided to one of said plurality of terminals if the effective period deadline is past, or the number of times that the service function has been used exceeds said operation effective value, said period deadline including a date after which said service function will be prevented, said service function being other than a connection of a pre-paid call;

an advance warning memory for storing an advance warning day to warn a service person of the exchange or said one of said plurality of terminals of the fact that the service function will expire; and

a warning device for warning said service person of the exchange or said one of said plurality of terminals if the present day is past said advance warning day;

wherein said control device is operative without requiring a security code or authorization code to be input by a user of said one of said plurality of terminals.

2. An exchange according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for indicating to a service person of the exchange that the service function will not be provided if the effective period deadline is past, or the number of times that the service function has been used exceeds said operation effective value.

3. An exchange according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for indicating that the service function will not be provided to said one of said plurality of terminals.

4. An exchange according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for notifying said one of said plurality of terminals of the fact that the service function will be shut off when the terminal is operated to use the service function or thereafter uses the service function within a predetermined period of time prior to said effective period deadline.

5. An exchange according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising:

means for counting the number of times that said one of said plurality of terminals has used the service function within a predetermined period of time before a shutdown of the service function is indicated or an advance notice of a shutdown of the service function is indicated; and

means of indicating the counted number to a service person of the exchange.

6. An exchange according to claim 4, further comprising:

means for counting the number of times that said one of said plurality of terminals has used the service function within a predetermined period of time before a shutdown of the service function is indicated or an advance notice of a shutdown of the service function is indicated; and

means for indicating the counted number to a serviceman of the exchange.

7. An exchange according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for counting the number of times that said one of said plurality of terminals is operated to use the service function within a predetermined period of time after said effective period deadline; and

means for displaying the counted number for a service person of the exchange.

8. An exchange having a plurality of classified service functions, comprising:

a main switch for accommodating a plurality of terminals;

an operation effective value memory for storing an operation effective value representing an effective period deadline of a service function or the number of times that the service function can effectively be used; and

a control device for preventing the service function from being provided to said one of said plurality of terminals if the effective period deadline is past, or the number of times that the service function has been used exceeds, said operation effective value;

said exchange further comprising;

means for storing information representing a number of effective days a service function is to be effective, and indicating a failure of a clock device to a service person of the exchange when a decision made as to whether the service function is to be provided or not based on the effective period deadline and a decision made as to whether the service function is to be provided or not based on the number of effective days information contradict each other.

9. An exchange having a plurality of classified service functions, comprising:

a main switch for accommodating a plurality of terminals each terminal having an extension telephone operable without a calling card;

an operation effective value memory for storing an operation effective value representing an effective period deadline of a service function or the number of times that the service function can effectively be used; and

a control device for providing the service function to the one of said plurality of terminals and outputting an alarm, if the effective period deadline has elapsed, or the number of times that the service function has been used exceeds said operation effective value, said period deadline including a date after which said service function will be prevented, said service function being other than a connection of a pre-paid call;

an advance warning memory for storing an advance warning day to warn a service person of the exchange or said one of said plurality of terminals of the fact that the service function will expire; and

a warning device for warning said service person of the exchange or said one of said plurality of terminals if the present day is past said advance warning day;

wherein said control device is operative without requiring a security code or authorization code to be input by a user of said one of said plurality of terminals.

10. An exchange having a plurality of classified service functions, comprising:

a main switch for accommodating a plurality of terminals each terminal having an extension telephone without a calling card;

a memory for storing an operation start day to start a service function; and

a control device for preventing the service function from being provided to one of said plurality of terminals if the present day is prior to said operation start day, said service function being other than a connection of a pre-paid call;

an advance warning memory for storing an advance warning day to warn a service person of the exchange or said one of said plurality of terminals of the fact that the service function will expire; and

a warning device for warning said service person of the exchange or said one of said plurality of terminals if the present day is past said advance warning day;

wherein said control device is operative without requiring a security code or authorization code to be input by a user of said one of said plurality of terminals.