FR2731860A1 - TELEPHONE CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENT DEVICE FOR THE USE OF INDIVIDUALS - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises an electronic management circuit in a protective housing (1) connectable to a telephone handset (13), which circuit includes a microcontroller (2) which performs the following functions: decoding the keypad of the telephone handset (13) using a decoding circuit; transmitting a code to the telecommunications exchange indicating that units are being debited directly from a phonecard connected to said electronic circuit by a card reader (6) for phonecards and particularly smart cards; controlling the release of the telephone line (12); and displaying the used call time units or the calling time still available on the phone card on an alphanumeric display (7). The device further comprises a power supply providing a DC supply voltage for the card and a suitable voltage for erasing units on the phonecard.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for managing telephone consumption intended in particular for the use of individuals.

 We know that individuals can currently control their telephone consumption only from a statement subsequently communicated by the telecommunications administration indicating the duration of the various conversations and their cost.

 Existing telephone devices do not in fact make it possible to know the cost of a call in progress, because they do not indicate the units of call time that elapse as and when said communication.

 The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a device easily adaptable by individuals on existing telephone devices and making it possible to read smart cards loaded with a certain number of telephone units, so as not to authorize a communication only to the owner of such a card and to display the call time units in real time during said communication.

 The device according to the invention comprises for this purpose, in a protective case, an electronic circuit comprising a microprocessor and memories, means for reading a telephone card, a power supply delivering a DC supply voltage to said card and a voltage suitable for erasing the units of a telephone card, a display of the units of consumed call time or call time still available on a telephone card, a circuit for transmitting a code to the central office telecommunications signaling that the debit of the units is carried out directly on the telephone card connected to said electronic circuit, a circuit making it possible to identify the set picked up and to decode the numbers dialed.

 The advantages and characteristics of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

In the attached drawing
- Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the device according to the invention.

 - Figure 2 shows the diagram of the electronic power supply circuit of the device according to the invention.

- Figure 3 shows the diagram of the electronic circuit of the device according to the invention
If we refer to FIG. 1 we can see that the device according to the invention comprises a micoprocessor 1 carrying out the operations of calculation and control of a process connected to: ROM read only memories 2 ("Read Only
Memory ") for programs, RAM memories (" Random Access
Memory ") dynamic 3 for storing information and partial calculation results, an input and output circuit 4 of data to a printer 5 or a computer of the type
PC via a bus not shown, means 6 for reading a telephone card and erasing the units, loaded on said card, during a communication, an LCD display 7 for displaying the consumption of the units in real-time or the counting of the units of the telephone card, a power supply 8, a circuit 9 fulfilling the functions of identification 90 of the called station, of decoding 91 of the numbers dialed or of the impulses of charges 92, as well as galvanic isolation 11 of circuit 9 and telephone lines 12 where the station (s) 13 are connected, and a cut-off circuit 14.

 If we also refer to FIG. 2 we can see that the power supply 8 includes a transformer 80 and a diode bridge 81 rectifying the alternating current coming from the sector 83 and making it possible to obtain two direct voltages from a first circuit 85 comprising a regulator 850 at the output of which a continuous potential 851 is stabilized and stabilized at 5V for supplying the electronic circuit of the device, and a second circuit 86 at the output of which a continuous potential 860 is stabilized at 21V and intended for erasing the units of a telephone card. We can also see the input and output circuit 4 of the data to a printer and / or a computer 5 which can for example be an RS 232 type interface.

 The supply voltage can also be obtained from a battery 87.

If we now refer to Figure 3 we can see that the electronic circuit of the device according to the invention is mainly composed of a microprocessor 1 connected to the LCD display 7, to the reader 6 of a telephone card connected by one of its inputs 60 at DC voltage 860 of 21V via / through a circuit 61, through circuit 9 connected to the telephone line 10 via galavan insulation 11, through the input and / or output circuit 4 at 40 and 41, and at the cut-off circuit 14 transmitting, by means of the microprocessor 1, a code to the telecommunications center signaling that the debit of the units is carried out directly on the telephone card
The device according to the invention can be easily connected to the telephone apparatus for which it is intended by simply disconnecting said apparatus, by the clip generally located below or behind the handset, from the free end of the telephone line wire, said end then being connected to the device according to the invention which is also connected to the telephone apparatus, which is now subject to the operation of said device.

 From this installation, any call from outside will be directly connected to the telephone set. On the other hand if the user wants to make a call he will have to insert, in a slot provided in the case, a telephone card which will be debited directly from the number of units consumed during the communication, which will appear progressively on the 'display 7 disposed in a housing provided for this purpose on the housing.

 The device according to the invention thus offers the advantage of displaying, as the time elapsed during the communication, the number of telephone units consumed and this without requiring modifying the existing installations, and without requiring any intervention of a professional. Its small dimensions also allow it to be transported easily and discreetly.

Claims (1)

 CLAIM  Device for managing telephone consumption intended in particular for the use of individuals, characterized in that it comprises, in a protective case, an electronic circuit comprising a microprocessor (1) and memories (2,3), means for reading (6) of a telephone card, a power supply (8) delivering a direct supply voltage to said card (851) and a suitable voltage (860) for erasing the units of a telephone card, a display ( 7) units of call time consumed or call time still available on a telephone card, a cut-off circuit (14) transmitting a code to the telecommunications center signaling that the debit of the units is carried out directly on the telephone card connected to said electronic circuit, a circuit (9) making it possible to identify the set on hook and to decode the numbers dialed.