JP2997709B2 - Phone call control method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a telephone call control method that enables cashless telephone calls. [0002] Conventionally, telephones are generally available almost everywhere. Most phones are personal phones,
Usage fees are billed on a monthly or monthly basis.
It is not always possible or easy to determine the time and charges each time a call is made for a single call. Therefore, using someone else's phone is often troublesome. In addition, long distance or long distance calls are not limited to a single region, but become more common as people travel and work more. Today, long-distance calls are made by charging for local telephones, such as telephones in hotel rooms. Long-distance calls are made by immediate payment, for example, when a public telephone is used. Long distance calls may also be made by billing the caller for the caller's home or business telephone, or by using the telephone company's credit card number. Alternatively, long-distance calls are made in the form of so-called collect calls if the called party agrees to bear the cost of the call, and charges for the call are charged. [0003] These current methods of making and paying particularly long distance calls have significant drawbacks. For example, if the call cost is charged for a telephone in a hotel room, the hotel side adds the cost to the call cost, so that the cost of the call becomes unbalanced. It is extremely difficult to make a long-distance call from a public telephone. This is because they require a large amount of coins, and they usually do not have them, especially during travel or business travel. Calls through the use of credit card numbers often result in incorrectly charged telephone credit card numbers. Further, in order to obtain telephone credits, a credit check is required, and it is often impossible to obtain credit settings. A salesman may also rent a customer's telephone to call his / her office without paying the customer for the call cost, which is inconvenient and reduces the call cost. In this case, there is the above-mentioned disadvantage, and there is a problem that the cost is added. In view of such circumstances, the present invention allows the use of the nearest personal telephone or public telephone when the caller wants to make a call, whether it is a local call, a long-distance domestic or international call. It is another object of the present invention to provide a telephone call control method which enables a cashless telephone call that does not require post-payment. The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem is a telephone call control method using a special switching unit and including the following steps: (a) with respect to Oite given deposit amount of money in this special exchange unit
Pre-assigned special code stores a plurality combinations of these deposit amount and special code, the (b) the special codes, payment of the corresponding deposit amount
Is available as a condition, (c) from the caller's telephone, the special code and the called input
( D ) transmitting the special code and the called party's telephone number in a special
Section receives, (e) a special co this received special code has been stored
Consistent with one over de Check is available, the balance of deposit amount of the special code said received (f),
The maximum required to connect the calling party's phone to the called party's phone.
Compared with the small cost, (g) at the time of the balance of the deposit amount is greater than the cost required,
Connect the caller's telephone to the telephone of the called party, if the (h) the balance of the deposit amount was less lost than the cost required to continue the call connection between the calling party and the called party Is disconnected after the caller's phone initiates a connection with the called party's phone, just as the caller and the called party are disconnected.
The call cost is monitored until the call is made. [0006] [action] The present invention According to the above configuration, from the caller's telephone
The special code and the telephone number of the called party are
When the special exchange unit receives them, the received special code is stored in the special exchange unit in advance.
Confirm that the special code can be used in accordance with one of the special codes, and check the balance of the deposit of the special code and the minimum cost required to connect the calling party's phone to the called party's phone.
In comparison, the previous SL in the <br/> when more than balance the necessary cost of deposit amount, to connect the calling party's telephone to the telephone of the called party, the telephone caller's phone of the called party From the start of the connection to the
And monitor the call cost, and check that the balance of the deposit amount is the cost required to maintain the call connection between the caller and the called party .
Ri when running low is configured to block the call connection of the caller and the called party. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Customers, for example ordinary telephone users or travelers, pay by cash or credit card to connect to a special code attached to the deposit and a special exchange. And a predetermined telephone number.
These special codes and telephone numbers to special exchanges can be obtained through a general credit card company, paid by the acquirer's credit card, or purchased at points of sale such as airports, hotels, car rental offices, etc. You may do it. The deposit amount is stored in advance in the memory means of the special exchange unit together with a special code attached to each deposit amount, and the balance of the deposit amount after deducting the call cost is recorded. The special code and telephone number to the special exchange are shown in block 12 of FIG. Next, a situation arises in which the acquirer wants to make a local call or a local call. The acquirer, i.e., the telephone user, hangs up the telephone and dials a predetermined telephone number to connect to the special exchange as shown in blocks 13 and 14. The telephone in this case may be a personal telephone. When connected to this special exchange, block 1
A special dial tone is transmitted from the exchange to the caller as shown in FIG. When the caller hears a special dial tone indicating that the special exchange computer is OK, the caller dials the obtained special code, as shown in block 17. If the special code number is genuine in accordance with one of the special codes stored in the memory means and the deposit amount is valid, the call is made, as shown in blocks 18 and 19. The caller is connected to a general telephone system, that is, a telephone line, at which time a normal dial tone is sent to the caller. A special exchange computer connects to the most economical telephone line available. After the caller has connected to the telephone line and received the normal dial tone, the caller dials the telephone number of the called party desired by the caller, as indicated by block 21. Of course, this method also includes, within the scope of the present invention, a configuration in which the calling party dials the telephone number of the called party while the special code is being confirmed following the input of the special code. It is. In this case, the control means of the special switching unit records the telephone number of the called party, and when a normal dial tone sounds, the telephone number of the called party recorded in the control means is transmitted in block 21. Then, the calling party and the called party are connected so that the call can be completed. [0010] In a preferred aspect, the special exchange unit informs the available deposit amount stored in the memory means or the balance thereof, or the corresponding available time for talking with the called party. Make a notification. This notification is, for example, an artificial voice or a pre-recorded voice. Such audible notification is indicated in block 22. The notification is made in accordance with the charge rate based on the communication distance between the calling party and the called party, as shown in block 23. [0011] In a further preferred aspect, the confirmation of the deposit amount is performed simultaneously with the confirmation of the special code number. If the special code is invalid, a notification is provided urging the caller to start over, as shown in block 24. The caller is allowed multiple (eg, three) retries before the connection is cut from the special exchange as shown in blocks 26 and 27. When making the second and third redo, a special dial tone is received. After the third redo,
After receiving the recorded notification that the special code is not valid, the connection with the special exchange is disconnected. At the time when the caller and the called party are connected and talking as described above, the normal time / time represented by a peg counter as indicated by block 28 is used.
The distance calculation circuit begins to provide information to convert the available deposit or its balance into talk time. Information from the peg counter is sent to the comparison means, as indicated by block 29, to continuously determine whether the caller's deposit or balance is sufficient to pay for the call. When the deposit or its balance falls below the units used for time conversion, the call is automatically terminated by the computer, as indicated by block 31. Block 31 disconnects the caller from the called party, but keeps the connection to the computer and informs the caller to enter another special code, if any. Information is given. This operation is indicated by block 32. If you enter another special code here,
The caller may again receive a dial tone and dial the called party, as indicated by the YES output of block 33. In other words, the caller returns to the input of block 17, where he receives a computer tone and is instructed to dial another special code and the called party's telephone number. Block 17,
All steps 19, 21 etc. are repeated and a new call connection is made. When the caller does not have another special code, the special exchange and the caller are disconnected. Thereafter, the caller simply hangs up the telephone. [0014] Even after block 29, the call can be terminated by the caller as shown in block 34. In other words, the call is terminated by the computer for longer than the talk time or by the caller. If the caller terminates the call and there is still a deposit or balance, the caller will again receive a normal dial tone and only need to dial another callee if desired. If you do not want to dial another called party, drop the handset to the hookswitch. If you want to talk to another called party, check the normal dial tone and dial the called party's telephone number. At this time, the caller does not need to repeat the procedure for connecting to the computer and the confirmation procedure. Since it has already been checked and confirmed, it is connected to a normal dial tone. This procedure is repeated as long as the deposit amount or its balance remains. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic operation of the telephone call control system necessary for implementing the telephone call control method. The calling party's telephone is designated by reference numeral 81. The telephone 81 is connected to a general telephone system indicated by reference numeral 82, that is, a telephone line. Caller is code A
The special code is dialed after connection with the special exchange unit indicated by the symbol, and the special code is confirmed by the code confirmation means indicated by the reference numeral 83. The check of the special code by the code checking means 83 is performed by checking a part of the memory means specified by the special code in order to check whether the special code is valid. If the valid special code is confirmed, the deposit amount or the balance corresponding to the special code is checked in the memory means, and the deposit amount or the balance is checked.
Confirmation of the deposit amount or the balance thereof is performed by deposit amount confirmation means indicated by reference numeral 84. The memory means is indicated by reference numeral 86, and this memory means 86 is arranged in the special exchange section A in FIG. 2, but may be arranged outside the special exchange section A. The circuits constituting the code checking means 83 and the deposit amount checking means 84 are connected to the memory means 86 via a bus (bus) 85. The memory means 86 is made small so that the special code can be easily checked by checking only a part of the memory means corresponding to the special code. Similarly, confirmation of the deposit amount or its balance is performed by checking another part of the memory means 86 once the special code is confirmed. When the special code and the deposit amount or the balance thereof are confirmed together, the operation of the connection / shut-off means indicated by reference numeral 92 causes the telephone set 81 of the caller to redial means 89 through the register 88 constituting the control means. Connected to. This register 88 records the telephone number of the called party inputted from the calling party. After the confirmation, the register 88 instructs the redialing means 89 to dial the telephone number of the called party. And a dial tone are sent to the telephone line 82 through the route selection means (router) 91. If the caller is a toll call, the router 91 selects the most economical route possible in terms of cost and connects to the called party's telephone. In the register 88, the rate for the call distance and the unit for time conversion are recorded, and the minimum cost required for the call to the called party inputted from the calling party is recorded. And the cost required to maintain the call is checked, and the cost of the call after connection with the called party is recorded. Then, by the comparing means indicated by reference numeral 93, the deposit amount or the balance thereof stored in the memory means 86, the minimum cost for starting a call, the cost required for maintaining the call, and the subsequent call cost The connection is made with the called party only when the deposit amount or the balance thereof is greater than the minimum cost for starting a call, and after the connection, the call cost and the deposit amount or the balance are compared. By comparing the relationships, when it is no longer possible to bear the cost of the subsequent call, the connection / blocking means 92 is operated so as to cut off the call between the calling party and the called party. Further, the notifying means for the purpose indicated by block 22 in FIG. 1 is indicated by reference numeral 87, and this notifying means 87 is connected to the comparing means 93. This notifying means 87 performs sound notification as described above.
Alternatively, notification by a visual display method can be performed. On the other hand, the user who is the calling party disconnects from the called party by dialing a special number, for example.
Then, it can be kept connected to the special exchange unit A. The caller can change or add another special code during, before and after the call and still remain connected to the special exchange A. According to a preferred embodiment, the caller can use a special number, for example 999, to end the call. Therefore, the caller can make another call without having to dial again the telephone number and the special code for connecting to the special exchange unit A. The caller may also use another special number, for example 888, to utilize the deposit amount with another special code. In other words, another special code can be input during a call with the called party to continue / extend the call between the calling party and the called party. When a caller's deposit is checked to make a call, or during a call, the same special code prevents two different telephones from being used at the same time. It should be understood that the location is written with the special code in use.
Also, the special code is invalidated and becomes unusable when the deposit amount or its balance runs out, or when the deposit amount falls below a predetermined amount. If necessary, regardless of the balance, the information may be invalidated uniformly after a predetermined period has elapsed from the acquisition and may be disabled. Further, the special exchange unit A can exchange information on the special code and the deposit amount between a plurality of special exchange units. Although the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments and methods, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, a special public telephone that automatically connects to the special exchange unit A may be installed, and the special public telephone may be directly connected to the special exchange unit A without dialing a telephone number. As described above, according to the present invention, a special code and a called party's telephone number are transmitted from a calling party's telephone at the time of calling.
To, by receiving these special exchange unit, the received special code, previously come to the special exchange section
Confirm that the code can be used in accordance with one of the special codes remembered, and check the balance of the deposit of the special code and the minimum necessary to connect the calling party's phone to the called party's phone.
By comparing the cost, expense necessary balance before Symbol deposit amount
Ri many times, to connect the calling party's telephone to the telephone of the called party,
Caller's phone initiates connection with called party's phone and then disconnects
Monitoring the call costs until the balance of the deposit amount is, if they are no longer less than the cost required to continue the call connection between the calling party and the called party, the calling party and the called Is configured to cut off the call connection of the caller, so that a cashless call that does not require a post-payment can be performed only by inputting a special code. Further, since the deposit amount and the special code are stored in the special exchange unit in advance, it is only necessary to pay the corresponding amount when acquiring the special code, and data such as deposit is input to the special exchange unit. No hassle is required. Furthermore,
There is no need to provide a special means for reading information recorded on a data storage card such as a magnetic card or a special means for receiving information from a service subscriber on the telephone side. Since it can be used as it is, there is no need to provide a large number of special telephones in order to extend the communication range, so that it can be spread practically and economically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a telephone call control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a call control system required to carry out the telephone call control method of the present invention. [Explanation of Signs] A Special exchange unit 81 Caller's telephone (telephone)

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-53-132919 (JP, A) JP-A-47-20882 (JP, A) JP-A-48-90110 (JP, A) JP-A-58-3367 (JP) JP-A-53-39808 (JP, A) JP-A-58-165473 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 15/00 H04M 17/00 H04M 3/42

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] Utilizes a special exchange unit (A) and includes the following steps
A call control method of the telephone, (a) Oite predetermined deposit amount in the special exchange unit (A)
Pre-assigned special code to stores a plurality combinations of these deposit amount and <br/> special code, the (b) the special codes, payment of the corresponding deposit amount
Is available as a condition, (c) to the caller's telephone (81), the input special code
Sends a de and telephone number of the called party during a call, (d) said a special code and telephone number of the called party special exchange
Receiving section (A) is, (e) a special co this received special code has been stored
Consistent with one over de Check is available, the balance of deposit amount of the special code said received (f),
To connect the calling party of telephone (81) to the telephone of the called party
Compared with the minimum cost necessary, (g) at the time of the balance of the deposit amount is greater than the cost required,
Caller's telephone (81) connected to the telephone of the called party, (h) the balance of the deposit amount is less lost than the cost required to continue the call connection between the calling party and the called party The caller's phone (81) initiates a connection with the called party's phone so as to cut off the call connection between the calling party and the called party.
Monitoring the call costs to be cut off, the call control method of the telephone. 2. 2. The telephone call control method according to claim 1, wherein the special exchange unit (A) notifies a caller of a balance of a usable deposit amount. 3. The special switching unit (A) converts the balance of the available deposit amount into usable talk time based on the received called party's telephone number, and notifies the calling party of the available remaining call time. The telephone call control method according to claim 1, wherein the notification is performed. 4. The caller's phone (81) can be connected to the called party's phone
The maximum available call time and the cost of
The call time is determined based on the balance of the deposit amount at the beginning.
Monitor that the talk time reaches the above maximum talk time
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the call between the calling party and the called party is terminated when the call is terminated.
The call control method of the described telephone. 5. The telephone call control method according to claim 1, wherein the caller's telephone (81) is connected to the special exchange (A) by entering a special telephone number. 6. The balance of the deposit amount is sufficient to pay the call cost
Is continuously measured to see if the balance of the deposit amount is
Automatically end calls when you are unable to pay for the call
The telephone call control method according to claim 1, wherein the call control is terminated. 7. 2. The telephone call control method according to claim 1, wherein after the caller's telephone (81) cuts off the telephone connection with the callee's telephone, a telephone call cost is subtracted from the deposit amount. 8. 2. A telephone as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, while connecting the call between the caller's telephone (81) and the called party's telephone, additional input of another special code to continue / extend the call. Call control method. 9. The caller's telephone (81) and a special exchange (A)
While maintaining the connection, after the call connection callers phone (81) and the telephone of the called party is interrupted, caller makes it possible to enter the telephone number of another called party The telephone call control method according to claim 1. 10. Using a special exchange section (A), including the following steps:
The continuously telephone call control method, (a) Oite predetermined deposit amount in the special exchange unit (A)
Pre-assigned special code to stores a plurality combinations of these deposit amount and <br/> special code, the (b) the special codes, payment of the corresponding deposit amount
Is available as a condition, (c) to the caller's telephone (81), the input special code
Sends a de and telephone number of the called party during a call, (d) said a special code and telephone number of the called party special exchange
Receiving section (A) is, (e) a special co which the transmitted special code has been stored
Consistent with one over de Check is available, the balance of deposit amount of the special code the transmission (f),
To connect the calling party's phone (81) to the called party's phone
Compared with the minimum cost necessary, (g) at the time of the balance of the deposit amount is greater than the cost required,
Caller's telephone (81) connected to the telephone of the called party, (h) the balance of the deposit amount is less lost than the cost required to continue the call connection between the calling party and the called party The caller's phone (81) initiates a connection with the called party's phone so as to cut off the call connection between the calling party and the called party.
Monitoring the call costs to be blocked, (i) the special exchange unit (A) is to inform the calling party the balance of deposit money available, the call control method of the telephone. 11. The telephone call control method according to claim 10, wherein the special code is disabled when the balance of the deposit amount becomes smaller than a predetermined amount. 12. The telephone call control method according to claim 10, wherein the caller's telephone (81) is connected to the special exchange (A) by entering a special telephone number. 13. The balance of the deposit amount is sufficient for paying the call cost.
Minutes are continuously measured and the balance of the deposit amount
Call automatically when they can no longer pay for the call
11. The telephone call control method according to claim 10, wherein the call is terminated . 14． The telephone call control method according to claim 10, wherein the caller's telephone (81) cuts off the telephone connection with the callee's telephone and then deducts the telephone call cost from the deposit amount. 15. 11. While connecting the call between the caller's phone (81) and the called party's phone, allow additional input of another special code to continue / extend the call. The call control method of the described telephone. 16. The caller's telephone (81) and a special exchange (A)
The caller's telephone (81) and the called
Claim call connection with the telephone of after being cut off, the caller is it possible to enter the telephone number of another called party 10
The call control method of the described telephone. 17． Using a special exchange section (A), including the following steps:
A free phone through talk control method, (a) Oite given deposit amount of money in this special exchange unit (A)
Pre-assigned special code to stores a plurality combinations of these deposit amount and <br/> special code, the (b) the special codes, payment of the corresponding deposit amount
Is available as a condition, (c) to the caller's telephone (81), the input special code
Sends a de and telephone number of the called party during a call, (d) said a special code and telephone number of the called party special exchange
Receiving section (A) is, (e) a special co which the transmitted special code has been stored
Consistent with one over de Check is available, the balance of deposit amount of the special code the transmission (f),
To connect the calling party's phone (81) to the called party's phone
Compared with the minimum cost necessary, (g) at the time of the balance of the deposit amount is greater than the cost required,
Caller's telephone (81) connected to the telephone of the called party, (h) the balance of the deposit amount is less lost than the cost required to continue the call connection between the calling party and the called party The caller's phone (81) initiates a connection with the called party's phone so as to cut off the call connection between the calling party and the called party.
Monitoring the call costs until interrupted , ( i ) said special exchange (A) converts the balance of the available deposit amount to available talk time based on the called party telephone number transmitted A call control method for notifying a caller of the remaining available call time. 18. 18. The telephone call control method according to claim 17, wherein the special code is disabled when the balance of the deposit amount becomes smaller than a predetermined amount. 19. 18. The telephone call control method according to claim 17, wherein the caller's telephone (81) is connected to the special exchange (A) by entering a special telephone number. 20. The balance of the deposit amount is sufficient for paying the call cost.
Minutes are continuously measured and the balance of the deposit amount
Call automatically when they can no longer pay for the call
18. The telephone call control method according to claim 17, wherein the call is terminated . 21. 18. The telephone call control method according to claim 17, wherein after the caller's telephone (81) cuts off the call connection with the called party's telephone, the call cost is subtracted from the deposit amount. 22. 21. While connecting the call between the caller's phone (81) and the called party's phone, allow additional input of another special code to continue / extend the call. The call control method of the described telephone. 23. The caller's telephone (81) and a special exchange (A)
The caller's telephone (81) and the called
17. a call connection to the phone is after being cut off, the caller is it possible to enter the telephone number of another called party
The call control method of the described telephone. 24. Using a special exchange section (A), including the following steps:
The continuously telephone call control method, (a) Oite predetermined deposit amount in the special exchange unit (A)
Pre-assigned special code to stores a plurality combinations of these deposit amount and <br/> special code, the (b) the special codes, payment of the corresponding deposit amount
Is available as a condition, (c) to the caller's telephone (81), the input special code
Sends a de and telephone number of the called party during a call, (d) said a special code and telephone number of the called party special exchange
Receiving section (A) is, (e) a special co which the transmitted special code has been stored
Consistent with one over de Check is available, the balance of deposit amount of the special code the transmission (f),
To connect the calling party's phone (81) to the called party's phone
Compared with the minimum cost necessary, (g) at the time of the balance of the deposit amount is greater than the cost required,
Caller's telephone (81) connected to the telephone of the called party, (h) the balance of the deposit amount is less lost than the cost required to continue the call connection between the calling party and the called party The caller's phone (81) initiates a connection with the called party's phone so as to cut off the call connection between the calling party and the called party.
( I ) A method of controlling telephone calls by monitoring the call costs until the call is cut off , and ( i ) subtracting the call costs from the deposit amount. 25. 25. The telephone call control method according to claim 24, wherein the special code is disabled when the balance of the deposit amount becomes smaller than a predetermined amount. 26. The caller's telephone (81) is connected to the special exchange (A) and the balance of the deposit is less than the cost required to maintain a call connection between the caller and the called party. 25. The telephone call control method according to claim 24, wherein the connection between the caller's telephone (81) and the special exchange unit (A) is cut off when the caller has run out. 27. 25. The telephone call control method according to claim 24, wherein the special exchange unit (A) notifies the caller of the balance of the usable deposit amount. 28. The special switching unit (A) converts the balance of the available deposit amount into usable talk time based on the received called party's telephone number, and notifies the calling party of the available remaining call time. The telephone call control method according to claim 24, wherein the notification is performed. 29. 25. The telephone call control method according to claim 24, wherein the caller's telephone (81) is connected to the special exchange (A) by entering a special telephone number. 30. The balance of the deposit amount is sufficient for paying the call cost.
Minutes are continuously measured and the balance of the deposit amount
Call automatically when they can no longer pay for the call
The telephone call control method according to claim 24, wherein the call is terminated . 31. 25. The telephone call control method according to claim 24, wherein after the caller's telephone (81) disconnects the call connection with the called party's telephone, the call cost is subtracted from the deposit amount. 32. 25. While connecting the call between the caller's phone (81) and the called party's phone, allow additional input of another special code to continue / extend the call. The call control method of the described telephone. 33. The caller's telephone (81) and a special exchange (A)
The caller's telephone (81) and the called
Claim call connection with the telephone of after being cut off, the caller is it possible to enter the telephone number of another called party 24
The call control method of the described telephone.