US4091238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic telephone call computer and display
Assignee: AMERICAN PHONEMETER CORP 305 FAIRFIELD AVE FAIRFIELD NJ A NJ CORP
•
Filing: 1976-12-10
•
Granted: 1978-05-23
•
Expires: 1996-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Equipment for calculating and displaying the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress is disclosed which includes circuitry for defining the relative location of the caller and the person being called, determining the initial and overtime intervals for such call and determining the rate structure for such call.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira Samuels
- 👤 Sidney Barzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for calculating and displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress including: means responsive to an adjustable signal applied thereto for providing a coded signal indicative of the relative locations of a calling party and a called party; non-linear digital to analog converting means responsive to said coded signal for providing an analog signal; a signal controlled oscillator responsive to said analog signal for providing a pulse train related to said analog signal; means for counting said pulse train; and display means responsive to said counting means for displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for calculating and displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress including: means responsive to an adjustable signal applied thereto for providing a coded signal indicative of the relative locations of a calling party and a called party; non-linear digital to analog converting means responsive to said coded signal for providing an analog signal; a signal controlled oscillator responsive to said analog signal for providing a pulse train related to said analog signal; means for counting said pulse train; and display means responsive to said counting means for displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said display means is responsive to said coded signal for providing a warning signal at a time determined by said coded signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which an initial time interval signal is provided at the end of a time interval determined by said coded signal, and said non-linear digital to analog converting means is responsive to said initial time interval signal for providing a first non-linear digital to analog conversion prior to the occurrence of said initial time interval signal, and a second non-linear digital to analog conversion thereafter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said display means is responsive to said coded signal for providing a warning signal at a time determined by said coded signal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for calculating and displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress including: a settable voltage divider for providing an analog divider signal in accordance with the setting thereof; means responsive to said analog divider signal for providing a coded signal indicative of the relative locations of a calling party and a called party; non-linear digital to analog converting means responsive to said coded signal for providing a converted analog signal; a signal controlled oscillator responsive to signals applied thereto for providing a pulse train related to said signals applied thereto; selection means responsive to said coded signal for applying either said analog divider signal or said converted analog signal to said signal controlled oscillator in accordance with the coded signal; means for counting said pulse train; and display means responsive to said counting means for displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for calculating and displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress including: a settable voltage divider for providing an analog divider signal in accordance with the setting thereof; means responsive to said analog divider signal for providing a coded signal indicative of the relative locations of a calling party and a called party; non-linear digital to analog converting means responsive to said coded signal for providing a converted analog signal; a signal controlled oscillator responsive to signals applied thereto for providing a pulse train related to said signals applied thereto; selection means responsive to said coded signal for applying either said analog divider signal or said converted analog signal to said signal controlled oscillator in accordance with the coded signal; means for counting said pulse train; and display means responsive to said counting means for displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said display means is responsive to said coded signal for providing a warning signal at a time determined by said coded signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as defined in claiam 5 in which an initial time interval signal is provided at the end of a time interval determined by said coded signal, and said non-linear digital to analog converting means is responsive to said initial time interval signal for providing a first non-linear digital to analog conversion prior to the occurrence of said initial time interval signal, and a second non-linear digital to analog conversion thereafter.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as defined in claiam 5 in which an initial time interval signal is provided at the end of a time interval determined by said coded signal, and said non-linear digital to analog converting means is responsive to said initial time interval signal for providing a first non-linear digital to analog conversion prior to the occurrence of said initial time interval signal, and a second non-linear digital to analog conversion thereafter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said display means is responsive to said coded signal for providing a warning signal at a time determined by said coded signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for calculating and displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress including: a settable voltage divider for providing an analog divider signal in accordance with the setting thereof; means responsive to said analog divider signal for providing a coded signal indicative of the relative locations of a calling party and a called party; a signal controlled oscillator responsive to said analog divider signal for providing a pulse train related to said signals applied thereto; means for counting said pulse train; means responsive to said coded signal for providing a warning signal at a time determined by said coded signal; and display means responsive to said warning signal for displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for calculating and displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress including: a settable voltage divider for providing an analog divider signal in accordance with the setting thereof; means responsive to said analog divider signal for providing a coded signal indicative of the relative locations of a calling party and a called party; a signal controlled oscillator responsive to said analog divider signal for providing a pulse train related to said signals applied thereto; means for counting said pulse train; means responsive to said coded signal for providing a warning signal at a time determined by said coded signal; and display means responsive to said warning signal for displaying information relative to the cost of a telephone call while it is in progress.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9 also including: means responsive to said coded signal for attenuating said analog divider signal to said signal controlled oscillator in response to said attentuated analog divider signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-22 | 1981-11-21 | 1982-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-22 | 1985-11-21 | 1986-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-22 | 1989-11-21 | 1990-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |