Patent US3476505A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4410765A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4410765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Telephone call routing and charging system
Assignee: UNITED NETWORKS Inc
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Filing: 1981-06-04
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Granted: 1983-10-18
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Expires: 2001-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A telephone call routing and charging system using processor circuitry can automatically select the most economical route for individual telephone calls. The system includes a signal direction detector for automatically determining the time span of a call for charge purposes from the time the call is answered to the time the call is terminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred M. Hestad
- 👤 Harry O. Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/10; H04M15/12; H04M15/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A telephone least cost routing and charging arrangement for enabling private branch systems to route calls from a calling station to a distant called station so as to obtain the least charge for the call, said arrangement comprising: a calling station, dial means at said calling station for generating control signals indicative of the called station, computer means including stored information for selecting the least cost route responsive to said control signals in said stored information, means for connecting the calling station to the called station over said selected route, means for detecting data signals from one of said stations, means for distinguishing between data signals originating at the called station and at the calling station, and means for automatically timing the duration of the call for charge purposes from the time a data signal from said called station is detected until the termination of the call independently of telephone answer supervision.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A telephone least cost routing and charging arrangement for enabling private branch systems to route calls from a calling station to a distant called station so as to obtain the least charge for the call, said arrangement comprising: a calling station, dial means at said calling station for generating control signals indicative of the called station, computer means including stored information for selecting the least cost route responsive to said control signals in said stored information, means for connecting the calling station to the called station over said selected route, means for detecting data signals from one of said stations, means for distinguishing between data signals originating at the called station and at the calling station, and means for automatically timing the duration of the call for charge purposes from the time a data signal from said called station is detected until the termination of the call independently of telephone answer supervision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 wherein said least cost routes include microwave systems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 wherein said least cost routes include long line means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 wherein said least cost routes include satellite means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 wherein said least cost routes include microwave systems, long line systems and satellite systems.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 including transformer means coupling said calling station to outside lines, said transformer means having at least a primary and a secondary winding, said secondary winding being coupled to said calling station while said primary winding is coupled to said outside lines, said secondary winding having a first end and a second end and wherein said means for distinguishing comprises means for determining the phase relationship between signals at said first and said second end of said secondary winding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 6 wherein said means for determining the phase relationship comprises exclusive OR gate means, and means for individually attaching said first and second ends of said secondary winding to inputs of said exclusive OR gate means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 7 wherein level determination means are provided coupled to the said secondary winding to assure that the signal at said first and second ends of said winding is at least a predetermined amplitude.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The telephone arrangment of claim 1 wherein timing means responsive to receipt of a continuous signal for a fixed period of time are provided coupled to said distinguishing means for disconnecting said call.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 including means for detecting a one-way data transmission, means responsive to a one-way data transmission from said calling station to said called station coupled to said distinguishing means for disconnecting said call.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 wherein timing means are provided coupled to said distinguishing means for disconnecting the call if no signal is detected coming from said called station after a fixed period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
A telephone call cost determining arrangement for calculating the cost of each call without relying on central office information, said arrangement comprising: means for connecting said arrangement to a telephone system, calling station means in said arrangement, means in said telephone system for connecting said calling station means to a desired called station responsive to the receipt of dial information from said calling station, means for detecting a data signal from said called station, said detecting means including means for distinguishing data signals originating at the called station and at the calling station, and means for automatically timing the duration of the call between said connected calling and called station for charge purposes from the time said data signal from said called station is detected until the termination of the call.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
A telephone call cost determining arrangement for calculating the cost of each call without relying on central office information, said arrangement comprising: means for connecting said arrangement to a telephone system, calling station means in said arrangement, means in said telephone system for connecting said calling station means to a desired called station responsive to the receipt of dial information from said calling station, means for detecting a data signal from said called station, said detecting means including means for distinguishing data signals originating at the called station and at the calling station, and means for automatically timing the duration of the call between said connected calling and called station for charge purposes from the time said data signal from said called station is detected until the termination of the call.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The arrangement of claim 12 wherein said arrangement is provided in PABX systems.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The arrangement of claim 12 wherein the arrangement is provided at subscriber stations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
The arrangement of claim 12 wherein said arrangement includes transformer means coupling said calling station to outside lines, said transformer means having at least a primary and secondary winding, said primary winding coupling to the said outside lines, said secondary winding coupling to the sub-station telephone instrument and wherein said means for timing the duration of the call comprises distinguishing means for distinguishing between signals originating at the called station and those originating at the calling station.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arrangement of claim 15 wherein said distinguishing means comprises means for determining the phase relationship at said first and second ends of said secondary winding.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 16 wherein said distinguishing means comprises exclusive OR gate means and means for coupling said first and second ends of said secondary winding to individual inputs of said exclusive OR gate means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 17 wherein level detector means are provided for assuring that the signal received from said calling station has a certain minimum amplitude.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 12 wherein first timing means responsive to there being no signal received from said calling station after a certain predetermined period of time are provided for disconnecting the call.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 12 wherein second timing means responsive to the receipt of a continuous signal from said calling station after a certain predetermined period of time are provided for disconnecting the call.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 12 including means for detecting a one-way data transmission and a means responsive to there being signals only from the calling station for disconnecting the call.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 1 including means for filtering low frequency signals to prevent busy tones from being mistaken for data signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 8 including means for sensing the noise level and means for raising the threshhold level of said level determination means in response to the sensing of a high noise level.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 12 including means for filtering low frequency signals to prevent busy tones from being mistaken for data signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The telephone arrangement of claim 18 including means for sensing the noise level and means for raising the threshhold level of said level detector means in response to the sensing of a high noise level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4122308A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-17 | 1987-04-18 | 1987-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-17 | 1991-04-18 | 1991-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-17 | 1995-04-18 | 1995-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |