Universal control device for restricting dialing and time limiting telephone calls

Claim 1

A telephone control device for restricting dialing and time limiting telephone calls comprising: a full-wave rectifier adapted for connection to a telephone set for receiving a dialing signal and telephone power therefrom; a converter circuit, connected to said full-wave rectifier, for (1) converting said dialing signal into a pulse, (2) converting said telephone power into power usable by the device, and (3) receiving a cut-off signal which cuts off use of the telephone set; a pulse detector circuit, connected to said converter circuit, for receiving said pulse and generating a decoded signal; a microprocessor, connected to said pulse detector circuit, for receiving said decoded signal and determining whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the beginning of the dialing signal or a predetermined number of dialing digits has been exceeded during dialing of the telephone set whereupon said microprocessor generates a control signal to cut off the telephone set; first switch means, connected to said microprocessor for setting the predetermined period of time during which the telephone set may be used; second switch means, connected to said microprocessor, for setting the predetermined number of digits which may be dialed from said telephone set; memory means, connected to said microprocessor, for storing program instruction for said microprocessor; an A/D latch circuit, connected to said microprocessor and to said memory means, for controlling the transfer of information from said memory means to said microprocessor; a controller circuit for receiving said control signal from said microprocessor and generating said cut-off signal and transmitting it to said converter circuit; and a power collector circuit, connected to said converter, for providing usable power to said microprocessor, said AD latch circuit, and said memory means.