Modular public telephones management system

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates to a modular public telephones management system, designed for nationwide integral management of modular public telephones, taking integral management to mean initializing the telephones, picking up alarm signals, repairing breakdowns, receiving takings and daily routines, temporary or definitive discontinued subscriptions, concurrently preparing statistical reports and reports on returns.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0002This invention is applicable within the field of telecommunications, and is specifically intended to bring about an improvement of modular public telephone sets and of the service rendered to the users by these sets.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

0003Though various systems exist nowadays that are all intended to provide a coordinated effort designed to render a given service or maintain public telephones, integral management has at no event been contemplated in the field of telephones.

0004In order to control the telephone service, the company must use various departments to jointly carry out the function entrusted, and no multifunctional modular public telephones management system presently exists expediting the service to be rendered to the user, and concurrently improving the actual service with the advantages derived from same.

0005Public telephone management systems are known, which allow to effect the call payment from a telephone by using credit cards with chip technology, but not allowing coins or credit cards issued by bank entities on said payment way.

0006Public telephones are known from TELCOM REPORT, vol. 13, no. 1, January 1990, MÜNCHEN, DE, pages 28-31, KÖSTER et al. "Öffentliche Kommunikation "à la carte" und "à conto", wherein the telephones are directly connected and controlled by the connection unit, the communication being effected through a data channel upon voice. The known telephone system lacks a unit which allows use of credit cards, since there is no unit to allow the information inter-change between the modular telephones and a validation and invoicing centre.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0007The modular public telephones management system subject hereof is fully effective with a view to nationwide integral management of modular public telephones, which will no doubt bring about a noteworthy improvement in the service rendered by such public telephones, namely a greater access speed to the Switched Telephone Network and a greater number of service utilities.

0008The service utilities lie in the possibility now afforded by the public telephones of paying for the relevant service using various types of credit cards, such as credit, prepaid, telephone subscriber, multi-service and other like cards.

0009The modular public telephones management system subject hereof essentially comprises the following elements: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>A.- MTs (modular public telephones).</li><li>B.- VIUs (modular public telephones validation and identification units).</li><li>C.- MTAU (modular public telephones adaptation unit).</li><li>D.- MTOS (modular public telephones operating system).</li><li>E.- VIC (modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre).</li><li>F.- Modular public telephones validation and identification units maintenance unit.</li></ul>

0010Communication between the different elements making up the system takes place through two different communication protocols.

0011The first of these protocols is used in connections through the Switched Telephone Network (STN), using a V.23 modem at 1,200 bits per second.

0012The second protocol is used in connections through the Switched Packages Network (IBERPAC), as X.25 at 2,400 bits per second.

0013The second protocol can also be used in connections through the Switched Packages Network (IBERPAC), making a real call, as X.25 and at speeds beyond those used for the aforesaid two protocols.

0014The modular public telephones management system has a nationwide and provincial hierarchic structure, the modular public telephones operating system (MTOS) being the highest provincial hierarchy and the modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre (VIC) being the highest nationwide hierarchy.

0015Modular public telephones (MTs) are intelligent public telephones that allow payment to be effected with coins, prepaid cards, credit cards and subscriber cards.

0016The modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs) are used for connection of the modular public telephones (MTs) thereto, and each unit can connect up to 16 modular public telephones in modules of 2 modular public telephones.

0017The main functions of the modular public telephones validation and identification units, i.e., the Vius, are as follows: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="dash"><li>To identify and authorize connection of modular public telephones to the Switched Telephone Network.</li><li>If the terminal being identified is not a modular public telephone (MT), the validation and identification unit (VIU) prevents its connection to the Switched Telephone Network (STN).</li><li>Call requests with credit cards are likewise validated by Vius. The VIU receives user card information from the modular public telephone (MT) and resends same to the credit cards validation and invoicing centre (VIC), that reports, after duly checking the same, to the VIU that in turn reports to the MT.</li></ul>

0018The modular public telephone (TM) and the validation and identification unit (VIU) may obviously allow or disallow the call, according to such reporting from the credit cards validation and invoicing centre (VIC).

0019The modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs) are also useful for upkeeping and maintenance purposes, among them the following: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash"><li>Teleprogramming operating parameters.</li><li>Sending both its own daily routine reports and those deriving from the modular public telephones (MTs) connected to them.</li><li>Reporting modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs) alarms.</li><li>Concentrating messages from modular public telephones (MTs).</li></ul>

0020Modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs) communicate with the modular public telephones operating system (MTOS) through the Switched Telephone Network (STN) using V.23 modems at 1,200 bits per second, and with the credit cards validation and invoicing centre by using the Switched Packages Network (IBERPAC), as X.25 at 2,400 bits per second.

0021The modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs) are intended to validate credit calls from modular public telephones (MTs) that are not connected to the Switched Telephone Network (STN) through a modular public telephones validation and identification unit (VIC).

0022Communication with modular public telephones (MTs) takes place through the Switched Telephone Network (STN) through a V.23 modem at 1,200 bits per second, and with the credit cards validation and invoicing centres (VICs) through the Switched Packages Network (IBERPAC), as X.25 at 2,400 bits per second.

0023The modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs) are also useful for upkeeping and maintenance purposes, reporting own daily routines and alarms to the modular public telephones operating system (MTOS).

0024The modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs) can also have their own maintenance parameters teleprogrammed and are connected to the Switched Telephone Network (STN) through the special digital services line (SDSL).

0025Their hardware is similar to that of the modular public telephones validation and identification units (VICs), and they can be turned into the same with slight changes.

0026The modular public telephones operating system (MTOS) consists of two subsystems: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li>a.- Messages concentration unit (MCU).</li><li>b.- Central operating computer (COC).</li></ul>

0027The modular public telephones operating system manages the following provincial functions: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="dash"><li>Centralization of alarms reported by modular public telephones (MTs), modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs), and modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs).</li><li>Reporting breakdowns and repairs.</li><li>Statistical reporting.</li><li>Teleprogramming modular public telephones (MTs), modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs), and modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs).</li><li>Preparing and sending reports on takings to the collector firm.</li></ul>

0028Communication with modular public telephones (MTs), modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs), and modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs) takes place through the Switched Telephone Network (STN) using a V.23 modem.

0029Communication with the modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre (VIC) takes place through the Switched Packages Network, as X.25.

0030The modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre (VIC) takes care of the following throughout the country: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash"><li>Credit cards validation.</li><li>Making an update of black lists, such comprising and setting forth doubtful customers.</li><li>Making an update of grey lists, these comprising all customers who have used their credit, specifying each one's remaining credit.</li><li>Receiving and generating invoicing reports for credit establishments associated to the system.</li></ul>

0031The validation and invoicing centre (VIC) communicates with the validation and identification units (VIUs) and with the modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs) through the Switched Packages Network (IBERPAC), as X.25.

0032The modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs) maintenance unit is a terminal comprising two modules.

0033One of the modules comprises a display and a keyboard, while the other unit includes the interface for connection thereof to the modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs) and to the modular public telephones adaptation units (MTAUs).

0034It is small in size and is directly connected to the said units, allowing test routines to be carried out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0035In order to provide a fuller description and contribute to the complete understanding of the characteristics of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the block diagram of the invention and the existing interrelation between the different blocks shown.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

0036In the light of this figure, it can be observed that the modular public telephones management system subject hereof comprises the modular public telephones or MTs blocks (1), the modular public telephones validation and identification units or Vius blocks (2), the modular public telephones adaptation unit or MTAU block (3), the modular public telephones operating system or MTOS blocks (4), the modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre or VIC block (5), and the modular public telephones validation and identification units or VIUs maintenance unit block (14).

0037It must be borne in mind that there is one modular public telephones operating system or MOTS block (4) for every province, while there is a single nationwide modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre or VIC block (5).

0038Communication between the different blocks making up the system takes place through two different communication protocols.

0039The first protocol is used in connections through the Switched Telephone Network, using a V.23 modem at 1,200 bits per second, between blocks (1) and (6), i.e., modular public telephones and the Switched Telephone Network, between (2) and (6), the public modular telephones validation and identification units and the Switched Telephone Network, between (4) and (6), i.e., between the modular public telephones operating system and the Switched Telephone Network, between (6) and (7), i.e., between the Switched Telephone Network and the special digital services line, and finally between the special digital services line and the modular public telephones adaptation unit.

0040The second protocol is used in connections through the Switched Packages Network or IBERPAC, as X.25 at 2,400 bits per second, between blocks (2) and (8), i.e., between the modular public telephones validation and identification units and the Switched Packages Network, between (3) and (8); i.e., between the modular public telephones adaptation unit and the Switched Packages Network, or else between (4) and (8), i.e., between the modular public telephones operating system and the Switched Packages Network.

0041The second protocol is also used in connections through the Switched Packages Network, by making a real call, as X.25 and at speeds beyond those used for the other two protocols between blocks (5) and (8) or, in other words, between the modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre and the Switched Packages Network.

0042The modular public telephones management system has a nationwide and provincial hierarchic structure, the modular public telephones operating system (4) being the highest provincial hierarchy and the modular public telephones credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre (5) being the highest nationwide hierarchy.

0043Modular public telephones (1) are intelligent public telephones that allow payment to be effected with coins, prepaid cards, credit cards and subscriber cards, as aforesaid.

0044The modular public telephones validation and identification units (VIUs) (2) are used for connection of the modular public telephones (1) thereto, and each modular public telephone validation and identification unit (2) can connect up to 16 modular public telephones (1) in modules of 2 modular public telephones (1) each time.

0045The main functions of the modular public telephones validation and identification units (2) are the following: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none"><li>1.- To identify and authorize connection of modular public telephones (1) to the Switched Telephone Network (6). If the terminal being identified is not a modular public telephone (1), it prevents connection thereof to the Switched Telephone Network (6).</li><li>2.- Call requests with credit cards are validated by the validation and identification unit (2).</li></ul>

0046The VIU (2) receives user card information from the modular public telephone (1) and resends same to the credit cards validation and invoicing centre (5) that, after duly checking the same, reports to the validation and identification unit (2) that in turn reports to the modular public telephone (1).

0047In other words, the modular public telephone (1) and the validation and identification unit (2) may allow or disallow the call according to such reporting.

0048The modular public telephones validation and identification units (2) are also useful for whatever upkeeping and maintenance purposes may be necessary, among them the following: <ul id="ul0008" list-style="dash"><li>Teleprogramming operating parameters.</li><li>Reporting on both its own daily routines and those deriving from the modular public telephones (1) connected to them.</li><li>Reporting VIU (2) alarms.</li><li>Concentrating messages from modular public telephones (1).</li></ul>

0049The validation and identification units (2) communicate with the modular public telephones operating system (4) through the Switched Telephone Network (6) using a V.23 modem at 1,200 bits per second, and with the credit cards validation and invoicing centre (5) by using the Switched Packages Network (8), as X.25 at 2,400 bits per second.

0050The modular public telephones adaptation unit (3) is intended to validate credit calls from modular public telephones (1) that are not connected to the Switched Telephone Network (6) through the validation and identification unit (2).

0051Communication with the modular public telephones (1) takes place through the Switched Telephone Network (6) through a V.23 modem at 1,200 bits per second, and with the credit cards validation and invoicing centre (5) through the Switched Packages Network (8), as X.25 at 2,400 bits per second.

0052The modular public telephones adaptation unit (3) is also useful for upkeeping and maintenance purposes, sending own alarm and daily routine reports to the modular public telephones operating system (4).

0053The modular public telephones adaptation unit (3) can also have its own maintenance parameters teleprogrammed and is connected to the Switched Telephone Network (6) through the special digital services line (7), its hardware being similar to that of the validation and identification units (2), and they can be turned into one of these with slight changes.

0054The modular public telephones operating system consists of two subsystems, namely: <ul id="ul0009" list-style="dash"><li>Messages concentration unit (MCU).</li><li>Central operating computer (COC).</li></ul>

0055The modular public telephones operating system (4) manages the following provincial functions: <ul id="ul0010" list-style="dash"><li>Centralization of alarms reported by modular public telephones (1), validation and identification units (2), and modular public telephones adaptation units (3).</li><li>Reporting breakdowns and repairs.</li><li>Statistical reporting.</li><li>Teleprogramming modular public telephones (1), validation and identification units (2), and modular public telephones adaptation units (3).</li><li>Preparing and sending reports on takings to the collector firm (9).</li></ul>

0056Communication with modular public telephones (1), validation and identification units (2), and modular public telephones adaptation units (3) takes place through the Switched Telephone Network (6) using a V.23 modem at 1,200 bits per second; however, communication with the credit cards and telephone subscriber cards validation and invoicing centre (5) takes place through the Switched Packages Network (8), as X.25 at 2,400 bits per second.

0057The Switched Packages Network or IBERPAC (8) can be used for nationwide connection of consultation terminals (10) to the modular public telephones operating systems (4).

0058The credit cards validation and invoicing centre (5) takes care of nationwide validation of credit cards, but concurrently makes an update of the black lists, that comprise doubtful customers, and the grey lists, that comprise all customers who have used their credit, specifying each one's remaining credit.

0059Finally, the cards validation and invoicing centre (5) receives and generates invoicing reports for credit establishments (12) associated to the system, using the data processing centre (13) for such purposes, and terminals (10) provided with tape units (11).

0060The cards validation and invoicing centre (5) communicates with the validation and identification units (2), and with the modular public telephones adaptation units through the Switched Packages Network (8), as X.25, at 2,400 bits per second, and with the credit establishments (12) and data processing centre (13) through the same Switched Packages Network (8), as X.25 at 64Kbits per second.

0061The modular public telephones validation and identification units maintenance unit (14) is a terminal comprising two modules, one of which consists of a display and a keyboard, while the other includes the interface for connection thereof to the modular public telephones validation and identification units (2) and to the modular public telephones adaptation units (3).

0062It is small in size and is directly connected to the said units, allowing test routines to be carried out.