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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE
INVENTION
The invention relates generally to telecommunications systems and particularly to an applications platform adjacent to an intelligent gateway interface located on the line between the calling station and the originating central office of a
telecommunications network for performing selected call service and call routing functions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Deregulation of the telecommunications industry has led to private ownership of telephone paystation and switching system technology resulting in competition to capture revenue among contending providers of both local and long distance call
services. Both coin collection and credit billing from users of paystations are important sources of such revenue. The ability of a paystation owner to capture this revenue has been facilitated with the development of intelligent or so-called "smart"
paystations capable of operating on a conventional telephone business line. Such paystations typically include their own microprocessor and associated memory for supporting various computer programs to perform functions which otherwise would be
performed in a central office. The computer programs are able to provide enhanced services to both the user and call service provider which enable cost reduction and increased profitability at the paystation. Examples of enhanced services generally
include automated operator services and other services such as automatic message delivery. Also, associated memory of the intelligent paystation can be used to store rate information for various long distance carriers.
Although intelligent paystations are advantageous, the use of other specialized telecommunication services and equipment are still required in the provision of local and long distance telephone call services from a paystation. Typically, a
multiple paystation installation is connected via class-marked trunks, leased lines or standard business lines to a local telephone operating company central office. Each local telephone operating company operates within a so-called local access and
transport area (LATA). Local calls are directed by the central office to the destination within the LATA. Long distance calls are carried between distant local telephone operating companies through the AT&T network or through one or more independent
interexchange carriers (IXCs). When a long distance call is dialed, the call is usually transmitted through an operating company central office to a point of presence (POP) in the originating LATA at which it is picked up by the interexchange carrier
and passed by that carrier on to a point of presence in a distant LATA. Upon reaching the destination LATA, the call is then transferred by the interexchange carrier to the local telephone operating company central office within that LATA for ultimate
connection to the called station therein. Typically, the points of presence in each LATA include suitable switching circuits, e.g., an access tandem, that are interconnected by a digital serial link. Such a digital serial link is used to interconnect
most central offices as well as to interconnect operating company switching networks to other types of switches, such as the cell site control switches of a mobile telephone network.
Accordingly, local telephone operating companies and other service providers typically participate in revenue generated from private paystations for their services and equipment utilized to complete a call. This participation is significant for
those services which the paystation owner is unable to offer as well as for those services the owner does not choose to offer. For example, calls paid for by coin in advance of transmission from a paystation, referred to as coin calls or "sent paid"
traffic, require intelligent coin signalling and accounting which can be handled either at an intelligent paystation or otherwise at a central office for a fee. A limitation of intelligent paystations is their inability to interface directly with the
rate table data base of individual interexchange carriers to facilitate the delivery of sent paid calls through the individual carriers. Rate information updates therefore require changes to data stored in each paystation location. A limitation of
local telephone operating company central offices is that they typically do not offer interexchange carriers equal access to sent paid traffic from paystation installations.
Also, automated operator services are provided both from intelligent paystations and from central office locations. Automated operator services enable collection of revenue from a paystation for completion of a collect call, a call billed to a
credit card or account number, or a call placed using a variety of other billing access formats. Further, other enhanced services such as automatic message delivery are capable of being performed either from a central office or an intelligent
paystation.
However, there are limitations associated with providing the foregoing services at either the paystation or the central office. A limitation of providing enhanced services from a central office is that new services are not easily incorporated
into the switch circuitry of the central office. The central office switch circuitry typically controls up to ten thousand lines and outbound links to multiple local central offices. Further, to interface the incoming lines to outgoing interexchange
carriers, instructions such as Feature Group D routing information must be immediately accessed by the switch circuitry. Programming for controlling the switch functions is extremely complex and is not easily modified. Disfunctioning program
modifications create a potential for rendering the switch circuitry inoperable.
A limitation of providing the foregoing services from a multiple paystation installation is the hardware cost associated with building each intelligent paystation or refurbishing existing standard ("dumb") paystations to incorporate the necessary
intelligence. Further, multiple intelligent paystations are not readily modified to incorporate new services nor are they easily controlled to select the particular services for deployment in individual paystations. Intelligent paystations are also
limited in that they typically do not offer caller access to other enhanced service providers.
A further disadvantage of existing equipment is the inability of the network to automatically select a preferred service provider upon caller entry of billing information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved by a method and apparatus of the present invention which enables enhanced call services and call routing functions to be performed from a centralized location on a telephone
network line through gateway connections to service providers. In a departure from the art, a multiple function interface is provided between a calling station and an originating central office in the telephone network, in which an originating call is
monitored, call payment (coin or billing) information is validated and the call is delivered as a "1+" call to either the originating central office, or is selectively redirected to alternate carriers or service providers.
The functions of the interface are controlled by preprogrammed instructions and by instructions from the calling station. The interface provides enhanced call services in conjunction with standard or intelligent paystations and adjunct
applications platforms on various call types from the calling station. The interface enables communication with intelligent paystations and adjunct platforms utilizing a unique protocol for selectively controlling these elements in the provision of call
services.
In an illustrative embodiment, the interface is connected between a calling station and an originating central office switch in a telecommunication circuit for providing call connections to at least one other service provider. The interface
includes means connected to the circuit for monitoring the circuit for signals from the calling station and means responsive to the receipt of signals from the calling station for obtaining payment information from the calling station. For example, the
payment information may be coin deposit, card billing, or other types of prepaid or debit card information. The interface further includes means for verifying the payment information and means responsive to the verification for selectively redirecting
the call directly to the other service provider to bypass the originating central office. The call is redirected according to the content of the billing information so it is routed to the desired other service provider.
In one embodiment, the interface also includes a system bus and first and second interface circuits for respectively connecting the calling station and the other service providers to the bus. The means for directing the call controls the
coupling of the first and second interface circuits on the bus in order to effect communication between the calling station and the service provider. In one aspect, the first interface circuit includes a coin line interface circuit for connecting the
bus to the calling station via a coin line, and a business line interface circuit for connecting the bus to the calling station via a business line. The second interface circuit similarly connects the bus to the other service providers, and also
includes a link interface circuit for connecting the bus to the other service providers via a digital communications link.
In another aspect, an interface of the invention facilitates the routing of sent paid (coin) calls from a paystation. The interface includes means for monitoring the calling station and receiving signals indicative of the call destination and
also coin deposit information, means for verifying the coin deposit information, and means for transmitting the destination information as a direct call to any service provider to complete the call. The direct call is placed as a "1+" call from the
interface to any interexchange carrier, for example. Alternatively, the interexchange carrier can be direct dialed using a 10XXX equal access code.
In yet another aspect, an interface of the invention includes means for providing enhanced call services to the calling station from the interface itself or in conjunction with an adjunct applications platform. The enhanced services include an
automatic call back service in which an unsuccessfully completed call from the original calling station is subsequently automatically placed to the original calling station from the enhanced service provider. Upon completion of the subsequently placed
call to the original called station, the call is initiated back to the original calling station for completion between the original calling and called parties.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a communications protocol for selectively controlling the offering of services between an intelligent paystation and an interface connected between the paystation and an originating central
office. The protocol includes means for monitoring call conditions which require call services, means for determining which of the paystation and the interface are capable of offering the service, and means for selecting which of a capable paystation
and a capable interface will provide the service, based upon a predetermined preference.
The interface, through the communications with the paystation, can interact with a variety of card readers, including magnetic stripe, debit and credit cards, and other technologically advanced cards.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the interface uses an applications platform to communicate with the network and data bases in an X.25 or a Common Channel Signalling System #7 (SS7) environment. The applications platform is used to assist
in operations, maintain files and records, and functions as a communications protocol converter for the interface, allowing the interface additional functionality and communications with additional alternative processors and databases.
A technical advantage achieved with the present invention is its universal application to connect both coin and business line paystations to different originating central offices regardless of the line conditioning or programming required for the
switch circuitry of the particular central office.
A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is the ability to handle coin control functions independent of functions at the originating central office for the selective rerouting of sent paid long distance calls to alternative
carriers.
A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is the ability to distinguish between various types of billing card formats and reroute calls to different long distance carriers accordingly.
A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is the ability to accept various forms of credit and debit cards.
A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is the ability to communicate with remote data bases to ascertain a calling customer's service preferences during the call set-up sequence (in real time) and to transfer the call, along
with any ascertained billing and other call data, to the preferred service provider. This eliminates the need for the calling customer to repeat the entry of any information.
A further technical advantage achieved with the present invention is that it offers versatility in the provision of enhanced services from multiple enhanced service providers and the ability to provide those services from multiple locations.
A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is the ability to selectively block inappropriately dialed or fraudulent calls by monitoring digits dialed and preventing retransmission to a destination without a verification of billing
information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating the use of an interface and an applications platform between a paystation telephone and a telephone network;
FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram illustrating multiple interfaces connected to the applications platform and its associated peripheral equipment, along with outbound connections from the platform used in the network of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2 is a detailed functional block diagram of the interface of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for processing a telephone call;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for gathering billing information;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for performing "0+" to "1+" call conversion;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for performing chain dialing;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for performing automated collect (also referred to as autocollect or "0-") call set up;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for performing autocollect call acceptance;
FIG. 9 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for processing a sent-paid call;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for performing credit card validation;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for performing intelligent paystation arbitration; and
FIG. 12 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface of FIG. 1 for performing automatic call back.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart diagram illustrating control logic implemented by the interface and the application platform for performing call routing to a live operator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1, the interface 10 of the present invention is shown connected between a telephone paystation 12 and the public-switched network, generally designated by the reference numeral 14. The paystation 12 is either a standard ("dumb")
paystation or an intelligent paystation. The network 14 includes a local switch or central office 16 for completing calls through a distant central office (not shown) to subscribers of destination telephone stations (not shown). Each of the central
offices operate within its own local access and transport area (LATA) for receiving and delivering calls.
Long distance calls are usually completed by transmitting the call from the paystation 12 through the central office 16, for example, to a termination point in the originating LATA referred to as a "point of presence" (POP) 22, at which the call
is picked up by a tandem switching office of the public or a private interexchange carrier (IXC) 24. It is understood that a number of different IXCs 24 may be available to deliver a call. As is conventional, the facilities of an alternative IXC 24 can
be accessed according to a specific authorization code entitling the user to complete a communication path through a facility of the IXC 24 to the destination. While not shown, it is understood that facilities of distant IXCs 24 are interconnected by
long distance trunks or microwave transmission mediums. When the long distance call reaches a point of presence (POP) of the destination LATA (not shown), it is transferred to the destination local central office (not shown) for delivery to the called
party at a subscriber station (not shown).
In a departure from the art, the interface 10 operates as a gateway to selectively route calls from the paystation 12 to either the central office 16, to the IXC 24 (through the POP 22) or to an applications platform (AP) 28, described below. It
is understood that optimally, the interface 10 is connected directly to the CO 16, IXC 24 or the AP 28, although alternatively, the interface 10 may connect to various points in the network in order to perform the call routing. A line 30 connects the
interface 10 to the paystation 12. The line 30 is a standard analog (coin) line for a standard paystation 12 or is a nonclass-marked (business) line for an intelligent paystation 12. A line 32 connects the interface 10 to the central office 16. The
line 32 is a standard analog line or a nonclass-marked line, although it may alternatively be a digital communications link. It is understood that the interface 10 is installed in the central office 16, although it may be placed in any location on the
line between the paystation 12 and the originating central office 16. Digital communications links 34 and 36 connect the interface 10 to the POP 22 and to the platform 28, respectively. The links 34, 36 are preferably high speed TSPAN (T1SF or T1ESF)
links over which conventional in-band signalling is provided in serial fashion, although other high speed links capable of interfacing with formats such as DS/3 or DS/4 can be utilized. Further, the links 34, 36 can be fiberoptic transmission mediums,
with conversion from optic to digital communication taking place adjacent to the second interface 202. Alternatively, high speed digital serial links may be utilized over which digital signals are provided using out-of-band signalling with other
communications protocols, such as X.25 or common channel signalling (SS7). It is also understood that the links 34, 36 may in certain instances instead be analog or business lines. As described in detail below, the interface 10 includes digital link,
coin line and business interface circuitry for enabling the call routing operations between the paystation 12 and the central office 16, the IXC 24 and the platform 28.
The platform 28 is an applications processor and storage device linked directly to the interface 10. While not shown, the platform 28 may be linked indirectly through the network 14 to the interface 10. A line 38 connects the platform 28 to the
central office 16. The platform 28 supports enhanced services and performs functions which include voice processing, storing billing information and other data, generating usage and other reports, and controlling external data bases, for example. The
platform 28 further can be linked or can have access to a data base 60 which stores information about the service preferences of the billing customer. One such data base is commonly known as a Line Information Data Base (LIDB).
The platform 28 is also linked or can have access to the Traffic Operator Position System 62 (TOPS) through digital communication link 50.
The interface 10 provides basic service element (BSE) functions and also supports enhanced services either alone or in conjunction with the platform 28. Representative functions of the interface 10 include line monitoring, answer detection, call
routing, coin handling and accounting and intelligent prompting for enhanced services. The interface 10 in conjunction with the platform 28 performs representative functions which include the provision of information relating to rate and exclusion
tables, and enhanced service support. The interface 10 provides the rating functions by communicating with the AP 28 and the paystation 12. Generally, the rates for various long distance carriers are stored in the AP 28, and are called up by the
interface 10 on an "as needed" basis. For calls that are billed to a credit or calling card, real-time rating is not necessary, and consequently, the rate tables of the platform are not accessed. For calls that are sent-paid from the payphone, i.e.,
coin or debit card calls, the actual rates must be accessed at the time of the call. In the instance of coin calls, the interface 10 can prompt the caller for the deposit of coinage and listen for the paystation 12 to signal such a deposit using
standard coin tones, blocking the call until such time as the coin deposit requirement is satisfied. Alternatively, in the instance of a smart paystation 12, the interface 10 can signal the rate of the call to the paystation 12 and the paystation 12 can
prompt and count coins for the call. In a similar fashion, this signalling can also be used when the paystation 12 provides a debit card reader and the caller is using a debit card to pay for the call. This rate information is transmitted concomitantly
over the voice path used for the call, without interfering with the call. This technique is known as Data Over Voice (DOV). DOV provides for the updating of call information and rating between the interface 10 and the paystation 12 or card reader 12A
while the call is in process. By providing a modem (not shown) in the paystation 12 and the interface 10, the data transmission is multiplexed on top of the voice path between the paystation 12 and the interface 10. The data signal is then split from
the voice path by the interface 10 and can then be retransmitted by the interface to the AP 28 using a data communications link. Conversely, the interface 10 can take information from the AP 28, multiplex on top of the voice path and transmit it to the
paystation 12 using the same DOV technique. This allows for real time rating, using the AP 28 to store and control the rates and the interface 10 to communicate them with the paystation 12 or its card reader 12A handling the collections at the
paystation 12.
The interface 10, in conjunction with the AP 28 and a paystation card reader 12A, can provide an additional level of security for callers using a credit, debit or calling card. Various types of credit and debit cards can be used in the described
applications. A magnetic stripe reader is the most commonly used card reader. Other card readers, such as a microprocessor card or a thermal optical card described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,742,573 or 4,376,887, assigned to Landis & Gyr, can be
functional with these applications as well. These cards are designed to hold an amount of prepaid credit for a caller, and then decrease the amount of credit available as the call continues. These cards are typically referred to as "decrementing
cards", and some of these types of cards have the capability of being reprogrammed and therefore capable of being "recharged" with additional prepaid credit. An additional level of security is provided for these cards by the interface 10. When the
paystation card reader 12A signals the insertion of a card of this type, the interface 10 records the serial number of the card, the amount of available credit signalled by the card reader 12A, and verifies it against a continuously updated database,
either remotely or internally. If this verification is successful, the call is allowed to proceed. However, if the verification is not found to be accurate, the card is considered to be defective, fraudulent or tampered with, and the call is blocked.
Typically, these card readers 12A have a display screen which displays the amount of time and the charges to the caller. The "display-on-demand" feature can be eliminated from the display screen after five seconds. This allows callers to continue a
conversation, without diverting their attention to the time or money spent on the call. By placing a micro-switch in the end of the receptacle of the card reader 12A, the display can be triggered by the insertion of a card. Should callers care to know
the time and charges for the call, they can reactivate the display screen by simply pressing on the card, reactivating the micro-switch. Alternatively, for other style card readers 12A, an activation switch can be depressed directly by the callers.
In FIG. 1A, the applications platform 28 is shown in conjunction with multiple interfaces 10A-10N, connected by links 36A-36N. Alternatively, the links can be data links such as links 238 or 240, shown with reference to FIG. 2. The AP 28 is
utilized by the interface 10 to communicate with various data bases, such as the Line Information Data Base (LIDB) 60A connected with link 40A or a commercial credit card Billing Validation Service (BVS) 60B connected with link 40B. When a call is
placed by a caller at a calling station (FIG. 1), the interface 10 determines the type of call being placed by the caller. In the case of a billable call, generally a long distance or toll call, the interface 10 plays a "bong" tone, a voice prompt or
both after the caller inputs a destination number. The caller can input card information after the "bong" tone or, alternatively, can insert a card into the card reader 12A of the paystation 12. The interface 10 identifies the type of card by the input
information. When the input information is to be verified, the interface 10 communicates the card information to the AP 28. Calling Card information is verified using the LIDB link 40A to the LIDB 60A, and commercial credit card information is verified
using the BVS link 40B to the BVS 60B. In practice, the LIDB link 40A uses an SS7 communications protocol and the BVS link 40B uses a serial data communications type protocol such as X.25. A link 50 to the Traffic Operator Position System (TOPS) 62 is
used for data communications between the AP 28 and the TOPS 62. This data generally consists of call type and call history information, which is provided to the operator's computer screen, giving the operator immediate access to the transaction,
allowing more expedient call handling.
The link 30 is a standard business or coin line connecting the paystation 12 (FIG. 1) with the interface 10. As previously discussed, the link 30 advantageously provides Data Over Voice (DOV) communications, allowing the interface 10 and the
paystation 12 to exchange call rating or other pertinent call information, while a call is in process. Alternatively, the call rating information can be transmitted as an in-band signal at the beginning or end of the call set-up. In one embodiment, one
interface 10 can support up to 96 links 30 connected to 96 paystations 12. The processor of the interface 10 controls the DOV communications with the paystations 12 and directs the appropriate information to and from the AP 28. To provide efficient use
of the data transmission capabilities, multiples of the interface 10 can be joined together to concentrate the information on the data link. The links 36A-36N can provide the data communications with the AP 28 for up to eight interfaces 10,
simultaneously communicating the call data for up to 768 paystations 12. The links 36A-36N are advantageously employed in the instance when the AP 28 is located adjacent to the interfaces 10. In the instance when the AP 28 is located remotely from the
interfaces 10, the data can be communicated using standard business lines 32A-32N and 38 through the Central Office 16. The use of a typical 9600 Baud modem (not shown) with this connection allows for the data communications necessary to the provision
of services, without the need of a dedicated data circuit. Peripheral devices including a disk storage 62, a tape storage 64, a terminal 66 and a printer 68 are connected to the AP 28 by lines 70, 72, 74 and 76, respectively.
FIG. 2 illustrates details of the interface 10, portions of which are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,460, incorporated herein by reference. The interface 10 comprises first and second interfaces 200 and 202, a station monitor circuit
204, a central office monitor circuit 206, a voice record and storage circuit 208, a tone detect and generate circuit 210, a data I/O port 212, a ground start switch 213 and a control circuit 214. A system bus 216 interconnects the components of the
interface 10, as shown.
The control circuit 214 controls the functions of the interfaces 200 and 202, and the circuits 204, 206, 208, 210, 212 and 213, residing on the system bus 216. The control circuit 214 is preferably a microprocessor-based controller having
suitable control programs for effecting the operations described below. The control circuit 214 includes standard memory comprising random access memory (RAM) 218, read only memory (ROM) 220, static random access memory (SRAM) 222, and also includes a
switch 224. Disk storage 226 provides adjunct nonvolatile memory storage for the control circuit 214. The control circuit 214 is reprogrammable (e.g., to change the prompt, the paystation 12 identification or the number of unanswered rings at the
called station which will initiate a call default, the enhanced service or its provider) through DTMF or other signalling from a remote location. To effect reprogramming, the parameter information is transmitted to the circuit 214 via the data I/O port
212, for example.
The disk storage 226 is a hard disk storage device in which information is stored. This information can include interface program information, data compiled and stored relating to the use of the paystation 12, billing information associated with
calls handled by the interface 10, and digitized voice information for later playback or transmission.
The station monitor circuit 204 includes a coin detect circuit 230 and a dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) detector circuit 232. The central office monitor circuit 206 includes a call progress detector circuit 234 and a dual tone multifrequency
(DTMF) and multifrequency (MF) circuit 236.
The station monitor circuit 204 is connected via the bus 216 and the interface 200 to the line 30. While not shown, the circuit 204 may be alternatively connected directly to the line 30. The circuit 204 monitors the line 30 for its on/off hook
condition, for coin detect signals which are processed by the coin detector circuit 230, and for receipt of predetermined DTMF signals from the paystation 12, which are processed by the DTMF detector circuit 232. The circuit 204 can also generate
signals to a destination when instructed by the control circuit 214. As described above, the circuit 204 can be connected directly to the line 30 and generate signals to the network. This allows for the station monitor functions to be provided in an
intelligent peripheral, for example, a smart paystation 12.
The central office monitor circuit 206 is connected via the system bus 216 and the interface 202 to the line 32, the link 34, and the link 36 and a link 36A, connected to a second platform 28A. The circuit 206 monitors the destination side of
the interface and reports call progress to the control circuit 214. The circuit 206 monitors the line 32 and the links 34, 36 and 36A for detecting various conditions at the called station (e.g., answer, busy/ring no answer or other condition) upon call
initiation to the called station 20, or in the alternative, call progress detection from the central office 16, the IXC 24, the platform 28 or the platform 28A. The central office monitor circuit 206 also monitors the line 32 and the links 34, 36 and
36A for detecting and generating DTMF signalling or MF signalling through the DTMF/MF detector circuit 236. The switch 224 of the control circuit 214 selectively switches the outputs of the DTMF detector circuit 232 and the DTMF/MF detector circuit 236
to the control circuit 214.
The coin detector circuit 230 of the station monitor circuit 204 detects receipt of coinage at the paystation 12 and provides an indication of coins deposited over a predetermined period of time. It is understood that its functions are not a
necessary part of the interface 10 when use of the interface 10 involves originating call stations other than a coin paystation 12. The DTMF detector circuit 232 of the circuit 204 senses receipt of standard DTMF signals indicating, for example, that a
caller at the paystation 12 desires to engage an enhanced service. Alternatively, the caller can either deposit the necessary coinage or use a credit card reader 12A to indicate an intention to engage the enhanced service. A representative enhanced
service would be voice message delivery.
The DTMF/MF detector circuit 236 of the central office monitor circuit 206 senses receipt of network communication signals from the enhanced service provider, which are utilized as instructions by the interface 10. The call progress circuit 234
of the circuit 206 monitors for activity on the destination side of the interface 10. This can include monitoring for tones and information from the central office 16, the IXC 24, the platform 28 or 28A, the called party or other location. Information
from the platform 28 or 28A can include call progress messages or billing validation messages, transmitted from the IXC 24 or other point in the network using an SS7 protocol, and translated by the platform 28 or 28A for retransmission to the interface
10.
The voice record and storage circuit 208 is controlled by the circuit 214 to place voice prompts on the line 30 to the paystation 12 and/or to the called party. The circuit 208 further is able to record digitized voice messages or prompts in
either the RAM 218 for short term storage as would be used in the handling of a "0+" to "1+" call, as discussed below, or in the disk storage 226 for long term storage as can be used in enhanced services such as voice messaging. It is known in the art
that analog voice transmissions must be converted to digital data to be stored in a digital format. This conversion can be in the adaptive differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) or other such conversion protocol as is appropriate to store and/or to
transmit voice impulses in a digital format. Control of the circuit 208 by the circuit 214 is enabled through the receipt of signals by the station monitor circuit 204 and the central office monitor circuit 206.
The tone detect and generate circuit 210 detects and generates DTMF and MF signals during the redirection or reformatting stage of the call, as well as other audible tones generally used to communicate in the switched network for performing speed
dial and other functions.
The voice record and storage circuit 208, the tone detect and generate circuit 210 and/or the control circuit 214 may be shared by a plurality of interfaces each having the disclosed switching and monitoring components.
The data I/O port 212 supports high-speed data transmission and reception between the interface 10 and platforms 28 and 28A. The transmission and reception of information through the data I/O port 212 is accomplished utilizing an RS-232 serial
port, X.25, or other high-speed data communications links 238, 240, for example. A representative use of the data I/O port 212 is to handle requests for verification of billing information from credit or calling card data bases such as LIDB 60A, or
downloading file information from the disk storage 226 for storage elsewhere. The interface 10 communicates with the platform 28 in an X.25 signalling protocol. The platform 28 can communicate with the network 14 in the common channel signalling system
7 (SS7) communications protocol. When the SS7 communications protocol is needed to perform validation, or arbitration between the interface 10 and other network platforms, the interface 10 uses the data I/O port 212 to the platform 28, calling up these
resources on an "as needed" basis. The platform 28 translates between the X.25 and the SS7 protocols. The data I/O port 212 is also capable of transferring information such as prerecorded voice messages and associated delivery information between the
interface 10 and the platform 28 or 28A for delivery.
The ground start switch 213 is independently connected between the control circuit 214 and the line 32 for the purpose of generating a ground start after the tone detect and generate circuit 210 has sent a speed dial number or other tones from
the interface 10. The ground start is required to enable the interface 10 to complete a connection through a coin line to a destination. It is understood that power and switching requirements associated with a standard coin line are met in the coin
line interface circuit 200A, discussed below.
The first interface 200 includes both a coin line interface 200A and an analog line interface 200B to enable connection to either a coin or on a standard business or residential tip and ring analog line 30. The interface 200B can provide
dialtone, basic and enhanced service connections to an intelligent paystation 12. The interface 200A further can provide connections for coin control and rating functions necessary for a standard paystation 12. While not shown, it is understood that
multiple lines 30 can be supported by the interfaces 200A, 200B of the first switch 200.
The second interface 202 includes a coin line interface 202A, an analog line interface 202B and a link interface 202C. The coin line and analog line interfaces 202A, 202B are substantially the same as the previously described interfaces 200A,
200B and operate to connect the lines 32 and 34 to the interface 10. The link interface 202C operates to connect the link 36 or 36A to the interface 10.
The first and second interfaces 200, 202 are each connected to the system bus 216. The control circuit 214 selectively enables interconnections via the system bus 216 between the interfaces 200A, 200B and the interfaces 202A, 202B and 202C, as
appropriate. The interfaces 200, 202 further provide analog to digital and digital to analog conversions as well as digital protocol conversions as required to enable communications between the first and second interface circuits 200, 202 and the bus
216. The control circuit 214 also operates to connect other components of the interface 10 via the bus 216 to any of the circuits 200A, 200B, 202A, 202B, and 202C. The interface 10 thus communicates with both the paystation 12 and either the central
office 16, the IXC 24 or the platforms 28, 28A utilizing the interfaces 200 and 202. While the interconnection functions of the interface 10 utilizing the interfaces 200 and 202 under control of the circuit 214 take place via the bus 216, it is
understood that the same interconnections may alternatively be accomplished with mechanical switches (not shown).
In operation, the interface 10 provides basic and enhanced call services from a centralized location in front of the central office 16 for either a standard or an intelligent paystation 12, and further is able to selectively redirect calls in the
performance of these services through gateway connections to service providers. The functions of the interface 10 are controlled by computer program instructions executed in the control circuit 214.
In the instance where the interface 10 is located within the central office 16, adjacent to the CO switch, as previously described, the individual resources of the interface 10 can be utilized on an "as needed" basis in conjunction with the CO
switch.
In an exemplary telephone call, the interface 10 is utilized to provide alternative billing and alternative redirection of a call from the paystation 12 to either the central office 16, to the IXC 24 or to the platform 28 or 28A of an enhanced
service provider. The paystation 12 is either an intelligent paystation 12 in which the line 30 is an analog line or a standard paystation 12 in which the line 30 is a coin line. It is understood that variations exist in the communications protocol for
controlling signalling and routing involving each of these types of lines, as discussed more fully below.
In response to the paystation 12 going "off hook," the station monitor circuit 204 monitors for DTMF signals received from the paystation 12 on the system bus 216 through the first interface 200, via the appropriate | | |
