Card-operated public telephone - includes card reader, several pushbuttons, display, and electronic circuit, and provides electronic emulation of protocols used by coin-operated telephone

摘要

The telephone has a hand set (14), a keyboard (16) where the number is entered, and an electronic circuit (18) that controls the connection to a central exchange. The face of the unit has a set of buttons (46) that allow selection of a number of units of call charge. A card reader (48) allows data to be taken from a prepaid card and the card balance to be reduced by the number of units selected. A second electronic circuit (50) controls the card reader and manages the provision of the service paid for. The electronic circuit then emulates the protocol that communicates payment data from coin operated telephones to the central exchange. ADVANTAGE - Allows electronic card-operated telephone unit to plug-in to installation and system based on coin operation.