US1601701A - Measured-service telephone system - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 28, 1926. 1,601,701

W. W. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE sys'rEM Original Filed Sept 7 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnlilham MERE Ums'n Sept. 28, 1926.

' W. W. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. '7 1921 11111112111 MaHEf Ums n Sept. 28, 1926. V w. w. OWEN umsuann snnvxca TELEPHONE SYSTEM original Filed ept. 7. 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 5 R4 5 g b VILJW V Sept. 28, 1926.

, v w. w. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed Sept. 7 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l'lfflham MERE Ewan I EH H:

Sept. 28, 1926. 1,601,701

w. w. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM or gg 'x-" led Sept. 7. 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 5 -Im ren ur-- Mflham MERE? [Imam Sept. 28,1926. L 1,601,701

I W. W. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM- Original liled Sept, 7, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 rim ETT lnfilham MERE! Uwafi Patented Sept. 28, 1 9 25.

Uhll'lED STATES PATENT orrlcs.

WILLIAM WALTER GIVEN, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC INC.,' ()F' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application filed September 7, 1921, Serial No. 499,011. .Renewed March 6, 1926.

My invention relates in general to measured service telephone systems, but more particularly to such metering systems intended for. use under the complete control of a calling subscriber in extending connections through a variable number of long distance points, and commonly known as zone metering systems.

Among the objects of: my invention are to provide means for preventingthe talking circuit from being established until the meter controlling equipment is in proper condition to start its char ing operation.

Another object oi my invention is the provision of means for informing a called subscriber by a distinctive tone when the connection is not yet in condition for conversation, and for removing the tone when the talking circuit is in readiness.

In a modification of my'invention I have provided means whereby the connection is always immediately cut through when the called subscriber removes his receiver, and wherein the charging equipment simultaneously starts its charging operation.

Other objects are to provide improved and simplified devices for accomplishing the above results.

A few metering systems aiming at, some of the above objects have been invented, but it isbelieved that the system herein disclosed is less xpensive, less complicated and is not so restricted in use rendering it more adaptable to 1 commercial use.

In the system disclosed herein it is assumed that the community covered by a system is divided arbitrarily into zones of calling, each zone requiring a unit charge. In most cases vthe unit zone of calling will be all calls in a single exchange or community, while calls from the first zone into an adjoining zone or community require a 7 double or increased rate of charge. Then, if a call is made from one zone through a second zone to a third zone, the charge per each uni of time should be practically three times as great as the unit of charge. The system herein disclosed is not limited in any way to necessitate any particular multiple time arrangement, that is, the arrangement could be such that any decimal pro portion might be added when going through any additional exchange.

In the drawings attached hereto I have shown an established connection from one exchange through a second exchange and into a third exchangev where the call may then proceed either to the called subscriber in that exchange, or may be extended still -rurther to lines in still other exchanges.

It should be understood that each exchange consists ot a member of line switches, selectors and connectors, the number-depend- ,ing upon the size of the exchange, also in selector repeater, instead of the regular connector used for local calls. I

The selectorrepeater is then operated to pick out an outgoing trunk line to the proper exchange and the next series of impulses are then repeated by the selector repeater tothe incoming selector in the other exchange. The incoming selector is then oper ated to either seize a connector in the other exchange it the call is local or to seize a selector repeaterin said other exchange if the call is to be extended to still another exchange.

In the drawings Fig. 1 showsa calling line A in the first exchange having a line switch C indivioual thereto, which has access to a plurality of selectors such as D. The selector D it will be understood, has access to the regular connectors such as shown, at H (Fig/l) from certain levels and also has access to a few selector repeaters one of which is shown at E (Fig. 2) and which in turn has access to trunk lines to other exchanges. The trunk line shown leads to another exchan e and terminates there in also to the selector repeaters such as G for calls which are to be extended to other e:; changes.

The selector repeater G is the same as the selector repeater E (Fig. 2).

In Fig. at is shown a selector I of the same type as selector F with the exception that an extra relay has been provided for sending an additional impulse 'to the mechanism B (Fig. his selector is shown as having access to a connector H of standard type which in turn has access to the local lines oi the third exchange, the local lines although not shown are of the same type as that shown at substation A, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a selector repeater very similar to the selector repeater E (Fig. 2), but slightly modified to operate the meter controlling equipment shown in Fig. 6 which is another modification of my invention.

1 will now explain more in detail the operations oi" the switches in the various exchanges when the subscriber A sets up a long distance call to a subscriber either in the second zone or exchange or in a third zone, first describing the operation of the syst m when using the meter controlling equipment shown in Fig. 2 and then giving a description of the method of operation when Figs. 5 and 6 have been substituted.

When the subscriber at A removes his receiver he operates the line switch in well known manner, closing the line circuit and operating line relay 2 which closes a series circuit for switchin relay 3 and rotary magnet 4: in series and also prepares a short i circuit about relay 3 to the private wiper. Should the first trunk line be busy the ground on the private wiper operates tie rotary magnet l to step the wipers ahead to an idle trunk. When the idle trunk is reached relay 3 is no longer shorted and energizes to cut off the direct rotary magnet circuit and to switch the line circuit through to the seized selector D (assumed to be the switch seized Relay 3 also closes one point in the circuit of the meter X which is connected thereby through a fourth wiper 5 to the selector.

As soon as s witch D is seized, its line relay 6 energizes over the line circuit and closes the circuit of slow relay 7 which grounds the release trunk to hold switch C on the trunk and prepares a circuit for the vertical magnet 8 and series slow relay 9.

The first series of impulses now operate the relay 6 and cause the vertical magnet 8 to step the wipers to a desired level, in this cas assumed to be the level in which outgoing selector repeaters such as E are located. As soon as the switch ta res the first vertical step the springs 10 close and relay 11 operates to close the circuit of the rotary magnet 12. As soon as relay 9 falls back after the impulses cease the circuit of rotary 13, which has heretofore been short cirl by the ground on the private wiper,

"- sc es with relay ll, relay 11 beas not energize in series inc o1 eration of relay 13 switches the line circuit ti seized selecto' repeater E (Fig. 2) and also closes another point in the circuit of the meter magnet springs A.

I cuit is extended to the selector repeater a circuit is completed for the line relay in series with the calling line. U 'neraizes and in rn operates r e- 16 which grounes the release trunk to r lays anl 13 of the line switch C elector D energized and prepares the air of vertical mag et l7 in multiple lbil the slow relay 18. its the next series of impulses are sent y responds thereto and operates ct 17 to step the wipers 19, 20. and 21 of the selector repeater to some level in which are located trunk lines leading to the eX- in which it is desired to call. Relay 168 and remains energized during this series impulses and holds the rotary interrupter relay 22 energizer Relay 22 s up through springs of rotary magnet 315i the oil normal springs 25 and holds slay short circuited for the present. soon as the inriulses of this second cease and relay l8 ialls through springs 26, sp 1R lay 2i springs 29 an spri s 31 o i relay 22 and 23 to battery. Magnet 23 now operates to step the wipers onto the first set of contacts in the selected leve and ooens tl e circuit of relay at sprii Relay iallsbacl; and opens the circuit of magnet 23 at springs 31.

hen a circuit would be completed from round over-the private wiper 21, throughprings 33 and 341: springs 32, springs 25 and Relay 22 again closes e trunk line reached at which time are hen the line 7 hould the first set of contacts be busyiroua'h to the wipers and to the 22 Relay 24, upon energizing, opens the circuit of vertical magnet 17 opens the rotary magnet circuit at springs 27 and 28, and completes a locking circuit for itself to the private wiper 21 through springs 33 and 27, and through relay 22' to battery, relay 224 also opens springs 33 and 34 to prevent its being shorted out when ground is supplied to the private by the switch ahead. Relay 24 also closes a bridge at springs 35 across the seized trunk which is assumed to lead to the incoming selector F of the next exchange The circuit thus closed for the line relay of said selector F extends from ground through the lower winding of line relay 36, springs 37 and 38, conductor 39, contact 40 and wiper 20, springs 41 of line relay 15, relay 42, upper winding of polarized relay 43, springs 35, wiper 19 and contact 44, conductor 45, springs 46 and 47, and through the upper winding of relay 36 to battery. Relays 36 and 42 energize over this circuit, relay 42 closing the circuit of the polarized winding of relay 43. Relay 43 is so constructed that both windings must receive current in the proper direction t and does not energize at this time due to the fact that current flows in opposite directions in its two windings. It will be seen that the magnet 48 at selector repeater is connected through the high resistance 49 and springs 51 and to one side of the line circuit, magnet 48, however, is so adjusted and resistance 49 is of such a value 35 that the magnet does not energize with the normal current flow over the line circuit. Relay 36 of selector F, upon energizing, causes relay 52 to operate to prepare the vertical magnet circuit and also to close a circuit for relay 53 at springs 54. Relay 53 while energizing momentarily closes a circuit from the special battery Y through the magnet 48 and resistance 49 at the selector repeater E as follows: Battery Y through resistance 54, springs 55, 56 and 57, over conductor 39, contact 40, wiper 20, springs 50 and 51, resistance 49, magnet 48 to battery. Current from the battery Y now assists the current flowing from the regular battery through magnet 48 and causes said magnet to operate once to step the wipers of the auxiliary or minor switch B to their first contacts. Should the trunk line 3945 be of double length for which one unit of charge is required then it would be necessary to have an additional contact grounded on the interrupter, or the relay 53 of the incoming selector associated therewith arranged to send two impulses by adding a av such as 300 in the manner shown in the selector 1, Fig. 4, to operate the magnet N, O, P, etc, only the first four of which are shown. These interrupters may be of any desired type or construction. For simplicity I' have shown the interrupters mounted on a common shaft the same car rying wipers 58, 59, 60, 61, etc., each wiper passing over a series of contacts one or more of which are grounded. The shaft may be constantly rotated by any suitable means, at

a speed that will cause the interrupters N to revolve one revolution per minute sending one impulse per minute or faster 1f desired. Thus it Wlll be seen that if wiper 59 were connected to the meter two impulses.

per minute would be transmitted to the meter. lt'will be seen that the manner in which the contacts of the various banks may be grounded would be varied according to the various lengths of the trunk lines through which the connection is being 6X- tended thus providing a very flexible arrangement for operating the meter by simply grounding variable numbers of the contacts of the banks associated with the. interrupters. The wiper and bank combination R is arranged to serve as an auxiliary switch and operates to complete the connection at the proper time, as will be hereinafter more fully exnlained. The switch B is operated over the line as the connection is being eximpulses are sent from the calling device they operate the line relay 15 of the telephone repeater E (Fig. 2) as for the previous digit. In this case, however, the only effective circuit controlled by the line relay 15 is the circuit of the line relay 36 of the selector F. Each time relay 15 operates it opens a circuit at springs 41 for said line relay 36. Relay 15 also maintains both of the slow relays 16 and 18 operated during impulses. Relay 18 while energized, maintains a short circuit about the two relays 42 and 43 in the circuit of the line relay 36 to give more positive operation of said relay. The circuit for line relay 36 extends from ground through its lower winding, springs 37 and 38, conductor 39, contact 40' and wiper 20, springs 41, springs 66 of relay 18, springs 35, wiper 19 and contact 44, con ductor 45, springs 46 and 47 and upper winding of relay 36 to battery.

Line relay 36 therefore responds to this operation of relay 15 and the selector F operated in the same manner as was the level al to seiz the the calico rice. in t is case, how e ssinnecl that the call is to he ext nder st farthe th is second exche x5e, anal J: 1, f 4 lore US operat or such a nuifi-e tor outgoing c; m .l!

rhereiore s 7 .7 r energ zes tn peater .11 is 86 under tl 68 1S rnethuin ol' lmpuls of of leading to the ne ates to grounci relay 70 01' the pares the ciirc and relay ?2 that G has 1 4. T? SGiQCLOl' a l D and the ry therefore minor s the imp" springs S teriee Y and E fore operates miner L switch B to having been between the no l n th,

second 211 (l length. 'lnei The next series of 'inpulses will ope "ate I is back operation to automatically select an iclle connector, assume-cl to be the con- The next sei i s of impulses Will "e relay 88 of the connector H lard typ to step the Wipers 89 outs ground or pares the cira'l ter the slow relay 93.

' ipulses ill operate net 92 to step the 01" the desired subrelay 88 he line is idle, es and locks enerr Winding of the 99 of the Relay 99 ineffective cio 1G0 vhich are at roses the circuit of the re- ;e to revexse the ,onnection i; the 'allnng circuit scriber This reve the operation of ele of the sel ctor reg e same manner as rel e3, however,

s a point in a 7 of the callcc to the interrupter G goint in the circuit n that as soon as letecl to the called tor repeater E, Fig. iinectecl to the called igh springs 111 and h cellee subscriber that a c nice to his line. When the switch it arrives at its gro t relay 49 energizes over tie llowing circuit, springs 1080f relay *elay S"? and magnet 86 ive the busy signal 43, winding of relay 19, second contact of left bank of switch B, wiper 109, wiper 106 of switch R and its first contact, to ground. Relay 49 energizes over this circuit and locks up through springs 174, at springs 111 removes the tone from the extended line, at springs 64 completes the circuit of the meter X, and at springs 61 and 112 closes the talking circuit.

It may be stated at this time that should the wiper 106 be upon its grounded contact at the time relay 13 energized the relay 19 would immediately energize and no tone would be extended to the called subscriber and the connection would immediately cut through. It will be seen therefore, that as long as conversation continues the magnet X will continue to operate three times per each one half revolution of the shaft until either of the relays 16 or 43 are deenergized by the hanging up of the receiver at the calling or called station.

It will be understood that a call may be thus extended through any number of intermediate zones or exchanges, and that the minor switch of the outgoing selector repeater of the exchange in "which the calling subscriber is located, is the only one which is effective to operate the meter and may be connected to any one of a plurality of common interrupters during the progress of a call. Also it will be understood that the interrupters M. N. etc, are common to all the outgoing selector repeaters of an ex change and may be operated continuously or at least as long as any, selector repeater is being used. It will be seen that the operating impulses for controlling the minor switch in the originating exchange are repeated back through the various selectors between series of impulses and that the connections from the magnets 48, 78. etc., of the selector repeaters are cutoff from the talking circuit by the relays 18 and 72 during the transmission of impulses and by the relays 43 and 99 during conversation.

A detailed description having been given of one method of controlling the operation of the meter, it willnow be shown how the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6 may be operated to control the meter.

Upon making a study of Fig. 5 it will be found that the selector V is very similar to selector E, with the exception that the relay 49 has been omitted and that relay 243 controls slightly different circuits for con trolling the operation of the meter controlling equipment shown in Fig. 6.

In the controlling circuit shown and described in Fig. 2 the interrupting equipment was shown common to an exchange and the interrupters were constantly rotated and therefore the tone was required to inform the called subscriber that a call was being extended to his line until the switch cut thorough or until the interrupter arrived at a certain point, all as has been previously explained.

In this modification, however, this tone is unnecessary as there are provided a plurality of interrupters preselected by switch S, which is individual to the selector, the iinerrupters are controlled by magnets 301, 302, 303, 30a, etc. A switch B similar to switch B is provided individual to the selector and operates over the same circuit and performs the same function as does switch 13, with the exception that it has wipers for connecting any one offa plurality of interrupter sets which may be taken for use.

The relays 305308 are also individual to the selector and are operated in multiple with magnets 301, 302, etc., to close a point in the meter circuit and the particular contact chosen by switch 13 through the wiper of the chosen interrupter set.

The wipers 353, 357, 355, 352, and 356 are so arranged that no break occurs in moving from one contact until another is engaged for reasons to be hereinafter explained. The operation of switch S is as follows: e will assume that the wipers of switch S are resting on the first contacts of the group of interrupters which are idle, and another switch S also is setting on the first set of contacts; then if the selector associated with the other switch S is operated an operating circuit will be completed from ground, contacts similar to 2224:, to and through the wiper and contact of its switch S-first position, to magnet 301. The magnet 301 steps the wipers 352, and the wipers shown connected to wiper 352 by a shaft on to the grounded contacts and a circuit is then completed from ground wiper 352 to the first contact of switch S, wiper 353, through break springs 239 to magnet 309, causing the same to move the wipers to the next idle bank contact. It will thus be seen that the switches S always preselect an idle irterrupter set.

We will now assume that the call has been extended as described in the prior arrangement and that the operating impulses for controlling the switch B in the'originating exchanges are repeated back, all as has been previously explained, and in this case the switch B will therefore have its wipers resting on itsthird contacts.

When the called subscriber responds the relay 243 energizes the same as was described for relay 43, but in this case the interrupter set having been preselected the connection is allowed to be immediately cut through and the relay 243 closes a circuit from ground, springs 24%, conductor 24:5 to point 349 where the circuit branches to operate relay 305 and magnet 301 in multiple through wipers 346, 366, and their first contacts, it being assumed that the first interrupter set is iele and the wipers of switch S are resting thereon. Under the condition assumed in this particular call the meter operating circuit maybe traced as "follows: Ground, wiper 850, conductor 3551, third contact of upper bank of switch B wiper 3&7, make springs of relay 305, conductor 3%, springs 248, springs 238, back over the previously described circuit to the meter X. The magnet 801 interrupts its own circuit at springs 358 and continues to step its associated wipers around until the calling or called subscriber replaces his receiver, whichv causes the circuit to be opened at relays 215 or 24-3, and thereby cause the disconnection of the meter from the line. Should the disconnection be brought about at a time when the interrupter is off normal the same will have an operating circuit extending from the grounded wiper 352 through the springs 358 for continuing: the operation of the interrupter magnet until normal position is reached and the ground removed from the contact of the switch S, making the set available for another call.

I have shown the minor switches B, B and B only diagrammatically it being understood that these switches may be 0!? any approved and simple type. As shown these switches are of the type which have a holding dog such as 105, these dogs being disengaged from the ratchet teeth when the release magnets of the associated switches operate to release the switches, thus restoring these switches to normal. The switch 5'') may be of any simple rotary type which al ways operates in a forward direction havinc; no normal position.

It will also be llIlflGlStOOCl that in case a call is set up from a calling subscriber such as A, through a line switch C, aselector D and a connector H, (Fig. 4) to a subscriber in the same exchange then the meter X will be operated once when the called party answers by the operation of the ring cut oil relay 96 of the connector, which connects ground to the meter trunk or fourth conductor and holds the magnet X energized until conversation is terminated. It will also be understood that each line may be provided with a standard type of reverse battery meter, controlled by a polarized relay in series with the line circuit which will register all local calls whenever the reverse battery relay 98 of a local connector energizes. In this case the springs 97 of the connector and the conductor controlled thereby may be omitted and meter- X will then register only long distance calls.

t will therefore be seen that I have pro vided a very efiicient and simple system of zone metering; which requires very little additional equipment and in which most of the additional devices are common to the switches of an exchange.

Having fully described and ascertained the features and aspects of my invention, what I consider to be new anu desire to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a telephone system, calling lines, meters therefor, zones of calling arbitrarily established, a meter controlling device, a plurality of code interrupters accessible to said device each for operat' the meter a predetermined number of ties per interval of time in accordancewith the toll rate for calling into a certain Zone or Zones, each interrupter having a. code st rt-ing point, anc means made operative during the extension or" each call for holding the connection open until the code interrupter selected to charge for tnat call is in its starting position.

2. In telephone system, calling" lines, meters therefor, zonesot calling arbitrarily established, a plurality of code interrupters accessible to said device each for operating the meter a predetermined number of times per interval of time in accordance with the toll rate for calling into a certain Zone or zones, each interrupter having; a code starting point, and means made operative during the ex tension of each call for holding the connection open until the code interrupter selected to charge for that call is in its starting position, and for giving" a distinctive tone to the subscriber while the connection is being so held.

3. In a telephone system calling lines, called. lines located in different Zones otcallfor which Zones, different rates of charginc are required. a series of code send s each sending a different number of impulses per unit of time, means operated when calling into any Zone for s .ecting the code sender which is arranged to charge or that Zone, and means for holding each connection open until the code sender selected is in proper position to start its charging operation.

4. In a telephone system, a callin line,

other lines accessible to said calling line over trunk lines of different lengths. a meter for the calling line, a meter controlling device common to the lines, a plurality of code impulse sending devices accessible to said controlling device having" a normal position. said device operated during the extension of a call to select the impulse sender which will operate the meter the proper number of times to charge for the particular call. and means associated with the meter controlling device for preventing the connection from being finally established until the impulse senders are in normal position.

5. In a telephone system, subscribers lines. trunk lines, means forv extending a talking connection from a calling line over meter cont-rolling; device, a-

a number of said trunk lines to a called one of said lines, a meter for the calling line, a plurality of meter controlling devices, a plurality 0t interrupter-s common to said devices and operated by a common shaft means associated with each trunk line for transmitting one or more impulses to said device as the call is extended thereover, said device responsive to said impulses to connect said meter to one of said interrupters, and means controlled by the called subscriber for causing said meter to be operated at a rate predetermined by the interrupter connected with.

6. In a telephone system, subser bers lines, trunk lines, means for eI-Itending a talking connection from a calling line over a number of said trunk lines to a ca one of said lines, a meter for the calling line, a plurality of meter controlling devices, a plurality of interrupters common to said devices and ogeratedhy a co non shalt, means associated with each trunk line for transmitting one or more im nilses to 'd device as the call is extended thereover, device responsive to said impulses to nect said meter to one of said interrupters, andmeans controlled by the called subscriber for causing said meter to be op ated at a rate predetermined by the int rupter connected with, and means for preventing the completion of the talking cir cuit until the interrupters are in the proper position to operate the meters.

'TfIn a telephone system, a subscribers line, a meter therefor, trunk lines, automatic switches accessible thereto and through which talking connections may be extended from said line over any nur' ber of said trunk lines, an auxiliary switc device associated with each switch, a plurality of interrupters common to said automatic switches, said switching device operated over the various trunk lines as the call is extended thereto to pick out a automatic certain one of said interrupters, and means for permitting the selected interrupter to start to operate the meter to charge at a predetermined rate only when said interrupters are in normal position.

8. In a telephone system, lines, a meter for each line, automatic sw ches accessible o any line for extending talking connections therefrom, meter controlling devices common to said switches, means for sending impulses ot booster battery from the extended connection, a step by step switch responsive to said impulses to pick out a meter controlling device, and means for preventing closure or" the talking circuit until the meter controlling devices are in normal position.

9. ln a telephone system, a calling line equipped with a meter, a called line, means including trunk lines and serially related automatic switches for interconnecting said lines, a plurality of constantly operating meter operating devices common to said trunk lines, and a relay in one of said automatic switches for completing the talking connection between said lines and for simultaneously starting the calling subscribers meter to periodically operate at a time contingent on the condition of the meter operating equipmentat the time the call is answered.

10. In a measured service telephone sys tem, calling and called lines, means for interconnecting said lines and for then signalling the called line, call charging equipment associated with the connection and means opera tive as a result of the call being answered, operative at a time contingent on the condition of the charging equipment at such time,

to complete the talking connection bet veen said lines and to cause the charging equipment to effectively function.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of August, A. l).

WILLIAM l/VALTER OWEN.

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