Inventors:
Melval C. Haist - Sunrise FL
Alan J. Lischin - Plantation FL
Assignee:
Communication Equipment and Engineering Company - Melrose Pk. IL
International Classification:
H04M 1700
Abstract:
Improved control apparatus for a pay station is provided that automatically determines the applicable tariff rate and the purchased call time as coins are deposited in accordance with the pay station identification and the phone number of the called party. Selective programming is provided by the control apparatus to select a basic time rate period for each of a predetermined number of tariff rates corresponding to calls to various telephone tariff zones. The control apparatus automatically operates the pay station in either a postpay or prepay mode and credits the calling party with a number of basic time rate periods corresponding to the total value of deposited coins and as coins are deposited. The basic time rate period corresponds to a predetermined number of seconds for a specified basic coin value or denomination. Thus, the calling party establishes a purchased time credit equal to the basic time rate period multiplied by the total number of basic coin denominations deposited.