Importance

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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. The control apparatus also includes automatic call limiting apparatus to mute the audio connection between the calling party and the called party without dropping the line connection if the purchased time credit elapses without the calling party depositing more coins. A warning tone is generated prior to the audio muting and the end of the purchased time period to signal the calling party to deposit more coins.

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First Claim