Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for restricting telephone calls placed onto a telephone line by a telephone set, wherein an off-hook condition begins operation of the apparatus and energizes a control circuit which provides a condition in which a call can be placed onto the telephone line. A disabling circuit responds to the control circuit and establishes a disabling condition on the telephone line which defeats a telephone call when it is of a restricted type. In one embodiment, the off-hook condition starts a time delay at the end of which a predetermined frequency is placed onto the line. The occurrence of this frequency signal onto the telephone line disconnects all long distance telephone calls beyond a specified local zone. In a second embodiment, each number entered onto the telephone line is counted, and when a predetermined count is reached the disabling circuit is operated to prevent further calling. In a third embodiment, the telephone remains disabled after being placed in an off-hook condition, and all calling is prevented. However, at predetermined intervals, the telephone is enabled so that during each interval a respective number can be called. The apparatus can include an override circuit for use by special preselected individuals for overriding the disabling condition, thereby permitting such special individuals to avoid the restrictions of the telephone calls.

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First Claim