The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 1990
Filed:
May. 26, 1988
Philip R Reger, Newtown Square, PA (US);
Patrick J McGarry, West Chester, PA (US);
Craig A Lewis, Berwyn, PA (US);
Mars Incorporated, McLean, VA (US);
Abstract
A low power control apparatus for a coin operated telephone controls a full range of phone functions as well as an electronic coin acceptor. The control utilizes phone line power. Power for all the normal operations of the coin operated telephone and its coin acceptor is also supplied from the phone line. The control is preferably microcontroller based and designed utilizing low power components. In the control, an interface circuit serves to connect the phone tip and ring lines to either a power supply circuit or to a totalizer and escrow control circuit. The power supply also provides power to an audio network including a variety of fraud prevention circuits, a modem, and several time generator circuits. A monitor system monitors the status of several security switches to monitor the phone's condition. Hardware and software design features control the application of power to circuits only when needed.