Telephone system and method for providing directory assistance/intercept information

US4053949A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Frank A. Recca · Orlando, US
• David Winter · Eppelheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 28, 1976
• Grant date: Oct 11, 1977
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M3/4933
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system for use with a plurality of directory assistance or intercept telephone operator positions, in which each position has means for monitoring a plurality of line conductor pairs and includes first and second units for storing data representative of the status of a plurality of telephone numbers. A keyboard is collocated with the operator position for addressing either storage unit with respect to a given telephone number, and an output device, such as a cathode ray tube, is collocated with the operator's position and the addressing means for receiving an output from the storage unit and providing an indication of the status of the telephone number. The operator, or alternatively a number translator, operates between each line pair and the keyboard for providing an input to the addressing means representative of each called telephone number through the corresponding line pair. A switch is also provided between all of the keyboard-cathode ray tube combinations and both storage units for switching each combination between the first and second units. A circuit is also included for entering charging information for directory assistance calls.