Patent · US Expired

Method of and apparatus for recording information on the accumulated usage of a trunk

US4727577A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
6References
61Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 30, 1986
Grant dateFeb 23, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 30, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04M15/04
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for recording information on the accumulated usage of a group of trunks interconnecting two networks. The apparatus includes two usage records that are alternately designated primary and secondary usage records during successive ones of consecutive time periods. In response to a call on a trunk, the primary usage record is decremented by an amount representing the time interval between the start of a given period and the commencement of trunk use. During the period, each trunk connected to a network office is examined for use once during the period. When a selected trunk is found in use, the secondary usage record is incremented by an amount representing the interval of time in the previously occurring time period. When the secondary usage record has not been updated for the selected trunk, the secondary usage record is decremented by an amount representing the previous interval of time to adjust the secondary usage record for calls occurring prior to the trunk being checked for use. When a call is terminated on a trunk, the primary usage record is incremented by an amount representing the interval time between the start of the period and the term…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.