JPH0426587B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a public telephone set having a self-diagnosis function that is performed in response to off-hook.

[Conventional technology]

A public telephone equipped with a self-diagnosis function and automatically transmitting monitoring information based on the results to a maintenance center, etc. is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1983-1999 filed separately by the applicant.
This method, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 156259, uses the closing of the DC loop by off-hook as a starting condition for self-diagnosis, and immediately after off-hook, self-diagnosis is performed on predetermined inspection points.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, with the above-mentioned method, if a situation occurs during off-hook that makes the next off-hook operation impossible, such as the theft of the handset or theft or destruction of the switch drive member, which occurs in some foreign countries, the operating status of the telephone may change. This results in a problem in that the device is fixed in an off-hook state and self-diagnosis is not performed at the next off-hook, making it semi-permanently impossible to report the occurrence of an abnormality to a maintenance center or the like.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is constructed by the following means.

This will be explained using the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

When the DC loop is closed, a self-diagnosis is performed on the predetermined inspection location, and based on the results of this self-diagnosis, an automatic dial is made to a specific destination such as a maintenance center to diagnose the inspection location. In a public telephone having a function of transmitting monitoring information such as results, a time monitoring means A for monitoring an operation or operation interval time within at least a part of a specific section from off-hook to a called party's response, and an output of this time monitoring means. The loop control means B opens the DC loop for a predetermined period of time in response to the loop control means B, and the control means C starts the above-mentioned self-diagnosis on the assumption that the DC loop is off-hook after the loop control means finishes opening the DC loop.

[Effect]

Once the DC loop is closed due to off-hook, a normal self-diagnosis process is carried out, for example, at a later point in time, a timer or the like functioning as time monitoring means A is used to trigger a predetermined operation such as inserting a coin, dialing or answering the called party. It is monitored whether the operation is performed within a predetermined time. Typically, a given operation is performed within a given time. When the timer of the time monitoring means A passes a certain period of time, a time-up signal a is output to the loop control means B. As a result, the loop control means B opens the DC loop for, for example, 800 ms to restore the exchange, and a loop open signal b is output to the control means C. The results of the self-diagnosis process are then sent to a maintenance center or the like by automatic dialing. Here, if the vehicle is off-hook, the control means C performs the self-diagnosis process again.

If the handset is semi-permanently off-hook due to theft, etc., the control means C performs the self-diagnosis process again to determine that it is off-hook after opening the DC loop, so that the handset that was not detected during the initial normal self-diagnosis process will Abnormalities can also be reliably detected.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be explained with reference to figures showing examples.

Figure 1 is a block diagram. Line terminals L ₁ and L ₂ to which telephone lines are connected from the exchange are connected to a parallel circuit of switch HS ¹ and contact gs ¹ of relay GS, and a billing signal receiving circuit (hereinafter referred to as KSR). ) 1, diode bridge (hereinafter referred to as DB) 2, power supply circuit (hereinafter referred to as PS) 3, and forced disconnection circuit (hereinafter referred to as CB)
4 is connected to a communication circuit (hereinafter referred to as TKC) 5 which forms a communication loop and has a transmitting amplifier and a receiving amplifier, to which the transmitter T and receiver R of the handset 6 are connected. The TKC 5 and the handset 6 are connected by a curl cord 7 consisting of two corresponding pairs of conductors l ₁ to _{l 4} , and contacts of relays RS and TS are connected between the TKC 5 and the handset 6.
rs ¹ , rs ² , ts ¹ , and ts ² are inserted as switching means, and by these, the transmitter T and The receiver R is selectively switched.

In addition, a control unit (hereinafter referred to as CNT) 8 consisting of a processor such as a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as CPU) and memory, etc. is provided as a monitoring and control means, and a coin processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CNT) 8 that performs sorting and storage of coins, etc. , CPS) 9, dial key (hereinafter referred to as
DK) 10, switch ^HS2 , KSR1, etc. make control decisions according to each output, CPS9, relay GS via drive circuit (hereinafter referred to as DRV) 11,
It controls the RS, a display device (hereinafter referred to as DP) 12, an MF signal generator (hereinafter referred to as MFG) 13 that generates an audio composite frequency (hereinafter referred to as MF) signal, a CB 4, etc.

In addition, MFG13 outputs DK10 and
In response to the control of CNT8, a permission signal is sent from CNT3.
Only when OK is given, it generates an MF signal according to the operation of the DK10, gives a control signal CS to the TKC5, sends the MF signal as a dial signal via the TKC5, and sends the monitoring information to the maintenance center, etc. When sending to CNT, MFG13
8, make a dial call to a specific destination such as a maintenance center in the same way as above, and then
Monitoring information is transmitted via the same route using MF signals.

In addition, CNT8 has a self-diagnosis function, and in response to the closure of the DC loop due to off-hook, it performs self-diagnosis on predetermined inspection points, and based on the results, it transmits monitoring information as described above. As part of the self-diagnosis, the potential of the handset 6 side of the resistor Ri is taken in, and based on this, it is determined whether there is no current flowing through the conductors _l1 to _l4 , and the connection state of the handset 6 is monitored. It's summery.

In other words, a relay using a latching relay
When RS and TS are restored, the receiver R and the transmitter T are inserted between the resistor Ri and the common circuit via the conductors l ₁ to _{l 4} by the contacts rs ¹ , rs ² , ts ¹ , and ts ² . When current flows from the power supply V to the series circuit of
The contact rs ¹ side of the resistor Ri is almost at the potential of the common circuit because the receiver R and the transmitter T have a low resistance value, thereby confirming that the handset 6 is connected normally. While it is possible to judge,
If the connection by the conductors _l1 to _l4 is cut off, the electrical potential on the contact ^rs1 side of the resistor Ri becomes almost equal to the power supply V due to the cessation of current flow.
Therefore, it is possible to immediately determine whether the handset 6 has been stolen.

On the other hand, in RS3, when the off-hook turns on the switch ^HS1 , the DC loop is closed via TKC5, and as the loop current with a constant polarity flows from DB2, the internal capacitor is charged by this. , the terminal voltage of the capacitor is used as a power supply V to be supplied to various parts, but the capacitor is charged with a small current even during on-hook, and the CNT8 starts operating quickly in response to off-hook.For this purpose, a latching relay is used. The capacitor in PS3 is trickle charged by the high-resistance resistor Rt through ^the contact gs ¹ of relay GS using
1, the relay GS is activated and trickle charging is stopped.

Therefore, by off-hooking and inserting a coin, the DC loop is closed and the CPS is
Since the CNT 8 sends out an OK signal in response to the output of the handset 6, the DK 10 can freely dial the dial. They are individually connected to the receiving amplifier output and the transmitting amplifier input of the TKC 5, and the call can be made freely depending on the called party's response.

Additionally, when a billing signal such as an out-of-band frequency or a polarity reversal pulse arrives from the exchange as a call starts and continues, this is received by KSR1, and CNT8 controls CPS9 according to this received output.
In addition to storing coins, if there is a shortage of waiting coins, CB4 is controlled to open the DC loop for a certain period of time, restore the exchange, and forcibly disconnect the call.

Incidentally, the coin insertion/accumulation status is sequentially displayed on the DP 12, and if there is an abnormality in the result of the self-diagnosis, this status is also displayed on the DP 12.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart mainly showing the self-diagnosis situation by ^the CPU in CNT8 ^. ” is performed, first the relays RS and TS are put into a recovery state by “initialize” 101, and then “self-diagnosis processing” 102, which will be described later, is performed, and based on the result, “call permission?” 1 is performed.
03, and if this is Y (YES), the CPU
By using a timer as a time monitoring means configured inside, "operation interval monitoring" 111 is performed at a temporal operation interval of, for example, 25 seconds, and it is monitored whether or not a coin insertion and a first digit dialing operation are performed during this time. “Monitoring time exceeded?” 112 N
Assuming (NO), check "On hook?" 113 using the output of the hook switch HS ^2. If this is N, check the amount of accumulated coins and the minimum charge amount according to the output of the CPC 9 using the "Credit ≧ Tariff?" 121. Compare and send permission signal OK according to Y of this “Dial permission” 12
After carrying out step 2, a decision is made as to ``first digit dial?'' 123 in accordance with the output of the DK 10, and while this is N, steps 111 and subsequent steps are repeated.

If step 123 is Y, step 111
Similarly, for example, "operation interval monitoring" 131 of 100 seconds
Assuming that "Monitoring time exceeded?" 132 is N, check "On hook?" 133 as in step 113. If this is N,
“Called party response?” 1 in response to the arrival of the first billing signal
334 is determined based on the output of KSR1, and while this is N, steps 131 and subsequent steps are repeated.

Note that step 131 is for monitoring the time interval between dialing the first digit, dialing the second and subsequent digits, and when the called party answers. In order to prevent step 132 from becoming Y and forced disconnection to be described later, the set time is set to 100 seconds.

Furthermore, the connection status of the handset 6 is monitored during step 102;
At the end of step 2, relays RS and TS are activated, and receiver R and transmitter T of handset 6 are turned on.
After connecting to the TKC 5, monitoring by current flow becomes impossible, so in order to detect the next inability to operate the off-hook due to theft of the handset 8 or damage to the hook switch drive member, etc., in normal cases, Focusing on the fact that after off-hook is performed, predetermined operations are performed continuously in a certain order and at approximately constant time intervals, it is determined that if this is not performed, it is a fixed off-hook due to theft of the handset 6, etc. are doing.

That is, if step 134 becomes Y, the process moves to "call control processing" 141, where coins are stored, etc., and when "call ended?" 142 becomes "Y" due to on-hook or lack of remaining coins, etc., After controlling the CB4 through the "loop opening process" 151 and turning off switching elements such as transistors installed in the CB4, opening the DC loop for a certain period of time, for example, 800 msec, and restoring the exchange,
“Monitoring information transmission processing” 152 causes Step 1
Send the necessary information to the maintenance center etc. based on the result of step 02, check "On hook?" 153 as in step 113, and if this is Y, perform relay "GS recovery" 154, and complete the series of controls. On the other hand, steps 112 and 1 are executed before step 123 or 134 becomes Y.
If any of 13, 132, and 133 is Y, the process immediately moves to step 151, and step 1
52, information such as an abnormality in the connection state of the handset 6 is transmitted as monitoring information.

On the other hand, when step 103 is N, DP12
After performing the "fault display" 161, the "operation interval monitoring" 1 is performed as in steps 111 to 113.
62 to ``On Hook?'' 164 are checked, and the process immediately proceeds to step 151 according to Y in step 163 or 164.

Note that if the handset 6 is in a semi-permanent off-hook state due to theft or the like, step 153 becomes N and steps 101 and subsequent steps are repeated, so even connection abnormalities in the handset 6 that were not detected in the first step 102 can be detected by monitoring the operation interval. After the DC loop is opened by , it is detected again in step 102 and this information is transmitted in step 152.

However, the monitoring information is such that the same content is not retransmitted, and steps 101 to 15 are
Even if 3 repetitions are performed consecutively, connection abnormalities of the handset 6 are transmitted only once.

Therefore, even if a situation arises in which the next off-hook operation becomes impossible for some reason after off-hook has been performed, after the DC loop has been opened in step 151, during off-hook in step 153 with N, Step 10 as a prerequisite for
The self-diagnosis in step 2 is restarted, and step 152 is executed even when the off-hook state is fixed, so that the cause of the abnormality that is fixed in the off-hook state can be reliably reported to a maintenance center or the like.

In addition, in an off-hook state due to forgetting to hang up the handset 6, etc., no abnormality is detected and monitoring information is not sent, and if the next user performs an on-hook and then an off-hook, the state returns to normal. Return.

FIG. 3 is a lower-level routine showing the details of step 102. Based on the output of the CPS 9, it judges "Coin insertion detection sensor output normal?" 202, and if this is Y, stores the diagnosis result in memory. ``Store ``0'' in the address concerned'' 203 is executed, whereas when step 202 is N, ``store ``1'' in the address concerned'' 204 is executed in the same way as step 203, and thereafter, ``coin coins'' are executed sequentially. Is sorting sensor output normal?” 205, “Coin accumulation sensor
Is the output normal? 208, and in steps 206, 207, 209, and 210, each result is stored in the memory, and after performing the same processing for each other part, the current flowing through the resistor Ri is determined. Based on "Handset/connection normal?" 2
11, and if this is Y, step 203
In the same way as in step 204, ``store ``0'' in the corresponding address'' 212 of the memory is executed, whereas when step 211 is N, ``store ``1'' in the corresponding address'' 213 of the memory is executed in the same manner as in step 204. After that, relay “RS, TS operation” 214 is performed.

Therefore, if "1" is stored in the memory, it means that an abnormality has occurred, and step 1 is executed accordingly.
52, transmission of the corresponding monitoring information is executed,
Even after the vehicle is locked in an off-hook state, self-diagnosis of the abnormality and monitoring information based on this are performed, so the maintenance center, etc. can immediately identify the cause of the off-hook state and take prompt action. .

By including in FIG. 3 a diagnosis using a sensor for detecting an abnormality such as a button for driving a switch or a handset holder, these abnormalities can also be detected and transmitted as monitoring information.

However, in FIG. 2, steps 111 to
123 and 131 to 134, the period from off-hook to the called party's response is divided and each part of the temporal operation interval is individually monitored, but these may be set as a series, or either The same applies if only one side is used.

In addition, after transmitting the monitoring information in step 152, if the device is in an off-hook state, the DC loop is semi-permanently opened using a separate latching relay, etc., and the DC loop is opened and closed intermittently by repeating steps 101 and thereafter. In order to prevent this, the relays RS and TS may be restored for an instant to check the energization status without immediately proceeding to step 151 due to Y in steps 112, 132, and 163, and then step 151 may be executed in response to the disconnection of the energization. It may also be a transition to .

In addition, the control status of the relays RS and TS may be changed, and the relays may be operated in accordance with the insertion of a coin, making it possible to listen to the caller.It may also be used as a pseudo loop type, which can also be used for mute control of the transmitter T, etc. This is also optional, and the same applies even if relays RS and TS are the same relay.

Furthermore, various modifications are possible, such as a relay contact may be inserted into at least one of the transmitter T or the receiver R, and the configuration of the energizing circuit may be selected depending on the conditions.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, even if the state is fixed in the off-hook state for some reason, self-diagnosis is started by monitoring the temporal operation interval, and therefore monitoring information based on this is not transmitted. This will ensure reliable operation, and a remarkable effect can be obtained in various public telephones.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram, FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts mainly showing the self-diagnosis situation, and FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for explaining the present invention. be. 1...KSR (charging signal receiving circuit), 4...CB (forced disconnection circuit), 5...TKC (talking circuit), 6...handset, 7...cord, 8...CNT (control unit), 9...
CPS (coin handling department), 10...DK (dial key),
13...MFG (MF signal generator), ^HS1 , ^HS2 ...Hook switch, R...Telephone receiver, T...Telephone, _l1 to _l4 conductor, RS, TS...Relay, ^rs1 , ^rs2 , ^ts1 , ts ² ...Contact, Ri...Resistor, V...Power supply.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A public telephone that performs self-diagnosis on predetermined inspection points according to the closure of the DC loop, and also automatically dials a specific destination based on the results of the self-diagnosis and then transmits monitoring information. , a time monitoring means for monitoring an operation or operation interval time within at least a part of a specific section from off-hook to a called party response; and a loop control means for opening the DC loop for a certain period of time in accordance with the output of the time monitoring means. and control means for starting the self-diagnosis assuming that the off-hook is in progress after the loop control means finishes opening the DC loop.