Integrated cocot and regulated paystation telephone system

For use in a customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) system having a business line and in a regulated system having a regulated line, a paystation telephone, comprising:

• a microprocessor connecting with one of the business line and the regulated line through audio signal processing circuitry;
• a memory coupled to said microprocessor;
• and
• a downloading circuit for remotely downloading firmware for said microprocessor into said memory via said one line wherein said microprocessor operates in accordance with the firmware for controlling the paystation telephone in the COCOT or regulated line system.

A paystation telephone system allowing audio signals from a paystation user to be applied through a handset to a telephone line coupled to the paystation telephone system, comprising:

• a microprocessor controlling the operation of the paystation telephone system in two modes:
• as a customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) when coupled to a business telephone line and as a regulated telephone having a central office when coupled to a regulated telephone line;
• a memory coupled to the microprocessor for storing status and program information for the paystation;
• a power control circuit receiving a power and audio signal from the telephone line;
• a coin relay control circuit operating a coin relay for collecting or returning coins deposited by the paystation user in response to both microprocessor generated firing signals and central office generated firing signals, the coin relay control circuit receiving power from the power control circuit;
• audio signal processing circuitry connected in circuit with the power control circuit and the microprocessor and including a speech generating circuit and a modem;
• a voice network connecting the audio signal from the power control circuit to the handset;
• call progress circuitry connected to the voice network for monitoring the audio signals applied to the telephone line from both a called station and from the paystation user through the handset;
• wherein the microprocessor provides control signals to the power control circuit for switching the power and audio signal output, to the coin relay control circuit for either collecting or returning the coin, and to the voice network for selectively muting a transmit microphone in the handset, and for controlling the operation of the call progress circuit;
• and
• wherein the status information in the memory is read by the microprocessor indicating the mode of operation.

A method for determining a mode of operation of a paystation telephone system, coupled with a telephone line, including a microprocessor, signal processing circuitry and a memory, the microprocessor controlling the operation of the paystation telephone system, comprising the steps of:

• reading a status word stored in the memory;
• checking a status flag in the status word indicating the mode of operation;
• and
• controlling the paystation telephone system in accordance with the indicated mode of operation;
• wherein a mode of operation can be at least one of a customer owned coin operated telephone (COCOT) mode and a regulated telephone mode.