CARD-READING PUBLIC STATIONS REQUIREMENTS
Bell Communications Research, Inc.

1. This document describes generic requirements for card-reading public
telephone stations. These stations will be deployed by a Bell Operating
Company (BOC) primarily to provide customers having magnetic-stripe
cards with easier access to both BOC and inter-LATA carrier (IC)
facilities.

A BOC Card-Reading Public Station (alternatively referred to as
"station") is intended to work similarly to a current Charge-a-Call
station with features added to read a magnetic-stripe card and
conveniently select an IC. The BOCs expect to issue Calling Cards for
use in making intra-LATA toll and local calls over the BOC networks, and
inter-LATA calls over any carrier capable of accepting a Calling Card
number. Similarly, calls billed via Commercial Credit Cards (CCC) would
be possible if the involved BOC or IC were able to accept them.

1.1 Outline of Document

Section 1.2 describes the scope of the document. The general operation
of the station is described in section 1.3.

Section 2 specifies the requirements for a card-reading public telephone
station. Section 2.1 sets the requirements for card presentation,
including how and when the card should be presented, and what the
station should do if the presentation of the card differs from that
required.

Section 2.2 specifies the requirements for signaling by the customer.
This includes acceptable dialed destination numbers, methods of
selection of the IC, and anti-fraud features of the station.

Section 2.3 specifies the requirements on how the station will interface
with the end (local) office. The features of the line and electrical
characteristics are described.

Section 2.4 describes the interface between the station and the IC or a
processor. This includes description of the access environment and what
the station should do to help set up calls.

Section 2.5 specifies the physical characteristics of the station.
Section 3 contains requirements pertaining to the support that the
supplier should provide for these stations.

1.2 Scope of Document

This document provides functional requirements for a card-reading,
non-coin public station. The requirements are intended to describe what
the station does in its various interactions with the customer, the
local office, and the carrier of choice or an associated processor. The
requirements also describe the physical environment in which the station
operates. This document is not intended to dictate how given functions
are specifically realized.

Card reading transactions described here are limited to magnetic-stripe
card technology and cover only those actions required to set up and
properly bill a call. These requirements are generally limited to the
station itself. Actions by other facilities to provide public calling
via credit cards are included only insofar as they relate to pertinent
station functions.

This document contains requirements primarily concerning public
stations, card reading, and carrier selection. The station should also
meet requirements specified by the FCC Rules regarding registration of
telephone sets (Part 68), FCC Rules regarding radiated emissions (Part
15), requirements concerning the normal station to network interface,
and requirements concerning abnormal conditions on the local loop.

Human factors of the station and the related service have not been, for
the most part, specifically addressed. Good human factors design,
however, is crucial to a successful product, and underlies many of the
requirements.

1.3 General Operation of the Station

This document describes a station similar to Charge-a-Call stations,
with features added to read a magnetic-stripe card and conveniently
select an IC to handle the call. This station needs to provide four
basic functions:

Voice-band transmission and reception,

Addressing the far end party,

Selection of a carrier,

Relaying appropriate billing and call status information.

The first two functions are common to all telephone stations. Carrier
selection is a relatively new function and one of increasing importance.
Relaying of billing information is a function inherent in public
stations.

The station described in this document will operate as a typical modern
telephone with respect to voice-band transmission and reception.
Addressing the far end will be done by standard Dual-Tone
Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals.

The station will provide the customer at least one way to select an IC.
One way lets the customer dial a particular sequence of digits on the
DTMF key pad. This includes speed code dialing or 7-digit access numbers
for carriers, as well as equal access carrier codes (10XXX). A second
way allows the customer to select certain ICs by pressing a single
button on a button field distinct from the DTMF key pad. This is
sometimes referred to a "Select-a-Carrier" or Choose-a-Carrier" feature.
The station will have to translate the single button activation into an
appropriate sequence of DTMF signals, but this translation will be
largely transparent to the customer. A third potential way that could be
implemented in combination with the first two ways would have an IC code
on the magnetic stripe of a Calling Card. This Calling Card could be
issued by a BOC or by the IC. If the BOC issued the Calling Card, the
call would be directed to that carrier for inter-LATA calls unless the
customer overri des. If the IC issued the Calling Card, the carrier
selection could not be changed.

The station will provide the customer three ways of entering billing
information. The first tow ways are available on today's Charge-a-Call
stations and involve entering information by voice to an operator, or by
use of the DTMF key pad. The third way allows the customer to enter
billing information by physically presenting a magnetic-stripe credit
card to a card-reading device in the station.

In general, the station will need enough intelligence to perform the
following functions:

Accept carrier selection and billing information from the customer.

Store some of that information for later use in completing the call, if
it is not immediately needed.

Communicate billing and/or addressing information to carriers or
associated processors, possibly according to more than one protocol.

2. Station Requirements

Two types of features of the station are described in this document. The
word "should" indicates a mandatory requirement. "It is desirable"
indicates a non-mandatory feature. These requirements are dynamic and
could be influenced by time, technology, market strategy, or economics.

2.1 Card Reader

The card reader and its associated electronics needs to provide four
basic functions: accept the card from the customer, read it, and get it
safely back to the customer; perform certain checks on the data encoded
on the magnetic stripe; separate the card data into meaningful data
fields and store each field for use when and if it is needed; and notify
the customer about errors or invalid cards.

This document does not specify a type of card reader. Any type may be
used, as long as it can be easily used by the customer. Some of these
requirements pertain only to particular card reader types.

2.1.1 Card Presentation

1. When the customer presents a card to an off-hook station, the card
reader should read the card, check its validity (see Section 2.1.2), and
store the data for use during call set-up by the station.

2. Any card data should be purged from the station after the station
goes on-hook.

3. If the card reader type entails the customer releasing the card while
it is being read, the station should alert the customer to remove the
card from the reader before sitting up the call. The station should not
proceed with the call setup until the card is removed. Also, it is
desirable that part of the card always remain in sight of the customer.

4. The customer should be able to remove the card at any time, even
while it is being read.

5. The card reader should be positioned such that the customer action is
natural. If the customer moves the card in a vertical slot, the motion
should be downward. In a horizontal slot, the card should be moved from
left to right. For insertion type readers, the card should be pushed
forward and then removed.

6. If the customer must move the card past the reader head, the card
reader should successfully read the card over the range of speeds that
the customer might reasonably attempt to move the card.

7. The customer should receive tactile feedback when presenting the card
to the card reader, as well as feedback when the card is read
successfully.

2.1.2 Checks

1. The station should check the parity of each character. Each data
character will be encoded on the card with an odd parity bit.

2. The station should do a Longitudinal Redundancy Character (LRC)
check. The LRC is a check character for the remaining data on the
magnetic stripe. The first four bits in the LRC check the corresponding
bits in the other characters on the magnetic stripe. Each bit is an even
parity bit that checks the corresponding bits in the other characters on
the card. The fifth LRC bit is an odd parity bit for the LRC itself.

3. The station should check the format of Calling Cards for proper
layout of the data on the card. The format is specified in Section
2.1.3. If the four digits of the PIN are zeros, the actual PIN is not on
the card.

4. It is desired that the station not check the expiration or effective
dates on the card.

2.1.3 Card Characteristics

1. Calling Card characteristics are covered thoroughly in Reference (3).
Both Calling Cards and CCCs will adhere to standards set by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Bankers Association
(ABA).

2. The Calling Card data will be contained on Track 2. The first
character will be a start sentinel. The next six characters will be a
one-digit major industry identifier, and a five-digit issuer identifier.
A ten-digit billing number will be encoded in the next ten characters,
followed by a Luhn mod 10 check character and field separator. The next
four characters will contain an expiration date. Following the
expiration date, the four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)
will be encoded. The magnetic stripe may also contain up to another 11
digits of data used to describe various services. Three of the
characters may be a carrier identifier, or may be unused. The next 8
potential characters are, at this time, unused. Unused characters will
not be encoded on the magnetic stripe. The end sentinel will follow the
last data character, and the LRC will follow the end sentinel.

3. The start and end sentinels should be transmitted as DTMF tone D. The
separator characters should be transmitted as DTMF tone C. The LRC
should not be stored or transmitted as card data. Thus, no more than 39
characters of magnetic stripe data will need to be stored by the
station.

4. If the last four characters of the 14-digit Calling Card number are
zeros, the Calling Card PIN is not on the magnetic stripe. The specific
data fields to be transmitted are specified in Sections in 2.4.

5. The station should be capable of being field modified to accommodate
changes in the format of the card. 2.1.4 Error Feedback

1. The station should provide feedback to the customer for the following
problems on card presentation and reading:

a. The magnetic stripe on card is damaged, causing errors in reading.

b. The customer presented the card in the wrong orientation. The station
should include clear user instructions, or graphics, on how to present
the card.

c. The card is not an acceptable CCC or Calling Card (i.e., issuer or
industry identification is inappropriate).

2. It is desired that the station respond to these errors by emitting
tones, or by sending inband signals to the network, as appropriate. The
inband signals should be sent using DTMF tones, using the codes defined
in Section 2.4.4.




2.2 Customer Signaling

The station is expected to accommodate three basic customer signaling
functions: carrier selection via either the DTMF key pad,
"Select-a-Carrier" buttons, or carrier pre-selection on the Calling
Card; far-end party address signaling; and possible manual dialing of
billing information. In addition, the station is expected to incorporate
anti-fraud features.

2.2.1 Carrier Selection

1. The station should implement either Select-a-Carrier buttons or allow
manual dialing of carrier access codes, or both.

2. If a method is implemented, it should be implemented according to the
requirements in Sections 2.2.1.1 and 2.2.1.2.

3. It is desirable that the station accept carrier specific Calling
Cards as described in Section 2.2.1.3.

2.2.1.1 Separate Select-a-Carrier Buttons

1. Positive feedback (an appropriate combination of aural, visual, and
tactile), should be provided when a button is pressed.

2. The number of buttons should be kept to a reasonable level. It is
suggested that no more than 12 buttons be provided.

3. When transmitting the number to the local office, that is, when using
the station as a Select-a-Carrier station, the station should substitute
an access number or a speed calling code for the button pressed. The
access number may be up to twelve digits. The speed calling code may
combine digits with the * or # signal.

4. When transmitting to a processor (dial-up or directly connected, as
described in Sections 2.4.4 and 2.4.5), the station should transmit
10XXX or *XXX for the button pressed.

2.2.1.2 Manual Dialing of Carrier Access Code

1. The station should transmit all digits dialed on the key pad as they
are entered.

2.2.1.3 Pre-Selected Carrier on Card

1. If the station reads a Calling Card with a carrier code included on
the magnetic stripe in the optional field (see Section 2.1.3), the
station should direct the call towards a processor (as explained in
Section 2.4).

2. If the issuer identifier is '8555', the card is an IC Calling Card
issued by AT&T Communications (ATT/C), even though these cards will not
have a carrier code in the optional field on the magnetic stripe. These
calls should be directed towards AT&T/C.

2.2.2 Address Signaling

1. The station should allow the customer to dial the terminating number
before or after carrier selection.

2. These dialed numbers should be expected from the stations:

a. 0+7/10 Digits

b. 01+Country Code+National Number (7 to 12 digits in CC+NN)

c. 411, 611, 911

d. (0,1)+800+7 Digits

e. 0-

f. (1)+555-XXXX

g. (1)+NPA-555-XXXX

h. 950-XXXX, if a carrier is not selected in another manner.

3. The local office can block all other dialing sequences that may be
dialed. Thus, it is normally not required for the station to screen for
improper dialing sequences. If a BOC specifies that it is necessary to
do so, an optional feature could allow the station to block all or most
calls not on the above list.

4. It is desirable that the station enable new calls to be placed
without reusing a card. The method to make sequence calls will be
determined.

2.2.3 Anti-Fraud Features

1. The station should prevent the customer from signaling via
manipulation of the switchhook.

2. For loop-start lines, the station should disable the dial until dial
tone is received. For ground-start lines, the local office can detect
DTMF tones as soon as current is provided to the station.

3. The station should mute or otherwise control the transmitter during
any time where an acoustic coupler could be used for fraud purposes. In
particular, the transmitter should be muted or controlled during the
transmission of the card number and whenever the dial is disabled.
Specific requirements on when to mute or control the transmitter are
detailed in Sections 2.4.4 and 2.4.5.

2.3 End Office Interface

Electrical and signaling characteristics of the station should meet the
requirements described in: Reference (1) concerning the normal station
to network interface; Reference (2) concerning abnormal conditions on
the local loop. The station should also meet requirements specified by
the FCC rules regarding registration of telephone sets.

2.3.1 Features of Line

1. The station should operate on a line with Charge-a-Call class of
service. This class of service allows only nonsent-paid and free calls.
An optional feature may allow the station to operate on lines without
Charge-a-Call class of service, as described in Section 2.2.2, item 3.

2 The stations should operate with any electronic end office commonly in
use by the BOCs.

3. The station should operate on either standard loop-start or
ground-start lines.

4. Answer supervision cannot be provided on these lines. Thus, the
station should not depend on answer supervision for any functions.

2.3.2 Electrical Characteristics

1. The loop current from the local office to the station will be a
minimum of 23 milliamps at 48 volts DC. It is desirable that the station
operate on this power level without a supplementary power supply. If the
station needs more than 23 milliamps current, a supplementary power
source may be used.

2. The polarity of the loop should not affect operation of the station.

2.3.3 Signaling Characteristics

1. The station should operate on lines with DTMF signaling, also know as
Touch-Tone.

2. When dialing Calling Card, CCC, or IC access numbers, the station
should transmit digits at a maximum rate of 10 per second. The tone
duration and interdigit interval should not be less than 50 ms and 45
ms, respectively, and the cycle time (sum of tone duration and
interdigital time) should not be less than 100 ms. It is desirable that
digits be transmitted at close to the maximum rate.

2.4 Carrier and Processor Interfaces

These stations should interface either with a carrier or with a
processor (designed to interface with one or more carriers), depending
on instructions programmed into the station.

It is proposed that the station be kept simpler by using identical
protocols to all ICs whenever feasible. Still, the need for different
protocols is envisioned for direct station-carrier interfaces. Carriers
using Feature Groups A or B would conform to a single protocol from
these stations (currently undefined). Feature Group D carriers, except
for ATT/C, might need to conform to another standard protocol. ATT/C,
whether Feature Group C or D, would use a third protocol. These
protocols are described in Sections 2.4.1 through 2.4.3. The station
would determine which protocol to use based on the customer's actions to
select the carrier.

An interface to a processor could be substituted for the carrier
arrangements. The processor would, in turn, establish and administer the
interfaces to the ICs. The processor could be dialed up by the station
or directly connected. Call sequences and station actions for dial-up
and directly connected processors are described in Sections 2.4.4 and
2.4.5, respectively.

The station should be programmable to send all calls of certain types to
a dial-up processor, and handle others by the protocols described for
the various carriers. Section 2.4.4 specifies the calls that should
cause the station to dial the processor. The dial-up processor would
then handle the call set-up for those calls. Calls where the customer
begins the call by dialing a number or selecting a carrier would be
handled using Charge-a-Call treatment or direct interfaces to the
carriers.

2.4.1 Call protocol for BOC and ATT/C (Feature Group C)

1. BOC and ATT/C (FG C) calls are set up by the customer dialing 0+ the
terminating number after receiving dial tone. The station should then
wait for the "bong tone" from the TSPS. The bong tone is defined to be
100 ms or the DTMF frequencies for the # sign, 941 and 1477 Hz, followed
by 1.4 seconds of dial tone, 350 and 440 Hz. The amplitude of the signal
starts at -7dBm0/frequency +/- 1dB at -3 TLP. The amplitude of the dial
tone portion is exponentially decayed with a time constant of 200 ms.
The amplitudes at the station can vary by loop. The range of amplitudes
will be determined.

2. The station should be able to prefix a digit (e.g., '9') before the
first customer-dialed digit. (This feature should only be used if it
cannot be avoided. This feature could cause human interface problems.)

3. The station should then transmit only the 10 (if PIN not on card) or
14 digits of the BOC or AT&T Calling Card number (as explained in
Section 2.1.3.

4. The station should begin transmitting the Calling Card number within
500 ms or recognition of the bong tone. It is desirable that the digits
be transmitted at the maximum rate.

2.4.2 Call Protocol for Feature Groups A or B IC

The call protocol for Feature Groups A or B ICs will be determined later
if any ICs are interested in being accessed directly by the stations.

2.4.3 Call protocol for Feature Group D IC

The call protocol for Feature Group D ICs will be determined later if
any ICs are interested in being accessed directly by the stations.

2.4.4 Call sequence for Dial-Up Processor

1. The station should dial the processor number, as programmed, only if
a customer presents a card to the station first. The station should be
able to store and dial a one-to-seven-digit processor number.

(EXCEPTION) ((If an AT&T Calling Card is presented to the station first,
the station should store the card number and handle the call as
described in Section 2.4.1.))

2. When a processor is connected, the station should detect a bong tone
that indicates the processor is ready to receive DTMF signals. The
station should then transmit a calling station identification (up to ten
digits, if required),DTMF tone 'D' and all the data from track 2 of the
magnetic stripe of the Calling Card or CCC, DTMF tone 'D' again, and the
carrier access code (10XXX), if a carrier is selected. The processor
will have announcements to prompt the customer, but the station should
transmit the data after detecting the processor tone, or as soon as the
customer provides the information, whichever is later.

3. The station should begin transmitting the calling station
identification within 500 ms of recognition of the tone. It is desirable
that the digits be transmitted at the maximum rate.

4. The station should disable the transmitter in the handset during
transmission of the processor number until the card number and DTMF tone
'D', a 3 digit code, and DTMF tone 'D' again for these messages to the
processor:

CODE      MESSAGE

011       Card not readable (failed parity check) 002       Not an
ANSI-standard Card 003       Self-diagnostic indication of card reader
trouble 08X,09X   Give announcements in specified language

Other codes and messages will be assigned when needed.

6. The station should allow the customer to dial the terminating number
or carrier codes any time after the billing data are transmitted.

7. If the customer dials a number first (could include dialing a
carrier), the station should transmit all digits dialed and monitor for
a bong tone. If it detects a bong tone, it should transmit a 14-digit
Calling Card number if one was read, or allow manual dialing; if no bong
tone is detected within five seconds after the last digit dialed, the
station should transmit any card number read after that time.

8. If the customer presses a Select-a-Carrier button first, the station
should transmit the code stored for that button. The station should then
operate the same as if a number had been dialed first. However, the card
data transmitted may be carrier specific.

9. After receiving the processor tone, the station should read out the
last card number read.

2.4.5 Call Sequence for Direct-Connect Processor

1. The station should accept inputs from the card reader, the DTMF dial
pad, or a Select-a-Carrier button pad when the handset is off-hook.

2. After a card is presented with the station off-hook, the station
should send DTMF tone 'D', the data from track 2 of the magnetic stripe
of the Calling Card or CCC, and DTMF tone 'D' again. The dial pad should
be disabled while the station is transmitting the card data.

3. The station should send the codes described in Section 2.4.4, if
appropriate, instead of the card number.

4. The transmitter should be disabled from the time the handset goes
off-hook until a card is presented and transmitted, or until a digit is
dialed. This prevents a customer from acoustically coupling DTMF tone
'D' and a stolen or made-up card number into the handset.

5. If a card is presented first, the station should transmit the carrier
access code if a carrier is selected, or allow the customer to dial.

6. If a number is dialed first, the station should not transmit any
carrier codes, and should only transmit card data after it receives a
bong tone, or waits at least 5 seconds after the last digit dialed and
then reads a card.

2.5 Physical and Other Requirements

The station will be composed of several major physical components.

2.5.1 General

1. These requirements specify a station to operate in a public, indoor
environment.

2. All components of the station should be flame resistant.

3. The station should be built to withstand the abuse expected in a
public environment.

4. It is desirable that self diagnostics be designed into the card
reader.

5. The station should not be susceptible to radiated emissions from
other sources that are within legal limits. It is desirable that the
station not be susceptible to any radiated emissions from other sources
that may reasonably be encountered.

2.5.2 Card reader

1. The card reader should be designed such that the reader head cannot
be easily damaged by misuse or abuse encountered in a public
environment.

2.The card reader should be protected to minimize the frequency of
cleaning.

3. The card reader should be easily maintained.

4. The card reader should be physically shielded from the interior of
the set such that customers cannot access or tamper with the electrical
components of the station.

2.5.3 Dial Pad

1. The dial pad should be will designed from a human factors standpoint
with respect to button spacing, shape, graphics, and activation
feedback.

2. The station should have a moisture and dirt resistant dial pad.

3. The dial should be durable. Each key should withstand at least
500,000 depressions before failure.

2.5.4 Handset and Switch-hook

1. On wall sets, the handset should be connected to the station with a
cord that can withstand a 400 pound tensile test.

2. The handset cord should have enough cutting and shear resistance to
withstand attacks by tools such as knives or scissors. Tools with
cutting ability equal to or less than 5-inch diagonal cutters should not
be able to sever the cord.

3. When destroyed while in service due to any circumstances, the cord
should not create a customer safety hazard.

4. The handset should be manufactured such that it cannot be
disassembled by customers or field craftspersons. The handset and cord
should only be replaceable by opening the station housing.

5. The handset should allow people with hearing impairments to use the
telephone with their hearing aids. The station should meet the
Electronics Industries Association's Recommended Standard, RS-504,
Magnetic Field Intensity Criteria for Telephone Compatibility with
Hearing Aids, to be considered hearing aid compatible. This capability
should be shown by use of a blue grommet on the handset cord.

6. The handset and switch-hook should be able to withstand at least
200,000 hang-ups before failing.

2.5.5 Station Housing

1. The wall station should be capable of being mounted in standard
enclosures currently used by BOCs, including 10A-type enclosures and the
178A backboard.

2. It is desired that the station be equipped with locks to discourage
theft of the set or tampering with the program codes.

3. Space should be available on the face of the set to provide
instructions for use of the set, and to place the telephone number and
station location information.

3. Support

This section defines the obligations of the supplier to support the
station. Additional requirements are to be determined.

1. The supplier should provide documentation for the installation,
maintenance, and testing of the stations.

2. The supplier should provide satisfactory means for replacement parts.

3. The supplier should have a factory repair service, or similar means
for refurbishment, for repairs that cannot be made in the field.

4. The supplier should provide data on the reliability of the station
and each major component.

5. The supplier should have an adequate quality assurance program,
including a means for handling engineering complaints on product design,
manufacturing, operation, maintenance, documentation, and other aspects
of the product.