WO1996029810A1

WO1996029810A1 - Improvements in or relating to the control or monitoring of telephonic apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996029810A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/000635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheuk Fai Ho; Michael P. P. Chan; Kenneth F. K. Sin; Yong Chai Lin
Original assignee: Kenven Developments Limited
Priority date: 1995-03-17
Filing date: 1996-03-18
Publication date: 1996-09-26
Also published as: AU5114196A

Abstract

Telephonic apparatus, for example, a telephone set (10) incorporates a processor (30) for controlling the making of or the receiving of calls. The processor (30) responds to the operation of a keypad (12) to make calls and to a real time clock (32). A display (11) displays the time and/or the number dialled. An IC card reader/writer (17) having an IC card connector (46) is incorporated within the telephone set, with the IC card connector (46) coupled to the processor (30). The processor (30) only enables the making of telephone calls, either to all destinations or to long distance destinations, when an appropriately programmed IC card (16) is in place within the reader/writer (17). The IC card carries data identifying the user, and information as to the calls made are recorded to the IC card (16). Thus, a record of each telephone call made in the specified period by the user is written to the card (16).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE CONTROL OR MONITORING OF TELEPHONIC APPARATUS

The present invention relates to methods of controlling or monitoring the operation of telephonic apparatus and to telephonic apparatus provided with control or monitoring means.

The term "telephonic apparatus" is used herein to refer to apparatus arranged to transmit or receive data by way of a telephone network. Thus, the telephonic apparatus may be, for example, a telephone set for making audible telephone calls, or facsimile apparatus, or other data generating apparatus connectable to a telephone network, for example, by a modem.

There has long been a need for businesses to be able to control the use of the telephone system by employees, for example, to control the cost of telephone system usage and/or to ensure that the firm's telephone lines are kept free for business use. In addition, many professional firms need to log the time taken for telephone calls to particular clients so that either the time and/or the telephone costs can be charged to the clients.

As far as the control of usage is concerned, it is becoming common for telephone bills from the telephone line provider to identify the telephone numbers called and the length and the time of the call. However, there is no identification of the person making each call by such a system. Furthermore, whilst such a log of calls which have been made is useful in enabling instances of abuse of the telephone system to be identified after the event, it does not provide any control which is able to prevent the occurrence of such abuse. These controls of the telephone system are as important for facsimile machines as they are for normal telephone handsets. However, there is a further need to control the operation of a facsimile machine for security reasons. In this respect, it is presently not possible to securely control access to confidential documents received by a facsimile machine.

The present invention seeks to provide improved methods for monitoring and/or controlling the operation of telephonic apparatus and to provide a new telephonic apparatus for use with such control or monitoring methods.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of controlling or monitoring the use of telephonic apparatus, the telephonic apparatus having processor means, memory means, a user interface, and an IC card reading device, and the method comprising the steps of enabling specified tasks to be carried out by said telephonic apparatus only if appropriate authorisation data is provided to said processor means by way of said IC card reading device.

Preferably, said IC card reading device is configured as an IC card reading and writing device, and the method further comprises the step of writing to an IC card in said card reading device information relating to the specified task or tasks performed.

In an embodiment, the information written to the IC card comprises the number to which a telephone call is made and the time and/or duration of the call.

Preferably, an IC card for enabling the specified tasks carries data identifying an individual and/or providing authorisation levels for that individual. The present invention also extends to a method of monitoring the operation of a telephone apparatus incorporating a handset, said method comprising the steps of inserting an IC card into a card writing device in communication with said telephone apparatus, and using said card writing device to write to said IC card information relating to any telephone calls made using said telephone apparatus.

The information which may be written to the IC card may comprise the number to which each telephone call is made and the time of the call. In this latter respect, the telephone apparatus may be provided with a real time clock such that when a telephone number is dialled, the real time start of the call is written to the IC card, and wherein the real time is again written to the IC card when the call is disconnected. This enables the duration of the call to be recorded on the IC card.

In a business environment where an individual's calls are required to be logged, for example, for charging purposes, it may be useful to provide, for each individual working in the business, an IC card preprogrammed with information identifying the associated individual. The individual may insert his IC card in any telephone apparatus from which he requires to make a call so that the details of the calls are logged. At the end of a period, for example, at the end of each working day, the information written to the IC card may be analysed, for example, by being input to a computer.

If required, the method of the invention may additionally provide for control of the operation of the telephone apparatus. In this case, the card writing device is configured as a card reading and writing device, and use of the telephone apparatus is only enabled if appropriate authorisation data can be read from an IC card by said reading\writing device.

In this embodiment, each IC card may be preprogrammed with data identifying an individual and/or providing authorisation levels for that individual. Thus, at the lowest level of control each telephone apparatus in a business telephone system is arranged to be enabled to make telephone calls only if an appropriate IC card is inserted into the card reading/writing device associated therewith. Every employee is provided with an IC card carrying information identifying the respective employee. Any employee wishing to make a call has to insert his IC card into the reading/writing device associated with the telephone apparatus to be used and during the call, the duration and number called are recorded to the IC card. Each employee may be required, for example, to hand in his IC card on leaving at the end of each day whereby a log of the calls made during the day can be downloaded into a computer. It would also be possible, for example, to associate the computer for reading the accumulated information from the IC card with a time clock for time recording each employee's attendance.

The invention may also be used to block access to calls to foreign countries, for example, to all or just to certain employees. In this case, as well as identifying the employee, each IC card may also carry information as to the authorisation level of that employee. Thus, although inserting an IC card with a low level authorisation into a card reading/writing device may enable the associated telephone apparatus to the extent of providing a dialling tone, the method may further comprise disabling or terminating a call when the numbers dialled are found to be outside of the employee's authorisation as programmed on the IC card inserted. In an embodiment, for a higher level of control and/or monitoring of a telephone system, each telephone apparatus in the telephone system may be arranged to require that an appropriate IC card be inserted into its associated reading/writing device before enabling any use of the telephone apparatus.

This means, of course, that incoming calls, as well as outgoing calls, can only be dealt with by each telephone apparatus if an appropriate IC card is inserted in the reading/writing device. This enables full control of the time employees spend on the telephone and/or the monitoring of the time and telephone number of incoming calls, for example, for call logging.

Where the method is employed to control telephone usage, for example, employees who's function does not involve making or taking telephone calls may be provided with IC cards which are programmed to allow only a predetermined time to be spent making or taking telephone calls during a period, such as, a working day, week or month.

Where outgoing calls are made to a telephone set with a display, the method may further comprise the step of causing selected information from the IC card monitoring and/or controlling the telephone apparatus to be transmitted to and indicated on the display.

The present invention also extends to a method of controlling the operation of a telephone apparatus incorporating a handset, said method comprising the steps of inserting an IC card into a card reading device in communication with said telephone apparatus, and enabling use of said telephone apparatus to make a telephone call only if appropriate authorisation data can be read from said IC card by said card reading device.

Preferably, the card reading device is configured as a card reading and writing device so that the use to which the telephone apparatus is put can be written to the IC card.

The information which may be written to the IC card may comprise the number to which each telephone call is made and the time of the call. The telephone apparatus may be provided with a real time clock such that when a telephone number is dialled, the real time start of the call is written to the IC card, and wherein the real time is again written to the IC card when the call is disconnected.

Each IC card may be preprogrammed with data identifying an individual and/or providing authorisation levels for that individual. Thus, at the lowest level of control each telephone apparatus in a business telephone system is arranged to be enabled to make telephone calls only if an appropriate IC card is inserted into the card reading/writing device associated therewith. Every employee is provided with an IC card carrying information identifying the respective employee. Any employee wishing to make a call has to insert his IC card into the reading/writing device associated with the telephone apparatus to be used and during the call, the duration and number called are recorded to the IC card. Each employee may be required, for example, to hand in his IC card on leaving at the end of each day whereby a log of the calls made during the day can be downloaded into a computer.

The invention may also be used to block access to calls to foreign countries, for example, to all or just certain employees. The method may further comprise disabling or terminating a call when the numbers dialled are found to be outside of the employee's authorisation as programmed on the IC card inserted.

Furthermore, the method may comprise the step of disabling any use of each telephone apparatus unless an appropriate IC card is inserted. The methods defined above in this respect may be used.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling or monitoring the use of facsimile apparatus, the facsimile apparatus having processor means, memory means, and a user interface, and the methods comprising the steps of providing identification data to said processor means to enable specified tasks to be carried out thereby, said identification being stored on at least one IC card.

The invention also extends to a method of restricting the printing of received transmissions by a facsimile apparatus, the facsimile apparatus comprising processor means, memory means, and a user interface, and the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said processor means, and enabling printing of a received transmission only if the identification data is authorised.

In a preferred embodiment, said identification data is stored on at least one IC card.

The identification data stored on the IC card preferably includes information as to the identity of a person. Thus, any person requiring to control or use the facsimile apparatus is provided with an IC card which carries identification of that person. The IC card might also carry additional information, such as any restrictions on the activities of the person. Preferably, use of the facsimile apparatus requires the insertion of at least one IC card and preferably the facsimile apparatus is arranged to form a record of its usage and of the identity of the person. Such a record may be stored within the electrical equipment or written to an IC card.

Preferably, in one embodiment, use of the facsimile apparatus is enabled only upon the provision to the apparatus of the identifications of two persons, where one of those two persons has a particular identification. For example, it can be required that a person or member of staff requiring to use the apparatus has to insert his IC card in the apparatus simultaneously with a second IC card carrying information identifying a supervisor.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided telephonic apparatus comprising processor means for controlling or monitoring the making and/or taking of calls, memory means, a user interface, and an IC card reading and/or writing device in communication with said processor means.

In an embodiment, the IC card reading and/or writing device is incorporated within the telephonic apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the reading and/or writing device is connected to the telephonic apparatus either directly or by way of a communication link.

Preferably, said processor means is arranged to communicate with, and also to control, the reading and/or writing device.

The processor means of the telephonic apparatus may require that an appropriate IC card is inserted into said reading and/or writing device before enabling any use of the telephonic apparatus. Preferably the telephonic apparatus comprises a real time clock.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a telephone apparatus comprising a telephone set having a handset, and processor means for controlling or monitoring the making and/or taking of telephone calls, and an IC card reading and/or writing device in communication with said processor means.

In an embodiment, the IC card reading and/or writing device is incorporated within the telephone set. In an alternative embodiment, the reading and/or writing device is connected to the telephone set either directly or by way of a communication link.

The processor means for controlling or monitoring the making of telephone calls may be provided in the reading and/or writing device and/or may be provided in the telephone set.

A modern telephone set may include processor means, and, in one embodiment, the existing processor means is arranged to communicate with and control the reading and/or writing device. In an alternative embodiment, a second processor means associated with the reading and/or writing device is provided either in that device or in the telephone set and is in communication with the first processor means.

Preferably, the telephone apparatus further comprises a real time clock. This real time clock may be provided by, or in addition to any clock associated with the telephone set or its processor means and may be incorporated in the telephone set and/or in the reading and/or writing device. The present invention also extends to facsimile apparatus comprising apparatus for controlling its operation, wherein the facsimile apparatus comprises processor means, memory means, and a user interface, and wherein the facsimile apparatus further comprises a reading device for reading the data on IC cards, said reading device being in communication with said processor means.

The IC card, for example, may carry information identifying a person and/or any other information about that person, for example the access that the person can have to the facsimile apparatus. Thus, the processor means of the facsimile apparatus can use information read from the IC card to determine whether or not to enable a particular task to be performed. Preferably, at least one task controlled by the information on the IC card is the printing of a received transmission.

It is possible for the reading device to be arranged as a read only device enabled to read data carried on IC cards. In a preferred embodiment, the reading device is arranged not only to read data from IC cards, but also to write data thereto.

In an embodiment, the reading device has a single slot so that it can receive, and read and/or write, data to only one IC card at a time. It would also be possible for the reading device to have a number of slots so that a number of IC cards can be inserted therein and read from, or written to, simultaneously.

Preferably, the facsimile apparatus comprises a time clock. The user interface means is preferably a key pad.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a telephone apparatus comprising a telephone set with a card reader/writer incorporated therein,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a telephone apparatus comprising a telephone set connected to a card reader/writer,

Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of the telephone set of either Figure 1 or Figure 2,

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a facsimile machine apparatus comprising a facsimile machine with a card reader/writer incorporated therein,

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus comprising a facsimile machine connected to a card reader/writer, and

Figure 6 is a block circuit diagram of the facsimile machine apparatus of either Figure 4 or Figure 5.

The telephone apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a substantially conventional telephone set 10 having a handset 14 and a dial keypad 12. As is shown in Figure 3, a processor 30 is incorporated within the telephone set 10 for controlling the making or receiving of calls. The processor is responsive to the operation of the keypad 12, and to a real time clock 32. A display 11 is provided for displaying the time and/or the number dialled.

The processor 30 has both internal memory and an external memory 34 associated therewith. For example, the memory 34 may be 32K bytes of S RAM. The processor 30 is programmed to perform the normal control functions for enabling operation of the telephone set. Thus, the telephone has a loop control switch 36 which controls the connection of the telephone to the line 38. There is also a ring detector 40 for signalling the arrival of an incoming call. In known manner, dialling is achieved by inputting the numbers required by way of the keyboard 12 so that a multi-frequency generator 42 is able to produce the signals to be applied by the processor 30 to the line 38 by way of the loop control switch 36. The telephone set 10 is also provided with a multi-frequency decoder 44 so that the number of incoming telephone calls can be determined. A row/column switch 48 routes the data as required.

The telephone set 10 is connected to the telephone line 38 by way of a cable 15. In this respect, the cable 15 of the telephone set may be connected directly to the line 38, or may be connected to the line 38 by way of an exchange or switchboard (not illustrated).

If required, a further telephone set 50 may be connected in parallel with the telephone set 10 for exchange of data and/or for communication. As shown in Figure 3, the telephone set 50 is connected to the telephone set 10 by way of a multiple controlled relay 52 and an input device 54 which is also used to couple the telephone set 10 to the telephone line 38.

An IC card reader/writer 17 is incorporated within the telephone set 10. The reader/writer 17 has an IC card connector 46 which is connected to the processor 30. As well as performing the normal functions for enabling operation of the telephone set, the processor 30 is also arranged to receive instructions and/or information from IC cards by way of the IC card connector 46, and to enable the writing of information to IC cards by way of the card connector 46.

It is provided that the telephone set 10 shown in Figure 1 cannot be used to make outgoing telephone calls unless an appropriately programmed IC card 16 is in place within the reader/writer 17. In this respect, in a business environment, for example, every employee will be provided with an individual IC card as 16 and that card will be preprogrammed with data identifying the associated user.

When the user wishes to make a telephone call, he inserts his card 16 into the reader/writer 17. When the card is correctly in position in the reader/writer the processor 30 enables the telephone set 10 and causes a dialling tone to be provided. If at any time in the subsequent procedure the IC card 16 is removed, the call will be immediately disabled. Having inserted his IC card 16, the user places the telephone calls in the normal way and the telephone set 10 operates as is conventional. However, upon the dialling of a call, the processor 30 causes the real time, as determined by the telephone's clock 32 to be written to the IC card 16 together with the number dialled, which is obtained from the multifrequency generator 42. When the call is disconnected, the real time of that disconnection is also recorded.

It will be appreciated that the IC card 16 will have written to it a record of each telephone call made in a specified period by the associated user. This record can be downloaded or read periodically to a computer for analysis.

In this respect, in a business environment, the IC card may also be used in connection with a time recording system for the business. Thus, at the beginning of each shift the user will insert his card into an attendance time clock provided with processor means or associated with a computer. The attendance time clock records the time as is conventional. In addition the processor or computer of the attendance time clock may check that information about telephone calls made in the preceding time period has been read from the card. If such information has not been read, the computer will read and record the information. In traditional manner, at the end of each work shift, the user is required to return his IC card to the time clock for normal time recording. At this time, if required, as well as recording the time, the processor or computer of the attendance time clock may be arranged to read and store the telephone call information.

If the system as described is to provide a full record of a user's telephone usage, it is important that if the IC card 16 is removed from the telephone set 10, any outgoing calls are disabled. One way of doing this is to ensure that the telephone set is disabled for all activities unless an appropriate IC card 16 is in position in the associated read/write device 17. This means that the IC card has to be in position for incoming calls to be received.

If required, details of incoming calls can similarly be recorded. This enables very efficient monitoring of the usage each employee makes of the telephone system to be undertaken.

Details of incoming calls may also be displayed on the display 11 of the telephone set 10.

In this respect, the display may be of the telephone number from which the incoming call is made. This is determined by the multifrequency decoder 44. It is also possible to display an identification of the caller, for example, if the incoming call is made from a telephone set, as 10, in which the user has inserted an IC card in order to make the call. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the reader/writer 17 is incorporated within the telephone set 10. This is currently the preferred way to proceed where a new telephone set is being manufactured. Figure 2 shows an alternative configuration which is particularly useful for retro-fitting to existing telephone sets. Thus, in Figure 2 there is shown a conventional telephone set 10 having its handset 14 and the dial keypad 12. The operation of the telephone set 10 is controlled by its processor 30 and the telephone set also includes the real time clock 32 as shown in Figure 3. The display 11 is used to display the actual time and numbers dialled. However, in the embodiment of Figure 2, the telephone apparatus has a cable 28 for connecting the telephone set 10 to the telephone line 38, but this cable 28 is connected to a reader/writer 23. A cable 25 of the reader/writer device 23 is then connected to the telephone line either directly or via a switchboard or exchange. The reader/writer 23 has a slot 27 for receipt of an IC card 16, the IC card connector 46 being mounted within the slot 27.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the reader/writer 23 may be provided with its own processor to communicate with the processor 30 within the telephone handset 10. This means that it can be arranged that no reprogramming or adjustment of the conventional telephone set 10 is required in order to retro-fit the device 23. However, if this approach is taken it is necessary to ensure that the device 23 cannot easily be disconnected from the telephone set 10. Alternatively, and as indicated in Figure 3, the processor 30 in the telephone set 10 may be reprogrammed to prevent operation of the telephone set 10 unless an enabling signal from the reader/writer device 23 is received. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figure 2 can be used in the same way as the embodiment of Figure 1. The facsimile machine apparatus illustrated in Figure 4 comprises a substantially conventional facsimile machine 110 having a dial keypad 112. Incorporated within the facsimile machine 110 is a processor 130 for controlling the making or receiving of calls. The processor 130 is responsive to the operation of the keypad 112 and to a real time clock 146. A display 111 is provided for displaying the time and/or the number dialled. The facsimile machine 110 is connected to a telephone system by way of a cable 115 and a modem 114. In this respect, the modem 114 may be connected directly to a dedicated telephone line 118, or may be connected to the external telephone line 118 by way of an exchange or switchboard (not illustrated).

The processor 130 is provided with memory, preferably both internal memory and an external memory 132. In known manner, the processor 130 is arranged to control a scanning device 134 and a printing device 136 of the facsimile machine whereby outgoing faxes may be scanned and electronically converted for transmission, and incoming messages may be printed.

An IC card reader/writer 117 is incorporated within the facsimile machine 110. The reader/writer 117 has an IC card connector 140 which is connected to the processor 130. The processor 130 is programmed not only to perform the functions for enabling normal operation of the facsimile machine, but also to receive data and/or instructions from an IC card by way of the IC card connector 140.

During the operation of the facsimile machine 110, details of incoming facsimile are received and stored. This storage may take place in the memory 132, but generally occurs in memory associated with the printing device 136. However, the sender's identification number and name and the receiver's identification number, and name together with the date and the time may be printed out occasionally for notification or reference, according to requirements.

It is provided that the facsimile machine 110 shown in Figure 4 cannot be used to cause the printing device 136 to execute the printing unless an appropriately programmed IC card 116 is in place within the reader/writer 117. In this respect, in a business environment, for example, every employee will be provided with an individual IC card as 116 and that card will be preprogrammed with data identifying the associated employee.

When the employee wishes to execute the print out of his facsimile, he inserts his card 116 into the reader/writer 117. When the card is correctly in position in the reader/writer, the processor 130 enables the printing device 136 which thus prints the appropriate facsimile.

If required, details of outgoing facsimile can similarly be recorded. Having inserted his IC card 116, the user places the telephone calls in the normal way and the facsimile machine 110 operates as is conventional. However, upon the dialling of a call, the processor 130 within the facsimile machine 110 causes the real time, as determined by the facsimile machine's clock 146 to be written to the IC card 116 together with the number dialled. When the call is disconnected, the real time of that disconnection is also recorded.

It will be appreciated that the IC card 116 will have written to it a record of each facsimile made in a specified period by the associated user. This record can be downloaded or read periodically to a computer for analysis. In this respect, in a business environment, the IC card may also be used in connection with a time recording system for the business. Thus, at the beginning of each shift the user will insert his card into an attendance time clock having a processor or associated with a computer which will record the time as in conventional. In addition the processor or computer may check that information about facsimile made in the preceding time period has been read from the card. If such information has not been read, the computer will read and record the information. In traditional manner, at the end of each work shift, the user is required to return his IC card to the time clock for normal time recording. At this time, if required, as well as recording the time, the processor or the computer of the attendance time clock may be arranged to read and store the facsimile information.

If the system as described is to provide a full record of a user's facsimile usage, it is important that if the IC card 116 is not used in the facsimile machine 110, the transmission of outgoing facsimiles is also disabled. One way of doing this is to ensure that facsimile machine is disabled for all activities unless an appropriate Ic card 116 is in position in the associated read/writer device 11''. This means that the IC card has to be in position for outgoing facsimile to be made. As this means that the receipt of incoming faxes requires an IC card, a specific IC card may be provided for overnight use, for example, to enable incoming faxes to be received in memory only.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the reader/writer 117 is incorporated within the facsimile machine 110. This is currently the preferred way to proceed where a new facsimile machine is being manufactured. Figure 5 shows an alternative configuration which is particularly useful for retrofitting to an existing facsimile machine. Thus, in Figure 5 there is shown a conventional facsimile machine 110 having a dial keypad 112. The operation of the facsimile machine 110 is controlled by its processor 130 and the facsimile machine also includes the real time clock 146 as shown in Figure 6. The display 111 on the facsimile machine is used to display the actual time and numbers dialled. However, in the embodiment of Figure 5, the facsimile machine apparatus has a cable 128 for connecting the facsimile machine 110 to the telephone line 118, but this cable 128 is connected to a reader/writer 123. A cable 125 of the reader/writer device 123 is then connected to the telephone line either directly or via a switchboard or exchange. The reader/writer 123 has a slot 127 for receipt of an IC card 116, the IC card connector 140 being mounted within said slot 127.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the reader/writer 123 may be provided with its own processor to communicate with the processor 130. This means that it can be arranged that no reprogramming or adjustment of the conventional facsimile machine 110 is required in order to retro-fit the device 123. However, if this approach is taken it is necessary to ensure that the device 123 cannot easily be disconnected from the facsimile machine 110.

Alternatively, and as indicated in Figure 6, the processor 130 in the facsimile machine 110 may be reprogrammed to prevent operation of the facsimile machine 110 unless an enabling signal from the reader/writer device 123 is received. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figure 5 can be used in the same way as the embodiment of Figure 4.

It will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the embodiments described and illustrated may be made within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method of controlling or monitoring the use of telephonic apparatus, the telephonic apparatus having processor means, memory means, a user interface, and an IC card reading device, and the method comprising the steps of enabling specified tasks to be carried out by said telephonic apparatus only if appropriate authorisation data is provided to said processor means by way of said IC card reading device.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said IC card reading device is configured as an IC card reading and writing device, the method further comprising the step of writing to an IC card in said card reading device information relating to the specified task or tasks performed.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the information written to the IC card comprises the number to which a telephone call is made and the time and/or duration of the call.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an IC card for enabling the specified tasks carries data identifying an individual and/or providing authorisation levels for that individual.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the specified tasks enabled by the provision of the appropriate authorisation data comprise the use of the telephonic apparatus to make outgoing calls.

6. A method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the specified tasks enabled by the provision of the appropriate authorisation data comprise the use of the telephonic apparatus to make outgoing calls to selected destinations.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the specified tasks enabled by the provision of the appropriate authorisation data comprise the use of the telephonic apparatus to receive incoming calls.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the specified tasks enabled by the provision of the appropriate authorisation data comprise using the telephonic apparatus.

9. Telephonic apparatus comprising processor means for controlling or monitoring the making and/or taking of calls, memory means, a user interface, and an IC card reading and/or writing device in communication with said processor means.

10. Telephonic apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the IC card reading and/or writing device is incorporated within the telephonic apparatus.

11. Telephonic apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the reading and/or writing device is connected to the telephonic apparatus either directly or by way of a communication link.

12. Telephonic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11, wherein said processor means is arranged to communicate with and to control the reading and/or writing device.

13. Telephonic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 12, wherein said processor means of the telephonic apparatus requires that an appropriate IC card is inserted into said reading/writing device before enabling any use of the telephonic apparatus.

14. Telephonic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to

13, further comprising a real time clock.

15. Telephonic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to

14, wherein said telephonic apparatus comprises a telephone set incorporating a handset.

16. Telephonic apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 14, wherein said telephonic apparatus comprises facsimile apparatus.

17. A method of controlling or monitoring the use of telephonic apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Telephonic apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.