Integrated network devices utilizing low-power technologies

• US 10,050,668 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2012
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securus Technologies Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Original Assignee: Securus Technologies Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Inventors: Keiser, Luke, Passe, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dominique, Emmanuel R
• Application Number:
  US13/452,584
• Time in Patent Office: 2,307 Days
• Field of Search: 307 1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 307/01 Data transmitted over power lines

Abstract

Systems and methods for integrated network devices utilizing low-power technologies are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving, over one or more pairs of low-voltage wires (e.g., telephone wires, intercom wires, security system wiring, etc.), an electrical current sufficient to power an electronic device disposed within a controlled-environment facility (e.g., a jail, prison, etc.). The method may also include performing an electronic operation within the facility and transmitting, to a communication system serving the facility over the low-voltage wire(s), information related to the operation. In some implementations, the electronic device may be a mobile phone detection apparatus, a wireless access point, and/or a surveillance device. The method may also include, during a first time interval, using the electrical current to store a charge in a battery, and, during a second time interval, using the current in addition to the charge stored in the battery to perform the operation.

Claims

1. A system disposed within a correctional facility, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory configured to store program instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the system to;

receive, over a single pair of low-voltage signal wires, an electrical current sufficient to power the system;

receive, over the single pair of low-voltage signal wires, control information for configuring a mode of operation of the system;

configure the mode of operation of the system based on the control information;

during a first time period, use the electrical current to perform a low-power operation and to store a charge in a battery; and

during a second time period after the first time period, use the electrical current in addition to the charge stored in the battery to perform a high-power operation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed within a jail or prison, and wherein the single pair of low-voltage signal wires includes telephone wires.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed within a jail or prison, and wherein the single pair of low-voltage signal wires includes alarm system wires.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed within a jail or prison, and wherein the single pair of low-voltage signal wires includes intercom wires.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a mobile phone detection apparatus, wherein the low-power operation includes detection of a mobile phone within a first radius, and wherein the high-power operation includes detection of a mobile phone within a second radius larger than the first radius.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a wireless access point, wherein the low-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device within a first radius, and wherein the high-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device within a second radius larger than the first radius.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a wireless access point, wherein the low-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device using a first communication protocol and interface, and wherein the high-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device using a second communication protocol and interface different from the first communication protocol or interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a surveillance apparatus, wherein the low-power operation includes an audio surveillance operation, and wherein the high-power operation includes a video surveillance operation.

9. A tangible computer-readable storage medium of a device disposed in a within a correctional facility having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a computer system, cause the computer system to:

in a first mode of operation, use an electrical current received over one or more pairs of low-voltage signal wires to perform a low-power, electrical operation within a prison or jail, and to store a charge in a battery;

in a second mode of operation, use the electrical current received over the one or more pairs of low-voltage signal wires in addition to the charge stored in the battery to perform a high-power, electrical operation within the prison or jail; and

switch between the first mode of operation and the second mode operation based on control information received over the one or more pairs of low-voltage signal wires.

10. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the low-power operation includes detection of a mobile phone within a first radius, and wherein the high-power operation includes detection of a mobile phone within a second radius larger than the first radius.

11. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the low-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device within a first radius, with a first protocol, or via a first interface, and wherein the high-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device within a second radius larger than the first radius, with a second protocol different from the first protocol, or with a second interface different from the first interface.

12. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the program instructions, upon execution by the computer system, further cause the computer system to:

select the first mode of operation during a period of time of inmate inactivity within the jail or prison; and

select the second mode of operation during a period of time of inmate activity within the jail or prison.

13. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the program instructions, upon execution by the computer system, further cause the computer system to:

deactivate the device based on the received control information.

14. A method performed by a device disposed in a within a correctional facility, the method comprising:

using, in a first mode of operation, an electrical current received over one or more pairs of low-voltage signal wires to perform a low-power, electrical operation within a prison or jail, and to store a charge in a battery;

using, in a second mode of operation, the electrical current received over the one or more pairs of low-voltage signal wires in addition to the charge stored in the battery to perform a high-power, electrical operation within the prison or jail; and

switching between the first mode of operation and the second mode operation based on control information received over the one or more pairs of low-voltage signal wires.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the low-power operation includes detection of a mobile phone within a first radius, and wherein the high-power operation includes detection of a mobile phone within a second radius larger than the first radius.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the low-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device within a first radius, with a first protocol, or via a first interface, and wherein the high-power operation includes wireless transmission or reception of data to or from a computing device within a second radius larger than the first radius, with a second protocol different from the first protocol, or with a second interface different from the first interface.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

selecting the first mode of operation during a period of time of inmate inactivity within the jail or prison; and

selecting the second mode of operation during a period of time of inmate activity within the jail or prison.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

deactivating the device based on the received control information.