Integration of cellular phone detection and reporting into a prison telephone system

• US 20080043993A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Tel-Link Corporation
• Original Assignee: Global Tel-Link Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Garth
• Granted Patent: US 8,233,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/386
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/32 including a particular configuration of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/40 Jamming having variable characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/80 Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/18 Comparators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/205 Eavesdropping prevention - indication of insecurity of line or network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/022 with dynamic range variability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

The present subject matter is directed to an apparatus and methodology for monitoring for the occurrence of use of unauthorized telecommunications equipment within a designated area. The present subject matter has particular utility to the corrections environment in that it discloses a methodology for detecting and reporting the unauthorized operation of cellular telephones within a corrections facility. The present technology may be used advantageously in combination with inmate telephone systems to transmit information to appropriate personnel in the form of email messages and/or voice communications by way of telephone local or corrections facility external telephone lines. The present technology also provides for recordation and storage of time, date and location information for detected events.

Claims

1. A cellular telephone detection system, comprising:

a plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors, each detector operatively associated with a predetermined zone and configured to produce a detection signal upon detection of cellular telephone transmissions within its respective predetermined zone;

an interface device coupled to each of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors; and

a telephone system coupled to said interface device, wherein said telephone system is configured to receive one or more detection signals from one or more of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors and to generate one or more notification messages indicative of detected cellular telephone transmissions.

2. A cellular telephone detection system as in claim 1, wherein said telephone system is configured to generate one or more notification messages in a format selected from the group consisting of email messages, telephonic voice messages, and information records.

3. A cellular telephone detection system as in claim 1, wherein one or more of said cellular telephone transmission detectors are positioned such that their respective detection zones at least partially overlap the respective detection zone of at least one other of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors.

4. A cellular telephone detection system as in claim 2, wherein said one or more notification messages include at least location information identifying the respective predetermined zone in which said cellular telephone transmission was detected.

5. A cellular telephone detection system as in claim 4, wherein said location information is supplied based on data stored in said interface device.

6. A cellular telephone detection system as in claim 4, wherein said location information is supplied based on data stored in said telephone system.

7. A method for monitoring an area for cellular telephone transmissions, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors, with each detector configured to produce a detection signal upon detection of cellular telephone transmissions;

positioning the plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors in a respective corresponding plurality of predetermined zones within the area to be monitored;

coupling each of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors to an interface device;

coupling the interface device to a telephone system; and

configuring the telephone system to produce notification messages upon detection of cellular telephone transmissions by one or more of said cellular telephone transmission detectors.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of configuring said telephone system to generate one or more notification messages in a format selected from the group consisting of email messages, telephonic voice messages, and information records.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of positioning comprises positioning one or more of the cellular telephone transmission detectors such that their respective detection zones at least partially overlap the respective detection zone of at least one other of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of configuring said telephone system to generate one or more notification messages comprises configuring said telephone system to generate one or more notification messages including at least location information identifying the respective predetermined zone in which the cellular telephone transmission was detected.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of configuring the interface device to supply cellular telephone transmission detector location information for said notification messages.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of configuring the telephone system to supply cellular telephone transmission detector location information for said notification messages.

13. An inmate telephone system, comprising;

a plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors, each detector operatively associated with a predetermined zone and configured to produce a detection signal upon detection of cellular telephone transmissions within its respective predetermined zone; and

a telephone system coupled to said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors, wherein said telephone system is configured to receive one or more detection signals from one or more of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors and to generate one or more notification messages indicative of detected cellular telephone transmissions.

14. An inmate telephone system as in claim 13, wherein said telephone system is configured to generate one or more notification messages in a format selected from the group consisting of email messages, telephonic voice messages, and information records.

15. An inmate telephone system as in claim 13, wherein one or more of said cellular telephone transmission detectors are positioned such that their respective detection zones at least partially overlap the respective detection zone of at least one other of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors.

16. An inmate telephone system as in claim 14, wherein said one or more notification messages include at least location information identifying the respective predetermined zone in which the cellular telephone transmission was detected.

17. An inmate telephone system as in claim 14, wherein said location information is supplied based on data stored in said telephone system.

18. An inmate telephone system as in claim 16, further comprising an interface device coupled to each of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors, and coupled to said telephone system.

19. An inmate telephone system as in claim 18, wherein said location information is supplied based on data stored in said interface device.

20. An inmate telephone system as in claim 13, wherein said telephone system further includes at least one jamming device, and wherein said telephone system is configured to receive one or more of said detection signals from one or more of said plurality of cellular telephone transmission detectors, and to activate and control said jamming device in response thereto.

21. An inmate telephone system as in claim 13, wherein said telephone system further includes a plurality of non-cellular two-way communication detector devices, each such non-cellular two-way communication detector device operatively associated with a predetermined zone and configured to produce a detection signal upon detection of cellular telephone transmissions within its respective predetermined zone;