Systems And Methods For Radio Frequency Identification

• US 20080117022A1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securus Technologies Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Original Assignee: Evercom Systems Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Inventors: Polozola, Michelle L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,031,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Systems and methods providing radio frequency identification (RFID) of individuals, as may be implemented with respect to a controlled environment facility, using RFID transducer technology deployed in association with a user terminal, such as telephone or multimedia kiosk, are shown. Embodiments operate to identify residents of a controlled environment facility and control one or more transactions associated with the residents and/or actions of the residents using a RFID system in which a user presents a RFID transponder in proximity to a RFID transducer for identification. RFID tags of embodiments comprise data which identifies an individual, data which may be used to identify an individual, or a combination of both. RFID systems of embodiments are adapted to utilize existing communication links for identification of individuals using RFID and/or for controlling transactions, such as calls, using RFID.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of radio frequency transponders; and

a radio frequency transducer having a first communication interface and a second communication interface, said first communication interface for coupling to a transaction processing system and said second communication interface for coupling to a user terminal, said radio frequency transducer operable to transmit data associated with a radio frequency transponder of said plurality of radio frequency transponders to said processing system via said first communication interface, said radio frequency transducer operable to transmit signals received from said user terminal via said second communication interface to said processing system via said first communication interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication interface and said second communication interface comprise telephone line interfaces.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said user terminal comprises a telephone.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein signals carrying said data transmitted by said radio frequency transducer to said processing system comprise telephone line in-band signals.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said telephone line in-band signals comprise dual tone multiple frequency signals.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said radio frequency transducer is operable to mute communications with respect to said user terminal during transmission of said telephone in-band signals.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein signals carrying said data transmitted by said radio frequency transducer to said processing system comprise telephone line out-of-band signals.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transducer comprises:

a power supply drawing power from a link provided by said first communication interface and supplying power to a plurality of components of said radio frequency transducer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transducer comprises:

a communication control unit disposed in a link between said first communication interface and said second communication interface, said control unit operable to control communication between said user terminal and said processing system.

10. The system claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transducer comprises:

a controller operable to control interrogation of said radio frequency transponder to obtain data from said radio frequency transponder.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said data transmitted by said radio frequency transducer to said processing system comprises said data obtained from said radio frequency transponder.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said radio frequency transducer comprises:

a cache memory operable to store said data obtained from said radio frequency transponder.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said controller is operable to interrogate said radio frequency transponder to re-obtain data from said radio frequency transponder and to compare said data re-obtained from said radio frequency transponder with said data stored in said cache memory, wherein said data transmitted by said radio frequency transducer to said processing system comprises an indication of a match or mismatch from said comparison.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein each radio frequency transponder of said plurality of radio frequency transponders have unique data stored therein, said unique data being associated with a corresponding individual'"'"'s identity, wherein said data transmitted by said radio frequency transducer to said processing system comprises information with respect to identification of said corresponding individual.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein radio frequency transponders of said plurality of radio frequency transponders are disposed in bracelets.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said bracelets are permanently associated with a corresponding individual.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said corresponding individual comprises a resident of a controlled environment facility.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said radio frequency transponder comprises structure circumnavigating said bracelet such that when said bracelet is removed from said corresponding individual said radio frequency transponder becomes inoperable.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said bracelet comprises a second radio frequency transponder which remains operable when said bracelet is removed from said corresponding individual.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein radio frequency transponders of said plurality of radio frequency transponders are disposed in badges.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said badges are associated with a corresponding individual, wherein said corresponding individual comprises a visitor to a controlled environment facility.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transducer is affixed to a surface of said user terminal.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transducer is affixed to a mounting plate, wherein said user terminal is disposed on said mounting plate.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transducer is disposed in a position to facilitate a user presenting said radio frequency transponder for interaction with said radio frequency transducer during use of said user terminal.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transducer comprises an epoxy shell incarcerating a plurality of components of said radio frequency transducer.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing system comprises a call processing system operable to validate a user and control calls to and/or from said user terminal.

27. A method comprising:

disposing a radio frequency reader in a communication link between a user terminal and a processing system;

prompting a user to present a radio frequency tag in proximity to said radio frequency reader during use of said user terminal by said user;

transmitting data associated with said radio frequency tag from said radio frequency reader to said processing system via said communication link; and

controlling at least an aspect of said user'"'"'s use of said user terminal as a function of said data transmitted to said processing system.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said disposing said radio frequency reader in said communication link comprises retrofitting said user terminal to support radio frequency identification functions.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said disposing said radio frequency reader in said communication link comprises decoupling said user terminal from said communication link, coupling said radio frequency reader to said communication link, and coupling said user terminal to said radio frequency reader.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein said communication link comprises a telephone line.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

detecting an off-hook condition at said user terminal, wherein said prompting said user is in response to said detecting said off-hook condition.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein said prompting is provided upon said user initiating a transaction using said user terminal.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein said prompting comprises playing a message informing said user of a audible prompt for presenting said radio frequency tag in proximity to said radio frequency reader throughout a transaction.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

muting communications with respect to said user terminal during said transmitting said data from said radio frequency reader to said processing system.

35. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

reading data from said radio frequency tag by said radio frequency reader, wherein said data transmitted from said radio frequency reader to said processing system comprises at least a portion of said radio frequency data.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

storing said radio frequency tag data in a memory of said radio frequency reader;

re-reading data from said radio frequency tag by said radio frequency reader;

comparing said re-read data to said stored data; and

transmitting data indicative of a result of said comparison from said radio frequency reader to said processing system via said communication link.

37. The method of claim 27, wherein said data transmitted from said radio frequency reader to said processing system comprises at least a portion of information obtained from said radio frequency tag.

38. The method of claim 27, wherein said data transmitted from said radio frequency reader to said processing system comprises an indication of a result of a comparison of at least a portion of information obtained from said radio frequency tag with information stored by said radio frequency reader.

39. The method of claim 27, wherein said transmitting said data comprises transmitting said data in-band with respect to communications between said user terminal and said processor system.

40. The method of claim 27, wherein said transmitting said data comprises transmitting said data out-of-band with respect to communications between said user terminal and said processor system.

41. The method of claim 27, wherein said controlling at least an aspect of said user'"'"'s use of said user terminal comprises:

terminating a transaction conducted by said user using said user terminal.

42. The method of claim 27, wherein said controlling at least an aspect of said user'"'"'s use of said user terminal comprises:

notifying an investigator.

43. The method of claim 27, wherein said controlling at least an aspect of said user'"'"'s use of said user terminal comprises:

recording a call conducted by said user using said user terminal.

44. A RFID system for controlling transactions associated with a controlled environment facility, said RFID system comprising:

a RFID tag securely associated with a person attempting a transaction associated with a controlled environment facility, wherein said RFID tag contains data associated with the identity of said person;

a RFID reader in communication with a user terminal used by said person in conducting said transaction, said RFID reader in wireless communication with said RFID tag; and

a processing system in communication with said RFID reader and operable to cooperate with said RFID reader to control transactions conducted using said user terminal in accordance with control features implemented by said processing system.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said control features are with respect to said user terminal.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein said control features are with respect to said person.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein said control features are with respect to another party to said transaction.

48. The RFID system of claim 44, wherein said control features comprise at least one of allowed action analysis, not allowed action analysis, recording action analysis, monitoring action analysis, and investigative data collection.

49. The RFID system of claim 44, wherein said processing system is operable to control actions within said controlled environment facility in a plurality of modes.

50. The RFID system of claim 49, wherein said plurality of modes comprises a stealth mode in which said person is not made aware of controlling by said processing system.

51. The RFID system of claim 49, wherein said plurality of modes comprises a public mode in which said person is made aware of controlling by said processing system.

52. The RFID system in claim 44, wherein said controlled environment facility comprises a prison facility.

53. The RFID system in claim 44, wherein said person comprises an inmate.

54. The RFID system in claim 44, wherein said transaction comprises a telephone call.

55. The RFID system of claim 44, wherein said transaction comprises purchase of a commissary item.

56. The RFID system in claim 44, wherein said transaction comprises entering or exiting an area.

57. The RFID system in claim 44, wherein said RFID tag is configured to be rendered inoperable if removed from said person.

58. The RFID system in claim 57, wherein said RFID tag further contains a tracking component.

59. A method for controlling transactions associated with a controlled environment facility, the method comprising:

providing a RFID tag in association with a person attempting an transaction, said RFID tag containing data associated with the identity of said person;

providing a RFID reader in communication with a user terminal through which said transaction will be performed, said RFID reader in wireless communication with said RFID tag;

providing a processing system in communication with said RFID reader;

obtaining data from said RFID tag by said RFID reader;

determining if said person is authorized to perform said transaction; and

proceeding with respect to said transaction.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said person comprises a resident of said controlled environment facility.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein said person comprises a visitor to said controlled environment facility.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein said controlled environment facility comprises a prison facility.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein said action comprises a communication and said user terminal comprises a communications device.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein said communication comprises a telephone call and said RFID reader is disposed in a telephone line coupling said user terminal to said processing system.

65. The method of claim 59, wherein said RFID reader stores said data in a cache memory.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said stored data is used to confirm the identity of said person at different points in said transaction.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein said confirming is done at specific times.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein said confirming is done at random times.