Devices, Systems and Methods for Localized and Controlled Telephone Service

• US 20100151820A1
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Skupien, Kenneth A., Mulherin, Pepper, Ruiz, Daniel G.
• Application Number:
  US12/335,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20100151820A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6027 Fraud preventions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/16 with lock-out or secrecy provision in party-line systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• 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

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a visually distinct and tamper-resistant wireless telephone and a system for issuing the telephone, validating a call, and monitoring the call. This solution uses a durable wireless telephone design. Prepaid correctional wireless telephones are issued to inmates at correctional facilities. A system restricts calling to a centralized call control platform and performs validation, call detail data collection and storage, security, and ancillary features. The call detail data collection and storage is used for records and auditing purposes. Ancillary features include recording, three-way call detection, etc. A method is employed which validates a user'"'"'s call and monitors the contents for security.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising:

a visually distinct and tamper-resistant wireless telephone;

a call control platform in communication with the telephone;

a database in communication with the call control platform; and

a call control logic onboard the call control platform;

wherein a call is validated by the call control logic prior to allowance then monitored and recorded into the database.

2. The system in claim 1, wherein the database stores a plurality of call recordings.

3. The system in claim 1, wherein the database stores a plurality of telephone numbers belonging to willing recipients.

4. The system in claim 1, wherein the call control platform detects three-way calling.

5. The system in claim 4, wherein the call control platform ends a call wherein a three-way call has been initiated.

6. The system in claim 1, wherein the call control platform stops all calls upon an event.

7. The system in claim 1, wherein the call control platform is in a remote location relative to the wireless telephone.

8. The system in claim 1, wherein the contents of the database are viewable remotely through a device in communication with the database.

9. The system in claim 1, wherein the database contains a plurality of pre-paid accounts.

10. The system in claim 9, wherein each pre-paid account corresponds to a user.

11. A wireless communication system comprising:

a wireless telephone;

a call control platform in communication with the telephone;

a database in communication with the call control platform;

a call control logic onboard the call control platform;

wherein a call is validated by the call control logic prior to allowance then monitored and recorded into the database.

12. The system in claim 11, wherein the wireless telephone is visually distinct.

13. The system in claim 11, wherein the wireless telephone is tamper-resistant.

14. A method of controlling wireless communication comprising:

receiving a call attempt from a wireless telephone at a call control platform in communication with the telephone;

validating the call attempt;

allowing a call based on the call attempt; and

monitoring the call;

wherein the call attempt is received and validated by a call control platform, prior to allowing the call.

15. The method in claim 14, further comprising issuing the wireless telephone.

16. The method in claim 14, wherein the validating comprises blocking the call attempt until finding a reason to allow the call.

17. The method in claim 14, further comprising recording the call.

18. The method in claim 14, further comprising storing the call on the database.

19. The method in claim 14, wherein the validating further comprises ensuring a call recipient is willing to receive the call.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the ensuring is accomplished using an automated call.

21. The method in claim 14, wherein the validating further comprises ensuring a pre-paid account has enough funds.

22. A software program stored on a computer readable medium for controlling wireless communication comprising:

a first code segment for receiving a call attempt from the wireless telephone at a call control center in communication with the telephone;

a second code segment for validating the call attempt;

a third code segment for allowing a call based on the call attempt; and

a fourth code segment for monitoring the call;

wherein the call attempt is received and validated by a call control platform, prior to allowing the call, then the call is monitored and recorded into a database.