METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING BOTH AUDIO/VIDEO VISITATION AND VOIP TELEPHONIC VISITATION ORIGINATED EITHER BY AN INMATE OR BY AN OUTSIDE VISITOR DIRECTLY BETWEEN INMATES OF A PRISON AND AN OUTSIDE VISITOR WITHOUT NEED OF INTERVENTION BY PRISON PERSONNEL
First Claim
1. An Internet-based audio/video and VoIP telephone visitation system for prisons wherein audio/video and VoIP visitation may be originated by either an inmate or an outside visitor (visitation system), comprising:
- a) at least one portable electronic communications device (device) in possession of an inmate, said device being connectable only to a visitation system and comprising;
a screen including a keypad, a video camera, a processor, an earphone jack, and a communications interface all operatively connected one to another, said communications interface being selectively operatively connected to said visitation system;
b) an Internet-connected visitor station comprising a video display, a processor, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and a network interface all operatively connected to said processor and software comprising computer instructions for managing an audio/video or VoIP telephonic visit with an inmate;
c) an Internet-based administrative facility operatively connected to and communicative with the Internet for managing audio/video and VoIP telephonic interconnections of said device in possession of an inmate and said Internet-connected visitor station, said Internet-based administrative facility comprising;
i) means for receiving funds from an Internet based payment service operatively connected to said Internet-based administrative facility;
ii) means for storing in a database information related to an inmate using said device in possession of said inmate, said device, and a visitor using said Internet-connected visitor station;
iii) means for creating an interconnection between said device in possession of said inmate and said Internet-connected visitor station depending upon said information related to said inmate, said device in possession of said inmate and said visitor, said interconnection forming one selected from the group;
an audio/video visit, and a VoIP telephonic visit; and
iv) means for timing said interconnection based on at least one of;
an allowable maximum time for a visit, and a dollar amount of funds available to support said visit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An Internet-based audio/video and VoIP telephone visitation system for prisons wherein audio/video and VoIP visitation may be originated by either an inmate or an outside visitor. An inmate uses an individual portable electronic device in his/her possession to communicate exclusively with the visitation system. Through the visitation system video messages, video visitations, and VoIP telecommunications may be exchanged between the inmate and a registered visitor having an Internet-enabled device. Communication requires no endpoint control by prison personnel. All communications may be subject to intervention, recordation, and monitoring by prison personnel. Payment for services is prepaid by visitors using an on-line payment service eliminating involvement of prison personnel. All non-privileged calls are recorded. All calls may be monitored. A fee-per-minute is charged. Time is tracked for each call. The call duration and time remaining for a call may be displayed for both the visitor and the inmate.
101 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An Internet-based audio/video and VoIP telephone visitation system for prisons wherein audio/video and VoIP visitation may be originated by either an inmate or an outside visitor (visitation system), comprising:
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a) at least one portable electronic communications device (device) in possession of an inmate, said device being connectable only to a visitation system and comprising;
a screen including a keypad, a video camera, a processor, an earphone jack, and a communications interface all operatively connected one to another, said communications interface being selectively operatively connected to said visitation system;b) an Internet-connected visitor station comprising a video display, a processor, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and a network interface all operatively connected to said processor and software comprising computer instructions for managing an audio/video or VoIP telephonic visit with an inmate; c) an Internet-based administrative facility operatively connected to and communicative with the Internet for managing audio/video and VoIP telephonic interconnections of said device in possession of an inmate and said Internet-connected visitor station, said Internet-based administrative facility comprising; i) means for receiving funds from an Internet based payment service operatively connected to said Internet-based administrative facility; ii) means for storing in a database information related to an inmate using said device in possession of said inmate, said device, and a visitor using said Internet-connected visitor station; iii) means for creating an interconnection between said device in possession of said inmate and said Internet-connected visitor station depending upon said information related to said inmate, said device in possession of said inmate and said visitor, said interconnection forming one selected from the group;
an audio/video visit, and a VoIP telephonic visit; andiv) means for timing said interconnection based on at least one of;
an allowable maximum time for a visit, and a dollar amount of funds available to support said visit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of using an Internet-based audio/video and VoIP telephone visitation system for prisons wherein audio/video and VoIP visitation may be originated by either an inmate or an outside visitor, the steps comprising:
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a) providing an Internet-based audio/video and VoIP telephone visitation system (visitation system) for prisons wherein audio/video and VoIP visitation may be originated by either an inmate or an outside visitor, said visitation system comprising at least one portable electronic device in possession of an inmate, said device comprising a communications interface selectively exclusively connected to said visitation system, and a visitor station connected to and communicative with the Internet; b) using said visitation system to register at least one inmate incarcerated in a prison and recording information uniquely identifying said device in his or her possession, said inmate being a registered inmate; c) registering at least one visitor authorized to visit with said at least one inmate using said visitation system, said visitor being a registered visitor; d) using said visitation system to allow at least one of the group;
said registered inmate and said registered visitor to perform one of the operations selected from the group;
view a received video message from a non-selected one of said registered inmate and said registered visitor, record and send a video message to a non-selected one of said registered inmate and said registered visitor, initiate a video visitation with a non-selected one of said registered inmate and said registered visitor, and institute a VoIP telecommunication with a non-selected one of said registered inmate and said registered visitor, all without intervention by prison personnel. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification