COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTS OF SECURE FACILITY

• US 20140282896A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelmate LLC
• Original Assignee: Telmate LLC (Global Tel-Link Corporation)
• Inventors: Torgersrud, Richard, Yamasaki, John Satori, Garcia, Nick, Alessia, James Dominick, Lindsey, Devon Brooke
• Granted Patent: US 9,231,954 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A system and a method are provided for two-way communications, automated request handling, and push notifications, via SMS, MMS, IM, email, and other electronic messaging systems, between (1) residents confined to a secure facility, such as a jail or a prison, and (2) persons located outside the secure facility who have friendly or family relationships with the confined residents.

Claims

1. A system for originating an electronic communication from a terminal inside a secure facility or a data center serving the secure facility to a network operated outside the secure facility, said system comprising:

a database for storing data to verify that a resident of the detention environment who originates the electronic communication is authorized to communicate with an intended recipient of the electronic communication; and

a processor configured to receive the data from the database, and to use the data to verify that the resident is authorized to communicate with the intended recipient; and

wherein the system is configured to push the electronic communication to the intended recipient only after verifying that the resident is authorized to communicate with the intended recipient.

2. The system of claim 1, where the electronic communication includes a text message, and wherein the system is configured to automatically prompt the recipient to request a visit with the resident in response to the occurrence of a time-related trigger event.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate messages automatically when the resident will be unavailable for communications for a period of time.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processing center which includes the database and the processor, and wherein the database stores monetary threshold information for the resident, and wherein the processor is configured to generate a message automatically when an account balance drops below the threshold.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processing center which includes the database and the processor, and wherein the database stores calendar date information pertaining to the resident, and wherein the processor is configured to generate a message automatically based on the calendar date information.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processing center which includes the database and the processor, and wherein the database stores milestone information established by the secure facility, and wherein the processor is configured to generate a message automatically in response to the milestone information.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic communication is marked with a validity period or expiration date and time, such that notifications for events that have passed or expired are not delivered or displayed, or the electronic communication is permitted to be manually recalled or overridden.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic message contains electronic calendaring data or contact information data.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic message contains an Internet address scheme for launching a mobile application with connecting information for a video visitation, telephone call or video conference.

10. A method of accepting responses to multiple different queries originating from a single mobile telephone number or SMS short code and pertaining to a resident of a secure facility, said method comprising:

transmitting messages to the resident of the secure facility using the single mobile telephone number or SMS short code, and causing each message to prompt a response;

generating a unique set of numbers, characters, keywords, or methods, and causing the unique set to remain effective for the resident only for a predetermined period of time.

11. The method of claim 10, where the step of transmitting messages includes the step of using text messaging to confirm a visitation with the resident of the secure facility.

12. A communications method, comprising:

generating an electronic message from a person outside a detention environment to a resident of the detention environment;

subsequently, verifying that the resident of the detention environment is authorized to communicate with the person outside the detention environment; and

subsequently, transmitting the electronic message to a terminal located in the detention environment; and

wherein the electronic message refers to a communication for or with the resident of the detention environment.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electronic message includes a request for electronic communication between the resident of the secure facility and the person outside the secure facility.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of providing a data processing center outside the secure facility, and using the data processing center to convert the electronic message from an electronic messaging format to and from a different format suitable for delivery to and from a terminal located inside the secure facility, and wherein the terminal is used by the resident of the secure facility and others confined within the secure facility, and wherein the data processing center verifies that the resident of the secure facility is authorized to communicate with the outside person, and the verifying step occurs before the electronic message is received at the terminal.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of permitting the person outside the secure facility to upload photos, audio or videos to an electronic message board pertaining to the resident of the secure facility, and wherein the data processing center verifies that the person outside the secure facility and the resident of the secure facility are authorized to communicate with each other, and the verifying step occurs before the permitting step.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of providing a data processing center outside the secure facility, and using the data processing center to provide funds to the resident of the secure facility via an electronic message.