COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTS OF SECURE FACILITY

• US 20160112424A1
• Filed: 12/28/2015
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelmate LLC
• Original Assignee: Intelmate LLC
• Inventors: Torgersrud, Richard, Garcia, Nicolas, Alessio, James D., Yamasaki, John S., Lindsey, Devon B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,516,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 provide 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 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.

2. The method of claim 1, where the step of transmitting messages includes the step of using text messaging to confirm a visitation with the resident of the secure facility.