System and Method for Detecting and Controlling Contraband Devices in a Controlled Environment

• US 20180097931A1
• Filed: 09/28/2017
• Published: 04/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Tel-Link Corporation
• Original Assignee: Global Tel-Link Corporation
• Inventors: Hodge, Stephen Lee
• Granted Patent: US 10,187,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/65 Telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/205 Eavesdropping prevention - indication of insecurity of line or network
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

The present disclosure provides details of a system and method for detecting and monitoring a contraband device including communication devices by utilizing a combination of mobile devices, fixed monitoring devices, and a contraband monitoring center. The mobile devices include smart phones or tablets that are borrowed, rented, or purchased by an inmate from a correctional facility. These mobile devices are configured to detect, monitor, and intervene in the communications of target devices. Further, the mobile devices are configured to communicate with fixed monitoring devices located throughout the correctional facility in performing intervention operations. The contraband monitoring center may also be utilized in the coordination, monitoring, and intervention of target devices.

Claims

1. A mobile device for detecting and monitoring a target device used in a facility, the mobile device comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with a first communication network and a second communication network; and

one or more processors configured to;

detect transmissions from the target device communicating on the second communication network;

gather information regarding the target device based on the detected transmissions;

transmit the gathered information on the first communication network to a contraband detection center; and

determine whether the target device is authorized to communicate within the facility on the second communication network based on received information from the contraband detection center.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the gathered information is an international mobile subscriber identity number (IMSI), an electronic serial number (ESN), a phone number of the target device, or a phone number of a called device.

3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to gather the information regarding the target device from the detected transmissions.

4. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to obtain identifying information of the target device based on the detected transmissions.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the received information from the contraband detection center is a result of a comparison of the gathered information with stored data.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to perform an intervention operation based on the determination of whether the target device is authorized.

7. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the intervention operation is a jamming signal to block communications from the target device, a managed access operation to intercept communications from or to the target device, or an audio or video recording from the mobile device.

8. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to generate and transmit instructions for performing the intervening operation to another mobile device or fixed monitoring device.

9. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive instructions for performing the intervening operation from the contraband detection center or from another mobile device or fixed monitoring device.

10. A mobile device for detecting and monitoring a target device used in a facility, the mobile device comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with a first communication network and a second communication network; and

one or more processors configured to;

detect transmissions from the target device communicating on the second communication network;

gather information regarding the target device based on the detected transmissions; and

determine whether the target device is authorized to communicate within the facility on the second communication network based on the gathered information.

11. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the gathered information is an international mobile subscriber identity number (IMSI), an electronic serial number (ESN), a phone number of the target device, or a phone number of a called device.

12. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to compare the gathered information to a list of authorized communication devices or authorized or blocked phone numbers.

13. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit results of the comparison to another mobile device, a fixed monitoring device, or a detection detention center.

14. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine an intervention operation based on results of the comparison.

15. The mobile device of claim 14, further comprising positional and motion circuitry to determine a location of the mobile device when the target device is detected, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine an intervention operation based on results of the comparison and the location of the mobile device.

16. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) transmission to simulate a cellular tower and gather the information based on intercepted communications from or to the target device.

17. A mobile device for detecting and monitoring a target device used in a facility, the mobile device comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with a facility communication network and a non-facility communication network; and

one or more processors configured to;

survey communication sources to determine frequencies used by the non-facility communication network;

search for the target device based on the determined frequencies;

detect transmissions from the target device communicating on the non-facility communication network;

gather information regarding the target device based on the detected transmissions; and

determine whether the target device is authorized to communicate on non-facility communication network based on the gathered information.

18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the survey of the communication sources includes determining an uplink frequency and/or a downlink frequency of a cellular tower.

19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the gathered information is an international mobile subscriber identity number (IMSI), an electronic serial number (ESN), a phone number of the target device, or a phone number of a called device.

20. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine an intervention operation based on whether the target device is authorized.