System and method for controlling, monitoring and recording of wireless communications in penal institutions

• US 8,478,234 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Francis Byrne
• Original Assignee: Brian Francis Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Brian Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): WASHINGTON, ERIKA ALISE
• Application Number:
  US13/313,135
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/406
• 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 3/42221 Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656

Abstract

A system for controlling, monitoring, and recording of telecommunications services associated with penal institutions is provided. The system comprises processor, memory, and application that receive a first transmission from a telephone number, the first transmission requesting a voice communication session with a portable electronic device associated with a penal institution. The system analyzes a first file containing a listing of at least one telephone number authorized to originate communication with the device, analyzes a second file describing authorized days and time periods for the device to engage in communication originated by the telephone number, and determines, based on the analysis of the first and second files, that the device is authorized to engage in the requested communication. The system also originates a second transmission to the device and connects the first and second transmissions with the second transmission, wherein the application monitors, records, and analyzes communications by the device.

Claims

1. A system for controlling, monitoring, and recording of wireless telecommunications services associated with penal institutions, comprising:

a processor;

a memory; and

an application that, when executed on the processor,

receives a first transmission from a first telephone number, the first transmission requesting a voice communication session with a portable electronic device associated with a penal institution,

analyzes a first file containing a listing of at least one telephone number authorized to originate voice communication sessions with the portable electronic device,

analyzes a second file describing authorized days and time periods for the portable electronic device to engage in voice communication sessions originated by the first telephone number,

determines, based on the analysis of the first file and the second file, that the portable electronic device is authorized to engage in the voice communication session requested in the first transmission,

originates a second transmission to the portable electronic device, and

connects the first transmission with the second transmission,

wherein the application monitors, records, and analyzes voice communication sessions engaged in by the portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device is in possession of a detainee of the penal institution, and wherein the portable electronic device receives transmissions solely from the application.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein connecting the first transmission with the second transmission enables the requested voice communication between a predetermined authorized party associated with the first telephone number and a user of the portable electronic device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is alternatively in the possession of a person not incarcerated in the penal institution and subject to a work release program.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein analyzing the first file comprises determining that the first telephone number is contained in the listing of at least one telephone number authorized to originate voice communication sessions with the portable electronic device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the application executes on a private branch exchange (PBX) situated one of on the premises of the penal institution and at a location other than the penal institution.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the application does not originate the second transmission unless requirements described in the first file and described in the second file are met.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the application limits time durations of voice communication sessions between at least the first telephone number and the portable electronic device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the application charges a prepaid account associated with a detainee in possession of the portable electronic device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the application electronically identifies parties originating calls from the first telephone number and detects unauthorized attempt to transfer originated calls and conference in unauthorized parties to originated calls.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system does not rely on wireless communication nodes situated on the premises of the penal institution to at least one of direct and detect wireless traffic associated with the penal institution.

11. A system for controlling, monitoring, and recording of wireless telecommunications services associated with penal institutions, comprising:

a processor;

a memory; and

an application that, when executed on the processor,

receives a first transmission from a portable electronic device associated with a penal institution, the first transmission requesting a voice communication session with a first external telephone number,

analyzes a first file describing authorized usage days and time periods for the portable electronic device,

analyzes a second file containing a listing of at least one external telephone number approved to engage in voice communication sessions with the portable electronic device,

determines, based on the analysis of the first file and the second file, that the portable electronic device is authorized for the requested voice communication session,

originates a second transmission to the first external telephone number, and

connects the first transmission with the second transmission,

wherein the application monitors, records, and analyzes voice communication sessions engaged in by the portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device is in possession of a detainee of the penal institution, and wherein the portable electronic device originates transmissions solely to the application.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein connecting the first transmission with the second transmission enables the requested voice communication between a user of the portable electronic device with a predetermined authorized party associated with the first external telephone number.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the portable electronic device is alternatively in the possession of a person not incarcerated in the penal facility and subject to a work release program.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein analyzing the second file comprises determining that the first external telephone number is contained in the listing of at least one external telephone number approved to engage in voice communication sessions with the portable electronic device.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the application executes on a private branch exchange (PBX) physically situated one of on the premises of the penal facility and at a location other than the penal facility.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the wherein the application electronically identifies parties receiving calls at the first external telephone number and detects unauthorized attempts to transfer received calls and conference in unauthorized parties to received calls.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the application does not originate the second transmission unless requirements described in the first file and described in the second file are met.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the application limits time durations of voice communication sessions between the portable electronic device and at least the first external telephone number.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the application charges a prepaid account associated with a detainee in possession of the portable electronic device.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the application monitors movement of the portable electronic device and generates alerts when a location of the portable electronic device is determined to be outside a permitted area.

21. A method for controlling, monitoring, and recording of wireless telecommunications services associated with penal institutions, comprising:

a computer receiving a first voice transmission from a first external telephone number requesting a voice communication session with a portable electronic device wherein the portable electronic device is in possession of a detainee of a penal facility;

the computer analyzing a first file describing external telephone numbers and associated parties permitted to access telecommunications services associated with detainees of penal facilities;

the computer analyzing a second file listing a plurality of portable electronic devices associated with at least one penal facility that are permitted to engage in voice communication sessions with external telephone numbers;

the computer analyzing a third file listing days of the week and times of day during which the first portable electronic device is permitted to engage in voice communication sessions with external telephone numbers;

the computer determining, based on analysis of the first file, the second file, and the third file that the requested voice communication session is authorized;

the computer initiating a second voice transmission with the portable electronic device and linking the first voice transmission with the second voice transmission;

the computer monitoring, recording, and analyzing voice communication sessions engaged in by the portable electronic device;

the computer receiving a third voice transmission from the portable electronic device requesting a voice communication session with the first external telephone number;

the computer analyzing the first file further describing external telephone numbers and associated parties permitted to engage in voice communication sessions originated by detainees of penal facilities;

the computer analyzing the second file and analyzing the third file;

the computer determining, based on analysis of the first file, the second file, and the third file that the requested voice communication session is authorized;

the computer initiating a fourth voice transmission with the first external telephone number and linking the first voice transmission with the second voice transmission; and

the computer charging an account associated with the first portable electronic device for the voice communication session,

wherein the computer analyzing the first file, the second file, and the third file further comprises the computer at least determining that the first external telephone number and associated parties are included in listings of external telephone numbers and associated parties authorized to engage in voice communication sessions with the portable electronic device, wherein the computer is a private branch exchange (PBX) and is situated one of at the penal facility and at a location other than the penal facility, wherein the computer does not manage wireless communications originated and received by employees of and visitors to the penal facility, and wherein the computer uses one of caller identification and examination of an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) to verify the first external telephone number.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one of an attempt by a party associated with an external telephone number to allow unauthorized parties to join a call and an attempt to transfer a call to one of another telephone number and phone is detected, monitored and addressed.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising a management station accessible to persons with rights to add and remove calling privileges for detainees.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the rights additionally comprise at least one of adding and deleting of external telephone numbers and persons with privileges to originate and receive communications with detainees.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising a monitoring station accessible to persons with rights to at least one of monitor calls between detainees and external telephone numbers, analyze usage patterns, and manage and inventory portable electronic devices.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein portable electronic devices are rotated among detainees.