Virtual communication device interfaces

• US 9,558,332 B1
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securus Technologies Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Original Assignee: Securus Technologies Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Inventors: Keiser, Luke, Passe, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US13/441,997
• Time in Patent Office: 1,758 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.52
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/148 File search processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2151 Time stamp
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0245 Filtering by information in the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

Systems and methods for virtual communication device interfaces are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving identification from a resident (e.g., an inmate or prisoner) of a controlled-environment facility (e.g., a jail or prison) and authenticating the resident based upon the identification. The method may also include retrieving, from one or more of a plurality of electronic information sources over a computer network, information associated with the resident. The method may further include subjecting the information to a security protocol, the security protocol configured to identify a first portion of the information that is suitable for disclosure to the resident and a second portion of the information that is unsuitable for disclosure to the resident. The method may then include withholding the second portion of the information from the resident and providing the first portion of the information to the resident.

Claims

1. A method implemented in a computer system disposed within a controlled-environment facility, the computer system having a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, configure the computer system to provide a virtual communication device interface, the method comprising:

receiving identification from an inmate incarcerated within the controlled-environment facility;

authenticating the inmate based upon the identification;

retrieving information from one or more of a plurality of electronic information sources over a computer network,

identifying preferences associated with the inmate based, at least in part, upon the identification, wherein the preferences indicate one or more types of information selected by the inmate;

retrieving data corresponding to the one or more selected types of information; and

scoring the retrieved data based on one or more security rules, wherein a first portion of the retrieved data is scored according to a first security rule, and wherein a second portion of the retrieved data is scored according to a second security rule;

determining whether the first portion of the retrieved data is prohibited based on the scoring of the first portion;

determining whether the second portion of the retrieved data is prohibited based on the scoring of the second portion; and

providing the first portion of the retrieved data to the inmate if the first portion is not prohibited; and

providing the second portion of the retrieved data to the inmate if the second portion is not prohibited.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification from the inmate includes at least one of biometric information, a radio frequency identification (RFID) code, or a personal identification number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information retrieved from the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a telecommunication Pre-Approved Contact (PAC) list associated with the inmate.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a request from the inmate to add or remove a person to the telecommunication PAC list; and

approving the request, if the inmate is not prohibited from contact with the person.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a request from the inmate to add or remove a person to the telecommunication PAC list; and

denying the request, if the inmate is prohibited from contact with the person.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a request from the inmate to add or remove a person to the telecommunication PAC list;

deciding whether to approve or deny the request; and

notifying the inmate of the decision.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes an administration and management system, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more of:

an elapsed residency period, a remaining residency period, a commitment date, a release date, or a hearing schedule.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a communication system, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more of:

a call history, an address book, or a balance available in a calling account.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a cafeteria database, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more meals served at the controlled-environment facility.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a laundry database, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more laundering services available.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a vending machine database, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more selections from the vending machine.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a cosmetic database, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more services related to cosmetology.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a medical database, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more of:

an appointment or a prescription.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a commissary system, and wherein the information includes data related to at least one of:

a purchase history, a commissary item price list, or a commissary account balance.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a video visitation system, and wherein the information includes data related to the given inmate'"'"'s past, present, or future visitation schedule.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electronic information sources includes a third-party content provider accessible over the Internet, and wherein the information includes data related to one or more of:

news, weather, stocks, sports, entertainment, or electronic media.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the first or second portions of the retrieved data further comprises:

converting information from a text format to a graphical or audio format; and

reproducing the converted information to the inmate through a computing device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the scoring of the retrieved data is based in part on the source of the retrieved data.

19. A system, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory configured to store program instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the system to;

identify preferences associated with an inmate, wherein the preferences indicate one or more types of information selected by the inmate;

receive media catalog information for a media catalog, wherein the media catalog information includes a plurality of media files available within a controlled-environment facility, and wherein the media catalog information is selected based on the identified preferences;

scoring the received media catalog information based on one or more security protocols associated with the inmate, a first portion of the media catalog information is scored according to a first security protocol; and

wherein a second portion of the media catalog information is scored according to a second security protocol;

determining whether the first portion of the media catalog information is allowed based on the scoring of the first portion;

determining whether the second portion of the media catalog information is allowed based on the scoring of the second portion; and

transmit the allowed portions of the media catalog information to the inmate via an electronic device disposed within the controlled-environment facility.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of media files include music or video files.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the scoring of the received media catalog information assigns a value to each media file, wherein the value indicates the suitability of a media file for an inmate based on the security profile associated with the inmate.