Multifunction Wireless Device

• US 20140287715A1
• Filed: 07/19/2013
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Tel-Link Corporation
• Original Assignee: Global Tel-Link Corporation
• Inventors: HODGE, Stephen, Johnson, Garth, McNitt, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,307,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/305 by remotely controlling device operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/082 applying multi-factor authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/09 Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/48 Secure or trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements or encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 involving multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8235 Access based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2033 Call handling or answering restrictions, e.g. specified by the calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/22 Arrangements for supervision, monitoring or testing
• 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 3/42025 : Calling or Called party identification service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 : Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4365 : based on information specified by the calling party, e.g. priority or subject
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 : Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 : using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A communication device and system are disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. The device can be restricted to communicating only using an internet protocol so as to restrict the device communication to an internal intranet. Wireless access points may be disposed throughout the environment to route calls and data between the device and a central processing center. By converting a protocol of the communications received from the device to a protocol used by the central processing center, minimal modifications to the central processing center are needed to support a wireless communication infrastructure. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the phone and system in order to prevent improper use.

Claims

1. A system for providing communication services to a wireless communication device, the system comprising:

a central processing center configured to process call information from the wireless communication device, wherein the processing of the call information includes;

processing payment for the call;

performing call restriction processing on the call; and

authenticating at least one of the wireless communication device and a caller;

a wireless access point communicatively coupled to the central processor and configured to facilitate communication between the wireless communication device and the central processing center; and

a server coupled to the central processing center configured to provide database support for the processing of the call information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the authenticating includes:

receiving identifying information associated with the caller; and

matching the received identifying information with identification information previously stored in the server.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the receiving identifying information includes prompting the caller for a personal identification number.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the receiving identifying information includes receiving biometric information of the caller from the wireless communication device.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the processing of payment includes:

accessing a Debit Account stored on the server that is associated with the authenticated caller;

verifying that the Debit Account includes sufficient funds for placing the call; and

deducting the payment from the Debit Account.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless access point is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device using an internet protocol.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the wireless access point is configured to convert communications received from the wireless communication device from the internet protocol to a telephone protocol capable of being processed by the central processing center.

8. A wireless communication device for use in a controlled environment, the wireless communication device comprising:

a communication module configured to limit wireless communication to the wireless communication device over an internet protocol;

an authentication module configured to authenticate a user of the device, and to lock the device upon a failed authentication; and

a monitoring module coupled to at least one sensor, the monitoring module configured to receive sensed environment information from the at least one sensor and at least one of analyze and store the environment information.

9. The wireless communication device of claim 8, further comprising an administrative authentication module configured to provide control of the wireless communication device to administration personnel.

10. The wireless communication device of claim 9, wherein the administration personnel controls the wireless communication device remotely.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 8, wherein the authentication module receives at least one biometric input from the user.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 8, further comprising a microphone configured to receive audio information from at least one of the user and the environment, wherein

the monitoring module receives environment audio information from the microphone.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 8, further comprising a lost device module configured to lock the wireless communication device upon making a determination that the wireless communication device has been lost.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the lost device module determines that the wireless communication device has been lost after a predetermined period of time has lapsed since its last use.

15. A method for providing communication services to a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

processing call information from the wireless communication device, the processing of the call information including;

processing payment for the call;

performing call restriction processing on the call; and

authenticating at least one of the wireless communication device and a caller; and

facilitating communication between the wireless communication device and the central processing center using an internet protocol.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the authenticating includes receiving biometric information of the caller from the wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the processing of payment includes:

accessing a Debit Account stored on the server that is associated with the authenticated caller;

verifying that the Debit Account includes sufficient funds for placing the call; and

deducting the payment from the Debit Account.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising converting, at a wireless access point, communications received from the wireless communication device from the internet protocol to a telephone protocol capable of being processed by a central processing center.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising forwarding the converted communications to the central processing center over at least one alternating current power line.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising forwarding the converted communications to the central processing center over a coaxial cable.