Multifunction wireless device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9614955-B2
Application number	US-201615261154-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 9, 2016
Priority date	Mar 22, 2013
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for monitoring use of a wireless communication device in a prison facility, the system comprising one or more circuits configured to:
receive authorization information from the wireless communication device via a private network of the prison facility;
validate the wireless communication device for use with the private network based on the received authorization information;
receive a request for a communication from the wireless communication device following a successful validation of the wireless communication device;
perform the requested communication with the wireless communication device after an initial authentication of a user of the wireless communication device is performed;
perform an action to the requested communication in response to failing a continued authentication of the user of the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device performs continued authentication that uses authentication information from the user that is provided continuously or at a given authentication interval; and
receive sensed environment information from the wireless communication device via the private network, wherein the sensed environment information is associated with monitoring activities of one or more inmates of the prison facility, wherein the sensed environment information is separate from the requested communication, and wherein the wireless communication device includes at least one sensor to provide the sensed environment information.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to provide remote control of the wireless communication device by administration personnel.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the requested communication is performed to support a game or provide access to a music subscription.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to provide the received sensed environment information to a processing center for analysis of the the monitored activities of the one or more inmates in the prison facility.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to receive audio information from a microphone via the wireless communication device.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein, the one or more circuits are further configured to place an outbound phone call based on a request from the wireless communication device or forward an inbound phone call to the wireless communication device.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the requested communication is performed to support an interactive educational course at least interfaced through the wireless communication device.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the performed action is to terminate the requested communication.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to remotely configure the wireless communication device.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to:
validate an outbound phone call requested by the wireless communication device, where the call validation is based on one or more of call blocking, payment confirmation and restriction detection; and
place the outbound phone call based on a successful call validation.

11. A method for monitoring a wireless communication device in a prison facility, the method comprising:
receiving authorization information from the wireless communication device via a private network of the prison facility;
validating the wireless communication device for use with the private network based on the received authorization information;
receiving a request for a communication from the wireless communication device following a successful validation of the wireless communication device;
performing the requested communication with the wireless communication device after an initial authentication of a user of the wireless communication device is performed;
performing an action to the requested communication in response to failing a continued authentication of the user of the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device performs continued authentication that uses authentication information from the user that is provided continuously or at a given authentication interval; and
receiving sensed environment information from the wireless communication device via the private network, wherein the sensed environment information is associated with monitoring activities of one or more inmates of the prison facility, wherein the sensed environment information is separate from the requested communication, and wherein the wireless communication device includes at least one sensor to provide the sensed environment information.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
providing remote control of the wireless communication device by administration personnel.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the requested communication is performed to support a game or provide access to a music subscription.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
providing the received sensed environment information to a processing center for analysis of the the monitored activities of the one or more inmates in the prison facility.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving audio information from a microphone via the wireless communication device.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
placing an outbound phone call based on a request from the wireless communication device or forwarding an inbound phone call to the wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the requested communication is performed to support an interactive educational course at least interfaced through the wireless communication device.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the performed action is to terminate the requested communication.

19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
remotely configuring the wireless communication device.

20. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
validating an outbound phone call requested by the wireless communication device, where the call validation is based on one or more of call blocking, payment confirmation and restriction detection; and
placing the outbound phone call based on a successful call validation.

21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the performed action is to lock down the wireless communication device.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the authentication information includes a passcode.

23. The system of claim 1 , wherein the authentication information includes facial information.

24. The system of claim 1 , wherein the authentication information includes fingerprint information.

25. The system of claim 1 , wherein the authentication information includes voice information.

26. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensed environment information originates from a location sensor, a movement sensor, a visual sensor or an audio sensor.

27. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensed environment information includes monitored conversations occurring when the wireless communication device is powered off.

28. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to:
remotely activate the wireless communication device to provide the sensed environment information associated with monitoring the activities

Assignees

• Global Tel Link Corp

Inventors

• Hodge Stephen
• Johnson Garth
• Mcnitt Christopher

Classifications

• H04L63/08 Primary

  for authentication of entities (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32) · CPC title

• H04M1/724631

  by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad · CPC title

• H04M1/72463

  to restrict the functionality of the device · CPC title

• H04W4/12

  Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements · CPC title

• H04W4/02

  Services making use of location information · CPC title