Abstract: Systems and methods for developing, deploying, and/or providing location-based controls for remote visitation in controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include identifying a request to establish a visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the visitation session includes at least one of: a voice or a video call, and wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device; receiving spatial information of the mobile device; and applying a rule to the visitation session based upon the spatial information.

Abstract: A secure virtual controlled-environment facility storefront accessible by controlled-environment communication and/or media devices presents a subset of goods offered by a retailer. This subset of goods may be approved by the controlled-environment facility for purchase by a resident of the controlled-environment facility and/or the particular resident viewing the storefront. Also, consumer credit and/or debit card information the resident may use in purchase of the goods is stored and provided to the retailer in payment for resident-purchased goods. A spending limit for a particular credit or debit card may be maintained and enforced against such storefront purchases. This retailer may be an online retailer, or the subset of goods offered by the retailer may be a subset of goods offered online by a retailer and the retailer's existing packing and shipping channels may be employed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for developing, deploying, and/or providing location-based controls for remote visitation in controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include identifying a request to establish a visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the visitation session includes at least one of: a voice or a video call, and wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device; receiving spacial information of the mobile device; and applying a rule to the visitation session based upon the spacial information.

Abstract: Inbound call processing systems and methods for processing inbound calls to controlled-environment facility resident media and/or communications devices employ an inbound resident call server configured to host inbound calling accounts established by non-residents, receive inbound calls from the non-residents, route the inbound calls to an authenticating server, confirm that the resident device is active, and connect the inbound resident call system with the resident device if active or inform the non-resident the resident is not available if not. The inbound resident call server also connects the non-resident inbound call with the resident device if the non-resident is associated with the inbound calling account, the inbound calling account is associated with an address identifier of the resident device and the resident's personal identification number is associated with the address identifier of the resident device, all of which may be authenticated by the authenticating server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating family communications in a controlled-environment facility. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request for an electronic communication between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, identifying that the non-resident is the resident's child or parent and, in response to the identification, enabling a family counseling provider to access the electronic communication.

Abstract: Rules-based systems and methods for video visitation. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request for a video visitation between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, identifying, among a plurality of predetermined rules, one or more rules that are applicable to the request, and evaluating the request based upon the one or more identified rules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating family communications in a controlled-environment facility. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request for an electronic communication between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, identifying that the non-resident is the resident's child or parent and, in response to the identification, enabling a family counseling provider to access the electronic communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating family communications in a controlled-environment facility. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request for an electronic communication between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, identifying that the non-resident is the resident's child or parent and, in response to the identification, enabling a family counseling provider to access the electronic communication.

Abstract: Providing video mail to and from residents of controlled-environment facilities may include presenting a resident or non-resident a user interface and receiving a selection to send video mail. Whereupon, the user may be offered a selection to either upload a video or image or to capture a video or image. A selection by the user is accepted and in response to a selection to upload a video or image file, the user may be presented a file selection interface to enter a video or image filename and/or browse for a video or image file. In response to a selection to capture a video or image, the user may be presented a video or image capture interface for capturing the video or image, such as by using a camera of the host device. The selected or recorded video or image may then be uploaded and presented to the recipient for viewing.

Abstract: Providing video mail to and from residents of controlled-environment facilities may include presenting a resident or non-resident a user interface and receiving a selection to send video mail. Whereupon, the user may be offered a selection to either upload a video or image or to capture a video or image. A selection by the user is accepted and in response to a selection to upload a video or image file, the user may be presented a file selection interface to enter a video or image filename and/or browse for a video or image file. In response to a selection to capture a video or image, the user may be presented a video or image capture interface for capturing the video or image, such as by using a camera of the host device. The selected or recorded video or image may then be uploaded and presented to the recipient for viewing.

Abstract: An exclusion engine for electronic communications in controlled-environment facilities. In some embodiments, a method may include method may include receiving, at one or more computer systems, a request for an electronic communication between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility and determining, via the one or more computer systems, whether an exclusion list adopted by the controlled-environment facility allows the non-resident to communicate with the resident, where the exclusion list is of a type selected from the group consisting of: a permissive list, and a restrictive list. For example, a permissive list may identify one or more non-residents that are allowed to communicate with the resident, and a restrictive list may identify one or more non-residents that are not allowed to communicate with the resident.

Abstract: Data generated at a telecommunications network switching node is selectively delivered to one or more data receiving device (e.g., data “collection box”) connected to the network, and command and control signaling is transmitted from the data receiving device to the switching node. This bi-directional communication is carried out in a manner compatible with voice grade lines. In an exemplary application, call identifying information, referred to in the TIA/EIA Standard as CDC (Call Data Channel) Messages, is delivered from an Intercept Access Point (IAP) switch that provides telephone service to a subject of an authorized surveillance order, to a law enforcement data collection box, utilizing Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) signals. Control signals are sent from the data collection box to the IAP switch utilizing Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signaling.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for serving telecommunications customers, using the transmission capabilities of a Packet Network. A customer having Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)/Gateway for communicating with a Packet Network, is connected to a port of the Packet Network. The customer is connected to the Gateway of a Home Switch via the Packet Network, and is also connected to Gateways of one or more Guest Switches. The customer has telephone numbers in the Home Switch and each of the Guest Switches. Callers can call the customer as if that customer were directly served by the Home Switch or any of the Guest Switches. Advantageously, the customer and callers to that customer are billed only for the short, usually local, call rate from the selected Home or Guest Switch. Advantageously, the customer can make outgoing calls dynamically via any of the Guest Switches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling administration of Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) queues of an ACD or network of ACDs by a caller, and of communicating data to an ACD Agent. The caller receives information concerning the status of queues in one or a plurality of ACDs. If the caller wishes to communicate with a particular Agent, wait time for that Agent is provided to the caller. The caller can select a particular Agent, and will be connected when that Agent becomes available subject to other restrictions of the ACD queue. The caller can prepare information for transmission to an answering Agent while the caller waits. Advantageously, the caller can control which Agent or which sub-group of Agents should respond to his/her call, taking into account the different waiting times associated with a particular Agent or the first available Agent when the caller reaches the top of the queue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling administration of Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) queues of an ACD or network of ACDs by a caller, and of communicating data to an ACD Agent. The caller receives information concerning the status of queues in one or a plurality of ACDs. If the caller wishes to communicate with a particular Agent, wait time for that Agent is provided to the caller. The caller can select a particular Agent, and will be connected when that Agent becomes available subject to other restrictions of the ACD queue. The caller can prepare information for transmission to an answering Agent while the caller waits. Advantageously, the caller can control which Agent or which sub-group of Agents should respond to his/her call, taking into account the different waiting times associated with a particular Agent or the first available Agent when the caller reaches the top of the queue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling administration of Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) queues of an ACD or network of ACDs by a caller, and of communicating data to and from an ACD Agent. The caller receives information concerning the status of queues in one or a plurality of ACDs. If the caller wishes to communicate with a particular Agent, wait time for that Agent is provided to the caller. The caller can select a particular Agent, and will be connected when that Agent becomes available subject to other restrictions of the ACD queue. The caller can prepare information for transmission to an answering Agent while the caller waits. Advantageously, the caller can control which Agent or which sub-group of Agents should respond to his/her call, taking into account the different waiting times associated with a particular Agent or the first available Agent when the caller reaches the top of the queue. Advantageously, the caller can link to ACD Agents from multiple companies by accessing an ACD Network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling administration of Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) queues of an ACD or network of ACDs by a caller, and of communicating data to an ACD Agent. The caller receives information concerning the status of queues in one or a plurality of ACDs. If the caller wishes to communicate with a particular Agent, wait time for that Agent is provided to the caller. The caller can select a particular Agent, and will be connected when that Agent becomes available subject to other restrictions of the ACD queue. The caller can prepare information for transmission to an answering Agent while the caller waits. Advantageously, the caller can control which Agent or which sub-group of Agents should respond to his/her call, taking into account the different waiting times associated with a particular Agent or the first available Agent when the caller reaches the top of the queue.

Abstract: Data generated at a telecommunications network switching node is selectively delivered to one or more data receiving device (e.g., data “collection box”) connected to the network, and command and control signaling is transmitted from the data receiving device to the switching node. This bi-directional communication is carried out in a manner compatible with voice grade lines. In an exemplary application, call identifying information, referred to in the TIA/EIA Standard as CDC (Call Data Channel) Messages, is delivered from an Intercept Access Point (IAP) switch that provides telephone service to a subject of an authorized surveillance order, to a law enforcement data collection box, utilizing Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) signals. Control signals are sent from the data collection box to the IAP switch utilizing Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signaling.

Abstract: Enhanced subscriber line monitoring is provided for telephone calls in a telecommunications network. A telecommunications switch (102) is coupled to adjunct processor (104). Subscriber lines (110) terminated by the telecommunications switch are selectively monitored. Call identifying information and call content received by the telecommunications switch is forwarded to the adjunct processor for storage and analysis. The analysis includes determining the class of call content, e.g., voice or data. Call content is used to determine quality associated with a call. The call analysis is used for network management, new service development, long term usage forecasting, service differentiation for billing and targeted marketing opportunities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving Communications Content Channels between a serving switching system and a Law Enforcement Agency premises. After a connection has been established between the serving switch and the Law Enforcement Agency premises using one of the Communications Content Channels, an Agent can transmit an indication that the communication is no-longer of interest; in response to receipt of that indication, the switch disconnects the call from the Communications Content Channel. Advantageously, this arrangement can reduce the number of Communications Content Channels required to monitor a particular target customer, and can overcome arrangements for flooding the Communications Content Channels with non-significant messages.