Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic visitation registration (EVR) system for registering visitors to visit with residents of a controlled-environment facility, such as a correctional facility. In certain embodiments, EVR is operable to interact with visitors and determine whether to authorize a requested visitation session with a resident of the controlled-environment facility. Thus, in certain embodiments, the EVR can autonomously interact with a visitor and perform the registration process for such visitor, thereby alleviating the requirement of involvement by a facility employee for such registration. The EVR may be accessible local to the controlled-environment facility (e.g., as a kiosk), and/or it may be accessible via a communication network, such as the Internet. Thus, the EVR may allow a remote user to schedule and register for a future visit. Additionally, other services, such as funding an account or contacting a third party, may be available through the EVR.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide techniques providing account setup, management and transaction authorization determinations in real-time using transaction interrupt messaging. Embodiments preferably take into consideration the quality of one or more parties to the transaction and the means by which charges may be rendered to them when making account setup, management, and/or transaction authorization determinations. Accordingly, transactions, such as collect calls, meeting at least some minimal risk threshold may be completed on a first call attempt, even where a pre-arranged billing agreement or other business relationship is not previously in place.

Abstract: Embodiments connect a call in which at least one party is a VoIP call party and monitoring resulting VoIP signals for unauthorized call activity, such as three-way call activity. The monitoring may include monitoring the call for suspend and/or resume events to detect the unauthorized call activity, the suspend and resume events may be generated by a telephone system and passed into a VoIP system associated with the VoIP call party. The monitoring may be carried out by an agent disposed between a VoIP gateway and the VoIP call party or by the VoIP gateway itself.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present invention a present authentication or identification process includes iterative and successive cross-hatching of biometric components such as voice print, fingerprint, hand analysis, retina scan, iris scan, and/or features (such as facial characteristics, scars, tattoos and/or birthmarks) with other identifying data such as a PIN, password phrase, barcode, or identification card.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods in which call intelligence, such as may be disposed in communication with signaling systems utilized in controlling calls, is used to provide information for making determinations with respect to the treatment of calls. Call intelligence may be coupled to or disposed within such networks to receive signaling therefrom and/or transmit signaling thereto for determining the appropriate treatment of a call and, preferably, controlling the treatment of a call in accordance with such determination. Signaling messages received by call intelligence may be utilized to determine that a particular calling activity (e.g., enhanced calling service such as call forwarding or three-way calling) is being employed, to collect data with respect to a call, and the like.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request for a communication service and determining if intervention is required to provide the communication service. The method also includes providing the communication service if no intervention is required. The method further includes performing an intervention in response to the request to gather information from at least one party associated with the request if intervention is required. In addition, the method includes providing the communication service after the intervention is completed. The gathered information is used to charge the at least one party for the communication service.

Abstract: Discloses are systems and methods for detecting undesired call activity. Preferred embodiment systems and methods comprise detecting a call signal level, determining if the call signal level is below a predetermined silence level threshold, and measuring a duration the call signal level remains below the predetermined silence level threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through a silence detection technique employing multiple samples. One embodiment monitors a call in progress to detect an event such as might be indicative of unauthorized call activity. Thereafter, a sampling process may be invoked which analyzes multiple samples of the call to make a determination as to whether or not a particular unauthorized call activity is being attempted. A party to the call may be muted to thereby prevent that party from thwarting the unauthorized call activity determination. Embodiments implement techniques for defeating parties to calls learning the unauthorized call activity detection system in order to avoid detection, such as by implementing a plurality of detection techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide techniques providing account setup, management and transaction authorization determinations in real-time using transaction interrupt messaging. Embodiments preferably take into consideration the quality of one or more parties to the transaction and the means by which charges may be rendered to them when making account setup, management, and/or transaction authorization determinations. Accordingly, transactions, such as collect calls, meeting at least some minimal risk threshold may be completed on a first call attempt, even where a pre-arranged billing agreement or other business relationship is not previously in place.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of offering a service to a user. The method comprises receiving a dialed number from a request to initiate a collect telephone call from an origination source; processing the dialed number to determine whether payment may be received for the collect telephone call, wherein the processing blocks the collect call and stores the dialed number when the processing determines that payment may not be received for the collect telephone call; and establishing a telephone connection with the dialed number to communicate an offer for the service to a user associated with the dialed number.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that allows a calling party to call a destination number and, upon approval of the called party, reverse the billing of the telephone call so that it is deducted from an account owned and maintained by the called party other than the account associated with the destination number. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving a predetermined access number from a calling party; prompting for a destination number; notifying a called party of the call they are receiving; allowing the called party to accept the call and enter a number associated with an account other than the telephone service account of the destination telephone number; verifying the account number and whether the account has sufficient value available; completing the telephone call to the destination number; and processing the charges associated with the call to be charged against the account.

Abstract: A method for determining an identity of an entity responsible for billing a called party of an alternatively billed telephone call is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a telephone number, the telephone number being associated with the called party. An initial entity identifier is acquired, the initial entity identifier being an OCN associated with the telephone number. Additional steps may be made in response to the telephone number wherein more accurate information is gathered and utilized to ensure the reliable determination of the identity of the entity responsible for ultimately billing the called party.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of affecting inmate behavior within a correctional facility through providing discount telephone calling rates to inmates who qualify for the discounted rates based on predetermined criteria, such as inmate good behavior. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of providing an identification for each inmate, establishing qualifying criteria for a discount telephone rate, and reducing the telephone call charge rate for inmates that meet the qualifying criteria.