Patents Assigned to Securus Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8068590
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for processing alternatively billed telephone calls, such as, for example, collect calls and third party calls. In some representative embodiments, a method for completing an alternatively billed call between a calling party and a called party comprises establishing a calling party quality score and completing the alternatively billed call if the calling party quality score meets a threshold. In other representative embodiments, the method further comprises establishing a called party quality score and/or a third party quality score, combining the aforementioned quality scores, and completing the alternatively billed call if the combination of quality scores meets a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith S. Kelson, Michelle L. Polozola
  • Patent number: 8065213
    Abstract: Systems or methods for managing transactions within a controlled environment facility provide an information management engine integrating transaction functionality and telephone calling functionality, establish an account associated with a resident of the controlled environment facility, and use the information management engine to conduct transactions associated with residents of the controlled environment facility. The transactions include at least requests, by the resident, for deposits into the account by a party outside of the controlled environment facility. The systems or methods accept requests from the resident and utilize the telephone calling services of the information management engine to facilitate the request for deposit. The systems or methods may place calls to the individuals outside the controlled environment facility to interact with the individual, request the deposit and accept such deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Rosenfield, Richard Falcone, John J Viola, Lee R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8031850
    Abstract: Systems and methods which collect information regarding users of controlled environment visitation terminals for identification of one or more parties to a visitation conversation are shown. Identifying information may be provided by various means, such as entry of a PIN, RFID, biometrics, etcetera. Embodiments provide a closed circuit visitation communication system in which a single port of a communication control system is used with respect to a pair of visitation terminals. Embodiments operate to prevent communication between a resident of a controlled environment facility and a visitor while identifying information is collected and verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Polozola, Brian D. Waters
  • Patent number: 8031052
    Abstract: Systems and methods providing radio frequency identification (RFID) of individuals, as may be implemented with respect to a controlled environment facility, using RFID transducer technology deployed in association with a user terminal, such as telephone or multimedia kiosk, are shown. Embodiments operate to identify residents of a controlled environment facility and control one or more transactions associated with the residents and/or actions of the residents using a RFID system in which a user presents a RFID transponder in proximity to a RFID transducer for identification. RFID tags of embodiments comprise data which identifies an individual, data which may be used to identify an individual, or a combination of both. RFID systems of embodiments are adapted to utilize existing communication links for identification of individuals using RFID and/or for controlling transactions, such as calls, using RFID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle L. Polozola
  • Patent number: 8019354
    Abstract: Systems and methods which facilitate wireless communications within a controlled environment in a controlled manner are shown. Embodiments operate to recognize wireless communications terminating within a controlled environment facility and control one or more aspects of the communications. Embodiments also operate to detect wireless devices disposed within a controlled environment facility and determine the location of the wireless devices. Embodiments deploy one or more wireless communication nodes in communication with an information processing platform operating in association with the controlled environment facility, such that wireless devices detected by the wireless communication nodes are located by the call processing platform and wireless communications passing through the wireless communication nodes are subject to call processing by the information processing platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Rae, Peter Keahon, Michelle L. Polozola
  • Patent number: 8000269
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide call processing for a plurality of telephones at a site for which calling services are provided. Call control functionality is distributed to remote locations using data networks according to embodiments. The aforementioned data networks and/or separate data networks are used to carry call content using voice over Internet protocols (VoIP). Embodiments utilize VoIP to carry calls from a location at which calling services are provided to a centralized call processing platform providing call processing functionality, such as calling party identification, call validation, call routing, and connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). PSTN interfacing by a call processing platform may be provided as a VoIP connection to the PSTN and/or as POTS trunking. Call processing platforms may provide for data sharing, aggregation, and/or analysis across multiple facilities served.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Rae, Thomas R. Spadaro
  • Patent number: 7961858
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Polozola, Anthony Hershberger, Robert L. Rae, Marc Hite, Luke Keiser
  • Patent number: 7961860
    Abstract: A system and method for graphically demonstrating a call-processing operation include receiving data representing signals in a telephone call and data from an event-detecting algorithm, the data from the event-detecting algorithm describing an operation of the algorithm on the telephone call, and generating a graphical display including a waveform based on the data representing signals in the telephone call and a graph of the operation of the event-detection algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher R. McFarlen
  • Patent number: 7945037
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for using messages received from a remote switch to detect remote call forwarding. Embodiments utilize call intelligence associated with a database on an SS7 network to receive messages from a terminating switch. The return address of the message may be compared to an expected terminating switch address to confirm that the expected switch terminated the call. Embodiments may further compare a terminating phone number contained within the received message to an expected terminating phone number. Embodiments provide for various call handling in the event that a query is received from a switch other than the expected terminating switch. Such call handling may include terminating the call, recording the call, attempting to identify the called party, notifying proper authorities of the call, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Hogg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7916845
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Rae, Michelle L. Polozola, John S. Hogg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7899167
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a centralized architecture for call processing. Embodiments utilize voice over Internet protocols (VoIP) to carry calls from a location at which calling services are provided to a centralized call processing platform providing call processing functionality, such as calling party identification, call validation, call routing, and connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Call processing gateways may be utilized to provide plain old telephone service (POTS) analog line interfaces for use with a plurality of telephone sets disposed for use at a location and at least one wide area network (WAN) interface for providing high speed data communication to a centralized call processing platform. PSTN interfacing by a call processing platform may be provided as a VoIP connection to the PSTN and/or as POTS trunking. Call processing platforms may provide for data sharing, aggregation, and/or analysis across multiple facilities served.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Rae
  • Patent number: 7860722
    Abstract: A method for keyword detection in a controlled-environment facility comprises capturing a conversation within the controlled-environment facility and executing a hybrid keyword detection application for detecting a keyword spoken during the conversation. A system comprises an audio capture system operable to capture an audio signal within a controlled-environment facility and a hybrid keyword detection system connected to the audio capture system, where the hybrid keyword detection system is operable to detect a keyword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Chow
  • Patent number: 7860226
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Falcone, Robert Mudd, Timothy J. Murphy, Jimmie Jones, Jr., Marc Hite, Luke Keiser, Bruce Cooper, Michelle L. Polozola, Randy Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7860222
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide availability of information on a network wide basis, with the network or information technology (IT) fabric spanning a wide range of institutions and other sources of information, including correctional facilities, without regard to which jurisdiction the source of information belongs, e.g. police, courts, federal investigation agencies, public databases etcetera. Embodiments provide an electronic based capability to identify useful information and for locating, collecting, compiling, aggregating, distilling, and/or reporting robust data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Sidler, John J. Viola, Michelle L. Polozola
  • Patent number: 7804941
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending and receiving a message between a nonresident and a resident of a controlled environment facility that associates an identifier to the message, wherein the resident does not associate the identifier to resident created messages. The identifier my take the form of a barcode printed directly onto the message form or printed onto a detachable sticker that is affixed to the message form. Embodiments may allow the searching of a message for prohibited words, phrases, or ideas and notifying a relevant authority to the existence of such prohibited content. Embodiments may also allow a nonresident to select a delivery medium that is incompatible with the format of a message created by a resident by converting the resident created message to a message format compatible with the delivery medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Keiser, Michelle L. Polozola, Peter Keahon
  • Patent number: 7805457
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring activity of detainees comprising identifying a detainee who is affiliated with a gang, searching one or more databases for information associated with the detainee, and correlating the information to identify individuals who may be affiliated with the gang. The databases may include call record databases, and the information associated with the detainee may include individuals called by the detainee, individuals who visit the detainee, telephone numbers called by the detainee, and sources of funding for the detainee's calls voice and/or facial biometric identifiers. An alert may be triggered when the detainee calls a specified individual or telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Viola, James S. Sidler, Luke Keiser
  • Patent number: 7324637
    Abstract: A telecommunication system includes telecommunication resources, points, and a connection manager. The connection manager is configured to establish connections between the telecommunications resources and the points in response to a request from an application. The connection manager uses routing tables to select the most efficient route from the available routes between a telecommunications resource and a point. The routing tables establish the connection by sending a request to allocate a telecommunications resource to a session manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Brown, John S. Hogg
  • Patent number: 7164761
    Abstract: A telecommunication system includes telecommunication resources, points, and a connection manager. The connection manager is configured to establish connections between the telecommunications resources and the points in response to a request from an application. The connection manager uses routing tables to select the most efficient route from the available routes between a telecommunications resource and a point. The routing tables establish the connection by sending a request to allocate a telecommunications resource to a session manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Brown, John S. Hogg, Jr.