Patents Assigned to SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES
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Patent number: 11043097Abstract: Activity and aggression detection and monitoring in a controlled-environment facility includes gathering audio, video and/or telemetry input from one or more dedicated and/or ad hoc sensors disposed in portions of the controlled-environment facility. A baseline normal input level from each of the sensors indicative of normal activity in the controlled-environment facility (proximate to a subject sensor) is predetermined. A determination is then made whether the input from each of the sensors rises above or falls below the predetermined normal input level, and when it does, the sensor input of the subject sensor may be recorded. When input from a sensor rises above or falls below the predetermined normal input level, an alert may be issued to controlled-environment facility personnel and/or law enforcement, the input from the subject sensor may be streamed to the personnel, and/or a recording of the sensor input may be offered.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Adam C. Edwards, Luke Keiser
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Patent number: 11044280Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: Matthew Richard Smith
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Patent number: 11037457Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for controlling and incentivizing the use of software-based services that are made available to residents of controlled-environment facilities. Residents are assigned a communication device that is used to connect to a communication system provided to residents by a controlled-environment facility. Via the assigned communication device, the resident is provided with various software modules, such as visitation software, entertainment software and educational software. The provided software modules may designated as either incentivized or restricted. A restricted module, such as a visitation module or gaming module, is disabled until the resident has been authorized to use the module. The communication device is configured to track the resident's use of incentivized modules, such as education modules.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: Patricia Auger
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Patent number: 10998970Abstract: A communication system comprises a network configured to support data, voice, and video communications and a docking station coupled to the network and configured to provide data connections to a personal computer wireless device, wherein the personal computer wireless device is configured to communicate with the docking station using light communication. A method for accessing the communication system comprises connecting a personal computer wireless device to a docking station using light communication and identifying a current location of the personal computer wireless device based upon LC with the docking station or an LC access point. One or more selected applications may be enabled or disabled on the personal computer wireless device based upon the current location.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: Scott Passe
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Patent number: 10986311Abstract: A system and method for preventing unauthorized inmate to inmate communications comprises establishing a video conferencing session between a first device and a second device. Video content is extracted from video conferencing session data received from the second device. One or more artifacts are identified in the video content. The artifacts indicate that a third device is a source of at least a portion of the video content. The artifacts comprise at least three layers of objects in the video content, wherein the layers are associated with different rates of variation in linear measurements of the objects. In other embodiments, multiple backgrounds are detected in the video conferencing session data.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander Noland, John Wange
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Patent number: 10979563Abstract: Systems and methods for initiating communication with a controlled-environment facility resident by a non-resident may employ a controlled-environment facility secure communication platform that receives an incoming communication request from a non-resident, directed to a telephone number assigned to a controlled-environment facility resident and/or a controlled-environment facility media and/or communications device associated with the resident, for a communication with the resident. The facility secure communication platform sends an event notice to the device associated with the resident or a controlled-environment facility media and/or communications terminal associated with the resident, in response to receipt of the incoming communication request.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: Uday R. Parekh
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Patent number: 10972701Abstract: Systems and methods for blocking, adding, and/or modifying video content in a video conference session are disclosed. A video conferencing session is established between a first device and a second device. Video conferencing session data that is received from the first device comprises only audio information. Video conferencing session data that is received from the second device comprises both audio and video information. Video content is added to the video conferencing session data from the first device before sending the video conferencing session data to the second device. The added video content is not captured from the first device.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: Mario Ward
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Patent number: 10944803Abstract: A resident of a controlled-environment facility is provided with messaging-initiated interactive sessions. A non-resident records a message for a resident. At a later time, the resident requests use of a resident device. Use of the resident device is authorized and the resident is notified of the message from the non-resident. The message is presented to the resident for review via the resident device. If requested by the resident, approval for an interactive session between the resident and the non-resident is determined. The immediate availability of the non-resident for the requested interactive session is determined. If the non-resident is available, a request is issued to the non-resident for the approved interactive session. The non-resident may be notified of the remaining time the resident has access has access to the resident device and may be presented an option for the approved interactive session during this time window.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth D. Johnston, Jr., John Mannewitz
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Patent number: 10931815Abstract: Personal controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or data devices deployed within a controlled-environment facility each have a device identification apparatus (e.g. RFID tag). Interrogators and/or readers disposed within zone(s) defined within the controlled-environment facility identify, recognize, or otherwise read the device identification apparatus(es). A controlled-environment facility management system and/or a controlled-environment facility communications processing system coupled to the interrogators and/or readers determine whether a particular personal device entering, attempting to operate in, leaving, or outside a particular zone is authorized to operate in that zone and/or is authorized to operate one or more particular apps in that zone, based upon the device identification apparatus identified, recognized, or otherwise read by the interrogator and/or reader within that zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: James Sturges, Anthony Hershberger
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Patent number: 10929940Abstract: A resident of a controlled-environment facility is provided with a messaging service that includes a capability that provides a message recipient with reply message capabilities. A visitation request system receives requests for communication sessions between residents and non-residents. The visitation system initiates a request for a communication session on behalf of the requesting party and determines that the responding party has not accepted the communication session request. Since the request has not been accepted, a messaging service provides the requesting with an interface for recording a message for delivery to the responding party. If the requesting party records a message, the responding party is notified of the recorded message. Once the responding party plays the recorded message, the responding party is provided an option to record a reply message for delivery to the requesting party. The requesting party is notified of the reply message from the responding party.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth D. Johnston, Jr., John Mannewitz
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Patent number: 10929941Abstract: The present systems and methods for incarceration risk mitigation for an at risk constituent may match, such as by a controlled-environment facility Administration and Management System (AMS), a non-resident constituent with a correctional facility inmate, based, at least in part on an offense committed by the non-resident constituent and a criminal offense committed by the correctional facility inmate. A controlled-environment facility visitation system, or the like, may then schedule a controlled-environment facility communication between the non-resident constituent and the correctional facility inmate. A controlled-environment facility communication processing system, or the like, may provide a communication link between the non-resident constituent and the correctional facility inmate, as scheduled. The AMS, or the like, may report participation for the non-resident constituent and/or the correctional facility inmate in the controlled-environment facility communication.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Shuaib Suleman, Adam Christopher Edwards
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Patent number: 10924608Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting volume level changes in communications are described herein. In some embodiments, a system comprises a computer system. The computer system comprises at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory stores program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor to cause the computer system to perform tasks. The tasks include recording a communication that comprises audio, and analyzing the audio of the communication. The analysis of the audio is operable to detect a change in a volume level of the audio that indicates an occurrence of a potential event of interest. The tasks also include creating and storing an information record corresponding to the communication in a second database. The information record includes an indication of the detected change in the volume level.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Keiser, Stephen Schneider
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Patent number: 10918953Abstract: Systems, methods and devices provide gaming services to residents of a controlled-environment facility. A first network interface of a device provides a restricted-bandwidth connection to a gaming system via one or more network access points located within the facility. A second network interface of the device establishes a second connection with the gaming system via a high-bandwidth connection in order to download one or more games to the device. Once the device is disconnected from the high-bandwidth connection, a request for the resident to access a downloaded game is issued to the gaming system via the restricted-bandwidth connection. An authorization key granting temporary access to the game is transmitted to the device via the restricted-bandwidth connection. The resident has access to the game until expiration of the authorization key is detected. The authorization key may expire based on duration of gameplay or based on gameplay progress.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Connor Pickens, Alexander Noland
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Patent number: 10904067Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, apparatuses, and systems for verifying inmate presence during a secure facility transaction. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving input information to initiate a user session at an interactive data terminal, generating user presence information to track the presence of the user at the interactive data terminal, determining that the user has left the interactive data terminal in response to the presence information, and automatically terminating the user session in response to a determination that the user has left the interactive data terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: Joseph Higgs
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Patent number: 10904296Abstract: Information associated with a controlled-environment facility resident communications and/or data device, such as device location within the controlled-environment facility, may be used to determine whether the resident device is approved for two-way video visitation or restricted to on-way video visitation. Video visitation may be initiated and voice and video captured and streamed by a non-resident communications and/or data device, as well as voice and/or video captured and streamed by the resident device, is received by a controlled-environment facility electronic communications management system. Voice and video captured at the non-resident device is transmitted to the resident device and, if the resident device is permitted two-way video visitation, voice and video captured by the resident device is transmitted to the non-resident device, if the resident device is restricted to one-way video visitation, only voice is transmitted to the non-resident device.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Ligit Mathew, Daniel Wright, Nikita Dehoumon
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Patent number: 10897597Abstract: Systems and methods enabling inbound calls to controlled-environment facility resident telephone numbers employ resident-associated communications devices deployed in the facilities. An inbound and outbound calling platform assigns a telephone number to each resident and associates a routable (IP) address of each resident communications device with such telephone number. This calling platform also presents an online directory to accessing inbound callers that lists residents the caller is allowed to call, the telephone number(s) of such resident(s), and whether such residents and their communications devices are ready to receive a call. The calling platform reconfirms such information upon an inbound call being placed to a telephone number assigned to a resident and signals the resident communications device associated with the resident assigned that telephone number.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: James Sturges
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Patent number: 10893232Abstract: Video communications of residents of a controlled-environment facility are monitored to detect instances of non-verbal communications within the video, such as the display of written messages and hand signals. Residents may participate in live video visitation sessions with non-residents. Video recordings are generated for each video feed of the live video visitation. During the live video visitation, indications of non-verbal communications displayed in the live video are detected. If indications of non-verbal communications are detected in the live video, the recorded video is annotated to specify the locations of the detected indications in the recording. Upon completion of the video visitation session, post-processing of the recorded video detects additional indications of displayed non-verbal communication.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott D. Passe, Luke Keiser
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Patent number: 10866597Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide for systems and methods for detecting and intercepting drones and drone operators. An example system for disrupting drone attacks comprises a drone detection system configured to detect a hostile drone, a defensive drone control system coupled to the drone detection system and configured to communicate with a first defensive drone, and a first defensive drone configured to receive first data from the defensive drone control system and to use the data to intercept the hostile drone. The system for disrupting drone attacks may further comprise a system configured to identify a control source of the hostile drone, and a second defensive drone configured to receive second data from the defensive drone control system and to use the second data to fly to a location associated with the control source of the hostile drone.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis J. Reinhold, Daniel James Wigger, Joshua Martin
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Patent number: 10866602Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling communications using temperature and/or Radio Frequency (RF) signals are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include determining whether a user operating a communications device has at least temporarily transferred at least partial control of the communications device to another user based, at least in part, upon a change in at least one of: a temperature or an RF signal sensed at the communications device. The method may also include controlling an aspect of a communication conducted via the communications device based, at least in part, upon the determination.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Higgs, Adam C. Edwards
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Patent number: 10847006Abstract: Systems and methods which detect in video and/or audio data a change in a physiological indicator of a person captured by the video and/or audio data, and which provide feedback indicating when the change in the physiological indicator occurs, are described. A method uses an analytics module operating on at least one processor. Data is received from a video camera worn on a first person. The data is indicative of an interaction between the first person and a second person. A physiological indicator of the second person is detected by analyzing the data. A change in the physiological indicator in the data is determined. An indication of the change in the physiological indicator in the data is transmitted to a sensory device on the first person.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLCInventor: Arthur P. Walters