Patents Assigned to Value-Added Communications
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Publication number: 20160142537Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David WOODY
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Patent number: 9282188Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Publication number: 20160044161Abstract: Disclosed is a three-way call detection system and method for use with a telephone management system. Specifically, a three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of an attempt to mask a three-way call attempt. The continuous noise detection system and method may be stand alone or used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. HODGE, Fred KESTERSON, Serge SEYFETDINOV
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Publication number: 20160028900Abstract: A telecommunications method for call forwarding including storing information regarding a called party in at least one local database, where the information regarding the called party is stored in a user account and making a telephone call by dialing a telephone number with a telephone, where the telephone is contained in a telephone management system. The method also includes determining whether the telephone number is associated with the user account and transferring, via the switchboard, the call to the called party if the telephone number is associated with the user account, where the telephone management system is in communication with a revenue management system, and also where the revenue management system contains at least one local database.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
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Patent number: 9225838Abstract: Disclosed is a three-way call detection system and method for use with a telephone management system. Specifically, a three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of an attempt to mask a three-way call attempt. The continuous noise detection system and method may be stand alone or used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Hodge, Fred Kesterson, Serge Seyfetdinov
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Publication number: 20150229776Abstract: Disclosed is an improved revenue call management system for use with a telecommunication system. The revenue management system preferably includes a remote server, a user database, and a plurality of databases. When a call is placed, the revenue management system queries the user database based on the telephone number dialed to bill the appropriate account. If no account exists for the dialed telephone number, the revenue system queries a multitude of internal and external databases to determine if the dialed telephone number is billable. If the telephone number is un-billable, the collect call attempt is terminated. The revenue management system is capable of establishing accounts in real time while the caller and called party are on the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Kermit D. HEATON, Stephen L. HODGE
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Publication number: 20150201080Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David Woody
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Publication number: 20150201081Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David WOODY
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Patent number: 9014355Abstract: Disclosed is an improved revenue call management system for use with a telecommunication system. The revenue management system preferably includes a remote server, a user database, and a plurality of databases. When a call is placed, the revenue management system queries the user database based on the telephone number dialed to bill the appropriate account. If no account exists for the dialed telephone number, the revenue system queries a multitude of internal and external databases to determine if the dialed telephone number is billable. If the telephone number is un-billable, the collect call attempt is terminated. The revenue management system is capable of establishing accounts in real time while the caller and called party are on the line.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Kermit Dwain Heaton, Stephen L. Hodge
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Publication number: 20150078541Abstract: A telecommunications method for call forwarding including storing information regarding a called party in at least one local database, where the information regarding the called party is stored in a user account and making a telephone call by dialing a telephone number with a telephone, where the telephone is contained in a telephone management system. The method also includes determining whether the telephone number is associated with the user account and transferring, via the switchboard, the call to the called party if the telephone number is associated with the user account, where the telephone management system is in communication with a revenue management system, and also where the revenue management system contains at least one local database.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
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Patent number: 8929524Abstract: A telecommunications method for call forwarding including storing information regarding a called party in at least one local database, where the information regarding the called party is stored in a user account and making a telephone call by dialing a telephone number with a telephone, where the telephone is contained in a telephone management system. The method also includes determining whether the telephone number is associated with the user account and transferring, via the switchboard, the call to the called party if the telephone number is associated with the user account, where the telephone management system is in communication with a revenue management system, and also where the revenue management system contains at least one local database.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
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Patent number: 8630726Abstract: Disclosed is a three-way call detection system and method for use with a telephone management system. Specifically, a three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of an attempt to mask a three-way call attempt. The continuous noise detection system and method may be stand alone or used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Hodge, Fred Kesterson, Serge Seyfetdinov
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Publication number: 20130329867Abstract: A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account, and includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system. The system monitors a conversation in the telephone call to detect a presence of a first characteristic in audio of the conversation, and terminates the telephone call if the first characteristic does not match a second characteristic of biometric information of a user or a called party.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Lee HODGE
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Patent number: 8515031Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Patent number: 8345850Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure include methods in which a three-way call attempt is detected. Methods include monitoring the active communications of a telephone management system for pulses of energy indicative of a three-way call. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is computed for each pulse of energy with time domain characteristics consistent with a click. Phases of each component for the pulse are also analyzed. If the phases are generally linear (i.e., if the phases have a common group delay or phase delay), then the pulse is a three-way call click and appropriate action (e.g., monitoring the call, terminating the call, warning the caller, etc.) is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Value-Added CommunicationsInventor: Stephen L. Hodge
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Patent number: 8243891Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Patent number: 7853243Abstract: A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account or other related limitations. The system includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system and is further capable of modifying or setting any number of user account parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
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Patent number: 7844252Abstract: A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account or other related limitations. The system includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system and is further capable of modifying or setting any number of user account parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
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Patent number: 7783021Abstract: The present invention discloses a centralized, digital, computer-based telephone call management system for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. The system includes the capacity to allow an institution to control, record, monitor, and bill and report usage and access to a telephone network. The telephone call management system further includes both accounting and management software for use in controlling, monitoring, billing, recording, and reporting usage and access. Also, it can operate over both a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) infrastructure.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Hodge
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Patent number: 7742581Abstract: A secure electronic message exchange system, including a plurality of workstations, a communications medium, and a control platform coupled to a workstation of the plurality of workstations by the communications medium. The control platform includes one or more apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, converting, and billing related to, messages exchanged between a plurality of local users and a plurality of remote users. The control platform also prevents a forwarding of or a copying of a message, sent by a local user of the plurality of local users and received by a remote user of the plurality of remote users, to another party, where the control platform provides authentication of the remote user.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody