Patents Assigned to Value-Added Communications
  • Publication number: 20160142537
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David WOODY
  • Patent number: 9282188
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
  • Publication number: 20160044161
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. HODGE, Fred KESTERSON, Serge SEYFETDINOV
  • Publication number: 20160028900
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 9225838
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Hodge, Fred Kesterson, Serge Seyfetdinov
  • Publication number: 20150229776
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kermit D. HEATON, Stephen L. HODGE
  • Publication number: 20150201080
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David Woody
  • Publication number: 20150201081
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David WOODY
  • Patent number: 9014355
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kermit Dwain Heaton, Stephen L. Hodge
  • Publication number: 20150078541
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 8929524
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 8630726
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Hodge, Fred Kesterson, Serge Seyfetdinov
  • Publication number: 20130329867
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee HODGE
  • Patent number: 8515031
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
  • Patent number: 8345850
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 8243891
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
  • Patent number: 7853243
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 7844252
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 7783021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hodge
  • Patent number: 7742581
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody