Patents by Inventor Lee Hodges

Lee Hodges has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11374883
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for providing presence-based communications in a controlled environment. In an embodiment, a presence management system monitors communication status information related to communication devices within a controlled facility as well as communication device external to the controlled facility. Communication statuses indicate the availability of users to receive certain types of communications, such as, for example, video conferencing, audio calls, and/or textual messages. In an embodiment, an inmate of the controlled environment can view communication statuses of external individuals. The presence management system informs the inmate of the availability of the external individuals and facilitates communications between the inmates and external individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11354959
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for activating remote monitoring functionality of a personal wireless device associated with a released individual. After incarceration, former inmates are released under a variety of different circumstances, many of which require follow-up check-ins with case managers or other individuals. As part of their release, inmates often agree to multiple restrictions and requirements. In order to better monitor compliance with those requirements, a personal wireless device assigned to the released individual can be programmed with certain rules and automatically trigger when a violation is detected. As a result of a detected violation, the personal wireless device activates certain devices, such as a camera, microphone, etc., to capture data in order to remotely monitor the released individual. A case manager can also manually activate monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Global Tel* Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11353136
    Abstract: In various implementations, an electronic actuator may be coupled to a valve to provide the ability to shut off anhydrous ammonia flow through the valve (e.g., in emergencies). The valve may be coupled to anhydrous ammonia tanks, such as nurse tanks and/or storage tanks. The electronic actuator may include a handle and a bracket. The handle and the bracket may include at least two attractive components that are magnetically attracted to each other upon application of an electric current and the valve may be open. When the electric current is cut, the attractive components of the handle and the bracket may not be magnetically attracted to each other and the valve may be shut off. A controller (e.g., a switch) may be coupled to the electronic actuator to allow control of the electric signal to the electronic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Squibb Taylor, Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Sands, III, William Henry Sands, Jr., Brently Craig Wilkerson, Patrick Lee Hodges, William Browning Washington, IV, Jack Jay Potts
  • Patent number: 11349998
    Abstract: A system for customizing time limits for inmate communications in a correctional facility is disclosed. The system includes a profile subsystem that stores an inmate profile of the inmate and a communication processing subsystem comprising one or more processors configured to receive data of an inmate communication of an inmate, identify a type of communication device of the inmate and a call recipient of the inmate communication based on the data of the inmate communication, retrieve the inmate profile of the inmate form the profile subsystem, identify a plurality of behaviors of the inmate based on the inmate profile, determine a time limit based on at least one of the type of communication device, the call recipient of the inmate communication, and the plurality of behaviors of the inmate, and assign the time limit to the inmate communication of the inmate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11336765
    Abstract: An incoming communication processing system and method is disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. Specifically, the incoming communication processing system allows outside parties to initiate communications to residents of a controlled facility. The incoming communication processing system may work in conjunction with or separately from an outgoing communication processing system. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the incoming communication system in order to prevent improper use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11334958
    Abstract: A system is described herein that facilitates the easy scheduling and conducting of prison visitations. The system provides a remotely-accessible means for visitors to authenticate themselves, check the availability of those they wish to visit, and schedule a visit with that individual. As part of this process, the system tracks the availability of prison inmates as well as the devices and visit sites that are available to those inmates. In this manner, the system can quickly identify the availability of different inmates in order to provide on-demand scheduling capabilities to potential visitors. The system is connected to multiple facilities as well as public networks, and therefore can be remotely accessed. Additionally, the system also functions to monitor visits while they are in progress, as well as to store visit recordings for future review. Because the system is networked, remote monitors can access the review system in order to monitor visits or review recordings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Lee Hodge, Anthony Bambocci
  • Publication number: 20220150343
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides details of a system and method for detecting and monitoring a contraband device including communication devices by utilizing a combination of mobile devices, fixed monitoring devices, and a contraband monitoring center. The mobile devices include smart phones or tablets that are borrowed, rented, or purchased by an inmate from a correctional facility. These mobile devices are configured to detect, monitor, and intervene in the communications of target devices. Further, the mobile devices are configured to communicate with fixed monitoring devices located throughout the correctional facility in performing intervention operations. The contraband monitoring center may also be utilized in the coordination, monitoring, and intervention of target devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Publication number: 20220108279
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to a system and method for providing job-specific training material to an inmate within a controlled environment. In an embodiment, the system authenticates an inmate by receiving at least one authentication request at a control platform from a wireless multifunction device in response to an inmate-initiated action and provides the inmate access to interactive training materials stored on a training database or an employment subsystem configured to provide an interface for the inmate to perform one or more job-specific tasks upon authenticating the inmate. Access to each of the databases or subsystem is provided to the inmate based on a profile corresponding to the inmate and the tasks are completed using a wireless multifunction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee HODGE
  • Patent number: 11294948
    Abstract: A Controlled Environment Secure Media Streaming System with Digital Video Recording (DVR) manages the delivery of content to Secured Devices. Cloud Services provide content to Integration Hub. The Integration Hub interfaces with various cloud services providers and prepares content for consumption by a resident of a secured facility. Integration Hub utilizes Content Filter to inspect content received from cloud service providers for suitability for use in a secured environment. Once content is retrieved, filtered, formatted, and packaged by Integration Hub, the content is stored in Data Warehouse. When requested content is not available, the system schedule a future retrieval or DVR of the content when it becomes available. When the system detects that the content is stopped, the system creates a bookmark, so the user can resume the content at the bookmarked portion at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11271976
    Abstract: A system is described herein that facilitates the monitoring of inmate communications. The system provides a remotely-accessible means for a reviewer to monitor a call between an inmate and another person. The system includes a monitoring server and a monitoring station. The monitoring server is configured to receive a call and call information from a communication center and process the call for monitoring, schedule a review of the call; and store the call, the call information, and scheduling data. The monitoring station is configured to receive the call and the call information from the monitoring server based on the scheduling data, and to display the identifying information and facilitate the review of the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Publication number: 20220028243
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides details of a system for monitoring an offender during a correctional supervisory program. The system includes an offender communication device that transmit and receive communications via a communication and monitoring center. The offender communication device include a smart phone or tablet that obtains identity information including biometric information from an offender before a communication is transmitted or received. The offender communication device also stores data including metadata, metrics, or content of a communication and transmits the stored data to the communication and monitoring center. The communication and monitoring center transmits and receives communications from the offender communication device and another communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee HODGE
  • Patent number: 11233896
    Abstract: A system for detecting inmate to inmate conference calls in a correctional facility is disclosed herein. The system includes a database and a conference call detection server, wherein the conference call detection server is configured to monitor a plurality of inmate communications, convert an audio signal of each inmate communication to a frequency domain signal, identify frequency data comprising one or more frequency peaks and corresponding frequency values in the frequency domain signal for each inmate communication, generate a record comprising the frequency data for each inmate communication, resulting in a plurality of records, store the plurality of records in the database, detect an inmate to inmate conference call by matching a frequency subset of a new inmate communication with frequency data in a detected record in the database, and verify the inmate to inmate conference call by matching audio with voice biometric samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11228672
    Abstract: A layered security suite is disclosed wherein multiple security barriers that prevent the unsanctioned use of a mobile device issued by a controlled-environment facility. The security barriers are implemented along multiple points within the communication path between the mobile device with outside networks, including on the mobile device, on wireless access points that serve data traffic for the mobile device, and a firewall device that monitors all data coming to and from the wireless access points. The barriers on the mobile device prevent the user from performing unsanctioned application and settings changes, including both software and hardware components, while the barrier on the wireless access point detects and prevents unauthorized connections between mobile devices and unsanctioned wireless access points. The firewall device discards packets with unsanctioned internet addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Marass, Brian Peters, Garth Johnson, Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Publication number: 20220011230
    Abstract: A fluorescence assay device performs a fluorescence assay of one or more samples including fluorescent materials, causing a plurality of sets of datapoint to be stored relating to received fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent materials. A user interface displays representations of some of the sets of datapoints. A first region of the user interface includes alphanumeric representations of a subset of the plurality of sets of datapoints, including one or more user-specified sets of datapoints. A second region of the user interface includes one or more pictographic representations of the one or more user-selected sets of datapoints. The one or more pictographic representations indicate categorizations of values of the particular set of datapoints for the one or more samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Alpar Erdei, Joshua Lelan Callaway, Terrence Lee Hodge
  • Publication number: 20220014630
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides details on an intermediary service bureau (ISB) system which includes an ISB center that acts as an intermediary communication center between communication devices used by correctional facilities and contract providers. The ISB records communications, stores security data, and provides front end processing to facilitate an inmate to communicate with an outside party by way of a contract provider. Further, the ISB provides accounting services for inmates and friends and family that use services provided the contract provider. The contract provider provides security and routing services for the ISB by obtaining data from the ISB and updating data at the ISB according to the communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Publication number: 20220005136
    Abstract: A machine and process for managing restrictions of a wireless device associated with an inmate service account. The machine and process include a kiosk operable to exchange data with the wireless device, including limited-use restrictions related to: an inmate associated with the inmate service account, a correctional facility, and/or a parole requirement. The kiosk may also unlock the wireless device when the inmate is released from the correctional facility by removing the limited-use restrictions from the wireless device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Charles Craig BULLARD, David DuWayne WISE, Stephen Lee HODGE
  • Publication number: 20210385324
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a monitoring environment that monitors an activity for activity that may be indicative of being prohibited by the local, the state, and/or the national governing authorities, namely suspicious activity, or activity that is prohibited by the local, the state, and/or the national governing authorities, namely prohibited activity. The monitoring environment verifies the activity is actually being monitored within the monitoring environment. The verification can require one or more monitoring persons monitoring the activity to perform one or more tasks to verify their attentiveness in monitoring the activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee HODGE
  • Publication number: 20210377192
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for providing presence-based secure communications in a controlled environment. In an embodiment, a presence management system monitors communication status information related to communication devices within a controlled facility as well as communication devices external to the controlled facility. Communication statuses indicate the availability of users to receive certain types of communications, such as, for example, video conferencing, audio calls, and/or textual messages. In embodiments, secure communications are provided between inmates and approved individuals, such as medical or legal professionals, based on the communication statuses. Such secure communications are encrypted and not monitored for content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee HODGE
  • Publication number: 20210366068
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing location fencing within a controlled environment are disclosed herein. A location fencing server determines a location of a first inmate based on a first beacon device, and determines a location of a second inmate based on a second beacon device. Further, the location fencing server determines a proximity status based on the location of the first inmate and the location of the second inmate. Additionally, the location fencing server determines that the first inmate and the second inmate are in violation of a proximity policy based on the proximity status. In some embodiments, the location fencing server sends a notification to an employee device based on the violation of a proximity policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen Lee HODGE
  • Patent number: 11178273
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides details of a system and method for detecting and monitoring a contraband device including communication devices by utilizing a combination of mobile devices, fixed monitoring devices, and a contraband monitoring center. The mobile devices include smart phones or tablets that are borrowed, rented, or purchased by an inmate from a correctional facility. These mobile devices are configured to detect, monitor, and intervene in the communications of target devices. Further, the mobile devices are configured to communicate with fixed monitoring devices located throughout the correctional facility in performing intervention operations. The contraband monitoring center may also be utilized in the coordination, monitoring, and intervention of target devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge