Patents by Inventor Stephen Hodges
Stephen 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).
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Patent number: 11959733Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mobile correctional facility robots and systems and methods for coordinating mobile correctional facility robots to perform various tasks in a correctional facility. The mobile correctional facility robots can be used to perform many of the tasks traditionally assigned to correctional facility guards to help reduce the number of guards needed in any given correctional facility. When cooperation is employed among multiple mobile correctional facility robots to execute tasks, a central controller can be used to coordinate the efforts of the multiple robots to improve the performance of the overall system of robots as compared to the performance of the robots when working in uncoordinated effort to execute the tasks.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Patent number: 11902462Abstract: 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: October 24, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Patent number: 11843640Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for secure electronic message exchange including coupling a control platform to a workstation of a plurality of workstations via a communications medium, where the control platform includes one or more apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, conversion, and billing, related to messages exchanged between a plurality of local users and a plurality of remote users. The system prevents forwarding or 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 by the control platform. The system and method also provides for authenticating the remote user with the control platform.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Patent number: 11843591Abstract: A communication device and system are disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. The device can be restricted to communicating only using an internet protocol so as to restrict the device communication to an internal intranet. Wireless access points may be disposed throughout the environment to route calls and data between the device and a central processing center. By converting a protocol of the communications received from the device to a protocol used by the central processing center, minimal modifications to the central processing center are needed to support a wireless communication infrastructure. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the phone and system in order to prevent improper use.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, Garth Johnson, Christopher McNitt
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Patent number: 11778091Abstract: There is a growing problem in correctional facility telecommunications systems in which parties on a voice call may connect inmate callers with restricted parties. Prison communication systems monitor calls to prevent such activity, but in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) environments such systems may fail to detect this activity. The present disclosure provides details of a system and method for using SIP messages common in VoIP environments to detect illicit activity initiated by a party on a voice call within a controlled environment. Scenarios are detected in which a called party connects an inmate caller to a restricted party via three-way call conferencing, call forwarding, or other call features. Corrective actions are then taken when such activity is detected, such as call blocking or alerting officials illicit activity is occurring.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, Eric Gonzalez
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Patent number: 11757969Abstract: Controlled-environment communication systems are increasingly using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to serve their users. VoIP allows voice to be sent in packetized form, where audio is encoded using one of several codecs. Because of bandwidth constraints, particularly during peak call times, codecs may be used which sacrifice audio quality for bandwidth efficiency. As a result, several features of communication systems, including critical security features. The present disclosure provides details for systems and methods by which a controlled-environment communication system may shift between codecs to perform security-related features or to alleviate bandwidth considerations. This involves the special formatting of control-signaling messages, including session initiation protocol (SIP) and session description protocol (SDP) messaging.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Publication number: 20230231843Abstract: A method and system are described for enhancing the security of calls made by a member of a controlled environment to an outside party, particularly when the outside party communicates via a cellular phone. An application is provided for the cellular device, which must communicate and register with a calling platform of the controlled environment. Certain elements of personal verification data are obtained by the user of the cellular device and stored at the calling platform for later reference. Calls from the inmate to the cellular device cause the calling platform to issue a notification to the user via the application. The user verifies his/her identity using the application, after which the call can be connected. As a further security measure, certain conditions can be required and periodically checked during the call to ensure the user remains verified.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE
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Publication number: 20230194227Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mobile correctional facility robots and systems and methods for coordinating mobile correctional facility robots to perform various tasks in a correctional facility. The mobile correctional facility robots can be used to perform many of the tasks traditionally assigned to correctional facility guards to help reduce the number of guards needed in any given correctional facility. When cooperation is employed among multiple mobile correctional facility robots to execute tasks, a central controller can be used to coordinate the efforts of the multiple robots to improve the performance of the overall system of robots as compared to the performance of the robots when working in uncoordinated effort to execute the tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE
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Publication number: 20230120817Abstract: 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: October 24, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David WOODY
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Patent number: 11563734Abstract: A method and system are described for enhancing the security of calls made by a member of a controlled environment to an outside party, particularly when the outside party communicates via a cellular phone. An application is provided for the cellular device, which must communicate and register with a calling platform of the controlled environment. Certain elements of personal verification data are obtained by the user of the cellular device and stored at the calling platform for later reference. Calls from the inmate to the cellular device cause the calling platform to issue a notification to the user via the application. The user verifies his/her identity using the application, after which the call can be connected. As a further security measure, certain conditions can be required and periodically checked during the call to ensure the user remains verified.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Publication number: 20220417290Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for secure electronic message exchange including coupling a control platform to a workstation of a plurality of workstations via a communications medium, where the control platform includes one or more apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, conversion, and billing, related to messages exchanged between a plurality of local users and a plurality of remote users. The system prevents forwarding or 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 by the control platform. The system and method also provides for authenticating the remote user with the control platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Patent number: 11536547Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mobile correctional facility robots and systems and methods for coordinating mobile correctional facility robots to perform various tasks in a correctional facility. The mobile correctional facility robots can be used to perform many of the tasks traditionally assigned to correctional facility guards to help reduce the number of guards needed in any given correctional facility. When cooperation is employed among multiple mobile correctional facility robots to execute tasks, a central controller can be used to coordinate the efforts of the multiple robots to improve the performance of the overall system of robots as compared to the performance of the robots when working in uncoordinated effort to execute the tasks.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Patent number: 11483433Abstract: 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 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Publication number: 20220337653Abstract: Controlled-environment communication systems are increasingly using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to serve their users. VoIP allows voice to be sent in packetized form, where audio is encoded using one of several codecs. Because of bandwidth constraints, particularly during peak call times, codecs may be used which sacrifice audio quality for bandwidth efficiency. As a result, several features of communication systems, including critical security features. The present disclosure provides details for systems and methods by which a controlled-environment communication system may shift between codecs to perform security-related features or to alleviate bandwidth considerations. This involves the special formatting of control-signaling messages, including session initiation protocol (SIP) and session description protocol (SDP) messaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Patent number: 11394751Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for secure electronic message exchange including coupling a control platform to a workstation of a plurality of workstations via a communications medium, where the control platform includes one or more apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, conversion, and billing, related to messages exchanged between a plurality of local users and a plurality of remote users. The system prevents forwarding or 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 by the control platform. The system and method also provides for authenticating the remote user with the control platform.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Patent number: 11381623Abstract: Controlled-environment communication systems are increasingly using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to serve their users. VoIP allows voice to be sent in packetized form, where audio is encoded using one of several codecs. Because of bandwidth constraints, particularly during peak call times, codecs may be used which sacrifice audio quality for bandwidth efficiency. As a result, several features of communication systems, including critical security features. The present disclosure provides details for systems and methods by which a controlled-environment communication system may shift between codecs to perform security-related features or to alleviate bandwidth considerations. This involves the special formatting of control-signaling messages, including session initiation protocol (SIP) and session description protocol (SDP) messaging.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Global Tel*Link GorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Publication number: 20220184501Abstract: In the present disclosure, systems and methods are described for video gaming in a controlled environment facility. A video game server allows tenants of a controlled environment facility to play video games that are served and monitored by the video game server. In embodiments, users may initiate a game session to play games in a single player mode, competitive multiplayer or cooperative multiplayer mode depending on the game being played. The video game server maintains block lists for each user such that those users may not initiate or engage in the same game sessions with each other. In game sessions with two or more users, the video game server allows users to communicate via audio or text communications. The video game server may monitor those communications for potential security concerns. Users may also view videos of previously completed or live game sessions, subject to similar security monitoring measures.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE
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Publication number: 20220150230Abstract: A communication device and system are disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. The device can be restricted to communicating only using an internet protocol so as to restrict the device communication to an internal intranet. Wireless access points may be disposed throughout the environment to route calls and data between the device and a central processing center. By converting a protocol of the communications received from the device to a protocol used by the central processing center, minimal modifications to the central processing center are needed to support a wireless communication infrastructure. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the phone and system in order to prevent improper use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen HODGE, Garth JOHNSON, Christopher McNITT
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Patent number: 11290499Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for secure electronic message exchange includes receiving an encrypted message between one of an inmate or an outside user. The message is transmitted between the users without decrypting the message at the server to ensure privacy. In various configurations, the message is stored at the server in encrypted form and a notification message is transmitted to a recipient. The recipient may then request retrieval of the message from the server. After being authenticated, the encrypted message is provided to the recipient without being decrypted at the server.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Patent number: 11213754Abstract: In the present disclosure, systems and methods are described for video gaming in a controlled environment facility. A video game server allows tenants of a controlled environment facility to play video games that are served and monitored by the video game server. In embodiments, users may initiate a game session to play games in a single player mode, competitive multiplayer or cooperative multiplayer mode depending on the game being played. The video game server maintains block lists for each user such that those users may not initiate or engage in the same game sessions with each other. In game sessions with two or more users, the video game server allows users to communicate via audio or text communications. The video game server may monitor those communications for potential security concerns. Users may also view videos of previously completed or live game sessions, subject to similar security monitoring measures.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge