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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Publication number: 20210377317Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen HODGE, David WOODY
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Patent number: 11184342Abstract: 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: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, Garth Johnson, Christopher McNitt
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Publication number: 20210272225Abstract: 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: March 15, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE
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Publication number: 20210251486Abstract: A system and method for integration of telemedicine into multimedia video visitation systems of correctional facilities is disclosed herein. The system includes a telemedicine center that communicates with a medical center located at a correctional facility and a physician kiosk remote to the correctional facility. The medical center includes an inmate kiosk and a medical assistant station. The inmate kiosk and physician kiosk participate in a secure video call as part of an appointment between the inmate and physician. The inmate kiosk coordinates with the telemedicine center to verify an identity of the inmate. The inmate kiosk interfaces with a number of medical sensors and communicates data collected from the sensors to the physician kiosk.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE
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Publication number: 20210160367Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen HODGE, Eric GONZALEZ
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Publication number: 20210112046Abstract: 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: October 23, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE
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Patent number: 10949940Abstract: 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: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Patent number: 10936698Abstract: A system and method for integration of telemedicine into multimedia video visitation systems of correctional facilities is disclosed herein. The system includes a telemedicine center that communicates with a medical center located at a correctional facility and a physician kiosk remote to the correctional facility. The medical center includes an inmate kiosk and a medical assistant station. The inmate kiosk and physician kiosk participate in a secure video call as part of an appointment between the inmate and physician. The inmate kiosk coordinates with the telemedicine center to verify an identity of the inmate. The inmate kiosk interfaces with a number of medical sensors and communicates data collected from the sensors to the physician kiosk.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Publication number: 20210029102Abstract: 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: August 14, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen HODGE, Garth JOHNSON, Christopher McNITT
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Patent number: 10863021Abstract: 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: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, Eric Gonzalez
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Patent number: 10819704Abstract: 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 7, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Publication number: 20200322410Abstract: 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 22, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE
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Publication number: 20200292288Abstract: 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: May 29, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventor: Stephen HODGE
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Patent number: 10757249Abstract: 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: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, Garth Johnson, Christopher McNitt
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Publication number: 20200252438Abstract: 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: February 10, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, David WOODY
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Patent number: 10690466Abstract: 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: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Patent number: 10693934Abstract: 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: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen Hodge
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Publication number: 20200059562Abstract: 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: August 26, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Applicant: Value-Added Communications, Inc.Inventors: Stephen HODGE, David WOODY
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Patent number: 10560488Abstract: 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: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
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Publication number: 20200036832Abstract: 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: October 7, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: Global Tel*Link CorporationInventor: Stephen HODGE