Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Hodge

Stephen L. Hodge 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: 10762353
    Abstract: A monitoring system and a method for operating the monitoring system in an inmate tracking system in a controlled environment is disclosed. The monitoring system receives video and audio data from devices located within the controlled environment and organizes the video and audio data within profiles that allow for searches of the video and audio to be performed. The monitoring system analyzes the video and audio data and generates the profiles to include identified objects associated with the video and audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Hodge, Anthony Bambocci
  • Publication number: 20200267500
    Abstract: There is a growing problem in correctional facilities in which contraband devices may be smuggled into a correctional facility. These devices are not subject to the typical monitoring and control provided by the inmate communication system provided by the correctional facility, and thus pose a significant security risk. The present disclosure provides details of a system and method that leverages the sanctioned mobile devices and the wireless infrastructure of the inmate communication system to scan for and triangulate the location of contraband devices. The mobile and wireless infrastructure devices scan for transmissions indicative of a contraband device and send alerts to each other and to a central monitoring system. The central monitoring system then leverages multiple alerts to determine a location of the contraband device using multiple triangulation techniques. The triangulation may also be performed by the mobile devices themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORP.
    Inventor: Stephen L. HODGE
  • Patent number: 10749827
    Abstract: A messaging system for relaying messages to groups of inmates located in one or more controlled-environment facilities. The system receives a message from a user and a recipient designation identifying those inmates designated for receiving the message. The system performs a content check of the message or requests administrator authorization of the message, and then packages the message in a format designated by the facility. The packaged message includes the message itself, and also recipient information and other delivery information. The message may be packaged uniquely according to facility specifications. At the facility, the received message is unpacked. Recipients are identified from the recipient designation in the message, and delivery methods are retrieved for each of the intended recipients. Delivery of the message is then carried out, at a time designated in the message, according to the retrieved delivery methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Publication number: 20200260280
    Abstract: A generic wireless device management system and a method for operating the management system in a controlled environment is disclosed. The enterprise management system includes a generic wireless device and a generic provisioning server. The generic wireless device, which is initially in a generic blank state, coordinates with the generic provisioning server to authenticate an inmate and to load an inmate profile. After loading the inmate profile, the generic wireless device provides access to content specific to the inmate. After the inmate signs out of the generic wireless device, the generic wireless device is returned to a generic blank state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen L. HODGE
  • Publication number: 20200252746
    Abstract: There is a growing problem in correctional facilities in which contraband devices may be smuggled into a correctional facility. These devices are not subject to the typical monitoring and control provided by the inmate communication system provided by the correctional facility, and thus pose a significant security risk. The present disclosure provides details of a system and method that leverages the sanctioned mobile devices and the wireless infrastructure of the inmate communication system to scan for and triangulate the location of contraband devices. The mobile and wireless infrastructure devices scan for transmissions indicative of a contraband device and send alerts to each other and to a central monitoring system. The central monitoring system then leverages multiple alerts to determine a location of the contraband device using multiple triangulation techniques. The triangulation may also be performed by the mobile devices themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORP.
    Inventor: Stephen L. HODGE
  • Patent number: 10735431
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing internet access to residents of a controlled-environment facility. There are significant dangers associated with provide such residents with Internet access due to their criminal history. However, through the generation, updating and application of strict browsing restrictions, as well as the authentication of multiple forms of identifying information, Internet access can be provided to those residents safely and securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Publication number: 20200242716
    Abstract: Secure system and method of detecting and preventing inmate to inmate message relays. A system and method which monitors inmate communications for similar phrases that occur as part of two or more separate inmate messages. These similar phrases may be overlapping in real time as in a conference call or can occur at separate times in separate messages. The communications that appear similar are assigned a score and the score is compared to a threshold. If the score is above a certain threshold, the communication is flagged and remedial actions are taken. If the flagged communication contains illegal matter then the communication can be disconnected or restricted in the future.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. HODGE
  • Patent number: 10728240
    Abstract: A variable-step authentication system and a method for operating for performing variable-step authentication for communications in a controlled environment is disclosed. The variable-step authentication system may include a communication device and a server. The variable-step method includes steps for determining an authentication process that involves a number of authentication steps. The number of authentication steps is variable and dependent on a trust level associated with each participant in the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10716160
    Abstract: A dual-mode mobile device and a method for coordinating calls for the dual-mode mobile device over a first and second connection within a controlled environment is disclosed. The method includes communications between a monitoring server and the dual-mode mobile device over the first connection while the dual-mode mobile device conducts the call over the second connection. The monitoring server transmits control messages to the dual-mode mobile device to control operations of the dual-mode mobile device and establishment of the call and also monitors operations of the dual-mode mobile device as well as the communications transmitted and received by the dual-mode mobile device during the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Publication number: 20200220308
    Abstract: A method and system for contraband detection is provided that allows for the determining whether devices are authorized to receive power from an outlet. A power adapter and/or an outlet authenticate a device when it is connected to the outlet through the power adapter. On the basis of this authentication, a determination is made whether the devices are to receive power from the outlet. If the device is authorized, the outlet is activated, transitioning from inactive state (where no power is relayed through the outlet) to an active state (where power is relayed through the outlet).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. HODGE
  • Publication number: 20200219349
    Abstract: A check-in and tethering system for monitoring persons such as released in court-ordered supervised programs and a method for operating such a system is disclosed. The system includes a tethered mobile device that provides a check-in procedure that requires a response from a user of the tethered mobile device in the form of at least one of a device identifier from a monitored tethered device attached to the user, a biometric response, or a performed action by the user. The tethered mobile device determines whether the response is valid and transmits a notification to a monitoring center in response to the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen L. HODGE
  • Patent number: 10708369
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing internet access to residents of a controlled-environment facility. There are significant dangers associated with provide such residents with Internet access due to their criminal history. However, through the generation, updating and application of strict browsing restrictions, as well as the authentication of multiple forms of identifying information, Internet access can be provided to those residents safely and securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10681495
    Abstract: There is a growing problem in correctional facilities in which contraband devices may be smuggled into a correctional facility. These devices are not subject to the typical monitoring and control provided by the inmate communication system provided by the correctional facility, and thus pose a significant security risk. The present disclosure provides details of a system and method that leverages the sanctioned mobile devices and the wireless infrastructure of the inmate communication system to scan for and triangulate the location of contraband devices. The mobile and wireless infrastructure devices scan for transmissions indicative of a contraband device and send alerts to each other and to a central monitoring system. The central monitoring system then leverages multiple alerts to determine a location of the contraband device using multiple triangulation techniques. The triangulation may also be performed by the mobile devices themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Publication number: 20200143155
    Abstract: A system for high definition (HD) image recognition of criminals is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cameras, an image recognition server, investigator user devices, a computing device, a database, and a network. At least one processor of the image recognition server is configured to receive a plurality of photographs of a first individual, perform image processing of the plurality of photographs to extract a first set of physical features, store feature data regarding the first set of physical features in the database, receive suspect data regarding a suspected individual from a first investigator user device, match the suspect data with the feature data stored in the database, and transmit an alert to the computing device in the prison, wherein the alert activates a mobile application on each investigator user device to display match data identifying the suspected individual as the first individual based on the feature data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10645443
    Abstract: The Controlled Environment Media And Communication System delivers communications services to residents of controlled facilities using a common network architecture. Some of the communications capabilities of the Controlled Environment Media And Communication System include media distribution, video visitation, intra-facility messaging, and other such communications services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10638322
    Abstract: A generic wireless device management system and a method for operating the management system in a controlled environment is disclosed. The enterprise management system includes a generic wireless device and a generic provisioning server. The generic wireless device, which is initially in a generic blank state, coordinates with the generic provisioning server to authenticate an inmate and to load an inmate profile. After loading the inmate profile, the generic wireless device provides access to content specific to the inmate. After the inmate signs out of the generic wireless device, the generic wireless device is returned to a generic blank state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10616404
    Abstract: A system and method for with an inmate in a privileged communication are disclosed. a communication system includes a portal subsystem that determines whether a communication should be monitored, or not, based on received information, including access information, from a first communication device. Based on the determination, the communication system bypasses a monitoring subsystem and stores and/or transmits the communication to a second communication device by way of a non-monitoring subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10601750
    Abstract: An forum facilitator device is provided that allows for a controlled environment to provide a secure forum for residents to provide communications to other registered users of the secure forum. The communications are provided through posts made in the secure forum and through other types of communications from the inmate such as but not limited to emails and text messages. The forum facilitator device operates the secure forum and implements rules to control what is posted on the secure forum, who is able to access the secure forum, and what entities are allowed to view and interact with residents of the controlled environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10594090
    Abstract: A method and system for contraband detection is provided that allows for the determining whether devices are authorized to receive power from an outlet. A power adapter and/or an outlet authenticate a device when it is connected to the outlet through the power adapter. On the basis of this authentication, a determination is made whether the devices are to receive power from the outlet. If the device is authorized, the outlet is activated, transitioning from inactive state (where no power is relayed through the outlet) to an active state (where power is relayed through the outlet).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 10592643
    Abstract: A wireless device enterprise management system and a method for operating the management system in a controlled environment is disclosed. The enterprise management system includes implementing a container-based file system on wireless devices within the controlled environment. Enterprise management system manages and controls the organization of files into one or more containers on each wireless device. Each container is associated with one or more execution rules that allow or restrict execution of files that are located in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge