(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Cree et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`US006665380B1
`
`(54) INMATE MESSAGING SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`(75) Inventors: Richard E. Cree, Dallas, TX (US);
`John D. McFarlen, Arlington, TX (US)
`
`(73) Asslgneez T-Netlx’ Inc" Carrollton’ TX (Us)
`( 4 ) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl' NO': 09/229’385
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 11, 1999
`
`5/1990 Daudelin
`4,922,519 A
`5/1990 Bernard et 81.
`4,922,520 A
`5/1990 Kosich
`4,924,488 A
`(List Continued on next page‘)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Bahl, L. “A Maximum Likelihood Approach to Contiuous
`Speech Recovery,” Readings in Speech Recognition Ed. A.
`Waibel and K. Lee, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, pp
`308—319> IEEE 1983
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner—Allan Hoosain
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—FenWick & West LLP
`
`(51) Int. c1.7 .......................... .. H04M 1/64; H04M 3/00
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(56)
`
`(52) US. Cl. .............. .. 379/8825; 376/671; 376/8817;
`_
`_
`_
`_
`376/8818’ 376/8819’ 376/265'01’ 376/265'13
`Fleld of Search ....................... ..
`379/671’ 70’ 76’ 8812’ 8817’ 8818’ 8819’
`88'22’ 8825’ 265'01’ 26503’ 26513
`.
`References Clted
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`_
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`18852341‘; 2
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`4,559,416 A 12/1985 Theis et al-
`476027129 A * 7/1986 Matthews ct a1~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 179/18
`2
`3/
`FDreudberg elt a1‘
`4’799’255 A
`lilgsg B?leirgyeftei 211
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`4Z885Z76S A 12/1989 Shirakawa '
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`1/1990 Grantland et 81.
`4,899,375 A
`2/1990 Bauer et 81.
`4,901,341 A
`2/1990 Carter et a1.
`
`.
`.
`.
`An .
`mmate messagmg system and method for notifying an
`inmate in a prison facility of messages received from a caller
`Outside the prison
`The Caller dials into the inmate
`messaging system using, for example, a conventional “touch
`tone” telephone. The caller is prompted by the system for
`identifying information, Which is veri?ed against known
`information in a database. Identifying information can
`include a PIN for verifying the caller’s account. During a
`set-up session, the system prompts the caller to record her
`name. The name recording is used to verify the account
`When the caller leaves a message for the inmate, and is also
`used to identify the account When the inmate retrieves the
`message from Within the prison. The caller can specify a
`time With the message for returning the telephone call, or
`have the call placed immediately. The inmate accesses the
`inmate messaging system via a prison telephone. If mes
`sages are pending for inmates residing in the vicinity of the
`phone, the inmate is provided With an option to retrieve a list
`of such pending messages. To hear speci?c messages, the
`inmate enters identifying information, such as a PIN. If the
`PIN is successfully veri?ed, the system informs the inmate
`that a return call can be made to the caller anytime, or at a
`mm specl?ed by the Caller
`
`22 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
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`INMA TE
`
`SYSTEM
`
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`
`~
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`12“
`PUBL'C
`
`NETWORK
`
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`I
`I
`I
`I
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`'
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`:
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`
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`
`1.412
`INMATE
`
`SYSTEM
`
`159
`$225,585?
`
`GTL 1008
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 7,529,357
`
`

`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`_
`6/1990 Hlrd 9191-
`4,933,966 A
`6/1990 L9 91 91-
`4933967 A
`6/1990 Hellwarth et 81.
`4,935,956 A
`6/1990 Kosich
`4,937,862 A
`2/1991 Poisenka et 81.
`4,993,068 A
`6/1991 Nqvas
`5,023,906 A
`7/1991 shlpman
`5,033,088 A
`5,054,059 A 10/1991 Stern 9191-
`5,063,593 A 11/1991 KWOH
`_
`5,109,405 A
`4/1992 Morganstem
`5,131,024 A
`7/1992 Pugh 9191-
`5,150,357 A
`9/1992 Hopner 9191-
`5,155,761 A 10/1992 Hammond ................. .. 379/67
`5,163,083 A 11/1992 Dowden et 81.
`5,187,740 A
`2/1993 Swaim 9191-
`5,200,995 A
`4/1993 Gaukel et 81.
`5,210,789 A
`5/1993 1911115 91 91-
`5,222,120 A
`6/1993 McLeod et 81.
`5,229,764 A
`7/1993 Matchett et 81.
`5,276,731 A
`1/1994 Arbel e191-
`5,305,312 A
`4/1994 Fornet et 81.
`5,309,505 A
`5/1994 SZlam et a1.
`5311589 A
`5/1994 B91111?" et a1~
`5319702 A
`6/1994 Kltchm et al'
`5,325,421 A
`6/1994 Hou et a1. .................. .. 379/67
`5,325,427 A
`6/1994 Dighe
`5,327,489 A
`7/1994 Anderson et al.
`
`7/1994 Brennan et aL
`5,329,578 A
`9/1994 Johnson et a1_
`5,345,595 A
`9/1994 Bhattacharyya et a1.
`5,351,287 A
`5,355,403 A 10/1994 Richardson, Jr. et 81.
`5,375,161 A 12/1994 Fuller 6181
`5,442,696 A
`8/1995 Lindberg et 81.
`57452347 A
`9/1995 lgl‘f’hart et al'
`5,465,293 A 11/1995 Chiller et al.
`5,471,519 A 11/1995 Howe et al.
`5,483,582 A
`1/1996 Pugh et a1.
`5,483,593 A
`1/1996 Gupta et a1'
`5,535,261 A
`7/1996 Brown et a1. ............... .. 379/67
`5,539,812 A
`7/1996 Kitchin et a1_
`5,544,231 A
`8/1996 Cho
`5,566,229 A 10/1996 Hou et a1.
`
`5,655,013 A * 8/1997 Gainsboro ................ .. 379/188
`5,722,418 A * 3/1998 Bro .......................... .. 128/732
`5,724,404 A
`3/1998 Garcia et a1.
`5,745,553 A
`4/1998 MirVille et a1.
`5,796,811 A
`8/1998 Mcparlen
`5,799,068 A
`8/1998 Kikinis et a1.
`5,805,685 A
`9/1998 Mcparlen
`5,809,125 A
`9/1998 Gammino
`5,867,559 A * 2/1999 Jorgensen et a1. .......... .. 379/67
`5,883,945 A
`3/1999 Richardson, Jr. et a1.
`5,943,403 A
`8/1999 Richardson, Jr. et a1.
`5,946,386 A * 8/1999 Rogers et a1. ............ .. 379/265
`5,960,064 A
`9/1999 Foladare et a1.
`6,052,454 A * 4/2000 Kek et a1. ................. .. 379/188
`6,064,963 A
`5/2000 Gainsboro
`6,072,860 A
`6/2000 Kek en a1_
`6,075,843 A * 6/2000 Cave ..................... .. 379/8813
`6,141,406 A 10/2000 Johnson
`RE37,073 E * 2/2001 Hammond ................. .. 379/67
`6,188,751 B1
`2/2001 Scherer
`6,366,653 B1
`4/2002 Yeh et a1_
`2001/0036821 A1 * 11/2001 Gainsboro et a1. ........ .. 455/410
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Batten, A. “Personal Communications Service and the Intel
`ligent Network,” British Telecommunications Engineering,
`V01‘ 9, pp 88_91 Aug‘ 1990
`-
`“
`Lee, K. Large—Vocabulary Speaker—Independent Continu
`.
`.
`.
`,,
`.
`ous~ Speech Recognition Using IIMM, Carnegie Mellon
`University Department of Electrical and Computer Engi
`119911118, CMU—C$—88—148 APR 1988
`System 20, Nov. 1992, Specially designed for correctional
`facilities, from County Jails to State and Federal Prisons.
`VAC
`Telematic “ConQuest III Intimate Telephone System” Nov.
`1992
`LaZerVo1ce, Digital Recording System Inmate Services,
`.
`.
`'
`.
`.
`1997 98 S hl
`b
`T h 1
`.
`I
`V .
`—
`c um erger
`ec’ no og1es,
`nc./'LaZer o1ce
`,STIL V0222 LaZerVOlCe User 5 Manua1—VerS1°n 222
`LaZerPhone User Reference Manual.
`LaZerPhone, Inmate Telephone System, Users Manual, 1998
`Schlumberger Technologies, Inc./Global Tel*Link, LaZer
`
`.
`
`A 55837934 A 12/1996 Zhou Wheeler, JI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
`
`
`5,606,604 A
`2/1997 Rosenblatt
`5’617’471 A
`4/1997 Rogers et al'
`5,627,887 A
`5/1997 Freedman
`5,651,056 A
`7/1997 Eting et al.
`
`
`Phone User’s Manual_version LaZerPhone, Powerful Performance Uncompromising Stan
`dards 1998
`LazeriPhoneiTechnical Manual S stem Overview
`’ y
`'
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 6f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`.l | l I l i I I l i l i I I l l I ' l I I I 1 I .l l._ g
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`U.S. Patent
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 0f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`2120
`
`‘V222
`
`ACCUUNTDATABASE
`
`1
`
`$4 ‘
`
`326
`
`NAME
`RECORDING FILES
`
`MESSAGE
`RECORDING FILES
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 0f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`,V 223
`
`AQQQQAL'E
`INEQBMAILQN
`
`A CCOUNT NO.
`PIN
`ACCOUNT STA TUS
`NAME
`ADDRESS
`TELEPHONE NO.
`
`MESSAQE
`INFQRMAM
`
`DA TE OF MESSAGE
`TIME OF MESSAGE
`CALL BACK TIME
`MESSAGE STATUS
`MESSAGE CNTR.
`
`INMAIE
`INEQEMAILQN
`
`ACCOUNT NO.
`PIN
`NAME
`INMA TE NO.
`CELL BLOCK NO.
`
`FIG. 2C
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 6f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`START
`
`No
`
`300
`
`Yes
`
`‘v 302
`
`ANSWER
`CALL
`
`b
`
`@
`
`—v 304
`
`ENTER
`ACCOUNT NO. &
`PIN
`
`306
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 0f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`Yes
`
`308
`
`No
`
`w 310
`
`INCREMENT
`COUNTER
`
`312
`
`Yes
`
`CALL
`OPERATOR 0R
`HANG-UP
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16,2003
`
`Sheet 7 0f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`N318
`
`SET -UP
`NEW A CCOUNT
`
`I
`
`5 TA TE
`NAME
`
`l
`
`RECORD
`VOICE
`
`l
`
`CONFIRM
`NAME
`RECORDING
`
`w 320
`
`N322
`
`w 324
`
`334
`
`CALL
`OPERA TOR OR
`HANG-UR
`
`INCREMENT
`COUN TER
`
`CONFIRMED?
`
`Yes
`
`SA VE
`NAME
`RECORDING
`
`w 328
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 8 6f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`336
`
`PLA Y
`NAME
`RECORDING
`
`1
`
`CONFIRM
`NAME
`
`Yes
`
`340
`
`No
`
`ENTER
`63)»
`INMA TE NO.
`
`INCREMENT
`~34: 344W COUNTER
`
`CALL
`OPERATOR on
`HANGUP
`
`‘
`
`[J 350
`
`Yes
`
`No
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 6f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`No
`
`l
`
`‘
`
`376“ INCREMENT
`COUNTER
`
`352
`Yes
`
`V354
`
`ENTER CELL
`BLOCK
`TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`
`356
`PHONE No. "0 TERMINATE
`CALL
`
`CALL
`OPERA TOR OR
`HANG-UP
`[1
`
`314
`w
`
`3
`358
`
`DELIVER
`6
`CALL REQuEsT
`
`PEC, »
`CALL BACK
`"ME?
`
`360
`
`380
`
`Yes
`
`1/362
`
`ENTER
`HOUR
`
`‘'
`
`‘v 364
`
`ENTER
`MINUTES
`
`N366
`
`‘
`CONF'RM
`CALL BA CK
`"ME
`
`an
`TERMINATE J
`cALL
`
`REC+ORD
`MES$AGE&
`SAVE CALL
`BACK TIME
`
`:70
`
`CONFIRMED?
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16,2003
`
`Sheet 10 0f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`‘v 384
`
`CHECK
`INMA TE
`DATABASE FOR
`PENDING
`MESSAGES FOR
`ALL INMATES
`HOUSED IN
`VICINITY OF
`CELL BLOCK
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`v 388
`
`ANNOUNCE LIST
`OF PENDING
`MESSAGES THAT
`HAVE BEEN
`396 “v
`ANNOUNCED
`FE WER THAN X
`TIMES
`
`I
`INCREMENT
`COUNTER FOR
`EACH MESSAGE
`ANNOUNCED
`
`_..._....._.I I
`
`MESSAGE
`PENDING?
`
`PROVIDE
`OPTIONS MENU
`
`386
`
`390
`MESSA GE \
`OPTION?
`
`No
`
`w 392
`
`ENTER
`ACCOUNT NO. &
`PIN
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 11 6f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`No
`
`400
`Yes
`
`INCREMENT
`COUNTER
`
`‘523532
`MESSAGE(S)
`
`404
`
`MESSAGE
`PENDING?
`
`40s
`,>
`
`INFORM
`INMATE THAT
`NO MESSAGES
`ARE PENDING
`
`414 W CALL OPERATOR
`0R HANG-UP
`
`408 W TERMINATE
`SESSION
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 12 6f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`‘v 416
`
`PLA Y
`MESSAGES FOR
`INMA TE
`
`CALL BACK
`TIME?
`
`V 42°
`
`mronu
`IQZ‘JQZZE'L'E a
`CALL(S)
`
`‘
`
`nfggfrsl'
`(1-nzrunu CALL, ‘
`2- REFUSE
`MESSAGE)
`
`422
`
`424
`
`IF
`INPUT IS:
`
`1!
`
`ONE
`
`426
`
`TWO
`
`423
`
`430
`
`SET
`MESSAGE
`STATUS r0
`nsrussn
`
`V 432
`
`TERMINATE
`SESSION
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 13 0f 13
`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`V 434
`
`PLACE
`CALL
`
`Yes
`
`436
`No
`
`444
`
`SET
`MESSAGE
`STA TUS TO
`COMPLETED
`
`v 438
`
`SET
`MESSAGE
`STATUS TO NOT
`COMPLETED
`
`No
`
`440
`
`Yes
`
`‘v 442
`
`INFORM
`INMA TE OF
`PENDING CALLS
`
`FIG. 11
`
`

`
`US 6,665,380 B1
`
`1
`INMATE MESSAGING SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to the ?eld of telecommunications
`and, more particularly, to an inmate messaging system and
`method for notifying an inmate in a prison facility of
`messages received from a caller outside the prison facility.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Conventional inmate telephone systems and methods
`require an inmate to arrange a time With a remote party for
`executing a telephone call. Unfortunately, the remote party
`often cannot take the call from the inmate because of sudden
`schedule con?icts, thus forcing the inmate to call again at a
`later time. These repetitive outgoing calls, When multiplied
`by the number of inmates in a typical prison facility, can
`generate large telephone bills that must be paid by the prison
`facility.
`In conventional messaging systems, a user acquires a
`messaging device from a service provider. The user is
`contacted by a third party by calling into a messaging system
`Which, in turn, calls the user’s pager to deliver a voice or
`numeric message from the third party. Such conventional
`systems, hoWever, are not practical in a controlled prison
`environment Where prisoners’ communications With remote
`parties must be carefully monitored for illegal activity. Nor
`is it desirable to place electronic devices in the hands of
`prisoners Who are notorious for their clever exploitation of
`prison property for personal gain or advantage.
`Accordingly, there is a need Within the inmate telephone
`industry to facilitate noti?cation of inmates When a remote
`party desires to communicate With an inmate via the inmate
`telephone system. Such a system and method should capture
`and allocate costs associated With operating the inmate
`telephone system, and facilitate the billing of the appropriate
`remote parties. Additionally, such a system and method
`should be adapted to function in a prison environment to
`prevent the inmates from exploiting the system for personal
`gain or advantage.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to an inmate messaging
`system and method for notifying an inmate in a prison
`facility of messages received from a caller outside the prison
`facility.
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
`remote caller establishes a message account With an inmate
`messaging system responsible for providing messaging ser
`vices to a prison facility. The remote caller’s account infor
`mation is processed by the inmate messaging system in an
`automated manner. Preferably, remote caller accounts are
`accessed With, for example, an account number and a
`Personal Identi?cation Number (“PIN”), or other identi?
`cation information, such as voice recognition or bar codes on
`calling cards. If PINs are used, then a different PIN can be
`assigned to the remote caller and the inmate to alloW both
`parties to access the same account. Each remote caller can
`contact several inmates, but each inmate preferably appears
`on an active list of inmates stored in an remote caller
`database in the inmate messaging system. Charges for use of
`the system can be based on a per inmate basis.
`A remote caller can activate the messaging service by
`recording his or her name When setting up an account With
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`the inmate messaging system. These name recordings are
`used by the inmate messaging system to identify the oWner
`of the account When an inmate retrieves messages, and to
`verify the account When the remote caller leaves a message
`for an inmate.
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
`remote caller creates a name recording by dialing into the
`inmate messaging system and recording his or her name in
`response to audio message prompts. The remote caller’s
`name is digitiZed by a speech digitiZer and Written to a ?le
`in disk storage. The remote caller is then alloWed to hear and
`con?rm the name recording. If the remote caller con?rms the
`name recording, the remote caller continues With the call
`session. If the remote caller rejects the name recording, a
`predetermined number of additional attempts to get an
`acceptable recording are offered to the remote caller. If these
`attempts fail also, the remote caller must call a messaging
`service operator for assistance. Name recordings may not be
`changed after the initial setup session Without ?rst contact
`ing the messaging service operator.
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an
`audio menu of options is provided to an inmate When he
`picks up the receiver of the inmate telephone system. If
`messages are pending for inmates residing in the vicinity of
`the phone (e.g., Within a prison cell block), one option is to
`retrieve a list of such messages. Preferably, the inmate
`messaging system plays back the list of pending messages
`for inmates in the cell block in response to an inmate lifting
`the telephone receiver off its hook. The inmate messaging
`system also provides a function that alloWs inmates to check
`their oWn messages.
`To simplify the checking of pending messages by inmates,
`digitiZed name recordings can be played back to the inmate
`instead of account or PIN numbers. For example, When
`checking for messages for a speci?c inmate, the inmate
`messaging system asks the inmate to enter an account
`number and a PIN. The inmate then enters an account
`number and PIN. If one or more messages exist for that
`account number, the inmate messaging system informs the
`inmate of the pending messages by playing the recorded
`name of the remote caller that is associated With the message
`account storing the message.
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after
`the inmate messaging system identi?es pending messages
`for the inmate, the inmate messaging system informs the
`inmate that a return call can be made to the remote caller at
`anytime, or at a speci?c time entered by the remote caller. If
`no speci?c time is stated, the inmate messaging system asks
`the inmate if he/she Wants to return the call noW, later, or
`never by pressing the appropriate key on the telephone.
`Depending on the inmate’s response, the inmate messaging
`system Will place the call and mark the message as
`completed, or if refused, mark the message as refused. The
`remote caller can then retrieve this information to determine
`the disposition of the call, thus precluding the remote caller
`from thinking that the inmate telephone system is not
`Working. If there is a speci?c time listed for the inmate to
`return a call, the inmate is informed of such time and
`prompted to call back at that time. Preferably, pending
`messages for a particular inmate are delivered to the cell
`block Where the inmate is housed each time an inmate picks
`up the phone receiver to place a call.
`An advantage of present invention is that inmates in a
`prison facility can be noti?ed of pending messages in an
`ef?cient and economical manner. For example, the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention alloWs the remote
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`US 6,665,380 B1
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`caller to specify a call back time With the message to ensure
`that the remote caller is available to receive the return call
`from the inmate.
`Another advantage of the present invention is that all
`messaging functions are properly controlled by the messag
`ing system to prevent their exploitation by inmates.
`Still another advantage of the present invention is the
`ability to track messages betWeen remote callers and inmates
`for both billing and security purposes. All costs accrued
`during the use of the inmate messaging system are
`accounted for by the inmate messaging system to ensure that
`the appropriate party (e.g., the remote caller) is billed by the
`messaging service.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention has other advantages and features
`Which Will be more readily apparent from the folloWing
`detailed description of the invention and the appended
`claims, When taken in conjunction With the accompanying
`draWings, in Which:
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment
`of a telecommunication system 100 having an inmate mes
`saging system 130 in accordance With the present invention;
`FIG. 2A is a functional block diagram of one embodiment
`of the inmate messaging system 130 in FIG. 1 in accordance
`With the present invention;
`FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of one embodiment
`of an account database and recording ?les used by inmate
`messaging system 130 in accordance With the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 2C is an illustration of one embodiment of a call
`detail record in accordance With the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a How diagram of one embodiment of a call
`ansWer and veri?cation method in accordance With the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a How diagram of one embodiment of a neW
`account veri?cation method in accordance With the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 is a How diagram of one embodiment of a neW
`account set-up session in accordance With the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 6 is a How diagram of one embodiment of an account
`con?rmation and inmate speci?cation method in accordance
`With the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a How diagram of one embodiment of a cell
`block telephone number con?rmation and call back time
`speci?cation method in accordance With the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 8 is a How diagram of one embodiment of an inmate
`message announcement method in accordance With the
`present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a How diagram of one embodiment of an inmate
`message playback method in accordance With the present
`invention;
`FIG. 10 is a How diagram of one embodiment of an inmate
`call back and message status method in accordance With the
`present invention; and
`FIG. 11 is a How diagram of one embodiment of an inmate
`call back and message status method in accordance With the
`present invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is shoWn a functional block
`diagram of one embodiment of telecommunication system
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`100 having an inmate messaging system 130 in accordance
`With the present invention. Telecommunication system 100
`includes remote telephone 110, Public SWitched Telephone
`NetWork 120 (“PSTN”), inmate messaging system 130,
`inmate telephone system 140, cell block telephone 150, and
`computer netWork 160. Remote telephone 110 can be any
`telecommunication device including a touch-tone telephone,
`a cellular telephone, or a personal computer coupled to
`conventional telephone equipment via, for example, a Tele
`phony Applications Programming Interface (“TAPI”). The
`term “remote,” as used herein, means a telephone outside the
`prison facility.
`Cell block telephone 150 can be, for example, a conven
`tional touch-tone telephone. Typically, inmate paging sys
`tem 130, inmate telephone system 140, cell block telephone
`150, and netWork 160 are located Within a single prison
`facility, as shoWn in FIG. 1.
`Remote telephone 110 is coupled to PSTN 120; a World
`Wide public telephone netWork for providing voice connec
`tivity. PSTN 120 is coupled to inmate messaging system
`130, Which is described in detail With respect to FIG. 2.
`Inmate messaging system 130 is coupled to inmate tele
`phone system 140, Which, in turn, is coupled to cell block
`telephone 150. Inmate telephone system 140 can be, for
`example, the system described in US. Pat. No. 5,535,261,
`entitled “Selectively Activated Integrated Real-time Record
`ing Of Telephone Conversations.” Alternatively, inmate
`messaging system 130 can be integrated into inmate tele
`phone system 140.
`The telecommunication system 100 described above pro
`vides voice connectivity betWeen an remote caller and an
`inmate in a controlled prison environment. It is noted that
`telecommunication system 100 is but one embodiment of the
`present invention, and other embodiments are possible With
`out departing from the spirit and scope of the present
`invention. For example, voice connectivity can also be
`implemented With the Integrated Services Digital NetWorks
`(“ISDN”), or any other communication medium that can
`transfer speech signals.
`Referring to FIG. 2A, there is shoWn a functional block
`diagram of one embodiment of inmate messaging system
`130 in FIG. 1 in accordance With the present invention.
`Inmate messaging system 130 (hereinafter also referred to as
`“system 130”) includes a conventional computer 200
`coupled to telephone interface card 206 and speech digitiZer
`card 208. Such cards are available from companies such as
`Dialogic, Rhetorex, and PIKA. Cards 206 and 208 are
`coupled to disk storage 210, and (if desired) netWork 160 via
`a conventional bus 212, such as an Industry Standard
`Architecture (“ISA”) or Peripheral Component Interconnect
`(“PCI”) bus. System 130 also includes line control cards 204
`for providing sWitching and access control for remote tele
`phone lines and for cell block telephones connected to
`system 130. Cards 206 and 208 are connected to processor
`202 via conventional bus 212.
`Computer 200 includes processor 202 for running soft
`Ware program instructions stored in disk storage 210. These
`instructions direct processor 202 to perform the various
`functions of system 130. Addressable memory 214 is used as
`a Workspace for performing program instructions and other
`functions for operating system 216, remote caller module
`218, and inmate caller module 220. Operating system 216
`performs conventional computer system services for com
`municating With, for example, cards 206 and 208. Remote
`caller module 218 is a set of softWare program instructions
`for managing telephone calls from remote callers, and for
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`US 6,665,380 B1
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`5
`managing account information for remote caller accounts.
`Inmate call module 220 is a set of softWare instructions for
`managing telephone calls With inmate callers, and for pro
`viding access to the messages from remote callers. A mes
`saging service operator can interact With the inmate mes
`saging system 130 via computer netWork 160.
`In the preferred embodiment described herein, the hard
`Ware elements of computer 200 are conventional compo
`nents of a personal computer or Workstation. The inventive
`aspects of the present invention lie primarily in the modules
`218 and 220, in the manner in Which they con?gure and
`control the hardWare elements shoWn in FIG. 2A.
`Referring to FIG. 2B, there is shoWn a functional block
`diagram of one embodiment of account database 222, name
`recording ?les 224, and message recording ?les 226 in
`accordance With the present invention. Preferably, account
`database 222 and recording ?les 224 and 226 are located in
`disk storage 210. These data structures, hoWever, can also
`reside in remote locations outside the prison facility, Where
`they can be accessed by system 130 through, for example,
`netWork 160.
`Each of the name recording ?les 224 stores a digitiZed
`recording of the name of a registered account oWner in
`account database 222. Name recording ?les 224 also include
`header portions that include an account number and PIN for
`associating the name recording ?les 224 With the appropriate
`account. Preferably, the name recordings are generated using
`methods described beloW With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.
`Each of the message recording ?les 226 stores digitiZed
`messages from remote callers, Which are converted into an
`analog signal before being played back to one or more
`designated inmates using conventional techniques. Like
`name recording ?les 224, each of the message recording ?les
`226 includes a header portion that includes the account
`number and PIN for associating the message recording ?le
`226 With the appropriate account.
`Account database 222 includes a call detail record for
`each telephone call received or placed by remote callers or
`inmate callers, as described beloW With respect to FIG. 2C.
`Account database 222 also includes a list of account num
`bers and PINs, each of Which are associated With an account.
`If a remote caller or inmate enters an account number and
`PIN, these numbers are compared against the numbers
`stored in account database 222 to determine their validity.
`The list of account numbers and PINs can be manually
`set-up by an inmate messaging service operator by taking
`the appropriate information over the telephone, via regular
`mail, or through a Web site.
`Additionally, each account in the account database 222
`includes an active list of inmates that may be contacted by
`a remote caller for that account, and a cell block number
`identifying the cell block housing the inmate. If an inmate is
`not on the active list, system 130 Will not connect the call or
`record a message for the inmate. Preferably, the active list
`includes a cell block telephone number, Which is updated
`regularly by, for example, a system administrator to account
`for the release or transfer of inmates, or any other events that
`Warrant an update. In one embodiment, the cell block
`telephone number can be compared against a cell block
`telephone number entered by the remote caller When
`attempting to leave a message for an inmate. This prevents
`a remote caller from calling cell blocks that do not house
`inmates on the caller’s active list. If the cell block telephone
`number cannot be matched, the remote caller can call the
`prison facility to determine Where the inmate is currently
`housed.
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`Referring to FIG. 2C, there is shoWn an illustration of one
`embodiment of a call detail record 228 (“CDR 228”) in
`accordance With the present invention. Inmate messaging
`system 130 generates and updates a CDR 228 for each call
`received or placed by a remote caller or inmate. Each CDR
`228 includes a plurality of data ?elds. Each ?eld belongs to
`at least one of three categories: account information, mes
`sage information, or inmate information, as illustrated in
`FIG. 2C. Preferably, account information includes: account
`number, PIN, account status, name, address, and telephone
`number. The account number can be, for example, a unique
`tWelve digit number for identifying and indexing a speci?c
`account in database 222. The PIN number is, for example, a
`unique four to six digit number for preventing unauthoriZed
`access to information stored in the remote caller’s account.
`The account number is ?rst entered into system 130, fol
`loWed by the PIN number. Both numbers are entered into
`system 130 by the remote caller by pressing the appropriate
`buttons on a touch-tone telephone in response to audio
`prompts. Alternatively, voice recognition techniques can be
`employed, either independently or in combination With an
`account number and PIN.
`The account status ?eld is used to indicate the status of the
`account. For example, the account status ?eld can be used to
`indicate Whether an account is active or inactive. An inactive
`account can be, for example, a neW account or an account
`that has been suspended for delinquent payments, or for
`violation of prison rules and/or policies.
`Additionally, the CDR 228 includes the remote caller’s
`name, address, and telephone number. There can be separate
`?elds for the caller’s home residence and business address.
`Other ?elds may also be added to CDR 228, such as an email
`address, or a social security number and/or date of birth for
`security purposes.
`Message information preferably includes: date of
`message, time of message, call back time, message status,
`and a message counter. If a call is received by inmate
`messaging system 130, the date and time of the call is
`recorded in CDR 228. The time can be store in either
`standard time or military time. If standard time, the time Will
`be marked as AM. or P.M., Where appropriate.
`The call back time is an optional ?eld speci?ed by the
`remote caller during a call session. The call back time is the
`time that the remote caller Would like the inmate to return
`the call. The call back time can be a single discrete time or
`a time range (e.g., 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM).
`Message status re?ects the status of the message left by
`the remote caller. For example, the message status can
`indicate Whether the inmate took the call or refused the call.
`The message status provides an advantage by enabling the
`remote caller to determine Whether or not a message Was
`actually received by an inmate. Without the message status
`?eld, a remote caller could not determine Whether the inmate
`telephone system 140 failed, or Whether the inmate refused
`the call.
`A message counter ?eld is also included in CDR 228 to
`provide a count of the number of times a message has been
`announced, as described in further detail With respect to
`FIG. 8.
`Inmate information preferably includes: account number,
`PIN, name, inmate number, and cell block telephone num
`ber. The account number and PIN for the inmate can be the
`same as or different from the account number and PIN listed
`under account information in FIG. 2C. The name and inmate
`number are used to identify the inmate. The cell block
`telephone number is used to connect to a particular tele
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`US 6,665,380 B1
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`7
`phone in a particular cell block in the prison facility. The cell
`blo