GTL 1010
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,135,115
`
`0001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 11,2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`0002
`
`0002
`
`

`
`U S Patent
`
`Nov. 11,2003
`
`Sheet 2 0f5
`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`I RECORDER '
`
`
`310
`
`CONTROLLE '
`330
`
`CALL
`MONITORING
`UNIT 19_o_
`
`330
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`'
`
`DEVICE
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`
`
`FIND SPACE
`IN TRAFFIC
`
`
`
`I PERFORM
`
`FUNCTION
`
`TRANSMIT
`INFO
`
`0003
`
`0003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 11,2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`270a
`
`270b
`
`270c
`
`0004
`
`0004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 11,2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`
`
`/
`
`eoro
`
`gwpurPHONE ID’
`
`z:
`TALKING (FR
`MONITOR M
`
`
`
`800
`
`900
`
`270d
`
`270e
`
`270f
`
`270d
`
`2708
`
`2701
`
`
` / N:: 300-000-0002
`
`EXT: 302 08:04:26
`TALKING (FR) TR
`VOICE SCAN
`
`0005
`
`0005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 11,2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`TALKING
`SILENT S
`
`TR
`
`270d
`
`270e
`
`2T0f
`
`
`
`
`
`/ . 1: 972-437-3800
`EXT: 101 00:00:42
`TALKING (AR) TR
`
`
`STOP-
`RESTART-
`
`0006
`
`0006
`
`

`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY
`CONTROLLING AUTOMATED CALL
`PLACEMENT CALL MONITORING
`FUNCTIONS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed, in general, to automated
`call placement systems (ACPs) and, more specifically, to a
`system and method for remotely controlling the call moni-
`toring functions performed by an ACP and an ACP incor-
`porating the system or the method.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Inmates at correctional facilities have begun to regard
`access to a telephone to be a valuable privilege. Years ago,
`correctional facilities (prisons, jails and the like) made a few
`telephones available at a central location. To ensure that the
`inmates said nothing inappropriate, correctional officers (or,
`more colloquially, “guards”) stood by or listened on nearby
`telephones to inmate conversations.
`Soon, however, correctional facilities began to install
`ACPs with distributed telephones, perhaps with a telephone
`in each inmate’s cell. Denied their convenient central
`
`location, correctional officers began to be required to moni-
`tor conversations more closely. Controls (such as individual
`access codes) began to be put into place to ensure that only
`inmates who had earned the privilege were allowed access
`to a telephone. Correctional officers began to use dedicated
`call monitoring telephones to monitor conversations.
`ACPs then began to be fitted with recorders, so conver-
`sations could be stored and played back at will. The earliest
`recorders were multiple track tape recorders wherein each
`track was assigned to monitor each outbound trunk line. The
`recorders were placed into a continuous recording mode, so
`that all conversations were recorded. If a particular conver-
`sation or conversations were desired to be played back or
`archived, each conversation on each track was required to be
`scanned to find the right one(s).
`More sophisticated call monitoring units eventually
`replaced tape recorders. These units employed disk storage
`in lieu of tape and stored conversations in digitized form on
`the disks. The correctional officer could then scan through
`the conversations taking place at a particular time, monitor
`a particular one of the conversations at length and search the
`call monitoring unit for the particular file containing the
`conversation in its entirety to allow him to hear the parts of
`the conversation he may have missed. Unfortunately, per-
`forming these operations required a direct connection to the
`unit or a connection to the unit through a computer network.
`Correctional facilities provide unique challenges for
`installers of telephone systems. Thick walls and an absence
`of crawlspaces make running wires difficult. Therefore, any
`improvement in the connections an ACP or its associated
`call monitoring unit requires would be advantageous.
`Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a way to make such
`ACPs and monitoring units less dependent upon special
`connections. Further, what is needed in the art is more
`flexibility in the way conversations can be monitored and
`recorded.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior
`art, the present invention provides a system and method for
`remotely controlling the call monitoring functions per-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`0007
`
`2
`
`formed by an automated call placement system (ACP) and
`an ACP incorporating the system or the method. In one
`embodiment, the system includes: (1) a controller, coupled
`to the call monitoring unit and having a single wire pair
`interface, that transmits traffic carried on the selected one of
`the lines via the interface, transmits function menus via the
`interface, receives in-band control commands via the inter-
`face and controls functions of the call monitoring unit in
`response thereto and (2) an in-band data-capable device
`having a display, coupled to the interface via a single wire
`pair, that receives and audibly reproduces the traffic, dis-
`plays the function menus on the display and transmits the
`in-band control commands to the controller thereby to
`control the call monitoring unit.
`The present
`invention therefore introduces the broad
`concept of allowing an ACP to be remotely controlled via a
`single wire pair. This offers substantial utility by greatly
`increasing the number of locations at which remote control
`can be effected. Any location within the correctional facility
`wired for conventional telephone service becomes a possible
`remote location. Furthermore, any offsite location reachable
`by a computer network,
`the public switched telephone
`network (PSTN) or a combination of the two becomes a
`candidate location.
`
`In one embodiment of the present invention the in-band
`control commands are ADSI control commands and the
`device is an ADSI device. Those skilled in the art are
`
`familiar with the ADSI protocol. ADSI offers two advan-
`tages. First and foremost, it does not require an extra pair of
`wires; so, a single wire pair can support user traffic and
`ADSI-encapsulated information and commands. Second, it
`is a recognized standard with which an ever-increasing
`number of telephones comply. The present
`invention is
`therefore not limited to a particular ADSI-compliant tele-
`phone manufacturer. Furthermore, the present invention is
`not limited to ADSI, and can operate with any conventional
`or later-discovered single-wire-pair-capable command pro-
`tocol.
`
`For purposes of the present invention, “in-band” is to be
`construed broadly as meaning “along with user traffic.” In
`the digital domain, “in-band” means in the same channel. In
`the analog domain, “in-band” means over the same wire-
`pair. Commands may be transmitted at frequencies over or
`under those of user traffic, or may be interspersed into the
`user traffic during times of silence (as is the case with ADSI).
`The present invention does not limit the manner in which
`in-band signaling takes place.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, the display
`is a liquid crystal display (LCD). All currently commercially
`available ADSI telephones come with LCD screens upon
`which information transmitted in accordance with the ADSI
`
`standard may be displayed. Such display may be telephone
`line-powered, but
`is most often powered by a separate
`source. The present invention is not limited, however, to a
`particular display type, size or configuration.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, the device
`comprises buttons and the function menus associate the
`buttons with the in-band control commands. These software-
`
`configurable, or “soft” buttons are employable to convey
`menu selections to the controller of the present invention. Of
`course, the buttons may be “hard-wired” to provide a given
`function and therefore not programmable.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one
`of a computer network and a public switched telephone
`network are interposed between said controller and said
`device. The computer network may be, for example, the
`
`0007
`
`

`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`3
`Internet. Thus, the device may be quite remote from the
`controller, allowing multiple correctional facilities to be
`monitored from a central monitoring site. This may be
`particularly advantageous when foreign language interpre-
`tation is required.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, the function
`menus comprise a scanning mode menu including a choice
`selected from the group consisting of: (1) silent seek, (2)
`voice scan, (3) monitor and (4) save. Those skilled in the
`pertinent art will understand, however,
`that other menu
`choices and corresponding modes (such as barge in and
`disconnect) are within the broad scope of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`The device may also function as a PBX line extension off
`of the ACD, where the device can originate a call into the
`ACD to any one of the lines connected to the ACD, such as
`inmate telephone lines, external PSTN circuits or other
`devices as may be advantageous. The device may thus be
`able to support conferencing, wherein a correctional officer
`or other monitoring individual may desire to place a call
`with the device to another PBX extension or another tele-
`
`phone via the PSTN or computer network.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, the function
`menus comprise a replay menu including a choice selected
`from the group consisting of: (1) play, (2) stop, (3) pause, (4)
`restart, (5) skip backward and (6) skip forward. Those
`skilled in the art will recognize these choices as being
`advantageous in replaying a particular recorded conversa-
`tion. The present invention is not, however, limited to these
`choices.
`
`The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, preferred and
`alternative features of the present invention so that those
`skilled in the art may better understand the detailed descrip-
`tion of the invention that follows. Additional features of the
`
`invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject
`of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should
`
`appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception
`and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modi-
`fying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of
`the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also
`realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from
`the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the present
`invention, reference is now made to the following descrip-
`tions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
`in which:
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an automated call
`placement system (ACP) having a switching service unit and
`a call monitoring unit that forms an environment within
`which the system or method of the present invention can be
`incorporated;
`FIG. 2 illustrates an in-band data-capable device having a
`display and coupled via a single wire pair interface to the
`call monitoring unit of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system for remotely
`controlling the call monitoring unit of FIG. 1 constructed
`according to the principles of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of remotely
`controlling the call monitoring unit of FIG. 1 carried out
`according to the principles of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a first function menu
`displayed during times at which no trunks are active;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of a second function menu
`displayed when the call monitoring unit of FIG. 1 is in a
`silent seek mode and at least one trunk is active;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a third function menu
`illustrating, in particular, an update symbol;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of a fourth function menu
`displayed when generating a command to cause the call
`monitoring unit of FIG. 1 to monitor a particular extension;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a fifth function menu
`displayed when the call monitoring unit of FIG. 1 is in a
`monitor mode;
`FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of a sixth function menu
`displayed when the call monitoring unit of FIG. 1 is in a
`voice scan mode;
`FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a seventh function menu
`displayed when the call monitoring unit
`is in an alert
`recording mode; and
`FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of an eighth function menu
`displayed when the call monitoring unit is in a replay mode.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring initially to FIG. 1, illustrated is a block diagram
`of an automated call placement system (ACP), generally
`designated 100. The ACP 100 is illustrated as including a
`switching service unit (SSU) 110. The SSU 110 is designed
`to act as a hub like a private branch exchange (PBX)
`comprising the SSU 110 and a plurality of stations 120. The
`SSU 110 acts to interconnect ones of the plurality of stations
`120 with ones of a plurality of trunks (telephone lines for
`gaining access to the public switched telephone network, or
`PSTN, 130). The SSU 110 may be a conventional, commer-
`cially available SSU or any later-developed one capable of
`interconnecting stations with trunks. (Although only a few
`stations 120 are illustrated, those skilled in the pertinent art
`will understand that fewer or more can be supported.)
`Though not an exclusive environment for the present
`invention,
`the illustrated embodiment of the ACP 100 is
`adapted for use in a correctional facility (not illustrated) to
`allow inmates (not illustrated) to place calls to without the
`facility. Each of the plurality of stations 120 preferably has
`a keypad for allowing an inmate to enter a code unique to
`each inmate or speech recognition capability to allow the
`inmate to speak the code. The code may be, for example, a
`publicly known inmate number, a private personal identifi-
`cation number (PIN) or a combination of the two. The
`inmate then provides a destination telephone number to be
`dialed. Having provided one or more codes and the desti-
`nation number, the SSU 110 seizes an available trunk signals
`the PSTN 130 to initiate a call to the destination number and
`
`in a purely conventional (typically
`completes the call
`collect) manner. In the case of collect calling, the inmate’s
`code may be verified before siezing a trunk. When the call
`is terminated (by the inmate, a called party or perhaps a
`correctional officer), the SSU 110 releases the station from
`which the inmate placed the call and the trunk involved.
`The SSU 110 may be capable of receiving inbound calls
`from the PSTN 130 destined for one of the plurality of
`stations 120 or completing intra-PBX calls from one of the
`plurality of stations 120 to another. However, correctional
`facilities routinely disable these capabilities on the theory
`that the public should not be allowed direct access to inmates
`and that intra-PBX calling may further inmate conspiracies.
`(Some facilities do allow attorneys to place inbound calls by
`means of special dialing codes.)
`As described above, it is important in some environments
`to monitor, and perhaps record, the conversations that take
`place on the plurality of stations 120. In the context of a
`correctional facility, inmate conversations should be moni-
`
`0008
`
`0008
`
`

`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`5
`tored for purposes of security. In other environments, policy
`compliance or quality control may be of concern.
`Accordingly, the ACP 100 is illustrated as including a call
`monitoring unit 140. The structure and function of the call
`monitoring unit 140 will be set forth in greater detail in
`conjunction with FIG. 3.
`Broadly speaking, the call monitoring unit 140 monitors
`(taps), and perhaps records, conversations taking place
`between the plurality of stations 120 and the PSTN 130. The
`call monitoring unit 140 does this by tapping either trunks or
`station lines (FIG. 1 illustrates the former), recording one or
`both sides or the conversation. While the call monitoring
`unit 140 may simply monitor each trunk or station continu-
`ously (requiring one channel per trunk or station),
`the
`illustrated call monitoring unit 140 detects when trunks or
`stations are active, and then selects a channel for that trunk
`or station.
`
`The call monitoring unit 140 may be analog, but is digital
`in the illustrated embodiment. Accordingly, the call moni-
`toring unit 140 may take the form of a software-programmed
`general-purpose computer with telephony interface cards,
`such as those commercially available from Dialogic Corpo-
`ration of Parsippany, N.J. The call monitoring unit 140 is
`illustrated as optionally being connected directly to the SSU
`110 (depicted in FIG. 1 by a broken line directly spanning
`the call monitoring unit 140 and the SSU 110). Though not
`required, a connection between the call monitoring unit 140
`and the SSU 110 allows the call monitoring unit 140 to
`receive data from the SSU 110 regarding calls to be placed
`through the SSU 110. Were the connection not
`to be
`available, the call monitoring unit 140 would be required to
`detect calls and associated data (such as destination number)
`from its trunk or station tap.
`FIG. 1 further illustrates a local area network (LAN) 150
`that may optionally couple the call monitoring unit 140 to
`the SSU 110 (depicted in FIG. 1 by a broken line spanning
`the call monitoring unit 140 and the SSU 110).
`Many currently commercially available SSUs come with
`LAN interfaces or data communication ports (e.g., at least
`one serial or parallel port). Likewise, since the call moni-
`toring unit 140 is illustrated as being embodied in a com-
`puter system, the call monitoring unit 140 can be provided
`with a conventional LAN interface or data communication
`
`port (typically taking the form of an adapter card). Thus
`coupled via the interface or port, the call monitoring unit 140
`and the SSU 110 can be physically separated from one
`another, and other devices, such as controllers (not shown)
`for the ACP as a whole can be made to interact with the call
`
`monitoring unit 140 or the SSU 110.
`It should be noted that the call monitoring unit 140 may
`be physically separate from, or integrated with, the SSU 110.
`The present invention can work with either configuration.
`FIG. 1 finally shows an in-band data-capable device 160
`that takes the form of an Analog Display Services Interface
`(ADSI)-capable telephone in the illustrated embodiment.
`ADSI is a telecommunications protocol standard published
`by Bellcore in December, 1993 (Analog Display Services
`Interface (ADSI) SPCS/Server Generic Requirements,
`GR-1273-CORE,
`Issue 1 July 1998), and incorporated
`herein by reference. ADSI enables alternate voice and data
`capability over the existing analog telephone network, in
`which single wire pairs couple stations together; separate
`wire pairs are not available for signaling or data transfer
`between the stations. The present invention makes advan-
`tageous use of ADSI, or other conventional or later-
`developed single-wire-pair protocols,
`to allow the device
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`160 to control the call monitoring unit 140 through only a
`single wire pair. This yields substantial flexibility in terms of
`device 160 location and installation cost, particularly in
`difficult environments, such as correctional facilities.
`The device 160 is shown as being couplable to the call
`monitoring unit 140 in a number of optional ways. First, the
`device 160 may be coupled directly to the call monitoring
`unit 140. (In such case, the call monitoring unit is provided
`with an ADSI-capable interface.) Second, the device 160
`may be coupled to the call monitoring unit 140 via the LAN
`150.
`(In such case, ADSI-encapsulated information and
`commands are further encapsulated during their transmis-
`sion over the LAN 150.) Third, the device 160 may serve as
`a station in the PBX, and therefore be coupled to the call
`monitoring unit 140 through the SSU 110. Fourth, the device
`160 may be coupled to the call monitoring unit 140 via the
`PSTN 130. This would allow the device to be located in any
`place in the world that is reachable by telephone. Finally, the
`device 160 may be wirelessly coupled to the call monitoring
`unit 140 directly or via any of the other above-described
`intermediaries (LAN 150, SSU 110 or PSTN 130). In such
`case, though the device 160 may no longer communicate
`through a single wire pair, it nonetheless remains capable of
`communicating with and controlling the call monitoring unit
`140 without requiring wireless bandwidth exceeding that
`required for voice communication.
`Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is the in-band data-
`capable device 160 of FIG. 1, which is conventional in all
`respects, except that it can be programmed according to the
`principles of the present invention to control a call moni-
`toring unit. The device 160 is illustrated as having a body
`210 in which a cradle 220 is formed, a handset 230 disposed
`within the cradle 220 and having a microphone and speaker
`(not separately referenced) located therein, a keypad 240,
`dedicated buttons 250 that control functions of the device
`
`160 and a display 260 that takes the form of an LCD.
`The display 260 is adapted to show a plurality of lines of
`alphanumeric text and special characters, with a given
`number of characters per line. In the illustrated embodiment,
`the display 260 is capable of displaying seven lines, with 24
`characters per line.
`Located adjacent and to each side of the display 260 are
`a plurality of software-configurable, or “soft” buttons 270.
`The soft buttons correspond to specific lines on the display
`260, such that characters may be displayed on the display
`260 that correspond to particular soft buttons 270.
`The device 160 receives user traffic through a conven-
`tional single wire pair interface (not illustrated) and a single
`wire pair 280 and reproduces the traffic on the speaker of the
`handset 230. The device 160 further receives user traffic
`
`through the microphone of the handset 230 and transmits the
`traffic through the single wire pair. The device 160 receives
`ADSI-encapsulated information from the call monitoring
`unit 140 of FIG. 1 and displays the ADSI-encapsulated
`information on the display 260. The device 160 may also
`generate ADSI-encapsulated commands (usually in response
`to depression of one of the soft buttons 270) intended to
`control the call monitoring unit 140 of FIG. 1. The device
`160 transmits these ADSI-encapsulated commands over the
`single wire pair 280 to the call monitoring unit 140.
`In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the
`device 160 receives electrical power through a separate
`power line 290 or battery. Most currently available ADSI-
`capable devices are unable to draw sufficient current from
`the single wire pair 280 to power the display 260. Thus, they
`employ the separate power line 290 or supply.
`
`0009
`
`0009
`
`

`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`7
`Those skilled in the pertinent art will understand that the
`device 160 may assume alternative embodiments. For
`example, a multimedia personal computer may be pro-
`grammed to reproduce user traffic on a speaker thereof,
`accept and display ADSI-encapsulated information and pro-
`vide ADSI-encapsulated commands. An ADSI unit having a
`display and soft buttons may also augment a non-ADSI
`telephone to yield a suitable device 160.
`Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a block diagram of
`a system for remotely controlling the call monitoring unit
`140 of FIG. 1 constructed according to the principles of the
`present
`invention. The system is illustrated for conve-
`nience’s sake as being associated with the call monitoring
`unit 140. The call monitoring unit 140 is, in turn, associated
`with a recorder 310 that monitors, via one or more taps 320,
`lines (station or trunk) associated with the SSU 110 of FIG.
`1.
`
`In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the
`system takes the form of a sequence of software instructions
`that are executable in a controller 330 to drive the device 160
`
`and thereby provide user traffic to be reproduced, and
`ADSI-encapsulated information to be displayed,
`to the
`device 160 and control the call monitoring unit 140 (and
`perhaps the recorder 310) in response to ADSI-encapsulated
`commands received from the device 160. The system per-
`forms these functions via a single wire pair interface 340
`coupled to the controller 330. Asingle wire pair 350 couples
`the single wire pair interface 340 to the device 160.
`In alternative embodiments, a LAN or SSU or the PSTN
`may be interposed between the controller 330 and the device
`160. In such case, the single wire pair interface 340 may not
`be directly coupled to the controller, but may be coupled to
`the intervening LAN, SSU or PSTN.
`Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is a flow diagram of a
`method of remotely controlling the call monitoring unit 140
`of FIG. 1 carried out according to the principles of the
`present invention. FIG. 4 is actually a hybrid form of flow
`diagram in which separate flow diagram portions are set
`forth side-by-side for the controller 330 (left side portion)
`and device 160 (right side portion). The single wire pair 350
`is shown between the flow diagram portions. Thus arranged,
`the flow diagram as a whole best represents how the con-
`troller 330 and device 160 interact during operation.
`The method begins in a start step 400, in which power is
`applied to the controller 330 and the device 160. The
`controller 330 then begins to signal the device 160 in a
`conventional manner to initialize the device 160. From the
`
`standpoint of a user (perhaps a correctional officer) situated
`at the device 160, the display on the device 160 will begin
`to display messages indicating that the device 160 has been
`activated.
`
`Processing then continues in a step 405, in which calls are
`made and monitored. The call monitoring unit 140 intercepts
`and transmits user traffic via the single wire pair interface
`(340 of FIG. 3) to the device 160, which receives and
`displays the user traffic (in a step 410).
`Processing continues to a decisional step 415, in which
`the controller 330 determines whether the controller 330 has
`
`any ADSI-encapsulated information (often pertaining to
`function menus or call status information) to transmit to the
`device 160. If not, the controller 330 continues to transmit
`user traffic to the device 160.
`If the controller 330 determines that ADSI information
`
`should be sent to the device 160, processing continues to a
`step 420,
`in which the ADSI information is queued for
`insertion in-band in a manner that comports with the ADSI
`standard.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`Processing continues in a step 425, wherein the controller
`330 interjects the ADSI-encapsulated information into the
`user traffic. The ADSI-encapsulated information is then
`transmitted via the single wire pair 350 to the device 160. In
`response, the device 160 receives and displays the ADSI-
`encapsulated information in a step 430. Once the controller
`330 has transmitted the ADSI-encapsulated information,
`transmission of user traffic can continue (the step 405).
`On the display 160 side of the flow diagram, the device
`160 receives and reproduces user traffic (traversing a loop
`between the step 410 and a decisional step 435). If a user
`gives a command (typically by pushing a soft button), the
`device 160 takes a “YES” branch of the decisional step 435,
`proceeding to a step 440, in which a space in the user traffic
`is located. Again, techniques for identifying a suitable space
`are known.
`
`Once the device 160 has located the space, processing
`continues in a step 445, wherein the device 160 interjects the
`ADSI command into the user traffic. The ADSI command is
`
`then transmitted via the single wire pair 350 to the controller
`330. In response, the controller 330 receives and responds
`accordingly to the ADSI command in a step 450, performing
`one or more functions. Once the device 160 has transmitted
`
`the ADSI command, receipt and reproduction of user traffic
`can continue (the step 410).
`Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a diagram of a first
`function menu, generally designated 500, displayed during
`times at which no trunks are active.
`The first function menu 500 contains a status area 510
`
`illustrated as containing the messages “No Active Trunks,”
`“Silent Seek” and “3 s.” “No Active Trunks” indicates that
`
`no conversations are taking place and, thus, there is nothing
`to monitor. “Silent Seek” is a mode of operation in which
`active stations of the PBX are scanned at periodic intervals.
`However, any user traffic encountered is not reproduced on
`the device (160 of FIG. 2). “3 s” is the period of the scan
`interval.
`The first function menu 500 further contains a menu
`
`selection area 520 that assigns menu selections to soft
`buttons as follows: “Record” is assigned to a soft button
`270a, “Goto” is assigned to a soft button 270b, “Monitor” is
`assigned to a soft button 270C, “V Scan” is assigned to a soft
`button 270d, “Speed—” is assigned to a soft button 2706 and
`“Speed+” is assigned to a soft button 270]”.
`Pressing the soft button 270a commands the call moni-
`toring unit to save a recording of the call being scanned at
`the time the soft button 270a is pressed. In alternative
`embodiments, the recording can begin when the soft button
`270a is pressed, or when the call began.
`Pressing the soft button 270b commands the call moni-
`toring unit to monitor a particular station number. This
`command will be set forth in greater detail with respect to
`FIG. 8 herein.
`
`Pressing the soft button 270C commands the call moni-
`toring unit to enter a monitoring mode of operation wherein
`the call monitoring unit monitors the call being scanned at
`the time the soft button 270C is pressed. The call monitoring
`unit accordingly begins to send user traffic pertaining to the
`call to the device for reproduction (so the user can monitor
`the conversation taking place).
`Pressing the soft button 270d commands the call moni-
`toring unit to enter a voice scan mode of operation that is
`identical to the silent scan mode of operation described
`above, except that the call monitoring unit provides user
`traffic corresponding to the calls being scanned to cause the
`device to reproduce it for the benefit of the user.
`
`0010
`
`0010
`
`

`
`US 6,647,096 B1
`
`9
`The soft buttons 270e, 270f control the period of the scan
`interval. According to FIG. 5, the scan interval is currently
`“3 s,” or three seconds. Each press of the “soft button” 270e
`decrements the period of the scan interval by one second
`(down to a minimum period of two seconds in the illustrated
`embodiment). Each press of the “soft button” 270f incre-
`ments the period of the scan interval by one second (up to
`a maximum period of 10 seconds in the illustrated
`embodiment).
`Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated is a diagram of a second
`function menu, generally designated 600, displayed when
`the call monitoring unit of FIG. 1 is in a silent seek mode and
`at least one trunk is active.
`The second function menu 600 contains a status area 610
`
`illustrated as containing the messages: “OID:,” “TNI: 300-
`000-0007,” “EXT: 707 00:00:38,” “Talking (FR) TR(16),”
`“Silent Seek” and “3 s.” “OID:” provides a PIN correspond-
`ing to a person using the station being scanned at the time
`(perhaps an inmate’s PIN). “TNI: 300-000-0007” is the
`telephone number dialed by the person. “EXT: 707
`00:00:38” are the extension number of the station being
`scanned at
`the time and the duration of the call being
`scanned at
`the time. “Talking” provides the call status.
`Possible call statuses in the illustrated embodiment are
`
`“dialing,” “answered” (call completed but not accepted by
`called party) and “talking.” “(FR)” means that the call is
`being recorded. “TR(16)” means that the call monitoring
`unit is recorded a total of 16 calls at the time. The “Silent
`
`Seek” mode of operation has been described above. “3 s”
`remains the period of the scan interval.
`The second function menu 600 further contains a menu
`
`selection area 620 that corresponds exactly to the menu
`selection area 520 described in conjunction with FIG. 5.
`Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated is a diagram of a third
`function menu, generally designated 700 and illustrating, in
`particular, an update symbol 710. The update symbol 710 is
`an artifact of ADSI. As previously described, ADSI requires
`spaces in user traffic for transmission of encapsulated infor-
`mation or commands. The device displays the update sym-
`bol 710 when ADSI-encapsulated information is being trans-
`mitted to the device (most often completely to refresh the
`display). The update symbol 710 rotates to indicate update
`progress.
`
`Turning now to FIG. 8, illustrated is a diagram of a fourth
`function menu, generally designated 800, displayed when
`generating a command to cause the call monitoring unit of
`FIG. 1 to monitor a particular extension. Pressing the soft
`button 270b of FIG. 5 commands the call monitoring unit to
`monitor a particular station number. The call monitoring unit
`causes th