`
`
`
`(i9) United States
`(i2) Patent A pplication Publication
`Torgersrud et al.
`
`US 20140267547A1
`
`(io) Pub. No.: US 2014/0267547 Al
`Sep. 18,2014
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) HANDHELD VIDEO VISITATION
`
`(71) Applicant: Telmate, LLC, San Francisco, CA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Richard Torgersrud, San Francisco, CA
`(US); Kevin O’Neil, Parma, ID (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: TELMATE, LLC, San Francisco, CA
`(US)
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 14/216,993
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 17, 2014
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/801,861, filed on Mar.
`15, 2013.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int.Cl.
`H 04W 12/08
`H04L 29/06
`H04N7/14
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ...............H 04W 12/08 (2013.01); H04N 7/141
`(2013.01); H04L 63/102 (2013.01)
`USPC .......................................................... 348/14.02
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An inmate mobile device for communicating with an outsider
`mobile device is provided. An identity data item, of the
`device, includes an inmate identifier of an inmate user of the
`inmate mobile device, a verified data and a restrictions reposi­
`tory. Also included is a media capture module configured to
`obtain an initial verification data from the inmate user of the
`inmate mobile device, and an outsider client application con­
`figured to receive the initial verification data from the media
`capture module, determine that the inmate verification data
`and the inmate verified data match, generate a connection
`request targeting the outsider mobile device. The connection
`request includes the inmate identifier of the inmate user and
`an outsider identifier of an outsider user of the outsider mobile
`device. The inmate application is also further configured to
`send the connection request to a server system.
`
`C o m m u n ic a tio n
`S e r v e r S y s te m
`1 2 0
`
`O u ts id e r M o b ile
`D e v ic e
`1 2 2
`
`GTL 1010
`PGR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,929,525
`
`0001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 1 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 A l
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`122
`
`Device
`
`Outsider Mobile
`
`FIG. 1
`
`120
`
`Server System
`Communication
`
`100
`
`Controlled Facility
`
`0002
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 2 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 A l
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`FIG. 2
`
`120
`
`Communication Server System
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`0003
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18,2014 Sheet 3 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`Kiosk
`300
`
`/
`
`
`
`Camera
`
`Display
`304
`
`0004
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 4 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`Computing
`System
`400
`
`FIG, 4
`
`0005
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18,2014 Sheet 5 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`Mobile Device
`500
`
`FIG. 5
`
`0006
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18,2014 Sheet 6 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`FIG. 6
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`0007
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 7 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`FIG. 7
`
`0008
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 8 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`FIG. 8
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`0009
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 9 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 A l
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`FIG. 9
`
`SteD 904
`
`Obtain target inmate
`
`SteD 902
`
`Authenticate outsider
`
`connection
`
`outsider to initiate
`
`START
`
`0010
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 10 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`FIG. IO
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`0011
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 11 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`FIG. 11
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`0012
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 12 of 12
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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`FIG. 12
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`0013
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`

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`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`1
`
`Sep. 18,2014
`
`HANDHELD VIDEO VISITATION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`[0001] This application hereby claims the benefit of prior­
`ity ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/801,
`861, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, entitled “Handheld Video Visi­
`tation,” and is herein incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`[0002] Controlled facilities, such as a jail, prison, detention
`facility, secured hospital, or addiction treatment facility,
`house laige populations of individuals in confinement, which
`presents unique administrative challenges. In such detention
`environments, detained individuals, such as inmates, prison­
`ers, offenders, convicts, military personnel, patients, govern­
`ment cleared personnel, or other detainees, frequently desire
`to communicate with individuals outside the detention envi­
`ronment such as friends or family members.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`[0003] FIG. 1 shows a system in accordance with one or
`more embodiments of the invention.
`[0004] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a server system in accor­
`dance with one or more embodiments of the invention.
`[0005] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a kiosk in accordance
`with one or more embodiments of the invention.
`[0006] FIG. 4 shows a computer system in accordance with
`one or more embodiments of the invention.
`[0007] FIG. 5 shows a mobile device in accordance with
`one or more embodiments of the invention.
`[0008] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method for connecting
`a communication in accordance with one or more embodi­
`ments of the invention.
`[0009] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a method for authenti­
`cating an individual in accordance with one or more embodi­
`ments of the invention.
`[0010] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method for an inmate
`placing an outgoing communication in accordance with one
`or more embodiments of the invention.
`[0011] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method for a visitor or
`outsider placing an incoming call in accordance with one or
`more embodiments of the invention.
`[0012] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a method for continu­
`ous authentication in accordance with one or more embodi­
`ments of the invention.
`[0013] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a method for saving
`communications in accordance with one or more embodi­
`ments of the invention.
`[0014] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method for setting a
`schedule in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`[0015] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be
`described in detail with reference to the accompanying fig­
`ures. In the following detailed description of embodiments of
`the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order
`to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.
`However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
`that the invention may be practiced without these specific
`
`details. In other instances, well-known features have not been
`described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the
`description.
`[0016]
`In general, embodiments of the invention relate to
`handheld video visitation for inmates.
`[0017] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a system in accordance
`with one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in
`FIG. 1, the system includes a controlled facility (100), two
`wireless signal antennas (wireless signal antenna (102) and
`wireless signal antenna (118)), an inmate mobile device
`(104), a signal blocking device (106), a visitor kiosk (108), an
`administrator application (110), a local server (112), an
`inmate kiosk (114), a communications network (116), a com­
`munication server system (120) and outsider mobile device
`(122).
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, a
`[0018]
`controlled facility (100) is an access-restricted location in
`which an inmate resides. Examples of controlled facilities
`(e.g., controlled facility (100)) include, but are not limited to,
`detention environments (e.g., jails, prisons, etc.), immigra­
`tion detention centers, military centers, government secure
`sites, law enforcement holding structures, and psychiatric
`hospitals.
`[0019]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, an
`inmate is a resident of a controlled facility (100) and is subj ect
`to one or more restrictions, primarily to his or her freedom or
`rights. Such restrictions may be part of a court-imposed sen­
`tence on an inmate, while others may be specific to the con­
`trolled facility (100) in which the inmate resides. Restrictions
`may include limitations on an inmate’s physical movement
`(i.e., physical restrictions) and limitations on the inmate’s
`ability to communicate (i.e., communication restrictions).
`Communication restrictions include inmate use restrictions,
`inmate target restrictions, and device use restrictions.
`[0020]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`inmate use restrictions are limitations on an inmate’s general
`ability to communicate with visitors and/or outsiders. Inmate
`use restrictions may include, for example, periods of time in
`which an inmate is not allowed to communicate with outsid­
`ers or visitors (e.g., between 10 PM and 8 AM, during an
`imposed one-week punitive period, etc.) and limitations
`based on lack of funds (e.g., insufficient commissary account
`balance to initiate a communication).
`[0021]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`inmate target restrictions are limitations on the target or
`source of a communication with the inmate. Inmate taiget
`restrictions may be specific outsiders or visitors with whom
`the inmate is not allowed to communicate (e.g., the victim of
`a crime perpetrated by the inmate, etc.). Inmate taiget restric­
`tions may also include types of people with whom the inmate
`is not allowed contact (e.g., outsiders who are ex-cons,
`minors under the age of 18, etc.).
`[0022]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`device use restrictions are restrictions based on the condition
`or state of the communication device used by the inmate.
`Device use restrictions include, for example, limitations
`based on the location of the inmate’s mobile device, limita­
`tions imposed based on a determination that the device has
`been tampered with, etc.
`[0023]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, an
`outsider is a person outside the controlled facility (100) who
`may be the source or target of a communication with an
`
`0014
`
`

`

`
`
`
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`US 2014/0267547 A1
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`2
`
`Sep. 18,2014
`
`inmate. An outsider who enters the controlled facility (100)
`for the purpose of communicating with an inmate is referred
`to as a visitor.
`[0024]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, wire­
`less signal antenna (102) and/or wireless signal antenna (118)
`are antennas used to propagate wireless signals. The wireless
`signals may be of any strength and type now known or later
`developed.
`[0025]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, the
`inmate mobile device (104) is a device with functionality to
`send and receive audio communications between an inmate
`and an outsider or visitor. For example, inmate mobile device
`(104) may be a computing device such as a smart phone,
`laptop, tablet, or other suitable device. Specifically, the
`inmate mobile device (104) may be used to send or receive
`text messages and/or initiate or receive voice or video calls. In
`one embodiment of the invention, the inmate mobile device
`(104) also enables an inmate to access a secure social net­
`work. Specifically, the inmate mobile device (104) may be
`used to upload media to, or view media from, a secure social
`network account of the inmate or another secure social net­
`work member. In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`inmate mobile device (104) executes an inmate application
`(not shown) that provides the functionality described above.
`[0026]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, signal
`blocking device (106) is a device that blocks, or severely
`limits wireless signals, such as those from wireless signal
`antenna (102) and wireless signal antenna (118). Signal
`blocking device (106) may block the wireless signals in any
`manner now known or later developed.
`[0027]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, kiosks
`(e.g., visitor kiosk (108) and/or inmate kiosk (114)) may be
`used by inmates, visitors, or others for communication, enter­
`tainment, and/or any other purpose. Visitor kiosk (108) and/or
`inmate kiosk (114) is a computing system with functionality
`to facilitate communication between an inmate and a visitor
`or outsider. Such communication facilitation may include
`creating a system identity data item or secure social network­
`ing account, adding or importing contact information for
`outsiders with whom the inmate wishes to communicate,
`uploading media (e.g., photos, videos, audio, and text) to, or
`viewing media from, a secure social network, sending or
`receiving messages or other media, acting as an endpoint for
`voice and video communication between an inmate and a
`visitor or outsider, scheduling a communication, and manag­
`ing a commissary account. In one or more embodiments of
`the invention, visitor kiosk (108) is for visitors, while inmate
`kiosk (114) is inmates. Thus, visitor kiosk (108) and inmate
`kiosk (114) may have minor distinctions between them, such
`as increased use restrictions on inmate kiosk (114), and/or
`any other suitable modifications. Alternatively, visitor kiosk
`(108) and inmate kiosk (114) may be identical, except that
`inmate kiosk (114) is located in an area accessible to inmates.
`It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that visitor
`kiosk (108) and/or inmate kiosk (114) may have many differ­
`ent components and functionalities and, as such, the invention
`should not be limited to the above examples.
`[0028]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, the
`administrator application (110) is a process or group of pro­
`cesses executing on a computing system with functionality to
`enable an administrator to create, remove, and/or enforce one
`or more restrictions on an inmate. In one embodiment of the
`invention, an administrator is a person associated with the
`controlled facility charged with enforcing one or more restric­
`
`tions. Examples of administrators include, but are not limited
`to, prison guards, orderlies, wardens, prison staff, jailers,
`information technology technicians, system administrators,
`and law enforcement agents. Using the administrator appli­
`cation, an administrator may retrieve or alter the identity data
`item and/or secure social network account of an inmate, visi­
`tor, or outsider. Further, in one or more embodiments of the
`invention, the administrator application (110) provides
`access to communications between inmates at the controlled
`facility (100) and visitors, outsiders, and other inmates. The
`administrator application (110) may also be used to monitor
`current voice or video calls between an inmate and a visitor,
`outsider, or other inmate. In one embodiment of the invention,
`the administrator application (110) may provide heightened
`access (i.e., a level of access greater than that of the inmate,
`visitor, or outsider) to data stored in the secure social net­
`working account.
`[0029] Specifically, the view administrator application
`(110) sees of the timeline will typically include access to all
`data normally hidden from visitor and inmate timelines,
`including all messages, photos (both approved and rejected),
`and a link to all video visitation archives and telephone call
`recordings, all of which are presented on the admin’s view of
`the inmate’s or visitor’s timeline. This view of the timeline is
`a powerful investigator tool, allowing the admin to research
`and review all electronic communications a given person has
`had in relation to an inmate, parolee, or visitor of interest. This
`version of the application also provides real-time notifica­
`tions (using the same push, IM, SMS, and MMS methods
`described above) of requests for visitation. Such notifications
`will typically contain the current results of the authorization
`checks described above. Using this information, the admin
`may approve, deny, or cancel a previously (automatically or
`human-) approved visitation request directly from within the
`application. In the case where the visitor’s authorization
`check has indicated outstanding warrants (for arrest, as a
`person-of-interest in a criminal investigation, or other rea­
`son), the admin may elect to authorize said visitation request,
`and arrange with law enforcement officials to track the visitor
`using any GPS or other tracking information available on the
`device the visitor is using for the video visitation, or may
`modify the visitation, changing it to a request by the detainee
`for an in-person or on-site visit, or perhaps even a surprise
`release for medical reasons or good behavior, which would
`aid law-enforcement officials in apprehending the visitor with
`outstanding warrants, by encouraging the visitor to show up
`at the secure facility to collect the detainee.
`[0030]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, the
`local server (112) is a computer system or group of computers
`systems located within the controlled facility (100) that facil­
`ity communication between inmates and visitors, outsiders,
`and/or other inmates. Specifically, the local server (112) may
`implement the software necessary to host voice and video
`calls between and among the visitor kiosk (108), the inmate
`kiosk (114), and a outsider mobile device (122). The local
`server (112) may also include functionality to enforce com­
`munication restrictions associated with the inmates using the
`inmate kiosk (114) or inmate mobile device (104). Alterna­
`tively, the local server (112) may merely provide access to
`other systems capable of hosting the communication software
`and data storage (e.g., located within an offsite facility or a
`third party provider). Further, in one embodiment of the
`invention, the local server (112) includes functionality to
`regulate inmate access to a secure social network.
`
`0015
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`

`US 2014/0267547 Al
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`
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, the
`[0031]
`elements within the controlled facility (100) are communica­
`tively coupled to the communications network (116). In one
`embodiment of the invention, the communications network
`(116) is a collection of computing systems and other hard­
`ware interconnected by communication channels. The com­
`munications network (116) may include networks that are
`exclusively or primarily used for a single type of communi­
`cation, such as a telephone network (e.g., Public Switched
`Telephone Network (PSTN) or Plain Old Telephone System
`(POTS)), and/or networks used for a wide array of commu­
`nication types, such as the Internet through Voice over IP
`(VoIP). Communication channels used by the communica­
`tions network (116) may include, for example, telephone
`lines, networking cables, wireless signals, radio waves, etc.
`Fees chaiged and payments received by the provider(s) of the
`communications network (116) may involve multiple parties,
`including a service provider, the management of the con­
`trolled facility (100), and provider(s) of the communications
`network (116). In one ormore embodiments of the invention,
`fees may be split between multiple parties based on the terms
`of underlying agreements or contracts between the parties.
`Further, rebates, reimbursements, and/or refunds may be
`afforded to and paid to the management of the controlled
`facility (100) based on the terms of underlying agreements or
`contracts between the parties. For example, the management
`of the controlled facility (100) may receive a rebate from the
`service provider of the services provided to inmates based on
`such factors as the volume of use, the dollar amount, and/or
`the frequency of use.
`[0032]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, com­
`munication server system (120) is any server, computer, rack,
`desktop computer, laptop computer, or other suitable com­
`puting device. Communication server system (120) is dis­
`cussed in more detail in FIG. 2.
`[0033]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, out­
`sider mobile device (122) is any suitable mobile device, such
`as a smart phone, laptop, tablet, etc. Specifically, outsider
`mobile device (122) is able to communicate with inmate
`mobile device (104), authenticate the visitor, and/or any other
`functionality for communicating with an inmate. Outsider
`mobile device (122) may execute a visitor application that
`provides the functionality discussed above.
`[0034] Optionally, the system of FIG. 1 may include an
`application for victims of a crime (not shown). The applica­
`tion is intended for use by crime victims and others who may
`feel threatened by a particular inmate (such as judges, jurors,
`police officers, etc.) allows such victims and other individuals
`to subscribe to information about specific incarcerated and
`formerly incarcerated individuals, ideally anonymously, and
`be notified automatically by the application, preferably using
`push notification, of events relating to the incarcerated or
`formerly incarcerated individual. These events may include,
`but are not limited to, parole hearings, trial dates, release
`dates, new arrests, new charges, and anything else in the
`public record that may serve to increase the safety and/or
`peace-of-mind of the anonymous user.
`[0035] For instance, if a formerly incarcerated individual is
`subject to a keep-away restraining order, and the anonymous
`victim chooses, the application may indicate an alert when­
`ever available tracking systems (such as a GPS ankle band or
`a handheld computing device with tracking features enabled,
`such as a mobile phone configured for parolee monitoring)
`indicate the subject of the restraining order has come within a
`
`specified distance of the protected individual. Upon this alert,
`the authorities responsible for the person subject to the
`restraining order may be automatically notified of the viola­
`tion, and/or the protected individual may be given instruc­
`tions on which direction will increase the distance between
`him and the subject bound by the restraining order.
`[0036] FIG. 2 shows communication server system (120) in
`detail, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
`invention. Communication server system (200) includes
`authentication module (202), media server (204), scheduling
`module (206), identity repository (208), schedule repository
`(210), timeline repository (212), billing module (214), and
`data miner (216).
`[0037]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`authentication module (202) authenticates/verifies inmates,
`visitors, outsiders, and/or anyone communicating using this
`invention. Specifically, the authentication may take may dif­
`ferent forms including voice, picture/video, passwords, fin­
`gerprints, and/or any other method of verifying identities
`and/or authenticating individuals. Authentication module
`(202) may utilize a voice ID audio clip that was previously
`recorded by the inmate. The pre-recorded clip can be
`recorded under the supervision of administrative staff, and
`may be, for example, a recording of an inmate stating their
`name or another short phrase. When authentication is needed,
`the inmate is requested to speak the pre-recorded phrase.
`After speaking the phrase and being authenticated, the inmate
`may log into the system. The authentication module (202)
`records the phrase spoken by the inmate, and compares a
`digital signature of the audio to the pre-recorded audio clip.
`The pre-recorded clips may be created and stored locally at
`the kiosk or mobile device, or may be created by another
`mechanism and stored at, for example, a database. Accord­
`ingly, the comparison may be made by software on the kiosk
`or at the processing center. If the recorded audio matches the
`prerecorded audio clip, the inmate is granted access.
`[0038]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`authentication module (202) is able to use facial verification
`either separately or in combination with one or more of the
`other verification systems, including Personal Identification
`Number (PIN) verification and the voice verification. For
`facial verification, the inmate may line up their eyes with the
`eye level marks displayed on the kiosk or mobile device. This
`ensures that an appropriate image is captured for verification.
`[0039] As with voice verification, facial verification pro­
`cessing may be performed locally or remotely. In either case,
`the facial verification processing includes comparing an
`image captured by a camera with a pre-stored image of the
`inmate. Authentication module (202) may use facial “land­
`marks” generated by mathematical formulas to present a
`score which indicates a likelihood that the captured image
`matches the pre-stored image. If the images match to a suffi­
`cient degree, the verification is approved and the inmate is
`granted access to the system. If the images do not match, the
`system may store the captured image and other usage details
`for review by administration officials.
`[0040]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, media
`server (204) is a computing system or group of computing
`systems with functionality to provide network application
`services to facilitate communication between an inmate and
`an outsider, and to facilitate access to a secure social network.
`Such services include, but are not limited to, voice-over­
`internet-protocol (VoIP) services, video conferencing ser­
`vices, and media streaming services.
`
`0016
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`In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`[0041]
`scheduling module (206) is responsible for scheduling com­
`munications involving inmates. For example, requests for
`scheduled or immediate remote or on-site video visitations
`may be made at or by any kiosk, mobile device, or other
`suitable computing device. Scheduling module (206) handles
`the scheduling in conjunction with authentication module
`(202), discussed above. Once arranged, authorized, and con­
`nected, the audio and video portions of the remote visit are
`handled by and travel through the media server (204).
`[0042]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, iden­
`tify repository (208) is used to store authentication informa­
`tion created and/or used by authentication module (202).
`[0043]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention,
`schedule repository (210) is used to store scheduling infor­
`mation created and/or used by scheduling module (206).
`[0044]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, time­
`line repository (212) is a repository for data relating to a social
`networking site associated with this inmate. Timeline reposi­
`tory (212) may not display every item stored on it on a
`timeline of an associated inmate, some items may be rejected
`or withheld based on a variety of factors. In one or more
`embodiments of the invention, timeline repository (212)
`stores, for example, data about a video visitation after the
`conclusion of the visitation. The data stored may include the
`date and start time, duration, and profile photos of the parties
`communicating may be posted to the social networking
`“wall” or- “timeline” for each participant. As secure environ­
`ments rarefy, if ever, permit either visitors or inmates to view
`recordings of past video visitations, even though such visita­
`tions are typically recorded and archived for use by investi­
`gators, the actual video of the visitation is typically not
`included in said timeline. However, during a video visitation,
`both parties may be allowed to engage in instant messaging
`(IM) types of chats. These may be optionally included in the
`parties’ timelines, if permitted by facility rules.
`[0045]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, time­
`line repository (212) may store electronic text messages and/
`or photos exchanged between detainees and visitors, option­
`ally for a fee. These will typically be entered into a review
`queue, instead of being immediately displayed on the social
`networking timeline. Such messages and/or photos will typi­
`cally need approval by a suitably authorized individual work­
`ing at or on behalf of the secure facility. If and when approved,
`these messages and/or photos may then be displayed on the
`visitor and/or inmate timelines.
`[0046] Additionally, the visitor is provided the means of
`cross-posting photos uploaded to timeline repository (212) to
`common publicly available social networking services, such
`as but not limited to Facebook, Foursquare, and Flickr. These
`photos may be posted only if sufficient funds and permission
`are available to the visitor, and will typically be held in the
`aforementioned review queue before being posted on, even if
`they are immediately posted to the public service such as
`Facebook, Foursquare, or Flickr. As posted there, they may or
`may not have any indication that they were taken or uploaded
`in conjunction with an inmate. As is frequently practiced with
`photos uploaded to such social networking sites, such photos
`will often have geographic coordinates or other data associ­
`ated with them, either by means of a GPS or similar position­
`determining device or service, or by means of manual input,
`or by a combination of both methods (as is practiced in the
`Foursquare service, where the GPS position is used to display
`a list of nearby well-known business locations or other points-
`
`of-interest). Such information will often be of interest and
`value to the inmate, the visitor, and also the facility’s inves­
`tigators.
`In addition to the human-generated content, time­
`[0047]
`line repository (212) may also include automatically gener­
`ated content related to the inmate, such as dates of upcoming
`court appearances, parole hearings, release or parole dates,
`and other such items. These items may be displayed both in
`the timeline as a historical record, and in a separate list that
`highlights upcoming events. Additionally, when any of these
`dates are initially scheduled, that event may be recorded in the
`timeline.
`In one or more embodiments of the invention. In one
`[0048]
`or more embodiments of the invention, the billing module
`(214) is responsible for payments made for or using a mobile
`device. Optionally, the functionality associated with the bill­
`ing module (214) may be located on any other suitable com­
`ponent. Billing module (214) may facilitate an inmate making
`payments from the prisoner’s commissary or communica­
`tions account, or any other account allowed by the prison or
`controlled facility including, but not limited to: checking
`accounts, savings account, credit cards, gift cards, online
`payment accounts, and/or any other account. In one or more
`embodiments of the invention, family or friends of the inmate
`may place funds into a special account strictly for payment of
`fees associated with a mobile device, which the inmate may
`then access for payment of any fees associated with a mobile
`device or the usage of a mobile device.
`[0049]
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, data
`miner (216) is an application or module for use by adminis­
`tration, investigators, and other similar people. Data miner
`(216) comprises functionality for mining data stored on Com­
`munication Server System (120) and is typically used for
`investigating crimes, criminal behavior, rule breaking, safety
`issues, and/or any other reasons. In one or more embodi­
`ments, the functionality described for data miner (216) may
`be associated with a different application or device, such as
`administrator application (110).
`[0050] FIG. 3 shows kiosk (300) in accordance with one or
`more embodiments of the invention. Kiosk (300) includes an
`integrated camera (302) that can be used for video commu­
`nications or for user authentication via facial recognition. The
`kiosk also includes a display (304) that displays images and
`may be able to detect the presence and location of a user’s
`touch within the display area. Display (304) may be, for
`example, a 15-inch capacitive or resistive touch screen dis­
`play. The touch screen serves as the main kiosk interface with
`a user. A telephone handset (306) connected to the kiosk
`includes a speaker (not shown) and a microphone (not
`shown). Handset (306) can be used to issue voice commands
`and provide voice authentication as required, or it can be used
`for voice and video communications, among other things.
`Handset (306) is just one possible embodiment of audio cap­
`ture and playback, as a kiosk user may, for example, instead
`plug in a headphones or headset with an in-line microphone
`using one or more headphone jack (308), or may use a speak­
`erphone (speaker and microphone combined with additional
`audio processing hardware) (not shown). Headphone jack
`(308) may also be located on the side of the kiosk or behind a
`movable panel, which can be locked in a position exposing
`the jacks or in a position blocking them, depending on the
`preferences of the facility. In one or more embodiments of the
`invention, USB port (310) is located behind a movable panel
`and can be used for system diagnostics by technicians or to
`
`0017
`
`

`

`US 2014/0267547 A1
`