Method and apparatus for providing both audio/video visitation and VOIP telephonic visitation originated either by an inmate or by an outside visitor directly between inmates of a prison and an outside visitor without need of intervention by prison personnel

摘要

An Internet-based audio/video and VoIP telephone visitation system for prisons wherein audio/video and VoIP visitation may be originated by either an inmate or an outside visitor. An inmate uses an individual portable electronic device in his/her possession to communicate exclusively with the visitation system. Through the visitation system video messages, video visitations, and VoIP telecommunications may be exchanged between the inmate and a registered visitor having an Internet-enabled device. Communication requires no endpoint control by prison personnel. All communications may be subject to intervention, recordation, and monitoring by prison personnel. Payment for services is prepaid by visitors using an on-line payment service eliminating involvement of prison personnel. All non-privileged calls are recorded. All calls may be monitored. A fee-per-minute is charged. Time is tracked for each call. The call duration and time remaining for a call may be displayed for both the visitor and the inmate.

主权项

1. An Internet-based audio/video and VoIP telephone visitation system for prisons wherein audio/video and VoIP visitation may be originated by either an inmate or an outside visitor (visitation system), comprising:
a) at least one portable electronic communications device (device) in exclusive possession of an inmate for sole use thereby, said device being connectable only to a visitation system, said portable electronic communications device comprising: a screen including a keypad, a video camera, a processor, an earphone jack, and a communications interface all operatively connected one to another, said communications interface being selectively operatively connected to said visitation system; b) an Internet-connected visitor station comprising a video display, a processor, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and a network interface all operatively connected to said processor and software comprising computer instructions for managing an audio/video or VoIP telephonic visit by a preauthorized visitor with an inmate through said visitation system; c) an Internet-based administrative facility operatively connected to and communicative with the Internet for managing audio/video and VoIP telephonic interconnections of said portable electronic communications device in possession of said inmate and said Internet-connected visitor station, said Internet-based administrative facility comprising: i) means for receiving funds exclusively from said preauthorized visitor through an Internet based payment service operatively connected to said Internet-based administrative facility, said funds used exclusively for visitation with said inmate; ii) means for storing in a database information related to said inmate using said portable electronic communications device in possession of said inmate, said device, and said preauthorized visitor using said Internet-connected visitor station; iii) means for creating an interconnection between said portable electronic communications device in possession of said inmate and said Internet-connected visitor station depending upon said information related to said inmate, said portable electronic communications device in possession of said inmate and said visitor, said interconnection forming one selected from the group: an audio/video visit, and a VoIP telephonic visit, said interconnection being established at the mutual convenience of said inmate and said registered visitor without prior scheduling and with no intervention required by prison personnel; and iv) means for timing said interconnection based on at least one selected from the group: an allowable maximum time for a visit, and a dollar amount of funds available to support said visit.