Machines and process for managing a service account
A machine and process for accepting customer payments and placing orders for telecommunications services is disclosed. The machine and process include a kiosk operable to accept account set-up information from an individual, accept payment from the individual, collect identifying data from the individual, and communicate with a system to activate a telecommunication account for the individual. The kiosk may be placed wherever quick telecommunication account set-up and payment verification is necessary, for example: a correctional facility or college campus.
1. A kiosk for receiving an inmate service account payment, comprising:
at least one processor;
a touchscreen in communication with the processor, wherein the touchscreen is configured to display information from the processor and is further configured to receive input from an operator of the kiosk;
a communications port in communication with the processor, wherein the communications port is configured to:
exchange data with at least one of a wireless device associated with an inmate service account and a remote; and
transmit purchased content comprising at least one of a game, application, music, and video, to the wireless device;
at least one hidden camera that captures images at the kiosk;
a payment acceptor to receive the inmate service account payment, wherein the payment acceptor comprises at least one of a bill validator, a near field communication reader, and a magnetic card reader; and
a dispensing device configured to remit an item of value, to an inmate associated with the inmate service account,
wherein the kiosk is configured to install limited-use restrictions onto the at least one wireless device associated with the inmate service account, based on at least one restriction of the inmate associated with the inmate service account and a correctional facility,
wherein the kiosk is further configured to unlock the at least one wireless device associated with the inmate service account at a time when the inmate is released from the correctional facility by removing the limited-use restrictions from the at least one wireless device through the communications port,
wherein, after the limited-use restrictions are removed from the at least one wireless device, the kiosk is further configured to download at least one post-release restriction onto the at least one wireless device associated with an inmate service account based on the inmate associated with the inmate service account and a parole requirement.
2. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the hidden camera is configured to capture images at a predetermined portion of an inmate service account transaction.
3. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the hidden camera is configured to capture images as directed by the remote facility over the network.
4. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the communications port is further configured to provide web access to the operator of the kiosk so the operator can access at least one of a bank account or a payment service associated with the operator, to transfer funds into the inmate service account.
5. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the item of value comprises at least one of cash, coins, a check, a gift card, and a public transportation pass.
6. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the item of value is determined based at least in part on an inmate service account balance at a time when the inmate associated with the inmate service account is released from the correctional facility.
7. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the payment acceptor is configured to accept at least one of a utility payment, a traffic citation fee, a bail bond payment, a child-support payment, a probation payment, a phone bill, and court fees.
8. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the touchscreen is configured to:
display an electronic keyboard on the touchscreen,
receive input from the operator of the kiosk at the electronic keyboard, the input forming a message, and
transmit the received message to the processor.
9. A system for receiving an inmate service account payment, the system comprising:
a first biometric sensor that captures first biometric data of a first type;
a second biometric sensor that captures second biometric data of a second type;
a kiosk at a correctional facility that receives transaction information associated with the inmate service account payment and collects composite biometric data that includes the first biometric data and the second biometric data from an operator of the kiosk, wherein the kiosk comprises at least one hidden camera;
a database that stores the transaction information and the composite biometric data;
a first network that allows communication between the kiosk and the database;
a local processor that generates a real-time transaction record that includes the stored transaction information and the stored composite biometric data; and
one or more additional networks that allow communication between the database and one or more service partner billing systems,
wherein the service partners provide one or more types of services to an inmate associated with the inmate service account;
wherein the kiosk further comprises:
a dispensing device configured to remit at least one of cash, coins, a check, a gift card, and a public transportation pass, based at least in part on an account balance, and
a communications port configured to exchange data with at least one wireless device associated with an inmate service account and to transmit purchased content comprising at least one of a game, application, music, and video content, to the wireless device;
wherein at least one wireless device is associated with the inmate service account is configured to include limited-use restrictions based on the inmate associated with the inmate service account and the correctional facility,
wherein the kiosk is further configured to unlock the at least one wireless device associated with the inmate service account at a time when the inmate is released from the correctional facility by removing the limited-use restrictions from the at least one wireless device through the communications port,
wherein, after the limited-use restrictions are removed from the at least one wireless device, the kiosk is further configured to download at least one post-release restriction onto the at least one wireless device associated with an inmate service account based on the inmate associated with the inmate service account and a parole requirement.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the kiosk further comprises a touch screen configured to display information in a plurality of languages.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the kiosk further comprises an identification recording device to collect third biometric data of a third data type.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first biometric data comprises a handprint.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the second biometric data comprises at least one of: a voice recording, a fingerprint, a cornea scan, and a photograph.
14. The system of claim 9 further comprising a customer reporting engine that queries the database for transaction records.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor correlates conditions of acceptance for the inmate service account payment amount according to restrictions placed on the inmate by the correctional facility.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the hidden camera is controlled remotely.
17. The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the parole requirement is at least one of a geographic boundary outside the correctional facility, a restraining order, a work requirement, and a curfew.
18. The system of claim 9 , wherein the parole requirement is at least one of a geographic boundary outside the correctional facility, a restraining order, a work requirement, and a curfew.