IP Library Granted Patent US 11,044,280
Granted Patent B1
US 11,044,280 · App. 16/782,313 · Granted Jun 22, 2021

Location-based controls for remote visitation in controlled-environment facilities

Inventor: Matthew Richard Smith (McKinney, TX)
Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLC
H04L65/1073H04L63/306H04L67/18
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,044,280
App. No.
16/782,313
Filed
Feb 5, 2020
Granted
Jun 22, 2021
Kind
B1
Art Unit
2426
USPC
709/228
Abstract

Systems and methods for developing, deploying, and/or providing location-based controls for remote visitation in controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include identifying a request to establish a visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the visitation session includes at least one of: a voice or a video call, and wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device; receiving spatial information of the mobile device; and applying a rule to the visitation session based upon the spatial information.

Claims (32)

1. A method, comprising:

creating at least one geo-fencing rule to apply to visitation sessions between residents and non-residents of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the geo-fencing rule comprises a status of the rule, a type classification of rule, one or more parameters associated with the rule and whether the rule is positively or negatively defined;

identifying a request to establish a visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility, wherein the visitation session includes at least one of: a voice or a video call, and wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device;

receiving spatial information of the mobile device, wherein the spatial information comprises a location of the mobile device; and

applying a geo-fencing rule to the visitation session based upon the spatial information, wherein applying the rule includes determining that the location of the mobile device is within a selected geographic area.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlled-environment facility is a correctional facility, and wherein the resident is an inmate.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a direction of travel of the mobile device, and wherein applying the rule includes determining that the direction of travel is within a selected trajectory.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a proximity to another mobile device associated with another non-resident.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the spatial information periodically during the visitation session.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising charging an account of the resident for a telecommunication provider's fees associated with providing the spatial information.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the rule comprises at least one of: flagging the visitation session for monitoring or recording, or issuing an alert provided in the rule.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visitation session is a Video Relay Service (VRS) call.

9. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the system to:

store at least one geo-fencing rule to apply to visitation sessions between residents and non-residents of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the geo-fencing rule comprises a status of the rule, a type classification of rule, one or more parameters associated with the rule and whether the rule is positively or negatively defined;

identify a request to establish a video visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility, wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device;

receive spatial information of the mobile device, wherein the spatial information comprises a location of the mobile device;

apply the geo-fencing rule to the video visitation session based upon the spatial information, wherein applying the geo-fencing rule includes determining that the location of the mobile device is within a selected geographic area;

receive updated spatial information periodically during the visitation session; and

apply a rule to the video visitation session based upon the updated spatial information.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the spatial information comprises a direction of travel of the mobile device, and wherein applying the rule includes determining that the direction of travel is within a selected trajectory.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the spatial information comprises a proximity to another mobile device associated with another non-resident.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein applying the rule comprises at least one of: flagging the video visitation session for monitoring or recording, or issuing an alert associated with the rule.

13. A hardware memory device having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor, cause a computer system to:

create at least one geo-fencing rule to apply to visitation sessions between residents and non-residents of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the geo-fencing rule comprises a status of the rule, a type classification of rule, one or more parameters associated with the rule and whether the rule is positively or negatively defined;

identify a request to establish a video visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility, wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device;

receive spatial information of the mobile device, wherein the spatial information comprises a location of the mobile device; and

apply a geo-fencing rule to the video visitation session based upon the spatial information, wherein applying the rule includes determining that the location of the mobile device is within a selected geographic area and permitting the visitation session when the location of the mobile device is outside of the selected geographic area.

14. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a direction of travel of the mobile device, and wherein applying the rule includes determining that the direction of travel is within a selected trajectory.

15. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a proximity to another mobile device associated with another non-resident.

16. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein applying the rule comprises at least one of: flagging the video visitation session for monitoring or recording, or issuing an alert associated with the rule.

Assignments (18)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (NOTES) Recorded Jul 2, 2026
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC
Reel/Frame 075893/0360 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (SUPER-PRIORITY FIRST LIEN) Recorded Jul 2, 2026
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB (AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH)
To: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC
Reel/Frame 075892/0223 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (SUPER-PRIORITY SECOND LIEN) Recorded Jul 2, 2026
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC
Reel/Frame 075901/0833 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 21, 2025
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS EXISTING COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070903/0303 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2024
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
Reel/Frame 066951/0561 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2024
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
Reel/Frame 066952/0914 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2024
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
Reel/Frame 066951/0514 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2024
From: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 066951/0054 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2024
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
Reel/Frame 066951/0385 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2024
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: AVENTIV TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
Reel/Frame 066951/0630 →
SUPER-PRIORITY FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 28, 2024
From: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066945/0310 →
PRIORITY SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 1, 2024
From: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066436/0420 →
PRIORITY FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 2, 2024
From: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; ALLPAID, INC.; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066567/0620 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 24, 2023
From: ALLPAID, INC.; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 064699/0842 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2023
From: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 064600/0451 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2023
From: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 064600/0235 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 12, 2020
From: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 053476/0289 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2020
From: SMITH, MATTHEW RICHARD
To: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 051725/0406 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 15719840 · Sep 29, 2017