VR correctional outreach system
View Patent ↗This present invention relates to a virtual reality (VR) based outreach program operational using a VR headset and a 360-degree camera. The VR outreach program enables the incarcerated or detained individuals to connect with their families, friends and other interested individuals and allows them to witness birthdays, sporting events, and other events, while spending time in a correctional or detention facility. The VR outreach program ensures the inmates, prisoners or detainees can reach their family, friends and others thereby helping their family and others to adjust to the absence of the incarcerated or detained individual. Also, the outreach program provides a unique way of overcoming the effects incarceration and prevents the inmates or detainees from developing mental illness due to prolonged periods of solitary or isolated confinement.
1. A remedial system for use in a correctional or detention facility, the remedial system comprising:
a headset sized and configured for use by a first individual;
a mobile application installed on a mobile device for recording an event, the mobile application downloaded by a second individual that is remote from the first individual and configured to authenticate both the first and second individuals;
an authorization sequence provided by the correctional or detention facility;
at least one 360 degree camera; and
a virtual reality video or other content created by the second individual using the at least one 360 degree camera, wherein the headset is used to view the virtual reality video or other content at the correctional or detention facility; and
wherein the authorization sequence is configured to allow the correctional or detention facility to authorize or not authorize viewing of the virtual reality video or other content by the first person, and if not authorized, to provide feedback to facilitate authorization.
2. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first individual is incarcerated at the correctional or detention facility.
3. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second individual is one of a family member, a relative, a doctor, a psychotherapist, an instructor, a clergy member, a friend, an educator, a trainer, a vocational instructor or a combination thereof to the first individual.
4. The remedial system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the second individual creates the virtual reality video or other content.
5. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first individual is incarcerated at the correctional or detention facility and the second individual is a family member, a friend or an interested person of the first individual.
6. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a transmission module for transmitting the video or content from the second individual to the first individual.
7. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a memory for storing the virtual reality video or other content.
8. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a sensor for recording a reaction of the first individual to the virtual reality video or other content.
9. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a user display for use by the second individual to make a selection and provide an instruction for creating the virtual reality or other content.
10. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication module for creating a real time communication between the first individual and the second individual.
11. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second 360 degree camera for creating the virtual reality video or other content.
12. The remedial system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the remedial system provides one of a full immersion, a semi-immersion or a non-immersion content.
13. A method of using a virtual reality system to communicate with an incarcerated individual comprising the steps of;
providing the virtual reality system that is comprised of a headset, a smart application, a display, at least one 360 degree camera, a memory and a processor;
authenticating a content creator to use the smart application;
using the virtual reality system less the headset to create a virtual reality video or other content;
transmitting the virtual reality video or other content to an administrative person at a correctional or detention facility for review prior to providing it to an incarcerated individual;
approving or not approving the virtual reality video or other content;
providing feedback to facilitate approval if the virtual video or other content is not initially approved;
authenticating the incarcerated individual to access the virtual reality video or other content; and
displaying the virtual reality video or other content to the incarcerated individual at the correctional or detention facility if approved.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 comprising a further step of recording a reaction to the virtual reality video or other content received by the incarcerated individual after the step of displaying.
15. The method as recited in claim 13 comprising a further step of enabling a real time communication with the incarcerated individual after the step of displaying.
16. The method as recited in claim 15 comprising a further step of downloading the smart application to a smart device after the step of providing the virtual reality system.
17. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the step of recording is performed remotely from the step of displaying.
18. The method as recited in claim 13 comprising a further step of modifying the virtual reality video or other content after the step of transmitting.
19. A system for providing assistance to an incarcerated individual, the system comprising:
a virtual or alternate reality headset or smart glass;
a smart device comprising a mobile application configured to authenticate and allow a non-incarcerated individual to create a video or other content for use by the virtual or alternate reality headset or smart glass;
the video or other content created to provide a display for the virtual or alternate reality headset or smart glass;
a memory for holding the video or other content;
a communication module for allowing communication between the incarcerated individual, the non-incarcerated individual, and a correctional or detention facility;
an authorization sequence configured to allow the correctional or detention facility to approve, not approve, or suggest feedback to facilitate approval or the video or other content; and
a processor for retrieving information from the memory for displaying the video or other content to the incarcerated individual if approved.
20. The system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the second person is one of a family member, a relative, a doctor, a psychotherapist, an instructor, a clergy member, a friend, an educator, a trainer, or a vocational instructor to the incarcerated individual.