IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,706,165
Granted Patent B2
US 11,706,165 · App. 17/742,121 · Granted Jul 18, 2023

Personalized chatbots for inmates

Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge (Aubrey, TX)
Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
H04L51/02G06F16/9535G06Q50/01H04L51/04H04L67/02H04L67/12H04L67/535
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,706,165
App. No.
17/742,121
Granted
Jul 18, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A communication system for providing a positive communication to an inmate is provided. The communication system includes memory that stores data, and an application server that that analyzes that data to determine topics that are important to the inmate. The application server includes a topic rating system to rate the topics based on importance to the inmate and based on an emotional tone used by the inmate during a communication. When the application server receives a question from the inmate, the application server searches the data and the Internet and responds based on the answer and the data stored in memory. The application server also provides support to the inmate by suggesting counseling services according to the needs of the inmate. Further, the communication system provides a positive influence to the inmate to encourage educational progression.

Claims (74)

1. A system for monitoring an inmate communicating with a chatbot in a correctional facility, the system comprising:

a communication device of the inmate;

a database configured to store inmate data and chatbot data;

a communication center; and

a monitoring center, wherein the communication device, the communication center, and

the monitoring center are connected over a network,

wherein the communication center is configured to:

generate a chatbot communication of the chatbot;

determine if the inmate has communicated with the chatbot within a predetermined time allowed for the inmate to respond to the chatbot communication, wherein the predetermined time is based on a personality setting of the chatbot, and wherein the personality setting of the chatbot is based on a plurality of personality traits of the inmate and wherein at least one of the plurality of personality traits of the inmate determines the predetermined time;

generate a communication for the inmate in response to not receiving an outgoing inmate communication from the inmate in response to the chatbot communication within the predetermined time;

receive, within the predetermined time, the outgoing inmate communication from the communication device over the network in response to the chatbot communication; and

transmit the received outgoing inmate communication to the monitoring center over the network for approval,

wherein the monitoring center is configured to:

review the outgoing inmate communication from the communication device; and

communicate with the communication center to indicate the approval of the outgoing inmate communication.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication center is further configured to:

generate the chatbot communication based on an analysis of the inmate data and the chatbot data, wherein the inmate data includes one or more of a background, schedule, or personal information of the inmate, and the chatbot data includes one or more of appearance settings, audio settings, and personality settings of the chatbot.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the communication center is further configured to:

store communications between the chatbot and the inmate as text logs in the database;

perform a keyword search of the text logs; and

determine whether to alert the monitoring center of improper use of the chatbot by the inmate based on the keyword search.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the communication center is further configured to facilitate hosting of a game for the chatbot and the inmate, wherein the games are prescreened by the correctional facility before being hosted.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the communication center is further configured to provide the inmate educational games to help the inmate on grammar or math, or provide video versions of a board game.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the database is further configured to store communication history between the inmate and outsiders, internet searches, and data on communication logs for past communications received from the inmate.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the chatbot communication of the chatbot and the outgoing inmate communication from the communication device comprise audio and video communications.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the communication center is further configured to:

convert the audio and video communications to text logs; and

store the text logs in the database.

9. A communication system for monitoring an inmate communicating with a chatbot in a correctional facility, the communication system comprising:

a memory device configured to store inmate data and chatbot data;

an application server configured to:

generate a chatbot communication of the chatbot, wherein a topic for communication is extracted by the application server, based on keyword detection and speech analysis;

determine if the inmate has communicated with the chatbot within a predetermined time allowed for the inmate to respond to the chatbot communication, wherein the predetermined time is based on a personality setting of the chatbot, and wherein the personality setting of the chatbot is based on a plurality of personality traits of the inmate and wherein at least one of the plurality of personality traits of the inmate determines the predetermined time;

generate a communication for the inmate in response to not receiving an outgoing inmate communication from the inmate in response to the chatbot communication within the predetermined time;

receive, within the predetermined time, the outgoing inmate communication from the communication system over a network in response to the chatbot communication; and

transmit the received outgoing inmate communication to the monitoring center over the network for approval; and

a monitoring center configured to:

receive and review the outgoing inmate communication from the communication system; and

communicate with the application server to indicate the approval of the outgoing inmate communication.

10. The communication system of claim 9 , wherein the application server is further configured to generate the chatbot communication based on an analysis of the inmate data and the chatbot data.

11. The communication system of claim 9 , wherein the inmate data includes one or more of a background, schedule, or personal information of the inmate, and the chatbot data includes one or more of appearance settings, audio settings, and personality settings of the chatbot.

12. The communication system of claim 9 , wherein the application server is further configured to:

rate a topic of communication for the inmate based on an emotional reaction of the inmate to the topic;

adjust a tone and discussion approach of the chatbot with the inmate based on a topic rating; and

update the inmate data and the topic rating based on the communication with the inmate.

13. The communication system of claim 9 , wherein the memory device is further configured to store communication history between the inmate and outsiders, internet searches, and data on communication logs for past communications received from the inmate.

14. The communication system of claim 9 , wherein the application server is further configured to:

evaluate an educational level of the inmate by identifying patterns of grammar, vocabulary, and/or mathematics where the inmate can improve; and

generate communication with correct grammar, vocabulary and/or mathematical responses or encourage the inmate to participate in games that promote increase in the educational level of the inmate.

15. The communication system of claim 9 , wherein the application server is further configured to:

provide a registration process to the inmate, wherein the registration process requires the inmate to participate in a personality test; and

generate the chatbot for the inmate as part of the registration process, based on a result of the personality test.

16. A method for monitoring an inmate communicating with a chatbot in a correctional facility, the method comprising:

generating, by an application server within a communication center, a chatbot communication of the chatbot;

determining if the inmate has communicated with the chatbot within a predetermined time allowed for the inmate to respond to the chatbot communication, wherein the predetermined time is based on a personality setting of the chatbot, and wherein the personality setting of the chatbot is based on a plurality of personality traits of the inmate and wherein at least one of the plurality of personality traits of the inmate determines the predetermined time;

generating, by a communication center, a communication for the inmate in response to not receiving an outgoing inmate communication from the inmate in response to the chatbot communication within the predetermined time;

receiving, within the predetermined time, the outgoing inmate communication from a communication device and over a network, in response to the chatbot communication;

transmitting the received outgoing inmate communication to the monitoring center over the network for approval;

reviewing, by a monitoring center, the outgoing inmate communication from the communication device; and

communicating, by the monitoring center with the communication center, to indicate approval of the outgoing inmate communication from the communication device to the chatbot over the network.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

setting, by the application server, the predetermined time based on the personality setting of the chatbot;

determining, using a communication timer, whether the inmate has communicated with the chatbot within the predetermined time;

determining whether the communication timer has reached a second predetermined time since a communication has been received;

determining a topic of communication with the inmate based on an inmate data in response to a communication being received within the second predetermined time;

generating and transmitting a communication unique to the inmate based on the determining; and

resetting the communication timer by the application server, after transmitting the communication to the inmate.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined time is based on the personality setting of the chatbot saved in the chatbot data.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

storing, by the communication center, communications between the chatbot and the inmate as text logs in a database;

performing, by the communication center, a keyword search of the text logs; and

determining, by the communication center, whether to alert the monitoring center of improper use of the chatbot by the inmate based on the keyword search.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

storing, by the communication center, communication history between the inmate and outsiders, internet searches, and data on communication logs for past communications received from the inmate in the database.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2025
From: HODGE, STEPHEN L.
To: GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071568/0273 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2024
From: GLOBAL TEL*LINK CORPORATION; DSI-ITI, INC.; VALUE-ADDED COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; TOUCHPAY HOLDINGS, LLC; RENOVO SOFTWARE, INC.; INTELMATE LLC; 3V TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
To: TEXAS CAPITAL BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068510/0764 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17411151 · Aug 25, 2021
Continuation 15174231 · Jun 6, 2016
Related Publication 20220360547A1 · Nov 10, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,381,835