IP Library Granted Patent US 10,866,602
Granted Patent B1
US 10,866,602 · App. 15/970,402 · Granted Dec 15, 2020

Controlling communications using temperature and/or radio-frequency (RF) signals

Inventors: Joseph Higgs (Fort Worth, TX); Adam C. Edwards (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: Securus Technologies, LLC
G05D23/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,866,602
App. No.
15/970,402
Granted
Dec 15, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

Systems and methods of controlling communications using temperature and/or Radio Frequency (RF) signals are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include determining whether a user operating a communications device has at least temporarily transferred at least partial control of the communications device to another user based, at least in part, upon a change in at least one of: a temperature or an RF signal sensed at the communications device. The method may also include controlling an aspect of a communication conducted via the communications device based, at least in part, upon the determination.

Claims (48)

1. A method for detecting a transfer of a communication device by a first individual wearing a first RF (Radio Frequency) device to a second individual wearing a second RF device during a communication session using the communication device, the method comprising:

hosting, by the communication device, the communication session by the first individual wearing the first RF device, wherein the first individual has been authenticated for use of the communication device;

detecting, by the communication device in use by the authenticated first individual, a first signal from the first RF device, wherein a strength of the first signal indicates a distance between the communication device and the first RF device;

detecting, by the communication device in use by the authenticated first individual, a second signal from a second RF device within a proximity to the communication device during the communication session by the authenticated first individual;

detecting a decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device in conjunction with detecting the second RF device within the proximity to the communication device; and

in response to detecting the decrease in the strength of the first signal in conjunction with detecting the proximity of the second RF device to the communication device, signaling a detected transfer of the communication device from the first individual to the second individual.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detected decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device exceeds a margin of signal strength fluctuations indicating normal use of the communication device.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting an increase in a strength of the second signal from the second RF device contemporaneous with the detected decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

identifying the second individual wearing the second RF device.

5. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the communication session comprises a voice communication between the first individual and a third individual.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

initiating live monitoring of the communication session in response to the detected transfer from the first individual to the second individual.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

generating an interface for monitoring an audio portion of the communication session in response to the detected transfer of the communication device from the first individual to the second individual.

8. A system for detecting a transfer of a communication device by a first individual wearing a first RF (Radio Frequency) device to a second individual wearing a second RF device during a communication session using the communication device, the system comprising:

a communications system hosting, by the communication device, the communication session by the first individual using the communication device, wherein the first individual has been authenticated for use of the communication device;

a first RF device worn by the first individual authenticated for use of the communication device; and

the communication device comprising capabilities supporting voice communications, wherein the communication device is configured to:

detect a first signal from the first RF device, wherein a strength of the first signal indicates a distance between the communication device and the first RF device while the communication is in use by the authenticated first individual;

detect a second signal from a second RF device within a proximity to the communication device during the communication session by the authenticated first individual;

detect a decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device in conjunction with detecting the second RF device within the proximity to the communication device; and

in response to detecting the decrease in the strength of the first signal in conjunction with detecting the proximity of the second RF device to the communication device, signal a detected transfer of the communication device from the first individual to the second individual.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the communication device comprises an RF sensor is embedded in the communication device, and wherein the RF sensor detects the first signal and the second signal.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the detected decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device exceeds a margin of signal strength fluctuations indicating normal use of the communication device.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the RF sensor is further configured to:

detect an increase in a strength of the second signal from the second RF device contemporaneous with the detected decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the communications system is configured to:

identify the second individual wearing the second RF device.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the communication session comprises a voice communication between the first individual and a third individual.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the communications system is further configured to:

initiate live monitoring of the communication session in response to the detected transfer from the first individual to the second individual.

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the communications system is further configured to:

generating an interface for monitoring an audio portion of the communication session in response to the detected transfer of the communication device from the first individual to the second individual.

16. A computer-readable storage device having program instructions stored thereon for detecting a transfer of a communication device by a first individual wearing a first RF (Radio Frequency) device to a second individual wearing a second RF device during a communication session using the communication device, upon execution by one or more processors, the program instructions cause the one or more processors to:

host, by the communication device, the communication session by the first individual wearing the first RF device, wherein the first individual has been authenticated for use of the communication device, and wherein the communication session comprise a voice call between the first individual and a third individual;

detect a first signal from the first RF device, wherein a strength of the first signal indicates a distance between the communication device and the first RF device;

detect a second signal from a second RF device within a proximity to the communication device during the communication session by the authenticated first individual;

detect a decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device in conjunction with detecting the second RF device within the proximity to the communication device; and

in response to detecting the decrease in the strength of the first signal in conjunction with detecting the proximity of the second RF device to the communication device, signal a detected transfer of the communication device from the first individual to the second individual.

17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16 , wherein the detected decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device exceeds a margin of signal strength fluctuations indicating normal use of the communication device.

18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16 , the program instructions further causing the one or more processors to:

detect an increase in a strength of the second signal from the second RF device contemporaneous with the detected decrease in the strength of the first signal from the first RF device.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 18 , the program instructions further causing the one or more processors to:

identify the second individual wearing the second RF device.

20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 19 , wherein the communication device comprises an RF sensor is embedded in the communication device, and wherein the RF sensor detects the first signal and the second signal.

Assignments (15)
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 →
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 066951/0514 →
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 066951/0630 →
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 →
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 May 25, 2021
From: SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC; ALLPAID, INC.; SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 056368/0011 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2021
From: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC; ALLPAID, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 056368/0076 →
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 May 3, 2018
From: HIGGS, JOSEPH; EDWARDS, ADAM C.
To: SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 045709/0633 →