U.S. patent application number 15/291897 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-06 for systems and methods for transaction and information management.
This patent application is currently assigned to Securus Technologies, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Securus Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard Falcone, Lee R. Johnson, Luke Keiser, Mikel Richards, Michael D. Rodgers, Stuart Rosenfield, John J. Viola.
Application Number | 20170098204 15/291897 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41665882 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170098204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodgers; Michael D. ; et
al. |
April 6, 2017 |
Systems and Methods for Transaction and Information Management
Abstract
Systems or methods for managing transactions within a controlled
environment facility provide an information management engine
integrating transaction functionality for establishing an account
associated with a resident of the controlled environment facility,
and use the information management engine to conduct transactions
associated with residents of the controlled environment facility.
The transactions include at least distant deposits into the account
by a party outside of the controlled environment facility. The
systems or methods accept requests from the resident and facilitate
the request for deposit. The systems or methods may place calls to
the individuals outside the controlled environment facility or to
interact with the individual. During such calls a deposit request
may be made and the deposit accepted.
Inventors: |
Rodgers; Michael D.;
(Lewisville, TX) ; Richards; Mikel; (Keller,
TX) ; Rosenfield; Stuart; (Plano, TX) ;
Falcone; Richard; (Addison, TX) ; Viola; John J.;
(Keller, TX) ; Johnson; Lee R.; (Plano, TX)
; Keiser; Luke; (Frisco, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Securus Technologies, Inc. |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Securus Technologies, Inc.
Dallas
TX
|
Family ID: |
41665882 |
Appl. No.: |
15/291897 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11338868 |
Jan 24, 2006 |
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15291897 |
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10836976 |
Apr 30, 2004 |
7664689 |
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11338868 |
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10602233 |
Jun 24, 2003 |
7640190 |
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10836976 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/10 20130101;
H04M 2203/6054 20130101; G06Q 40/00 20130101; H04M 3/20 20130101;
H04M 3/493 20130101; G06Q 20/108 20130101; G06Q 20/16 20130101;
H04M 2242/18 20130101; H04M 2203/654 20130101; G06Q 40/02 20130101;
H04M 2203/105 20130101; H04M 2203/256 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/10 20060101
G06Q020/10; H04M 3/20 20060101 H04M003/20; G06Q 20/16 20060101
G06Q020/16; H04M 3/493 20060101 H04M003/493 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, by an automated transaction
processing system, an indication by a resident of a controlled
environment facility that said resident wishes to request a deposit
from a party outside said controlled access facility into an
account maintained for the benefit of said resident; verifying, by
said automated transaction processing system, identification data
for said resident; obtaining from said resident, by said automated
transaction processing system, contact information for the outside
party; communicating, by said automated transaction processing
system, said request to said outside party using said contact
information; accepting, by said automated transaction processing
system, an indication as to whether said party wishes to make said
deposit to said account; receiving, by said automated transaction
processing system, said deposit; and crediting, by said automated
transaction processing system, at least a portion of said deposit
to said account.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said contact information is an
email address.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said communicating further
comprises emailing said request to said outside at said email
address.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said email contains a link to a
webpage.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said accepting further comprises
accepting said indication via said webpage and said receiving
further comprises processing said deposit via said webpage.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein said processing further comprises
processing payment made by at least one of: an online check
authorization; a credit card; and an online payment system.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising: notifying said
resident of said crediting.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said notifying further comprises
interrupting a phone call placed by said resident to notify the
resident of said crediting.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said phone call placed by said
resident is a first phone call placed by said resident following
said crediting.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein said notifying further comprises
calling said resident to provide notification of said
crediting.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said notifying further comprises
connecting said outside party with said resident as a part of said
notification.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein said notifying further comprises
connecting said outside party with said resident following said
notification.
13. A method comprising: receiving by an automated transaction
processing system an indication by a resident of a controlled
environment facility that said resident wishes to request a deposit
from a party outside said controlled access facility into a
transaction account maintained by said transaction processing
system for said resident; verifying identification data for said
resident; obtaining from said resident a telephone number of a the
outside party; placing an outbound call by said automated
transaction processing system to said outside party; and
communicating said request to said outside party and offering
services associated with said automated transaction processing
system to said outside party following the communication of said
request, during said outbound call.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said services comprise at least
one of: establishing a business relationship between a host to said
transaction processing system and said outside party when no
business relationship between said host to said transaction and
said outside party is currently in place; establishing a direct
billing account between said host and said outside party;
establishing a prepaid account between said host and said outside
party; prepaid phone cards for use by said resident; phone minutes
for use by said resident; and an exchange of phone related
information for at least one of said resident and said outside
party.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising: notifying said
resident of crediting of a deposit received from said outside
party.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said notifying further comprises
interrupting a phone call placed by said resident to notify the
resident of said crediting.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said phone call placed by said
resident is a first phone call placed by said resident following
said crediting.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein said notifying further comprises
calling said resident to provide notification of said
crediting.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein said notifying further comprises
connecting said outside party with said resident as a part of said
notification.
20. The method of claim 15 wherein said notifying further comprises
connecting said outside party with said resident following said
notification.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/338,868, also entitled "Systems and Methods
for Transaction and Information Management," filed Jan. 24, 2006,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/836,976, also entitled "Systems and Methods for Transaction and
Information Management," filed Apr. 30, 2004, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/602,233
entitled "Systems and Methods for Transaction and Information
Management," filed Jun. 24, 2003, the disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference. The present application is
also related to co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent
applications Ser. No. 10/135,878 entitled "Information Management
and Movement System and Method," filed Apr. 29, 2002, Ser. No.
10/135,883 entitled "Optimizing Profitability in Business
Transactions," filed Apr. 29, 2002, Ser. No. 10/360,248 entitled
"System and Method for Account Establishment and Transaction
Management Using Interrupt Messaging," filed Feb. 7, 2003, Ser. No.
10/360,442 entitled "Systems and Methods for Transaction
Authorization Determination," filed Feb. 7, 2003, and Ser. No.
10/640,505, entitled "Called Party Controlled Message Delivery,"
filed Aug. 13, 2003, the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is generally related to transaction
systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods utilizing
information communication systems for facilitating deposits into
and interaction with transaction systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a controlled environment, such as within a prison or jail
facility, controlling access, information, interaction, and/or
transactions is often of particular interest. In a prison facility
in particular, safety and security is of paramount importance and,
therefore, the primary responsibility of the personnel thereof is
to effectively implement controls with respect to the residents
(inmates). However, such controlled environments often provide an
environment much like a small city in which a number of individuals
work and live, thus requiring various goods and/or services
associated with civilized society. Accordingly, various exchanges
of information, money, goods, etcetera may be performed in
association with individuals of a controlled environment, both
within the controlled environment and external thereto. For
example, an inmate residing in a prison facility may be provided
medical services, such as dispensing of prescription medications.
An inmate may also be allowed to place phone calls to friends and
family outside of the prison facility. Likewise, an inmate may be
allowed to purchase commissary items, such as through use of a
prepaid trust-like account.
[0004] Administering the aforementioned exchanges of information,
money, goods, etcetera typically requires the time and efforts of
the staff of the controlled environment facility and/or individuals
associated with various service providers thereto. For example,
prison and/or commissary personnel may be required to accept
payments directly from visitors or receive mail including payments,
identify the individual resident for which the funds are intended,
access an account associated with the individual resident, and
increment the balance thereof. Each such task requires time away
from prison personnel's primary tasks associated with the operation
of the controlled environment facility and/or increases the costs
associated with a service provider serving that population.
Moreover, such tasks as accomplished today are typically largely
paper based and require appreciable manual processing, thereby
further aggravating the directing of personnel's attention away
from tasks more primary to the operation of the controlled
environment facility and further adding to the costs.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical commissary process flow. In
addition to issues with respect to taking time and attention away
from tasks of primary importance, the aforementioned exchanges may
present safety and other issues. For example, increased contact
between prison personnel and inmates can increase the danger to the
prison personnel, thus interaction associated with collection of
monies by prison personnel for deposit in inmate accounts can
expose such personnel to claims of theft of such monies.
Accordingly, inefficiencies exist with respect to the businesses
and individuals conducting such exchanges associated with
controlled environment facilities.
[0006] Typically, non-residents, such as friends and family can
deposit money into a trust account maintained for the benefit of a
resident. The resident may typically use such deposited funds for
commissary purchases, to pay for telephone use, to pay for
healthcare, to pay pay-for-stay charges, and/or the like.
Typically, funds are deposited by such non-residents when the
non-residents, such as the aforementioned friends and family, are
onsite, at the facility. These deposits are typically made in cash
and in person, at a central location, such as a cashier's window,
manned by facility personnel. Traveling to a facility to make such
a deposit is very inconvenient for the non-residents. Maintaining
one or more cashier's windows is costly to the facility.
Problematically goods and service providers for residents of
controlled access environment facilities typically do not extend
operations, such as the gathering of funds for resident trust
accounts, outside of the "four walls" of the facility, whether such
providers are the facility itself or an outside contractor or the
like.
[0007] Oftentimes, personal contact with the resident such as
during a visit will prompt a non-resident to make such a deposit.
Problematically, if the non-resident is not prepared with the cash
necessary, a deposit cannot be made at that time. Furthermore, the
impetus to make a deposit following personal contact may be
lessened with time and the desire to make a deposit may fade once a
friend or family member leaves the facility. Presently, the only
alternatives to actually traveling to the facility to make such
deposits is to mail or wire money to the facility. This is also
time consuming, inconvenient, and in the case of a wire transfer,
costly.
[0008] Furthermore, it is typically somewhat impractical for a
resident of a controlled environment facility to request account
deposits from third parties, as the resident's ability to
communicate with parties outside of the facility are typically
restricted. Nevertheless, interaction with a resident during a
phone call may motivate a non-resident to make a deposit in a
resident's trust account. However, making such a deposit requires
action outside the home or place of work, such as traveling to the
facility to make a cash deposit, or traveling to an outside
location to make a wire transfer, or to obtain certified funds in
the form of a cashiers check or money order to mail to the
facility. Thus, individuals external to a controlled environment
facility, which conduct exchanges therewith are often less than
satisfied with the experience. Additionally, the depositing party
may not be provided with any confirmation of the monies received
further exacerbating the non-residents lack of satisfaction. From a
practical standpoint the resident may not be provided any sort of
notice of the deposit. The resident may only learn of a deposit
through a change in his account balance when he next inquires about
the balance from a commissary representative or other
personnel.
[0009] Some facilities may only have commissary or similar services
available on certain days and/or at certain times during which a
resident may order commissary goods or similar services. Typically,
under the systems and methods in place a resident must wait for a
commissary representative such as a "cart lady," to actually come
around to the resident to receive orders. This may be the only
opportunity for the resident to inquire about his/her balance.
Problematically, if the balance is too low to make a purchase
nothing can be done under existing systems and methods to
facilitate funding of the account to expedite a purchase. Thus, if
the resident's account is low on funds and the resident cannot
afford to make a desired, or necessary, purchase, the resident must
wait until at least the next ordering cycle to make a purchase.
Typically, a commissary system that relies on manual orders and the
like operates almost exclusively within the facility. In other
words, such a traditional commissary provider does not have an
ability to go outside the four walls of the facility to secure
additional funds. Typically, such manual ordering commissary
providers do not employ phone based ordering systems or the
like.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present invention is directed to systems and methods,
which utilize information communication systems for transaction and
information management. According to embodiments of the invention,
an automated information management engine is provided enabling and
facilitating the direct deposit of funds into accounts, securely
and conveniently, by third parties. These third (outside) parties
may include family members of a resident, friends of a resident,
entities or accounts established to provide funds for the use by
indigent residents, and/or the like. Accounts or entities
established to provide funds for the use by indigent residents
might be financed, in whole or part, by profits from the associated
commissary system, or the like. Embodiments of the present
invention are particularly useful with respect to transactions and
information management associated with controlled environment
facilities, such as inmate facilities (e.g., municipal jails,
county jails, state prisons, federal prisons, military stockades,
juvenile facilities, and detention camps), hospitals, nursing
homes, camps, schools, and the like. Further, the present invention
may be used by other controlled environment facilities as well,
particularly those that have commissary or "store" facilities and
where residents do not generally have much cash on their person.
For example, the present systems and methods may facilitate third
party deposits in a resident's commissary account in situations
where a party that may not wish to become responsible for the
resident's account may be willing to make deposits into the
account, from time to time, particularly at the behest of the
resident. Preferably, the depositing party may make deposits in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention in a number of
ways, such as by the use of credit or debit cards, check by phone,
direct billing to a telephone number, or the like.
[0011] The present invention provides enhancements to systems and
methods for direct deposit of funds into an account maintained for
the benefit of a resident of a controlled environment facility.
These funds may be deposited into the account, which may be in the
form of a trust account or the like, for commissary or other use by
the resident. Preferably, the present systems and methods
facilitate the acquisition of such deposits by providing various
mechanisms that will enhance or supplement a resident's ability to
request funds from a benefactor.
[0012] Unlike existing account funding scenarios discussed above,
the present systems and methods foster immediate "gratification" on
the part of the depositor and the resident. The present invention
addresses a desire to provide immediate gratification to a resident
by communicating a need for a deposit to the one or more a friends
or family members of the resident, so a friend or family member can
deposit money into the resident's commissary account on a "real
time" basis, enhancing customer satisfaction and revenue potential
for a commissary and/or facility operator. Particularly, the
present invention provides for enabling a resident to request a
deposit from a third party in a more immediate manner, such as at
the time when need for such a deposit is discovered by the
resident. Additionally, the present systems and methods preferably
enable a requested party to more readily make deposits for the
benefit of the resident. Advantageously, the present systems and
methods make depositing funds in a resident account more convenient
through the use of automated processes and easing the process for
the end user depositor. The aforementioned "immediate
gratification" might result not only through the present invention
enabling the deposit of money immediately upon a request by a
resident, but may also result from the deposit posting to the
resident's account immediately enabling the resident to make
purchases in relatively short order. The present invention also
preferably makes the experience of depositing funds in a resident's
account as personal as possible. For example, personal contact from
the resident as a part of the deposit request process may make the
experience more positive for the depositor.
[0013] A further advantage of the present invention is that it
enables a resident to circumvent the ordering cycle discussed
above. Since, in accordance with the present invention, deposits
are more readily credited, a resident will not necessarily need to
wait for an ordering cycle to place an order. This further enhances
the aforementioned satisfaction and provides greater revenues for
the facility, commissary operator, or the like. Thus, in an
incarceration environment, the present invention may be used to
utilize friends and family members of the inmates to more
effectively create revenue for the facility and associated
vendors.
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention provide information
that residents and end users, such as friends and family members
did not previously have available. Further gratification for
friends and family member depositors may be archived by relieving
costs associated with making deposits to resident accounts. For
example, fees associated with wire transfers and the like may be
significantly more than any fees that may be charged in conjunction
with then present invention, which may be subsidized and/or
absorbed by vendors. In accordance with embodiments of the present
invention friends and family may be enabled to make deposits and a
resident may be enabled to make deposits even if the resident does
not have phone ordering of commissary available to him/her. Also,
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention the
resident is preferably notified of a received deposit the next time
the resident makes use of the facility phone system to place an
outside phone call.
[0015] Thus, embodiments of the present invention may operate to
facilitate replenishment of account balances, such as by invoking
interrupt messaging to solicit funds as a minimum threshold amount
is reached or whenever the opportunity arises. For example,
embodiments of the present invention may contact a party designated
with respect to the account to solicit funds when an account
balance drops below a certain level, whereby an outbound message,
e.g., a phone call, electronic mail message, etcetera, may be sent
by the controlled environment information management system to one
or more friend or family member designated to solicit deposit of
funds upon detection of a minimum threshold amount. Additionally or
alternatively, the controlled environment information management
system may set a flag with respect to the account balance condition
such that, the next time the responsible party is called by the
user, interrupt messaging is invoked to solicit funds from the
responsible party during the call in an "oh, by the way" manner.
Further, such a solicitation may be made at anytime a call is
placed to any, or particular outside parties by the resident, or at
any time contact is made with an outside party, such as when a
calling account is set up such discussed in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/360,248 entitled "System and Method for Account
Establishment and Transaction Management Using Interrupt
Messaging," filed Feb. 7, 2003, or such as during the delivery of a
message in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed in and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/640,505, entitled "Called Party
Controlled Message Delivery," filed Aug. 13, 2003, both of which
are incorporated herein by reference above.
[0016] Thus, in accordance with the present systems and methods a
benefactor may be contacted, or asked in an "oh, by the way" manner
to ask that the benefactor deposit funds directly into the
resident's account. Preferably, this contact is carried out in an
automated manner using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology
or the like. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide for
direct interaction with users, whether individuals residing within
a controlled environment facility or individuals residing outside
of the controlled environment facility, for transaction and
information management using an intuitive interface, such as may
implement voice and/or dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) input.
Interactive systems of embodiments of the present invention provide
voice response, voice recognition, and/or other information
communication to provide prompting to users, to accept user input
and queries, to respond to queries, to confirm transactions, to
provide account information, etcetera. Accordingly, interaction for
conducting transaction and information management is substantially
automated and integrated. Interaction by users according to
embodiments of the present invention includes various authorization
and/or verification techniques. For example, voice print
technology, finger print scanning, iris scanning, personal
identification numbers (PINs), special codes, social security
numbers, driver's license numbers and/or the like may be
implemented to affirmatively identify individuals for conducting
transactions. Authorization and/or verification according to
preferred embodiments may be implemented to insure the identity of
resident making a request. Authorization and/or verification
according to preferred embodiments may also be implemented with
respect to users residing outside of a controlled environment
facility. For example, embodiments of the present invention may
implement account deposit authorization with respect to a prison
facility to provide control with respect to individuals who may
deposit funds with respect to particular inmates.
[0017] At least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a
telephony system, and/or other information communication system,
having access terminals disposed within a controlled environment
facility for use by residents thereof. Such access terminals may
comprise general-purpose user terminals, such as telephones,
computer systems, personal digital assistants, etcetera, and/or
special purpose user terminals, such as kiosks, automatic teller
machines (ATMs), etcetera. Such special purpose user terminals may
accept deposits of cash or credit/debit card cash transfers from a
resident into a commissary account, such as from an inmate at the
time of booking. The present systems and methods may also make use
of a terminal, kiosk, or the like disposed in a facility, such as
in a visitation area of a jail or prison, entry foyer of a nursing
home, a nurse's station of a hospital floor, or the like, to accept
deposits, including cash deposits, from visiting parties, such as
may be requested by a resident during a visit.
[0018] An inmate in a prison facility may utilize a telephone
system adapted according to the present invention to perform such
functions as ordering items, such as commissary items, medical
items, and library books, for himself or others (even individuals
residing outside of the prison), inquire as to the status of
ordered goods and services, inquire as to an account balance
available to the inmate, place phone calls, including prepaid and
collect calls, receive information about court dates or other
appointments, receive special messages, announcements, and special
offers, and/or the like. Embodiments of the present invention may
be integrated with various aspects of transaction and information
management such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/602,233 entitled "Systems and Methods for Transaction and
Information Management," incorporated by reference above. For
example, prepaid account management, collect calling services,
commissary services, and account funding are all integrated
according to embodiments of the present invention, to thereby
facilitate seamless user interaction for account deposit, account
status inquiry, commissary ordering, and collect calling.
Embodiments utilize information technology already present in a
controlled environment facility, such as a local area network, an
intranet, the Internet, etcetera, to provide communication and
interaction with third party suppliers and users desiring their
goods and/or services.
[0019] In some facilities, the telephony system and/or other
information communication system may not be used for facilitating
commissary orders or other activities, such as described above. In
such a circumstance, embodiments of the present invention
facilitate the request of a deposit, either by a resident or in the
aforementioned "oh, by the way" manner, by interfacing the
telephony, and/or other information communication system of the
facility with an administration manager functionality, which might
be located in outside of the resident's facility.
[0020] It should be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the
present invention substantially decrease costs associated with
transactions, such as by taking paper and personnel out of the
process as well as relieving need to collect for purchases after
the goods or services are delivered. Accordingly, embodiments of
the present invention deployed with respect to a controlled
environment facility facilitate reallocation of man hours to
achieve more value from personnel by allowing more time for such
personnel to be engaged in tasks primary to the operation of the
controlled environment facility. Moreover, security issues in
particular situations, such as the aforementioned prison facility
environment, may be decreased, e.g., interaction by prison facility
and/or other third party service personnel with inmates may be
decreased thereby diminishing opportunity for security breaches.
Likewise, primary aspects of a controlled environment facility,
such as security in a prison facility, may be increased according
to embodiments of the present invention using authorizations and
checks and balances provided by system automation and
integration.
[0021] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims
of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages will be better
understood from the following description when considered in
connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as
a definition of the limits of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0022] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an implementation of typical prior art
commissary service;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a controlled environment
information management system deployed according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows detail with respect to aspects of the
controlled environment information management system of FIG. 2
according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows detail with respect to aspects of the
controlled environment information management system of FIG. 2
according to other embodiments of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present
methods enabling requesting and making deposits by third
parties.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present
methods for offering phone related services as a part of a distant
deposit request message to an outside party;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present
methods for presenting a distant deposit request to an outside
party following an interrupt message to establish a business
relationship with the outside party;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present
methods for presenting a distant deposit request to an outside
party following provisioning of a paid for message from a resident;
and
[0031] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present
methods for automated distant deposits.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Directing attention to FIG. 2, controlled environment
information management system 210 adapted to employ an embodiment
of the present invention is shown. System 210 provides transaction
and information management within and associated with controlled
environment facility 200. Although illustrated as being deployed
within the controlled environment facility in FIG. 2, it should be
appreciated that controlled environment information management
systems of the present invention may be deployed in a number of
configurations. For example, embodiments of the present invention
provide an information management system deployed external to the
controlled environment facility and having data terminals and/or
other access points deployed within the controlled environment
facility. Additionally or alternatively, information management
systems may be provided in a distributed topology, such as having
server systems, application programs, and/or databases distributed
throughout a number of geographic locals, according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, controlled environment information
management system 210 may provide a number of access points coupled
to a variety of user terminal equipment configurations. User
terminal equipment utilized according to preferred embodiments of
the present invention may include personal computers, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, telephones (wireline and
wireless), facsimile machines, kiosks, and the like, coupled
through direct links, such as wireline, cable, fiber optic, or the
like, and/or indirect links, such as network links (e.g., local
area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area
networks (WANs), intranets, extranets, the Internet, cellular
networks, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and/or the
like), private branch exchange (PBX) links, or the like.
Accordingly, information management system 210 of the illustrated
embodiment provides connectivity to user terminals 222-1 through
222-M disposed within controlled environment facility 200 via
direct connections, user terminals 221-1 through 221-N disposed
within controlled environment facility 200 via indirect connections
(here comprising a network or networks, referred to herein as
network 220), and user terminals 231-1 through 231-P disposed
external to controlled environment facility 200 via indirect
connections (here comprising XML connections and/or a network or
networks, referred to herein as network 230). It should be
appreciated that information communication links utilized according
to the present invention are not limited to wireline links and,
therefore, may utilize wireless, optical, and/or other information
communication links.
[0034] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, controlled environment information management system 210
is adapted to include intelligence/management functionality 211 and
transaction/commerce functionality 212. Preferably,
intelligence/management functionality 211 provides for collection,
storage, and movement of information for managing various
operational aspects of the controlled environment facility,
including the management of personnel, residents, vendors, and
resources. Transaction/commerce functionality 212 preferably
provides for the instigation and completion of various
transactions, including requesting and providing goods and
services, determining credit worthiness, verifying account balance
and status, providing for payment, and providing for deposits such
as direct deposit functionality 213. The aforementioned
functionalities of information management system 210 are preferably
provided at any distance and at any time.
[0035] The controlled environment facility information management
engine may notify the resident of any deposit made, such as by
interfacing with call functionality, such as an IVR or the like, to
call the resident to provide notification of the deposit or
interrupting a phone call placed by the resident to notify the
resident of the deposit, such as a first phone call placed by the
resident following the deposit.
[0036] It should be appreciated that, although
intelligent/management functionality 211 and transaction/commerce
functionality 212 are shown in FIG. 2 disposed in controlled
environment information management system 210, various structural
and/or functional aspects of these components may be provided by
different entities and/or may be disposed inside of and outside of
controlled environment facility 200. Multiple systems, whether
disposed remotely, locally, or combinations thereof, may be
utilized in implementing the aforementioned controlled environment
information management system 210.
[0037] Directing attention to FIG. 3, detail with respect to an
exemplary deployment of an embodiment of the present invention is
shown. As shown in FIG. 2, controlled environment information
management system 210 provides transaction and information
management and connectivity with respect to a plurality of
entities. For example, individuals disposed within controlled
environment facility 200, such as residents of controlled
environment facility 200 having access to resident room 311 (such
as may comprise a hospital room, prison cell, camp cabin, common
use room, etcetera), are provided access to controlled environment
information management system 210 for interaction therewith, such
as via telephone 221-2. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIG. 3,
individuals disposed in controlled environment facility 200, such
as controlled environment personnel having access to administrative
office 312 (such as may comprise a patient information station, a
doctor's office, a general administration office, a guard station,
etcetera), are provided access to controlled environment
information management system 210 for interaction therewith, such
as via computer 222-1. Computer, ATM or kiosk 222-1 or a similar
service terminal may be located in a portion the facility such as
in a visitation room or lobby area. Individuals disposed outside of
controlled environment facility 200, such as friends and family
residing at residence 321 are provided access to controlled
environment information management system 210 for interaction
therewith, such as via computer 231-1 and/or telephone 231-2.
Additionally, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, individuals disposed
outside of controlled environment facility 200 are provided access
to controlled environment information management system 210 for
interaction therewith at locations 322 through 324, such as may be
associated with various businesses, service providers, and/or the
like, such as via any of terminals 231-1 through 231-P. Controlled
environment related business services providers 231, such as
telephony service providers, commissary goods and services
providers, health care providers, etcetera, as may be disposed in
and/or outside of controlled environment facility 200 may be
provided access to controlled environment information management
system 210 for interaction therewith, such as via any of terminals
221-1 through 221-N, 222-1 through 222-M, and/or 231-1 through
231-P.
[0038] It should be appreciated that, although particular
embodiments of user terminals have been shown or referenced above
with respect to particular individuals and/or locations, the
present invention is not limited to the use of any particular user
terminal configuration or configurations with respect to
individuals and/or locations. For example, administration office
312 may additionally or alternatively include telephones for
providing interaction with controlled environment information
management system 210. Furthermore the user terminal may take the
form of kiosks or automated equipment capable of taking deposits,
similar to an automated teller machine. Moreover, there is no
limitation according to the present invention with respect to the
number of user terminals which may be provided with respect to an
individual and/or location.
[0039] It should further be appreciated that, although particular
individuals and/or locations have been shown or referenced above
for interaction with controlled environment information management
system 210, the present invention is not limited to the individuals
and/or locations of the exemplary embodiment. For example,
embodiments of the invention may provide connectivity for
interaction between a plurality of controlled environment
facilities, if desired.
[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, controlled environment
information management system 210 is deployed in association with a
prison facility. In operation according to an exemplary embodiment
wherein controlled environment facility 200 is a prison facility,
an inmate may pick up a phone, such as telephone 221-2, and
communicate information to controlled environment information
management system 210 to access limited information and/or conduct
certain proscribed transactions. Controlled environment information
management system 210 may take that information, or some portion
thereof, and communicate it to an inmate related business service
provider, such as controlled environment related business services
provider 331. This entity may, responsive to such information,
provide a product or service to the inmate. For example, particular
authorized goods may be delivered to the prisoner within controlled
environment facility 200. Additionally or alternatively, services,
such as medical care or telephony services may be provided to the
inmate.
[0041] The aforementioned resident's use of controlled environment
information management system 210 is not limited to transactions
for the acquisition of goods and/or services. In accordance with
the present invention a resident may utilize the aforementioned
phone or terminal to place a request through environment
information management system 210 that a third party be requested
to deposit funds in his commissary account.
[0042] According to preferred embodiments, account balances are
maintained for individuals using controlled environment information
management system 210, which may be utilized in paying for the
aforementioned goods and services. The illustrated embodiment, for
example, includes account balance database 301 of
transaction/commerce functionality 212. Account balance database
301 may comprise prepaid account balances and/or post paid account
balances and is preferably utilized with respect to various
transactions conducted using controlled environment information
management system 210. For example, payment for goods ordered by a
prisoner or friends and family may be made by a transfer of credit
value from controlled environment information management system 210
to controlled environment related business services provider 331,
such as using statement system 302.
[0043] Funds may be provided to account balance database 301 in a
number of ways, such as various means of deposit by friends and
family of an inmate. For example, friends and family may deposit
funds into the system via such techniques as sending a money order
or a cashier's check via the mail or bringing cash into the prison
at the time of visitation for entry into the system, such as by
administration office 312. However, to facilitate the deposit of
such funds, preferred embodiments provide for indirect, remote,
and/or electronic deposit, such as via locations 322 through 324,
electronic payment system 325, and payment lockbox 326, such as
shown and described in the above referenced patent application
entitled "Information Management and Movement System and Method."
Electronic payments may be made using a credit card, check
conversion, or electronic funds transfer, for example, via
electronic payment system 325, such as may comprise the Internet or
a telephony system. Additionally or alternatively, a payment
lockbox or lockboxes, such as payment lockbox 326, may be provided
in association with controlled environment information management
system 210 to accept payment, such as in the form of cash, check,
money order, credit card, electronic fund transfer, etcetera. Such
locations and/or payment techniques may be more convenient to such
individuals and thereby facilitate their depositing funds into
controlled environment information management system 210.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of automated device
400 which may be used for management of a commissary account or the
like associated with a resident of a controlled environment
facility. Device 400 may act as an access terminal and be disposed
within the controlled environment facility for use by residents
thereof. Device 400 may comprise a general-purpose user terminals,
such as a computer system or a special purpose user terminals, such
as a kiosk, an ATM, or the like. Device 400 may also be disposed in
a visitation or administrative area of a jail or prison, entry
foyer of a nursing home, a nurse's station of a hospital floor, or
the like, to accept deposits from visiting parties, such as may be
requested by a resident during a visit. Device 400 may also accept
deposits of cash or credit/debit card cash transfers from a
resident into a commissary account, such as from an inmate at the
time of booking
[0045] The illustrated embodiment of device 400 comprises interface
401, which may interface device 400 with a controlled environment
facility information management engine that manages transaction
functionality and provides for the establishment and maintenance of
accounts associated with residents of the controlled environment
facility, such as controlled environment facility information
management system 210, discussed above. Device 400 may further
employ an input mechanism 402 for conducting transactions by the
resident and/or other parties. These transactions may include a
resident requesting a deposit into the account by a party outside
of the controlled environment facility or a visiting party making a
deposit into an account of a resident. Input mechanism 402 may be
used by a resident to provide contact information for the outside
party as a part of requesting a deposit from the outside party.
This contact information may take the form of an email address or a
telephone or pager number. Device 400 might also include bill
accepter 403 and/or credit/debit card reader 404. Bill accepter 403
and/or card reader 404 may be used to facilitate the aforementioned
deposits into a commissary account by visitors and/or to accept
deposits of cash or credit/debit card cash transfers from a
resident, such as from an inmate at the time of booking.
[0046] A request made by the resident may be provided to the
controlled environment facility information management engine and
the controlled environment facility information management engine
may verify identification data for the resident in processing the
request. Device 400 may include various types of functionality for
collecting and analyzing data from the resident to provide the
verification of a resident's identity, such as apparatus(es) 405
for collecting biometric data, such as voice print data, finger
print data, iris print data facial recognition characteristics, or
the like. Input mechanism 402 may be used to collect a user
supplied identification string, such as a personal identification
number, a social security number, birth date, mother's maiden name,
a serial number, an inmate number, a drivers license number, a
government issued identifier, identification provided via a Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, badge, card, chip or the like.
The verification carried out by device 400 and/or the controlled
environment facility information management engine might use two or
more levels of verification, wherein a first level comprises use of
a first type of the biometric data. A second level of verification
might make use of a second type of the biometric data or a user
supplied identification string.
[0047] The controlled environment facility information management
engine communicates the request to the outside party using the
contact information provided and credits any deposit made by the
outside party to the account of the requesting resident. The
communication with the outside party may be carried out via email.
The email may contain a link to a webpage, which provides a
mechanism for accepting an indication that the outside party wishes
to make a deposit and a mechanism for accepting and processing the
deposit. Preferably, the deposit may be made using an online check
authorization, a credit card or an online payment system (such as
PAYPAL.RTM.).
[0048] Embodiments of the present invention may operate to
facilitate replenishment of account balances, such as by invoking
interrupt messaging to solicit funds as a minimum threshold amount
is reached through contacting a designated responsible party with
respect to the account, as shown and described in the above
referenced patent application entitled "System and Method for
Account Establishment and Transaction Management Using Interrupt
Messaging." For example, an outbound message, e.g., a phone call,
electronic mail message, etcetera, may be sent by the controlled
environment information management system to one or more friend or
family member designated to solicit deposit of funds upon detection
of a minimum threshold amount. Additionally or alternatively, the
controlled environment information management system may set a flag
with respect to the account balance condition such that, the next
time the responsible party is called by the user, interrupt
messaging is invoked to solicit funds from the responsible party
during the call. Having described an exemplary deployment of an
embodiment of the present systems, attention is directed toward
FIGS. 5 through 9, flow diagrams of operation of embodiments 500
through 900 of the present methods for facilitating deposits, such
as into transaction system 212, via functionality 213 and/or device
400, is shown.
[0049] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method to enable
the requesting and making of deposits by third parties, such as,
"distant deposits" made by friends and family members of a resident
of a controlled environment facility, that does not have phone
ordering of commissary products or the like. Method embodiment 500
comprises receiving an indication by a resident of a controlled
environment facility at 501 that the resident wishes to request a
deposit from a party outside the controlled access facility into an
account maintained for the benefit of the resident. This request
may be made to an automated transaction processing system. At 502
identification data may be requested from the resident and verified
for the resident. This request for identification data may be made,
and the verification, may be carried out by the aforementioned
automated transaction processing system. Contact information for
the outside party may be obtained from the resident, such as by the
automated transaction processing system, at 503. This contact
information might include a telephone number, email address and/or
the like. The request may then be communicated to the outside party
using the contact information at 504. This may be carried out by
the automated transaction processing system such as by placing a
call, sending a page, sending an email or otherwise contacting the
outside party. If the contact at 504 is made via an email the email
may contain a link to a webpage, or the like. Alternatively, a
contact made by phone or page might also contain a web address or
the like where the outside party may go to make a deposit. At 505,
an indication as to whether the party wishes to make the deposit to
the account may be accepted, such as by the automated transaction
processing system. If the outside party wishes to make a deposit
the deposit may be received at 506, such as by the automated
transaction processing system. When accessing a webpage the outside
party may make the indication at 505 be via the webpage, and/or the
deposit at 506 may also be made via the webpage. At 507 at least a
portion of the deposit is credited to the resident's account. A
portion of the received deposit may be paid to an entity practicing
the present systems or methods. The deposit may be made via any of
a plethora of manners, including an online check authorization, a
credit card or through an online payment system. At 508 the
resident maybe notified of the deposit/credit to their account.
This notification may take the form of interrupting a phone call
placed by the resident to notify the resident of the
credit/deposit. This phone call may be a first phone call placed by
the resident following the crediting at 507. Alternatively or
additionally, the resident may be notified at 508 by calling the
resident to provide notification of the crediting at 507. During
the notification at 508 the outside party who made the deposit may
be connected with the resident. Alternatively, such a connection
between the outside party and resident may be made following the
notification.
[0050] In accordance with embodiments of the present systems and
methods, offers of phone related services such as prepaid phone
cards, phone minutes, exchange of phone related information, and/or
the like may be provided as a part of a distant deposit request
message to an outside party, such as a resident's friend or family
member. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of method embodiment 600 which
includes receiving an indication by a resident of a controlled
environment facility that the resident wishes to request a deposit
from a party outside the controlled access facility into a
transaction account maintained by a transaction processing system
for the resident at 601. The request at 601 may be made through an
automated transaction processing system. Identification data for
the resident is received and verified at 602 and at 603 the
resident provides a telephone number of the outside party. At 604
an outbound call is placed by the automated transaction processing
system to the outside party and at 605 the request is communicated
to the outside party. At 606, preferably following completion of
the deposit or receiving an indication from the outside party that
a deposit will not be forthcoming, services, such as associated
with the automated transaction processing system, are preferably
offered to the outside party. These services may include
establishing a business relationship between a host to the
transaction processing system and the outside party when no
business relationship between the host to the transaction and the
outside party is currently in place; establishing a direct billing
account between the host and the outside party; establishing a
prepaid account between the host and the outside party; prepaid
phone cards for use by the resident; phone minutes for use by the
resident; and/or an exchange of phone related information for the
resident and/or the outside party. At 608 the resident may be
notified of any deposit/credit made to their account. This
notification may take the form of interrupting a phone call placed
by the resident to notify the resident of the credit/deposit. This
phone call may be a first phone call placed by the resident
following the crediting of such a deposit. Alternatively or
additionally, the resident may be notified at 608 by calling the
resident to provide notification of the crediting of a deposit.
During the notification at 608 the outside party who made the
deposit may be connected with the resident. Alternatively, such a
connection between the outside party and resident may be made
following the notification at 608.
[0051] Additionally, in accordance with the present systems and
methods a distant deposit request may be presented to an outside
party during an interrupt message, such as a message attempting to
establishment of a business relation ship with the outside party.
Embodiment 700 of the present methods, flowcharted in FIG. 7,
includes identifying initiation of a call via a call processing
system from a resident of a controlled environment facility to a
party outside the controlled environment facility at step 701. The
call may be interrupted at 702, such as by a transaction validation
engine, for interaction with at least the outside party. This
interaction might include attempting to establish a business
relationship between a host to the transaction and the outside
party when no business relationship between the host to the
transaction and the outside party is currently in place by
establishing a direct billing account and/or a prepaid account
between the host and the outside party. At 703 the outside party is
offered an opportunity to make a deposit into an account maintained
for the benefit of the resident placing the initial call. The offer
at 703 may be made as a result of the resident's account balance
falling below a predetermined threshold and/or as a result of the
resident attempting to make a purchase and the purchase being
denied for insufficient funds in the resident's account. The Offer
at 703 may also identify the goods or services the resident
attempted to purchase. At 708 the resident may be notified of any
deposit made to their account. This notification may take the form
of interrupting a phone call placed by the resident to notify the
resident of the deposit. This phone call may be a first phone call
placed by the resident following the deposit. Alternatively or
additionally, the resident may be notified at 708 by calling the
resident to provide notification of the deposit. During the
notification at 708 the outside party who made the deposit may be
connected with the resident. Alternatively, such a connection
between the outside party and resident may be made following the
notification.
[0052] Additionally, a distant deposit request may be requested
following acceptance of a message from a resident. FIG. 8 flow
charts embodiment 800 of the present methods, which comprises
accepting a communication from a controlled environment facility
resident to a party outside the controlled environment facility at
a time when an active communication connection from the resident to
the outside party is not available at 801. The accepted
communication is stored at 802 for later delivery to the outside
party. Then at 803 the accepted communication is delivered to the
outside party, preferably under control of the outside party and
after the outside party has agreed to pay for such delivery. At
804, the outside party is offered an opportunity to make a deposit
into an account maintained for the benefit of the resident,
preferably after playback of the aforementioned message. At 808 the
resident may be notified of any the deposit made to their account.
This notification may take the form of interrupting a phone call
placed by the resident to notify the resident of the deposit. This
phone call may be a first phone call placed by the resident
following the deposit. Alternatively or additionally, the resident
may be notified at 808 by calling the resident to provide
notification of the deposit. During the notification at 808 the
outside party who made the deposit may be connected with the
resident. Alternatively, such a connection between the outside
party and resident may be made following the notification.
[0053] In accordance with the present systems and methods a fully
automated distant deposit, such as may be provided via a bank
draft, credit card charge, or the like may be prearranged by an
outside party, such a friend of family member of a resident. This
deposit may be based on a proactive trigger, such as prearranged
regularity, inmate account balance minimum, or the like. Embodiment
900 of a method of the present systems and methods, as flowcharted
in FIG. 9, may include providing an information management engine
integrating transaction functionality at 901. Accounts associated
with residents of the controlled environment facility may be
established at 902. At 903, the information management engine may
be used to conduct transactions associated with residents of the
controlled environment facility. The transactions may include,
among other transactions, an automated deposit, made at generally
regular time intervals, into the account by a party outside of the
controlled environment facility. Additionally or alternatively, the
transactions may include an automated deposit, made when a balance
of the account reaches a prearranged minimum threshold. The
information management engine may also integrate telephone calling
services and embodiment 900 might include utilizing the telephone
calling services to facilitate setting up the automated deposits at
90X. A portion of the received deposit may be paid to an entity
practicing the present systems or methods. At 908 the resident may
be notified of any the deposit made to their account. This
notification may take the form of interrupting a phone call placed
by the resident to notify the resident of the deposit. This phone
call may be a first phone call placed by the resident following the
deposit. Alternatively or additionally, the resident may be
notified at 908 by calling the resident to provide notification of
the deposit. During the notification at 908 the outside party who
made the deposit may be connected with the resident. Alternatively,
such a connection between the outside party and resident may be
made following the notification.
[0054] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is
not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the
process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,
methods and steps described in the specification. As one of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the
disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines,
manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,
presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,
methods, or steps.
* * * * *