VOIP Inmate Communication Apps for Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inmate communication systems often fail to connect inmates with outside parties due to availability, timing, and call restrictions, and incur high costs due to carrier charges and limitations in existing systems that hinder interface compatibility with DTMF signals, leading to inefficient and frustrating call routing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of specialized apps on Wi-Fi enabled devices that facilitate VOIP calls, allowing outside parties to initiate calls at convenient times, share availability information, and enforce call restrictions, thereby avoiding carrier charges and improving call completion rates by directly communicating through a network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If carrier-based telephone systems are used for inmate calls, then calls can be made to conventional phone lines and cellular phones, but high carrier charges are incurred and call routing restrictions reduce call completion rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface compatibility with conventional phone linesVSAvoidcarrier charges

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional carrier-based telephone system with a VOIP-based communication system. Instead of using conventional telephone networks and cellular carriers, the system uses internet protocol for voice communication, eliminating carrier charges while maintaining the ability to communicate with external parties through gateway devices connected to the VOIP network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a VOIP gateway device as an intermediary between the inmate communication system and external telephone networks. This gateway enables calls to conventional phone lines and cellular phones without incurring carrier charges by routing communications through the VOIP network instead of traditional carrier infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If least cost routing techniques are employed to reduce carrier charges, then call costs are reduced, but DTMF signal compatibility is lost and calls cannot be completed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier chargesVSAvoidcall completion rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces carrier-based routing with VOIP network routing, eliminating the need for least cost routing techniques that compromise DTMF signal compatibility. The VOIP system naturally supports DTMF signals and other communication protocols without requiring manual carrier switching or routing workarounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If inmate-initiated calls are permitted to maintain call restrictions, then institutional control is maintained, but outside parties must wait inconveniently and call timing is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall initiation processVSAvoidwaiting time for calls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional calling model by allowing outside parties to initiate calls to inmates through the VOIP system. Instead of inmates calling out, external parties can contact inmates during their available times, eliminating the need for inmates to initiate calls and reducing waiting time while maintaining institutional control through monitoring and restriction policies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If manual carrier switching is required to complete DTMF calls, then call completion is achieved, but system complexity increases and customer experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall completion rateVSAvoidcall routing management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual carrier switching operations with automated VOIP routing. The VOIP system inherently supports DTMF signals and provides seamless call routing without requiring manual intervention or complex carrier management, simplifying the system while maintaining high call completion rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11075964B1Devices with calling apps for inmate calls, information sharing, monitoring, and other functions

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 CONFINEMENT TELEPHONY TECH LLC

AI summary

Systems and techniques for permitting, establishing, monitoring and controlling calls based on messages from outside parties, outside party availability information, institution's call restriction information, and/or account holder preferences. In one example, a message from an outside party app on an outside party computing device is receive by an inmate app on an inmate device. The inmate device displays the message at the inmate calling app including a request for the inmate to call the outside party device during a time period. When the inmate initiates a call to the outside party the call is permitted or not permitted based on determining whether the call is within the specified time period.