Patent ID: 9508212
Filing Date: 2016-11-29
CPC Classification: G06F,G06Q,G07C,G07F,H04L

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for controlling prisoner access to and use of portable electronic devices, comprising: a. a plurality of portable electronic devices, each portable electronic device of the plurality of portable electronic devices comprising a user interface, a processor, memory, a battery, a two-way wireless communicator, and an identification tag; b. at least one dispensing unit, the at least one dispensing unit comprising, a wireless communications unit for two-way communications with the two-way wireless communicator of each of the plurality of portable electronic devices, a user interface, an alarm, and a plurality of storage compartments each sized to receive one of the plurality of portable electronic devices, each storage compartment comprising an access door movable between a closed position preventing access to the compartment and an open position permitting access to the compartment, an electronic lock configured to selectively lock the door when the door is in the closed position, a door sensor configured to sense a position of the door, a light sensor configured to detect whether an object is located within the compartment, a weight sensor configured to detect a weight of any objects located within the compartment, an identification sensor configured to read the identification tags of the portable electronic devices to determine whether a specific portable electronic device of the plurality of portable electronic devices is located within the compartment, a battery charging device configured to charge the battery of a portable electronic device within the compartment, and at least one status indicator; c. a relational database that stores (i) prisoner data related to prisoner identity, prisoner accounts, prisoner rights, prisoner schedules, programs and content accessible by prisoners, usage by prisoners and groups of prisoners, and (ii) equipment data related to an identity, attributes and status of the at least one dispensing unit and identities, attributes and statuses of the plurality of portable electronic devises; and d. at least one server coupled to the at least one dispensing unit and the relational database, and operated under control of a program based on data within the relational database to monitor and control operations of the at least one dispensing unit and the plurality of portable electronic devices.