Software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices

Systems and methods for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a message over a network indicating that a video visitation session is being established between at least a first user and a second user, and illuminating at least one of the users in response to the message and/or independently of a physical position of a telephone handset or the like. The method may also include detecting a security violation in one or more video images captured during the video visitation session, where the security violation includes the presence of one or more of: gesturing, signing, or an object. The method may further include determining an amount of lighting to be emitted by a lighting device as a function of the security violation, and controlling the lighting device to produce the determined amount of lighting.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates to systems and methods for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices.

BACKGROUND

In the United States, prison inmates have certain visitation rights. By allowing prisoners to have some contact with the outside world while incarcerated, the justice system aims to facilitate their transition back into society upon release. Traditional forms of contact include telephone calls, in-person visitation, conjugal visits, etc. More recently, technological advances have allowed jails and prisons to provide other types of visitation, including videoconferences and online chat sessions. The duration and frequency of these visitations may depend upon the prison's rules, regulations, or the like. Generally speaking, inmate visitation may be supervised or unsupervised. At the time of a scheduled video visitation, for example, an officer may physically move the inmate from his or her cell or to a visitation device or station in a designated area within the correctional facility, where he or she may be able to conduct the communication with a non-resident of that facility. When the visitation is over, the officer may then escort the inmate back to his or her cell.

The inventor hereof has discovered, however, that in many cases poor lighting conditions in the video visitation areas typically yield very low quality images. In many cases, the low quality may be attributed to poor lighting conditions in the facility's visitation areas. Unlike non-residents participating in a video visitation session, inmates have little (if any) control over their own environment—e.g., there may be insufficient artificial light, no windows or natural light, etc. For these and other reasons, the inventor hereof has developed various systems and methods of software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices as described herein.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may include receiving a message over a network indicating that a video visitation session is being established between at least a first user and a second user, and illuminating at least one of the users in response to the message. For example, the network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) network or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). Also, the message may include or may be accompanied by a video or audio packet, and illuminating the at least one of the users may include activating one or more light-emitting diode (LEDs). For instance, illuminating the at least one of the users may include progressively illuminating the user from a first lighting level to a second lighting level through one or more intermediate levels, the second lighting level providing more illumination than the first lighting level.

In some implementations, the method may include detecting an amount of ambient light present in a video visitation area and, in response to the detection, determining an amount of lighting to be emitted by a lighting device during the video visitation session. The method may also include controlling the lighting device to produce the determined amount of lighting. For example, detecting the amount of ambient light present in the video visitation area may occur at least in part in response to a determination that the first user has picked up a handset operably coupled to the computer-based video visitation system. The method may also include receiving a request from the second user to increase or decrease the illumination of the first user and, in response to the request, increasing or decreasing the illumination.

In some cases, the first user may be at least one resident of a controlled-environment facility, and the second user may be at least one non-resident of the controlled-environment facility. Alternatively, the first user may be at least one non-resident of the controlled-environment facility and the second user may be at least one resident of a controlled environment facility. The method may further include detecting a security violation in one or more video images captured during the video visitation session, where the security violation includes the presence of one or more of: gesturing, signing, or an object, determining an amount of lighting to be emitted by a lighting device as a function of the security violation, and controlling the lighting device to produce the determined amount of lighting.

In another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may include making a software-based determination that a video visitation session is being established between at least one inmate of a correctional facility and at least one non-resident of the correctional facility, and providing a first amount of lighting to illuminate the at least one inmate in response to the software-based determination. The method may also include providing a second amount of lighting to illuminate the at least one inmate in response to a request from the at least one non-resident, where the second amount of lighting is different from the first amount of lighting. The method may further include receiving an identification of at least one of the at least one inmate or the at least one non-resident, and the first amount of lighting may be determined based, at least in part, upon the received identification. The method may also include detecting one or more video images captured during the video visitation session and, in response to the detection, provide a second amount of lighting different from the first amount of lighting. For example, the one or more video images may indicate the presence of one or more of: gesturing by the at least one inmate, gesturing by the at least one non-resident, signing by the at least one inmate, or signing by the at least one non-resident.

In yet another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may include determining that a video visitation session is being set up between at least one inmate within a correctional facility and at least one non-resident party outside of the correctional facility, where the determination is made independently of a physical position of a telephone handset operably coupled to the computer-based video visitation system, and illuminating the at least one inmate in response to the determination. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include changing the illumination of the at least one inmate in response to a command from the non-resident party. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include changing the illumination of the at least one inmate in response to an identity of the at least one inmate or the at least one non-resident party. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include changing the illumination of the at least one inmate in response one or more video images captured during the video visitation session indicating a correctional facility security violation.

In various embodiments, one or more of the techniques described herein may be performed by one or more computer systems. In other various embodiments, a tangible computer-readable storage medium may have program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by one or more computer systems, cause the one or more computer systems to execute one or more operations disclosed herein. In yet other various embodiments, a system may include at least one processor and memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory configured to store program instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the system to execute one or more operations disclosed herein.

While this specification provides several embodiments and illustrative drawings, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present specification is not limited only to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the specification to the particular form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claims. As used herein, the word “may” is meant to convey a permissive sense (i.e., meaning “having the potential to”), rather than a mandatory sense (i.e., meaning “must”). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean “including, but not limited to.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification discloses systems and methods for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices. Generally speaking, the various techniques described herein may find applicability in a wide variety of controlled-environment facilities (as well as outside of controlled-environment facilities). Examples of controlled-environment facilities may include correctional institutions or facilities (e.g., municipal jails, county jails, state prisons, federal prisons, military stockades, juvenile facilities, detention camps, home incarceration environments, etc.), healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, mental health facilities, rehabilitation clinics, such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities, etc.), restricted living quarters (e.g., hotels, resorts, camps, dormitories, barracks, etc.), and the like. For convenience of explanation, various examples discussed herein are presented in the context of correctional facilities. For instance, in some of the embodiments discussed below, a controlled-environment facility may be referred to as a jail or prison, and its residents may be referred to as residents, arrestees, detainees, or inmates. It should be understood, however, that the systems and methods described herein may be similarly applicable to other types of controlled-environment facilities and their respective residents (e.g., a hospital and its patients).

Turning now toFIG. 1, a block diagram of an illustrative environment where a visitation system may be employed is depicted according to some embodiments. As shown, communication processing system101may provide telephone services, videoconferencing, online chat, and other communication services to a controlled-environment facility. For example, in some cases, communication system101may be co-located with a controlled-environment facility. Alternatively, communication system101may be centrally or remotely located with respect to one or more controlled-environment facilities and/or may provide communication services to multiple controlled-environment facilities. More generally, however, it should be noted that communication system101may assume a variety of forms, and may be configured to serve a variety of facilities and/or users, whether within or outside of a controlled-environment facility.

In the context of a correctional facility, for instance, inmates may use telephones102to access certain communication services. In some facilities, inmates may also use a personal computer wireless device104to access such services. For example, an inmate may initiate telephone services by lifting the receiver on telephone102, at which time the inmate may be prompted to provide a personal identification number (PIN), other identifying information or biometrics. An interactive voice response (IVR) unit (not shown) may generate and play prompt or other messages to inmates on devices102and/or104.

Under the control of communication processing system101, devices102and104may be capable of connecting to a non-resident's (i.e., a person not committed to a controlled-environment facility) telephone106or device105across a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN)107. For example, telephone106may be located at a non-resident's home, inmate visitation center, etc. Switch108in communication processing system101may be used to connect calls across PSTN107. Additionally or alternatively, the non-resident may be at telephone109or device112, which is on an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Voice-over-IP (VoIP), or packet data network110, such as, for example the Internet. Router111of communication system101is used to route data packets associated with a call connection to destination telephone109.

Video visitation devices103a-n(each collectively referred to as “video visitation device103”) may have video conferencing capabilities to enable inmates to participate in video visitation sessions with non-residents of the correctional facility via video call, secure online chat, etc. For example, a non-resident party may have a personal or laptop computer113with camera114(or a cell phone, tablet computer, etc.). A network connection between the parties may be established and supported by an organization or commercial service that provides computer services and software for use in telecommunications and/or VOIP, such as SKYPE®. Additionally or alternatively, the correctional facility and/or the destination may use videoconferencing equipment compatible with ITU H.323, H.320, H.264, and/or V.80, or other suitable standards. Generally speaking, each video visitation device103may be disposed in a visitation area of the controlled-environment facility. As noted above, poor lighting conditions in the video visitation areas typically yield very low quality images. In many cases, the inventor hereof has attributed such low quality to poor lighting conditions in the facility's visitation areas, where inmates have little (if any) control over their own environment. For these and other reasons, the inventor hereof has developed various systems and methods of software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices103, as described in more detail in connection withFIGS. 2-5below.

In addition to providing certain visitation and communication operations, communication processing system101may attempt to ensure that an inmate's calls, video conferences, online chats, etc. are performed only with non-residents whose identities, devices, email addresses, phone numbers, etc. are listed in that inmate's Pre-Approved Contact (PAC) list. Each inmate's PAC list may be stored, for example, in database115maintained by an Administration and Management System (AMS)116. In addition to PAC list(s), AMS116may also store inmate or resident profile data (RPD), as well as visitation rules applicable to each inmate. As an example, in the context of a correctional facility, database115may include information such as balances for inmate trust and calling accounts; trial schedule; conviction data; criminal record; sentencing data, such as time served, time remaining to be served, and release date; cell and cellmate assignments; inmate restrictions and warnings; commissary order history; telephone call history; call recordings; known or suspected gang or criminal affiliations; known or suspected affiliates, accomplices, or gang members; and any other information that may be relevant or useful to correctional facility staff to house and maintain inmates.

In some embodiments, database115may also indicate a personalized level of lighting that should be provided to a particular inmate during the inmate's video visitation sessions depending, for example, upon who the identit(ies) of the inmate and/or the non-resident. Such personalized lighting levels may be configured according to the facility's goals.

Visitation system130may be configured to provide, schedule, and manage visitation services to residents and non-residents of a controlled-environment facility. To that end, visitation system130may be coupled to PSTN107and/or network110in a manner similar to communication processing system101by also including one or more switches and/or routers (not shown). Accordingly, visitation system130may be configured to communicate with one or more residents of the controlled-environment facility via devices102-104and with one or more non-residents via devices105,106,109,112, and/or113. Although visitation system130is shown inFIG. 1as being remotely located with respect to communication processing system101and the controlled-environment facility, in other cases visitation system130may be co-located with the facility and/or integrated within system101.

In some implementations, communication system101may be configured to perform video visitation monitoring operations configured to monitor and or record video visitations (e.g., as video files). In scenarios where communication system101is located within the controlled-environment facility, it may have direct access to AMS116. In other embodiments, however, communication system101may be located remotely with respect to the controlled-environment facility, and access to AMS116may be obtained via a computer network such as, for example Network110.

FIG. 2is a diagram of a video visitation device103. In some embodiments, device103may be implemented as a computer-based system such as described in connection withFIG. 4. As illustrated, device103includes display204, camera205, and handset201coupled to device103via wire209. Display204may be any suitable electronic display such as, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a touchscreen display (e.g., resistive, capacitive, etc.), or the like, whereas camera205may be an suitable imaging device such as, for instance, a video camera or webcam equipped with Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs), Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) active pixel sensors, etc. Handset201may be similar to a traditional telephone handset including an earpiece portion (with a loudspeaker), a handle portion, and a mouthpiece portion (with a microphone).

During a video visitation session, video visitation device103may be configured to capture a video image of an inmate to be transmitted to a non-resident using camera205, and to display a video image of the non-resident to the inmate using display204. Video visitation device103may also be configured to capture an audio signal from the inmate to be transmitted to the non-resident using the mouthpiece portion of handset201, and to provide an audio signal from the non-resident to the inmate using the earpiece portion of handset201. Additionally or alternatively, audio received from the non-resident may be reproduced via loudspeaker202, and audio provided by the inmate may be captured via microphone203. In some embodiments, handset holder or holster208may be configured to allow a user to securely rest handset201against device103(e.g., in its “off” position) when device103is not in use. Furthermore, handset holder208may include a mechanical or electromechanical switch or sensor (not shown) that senses when handset201is its not resting against it (e.g. in its “on” position).

Video visitation device103may also include lighting device206and lighting sensor207. In some embodiments, lighting device206may include one or more incandescent light sources (e.g., bulbs, lamps, etc.), fluorescent lamps, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL), high-intensity discharge sources, Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or the like. Additionally or alternatively, lighting device206may include one or more adjustable lighting devices with variable intensity, brightness, luminance, color, tone, etc. Lighting or light sensor207may include one or more suitable sensor such as, for example, photoresistors, photodiodes, etc. In various implementations, camera205may serve as light sensor207, and light sensor207may be absent.

Furthermore, it should be noted that, outside of correctional facilities, video visitation device103may assume the form of any computer, tablet computer, smart phone, etc., or any other consumer device or appliance with videoconferencing capabilities. For example, in the case where video visitation device103is a camera-enabled television (or smart phone, etc.) that does not include a dedicated lightning apparatus, the brightness of display204may be adjusted so that display204may itself act as lighting device206(e.g., the brightness of display204may be increased to also increase the illumination of the person(s) “watching” the teleconference through the television, for example, upon detection that a video connection has been established).

In the context of correctional facilities, video visitation device103may include one or more tampering/impact resistant or hardened elements configured to protect them from vandalism or otherwise destructive acts. For example, one or more of devices202-207may be protected by a transparent plastic or thermoplastic (e.g., Plexiglas, etc.) material.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of video visitation software300. In some embodiments, software300may be executed, at least in part, by video visitation device103shown inFIG. 2. As illustrated, software300may include visitation engine301, video capture/reproduction interface302, audio capture/reproduction interface303, and light control module306. Other modules not shown inFIG. 3for sake of brevity may include, but are not limited to, a user interface module (configured to allow a user to interact with software300and/or visitation system130) and an AMS interface (configured to allow software300to access information stored in database115).

In various embodiments, visitation engine301may be configured to perform video visitation operations such as, for example, authenticate the identity of an inmate and exchange one or more messages with communication system101, visitation system130, and or devices112or113over network110to initiate a video visitation session. During a video visitation session, engine301may utilize video interface302and audio interface303modules to provide an inmate with video and/or audio produced by a non-resident, and to provide the non-resident with video and/or audio captured from the inmate.

Generally speaking, video visitation engine301may be configured to turn on lighting device206once a video connection is made between the resident and non-resident or vice versa. Light sensor module305may obtain a lighting characteristic (e.g., intensity, brightness, luminance, color, tone, etc.) of the environment where device103is located (e.g., via camera205and/or sensor207). Light control module306may be used to interface video visitation engine301with lighting device206. In some cases, for example, light control module306may receive a command from video visitation engine301indicating one or more lighting parameters to be applied to lighting device206during a video visitation session.

Operation of visitation software300is described in detail in connection with the example shown inFIG. 5. In certain embodiments, each of the different components of visitation software300may be implemented in software, hardware or a suitable combination thereof, in an integrated fashion (e.g., on a single server or computer system) or in a distributed fashion (e.g., via a number of discrete systems configured to communicate with one another via a network). Additionally or alternatively, the operation of visitation software300may be partitioned into components in a different fashion than illustrated inFIG. 3.

As noted above, embodiments of systems and methods for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices may be implemented or executed, at least in part, by one or more computer systems. One such system is illustrated inFIG. 4. In various embodiments, system400may be a server, a workstation, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet computer, a mobile device, a smart phone, or the like. In some cases, system400may be used to implement video visitation device103. As illustrated, computer system400includes one or more processors410A-N coupled to a system memory420via an input/output (I/O) interface430. Computer system400further includes a network interface440coupled to I/O interface430, and one or more input/output devices450, such as display, camera, microphone, speaker and/or handset circuits460, handset sensor circuit470, light sensor circuit480, and/or light control circuit490.

Display, camera, microphone, speaker and/or handset circuits460may include one or more analog, digital and/or integrated circuits configured to control one or more aspects of the operation of display204, camera205, handset sensor208, microphone203(or within handset201), and/or speaker202(or within handset201). Similarly, handset sensor circuit470, light sensor circuit480, and/or light control circuit490may include one or more analog, digital and/or integrated circuits configured to control one or more aspects of the operation of handset sensor208, light sensor207, and/or lighting device206, respectively. Other I/O devices450may include, for example, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, mobile devices, any other device suitable for entering or retrieving data, etc.

In some embodiments, video visitation device103may be implemented using a single instance of computer system400, while in other embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system400, may be configured to host different portions of video visitation device103. In various embodiments, computer system400may be a single-processor system including one processor410A-N, or a multi-processor system including two or more processors410A-N (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors410A-N may be any processor capable of executing program instructions. For example, in various embodiments, processors410A-N may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC®, or ARM® ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multi-processor systems, each of processors410A-N may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. Also, in some embodiments, at least one processor410A-N may be a graphics processing unit (GPU) or other dedicated graphics-rendering device(s).

System memory420may be configured to store program instructions and/or data accessible by processor(s)410A-N. In various embodiments, system memory420may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. As illustrated, program instructions and data implementing certain operations such as, for example, those described below in connection withFIG. 5, may be stored within system memory420as program instructions425and data storage435, respectively. In other embodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory420or computer system400. Generally speaking, a computer-accessible medium may include any tangible storage media or memory media such as electronic, magnetic, or optical media—e.g., disk or CD/DVD-ROM coupled to computer system400via I/O interface430. Program instructions and data stored on a tangible computer-accessible medium in non-transitory form may further be transmitted by transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, which may be conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link.

In one embodiment, I/O interface430may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor(s)410A-N, system memory420, and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface440or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices450. In some embodiments, I/O interface430may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory420) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor(s)410A-N). In some embodiments, I/O interface430may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/O interface430may be split into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. In addition, in some embodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface430, such as an interface to system memory420, may be incorporated directly into processor(s)410A-N.

Network interface440may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system400and other devices attached to a network, such as other computer systems, or between nodes of computer system400. In various embodiments, network interface440may support communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example; via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks such as FibreChannel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol. Multiple input/output devices450may be present in computer system400or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system400. In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system400and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system400through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface440.

As shown inFIG. 4, memory420may include program instructions425, configured to implement certain embodiments described herein, and data storage435, comprising various data may be accessible by program instructions425. In an embodiment, program instructions425may include software elements of embodiments illustrated in the above figures. For example, program instructions425may be implemented in various embodiments using any desired programming language, scripting language, or combination of programming languages and/or scripting languages (e.g., C, C++, C#, Java™, JavaScript™, Perl, etc.). Data storage435may include data that may be used in these embodiments (e.g., recorded communications, profiles for different modes of operations, etc.). In other embodiments, other or different software elements and data may be included.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that computer system400is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure described herein. In particular, the computer system and devices may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated operations. In addition, the operations performed by the illustrated components may, in some embodiments, be performed by fewer components or distributed across additional components. Similarly, in other embodiments, the operations of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and/or other additional operations may be available. Accordingly, systems and methods described herein may be implemented or executed with other computer system configurations.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of a method for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices. In some embodiments, method500may be implemented, at least in part, by video visitation device103described above. As illustrated, at block501, method500may receive a request to establish a video visitation session between a first user (e.g., an inmate or resident of a controlled-environment facility) and a second user (e.g., a non-resident party outside of the inmate's facility). For example, the inmate may interact with display204(or a keyboard, pointing device, etc.) to indicate his or her readiness for the session. Additionally or alternatively, the inmate may pick-up handset201, thus triggering a signal that the inmate is ready to initiate a videoconference. Additionally or alternatively, the request for video visitation may be received from the non-resident party over network110. Any suitable method for requesting that the video visitation be established may be used in accordance with the controlled-environment facility's protocols. For example, in some cases, at block501, the inmate may provide an indication of his or her identification (e.g., ID number, code, Personal Identification Number (PIN)). Otherwise, system103may be equipped with a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver (not shown inFIG. 2) configured to read the inmate's Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, bracelet, or the like.

At block502, method500may detect an ambient lighting. For example, camera205and/or light sensor207may detect natural level(s) or light intensity, brightness, luminance, color, tone, etc. around video visitation device103. At block503, method500may retrieve a desired or preselected illumination level or quality for the requested video visitation session based upon the identity of the first and/or second parties. For example, visitation engine301executed by video visitation device103may retrieve a predetermined level of lighting for a particular inmate from database115. Additionally or alternatively, video visitation device103may retrieve a predetermined level of lighting for a particular non-resident party.

At block504, method500may receive a message indicating that the video visitation is being established. For example, visitation engine301executed by video visitation device103may receive from non-resident device(s)113and/or114or from video visitation system130, over network110, a packet indicating that the video visitation session has been or is being set up. Generally, such a packet or message may include and/or may be accompanied by a video and/or audio feed. More generally, block504may involve any suitable software-based determination that the video visitation is being established—e.g., in contrast with a detection of handset201's “off-hook” status, and which is therefore independent of the physical position of handset201.

At block505and in response to the software-based determination of block504, method500may illuminate the first user with a first lighting level based upon the ambient lighting detected at block502and/or the predetermined illumination levels retrieved at block503. For example, visitation engine301executed by video visitation device103may control lighting device206to output a light with a desired intensity, brightness, luminance, color and/or tone. Light sensor207(or camera205) may determine that a given amount of light is already present in around device103, and device103may control lighting device206to output the difference between the existing and desired illumination levels accordingly, thus reducing over illumination and/or underexposure effects (e.g., with regard to the inmate's or non-resident's predetermined levels, if any). Additionally or alternatively, light sensor207(or camera205) may determine that the ambient light has a given “shade of white,” and may control lighting device206to output light with a frequency or set of frequencies suitable to effect a color correction operation, a while balancing operation, or the like. In some cases, at some time between execution of blocks501and505, method500may also include progressively illuminating the inmate from a first lighting level (e.g., an ambient level) to a second lighting level (e.g., a desired lighting level) through one or more intermediate levels, the second lighting level providing more illumination than the first lighting level.

At block506, method500determines whether a security violation has taken place. For example, visitation engine301may be configured to perform one or more image recognition operations to determine that one of the parties participating in the video visitation (i.e., the inmate and/or the non-resident party) has broken a video visitation rule enforced by the facility. For instance, visitation engine301may determine that a party has gestured excessively and/or inappropriately, attempted to communicate via sign language, used other physical signing (e.g., gang signs, moving of the head or blinking in code, etc.), or the like. Additionally or alternatively, visitation engine301may determine that a party has introduced a prohibited or foreign object into the video visitation session (e.g., a threatening object, a price of paper with writing on it, etc.), that a face or person is missing from one end of the video visitation session, that a greater number of parties is participating in the video visitation session than previous authorized, etc. If no such violations are detected, control returns to block505.

Otherwise, at block507, method500may illuminate the first user (e.g., the inmate) with a second lighting level different from the first lighting level and/or based upon the detected violation. For example, visitation engine301executed by video visitation device103may control lighting device206to output a light with higher intensity (e.g., to better record a video of the inmate, to alert the inmate of the potential infraction, to blind the inmate from seeing the non-resident party, to overexpose the inmate and make it difficult for the non-resident to see the inmate's gesturing, object, etc.) or lower intensity (e.g., also to prevent the non-resident party from seeing the inmate's gesturing, object, etc.). In some implementations, the choice between outputting a light with higher or lower intensity may depend, at least in part, upon the ambient lighting. For instance, if natural light in the visitation area allows the non-resident to see the inmate's gesturing or other violation, then video visitation device103may choose to employ an overexposure or over illumination technique. However, if the ambient light in the visitation area is sufficiently dim such that the non-resident can only see the inmate's violation due to the use of lighting device206, then video visitation device103may reduce (or turn off) the output of lighting device206in response to the violation.

At block508, video visitation device103may trigger or initiate one or more other corrective actions. For instance, as noted above, video visitation device103may begin to record the session and/or patch a live feed to an operator for live monitoring of the session. Depending upon the corrective action and/or detected violation, the changes between the first and second lighting levels may be sudden (to indicate to one of the parties that the violation was detected) or incremental (to avoid detection by the parties and therefore allow the violation to continue for evidentiary purposes or the like).

In some embodiments, after the video visitation session has been established, one or more controls may be provided to the non-resident party such that the non-resident party may alter the illumination of the inmate. For example, at block503, video visitation device103may also retrieve an indication of whether the non-resident party is permitted to change one of more parameters involved in the illumination of the inmate. If so permitted, then a software control (e.g., a web-based control, applet, etc.) provided by video visitation device103and/or visitation system130and executed by the non-resident's device (e.g., device113) may allow the non-resident to change the intensity, brightness, luminance, color, tone, etc. of the inmate's illumination during the visitation session by remotely controlling lighting device206.

The various systems and methods illustrated in the figures and described herein represent example embodiments of systems and methods for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices. The methods may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The order in which each operation of a given method is performed may be changed, and various elements of the systems illustrated herein may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Various modifications and changes may be made as would be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this specification. It is intended that the invention(s) described herein embrace all such modifications and changes and, accordingly, the above description should be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.