Bi Incorporated

Elvin L Riggs

Joseph P Newell

David M Page

Vincent D Stinton

An EHAM system consists of a central monitoring system (CMS), a field monitoring device (FMD), an electronic detection circuit that generates a detection signal upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g., the absence of the monitored individual from a monitoring location, and a communications network. The communications network consists of at least one communications link wherein a fee-based communications mode may be used. The CMS is installed at a central monitoring location, the FMD is installed at the monitoring location, and the electronic detection circuit is attached or otherwise coupled to the individual to be monitored at the monitoring location. The occurrence or non-occurrence of the predetermined event is detected during a prescribed reporting time period. Regular or random communications are established between the FMD and CMS during the reporting time period to inform the CMS about the occurrence or non-occurrence of the predetermined event. One communication between the FMD and CMS during a given reporting time period is made by accessing the communications link using the fee-based communications mode. All other communications between the FMD and CMS during the reporting time period are made by accessing the communications link using a non-fee-based communication mode. Hence, a predetermined fee is automatically assessed to the monitored individual only once each reporting time period.

Electronic house arrest monitoring system with automatic fee collection

A supervisory system and method automatically tracks and reports the status, e.g., current address, employer, telephone number, etc., of a group of enrollees, and automatically collects a fee for such service. Each enrollee 'reports in' to a host CPU of the system in accordance with a specific contact schedule, e.g., once a month, through a fee-based telephone network that automatically charges a prescribed toll fee to the originating telephone number whenever telephone contact remains established for more than a preamble time period. The host CPU, using individual calling line identification (ICLID) information included in the incoming telephone call, identifies the telephone number of the incoming call and determines if it belongs to an enrollee of the system. If not, the incoming call is disconnected before the preamble time period expires, thereby preventing the incoming caller from being charged the toll fee. Further, if a given enrollee attempts to report in more than once during the same reporting period, the incoming call is disconnected before the preamble time period expires, thereby preventing the incoming caller from being charged the toll fee more than once for a given reporting period. When valid telephone contact is established, the identify of the caller is verified to make sure it is an enrollee, and the verified enrollee then updates the status information, if needed. Reports are generated to selectively indicate which enrollees have or have not reported during the prescribed reporting period, and any change in their status.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Elvin L Riggs