Intelligent Facility Device

Abstract

Embodiments of intelligent facility devices for use in controlled facility environments are described. In various embodiments, the intelligent facility devices provide limited or controlled access to data networks for inmates of a controlled facility. An embodiment of a method may include receiving a request for access to a network from a user interface device. The method may also include determining an authorized duration of network access for the user interface device. Additionally, the method may include establishing a temporary network access session between the user interface device and the network for the authorized duration of network access.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a request for access to a network from a controlled facility resident user interface device;   determining an authorized duration of network access for the controlled facility resident user interface device, based at least in part on a duration to complete a transaction to be conducted between the controlled facility resident user interface device and the network;   establishing a temporary network access session between the controlled facility resident user interface device and the network for the authorized duration of network access; and   further dynamically determining the duration to complete the transaction during the network access session.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authorized duration is statically determined prior to initiation of the network access session. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a temporary network access key for initiating the temporary network access session. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the temporary network access key is valid for a limited duration of time. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising terminating the temporary network access session in response to a determination that the temporary network access key has expired. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction is transfer of a data file. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction is download of a media file from the network. 
     
     
         8 . A tangible computer program product encoded on non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer executable code that, when executed by a data processing device, causes the computer to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request for access to a network from a controlled facility resident user interface device;   determining an authorized duration of network access for the controlled facility resident user interface device, based at least in part on a duration to complete a data file transfer transaction to be conducted between the controlled facility resident user interface device and the network; and   establishing a temporary network access session between the controlled facility resident user interface device and the network for the authorized duration of network access.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the data file transfer transaction is download of a media file from the network. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the duration of the transaction is further determined dynamically during the network access session. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the authorized duration is statically determined prior to initiation of the network access session. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise generating a temporary network access key for initiating the temporary network access session. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the temporary network access key is valid for a limited duration of time. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprise terminating the temporary network access session in response to a determination that the temporary network access key has expired. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a controlled facility resident user interface configured to receive a request for access to a network from a controlled facility resident user interface device;   a network security controller coupled to the controlled facility resident user interface and configured to determine an authorized duration of network access for the controlled facility resident user interface device, based at least in part on a duration to complete a transaction to be conducted between the controlled facility resident user interface device and the network;   a network interface coupled to the controlled facility resident user interface and configured to establish a temporary network access session between the controlled facility resident user interface device and the network for the authorized duration of network access; and   a transaction monitor configured to track progress of the transaction, signal end of the transaction to the network security controller upon completion of the transaction to deactivate the temporary network access session, prior to expiration of the authorized duration.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the transaction is download of a media file from the network. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the authorized duration is statically determined prior to initiation of the network access session. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the network security controller further comprises an access controller configured to generate a temporary network access key for initiating the temporary network access session. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the temporary network access key is valid for a limited duration of time. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the network security controller is further configured to terminate the temporary network access session in response to a determination that the temporary network access key has expired.