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WO1996015524A1 - Appareil enregistreur tenant dans la main - Google Patents

Appareil enregistreur tenant dans la main Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996015524A1
WO1996015524A1 PCT/US1995/014939 US9514939W WO9615524A1 WO 1996015524 A1 WO1996015524 A1 WO 1996015524A1 US 9514939 W US9514939 W US 9514939W WO 9615524 A1 WO9615524 A1 WO 9615524A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
recording
memory
message
recording medium
flash memory
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1995/014939
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Norbert P. Daberko
Richard K. Davis
Richard D. Bridgewater
Original Assignee
Norris Communications Corp.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Norris Communications Corp. filed Critical Norris Communications Corp.
Priority to AU41634/96A priority Critical patent/AU4163496A/en
Publication of WO1996015524A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996015524A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11C—STATIC STORES
    • G11C7/00—Arrangements for writing information into, or reading information out from, a digital store
    • G11C7/16—Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters 
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11C—STATIC STORES
    • G11C2207/00—Indexing scheme relating to arrangements for writing information into, or reading information out from, a digital store
    • G11C2207/16—Solid state audio

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to recording devices, and in particular to hand held recording devices that are used to record voice messages, where a switch assembly on a solid state digital hand held recording device activates a recording mode whereby recording of voice messages is accomplished.
  • the method for dictating voice messages is largely determined by the devices available for dictation.
  • the prior art is replete with recording devices that save information by selectively magnetizing a layer of magnetic-oxide material that is bonded to a thin flexible tape, commonly referred to as cassette tape.
  • the user may find a blank tape segment and begins recording only to find after a new message is complete that another message has been partially recorded over;
  • the user may also find when listening to the message that a segment is garbled or there are moments of silence.
  • the recording medium of cassette tape forces the speaker to use the above process because the tape is analog and linear.
  • a user cannot simply begin to record a message immediately upon picking up a recording device loaded with a cassette tape known to have recorded messages that cannot be discarded.
  • the user is forced to begin a search of the tape to find a blank tape segment. If the device cannot play and fast-forward at the same time allowing the user to hear sound, the user might never find a blank segment if the user passes them unknowingly. However, even after finding a blank segment, the user might not listen to enough of the tape to hear all the messages, resulting in a lost or partially lost recording.
  • the recording media could be tested to verify that it is nondefective. It would also be an improvement if after defective media was found, that the defective segment be skipped, and that any message recorded on memory before and after the defect did not reflect this physical gap in memory space.
  • a solid state digital hand held recording device having a single function and multifunctional switch assembly.
  • a printed circuit board including a microcontroller electrically coupled to said switch assemblies operates to control the processing of sound into electrical signals and store said signals on a digital recording medium.
  • a single, manually operable switch activates a recording process.
  • a single, manually operable rocker-pad is centrally mounted upon a pivot support of the hand held recording device and activates a multiple of functions.
  • the record switch and rocker-pad actuate electrical signals coupled to said microcontroller thereby activating a sequence of actions (a program) stored within the microcontroller in a read-only memory (ROM) device.
  • ROM read-only memory
  • a plurality of programs can be activated by the manually operable record switch and rocker-pad to process digitally recorded sound as the user desires.
  • Also disclosed is a method for recording a new message without disturbing the physical continuity of existing messages and without manually searching for a blank segment of memory on the recording medium which includes the steps of (i) placing the recording device in an idle mode such that the recorder is inactive, and (ii) pressing the record switch to instantly begin recording a new message at the next available memory space following the last recorded message or insert.
  • This application also discloses a method for testing the integrity of all the memory space on the recording medium, which includes the steps of (i) starting the test of memory integrity by manually inserting a recording medium device into a plug assembly for electrically coupling to said recording device, or manually installing batteries in the recording device after coupling the recording medium to said recording device, and (ii) allowing the recording device to mark memory segments that will be skipped during recording if they are determined to be defective. Also disclosed is a method for indexing a message as it is recorded. Recording and indexing a message includes the steps of (i) beginning a recording by pressing the record switch, (ii) indexing a message by pressing the record switch while recording, thereby recording a new message.
  • Figure 1A is a front view of a hand held digital recording device with a switch assembly and multifunctional switch assembly made in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • Figure IB is a perspective view of the multifunctional switch and the contact elements beneath it from fig. 1A.
  • Figure 1C is a perspective view of the record switch and the contact element beneath it from fig. 1A.
  • Figure 2A is a flowchart of steps for recording a message with the present invention, whereby instantaneous recording is enabled without the danger of recording over existing messages.
  • Figure 2B is a diagram representing memory structure before and after a new recording is made in accordance with the steps of fig. 2A.
  • Figure 3A is a flowchart of steps for verifying the integrity of the recording medium used in the present invention.
  • Figure 3B is a diagram representing memory structure before and after defective media is marked in accordance with the steps of fig. 3A.
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart of steps for indexing a message to facilitate rapid search of a message's contents.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates the features of a hand held, solid state digital recording device 10.
  • the hand held recorder includes a casement 12 containing a microphone element 14, a speaker element 15, a printed circuit board 13 (fragmented view, figure IB) , and a recording medium 18 (partially visible) .
  • the printed circuit board 13 beneath the face of the casement 12 includes a microcontroller 20 with an internal read only memory (ROM) , said microcontroller being electrically coupled to the recording medium 18 and to switch assemblies 33 (multifunctional) and 36 (record) disposed on said circuit board 13 and appearing through openings in the casement 12.
  • ROM read only memory
  • Switch element 33 is a rocker-pad pivotally mounted upon a pivot support (not shown) .
  • the pivot support allows the rocker-pad 33 to tilt about said pivot support, being responsive to manual manipulation of said rocker-pad 33.
  • the rocker-pad 33 includes a periphery portion 30 with at least four lateral extremities 31a, 31b, 31c, 3Id having electrical contacts 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d (figure IB) beneath the rocker-pad 33 and parallel to the circuit board 13. Electrical switch terminals 22a, 22b, 22c,
  • rocker-pad 30 (figure IB) disposed under the rocker-pad 30 are aligned with said electrical contacts 32.
  • an electrical contact corresponding to the rocker-pad extremity 31 makes contact with a corresponding switch terminal 22.
  • the functions executable by manipulating the rocker-pad 33 are many, despite there being only four specific labels 31a, 31b, 31c, 3Id corresponding to the rocker- pad 33 extremities. The four labels are play 31a, fast-forward 3Id, pause 31b, and reverse 31c.
  • An electrical signal is produced by making an electrical contact between one of the electrical contacts 32 and the corresponding switch terminal 22 disposed beneath.
  • the signal goes to the microcontroller which determines which switch of the rocker-pad 33 was pressed, whether the record switch 36 was pressed, or a combination of the two.
  • the microcontroller accesses the appropriate segment of internal ROM memory containing the instructions for executing the appropriate function.
  • the switch assemblies 33 and 36 may also be operated in conjunction to produce an electrical signal defining a process that can not be activated by pressing a switch.
  • Switch assembly 36 is a manually operable record switch.
  • Switch terminal 24 (figure 1C) is disposed under the record switch 36 and aligned to make contact between an electrical contact 25 disposed beneath the record switch and the switch terminal 24 when the record switch 36 is pressed.
  • the electrical signal produced by depressing the record switch 36 also sends a signal to the microcontroller 20 which accesses the appropriate segment of ROM memory containing the instructions for executing whatever function is defined by pressing the record switch 36 alone or in conjunction with the multifunction switch 33.
  • Figure 2A is a flowchart of the steps for recording a message. Specifically, the present invention enables the user to begin a new recording without the delay typical of prior art recording media.
  • the present invention uses digital flash memory that is particularly suited to provide instantaneous access to a blank segment of memory as disclosed in the parent application.
  • digital flash memory that is particularly suited to provide instantaneous access to a blank segment of memory as disclosed in the parent application.
  • a preliminary step is to put the recorder in idle mode. This means that the recorder is not playing or recording.
  • Step 2 designated 120 shows that the user presses the record switch 36.
  • the user records a message, and a red LED 61 is lit. Because the flash memory provides rapid access to the next available memory segment, the user can begin speaking immediately.
  • Step 3 designated 130 shows that the user stops the recording by pressing and holding the pause switch
  • Step 4 designated 140 is not part of the record process, but illustrates one of the points of novelty of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram of the flash memory digital structure used in the present invention.
  • the box 130 represents a possible division of memory into messages and unused memory segments.
  • Box 140 reflects the actual memory structure after recording the message E. As shown, the message begins immediately following the last recorded message, message D. The blank memory segment between messages A and C created by the deletion of a message B is unavailable for use until memory space is optimized.
  • Box 150 shows that functionally, the messages are arranged as shown, appearing to be contiguous, and if played back, messages A, C, D and E would play as if no physical gaps appeared between them. As explained, not all memory is available for use until memory is optimized.
  • Figure 3A is a flowchart of the steps for determining whether recording media is defective. By following the steps disclosed, defective memory segments cannot cause portions of a message to be lost.
  • Step 1 designated 210 is a preliminary step that requires the flash memory not be plugged into the recording device.
  • Step 2 designated 220 is the entire memory integrity verification process.
  • the user slides the flash memory into its slot in the recorder. After a few moments, both the green 60 and red 61 LEDs light. A few moments later, a tone sounds and the LEDs 60 and 61 are extinguished. While the LEDs were both lit, the integrity of the memory segments of the flash memory unit were tested. If any of the memory is found to be defective, the segment is marked. The recorder will not attempt to record to or read from a memory so marked. Therefore, no portion of a memory segment can be lost by erroneously recording to memory that was defective before the message was recorded.
  • An alternative method for causing the same verification of flash memory to be executed is accomplished by removing the batteries, and then reinstalling them. The recorder will run the same memory integrity verification. 10
  • FIG. 3B is a diagram of the flash digital memory structure used in the present invention.
  • the box 230 represents a possible division of memory into messages, unused memory segments, and defective media that is not marked as defective.
  • Box 240 reflects the actual memory structure after the memory integrity verification process has been executed, leaving the formerly defective but unmarked memory segment marked as defective. Functionally, the memory appears as shown in box 250. The defective marked media is simply ignored and does not interfere with recording or playing messages.
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart of the steps to index a message as it is being recorded. Indexing a message facilitates recalling significant portions of a message that a user wants to rapidly recall.
  • Step 1 designated 310 shows the preliminary step to the indexing process of placing the recorder in the idle mode. This means the recorder is not playing or recording.
  • Step 2 designated 320 shows that the user presses the record switch 36, lighting the red LED 61.
  • Step 3 designated 330 shows that anytime the user wishes to index a message for rapid recall, the user simply presses the record switch 36 again. In effect, the user has begun a new message. However, it is important to remember that messages are recorded in sequence on the flash memory. Playing back messages will cause all messages to play until manually stopped. Because there are no time gaps between the playing of messages in the present invention, the message will appear as a single continuous message. However, the message has been indexed.
  • Step 4 designated 340 illustrates one of the points of novelty, that the user can jump to any index mark of the recorded message by simply pressing the fast-forward switch 3Id to move forward among index marks, and pressing the reverse switch 31c to move backward.

Landscapes

  • Signal Processing For Digital Recording And Reproducing (AREA)

Abstract

Il s'agit d'un appareil enregistreur numérique transistorisé (10) tenant dans la main et qui comporte un interrupteur multifonctions (30). Une carte à circuit imprimé comprenant un microrégisseur relié aux bornes de l'interrupteur gère la conversion des signaux sonores en signaux électriques et les stocke sur un support d'enregistrement numérique. L'interrupteur multifonctions (30) permet de lancer des signaux électriques au microrégisseur susmentionné, ce qui va déclencher une suite d'actions (ou programme) stockées dans une mémoire ROM. Plusieurs programmes peuvent être lancés pour enregistrer instantanément un message, vérifier le bon état du support d'enregistrement et indexer un message enregistré afin de pouvoir le retrouver rapidement.
PCT/US1995/014939 1994-11-15 1995-11-15 Appareil enregistreur tenant dans la main WO1996015524A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU41634/96A AU4163496A (en) 1994-11-15 1995-11-15 Method for recording in hand-held recorder

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US33997694A 1994-11-15 1994-11-15
US08/339,976 1994-11-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996015524A1 true WO1996015524A1 (fr) 1996-05-23

Family

ID=23331374

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1995/014939 WO1996015524A1 (fr) 1994-11-15 1995-11-15 Appareil enregistreur tenant dans la main

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4163496A (fr)
WO (1) WO1996015524A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2325547B (en) * 1997-05-23 2000-04-19 Texas Instruments Ltd Improvements in or relating to data communications

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4468751A (en) * 1981-05-11 1984-08-28 Lanier Business Products, Inc. Dictation recording and transcribing system with variable playback sequence
US4687200A (en) * 1983-08-05 1987-08-18 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Multi-directional switch
EP0402911A2 (fr) * 1989-06-14 1990-12-19 Hitachi, Ltd. Système de traitement d'information
US5394445A (en) * 1993-06-25 1995-02-28 Ball; Randel H. Telephone call screening and answering device
US5398220A (en) * 1992-04-06 1995-03-14 Barker; Bruce J. Portable dictation recording device having a mechanism for transmitting recorded dictation to a remote device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4468751A (en) * 1981-05-11 1984-08-28 Lanier Business Products, Inc. Dictation recording and transcribing system with variable playback sequence
US4687200A (en) * 1983-08-05 1987-08-18 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Multi-directional switch
EP0402911A2 (fr) * 1989-06-14 1990-12-19 Hitachi, Ltd. Système de traitement d'information
US5398220A (en) * 1992-04-06 1995-03-14 Barker; Bruce J. Portable dictation recording device having a mechanism for transmitting recorded dictation to a remote device
US5394445A (en) * 1993-06-25 1995-02-28 Ball; Randel H. Telephone call screening and answering device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
MICROSOFT PRESS COMPUTER DICTIONARY, 2nd Edition, 1994, page 168, DOYLE Editor. *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2325547B (en) * 1997-05-23 2000-04-19 Texas Instruments Ltd Improvements in or relating to data communications

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4163496A (en) 1996-06-06

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