Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Information location or remote operator actuated control – Dictation or transcribing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-02
2001-08-28
Neyzari, Ali (Department: 2651)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Information location or remote operator actuated control
Dictation or transcribing
C379S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282154
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to sound recording devices and, more particularly, to a portable hands-free device that digitally records and converts speech to text.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Doctors, nurses, and other health care workers often document various procedures by using a dictation device. The dictated material must eventually be transcribed. However, because a health care worker's hands must be used to perform certain procedures, dictation is not always possible and the healthcare worker must rely on his or her memory to transcribe the events at a later time. Any such delay in documenting a procedure can compromise the accuracy and detail thereof. Furthermore, such delays are often to be expected, as distractions, such as medical emergencies, are commonly encountered. The accuracy of such documentation can be crucial, however, particularly when the quality of the medical care becomes the subject of litigation.
In addition, health care workers often must ordinarily carry paper and/or forms on which certain patient information is immediately documented. Transporting and handling such documents is inconvenient. The present invention satisfies the above described problems by providing a portable device attachable to a user's clothing which digitally records and formats speech so that the speech may be automatically transcribed using voice recognition software.
The prior art includes a number of devices designed to record speech for playback or transcription. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,075, issued to Bergeron et al., entitled “VOICE PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH EDITABLE VOICE FILES” discloses a central dictation system which includes prerecorded standard voice files that can be selected, edited and later transcribed by the user.
Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,866, issued to Goldwasser et al., entitled “SPEECH TRANSCRIBING SYSTEM”. The Goldwasser et al. patent discloses a speech transcription apparatus which is capable of receiving speech from a plurality of individuals via dictation stations. A transcriber may immediately transcribe the speech from an individual under the control of a FIFO buffer memory.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,857, issued to Mersiovsky et al., entitled “SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING THE CONTROL OF AUDIO INFORMATION WITHIN A WORD PROCESSING DOCUMENT WITH AUDIO INPUT” discloses a word processing system that notifies the user when his or her voice is too soft or loud when recording an audio message. The system also allows the operator to indefinitely suspend recording by pressing the keyboard space bar.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,259, issued to Howes et al., entitled “VOICE MESSAGE RECOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD” discloses a system for storing voice messages in designated mailboxes.
Several portable voice recording systems have also been patented. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,571, issued to Ellermeier, entitled “DICTATION MACHINE WHICH IS HAND-HELD IN OPERATION” discloses a hand-held dictation machine which records speech on a magnetic-tape cassette.
Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,511, issued to Englehardt, entitled “PORTABLE DOCUMENTATION SYSTEM.” The Englehardt system discloses a portable device for recording speech into a specific predetermined data structure for later transmission to a computer for conversion into text. The device stores the speech using nonvolatile solid-state memory and transmits the data to a computer using an infrared transmitter.
It is therefore apparent that health care workers need to conveniently, accurately, and thoroughly document medical procedures during the performance thereof. None of the above devices, however, provides a portable hands-free documentation system that, in combination with a computer, automatically converts recorded speech to text according to the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hands-free voice recording and transcribing device comprising a portable recording unit including a housing attachable to a user's body and a storage medium, such as a high capacity floppy disk, received within the housing. A microphone is coupled to the housing, whereby circuitry therewithin converts analog voice signals from the microphone to digital signals and records the signals as data onto the storage medium. Various buttons on the housing are used to enter a security code to activate the recording assembly and to record or replay speech. The invention also includes a voice operated relay (VOX) for activating the record mode only upon detecting a user's voice.
The housing includes an output port for transmitting data from the recording unit to a computer via a cable for automatic conversion of the data into text. The portable housing also features a pen holder and an identification window for exposing an identification label on the storage medium when the medium is received therein.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device attachable to a user's body that allows a health care worker to digitally record speech while the worker is performing a given task.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a recording assembly that can transmit recorded voice data to a computer to automatically convert the data to text.
It is yet another object of the present invention to reduce the time associated with documenting medical procedures, thus allowing medical workers to devote more time to other tasks.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a recording assembly having a security means for denying access to unauthorized users.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable, digital voice recording assembly that uses removable storage media allowing multiple users to record and archive digitally recorded data.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4839857 (1989-06-01), Mersiovsky et al.
patent: 4908866 (1990-03-01), Goldwasser et al.
patent: 5235571 (1993-08-01), Ellermeier
patent: 5265075 (1993-11-01), Bergeron et al.
patent: 5353259 (1994-10-01), Howes et al.
patent: 5398220 (1995-03-01), Barker
patent: 5477511 (1995-12-01), Englehardt
patent: 5502694 (1996-03-01), Kwoh et al.
patent: 5548566 (1996-08-01), Barker
patent: 5818800 (1998-10-01), Barker
patent: 5995936 (1999-11-01), Brais et al.
patent: 6038199 (2000-03-01), Pawlowski et al.
Neyzari Ali
Tolar Kenneth L.
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