Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Digital audio data processing system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-31
2001-11-20
Isen, Forester W. (Department: 2644)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Digital audio data processing system
C360S137000, C360S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321129
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to portable sound recording devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable sound recording devices are well known. For many years, very compact portable tape recorders have been available in a size which fits comfortably in the palm of the user's hand. These portable recorders are used to record spoken words or other sounds in analog form on removable magnetic tape cassettes. Subsequently, palm-size digital audio tape recorders were introduced, and still more recently, compact devices which record digitized sound signals on embedded or removable solid state recording media have come on the market.
Many of the known compact recorders provide basic functions such as record, stop, play, rewind and fast forward. To permit a user to selectively actuate these functions, a number of manually operable switches are typically provided on the housing of the recorder.
It would be desirable to provide additional functions in a compact sound recorder without increasing the number of switches, since adding further switches tends to increase the cost of manufacturing the recorder, and may also require the size of the recorder to be increased.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable sound recorder in which a user may access more than one type of recording function by actuating only a single record button.
A portable sound recording device provided in accordance with the invention includes a microphone, a speaker, and recording/playback circuitry connected to the microphone and speaker. The recording/playback circuitry includes a recording medium, such as a removable solid state memory card, on which a sound signal is recorded and from which the sound signal is reproduced. A control circuit such as a microprocessor controls the operations of the recording/playback circuitry, on the basis of input signals generated by a user by means of an operating switch matrix. As an alternative to the switch matrix, a linear array of switches connected to a voltage divider may be utilized. The switch matrix includes a record switch. The response provided by the control circuitry to actuation of the record switch depends on the period of time during which the record switch is maintained in an actuated position. If the record switch is placed in an actuated position for only a brief period of time (say, less than one second) the control switch changes the recording device over from a stop mode to a record mode. That is, if the recording device is in the stop mode at the time that the brief actuation of the record switch occurs, then the recording device is placed into the record mode, and the record mode is maintained indefinitely.
On the other hand, if the record switch is maintained in an actuated position for an extended period of time, say, one second or more, then the recording device is maintained in the record mode, and the record mode continues only so long as the record switch is maintained in the actuated position.
The present invention permits a record-lock function to be added to a portable recorder without adding another control switch or a further control position to an existing switch. Moreover, the user's selection between record-lock and controlled-duration recording is quite intuitive. If recording for an indefinite period is desired, the user actuates the record switch briefly and then takes no further action as recording continues. If the user wishes to control the duration of the recording mode, he or she simply keeps the record switch in its actuated position for as long as recording is desired. There is no requirement that the user be aware of what mode the recorder is in or that the user consciously navigate among various modes. In effect, the recorder adapts itself to the user's desired mode of operation.
The foregoing, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like components and parts throughout.
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Dictaphone Corporation
Grier Laura A.
Isen Forester W.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Neff Gregor N.
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