Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Digital audio data processing system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-24
2001-11-06
Isen, Forester W. (Department: 2644)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Digital audio data processing system
C381S091000, C360S137000, C360S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314331
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sound recording devices.
There are available in the market a variety of different kinds of sound recording devices intended for use in offices, medical facilities and so forth. For example, compact portable recorders which record voice signals on a tape cassette or a removable solid state memory card are in wide-spread use. Desk-top recorders are also widely used. Typical desk-top recorders include a desk-top unit which includes a tape-cassette deck or a receptacle for a memory card, and a hand microphone which is connected to the desk-top unit by a cord or cable.
It is also known to employ central dictation systems of the type in which the recording medium (such as a magnetic tape or a computer hard disk) is housed in a central recording unit that is located remotely from users of the system. Dictation terminals including a handset are provided at the user locations and are connected to the central recording unit by telephone or dedicated communication lines.
It is customary that portable recorders, hand microphones and dictation terminal handsets include, in addition to a microphone, a number of manually operable switches which permit the user to control basic functions such as record, stop, play, rewind and fast forward. It would be desirable to increase the number of functions controlled through the user interface, but without increasing the number of control switches, since increasing the number of switches is likely to increase the size and manufacturing cost of the portable recorder, hand microphone, or dictation terminal.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable sound recording system in which a user may access more than one type of recording function by actuating only a single record button.
A sound recording system provided in accordance with the invention includes a hand microphone, a plurality of operating switches mounted on the hand microphone and including a record switch, a sound recording device for recording sound information generated at the hand microphone, circuitry for providing a signal path between the hand microphone and the sound recording device, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the sound recording device. The response provided by the control circuitry to actuation of the record switch depends on the length of 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 sound recording system 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 modes 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 actively 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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4050088 (1977-09-01), Okuda
patent: 4213583 (1980-07-01), Mitani et al.
patent: 4686587 (1987-08-01), Hipp et al.
patent: 4817127 (1989-03-01), Chamberlin et al.
patent: 5245694 (1993-09-01), Zwern
patent: 5491774 (1996-02-01), Norris et al.
patent: 5542103 (1996-07-01), Mottier et al.
patent: 5548832 (1996-08-01), Karam
patent: 5583382 (1996-12-01), Wagner
patent: 5689802 (1997-11-01), Luzzatto
patent: 5828730 (1998-10-01), Zebryk et al.
patent: 5841979 (1998-11-01), Schulhof et al.
patent: 5842170 (1998-11-01), Daberko et al.
patent: 6031915 (2000-02-01), Okano et al.
Dictaphone Corporation
Grier Laura A.
Isen Forester W.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Neff Gregor N.
LandOfFree
Enhanced user control operations for sound recording system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Enhanced user control operations for sound recording system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Enhanced user control operations for sound recording system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613482