Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Recording on or reproducing from an element of diverse utility
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-18
2003-06-10
Holder, Regina N. (Department: 2651)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Recording on or reproducing from an element of diverse utility
C360S117000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06577458
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention pertains generally to an audio recorder and play device and method. More particularly, this invention pertains to an innovative device and method providing the functionality for recording an audio message, providing a mobile medium of recorded data for placement on various objects, and reading and playback of the audio message from the mobile medium.
BACKGROUND ART
Currently, recording systems for capturing audio data are well known in the art. These systems include audio recorders and various components for data capture. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,635 to Schiff, et al. discloses a card adapter attachment for a cassette tape recorder, wherein the attachment fits into a tape storage space of the recorder and provides a channel for guiding a magnetic card past the playback transducer. Similarly, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,875 to Tataram, et al. discloses a cassette and card recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on a magnetic recording medium in the form of a tape contained in a cassette and being movable in a run along a side of the cassette, or in the form of a card having a magnetic stripe or band affixed thereto parallel to an edge portion of the card. Such art, however, fails to provide its own record medium having the recorded audio message where the medium can be mechanically associated with an object independent of said recording apparatus or card and still cooperate with a reading and playback device for producing the recorded audio message. Thus the user of such a device must first procure suitable media, such as cassette tape, for use with a recording device, record an audio message with the recorder and transmit to the medium, then remove and store the medium. Typically, storage potential does not include an option for storage with an object associated with the message; e.g., client files having paper documentation related to the audio message or an option to store the medium at a locale conducive to playback, when required. Thus, the user must expend unnecessary effort remembering the location of the medium and retrieving the medium before the recorded message can be heard. Additionally, the playback apparatus for playing the recorded message may not facilitate mobile playback operations. This results in cumbersome manual operations such as positioning the playback device, loading the cassette tape having the message in a playback device or swiping a card having a magnetic stripe with the message encoded thereon through a playback device with a card reader component.
Other devices in this field include the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,393 to Budrose for reading pre-recorded audio from magnetic media. While this provides for playback of an audio message, this device does not facilitate conversion of the audio data to digital data, or the ability to read and replay an audio message stored in digital format. The device does not permit the user to record messages for storage with an associated object. Another handheld device is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,007 to Laghaie for recording and reproducing electromagnetic impulses printed on paper and printed book. The device does not provide a record medium geared to placement on an associated object. Significantly, none of the previously mentioned devices provides the functionality necessary to record an audio message in real time, convert the audio to digital data, and transmit the data to a computer system or other device for further use.
Yet other devices for audio capture and replay include U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,375 to Freeman that discloses a data reading apparatus for manually and selectively controlling input data to a speech synthesizer at an incremental level having the facility to input data at a rate of speed approximating the normal speech rate. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,104 to Moshfeghi et al. discloses user equipment devices that are configured for speech synthesis in which audible messages are generated. Such devices are useful for text-to-speech synthesis, but do not provide for capture and generation of audio messages generated by humans. Further, play of a synthesized message does not aptly convey the prosody of the human voice to the listener, an important attribute for determining meaning and content based on verbal intonation, rhythm, speaker identification and so forth.
The current art also provides a device for playing and/or recording upon insertable magnetic record sheets which can be affixed to the reverse side of a photograph, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,058 to Johnson. The message associated with the record sheet can be played by insertion of the sheet into the device. This invention, however, fails to provide digital functionality. Further, it fails to provide for an adaptable medium integrally coexisting with the recording device where, after recordation of a message, the medium can easily be affixed to objects of various sizes and constructs. Finally, the device is constrained in its design to playback of messages on unattached sheets or to sheet attached to a narrow range of objects such as a greeting card or a photograph. Thus, a user of the device cannot, for example, record or playback an audio message for affixation to an antique vase or other large, three-dimensional objects of unique or substantial mass or surface area.
What is needed, therefore, is a system for ready recordation in real time of an audio message, whereby the system captures with absolute accuracy the audio and emotional modulation of the original message, converts the recorded message to a digital format, and stores the message on a record medium integrally associated with the system. The system should further provide the record medium with recorded message to the user such that the user can removably affix the record medium to a wide range of objects. The system should easily facilitate read, decode, and playback functionality for the recorded message without necessitating removal of the record medium from the object to which it is affixed. Further, it is desirable for such a device and medium to promote playback of an audio message in a format that retains the modulation qualities and characteristics of the original audio message. Such a system should be compact and mobile for ease of use, with accommodations for multiple power sources. Finally, such a system should possess the capability to store and forward audio messages in digital format, for use with computer systems and computer-related devices.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the deficiencies found in the prior art with just such a system and method, and provides a comprehensive solution for recordation and playback of audio messages. The system and method incorporate the means necessary to generate a record medium capable of removable affixation to any type of object. Once affixed to the object, the record medium can be scanned for playback of the audio message in true quality form, without removal of the record medium from the object. In certain embodiments, a scanned message can be stored and forwarded in digital format to a computer system or the like for capture of data associated with the message; e.g., a digital diary of companies, clients or objects, etc.
In one embodiment, the system includes a base unit, a record medium on which the base unit records an audio message; and an independent or integrated handheld unit for playback of the recorded message from the record medium. The base unit generally comprises a housing, a microphone for capture of the audio message in real time, true form and a first speaker to facilitate an audio test prior to recordation on the record medium; e.g., playback of the captured message prior to generation of the record medium. Certain embodiments include a converter for conversion of the audio analog data to/from digital data. Various embodiments include an encoder for capture of a timing sequence associated with the rate of speech originally recorded. The base unit records the
Holder Regina N.
LaRiviere Grubman & Payne, LLP
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