Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1992-03-16
2001-07-24
Homere, Jean R. (Department: 2177)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C379S067100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266674
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to method and apparatus for storing information wherein a user defines labels which relate to the stored information and the user defines a data structure, for example, a hierarchical structure, comprised of such labels and to method and apparatus for retrieving the stored information wherein the user randomly accesses the information utilizing the labels and the data structure. In particular, the information may be input in the form of audio input such as speech, music, and the like; facsimile (FAX); text; combinations thereof; and so forth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several techniques exist in the art for storing and retrieving information such as, for example, speech information. One technique frequently employed is a written list. This technique has a drawback in that locating, sorting, and restructuring the information in the written list can prove to be prohibitively cumbersome when long lists are used. A cassette tape recorder is another example of a technique which exists in the art for storing and retrieving information in the form of speech information. This technique has a drawback in that storing and/or retrieving information is limited to sequential access to the information. While fast-forward and fast-rewind functions available with some tape recorders enable one to access a predetermined portion of a tape in a reasonably short amount of time, in general, one is required to perform several forward-play or reverse-play operations to locate a specific segment of the tape. In addition, retrieval of information from the tape typically requires one to have knowledge of at least a portion of the information—stored as a speech passage—or knowledge of the location of the information.
In light of the above, there is a need in the art for method and apparatus for storing and retrieving information which enable a user to access the information randomly in a manner which can be customized by the user who enters the information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention advantageously satisfy the above-identified need in the art and provide method and apparatus for storing and retrieving information which enables a user to access the information randomly in a manner which can be customized by the user who enters the information. In accordance with the present information, a user defines labels which relate to the stored information and the user defines a data structure, for example, a hierarchical structure, comprised of such labels. As will be described in detail below, the user-defined labels and the user-defined data structure advantageously combine to provide quick and easy random access to stored information.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is used in connection with the storage of audio information such as speech information, music and the like, whenever a user speaks into a microphone, the user defines a portion of the speech to serve as a label by a label-defining process such as, for example, pressing a pad on a keypad device. Although the label-defining process may take place at any time, including after the speech is stored, the label-defining process preferably occurs when the user enters the speech. Further, although the user may define a label to comprise any portion of an input speech segment, it is advantageous for the user to define labels which identify key elements of the speech.
In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the user may define a data structure, such as a hierarchical structure, for the labels. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user may delete and/or reorder labels to refine the data structure.
In order to enter a new label into the data structure or to replay stored information, embodiments of the present invention provide means for searching through the data structure to select portions thereof at which to: (a) insert a new label along with the information it represents; (b) replay information a label represents; (c) delete a label; or (d) reorder labels. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a keypad is provided with pads to select movement up, down, to the right, and to the left in the hierarchical structure. Further, the keypad is provided with keys to cause insertion, deletion or interchange of labels; replay of labels and replay of stored information. Further, in the preferred embodiment, up, down, left, and right directional arrows are provided to show a user which directions of movement are permitted at a particular point in the hierarchical structure.
Although the above-described embodiments of the present invention relate to information which is input in the form of audio information such as speech, music and the like, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. As such, the present invention contemplates embodiments wherein the information may be input in the form of speech, facsimile information (“FAX”), text information, and mixed forms of information such as speech and FAX, FAX and text, and so forth. Further, embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated wherein the form of information may be transformed from one form or group of forms to another so that the data may be input in one form and output in another form.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4914586 (1990-04-01), Swinehart
patent: 5179658 (1993-01-01), Izawa
patent: 5231670 (1993-07-01), Goldhor
Maxemchuk, “An Experimental Speech Storage and Editing Facility”, Oct. 1980, pp 1383-1395, Bell System Technical Journal.
Einschlag Michael B.
Homere Jean R.
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