Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer conferencing – Demand based messaging
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-15
2001-04-03
Rinehart, Mark (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer conferencing
Demand based messaging
C709S207000, C709S231000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212551
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for sending audio data with text data as a single message to another location. In particular, the present invention relates to sending, via an e-mail system, a recorded audio portion of a message together with a text data portion of the message.
2. Description of the Related Art
Current e-mail systems allow for the sending and receiving of text data between different locations. However, such systems do not provide a convenient way to send an audio message together with text data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to allow for sending and receiving of messages between sites, with the messages including both text data and an audio message.
The above-mentioned object and other objects may be accomplished by a method of communicating via an electronic mail system. The method includes a step of creating a text portion of a message. The method also includes a step of recording an audio portion of the message. The method further includes a step of digitizing the audio portion. The method still further includes a step of coupling the digitized audio portion to the text portion to form a complete message. The method also includes the step of transmitting the complete message via the electronic mail system.
The above-mentioned object and other objects may also be accomplished by a method of communicating via an electronic mail system. The method includes a step of receiving a complete message from the electronic mail system. The method also includes a step of decoupling an audio portion of a message and a text portion of the message from the complete message. The method further includes a step of converting the audio portion to analog form. The method still further includes a step of displaying the text portion. The method also includes a step of broadcasting the audio portion.
The above-mentioned object and other objects may also be accomplished by an input device for an electronic mail system. The input device includes a text input unit and an audio input unit. The input device also includes a recording unit connected to the audio input unit for receiving an audio portion of a message from the audio input unit and recording the audio portion. The input device further includes a digitizing unit connected to the recording unit for digitizing the audio portion. The input device still further includes a first storage unit connected to the digitizing unit for storing the digitized audio portion. The input device also includes a second storage unit connected to the text input unit for storing a text portion of the message received from the text input unit. The input device also includes a coupling unit connected to the first and second storage units for receiving the digitized audio portion and the text portion and coupling the digitized audio portion and text portion into a complete message. The input device further includes a transmitting unit connected to the coupling unit for transmitting the complete message.
The above-mentioned object and other objects may also be accomplished by an output device for an electronic mail system. The output device includes a receiving unit for receiving a complete message from the electronic mail system. The output device also includes a decoupling unit connected to the receiving unit for receiving the complete message and decoupling a digitized audio portion and a text portion from the complete message. The output device further includes a first storage unit connected to the decoupling unit for storing the digitized audio portion. The output device still further includes a second storage unit connected to the decoupling unit for storing the text portion. The output device even still further includes a converting unit connected to the first storage unit for converting the digitized audio portion to an analog audio portion. The output device also includes an audio output unit connected to the converting unit for receiving the analog audio portion and broadcasting audio corresponding to the analog audio portion. The output device further includes a display unit connected to the second storage unit for displaying the text portion.
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Asghar Safdar M.
Champagne Gerald D.
Advanced Micro Devices , Inc.
Cardone Jason D.
Foley & Lardner
Rinehart Mark
LandOfFree
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