WO1996025738A1

WO1996025738A1 - Portable digital dictation device with remote communication

Info

Publication number: WO1996025738A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/001736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael H. Lehmann
Original assignee: Lehmann Michael H
Priority date: 1995-02-16
Filing date: 1996-02-08
Publication date: 1996-08-22
Also published as: AU4975596A

Abstract

The hand-held dictation device (12) includes a microphone (24) for receiving audio signals and converting same to electrical signals. The electrical signals are compressed and stored in a memory (42), such as RAM. The audio information may either be played back by the dictation device (12) in whole or in part, modified, or may be electrically transferred through a self-contained modem (56) to a remote location for transcription.

Description

PORTABLE DIGITAL DICTATION DEVICE WITH REMOTE COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a portable dictation device or machine which is generally hand-held during operation and which records and stores dictation for subsequent transmission to a remote location for transcription.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hand-held or pocket dictation machines for recording speech or voice signals are commonly known in the art. Such dictation machines record speech signals on magnetic tapes accommodated in cassettes as set forth in United States Patent Number 5,319,620, issued June 7, 1994 in the name of Hohenbuchler et al. The patent discloses a pocket dictation machine which provides typical dictation machine functions. The patent is directed toward modifying the standard dictation machine system to provide transcription by the same unit with minimal additional expenditure, i.e., a foot switch may be connected to the dictation machine to provide replay of the information. This will prevent the necessity for the storage medium to be removed from the dictation machine. Storage mediums for speech signals disclosed in this patent may be on a rotatable storage disk which can be inscribed and scanned magnetically or electro- optically, or a semi-conductor memory incorporated in a printed-circuit card adapted to be inserted into the holder compartment, or a semi-conductor memory which is fixedly mounted in the holder compartment. In regard to the disclosure of the semi-conductor memory, it is stated that the speech signals to be stored are subjected to an analog/digital conversion in known manner prior to their storage and are loaded into the semi¬ conductor memory in digital form.

United States Patent Number 5,283,885, issued February 1, 1994, to Hollerbauer discloses a portable dictation system that digitally records and reproduces data, and which has a removable storage medium. The invention is directed toward a refreshing module. However, there is no disclosure of transmission over a communication line of the stored data.

These hand-held, portable systems are not capable of transmitting the stored information to remote locations for transcription.

United States Patent Number 5,179,627, issued January 12, 1993, in the name of Sweet et al discloses a centralized digital dictation system and voice mail system. The system allows for the storage of messages or digital voice files, replay, modification of the voice files, scrolling, etc. The voice signals are compressed in digitized form for storage in a memory. Systems of this type are phone-in, centralized dictation systems. These systems do not disclose a hand-held, remotely operable machine nor a storable device which can later transmit voice files.

Other systems which disclose dictation systems utilizing digital memory storage mediums include United States Patent Number 3,777,072, to Kolpek et al, German Patent Number 3,429,769, and a publication entitled Dictation System, by H.R. Grubb, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, volume 22, number 4, September, 1979, pages 1327-1328.

Commercially available portable digital voice storage devices include Voice Organizer™ by Voice Powered Technology and Flashback™ by Norris Communication. These devices lack remote voice file transfer capability within the same unit. There are also commercially available notebook computers, such as Toshiba T4900CT, or personal communication devices, such as MagicLink™ by Sony, with audio storage capability and plug-in or built- in modems. These systems, however, are not dedicated hand-held dictation devices allowing storage and editing of voice files for subsequent transmission, while also having the capability of being held and operated by a single hand during dictation, free of the need for on-going visually guided selection and monitoring of voice file storage and editing functions.

The problem with the prior art systems is that they fail to allow for the storage of edited speech signals in a single, dedicated hand-held unit which also has the capability of transferring the stored speech signals to a remote location for subsequent transcription.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward a dictation assembly for storing and communicating audio information. The assembly comprises a hand¬ held, portable housing. The portable housing encloses actuator means having a record condition, rewind condition, and play-back condition. Microphone means is included for receiving audio information and converting same to electrical signals. Controller means is included within the housing for receiving, compressing and storing the electrical signals as an electronic text of compressed audio information during the record condition and allowing editing of a portion of the electronic text during the rewind condition. The controller means is characterized by including communication means within the housing for electronically transmitting the electronic text to a remote location for transcription.

Advantages of the invention include a hand-held device with the ability to store speech or audio signals in memory during dictation, play the stored audio signals in whole or in part, modify any portion of the audio signals, all with simple controls which do not require continued visual monitoring, and subsequently transfer the stored audio text from the portable unit to a remote location for transcription. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the dictation/transcription system; Figure 2 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the dictation assembly; and

Figures 3a and 3b are flowcharts of the processor of the dictation assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A dictation/transcription system of the type allowing remote recording or dictation of voice files and subsequent communication or transfer thereof is illustrated at 10 in Figure 1. The dictation/transcription system 10 generally includes a portable, hand-held dictation assembly 12 being operable to store voice or speech signals for subsequent transmission thereof through a separable connector 14 to a transcription assembly 16 through single hand usage and operation.

The dictation assembly 12 is generally comprised of a portable housing 18 which is of the size to be held in one hand and operated by the same hand during normal dictation operations. The portable housing 18 generally includes actuator means 20 on the exterior thereof to allow selection of an off condition, record condition, play condition, rewind condition, insert condition, and any other conditions or functions as desired and subsequently discussed. The actuator means 20 is shown to be generally a functional keypad having numbers and dedicated functions associated therewith. Alternatively, the actuator means may be any other type of switch which is manually moveable to various positions to indicate the selected function. Other functions may be included as subsequently discussed. However, it is to be understood that any of the functions may be implemented through the push button switch or keypad 20, as subsequently discussed.

The keypad 20 allows input of various information, commands and programming, as required. The keypad 20 is used to input a destination modem telephone number indicative of the location of destination for the transferred information, as subsequently discussed. The keypad 20 may also be set up to respond as function keys 0-9 in specified modes to perform the dictation functions and for any other typical recording functions as desired.

The actuator means 20 also includes a plurality of function keys 80, 82, 84, 86 to set the assembly 12 in the modes of: dictation 80, file 82, modem transfer 84, and PC transfer 86, as subsequently discussed.

The dictation assembly 12 also may include display means 23 for displaying any of the modes selected by function keys 80, 82, 84 and 86, programming effected via keypad 20, such as the destination telephone number for modem operation, or messages related to modem transmission or PC transfer.

The dictation assembly 12 also includes microphone means 24 connected on the housing 18 for receiving audio information or signals and converting same to electrical signals. The microphone means 24 may be a typical microphone, as commonly known in the art, which receives the audio information or speech signals external the housing 18 and converts same into electrical signals. The assembly 12 includes speaker means 30 for producing audible tones or signals to re-play the input audio information. Such speaker 30 may be that as commonly known in the art.

The dictation assembly 12 also includes controller means 26 enclosed within the housing 18 for receiving and storing electrical signals representing audio information in electronic form during the record condition. The controller means 26 is characterized by including communication means 28 connected within the housing 18 to electronically output or transmit the electrical files of information, as subsequently discussed. The controller means 26 includes memory means 42 for electronically storing the electronic files or audio information. More specifically, the memory means 42 preferably comprises a random access memory (RAM) of suitable capacity to allow minutes of voice recording. The audio information is stored in digital form. It is to be understood that various modes or methods of storage of signals are available, include magnetic tape, optical, flash RAM, etc. The memory 42 may also be used to store general operating information in uncompressed form, e.g., file names or numbers, telephone numbers, software programs for the processor 60, etc.

The controller means 26 includes storing means 32 for converting the electrical signals from the microphone 24 to the electronic text or files, and for storing same in digital form in the memory 42 during dictation mode actuated by the dictation function button 80. The storing means 32 receives the electrical signal from the microphone 24 through an amplifier 34 and band pass filter 36 for amplifying and filtering the electrical signal producing a filtered electrical signal. The storing means 32 also includes an analog to digital converter means 38 for converting the filtered electrical signal to a digital signal. Compressor means 40 is included for compressing the digital signal prior to storage in memory 42. The memory means 42 digitally stores the electronic text, and more specifically the compressed digital signal from the compressor means 40. Compression of the digital signal allows for additional information to be stored within the limited memory space 42. It is generally preferred to have at least twenty minutes of recording time. The compressor means 40 comprises electronic circuitry or other electronic device, as commonly known in the art of digital circuitry and audio storage, to condense the signals for storage, i.e., utilize less storage space. The compressor means 40 may be of the linear predictive coding type. Further, the analog to digital convertor means 38 is also commonly known in the art and may commonly incorporate a typical sample/hold circuit as desired.

The controller means 26 also includes output means 44 for replaying the stored audio text or file as an audible signal through the speaker means 30 during dictation mode. The output means 44 includes decompressor means 46 for receiving the stored electronic text or file from the memory 42 and for decompressing same to produce an output digital signal. The decompressor means 46 performs the opposite function to that of the compressor means 40. A digital to analog converter means 48 receives the output digital signal and produces an output analog signal representative of the electronic text. The output analog signal is transferred to a bandpass filter 50 and a power amplifier 52 for transmission to the speaker means 30. The components forming the decompressor means 46, digital to analog convertor 48, bandpass filter 50, and power amplifier 52 are commonly available and known in the art.

The controller means 26 also includes the communication means 28. The communication means 28 more specifically includes output connector means 54 for receiving the external removable electrical connector 14 to transfer the electronic text during modem transfer mode actuated by the modem transfer function button 84. Such output connector means 54 may be an electrical plug or jack. The communication means 28 also includes transfer means 56 for reading the electronic text or files and converting same into an electrical output signal representative of the audio text. In the preferred embodiment, the transfer means 56 includes a modem for receiving the compressed text information from memory 42 and transferring same along the separable conductor 14. The modem 56 is also common in the art. It is important to allow the stored audio information to be transmitted external to the dictation assembly 12 through the connector 54 to a remote location via telephone lines 90. The output connector 54 may optionally be plugged into a different type of external communication device, i.e., radio frequency, optical, etc., to transfer information other than by telephone line communication.

The controller means 26 also includes direct connection means 29 comprising a connector for allowing direct connection to a computer (not shown) for direct transfer of stored information from memory 42 to the computer over standard I/O transmission lines, i.e., in the case a person is located directly at a computer, as opposed to a person remotely transferring information over a telephone line 90. The controller means 26 may also receive information for storage in memory 42 from the computer through connection means 29. These export/import functions occur in PC transfer mode actuated by the PC function button 86.

It is to be understood that once audio information is stored by the dictation assembly 12 in the memory 42, the audio information is stored until such information is either rewritten or transferred from memory 42 through the modem 56 to the remote transcription assembly 16.

The controller means 26 includes processor means 60 for controlling the sequence of each of the previous mentioned components along with any other functions. The processor means 60 is best illustrated in Figure 2 and generally includes a microprocessor or microcomputer implementing software following the flowchart illustrated in Figures 3a-3b. Other functions and features of operation of the dictation assembly 12 may be added, which features are known in other recording or dictation systems or computer processing systems. Furthermore, the processor means 60 would be associated with various timing circuitry and power supply, as is commonly known by one skilled in the art in circuit design.

The processor means 60 includes file means 59 to set up and associate a name to a separate file in memory 42 upon actuation of the file function button 82. A name or number may be input by the keypad 20 (the keypad numbers are used in this mode) to uniquely identify a file of information to subsequently be stored and later accessed. Once a file has been named, any information thereafter recorded is associated with the file until a new file is opened or named. For example, the user actuates the file function button 82, then types in the numbers 1-2-3 on the keypad 20. If the file 1-2-3 exists in memory 42, the current pointer is moved to the file's location in memory. If the file does not exist, a new file is created.

In the dictation mode actuated by the dictation function button 80, the keypad 20 associates each numbered key with a dedicated function, e.g., 1 - volume increase, 2 - not used, 3 - volume decrease, 4 - rewind, 5 - record, 6 - insert, 7 - scan back to marker, 8 - stop/play, 9 - scan forward to next marker, 0 - insert marker.

Each will be subsequently described. It should be understood that other functions may be utilized. Furthermore, each or some of the keys on the keypad may be uniquely shaped to allow a user to determine selected function based on the feel of the key shape, so that while dictating with the microphone 24 near the user's mouth, visual verification or determination of the functions is not necessary.

The processor 60 includes recording means 62 for recording any audio signals received when the record condition is actuated while the record button (#5) on keypad 20 is depressed. The recording means 62 responds to the actuator means 20 to turn on or power the amplifier 34, A/D converter 38, compressor circuit 40 for storage in the RAM 42. The audio information may be stored in discrete blocks in a formatted RAM 42 for simplicity in accessing and replaying same. Furthermore, separate files or information may be formed by the user by depressing the marker/end-of- file button (#0) on the keypad 20, which sets a EOF flag in memory. Such function may be implemented by either a button or the keypad 20. Furthermore, markers for scanning purposes may be set at various locations within a file for ease of searching the memory 42. Such markers may be input in memory during dictation by depression of the marker button on the keypad 20 and actuation of marker means 71. At the end of the recording, the processor 60 may set an end flag to indicate no further audio information has been stored in memory 42, which will cause the processor 60 to stop in the play condition at such end flag.

The processor means 60 also includes rewind means 63 for allowing the memory 42 to be "rewound," i.e., stepped through in reverse order from the most recent stored information or current location pointer. Such rewinding can be accomplished by stepping through the blocks of information by use of a current position pointer to designate the recorder position in memory 42 by use of the rewind key(s) .

Also included is replay means 64 for responding to the actuator means 20 indicating the play condition (#8) . Such replay means 64 allows the audio information in the memory 42 to be replayed. The replay means 64 plays without erasing the rewound information after using the rewind condition, i.e., from the current position pointer to the end flag. The replay means 64 controls the decompressor 46, D/A converter 48 and filter/amplifier 50, 52 for reproduction by the speaker 30. The replay means 64 toggles between playing and stopping.

Furthermore, scan functions may be selected to actuate the reverse and forward scan means 67, 69 by reverse (#7) and forward (#9) scan to marker buttons. The scan means 67, 69 allows a user to either reverse scan from the end flag or forward scan after rewind, respectively, to stop at each marker or end of file flag, to allow the user to play and listen to specific portions of the stored audio information.

If after a rewind, the recording condition (#5) is selected, the memory 42 will be rewritten with any new audio information received, from the pointer on forward, unless the insert function is selected.

When the insert function is selected by the insert button (#6) on the actuator means 20, the insert means 65 is operated. The insert means 65 allows a portion of audio information to be inserted at the current position pointer so that no old information is written over and erased. The inserted information is ended by reactuating insert function. A block of memory will be established for the insert and an insert pointer utilized to call up the address of the inserted block when the file is played or transferred. Such technique is known in computer programming.

The volume buttons (#1 and #3) actuate volume means 59 to either increase or decrease the volume of replay.

The processor means 60 also includes transfer means 66 for transferring the audio information or file from the memory 42 through the communication means 28. The transfer means 66 may be responsive to the modem transfer function button 84 to take the assembly 12 out of dictation mode and place in modem transfer mode when the conductor 14 is plugged in, allowing all recorded audio files in memory 42 to be dumped, or selected files transferred as designated through the keypad 20. The transfer means 66 accesses the RAM 42 to transmit the compressed audio information to the modem 56 upon depression of a send key 88, which in turn formats the data for transmission over a telephone line 90 via connector wire 14 through the output connector 54. The modem 56 utilizes the destination modem numbers entered via the keypad 20, to connect to the proper destination modem 70 via telephone lines.

The direct or PC transfer means 61 may be selected to transfer files or memory contents through the connector 29 to a computer memory or file system without modem use through the PC transfer function button 86. Keys on the keypad 20 may designate the sending of information (#2) and the receiving of information (#5) .

The assembly 12 is powered by an internal battery 79. A power button 78 turns the assembly 12 on and off to save battery power life.

Other typical functions and features of dictation systems may be adapted to the dictation assembly 12, such as fast forward, erase, etc. It is also to be understood that commonly available components may satisfy each of the functions and components herein.

The transcription assembly 16 as illustrated in Figure 1, includes a destination modem 70 and a controller 72. In the preferred embodiment, the transcription assembly 16 is based on digital processing and componentry, as with the transmitting recording assembly 16. However, other technology is feasible as known in the art.

The destination modem 70 complements the transferring modem 56 to convert the data to useable form for the controller 72. The controller 72 may be incorporated into a computer or a microprocessor based system which can receive the text information in digital form and play back such information as required for transcription. The controller 72 has the capability to receive and store the data in a memory upon receipt from the recording assembly 12, decompress the data by suitable decompressor circuitry or software, and play the audio information in audible form by a speaker. If digital circuitry is utilized, such components may be of the similar type as in the output means 44 of the dictation assembly 12.

It is to be understood that the functions and means of the dictation assembly 12 may be implemented by a dedicated integrated circuit chip or other combination of the integrated circuits including microprocessor and software, or exclusively by a programmed, multi-purpose digital signal processing/communication chip (DSP/modem chip by Motorola) .

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dictation assembly for storing and communicating audio information, said assembly comprising: a hand-held portable housing (18) ; actuator means (20) on said housing (18) having a record condition, rewind condition, and play-back condition; microphone means (24) within said housing

(18) for receiving audio information and converting same to electrical signals; controller means (26) within said housing (18) for receiving and storing said electrical signals as an electronic text of audio information during said record condition and for allowing editing of a portion of said electronic text during said rewind condition; said assembly characterized by said controller means (26) including communication means

(28) connected within said housing (18) for electronically transmitting said electronic text to a remote location for transcription.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said communication means (28) including output connector means (54) for receiving a removable electrical conductor (14) to transfer said electronic text.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said electrical conductor (14) connected to a telephone cable (90) .

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said communication means (28) including transfer means (56) for reading said electronic text and converting same into an electrical output signal representative of said text to transfer same to said output connector means (54) .

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by said controller means (26) including memory means (42) for digitally storing said electronic text.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said controller means (26) including storing means (32) for converting said electric signals to said electronic text and storing same in said memory means (42) .

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said storing means (32) including a microphone (24) , an amplifier means (34) and filter means (36) for receiving and filtering said electric signal producing a filtered signal.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said storing means (32) including analog to digital converter means (38) for converting said filtered signal to a digital signal.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said storing means (32) including compressor means (40) for compressing said digital signal and storing in said memory means (42) .

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said controller means (26) including output means (44) for playing said stored electronic text as an audible signal.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 further characterized by said output means (44) including decompressor means (46) for receiving said stored electronic text and decompressing to produce an output digital signal.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said output means (44) including digital to analog converter means (48) for receiving said output digital signal and for producing an output analog signal.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further characterized by said output means (44) including a filter means (50) , amplifier means (52) , and speaker means (30) for producing said audible signals mimicking said audio information.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said controller means (26) including processor means (60) for controlling said storing means (32) and said memory means (42) and said communication means (28) and said output means (44) .

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by said processor means (60) including recording means (62) for controlling said storing means (32) to store said audio information in said memory means (42) .

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 further characterized by said processor means (60) including rewind means (63) for moving a pointer sequentially through said blocks in said memory means (42) dependent on the time said actuator means (20) is in a rewind condition and establishing a pointer in said memory means (42) at a selected one of said blocks.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 further characterized by said processor means (60) including transfer means (66) for transferring said electronic text in said memory means (42) to said communication means and output connector (54) .

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 further characterized by said processor means (60) including file means (59) for receiving user input of a file name or number and storing same in said memory means to designate a new file of audio information.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 further characterized by said processor means (60) including replay means (64) for retrieving the audio information from said memory means and producing an audible duplication of the audio information through said speaker means (30) .

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said actuator means (20) including a keypad for selection of said conditions.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said actuator means (20) including a numeric keypad for allowing input of numeric information specifying a destination telephone number for a modem at a remote location or designating a file number to identify a file within which electrical signals are stored.

22. A dictation assembly for storing and communicating audio information, said assembly comprising: a hand-held portable housing (18) ; an actuator (20) on said housing (18) having a record condition, rewind condition, and play-back condition; a microphone (24) within said housing (18) for receiving audio information and converting same to electrical signals; a controller (26) within said housing (18) for receiving and storing said electrical signals as an electronic text of audio information during said record condition and for allowing editing of a portion of said electronic text during said rewind condition; said assembly characterized by said controller (26) including a communication circuit (28) connected within said housing (18) for electronically transmitting said electronic text to a remote location.

23. A system for storing and transferring audio information to a remote location, said system comprising: a portable, hand-held dictation assembly (12) ; a transcription assembly (16) separate and remote from said recorder assembly (12) ; said dictation assembly (12) including actuator means (20) on said housing (18) having a record condition, rewind condition, and play-back condition; microphone means (24) within said housing (18) for receiving audio information and converting same to electrical signals; controller means (26) within said housing (18) for receiving and storing said electrical signals as an electronic text of audio information during said record condition and for allowing editing of a portion of said electronic text during said rewind condition; and said controller means (26) including communication means (28) connected within said housing (18) for electronically transmitting said electronic text to a remote location for transcription; said transcription assembly (16) including receiver communication means for receiving and storing said electronic text and providing audible signals representative thereof; and removable conductor means (14) for removable connection with said recorder assembly and for connection with said transcription assembly

(16) for remote transmission of said electronic text.