Dictation system featuring paragraph editing, special notations and sentence extension

Claim 2

A dictation system for recording and reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells; first indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said first indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medium; second indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; sequence means responsive to indicia from said first indicia means and to indicia from said second indicia means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; and split means selectively controlled by an operator for splitting a plurality of sentences of a selected paragraph into two or more paragraphs each comprising at least one sentence segment, said split means being operable to revise the sequence record maintained by said sequence means to reflect the split arrangement of sentences and paragraphs selected by said operator.

Claim 3

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium, having a plurality of storage cells storing audio segments dictated by an operator, such as sentences, with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; first indicia on said record medium indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; second indicia on said record medium indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; sensing means for sensing and providing signals representative of said first indicia and of said second indicia; sequence means responsive to signals from said sensing means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; and split means selectively controlled by an operator for splitting a plurality of sentences of a selected paragraph into two or more paragraphs each comprising at least one sentence segment, said split means being operable to revise the sequence record maintained by said sequence means to reflect the split arrangement of sentences and paragraphs selected by said operator.

Claim 4

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium, having a plurality of storage cells storing audio segments dictated by an operator, such as sentences, with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; first indicia on said record medium indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; second indicia on said record medium indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; sensing means for sensing and providing signals representative of said first indicia and of said second indicia; sequence means responsive to signals from said sensing means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; and split means selectively controlled by an operator for splitting a plurality of sentences of a selected paragraph into two or more paragraphs each comprising at least one sentence segment, said split means being operable to revise the sequence record maintained by said sequence means to reflect the split arrangement of sentences and paragraphs selected by said operator.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a Split button operable by said operator and providing an output indicative of a Split operation; at least one Paragraph button providing an output for selecting an original Paragraph to be split; at least one Sentence button providing an output for selecting a sentence in the paragraph selected by said Paragraph button at which a new paragraph is to start; and means associated with said split means and responsive to outputs from said Split, Paragraph, and Sentence buttons for initiating operation of said split means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: means for renumbering a sentence selected by said Sentence button and higher numbered sentences in said original paragraph when splitting of said paragraph occurs and said selected sentence and higher numbered sentences are assigned by said split means to said new paragraph.

Claim 7

A dictation system for recording and reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium, having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, such as a sentence with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells first indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said first indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medium; second indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; sequence means responsive to indicia from said first indicia means and to indicia from said second indicia means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; and combine means selectively controlled by an operator for automatically in a single operation combining two or more paragraphs, one of said paragraphs comprising at least one sen-tence segment and another of said paragraphs comprising at least two sentence segments, said combine means being operable to revise the sequence record maintained by said sequence means to reflect the combined arrangement of sentences and paragraphs selected by said operator.

Claim 8

A dictation system for recording and reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium, having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, such as a sentence with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells first indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said first indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medium; second indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; sequence means responsive to indicia from said first indicia means and to indicia from said second indicia means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; and combine means selectively controlled by an operator for automatically in a single operation combining two or more paragraphs, one of said paragraphs comprising at least one sen-tence segment and another of said paragraphs comprising at least two sentence segments, said combine means being operable to revise the sequence record maintained by said sequence means to reflect the combined arrangement of sentences and paragraphs selected by said operator.

Claim 9

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium, having a plurality of storage cells storing audio segments dictated by an operator, such as sentences, with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; first indicia means on said record medium indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; secOnd indicia on said record medium indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; sensing means for sensing and providing signals representative of said first indicia and of said second indicia; sequence means responsive to signals from said sensing means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; and combine means selectively controlled by an operator for automatically in a single operation combining two or more paragraphs, one of said paragraphs comprising at least one sentence segment and another of said paragraphs comprising at least two sentence segments, said combine means being operable to revise the sequence record maintained by said sequence means to reflect the combined arrangement of sentences and paragraphs selected by said operator.

Claim 10

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium, having a plurality of storage cells storing audio segments dictated by an operator, such as sentences, with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; first indicia means on said record medium indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; secOnd indicia on said record medium indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; sensing means for sensing and providing signals representative of said first indicia and of said second indicia; sequence means responsive to signals from said sensing means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; and combine means selectively controlled by an operator for automatically in a single operation combining two or more paragraphs, one of said paragraphs comprising at least one sentence segment and another of said paragraphs comprising at least two sentence segments, said combine means being operable to revise the sequence record maintained by said sequence means to reflect the combined arrangement of sentences and paragraphs selected by said operator.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: means for renumbering all sentences in one of said paragraphs when combining said one paragraph with the other of said paragraphs.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a Combine button operable by said operator and providing an output indicative of a combine operation; a first Paragraph button providing an output for selecting a first Paragraph to be combined; a second Paragraph button providing an output for selecting a second paragraph to be combined; and means associated with said combine means and responsive to outputs from said Combine, and said first and second Paragraph buttons for initiating operation of said combine means.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first Paragraph button indicates a paragraph to be transferred and wherein said second Paragraph button indicates a paragraph to receive said transferred paragraph, and further comprising: transfer means associated with said combine means for transferring said paragraph selected by said first Paragraph button to said paragraph selected by said second Paragraph button.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: means for renumbering all sentences in said paragraph to be transferred when said paragraph to be transferred is combined with said receiving paragraph.

Claim 15

A dictation system for recording and reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, such as a sentence with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, and said record medium having at least one instruction cell capable of storing special instruction material for a typist, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells; first indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said first indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medium; second indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; means responsive to indicia from said first indicia means and to indicia from said second indicia means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; selection means including a Record Notes to Typist switch operable by said operator for selecting said instruction cell for recording purposes; means associated with said recording means and responsive to audio instruciton signals from said operator for recording said audio instruction signals in said instruction cell; return means for maintaining a record of a current sentence being recorded when said instruction cell is selected; and means for returning said recording means to said current senteNce cell upon completion of recording of said instruction.

Claim 16

A dictation system for recording and reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, such as a sentence with an individual group of sentences comprising a paragraph, and said record medium having at least one instruction cell capable of storing special instruction material for a typist, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells; first indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said first indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medium; second indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the grouping of a plurality of sentences into a paragraph; means responsive to indicia from said first indicia means and to indicia from said second indicia means for maintaining a record of the grouping of paragraphs and sentences recorded on said record medium; selection means including a Record Notes to Typist switch operable by said operator for selecting said instruction cell for recording purposes; means associated with said recording means and responsive to audio instruciton signals from said operator for recording said audio instruction signals in said instruction cell; return means for maintaining a record of a current sentence being recorded when said instruction cell is selected; and means for returning said recording means to said current senteNce cell upon completion of recording of said instruction.

Claim 17

A dictation system for recording and reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, and said record medium having at least one instruciton cell capable of storing special instruction material for a typist, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells; indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said first indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medmiu; means responsive to indicia from said indicia means for maintaining a record of said sentences recorded on said record medium; selection means including a Record Notes to Typist switch operable by said operator for selecting said instruction cell for recording purposes; means associated with said recording means and responsive to audio instruction signals from said operator for recording said audio instruction signals in said instruction cell; return means for maintaining a record of a current sentence being recorded when said instruction cell is selected; and means for returning said recording means to said current sentence cell upon completion of recording of said instruction.

Claim 18

A dictation system for recording and reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, and said record medium having at least one instruciton cell capable of storing special instruction material for a typist, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells; indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said first indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medmiu; means responsive to indicia from said indicia means for maintaining a record of said sentences recorded on said record medium; selection means including a Record Notes to Typist switch operable by said operator for selecting said instruction cell for recording purposes; means associated with said recording means and responsive to audio instruction signals from said operator for recording said audio instruction signals in said instruction cell; return means for maintaining a record of a current sentence being recorded when said instruction cell is selected; and means for returning said recording means to said current sentence cell upon completion of recording of said instruction.

Claim 19

A dictation system for recording audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, and said record medium having at least one instruction cell capable of storing special instruction material for a typist, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording audio information in said storage cells; selection means including a Record Notes to Typist switch operable by said operator for selecting said instruction cell for recording purposes; means associated with said recording means and responsive to audio instruction signals from said operator for recording said audio instruction signals in said instruction cell; return means for maintaining a record of a current sentence being recorded when said instruction cell is selected; and means for returning said recording means to said current sentence cell upon completion of recording of said instruction.

Claim 20

A dictation system for recording audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment dictated by an operator, and said record medium having at least one instruction cell capable of storing special instruction material for a typist, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording audio information in said storage cells; selection means including a Record Notes to Typist switch operable by said operator for selecting said instruction cell for recording purposes; means associated with said recording means and responsive to audio instruction signals from said operator for recording said audio instruction signals in said instruction cell; return means for maintaining a record of a current sentence being recorded when said instruction cell is selected; and means for returning said recording means to said current sentence cell upon completion of recording of said instruction.

Claim 21

The system of claim 13 wherein a plurality of instruction cells is provided on said record medium, and further comprising: assignment means associated with said recording means and responsive to successive operation of said selector means for selecting each of said plurality of instruction cells in succession for storage of audio instructions.

Claim 22

A dictation system for recording audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment of predetermined length dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, sentences longer than said predetermined length comprising a first incomplete portion and at least a second completion portion, said system comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells; indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medium; means responsive to indicia from said indicia means for maintaining a record of the sentences recorded on saiD record medium; extend means for recognizing the dictation of a sentence longer than said predetermined length and for operating said recording means to record the first portion of said longer sentence in a selected storage cell on said record medium; and linking means controlled by said extend means for selecting at least one more storage cell and for recording therein the completion portion of said longer sentence.

Claim 23

A dictation system for recording audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment of predetermined length dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, sentences longer than said predetermined length comprising a first incomplete portion and at least a second completion portion, said system comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; recording means for recording each sentence in a respective one of said storage cells; indicia means controlled by an operator to provide indicia indicative of the termination of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said indicia means for controlling said recording means to terminate recording of each sentence in an individual storage cell on said record medium; means responsive to indicia from said indicia means for maintaining a record of the sentences recorded on saiD record medium; extend means for recognizing the dictation of a sentence longer than said predetermined length and for operating said recording means to record the first portion of said longer sentence in a selected storage cell on said record medium; and linking means controlled by said extend means for selecting at least one more storage cell and for recording therein the completion portion of said longer sentence.

Claim 24

The system of claim 15 further comprising: interlock means for alerting an operator that a dictated sentence is longer than said predetermined cell length and that said extend means has been activated.

Claim 25

The system of claim 15 further comprising: an Expand button incorporated in said linking means and manually operable by an operator for activating said linking means.

Claim 26

The system of claim 15 further comprising: marking means for marking with a special linking code individual cells used for the portions of individual longer sentences to link said cells together for later reproduction of said longer sentences.

Claim 27

The system of claim 15 wherein a plurality of successively arranged sentence cells contain audio information, and further comprising: means operable by an operator for selecting an intermediately arranged sentence cell to record a revised sentence therein; and means associated with said recognition means for selecting a next succeeding empty cell for continuation of said revised sentence.

Claim 28

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment of predetermined length dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, and said record medium having continuation indicia indicative of continuation in at least two successive cells of a long sentence longer than said predetermined length, said system comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; reproducing means for reproducing information on said record medium; indicia means for recording on said record medium indicia indicative of each audio segment dictated by said operator as well as continuation indicia; means responsive to indicia on said record medium for maintaining a record of the sentences recorded on said record medium; extend means responsive to said continuation indicia for recognizing the occurrence of an extended sentence longer than said predetermined length; and means controlled by said extend means for selecting the cells of said record medium in which said longer sentence is continued.

Claim 29

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment of predetermined length dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, and said record medium having continuation indicia indicative of continuation in at least two successive cells of a long sentence longer than said predetermined length, said system comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; reproducing means for reproducing information on said record medium; indicia means for recording on said record medium indicia indicative of each audio segment dictated by said operator as well as continuation indicia; means responsive to indicia on said record medium for maintaining a record of the sentences recorded on said record medium; extend means responsive to said continuation indicia for recognizing the occurrence of an extended sentence longer than said predetermined length; and means controlled by said extend means for selecting the cells of said record medium in which said longer sentence is continued.

Claim 30

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment of predetermined length dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, and said record medium having extension indicia indicative of extension in at least two non-successive cells of succeeding portions of a long sentence longer than said predetermined length, said system, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; reproducing means for reproducing information on said record medium; segment indicia on said record medium indicative of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said segment indicia for maintaining a record of the sentences recorded on said record medium; extend means responsive to said extension indicia for recognizing the occurrence of an extended sentence longer than said predetermined length and for operating said reproducing means to reproduce a first portion of said extended sentence; and means controlled by said extend means for selecting the non-successive cells on said record medium in which said extended sentence is continued and for further operating said reproducing means to reproduce succeeding portions of said extended sentence.

Claim 31

A dictation system for reproducing audio information in conjunction with a record medium having a plurality of storage cells, each capable of storing an audio segment of predetermined length dictated by an operator, such as a sentence, and said record medium having extension indicia indicative of extension in at least two non-successive cells of succeeding portions of a long sentence longer than said predetermined length, said system, comprising: positioning means for positioning a said record medium for processing; reproducing means for reproducing information on said record medium; segment indicia on said record medium indicative of each audio segment dictated by said operator; means responsive to said segment indicia for maintaining a record of the sentences recorded on said record medium; extend means responsive to said extension indicia for recognizing the occurrence of an extended sentence longer than said predetermined length and for operating said reproducing means to reproduce a first portion of said extended sentence; and means controlled by said extend means for selecting the non-successive cells on said record medium in which said extended sentence is continued and for further operating said reproducing means to reproduce succeeding portions of said extended sentence.