US6038199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable digital audio recorder with adaptive control configurations
Assignee: Nuance Communications Inc
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Filing: 1998-11-12
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Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2018-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A portable digital audio recorder provides a first set of control or editing options with respect to a first category of voice data files stored in the recorder, and provides a different set of control or editing options with respect to a second category of voice data files stored in the recorder. The recorder may also be conveniently shared among a number of users and adapts various operating parameters to the preferences of the current user.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Pawlowski
- 👤 Stephen Rothschild
- 👤 David K. Godin
- 👤 Richard S. Colon
- 👤 John J. Dwyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:28
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B19/00; G11B19/02; G11C; G11C7/00; G11C7/16; G11C2207/00; G11C2207/16; H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of operating a portable digital audio recorder, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of voice data files in said recorder, at least one of said voice data files being of a first type, and at least one of said voice data files being of a second type different from said first type; selecting one of said stored voice data files; determining a type of the selected voice data file; providing a first set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file if the selected voice data file is of the first type; and if the selected data file is of the second type, providing a second set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file, said second set of control options being different from said first set of control options.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of operating a portable digital audio recorder, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of voice data files in said recorder, at least one of said voice data files being of a first type, and at least one of said voice data files being of a second type different from said first type; selecting one of said stored voice data files; determining a type of the selected voice data file; providing a first set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file if the selected voice data file is of the first type; and if the selected data file is of the second type, providing a second set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file, said second set of control options being different from said first set of control options.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first set of control options includes a record-append option whereby a user of the recorder is permitted to record voice data at an end of the selected voice data file, said record-append option not being included in said second set of control options.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first type of voice data files consists of voice data files corresponding to audio signals input into the recorder via a microphone included in the recorder, and said second type of voice data files consists of voice mail messages downloaded to the recorder from a device separate from said recorder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said first set of control options includes an upload option whereby a user of the recorder is permitted to upload the selected voice data file to a device separate from the recorder, said upload option not being included in said second set of control options.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said second set of control options includes a reply option whereby a user of the recorder is permitted to generate a voice message reply to the selected voice data file, said recorder automatically generating address data for said voice message reply, said addressee data corresponding to sender data for the selected voice data file, said reply option not being included in said first set of control options.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first set of control options includes options for editing the selected voice data file, and said second set of control options does not include said options for editing the selected voice data file.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
A portable digital audio recorder, comprising: a microphone for converting voice sounds spoken by a user of the recorder into analog electrical signals; means for converting the analog electrical signals into digital voice signals; a recording medium for storing the digital voice signals in the form of a plurality of voice data files, at least one of said voice data files being of a first type, and at least one of said voice data files being of a second type different from said first type; means for selecting one of said stored voice data files; means for determining a type of the selected voice data file; and control means for providing a first set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file if the selected voice data file is of the first type, and for providing a second set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file if the selected voice data file is of the second type, said second set of control options being different from said first set of control options.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
179 words
A portable digital audio recorder, comprising: a microphone for converting voice sounds spoken by a user of the recorder into analog electrical signals; means for converting the analog electrical signals into digital voice signals; a recording medium for storing the digital voice signals in the form of a plurality of voice data files, at least one of said voice data files being of a first type, and at least one of said voice data files being of a second type different from said first type; means for selecting one of said stored voice data files; means for determining a type of the selected voice data file; and control means for providing a first set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file if the selected voice data file is of the first type, and for providing a second set of control options with respect to the selected voice data file if the selected voice data file is of the second type, said second set of control options being different from said first set of control options.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A portable digital audio recorder according to claim 7, wherein said first set of control options includes a record-append option whereby a user of the recorder is permitted to record voice data at an end of the selected voice data file, said record-append option not being included in said second set of control options.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A portable digital audio recorder according to claim 7, wherein said first type of voice data files consists of voice data files corresponding to audio signals input into the recorder via said microphone, and said second type of voice data files consists of voice mail messages downloaded to the recorder from a device separate from said recorder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A portable digital audio recorder according to claim 9, wherein said first set of control options includes an upload option whereby a user of the recorder is permitted to upload the selected voice data file to a device separate from the recorder, said upload option not being included in said second set of control options.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A portable digital audio recorder according to claim 9, wherein said second set of control options includes a reply option whereby a user of the recorder is permitted to generate a voice message reply to the selected voice data file, said recorder automatically generating address data for said voice message reply, said addressee data corresponding to sender data for the selected voice data file, said reply option not being included in said first set of control options.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A portable digital audio recorder according to claim 7, wherein said first set of control options includes options for editing the selected voice data file, and said second set of control options does not include said options for editing the selected voice data file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
A portable digital audio recorder, comprising: a microphone for converting voice sounds spoken by a user of the recorder into analog electrical signals; means for converting the analog electrical signals into digital voice signals; a recording medium for storing the digital voice signals; means for generating identification data which identifies the user of the recorder; and means for setting operating parameters for the recorder on the basis of the identification data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
A portable digital audio recorder, comprising: a microphone for converting voice sounds spoken by a user of the recorder into analog electrical signals; means for converting the analog electrical signals into digital voice signals; a recording medium for storing the digital voice signals; means for generating identification data which identifies the user of the recorder; and means for setting operating parameters for the recorder on the basis of the identification data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portable digital audio recorder according to claim 13, wherein said means for generating includes means for detecting characteristics of the user's voice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A portable digital audio recorder according to claim 13, wherein said operating parameters set by said means for setting include at least one of output volume level, playback speed, rewind increment, VOX sensitivity; and timing of end zone warning.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable digital recorder according to claim 13, wherein said recording medium is a solid state memory card.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of operating a portable digital audio recorder, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of sets of operating parameters for said portable digital audio recorder; generating identification data which identifies a current user of the recorder; selecting one of the stored sets of operating parameters on the basis of said identification data; and operating the recorder in accordance with the selected set of operating parameters.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of operating a portable digital audio recorder, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of sets of operating parameters for said portable digital audio recorder; generating identification data which identifies a current user of the recorder; selecting one of the stored sets of operating parameters on the basis of said identification data; and operating the recorder in accordance with the selected set of operating parameters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein said set of operating parameters includes at least one of output volume level, playback speed, rewind increment, VOX sensitivity, and timing of end zone warning.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein said generating step includes receiving voice sounds spoken by the current user and analyzing the voice sounds to detect the identity of the current user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |