Combination cellular telephone and sound storage device and method of use

• US 6,243,594 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimon Silberfenig
• Original Assignee: Shimon Silberfenig
• Inventors: Silberfenig, Shimon
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Application Number:
  US09/329,562
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556, 455/412, 455/90, 455/344, 455/413, 455/550, 455/575, 455/569, 379/674, 379/68, 379/85
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/68 with means for recording information, e.g. telephone number during a conversation recording of telephone conversations H04M1/656

Abstract

A combination cellular telephone and sound storage device has a traditional cellular telephone having a microphone that is operably connected to a transmitter/receiver which is operatively connected to a speaker. The invention further include a sound storage device, preferably a non-volatile analog memory chip, that is also operatively connected to both the microphone and speaker. The circuit connecting the memory chip to the microphone is controlled by a record switch. The record switch is operatively controlled by a record button, thereby allowing the user to record verbal notes made into the microphone during the course of the conversation. The memory chip is operatively connected to the speaker through a play switch. The play switch is operatively controlled by a play button, thereby allowing the user to replay the verbal notes recorded on the microphone. In its preferred embodiment, the combination further includes a mute button so that the user can record verbal notes without the other person being able to hear the verbal notes. The invention enables the method of using the combination to make verbal notes while talking on the cellular phone.

Claims

1. A combination cellular telephone and sound storage device, the combination comprising:

a microphone that is operably connected to a transmitter/receiver through a mute switch when the mute switch is in the transmit position, a mute button operating to move the mute switch from the transmit position to a mute position when pressed;

a speaker that is operatively connected to the transmitter/receiver through a play switch when the play switch is in a resting position, a play button operating to move the play switch from the resting position to a playing position when pressed;

a memory chip operatively connected to the microphone, the memory chip being controlled by a record switch and functioning to record a sound received by the microphone when a record button moves the record switch from a nonrecording position to a recording position;

the memory chip being operatively connected to the speaker when the play switch is in the playing position, the play switch thereby activating the memory chip for playing the recording of the sound on the speaker; and

wherein the memory chip is not operatively connected to the transmitter/receiver.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the mute switch is operatively connected to a mute LED when in the mute position.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the memory chip is a analog sound recording chip.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the memory chip does not include a central processing unit chip.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the memory chip is a non-volatile analog sound recording chip.

6. A method for recording at least one verbal note of a user talking on a cellular telephone with another person, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a combination cellular telephone and analog sound storage device,

the combination comprising;

a microphone that is operably connected to a transmitter/receiver through a mute switch when the mute switch is in the transmit position;

a speaker that is operatively connected to the transmitter/receiver through a play switch when the play switch is in a resting position;

a non-volatile analog memory chip operably connectable to the microphone with a record switch, the memory chip also being operably connectable to the speaker with a play button; and

a mute button operating to move the mute switch from the transmit position to a mute position when pressed;

b) calling the other person with the cellular telephone;

c) speaking into the microphone so that the speech is transmitted by the transmitter/receiver to the other person;

d) listening to the speaker to hear the response of the other person as received by the transmitter/receiver;

e) pressing the mute button to move the mute switch from the transmit position to a mute position, thereby preventing the at least one verbal note from being transmitted to the other person, while not recording the at least one verbal note;

f) pressing the record button thereby moving the record switch from a non-recording position to a recording position and operatively connecting the microphone to the memory chip;

g) speaking into the microphone, thereby recording on the memory chip another of the at least one verbal note received by the microphone without transmitting the at least one verbal note through the transmitter/receiver to the other person, so the user can make verbal notes without the other person hearing what is said;

h) releasing the mute button, thereby allowing the mute switch to return to the transmit position and reestablishing the operative engagement of the microphone to the transmitter/receiver;

i) releasing the record button, thereby allowing the record switch from a recording position to a non-recording position and halting the recording;

j) terminating the call with the other person;

k) pressing the play button when the user desires to remember the at least one verbal note recorded on the memory chip, thereby operating to move the play switch from the resting position to a playing position and transmitting the at least one verbal note from the memory chip to the speaker; and

l) listening to the at least one verbal note.