Method and apparatus for automatic collection and summarization of meeting information

• US 6,687,671 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Gudorf, Gregory D., Siegel, Brian M., Raymond, Brian, Iso, Kazuaki, Beckwitt, Marc, Abram, Philip Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): MCFADDEN, SUSAN IRIS
• Application Number:
  US09/804,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20020133339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 704/235,260,270,278
• US Class Current: 704/235
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/345 Summarisation for human users
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A method is applied for providing electronically collected and summarized meeting information. First, verbal sounds are electronically collected. The verbal sounds are transmitted to a processor. The processor automatically converts the verbal sounds, as collected, into an electronic text file. The text from the file is then automatically scanned and summarized, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for identifying one or more key terms in the text file, into an electronic summary file. The text file and/or the summary file are then automatically and electronically distributed to a predetermined number of users.

Claims

1. A method for providing electronically collected and summarized meeting information, which comprises the steps of:

electronically collecting verbal sounds;

automatically converting said verbal sounds, as collected, into an electronic text file using a processor;

automatically scanning and summarizing said text, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for identifying one or more key terms in said text file, into an electronic summary file; and

automatically and electronically distributing said electronic summary file and/or said text file to a predetermined number of users.

2. A method according to claim 1, which further comprises the step of:

electronically indexing and archiving said summary file and said text file on a network server.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of electronically indexing and archiving includes electronically selectively preventing access to said summary file and/or text file.

4. A method according to claim 2, which further comprises the step of:

storing said electronically indexed and archived summary file and text file on said network server in a searchable database.

5. A method according to claim 4, which further comprises the step of:

scanning said summary file and/or said text file using keywords provided by a user after said storing step; and

electronically distributing a result of said search to said user.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said converting, and scanning and summarizing steps are performed during said step of electronically collecting verbal sounds.

7. A method according to claim 1, which further comprises the step of:

combining supplemental data with said summary file prior to said step of automatically and electronically distributing said electronic summary file.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electronic text file is wirelessly transmitted from said processor to a network server that performs said automatically scanning and summarizing step.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said verbal sounds are one or more from the group consisting of prerecorded verbal messages and words spoken during said collecting step.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said collecting step is performed using a wireless transmission of the verbal sounds to said processor.

11. An apparatus for providing electronically collected and summarized meeting information, which comprises:

a collector for electronically collecting verbal sounds;

a processor, which automatically converts said verbal sounds, as collected, into an electronic text file;

a network server and processor, including software for automatically scanning and summarizing said text, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for identifying one or more key terms in said text file, into an electronic summary file; and

a distributor for automatically and electronically distributing said electronic summary file and/or said text file to a predetermined number of users.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said network server further comprises software for electronically indexing and archiving said summary file and said text file.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said network server further comprises software for electronically selectively preventing access to said summary file and/or text file.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, which further comprises:

a searchable database, storing said electronically indexed and archived summary file and text file.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said network server further comprises software for scanning said summary file and/or said text file using keywords provided by a user after said storing step, and electronically distributing a result of said search to said user.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said processor, and network server can respectively convert, and scan and summarize while said collector is electronically collecting said verbal sounds.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11, which further comprises a wireless transmitter, transmitting said electronic text file from said processor to said network server.