Voice activated portable audio/video request, play and record system

• US 6,941,181 B1
• Filed: 06/03/2000
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heuroic LLC
• Original Assignee: Trevor R. Mathurin
• Inventors: Mathurin, Trevor R
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Sinh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Faulk, Devona E
• Application Number:
  US09/585,797
• Time in Patent Office: 1,921 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, D14/168, 455/344, 348/839, 348/838, 348/844, 361/683, 361/686, 361/679
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence

Abstract

An audio/video control device for providing audio and/or video signals to a user. The audio/video control device includes a base unit and a portable unit. The base unit includes a housing having a recess extending therein and a first processor for controlling operation of the base unit. A first audio/video storage and reproduction device is positioned within the housing and controlled by the processor to store and reproduce audio and video signals. A device for connection with an external source of audio and video signals is also connected to the first processor. The processor is able to receive control commands for operating the device through a microphone. The portable unit is releasably connected within the recess of the base unit either jointly or separably. The portable unit includes a second processor and a connector for selectively connecting the second processor to the first processor. A touch screen display is connected to the second processor for displaying a menu of operation selections and providing manual control signals to the second processor for controlling operation of the device upon contact of one of the displayed menu operation selections. A device for reproducing and storing audio and video signals on a storage medium as well as a second audio/video storage and reproduction device positioned and a second device for connection with an external source of audio and video signals are connected to the second processor. A user is able to operate the device using either audible and manual control signals.

Claims

1. Au audio/video control device comprising:

a) a base unit including;

i) a housing having a recess extending therein;

ii) a first processor for controlling operation of said base unit;

iii) a first audio/video storage and reproduction device positioned within said housing and controlled by said processor to one of store and reproduce at least one of audio and video signals thereon;

iv) first means for connection with an external source of audio and video signals for at least one of reproduction and storage by said base unit; and

v) means connected to said first processor for receiving audible control signals in response to which said first processor controls operation of said device; and

b) a portable unit releasably connected to said base unit, said portable unit being operable jointly and separably within said recess in said housing of said base unit, said portable unit including;

i) a second processor;

ii) means for selectively connecting said second processor to said first processor;

iii) a touch screen display connected to said second processor for displaying a menu of operation selections and providing manual control signals to said second processor for controlling operation of said device upon contact by a user of one of said operation selections in said displayed menu;

iv) means for reproducing and storing audio and video signals on a storage medium;

v) a second audio/video storage and reproduction device positioned within said housing and controlled by said processor;

vi) second means for connection with an external source of audio and video signals for reproduction and storage by said base unit, wherein a user is able to operate said base unit and said portable unit either jointly or separably through at least one of audible and manual control signals; and

vii) said touch screen display in said portable unit functioning as sole interactive display for said base unit both when said portable unit is connected to said base unit and when said portable unit is removed from said base unit.

2. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base unit further includes means for connecting said first processor with said second processor positioned within said recess.

3. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 2, wherein said base unit further includes a speaker connected to said first processor for audibly providing operating instructions to a user for controlling operation of said device.

4. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first audio/video storage and reproduction device is a read/write CD ROM drive.

5. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first audio/video storage and reproduction device is a memory card port for receiving a memory card, said memory card including means for storing audio and video data thereon and a rechargeable battery, wherein said memory card is connected to said first microprocessor upon insertion into said memory port.

6. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said second audio/video storage and reproduction device is a memory card port for receiving a memory card, said memory card including means for storing audio and video data thereon and a rechargeable battery, wherein said memory card is connected to said first microprocessor upon insertion into said memory port.

7. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 3, wherein said base unit further includes a memory card port for receiving a memory card, said memory card including means for storing audio and video data thereon and a rechargeable battery, wherein said memory card is connected to said first microprocessor upon insertion into said memory port.

8. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first means for connection with an external source of audio and video signals is one of a cable connection port, a telephone line connection port or an audio/video connector.

9. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 8, wherein said cable connection port provides a direct connection of said first processor to a global communications network.

10. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first processor displays video reproduced from one of said first audio/video storage and reproduction device and said means for connection with an external source of audio and video signals on said touch screen display when said portable device is positioned in said recess.

11. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said portable unit further includes control keys for manually providing control signals to said second processor.

12. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said second means for connection with an external source of audio and video signals is a cellular transmitter/receiver.

13. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base unit farther includes a second memory card port for receiving a memory card, said memory card including means for storing audio and video data thereon and a rechargeable battery, wherein said memory card is connected to said first microprocessor upon insertion into said memory port.

14. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for receiving audible control signals is a microphone.

15. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein said portable unit further includes a headphone jack connected to said second processor for audibilizing reproduced audio signals.

16. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 1, wherein the recess for said portable unit is located on a front face of said base unit, a top surface of said portable unit having a tab extending through a top surface of said base unit for permitting convenient release of said portable unit from said base unit, said tab rotatable between a position flush with said top surface of said base unit and a pop up position for removal of said portable unit.

17. The audio/video control device as recited in claim 16, wherein said portable unit further includes a speaker connected to said second processor for audibilizing reproduced audio signals, the speaker on said portable unit being disconnected and hidden when said portable unit is in said recess of said base unit.

18. A system for providing audio and/or video signals to a remote user, said system comprising:

a) a central station including;

i) a data base for storing acceptable access numbers;

ii) a first processor connected to said data base;

iii) a first receiver; and

iii) a first trotter for transmitting audio and/or video signals; and

b) an audio/video control device located remotely from said central station, said audio/video control device including;

i) a memory for storing an access number;

ii) a second transmitter for transmitting the access number to said central unit;

iii) a second receiver for receiving audio and/or video signals from said central unit;

iv) a second processor;

v) control keys for generating control signals and controlling said processor to activate said transmitter to transmit said access number and control signals to said central station;

vi) a speaker for reproducing audio signals received from said central station; and

vii) a removable portable unit within said control device containing a display for reproducing video signals received from said central station, wherein the display functions as sole interactive display for said control device when said portable unit is connected to said control device and when said portable unit is removed from said control device, and wherein when a user desires to listen to audio signals and/or view video signals transmitted by said central unit, the user activates said control keys causing said second transmitter to transmit said access number to said central station whereupon said first processor checks the access number against said data base of acceptable access numbers and upon deter said access number is acceptable said first transmitter transmits audio and/or video signals to said audio/video control device for reproduction thereby.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a plurality of audio/video control devices, each of said audio/video control devices having a unique access number stored in said memory and being authorized to receive audio and/or video signals from said central station.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said central station is able to transmit any of a selection of audio and video signals to said audio/video control device and said control keys each generate a respective control signal for transmission to said central station upon activation, wherein each control signal is indicative of a respective selection of audio and video signals to be transmitted by said central station.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said transmitter within said audio/video control device is a cellular transmitter.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said control keys include an alphanumeric keypad for dialing an access telephone number for said central station to establish communication therewith.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said audio/video control device further includes a microphone for receiving audible control commands from the user and provides the audible control commands to said second processor for analysis and transmission to said central station.

24. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said central station transmits a signal indicative of transmission of an unauthorized access number by said audio/video control unit upon determining the access number is not acceptable.