Audio recording system and method of use

• US 7,203,287 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Voicecards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Voicecards Incorporated
• Inventors: Turner, Gerry, Morrison, R. Al
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier; Gerald
• Application Number:
  US10/680,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20040066915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.07, 379/67.1, 379/88.28, 379/71, 379/357, 379/355, 379/91, 379/88.22, 379/68, 379/88.17, 401/240.3, 401/24
• US Class Current: 379/88.07
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/642 storing speech in digital form

Abstract

An audio message recording and playback system including a recorder-imprinter device, a self-contained voice module for playback of an audio message and a number of input devices for initially recording the audio message to the recorder-imprinter device.

Claims

1. A method of recording a personal message to present to a recipient including:

selecting a product with a pocket for receipt of a voice module of a predetermined configuration;

selecting a voice module of said predetermined configuration and of the type including an electrical contact, a solid state memory for receipt and storage of an analog signal applied to said contact, a power supply, a switch interposed between said power supply and said memory, and a speaker connected with said solid state memory and operable in response to said analog signal to generate an audio signal to propagate to said recipient;

selecting a recorder-imprinter device including a housing with a port configured to complementally receive said voice module and including an electrical receptacle engageable with said electrical contact, a storage device for receiving and storing said personal message, and a microprocessor in circuit with said receptacle and said storage device and operative in response to a stored said personal message to generate said analog signal;

relaying the personal message in real time directly from a customer to said storage device of said recorder-imprinter;

inserting said voice module in said port to engage said contact with said receptacle to receive said analog signal and record said analog signal on said solid state memory; and

removing said voice module from said port and inserting said voice module in said pocket and delivering said product to said recipient.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

placing a telephone call from a remote location over a conventional telephone network to a retail outlet as an incoming call;

receiving said telephone call;

connecting said telephone call to said recorder-imprinter device via a telephone signal port; and

prompting the recording of said audio message using verbal commands over the telephone network from the recorder-imprinter device to the remote location.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

configuring a personal computer at said retail outlet with an audio message recording software program;

selecting said recorder-imprinter to further include a computer interface separate from said telephone signal port;

linking said personal computer to said recorder-imprinter through said computer interface;

interacting said software program so as to store said voice message in said personal computer; and

transmitting said voice message to said recorder-imprinter device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of interacting said software program further comprises:

placing a telephone call from a remote location over a conventional telephone network to a retail location; and

in response to said telephone call transferring said telephone call to said personal computer.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the linking step further comprises:

selecting a computer network means to facilitate the transmission of electronic data between electronic devices; and

connecting said personal computer to said computer interface across said computer network means.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the connecting step further comprises:

selecting a recorder-imprinter further including a telephone interface device in circuit between a telephone jack and said microprocessor;

selecting a telephone network;

installing a telephone line connection between said telephone network and said telephone jack; and

transferring said incoming call to said recorder-imprinter by pressing a selection button on said recorder-imprinter to cause said recorder-imprinter to automatically seize said incoming call.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

locating a user and said recorder-imprinter in the same location;

selecting said recorder-imprinter to further include a handset in circuit with said microprocessor;

said user picking up said handset; and

said microprocessor prompting said user through said handset to record said voice message.

8. A method of recording a personal message to present to a listener receiving a gift including:

selecting a gift with a pocket for receipt of a voice module of a predetermined configuration;

selecting a voice module of said predetermined configuration and of the type including an electrical contact, a solid state memory for receipt and storage of an analog signal applied to said contact, a power supply, a switch interposed between said power supply and said memory, and a speaker connected with said solid state memory and operable in response to said analog signal to generate an audio signal to propagate to said listener;

selecting a recorder-imprinter device including a housing with a port configured to complementally receive said voice module and including an electrical receptacle engageable with said electrical contact, a solid state analog storage device for receiving and storing an analog signal, and a microprocessor in circuit with said receptacle and said storage device and operative in response to a stored voice message to generate an analog signal;

receiving a telephone call from a customer and connecting said telephone call with said recorder-imprinter to record said personal message;

inserting said voice module in said port to engage said contact with said receptacle to receive said analog signal and record said analog signal on said solid state memory; and

removing said voice module from said port and inserting said voice module in said pocket and delivering said gift to said listener.

9. A method of recording a personal message to present to a recipient including:

selecting a voice module of the type including an electrical contact, a solid state memory for receipt and storage of an analog signal applied to said contact, a power supply, a switch interposed between said power supply and said memory, and a speaker connected with said solid state memory and operable in response to said analog signal to generate an audio signal to propagate to said recipient;

selecting a recorder-imprinter device including a housing having a telephone jack, a selection button and a connector engageable with said electrical contact, a storage device for receiving and storing said personal message, said connector and said storage device being operative in response to a stored said personal message to generate said analog signal, a microprocessor in circuit with said selection button, and a telephone interface device in circuit between said telephone jack and said microprocessor, said recorder-imprinter being located at a retail location;

selecting a telephone network;

installing a telephone line connection between said telephone network and said telephone jack;

placing a telephone call from a remote location over said telephone network to said retail location as an incoming call;

receiving said telephone call;

transferring said telephone call to said recorder-imprinter over said telephone line connection by pressing said selection button on said recorder-imprinter to cause said recorder-imprinter to automatically seize said telephone call through said telephone interface device;

prompting for said personal message;

storing said personal message in said storage device of said recorder-imprinter; and

engaging said electrical contact of said voice module with said connector of said recorder-imprinter to receive said analog signal and record said analog signal on said solid state memory for subsequent playback.

10. A method of recording a personal message to present to a recipient including:

selecting a voice module of the type including an electrical contact, a solid state memory for receipt and storage of an analog signal applied to said contact, a power supply, a switch interposed between said power supply and said memory, and a speaker connected with said solid state memory, said speaker being operable in response to said analog signal to generate an audio signal to propagate to said recipient;

selecting a first recorder-imprinter device including a housing with a computer interface device and a connector engageable with said electrical contact, a first storage device for receiving and storing said personal message, and a microprocessor in circuit with said computer interface device, said connector and said storage device being operative in response to a stored said personal message to generate said analog signal;

configuring a personal computer with an audio message recording software program;

linking said personal computer to said first recorder-imprinter through said computer interface device to store personal messages received by said recorder-imprinter;

interacting said software program so as to store said personal message received by said recorder-imprinter in said personal computer;

downloading said personal message to said first storage device of said first recorder-imprinter; and

engaging said electrical contact of said voice module with said connector of said first recorder-imprinter to receive said analog signal and record said analog signal on said solid state memory for subsequent playback.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of interacting said software program further comprises:

co-locating a user and said personal computer;

configuring said personal computer with a microphone for audible receipt of said personal message; and

running said software program so as to prompt said user through the storing of said personal message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

said personal computer and said first recorder-imprinter are located at a first retail location.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein:

said first recorder-imprinter is located at a first retail location; and

said personal computer is located at a remote location.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of interacting said software program further comprises:

co-locating a user and said personal computer; and

running said software program so as to allow said user to initiate said step of downloading a stored said personal message to said first recorder-imprinter.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein:

said first recorder-imprinter is located at a first retail location;

a second recorder-imprinter is located at a second retail location, said second recorder-imprinter including a second storage device having said personal message stored therein; and

said step of interacting said software program further includes uploading said personal message from said second recorder-imprinter to said personal computer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

said personal computer is located at a remote location.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

said personal computer is located at said first retail location.