Dictation system employing computer-to-computer transmission of voice files controlled by hand microphone

• US 7,366,767 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dictaphone Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Martin, Donald, Schneider, Frederic, Sheffield, John, Antezzo, Vincent F., Dumschott, Roger A., Hipp, Betsy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung; Zarni
• Application Number:
  US10/752,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,574 Days
• Field of Search: 700 65- 66, 345156-184, 455556-557, 379/368, 379/58, 379/93.24, 379/88.13, 379/265.09, 379/433.03, 379/61.7, 379/88.01, 379/256.09, 710/73, 340/426.15, 348/14.05, 369/24.01, 369/25.01, 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709/206
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]

Abstract

A dictation system is formed of two personal computers connected by an e-mail system. A hand microphone with control switches is provided at one personal computer and a foot pedal is provided at the other personal computer. The hand microphone is used to generate a dictation file at the first personal computer. In response to actuation of a control switch on the hand microphone, the dictation file is transmitted via the electronic mail system to the second personal computer. The foot pedal at the second personal computer is used to control audible reproduction of the dictation file for the purpose of transcription at the second personal computer. The resulting text file is sent via the electronic mail system from the second personal computer to the first personal computer.

Claims

1. A method of operating a dictation system comprising a personal computer and personal computer display, said method comprising the steps of:

programming a plurality of hand microphone mounted user-programmable control switches by selecting a dictation function option from a plurality of menus appearing on said personal computer display;

displaying information indicative of the currently programmed functions of said switches on a hand microphone display located in the vicinity of said switches;

actuating at least one of said hand microphone mounted user-programmable control switches to effectuate said dictation function selected.

2. A method, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one of said hand microphone mounted user-programmable control switches activates storage of a voice signal appended to an e-mail message file.

3. A dictation system, implemented on a personal computer comprising:

a system bus;

at least one processor connected to said system bus;

a display connected to said system bus that presents a plurality of dictation function control option menus under the control of said at least one processor;

a recording medium connected to said system bus configured to store data files and software executable on said at least one processor,

a hand microphone directly connected to said system bus operatively configured to input a voice signal into said recording medium;

said hand microphone including a plurality of hand microphone mounted user-programmable control switches, operatively configured to be programmable to different dictation functions by selecting a dictation function control option from said display menus;

a display incorporated into said hand microphone displaying information indicative of the currently programmed functions of said switches.

4. A dictation system, in accordance with claim 3, further including a network interface component that electronically connects to an external communications network.

5. A computer-usable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising:

programming a plurality of hand microphone mounted user-programmable control switches by selecting a dictation function option from a plurality of menus appearing on said personal computer display;

displaying information indicative of the currently programmed functions of said switches on a display located on the hand microphone in the vicinity of said switches;

actuating at least one of said hand microphone mounted user-programmable control switches to effectuate said dictation function selected.