Audio note taking system and method for communication devices

• US 6,222,909 B1
• Filed: 11/14/1997
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia of America Corporation (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Qua, Gin W., Szurkowski, Edward Stanley
• Primary Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US08/971,034
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.01, 379/88.04, 379/88.12, 379/88.13, 379/88.14, 379/88.16, 379/88.18, 379/88.19, 379/88.2, 379/88.21, 379/88.22, 379/88.26, 379/100.08
• US Class Current: 379/88.22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems

Abstract

An audio note taking system and method that permit a user to record audio information during a conversation on a wireless or wired communications device and distribute the information to other users in an efficient and accurate manner by working in concert with other types of communication and information devices, such as voice mail and electronic mail servers. The audio note taking system has a processor for controlling when an audio recording is to be commenced, which parties are to be recorded and what processing is to be performed on the recorded message. The notes recorded by one party are fully independent from the notes recorded by the other parties. As a consequence, each party can record private comments by muting transmission to the other parties involved in the call. The recorded message may be distributed to other parties as an audio or text file utilizing electronic mail and voice mail servers. Specifically, the device enables the user to direct the recorded information to a speech recognition processor, where the now converted text message can be forwarded to other parties as electronic mail. A communications device for use with the audio note taking system employs a user interface to permit recording, distributing and retrieving of audio messages in a hands free manner. The communication device further includes a detachable storage unit for recording the information and transferring the recorded information to another storage medium, such as a disk on a personal computer, for processing. The system permits user-directed retrieval of the audio information for playback on the communication device or other compatible communication devices.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising:

a processor operable in response to a signal from a user to enable a recording of at least one message during a call over the communication system between said user and at least one other party;

a muting control operative to restrict access to said recorded message by other parties to the call than said user; and

wherein said processor and said muting control cooperatively effect a private recording of said message by said user while corrected in a call with said at least one other party.

2. The system according to claim 1, further wherein said processor and said muting control cooperatively enable a recording of intermingled conversation of parties to the call and private comments of said user.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said processor is operable to concatenate multiple messages taken during said call to form said at least one message.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is operable to place an identification code on said at least one message.

5. The system according to claim 1 further including a means for distributing said at least one message over the communication system in response to a distribution signal.

6. The system according to claim 5, said distribution processor further including:

a speech to text recognition device for converting said at least message to a text file;

said means for distributing being operable to distribute said text file via at least one service selected from the group consisting of electronic mail service and facsimile service.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein said means for distributing includes a means for retrieving a stored message in response to a retrieval signal.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said means for retrieving permits retrieval and play of said stored message during said call.

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein said means for distributing includes:

means for selecting at least one recorded message for distribution from among a plurality of recorded messages;

means for selecting at least one party for distribution;

means for indicating a type of distribution service to be used for delivery of said at least one recorded message; and

means for indicating what format is to be utilized for said at least one recorded message.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is operable to place an identification code on said at least one message.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein:

said processor and said muting control cooperatively enable a recording of intermingled conversation of parties to the call and private comments of said user; and

said processor is operable to concatenate multiple messages taken during said call to form said at least one message.

12. A communications device comprising:

a user interface comprising a means for generating a record signal and a private mode signal during a call in which said communications device is connected with at least one other party via a communications system, whereby said record signal and said private mode signal cooperate to direct a recording of a private note during said call; and

transmitting means operative to transmit said record signal over the communications system.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said user interface includes interface controls which are selected from the group consisting of function keys and voice activation.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said interface controls include a start recording function, a stop recording function, a private mode function, a fast forward function, a reverse function, a forward to e-mail function, a forward to voice mail function, and a playback speed control function.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said private mode function transmits a mute signal for muting transmission to other parties on said call and for intermingling conversation of a party using said device with private comments to form said note, said private comments being unavailable to other parties on said call.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein said user interface includes a display area adapted to indicate status of recording, distribution and retrieval functions.

17. The device according to claim 12, further comprising:

a socket interface; and

a detachable storage unit removably coupled to said socket interface for the recording of at least one note.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said detachable storage unit is connectable to other compatible communication devices.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein said detachable storage unit facilitates uploading of said at least one recorded note to a secondary communications device for retrieving, and replaying said recorded note.

20. The device according to claim 12, wherein said user interface further includes:

means for selecting at least one note for distribution from among a plurality of notes;

means for selecting at least one party for distribution of said at least one note for distribution;

means for indicating type of distribution service to be used for delivery of said at least one note for distribution; and

means for indicating what format is to be utilized for said at least one note for distribution.

44. The communications device of claim 12 wherein said user interface further comprises a means for generating a distribution signal, said distribution signal being operative to direct ones of said recorded private notes to points in the communication system, and further wherein said transmitting means is operative to transmit said distribution signal over the communication system.

46. The device according to claim 44, wherein said private mode function transmits a mute signal for muting transmission to other parties on said call and for intermingling conversation of users with private comments to form said audio note, said private comments being unavailable to other parties on said call.

21. In a communications network, a method comprising the steps of:

recording at least one note during a call between users communicating over the communication network; and

muting transmission to other users in a private mode;

wherein said recording and said muting steps are initiated in response to a user signal, thereby permitting a user to make private comments regarding said call by muting transmission to other users on said call.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said step of recording includes the steps of:

starting recordation of said at least one note in response to an enable signal;

stopping recordation of said at least one note in response to a disable signal; and

repeating said starting, said stopping and said muting steps to permit multiple note recordings to be made and concatenated into said at least one note.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said step of recording includes the steps of:

marking a start and stop event of said at least one note in response to start and stop signals; and

marking said at least one note with an identification code in response to said stop signal.

24. The method according to claim 21, comprising the further step of distributing said at least one recorded note over said communications network in response to a distribution signal, wherein said step of distributing includes the substeps of:

formatting said at least one note in response to said distribution signal;

identifying parties to distribute a formatted note in response to said distribution signal; and

utilizing a given distribution service in response to said distribution signal.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said step of formatting includes sending said at least one note to a speech recognition processor for converting said at least one note to a text file in response to a text file distribution signal.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein said distribution service is at least one service selected from the group consisting of electronic mail service and voice mail service.

27. The method according to claim 21, further including the step of retrieving a stored note in response to a retrieval signal.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said step of retrieving permits retrieval and play of said stored note during an on-going call with other users.

29. The method according to claim 24, wherein said step of distributing further includes the steps of:

selecting at least one recorded note for distribution from among a plurality of recorded notes in response to said distribution signal;

selecting at least one party for distribution of said at least one recorded note in response to said distribution signal;

indicating a type of distribution service to be used for delivery of said at least one recorded note in response to said distribution signal; and

indicating what format is to be utilized for said at least one recorded note in response to said distribution signal.

30. The method according to claim 21, wherein said step of recording includes the steps of:

locally saving said at least one note;

checking if a detachable storage unit is available in response to a remote recording signal; and

remotely saving said at least one note to said detachable storage unit if said detachable storage unit is present.

31. The method according to claim 21, further including the steps of transmitting a recording, distributing and retrieving status.

32. A communications device comprising:

a user interface processor operable to manage a user interface for said device and to generate a record signal, a private mode signal and a distribution signal in response to user input, whereby said record signal and said private mode signal cooperate to direct a recording of a private note during a call in which said communications device is connected with at least one other party in a communication system;

a storage medium for storing said private note during said call; and

a distribution infrastructure for distributing stored ones of said private notes to said communication system in response to a distribution signal.

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein said user interface includes interface controls which are selected from the group consisting of function keys and voice activation.

34. The device according to claim 32, wherein said user interface includes a start recording function, a stop recording function, a private mode function, a fast forward function, a reverse function, a forward to e-mail function, a forward to voice mail function, and a playback speed control function.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein said private mode function transmits a mute signal for muting transmission to other parties on said call and for intermingling conversation of users with private comments to form said private note, said private comments being unavailable to other parties on said call.

36. The device according to claim 32, wherein said user interface includes a display area adapted to indicate status of recording, distribution and retrieval functions.

37. The device according to claim 32, wherein said storage medium further includes a detachable storage unit removably coupled to a socket interface.

38. The device according to claim 37, wherein said detachable storage unit is connectable to other compatible communication devices.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein said detachable storage unit facilitates uploading of said recorded note and said stored note to a secondary communications device for retrieving, and replaying said stored note.

40. The device according to claim 32, wherein said user interface further includes:

means for selecting at least one note for distribution from among a plurality of notes;

means for selecting at least one party for distribution of said at least one note for distribution;

means for indicating type of distribution service to be used for delivery of said at least one note for distribution; and

means for indicating what format is to be utilized for said at least one note for distribution.

41. A communication system, comprising:

a processor for recording at least one message during a call over the communication system in response to a record signal; and

means for distributing said at least one message over the communication system in response to a distribution signal;

wherein said processor is operable to intermingle conversation of users with private comments in response to a private node signal, said private comments being unavailable to other parties on said call.

42. A communications device comprising:

a user interface comprising a means for generating a record signal during a call via a communications system;

a socket interface;

a detachable storage unit removably coupled to said socket interface for the recording of at least one note; and

transmitting means operative to transmit said record signal over the communication system.

43. The communications device of claim 42 wherein said user interface further comprises a means for generating a distribution signal, said distribution signal being operative to direct stored ones of said at least one recorded note to points in the communication system, and further wherein said transmitting means is operative to transmit said distribution signal over the communication system.

45. A communications device comprising:

a user interface processor operable to generate a record signal and a distribution signal;

a storage medium for storing an audio note during a call in a communication system in response to said record signal; and

a distribution infrastructure for distributing a stored audio note to said communication system in response to a distribution signal;

wherein said user interface includes a start recording function, a stop recording function, a private mode function, a fast forward function, a reverse function, a forward to e-mail function, a forward to voice mail function, and a playback speed control function.