Method for recording voice messages on flash memory in a hand held recorder
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A device for enabling immediate recording of a new message on a partially recorded flash memory digital recording medium without a delay caused by searching for blank memory available for recording on the flash memory digital recording medium, said device comprising:
- a solid state digital hand held recording device having a multifunctional switch assembly and a separate record switch assembly, a flash memory digital recording medium including a region forming a continuity of pre-recorded messages, a printed circuit board including a microcontroller electrically coupled to the switch assemblies and operable to control the processing of sound into electrical signals, and store said electrical signals on the flash memory digital recording medium;
recording means coupled to the circuit board and activated by the record switch assembly and including means for (i) searching for an end of a last recorded message, (ii) identifying a point after the end of the last recorded message where the new message may begin, and (iii) beginning recording of the new message at the identified point;
sequencing playback means for playing the new message from the identified point defining the beginning of said new message with no manual involvement of the user other than activating the multifunctional switch means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solid state digital hand held recording device having a multifunctional switch assembly. A printed circuit board including a microcontroller electrically coupled to switch terminals operates to control the processing of sound into electrical signals and store said signals on a digital recording medium. The switch assembly actuates electrical signals coupled to said microcontroller thereby activating a sequence of actions (a program) stored within read-only memory device. A plurality of programs can be activated to instantaneously begin recording a message, verify the integrity of the recording medium, and index a message being recorded for rapid recall.
15 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A device for enabling immediate recording of a new message on a partially recorded flash memory digital recording medium without a delay caused by searching for blank memory available for recording on the flash memory digital recording medium, said device comprising:
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a solid state digital hand held recording device having a multifunctional switch assembly and a separate record switch assembly, a flash memory digital recording medium including a region forming a continuity of pre-recorded messages, a printed circuit board including a microcontroller electrically coupled to the switch assemblies and operable to control the processing of sound into electrical signals, and store said electrical signals on the flash memory digital recording medium; recording means coupled to the circuit board and activated by the record switch assembly and including means for (i) searching for an end of a last recorded message, (ii) identifying a point after the end of the last recorded message where the new message may begin, and (iii) beginning recording of the new message at the identified point; sequencing playback means for playing the new message from the identified point defining the beginning of said new message with no manual involvement of the user other than activating the multifunctional switch means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for recording a new message on a hand held recording device without disturbing the physical continuity of existing messages and without manually searching for a blank segment of memory on the flash memory digital recording medium, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) placing the recording device in an idle mode where all recorder functions are inactive; and b) activating a record switch causing the recording device to; i) search for an end of a last recorded message on the recording medium, ii) identify a segment of flash memory past the end of a last recorded message as a beginning point where the new message may be recorded, and iii) begin recording a new message at the beginning point. - View Dependent Claims (8, 10, 12)
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5. A method for verifying the integrity of memory on a removable flash memory recording medium chip for use within a hand held recording device, such that the flash memory is suitable for recording voice messages, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a removable flash memory recording chip and a hand held recording device with a plug assembly for electrically coupling the flash memory and the recording device; and b) activating a memory integrity test by manually inserting the flash memory chip into the plug assembly of said recording device to electrically couple the flash memory to the recording device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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9. A device for enabling the testing of memory integrity in a removable flash memory recording medium and the marking of defective memory such that voice messages are only recorded to segments of flash memory capable of storing electrical signals, said device comprising:
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a solid state digital hand held recording device having a multifunctional switch assembly and a record switch assembly, the flash memory digital recording medium including a region forming a continuity of pre-recorded messages, a printed circuit board including a microcontroller electrically coupled to the switch assemblies and operable to (1) control the processing of sound into electrical signals, (2) store said electrical signals on the recording medium, and (3) play said sounds stored in the flash memory digital recording medium; and memory integrity verification means for ascertaining whether the flash memory digital recording medium can record voice messages to said memory with no manual involvement of the user other than inserting the removable flash memory digital recording medium into a plug assembly in said recording device.
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11. A device for enabling indexing of a new message whereby a user may rapidly locate indexed segments of flash memory within the new message, said device comprising:
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a solid state digital hand held recording device having a multifunctional switch assembly and a record switch assembly, a flash memory digital recording medium including a region forming a continuity of pre-recorded message, and a printed circuit board including a microcontroller electrically coupled to the switch assemblies and operable to control the processing of sound into electrical signals, store said electrical signals on the flash memory digital recording medium, and play said sounds stored on the flash memory digital recording medium; message indexing means for indexing a message when the user activates the record switch while recording, thereby making an index point within the message stored on the flash memory digital recording medium; and indexing switching means for moving between the index points to enable the user to rapidly recall indexed messages.
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Specification