CH675318A5 - - Google Patents

Description

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description

The invention relates to a dictation / transmission apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.

A variety of recording devices for dictation / transmission systems are currently available, such as lamps, light emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays and the like. For example, the following US patents are of interest: US Pat. Nos. 4,200,893, 4,319,337, 4,398,279 and 4,399,527. Usually, a dictation is recorded on magnetic tape cassettes and a given cassette can store several dictations of different types, which have different lengths , are from different authors and have different urgency regarding the transfer. Previously, detailed data in this regard was not readily available to the employee performing the transfer. It would be beneficial if such data were recorded for display. In some devices with electronic displays, data that is useful for transferring the recorded material can be lost (or deleted) when the device is switched off or when the device is de-energized.

The above-mentioned difficulties are avoided in the dictation / transmission system according to the invention, and further advantages are obtained, this system having a display device which displays data relating to the location of a recorded message, as well as the length of the message, the identification of the author, time, date and the like .

A graphical representation of the locations of recorded messages is formed using three separate bar graphs that consist of one or more sections of visual displays. A bar graph shows the length of each message. The sections that represent the length of a message are combined in a “block” and the positions of the blocks represent the relative positions of the recorded messages. Furthermore, representations of the type of a message are displayed (preferably by flashing the section blocks), for example as a “letter” »,« Urgent letter »or the like. Another bar graph shows a position marker indicating the current position on the recording medium. Another bar graph shows the locations of “Instructions” and “Notes”, and a flashing of the sections indicates “Urgent” and “Special” messages. Further data, such as the identification of the author, the length of a recording tape, the time and the date are represented by alphanumeric symbols.

According to the invention, the display device can be manufactured as a component with a recording / playback device or it can be arranged in such a way that it operates in a modular system as a separate module that can easily be connected to or separated from a recording / playback module .

Preferably, both the display device and the recording / reproducing device are equipped with microprocessors and a communication link which merges command signals and control data signals between the modules, thereby enabling the modules to carry out the various system functions for recording and reproducing messages and when to cooperate in the display of the data.

One aspect of the invention is to record useful data that does not request part of the message on the recording medium by storing a complete usage history (e.g. type of message, location, length, author and the like) on the recording medium together with the recorded dictation. If, for example, a tape cassette is used for a tape recording, the discussed cassette is given the properties of an “intelligent” cassette.

In one embodiment, tape movement pulses are transmitted from the recording / reproducing device via a communication link to the microprocessor in the display device, the latter operating according to a programmed sequence to obtain a linear representation of the current position of the recording tape, which in turn is represented by the position mark on the display device is specified.

During dictation of a message, successive sections of one of the bar graphs are turned on. A caution signal, which can be generated by the actuation of a button on a hand-held microphone, interrupts the sequence of the sections with a blank space (for example a section that is switched off) to indicate the end of a message, such as a letter or report. The attention signal also commands the microprocessor of the display device to store in the internal memory the location of the initial dictation of the first message and also the location at which the current message ends. In addition (if desired) the identification of the author, the date, the time and other associated data are stored in the internal memory. All of this data can also be recorded on the recording tape along with the recorded dictation.

Upon completion of use of the recording tape, the operator may press a completion signal button on the display to instruct the microprocessor to transfer all of the display data from an internal memory to the recording tape for recording as a summary data block.

If the display data is deleted from the internal memory of the cassette or the cassette is transferred to another system, the data can be regenerated simply by scanning the tape. In fact, during the scan, the display microprocessor "reads" through the recording / playback head all of the display data that has been recorded to produce a display.

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Build position. If the summary data block is read during the scan, the display is immediately built up, saved and displayed. Urgent letters, instructions and the like are identified in a suitable manner and can be searched for and recorded for immediate transmission from the tape.

The task mentioned at the outset is solved by a dictation / transmission apparatus which has the features mentioned in claim 1.

The drawings show:

1 is a stylized illustration of a recording / reproducing device suitable in accordance with the present invention for connection to a modular display unit;

2 the modular display unit according to the invention, which is connected to a dictation / transmission device,

3 is an electrical block diagram of the modular, interconnected system of FIG. 2,

4 shows an embodiment of a tone modulator that can be used in the display module according to the invention,

5 shows an embodiment of a sound demodulator which can be used in the display module according to the invention,

6 shows an arrangement of areas of recorded audio frequency signals and recorded display data signals on a recording tape.

FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a significant portion of the operation of the microprocessor included in the record / playback module of FIG. 1.

Fig. 8 is an operational flow chart showing the essential operation of the microprocessor included in the recording / reproducing module and which records and acquires display data in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 9 is an operational flow chart showing the essential operation of the microprocessor contained in the display module for controlling the operation of and interaction with the recording / reproducing module.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2, in each of which a recording

is shown / playback device (10), which is electrically connected to a display device (22) according to the invention. The display device and the recording / reproducing device may be combined in a single unitary arrangement or may be constructed in a modular manner, wherein the recording / reproducing device and the displaying device can be connected or separated as desired to provide a display for the recording. and playback functions. As an embodiment, the following description is based on the modular form of the recording / reproducing apparatus and the

Display device turned off, but the present invention is equally applicable to a uniform arrangement of the recording / reproducing device and the display device.

The recording / reproducing device is shown in Fig. 1 as a module (10) which can be operated as a unit for recording and reproducing sound, in particular speech. A microphone (12) is connected to the module (10) and is used by an operator to record a spoken message on a recording medium, for example a magnetic tape located in a cassette (not shown in FIG. 1), which is located within a compartment ( 14) is located. Keys (16) of a keyboard (18) are in operative connection with a tape transport (not shown in FIG. 1) for the feed movement and for rewinding the tape. The module (10) comprises a display (20) which, for example, provides a numerical reading of the current position of the belt.

Figure 2 shows a display module (22) which can be connected to the recording / playback module (10) to display additional data relating to the dictation and transmission functions. For example, the display module (22) represents a number (preferably three) bar diagrams, which consist of individual sections of visual displays, such as light-emitting diodes, liquid crystals or the like, which appear as a display (24). The display (24) is preferably constructed as a liquid crystal display (LCD).

Successive sections form blocks, the length of which is proportional to recorded messages, such as letters, notes and reports. The sections in a block can be flashing to indicate an urgent matter that is to be written directly by an employee on the typewriter. Additional useful data is displayed in alphanumeric form in an area (28) on the right side of the display (24), for example the identification of the author who dictated a message and the length (in minutes) of the message. The date and time of the message are indicated on the display (20) of the module (10).

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit of the two modules (10, 22). The recording / playback module (10) comprises a drive (46) for rotating a supply reel (48) and a take-up reel (50) in order to transport a magnetic recording tape (52) past a recording / playback head (54) so that audio frequency and Display data signals can be stored on the tape and retrieved. The module (10) further comprises a recording circuit (56) and a playback circuit (58) which are connected to the magnetic head (54), and a circulation sensor (60) which is arranged, for example, along the supply reel (48) for detecting the rotation thereof is. A sound wave (62) is actuated by the drive (46) so that a constant speed of the band 5

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movement (52) is maintained during recording and playback. As the tape (52) unwinds from the supply reel (48), the diameter of the supply reel (48) becomes smaller, which increases the speed of the supply reel in view of the constant linear speed of the tape (52) driven by the audio shaft (62) (48) prompted. Therefore, the revolution sensor (60) detects a continuously increasing speed during the forward movement of the belt (52).

3, the microphone (12) is connected to the module (10) via the interface unit (66), the connection being shown as a set of lines, including a line for the attention signal, a line for the voice connection and a line for Signals that control tape movement, such as forward, fast forward, and fast reverse. The attention signal line activates an oscillator (176) to generate the attention signal, which is fed to the magnetic head (54) via the recording circuit (56).

The recording / playback module (10) further comprises a microprocessor (64) which supplies control signals via the interface unit (66) to the display (20), the drive (46), the recording circuit (56) and the playback circuit (58). Circulation signals in the form of movement pulses are generated by the circulation sensor (60) and transmitted to the microprocessor (64) via the interface unit (66). A memory (68) connected to the microprocessor (64) stores program data and other data useful for the operation of the microprocessor (64).

Digital signals are transmitted via a data bus (70) between the interface unit (66) and the microprocessor (64). The interface unit also delivers signals from the keyboard (18) (which is partially shown in Fig. 3) to the microprocessor, which in turn controls the display (20) and selects the operating functions of the module (10) and also of the module (26).

A finish button (72A) on the display module (22) provides a signal indicating that an author has finished dictating. This signal initiates an operation in the modules (10, 22) by which a complete indication of the types of messages recorded, their locations and their or their originators is recorded on the tape (52) as a digitally formalized message, along with the audio frequency data or dictations that are also recorded on the tape. Another button (72B) on the display module (22) can be operated by a user to command the display module (22) to display this recorded information on the display (24), preferably in the bar chart form mentioned above.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display develops on the display (24) while the author speaks his dictation into the microphone (12) and the tape (52) runs forward. For example, a section of the bar graph display is

Area of the dictation switched on. A bar chart length of ten sections would show a dictation time of 5 minutes in the example given above. The author indicates the end of a dictated paragraph or report or a dictated note by pressing an attention signal button on the microphone (12). This end of dictation is represented by the omission of a section (i.e. the section is not switched on) and the section which is properly switched off is determined as a function of the number of motion pulses generated by the circulation sensor (60) of the recording / reproducing module (19). Depressing the attention signal button also activates the modules (10, 22) for storing the dictation end point of the dictated material on the tape (52), along with the author identification, the start point of the dictation, the time and date of the dictation of this particular message. Furthermore, when the attention signal button is activated first, the original starting point at which the dictation on the tape begins is stored. This display data for all recorded messages is recorded on the tape (52) in the form of a summary data block depending on the operation of the completion key (72A). At a later point in time, for example after a power failure, when the modules (10, 22) are subsequently reactivated or when the belt is transferred to another similar system, the display module (22) can be triggered by a command from the button (72B) regenerate the graphic display from the display data stored on the tape (52).

For example, the display data that are transmitted between the modules (10, 22) are in the form of a sequence of audio frequency signals. In order to generate and recover these sound signals, the display module (22) comprises a sound modulator (74), a sound demodulator (76) and a microprocessor (78), in addition to the previously mentioned display (24) and a keyboard (26 ). The microprocessor (78), which may consist of a NEC model 7500 or similar device, includes a memory (80) for storing program data and the previously mentioned display data.

A connecting element connects the two modules (10, 22) and comprises an audio frequency connection consisting of lines (82, 84, 86) and a bus line (88) for digital data. The bus line (88) transmits digitally formatted signals between the two microprocessors (64, 78). Line (82) transmits audio frequency signals from audio modulator (74) to recording circuit (56). The line (86) transmits audio frequency signals from the playback circuit (58) to the audio demodulator (76). The line (84) is a return line for the signals on the two lines (82, 86). Analog switches (90) in the form of field effect transistors (FETs) in the recording / playback module (10), and analog switches (92) in the form of FETs in the display module (22) allow each of the modules (10, 22) to be connected to the lines

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(82, 84) for audio frequency and to be separated from them. The analog switches (90) are operated by the microprocessor (64) via self-holding switches (94) and the analog switches (92) are operated by the microprocessor (78) via self-holding switches (96).

If so desired, the audio frequency link can be expanded to allow connection of the audio frequency lines of the display module (22) to another recording / playback module (not shown) along with an accompanying expansion of the bus line (88). As a result, the display module (22) can be designed in such a way that it is operated with two recording / playback modules. With such a configuration, the memory (80) of the display module (22) stores display data provided by the two recording / playback modules.

The keyboard (26) of the display module (22) includes a hold key (98), a caution signal selector key (102), a SEARCH FORWARD key (110) and a REAR SEARCH key (112). These buttons are electrically connected via a line (104) to the microprocessor (78) for selecting the operating functions of the microprocessor. The hold button (98) is used to hold a representation on the display (24). The attention signal selector key (102) is used during transmission because it allows a user to access a type of message, such as a letter, an urgent letter, an instruction, or a special note. Recorded messages are characterized as one of the previous types of messages by operating the attention signal buttons on the microphone (12) and a specific attention signal designation is recorded on the tape (52). In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the display module (22), each type of message (or caution signal label) can be selectively displayed (or alternatively illuminated) along the bottom edge of the display (24) and the caution signal labels are sequenced by pressing the caution signal button (102) selected consecutively.

If the tape (52) moves past the magnetic head (54), a position mark moves along the display (24) in the horizontal direction to indicate the tape position.

Data such as the author identification, the date and the time of the dictation can be entered by means of two keys (106, 108), each of which is designated as a mode key and a selector key on the keyboard (26). If desired, these buttons can be placed away from view and unintended operation. The mode button (106) and the selector button (108) are connected via the line (104) to the microprocessor (178) for the input and storage of the data listed above. This data can be conveniently entered by pressing the mode button (106) sequentially to select the originator identifier, the date and the time form (12 hours or 24 hours) to be entered. The selector key (108) is operated to cycle through the digits of the originator identifier, time and date. This data is also recorded on the tape (52) by the microprocessor (78).

Further details of the circuit of FIG. 3 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, which are followed by the operational flow diagrams of FIGS. 7 to 9.

4 is referred to. The tone modulator (74) comprises two oscillators (134, 136), two switches (138, 140), a digital inverter (142) and an OR circuit (144). In operation, the oscillator (134) generates a higher frequency audio signal (e.g. 1,800 Hz) and the oscillator (136) generates a lower frequency audio signal (e.g. 1,000 Hz). These signals are transmitted through the switches (138, 140) to the OR circuit (144) and output on the audio frequency line (82) (FIG. 3) as frequency shift keying signals (FSK). A digital signal supplied to the switches (138, 140) via a line (156) to the microprocessor (78) actuates these switches in order to connect one of the oscillators (134, 136) to the OR circuit (144). A logic 1 signal on line (156) actuates switch (138) to output a higher frequency tone on audio frequency line (82) and a logic 0 signal on line (156) actuates switch (140 ) for outputting a tone of lower frequency on the tone frequency line (82).

In the OR circuit (144), summing resistors (146, 148) each transmit signals from the switches (138, 140) to the negative input terminal of the amplifier (150). The modulator (74) converts the digital signals on the line (156) into audio frequency FSK signals on the audio frequency line (82).

Fig. 5 illustrates details of the tone demodulator (76), the demodulator having a phase detector (158), a low pass filter (160), a voltage controlled oscillator (162), a comparator (164) and a reference signal source (166) . The audio frequency signal on line (86) (Fig. 3) is fed to an input terminal of the phase detector (158). The comparator (164) generates a digital signal which is fed to the microprocessor (78) (FIG. 3) via the line (168).

In operation, the oscillator (162) vibrates at a frequency which depends on the amplitude of a signal which is fed to it by a filter (160) via a line (170). The phase detector (158), the filter (160) and the oscillator (162) form a known phase-locked loop (172). The phase detector (158) provides the filter (160) with a signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the phase difference between the input signal on line (86) and the output signal from the oscillator (162). The filter (160) integrates the output signal of the phase detector (158) to provide a smoothly changing signal on line (170) to drive the oscillator (162). The bandwidth of the filter (160) is

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se set to allow the loop (172) to follow the frequency of the audio line (86) as it jumps between lower and higher frequencies.

It is noted that the frequency control signal on line (170) increases in amplitude to provide the higher output frequency of oscillator (162) and decreases in amplitude to provide the lower output frequency of oscillator (162). The signal on line (170) is fed to the input terminal of the comparator (164), a reference signal from the reference signal source (166) being fed to a second input source of the comparator. The size of the reference signal lies between the two amplitude values of the signal on line (170). The comparator (164) outputs a logic 1 signal depending on a high output voltage on line (170) and it provides a logic 0 signal on line (168) depending on a low output voltage. The audio demodulator (76) converts the audio frequency FSK signals on line (86) into digital signals on line (168). A digital transmission rate of 545 baud, for example, is used in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a portion of the tape (52) for recording. Parts of the tape carry recorded audio signals, while other parts record recorded display data to operate the display (24) of the display module (22). While the audio frequency section of the band (52) can be relatively long and possibly extends over almost the entire length of the band, the section with the display data is relatively short. The forward direction of the belt movement in Fig. 6 points to the left. As can be seen, the display data is recorded in an "attention signal block" after the assigned audio frequency section and includes data relating to the length of this audio frequency section. The user notifies his end of the dictation of a message (for example, an end of letter) by pressing an attention signal key to record an attention signal, for example, as a 15 Hz signal on an area of the band between the end of the audio frequency section and the beginning of the associated attention signal block display data section. During the fast forward and backward movement of the band (52), the 15 Hz attention signal appears as a much higher frequency signal (in the range of 150-450 Hz) due to the fast band movement. Nonetheless, the length of the recorded portion of the caution signal is sufficient to allow the recording / playback module (10) to capture the caution signal during the fast forward and fast backward movements, thereby releasing the drive (46) to stop the tape.

6, a summary area is recorded in a summary data block at the end of the portion of tape (52) that contains recorded data. The summary data block contains data that summarizes all of the display data recorded in the previous one block of data areas and, as previously stated, contains sufficient information to fully display the recorded messages on the display (24) of the display module (22) to generate again. The display data of the attention signal block data area and the display data of the summary data block area are provided by the display module (22), as previously stated, after the user has been informed that he has finished dictating a message and that he has one each Has finished the cassette. This user information is provided by using the attention signal key on the microphone (12) and by using the attention signal end key on the keyboard (18).

As an exemplary embodiment of the use of the display module (22) for displaying data which is advantageous for the transfer of material from a previously recorded tape cassette, an employee can give the display module (22) the command to display the previously described bar chart representation of the previously recorded messages and in the following manner: after inserting a previously recorded cassette, the user presses the display key (72B) on the keyboard (26) to activate the microprocessor (78) to read the data contained in the tape's summary data block (52) are present to show the data on the display (24). The tape (52) is then scanned either in the forward or rewind direction depending on whether the SEARCH FORWARD KEY (110) or the SEARCH BACKWARD KEY (112) is operated to remove the stored data from the attention signal blocks the tape (52) into the microprocessor (78). If the display key is pressed, the summary data block is read first and the entire display can be displayed immediately, whereas in the other case the display is generated piece by piece when the display data of each attention signal block is read. The user selects the scanning direction for access to the summary data block, for example, by “pressing release” actuation of the button (72B) to achieve the rewinding direction or by “holding pressure” actuation to achieve the forward direction. During the scanning process, the completion signal that precedes the summary data block or the end of message signal that precedes each caution signal block is detected by a caution signal sensor (178) (FIG. 3), the caution signal sensor (178) communicating to the microprocessor ( 64) supplies a control signal via the network unit (66).

'' During backwash scanning, the microprocessor (64) responds by instructing the drive (46) to stop the tape when a 15 Hz

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Attention signal is detected, whereupon the tape is played in the forward direction. This brings the summary data block or an attention signal block past the magnetic head (54) for transmission to the sound demodulator (76) and the microprocessor (78) over the audio frequency link. During the forward scan, the tape is moved in fast forward mode and is stopped depending on the detection of an attention signal. In view of the fact that the tape can extend beyond the attention signal position and consequently misses part or all of the subsequent display data section, the microprocessor (64) is programmed such that it automatically controls a return of the tape transport by a preset amount, which is what brings the magnetic head behind the display data section. The tape then runs in the forward direction and the display data is played back in order to be output to the microprocessor (78) of the display module (22). The microprocessor (78) then controls the tape transport for further forward movement in order to collect data from further attention signal blocks of the tape (52) and finally to record all the display data in the summary data block. In this way, the data relating to the messages recorded on the tape cassette are fed to the modules (10, 22).

The tape movement pulses generated by the recirculation sensor (60) are used by the microprocessor (78) to position the sections of the bar graph representation. The non-linear relationship between the spool revolution and the tape feed can be converted into a linear relationship by the microprocessor, the microprocessor using a linearization method according to US Pat. No. 4,410,923, resulting in a substantially linear representation on the display (24) leads. The tape movement pulses are transmitted over the bus line (88) under the control of the microprocessor (64).

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the overall function of the microprocessor (64), including a main loop (210) which branches to block (226) of the operating flow diagram according to FIG. 8. Block (226) (Fig. 8) begins the interaction between the display module (22) and the record / playback module (10). Block (226) represents that the microprocessor of module (10) is looking for a command from display module (22). If no command is received, operation returns to the main loop (210). If a display sample command (block, (228)) is received from the display module (22), the operation shown in Fig. 8 proceeds to block (230), in which the module (10) determines whether the attention signal sample is forward or backward the movement of the belt (52) should take place, depending on the actuation of the «display» key. If no display scan command is detected by the display module (22), operation proceeds to block (236) to detect an attention signal seek command, the module (10) actuating the tape transport to cause the tape (52) to be centered -lung-end signal is sampled.

At block (230), module (10) searches tape (52) in the selected forward or rewind direction for an attention signal. If an attention signal is detected (block (238), the tape drive (46) stops the movement of the tape (52) and the audio frequency connection is activated by actuating the switches (90, 92) (block (240)) to remove the tape (52) fed signals to the display module (22). The tape transport is actuated in order to play display data (block (243)) from the attention signal block of the tape (52) to the display module (22). The playback is continued until the end of the display data (block ( The module (10) then receives another command for forward or backward run (block (246)) and activates the tape transport in order to search for the next attention signal. The cycle is repeated when returning to block (238), in which module (10) attempts to find the next attention signal block of band (52) that contains display data.

Reference is again made to block (244). If no display end data is determined, but rather the end of the summary data is present (which is recorded in the summary data block), this end of the summary data is recorded at (248). The tape (52) continues to pass the magnetic head (54) until everything from the summary data block is read from the tape to be fed to the display module (22). The module (10) then captures a stop command (block (250)) indicating the end of the summary data block, whereupon the tape drive (46) is stopped and operation returns to the main loop at block (210).

If the display module command is neither a display scan command nor a caution signal search command, the received command may be a caution signal calibration command. Upon detection of a caution signal recording command, the module (10) executes the process of recording the end of message display data or the summary display data previously stored in the memory (80) of the display module (22). This data includes the information mentioned above. If a display scan command (block (228)) is not detected, module (10) begins the process of transferring this data from memory (80) of display module (22) to the summary data block or to the message end area of tape (52). The process is carried out by activating the audio frequency connection (82) and the recording circuit (56) according to FIG. 3) at block (252), provided that a caution signal search command (block (236)) is not received but a caution signal is received. Record command (block (232)) is detected. The sequence of recorded data begins with the recording of the attention signal (block (254)), followed by the recording of the display data (block (256)). The

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Recording is stopped upon detection of a stop command (block (258)) from the display module (22), indicating that all of the display data has been read from the memory (80). Operation then returns to the main loop (210).

Reference is made to block (236). If the command from the display module (22) is a caution signal search command to determine a caution signal data field on the tape (52), this operation is performed by detecting in block (260) a command to move the tape forward or backward becomes. The module (10) can then be provided in block (262) with a command to proceed to a specific location or type of message on the tape. If no such command is given, the belt drive continues to move the belt either in the forward or reverse direction until an attention signal is detected at block (264). The attention signal data field (typically the attention signal block) then begins to play, as indicated at block (266). If a specific point is designated at block (262), the drive (46) moves the belt (52) in fast forward or fast return to the designated point, after which a playback (block (266)) begins and the operation to the main loop on Block (210) returns.

During the interaction between the record / playback module (10) and the display module (22), both the microprocessor (64) of the module (10) and the microprocessor (78) of the display module (32) operate to perform the functions of data storage and display to deliver. The operation of the microprocessor (64) during this interaction has been described in the operational flow diagram of FIG. 8. The operation of the microprocessor (78) during this interaction will now be explained in connection with FIG. 9.

9, operation begins with the detection of a display scan request at block (268), which is initiated by a user pressing the button (72B) on the display module (22). The acquisition takes place after the main loop has ended. If the display scan request is detected, operation proceeds to block (270) to either command the module (10) to drive the tape in the forward or reverse direction depending on the actuation of the button (72B) as previously mentioned has been. If no request for a display scan is detected, the operation proceeds to block 272 for detection of a search request. Such a request is made by pressing the search forward button (110) or the search reverse button. The attention signal selector key (102) of the display module (22) is used in conjunction with the search forward key or the search reverse key to access, for example, the next urgent letter, instruction, or special note to find. If such a request is received, operation goes to block (274)

to sense whether the search should be performed by moving the tape (52) forward or backward, depending on the choice of a forward or backward search request by the user, as previously performed. If no attention signal search request is detected at block (272), operation proceeds to block (276), in which the display module (22) attempts to determine whether the key (72A) has been actuated to initiate a termination request. If a caution signal termination has been detected, operation proceeds to block (278) to determine if module (10) is in its dictation or transmission mode. In the former case, operation continues to block (280) and in the latter case to block (282). If a caution signal termination is not detected at block (276), operation proceeds to block (284) for the detection of a caution signal recording command generated by actuation of the caution signal buttons on the microphone (12). If such a caution signal recording command coming from the module (10) is detected, the operation of the module (22) proceeds to block (286) to detect a caution signal end command. If an attention signal is not to be recorded, the microprocessor returns from block (284) to main loop (210).

Reference is made to block (270). Depending on a display sample request, the microprocessor (78) commands the microprocessor (64) to move the belt (52) to detect a caution signal area at block (288). The audio frequency connection is then activated at block (290) by switches (92, 90) in order to transmit data between the band (52) and the display module (22). Reading of the data is indicated at block (292) and continues until a caution signal termination is detected at block (294). If no attention signal termination is detected, the data read from the sampled attention signal block recorded on tape (52) is displayed at block (296), after which operation to block (270) for further advancement of the tape returns to the next attention signal position. If a caution signal termination is detected at block (294), the summary display data is displayed as indicated at block (298) and the data reading process stops at block (300), whereupon the operation goes to the main loop at the block (210) returns. It should be noted that the display is structured as follows: the length of a letter or an urgent letter is indicated by the number of consecutive sections switched on in the display (24) and a letter is represented by permanently switched on sections while an urgent letter is indicated by flashing sections. An instruction is displayed by switching on the respective section in a separate row to show the location of this instruction. A special note is given in a similar

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Displayed like an instruction, but the section is kept flashing.

Reference is made to blocks (272, 274). If there is a caution signal search request but a specific tape location for an attention signal has not been requested, operation continues to block (302) where the tape is moved forward or backward as requested by the user to obtain the next caution signal. Block to reach. If this attention signal is not the selected attention signal of interest (block (304)), operation returns to block (302) for further movement to the next attention signal. If at block (304) the detected attention signal is the attention signal of interest, operation proceeds to block (306), in which the display module (22) commands the module (10) to play the tape (52) to play the message . If, as an alternative, a specific position was requested at the block (274), the tape drive (46) is caused by the microprocessor (64) under the control of the microprocessor (78) to move the tape (52) in a fast forward or fast reverse direction to bring the tape to the desired location where it will be played at block (306) to play the recorded information. Operation then returns to the main loop at block (210).

Reference is made to blocks (276, 278). Upon detection of a caution signal termination during the dictation, the microprocessor (78) commands the microprocessor (64) to end the dictation process and fast-forward (block (280)) to move the tape to the foremost point of the dictated material. A caution signal is recorded; and then the audio frequency connection is activated at block (308), followed by the detection of the end of attention signal command at block (310). It provides the point on the tape where the summary data is to be written. At block (312), the summary display data describing the use of the tape and stored in memory (80) is transmitted over the audio frequency link for recording on tape (52). After the recording of the summary data block is complete, the audio frequency connections are blocked (block (314)), after which operation returns to the main loop (210).

If the attention signal termination (block (276)) is detected during a transmission process, the display (24) clears the set of display sections representing the message that was just being transmitted or, alternatively, if those sections and others have been deleted , the termination request switches these sections on again. The deleted sections leave a space on the bar graph display that indicates to the agent making the transfer those messages that have been transferred. Block (282) determines whether the attention signal end key (72A) is less than a half

Second is pressed, after which the sections which form a respective message are deleted, or if the attention signal end key is held down for more than half a second, all sections which have been previously deleted are switched on again. Operation then returns to the main loop (210).

As for blocks (284, 286) for capturing an attention signal recording command during a dictation process, the end of attention signal recording command is captured at block (286), followed by activation of audio frequency links at block (320). The display data associated with the completed message, such as the end point of the message, is then fed from the microprocessor (78) to the module (10) for recording in the attention signal block of the tape (52). What is indicated at block (322). Upon completion of the recording of the display data, the audio frequency connections at block (324) are blocked and operation returns to the main loop (210).

Claims (24)

Claims 1. dictation and transmission apparatus for recording audio frequency messages, with a recording device, including a recording medium for storing messages and signals for the purpose of displaying the locations of these messages on the recording medium, characterized by a data generator (72A, 78) for generating data which both the stored message as well as the dictation / transmission activity of the apparatus, the data being recorded on the recording medium (52). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the data generator is designed to generate data which represent the type of storable messages. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the data generator is designed to generate data which represent letters, urgent letters, instructions or special comments. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by a display (24) for providing a mutually delimited visual display of each type of recorded messages. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the display (24) consists of a series of display sections, in which successive display sections are switched on in order to display the length of a letter, and in that a display section is deactivated in order to display the end of a letter and the beginning of the next, and that letters are shown as essentially continuously switched on sections, while urgent letters are displayed as flashing sections, and that finally a second row of display sections is selected, continuously switched on Ab5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 9 17th CH 675 318 A5 18th sections to represent the locations of stored instructions and flashing sections to represent the locations of stored special annotations. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the data generator for generating data representing locations on the recording medium where the messages are stored, further the identity of at least one author of the audio frequency messages, and the times at which the messages have been saved. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the data comprise modulated audio frequency data which are transmitted to the recording device. 8. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the recording device and the display are designed as separate, but connectable to form a uniform arrangement modules, that the locations of the recorded messages are shown as a bar chart that a distance proportional to the length of a recorded message, with a separate section of the bar chart for each recorded message. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the data generator comprises manually operable voters, that a microprocessor (64) responds to the manually operable voters to generate digital signals representing the type of message recorded, the location of their Recording, the identification of the originator of the message and the time at which the message was recorded and that a first memory (68) is used to store the digital signals, the microprocessor displays (24) with the stored digital signals for displaying the bar graph controls, and that all stored digital signals are recorded in a summary block after the recording of the audio frequency message. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for recording a summary block of the data relating to each of the messages, and that the summary block of the data is playable and can be displayed as information relating to each recorded message. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the device for recording the data summary block comprises means for recording data representing the type of each message recorded on the recording medium, and that the display can be switched on by playing the summary block, to show the different types of messages. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the means for recording the data summary block comprises means for recording data representing the locations where each message is recorded, the length of each message recorded, and further whether each message consists of a letter, an urgent letter, an instruction or a special note. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 with a recording / playback module for recording the messages and display data on a recording medium and for playing back these messages and display data, and with a visual display module for generating visual displays of the display data, characterized in that the recording / playback module (10) and the display module (22) are physically independent of one another but can be connected to one another in order to form an integrated arrangement and that it has a device for recording the display data in a data block which follows or precedes a message and also a summary block of digital data following all messages. 14. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a device for recording a data block having data representing the identification of the originator of a message, the type of message recorded and the time at which the message was recorded, immediately following this message, and that the display is at least designed to identify the author, which is contained in a played data block. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises means for performing a search in order to search the recording medium for the data blocks recorded thereon and to make the display (24) four, indicating the type and length of the message precedes a data block. 16. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the display (24) has at least one series of visual display sections to indicate the type and length of a recorded message, and that a selector key is provided which, when actuated, switches off those display sections which depending on the playback of data from the summary block, provided that at least a part of the recorded message represented by those display sections has been played. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the selector key is further operable to turn on again all the display sections that have been turned off, thereby again displaying the locations, lengths and types of messages recorded on the recording medium. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, characterized by a selector switch (102) for selecting a particular type of message, after which the recording medium is scanned for access to the selected message. 19. Use of an apparatus according to claim 1 for transmitting messages, the recording medium being in the form of a recorded magnetic tape which has both a recording of audio frequency messages and display data, characterized in that 5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 10th 19th CH 675 318 A5 recorded message and display data relating to dictation activity are displayed in a display device. 20. Use according to claim 19, characterized in that the transmission of messages comprises the transmission of display data relating to the type of messages recorded, the length of messages recorded and the respective location of the messages recorded. 21. Use according to claim 20, characterized in that the transmission of messages comprises the transmission of data relating to the type of messages recorded as a letter, urgent letter, instruction or as a special note. 22. Use according to claim 19, characterized in that the transmission of messages represents the transmission of display data relating to the identification of an author of the recorded messages and the times at which these messages were recorded. 23. Use according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the transmission of the display data takes place in a separate recording block. 24. Use according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the transmission of the display data in respective data blocks takes place immediately following a recorded message. 5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 11