JP2002501224A - Recording device with retrospective storage - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An audio recording is generated by an input through the microphone (16), which can be stored in the memory (28). The control of the power supply (20) is affected by an on / off switch (22). The memory is addressable (30) and can be played back via a normal speaker (40). The audio data can be reduced in storage requirements by a data compression device (26). An appropriate audio output process to the speaker (40) is performed by the data decompression device (36) during reproduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to recording devices, and more particularly to recording audio signals in a first-in, first-out memory queue, wherein an operator designates a previously recorded section for storage, and later independently of the operation of the cue. The present invention relates to a device that enables the reproduction.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Recording equipment used in conferences, business meetings and similar gatherings can be relatively large and heavy, using motor-driven magnetic tape, or light, powered by a small, portable battery. Has recently evolved into a portable device. Recently, solid state memories using integrated circuits have replaced tape recorders in many applications, resulting in smaller and lighter devices.

A recording device using these integrated circuits can record an analog value representing the instantaneous amplitude of a sound reaching the microphone of the device, digitize the microphone output, and store it as a binary value. Digital compression / decompression circuitry can be used to increase the storage capacity of fixed memory sizes. These recording devices often use voice-sensitive switches to reduce battery usage when there is no sound to be recorded.

[0004] These recording devices operate on a first-in, first-out basis so that the recording device stores the most recently captured sound and discards or overwrites the signal representing the oldest sound, so that the memory capacity is not exceeded. can do. For example, if the memory has the capacity to store 10 minutes of sound, when the memory is full, the system will generate the most recently generated signal at the expense of the signal representing the oldest sound stored on the recording device. Keep saving the sound. As a result, the most recently recorded 10 minutes of sound will always be stored.

[0005] In certain recording situations, whatever the sound, music or the like, most of the recorded sound need not be preserved. Occasionally, however, there may be audio (even possibly written) that the recorder operator wants to save and play later. For example, in business meetings, court proceedings, music rehearsals and the like, it is not necessary to record the entire progress, but it is important for the operator to hear and hear and then save it. Sometimes a statement is made or a passage is played. The present invention is directed to applications in such cases.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

The invention takes the form of a recording device that includes a microphone and a sound-sensitive switch that continuously receives and analyzes the microphone output when power is supplied to the device. When the sound-sensitive switch detects a signal representing music or voice, a microphone is output to the audio memory on a first-in first-out queuing basis. That is, when the memory is full, the oldest signals are discarded or erased to make room for the most recently generated stored signal. The recording device includes an operator-controlled instant contact switch, which should be activated when the operator wishes to record a statement just made or a passage just played for later playback. Can be. By activating this switch, the last recorded signal is removed from the first-in first-out queue for a predetermined period of time (eg, 10 seconds), and as a result, the stored signal may be emptied if the recorded signal is not removed. The storage of these signals takes place independently of any later additions to the queue that would be deleted. To allow the operator to actuate the capture button several times and save those sounds so that they are not erased during a first-in-first-out operation, an audio signal can be stored each time that represents the sound immediately before the button operation. It is desirable that the memory for use preferably has a storage capacity capable of storing a limited number of these signals.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

Because the recording devices formed in accordance with the present invention are small, lightweight, and use low battery power, these recording devices may take the form of buttons or wrist-fitting devices suitable for wearing on clothing. It is possible, or it can be integrated into a conventional wristwatch. When it is desired to save the sound of the immediately following section, the operator can place the activated capture button at a remote location remote from the recording device and communicate with the recording device via electromagnetic signals such as infrared.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in detail below, the signal received from the microphone is:
Controlled by a memory address counter, controlled by a sound-sensitive switch, and stored in adjacent sections of the integrated circuit memory. When the capture switch is activated, the memory section that stores the most recently recorded signal is identified and removed from the first-in first-out queue. In this way, the queue length is reduced each time the capture switch is activated. In a system capable of recording five minutes of sound, in which a signal representing the last ten seconds is stored each time the operator actuates the capture button, the queue length is increased each time a section is recorded. Decrease by 10 seconds. Therefore, a total of 30 segments for 10 seconds can be stored. When 29 segments are stored, the queue length is only 10 seconds.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a register that stores the duration of the sound of the captured section. The recording device is provided with a control device that allows the operator to adjust the time length of the section to be captured.

[0009] The recording device includes a digital clock for signal generation that stores the time each time the operator operates the capture switch, and specifies the date and time when the captured section was recorded by the audio signal during playback. Can also. In embodiments of the present invention where the recording device is incorporated into a watch, the digital signal can be obtained from the clock portion of the device.

The control of the operator further includes a display device for assigning a continuous identification number to each storage segment, and a keyboard that allows the operator to input a segment number to be reproduced. The display device also displays a signal indicating the remaining length of the queue to the operator.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the queue length is constant and the signals in the queue are:
Each time a new signal is input, it is shifted by one storage location. When the operator presses the "save" switch, the most recently stored signal is transferred to a non-volatile storage location independent of the queue. Memory sections that form queues from volatile solid state memory may also be formed.

The audio memory can constitute a digital tape or a multi-cell integrated circuit that stores recording signals in either a digital format or an analog format. If the storage device is in digital format, an analog-to-digital converter is provided that converts the microphone output to a digital signal, and the digital-to-analog converter processes the memory output and converts it to the appropriate format during playback. By using a data compression / decompression circuit, the storage time of a memory having a predetermined capacity can be extended.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments of the invention. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The recording device formed in accordance with the present invention can be easily miniaturized because a low power solid state circuit configuration is used. FIG. 1 illustrates a wrist-mounted device, generally indicated at 10, comprising a conventional watch 12 and a push-button that can be used by an operator to control a self-contained voice recorder with retrospective storage. 14 are integrated.

Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a small microphone 16 which picks up ambient sound and outputs an analog signal having an instantaneous value representing the amplitude of the sound. This microphone output signal is output to a sound-sensitive switch 18 of a conventional design. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,484 discloses a switch for determining whether an input audio signal is an audio signal or a non-audio signal.
When an audio signal is detected, a certain signal is transmitted to the power supply device 2 by a sound sensitive switch.
0 (preferably comprising a battery, such as an electric wristwatch battery), and then power is applied to all of the associated circuitry for the duration of the audio signal. When no audio signal is present, power is supplied only to the sound-sensitive switch 18. An operator controlled on / off switch 22 allows the power supply to the entire system, including the sound sensitive switch, to be turned off. Although the system can be turned on at all times by an optional operator control switch, the power consumption of the system can be significantly reduced by using a voice sensitive switch.

When the operator-controlled recording switch is on, or when the sound-sensitive switch detects an audio signal (or music signal if properly designed),
Output is provided from the microphone 16 to an analog-to-digital converter, which samples the amplitude of the input signal to produce a series of digital signals representing the instantaneous amplitude of the microphone output. These digital signals are preferably output to a data compression device 26 that utilizes any of a variety of commercially available compression algorithms to provide an output signal containing a smaller number of bits than the input, from which the input signal It is desirable to be able to substantially reconstruct. The compressed output from device 26 is output to a memory address control circuit 28, which directs the compressed audio signal through a channel to the appropriate storage location in non-volatile addressable memory 30. Memory 30
May be various types of flash memory. This memory can take the form of a circular stack with a pointer that automatically moves to the point where a new recording is started.

The memory address control circuit 28 serves to send successive bits of the compressed digital signal to successive memory addresses. Although the length of the non-volatile memory 30 depends on economic considerations, the preferred embodiment can store 2 to 30 minutes of compressed audio. When the memory 30 reaches capacity, the memory address control circuit operates to overwrite the old signal and feed the newly arriving signal into the storage location containing the oldest signal stored in the memory. Initially, the entire non-volatile memory 30 is dedicated to recording newly arriving sounds in this queue.

The operator of the recording device is listening to the same sound that the microphone 16 receives. When a certain section sounds deemed worthy of saving, the operator activates the save push button 32. In the preferred embodiment, the push button is permanently connected to the audio recording device, but in other embodiments, the push button 32 can be located at a remote location, and can be connected to a suitable electromagnetic link such as infrared RF. Can also communicate with the rest of the recording device circuitry via. A storage switch located at a remote location may be equipped with a suitable electromagnetic transmission device. In addition, the remainder of the circuitry includes receiving signals from a remote transmitter,
8 may also be equipped with an electromagnetic receiver operable to output these signals.

Each time the operator activates the storage switch 32, the most recently stored signal of a section of storage memory is removed from the memory queue. For example, the system can be programmed to capture the last recorded 10 seconds of sound each time the save switch 32 is actuated. This capture can be done by comparing the pointer position to see if it is protected and skipping the protected pointer position. This capture is performed by the memory address control circuit by simply passing the digital signal from the data compression device 26 into the memory location 30 in a predetermined path in a manner that avoids overwriting the section just recorded. Achieved. For simplicity, assume that memory 30 has ten storage locations. Initially, signals from the data compressor 26 are sent sequentially to storage locations 1-10. After the memory is full, the next signal is written into storage location 1 overwriting the signal representing the oldest sound in the memory. Thus, the length of the queue is between storage locations 1-10.
Becomes If the save push button 32 captures a sound in one section of memory, the first time the save push button 32 is actuated, the queue length is reduced by one memory section, resulting in a queue length. That is 9 sections long. To prevent subsequent overwriting, the section to be removed from the queue is a memory section that is filled just before the save push button 32 is activated. The next time the save switch 32 is actuated, another memory section is removed from the queue. In this way, a total of 10 sections can be saved.

In another embodiment, the signal is always input from data compressor 26 into the same memory section, and as each signal is added, the contents of each memory section are shifted to the next memory section. be able to. In this alternative embodiment, the memory
When the queue is full, each time a new signal enters the beginning of the queue, the signal from the last section of the queue is simply discarded. In this alternative embodiment, the captured memory sections are always adjacent to each other.

Returning to the description of the system of FIG. 2, each time a memory section is captured for playback at a later time, the memory address control circuit 28 identifies the first identification of the captured memory section. Write the address. The captured memory section is provided with a sequential identification number. Reproduction of any captured section can be accomplished by the operator using the keypad 34 to control the appropriate signals input into the memory address control circuit. By using the keypad 34 to identify the captured memory section and pressing the play button associated with the keypad 34, the operator reads the captured memory section into the data decompression circuit 36,
The data is transmitted to the digital / analog converter 38, the digital data is converted into the original audio signal, and the signal captured by the speaker 40 is reproduced.

Using a keypad 34 like a digital recording device on the market,
The operator can switch the switches one after another by operating the buttons. Display device 42 connected to memory address control circuit
The number associated with the sound of each captured section is displayed, allowing the operator to play a particular section. Alternatively, the display device indicates the date / time or message number, and the user can select a message to be played using a keypad or a voice-sensitive device.

The memory address control circuit preferably includes circuitry or a program that allows an operator to adjust the duration of the captured section each time the save button 32 is actuated. In some situations, it may be desirable for the operator to capture a relatively small number of long segments or a relatively large number of short segments.

Using keypad 34, the operator can also delete any captured section and effectively restore that section to its cue.

Another embodiment of the storage section of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. The circuit configuration of the two embodiments is the same up to the digital compression device 26. The compressed signal of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is output to a first-in first-out shift memory 50, which may be volatile memory, so that when switch 52 is turned to the off position, its contents are not saved. Become. These compressed signals are sent into the head section of the memory, and each time the compressed signal is added to the memory, all of the memory contents are shifted by one section toward the opposite end. When memory is full, the contents of the last section, representing the oldest sound, are discarded. When the operator hears a section of sound deemed worthy of capture, actuating the save push button 52 sends a signal to the save memory address controller 54. The controller 54 stores a first-in first-out memory 50 of the first section representing the most recently recorded sound.
Is transferred to the nonvolatile storage memory 56. The sections transferred from the FIFO memory may constitute the entire contents of the FIFO memory, or may be only partial sections thereof. In the latter case, by re-activating the save button 52, the operator can enter the FIFO into another section of the save memory 56.
Another section of O-memory can be transferred to store older sounds. For example, the FIFO memory can store a sound for 30 seconds, and the storage switch 5
The sound for 10 seconds can be transferred to the non-volatile memory 56 every time the 2 operates.
Therefore, the last 30 seconds of storage can be performed by operating the storage switch three times in succession.

Each time a section of FIFO memory is transferred to storage memory 56, an additional signal representing the output of digital clock 58 is recorded along with the captured sound. During playback, these digital signals are converted to audio signals indicating the date and time when the capture occurred.

Using the keyboard 60 and the display device 62, the operator operates the storage memory 5.
6 and recalls an arbitrary segment captured therein, reproduces the data through the data decompression device 64, sends the data to the digital / analog converter 66, and outputs the data to the speaker 6
8 can be output. The keyboard 60 and the display device 62 can be used to adjust the length of the captured section and to sequence the output between adjacent captured sections. The display 62 also indicates the number of storage memory sections still available. For example, if a total of 20 memory sections can be stored, the display decrements the remaining number by one each time an additional section is captured for storage.

Instead of storing the signal in digital form, an EEPROM semiconductor memory, described in the application note and design menu dated March 1992, of the type manufactured by Information Storage Corporation of San Jose, Calif. The device can be used to store signals in analog form. With these memories, a high-density nonvolatile memory device can be provided without performing A / D conversion or D / A conversion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wrist mounting device in which a recording device of the present invention is incorporated in a normal wristwatch.

FIG. 2 is a recommendation of the present invention using an addressable digital memory to store both signals in a memory queue and operator-specified signals captured from the queue for later review and playback. It is the schematic of an Example.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention in which memory queues and captured signals are stored in separate memory sections.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE, GH, GM, GW, HU, ID, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ , LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZW (72) Inventor Yuen Philippe P. United States of America 90278 Redondo Beach Piobox 1159 F-term (reference) 5D044 AB05 CC10 GK08 JJ01 5D045 DB01 DB02

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A recording device, comprising: a microphone, an audio signal memory having a plurality of signal storage locations, and a signal representing an instantaneous output of the microphone stored in the first memory of a queue served on a first-in first-out basis. An operator control switch connected to the circuit configuration for storing a signal representing the microphone output in the memory, the signal being stored in the queue during a period before the operator control switch is activated. The operator control switch operable to capture and store the captured signal independently of the activation of the memory queue; and updating the memory address each time a signal is stored in memory. As a result, successive signals from the microphone are stored in different storage locations constituting the cue. Including memory addressing means, said a signals representative of the microphone output in the circuit configuration to be stored in the memory, the operator control switch, said memory
An addressing means for bypassing the memory section containing the signal of interest captured from the first-in first-out queue; and under operator control, generating an audio output based on the captured signal. An apparatus characterized in that it has a combination of the means described in (1) and (2). 2. An analog-to-digital converter for converting the microphone output to output to the audio signal memory, and a digital-to-analog converter for converting the captured signal into an audio signal for reproduction. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising: means. 3. Digital compression means operable to receive the output of the analog-to-digital converter and for outputting a compressed signal to the audio signal memory, and for receiving the captured signal. 3. A decompression means for connecting and outputting to said digital / analog conversion means.
The recording device described. 4. The circuitry for storing a signal representing the microphone output in the audio signal memory outputs such a signal to a single memory storage location, and then each time the signal is stored. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: moving each signal stored in said memory to successive memory locations so that said successive locations comprise said queue. Sound recording device. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal memory stores an output signal from the microphone as an analog value in the signal storage location. 6. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a strap for protecting the recording device against a wearer's wrist. 7. The recording device according to claim 6, further comprising a clock device provided with a time display device supported by the strap. 8. The electromagnetic control device, wherein the operator-controlled switch is supported independently of the rest of the recording device, and the electromagnetic transmission device is physically associated with the switch, and the electromagnetic reception device is associated with the remainder of the recording device. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising: controlling the operation of the recording device at a remote location. 9. The recording device of claim 1, further comprising a sound-sensitive switch adapted to receive the microphone output, wherein activation of the circuitry is controlled by the sound-sensitive switch. . 10. A method for storing audio information, comprising: receiving audio information into a fixed-length first-in first-out buffer, wherein once the buffer is full, the oldest information is received when new information is received. Characterized in that the buffer is activated to be discarded; receiving an operator command; storing only the audio information contained in the buffer for a predetermined period immediately before receiving the command; Preventing the stored information from being discarded via operation of the buffer, while continuing to receive new audio information into the first-in-first-out buffer, and when the new information is received, the oldest non-stored information And a step of recalling the stored information. Method which is characterized in that. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the stored information remains in the buffer, and the method further comprises reducing the length of the buffer by an amount equal to the predetermined time period. Said method. 12. The method of claim 10, comprising: providing a memory separate from the buffer; and storing the stored audio information in the memory in response to the operator instruction. Features method. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving audio information in a fixed-length first-in first-out buffer comprises receiving the audio information in digital form. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving audio information into a fixed length first-in first-out buffer includes receiving the audio information in analog form. 15. A recording device, comprising: a microphone; a first audio signal memory having a plurality of signal storage locations; and an instantaneous output of the microphone in the first memory of a queue served on a first-in first-out basis. A circuit configuration for storing signals, a second audio signal memory constituting a nonvolatile storage device outside the first-in first-out queue, and a magnetic tape, a recording / playback head, and a recording / playback head. The second audio signal memory having means for moving the tape; and an operator control switch connected to the circuit configuration for storing a signal representing the microphone output in the first memory, Actuate to capture the signal stored in the cue during a period before the operator control switch is actuated, thereby An operator control switch configured to store the captured signal in the second audio signal memory independently of operation of the memory cue; and generating an audio output based on the captured signal. And a means under the control of an operator. 16. An analog-to-digital converter for converting the microphone output to output to the audio signal memory, and a digital-to-analog converter for converting the captured signal to an audio signal for reproduction. The recording device according to claim 15, further comprising: 17. Digital compression means operable to receive the output of the analog-to-digital converter and for outputting a compressed signal to the audio signal memory; and for receiving the captured signal. Connect the digital
16. The recording device according to claim 15, further comprising: a decompression unit that outputs to the analog conversion unit. 18. The recording device according to claim 15, wherein the audio signal memory stores an output signal from the microphone as an analog value in the signal storage location. 19. The electromagnetically controlled transmission device associated with the switch and the operator control switch supported independently of the remainder of the recording device, and the electromagnetic reception device associated with the remainder of the recording device. 16. The voice recording device according to claim 15, further comprising: controlling the operation of the recording device at a remote location. 20. The recording device of claim 15, further comprising a sound-sensitive switch adapted to receive the microphone output, wherein activation of the circuitry is controlled by the sound-sensitive switch. .