WO2001057644A1

WO2001057644A1 - Voice recording apparatus, voice card, and method for recording voice by using them

Info

Publication number: WO2001057644A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/001082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoon-Deuk Seo
Original assignee: Havin Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-12-13
Filing date: 2000-09-28
Publication date: 2001-08-09
Also published as: CN1346458A; HK1046178A1; KR20000012561A; AU7689000A

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for recording voice information signal on a separate voice card having storing means and interface means, is provided. The voice recording apparatus comprises: a telephone signal transceiver for transferring and receiving telephone signals from and to a telephone line; a Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signal detector for detecting DTMF signals among signals received by the telephone signal transceiver; an Automatic Voice Response System (ARS) memory for storing automatic voice messages to be output to the telephone signal transceiver; a voice signal processor for processing voice information signals received by the telephone signal transceiver; a voice card interface for outputting the voice information signals processed by the voice signal processor to an interface means of the voice card; and a controller for controlling each constituent. The voice recording apparatus further comprises: an input means for inputting control signal to the controller. The ARS memory is stored with the first message for requesting a user to transfer predetermined dial tone to the telephone line if the user wants to record voice to the voice card and the second message for requesting the user to transfer voice information signals to the telephone line after the first acknowledge sound is heard. The controller performs the steps of: controlling the ARS memory and the telephone signal transceiver to output the first message stored in the ARS memory through the telephone signal transceiver to the telephone line in response to the first control signal being inputted by the input means; waiting for the predetermined dial tone to be received by the telephone signal transceiver for the first period; controlling the ARS memory and the telephone signal transceiver to output the second message stored in the ARS memory through the telephone signal transceiver to the telephone line in response to the predetermined dial tone being received; controlling the telephone signal transceiver to output signals corresponding to the first acknowledge sound through the telephone signal transceiver to the telephone line; waiting for the second period; and extracting the voice information signals among the telephone signals received by the telephone signal transceiver and storing the extracted signals in the storing means of the voice card.

Description

[Specification]

[Title of the Invention]

Voice Recording Apparatus, Voice Card, and Method for Recording

Voice by Using Them

[Field of the Invention]

The present invention is related to a voice card in which voice is recorded

and the recorded voice is played. Especially, the voice card of the present

invention records voice using a separate terminal to make voice card simple and

easy to order and deliver it at the remote.

[Background of the Invention]

A voice card is an apparatus for recording user's voice to the memory

and for playing recorded voice. In other words, a user can record his voice to the

voice card and deliver it to another person. The person who received the voice card

can play user's voice recorded in the voice card.

Fig. 1 shows the conventional voice information recording method to the

voice card and the constitution of the voice card. Fig. la illustrates the

conventional manufacturing method of voice card, and Fig. 2 illustrates the

constitution of the conventional voice card respectively.

As shown in Fig. la, there is no separate apparatus for manufacturing

voice card. User's voice information without pre-processing is directly put into the

voice card. The volume of the voice information of the user without pre-processing

has an infinite variety, so the voice information should be processed to have an 26.06.2001

appropriate volume when it is played.

Conventional voice card should have a volume-adjusting unit 14 for

adjusting the volume of the user's voice signal in addition to a play /record

selection unit 11, a voice storage unit 12 and an output unit 13. The

volume-adjusting unit 14 adjusts the volume of the user's voice signal which is not

pre-processed, and put it out to the analog signal input terminal of the voice record

unit 12.

Meanwhile, in case of using commercially purchasable IC chip

(ChipCorder Series of ISD, Voice IC of OKI), which is comprised of single chip

being able to record an analogue voice signal, as a voice storage unit 12 in the

conventional voice card, a voice signal without pre-processing is put into via

MIC-LN terminal; volume-adjusted in the IC chip; input again via the Analog-In

terminal of the IC chip after the signal went out of the first output terminal of the

chip; and recorded in a storage unit of the IC chip. In this process, passive devices

such as resistance and capacitor are needed between the Analog-In terminal and

the first output terminal in order to put the volume adjusted analog signal out of the

first output terminal into the Analog-In terminal of the IC chip.

The passive devices make the circuit area of the voice card large as well

as complicate the manufacturing process, which cause the increase of production

cost.

Since there is no separate unit to record a voice signal in the conventional

voice card as shown in fig 1 , it should use power of itself when it records the voice 26.06.2001

signal to the voice card. Generally, the voltage condition for recording a signal is

severer than the one for playing it. When one uses the IC chip mentioned above,

for example, 4.5V is enough to play the recorded voice signal while 6.0V to record

it. Since the conventional voice card uses the power of itself in recording of which

operation condition is rather severe, the power of large capacity will be used in it.

Again, the production cost increases due to the large capacity power unit, which is,

moreover, exhausted rather quickly.

In the conventional voice card, as shown in the fig 1, it is not easy to

record user's voice remotely so that extra resources will be spent on the delivery of

the voice card when the manufacturer is separated from the user. The order process,

in which a customer records his (her) voice remotely and has it delivered to a

designated receiver, and the delivery process of the recorded voice card needs to

be improved.

Considering that it is unlikely to record the voice signal again other than

what is recorded when a user get the voice card from the manufacturer, the

conventional voice card without a separate voice recording unit occurs several

problems such as the large power capacity, the difficulties of remote order and

delivery, and the unnecessary demand for the passive devices for the volume

adjustment.

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide

voice card and voice recording apparatus for recording voice to the voice card 26.06.2001

which is cost-effective by reducing the number of the passive device used to the

voice card. The voice card of the present invention does not have to have a

volume-adjusting unit because it records voice information signal to the voice card

using a separate apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved voice

card and voice recording apparatus for voice recording to the voice card which

consumes less electrical power than the conventional ones. Since the voice card of

the present invention records voice information signal to the voice card using a

separate apparatus, the power of the voice card is not consumed to write voice

signal and, accordingly, the volume of the power needed in the voice card can be

reduced.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide improved voice

card and voice recording apparatus which is easy to order remotely and to delivery

to the receiver.

This and other objects, features and advantages are provided according to

the present invention by an apparatus for recording voice information signal in the

separate voice card having a voice information storing means and an interface

means. The voice recording apparatus comprises:

a telephone signal transceiver for transferring and receiving telephone

signals from and to a telephone line;

a Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signal detector for detecting

DTMF signals among the signals received by the telephone signal transceiver; 26.06.2001

an Automatic Voice Response System (ARS) memory for storing

90 automatic voice message to be output from the telephone signal transceiver;

a voice signal processor for processing voice information signal received

by the telephone signal transceiver;

a voice card interface for outputting the voice information signals

processed by the voice signal processor to an interface means of the voice card;

95 a controller for controlling each constituent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for

recording voice information signal further comprises an input means for inputting

control signals to the controller.

The ARS memory stores a first voice message for requesting to transfer a

100 predetermined dial tone through the telephone line if a user wish to record a voice

message to the voice card and a second message for requesting to transfer the

voice information signals to be recorded to the voice card after first confirmation

sound is heard.

The controller performs the step of:

105 (a) controlling the ARS memory and the telephone signals transceiver, in

response to inputting a first control signal via the input means, to output the first

voice message which is recorded in the ARS memory using the telephone signals

transceiver

(b) waiting for the predetermined dial tone to be received by the

110 telephone signal transceiver for the first period, 26.06.2001

(c) controlling ths ARS memory and the telephone signal transceiver, in

response to the predetermined dial tone being received by the telephone signal

transceiver, to output the second voice message to the telephone line through the telephone signal transceiver,

115 (d) controlling the telephone signal transceiver to generate a signal

corresponding to the first confirmation sound and output the first confirmation

sound to the telephone line through the telephone signal transceiver,

(e) waiting for the second period, and

(f) recording the voice information signals extracted from the telephone

120 signals which is transferred from the telephone line through the telephone signal

transceiver to the memory means of the voice card.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a voice card for

storing and playing voice is provided. The voice card comprises:

an interface means for transferring and receiving control signals and

125 voice information signals from and to the external voice recording apparatus;

memory means for storing, in response to the control signals, voice

information signals which is put into the interface means;

voice play switch; and

voice playing means for transforming, triggered by the voice play switch,

130 the voice information signals stored in the memory means and outputting the

transformed voice information signals. 26.06.2001

[Brief description of the drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the conventional method for recording

135 voice information to the voice card and constitution of the conventional voice card.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the method of recording voice

information to the voice card according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows the constitution of the voice recording apparatus for

recording voice information signal ¹- to the voice card according to the present

140 invention.

Fig. 4 shows the constitution of the voice card in which voice can be

recorded using the voice recording apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of recording voice

information signals to the voice card according to the present invention.

145 Fig 6 shows the situation that the voice recording apparatuses and voice

cards of the present invention are equipped to both the sender and the receiver.

Fig. 7 shows the process of transferring and recording the voice

information signals according to the present invention from the voice recording

apparatus of the sender to the voice recording apparatus of the receiver.

150 Fig. 8 shows the process of transferring and recording the voice

information signals according to another embodiment of the present invention

from the voice recording apparatus of the sender to the voice recording apparatus

of the receiver.

Figs. 9 - 11 show a perspective view, a front view and a rear view of the 26.06.2001

155 voice card according to an embodiment of the voice card respectively.

[Detailed description of the preferred embodiments]

The method of recording voice information signals to the voice card using the voice recording apparatus according to the present invention will now be

discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

160 Fig. 2 illustrates a method of recording voice information signals to the

voice card using the voice recording apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 2, a method of recording voice information signals to

the voice card using the voice recording apparatus according to the present

invention utilizes a voice recording apparatus 21 which is separate from the voice

165 card 22. More specifically, according to the present invention, the voice recording

apparatus 22 is provided with a connecting port for connecting a voice card 22 in a

manner that the voice card 22 is removable from the connecting port. First, a voice

card 22 is connected to the connecting port of the voice recording apparatus 21.

Then, the voice recording apparatus 21 receives the voice information signals from

170 the client, adjusts the volume of the received voice information signals, and

records the voice information signals to the voice memory of the voice card 22.

After recording the voice information signals from the client to the voice card 22,

the voice card 22 is separated from the voice recording apparatus 21 and

transferred to the designated receiver, 'a' of Fig. 2 indicates the voice information

175 signals whose volume is adjusted by the voice recording apparatus 21.

According to the method of voice recording to the voice card according 26.06.2001

to the present invention, only a few of voice recording apparatus are needed to the

service provider. Since voice of client is recorded to the voice card 22 using a

voice recording apparatus 21 while the voice card 22 is connected to the voice

180 recording apparatus and the separated voice card 22 is delivered to the receiver

after the recording, many of voice cards 22 can be produced using only a few of

voice recording apparatus 21.

The way of transferring voice signals from the client to the voice

recording apparatus 21, according to the present invention, includes direct input

185 using microphone, transmission using a telephone or transmission via internet.

Voice Recording Apparatus

Fig. 3 shows the constitution of the voice recording apparatus for

recording voice information according to the method illustrated in Fig. 2. First, a

client generates voice signals, and the generated voice signals are converted to

190 electrical signals transferable through the telephone line using a telephone of the

client side. Hereinafter, we refer the electrical signals converted from the voice

signals of the client using the telephone as the voice information signals. Such

voice information signals can be transferred with the conventional telephone tone

signal via the telephone line, and we refer the signals can be transferred through

195 the telephone line as the telephone signal. Using the voice recording apparatus

shown in Fig. 3, it is possible to transfer the voice information signals, which are

converted from the voice signals of the client, to the voice recording apparatus, and

to record the transferred voice information signal to the voice card. ISA/KR 26.06.2001

Referring Fig. 3, the ^ oice recording apparatus according to the present

200 invention is connected to the telephone line and the telephone of the administrator;

a voice card is connected to the connecting port of the voice recording apparatus in

a manner that the voice card is removable from the connecting port. The voice card

comprises a voice information memory means 405 and interface means.

A voice recording apparatus according to the present invention shown in

205 Fig. 3 comprises: a telephone signal transceiver 301 for transferring and receiving

telephone signals from and to a telephone line; a Dual Tone Multiple Frequency

(DTMF) signal detector 303 for detecting DTMF signals among signals received

by the telephone signal transceiver; an ARS memory 307 for storing automatic

voice message to be output via the telephone signal transceiver 301; a voice signal

210 processor 309 for processing voice information signal received by the telephone

signal transceiver; a voice card interface 313 for outputting the voice information

signals processed by the voice signal processor 309 to an interface means of the

voice card 400; and a controller 315 for controlling each constituent.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice

215 recording apparatus 300 further comprises a telephone signal switch 302. The

telephone signal switch 302 is connected directly to the telephone line and

switches the input signals from the telephone line to the telephone signal

transceiver 301 or to a separate telephone of the administrator. In other words, the

telephone signal switch 302 connects the telephone signals received from the

220 telephone line to the telephone of the administrator to directly communicate with 26.06.2001

the administrator, or connects to the telephone signal transceiver 301 to process the

telephone signals by the voice recording apparatus.

In addition, the voice recording apparatus according to the present

invention further comprises a DTMF generator 305 for generating DTMF signals

225 to be outputted through the telephone signal transceiver 301. DTMF generator

305 can be used to transfer the voice information signals from the voice card

connected to the voice recording apparatus of the sender to the remote voice

recording apparatus of the receiver according to another aspect of the present

invention. It will be mentioned in detail later.

230 The voice signal processor 309 carries out voice signal processing such

as noise reduction, volume adjustment, effect processing, and automatic gain

control for the voice information signals. According to the preferred embodiment

of the present invention, the voice signal processor 309 make the voice recording

apparatus record a volume adjusted and automatic gain controlled voice

235 information signals to the voice card 400 by performing volume adjusting and

automatic gain controlling of the voice information signals. Then, the voice card

400 do not have to do separate voice signal processing such as volume adjusting or

automatic gain controlling when the voice information signals recorded in the

memory means is playing. Therefore, the voice card 400 can play the voice

240 information signal having appropriate volume to listen using the playing function

of its own without separate hardware for volume adjusting or automatic gain

controlling. 26.06.2001

A voice card interface unit 313 transfers and receives the control signals

and voice information signals which were processed by the voice information

245 processor from and to the voice card 400. Control signals in which the voice card

interface unit 313 transfers to the voice card 400 includes, a record control signal

for instructing to the voice card 400 to be the status that the voice information

signal can be recorded, and a play control signal for instructing to the voice card to

play the voice information signal. Control signals in which the voice card 400

250 transfers to the voice card interface unit 313 includes, an EOM (end of message)

signal for informing to the voice recording apparatus 300 that the voice card 400

cannot record the voice information signals any more. Moreover, voice

information signals recorded in the voice card 400 can be transferred to the voice

recording apparatus through the voice card interface unit 313. In this case,

255 transferred voice information signal is transferred again to the telephone line

through the telephone signal transceiver 301 of the voice recording apparatus 300,

received by the remote voice recording apparatus 300, and recorded to the voice

card 400 connected to the remote voice recording apparatus 300. Detailed

description of the process will follow.

260 The voice recording apparatus 300 according to the present invention

further comprises a voice information memory 311 for temporarily storing the

voice information signals which are processed by the voice signal processor 309.

Then, the voice recording apparatus 300 preferably writes the voice information

signals to the memory means 405 of the voice card 400 and to the voice 26.06.2001

265 information memory 311 simultaneously or separately.

If a client calls, DTMF tone input from the client through the telephone

signal transceiver 301 is inputted to the controller 315 through the DTMF detector

303. The controller 315 transfers an ARS message stored in the ARS memory 307

according to the inputted DTMF tone from the client. Voice signal input from the

270 client is once recorded to the voice information memory 31 1, and processed by the

voice signal processor 309 to have an appropriate volume, etc., and outputted to be

recorded to the voice card. Or, it can be recorded to the voice information memory

and to the voice card simultaneously after the voice processing by the voice

processor 309. In Fig. 2, 'a' indicates the voice signal of the client whose volume is

275 adjusted by the voice card manufacture terminal.

Voice Card

Fig. 4 shows the constitution of the voice card in which voice can be

recorded using the voice recording apparatus while it is connected to the voice

recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The

280 voice card can store the recorded voice information signals, and play the recorded

voice information signal separately

As shown in Fig. 4, a voice card 400 according to the present invention

comprises an interface means 403 for transferring and receiving control signals and

voice information signals from and to the voice recording apparatus 300, a

285 memory means 405 for storing, in response to the control signals inputted through

the interface means 403, voice information signals inputted via the interface means ISA KR 26.06.2001

403, a voice play button for starling the play operation of voice information signals

recorded in the memory means 405, and a voice playing means for transforming,

triggered by the voice play button 407, the voice information signals stored in the

290 memory means 405 and outputting the transformed voice information signals.

As described above, the voice card 400 according to the present

invention is provided with the interface means 403 for transferring and receiving

control signals and voice information signals from and to the voice recording

apparatus 300, and according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

295 the interface means 403 has input and output terminals as listed below.

REC: record control signal input terminal for controlling to write the

voice information signal whose power is adjusted to the voice card by the voice

recording apparatus

EOM: EOM (End Of Message) signal output terminal for reporting to the

300 voice recording apparatus for the end of recording the voice information signal

inputted from the voice recording apparatus

PLAY: playing control signal input terminal for controlling the voice

card to play the voice information signals recorded in the voice card

Analog-IN: voice information signals input terminal for receiving voice

305 information signals whose power is adjusted from the voice recording apparatus

Vcc: (+) terminal of power supply

Speaker+: (+) terminal of the output terminal of the voice information

signals recorded in the voice card ISA/KR 26.06.2001

Speaker-: (-) terminal of the output terminal of the voice information

310 signals recorded in the voice card

GND: (-) terminal of power supply or ground

Now, as an example of the present invention, a voice card of which

interface unit 403 has the terminal components described before will be presented.

However, the concept and spirit of the invention are not limited to this example.

315 In addition, according to the preferred embodiment of the present

invention, voice information signals inputted to the interface means 403 are

sampled by sampling means before recording to the memory means 405. That is,

since voice information signals inputted to the interface means 403 are

conventionally analog signals, the signals are converted to a plurality of sampling

320 signals by sampling means. Sampling signals are recorded to the memory means

405.

In case that the interface means have the terminals described above, the

power terminals Vcc and GND are connected to the battery of the voice card itself

thus the power of the voice card itself is consumed during the playing operation by

325 the receiver after the voice card storing the voice of the sender is delivered to the

receiver. On pushing the voice play button 407, Play terminal is activated, the

voice signals recorded in the memory means 405 is outputted to the Speaker + and

Speaker - terminals, and the voice signal is played as a voice by the voice playing

means connected to the Speaker + and Speaker - terminals.

330 Figs. 9 - 11 show a perspective view, a front view and a rear view of the 26.06.2001

voice card according to an embodiment of the voice card respectively.

As shown in Figs. 9 -1 1, voice card according to an embodiment of the

present invention has a hexahedron frame of thin plate shape having a front side

903 and a rear side 905 of rectangular shape and the other four narrow sides. It is

335 desirable to form a groove 909 on the front side 903 or the rear side 905 so that the

voice playing means can be inserted while being exposed. Then, the voice playing

means 409 is fixed to the inserting groove 909. A groove 911 for fixing power

supply means is formed inside of the frame 901. Power supply means are placed

inside the frame 901 parallel to the voice playing means 409 by being fixed to the

340 groove 911. Then, the whole thickness of the frame 901 can be made thin. In

addition, the frame 901 has a groove for fixing the voice play button 407 to expose

to the outside. The voice play button 407 is preferably exposed at the position in

which the user can easily operate. The Frame 901 also has a groove for placing a

circuit board in which the interface means 403, the memory means 405 and the

345 sampling means are formed. According to the preferred embodiment of the present

invention, the interface means 403, the memory means 405, and the sampling

means are integrated on a single circuit board and the so-formed circuit board is

fixed to the groove 915 of the frame. In addition, the frame 901 has a groove 917

in one side of the four narrow sides to expose the interface means. Therefore, the

350 circuit board is fixed to the groove 915 of the frame and exposed to the outside of

the frame through the groove 917. Then, the interface means 403 can be connected

to the voice card interface means 313 of the voice recording apparatus 300 when ISA/KR 26.06.2001

the voice card 400 is connected to the connecting port of the voice recording

apparatus 300.

355 Operation of Voice Information Recording to the Voice Card Using the

Voice Recording Apparatus

Now, the process of recording voice information to the voice card as

shown in Fig. 4 using the voice recording apparatus according to the present

invention as shown in Fig. 3 is described.

360 As shown in Fig. 3, the voice recording apparatus according to the

present invention is connected to the telephone line and the telephone of the

administrator. Moreover, though it is not shown in Fig.3, according to an

embodiment of the present invention, the voice recording apparatus has a Receive

Message Record button, Copy button and Input Voice Record button. In response

365 to turn "ON" of the above-mentioned buttons, the voice recording apparatus

records a received voice, copies the voice signal recorded in the voice information

record memory to the memory means 405 of the voice card, and records a directly

inputted voice. The administrator can control the voice recording apparatus by

pressing the button corresponding to desired operation.

370 Now, Receive Message Record function whose operation is started when

Receive Message Record is pressed is explained. This function is to record the

transferred voice from the user through the telephone line to the voice information

record memory 309 of the voice recording apparatus or to the memory means 405

of the voice card connected to the voice recording apparatus. 26.06.2001

375 First, a user calls to the administrator's telephone. The administrator

answers the phone and communicates with the user. The administrator confirms

that the user wishes to record voice, and presses the Receive Message Record

button. Then, the voice recording apparatus performs the Receive Message Record

function as will be described below. Now, Receive Message Record function is

380 described in more detail referring Fig. 5.

The voice recording apparatus switches, in response to turning 'ON' of

the Receive Message Record button, the call from the user, which was connected

to the administrator's telephone, to the telephone signal transceiver 301 of the

voice recording apparatus (501). Then, the voice recording apparatus outputs the

385 first ARS message recorded in the ARS memory 307 to the telephone line through

the telephone signal transceiver 301 (503). The first ARS message is preferably to

instruct to the user to press a predetermined key of the user's telephone. An

example of the first ARS message is, to press record key, e.g. ' 1 ' for recording,

press confirmation key, e.g. '2' for confirmation, and press finish key, e.g. '3' for

390 finishing.

The voice recording apparatus 300 waits until the DTMF detector 303

detects a predetermined key tone among the telephone signal transferred form the

user via the telephone signal transceiver 301 (505). Then, the voice recording

apparatus performs the function in which the detected tone indicates: voice

395 recording function is performed if the detected tone is record key, e.g. ' 1 '; playing

function is performed if the detected tone is confirmation key, e.g. '2'; finishing 26.06.2001

function is performed if the detected tone is finish key, e.g. '3' (507).

Now, voice recording operation, which is performed when the detected

tone by the DTMF detector 303 is record key, e.g. ' 1 ', is described in detail.

400 If the record key, e.g. a dial tone of ' 1 ' is detected by the DTMF detector

303, the voice recording apparatus outputs the second ARS message recorded in

the ARS memory to the telephone line via the telephone signal transceiver 301

(509). The second ARS message is preferably to instruct to the user to speak the

message to be recorded to the user's telephone after the predetermined

405 confirmation sound is heard. The example of the second ARS message is to

instruct to speak the message to be recorded after the "beep" sound.

Then, the voice recording apparatus generates and outputs the

predetermined confirmation sound, i.e. "beep" sound to the telephone line through

the telephone signal transceiver 301 (51 1). Or, the voice recording apparatus may

410 output the confirmation sound, i.e. "beep" sound recorded in the ARS memory. Or,

it is possible to generate confirmation sound by generating pulses of constant

period from the controller 315 of the voice recording apparatus and outputting the

pulses to the telephone line through the telephone signal transceiver 301.

After that, the voice recording apparatus extracts the voice information

415 signals from the signals transferred through the telephone line, suitable voice

processing is performed to the voice information signals by the voice information

signal process 309, and the voice information signal is recorded to the voice

information record memory 311 (513). 26.06.2001

Or, the voice recording apparatus can record the processed voice

420 information signal by the voice information signal process 309 directly to the voice

card through the voice card interface means. In this case, the voice recording

apparatus preferably send a control signal REC to instruct to write the voice

information signals to the voice card 400 to make the voice card 400 to be a status

that can record the voice information signals. Then, the voice recording apparatus

425 sends the voice information signals to the voice card through the voice card

interface unit 313, and the voice card writes the voice information signals to the

memory means 405. Here, according to the embodiment having interface means

403 of the voice card having the above described terminal configuration, the voice

recording apparatus activates REC terminal for controlling to write the voice

430 signals, and inputs the voice information signals processed by the voice signal

process 309 to the voice card 400. The voice card 400, in response to the activation

of the REC terminal, records the voice information signals inputted to the

Analog-In terminal to the memory means 405.

Here, since the power supply terminals Vcc and GND are connected to

435 the power supply of the voice recording apparatus, the power of the voice card

itself is not consumed during recording of the voice information signals. Especially,

if the power of the voice recording apparatus is used in the recording process, the

battery of the voice card will be saved because the voltage condition for recording

a signal is severer than the one for playing it,

440 The step of recording voice information to the voice information memory 26.06.2001

or the voice card is preferably continued for a predetermined period. Then, after

the predetermined period is expired, the voice recording operation stops

automatically. Or, the voice card itself informs the finishing of the recording of

voice information signals to the voice recording apparatus, and the voice recording

445 apparatus, in response to such information, stops the voice recording operation

(515). According to the embodiment in which the interface unit 403 of the voice

card has the above-described constitution, the voice card informs that the recording

of voice information is finished or the voice card cannot record voice signal any

more to the voice recording apparatus via the EOM terminal.

450 Now, voice play operation, which is performed when the detected tone by

the DTMF detector 303 is confirmation key, e.g. '2', is described in detail.

If the confirmation key, e.g. a dial tone of '2' is detected by the DTMF

detector 303, the voice recording apparatus outputs the voice information signals

recorded in voice information memory 31 1 of the voice recording apparatus to the

455 telephone line via the telephone signal transceiver 301 (519). Or, the voice

recording apparatus can output the voice information signals recorded in the

memory means 405 of the voice card 400 to the telephone line through the

telephone signal transceiver 301.

Then, the operation performed when the detected tone by the DTMF

460 detector 303 is finish key, e.g. '3', is described in detail.

If the DTMF detector 303 detects the finish key (521), the voice

recording apparatus preferably outputs (523) the third ARS message, which 26.06.2001

informs that the operation is finished, and finishes the operation (525). Then, the

call from the user connected to the telephone signal transceiver 301 is preferably

465 switched to the administrator's phone again to continue to communicate with the

user for the administrator.

Now, the copy operation, which is performed when the copy button of the

voice recording apparatus is pressed, is described in detail. The copy operation is

recording the voice information signals recorded in the voice information memory

470 31 1 of the voice recording apparatus to the memory means 405 of the voice card.

The administrator presses the copy button of the voice recording

apparatus.

The voice recording apparatus, in response to turning "ON" of the copy

button, outputs the voice information signals recorded in the voice information

475 memory 311 to the voice card interface 313.

The voice information signals outputted to the voice card interface 313 is

inputted to the voice card through the interface means 403 of the voice card and

recorded to the memory means 405 of the voice card.

In this case, it is preferable to make the voice card to be a status that can

480 record the voice information signal by sending a control signal instructing to write

the voice information signals to the voice card. Then, the voice recording

apparatus outputs the voice information signals through the voice card interface

313 to the voice card, and the voice card writes the voice information signals to the

memory means 405. 26.06.2001

485 The step of recording voice information signal to the voice information

memory 31 1 or the memory means 405 of the voice card is preferably continued

for a predetermined period. Then, after the predetermined period is expired, the

voice recording operation stops. Or, the voice card itself informs the finishing of

the recording of voice information signal to the voice recording apparatus, and the

490 voice recording apparatus, in response to such information, stops the voice

recording operation.

Now, the input voice record operation, which is performed when the

input voice record button of the voice recording apparatus is pressed, is described

in detail. This operation is inputting voice through the microphone connected to

495 the voice recording apparatus, converting the voice to voice information signals

and recording to the voice information memory 31 1 or to the memory means 405

of the voice card.

The administrator presses the mic button.

The voice recording apparatus, in response to turning "ON" of the mic

500 button, performs the voice processing to the inputted voice information signals.

The voice signal processing includes overall processes such as the volume

adjustment enabling the voice card to play the voice appropriately, after the voice

information signals are recorded in the memory means of the voice card. Also, it

may include the transformation of the voice to the signals fitting to record in the

505 memory for the voice information. Then, the processed voice information signals

are recorded to the voice information memory 31 1 or to the memory means 405 of 26.06.2001

the voice card. In this case, it is preferable to make the voice card to be a status

that can record the voice information signals by sending a control signal

instructing to write the voice information signals to the voice card. Then, the voice

510 recording apparatus outputs the voice information signals through the voice card

interface 313 to the voice card, and the voice card writes the voice information

signals to the memory means 405.

Operation of Voice Information Transmission Using the Voice Recording

Apparatus

515 Now, the case that the voice recoding apparatuses 300 of the present

invention are equipped in both the first administrator and the second administrator

will be presented. The process, recording the voice signal in the voice recording

apparatus or the memory means 405 of the voice card of the first administrator's

side to those of the second administrator, will be described.

520 Fig 6 is the block diagram which shows the situation that the voice

recording apparatuses and voice cards of the present invention are equipped to

both the first administrator part and the second administrator part. When the place

of manufacturing the voice card is separated from the place of the receiver of it,

the voice card 601 made by the purchaser's voice is connected to the voice

525 recording apparatus 603 of the sender, the voice information signals recorded in

the voice card 601 are transferred from the voice recording apparatus 603 of the

sender to the voice recording apparatus 605 of the receiver via telephone line, and

the voice information signals are recorded in the voice card 607 by the voice 26.06.2001

recording apparatus 605 of the receiver.

530 Both the first and the second administration parts, sender and receiver

respectively, are equipped with the voice recording apparatuses 300, as shown in

the fig 3, and the voice recording apparatus of the sender and the receiver 603 and

605 are connected to the each part's telephone line, respectively. In addition, it is

desirable that the voice recording apparatuses of the sender and the receiver 603

535 and 605 further comprises transmission buttons. In response to turning on the

transmission button, the voice information signals recorded in the voice recording

apparatus 603 or the voice card 601 of the sender is transmitted to and recorded in

the voice recording apparatus 605 or the voice card 607 of the receiver. The

description about the operation of the voice recording apparatus 603 and 605 of the

540 sender and the receiver which is redundant with the explanation referring Figs 3, 4,

and 5 will be skipped.

Now, the process that the voice information signals recorded in the voice

recording apparatus of the sender are transmitted to and recorded in the voice

recording apparatus of the receiver will be explained referring to the Fig 7. First,

545 the administrator of the sender makes a call to the administrator of the receiver via

telephone. Then, during the call is active, the administrator of the receiver presses

the transmitted voice recording button of the voice recording apparatus 605 of the

receiver if the administrator of the receiver decided to receive the voice

information signals from the voice recording apparatus 603 of the sender (703).

550 In response to the turning on the transmitted voice recording button of the . .

voice recording apparatus of the receiver, the voice recording apparatus 605 of the

receiver switches the call from the sender's telephone to the telephone signal

transceiver 301of the voice recording apparatus of the receiver from the receiver's

telephone.

555 Subsequently, the voice recording apparatus 605 of the sender outputs the

fourth ARS message recorded in the ARS memory 307 to the telephone line via

the telephone signal transceiver 301 (705), where the fourth ARS message may be

same as the first ARS message as explained before. It is desirable that the fourth

ARS message is to ask the administrator of the sender to press the designated key

560 of the sender's telephone. For example of the fourth ARS message, a user may be

asked to press the recording key, which is, for instance, key ' 1 ' of the user's

telephone, to record a message, the confirmation key, key '2', to confirm a

message, the termination key, key '3', to finish the message, and the transmission

button to transmit the message.

565 Then, the administrator of the sender presses the transmission button in

case the administrator wants to transmit. In response to the pressing the

transmission button, the voice recording apparatus of the sender is switched to the

transmission mode in a predetermined period or immediately. Now, the voice

recording apparatus of the sender produces the start of transmission tone with

570 DTMF generator and transmits it to the voice recording apparatus of the receiver

(709).

In response to detecting the start of transmission tone received from the . . 1

voice recording apparatus 603 by the DTMF detector 303, the voice recording

apparatus of the receiver is switched to the receiving mode. Then, the voice

575 recording apparatus 605 of the receiver generates the start of receiving tone by

DTMF generator 305 and transmits it to the voice recording apparatus 603 of the

sender (711).

In response to detecting the start of receiving tone received from the

voice recording apparatus of the receiver by the DTMF detector 303, the voice

580 recording apparatus 603 of the sender outputs the voice information signals

recorded in the voice information memory 31 1 or the memory unit 405 of the

voice card to the telephone line (713). On this occasion, it is desirable that the

voice recording apparatus of the receiver starts to record the received voice

information signals a few seconds after sending the start of receiving tone to the

585 voice recording apparatus of the sender, more desirably, after the time required for

the start of receiving tone to be transmitted to the voice recording apparatus 603 of

the sender and for the voice information signals to be transmitted to the receiver

itself from the sender.

According to the detailed description in relation to Fig 7, the voice

590 recording apparatus 603 of the sender transmits the voice information signals in

response to detecting the start of receiving tone (713), while the voice recording

apparatus 605 of the receiver takes and records the signals. However, according to

another example of the present invention, it is possible for the voice recording

apparatus 603 of the sender to outputs the transmission confirmation tone prior to 26.06.2001

595 sending the voice information signals. Fig 8 illustrates the example where the same

process with the Fig. 7 is referred to as the same index. According to the Fig 8, the

voice recording apparatus 603 of the sender can generate the start of transmission

tone by the DTMF generator 305 and transmit it to the voice recording apparatus

603 of the receiver in response to receiving the start of receiving tone from the

600 voice recording apparatus 605 of the receiver and detecting the confirming

transmission tone by the DTMF detector 303 (713). Accordingly, it is desirable

that the voice recording apparatus 605 of the receiver start to record the voice

information signals after a while, or right after the DTMF detector 303 detects the

confirming transmission. It is also advisable that the voice recording apparatus 603

605 of the sender puts out the voice information signals recorded in the voice recording

memory 31 1 or the memory unit 405 of the voice card to the telephone line a few

moments after sending the confirming transmission tone to the voice recording

apparatus 603 of the receiver. In addition, it is desirable that the voice recording

apparatus 603 of the sender start to output the voice information signals recorded

610 in the voice recording memory 311 or the memory unit 405 of the voice card to the

telephone line 801 for a while after or right after sending the confirming

transmission tone to the voice recording apparatus 603 of the receiver.

The voice recording apparatus of the receiver records the received voice

information signals in the voice recording memory after the voice processing by

615 the voice processor 309.

It is advisable for the process of recording the voice information signals ISA KR 26.06.2001

from the voice recording apparatus of the first administrator into the voice

information memory or the voice card to continue for a while. In this case, the

voice recording is automated to terminate itself after a while. Or, once the voice

620 recording apparatus of the second administrator is informed of finishing the

recording process by the voice card, then terminate the voice recording process

515 in response to such information. In addition, the voice recording apparatus of

the second administrator may send the termination of receiving tone to the voice

recording apparatus of the first administrator right after the termination of the

625 voice recording process, then have the voice recording apparatus of the first

administrator terminate the transmission.

[Industrial applicability]

As explained above referring Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, since the voice card of

the present invention records the user's voice signal with the separate voice

630 recording apparatus and the voice recording apparatus performs the volume

adjustment, the volume adjustment function is not required in the voice card only.

Therefore, the voice card may be equipped with the switch for playing, not for

recording.

The effect of the present invention is accompanied with the fact that the

635 voice card uses the power of the voice recording apparatus in the voice signal

recording process so that the power condition of the voice card can be more

flexible. Accordingly, the power of the voice card of the present invention lasts

longer than that of the conventional voice card does. 26.0 .2 1

In addition, in case of recording the voice signal in the voice card using

640 the voice recording apparatus of the present invention, a separate device is used to

record the user's voice signal in the voice card. Hence, the number of passive

devices required to the voice card is decreased because the volume adjustment unit

is not necessary in the voice card, which results in the decrease of the

manufacturing cost. Also, this feature of the present invention enables the voice

645 card not to use the power of itself in the recording process and make it flexible for

the user to order the voice card remotely and to deliver it to the receiver.

Claims

26.06.2001 [Claims]

[Claim 1]

An apparatus for recording voice information signal on a separate voice

650 card having voice information storing means and interface means, comprising:

a telephone signal transceiver for transferring and receiving telephone

signals from and to a telephone line;

a Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signal detector for detecting

DTMF signals among signals received by said telephone signal transceiver;

655 an Automatic Voice Response System (ARS) memory for storing

automatic voice message to be output via said telephone signal transceiver;

a voice signal processor for processing voice information signal received

by said telephone signal transceiver;

a voice card interface for outputting the voice information signals

660 processed by said voice signal processor to said interface means of said voice card;

a controller for controlling each of said constituents.

[Claim 2]

The apparatus of claim 1 , in which said telephone signal transceiver is

connected to an input terminal, and in which said apparatus further comprising a

665 telephone signal switching unit, which is connected to said telephone line, for

switching the signal inputted from said telephone line to a separate administrator's

telephone or said input terminal.

[Claim 3]

6. 6.2001

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a DTMF generator for

670 generating a DTMF signal to be outputted via said telephone signal transceiver.

[Claim 4]

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a voice information memory

for temporarily storing the voice information signal processed by said voice signal processor.

675 [Claim 5]

The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a voice information memory

for temporarily storing the voice information signal processed by said voice signal

processor.

[Claim 6]

680 The apparatus of claim 1 , in which said voice signal process performs

volume-adjusting process to said voice information signal.

[Claim 7]

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit for

supplying electrical power to said voice signal processor and said controller, and in

685 which said power supply unit supplies electrical power to said voice card.

[Claim 8]

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a input means for inputting

control signal to said controller, and in which said ARS memory stores a first voice

message for requesting to transfer a predetermined dial tone through said telephone

690 line if a user wishes to record a voice message to said voice card and a second

26.06.2001

message for requesting to transfer the voice information signals to be recorded to

said voice card after said a first confirmation sound is heard, and said controller

performs the steps of:

(a) controlling said ARS memory and said telephone signals transceiver,

695 in response to a first control signal being inputted via said input means, to output

said first voice message which is recorded in said ARS memory through said

telephone signals transceiver,

(b) waiting for a predetermined dial tone to be received by said telephone

signal transceiver for a first period,

700 (c) controlling said ARS memory and said telephone signal transceiver,

in response to the receipt of the predetermined dial tone through said telephone

signal transceiver, to output said second voice message to said telephone line

through said telephone signal transceiver,

(d) controlling said telephone signal transceiver to generate signals

705 corresponding to said first confirmation sound and output said first confirmation

sound to said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver,

(e) waiting for a second period, and

(f) recording the voice information signals extracted from said telephone

signals received from said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver

710 to said memory means of said voice card.

[Claim 9]

26.06.2001

The apparatus of claim 8, in which said ARS memory stores voice

information signals corresponding to said first confirmation sound, and said (d)

715 step generating signals corresponding to said first confirmation sound and

outputting said first confirmation sound to said telephone line, is controlling said

telephone signal transceiver and said ARS memory to output said voice

information signals corresponding to said first confirmation sound stored in said

ARS memory to said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver.

720

[Claim 10]

The apparatus of claim 8, in which said controller further performs the

step of:

(f) outputting a control signal for controlling said voice card to be a status

that can record voice information signals to said voice card through said voice card

725 interface, after said (e) step of waiting for a second period.

[Claim 11 ]

The apparatus of claim 8, in which said controller further performs the

step of:

(g) finishing said (f) step of recording in response to a signal that said

730 voice card cannot record the voice information signals any more being inputted

through said voice card interface, after said (f) step of recording to the memory

means of the voice card.

[Claim 12] IS KR 26.06.2001

735 The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an input means for inputting

controls signal to said controller,

said controller performs the step of:

(a) controlling said voice information memory and said voice card

interface means, in response to second control signal being inputted through said

740 input means, to output voice information signals recorded in said voice

information memory to said voice card through said voice card interface means.

[Claim 13]

The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an input means for inputting

control signals to said controller,

745 said ARS memory stores a first voice message, and

said controller performs the steps of:

(al) controlling said ARS memory and said telephone signals transceiver,

in response to a third control signal being inputted through said input means, to

output said first voice message recorded in said ARS memory to said telephone

750 line using said telephone signals transceiver,

(bl) waiting for a first tone informing start of transmission among said

telephone signal received through said telephone signal transceiver to be detected,

(cl) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signal

transceiver, in response to said first tone being detected by said DTMF detector, to

755 generate a second tone informing start of receiving by said DTMF generator and to

output said second tone to said telephone line through said telephone signal ISA KR 26.06.2001

transceiver,

(dl) waiting for a predetermined period,

(el) extracting voice information signals from said telephone signal

760 received from said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver, voice

processing said voice information signals by said voice signal processor, and

recording said voice information signals to said memory means of said voice card,

(a2) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signals

transceiver, in response to said second control signal being inputted through said

765 input means, to generate said first tone informing start of transmission by said

DTMF generator and to output said first tone to said telephone line through said

telephone signal transceiver,

(b2) waiting for said second tone informing start of receiving to be

detected among said telephone signal received through said telephone signal

770 transceiver,

(c2) controlling said interface means of said voice card and said

telephone signal transceiver, in response to said second tone being detected by said

DTMF detector, to output voice information signals recorded in said voice card to

said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver.

775

[Claim 14]

The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an input means for inputting

control signals to said controller,

said ARS memory stores a first voice message, and ISA/KR 26.06.2001

said controller performs the steps of:

780 (al) controlling said ARS memory and said telephone signals transceiver,

output said first voice message recorded in said ARS memory to said telephone

line using said telephone signals transceiver

(bl) waiting for a first tone informing start of transmission to be detected

785 by said DTMF detector,

(cl) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signal

generate a second tone informing start of receiving by said DTMF generator and to

output said second tone to said telephone line through said telephone signal

790 transceiver,

(dl) waiting for a third tone confirming of transmission to be detected by

said DTMF detector,

(el) extracting voice information signals from said telephone signals

received from said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver, voice

795 processing said voice information signal by said voice signal processor, and

recording said voice information signal to said memory means of said voice card in

response to said third tone being detected by DTMF detector,

(a2) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signals

800 input means, to generate said first tone informing start of transmission by said

26.06.20 1

telephone signal transceiver,

(b2) waiting said second tone informing start of receiving to be detected

among said telephone signal received through said telephone signal transceiver,

805 (c2) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signal

transceiver, in response to said second tone being detected by said DTMF detector,

to generate said third tone by said DTMF generator and to output said third tone to

said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver,

(d2) controlling said interface means of said voice card and said

810 telephone signal transceiver to output voice information signals recorded in said

voice card to said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver.

[Claim 15]

The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an input means for inputting

control signals to said controller,

815 said ARS memory stores a first voice message, and

said controller performs the steps of:

(al) controlling said ARS memory and said telephone signals transceiver,

output said first voice message recorded in said ARS memory to said telephone

820 line using said telephone signals transceiver

(bl) waiting for a first tone informing start of transmission to be detected

by the DTMF detector among said telephone signal received through said

26.06.2001

telephone signal transceiver,

(cl) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signal

825 transceiver, in response to said first tone being detected by said DTMF detector, to

output said second tone to said telephone line through said telephone signal

transceiver,

(dl) waiting for a predetermined period,

830 (el) extracting voice information signals from said telephone signals

processing said voice information signal by said voice signal processor, and

recording said voice information signal to said voice information memory,

(a2) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signals

835 transceiver, in response to said second control signal being inputted through said

input means, to generate said first tone informing start of transmission by said

telephone signal transceiver,

(b2) waiting for said second tone informing start of receiving to be

840 detected by said DTMF detector in said telephone signal received through said

telephone signal transceiver,

(c2) controlling said voice information memory and said telephone signal

to output voice information signals recorded in said voice information memory to

26.06.2001

845 said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver.

[Claim 16]

The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an input means for inputting

control signals to said controller,

said ARS memory stores a first voice message, and

850 said controller performs the steps of:

(al) controlling said ARS memory and said telephone signals transceiver,

output said first voice message recorded in said ARS memory to said telephone

line using said telephone signals transceiver

855 (bl) waiting for a first tone informing start of transmission to be detected

by said DTMF detector,

(cl) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signal

860 output said second tone to said telephone line through said telephone signal

transceiver,

(dl) waiting for a third tone confirming of transmission to be detected by

said DTMF detector,

(el) extracting voice information signals from said telephone signals

865 received from said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver, voice

processing said voice information signals by said voice signal processor, and

26.06.2001

recording said voice information signals to said voice information memory in

response to said third tone being detected by DTMF detector,

(a2) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signals

870 transceiver, in response to said second control signal being inputted through said

telephone signal transceiver,

(b2) waiting for said second tone informing start of receiving to be

875 detected by said DTMF detector among said telephone signal received through

said telephone signal transceiver,

(c2) controlling said DTMF generator and said telephone signal

880 said telephone line through said telephone signal transceiver,

(d2) controlling said interface means of said voice card and said

telephone signal transceiver to output voice information signals recorded in said

voice information memory to said telephone line through said telephone signal

transceiver.

885

[Claim 17]

A voice card for storing and playing voice, comprising:

an interface means for transferring and receiving control signals and

voice information signals from and to an external voice recording apparatus;

26.06.2001

a memory means for storing, in response to said control signals, voice

890 information signals inputted to said interface means;

a voice play switch; and

a voice playing means for converting, triggered by said voice play switch,

the voice information signals stored in said memory means to voice signals and

outputting said voice signals.

895

[Claim 18]

The voice card of claim 17, further comprising:

a sampling means for converting voice information signals to sampling

signals by sampling said voice information signals inputted to said interface means,

and

900 in which said memory means stores said sampling signals outputted

from said sampling means.

[Claim 19]

The voice card of claim 17, further comprising:

a power supply means for supplying electrical power from said voice

905 recording apparatus to said memory means.

[Claim 20]

The voice card of claim 17, in which said interface means includes means

for triggering said voice playing means to convert voice information signals

recorded in said memory means to voice signals and to output said voice signals.

910 [Claim 21]

26.06.2001

The voice card of claim 17, in which said interface means includes means

for informing that said memory means cannot record voice information signals any

more to said voice recording apparatus. [Claim 22]

915 The voice card of claim 19, further comprising:

a substrate for forming said interface means, said voice play switch and

said memory means thereon,

a frame for fixing said voice playing means, said power supply means

and said substrate thereto,

920 in which said frame has a thin plate shape having a first and a second

rectangular faces and four lateral faces,

the first face has an inserting groove for inserting a voice playing means

while exposing said voice playing means,

said frame has a groove for fixing said power supply means parallel to

925 said inserting groove inside of said frame,

said frame has a groove for fixing said substrate adjacent to one of said

four lateral faces inside of said frame,

said one of said four lateral faces adjacent to said groove for fixing said

substrate has a hole to expose said interface means formed on said substrate to the

930 outside of said frame, and

one of said six faces has a hole to expose said voice play switch to the

outside of said frame.