Mobile Communication Device With Audio Recorder
A mobile communication device that has self-contained audio recorder and playback circuitry therein.
Latest BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation Patents:
- Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing intelligent agent services
- METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING MEDIA MANAGEMENT
- System And Method For Gathering Information Related To A Geographical Location Of A Callee In A Public Switched Telephone Network
- Systems And Methods For Audio Reminder Messages
- Method To Enable Cooperative Processing And Resource Sharing Between Set-Top Boxes, Personal Computers, And Local Devices
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/092,452, filed Mar. 7, 2002, and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/559,294, filed Nov. 13, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/092,452, filed Mar. 7, 2002, both of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe subject invention relates to mobile communication devices and, more particularly, to a mobile communication device that has means for recording and playing back audio messages.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUNDMobile communication devices, such as wireless and cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (“PDA's”), pagers, etc. are becoming increasing popular and indispensable work tools for many individuals. Likewise, portable sound recording devices which enable the user to record an audio memorandum and play it back at a later time have also become popular. However, to have both capabilities, a user must typically carry two separate devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,320 to Haimi-Cohen discloses a method and apparatus for recording and playing back conversations using a digital wireless phone.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,302 to Harrison discloses a wireless phone with removable personal information manager.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,129 discloses enhanced user control operations for portable digital audio recorders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication device comprising a housing and a mobile telephone operably supported by the housing. A self-contained audio recorder is operably supported by the housing.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a mobile communication device that includes a housing the operably supports a mobile pager and a self-contained audio recorder.
Accordingly, the various embodiments of the present invention represent unique and novel mobile communication devices and methods. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that these and other details, features and advantages will become further apparent as the following detailed description of the embodiments proceeds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn the accompanying Figures, there are shown present embodiments of the invention wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting the same, it is to be understood that standard components or features that are within the purview of an artisan of ordinary skill and do not contribute to the understanding of the various embodiments of the invention are omitted from the drawings to enhance clarity. The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to mobile communication devices that have the ability to record and play back an audio message. As used herein, the term “mobile communication device” encompasses wireless and cellular telephones, PDA's (i.e., palm pilots, handspring devices), single and multiple way pagers, etc.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the components forming telephone 20 can comprise virtually any collection of mobile (i.e., wireless, cellular, etc.) telephone components. Thus, the telephone portion 20 of the device 10 can be either analog or digital without departing from the spirit or scope of the various embodiments of the present invention.
This embodiment of the present invention also includes an audio recorder 50 which may include components set forth in
A control circuit 60 may be employed to exchange signals with the record/playback circuit 56. The control circuit 60 controls the record/playback circuit 56 of the recorder 50 in general. In this embodiment, the control circuit 60 may comprise a “second” microprocessor (not shown) or microcontroller (not shown). It will be understood that such controller device may include program memory and working memory, which are also not separately shown. If desired, an LED 61 may be employed to indicate when the recorder is in record mode.
In this embodiment, the recorder 50 also includes at least one switch matrix 70 which enables the user to provide input to the control circuit 20. Such collection switch matrix 70 may include one or more keys 72 for commencing and discontinuing various functions such as record, playback, rewind and fast forward functions. The skilled artisan will appreciate, however, that some of the above-mentioned switches/keys may be omitted or replaced with other switches/keys. Furthermore, the keys 72 may each operate a respective switch 70 which is movable between a first position (nonactuated) and a second position (actuated). In one embodiment, for example, some or all of the switches are biased toward their respective nonactuated positions. In another embodiment, one or more of the switches may be actuated by a shared key configuration, such as a rocker switch. A variety of known switching arrangements and configurations may be employed. For example, one arrangement that may be employed requires the user to actively maintain the record switch in the activated position to record an audio message onto the recording medium. In another “record lock” mode, recording is carried out without requiring the user to maintain the record switch in the activated position.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the mobile communication device 10 may also include other components not specifically shown, such as a power manager which controls the supply of power and ground potential to the various components and circuits of the of mobile telephone 20 and the audio recorder 50 such that separate types of power and grounding may be available for digital circuits, analog and audio circuits, and RF circuits. A rechargeable battery (not shown) may be included in the device 10 which supplies portable power to the wireless telephone 20 and the audio recorder 50 and is rechargeable through a known charge control circuit. In addition, a charging connector (not shown) may also be included for receiving charging current from a charging accessory, such as, for example, a wall or table mounted transformer. The mobile communication device 10 can be used as a standard mobile telephone and, when desired, the user can activate the audio recorder 50 to take notes, record a message, etc. to be played back at a later time.
Another embodiment of the mobile communication-device of the present invention is depicted in
The audio recorder 150 portion of the device 100 maybe “self-contained” and include a record/playback circuit 156 for receiving electrical sound signals generated at the microphone 136 and recording such signals on a recording medium 158. The recording medium 158 may comprise, for example, a conventional solid state memory card or magnetic tape cassette. If digital recording is to be carried out, the record/playback circuit 156 may include analog-to-digital conversion circuitry. If that is the case, the record/playback circuit 156 may include data compression/decompression circuitry. The record/playback circuit 156 may reproduce a stored sound signal from the recording medium and to process the reproduced signal to provide an output signal to the speaker 138. Thus, in this embodiment, the telephone 120 and the audio recorder 150 share a microphone and a speaker.
A control circuit 160 may also be employed to exchange signals with the record/playback circuit 156. The control circuit 160 controls the record/playback circuit 156 of the recorder 150 in general. In this embodiment, the control circuit 160 may comprise a “second” microprocessor (not shown) or microcontroller (not shown) or, as shown in
Also in this embodiment, the recorder 150 may include at least one switch matrix 170 which enables the user to provide input to the control circuit 160. Such switch matrix may include one or more keys 172 for commencing and discontinuing various functions such as record, playback, rewind and fast forward functions. The skilled artisan will appreciate, however, that some of the above-mentioned keys 172 may be omitted or replaced with other keys. Furthermore, the keys 172 may each operate a respective switch that is movable between a first position (nonactuated) and a second position (actuated). In one embodiment, for example, some or all of the switches are biased toward the nonactuated position. In another embodiment, one or more of the switches may be actuated by a shared key configuration, such as a rocker switch. A variety of known switching arrangements and configurations may be employed. For example, one arrangement that may be employed requires the user to actively maintain the record switch in the activated position to record an audio message onto the recording medium. In another “record lock” mode, recording is carried out without the requiring the user to maintain the record switch in the activated position.
Another embodiment of the mobile communication device of the present invention is depicted in
If digital recording is to be carried out in the recorder 256, the record/playback circuit 256 may include analog-to-digital conversion circuitry. If that is the case, the record/playback circuit 256 may include data compression/decompression circuitry. The record/playback circuit 256 may serve to reproduce a stored sound signal from the recording medium 258 and to process the reproduced signal to provide an output signal to the speaker 254.
A control circuit 260 may be employed to exchange signals with the record/playback circuit 256. The control circuit 260 may control the record/playback circuit 256 of the recorder 250 in general. In this embodiment, the control circuit 260 may comprise a microprocessor (not shown) or microcontroller (not shown). It will be understood that such controller device may include program memory and working memory, which are not separately shown. In the embodiment of
In this embodiment, the recorder 250 may also include at least one switch matrix 270 which enables the user to provide input to the control circuit 260. Such switch matrix may include one or more keys 272 for commencing and discontinuing various functions such as record, playback, rewind and fast forward functions. The skilled artisan will appreciate, however, that some of the above-mentioned keys may be omitted or replaced with other keys. Furthermore, the keys 272 may each operate a respective switch which is movable between a first position (nonactuated) and a second position (actuated). In one embodiment, for example, some or all of the switches 270 are biased toward the nonactuated position. In another embodiment, one or more of the switches 270 may be actuated by a shared key configuration, such as a rocker switch. A variety of known switching arrangements and configurations may be employed. For example, one arrangement that may be employed requires the user to actively maintain the record switch in the activated position to record an audio message on to the recording medium. In another “record lock” mode, recording is carried out without requiring the user to maintain the record switch in the activated position.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the device 200 also includes other components not specifically shown, such as a power manager which controls the supply of power and ground potential to the various components and circuits of the of the PDA and the audio recorder such that separate types of power and grounding may be available for digital circuits, analog and audio circuits, and RF circuits. A rechargeable battery (not shown) may be included in the device which supplies portable power to the PDA 220 and the audio recorder 250 and is rechargeable through a known charge control circuit. In addition, a charging connector may also be included for receiving charging current from a charging accessory, such as, for example, a wall or table mounted transformer.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described device could comprise a one-way or two-way conventional pager with an audio recorder therein. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to wireless or cellular communication devices and PDA devices specifically disclosed herein.
Thus, from the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that the various embodiments of the present invention provide the user with the unique and novel ability to record and playback audio messages utilizing anyone of the above-mentioned communication devices without having to carry a separate devices. Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by the skilled artisan within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A mobile device, comprising:
- a mobile communications device configured to facilitate a communication, the mobile communications device including a first microprocessor configured to process data associated with the communication; and
- an audio recorder configured to facilitate an audio recording, the audio recorder including a second microprocessor configured to process data associated with the audio recording, the second microprocessor being different than the first microprocessor.
2. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first speaker coupled to the mobile communications device, the first speaker configured to provide an audio representation of at least a portion of the communication; and
- a second speaker coupled to the audio recorder, the second speaker configured to provide an audio representation of at least a portion of the audio recording,
- wherein the first speaker is different than the second speaker.
3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications device includes at least one of the following: a wireless telephone, a cellular telephone, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the audio recorder is configured to facilitate an audio recording using at least one of the following formats: magnetic and digital.
5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the audio recorder further includes data compression circuitry.
6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the audio recorder includes circuitry configured to perform at least one of the following operations: record, playback, rewind, fast forward, and skip.
7. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first microphone coupled to the mobile communications device, the first microphone configured to receive audio associated with at least a portion of the communication; and
- a second microphone coupled to the audio recorder, the second microphone configured to receive audio associated with at least a portion of the audio recording,
- wherein the first microphone is different than the second microphone.
8. A mobile device, comprising:
- a mobile communications device configured to facilitate a communication, the mobile communications device including a first speaker configured to provide an audio representation of at least a portion of the communication; and
- an audio recorder configured to facilitate an audio recording, the audio recorder including a second speaker configured to provide an audio representation of at least a portion of the audio recording, the second speaker being different than the first speaker.
9. The mobile device of claim 8, further comprising:
- a first microprocessor coupled to the mobile communications device, the first microprocessor configured to process data associated with the communication; and
- a second microprocessor coupled to the audio recorder, the second microprocessor configured to process data associated with the audio recording,
- wherein the second microprocessor is different than the first microprocessor.
10. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the mobile communications device includes at least one of the following: a wireless telephone, a cellular telephone, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
11. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the audio recorder is configured to facilitate an audio recording using at least one of the following formats: magnetic and digital.
12. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the audio recorder further includes data compression circuitry.
13. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the audio recorder includes circuitry configured to perform at least one of the following operations: record, playback, rewind, fast forward, and skip.
14. The mobile device of claim 8, further comprising:
- a first microphone coupled to the mobile communications device, the first microphone configured to receive audio associated with at least a portion of the communication; and
- a second microphone coupled to the audio recorder, the second microphone configured to receive audio associated with at least a portion of the audio recording,
- wherein the first microphone is different than the second microphone.
15. A mobile device, comprising:
- a mobile communications device operably supported by a housing, the mobile communications device configured to facilitate a communication, the mobile communications device including a first microphone configured to receive audio associated with at least a portion of the communication; and
- an audio recorder operably supported by the housing, the audio recorder configured to facilitate an audio recording, the audio recorder including a second microphone configured to receive audio associated with at least a portion of the audio recording, the second microphone being different than the first microphone.
16. The mobile device of claim 15, further comprising:
- a first microprocessor coupled to the mobile communications device, the first microprocessor configured to process data associated with the communication; and
- a second microprocessor coupled to the audio recorder, the second microprocessor configured to process data associated with the audio recording,
- wherein the second microprocessor is different than the first microprocessor.
17. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the mobile communications device includes at least one of the following: a wireless telephone, a cellular telephone, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
18. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the audio recorder is configured to facilitate an audio recording using at least one of the following formats: magnetic and digital.
19. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the audio recorder includes circuitry configured to perform at least one of the following operations: record, playback, rewind, fast forward, and skip.
20. The mobile device of claim 15, further comprising:
- a first speaker coupled to the mobile communications device, the first speaker configured to provide an audio representation of at least a portion of the communication; and
- a second speaker coupled to the audio recorder, the second speaker configured to provide an audio representation of at least a portion of the audio recording,
- wherein the first speaker is different than the second speaker.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2007
Applicant: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation (Wilmington, DE)
Inventor: John Ruckart (Atlanta, GA)
Application Number: 11/559,487
International Classification: H04M 1/00 (20060101);