U.S. patent application number 09/039176 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for method of and apparatus for expanding functionality of vehicle cassette tape-player decks to permit dictation or other recording and automatic remote station relaying of same.
Invention is credited to RINES, CAROL MARY, RINES, JUSTICE C., RINES, ROBERT H..
Application Number | 20010033442 09/039176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27409486 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010033442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RINES, CAROL MARY ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXPANDING FUNCTIONALITY OF VEHICLE
CASSETTE TAPE-PLAYER DECKS TO PERMIT DICTATION OR OTHER RECORDING
AND AUTOMATIC REMOTE STATION RELAYING OF SAME
Abstract
Method of and apparatus for expanding the functionality of
vehicle cassette tape player decks to permit driver dictation or
other recording and automatic remote station relaying of same
through integration with cellular radio telephone apparatus and the
like.
Inventors: |
RINES, CAROL MARY; (CONCORD,
NH) ; RINES, ROBERT H.; (CONCORD, NH) ; RINES,
JUSTICE C.; (CONCORD, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RINES AND RINES
81 NORTH STATE STREET
CONCORD
NH
03301
|
Family ID: |
27409486 |
Appl. No.: |
09/039176 |
Filed: |
March 13, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09039176 |
Mar 13, 1998 |
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08696294 |
Aug 19, 1996 |
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6002558 |
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08696294 |
Aug 19, 1996 |
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08380242 |
Jan 30, 1995 |
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08380242 |
Jan 30, 1995 |
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07873970 |
Apr 24, 1992 |
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07873970 |
Apr 24, 1992 |
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07584134 |
Sep 18, 1990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
360/1 ;
G9B/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72433 20210101;
H04M 1/6083 20130101; G11B 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/1 |
International
Class: |
G11B 005/00; G11B
021/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. For integration with a vehicle passive audio-tape cassette deck
playback system having power, play, rewind and forward controls
operable, in a play mode, to reproduce signals stored on a
pre-recorded tape in audio form in a vehicle loudspeaker by
scanning the tape forwardly past a playback head connected to
playback amplifiers driving the loudspeaker, apparatus for
rendering the system capable of active dictation recording use on a
tape and simultaneous transmission to a remote location, or later
transmission upon rewind and playing of the recorded tape, via a
cellular radio telephone transmitter system also carried by the
vehicle, said apparatus having, in combination auxiliary apparatus
comprising a microphone, audio amplifying means and a recording
head cooperative with the tape for enabling the driver, upon
actuation of a recording dictation mode, to dictate in the vehicle
into the microphone and record such on the tape; programmable
control means cooperative with the said auxiliary apparatus and
with the modulator of said cellular radio telephone transmitter
system for switching said audio amplifying means, upon said
actuation of the recording dictation mode, to energize said
recording head to record the dictation on said tape and, after
operation of said rewind control, to playback the same as recorded
on the tape through one or both of two paths: one, through said
playback amplifiers for driver listening through said vehicle
loudspeaker, and secondly, for directly modulating the cellular
radio transmitter modulator to transmit to a remote location; said
programmable control means further having means, operable upon
actuation of said recording dictation mode, for connecting said
audio-amplifying means to said modulator, to transmit the dictation
via the cellular radio telephone transmitter in real time during
said dictation, selectively with or without simultaneous energizing
of said recording head to record the dictation on said tape.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which modulating of said
modulator by the audio amplifying means connected with the
microphone is controlled by voice on/off switching.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and in which microprocessor
means controls the said switching, being pre-programmed to enable
driver pre-selected option functions.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 and in which said option
functions are: record locally at the vehicle; listen to the
playback of the recorded tape at the vehicle; transmit to remote
location in real dictation time; and transmit to remote location
later after dictation.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which means is provided
for controlling the time of playback of the recorded tape in
response to one of a preselected time period after dictation, and a
predetermined number of dictated messages.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which the deck is
associated with a radio broadcast receiver, and means is provided
for enabling the received programs selectively to be recorded on
said tape and to be transmitted to a remote location via said
cellular radio telephone transmitter systems in real time of
recording or on playback of the recorded tape.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 and in which means is provided
for switching the broadcast receiver output to the said audio
amplifying means to effect recording and to the said modulator to
effect the transmission to a remote location.
8. A method of expanding the functionality of a vehicle player tape
deck to permit dictation by the driver, that comprises, adding
microphone and recording amplifying components to the player tape
deck to record dictation on the tape; and automatically enabling
transmission of the dictation sounds over an adjacent cellular
radio telephone system selectively in each of the following option
modes: in real time during dictation and simultaneous recording; in
real time without recording; and at a selected time after dictation
recording by playback.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 and in which the driver on-off
dictation recording is controlled in response to the presence of
voice sound only.
10. A method as claimed in claim 8 and in which radio broadcast
reception in the vehicle is also similarly recordable and
automatically transmitted over said cellular radio telephone system
with selectivity of each of said option modes.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle tape decks and the
like (the terms "tape", "tape deck" and "cassette" being
generically used herein to embrace not only cartridges of magnetic
storage strips or tapes but discs and other well-known recording
media, as well), being more particularly directed to the expansion
of the functionality of the same beyond the mere playing or
reproducing of pre-recorded material to permit, also, dictation or
other message recording by the vehicle operator (or passengers)
and, where desired, automatic remote station relaying of the same
from the vehicle (and also the vehicle AM/FM radio broadcast
reception, if desired), as by cellular radio telephone.
BACKGROUND
[0002] While audio mono, multi-channel and stereo tape recorders
(analog and digital) with recording and playback functions have
been employed for decades in many settings, including fixed and
portable versions, the conventional tape deck systems available for
automobiles have been restricted to playback functions for the
listening entertainment of the operator and other passengers. This
operator-passive listening mode has extended, also, to FM and AM
radio reception, though operator-active speaking from the vehicle
has, within the past decade, become customary through the use of a
separate cellular radio telephone transmitter-receiver also
provided in the vehicle, but at a different location than the tape
deck-radio receiver.
[0003] There are, however, serious restraints upon operator-active
functions during vehicle movement that do not exist in the usual
fixed or portable tape recorder settings, in view of the necessity
that the operator give substantially total attention to driving and
minimal or insignificant operational attention to the tape deck. It
is to the problem of enabling such minimal diversion of the
operator's attention while expanding the functionality of the tape
deck to permit the operator to dictate and record and/or
automatically transmit the dictation via the vehicle cellular
radio, either in real time or by playback, that the present
invention is primarily directed. Adding such facility to the
vehicle-installed tape deck with safe and minimal attention
diversion from the driving function obviates the current need for
separate tape recorders to be carried by the operator or vehicle,
and achieves the very desirable result of (1) enabling
operator-active dictation for local storage while driving, and
subsequent playback; (2) for real time automatic relay to remote
stations, such as the operator or another's office, home, or
message center or the like; and/or (3) for subsequent playback and
automatic transmission to remote stations at desired times. With
the incorporation of the features of the invention, furthermore, it
also fortuitously becomes possible to enable recording of the AM-FM
radio broadcast reception at the vehicle, if desired, and either
real-time transmittal of the same to a remote location via the
vehicle cellular radio telephone and/or the subsequent transmission
by playback of the broadcast recorded by the tape deck.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
[0004] An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a new
and improved method of and apparatus for expanding the
functionality of current-day vehicle tape deck systems to permit
safe and minimal operator-attention operator dictation or other
message functions, as well; and with the further feature, where
desired, of enabling automatic real-time relaying of the same, as
over cellular radio telephone, to remote stations and/or for
subsequent playback and automatic transmission to remote stations
at desired times.
[0005] A further object is to enable, where desired, recording of
the vehicle AM/FM radio broadcast reception and its transmission,
where appropriate, to remote stations via the cellular radio
telephone system.
[0006] Other and further objects are explained hereinafter and are
more particularly delineated in the appended claims.
SUMMARY
[0007] In summary, however, from one of its important aspects, the
invention embraces, for integration with a vehicle passive
audio-tape cassette deck playback system having power, play, rewind
and forward controls operable, in a play mode, to reproduce signals
stored on a pre-recorded tape in audio form in a vehicle
loudspeaker by scanning the tape forwardly past a playback head
connected to playback amplifiers driving the loudspeaker, apparatus
for rendering the system capable of active dictation recording use
on a tape and simultaneous transmission to a remote location, or
later transmission upon rewind and playing of the recorded tape,
via a cellular radio telephone transmitter system also carried by
the vehicle, said apparatus having, in combination, auxiliary
apparatus comprising a microphone, audio amplifying means and a
recording head cooperative with the tape for enabling the driver,
upon actuation of a recording dictation mode, to dictate in the
vehicle into the microphone and record such on the tape;
programmable control means cooperative with the said auxiliary
apparatus and with the modulator of said cellular radio telephone
transmitter system for switching said audio amplifying means, upon
said actuation of the recording dictation mode, to energize said
recording head to record the dictation on said tape and, after
operation of said rewind control, to playback the same as recorded
on the tape through one or both of two paths: one, through said
playback amplifiers for driver listening through said vehicle
loudspeaker, and secondly, for directly modulating the cellular
radio transmitter modulator to transmit to a remote location; said
programmable control means further having means, operable upon
actuation of said recording dictation mode, for connecting said
audio-amplifying means to said modulator, to transmit the dictation
via the cellular radio telephone transmitter in real time during
said dictation, selectively with or without simultaneous energizing
of said recording head to record the dictation on said tape.
Storage and/or cellular transmission of the vehicle radio broadcast
reception is also feasible when required. Best mode and preferred
designs for operation are later detailed.
DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 of which is a combined block and
schematic circuit diagram of preferred apparatus for practicing the
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the operation; and
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partial block diagram of a modification.
DESCRIPTION
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional automobile vehicle tape
playback deck (mono, multi-channel and/or stereo) is shown at 1
having a switch control panel 3 displaying conventional power (P),
play (PL), rewind (REW) and forward (FOR) buttons operating, in
well-known and conventional manner, the motor drive (M) for the
magnetic tape cartridge or cassette playback system D, with a
cartridge or cassette access slot (not shown) for the operator to
insert or remove a pre-recorded tape cassette. Similar comments
apply for disc cassette recording and similar media systems all
generally described as "cassette" as before stated. Typical vehicle
cassette playback decks of this character, combined with an AM/FM
car radio receiver, are, for example, the AM/FM Radio-Stereo Tape
Deck Blaupunkt Autoradio SQR34 described in their 1984 catalog, or
the Becker "Auto Radio" and cassette player described in the 500
SEL Mercedes Benz Owner's Manual 1984, or other well-known types.
Following insertion of a recorded tape cassette and turn-on of the
power at P, usually in common unit with the conventional AM/FM
vehicle radio receiver RR, operation of the play button PL operates
the motor drive M to cause scanning of the tape past the then
operational playback head or sensor PB-H for generating electrical
signals (analog or digital later converted to analog) amplified in
playback amplifiers PA and transduced into audio sound at the
vehicle local loudspeaker(s) L for passive listening by the vehicle
operator and passengers, all as is well-known.
[0012] Also shown in FIG. 1 is the separate, conventional vehicle
cellular radio telephone transmitter-receiver C, at the disposal of
the operator and passengers at a different location of the front
panel area for radio telephone communication with a remote station
RS totally independently of the vehicle playback deck and AM/FM
radio receiver. A typical car cellular radio is the Alpine Model
9511 Transceiver of Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.
[0013] In accordance with the present invention, as before stated,
not only is the playback deck 1 extended in functionality to permit
operator and/or passenger recording of dictation (thoughts,
appointments, names, instructions, observations, reports, letters,
tasks, or other messages, data or materials), but to enable
automatic combination with the now totally separately functioning
cellular radio telephone system C to permit transmission of the
same to a remote location(s), either in real time or by subsequent
playback of recording of the same at the vehicle tape deck. Such,
as previously stated, can also be extended to the "messages" in the
form of the received programs on the vehicle AM/FM radio
receiver.
[0014] Thus, in FIG. 1, there is shown added to the playback "tape"
deck 1 auxiliary apparatus, also interconnected with the cellular
telephone C, which may now be physically located (or at least
dictation or other message controls for transmission thereover) as
part of or in close proximity to those of the radio-tape deck unit.
Such auxiliary apparatus includes a dictation microphone MIC with
its amplifier(s) RA and recording head RH, and control buttons,
just as readily and safely accessible to the operator as the
playback tape deck controls, for automatic real-time modulation by
the dictated message (TX), such combined real-time modulation and
recording on the tape deck (REC-TX), or just modulation of the
cellular telephone radio transmission (PL-TX) without recording at
the vehicle--such, however, all being recordable for playback at
the remote station cellular telephone receiver RS at A, and/or
direct listening in real-time at L'.
[0015] In actual practice, at least some of these functional
controls are susceptible of microprocessor control, schematically
indicated at MC, and of conventional type (as, for example, in the
PROM-equipped Intell microprocessor type 8051) though, for
illustrative and explanatory purposes, they are shown implemented
by switches and gang-control lines in FIG. 1 which, in practice,
can be software implemented as is well known.
[0016] Referring to the switching sequence and operation and
program flow chart of FIG. 2, and considering first the added
functionality of the operator dictation and local recording when
driving (Option O.sub.1 in FIG. 2), in fashion similar to the
operator's current-day pressing of the play mode (PL) of the tape
deck 1, the operator may depress PL and the added record button REC
together (Step I in FIG. 2), as in the conventional fashion in tape
recorders (illustrated by dotted line gang connection) to initiate
the added dictation function. The circuitry for effecting this by
rendering operational the microphone MIC-recording amplifiers
RA-recording head RH-and tape motor drive M, may, for example, be
identical to that of well-known conventional tape recorders,
including the type of circuits of the Minisette-15 and 20 cassette
recorders described in respective catalogs 14-1027 and 14-1055A of
Tandy Corporation, 1985 and 1988, respectively, or other well known
recorder systems of this character. This will cause the recording
amplifiers RA, FIG. 1, to energize the recording head RH via switch
S, and record the dictation (or other "message") on a blank tape D,
as shown by Steps II, III and IV in FIG. 2, so-labelled.
Particularly for minimal driver concern, a voice or sound-activated
on-off switch 9 is preferably employed (as, for example, of the
said Minisetts 15 and 20 recorders) to activate recording only when
dictation commences and during voice activity.
[0017] Following recording, with the same minimal diversion from
driving attention as in current radio and tape deck operation in
cars, particularly in view of the incorporation of controls in the
single deck region, should the operator desire playback of the
recording (Option O.sub.2 in FIG. 2), conventional rewind step V
and playback step VI are effected (REW and PL controls in FIG. 1),
enabling listening to the recording at the local vehicle
loudspeaker(s) L, FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0018] As before discussed, should the operator desire the
dictation or other message to be transmitted automatically to a
remote station to which the cellular radio telephone is dialed in
conventional fashion, including by special code button, this may,
in accordance with the features of the invention, be achieved
either in real time (with or without recording at the vehicle tape
deck) or be done later either when a certain number of dictated
inputs have been effected or after a certain desired monitored time
has elapsed, by rewind and playback of the recorded tape with
automatic modulation of the cellular telephone transmitter
circuitry, as distinguished from modulation by voice spoken into
the cellular telephone mouthpiece as in voice telephone
communication all automatic without the driver being involved other
than actuating the desired function button control.
[0019] Considering, first, Option O.sub.3 of FIG. 2, if it is
desired to transmit the dictation in real time to a remote location
on station RS while recording the same in the tape deck 1, as for
transmitting information/data back to a person's office or
secretary for follow-up, with a record kept on the vehicle tape,
after ordering election of the before-discussed Option O.sub.1, the
added function control button REC-TX is actuated (as under control
of MC) opening a CONNECT gate switch S-C.sub.1 to enable the
microphone amplifier output (RA, FIG. 1) to apply modulation
signals to the modulator of the cellular telephone transmitter
circuit (M' in FIGS. 1 and 2) and thus to transmit the dictation
over the air to the remote station(s) RS, where it may be heard at
L' and/or stored for later playback at A. In the schematic switch
analogy format of FIG. 1, switch S-C.sub.1 closes in response to
actuation of control button REC-TX (illustrated by dotted
gang-line), connecting amplifier(s) RA by line 5 to the input of
the modulator M'. This may be direct analog signal modulation (AM
or FM), or sampling may be involved and digital format may be
transmitted and reconverted to analog voice or other audio content
of the dictated or recorded message at the receiver RS, as is
well-known.
[0020] Selection of the "NO" path at Option O.sub.1 will avoid
recording at the tape deck 1, as where it is desired to transmit
the dictation automatically and directly to the remote station(s)
via the cellular radio telephone system without recording on the
vehicle tape deck (switch S open in FIG. 1).
[0021] In the event, however, it is not desired to transmit to the
remote station at the time of dictation, namely Option O.sub.4 of
FIG. 2, then before-mentioned Option O.sub.2 may be initiated at a
desired time to effect previously described rewinding and then
playback Steps V and VI, with a selection of Step VII of Option
O.sub.4 (button PL-TX, FIG. 1) enabling "CONNECT" switching gate
C.sub.2 to feed the output of the playback amplifier(s) directly to
modulate the cellular telephone radio transmitter circuit at M', as
before explained. In the circuit of FIG. 1, this is shown effected
by the dotted-line gang control of PL-TX closing switch S-C.sub.2
to feed the output of playback amplifiers PA to the modulation
circuit M' via line 7.
[0022] The time selected for the playback transmission of the
recorded dictation or other message via the cellular telephone
radio line C to the remote station RS may be arbitrary or
automatic, including after a predetermined length of time has been
monitored at Step VIII, FIG. 2, or a certain number of messages or
inputs has been effected; or on demand.
[0023] With the microprocessor control MC and the integration of
tape deck and cellular radio telephone systems, the above sets of
functions may readily be pre-formatted or pre-programmed for the
desired options or modes, thereby making it a simple on/off
situation (schematically designated by "MC" setting or control) for
the operator, readily changeable as different needs arise--thus
adding to the safety of the vehicle operation and minimum
distration.
[0024] As previously discussed, furthermore, the invention readily
lends itself, also, to recording and/or remotely transmitting (via
the cellular telephone system), where desired, the messages or
programs received by the vehicle AM/FM radio receiver, generally
currently proximally integrated into the playback deck front panel
assembly. Thus, as shown by conventional Option O.sub.5 in FIG. 2,
the operator or passenger listens to the programs ("messages") by
turning on and tuning in, so that the receiver output amplifiers
R-RA drive the vehicle loudspeakers L (schematically shown as by
CONNECT C.sub.3) in normal fashion. Should it be desired (Option
O.sub.6) to record the same with the system of the invention
(R-REC, FIG. 1), Step IX, an appropriate part of the output of the
receiver output amplifiers R-RA is fed via CONNECT gate C.sub.4 to
the record amplifiers of the tape deck (Step IV, FIG. 2). If Option
O.sub.7 is selected to tranmit the received broadcast information
to the remote station RS, then Step X is effected, connecting the
receiver output amplifiers R-RA at C.sub.5 to the modulator circuit
M' of the cellular radio telephone transmitter C.
[0025] The invention, through its extending of the functionality of
the current playback deck, and with cellular telephone integration,
thus provides for greatly increased and facile information
communication and storage most desirable for vehicle operators who
wish to record and/or transmit, real time thoughts and observations
without impairing vehicle operation--inspectors of traffic,
advertising, signs, buildings, road, etc.; writers, executives,
doctors, lawyers, engineers, other professionals--virtually
everyone who wishes to capture thoughts or record or impart
information, data and observations while driving.
[0026] The microphone MIC, in the system integration of the
invention, instead of being part of the add-on to the tape deck,
may be the microphone of the cellular radio headset or a remote
microphone MIC therefor, FIG. 3. Again, voice switch control 9 is
preferred to minimize operator or driver attention and functions,
such as the voice actuated controls described in said Minisette
catalogs or in other well-known recorders of such character. The
recording medium D', drive M', etc., may, in such instance, be
treated as an add-on to the cellular radio system C, with the
amplifier circuit (AMP) that drives the modulator M' serving, also,
when required, to energize the recording head RH.
[0027] Further to minimize driver distraction or adjustment, the
controls shown to the left in FIG. 1 may be incorporated at or
within the steering wheel structure; and/or the control switches
may be actuated by voice commands, recognized by predesignated
voice command words; i.e., the driver-expressed words "RECORD" (to
actuate REC and PL); "RECORD AND TRANSMIT", (to actuate REC-TX);
etc., or coded words or numbers, now fully implementable by
well-known technology.
[0028] As above observed, the invention is not limited to magnetic
recording strips but is equally applicable with other types of
recording media including laser and other discs and the like; and,
while cellular telephone radio links are preferred for
incorporation, other radio or radiant energy communication systems
may also be employed therewith.
[0029] Further modifications will also occur to those skilled in
this art and such are considered to fall within the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *