CA1279267C - Transcription control over plural interconnected modules - Google Patents
Transcription control over plural interconnected modulesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1279267C CA1279267C CA000522731A CA522731A CA1279267C CA 1279267 C CA1279267 C CA 1279267C CA 000522731 A CA000522731 A CA 000522731A CA 522731 A CA522731 A CA 522731A CA 1279267 C CA1279267 C CA 1279267C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- module
- transcribe
- deck
- switch
- dictation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B19/00—Driving, starting, stopping record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function ; Driving both disc and head
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B31/00—Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus
Abstract
TRANSCRIPTION CONTROL OVER PLURAL
INTERCONNECTED MODULES
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Dictate/transcribe apparatus in which plural modules, each including at least two record/playback decks, are interconnected. A switch in each module selects one or the other or neither of the decks therein to operate in a transcribe mode; and a transducer and operation selector are connected to one of the modules to effect a transcribe operation from the deck which has been selected to operate in the transcribe mode regardless of the particular module in which that deck is located. The electrical coupling arrangement between the modules permits audio signals to be transmitted from the transcribe deck to the particular module to which the transducer and operation selector are connected, and also allows function control signals to be transmitted from the operation selector to the module which includes the transcribe deck.
INTERCONNECTED MODULES
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Dictate/transcribe apparatus in which plural modules, each including at least two record/playback decks, are interconnected. A switch in each module selects one or the other or neither of the decks therein to operate in a transcribe mode; and a transducer and operation selector are connected to one of the modules to effect a transcribe operation from the deck which has been selected to operate in the transcribe mode regardless of the particular module in which that deck is located. The electrical coupling arrangement between the modules permits audio signals to be transmitted from the transcribe deck to the particular module to which the transducer and operation selector are connected, and also allows function control signals to be transmitted from the operation selector to the module which includes the transcribe deck.
Description
~ lZ79Z67 331-Z210 1 -:
8 ¦ BACRGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION ..
4 ¦ This invention relates to dictate/transcribe 6 ¦ apparatus comprised of plural modules in which record/play-6 ¦ back decks are provided and, more particularly, to such 7 ¦ apparatus in which transcription devices (such as a foot 8 ¦ pedal switch and a headset~ are used to recover messages ,~
9 ¦ that had been recorded on any deck in any module, 10 ¦ irrespective of the particular module to which those devices 11 ¦ are connecte~
12 ¦ Historically, dictation systems have been 13 ¦ categorized as desk-top dictating machines, central ~-~
14 ¦ dictation systems or portable dictating devices. A typical "
16 ¦ desk-top dictating machine is provided with a record medium, 16 ¦ typically magnetic tape contained in a cartridge housing 17 ¦ such as a standard cassette, a minicassette, a ~ ~ -18 ¦ microcassette, or the recently introduced picocassette 19 ¦ described in United States Patent No, 4,443,827 and assigned 20 ¦ to the assignee of the present invention. Connected to the 21 ¦ desk-top dictating machine is a microphone unit having hand ~
22 ¦ controls by which the user of the machine records dictation ~ `
23 ¦ and controls movement of the record medium for the purpose 24 ¦ of reviewing dictation or rapidly advancing the record A;
25 ¦ medium to a desired location. Other conventional controls ,~
26 I normally associated with the operation of a dictating 2~ ¦ machine also are provided. !
28 ~ After dictation is completed, transcription 29 ¦ thereof requires the transfer of the record medium (or tape 80 ¦ cassette) from the dictating machine to a transcribing 81 ¦ machine which must be compatible with each other (e. g. they 82 ¦ must accept the same type of record medium and operate at 1"!, I l'' :, '' '`~ , ~ 'r''' 1 331-227~ ~
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~'" ~' 1 ¦ the same record/playback speed). Typically, the 2 ¦ transcriptionist is provided with a headset and foot pedal ; ;~
8 ¦ switches which are connected either directly to the 4 ¦ transcribing machine, or by so-called private wire 6 ¦ connections, or by telephone connection.
6 ¦ As mentioned above, when using desk-top 7 ¦ dictating/transcribing machines, the record medium must be 8 ¦ removed from one machine and loaded into the other. If the 9 ¦ respective machines are disposed at significantly spaced 0 ¦ apart locations, such as in different offices or on 11 ¦ different floors of a office building, this transfer of ;
12 ¦ record media is a substantial inconvenience, results in 1~ ¦ inefficient office operation and may be accompanied by loss 14 ¦ or misplacement of the record media. Even if the respective 16 ¦ machines are located in close proximity, such as in ad~acent ~ -6 ¦ offices, the requisite transfer of record media still may 17 ¦ result in marked reduction in office operation efficiency. ~ ~ :
18 ¦ Central dictation systems, as are commercially 19 ¦ available, avoid several of the aforenoted disadvantages 20 ¦ attendant desk-top dictating/transcribing machines. For ;
21 ¦ example, in one type of central dictation system, a central l;~
22 ¦ recorder is provided with an endless loop of magnetic tape t ~ :
23 ¦ and includes a dictate site and a separate transcribe site, ~, ?i~ ;' 24 l both of which may be operated simultaneously, as described 25 ¦ in U. S. Patent No. 3,934,774. While such a central .~
26 ¦ recorder avoids the need to transfer a record medium from a 27 ¦ dictating machine to a transcribing machine, such central 28 ¦ recorders generally are most efficient when used with 291 several dictators having access to the recorder from several ~0 ¦ dictate stations. Such a central dictation system is ~;
32 relatively expensive and might not be cost efficient for q l !~.`,.;~ ~,, ;
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office operation in which ~ 2 7sy9s~e6m7is utilized by a relatively small number of dictators and transcriptionists.
Another type of central dictation system that might be utilized more efficiently in a "small office"
environment, is described in U. S. Patents Nos. 4,071,857 and 4,636,888. These systems are provided with a central recorder which operates to record dictation on individual tape cassettes, a used cassette being replace by a fresh one to permit transcription of the used cassette and to allow further dictation on the new cassette. While such a central recorder having automatic cassette-changing capabilities reduces the amount of cassette manipulation that is attendant the aforementioned desk-top dictating/transcribing machines, there is, nonetheless, a need to load a used cassette into a separate transcribing machine to facilitate the transcription of recorded dictation.
Therefore, there is a need for an efficient dictation system for use in a so-called small office environment that minimizes the necessity to transfer a record medium from a dictating machine to a transcribing machine, yet is capable of being accessed by several dictators while allowing a transcriptionist to transcribe dictation that has been recorded by any of those dictators.
Although prior art systems have been proposed in an attempt to address the small office environment, those systems do not offer sufficient flexibility. For example, one such prior art system contemplates the use of separate dictating and transcribing units mounted in side-by-side relation, with one unit being permanently designated the dictating unit and the other being permanently designated the transcribing unit. Transcription still requires the jrc~
~ 331-2270 . : i . -1 transfer of a record medium from the dictating unit to the 2 transcribing unit. Furthermore, use of this system to , 8 record dictation simultaneously from more than one dictator 4 on different record media, or cassettes, is difficult if not 6 impossible.
6 The prior art also has proposed a "network~ of 7 separate dictating units, each of whicn may be separately 8 connected to a respective dictator. To avoid record medium 9 transfer for transcription, the usual t;anscribe apparatus comprised of foot pedal and headset is connected to the 11 desired unit. ~nfortunately, this req~:res the physical 12 connection and disconnection of the transcribe apparatus 13 from one unit to the next; which is time-consuming and 14 annoying.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
16 Therefore, it is an object of the present m 17 invention to avoid the aforenoted disadvantages attending 18 desk-top dictating/transcribing machines and central 19 dictation systems.
Another object of this invention is to provide an 21 efficient, inexpensive dictation system that is particularly Z adapted for use in a small office environment.
23 A further object of this invention is to provide 24 such a dictation system in which the transfer of a record ,,~
26 mediu~ from a dictate unit to a transcribe unit is minimized 26 if not obviated. ! - -27 An additional object of this invention is to , 28 provide a dictation system that is relatively flexible and 29 may be expanded to permit several dictators to dictate simultaneously on respective record media while allowing a 81 transcriptionist to transcribe the messages that had been :
æ recorded on any of those media.
ll 331-2270 ~ ~279267 1 ¦ Yet another object of this invention is to provide 2 ~ a dictation system comprised of plural modules, each having 8 ¦ at least two record/playback decks, and in which transcribe 4 l apparatus, such as a foot pedal switch and a headset, may be Ei ¦ used to recover messages from any deck in any module, 6 ¦ irrespective of the particular module to which that 7 ¦ apparatus is physically connected.
8 ¦ A still further object of this invention is to 9 ¦ provide a system in which the aforementioned mod.lles are 10 ¦ coupled together and an electrical coupling arrangement 11 ¦ couples transcribe apparatus that is connected -o a ¦ ~ -12 ¦ particular module to the deck in any module which has been ¦
13 l selected as a transcription unit, without requiring any 14 ¦ physical reconnection of that apparatus.15 ¦ Various other objects, advantages and features of 16 ¦ the present invention will become readily apparent from the -17 ¦ ensuing detailed description, and the novel features will be 18 ¦ particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
19 ¦ SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
20 ¦ In accordance with this invention, dictate/tran-21 ¦ scribe apparatus is provided with plural intercoupled æ ¦ modules, each module including at least two recordtplayback , 23 ¦ decks and a switch operable to select one or the other or 24 ¦ neither of those decks to operate in a transcribe mode. ' ' 26 ¦ Transcribe apparatus, such as a transducer and an operation ¦ -26 ¦ selector (preferably in the form of a foot pedal switch) are ! ~- ;
27 ¦ connected to one of the intercoupled modules. An electrical 28 ¦ coupling arrangement couples that one module to at least the ¦ ;
29 ¦ module which includes the deck that has been selected to 80 ¦ operate in the transcribe mode. Accordingly, audio signals 81 ¦ are transmitted from the transcribe deck through the ! :
82 electricol Dgp1ing arrangement to the gne module tp which Ij 331-2270 : ~ lZ~9267 `
I .
1 the transcribe apparatus is connected, and function control 2 ¦ signals are transmitted from the transcribe apparatus to .
8 ¦ that one module and thence through the electrical coupling 4 ¦ arrangement to the module which includes the transcribe 6 ¦ deck.
6 ¦ In accordance with one aspect of this invention, 7 ¦ an intermediate module may be coupled between the 8 ¦ aforementioned one module and the module which includes the I , 9 ¦ transcribe deck. In this configuration, audio signals and 10 function control signals pass through the intermediate ~ - -11 ¦ module between the transcribe apparatus and the transcriL-12 ¦ deck.
18 ¦ As a feature of the present invention, the 14 ¦ aforementioned selector switch in each module which selects 15 ¦ one or the other of the decks therein to operate in a 16 ¦ transcribe mode is ganged with a connecting switch that is 17 ¦ used to establish a path to one or the other decks therein 18 ¦ or to another module connected thereto.
19 ¦ As another feature of this invention, the 20 l electrical coupling arrangement between the modules includes 21 ¦ an input connector and an output connector at each module, 22 ¦ the input connector of one being electrically coupled to the 23 ¦ output connector of a preceding module. A path thus extends :~
24 ¦ from the output connector of one module to the input connector of the next-following module, and thence through 26 ¦ the aforementioned connecting switch to one or the other ,.
27 ¦ decks in that following module, or to the output connector 28 ¦ for further coupling to a succeeding module. Thus, although ¦
¦ transcribe apparatus may be connected merely to the first of ~¦ several cascaded modules, any record/playback deck in a ¦ module downstream of that first module may be controlled as 321 a transcription unit when that transcribe apparatus is l l ~ ~
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1 operated. No disconnection and subsequent reconnection of 2 ~ the transcribe apparatus is needed to effect transcription 8 ¦ from any other module.
4 ¦ _RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
5 ¦ The following detailed description, given by way 6 ¦ of example and not intended to limit the present invention -7 ¦ solely to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, 8 ¦ will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying 9 ¦ drawings in which:
0 ¦ FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dictate/tran- ~ ~
¦ scribe module with which the present invention finds ready ~ , 12 ¦ application; and 13 ¦ FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of intercon-14 ¦ nected modules, showing the manner in which transcribe 5 ¦ apparatus is coupled therethrough to a selected 6 ¦ transcription unit, in accordance with the present 7 ¦ invention.
8 ¦ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS , I -19 ¦ Referring now to the drawings, and in particular 20 ¦ to FIG. l, there is illustrated one embodiment of a 21 ¦ dictation system 10, referred to hereinafter as a Z ¦ dictate/transcribe module, in which the present invention I ~;
2B ~ finds ready application. Module 10 is comprised of two 2~ ¦ recording units, referred to as record/playback decks, 12 ¦ i~
25 ¦ and 14 of substantially identical construction, these decks 26 I being supported one atop the other in a common console or 27 ¦ housing. Each deck is provided with record/playback 28 ¦ mechanisms and electronics of conventional construction for I -29 ¦ the purpose of recording dictation on and playing back ¦
80 ¦ dictation from a record medium. Preferably, the record ¦ ;
81 ¦ medium is a magnetic tape housed in a cassette, such as a st-ndard cas5eC e, a minicassett-, microc~ssette or ~7-, 331-2270 '~-1 picocassette, all as mentioned above. In an alternative 2 embodiment, the record medium may comprise a solid-state 8 storage device in which dictation is stored in digital form.
For convenience, and in order to simplify the present 6 explanation, the record medium is referred to herein as a ;~- -cassette or a magnetic tape; but it will be appreciated that 7 the aforementioned solid-state digital s~orage device also 8 is contemplated.
9 Deck 12 includes a cassette compartment 20 for 0 receiving a cassette and for positioning that cassette in 11 proper disposition with respect to forward/rewind drive 12 elements, a record/playbacX head, an erase head, a capstan ,~
18 and a pinch roller. The cassette compartment is protected 14 by a door that is opened in response to the manual actuation of an EJECT button 22. Deck 14 includes a similar cassette .
16 compartment 30 protected by a door that is opened in 17 response to the operation of an EJECT button 32.
1~ Deck 12 also is provided with an operation display ~-9 24, a mode display 25 and a numerical display 26. Likewise, deck 14 is provided with an operation display 34, a mode 21 display 35 and a numerical display 36. In both decks, the ! , .
22 operation display 24, 34 indicates the particular operation 28 being carried out on a cassette utilized by the deck. For 24 example, the operation display may indicate when a cassette ~ :~
26 is "in use~, that is, when a remote dictate station is 26 connected to that deck for the purpose of recording ;
27 dictation on the cassette utilized therewith. The operation 28 display also is provided with an "end zone~ indicator which 29 is energized (or illuminated) when a predetermined amount of magnetic tape remains available for recording. For example, ¦
81 if a cassette is adapted to record thirty minutes of I -æ dictation, the end zone indicator is illuminated when only -8- `;
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1 ¦ three minutes of tape remains available for recording.
2 ¦ Other indications may be provided to apprise the user of the 8 ¦ condition that the cassette on which dictation is being 4 ~ recorded soon will reach the end of its tape. , ;
6 ¦ Operation display 24, 34 also includes an 6 ¦ "operator" indicator which is illuminated when the attention 7 ¦ of a supervisory operator is needed. For example, when 8 l dictation is recorded on a cassette that has been advanced 9 ¦ to its very end, the "operator" indicator is illuminated.
10 ¦ This indicator also may be illuminated when, for example, a 11 ~ cassette having a tape fault condition (e. g. the tape 12 ¦ therein is jammed or broken) has been loaded into the deck, 18 ¦ or the deck has been selected for transcription or for 14 ¦ dictation but a cassette has not been loaded therein. Other 16 ¦ conditions requiring the attention of a supervisory operator ~ -16 ¦ also may be indicated by the illumination of this "operator~
17 ¦ indicator.
18 ¦ In the preferred embodiment, the respective 19 l indicators which comprise operation display 24, 34 may , 20 l include LED's, LCD's or other visual indicators known to , 21 ¦ those of ordinary skill in the art. , ~, , 22 ¦ Each deck 12, 14 also is provided with a mode 23 ¦ display 25, 35, respectively, formed of LED's, LCD's, or the .
24 ¦ like to provide visual indications of the particular mode of ,~ ~ ~
26 ¦ operation that has been selected for the respective deck. ~ r 26 1 For example, when the deck has been selected for and is 27 l enabled to operate in a dictation recording mode, the mode 28 1 display may illuminate the letter "D" to indicate that the J~
29 ¦ deck is enabled to record dictation. Alternatively, if the I ~"
B0 ¦ deck is selected to operate as a transcription unit, the I ~ ~
81 l mode display may illuminate the letter "T" to indicate such ~ ~ , æ ¦ transcription operation. Still further, the modF display l ~,,,,~ ".~, _9_ ~ ;~., ,~, .
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~l 331-2270 ~ 1279267 ~- ~
1 ¦ may include an roff line" indicator which is illuminated 2 ¦ when the deck is in a non-operating mode in which neither 8 ¦ dictation on nor transcription from that unit may be 4 ¦ effected. The mode display also may include identifying 6 ¦ indicators to identify the recording unit as unit "1", "2"
6 ¦ or "3" in a multi-unit recording system, as described in 7 ¦ greater detail in copending application Serial No. 771,298.
8 ¦ Record/playback decks 12 and 14 also are provided 9 ¦ with numerical displays 26 and 36, respectively, formed of 0 ¦ four digit LED or LCD displays (or the like) which indicate the length of dictation that has been recorded on or ~ -12 ¦ transcribed from a cassette. This indication may be in 18 ¦ terms of minutes and tenths of minutes, wherein, for 4 ¦ example, a display of ~l035~ represents three minutes and 6 ¦ thirty seconds of dictation. When the deck is operated as a 6 ¦ transcription unit, the numerical display indicates the 17 ¦ approximate number of lines of typewritten material that ~ ~
18 ¦ await transcription in a particular message, letter, or the ~ ~ -19 ¦ like. The numerical display also may display, as a first :
20 1 digit, the letter "P" which indicates the recording of a 21 ¦ priority message. A message of superior importance which 22 ¦ should be transcribed quickly is indicated by this prefix 28 ¦ 'IPn. This prefix "P" may be displayed alternately with a '~ :
24 ¦ numeral which represents the number of priority messages 26 ¦ remaining for transcription on the tape. The remaining 26 ¦ three digits represent the approximate number of typewritten 27 ¦ lines in the message awaiting transcription. As is j ~
28 ¦ explained in the aforementioned application, a "priority" !~ ' 29 ¦ message is represented by a special prefix code that is , 80 ¦ recorded on the tape itself, this code being sensed by the 81 ¦ record/transcribe electronics included in dictate/ ~ `
82 ¦ transcribe module lO.
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1 Dictate/transcribe module lO, as illustrated in 2 ¦ FIG. l, is provided with a single keyboard that may be 8 ¦ operated either in conjunction with deck 12 or in 4 ¦ conjunction with deck 14. A unit selector switch 42 is 6 ¦ provided for selecting the desired deck to be operated. For 6 ¦ example, when selector switch 42 i5 disposed in its first 7 ¦ condition, that is, when the selector switch is moved to its 8 ¦ upper position, deck 12 is selected for operation. This ¦ deck then may be operated in accordance with the operation 10 ¦ of function control switches 50, 56, SB, 62 and 64, as will :' ¦ be described. Conversely, when unit selector switch 42 is . ~ .
12 ¦ disposed in its second condition, that is, when the selector I ;f 18 ¦ switch is moved to its lowermost position, deck 14 is 14 ¦ enabled for operation in response to the actuation of the 16 1 aforementioned function control switches. Unit selector 16 ¦ switch 42 preferably includes a third condition, 17 ¦ corresponding to its center position, which is used to 18 ¦ select deck 12 or deck 14 for operation as a dictation unit.
19 ¦ More particularly, if the unit selector switch is operated 20 1 from its first condition to its third condition, deck 12 is 21 ¦ selected for operation as a dictation unit, provided that 22 1 other initializing parameters are established, as will be 23 1 described. Conversely, if the unit selector switch is ~4 1 operated from its second condition to its third condition, : ;
26 ¦ deck 14 is selected for operation as a dictation unit, 26 ¦ provided the aforementioned initializing parameters have 27 ¦ been established.
28 ¦ Dictate/transcribe module lO also includes a 29 ¦ remote/local selector switch 44 which is adapted to connect ~0 ¦ matching impedances within the module to be compatible with ~1 ¦ transcribe apparatus that is connected directly to the ~2 ¦ module or with transcribe apparatus that is disposed at a '~
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l 331--2270 ", 1 remote location and that is connected to the module via 2 ¦ telephone lines, private wire lines, or the like. :
8 ¦ A cassette speed selector switch 46 also is ,;
4 ¦ provided, this switch being selectively operable by the user ~ `
~ ¦ of dictate/transcribe module 10 to select the appropriate 6 ¦ record/playback speed of the magnetic tape upon which 7 ¦ dictation is recorded and played back. Typically, the -8 ¦ magnetic tape is advanced at a speed of approximately 2.4 cm 9 ~ per second in a microcassette upon which thirty minutes of 10 ¦ dictation may be recorded. Alternatively, and for extended 11 1 ple., the record/playback speed may be established at ;' 12 approximately 1.2 cm per second, resulting in a capacity of 18 sixty minutes o:- dictation. Cassette speed selector switch i:
14 46 is operable to select the lower or higher cassette speed, 16 depending upon whether extended capacity is desired. It has 16 been found, generally, that the fidelity of recorded 17 dictation is somewhat reduced when the cassette is operated ¦
18 ¦ at its slower speed.
19 ¦ Dictate/transcribe module 10 also is provided with 20 ¦ speaker/headset selector switch 48. Although not shown and 21 ¦ described in detail herein, it will be appreciated that 22 module 10 includes an integral loudspeaker which may be ' ~
23 ¦ connected, via suitable electronics, to the playback head of 1;
24 ¦ deck 12 or deck 14, depending upon whether unit selector ' 26 ¦ switch 42 is disposed in its first or second condition, 26 ¦ respectively. Reproduced audio sounds are played back via 2, ¦ this integral speaker when speaker/headset selector switch 28 ¦ 48 is operated to select the integral speaker for 29 ¦ reproducing such sounds. The module also includes a ~0 ¦ suitable jack to which a headset 100 is connected by means 81 ¦ of a plug 102, and this headset is connected, via a ~
~2 connecting switch (to be described) and suitable -12~
i 331-2270 79267 :::
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1 electronics, to the playback head of deck 12 or deck 14 in 2 the event that speaker/headset selector switch 48 has been 8 operated to select the headset Irather than the speakert for 4 the reproduction of audible sounds.
6 The function control switches included in -6 dictate/transcribe module 10 include a STOP switch 50. This 7 switch is manually operable to establish a "stop", or 8 quiescent, mode of operation for the module. Typically, 9 switch 50 may be operated to terminate a fast-forward or l0 rewind mode of operation which, in turn, may be selected by 11 the operatio, of REWIND switch 56 or FAST-FORWARD switch 58.
12 The STOP switch also is oparable to quiet an audible warning ~ ~
13 sound or alarm that may sound at module 10. -:
14 REWIND switch 56 is adapted, when operated, to 8 15 select a rewind operating mode for deck 12 or deck 14, 16 depending upon whether unit selector switch 42 exhibits its 17 first or second condition, as mentioned above. Likewise, 18 the actuation of FAST-FORWARD switch 58 selects a fast 19 forward mode of operation for the selected deck. When a 20 deck is selected for operation as a transcription unit, the 21 actuation of REWIND switch 56 functions to rewind the 22 magnetic tape while scanning that tape for the occurrence of 23 signals representing the ends of messages that had been 24 dictated. Dictate/transcribe module 10 includes one or more ;~
26 microprocessors which, when supplied with so-called "chopper ' ~ -26 pulses~ that are generated as the magnetic tape is moved, ;;
27 responds to the occurrence of the end-of-message signals to 28 determine the location and length of each message. ~ ;
29 Depending upon whether deck 12 or deck 14 has been selected ~ ;
80 as a transcription unit, numerical display 26 or 36 ~ ~ -81 indicates the length of the particular message then in ¦
32 position for transcription.
1279Z67 ~:
1 When FAST-FORWARD switch 58 is actuated, the 2 magnetic tape provided in the record/playback deck which has 8 been selected as a transcription unit is "searched~ for 4 access to "priority" messages. When a priority message is 6 encountered, as when a recorded priority code is detected, 6 tape movement stops and playback of that message begins 7 within a predetermined time (e. g. a few seconds). If no 8 "priority" messages had been recorded on the tape, the first 9 message which had been recorded will be played back.
Preferably, FAST-FORWARD switch 58 is actuated after the 11 magnetic tape has bee. fully rewound and scanned. The 3 . '.. ' 12 operation of FAST-FORWARD switch serves to rapidly advance 18 the magnetic tape in the forward direction until the first 14 "priority" message is reached. If no "priority" codes had been detected during the rewind operation, the actuation of ,~ ' 16 FAST-FORWARD switch 58 serves merely to initiate the 17 playback of the first message that had been recorded.
18 ERASE switch 62, when actuated simultaneously with 19 the actuation of REWIND switch 56, serves to energize the ~;
erase head included in deck 12 (or decX 14, depending upon 21 the condition of unit selector switch 42~ to erase dictation 22 which had been recorded previously on the magnetic tape in 28 that unit. For enabling a desired recordtplayback deck to ~ ~ , 24 operate as a dictation unit, such "erasure~ operation (i. e.
2~ the simultaneous operation of REWIND switch 56 and ERASE
26 switch 62) serves to initialize the deck. In the absence of 27 such initialization of the record/playback deck, that deck ,' 28 is inhibited from operating as a dictation unit. Ç~ ;, 29 A CLEAR switch 64 is provided for the purpose of erasing information stored in the display memory of '' :``
81 dictate/transcribe module 10. Such information may æ represent the locations of previously recorded messages, the i~
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l~ 331-2270 lZ79Z67 :
1 lengths of such messages, the location of "priority"
2 messages, and the like. The CLEAR switch should be actuated 8 prior to transcribing a newly-loaded cassette, and this switch also should be actuated before a selected one of the 6 record/playback decks is conditioned as a dictation unit.
6 In this manner, information that had been derived from a 7 previously recorded or transcribed cassette is cleared from 8 the display memory and does not interfere with the display 9 of new information derived from the cassette then being 0 utilized.
11 Dictate/transcribe h-dule 10 also is provided with 12 additional controls 72, 74, 76 and 78. These controls are 18 designated volume control 72, tone control 74, playback ' 14 speed control 76 and backspace control 78. Each control is lG constructed as a slide switch and, in one embodiment, each `
16 such switch produces an analog voltage that is used to 17 control, or establish, a desired volume, tone, playback 18 speed or backspace, respectively. Alternatively, each slide 19 switch may produce a discrete digital signal, depending upon its position, to establish a respective volume, tone, 21 playback speed or backspace level. Thus, the magnitude of 22 the audible sounds which are reproduced by the integral 23 speaker of module lO or by headset lO0 is adjusted by the 24 setting of volume control 72. Likewise, the tone of the 2~ reproduced audible sounds (i. e. the relative treble and ¦ ,-26 base level thereof) is established by the setting of tone 27 control 74. The speed at which the tape is moved during a 28 transcription operation, that is, the incremental difference 29 between the speed selected by cassette speed selector switch 46 and the actual playback speed, is set and adjusted by 81 playback speed control 76. Finally, the incremental amount ' ' 8b of backsp-ce thaC i roduced when, for e~ample, a playbac~
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127926'7 331-2270 ~ -I I , 1 ~ switch is released during transcription, is set and adjusted 2 ¦ by means of backspace control 78.
8 ¦ BACRGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION ..
4 ¦ This invention relates to dictate/transcribe 6 ¦ apparatus comprised of plural modules in which record/play-6 ¦ back decks are provided and, more particularly, to such 7 ¦ apparatus in which transcription devices (such as a foot 8 ¦ pedal switch and a headset~ are used to recover messages ,~
9 ¦ that had been recorded on any deck in any module, 10 ¦ irrespective of the particular module to which those devices 11 ¦ are connecte~
12 ¦ Historically, dictation systems have been 13 ¦ categorized as desk-top dictating machines, central ~-~
14 ¦ dictation systems or portable dictating devices. A typical "
16 ¦ desk-top dictating machine is provided with a record medium, 16 ¦ typically magnetic tape contained in a cartridge housing 17 ¦ such as a standard cassette, a minicassette, a ~ ~ -18 ¦ microcassette, or the recently introduced picocassette 19 ¦ described in United States Patent No, 4,443,827 and assigned 20 ¦ to the assignee of the present invention. Connected to the 21 ¦ desk-top dictating machine is a microphone unit having hand ~
22 ¦ controls by which the user of the machine records dictation ~ `
23 ¦ and controls movement of the record medium for the purpose 24 ¦ of reviewing dictation or rapidly advancing the record A;
25 ¦ medium to a desired location. Other conventional controls ,~
26 I normally associated with the operation of a dictating 2~ ¦ machine also are provided. !
28 ~ After dictation is completed, transcription 29 ¦ thereof requires the transfer of the record medium (or tape 80 ¦ cassette) from the dictating machine to a transcribing 81 ¦ machine which must be compatible with each other (e. g. they 82 ¦ must accept the same type of record medium and operate at 1"!, I l'' :, '' '`~ , ~ 'r''' 1 331-227~ ~
. ..
~'" ~' 1 ¦ the same record/playback speed). Typically, the 2 ¦ transcriptionist is provided with a headset and foot pedal ; ;~
8 ¦ switches which are connected either directly to the 4 ¦ transcribing machine, or by so-called private wire 6 ¦ connections, or by telephone connection.
6 ¦ As mentioned above, when using desk-top 7 ¦ dictating/transcribing machines, the record medium must be 8 ¦ removed from one machine and loaded into the other. If the 9 ¦ respective machines are disposed at significantly spaced 0 ¦ apart locations, such as in different offices or on 11 ¦ different floors of a office building, this transfer of ;
12 ¦ record media is a substantial inconvenience, results in 1~ ¦ inefficient office operation and may be accompanied by loss 14 ¦ or misplacement of the record media. Even if the respective 16 ¦ machines are located in close proximity, such as in ad~acent ~ -6 ¦ offices, the requisite transfer of record media still may 17 ¦ result in marked reduction in office operation efficiency. ~ ~ :
18 ¦ Central dictation systems, as are commercially 19 ¦ available, avoid several of the aforenoted disadvantages 20 ¦ attendant desk-top dictating/transcribing machines. For ;
21 ¦ example, in one type of central dictation system, a central l;~
22 ¦ recorder is provided with an endless loop of magnetic tape t ~ :
23 ¦ and includes a dictate site and a separate transcribe site, ~, ?i~ ;' 24 l both of which may be operated simultaneously, as described 25 ¦ in U. S. Patent No. 3,934,774. While such a central .~
26 ¦ recorder avoids the need to transfer a record medium from a 27 ¦ dictating machine to a transcribing machine, such central 28 ¦ recorders generally are most efficient when used with 291 several dictators having access to the recorder from several ~0 ¦ dictate stations. Such a central dictation system is ~;
32 relatively expensive and might not be cost efficient for q l !~.`,.;~ ~,, ;
--2-- . i r ~ :
i. ~' .
office operation in which ~ 2 7sy9s~e6m7is utilized by a relatively small number of dictators and transcriptionists.
Another type of central dictation system that might be utilized more efficiently in a "small office"
environment, is described in U. S. Patents Nos. 4,071,857 and 4,636,888. These systems are provided with a central recorder which operates to record dictation on individual tape cassettes, a used cassette being replace by a fresh one to permit transcription of the used cassette and to allow further dictation on the new cassette. While such a central recorder having automatic cassette-changing capabilities reduces the amount of cassette manipulation that is attendant the aforementioned desk-top dictating/transcribing machines, there is, nonetheless, a need to load a used cassette into a separate transcribing machine to facilitate the transcription of recorded dictation.
Therefore, there is a need for an efficient dictation system for use in a so-called small office environment that minimizes the necessity to transfer a record medium from a dictating machine to a transcribing machine, yet is capable of being accessed by several dictators while allowing a transcriptionist to transcribe dictation that has been recorded by any of those dictators.
Although prior art systems have been proposed in an attempt to address the small office environment, those systems do not offer sufficient flexibility. For example, one such prior art system contemplates the use of separate dictating and transcribing units mounted in side-by-side relation, with one unit being permanently designated the dictating unit and the other being permanently designated the transcribing unit. Transcription still requires the jrc~
~ 331-2270 . : i . -1 transfer of a record medium from the dictating unit to the 2 transcribing unit. Furthermore, use of this system to , 8 record dictation simultaneously from more than one dictator 4 on different record media, or cassettes, is difficult if not 6 impossible.
6 The prior art also has proposed a "network~ of 7 separate dictating units, each of whicn may be separately 8 connected to a respective dictator. To avoid record medium 9 transfer for transcription, the usual t;anscribe apparatus comprised of foot pedal and headset is connected to the 11 desired unit. ~nfortunately, this req~:res the physical 12 connection and disconnection of the transcribe apparatus 13 from one unit to the next; which is time-consuming and 14 annoying.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
16 Therefore, it is an object of the present m 17 invention to avoid the aforenoted disadvantages attending 18 desk-top dictating/transcribing machines and central 19 dictation systems.
Another object of this invention is to provide an 21 efficient, inexpensive dictation system that is particularly Z adapted for use in a small office environment.
23 A further object of this invention is to provide 24 such a dictation system in which the transfer of a record ,,~
26 mediu~ from a dictate unit to a transcribe unit is minimized 26 if not obviated. ! - -27 An additional object of this invention is to , 28 provide a dictation system that is relatively flexible and 29 may be expanded to permit several dictators to dictate simultaneously on respective record media while allowing a 81 transcriptionist to transcribe the messages that had been :
æ recorded on any of those media.
ll 331-2270 ~ ~279267 1 ¦ Yet another object of this invention is to provide 2 ~ a dictation system comprised of plural modules, each having 8 ¦ at least two record/playback decks, and in which transcribe 4 l apparatus, such as a foot pedal switch and a headset, may be Ei ¦ used to recover messages from any deck in any module, 6 ¦ irrespective of the particular module to which that 7 ¦ apparatus is physically connected.
8 ¦ A still further object of this invention is to 9 ¦ provide a system in which the aforementioned mod.lles are 10 ¦ coupled together and an electrical coupling arrangement 11 ¦ couples transcribe apparatus that is connected -o a ¦ ~ -12 ¦ particular module to the deck in any module which has been ¦
13 l selected as a transcription unit, without requiring any 14 ¦ physical reconnection of that apparatus.15 ¦ Various other objects, advantages and features of 16 ¦ the present invention will become readily apparent from the -17 ¦ ensuing detailed description, and the novel features will be 18 ¦ particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
19 ¦ SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
20 ¦ In accordance with this invention, dictate/tran-21 ¦ scribe apparatus is provided with plural intercoupled æ ¦ modules, each module including at least two recordtplayback , 23 ¦ decks and a switch operable to select one or the other or 24 ¦ neither of those decks to operate in a transcribe mode. ' ' 26 ¦ Transcribe apparatus, such as a transducer and an operation ¦ -26 ¦ selector (preferably in the form of a foot pedal switch) are ! ~- ;
27 ¦ connected to one of the intercoupled modules. An electrical 28 ¦ coupling arrangement couples that one module to at least the ¦ ;
29 ¦ module which includes the deck that has been selected to 80 ¦ operate in the transcribe mode. Accordingly, audio signals 81 ¦ are transmitted from the transcribe deck through the ! :
82 electricol Dgp1ing arrangement to the gne module tp which Ij 331-2270 : ~ lZ~9267 `
I .
1 the transcribe apparatus is connected, and function control 2 ¦ signals are transmitted from the transcribe apparatus to .
8 ¦ that one module and thence through the electrical coupling 4 ¦ arrangement to the module which includes the transcribe 6 ¦ deck.
6 ¦ In accordance with one aspect of this invention, 7 ¦ an intermediate module may be coupled between the 8 ¦ aforementioned one module and the module which includes the I , 9 ¦ transcribe deck. In this configuration, audio signals and 10 function control signals pass through the intermediate ~ - -11 ¦ module between the transcribe apparatus and the transcriL-12 ¦ deck.
18 ¦ As a feature of the present invention, the 14 ¦ aforementioned selector switch in each module which selects 15 ¦ one or the other of the decks therein to operate in a 16 ¦ transcribe mode is ganged with a connecting switch that is 17 ¦ used to establish a path to one or the other decks therein 18 ¦ or to another module connected thereto.
19 ¦ As another feature of this invention, the 20 l electrical coupling arrangement between the modules includes 21 ¦ an input connector and an output connector at each module, 22 ¦ the input connector of one being electrically coupled to the 23 ¦ output connector of a preceding module. A path thus extends :~
24 ¦ from the output connector of one module to the input connector of the next-following module, and thence through 26 ¦ the aforementioned connecting switch to one or the other ,.
27 ¦ decks in that following module, or to the output connector 28 ¦ for further coupling to a succeeding module. Thus, although ¦
¦ transcribe apparatus may be connected merely to the first of ~¦ several cascaded modules, any record/playback deck in a ¦ module downstream of that first module may be controlled as 321 a transcription unit when that transcribe apparatus is l l ~ ~
~ ~ I -6- 1 ~ ~
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1279267 : ` -.`,,~
1 operated. No disconnection and subsequent reconnection of 2 ~ the transcribe apparatus is needed to effect transcription 8 ¦ from any other module.
4 ¦ _RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
5 ¦ The following detailed description, given by way 6 ¦ of example and not intended to limit the present invention -7 ¦ solely to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, 8 ¦ will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying 9 ¦ drawings in which:
0 ¦ FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dictate/tran- ~ ~
¦ scribe module with which the present invention finds ready ~ , 12 ¦ application; and 13 ¦ FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of intercon-14 ¦ nected modules, showing the manner in which transcribe 5 ¦ apparatus is coupled therethrough to a selected 6 ¦ transcription unit, in accordance with the present 7 ¦ invention.
8 ¦ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS , I -19 ¦ Referring now to the drawings, and in particular 20 ¦ to FIG. l, there is illustrated one embodiment of a 21 ¦ dictation system 10, referred to hereinafter as a Z ¦ dictate/transcribe module, in which the present invention I ~;
2B ~ finds ready application. Module 10 is comprised of two 2~ ¦ recording units, referred to as record/playback decks, 12 ¦ i~
25 ¦ and 14 of substantially identical construction, these decks 26 I being supported one atop the other in a common console or 27 ¦ housing. Each deck is provided with record/playback 28 ¦ mechanisms and electronics of conventional construction for I -29 ¦ the purpose of recording dictation on and playing back ¦
80 ¦ dictation from a record medium. Preferably, the record ¦ ;
81 ¦ medium is a magnetic tape housed in a cassette, such as a st-ndard cas5eC e, a minicassett-, microc~ssette or ~7-, 331-2270 '~-1 picocassette, all as mentioned above. In an alternative 2 embodiment, the record medium may comprise a solid-state 8 storage device in which dictation is stored in digital form.
For convenience, and in order to simplify the present 6 explanation, the record medium is referred to herein as a ;~- -cassette or a magnetic tape; but it will be appreciated that 7 the aforementioned solid-state digital s~orage device also 8 is contemplated.
9 Deck 12 includes a cassette compartment 20 for 0 receiving a cassette and for positioning that cassette in 11 proper disposition with respect to forward/rewind drive 12 elements, a record/playbacX head, an erase head, a capstan ,~
18 and a pinch roller. The cassette compartment is protected 14 by a door that is opened in response to the manual actuation of an EJECT button 22. Deck 14 includes a similar cassette .
16 compartment 30 protected by a door that is opened in 17 response to the operation of an EJECT button 32.
1~ Deck 12 also is provided with an operation display ~-9 24, a mode display 25 and a numerical display 26. Likewise, deck 14 is provided with an operation display 34, a mode 21 display 35 and a numerical display 36. In both decks, the ! , .
22 operation display 24, 34 indicates the particular operation 28 being carried out on a cassette utilized by the deck. For 24 example, the operation display may indicate when a cassette ~ :~
26 is "in use~, that is, when a remote dictate station is 26 connected to that deck for the purpose of recording ;
27 dictation on the cassette utilized therewith. The operation 28 display also is provided with an "end zone~ indicator which 29 is energized (or illuminated) when a predetermined amount of magnetic tape remains available for recording. For example, ¦
81 if a cassette is adapted to record thirty minutes of I -æ dictation, the end zone indicator is illuminated when only -8- `;
, ;` .
, . j~
I ..
1 ¦ three minutes of tape remains available for recording.
2 ¦ Other indications may be provided to apprise the user of the 8 ¦ condition that the cassette on which dictation is being 4 ~ recorded soon will reach the end of its tape. , ;
6 ¦ Operation display 24, 34 also includes an 6 ¦ "operator" indicator which is illuminated when the attention 7 ¦ of a supervisory operator is needed. For example, when 8 l dictation is recorded on a cassette that has been advanced 9 ¦ to its very end, the "operator" indicator is illuminated.
10 ¦ This indicator also may be illuminated when, for example, a 11 ~ cassette having a tape fault condition (e. g. the tape 12 ¦ therein is jammed or broken) has been loaded into the deck, 18 ¦ or the deck has been selected for transcription or for 14 ¦ dictation but a cassette has not been loaded therein. Other 16 ¦ conditions requiring the attention of a supervisory operator ~ -16 ¦ also may be indicated by the illumination of this "operator~
17 ¦ indicator.
18 ¦ In the preferred embodiment, the respective 19 l indicators which comprise operation display 24, 34 may , 20 l include LED's, LCD's or other visual indicators known to , 21 ¦ those of ordinary skill in the art. , ~, , 22 ¦ Each deck 12, 14 also is provided with a mode 23 ¦ display 25, 35, respectively, formed of LED's, LCD's, or the .
24 ¦ like to provide visual indications of the particular mode of ,~ ~ ~
26 ¦ operation that has been selected for the respective deck. ~ r 26 1 For example, when the deck has been selected for and is 27 l enabled to operate in a dictation recording mode, the mode 28 1 display may illuminate the letter "D" to indicate that the J~
29 ¦ deck is enabled to record dictation. Alternatively, if the I ~"
B0 ¦ deck is selected to operate as a transcription unit, the I ~ ~
81 l mode display may illuminate the letter "T" to indicate such ~ ~ , æ ¦ transcription operation. Still further, the modF display l ~,,,,~ ".~, _9_ ~ ;~., ,~, .
~''`'.
~l 331-2270 ~ 1279267 ~- ~
1 ¦ may include an roff line" indicator which is illuminated 2 ¦ when the deck is in a non-operating mode in which neither 8 ¦ dictation on nor transcription from that unit may be 4 ¦ effected. The mode display also may include identifying 6 ¦ indicators to identify the recording unit as unit "1", "2"
6 ¦ or "3" in a multi-unit recording system, as described in 7 ¦ greater detail in copending application Serial No. 771,298.
8 ¦ Record/playback decks 12 and 14 also are provided 9 ¦ with numerical displays 26 and 36, respectively, formed of 0 ¦ four digit LED or LCD displays (or the like) which indicate the length of dictation that has been recorded on or ~ -12 ¦ transcribed from a cassette. This indication may be in 18 ¦ terms of minutes and tenths of minutes, wherein, for 4 ¦ example, a display of ~l035~ represents three minutes and 6 ¦ thirty seconds of dictation. When the deck is operated as a 6 ¦ transcription unit, the numerical display indicates the 17 ¦ approximate number of lines of typewritten material that ~ ~
18 ¦ await transcription in a particular message, letter, or the ~ ~ -19 ¦ like. The numerical display also may display, as a first :
20 1 digit, the letter "P" which indicates the recording of a 21 ¦ priority message. A message of superior importance which 22 ¦ should be transcribed quickly is indicated by this prefix 28 ¦ 'IPn. This prefix "P" may be displayed alternately with a '~ :
24 ¦ numeral which represents the number of priority messages 26 ¦ remaining for transcription on the tape. The remaining 26 ¦ three digits represent the approximate number of typewritten 27 ¦ lines in the message awaiting transcription. As is j ~
28 ¦ explained in the aforementioned application, a "priority" !~ ' 29 ¦ message is represented by a special prefix code that is , 80 ¦ recorded on the tape itself, this code being sensed by the 81 ¦ record/transcribe electronics included in dictate/ ~ `
82 ¦ transcribe module lO.
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I
1 Dictate/transcribe module lO, as illustrated in 2 ¦ FIG. l, is provided with a single keyboard that may be 8 ¦ operated either in conjunction with deck 12 or in 4 ¦ conjunction with deck 14. A unit selector switch 42 is 6 ¦ provided for selecting the desired deck to be operated. For 6 ¦ example, when selector switch 42 i5 disposed in its first 7 ¦ condition, that is, when the selector switch is moved to its 8 ¦ upper position, deck 12 is selected for operation. This ¦ deck then may be operated in accordance with the operation 10 ¦ of function control switches 50, 56, SB, 62 and 64, as will :' ¦ be described. Conversely, when unit selector switch 42 is . ~ .
12 ¦ disposed in its second condition, that is, when the selector I ;f 18 ¦ switch is moved to its lowermost position, deck 14 is 14 ¦ enabled for operation in response to the actuation of the 16 1 aforementioned function control switches. Unit selector 16 ¦ switch 42 preferably includes a third condition, 17 ¦ corresponding to its center position, which is used to 18 ¦ select deck 12 or deck 14 for operation as a dictation unit.
19 ¦ More particularly, if the unit selector switch is operated 20 1 from its first condition to its third condition, deck 12 is 21 ¦ selected for operation as a dictation unit, provided that 22 1 other initializing parameters are established, as will be 23 1 described. Conversely, if the unit selector switch is ~4 1 operated from its second condition to its third condition, : ;
26 ¦ deck 14 is selected for operation as a dictation unit, 26 ¦ provided the aforementioned initializing parameters have 27 ¦ been established.
28 ¦ Dictate/transcribe module lO also includes a 29 ¦ remote/local selector switch 44 which is adapted to connect ~0 ¦ matching impedances within the module to be compatible with ~1 ¦ transcribe apparatus that is connected directly to the ~2 ¦ module or with transcribe apparatus that is disposed at a '~
~'. '.,, ~ ~.
l 331--2270 ", 1 remote location and that is connected to the module via 2 ¦ telephone lines, private wire lines, or the like. :
8 ¦ A cassette speed selector switch 46 also is ,;
4 ¦ provided, this switch being selectively operable by the user ~ `
~ ¦ of dictate/transcribe module 10 to select the appropriate 6 ¦ record/playback speed of the magnetic tape upon which 7 ¦ dictation is recorded and played back. Typically, the -8 ¦ magnetic tape is advanced at a speed of approximately 2.4 cm 9 ~ per second in a microcassette upon which thirty minutes of 10 ¦ dictation may be recorded. Alternatively, and for extended 11 1 ple., the record/playback speed may be established at ;' 12 approximately 1.2 cm per second, resulting in a capacity of 18 sixty minutes o:- dictation. Cassette speed selector switch i:
14 46 is operable to select the lower or higher cassette speed, 16 depending upon whether extended capacity is desired. It has 16 been found, generally, that the fidelity of recorded 17 dictation is somewhat reduced when the cassette is operated ¦
18 ¦ at its slower speed.
19 ¦ Dictate/transcribe module 10 also is provided with 20 ¦ speaker/headset selector switch 48. Although not shown and 21 ¦ described in detail herein, it will be appreciated that 22 module 10 includes an integral loudspeaker which may be ' ~
23 ¦ connected, via suitable electronics, to the playback head of 1;
24 ¦ deck 12 or deck 14, depending upon whether unit selector ' 26 ¦ switch 42 is disposed in its first or second condition, 26 ¦ respectively. Reproduced audio sounds are played back via 2, ¦ this integral speaker when speaker/headset selector switch 28 ¦ 48 is operated to select the integral speaker for 29 ¦ reproducing such sounds. The module also includes a ~0 ¦ suitable jack to which a headset 100 is connected by means 81 ¦ of a plug 102, and this headset is connected, via a ~
~2 connecting switch (to be described) and suitable -12~
i 331-2270 79267 :::
. I -,: :
1 electronics, to the playback head of deck 12 or deck 14 in 2 the event that speaker/headset selector switch 48 has been 8 operated to select the headset Irather than the speakert for 4 the reproduction of audible sounds.
6 The function control switches included in -6 dictate/transcribe module 10 include a STOP switch 50. This 7 switch is manually operable to establish a "stop", or 8 quiescent, mode of operation for the module. Typically, 9 switch 50 may be operated to terminate a fast-forward or l0 rewind mode of operation which, in turn, may be selected by 11 the operatio, of REWIND switch 56 or FAST-FORWARD switch 58.
12 The STOP switch also is oparable to quiet an audible warning ~ ~
13 sound or alarm that may sound at module 10. -:
14 REWIND switch 56 is adapted, when operated, to 8 15 select a rewind operating mode for deck 12 or deck 14, 16 depending upon whether unit selector switch 42 exhibits its 17 first or second condition, as mentioned above. Likewise, 18 the actuation of FAST-FORWARD switch 58 selects a fast 19 forward mode of operation for the selected deck. When a 20 deck is selected for operation as a transcription unit, the 21 actuation of REWIND switch 56 functions to rewind the 22 magnetic tape while scanning that tape for the occurrence of 23 signals representing the ends of messages that had been 24 dictated. Dictate/transcribe module 10 includes one or more ;~
26 microprocessors which, when supplied with so-called "chopper ' ~ -26 pulses~ that are generated as the magnetic tape is moved, ;;
27 responds to the occurrence of the end-of-message signals to 28 determine the location and length of each message. ~ ;
29 Depending upon whether deck 12 or deck 14 has been selected ~ ;
80 as a transcription unit, numerical display 26 or 36 ~ ~ -81 indicates the length of the particular message then in ¦
32 position for transcription.
1279Z67 ~:
1 When FAST-FORWARD switch 58 is actuated, the 2 magnetic tape provided in the record/playback deck which has 8 been selected as a transcription unit is "searched~ for 4 access to "priority" messages. When a priority message is 6 encountered, as when a recorded priority code is detected, 6 tape movement stops and playback of that message begins 7 within a predetermined time (e. g. a few seconds). If no 8 "priority" messages had been recorded on the tape, the first 9 message which had been recorded will be played back.
Preferably, FAST-FORWARD switch 58 is actuated after the 11 magnetic tape has bee. fully rewound and scanned. The 3 . '.. ' 12 operation of FAST-FORWARD switch serves to rapidly advance 18 the magnetic tape in the forward direction until the first 14 "priority" message is reached. If no "priority" codes had been detected during the rewind operation, the actuation of ,~ ' 16 FAST-FORWARD switch 58 serves merely to initiate the 17 playback of the first message that had been recorded.
18 ERASE switch 62, when actuated simultaneously with 19 the actuation of REWIND switch 56, serves to energize the ~;
erase head included in deck 12 (or decX 14, depending upon 21 the condition of unit selector switch 42~ to erase dictation 22 which had been recorded previously on the magnetic tape in 28 that unit. For enabling a desired recordtplayback deck to ~ ~ , 24 operate as a dictation unit, such "erasure~ operation (i. e.
2~ the simultaneous operation of REWIND switch 56 and ERASE
26 switch 62) serves to initialize the deck. In the absence of 27 such initialization of the record/playback deck, that deck ,' 28 is inhibited from operating as a dictation unit. Ç~ ;, 29 A CLEAR switch 64 is provided for the purpose of erasing information stored in the display memory of '' :``
81 dictate/transcribe module 10. Such information may æ represent the locations of previously recorded messages, the i~
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l~ 331-2270 lZ79Z67 :
1 lengths of such messages, the location of "priority"
2 messages, and the like. The CLEAR switch should be actuated 8 prior to transcribing a newly-loaded cassette, and this switch also should be actuated before a selected one of the 6 record/playback decks is conditioned as a dictation unit.
6 In this manner, information that had been derived from a 7 previously recorded or transcribed cassette is cleared from 8 the display memory and does not interfere with the display 9 of new information derived from the cassette then being 0 utilized.
11 Dictate/transcribe h-dule 10 also is provided with 12 additional controls 72, 74, 76 and 78. These controls are 18 designated volume control 72, tone control 74, playback ' 14 speed control 76 and backspace control 78. Each control is lG constructed as a slide switch and, in one embodiment, each `
16 such switch produces an analog voltage that is used to 17 control, or establish, a desired volume, tone, playback 18 speed or backspace, respectively. Alternatively, each slide 19 switch may produce a discrete digital signal, depending upon its position, to establish a respective volume, tone, 21 playback speed or backspace level. Thus, the magnitude of 22 the audible sounds which are reproduced by the integral 23 speaker of module lO or by headset lO0 is adjusted by the 24 setting of volume control 72. Likewise, the tone of the 2~ reproduced audible sounds (i. e. the relative treble and ¦ ,-26 base level thereof) is established by the setting of tone 27 control 74. The speed at which the tape is moved during a 28 transcription operation, that is, the incremental difference 29 between the speed selected by cassette speed selector switch 46 and the actual playback speed, is set and adjusted by 81 playback speed control 76. Finally, the incremental amount ' ' 8b of backsp-ce thaC i roduced when, for e~ample, a playbac~
- 1 5- . : ~ .
127926'7 331-2270 ~ -I I , 1 ~ switch is released during transcription, is set and adjusted 2 ¦ by means of backspace control 78.
3 ¦ In addition to headset 100, a conventional foot 4 ¦ pedal switch 104 is connected to dictate/transcribe module 6 10 for the purpose of controlling, or selecting the 6 operational functions of, deck 12 or deck 14, depending upon 7 which deck has been selected by unit selector switch 42 for 8 a transcription operation. Typically, the foot pedal switch 9 includes a playback pedal, a rewind pedal and a fast-forward ~ `;
pedal, the selected operation of which initiates a 11 corresponding operation of the selected record/playback 12 deck. When the playback pedal is actuated, the release 18 thereof effects a brief rewinding of the tape by an amount 14t determined by the setting of backspace control 78.
16 Consequently, upon the reactuation of the playback pedal, 16 the last few words which had been played back previously are 17 played back once again. As will be described below, when a 18 plurality of modules 10 are electrically coupled to each 19 other, the operation of foot pedal switch 104, although !~ ' ' 20 connected to one particular module, nevertheless controls ' `
21 the operation of the deck that has been selected as the ~ -22 transcribe unit, regardless of the module in which that deck 23 is disposed.
24 Dictate/transcribe module 10 is connected by means ~;
of private wire connections or by means of telephone 26 connections to one or more dictate stations 80. A suitable switch control (not shown) may be provided to interconnect 28 dictate/transcribe module 10 with several dictate stations, 29 the switch serving to permit only one dictate station to be connected to deck 12 or to deck 14, depending upon which of 31 these decks had been selected as the dictation unit. I ;
82 Dictate stat1on 6d is ovided w~h a handset 82, similar to i 331-2270 '~
, ;,~
1 a conventional telephone handset to the extent that a 2 microphone is provided at one end thereof and a speaker is . ~-8 provided at the other end to permit dictation to be ~s-4 transmitted to dictate/transcribe module lO and to permit 6 dictation to be audibly reproduced for review by the .
6 dictator. Handset 82 includes a dictate control switch 84, , 7 as is conventional in telephone-type dictate stations, this 8 dictate control switch being operable to initiate a "record"
9 mode and a review/play mode. Since the operation of dictate control switch 84 is conventional, further description 11 thereof is not provided. ":
lP Dictate station 80 also is provided with a desk ~
13 set 86 having a cradle 88 to receive handset 82. ~;
14 Preferably, cradle 88 includes a switch similar to a conventional telephone hook switch which indicates when , 16 handset 82 is "off-hook" or "on-hook". Desk set 86 also 17 includes a unit selector switch 90 formed of, for example, 18 four separate pushbutton switches 90-l, 90-2, 90-3 and 90-4.
19 Each pushbutton switch, when actuated, and subject to the availability of a record/playback deck, connects dictate ' ; `~
21 station 80 to a deck associated with a respective one of the -22 pushbutton switches. In the embodiment wherein dictate/
23 transcribe module lO is provided with only two decks, 24 pushbutton switches 90-l and 90-2 select deck 12 or-deck 14, respectively, for connection to dictate station 80. If a P6 selected deck is "in use", that is, if that deck has been 27 selected for operation as a transcription unit or if that 28 deck already is connected to another dictate station, or if 29 the selected deck is "off line", the operation of the unit ~ ;
selector switch is ineffective to establish a connection 81 between dictate station 80 and the selected deck. I I
8P Preferably, an "in use" indicator is provided with each unit '' ''.
:. . . ` .
I lZ7926~7 331-2270 1 selector switch to indicate to the user of dictate station 2 80 which record/playback decks are "in use", as ~~, 8 aforementioned. Dictate station 80 may be used in ~ ;~
4 conjunction with two dictate/transcribe modules (which 6 provide four decks), and for this reason unit selector 6 switch 90 is provided with four pushbutton switches to 7 permit the dictate station to be connected to any one of 8 such four decks. Those record/playback decks which are "in 9 use" are indicated by respective "in use" visual indicators 1;
10 associated with respective ones of pushbutton switches 90-l, 11 90-2, 90-3 and 90-4. , 12 In the embodiment wherein only a single 18 dictate/transcribe module having two decks is provided, as c 14 illustrated in FIG. l, unit selector switch 90 may be 16 omitted or, alternatively, may have no effect upon the 16 particular deck that is connected to dictate station 80 when 17 handset 82 goes "off-hookn. That is, suitable dictation 18 system controls may be provided to connect the dictate ;-`
19 station only to the one record/playback deck which has been - c 20 selected for operation as the dictation unit, provided that 21 dictation unit is not already in use. In the embodiment ~ -:
22 shown in FIG. l, if both decks 12 and 14 are selected as 23 dictation units, unit selector switch 90-l may be operated 24 to connect dictate station 80 to deck 12 and unit selector ¦ ` `
26 switch 90-2 may be operated to connect dictate station 80 to 26 deck 14, provided such decks are not then "in use".
27 Desk set 86 also is provided with switches 92, 94, 28 96 and 98 which are adapted to be manually actuated to ~ ;
29 initiate the functions now to be described. PRIORITY switch j `-80 92, when actuated, serves to record the aforementioned 81 priority code on the magnetic tape included in the 82 record/playback deck to which dictate station 80 is : . , ,'',' ,"
'.
Il 1279267 1 connected. As an example, the priority code may comprise a 2 predetermined number of bursts (e. g. two bursts~ of a tone 8 signal which, when detected, is identified as the beginning 4 of a rpriority" message.
6 INTERCOM switch 94, when actuated, serves to 6 establish a simple communication connection between handset 7 82 and similar communication apparatus ~e. g. a similar ~.
8 handset) located at the site of dictate/transcribe module 9 10. The dictator thus may communicate directly with the transcriptionist or a supervisory operator at that site.
11 FAST-FORWARD switch 96, when actuated, initiates a 12 fast forward operation of the magnetic tape in the deck to 18 which dictate station 80 is connected. The tape is driven 1.
14 in the fast-forward mode until the so-called "farthest advance" point ~i. e. the point reached by a dictator prior :
16 to rewinding the tape) is reached.
17 END switch 98, when actuated, serves to record a 18 predetermined tone signal on the magnetic tape. It is 9 expected that END switch 98 will be actuated upon the .
~0 completion of a message, such as a letter, and thus h 1 21 functions to record an end-of-message tone signal on the æ magnetic tape. This end-of-message tone signal is n ~
23 distinguished from a so-called "secrecy" tone signal that is ':~ ;f 24 recorded when handset 82 is returned to cradle 88 ~i. e.
26 when the handset is placed in its "on-hook" condition) to t ~:
26 disconnect dictate station 80 from dictate/transcribe module f-~ .,/' 27 10. The recording of such a "secrecy" code is conventional a ~,. ' ~8 in central dictation systems and serves to signify the 29 completion of dictation by a dictator and prevents a subsequent dictator from effecting a rewind operation of the 81 magnetic tape to access the message that had been recorded 82 by the previous dictator. Such a "secrecy" code normally is .
,' '`'~'' :.' ';
~ -19- `'~ ~
' ' ~
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1279267 ~ :
1 recorded at the end of the last-dictated message and, hence, 2 is analogous to the aforementioned end-of-message tone 8 signal. However, the end-of-message tone signal, when 4 detected, does not prevent the magnetic tape from being 6 rewound further; and, thus, the detection of the 6 end-of-message tone signal does not prevent the present 7 dictator from reviewing his own previously recorded 8 messages.
9 The manner in which dictate/transcribe module lO
operates to designate one or the other record/playback deck 11 as a dictation unit, or to designate both decks as dictation 12 units, or to designate only one of the decks as a transcription unit is described in the aforementioned 14 copending application, which description is incorporated 16 herein by reference. Dictate/transcribe module 10 is 16 provided with one or more microprocessors which sense the 17 operation of various ones of the selector and function 18 control switches, such as foot pedal switch 104, to select 19 the operational functions of the deck which has been selected by selector switch 42 to operate in the transcribe I i 21 mode. It is appreciated that the audio signals which are -æ played back by the record/playback head of the selected 23 transcription unit are coupled to headset 100 (or to the Y ~ i 24 loudspeaker of module lO~ whereat audio sounds are ~i -reproduced. ' `';
26 Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated 27 therein a schematic representation of a dictation system in 28 which plural dictate/transcribe modules are interconnected. ` ;~
29 The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 2 as were used in FIG. l to identify similar components. For convenience, 81 simplification and to facilitate an understanding of the az present invention, IG. Z ill=strates three i=terc===e~ted :: ., ~~ 331-2270 I i~79267 1 modules identified as modules lOA, lOs and lOC, 2 respectively. The modules are of substantially the same 8 construction as mentioned above in connection with FIG. 1, 4 and the reference numerals used in FIG. 2 have appended 6 thereto the suffix "a", "b" and "c~ to designate the 6 particular module in which the components are located. To 7 avoid duplicative discussion, those components which have 8 been discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1 merely are 9 illustrated in FIG. 2 without further description herein.
Each dictate/transcribe module also is provided 11 with an input connector 80, an output connector 82 and a 12 power connector 84. Each input connector 80 is adapted to 18 be coupled by means of a suitable plug/socket connection to 1~
14 a multi-eonductor eable, sueh as a 4-conductor cable, for ~ -16 the purpose of reeeiving function control signals that ;
16 control, or command, various operations of a record/playback ~ ;
17 deck for the purpose of effecting a transeribe operation.
18 Preferably, such function control signals are produced by 19 foot pedal switeh 104 to eommand playbaek, rewind, fast-forward and stop operations, as mentioned above. The input 21 eonneetor also is adapted to pass audio signals which are r~
22 reproduced by a playbaek head during a transcribe operation.
23 As illustrated in FIG. 2, the input conneetor of one module 24 is eoupled by means of a multi-conductor transeribe eoupling 26 cable to the output eonnector of a preceding module. Thus, 26 and as illustrated, input connector 80b is coupled to output 27 eonneetor 82a by transcribe eoupling eable 86. Similarly, ~ ~`
28 input conneetor 80c is coupled to output connector 82b by 29 transcribe coupling 88. ; -80 In the preferred embodiment, only one of the `
81 cascaded modules lOA, lOB, ..... lOC need be conneeted directly ;
32 , ~`
-21- '' ~: -331-2270 ' ~
~279267 `
1 to a suitable source of power, such as conventional AC ;
2 mains. Power connectors 84a, 84b and 84c are interconnected ~ ;
8 by power coupling cables such that the power that is 4 supplied directly to one of the cascaded modules is applied i 6 to the remaining modules. In the illustrated example, power -6 coupling cable 92 is used to interconnect power connectors 7 84a and 84b; and power coupling cable 94 is used to `
8 interconnect power connectors 84b and 84c. Thus, if power 9 is supplied directly to, for example, dictate/transcribe 10 module l0A, power coupling cables 92 and 94 function to 11 distribute that power to modules los and l0C, respectively.
1~ It will be appreciated that, if desired, additional,modules 13 may be cascaded to those illustrated in FIG. 2, and 14 additional power coupling cables and transcribe coupling 16 cables may be used to interconnect those additional modules 16 as may be needed. i:~
17 Each module also includes a connecting switch 43, 18 illustrated in FIG. 2 as connecting switches 43a, 43b and 19 43c, respectively. The connecting switch in each module is ,;
20 ganged with selector switch 42 therein (refer to FIG. l) for 21 simultaneous operation. It will be seen that connecting æ switch 43 is provided with a movable contact and three fixed 23 contacts, the latter fixed contacts being designated "UP", 24 "OFF" and "DN", respectively. When selector switch 42 of a 26 particular module selects, for example, deck 12 to function 26 as a transcription unit, the movable contact of connecting 27 switch 43 engages its "UP" contact. Conversely, when the 28 selector switch is operated to select deck 14 as the 29 transcription unit, the movable contact of connecting switch ;~
80 43 engages its "DN" contact. Finally, when the selector 81 switch is disposed at its neutral position, whereby neither 82 deck 12 nor deck 14 is selected as the transcription unit, ; 1 331-2270 - ~ 127926~ `
1 the movable contact of connecting switch 43 engages its ~ -2 "OFF" contact. In each module, the ~OFF" contact is 8 ~ connected by means of suitable conductors, shown in broken ,~
4 ¦ lines, to output connector 82. In this regard, it may be 6 ¦ appreciated that the "OFF" contact may be construeted as 6 ¦ multiple (e. g. four) individual contacts. Furthermore, ¦
7 ¦ each "UP" contact (or multiple contacts) is connected to 8 ¦ suitable means provided in or associated with deck 12.
9 ¦ Finally, the "DN" eontact (or eontacts) in each module is 10 ¦ connected to suitable means in, or associated with, deck 14. `-; ¦ Such means includes the playback head in each deck as well 12 ¦ as the microprocessor (or microprocessors) which control the 18 ¦ operation of the respective deeks in a module in response to ~ ' 14 ¦ the function eontrol signals supplied thereto. Such 15 ¦ microprocessor-eontrol over a reeord/playbaek deek to effeet 16 a transeribe operation is known to those of ordinary skill 17 in the art and further deseription thereof is u~neeessary 18 for an understanding of the present invention.
19 Normally, the movable eontaet of eonneeting switeh 43 is eoupled, as by a multi-eonduetor eable, to input -21 eonneetor 80. This is partieularly shown by the eonnection æ of input eonneetor 80b to eonneeting switeh 43b and by the 28 eonneetion between input eonneetor 80e and eonneeting switeh ~ ;
24 43e. However, when headset 100 is eonnected to the module, sueh as shown in FIG. 1, the usual eonneetion between the ~ ;
26 input eonneetor and eonneeting switeh 43 is interrupted. In ~ :
27 plaee thereof, headset 100 now is eonneeted to the .
28 eonneeting switeh. Similarly, when foot pedal switeh 104 is ¦ i ;
29 eonneeted to the module, it too is eonneeted direetly to ¦
eonneeting switeh 43. As shown in FIG. 2, headset 100 and I , 81 foot pedal switeh 104 are eonneeted to dietate/transeribe 32 module 10A, and as a result, the normal eonneetion between :
l~l 331-2270 1 ¦ input connector 80a and the movable contact of connecting 2 ¦ switch 43a is interrupted. In place thereof, the headset 8 ¦ and foot pedal switch are connected by transcribe connection 4 ¦ 90 to the connecting switch. The manner in which circuit 6 ¦ connections are opened and closed when a plug is inserted 6 ¦ into a jack is well known to those of ordinary skill in the 7 ¦ art and further explanation thereof need not be provided 8 ¦ herein.
9 ¦ The operation of the cascaded modules illustrated 10 ¦ in FIG. 2 now will be described. Let it be assumed that 1 ¦ tran -ribe coupling cables 86 and 88 as well as power `
12 ¦ coupling cables 92 and 94 are used to interconnect modules 18 ¦ lOA, lOB and lOC, as illustrated. Let it be further assumed 14 ¦ that headset 100 and foot pedal switch 104 are connected to 15 ¦ appropriate jacks provided in module lOA. Finally, let it `
16 ¦ be assumed that connecting switches 43a and 43b both exhibit l~ ¦ their neutral, or "OFF" positions by which the movable 18 ¦ contact therein engages the fixed "OFF" contact. As a 19 ¦ result of these switch conditions, a transmission path 20 ¦ extends from headset 100 and foot pedal switch 104 via -21 ¦ transcribe connection 90 to connecting switch 43a, and then 22 ¦ through output connector 82a, transcribe coupling cable 86 28 ¦ and input connector 80b to connecting switch 43b, and thence ;~ -24 ¦ from connecting switch 43b to output connector 82b, 26 ¦ transcribe coupling cable 88 and input connector 80c to " -.
26 ¦ connecting switch 43c. Depending upon the selected 27 ¦ condition of connecting switch 43c, the aforementioned ' ;
28 ¦ transmission path extends either to deck 12c, to deck 14c or 29 to output connector 82c. It is assumed herein that the movable contact of connecting switch 43c engages its ruP"
contact and, thus, the transmission path extends to deck 12c 82 in dictate/transcribe module lOC. Consequently, the , lX79Z67 1 operation of foot pedal switch 104 by an operator results in 2 the transmission of corresponding function control signals 8 from the foot pedal switch over the illustrated transmission 4 path including transcribe connection 90, connecting switch 6 43a, transcribe coupling cable 86, connecting switch 43b, 6 transcribe coupling cable 88 and connecting switch 43c to 7 deck 12c. It is appreciated that these function control 8 signals preferably are supplied to the microprocessor which 9 is used with deck 12c, whereupon the commanded operation is carried out. Thus, the tape from which previously recorded 11 dictation is -anscribed is driven (e. g. in play, rewind or 12' fast-forward directions) and the audio signals recorded 18 thereon are played back. The recovered audio signals are 14 transmitted back to headset 100 over the aforementioned 16 transmission path, from the playback head through connecting 16 switch 43c, through transcribe coupling cables 88 and 86, 17 through connecting switch 43a and through transcribe ¦
18 connection 90 to the headset. Thus, the operator perceives 19 reproduced audio sound from deck 12c which now is operating in a transcribe mode.
21 If deck 14c is selected to operate in the 22 transcribe mode, as when selector switch 42 (FIG. 1) is 28 operated accordingly, the movable contact of connecting 24 switch 43c engages its "DN" contact so as to couple deck 14c 25 to the illustrated transmission path. ,~, 26 Let it now be assumed that selector switch 42 27 included in module lOB is operated to select deck 12b for 28 operation in the transcribe mode. The movable contact of 29 connecting switch 43b now engages its "~P" contact, whereupon the transmission path extends merely to deck 12b.
81 The transmission path which had extended from conneçting 82 switch 43b to output connector 82b and to transcribe -25- 1 i ,;.' .
; .
~ 331-2270 lZ79267 :
1 coupllng cable 88 now is interrupted. The operation of foot 2 pedal switch 104 now controls the tape included in deck 12b 8 to carry out a transcribe operation; and the audio signals 4 reproduced from the playback head included in this deck are 6 transmitted back to headset 100 via connecting switch 43b, 6 input connector 80b, transcribe coupling 86, output 7 connector 82a, connecting switch 43a and transcribe 8 connection 90. Alternatively, if selector switch 42 9 included in module lOB selects deck 14b for operation in the 0 transcribe mode, the function control signals generated by 1l foot pedal switch 104 .re supplied to this deck. .~;
12 As yet a further example, let it be assumed that 13 selector switch 42 included in module lOA is operated to 14 select deck 12a (or deck 14a) for operation in the 16 transcribe mode. As a result, the movable contact of 16 connecting switch 43a engages its "UP" contact (or its "DN~
17 contact), thus interrupting the transmission path that had 18 extended previously from connecting switch 43a to output 19 connector 82a and transcribe coupling cable 86. With this 20 condition of selector switch 42 and connecting switch 43a, ~ -21 deck 12a (or deck 14a) is controlled to carry out a 22 transcribe operation; and the audio signals which are ~ :
23 reproduced by the playback head included in this deck are ~ ~ ' 24 supplied via connecting switch 43a and transcribe connection 26 90 to headset 100.
26 Thus, it will be appreciated that, depending upon 27 the particular position, or condition, of connecting switch 28 43 included in module lOA, lOB or lOC, record/playback deck 29 12 or deck 14 included therein may be operated as a transcription unit with the resultant audio signals derived 81 by that deck being supplied to headset 100 even though this ;
82 headset :nd e ped-l switch lD4 are con=eoted to module `
-26- `
I 331-2270 ~ ~ ~
-1 10A. However, the transmission path which extends from the 2 headset and foot pedal switch through the respective modules 8 to a selected deck will be interrupted if connecting switch 4 43 upstream of the module in which that selected deck is 6 disposed is changed over from its "OFF" position to its "UP"
6 or "DN" position. For example, module 10s, which isillustrated herein as an intermediate module which is used 8 to intercouple modules 10A and 10C, will interrupt the ~
9 transmission path which extends from module 10A to module ~ ,~
10C if the movable contact of connecting switch 43b engages i-~
either its "UP" or "DN" conta~ . Similarly, the 12 transmission path which extends from module 10A to module 13 10B is interrupted in the event that the movable contact of 14 connecting switch 43a engages its "UP" or "DN" contact. The "~
16 coupling arrangement which extends from headset 100 and foot 16 pedal switch 104 through the-cascaded decks is connected to 17 the one deck determined by the particular conditions of 18 connecting switches 43a, 43b, ... 43c. Whereas selector 9 switch 42 included in a particular module operates to determine which of the decks included therein should operate 21 as a transcription unit, connecting switch 43 included in Z that same module effectively connects the selected deck to 23 the transmission path which extends thereto from the headset I; ;
24 and foot pedal switch. Also, it is recognized that , -26 connecting switch 43 serves to interconnect the input and 26 output connectors 80 and 82 of a particular module when the 27 movable contact of the connecting switch engages its ~OFF" ``
28 contact. :~
29 While the present invention has been particularly ~0 shown and described with reference to a preferred 81 embodiment, it will be readily appreciated by those of - ~;
32 ordinary skill in the art that various changes and :' .~
~ -27- ~ ~;
';` '' ;` `
: 1 331-2270 ~ lZ79Z67 .
1 I modifications may be made without departing from the spirit 2 ¦ and scope of the invention. For example, a greater number ;
8 ¦ of modules may be cascaded in the manner represented in FIG.
4 ¦ 2. Also, each module may include a greater or lesser number 6 I of record/playback decks therein. It will be appreciated 6 ¦ that each connecting switch included in a module should be 7 provided with a respective contact (or multiple contacts) 8 for each deck included in that module as well as an 9 additional contact by which the module ,nay be coupled in 0 cascade to a further module. Additionally, although the 11 foregoing has described the connection -~f function~control . -12 signals to a deck which has been selected for transcribe 18 operation, it will be appreciated that the present invention 14 contemplates the connection of such function control signals to the microprocessor which may be used to control the 16 operation of that deck. It is intended that the appended 17 claims be interpreted as including the foregoing as well as 18 other changes and modifications.
19 ,'` `':
Z~ .
Z~
pedal, the selected operation of which initiates a 11 corresponding operation of the selected record/playback 12 deck. When the playback pedal is actuated, the release 18 thereof effects a brief rewinding of the tape by an amount 14t determined by the setting of backspace control 78.
16 Consequently, upon the reactuation of the playback pedal, 16 the last few words which had been played back previously are 17 played back once again. As will be described below, when a 18 plurality of modules 10 are electrically coupled to each 19 other, the operation of foot pedal switch 104, although !~ ' ' 20 connected to one particular module, nevertheless controls ' `
21 the operation of the deck that has been selected as the ~ -22 transcribe unit, regardless of the module in which that deck 23 is disposed.
24 Dictate/transcribe module 10 is connected by means ~;
of private wire connections or by means of telephone 26 connections to one or more dictate stations 80. A suitable switch control (not shown) may be provided to interconnect 28 dictate/transcribe module 10 with several dictate stations, 29 the switch serving to permit only one dictate station to be connected to deck 12 or to deck 14, depending upon which of 31 these decks had been selected as the dictation unit. I ;
82 Dictate stat1on 6d is ovided w~h a handset 82, similar to i 331-2270 '~
, ;,~
1 a conventional telephone handset to the extent that a 2 microphone is provided at one end thereof and a speaker is . ~-8 provided at the other end to permit dictation to be ~s-4 transmitted to dictate/transcribe module lO and to permit 6 dictation to be audibly reproduced for review by the .
6 dictator. Handset 82 includes a dictate control switch 84, , 7 as is conventional in telephone-type dictate stations, this 8 dictate control switch being operable to initiate a "record"
9 mode and a review/play mode. Since the operation of dictate control switch 84 is conventional, further description 11 thereof is not provided. ":
lP Dictate station 80 also is provided with a desk ~
13 set 86 having a cradle 88 to receive handset 82. ~;
14 Preferably, cradle 88 includes a switch similar to a conventional telephone hook switch which indicates when , 16 handset 82 is "off-hook" or "on-hook". Desk set 86 also 17 includes a unit selector switch 90 formed of, for example, 18 four separate pushbutton switches 90-l, 90-2, 90-3 and 90-4.
19 Each pushbutton switch, when actuated, and subject to the availability of a record/playback deck, connects dictate ' ; `~
21 station 80 to a deck associated with a respective one of the -22 pushbutton switches. In the embodiment wherein dictate/
23 transcribe module lO is provided with only two decks, 24 pushbutton switches 90-l and 90-2 select deck 12 or-deck 14, respectively, for connection to dictate station 80. If a P6 selected deck is "in use", that is, if that deck has been 27 selected for operation as a transcription unit or if that 28 deck already is connected to another dictate station, or if 29 the selected deck is "off line", the operation of the unit ~ ;
selector switch is ineffective to establish a connection 81 between dictate station 80 and the selected deck. I I
8P Preferably, an "in use" indicator is provided with each unit '' ''.
:. . . ` .
I lZ7926~7 331-2270 1 selector switch to indicate to the user of dictate station 2 80 which record/playback decks are "in use", as ~~, 8 aforementioned. Dictate station 80 may be used in ~ ;~
4 conjunction with two dictate/transcribe modules (which 6 provide four decks), and for this reason unit selector 6 switch 90 is provided with four pushbutton switches to 7 permit the dictate station to be connected to any one of 8 such four decks. Those record/playback decks which are "in 9 use" are indicated by respective "in use" visual indicators 1;
10 associated with respective ones of pushbutton switches 90-l, 11 90-2, 90-3 and 90-4. , 12 In the embodiment wherein only a single 18 dictate/transcribe module having two decks is provided, as c 14 illustrated in FIG. l, unit selector switch 90 may be 16 omitted or, alternatively, may have no effect upon the 16 particular deck that is connected to dictate station 80 when 17 handset 82 goes "off-hookn. That is, suitable dictation 18 system controls may be provided to connect the dictate ;-`
19 station only to the one record/playback deck which has been - c 20 selected for operation as the dictation unit, provided that 21 dictation unit is not already in use. In the embodiment ~ -:
22 shown in FIG. l, if both decks 12 and 14 are selected as 23 dictation units, unit selector switch 90-l may be operated 24 to connect dictate station 80 to deck 12 and unit selector ¦ ` `
26 switch 90-2 may be operated to connect dictate station 80 to 26 deck 14, provided such decks are not then "in use".
27 Desk set 86 also is provided with switches 92, 94, 28 96 and 98 which are adapted to be manually actuated to ~ ;
29 initiate the functions now to be described. PRIORITY switch j `-80 92, when actuated, serves to record the aforementioned 81 priority code on the magnetic tape included in the 82 record/playback deck to which dictate station 80 is : . , ,'',' ,"
'.
Il 1279267 1 connected. As an example, the priority code may comprise a 2 predetermined number of bursts (e. g. two bursts~ of a tone 8 signal which, when detected, is identified as the beginning 4 of a rpriority" message.
6 INTERCOM switch 94, when actuated, serves to 6 establish a simple communication connection between handset 7 82 and similar communication apparatus ~e. g. a similar ~.
8 handset) located at the site of dictate/transcribe module 9 10. The dictator thus may communicate directly with the transcriptionist or a supervisory operator at that site.
11 FAST-FORWARD switch 96, when actuated, initiates a 12 fast forward operation of the magnetic tape in the deck to 18 which dictate station 80 is connected. The tape is driven 1.
14 in the fast-forward mode until the so-called "farthest advance" point ~i. e. the point reached by a dictator prior :
16 to rewinding the tape) is reached.
17 END switch 98, when actuated, serves to record a 18 predetermined tone signal on the magnetic tape. It is 9 expected that END switch 98 will be actuated upon the .
~0 completion of a message, such as a letter, and thus h 1 21 functions to record an end-of-message tone signal on the æ magnetic tape. This end-of-message tone signal is n ~
23 distinguished from a so-called "secrecy" tone signal that is ':~ ;f 24 recorded when handset 82 is returned to cradle 88 ~i. e.
26 when the handset is placed in its "on-hook" condition) to t ~:
26 disconnect dictate station 80 from dictate/transcribe module f-~ .,/' 27 10. The recording of such a "secrecy" code is conventional a ~,. ' ~8 in central dictation systems and serves to signify the 29 completion of dictation by a dictator and prevents a subsequent dictator from effecting a rewind operation of the 81 magnetic tape to access the message that had been recorded 82 by the previous dictator. Such a "secrecy" code normally is .
,' '`'~'' :.' ';
~ -19- `'~ ~
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1279267 ~ :
1 recorded at the end of the last-dictated message and, hence, 2 is analogous to the aforementioned end-of-message tone 8 signal. However, the end-of-message tone signal, when 4 detected, does not prevent the magnetic tape from being 6 rewound further; and, thus, the detection of the 6 end-of-message tone signal does not prevent the present 7 dictator from reviewing his own previously recorded 8 messages.
9 The manner in which dictate/transcribe module lO
operates to designate one or the other record/playback deck 11 as a dictation unit, or to designate both decks as dictation 12 units, or to designate only one of the decks as a transcription unit is described in the aforementioned 14 copending application, which description is incorporated 16 herein by reference. Dictate/transcribe module 10 is 16 provided with one or more microprocessors which sense the 17 operation of various ones of the selector and function 18 control switches, such as foot pedal switch 104, to select 19 the operational functions of the deck which has been selected by selector switch 42 to operate in the transcribe I i 21 mode. It is appreciated that the audio signals which are -æ played back by the record/playback head of the selected 23 transcription unit are coupled to headset 100 (or to the Y ~ i 24 loudspeaker of module lO~ whereat audio sounds are ~i -reproduced. ' `';
26 Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated 27 therein a schematic representation of a dictation system in 28 which plural dictate/transcribe modules are interconnected. ` ;~
29 The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 2 as were used in FIG. l to identify similar components. For convenience, 81 simplification and to facilitate an understanding of the az present invention, IG. Z ill=strates three i=terc===e~ted :: ., ~~ 331-2270 I i~79267 1 modules identified as modules lOA, lOs and lOC, 2 respectively. The modules are of substantially the same 8 construction as mentioned above in connection with FIG. 1, 4 and the reference numerals used in FIG. 2 have appended 6 thereto the suffix "a", "b" and "c~ to designate the 6 particular module in which the components are located. To 7 avoid duplicative discussion, those components which have 8 been discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1 merely are 9 illustrated in FIG. 2 without further description herein.
Each dictate/transcribe module also is provided 11 with an input connector 80, an output connector 82 and a 12 power connector 84. Each input connector 80 is adapted to 18 be coupled by means of a suitable plug/socket connection to 1~
14 a multi-eonductor eable, sueh as a 4-conductor cable, for ~ -16 the purpose of reeeiving function control signals that ;
16 control, or command, various operations of a record/playback ~ ;
17 deck for the purpose of effecting a transeribe operation.
18 Preferably, such function control signals are produced by 19 foot pedal switeh 104 to eommand playbaek, rewind, fast-forward and stop operations, as mentioned above. The input 21 eonneetor also is adapted to pass audio signals which are r~
22 reproduced by a playbaek head during a transcribe operation.
23 As illustrated in FIG. 2, the input conneetor of one module 24 is eoupled by means of a multi-conductor transeribe eoupling 26 cable to the output eonnector of a preceding module. Thus, 26 and as illustrated, input connector 80b is coupled to output 27 eonneetor 82a by transcribe eoupling eable 86. Similarly, ~ ~`
28 input conneetor 80c is coupled to output connector 82b by 29 transcribe coupling 88. ; -80 In the preferred embodiment, only one of the `
81 cascaded modules lOA, lOB, ..... lOC need be conneeted directly ;
32 , ~`
-21- '' ~: -331-2270 ' ~
~279267 `
1 to a suitable source of power, such as conventional AC ;
2 mains. Power connectors 84a, 84b and 84c are interconnected ~ ;
8 by power coupling cables such that the power that is 4 supplied directly to one of the cascaded modules is applied i 6 to the remaining modules. In the illustrated example, power -6 coupling cable 92 is used to interconnect power connectors 7 84a and 84b; and power coupling cable 94 is used to `
8 interconnect power connectors 84b and 84c. Thus, if power 9 is supplied directly to, for example, dictate/transcribe 10 module l0A, power coupling cables 92 and 94 function to 11 distribute that power to modules los and l0C, respectively.
1~ It will be appreciated that, if desired, additional,modules 13 may be cascaded to those illustrated in FIG. 2, and 14 additional power coupling cables and transcribe coupling 16 cables may be used to interconnect those additional modules 16 as may be needed. i:~
17 Each module also includes a connecting switch 43, 18 illustrated in FIG. 2 as connecting switches 43a, 43b and 19 43c, respectively. The connecting switch in each module is ,;
20 ganged with selector switch 42 therein (refer to FIG. l) for 21 simultaneous operation. It will be seen that connecting æ switch 43 is provided with a movable contact and three fixed 23 contacts, the latter fixed contacts being designated "UP", 24 "OFF" and "DN", respectively. When selector switch 42 of a 26 particular module selects, for example, deck 12 to function 26 as a transcription unit, the movable contact of connecting 27 switch 43 engages its "UP" contact. Conversely, when the 28 selector switch is operated to select deck 14 as the 29 transcription unit, the movable contact of connecting switch ;~
80 43 engages its "DN" contact. Finally, when the selector 81 switch is disposed at its neutral position, whereby neither 82 deck 12 nor deck 14 is selected as the transcription unit, ; 1 331-2270 - ~ 127926~ `
1 the movable contact of connecting switch 43 engages its ~ -2 "OFF" contact. In each module, the ~OFF" contact is 8 ~ connected by means of suitable conductors, shown in broken ,~
4 ¦ lines, to output connector 82. In this regard, it may be 6 ¦ appreciated that the "OFF" contact may be construeted as 6 ¦ multiple (e. g. four) individual contacts. Furthermore, ¦
7 ¦ each "UP" contact (or multiple contacts) is connected to 8 ¦ suitable means provided in or associated with deck 12.
9 ¦ Finally, the "DN" eontact (or eontacts) in each module is 10 ¦ connected to suitable means in, or associated with, deck 14. `-; ¦ Such means includes the playback head in each deck as well 12 ¦ as the microprocessor (or microprocessors) which control the 18 ¦ operation of the respective deeks in a module in response to ~ ' 14 ¦ the function eontrol signals supplied thereto. Such 15 ¦ microprocessor-eontrol over a reeord/playbaek deek to effeet 16 a transeribe operation is known to those of ordinary skill 17 in the art and further deseription thereof is u~neeessary 18 for an understanding of the present invention.
19 Normally, the movable eontaet of eonneeting switeh 43 is eoupled, as by a multi-eonduetor eable, to input -21 eonneetor 80. This is partieularly shown by the eonnection æ of input eonneetor 80b to eonneeting switeh 43b and by the 28 eonneetion between input eonneetor 80e and eonneeting switeh ~ ;
24 43e. However, when headset 100 is eonnected to the module, sueh as shown in FIG. 1, the usual eonneetion between the ~ ;
26 input eonneetor and eonneeting switeh 43 is interrupted. In ~ :
27 plaee thereof, headset 100 now is eonneeted to the .
28 eonneeting switeh. Similarly, when foot pedal switeh 104 is ¦ i ;
29 eonneeted to the module, it too is eonneeted direetly to ¦
eonneeting switeh 43. As shown in FIG. 2, headset 100 and I , 81 foot pedal switeh 104 are eonneeted to dietate/transeribe 32 module 10A, and as a result, the normal eonneetion between :
l~l 331-2270 1 ¦ input connector 80a and the movable contact of connecting 2 ¦ switch 43a is interrupted. In place thereof, the headset 8 ¦ and foot pedal switch are connected by transcribe connection 4 ¦ 90 to the connecting switch. The manner in which circuit 6 ¦ connections are opened and closed when a plug is inserted 6 ¦ into a jack is well known to those of ordinary skill in the 7 ¦ art and further explanation thereof need not be provided 8 ¦ herein.
9 ¦ The operation of the cascaded modules illustrated 10 ¦ in FIG. 2 now will be described. Let it be assumed that 1 ¦ tran -ribe coupling cables 86 and 88 as well as power `
12 ¦ coupling cables 92 and 94 are used to interconnect modules 18 ¦ lOA, lOB and lOC, as illustrated. Let it be further assumed 14 ¦ that headset 100 and foot pedal switch 104 are connected to 15 ¦ appropriate jacks provided in module lOA. Finally, let it `
16 ¦ be assumed that connecting switches 43a and 43b both exhibit l~ ¦ their neutral, or "OFF" positions by which the movable 18 ¦ contact therein engages the fixed "OFF" contact. As a 19 ¦ result of these switch conditions, a transmission path 20 ¦ extends from headset 100 and foot pedal switch 104 via -21 ¦ transcribe connection 90 to connecting switch 43a, and then 22 ¦ through output connector 82a, transcribe coupling cable 86 28 ¦ and input connector 80b to connecting switch 43b, and thence ;~ -24 ¦ from connecting switch 43b to output connector 82b, 26 ¦ transcribe coupling cable 88 and input connector 80c to " -.
26 ¦ connecting switch 43c. Depending upon the selected 27 ¦ condition of connecting switch 43c, the aforementioned ' ;
28 ¦ transmission path extends either to deck 12c, to deck 14c or 29 to output connector 82c. It is assumed herein that the movable contact of connecting switch 43c engages its ruP"
contact and, thus, the transmission path extends to deck 12c 82 in dictate/transcribe module lOC. Consequently, the , lX79Z67 1 operation of foot pedal switch 104 by an operator results in 2 the transmission of corresponding function control signals 8 from the foot pedal switch over the illustrated transmission 4 path including transcribe connection 90, connecting switch 6 43a, transcribe coupling cable 86, connecting switch 43b, 6 transcribe coupling cable 88 and connecting switch 43c to 7 deck 12c. It is appreciated that these function control 8 signals preferably are supplied to the microprocessor which 9 is used with deck 12c, whereupon the commanded operation is carried out. Thus, the tape from which previously recorded 11 dictation is -anscribed is driven (e. g. in play, rewind or 12' fast-forward directions) and the audio signals recorded 18 thereon are played back. The recovered audio signals are 14 transmitted back to headset 100 over the aforementioned 16 transmission path, from the playback head through connecting 16 switch 43c, through transcribe coupling cables 88 and 86, 17 through connecting switch 43a and through transcribe ¦
18 connection 90 to the headset. Thus, the operator perceives 19 reproduced audio sound from deck 12c which now is operating in a transcribe mode.
21 If deck 14c is selected to operate in the 22 transcribe mode, as when selector switch 42 (FIG. 1) is 28 operated accordingly, the movable contact of connecting 24 switch 43c engages its "DN" contact so as to couple deck 14c 25 to the illustrated transmission path. ,~, 26 Let it now be assumed that selector switch 42 27 included in module lOB is operated to select deck 12b for 28 operation in the transcribe mode. The movable contact of 29 connecting switch 43b now engages its "~P" contact, whereupon the transmission path extends merely to deck 12b.
81 The transmission path which had extended from conneçting 82 switch 43b to output connector 82b and to transcribe -25- 1 i ,;.' .
; .
~ 331-2270 lZ79267 :
1 coupllng cable 88 now is interrupted. The operation of foot 2 pedal switch 104 now controls the tape included in deck 12b 8 to carry out a transcribe operation; and the audio signals 4 reproduced from the playback head included in this deck are 6 transmitted back to headset 100 via connecting switch 43b, 6 input connector 80b, transcribe coupling 86, output 7 connector 82a, connecting switch 43a and transcribe 8 connection 90. Alternatively, if selector switch 42 9 included in module lOB selects deck 14b for operation in the 0 transcribe mode, the function control signals generated by 1l foot pedal switch 104 .re supplied to this deck. .~;
12 As yet a further example, let it be assumed that 13 selector switch 42 included in module lOA is operated to 14 select deck 12a (or deck 14a) for operation in the 16 transcribe mode. As a result, the movable contact of 16 connecting switch 43a engages its "UP" contact (or its "DN~
17 contact), thus interrupting the transmission path that had 18 extended previously from connecting switch 43a to output 19 connector 82a and transcribe coupling cable 86. With this 20 condition of selector switch 42 and connecting switch 43a, ~ -21 deck 12a (or deck 14a) is controlled to carry out a 22 transcribe operation; and the audio signals which are ~ :
23 reproduced by the playback head included in this deck are ~ ~ ' 24 supplied via connecting switch 43a and transcribe connection 26 90 to headset 100.
26 Thus, it will be appreciated that, depending upon 27 the particular position, or condition, of connecting switch 28 43 included in module lOA, lOB or lOC, record/playback deck 29 12 or deck 14 included therein may be operated as a transcription unit with the resultant audio signals derived 81 by that deck being supplied to headset 100 even though this ;
82 headset :nd e ped-l switch lD4 are con=eoted to module `
-26- `
I 331-2270 ~ ~ ~
-1 10A. However, the transmission path which extends from the 2 headset and foot pedal switch through the respective modules 8 to a selected deck will be interrupted if connecting switch 4 43 upstream of the module in which that selected deck is 6 disposed is changed over from its "OFF" position to its "UP"
6 or "DN" position. For example, module 10s, which isillustrated herein as an intermediate module which is used 8 to intercouple modules 10A and 10C, will interrupt the ~
9 transmission path which extends from module 10A to module ~ ,~
10C if the movable contact of connecting switch 43b engages i-~
either its "UP" or "DN" conta~ . Similarly, the 12 transmission path which extends from module 10A to module 13 10B is interrupted in the event that the movable contact of 14 connecting switch 43a engages its "UP" or "DN" contact. The "~
16 coupling arrangement which extends from headset 100 and foot 16 pedal switch 104 through the-cascaded decks is connected to 17 the one deck determined by the particular conditions of 18 connecting switches 43a, 43b, ... 43c. Whereas selector 9 switch 42 included in a particular module operates to determine which of the decks included therein should operate 21 as a transcription unit, connecting switch 43 included in Z that same module effectively connects the selected deck to 23 the transmission path which extends thereto from the headset I; ;
24 and foot pedal switch. Also, it is recognized that , -26 connecting switch 43 serves to interconnect the input and 26 output connectors 80 and 82 of a particular module when the 27 movable contact of the connecting switch engages its ~OFF" ``
28 contact. :~
29 While the present invention has been particularly ~0 shown and described with reference to a preferred 81 embodiment, it will be readily appreciated by those of - ~;
32 ordinary skill in the art that various changes and :' .~
~ -27- ~ ~;
';` '' ;` `
: 1 331-2270 ~ lZ79Z67 .
1 I modifications may be made without departing from the spirit 2 ¦ and scope of the invention. For example, a greater number ;
8 ¦ of modules may be cascaded in the manner represented in FIG.
4 ¦ 2. Also, each module may include a greater or lesser number 6 I of record/playback decks therein. It will be appreciated 6 ¦ that each connecting switch included in a module should be 7 provided with a respective contact (or multiple contacts) 8 for each deck included in that module as well as an 9 additional contact by which the module ,nay be coupled in 0 cascade to a further module. Additionally, although the 11 foregoing has described the connection -~f function~control . -12 signals to a deck which has been selected for transcribe 18 operation, it will be appreciated that the present invention 14 contemplates the connection of such function control signals to the microprocessor which may be used to control the 16 operation of that deck. It is intended that the appended 17 claims be interpreted as including the foregoing as well as 18 other changes and modifications.
19 ,'` `':
Z~ .
Z~
Claims (10)
1. Dictate/transcribe apparatus comprising plural modules, each module including at least two record/playback decks and switch means operable to select one or the other or neither of said decks to operate in a transcribe mode;
transducer means connected to one of said modules to repro-duce audio sounds from a deck operating in a transcribe mode; operation selecting means connected to said one module for selecting operational functions of said deck operating in said transcribe mode; and electrical coupling means for coupling said one module to at least the module which includes the deck that has been selected to operate in said transcribe mode, whereby audio signals are transmitted from said deck operating in said transcribe mode through said electrical coupling means to said one module for reproduc-tion as audio sounds by said transducer means, and function control signals are transmitted from said operation selecting means to said one module and thence through said electrical coupling means to the module which includes the deck that has been selected to operate in said transcribe mode.
transducer means connected to one of said modules to repro-duce audio sounds from a deck operating in a transcribe mode; operation selecting means connected to said one module for selecting operational functions of said deck operating in said transcribe mode; and electrical coupling means for coupling said one module to at least the module which includes the deck that has been selected to operate in said transcribe mode, whereby audio signals are transmitted from said deck operating in said transcribe mode through said electrical coupling means to said one module for reproduc-tion as audio sounds by said transducer means, and function control signals are transmitted from said operation selecting means to said one module and thence through said electrical coupling means to the module which includes the deck that has been selected to operate in said transcribe mode.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said electrical coupling means couples said one module to an intermediate module and said intermediate module to said module which includes the deck that has been selected to operate in said transcribe mode, whereby said audio signals pass from the deck operating in said transcribe mode to said intermediate module and thence to said one module and to said transducer means, and said function control signals pass from said operation selecting means to said one module and thence to said intermediate module and to the module which includes the deck that has been selected to operate in said transcribe mode.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said switch means in the intermediate module includes means for connecting the electrical coupling means between the preceding and next-following modules, provided that said switch means selects neither of the decks in said intermediate module to operate in the transcribe mode.
4. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said switch means in each module includes means for connecting the electrical coupling means to the deck therein that has been selected to operate in said transcribe mode.
5. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein each module further includes connecting means ganged with said switch means for connecting said coupling means therethrough when said switch means selects neither of said decks in said module to operate in the transcribe mode and for connecting the coupling means to the deck in said module which has been selected by said switch means to operate in the transcribe mode.
6. Dictate/transcribe apparatus comprising at least first and second modules, each module including at least two record/playback decks for recording dictation on and reproducing dictation from a record medium, switch means for selecting one or the other or neither deck in a module as a transcribe deck, power connecting means for receiving and passing on electrical power supplied to a module, an input connector and an output connector: transducer means connected to said first module to reproduce audio sounds from a transcribe deck; transcribe control means connected to said first module for controlling the operation of a transcribe deck; power coupling means for interconnecting the power connecting means of said first and second modules;
transcribe coupling means for connecting said output connector of said first module to said input connector of said second module; and selecting means included in each module and ganged with said switch means for interconnecting said input and output connectors therein when said switch means selects neither deck in said module as a transcribe deck; whereby dictation reproduced from a transcribe deck in said second module is supplied from the input connector of said second module to the output connector of said first module and thence to said transducer means, and transcribe control signals from said transcribe control means are supplied to said first module and thence from said output connector of said first module to said input connector of said second module for controlling said transcribe deck.
transcribe coupling means for connecting said output connector of said first module to said input connector of said second module; and selecting means included in each module and ganged with said switch means for interconnecting said input and output connectors therein when said switch means selects neither deck in said module as a transcribe deck; whereby dictation reproduced from a transcribe deck in said second module is supplied from the input connector of said second module to the output connector of said first module and thence to said transducer means, and transcribe control signals from said transcribe control means are supplied to said first module and thence from said output connector of said first module to said input connector of said second module for controlling said transcribe deck.
7. The apparatus of Claim 6 further comprising a third module including at least two record/playback decks, switch means, power connecting means, an input connector, an output connector and selecting means; said power connecting means of said third module being interconnected by said power coupling means between said first and second modules, said input connector of said third module being connected by said transcribe coupling means to said output connector of said first module and said output connector of said third module being connected by said transcribe coupling means to said input connector of said second module; whereby said selecting means in said third module enables reproduced dictation and transcribe control signals to be coupled between said first and second modules if the switch means in said third module selects neither deck therein as a transcribe deck.
8. The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said selecting means in said third module enables reproduced dictation and transcribe control signals to be coupled between said first module and one of said record/playback decks in said third module when the switch means in said third module selects said one deck as a transcribe deck.
9. The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said selecting means in said first module enables reproduced dictation and transcribe control signals to be coupled between said transducer means and transcribe control means and one of said record/playback decks in said first module when the switch means in said first module selects said one deck as a transcribe deck.
10. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said selecting means in each module exhibits at least a first state to connect the input connector therein to the output connector therein for enabling reproduced dictation and transcribe control signals to pass through that module, and a second state to connect the input connector therein with the deck selected as a transcribe deck for enabling reproduced dictation and transcribe control signals to be coupled between the selected deck and the input connector in that module.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US799,909 | 1977-05-23 | ||
| US06/799,909 US4722077A (en) | 1985-08-30 | 1985-11-20 | Transcription control over plural interconnected modules |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1279267C true CA1279267C (en) | 1991-01-22 |
Family
ID=25177073
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000522731A Expired - Fee Related CA1279267C (en) | 1985-11-20 | 1986-11-12 | Transcription control over plural interconnected modules |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4722077A (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2743993B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1279267C (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2183397B (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4817127A (en) * | 1986-08-08 | 1989-03-28 | Dictaphone Corporation | Modular dictation/transcription system |
| US4809116A (en) * | 1986-08-08 | 1989-02-28 | Dictaphone Corporation | Modular dictation/transcription system having plural recording modules and a common display |
| US5008871A (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1991-04-16 | Howells Joseph A | Dictate/transcribe control for digital dictation system |
| US5323148A (en) * | 1991-02-28 | 1994-06-21 | Motorola, Inc. | Selective call receiver presenting the length of an alphanumeric message prior to presentation of the message |
| US5337343A (en) * | 1992-05-10 | 1994-08-09 | United Telephone Company Of Ohio | Headset bridge for operating multiple communication devices |
| US5495234A (en) * | 1993-01-21 | 1996-02-27 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for length dependent selective call message handling |
| US5724331A (en) * | 1994-08-25 | 1998-03-03 | Discovision Associates | Disk drive system having improved cartridge-loading apparatus including direct drive gear train and methods for making and operating same |
| US6009061A (en) * | 1994-08-25 | 1999-12-28 | Discovision Associates | Cartridge-loading apparatus with improved base plate and cartridge receiver latch |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2581144A (en) * | 1946-12-21 | 1952-01-01 | Int Electronics Co | Control of office dictation equipment |
| US2784258A (en) * | 1951-07-06 | 1957-03-05 | Henry E Sharpe | Two station dictating system with a plurality of recorders |
| US2799733A (en) * | 1953-10-26 | 1957-07-16 | Mc Graw Edison Co | Translating machines |
| US3418432A (en) * | 1964-12-29 | 1968-12-24 | Ibm | Remote control matrix dictating system |
| US3527891A (en) * | 1969-11-24 | 1970-09-08 | William E Johnston | Selector circuit |
| US4113994A (en) * | 1976-09-01 | 1978-09-12 | Lanier Business Products, Inc. | Dictation recording and transcribing system utilizing selectable dual message record-playback apparatus |
| US4543618A (en) * | 1981-09-24 | 1985-09-24 | Olympus Optical Company Limited | Tape recorder |
| US4604689A (en) * | 1983-04-15 | 1986-08-05 | Convergent Technologies, Inc. | Bus repeater |
-
1985
- 1985-11-20 US US06/799,909 patent/US4722077A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1986
- 1986-11-12 CA CA000522731A patent/CA1279267C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-11-20 GB GB8627794A patent/GB2183397B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-11-20 JP JP61277780A patent/JP2743993B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS62188048A (en) | 1987-08-17 |
| GB2183397B (en) | 1990-07-25 |
| GB2183397A (en) | 1987-06-03 |
| GB8627794D0 (en) | 1986-12-17 |
| US4722077A (en) | 1988-01-26 |
| JP2743993B2 (en) | 1998-04-28 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |