Abstract:
A device for recording audio data including a housing and means positioned on the housing for recording audible data, means for repositioning to a prerecorded audio message. The device further includes means positioned on the housing for playing back the recorded audible. The device is connected to a measurement apparatus via a connecting means. A user is able to record, rewind and playback the audio data while operating the measurement apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to audio recording systems and, more specifically, to an audio recording system in the form of an attachable cover. The attachable cover may be releasably fastened to measuring devices for recording a plurality of audible measurements in detailed projects. The audio recording device includes recording, rewinding and playback mechanisms which will allow the user of the measuring device to record all pertinent data obtained during the measuring process. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other data and audio recording device designed for tape measures and such. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 349,146 issued to Jennings et al on Mar. 1, 1930. 
   Another was issued to Stephans et al on Apr. 27, 1993 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,486 and still yet another patent issued to Dawson on Jan. 10, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,524. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,578, was issued to Howes on Mar. 7, 1995 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 24, 1998 to Protas as U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,537. 
   Another patent was issued to Malone on Sep. 8, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,732. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,235, was issued to Harman on Oct. 20, 1998. Another was issued to Lindsey on Nov. 16, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,514 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 9, 2003 to Arlinsky as U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,755. 
   Another patent was issued to Campbell on Mar. 21, 2002 as International Publication No. WO 02/22405. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 349,146 
   Inventor: Jennings et al 
   Issued: Mar. 1, 1980 
   This invention relates to sound recording and reproducing devices for gramophone records and in particular to devices known as electro-magnetic recorders and pick-ups. 
   When in operation the recording or reproducing device is generally supported by a carrying arm and it is found that owing to its inertia and to the compliance of its elements this combination has a resonance of from 100-200 cycles which naturally disadvantageously affects the quality of the recording or reproduction, particularly in the case of a pick-up since tracking is upset at that frequency, and it is the object of this invention to reduce that resonance to a point below 50-60 cycles at which its effect will no longer be perceptible. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,486 
   Inventor: Richard J. Stephens et al 
   Issued: Apr. 27, 1993 
   A data recorder includes a unitary housing such as comprised of a molded plastic having an open upper portion, a removable lower cover, and a data card receiving arrangement at one end thereof. The data card receiving arrangement includes a narrow slot of precisely fixed dimensions for preventing the insertion of more than one data card at a time. Disposed within the housing are various flat template members arranged in a layered array, with each template having a plurality of spaced apertures therein. Upon full insertion of a data card in the recorder, the leading edge of the card urges a forward biased mask member to full aft position for aligning the apertures of the various layered members allowing the tip of a stylus to be inserted through aligned apertures in the mask and template members to permit severing of chips or punch portions from the data card, which may be either scored or un-scored. The recorder includes a seal/lock arrangement and means for removing a hung-up card without disassembling the recorder. Several telescoping stylus designs are contemplated, one employing a trigger mechanism which activates a pointed, inner telescoping member when a predetermined force is manually applied to the stylus, causing the inner member to pierce the data card and remove a chip there from in a manner which provides an aural and tactile indication to the user that the data card has been punched. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,524 
   Inventor: Melvin Dawson 
   Issued: Jan. 10, 1995 
   An improved versatile tape measure tool is provided, which consists of an elongated strip of tape marked off in a linear scale for taking measurements. A casing is for storing the tape therein in a coiled spring biased condition with the tape being extendable through a first end wall of the casting for measuring. A plurality of components are built into the casing, to help in the measuring and cutting to size of plasterboard, so that the plasterboard can be used to cover interior walls and ceilings. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,578 
   Inventor: James P. Howes 
   Issued: Mar. 7, 1995 
   By providing an audio recording and playback system with a measuring device, a unique integrated system is realized which enables users to easily record measured distances and have the measured distance subsequently played back for use. In the preferred embodiment, the audio recording and play back system is constructed in cooperative association with a tape measuring device and is automatically powered whenever the tape is extended from the housing. Then, by pressing an activation switch and orally enunciated information is automatically stored in an associated analog storage array for being subsequently played back whenever required by the user. In this way, an easily employed and particularly convenient system is realized which eliminates the need for manually recording measurements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,537 
   Inventor: Marlyne Protas 
   Issued: Feb. 24, 1998 
   A hand-held device contains a paging receiver and a microphone to accept dictation of messages. A common digital data store holds received transmissions and dictated messages. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,732 
   Inventor: Robert D. Malone 
   Issued: Sep. 8, 1998 
   A combination measuring instrument such as an elongated and retractable tape measuring device is associated with an audio recording apparatus which enables a user to record measurements observed on the tape measure device simultaneously with the act of performing the measurement and which permits the subsequent playback of the recorded information for use in a later discrete step of manufacturing or utilizing the recorded information. The recording device may be positioned in or on the housing of the measuring device so that the user may conveniently record the observed measurement orally for a later reuse. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,235 
   Inventor: Jeffrey A. Harman 
   Issued: Oct. 20, 1998 
   A communication package has, enclosed in a storage disc, a voice chip connected by power input bus terminals to a renewable, battery power system, which provides easy battery accessibility. The storage disc preferably contains an acoustically resonant chamber and diffusion apparatus and preferably contains a removable barrier between the power system and the power input bus terminals that must be removed before the voice chip can be energized. A voice message is stored in the communication package by recording the voice message into a recording unit, replaying the voice message until the replay is satisfactory, converting the message to a compressed, digital “sound file” and then downloading this “sound file” onto the voice disc. Identifying information is converted into a compressed digital “text file” and transmitted with the “sound file” to be displayed as a visual identification of the “sound file”. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,514 
   Inventor: Warren Mack Lindsey 
   Issued: Nov. 16, 1999 
   A tape measure including an electronic keypad and display for recording and viewing measurements is disclosed. The keypad includes up and down buttons, save and recall buttons, a set button and a clear/on button. The up and down button are used to selectively increment and decrement numeric values representing units of measurements, which are displayed on the display. Measurements are entered and displayed in feet, inches, and sixteenths of an inch in the English system, or in metric units. After manually measuring a distance using a coiled measuring tape, a user presses the up and down button to specify the distance measured, then presses the save button to store the measurements. The recall button is used to recall previously stored measurements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,755 
   Inventor: David Arlinsky 
   Issued: Dec. 9, 2003 
   A measuring device having a tape for taking angle and length measurements, and capable of providing a user discerning indication of the angular orientation of its tape relative in any given extended measuring state relative to a predetermined orientation, for example, the horizontal. The measuring device preferably is capable of reading out one or more measurements associated with any given extended measuring state, and transmitting them to a remote device. The measuring device preferably has one or more finger depressible soft keys each programmable with a user specified function downloaded from a host computer. 
   International Publication Number WO 02/22405 A2 
   Inventor: Douglas, C. Campbell 
   Issued: Mar. 21, 2002 
   A digital memo recorder for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The digital memo recorder includes a digital audio recorder couple able to an accessory unit of the vehicle interior. The digital audio recorder is configured to receive audible sounds from the vehicle interior. The digital memo recorder further includes a memory interface configured to receive a removable memory unit. The digital audio recorder is configured to digitize the audible sounds and to store the digitized data on the removable memory. 
   While these audio recording may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to audio recording systems and, more specifically, to an audio recording system in the form of an attachable cover. The attachable cover may be placed over measuring devices for recording a plurality of audible measurements in detailed projects. The audio recording device includes recording and playback mechanisms which will allow the user of the measuring device to record all pertinent data obtained during the measuring process. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another secondary object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device that may be affixed to a tape measure or other measuring devices. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device having means for releasably fastening the device to a tape measure. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device with the ability to record voice data. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device that further has the ability to record a plurality of entries and store the entries for later use. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device having an internal power source. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device having an indicator light for notifying a user that the recording process has been at least one of initiated or halted. 
   Still yet another object of the present claimed invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device having a removable and replaceable power source. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording and playback device that is simple and easy to use. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is provide an audio recording and playback device that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an audio recording device with playback means that may be affixed temporally to the standard tape measure device of users choice. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the digital recorder device of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention during installation; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention after installation; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the digital recorder device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is front view of the digital recorder device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the digital recorder device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the digital recorder device of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention after installation; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective cutaway view of the digital recorder device of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the digital recorder device of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.
           10  digital recorder device of the present invention     11  directional arrows     12  microphone     14  play button     15  rewind button     16  record button     18  LED     20  speaker     22  user     23  housing     24  tape measure     26  attachment fastener     28  battery compartment     30  battery     32  processor     34  memory     36  speaker     38  circuit board assembly       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views,  FIGS. 1 through 9  illustrate the digital recorder device which is indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the digital recorder device of the present invention in use. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides a user  22  with the ability to easily record measurements made using a measurement device. As shown throughout the application the measurement device is a tape measure  24  and will be referred to as such throughout this specification. However, the measurement device may include any device able to measure at least one of size, dimension and distance. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention includes a housing  23  and a clipping apparatus  26  positioned therein. The housing  23  has the clipping apparatus  26  positioned on the exterior housing with a removable pin whereby said digital recorder device  10  can be releasably fastened to a measurement device  24 . The digital recorder device  10  further includes a playback button  14 , a record button  16  and a rewind button  15  positioned on a first side of the housing  23 . The digital recorder device  10  also includes a speaker  20 , microphone  12  and an indicator light  18  positioned proximate to the operation buttons  14 ,  15  and  16 . 
   The digital recorder device  10  is fixed to a tape measure  24  using clipping apparatus  26 . Clipping apparatus  26  creates a secure connection between digital recorder device  10  and tape measure  24  by fastening to tape measure  24  clip. The housing  23  provides for an enhanced grip allowing a more secure connection to the tape measure  24  and a better grip for a user holding the digital recorder device  10 . 
   Depression of record button  16  initiates the recording process of digital recorder device  10 . Upon commencement of the recording process LED  18  is illuminated for notification of entry into the recording phase. A user  22  then speaks and the microphone  12  records all available audio data for the period in which record button  16  is depressed. The release of record button  16  from the depressed position ceases the recording process and illumination of LED  18 . Depression of the rewind button  15  causes the digital recorder to reposition to a prerecorded position within the digital data. Depression of playback button  14  initiates the playback process of digital recorder device  10 . The playback process causes the recorded messages to be output through a speaker  20 . Alternatively, the record button  16  need not be continually depressed, wherein pressing the button  16  a first time causes recording to begin and depressing the record button  16  a second time causes recording to stop. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a measurement device. However, the measurement device may include any device able to measure at least one of size, dimension and distance. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention includes a housing  26  having a clipping apparatus  26  positioned thereon. The digital recorder device  10  further includes a playback button  14 , a record button  16  and a rewind button  15  positioned on a first side of the housing  26 . The digital recorder device  10  also includes a speaker  12  and microphone  12  and an indicator light  18  positioned proximate to the operation buttons  14 ,  16 . 
   The digital recorder device  10  is fixed to a tape measure  24  using clipping apparatus  26 . Clipping apparatus  26  creates a secure connection between digital recorder device  10  and tape measure  24  by applying pressure against the sides of tape measure  24 . The housing  23  provides for an enhanced grip allowing a more secure connection to the tape measure  24  and a better grip for a user holding the digital recorder device  10 . 
   Depression of record button  16  initiates the recording process of digital recorder device  10 . Upon commencement of the recording process LED  18  is illuminated for notification of entry into the recording phase. A user  22  then speaks and the microphone  12  records all available audio data for the period in which record button  16  is depressed. The release of record button  16  from the depressed position ceases the recording process and illumination of LED  18 . Depression of the rewind button  15  repositions to the beginning of the recorded data Depression of playback button  14  initiates the playback process of digital recorder device  10 . The playback process causes the previously recorded messages to be output through a speaker  12 . Alternatively, the record button  16  need not be continually depressed, wherein pressing the button  16  a first time causes recording to begin and depressing the record button  16  a second time causes recording to stop. 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention during installation. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a measurement device. As shown throughout the application the measurement device is a tape measure  24  and will be referred to as such throughout this specification. However, the measurement device may include any device able to measure at least one of size, dimension and distance. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention includes housing  23  having a clipping apparatus  26  positioned therein. The digital recorder device  10  further includes a playback button  14 , a record button  16  and a rewind button  15  positioned on a first side of the housing  23 . The digital recorder device  10  also includes a speaker  20  and microphone  12  and an indicator light  18  positioned proximate to the operation buttons  14 ,  15  and  16 . 
   The digital recorder device  10  is fixed to a tape measure  24  using clipping apparatus  26 . Clipping apparatus  26  creates a secure connection between digital recorder device  10  and tape measure  24  through incorporation of a rod within clipping apparatus  26  that is secured to tape measure  24  clip. The housing  23  provides for an enhanced grip allowing a more secure connection to the tape measure  24  and a better grip for a user holding the digital recorder device  10 . 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention after installation. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a measurement device. As shown throughout the application the measurement device is a tape measure  24  and will be referred to as such throughout this specification. However, the measurement device may include any device able to measure at least one of size, dimension and distance. The digital recorder device  10  comprising a housing  23  having means for attachment to tape measure  24  via fastener  26 . Also positioned on the top exterior surface are means for recording, means for repositioning to a prerecorded message and means for playback of said message. The digital recorder device  10  further includes a playback button  14 , record button  16  and rewind button  15  positioned on a first side of the housing  23 . The digital recorder device  10  also includes a speaker  20  and microphone  12  and an indicator light  18  positioned proximate to the operation buttons  14 ,  15  and  16 . 
   Depression of record button  16  initiates the recording process of digital recorder device  10 . Upon commencement of the recording process LED  18  is illuminated for notification of entry into the recording phase. A user  22  then speaks and the microphone  12  records all available audio data for the period in which record button  16  is depressed. The release of record button  16  from the depressed position ceases the recording process and illumination of LED  18 . Depression of the rewind button  15  causes the digital recorder to reposition to a prerecorded position within the digital data. Depression of playback button  14  initiates the playback process of digital recorder device  10 . The playback process causes the previously recorded messages to be output through a speaker  20 . Alternatively, the record button  16  need not be continually depressed, wherein pressing the button  16  a first time causes recording to begin and depressing the record button  16  a second time causes recording to stop. 
     FIG. 5  is a top view of the digital recorder device of the present invention. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a tape measure  24 , shown in  FIG. 1  in a preferred embodiment. The top of the digital recorder device  10  contains record button  16 , rewind button  15 , playback button  14 , speaker  12  and LED  18 . The power source resides within a battery compartment  28  located within digital recorder device  10 . 
     FIG. 6  is front view of the digital recorder device of the present invention. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a tape measure  24 , shown in  FIG. 1  in a preferred embodiment. The housing  23  of digital recorder device  10  extends over the top edges of tape measure  24 . The digital recorder device  10  is fixed to a measuring device using a clipping apparatus  26  extending from housing  23 . Clipping apparatus  26  creates a secure connection by fastening to the clip of the measuring device. A battery  30  powers the digital recorder device  10  and is located within battery compartment  28 . 
     FIG. 7  is a side view of the digital recorder device of the present invention. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a tape measure  24 , shown in  FIG. 1  in a preferred embodiment. A housing  23  covers the top and extends partially down the sides of tape measure  24 . The enhanced grip available to the user is provided by the exterior of the digital recorder. The digital recorder device  10  is fixed to a measuring device using a clipping apparatus  26  extending from the side of housing  23 . of A battery  30  powers the digital recorder device  10  and is located within battery compartment  28 . Battery  30  also powers the processor  32 , which controls the numerous functions of digital recorder device  10  that will be discussed further in respect to  FIG. 8 . 
     FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the digital recorder device of the present invention. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a tape measure  24 , shown in  FIG. 1  in a preferred embodiment. Processor s 32  is the central control unit handling all operations within digital recorder device  10 . Battery s 30 , play button s 14 , speaker s 20 , record button s 16 , rewind button s 15 , memory s 34 , LED s 18  and microphone s 12  are all connected to processor s 32 . Battery s 30  powers processor s 32  which in turn redistributes power to system components in need. 
   Depression of record button s 16  initiates the recording process of digital recorder device  10 . Upon commencement of the recording process LED s 18  is illuminated for notification of the recording phase. A user speaks and microphone s 12  records all available audio data for the period in which record button s 16  is depressed. All recorded data is stored in memory s 34 . The release of record button s 16  from the depressed position ceases the recording process and illumination of LED s 18 . This recording process can be repeated numerous times placing audio data into separate memory slots of memory s 34 . Depression of the rewind button s 15  causes the digital recorder to reposition to the beginning of the digital data. Depression of playback button s 14  initiates the playback process of digital recorder device s 10 . The playback process initiates the playback of all previously recorded messages stored in memory s 34  through a speaker s 20 . A second depression of playback button s 14  during playback initiates a pause and halts the playback of all previously recorded messages stored in memory s 34 . A subsequent depression of playback button s 14  will end the pause and return to the playback of messages stored in memory  34 . Simultaneous depression of record button s 16  and playback button s 14  initiates a memory format in which all audio data stored in memory s 34  is cleared. 
     FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the digital recorder device of the present invention after installation. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a tape measure  24 , shown in  FIG. 1  in a preferred embodiment. A housing  23  covers the top and extends partially down the sides of tape measure  24 . The enhanced grip available to the user is provided by the exterior of the digital recorder. The digital recorder device  10  is fixed to a measuring device using a clipping apparatus  26  extending from the side of housing  23 . of A battery  30  powers the digital recorder device  10  and is located within battery compartment  28 . 
     FIG. 10  is a perspective cutaway view of the digital recorder device of the present invention. The digital recorder device  10  of the present invention provides the ability to easily record measurements made using a tape measure  24 , shown in  FIG. 1  in a preferred embodiment. A housing  23  covers the top and extends partially down the sides of tape measure  24 . The digital recorder device  10  is fixed to a measuring device using a clipping apparatus  26  extending from the side of housing  23 . of A battery  30  powers the digital recorder device  10  and is located within battery compartment  28 . 
     FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.