Audio Capture Measuring Tape

An example distance measuring apparatus is provided. The example apparatus may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly, a measuring tape, a touch control, an audio output device, an audio input device, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive a touch control signal and initiate a measurement acquisition session, receive verbal measurement audio data from the audio input device, perform a speech recognition analysis on the verbal measurement audio data to determine measurement data, and store the measurement data in a memory device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments generally relate to measuring tape devices, and particularly relate to automated measuring tape technologies.

BACKGROUND

Measuring tapes are common tools used in numerous contexts to obtain linear measurements. While ergonomic and other physical improvements to measuring tapes have been achieved over the years, the same workflow with respect to measuring tapes continues to be used. In short, that workflow is to measure with the tape, mark a measurement, and record the measurement on a notepad or drawing. It is clear that improvements in this area of technology would be beneficial.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

An example distance measuring apparatus is provided. The example apparatus may comprise a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly, and a measuring tape having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly. The measuring tape may have distance measurement indicia. The example apparatus may further comprise a touch control. The touch control may be configured send a touch control signal. The example apparatus may further comprise an audio output device, an audio input device, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive the touch control signal and initiate a measurement acquisition session in response to the touch control signal, and receive verbal measurement audio data from the audio input device. The verbal measurement audio data may comprise audio of a verbally communicated measurement. The processing circuitry may be further configured to perform a speech recognition analysis on the verbal measurement audio data to determine measurement data and store the measurement data in a memory device.

Another example apparatus comprises a communications interface comprising an antenna, and processing circuitry comprising a processor and a memory. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive a touch control signal, via the antenna, from a touch control of a measuring tape and initiate a measurement acquisition session in response to the touch control signal and receive verbal measurement audio data from an audio input device. The verbal measurement audio data may comprise audio of a verbally communicated measurement. The processing circuitry may be further configured to perform a speech recognition analysis on the verbal measurement audio data to determine measurement data and store the measurement data in the memory.

An example method may comprise receiving a touch control signal, via an antenna, from a touch control of a measuring tape and initiating a measurement acquisition session in response to the touch control signal and receiving verbal measurement audio data from an audio input device. The verbal measurement audio data may comprise audio of a verbally communicated measurement. The example method may further comprise performing a speech recognition analysis, using processing circuitry, on the verbal measurement audio data to determine measurement data and storing the measurement data in a memory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provision of a measuring tape device that may have improved measurement workflow capabilities. This may be accomplished by recording verbal recitations of measurements for storage and reuse in later applications, such as, to auto-populate measurements on a drawing, or to share measurements with other individuals on a large project. The capability to record verbal recitations of measurements changes the conventional measurement workflow in such a way that no longer requires writing down measurements on, for example, a pad.

FIG. 1illustrates a block diagram of such device, in accordance with an example embodiment. A distance measuring apparatus100of an example embodiment may include a housing110inside which a reel assembly120and a self-retraction assembly130may be provided. A tape140of the device100may be wound onto the reel assembly120. The tape140may be paid out through or retracted into an aperture150formed in the housing110. Although not required, in some cases, a locking assembly160may be provided to enable the reel assembly120to be locked to prevent the self-retraction assembly130from retracting the tape140when the locking assembly160is engaged. The locking assembly160may include a button or switch that moves to lock the tape140in position or unlock the tape140and permit the tape140to retract into the housing110or extend further.

The tape140may have an end hook170disposed at one end thereof, and may be affixed to the reel assembly120at the other end of the tape140. The end hook170may be affixed (temporarily) to an anchor point on a medium that is to be measured. With the end hook170affixed to the anchor point, the tape140may be paid out of the aperture150and unwound or rolled out from the reel assembly120. When a desired length of the tape140has been rolled out, the user can make any necessary markings, readings, etc., associated with distance measurement indicia that may be printed on the tape140. The distance measurement indicia generally measure length from the end hook170in one or more units, with divisions and subdivisions of such units clearly marked on the edge tape140with numbering to show integer units of measure. The distance measurement indicia may include measurement numbers and tick marks indicating units or sub-units of measurement.

By fixing the end hook170to the anchor point, the self-retraction assembly130(which may be spring loaded in some cases) may be prevented from retracting the paid out portion of the tape140into the housing110(via the aperture150). Similarly, when the locking assembly160is in a locked position, a force (e.g., a pinching force) may be placed on the tape140to prevent retraction or motion of the reel assembly120. As such, the locking assembly160may prevent the self-retraction assembly130from retracting the paid out portions of the tape140. However, when the end hook170is not anchored and the locking assembly160is unlocked, the self-retraction assembly130may cause the reel assembly120to wind the tape140back onto the reel assembly120.

According to some example embodiments, when the tape140is paid out through the aperture150, the tape140will extend relatively straight out the aperture150(although some sagging or drooping may be noticed due to the weight of the tape140). The tape140can be extended in a guided fashion toward an intended target anchor point while the tape140continues to have sufficient rigidity to standout.

Additionally, the distance measuring apparatus100may include a verbal assistance component410. According to some example embodiments, the verbal assistance component410may be configured to assist a user with recording verbal recitations of a measurement as the measurement is being made. This avoids the need to write down measurement values while taking the steps to make measurements. The verbal assistance component410may include a touch control or button that may trigger, for example, the distance measuring apparatus100or a mobile terminal to initiate a measurement acquisition session to record and store a measurement. According to some example embodiments, the distance measuring apparatus100may be configured to perform functionalities needed to record and store measurements.

Another example embodiment of a distance measuring apparatus400is shown inFIG. 4. In this regard, rather than the components and functionalities being housed in a single device as described with respect to distance measuring apparatus100, the distance measuring apparatus400may employ a distributed approach to form an example distance measuring apparatus.

In this regard, the distance measuring apparatus400may comprise a tape measure405having a verbal assistance component410, a mobile terminal415, and an audio component420having a microphone421and a speaker422. The tape measure405, the verbal assistance component410, the mobile terminal415, and the audio component420may operate together to assist a user with recording measurements. The tape measure405may mechanically operate similar to the distance measuring apparatus100described above with respect toFIG. 1. The verbal assistance component410may be an electronic device that includes a processor, a display412, a touch control411, and a wireless communications interface including an antenna. According to some example embodiments, the verbal assistance component410may be attachable and removable from the tape measure405. In this regard, the verbal assistance component410may be part of an add-on or upgrade kit to a purely mechanical tape measure405.

The mobile terminal415may be any type of smart phone, tablet, or other type of handheld wireless communications device that is configured to run, for example, an application (or “app”) that configures the mobile terminal415to assist with recording verbal measurements. The mobile terminal415may be a core component of the distance measuring apparatus400as further described below with the tape measure405(and the verbal assistance component410) and the audio component420operating as peripheral devices. The mobile terminal415may include processing circuitry configured to, for example, receive and analyze a recorded audible measurement. In this regard, the mobile terminal415may include a communications interface capable of linking with the verbal assistance component410and the audio component420via, for example, Bluetooth.

The audio component420may include a microphone421and a speaker422. In this regard, the audio component420may include a pair of headphones and a microphone to interface with the mobile terminal415as a wireless audio user interface. The audio component420may also include processing circuitry424which may be largely concerned with implementing a communications interface424for linking with the mobile terminal415. The audio component420may include a mounting assembly configured to mount the audio component420to a user (e.g., a user's ears) or a user-wearable article.

FIG. 3shows a flow chart for an example verbal measurement acquisition session, according to some example embodiments. In this regard, the verbal measurement acquisition session may be initiated by the touch control411of the verbal assistance component410being depressed at300. In this regard, the touch control411may be depressed which may generate a touch control signal that is ultimately wirelessly transmitted to the mobile terminal415. In response to receiving the touch control signal, the mobile terminal415may direct the audio component420to output an audible measurement request prompt to the user. In this regard, the user may be requested to state the current measurement for recording.

Accordingly, at320, the mobile terminal415may record the verbal measurement by obtaining audio data from the microphone421, via a wireless communication with the audio component420. Upon recording the received verbal measurement, the mobile terminal415may be configured to convert the verbal measurement into measurement data (e.g., in the form of a value) at330of a different digital format that may be useful for data manipulation and storage (relative to an audio file). Based on the measurement data, the mobile terminal415may then transmit a signal to the audio component420to output an audible confirmation request with the measurement at340, via the speaker422. The mobile terminal415may subsequently record a verbal confirmation from the microphone421, via a wireless communication with the audio component420. Upon recording the verbal confirmation, the mobile terminal415may issue an output audible acknowledgment via the speaker422. Subsequently, at370, the measurement data may be stored for later use. Additionally, the mobile terminal415may be further configured to send the measurement data to the verbal assistance component410for display on the display412.

Turning toFIG. 4, an example verbal measurement acquisition session500is provided that is based on the operations of the flow chart ofFIG. 3. It is noteworthy that the worker is using a wireless audio device as the audio component420that both transmits and receives, and is connected to at least to the mobile terminal415. In this regard, the session may begin at510in response to, for example, depression of a touch control411on a tape measure405because the worker is prepared to record a measurement. In response, the worker may hear from the speaker422, “What is your measurement?” at520, which may have been sent to the speaker422from the mobile terminal415. At530, the user may respond by stating “sixteen and seven-sixteenths,” which will be received by the microphone421and sent to the mobile terminal415. At540, the mobile terminal415may convert this audio data into a more usable digital format via speech recognition as shown in550. Subsequently, the mobile terminal415may send a message to be output, via the speaker422, requesting confirmation of the measurement to the user at560. The message, provided by the app of the mobile terminal415, may state “Please confirm: Sixteen and seven-sixteenths.” In response, the worker confirms the stated measurement by stating “yes” at570in response to the confirmation prompt. Subsequently, the mobile terminal415may state that the app has recorded the measurement by stating “Captured.” As such, the measurement may be stored either, for example, on the mobile terminal415or in the cloud and possibly sent the verbal assistance component410for display. The verbal measurement acquisition session500would then be closed to permit a new session to be opened by engaging the touch control411.

FIG. 7shows a block diagram of some components of a distance measuring apparatus700, largely from an electronics perspective, that comprises the verbal assistance component410, mobile terminal415, and the audio component420. With respect to the mobile terminal415, according to some example embodiments, processing circuitry1010that may be in operative communication with or embody, a communications interface1040and a user interface1050. The processing circuitry1010may interact with or embody a memory1030and a processor1020. The processing circuitry1010is configurable to perform operations described herein. In this regard, the processing circuitry1010may be configured to perform computational processing and memory management according to an example embodiment. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry1010may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the processing circuitry1010may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The processing circuitry1010may be configured to receive inputs (e.g., via peripheral components including the memory1030), perform actions based on the inputs, and generate outputs (e.g., for provision to peripheral components). In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry1010may include one or more instances of a processor1020, associated circuitry, and memory1030. As such, the processing circuitry1010may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA)) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein.

In an example embodiment, the memory1030may include one or more non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory1030may be volatile or non-volatile and configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling, for example, object recognition and presentation and to carry out various functions in accordance with exemplary embodiments. For example, the memory1030could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry1010. Additionally or alternatively, the memory1030could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry1010. Among the contents of the memory1030, applications may be stored for execution by the processing circuitry1010in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application.

As mentioned above, the processing circuitry1010may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry1010may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more processors1020that may be in the form of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA, or the like. In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry1010may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory1030or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry1010. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processing circuitry1010may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry—in the form of processing circuitry1010) capable of performing operations according to example embodiments while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry1010is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, or the like, the processing circuitry1010may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry1010is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processing circuitry1010to perform the operations described herein.

The communication interface1040may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices external to mobile terminal415, via, for example, a network, such as a local area network. In some cases, the communication interface1040may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive or transmit data from/to devices in communication with the processing circuitry1010. The communications interface1040may be a wired or wireless interface and may support various communications protocols. Communications interface1040may be operably coupled to an antenna1041to support wireless communications to other components. In this regard, the communications interface1040and the antenna1041may support communications via, for example, Bluetooth or WIFI connections.

As described above, the verbal assistance component410may include the touch control411, a display412, a communications interface413, and processing circuitry414. The verbal assistance component410may be affixed to or disposed within a housing that is shared with the measuring tape140. The verbal assistance component410may be removable from this shared housing. The processing circuitry414may be physically similar to the processing circuitry1010, although configured differently to support the operations of the distance measuring apparatus700. The processing circuitry414may be configured to control and monitor the operations of the verbal assistance component410generally, the touch control411, the display412, and the communications interface413. The communications interface413may operate similar to the communications interface1040and may include an antenna. The touch control411may be configured to, for example, receive a touch or press and, in response, initiate the sending of an request to open a measurement acquisition session to the processing circuitry1010.

As described above, the audio component420may include an audio input device, such the a microphone421and an audio output device such as a speaker422. The audio component420may further comprise, a communications interface423, and processing circuitry424. According to some example embodiments, the audio component420may be peripheral device, such as a pair of wireless ear buds with a microphone or the like. According to some example embodiments, rather than being a separate component, the microphone421and the speaker422may be integrated into the mobile terminal415such that a user simply interfaces directly with the mobile terminal415, rather than through the peripheral device that is the audio component420. The processing circuitry424may be physically similar to the processing circuitry1010, although configured differently to support the operations of the distance measuring apparatus700. The processing circuitry424may be configured to control and monitor the operations of the audio component420generally and the microphone421, the speaker422, and the communications interface423. The communications interface423may operate similar to the communications interface1040and may include an antenna.

The user interface1050, associated with the processing circuitry1010, may be controlled by the processing circuitry1010to interact with a user. In this regard, the processing circuitry1010may be configured to receive inputs from a user via the input device1053. The user interface1050may also output information to a user by, for example, driving a display1052. According to some example embodiments, the user interface1050may also operably couple to other user input devices such as, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or the like. Further, the user interface1050may also operably couple with the communications interface1040to receive inputs and provide outputs to remote devices that are connected via, for example, a wireless connection.

In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry1010may be embodied as, include or otherwise control, the apparatus700to perform measurement verbal assistance as described herein. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry1010may be said to cause each of the operations described in connection with, for example, the distance measuring apparatus100, and400, the operations of the flow chart ofFIG. 3, the scenario ofFIG. 4, the method ofFIG. 6, and the functionalities otherwise described herein. The processing circuitry1010may therefore undertake the corresponding functionalities responsive to execution of instructions or algorithms configuring the processing circuitry1010accordingly. The processing circuitry1010may provide programmable control signals, selections, and the like to control the operation of the apparatus700responsive to execution of instructions stored in the memory1030.

According to some example embodiments, the processing circuitry1010may be configured to receive a touch control signal from touch control411and initiate a measurement acquisition session in response to the touch control signal. The processing circuitry1010may also be configured to receive verbal measurement audio data from the audio input device such as the microphone421. In this regard, the verbal measurement audio data may comprise audio of a verbally communicated measurement. The processing circuitry1010may be further configured to perform a speech recognition analysis on the verbal measurement audio data to determine measurement data, and store the measurement data in a memory device such as memory1030.

According to some example embodiments, the processing circuitry1010may be further configured to receive verbal measurement description audio data from the audio input device (e.g., microphone421) and store a version of the verbal measurement description audio data in association with the measurement data. The verbal measurement description may uniquely identify the measurement data within a project that may involve a number of measurements. According to some example embodiments, the processing circuitry1010may be configured to store the measurement data on a server via a network communication, wherein the measurement data is stored in association with other measurement data for a common project. In this regard, other measurement data is not provided to the server by the apparatus700. The processing circuitry1010, according to some example embodiments, may be further configured to transmit a user prompt requesting the verbally communicated measurement to the audio output device (e.g., speaker422). According to some example embodiments, the processing circuitry1010is further configured to transmit an audio version of the measurement data to the audio output device (e.g., speaker422) for output to the user.

According to some example embodiments, the functionalities described herein with respect to the mobile terminal415may be alternatively performed by a properly equipped verbal assistance component410of a tape measure (e.g., tape measure100or405). In this regard, the functionalities described with respect to processing circuitry1010may alternatively be performed by the processing circuitry414and the audio component420may connect to the communications interface413to support communications directly between the audio component420and the verbal assistance component410. Further, according to some example embodiments, the microphone421and the speaker422may be integrated into the verbal assistance component410such that the functionalities described herein can be implemented at the tape measure100or405.

FIG. 6shows an example method according to various example embodiments. In this regard, the example method ofFIG. 6may be performed by, for example, the apparatus700described above. The example method may include the following in addition to or alternative to any of the functionalities or operations described herein. The example method may comprise, at1500, receiving a touch control signal, via an antenna, from a touch control of a measuring tape and initiating a measurement acquisition session in response to the touch control signal. At1510, the example method may comprise receiving verbal measurement audio data from an audio input device. The verbal measurement audio data may comprise audio of a verbally communicated measurement. The example method may further comprise at1520performing a speech recognition analysis, using processing circuitry, on the verbal measurement audio data to determine measurement data, and, at1530, storing the measurement data in a memory.

According to some example embodiments, the example method may further comprise receiving verbal measurement description audio data from the audio input device and storing a version of the verbal measurement description audio data in association with the measurement data. According to some example embodiments, the example method may further comprise storing the measurement data on a server via a network communication. In this regard, the measurement data may be stored in association with other measurement data for a common project.