Methods and Systems for Remotely Recording and Managing Associated Recorded Files & Electronic Devices

The present disclosure provides a method and a system for remotely recording and managing the recorded files, especially for providing such cloud services via a network system, especially a telecommunication system. Images, voices, videos or other data sensed from the environment will be received from an electronic device, transmitted to a remote server and recorded as a file in the server. The recorded file can be retrieved by generating a unique address for the recorded file and sending the unique address to the electronic device or any other assigned address. Any computer can download the recorded file by visiting the aforementioned unique address. Therefore, a cloud based service of remote recording and managing recorded files is provided in the present disclosure. In addition, mechanisms for registration and payment of the aforementioned service are also provided in the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and a system for remotely recording and managing the recorded files, especially for providing such cloud services via network systems, such as wireless local networks or telecommunication systems. The method may be used on any electronic devices that have video or audio receiving functions and functions for connecting to the Internet, especially for electronic devices having telephone, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) or remote video conference functions. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a system for a mobile phone recording voices via a telephone call and managing the recorded voices via short message service (SMS), voice operating control over telephone call or the Internet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, people may use digital voice recorder for recording voices and video recorder for recording images or videos.

However, such devices may not be available or appropriate in some occasions, especially for recording conversations or meetings and using the recorded files as evidences. The recorders and recorded files downloaded from the recorder may be discovered and destroyed. In addition, once an accident occurs to the owner of the recorded files, the recorded files as evidences may never be discovered. Moreover, it is possible for the recorded files downloaded from the recorder being altered or challenged for being altered.

Moreover, the recorded files may be quite large. The user may need frequently downloading recorded files from the recorder to preserve storage for newly recorded files. It is also not convenient for a user to manage recorded files in a plurality of recorders. The user may need frequently downloading recorded files from the recorders and uploading the downloaded files onto a management server.

According to the above, what is needed is a method or a system using such method for resolving the issue of occasions not applicable to recorders and the issues of inconvenience of managing recorded files. Therefore, any electronic devices that have implemented with the aforementioned system may provide an alternative to digital recorders for recording voices or videos, and the system may provide a centralization of management of the recorded files. As a result, an alternative for recording and managing recorded files may be provided.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method for remotely recording multimedia contents, such as voices, videos or images, over network systems and providing a cloud-based service for storing, sharing and managing the recorded files. Any electronic devices having multimedia receiving functions and functions for connecting to the Internet implemented with the method of the present invention may remotely record voices or videos and store the recorded files in remote servers over any network systems as a cloud service. The recorded files in the cloud may be downloaded, shared and managed through a web browser on any computing devices. More specifically, the method of the present invention may be implemented on any devices having telephone functions. The portable electronic devices therefore may remotely record voices over telecommunication systems with experiences similar to telephone calls. The recorded files may be stored in a remote server, and the data path of the recorded files and the identification information for downloading the recorded files may be retrieved with short message services. The method includes the steps of receiving a recording command, which may be simply a telephone call, in a server from an electronic device, activating recorder function in the server and receiving recorded data through the electronic device, detecting the disconnection to the electronic device, deactivating the recorder function in the server and storing the recorded data. The method further includes the steps of receiving the identity of the electronic device and a retrieving command, which may be simply a short message with specific characters to specific phone number, in the server from the electronic device, sending the data path of the recording file and the identification information for downloading back to the electronic device.

The invention also provides a system for recording and managing recorded files. A user may utilize the aforementioned method of the present invention to remotely record voices or videos and store the recorded files to the system of the present invention. The user may log into the system with the aforementioned identification information. A user may check, download or share the recorded files through the system of the present invention. The system of the present invention may generate and provide a unique data path, such as a web address, corresponding to each download event or each sharing event of each recorded file while receiving multiple destinations, such as e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers, from the user. The recorded file corresponding to the generated unique data path may be downloaded through the unique data path. The system of the present invention comprises a recorder server for remotely recording voices or videos, a storage server for storing each recorded file and generating a unique data path of a sharing event or a download event of each recorded file, a management server for authenticating the identity of the visitors of the system, sending the generated unique data path to assigned destination addresses and transmitting the specific recorded file corresponding to the unique address to any device that visits the system through the unique data path and request for the specific recorded file.

The invention further provides an electronic device for recording and managing recorded files. The electronic device comprises a processor, a memory, an input module, a multimedia receive module and a communication module for connecting to a server via a network system, wherein the processor electrically connected to the memory, the input module, a multimedia receive module and the communication module and is configured to receive a recording command from user through the input module, establish a connection to the server via the network system through the communication module, continuously receive voices or videos data through the multimedia receive module, send the voices and videos data to the server through the communication module for the server to record the voices and videos. The processor of the electronic device may further be configured to receive a retrieving command for a recorded file from the user through the input module, send the retrieve command to the server and receive a unique data path and a password generated corresponding to the recorded file from the server through the communication module. The user may visit the server through the data path and send the password to the server to download the recorded file.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale and are drawn to emphasize features relevant to the present disclosure. Like reference characters denote like elements throughout the figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be understood that the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, parts and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, parts and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, part or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, part or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inFIGS. 1A to 6. Reference will be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail, wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by same or similar reference numeral through the several views and same or similar terminology.

FIGS. 1A,1B and1C illustrate the system for remote recording, storing, managing, downloading and sharing voices or videos according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1A, the electronic device100includes voice/image/video receiving function, such as a microphone and/or a camera module. The electronic device100also includes a network communication module for connecting to the remote recorder and management center200via the network system400. Therefore, the electronic device100may receive images, voices or videos and transmit the received data to the remote recorder and management center200. Specifically, the electronic device100may continuously receive image, voice or video streams and simultaneously transmit the received streaming data to the remote recorder and management center200. The remote recorder and management center200may receive the images, voices, videos and record the data as at least one recorded file upon connecting to the electronic device100and store the recorded file once disconnecting with the electronic device100. Moreover, the remote recorder and management center200may generate a unique data path, such as a web address or a uniform resource locator (URL), and unique identification information, such as a password of the recorded file upon receiving the downloading request from the electronic device100and send the data path and the identification information to the electronic device100. The user of the electronic device100may utilize any computing device capable of connecting to the internet500, such as computer600to visit the data path and request for the recorded file. The remote recorder and management center200may provide the recorded file for downloading to the computer600upon receiving the identification information. In addition, the data received and sent by the electronic device100may be encrypted during data transmission, and the recorded file may be encrypted and/or compressed by the recorder and management center200. Therefore, images, voices and videos may be recorded and stored in the remote recorder and management center200through the electronic device100via the network system400and may be retrieved to the computer600via internet500. Specifically, as a result, image/voice/video recording may be provided as a cloud service through electronic devices with multimedia receiving and network connecting functions, which provide more convenience and may be applicable to more occasions than traditional cameras or voice/video recorders.

The electronic device100of the present invention may be any communication device with a microphone and/or a camera module, such as a telephone, a mobile phone, a smart phone (smartphone) or a video conference device, wherein the electronic device100may perform remote recording through the default communication function such as telephone call or video conference call of the electronic device100(as a communication device) or through a programmed software implemented into a the electronic device100(as a smart device) such as an application (app) downloaded from an application store (Apple App Store, Google Play . . . etc.). In addition, the electronic device100of the present invention may further be any voice/video capturing device or system with communication module such as a web camera, a smart camera, a camcorder, or a surveillance system. Further, the electronic device100of the present invention may further be any computer with communication module and a microphone or a camera module, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or any smart appliance at home or at office. In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device100may be multiple non-specific devices connected to the remote recorder and management center200.

The remote recorder and management center200of the present invention may be a server, a server cluster or data center. The network system400of the present invention may comprise a wired or wireless local area network, a wide area network, a communication network, a virtual private network or the Internet. More specifically, the network system400of the present invention may be a telecommunication system which may comprise a mobile access network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or a GPRS core network. Therefore, the network system400may provide services such as voice call, short message service, video conference, data transmission in Internet Protocol (IP), instant message and voice/video over IP services. Therefore, the electronic device100of the present invention may have a communication module corresponding to the network system400for utilizing the networks system400to communicate with the remote recorder and management center200. The communication module of the electronic device100of the present invention may be adopting customized protocols or following existing standards or de facto standards such as Ethernet, IEEE 802.11 or IEEE 802.15 series, Wireless USB or telecommunication standards such as PSTN protocol, GSM, IS-95, WCDMA, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA, IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) or 3GPP-LTE. In addition, the Internet500of the present invention may be any networks available for data transmission from the remote recorder and management center200. Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art may realize that the internet500may be a virtual private network, an intranet, a local area network as long as it connects to the remote recorder and management center200. Similarly, the computer500of the present invention may be any computing device available for connecting to the remote recorder and management center200via the internet400, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer or a desktop computer.

The electronic device100may collect various types of data for recording in and/or uploading to the recorder and management center200. The aforementioned voices and videos may be only 2 types of the collected data. However, the collected data of the present invention may also comprise other types of data, such as image data receive by a camera, position data receive by a GPS or other sensor data, including but not limited to electronic and magnetic field strength, radiation, temperature, gravity and acceleration, and machinery operation input and status. The aforementioned data may also be collected and sent to the recorder and management center200and recorded as a recorded file in a file format corresponding to types of the data.

FIG. 1Billustrates a more specific embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1B, the electronic device100connects to the call center210via the telecommunication network system410. Therefore, the electronic device100may establish a channel between itself and the call center210via a voice call, a video conference or voice/video over IP services. Voices or videos may be continuously transmitted to the recorder server220via the call center210. The recorder server210may receive the voice or video data and save as a recorded file and transmit the recorded file to the storage server230once the call center210disconnected from the electronic device100.

The electronic device100may send a short message or an instant message to the call center210for retrieving the recorded files. The request may be sent to the management server240. The management server240may request a URL from the storage server230. The storage server230may then generate a unique web address for the request from the management server240. The management server240may generate a unique password for the request and return the URL and the password by short message or instant message via the SMS gateway420as a response to the request from the electronic device100.

The user of the electronic device100may visit the URL and send the password for the recorded file through the computer600via the internet500. The management server240may retrieve the recorded file from the storage server230for downloading to the computer600. Therefore, voices and videos may be recorded and stored in the remote storage server230through the electronic device100via the telecommunication network system410and may be retrieved to the computer600via internet500. As a result, voice/video recording and managing may be provided as a cloud service through electronic devices with basic telecommunication functions, which provide more convenience and may be applicable to more occasions than traditional voice/video recorders.

FIG. 1Cillustrates another more specific embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1C, the electronic device100connects to the call center210via the telecommunication network system410. Therefore, the electronic device100may establish a channel between itself and the call center210. Voices or videos may be continuously transmitted to the recorder server220via the call center210. The recorder server210may receive the voice or video data and save as a recorded file and transmit the recorded file to the storage server230once the call center210disconnected from the electronic device100.

The electronic device100may request the call center210for retrieving the recorded files. The management server240may receive a generated URL from the storage server230and generate a unique password for the request in response to the request from the electronic device100.

The user of the electronic device100may visit the URL and send the password for the recorded file through the computer600via the internet500. In the embodiment of the present invention inFIG. 1C, the sharing and download server250may retrieve the recorded file from the storage server230for downloading to the computer600. Therefore, visits for downloading the recorded files from the computer600may be directed to the sharing and download server250instead of the management server240for security reasons.

FIGS. 2A,2B,2C and2D are flowcharts illustrating the method for remotely recording images, voices or videos according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present invention may be applied on the electronic device100or applied on the recorder and management center200of the present invention.

FIG. 2Aillustrates the method for recording image, voice or video data in the recorder and management center200through the electronic device100according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S101, the recorder and management center200receives a recording request from the electronic device100. In step S102, the recorder and management center200and the electronic device100may establish a connection between the recorder and management center200and the electronic device100over the network system400. In step103, the recorder and management center200may receive image, voice or video data from the electronic device100and may record the received data. Specifically, the recorder and management center200may receive and record streaming data continuously. In step104, while the recorder and management center200disconnected from the electronic device100, the recorder and management center200may stop recording and store the recorded data as a recorded file. The recorder and management center200further compress the recorded data into an audio/video file format or multimedia container format, such as an MP3, AAC, ATRAC, WMA file format for audio data, MPEG-2 Par 2, MPEG-4 Part 2, H.264, RealVideo, VP8 for video data and AVI, MP4, FLV, RealMedia format for both audio and video data.

FIG. 2Billustrates the method for remotely recording images, voices or videos through the electronic device100and storing the recorded data in the recorder and management center200according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S201, the electronic device100may receive a recording command from the user. The electronic device100may comprise an input module for receiving input from the user, such as a keypad, a touch pad, a touch display or a control panel with buttons, wherein the recording command may be represented in the input module as an icon, a key or button, or a combination of specific keys or buttons. Specifically, the recording command may be simply a phone number when the electronic device100has telephone function. In step S202, the electronic device100may send a recording request corresponding to the received recording command to the recorder and management center200. The recording request may be message or data transmission over the network system400. The recording request may also be simply a telephone call over PSTN, mobile network or IP network for recording voices or a video conference call for recording videos. In another embodiment of the present invention, the recording command may be simply an URL directing the electronic device100to visit an address provided by the recorder and management center200instead of the aforementioned recorder request. In step S203, the electronic device100may establish a connection to the recorder and management center200over the network system400. In step S204, the electronic device100may receive images, voices or videos and send the received data to the recorder and management center200. Specifically, the recorder and management center200may receive and record streaming data continuously. In step S205, when the user finishes recording, the electronic device100may receive a disconnection command and disconnect with the recorder and management center200. Similarly, the disconnect command may be represented in the aforementioned input module of the electronic device100as an icon, a key or button, or a combination of specific keys or buttons. Specifically, the disconnect command may be simply hanging up a phone call when the electronic device100has telephone function.

Regarding to the method of present invention inFIG. 2B, in step S201, the recording command may be replaced by an uploading command for uploading a file to the recorder and management center200, especially for a previously recorded file from the electronic device100or an external device connected to the electronic device100. Thus, in step S202, the electronic device may send an uploading request instead. The electronic device100may receive the file and send the received file to the recorder and management center200instead of performing steps S203, S204and S205. Therefore, the recorder and management center200may also be able to manage the uploaded files (such as files recorded locally by camera or digital recorders).

FIG. 2Cillustrates the method for temporary recording and buffering images, voices or videos in the electronic device100without connecting to the network system400and uploading the recorded data to the recorder and management center200upon connecting to the network system400according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1601, the electronic device100may receive a recording command from the user. In step S1602, the electronic device100may detect whether it is connected to the network system400. If the electronic device is connected to the network system400, the electronic may perform steps S203, S204and S205to record images, voices or videos remotely and store the recorded files to the recorder and management center200. If the electronic device is not connected to the network system400, the electronic may perform steps S1603, S1604and S1605. In step S1603, the electronic device100may receive images, voices or videos and temporarily store the received (or recorded) data in a data buffer. In step S1604, the electronic device100may periodically detect whether it is connected to the network system400. While the electronic device100connected to the network system400, in step S1605, the electronic device100may upload the received (or recorded file) data to the recorder and management center200. Therefore, the remote recording may be fulfilled by the electronic device100even when the electronic device is temporarily disconnected with any networks. The method illustrated inFIG. 2Cmay, especially, be implemented as an application (app) provided on online stores for downloading to computers or any smart devices. The computers or smart devices, especially without communication function, may therefore provide remote recording by performing the method of the present invention.

While the methods previously described may include a number of steps that may appear to occur in a specific order, it should be appreciated that these methods may contain more or fewer steps, that the order these steps may be exchanged, and that different steps may be combined. For example, the step S1602may be omitted.

FIG. 2Dillustrates the method for remotely recording images, voices or videos through the electronic device100and storing the recorded data in the recorder and management center200according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1701, the electronic device100may receive a recording command and a recording condition from the user. The recording condition may comprise a time for recording, such as starting to record in 1 hour later. In addition, the recording condition may be set according sensor data, such as motion data received by the electronic device100. Moreover, the recording condition may be a message for the network system to remotely control the electronic device100to record. The recording condition may further be configured to record a specific data communication of the electronic device100, such as recording the next telephone call or video conference call of the electronic device100.

In step S1702, the electronic device100may check whether the recording condition is met. If the recording condition is met, in step S1703, the electronic device100may send a recording request corresponding to the received recording command to the recorder and management center200. In step S1704, the electronic device100may establish a connection to the recorder and management center200over the network system400. In step S1705, the electronic device100may receive images, voices or videos and send the received data to the recorder and management center200. Specifically, the recorder and management center200may receive and record streaming data continuously. In step S1706, when the user finishes recording, the electronic device100may receive a disconnection command and disconnect with the recorder and management center200. As a result, remotely recording images, voices, videos or other data via the electronic device100may be configurable by setting a recording condition in the electronic device100. Similarly, the recording command in step S1701may also be replaced by an uploading command for uploading a file to the recorder and management center200, especially for a previously recorded file. Thus, in steps S1701and S1702, the aforementioned recording condition may be deemed as an uploading condition. Therefore, in step S1703, the electronic device may send an uploading request instead. The electronic device100may receive the file and send the received file to the recorder and management center200instead of performing steps S203, S204and S205. Therefore, the recorder and management center200may also be able to manage the uploaded files (such as files recorded locally by digital recorders).

FIGS. 3A to 3Fare flowcharts respectively illustrating the method for downloading a recorded file from the recorder and management center200, registering for an account of the recorder and management center200, sending a recorded file to 3rdparty's address from the recorder and management center200and configuring the sending mechanism of a recorded file according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present invention may be applied on the electronic device100or applied on the recorder and management center200of the present invention.

FIG. 3Aillustrates the method for downloading a recorded file from the recorder and management center200through the electronic device100according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S301, the recorder and management center200may receive a download request for a specific recorded file from the electronic device100. In step S302, the recorder and management center200may confirm the download request from the electronic device100. The confirmation may be accomplished by receiving identity information of the electronic device100before recording, such as the ID, the address of the electronic device. More specifically, the confirmation may be accomplished by checking the phone number of the electronic device100if the electronic device100has called the recorder and management center200for remote recording voices or videos. The recorder and management center200may further generate a unique data path and a unique password corresponding to the recorded file. The unique data path and the unique password may further be expired once they have been used to prevent from abuse of the recorded files from people who have the data path and the password later. The number of times, the duration of visits, downloads through the unique data path may further be limited and configured by the user of the electronic device100. In step S303, the recorder and management center200may send the data path and the password to the electronic device100. The user of the electronic device may download the recorded file by visiting the data path and sending the password to the recorder and management center200.

FIG. 3Billustrates the method for downloading a recorded file from the recorder and management center200through the computer600after receiving a data path and a password corresponding to the recorded file according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S304, the recorder and management center200may receive a file request for the recorded file from the computer600via the data path. In step S305, the recorder and management center200may send a log-in page to the computer600. In step S306, the recorder and management center200may receive the password corresponding to the recorded file from the computer600. The password may further be corresponding to the data path, that is, the password may not be applicable for a file request from another data path for even the same recorded file. In step S307, the recorder and management center200may confirm the password and retrieve the recorded file for downloading to the computer600. In step308, the recorder and management center200may transmit the recorded file to the computer600. The recorded file may be transmitted to the computer600and saved as a file, or be transmitted as a streaming multimedia to be played on the computer600.

FIG. 3Cillustrates the method for downloading a recorded file through electronic device100from the recorder and management center200according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S401, the electronic device100may receive a download command for the recorded file from the user. In step S402, the electronic device100may send a download request for the recorded file to the recorder and management center200. In step S403, the electronic device100may receive a unique data path and a unique password generated corresponding to the recorded file from the recorder and management center200. The user of the electronic device may download the recorded file by visiting the data path and sending the password to the recorder and management center200, as described in the method referring theFIG. 3B.

FIG. 3Dillustrates the method for registering an account in the recorder and management center200after recording voices or videos for downloading or managing the recorded files according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S501, the recorder and management center200may receive a registration request for an account from the electronic device100. In step S502a, the recorder and management center200may create a new account by the identity information of the electronic device100, such as the ID, the address of the electronic device. More specifically, the identity information may be the phone number of the electronic device100if the electronic device100transmits the download request by a short message service, a phone call with voice-operating control or other telecommunication services. In step S502b, the recorder and management center200may link files recorded from the electronic device100to the account for providing the user the recorded files after the user logs in. In step S502c, the recorder and management center200may generate a confirmation (confirm) code for login to the recorder and management center200. Therefore, the name of the created account may be the identity information of the electronic device100, and the default password for login may be the confirmation code. In step S503, the recorder and management center200may send the confirmation code to the electronic device100. The user may login to the created account with the identity information of the electronic device100as the account name and the confirmation code as the default password.

FIG. 3Eillustrates the method for logging in to account and sending the recorded files to 3rdparty's address in the recorder and management center200after recording voices or videos according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S601, the recorder and management center200may receive the identity information of the electronic device100, an account name, an account password and a login request form the computer600. In step S602, the user logs in to the account. The recorder and management center200may send a list of recorded files to the computer600. In step S603, the recorder and management center200may receive a sending request for at least a recorded file selected by the user and at least a destination address of 3rdparty's computer. In step S604, the recorder and management center200may generate a unique data path and a unique password corresponding to the recorded file. The unique data path and the unique password may further be expired once they have been used to prevent from abuse of the recorded files from people who have the data path and the password later. The number of times, the duration of visits, downloads through the unique data path may further be limited and configured by the user of the electronic device100after the user logs in the account. In step S605, the recorder and management center200may send the data path and the password to the destination address. In one embodiment, the recorder and management center200may generate more different data paths and corresponding different passwords according to the number of received destination addresses of 3rdparty's computers. More specifically, a user may input or select from default a plurality of destination addresses of 3rdparty's computers. The recorder and management center200may generate a unique data path and a unique password for each destination address and send unique data path and the unique password to each destination address respectively.

FIG. 3Fillustrates the method for logging in to account and configuring the sending mechanism of the recorded files to 3rdparty's address after recording voices or videos according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S701, the recorder and management center200may receive the identity information of the electronic device100, an account name, an account password and a login request form the computer600. In step S702, the user login to the account. The recorder and management center200may send a list of recorded files to the computer600. In step S703a, the recorder and management center200may receive a sending request for at least a recorded file selected by the user, at least a destination address of 3rdparty's computer and a pre-set condition, such as a specific date, a duration that the user has not logged into the account.

A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand the pre-set condition may not only be applied to a selected recorded file but also the newly recorded files. Thus, the user may also login to the account and set pre-set condition as a policy for newly recorded files, such as immediately sending the newly recorded files to specific destination addresses or sending to the destination address after a few days from the user's last login. In some embodiments of the present invention, the pre-set condition may comprise some conditions for newly recorded files or specific recorded files, wherein the recorder and management center200may be configured to send the aforementioned files immediately to specific destination address, to send the aforementioned as long as the user has not logged in for a pre-sent time duration, or even to send the aforementioned files once the battery power of the electronic device100drops to a specific level. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-set condition may also be “always true”, that is, the recorder and management center200may be configured to always share the aforementioned files. The sending mechanism may be configured by the steps of S701to S703a.

In step S703b, the recorder and management center200may decide whether the pre-set condition has been met. Once the pre-set condition has been met, the recorder and management center200may prepare to send the recording files to the destination address in step S704and S705. In step S704, the recorder and management center200may generate a unique data path and a unique password corresponding to the recorded file. The unique data path and the unique password may further be expired once they have been used to prevent from abuse of the recorded files from people who have the data path and the password later. In step S705, the recorder and management center200may send the data path and the password to the destination address. In one embodiment, the recorder and management center200may generate more different data paths and corresponding different passwords according to the number of received destination addresses of 3rdparty's computers. More specifically, a user may input or select from default a plurality of destination addresses of 3rdparty's computers. The recorder and management center200may generate a unique data path and a unique password for each destination address and send unique data path and the unique password to each destination address respectively.

FIGS. 4A to 4Iare flowcharts respectively illustrating the method for remotely recording voice or video data, downloading a recorded file from the recorder and management center200, registering for an account of the recorder and management center200, pre-paying for the credit of a registered account, configuring the sending mechanism of a recorded file, verifying the payment for sending recorded files and sending a recorded file to 3rdparty's address according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present invention may be applied on the electronic device100or applied on the recorder and management center200of the present invention.

FIG. 4Aillustrates the method for recording voice in the recorder and management center200through the electronic device100according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S801, the recorder and management center200receives a telephone call from the electronic device100having telephone function. In step S802, the recorder and management center200and the electronic device100may establish a call connection between each over the telecommunication network system410. In step803, the recorder and management center200may continuously receive voice data from the electronic device100. The recorder and management center200may record the received data. In step804, while the recorder and management center200disconnected from the electronic device100, that is, the call connection ends, the recorder and management center200may stop recording and store the recorded data as a recorded file. The recorder and management center200may further compress the recorded data into an audio file format, such as an MP3, AAC, ATRAC, WMA file format. The recorder and management center200may further provide additional function for the recorded file as cloud services, such as backup the recorded file to an assigned public cloud and transformation of the recorded voice data into text through voice recognition. In some embodiments of the present invention, voice over IP services which utilize the IP network over the telecommunication network system410may be used instead of telephone calls in aforementioned method.

FIG. 4Billustrates the method for remotely recording voices or videos through the electronic device100and storing the recorded data in the recorder and management center200according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S901, the electronic device100may receive phone number of the recorder and management center200from the user. In step S902, the electronic device100may call the recorder and management center200according to the phone number. In step S903, the electronic device100may establish a call connection to the recorder and management center200over the telecommunication network system410. In step S904, the electronic device100may continuously receive voices and transmit the received data to the recorder and management center200via the call connection. In step S905, when the user ends the call, the electronic device100may receive an end-call command and stop the call connection to recorder and management center200.

FIG. 4Cillustrates the method for downloading a recorded file from the recorder and management center200through the electronic device100according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1001, the recorder and management center200may receive a short message with a code representing for a download request for a specific recorded file from the electronic device100. The codes in the short messages may have a specific format for requesting the recorder and management center200for different services. For example, “995” may represent for downloading the last recorded file. “9951” may represent for downloading the file recorded previous to the last recorded file, and “9952” may represent for downloading the file recorded previous to the file corresponding the “9951”. In step S1002, the recorder and management center200may confirm the download code in the short message and generate a unique web address and a unique password corresponding to the recorded file. To prevent from abuse of the recorded files from people who have the web address and the password later, the unique web address may be expired once it has been visited, and the unique password may be invalid once it has been received through the web address. In step S1003, the recorder and management center200may send a short message with the web address and the password to the electronic device100. The user of the electronic device may download the recorded file by visiting the web address and sending the password to the recorder and management center200. In some embodiments of the present invention, instant messages which utilize the IP network over the telecommunication network system410may be used instead of short messages in aforementioned method.

FIG. 4Dillustrates the method for downloading a recorded file from the recorder and management center200through the computer600after receiving a web address and a password corresponding to the recorded file according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1004, the recorder and management center200may receive a download request for the recorded file mentioned in step S1003from the computer600via the web address. In step S1005, the recorder and management center200may send a log-in page to the computer600. In step S1006, the recorder and management center200may receive the password corresponding to the recorded file from the computer600. The password may further be corresponding to the web address, that is, the password may not be applicable for a download request from another web address for even the same recorded file. In step S1007, the recorder and management center200may confirm the password and retrieve the recorded file for downloading to the computer600. In step1008, the recorder and management center200may transmit the recorded file to the computer600. The recorded file may be transmitted to the computer600and saved as a file, or be transmitted as a streaming multimedia to be played on the computer600.

FIG. 4Eillustrates the method for downloading a recorded file through electronic device100from the recorder and management center200according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1101, the electronic device100may receive a phone number of the recorder and management center200and a download code for a specific recorded file from the user. The codes in the short messages may have a specific format for requesting the recorder and management center200for different services. For example, “995” may represent for downloading the last recorded file. “9951” may represent for downloading the file recorded previous to the last recorded file, and “9952” may represent for downloading the file recorded previous to the file corresponding the “9951”. In step S1102, the electronic device100may send a short message containing the download code to the phone number of the recorder and management center200. In some embodiments of the present invention, the phone number of the recorder and management center200for a phone call and the phone number of the recorder and management center200for a short message may be different. In step S1103, the electronic device100may receive a short message containing a unique web address and a unique password generated corresponding to the recorded file from the recorder and management center200. The user of the electronic device100may download the recorded file by visiting the data path and sending the password to the recorder and management center200. In some embodiments of the present invention, instant messages which utilize the IP network over the telecommunication network system410may be used instead of short messages in aforementioned method.

FIG. 4Fillustrates the method for registering an account in the recorder and management center200after recording voices for downloading or managing the recorded files according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1201, the recorder and management center200may receive a short message containing a code for registration request from the electronic device100. The codes in the short messages may have a specific format for requesting the recorder and management center200for different services. For example, “995” may represent for downloading the last recorded file, and “995000” may represent for registration request for a new account in the recorder and management center200. In step S1202a, the recorder and management center200may create a new account by the phone number of the electronic device100. In step S502b, the recorder and management center200may link files recorded from the electronic device100to the account for providing the user the recorded files after the user logs in. In step S502c, the recorder and management center200may generate a confirmation code for login to the recorder and management center200. Therefore, the name of the created account may be the phone number of the electronic device100, and the default password for login may be the confirmation code. In step S503, the recorder and management center200may send the confirmation code to the electronic device100. The user may login to the created account with the phone of the electronic device100as the account name and the confirmation code as the default password.

FIG. 4Gillustrates the method for pre-paying for credits of an account and downloading the recorded file with the paid credits in the recorder and management center200after recording voices according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1301, the recorder and management center200may receive a short message containing a code for pre-paying for credits of an account corresponding to the phone number of the device100. The codes in the short messages may have a specific format for requesting the recorder and management center200for different services. For example, “995” may represent for downloading the last recorded file, and “995008” may represent for pre-paying credit of the account with a billing short message, for which the user may pay an SMS fee to the recorder and management center200, in the recorder and management center200. In step S1302, the recorder and management center200may check for the account by the phone number and increase the credit of the account. The payment for the increased credit of the account may be received from the received billing short message, for which the user may pay an SMS fee to the recorder and management center200, in step S1301. Therefore, the user may pre-pay for the credits of the account in step S1301and S1302.

The credits of the account may be consumed in exchange for cloud-based services for managing the recorded files or uploaded files, such as sharing or sending the files to an assigned address. For example, sending a recorded file immediately to an assigned address may cost 1 credit of the account, and sending a recorded file to an assigned address under a pre-set condition may cost 2 credits of the account. The account may be recharged by sending a billing short message to the recorder and management center200or other address assigned by the recorder and management center200. The recorder and management center200may be connected to the business support system of the telecommunication network system410to fulfill the transaction of pre-payment by increasing the credit of the user account and charging additional fees in the user's telecommunication charges. Other payment mechanism for recharging the account (increasing the credits of the account) may be adopted such as payment by credit card, especially electronic payment mechanism.

In step S1303, the recorder and management center200may decide whether to receive a short message from the phone number containing download code for downloading any specific recorded file. In step S1304, upon receiving a short message from the phone number containing a download code, the recorder and management center200may confirm the download code and decrease the credit of the account by the phone number. In step S1305, the recorder and management center200may generate a unique web address and a unique password corresponding to the recorded file. In step S1306, the recorder and management center200may send a short message with the web address and the password to the electronic device100. The user of the electronic device100may download the recorded file by visiting the web address and sending the password to the recorder and management center200. In some embodiments of the present invention, instant messages which utilize the IP network over the telecommunication network system410may be used instead of short messages in aforementioned method.

FIG. 4Hillustrates the method for configuring the sending mechanism of the recorded files, authenticating for the configuration and sending the recorded file to 3rdparty's address after recording voices according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1401, the recorder and management center200may receive a phone number of the electronic device100as the name of the account, an account password and a login request form the computer600. In step S1402, the recorder and management center200may check for the account by the phone number and send a list of recorded files to the computer600. In step S1403, the recorder and management center200may receive a sending request for at least a recorded file selected by the user, at least a destination address of 3rdparty's computer and a pre-set condition (such as a specific date or a duration that the user has not logged into the account) to send the recorded file. In step S1404, the recorder and management center200may send an authentication code request to the computer600. The authentication code request may remind the user to send a short message for authentication through the phone number. In step S1405, the recorder and management center200may receive a short message for authentication request from the phone number. In step S1406, the recorder and management center200may send a short message of the authentication code to the phone number. In step S1407, the recorder and management center200may receive the authentication code from the computer600after the user receives the authentication code in the electronic device100. In step S1408, the recorder and management center200may set the pre-set condition to the recorded file. Thus, the configuration of the sending mechanism and the authentication of the configuration have been fulfilled through step S1401to S1408.

In step S1409, the recorder and management center200may decide whether the pre-set condition is met. Once the pre-set condition has been met, the recorder and management center200may prepare to send the recording files to the destination address in step S1410and S1411. In step S1410, the recorder and management center200may generate a unique web address and a unique password corresponding to the recorded file. The unique web address and the unique password may be expired once they have been used to prevent from abuse of the recorded files from people who have the data path and the password later. In step S1411, the recorder and management center200may send the web address and the password to the destination address. In one embodiment, the recorder and management center200may generate more different web addresses and corresponding different passwords according to the number of received destination addresses of 3rdparty's computers. More specifically, a user may input or select from default a plurality of destination addresses of 3rdparty's computers. The recorder and management center200may generate a unique web address and a unique password for each destination address and send unique web addresses and the unique password to each destination address respectively.

While the methods previously described may include a number of steps that may appear to occur in a specific order, it should be appreciated that these methods may contain more or fewer steps, that the order these steps may be exchanged, and that different steps may be combined. For example, the step S1404to S1407may be omitted, that is, the authentication code may not be generated and sent to the electronic device100and not be received from the computer600.

FIG. 4Iillustrates the method for verifying the payment (credit) of a user account and sending the recorded file to a user-assigned address after recording voices according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1801, the recorder and management center200may receive a phone number of the electronic device100as the name of the account, an account password and a login request form the computer600. In step S1802, the recorder and management center200may check for the account by the phone number and send a list of recorded files to the computer600. In step S1803, the recorder and management center200may receive a sending request for at least a recorded file selected by the user, at least a destination address of 3rdparty's computer. In step S1804, the recorder and management center200may check the credit of the account. If the credit of the account is not enough, in step S1805, the recorder and management center200may send a payment request to the computer600to remind the user for the payment to the service of sending the recorded file. In step S1806, the recorder and management center200may receive a billing short message for the service of sending the recorded file, that is, the user may pay an additional fee for the service of sending the recorded file in the user's telecommunication charges by sending the billing short message. The recorder and management center200may send the recorded file by performing steps S1807and S1808upon receiving the billing short message, that is, the recorder and management center200may generate a unique web address and a unique password corresponding to the recorded file and send the web address and the password to the destination address of 3rdparty's computer.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating the method for receiving a billing short message containing an operating code and providing services corresponding to the operating code according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present invention may be applied on the recorder and management center200of the present invention and the method of present invention may perform the following steps. In step S1501, the recorder and management center200may receive a short message from a phone number. In step S1502, the recorder and management center200may check whether the short message contains a valid operating code. If the short message contains a valid operating code, the recorder and management center200in step S1503may provide services according to the operating code. The operating codes in the short messages may have a specific format for requesting the recorder and management center200for different services. For example, “995” may represent for downloading the last recorded file, and “995000” may represent for registration request for a new account in the recorder and management center200.

If the short message does not contain a valid operating code, the recorder and management center200in step S1504may check whether the phone number has registered. If the phone number has registered, in step S1505, the recorder and management center200may increase the credit of the registered account by the phone number with the billing short message, for which the user may pay an SMS fee to the recorder and management center200. If the phone number has not registered, in step S1506, the recorder and management center200may create a new account by the phone number. In step S1507, the recorder and management center200may link files recorded from the electronic device100to the account for providing the user the recorded files after the user logs in. In step S1508, the recorder and management center200may generate a confirmation code for login to the recorder and management center200. Therefore, the name of the created account may be the phone number of the electronic device100, and the default password for login may be the confirmation code. In step S1509, the recorder and management center200may send the confirmation code to the electronic device100. The user may login to the created account with the phone of the electronic device100as the account name and the confirmation code as the default password. Therefore, the recorder and management center200may provide services according to an operating code in a billing short message, for which the user of the phone number may pay an SMS fee to the recorder and management center200.

FIG. 6is a block diagram illustrating the electronic device100according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 6, the electronic device100may comprise a processor110for controlling the electronic device100, a memory120for temporarily storing sensed data for processing, a storage module130for buffering the sensed data for uploading or remote recording while the electronic device100disconnected with the network system400, an input module140for receiving users' input for remote recording and download the recorded files, a sensing module for sensing from the environment to generate sensed data, a communication module160for transmitting the sensed data for remote recording and receiving an URL for downloading the recorded file, and a display module150for displaying the received URL for downloading the recorded file. The input module140may receive a recording command from the user of the electronic device100. The sensing module150then may be activated to generate sensed data which may be temporarily stored in the memory120. The communication module160may transmit the sensed data to the recorder and management center200for remote recording. Specifically, the communication module160may establish a connection to the recorder and management center200and start continuously transmitting the sensed data as a data stream to the recorder and management center200. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication module160may check the connection to the recorder and management center200, and while the communication module160not connected to the recorder and management center200, the electronic device100may store the sensed data in the storage module130for buffering. Once the connection between the electronic device100and the recorder and management center200has been established, the communication module150may upload the sensed data in buffer. The input module140may receive a disconnect command from the user. Then, the sensing module150may stop sensing from the environment, and the communication module160may disconnect with the recorder and management center200. The recorder and management center200may stop recording and save the recorded data as a recorded file. The input module140may receive a download command from the user when the user needs to share the recorded file. A download request may be generated. The communication module160may transmit the download request to the recorder and management center200and receive a message containing an URL of the recorded file and a password for retrieving the recorded file from the recorder and management center200. The display module160may display the message to the user. The user may input a sharing command and an assigned address (such as e-mail address or phone number) via the input module140, and the communication module160may transmit the message to the assigned address.

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating a client side software600installed in the electronic device100according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 7, the client side software600may comprise a user interface module610for receiving users' input for remote recording and download the recorded files, a receiving module620for receiving sensed data, an upload module630for uploading the sensed data to the recorder and management center200for remote recording and a download module640for receiving an URL for downloading the recorded file. The client side software600may further include a buffering module650for buffering the sensed data for uploading or remote recording before connecting to the recorder and management center200. In addition, the client side software600may further include a conditioning module660for setting conditions to activate the remote recording functions such as a specific time, a gesture/motion input . . . etc. The input module140may provide a user interface for receiving a recording command from the user of the client side software600. The receiving module may be activated to receive sensed data according to the recording command. The upload module630may upload sensed data to the recorder and management center200for remote recording. Specifically, the upload module630may establish a session to the recorder and management center200and upload streaming data to the recorder and management center200. In one embodiment of the present invention, the upload module630may check the connection to the recorder and management center200, and while not connected to the recorder and management center200, the buffering module650may temporarily store the sensed data. Once the connection to the recorder and management center200has been established, the upload module630may upload the sensed data in the buffering module650. The user interface module610may provide a user interface for receiving a disconnect command from the user. Then, the receiving module620may stop receiving sensed data, and the upload module630may disconnect with the recorder and management center200. The recorder and management center200may stop recording and save the recorded data as a recorded file. In addition, the user interface module610may further provide a user interface for receiving a download command from the user when the user needs to share the recorded file. The download module640may send a download request to the recorder and management center200and receive a message containing an URL of the recorded file and a password for retrieving the recorded file from the recorder and management center200. Furthermore, the user input module610may provide a user interface for receiving a sharing command and an assigned address (such as e-mail address or phone number), and the download module640may send the message to the assigned address.

Previous descriptions are only embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Many variations and modifications according to the claims and specification of the disclosure are still within the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, each of the embodiments and claims does not have to achieve all the advantages or characteristics disclosed. Moreover, the abstract and the title only serve to facilitate searching patent documents and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claimed invention.