VOICE RECORDING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECORDING VOICE BY USING THE APPARATUS

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a request and the voice signal associated with the request and recording the voice signal in the voice card, is provided. The method uses a terminal and telephone at a user, a first recording apparatus connected to the terminal and the telephone, a second recording apparatus connected to the first recording apparatus, and a voice card connected to the first or second recording apparatus. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a request containing destination address from the user through the communication network, and recording the request information in a database, receiving the voice signal from the user through the telephone line, and recording the voice signal in a voice card, and extracting the destination address and transmitting the request information and the voice signal to one of the first and second recording apparatus at a location from which the voice card is delivered.

Description: [Specification] [Title of the Invention] Voice Recording Apparatus and Method for Recording Voice by Using the Apparatus [Technical Field of the art] The present invention relates to a voice recording apparatus for recording voice information signals on a voice card, wherein request information is received through a communication network and the voice information signals are received through a telephone line. [Background of the invention ] There has been suggested various solutions for transferring voice information to a remote recipient. One of the conventional solutions is to convert voice information into electrical signals and transfer the electrical signals to a computer system of the remote receiver through a communication network, such as Internet. This solution, however, can be realized only with a sophisticated system having a microphone for receiving voice information, a converting device for converting the voice information from the microphone into signals suitable for being handled by a computer, which is connected to a communication network. Further, as one of the conventional solutions, the inventor of the present invention filed a patent application for "A voice telegraph system" of which application serial number is 1999-018123 and filing date is May 19, 1999. As shown in Fig. 1 , the patent application of 1999-018123 provides a voice telegraph . -- . . system transfers an automatic response message stored in a memory 30 of an automatic response system ("ARS") to a sender through a telephone network 20 and a telephone line 10 and receives voice information from the sender through the telephone line 10 and the telephone network 20. The voice telegraph system records and preserves the received voice information after adjusting volume of it in a voice card 90 or an auxiliary memory 80. Then, the voice telegraph system transfers the preserved voice information to a receiver to a system located near from the receiver's place through the telephone line 10, wherein the address of the receiver's place is stored in the voice card 10. Another patent application of the present inventor is "A voice telegraph system and a method thereof filed July 8, 1999 of which application serial number is 1999-27455. According to the patent application 1999-27455, there is provided a voice telegraphing method, which includes steps of transferring request and voice information of a sender to a server connected to a communication network through a telephone or the Internet, generating a voice telegraph according to the received request and voice information by using the server and delivering the voice telegraph to a designated receiver. Still another patent application of the present inventor is "A voice transfer and delivery reservation system", which is an application of the voice telegraph system to a delivery reservation, filed October 1 , 2000 of which application serial number is 2000-44671. According to the patent application 2000-44671 , a main and a branch offices respectively having terminals for storing . . . . and transferring request information and voice signals, and the main or branch office receives the request information and voice signals from a user and then delivers things and the voice signals to a designated receiver based on the request information. [Detailed description of the present invention] Brief description of the present invention The present invention was made to improve above described conventional systems or methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide a voice recording apparatus and a method thereof for recording and managing a user's request information and voice signals through a communication network and/or a telephone line. It is another object of the present invention to provide a voice recording apparatus and a method thereof for receiving and recording voice signals based on a user's request information through a telephone line and then transferring the recorded voice signals to a remote voice recording apparatus located near from a receiver's address. In order to achieve above and other objects, the present invention provides a voice recording method for receiving request information of a requester through a communication network and voice information signals associated with the request information through a telephone line and for recording the voice information on a voice card, the voice card being capable of recording the voice information signals, by using a terminal of the requester, a telephone of the requester, a first voice recording apparatus coupled to the terminal and the telephone through the communication network and the telephone line and a second voice recording apparatus placed at a remote location from a location where the first voice recording apparatus placed, wherein the second voice recording apparatus is coupled to the first voice recording apparatus through the communication network and the telephone line and the voice card is coupled to at least either one of the first and second voice recording apparatuses. The voice recording method including: (si) a requesting process for recording on a database the request information transferred from the requester using the terminal to the first voice recording apparatus through the communication network, the request information including at least one destination address; (s2) a voice recording process for recording the voice information signals on the voice card coupled to the first voice recording apparatus by referring to the request information recorded on the database, the voice information signals being transferred from the requester using the telephone to the first voice recording apparatus through the telephone line; and (s3) a voice card delivery process for retrieving the at least one destination address out of the request information recorded on the database and transferring the request information and the voice information signals to one of the first and second voice recording apparatuses, which is placed at a more convenient location than the other for delivering to the destination address, through the communication network and he telephone line. Further, the present invention also provides a voice recording apparatus for receiving request information through a communication network, receiving voice information signals associated with the request information through a telephone line and recording the voice information signals on a voice card, the voice card including a voice information memorizing unit and an interface unit. The voice recording apparatus of the present invention includes: (a) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving module including (al) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit for transmitting and/or receiving telephone signals to and/or from the telephone line; and (a2) a DTMF detecting unit for detecting Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signals out of signals inputted through the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; (b) a voice recording module for performing voice signal processing on the voice information signals inputted through the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit and outputting the processed voice information signals to the interface unit of the voice card; (c) a network connecting module including (cl) a network interface unit for transmitting and/or receiving signals to and/or from the communication network; and (c2) a request information database for storing the request information received through the network interface unit; and (d) a control module for controlling each of the modules and units. [Brief description of the drawings] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the conventional voice telegraph system. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the application ofthe voice recording apparatus according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the voice recording apparatus according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a timing sequence diagram showing an example of the operation ofthe voice recording apparatus according to the present invention. [Preferred embodiments] By referring to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments and operations of the present invention are described in detail. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram where the voice recording apparatus 300 of the present invention is coupled to a communication network 202, a telephone network 204 and a voice card 400. According to the present invention, a plurality of voice recording apparatuses 300 can be placed at a plurality of locations, and each of the plurality of voice recording apparatuses 300 is assigned its own service area based on it's location. According to the example shown in Fig. 2, three (3) voice recording apparatuses 300 are placed at three (3) locations, and the three voice recording apparatuses 300 are respectively assigned their service areas A, B and C. A user can have an access to the voice recording apparatus 300 by using a telephone 206 and a terminal 208 respectively coupled to the telephone network and the communication network. The telephone 206 coupled to the telephone network may be a wired, wireless or mobile telephone. The telephone network may be a private, public or mobile telephony network. Further, the communication network may include Internet, LAN, WAN and wireless communication network. The terminal 208 may include a computer, a PDA and a CDMA terminal which can have an access to the Internet. The voice recording apparatus 300 of the present invention includes a telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310, a voice recording module 320, a network connecting module 330 and a control unit 315 for controlling the modules 300, 310, 320 and 330. The telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310 is coupled to the telephone line, and receives telephone signals and detects Dual Tone Multiple Frequency ("DTMF") signals. The voice recording module 320 have a connection port on which a voice card 400 may be removably connected thereto. The voice card 400 is connected on the connection port. According to the present invention, the voice card 400 removably connected on the connection port may preferably include a voice information memorizing unit 405 and an interface unit 403. Details of the voice card used for the present invention is described in an international patent application, of which the application serial number is PCT/KR00/01082 filed September 28, 2000, of the present inventor. The voice recording module 320 with IVIX --O.UO.--UU1 a voice card 400 connected on the connection port receives voice information signals from a requester, then adjusts volume of the received voice information signals and then records the adjusted voice information signals into the voice information memorizing unit 405 of the voice card 400. After recording the voice information signals from the requester into the voice card 400, the voice card is detached from the voice recording module 320 and delivered to a designated receiver. Further, the network connecting module 330 is coupled to the communication network and manages request information received from the communication network. The requester may have an access to the voice recording apparatus 300 of the present invention via the communication network 202 by using the terminal 208. The requester, then, sends desired request information to the voice recording apparatus 300 guided by directions provided from the voice recording apparatus 300 via the communication network. The request information sent by the requester may include (an) address(es) of (a) designated receivers, to which the voice information is delivered, size of the voice information, an attached message, if any, information of things to be delivered at the same time, if any, etc. The voice recording apparatus 300 records the request information into a database and assigns a memory area for recording the voice information according to the request information. Then, the requester may have another access to the voice recording apparatus 300 of the present invention via the telephone network 204 by using the _- . .-. telephone 206. The requester generates voice information. Then, the voice information generated is converted into electrical signals, which can be transferred through the telephone line via the telephone of the requester. The electrical signals converted from the voice information the requester generated is defined as "voice information signals". The voice information signals can be transferred through the telephone line together with a conventional telephone tone signals. The signals which can be transferred through a telephone line are defined as "telephone signals". According to the voice recording apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the voice information signals converted from the requester's voice information can be delivered to the voice recording apparatus, and the delivered voice information signals can be recorded into the voice card. Configuration of Voice Recording Apparatus Now, referring to Fig. 3, the voice recording apparatus of the present invention is described in detail. As shown Fig. 3, the voice recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310, a voice recording module 320, a network connecting module 330 and a control unit 315 for controlling the modules 300, 310, 320 and 330. The voice recording apparatus of the present invention may be embodied in a general purpose computer system. The computer system preferably includes a main memory (RAM); an auxiliary memory device; a central processing unit (CPU); an output port for providing output signals from the main memory, the auxiliary memory device and the CPU; an input/output ("I/O") bus for managing input and/or output signals of the main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU; a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit ("Modem") coupled to the I/O bus for converting signals of the I/O bus into telephone signals or vice versa and detecting DTMF signals in the telephone signals; a voice signal processing unit coupled to the I/O bus for performing voice signal processing on the signals of the I/O bus and outputting the processed signals via a voice output terminal; and a network interface unit for receiving communication protocol signals from the communication network or transferring communication protocol signals to the communication network. In this case, it is preferable that operation of the voice recording apparatus 300 of the present invention is stored in the auxiliary memory device as a software program and performed by the CPU of the general purpose computer system after the program is uploaded on the main memory. (1) Telephone Signal Transmitting-Receiving Module The telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310 includes a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 for receiving telephone signals transferred from the telephone line and transferring telephone signals to the telephone line, a DTMF detecting unit 303 for detecting DTMF signals in the signals inputted by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301. Even though Fig. 3 does not show, the voice recording apparatus of the present invention . _. . .-_ may also include an ARS memory for storing automated voice messages provided by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301. In case the telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310 is embodied in the general purpose computer system, the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 and the DTMF detecting unit 303 may be a modem which can be installed on the general purpose computer system. Also, the control unit 315 may be a CPU of the general purpose computer system. In this case, it is preferable that operation of the telephone signal transmitting-receiving module 310 of the present invention is stored in the memory device as a software program, which can be run by the general purpose computer system, and performed by the CPU of the general purpose computer system after the program is uploaded on RAM of the general purpose computer system when the operation of transmitting and/or receiving telephone signals is performed. The program run by the general purpose computer system may preferably include steps of inputting voice information signals provided by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit, i.e. modem, into the voice signal processing unit and performing voice signal processing by using the voice signal processing unit. (2) Voice Recording Module The voice recording module 320 may include a voice signal processing unit 309 for performing a voice signal processing, such as volume adjustment, on the voice information signals inputted by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 ; and a voice card interface unit 313 for outputting voice information signals, on which voice signal processing is performed by the voice signal processing unit 309, and control signals to the interface unit of the voice card 400 and receiving voice information signals and control signals from the interface unit of the voice card 400. Control signals transferred from the voice card interface unit 313 to the voice card 400 may include recording control signal for instructing the voice card to be ready for recording voice information signals and reproducing control signal for instructing the voice card to reproduce the voice information signals. Further, control signals transferred from the voice card 400 to the voice card interface unit 313 may include an "end of message" (EOM) signal for indicating that the voice card 400 is not able to record any further voice information signals. Voice information signals recorded in the voice card 400 may be transferred to the voice recording apparatus 310 through the voice card interface unit 313. In this case, the voice information signals transferred in this manner is transferred to the telephone line by the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 of the voice recording apparatus 310, received by another voice recording apparatus 310 located at a remote place and recorded by another voice card 400 coupled to the voice recording apparatus 310 located at the remote place. The international patent application PCT/KROO/01082 discloses detailed descriptions related to this case. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice recording module 320 may be embodied in the general purpose computer system. - . . In this case, the voice reccrding module 320 may be formed as a separate peripheral device which can be coupled to I/O interface unit of the general purpose computer system, and operation ofthe voice recording module 320 may be formed as a software program which can be run by the general purpose computer system. The voice recording module 320 can process voice information signals generated by the general purpose computer system as well as voice information signals transferred from the telephone network through the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301. In case the voice recording module 320 is formed as a separate peripheral device coupled to I/O interface unit of the general purpose computer system, the peripheral device may be a connection card which can be connected to I/O interface of the general purpose computer system. The connection card of this type is defined as a "connection card for voice recording". According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection card for voice recording may include a card-side I/O interface unit for communicating I/O interface signals with the I/O interface unit of the general purpose computer system, a voice signal processing unit 309 for performing voice signal processing, such as volume adjustment, on voice information signals transferred from the general purpose computer system through the I/O interface unit and a voice card interface unit 313 for outputting voice information signals, on which voice signal processing is performed by the voice signal processing unit 309, and control signals to the interface unit of the voice card 400 and receiving voice information signals and control signals from . -. . .- the interface unit of the voice card 400. The card-side I/O interface unit may be preferably formed to be inserted to an I/O slot, such as PCI slot or ISA slot, of the general purpose computer system. Further, the voice card interface unit 313 may be preferably formed as a connection port. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the voice signal processing unit 309 of the voice recording module 320 formed as a peripheral device connected to a general purpose computer system can be embodied by using a voice signal processing device included in the general purpose computer system. Examples of the voice signal processing device may include an inside-type voice signal processing device for performing voice signal processing of the general purpose computer system and a soundcard which can be connected to PCI or ISA bus of the general purpose computer system. In this case, the voice recording module 320 may be a connection cable for coupling voice output of the voice signal processing device included in the computer system and a predetermined output from a predetermined output port of the computer system to the interface unit of the voice card 400. The connection cable of this type is defined as a "connection cable for voice recording". The connection cable for voice recording may include a voice output connection terminal which can be coupled to the voice output terminal of the voice signal processing device of the general purpose computer system, an output port connection terminal coupled to a predetermined number of output ports for extracting predetermined output signals out of a plurality of output signals from the output ports of the general purpose ΓVJΓΛ. -.D.ub. uυi computer system and an interface unit for coupling signals inputted through the voice output connection terminal and the output port connection terminal to the interface unit ofthe voice card 400. The output ports of the general purpose computer system coupled to the connection cable for voice recording of the present invention may be a serial port, a parallel port or a USB port in case the general purpose computer system is an IBM-compatible personal computer. Especially, in case the output port, to which the connection cable for voice recording is coupled, of the general purpose computer system is a parallel port, a predetermined set of connection pins of the parallel port may be preferably used for voice recording control signals. In this case, the connection cable for voice recording couples output signals only from the predetermined set of connection pins to the control signal terminal of the interface unit of the voice card 400. Further, the operation of the voice recording module 400 may be embodied as a software program which can be run by the general purpose computer system. This software program may preferably include steps for instructing the voice signal processing device to perform voice signal processing on the voice information signals inputted to the general purpose computer system and outputting the processed signals through the voice output of the voice signal processing device and voice recording control signals through a predetermined output port of the general purpose computer system. According to this embodiment, a computer-side port of the connection cable for voice recording is coupled to a predetermined output port of the general purpose computer system and a voice output port of the voice signal processing device, and a voice card-side port of the connection cable is coupled to the interface unit of the voice card. The software program run by the general purpose computer system instructs the voice signal processing device to perform voice signal processing on the voice information signals inputted to the general purpose computer system and to output the processed signals through the output port of the voice signal processing device. Also, the software program also instructs the predetermined output port to output voice recording control signals. The voice information signals outputted from the voice output terminal of the voice signal processing device and the voice recording control signals outputted from the predetermined output port of the general purpose computer system are inputted to the voice card 400, so that the voice information signals can be recorded by the voice card 400. (3) Network Connecting Module The network connecting module 330 may include a network interface unit 321 for receiving or transferring signals from or to an outside communication network and a request information database 319 for storing request information received through the network interface unit 321. The network connecting module 330 may further include a identification information generating unit 317 for generating and managing identification information which is used for identifying . . .-. request information stored in the request information database 319. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the network connecting module 330 may further include a voice recording apparatus group information database for storing address information of the voice recording apparatuses placed at a plurality of locations, such as at some locations in areas A, B and C, wherein each of the voice recording apparatuses can be accessed at the address through a communication network, telephone numbers of the telephone lines coupled to the voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to each of the voice recording apparatuses. In case the network connecting module 330 is embodied in a general puφose computer system, the network interface unit 321 may preferably be a model or a LAN card which can be installed on the general puφose computer system which has an access to the Internet or LAN network. The request information database 319 may be embodied on a recording medium, such as a hard disc, which can be installed on the general puφose computer system. In this case, the control unit 315 may preferably be a CUP of the general puφose computer system, it is preferable that operation of the network connecting module 330 of the present invention is embodied as a software program which can be run by the general puφose computer system, stored on the recording medium and performed by the CPU of the general puφose computer system after the program is uploaded on the RAM. The software program run by the CPU of the general puφose computer system may preferably include steps for extracting request information out of the received signals through the network interface unit of the general puφose computer system and recording the extracted request information on the auxiliary memory device. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the software program run by the CPU may further include steps for generating identification information which designates an address at which request information is recorded and recording the generated identification information on the auxiliary memory device, extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected by telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit, retrieving request information recorded at a location on the auxiliary memory device, wherein the location is designated by the extracted identification information, and providing voice recording control signals to an output port according to the retrieved request information. (4) Others According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice recording apparatus 310 may further include a telephone signal switching unit 302. The telephone signal switching unit 302 is connected to a telephone line and performs a function of switching signals inputted from the telephone line to a separate telephone of an administrator or the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301. In other words, the telephone signal switching unit 302 switches the telephone signals received through the telephone line to the telephone of the administrator in order for the administrator to handle the communication, or to the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 in order for the voice recording apparatus to handle the telephone signals. Recording and Transfer of Voice Information by Using Voice Recording Apparatus Now, it is described in detail about the delivery process of the voice information to the voice recording apparatus 300 placed at a location designated by a requester after the requester sends request information and voice information to another voice recording apparatus 300, where the voice recording apparatuses of the present invention shown in Fig. 3 are placed at locations of area A, B and C as shown in Fig. 2. Assuming that the requester may have a relatively easy access to the voice recording apparatus 300 placed at a location of area A and wants to deliver his voice information, a message and an article to a receiver located in area C. Fig. 4 is a timing sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the voice recording apparatus according to the present invention. The delivery process of a requester's voice information to a designated receiver may be divided into (1) requesting process, (2) voice recording process and (3) voice card delivery process. (1) Requesting Process The requester may have an access to the network connecting module 330 of the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A through the communication network 202 by using his terminal 208(401). The network connecting module 330 transfers an instruction for receiving request information to the requster(403). The requester transfers request information to the network connecting module 330(405). The request information transferred by the requester to the network connecting module 330 may include (an) address(es) of (a) designated receivers, to which the voice information is delivered, size ofthe voice information, an attached message, if any, information of things to be delivered at the same time, if any, etc. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the request information may further include information for designating a background sound or music recorded in the voice card during the recording of the voice information in the voice card. The information of background sound or music is recorded in the voice card together with the voice information during the voice recording process described later. The network connecting module receives the request information from the requester and records received request information on a predetermined database. The identification information generating unit 317 generates identification information for identifying request information recorded on the request information database 319 and transfers the identification information to the requester's terminal(407). For example, the identification information may be one of a set of serial numbers, each of which designates respective request information on the request information database 319. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the network connecting module 330 assigns voice information recording area to each of the request information and records the request information on the database. In case the communication network 202 is Internet, the requester may have an access to the Web server managed by the network connecting module 330 by using a terminal 208 capable of communicating under the Internet protocol(401). Then, the network connecting module 330 controls the Web server to display request information input window on the requester's terminal 208(402). The requester inputs his request information using the request information input window provided by the Web server, and then the request information is transferred to the network connecting module 330(403). According to another embodiment of the present invention, request information of a requester may be inputted to the network connecting module 330 through Internet by using an email. Then, the identification information generating unit 317 generates an identification information and displays the identification information on the request information input window or other additional window ofthe requester's terminal. Alternatively, the identification information may be transferred to the requester's terminal by Internet email. (2) Voice Recording Process The requester requests the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in the area A to perform voice recording(409). This procedure 409 may be performed through the telephone network by using the telephone 206 or through the communication network by using the terminal 208. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment wherein the procedure 409 is performed through telephone network. In this case, the requester makes a telephone call at the telephone number corresponding to the voice recording apparatus 300. In case of using the communication network, especially Internet, the requester accesses to the Web server managed by the request managing module 330 of the voice recording apparatus 300 through the Internet by using the terminal, and then requests to perform voice-recording through a Web page provided by the Web server. The voice recording apparatus 300 requests the requester to input identification informational 1). The requester provides the identification information received during the above-described requesting process to the voice recording apparatus 300(413). As shown in Fig. 4, in case of using telephone network, the voice recording apparatus 300 transfers ARS voice messages requesting the requester to input identification information to the requester's telephone 208 from the ARS memory (not shown), and then the requester provides a set of dial tones by using key pads of the telephone to the voice recording apparatus 300. Alternatively, in case of using communication network, the voice recording apparatus 300 displays a window requesting the requester to input the identification information through a Web page on the requester's terminal 208, and then the requester transfers the identification information to the Web server managed by the request managing module 330 by using the terminal 208. In this case, it is possible to use email, as described above. The voice recording apparatus 300 retrieves request information from the request information database 319 by referring to the identification information transferred from the requester, and then prepares to be ready for voice recording operation according to the retrieved request information. In case of using telephone network, the voice recording apparatus 300 determines the identification information transferred from the requester by inteφreting the set of dial tones detected by the DTMF detecting unit 303, and then retrieves the request information from the request information database 319 by referring to the identification information. The voice recording apparatus 300 notifies the requester of the readiness of voice recording operational 5). In case of using telephone network, a voice message that informs of the readiness of voice recording operation is transferred to the requester's telephone from the ARS voice memory (not shown). Then, the administrator of the voice recording apparatus 300 couples the voice card 400 to the connection port of the voice recording module 320. In case of using communication network, especially Internet, a message that informs of the readiness of voice recording operation is displayed on the requester's terminal. In response to this, the requester transfers his voice information signals to the voice recording apparatus 300, and then the voice recording apparatus 300 records the voice information signals on the voice card 400 or previously assigned voice information recording area. In case of using telephone network, the voice spoken by the requester is converted into voice information signals by the telephone 206 and the voice information signals are transferred to the telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit 301 through the telephone network. The voice recording apparatus 300 extracts voice information signals out of the received telephone signals and performs voice signal processing on the extracted voice information signals, and then the processed voice information signals are outputted to the voice card 400 through the voice card interface unit 313. Further, the voice recording control signal for controlling the voice card 400 to record inputted voice information signals is also generated and outputted to the voice card 400. In response to the voice recording control signals, the voice card 400 records the voice information signals on a recording medium 405 for voice information. Further, the voice recording apparatus 300 may also retrieve information of background sound or music in the request information and records corresponding background sound or music together with the voice information signals. In case of using communication network, especially Internet, the requester transfers the previously generated voice information signals to the network connecting module 330 through the Internet by using the terminal 208. The voice recording apparatus 300 records the received voice information signals on the previously assigned memory area by referring to the identification information. After the voice recording apparatus 300 performs voice signal processing on the voice information signals, the processed voice information signals are outputted to the voice card 400 through the voice card interface unit . .-- 313 and voice recording control signal is also outputted to the voice card 400, so that the voice information signals are recorded on a recording medium of the voice card 400. Further, the voice recording apparatus 300 may also retrieve information of background sound or music in the request information and records corresponding background sound or music together with the voice information signals. The background sound or music may be mixed with the voice information signals beforehand, and the mixed signals are recorded on the voice card 400. (3) Voice Card Delivery Process The administrator of the voice recording apparatus 300 delivers the voice card 400, on which the voice information signals are recorded, to the designated receivers by referring to the request information recorded on the request information database 319. In case the destination address is located at inside of the area A, the administrator delivers the voice card 400 having the voice information signals transferred from the voice recording apparatus placed in the area A. However, in case the destination address is located at outside of the area A, such as inside of the area C or a place near from the area C, the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A transfers the voice information signals recorded on the voice card 400 to the voice recording apparatus placed in area C, and the transferred voice information signals are recorded on a voice card coupled to the voice recording apparatus placed in area C. Then, the voice card coupled to the voice recording apparatus lVl ZD.UD. UUi placed in area C is delivered to the receiver. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice recording apparatus 300 determines the voice recording apparatus located at a place nearest from the designated receiver's place or a place where delivery is most convenient to the receiver according to the address information of the voice recording apparatuses stored in the voice recording apparatus group information database. The international patent application PCT/KR00/01082 provides a detailed description on the procedures for transferring and recording voice information signals to a voice recording apparatus placed in other service area through telephone network from the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A. In case of using a communication network for transferring and recording voice information signals to a voice recording apparatus placed in area C from the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A, the voice information signals, together with request information, recorded on a database of the voice recording apparatus 300 placed in area A is transferred to the voice recording apparatus placed in area C through the Internet, and the voice recording apparatus placed in area C receives them and records the received voice information signals on a database. Further, the procedures for recording the voice information signals on a voice card and delivering the voice card to the receiver are the same as described above. [Industrial application] According to the present invention, by placing a plurality of voice V ZD.UO. UUl recording apparatuses at a plurality of locations in a plurality of areas and coupling these voice recording apparatuses to a telephone network or a communication network, it is possible to easily deliver a voice card, on which voice information signals are recorded, to a remote destination, wherein the voice information signals are transferred to a voice recording apparatus placed at a location near from a requester's place by the requester using a telephone or a terminal for connecting communication network. According to the present invention, it is also possible to make an integrated request for delivering voice information signals, text messages and desired articles at the same time by transferring any and every request information for delivering various kind of things, such as voice information signals, text messages and articles, through the network under the control ofthe voice recording apparatus of the present invention. Further, according to the present invention, since the voice recording apparatus may use a voice signal processing device and an output port of the general puφose computer system, the voice information signals can be recorded on a voice card without using a separate voice signal processing means.

Claims: o / iviv _-o.υo.--υu ι [Claims] [Claim l] A voice recording apparatus for receiving request information through a communication network, receiving voice information signals associated with said request information through a telephone line and recording said voice information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit and an interface unit, comprising: (a) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving module comprising (al) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit for transmitting and/or receiving telephone signals to and/or from said telephone line; and (a2) a DTMF detecting unit for detecting Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signals out of signals inputted through said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; (b) a voice recording module for performing voice signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit and outputting said processed voice information signals to said interface unit of said voice card; (c) a network connecting module comprising (cl) a network interface unit for transmitting and/or receiving signals to and/or from said communication network; and (c2) a request information database for storing said request information received through said network interface unit; and . . .-- (d) a control module for controlling each of said modules and units. [Claim 2] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said (b) voice recording module comprising: (bl) a voice signal processing unit for performing voice signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; and (b2) a voice card interface unit for outputting said voice information signals on which voice signal processing is performed by said voice signal processing unit to said interface unit of said voice card. [Claim 3] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said voice card further comprises a control unit for controlling said voice information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice recording control signal is inputted; said interface unit of said voice card comprises a voice input terminal for receiving said voice information signals and transfers said received voice information signals to said voice information memorizing unit, and a control input terminal for receiving said voice recording control signal and transferring said voice recording control signal to said control unit; said (b2) voice card interface unit comprises (b21) a voice output terminal for outputting said voice information signals on which voice signal processing is performed; and (b22) a control output terminal for outputting said voice recording control signal; said (c) network connecting module further comprises (c3) a identification information generating unit for generating identification information which identifies an address at which said request information is stored on said request information database and providing said identification information through said network interface unit; and said (d) control module performs steps of: (dsl) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected by said DTMF detecting unit; (ds2) determining request information stored at an address designated by said identification information extracted during said step of (dsl) on said request information database; and (ds3) providing said voice recording control signal to said control output terminal according to said determined request information. [Claim 4] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said request information comprises address information to which said voice card is delivered; said (c) network connecting module further comprises (c4) a voice recording apparatus group information database for - . _- . .-- storing address information of said voice recording apparatuses comprised in a voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of telephone lines coupled to said voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to each of said voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording apparatus group is defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus and at least one of remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said communication network and each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be accessed at said address through said communication network; said (d) control module performs steps of: (ds4) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an area where a destination of said voice card is located, out of said voice recording apparatuses of which address information are stored on said voice recording apparatus group information database; (ds5) controlling said network connecting module to provide said request information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and (ds6) transferring said voice information signals recorded on said voice card to said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit through said telephone line. [Claim 5] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said request information comprises background music information of at least one piece of background music which is recorded on said voice card together with said voice information signals; and said (b) voice recording module further comprises a means for outputting signals of said at least one piece of background music corresponding to said background music information to said interface unit of said voice card together with outputting said voice information signals, on which voice signal processing is performed, to said interface unit of said voice card. [Claim 6] A voice recording method for receiving request information of a requester through a communication network and voice information signals associated with said request information through a telephone line and for recording said voice information on a voice card, said voice card being capable of recording said voice information signals, by using a terminal of said requester, a telephone of said requester, a first voice recording apparatus coupled to said terminal and said telephone through said communication network and said telephone line and a second voice recording apparatus placed at a remote location from a location where said first voice recording apparatus placed, wherein said second voice recording apparatus is coupled to said first voice recording apparatus through said communication network and said telephone line and said voice card is coupled to at least either one of said first and second voice recording apparatuses, comprising: (si) a requesting process for recording on a database said request information transferred from said requester using said terminal to said first voice recording apparatus through said communication network, said request information V XVJ . --O.Uθ.--UUi comprising at least one destination address; (s2) a voice recording process for recording said voice information signals on said voice card coupled to said first voice recording apparatus by referring to said request information recorded on said database, said voice information signals being transferred from said requester using said telephone to said first voice recording apparatus through said telephone line; and (s3) a voice card delivery process for retrieving said at least one destination address out of said request information recorded on said database and transferring said request information and said voice information signals to one of said first and second voice recording apparatuses, which is placed at a more convenient location than the other for delivering to said destination address, through said communication network and said telephone line. [Claim 7] A voice recording method claimed in claim 6, wherein said (si) requesting process comprises steps of: (si 1) allowing said requester's access to said first voice recording apparatus by using said terminal via said communication network; (si 2) transferring to said terminal of said requester a message notifying said requester to input said request information comprising said at least one destination address; (si 3) receiving said request information from said requester and recording said received request information on said database; and (si 4) generating and recording identification information for identifying said request information recorded on said database and transferring said identification information to said terminal of said requester. [Claim 8] A voice recording method claimed in claim 7, wherein said (s2) voice recording process comprises steps of: (s21) allowing said requester's access to said first voice recording apparatus by using said telephone; (s22) transferring to said telephone of said requester a message notifying said requester to input said identification information by using said telephone; (s23) determining said identification information out of telephone signals transferred from said requester through said telephone line and retrieving said request information by referring said determined identification information; (s24) transferring to said telephone of said requester a message notifying said requester of readiness of voice recording operation; (s25) performing voice signal processing on said transferred voice information signals and recording said processed voice information signals on said voice card. [Claim 9] A voice recording method claimed in claim 8, wherein said request information comprises background music information of at least one piece of background music which is recorded on said voice card together with said voice . . . . information signals; and said step (s25) for recording said voice information signals on said voice card comprises a step of recording said at least one piece of background music corresponding to said background music information on said voice card together with recording of said processed voice information signals on said voice card. [Claim 10] A voice recording method claimed in claim 8, wherein said (s3) a voice card delivery process comprises steps of: (s31 ) determining said request information by referring said identification information from said database and retrieving said at least one destination address from said determined request information; (s32) determining one of said first and second voice recording apparatuses, which is placed at a more convenient location than the other for delivering to said destination address, by comparing said at least one destination address with said locations where said first and second voice recording apparatuses are placed; and (s33) in case said second voice recording apparatus is determined as a result of performing said step of (s32) for determining one of said first and second voice recording apparatuses, transferring said voice information signals recorded on said voice card to said second voice recording apparatus by using said telephone line. [Claim 11] A voice recording apparatus for receiving request information and voice information signals associated with said request information through a communication network and recording said voice information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit and an interface unit, comprising: (c) a network connecting module comprising (cl) a network interface unit for transmitting and/or receiving signals to and/or from said communication network; and (c2) a request information database for storing said voice information signals and said request information received through said network interface unit; (b) a voice recording module comprising (bl) a voice signal processing unit for performing voice signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said communication network; and (b2) a voice card interface unit for outputting said voice information signals on which voice signal processing is performed by said voice signal processing unit to said interface unit of said voice card; and (d) a control module for controlling each of said modules and units. [Claim 12] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said (b) voice recording module comprising: l/ I LV -.O.UO.--UU1 (bl) a voice signal processing unit for performing voice signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; and (b2) a voice card interface unit for outputting said voice information signals on which voice signal processing is performed by said voice signal processing unit to said interface unit of said voice card. [Claim 13] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said voice card further comprises a control unit for controlling said voice information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice recording control signal is inputted; said interface unit of said voice card comprises a voice input terminal for receiving said voice information signals and transfers said received voice information signals to said voice information memorizing unit, and a control input terminal for receiving said voice recording control signal and transferring said voice recording control signal to said control unit; said (b2) voice card interface unit comprises (b21) a voice output terminal for outputting said voice information signals on which voice signal processing is performed; and (b22) a control output terminal for outputting said voice recording control signal; said (c) network connecting module further comprises (c3) a . . .-- identification information generating unit for generating identification information which identifies an address at which said request information is stored on said request information database and providing said identification information through said network interface unit; and said (d) control module performs steps of: (dsl) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected by said DTMF detecting unit; (ds2) determining request information stored at an address designated by said identification information extracted during said step of (dsl) on said request information database; and (ds3) providing said voice recording control signal to said control output terminal according to said determined request information. [Claim 14] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said request information comprises address information to which said voice card is delivered; said (c) network connecting module further comprises (c4) a voice recording apparatus group information database for storing address information of said voice recording apparatuses comprised in a voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of telephone lines coupled to said voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to each of said voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording apparatus group is - iviY ΔΌ. → JΌ.ΔKJ → J I defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus and at least one of remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said communication network and each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be accessed at said address through said communication network; said (d) control module performs steps of: (ds4) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an area where a destination of said voice card is located, out of said voice recording apparatuses of which address information are stored on said voice recording apparatus group information database; (ds5) controlling said network connecting module to provide said request information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and (ds6) transferring said voice information signals recorded on said voice card to said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit through said telephone line. [Claim 15] A voice recording apparatus for receiving request information through a communication network, receiving voice information signals associated with said request information through a telephone line and recording said voice information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit, an interface unit - said interface unit comprises a voice input terminal for transferring said voice information signals to said voice information memorizing unit and a control input terminal for receiving a voice recording . .. . _- . .-- control signal - and a control unit for controlling said voice information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice recording control signal is inputted, by using (p) a general puφose computer system, which comprises: (p 1 ) a main memory, (p2) an auxiliary memory device, (p3) a central processing unit, (p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, (p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, (p6) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit coupled to said I/O bus for converting signals of said I/O bus into telephone signals or vice versa and detecting DTMF signals in the telephone signals, (p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for performing voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting said processed signals via a voice output terminal, and (p8) a network interface unit for receiving communication protocol signals from said communication network or transferring communication protocol signals to said communication network, comprising: a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card; and a program which makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform steps of: (psi) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; and (ps2) extracting request information out of said received signals through said (p8) network interface unit and recording the extracted request information on said (p2) auxiliary memory device. [Claim 16] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform further steps of: (ps3) generating identification information which identifies an address at which said request information is stored on said (p2) auxiliary memory device and recording said identification information on said (p2) auxiliary memory device; (ps4) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected by said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; (ps5) determining request information stored at an address designated by said identification information extracted during said step of (ps4) on said (p2) auxiliary memory device; and (ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output port according to said determined request information. . -- . .- [Claim 17] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a voice recording apparatus group information database, recorded on said (p2) auxiliary memory device, for storing address information of said voice recording apparatuses comprised in a voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of telephone lines coupled to said voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to each of said voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording apparatus group is defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus and at least one of remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said communication network and each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be accessed at said address through said communication network, wherein said program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform further steps of: (ps7) extracting address information, to which said voice card is delivered, out of said request information extracted from said signals received through said (p8) network interface unit; (ps8) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an area, where said extracted address is located, out of said voice recording apparatuses of which address information are stored on said voice recording apparatus group information database; (ps9) controlling said network interface unit to provide said request information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and . . _ . .-- (pslO) transferring said voice information signals recorded on said voice card to said telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit through said telephone line. [Claim 18] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform further steps of: (psl-1) recording said signals, on which voice signal processing is performed by said (p7) voice signal processing unit, on said (p2) auxiliary memory device; (ps3) generating identification information which identifies an address at which said request information and said signal, on which voice signal processing is performed, are stored on said (p2) auxiliary memory device and recording said identification information on said (p2) auxiliary memory device; (ps4) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected by said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; (ps5) determining request information stored at an address designated by said identification information extracted during said step of (ps4) on said (p2) auxiliary memory device; and (ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output port according to said determined request information. [Claim 19] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a . .. . .-- voice recording apparatus group information database, recorded on said (p2) auxiliary memory device, for storing address information of said voice recording apparatuses comprised in a voice recording apparatus group, telephone numbers of telephone lines coupled to said voice recording apparatuses and area information assigned to each of said voice recording apparatuses, wherein said voice recording apparatus group is defined as a group comprising said voice recording apparatus and at least one of remote voice recording apparatus coupled to said communication network and each of said voice recording apparatuses is able to be accessed at said address through said communication network, wherein said program makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform further steps of: (ps7) extracting address information, to which said voice card is delivered, out of said request information extracted from said signals received through said (p8) network interface unit; (ps8) selecting a voice recording apparatus, which is placed in an area, where said extracted address is located, out of said voice recording apparatuses of which address information are stored on said voice recording apparatus group information database; (ps9) controlling said network interface unit to provide said request information to address of said selected voice recording apparatus; and (pslO) controlling said network interface unit to transfer said voice information signals recorded on said voice card to address of said selected voice -. . ..- recording apparatus. [Claim 20] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said (p4) output port is a parallel port, and said connection cable couples a predetermined set of pins of said (p4) output port to said control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card. [Claim 21] A computer readable recording media for receiving request information through a communication network, receiving voice information signals associated with said request information through a telephone line and recording said voice information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit, an interface unit - said interface unit comprises a voice input terminal for transferring said voice information signals to said voice information memorizing unit and a control input terminal for receiving a voice recording control signal - and a control unit for controlling said voice information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice recording control signal is inputted, by using (p) a general puφose computer system, which comprises: (pi) a main memory, (p2) an auxiliary memory device, (p3) a central processing unit, (p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main IVIA. --θ.υo.-- uι memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, (p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, (p6) a telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit coupled to said I/O bus for converting signals of said I/O bus into telephone signals or vice versa and detecting DTMF signals in the telephone signals, (p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for performing voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting said processed signals via a voice output terminal, and (p8) a network interface unit for receiving communication protocol signals from said communication network or transferring communication protocol signals to said communication network, and a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card, on which a computer program which makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform steps of: (psi) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice signal processing on said voice information signals inputted through said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; and (ps2) extracting request information out of said received signals through said (p8) network interface unit and recording the extracted request information on - / IVIΛ. _-D.UO.ZUUl said (p2) auxiliary memory device. (ps3) generating identification information which identifies an address at which said request information is stored on said (p2) auxiliary memory device and recording said identification information on said (p2) auxiliary memory device; (ps4) extracting identification information out of DTMF signals detected by said (p6) telephone signal transmitting-receiving unit; (ps5) determining request information stored at an address designated by said identification information extracted during said step of (ps4) on said (p2) auxiliary memory device; and (ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output port according to said determined request information is recorded. [Claim 22] A voice recording apparatus for recording voice information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit, an interface unit - said interface unit comprises a voice input terminal for transferring said voice information signals to said voice information memorizing unit and a control input terminal for receiving a voice recording control signal - and a control unit for controlling said voice information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice recording control signal is inputted, by using (p) a general puφose computer system, which comprises: (pi) a main memory, (p2) an auxiliary memory device, (p3) a central processing unit, (p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, (p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, and (p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for performing voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting said processed signals via a voice output terminal, comprising: a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card; and a program which makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform steps of: (psl) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice signal processing on said voice information signals; and (ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output port. [Claim 23] A voice recording apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said (p4) output port is a parallel port, and said connection cable couples a predetermined set of pins of said (p4) output port to said control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card. [Claim 24] A computer readable recording media for recording said voice information signals on a voice card, said voice card comprising a voice information memorizing unit, an interface unit - said interface unit comprises a voice input terminal for transferring said voice information signals to said voice information memorizing unit and a control input terminal for receiving a voice recording control signal - and a control unit for controlling said voice information memorizing unit to record said voice information signals in response to a voice recording control signal is inputted, by using (p) a general puφose computer system, which comprises: (p 1 ) a main memory, (p2) an auxiliary memory device, (p3) a central processing unit, (p4) an output port for providing output signals from said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, (p5) an input/output bus for managing input and/or output signals of said main memory, auxiliary memory device and CPU, and (p7) a voice signal processing unit coupled to said I/O bus for performing voice signal processing on said signals of said I/O bus and outputting said processed signals via a voice output terminal, and a connection cable for respectively coupling said voice output terminal of . . . .-- said (p7) voice signal processing unit and said (p4) output port to said voice input terminal and control input terminal of said interface unit of said voice card, on which a computer program which makes said (p3) central processing unit to perform steps of: (psi) controlling said (p3) voice signal processing unit to perform voice signal processing on said voice information signals; and (ps6) providing said voice recording control signal to said (p4) output port is recorded.

Inventors: HONG SUK-JIN, KIM HAN-KYO, PARK SEUNG-JEONG, SEO YOON-DEUK, HONG, SUK-JIN, KIM, HAN-KYO, PARK, SEUNG-JEONG, SEO, YOON-DEUK
Applicants: HAVIN CO LTD, HONG SUK JIN, KIM HAN KYO, PARK SEUNG JEONG, SEO YOON DEUK, HAVIN CO., LTD., HONG, SUK-JIN, KIM, HAN-KYO, PARK, SEUNG-JEONG, SEO, YOON-DEUK
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G06F3, H04M11