Patent ID: 7263483

Claim:
A handheld device for receiving speech as audio input, converting speech to text and for entering the text into a computer operatively connected to a database for storing at least one electronic form having a plurality of sections, the handheld device comprising: a microphone operatively connected to the handheld device, a wind screen affixed to the microphone, the wind screen selected according to a predetermined wind noise sensitivity, an analog-to-digital converter, said analog-to-digital converter transforming analog signals from the microphone into digital signals received by the computer and recognized as text, a gain control element electrically connected between the microphone and the analog-to-digital converter, the gain control element operatively maintaining the analog signals at a level suitable for speech recognition, and a plurality of input buttons on the handheld device, where at least one of the plurality of input buttons is programmed to direct text insertion to a section of the form preassigned to said at least one input button when said at least one input button is activated, an activator button for initiating receiving of the audio input text into the section of the form selected by the user by activating said at least one programmable button, a bar code scanner, and a controller, said controller sending a signal to mute a speaker upon the activation of an element with excessive current requirements.