Device and method for selective recall and preservation of events prior to decision to record the events

Abstract

A device and process for event-activated recording generally includes the steps of providing an acquisition buffer having at least one finite extent of a recording medium. Events are recorded in the acquisition buffer. Current events in place of earlier events are then recorded within the acquisition buffer. Action by the user or triggering system activates the preservation of all or part of the record of the most recent events recorded in the acquisition buffer upon the detection of one or more predetermined events. A portion of the record of events selected by the user is preserved by reserving a portion of the record of events from being overwritten by other events, and / or by transferring the selected portions of the record of events to a predetermined permanent location. Portable devices and applications to the recording telephone conversations are also disclosed, particularly a method of producing a record of a telephone conversation on the consent of appropriate parties, which consent may be secured before, during or after such conversation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the mechanical, electrical, magnetic or other mechanized recording and reproduction of auditory and / or visual or other data, and particularly to improvements to a process of recording which enables human users to decide whether to preserve a record of events that have already transpired. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] My earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,240 (Selective Recall and Preservation of Continuously Recorded Data), discloses a recording method that effectively allows a user to decide to record an event after the event has taken place. This is achieved by continuously recording all ambient events in a continuous logical loop on a finite extent of recording medium and allowing users to select for permanent preservation portions of the material thus recorded, before they are overwritten with new material. [0003] The present invention comprises improvements to and applications of this basic technology. [0004] One are...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The present invention differs enables users effectively to record words that have already been spoken, or events that have already taken place, prior to the time that a user decides to record them. This is achieved by recording events on a finite extent of recording medium in a continuous logical loop (i.e., overwriting the earliest recorded data with new data whenever the end of the medium used for this continuous recording is reached), and playing back and / or permanently preserving (capturing) portions of the recorded data as selected by the user.

[0017] A further advantage of this invention is that it allows users to preserve the spontaneity of their speech and actions by dispelling the self-consciousness that sets in when people know that they are being recorded-which happens even when people record themselves, triggered by the very act of switching on a recording device. Moreover: Even in continuous monitoring methods, where continuous recording on an indeterminate supply of recording medium is practicable, there is the need to go back to search for and edit out the parts to be preserved, discarding the rest. The present invention goes far towards eliminating that need, by capturing data permanently only in response to a user's explicit request (although this request must come within a predetermined, finite period from the time of the event).

[0022] The invention may be embodied, with varying degrees of practicality, using any rewritable recording medium, including electronic memory, tape, wire, or discs, both analog and digital. However, the current preferred medium for continuous recording is digital memory, as it entails a minimum of wear, power consumption and bulk—especially important in a portable device.

[0025] This embodiment uses, in place of a single circular acquisition buffer for storing continuously recorded data, a circular array of smaller, separately allocated buffers. This arrangement affords a number of advantages on the design as compared with a single, larger buffer: (1) On general purpose computers, smaller blocks of memory are easier to allocate and move than larger ones; (2) smaller-size numbers (e.g., 16 bits for a 64 KB buffer) may be used to keep track of locations in the smaller buffers; and (3) this arrangement allows a simplified scheme for keeping track of areas that have been overwritten with fresh data.

Problems solved by technology

A drawback common to all of these methods is the fact that they do not record the often-significant events leading up to the event that triggers the recording process.

Current methods of recording telephone conversations share the drawbacks of conventional methods of recording: a recording process must be initiated (and, when applicable, consented to by parties to the conversation) before any of the events to be recorded have transpired.

However, that consent may not have been given prior to a conversation which a party later desires to have had recorded.

Current portable recording devices share the drawbacks of conventional methods of recording: a recording process must be initiated before any of the events to be recorded have transpired.

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