Audio And Video Transcription System For Manipulating Real-Time Testimony

Abstract

A transcription network having linked computer terminals for a court reporter and for examining, defending, and associate attorneys is disclosed. Based on the hardware present, the court reporter terminal automatically selects the most appropriate synchronization and audio and video transcript delivery schemes for the other terminals. A multi-mode synchronization scheme provides for various levels of synchronization of the textual transcript with the audio and video transcripts of the proceeding. A first-in first-out arrangement is provided for controlling the video and audio storage space so that a window of available audio and video can be specifically marked and retrieved for post-proceeding review.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (CLAIMING BENEFIT UNDER 35 U.S.C. 120) [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 036,488, filed Mar. 24, 1993, by Bennett et al. (Attorney Docket No. P93-00). INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0002] The descriptive matter of the above-referred to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 036,488, filed Mar. 24, 1993, by Bennett et al. (Attorney Docket No. P93-00) is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and is made part of this application. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to a down-line transcription system used by attorneys for reviewing real-time transcription during a proceeding such as a trial or deposition; and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing real-time use and manipulation of audio and video transcripts by attorneys, judges, court reporters, witnesses and clients. [0004] As is well known, legal proceedings such as a deposition...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient real-time synchronization and access to prior testimony, reducing the time and effort required to locate specific testimony during trials, improving the ability to convey witness demeanor and clarify testimony, and enhancing the overall trial process by providing virtual real-time access and annotation capabilities.

Problems solved by technology

In locating the corresponding audio, the court reporter wastes a great deal of time.

However, there are times when this process may become tiresome and cause the jury to lose interest.

For example, if a witness hesitates before answering a deposition question and is then visibly and audibly uncomfortable in answering, the jury may question the witness's credibility.

It is virtually impossible to convey the same to the jury from prior written testimony.

Despite the desirability of video or audio recordings, their use in court proceedings has been very limited due to various problems.

Most attorneys, however, do not have the equipment or time (especially immediately prior to or during a trial) to perform these tasks.

Besides being time consuming, this alternative process is also expensive and forces the attorney to rely on the accuracy and dependability of the editing company or court reporter.

Mistakes often occur that are not discovered until trial when it is too late.

In addition, video and audio recordings present problems associated with storing, accessing, and annotating a large volume of material.

All this testimony must be stored on tapes, creating the problem of accessing desired testimony at the desired time.

The trial process is often unpredictable and an attorney cannot have video or audio testimony prepared for all possible contingencies or potential uses.

Furthermore, even if an attorney could have prior testimony prepared for use at any given time during the trial, he is still unable to access previous video or audio trial testimony given the same day.

Because it is time consuming and burdensome, this process is not practicable in a fast paced trial setting.

This reading is often broken with misplaced delays in pronunciation between phonemes and words making it difficult to understand.

Furthermore, because searching for a portion of the record in a series of printed key-strokes proves to be very difficult and time consuming, attorneys are forced to limit requests to have only the most recent Q & A's read back.

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