Apparatus, system and method for recording and/or retrieving audio information

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method is provided for recording and retrieving voice information into a label attachable to a product. The voice information provides a more readily identifiable indicator of the characteristics or contents of the product than conventional written information or labels attached to the product. The label can be accessed from voice information submitted into or from a remote programmer attachable to, or in communication with, the label.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for recording and / or retrieving audio information. It particular, the apparatus, system and method hereof acts as an audio label for voice identifying a product to which the label can be attached.[0003]2. Description of the Relevant Art[0004]Identity, contents and instructions for use or assembly of a product are often written in a manual associated with the product or on a label attached to the product. Written information in manuals or on labels are provided on almost every product available to help the consumer or user of the product identify the product and the proper use of that product. While written information is satisfactory for the majority of people, written information is sometimes meaningless to the visually impaired or illiterate consumer. Pursuant to Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and similar regulations relating thereto, counseling of im...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The problems outlined above are in large part solved by the apparatus, system and method of the present invention. That is, the recording and / or retrieving apparatus, system and method hereof provides easily recognizable audio information to the buyer or user about the product of interest. The present invention uses an audio label which can be adapted for and attached or attachable to various products. Voice or audio information can be transmitted and stored inside the label for subsequent playback or retrieval by the consumer. A manufacturer, instructor, or even the consumer himself can record his voice concerning the product and place that voice information inside the label for subsequent playback by the consumer. Alternatively, the manufacturer, instructor, or consumer can record his voice concerning the product corresponding to a bar code placed upon the product. The bar code can be read and audio information corresponding to that bar code be output to the consumer as an instructional device using existing bar code labels associated with many off-the-shelf products. Using either technique, i e., an audio label which contains voice information or a bar code which can access voice information, the consumer can rapidly assimilate familiar voice information concerning the product instead of running the risk of misreading a conventional written label. Not only is the audio labeling apparatus, system and method hereof more convenient for the end user, but it is also more easily input and, if need be, changed by the manufacturer, instructor or consumer. In the dynamic world to which we live, rapid communication of information is necessary to meet the growing demands in the marketplace.

[0012]According to one aspect of either of the above embodiments, the vocal message stored within the label can be addressed and retrieved in a form substantially near its original format. The retrieved vocal message is sent to the consumer as telephone quality voice indicative of the identifiable characteristics associated with the product. The vocal message is retrieved from the storage device and sent to a speaker which receives a stored electrical signal from the device and converts the signal to a telephone quality voice signal substantially similar to the original vocal message placed within the device. Thus, the output voice signal is not internally synthesized. Instead, the output voice signal is simply the original voice message recalled in a form substantially similar to the original form. Similar to the microphone, the speaker can be associated with either the label or it can be mounted separate from the label on a remote programming unit. If the microphone and speaker are placed on the label, the label is self-contained and the remote programming unit is not needed. Conversely, if the microphone and speaker an placed on or connected to a remote programming unit, the label can be made much smaller since it need not contain the microphone, speaker and many of the other record / retrieval elements. A remote programming unit is therefore useful whenever the label must be small or inexpensive. A single remote programming unit can therefore be used with numerous labels to record and retrieve information into and from each label. Also, the record and playback function may be separated onto different units to restrict unauthorized programming of the label. Thus, one unit can only record and the other unit can only playback the recorded information.

Problems solved by technology

Often times, elderly people have difficulty reading simple instructions regarding the products necessary for their continued well being.

Moreover, immigrants, or people of which the native language is unrecognizable or is their second language, those people require help in understanding information about a product.

Misinformation regarding attain products could prove hazardous to the ill-informed buyer or user.

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