US 5,396,578 A · Audio recording and distance measuring system

Abstract

By providing an audio recording and playback system with a measuring device, a unique integrated system is realized which enables users to easily record measured distances and have the measured distances subsequently played back for use. In the preferred embodiment, the audio recording and play back system is constructed in cooperative association with a tape measuring device and is automatically powered whenever the tape is extended from the housing. Then, by pressing an activation switch and orally stating the measurements that have been taken, the orally enunciated information is automatically stored in an associated analog storage array for being subsequently played back whenever required by the user. In this way, an easily employed and particularly convenient system is realized which eliminates the need for manually recording measurements.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An audio signal recording and distance measuring system for enabling any desired information to be recorded for later replay and use, said system comprising

A. a housing;
B. distance measuring means mounted in the housing and comprising an elongated measuring tape extendable from the housing for use in determining any desired measurement;
and
C. an audio signal recording circuit mounted in the housing and constructed for receiving and recording audio information, and replaying the recorded information upon demand in response to an activation signal generated by a tape extension sensor;
whereby an easily usable multi-purpose system is attained which enables distances to be measured and the measured distance recorded and audibly replayed when desired.

2 more elements

An audio recording and tape measuring system for enabling the measurement of distance using a measuring tape and enabling the measurements to be orally enunciated and recorded for later use, said system comprising

A. a housing
B. a measuring tape securely mounted in the housing for being removed therefrom, whenever desired, to any desired length to enable measurements of distances to be made;
and
C. an audio signal recording circuit mounted in the housing and constructed for receiving and recording audible information and replaying the recorded information upon demand, said circuit comprising
a. circuit controlling and processing means,
b. an information storage address
1. controllably interconnected to the controlling and processing means for receiving signals corresponding to orally enunciated information,
2. storing said signals therein, and
3. transmitting, upon demand, stored signals to the circuit controlling and processing means,
c. a microphone connected to the circuit controlling and processing means and constructed for
1. receiving an orally enunciated signal corresponding to the desired information to be recorded, and
2. transmitting the signal to the controlling and processing means for transmission to and retention in the storage address,
d. output means connected to the circuit controlling and processing means for receiving signals retrieved from the storage address and presenting the stored information as an audible signal corresponding to the stored information, and
e. a mode selector switch connected to the circuit controlling and processing means and movable between a RECORD mode and a PLAY mode, enabling the circuit controlling and processing means to establish the desired operation of the recording circuit.

11 more elements

A. a housing
B. a measuring tape securely mounted in the housing for being removed therefrom, whenever desired, to any desired length to enable measurements of distances to be made;
and
C. an audio signal recording circuit mounted in the housing and constructed for receiving and recording audible information and replaying the recorded information upon demand, said circuit comprising
a. circuit controlling and processing means,
b. an information storage address
1. controllably interconnected to the controlling and processing means for receiving signals corresponding to orally enunciated information,
2. incorporating a plurality of independent storage zones,
3. constructed for storing said signals in one of said zones, and
4. transmitting, upon demand, stored signals to the circuit controlling and processing means,
c. a microphone connected to the circuit controlling and processing means and constructed for
1. receiving an orally enunciated signal corresponding to the desired information to be recorded, and
2. transmitting the signal to the controlling and processing means for transmission to and retention in the storage address,
d. output means connected to the circuit controlling and processing means for receiving signals retrieved from the storage address and presenting the stored information as an audible signal corresponding to the stored information,
e. a mode selector switch connected to the circuit controlling and processing means and movable between a RECORD mode and a PLAY mode, enabling the circuit controlling and processing means to establish the desired operation of the recording circuit, and
f. replaceable battery means for providing the requisite power to the circuit;
D. a tape extension sensor connected to the audio signal recording circuit and cooperatively associated with the measuring tape for transmitting a power ON signal to the audio signal recording circuit whenever the measuring tape has been removed from the housing;
and
E. a plurality of activation switches
a. mounted to the housing for ease of access by the user,
b. constructed for transmitting an activation signal to the circuit controlling and processing means for initiating the operation of the audio signal recording circuit in the selected mode, and
c. each associated with one information storage zone of the storage address for enabling the selection of a particular zone for recording of information or retrieval of information.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Audio recording and distance measuring system

Life of this patent

Audio recording and distance measuring system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16