Voice file management in portable digital audio recorder

A method of uploading voice data files from a portable digital voice recorder to a data processing device, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing voice data files in the portable digital voice recorder;
• associating respective status data with each voice data file stored in the portable digital voice recorder;
• interfacing the portable digital voice recorder to the data processing device to permit data communication between the recorder and the data processing device;
• and
• selectively transferring the stored voice data files from the portable digital voice recorder to the data processing device in accordance with the respective status data associated with each stored voice data file.

A voice data management system, comprising:

• a portable digital voice recorder, including a housing shaped and sized to fit in a user's hand, a microphone secured to said housing, and memory means mounted in said housing for storing voice data files which correspond to audio signals generated by said microphone, said memory means also storing respective status data for each voice data file stored by said memory means, said status data for indicating a status of the respective voice data file;
• a personal computer;
• means for providing a data signal transmission path connecting said memory means to said personal computer;
• and
• control means for receiving an upload signal and for responding to the received upload signal by (a) uploading to the personal computer at least some of said voice data files stored by said memory means, and (b) changing the status data for the uploaded voice data files.

A voice data management system, comprising:

• a portable digital voice recorder, including a housing shaped and sized to fit in a user's hand, a microphone secured to said housing, memory means mounted in said housing for storing voice data files which correspond to audio signals generated by said microphone, said memory means also storing respective header data associated with each of said voice data files stored by said memory means, said header data including data for identifying the respective voice data files, and control means mounted in said housing for controlling operation of said recorder;
• a personal computer including a display and a cursor control device, said personal computer running software for providing a graphical user interface, said interface allowing a user of the personal computer to cause the personal computer to generate a data management signal;
• and
• means, interconnecting said personal computer and said control means of said portable digital voice recorder, for transmitting said data management signal from said personal computer to said control means;
• said control means responding to said data management signal by changing the header data associated with at least one of said voice data files stored by said memory means.

A voice data management system, comprising:

• a portable digital voice recorder, including a housing shaped and sized to fit in a user's hand, a microphone secured to said housing, memory means mounted in said housing for storing voice data files which correspond to audio signals generated by said microphone, said memory means also storing respective header data associated with each of said voice data files stored by said memory means, said header data including data for identifying the respective voice data files, and control means mounted in said housing for controlling operation of said recorder;
• a personal computer including a display and a cursor control device, said personal computer running software for providing a graphical user interface;
• means for providing a data signal transmission path connecting said memory means to said personal computer;
• and
• upload means for uploading to said personal computer header data associated with voice data files stored by said memory means and not uploaded to said personal computer.

A method of operating a portable digital voice recorder, comprising the steps of:

• storing voice data files in the recorder;
• storing header data in the recorder in association with the stored voice data files;
• interfacing the recorder to a personal computer which includes a display;
• and
• displaying on the display icons corresponding to the voice data files stored in the recorder.