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

A device for selectively recording events, said device comprising:

• an acquisition buffer comprising at least one finite extent of a recording medium;
• a recorder in said acquisition buffer for recording current events in place of earlier events, to insure that said acquisition buffer contains, at any given time, a record of the most recent events;
• a trigger for activating the preservation of all or part of said record of the most recent events recorded in said acquisition buffer, upon the detection of any of one or more predetermined events;
• and
• preserving means to preserve any portion or portions of said record of events selected by said user, said preserving means includes:
• reserving means for reserving a portion of said record of events from being overwritten by other events;
• and
• transferring means for transferring said selected portions of the record of events to a predetermined location.

A process for recording telephone conversation, said process comprising the steps of:

• providing an acquisition buffer comprising at least one finite extent of a recording medium;
• providing a continuous acquisition means for recording telephone conversation events in said acquisition buffer;
• recording with said acquisition means in said acquisition buffer current events in place of earlier events, to insure that said acquisition buffer contains, at any given time, a record of the most recent events;
• preserving any portion or portions of said record of events selected by a party to said conversation, said preserving step comprising at least one of the following steps:
• reserving a portion of said record of events from being overwritten by other events;
• and
• transferring said selected portions of the record of events to a predetermined permanent location.

A portable device for selectively recording events, said device comprising:

• an acquisition buffer comprising at least one finite extent of a recording medium;
• a microphone for acquiring input of speech or other sounds into said acquisition buffer;
• a fastener for attaching said device to a user's person or clothing;
• a recorder in said acquisition buffer for recording current events in place of earlier events, to insure that said acquisition buffer contains, at any given time, a record of the most recent events;
• a selector for enabling a user to select a portion or portions of said record of the most recent events recorded in said acquisition buffer to determine which portion or portions, if any, of said record of events will be preserved;
• and
• a preserver to preserve any portion or portions of said record of events selected by said user, said preserving means includes:
• a reserver to reserve a portion of said record of events from being overwritten by other events;
• and
• a transferor for transferring said selected portions of the record of events to a predetermined location.

A portable device for selectively rcalling events, said device comprising:

• an acquisition buffer comprising at least one finite extent of a recording medium;
• a microphone for acquiring input of speech or other sounds into said acquisition buffer,
• a fastener for attaching said device to a user's person or clothing;
• a recorder for recording current events in said acquisition buffer in place of earlier events, to insure that said acquisition buffer contains, at any given time, a record of the most recent events;
• a selector for enabling a user to select a portion or portions of said record of the most recent events recorded in said acquisition buffer to determine which portion or portions, if any, of said record of events will be preserved;
• and
• recall means for reproducing said record of events and any portion or portions of said record of events selected by said user using said selector.