Patent Application
20080192906
The present invention is directed to audio message management. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for a message management for audio storage devices. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to audio storage devices for recording and playback. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability. For example, the invention can be applied to TIM for the automotive, TAD (Telephone Answering Device), security systems with personalized voice prompts, Voice GPS systems, and other voice applications, etc.
As is known, certain conventional audio storage systems use micro-controller/processor with control software to manage the messages. For example, the software handles operation such as record, play, erase and forward. During recording, the control software needs to search for empty memory cell for storing the incoming audio data. In an example, the empty memory cells could locate in the memory randomly. A conventional method may include the following steps:
(1) find empty memory;
(2) write audio data to memory; and
(3) store all the address information.
To playback the message using conventional methods, a user may retrieve the audio data from memory in the same order it was recorded. The address information is typically stored in a memory such as a RAM or a flash memory. These conventional methods have many limitations. For example if address information is stored in a RAM, when power is removed, the address information can be lost. This can happen, for example, when it is necessary to replace a battery. Another way is to store address information on flash memory. This can prevent data lost due to power removed. However, this will induce cost increase due to the use of additional flash memory. These and other limitations will be discussed in detail below.
From the above, it is seen that an improved technique for audio message management is desired.
The present invention is directed to audio message management. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for a message management for audio storage devices. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to audio storage devices for recording and playback. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability. For example, the invention can be applied to TIM for the automotive, TAD (Telephone Answering Device), security systems with personalized voice prompts, Voice GPS systems, and other voice applications, etc.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for audio message management. The method includes providing an audio storage device. In an embodiment, the audio storage device includes first segment for storing address information and second segment for storing prerecorded audio data. A starting address and an ending address of the prerecorded audio data are stored in the first segment. The audio storage device includes a third segment for storing at least a plurality of voice macro scripts. Each of the plurality of voice macro scripts includes one or more voice macro commands. A starting address and an ending address associated with each of the plurality of the voice macro scripts are stored in the first segment. The audio storage device also includes fourth segment for storing user data and a first sector of user reserved audio message, and fifth segment for storing at least an audio message. Starting address information of the audio message is stored in the fourth segment. For executing a voice macro script, the method receives an index for one of a plurality of voice macro scripts, which includes one or more voice macro commands. The method accesses the first segment of the audio storage device for information related to a starting location of for the voice macro script associated with the index. The starting location is in the third segment of the audio storage. The method retrieves a voice macro command in the third segment of the audio storage, and performs an action according to the retrieved voice macro command.
In a specific embodiment, the audio storage device is a non-volatile memory device. For example, the audio storage device can be a flash memory device. In an embodiment, the voice macro script includes a voice macro script start marker, one or more voice macro commands, and a voice macro script end marker. In a specific embodiment, the one or more voice macro commands include a command to playback prerecorded audio data. The method includes receiving the command to playback prerecorded audio data. The command also includes a starting address of the prerecorded audio data. The method reads the prerecorded audio data in the second segment of the audio storage device and plays the prerecorded audio data. In another embodiment, the one or more voice macro commands include a command to play a recorded audio message. The method further includes receiving the command to playback a recorded audio message. The command includes identification information of the recorded audio message. The method accesses the fourth segment of the audio storage device to retrieve a starting address for the recorded message, reading the recorded audio message in the fifth segment of the audio storage device and plays the recorded audio message. In yet another embodiment, the one or more voice macro commands include a command to insert a delay, or a command to play a silence message, or a command to change volume, or a command to change configuration. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving an audio data, storing the audio data in the second segment of the audio storage device, and storing a starting address and an ending address of the audio data in the first segment of the audio storage device. In another embodiment, the method includes selecting a starting address in the third segment of the audio storage device, storing the audio data in the third segment of the audio storage device, and storing the starting address and an ending address of the audio data in the first segment of the audio storage device. In a specific embodiment, the method includes receiving a command to record an audio message, selecting an available sector in the fifth segment of the audio storage device, storing a begin-of-message marker in a header, and storing the audio message in the sector. In an embodiment, the method includes selecting a second sector for audio message storage and storing a second sector address marker in a header of the first sector. The method also includes storing an end of message marker in a header of a last sector for storing the audio message. In an embodiment, the method receives a command to play a recorded audio message, which includes a starting address for the recorded audio message. The method reads a header for a end of message marker and plays the recorded audio message. The method stops the playing if the end of message marker is found. In yet another embodiment, the method receives a command to erase a recorded audio message. The command includes a starting address for the recorded audio message. The method reads a header for a begin-of-message marker, and erases the recorded audio message. The method sends an error message if the begin-of-message marker is not found.
According to another embodiment, the invention provides a semiconductor memory device for audio data storage. The memory device includes first plurality of memory cells for storing address information and second plurality of memory cells for storing prerecorded audio data. In an embodiment, at least a starting address of the prerecorded audio data is stored in a selected one of the first plurality of memory cells. The memory device includes third plurality of memory cells for storing at least a voice macro script. In an embodiment, at least a starting address of the voice macro script is stored in a second selected one of the first plurality of memory cells. The memory device includes fourth plurality of memory cells for storing user data and fifth plurality of memory cells for recording at least an audio message. At least an address information of the audio message is stored in a selected one the fourth plurality of memory cells.
In a specific embodiment, the prerecorded audio data includes English words. In another embodiment, prerecorded audio data includes foreign language words. In yet another embodiment, the prerecorded audio data includes non-verbal data, such as a Beep-tone. In a specific embodiment, the voice macro script includes a voice macro start marker, one or more voice macro commands, and a voice macro end marker. The one or more voice macro commands include a command to playback a prerecorded audio data, a command to insert a delay, a command to play a silence message, a command to change volume, a command to change configuration, or a command to play a recorded audio message. In a specific embodiment, the fourth plurality of memory cells includes sectors, which are characterized by capacities in the range of approximately 4 K bytes to 64 K bytes. In an embodiment the fifth plurality of memory cells includes sectors, which are characterized by capacities in the range of approximately 4 K bytes to 64 K bytes. In an embodiment, the storage device is a non-volatile memory device. In another embodiment, the audio storage device is a flash memory device.
In an alternative embodiment, a method is provided for playing an audio message stored in an audio storage device. The method includes receiving an index to a segment in the audio storage device. The segment includes a first address for a prerecorded message and a second address for a voice macro script. The voice macro script includes a predetermined sequence of voice commands. In an example, the index is associated with the second address for the voice macro script. The method includes reading the second address for the voice macro script associated with the index and retrieving a voice command in the voice macro script. The method determines if the voice command includes a command to play a user reserved message. The method also determines if the user reserved message is recorded in the audio storage device. If the user reserved message is not recorded in the audio storage device, the method records the user reserved message. The method then plays the user reserved message. In a specific embodiment, the voice macro command includes a command to playback a prerecorded audio data, a command to insert a delay, a command to play a silence message, a command to change volume, a command to change configuration, or a command to play a recorded audio message. In another embodiment, the audio storage device includes first segment for storing address information, second segment for storing prerecorded audio data. A starting address and an ending address of the prerecorded audio data are stored in the first segment. The audio storage device also includes third segment for storing at least a voice macro script. A starting address and an ending address of the voice macro script are stored in the first segment. The audio storage device also includes fourth segment for storing user data and a first sector of user reserved audio message, and fifth segment for storing at least an audio message. Starting address information of the audio message is stored in the fourth segment.
Many benefits are achieved by way of the present invention over conventional techniques. For example, in specific embodiments, techniques are provided for message management for an audio storage device that reduce message programming effort and shortens the project development cycle. In an embodiment, the invention provides message management methods that can be used for multi-language applications. In a specific embodiment, methods are provided for using voice prompts (VPs) and voice macros (VMs) for improved message management. For example, the VPs can be re-used in different VMs to reduce memory size for cost saving. In an embodiment, a method is provided to issue Play VM command to execute a voice macro script without the needs to handle the playback task on individual word in a complicated control program that consumes more processor power. Depending upon the embodiment, one or more of these benefits may be achieved. These and other benefits will be described in more detail throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
Various additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings that follow.
a and 3b are simplified view diagrams of an audio data storage according to another embodiment of the invention.
The present invention is directed to audio message management. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for a message management for audio storage devices. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to audio storage devices for recording and playback. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability. For example, the invention can be applied to TIM for the automotive, TAD (Telephone Answering Device), security systems with personalized voice prompts, Voice GPS systems and other voice applications, etc.
As discussed above, conventional methods for audio message management have many limitations. For example, conventional methods usually use large memory storage and involve complicated steps such as finding available memory space and tracking audio message storage locations, etc. In addition, using conventional methods for multi-language product, a user may need to modify the software for different languages. This will increase programming effort and cost. Therefore an improved technique for audio message management is desired.
Depending upon the embodiment, the present invention includes various features, which may be used. These features include the following:
1. Prerecorded voice prompts and other voice commands for message construction;
2. Methods for managing voice macro scripts for message management;
3. Message management methods applicable to multiple languages; and
4. An efficient audio storage device memory partitioning method.
As shown, the above features may be in one or more of the embodiments to follow. These features are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a message management method is provided for audio message playback. In another embodiment, a method is provided for audio message record and playback. In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for playback with optional recording. Depending on the embodiment, the methods can handle a task from a single play to a sequence play. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, an audio message can be defined as a Voice Prompt (VP). For example, “you”, “how”, and “are” are three individual voice prompts. In an embodiment, the voice prompts include prerecorded messages. In an embodiment, a sentence can be programmed with a sequence of VPs. For example, a user can cascade three voice prompts, “you”, “how”, and “are” into a sequence “How are you” which can be a sentence. In certain embodiments, non-audio messages can also be included in a sequence. For example, to make the playback audio message resemble a human speaking quality, a “silence” prompt can be inserted between VPs in a specific embodiment. In another example, a “Beep-tone” prompt can be included in a sequence. Of course, there can be other modifications, variations, and alternatives.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method for message management includes Voice Macros (VMs). In a specific embodiment, a VM includes a predetermined sequence of VPs and commands. Examples of macro commands include “play a VP”, “delay 1 second”, “change volume”, and “play msg@R1” where R1 is an address in an audio database, etc. Certain embodiments of the invention provide methods for forming custom voice macro scripts which may include voice macro commands such as “play a sequence of VPs”, “record message”, “play message”, and “insert silence”, etc. The voice commands can also include “change the configuration” such as setting the volume, changing sampling frequency, selecting output path, and setting input audio gain, etc. Of course, there can be other modifications, variations, and alternatives.
In a specific embodiment, each VM script is ended with “End of VM” command. The VMs are stored in an audio message database. For example, the VMs can be stored in the database memory sequentially. In another example, the VMs can be stored in random order in the database memory. In an embodiment, a VP can be re-used in different VMs. For example, various VMs can be programmed using VPs selected from a given set of pre-recorded VPs. In an embodiment, the VP and VM are addressed by indirect indices. VP and VM content can be modified without affecting the index numbers. For example, VPs and VMs programmed in different languages can use the same indices, allowing an audio management system to be used in different applications. In an embodiment, a user can build up VPs and VMs using VP and VM control commands. After a user has created the VPs and VMs, memory mapping information can be created. This mapping can be programmed into a memory in a message management system. An example of memory mapping in an audio data storage is discussed below.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the audio data storage includes several segments. For example, the segments can include that following:
The above sequence of processes provides a method for message management according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the method uses a combination of processes including a way of providing an audio storage device and executing a voice macro command. Other alternatives can also be provided where processes are added, one or more processes are removed, or one or more processes are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. As shown, in Process 210, the method of audio message management according to an embodiment of the invention starts with providing an audio storage device. An example of such an audio storage device according to a specific embodiment of the invention is shown in
a and 3b are simplified view diagrams of an audio data storage 300 according to a specific embodiment of the invention. These diagrams are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other variations, modifications, and alternatives. As shown, audio storage 300 includes segments of storage in this specific embodiment. Merely as an example, a storage allocation includes the following segments:
Index segment 310: from 000000 to 000FFF;
Voice prompt segment 320: from 001000 to 00CA00;
Voice Micro segment 330: from 010000 to 010FFF;
User data segment 340: from 011000 to 014FFF;
To-be-recorded segment 360: from 015000 to 019FFF.
It is understood that this particular mapping is only an example. Depending on the embodiments, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
As shown in
Referring back to
In Process 230, the method follows VM1 Start Address and accesses the third segment 330 of the audio storage device 300 for information related to a starting location of the voice macro script. In Process 240, the method retrieves a voice macro command and in Process 250 the method performs an action related to the retrieved voice macro command. For example, VM1 Start Address points to VM command Play VP1, which causes “please” to be played at an output device, for example, a speaker. The method then repeats Process 240 and Process 250 to retrieve a VM command and performs the action prescribed by the VM. Using VM1 as an example, the method causes the message “please enter you password after the beep” to be played, followed by a Beep-tone. In this particular example, a VM includes commands to play a pre-recorded audio data. The pre-recorded audio data, also referred to as voice prompts (VPs) can include English words, non-English words such as a Beep-tone, or words in other languages. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
In an alternative embodiment, a method is provided for incorporating one or more reserved messages into a VM script. For example, the VM2 script in Segment 3 includes a VM command such as “play msg@R1”, where R1 is an address associated with a reserved message in an audio database. In an embodiment, the audio message at R1 will be played when script VM2 is executed. For example, referring back to in
In a specific embodiment, if the reserved message has not been recorded yet, the method reserves a sector in the segment for user data and reserved messages and sets up a header in the sector to reserve this sector as the first sector of the reserved message. The header may include a few digital bits or bytes located in the beginning of each sector. In an embodiment, a header includes information such as sector status (e.g., empty/full), next sector address, audio type, begin-of-message, and end of message, etc. After the sector is reserved, the sector address can be used in recording a new message. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
The above sequences of processes provide a method for executing a voice macro script in a message management for an audio data storage according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the method uses a combination of processes including a way of providing prerecorded audio messages, voice macro commands, and adding recorded messages for the management of audio messages. Other alternatives can also be provided where processes are added, one or more processes are removed, or one or more processes are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. Further details of the present method can be found throughout the present specification and particularly below.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for playing a recorded audio message as may be required in a voice macro command. The method includes receiving the command to playback a recorded audio message. In a specific embodiment, the command includes an identification number of the recorded audio message. The method includes accessing the fourth segment of the audio storage device to retrieve a starting address for the recorded message. The method also includes reading the recorded audio message in the fifth segment of the audio storage device, and playing the recorded audio message.
In another embodiment, a voice macro command may be a command to insert a time delay, or a command to play a silence message, or a command to change playback volume, or a command to change configuration of the playback equipment. A method is provided to insert a time delay, to play a silence message, to change playback volume, or to change configuration of the playback equipment, respectively, in response to the voice macro commands. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for storing an audio message to be used later as a prerecorded message. For example, a prerecorded message may be a voice prompt (VP). In another example, a prerecorded message may be a non-speech sound, e.g. a beep-tone. The method includes receiving an audio data, and storing the audio data in the second segment of the audio storage device, e.g., segment 320 in
In a specific embodiment, a method is provided for recording input audio data in the fifth segment of the audio storage, i.e., the “to-be-recorded” memory segment 360 as shown in
In certain embodiments of the invention, a method for erasing an audio message is provided. In a specific embodiment, a message is erased by sending an erase command pointing to the first sector of the message. An error is returned if an erase command is sent to erase a sector not having the “begin-of-message” set in the header. Since a sector contains next sector address, the method can trace the linking addresses and erase the whole message from first sector to last sector. The last sector is the one with “end of message” marker set in the header. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
The above sequences of processes provide methods for message management for an audio data storage according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the methods uses a combination of processes including a way of providing prerecorded audio messages and voice macro commands for the management of audio messages. Other alternatives can also be provided where processes are added, one or more processes are removed, or one or more processes are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. Further details of the present method can be found throughout the present specification.
It is also understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.
