U.S. Patent Number: 6,816,577
Cellular Telephone with Audio Recording Subsystem
Date Filed: June 1, 2001
Date Issued: November 9, 2004
Abstract:
A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user and selectively transmitted to the remote listener at a time when it is inappropriate for the handset user to speak, such as when an incoming call arrives when the user in a meeting or theater. In addition, a designated recorded message may be transmitted at future designated time to a designated telephone number supplied by the user, and may request and save a response recorded by the remote listener after the designed message is transmitted. The handset's keypad is used to accept data and commands from the user in a menu system that controls message recording, selection, playback and transmission, as well as the playback of responses recorded by the recipient of a transmitted message. Messages may be entered as character data and transmitted as spoken messages when prerecorded messages do not satisfy needs that arise during a conversation that is being conducted under "silent" conditions.