System and Method for Automatic Merging of Multiple Time-Stamped Transcriptions

Abstract

A system for automatically merging multiple time-stamped transcriptions is provided. The system includes a transcription server for receiving a signal having time-stamp information, a splitter, a merging utility, and a text output. A method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions comprises the following steps: transferring a signal having timestamp information encoded therein to a splitter which yields a mixed audio output having resultant corresponding audio channels, transferring the mixed audio output to a transcriber server which thereby yields one or more text outputs, and the text outputs being merged by a merging utility with the timestamps included in the signal thereby providing a single text file.

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         5 . A system for automatically merging multiple time-stamped transcriptions comprising:
 a device including an assembly for recording conversations;   a compressor;   a decompressor;   a transcriber server;   a mixed audio output; and,   one or more separate text outputs being merged by a merging utility into a single text file.   
     
     
         6 . The system for automatically merging multiple time-stamped transcriptions of  claim 5  wherein either or both of the compressor and decompressor arrangements incorporate Managed Audio Sound Compression, a technology proprietary to Vianix Delaware, LLC. 
     
     
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         15 . A method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions comprising the steps of:
 compressing a signal having timestamp information encoded therein;   transferring the compressed signal to a decompressor;   the decompressor yielding one or more decompressed audio signals;   transferring the decompressed audio signals through a splitter thereby yielding a mixed audio output having resultant corresponding audio channels;   transferring the mixed audio output to a transcriber server;   the transcriber server yielding one or more text outputs; and,   the text outputs being merged by a merging utility with the timestamps included in the signal thereby providing a single text file.   
     
     
         16 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 15  wherein the merging utility operates as part of the transcriber server. 
     
     
         17 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 15  wherein the merging utility operates separate from the transcriber server. 
     
     
         18 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 15  wherein the signal is comprised of one or more channels. 
     
     
         19 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 18  wherein the signal is comprised of one or more channels and each channel corresponds to a voice or speaker. 
     
     
         20 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 19  wherein the text outputs are aligned by time and by voice or speaker. 
     
     
         21 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 20  wherein the text outputs include timestamps aligned by speaker thereby providing speaker identification as well as a record of the speech of each speaker thereby yielding a single-text version of an original conversation. 
     
     
         22 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 21  wherein a mixed audio output is integrated within the text outputs and as part of the signal and wherein both the mixed audio output and the text outputs include timestamps aligned by speaker thereby providing speaker identification as well as a record of the speech of each speaker. 
     
     
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         24 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 15  wherein the signal having timestamp information encoded therein is transferred to a transcriber server from an originating device selected from a group including telephones, cellular telephones, pocket PC's, PDA's, internet protocol-enabled devices, and other wired or wireless devices. 
     
     
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         26 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 24  wherein text outputs and a mixed audio output are transmitted to a group including either or both of designated email addresses and an originating device. 
     
     
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         28 . The method for automatic merging of multiple time-stamped transcriptions according to  claim 24  wherein conversations are performed over technology selected from a group including wired PSTN or ISDN, wireless GSM or CDMA, or VoIP (voice over internet protocol) from a group including Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) or H.323.