An improved electronic solid-state record/playback device (SSRPD) and electronic system may be used to record and playback information such as audio, video, control, and other data. The SSRPD uses no tape or moving parts in the actual record/playback process but includes an audio and/or video and/or other data record/playback module (RPM), which performs all of the record signal conversion, recording and data compression algorithms, digital signal processing, and playback signal conversion. The SSRPD has program input processing and control output processing modules so that other devices may be controlled in different ways including interactive control. A time and control processor module facilitates internal synchronization of the SSRPD audio, video, and control information, as well as synchronization with other devices. The SSRPD information described is recorded into an internal resident memory(s). The novel interface allows information to be exchanged without degradation via a digital Portable Storage Device (PSD) which may be a Random Access Memory card (RAM card), with other SSRPDs as well as to a special Computer Interface Device (CID). The CID is an intelligent device that connects to a standard computing device such as a PC and facilitates functions such as reading, writing, editing, and archiving PSD data, as well as performing diagnostic routines.

A hand-held automotive sound replicator having a case provided with a keyboard, a speaker and a power switch. The case houses a microprocessor responsive to a key input signal from the keyboard for providing data indicative of the key input signal for accessing a programmable read only memory via a random access memory. The programmable read only memory provides program and sound files to be stored in a microprocessor via the random access memory and through a controller. The microprocessor outputs digital sound signals to a digital-to-analog convertor, which provides an analog signal to a sound generator. The output from the sound generator is regulated by a volume control through an amplifier to the speaker.

A method and apparatus for trimming or replacing a message that has been received and stored in a solid-state memory of a wireless voice messaging unit includes playing back and marking a selected portion representing the important information in a stored message and then replacing the entire message with the selected portion, thereby increasing the available memory space for new messages. In addition, after listening to the received and stored message the user can create his own abstract of the message that is shorter than the original. The new shorter message then replaces the original message, thereby increasing the available memory space for subsequent messages.

A compact disk drive controller to control the access of information from an optical compact disk (CD) digital data storage device by a host computer using an integrated drive electronics (IDE) data bus or an industry standard architecture (ISA) data bus is disclosed. A digital signal processor (DSP) interface to the drive electronics of the CD drive, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) controller, an error correction code (ECC) data corrector, an error detection and correction (EDC) device employing cyclical redundancy checking techniques (EDC/CRC), and a host computer interface are described.

A client computer with a scanner capable of scanning objects for a code. The client computer scans the object of interest and translates the code into a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that specifies both a server computer and the location within the server of information that is relevant to the object. The client computer transmits the URL to the server computer, receives the information related to the object from the server computer, and communicates the information to the customer.