Audio recording system and apparatus

Abstract

A system and apparatus for recording and archiving diverse communications over radio transmissions. The system and apparatus enables unattended airports to generate a useful archive of all radio communications made by aircraft and ground personnel. A combination of hardware and software components are provided to record and store radio transmissions in computer files. Once stored, the computer files may then be replayed for training and investigation purposes. Likewise, users may generate custom reports based upon the data embodied in the computer files.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An audio recording apparatus for monitoring multiple radio transmissions at an unattended airport, said apparatus comprising:
 a radio device for receiving multiple radio transmissions from one or more radio transmission sources;   a plurality of unique signature elements each provided to a corresponding one of said one or more radio transmission sources;   a signal interface connected to said radio device, said signal interface including a variable attenuator capable of selective operation with a plurality of other radio devices including said radio device;   a computing device connected to said signal interface, said computing device generating data corresponding to each of said radio transmissions; and   a cloud-based server located at a central location remote from said computing device, said server storing said data along with similar data related to additional unattended airports.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said computing device converts said data whereby each said radio transmission transcribes said data to corresponding digital audio files with a related time stamp. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said data includes information related to environmental readings corresponding to said related time stamp. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said signature element is a unique DTMF tone. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said computing device generates an audiovisual output that includes a digital audio clip of said radio transmission selectable by a corresponding time stamp. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said computing device generates an output report that includes information categorized by one or more of said unique DTMF tones. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said computing device generates an output report from all accumulated data stored at said cloud-based server and said output report includes information categorized by one or more of said unique DTMF tones of more than one unattended airport. 
     
     
         8 . A system for airport audio recording management, said system comprising:
 one or more radio transmission sources;   a radio device for receiving multiple radio transmissions from said one or more radio transmission sources;   a plurality of unique signature elements each provided to a corresponding one of said one or more radio transmission sources;   a signal interface connected to said radio device, said signal interface including a variable attenuator capable of selective operation with a plurality of other radio devices including said radio device;   a computing device connected to said signal interface, said computing device generating data corresponding to each of said multiple radio transmissions, and   a cloud-based server located at a central location and storing said data along with similar data related to additional unattended airports.   
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said cloud-based server provides data storage that is located remote from said computing device. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9  each signature element is a different DTMF tone unique to each said one or more radio transmission sources. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  further including an audiovisual output generated by said computing device, said audiovisual output including a digital audio clip of said radio transmission selectable by a range of corresponding time stamps. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  further including an output report generated by said computing device, said output report including information categorized by one or more of said unique DTMF tones. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said audiovisual output and said output report provide airport management information so as to track usage of an airport utilizing said system. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said audiovisual output and said output report provide safety training information so as to instruct personnel of an airport utilizing said system. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said audiovisual output and said output report provide airport activity information so as to track takeoff and landing occurrences at an airport utilizing said system. 
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said audiovisual output and said output report provide voice data information so as to track accident occurrences at an airport utilizing said system. 
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said computing device generates an output report from all accumulated data stored at said cloud-based server and said output report includes information categorized by one or more of said unique DTMF tones of more than one unattended airport.