Method and apparatus for permitting access to, tracking, and reporting real time transcriptions

Abstract

A device and method for permitting access to a real time data stream through prepayments or other payment arrangements and/or calculating a fee corresponding to usage of a real time data stream, wherein the real time data stream includes transcript data from a court transcription. In one example, a device may include a data collection device for receiving prepayment data, such as a code, key, token, pass that may contain purchase units therein; and a counter. In one embodiment, if the counter contains a value representing unused real time connections, then the data collection device permits the computing device to access to the real time data stream. In one example, the prepayment data includes a code containing a number representing a quantity of connections that may be made to the real time data stream. In another example, a method may include receiving the real time data stream; extracting one or more billing data elements from the real time data stream; storing said one or more billing data elements for processing; and calculating the fee based on at least one of the one or more billing data elements. In this way, charges may be calculated and levied or itemized according to the usage of such a real time service during a court proceeding such as a deposition.