User's Guide to Community Bulletin Board
Overview
This chapter discusses the concepts of the System Editor that you use to build and maintain your Community Bulletin Board application. You will become familiar with the various objects used as the building blocks of your own system. For each type of object, we explain how it works and how you use the editor to create, configure and manipulate that object. Specifically, this chapter explains to you:
Terms
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Clipboard |
A special storage area in Windows that temporarily stores cut or copied information, such as text or speech files. |
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Control |
A graphic representation on a box that you use to perform a function or feature. A control may be a field, check box, or button. |
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Default |
Any preset or preselected item, control, or field. Most commonly, the default setting of a control is the normal or recommended setting. |
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Menu Bar |
This contains a list of menu headings. Clicking on a menu heading displays the menu corresponding to the selected menu heading. The menu options relate to the menu heading they fall under. |
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Object ID |
A number used to identify tree objects in the tree. The ID number of an object is the sum of all touch tones a caller would press to get to that object from the Initial Prompt. |
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Tool Button Ribbon |
This is a vertical display of buttons that allow you to edit and modify the tree. These buttons correspond to menu commands located under the menu headings on the tool bar. |
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Tree Objects |
These are the components you use to make your system. There are three types of tree objects you may use: Prompts, Announcements, and Control points. These three objects allow you to design your entire Community Bulletin Board system. |
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Work Area |
This portion of the program window displays the existing tree structure for your Community Bulletin Board system. |
When we say ‘Tree’, we’re referring to the structure of your Community Bulletin Board application as it appears in the work area. Think of your system tree as a family tree—a family tree has branches, and so does the system tree of your Community Bulletin Board application. Keeping with this visualization, you can see that this matriarchal family tree has mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, daughters, grand-daughters, nieces, and so on. Figure 24 illustrates this comparison of the family tree to the system tree:
Figure 24—The Family tree and the System Tree
As with any family tree, all of the children spring from their ancestors. These children have children, and the tree begins to branch and grow.
To carry the family tree analogy a step further, a family tree has a main ancestor from which branches of relatives grow. From those branches, other branches grow, and branches grow from those branches, and so on. The Community Bulletin Board system works the same way. Knowing this, let’s look at the Community Bulletin Board tree again:
Figure 25—The Community Bulletin Board system tree
You can see why the structure is called a tree. All Phone applications share this structure. This tree structure then is a representation of how a caller would use touch-tones to move around the system.
For Example: Suppose a caller calls into your Community Bulletin Board system. The first thing they hear is the welcome speech on the System Greeting object. They then hear the first menu on the Initial Prompt (Menu). At this point, the caller has three choices: They can press the "1" key to hear the time and temperature, "2" to access the community events, and "99" to exit the system. Figure 26 shows the caller’s progress in the tree so far:
The Initial Prompt is a type of Prompt, and a Prompt waits for a touch tone before it does anything. The caller decides to press 2, which means they move to the Prompt of the same number. This is the "Community Events" Prompt, as shown in Figure 27:
At this point, the caller listens to the activated auto-menu on the "Community Events" Prompt. This auto-menu gives the caller the option to press "1" to hear the "Town Meeting" Announcement, "2" for the "High School Sports" Announcement, or "3" to hear the "Upcoming Town Events" Announcement.
The caller presses the 3 key on their phone, and the caller moves to the "Upcoming Town Events" Announcement. The Announcement plays its speech to the caller. Figure 28 shows the caller’s progress thus far:
Figure 28—The caller on the "Upcoming Town Events" Prompt
When the Announcement finishes playing, it returns to its parent Prompt (this is the default action for a completed Announcement).
While the caller is listening to the auto-menu again, they press the * (star) key on their phone. This special key allows the caller to back up to the parent Prompt of the current Prompt. In this case, the caller jumps from the "Community Events" Prompt to the Initial Prompt (menu). Figure 29 illustrates this jump:
Figure 29—The Jump back via the * key
Listening to the Initial Prompt’s auto-menu, the caller then presses the 1 key, so they may hear the time and temperature. The caller moves to the "Time and Temperature" Prompt, as shown in Figure 30:
This Prompt gives the caller two options. The first is the temperature in Fahrenheit, the second is the temperature in Centigrade. The caller presses 2, to hear the "Temperature in Centigrade" Announcement. Figure 31 shows this progression:
Now the caller isn’t quite sure they heard the temperature correctly, so they press the # (pound) key. This special key plays the current message again. The caller hears the same Announcement again, and then returns to the parent Prompt (via the default "Goto" setting on the Announcement).
At the "Time and Temperature" Prompt, the caller presses * to return to the Initial Prompt. When they hear the auto-menu, they press 99, to exit the system. The "Exit System" Control point is configured so that it hangs up when the caller reaches it. The system hangs up, and the call ends. Figure 32 shows these final movements in the tree:
The reason for the Control Point having a two-digit ID is so the caller won’t accidentally exit the system. Although the caller could simply hang up, this Control point gives them a definite leaving point.
There are two permanent tree objects that act as originating ancestors for the system tree, and three objects that you may use to create ‘branches’ in the Community Bulletin Board system tree. We’ll discuss the purpose of each of these elements, and how they work in the system tree.
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System Greeting—This object appears in the tree in the upper left corner of the Work area (it’s that small blue rectangle with an "S" on it). This is the first object in the tree that callers reach when they call into the system. The System Greeting usually contains a speech that welcomes the caller to the system, and contains the controls that allow you to set up a Caller of the Week contest. This is a permanent object in the tree. |
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Initial Prompt—This tree object appears as a small red folder, located directly under the System Greeting. Normally, you record instructions for callers using the system, onto this object, as well as a menu of options. You may also configure the Initial Prompt to play Advertisements. This tree object is also a permanent object in the tree. |
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Prompt—This object allows you to do a number of things, but its basic purpose is to prompt the caller for a touch-tone response. A Prompt commonly acts as a menu for its children (i.e. branches coming from this Prompt branch). You may also configure a Prompt to play Advertisements. A Prompt appears as a small green folder. |
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Announcement—This tree object’s basic purpose is to play an announcement or other recorded speech when the caller reaches the Announcement. You may also configure the Announcement to play the time, temperature, a series of numbers (such as lottery numbers), or Advertisements. The Announcement object appears as a small yellow rectangle with an "A" on it. |
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Control Point—A Control Point appears as a small pink rectangle with a "C" on it. Control Points allow you to perform special functions. Its primary function is to ‘chain’ to another Phone application. This means that you may access part of another application through the Community Bulletin Board system tree. |
Now that you’ve been introduced to the tree objects, you now know their purpose. This section now builds upon the previous discussions by stating the rules and details of each object and its controls. This section also relates each of these objects to the example system tree we shipped to you.
The System Greeting
As stated previously, the System Greeting is the first thing the caller hears when they call into the system. Think of it as a sort of welcome mat at the front door of your system.
The Details
Figure 33 shows how the System Greeting box appears:
The parts and purpose of the System Greeting box are as follows:
System Password—This field allows you to enter a password into your Community Bulletin Board system. You may use from one to ten numbers for your password. You use this password when you call in to remotely modify your system. This field is ‘number specific’, which means that you may only enter numbers into this field.
Next Prompt—This field allows you to enter the ‘address’, or object ID of the next tree object you wish to activate. Normally, this is set to "01", which is the address of the "Initial Prompt" object (this is the default setting). This means that after this object finishes its task (this includes playing a recorded speech), it goes then to the "Initial Prompt" tree object. This field is ‘number specific’, which means that you may only enter numbers into this field.
Caller of the Week—This field allows you to enter a number for the caller of the week. When you enter a number, say 400, into the Caller of the Week field, the application begins counting the number of people that call into your system. When the 400th person calls in, your application will transfer the caller to a mailbox which will tell the caller that he or she has won and ask him or her to leave an address and phone number, so that you can send the prize. After the winning caller, the system re-sets and starts counting at one again.
Caller of the Week Object—The number that you enter into this field is the I.D. number of a Control Point that will take the caller to a Voice Mailbox.
Ring Count Before Answering—This field allows you to set the number of times your phone rings before answering and starting your Community Bulletin Board system. This field is ‘number specific’, which means that you may only enter numbers into this field.
Current Caller—This number simply tells you where the program is in the countdown towards the Caller of the Week.
Enable Speech—Clicking on this check box allows you to enable or disable the speech associated with this object. If an "X" appears in the box, the speech is ‘enabled’, meaning that it plays to a caller. If the box is left blank the speech is ‘disabled’, meaning that no message plays to a caller. When you disable a speech, the "Play" and "Record" buttons turn a sort of gray color. This signifies that the speech is disabled, and therefore may not be played or recorded. Also, you may not change the script of a disabled speech.
Script—You use this field as part of the speech recording procedure. This field, when activated, allows you to enter as much text as you wish. This text acts as a ‘script’ for the speech when you record. This eliminates the need for a bunch of hand-written speech notes cluttering your desk. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
"Play" button—Clicking on this button allows you to play the speech associated with the object, if the object has a speech recorded for it. This is useful if you want to hear a speech recorded for this object.
"Record" button—This button allows you to begin recording speech for a tree object. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
"OK" button—This button confirms the settings on the object. If you made any changes, the changes save and you return to the tree view.
"Cancel" button—This button allows you to avoid saving any changes and return to the tree view. You use this button when you’ve made some changes that you decide not to keep, and you want the tree object to return to its original format.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
In The Example System Tree
Looking at the "System Greeting" box in the example system tree, we can see that the current setup answers the phone after the second ring, plays the greeting speech, then goes to the "Initial Prompt". It is not set up to countdown to a Caller of the Week.
Initial Prompt (menu)
Our discussion of the "System Greeting" now takes us to the "Initial Prompt" object. This object, like the "System Greeting", is a permanent tree object. Figure 34 shows the Initial Prompt box so you can take a closer look:
Figure 34—The "Initial Prompt" box
The Details
Enable—This check box controls whether or not the Initial Prompt is activated. If an "X" appears in the box, then the object is enabled and works normally. If the check box is empty, then the Initial Prompt is disabled. This means the system acts as if it doesn’t exist, and callers cannot reach the object.
Description—This field contains the information that describes the function of the object (i.e., the object’s name). This text also appears in the system tree, to the right of the object.
Enable Auto-Menu—This check box controls whether or not the Initial Prompt reads a list of choices. This list of choices is composed of the recorded ID speeches for each object on this branch of the tree (i.e., a direct child of this parent Prompt) . If an "X" appears in the box, then the auto-menu is enabled and works normally. If the check box is empty, then the auto-menu is disabled (and thus, doesn’t play an auto-menu). The Auto Menu function saves you the trouble of recording a menu as a speech. Also, the auto-menu changes automatically to reflect changes in the tree structure.
No TT Jump—This field allows you to handle callers who call into your Community Bulletin Board system using a non-touch tone (rotary) phone. They may not use the system to its full extent, so this option allows them to get at least something out of your system. This field is ‘number specific’, which means that you may only enter numbers into this field.
Play Advertisement—This check box allows you to control the playing of advertisements. If an "X" appears in the box, then the system plays an Advertisement before it plays any other speech. If the check box is empty, then the Advertisement is disabled, and no Advertisement plays.
Advertising Group—This field allows you to select the ‘Advertising Group’ from which an Advertisement plays. An ‘Advertising Group’ is merely a group of Advertisements. We’ll discuss Advertisements and Advertising Groups in more detail later.
Enable Speech—Clicking on this check box allows you to enable or disable the speech associated with this object. If an "X" appears in the box, the speech is ‘enabled’, meaning that it plays to a caller. If the box is left blank the speech is ‘disabled’, meaning that no message plays to a caller. When you disable a speech, the "Play" and "Record" buttons turn a sort of gray color. This signifies that the speech is disabled, and therefore may not be played or recorded.
Script—You use this field as part of the speech recording procedure. When the "Enable Speech" check box contains an "X", this field allows you to enter as much text as you wish. This text acts as a ‘script’ for the speech when you record. This eliminates the need for a bunch of hand-written speech notes cluttering your desk. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
"Play" button—Clicking on this button allows you to play the speech associated with the object, if the object has a speech recorded for it. This is useful if you want to hear a speech recorded for this object.
"Record" button—This button allows you to begin recording speech for a tree object. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
"OK" button—This button confirms the settings on the object. If you made any changes, the changes save and you return to the tree view.
"Cancel" button—This button allows you to avoid saving any changes and return to the tree view. You use this button when you’ve made some changes that you decide not to keep, and you want the tree object to return to its original format.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
In the Example System Tree
Looking at the "Initial Prompt" information, you may deduce the purpose of this tree object: When the caller reaches this tree object, they hear the instructional speech recorded for this object (the script for this speech appears in the "Prompt Script field"). They then hear the auto-menu, which plays a menu of the messages they may listen to. The auto-menu also tells the caller which numbers to press on their phones to access these messages.
Currently the "No TT Jump" field contains a "11". This is the ID number for the "Temperature in Fahrenheit" Announcement. This means that a non-touch tone caller can at least hear the current time and temperature (in Fahrenheit). The ID number of an object is the sum of all of the touch tones you would press to get to the object from the Initial prompt.
At this point, the touch-tone caller could branch to one of three places. The auto-menu on the Initial Prompt gave the caller the following choices:
"Time and Temperature, 1; Community Events, 2; Hang up and leave the system, 99."
Prompts
A Prompt’s primary job is to wait for a touch-tone, then go to the object that corresponds to that touch-tone. Figure 35 shows how the Prompt box appears:
The Details
Enable—This check box controls whether or not the Prompt is activated. If an "X" appears in the box, then the object is enabled and works normally. If the check box is empty, then the Prompt is disabled. This means the system acts as if it doesn’t exist, and callers cannot reach the object.
Description—This field contains the information that describes the function of the object (i.e., the object’s name). This text also appears in the system tree, to the right of the object.
Enable Auto-Menu—This check box controls whether or not the Prompt reads a list of options. This list of choices is composed of the recorded ID speeches for each object on this branch of the tree (i.e., a direct child of this parent Prompt) . If an "X" appears in the box, then the auto-menu is enabled and works normally. If the check box is empty, then the auto-menu is disabled (and thus, doesn’t play an auto-menu). The Auto Menu function saves you the trouble of recording a menu as a speech. Also, the auto-menu changes automatically to reflect changes in the tree structure.
"Play ID" button—This button allows you to play the ID speech for the Prompt. Playing is discussed in the section entitled "The Play Box".
"Record ID" button—This button allows you to record the ID speech for the Prompt. The system uses this speech so that this object may be identified on a parent’s auto-menu. Recording is discussed in the section entitled "The Record Box".
Play Advertisement—This check box allows you to control the playing of Advertisements. If an "X" appears in the box, then the system plays an Advertisement before it plays any other speech. If the check box is empty, then the Advertisement is disabled, and no Advertisement plays.
Advertising Group—This field allows you to select the ‘Advertising Group’ from which an Advertisement plays. An ‘Advertising Group’ is merely a group of Advertisements. We’ll discuss Advertisements and Advertising Groups in more detail later.
Enable Speech—Clicking on this check box allows you to enable or disable the speech associated with this object. If an "X" appears in the box, the speech is ‘enabled’, meaning that it plays to a caller. If the box is left blank the speech is ‘disabled’, meaning that no message plays to a caller. When you disable a speech, the "Play" and "Record" buttons turn a sort of gray color. This signifies that the speech is disabled, and therefore may not be played or recorded.
Script—You use this field as part of the speech recording procedure. When the "Enable Speech" check box contains an "X", this field allows you to enter as much text as you wish. This text acts as a ‘script’ for the speech when you record. This eliminates the need for a bunch of hand-written speech notes cluttering your desk. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
"Play" button—Clicking on this button allows you to play the speech associated with the object, if the object has a speech recorded for it. This is useful if you want to hear a speech recorded for this object.
"Record" button—This button allows you to begin recording speech for a tree object. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
"OK" button—This button confirms the settings on the object. If you made any changes, the changes save and you return to the tree view.
"Cancel" button—This button allows you to avoid saving any changes and return to the tree view. You use this button when you’ve made some changes that you decide not to keep, and you want the tree object to return to its original format.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
In the Example Tree
There are two separate Prompts in the example system tree: The "Time and Temperature" Prompt, and the "Community Events" Prompt.
"Time and Temperature" Prompt
The caller reaches this Prompt by pressing the 1 key at the Initial Prompt. Figure 36 shows the settings for this Prompt’s controls:
Figure 36—The "Time and Temperature" Prompt’s settings
This Prompt is enabled, so callers may access it. When the caller reaches this Prompt, they hear the speech corresponding to the text in the "Script" field. Since the children for this Prompt are Announcements that won’t need updated, the Script works better than the Auto-Menu function. The caller may go to either of the two Announcements under this Prompt. They are the "Temperature in Fahrenheit" Announcement, and the "Temperature in Centigrade" Announcement.
"Community Events" Prompt
The caller reaches this Prompt by pressing the 2 key at the Initial Prompt. The "Community Events" Prompt box appears as shown in Figure 37:
Figure 37—The "Community Events" Prompt box
Something you may notice is that the "Play Advertisement" check box contains an "X". This means that an Advertisement from the "All" Advertising Group plays when the caller reaches this Prompt.
You may also notice that the Auto-Menu feature is enabled. This is because the Community Events Announcements will most likely change as they are updated.
When the caller reaches this Prompt, an Advertisement from the "All" Advertising Group plays, followed by an introduction to the Community Events auto-menu. Then the menu of Community Events plays, including the numbers to press to hear a specific Announcement. The caller may go to one of the three Announcements under this Prompt. They are the "Town Meeting" Announcement, the "High School Sports" Announcement, and the "Upcoming Town Events" Prompt.
Announcements
Let’s view the details of an Announcement box:
Figure 38—The Announcement box
The main purpose of the Announcement tree object is to play an informative message, which may consist of many different parts.
The Announcement box is divided into five groups of buttons and fields. These groups of controls pertain to Announcement information, Advertising, what happens when the object finishes its tasks, other settings, and the Announcement script and speech. Lets look at these groups.
The Details
Enable—This check box controls whether or not the Announcement is activated. If an "X" appears in the box, then the object is enabled and works normally. If the check box is empty, then the Announcement is disabled. This means the system acts as if it doesn’t exist, and callers cannot reach the object.
Description—This field contains the information that describes the function of the object (i.e., the object’s name). This text also appears in the system tree, to the right of the object.
"Play ID" button—This button allows you to play the ID speech for the Announcement. Playing is discussed in the section entitled "The Play Box".
"Record ID" button—This button allows you to record the ID speech for the Announcement. The system uses this speech so that this object may be identified on a parent’s auto-menu. Recording is discussed in the section entitled "The Record Box".
Play Advertisement—This check box allows you to control the playing of Advertisements. If an "X" appears in the box, then the system plays an Advertisement before it plays any other speech. If the check box is empty, then the Advertisement is disabled, and no Advertisement plays.
Advertising Group—This field allows you to select the ‘Advertising Group’ from which an Advertisement plays. An ‘Advertising Group’ is merely a group of Advertisements. We’ll discuss Advertisements and Advertising Groups in more detail later.
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You can select either the "Goto" option or the "Hangup Phone" option, but never both. If you select one option, the black dot appears in the corresponding circle. At the same time, the black dot in the other circle disappears, thereby unselecting the corresponding option. |
Goto—The "Goto" option allows you to go to another part of the tree. Normally, the "Goto" option is selected (as indicated by the small black dot in the circle), and the field beside the "Goto" contains "*". The star (asterisk) always sends the caller back to this Announcement’s parent Prompt. By activating the "Goto" option and entering a tree object’s ID number (which is like its ‘address’ in the tree), the caller then goes to that object when this object finishes. Hangup Phone—This option, when selected, tells the application to hang up the phone after completing this Announcement’s tasks. |
Include in TT Directory—The "Include in TT Directory" check box is an advanced feature, and is more commonly used in the other Phone applications. For more information on this setting, refer to the section in this manual entitled "Advanced Functions and Features".
Say Numbers List—The "Say Numbers List" field allows you to enter numbers that the caller hears when they reach this tree object. This is useful for playing lottery numbers, and dollar values.
There are two formats you may use for the "Say Numbers List": Number format, which says the numbers you type, and Currency format, which plays the numbers according to dollar and cent values. When using either format, you use commas (,) to separate different numbers. This comma tells the system to pause between numbers. When using Currency format, you must type a dollar sign ($) directly before the number. You may use a period (.) to denote the cents place (i.e., $19.95). You may use both of these number format options on an Announcement. This field is ‘number specific’, which means that you may only enter numbers into this field.
Play Time—The "Play Time" check box determines whether or not the current time plays to the caller. If an "X" appears in the check box, then the current time plays to the caller. If the check box is empty, the caller does not hear the time.
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If you do not have the Weather Watcher kit, then you cannot use these temperature controls. For more information on purchasing the Weather Watcher kit, contact Customer Service. |
Play Temp—The "Play Temp’ check box determines whether or not the current temperature plays to the caller. If an "X" appears in the check box, then the current temperature plays to the caller. If the check box is empty, the caller does not hear the temperature. You may also select the format of the temperature, either in "F" (degrees Fahrenheit) or in "C" (degrees Centigrade). You may choose only one of these temperature format options per Announcement. |
Script—You use this field as part of the speech recording procedure. This field allows you to enter as much text as you wish. This text becomes the ‘script’ for the speech when you record. This eliminates the need for a bunch of hand-written speech notes cluttering your desk. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
Enable Speech—Clicking on this check box allows you to enable or disable the speech associated with this object. If an "X" appears in the box, the speech is ‘enabled’, meaning that it plays to a caller. If the box is left blank the speech is ‘disabled’, meaning that no message plays to a caller. When you disable a speech, the "Play" and "Record" buttons turn a sort of gray color. This signifies that the speech is disabled, and therefore may not be played or recorded.
"Play" button—Clicking on this button allows you to play the speech associated with the object, if the object has a speech recorded for it. This is useful if you want to hear a speech recorded for this object.
"Record" button—This button allows you to begin recording speech for a tree object. We’ll talk more about recording speech later.
"OK" button—This button confirms the settings on the object. If you made any changes, the changes save and you return to the tree view.
"Cancel" button—This button allows you to avoid saving any changes and return to the tree view. You use this button when you’ve made some changes that you decide not to keep, and you want the tree object to return to its original format.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
In the Example Tree
There are five Announcements in the example system tree, and they are divided into two groups. The first two Announcements, are "Time and Temperature" Announcements, meaning that they are the children of the "Time and Temperature" Prompt. The other three are children of the "Community Events" Prompt.
"Time and Temperature" Announcements
These Announcements are the children of the "Time and Temperature" Prompt. Figure 39 shows these Announcements and their parent Prompt, as they appear in the example system tree:
These Announcements are configured to do nearly the same thing. The only real difference comes in when you look at the temperature format. One Announcement plays the temperature in Fahrenheit, and the other plays the temperature in Centigrade.
"Temperature in Fahrenheit" Announcement—Figure 40 shows the Announcement box for the "Temperature in Fahrenheit" Announcement:
Figure 40—The "Temperature in Fahrenheit" Announcement box
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If you do not have the Weather Watcher kit, then you cannot use these temperature controls. For more information on purchasing the Weather Watcher kit, contact Customer Service. |
The caller would press the 1 key at the "Time and Temperature" Prompt to access this Announcement. Looking at this Announcement, you can see that the caller who reaches this object hears the current time and the current temperature (in Fahrenheit). When the Announcement finishes its tasks, it then returns to its parent Prompt (via the "*" in the "Goto" field). |
Something worth noting is the Announcement’s ID number, "11". This is the first time you’ve seen a two-digit ID. You may be asking, "How did that happen? What does it mean?" Let’s take a closer look
The caller calls into the system, and hears the System Greeting and the Initial Prompt’s auto-menu. They press the 1 key on their phone, selecting the "Time and Temperature" Prompt. They hear the Time and Temperature menu, then they press 1 to hear the "Temperature in Fahrenheit" Announcement. Notice that "1" and "1" viewed together is "11". This means that the ID of an object is the sum of the numbers the caller presses to get to that object. We’ll talk more about the importance of a tree object’s ID in the next section.
"Temperature in Centigrade" Announcement—Figure 41 shows the Announcement box for the "Temperature in Centigrade" Announcement:
Figure 41—The "Temperature in Centigrade" Announcement box
The caller would press the 2 key at the "Time and Temperature" Prompt to access this Announcement. Looking at This Announcement, you can see that the caller who reaches this object hears the current time and the current temperature (in Centigrade). When the Announcement finishes its tasks, it then returns to its parent Prompt (via the "*" in the "Goto" field).
"Community Events" Announcements
Figure 42 shows the Announcements that branch from the "Community Events" Prompt, and their parent Prompt:
Since each of these Announcements are very similar (only the Descriptions, Scripts, and speeches are different), Figure 43 below shows the first one, the "Town Meeting" Announcement.
Figure 43—The "Town Meeting" Announcement
This is about as standard as Announcements get. As you can see, this Announcement plays a speech concerning a town meeting, then returns to its parent Prompt (via the "Goto *").
The other Announcements in this group are configured identically to this one. Only their speeches, names, and locations are different.
Control Points
The purpose of the Control Point is to control the flow of events in the system tree. Not only does a Control Point allow you to go to another part of the tree, it also allows you to go to another Phone application. Figure 44 shows the Control Point box:
Figure 44—The Control Point box
The Details
Enable—This check box controls whether or not the Control Point is activated. If an "X" appears in the box, then the object is enabled and works normally. If the check box is empty, then the Control Point is disabled. This means the system acts as if it doesn’t exist, and callers cannot reach the object.
Description—This field contains the information that describes the function of the object (i.e., the object’s name). This text also appears in the system tree, to the right of the object.
"Play ID" button—This button allows you to play the ID speech for the Control Point. Playing is discussed in the section entitled "The Play Box".
This option will only work if the phone line that you are running your program on supports conference calling. For more information about using this control, see the chapter on "Advanced Functions and Features."
"Record ID" button—This button allows you to record the ID speech for the Control Point. The system uses this speech so that this object may be identified on a parent’s auto-menu. Recording is discussed in the section entitled "The Record Box".
Play Advertisement—This check box allows you to control the playing of Advertisements. If an "X" appears in the box, then the system plays an Advertisement before it plays any other speech. If the check box is empty, then the Advertisement is disabled, and no Advertisement plays.
Advertising Group—This field allows you to select the ‘Advertising Group’ from which an Advertisement plays. An ‘Advertising Group’ is merely a group of Advertisements. We’ll discuss Advertisements and Advertising Groups in more detail later.
Chain To—This control that allows you to ‘chain’ the Community Bulletin Board application to another Phone application. ‘Chaining’ is simply linking one Phone application to another, to utilize the special properties of another application. This comes in handy when you want to include a function in Community Bulletin Board that appears in another Phone application. Chaining is an advanced feature of the Phone applications, and is discussed in the "Advanced Functions And Features" section in this manual.
Goto (For Chaining)—This field relates to the "Chain To" field. This field allows you to enter the ID number of an object in the application you chain to, so that the caller goes right to this object. This field is ‘number specific’, which means that you may only enter numbers into this field.
List Touch Tone Directory—This is an advanced option that is more commonly used in other Phone applications. If you decide to use this option, though, refer to the "Advanced Functions And Features" section.
No Control Function—This option allows you to avoid selecting a control function, meaning the "Chain To" or "List Touch Tone Directory" controls.
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You may select either the "Goto" option or the "Hangup Phone" option, but never both. |
Goto—The "Goto" option allows you to go to another part of the tree. By activating the "Goto" option and entering a tree object’s ID number (which is like its ‘address’ in the tree), the caller then goes to that object when this object finishes. Hangup Phone—This option, when selected, tells the application to hang up the phone after completing this Control Point’s tasks. |
Transfer Caller To—This option, when selected, transfers the caller to another number. Then the application hangs up, leaving the caller connected to the new number. The application will then answer the next incoming call. For more information, see the "Advanced Functions and Features" chapter.
"OK" button—This button confirms the settings on the object. If you made any changes, the changes save and you return to the tree view.
"Cancel" button—This button allows you to avoid saving any changes and return to the tree view. You use this button when you’ve made some changes that you decide not to keep, and you want the tree object to return to its original format.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
In the Example Tree
The caller accesses the "Exit System" Control Point by pressing the 99 on their phone. Take a closer look at the "Exit System" Control Point:
Figure 45—The "Exit System" Control Point
The first thing you should notice is that this Control Point has "99" as its ID number. The reason for this is so the caller won’t accidentally exit the system by pressing a single touch tone.
The only activated control on this object it the "Hangup Phone" control. When the caller reaches this tree object, the system hangs up the phone.
The purpose of the "Exit System" Control Point is to give the caller a place to hang up (knowing it’s safe to do so at an option called "Exit System"). You could make a system without a hang up point, but the caller might feel funny about just hanging up. The "Exit System" Control Point just makes hanging up a more comfortable procedure for the caller. If you decide not to provide your callers with a place to hang up, make sure at least tell them something like "You may hang up at any time during this call to exit this service". A message like this would best be placed with the system instructions (like those found on the Initial Prompt).
Another reason for including a hang up Control Point is for using the "Chain To" function in the Combination Application. This hang up point allows the system to ‘unchain’ from the current application, and return to the Combination Application. The Combination Application is discussed in more detail in the "User’s Guide to Business Manager" manual.
A tree object’s ID number allows you to locate that object when you remotely access your system. Also, ID’s allow you to know where an object is in the system tree.
If you look at your system tree, you’ll notice that each object in the tree has a picture, number, and description associated with it. The number is the relative location of the object.
If you double click a tree object to view the detailed information box, you’ll notice that the Object ID is different for each tree object.
To illustrate this idea of relative and absolute ID’s, let’s look at the example tree in Figure 46:
Looking at the "Temperature In Centigrade" Announcement, we see that its relative ID number is "2". This means that it has this ID relative to its Announcement group. Now let’s look at the Announcement box for the "Temperature In Centigrade" Announcement:
Figure 47—The "Temperature In Centigrade" Announcement box
As you can see, the Announcement’s ID is "12". This is the absolute Object ID for this tree object. No other tree object may use this number (the application simply won’t allow it). Due to the Object ID’s uniqueness, it is this number that you use to locate the object in the remote access part of the Community Bulletin Board application.
The maximum length of any object’s ID is ten digits. If you feel the need for more, then your tree structure is too complex.
Also, consider that there is no rule that says an object’s relative ID can only be a single digit. If this were the case, then you could only have ten objects at any level (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0). This would limit an Announcement group to ten announcements. In some cases, this is a good thing; a lengthy menu of items may wear on the caller and most callers can only handle four to five options on a menu.
The Script Editor is a large field that appears at the bottom of Prompt and Announcement boxes, as well as the Initial Prompt box. You use this field as part of the speech recording procedure. This field allows you to enter as much text as you wish. This text becomes the ‘script’ for the speech when you record. This eliminates the need for a bunch of hand-written speech notes cluttering your desk. Figure 48 shows an example of the Script Editor:
Figure 48—The Script Editor
The white area of the box accepts text, as long as the "Enable Speech" option is active (i.e., the check box contains an "X"). The scroll bar along the right side of the text field allows you to move up and down through the text.
When you move the mouse pointer into the Script Editor field, the mouse pointer changes from an arrow to a script editing cursor. Figure 49 shows this change:
Figure 49—Mouse pointer change in the Script Editor
When you click anywhere in this field, a cursor appears. You may use the mouse to place the cursor where you want in a body of text.
The following is a list of keys you may use to perform certain movement and editing functions in the Script Editor:
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Key or Key Combination |
Effect or Function |
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Up Arrow |
Moves the cursor up through the text, one line at a time. |
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Down Arrow |
Moves the cursor down through the text, one line at a time. |
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Right Arrow |
Moves the cursor to the right, one character at a time. |
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Left Arrow |
Moves the cursor to the left, one character at a time. |
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PgUp |
Moves the cursor up one page (screen section). |
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PgDn |
Moves the cursor down one page (screen section). |
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Home |
Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line. |
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End |
Moves the cursor to the end of the line. |
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Delete |
Deletes the characters to the right of the cursor, one character at a time. |
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Backspace |
Deletes the characters to the left of the cursor, one character at a time. |
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Ctrl+Home |
Moves the cursor to the absolute beginning of the text. |
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Ctrl+End |
Moves the cursor to the absolute end of the text. |
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Ctrl+C |
Copies the selected (highlighted) text to the Clipboard. |
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Ctrl+X |
Cuts the selected (highlighted) text from the Script Editor to the Clipboard. |
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Ctrl+V |
Pastes the text in the Clipboard to the cursor’s current location in the text. |
You use the Script Editor any time that you may record a speech (other than the ID speech).
The Record box is the box that appears when you click the "Record" button or the "Record ID" button on a Prompt box or Announcement box. You also see the Record box if you click the "Record" button on the Initial Prompt box, or the "Record ID" button on a Control Point box. You use this box to record the descriptions and speeches for your tree objects, as well as Advertisements. Figure 50 shows how the Record box appears in the application:
Figure 50—The Record box
The fields and controls on the Record box are as follows:
Script Prompter—This is where the text you entered into the Script Editor or the "Description" field appears. As you record, the text scrolls up and is magnified in the center box so you can read it. The scroll bar on the right of the center box allows you to scroll the text so that you may read it while recording.
Auto Prompting—Enabling this feature allows the text to automatically scroll up through the Script Prompter.
Lines/Sec (for Auto Prompting)—This option allows you to adjust how fast the Auto Prompting scrolls through the text in the Script Prompter. This is represented by lines of text per second. The default setting for this field is "0.40" lines per second.
Speech Position—This display indicates how much of the speech time has elapsed out of the total length of the recording. The display shows the position minutes and seconds. This function is used primarily during playback to locate a certain section of the speech.
Length of Recording—This is a display of the total time the speech takes to play to a caller. The display shows the speech length in minutes and seconds.
Speech Scroll Bar—This is a graphical representation of the Speech Position display. The left of the scroll bar is the beginning of the speech, and the right is the end of the speech. You may move the scroll box by dragging it to the desired location on the scroll bar. This function is used primarily during playback to locate a certain section of the speech.
"Play" button—This button allows you to play the recorded speech.
"Replay" button—This button allows you to replay a speech from the beginning.
"Stop" button—This button allows you to stop the recording or playback of a speech.
"Record" button—This button allows you to begin recording a speech.
"Transfer" button—This button allows you to move a speech out to the Paste Buffer. This allows you to then move the speech to another tree object in the system tree. For more information on this advanced recording feature, refer to the "Advanced Functions and Features" section.
"Replace" button—This button allows you to move a speech from the Paste Buffer to a tree object in the Community Bulletin Board application. For more information on this advanced recording feature, refer to the "Advanced Functions and Features" section.
".WAV Copy" button—This button allows you to save a speech to a file, so that you can use a sound editing program, if you have one, to edit the speech. For more information on this advanced recording feature, refer to the "Advanced Functions and Features" section.
".WAV Paste" button—This button allows you to copy a speech file back into the Community Bulletin Board application (or even another Phone application). For more information on this advanced recording feature, refer to the "Advanced Functions and Features" section.
"OK" button—This button confirms the settings on the Record box, and also saves the speech you recorded. If you made any changes to the speech, the changes save and you return to the current tree object box.
"Cancel" button—This button allows you to avoid saving any changes and return to the detailed view of the current tree object. You use this button when you’ve made some changes that you decide not to keep, and you want the tree object’s recording to return to its original format.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
The Play box is the box that appears when you click the "Play" button or the "Play ID" button on a Prompt box or Announcement box. You also see the Play box if you click the "Play" button on the Initial Prompt box, or the "Play ID" button on a Control Point box. You use this box to play back the descriptions and speeches you recorded for your tree objects, as well as Advertisements. Unlike the Record box, you may not record any speech in the Play box. Figure 51 shows how the Play box appears in the application:
Figure 51—The Play box
The fields and controls on the Play box are as follows:
Speech Position—This display indicates how much of the speech time has elapsed out of the total length of the recording. The display shows the position minutes and seconds. This function is used primarily during playback to locate a certain section of the speech.
Length of Recording—This is a display of the total time the speech takes to play to a caller. The display shows the speech length in minutes and seconds.
Speech Scroll Bar—This is a graphical representation of the Speech Position display. The left of the scroll bar is the beginning of the speech, and the right is the end of the speech. You may move the scroll box by dragging it to the desired location on the scroll bar. This function is used primarily during playback to locate a certain section of the speech.
"Play" button—This button allows you to play the recorded speech.
"Replay" button—This button allows you to replay a speech from the beginning.
"Stop" button—This button allows you to stop the playback of the speech.
"Transfer" button—This button allows you to move the current speech out to the Windows Clipboard for sound editing purposes. For more information on this advanced recording feature, refer to the "Advanced Functions and Features" section.
".WAV Copy" button—This button allows you to save a speech to a file, so that you can use a sound editing program, if you have one, to edit the speech. For more information on this advanced recording feature, refer to the "Advanced Functions and Features" section.
"Close" button—This button allows you to close the Play box after playing the desired speech. Once you close the Play box, you return to the detailed view of the current tree object.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
The Insert Tree Object box appears whenever you add or paste a tree object to your system tree, or move an object to another part of the tree. Figure 52 shows how the Insert Tree Object box appears on the screen:
Figure 52—The Insert Tree Object box
The parts of the Insert Tree Object box are as follows:
Insertion Position—This tells you where you chose to add the object. This number is the ID number of the inserted item’s parent Prompt.
Object ID—This tells you what the ID number of the inserted object is in relation to the tree. Remember that an object’s ID is like its address in the system tree.
Touch Tone Number—The number that appears in this field is the number you would press from the appropriate menu to get to this object. The number that currently appears in this field is the default setting for this object (based on the other object ID’s in this group). If you decide to change this number, make sure not to use a number that is the same as another object on the same auto-menu. If you do, the application displays a message telling you the number is in use.
Item Types—This control group determines which type of tree object to insert at the chosen location. A black dot appears in the circle to the left of the currently selected option. This indicates that this type of tree object is the object to add. You may click on another option if you wish to add a different tree object than the one currently selected.
"OK" button—This button confirms the settings on the Insert Tree Object box. The object you chose then appears in the system tree.
"Cancel" button—This button allows you to avoid adding the tree object to the system tree. The Insert Tree Object box closes, and nothing is added to the system tree.
Status line—This is the area at the bottom of the box that displays notes pertaining to the parts of the box. For instance, you can move the mouse pointer to a control on the box and receive information pertaining to the function or purpose of that control.
