User's Guide To Talking Classifieds
Overview
This section discusses the workings of the Talking Classifieds system tree in more detail, and focuses on the usage of the tree objects. In the previous chapter, you learned how the existing tree looks and works, and you got a working idea of how the tree objects perform their allotted tasks. Now you will see how modifications to the tree structure affect the way the application works. When you change the structure of the system tree, you directly change the way it works.
When you have a system tree that you want to use but you want it to work slightly differently, you can quite often modify the existing objects in the tree to bring about these changes.
Modification of tree objects includes changing scripts and speeches, as well as changing the settings of an object's controls to alter the purpose of the tree object. In this chapter you will learn how to:
Terms
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Application |
An application is a program that you design, build, or otherwise modify so that it does what you want it to. We design programs, while you design applications. |
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Local Phone |
The phone that is connected to your computer. It is this phone that you use to record your system speeches. Also, callers use this phone number when calling into your system. |
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Main speech |
This is the speech recorded on an object that the caller hears when they reach this object. |
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Program |
The actual software that runs on your computer. You use the System Editor 'program' to design your Talking Classifieds 'application'. |
There are two types of speeches that you can record in Talking Classifieds: Main speeches, and ID speeches. The main speech is commonly an informative message, and can be recorded on any tree object other than a Control Point. ID speeches normally identify the object's purpose, and this speech can be heard on an auto-menu (if you are using them). You can record ID speeches for any tree object other than the System Greeting and Initial Prompt.
Changing an Object's Script and Main Speech
Changing an object's script and recorded speech is a simple process. You use this procedure to change scripts and speeches for any tree object with speech capabilities. The Record box appears in the same form regardless of the tree object, and only the script changes from object to object (i.e., the functionality remains the same, only the speeches and scripts differ). Use the following procedure to change a script and record a speech:
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You can also access a tree object by selecting it and pressing the e key. |
• First, double click the tree object you wish to modify in the system tree. • Move the mouse pointer to the "Script" field, then click on it. A small blinking line appears in the line of text. This blinking line is called the 'cursor', and it shows where your typing appears when you type in a field. |
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Remember that you can use the arrow keys (wyxz) to move the cursor around the field. The c key allows you to remove text from a line a character at a time. |
• Remove the existing text, or modify it as you see fit. • Now type the script for the speech you want to record. • Now you can record the script to replace the existing speech for this object. Click on the "Record" button, and the Record box appears as shown in Figure 48: |
Figure 48--The Record box
• Get your announcer's voice warmed up, then click on the "Record" button. The status line displays the message "Please pick up handset", and you can pick up your local phone.
• A beep sounds, and the script begins scrolling up through the "Script" field (if the "Auto Prompting" option is enabled). Read the script as it goes by. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The recording stops, and the length of the recording displays above the Speech position scroll bar. You now hang up your phone.
• To hear your new speech, pick up your phone and click the "Play" button. If you don't like the way the speech turned out or you 'tripped over your tongue', you can record the speech again.
• When you're satisfied with the speech, click the "OK" button. Your newly recorded speech replaces the previous speech. Clicking "Cancel" erases your speech and keeps the existing speech.
• After the Record box closes, you can then click "OK" on the object box to save your speech changes. Clicking "Cancel" at this point discards any changes to this object, including speech and script changes.
Changing an Object's Script and ID Speech
A variation on scripts and speeches is the recording of the ID speech. Instead of using the "Script" field and the "Record" button to record, you use the "Description" field and "Record ID" button. These controls appear on Advertisements, Prompts, Headings, and Control Points. The text in the "Description" field acts as the script when you record the object's ID speech. As you may recall, an object's ID speech plays to a caller when the "Auto-Menu" function on a Prompt or Heading is activated. For this reason, it is important to record ID speeches.
Use the following procedure to change a tree objects ID speech:
• First, double click the tree object you wish to modify in the system tree.
• Move the mouse pointer to the "Description" field, then click on it. A small blinking line appears in the line of text. This blinking line is called the 'cursor', and it shows where your typing appears when you type in a field.
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Remember that you can use the arrow keys (wyxz) to move the cursor around the field. The c key allows you to remove text from a line a character at a time. |
• Remove the existing object name, or modify it as you see fit. • Now you can record the description to replace the existing ID speech for this object. Click on the "Record ID" button, and the Record box appears as shown in Figure 49: |
Figure 49--The Record box
• Get your announcer's voice warmed up, then click on the "Record" button. The status line displays the message "Please pick up handset", and you can pick up your local phone.
• A beep sounds, and you read the ID description. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The recording stops, and the length of the recording displays above the Speech position scroll bar. You can hang up your phone.
• To hear your new ID speech, pick up your phone and click the "Play" button. If you don't like the way the ID speech turned out or you 'tripped over your tongue', you can record the speech again.
• When you're satisfied with the ID speech, click the "OK" button. Your newly recorded ID speech replaces the previous ID speech. Clicking "Cancel" erases your ID speech and keeps the existing ID speech.
• After the Record box closes, you can then click "OK" on the object box to save your speech changes (or any other changes you've made). Clicking "Cancel" at this point discards any ID speech and script changes.
Disabling and enabling a tree object or its speech involves the use of the "Enable" controls on the object. This is a useful function if you want to close off a section of the tree. You can also use this function to suspend a specific service in your system tree. This section discusses the procedures necessary to disable and enable tree objects and their speeches, and why you might want to do so.
Disabling / Enabling Tree Objects
Concepts
Disabling a tree object comes in handy when you want to temporarily put an object 'out of commission' without deleting it. This means that you could later enable the object and use it again, whereas deleting the object removes it from the system tree. In practice, you could close off a whole Advertisement group by disabling the Advertisements' parent Heading. This would prevent callers from accessing any of the Advertisements in this group, or even the disabled Heading.
When you 'disable' a tree object, the application treats the object as if it weren't there. The advantage to this is that the object is still there (so you can use it later), whereas deleting the object removes the object from the system tree. Note that when you disable a tree object, the object's ID speech is not included in its parent's auto-menu. Also, the caller can not access a disabled tree object, even if they enter the touch tone for that object.
An interesting thing to note is that Advertisements cannot be disabled. If they are in the system tree, then they are enabled. To block access to Advertisements, you must either disable their parent Heading, or delete the Ads themselves.
Procedures
Use the following procedure to disable or enable an object in the tree:
• Double click on the object in the system tree that you wish to enable/disable. The control box for that object appears.
• To disable an enabled object, you click the "Enable" check box. The "X" disappears from the check box, and the object is disabled.
• To enable a disabled object, click the "Enable" check box. An "X" appears in the check box, and the tree object is enabled.
• When you finish choosing a setting, click the "OK" button to save this setting and return to the system tree. If you do not wish to save these settings when you return to the system tree, click the "Cancel" button.
Disabling / Enabling the Main Speech
Concepts
Disabling the Main speech on a tree object means that the object performs each of is functions except playing the Main speech. Note that when you disable an object's Main speech, the object's ID speech is still included in an auto-menu. The system still knows the object is there, but that part of it (the Main speech) will be ignored. Note that an object that has some other sort of speech on it (such as an auto-menu) will still be able to process those ID speeches. The auto-menu control is not related to the main speech of the object.
Procedures
Use the following procedure to disable/enable an object's Main speech:
• Locate the "Enable Speech" check box in the "Script" control group.
• To disable an enabled Main speech, you click the "Enable Speech" check box. The "X" disappears from the check box, and the Main speech for this object is disabled.
• To enable a disabled Main speech, click the "Enable Speech" check box. An "X" appears in the check box, and the Main speech is enabled.
• When you finish choosing a setting, click the "OK" button to save this setting and return to the system tree. If you do not wish to save these settings when you return to the system tree, click the "Cancel" button.
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If you currently have a system tree you do not wish to change, don't worry. You can exit the Tree Editor without saving changes to the tree structure. |
The following sections discuss the procedures for adding and configuring Prompts, Headings, Advertisements, and Control Points. Each section also discusses the effects that these additions have on the tree structure, and how they change the workings of the system tree. |
Prompts
In looking at the system tree, you learned that a Prompt usually plays a message, can play an auto-menu, and always waits for a touch tone response before doing anything. The Prompt 'prompts' a caller to press a button on their phone before continuing.
Adding A Prompt To The System Tree
You would add a Prompt to a system tree when you need more space for Headings or Advertisements that don't fit into any of the existing Advertisement groups, or any time you want to add a new branch to your current system tree.
It is a simple procedure to add a Prompt to a system tree, but it requires a bit of forethought. Here are some rules for adding Prompts:
• You can not add a Prompt as a branch from an Advertisement, Heading, or Control Point, or from the System Greeting. This means that you can add a Prompt as a branch from another Prompt, or from the Initial Prompt.
• If you add a Prompt to the tree, it must have at least one tree object branching off from it. Remember that a Prompt is a parent to other tree objects. Also a Prompt can lead to another Prompt, as long as that Prompt has a group of Prompts, Headings and/or Control Points as its children.
Use the following procedure to add a Prompt to your system tree:
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• First, look at the Tree Object Tools located just above the Tool Button Ribbon to the left of the screen. Position the mouse pointer over the "Prompt" tree object. Notice that the Status line at the bottom of the screen displays the message "Drag and drop Prompt to insert". This means that to add a Prompt, you press and hold down the left mouse button (while the mouse pointer is on the object you wish to drag), then continue to hold it down while you move the object to where you want it. You then release the mouse button, and the object 'drops'. |
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• Drag the "Prompt" object to the area of the tree where you wish to add it. If an "X" appears on the "Prompt" object, then you can not place the "Prompt" object here. |
• When you get the Prompt where you want it, drop it by releasing the left mouse button. The Insert Tree Object box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 50:
Figure 50--The Insert Tree Object box
• The number that may appear in the "Touch-Tone Number" field is the default relative or touch tone number for this object. If you wish to change the number (or no default number is given), type the desired number in the field.
• Now click the "OK" button to insert the Prompt. If for some reason you decide not to insert the Prompt, you can click the "Cancel" button to abandon this add procedure.
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• After you add a Prompt, note the red "X" over the Prompt, and the designation "New Prompt". The "X" indicates that this Prompt is invalid until you add 'children' (in the form of Headings, Prompts, and/or Control Points) under the Prompt. When you do, the "X" disappears. The name "New Prompt" appears for each Prompt that you add, and remains as such until you enter a name in the "Description" field in the Prompt box. |
Configuring The Added Prompt
Now you need to 'configure' your newly added Prompt. Configuring is merely the process of setting the controls in the Prompt box so that the Prompt works the way you want it to. Use the following procedure to configure the newly added Prompt:
• To begin configuring, double click on the newly added Prompt. The Prompt box for the "New Prompt" appears as shown in Figure 51:
Figure 51--The "New Prompt" Prompt box
• The Prompt Info control group displays the Prompt's ID number, and that the Prompt is enabled.
• To change the Description, click the "Description" field. Use the c and
keys to remove the existing text, then type the description of the Prompt.
• If you plan on using the auto-menu function for this Prompt, click on the "Auto-Menu" option. An "X" appears in the check box to the left of the "Auto-Menu" option when the auto-menu is active. (Remember that the auto-menu allows the caller to hear the objects under this Prompt as choices, and the corresponding numbers for these options also play.)
• To record the ID speech for this Prompt, click on the "Record ID" button on the right side of the Prompt box. The Record box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 52:
Figure 52--The Record box
• Notice that the entry you made in the "Description" field appears in the Script Prompter. To record the ID speech for this Prompt, click the "Record" button. The message "Please pick up handset" appears on the status line at the bottom of the Record box.
• Pick up your phone. After the tone, record the ID that appears in the Script Prompter. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The ID is now recorded.
• To hear the speech, click the "Play" button, then pick up your phone. If you wish to record the message again, follow the recording procedure above. If the message is fine, then click "OK" to return to the Prompt box.
• Now it's time to type the script for the Prompt speech. First, click the "Enable Speech" button in the bottom right corner of the Prompt box. An "X" appears in the check box, and the speech controls are enabled. If you don't click this button, you cannot record speech, play speech, or type the script.
• Click in the "Prompt Script" field. When the cursor appears, type your script.
• To record the Prompt's Main speech, click the "Record" button in the Prompt Script control group (not the "Record ID" button). The record box appears as before, but the script is now the Prompt Script.
• To record the speech for this Prompt, click the "Record" button. The message "Please pick up handset" appears on the status line at the bottom of the Record box.
• Pick up your phone. After the tone, record the script that appears in the Script Prompter. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The speech is now recorded.
• To hear the speech, click the "Play" button, then pick up your phone. If you wish to record the message again, follow the recording procedure above. If the message is fine, then click "OK" to return to the Prompt box.
• Now that the Prompt is configured, click the "OK" button on the Prompt box. Your newly created and functional Prompt appears in the system tree, similar to the one shown in Figure 53:
Figure 53--The new Prompt
Notice that the Prompt's description appears to the right of the Prompt picture. This assists you in identifying the Prompt, as well as the other objects in the tree.
The red "X" on the Prompt picture means that this Prompt is invalid until you place tree objects under it. If we go back to the family tree model, you've got a parent without any children. Until the children are added to this parent, the system tree won't recognize this Prompt.
In most cases, you'll use Headings as the children, but you can use a combination of Prompts, Headings, and Control Points. If you decide to add Prompts, keep in mind that a Prompt can't be the end of a branch on the tree. You must end a branch with an Advertisement or Control Point.
Headings
In looking at the system tree, you learned that a Heading is the only parent in the tree to have Advertisements as children, can play a message (Main speech), usually plays an auto-menu, and always waits for a touch tone response before continuing.
Adding A Heading To The System Tree
You would add a Heading to a system tree when you need more space for Advertisements that don't fit into any of the existing Advertisement groups, or if you sell Advertisement space to someone who wants their own Advertisement group.
It is a simple procedure to add a Heading to a system tree, but it requires a bit of forethought. Here are some rules for adding Heading:
• You can not add a Heading as a branch from an Advertisement or Control Point, or from the System Greeting. This means that you can add a Heading as a branch from a Prompt, or from the Initial Prompt.
• If you add a Heading to the tree, it must have at least one Advertisement branching off from it. Remember that a Heading is the only parent that can have Advertisements as children.
Use the following procedure to add a Heading to your system tree:
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• First, look at the Tree Object Tools located just above the Tool Button Ribbon to the left of the screen. Position the mouse pointer over the "Header" tree object. Notice that the Status line at the bottom of the screen displays the message "Drag and drop Heading to insert". This means that to add a Heading, you press and hold down the left mouse button (while the mouse pointer is on the object you wish to drag), then continue to hold it down while you move the object to where you want it. You then release the mouse button, and the object 'drops'. |
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• Drag the "Heading" object to the area of the tree where you wish to add it. If an "X" appears on the "Heading" object, then you can not place the "Heading" object here. |
• When you get the Heading where you want it, drop it by releasing the left mouse button. The Insert Tree Object box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 54:
Figure 54--The Insert Tree Object box
• The number that may appear in the "Touch-Tone Number" field is the default relative or touch tone number for this object. If you wish to change the number (or no default number is given), type the desired number in the field.
• Now click the "OK" button to insert the Heading. If for some reason you decide not to insert the Heading, you can click the "Cancel" button to abandon this add procedure.
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• After you add a Heading, note the red "X" over the Heading, and the designation "New Heading". The "X" indicates that this Heading is invalid until you add 'children' (in the form of Advertisements) under the Heading. When you do, the "X" disappears. The name "New Heading" appears for each Heading that you add, and remains as such until you enter a name in the "Description" field in the Heading box. |
Configuring The Added Heading
Now you need to 'configure' your newly added Heading. Configuring is merely the process of setting the controls in the Heading box so that the Heading works the way you want it to. Use the following procedure to configure the newly added Heading:
• To begin configuring, double click on the newly added Heading. The Heading box for the "New Heading" appears as shown in Figure 55:
Figure 55--The "New Heading" Heading box
• The Heading Info control group displays the Heading's ID number, and that the Heading is enabled.
• To change the Description, click the "Description" field. Use the c and
keys to remove the existing text, then type the description of the Heading.
• If you plan on using the auto-menu function for this Heading, click on the "Auto-Menu" option. An "X" appears in the check box to the left of the "Auto-Menu" option when the auto-menu is active. (Remember that the auto-menu allows the caller to hear the objects under this Heading as choices, and the corresponding numbers for these options also play.)
• You can wish to record the ID speech for this Heading. Click on the "Record ID" button on the right side of the Heading box. The Record box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 56:
Figure 56--The Record box
• Notice that the entry you made in the "Description" field appears in the Script Prompter. To record the ID speech for this Heading, click the "Record" button. The message "Please pick up handset" appears on the status line at the bottom of the Record box.
• Pick up your phone. After the tone, record the ID that appears in the Script Prompter. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The ID is now recorded.
• To hear the speech, click the "Play" button, then pick up your phone. If you wish to record the message again, follow the recording procedure above. If the message is fine, then click "OK" to return to the Heading box.
• Now it's time to type the script for the Heading speech. First, click the "Enable Speech" button in the bottom right corner of the Heading box. An "X" appears in the check box, and the speech controls are enabled. If you don't click this button, you cannot record speech, play speech, or type the script.
• Click in the "Heading Script" field. When the cursor appears, type your script.
• To record the Heading speech, click the "Record" button in the Heading Script control group (not the "Record ID" button). The record box appears as before, but the script is now the Heading Script.
• To record the speech for this Heading, click the "Record" button. The message "Please pick up handset" appears on the status line at the bottom of the Record box.
• Pick up your phone. After the tone, record the script that appears in the Script Prompter. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The speech is now recorded.
• To hear the speech, click the "Play" button, then pick up your phone. If you wish to record the message again, follow the recording procedure above. If the message is fine, then click "OK" to return to the Heading box.
• Now that the Heading is configured, click the "OK" button on the Heading box. Your newly created and functional Heading appears in the system tree, similar to the one shown in Figure 57:
Figure 57--The new "Generally Blue Things" Heading
Notice that the Heading's description appears to the right of the Heading picture. This assists you in identifying the Heading, as well as the other objects in the tree.
The red "X" on the Heading picture means that this Heading is invalid until you place Advertisements under it. If we go back to the family tree model, you've got a parent without any children. Until the children are added to this parent, the system tree won't recognize this Heading.
Remember that you must use Advertisements as the children of a Heading. If you decide to add Headings, keep in mind that a Heading can't be the end of a branch on the tree. You must end a branch with an Advertisement or Control Point.
Advertisements
The primary purpose of an Advertisement is to play an informative speech to a caller. In the scope of the Talking Classifieds application, the speech will normally consist of an advertisement or 'want ad'. You can configure the Advertisement to hang up the phone or go to another object in the tree, after it completes its tasks.
Adding An Advertisement To The System Tree
You would add an Advertisement to a system tree whenever there is a need for another informative speech for callers to hear. Advertisements are always the children of a Heading. The Heading is the tree object specifically designed to house a group of Advertisements. You can add an Advertisement to an existing Advertisement group, or it can stand alone under a Heading.
It is a simple procedure to add an Advertisement to a system tree, but it requires a bit of forethought. Here are the rules for adding Advertisements:
• You can only add an Advertisement as a branch from a Heading. The system does not allow you to place Advertisements as the children of any other tree object.
• You can only add an Advertisement to an Advertisement group under a Heading that has available Advertisement space. The "Ads Per Category" control on the System Greeting determines how many Ads can be in a group, and you can't add an Ad to a full group.
Use the following procedure to add an Advertisement to your system tree:
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• First, look at the Tree Object Tools located just above the Tool Button Ribbon to the left of the screen. Position the mouse pointer over the "Advertisement" tree object. Notice that the Status line at the bottom of the screen displays the message "Drag and drop Advertisement to insert". This means that to add an Advertisement, you press and hold down the left mouse button (while the mouse pointer is on the object you wish to drag), then continue to hold it down while you move the object to where you want it. You then release the mouse button, and the object 'drops'. |
• Drag the "Advertisement" object to the Heading in the tree where you wish to add it. If an "X" appears on the "Advertisement" object, then you can not place the "Advertisement" object here. If the message "Ad out of range" appears, then the Ad group is full. You can either add the Ad to another group with space, or change the "Ads Per Category" control on the System Greeting.
• When you get the Advertisement where you want it, drop it by releasing the left mouse button. The Insert Tree Object box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 58:
Figure 58--The Insert Tree Object box
• The number that currently appears in the "Touch-Tone Number" field is the default relative or touch tone number for this object. There is no need to change this number, as the system assigns this number to Advertisements to keep track of them.
• Click the "OK" button to insert the Advertisement. If for some reason you decide not to insert the Advertisement, you can click the "Cancel" button to abandon this add procedure.
• After adding the Advertisement to the system tree, it should now appear similar to the one shown in Figure 59:
Figure 59--The newly added Advertisement
Note the designation "New Ad" next to the Advertisement picture. The name "New Ad" appears for each Advertisement that you add, and remains as such until you enter a name in the "Description" field in the Advertisement box. The number to the left of the description is the Advertisement's touch tone number. The next step is to configure the newly added Advertisement, so it may be used.
Configuring The Added Advertisement
Now you need to 'configure' your newly added Advertisement. Configuring is merely the process of setting the controls in the Advertisement box so that the Advertisement works correctly. Use the following procedure to configure the newly added Advertisement:
• To begin configuring, double click on the newly added Advertisement. The Advertisement box for the "New Advertisement" appears as shown in Figure 60:
Figure 60--The "New Ad" Advertisement box
• The Advertisement Info control group displays the Advertisement's ID number. Notice that the top if the Advertisement box displays the absolute ID of the Ad. If you recall, the absolute ID of an object is the sum of the touch tones necessary to reach this object.
• To change the Advertisement's Description, click the "Description" field. Use the c and
keys to remove the existing text, then type the description of the Advertisement.
• The next step is to record the ID speech for this Advertisement. Click on the "Record ID" button on the right side of the Advertisement box. The Record box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 61:
Figure 61--The Record box
• Notice that the entry you made in the "Description" field appears in the Script Prompter. To record the ID speech for this Advertisement, click the "Record" button. The message "Please pick up handset" appears on the status line at the bottom of the Record box.
• Pick up your phone. After the tone, record the ID that appears in the Script Prompter. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The ID is now recorded, and you can hang up your phone.
• To hear the speech, click the "Play" button, then pick up your phone. If you wish to record the message again, follow the recording procedure above. If the message is fine, then click "OK" to return to the Advertisement box.
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• Click on the List button attached to the "Member" ID field. Then click on the member in the list for whom you are entering this Advertisement. The selected member appears in the field. The default setting for this field is "System Administrator". |
• Click in the "Advertisement Script" field. When the cursor appears, type the script for the Advertisement.
• To record the Advertisement speech, click the "Record" button in the Advertisement Script control group (not the "Record ID" button). The record box appears as before, but it now contains the Advertisement Script.
• To record the speech for this Advertisement, click the "Record" button. The message "Please pick up handset" appears on the status line at the bottom of the Record box.
• Pick up your phone. After the tone, record the script that appears in the Script Prompter. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The speech is now recorded.
• To hear the speech, click the "Play" button, then pick up your phone. If you wish to record the message again, follow the recording procedure above. If the message is fine, then click "OK" to return to the Advertisement box.
• Now take a look at the Upon Completion control group. The default setting for Advertisements has the "Goto" option set. The common place to send the caller is back to a menu (i.e., a Prompt or Heading), either the Initial Prompt's menu or the last menu that this Advertisement falls under. The "*" (star) in the "Goto" field is the default setting, and sends the caller back to this Advertisement's parent Heading.
If you wish to send the caller back to the Initial Prompt, then delete the star (*) and type "01" in the field.
• If you don't want to use the "Goto" control, you can use the "Hangup Phone" control. Selecting this control tells the application to hang up when the Advertisement's other functions are finished.
• Now that the Advertisement is complete, click the "OK" button on the Advertisement box. You newly created and functional Advertisement appears in the system tree, similar to the one shown in Figure 62:
Figure 62--The new Advertisement
Notice that the Advertisement's description appears to the right of the Advertisement picture. This assists you in identifying the Advertisement, as well as the other objects in the tree.
Control Points
Control Points allow you to perform special functions. The primary function of a Control Point is to 'chain' the Talking Classifieds application to another ECS Phone application. This means that you can access part of another application through the Talking Classifieds system tree.
You can also use a Control Point to go to another tree object in the same system tree, go to a different application, or hang up the phone. A Control Point may also act as a Touch Tone Directory.
Adding A Control Point To The System Tree
You would add a Control Point to a system tree whenever you want to add more functionality to your system tree. You can add a Control Point as a child of the Initial Prompt, or any other Prompt in the system tree.
It is a simple procedure to add a Control Point to a system tree, but it requires a bit of forethought. Here is the rule for adding Control Points:
• You can add a Control Point as a branch from a Prompt, or from the Initial Prompt only. This means that you can not add a Control Point as a branch from an Advertisement, Heading, or another Control Point, or from the System Greeting.
Use the following procedure to add a Control Point to the existing tree:
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• First, look at the Tree Object Tools located just above the Tool Button Ribbon to the left of the screen. Position the mouse pointer over the "Control Point" tree object. Notice that the Status line at the bottom of the screen displays the message "Drag and drop Control Point to insert". This means that to add a Control Point, you press and hold down the left mouse button (while the mouse pointer is on the object you wish to drag), then continue to hold it down while you move the object to where you want it. You then release the mouse button, and the object 'drops'. |
• Drag the "Control Point" object to the area of the tree where you wish to add it. If an "X" appears on the "Control Point" object, then you can not place the "Control Point" object here.
• When you get the Control Point where you want it, drop it by releasing the left mouse button. The Insert Tree Object box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 63:
Figure 63--The Insert Tree Object box
• If a number currently appears in the "Touch-Tone Number" field, it is the default touch-tone number for this object. If you wish to change the number, type the desired number in the field. If no number appears in this field, it is up to you to enter the number.
• Now click the "OK" button to insert the Control Point. If for some reason you decide not to insert the Control Point, you can click the "Cancel" button to abandon this add procedure.
After adding the Control Point, it should now appear similar to the one shown in Figure 64:
Figure 64--The newly added Control Point
Note the designation "New Control Point" next to the Control Point picture. The name "New Control Point" appears for each Control Point that you add, and remains as such until you enter a name in the "Description" field in the Control Point box. Note that the words are slightly lighter than the ones for the other tree objects. This is because this new Control Point is not yet enabled. The number to the left of the description is the Control Point's touch tone number.
Configuring The Added Control Point
Now you need to 'configure' your newly added Control Point, so that it may serve you as you wish. Configuring is merely the process of setting the controls in the Control Point box so that the Control Point works correctly.
Before you configure (or for that matter, add) a Control Point, you should have its purpose in mind. The Control Point could do many things, such as chain to another application, then come back and either hang up or go to another object in the tree.
Use the following procedure to configure the newly added Control Point:
• To begin configuring, double click on the newly added Control Point. The Control Point box for the "New Control Point" appears as shown in Figure 65:
Figure 65--The "New Control Point" Control Point box
• The Control Point Info control group displays the Control Point's ID number. The "Enable" check box is empty, meaning that the Control Point is not enabled. Click the "Enable" check box so that an "X" appears. This tells us that the Control Point is now enabled.
• To change the Description, click the "Description" field. Use the c and
keys to remove the existing text, then type the description of the Control Point.
• The next step is to record the ID speech for this Control Point. Click on the "Record ID" button on the right side of the Control Point box. The Record box appears similar to the one shown in Figure 66:
Figure 66--The Record box
• Notice that the entry you made in the "Description" field appears in the Script Prompter. To record the ID speech for this Control Point, click the "Record" button. The message "Please pick up handset" appears on the status line at the bottom of the Record box.
• Pick up your phone. After the tone, record the ID that appears in the Script Prompter. When you finish recording, click the "Stop" button. The ID is now recorded.
• To hear the speech, click the "Play" button, then pick up your phone. If you wish to record the message again, follow the recording procedure above. If the message is fine, then click "OK" to return to the Control Point box.
• If you wish to chain this application to another ECS application, you can do so by clicking the "Chain To" check box. When an "X" appears in the box, the "Chain To" function is activated.
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• When using the "Chain To" function, you must tell the application which application to access, and then where to go in that application's system tree. To select a application to chain to, click the downward pointing arrow in the "Chain To" field. A listing of the ECS phone applications that you have appears, and you select the application to chain to by clicking it. |
• The "Goto" field to the right of the "Chain To" field allows you to access a certain object or part of the other application's system tree. Simply type the ID number of the object you want the caller to reach into the "Goto" field.
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An option button that has not been selected
An option button that has been selected |
• To use the "List Touch Tone Directory", all you need to do is click on this option or in the option button next to it. Once selected, a black circle appears within the white one. This option allows a caller to enter the first few letters of an Advertisement Description, using their phone buttons. If you enter "Auto" in the Description field, then the caller would press 2886, which are the numbers corresponding to the letters on their phone buttons. The system then plays all of the Advertisements that begin with those letters. |
• Now take a look at the Control Action control group. The default setting for Control Points is "Goto", but you can choose to have the caller do something else. The common place to send the caller is back to a menu (i.e., a Prompt), either the Initial Prompt's menu or the last menu that this Control Point falls under.
If you wish to use the "Goto" feature to send the caller to the parent of this Control Point, click on "Goto" to activate it. The "*" (star) in this field is the default setting, and sends the caller back to the parent Prompt.
If you wish to send the caller back to the Initial Prompt, then delete the star (*) and type "01" in the field.
• Now that the Control Point is complete, click the "OK" button on the Control Point box. You newly created and functional Control Point appears in the system tree, similar to the one shown in Figure 67:
Figure 67--The new Control Point
Notice that the Control Point's description appears to the right of the Control Point picture. This assists you in identifying the Control Point, as well as the other objects in the tree.
If you use the "Chain To" function, be aware that the caller only has access to the parts of the other application that you allow. It is best to send them to an area specially designed to hang up when their business there is done. When the application finds the "Hangup Phone" option in this other application, it returns the caller to the Control Point in this application. The application then completes any other tasks ("Hangup Phone" or "Goto") on the Control Point.
The purpose of deleting tree objects is so you can get rid of unused sections of your system tree. This frees up space for other objects in the tree, and keeps things from getting complicated. Deleting a tree object removes it from the tree permanently, unless you use the "Undo Delete" command, or exit the application without committing the changes to the tree. If you don't want to remove a tree object from the tree but you don't want callers to reach it, you can 'Disable' the object. This means that it is still there, but is not currently in use.
Deleting Tree Objects
There are a number of ways to delete tree objects. Deleting Prompts and Headings, though, differs in one respect: When you delete a Prompt or Heading, you also delete any branches and children that come from that Prompt or Heading.
Use the following procedure to delete an object from the system tree:
• First, select the object you wish to delete so that a blue bar appears on that tree object. You can click the object to select it, or you can use the wy keys on your keyboard).
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You can also delete the object by selecting it and clicking the "Prune" button. |
• Now press the c key on your keyboard. The Advisory message appears as shown in Figure 68: |
Figure 68--The Advisory message
• Clicking the "No" button cancels the deletion. For right now, though, click the "Yes" button to delete the tree object.
Note that the object (objects, in the case of a Prompt or Heading deletion) is gone. When a caller calls into the system, they are no longer able to access the deleted object(s).
If you delete an object while viewing the tree using "Full Expansion" mode, you should also delete any "Place Holder" tree objects that lead to this object. Place Holders are a special type of tree object that the system uses to keep track of tree object locations. For more information about Place Holders, refer to "Chapter 8: Advanced Functions And Features".
Undeleting Tree Objects
If you accidentally delete an object, don't worry. Fortunately, the application provides you with an "Undo" command that allows you to replace accidentally deleted tree objects. Providing that you haven't performed any other deletions after this one, you can use the "Undo" command from the "Edit" menu.
Use the following procedure to undelete the last deleted object:
• Locate the Menu bar at the top of the Talking Classifieds window. Click on the "Edit" menu heading, and the Edit menu appears as shown in Figure 69:
Figure 69--The Edit menu
• Select the "Undo (Undo Delete)" Command by clicking it. The deleted object reappears, exactly as it was before you deleted it.
Keep in mind that the "Undo Delete" function will not work if you deleted an object or (objects) after the one you wish to undelete. In other words, the "Undo Delete" function only works on the object or objects that you last deleted.
Also, the "Undo Delete" function will not work if you commit changes to the system tree. Once you commit any changes to the tree, the deleted object(s) cannot be retrieved.
When you finish designing, building, editing, or otherwise modifying the system tree, it's time to make these changes final. So far, all you've done was save the changes to the tree in the editing session. Now it's time to 'commit' the system tree. 'Committing' is simply the process of saving all of the changes you made in the current editing session to the system.
Once you commit the changes, the new system tree takes effect. You can even commit changes while the Talking Classifieds application is up and running. If a caller is in the system when you commit the changes, they are put 'on hold' while the system updates. While the caller waits (for about 30 seconds), they hear the standard brand of elevator music that you normally hear when put on hold. When the system finishes updating, the caller returns to the system and can continue their tasks.
If a caller is in the system recording a speech, the system waits until they are done before committing the changes. An Advisory message appears, telling you that there is a caller in the system. You have the option of canceling the operation, or waiting until the caller is done recording their speech.
If a caller calls in while you are committing the changes, then the phone will continue to ring until the system is finished with the updates. When the updates are complete, the system responds and the caller may access the system normally.
Use the following procedure to commit the changes to your system tree:
• While viewing the system tree, click the "File" menu heading located on the Menu bar. The File menu appears.
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• Click the "Commit Changes" menu option. The mouse pointer turns into an hourglass while the application makes the necessary changes. If you have any applications running currently, then the Prepare to Commit box appears as shown in the margin. |
When the lines are available, the system commits the changes. When it finishes, you return to the system tree. You can now continue editing, or you can exit the application.
• If the system is busy (i.e., a caller is in the system), then an Advisory message appears, telling you that it is not possible to commit the changes at this time. You can cancel this operation by clicking the "Cancel" button on the Advisory message box, or you can wait until the system finds the lines needed to commit.
If you 'cancel' the operation, the system does not commit the changes to the system tree. You must try again later. If the system is free (i.e., there is no caller in the system), then the changes are committed. If there is a caller in the system, then the Advisory message box appears again.
