1516 Chapter 40
through each step. The telephone’s keypad is used to
respond to the prompts.
Installers can create a schedule for the playback of
messages with the scheduler [Internal Program
Storage] supplied by the manufacturer. Using this
scheduler, the announcer can automatically switch from
one playlist to another at various times throughout the
day or week. The announcer insures not only that
announcements are made, but also made on time.
With an intelligent announcer, the installer can
specify [User Program Storage] where a message
should be played [Audio Outputs] as well as the time
delay between the announcements over each output
channel.
Instaplay™ always knows when it’s talking. By acti-
vating one of the numerous relays, [Output Relays], the
installer is able to use the announcer to direct other
activities, such as turning on lights or to trigger other
announcers. The installer can control these relays by
entries on a playlist [User Program Storage].
During playback, selected messages can be played in
any order (including repeats), as specified by the
installer [User Program Storage]. Background music,
such as Muzak, can be played between messages [Music
Feedthrough] with many message repeaters. An intelli-
gent message repeater, however, can interrogate the
software [User Program Storage] and decide whether to
duck down or mute the background music during each
individual message.
With intelligent message repeating messages can be
triggered externally in numerous ways [Contact Closure
Control Inputs, Serial Communications Link, Control
Phone], and to play a message sequence or queue new
messages. In addition, intelligent repeaters allow
customers to record new messages, modify schedules,
playlists and other programming parameters either
locally or remotely. When accessing the announcer
remotely, [Telephone Network Interface], a security
code can be employed. A queue is a sequence of
message files that has been selected to be played
through a particular channel. A playlist is a command
list that queues the messages to play in a defined
sequence and channel and includes the ability to operate
external devices. It also has the ability to start and stop
messages from an external trigger.
Instaplay™ gets its native intelligence from its
embedded firmware [Internal Program Storage].
Supplied by the manufacturer, these programs not only
define the internal operation of the machine, but also
define default parameters, such as how often to repeat a
recorded message or how to act when a request is
received.
Instaplay™ gets its application intelligence from the
programming entered at the job site and stored in the
announcer’s random access memory [User Program
Storage]. The installer must easily be able to change
these default parameters within the announcer to have it
operate as the application dictates. Whereas a casino
operation may want to announce hundreds of events
throughout a particular day according to a predeter-
mined schedule, the announcement of a train’s arrival at
the platform needs to correspond with the actual arrival
time, rather than the scheduled arrival time.
The microprocessor must always coordinate both the
default system values and the user-specified parameters
to operate appropriately for different applications.40.4 Message Repeater UsageMessage repeaters are used in many venues:- Hospitals.
- Schools.
•Factories. - Amusement Parks.
- Retail Stores.
- Tourist Attractions.
- Transportation Services.
- Information Providers / Broadcast Services.
- Message on Hold.
- Museums.
40.4.1 Hospital Applications for Message RepeatersMessage repeaters have been sold into numerous hospi-
tals. One common application is to broadcast different
messages into separate locations in the hospital. The
messages may be divided into all area announcements,
or those that are announced only in public areas or
patient areas. For example, visiting hour reminders are
broadcast into all areas of the hospital, including
patient’s rooms. No smoking reminders might be
announced only in lobbies, cafeterias, and waiting
rooms, while doctor calls would only be announced in
patient areas.
In addition, with a scheduler, message repeaters can
be used to announce when visiting hours are about to
end and when visiting hours begin again.
Hospitals around the country are trying unique ways
of increasing their patient satisfaction. Many hospitals
are now using message repeaters to play “Brahms
Lullaby” when a baby is born. It adds a little smile to
everyone’s face.