Monday, August 13, 2012

System overview


v          Introduction
The signals that come from the telephone lines are just analogue signals. On the contrary, a computer can handle digital signals only. Therefore analog signals must be converted to digital signals before they can be processed by a computer, and digital signals must be converted to analog signals in order to be heard with human beings. When an analog voice signal is digitized (converted to digital format via A/D conversion), it becomes so called “digital voice”.
Digital voice, as well as other kids of computer data, consists of bits of “0” and “1”. It can be stored easily in a computer but may require much more storage space than other kind of data. For example, if the voice is digitized at 64 Kbps sampling rate with no compression, then 100MB of memory can store 3.47 hours of voice. Many compression techniques have been invented to reduce the massive storage requirement of digital voice. Each technique has its own pros and cons, but very few achieve high compression rate without sacrificing the voice quality. Our system uses state of- the-art voice compression technique invented by Dallas Semiconductor to achieve a compression rate of either 4:1 or 8:1. The 4:1 compression rate is highly recommended because not only the storage capacity is quadrupled (100MB = 13.88 hours) but the characteristics of the voice is also preserved.
The design of a voice recording system is critical when communications must be recorded for legal or other reasons. Important design issues which must be addressed include how to preserve recordings accurately, how to store and retrieve recording efficiently, how to maintain system security, and how to reduce physical size yet still provide maximum recording and backup capacity. The Archivist voice logging recorder is built on our 10+ years of voice technology experience and designed with state-of-the-art components.








System Features

Patented all-in-one case design
Our Recording and Monitoring Systems are housed in compact, industrial strength metal cases 19 inch standard rack. Most components, such as CPU card and voice card, are plug-in type. In the Case, storage devices, backup devices and power supplies are slide in on tracks and fixed inside the case. On the back of the case for the Recording and Monitoring System is a terminal panel which makes it easy to install and service a large system with many wires. Overall, the System’s case design is a major breakthrough in terms of space saving, easy maintenance and easy installation.


Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 server operating system
The Recording and Monitoring software works under the powerful Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 server operating systems and provides user friendly interface. It supports system networking so that remote Net Play terminals can be used to retrieve voice records.

FIFO hard disk recording method
The Recording and Monitoring software uses hard disk for primary storage, and DVD-RAM disk or DAT tape for backup storage. Since the primary storage is used in a cyclic manner, backup storage may not be necessary in some applications where backup retention period is short. For example, when the system is equipped with a 40 GB hard disk, the primary storage is about 5320 channel-hours before new data over-writes old data. If records older than 5320 channel-hours need not be stored, then backup storage is not necessary.

Two storage devices can be used in series or in parallel
Up to two hard disks can be installed in the System, and they can be used either in series or in parallel. When used in series, the disk capacities are added together. When used in parallel (by way of mirror box), data will be written to both hard disks to protect the system from data loss due to hard disk failures.



Use DVD-RAM or DAT for backup
The search/access time of DVD-RAM is much faster than DAT, but the cost is higher. Current capacity of DVD-RAM is 4.7 GB or 9.4 GB (double size). DAT tape capacity is 12 GB (with DDS-3 drive) per tape not recommended.
Also using backup H/D or flash memory is highly recommended.

Serial and parallel operation of backup devices
Two DVD-RAM drives or two DAT drives can be used in series for combined capacity.

Maximum capacity is 64 channels
The maximum capacities for the system are 64, 36, 24 and 6 channels respectively. However, one channel must be dedicated for playback purpose unless Net Play terminals are used to access voice records over local area network (LAN).

Real-time on-line channel monitoring
The System allows live monitoring of any channel via the Replay Channel. However, since the Replay Channel is also used to play voice records, both operations cannot proceed at the same time.

Each backup disk or tape has its own archival information
When the data on a backup media is no longer needed, the backup media can be re-used. In order to facilitate backup organization, each backup media will be recorded with a unique serial number, the date of first use, the number of times it has been re-used and other basic information.

Records are saved with date, time and other information
Every voice record is saved with channel number, date, time, length, dial-out number (if any) and Caller ID (if any). Among them, channel number, date, time, dial-out number and caller ID can be used as search keys to retrieve records.

Search and retrieve recordings at any time without affecting the operation of the system
Whether the record is on the hard disk or on the backup device, it can be retrieved at any time without affecting the system operation.

Individual record can be selected for secondary backup or deletion
Any individual record can be selected, along with notes, for a secondary backup to devices such as a floppy disk and etc.
Flexible working hours
Up to three different working hour ranges can be configured for the system. The system will not record when the time is out of the ranges, but other operations are still functional.

Fast search and fast play functions
When searching for a particular record, the user can use the record’s Start Time/Channel Number/Dialed Number/Caller ID (one or more of the above) as the search key. After a few minutes, the system will list all records matching the key. The desired record can be easily selected and played by using commands such as fast forward, rewind, move up and move down.

Channel grouping for greater flexibility
Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to partition the channels into different task groups. The Archivist allows for such grouping with different names, passwords, and backup devices

Independent channel configuration
Each channel can be configured independently with its own User Name, Extension Number, Activation Method and etc.

Main screen menu shows channel status and storage usage
The Archivist displays the status of all channels and the storage usage (percentage used) on the main screen menu, making it easy for the system manager to monitor the operation.

Automatic self-test on regular basis
As an intelligent recording system, the Recording and Monitoring software is capable of automatic self-testing on a regular basis. If any problem or abnormality is found, the system will generate an alarm for the system manager.

Screen warning, verbal alarm, and optional remote notify
Based on the cause of an alarm, the system will report in different manners. If the problem is small, only a warning will be displayed on the screen. Otherwise a verbal warning will be sent to the internal speaker. If the system is optionally equipped for remote notification, then the warning will be sent through a phone call.


Voice (VOX) activation or loop voltage start
The System can be connected to a variety of communications circuits such as telephone lines, extension lines, ring-down direct lines and radio channels. In order to adapt to different electrical interfaces, each channel can be configured as voice activation (VOX) or loop voltage start on an individual basis.

System self-test capability
The System can perform energy analysis on each channel and help determine whether the problem comes from the system itself or from the communications circuits that it is connected to. This unique feature helps the service technician to trouble-shoot the system quickly and easily without using bulky test equipment.

System expansion capability
Although the maximum capacity of a single Recording and Monitoring unit is 64 channels, systems of larger capacity can be built by networking multiple Recording and Monitoring units together via LAN.



System Specifications

Working Platform
Hardware      Industrial PC with Color Monitor, all in one case 19   inch Standard Rack as shown
Operating System       Windows NT/2000/XP/server 2003 and all windows Platforms
     
                            
Telephone Interface
         Type      CO normal telephone lines
                   Connection      RJ 11, Tip and ring in parallel
           Input Impedance      > 20K Ohm (high Impedance, then low load on 
                                              Telephone lines)


Networking
 Availability     Archivist VER1.0, Recording and Monitoring System VER2.0, Redundant Recording System VER3.0
   Interface      Peer-to-peer, 10BASE-T, Serial RS232


Voice Recording
 No. of Channels      up to 64 Channels – channel #1 for Playback only
  Expandable to unlimited no. of Telephone lines   (system Cascading)
     Volume Level       -40 dbm to +9 dbm, AGC > 40 dB
        Compression Rate     4:1 (default) or 8:1 u-law PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)
          Storage Capacity     66500 channel-hours (2x250 GB hard disk),  
                                          Expandable
  Activation     Voice (VOX), loop voltage


Storage Equipment
Storage Devices       2 hard disk (2x250 GB)
 Backup Devices      DVD_RAM disk (4.7 GB, or 9.4GB double size)
  DAT tape (2 GB to 12 GB) not recommended.
Removable hard disk 250 GB or flash up to 8 GB   highly recommended


Voice Playback
        Playback Channel    Channel #1 is always dedicated as the Replay Channel
         Monitoring     Live monitoring for any channel via the Replay Channel
    Output Device    speaker, earphone jack, re-record jack


System Alarm
    Warning Types   Voice card not responding
  Backup device is full
  Abnormal activity
  Max. Recording length exceeded on a certain channel
  Base System not Recording
Warning Method       Screen display
  Verbal message from speaker
  Phone call to remote location (via specially equipped
  channel #2)


Environment
Temperature Operation     5OC to 40OC,
   Storage      -20OC to 60OC
                    Humidity        80% max.


Power Supply
        AC Power Supply      90 ~ 130 or 180 ~ 240 VAC, 47 ~ 63 Hz < 400W
                                        UPS (Un-interruptible Power Supply) required

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