9     Remote Recall Software 

Remote Recall is client software for Total Recall. 

Calls and associated call data (text file information) that have been archived to CD can be transferred to a multimedia PC for replay and for integration into PC-based database or spreadsheet.

If an archived call needs to be sent to a remote PC, the file can be readily attached to an e-mail either as a normal (.wav) file or as a compressed (.trc) file. 

Note:  Full details on the use and operation of Remote Recall can be found in the HELP files contained with the Remote Recall software. 

9.1   Introduction 

Remote Recall is a Windows compatible software utility that enables calls recorded on Total Recall to be replayed on a multimedia PC.  Recorded calls are transferred from Total Recall to the PC via the archive CD from Total Recall.  Once the voice calls and the associated call data have been transferred to a PC, it is possible to replay the calls, enter the data into a PC application, or transfer the calls via email. 

9.2   PC System Requirements 

Remote Recall software is designed for use on a multimedia PC running Windows 95/98/2000 or NT4.  In order to replay calls, there must be a sound card or “sound capabilities” installed on the PC which must be recognized by the version of Windows being run on the PC.  It is recommended that the monitor be at least VGA at 800 x 600 to enable the viewing of 20+ calls in the “Search” screen. 

9.3   Memory

Calls archived on the CD are stored in a compressed and encrypted data format that cannot be openly played on a multimedia PC.  The recordings have to be converted (de-encrypted) by first opening the files using the Remote Recall software.

To convert an encrypted file there must be a minimum of 10MB free space on the hard drive. 

It is recommended that the multimedia PC be installed with a minimum of 64MB RAM.

9.4   Installation 

Auto Loading Remote Recall Software

Remote Recall software is supplied on a CD together with the Total Recall Voice Logger/Recorder. To install the software, insert the CD into the PC drive, and the program will Auto Start the install, requiring as little user intervention as possible. Just follow the instructions on the PC screen. 

If the install CD did not Auto Start, select Start/Run/D:/INSTALLREMOTERECALL.EXE, double click the file to activate the Install Shield Program, and follow the instructions on the screen (substitute another CD drive letter if necessary). 

9.5   Loading Archived Calls from the CD to the PC 

First, ensure the Remote Recall program is loaded by clicking Start/Programs and then selecting Remote Recall. Take a CD from Total Recall that has at least one complete session (archive session), and load it in the CD drive on the PC.  The recorded files (the recorded calls on the CD) and the information associated with the files (Date, Time, Length, Number, Channel, Status etc.) are located in a “Log-File”.  The Log-File is required to run Remote Recall, and therefore at least one (1) complete session file must be present on the CD.  A “Log-File” contains all the information related to an individual session.  There may be more than one session on a CD disk, and each session will have its own Log-File. 

Remote Recall CD Load Window 

Select the CD icon from the Tool Bar Control Buttons (see 9.6.1) and the Options to Customize window will appear on the screen. 

Select View these sessions and tag the session(s) required, then OK.

The calls will then load from the CD and be displayed on the PC screen.

Once the contents of the CD or the contents of a session or selection of sessions have been displayed on the screen, it is then possible to use the search criteria to narrow the search for the desired call. 

9.6   Searching and Replaying Calls from a CD 
         using Remote Recall 

The information (call data files) shown on the Remote Recall screen is the same as the information shown on the Total Recall LCD Playback Menu screen.  The main difference is the number of files displayed on the PC screen is greater with Remote Recall.  

9.6.1      Remote Recall Window 

The “Tool Bar Control Buttons” are located at the top of the screen, followed by the “Search Criteria” and then the “Call Data Field” at the bottom of the screen. 

Tool Bar Control Buttons 

Search Criteria Buttons 

The functions of the Tool Bar Control Buttons and Search Criteria Buttons are documented in the Help files.

Click the (?) button for on-line Help.

If you want to narrow the search, simply refine the search criteria and click the Search button and the results of the new search will be displayed.

The Show All button will display the contents of the original selection from the CD. 

Remote Recall Window 

9.6.2      Replaying a Call 

With the call data information loaded on the screen, you can highlight a call by left-clicking the mouse, and replay the call by double-clicking the mouse. 

A Call Player window will appear.  This is the control window used to replay calls. 

The selected call is first located and then converted to a .wav file format.  Once converted, the call will immediately start to replay, and a time bar in the Call Player window will indicate the progress of the call. 

Call Player Window

Other control buttons include Fast Forward, Reverse, Stop, Play and Pause.  

Previous Call and Next Call buttons enable the user to skip up or down between calls.

Status information is displayed on the right side of the Call Player window.

9.7     Emailing a Call 

Calls loaded into Remote Recall from an archived CD can be emailed directly from Remote Recall. Highlight the call you wish to email and click the Envelope icon on the Tool Bar. You will be asked whether you wish to email the file as a .trc file or as a .wav file. A .trc file is significantly smaller and it is therefore preferable to email the file in this format. However, for the recipient to be able to replay the file they also will need Remote Recall loaded.

Multiple calls can be selected by holding down the “Control” (Ctrl) Key while selecting the calls, or a block of calls can be selected by holding down the “Shift” Key while highlighting the block. 

9.8   Using the Serial Link 

9.8.1      Transferring Call Data 

If the transfer of call data to the PC is required (i.e. for call accounting purposes, export to a spreadsheet, or printing of the call data log) this can be done via the serial link. 

Connect the serial cable supplied with Total Recall to the “PC” port on the back panel of Total Recall (Section 4.4.).  Connect the DB9 connector to the PC with Remote Recall software loaded. 

Select the File Transfer icon from the Tool Bar (the Red Telephone symbol).  An Options window will appear.  Use this Options window to test the serial link.  First select COM 1 and then Test.  If the serial link is active, then the test result will show the connection. 

If not, the message will show  “Error, Couldn’t See The Total Recall Device”. 

Try all the COM/Test selections until you get a positive serial connection, then click OK.

An option to be notified (by an audible “beep”) every time a call is received is available. This feature is enabled/disabled by the Beep whenever a new call comes in selection at the bottom of this Options window. 

The call data (but not the voice files) will be downloaded via the serial link from Total Recall to the PC. 

Test Window for the Serial Link 

If the database is full, or near full, this transfer process could take a long time.  It is recommended to activate the serial link transfer option during quiet recording times.

Activation of the serial link transfer will not degrade the normal performance of the Total Recall recorder or the PC. 

9.8.2      Sound Test 

Remote Recall sound can be tested by selecting “Help/About/Test Sound” from the tool bar at the top of the screen. 

9.8.3      Remote Live Monitoring of a Call 

When connected to Total Recall with the serial cable it is possible to activate Live Monitoring of a call in progress from the remote PC. Highlight the call and double click it to begin Live Monitoring. The sound will be transmitted from the Total Recall speaker. It is also possible to connect a speaker to the headphone output jack on the front panel of Total Recall and Live Monitor the call at a location remote from the recorder. 

9.8.4      Remote Replay of a Call 

When connected to Total Recall with the serial cable it is possible to replay a logged call on Total Recall. Highlight the call and double click it to begin Remote Replay.  The call is played back from the Total Recall speaker. The Fast Forward, Fast Rewind and Pause keys work in the normal way. 

9.8.5      Control of Call Data Transfer