Glossary

The following terms and abbreviations are defined as they are used in the context of Blueworx Voice Response. If you do not find the term or abbreviation you are looking for, see IBM Dictionary of Computing, McGraw-Hill, 1994 or the AIX: Topic Index and Glossary, SC23–2513.

Special Characters

μ-law: The companding algorithm that is used primarily in North America and Japan when converting from analog to digital speech data. (Compand is a contraction of compress and expand.) Contrast with A-law.

Numerics

2 B-channel transfer feature: See Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) two B-channel transfer.
3270 host application: An application on the IBM System/370™ System/390®, or AS/400® that interacts with terminals that support the 3270 data stream.
3270 script language: See script language.
3270 server: A function of Blueworx Voice Response that provides a software interface between Blueworx Voice Response and IBM System/370, System/390, or AS/400 architecture business applications that interact with terminals that support the 3270 data stream. Contrast with custom server.
5ESS: (1) A Lucent Technologies switch. (2) The ISDN protocol that is used on the 5ESS switch. It provides 23 B-channels and a D-channel over a T1 trunk.
6312 Digital Trunk Telephony Adapter (DTTA): See Digital Trunk Telephony Adapter.
6313 Digital Trunk Telephony Adapter (DTTA) with Blind Swap Cassette (BSC): See Digital Trunk Telephony Adapter with Blind Swap Cassette.

A

A-law: The companding algorithm that is used in Europe, Latin America, and other countries when converting from analog to digital speech data. (Compand is a contraction of compress and expand.) Contrast with μ-law.
access protocol: A protocol that is used between an external subscriber and a switch in a telephone network.
ACD: See automatic call distributor.
ACL: See application connectivity link.
action: See state table action.
Action Palette: An area that contains folders and icons that can be selected to create state table actions.
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP): In HACMP, the Internet communication protocol that dynamically maps Internet addresses to physical (hardware) addresses on local area networks. Limited to networks that support hardware broadcast.
The usr/sbin/cluster/etc/clinfo.rc script, which is invoked by the clinfo daemon whenever a network or node event occurs, updates the system ARP cache. This ensures that the IP addresses of all cluster nodes are updated after an IP address takeover. The script can be further customized to handle site-specific needs.
administrator profile: Data that describes a Blueworx Voice Response user. Information that is in an administrator profile includes ID, password, language preference, and access privileges.
ADSI: See analog display services interface.
ADSI telephone: A “smart” telephone that can interpret and return ADSI data.
advanced intelligent network (AIN): A telephone network that expands the idea of the intelligent network (IN) to provide special services more efficiently; for example, by giving users the ability to program many of the services themselves.
AIN: See advanced intelligent network.
alarm: Any condition that Blueworx Voice Response thinks worthy of documenting with an error message. Strictly, the term alarm should include only red (immediate attention) and yellow (problem condition), but it is also used to refer to green (a red or yellow message has been cleared) and white (information) conditions. Contrast with alert.
alert: A message that is sent to a central monitoring station, as the result of an alarm. Contrast with alarm.
alternate mark inversion (AMI): A T1 line coding scheme in which binary 1 bits are represented by alternate positive and negative pulses and binary 0 bits by spaces (no pulse). The purpose is to make the average dc level on the line equal to zero.
AMI: See alternate mark inversion.
analog: Data in the form of continuously variable signals, such as voice or light signals.
analog display services interface (ADSI): A Bellcore signaling protocol that is used with existing voice networks. ADSI supports analog transmission of voice and text-based information between a host or switch, voice mail system, service bureau, or similar, and a subscriber's ADSI-compatible screen telephone. A single voice-grade telephony channel is shared between voice and data, using a technique by which the channel is taken over for the transmission of modem-encoded data.
ANI: See automatic number identification.
annotation: In speech recognition, an alphanumeric string that is used to mark a grammar when it is defined. When the grammar is used in an application, both the word and the alphanumeric string are returned to the application.
announcement-only greeting: In voice mail, a greeting that does not give the caller a chance to leave a voice message.
application: A (usually) customer-written program or set of programs that might consist of one or more state tables or custom servers that are running on Blueworx Voice Response, with associated voice segments. See voice application.
application connectivity link (ACL): A service that transmits out-of-band information between Blueworx Voice Response and the Siemens Hicom 300 switch.
application profile: Data that describes initial actions that are to be performed when the telephone is answered. Information in an application profile indicates to the channel process which state table to load.
application server interface (ASI): The principal software component of Blueworx Voice Response that manages the real-time channel processing.
application server platform (ASP): A platform that is used for Web and voice applications for e-business.
ASI: See application server interface.
ASP: See application server platform.
audio name: The audible name that relates to a specific application profile ID and mailbox.
auto-attendant: Automated attendant. A voice application that answers incoming calls and asks callers which number or other service they would like.
automatic call distributor (ACD): A telephone system feature that automatically queues and processes inbound calls according to predefined rules. For example, a call might be routed to the agent whose line has been idle longest.
automatic number identification (ANI): A service available in the U.S. that provides the telephone number of the calling party. It is generated by the caller's originating central office switch, sent to a telephone network carrier if required, then sent directly either to a switch or to a voice processing system.
autostubbing: A state table icon view utility that automatically converts lines into stubs when they cross a specified number of columns.

B

B8ZS: Bipolar with 8-zero substitution. A T1 line code that is required for 64Kb channels such as ISDN.
B-channel: See bearer channel. See also Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) .
background music: Any audio data that is to be played on a music channel.
barge-in: The capability that allows a prompt to be interrupted by an utterance that is then passed to a speech recognizer. See also cut-through channel.
baseforms: The set of phonetic pronunciations that are associated with a grammar. In WebSphere Voice Server, the IBM dictionary of pronunciations is used.
basic rate interface (BRI): The means of ISDN access that is normally used by private subscribers. It provides two B-channels of 64 Kb per second and one D-channel of 16 Kb per second for signaling. This is often known as 2B+D. Contrast with primary rate interface (PRI).
beans: Java beans with which you can build voice applications to use the services of Blueworx Voice Response on any platform.
bearer channel: In an ISDN interface, a duplex channel for transmitting data or digital voice between the terminal and the network. The B-channel operates at 64 Kb per second.
bearer service: The type of service that defines how an ISDN connection will be used. Typical bearer services are speech telephony, 64 Kb per second data, and high-quality speech.
blind transfer: A type of call transfer in which the call is routed to another extension and the original call is ended. No check is made to determine whether the transferred call is answered or if the number is busy. Contrast with screened transfer.
bnf: Abbreviation for Backus-Naur Form, which is used to describe the syntax of a given language and its notation. In speech recognition, a special adaptation of grammar representation that is specified by Speech Recognition Control Language (SRCL) (pronounced “circle”).
bos: Base Operating System.
bps: bits per second.
BRI: See basic rate interface.
bridge: See DVT bridge.
British Approvals Board for Telecommunications: The British standards organization that is responsible for approval of equipment that is to be attached to the PSTN.

C

cadence: The modulated and rhythmic recurrence of an audio signal. For example, a series of beeps or a series of rings.
call: Telephone call. Often used to mean a single run-time instance of a voice application.
call center: A central point at which all inbound calls are handled by a group of individuals in a controlled sequential way. Call centers are usually a front end to a business such as airline ticketing or mail order.
Call Control eXtensible Markup Language (CCXML): Language designed to provide telephony call control support for VoiceXML or other dialog systems. Refer to the CCXML forum web site at http://www.w3.org/TR/ccxml
call forwarding: The process of sending incoming calls to a different number.
called party: Any person, device, or system that receives a telephone call. Contrast with caller.
caller: (1) Any person, device, or system that makes a telephone call. (2) Often used to refer to any user of a voice application, although Blueworx Voice Response might have made an outbound call and the user is really the called party. (3) In voice mail, any person who makes a telephone call to a subscriber. Contrast with user.
calling line identification presentation (CLIP): An ISDN supplementary service that advises the called party of the caller's number; for example, by displaying it on a telephone display panel.
CallPath: Software that provides basic computer-telephony integration (CTI) enablement and comprehensive CTI functionality. This includes access to, and management of, inbound and outbound telecommunications.
call session: The sequence of events that occurs from the time a call is started to the time all activities related to answering and processing the call are completed.
call transfer: A series of actions that directs a call to another telephone number. See also dual-line call transfer.
CAS: See channel associated signaling.
cascading resources: Resources that can be taken over by more than one node. A takeover priority is assigned to each configured cluster resource group in a per-node way. In the event of a takeover, the node with the highest priority gets the resource group. If that node is unavailable, the node with the next-highest priority gets the resource group, and so on.
CAS tone: Customer Premise Equipment Alerting Signal tone. In ADSI, this tone is sent to the ADSI telephone to switch the phone to data mode.
CBX: See computerized branch exchange.
CCH: See Comité de Coordination de l'Harmonisation.
CCITT: See Comité Consultatif International Télégraphique et Téléphonique.
CCS: See common channel signaling (CCS).
central office (CO): A telephone switching system that resides in the telephone service provider's network. Different types of central office switches exist, depending upon the role of the switch in the telephone network. Commonly, a central office switch connects customer lines to other customer lines or trunks, and is the point at which local subscriber lines end for switching to other lines or trunks.
central registry: A component of the Licence Use Management network topology. A server's database that logs requests for licenses, upgrades for licenses, and journals all license activity in a tamper-proof auditable file.
CEPT: See Conference Européenne des Administrations des Postes et Télécommunications.
CGI: See Common Gateway Interface.
channel: One of the 24 channels that are on a T1 trunk, or one of the 30 channels that are on an E1 trunk. See also speech recognition session, music channel.
channel-associated signaling (CAS): A method of communicating telephony supervisory or line signaling (on-hook and off-hook) and address signaling on T1 and E1 digital links. The signaling information for each traffic (voice) channel is transmitted in a signaling channel that is permanently associated with the traffic channel. On T1 links, supervisory signaling is sent in the traffic channel by using robbed-bit signaling (RBS). On E1 links, a separate channel is used to send signaling. Address signaling can be transmitted either in the signaling channel (out-of-band) or in the traffic channel (in-band). Contrast with common channel signaling (CCS).
channel bank: A device that converts an analog line signal to a digital trunk signal.
channel number: The identifying number that is assigned to a licensed channel on the T1 or E1 trunk that connects Blueworx Voice Response to the switch, channel bank, or channel service unit.
channel process (CHP): The AIX process that runs the logic of the state table; each active caller session has one active channel process.
channel service unit (CSU): A device that is used to connect a digital phone line to a multiplexer, a channel bank, or directly to another device that generates a digital signal. A CSU performs specific line-conditioning and equalization functions, and responds to loopback commands that are sent from the CO.
CHP: See channel process.
CIC: See circuit identification code.
CICS: See customer information control system.
circuit identification code (CIC): A 12-bit number that identifies a trunk and channel on which a call is carried.
clear message: A message that is displayed by Blueworx Voice Response to tell the operator that a red or yellow error message has been cleared.
client node: In a single system image (SSI), a Blueworx Voice Response system that handles interactions with callers. A client node must have a telephony connection. It does not store application or voice data; it gets data from the server node of the SSI.
CLIP: See calling line identification presentation.
cluster: Loosely-coupled collection of independent systems (nodes) that are organized into a network to share resources and to communicate with each other. HACMP defines relationships among cooperating systems where peer cluster nodes provide the services that a cluster node offers if that node cannot do so.
cluster configuration: User definition of all cluster components. Component information is stored in the Object Data Manager. Components include cluster name and ID, and information about member nodes, adapters, and network modules.
CO: See central office.
codec: Refers to adapters that compress and decompress video files. The letters "codec" represent "compression/decompression"; in the past, they represented "coder/decoder."
Comité de Coordination de l'Harmonization: The CEPT committee responsible for standards.
Comitato Elettrotechnico Italiano: The Italian standards organization responsible for signaling protocols.
Comité Consultatif International Télégraphique et Téléphonique (CCITT): This organization has been renamed and is now known as the International Telecommunications Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T).
common channel signaling (CCS): A method of communicating telephony information and line signaling events (for example, call setup and call clearing) on a dedicated signaling channel. The signaling channel is either a predefined channel on an E1 or T1 digital link, or a completely separate link between the switch and Blueworx Voice Response. For data integrity and reliability, the information is usually communicated using a data link protocol. The telephone information and line signaling events are sent as data packets. SS7 and ISDN are common-channel signaling protocols. Contrast with channel associated signaling.
Common Gateway Interface (CGI): An interface to programs that provide services on the world wide Web.
compiled grammar file: A grammar in binary format that was built by the WebSphere Voice Server grammar development tools.
compound license: In License Use Management, a type of license that allows a system administrator to generate license passwords for a given number of licenses. A compound license can generate either nodelocked or non-nodelocked licenses, but not both
computer-telephony integration (CTI): The use of a general-purpose computer to issue commands to a telephone switch to transfer calls and provide other services. Typically, CTI is used in call centers.
computerized branch exchange (CBX): A computer-driven, digital communications controller that provides telephone communication between internal stations and external networks.
Conférence Européenne des Administrations des Postes et Télécommunications (CEPT): European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations.
configuration file: See parameter file.
configuration parameter: A variable that controls the behavior of the system or the behavior of all applications that are running on the system. See parameter file, system parameter.
container window: A window that lists the names of all existing objects of the same type.
context: A set of one or more grammars that is enabled and used during a recognition action. The grammars are specified by a FILELIST file. Parameters that influence the recognition, such as the maximum initial silence period and the ending silence period, are also defined by the context. More than one context can be enabled for a recognition.
context name: The name given to a context in a context profile that is used for WebSphere Voice Server.
context profile: Describes to the WebSphere Voice Server process which contexts should be loaded into an engine. A WebSphere Voice Response for Windows application specifies which context profiles to load into the engine it has reserved.
context type: Indicates to the recognition engine how to interpret the grammar file. Possible types are: VOCAB_FILE, GRAMMAR_FILE, TEXT, MNR_FILE, MNR, PERSONAL_FILE, PERSONAL_WDS, BASEFORM_FILE.
continuous speech recognition: Recognition of words that are spoken in a continuous stream. Unlike isolated or discrete word recognition, users do not have to pause between words.
conversation: See speech recognition session.
CPE: See customer premises equipment.
CSU: See channel service unit .
CTI: See computer-telephony integration.
customer information control system (CICS): A licensed program that enables transactions that are entered at remote workstations to be processed concurrently by user-written application programs. It includes facilities for building, using, and maintaining databases.
custom server: A C language or C++ language program that provides data manipulation and local or remote data stream, database, or other services that are additional to those that the state table interface provides. Custom servers provide an interface between Blueworx Voice Response and business applications, functions, or other processes to give callers access to business information and voice processing functions such as speech recognition.
customer premises equipment (CPE): Telephony equipment that is on the premises of a business or domestic customer of the telephone company. An example is a private branch exchange (PBX).
cut-through channel: A channel of voice data that has been passed through echo-cancellation algorithms. The channel provides echo-canceled voice data that can then be used by the engine in a recognition attempt. This is similar to barge-in.

D

daemon: In the AIX operating system, a program that runs unattended to perform a standard service.
database server node: In a single system image (SSI), a Blueworx Voice Response system that contains the Blueworx Voice Response DB2® database. This is usually the same node as the voice server node.
DBIM: The internal database manager of Blueworx Voice Response.
DBS: The database server of Blueworx Voice Response.
DCBU: See D-channel backup.
D-channel: See delta channel.
D-channel backup (DCBU): An ISDN NFAS configuration where two of the T1 facilities have a D-channel, one of which is used for signaling, and the other as a backup if the other fails. See also non-facility associated signaling.
DDI: See direct inward dialing.
DDS: See production system.
delay start: A procedure that is used with some channel-associated signaling protocols to indicate when a switch or PABX is ready to accept address signaling. After seizure, the switch sends off-hook until it is ready to accept address signaling, at which time it sends on-hook. Contrast with immediate start and wink start.
delta channel: In an ISDN interface, the D-channel or delta channel carries the signaling between the terminal and the network. In a basic rate interface, the D-channel operates at 16 Kb per second. In a primary rate interface, the D-channel operates at 64 Kb per second.
destination point code (DPC): A code that identifies the signaling point to which an MTP signal unit is to be sent. Unique in a particular network.
development system: A Blueworx Voice Response system that is not used to respond to, or make, “live” calls; it is used only to develop and test applications. Contrast with production system.
dial: To start a telephone call. In telecommunication, this action is performed to make a connection between a terminal and a telecommunication device over a switched line.
dial by name: To press the keys that are related to subscribers' names instead of to their telephone numbers or extensions.
dialed number identification service (DNIS): A number that is supplied by the public telephone network to identify a logical called party. For example, two toll-free numbers might both be translated to a single real number. The DNIS information distinguishes which of the two toll-free numbers was dialed.
dialog box: A secondary window that presents information or requests data for a selected action.
dial tone: An audible signal (call progress tone) that indicates that a device such as a PABX or central office switch is ready to accept address information (DTMF or dial pulses).
DID: See direct inward dialing.
digital signal processing (DSP): A set of algorithms and procedures that processes electronic signals after their conversion to digital format. Because of the specific mathematical models that are required to perform this processing, specialized processors are generally used.
Digital Subscriber signaling System Number 1 (DSS1): A signaling protocol that is used between ISDN subscriber equipment and the network. It is carried on the ISDN D-channel. ITU-T recommendations Q.920 to Q.940 describe this protocol.
Digital Trunk Ethernet Adapter (DTEA): A Radysis adapter card that provides the audio streaming (RTP) interface between the Blueworx Voice Response internal H.100 bus and Ethernet for a maximum of 120 channels using uncompressed (G.711) voice, and compressed G.723.2 and G.729A compressed voice.
Digital Trunk No Adapter (DTNA): A device driver that supports uncompressed (G.711) voice RTP streaming.
Digital Trunk Telephony Adapter (DTTA): The IBM Quad Digital Trunk Telephony PCI Adapter. In Blueworx Voice Response, this adapter is known as a DTTA. It allows you to connect directly to the telephony network from a pSeries computer without the need for an external pack.
Digital Trunk Telephony Adapter (DTTA) with Blind Swap Cassette (BSC): The IBM Quad Digital Trunk Telephony PCI Adapter. In Blueworx Voice Response, this adapter is known as a DTTA. It allows you to connect directly to the telephony network from a pSeries computer without the need for an external pack. This DTTA includes a short Blind Swap Cassette (BSC) which is required for installing the DTTA in machines that use the BSC (for example, the pSeries 650–6M2).
diphone: A transitional phase from one sound to the next that is used as a building block for speech synthesis. Typically, between one thousand and two thousand diphones exist in any national language.
direct dial in (DDI): See direct inward dialing.
direct inward dialing (DID): A service that allows outside parties to call directly to an extension of a PABX. Known in Europe as direct dial in (DDI).
direct speech recognition: Identification of words from spoken input that are read directly from the telephony channel. Contrast with indirect speech recognition.
DirectTalk bean: One of the beans that is provided with Blueworx Voice Response. It provides access from a voice application to simple call control functions: waiting for a call, making an outgoing call, handing a call over to another application, and returning a call when finished.
discrete word recognition: Identification of spoken words that are separated by periods of silence, or input one at a time. Contrast with continuous speech recognition.
disconnect: To hang up or terminate a call.
Distributed Voice Technologies (DVT): A component of Blueworx Voice Response that provides an interface to allow you to integrate your own voice technology (such as a speech recognizer) with your Blueworx Voice Response system.
distribution list: In voice mail, a list of subscribers to whom the same message can be sent.
DMS100: (1) A Northern Telecom switch. (2) The custom ISDN protocol that is run on the DMS100 switch, providing 23 B-channels and a D-channel over a T1 trunk.
DNIS: See dialed number identification service.
double-trunking: See trombone.
down: The condition in which a device is unusable as a result of an internal fault or of an external condition, such as loss of power.
downstream physical unit (DSPU): Any remote physical unit (data link, storage, or input/output device) that is attached to a single network host system.
DPC: See destination point code.
drop-in grammar: A set of precompiled grammar rules that can be used by an application-specific grammar to improve the recognition performance.
DSP: See digital signal processing.
DSPU: See downstream physical unit.
DSS1: See Digital Subscriber signaling System Number 1.
DTMF: See dual-tone multifrequency.
DTEA: See Digital Trunk Ethernet Adapter.
DTNA: See Digital Trunk No Adapter.
DTTA: See Digital Trunk Telephony Adapter.
dtuser: The name of the AIX account that is set up during the installation process for the use of all users of Blueworx Voice Response.
dual-line call transfer: A call transfer method in which the primary and secondary lines remain bridged until a call is completed. (Also known as tromboning: see trombone).
dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF): The signals are sent when one of the telephone keys is pressed. Each signal is composed of two different tones.
DVT: See Distributed Voice Technologies.
DVT bridge: The interface between a voice technology component (such as a speech recognizer) and the DVT server. A bridge must exist for each technology that you want to integrate with DVT.
DVT_Client2: A Blueworx Voice Response custom server that passes commands and data to DVT_Server.
DVT interface: A Blueworx Voice Response programming interface that is used by a DVT bridge. It enables integration of voice applications with Distributed Voice Technologies to provide functions such as speech recognition.
DVT_Server: A component of DVT that allocates and manages system resources in response to requests from DVT_Client2.
DVT service: The combination of a voice application, a DVT bridge, and a voice technology that allows a caller to interact with your business.
dynamic vocabulary: A vocabulary that is defined while an application is running.

E

E&M: A channel-associated signaling protocol in which signaling is done using two leads: an M-lead that transmits battery or ground and an E-lead that receives open or ground.
E1: A digital trunking facility standard that is used in Europe and elsewhere. It can transmit and receive 30 digitized voice or data channels. Two additional channels are used for synchronization, framing, and signaling. The transmission rate is 2048 Kb per second. Contrast with T1.
echo cancelation: A filter algorithm that compares a copy of the voice data that is being sent to a caller, with the voice data being that is received from the caller. Any echo of the sent data is removed before the received data is sent on, for example, to a speech recognizer.
edge: See result.
EDL: See exchange data link.
emulation: The imitation of all or part of one computer system by another, so that the imitating system accepts the same data, runs the same programs, and gets the same results as the imitated computer system does.
endpoint: In Voice over Internet Protocol, a place where calls are originated and ended.
engine: A speech recognition process that accepts voice data as input and returns the text of what was said as output. It is the process that performs the recognition.
engine type: Each engine must be configured with a specific type. The type is a textual tag that is associated with a specific engine and does not change the operation or functionality of the engine.
error message: Any message that is displayed by Blueworx Voice Response in the System Monitor as an alarm and optionally written to the Blueworx Voice Response error log, or to the AIX error log (as an alert). Strictly, the term error message should include only red (immediate attention) and yellow (problem situation) messages, but it is also used to refer to green (a red or yellow message has been cleared) and white (informational) messages.
Ethernet: A 10/100 network connection between the VoIP gateway and the Speech Server that supports VoIP.
ETS: European Telecommunications Standard or European Telecommunication Specification.
ETSI: European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
Euro-ISDN: The common European ISDN standard, agreed in 1993, that provides a basic range of services and supplementary services using 30 B-channels plus a D-channel over an E1 trunk.
exchange data link: A serial connection that carries messaging information between Blueworx Voice Response and the Lucent Technologies 1AESS, Northern Telecom DMS100, Ericsson MD110 switch, or Siemens Hicom 300.
exit: A point in a supplied application from which control can be passed to another custom-written application. On completion, the custom-written application passes control back to the supplied application.

F

fade in

To gradually increase the volume of sounds, such as background music.

fade out

To gradually decrease the volume of sounds, such as background music.

failover

A transparent operation that, in the event of a system failure, switches responsibility for managing resources to a redundant or standby system. Also known as fallover.

FDM

See Feature Download Management.

Feature Download Management (FDM)

An ADSI protocol that enables several alternative key and screen overlays to be stored in an ADSI telephone, and to be selected by predetermined events at the telephone.

Federal Communication Commission (FCC)

The standard body in the United States that is responsible for communication.

field

An identifiable area in a window that is used to enter or display data.

FILELIST

A WebSphere Voice Server Telephony runtime file that defines which files to load into a WebSphere Voice Server engine. It contains a list in the form:

context type grammar filename

         …            …

Recursion is not permitted; that is, no contexts of type FILELIST can be specified in a FILELIST. When a FILELIST is loaded, all the grammars that are specified in it are loaded into the engine. From then on, the grammars that are loaded when the FILELIST is specified are regarded as a single context.

Foreign Exchange Subscriber (FXS)

A signaling protocol that links a user's location to a remote exchange that would not normally be serving that user, to provide, for example, calls to outside the local area at the local rate.

frame

A group of data bits that is surrounded by a beginning sequence and an ending sequence.

fsg

Abbreviation for finite state grammar. In WebSphere Voice Server, the extension of a file that contains grammar specifications in compiled, binary form. It is generated from a .bnf file and is called a .fsg file.

function

In ADSI, an ADSI instruction or group of instructions.

FXS

See Foreign Exchange Subscriber.

G

gatekeeper: A component of a Voice over Internet Protocol that provides services such as admission to the network and address translation.
gateway: A component of Voice over Internet Protocolthat provides a bridge between VoIP and circuit-switched environments.
G.711: Specification for uncompressed voice for PSTN and Voice over Internet Protocol access.
G.723.1: Compressed audio codecs that are used on Voice over Internet Protocol connection for voice.
G.729A: Compressed audio codecs that are used on Voice over Internet Protocol connection for voice.
glare: A condition that occurs when both ends of a telephone line or trunk are seized at the same time.
grammar: A structured collection of words and phrases that are bound together by rules. A grammar defines the set of all words, phrases, and sentences that might be spoken by a caller and are recognized by the engine. A grammar differs from a vocabulary in that it provides rules that govern the sequence in which words and phrases can be joined together.
greeting: In voice mail, the recording that is heard by a caller on reaching subscriber's mailbox. See also announcement-only greeting. Contrast with voice message.
greeting header: In voice mail, a recording that is made by a subscriber and played to callers either before or instead of a personal greeting.
Groupe Special Mobile (GSM): A CEPT/CCH standard for mobile telephony.

H

HACMP (High-Availability Cluster Multi-Processing) for AIX: Licensed Program Product (LPP) that provides custom software that recognizes changes in a cluster and coordinates the use of AIX features to create a highly-available environment for critical data and applications.
HACMP/ES: Licensed Program Product (LPP) that provides Enhanced Scalability to the HACMP for AIX LPP. An HACMP/ES cluster can include up to 32 nodes.
hang up: To end a call. See also disconnect.
HDB3: High-density bipolar of order 3. An E1 line coding method in which each block of four successive zeros is replaced by 000V or B00V, so that the number of B pulses between consecutive V pulses is odd. Therefore, successive V pulses are of alternate polarity so that no dc component is introduced. Note: B represents an inserted pulse that observes the alternate mark inversion (AMI) rule and V represents an AMI violation. HDB3 is similar to B8ZS that is used with T1.
HDLC: See high-level data link control.
high-level data link control: An X.25 protocol.
homologation: The process of getting a telephony product approved and certified by a country's telecommunications authority.
hook flash: A signal that is sent to a switch to request a switch feature (such as call transfer).
host application: An application residing on the host computer.
hunt group: A set of telephone lines from which a non-busy line is found to handle, for example, an incoming call.

I

immediate start: A procedure that is used with some channel-associated signaling protocols, when the address signaling is sent within 65 milliseconds of going off-hook. Contrast with delay start and wink start.
IN: See intelligent network.
in-band: In the telephony voice channel, signals are said to be carried in-band. Contrast with out-of-band.
indirect speech recognition: Identification of words from spoken input that are read from a file. Contrast with direct speech recognition.
initialize: To prepare a system, device, or program for operation; for example, to initialize a diskette.
input parameter: Data that is received by a program such as a prompt, 3270 script, custom server, or state table from the program that called it. Contrast with local variable and system variable.
integrated messaging: A messaging system in which more than one copy of a single message is stored, the copies being kept synchronized by the applications that are used to access them. Contrast with unified messaging.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): A digital end-to-end telecommunication network that supports multiple services including, but not limited to, voice and data.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) call transfer: In Blueworx Voice Response, an application that allows you to transfer calls on Nortel DMS-100 switches using Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) two B-channel transfer, and on Nortel DMS-100 and DMS-250 switches using Nortel's proprietary Release Link Trunk (RLT) call transfer protocol.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) two B-channel transfer: A call transfer feature that is defined by Bellcore GR-2865-CORE specification, and used on Nortel and Lucent switches.
Integrated Services Digital Network user part (ISUP): Part of the SS7 protocol that supports telephony signaling applications. The ISDN user part is defined to carry signaling information that relates to digital telephones, terminals, and PABXs in customer premises.
intelligent network (IN): A telephone network that includes programmable software that is not resident on the switch. It allows the service provider to provide special services, such as special call-handling, that are not dependent on the capabilities of the switch. See also advanced intelligent network.
intelligent peripheral (IP): A voice processing system (such as Blueworx Voice Response) that provides enhanced services such as voice response, speech recognition, text-to-speech, voice messaging, and database access in an advanced intelligent network.
interactive voice response (IVR): A computer application that communicates information and interacts with the caller via the telephone voice channel.
International Telecommunications Union – Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T): The name of the organization that was previously known as the CCITT.
IP: See intelligent peripheral.
ISDN: See Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) .
ISDN two B-channel transfer: See Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) two B-channel transfer.
ISDN-UP: See Integrated Services Digital Network user part.
ISUP: See Integrated Services Digital Network user part.
ITU-T: See International Telecommunications Union – Telecommunication Standardization Sector.
IVR: See interactive voice response.

J

Java Bean: A reusable Java component. See beans.
jump out: See call transfer.

K

key: (1) One of the pushbuttons on the telephone handset; sometimes referred to as a DTMF key. (2) A component of the keyboard that is attached to the computer system.
key pad: The part of the telephone that contains the pushbutton keys.
key pad mapping: The process of assigning special alphanumeric characters to the keys that are on a telephone key pad, so that the telephone can be used as a computer-terminal keyboard.

L

LAN: See local area network.
language model: For speech recognition, a set of acoustic shapes (in binary format) for a given set of words, in which word-to-word differences are maximized, but speaker-to-speaker differences are minimized. See also vocabulary.
LAPD: See link access protocol for the D-channel.
licensed program product (LPP): A separately-priced program and its associated materials that bear an IBM copyright and are offered under the terms and conditions of a licensing agreement.
license server: A machine on a network that holds licenses and distributes them on request to other machines on the network.
line error: An error on the telephone line that causes the signal to be impaired.
link access protocol for the D-channel: An HDLC protocol used in ISDN that ensures a reliable connection between the network and the user. Often used as another name for Q.921.
local area network (LAN): A network in which computers are connected to one another in a limited geographical area. Blueworx Voice Response communication with WebSphere Voice Server speech recognition, text-to-speech, and single system image (SSI) requires a LAN that is dedicated to that purpose (unless both are installed on the same system). A token-ring network is a type of LAN.
local variable: A user-defined temporary variable that can be accessed only by the program (state table, prompt, or 3270 script) for which it is defined. Contrast with input parameter, system variable.

M

macro: See system prompt.
MAP: See mobile application part.
MB: See megabyte.
megabyte: (1) For processor storage and real and virtual memory, 1 048 576 bytes. (2) For disk storage capacity and transmission rates, 1 000 000 bytes.
Message Center: See Unified Messaging
message delivery preference: The subscriber's choice of whether voice mail is stored as voice mail only, as e-mail only, or as both voice mail and e-mail.
message delivery type: The format in which a voice message is delivered.
message signal unit (MSU): An MTP packet that contains data.
message transfer part (MTP): Part of the SS7 protocol that is normally used to provide a connectionless service that is roughly similar to levels one through three of the OSI reference model.
message waiting indicator (MWI): A visible or audible indication (such as a light or a stutter tone) that a voice message is waiting to be retrieved.
MFR1: An in-band address signaling system that uses six tone frequencies, two at a time. MFR1 is used principally in North America and is described in ITU-T recommendations Q.310 through Q.332.
MIME: See multipurpose Internet mail extensions.
mobile application part (MAP): Optional layer 7 application for SS7 that runs on top of TCAP for use with mobile network applications.
MP: See multiprocessor.
MSU: See message signal unit.
MTP: See message transfer part.
mu(μ)-law: The companding algorithm that is used primarily in North America and Japan when converting from analog to digital speech data. (Compand is a contraction of compress and expand.) Contrast with A-law.
multiprocessor (MP): A computer that includes two or more processing units that can access a common main storage.
multipurpose Internet mail extensions (MIME): A protocol that is used on Internet for extending e-mail capability and merging it with other forms of communication, such as voice mail and fax.
mumble: Non speech noise that a user interjects while speaking.
music channel: A channel on which sounds can be broadcast to one or more telephony (voice) channels.
music title: The name by which Blueworx Voice Response knows a tune.
MWI: See message waiting indicator.

N

National ISDN: A common ISDN standard that was developed for use in the U.S.
NAU: See network addressable unit.
N-Best: The ability to return more than one speech recognition result. Typically, an array of results is available in the application in sequence of descending probability.
NCP: See network control program.
NET: Norme Européenne de Télécommunication.
Net 5: The test specification for conformance to the Euro-ISDN standard for primary rate access to ISDN.
network addressable unit (NAU): Any network component that can be addressed separately by other members of the network.
network control program (NCP): Used for requests and responses that are exchanged between physical units in a network for data flow control.
Network File System (NFS): A protocol, developed by Sun Microsystems, Incorporated, that allows any host in a network to gain access to another host or netgroup and their file directories. In a single system image (SSI), NFS is used to attach the Blueworx Voice Response DB2 database.
network termination: See NT mode.
NFAS: See non-facility associated signaling.
NFS: See Network File System.
node: In a single system image (SSI), one of the Blueworx Voice Response systems that are in the cluster.
non-facility associated signaling (NFAS): An ISDN configuration where several T1 facilities can be controlled by a single D-channel, instead of the normal T1 configuration where each T1 facility has 23 B-channels and a D-channel (23B+D). With NFAS, all 24 timeslots of the non signaling trunks are available for voice, whereas only 23 channels can be used on the trunk that carries signaling traffic (23B+D+n24B).
NT mode: Attachment to the ISDN network is asymmetric. The network side of the connection operates in network termination, or NT, mode. User equipment operates in terminal equipment, or TE, mode.

O

ODM: See Object Data Manager.
Object Data Manager (ODM): A data manager intended for the storage of system data. The ODM is used for many system management functions. Information that is used in many commands and SMIT functions is stored and maintained in the ODM as objects with associated characteristics.
off-hook: A telephone line state, usually induced by lifting a receiver, in which the line is ready to make a call.
offline: Not attached or known to the existing system configuration, and therefore not in active operation.
on-hook: A telephone line state, usually induced by hanging up a receiver, in which the line is ready to receive a call.
online: In active operation.
OPC: See originating point code.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI): (1.) The interconnection of open systems as specified in particular ISO standards. (2.) The use of standardized procedures to enable the interconnection of data processing systems.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) architecture: Network architecture that observes the particular set of ISO standards that relate to Open Systems Interconnection.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model: A conceptual model composed of seven layers, each specifying particular network functions. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1984, it is considered to be the primary architectural model for intercomputer communications
originating point code (OPC): A code that identifies the signaling Point that originated an MTP signal unit. Unique in a particular network.
OSI: See Open Systems Interconnection.
outgoing mail: In voice mail, messages that are sent by a subscriber to another subscriber on the same system, and have not yet been listened to by the addressee.
out-of-band: In the telephony signaling channel, as opposed to the voice channel. Signals are said to be carried out-of-band. Contrast with in-band.

P

PABX: See private automatic branch exchange .
pack: Each DTTA contains the equivalent of four packs. The pack is a digital trunk processor built into the digital trunk adapter, so there is no need for external hardware. See also TPACK.
parameter file: An ASCII file that sets configuration parameters.
password: A unique string of characters that is known to a computer system and to a user. The user must specify the character string to gain access to the system and to the information that is stored in it.
PBX: See private branch exchange.
PCI: See peripheral component interconnect.
PCM: See Pulse Code Modulation.
PCM fault condition: A fault, such as power supply failure, or loss of incoming signal, in T1 or E1 equipment. (ITU-T G.732 and G.733.)
peripheral component interconnect (PCI): A computer busing architecture that defines electrical and physical standards for electronic interconnection.
personal greeting: In voice mail, a greeting that is recorded by a subscriber. Contrast with system greeting.
phone recognition: Communicating with a computer using voice via a telephone, over a telephone line. The computer application recognizes what was said and takes suitable action.
port: In time-slot management, one end of a 64 Kbps unidirectional stream that can be attached to the TDM bus.
port set: In time-slot management, a collection of ports that can be connected using a single CA_TDM_Connect() API call to a complementary collection of ports.
PRA: Primary rate access (PRA). Used as another name for primary rate interface (PRI).
PRI: See primary rate interface.
primary rate access (PRA): See primary rate interface.
primary rate interface (PRI): The means of ISDN access that is normally used by large sites. It provides 30 (E1) or 23 (T1) B-channels of 64 Kb per second and one D-channel for signaling. This is often known as 30B+D or 23B+D. Contrast with basic rate interface.
primary rate ISDN (PRI): See primary rate interface.
primitive: A message that is sent from one process to another.
private automatic branch exchange (PABX): An automatic private switching system that services an organization and is usually located on a customer's premises. Often used as another name for private branch exchange (PBX) .
private branch exchange (PBX): A switch inside a private business that concentrates the number of inside lines into a smaller number of outside lines (trunks). Many PBXs also provide advanced voice and data communication features. Often used as another name for private automatic branch exchange .
process a call: To answer the telephone and perform the correct tasks.
Process Manager: In WebSphere Voice Server, the process that manages the interaction of all telephony system processes; for example, starting and stopping text-to-speech or speech recognition sessions.
production system: A Blueworx Voice Response system that responds to or makes “live” calls. A production system can also be used to develop new applications. Contrast with development system.
program temporary fix (PTF): An update to IBM software.
program data: Application-specific data that can be associated with a call transfer from CallPath to Blueworx Voice Response, or in the opposite direction. This is equivalent to CallPath program data, but Blueworx Voice Response imposes the restriction that the data must be a printable ASCII character string, with a maximum length of 512 bytes.
prompt: (1) A message that requests input or provides information. Prompts are seen on the computer display screen and heard over the telephone. (2) In Blueworx Voice Response, a program that uses logic to determine dynamically the voice segments that are to be played as a voice prompt.
prompt directory: A list of all the prompts that are used in a particular voice application. Used by the state table to play the requested voice prompts.
pronunciation: The possible phonetic representations of a word. A word can have multiple pronunciations; for example, “the” has at least two pronunciations, “thee” and “thuh”.
pronunciation dictionary: A file that contains the phonetic representation of all of the words, phrases, and sentences for an application grammar.
pronunciation pool: A WebSphere Voice Server resource that contains the set of all pronunciations.
protocol: A set of semantic and syntactic rules that determines the behavior of functional units when they get communication. Examples of Blueworx Voice Response protocols are FXS, RE, and R2.
PSTN: An ITU-T abbreviation for public switched telephone network.
PTF: See program temporary fix.
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM): Variation of a digital signal to represent information.
pushbutton: (1) A key that is on a telephone key pad. (2) A component in a window that allows the user to start a specific action.
pushbutton telephone: A type of telephone that has pushbuttons. It might or might not send tone signals. If it does, each number and symbol on the key pad has its own specific tone.

Q

Q.921: The ITU-T (formerly CCITT) recommendation that defines the link layer of the DSS1 protocol. Q.921 defines an HDLC protocol that ensures a reliable connection between the network and the user. Often used as another name for LAPD.
Q.931: The ITU-T recommendation that defines the network layer of the DSS1 protocol. This layer carries the ISDN messages that control the making and clearing of calls.
quiesce: To shut down a channel, a trunk line, or the whole system after allowing normal completion of any active operations. The shutdown is performed channel-by-channel. Channels that are in an idle state are shut down immediately. Channels that are processing calls are shut down at call completion.

R

RAI: See remote alarm indication.
RBS: See robbed-bit signaling.
RE: See remote extension.
Recognition Engine server: In WebSphere Voice Server, the software that performs the speech recognition and sends the results to the client. This consists of one ‘Tsm router' and at least one ‘tsmp' and one ‘engine'.
reduced instruction set computer (RISC): A computer that uses a small, simplified set of frequently-used instructions to improve processing speed.
referral number: The phone number to which calls are routed, when call forwarding is active.
rejection: The identification of an utterance as one that is not allowed by a grammar.
release link trunk (RLT): A custom specification from Nortel for ISDN call transfer.
remote alarm indication (RAI): A remote alarm (also referred to as a yellow alarm) indicates that the far-end of a T1 connection has lost frame synchronization. The Send RAI system parameter can be set to prevent Blueworx Voice Response from sending RAI.
remote extension (RE): An E1 signaling protocol that is similar to FXS loop start.
resource element: A component of an Intelligent Network. The resource element contains specialized resources such as speech recognizers or text-to-speech converters.
response: In speech recognition, the character string that is returned by the recognizer, through DVT_Client, to the state table. The string represents the result of a recognition attempt. This is the word or words that the recognizer considers to be the best match with the speech input.
result: An indicator of the success or failure of a state table action. It is returned by Blueworx Voice Response to the state table. Also known as an edge.
result state: The state that follows each of the possible results of an action.
return code: A code that indicates the status of an application action when it completes.
RISC: See reduced instruction set computer.
RLT: See release link trunk.
robbed-bit signaling (RBS): The T1 channel -associated signaling scheme that uses the least significant bit (bit 8) of each information channel byte for signaling every sixth frame. This is known as 7-5/6-bit coding rather than 8-bit coding. The signaling bit in each channel is associated only with the channel in which it is contained.

S

SAP: See service access point.
SAS: A T1 signaling protocol that is similar to FXS.
SCbus: See Signal Computing bus.
SCCP: See signaling connection control part.
SCP: See service control point.
screened transfer: A type of call transfer in which the transfer of the held party to the third party is completed only if the third party answers the call. Contrast with blind transfer.
script: The logical flow of actions for a 3270 server program.
script language: A high-level, application-specific scripting language, which consists of statements that are used to develop 3270 scripts. These scripts are part of the interface between a state table and a 3270-based host business application.
SCSA: See Signal Computing System Architecture.
SDC: See Server Display Control.
SDLC: See Synchronous Data Link Control.
segment ID number: One or more numbers that are used to identify a voice or prompt segment.
Server Display Control (SDC): An ADSI control mode in which the ADSI telephone is controlled through a dialog with a voice response system.
server node: In a single system image (SSI), a Blueworx Voice Response system that contains either the Blueworx Voice Response DB2 database, or the voice data, or both.
service access point (SAP): An OSI term for the port through which a service user (layer N+1) accesses the services of a service provider (layer N).
service control point (SCP): A component of the intelligent network that provides transactional services, such as translation of toll-free numbers to subscriber numbers.
service information octet (SIO): A field that is in an MTP message signal unit. It identifies a higher layer user of MTP, and whether the message relates to a national or international network.
service node: An element of an Intelligent Network. The service node contains the service logic that controls an intelligent network application and resources.
service provider: Any company that provides services for a fee to its customers, such as telecommunication companies, application service providers, enterprise IT, and Internet service providers.
service provider equipment (SPE): The switching equipment that is owned by the telephone company.
session: See speech recognition session.
Session Initiation Protocol: A signaling protocol used for internet conferencing, telephony, presence, events notification and instant messaging.
short message service center (SMSC): A component of the mobile telephony network, specified by the GSM group of standards, that provides for exchange of alphanumeric messages of less than 160 bytes. Messages can be exchanged between different types of system such as mobile telephone, alphanumeric pager, terminal, e-mail, telex, or DTMF telephone.
SIF: See signaling information field.
Signal Computing System Architecture (SCSA): An architecture that was defined by Dialogic to support interoperability of software and hardware components that are developed by different vendors in the computer telephony industry.
Signal Computing bus (SCbus): A time division multiplexed (TDM) hardware bus that was originated by Dialogic to interconnect different vendors' computer telephony adapters. Specified as part of Signal Computing System Architecture (SCSA).
signaling: The exchange of control information between functional parts of the system in a telecommunications network.
signaling connection control part (SCCP): A layer 3 protocol that observes OSI.
signaling information field (SIF): The user data portion of an MTP message signal unit.
signaling link code (SLC): A code that identifies a particular signaling link that connects the destination and originating signaling points. This is used in MTP signaling network management messages to indicate the signaling link to which the message relates.
signaling link selection (SLS): A field that is used to distribute MTP signal units across multiple signaling links.
signaling mode: The type of signaling protocol, either channel-associated signaling, or common-channel signaling.
signaling point: A node in a signaling network that either originates and receives signaling messages, or transfers signaling messages from one signaling link to another, or both.
signaling process: A Blueworx Voice Response component that controls signaling for an exchange data link or common-channel signaling protocol. Some signaling processes are supplied with Blueworx Voice Response, and others can be custom-written.
signaling System Number 7 (SS7): The international high-speed signaling backbone used for the public-switched telephone network.
silence: A short pause between utterances.
simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP): An Ethernet protocol that is related to TCP/IP.
simple network management protocol (SNMP): In the Internet suite of protocols, a network management protocol that is used to monitor routers and attached networks. SNMP is an application layer protocol. Information on devices managed is defined and stored in the application's Management Information Base (MIB). SNMP provides a means of monitoring Blueworx Voice Response resources remotely.
Simplified Message Desk Interface (SMDI): A Northern Telecom service that transmits out-of-band information between Blueworx Voice Response and particular switches.
Simplified Message Service Interface (SMSI): A Lucent Technologies service that transmits out-of-band information between Blueworx Voice Response and particular switches.
single system image (SSI): A cluster of Blueworx Voice Response systems that are connected together using a local area network. Each system (known as a node) in the cluster is configured as either a client or a server. A single system image typically consists of one server node and multiple client nodes. The client nodes retrieve applications and voice data from the server. A second server can be configured for redundancy.
sink: A port that takes voice data from the TDM bus. Contrast with source.
SIO: See service information octet.
SIP: See Session Initiation Protocol.
SLC: See signaling link code.
SLS: See signaling link selection.
SMDI: See Simplified Message Desk Interface.
SMIT: See System Management Interface Tool.
SMP: See symmetric multiprocessor.
SMSC: See short message service center.
SMSI: See Simplified Message Service Interface.
SMTP: See simple mail transfer protocol.
SNA: Systems Network Architecture.
SNMP: See simple network management protocol .
source: A port that puts voice data on to the TDM bus. Contrast with sink.
SPACK: A logical component that consists of a base card, which connects to the digital trunk adapter in the pSeries computer, and a trunk interface card (TIC), which manages the trunk connection to the switch. Contrast with VPACK and TPACK.
SPE: See service provider equipment.
speaker-dependent speech recognition: Identification of spoken words that is related to knowledge of the speech characteristics of one speaker. Contrast with speaker-independent speech recognition.
speaker-independent speech recognition: Identification of spoken words that is related to collected knowledge of the speech characteristics of a population of speakers. Contrast with speaker-dependent speech recognition.
special character: A character that is not alphabetic, numeric, or blank. For example, a comma (,) or an asterisk (*).
speech recognition: The process of identifying spoken words. See discrete word recognition, continuous speech recognition, speaker-dependent speech recognition, speaker-independent speech recognition.
Speech Recognition Control Language (SRCL): In WebSphere Voice Server, a structured syntax and notation that defines speech grammars, annotations, repetitions, words, phrases, and associated rules.
speech recognition session: In WebSphere Voice Server, a sequence of recognition commands that allocate a recognition engine, and return a unique identifier to identify the engine.
speech synthesis: The creation of an approximation to human speech by a computer that concatenates basic speech parts together. See also text-to-speech.
SRCL: See Speech Recognition Control Language (SRCL).
SS7: See signaling System Number 7.
SSI: See single system image.
SSI-compliant custom server: A custom server that runs correctly in a single system image. The custom server observes all the guidelines for the operation of custom servers in an SSI environment.
SSI-tolerant custom server: A custom server that runs in a single system image, but with only some restrictions.
standalone system: A Blueworx Voice Response system that is not part of a single system image (SSI). A standalone system is not connected to other Blueworx Voice Response systems, so it contains its own application and voice data.
state: One step in the logical sequence of actions that makes a Blueworx Voice Response voice application.
state table: A list of all the actions that are used in a particular voice application. A component of Blueworx Voice Response.
state table action: One instruction in a set of instructions that is in a Blueworx Voice Response state table that controls how Blueworx Voice Response processes various operations such as playing voice prompts or recording voice messages. See also state.
stub: A line in a state table that is only partially displayed.
subscriber: In voice mail, any person who owns a mailbox.
subscriber class: A named set of variables that defines a specific level of service available to telephone subscribers, such as maximum number of messages per mailbox and maximum number of members per mailbox distribution list.
subvocabulary: A vocabulary that is called by another vocabulary.
supplementary service: In Euro-ISDN, a service outside the minimum service offering that each signatory is obliged to provide. For example, calling line identification presentation (CLIP) and call session.
switch: A generic term that describes a telecommunications system that provides connections between telephone lines and trunks.
symmetric multiprocessor (SMP): A system in which functionally-identical multiple processors are used in parallel, providing simple and efficient load-balancing.
Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC): A discipline for managing synchronous, code-transparent, serial-by-bit information transfer over a link connection. Transmission exchanges can be duplex or half-duplex over switched or nonswitched links.
system administrator: The person who controls and manages the Blueworx Voice Response system by adding users, assigning account numbers, and changing authorizations.
system greeting: In voice mail, a default greeting that is heard by callers to the mailboxes of subscribers who have not recorded a personal greeting or who have selected the system greeting. Contrast with personal greeting.
System Management Interface Tool (SMIT): A set of utilities that can be used for various purposes, such as loading Blueworx Voice Response software, installing the exchange data link, and configuring SNA.
Systems Network Architecture (SNA): An architecture that describes the logical structure, formats, protocols, and operational sequences for transmitting information units through the networks and also the operational sequences for controlling the configuration and operation of networks.
system parameter: A variable that controls some of the behavior of Blueworx Voice Response or applications that are running under Blueworx Voice Response. System parameters are set through System Configuration or Pack Configuration options on the Configuration menu. Some system parameter values are assigned to system variables when an application is initialized. Contrast with input parameter, local variable, system variable.
system prompt: The symbol that appears at the command line of an operating system, indicating that the operating system is ready for the user to enter a command.
system variable: A permanent global variable that is defined by Blueworx Voice Response for use by state tables. Many system variables are loaded with values when the state table is initialized. Some values are taken from system parameters. Contrast with input parameter, local variable, system parameter.

T

T1: A digital trunking facility standard that is used in the United States and elsewhere. It can transmit and receive 24 digitized voice or data channels. Signaling can be imbedded in the voice channel transmission when robbed-bit signaling is used. The transmission rate is 1544 kilobits per second. Contrast with E1.
T1/D3: A framing format that is used in T1 transmission.
T1/D4: A framing format that is used in T1 transmission.
tag: A text string that is attached to any instance of a word in a grammar. A tag can be used (1) to distinguish two occurrences of the same word in a grammar or (2) to identify more than one word in a grammar as having the same meaning.
Tag Image File Format-Fax (TIFF-F): A graphic file format that is used to store and exchange scanned fax images.
TCAP: See transaction capabilities application part.
TCP/IP: See Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
TDD: See Telecommunications Device for the Deaf.
TDM: See time-division multiplex bus.
technology: A program, external to Blueworx Voice Response, that provides processing for functions such as text-to-speech or speech recognition.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): A telephony device that has a QWERTY keyboard and a small display and, optionally, a printer.
telephone input field: A field type that contains information that is entered by a caller who is using pushbutton signals. See also field.
terminal: (1) A point in a system or communication network at which data can enter or leave. (2) In data communication, a device, usually equipped with a keyboard and display device, that can send and receive information.
termination character: A character that defines the end of a telephone data entry.
text-to-speech (TTS): The process by which ASCII text data is converted into synthesized speech. See also speech synthesis.
TIC: See trunk interface card.
time-division multiplex bus (TDM): A method of transmitting many channels of data over a smaller number of physical connections by multiplexing the data into timeslots, and demultiplexing at the receiving end. In this document, one such channel can be considered to be a half-duplex unidirectional stream of 64 Kb per second.
TIFF-F: See Tag Image File Format-Fax
timeslot: The smallest switchable data unit on a data bus. It consists of eight consecutive bits of data. One timeslot is similar to a data path with a bandwidth of 64 Kb per second.
token: A particular message or bit pattern that indicates permission or temporary control to transmit.
token-ring network: A local area network that connects devices in a ring topology and allows unidirectional data transmission between devices by a token-passing procedure. A device must receive a token before it can transmit data.
tone: An audible signal that is sent across a telephone network. Single (one-frequency) tones, tritones (three sequential tones at different frequencies), dual tones (two simultaneous tones at different frequencies), and dual sequential tones exist. Each has a different meaning.
TPACK: A digital trunk processor that is implemented using DSP technology on the digital trunk adapter without the need for external hardware. One DTTA digital trunk adapter provides up to four TPACKs on a PCI card.
transaction: A specific, related set of tasks in an application that retrieve information from a file or database. For example, a request for the account balance or the available credit limit.
transaction capabilities application part (TCAP): Part of the SS7 protocol that provides transactions in the signaling network. A typical use of TCAP is to verify a card number, for the credit card calling service.
transaction messaging: The ability to associate an item of data, such as a transaction identifier, with a voice message. The voice message can later be retrieved by referencing the data value.
transfer: See call transfer.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP): A communication subsystem that is used to create local area and wide area networks.
trombone: A connected voice path that enters an IVR from a switch on one circuit, then returns to the same switch on a parallel circuit. Two IVR ports and two circuits are consumed, but in some circumstances this might be the only way to make a connection between two callers if the attached switch does not support a Call Transfer function. Also known as double-trunking.
trunk: A telephone connection between two central offices or switching devices. In Blueworx Voice Response, a trunk refers to 24 or 30 channels that are carried on the same T1 or E1 digital interface.
trunk interface card (TIC): The component of the pack that manages the trunk connection to the switch.
Tsm Router: In WebSphere Voice Server, a process that controls which engine processes are in use at any time. Requests for an engine by a WebSphere Voice Server Client are accepted or rejected depending on whether an engine that meets the Tsm Client's requirements is available.
tsmp: In WebSphere Voice Server, a process that is running on the Recognition engine server machine that passes messages between an engine and a Tsm Client. One tsmp exists for every engine.
TTS: See text-to-speech.
tune: A piece of music or other audio data that is intended to be played as background music.

U

underrun: To run out of audio data to play, causing voice or music to be audibly broken up or cut off.
unified messaging: A messaging system in which a single copy of a message is stored and accessed by multiple applications (for example, voice mail and e-mail). Contrast with integrated messaging.
Unified Messaging: An IBM product that uses Blueworx Voice Response's voice processing capabilities to provide a wide range of voice mail, fax, and e-mail functions. Previously known as Message Center.
user: Someone who uses Blueworx Voice Response as a system administrator, application developer, or similar. Contrast with caller.
utterance: A spoken word, phrase, or sentence that can be preceded and followed by silence.

V

variable: A system or user-defined element that contains data values that are used by Blueworx Voice Response voice applications. See input parameter, local variable, system parameter, system variable.
VMS: See Voice Message Service.
vocabulary: A list of words with which Blueworx Voice Response matches input that is spoken by a caller. See also language model.
voice application: A Blueworx Voice Response application that answers or makes calls, plays recorded voice segments to callers, and responds to the caller's input.
voice directory: A list of voice segments that is identified by a group ID. Voice directories can be referenced by prompts and state tables. Contrast with voice table.
voice mail: The capability to record, play back, distribute, and route voice messages.
voice mailbox: The notional hard disk space where the incoming messages for a voice mail subscriber are stored.
voice message: In voice mail, a recording that is made by a caller for later retrieval by a subscriber.
Voice Message Service (VMS): An Ericsson service that transmits information between Blueworx Voice Response and particular switches.
voice messaging: The capability to record, play back, distribute, route, and manage voice recordings of telephone calls through the use of a processor, without the intervention of agents other than the callers and those who receive messages.
voice model: A file that contains parameters that describe the sounds of the language that are to be recognized on behalf of an application. In WebSphere Voice Server, this is a bnf file. See also grammar.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): The sending of telephony voice over Internet Protocol (IP) data connections instead of over existing dedicated voice networks, switching and transmission equipment. See also gatekeeper and gateway.
voice port library: A library that manages a socket connection from the client to the voice technology. The library uses entry points that are provided by DVT.
Voice Protocol for Internet Messaging (VPIM): The standard for digital exchange of voice messages between different voice mail systems, as defined in Internet Request For Comments (RFC) 1911.
voice response unit (VRU): A telephony device that uses prerecorded voice responses to provide information in response to DTMF or voice input from a telephone caller.
voice segment: The spoken words or sounds that make recorded voice prompts. Each segment in an application is identified by a group ID and a segment ID and usually includes text.
voice server node: In a single system image (SSI), a server node that contains the voice data. This is usually the same node as the database server node.
voice table: A grouping of voice segments that is used for organizational purposes. Voice tables can be referenced by prompts, but not by state tables. Contrast with voice directory.
voice technology: See technology.
VoiceXML: VoiceXtensible Markup Language. An XML-based markup language for creating distributed voice applications. Refer to the VoiceXML forum web site at www.voicexml.org
VoIP: See Voice over Internet Protocol.
VPACK: A component consisting of a base card, which connects to the digital trunk adapter in the pSeries computer, and a trunk interface card (TIC), which manages the trunk connection to the switch. The single digital trunk processor contains one VPACK, and the multiple digital trunk processor contains slots for up to five VPACKs. Contrast with SPACK and TPACK.
VPIM: See Voice Protocol for Internet Messaging.
VRU: See voice response unit.

W

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C): An organization that develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential. W3C is a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding. Refer to the web site at http://www.w3.org
Blueworx Voice Response: A voice processing system, that combines telephone and data communications networks to use, directly from a telephone, information that is stored in databases.
wink start: A procedure that is used with some channel-associated signaling protocols to indicate when a switch or PABX is ready to accept address signaling. After seizure, the switch sends a short off-hook signal (wink) when it is ready to accept address information. Contrast with delay start and immediate start.
word spotting: In speech recognition, the ability to recognize a single word in a stream of words.
wrap: In ADSI, the concatenation of two columns of display data to form a single column.

Y

yellow alarm: See remote alarm indication.

Z

zero code suppression (ZCS): A coding method that is used with alternate mark inversion to prevent sending eight successive zeros. If eight successive zeros occur, the second-least significant bit (bit 7, with the bits labeled 1 through 8 from the most significant to the least significant) is changed from a 0 to a 1. AMI with ZCS does not support clear channel operation.