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Chapter 6

Using the Prompt Builder

6.1 Introduction
6.2 How the Prompt Builder Works
6.2.1 Prompt Rules

6.1 Introduction

The Prompt Builder in the Voice Message service contains functions for converting text strings to message lists. The Prompt Builder allows an application to announce dates, times, numbers, and monetary amounts.

The following table lists when to use the prompt builder functions available in the Voice Message service:

If you want to...

 Then use this function...

Build a list of message numbers from specified text

 vceBuildPromptList

Load the specified prompt rules table

 vceLoadPromptRules

Close the specified prompt file

 vceUnloadPromptRules

6.2 How the Prompt Builder Works

The Prompt Builder takes a set of compiled rules that state how text strings are to be translated into voice messages. An associated voice file contains the messages corresponding to these rules. For example, the text string 10 is translated to the voice message ten.

Refer to Appendix E for a description of the runtime files and the commands that can be used to create custom rules.

An application can convert text strings to message lists. A text string containing data, such as 11/1/96, is passed to vceBuildPromptList which then builds a list of messages to be played from a standard message library. The output list of message numbers is passed to vcePlayList.

6.2.1 Prompt Rules Table

The interpretation of the text strings to lists of message numbers is controlled by the prompt rules table. The prompt rules table (american.tbl) contains the rules needed to interpret a text string.

Use this utility...

 For a demonstration of...

mkprompt

 Creating a prompt rules table. Refer to Section 9.3.1.

testpmpt

 Testing a prompt rules table. Refer to Section 9.3.2.

The standard prompt rules table supplied with the Prompt Builder can play dates, times, numbers, and dollar amounts.

Figure 8. Prompt Builder in the Voice Message Service



The compiled table and associated voice message file will be different for each spoken language supported. Additional phrase types can be supported by adding to the rules provided, or by developing a new set of rules for different spoken languages. Refer to Appendix E for information on adding or changing prompt rules.











 
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