Copyright: Copyright (c) 1996 IRIS Systems


Help Contents
Contents for IRIS Phone Help

Welcome to IRIS Phone Help. To view information about any topic, just click on it with the mouse.

Getting Started

Introducing IRIS Phone

Starting IRIS Phone for the First Time

User Interface

IRIS Phone Main Window

Phone Menu Commands

Edit Menu Commands

VoiceMail Menu Commands

Video Menu Commands

Options Menu Commands

Toolbar Buttons

Using Keyboard & Mouse

How Do I...

Configure My IRIS Phone

Call a User

Process an Incoming Call

Compression And Delay Settings

Talk Through IRIS Phone

Use the Video Capabilities

Record My Conversation

Pause a Conversation

Interrupt the Remote Participant

End a Conversation

Send Mail

Review My Mail

Automatically Reject Calls from a Specific User

Troubleshooting

Messages

Problems And Solutions

Technical Support

Where to Call for Assistance

Glossary

Short Definitions

© Copyright 1996-1997, IRIS Systems, Ltd.

IRIS Phone and IRIS Systems are registered trade marks of IRIS Systems, Ltd.

Microsoft ®, MS Windows, MS Windows 95, MS Windows NT are registered trade marks of Microsoft Corp.

The names of all other mentioned products are trademarks of their respective holders.


Introducing IRIS Phone

IRIS Phone is a voice communication system enabling its users to hold full duplex, real-time conversations over any network supporting TCP/IP protocol.

IRIS Phone users can hold conversations over the world's global networks like the Internet.

Features

With IRIS Phone you can:

•	Speed up the retrieving of users from a server-based White Pages by applying various search criteria - name, e-mail, city/country, company, spoken languages, topics, on-line users only;

•	Call and converse with any IRIS Phone user anywhere in the world via the Internet;

•	Keep a call queue of all users you have failed to connect to. IRIS Phone automatically retries to call them every 3 minutes;

•	Call an IRIS Phone user from within any Web Browser just by clicking on the IRIS Phone icon in the web you are surfing.

•	Set an automatic checkup for users that you expect to become on-line.

•	Leave a message to a user who is busy or not available, by using the auto-answering machine. IRIS Phone will notify him about the received mail as soon as possible;

•	Record important parts of conversations for later playback;

•	Hold full or half duplex conversations depending on your sound card;

•	See the other party's name and photo during ringing (caller ID), calling, and conversing;

•	Specify your photo in any format: BMP, GIF, JPG, TGA, PCX, PBM. The implemented picture compression allows fast photo loading over the Internet;

•	Transmit and/or receive live video;

•	Specify a call permission Access Code that allows incoming calls only from users that know your code;

•	Define user-specific call processing and Outgoing Greeting Message (OGM) for the calling party;

•	Build self-defined Phonebook containing the most frequently called IRIS Phone users;

•	Obtain personal information about all Internet users from a server-based White Pages including the remote date and time, operating system and sound card configuration;

•	Adjust the compression, so that it allows operation over low-speed communication channels (even 4800 bps);

•	Adjust the voice delay, so that it allows operation over low-speed communication channels with delayed delivery of voice (up to 6 seconds);

•	Acquire call statistics for any user in your Phonebook;

•	Accept/reject a new incoming call while holding a conversation and continue the initial talk after holding/hanging up the second one;

•	Carry on a text chat once you have established a voice connection with the remote party;

•	Store a text chat log with all conversations you have had with any user;

•	Send/receive voice mail as well as delete a selected voice message before downloading it due to an enhanced voice mailing system;

•	View a log of all important events - incoming/outgoing calls, sending/receiving of voice mail, etc.;

•	Converse while working with other programs.

System Requirements

•	80486/40Mhz, 4Mb RAM and 2Mb free hard disk space;

•	Microsoft Windows 3.x, Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows NT 3.5x;

•	SVGA in 256 color mode is recommended;

•	WinSock 1.1-compliant TCP/IP protocol stack. At least a 4800bps Internet connection;

•	Microsoft Windows compatible sound card (full duplex recommended) with a microphone and speakers (head set recommended).

•	MS Video for Windows compatible capture video card and a compatible camera for video transmission (optional).

Resource Consumption

IRIS Phone uses the following system resources:

•	2Mb on local hard disk;

•	400 / 460 Kb conventional memory for half / full duplex operation mode.


System Requirements

•	80486/40Mhz, 4Mb RAM and 2Mb free hard disk space;

•	Microsoft Windows 3.x, Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows NT 3.5x;

•	SVGA in 256 color mode is recommended;

•	WinSock 1.1-compliant TCP/IP protocol stack. At least a 4800bps Internet connection;

•	Microsoft Windows compatible sound card (full duplex recommended) with a microphone and speakers (head set recommended).

•	MS Video for Windows compatible capture video card and a compatible camera for video transmission (optional).


Menu Commands

The commands in the main IRIS Phone menu are divided into the following subgroups:

Phone Menu Commands	Commands related with conversation;

Edit Menu Commands	Commands enabling you to add/remove users from your personal Phonebook and change the sort order of their names;

VoiceMail Menu Commands	Commands managing the mail capabilities of IRIS Phone;

Options Menu Commands	Commands affecting the global behaviour of IRIS Phone program;

Help	Help commands.

See Also:

Toolbar Buttons

Using Keyboard & Mouse


Options Commands
Options Menu Commands

These commands let you adjust your IRIS Phone settings and suit them to your specific requirements.

Sound Options...	Opens the Sound Options dialog allowing you to set sound related configurations - Speaker Volume, Voice Activation Level, etc.

Video Options…	Opens the Video Options dialog where you can set options for video transmission and receipt.

Who Am I…	Opens the Who Am I dialog where you can enter your personal information available for all IRIS Phone users.

Preferences...	Opens the Preferences dialog and lets you adjust your IRIS Phone settings - reaction on incoming call, mail notification, etc.

User Options...	Opens the User Options dialog where you can specify user-specific options - user hotkey, call processing, etc. This command is available only when you have selected a user from your Phonebook.

Default Call Processing...	Opens the Default Call Processing dialog where you can define default call processing options.

Load At Startup	If you check this option, IRIS Phone will be automatically loaded at Windows startup. If your Internet access is a dial-up one, make sure that you have established a connection with your Internet provider every time your IRIS Phone is loaded.

Icon Always On Top	By checking this option, the minimized IRIS Phone icon will appear on the top of all other applications. Note that this option is NOT available under MS Windows 95.

See Also:

IRIS Phone States


Phone Commands
Phone Menu Commands

These commands let you use the phone capabilities of IRIS Phone. Some of these commands may be either available or grayed, depending on the current IRIS Phone state.

Call	Calls the user(s) selected in the User Listbox of the main IRIS Phone window;

Answer	Accepts an incoming call and starts a conversation. This command is available only when Call Processing is set to Ring;

Hang Up	Terminates the current connection;

Hang Up And Leave A Message	Terminates the current connection and opens the Record Box to enable you to leave a voice message and optionally a video clip to the selected user;

Talk Only	Interrupts the remote participant and allows you to speak without hearing the other party;

Mute	Pauses the current conversation and prevents both sides from hearing each other;

Record Conversation	Toggles conversation recording during a conversation;

Text Chat…	Opens the IRIS Chat window where you can exchange some important information with the remote party;

White Pages…	Opens the IRIS White Pages dialog where you can define different search criteria for retrieving users from the global user list.

Shut Down	Closes the IRIS Phone program. To execute this command, IRIS Phone requires confirmation. After closing the program, no other IRIS Phone user will be able to call you but only leave you a message on the answering machine.

See Also:

Toolbar Buttons

IRIS Phone States


Edit Commands
Edit Menu Commands

Enables you to add/remove users from your Phonebook and change the sort order of their names in the User Listbox of the main IRIS Phone window.

Insert	Invokes the Insert New User dialog if you are in Phonebook card or includes the selected user in your Phonebook if you are in VoiceMail, Converse or Log card;

Delete	 Removes the selected user(s) from your Phonebook;

Refresh Userlist	Updates the information about the users included in your Phonebook;

Text Chat Log …	Opens the IRIS Chat Log Viewer and lets you examine and edit all chat conversations you have had with the selected user so far. This command is valid only if you have enabled text chat logging function by checking the Enable Chat Logging option in the Preferences dialog.

Sort Order	Sorts the appearance of the usernames in the Phonebook by name, last called, number of calls, or displays the on-line users first.

See Also:

Toolbar Buttons


VoiceMail commands
VoiceMail Menu Commands

Send…	Invokes the Record Box where you can record a message to be sent to the selected user(s).

Get	Retrieves either the list of all new voice messages sent to you by the selected user or downloads the selected message.

Delete	Deletes the selected voice message without asking for confirmation.

Play	Opens the Record Box and plays the selected voice message.

Toggle Mail/Users	Toggles between voice messages and usernames view in the VoiceMail card.

See Also:

Toolbar Buttons


Video commands
Video Menu Commands

View Myself	Check this command if you want IRIS Phone to capture and display your local view.

View Remote	Check this command if you want to view the remote party during conversation. This will be possible only if the remote party's system supports video transmission.

Transmit Video	Check this command if you wish to transmit video to the remote party. You can uncheck it at any time.

Video Format	Opens the video driver-specific Video Format Setup dialog. It is recommended that you select an uncompressed video format.

Video Source	Opens the video driver-specific Video Source Setup dialog.

See Also:

Toolbar Buttons

How to Use the Video Capabilities

Video Options Dialog


Video Transmission System Requirement

To support video transmission, your system requires a MS Video for Windows compatible capture video card and a compatible camera for video transmission.


Using Keyboard & Mouse

Keyboard shortcuts

IRIS Phone lets you perform its basic operations using a single keystroke. Here is a list of all defined shortcuts. They are accessible only when IRIS Phone is the active application (i.e. it is overlapping all other windows).

Key	Command equivalent	Description

------	------------------------	-----------------

F1	Help | Contents	Displays the IRIS Phone Help Contents.

Ctrl-F1	Help | IRIS Phone window	Displays help about the IRIS Phone main window.

Enter	Phone | Call	Calls the user(s) selected in the User Listbox of the main IRIS Phone window.

Ctrl-A	Phone | Answer	Accepts an incoming call and starts a conversation. This command is available only when the Call Processing is set to Ring.

Ctrl-H	Phone | Hang Up	Ends the current conversation when IRIS Phone is in Talk connection state or

Rejects an incoming call when IRIS Phone is in Ring connection state or

Stops calling a user when IRIS Phone is in Call connection state.

F9	Phone | Talk Only	Interrupts the remote participant by activating Talk Only mode. This command is available only when IRIS Phone is in Talk state.

F8	Phone | Mute	Pauses the current conversation and activates Mute mode.

Ctrl-R	Phone | Record conversation	Toggles conversation recording during a conversation.

Ctrl-C	Phone | Text Chat	Opens the IRIS Chat window where you can exchange some important information with the remote party.

Ctrl-P	Phone | White Pages…	Invokes the IRIS White Pages dialog where you can specify search criteria for retrieving users from the global user list.

Ctrl-Alt-F4	Phone | Shut Down	Closes the IRIS Phone program.

Ins	Edit | Insert	Opens the Insert New User dialog that allows you to add a user in your Phonebook by defining his IP address.

Del	Edit | Delete	Removes the selected user(s) from your Phonebook or deletes the selected voice message.

F5	Edit | Refresh Userlist	Updates the information about the users included in your Phonebook.

Ctrl-T	Edit | Text Chat Log…	Opens the IRIS Chat Log Viewer window where you can examine all your chat conversations with the selected user so far. You can also edit the contents of the chat log.

Ctrl-S	VoiceMail | Send…	Opens the Record Box and enables you to record and send a message to the user(s) selected in the User Listbox of the main IRIS Phone window.

F2	Options | User Options	Invokes the User Options dialog for the user(s) selected in the User Listbox.

Ctrl-F2	Options | Default Call Processing	Invokes the Default Call Processing dialog for all users.

F3	Sound Control toolbar button	Displays the Sound Control Toolbar allowing you to adjust sound related settings: Voice Activation Level, Speaker Volume, Compression, and Delay.

Alt-A	Voice Activation Level	Activates the Voice Activation Level scroll bar if it is visible.

Alt-V	Speaker Volume	Activates the Speaker Volume scroll bar if it is visible.

Alt-R	Compression	Activates the Compression scroll bar if it is visible.

Alt-D	Delay	Activates the Delay scroll bar if it is visible.

Alt-B	Phonebook card	Activates the Phonebook card.

Alt-M	VoiceMail card	Activates the VoiceMail card if it is available.

Alt-C	Conversation card	Activates the Converse card if it is available.

Alt-G	Event log card	Activates the Log card if you have enabled it by checking the Enable Log checkbox in the Preferences dialog.

Alt-N	Name Filter Field	Activates the Search Name Filter field in the Main window.

Alt-W	New Mail checkbox	Checks the New checkbox in the VoiceMail card if it is visible.

Tab	Activates either the Sound Control Toolbar, the Search Name Filter, the User Listbox, or the User Info Box.

+	View Mail / Play	Opens the list of all received mail and recorded conversations with the selected user in the VoiceMail card. Striking this key has the same effect as clicking on the [image] button. If you are already in mail view and you press this key, the selected message will be retrieved from the  IRIS Phone server.

-	View User list	If you are in mail view in the VoiceMail card and press this key, you will return to usernames view. Striking this key has the same effect as clicking on the [image] button in the main window.

Mouse operations

Besides the standard mouse operations defined by the Windows environment, IRIS Phone recognizes some operations which can ease your control over conversations while IRIS Phone is minimized to an icon. These operations are useful when you need to converse through IRIS Phone without interrupting your work. These operations are valid only when IRIS Phone is minimized (i.e. reduced to an icon).

Left mouse button double-click	Double-clicking the left mouse button on a selected username in the main IRIS Phone window calls the desired user.

Double-clicking the left mouse button on the minimized IRIS Phone program at the notification area of the taskbar ( [image]) restores the main IRIS Phone window.

Right mouse button click	Right mouse button click on the minimized IRIS Phone program at the notification area of the taskbar ( [image]) opens a speed menu with the most commonly used commands.

Right mouse button double-click	Double-clicking the right mouse button on the IRIS Phone icon under MS Windows 3.x has the same effect as pressing Ctrl-H key (or choosing Hang Up from the Phone menu). This operation is used to end the current conversation without having to restore the IRIS Phone window.

See Also:

Menu Commands

Toolbar Buttons

IRIS Phone States


IRIS Phone window
IRIS Phone Main Window

This is the main IRIS Phone window. You can obtain help about any part by clicking on it.

NOTE: If IRIS Phone is minimized, its title bar (the text below the icon) changes to display the current IRIS Phone mode. Also, the minimized IRIS Phone icon changes in exactly the same way the status icon changes when IRIS Phone is restored.

If you run IRIS Phone under MS Windows 95, the program is loaded and displayed in the

notification area of the taskbar [image]. It can be restored by double-clicking on its icon. The minimize button of the IRIS Phone window is grayed ( [image]).The program can be minimized by clicking on the close button ( [image]). This will not shut down the IRIS Phone program but only minimize its window on the taskbar.

If you want to close the IRIS Phone program, press the right mouse button on the IRIS Phone taskbar icon. A speed menu with the most commonly used commands will be invoked. Select the Shut Down IRIS Phone command. A warning message prompting you that you will not be able to receive incoming calls will be displayed. If you choose Yes, the IRIS Phone program will be closed.

NOTE: The command contents of the speed menu differs depending on the current IRIS Phone state. If you press the left mouse button on the IRIS Phone taskbar icon, the current IRIS Phone state and remote party's information will be displayed.

See Also:

How Do I

IRIS Phone States


IRIS Phone Window | Title Bar
Title Bar

The IRIS Phone caption displays your name along with the program name.


IRIS Phone Window | Sound Control Toolbar
Sound Control Toolbar

This toolbar can be called out by pressing the F3 key (or [image] button). It invokes the following scroll bars:

•	The VAL (Voice Activation Level) scroll bar is always available.

•	The Volume (Speaker Volume) scroll bar will appear only if your sound card supports software volume control.

•	The Compression and the Delay scroll bars.

Drag the scroll boxes to the left or to the right to decrease or increase the rates without interrupting your conversation. Alternatively, use the RIGHT and LEFT ARROW keys. To switch between the scroll bars, use the TAB key or Alt-A, Alt-V, Alt-R, and Alt-D. These settings can be also specified from the Sound Options dialog.


IRIS Phone window | Search Name Filter
Search Name Filter

Applies the specified filter criterion for searching names in the Phonebook, VoiceMail and Log cards. The possible criteria are:

[letter(s)] - 	displays all users whose first or family name begins with the specified combination;

[!letter(s)] - 	displays only those users whose first name begins with the specified combination;

[*letter(s)] - 	displays all users whose name somewhere contains the specified combination.

If you don't enter any sign combination in the Search Name Filter field, IRIS Phone will display all usernames included in your Phonebook.


IRIS Phone window | Users' listbox
User Listbox

This listbox displays the username list that differs in dependence of the active card.

You may select any user just by clicking on his name or by pressing the user hotkey displayed in front of it (if specified from within the Phonebook card only).

Also, the following indicators may appear in front of a username or a voice message:

- the user is currently on-line;

- the user is included in your Phonebook;

NOTE: This indicator is visible only when the White Pages are switched on or when you are in Conv or VoiceMail card.

- this voice message has not been retrieved from the server; use the Get command from the VoiceMail menu to retrieve it;

- you have received new mail from this user or this mail is newly received, retrieved but not listened to (visible in VoiceMail card only);

- this voice message is being retrieved at the moment;

- this voice message has not been retrieved completely, yet you can listen to the received part;

- you have activated Mute mode and music is being played on the remote party's PC;


IRIS Phone window | User's Photo
User's Photo

The selected user's photo (if specified) is displayed here. Position your cursor on it and a larger photo will pop up in a second allowing you to view it in details.


IRIS Phone window | User Info Box
User Info Box

Displays the selected user's personal and statistical information that can be different depending on the active card.


IRIS Phone window | Card Tabs
Card Tabs

Four different cards can be visualized by switching between the Phonebook, Mailbox (VoiceMail), Conversation (Converse), and Event log (Log) tabs. Alternatively, use the Alt-B, Alt-M, Alt-C, and Alt-G key combinations.

•	Phonebook card - 	When you switch to this tab, all IRIS Phone users included in your Phonebook will be displayed in the User Listbox. From within this card, you can call a selected user, specify user-specific call processing and OGM, etc.

•	VoiceMail card -	This card is visible only when you have received mail. The User Listbox contains the names of the users who have sent you mail. The list also contains the number of newly received messages / recorded conversations and the total number of received voice messages displayed in brackets after each username. If you select a user and then press the [image] button, the list of all received voice messages from this user will be displayed in the User Listbox. From within this card you may retrieve a selected new voice mail message ( [image] button, or Get command), play it ( [image] button, or Play command) or delete it ( [image] button, or Delete command). The [image] sign is displayed in front of all users included in your Phonebook. You can insert any user in your Phonebook by selecting his name in the IRIS White Pages dialog and pressing the Add To Phonebook button (or striking the Ins key). You can also call a selected user from within this card.

•	Converse card - 	The Conversation card is automatically activated when you dial, converse with or are being called by another user. IRIS Phone displays the names of all users you are calling, speaking with, or being dialed by. The icon of the connection state (Call - [image], Ring - [image], Auto re-dial - [image], or Talk - [image]) is displayed before each username. The [image] sign is displayed in front of all users included in your Phonebook. You can insert any user in your Phonebook by selecting his name and striking the Ins key.

•	Log card -   	The Event log card can be enabled by checking the Enable Log checkbox in the Preferences dialog.


IRIS Phone window | Status Bar
Status Bar

The IRIS Phone Status Bar displays the current operating mode. Also, shows the time passed since the beginning of the current conversation.

The icon displays the current connection state. IRIS Phone displays its mode icon in the lower left corner of the main window. The same icon is displayed as an application icon when IRIS Phone is minimized. This icon represents the different IRIS Phone states and modes.

Basic Icons

Ready state. This is the standard state in which IRIS Phone is ready to be used.

Ring state. This state is active when another IRIS Phone user is calling you.

Search state. This state is active as long as IRIS Phone tries to locate the user you are calling.

Call state. This state is active until the person you are calling answers.

Conversation Icons

During conversation, the icon looks different depending on who is talking at the moment:

Idle mode. IRIS Phone is in this mode when nobody is talking. Either user can begin to talk.

Listen mode. IRIS Phone is in this mode when the remote participant is talking to you. In half duplex conversations, if you want to talk to him, you should wait until he finishes or you should use the Talk Only key to interrupt him.

Talk mode. IRIS Phone is in this mode while you are talking to the remote participant. Everything you say will be played on his computer.

Receive mode. IRIS Phone is in this mode when some data is being received and will be played soon. In half duplex conversations, that mode prompts you not to speak because you are about to hear sound produced by the remote party.

In full duplex conversations, one more icon is available:

Full Duplex Conversation mode. - IRIS Phone is in this mode when one or both participants are using full duplex sound cards and both of them are talking.

The conversation icons are accompanied by a volume level meter situated at their right side.

The following indicators may appear above the icon:

- You are in Talk Only mode.

- The remote party is using the Talk Only mode.

- You have entered Mute mode and the remote participant is listening to a system melody; you both cannot hear the other side.

- You are recording a conversation.

- You have received new mail.

- The White Pages is available.

- The White Pages is not currently available.

- You are exchanging data over the Internet.

See Also:

IRIS Phone States


ToolBar

The IRIS Phone toolbar provides an easy access to some of the most commonly used functions. Every toolbar button has its equivalent menu command.

Calls the user(s) selected in the User Listbox of the Phonebook or VoiceMail cards.

Accepts an incoming call and starts a conversation. This command is available only when you have chosen the Ring call processing for the calling party.

Ends the current conversation when IRIS Phone is in Talk connection state or

Rejects an incoming call when IRIS Phone is in Ring connection state or

Stops calling a user when IRIS Phone is in Call connection state.

NOTE: If there are more than one users in the Converse card, the command will affect the connection with the selected user.

Terminates the current connection and opens the Record Box to enable you to leave a voice message and optionally a video clip to the selected user.

Interrupts the remote participant and toggles Talk Only mode. This command is available only when IRIS Phone is in Talk connection state.

Pauses the conversation and plays music on the remote party's computer.

Toggles conversation recording during a conversation.

Opens the IRIS Chat window where you can exchange some important information with the remote party; his chat window will open automatically and display the text you have typed.

Enables Remote Video View and displays live video of the remote side during conversation, if the remote system supports video transmission.

Retrieves the selected voice message from the IRIS Phone server.

Deletes the selected voice message without asking for confirmation.

Opens the Record Box and plays the selected voice message.

Invokes the User Options dialog for the user selected in the IRIS Phone main window or the Default Call Processing dialog (when there are no users selected).

Toggles the appearance of the Sound Control Toolbar allowing you to adjust sound related settings.

Opens the Insert New User dialog and lets you include a new user in your Phonebook by appointing his IP address.

Opens the IRIS White Pages dialog where you can specify different search criteria for retrieving users from the global userlist.

See Also:

IRIS Phone States


Starting IRIS Phone for the First Time

Before starting IRIS Phone for the first time, you must make sure that:

1.	You have started TCP/IP support (WinSock.DLL);

2.	You have established a connection with your Internet provider;

3.	Your sound card is properly installed and working.

When you start IRIS Phone for the first time, a greeting message will be displayed. It will ask you to keep silence while IRIS Phone is detecting the sound and setting the proper Voice Activation Level (VAL) for your sound card.

After completing auto detection, the Who Am I dialog will appear on the screen. Fill in the fields by entering your personal information.

NOTE: All the specified information in this dialog will be available for all other IRIS Phone users.

At starting IRIS Phone for the first time, there will be no users displayed in the main IRIS Phone window. Choose the White Pages command from the Phone menu (or [image] toolbar button, or Ctrl-P) to open the IRIS White Pages dialog where you can specify search criteria for retrieving users from the global user list. IRIS Phone enables you to build your own Phonebook containing the names of the users you operate most often with. Just press the Add To Phonebook button in the same dialog (or strike the Ins key) once you have selected a user. You can define user-specific and call processing options only for users included in your Phonebook.

See Also:

Adjusting Call Processing Options

Configuring IRIS Phone

Startup Error Messages


The Who Am I Dialog

The Who Am I dialog contains your personal information which is available for all IRIS Phone users. Choose the Who Am I command from the Options menu. The Who Am I dialog appears on the screen:

See Also:

Starting IRIS Phone for the First Time


Name field

By default, the Name field contains your name as it is defined to the network. Still you can change it at your discretion. You will be known to other IRIS Phone users by the specified name.


Address field

Type here your address for correspondence. The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


City / Country field

Type here your city and country address. The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


E-mail field

Type here your e-mail address. The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


Company field

Enter here your company name. The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


Title field

Enter here your title.


Languages field

Specify here the languages you can use for communication. The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


URL field

Specify here your URL (if available). The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


Topics field

Specify here your favorite topics for discussion. The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


Notes field

Type here any notes you like. The entered information will be available for all IRIS Phone users.


Change Picture button

By pressing this button you can specify your photo in the following file formats:

.bmp, .pcx, .gif, .tga, .jpg, portable bitmap;


User's Photo field

Your photo is displayed here (if specified). If you haven't specified it, a predefined picture ( [image]) will be displayed instead.


Access Code

Optionally specify a digital row which will be required from any other IRIS Phone user who tries to call you. If he knows the code you have entered in this field and specifies it, IRIS Phone will let him call you. If not, he will be unable to call you. Thus, your IRIS Phone will accept calls only from users who know your call permission Access Code. The Access Code should be a numeric row of up to 8 digits. The Access Code you specify here will not be visible on the remote party's PC.

The Access Code option is available only for registered users.


Type of use

Specify what you are using IRIS Phone for. You can select from: Evaluation, Private use, Business, Corporate or Fun.


Don't show me as online

Check this checkbox if you don't want IRIS Phone to report you as on-line to the other users. Thus you will become invisible.


Advanced button

This button invokes the Advanced Identification box:

Consult your Internet provider if you are not sure whether your IP address is dynamic or static.


Configure IRIS Phone
How to Configure My IRIS Phone

After detecting automatically the Voice Activation Level and filling the Who Am I dialog fields at first time starting, IRIS Phone is ready to operate properly. If you still want to change some of the default settings, you can customize your IRIS Phone by:

Configuring the Preferences Dialog - lets you adjust your IRIS Phone settings - reaction on incoming call, mail notification, etc.

Configuring Sound Options - allows you to set sound related configurations - Speaker Volume, Voice Activation Level, etc.

Configuring Video Options - allows you to define video transmission and receipt options.

Creating Your Phonebook - lets you build your own list of users which usually contains the most frequently called ones.

Adjusting Call Processing Options - allows you to specify different call processing options for each user included in your Phonebook.

See Also:

IRIS Phone Main Window

Problems And Solutions


Phonebook
Creating Your Phonebook

IRIS Phone provides an easy and convenient way to retrieve users from the global White Pages. From within Phonebook, VoiceMail, Converse or Log cards, choose the White Pages command from the Phone menu (or Ctrl-P, or [image] toolbar button) to open the IRIS White Pages dialog.

NOTE: The [image] indicator displayed on the status bar indicates that the White Pages are accessible. If the [image] indicator is displayed instead, this means that you cannot retrieve usernames. Thus, no users will be retrieved, unless you have checked the White Pages Cache option in the Preferences dialog.

Your work with IRIS Phone will become easier after you build your Phonebook including the usernames you operate most often with. This list is displayed in the User Listbox of the Phonebook card. You can define user-specific call processing options and OGM, and call hotkey only for the users included in this Phonebook. If you want to add a user to your Phonebook, from within the IRIS White Pages dialog, select his name and press the Add To Phonebook button, or strike the Ins key. If you want to remove a user from your Phonebook, select his name and strike the Del key (or choose the Delete command from the Edit menu). The users in the White Pages who are included in your Phonebook are marked by [image] indicator before their name. The on-line users are marked by the [image] indicator.

From within the IRIS White Pages dialog you can call a user who is not included in your Phonebook. Just select the desired name and press the Call button.

In the Converse card, the [image] sign is displayed in front of all users included in your Phonebook.

You can include a username in your Phonebook also from the VoiceMail card by selecting his name and pressing the Ins key (or the Insert command from the Edit menu).

If you are an advanced user and the White Pages are not accessible, you can manually add a user in your Phonebook by appointing his IP address. Press the [image] button (or choose Insert from the Edit menu, or strike the Ins key) and the Insert New User dialog appears on your screen.

The call processing and the OGM for every user who is not included in your Phonebook are the default ones.

NOTE: The call processing and the OGM for every newly added user in your Phonebook will be the default ones. You can change these settings in the User Options dialog.

NOTE: Retrieving usernames from the White Pages may take a long time if White Pages Cache option in the Preferences dialog is not checked or if there is a large number of IRIS Phone users. Retrieving 100 new users over 9600 bps connection will take approximately 20 seconds. As long as users are being retrieved, the progress bar indicator in the IRIS White Pages dialog will register the number of the currently retrieved ones and the total number of users to be retrieved.

See Also:

IRIS White Pages Dialog

Configuring IRIS Phone

Adjusting Call Processing Options


The Insert New User Dialog

If you are an advanced user and the White Pages are not accessible, you can manually add a user in your Phonebook by appointing his IP address. Press the [image] button (or choose the Insert command from the Edit menu, or strike the Ins key) and the Insert New User dialog appears on your screen:

By clicking on OK you are adding a user in your Phonebook but no personal information about him will be available. IRIS Phone automatically retrieves this information after the first connection with this user or after accessing the White Pages.

See Also:

Creating Your Phonebook

Configuring IRIS Phone


Insert New User dialog | Name
Name

Type here the name of the user as you want him to be listed in your Phonebook.


Insert New User dialog | IP Address
IP Address

Type here the Internet IP address of the user you want to be added in your Phonebook.


Insert New User dialog | Port
Port

Type here the TCP/IP port number used by the user you want to be added in your Phonebook. Do not change the default value unless you are absolutely sure this user uses another port number.


IRIS White Pages Dialog

To retrieve other IRIS Phone users, use the IRIS White Pages dialog. To open it, press the [image] button (or choose the White Pages command from the Phone menu or Ctrl-P).

First, specify the search criteria - name, e-mail address, etc. When appointing a criterion in any field, mind the following rules:

[letter(s)] - 	displays entries that contain words beginning with the specified letter combination;

[!letter(s)] - 	displays only these entries whose first word begins with the specified letter combination;

[*letter(s)] - 	displays all entries containing somewhere the specified letter combination (case sensitive).

In any field, you can specify more than one criterion separated by a comma. For example:

Name:	!a,barkley

E-mail:	*.netcom,*iris

If your search criterion would return more than 200 users, IRIS Phone will display a message demanding that you specify a more specific criterion.

Press the Start button to initiate the search. Check Auto update to make IRIS Phone refresh the search results every 3 minutes.

From within this dialog you can also insert a user in your Phonebook or call him.

See Also:

Creating Your Phonebook


Search criteria fields

Specify here the search criteria - name, e-mail address, etc. When appointing a criterion in any field, mind the following rules:

[letter(s)] - 	displays entries that contain words beginning with the specified letter combination;

[!letter(s)] - 	displays only these entries whose first word begins with the specified letter combination;

[*letter(s)] - 	displays all entries containing somewhere the specified letter combination (case sensitive).

In any field, you can specify more than one criterion separated by a comma. For example:

Name:	!a,barkley

E-mail:	*.netcom,*iris


Online users only checkbox

Check this box if you want to retrieve only currently on-line users.


Type of use

Select the group of users you want to retrieve. You may choose one of: Evaluation, Private, Business, Corporate, or Fun. If you select (Any), IRIS Phone will retrieve all users matching the other criteria.


Stop button

Press this button to stop the search before IRIS Phone has finished the retrieving.


Start button

Press this button to initiate the search.


Auto update checkbox

If you check this box, IRIS Phone will automatically refresh the search results every 3 minutes. For example, you are waiting for a certain user to become on-line  type his name in the name field and tag the Auto update checkbox. IRIS Phone will connect to the White Pages server every 3 minutes and check whether this user has become on-line.


Search Results

The retrieved users are listed in this box. They are sorted alphabetically and may be preceded by the following indicators:

this user is included in your Phonebook;

this user is currently on-line;


Add To Phonebook button

Press this button to insert the selected user to your Phonebook.


Call button

Press this button to call the selected user.


Cancel button

Closes the dialog.


Preferences Dialog

To open the Preferences dialog and configure IRIS Phone, choose Preferences from the Options menu. All options in this dialog are user-specific.

This is the Preferences dialog. You may obtain help about any of its parts by clicking on it.

See Also:

Adjusting Call Processing Options


Preferences | Receive Voice Mail Mode
Receive Voice Mail Mode

Specify what IRIS Phone must do when a message is received. The choices are:

Sound	Play a "You have received new mail" voice message.

Program Window Popup	Restore the main IRIS Phone window.

NOTE: You would be able to receive new mail only when you are connected to the White Pages. This is indicated by the [image] sign displayed on the status bar.


Preferences | Ring options
Ring Mode

Specify the action of IRIS Phone upon an incoming call. The choices are:

Sound	Repeatedly produce ringing sound.

Program Window Popup	Restore the IRIS Phone window.

NOTE: This mode takes effect only if you have selected the Ring call processing.


Preferences | Auto Minimize
Auto Minimize

Specify when IRIS Phone is to be minimized to an icon. You may select:

On Window Deactivation	When you switch to another Windows application (IRIS Phone loses focus);

On Conversation Start	When a conversation has been started.

NOTE: When IRIS Phone runs under MS Windows 95, the minimized program will be represented by an icon situated on the taskbar like that: . IRIS Phone can be restored by double-clicking on its icon.


Preferences | Hotkey
Global Hotkey

Specify a key combination which will activate IRIS Phone when you are working with any other program (except from the MS DOS Shell).

NOTE: Be careful to select a key combination which has no other function in any program you are working with. Otherwise, IRIS Phone will overwrite the function of this combination.


Preferences | White Pages Cache
White Pages Cache

Check this option if you want to make a copy of the users retrieved from the global White Pages on your local directory. This will save you time for downloading them every time you choose the White Pages command from the Phone menu (or Ctrl-P, or  [image] toolbar button). Thus the system will download only the new and changed IRIS Phone user entries.


Preferences | Enable Log Card
Enable Log Card

Check this option if you want the event Log card to be displayed in the IRIS Phone main window. It will let you view detailed information for every operation in which your IRIS Phone takes part.


Preferences | Auto Redial
Auto Redial checkbox

Check this option if you want IRIS Phone to re-dial automatically the user you are trying to call, if he is not currently available.


Preferences | White Pages Funs
White Pages Funs checkbox

Check this option if you want IRIS Phone to display sketches and advertisements while it retrieves the information from the White Pages. By default, this option is checked and greyed for unregistered users.


Preferences | Enable Chat Logging
Enable Chat Logging checkbox

Check this option if you want to enable chat conversations logging. Then you will be able to open the IRIS Log Viewer window and examine all your chat conversations with the selected user so far. You can also edit the contents of the chat log.


Sound Options Dialog

To specify sound options, choose Sound Options from the Options menu.

The Sound Options dialog appears on the screen. Click on any part you want to learn more about.

See Also:

Adjusting Call Processing Options

Tune the Compression And Delay Settings


Sound Options | Voice Activation Level
Voice Activation Level

Specify the lowest speech volume that IRIS Phone can process. You must set this value very carefully because IRIS Phone will automatically recognize when you start and stop talking depending on this setting. Use the Auto Detect button to set it automatically. Mind that it is greyed during conversation.

NOTE: Set auto detection when the room is quiet.

You can change the Voice Activation Level setting also from the Sound Control Toolbar which can be activated by pressing the [image] toolbar button (or F3).


Sound Options | Auto Detect
Auto Detect button

Use the Auto Detect button to set the Voice Activation Level automatically. Mind that it is greyed during conversation.

NOTE: Set auto detection when the room is quiet.


Sound Options | Loopback Test
Loopback Test

Press this button to test your Voice Activation Level (VAL). Proceed as follows:

1.	After pressing the Start Loopback Test button, say something at the microphone.

2. If your Voice Activation Level is properly adjusted, IRIS Phone will perceive your words and the grayed On Air indicator will look like [image]. Also, IRIS Phone will play your words the way the other party would hear them.

3. If some parts or whole words are not played, that means your VAL is set very high. Decrease it.

4. If the On Air indicator flashes even though you are not speaking, your VAL is set too low. Increase it.


Sound Options | Speaker Volume
Speaker Volume

Specify the speakerphone output volume while IRIS Phone is active.

NOTE: This option is available only if your sound driver supports software volume control. Refer to your sound card documentation for more information.

You can change the Speaker Volume setting also from the Sound Control Toolbar which can be activated by pressing the [image] toolbar button (or F3).

NOTE: Volume specified by your volume control program is not valid for IRIS Phone and volume specified in this dialog is not valid for any other application.


Sound Options | Compression
Compression

Specify the compression ratio of the incoming sound.

NOTE: The higher the compression ratio (i.e. the smaller the value), the worse the sound quality.

You can change the Compression setting also from the Sound Control Toolbar which can be activated by pressing the [image] toolbar button (or F3).


Delay

Specify the time (in milliseconds) IRIS Phone should wait before playing the incoming sound. If IRIS Phone detects a pause in the speech before that time expires, it starts playing the received sound. Use this option when the speed of your connection with the remote party is so low that the incoming sound is interrupted even with maximum compression ratio. The possible settings are between 250 and 6000 msec.

You can change the Delay setting also from the Sound Control Toolbar which can be activated by pressing the [image] toolbar button (or F3).


Allow Full-Duplex Conversation

This option is available only if your sound card is full-duplex. Check this box, if you have a full-duplex sound card and you want to hold full-duplex conversations. Yet, it is recommended that you hold half-duplex conversations even if you have a full-duplex card. Usually, sound produced during half-duplex operation is clearer and more qualitative. That is why, by default, IRIS Phone runs in half-duplex.


Video Options Dialog

To specify video options, choose Video Options from the Options menu.

The Video Options dialog appears on the screen. Click on any part you want to learn more about.

See Also:

Video Menu Commands

How to Use the Video Capabilities


Receive Quality

Choose here the video picture quality you want to achieve when talking with a user whose system supports video transmission. Check one of: Fair, Good, and Best. Mind that the better the quality, the slower the transmission. It is  recommended that you choose the Good option.


My Camera Type

Select here your camera type: Black & White or Color. Also, you can check the Portrait View checkbox that will cut off the video window so that it will become with portrait dimensions. That will speed up the video transmission, so it is strongly recommended that you check this box.


Zoom Remote View checkbox

Checking this box will double the size of the Remote View window. You can also toggle normal and double size by double-clicking inside the window.


Mini Local View checkbox

If you check this box, your local view will be moved inside the remote view window and its size will be reduced. Then you will be able to look both at you and the remote party in one and the same window. You can click on the local view and drag it to the desired position. You can also toggle normal local view and mini local view by double-clicking inside the local view window.


Receive Frame Rate

Select the number of frames per minute you wish to receive. The better your Internet connection, the higher the supported number.

Note: If the other party has selected a smaller Max Send Frame Rate, the valid frequency will be the one he/she has selected.


Max Send Frame Rate

Select the number of frames per minute you wish to transmit. The better your Internet connection, the higher the supported number.


Adjusting Call Processing options
How to Adjust Call Processing Options

You may define the way IRIS Phone will act when it detects an incoming call by configuring the User Options and Default Call Processing dialogs.

The settings specified in the User Options dialog affect the action of IRIS Phone when an incoming call by the selected user in your Phonebook occurs.

In the Default Call Processing Dialog you can specify the IRIS Phone action which will be valid for all users not included in your Phonebook and those for whom you have chosen the Default Processing option in the User Options dialog.

See Also:

Configuring IRIS Phone


The User Options Dialog

To specify call processing for a given user, select the username and choose the User Options command from the Phone menu (or [image], or F2). The User Options for… dialog appears on the screen.

NOTE: You can specify user-specific call processing only from within the Phonebook card, i.e. only for users included in your Phonebook. To define user-specific call processing for a given user from the global White Pages, you must add him in your Phonebook.

The options from the Call Processing group affect the action of IRIS Phone when the selected user calls you. You may choose from Auto Answer, Ring, Don't Disturb Me, and Default Processing.

See Also:

The Default Call Processing dialog

Creating Your Phonebook

Configuring IRIS Phone

Using the Record Box


The Default Call Processing Dialog

To specify Default Call Processing options, choose the Default Call Processing command from the Phone menu (or Ctrl-F2). The Default Call Processing dialog appears on the screen.

Here you may define the call processing, applicable to all users not included in your Phonebook and those for whom you have chosen the Default Processing option in the User Options dialog.

See Also:

The User Options Dialog

Configuring IRIS Phone

Using the Record Box


User Options | Call Processing options
Call Processing Options

These call processing options affect the action of IRIS Phone when a specific user calls you. You may select one of the following options:

Auto Answer	IRIS Phone will not ring and a conversation will start immediately.

Ring	IRIS Phone will proceed according to the Ring mode setting in the Preferences dialog.

Don't Disturb Me 	IRIS Phone will reject any incoming call automatically.

WARNING: By selecting this option you cannot understand by any means that you have been called.

Default Processing	Any call by this user will be processed as defined in the Default Call Processing dialog.


User Options | User's Picture
User's Picture

This is the picture of the selected user as he has defined it. If the user hasn't specified it, a predefined picture ( [image]) is displayed instead.


User Options | User Hotkey
User Hotkey

Specify the key (a letter from A to Z) which will select this user when IRIS Phone is active. If you want to call the user while you are working with another program, press the IRIS Phone Global Hotkey and the User Hotkey successively. The specified user hotkey will be also displayed along with the username in the main IRIS Phone window.


User Options | User OGM button
OGM button

By pressing this button you open the Record Box where you can record or delete the OGM for the selected user. If you delete a user-specific OGM, the Default OGM will be played for this user.


Default Call Processing | Call Processing options
Default Call Processing Options

Here you may define the call processing, applicable to all users with selected Default Processing in the User Options dialog. You may select one of the following options:

Auto Answer	IRIS Phone will not ring and a conversation will start immediately.

Ring	IRIS Phone will proceed according to the Ring mode setting in the Preferences dialog.

Don't Disturb Me 	IRIS Phone will reject any incoming call automatically.

WARNING: By selecting this option you cannot understand by any means that you have been called.


Default Call Processing | Default OGM button
OGM button

By pressing this button you open the Record Box where you can record or delete the Default OGM. If you delete a Default OGM and haven't set a user-specific one, no OGM will be played.


End a Conversation / Stop Calling / Reject a Call

All these three operations are performed in one and the same way. Choose Hang Up from the Phone menu (or press [image], or Ctrl-H). If IRIS Phone is minimized, you may hang up by double clicking the right mouse button on the IRIS Phone icon. If you wish to leave a voice message to the selected user, instead pressing [image], click the [image] toolbar button, or choose Hang Up And Leave A Message from the Phone menu.

The type of the performed operation is determined by the connection state IRIS Phone is currently in.

Connection state	Action description

-----------------------------	---------------------------------

Talk state or

Mute mode	End a conversation;

NOTE: Either participant may end a conversation.

Call or Auto re-dial state	Stop calling;

Ring state	Reject an incoming call;

This will start the answering machine on the calling person's computer, allowing him to leave a message for you.

NOTE: If there are more than one users in the Converse card, the command will affect the connection with the selected user.

See Also:

Calling a User

Using Keyboard & Mouse

IRIS Phone States


Review mail
How to Review Your Mail

When you receive mail, you will hear a "You have received new mail" voice message or see the IRIS Phone window pop up depending on the Receive Voice Mail Mode setting in the Preferences dialog. The [image] indicator will appear on the status bar prompting you to listen to your new mail.

1. Select the VoiceMail card by pressing the VoiceMail tab (or Alt-M).

All users from whom you have received mail are listed in the User Listbox. The list also contains the number of newly received messages / recorded conversations and the total number of received voice messages displayed in brackets after each username. Information about the selected user is displayed in the User Info Box.

2. To view the list of voice messages received from a given user, select his name and press the [image] button (or the '+' key).

The list of all messages with their reference is displayed in the User Listbox. Information about the size of the message and date/time of sending is displayed in the User Info Box.

3. To retrieve a message from the IRIS Phone server, select the respective reference and press the [image] toolbar button (or choose Get command from the VoiceMail menu, or strike '+' (plus) key, or double-click on the message). The [image] indicator in front of the message will change to [image] and stay so for as long as IRIS Phone is retrieving the message. This may take a while depending on the length of the message. Once it has been retrieved completely, the indicator will look like [image]. If some error occurs during downloading because of heavy Internet traffic, the indicator will change to [image]. This will mean that the message is not retrieved completely, yet you can listen to the successfully downloaded part of it. To retrieve the remaining part of the message, choose Get again.

4. To listen to a selected voice message, press the [image] button (or choose Play from the VoiceMail menu). This will open the Record Box where you can listen to the selected message. The new mail indicator [image] will disappear as soon as you listen to the message and leave the Record Box by pressing OK.

5. If you want to delete a message, select it and press the [image] button (or strike the Del key, or choose the Delete command from the VoiceMail menu). You can also delete voice messages not yet listened to.

NOTE:  This task is carried out without asking for confirmation!

6. If you want to view the username list again, you must strike the '-' (minus) key or press the [image] button.

You can also call and send mail to a selected user from within this card.

See Also:

Sending Mail

Recording Conversation

Configuring IRIS Phone

Using Keyboard & Mouse


Mail Received From listbox

The users you have received mail from are listed in this listbox. All users included in your Phonebook are marked by a [image] sign. The new messages are indicated by a [image] sign.


New checkbox

Check this box to view only the users you have received new mail from.


View Mail button

Press this button to view all the mail and recorded conversations with the selected user.


User Info box

Displays personal information about the selected user.


From field

The name of the user whose mail you are examining is displayed in this field.


Received Mail listbox

The list of all received mail and recorded conversations with the selected user is displayed in this listbox. The following indicators may be displayed in front of a message:

mail not retrieved from the server;

mail being retrieved from the server at the moment;

mail not completely retrieved;

mail completely retrieved and not listened to;


New checkbox

Check this box to display only the mail not yet listened to.


View Users button

Press this button to view again the list of users you have received mail from.


Mail Info box

Information about the selected mail is displayed in this box: date and time of sending, length (in seconds).


IRIS Chat Window

Every IRIS Phone user can carry on a text chat communication with the remote party once a connection has been established. It enables both participants to exchange important information.

To open the IRIS Chat window, press the [image] toolbar button or choose the Text Chat command from the Phone menu (or Ctrl-C). The IRIS Chat window appears on the screen.

The remote party's chat window will open automatically and display the text you have typed and sent by pressing Enter.

You can close the IRIS Chat window at any time during the conversation or after it has been ended.

See Also:

Calling a User


Chat display

This area displays the text exchange held so far.


Typing field

Type the text here and strike Enter to send it.


Talking Technique

IRIS Phone may operate either in half or full duplex mode depending on your sound hardware. Each conversation mode requires a different talking technique. If your sound hardware supports half duplex only, you will be able to hold half duplex conversations only, no matter what the sound hardware of the remote participant is.

Respectively, you will hold conversations in full duplex mode only if the sound hardware on your computer supports full duplex. Though, to enable full-duplex, you should check the Allow Full-Duplex Operation checkbox in the Sound Options dialog.

The half duplex conversation mode will not let you talk while you are listening. This means that you can start talking only as soon as the remote participant remains silent. The full duplex conversation mode enables both users to talk and listen simultaneously. The IRIS Phone icon looks the same in half and full duplex conversation mode (with one exception listed below).

The IRIS Phone icons are:

Idle	You are in this mode when nobody is talking. Either user can start.

Listen	You are in this mode while the remote participant is talking to you. In half duplex conversations, during that mode you cannot talk to him unless you use the Talk Only button.

Talk	You are in this mode while you are talking. Everything you say will be played on the remote participant's computer. In half duplex conversations, during that mode he will not be able to answer until you stop talking.

Receive	You are in this mode when some data is being received and will be played soon. In half duplex conversations, that mode prompts you not to speak because you are about to hear sound produced by the remote party.

When you are holding full duplex conversations, another icon is also available:

Converse	You are in this mode when, during full duplex conversations, both participants are talking.

The icon that indicates the conversation mode is in the lower left corner of the IRIS Phone window, when it is visible. When IRIS Phone is minimized, its system icon shows the conversation mode. This means that, unless you are an advanced IRIS Phone user, you should frequently look at the icon to see what conversation mode you are in. It is recommended that during half duplex conversations you use well separated phrases to let the remote participant reply during the pauses. IRIS Phone detects the pauses in your speech depending on the Voice Activation Level setting in the Sound Options dialog or in the Sound Control Toolbar.

When you are using a full duplex sound card and talking with a user that is using a half duplex one, a complete full duplex conversation will not be possible, but you still have the advantage of being able to break into the other user's speech without having to use the Talk Only mode (or F9).

The conversation icon shows the volume of both participants' voices. The volume is presented by a Level meter situated at the right side of the status icon. The appearance of red bars is a sign of sound distortion on the remote participant's speakers. Try speaking more quietly.

The Compression and Delay scroll bars will enable you to control the compression ratio and the delay of the sound coming via the Internet. When the Internet connection speed is low, you must set a higher compression ratio, otherwise the sound will be interrupted and not complete. If the sound quality does not improve, you can start increasing the Delay setting. This will increase the sound delivery delay, and it will allow operation over slow channels - down to 4800 bps connection speed. If you increase the delay to its maximum and you still do not get satisfactory sound quality, that means that the connection is too slow and it will be better to try to connect again later.

NOTE: The connection speed is different every time you establish a new connection with a user.

See Also:

Status Bar

Configuring IRIS Phone

Tune the Compression And Delay Settings


Record Box
Using the Record Box

Use the Record Box to prepare and store voice messages including OGMs and voice mail. Select the user you want to send mail to and choose the Send command from the VoiceMail menu (or Ctrl-S).

This is the Record Box. You can obtain help about any part by clicking on it.

NOTE: The OK exit from this dialog after recording a message will not be immediate, because the message must be saved to disk.


Record Box | Reference
Reference field

Enter a short description of the message you are sending. This description will be shown in the recipient mailbox along with the date/time of sending and the length of the message.


Record Box | Time
Total Time / Elapsed Time

IRIS Phone shows here the duration of the message and the time since the beginning of the playback / recording in seconds.


Record Box | Record button
Record button

Press this button to start recording your voice message. The recording will be appended to any previously existing recording. Thus you can divide your message into several parts and record them separately.


Record Box | Play button
Play button

Press it to hear the whole message recorded so far.


Record Box | Stop button
Stop button

Press it to stop recording / playing.


Record Box | Append button
Append button

Press it to append sound files (.WAV) stored on your disk to the message.


Record Box | Save button
Save button

Press it to invoke the Save As dialog and save the message.


Record Box | Video slot
Video slot

If your system supports video transmission, here you can view yourself while you are recording the voice message. This video clip will be sent together with the voice mail and the recipient will be able to see it while he/she listens to your message.


Record Box | Delete button
Delete button

Press it to delete the message or everything recorded so far. This task requires confirmation.


How to Adjust Sound Options

1.	Choose Sound Options from the Options menu to open the Sound Options dialog or press the [image] toolbar button to activate the Sound Control Toolbar.

2.	Use the Voice Activation Level / VAL scrollbar to adjust the sensitivity of your microphone to the desired level. If you set the level very high, you must shout to switch IRIS Phone to Talk mode. If you choose very low activation level, every noise, even the smallest (like breathing), will not let the remote participant talk to you. If you are conversing while you are changing this setting, the changes will affect the conversation immediately.

If you are not conversing, you can use the Auto detect button to let IRIS Phone automatically adjust the Voice Activation Level. This is strongly recommended when you start IRIS Phone for the first time.

NOTE: You must keep the room quiet during auto detection.

3.	To ensure that your VAL is properly adjusted, you can test it by using the Loopback test. Proceed as follows:

Press the Start Loopback Test button and say something at the microphone.

If you have selected a proper Voice Activation Level and IRIS Phone perceives your words, the grayed On Air indicator will look like [image]. Also, IRIS Phone will play your words the way the other party would hear them.

If some parts or whole words are not played, that means you have set a very high VAL. Decrease it.

If the [image] indicator flashes even though you are not speaking, your VAL is set too low. Increase it.

4.	Adjust the Speaker Volume setting which affects the volume of the sound coming out from your speakers.

5.	Adjust the Compression and the Delay scroll bars. To learn how to navigate these two settings, see Tuning And Balancing the Compression And Delay Settings.

See Also:

Configuring IRIS Phone

Talking Technique

Tune the Compression And Delay Settings


How to Call a User

1.	Choose the card (Phonebook, VoiceMail, or Log) where the user you want to call is listed or open the IRIS White Pages dialog and find his name.

2.	Double-click on the desired name or select his username and choose Call (Call button in the IRIS White Pages dialog, or Call command from the Phone menu, or click on [image], or press Enter). The Converse card will be automatically activated. In the User Listbox you will see the name of the person you are calling and the symbol representing the Call connection state - [image]. His picture will be displayed in the User's Photo field. On the status bar the Call icon will represent either Search (user searching throughout the Internet) or Calling (dialing) state.

3.	If he answers, the status icon will change into one of the conversation icons and the symbol in front of the username will change to [image] - Talk connection state. After that you can start talking.

4.	If the user does not answer or is unreachable at the moment, the [image] symbol will change to [image] - Re-dial state. IRIS Phone will retry to connect to this user every 3 minutes until it succeeds to connect or until you cancel this operation. If you want to cancel the automatic re-dial operation, choose Hang Up from the Phone menu (or press Ctrl-H, or click on [image]). Mind that the Auto Re-dial option is available only if you have checked the Auto Redial option in the Preferences dialog.

5.	If you want to stop calling, choose Hang Up from the Phone menu (or press Ctrl-H, or click on [image]). IRIS Phone will automatically stop calling after up to 3 minutes.

6.	If you want to leave a voice message to the selected user, press the [image] button, instead of [image]. Choosing the Hang Up And Leave A Message command from the Phone menu has the same effect. This will open the Record Box where you can record your voice (and video) mail and then send it.

See Also:

The Insert New User Dialog

Talking Through IRIS Phone

Stop Calling

IRIS Phone States


How to Process an Incoming Call

1.	If somebody calls you and you have selected the Ring call processing for this user, the Converse card will be automatically activated and you will hear a ring or see the IRIS Phone main window depending on the Ring Mode selection in the Preferences dialog. In the User Listbox you will see the username of the calling user and the symbol representing the Ring connection state - [image]. In the User's Photo field you will see his picture as he has defined it.

2.	If you want to accept the call, choose Answer from the Phone menu (or press Ctrl-A, or click on [image]). The Ring status icon may represent the Proceed state until IRIS Phone establishes a voice connection. Once it has been established, the connection state will change to Talk ( [image]). The conversation will start immediately.

3.	If you don't want to accept the call, choose the Hang Up command from the Phone menu (or press Ctrl-H, or click on [image]).

4.	If another user calls you while you are already conversing, you can either reject the new call or accept it. If you accept it, IRIS Phone will automatically mute the initial conversation (marked by [image] sign in front). If you want to terminate it, hang it up. If not, you can continue your initial conversation by pressing the [image] button after you complete the second talk.

NOTE: You can have only one Talk connection ( [image]) at a time. Still you can have an unlimited number of Ring ( [image]), Call ( [image]), Re-dial ( [image]) and Mute ( [image]) connections at one and the same time.

See Also:

Talking Through IRIS Phone

IRIS Phone States


How to Record My Conversation

1.	During a conversation, choose Record Conversation from the Phone menu (or press Ctrl-R, or click on [image]) to start recording. As long as Record Conversation is on, a red blinking dot indicator ( [image]) will be displayed on the status bar.

2.	By switching the recording on and off during the conversation you may record only essential parts of it. The size of the recorded message is limited by the amount of free disk space. In any case, IRIS Phone will display a warning message after about five minutes of recording.

3.	After the end of the conversation the Record Box will appear. If you want to save the recorded conversation, enter a description of the recorded message in the Reference field. By default, IRIS Phone offers as a description "Recorded conversation".

4. 	Leave the Record Box by clicking on OK. Thus the recorded message will be stored in your mailbox. You can listen to it later by choosing Play in the Record Box dialog.

NOTE: The OK exit from this dialog after recording a message will not be immediate, because the message must be saved to disk.

See Also:

Reviewing Your Mail


How to Interrupt the Remote Participant

1.	In a half duplex conversation mode, when the remote participant has been talking for a long time, you can interrupt him by choosing the Talk Only command from the Phone menu (or by pressing [image], or F9).

2.	IRIS Phone goes to Idle mode, and you can start talking. As long as you are in Talk Only mode, the [image] indicator will be displayed on the status bar.

3.	When you activate this mode, you can only speak and not hear the remote participant. If he wants to speak, he may also select Talk Only mode. Then you will be able to listen to him without speaking. As long as the remote participant is in Talk Only mode, the [image] indicator will be displayed on the status bar.

Both parties may hear and speak to each other again if the one who has last pressed the Talk Only button releases it.

TIPS:

If you are constantly in Listen mode during a conversation and you must use the Talk Only mode to speak to the remote participant, then probably the Voice Activation Level of the remote participant is set too low. Tell him to raise his Voice Activation Level setting.

See Also:

Configuring IRIS Phone

Talking Technique

IRIS Phone States


How to End a Conversation

Anytime during a conversation you may end it by choosing Hang Up from the Phone menu (or press Ctrl-H, or click on [image]). The conversation will stop immediately.

See Also:

Ending a Conversation


How to Use the Video Capabilities

In order to take advantage of the video capabilities of IRIS Phone, your and/or the remote party's system should support video transmission. Check the system requirement for the video capabilities.

If the remote party's system supports video transmission and you want to view them during conversation, you should check the View Remote command from the Video Menu. As soon as a conversation is established, the IRIS View Remote window will pop up.

If your system supports video transmission and you want to enable the remote party to look at you during conversation, you should check the Transmit Video command from the Video Menu. To look at the video you are sending to the remote party, check View Myself from the same menu. As soon as a conversation is established, the IRIS Myself View window will pop up. Though, you will NOT be able to transmit video if you haven't selected a supported video format in Video Format and Video Source dialogs from within the Video menu.

The Video Format command opens the Video Format setup. IRIS Phone supports 256 color (8-bit) and True color (24-bit) video formats only.

The Video Source command opens the Video setup and lets you configure some settings of your video card such as Contrast, Tint, Brightness, etc.

See Also:

Video Options Dialog


How to Send Mail

1.	Make sure that your IRIS Phone is in Ready state.

2.	Select the user(s) you want to send mail to from the User Listbox in the main IRIS Phone window.

3.	Choose the Send command from the VoiceMail menu (or press Ctrl-S). The Record Box will appear.

4. 	In the Record Box prepare the voice message for sending.

5. 	Enter a reference for the message in the Reference field and press OK.

6.	After that IRIS Phone will send your message. If an error occurs while sending the message, IRIS Phone will display an error message.

NOTE: Your mail could be sent only when the White Pages are accessible, i.e. when the indicator [image] is visible on the status bar.

WARNING: The program sends the mail in background. If you try to close your IRIS Phone and some mail is not yet sent, a warning message will be displayed. If you discard it, the unsent mail will be lost.

See Also:

Using the Record Box


How to reject calls from a given user automatically
How to Reject Calls from a Specific User Automatically

1.	Select the user you do not want to talk with in the IRIS White Pages dialog and insert him in your Phonebook by pressing the Add To Phonebook button or striking the Ins key.

2.	Select the user in the User Listbox of the Phonebook card.

3.	Choose User Options from the Options menu. The User Options dialog will appear.

4.	Select Don't Disturb Me and click on OK. Now any time you are being called by this user, IRIS Phone will respond as if you are busy and start the auto-answering machine.

See Also:

Adjusting Call Processing Options


Answering machine

An IRIS Phone utility which functions much like an ordinary telephone answering device. It is activated when one IRIS user calls another one who is busy or not available.


OGM (Outgoing Greeting Message)

The voice message which IRIS Phone plays to a user who is calling you while you are not available or busy before letting him leave a voice message on the answering machine.


Remote participant

The opposite side in the conversation.


Compression & Delay tuning
How to Tune And Balance the Compression And Delay Settings

At starting IRIS Phone for the first time, the Compression and Delay default settings will be respectively 9600 bps and Auto (leftmost position). Yet the settings could be modified if you want to receive the best sound quality over different line speeds. Mind the following tips:

1.	Before or at starting a conversation, make sure the Compression is set to 9600 bps or 7200 bps and the Delay - to Auto. In this position, IRIS Phone automatically recognizes the proper delay for your line speed.

2.	If the quality of the received sound is satisfactory, do not change these settings. Yet you can try to receive even better quality by slightly decreasing the Compression.

3. 	If the sound is choppy, start to increase the Delay setting step by step. If the sound is still interrupted at 4000 msec, try by increasing the Compression setting.

4. 	If you have to wait for a long time to hear the other party's response, start to decrease the Delay setting as much as the sound remains not interrupted. If this happens, increase either the Delay or the Compression.

NOTE: The last defined settings will affect the next established conversation.

See Also:

Talking Technique


IRIS Phone States

Each state can be recognized either by the status icon or by the status message which are different for every state.

Message	Icon	Description

--------------	-------	----------------------

Ready	This is the normal IRIS Phone state. In this state you can use all IRIS Phone functions like calling, sending mail, etc.

Search	This state is active as long as IRIS Phone is searching for the called users PC through the Internet. His name and photo will be displayed in the IRIS Phone main window.

Calling	This state becomes active when a connection is being established and IRIS Phone is ringing on the remote PC.

Ringing	This state is active when another user is calling you. His name and photo will be displayed in the IRIS Phone main window.

Proceed	This state is active as long as, after you answer the user calling you, IRIS Phone establishes a voice connection.

Talking	This state is active as long as a conversation is established. The name and the picture of the user you are talking with are displayed in the IRIS Phone main window. The Talk mode is different depending on the sound cards of both participants.

If your sound hardware supports half duplex only, the held conversation will be also a half duplex one.

Respectively, you will hold conversations in full duplex mode only if the sound hardware on your computer supports full duplex. Though, to enable full-duplex, you should check the Allow Full-Duplex Operation checkbox in the Sound Options dialog. The status icon looks different depending on the conversation mode.

Mode	Icon	Description

--------------	-------	----------------------

Idle	IRIS Phone is in this mode when nobody is talking. Either user can begin to talk.

Listen	IRIS Phone is in this mode when the remote participant is talking to you. In half duplex conversations, you cannot talk while you are in this mode unless you wait for the remote participant to finish or unless you use the Talk Only command to interrupt him.

Talk	IRIS Phone is in this mode when you are talking to the remote participant. Everything you say will be played on his computer.

Receive	IRIS Phone is in this mode when some data is being received and will be played soon. In half duplex conversations, that mode prompts you not to speak because you are about to hear sound produced by the remote party.

Full Duplex Conversation	IRIS Phone is in this mode when, in full duplex conversations, both users are talking and listening simultaneously.

The following indicators may appear above the icon:

- You are in Talk Only mode.

- The remote party is using the Talk Only mode.

- You are in Mute mode and are listening to a system melody.

- You are recording a conversation.

- You have received new mail;

- The White Pages is accessible;

- The White Pages is not accessible;

- You are exchanging data over the Internet.

See Also:

Talking Technique


Default Call Processing Options

The Default Call Processing options are used when the call processing options in the User Options dialog for the calling user are set to Default Processing or when the user is not inserted in your Phonebook.

The Default OGM (specified in the Default Call Processing dialog) is played when there is no OGM recorded in the User Options dialog for the calling user or when his OGM has been deleted by using the Delete button in the Record Box.


Talk Only mode

This mode (activated by pressing F9 or [image] status button) interrupts the remote participant and allows you to speak without hearing the other user. It is also automatically applied to the initial conversation in case you accept a second call without hanging up the first one.


Ready state

Description	This is the normal IRIS Phone state. In this state you can use all IRIS Phone functions like calling, sending mail, etc.

Status Icon

Status Message	Ready


Redial
Auto Re-dial state

Description	This state is active as long as, after an unsuccessful call, your IRIS Phone automatically re-dials the user you failed to connect to. To stop auto re-dialing, press Hang Up, or Ctrl-H, or [image].

Status Icon

Status Message	Ready


Call connection state (Search and Calling)

Description	The Search state is active when IRIS Phone is searching for a user throughout the Internet. The Call state is active when this user is being called. His name and photo will be displayed in the IRIS Phone main window.

Status Icons	 and

Status Message	Search / Calling


Ring connection state

Description	This state is active when another user is calling you. His name will be displayed in the Converse card.

Status Icon

Status Message	Ringing


Proceed connection state

Description	This state is active as long as, after you answer the user calling you, IRIS Phone establishes a voice connection. His name will be displayed in the Converse card.

Status Icon

Status Message	Proceed


Talk connection state

Description	This state is active as long as a conversation is established. The name and the photo of the user you are talking with is displayed in the IRIS Phone main window. This state has different modes depending on the sound cards installed on both computers.

Status Icons	 or [image] or [image] or [image],

or [image] in full duplex only.

Status Messages	Idle, Talk, Listen, Receive, or Converse - in full duplex conversations.


Idle conversation mode

Description	IRIS Phone is in this mode when nobody is talking. Either user can start.

Status Icon


Talk conversation mode

Description	IRIS Phone is in this mode as long as you are talking to the remote participant. Everything you say will be played on his computer.

Status Icon


Listen conversation mode

Description	IRIS Phone is in this mode as long as the remote participant is talking to you. In half duplex conversations, if you want to talk, you should wait for him to finish or you should use the Talk Only key to interrupt him.

Status Icon


Call Processing options

Call Processing options determine how IRIS Phone will react when it detects a call for you and you are not busy. Three different options are available:

Auto Answer	IRIS Phone will not ring but a conversation will start immediately.

Ring	IRIS Phone will proceed according to the Ring Mode setting in the Preferences dialog.

Don't Disturb Me 	IRIS Phone will reject automatically any incoming calls.

WARNING: By selecting this option you cannot understand by any means that you have been called.


Busy conditions

An IRIS Phone user is considered to be busy in the following situations:

•	his computer is off or he has not started his IRIS Phone;

•	his system is busy;

•	he has set his call processing to Don't Disturb Me;

•	he has rejected the call using the Hang Up command;

•	there is no connection between your and his computer;

•	his computer is not connected to the Internet at the moment.


Voice Activation Level

A setting that determines the lowest speech volume that IRIS Phone can process. IRIS Phone automatically recognizes when you start and stop talking according to this setting.


Half duplex conversation mode

Communication protocol, not allowing both sides to talk simultaneously. Both participants must take turns speaking just like with Walky-Talky.


Full duplex conversation mode

Communication protocol that allows both sides to talk and hear the other party at the same time just like during a normal telephone conversation.


Microphone Volume

This is the amplifying level of your microphone which controls the volume of the perceived sound. You can change this setting by using a Mixer program included in your sound card package. Note that not all sound cards support software microphone volume control.


Mute mode

This mode prevents both sides from hearing each other. If you activate this mode, the remote participant will listen to a system melody until you switch it off. This mode is activated by the [image] button.


Broadcast mode

When being in this mode, you may only speak and the other parties may only listen to you.


How to Pause a Conversation

If, during a conversation, you want to say something without being heard by the another party, choose Mute from the Phone menu (or [image] button, or F8). Music will start playing on the remote participant's computer.

To continue your conversation, press the [image] button again.

If you do not switch off the Mute mode manually before hanging up, IRIS Phone will automatically do it at the end of the conversation.

See Also:

IRIS Phone States


How to Broadcast a Message

To activate Broadcast mode:

1. In the IRIS Phone main window select the users you want to speak to.

2. Choose the Call command from the Phone menu (or click on [image], or press Enter).

After choosing the Call command, IRIS Phone will switch over to Mute mode until all selected users answer your call. You may switch this mode off, if you decide to start talking before a connection with all selected users is established.

See Also:

IRIS Phone States


Messages

Startup Error Messages

Runtime Error Messages


Startup Error Messages

IRIS Phone cannot run without a proper sound device!

Hardware cannot be initialized!

IRIS Phone cannot run without TCP/IP (WinSock.DLL)!

Insufficient memory to run IRIS Phone. Please close some applications and try again.

IRIS Phone runs only under Windows in 386 Enhanced mode!

IRIS Phone network support initialization has failed!


Runtime Error Messages

Sound device is already being used by another application.

Too many connections are pending in Converse card. You must hang up some of them before calling a new user!

You have been recording your conversation for too long. Turn off conversation recording as soon as possible.

Insufficient memory for recording. Quit some applications and try again.

IRIS Phone was unable to send the mail to [username] with reference […]. The mail was lost.

Bad aspect ratio

Error reading picture file.

Corrupted or unsupported file format.


Bad aspect ratio!

You have tried to specify a picture that cannot be displayed by IRIS Phone because it does not support such an aspect ratio. Change your picture with another one.


Error reading picture file.

Some error occurred while IRIS Phone had been trying to open the picture file. Check if it is opened by another application. If it is, close it and try again.


Corrupted or unsupported file format.

The file you have tried to specify as a picture in the Who Am I dialog is either corrupted or its format is none of the following:

Windows Bitmaps (*.bmp)

PC Paintbrush (*.pcx)

CompuServe GIF (*.gif)

Targa (*.tga)

JPEG Filter (*.jpg)

Portable Bitmaps (*.pbm)

Since IRIS Phone supports only the above formats, specify your photo in one of them.


IRIS Phone cannot run without the proper sound device!

IRIS Phone was unable to detect either a recording or playing sound device driver, or both of them. Install a Windows compatible sound card with an appropriate driver from the Windows Control Panel and try again.


Hardware cannot be initialized!

General failure occurred while initializing the hardware. See whether your system meets all requirements listed in the System requirements.


IRIS Phone cannot run without TCP/IP (WinSock.DLL)!

You have tried to run IRIS Phone without a properly installed TCP/IP protocol stack (WinSock.DLL).

Check for correctly installed and configured WinSock.DLL. Check also for an established connection with your Internet provider.


Insufficient memory to run IRIS Phone. Please close some applications and try again.

There was not enough memory to start IRIS Phone. Close some heavy memory consuming programs and try again.


IRIS Phone runs only under Windows in 386 Enhanced mode!

You have tried to run IRIS Phone in standard mode. Start Windows in 386 Enhanced mode and try again.


IRIS Phone network support initialization has failed!

General failure occurred while LANPH.DLL tried to initialize the network. See whether your system meets all requirements listed in the System requirements. If there is a problem with the network, it will probably not disappear until you reboot your computer.


Insufficient memory for recording. Quit some applications and try again.

IRIS Phone has failed to open the Record Box when you chose the Send command from the VoiceMail menu. Free some memory and try again.


Too many connections are pending in Converse card. You must hang up some of them before calling a new user!

You have tried to call a new user but too many connections are pending in the Converse card. Terminate some of them and try again.


IRIS Phone was unable to send the mail to [username] with reference […]. The mail was lost.

This problem usually occurs when the connection had been broken while IRIS Phone was sending the mail. Try sending it later.


Sound device is already being used by another application.

IRIS Phone displays this message when it tries to access the sound card while it is being used by another application.


You have been recording your conversation for too long. Turn off conversation recording as soon as possible.

Message displayed after 5 minutes of recording a conversation. About 10Kb are required for the storage of every recorded second. Since long recordings consume large amounts of your free disk space, consider turning off the recording.


Installing IRIS Phone 16-bit version under Windows 95

When you are using 16-bit WinSock.DLL under Windows 95, you should install the 16-bit version of IRIS Phone in order to enable the proper operation of IRIS Phone in this environment. Proceed as follows:

1. Unzip the IRIS Phone setup .exe file.

2. Copy the file install.cfg over the file inst95.cfg.

3. Start install.exe.

After the installation, choose the About command from the IRIS Phone Help menu and check whether "16-bit version" is written after the version number.

You need to fulfill this operation in case you are using AOL, WinCIM, NetCruiser, or another 16-bit Internet connection software under Windows 95.


Problems And Solutions

IRIS Phone cannot connect to the White Pages server.

You hear your own words feeding back through your speakers.

You cannot establish a connection with a specific user.

Missing users in the White Pages.

IRIS Phone cannot be loaded (the IRIS Phone main window is not displayed on your screen).

Sound is increasingly feeding back on both computers.

After you stop talking, the Talk mode remains on.

IRIS Phone toggles quickly between Talk and Idle mode during conversation.

The remote participant cannot hear you.

Slowdown of the system during conversation.

While conversing over IRIS Phone under MS Windows 3.11 and working with another program, it displays a "Not enough memory" error message.

The sound is unclear, excessive noise.

IRIS Phone randomly hangs up during conversation.

IRIS Phone does not operate properly.

IRIS Phone operates in half duplex mode on full duplex voice card.

The currently played sound stops during IRIS Phone startup.

The on-line indicators in the User listbox are inadequate.

You can place but not receive calls.

Remote parties can hear you, but you cannot hear them.

Unlisted or unsolved problems.


IRIS Phone cannot connect to the White Pages server ( [image]).

1. You are probably not connected to the Internet. Connect to your Internet provider and re-start IRIS Phone.

2. If you are using one of: Internet In A Box, CompuServe's Internet Dialer, AOL's Internet Dialer or Netcom's NetCruiser under MS Windows 95, replace it with MS Dialer or Trumpet WinSock for MS Windows 95, or install the IRIS Phone 16-bit version under Windows 95.

3. Verify that you can run any other TCP/IP like Netscape Navigator, Eudora or Pegasus Mail. If you cannot, you need to reinstall your TCP/IP software.

4. Perhaps you don't have a physical Internet connection to the server. Try again later.


You hear your own words feeding back through your speakers.

This problem occurs when both parties are using full duplex sound cards:

1. Tell the remote participant to decrease his Speaker Volume or use a head-set, or earphones instead of speakers.

2. Tell the remote participant to decrease his microphone volume by using a mixer program.

Refer to your sound card documentation for details.


You cannot establish a connection with a specific user.

1. 	If the computer of the user you wish to call is on, he has started his IRIS Phone, his call processing is not Don't Disturb Me, and still you cannot connect with him, the problem most probably occurs because the remote host is unreachable. Try again later or consult your Internet provider.

2. 	If the White Pages are not accessible, IRIS Phone will try to call the selected user on his last known IP address. If this user has changed his IP address or he has dial-up Internet access (i.e. he has different IP address every time he connects to the host system), IRIS Phone will not be able to call him at the specified address. Find his new IP address, manually insert the user in Phonebook, and then call again.


Missing users in the White Pages.

1. 	If there are no users in the White Pages at all, most probably it is not accessible. Look for the ( [image]) indicator on the status bar. If it is missing and the ( [image]) indicator is visible instead, try again later and if the problem persists, contact your Internet provider.

2. 	If you see some users in the White Pages, wait some longer to retrieve the others. If the indicator prompting you that the White Pages are not accessible is still visible ( [image]) on the status display, this means that your connection is broken - try again later or consult your Internet provider.

3. 	You have not started your TCP/IP support. If you have dial-up Internet access, check whether your software dials and connects to the host system.


IRIS Phone cannot be loaded (the IRIS Phone main window is not displayed on your screen).

Some vendors provide WinSock.DLL (Trumpet WinSock for example) which cannot initialize before it establishes a connection with the IP router/Internet host. On IRIS Phone startup, the program loads WinSock.DLL. IRIS Phone cannot be started before the WinSock initialization is complete. Wait for WinSock to establish a connection with the host or change your WinSock.DLL. Contact your Internet provider for further information.

NOTE: This problem causes the MS Windows error: "Cannot start more than one copy of the specified program." when you try to start IRIS Phone again. Still, there is no IRIS Phone main window opened.


Sound is increasingly feeding back on both computers.

There is a considerable proximity between your microphone and the remote participant's speakers (or vise versa). The microphone detects the sound coming from the speakers and sends it back to the other party.

1. Increase the Voice Activation Level and decrease the Speaker Volume on your computer.

2. If the problem persists, increase the distance between the microphone and the speakers.

3. We recommend that you use a head-set or earphones instead of speakers.


After you stop talking, the Talk mode remains on.

Your Voice Activation Level is set too low. Open the Sound Options dialog and increase the Voice Activation Level settings.


IRIS Phone toggles quickly between Talk and Idle mode during conversation.

The problem may be due to one of the following:

1. Your Voice Activation Level is not set properly. Choose Sound Options from the Options menu and adjust the Voice Activation Level in the Sound Options dialog.

2. You are using a half duplex sound card and the remote participant has a full duplex one. Either his microphone is too close to his speakers, or he has specified a very low Voice Activation Level, or very high microphone volume. Tell him to do one of the following (use F9 or press and hold down the [image] button):

•	Increase his Voice Activation Level

•	Decrease his microphone volume

•	Use a head-set or earphones instead of speakers


The remote participant cannot hear you.

The problem may be due to one of the following:

1. Your Voice Activation Level is set too high - open the Sound Options dialog and decrease the Voice Activation Level settings.

2. The remote participant's Voice Activation Level setting is too low and you are constantly in Listen mode - use the Talk Only command to tell him to raise his Voice Activation Level setting.

3. There is a hardware problem with your microphone or the remote participant's speakerphone - hang up and test the microphone and the speakerphone (use Windows Sound Recorder).

4.	The speed of your Internet connection is very low and the sound is received with notable delay. If the received sound is also interrupted, try to increase the Compression and the Delay scroll bar settings in the Sound Options dialog (or on the Sound Control Toolbar). If the sound is still interrupted, try to dial again later.


Slowdown of the system during conversation.

You may guess that your system is working slower if the mouse cursor is jumping around the screen instead of moving smoothly, or pulling down a menu takes longer than usual.

1. Record Conversation has been on for a long time (more than 15 minutes) - check whether you are recording the conversation and record only the important parts by switching the button on and off during the conversation.

2. You are using a very slow computer or your system is overloaded - try to close some tasks or change some settings or configurations of the running software.


While conversing with IRIS Phone under MS Windows 3.11 and working with another program, it displays a "Not enough memory" error message.

The same error may also occur when trying to run any program. Proceed as follows:

1. Hang up the current conversation and try to complete your task.

2. If the problem persists, close IRIS Phone and then try again.

3. If you want to use IRIS Phone and work with any heavy memory consuming program simultaneously, increase the physical memory of your computer.

NOTE: IRIS Phone does not use virtual memory, so increasing it will have no effect on the performance.


The sound is unclear, excessive noise.

1. DOS session operations on either your or the remote participant's computer (diskette operations cause many more "breaks" in the sound than hard disk operations) - perform these operations with the File Manager.

2. Heavy network traffic (this is not necessarily caused by your system) - hang up and wait until the network traffic slows down and then call again.

3. The ratio of compression on your computer is very high. See Tuning And Balancing the Compression And Delay Settings.


IRIS Phone randomly hangs up during conversation.

1. 	The remote participant has ended the conversation - if you want to continue, call again.

2. 	The DOS session is in a critical section situation (on either computer). Here are some examples:

•	A DOS error message (Abort/Retry/Ignore for example) has been displayed and DOS is waiting for a response

•	Diskette formatting and other long diskette operations on either computer

•	Extremely heavily loaded network

•	Overloaded processor

If you want to talk over IRIS Phone while performing DOS operations, try to execute them using File Manager.

3. 	Unstable or crashed system (this could cause the problem only if you are running IRIS Phone under MS Windows 3.11) - IRIS Phone uses a smart technique for detecting hardware problems. When such a problem occurs during a conversation, IRIS Phone tries to hang up immediately to avoid crashing your system. This may be caused by hardware problems (broken network cables, power-off on the remote participant's computer, etc.) or software problems (another application using the network improperly, General Protection Fault in other applications that makes the system unstable, etc.). Quit Windows as soon as possible and restart your computer.

4. 	Your Internet connection has been broken because of a failure of the devices supporting the connection. If this is not the only path to the user you wish to call, try again.


IRIS Phone does not operate properly.

IRIS Phone is tested and guaranteed to operate correctly with the standard Sound Blaster driver supplied by Microsoft with Windows 3.1 as well as with other commonly used drivers. If you are using a different driver and you have any problems using IRIS Phone, try replacing this driver with the standard one.


IRIS Phone operates in half duplex mode on full duplex sound card.

If you have a full duplex sound card and want IRIS Phone to operate in full duplex mode, you have to check the Allow Full-Duplex Operation checkbox in the Sound Options dialog.

Another reason may be that, at startup, IRIS Phone tests your sound card and checks if it supports full duplex mode. If your sound card is being used by a non-Windows application at that moment, this test will fail and IRIS Phone will operate as if it has detected a half duplex sound card.


The currently played sound stops during IRIS Phone startup.

Since IRIS Phone tests your sound card during startup, it needs the card to be free. If your sound card is being used by another application at that moment, the currently played sound will stop until IRIS Phone completes the test.


The on-line indicators in the User listbox are inadequate.

IRIS Phone updates the User listbox information automatically every half an hour. Yet you can manually update it at any time by choosing F5 or the Refresh Userlist command from the Edit menu. The information will be updated for 3-30 sec depending on the network traffic.


You can place but not receive calls.

You are experiencing packet filtering problems. You need to contact your Internet Service Provider or Network Administrator, and determine if packets addressed to the following ports are "passed through" to IRIS Phone:

     TCP 4970 "inbound" and "outbound"

     UDP 4970 "inbound" and "outbound"

     TCP 4969 "outbound"


Remote parties can hear you, but you cannot hear them.

You are experiencing packet filtering problems. You need to contact your Internet Service Provider or Network Administrator, and determine if packets addressed to the following ports are "passed through" to IRIS Phone:

     TCP 4970 "inbound" and "outbound"

     UDP 4970 "inbound" and "outbound"

     TCP 4969 "outbound"


You cannot broadcast a message to more than a given number of users.

You are probably working over NetBIOS. Increase the number of NetBIOS sessions. Consult your network documentation for details.


Where to Call for Assistance…

Unlisted or unsolved problems

If a problem that has not been listed here occurs in your system or a problem persists after you have acted as described in this Help system, proceed as follows:

1.	Prepare a detailed description of the problem and the situation in which it occurs. Note whether the problem is reproducible.

2.	Print your WIN.INI, SYSTEM.INI, AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, NET.CFG, PROTOCOL.INI and any other configuration files.

3.	Send this information to:

support@irisphone.com

to receive a solution of your problem as soon as possible.

Encountered bugs

If you encounter a bug, please mail to:

bugs@irisphone.com

IRIS Phone registration

If you want to purchase an officially registered IRIS Phone, activate your evaluation account or are interested in IRIS Phone distribution, please contact:

sales@irisphone.com


Glossary

A

Answer

Answering machine

B

Busy

C

Call

Call connection state

Call Processing

Card

Compression

Conversation

D

Default Call Processing

Delay

F

Full duplex conversation mode

H

Hang up

Half duplex conversation mode

Hotkey

I

Idle conversation mode

Internet access

L

Listen conversation mode

Log

M

Mail

Mailbox

Message

Microphone Volume

Mute

O

OGM

On-line User

P

Phonebook

Proceed connection state

R

Ready state

Re-dial state

Register

Remote Participant / Computer

Ring connection state

S

Server

Speaker Volume

System Requirements

T

Talk connection state

Talk conversation mode

Talk Only mode

U

User

Username

V

Voice Activation Level

W

White Pages

White Pages Server


Answer

Accept a call and start a conversation.


Call

Attempt to start a conversation.


Card

The area within the IRIS Phone main window which represents and gives access to the different IRIS Phone functions. The four IRIS Phone cards are: Phonebook, VoiceMail, Converse (Conversation) and Log (event log).


Conversation

Real time voice communication between two IRIS Phone users through the Internet.


Compression

Sound contraction which allows real time voice data transfer over the Internet. The specified value corresponds to the speed of the line over which, with minimum delay (250 msec), the received sound is not choppy or interrupted.

NOTE: The higher the compression ratio (i.e. the smaller the value), the worse the sound quality. Compression over 4800 bps result in hardly understandable sound.


Delay

The time (in milliseconds) IRIS Phone should wait before playing the incoming sound. If IRIS Phone detects a pause in the speech before that time expires, it starts playing the received sound. This option is used when the speed of the connection is so low that the incoming sound is heard interrupted even with maximum compression ratio. The possible settings are between 250 and 6000 msec.


Hang up

Break the connection in order to end a conversation.


Hotkey

A single key or a key combination which activates the application or executes the operation which it illustrates.


Internet access

A user has Internet access when he has TCP/IP protocol stack installed (WinSock.DLL), and his computer is connected to the Internet.


Mail

Message in the Mailbox of an IRIS Phone user.


Mailbox

The place where all received messages are stored.


Message

Voice of an IRIS Phone user recorded and stored by the program and addressed to a specific IRIS Phone user(s).


Server ( White Pages Server)

Centralized data base of all IRIS Phone users that is accessible by any of them through the White Pages.


On-line User

An IRIS Phone user whose IRIS Phone is active. IRIS Phone updates the list of on-line users every half an hour. You can manually update this list by choosing the Refresh Userlist command from the Edit menu (or F5) any time you like. You can also retrieve a list of all currently on-line users by checking the Online users only checkbox in the IRIS White Pages dialog and pressing the Start button. All on-line users are marked by [image] symbol in front of their names.


White Pages

The list of all IRIS Phone users throughout the Internet.


Phonebook

The self-defined list of users which every user builds at his own discretion. Usually, it contains the most frequently called users and those for whom user-specific call processing will be specified. In the White Pages, all users included in the Phonebook are marked by [image] sign in front of their names.


Register

To register an IRIS Phone evaluation copy means to purchase an activation key and activate your IRIS Phone trial version. The registered IRIS Phone copy is fully functional and time unlimited.


Speaker Volume

This is the speakerphone output volume which you can specify only if your sound driver supports software volume control.

NOTE: Volume specified by your volume control program is not valid for IRIS Phone and volume specified in the IRIS Phone program is not valid for any other application.


User

A person who is using IRIS Phone.


Username

The name every IRIS Phone user specifies in the Who Am I dialog with which he is known to the other IRIS Phone users.