Recorder and archiver of voice information "Atropos-SB"

ver.2005.05.25 (1.18 MB)

"Atropos-SB" is a multi-channel system to record and archive sound. The system records sound data (such as, speech, discussions, telephonic conversation, etc.) received through microphone, telephone, voice modem, radio stations or others sources of recordable sound and stores the data on personal computer in the digital format. It also enables reproduction of the sound files.

The recorded sound and its associated information is kept in the database. It is possible to
browse through the database and play recorded sound, while other sound is being recorded.The database does not occupy much of your PC's precious hard disc space. Essentially, the Voice Activated System recording (which starts only when the sound signal is detected) and the sound compression algorithms reduce the required disk space size.

Mouse clicking is just enough to perform the system operations. The keyboard is required for the entry of text comments only. The database of recorded sound data is quite easy to work with. It offers convenient options of sorting, filtering and searching the record, such as; filtration of records by a channel number, by a date, by a start moment of record or by text comments. Textual comments can be associated with each database record. The database access control and protection is possible with the available option of password protection system.

The program runs in the background mode and loads the processor almost negligibly. For example, while recording on an AMD K6 300 MHz power processor with 2 channels, it loads less than 10%. So, your computer can operate without overloading concerns.

Atropos-SB this is:

• Phone logger. Connect your office/home telephone to a channel of the system. 24 hours a
  day, 7 days a week and you will BE ABLE to record ALL telephone talks along with the
  relevant information (such as, talk time and length). Connect a microphone to another channel, then, record and log all telephonic conversations, round the clock. If two
  telephone connections are available at your installation, then you may connect both the telephone lines to the system.

• Automatic secretary. Use the system as an Automatic secretary to record the talks or discussions in the meetings/conferences. You can file the recordings with timing details for each sound fragment!

• Voice notebook. Use the system as a voice notebook. You can record messages through the microphone. The system will activate itself with the detection of your voice (thanks to the built-in Voice Activated recording system) and will save the message along with the traceability of time.

What you need for working with "Atropos-SB"

First of all, you need a computer, equipped with a sound card. A Full Duplex card is recommended - it facilitates simultaneous playing and recording of sound data. If you have bought your PC recently, most probably, it has exactly such a card. If not, then it is advisable to buy one of its kind. Full Duplex cards are readily available in the market at a reasonably low cost. The system "Atropos-SB" can work with sound cards of old versions, but with the lack of ability to record and play simultaneously. Depending on your applications,
this may not suit your needs. Hence, it is strongly recommended to install a Full Duplex sound card.

If you plan to use "Atropos-SB" system as 1-channel voice notebook, it is necessary to connect only the microphone to the sound card and set the mode for 1-channel.

To use 2 channels, install simplest "Stereo - 2xMono" connector. If you want to use a microphone in 2-channel mode, it must have a primary amplifier of 250 mV.

If your telephone has a line output, the sound card can be connected to it straightaway. If your computer is equipped with a modem, you may take its audio output signal (most of the new generation modems offer this feature).

It is possible to use special adapter for working with telephone line. Such adapter should match external sources of sound signal (telephone, radio station and etc.) with the sound card (see ReadMe.TXT).

ATTENTION!!! Don't connect a telephone line to the computer straight. Overtwise damaging of your computer is possible!

 Main technical features of "Atropos-SB"

• Maximum number of independent channels - up to 16;
• Data storage method - digital;
• Option to set up method and degrees of compression for each channel, independently;
• Band of recorded and reproducible signal - 200..3600 Hz;
• Individual level of regulation for activation of automatic recording system for each channel;
• Computer screen display for the channel activity (active/passive, peak signal level, oscilloscope);
• The database functions and features include the following:
  1) automatic earmarking date and time for each record;
  2) text comments for each record;
  3) records filtration and search by various keys such as; channel number, date, zero time of record, duration or even by comment;
  
• Playing any recording (group of records); for a particular record, it is possible to search required fragment (by using "rewinding forward/backward");
• Export of selected records as standard wav-files;
• System activity reports generation for a given time interval;
• Possibility to work with the database without interrupting on going recording;
• Hierarchical systems of the data storage/archiving;
• Password protection for the recorded data against the unauthorized access;
• Mode – continuous/non-stop, round-the-clock;
• Loading paradigm : Celeron 600 MHz processor by 2 channels recording - less 3%.

Compression method	Informat.flow (KB/s)	Records duration on 100 MB (hours)
PCM 8KHz	8	3.55
CyTeG SMP	0.5-6	56.8-7.73
Microsoft ADPCM 4KB/s	4	7.1
GSM 6.10	1	28.4
Microsoft MPEG Layer-3 2KB/s	2	14.2
Microsoft MPEG Layer-3 1KB/s	1	28.4

Personal computer requirements:

• processor - Pentium-100;
• OS - Windows 95(OSR-2)/98/ME/NT/2000/XP;
• sound card (Full Duplex card recommended).