Smarts Broadcast Systems

The SmartTouch provides you with considerable control of your Smartcaster and your air sound from any touch tone phone, anywhere in the world. Even the most complex remotes are possible without the need of having someone "ride the board" back at the studio. Over 100 different remote "templates" can be pre-programmed at the studio prior to the actual event. These templates can then be called onto the air by touch tone command.

A template consists of three different sections that together make up a smooth way to transition into and out of a remote broadcast. The sections are as follows:

Section 1- INTRO. This section, which is actuated from the field by a DTMF tone 1, will play a prerecorded intro, then put the remote telephone over the air.
Section 2- SPOTS. This section, actuated by a DTMF 2 will play a rotation of spots within the remote, starting over on the list when the last spot plays.
Section 3- CLOSE. This section, actuated by a DTMF 4, will play the close, then rejoin the satellite network.

Setting up the template, therefore consists of the following:

Assigning a number (001-999) to the remote. This number will be keyed in from the touch tone phone to "cue up" the proper template for that remote. If your station has a limited number of remotes at any given time, we suggest using identical numbers (i.e. 222, or 333) for your remote number. Having the same number makes it a little easier to recover from losing your place.
Recording an intro, and informing the SmartTouch of the file number for the intro.
Recording the spots (if they are not already present in the Smartcaster), and listing the spots in the spot list section of the SmartTouch software.
Recording the close, and listing it in the close section of the software.

To access the SmartTouch procedure, pick Remotes under the programming window from the main menu.

The first screen that appears is a list of all the remote templates that have been created. The list includes the number of the remote, the file to be played for an intro, the file to be played for a close, the date, and time of the remote, and rotational position of the next spot to be played.

At this point, you may browse through the list of remotes, using the arrow keys and the page up and page down keys on the keyboard.

A menu selection appears at the bottom of this screen. The options are as follows:

F1-Pulls up a help screen to explain how to use this section of the SmartTouch system.
F2-Allows a remote to be added to the list of remotes, or allows for editing of data within the remote, including spot rotation.

When you pick F2, a window will appear in the center of the screen asking for a remote number. Any 3 digit number from 001 through 999 is acceptable. If the number entered is a number of an existing remote, the user will be allowed to edit the remote. If, however, the number is a new remote, the user will have a blank screen to enter new data.

The information needed for the remote is entered in each field in sequence. Once the data is entered in the first field, depressing the down arrow key will advance to the next field. Depressing the up arrow key will move back to the previous field to allow data to be changed.

The header information for the remote includes the following in this order:

Date
Time
Number of the intro audio file
Number of the close audio file
Starting point for the spot rotation

Once this data has been entered, the cursor jumps to the spot rotation window. This is where the actual location of the spots are entered. Type in the five digit spot code and the account name will appear. If the spot you are entering is not yet produced, you get an advisory saying that the spot is not recorded, in place of the name. If that spot is not produced by the time the remote is aired, the spot will simply be skipped. If the entire list of spots is not produced, a fill file will be played when the remote site calls for the spots.

To edit a field, use the arrow keys to highlight the field, then use the backspace to delete the current data.

The full rotation of spots must be placed in this list. If one account is receiving more spots than another, that must be reflected in the list. The SmartTouch will simply play the next one down.

The spots are listed in two columns to maximize the number displayed on a single screen. As more are added, the first spots scroll off the top of the screen. The cursor can be moved to any position, anywhere in the list, using the up and down arrows, or the page up and page down keys. Pressing Insert will move the highlighted spots shown, allowing another spot to be inserted in that position. Likewise, pressing Delete will delete the highlighted spot.

When the entire spot rotation list is entered, pressing ESC will save any changes you have made and return you to the previous menu.

F3 Deletes a remote from the remote list.

F4 Allows for the operator to access manually the remote rotation of spots, to make it easier to play spots within ballgames or other programs that require a sponsorship rotation. This means that you actually can use this section of the programming as a modified live assist module, without the need of automating the remote. Once in this mode, the function keys correspond to the keys on a touch tone pad. F1 performs the same function as touch tone 1, etc.

Once that process is finished, operation of the Smartcaster from the remote site can be accomplished with simple touch tone commands. There are eight different commands currently supported, with room for future expansion. In addition, the timing of the commands is significant. The SmartTouch has a "hookup" phase that connects the remote phone to the Smartcaster, and loads the correct template, and an "on-air" phase when the actual broadcast occurs. Touch tone commands function differently in the two phases.

To exit from this menu, simply press ESC

Next, learn about Calling Into the SmartTouch.

Feel free to call the support line if you have any questions or comments about this, or any other problems with the Smartcaster. Our support line is 800-765-2930, our fax number is 800-498-0618, and our email address is support@smartsbroadcast.com.

Back to the SmartTouch Manual Page.

Back to the Smartcaster Support Page.