Audio Caller ID Software Screen Shots

≡	Audio Caller ID

Audio Caller ID is very easy to use, normally requiring no user setup. Just download and install the program, and you'll be in control of your phone calls.

The following screen shots show the main application window, and all of the option pages. The main window is divided into a current call pane, and a call log section. The call log display can be turned on/off. The following image shows the main window:

Main Window

New calls will have a green icon, while old calls will have a gray icon. You can right click on a call to perform call specific actions, or choose the command from the menu or toolbar. When no call is currently select the current call pane will show the number of total calls, and the number of new calls. You can sort the call log by any of the columns, by just clicking on that column's header.

By choosing "File/Options..." from the main menu you can adjust all the program options as shown in these screen shots:

Startup Options Dialog

Audio Caller ID can be configured here to automatically start whenever you turn on your computer. You can also adjust whether the window starts up hidden to the system task tray or displayed normally. Audio Caller ID will always display an icon in the system task tray, indicating the number of new calls.

Modems Options Dialog

With the Modems options you choose which modems to monitor for incoming calls, and which modem to use for returning calls. Audio Caller ID uses TAPI to access your modem, so it can still be used by other TAPI applications at the same time. You must have at least one modem installed to use Audio Caller ID. The modem must support caller ID. Nearly all modems built within the last 15 years support caller ID. You will also want to make sure you have installed the latest modem driver from your modem's manufacturer.

Display Options Dialog

This dialog allows you to adjust the font style and color for each section in the current call pane. You can also adjust the background color.

Publish Options Dialog

Use this dialog to enable and adjust the settings for publishing your call log to a web site. When this feature is enabled, your call log gets published to the web whenever a new call comes in. This way you can see who has called even when you're away from home. Here is a sample call log.

Email Options Dialog

Audio Caller ID can send you e-mail whenever specified calls come in. Using this dialog you can specify which calls you want to be e-mailed about. You can be notified of all, none, all except those in the list, or only those in the list. Choose the Email Properties... button to specify your email address, and what information is sent in the email. The Email Properties dialog is shown here:

Email Properties Dialog

Use the <Name>, <Number>, and <Time> keywords to insert call information into your email.

Block Calls Options Dialog

Add callers to this list, that you wish to block in the future. When using the blocked calls feature your modem will pick up the line as soon as caller ID information becomes available, and a match with an entry in your blocked calls list is determined. In the US, the caller ID information becomes available between the first and second rings. Once your modem picks up the line it will start making high pitched sounds, as if it were trying to connect to another modem. After the specified number of seconds the call will be ended.

This means "blocked" calls will still ring once or twice before the call is blocked. Also, when using this feature you may want to turn off or lower the volume on your modem's speaker. To adjust the modem's speaker go into "Control Panel", select "Phone and Modem Options", choose the "Modems" tab, select your modem, and choose the "Properties" button.

Blocked calls will not be announced, nor will the main window be brought to the foreground. Blocked calls will still be placed in the call log.

Tip: An easy way to add a call to the blocked call list is by right clicking on a call in the log, and select "Block Call…" from the popup menu.

Other Options Dialog

This dialog allows you to specify how long calls should be stored in your call log, and whether or not the main Audio Caller ID window should be brought to the foreground when a call comes in. Audio Caller ID can also display the incoming call in a balloon tool tip down in your task tray. When a call comes in you can configure the list view to display how many times this caller has called "recently".

Audio Options Dialog

Use this dialog to enable and set the options for announcing incoming calls. By default Audio Caller ID uses a Text To Speech (TTS) engine to announce incoming callers. You can install new voices and text to speech engines. For pointers to some freely available TTS engines/voices visit our text to speech page.

In addition to TTS you can also record your own sound clips, and assign them to be played for specific callers. Use the Alias feature to assign your own sound clips, or change the text that is announced for specific callers.

Choose the "Announcement..." button to specify how the caller is announced when using the Text To Speech engine:

announcement

Aliases Options Dialog

Use this dialog to manage aliases. Aliases allow you to change the way a name/number is displayed and/or announced. They also allow you to specify a picture to display for an incoming call. You can assign alternative text for an original name/number. You can also assign an audio clip to be played for an original name/number. Using 2 aliases you can assign both alternative text and an audio clip. The following dialog shows the Alias Properties dialog that you will see when choosing the "New..." or "Edit..." buttons:

Aliases Properties Dialog

The "Display/Speak Alternate Name" alias type will substitute the original name with the text you specify here. The alternate text will be used in the display of the name, and will also be used when using the Text To Speech engine for announcing incoming calls.

The "Announce Using Sound Clip" alias type will play an audio clip when this call comes in. The audio clip can be any .WAV, .MP3, or .WMA file. You can either Browse… to find an existing audio clip, or press Record… to have Audio Caller ID walk you through creating a new audio clip. A microphone is required in order to record your own audio clips. Press the Test button to play the currently selected sound file.

The "Display Picture" option allows you to specify an image to display for this caller. The image is displayed on the right side of the current call pane.

Tip: An easy way to create an alias is by right clicking on a call in the log, and select "Create Alias…" from the popup menu. This will fill in the Name/Number fields with the information from that call, and allow you to assign the alias properties.

You can evaluate Audio Caller ID for free by obtaining a copy from the download page. On the support page there are some additional helpful techniques and related links. After evaluation of the program, go to the purchase page to obtain a license.

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