Copyright: ® LIPS Software , Inc 1992


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Contents

INTRODUCTION

Lips

Using LIPS

Getting Started

Running LIPS in the background

Recording  Messages

Playing Messages

Posting Messages

Managing Your Messages

Listing Messages

Sound Files

OPTIONS

ABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

Trouble Shooting


Lips

LIPS FOR WINDOWS is the first multimedia software program which allows users to easily add speech and voice messaging to their computer.  LIPS, which stands for Live Interactive Pc Speech, is a very easy to use program for recording and posting a message to any Window running under Microsoft's Windows 3.1.   Now your Word-processing documents, spreadsheets, pictures, and other Windows applications can all speak!


Getting Started

Activating LIPS

Parts of the screen


Activating LIPS

LIPS can be activated by Clicking on the LIPS icon in the LIPS program group.

When LIPS is activated, the LIPS CONTROL WINDOW appears.


Parts of the screen


Running LIPS in the background

RUNNING LIPS MINIMIZED

LIPS needs to stay running during your Windows session so LIPS may automatically play messages that are POSTED.   To get the full benefit

of your Windows display, LIPS can be run MINIMIZED.

To send LIPS to the Background:

1.	Find the MINIMIZE BUTTON located in the upper right hand corner.

2.	Click on the button and LIPS will seem to disappear.

LIPS is running in the background or MINIMIZED.

See also Parts of the screen


Recording  Messages

RECORDING

A message may be recorded to attach to a window immediately, or for use in the future.  Recording in done through the LIPS VOICE RECORDER.

To Record:

1.	Make sure microphone is connected and ready for use.

2.	Click on the RECORD button (lower right of LIPS window)

3.	Say voice message.

You may record longer than the 1 minute allowed in MS WINDOWS 3.1 depending on available RAM and Hard Drive space.

4.	Click STOP button when done

5.	Choose OK if you want to SAVE file.

You are then prompted for a file name.  *NOTE: Only allowable DOS filenames are acceptable.  (8 characters Max. no spaces etc.)*

6.     Type in a name for the file.

7.    Choose OK . The file should appear in the SOUND FILE LIST at left.

To test the message "see also"Playing Messages


Playing Messages

From Main LIPS screen

From Another Application


From Main LIPS screen

•	Select file in box under SOUND FILES by placing the mouse arrow on the name of file (The file name will appear in the box above the list of files.

•	Move the mouse arrow ( cursor ) to the VOICE RECORDER area in the lower right and click on PLAY button.

( See graphic below)


From Another Application

When a message has been attached to a Window screen or program and that screen is activated with LIPS running, The LIPS Message Delivery System Window will appear with a list of messages.

( See graphic below)


Posting Messages

ATTACHING A SOUND TO A WINDOW

LIPS for Windows allows you to have a message attached or posted to an application window.   When that window is later activated, the LIPS message window will pop-up to allow the user to hear the message.  Multiple messages may be recorded to an application window.

To Attach a message to a window:

1.	Save the File / document you want to leave a message in i.e.:

{if you are working in a word processor for Windows, save and name the document before activating LIPS.}

2.	Activate LIPS by Clicking on the LIPS minimized icon at the bottom of the screen. (it looks like a mini LIPS box at bottom Left)

3.	From the LIPS window choose the POST NEW MESSAGES BUTTON (top right).

4.	A message box appears and asks you to select a window with the right mouse button.

5.	Choose OK  to clear message box and RIGHT CLICK on the TITLE BAR of the window you wish to attach sound. {The window name is polled in a blue box at the top right of the LIPS window}.

6.	Confirm by choosing YES or Cancel  by choosing NO. {The attached window name will appear.}

7.	Select a message or sound file from the SOUND FILE LIST.

8.	Click the OK button next to the POSTED NEW MESSAGES BUTTON


Managing Your Messages

Managing Messages

Playing from Posted Message Box

Deleting from Posted Message Box

CLOSING


Managing Messages

Messages can be managed from the POSTED MESSAGE BOX.

To view the POSTED MESSAGE BOX , click on the

POSTED MESSAGE BUTTON.  A Listing of Messages any current messages

will appear.


Playing from Posted Message Box

To play a message from this area :

1.	Select the message to play by clicking on it

2.	Click on the PLAY button found below the message window


Deleting from Posted Message Box

Once you have listened to the message, you may delete the file/message association.  Be sure to choose the correct message before using this function.

To delete a message from the message box:

1.	Select the message to erase by clicking on it

2.	Click on the DELETE button

The file association is deleted. The sound file will still appear in the SOUND FILE LIST.

To leave this area Click on the Cancel Button.

To delete the SOUND FILE also, see


CLOSING

To Close the Posted Message Box:

Click on the Cancel button.

The window will close, returning you to the LIPS recording screen.


Listing Messages

To list messages

see the POSTED MESSAGE BOX


Sound Files

PLAYING SOUND FILES

DELETING SOUND FILES

VIEWING SOUND FILES


PLAYING SOUND FILES

To listen to a sound file :

1.	Go to the LIPS main window

2.	Choose a file listed in the SOUND FILE LIST

3.	Click on the  PLAY Button.


DELETING SOUND FILES

To Delete a sound file:

1.	Go to the LIPS main window

2.	Choose a file listed in the SOUND FILE LIST

3.	Click on the  Delete Button.


VIEWING SOUND FILES

To View a sound file:

1.	Go to the LIPS main window

2.	Look at the Sound File List

3.	If there a many messages, you may view them in alphabetical order by using the SCROLL BAR located to the right of the list.


OPTIONS

OPTION MENU

ACCESS OPTIONS

WINDOWS PROMPTS

JUST PLAY


OPTION MENU

From here you may make selections as to the way LIPS reacts while posting messages or POSTING MESSAGES.


ACCESS OPTIONS

Click on the word OPTIONS at the top left of the LIPS main screen.

A two choice menu will drop down.


WINDOWS PROMPTS

This option allows an advanced user of LIPS to avoid being stepped through the POSTING MESSAGE process.  It is toggled on (check mark) or off by alternately clicking on the words WINDOW PROMPT.


JUST PLAY

When this is option is selected, LIPS will not first notify the user of a POSTED MESSAGE, but play it automatically.  A stop button will appear at the top of the screen to allow the recipient to stop listening to the message playback. Multiple Messages will play in order. This option is toggled on (check mark) or off by alternately clicking on JUST PLAY.


ABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

MULTIPLE MESSAGES

MULTIPLE POSTING WITH SAME MESSAGE

FILE SIZES

RAM

SOUND CARDS

MICROPHONES


MULTIPLE MESSAGES

Multiple messages may be POSTED to an application or application file. This is done by repeatedly posting messages to the same application from POST NEW MESSAGE button.


MULTIPLE POSTING WITH SAME MESSAGE

The same message need not be re-recorded to attach to a separate screen.  After the message is RECORDED, it will appear in the SOUND FILE LIST. Repeat choosing it while POSTING MESSAGES to separate windows applications.


FILE SIZES

LIPS has been tested with many different sound cards for WINDOWS 3.1 compatibility.  The file size mostly returned was 660K per minute recorded at 8 bits, (standard sound card bits).  Those with TRUE 16 bit sound file cards should record at 8 bit to conserve hard drive space.


RAM

Random Access Memory is where programs sit while they are working.  Windows 3.1 recommends 2 megabytes to run properly and LIPS can live with that.  As with all good things in life, and RAM is one of them, the more you have the better!  A computer with 4 megs RAM and the same amount free on the Hard Drive, will allow a message of 7+ minutes. * A pop song is around 3:24, and they can convey many ideas in that time, try to use your messages effectively to save space.


SOUND CARDS

A SOUND CARD is needed to record messages in LIPS.  Any SOUND CARD able to play Windows .wav files is ok.  Make sure the proper DRIVERS are installed for your card.  You can check them by looking in DRIVERS area of the CONTROL PANEL located in the WINDOWS Main Group. If you don't have one,  you may order one from LIPS SOFTWARE INC. (516) 271-6500.


MICROPHONES

If you don't have a microphone, you may order one from LIPS SOFTWARE INC. by Calling (516) 271-6500.  Some local electronic store may also have ones that match you sound card. Consult your sound card manual for its' requirements.


Trouble Shooting

BEFORE YOU CALL

NO SOUND

NO RECORDING

SOUND VOLUME TOO LOW


BEFORE YOU CALL

PLEASE READ TROUBLE SHOOTING Section completely before you call.


NO SOUND

If you have recorded a message into LIPS and cannot hear it upon playback:

Check all cables between your sound card and speakers.

Make sure the volume knob (if any) on the sound card is set to the middle setting,


NO RECORDING

1.	Check all wires and connections

2.	Make sure Windows 3.1 is on your system

3.	Check that the file names are appearing in the SOUND FILE list

4.	If your Mic has an On/Off button on the side- make sure it is ON.


SOUND VOLUME TOO LOW

If your sound card has a volume knob, read the sound cards manual on volume control.


Glossary of Terms

CONTROL WINDOW

DELETE

MINIMIZED

POST NEW MESSAGES BUTTON

POSTED

RIGHT CLICK

SOUND FILE

SOUND FILE LIST

TITLE BAR

VOICE RECORDER


CONTROL WINDOW

The main window from which all of LIPS features are accessed.  It is the first window that is seen when LIPS is activated.


DELETE

Delete allows the user to erase a message file. USE WITH CAUTION.


MINIMIZED

The ability to run a program in the background, giving the user more room to work.  An icon may or may not be seen on the lower part of the screen, dependent on how the windows are arranged.


POST NEW MESSAGES BUTTON

The button on the upper right of the LIPS window. This is where a message gets attached to a window.


POSTED

A message is POSTED when it is attached to a window.  LIPS will notify a user when a message is POSTED to a window.


RIGHT CLICK

On a two or three button mouse, click the button on the Right edge of the mouse.


SOUND FILE

A sound file is a file that contains a recorded message or sound and has the .wav extension.


SOUND FILE LIST

The Sound File list is found on the left side of the LIPS screen.  Sound and messages may be played or deleted from here.


TITLE BAR

The Title Bar is the area to the top of a window which contains the name of the program or file. The name is usually centered.


VOICE RECORDER

The VOICE RECORDER area is located on the main screen of LIPS.