Glossary of Terms

ADR

Application Data Record (ADR). A summary of information relating to a particular application run. ADRs can be retrieved for individual application runs by using the application_status web service. For UAS Applications, ADRs for recent failed applications can be accessed via the UAS Management Console.

API Access Key

A generated key to access the REST, UAS and Web Service APIs. See the Authentication guide page.

Application

An application you can write using either the UAS or the REST APIs. The application conforms to certain simple rules that control the call logic and media processing. An Application is either Inbound or Outbound depending on whether its primary purpose is to manage an inbound or outbound call. It can be configured to make additional outbound calls, see Extra Channel.

ASR

See SR

Cloud ID

An identifier for a specific cloud region. A Cloud ID has three digit format where the first digit identifies the region, for example, "0-2-0" for the Europe cloud, "1-2-0" for the US East cloud.

Cloud Region

Aculab Cloud maintains a number of cloud regions on physical servers around the world. For low-latency it is advisable to use the region that is geographically closest to your customers. Each region is identified by a Cloud ID.

Cloud Console

The website where you can log in and manage your Aculab Cloud account. Allows you to view documents, upload media files, configure inbound and outbound service names and much more!

Cloud Console Password

Used to login to an account on the Cloud Console. See the Authentication guide page.

Companding

A method of mitigating the detrimental effects of a channel with limited dynamic range.

Dashboard

A table of useful information relating to your account presented on the Cloud Console, available after logging into your account.

Developer PIN code

This is a unique eight-digit code which is assigned to your Aculab Cloud account on signup and is used in your Developer Inbound Service Name. You are asked to enter this number when dialling one of the Developer Telephone numbers.

Daemon

On Linux platforms, a daemon is a type of application which runs in the background, allowing the user to continue using the console on which the application was executed. The UAS can be launched as a daemon in Python.

Developer Inbound Service Name

The inbound service that is invoked when a Developer Telephone Number is called, and your Developer PIN code is entered correctly. It always begins with sip:-- followed by your PIN. There is one per account.

Developer Telephone Numbers

These are telephone numbers provided for you to call your Developer Inbound Service Name. Your call is answered by our automated system which prompts you for your Developer PIN code. If the entered code matches to a record on our database, your call is forwarded to the Developer Inbound Service Name.

DTMF

Dual Tone-Multi Frequency (DTMF). A term for encoding key presses on a phone into distinct tones, which are then interpreted on the receiving end.

Extra Channel

By default, an application handles a single primary call channel. The service invoking the application can be configured to allow extra outgoing call channels to be used.

Inbound Call

A call initiated by a customer into the Aculab Cloud.

Inbound Service Name

An identifier that is unique across the Cloud and points to your Applications. You can have many Inbound Service Names registered to your account, that may each point to a different Application. An inbound call destined for one of your Inbound Service Names will activate the Application for that service.

JSON

JavaScript Object Notation is a commonly used data-interchange format, commonly used in web development due to it being easy to read and write for both humans and computers. For more information visit json.org

Media Files

Wav files that you have provided to be played to a caller, or that have been recorded by an application. Files can be uploaded, downloaded, deleted, copied and moved within the Aculab Cloud via the Cloud Console, Web Services API or Applications.

Outbound Call

A call initiated by the Aculab Cloud at the request of an Application.

Outbound Service Name

An identifier that is unique within your account and points to one of your Applications. You can have many Outbound Service Names, that may point to different Applications. A Web Services Application invokes one of your Outbound Service Names that will activate the Application for that service.

Outbound Service Password

See the Authentication guide page.

PSTN

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A worldwide network of hardware-based telephone exchanges. Used whenever a landline or mobile/cell phone dials another.

Registered Address

When purchasing telephone numbers in some countries, regulations require provision of a registered address. Usually you will need to provide documentary proof of ownership of an address to be used in this way. Supplied documentation will be validated which may take a few days.

REST Application

An application you can write that is hosted on your web server. The application conforms to certain simple rules that control the call logic and media processing. An Application is either Inbound or Outbound depending on whether its primary purpose is to manage an inbound or outbound call. It can be configured to make additional outbound calls, see Extra Channel.

RTP

Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP). A communication protocol used to deliver audio and video streams over the Internet. Usually used in conjunction with SIP.

SIP

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A software-based communication protocol. Using SIP allows the user to make calls over the Internet, usually for free. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones commonly use SIP. There are also many products that make SIP calls possible on PCs, Macs and Smart phones.

SMS

Short Message Service, commonly referred to as "text messaging," is a service for sending short messages of up to 160 characters to mobile devices. See the Messaging page.

MMS

Multimedia Messaging Service, is a service for sending messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile devices. MMS extends SMS by allowing text messages greater than 160 characters long and supports a variety of media, including video, an image, and audio. See the Messaging page.

SR

(Automatic) Speech Recognition. Aculab Cloud SR can recognise words spoken naturally (whether as a single word, a short phrase, or a longer sentence). See the Speech Recognition page.

SV

Speaker Verification. SV verifies a user by comparing a sample of their voice against a previously trained voice model. See the Voice Biometrics page.

TTS

Text-To-Speech (TTS). Allows an application to speak pre-determined text to a phone call. See the Text-To-Speech page.

UAS

User Application Server (UAS). A Windows service or Linux daemon running on a platform controlled by you. It runs your UAS Application when one of your services is invoked.

UAS Application

An application you can write and install into your UAS. The application conforms to certain simple rules that control the call logic and media processing. A UAS Application is either Inbound or Outbound depending on whether its primary purpose is to manage an inbound or outbound call. It can be configured to make additional outbound calls, see Extra Channel.

UAS Management Console

Also known as the Management Console. This is the web service that gives you access to manage your UAS machine. It can be found on port 38000 of your local machine, accessible by your web browser.

User Group

A named group in which access keys for the Voice Biometric User API can be created and users can be registered for voice biometric verification.

User Group Key

A generated key to access the Voice Biometric User API for speaker verification. See the Authentication guide page.

Voice Biometrics

Our voices have characteristics determined by the size and shape of our mouths and throats. The languages we speak, and the pitch and speed of talking also shape our voices. Voice Biometrics is the technology that analyses a user's unique voice and compares it with a trained voice model to determine if it is the same user.

WebRTC

Web Real-Time Communication is a collection of communications protocols and application programming interfaces that enable real-time communication over peer-to-peer connections

WebRTC Access Key

A generated key to access the WebRTC API. See the Authentication guide page.

WS API

The Web Services Application Programming Interface (WS API). This is a collection web services that allow you to start outbound services, manage SMS messaging, provide voice features such as speaker verification (SV) and perform various management tasks on your Aculab Cloud account. See the Voice, Fax and SMS Management page.

WS Application

Web Services (WS) Application. A program that uses the WS API to invoke your outbound services and/or manage your media files on the Aculab Cloud.