Configuring Biamp’s Dialer Application
INTRODUCTION
Biamp now offers an app for Apple® iPad®/iPhone®/iPod touch®which allows you to wirelessly control an AudiaFLEX or a
Nexia TC installed in a teleconferencing application. The app is available through Apple’s App Store℠. If you are familiar with
Audia® and/or Nexia® and are looking to get started quickly, follow the Quick Start Guide instructions on this page. In-depth
documentation and troubleshooting steps are available on pages 2-6.
QUICK START GUIDE
CONFIGURE THE DEVICE’S WI-FI SETTINGS
Your iPad/iPhone/iPod touch needs to be able to communicate with the Audia or Nexia over a wireless network. In the Settings app on your device, select the appropriate Wi-Fi network. If the Wi-Fi network doesn’t provide IP addresses automatically (DHCP), you may need to assign a static IP address. Both the network chosen and the IP address assigned to your device must be accessible to the Audia or Nexia.
CREATE A NEW ROOM
Open the dialer app, and press the wrench icon to select the Setup page. Click the “Add Room” button to create a new room. In the room’s settings, configure the following fields:
Room
Name - A descriptive name for the room.
Interface - If connecting to an Audia, choose whether you are using a TI-2 card (analog) or a VoIP-2 card (VoIP). For Nexia, always choose TI-2.
IP Address - The IP address of the Audia/Nexia. If there are multiple devices in the system, you can use any device.
Dialer Block or VoIP Console Block
Device ID - The Unit number to which the TI-2 Dialer block or VoIP-2 Console block is allocated. Instance ID - The Instance ID (or Instance ID Tag) of the TI-2 Dialer block or VoIP-2 Console block. Line Number - For VoIP-2 cards only, enter the line number you want to use.
Prefix (optional)
Prefixes allow you to define digits which will be dialed before the phone number is dialed. This is sometimes useful if, for instance, you always need to dial a 9 to get an outside line. Prefixes are optional and these fields can be left blank. Prefix Number - The number(s) to be dialed before making a call.
Threshold Min - The minimum phone number length to which the prefix will be applied. Threshold Max - The maximum phone number length to which the prefix will be applied.
Transmit/Receive Level Control (optional)
The app allows you to control up to two level control blocks in the Audia/Nexia system. By default, they are labeled “Transmit” and “Receive”, but the labels can be customized. Level controls are optional and these fields can be left blank. Label - The text which will appear below the level control.
Device ID - The Unit number to which the level control block is allocated. Instance ID - The Instance ID (or Instance ID Tag) of the level control block. Channel - The channel number of the level control block.
Logic Meter (optional)
A logic meter allows the app to detect incoming calls. The logic meter must be connected to the Ring (RI) logic output on the VoIP Console block or TI-2 Receive block. The logic meter is optional and these fields can be left blank.
Device ID - The Unit number to which the logic meter is allocated. Instance ID - The Instance ID (or Instance ID Tag) of the logic meter block.
CONNECT TO THE ROOM AND MAKE A TEST CALL
CONFIGURING THE IPAD / IPHONE / IPOD TOUCH
SETTING UP WI-FI CONNECTION
Your iPad/iPhone/iPod touch needs to be able to communicate with the Audia or Nexia over a wireless network. If the network that your Audia/Nexia is connected to is not accessible via an existing wireless network, you may need to install a wireless router to facilitate this communication.
Once the wireless network is in place, open the Settings app on your iPad/iPhone/iPod touch and select the appropriate Wi-Fi network. If the wireless network doesn’t provide IP addresses automatically via DHCP, you may need to assign a static IP address. The IP address assigned to your iPad/iPhone/iPod touch must be accessible to the Audia/Nexia. Contact your IT administrator for assistance with selecting the correct network and obtaining an appropriate IP address.
BIAMP DIALER APP - SETUP PAGE
The dialer app needs some information about your Audia/Nexia system before it can connect and control it. This information is entered on the Setup page of the app. You can access the Setup page on an iPad by pressing the wrench icon. On an iPhone or iPod touch, you can access the Setup page by going to the Rooms page and pressing the Setup button in the upper right corner.
The dialer app is capable of connecting to multiple Audia/Nexia systems, but it can only connect to one room at a time. If there are multiple rooms or multiple systems that the app will connect to, each room can be configured separately in the Setup page. If there is not already a room defined in the Setup page, press the “Add Room” button to start a new room. Each room consists of the following settings:
ROOM
The first pieces of information that the app needs are the name of the room, the type of phone line being used, and the IP address of the Audia/Nexia device. All of these fields are required.
Name - The room’s name. If multiple rooms are defined, you will be able to identify them by this name.
Interface - Choose whether this room uses an analog phone line or a digital (VoIP) phone line. If it uses an analog phone line, choose TI-2. For digital, choose VoIP-2. If you’re using a Nexia TC, always choose TI-2.
IP Address - The IP address of the Audia/Nexia which the app will control. If multiple Audias/Nexias participate in thesystem, you may enter the IP address of any of the devices.
DIALER BLOCK OR VOIP CONSOLE BLOCK
Next, the app needs to know some information about the dialer block associated with your telephone interface. All of these fields are required.
Device ID - The Unit number to which the dialer block is allocated. If the Interface is set to TI-2, this will be the TI-2 Dialer block (for AudiaFlex) or the TC Dialer block (for Nexia). If the Interface is set to VoIP-2, this will be the VoIP Console block. See page 5 for instructions on how to obtain the device ID of a block.
Instance ID - The Instance ID of the dialer block. You may alternatively use the Instance ID tag of the block instead of the numeric ID. If the Interface is set to TI-2, this will be the TI-2 Dialer block (for AudiaFlex) or the TC Dialer block (for Nexia). If the Interface is set to VoIP-2, this will be the VoIP Console block. See page 5 for instructions on how to obtain the instance ID of a block.PREFIX (optional)
Configuring a prefix allows you define digit(s) which will always be dialed before the phone number is dialed. For instance, if your phone system always requires you to dial a 9 to call using an outside line, it may be more convenient to add the 9 as a prefix rather than having to remember to add a 9 before every number you dial.
Additionally, consider that iPad/iPhone contacts are generally stored in the format (123) 456-7890. When dialing a number from a contact entry, the only way to add required numbers before the stored contact number is by assigning a prefix. For instance, if you need to dial 9 for an outside line and then 1 before the area code, set the prefix number to 91.
You may want the prefix to be applied to some numbers but not others. For instance, the prefix may not be required for dialing an internal extension, even though it is required for dialing an external number. And, the prefix might not be desired when making an international call. In these situations, you can define a minimum and maximum prefix threshold. If the number of digits in the phone number is less than the minimum threshold or
more than the maximum threshold, the prefix will not be applied.
The prefix feature is optional and all fields can be left blank. When using the prefix feature, it is not required to specify both a minimum and a maximum.
Prefix Number - The number(s) to be dialed before making a call.
Threshold Min - The minimum phone number length to which theprefix will be applied.
Threshold Max - The maximum phone number length to which the prefix will be applied.TRANSMIT/RECEIVE LEVEL CONTROLS (optional)
The dialer app allows you to control up to two level controls in your Audia/Nexia system. By default, they are labeled transmit and receive but their labels can be customized. Both level controls are optional, their fields can be left blank. If any required fields are left blank, the volume up/down and mute buttons will be hidden when you connect to the room. The dialer app can only control Level Control blocks in your Audia/Nexia file (i.e. it cannot control input blocks, mixer blocks, etc).
Label - A descriptive label for the level control. This text will appear below the fader when you connect to theroom.
Device ID - The Unit number to which the Level Control block is allocated. See page 5 for instructions on how to obtain the device ID of a block.
Instance ID - The Instance ID of the Level Control block. You may alternatively use the Instance ID tag of the block instead of the numeric ID. See page 5 for instructions on how to obtain the instance ID of a block.
Channel - The channel number of the Level Control block that you want to control. For a single-channel LevelControl block, the channel number will always be 1.
LOGIC METER (optional)
The dialer app has the capability of detecting incoming phone calls and alerting the user. To use this feature, your Audia/Nexia file must include a Logic Meter block which is connected to the appropriate “Ring” logic output. For an analog phone system (TI-2, Nexia TC) , the Ring logic output will be located on the bottom of the Receive block, labeled “RI”. For a VoIP phone system, the Ring logic output will be located on the bottom of the VoIP Console block, labeled either “RI1” or “RI2” (for lines 1 and 2). The Logic Meter must always be a single-channel block. See Figure 3.
Device ID - The Unit number to which the Logic Meter block is allocated. See page 5 for instructions on how to obtain the device ID of a block.
Instance ID - The Instance ID of the Logic Meter block. You may alternatively use the Instance ID tag of the block instead of the numeric ID. See page 5 for instructions on how to obtain the instance ID of a block.PRESETS (optional)
The dialer app can optionally be configured to recall presets that have been programmed in the Audia/Nexia system. At the top of the Room Setup page, select the “Room Presets” tab. Click on “Add Preset” to add a new preset. See Figure 4.
Name - A descriptive label for the preset. The name entered here does not need to match the name of the preset in Audia/Nexia.
Value - The number of the preset in your Audia/Nexia file. Presetnumbers start at 1001. See page 5 for instructions on how to obtain the preset number of a preset.
Figure 3 - Logic meters connected to the Ring logic output on both a TI-2 receive block and a
VoIP Console block.
Figure 4 - Room Presets tab of the Setup page on an iPad.
Figure 2 - A typical prefix setting. Before each call, a 9 will be dialed to get an outside line, then
a 1 before the area code, and then the phone number. The prefix will only be applied to numbers
BIAMP DIALER APP - CONTACTS PAGE
The dialer app provides several methods for storing phone numbers, and dialing from a contact list instead of typing in the phone number manually. Access the Contacts page on an iPad by pressing the Contacts button or on an iPhone/iPod touch by pressing the Contacts button at the bottom of the screen. There are three different kinds of contacts:
APP CONTACTS
The dialer app can store its own contacts which are only accessible to the app. The contacts can be internal extensions or external numbers. On the App Contacts page you can add new contacts or dial existing contacts simply by pressing them.
IPAD/IPHONE CONTACTS
The dialer app also has the capability of accessing the iPad/iPhone’s contact list. This contact list is managed by Apple’s “Contacts” app.
RECENT CONTACTS
Additionally, the dialer app will keep a list of recently called numbers. Press any of these numbers to redial them.
A REMINDER ABOUT PREFIXES
The prefix feature (described earlier under the Setup page instructions) allows you to automatically insert numbers before the phone number to be dialed. When dialing from contacts, this feature can be especially useful. For instance, iPad/iPhone contacts are generally stored in the form (123) 456-7890. However, your phone system may require you to dial a 9 to get an outside line, and then dial a 1 before the area code. When dialing from a contact, the only ways to insert these digits are to store the contact with those extra digits, or to specify a prefix.
BIAMP DIALER APP - DIAL PAD PAGE
The Dial Pad page is where you can make new phone calls, and it is the page which is displayed when you are on an active phone call. Access the Dial Pad page by pressing the Dial Pad button.
If you’re not currently connected to a room, the dial pad will be disabled. To connect to a room on an iPad, press the drop down menu at the top of the page (labeled “Select current room…”) and choose a room. On an iPhone or iPod touch, press the “Rooms” button and choose a room.
To make a call, simply dial the number and press the “Call” button. The app will then go into Live Call mode, and you can press the “End Call” button to hang up the phone.
RECEIVING INCOMING CALLS
The dialer app can be used to receive incoming calls. The way the app responds to incoming calls differs depending on whether a Logic Meter has been configured for the current room (see “Logic Meter” on page 3).
If a Logic Meter has been configured, the app will pop up an “Incoming Call” dialog when the phone is ringing. From there, you can choose to accept the call or ignore it.
If a Logic Meter has not been configured, the app is not able to detect incoming calls. However, by default the Audia/Nexia will generate a ringtone out of the speakers when there is an incoming call. If you hear this ringtone, you can simply press the “Call” button to pick up the line.
LEVEL CONTROL & MUTE
On the iPad version of the app, up to two level controls and mute buttons can appear on the Dial Pad page if they are configured for the room. By default, they are labeled “Transmit” and “Receive”, but the labels can be customized during room setup. The number displayed by the level control indicates the current dBu value for the level control.
On the iPhone/iPod touch version of the app, level controls are displayed on their own “Levels” page.
PRESET RECALL
CONFIGURING AUDIA/NEXIA FOR THE DIALER APP
Your Audia/Nexia file should be correctly configured to ensure that the dialer app can effectively communicate with it. Below are some considerations for your Audia/Nexia networking settings and configuration file. All tasks described on this page are performed in either Audia or Nexia software.
NETWORKING SETTINGS
The IP address assigned to your Audia/Nexia must be accessible to the iPad/iPhone/iPod touch which is to control it. There are two ways to set the IP addresses such that they are accessible to one another over the network.
The first way is to set the Audia/Nexia IP address in the same subnet as the iPad/iPhone/iPod touch. For instance, an AudiaFlex with an IP of 192.168.1.101 and an iPad with an IP of 192.168.1.120 are accessible to each other.
If the IP addresses are not in the same subnet, then they must be able to send their communications through a gateway to get routed to the other device. In this case, it’s imperative that the Audia/Nexia has a valid Default Gateway specified in its networking settings. For instance, an AudiaFlex with an IP of 10.1.1.100 cannot communicate directly to an iPad with an IP of 10.2.1.100. But, as long as they both have a valid Default Gateway specified, the network will route their communications between subnets.
To change the networking settings on an Audia/Nexia, navigate to Device Maintenance (File—>Network—>Perform Audia/ Nexia Device Maintenance) and click on “Set IP Address”.
IDENTIFYING DEVICE ID & INSTANCE ID
In order to set up a room in the dialer app, you must be able to determine the Device ID and Instance ID of several blocks in your file. Both of these settings can be found in the Property Sheet for any block. To open the Property Sheet, right-click on a block and select “Properties…”. Then, select the “DSP Attributes 1” tab within the Properties sheet. The Device ID of the block will be displayed under “Allocated To Unit” and the Instance ID will be displayed under “Instance ID”. You may also specify an Instance ID Tag here and use it in the app in place of the Instance ID. See Figure 5.
You can only open the Property Sheet while you’re not connected to the system. However, to find the Instance ID of a block while you are connected to the system hold down Ctrl-A and click on a block. The Instance ID will be displayed in the extreme bottom-left corner of the screen. See Figure 6.
LOGIC METER
The dialer app has the capability of detecting incoming phone calls and alerting the user. To use this feature, your Audia/Nexia file must include a Logic Meter block which is connected to the appropriate “Ring” logic output. For an analog phone system (TI-2, Nexia TC) , the Ring logic output will be located on the bottom of the Receive block, labeled “RI”. For a VoIP phone system, the Ring logic output will be located on the bottom of the VoIP Console block, labeled either “RI1” or “RI2” (for lines 1 and 2). The Logic Meter must always be a single-channel block. See Figure 3 on page 3.
IDENTIFYING PRESET NUMBERS
If your Audia/Nexia file includes presets which you’d like to recall from the dialer app, you will need to identify the preset numbers of each preset. To do this, go to the Presets menu in Audia/Nexia software and select “Recall”. Find the preset(s) you’d like to recall and note the Preset ID of each one. The Preset ID is what must be entered into the dialer app’s Preset Value field. See Figure 7.
Figure 5 - The Property Sheet showing a block with Instance ID 19
and Device ID 2.
Figure 7 - The Recall Preset window from Audia/Nexia software. This system has four presets with ID’s 1001-1004. See also Figure 3 on page 3 for a view of
the corresponding Room Presets page on an iPad.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem
Possible Resolutions
I’m getting the error: “Unable to connect to Audia/Nexia” when trying to connect to a room.
Indicates a network problem. Is IP address correctly entered in Room Setup? Is the Audia/Nexia IP accessible to your device (see “Networking Settings”, page 5)? Is the iPad/iPhone/iPod touch connected to the correct Wi-Fi network, and obtaining an appropriate IP address automatically? I’m getting the error: “Room
configuration is invalid. Please contact your system administrator” when trying to connect to a room.
Indicates that a required field in Room Setup is either missing or incorrect. Double-check all non-optional fields in the Setup page for that room. See “Biamp Dialer App - Setup Page” on page 2.
The dial pad is grayed out and I can’t
make a call. Indicates that the dialer app is not currently connected to a room. You must connect to a room before you can make a call. See “Biamp Dialer App - Dial Pad Page” on page 4.
I’m getting the error: “Unable to recall
preset” when trying to recall a preset. Indicates that the preset you’re trying to recall may not exist. Double-check preset settings in the Room Presets page, see “Presets” on page 3. One or both of my level controls don’t
appear when I’m connected to a room. Indicates that a field in the Level Control section of the Room Setup page is either empty or incorrect. See “Transmit/Receive Level Controls“ on page 3. Dialing from contacts doesn’t work; the
call doesn’t go through or I get a busy tone.
May indicate that your phone system requires a prefix. See “Prefix” on page 3.
The app doesn’t detect incoming calls. Indicates that a Logic Meter may not be configured, or is configured incorrectly. See “Logic Meter” on page 3.
I can’t make multiple calls at the same time, or connect to multiple rooms at the same time.
