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mod_dptools: file_string

0. About​

mod_dptools: file_string is a useful way of specifying multiple sound files to be played or written sequentially. It is a convenience feature.

1. Rationale​

The idea behind file_string is simple: when you have multiple sound files to play sequentially, especially when there are many of them, it is convenient to be able to specify all of those files before initiating the playback.

When access to a file fails (either by trying to read it, or write into it), that file is skipped, and the next filename in the list is processed.

2. Usage​

There are two methods of using file_string:

  • high level, core most functions that use switch_ivr_playback()
    TODO Does switch_ivr_playback() refers to mod_dptools: playback (because all the examples below are using that), but it is just referring to the C function playback relies on?
    TODO Below, switch_ivr_play_file is mentioned. I assume it's referring to the same function as switch_ivr_playback . Figure out from source.
  • low level, code that uses direct file handles

You can set up to 128 files in the list.

2.1 High level method​

mod_dptools: playback uses file_string internally, and the example below shows how:

TODO What other modules are using file_string internally?

  <!-- Delimiter is set by a var which also enables the parser -->
  <action application="set" data="playback_delimiter=!"/>
  <action application="set" data="playback_sleep_val=500"/>
  <action application="playback" data="/ram/sr8k.wav!/ram/swimp.wav"/>

See Channel Variables Catalog to learn more about the channel variables playback_delimiter and playback_sleep_val .

2.2 Low level method​

The low level method defines its own file_string:// URI scheme, and the examples below show how to use it exactly.

When using the file_string:// URI scheme, the delimiter is always the ! character.

2.2.1 With mod_dptools: playback without the playback_delimiter channel variable​

<action application="playback" data="file_string:///ram/sr8k.wav!/ram/swimp.wav"/>

2.2.2. Music-on-hold (MOH)​

<action application="set" data="hold_music=file_string://sounds/holdmusic1.wav!sounds/yourcallisimportant.wav" />

2.2.3. Used with mod_dptools: play_and_get_digits​

<action application="play_and_get_digits" data="7 7 3 30000 # file_string://${sound_prefix}/voicemail/8000/vm-hello.wav!${sound_prefix}/conference/8000/conf-pin.wav /invalid.wav ivrsel \d+"/>

2.2.4 Record a session​

If writing to a file fails, the next filename in the list is tried:

<action application="record_session" data="file_string://${record_dir}/${record_filename}!${backup_record_dir}/${record_filename}"/>

Note that you have to specify the full path, as sound path expansion is done in switch_ivr_play_file, which is above the level that the file_string:// protocol operates at.

TODO See TODOs in 2. Usage above.

3. Execution Parameters​

3.1 timeout​

There is a timeout parameter expressed in milliseconds that limits the duration of the file played.

Use cases:

  • Useful for testing new music-on-hold (MOH), prompts, audio levels, etc.
  • Allows for more flexible concatenated audio files.

3.1.1 timeout example​

In this example, an extension is made that plays all listed files as follows:

  1. Announce a number to easily identify the file in the list.
  2. Play the file for 15 seconds. This is long enough to hear the song and take notes if needed.

An answer is required to prevent the call from timing out so any number of files can be played in a single call.

   <extension name="testsounds">
     <condition field="destination_number" expression="^8787$">
       <action application="answer"/>
       
       <action application="say" data="en number pronounced 1"/>
       <action application="playback" data="{timeout=15000}file_string://${sound_dir}/music/8000/music1.wav"/>
       <action application="say" data="en number pronounced 2"/>
       <action application="playback" data="{timeout=15000}file_string://${sound_dir}/music/8000/music2.wav"/>
       <action application="say" data="en number pronounced 3"/>
       <action application="playback" data="{timeout=15000}file_string://${sound_dir}/music/8000/music3.wav"/>
        ...
       ...
       <action application="hangup"/>
     </condition>
   </extension>

Without the timeout, you would have to listen to entire files.