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 What is Intelligent Proximity GPS Triggering?
Intelligent Proximity GPS triggering is one type of GPS trigger that is provided as an option in our Route Builder Software. Each Point of Interest ("POI") on your tour route (for triggering commentary) has a GPS coordinate associated with it. These longitude and latitude coordinates are easily captured one of two ways:
- By using Google Maps in Route Builder to add a new POI to your route - which will automatically capture the GPS coordinates; or
- By ...
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 A teleloop system is an assistive listen accessory that creates a low electro magnetic current that is passed through a loop (worn around the neck), allowing audio (sound) to transmit directly from the loop directly into a user's hearing aid.
This solution is fully compatible with hearing aids with T-coils (for telephone use). The advantage of a teleloop is sound is directly transmitted to a hearing aid eliminating distractions and ambient noise from the hearing aid microphone.
To take advan... Continue reading ...
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises uses TriggerPOINT to provide passengers with audio tours in 6 languages wirelessly. Passengers are free to walk around their vessels while listening to the ghost of Sir John A. McDonald share stories about the rich history and culture of the region. Tours are provided in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese and Mandarin.
How Does TriggerPOINT Wireless Differ From Hardwired Commentary Systems?
Wireless commentary systems facilitate automated, GPS triggered, a... Continue reading ...
This week we’re sharing how we combine two of our systems together for Factory Tours – tour guide systems for live commentary and our audio guide for pre-recorded commentary.
We’ve been producing scripts for pre-recorded factory tours designed to mesh with live commentary for leading manufacturers. Since we are getting several inquiries for this, we wanted to share with you how we do it.
System One – The Audio Guide
The Audio Guide has the ability to store multilingual audio ... Continue reading ...
This week we’re looking at adding music to unused channels of your Hardwired Multilingual Audio Tour System.
This has become a popular feature for our customers. Music gives your passengers something to listen to while your bus is loading prior to a tour, can be played between tour commentaries, and is especially useful for hop-on, hop-off tours. This is because passengers may not want to listen to tour commentary they’ve already heard. Music gives your passengers choices.
You can organize... Continue reading ...
“Route Builder” is our intuitive software program that interfaces with our TriggerPOINT and Multilingual Audio Commentary Systems.
A tremendous amount of thought went into the development of Route Builder to ensure it would be very easy for your Operations and/or technical staff to work with. Route Builder is included with both our hardwired and wireless GPS tour systems.
Making The Connection
The Route Builder software loads onto your company’s laptop computer and empowers you to create, ... Continue reading ...
This week we’re providing an overview of the public GPS system, and how we use it for triggering commentary.
Defining the public GPS System
I’d like to start off by defining what I mean by the public GPS System. Often when the term GPS System is mentioned; people think of an automotive GPS navigation system, or handheld GPS device. Although these devices use GPS coordinates to display maps, or stream music into vehicles, they are only the final devices in a much larger system.
Parts of the G... Continue reading ...
There are several reasons why sightseeing companies invest in GPS guided audio tours but today we’ll talk about the top five reasons.
The top five reasons why sightseeing companies buy are:
Language barriers, product consistency, bums in seats, high cost of labour, and product differentiation. That’s quite a mouthful so we’ll focus on each one – one point at a time so you'll have a much better understanding of what’s possible. Continue reading ...
We're working on a script writing and sound production project for a bus company that purchased GPS commentary systems before they found us. Of course, we're excited to be part of a new sightseeing operation and their team is eager to learn as much as they can about technology and the creative development process. They've been involved every step of the way, which has made a very positive impact during our on-site visit for the initial phase of script writing.
The challenge is, they opted to p... Continue reading ...
We often get questions regarding what happens during an installation of a GPS commentary player.
This week we’re looking at a typical installation of our Hardwired Multilingual Commentary System.
We’ve installed our hardwired systems on both tour buses and tour boats. Let’s look at what’s involved in an installation of a double-decker tour bus.
We first arrive on site to map the route for GPS trigger points or Points of Interest. This is a collaborative process where we optimize your to... Continue reading ...
This week we’re presenting an economical solution for adding portable and transferable multilingual commentary systems to tour vehicle and vessel fleets.
- Individual wireless receivers and headsets for each passenger
- Our GPS Tour System
- Multichannel Transmitters for the delivery of multilingual tour commentary
- Foreign language commentary delivery to wireless re...
This week we’re talking about the Nickel-Metal Hydride cell, (abbreviated as NiMH) rechargeable batteries, and how to maximize their life cycle.
Most of our clients are using our charging stations for their ieXplore Tour Guide Systems, or audio guides. To ensure everyone is getting the longest possible lifespan from their rechargeable batteries; we wanted to address a common charging myth.
The most common error made with rechargeable batteries is to keep them fully charged at all times, by p... Continue reading ...
This week we’ve decided to review one of our most highly requested GPS based commentary system features. We frequently receive compliments from our Clients who are now enjoying their recently installed Multilingual Commentary Systems: “The System is doing a fantastic job helping fill our tour buses (or Boats) – Thank You!” Often the question that accompanies those greatly appreciated compliments is: “Now that we are more familiar with the system; we would like to have music playin... Continue reading ...
All of the features we find on the wireless GPS audio system can be found on the hardwired system. There are three additional option settings on the hardwired system (GPS wired audio at the seatback for passenger entertainment) which are microphone options.
Options Comparison:
GPS Tour Wireless System Options - Resume a route and segment from when the system was powered of...
The options you can change are as follows:
(1) Resume a route and segment from when the system was powered off (2) Set the default route and segment you want to appear when the system is first powered-up (3) Turn the GPS function on or off (4) Set the output mode for the Channel 7 Common output channel (5) Set which audio channel appears at the Channel 7 Common connection (6) E... Continue reading ...
To start our series on the Driver/Captain Control Panel, we will first power the GPS commentary system on with the power button. Initially the tour system will boot-up displaying model and firmware version. The control panel then displays the first route in its list of routes (if there is more than one tour route on the GPS tour system).
The system will automatically play the appropriate commentaries as we drive by each point of interest (POI). If we wish to play the commentaries manually to t... Continue reading ...
We’d like to start off this new technical series by selecting one of our popular GPS tour systems. We offer both wireless, and hardwired systems. Initially; we’ll be focussing on our hardwired system, and the added benefit of having a Driver/Captain LED backlit display (a Driver Control Panel) for manual control of the audio ... Continue reading ...
We had a wonderful time working with the Blue Boat Company in Amsterdam. Not only are they are great team to work with, their investment in innovation has really paid off.
Blue Boat Company wanted to provide GPS triggered tours on their vessels on the canals in 15 languages simultaneously using our hard wired GPS tour systems. After many internal discussions regarding the placement of the audio controllers there were no appealing options for where to place the audio controllers for the comfor... Continue reading ...
Creating moving media for multilingual commentary systems requires pre-planning and a vision for your tour experience. Here are three of the keys to creating commentary for your GPS tour system.
Route
When we begin any project we begin with the route. In some cases, the sightseeing route has not been clearly defined. Some of the challenges that we encounter on-site is that some drivers like to go off-route, drive down preferred streets, without strictly following a pre-defined sightseeing rout... Continue reading ...
Introducing our new Weatherproof Audio Controller for Outdoor Applications and Open Top Double Decker Buses
- Vandal resistant High-Impact Acrylic Plastic audio controller designed for long life
- Volume and channel selection
- Innovative touch conductive buttons with no mechanical moving parts (mechanical parts wear out over time)
- Easily replaceable 3.5mm stereo headset socket
- Outdoor design allows continuous exposure to prevailing weather conditions
- Auto-dimming night/day dual-digit display shows the c...
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Our TriggerPOINT wireless GPS Tour System just got even better. Smaller. Faster. Better Entertainment. 
Smaller, Lighter Portable GPS Tour Systems
Once you pick up TriggerPOINT, you'll immediately see how easy it is to move our system from bus to bus. It's 40% lighter and half the size. This makes is easy to move around as operational demands dictate.
Superfast Intelligent GPS Triggering
Instantaneousness playback on intelligent GPS triggering. TriggerPOINT triggers each point of interest on yo... Continue reading ...
If you're adding GPS trigger points to your tour or transportation route(s) there are four GPS trigger options to take into consideration: - Non-directional GPS triggers – audio tour commentary will trigger as your vehicle or vessel enters the GPS waypoint from any direction
- Directional GPS triggers – audio tour commentary will trigger based on the “direction” your vehicle or vessel is moving
- Interruptible GPS triggers – tour commentary will be interrupted by the next GPS waypoint
- Uninter...
TriggerPOINT, our Multilingual GPS Tour System offers sightseeing operators new opportunities for portability and expandability. Offered as both a hardwired GPS digital audio system and a portable wireless GPS tour system - our new TriggerPOINT system for wireless applications is being released with new features this Spring.
This system facilitates automated, wireless, GPS triggered, and simultaneous multilingual prerecorded commentary. It can also be used to deliver group tours by a live gui... Continue reading ...
When you are creating GPS tours for more than one language, one of the considerations you will have is the length of time it takes to say the same thing in Spanish for example, for a literal translation of English.
This is an important consideration because every language is different, and based on literal translations of an English script, each language you produce will have a different audio segment time. Most of the time, foreign languages take more time to say the exact same thing in Engl... Continue reading ...
Points of Interest
GPS Points of Interest or "POI"s are also commonly known as GPS waypoints. Way points are gathered at specific points on the earth (for example, a building, an intersection, a monument), locations on land or on water that are considered to be "of interest" to people.
The most basic information associated with any POI is latitude and longitude coordinates.
POI information is used to GPS trigger location relevant content - audio, video and static images delivered through Public... Continue reading ...
What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. Utilizing a constellation of at least 24 medium Earth orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals,... Continue reading ...
We understand the importance of language and audio interpretation. Foreign Language translations based on an English script means that you are reaching a larger audience - foreign language travelers, international wholesalers, receptive operators and VFR markets.
We do not work with foreign language translation agencies who provide traditional literal translations intended for business letters or financial statements. Instead, in order to achieve the highest level of audio interpretation, we ... Continue reading ...
Your wireless receiver's multi-channel design enables visitors to select the tour and language of their choice. An easy to use language selection switch is located on top of the receiver. The wireless system is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and allows a visitor to move around freely during the entire journey.
As part of your tour solution, we provide a body-worn transmitter allowing your staff to offer live wireless group tours. Additionally, the body-worn transmitters can be used by you... Continue reading ...
We often get questions with regards to Wireless versus Hard Wired GPS Tour Systems. Our portable, wireless GPS Tour systems offer many advantages for sightseeing operators. Designed specifically for mobile sightseeing applications where portability and flexibility are essential in fleet management, our wireless GPS tour solution removes the operational and visitor restrictions affiliated with hardwired solutions.
So when is a hardwired solution appropriote for your sightseeing operation?
The ma... Continue reading ...
The GPS Digital Audio System (or "DAS") automatically triggers audio whenever it enters into a predetermined geographical area. With this feature you can easily design a “no operator-intervention required” audio tour system on a tour bus, boat, trolley, train or tram that automatically plays pre-recorded audio such as next stop messages, tour commentary, (or other audio content) whenever it enters into a specified area.
The GPS DAS accomplishes this by reading a data stream from a GPS (Geo... Continue reading ...
National Byways and scenic driving routes such as the Creole Nature Trail in Louisiana to the Rockies Scenic Byway in Colorado are tourism motivators for travelers seeking scenic adventure, new experiences, and learning. These scenic driving routes offer a rich history and vibrant culture amongst its people and communities - and they enrich people’s lives with memorable travel experiences.
But what is lost for many travelers who drive on these routes are the great untold stories that offer... Continue reading ...
We often get asked the question - how do we GPS trigger a safety announcement prior to each tour departure? Our systems are designed to provide safety announcements by using a push button switch. GPS automation means that the system does not require staff intervention on sightseeing tours. However, in boat tour applications safety announcements are mandatory at the dock.
Safety messages are simultaneously delivered over the Public Address system and wirelessly to foreign language passengers us... Continue reading ...
Play PowerPoint presentations as MP2 files on your GPS tour.
Here is an online resource for providing PowerPoint presentations on your GPS Video System - How to Convert a PowerPoint File to MPEG2 Format.
Use the following settings when converting your presentations:
Video Resolution = 720 x 480, Expected Framerate = 30 (Frames per second) [*PAL]
(*All of your videos will need to be encoded for PAL)
Preferred video format = MPEG Video: MPEG2 @ 8000kbps, 29.97fps, original frame size, Audio: 224kb... Continue reading ...
The general rule of thumb for storage of an audio tour is:
For one minute of audio you'll require 1MB of storage. This is based on the assumption that your mp3 files are encoded at 128kbps, the industry standard for sound compression of audio files for media production and interpretation.
Using this model, you can quickly assess what your storage requirements are for any given project while forecasting what you may need for storage in the future. Lets look at the following example.
A Heritage S... Continue reading ...
If you’re adding GPS trigger points to your tour route(s) there are here are four considerations to plan for:
Non-directional GPS triggers – audio commentary will trigger from any direction. Directional GPS triggers – audio commentary will trigger based on the “direction” your vehicle or vessel is moving. Interruptible GPS triggers – audio commentary can be interrupted by the next GPS trigger (for example - the next segment of audio tour commentary).Uninterruptible GPS triggers – ... Continue reading ...
So how do GPS guided tours work? We often get this question so we're hoping this will provide you with a better understanding of how our systems work. Many people have had the opportunity to interact with GPS, whether it be on a mobile phone, satellite radio, a PND (a Personal Navigation Device such as a Garmin or TomTom GPS for your car) or on one of our tours while listening to the automated GPS triggering of pre-recorded tour commentaries. We often get the question - How do you stream audi... Continue reading ...
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AudioConexus Blog
Helping you learn more about tourism trends, storytelling and audio tours. Help, tips, advice, and techniques for better storytelling and tourism marketing. Our Higher Purpose is to captivate the imagination by creating exceptional entertainment experiences about our world - shared experiences that inspire the human spirit and unite us in discovery. |
