Vocera V-Series Smartbadge

All the Platform 5 and Platform 6 releases of Vocera Firmware for the Vocera Smartbadge (V5000) are mapped with the prominent features.

See Vocera Release Notes for more information.

V5000 for Vocera Voice Server Version 5 Releases

Version and Date	Product Module	Key Features
5.6.0.202 Q3 2023	User Interface Redesign	The Smartbadge User Interface (UI) is redesigned to enhance the following user experience. Scroll navigation is replaced with intuitive app navigation to resemble smartphone usability. You can navigate within the Smartbadge by tapping on the icons displayed on the home screen for different functions. The messages screen and the keyboard are revamped to make it easier for you to read and respond to messages. The alerts and messages have separate icons. You can combine them under a single Inbox screen if you prefer a unified view. The Badge info and Help are moved from the Settings screen to the new Tools screen.
	Wake Word Enhancements	Wake word detection is improved to reduce false trigger.
	Add/Remove from Group (requires VS 5.9 and VMP 5.9 for Vocera Platform 5.x)	Group management is enhanced to allow users to add themselves to or remove themselves from a group using the Smartbadge User Interface. Earlier, this was possible only using voice commands.
	Pair Smartbadge with MBU app (requires MBU v1.1)	Vocera administrators and the technical support team can use the Vocera Mobile Badge Utility (MBU) for on-site troubleshooting of the Smartbadge. Pairing the badge with the mobile application allows to view badge diagnostic information that aids in solving communication and connection challenges.
	French Canadian Localization	The Smartbadge User Interface and prompts have been localized to French Canadian language.
5.5.0.21 Q1 2023	Radio firmware and driver update	Updated radio firmware and driver to the latest.
	802.11v infrastructure roaming trigger support	802.11v can be enabled in the V5000 Smartbadge using the badge property V5.Enable80211v [True] to trigger V5000 Smartbadge to respond to roam requests transmitted by the WLAN infrastructure.
5.0.8.11 Q4 2022	PPE commands in Voice-Only mode	The Smartbadge in Voice-Only mode now supports the voice commands for use with PPE. This feature is available on Vocera Voice Server 5.7 or later.
	New BLE format	Eddystone beacon, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon protocol, has been enabled on the Smartbadge
	Change in IGMP version	The default version of IGMP has been changed from 3 to 2
5.0.7.13 Q1 2022	Prevent Texting	Adminstrators can prevent a user from sending and receiving text messages. Text messages cannot be sent to users who don't have permission to send and receive text messages.
	Panic Broadcast	Panic Call has been renamed to Panic Broadcast to better describe the actual function.
	New badge properties	New badge properties have been added to control the sensitivity of the badge to avoid unintentional activation of the auto handset mode.
5.0.6.35 Q4 2021	UNII-3 channels support	The Smartbadge now supports UNII-3 channels when in the Australia (AU), New Zealand (NZ), and UAE (AE) locales.
5.0.6.34 Q3 2021	Call button sensitivity settings	The Smartbadge now supports and saves Call button sensitivity settings specific to PPE and non-PPE modes.
	Smartbadge Help	The Smartbadge now includes an integrated Help that covers various topics for onboarding the users.
	Badge properties	Display short caller name―A new badge property V5.DisplayShortCallerName [ true \| false ] is added to enable or disable display of short caller name in call screen. Display short name―A new badge property V5.DisplayShortName [ true \| false ] is added to enable or disable display of short name for logged-in user on My Account page and login screen.
5.0.6.28 Q2 2021	Vocera Device in Dual-Mode	Dual-mode to use the Vocera Collaboration Suite (VCS) for messaging while using a Vocera Smartbadge for hands-free communication.
	Smartbadge Enhancements for use with PPE	PPE mode to make Call button sensitive to touch under a gown. It boosts high-frequency audio output to overcome microphone challenges with these frequencies when using the device with a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR).
	User Interface	Details of a patient and the Care Team members available for alerts and conversations and the directories module to start patient-linked conversations. Option to leave a group conversation that you no longer want to participate. Time and time zone applied appropriately on the Smartbadge when connected to the server.
	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	Multicast data to help multicast troubleshooting. Multi-profile support intended for enterprise customers that use 5GHz and 2.4GHz together. A badge property for group mode at the global level.
5.0.5.30 Q4 2020		This release has no new features.
5.0.5 Q3 2020	Voice Server Only Mode	Place all calls including broadcasts calls, instant conferences, and panic calls. Navigate through the screens using a vertical swipe. Swipe to the right from any main screen to lock the Smartbadge. Swipe to the left to reveal the red “X” and press “X” to delete an event in the Home Screen. The Smartbadge chirps and an indicator is displayed on the status bar if a voicemail is received. The main screens available are: Events/Home Screen Settings Screen
	User Interface	Autoset handset mode Call button sensitivity enhancement Patient context in conversation Client Certificate
	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	New client certificate for Wi-Fi authentication New client certificate integration
5.0.4.33		This release has no new features.
5.0.4 Q2 2020	User Interface	Speech-to-text for chat conversations Editing alert response Suggestive text and keyboard optimization Screen tips Audible clicks on key-press during keyboard use Push-to-talk button timing (PTT) User-selectable call button timer Scrolling enhancement Badge settings grouping
5.0.4 Q2 2020	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	Certificate for Wi-Fi authentication Enhancement to channels to scan feature
5.0.3.45 (14.3) Q2 2020	User Interface	Placing direct calls from Vocera devices.
5.0.3.45 (12.4) Q1 2020	Vocera Smartbadge	Touch screen along with a touch sensor for the Call button
5.0.3 Q1 2020	Vocera Smartbadge	Bluetooth headset certification USB-C digital headsets support Wake Word to initiate a Genie call PIN Authentication Log File Enhancement No Response Notification
	User Interface	The volume settings are now available for speaker, handset, headset, and Bluetooth audio paths. The volume settings are saved in the user profile. Configurable delay for the Panic Button operation is introduced. The default is 1 second and can be controlled through the badge property V5.PanicDelayDurationMS = 100-5000 (msec). When a call is forwarded to an external phone number, the forwarded number is hidden. Two new options, Broadcast and Urgent Broadcast, are introduced for Groups in the interface. Turn the screen off by swiping to the right on any primary screen such as Event/Home, Directory, and Settings screens. Haptic touch for the keyboard is a user option, accessible through user settings. A vibration can be felt when typing to aid in typing accuracy. Expired messages and alerts are automatically removed from the Events screen to reduce clutter. Page callback option now available to call a Vocera user directly rather than routing the callback as an outside call. The callback button now displayed and supported for VMI messages.
	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	A badge property V5.ForceIGMPVersion introduced to force specific IGMP versions to be adopted. The default value is IGMP v3. The Linux TCP Selective Acknowledgement (SACK) vulnerability detailed in CVE-2019-11477, CVE-2019-11478, and CVE-2019-11479 have been mitigated in this release.
5.0.2	Vocera Smartbadge	Handset Mode Enhancements Haptic Call button Changes
	User Interface	Home Screen Enhancements Keypad Enhancement Minimum Volume Setting Support for Mass Notifications Localization Calling Extensions and Outside Numbers
	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	UAPSD is disabled by default. 802.1x Server Certificate validation is disabled by default. The active scan dwell time is reduced to decrease voice packet jitter. Real Time Clock sleep timer is reduced to provide rapid response to incoming calls. When the Smartbadge is off network, access to messages and history is restricted. The Association ID is now displayed in the log files.
5.0.1 Q2 2020	User Interface	DND now indicates the timer selection The Home screen (integrated inbox) now contains the full title of individuals A user can be added to Favorites from Call history details Call disposition is now indicated by an icon instead of a description Panic Calls are now implemented without any visual indication on the display
5.0.0 Q2 2020	User Interface	Secure messaging feature with a 2.4 inch touchscreen display and keyboard. Smoother and more natural conversation with new audio technology. Search Users, Groups, or both across the entire directory without scrolling the full directory. Haptic touch enabled Call button. Discrete volume keys. A dedicated, one-touch panic button for faster and easier communication in case of emergencies. DND setting with timer options. USB charging with a headset port. Audio options during an active call. Intuitive user experience with a consistent design of Vocera Vina Smartphone application for ease of use.

V5000 for Vocera Platform 6 Releases

Version and Date	Product Module	Key Features
5.6.0.202 Q3 2023	User Interface Redesign	The Smartbadge User Interface (UI) is redesigned to enhance the following user experience. Scroll navigation is replaced with intuitive app navigation to resemble smartphone usability. You can navigate within the Smartbadge by tapping on the icons displayed on the home screen for different functions. The messages screen and the keyboard are revamped to make it easier for you to read and respond to messages. The alerts and messages have separate icons. You can combine them under a single Inbox screen if you prefer a unified view. The Badge info and Help are moved from the Settings screen to the new Tools screen.
	Wake Word Enhancements	Wake word detection is improved to reduce false trigger.
	Add/Remove from Group	Group management is enhanced to allow users to add themselves to or remove themselves from a group using the Smartbadge User Interface. Earlier, this was possible only using voice commands.
	Pair Smartbadge with MBU app (requires MBU v1.1)	Vocera administrators and the technical support team can use the Vocera Mobile Badge Utility (MBU) for on-site troubleshooting of the Smartbadge. Pairing the badge with the mobile application allows to view badge diagnostic information that aids in solving communication and connection challenges.
	Edit Alert Response	Alert response is enhanced to allow a user to change a response to an already responded alert if multiple responses from the same user are allowed on the alert.
5.5.0.21 Q1 2023	Radio firmware and driver update	Updated radio firmware and driver to the latest.
	802.11v infrastructure roaming trigger support	802.11v can be enabled in the V5000 Smartbadge using the badge property V5.Enable80211v [True] to trigger V5000 Smartbadge to respond to roam requests transmitted by the WLAN infrastructure.
5.1.7.18 Q4 2022	Prevent texting	The Vocera Platform administrators can prevent selected groups of Smartbadge users from sending text messages. All texting-related options are hidden for such users.
	Group enhancement	If the Vocera Platform administrator has granted permission, the Smartbadge users can add themselves to or remove themselves from a group.
	Change in IGMP version	The default version of IGMP has been changed from 3 to 2.
	New BLE format	Eddystone beacon, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon protocol, has been enabled on the Smartbadge.
	Usability enhancements	Urgent alert enunciation is prioritized over pending/ongoing normal priority alert enunciation. If someone starts a group chat or multi-person chat that includes you, the chat does not appear on your Home screen until a message is sent in this chat.
5.1.6.21 Q1 2022	Vocera Device with Smartphone Apps	You can use Smartphone apps (Vocera Vina and VCS app) for messaging with a Vocera Smartbadge for hands-free communication. When you are logged into both devices, calls and broadcasts are handled on the Smartbadge, messages are delivered to both devices, and you can respond to messages from both devices.
	Play text messages	The "play text messages" voice commands are now supported on the V5000 Smartbadge. This feature requires Platform 6.5.
	Panic Broadcast	Panic Call has been renamed to Panic Broadcast to better describe the actual function.
	Enunciation logic update for re-alerting	Enunciation logic has been updated for re-alerting for a better user experience.
	New badge properties	Display short caller name―A new badge property V5.DisplayShortCallerName [ true \| false ] is added to enable or disable display of short caller name in call screen. Display short name―A new badge property V5.DisplayShortName [ true \| false ] is added to enable or disable display of short name for logged-in user on My Account page and login screen. Control the badge sensitivity―New badge properties have been added to control the sensitivity of the badge to avoid unintentional activation of the auto handset mode.
5.1.5.25 Q3 2021	UNII-3 channels support	The Smartbadge now supports UNII-3 channels when in the Australia (AU), New Zealand (NZ), and UAE (AE) locales.
5.1.5.24 Q3 2021	Voice Server Only Mode	Place all calls including broadcasts calls, instant conferences, and panic calls. Navigate through the screens using a vertical swipe. Swipe to the right from any main screen to lock the Smartbadge. Swipe to the left to reveal the red “X” and press “X” to delete an event in the Home Screen. The Smartbadge chirps and an indicator is displayed on the status bar if a voicemail is received. The main screens available are: Events/Home Screen Settings Screen
	Smartbadge Enhancements for use with PPE	PPE mode to make Call button sensitive to touch under a gown. It boosts high-frequency audio output to overcome microphone challenges with these frequencies when using the device with a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR).
	Smartbadge Help	The Smartbadge now includes an integrated Help that covers various topics for onbaording the users. When a user logs in to the Smartbadge for the first time, the topic on Badge introduction appears as the welcome tutorial. The full set of help topics can be accessed from the Settings screen. Each screen menu includes a Help button for accessing context-sensitive Help.
	Department Group	The Smartbadge now supports the Department groups for messaging and all the calling options that a regular group does.
	User Interface	The Smartbadge now includes an integrated Help that covers various topics for onbaording the users. When a user logs in to the Smartbadge for the first time, the topic on Badge introduction appears as the welcome tutorial. The full set of help topics can be accessed from the Settings screen. Each screen menu includes a Help button for accessing context-sensitive Help. The details screen of any accepted alert now displays the Callback option.
	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	The Smartbadge now provides multicast data to help multicast troubleshooting.
5.1.4.68 Q4 2020	User Interface	Badge property for Group Mode Re-alert when no response options have been specified
5.1.4 Q4 2020	User Interface	Autoset handset mode Care team members to patient-linked conversations Accessing external contacts Callback alert response Client Certificate
5.1.4 Q4 2020	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	New client certificate for Wi-Fi authentication New client certificate integration
5.1.3 Q3 2020	User Interface	Hide patient details during auto-wake Panic call location Audible clicks on key-press during keyboard use Push-to-talk (PTT) button timing User-selectable call button timer Suggestive text and keyboard optimization Badge settings grouping Broadcast Calls now as mass alerts Coverage Request support for Vina
5.1.3 Q3 2020	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	802.11v infrastructure roaming trigger support Certificate for Wi-Fi authentication Enhancement to channels-to-scan feature
5.1.1.51 [15.3] Q2 2020	User Interface	Placing Direct Calls from Vocera Devices
5.1.1 Q1 2020	Vocera Smartbadge	Bluetooth headset certification USB-C digital headsets support Wake Word to initiate a Genie call Log File Enhancement No Response Notification
	User Interface	The volume settings are now available for speaker, handset, headset, and Bluetooth audio paths. The volume settings are saved in the user profile. Configurable delay for the Panic Button When a call is forwarded to an external phone number, the forwarded number is hidden. Two new options, Broadcast and Urgent Broadcast, are introduced for Groups in the interface. Swiping to the right on any primary screen turns off the screen. Haptic touch for the keyboard is a user option, accessible through user settings. A vibration can be felt when typing to aid in typing accuracy. Expired messages and alerts are automatically removed from the Events screen to reduce clutter. Page callback option now available to call a Vocera user directly rather than routing the callback as an outside call. The callback button now displayed and supported for VMI messages. Hide patient information Accept alert option for multiple users
	Wi-Fi Connectivity Enhancements	A badge property V5.ForceIGMPVersion introduced to force specific IGMP versions to be adopted. The default value is IGMP v3. The Linux TCP Selective Acknowledgement (SACK) vulnerability detailed in CVE-2019-11477, CVE-2019-11478, and CVE-2019-11479 have been mitigated in this release.
5.1.0 Q4, 2019	Vocera Smartbadge	PIN Authentication
5.1.0 Q4, 2019	User Interface	Home Screen Enhancements Home—Displays an integrated view of all call types, voice messages, text messages, alerts as entries in a conversation. Calls—Displays the call records and selecting one will take you to the call view for the corresponding conversation. Messages—Displays text message. Alerts—Displays all alert-based conversations. The most recent conversation is displayed at the top. You can leave a conversation by swiping left and tapping Leave. You can favorite contact from a call log or a Voicemail. Directory Screen Staff—Names of the staff members in your favorite list. Patients—Name, room number, MRN, gender, DOB of the patient assigned to the user. Groups—Names of the groups in your favorite list. You can search the names of staff and groups, and favorite the search for easy access. Messages and Alerts Messages and alerts appear in the Inbox in chronological order with the newest at the top. Incoming messages and alerts play the appropriate notification based on priority or enunciate based on the server specified setting. New alerts are received as pop-ups with a brief description and may include response options such as Accept, Decline, Accept & Call. Patient details are provided along with messages and alerts a patient is associated with it. Patient Context Patient identification details, such as name, DOB, MRN, sex, room. Current status such as admit reason, fall risk score, and so on. Care team information to access additional patient details enabling a user to see and communicate with specific members of the patient’s care team. Patient details can be attached to new conversations. Patient details get attached to a call made to a care team member. You can leave a conversation Flexible DND Options available to select preset custom messages.