IMPULSE Wireless PTT users each have a priority level assigned. Talkgroups ("channels") also have a priority level.
PTT Users with a higher priority will override users with a lower priority: the higher priority transmission will interrupt the lower priority user. This is ideal for dispatch operators, control rooms or supervisors who may need to get an urgent message out when users in the field are talking.
Similarly, higher priority talkgroups will override lower priority talkgroups, and will "pull in" lower priority users who are busy.
We also have priority broadcasts and emergency calls. These interrupt all other active push-to-talk calls, and will also ignore any Do not Disturb (DnD) settings.
A broadcast will be sent to all users registered with our servers at the time the call begins. The server will re-try any users who are registered but did not receive the broadcast, eg, passing through a coverage black-spot. In that example, the user in the black-spot would receive the broadcast when they came back into coverage (if still within the broadcast retry timeframe, which is configurable).
A PTT emergency call has a visual flashing on the screen for all devices, and configurable settings different from a standard talkgroup. For example, the emergency call can increase all recipients' speaker volumes to a certain level, to ensure it is heard, seen and responded to.
Here are some call priority scenario examples.
At a transport company, the dispatcher has priority level four. Drivers have priority level one.
Two drivers are talking in a 1-1 private push-to-talk call. While this is happening, the dispatcher makes a PTT call on the main talkgroup for all drivers. The two drivers have their call overriden, since a higher priority call has taken place. Both are pulled in to the main talkgroup, and hear what the dispatcher has to say. They may respond to the dispatcher and other drivers within the new talkgroup.
When the conversation is finished, one of the drivers may re-initiate the private 1-1 call with the other driver.
At a shopping centre, the cleaning supervisor has talker override permissions.
The cleaners are busy talking on the main talkgroup, but the supervisor needs to urgently report a spill to be cleaned up. The supervisor presses PTT and starts talking, and interrupts all other transmissions, and his urgent message gets through.
A bus company uses vehicle mobile network radios in their buses, with an SOS button to initiate an SOS alarm and "hot mic" emergency call to the Network Control Centre and supervisors. The Safety Officer uses her mobile phone to listen in to day-to-day communications, but has her push-to-talk communications automatically muted (set to Do Not Disturb/DnD) when her phone is on silent. When a driver presses the SOS button, the emergency call ignores the DnD setting and is broadcast to the Safety Officer (as well as Network Control and the other buses); who can all respond to the emergency. At the same time as the call is broadcast, the live location of the vehicle is shown on the Safety Officer's phone. She also receives an email on her phone with a link which immediately opens Google Navigation, showing the location of the driver in distress, with directions ready.
The flexible nature of your push-to-talk system allows configuration to best suit your needs. If your requirements change, such as user names, talkgroups, priority levels, user settings; the system can be changed and updated at any time, remotely and instantly.