Smart Emergency Exit Signs

Abstract

A networked system for managing a physical intrusion detection / alarm includes an upper tier of server devices, comprising: processor devices and memory in communication with the processor devices, a middle tier of gateway devices that are in communication with upper tier servers, and a lower level tier of devices that comprise fully functional nodes with at least some of the functional nodes including an application layer that execute routines to provide node functions, and a device to manage the lower tier of devices, the device instantiating a program manager that executes a state machine to control the application layer in each of the at least some of the functional nodes.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional Patent Application 61 / 973,962, filed on Apr. 2, 2014, entitled: “Wireless Sensor Network”, and provisional U.S. Patent Application 61 / 946,054, filed on Feb. 28, 2014, entitled: “Wireless Sensor Network”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.INTRODUCTION[0002]This description relates to operation of security and alarm systems.[0003]Emergency exit signs have been in use for many years. Their main purpose is to indicate the direction of a nearest exit and to provide a visible sign when power is absent as is often the case in emergency situations. Often times, there is only a separate siren device and / or flashing lights to indicate the need for exiting. Sometimes a public address system is used to announce the type of emergency and a broad suggestion of action such as an announcement of a lockdown situation. More recently in certain settings such as on university c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system for providing accurate and timely information to assist occupants in choosing the safest action and path of travel during an emergency in large structures such as schools, malls, offices, cruise ships, and so on. The system includes an exit indicator device with circuitry to receive data and display indicators that provide direction, action, and information about the emergency. The device can display arrows indicating safe possible exit directions, dangerous directions, and visual icons coded to threat levels. The device can also modify the display by changing, flashing, or progressing patterns to indicate safe or unsafe directions. The system includes a network of multiple sensors that collect data and a system to determine from the sensor data that monitors events and locations of events. The sensors can include fire and smoke detectors, alarm boxes, audio detectors, structural change detectors, people counters, and motion sensors. The system can provide real-time messages and can be wired or wireless. Overall, the invention helps guide occupants in the safest direction and provides important information in case of an emergency.

Problems solved by technology

In the event of a fire however, the choice of a wrong path among two or more possible paths for exiting could prove fatal; the same for a terrorist threat in a portion of a structure.

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