METHOD FOR OPERATING AN EVACUATION SYSTEM TO SUPPORT AN EVACUATION CASE AND AN EVACUATION SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating an evacuation system to support an evacuation case, in particular during the evacuation of a building, and to an evacuation system.

[0002] The method can advantageously be combined with a method for automatically recording working hours and / or determining the position of a person in a given environment, in particular in an environment covered by a Bluetooth network, as well as a recording system based on Bluetooth technology used for this purpose.

[0003] Common evacuation systems typically include an alarm and a guidance system. In the event of an evacuation, the people in the building gather at an assembly point outside the building. Determining the number of people and who exactly is missing takes a certain amount of time. The situation becomes even more complicated if a building has multiple assembly points. People at both assembly points must be identified and located.

[0004] Once the missing persons have been identified, their workplace can be determined based on their identity. However, if the person is located elsewhere, such as in the restroom or the company canteen, the search becomes more difficult.

[0005] Relevant technologies in this regard are disclosed by US 2019139339, CN106463006, US10489737 and US9408041.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an evacuation system which supports and simplifies an evacuation process.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1.

[0008] A method according to the invention for operating an evacuation system to support an evacuation situation, in particular an evacuation of a building, comprises the following steps: a. Providing a Bluetooth-based evacuation system comprising at least one registration unit positioned at a work site and at least one Bluetooth tag carried by the person to be registered, the Bluetooth tag having a data set with an individual identifier for identifying the person;

[0009] Of course, in addition to the person assigned to the workstation, all other persons passing through the registration unit can also be registered if they are carrying a Bluetooth tag. This applies to colleagues, employees, or even visitors. In the event of an evacuation, the workstation is defined or recognized as a danger zone.

[0010] The Bluetooth pendant is portable. It can easily be carried in a pocket or on a keychain. The Bluetooth pendant is a battery-operated electronic component and not part of a higher-level machine unit, such as a printer, smartphone, or the like. b. Initiation of an alarm due to an evacuation within a hazardous area;

[0011] The alarm can be initiated manually, by input on a control panel of the registration unit, or it can be triggered by a sensor, e.g. by a fire alarm or other type of sensor.

[0012] An evacuation may occur, for example, in the event of a fire. There may also be other causes, such as natural disasters such as earthquakes or man-made evacuation situations such as assaults, bank robberies, and the like. c. Deploying the registration unit (3) at a location outside the danger zone;

[0013] In this step, a registration unit is deployed at a location outside the danger zone. This registration unit is preferably a portable device, such as a tablet computer. The location outside the danger zone is, for example, a staging area, which is established in many buildings. At this point, the registration unit can detect Bluetooth tags present and thus determine the number of people still in the danger zone. This determination is performed in the following steps: d. Scanning the registration unit for at least one, in particular a plurality of, Bluetooth tags matched to the registration unit; e. Sending a signal, in particular comprising the data set, by the respective Bluetooth tag; f. Receiving the signal by the registration unit while simultaneously determining the time of receipt by a time recording system of the registration unit and / or the position of the person, including geographical data regarding the location of the registration unit,

[0014] A preferred design variant involves signal transmission between the Bluetooth tag and the registration unit without prior pairing. This eliminates the limitation on the number of paired Bluetooth transmitters.

[0015] Then, in step g), the data obtained in step d) is compared with a data log. This data log comprises one or more data records created before the evacuation, including the last recorded time and location of the person before the initiation of the evacuation according to step b. This data may be data from a time recording system, which allows for special synergy effects with the present method. The data log can also contain data records from persons, e.g., rescue workers, who only entered the building during the evacuation, provided they have a Bluetooth tag.

[0016] The process then concludes with step f), updating the data protocol. The data protocol can be transferred to additional registration units via a network, which is particularly useful when a building has multiple collection areas. In this case, no further coordination between the collection areas is required.

[0017] Further advantages of the present method are the subject of the subclaims.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the scanning of the registration unit can be performed continuously, although "continuous" can also mean cyclically. Similarly, the Bluetooth tag can transmit an identifier, preferably including a MAC address, which it transmits continuously and preferably cyclically, particularly preferably every 0.5-5 seconds, via a Bluetooth transmitter module or Bluetooth transmitter unit. The registration unit can then display the determined names of the persons located in the danger zone.

[0019] This eliminates the need for pairing, which requires, among other things, a receiving unit for the Bluetooth pendant.

[0020] Furthermore, in a preferred first embodiment, the evacuation system can comprise multiple registration units connected to each other as a network for mutual data exchange, such that, upon receipt of the signal, the geographical position of the receiving first registration unit at a first location outside the danger zone is transmitted to the network and retrieved by a second registration unit at a second location outside the danger zone. This facilitates communication with the rescue services, especially when there are multiple assembly areas.

[0021] In a further second embodiment of the invention, the evacuation system comprises a plurality of registration units, wherein, in addition to the registration unit provided in step c, further registration units remain in the danger zone, and wherein the registration units in the danger zone are set to an operating mode for indicating the nearest exit from the danger zone. In this operating mode, the registration units in the danger zone function as a guidance system.

[0022] According to the invention, the evacuation system comprises a plurality of registration units, wherein in addition to the registration unit provided in step c, further registration units remain in the danger zone and wherein these registration units in the danger zone carry out steps df by creating a data set and transmitting this to the network for determining the position of the person in the danger zone.

[0023] The first, second, and third embodiments of the method can be advantageously combined. In this case, the respective registration units in the danger zone of the respective embodiment are the same. The same applies to the registration unit or units at the location outside the danger zone.

[0024] Preferably, the Bluetooth tag may preferably be designed as a BLE tag.

[0025] The Bluetooth pendant may preferably have a preferred space requirement of less than 7 cm 3< , particularly preferably less than 3 cm 3< .

[0026] According to the invention, the registration unit at the location outside the danger zone is designed as a mobile device, preferably a mobile phone, tablet, and / or laptop, wherein scanning can preferably be carried out in Bluetooth Low Energy mode or BLE mode. This registration unit can preferably also form part of the evacuation system. However, an additional registration unit does not need to be used; instead, for example, in small office units, the only available registration unit can be transported to a location outside the danger zone and carry out the counting and identification of the evacuated persons at this location.

[0027] The registration unit is advantageously internet-capable and preferably has a Wi-Fi transmitting unit, particularly preferably a Wi-Fi transmitting and receiving unit, for exchanging data with other registration units or with external computers. This allows a network to be established among the registration units, particularly between the registration units in the danger zone and at the location or locations outside the danger zone.

[0028] The Bluetooth tag can contain a data set with a unique identifier for identifying the person, preferably a MAC address, a person's name, and / or a name code. This makes it possible to identify the missing person in their absence and to address the person by name during a rescue operation.

[0029] According to the invention, the registration units in the danger zone have a quick-dial pad for connecting to the registration unit located outside the danger zone. This is particularly advantageous for sending a call for help. This functionality is less important in the event of a fire, as the registration unit is likely to be destroyed. In other evacuation situations, such as earthquakes or robberies, this function is certainly useful.

[0030] The evacuation system can also be operated as a working time recording system, meaning the evacuation system can also perform a working time recording process. Both systems can be implemented using a kit consisting of one or more registration units and one or, in particular, several Bluetooth tags in different operating modes.

[0031] What is particularly preferred in this context is that the usual limitations of pairing between Bluetooth pendant and registration unit can be eliminated in both procedures, i.e. both in evacuation and in working time recording.

[0032] This means that 1000 Bluetooth tags or even more can be recognized and recorded by a single registration unit.

[0033] A corresponding method for recording working hours is explained in more detail below. This method can be implemented in another operating mode by the evacuation system. In this mode, the evacuation system operates as a working time recording system.

[0034] A corresponding method for recording working hours can preferably be carried out as follows, whereby the recognition system described below can also simultaneously serve as the evacuation system: Firstly, a Bluetooth-based recognition system can be provided, comprising at least one registration unit for positioning at the workplace and at least one Bluetooth tag that can be carried by the person to be recorded. After being delivered to a customer, said registration unit and Bluetooth tag are positioned at the workplace of the person to be recorded, and the person is provided with the Bluetooth tag. The Bluetooth tag can have a data set with an individual identifier for identifying the person. This can be, for example, a MAC address that corresponds to the person's name or a name code.

[0035] Scanning the registration unit for a Bluetooth tag paired with the registration unit can occur, particularly during continuous operation. The Bluetooth tag can preferably be paired with the registration unit in such a way that the Bluetooth tag's signal transmits a code in addition to the identifier, indicating that the Bluetooth tag is part of the respective recognition system. For example, if two companies on a construction site use a second recognition system, the registration unit uses the code to determine whether the incoming Bluetooth signal is intended for further data processing or belongs to a Bluetooth tag in the second recognition system. In this case, the incoming data is neither recorded nor permanently stored.

[0036] Simultaneously or subsequently, a signal, particularly one containing the data set, can be sent by the Bluetooth tag. Once the signal is transmitted, the data can be further processed, e.g., to determine the start of work, including the time, or the end of work. In the case of a network consisting of multiple login units distributed throughout the company, the position of the person within the company or of the login unit that detects the strongest signal from the Bluetooth tag can be queried.

[0037] The signal can be received by the registration unit while the time of reception is simultaneously determined by a time recording system of the registration unit. Additionally or alternatively, the person's position can be determined using geographical data relating to the location of the registration unit. This allows the recognition system to record or log the working hours of the identified and recorded person, or the position of the respective person within the company, or both. In particular, the said predetermined environment can be understood to include not only the area in which work is performed, but also buses, exhibition halls, etc. Preferably, the entire predetermined environment is covered by a Bluetooth reception network by positioning one or more registration units that complement each other to form a network.

[0038] It is advantageous if the time of receipt is assigned to the received data record by creating a data pair, and preferably if the data pair is permanently stored on a data storage device in the registration unit for further data processing. This allows, for example, a tabular display of working hours to be recorded.

[0039] The received data set in step d) can advantageously be assigned the geographical location of the registration unit at the time of receipt by creating a data pair. This data pair can be transmitted to another registration unit within a network of several, preferably identical, registration units.

[0040] Preferably, the data pair can also be permanently stored on a data storage device in the registration unit. This allows, for example, the time spent in a cafeteria to be recorded and deducted from working hours as a break time. The data pair with the geographical information can be supplemented with a time information.

[0041] Scanning the check-in unit for the presence of Bluetooth tags should preferably be done continuously. However, the scan can also be performed intermittently. Since the range of Bluetooth is limited, for example, to a radius of 500 square meters, a person with a Bluetooth tags can only be detected when they pass by or when they are in close proximity to the check-in unit. When they pass by, for example, the start of their working hours and their presence in a specific sector of the company can be recorded. Passing through again records the end of their working hours. If a person with the Bluetooth tag passes by several check-in units, a position can be transmitted indicating which sector of the company the person is in. This functionality can also be advantageously used in the event of an evacuation.

[0042] The Bluetooth tag, in turn, preferably transmits an identifier, preferably comprising a MAC address, which it transmits continuously and preferably cyclically, particularly preferably every 0.5-5 seconds, via a Bluetooth transmitter module or Bluetooth transmitter unit. This form of data exchange eliminates the need for pairing, which requires, among other things, a receiver unit for the Bluetooth tag.

[0043] Advantageously, the detection system designed as an evacuation system can therefore comprise several registration units connected to each other as a network for mutual data exchange, such that after receiving the signal, the geographical position of the receiving registration unit and the identity of the respective person are transmitted to the network, e.g., a so-called cloud. Of course, the time of detection of the Bluetooth signal at the respective registration unit can also be recorded and transmitted to the network.

[0044] The operation of a recognition system for automatic time recording, but also for determining a person's position in a given environment in the event of an evacuation, is carried out according to a method according to the invention. The Bluetooth tag is preferably designed as a BLE tag, so that the power consumption for transmitting a signal is comparatively low. The Bluetooth tag does not necessarily have to have a receiving module or a receiving function.

[0045] Furthermore, the registration unit can have a GPS sensor for determining geographical positioning. Such a GPS sensor preferably has a data transmission and reception unit for GPS data.

[0046] The invention has numerous further advantages and is explained in more detail below using several exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figure. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of an evacuation system according to the invention; and Fig. 2 a schematic flow diagram of the use of registration units as an evacuation system in the event of a disaster alarm, e.g. fire alarm or earthquake alarm.

[0047] Bluetooth has become an established term in electronic communications technology. Bluetooth generally refers to an industry standard for data transmission between devices over short distances via wireless technology. Bluetooth devices belong to the upper class of so-called short-range devices.

[0048] In the field of Bluetooth technology, the variants Bluetooth 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are currently known. Special subclasses include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a variant with low energy consumption, and Smart Bluetooth. An explanation of how to distinguish between the individual variants can be found in specialist literature and, among other places, on the Wikipedia database.

[0049] The present invention concerns the application of the aforementioned Bluetooth data transmission within the framework of a method according to the invention and an arrangement according to the invention.

[0050] The arrangement comprises at least one log-in registration unit 3 and at least one Bluetooth tag 1, but preferably a plurality of such Bluetooth tags.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a variety of Bluetooth pendants with a preferred space requirement of less than 7 cm³, preferably less than 3 cm³, in contrast to a cell phone, and, as is common with Bluetooth devices, has a Bluetooth radio module. The word "pendant" primarily refers to the size of the Bluetooth device. The pendant can, but does not necessarily have to, have an eyelet or a fastening device; instead, it can be held by a separate holding device. In an extended variant of a Bluetooth pendant within the scope of the present invention, it can be designed as a smartwatch. In further differentiation from a cell phone, the Bluetooth pendant preferably has no electronic components for establishing a telephone connection. Particularly preferably, the Bluetooth pendant has only a transmitting module but no receiving module, thus making it tamper-proof.

[0052] The Bluetooth tags can preferably form the slave modules in a point-to-multipoint network, which can be connected or at least connectable to the log-in unit as the master module.

[0053] Within the scope of the present method, a Bluetooth pendant 1 is first provided to a user 2. The Bluetooth pendant is personalized for the user. It can be used in a first operating mode 100 to log a person's presence at the workplace and, if necessary, to ensure working time recording.

[0054] This is preferably done in such a way that the Bluetooth tag has a unique identifier, preferably comprising a MAC address, which it transmits cyclically, preferably every 1-5 seconds, via the Bluetooth radio module. The MAC address or another form of identifier enables the Bluetooth tag to be assigned to a specific person. The Bluetooth tag is assigned to the respective person by a computer program, preferably by the log-in registration unit. Furthermore, a work schedule model specifically for this person can be stored in the data memory of the log-in registration unit or transmitted by the Bluetooth tag to said log-in registration unit.

[0055] To control the clock rate of the signal transmission or the identification, the Bluetooth tag can also be equipped with a control and evaluation unit. Furthermore, the Bluetooth tag has a data storage device on which the identification is stored.

[0056] The Bluetooth pendant is preferably controlled by the duration and intervals of the signals used to establish a connection with the log-in unit.

[0057] The signal transmission is carried out primarily by an LE (Low Energy) variant of Bluetooth technology.

[0058] The Bluetooth tag can be designed as a so-called BLE tag, also called a BLE tag. BLE stands for Bluetooth Low Energy. The low energy consumption allows the Bluetooth tag to be powered by a battery, particularly a button cell, which allows for further miniaturization of the tag.

[0059] If the evacuation system comprises several log-in registration units, at least one of these registration units must be portable so that it can be taken along in the event of a fire.

[0060] This log-in registration unit 3 is designed as a mobile device, such as a cell phone, tablet, laptop, or the like. The mobile device can be carried along in the event of a fire and can be used at an assembly point to determine the evacuation status, i.e., how many people in the fire area have already been evacuated.

[0061] A login unit can, particularly in an LE operating mode or low-energy operating mode, search for known Bluetooth, particularly BLE, tags in the surrounding area. The surrounding area is preferably at least 10 meters, especially between 20 and 100 meters.

[0062] In particular, the current time and geoinformation of the Bluetooth tags detected by the login unit are logged. This enables the position of each Bluetooth tag inside or outside the building, making it easier to locate a person wearing the Bluetooth tag. At the same time, working time recording can be enabled, for example, to determine whether the employee is in a cafeteria or at work.

[0063] The information is stored by the respective login unit on a local data storage device.

[0064] The log-in registration unit can advantageously have a GPS and / or WLAN transmit and receive module and can transmit the determined time and position data to another computer, e.g., via WLAN, preferably at longer intervals, e.g., after at least 1 hour or after a working day or even longer. Particularly preferably, the log-in registration unit can transmit this data via WLAN or a radio network to a web server, which can then synchronize multiple end devices or log-in registration units. The registration units can advantageously communicate with each other, e.g., to create a movement pattern.

[0065] This function can also be used, for example, in payroll accounting or for security checks when working in sensitive areas, so that it can be determined whether a user is currently in the laboratory or in his office.

[0066] A special feature of the method and device according to the invention is that the log-in module sends a continuous, preferably clocked, signal to establish a connection with other Bluetooth tags. Experience has shown that this operating mode of establishing a connection is energy-intensive for the log-in module, so that pairing with most Bluetooth devices only occurs until the connection is established with a Bluetooth slave and then must be activated for additional devices. In the case of the present invention, however, a continuous, preferably continuously clocked, connection establishment is carried out in order to locate Bluetooth tags as slaves.

[0067] In addition to conventional Bluetooth technology, the Bluetooth slave can also use NFC transmission for pairing.

[0068] With the previously described variant of the connection between the Bluetooth tag and the login unit, so-called Bluetooth pairing is not necessary. Thus, the method according to the invention and the individual operating modes described below for the evacuation system are implemented without time-consuming pairing between the Bluetooth tag and the respective login unit.

[0069] A connection can preferably originate from any end device, which thereby becomes the master over the responding slaves. The login unit can be, for example, an Android tablet with Bluetooth LE technology.

[0070] The login unit scans the surrounding area, preferably continuously, for known Bluetooth tags and / or potential new Bluetooth tags. This can record not only the time and location (i.e., which login unit in a network of multiple login units), but also the distance of the tag from the login unit.

[0071] Due to the permanent detection, a stable external power supply (mains power, power bank, and / or solar connection) is advantageous for powering the login unit 3. However, a power outage lasting 3-4 hours can also be bridged using an internal battery or power supply.

[0072] An additional function can be implemented after the identity of the respective person is verified upon passing through the login unit. At least one Bluetooth tag should be provided for each person to be registered, which must be carried by the person for automatic time recording. This tag transmits a unique identification, such as the current MAC address and manufacturer information, at short intervals (e.g., every 3 seconds).

[0073] As already described, multiple login units can be arranged in a network, e.g., as mobile registration devices. The registration units are synchronized with each other in terms of their data exchange so that the current location of a registered person within a company can be displayed.

[0074] If the log-in unit moves, sensors for positioning, e.g. GPS sensors, can also log the GEO data over time and use it to visualize the location of the detected persons.

[0075] The one or more log-in registration units can graphically process, evaluate and / or forward the data of each recorded person using an appropriate computer program, e.g. to a human resources department and / or to management.

[0076] A special feature of the method and device according to the invention is that the log-in module sends a continuous, preferably clocked, signal to establish a connection with other Bluetooth tags. Experience has shown that this operating mode of establishing a connection is energy-intensive for the log-in module, so that pairing with most Bluetooth devices only occurs until the connection is established with a Bluetooth slave and then must be activated for additional devices. In the case of the present invention, however, a continuous, preferably continuously clocked, connection establishment is carried out in order to locate Bluetooth tags as slaves.

[0077] In addition to conventional Bluetooth technology, the Bluetooth slave can also use NFC transmission for pairing.

[0078] With the previously described variant of the connection between the Bluetooth pendant and the log-in unit, so-called Bluetooth pairing is not necessary.

[0079] A connection can preferably originate from any end device, which thereby becomes the master over the responding slaves. The login unit can be, for example, an Android tablet with Bluetooth LE technology.

[0080] The login unit scans the surrounding area, preferably continuously, for known Bluetooth tags and / or potential new Bluetooth tags. This can record not only the time and location (i.e., which login unit in a network of multiple login units), but also the distance of the tag from the login unit.

[0081] Due to the permanent detection, a stable external power supply (mains power, power bank, and / or solar connection) is advantageous for powering the login unit 3. However, a power outage lasting 3-4 hours can also be bridged using an internal battery or power supply.

[0082] As an additional function, after verifying the identity of the person passing through the login unit, access authorization can also be verified. For this purpose, the login unit can communicate with a locking and / or alarm system.

[0083] At least one Bluetooth tag should be provided for each person to be recorded, which the person must carry for automatic time recording. This tag transmits a unique identifier, such as the current MAC address and manufacturer information, at short intervals (e.g., every 3 seconds).

[0084] As already described, multiple login units can be arranged in a network, e.g., as mobile registration devices. The registration units are synchronized with each other in terms of their data exchange so that the current location of a registered person within a company can be displayed.

[0085] The system described above can be used for recording working hours and for security purposes with regard to certain authorizations for access to specially secured areas. The subject of the present invention is the extension of the system described above and its functions as an evacuation system.

[0086] The evacuation system preferably has three operating modes, wherein each of the operating modes may form a particular aspect of the evacuation system.

[0087] Fig. 2 shows an example of an application with several tablet-style login units 3 in a company. These are distributed at strategic locations, e.g., in corridors or the like, in a building, hereinafter referred to as the danger zone 10.

[0088] An evacuation case, in this case as a disaster alarm, such as fire 9 or earthquake, can be triggered at one of the log-in registration units 3 either manually or by a command signal from a sensor, for example a fire alarm.

[0089] After the disaster alarm is triggered, operating mode 100 is initiated, which preferably cannot be deactivated without special access authorization. An acoustic signal is emitted as an alarm by the registration units 3, and the display of the registration unit 3 preferably continuously shows an evacuation direction (e.g., an arrow). The functionality corresponds to that of a control system.

[0090] However, during the emergency situation, the presence of each Bluetooth tag 1 in the vicinity, and thus of person 2 with the Bluetooth tag, continues to be recorded and logged according to identity, location and time.

[0091] Furthermore, the registration units 3 exchange this recorded data with each other, so that it can be transferred to a mobile registration unit. If a first registration unit fails due to excessive heat, the data is still stored securely in the network and can be retrieved by a second registration unit 3'.

[0092] Fig. 2 also represents a second operating mode 200. In this operating mode, a registration unit 3' is located outside the danger zone 10 in a collection area 7. In particular, this registration unit 3' can be a portable registration unit.

[0093] This counts and identifies the people in the assembly area 8 and compares them with a target value. The target value refers to the total number of Bluetooth tags 1 that were in the building before the fire, e.g., employees, visitors, and those who entered the building during the fire, e.g., rescue workers 5. Of course, this total only refers to the people equipped with a corresponding Bluetooth tag.

[0094] The Bluetooth tags also allow the missing persons 6 to be identified. If there are multiple assembly areas 7 and at least one of the registration units 3' is located in each assembly area, these can communicate with each other via a wireless connection, e.g., via Wi-Fi, over the network, so that the persons can be identified at multiple assembly areas 7. If a person 8 is located in the wrong assembly area, they can be immediately detected by the evacuation system and included in the count.

[0095] The non-evacuated persons 6 who are still in the danger zone can be identified using the data from the Bluetooth tags 1. This allows rescue personnel 4 to search for the persons by name, an important detail since the persons 6 to be rescued are often in a state of shock or in a dazed state in which they only respond to direct address. This can be life-saving in a rescue situation.

[0096] Fig. 2 also shows a third operating mode 300 of the evacuation system, which serves to locate persons 6 to be rescued in the building or in the danger zone 10.

[0097] Based on the last transmitted time and position information of person 6, an approximate location 11 can be determined, allowing rescuers to search more specifically. Even if the registration units 3 located in the danger zone are no longer functional, they have already transmitted this data to the network, which in turn can be retrieved by the registration units in the assembly areas. This allows the "last position" of the person 6 to be rescued to be determined.

[0098] This data can be made available to a rescue team 5.

[0099] The above three operating modes 100-300 can be executed simultaneously on a registration system 3, 3' or 4, thus enabling a combination of working time recording system and evacuation system.

[0100] Operating modes 100-300 can be operated as a type of "override mode" and can, in particular, override other energy- or power-reducing programs initiated on registration unit 3 before or during the evacuation event, in order to ensure maximum data communication, maximum data processing, and particularly fast person detection.

[0101] As previously explained, the registration of evacuated persons 8 can be carried out by a registration unit 3' outside the danger zone 10. Alternatively or additionally, the registration of evacuated persons can also be carried out still within the danger zone 10, e.g., at an exit of the building, by a registration unit 3, which sends its data to an external electronic device, e.g., the device 4 of the rescue workers 5. This device can only visualize data without serving as a registration unit for identifying a person with a Bluetooth tag via Bluetooth. Failure to detect a Bluetooth tag 1 by the registration units 3 within the danger zone 10 can also result in the corresponding person being outside the danger zone 10 at a specific time and consequently being evacuated.

[0102] For safety reasons, a redundant determination can also be carried out both by the registration unit or registration units 3 within the danger area 10 and by the registration unit 3' outside the danger area, e.g. in the assembly area 7.

[0103] A data log, e.g., about the time and location of a person identified in the danger zone, can be stored directly on a storage unit of the respective registration unit that recognized the Bluetooth tag via Bluetooth. Additionally or alternatively, the data log, e.g., including the location of the last detection, can also be stored on a higher-level IT infrastructure, a so-called cloud.

[0104] The network of login units described above can also be a single BLE network or, together with the higher-level IT infrastructure, can cover a larger range.

[0105] The login unit updates the data log stored on the storage unit even if the connection to the higher-level IT infrastructure fails. This makes it possible for the data log to continue even if the connection to the cloud is lost. A subsequent update of the cloud data log after the connection is reestablished is also possible.

[0106] In particular, in the event of an evacuation, the registration unit can transmit data on the position of persons in the danger zone and / or information on the danger zone or the person themselves and / or information on the nature of the reason for evacuation to emergency personnel, or provide emergency personnel with access to the data record(s) of the higher-level IT infrastructure. This allows emergency personnel to use the data as a guide during deployment preparation, e.g., in selecting rescue equipment or during the execution of the deployment. This data can be accessed using a mobile device 4, e.g., a tablet or mobile phone.

[0107] At least one registration unit in the danger zone can also have a microphone and / or a camera, which are switched on in the event of an evacuation. Preferably, all registration units can be equipped and operated accordingly. The visual support can transmit information as to where there is an obstacle that makes it difficult to get through. This can be taken into account when planning the shortest escape route. Furthermore, in cases of poor visibility, those to be evacuated can be oriented as to where the registration unit is positioned in the danger zone, e.g. in order to establish contact with the outside. An evacuation system according to the invention comprises one or more Bluetooth tags, as well as a registration unit which is set up to carry out the method described above according to the invention.

[0108] Ideally, the registration unit has an integrated energy storage device designed to operate the registration unit for a period of at least 24 hours, so that energy-independent operation of the evacuation system is guaranteed over a sufficiently long period of time.

[0109] The following embodiments are particularly preferred independent of the previously described embodiments: The Bluetooth pendant 1 can preferably be designed as a BLE pendant, wherein the Bluetooth pendant 1 has a preferred space requirement of less than 7 cm 3< , particularly preferably less than 3 cm 3< .

[0110] The registration unit 3 can be internet-capable and preferably have a WLAN transmitting unit, particularly preferably a WLAN transmitting and receiving unit, for exchange with other registration units 3', 3" or with external computers 4 as part of a higher-level IT infrastructure. Reference symbol

[0111] 1Bluetooth pendant 2Person to be registered 3Registration unit 4External computer / mobile device 5Emergency or rescue personnel 6Person to be evacuated 7Assembly point / outside the danger zone 8Evacuated person outside the danger zone 9Danger / fire 10Danger zone 11Aisle 100first operating mode 200second operating mode 300third operating mode

Claims

1. Method for operating an evacuation system for supporting an evacuation event, in particular an evacuation of a building, comprising the following steps of: a. providing a Bluetooth-based recognition system comprising at least one registration unit (3 or 3'), which is positioned at the workplace, and at least one Bluetooth tag (1), which is carried by the person (2, 6, 8) to be recognized, wherein the Bluetooth tag (1) has a data set with an individual identifier for identifying the person (2); b. initiating an alarm due to an evacuation event within a danger zone (10); c. providing one or the registration unit (3', 3) at a location (7) outside the danger zone (10); d. scanning the registration unit (3', 3) for at least one Bluetooth tag(1), in particular a plurality thereof, which is matched to the registration unit (3', 3); e. transmitting a signal, in particular comprising the data set, by the respective Bluetooth tag (1); f. receiving the signal by the registration unit (3', 3) with simultaneous determination of the time of reception by a time recording of the registration unit (3', 3) and / or the position of the person (2, 8) with the inclusion of geographical data with regard to the location of the registration unit (3', 3), and g. comparing the data determined in step d) with a data log comprising a data set created prior to the evacuation event comprising a last detected time and a last detected location of the person (2) in the danger zone (10) prior to the initiation of the evacuation event according to step b; and h. updating the data log, wherein the evacuation system comprises a plurality of registration units (3), wherein further registration units (3) remain in the danger zone (10) in addition to the registration unit (3') provided in step c, wherein these registration units (3) carry out steps d-f in the danger zone (10) by creating a data record and transmitting this to the network or to a higher-level IT infrastructure for determining the position of the person in the danger zone (10), characterized in that the registration unit (3') at the location (7) outside the danger zone (10) is designed as a mobile terminal and in that the registration units (3) in the danger zone (10) have a quick dial field for connection to the registration unit (3) at the location (7) outside the danger zone (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the scanning of the registration unit or registration units (3, 3') is carried out continuously.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that no pairing takes place between the registration unit (3) or registration units (3, 3') and the Bluetooth tags (1).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evacuation system comprises a plurality of registration units (3) which are connected to one another as a network for mutual data exchange, in particular via Bluetooth or W-Lan, in such a way that, after the signal has been received, the geographical position of the receiving first registration unit (3) at a first location (7) outside the danger zone (10) is transmitted to the network and retrieved by a second registration unit (3') at a second location outside the danger zone (10).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evacuation system comprises a plurality of registration units (3), wherein in addition to the provided registration unit (3') in step c, further registration units (3) remain in the danger zone (10), wherein the registration units (3) in the danger zone are set to an operating mode (100) for indicating the closest exit from the danger zone (10) as a guidance system.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evacuation system can be operated as a detection system for recording working time.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Bluetooth tag (1) has a data set with an individual identifier for identifying the person (2, 6, 8), preferably as a Mac address, a name of the person (2, 6, 8) and / or a name code, wherein the registration unit (3, 3') preferably displays the determined names of the persons (2, 6, 8) who are in the danger zone (10) and / or outside the danger zone (10).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data log is stored both on a storage unit of the registration unit (3, 3') and on a higher-level IT infrastructure, a so-called cloud, wherein the registration unit (3, 3') updates the data log stored on the storage unit even if the connection to the higher-level IT infrastructure fails.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the registration unit (3, 3') transmits data on the position of persons (2, 6, 8) in the danger zone (10) and / or information on the danger zone (10) or on the person (2, 6, 8) itself and / or information on the type of evacuation reason to emergency services (5) in the evacuation event or provides access to the data record(s) or the data log of the higher-level IT infrastructure by emergency services (5).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the registration unit (3) has a microphone and / or a camera in the danger zone (10), which are switched on in the evacuation event.

11. Evacuation system comprising one or more Bluetooth tags (1), as well as a plurality of registration units (3, 3'), which are set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the registration unit (3, 3') preferably has an integrated energy storage device, which is designed to operate the registration unit (3, 3') over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein the evacuation system is characterized in that the registration unit (3') at the location (7) outside the danger zone (10) is designed as a mobile terminal and in that the registration units (3) in the danger zone (10) have a quick-dial field for connection to the registration unit (3) at the location (7) outside the danger zone (10).