Color-Changing Lighting Emergency Control via Standardized Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current color-changing lighting systems are difficult to control remotely and efficiently, especially for emergency communications, requiring complex software and hardware setups, and lack standardized schemes for universal understanding by first responders and the public.
Innovation Solution
A computerized architecture that enables remote control of color-changing lighting systems via the internet, using a content management network and administrative server to manage lighting control content, integrate with home and building automation systems, and utilize APIs for secure and authorized access, allowing for standardized emergency communication through color codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If color-changing lighting systems are used for emergency communication, then the ability to convey emergency information is improved, but the complexity of control software and hardware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed to serve multiple functions: aesthetic lighting, seasonal display, and emergency communication. The same color-changing lights used for decorative purposes are repurposed to convey standardized emergency codes, eliminating the need for dedicated emergency signaling equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses changes in lighting parameters (color, intensity, pattern) to encode emergency information. By varying these parameters according to standardized codes, the system can communicate different types of emergencies without requiring additional hardware or complex software protocols.
2Ease of operation
If remote control of color-changing lighting is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the requirement for expensive equipment and complex setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is integrated into existing home and building automation infrastructures, allowing the lighting to be controlled remotely through devices users already possess (smartphones, tablets, computers). This approach avoids requiring expensive dedicated remote control equipment while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that acts as a bridge between users and the lighting fixtures. This intermediary layer, which can be implemented through existing automation systems, simplifies the user interface and reduces the need for users to directly manage complex lighting parameters, thereby reducing setup complexity.
3Measurement precision
If standardized emergency communication codes are implemented, then the accuracy of emergency information is improved, but the adaptability for different emergency scenarios decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency communication system divides emergency information into discrete, standardized codes that can be independently selected and combined. Each code represents a specific emergency type or condition, allowing for precise communication while maintaining the ability to address various scenarios through code selection rather than requiring a single adaptive system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is presented for alerting persons of an emergency situation in a public space having an emergency colored-lighting alarm system. In response to a user actuating an alarm panel to indicate a type of emergency, the colored-lighting alarm system displays a color-coded lighting message corresponding to the emergency type. The color-coded message can include repeatedly or alternatingly emitting a colored light.