Emergency Textual Notification Device Alert Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Textual notification devices in buildings often fail to effectively alert occupants of emergency information, as it may be overlooked due to habituation from displaying non-emergency information.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an alert mechanism within textual notification devices that generates audible and/or visible signals to draw attention to emergency messages, including a system controller to override non-emergency information and utilize addressable channels for individual control of alert generators and displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If textual notification devices display non-emergency information continuously, then occupants become habituated to the display content, but emergency information may be overlooked when it needs to be presented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency information recognitionVSAvoidoccupant attention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic alert signals (audible and/or visible) that activate when emergency information is detected. These periodic signals interrupt the continuous display of non-emergency information, creating a distinct temporal pattern that draws occupant attention to the emergency message without requiring constant monitoring of the display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes visual alert signals that can change the appearance or intensity of displayed information. When emergency information is present, the system activates visual alerts (such as changing display colors or intensities) to differentiate emergency content from routine non-emergency information, making the emergency message visually distinct and harder to overlook.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If alert mechanisms are added to textual notification devices, then emergency information recognition is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency information recognitionVSAvoidnotification device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates alert mechanism functionality into existing textual notification devices, allowing the same device to perform both routine information display and emergency alerting functions. The system uses the existing display infrastructure for both non-emergency and emergency information, adding only the necessary alert signal generation capability rather than requiring completely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the alert mechanism with the existing textual notification device infrastructure. The emergency information presentation uses the same display elements as non-emergency information, with the addition of coordinated audible and visual alert signals. This merging approach avoids the complexity of entirely separate emergency notification systems while ensuring reliable emergency communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures that emergency information is promptly recognized by occupants, enhancing safety by providing clear and distinct alerts that override non-emergency content.

Implementation Method 1

In one embodiment, the display is a light emitting diode (LED) or other display device signboard

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emitting diode (LED): Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

In one embodiment, the alert mechanism includes an audio alert generator for generating the alert signal in the form of an audible signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAudio alert generation:

Implementation Method 3

In another embodiment, the alert mechanism includes a visual alert generator for generating the alert signal in the form of a visible signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisual alert generation:

Data Source

PatentUS9672704B2Emergency system textual notification device with alert mechanism

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A textual notification device includes a display for presenting either emergency information or non-emergency information received at the network interface of the textual notification device. The textual notification device also includes an alert mechanism for generating an alert signal alerting occupants to the presentation of emergency information. The textual notification device can be incorporated in an emergency system that includes an emergency panel and a secondary system. The emergency panel provides the emergency information to the textual notification device for display. The secondary system provides the non-emergency information to the textual notification device for display. In one embodiment, the emergency system includes an addressable channel enabling the separate addressing of the display and the alert mechanism(s).