Evacuation Guidance System with Dynamic Path Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection systems lack integration with real-time occupant tracking and guidance during building evacuations, leading to potential human error, delays, and inefficient evacuation processes due to the reliance on user-reported emergencies and lack of directed evacuation paths.

Innovation Solution

A system that integrates fire detection devices with a positioning and evacuation system to track occupants and generate individualized evacuation paths, providing turn-by-turn directions through mobile devices, prioritizing evacuation based on proximity to danger and path availability, and monitoring evacuation progress for first responders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually contact dispatchers via mobile devices to report emergencies, then the system can receive emergency information, but human error and delay occur as well as false alarms from accidental activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency detection accuracyVSAvoidevacuation response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fire detection devices autonomously detect fire conditions and trigger evacuation alerts without requiring user intervention. The system self-monitors for fire indicators (smoke, heat, hazardous gases) and automatically initiates evacuation procedures, eliminating human error and delay associated with manual reporting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of users contacting dispatchers with an automated electronic detection and communication system. Fire detection devices directly communicate with the positioning and evacuation system, substituting human action with automated sensor-based detection and digital communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If the system tracks occupant locations during emergency, then real-time location information is available, but the ability to actively direct occupants to safe exits is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant location informationVSAvoidoccupant evacuation guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning and evacuation system continuously tracks occupant locations and uses this feedback to dynamically generate and update individualized evacuation paths. The system monitors real-time occupant positions and adjusts guidance directions based on current locations, fire position, and available escape routes, creating a closed-loop guidance system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides customized evacuation directions tailored to each occupant's specific location and circumstances. Rather than generic instructions, each occupant receives individualized turn-by-turn directions optimized for their particular situation, with different paths assigned based on local conditions such as proximity to fire, available exits, and occupancy location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional fire protection systems are used with static placards and periodic drills, then basic evacuation guidance is provided, but real-time tracking and dynamic path generation are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevacuation system implementationVSAvoidevacuation path adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static evacuation placards to dynamic, real-time evacuation path generation. Evacuation routes are continuously updated based on real-time data including fire position, spread rate, occupant locations, and available escape routes. The system adapts paths dynamically during the emergency event rather than relying on predetermined static routes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning and evacuation system integrates multiple functions: fire detection integration, real-time occupant tracking, individualized path generation, turn-by-turn directional guidance, and communication with first responders. This multi-functional system replaces multiple separate systems (fire detection, evacuation guidance, tracking) with a unified platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11188993B2Method and system for managing evacuations using positioning systems

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

In a system and method for managing evacuations of buildings, in response to detection of a fire, a control panel initiates an alarm condition and activates annunciation devices to signal that an evacuation of the building is required. A positioning and evacuation system tracks locations of occupants in the building and the progression of the fire. The positioning and evacuation system generates individualized evacuation paths for the occupants, which are transmitted to and displayed on mobile computing devices of the occupants. Additionally, the positioning and evacuation system generates turn by turn directions of the individualized evacuation paths, which are displayed on three dimensional maps or with augmented reality on the mobile computing devices of the occupants.