Dynamic Evacuation Navigation Device for Real-Time Route Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency responders often lack access to accurate and up-to-date building blueprints during emergencies, especially in buildings with outdated or incomplete records, and static evacuation maps may not account for real-time conditions, leading to difficulties in navigating safely through changing environments.
Innovation Solution
A responder-ready reporting network and emergency evacuation system that utilizes digital building plans, real-time environmental monitoring, and position tracking to provide emergency responders with dynamic evacuation routes and accurate building configurations, accessible through a control system and handheld devices, even in GNSS-denied areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static evacuation maps are used to show evacuation routes, then the map is simple to implement and display, but it cannot account for real-time conditions such as heat, fire, smoke, or blocked routes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static evacuation maps into dynamic systems that automatically update based on real-time environmental sensor data. The system continuously monitors conditions such as heat, smoke, and fire locations, then dynamically recalculates and displays updated evacuation routes on electronic devices, ensuring the information remains accurate and reliable without requiring manual updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where environmental sensors continuously monitor building conditions and feed this data back to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and automatically updates evacuation route recommendations on user devices, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions and maintains information accuracy.
2Loss of information
If building blueprints are stored as multiple records at multiple locations in public agencies, then comprehensive building data is maintained, but it becomes difficult to locate and access these records during emergencies, especially on weekends and holidays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-uploading and storing current building blueprint data and configurations directly onto portable devices of emergency responders before they arrive at the scene. This ensures that comprehensive building information is immediately accessible without requiring access to public agency offices or multiple record locations during the emergency response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of building blueprints and configuration data, storing them in accessible locations such as cloud databases and portable devices. This eliminates the need for responders to physically locate and access original records at public agencies, allowing immediate retrieval of building information through electronic copies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If construction changes are made to building layouts during the construction process, then the building can be adapted to meet actual needs, but these changes are not reflected in the blueprints on file with public agencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes continuous feedback mechanisms where building owners or facility managers update digital building model data whenever construction changes occur. These updates are automatically transmitted to the emergency notification system, ensuring that the digital records accurately reflect current building configurations and layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system requires that building configuration updates be performed in advance and uploaded to the system before emergencies occur. This preliminary updating ensures that when emergencies happen, the most current and accurate building data is already available in the system for immediate access by responders.
Data Source
AI summary
An evacuation navigation device disclosed. In one embodiment, the evacuation navigation device comprises a position determining component configured to determine a position of a handheld device within a selected environment having access to at least one positioning system. The device further comprises a display device configured to display the position of the handheld device on a digital map of the selected environment and at least one evacuation route from the position to an evacuation position. The device further comprises a wireless communication component configured to receive a real-time update of safety conditions along the at least one evacuation route. The device further comprises logic implemented by a processor for dynamically revising the digital map based upon the real-time update.