Infrared Sensor Network for Indoor Fire Evacuation Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide timely and effective warnings and navigation guidance during emergencies, especially indoors, where users may not be aware of life-threatening conditions and lack sufficient time for evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A network of smart devices equipped with infrared sensors that detect hotspots and provide real-time alerts and evacuation routes to safe zones, using a combination of text messages, voice instructions, and mapping interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network of smart devices with infrared sensors is deployed to detect hotspots and provide real-time alerts, then the timeliness and effectiveness of emergency warnings is improved, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages multi-functionality by utilizing existing smartphone devices that already possess infrared sensors, location services, and communication capabilities. The system repurposes these universal devices for fire detection and emergency navigation, eliminating the need for specialized dedicated hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through distributed sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by enabling devices to automatically detect hotspots using their built-in infrared sensors, autonomously determine location through GPS and location services, and independently communicate alerts and navigation instructions without requiring manual activation or complex external control infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing navigation systems are used to provide directions, then vehicle or outdoor walking directions can be provided, but they are unable to guide persons who are indoors and require room-by-room guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from general outdoor navigation to specific indoor navigation. The system uses the device's precise location data to determine which floor and room the user occupies, then provides tailored room-by-room directional instructions customized to the specific indoor environment and user location, rather than generic outdoor directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system addresses the limitation of traditional 2D map-based navigation by incorporating vertical dimensionality through floor detection. The device determines the user's floor level and provides three-dimensional navigation guidance that accounts for stairways, elevators, and multi-level building structures, enabling comprehensive indoor navigation across multiple spatial dimensions.
3Speed
If real-time hotspot detection and evacuation route generation is implemented, then timely evacuation guidance is provided, but the processing requirements and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial action by focusing computational resources on critical functions only: detecting temperature anomalies beyond normal thresholds, determining current location, and generating evacuation routes. The infrared sensor continuously monitors but only triggers processing when hotspot conditions are detected, and navigation instructions are provided incrementally rather than all at once, reducing overall computational energy consumption while maintaining rapid response capability.
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
Enables timely and effective evacuation by alerting users to potential dangers and guiding them through dynamic navigation instructions, enhancing safety in emergency situations such as fires by leveraging device networks and sensor data.
Implementation Method 1
first data obtained during a first time by a first infrared sensor associated with the first device indicating a presence of one or more hotspots near the first device
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of providing guidance and information to an end-user during an emergency situation. A network of one or more enrolled devices can obtain infrared data that will be used by the system to determine whether there is a high likelihood of a fire in a building. When an emergency situation such as a fire is detected, alerts can be generated at the enrolled devices that provide navigation cues based on user preferences and suggested evacuation routes to safely guide the end-user to the nearest designated exit.