Wireless Alert Remote Units for Multi-Building Emergency Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing facility alert systems fail to effectively alert all occupants of a building complex to emergencies and contact appropriate emergency services across multiple subdivided structures within a complex, leading to potential severe injury or death due to inadequate communication and response.
Innovation Solution
A facility alert system comprising remote units with wireless communication, indicator lights, vibration motors, and speakers that transmit alert signals to emergency services and illuminate distinct indicator lights to inform users of the nature of the emergency, allowing for simultaneous alerting of the entire complex and appropriate service contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional alert systems are used in building complexes, then individual sections can be alerted locally, but the entire building complex cannot be alerted of emergencies affecting multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The alert system is divided into multiple remote units distributed throughout the building complex, with each unit capable of independent operation. Each remote unit contains local alerting components (lights, sirens, speakers) that can be activated individually or in coordination with other units, enabling both localized and comprehensive alert coverage without requiring a single complex centralized system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate response procedures are implemented for different emergency types, then appropriate response can be provided, but communication of emergency nature to all occupants becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each remote unit is equipped with multiple types of alerting mechanisms (visual lights, audible sirens, spoken messages) that can be activated in different combinations depending on the emergency type. The system provides differentiated alert patterns for different emergencies (e.g., fire vs. active shooter) while maintaining ease of operation through automatic selection based on the triggered control circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote units are designed with multi-functional alerting capabilities, incorporating both visual and audible alerting mechanisms in each unit. This universal design allows a single remote unit to effectively communicate multiple types of emergency information, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices for different emergency types.
3Loss of time
If manual alerting methods are used in subdivided structures, then simple devices can be deployed, but timely alerting of the entire complex and emergency services cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic dialing circuitry that acts as an intermediary between the manual control activation and emergency services notification. When a control circuit is activated, the system automatically dials the appropriate emergency services number and transmits location information, eliminating the need for manual phone calls while maintaining simple operation. The wireless communication network serves as an intermediary for transmitting alerts between remote units and central monitoring.
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 timely and comprehensive alerting of building occupants and emergency services, minimizing response time and risk by providing a unified alert mechanism across multiple locations within a complex.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of remote units is in wireless communication with each other via a wireless transceiver disposed within the housing
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of controls illuminates a corresponding indicator light disposed on each housing of the plurality of remote units when actuated
Implementation Method 3
a vibration motor is disposed within each housing, wherein the vibration motor activates to vibrate each housing in a pattern corresponding to each control when one of the plurality of controls is actuated
Implementation Method 4
a speaker is disposed on each housing of the plurality of remote units, wherein each speaker is configured to emit an audible alert when one of the plurality of controls on one of the plurality of remote units is actuated
Data Source
AI summary
A facility alert system is provided. The system includes a plurality of remote units, wherein each unit includes a housing having a plurality of controls thereon. Each of the plurality of remote units is in wireless communication with each other via a wireless transceiver disposed within the housing. Each of the plurality of controls illuminates a corresponding indicator light disposed on each housing of the plurality of remote units when actuated. Upon actuation of one of the plurality of controls, an alert signal is transmitted to emergency services via the wireless transceiver. In some embodiments, a vibration motor is disposed within each housing, whereupon actuation of one of the plurality of controls, each vibration motor activates to vibrate each housing in a pattern corresponding to each control.