Patent Application
20140003586
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed toward an emergency communication system that may be installed within a protected area of a protected premises, such as a multi-level building, a sprawling single level building, or multi-building campus. The emergency communication system permits system operators to broadcast live messages to individual zones within the protected area, record the live messages while they are being broadcast, and then automatically replay the recorded messages. Thus, the system eliminates the need for a system operator to continuously broadcast the same live message to particular zones of the protected area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is very common for modern commercial or public buildings to possess some type of alarm system capable of notifying occupants of a potentially dangerous situation, such as a fire. In the past, such systems upon actuation emitted a siren, bell, or other type of alarm that alerted building occupants to evacuate the structure. Typically, actuation of the alarm indicated the presence of a fire in the building. However, the alarm could also be actuated for other reasons such as inclement weather, hazmat incidences, or earthquakes. In addition, actuation of the alarm system could be accidental, i.e., a false alarm. Thus, it was left up to the building occupants to decipher the intended meaning for the signal. This would often lead to the assumption that the alarm was false and the occupants would not take the required precautionary action.
Over time, emergency communication systems were developed to permit broadcast of voice messages across a public announcement system installed within the building. Some systems permitted emergency responders or building personnel to broadcast a live or a pre-recorded page explaining the nature of the emergency and provide instructions to the building occupants. The message could even be directed to particular portions of the structure affected by the emergency condition as opposed to the entire building. With respect to systems employing pre-recorded messages, a primary shortcoming was that only those emergency situations that were likely foreseeable could be planned for and an appropriate message designed. If a pre-recorded message option was not appropriate for a particular situation, an emergency responder would have to live broadcast the information that the building occupants needed to hear. Further, the live instructions broadcast by the responder may even countermand a pre-recorded message as the responding personnel assess and react to the actual and developing conditions in real time. In this regard, the live announcements are usually the most important and are given the highest priority in the configuration of the systems.
Typically, upon initiation of a live page by the system operator using a paging microphone or firefighter's telephone, the live audio message is immediately broadcast over the system speakers. Once the page is completed, the system returns to its normal, automatic operational state. Further, in most instances, a system operator is only able to make one live announcement at a time, and if the message or instructions are to be repeated, the operator must remain at the system console and repeat the message in real-time. This leaves the operator unable to assist those responding to the emergency situation. Thus, a need exists for an emergency communication system that permits the communication of real-time, and not pre-recorded, messages to building occupants without requiring that one or more of the emergency responders be tasked with constant relaying of the messages to affected areas of the building.
According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an emergency communication system capable of distributing audible messages to a protected area located within a protected premises having at least one protected zone. The system generally comprises a processing element, a memory unit, and a speaker assembly associated with the processing element. The speaker assembly comprises a speaker circuit and one or more speakers being located within the protected zone. The processing element is operable to transmit a live, spoken message through the speaker circuit to the protected zone speakers, store the message in the memory unit, and cause the message to be repeated as a repeated message through the speaker assembly speakers.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an emergency communication system capable of distributing audible messages to a protected area comprising at least two protected zones. The system comprises a processing element operable to transmit a first live, spoken message through a first speaker assembly comprising a first speaker circuit and one or more speakers located within a first protected zone. The processing element is further operable to transmit a second live, spoken message through a second speaker assembly comprising a second speaker circuit and one or more speakers located within a second protected zone. The processing element is further operable to store the first and second messages in a memory unit and to cause the first message to be repeated through the first speaker assembly speakers as a first repeated message and the second message to be repeated through the second speaker assembly speakers as a second repeated message.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon for distributing audible messages to an area protected by an emergency communication system. The program instructs a processor to receive a live, spoken message, transmit the message through a speaker assembly comprising one or more speakers located in a protected zone within the protected area, and repeat the message as a recorded message through the protected zone speakers. Particularly, the program instructs the processor to record the message as it is being transmitted through the speaker assembly thereby enabling the repetition of the message subsequent to the initial live transmission. In another embodiment, the program also instructs the processor to receive a second live, spoken message, transmit the second message through a second speaker assembly comprising one or more speakers located in a second protected zone within the protected area, and repeat the second message as a second recorded message through the second protected zone speakers.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for distributing audible messages to an area protected by an emergency communication system. The method comprises receiving a live, spoken message, transmitting the message through a speaker assembly comprising one or more speakers located in a protected zone within the protected area, and repeating the message as a recorded message through the protected zone speakers. In an additional embodiment, the method further comprises receiving a second live, spoken message, transmitting the second message through a second speaker assembly comprising one or more speakers located in a second protected zone within the protected area, and repeating the second message as a second recorded message through the second protected zone speakers.
As noted above, the present invention is generally directed toward an emergency communication system configured to be installed within a building or other protected areas and to deliver audible messages to one or more protected zones within the building or protected area. Turning to
System 22 comprises a command center 24 which includes a console having some kind of user interface to enable an operator to control the system. Note, even though command center 24 is shown as being located in the building's first level, command center 24 may be located anywhere in building 10 or even in a remote or off-site location. The user interface may take the form of a panel having a plurality of buttons or switches and include a audio input, such as a microphone or other type of handset, operable to receive the operator's voice input so that live messages may be broadcast through the system to all of or at least some portions of building 10. It is also within the scope of the present invention for the audio input to be located remote from command center 24, and even off site from building 10.
Included within system 22, and in certain embodiments within command center 24, is a processing element that controls the operation of system 22. The processing element may be any device, or combination of devices, equipped with a processor capable of implementing operator systems or executing a computer program, which is also generally known as instructions, commands, software code, executables, applications, apps, and the like. The processing element may include processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or the like, as well as combinations thereof
System 22 further comprises a memory element that is capable of storing or retaining any computer program utilized to control the processing element as well as data that is received by system 22, such as text, databases, graphics, audio, video, and combinations thereof The memory element may also be known as a “computer-readable storage medium” and may include non-transitory components such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash drive memory, hard disk drives, optical storage media such as compact discs (CDs or CDROMs), digital video disc (DVD), Blu-Ray™ or the like, as well as combinations thereof As described in greater detail below, the memory element may be a single memory unit associated with the processing element, or may comprise a plurality of memory elements distributed throughout system 22.
System 22 further comprises a plurality of speaker assemblies 26, 28, 30, 32 that are associated with, operably coupled to, or otherwise connected with the processing element. Each of the speaker assemblies comprise one or more speakers 34 installed within a particular floor or protected zone. Speakers 34 are interconnected with each other and associated with the processing element via a speaker circuit 36. In certain embodiments, the speaker circuits 36 are associated with the processing element via a communication path 38 that is dedicated for use only by said emergency communication system and is not shared by any other building systems. In particular embodiments, communication path 38 may be a wiring system, such as a dedicated two-wire system, or fiber optic cabling. However, in certain embodiments, it may be possible to utilize an internet protocol (IP) Ethernet or DSL communication systems as the communication path, even though such systems may not be dedicated for use only by the emergency communication system. Furthermore, even though communication path 38 is illustrated as a wired communication system, it is understood that communication path 38 may also comprise wireless technology, and that appropriate receiving and transmitting equipment be employed as a part of path 38.
Further distinguishing emergency communication systems according to the present invention from other types of communication or paging systems is that emergency communication systems may also include a back-up power source to permit operation of the system even though the building's main power source may be accidentally interrupted as a part of the emergency situation or intentionally interrupted in response to the emergency situation. In particular embodiments, this back-up power source should be capable of operating system 22 for at least 24 hours following disconnection of the building's primary AC power source. Emergency communication systems are generally supervised for system integrity from end to end so that any faults or malfunctions are immediately detected and can be rectified. Other paging systems for non-emergency use do not include this high level of supervision. Emergency communication systems are also constructed to permit operation of the system even through a ground fault. In certain embodiments, emergency communication systems have the capability of prioritizing the sending of signals through the system. For example, live messages are given priority over pre-recorded messages with respect of delivery to a particular protected zone. The use of dedicated signaling cables is important to this message prioritization aspect. Other communication systems which employ Ethernet technology do not prioritize the sending of signals through the system. Also, emergency communication systems can be integrated with a “failsafe” tone if cable or signal integrity is lost during an alarm event thus ensuring that the system will provide at least some type of alert to the building occupants even though the system is damaged or its functionality diminished. With an Ethernet-based system, the system is generally disabled by a loss of cable or signal integrity.
Speaker assemblies 26, 28, 30, and 32 may also comprise one or more amplifier units 40. The amplifier unit 40 for each respective speaker assembly may be located on the same floor as the speakers 36 for the respective speaker assembly, or the amplifier units may be housed in a common location such as the command center 24. In certain embodiments, however, it may be preferable for the amplifier units to be dispersed throughout building 10 as this may assist with the survivability of certain portions of system 22 should some other portions become damaged by an emergency situation, such as fire. As explained further below, the amplifier units 40 may be associated with memory elements comprising the aforementioned memory unit, so that messages intended for a particular zone or floor may be locally stored should other portions of system 22 become damaged and rendered non-functional.
Building 42 includes a plurality of protected zones 44, 46, 48, 50. A communication system 52, similar in configuration to communication system 22 of
As discussed further with respect to the operation of communication systems 22, 43, and 52, the systems are equipped with one or more audio input devices 62. Audio input devices 62 may comprise any type of communication source capable of receiving an audio signal including, but not limited to a fireman's phone or other type of microphone. Typically, one audio input device 62 is associated with or in close proximity to the command center 24, although, it is within the scope of the present invention for additional input devices 62 to be located throughout buildings 10, 42 and in particular in each protected zone or floor. Further, each of input devices 62 remote from command center 24 may be associated with a secondary control panel (not illustrated) which may be of similar functionality as command center 24, but possibly more limited in terms of system-wide access. Additionally, systems 22, 43, and 52 may also include other peripheral apparatus installed within buildings 10, 42 such as pull stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors, gas detectors, video systems, emergency communication and notification devices.
In the event of an emergency situation within the protected area, such as building 10, 41, or 42, the emergency communication system 22, 43, 52 is functional to permit responding personnel to deliver real-time customized messages to particular protected zones within the protected area, and then cause those messages to be automatically repeated in the particular zones to which they were originally delivered in real-time. This automatic recording of the live message as it is being delivered to the protected zone and its repetition permits the responder to speak the message a single time and then be able to assist with addressing the emergency situation, instead of having to repeat the message live.
The operation of emergency communication systems according to the present invention will be described with particular reference to system 22 of
In order to accomplish this mission, the processing element utilized by system 22 must be operable to transmit a first live, spoken message through speaker assembly 32 located on floor 20, store that message within the memory unit, such as within a memory element comprising amplifier unit 40 associated with speaker assembly 32, and cause the message to be repeated through said speakers 34 of speaker assembly 32. The processing element must also be operable to transmit a second live, spoken message through speaker assembly 26, for example, located on floor 14, store that second message within the memory unit, such as within a memory element comprising amplifier unit 40 associated with speaker assembly 26, and cause the message to be repeated through speakers 34 of speaker assembly 26.
In another aspect, the present invention is also directed toward a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon and method for distributing audible messages to an area protected by the emergency communication system 22. The computer program and the method may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof. In keeping with the above illustration, the computer program instructs the aforementioned processor to receive a first live, spoken message which may be delivered by an emergency responder via one of input devices 62, transmit the first message through speaker assembly 32 which includes one or more speakers 34 located on floor 20, and repeat the first message as a first recorded message through the same speakers 34. The computer program further instructs the processor to receive a second live, spoken message which may delivered by an emergency responder via the same input device 62 which delivered the first message or through a different input device located in building 10. The program instructs the processor to transmit the second message through speakers 34 of speaker assembly 26 located on floor 14, and then repeat the second message as a second recorded message through the speakers 34 of assembly 26.
In certain embodiments, the computer program also instructs the processor to store the first message in a first memory element such as might be found in amplifier unit 40 that is associated with speaker assembly 32, and store the second message in a second memory element such as might be found in amplifier unit 40 that is associated with speaker assembly 26. As noted above, the first and second messages may comprise individualized instructions for the occupants of each floor. Further, the computer program may also instruct the processor to repeat each stored message a plurality of times, for instance until the emergency situation has been abated and the system operator cancels the messages.
In certain embodiments, system 22 includes the functionality to permit any pre-recorded messages initiated by detection of the emergency condition to continue to repeat on floors where live, customized messages were not directed. Thus, system 22 permits the simultaneous broadcast of live, real-time messages, repeats of those live messages, and pre-recorded messages throughout various portions of building 10. Further, system 22 permits prioritization of messages so that live broadcast messages preempt pre-recorded messages.
Although the operation of system 22 has been illustrated by the foregoing example, such example should not be viewed as limiting on the scope of the present invention. Further, it can be appreciated that system 43 illustrated in
