SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC ALARM NOTIFICATIONS

Systems and methods are provided for dynamically changing alarm notifications by dynamically changing notification indicators based on a type of alert generated or a type of security system that generated the alert. Some methods can include a notification appliance receiving an alarm message, determining a type of alarm associated with the alarm message, and illuminating one of a plurality of labels based on the type of alarm associated with the alarm message.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to notification appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to visual notification appliances, such as strobe light devices.

BACKGROUND

Security systems are known to detect threats within a secured area, and such threats include events that represent a risk to human safety or a risk to assets.

Security systems typically include one or more security sensors that detect the threats within the secured area. For example, smoke, motion, and/or intrusion sensors are distributed throughout the secured area in order to detect the threats. Furthermore, security systems typically include notification appliances, such as sounders and strobe lights, to notify occupants of an emergency.

Some buildings include multiple security systems (e.g. fire system, evacuation system, agent release system, etc.), and each of the multiple security systems generally has its own respective set of notification appliances, which leads to additional wiring, additional power supplies, and additional cost. As such, there is a need for fewer notification appliances in buildings with multiple security systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein can include systems and methods that dynamically change notification indicators based on a type of alert generated or a type of security system that generated the alert. In some embodiments, systems and methods disclosed herein can include a notification appliance, such as a strobe light, that illuminates one of a plurality of labels, where each of the plurality of labels can correspond to a respective one of a plurality of notification indicators (e.g. a fire indicator, an alert indicator, a chemical agent release indicator, etc.). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the plurality of labels can have different colors or illuminate in different colors.

In some embodiments, the plurality of labels can include a plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels. For example, a first of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels can glow red by only allowing light having red wavelengths to pass through the first of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels. Similarly, a second of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels can glow amber by only allowing the light having amber wavelengths to pass through the second of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels. Furthermore, a third of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels can glow blue because only light having blue wavelengths passes through the third semi-transparent, plastic label. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a white light emitting diode (LED) can emit the light illuminating each of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels can illuminate only in the presence of a light source having a specific wavelength or a specific range of wavelengths. For example, a first label can illuminate red when the first of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic label receives light having a red wavelength, a second label can illuminate amber when the second of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic label receives light having an amber wavelength, and a third label can illuminate blue when the third of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels receives light having a blue wavelength. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels can substantially overlap, and in some embodiments, the plurality of light sources can include different color LEDs (e.g. red, amber, blue) positioned in close proximity within the notification appliance and selectively activated.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the plurality of labels can include a plurality of transparent labels, and the plurality of light sources illuminating the plurality of transparent labels can include a plurality of LEDs, where each of the plurality of LEDs can have a respective color. For example, a first, red one of the plurality of LEDs can illuminate a first of the plurality of transparent labels. Similarly, a second, amber one of the plurality of LEDs can illuminate a second of the plurality of transparent label. Furthermore, a third, blue one of the plurality of LEDs can illuminate a third of the plurality of transparent labels.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the notification device may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) that may display a plurality of different words and a plurality of different background colors. For example, during a fire situation, the LCD may display the word “FIRE” in white lettering over a red one of the plurality of different background colors. Similarly, during a chemical agent release situation, the LCD may display the word “AGENT” in white lettering over a blue one of the plurality of different backgrounds. As another example, during a fire situation, the LCD may display a symbol or icon illustrating a fire (e.g. a fire emoji). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the notification device may include a bi-stable display that displays the plurality of different words by either darkening or lighting various pixels of the bi-stable display.

It is to be understood that systems and methods disclosed herein can include more or less than three of the plurality of labels and more or less than three of the plurality of light sources. Furthermore, it is to be understood that each of the plurality of semi-transparent, plastic labels can allow the light having additional or alternate color wavelengths to pass, the plurality of light sources can emit the light having additional or alternate wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths, and the plurality of LEDs can have additional or alternate colors.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a security system10in accordance with disclosed embodiments. As seen inFIG. 1, the security system10can include one or more wireless security sensors12,14that monitor a secured area16for threats, and in some embodiments, the wireless security sensors12,14can include intrusion, camera, motion, fire, smoke, and gas detectors. The wireless security sensors12,14can communicate with a control panel18, and the control panel18can monitor for activation of the wireless security sensors12,14.

In some embodiments, the control panel18may send a notification message to a central monitoring station20upon the activation of one of the wireless security sensors12,14, and the central monitoring station20may respond by summoning the appropriate help. For example, if the one of the wireless security sensors12,14detects a fire, then the central monitoring station20may summon a local fire department. Alternatively, if the one of the wireless security sensors12,14detects an intrusion, then the central monitoring station20may summon the police.

In addition to sending the notification message to the central monitoring station20, the control panel18can send an alarm message to an alarm notification appliance22included in the secured area16. In response, the alarm notification appliance22can emit noise or light to inform occupants of the secured area16of an emergency situation.

The alarm notification appliance22can include control circuitry32, which can include one or more programmable processors32aand executable control software32bas would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The executable control software32bcan be stored on a transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium, including, but not limited to local computer memory, RAM, optical storage media, magnetic storage media, and the like. In some embodiments, the control circuitry32, the programmable processor32a, and the control software32bcan execute and control some of the methods disclosed herein.

The alarm notification appliance22can also include a transceiver34, a label light36, a flashing light source38, and a plurality of labels39. In operation, the transceiver34can receive data (e.g. the alarm message) from the control panel18and provide the data to the control circuitry32, and the control circuitry32, the programmable processor32a, and the control software32bcan determine a type of the alarm message based on the data included in the alarm message, such as a header of the alarm message, or based on which system (e.g. fire system, agent release system) transmitted the alarm message to the notification appliance22. For example, the control circuitry32, the programmable processor32a, and the control software32bcan determine whether the alarm message is a fire alarm message, an alert alarm message, a chemical agent release alarm message, an intrusion alarm message, a hostage situation alarm message, a weather emergency (e.g. tornado, earthquake) alarm message, or any other type of emergency alarm message as would be understood by one or ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the flashing light source38can flash or flicker during an alarm situation, and in some embodiments, the flashing light source38can include a strobe light.

In some embodiments, the label light36can include a single light, such as a white LED, and in some embodiments, the plurality of labels39can include a plurality of different color, semi-transparent, plastic labels. For example, a first of the plurality of different color, semi-transparent, plastic labels may be illuminated by the white LED and glow red by only allowing the light having red wavelengths to pass therethrough. Similarly, a second of the plurality of different color, semi-transparent, plastic labels may be illuminated by the white LED and glow amber by only allowing the light having amber wavelengths to pass therethrough. Furthermore, a third of the plurality of different color, semi-transparent, plastic labels may be illuminated by the white LED and glow blue by only allowing the light having blue wavelengths to pass therethrough.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of labels39can include a plurality of transparent labels, the label light36can include a plurality of different color LEDs, and each of the plurality of different color LEDs can illuminate a respective one of the plurality of labels39. For example, a first, red one of the plurality of different color LEDs can illuminate a first of the plurality of transparent labels39. Similarly, a second, amber one of the plurality of different color LEDs can illuminate a second of the plurality of transparent labels. Furthermore, a third, blue one of the plurality of different color LEDs can illuminate a third of the plurality of transparent labels.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of labels39can include a display.

FIG. 2is a flow diagram of a method200for dynamically displaying notification indicators in accordance with disclosed embodiments. As seen inFIG. 2, the method200can include a processor (e.g. the programmable processor32a) of a notification appliance (e.g. the notification appliance22) receiving an alarm message from a control panel (e.g. the control panel18) as in202and the processor determining a type of the alarm message as in204. For example, in some embodiments, the processor can determine the type of the alarm message by determining which security system sent the alarm message or by referencing metadata within the alarm message indicating the type of the alarm message. When the processor determines that the alarm message is a first type of the alarm message (e.g. a fire emergency), the processor can activate a first of a plurality of lights (e.g. the label light36) to illuminate a first of a plurality of labels (e.g. the plurality of labels39) as in206. Furthermore, when the processor determines that the alarm message is a second type of the alarm message (e.g. an alert), the processor can activate a second of the plurality of lights to illuminate a second of the plurality of labels as in208. Further still, when the processor determines that the alarm message is a third type of the alarm message (e.g. a chemical agent release), the processor can activate a third of the plurality of lights to illuminate a third of the plurality of labels as in210.

FIG. 2is described in connection with three of the plurality of lights and three of the plurality of labels. However, it is to be understood that system and methods disclosed herein are not so limited and can include more or less than three of the plurality of lights and three of the plurality of labels.

FIGS. 3A-3Dare views of a notification appliance300in accordance with disclosed embodiments. As seen inFIG. 3A, the notification appliance300can include a strobe light302, a first label304, a second label306, and a third label308. InFIG. 3A, none of the labels304-308are illuminated (as illustrated by dashed lines).

However, a processor of the notification appliance300can selectively illuminate the labels304,306,308according to the method200ofFIG. 2. For example, when the processor determines that an alarm message received by the notification appliance300is a first type of the alarm message (e.g. a fire emergency), the processor can illuminate the first label304, as seen inFIG. 3B. Similarly, when the processor determines that the alarm message is a second type of the alarm message (e.g. an alert), the processor can illuminate the second label306, as seen inFIG. 3C. Furthermore, when the processor determines that the alarm message is a third type of the alarm message (e.g. a chemical agent release), the processor can illuminate the third label308, as seen inFIG. 3D. In some embodiments, the first label304may be a first color (e.g. red), the second label306may be a second color (e.g. amber), and the third label308may be a third color (e.g. blue).

FIG. 4is a flow diagram of a method400for dynamically displaying notification indicators in accordance with disclosed embodiments. As seen inFIG. 4, the method400can include a processor (e.g. the programmable processor32a) of a notification appliance (e.g. the notification appliance22) receiving an alarm message from a control panel (e.g. the control panel18) as in402and the processor determining a type of the alarm message as in404. When the processor determines that the alarm message is a first type of the alarm message (e.g. a fire emergency), the processor can display a first word (e.g. “FIRE”) or a first symbol (e.g. a fire emoji) and a first color on a display of the notification appliance as in406. Similarly, when the processor determines that the alarm message is a second type of the alarm message (e.g. an alert), the processor can display a second word (e.g. “ALERT”) or a second symbol (e.g. a siren emoji) and a second color on the display as in208. Furthermore, when the processor determines that the alarm message is a third type of the alarm message (e.g. a chemical agent release), the processor can display a third word (e.g. “AGENT”) or a third symbol (e.g. a gas emoji) and a third color on the display as in210.

FIG. 4is described in connection with three words and three colors. However, it is to be understood that system and methods disclosed herein are not so limited and can include more or less than three words and three colors.

FIG. 5is a view of a notification appliance500in accordance with disclosed embodiments. As seen inFIG. 5, the notification appliance500can include a strobe light502and a display510, and the display510can display a word (e.g. “FIRE”) and a color. In some embodiments, the display510can include an LCD or bi-stable display.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic flows described above do not require the particular order described or sequential order to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.