Abstract:
A video distribution system can present pictorial information relative to a developing alarm condition. Pre-recorded, or live images can be presented automatically in response to alarm indicating indicia, or, minimal inputs.

Description:
FIELD 
     The invention pertains to audible and visible alarm related information systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to systems and methods of providing information to a plurality of displaced locations in a region relative to potential or actual alarm conditions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various traditional means for alerting people of emergency events are based on the use of audible and visual type devices. These devices are typically dedicated for emergency annunciation and give general information about the event. 
     Known types of horns and strobes do not give precise event information. They also do not inform individuals in the area of the appropriate response. Audio systems give more information but some facilities do not have voice evacuation systems. 
     Many buildings have a video transmission system infrastructure. One example is hotels. In most contemporary hotels, all rooms have televisions. However hotels do not necessarily have voice evacuation systems. 
     There are thus continuing needs to provide more complete information to individuals as to developing emergency situations than is often now the case. Systems and methods that integrate existing monitoring or emergency systems with the audio and video infrastructure typically found in modern buildings have the potential of delivering more precise, detailed and easy to understand situational information to people in such buildings as well as emergency personnel responding to the event. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is overall block diagram of a system which embodies the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary multi-segment display in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is illustrates a first activation sequence in accordance with the invention; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an alternate activation sequence in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     Embodiments of the invention are useful at/in airports, hotels or schools. These places typically have an installed central video transmission system (VTS) that is used for entertainment and general information. An emergency control system could be integrated into the centralized video and/or audio systems in order to immediately inform and alert occupants of a current situation and an appropriate response. The information sent to the VTS could be in the form of audio, video, text or any combination of the three. Additionally, the control system can send commands to the VTS that could control (on/off, volume,) individual video terminals. Different information can be sent to different video terminals depending on the emergency situation and its location. 
     An emergency control system in accordance with the invention could include any one a fire alarm panel, fire alarm network, fire alarm workstation, security, card access systems or CCTV. Other systems that can be integrated include building automation systems or any monitored system within a facility. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  in accordance with the invention. The system  10  includes a regional monitoring system,  12 , such as an ambient condition monitoring system, which responds to developing fire or gas conditions for example, or a security system as well as an HVAC system. In the instance where the system  12  is implemented as a fire alarm system it could include a plurality of ambient condition detectors  14   a . The detectors  14   a  could include fire detectors, smoke detectors, gas detectors and the like all without limitation. Where the system  12  corresponded to a security system the detectors could include motion sensors, position sensors and the like. 
     The detectors  14   a  are coupled via a medium  14   b , which could be wired or wireless, to a common control panel  14   c.    
     It would be understood by those of skill in the art that the control panel or control unit of  14   c  could be implemented with the one or more programmable processors and associated control software which when executed would access signals from one or more of the detectors  14   a  indicative of developing conditions such as fire, smoke or gas. 
     System  10  could also include a television or video distribution network  18  which is in turn coupled to a plurality of output units  20 . The output units  20  could correspond to multi-dimensional display units of one technology or another, monitors, television sets or the like all without limitation. The distribution system or network  18  provides video-type signals to the members of the plurality  20  for presentation thereat. The exact form of such signals is not a limitation of the invention. Signal types other than video come within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The systems  12  and  18 ,  20  could correspond to previously installed monitoring and video distribution systems associated with a region R. For example, systems  12  and  18 ,  20  could be installed in hotel/motel complexes, airports, school buildings or the like. 
     System  10  also includes a command center  24  which could be implemented by one or more programmable processors  24   a  and executable control software  24   b . Command center  24  can also incorporate an operator communications device  24   c  which includes a multi-dimensional display unit  24   d  to present information visually to an operator, via graphical user interface software,  24   b  and one or more manual input devices  24   e . The devices  24   e  can include keyboard, mouse or the like all without limitation. 
     A source of video signals  26 , such as a video camera, can be coupled to command center  24  and video encoder  24   f  to provide operator initiated real time video signals for transmission to the display units or televisions  20 . The source  26  can be used to enable an operator to deliver live video instructions to the display devices  20 . 
     The command center  24  can monitor developing emergency events as indicated by the system  12 . Once activated, command center  24  can couple either pre-recorded or live video feed, from video source  26 , via network  18  to the plurality of displays  20 . 
     The network  18  and display units  20  can in normal circumstances present entertainment programs or video signals to the display units  20  to provide information to individuals in the vicinity of the respective units. During developing emergency conditions, the command center  24  can couple either pre-recorded or live video signals, from an operator O, via video encoder circuitry  24   f  to network  18  for distribution to the various display units  20 . Commands or information sent from the center  24  to the distribution network could be in the form of audio, video, text or any other combination thereof. 
     Command center  24  can also forward commands to distribution network  18  which would provide on off/volume type controls to the various individual display units or terminals  20 . The command center  24  could also send different signals to different members of the plurality  20  depending on the developing emergency situation and its location. 
     Where the region R corresponds to a hotel/motel complex, in the event of a developing fire or gas-type condition being monitored and tracked by the system  12 , audio and visual information could sent to the occupants of the various rooms therein via command center  24 , distribution network  18  to respective television unit or display devices, a member of the plurality  20 , in the various rooms. Such information could inform the respective occupant or individual as to the location of a developing fire or alarm condition, details about the type of fire and its characteristics, what action that individual should take at that time as well as preferred evacuation routes, if any. 
     In connection with the same type of hotel/motel complex where the developing condition corresponded to a weather problem, an intrusion or similar type of problem the system operator, via the command center  25  and the distribution network  18  can send event related information to the various television or display units of the plurality  20 . For example, evacuation information could be provided in the event of a weather or intrusion event. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a sample display which might be presented on a monitor or television unit  20   i  of the plurality  20 . Information can be presented in a plurality of separate regions on the display device including instructions  30   a , live video  30   b  from first responders such as firefighters or the like, which could generated at video source  26  as well as live text-type status information  30   c . Those of skill in the art will understand that other combinations and divisions of the context of such displays come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate sequences or methods  100 ,  200  in accordance with the invention. In the sequence  100 , the monitoring or emergency system  12  couples an alarm or condition indicating signal to command center  24 . The center  24  initiates emergency broadcasting via network  18  to the plurality of display or television-type units  20 . 
     The network  18  interrupts normal broadcasting which may be taking place and begins broadcasting either pre-stored or live emergency information from the command center  24 . As part of this problem it can send a “turn on” command to members of the plurality  20 . Substantially simultaneously, the command center  24  will attempt to activate the video encoder  24   f  and to couple signals carrying either pre-recorded or live data, via network  18  to the members of a plurality  20 . The live signals can originate at video source  26  and the operator can provide real time status information, instructions and the like, with or without pre-recorded information, via the network  18  to the members of the plurality  20 . 
     When the alarm condition has abated or been terminated, the operator O can issue one or more terminate or “OFF” commands via the command center  24  and network  18  to the members of the plurality  20 . Alternately, the emergency system  12  can automatically issue such commands via the command center  24 . 
     Alternately, as illustrated in sequence  200  of  FIG. 4 , the operator O can initiate the emergency notification process with a turn-on or “On” command to the command center  24  as well as enter instructions via input device  25   e  or via video source  26  to the video encoder  24   f . Network  18  can be activated and an in turn issue a “On” command to the members of the plurality  20  followed by live or pre-stored messages or information. When the event or condition has been resolved or terminated the operator O can issue a “OFF” command to the command center  24  which in turn can terminate the process. 
     Those of skill in the art will understand that neither the characteristics of the signals forwarded by network  18  nor the detailed characteristics of the display units of the plurality  20  are limitations of the present invention. Further, the form of the pre-recorded information, which might be implemented as pre-stored binary information, is not a limitation of the present 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 apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.