EP0308446B1

EP0308446B1 - Combined alarm, security and rescue system

Info

Publication number: EP0308446B1
Application number: EP88902581A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carl Erik Starefoss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-18
Filing date: 1988-03-16
Publication date: 1992-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-16
Also published as: DE3873666T2; DE3873666D1; FI85920C; DK642488A; DK642488D0; NO162588C; NO884619D0; NO871097D0; NO884619L; EP0308446A1; DK164422C; DK164422B; ATE79480T1; JPH01502064A; FI85920B; FI885291A; FI885291A0; AU594869B2; AU1424088A; NO871097L

Abstract

A combined alarm, security and rescue system comprising a room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j) for one or more breathing masks for rescue purposes in an associated room and a two-way communication arrangement, for use for alarm and security purposes of a number of rooms, for example in high buildings (hotels, hospitals, office complexes, and the like). The room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j) is connected via a microswitch or similar actuating means to a data exchange (10) with data screen (21a) and printer (23). Two-way communication is established from the room box via the microswitch to the data exchange and from the data exchange to alarm producers of light and sound on the room box. The data exchange is adapted to emit by means of its own microprocessor alarms to rooms individually or in groups on one or more floors, as required, via the alarm producers of light and/or sound from associated room boxes, while the microswitch in connection with the room box is adapted to emit by manual or other actuation an equivalent signal to the data exchange for indicating room number, floor, hour, and the like.

Description

The present invention relates to a combined alarm, security and rescue system, comprising a storage arrangement or room box for one or more breathing masks, which is readily available to users in an associated room, in order to prevent smoke poisoning, and a two-way communication arrangement for use in giving the alarm and monitoring a number of rooms with associated room boxes, for example rooms in high buildings (hotels, hospitals, office complexes, and the like).
By the term "storage arrangement" is meant in general an arrangement which fits in with fixtures in a hotel room or the like and for example has the shape of a cupboard (box), a drawer or similar cubicle. Herein the storage arrangement is generally designated as "room box".
Security systems are known for use on the outbreak of fire, on the occurence of extreme smoke development, on break-in attempts and in various other situations which are to be overseen, for example for use in hotels, in hospitals, in office complexes, on board cruise vessels, on board offshore installations etc., where a number of people can be gathered together in small or large groups in a number or rooms. Such known systems have employed for example manually releasable detectors or detectors which are released by automatic sensing of movement, smoke development, heat development etc. Alarm systems are, for example, known from WO84/02216, EP-A-0 063 876 and DE-C-3 405 745. The detectors can for their part release on actuation light and/or sound alarms locally and/or at more remotely disposed locations or they can emit another signal to a central control or signal for the release of sprinkler devices or the like. Such known systems have however been burdened with certain deficiences and have in many instances been found to be inadequate, especially when concerned with saving human lives under difficult conditions.
Especially in connection with high buildings and particularly in upper and central regions of high buildings, but also in other connections, difficult conditions can arise, for example by a combination of the development of heavy smoke, lack of light on power failures and blocked escape routes. It has been found, especially in connection with hotel fires, that smoke poisoning has been in particular a significant cause of death. In spite of the extensive use of supposedly safe warning and rescue systems, there have occurred quite recently a number of deaths, which probably could have been avoided by the use of better suited equipmemt and a better system.
Under special conditions, for example on board offshore installations, it is usual that in all rooms/cabins brochures are available on how the security system functions together with how the user of the room and the room guest shall conduct themselves when it is necessary to put into use a breathing mask or other equipment. In addition there is present on each breathing mask proper use instructions for the mask. On the inside of the room box which includes such equipment there are found instructions/use instructions in self-lighting (fluorescent) script. Under such special conditions there is a possibility of keeping such a security system in order, but one has no complete guarantee that the equipment is in position and is ready for use on each occasion. Under certain conditions one can risk that the equipment is stolen, destroyed or is handled in another way in an undesirable manner, so that it can be unavailable in a catastrophic situation. In all instances one does not have an adequate general view or control over each individual breathing mask for every occasion.
In practice it is also difficult in connection with a current rescue operation, in a catastrophic situation or at the beginning of such a situation, to maintain a general view and control over where each individual user of the room is located in the current case, that is to say whether those present are in place in the room or are located at another spot or whether the various rooms are wholly in use. During a rescue operation there is a need to have the best possible general view in advance, that is to say prior to carrying out the rescue operation, both as to which rooms contain users and/or guests and as to the condition of the equipment which is to be found in the relevant rooms.
With the present invention the aim is to adjust the conditions for a system with which one can get a ready survey and control of the presence of persons in the various rooms together with a survey and control of available equipment, such as breathing mask, in the rooms of interest. Firstly the objective is to keen breathing masks and other equipment of interest in a room box and by means of remote sensing from a data central of possible opening of the room box, the aim is to ensure that breathing masks and other equipment are intact and ready for use on relevant occasions. Secondly, parallel with said remote sensing from a data central, the aim is to establish a two-way communication system from and to the data exchange to and from each individual room via the associated room box. In other words the objective is to allow the room box in each individual room to serve as a separate communication link to and from the data exchange, so that one can have a constant open communication line between the data central and the individual room with associated continuous control of the room box. It is clear that the communication system can be rather complicated in the simultaneous communication with each and all rooms via the data central, but with the use of simple, coded signals one can still achieve a rapid and effective communication even in large systems which shall control a large number of separate room boxes.
The system according to the invention is characterised in that the room box is connected via a microswitch or similar actuation arrangement wirelessly or via wires to a data central with data screen and printer, and that there is established two-way communication from the room box to the data exchange and from the data exchange to alarm emitters for light and sound on the room box, the data central being adapted by means of its own microprocessor to emit signals for the release of alarms to rooms individually or in groups on one or more floors, as required, via the alarm emitter for light and/or sound for associated room boxes, while the microswitch in connection with the room box is adapted by manual or other actuation to release an equivalent signal to the data central for indicating room number, floor, moment of signal release, and the like.
By means of the afore-mentioned system, with continuous control of each individual room box in each individual room via an open two-way communication between each room box and the data central, there is the possibility of establishing an effective warning system to and from the data central and from and to each individual room box and in addition emitting messages in the form of coded signals between the data central and each individual room box. Simultaneously there is the possibility of recording each individual warning, each individual message and each individual message of reply in the data central and to indicate this in a manner suitable for that purpose.
The system involves being able to communicate in certain instances with a particular room box or a particular group of room boxes in the cases this is preferred, while in other instances one can communicate with large groups of room boxes or with each and all room boxes simultaneously.
It is preferred that each room box, which can be provided with breathing mask, flashlight and the like, is sealed and adapted to release, via the microbreaker, equivalent signals to the data central on opening the room box for withdrawal of breathing mask, flashlight and the like.
By this the system can be utilised for controlling that the sealed room box is intact in a condition fully ready for use, as a system for warning the moment of opening the room box together with recording centrally which room number and which floor is in question. If the room box is opened unintentionally, this is announced automatically to the data central and one is thereby warned about tampering with the breathing mask or other equipment. Under normal conditions after such warning about tampering with said equipment, personnel can check the rooms in question and ensure that the breathing mask and other equipment is intact and ready for use.
If the room box is opened in a warning situation, that is to say as a reaction to a message or a warning which is emitted from the data exchange to warning arrangements on the room box, the opening function can itself serve to emit return messages (feed back) to the data central if the emitted message or emitted warning from the data central has actually been understood and carried out. With such a return message the data central consequently obtains confirmation and can simultaneously record that the use is present at the room in question, from which the return message occurs via the room box. With a single system one can consequently obtain a simple and effective two-way communication between the data central and the individual room. With the aid of simple means one can by the return message or the warning from the room box show with coded signals the moment in time, room number, floor number and other relevant data.
Furthermore it is preferred that each room box is coupled to one or more additional microswitches for separate monitoring special conditions or special equipment, such as door- or window-sensing or smoke-, heat- or movement-sensing arrangements in the associated room, the one or more additional microswitches being coupled to the data central via the room box for recording and/or warning of the data central by actuation of said arrangement.
According to the invention one can consequently expand said simple control and warning system with simple means, so that in the data central several additional functions can be obtained besides the control of the contents of the room box and the warning to the data central that the microswitch of the room box is actuated, without thereby complicating the system and its mode of operation to a substantial degree.
The invention in this connection is further characterised in that the one or more further microswitches are adapted via the room box to emit sound and/or light warnings directly to the associated room on actuation of said door-, window-, smoke-, heat- and/or movement sensing arrangement. By this in addition to the warning to the data central one can with one and the same system, employ warning arrangements of the room box for corresponding warnings directly to the associated room. Consequently one can utilise the equipment in a flexible and variety of ways by expanding the control functions in connection with said two-way communication system. By this there can be obtained a simple integrated installation for room box control, control of possible break-ins, possible smoke development or heat development and corresponding warning in the system to the data central and to the rooms in question. In instances where a considerable number of warnings or signal transmissions occur simultaneously, there is the possibility to record the same in a simple and effective manner by recording the hour, date, type of warning, room number, floor number together with other data of interest. The data can be recorded and shown one after the other via the memory of the data central, on data screens and by printers and by extra alarm production in the data central.
The communication system can be made especially effective in that the room box is provided with one or more arrangements for illustrating specific messages, and that the room box is provided with a special microswitch for receipt or return notification of received messages or warnings,
It is preferred that the room box is permanently coupled to a battery, which can supply equipment connected to the room box with a separate supply of current, for example on a power failure, the battery of the systems being connected to main power via a tranformer/regulator. By this all the control operations and all communications with the exchange can be made independent of power failures and be kept operative even under extreme crisis situations.
An especially preferred solution is characterised in that the room box is connected to the data central via a sender card and a receiver card and coaxial broad band cable, in which another communication can be effected simulaneously via TV, video and the like.
Alternatively the room box can be connected to the data central via a sender card in a wireless transmitter and a receiver card in a wireless receiver, the transmitter and the receiver being adapted to communicate with equivalent receivers and equivalent transmitters in the data exchange.
Further features of the invention will be evident from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows the system according to the invention in a block diagram.
Fig. 3 shows shematically an alarm box for alarm signals which issue from the data central to the different single rooms.
Fig. 2 shows schematically an alarm box for alarm signals which enter from the different single rooms to the data central.
Fig. 4 shows a floor box to which there are connected the individual rooms in a floor of a building.
Figs. 5 and 6 show the front and the one side of a room box according to a first embodiment for use for example in a hotel.
Fig. 7 and 8 shows the front and the one side of a room box according to a second embodiment for use for example in a cabin of a residential platform of an offshore installation.
Fig. 9-11 show a floor plan of a hotel, where the plan illustrates marked warnings and messages to and from the different hotel rooms, as can be recorded for example in the reception of the hotel.
The present invention finds application in many different areas where a number of people have more or less permanent or more or less occasional residence, especially in connection with overnight stays. For example there can be mentioned permanent residence quarters, such as apartment houses or similar residences complete with caretaker or similar security service. Furthermore there can be mentioned hotels or similar places for overnight stays, cruise ships or similar passenger ships or other larger vessels together with residential platforms and similar installations at sea. Each area of application can have special requirements on safety and control, but can at the same time have several requirements which are common or which can be solved separately with similar simple means.
In the following description there will be illustrated some typical areas of use.
A first area of use, as illustrated in Fig. 1, shows an application in a hotel, especially designed for guests of the hotel. There is marked inside a dotted rectangle a data central 10, that can be established for example in connection with a reception in the hotel. There is shown a coupling point 10a for 220v mains voltage with wire connection 11 to a battery charger 12 (220v/12v) having wire connection 13 further to a chargeable nickel-cadmium-battery 14. Low voltage (12v), Direct Current wire connections 15 from the battery 14, are connected via two main fuses 16 to wire connections 17 to a converter 18. Wire connection 19 of Alternating Current (220v) from the converter 18 delivers current to a PC-operator station 21. The operator station 21 comprises a data screen 21a, a memory 21b and a keyboard 21c. From the operator station 21 extends a wire connection 22 to a printer 23.
A first multicable 24 from the fuses 16 passes to a first alarm box 25 for producing outgoing alarm signals (sound and light signals), that is to say for producing signals from the data exchange 10 to external rooms.
A second multicable 26 passes from the memory 21b of the PC terminal to a second alarm box 27 for incoming alarm signals, that is to say for signals which enter the data central from external rooms.
The multicables 24, 26 are connected to each other via a third multicable 28 and the alarm boxes 25, 27. From each alarm box 25 and 27 there pass a number of multicables 29a, 29b, 29c and 30a, 30b, 30c to a respective floor box 31a, 31b etc. in a corresponding number of floors. In the illustrated embodiment there are only shown a number of three cables to three floors, while in practice there can be arranged a larger number of floors and a corresponding larger number of cables.
From the floor box 31a there pass separate multicables 32a-32j to respective room boxes 33a-33j and correspondingly in each subsequent floor, such as illustrated in Fig. 1, where separate multicables 34a-34j pass for example from the floor box 31b to respective room boxes 35a-35j.
In the illustrated embodiment the whole system, including the communication arrangement and the individual room boxes with associated signal givers and signal receivers, is normally connected to a common main power system which can be changed over to a separate battery system. If necessary the communication arrangement can be served by a separate battery system in the data central and a corresponding separate battery system for each single room.
There are shown in Fig. 1 single wire connections and multicable connections, but alternatively there can be employed instead of multicable connections fiber cables or coaxial broad band cables, for example with parallel use of coaxial broad band cables for normal TV transmission or video transmission to the hotel rooms separately.
If desired there can be employed wireless signal transmission between the data central and each single room box. The wireless system can comprise for example at the data exchange and in each single room a transmitter, a receiver, a regulator, a microswitch, sound and light alarm producers, separate indicators (data screen, printer, warning arrangements), batteries, converter, coupling to the network, etc., without concrete details of the same being shown herein.
In the communication system according to the invention the aim is to incorporate the following functions:

a) in a permanently open, two-way communication line between the data central 10 and the individual room with associated room box, provision is made, parallel with the control operation, to emit momentarily by means of coded signals warnings and/or messages from the data central to the single room box and from the single room box to the data central, under this provision is made
b) to establish an automatic signal production from the single room to the data exchange by releasing signals via microswitches in room boxes and/or microswitches in other controlled equipment or controlled installations (smoke or heat detectors, admission doors, windows, or the like), and
c) to establish an automatic signal production via light and sound producers in the single room for transmitting warnings from the data central to the single room, and
d) to establish a possibility for transmitting specific messages or instructions separately or in combination with or in continuation of the warning, from the data exchange to the single room as well as from the single room to the data exchange, together with
e) to record in the data central received and emitted warnings and messages and associated data.

In Fig. 2 the alarm box 27 is shown for incoming alarm signals, that is to say alarm signals which are transmitted from the single room to the data central. There is shown a microprocessor 36 for alarm control, with associated coupling bar 37 for the coupling of cables, herein illustrated by the cable 30a. At 38 there are shown coupling points for the cable 26 directly connected to the microprocessor 36 and at 39 there are shown coupling points for the cable 28 directly connected the microprocessor 36. At joining of the cable 28 to a 5v voltage regulator 41 shown, with corresponding coupling points 42 directly connected to the microprocessor 36.
In Fig. 3 there is shown the alarm box 25 for outgoing alarm signals, that is to say alarm signals which are transmitted from the data exchange to the single room. A microprocessor 44 is shown with a series of relays 45a, 45b, etc. for each floor. By arranging several print cards on top of each other several alarm signals can be emitted as required. Two cables 29a and 29b (one for each floor) are shown which are connected to their respective relays 45a and 45b. To each relay there is connected a fuse 46a and 46b respectively, etc. At 47 there are shown coupling points for the cable 24 and for certain wires in the cable 28, and at 48 there are shown coupling points for remaining wires in the cable 28.
In Fig. 4 there is shown a floor box 31a. Each floor box 31a, 31b, etc. is mounted in its respective floor and forms a connection between each room of the floor in question and the data exchange. The cables 32a and 32b-32j which come from their respective room boxes 33a and 33b-33j, pass into the floor box 31a and into the floor box 31b, etc., separately to a common alarm coupling bar 51 and to common Direct Current (+/-) coupling bars 52 and 53. From the coupling bar 51 the multicable 30a passes to the alarm box 27, while from the coupling bars 52, 53 wires pass from the multicable 29a to the alarm box 25.
If there are few rooms in each floor the cables 30a, 30b, 30c, etc. from the alarm box 27 can be combined into a common cable to two or more floor boxes 31a, 31b, etc. On the other hand the cables 29a, 29b, etc. pass from the alarm box 25 and separately directly to their respective floor boxes 31a, 31b, etc.
In connection with the room box in a controlled room a room box transmitter can operate in the following manner: On opening the room box, the microswitch of the room box is activated and this activates at the same time the room box transmitter, which then gets current for example from a battery. The room box transmitter sends simultaneously a coded signal to a receiver in the data exchange. This central receiver gives a signal furthermore to a data machine for recording and indication that the room box in question has opened (activated).
Correspondingly the room box receiver in a controlled room functions in the following manner: On the room box receiver (which can be permanently coupled to a battery in the room box) receiving a coded signal from the transmiter in the data central various functions in the room in question can be controlled. By actuating via the transmitter of the data exchange and the receiver of the room box a microswitch in connection with a battery-controlled installation of the room box there can be released for example alarms via light and sound producers in connection with the room box. In general it is preferred that both room box receiver and room box transmitter are permanently connected to the battery system of the room box. This battery system can in turn be connected to the network in the usual known manner via AC/DC converter and change over breaker which are activated on a power failure.
In case there is employed as the wiring system a broad band system, there can be used a transmitter card, a receiver card, a regulator, a microswitch, sound and light alarm producers and batteries which are coupled via a converter and change over breaker to the mains voltage.
Immediately the room box is opened the microswitch is activated, which in turn activates the transmitter card which gets current from the battery. The transmitter card then emits a coded signal to a receiver card in the data exchange via coaxial broad band cable, in which there can simultaneously take place another communication, for example TV/video transmission. A main receiver card then gives information further into the data exchange about which room box has been activated and opens simultaneously for further communication via data machine.
The receiver card functions in the following manner: The receiver card in combination with the room box receives a coded signal from the transmitter card in the exchange via the associated coaxial broad band cable as mentioned above. This transmitter card in the exchange is controlled from the data machine. The receiver card in the room box records the coded signal and emits a corresponding alarm via light and sound producers on the room box.
Said transmitter card and receiver card in combination with the room box comprises a broad band transmitter and receiver together with associated microprocessor, and all of said components are connected to the battery of the room box, so that operation is also ensured in the case of power failure. If desired there can be employed in combination with a broad band system or in other wiring systems extra uninterruptable power supply in the data central and/or at other suitable locations, in order to ensure that the installation also functions under extreme conditions of power failure from the mains voltage.
In Fig. 5 and 6 there is shown an example of a room box 33a which is designed for use in a hotel room and more specifically for use in a double room, that is to say for example for use for two lodging guests and a third casually visiting guest. The room box consists of five units 331, 332, 333, 334 and 335 placed together. The uppermost unit 331 includes a pair of sound producers 55, two light producers 56, 57 (for example with red and green lights) and a set of microswitches 58. The next three units 332, 333 and 334 include their respective front doors 59 with their respective microswitches 58. The door 59 provides access to a chamber 60 which can include a breathing mask 61. Correspondingly a side door 62, which is controlled by its respective microswitch 58, provides access to a chamber 63 which includes its respective flashlight 64. Each of said three guests consequently have access to their respective breathing masks and their respective flashlights. The fifth, lowermost unit 335 includes diverse communication equipment , for example battery, transmitter card, receiver, microprocessor and the like (not shown further). On said lowermost unit there is present a first indicating lamp 65, which when activated provides for example a direction "GO TO EXIT", and a second indicating lamp 66, which when activated provides for example a direction "REMAIN IN THE ROOM".
By means of simple signal production signals can be rapidly provided from the data exchange 10 to the hotel room via the room box 33a. In a first phase of a warning situation a primary sound and light signal can be emitted via the sound producer 55 and the light producers 56, 57 on the upper unit 331 of the room box 33a. The one light producer 56 can for example emit a flashing light signal, while the other light producer 57 can for example illuminate a particular direction, such as a instructions about fetching out of the box and putting into use breathing masks together with fetching out flashlights etc. Immediately door 59 or 62 of the room box is opened, a microswitch will be actuated, and thereby a corresponding signal will also be emitted back to the date exchange 10 about one or more such doors having been opened. Consequently there will thereby be emitted a clear return message that guests in question a) are present and b) have been warned together with c) having followed presumably a first instruction. The data exchange has thereby received in the return message via the microswitch confirmation that the conditions a-c are under control in the room in question, that is to say the return message that the guest or guests are in the room and have received the warning and have complied with the first direction.
Thereafter there can be emitted one after the other further instructions from the data exchange as required, via the indicating lamps 56 and 57. If necessary there can be present an additional push button (not shown) which is actuated for a return message after the additional instruction is received or for a return message each time the indicating lamp is illuminated. In this way continuous contact between the guest in the hotel room in question and the data exchange can be maintained by simple means via the established two-way communication line, with alternate signal production from the data central and from the hotel room in order to show that everything is under control, even if other communication lines should be broken.
In Fig. 7 and 8 there is shown room box 33a′ which is designed for use in a bed- or living room for the crew on board a residential platform, on board a boat or in another connection, for example for service at a hotel. There is illustrated a room box corresponding essentially to the room as shown in Fig. 2 and 3, with the only difference that the lowermost unit is provided with four alarm indicating lamps 67-70 and an alarm receipt button or extra microswitch 71 instead of the indicating lamps 65, 66. The four lamps 67-70 can indicate various instructions, for example that the occupants shall "REMAIN IN THE ROOM", or "GO TO MEETING PLACE" or "GO TO RESCUE LOCATION" or "EXIT THE ROOM IMMEDIATELY" etc. By this different clearly defined instructions can be emitted between the data central and the room in question with return messages via said receipt button. The room boxes 33a′ can if desired be employed in the same system as the room boxes 33a according to Fig. 5 and 6.
The return message from each individual room to the data exchange, based on a recording function, is valuable in several connections, but in particular it is important for rescue crews who are to assist guests and other persons in a rescue situation and for fire crews and others who are to safeguard the rescue conditions during the rescue operations. In addition to the data exchange in the reception of the hotel there can be present if necessary a more remote parallel operating data exchange at the fire station, at the police station or in security personnel.
In Fig. 9-11 there is shown an example of a screen display in the data central for illustrating a floor plan 75 for a hotel, in which there are shown sixteen separate hotel rooms numbered from "201" to "216". Corresponding floor plans can be assigned to each floor. In addition to the screen display itself there can be written out on the printer a corresponding illustration as shown in Fig. 9-11, but simultaneously an indication of date, hour, operator, etc., such as shown lowermost to the right in Fig. 9-11, that is to say in the present case separate hours (20:25:18 o'clock, 20:27:20 o'clock and 20:27:45 o'clock) for three different indicators on the floor plan.
In Fig. 9 there are indicated by a first cross-hatching all the rooms which are rented out and where theoretically guests can be found. Said rented rooms which are illustrated by cross-hatching in the floor chart 75 are indicated to the left of Fig. 9 in column form in the column marked A.
After emitting the warning for example to all the rooms (also the rooms which will not normally be rented out) at the hour 20:25:18 o'clock and simultaneously marking off such emitted warning on the floor plan (only indicated by said hour and not further indicated in Fig. 9), there is recorded on the floor plan as shown in Fig. 10 (hour 20:27:20 o'clock) the return message to the data central concerning the presence of the guest and that emitted instruction is received and effected. This return message can be represented on the floor chart 75 of the data screen by a second cross-hatching deviating from the first cross-hatching. To the left of Fig. 10 there are set up in a column B the room numbers for all rooms in which microswitches which show that the warning is received are released and that breathing masks or other equipment are taken out and are expectedly made ready for use. To the left in column C there are indicated two of the rented rooms from which return messages are missing. There can be concretely checked outside the present system whether keys are delivered from reception to said rooms in column C. If the last-mentioned is the case one can start further investigations, for example by ringing up on the telephone, in order to establish whether the guest is present in the room. If desired, there can be effected continuous warning both to the rooms as indicated in column C as well as to all the rooms which are not indicated as rented in Fig. 9. the return messages automatically coming in, which are recorded in column B in Fig. 10, can arrive at individually different points of time and then each has separate recording. If desired there can for example also be recorded at the printer the point of time of each single return message and be recorded any extra investigation which is effected over and above the retrun messages which are indicated in column B.
In Fig. 11 there is emitted for certain rooms, such as indicated in column D to the left of Fig. 11 and as indicated by vertical lines in the floor plan 75, a second message of a first type (for example "REMAIN IN THE ROOM"), while there is emitted for the remaining rooms, such as indicated in column E to the left of Fig. 11 and as indicated by horizontal lines in the floor plan 75, a second message of a second type (for example "GO TO MEETING PLACE"). The third column C to the left of Fig. 11 is still under attention for possible further investigation. Correspondingly there can be indicated on the data screen of the data central with different fields of colour or in another suitable manner different types of emitted and received warnings and messages for the individual rooms separately.
It is consequently possible by screen observation in the data central or by corresponding screen observation by the fire department and/or the police or another control authority, and by extra copy from the printer, to obtain for each point of time a complete survey over all floors and each single room separately and to emit messages and alarms in preferential succession as required gradually as the conditions develop.
Above there is described a system which first and foremost has significance in connection with presence of fire and then first and foremost as a two-way communication system with simple and concise directions and messages together with alarm production. The communication system is based on simple signals emitted from the data exchange and received separately in each room. Correspondingly the communication system is based on simple signals emitted from each separate room and correspondingly received separately in the data exchange. In the data exchange the instructions and the messages can be recorded separately, but can for example be indicated together on the data screen as a floor plan or similar survey plan respectively in chart form and/or in another manner at a printer.
By employing each individual room box as storage boxes for diverse safety equipment, such as breathing masks and flashlights, and in this connection combining withdrawal of such safety equipment with an emission of a signal, which is released by microswitch on opening the door to appropriate stroage boxes, there is the possibility of achieving ready and rapid two-way communication between the data central and the individual room with specific return messages. By means of the plan survey there is the possibility of obtaining effective insight into approaching the problem for each individual room and for each individual floor based on return messages gradually as the room boxes are opened.
With the intention of increasing the efficiency of the rescue efforts in each single floor there is also the possibility of effecting, for example from the data central or from the floor box, other actions, such as automatic opening of the look to each and all rooms of the floor by remote control from the data exchange or from the floor box via the said communication line and via the room box to the door lock of the individual room via an associated microswitch. In this way the rescue crew can after the doors are opened to the different rooms, readily clear access to each individual room or if desired set up alternative escape routes via one or more rooms, as required.
In addition to the afore-mentioned system diverse other functions can be utilised in and at the hotel room. For example the microswitch in the door lock can be used for warning of the opening and closing of the door. A second microswitch can be arranged in association with a main switch (for light, radio, TV, etc.) which is actuated by the same key as the door key and immediately the second microswitch is actuated there can be emitted a corresponding signal to the data central that the room is in use. The key is preferably locked in the main switch as long as the main switch is connected. Immediately the key is taken out of the main switch a warning can be emitted to the data central. If intruders lock themselves into the room when the key is in position in the main switch and the main switch shall be connected thereby, there can be emitted signals to the data central and separately to warning arrangements in the room in question via the microswitche of the foor lock and via the room box. It is also possible to connect other control operations (warning of the appearance of water, smoke or heat, overseeing paintings, safe, windows or other things) to additional microswitches for warnings via the room box to the data central or via the room box to separate warning arrangements in the room in question.
In addition to warning arrangements which can ensure the general safety of the guest in a stay at a hotel, the system can be utilised for warning about ordinary things, such as consumption from the bar cabinet and the use of pay TV programs, and the like. Correspondingly the system can be used for indicating in the data central for example the starting and finishing of cleaning and clearance of the individual rooms for new guests.
According to the invention a communication system can be established which can daily have great significance in a reception or similar room, in order to provide complete and accurate overseeing of each individual room in a routine manner, based on simple routine controls. For example use of the bar cabinet, use of the telephone, use of TV/video or other similar services can be recorded. Control of the presence of guest/guests in the individual room, including the time of arrival in the room and departure from the room of the guest/guests. Control of cleaning, clearing and making ready of rooms by registration from room service, etc. In addition to this routine overseeing of normal and conventional functions in a hotel, such as mentioned above, one has the possibility of ensuring a special security of each individual room separately with the intention of warning of water damage, warning of the signs of fire (heat and smoke development), warning of break-ins, warning of the theft of paintings and general warning of acute, spontaneously occurring things in the individual room. In connection with such warnings there can be established in addition a general, two-way communication system or message system for transmitting return messages and transmiting instructions to and from the individual room from and to the data central outside the usual communication systems, such as telephone connection. By means of a simple signal system with coded signal there can be achieved simple recording in the data central simple instructions in the individual room. By the fact that one uses the system daily for the remaining trivial and normal functions and simultaneously for security systems, alarm systems and rescue systems (secured, sealed containers for breathing masks and the like), there is the possibility of maintaining current, effective control over individual components of the system, so that these (especially breathing masks and the like) can be expected to function completely satisfactorily in an acute crisis situation.
By means of the regulator 41 and the microprocessor 36 in the alarm box 27 a couple of thousand room boxes 33a-33j, 35a-35j, etc. can be controlled at the same time. By means of the microprocessor 36 all the cables which come from the said room boxes can be checked. Immediately the door on a room box is opened (out of curiosity or for another reason) this is notified to the data exchange by activating an associated microswitch in the respective room box. This becomes recorded in the data central both in the memory, on the data screen and at the printer. Other overseen functions will be correspondingly recorded in the data exchange, so that there is obtained an effective survey over each individual room at any hour. Each and all warnings and messages to and from the exchange will be recorded and can be utilised together with remaining recordings in a common data screen plan, which can have particular value in connection with a rescue action in a catastrophic situation.
In addition to the communication between the data exchange and the individual rooms with associated room boxes, it is also possible to establish a corresponding commmunication between a floor box and the data central or between the floor box and the individual room, for example designed for communications with special service, for example rescue crew, which can be intermittently stationary in such a floor box. By means of such additional communication one can communicate with simple coded signals with the data central and with the individual rooms in a rapid and especially simple manner.
A particular advantage is that the communication system can be utilised in an economically favourable manner in connection with conventional wiring for TV/video transmission systems, that is to say based on the same coaxial broad band cable and associated equipment which is used for TV/video transmission, but with diverse extra equipment connected to each individual room and into the data central into reception and into intermediate stations for example in the different floor boxes. A particular advantage is that the system according to the invention can be connected by relatively simple means to existing coaxial cable lines for TV transmission or video transmission internally in a hotel or to another coaxial cable line which is employed for other purposes in connection with hospitals or similar institutions, so that there can be effected a common, daily overseeing of the TV/video system or similar known internal communication system and the system according to the invention with connected functions.

Claims

1. Combined alarm, security and rescue system, comprising a storage arrangement or room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j) for one or more breathing masks, which are readily available to users in an associated room, in order to prevent smoke poisoning for rescue purposes, and a two-way communication arrangement, for use for alarm and security purposes in a number of rooms with associated room boxes, for example rooms in high buildings (hotels, hospitals, office complexes, and the like), characterised in that the room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j) is connected via a microswitch (58) or similar actuating means (71) wirelessly or via a wire connection to a data central (10) with data screen (21a) and printer (23), and that there is established two-way conmunication from the room box via the microswitch to the data central and from the data central to alarm producers (55, 56, 57) of light and sound on the room box, the data central being adapted by means of its own microprocessor to emit alarms to the individual room or to a group of rooms in one or mor floors, as required, via the alarm producer(s) for light and/or sound from associated room boxes, while the microswitch in connection with the room box is adapted by manual or other actuation to emit an equivalent signal to the data central for indicating room number, floor, hour, and the like.

2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that each room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j), which can be provided with breathing mask(s), flashlight(s), and the like, is sealed and adapted on opening the room box for the withdrawal of breathing mask, flashlight and the like to emit, via the microswitch (58), corresponding signals to the data central (10).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j) is connected to one or more additional microswitches (71) for the separate transmission of messages or for overseeing special conditions or special equipment, such as door- or window-sensing or smoke-, heat- or movement-sensing arrangements in the associated room, the additional microswitch(es) being connected to the data central via the room box for recording and/or warning of the data central by actuating said arrangement.

4. System according to claim 3, characterised in that the one or more microswitches (71) is/are adapted to emit via the room box sound and/or light warnings directly to the associated room on actuating said door-, window-, smoke-, heat- and/or movement sensing arrangement.

5. System according to one of the claims 1-4, characterised in that the room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j) is provided with one or more arrangements (57; 67-70) for indicating specific messages, and that the room box is provided with a special microswitch (71) for receipt of the indicated message.

6. System according to one of the claims 1-5, characterised in that the room box 33a-33j, 35a-35j) is permanently connected to a battery, which can provide equipment connected to the room box with a separate supply of current, for example on a power failure, the batteries of the system being connected to the line current via converter/regulator.

7. System according to one of claims 1-6, characterised in that the room box (33a-33j, 35a-35j) is connected to the data central (10) via a sender card and a receiver card and coaxial broad band cable, in which there can simultaneously take place other communication via TV, video, and the like.

8. System according to one of the claims 1-6, characterised in that the room box (33a-33j, 35a- 35j) is connected to the data central (10) via a sender card in a wireless transmitter and a receiver card in a wireless receiver, the transmitter and the receiver being adapted to communicate with an equivalent receiver and equivalent transmitter in the data central.