GB2610411A

GB2610411A - A home identification device

Info

Publication number: GB2610411A
Application number: GB2112554.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Barlow Kevin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-09-03
Filing date: 2021-09-03
Publication date: 2023-03-08
Also published as: GB202112554D0

Abstract

A sign 99 is provided including a front plate 2 with opaque parts and transparent / translucent parts, and a rear plate 3 separated from the front plate 2 via spacers 3. The front plate 2 includes alphanumeric lettering 1 for home identification, a delivery requirement indication 5, and an emergency service requirement indication 6. An illumination means is provided via a first slot (16,fig.4) and a second slot (51,fig.4). The first slot 16 (16,fig.4) provides the main illumination for the home identification part 1. The second slot (51,fig.4) is arranged to provide illumination through the delivery and emergency indications 5,6. A remote switching means is arranged to alter the colour of the illumination means such that viewers are able to identify requirements from both colour and lettering displayed. The remote switching means may include a transmitter. Sensors may be provided to sense movement, smoke, light, heat or infra-red. The sign may include a timer, a camera and/or a loudspeaker. The illumination means may be arranged to flash.

Description

A HOME IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a home identification device, in particular a device for identification of a home with requirements, enabling a user internal the home to indicate the home's requirements to an external user; more particularly but not exclusively for example emergency or delivery requirements.

Background

In many societies across the world increasing numbers of users utilise home delivery services At the same time, many people are increasingly likely to have times of vulnerability at home, where emergency services may be required to attend for example.

It is known that to locate homes by their house numbers alone can at times be difficult. This is especially true when the external person is unfamiliar with a 20 neighbourhood and is even more difficult if in the dark when house numbers cannot be seen at all unless they are illuminated.

Prior Art

US 2020 0 226 961 (NEWCOMB) discloses an illuminated address sign assembly comprising: a light source and a light sensor, the light sensor configured to detect intensity of light outside the illuminated address sign assembly.

JP 2020 173 715 (SAWAMI) discloses a notification device, a box attached to an outer wall of a residence provided with button switches and LEDs that emit different colours. During a resident emergency, one of the button switches is pressed. Thus, any of the LEDs emits light, and the evacuation status of the resident can be notified to a specific object person by the colour of the emitted light.

GB 2 372 556 (FORD) discloses a signalling apparatus locatable on the inside of a window of a house so as to be visible from the outside of the house. The apparatus comprises four different colour strobe lights. The lights are selectively operable to identify the house to a potential caller and provide an indication dependent on the colour of light which operates.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a home identification device comprising: a plate with opaque parts and illuminating parts, an illumination means is associated with the plate and is operable to illuminate the illuminating parts, the illumination means is controllable by a remote switching means, wherein the remote switching means is arranged to alter the colour of the illumination means and/or to display alphanumeric lettering to a viewer.

It may be envisaged in this way that the alphanumeric lettering may be for indication of a home or identification thereof, and/or indication of a home's requirements. In this way through illumination and colouring of the alphanumeric lettering it may be possible for an internal user, who may be located remotely, to allow the viewer to identify the home and home's requirements from both colour and lettering at any one time.

In this way the device may advantageously enable internal users to indicate to 25 viewers, thereby ensuring that the appropriate viewers of the device will be alerted and provided with the required information.

For example the colour may be changed from a white colour provided in general usage, to a green colour in order to indicate requirements of the home, to a red colour in order to indicate emergency requirements of the home. This colour indication may be envisaged to draw additional attention from viewers to the device and/or a particular home.

In some embodiments the illuminating parts are transparent or translucent. In this 35 way for example the plate may include translucent or transparent parts that the illumination means is placed behind in use so as to provide clear illuminated alphanumeric lettering to viewers.

In some embodiments the illuminating parts include a delivery requirement indication. 5 For example such delivery requirement indication may state in alphanumeric lettering the requirements of the home, for example DELIVERY.

In some embodiments the Illuminating parts include an emergency service requirement indication, for example so as to state in alphanumeric lettering the 10 requirements of the home, for example EMERGENCY.

In some embodiments the Illumination means comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). In this way the LEDs may easily enable the illumination means to change colour, from white to green to red and further in other embodiments.

In some embodiments the remote switching means comprises a transmitter or transceiver. For example the remote switching means may be wireless operable and/or connected to the device via a wireless connectivity network. In this way it may be envisaged that the internal user may be enabled to easily install the device, and/or the internal user may be enabled to easily control the device and/or an external user may be enabled to contact, activate or control the device in addition or the alternative.

In some embodiments the remote switching means comprises independently available electronic hardware. For example it may be envisaged that the remote switching means may comprise a smartphone or similar, and/or it may be envisaged that viewers may be enabled to access software linking to the device, so as to activate or access the illumination means.

In some embodiments the device comprises one or more sensors. Sensors may be envisaged to provide automatic means of activating, deactivating, or adjusting the illumination means or device more generally.

In some embodiments the one or more sensors comprises a movement sensor. In 35 this way such sensor may enable a low-power mode, where the illumination means is dimmed for example, and/or may provide additional functionality when presence of an object is sensed near the device or other area.

In some embodiments the one or more sensors comprises a heat sensor. In this way 5 the device may be automatically enabled to indicate a requirement for emergency services.

In some embodiments the one or more sensors comprises a smoke sensor. In this way the device may be automatically enabled to indicate a requirement for 10 emergency services.

In some embodiments the one or more sensors comprises a light sensor. In this way such sensor may enable a low-power mode, where the illumination means is dimmed for example, and/or may provide additional illumination when higher light levels are 15 detected.

For example the device may comprise a photocell sensor, wherein such ambient light sensing device automatically adjusts intensity for various ambient conditions such as bright sunlight, night, fog, or other conditions In some embodiments the device comprises a discrete energy source, enabling wireless installation. This may enable the device to be installed easily and cheaply on a variety of properties, for a variety of time periods and by a variety of persons. For example the device may be envisaged as a temporary installation in some embodiments.

In some embodiments the device comprises a photovoltaic cell and rechargeable energy source. In this way the device may be envisaged to harvest energy from solar power, for example providing a back-up or top-up energy source.

In some embodiments the device comprises a timer. In this way the device may be set automatically or locally so as to accommodate ambient light levels or other user preferences.

In some embodiments the device comprises a video camera. In this way the device may provide a means of monitoring visitors to the home, for example from a remote location, or on a screen internal to the home.

In some embodiments the device comprises a loudspeaker so as to provide a siren. The In some embodiments the device comprises a flashing illumination means, or enables an internal user to operate the remote switching means so as to define a 10 flashing illumination means, thereby enabling the internal users to indicate greater urgency and/or visibility to viewers.

In some embodiments the device comprises a wired or wireless network connection and storage and communication means enabling automatic dialling of an emergency 15 telephone number with a pre-recorded message giving name, telephone number and address.

In other embodiments the device may be activated manually or by means of a photocell, and the emergency condition may be actuated by a manual switch for a 20 remote transmitter. The device may be used to activate other emergency alert signals, such as an audible signal or a signal transmitter over phone lines.

For example the device may comprise a control system that activates and deactivates the illumination means as triggered by an emergency dispatcher, who for 25 example may cause a specific tone to be transmitted over a telephone line after the internal user in the home telephones the dispatcher.

In other embodiments the device may provide an alert mode, for example wherein a separate status display enables an internal user in the home to give a status signal to 30 an external user to give warning as the presence of a home invader, for example.

In other embodiments it may be envisaged that the device may be a part of an apparatus or system comprising a plurality of such devices or a device substantially as described herein and other indicative devices. For example in such system or 35 apparatus the other device or indicative devices may collaborate to indicate where the home with requirements is situated. For example the devices may provide arrows or flashing signals.

In some embodiments a system includes the device substantially as described herein 5 and further comprises a wired or wireless network connected thereto, a digital storage medium and communication means which when activated dials an emergency telephone number.

In some embodiments the device comprises a front plate spaced by a spacing from a 10 rear plate by one or more spacers, wherein the spacing permits transmittal of the illumination means.

It may be envisaged that the device may have a rear plate that is perforated for simple use of screw fixing attachment means. In other embodiments the attachment 15 means may comprise suction cups, posts for soft ground, ferromagnetic means or hook and loop means such as Velcro (RIM).

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the 25 present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an exploded reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, Figures 5 show sketches of apparatus comprising the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, and the remote switching means; and Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to Figures 5 there is shown an embodiment of apparatus 199 comprising a home identification device 99 generally comprising a plate 2 with substantially opaque parts and illuminating parts 1, an illumination means behind the plate arranged to illuminate the illuminating parts, and a remote switching means 100,101, wherein the remote switching means is arranged to alter the colour of the illumination means, and the device includes alphanumeric lettering 1,5,6 for indication of home identification and home requirements to viewers; such that viewers are enabled to identify the home and home's requirements from both colour and lettering at any one time.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises two plates, namely a rear plate 3 and a front plate 2, wherein the front plate is predominantly or substantially opaque or translucent, but includes translucent or transparent parts 1, and thereby illuminating parts, providing the indication of home identification.

The rear plate includes two perforations 13 for fixings to provide an easy attachment 25 means when the front plate is displaced.

The plates are spaced apart parallel to form a spacing, the spacing provided by two spacers 4 close to the top corners of the plates and an elongate unit 10 along the bottom edge of the plates.

The unit includes the energy source and illumination means and provides slots through which the illumination means is projected into the spacing.

The unit further includes a substantially or wholly opaque housing, with DELIVERY 35 and EMERGENCY cut therefrom on a front face in alphanumerical parts 5 and 6 respectively to provide passage for the illumination means, and thereby the illuminating parts 5,6.

A first slot 16 provides the main illumination for the spacing for the indication of home identification.

A second slot 51 allows entrance of elongate translucent plastic tabs 15, through which the illumination means is projected so as provide a projected or diffused illumination through the DELIVERY and EMERGENCY indications With reference to the embodiment of the device as shown in the sketches of apparatus 199, the apparatus comprises an independently available smartphone or similar 101, and/or a switch plate 100 for installation in the home.

As shown in Figure 5b it may be envisaged that when one or other of the switches shown in Figure 5a on the switch plate are switched the illumination means is controlled for a time period, for example 1 hour.

A further embodiment is shown in Figure 6, having two discrete light sources for the 20 home requirements indication.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 25 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1 A home identification device comprising: a plate with opaque parts and illuminating parts, an illumination means is associated with the plate and is operable to illuminate the illuminating parts, the illumination means is controllable by a remote switching means, wherein the remote switching means is arranged to alter the colour of the illumination means and/or to display alphanumeric lettering to a viewer.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the illuminating parts are transparent or translucent.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the illuminating parts include a delivery requirement indication.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the Illuminating parts include an emergency service requirement indication.
5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the Illumination means comprises one or more light emitting diodes.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the remote switching means includes a transmitter.
7. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a sensor arranged to sense movement
8. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a sensor arranged to sense smoke.
9. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a sensor arranged to sense light.
10. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a sensor arranged to heat or infra-red.
11. A device according to any preceding claim comprises an energy source, such as a battery, to enable wireless operation.
12. A device according to any claim 11 wherein a photovoltaic cell and rechargeable energy source are provided to recharge the battery.
13. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a timer.
14. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a video camera.
15. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a loudspeaker which is optionally operable as a siren.
16. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a flashing illumination device.
17. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a front plate spaced by a spacing from a rear plate by one or more spacers, wherein the spacing permits transmittal of the illumination means.
18. A system includes the device according to any preceding claim and further comprises a wired or wireless network connected thereto, a digital storage medium and communication means which when activated dials an emergency telephone number.
19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the communication means sends or plays a pre-recorded message which includes a name, a telephone number and an address.
20. A system according to claim 18 or 19 includes a remote switching means.
21 A home identification device comprising a plate with substantially opaque parts and illuminating parts, an illumination means associated with the plate arranged to illuminate the illuminating parts, the illumination means controllable by a remote switching means, wherein the remote switching means is arranged to alter the colour of the illumination means, and wherein the device includes alphanumeric lettering for indication of home identification and home requirements to viewers; such that viewers are enabled to identify both the home and home's requirements from colour and lettering at any one time