WO1990001763A1

WO1990001763A1 - Personnel guidance system

Info

Publication number: WO1990001763A1
Application number: PCT/AU1989/000318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lionel James Barden
Original assignee: Lionel James Barden
Priority date: 1988-07-29
Filing date: 1989-07-28
Publication date: 1990-02-22

Abstract

A guidance system is disclosed which will permit a multitude of personnel to be guided to particular locations within a predetermined area such as a conference centre. The system has a common display means (13) which has identification means which identifies each such personnel and provides a display of a unique path identifier for each such personnel. The path identifier may comprise either only a colour or both a colour and a simple shape such as a square, circle, cross, diamond, stars or stripes. Path display means (23) are provided at various locations throughout the area which can provide displays of all such colours and shapes. These path display means (23) are controlled by control means (24) to provide relevant displays of the unique path identifiers for their location in the predetermined area, so that a person can follow one relevant path display means (23) to the next relevant path display means (23) to be guided to the required location. A computer controls the path display means (23) so that as the particular area for each person changes, the required unique identifiers can be changed at the relevant path display means (23).

Description

PERSONNEL GUIDANCE SYSTEM Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a personnel guidance system and relates particularly but not exclusively to such for use at conference venues, although it has application in other areas such as guiding personnel within buildings, or throughout other like areas.

Description of Prior Art

Hitherto, personnel at conferences have often been confused by (a) the unfamiliar venue and by (b) the fact that they may be required to be in a workshop which is in an unknown location at that venue. This is particularly so when attendees do not attend a common conference hall but have to go to different rooms for their particular works-hop. The problem also occurs at conference venues where there may be two or more conferences being held simultaneously. People intended for one conference often venture into the area set aside for the other conference. A similar problem exists in guiding personnel through large buildings such as hospitals or other institutions. To date, no satisfactory system of guiding personnel in such circumstances has been proposed.

Objects and Statement of Invention

The present invention has been devised to provide a system which will enhance the guidance of personnel to predetermined locations in a particular area.

Therefore, in accordance with a first broad aspect of the present invention there may be provided a guidance system for guiding a multitude of personnel to respective particular locations in a predetermined area, said system comprising common display means for identifying all such personnel, said display means having identification means for identifying all such personnel, and means for providing for each such personnel a unique display signifying a path identifier to be followed by each to permit each to be directed to the required particular location in said area, a plurality of path display means at various locations throughout said predetermined area, each capable of displaying all of the unique path identifiers, each being controllable by control means to provide relevant displays of unique path identifiers for the particular location of each path display means, whereby such personnel can look at the path display means in their immediate proximity, see their unique path identifier, and be guided in the direction of the next relevant path display means so that each personnel can, by observing a series of such relevant path display means, be directed to the required particular location in said area.

Most preferably said control means controls said common display means for permitting the required unique path identifier to be displayed for each such personnel.

It is particularly preferred that said identification means is addressable by each such personnel so that following addressing, that person's unique path identifier can be highlighted at said common display means.

It is particularly preferred that said identification means comprises a reader for reading identification means carried by each such personnel.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained an example of one preferred embodiment, for use at a conference venue, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figu-re 1 is a plan view of a particular conference venue centre;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred display means;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred path display;

Figure 4 is a close-up plan view of a^' particular floor level displayed on the display means;

Figure 5 is a graphic display of one path shown on the floor level in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a path display showing a front panel slightly removed;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the path display shown in Figure 6 along section line 7-7; and Figure 8 is a block schematic electrical circuit diagram of a typical conference centre employing the guidance system of the preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown a plan view of one floor level of a multi-floored conference centre. Here it can be seen that there is an entry 1, a registration desk 3, a plenary hall 5 and an exhibition hall 7 in which are provided a series of workshops 9 numbered A, B, C, .... , L, M. The conference centre is multi-levelled such that there are a series of exhibition halls 7 one above each other, each with their respective workshops 9. Some of the levels may be set aside as eating venues.

It is well known to persons attending conferences that to find ones way about at the conference centre can be quite difficult owing to, (a) the unfamiliarity of the conference centre and, (b) the fact that the particular location required in the conference centre is not easily discernible. The present embodiment has been devised to attempt to overcome those problems by providing a personnel guidance system.

When a person first attends the conference centre it is to register for the conference. Accordingly it is proposed that the person approach the registration desk 3 and receive the usual conference papers and handouts. Amongst the handouts may be an identification card. Desirably the card has a unique identifier printed thereon in either a distinguishing colour only or both a colour and a shape identifier to identify the particular person. Preferably the card is a card which has a magnetic stripe or strip on one side which contains information "about the person and which on the other side contains the colour and/or particular, shape identifier to identify that person. That colour and/or shape is then used as a path identifier to guide that person to particular locations at the conference centre. This is achieved by use of a display means shown in Figure 2, and by path display means shown in Figure 3.

By referring now to Figure 2 it can be seen that a display means 13 is provided which has a central pedestal 15 which supports an inclined display panel 17. The display panel 17 is at a convenient user height to permit viewing of the entire upper surface of the display panel 17. The display means 13 has a slot 19 behind which is an identification reading means which comprises a reader for the magnetic card which is given to the person at the time of registering. Accordingly, a person wishing to ascertain the desired location for his attendance will approach the display means 13, place his card in the slot 19 and observe a floor plan display which will then be provided on the display panel 17. As shown in Figure 2, the display panel 17 is divided into four sections which represent level 1, level 2, level 3 and level 4 of the conference centre. If the person is to attend a location at say level 2, then level 1 will provide a floor plan display and level 2 will also provide a floor plan display. A highlighted image will be displayed on the floor plans at both level 1 and level 2 consequent on the reading of the card and such image will serve to show the direction(s) and plan of the route(s) to enable the person to move from the position of the display means 13 to the required location.

For example, on the level 1 display there will be a floor plan for level 1 and a highlighted display, preferably in the same colour used to identify the person as printed on his identification card. That display will show a path from the display means 13 to the nearest steps or lifts or elevators to transfer that person from level 1 to level 2. The level 2 display will, show a floor plan of level 2 and a similar display from the point of entry at level 2 to the desired location. The display will again be preferably coloured with the same colour as that of the identification on the card provided at the time of registering.

Thus, the display on the display means 13 will preferably show a floor plan of the predetermined area, i.e. the conference centre and will have a display for showing the path route(s) for that person to move from the position of the display means 13 to a required one of the workshops 9. If the person is to attend the plenary hall 5, then a display will be provided of the path required to enable the person to enter the plenary hall 5.

The display means 13 is such that it can display all possible locations of the workshops 9 or other areas in the conference centre. It also has means, such as lamp means, to permit a path display preferably in the required colour attributed to that person so that person can be guided by coloured paths to the required location. The display may be a line display for the path, made up from a plurality of required coloured lamps displayed in close proximity to each other.

The display panel 13 has been shown to provide displays of floor plans at four-floor levels. If required, the display means 13 can provide a single floor plan display or any other number of floor levels.

Referring now to Figure 3 there is shown a particularly preferred path display 23. Here it can be seen that it comprises a plurality of displays 25. The displays 25 are preferably illuminatible displays which can be selectively illuminated to highlight the desired colour and/or desired shape of the person' s unique identifier, to direct the person to the required location. A plurality of path displays 23 are located at discrete positions throughout the conference centre. Thus, a person establishing the layout of the conference centre by utilizing the display means 13 shown in Figure 2 and the path route(s) to the intended location can orient himself in relation to the building, and then by observing the path displays 23 can be particularly directed to the required location by following the path displays 23 in serial fashion.

The display means 13, and the path displays 23 are interconnected with a control means 24 in the form of a computer (not shown) located at a convenient position such as in a control room 27. Thus, for a morning session, personnel in the control room can configure the system so that the display means 13 and the path displays 23 will lead selected personnel to a particular one of the workshops 9 or to the plenary hall 5 or to other locations. At morning tea time the display means 13 and the path display means 23 can be changed so that they will direct the personnel to the required tea rooms. After tea the display means 13 and the path displays 23 can be reconfigured to direct personnel to perhaps a different workshop 9 or to the plenary hall 5 or to other areas within the conference centre.

The computer can be programmed to accept information relating to:

(a) all persons attending the conference centre; (b) each particular location required to be attended;

(c) the location of each path display 23;

(d) the required particular locations for each person for particular required attendances. It can then be operated to provide the required display at the display means 13 and the path display means 23, as the particular persons place of intended attendance changes. - - In this way control of personnel can be achieved. Furthermore, it provides a convenient way of guiding personnel to desired locations within an unfamiliar environment. Thus, it should be appreciated, that the system has application in a wide range of areas such as to guide personnel to desired locations within a predetermined area such as in hospitals, large buildings, factory sites and the like.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the card which is provided to the personnel upon registering will have, for example, a yellow cross identifier thereon for people intending to be present at workshop A. For personnel intended for workshop B they may have a yellow square identifier. For personnel attending workshop C they may have an orange star identifier. When their card is placed in the slot 19 in the display means 13, the floor plan of the conference centre will be displayed by lights, with an appropriate line indication highlighted to show the path(s) to follow to arrive at the required location. As previously mentioned, this line display can be in the same colour as that provided on the cards. The path displays 23 will be illuminated to highlight the required colours and typically with the required shape be it a square, a cross or a star etc.. Those of the particular displays 25 thereon which are not illuminated will be perceived to be absent and only the illuminated display 25 will be visible. Thus, the personnel can be directed to the required location by the path displays 23. The shape identifiers are preferably simple shapes selected from: circles, squares, rectangles, crosses, triangles, diamonds, stars or stripes, so they cannot be confused with other shapes such as letters or numbers which may be on signage within the building or conference centre.

A plurality of display means 13 can be provided throughout the conference centre if required. Conveniently, these can be in the entrance to the conference centre and at different levels within the conference centre. Thus, if a person becomes lost it is a simple matter for him to insert his card into the slot 19 in the nearest display means 13 to ascertain his current position and the intended location and to then proceed to that location by following the required displays 25 on the path displays 23.

Typically, the display means 13 has the reader integrated with the computer such that colour coded fibre-optic illuminating means within the display means 13 will be illuminated to provide a path display on the floor plan.

Desirably the path displays 23 have lights mounted behind a one-way mirror front surface. In this way only a particular display 25 which is illuminated will be visible from the front of the path displays 23. Early testing has shown that with four possible shapes of each display and eight colours that pass stringent distance and colour identification tests, at least thirty-two physical combinations can be provided thereby allowing for thirty-two discrete locations to be shown.

The mirror surface ensures that only light combinations activated from the central control room - the computer - will be visible, and the light intensity and the shape of each of the displays 25 will be such to ensure that they are highly visible on the most competitive of light environments. The card which is issued upon registration of each personnel not only provides guidance as outlined above, but can be used for other purposes as suggested below: 1. It can be used to trigger a multi-lingual audio-visual system at the display means 13 which could offer information on the particular event the person is attending, the centre, its environs or wider interest such as advertising or tourist information. 2. It has a billing system for people wishing to make purchases at the conference centre itself for goods and/or services.

3. To identify the delegate, on a large audio-visual screen, at a plenary session or the like. 4. Access a computer library (again multi-lingual) of background information on specific meetings, subjects or persons.

5. Enable a message flag to be illuminated at each of the display means 13 when one of the delegates leaves a message at the control room 27 or at the registration desk 33. In this way the person can be alerted to the fact that someone is attempting to make contact with him.

6. It can be used to activate a multi-lingual audio system whereby the required translated language of speakers can be provided. For example, each seat in the plenary hall 5 is provided with a headphone outlet and a card operated switching arrangement which will enable reception of the speakers commentary translated into a required language. Thus, by simply inserting the registration car into the switching arrangement the desired language translation can be provided to the headphone outlet.

Typically the colours of the displays on the display means 13 and the path displays 23 are chosen to not correspond to other colour signals which are provided in the conference centre. For example, the colours red and green are used to signify exits and entrances respectively*. Thus, these colours should preferably be avoided. In addition the intensity of illumination of each of the displays 13 and 25 is chosen to stand out and be prominent relative to the background light at that location. Thus, a person should be able to readily observe the required displays and follow the required display indication to arrive at the particular location required.

Instead of the card reader being of the type where the registration card is inserted into a slot, it may be a pass over type reader either optical or magnetic. If enhanced data is required to be controlled by the computer for each person, then the registration card could even be an intelligent card.

The floor plan displays in the display means 13 may be permanently displayed thereon or may be activated at the .time of insertion of the registration card. The line displays of the path(s) to the intended location(s), however, are to be -activated and highlighted only upon addressing the display means 13 such as by insertion of the registration card.

It is desirable for the system to be hard-wired -rather than radio controlled although a radio control option is to be included within the scope of the invention.

Suitable programming for the computer can be provided by programmers aware of the particular functions required.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an enlarged plan view of a particular floor level at the conference centre as displayed on the display means 13. It can be seen that the plan comprises, in this case, three separate path routes 41, 43 and 44, each leading to different areas of possible attendance 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55.

Figure 5- shows an enlarged detail view of the plan of path 41. Here it can be seen that it is composed of individual lighting sections 57, 59, 61, 63 and 65. Each of the lighting sections 57, 59, 61 and 65 is comprised of a plurality of individual light means for each particular colour which is used to provide the unique identifiers for each of the attendees at the conference. Typically, there can be four rows of closely spaced fibre optic cables terminating at the front face of the display means 13. Thus, there may be a row of fibre optic cables (not shown) for a yellow colour, a further row for a blue colour, a further row for an orange colour and a further row for a purple colour. Each of the rows will comprise each of the individual path displays for lighting sections 57, 59, 61, 63 and 65. The fibre optics in each individual path for each individual colour can be brought together to be illuminated by a particular coloured lamp (not shown) . Thus, by appropriately activating particular ones of the lamps to, in turn, cause illumination of particular coloured ones of the individual path displays for lighting sections 57, 59, 61, 63 and 65, it will be possible to selectively provide an indication on the display means 13 of a plan which will lead the individual to a particular area 45, 46 and 47.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown the perspective view of the path display means 23. Here it can be seen that the one-way mirror face panel 67 is slightly removed from the front of the path display 23 to reveal four vertical rows of particular shaped cut-outs 69, 71, 73, 75, 77 and 79. These shapes correspond to those shapes which may be given to the individual for the particular unique path identifier. Each of the vertical rows is arranged to be illuminated in a particular one of the path identifier colours.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of Figure 6. Here it can be seen that there are four lights 81, 83, 85 and 87 each with their individual leads 89. Lights 81, 83, 85 and 87 will be of different colours corresponding to those for the unique path identifiers. The lights 81, 83, 85 and 87 are mounted within reflector hoods 91 so that light therefrom will be inhibited from passing to adjacent cut-outs 73. Thus, as each of the lamps 81, 83, 85 or 87 is illuminated, light will pass through the cut-out 73 and illuminate the particular colour/shape defined by the cut-out 73. The computer will have control circuitry to permit activation of particular ones of the lamps 81, 83, 85 or 87 for each of the desired shapes depicted by the cut-outs 69, 71, 73, 75, 77 or 79.

Referring now to Figure 8 there is shown a block schematic diagram of the electric circuitry for the above guidance system. Here there is provided a computer such as a personal computer 101 which will provide output signals to logic circuitry and line drivers 103 to provide activation of the required lights in the display means 13 so that the particular path displays can be provided. The computer 101 will also provide output signals to logic circuit means and line drivers 105 so that each of the individual path displays 23 can be illuminated with the required unique identifiers. In a modification of the above system the display means 13 may simply have a list of persons attending the conference centre and an appropriate display adjacent that person's name showing the unique path identifier in the particular colour and shape. In this way, a person may operate a button or the like adjacent his name so that the unique identifier can be highlighted so long as the button is depressed. Accordingly, a person registering at the conference may b.e .directed by conference personnel to the display means 13 to ascertain the particular unique identifier. Once the particular identifier is determined then that person can follow the path identifiers on the particular path display means 23 to be directed to the required location. It is preferable however to show the floor plans as outlined previously in the particular colour which is unique to that person to enable that person to arrive at the required location within the conference centre. In an even further simpler version of the above, the display means 13 may have a sheet of paper or the like with a listing of all the person's names attending the conference and the unique path identifier adjacent that name. Thus, the control means comprising the computer need not actually control the display means 13 but only the path display means 23.

Modifications may be made to the present invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the display arts, and computer arts. These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A guidance system for guiding a multitude of personnel to respective particular locations in a predetermined area, said system comprising common- isplay means for identifying all such personnel, said display means having identification means for identifying all such personnel, and means for providing for each such personnel a unique display signifying a path identifier to be followed by each to permit each to be directed to the required particular location in said area, a plurality of path display means at various locations throughout said predetermined area, each capable of displaying all of the unique path identifiers, each being controllable by control means to provide relevant displays of unique path identifiers for the particular location of each path display means, whereby such personnel can look at the path display means in their immediate proximity, see their unique path identifier, and be guided in the direction of the next relevant path display means so that each personnel can, by observing a series of such relevant path display means, be directed to the required particular location in said area.

2. A guidance system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said control means controls said common display means for permitting the required unique path identifier to be displayed for each such personnel.

3. A guidance system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said identification means is addressable by each such personnel so that following addressing, that person's unique path identifier can be highlighted at said common display means.

4. A guidance system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said identification means comprises a reader for reading identification means carried by each, such personnel.

5. A guidance system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein s.aid common display means provides a display of the plan of said predetermined .area and the path route by a display of said unique path identifier following addressing of said common display means.

6. A guidance system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said unique path identifiers comprise both colour and simple shape identifiers.

7. A guidance system as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said simple shape identifiers are selected from at least one of the following, circles, squares, rectangles, crosses, triangles, diamonds, stars or stripes.

8. A guidance as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a computer which is programmed to accepted information relating to:

(a) a list of all such personnel;

(b) each particular location in said area;

(c) the location of each path display means;

(d) the required particular locations in said area for each such personnel for particular required attendances; and to be able to provide the required unique path displays at the relevant path display means as each such person's particular location of intended attendance changes.