WO2006123114A1 - Call point - Google Patents

Call point Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006123114A1
WO2006123114A1 PCT/GB2006/001762 GB2006001762W WO2006123114A1 WO 2006123114 A1 WO2006123114 A1 WO 2006123114A1 GB 2006001762 W GB2006001762 W GB 2006001762W WO 2006123114 A1 WO2006123114 A1 WO 2006123114A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
call point
call
alarm system
information display
variable information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/001762
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Karl Andrew Vondrak
Original Assignee
Kac Alarm Company Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kac Alarm Company Limited filed Critical Kac Alarm Company Limited
Publication of WO2006123114A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006123114A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/14—Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B7/00—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00
    • G08B7/06—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
    • G08B7/062—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources indicating emergency exits

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a call point for use in an alarm system, with the term "call point” being used to refer to a device which is manually operable by a user to alert others to a fire or similar emergency.
  • a call point typically includes an element which is frangible or moveable in response to pressure applied to it by a user. When pressure is applied to the element, the call point is activated, with the element breaking or moving to indicate that the call point has been activated.
  • a typical alarm system in a building for example, includes a number of call points positioned around the building.
  • the call points are connected in one or more electrical circuits to a control station.
  • a control station In the event of a fire or other emergency, one of the call points can be activated.
  • the control station detects that the call point has been activated, and causes an alarm signal to be produced by one or more sounders, warning the occupants of the building of the emergency.
  • a call point for an alarm system having a variable information display and an input to receive data from a location remote from the call point, the information displayed being variable in response to the data received at the input.
  • the variable information display may comprise a display screen.
  • the variable information display may comprise a liquid crystal display.
  • the screen may be capable of displaying video images.
  • the screen may be a touch screen.
  • the call point may be activated by touching the touch screen.
  • the information display may be operable, when the call point is activated, to indicate a safe escape route from a building in which the call point is installed.
  • the display could show directions, such as "Turn left", or arrows, to indicate a safe escape route from the building.
  • the call point may further comprise a user interface, by means of which a user is able to view and alter operating parameters of the call point and the alarm system.
  • a call point for an alarm system having a variable information display wherein, when the call point is activated, the display indicates a safe escape route from a building or whatever location the call point is installed.
  • the call point may be in accordance with any of the preceding paragraphs.
  • a call point for an alarm system having a variable information display and a pressure-sensitive element, the pressure-sensitive element being operable to activate the call point.
  • the variable information display may comprise a screen.
  • the screen may be capable of displaying video images.
  • the screen may be a touch screen.
  • the touch screen may comprise the pressure-sensitive element, and the call point may be activated by touching the touch screen.
  • the call point may be in accordance with any of the preceding paragraphs.
  • an alarm system having a plurality of call points, at least one of which has a variable information display, the at least one call point being operatively associated with one or more other call points such that activation of a call point results in a change in the information displayed on one or more of the variable information display.
  • activating a call point may cause other call points in the alarm system to display, for example, information indicating a safe escape route from a location in which the alarm system is installed.
  • the call point may be in accordance with any of the preceding paragraphs.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a call point according to the invention.
  • a call point is shown generally at 10 in Fig. 1 , and comprises a chassis 12, which is attachable to a wall or the like, and a fascia 14 which overlies the chassis 12.
  • the fascia 14 includes, at a generally central part thereof, a recess 16, within which is disposed a variable information display 18.
  • the variable information display 18 is a touch-screen which is capable of displaying moving images such as video footage, but it will be understood that the variable information display 18 could be of any suitable type, for example a liquid crystal display (LCD).
  • the call point 10 also includes a pressure-sensitive element, in this example in the form of the touch screen, but which could be of any other suitable type, for example a push switch.
  • the pressure-sensitive element is operative to activate the call point 10 when pressure is applied thereto by a user.
  • An indicator 20, in this example a Light Emitting Diode (LED), is located in an upper part of the fascia 14, and provides a visual indication that the call point 10 has been activated.
  • LED Light Emitting Diode
  • Circuitry (not shown) is disposed within the chassis 12 of the call point 10, to control the operation of the call point 10.
  • the circuitry includes an input, by means of which the call point 10 is able to receive data from a location remote from itself, for example from a control station or another call point.
  • the circuitry also controls the operation of the variable information display 18, with the information displayed being variable in response to the data received at the input.
  • An output is also provided, by means of which the call point 10 is able to provide data, for example details of its operational status, to a location remote from itself.
  • the call point 10 also includes an address which is pre- settable to a unique numerical value to identify the call point, which may be set in any appropriate manner, for example by setting dual in-line package (DIP) switches, or by configuring software embedded in the circuitry.
  • DIP dual in-line package
  • the call point forms part of an alarm system which may also include one or more additional call points 10, with each call point 10 in the alarm system being pre-set with a unique address as described above, enabling it to be identified by the control station and/or the other call points 10 in the system.
  • the alarm system further comprises a control station having inputs for data from the call point(s) 10 and outputs to supply data to the call point(s) 10.
  • the control station also includes a processing element with an associated memory element containing details of the building layout and location of the call point(s) 10.
  • the alarm system may also include other devices, such as sounders, detectors and security cameras, with the call points and additional devices being connected to the control station and to each other, where appropriate by cables or a suitable wireless connection protocol.
  • other devices such as sounders, detectors and security cameras, with the call points and additional devices being connected to the control station and to each other, where appropriate by cables or a suitable wireless connection protocol.
  • the indicator 20 When a call point 10 is activated (in this example by a person touching the touch screen), the indicator 20 is activated to provide a visual indication that the call point 10 has been activated, and a signal is transmitted from the call point, via the output, to the control station.
  • the control station uses the call point 10 address to identify which call point 10 has been activated.
  • the processor activates the memory to find the location of the activated call point 10 and, from this information and the information relating to the layout of the building determines the quickest and/or safest escape route from the building from each call point 10. This data is relayed to the appropriate call point 10, which displays it on its variable information display in the form of words, for example "Turn Left", symbols such as directional arrows, or any other suitable form.
  • the appropriate call point 10 displays it on its variable information display in the form of words, for example "Turn Left", symbols such as directional arrows, or any other suitable form.
  • the call point may 10 include a user interface which is accessible by means of the touch screen such that, in addition to providing details of the safest or nearest exit, the call point 10 can provide diagnostic information on the status of the alarm system.
  • a password or other security feature may be required to permit access to the user interface.
  • a system administrator or other authorised user is able, by means of the touch screen, to view and alter the operating parameters of the call point 10 or the alarm system. For example, if a call point 10 has been activated by accident, the authorised user is able to deactivate it using the activated call point 10 itself, or any other call point 10.
  • variable information display may be able to display images, either static or moving, from the cameras.
  • firefighters are able to use the call point 10 to view the fire and surrounding areas of the building to assess the intensity of the fire and the likelihood of it spreading, or to located people trapped in the building by the fire.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A call point (10) for an alarm system having a variable information display (18) and an input to receive data from a location remote from the call point (10), the information displayed being variable in response to the data received at the input.

Description

Title: Call Point
Description of Invention
The present invention relates generally to a call point for use in an alarm system, with the term "call point" being used to refer to a device which is manually operable by a user to alert others to a fire or similar emergency.
A call point typically includes an element which is frangible or moveable in response to pressure applied to it by a user. When pressure is applied to the element, the call point is activated, with the element breaking or moving to indicate that the call point has been activated.
A typical alarm system in a building, for example, includes a number of call points positioned around the building. The call points are connected in one or more electrical circuits to a control station. In the event of a fire or other emergency, one of the call points can be activated. The control station detects that the call point has been activated, and causes an alarm signal to be produced by one or more sounders, warning the occupants of the building of the emergency.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a call point for an alarm system, having a variable information display and an input to receive data from a location remote from the call point, the information displayed being variable in response to the data received at the input.
In this way, relevant information may be provided to users of the alarm system.
The variable information display may comprise a display screen. The variable information display may comprise a liquid crystal display.
The screen may be capable of displaying video images.
The screen may be a touch screen.
Thus, the call point may be activated by touching the touch screen.
The information display may be operable, when the call point is activated, to indicate a safe escape route from a building in which the call point is installed.
Thus, the display could show directions, such as "Turn left", or arrows, to indicate a safe escape route from the building.
The call point may further comprise a user interface, by means of which a user is able to view and alter operating parameters of the call point and the alarm system.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a call point for an alarm system having a variable information display wherein, when the call point is activated, the display indicates a safe escape route from a building or whatever location the call point is installed.
The call point may be in accordance with any of the preceding paragraphs.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a call point for an alarm system having a variable information display and a pressure- sensitive element, the pressure-sensitive element being operable to activate the call point. The variable information display may comprise a screen.
The screen may be capable of displaying video images.
The screen may be a touch screen.
Thus, the touch screen may comprise the pressure-sensitive element, and the call point may be activated by touching the touch screen.
The call point may be in accordance with any of the preceding paragraphs.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an alarm system having a plurality of call points, at least one of which has a variable information display, the at least one call point being operatively associated with one or more other call points such that activation of a call point results in a change in the information displayed on one or more of the variable information display.
Thus, activating a call point may cause other call points in the alarm system to display, for example, information indicating a safe escape route from a location in which the alarm system is installed.
The call point may be in accordance with any of the preceding paragraphs.
Specific and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in its various aspects, will now be described in greater detail, strictly by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawing, of which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a call point according to the invention. A call point is shown generally at 10 in Fig. 1 , and comprises a chassis 12, which is attachable to a wall or the like, and a fascia 14 which overlies the chassis 12. The fascia 14 includes, at a generally central part thereof, a recess 16, within which is disposed a variable information display 18. In this example, the variable information display 18 is a touch-screen which is capable of displaying moving images such as video footage, but it will be understood that the variable information display 18 could be of any suitable type, for example a liquid crystal display (LCD). The call point 10 also includes a pressure-sensitive element, in this example in the form of the touch screen, but which could be of any other suitable type, for example a push switch. The pressure-sensitive element is operative to activate the call point 10 when pressure is applied thereto by a user. An indicator 20, in this example a Light Emitting Diode (LED), is located in an upper part of the fascia 14, and provides a visual indication that the call point 10 has been activated.
Circuitry (not shown) is disposed within the chassis 12 of the call point 10, to control the operation of the call point 10. The circuitry includes an input, by means of which the call point 10 is able to receive data from a location remote from itself, for example from a control station or another call point. The circuitry also controls the operation of the variable information display 18, with the information displayed being variable in response to the data received at the input. An output is also provided, by means of which the call point 10 is able to provide data, for example details of its operational status, to a location remote from itself. The call point 10 also includes an address which is pre- settable to a unique numerical value to identify the call point, which may be set in any appropriate manner, for example by setting dual in-line package (DIP) switches, or by configuring software embedded in the circuitry.
The call point forms part of an alarm system which may also include one or more additional call points 10, with each call point 10 in the alarm system being pre-set with a unique address as described above, enabling it to be identified by the control station and/or the other call points 10 in the system.
The alarm system further comprises a control station having inputs for data from the call point(s) 10 and outputs to supply data to the call point(s) 10. The control station also includes a processing element with an associated memory element containing details of the building layout and location of the call point(s) 10.
The alarm system may also include other devices, such as sounders, detectors and security cameras, with the call points and additional devices being connected to the control station and to each other, where appropriate by cables or a suitable wireless connection protocol.
When a call point 10 is activated (in this example by a person touching the touch screen), the indicator 20 is activated to provide a visual indication that the call point 10 has been activated, and a signal is transmitted from the call point, via the output, to the control station. The control station uses the call point 10 address to identify which call point 10 has been activated. The processor activates the memory to find the location of the activated call point 10 and, from this information and the information relating to the layout of the building determines the quickest and/or safest escape route from the building from each call point 10. This data is relayed to the appropriate call point 10, which displays it on its variable information display in the form of words, for example "Turn Left", symbols such as directional arrows, or any other suitable form. Thus, occupants of the building are able to find a safe escape route simply by looking at the call points 10.
The call point may 10 include a user interface which is accessible by means of the touch screen such that, in addition to providing details of the safest or nearest exit, the call point 10 can provide diagnostic information on the status of the alarm system. A password or other security feature may be required to permit access to the user interface. Thus, a system administrator or other authorised user is able, by means of the touch screen, to view and alter the operating parameters of the call point 10 or the alarm system. For example, if a call point 10 has been activated by accident, the authorised user is able to deactivate it using the activated call point 10 itself, or any other call point 10.
Where the alarm system includes security cameras, the variable information display may be able to display images, either static or moving, from the cameras. Thus, in the event of a fire in a building, for example, firefighters are able to use the call point 10 to view the fire and surrounding areas of the building to assess the intensity of the fire and the likelihood of it spreading, or to located people trapped in the building by the fire.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A call point for an alarm system having a variable information display and an input to receive data from a location remote from the call point, the information displayed being variable in response to the data received at the input.
2. A call point according to claim 1 wherein the variable information display comprises a display screen.
3. A call point according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the variable information display comprises a liquid crystal display.
4. A call point according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the screen is capable of displaying video images.
5. A call point according to any of the preceding claims wherein the screen comprises a touch screen.
6. A call point according to any of the preceding claims wherein the information display is operable, when the call point is activated, to indicate a safe escape route from a location in which the call point is installed.
7. A call point according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a user interface, by means of which a user is able to view and alter operating parameters of the call point and the alarm system.
8. A call point for an alarm system, having a variable information display wherein, when the call point is activated, the display indicates a safe escape route from a location in which the call point is installed.
9. A call point according to claim 8 further comprising the feature(s) of the call point of any of claims 2 to 7.
10. A call point for an alarm system, having a variable information display and a pressure-sensitive element, the pressure-sensitive element being operable to activate the call point.
11. A call point according to claim 10 further comprising the feature(s) of the call point of any of claims 2 to 7.
12. A call point substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.
13. An alarm system having a plurality of call points, at least one of which has a variable information display, the at least one call point(s) being operatively associated with one or more other call points such that activation of a call point results in a change in the information displayed on the variable information display(s).
14. An alarm system according to claim 13 wherein one or more of the call points are in accordance with any of claims 1 to 12.
15. An alarm system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
16. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB2006/001762 2005-05-16 2006-05-12 Call point WO2006123114A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0509834A GB2426366A (en) 2005-05-16 2005-05-16 Call point for an alarm system
GB0509834.8 2005-05-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006123114A1 true WO2006123114A1 (en) 2006-11-23

Family

ID=34708152

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2006/001762 WO2006123114A1 (en) 2005-05-16 2006-05-12 Call point

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GB (1) GB2426366A (en)
WO (1) WO2006123114A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2093736A1 (en) * 2008-02-25 2009-08-26 Cooper Lighting and Security Limited Emergency control panel
US10810864B1 (en) 2019-10-01 2020-10-20 Honeywell International Inc. Manual call point with an e-paper display

Citations (2)

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US20030122656A1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-03 Cavil Edwin G. Fast response safety station
DE202004004079U1 (en) * 2004-03-14 2004-10-07 Schöllchen, Gunther Emergency information terminal supplied information via a computer system or other information source and in addition has first aid and fire-extinguishing equipment available

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GB2238412A (en) * 1989-11-21 1991-05-29 Richard Bone Exit signalling device
DE19835318B4 (en) * 1998-02-02 2007-07-26 Robert Bosch Gmbh Manually operated detectors
US6133839A (en) * 1998-04-13 2000-10-17 Ellul Enterprises, Inc. Smoke detector apparatus with emergency escape indicator
CN1138245C (en) * 1999-08-10 2004-02-11 福利昂有限公司 Call points or break glass units
GB2388693A (en) * 2002-05-16 2003-11-19 Phillip John Williams Emergency exit indicator

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030122656A1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-03 Cavil Edwin G. Fast response safety station
DE202004004079U1 (en) * 2004-03-14 2004-10-07 Schöllchen, Gunther Emergency information terminal supplied information via a computer system or other information source and in addition has first aid and fire-extinguishing equipment available

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2426366A (en) 2006-11-22
GB0509834D0 (en) 2005-06-22

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