WO2009054584A1

WO2009054584A1 - Multi-directional emergency exit light and emergency lighting system and method using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2009054584A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002927
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seung Woo Seo; Min Ho Park; Seong Woo Kim
Original assignee: Seoul National University Industry Foundation
Priority date: 2007-10-22
Filing date: 2008-05-26
Publication date: 2009-04-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-directional emergency exit light, and an emergency lighting system and method using the emergency exit light, which can select a suitable route while ensuring that a dangerous region is avoided, and can indicate a suitable direction. A multi-directional emergency exit light of the present invention performs guidance along an escape route. The multi-directional emergency exit light (100) includes a power supply device (140) for supplying power. A multi-direction indication device (120) is capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, and indicates a specific guiding direction under control of a microprocessor module (150). The microprocessor module (150) sets a guiding direction on a basis of certain criteria, and performing control so that the multi-direction indication device indicates the guiding direction.

Description

MULTI-DIRECTIONAL EMERGENCY EXIT LIGHT AND EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING

THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a multi-directional emergency exit light and an emergency lighting system and method using the emergency exit light, and, more particularly, to a multi-directional emergency exit light, and an emergency lighting system and method using the emergency exit light, which can select a suitable route while ensuring that a dangerous region is avoided, and can indicate a suitable direction. Background Art

[2] Generally, an exit light, which is a kind of evacuation equipment, is installed to guide persons to an exit even in a power failure situation when an emergency, such as a fire or an earthquake, occurs, and is required to be installed in buildings or facilities which are frequently used by a great number of persons.

[3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a currently generally used emergency exit light.

Emergency exit lights, which have been used to date, have been developed with emphasis on improved conspicuousness, low-power operation, installation convenience, etc., and do not take into account the most fundamental function of an exit light, that is, the function of indicating whether a safe route can be accurately indicated.

[4] In other words, when an emergency occurs in a large-scale building or a subway, an emergency exit light must promptly and safely guide persons to an exit while ensuring that dangerous regions are avoided. However, as shown in FIG. 1, since a conventional exit light indicates an exit in a fixed direction, it may not perform its essential function when an emergency occurs.

[5] For example, when a fire occurs near an exit, the conventional emergency exit light continues to indicate an exit enveloped in flames even if the exit indicated by the emergency exit light is in a dangerous region. In a place having a complicated structure, damage may be more serious, and thus an emergency exit light, capable of indicating a suitable direction in the event of an emergency, is required.

[6] Meanwhile, at the time of indicating an escape route so that a dangerous region is avoided in the event of an emergency, a central control manager may detect the occurrence and the location of an emergency, and may directly adjust the direction indicated by each emergency exit light. However, the manager must always stand by for emergencies, and a serious loss of property and lives may result from a mistake on the part of the manager if the worst happens.

[7] Furthermore, since the personal management of a plurality of emergency exit lights is not easy, and the connection of a monitoring server to a plurality of emergency exit lights to monitor and manage the emergency exit lights imposes a large financial burden, such a conventional scheme is not suitable in practice, and thus a more suitable measure devised to deal with such a problem is required.

[8] Furthermore, in general, an emergency exit light is always operating in anticipation of emergencies that may occur anytime and anywhere, and thus this unnecessary power consumption problem must be solved. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an emergency exit light, and an emergency lighting system and method using the emergency exit light, which can enable the emergency exit light to indicate a suitable direction according to an emergency situation, and which can intelligently show an escape over a wireless network between respective emergency exit lights, without requiring intervention by a central control manager.

[10] Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency exit light, which is provided with sensors for monitoring environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, and fine dust density, thus improving the usefulness of the emergency exit light and preventing unnecessary power consumption through the improvement of usefulness. Technical Solution

[11] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention to accomplish the above objects, there is provided a multi-directional emergency exit light, the emergency exit light performing guidance along an escape route, comprising a power supply device for supplying power; a multi-direction indication device capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, the multi-direction indication device indicating a specific guiding direction under control of a microprocessor module; and the microprocessor module for setting a guiding direction on a basis of certain criteria, and performing control so that the multi-direction indication device indicates the guiding direction.

[12] Preferably, the multi-directional emergency exit light may further comprise an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to the microprocessor module, wherein the microprocessor module sets a guiding direction on a basis of the sensed data provided by the integrated sensor module. [13] Preferably, the multi-directional emergency exit light may further comprise an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to the microprocessor module; and a wireless communication module for performing communication with other emergency exit lights, wherein the microprocessor module shares sensed data with neighboring emergency exit lights through the wireless communication module, and sets a guiding direction on a basis of the sensed data provided by the neighboring emergency exit lights.

[14] Preferably, the microprocessor module may calculate costs between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights with reference to both the sensed data, provided by the neighboring emergency exit lights, and distances between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights, configure and maintains a neighboring table, including information about the costs between respective neighboring emergency exit lights, share neighboring tables, which are maintained by respective emergency exit lights, with the neighboring emergency exit lights, calculate a sum total of costs (total cost) between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes ranging from the reference emergency exit light to an exit, with reference to the information about the costs between the emergency exit lights, configure a routing table, including information about total costs of respective routes, select a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route of the reference emergency exit light, and set a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light and existing along the escape route, as a guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light.

[15] Preferably, the microprocessor module may periodically transmit a sensed data request message to the neighboring emergency exit lights, may receive sensed data from the neighboring emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message, may configure the neighboring table, and may transmit the sensed data to a specific neighboring emergency exit light in response to a sensed data request message when the sensed data request message is received from the specific neighboring emergency exit light.

[16] Preferably, the microprocessor module may determine whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, with predetermined reference data, may broadcast a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights if it is determined that an emergency has occurred, and may receive neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights in response to the neighboring table request message, thus configuring a routing table.

[17] Preferably, the microprocessor module may periodically broadcast a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights and may receive neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights in response to the neighboring table request message, thus configuring a routing table.

[18] Preferably, the multi-directional emergency exit light may further comprise a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a specific monitoring server, wherein the microprocessor module sets a guiding direction on a basis of data received from the monitoring server.

[19] Preferably, the multi-directional emergency exit light may further comprise a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a specific monitoring server; and an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to the microprocessor module, wherein the microprocessor module transmits the sensed data to the monitoring server through the wireless communication module and receives information about a guiding direction set by the monitoring server with reference to the sensed data, thus controlling the multi- direction indication device.

[20] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention to accomplish the above objects, there is provided a multi-directional emergency exit light, the emergency exit light performing guidance along an escape route, comprising a power supply device for supplying power; and a multi-direction indication device capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, the multi-direction indication device indicating a relevant guiding direction according to externally input guiding direction information, or guiding direction information set on a basis of certain criteria.

[21] Preferably, the multi-directional emergency exit light may further comprise a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a specific monitoring server; an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to a microprocessor module; and the microprocessor module for transmitting the sensed data to the monitoring server through the wireless communication module, receiving information about a guiding direction set by the monitoring server with reference to the sensed data, and performing control so that the multi-direction indication device indicates a relevant guiding direction.

[22] Preferably, the microprocessor module may determine whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, with predetermined reference data, and may transmit the sensed data to the monitoring server if it is determined that an emergency has occurred.

[23] Preferably, the microprocessor module may transmit the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, to the monitoring server when a sensed data request message is received from the monitoring server.

[24] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention to accomplish the above objects, there is provided an emergency lighting system for performing guidance along an escape route using at least one emergency exit light capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, comprising at least one emergency exit light including a power supply device for supplying power, a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a monitoring server, an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to a microprocessor module, the microprocessor module for providing the sensed data to the monitoring server and receiving information about a guiding direction set by the monitoring server with reference to the sensed data and performing control so that a multi-direction indication device indicates a relevant guiding direction, and the multi-direction indication device for indicating a specific guiding direction under control of the microprocessor module; and the monitoring server for receiving sensed data from respective emergency exit lights, monitoring a surrounding environment of the emergency exit lights, setting guiding directions of the emergency exit lights with reference to the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights, and transmitting information about the guiding directions to corresponding emergency exit lights.

[25] Preferably, the monitoring server may calculate costs between respective emergency exit lights with reference to both the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights and distances between respective emergency exit lights, may calculate a sum total of costs (total cost) between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes leading from respective reference emergency exit lights to an exit with reference to information about the calculated costs, may configure a routing table, including information about total costs of respective routes, may select a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route of each of the reference emergency exit lights, and may set a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light and existing along the escape route, as a guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light.

[26] Preferably, the monitoring server may periodically transmit a sensed data request message to respective emergency exit lights, and the emergency exit lights may transmit sensed data to the monitoring server when the sensed data request message is received from the monitoring server.

[27] Preferably, each of the emergency exit lights may determine whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, with predetermined reference data, and may transmit the sensed data to the monitoring server if it is determined that an emergency has occurred, and the monitoring server transmits a sensed data request message to the emergency exit lights when an emergency is sensed through sensed data received from a specific emergency exit light.

[28] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention to accomplish the above objects, there is provided an emergency lighting method of performing guidance along an escape route using an emergency exit light, capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions and sensing surrounding environment, comprising a sensed data obtainment step of periodically transmitting a sensed data request message to respective neighboring emergency exit lights and receiving sensed data from the neighboring emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message; a neighboring table configuration step of calculating costs between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights with reference to sensed data, received from the neighboring emergency exit lights, and distances between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights, thus configuring and maintaining a neighboring table, including information about costs between the neighboring emergency exit lights; a neighboring table collection step of broadcasting a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights, either periodically or in an event of an emergency, and receiving neighboring tables, which are maintained by the emergency exit lights, in response to the neighboring table request message; a guiding direction setting step of calculating a sum total of costs between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes leading from the reference emergency exit light to an exit, with reference to the information about the costs between the emergency exit lights, configuring a routing table including information about total costs of respective routes, selecting a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route, and setting a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light and existing along the escape route, as a guiding direction; and an escape route indication step of indicating the set guiding direction.

[29] Preferably, the neighboring table collection step may comprise the steps of determining whether an emergency has occurred by comparing sensed data, generated by sensing a surrounding environment, with predetermined reference data; and broadcasting a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights if it is determined that an emergency has occurred, and receiving neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights in response to the neighboring table request message.

[30] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention to accomplish the above objects, there is provided an emergency lighting method of performing guidance along an escape route using at least one emergency exit light, capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions and sensing a surrounding environment, comprising a sensed data obtainment step of a central monitoring server, which communicates with respective emergency exit lights, transmitting a sensed data request message to the emergency exit lights, either periodically or in an event of an emergency, and receiving sensed data from the emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message; a guiding direction setting step of the monitoring server setting guiding directions of the emergency exit lights with reference to the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights; a guiding direction transmission step of the monitoring server transmitting information about the set guiding directions of the emergency exit lights to corresponding emergency exit lights; and an escape route indication step of the emergency exit lights indicating the guiding directions according to the guiding direction information received from the monitoring server.

[31] Preferably, the guiding direction setting step may comprise the steps of calculating costs between respective emergency exit lights with reference to the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights and distances between the emergency exit lights; calculating a sum total of costs (total cost) between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes leading from respective reference emergency exit lights to an exit, with reference to information about the calculated costs, thus configuring routing tables, including information about total costs of respective routes; and selecting a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route of each of the reference emergency exit lights with reference to the routing tables of the emergency exit lights, and setting a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light, as a guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light.

[32] Preferably, the sensed data obtainment step may comprise the steps of determining whether an emergency has occurred by comparing sensed data, generated when the emergency exit lights sense a surrounding environment in real time, with predetermined reference data, and transmitting the sensed data to the monitoring server if it is determined that an emergency has occurred; and the monitoring server transmitting a sensed data request message to the emergency exit lights, and receiving sensed data from the emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message.

Advantageous Effects

[33] Accordingly, a multi-directional emergency exit light and an emergency lighting system and method using the emergency exit light according to the present invention are advantageous in that the direction indicated by the emergency exit light can be adjusted to a suitable direction according to the emergency, in that an escape can be intelligently indicated over a wireless network between respective emergency exit lights without requiring the intervention by a central control manager, and in that, when an emergency exit light is installed in a large-scale building or a subway, in which a great number of people are present and which has a complicated structure, an escape route can be more safely and promptly secured.

[34] Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the internal environment can be monitored at ordinary times using sensors, which are provided in the emergency exit light to monitor environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, and fine dust density, and, in addition, an escape route can be indicated using the results of sensing, and in that unnecessary power consumption can be prevented by improving the usefulness of the emergency exit light.

[35] Furthermore, the present invention is advantageous in that a wireless network is automatically formed between respective emergency exit lights, thus greatly reducing the costs required for the installation and replacement of emergency exit lights. Brief Description of the Drawings

[36] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[37] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional emergency exit light;

[38] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an emergency lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[39] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the construction of an emergency exit light according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[40] FIG. 4 is a flowchart sequentially showing a procedure for configuring a neighboring table in the emergency exit light according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[41] FIG. 5 is a flowchart sequentially showing a procedure for setting a guiding direction in the emergency exit light according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[42] FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially showing a procedure for collecting neighboring tables in the emergency exit light according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[43] FIG. 7 is a flowchart sequentially showing a procedure for setting a guiding direction in a monitoring server according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[44] FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially showing a procedure for transmitting sensed data in the emergency exit light according to an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[45] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[46] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the construction of an emergency lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the construction of an emergency exit light according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[47] As shown in FIG. 2, the emergency lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a monitoring server 200 and a plurality of emergency exit lights 100 for performing mutual wireless multi-hop communication with each other, or performing communication with the monitoring server 200.

[48] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the emergency exit lights 100 includes a wireless communication module 110, a multi-direction indication device 120, an integrated sensor module 130, a power supply device 140, and a microprocessor module 150.

[49] The wireless communication module 110 is a module for supporting communication with each emergency exit light 100 or communication with the monitoring server 200, and is configured to transmit data, generated by each emergency exit light 100, to the monitoring server 200, or to transmit data, received from the monitoring server 200, to the emergency exit light 100, through wireless multi-hop communication between respective emergency exit lights 100, or communication between a specific emergency exit light 100 and the monitoring server 200.

[50] The multi-direction indication device 120, which is a device for guiding persons along a suitable guiding direction according to an emergency situation under the control of the microprocessor module 150, may be implemented using a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or other types of light emitting devices that are highly conspicuous.

[51] According to the circumstances, the multi-direction indication device 120 may be directly controlled by a manager, and, in this case, it need not be controlled by the separate microprocessor module 150. That is, in the present invention, the multi- direction indication device 120 is not necessarily controlled by the microprocessor module 150 at the time of indicating a specific guiding direction.

[52] When the multi-direction indication device 120 is controlled by the microprocessor module 150, the microprocessor module 150 can set the guiding direction to be indicated by the reference emergency exit light 100 using a predetermined guiding direction decision algorithm. In this case, the setting of a guiding direction can be performed on the basis of sensed data obtained by the integrated sensor module 130, which is provided in the reference emergency exit light itself, or sensed data or guiding direction information received from a neighboring emergency exit light 100.

[53] The guiding direction decision algorithm may be an algorithm for guiding persons along a suitable route according to the circumstances, such as the shortest distance to an escape, a dangerous region avoidance route, and an evacuating population distribution route, etc. This is not limited in the present invention.

[54] For example, the guiding direction decision algorithm may be an algorithm for setting a guiding direction on the basis of the distance between respective emergency exit lights and measurement values, such as temperatures or dust densities measured by the emergency exit lights.

[55] In detail, each reference emergency exit light can calculate costs required for a person to move from the reference emergency exit light to respective neighboring emergency exit lights, using both the distances between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights and functions, which use environmental measurement values (sensed data) measured by the neighboring emergency exit lights as input parameters, and can set the direction indicating a neighboring emergency exit light, for which the calculated cost is a minimum value, as a guiding direction. In this case, the distances may be Euclidean distances, and the distance between two emergency exit lights may be set to an infinite value if they are not actually connected to each other through a physically continuous path, even if they are very close to each other. Each emergency exit light may have information about the distances to the neighboring emergency exit lights thereof, or may receive the distance information from the neighboring emergency exit lights.

[56] Meanwhile, when the number of emergency exit lights capable of participating in the formation of an escape route is two or more, an optimal route may be a route for which the sum total of the costs between the plurality of emergency exit lights participating in the formation of an escape route is minimized. At this time, a neighboring emergency exit light, which will be indicated by the reference emergency exit light, may be different from a neighboring emergency exit light, for which the cost between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit light is a minimum value. Accordingly, there will be the most preferable method in which each emergency exit light selects a route, for which the sum total of the costs between respective emergency exit lights, participating in the formation of an escape route, is minimized, as an escape route on the basis of the costs between respective emergency exit lights for all emergency exit lights, and in which the reference emergency exit light selects a neighboring emergency exit light to be indicated thereby according to the route.

[57] For this purpose, the microprocessor module 150 can calculate the costs between the reference emergency exit light and respective neighboring emergency exit lights with reference to both the sensed data provided by the neighboring emergency exit lights and the distances to the neighboring emergency exit lights, can configure and maintain a neighboring table, including information about the costs between respective neighboring emergency exit lights, and can share neighboring tables, which are maintained by respective emergency exit lights, with the emergency exit lights.

[58] Further, the microprocessor module 150 obtains information about costs between respective emergency exit lights from the neighboring tables of other emergency exit lights, calculates the sum total of the costs (total cost) between respective emergency exit lights existing along each route with respect to a plurality of routes leading from the reference emergency exit light to an exit, with reference to the cost information, and configures a routing table including information about total costs of respective routes.

[59] Here, the term 'exit' means an emergency exit light located in an exit, and may have a separate exit ID, indicating that the emergency exit light is identified as an emergency exit light placed at the exit, or indicating an exit, as the ID of the emergency exit light.

[60] Thereafter, the microprocessor module 150 can select the route having the lowest total cost as an escape route from the routing table configured as described above, and can set a direction indicating a neighboring emergency exit light existing along the escape route as a guiding direction.

[61] Meanwhile, in order to obtain sensed data from respective neighboring emergency exit lights, the microprocessor module 150 periodically transmits a sensed data request message to the neighboring emergency exit lights, and receives sensed data from the neighboring emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message, thus configuring a neighboring table. In this case, each emergency exit light must transmit its sensed data to neighboring emergency exit lights in response to sensed data request messages received from the neighboring emergency exit lights.

[62] Further, since the sensed data may vary in real time, the microprocessor module 150 may periodically perform the operation of configuring the routing table. For this purpose, the microprocessor module 150 may periodically broadcast a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights, and may receive neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights in response to the request message, thus configuring the routing table.

[63] Further, each emergency exit light is preferably configured to be able to promptly update a route when an abnormality (emergency) occurs. For this operation, the microprocessor module 150 determines whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module 130, with predetermined reference data, broadcasts a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights if it is determined that an emergency has occurred, and receives the neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights, thereby configuring the routing table.

[64] Meanwhile, the microprocessor module 150 can control the multi-direction indication device 120 by directly receiving information about a guiding direction from the central monitoring server 200, and can enable an optimal route to be indicated using both data received from the monitoring server 200 or neighboring emergency exit lights 100, and data, personally generated by the microprocessor module 150.

[65] For example, each emergency exit light can directly receive information about a guiding direction, set by the monitoring server 200, from the monitoring server 200, or can alternately receive guiding direction information from neighboring emergency exit lights and can perform control so that the multi-direction indication device 120 indicates a guiding direction.

[66] In this case, the monitoring server 200 personally performs a procedure in which each emergency exit light calculates a cost between respective emergency exit lights and sets a direction to be indicated thereby on the basis of the calculated cost in the above-described embodiment. The monitoring server 200 transmits the results of the performance of the procedure to all emergency exit lights.

[67] In detail, the monitoring server 200 collects sensed data measured by respective emergency exit lights, calculates the costs between respective emergency exit lights on the basis of the distances between respective emergency exit lights and sensed data provided by the emergency exit lights, selects a route, for which the sum total of the costs from respective emergency exit lights to an exit (escape route) is minimized, as the escape route of a reference emergency exit light, and sets the direction to be indicated by the reference emergency exit light to the guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light.

[68] Meanwhile, the microprocessor module 150 can perform an operation of transmitting sensed data, generated by the integrated sensor module 130, to external emergency exit lights 100 or the monitoring server 200 through the wireless communication module 110, in addition to the operation of controlling the multi-direction indication device 120.

[69] The integrated sensor module 130, which is a module equipped with various types of sensors for monitoring the environment or setting a guiding direction, may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a fine dust density sensor, a fire sensor, etc. The integrated sensor module 130 may be configured to transmit sensed data, generated by respective sensors, to the microprocessor module 150, thus enabling the microprocessor module 150 to transmit sensed data to the external emergency exit lights 100 or to the monitoring server 200, or to set the guiding direction using the sensed data.

[70] In this case, the microprocessor module 150 can determine whether an emergency

(abnormality) has occurred, using the sensed data provided by the integrated sensor module 130. If it is determined that an emergency has occurred, the microprocessor module 150 transmits a warning message to the monitoring server 200 or other emergency exit lights over a wireless network, thus enabling a guiding direction setting and indication procedure to be promptly performed by the monitoring server 200 or respective emergency exit lights.

[71] Further, in the event of an emergency, after setting a suitable guiding direction, the microprocessor module 150 can perform control so that the multi-direction indication device 120 indicates a set guiding direction, and can transmit the current state information of the reference emergency exit light 100 to the monitoring server 200 so that the monitoring server 200 monitors the operation of respective emergency exit lights 100.

[72] The monitoring server 200 can monitor the surrounding environment of respective emergency exit lights using the sensed data provided by the emergency exit lights 100, and can perform the operation of enabling the emergency exit lights to indicate suitable guiding directions.

[73] For example, as described above, the monitoring server 200 can set guiding directions to be indicated by respective emergency exit lights 100 using the sensed data provided by the emergency exit lights 100, and can provide the set guiding directions to the emergency exit lights 100. Further, the monitoring server 200 can provide predetermined information, enabling the emergency exit lights 100 to personally set guiding directions, for example, the sensed data of other emergency exit lights.

[74] Further, the monitoring server 200 can receive current state information from respective emergency exit lights 100, can provide the current state information to a manager, and can perform the function of transmitting a control message to the emergency exit lights 100 on the basis of the current state information.

[75] Meanwhile, in FIG. 3, the construction in which each emergency exit light 100 includes all of the wireless communication module 110, the microprocessor module 150, and the integrated sensor module 130 is shown, but this is only an embodiment. The emergency exit light 100 of the present invention must essentially include the multi-direction indication device 120, capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, and the power supply device 140, but may selectively include the wireless communication module 110, the microprocessor module 150, and the integrated sensor module 130 according to the circumstances.

[76] Further, in FIG. 2, the construction in which the wireless networks are formed between respective emergency exit lights 100, and the monitoring server 200 communicates with a specific emergency exit light 100, is shown, but this is only an embodiment. It is apparent that two or more emergency exit lights 100 can directly communicate with the monitoring server 200, the operation between respective emergency exit lights 100 can be performed alone without requiring the intervention by the separate monitoring server 200, and the emergency exit lights 100 can be operated to independently set their own guiding directions and to indicate specific directions according to the circumstances.

[77] With reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, an embodiment of an emergency lighting method according to the present invention, that is, an operation performed by each emergency exit light or performed between a specific emergency exit light and the monitoring server to set a guiding direction, will be described below.

[78] FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate embodiments in which each emergency exit light personally sets a guiding direction, wherein FIG. 4 is a flowchart sequentially showing an embodiment of a procedure for configuring a neighboring table in the emergency exit light, FIG. 5 is a flowchart sequentially showing an embodiment of a procedure for setting a guiding direction in the emergency exit light, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a procedure for collecting neighboring tables from other emergency exit lights in the emergency exit light.

[79] In the present embodiment, a reference emergency exit light is operated to personally set a guiding direction and to indicate the guiding direction, and performs a procedure for configuring a neighboring table (FIG. 4), a procedure for configuring a routing table (FIG. 5), and a procedure for collecting neighboring tables either in the event of an emergency or periodically (FIG. 6), in order to personally set a guiding direction.

[80] First, with reference to FIG. 4, the procedure for configuring a neighboring table is described below.

[81] As shown in FIG. 4, each reference emergency exit light periodically transmits a sensed data request message to its neighboring nodes at step S401, and receives sensed data from the neighboring nodes at step S402. Here, the neighboring nodes are emergency exit lights adjacent to the reference emergency exit light. Nodes that respond to the sensed data request message within a predetermined period of time after the transmission of the sensed data request message are considered neighboring nodes.

[82] Next, when the collection of sensed data from the neighboring nodes of the reference emergency exit light has been completed, the reference emergency exit light calculates costs between the reference emergency exit light and respective neighboring nodes at step S403. Here, "costs" refers to costs incurred when persons are guided from the reference emergency exit light to neighboring nodes, and are determined using the distances between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring nodes, and the environmental measurement data (sensed data) of the neighboring nodes, such as the temperatures or smoke densities measured by the neighboring nodes.

[83] As indicated in the cost calculation equation shown in the drawing, when sensed data, such as temperature or smoke density (measurement values), is taken into account in the calculation of costs, predetermined functions f 1 and f2, which use the measurement values as input parameters, may be used.

[84] The function f 1 may be a monotone increasing function for taking a currently measured temperature as a factor, and may preferably be a monotone increasing function, which linearly increases or exponentially decreases when the currently measured temperature is equal to or greater than a certain temperature, which is a fire determination reference temperature. When such a function is used, costs increase at temperatures equal to or greater than the fire determination reference temperature, and thus the route is determined so that a place in which a fire occurred is avoided.

[85] Further, the function f2 is a monotone increasing function that adopts the currently measured smoke density as a factor, and may preferably be a function, which increases as the density of smoke increases. Such a function is configured to set a route while ensuring a field of vision and avoiding routes that make it difficult to breathe.

[86] Further, as indicated in the cost calculation equation shown in the drawing, the cost may be the sum of values obtained by respectively multiplying predetermined weights a, b, and c by the distance and the function values of the sensed data.

[87] Meanwhile, the cost calculation equation, shown in the drawing, and the values, taken into account in the cost calculation equation (distance, temperature and smoke density), are only embodiments. In addition, when a monotone increasing function that adopts a harmful material measurement value as a factor is taken into account in the calculation of costs, such a function is configured to set a route while more intelligently avoiding a dangerous region. It is apparent that, in the present invention, the cost calculation equation and values, taken into account in cost calculation, are not limited to those of the embodiments described in the detailed description of the present invention.

[88] Next, after the calculation of costs from the reference emergency exit light to respective neighboring nodes has been completed, the reference emergency exit light configures and maintains a neighboring table, including information about the costs between respective neighboring nodes, at step S404. The neighboring table may include neighboring node IDs, the directions of neighboring nodes, the distances to the neighboring nodes, and the calculated costs. The neighboring table, configured in this way, is used in the subsequent procedure for setting a guiding direction, and is shared with other emergency exit lights in order for other emergency exit lights to set their guiding directions.

[89] As shown in FIG. 5, each reference emergency exit light broadcasts a neighboring table request message to respective nodes to collect neighboring tables from the nodes, either periodically or in the event of an emergency at step S501. The broadcasting of the message may be performed through the transmission of messages between neighboring nodes, or through the direct transmission of the message to all nodes according to a communication method. According to the design, each reference emergency exit light can periodically broadcast its neighboring table information without broadcasting a neighboring table request message.

[90] Meanwhile, when the neighboring table request message is transmitted, the reference emergency exit light may assign a predetermined serial number to the message, and this is performed to ignore or discard a repeated message or information on the basis of the serial number when the same neighboring table request message is repeatedly received or the same neighboring table is repeatedly received through the transmission of messages between nodes.

[91] As a result of the transmission of the neighboring table request message, the emergency exit light receives neighboring tables from all nodes at step S502. In this case, the emergency exit light stands by for a predetermined period of time after transmitting the neighboring table request message, and can regard neighboring tables, received within the predetermined period of time, as the neighboring tables of all nodes.

[92] When the collection of the neighboring tables has been completed, the emergency exit light can know the costs between all nodes. Accordingly, the emergency exit light calculates the sum total (total cost) of the costs between emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes leading from the reference emergency exit light itself to an exit, with reference to the information about the costs between nodes, and thus configures a routing table including information about the total costs of respective routes at step S503. In this case, the routing table may include information about exit IDs for respective routes, the neighboring node IDs of the reference emergency exit light existing along each route, serial numbers, and total costs.

[93] When the configuration of the routing table has been completed, the reference emergency exit light selects the route having the minimum total cost as an escape route, sets a direction indicating a neighboring emergency exit light existing along the selected escape route (with reference to the neighboring node ID) as a guiding direction, and indicates the set guiding direction at step S504.

[94] That is, the reference emergency exit light calculates respective total costs of the number of all cases of the routes leading from it to the exit, and sets the route having the minimum total cost as an escape route. In this case, the direction to be indicated by the reference emergency exit light itself is toward a neighboring emergency exit light, and the direction to the neighboring emergency exit light is the guiding direction, which the reference emergency exit light must indicate.

[95] Meanwhile, the reference emergency exit light may be an emergency exit light located at the exit. In this case, the exit ID, included in the routing table, may be the ID of the emergency exit light. Generally, the emergency exit light located at the exit always indicates the same direction (direction indicating the exit), but may occasionally guide persons to an exit other than that exit. Accordingly, the emergency exit light located at the exit preferably performs the operation of configuring a routing table using neighboring tables and setting a guiding direction, similar to other emergency exit lights, and thus indicates the guiding direction. Each emergency exit light must identify an emergency exit light located at the exit and regard the emergency exit light as an exit, thus setting a guiding direction.

[96] Meanwhile, the procedure of FIG. 5 for collecting neighboring tables and setting a guiding direction may be performed, either periodically or in the event of an abnormal situation (emergency). [97] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, each emergency exit light generates sensed data by measuring a surrounding environment in real time at step S601, and determines whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data with predetermined reference data at step S602-1. If it is determined that an emergency has occurred, the emergency exit light immediately broadcasts a neighboring table request message at step S603, thus performing the operation of collecting neighboring tables and setting a guiding direction.

[98] If it is determined that an emergency has not occurred, the reference emergency exit light periodically, at step S602-2, broadcasts the neighboring table request message at step S603.

[99] Next, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate embodiments in which the monitoring server sets a guiding direction, wherein FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a procedure for setting a guiding direction in the monitoring server, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a procedure in which an emergency exit light transmits sensed data to the monitoring server.

[100] As shown in FIG. 7, the central monitoring server, which stores information about all emergency exit lights and distances between respective emergency exit lights, transmits a sensed data request message to respective emergency exit lights, either periodically or in the event of an emergency, at step S701, and receives sensed data from the emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message at step S702.

[101] Further, the monitoring server performs the same operation as the operation performed by each emergency exit light in the embodiments as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, thus calculating the costs between respective emergency exit lights with reference to both the sensed data, received from the emergency exit lights, and distances between the emergency exit lights at step S703. The monitoring server calculates the sum total of the costs (total cost) between emergency exit lights existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes ranging from respective reference emergency exit lights to an exit, with reference to the calculated cost information, and configures routing tables, including information about the total costs of respective routes at step S704.

[102] The monitoring server selects the route having the minimum total cost as the escape route for each of the reference emergency exit lights with reference to the routing tables for respective emergency exit lights, sets a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light and existing along the escape route, as the guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light, and transmits information about set guiding directions to corresponding emergency exit lights at step S705.

[103] In this case, each emergency exit light may directly receive information about the guiding direction to be indicated thereby from the monitoring server, or may receive the guiding direction information through the neighboring emergency exit light. Each emergency exit light, having received its guiding direction information, indicates the guiding direction.

[104] Meanwhile, the monitoring server must perform the guiding direction setting procedure of FIG. 7, either periodically or in the event of an emergency.

[105] For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 8, each emergency exit light measures a surrounding environment in real time at step S 801. If an emergency is sensed as a result of the measurement of the environment at step S802-1, the emergency exit light transmits its sensed data to the monitoring server at step S 803, thus allowing the monitoring server to immediately update the guiding direction.

[106] If no emergency is sensed, the emergency exit light transmits its sensed data in response to a sensed data request message, which is received from the monitoring server periodically or due to an emergency occurring in other emergency exit lights at step S802-2, at step S803. Industrial Applicability

[107] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. The scope of the present invention is defined by the accompanying claims rather than the above detailed description, and the meaning and scope of the claims and all changes or modifications derived from equivalents thereof should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A multi-directional emergency exit light, the emergency exit light performing guidance along an escape route, comprising: a power supply device for supplying power; a multi-direction indication device capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, the multi-direction indication device indicating a specific guiding direction under control of a microprocessor module; and the microprocessor module for setting a guiding direction on a basis of certain criteria, and performing control so that the multi-direction indication device indicates the guiding direction.

[2] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 1, further comprising: an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to the microprocessor module, wherein the microprocessor module sets a guiding direction on a basis of the sensed data provided by the integrated sensor module.

[3] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 1, further comprising: an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to the microprocessor module; and a wireless communication module for performing communication with other emergency exit lights, wherein the microprocessor module shares sensed data with neighboring emergency exit lights through the wireless communication module, and sets a guiding direction on a basis of the sensed data provided by the neighboring emergency exit lights.

[4] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 3, wherein the microprocessor module calculates costs between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights with reference to both the sensed data, provided by the neighboring emergency exit lights, and distances between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights, configures and maintains a neighboring table, including information about the costs between respective neighboring emergency exit lights, shares neighboring tables, which are maintained by respective emergency exit lights, with the neighboring emergency exit lights, calculates a sum total of costs (total cost) between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes ranging from the reference emergency exit light to an exit, with reference to the information about the costs between the emergency exit lights, configures a routing table, including information about total costs of respective routes, selects a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route of the reference emergency exit light, and sets a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light and existing along the escape route, as a guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light.

[5] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 4, wherein the microprocessor module periodically transmits a sensed data request message to the neighboring emergency exit lights, receives sensed data from the neighboring emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message, configures the neighboring table, and transmits the sensed data to a specific neighboring emergency exit light in response to a sensed data request message when the sensed data request message is received from the specific neighboring emergency exit light.

[6] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 4, wherein the microprocessor module determines whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, with predetermined reference data, broadcasts a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights if it is determined that an emergency has occurred, and receives neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights in response to the neighboring table request message, thus configuring a routing table.

[7] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 4, wherein the microprocessor module periodically broadcasts a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights and receives neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights in response to the neighboring table request message, thus configuring a routing table.

[8] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a specific monitoring server, wherein the microprocessor module sets a guiding direction on a basis of data received from the monitoring server.

[9] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 1, further comprising: a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a specific monitoring server; and an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to the microprocessor module, wherein the microprocessor module transmits the sensed data to the monitoring server through the wireless communication module and receives information about a guiding direction set by the monitoring server with reference to the sensed data, thus controlling the multi-direction indication device.

[10] A multi-directional emergency exit light, the emergency exit light performing guidance along an escape route, comprising: a power supply device for supplying power; and a multi-direction indication device capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, the multi-direction indication device indicating a relevant guiding direction according to externally input guiding direction information, or guiding direction information set on a basis of certain criteria.

[11] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 10, further comprising: a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a specific monitoring server; an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to a microprocessor module; and the microprocessor module for transmitting the sensed data to the monitoring server through the wireless communication module, receiving information about a guiding direction set by the monitoring server with reference to the sensed data, and performing control so that the multi-direction indication device indicates a relevant guiding direction.

[12] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 11, wherein the microprocessor module determines whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, with predetermined reference data, and transmits the sensed data to the monitoring server if it is determined that an emergency has occurred.

[13] The multi-directional emergency exit light according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the microprocessor module transmits the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, to the monitoring server when a sensed data request message is received from the monitoring server.

[14] An emergency lighting system for performing guidance along an escape route using at least one emergency exit light capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions, comprising: at least one emergency exit light including a power supply device for supplying power, a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a monitoring server, an integrated sensor module for sensing a surrounding environment and providing sensed data to a microprocessor module, the microprocessor module for providing the sensed data to the monitoring server and receiving information about a guiding direction set by the monitoring server with reference to the sensed data and performing control so that a multi-direction indication device indicates a relevant guiding direction, and the multi-direction indication device for indicating a specific guiding direction under control of the microprocessor module; and the monitoring server for receiving sensed data from respective emergency exit lights, monitoring a surrounding environment of the emergency exit lights, setting guiding directions of the emergency exit lights with reference to the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights, and transmitting information about the guiding directions to corresponding emergency exit lights.

[15] The emergency lighting system according to claim 14, wherein the monitoring server calculates costs between respective emergency exit lights with reference to both the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights and distances between respective emergency exit lights, calculates a sum total of costs (total cost) between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes leading from respective reference emergency exit lights to an exit with reference to information about the calculated costs, configures a routing table, including information about total costs of respective routes, selects a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route of each of the reference emergency exit lights, and sets a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light and existing along the escape route, as a guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light.

[16] The emergency lighting system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: the monitoring server periodically transmits a sensed data request message to respective emergency exit lights, and the emergency exit lights transmit sensed data to the monitoring server when the sensed data request message is received from the monitoring server.

[17] The emergency lighting system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: each of the emergency exit lights determines whether an emergency has occurred by comparing the sensed data, provided by the integrated sensor module, with predetermined reference data, and transmits the sensed data to the monitoring server if it is determined that an emergency has occurred, and the monitoring server transmits a sensed data request message to the emergency exit lights when an emergency is sensed through sensed data received from a specific emergency exit light.

[18] An emergency lighting method of performing guidance along an escape route using an emergency exit light, capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions and sensing surrounding environment, comprising: a sensed data obtainment step of the emergency exit light periodically transmitting a sensed data request message to respective neighboring emergency exit lights and receiving sensed data from the neighboring emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message; a neighboring table configuration step of the emergency exit light calculating costs between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights with reference to sensed data, received from the neighboring emergency exit lights, and distances between the reference emergency exit light and the neighboring emergency exit lights, thus configuring and maintaining a neighboring table, including information about costs between the neighboring emergency exit lights; a neighboring table collection step of the emergency exit light broadcasting a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights, either periodically or in an event of an emergency, and receiving neighboring tables, which are maintained by the emergency exit lights, in response to the neighboring table request message; a guiding direction setting step of the emergency exit light calculating a sum total of costs between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes leading from the reference emergency exit light to an exit, with reference to the information about the costs between the emergency exit lights, configuring a routing table including information about total costs of respective routes, selecting a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route, and setting a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light and existing along the escape route, as a guiding direction; and an escape route indication step of the emergency exit light indicating the set guiding direction.

[19] The emergency lighting method according to claim 18, wherein the neighboring table collection step comprises the steps of: the emergency exit light determining whether an emergency has occurred by comparing sensed data, generated by sensing a surrounding environment, with predetermined reference data; and the emergency exit light broadcasting a neighboring table request message to respective emergency exit lights if it is determined that an emergency has occurred, and receiving neighboring tables from the emergency exit lights in response to the neighboring table request message.

[20] An emergency lighting method of performing guidance along an escape route using at least one emergency exit light, capable of indicating a plurality of guiding directions and sensing a surrounding environment, comprising: a sensed data obtainment step of a central monitoring server, which communicates with respective emergency exit lights, transmitting a sensed data request message to the emergency exit lights, either periodically or in an event of an emergency, and receiving sensed data from the emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message; a guiding direction setting step of the monitoring server setting guiding directions of the emergency exit lights with reference to the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights; a guiding direction transmission step of the monitoring server transmitting information about the set guiding directions of the emergency exit lights to corresponding emergency exit lights; and an escape route indication step of the emergency exit lights indicating the guiding directions according to the guiding direction information received from the monitoring server.

[21] The emergency lighting method according to claim 20, wherein the guiding direction setting step comprises the steps of: calculating costs between respective emergency exit lights with reference to the sensed data received from the emergency exit lights and distances between the emergency exit lights; calculating a sum total of costs (total cost) between respective emergency exit lights, existing along each route, with respect to a plurality of routes leading from respective reference emergency exit lights to an exit, with reference to information about the calculated costs, thus configuring routing tables, including information about total costs of respective routes; and selecting a route having a minimum total cost as an escape route of each of the reference emergency exit lights with reference to the routing tables of the emergency exit lights, and setting a direction indicating an emergency exit light, neighboring the reference emergency exit light, as a guiding direction of the reference emergency exit light.

[22] The emergency lighting method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the sensed data obtainment step comprises the steps of: determining whether an emergency has occurred by comparing sensed data, generated when the emergency exit lights sense a surrounding environment in real time, with predetermined reference data, and transmitting the sensed data to the monitoring server if it is determined that an emergency has occurred; and the monitoring server transmitting a sensed data request message to the emergency exit lights, and receiving sensed data from the emergency exit lights in response to the sensed data request message.