EP3937158B1 - Intelligent escape route display device for optical-acoustic escape route management, and routing system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of route guidance for people, in particular escape route guidance. A display device for buildings, as well as a corresponding route guidance system and an arrangement comprising the route guidance system and a sensor network are proposed.

Safety lighting with emergency lights enables people to leave a building or area quickly and safely in an emergency situation, such as a fire, or to reach safe areas of the building.

In appropriately equipped buildings or areas, escape route signs with pictograms are arranged to provide spatial escape route guidance in the event of such an emergency situation. Escape route signs should also be visible in the event of a disruption to the general electrical lighting of the building and are therefore often integrated with emergency lights.

An example of escape route indicators are signs with pictograms or special escape route indicator lights that show people the direction of an escape or rescue route to leave the building or area.

The pictograms can be applied to signs as static escape route indicators.

Escape route indicator lights may include illuminated pictograms that are activated as active escape route indicators when an emergency event occurs (is detected).

Pictograms as indicators are pictorial representations of information that show a stylized person running and an arrow pointing in the direction of a predetermined escape route. The pictograms can alternatively or additionally include other symbols, for example the word "EXIT".

One problem with these known systems is that people can be led into a dangerous situation, for example into a smoke-filled room, by the static pictograms. Dynamic escape route signs have therefore been developed, in which some of the escape route signs are designed as changeable signs. These changeable signs show an arrow pointing in the direction of the escape and rescue route, with the arrow direction being determined by appropriate The control of the display can be adjusted. The control of such a dynamic escape route display can, for example, be dependent on the data from fire detectors that converge in a fire alarm control center (BMZ) in the building. Such dynamic escape route displays are used as part of systems for dynamic or adaptive escape route guidance, as described in particular in the information sheet 33013:2016-05 of the ZVEI Central Association of the Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers. V., Security Association, in May 2016 with the title "Adaptive escape route guidance: Further development of technical building evacuation: From dynamic to adaptive escape route guidance" (https://www.zvei.org/fileadmin/user_ _uploadj Presse_und_Medien/Publikationen/2016/mai/Adaptive_Fluchtweglenkung_-_ZVEI-Merkblatt_333013_2016-05/MerkBlatt-33013-2016-05_Adaptive_Fluchtweglenkung.pdf).

However, the known dynamic escape route signs have disadvantages. The effectiveness of such optical escape route signs is based solely on the visual perception of the pictograms shown by people who are in the area around the escape route sign.

If there is a lot of smoke inside a building, visibility may be limited, especially for escape route signs that are above head height and therefore may be installed at the height of a room ceiling. People with visual impairments, such as blind people and people with age-related visual impairments, cannot see the pictograms, or can only see them to a very limited extent, without the additional hindrance of smoke.

European and national standards stipulate that people with disabilities must not be discriminated against. People with sensory impairments, such as visual impairments, must therefore be given better opportunities for self-rescue through the two-sense principle (2-channel principle). The two senses "sight" and "hearing" of the three senses "sight", "hearing" and "touch" are used for the purposes of escape route guidance. According to the two-sense principle, an alarm can be triggered and escape route guidance can be carried out using optical and acoustic devices. Acoustic signal generators are loudspeakers that emit acoustic signals, such as stored messages, when an evacuation event occurs. Play voice files that the building should be left. However, an additional loudspeaker system that is fully functional for a predefined period of time even if a corresponding event occurs, possibly combined with a power failure, is associated with additional costs.

In addition to a familiar acoustic alarm, it is desirable that people with visual impairments are continuously supported, for example through acoustic signals, in the event of an emergency so that they can leave the building or premises as quickly as possible.

KR 2020 0008330 U shows a light for indicating escape routes. The light has a display that shows the location and direction of an emergency exit from a building. The light is also equipped with a loudspeaker that takes up very little space and works reliably even in the event of a fire and in high humidity.

WO 2009/153961 A1 discloses an electroluminescent panel suitable for an escape route indicator light, which only requires a small space for the installation of a display device and a sound generating device. The electroluminescent panel comprises a display unit that visually displays information and emits light, audio output units that emit a sound, and a control unit that operates the display unit or the audio output units.

US 2020/0143719 A1 shows a display device with a display panel that is configured to display an image, a support element that is arranged on a back of the display panel and is designed to support the display panel. The display device also has a sound generating device on the back of the display panel that can excite the display panel to vibrate in order to generate sound. A connecting part connects the support element to the sound generating device. The sound generating device comprises a plate arranged at a distance from the support element, a frame around the plate, a magnet and a core on the plate, a coil body around the core and a coil around the coil body. The connecting part is located between the support element and the frame.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved wayfinding system for dynamic and/or adaptive wayfinding, which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. This object is achieved by a display device with the features of claim 1, a wayfinding system with the features of the independent claim 8, and an arrangement with a Wayfinding system and a sensor network with the features according to independent claim 9.

A first aspect relates to a display device that comprises an optical display unit and a housing frame. The optical display unit is designed to display a pictogram. The display device is characterized in that the optical display unit is elastically mounted on the housing frame and can be excited to mechanical vibrations relative to the housing frame. The display device according to the invention also has a vibration-generating means. The vibration-generating means is designed to excite the optical display unit to mechanical vibrations for the reproduction of an acoustic signal in a frequency range that is perceptible to humans on the basis of a control signal.

The acoustic signal output is directly integrated into the display device. It is particularly advantageous with regard to the structure of the display device to use the optical display unit for the optical representation of the pictogram as an acoustic signal generator, in particular as its sound surface. This means that a loudspeaker as an isolated component is not required. Optical and acoustic escape route guidance are also particularly advantageously integrated in a single display device.

The display device makes it possible to implement a system for dynamic escape route guidance that provides a dynamic, visually perceptible escape sign and dynamic acoustic escape route guidance in combination. Studies show that groups of people without visual restrictions can orient themselves more quickly in an unfamiliar building and leave the building thanks to additional acoustic announcements, in certain cases in 50 to 70% less time.

The display device results in reduced manufacturing costs for the manufacturer, as well as reduced procurement costs and system costs for the customer. One product display device implements both functions - optical display and acoustic display of the relevant information - which means that fewer components need to be procured, assembled and integrated into a system for a wayfinding system with the same functionality.

The design of the display device itself is particularly advantageous because the optical display unit component performs essential tasks for providing two functions - optical display and acoustic display of the corresponding information. The optical display unit serves directly to visually display the pictogram, while at the same time taking on the function of a loudspeaker membrane for the acoustic output of the acoustic signal.

The display device has a control unit for generating and outputting a control signal to the vibration-generating means of the display device.

This allows the display device to use the optical display unit as the membrane of a sound transducer, which generates an acoustic sound signal in a frequency range that can be perceived by people from the supplied (electrical) control signal and emits it to the environment. The arrangement of the control unit in the display device simultaneously enables local control and coordinated control of the output of optical and acoustic information at one position.

According to one embodiment of the display device, the display device comprises storage means configured to store at least one predefined acoustic signal associated with the pictogram. The acoustic signal can be stored as a control signal for output to the vibration-generating means. Alternatively or additionally, the display device has an interface configured to read in the predefined acoustic signal associated with the pictogram. The control unit of the display device is configured to output the stored and/or read-in predefined acoustic signal to the vibration-generating means in the control signal depending on a spatial position of the display device and/or depending on the situation, and to visibly display the associated pictogram using the optical display device.

The display device comprises the control unit, which is designed to control the vibration-generating means with the control signal at least in a first operating mode for the acoustic reproduction of a speech and/or music signal, and in a second operating mode with the control signal for an acoustic output of the acoustic signal associated with the pictogram and at the same time to cause an optical output of the pictogram via the optical display unit.

The display device comprises the control unit configured to control the vibration-generating means in the first operating mode when the control unit detects operation of the display device in a mains operation, i.e. powered by a mains power supply. The control unit is further configured to control the vibration-generating means in the second operating mode when the control unit detects mains-independent, battery-supported operation of the display device. Battery-supported operation is thus considered an indication of a failure of the mains power supply and thus also an indication of the occurrence of an emergency event. In addition, the control unit can be configured to switch between the first operating mode and the second operating mode on the basis of a signal external to the display device. This can be done, for example, by means of an activation signal supplied to the display device, in particular its control unit, via a DALI interface.

The display device may comprise, as the vibration generating means, a magnet and an electromagnet fed with the control signal.

According to one embodiment of the display device, the optical display unit has a flat display carrier and a lighting means arranged parallel to it. The lighting means is designed as a light guide, preferably as a light guide plate, and is arranged in front of the display carrier in the viewing direction in order to enable foreground lighting of the display carrier. The display carrier illuminated by the lighting means shows the pictogram in the viewing direction without components of the display device causing disturbing shadows.

The display device of a further embodiment uses electronic paper as the display technology for the optical display unit in order to visibly display the pictogram. The pictogram preferably represents dynamically and/or adaptively changeable path information and/or direction information.

The use of electronic paper as a display technology enables the implementation of a dynamic display of the pictogram. Electronic paper, also occasionally referred to by the English translation "E-Paper Display", the synonymous terms "E-Ink", "eInk" or "E Ink ^™ ", as a display technology for screens achieves the creation of a dynamic display that continues to show a set image even if the power supply fails completely. In particular, electronic paper is an example of a bistable display that only requires energy consumption in the form of an electrical current to change the display. This is particularly advantageous for battery-supported operation in the event of an emergency event with a failure of the mains power supply.

Electronic paper has the further advantage that the display created in this way shows the essential properties of a classic sign. Existing standards and recommendations for the appearance of safety displays can be easily met using this type of display. This is especially true for color display. Due to the small distance between the imaging elements and the surface of the optical display unit, the displayed display content looks the same and is easily recognizable from a wide viewing angle. The content of the optical display is shown without flickering and is equally recognizable in artificial light, for example in a lit room, or sunlight. Electronic paper is available in different sizes, with a low thickness and therefore It is easy to manufacture in terms of weight and can be designed in flexible and rigid versions. Due to the low weight and the associated low mass inertia, such a display unit is particularly suitable for the display device according to the invention.

The display device of a preferred embodiment is designed as an escape route display.

The display device, with its ability to output information both acoustically and visually, is particularly suitable for use in the event of an emergency using the "two-sense principle". People in stressful situations are reliably provided with essential information via their optical and acoustic senses. An acoustic output from the same device that also provides the optical display has the advantage of directing people's attention towards the display. This takes advantage of the fact that people can locate a direction in space to a sound source.

The second aspect relates to a wayfinding system with at least one display device according to the first aspect. The at least one display device is distributed in a spatial area and networked by means of a communication network of the wayfinding system. A control device of the wayfinding system is set up to control the at least one display device individually to output a position-related acoustic signal and the correspondingly assigned pictogram.

The display device thus enables the design of a particularly advantageous wayfinding system, since the acoustic signals are provided exactly where they are needed to implement dynamic acoustic wayfinding: at each designated path change. This means that locally relevant, dynamic announcements such as "go left" or "go right" can be provided to people where they are particularly useful.

The third aspect relates to an arrangement comprising the wayfinding system according to the second aspect and a sensor system, wherein the wayfinding system and the sensors of the sensor system are arranged distributed over the spatial area. The control device has an interface which is designed to read in position-related sensor data.

The arrangement according to one embodiment has a sensor system which has at least one sensor which is designed as a fire detector, a smoke alarm detector, as well as a motion detector, a presence sensor, a temperature sensor, an imaging sensor, in particular also a camera sensor, a gas sensor, in particular also a CO ₂ sensor, or an acoustic sensor among its sensors.

One embodiment of the arrangement comprises the control device, designed with a voice interface to a microphone. The control device is designed to transmit voice signals recorded or stored via the voice interface to the control units of the at least two display devices of the wayfinding system on the basis of at least one item of position information determined by the sensor system.

Figur 1

eine Übersicht über Funktionsblöcke einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Anzeigevorrichtung eines Wegeleitsystems,

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform einer Anzeigevorrichtung in einem Anwendungsfall,

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer Anordnung eines dynamischen /adaptiven Wegeleitsystems mit einem Sensorsystem, und

Figur 4

ein einfaches Ablaufdiagramm des Betriebs einer erfindungsgemäßen Anzeigevorrichtung in einem Dual-Mode-Betrieb,

In the following, embodiments of the invention are discussed based on a brief description of the figures. It shows

Figure 1

an overview of functional blocks of a preferred embodiment of a display device according to the invention of a wayfinding system,

Figure 2

a schematic representation of an embodiment of a display device in an application,

Figure 3

a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of an arrangement of a dynamic/adaptive wayfinding system with a sensor system, and

Figure 4

a simple flow chart of the operation of a display device according to the invention in a dual-mode operation,

In the following, a particularly preferred embodiment is presented using a display device 1 designed as an escape or rescue route sign within a guidance system 30 of a spatial area, in particular a building and its surroundings. The guidance system 30 can comprise emergency lighting, safety lighting, escape route lighting and/or escape route signs.

Figure 1 gives an overview of functional blocks of a display device 1 according to the invention.

The at least one display device 1 of the wayfinding system can form an escape or rescue route sign. The display device 1 can be arranged on a wall or on a ceiling of the building. The display device 1 comprises a housing frame 4, in and/or on which further assemblies and units of the display device 1 are arranged.

The display device 1 shown has a suspension device 3 that is firmly connected to the housing frame 2. The suspension device 3 has a flat contact surface for wall mounting of the display device 1. The suspension device 3 can include fastening options for wall mounting or for suspension by means of ropes, chains or the like from a ceiling.

The acoustic escape route guidance is directly integrated into the display device 1. The central element of the display device 1 according to the invention is to use an optical display unit 4 itself for sound generation and thus as an acoustic signal generator and sound-generating surface.

The individual components and assemblies of the display device 1 are arranged within the housing frame 2. One of these elements is the optical display unit 4. The optical display unit 4 comprises a display carrier 5, which has a display surface for displaying the pictogram 19. The display carrier 5 is arranged in the housing frame 2 in such a way that the display obligation with the pictogram 19 is visible to a viewer in at least one viewing direction (front side). The size of the surface of the display carrier 5 in the viewing direction is preferably predetermined by the size of the pictogram 19 to be displayed.

1. (1) für 75 x 150mm beträgt die Erkennungsreichweite 15 Meter,
2. (2) für 115 x 230mm beträgt die Erkennungsreichweite 23 Meter, und
3. (3) für 150 x 300mm beträgt die Erkennungsreichweite 30 Meter.

Pictograms 19 come in different sizes, depending on the required detection range. The detection range can usually be calculated by multiplying the height of the pictogram by a factor of 200. For typical pictogram sizes, this results in the following detection ranges:

1. (1) for 75 x 150mm the detection range is 15 meters,
2. (2) for 115 x 230mm the detection range is 23 meters, and
3. (3) for 150 x 300mm the detection range is 30 meters.

With a typical pictogram size for a recognition range of 30 m, 450 ^cm2 of pictogram area is available as a sound-generating area for use in the context of the display device 1 according to the invention.

The display carrier 5 can be designed in particular as a screen using the electronic paper display technology. Electronic paper reflects light like paper and thus has the effect of a passive, and therefore non-luminous, display. The image content, here a pictogram 19, can be displayed permanently without the need for a power supply to maintain the display. This makes it particularly advantageous for use in emergency lights. The possibility of using electronic paper display technology also enables a dynamic change in the display during operation in an emergency situation. This means that the display carrier 5 constructed using this display technology can in particular realize a dynamic and/or adaptive display of pictograms 19.

In a viewing direction 18, a lighting means 6 is arranged in front of the display carrier 5. The lighting means 6 comprises in the embodiment according to Figure 1 a plate-shaped light guide 7 and one or more light-emitting diodes 8 (LED) as lighting means for introducing light into the light guide 7.

Known display devices have lighting means which illuminate a display carrier with the pictogram 19 from behind, i.e. from the side facing away from an observer.

The display device 1 according to Figure 1 In contrast, it has front lighting by means of a lighting means 6 arranged in the viewing direction 18, i.e. on a side of the display carrier 5 with the pictogram 19 facing the viewer. The lighting means 6 shown essentially comprises the planar light guide 7. The embodiment of the optical display unit 4 shown shows one, or alternatively several, LEDs 8 along one side of the essentially rectangular light guide 7. The LEDs 8 are arranged in such a way that the light they emit is coupled into the light guide 7 and guided and scattered in the light guide 7. The light from the LED 8 thus provides front lighting for the display carrier 5 with the pictogram 19 shown thereon.

This makes it possible to achieve standard-compliant illumination of pictogram 19, as is regularly required in particular in the case of an emergency light, a safety light or an escape and rescue route marking.

In the display device 1 shown, the elements magnet 12, electromagnet 11 and operating device 13 arranged behind the display carrier 5 in the viewing direction 18 to implement the sound transducer (loudspeaker) cannot influence the light path of the illumination, since the display device 1 implements front lighting through the lighting means 6. Shadows are therefore not cast by the elements of the sound transducer. The pictogram 19 shown can be illuminated in accordance with the standard.

The embodiment according to Figure 1 further arranges a translucent front cover 9 in front of the light guide 7 of the lighting means 6 in the viewing direction.

The optical display unit 4 thus comprises the display carrier for the light guide 7, the LED 8 and the front plate 9 as components that are firmly connected to one another. Components of the optical display unit 4, controlled by a control unit 13, create an illuminated optical display for the pictogram 19.

Alternatively, however, only some of the elements of the display unit 4 could be caused to oscillate.

The optical display unit 4 is mounted in the housing frame 2 in an elastic and thus oscillatable manner. This elastic, oscillatable (vibrant) mounting is achieved by the elastic fastening means 10. A membrane or spring-loaded fastening means can be arranged between the housing frame 2 and the optical display unit 4 as elastic fastening means 10, for example.

The electrical control of the LED 7 assigned to the oscillating optical display unit 4 from the control unit 13 takes place via a flexible electrical connection 17. Since a possible maximum deflection of the optical display unit 4 is small, the flexible electrical connection is possible by means of a multi-core, in particular a 2-core flexible cable.

The flexible electrical connection 17 can have a first electrical connection 17.1 for supplying the LED 8 with an LED current and a second electrical Connection 17.2 for controlling the display carrier 5. The control of the display carrier 17.2 can enable the transmission of image data for the representation of the pictogram 19 from the control unit 13. Alternatively or additionally, the display carrier 5 can store image data for at least one pictogram 19.

The control unit 13 arranged in the housing frame 2 further generates a control signal (electrical control signal 15) for controlling vibration-generating means of the display unit 1. The embodiment according to Figure 1 shows vibration-generating means which have an electromagnet 11 firmly connected to the housing frame 2 and a permanent magnet 12 firmly connected to the optical display unit 4. The electromagnet 11 and the permanent magnet 12 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that an attractive and/or repulsive force can be generated between the electromagnet 11 and the permanent magnet 12 by means of the control signal 15 supplied to the electromagnet 11.

The design of the vibration-generating means by means of an electromagnet 11 firmly connected to the housing frame 2 and a permanent magnet 12 firmly connected to the optical display unit 4 represents only one of many possible embodiments of the vibration-generating means.

For example, the electromagnet 11 can also be firmly connected to the optical display unit 4 as a immersion magnet and immersed in a correspondingly shaped permanent magnet 11 arranged in a more rigid connection to the housing frame 2.

Alternatively, other, generally known technical solutions from the field of sound transducers can be used as vibration-generating means. For example, the loudspeaker can be driven by means of vibration-generating means using piezoelectric or electrostatic effects.

The components of the display device 1 according to the invention implement the essential properties of a sound transducer. The sound transducer is designed as a loudspeaker for generating sound for the reproduction of speech and/or music in a frequency range audible to humans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz: the optical display unit 4 fulfills the function of the Loudspeaker membrane, the vibration-generating means the function of the drive unit of the loudspeaker and the elastic fastening means 9 the function of the connecting elements with respect to the loudspeaker membrane and loudspeaker housing. In the Figure 1 In the case shown, the optical display unit 4 is set into vibration by means of the control signal 15 to the vibration-generating means. The optical display unit 4 thus moves in a piston-like manner in relation to the housing frame 2 depending on a frequency of the control signal 15.

The technical parameters of the vibration-generating means, for example a diameter and a winding height of a coil implementing the electromagnet 11, as well as the strength and range of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet 12 are to be dimensioned according to the desired performance parameters of the loudspeaker implemented by the display device 1 according to the invention.

The control unit 13 of the display device 1 generates the signal for controlling the lighting means, in Figure 1 the LED 87, as well as the control signal 15 for controlling the vibration-generating means, in the embodiment shown the electromagnet 11. The control unit 13 thus controls both the optical display of the pictogram 19 by the lighting means 6, as well as an acoustic output of information associated with the pictogram 19 via the control signal 15.

In one embodiment, the control unit 13 has a storage unit 13.1. The storage unit 13.1 can store one or more pictograms 19, each in the form of image data, as well as acoustic output data, in particular voice data.

In particular, the storage unit 13.1 can store pictograms 19 associated with corresponding acoustic output data.

Preferably, the storage unit 13.1 stores one or more pictograms 19, wherein one or more corresponding acoustic output files are stored associated with each pictogram 19 stored as an image file.

Particularly preferably, the storage unit 13.1 stores at least one pictogram 19 with path information and/or direction information as image data for the optical display, as well as associated with this pictogram 19 the corresponding Route information and/or direction information in the form of a voice file for an acoustic output of the route information and/or direction information.

The control unit 13 can further comprise an interface 13.2. The interface 13.2 provides a mains connection for the control unit 13 and thus also for the components of the display device 1 controlled and supplied by it. For this purpose, the interface 13.2 comprises connecting means to the mains power supply 14.

The display device 1 can be designed for operation in an emergency lighting system as a single battery or a central battery system. In the case of operation in a single battery system, the display device 1 can have an electrical energy storage device 16.

The control unit 13 can charge the electrical energy storage device 16, for example a rechargeable battery, from the mains power supply 14. The electrical energy storage device 16 can ensure the operation of the display device 1 for a predetermined period of time in the event of a failure of the mains power supply 14.

The control unit 13 in the Figure 1 The embodiment of the display device 1 shown further has the functionalities of an emergency lighting operating device. This can in particular also include charging and monitoring the electrical energy storage device 16. Furthermore, the control unit 13 can ensure the control of the lighting means, the LED 8 is shown here, with a suitable LED current.

The control unit 13 can in particular also have monitoring means that detect a failure of the mains power supply 14 (alternating current) and, if a failure of the mains power supply 14 is detected, switch to supplying the display device 1 from the electrical energy storage device 16 (direct current). At the same time, if a failure of the mains power supply 14 is detected, the control unit 13 can change an operating mode of the display device 1. In particular, if a failure of the mains power supply 14 is detected, the control unit 13 can control the optical output of a predetermined pictogram 19 and the acoustic output of an acoustic output file associated with the predetermined pictogram 19 as an acoustic signal.

Furthermore, the control unit 13 can, in the event of a detected failure of the mains power supply 14, provide an emergency lighting function through the lighting means the display device 1 for a defined period of time and powered from the electrical energy storage device 16.

Furthermore, the interface 13.2 can have means of connection to a communication network 18. An activation signal can be supplied to the display device 1, in particular to the control unit 13, via the communication network 14.1. The activation signal can trigger an optical output of the pictogram 19 and a simultaneous acoustic output of an associated voice file.

A dynamic and/or adaptive control of the acoustic and optical output of the pictogram 19 can be carried out via the interface 13.2 to the communication network 14.

By means of the interface 13.2 to the communication network 14, the display device 1 can be integrated into a wayfinding system.

The interface 13.2 can be wireless and/or wired. The interface 13.2 can support communication according to one or more communication standards, in particular lighting standards, for example DALI.

In particular, the interface 13.2 can also be used to carry out commissioning and configuration of the display device 1. Likewise, the interface 13.2 can be used to change and/or store new pictograms 19 and acoustic output files in the storage unit 12.1.

The display device 1 according to Figure 1 therefore shows all the advantageous properties of the invention. With the display device 1 for dynamically changeable pictograms 19, a customer can also have the means for an acoustic output of the information optically shown with the pictogram 19 in a particularly compact design.

This makes it possible, for example, to provide acoustic escape route guidance in addition to visual escape route guidance.

The display device 1 has further, particularly advantageous properties at the level of a guidance system implemented therewith, which is superior to the device, as will be explained below with reference to Figure 3 will be shown.

Figure 2 first shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a display device 1 in an application, here as an escape and rescue route sign of a wayfinding system 30.

In the case shown in the drawing, an event has occurred and been detected that triggers an evacuation event for a building. The control unit 13 of the display device 1 can receive this signaled with a corresponding activation signal via the interface 13.2, in particular to a communication network 18 and a fire alarm control center BMZ of the building connected to the communication network. In addition, the received activation signal can include further activation data based on the existing evacuation event.

The further activation data can, for example, contain image data for optical information to be output by the display device 1. Alternatively, the received activation data can comprise a memory address for image data for a pictogram stored locally in the memory unit 13.1 of the display device 1.

The activation data can further contain voice data for an acoustic signal to be output by the display device 1. Alternatively, the received activation data can include a memory address for voice data stored locally in the memory unit 13.1 of the display device 1 for an acoustic output.

In the Figure 2 In the case shown, the display device 1 uses the optical display unit 4 to display a pictogram 19 on the display carrier 5 with a running person and symbolic clouds of smoke. The pictogram shown also includes a direction arrow to the right shown above the running person.

In addition, the control unit 13 of the display device 1 generates a control signal for controlling the means for generating vibrations. In particular, the means for generating vibrations generates an acoustic signal 20 through a vibration of the optical display unit 4 that is excited on the basis of the control signal. The acoustic signal 20 shown reproduces the information "Please go to the right. The room behind the left door is filled with smoke." It can be provided that this acoustic output is repeated at regular intervals until an end the emergency situation is detected. This can be linked to the duration of the display of pictogram 19.

Figure 3 shows a simplified block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a dynamic/adaptive wayfinding system 30. The dynamic/adaptive wayfinding system 30 is arranged together with a fire alarm system 40. The arrangement shown comprising the dynamic/adaptive wayfinding system 30 and the fire alarm system 40 further comprises a control device 37.

The control device 37 can be spatially arranged in a fire alarm control panel BMZ of the fire alarm system 40.

The dynamic/adaptive wayfinding system 30 can, for example, be an emergency lighting system of a building.

The fire alarm system 40 in Figure 3 comprises five sensors 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45. Shown are a smoke detector 41, a CO ₂ sensor 42 as an example of a gas sensor, a PIR sensor 43, a camera 44 and an acoustic sensor (microphone) 45. The sensors 41 to 45 are connected to a fire alarm control center BMZ via a communications network 47. A central control device 46 of the fire alarm system is arranged in the fire alarm control center BMZ.

The central control device 46 collects the information from the individual sensors 41 to 45 via the communication network 47. The central control device 46 uses the information collected from the sensors 41 to 45 to determine a location-based, position-resolved situation report for the area (building) monitored by the sensors 41 to 45. The location-based or position-resolved situation report can, for example, include the report of an assumed fire event (situation) in a specific room of the building, i.e. location-based or position-resolved based on a report from the fire detector 41 arranged in this room.

The structure and function of a fire alarm control panel BMZ are well known. The fire alarm control panel BMZ in Figure 3 further comprises the control device 37. The control device 37 can be implemented as a logic unit in hardware or as software. In particular, the central control device 46 of the fire alarm system 40, the control device 37 and an emergency light control unit 36 of the emergency light system/way guidance system 30 can be implemented as software modules on a common hardware.

The emergency lighting control unit 36 controls in the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 3 a wayfinding system 30. The emergency light control unit 36 can comprise a logic unit, in particular in the form of software, which is designed to control the display devices 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 depending on the situation.

The emergency lighting control unit 36 is designed to initially control the display device 31 to 35 according to a defined behavior, for example based on a table. When the wayfinding system 30 is used as an emergency lighting system, the dynamic and/or adaptive wayfinding system 30 is designed to guide people to predefined alternative or escape routes in the event of a fire. According to a special embodiment, the dynamic and/or adaptive wayfinding system 30 is a self-learning system. In particular, the wayfinding system 30 is designed as a self-learning system to continuously record and store the behavior of people caused by the system, for example the predefined escape routes and the behavior of people on these escape routes.

For example, when an emergency event occurs, presence sensors or cameras can be used to record how and where these people are moving within the area monitored by sensors 41 to 45 (person tracking). The control device 37 can learn, in particular from a combination of the information collected by the fire alarm system 40 and the emergency light control unit 36, that too many people are being directed onto an escape route, that this escape route is subsequently overloaded and the risk of mass panic increases. In the event of a subsequent evacuation event, the wayfinding system 37 can then divide the flow of people into two or more escape routes. This enables dynamic escape route guidance by the wayfinding system 30, which can also be adaptive when the escape routes are adjusted during an ongoing emergency event.

Presence sensors or cameras used for this purpose can be integrated in the display devices 31 to 35 or arranged separately.

The wayfinding system 30 can also be designed to guide flows of people through the area with the aim of avoiding overloading.

The wayfinding system 30 can therefore, apart from being used as an emergency lighting system, guide people through museums, guide people to specific goods in a shop or guide vehicles to free parking spaces in a parking garage or in a city.

The design of the display devices 31 to 35 as display devices 1 according to the invention within the framework of the dynamic and/or adaptive wayfinding system 30 makes it possible to provide location-specific acoustic signals, in particular route and direction information in an emergency operating mode, or general acoustic reproduction, for example voice or music reproduction in a general reproduction mode.

By means of the display devices 1, for example, additional acoustic signals are generated for visually impaired persons, which supplement the known, purely optical display of route and direction information by means of pictograms 19. This enables route guidance according to the two-sense principle through the corresponding area of the building.

The sensors 41 to 45 of the fire alarm system 40 can, in addition to the permanently installed sensors shown, also include mobile devices, in particular cell phones or mobile computers, for example tablet computers or smartphones. The mobile devices can be connected to the control device 37 via a communications network, for example a local radio network (WLAN) or a cellular mobile network, and can transmit position data to the control device 37, for example. The control device 37 can recognize where people are in the building based on the position data transmitted by the mobile devices. The control device 37 logically links the information collected from the sensors 41 to 45, the mobile devices and the display devices 31 to 35, in particular the spatial positions of the display devices 31 to 35. On the basis of the information collected, the control device 37 determines specifications (instructions) as to which pictograms 19 and which acoustic signals, in particular voice outputs, should be made by which display device 31 to 35. The control device 37 transmits the corresponding instructions to the emergency light control unit 36. The emergency light control unit 36 then forwards the instructions accordingly for a situation- and position-related optical output and an acoustic output of information by the respective display devices 31 to 35.

In further embodiments, the wayfinding system 30 is designed for navigation, in particular for so-called indoor navigation within buildings.

For example, the wayfinding system 30 forms an interactive video guide for a museum or for a city. A visitor can activate a display device 31 to 35 using an app on a mobile device, which then shows him information or videos about the surroundings. The display devices 31 to 35 can be located, for example, on exhibits in the museum or on historical buildings. A parallel installation of optical screens and acoustic playback devices with loudspeakers is avoided by using display devices 1 according to the invention.

In another application example, the dynamic and/or adaptive wayfinding system 30 can be used to find the way in a store. The wayfinding system 30 can be designed to guide a person to a specific product in the store using the display devices 31 to 35. Additional display devices 31 to 35 can be located on special products, which, after activation via an app, display additional information about these products, e.g. about the production of the products. The control device 37 can use the mobile device assigned to the customer to recognize which customer it is and then transmit individualized information for a visual display and an acoustic output, for example special customer offers, to an individual display device of the plurality of display devices 31 to 35 in a situation- and position-related manner.

In one application example, the dynamic and/or adaptive wayfinding system 30 is implemented in an office building and detects, based on sensor data, whether a workstation or a meeting room is occupied and can guide a person to a free workstation or available meeting room by means of the display devices 31 to 35.

In another application example, the wayfinding system 30 is installed in a hospital building or the building of a care facility to guide persons, such as doctors or visitors, to a patient.

In one application example, the guidance system 30 is implemented in a care facility. For example, if an emergency button is pressed in a care facility, information to reassure the patient can be displayed on a display device 31 to 35 in the room, e.g. "Help is on the way", or a direct connection can be established via video chat with a caregiver. In this case, the display device 31 to 35 of the emergency lighting system takes over the function of a loudspeaker,

In addition, the display device 31 to 35 can be equipped with a microphone. In this case, the display device 31 to 35 can handle the entire bidirectional communication between the immediate spatial area of the display device 31 to 35 and a counterpart, for example the control device 37, via its correspondingly designed control unit 13 with the interface 13.2. For example, in the event that a person has suffered a cardiac arrest, a first aider on site in the area of a display device 31 to 35 can receive support during resuscitation from a specialist contact person (doctor, paramedic) via the display device 31 to 35 according to the invention.

In one application example, the wayfinding system 30 is installed in conjunction with a sensor system with optical sensors (camera 44) distributed throughout the building. The cameras 44 are also supplied with power in the event of an emergency. The camera 44 transmits position-resolved information about a person's whereabouts in the building to the control device 37, in particular to an interface 37.1 of the control device 37 to the sensor system. Using a suitable interface of the control device 37, rescue workers can, for example, address a person directly with an acoustic instruction, for example "Please remain calm and stay in the room. Rescue workers with breathing apparatus are on their way to you." In addition to a corresponding signal interface for recording speech using a microphone, the wayfinding system 30 for this application is to be designed with a corresponding transmission option for speech data (acoustic data) up to individually addressable display devices 1, 31 to 35 via the communication network 38.

The aforementioned transmission options via the communication network 38 further enable the operation of the individual display devices 31 to 35 as acoustic playback devices (loudspeakers) in individual rooms or groups of rooms or the entire building in an operating mode independent of an emergency event.

In an alternative embodiment, the wayfinding system 30 is designed with display devices 31 to 35 for displaying timetables, for example at train stations, airports or bus stops. People can use a The associated app can retrieve further, updated timetable information for acoustic playback and visual display on the display devices 31 to 35.

Due to the reduced number of display devices 31 to 35 that have to be procured, installed and integrated into a system, the overall system is correspondingly inexpensive in terms of procurement and installation effort, and thus in terms of the costs incurred. This is particularly true when comparing the wayfinding system 30 with a known wayfinding system combined with a separate communication system with loudspeakers, which shows comparable functionality with optical and acoustic wayfinding.

Figure 4 shows a simple flow chart for the operation of a display device 1 according to the invention. Figure 4 in particular, the two basic operating modes of an embodiment of the display device 1 become clear.

In step S1, the display device 1 is in a first operating mode for acoustic reproduction of a speech and/or music signal. The control unit 13 generates the control signal 15 and outputs the generated control signal 15 to the means for generating vibrations. For this purpose, separate amplification means can also be arranged in the signal path in order to adapt the power of the signal to the power requirement for acoustic output.

The generated control signal 15 can be an electrical signal modulated with a speech signal or music signal. In one embodiment, the generated control signal 15 is an electrical current modulated with the speech or music signal, with which the control unit 13 feeds the electromagnet 11.

In step S1, the display device 1 operates exclusively as a loudspeaker for the acoustic reproduction of music, speech or other sounds as an acoustic signal through the display device 1.

In step S2, the control unit 13 checks whether an evacuation event (emergency event) has occurred.

Step S2 can be carried out in parallel to step S1. Alternatively, step S2 can be carried out in parallel to step S1 at regular or irregular intervals.

For example, the control unit 13 can check whether the display device 1 is in mains operation powered by the mains power supply 14, or whether there is a failure of the mains power supply 14 and a battery-supported, and thus mains-independent, operation of the display device 1. If the display device 1 is in mains-independent, battery-supported operation, the control unit 13 decides that it is necessary to evacuate the building and thus an evacuation event has occurred.

Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 13 can be configured to switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode on the basis of an activation signal supplied externally to the display device 1.

If the control device 13 decides in step S2 that an evacuation event has occurred, the control device 13 can determine the specific evacuation event in step S3. For the application of dynamic routing, this can mean, for example, determining whether the display device 1 should display a specific pictogram 19 for the current evacuation event and emit a specific acoustic signal associated with the pictogram 19. The control device 13 now continues with step S4 and with the action of the display device 1 defined for the specific evacuation event.

In step S4 following step S3, the control unit 13 first initiates a change of the display device 1 from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

The change from the first operating mode to the second operating mode of optical path guidance takes place in step S4. For this change to the second operating mode, the control unit 13 can in particular read in image data for the representation of a specific pictogram 19 from the storage unit 13.1. The control unit 13 can also read in acoustic data stored corresponding to the specific pictogram 19 for the acoustic reproduction by the display device 1.

In step S5, the control unit 13 generates the control signal 15 based on the read-in acoustic data and sends this control signal to the vibration-generating means. In step S5, the display device 1 now operates in the second operating mode, in which the optical output of the Pictogram 19 according to the read-in image data on the display carrier 5, the acoustic output of the acoustic signal 20 associated with the pictogram 19 takes place by means of corresponding vibration excitation of the optical display unit 4.

The display device 1 according to the invention thus implements a "dual mode" operation. In addition to operation as an optical and simultaneously acoustic escape route indicator in the second operating mode, the display device 1 can also be used as a purely acoustic reproduction means in the operating mode.

The control device 37 can have an interface 37.2, via which data for the acoustic output, in particular music data and/or voice data, can be read in. The read-in data can be processed in the control device 37. The processed data can be forwarded via the communication network 38 to the individual display devices 31 to 35 for the acoustic output. This means that the separate and additional construction of a network for additional loudspeakers for outputting acoustic signals is not necessary, nor are additional loudspeakers for the display devices 31 to 35.

The first operating mode enables the creation of a distributed loudspeaker system, which is made possible with minimal additional effort in the area of the emergency light control unit 36 and the control device 37 by means of the display devices 1, 31 to 35 according to the invention. Since escape route lights are located at every exit door (escape route) around the room in a hall-like room, the room can be provided with sound from different sides. This means that an effect comparable to "Dolby Surround" can be achieved by incorporating the display device according to the invention into a system for providing sound in the room. The technical effort and thus the combined costs for escape route marking and guidance and providing sound in the room are thus advantageously reduced by means of the display device 1 according to the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Display device,

   comprising an optical display unit (4), which is designed to display at least one pictogram (19), and a housing frame (2),

   the optical display unit (4) being elastically mounted on the housing frame (2) and being designed to be excited to mechanical vibrations relative to the housing frame (2), and

   the display device having vibration-generating means which are designed to excite the optical display unit (4) to mechanical vibrations for reproducing an acoustic signal in a frequency range perceptible to humans on the basis of a control signal (15); and

   the display device comprising a control unit (13) for generating and outputting the control signal (15) to the vibration-generating means of the display device, and

   characterized in that

   the control unit (13) is designed to actuate the vibration-generating means using the control signal (15) in a first operating mode for acoustically reproducing a voice and/or music signal, and to actuate these means simultaneously with optical output of the pictogram (19) and acoustic output of the acoustic signal associated with the pictogram (19), and

   the control unit (13) is designed to actuate the vibration-generating means in the first operating mode if the control unit (13) detects an operation of the display device in a mains operation, and to actuate the vibration-generating means in the second operating mode if the control unit (13) detects a mains-independent, battery-supported operation of the display device.
2. Display device according to claim 1, wherein

   the display device has memory means (13.1) which are designed for storing at least one predefined acoustic signal associated with the pictogram (19), and/or

   an interface (13.2) which is designed to read in the predefined acoustic signal associated with the pictogram (19), and

   the control unit (13) is designed to output the stored and/or read-in predefined acoustic signal to the vibration-generating means depending on a spatial position of the display device and/or depending on the situation in the control signal (15), and to display the associated pictogram (19) via the optical display device.
3. Display device according to either of the preceding claims, wherein
   the control unit (13) is designed to switch between the first operating mode and the second operating mode on the basis of a signal which is externally supplied to the display device.
4. Display device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
   the vibration-generating means comprises a magnet (12) and an electromagnet (11) which is supplied with the control signal (15).
5. Display device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

   the optical display unit comprises a planar display carrier (4) and a lighting means (6) which is parallel thereto, and

   the lighting means (6) is designed as a light guide (7), in particular as a light guide plate, and is arranged in front of the display carrier (4) in the viewing direction in order to provide foreground lighting of the display carrier (4), and

   the display carrier (4) lit by the lighting means (6) displays the pictogram (19) in the viewing direction.
6. Display device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
   the optical display unit (4) uses electronic paper as display technology for the pictogram (19).
7. Display device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
   the display device is designed as an escape route display.
8. Routing system having at least one display device component (1, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) according to any of claims 1 to 7,

   the routing system has a communication network (38) for networking the at least one display device (1, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) and a control device (36), and

   the control device (36) of the routing system is designed to actuate the at least one display device (1, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) individually to output a position-related acoustic signal and a pictogram (19) associated with the position-related acoustic signal.
9. Arrangement comprising the routing system (30) according to claim 8 and a sensor system (40), wherein

   the routing system (30) and sensors (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) of the sensor system (40) are distributed over a spatial region, and

   the control device (36, 37) has an interface which is designed to read in position-related sensor data.
10. Arrangement according to claim 9, wherein
    the sensor system (40) comprises at least one fire detector (41), smoke detector, motion detector, presence sensor (43), temperature sensor, imaging sensor, also in particular camera sensor (44), gas sensor (42), also in particular CO₂ sensor, or acoustic sensor (45).
11. Arrangement according to either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein

    the control device (36) has a signal interface (37.2) at a microphone, and

    the control device (36, 37) is designed to transmit voice signals recorded or stored via the signal interface (37.2) to the control unit (13) of the at least one display device (1, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) of the routing system (30) on the basis of position information determined by the sensor system (40).

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