EP 2 327 062 B1. (12). EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION. (45) Date of
publication and mention of the grant of the patent: 25.12.2013 Bulletin 2013/52.
TEPZZ ¥ 7Z6 B_T
(19)
(11)
EP 2 327 062 B1
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
(12)
(45) Date of publication and mention
(51) Int Cl.:
G08B 3/10 (2006.01)
of the grant of the patent: 25.12.2013 Bulletin 2013/52
G08B 7/06 (2006.01)
(86) International application number: PCT/FI2009/050694
(21) Application number: 09812738.4
(87) International publication number:
(22) Date of filing: 02.09.2009
WO 2010/029211 (18.03.2010 Gazette 2010/11)
(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING, GUIDING AND WARNING VERFAHREN UND SYSTEM FÜR STEUERUNG, FÜHRUNG UND WARNUNG PROCÉDÉ ET SYSTÈME POUR COMMANDER, GUIDER ET AVERTIR (74) Representative: Laine, Terho Tapio et al
(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR
Heinänen Oy Patent Agency Airport Plaza Äyritie 8 D 01510 Vantaa (FI)
(30) Priority: 10.09.2008 FI 20085854 (56) References cited: (43) Date of publication of application: 01.06.2011 Bulletin 2011/22
(73) Proprietor: MariMils Oy 01450 Vantaa (FI)
GB-A- 2 225 661 JP-A- 7 262 461 JP-A- 2000 285 378 JP-A- 2005 217 777 JP-A- 2006 340 159 US-A1- 2007 041 590
JP-A- 5 135 286 JP-A- 10 320 654 JP-A- 2002 342 849 JP-A- 2005 236 737 US-A1- 2006 214 809 US-A1- 2007 279 242
(72) Inventor: SUNDHOLM, Göran
EP 2 327 062 B1
FI-04310 Tuusula (FI)
• VAN WIJNGAARDEN, S. J. ET AL.: ’Auditory Evacuation Beacons’ J. AUDIO ENG. SOC. vol. 53, no. 1/2, January 2005, pages 44 - 53, XP040507479
Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
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Description [0001] The invention relates to a method according to claim 1. [0002] The invention also relates to a system according to claim 11. [0003] The invention generally relates to control, guidance and warning systems for people which guide, control and warn people with audio sources, particularly with successively arranged audio sources. [0004] Various systems are known for guiding people in dangerous situations, such as in cases of fire, to the emergency exits of different buildings or ships. These are various visual means to indicate desired routes, such as emergency exit lights or emergency exits indicated otherwise, e.g. by reflector paint or tape. [0005] For instance, guide lights are known in which light sources have been fastened successively in the shape of a strip. The light sources of the strip are arranged to turn on in a hazardous situation and to illuminate the exit. Many targets, such as hotels or passenger ships, have defined exits in emergency situations which people should follow when being evacuated. Often in emergencies, people do not act as designed and follow the predefined exit routes. This could have a number of reasons. It is possible that people do not notice possible emergency exit routes and signs guiding to them. Furthermore, people mostly prefer using routes they know in emergencies. On the other hand, a predefined exit can in a case of fire be impossible to follow due to the location of the fire, whereby known solutions might control in the wrong direction or even towards the fire. [0006] A further disadvantage of typical systems based on visual signals for controlling, guiding and warning people is the fact that they cannot control people the ability of whom to sense visual signals has been temporarily or permanently impaired or who have no ability at all to sense visual signals. Furthermore, the conditions could be such, e.g. due to smoke formation, that visual signals are difficult to perceive. [0007] Document GB 2225661 A discloses an emergency evacuation system, which comprises one or more hazard detectors, e.g. fire/smoke detectors, and a plurality of audio emitters to be distributed about a site. These are connected to a central control unit which, on the basis of stored information about the distribution of detectors and emitters, can respond to a hazard signal from any detector by causing an audio signal to ’travel’ from one emitter to another along a route leading to safety relative to the position of the detected hazard. Persons are to follow the characteristic ’traveling’ signal from one emitter to the next. [0008] US 2007/279242 A1 discloses a method and system for controlling directional sounders for route guidance. A plurality of directional sounders located in a region being monitored can be synchronously and sequentially activated in various patterns to establish an audibly defined exit route from the region. Emitted audio, from a
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respective sounder, can be different than the audio emitted by other activated sounders to provide a path and direction for evacuation to individuals in the vicinity of the exit route. [0009] US 2007/041590 A1 shows a directional speaker system, in which a directional sounder emits audible outputs in a first direction. Audible outputs in a second direction are canceled. Two transducers can be carried in a common housing configured to emit outputs in the first and second directions respectively. Publication VAN WIJNGAARDEN, S. J. ET AL.: ’Auditory Evacuation Beacons’ J. AUDIO ENG. SOC. vol. 53, no. 1/2, January 2005, pages 44 - 53, XP040507479 discloses auditory evacuation beacons that can be used to guide people to safe exits when vision is covered obscured by smoke. [0010] US 2006/214809 A1 discloses a directional sound system with messaging. An exit path indicating device incorporates at least a first port for receiving an alarm indicating signal. In normal operation upon receipt of the alarm indicating signal, the device outputs verbal and non-verbal indicators of the presence of an alarm condition for use in evacuating the region. A second port disables the non-verbal outputs. The second port can be coupled to a local sensor which provides an indication of a hazardous or alarm condition adjacent to or on the exit or egress path. If the sensor is indicating the presence of a hazardous or alarm condition, the non-verbal outputs can be disabled, while verbal directions can continue to be emitted. [0011] An object of this invention is to provide a totally novel solution for a guidance, control and warning system by means of which the disadvantages of known solutions are avoided. Another object is to provide a system by means of which people, the ability of whom to observe visual signals has been impaired or is lacking, can be controlled as effectively as possible to a desired route, e.g. an emergency exit. Brief description of invention
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[0012] The method according to the invention is mainly characterised by that, in the method, audio sources arranged successively at a distance from each other are activated to produce sound, in which the audio sources successively arranged in the space guide the direction of an exit route by producing an audio signal with the audio source against the travel direction of the guided route. The audio source is an audio element producing very accurately directional sound, which audio sources are positioned such that no harmful reflections are caused to sound waves. The audio signals given by the successive audio sources are arranged in relation to each other such that the audio sources give the audio signal in turns. [0013] Furthermore, the method according to the invention is characterised by what is stated in claims 2-10. [0014] The system according to the invention is mainly characterised by that the system comprises audio sourc-
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es arranged successively at a distance from each other which are, when activated, arranged to guide the direction of an exit route by producing an audio signal with the audio source against the travel direction of the guided route. The audio source is an audio element producing very accurately directional sound, which audio sources are positioned such that no harmful reflections are caused to sound waves. The audio signals given by the successive audio sources are arranged in relation to each other such that the audio sources give the audio signal in turns. [0015] The system according to the invention is further characterised by what is stated in claims 12-18. [0016] The arrangement according to the invention has numerous significant advantages. By means of the method and system according to the invention, it is possible to guide people effectively along desired exit routes in a dangerous situation when audio sources are activated and sounds guide people towards the exits. Then, people are prevented or at least efficiently guided from going in the wrong direction towards the fire. By using very directional audio sources, the audio pattern of which ranges quite far and does not disperse, it is possible to provide control and guidance with a relatively small number of audio sources. On the other hand, the direction of the audio source can be sensed extremely well, whereby inaccuracies in guidance are avoided. Audio sources can be arranged along the route at suitable points, such as on walls, hanging on the ceiling. The audio sources are arranged such that their audio pattern, i.e. sound direction and range, is directed along the route. The audio pattern produced by the audio sources of the system can be changed when required, whereby it is possible to effectively affect the direction of the guided route. The arrangement according to the invention can guide people the ability of whom to sense visual signals has been impaired, such as visually handicapped. Furthermore, the system intensifies the operation of visual control, guidance and warning systems by means of sound.
Fig. 3b shows a top view of the arrangement in Fig. 3a,
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Fig. 6 schematically shows a top view of another system according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 schematically shows a top view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention,
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Fig. 8 schematically shows a top view of a further embodiment of a system according to the invention, and 20
Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c show the operation of a system according to the invention in various situations. Detailed description of invention
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Brief description of figures
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Fig. 1 a schematically shows an audio source of the system as simplified, Fig. 1b schematically shows an audio source of the system as simplified,
Fig. 4 schematically shows a top view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 schematically shows the signals of two audio sources compared to each other on the time axis,
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[0017] Next, the invention will be described in more detail by means of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
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Fig. 2 shows an arrangement according to the invention as simplified, 55
Fig. 3a shows a side view of a detail in an embodiment of an audio source of the system,
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[0018] Figs. 1a and 1b show as simplified an audio source 1 and an audio pattern 2 provided by the audio source which has a specific direction and range a person can hear or sense. Fig. 1 a shows the propagation direction of sound in, the audio pattern with arrows. In Fig. 1b, this has been simplified for clarity and the designation of Fig. 1 b has been used in the figure of the description. [0019] Fig. 2 shows a simplified illustration of the method and system according to the invention on how it is possible by arranging audio sources 1 a, 1b, 1 c successively at a distance from each other to guide a person to follow a desired route 6 by means of the sound produced by the audio sources. [0020] According to Fig. 2, the person senses, particularly hears or feels, a sound 2a given by the first audio source 1 a and moves towards the incoming direction of the sound i.e. the first audio source 1 a. When moving towards the first audio source, the person starts to hear a sound 2b produced by the second audio source 1b ranging until the range of the sound 2a produced by the first audio source 1a. The person further continues to move towards the sound of the second audio source which intensifies the closer to the audio source the person comes. Near the second audio source 1b, the person hears a sound 2c produced by the third audio source 1 c being on the right in the travel direction, whereby the person will know that the direction of the route 6 changes and will turn towards the third audio source 1c. [0021] The invention is thus based on an idea in which people are controlled by means of sound using audio sources 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h arranged successively. The people are controlled to move towards the incoming direction of the sound. The invention particularly utilises audio sources producing very directional
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sound, whereby it is possible to extremely accurately control people along a specific route. It is substantial and advantageous of the invention that it is possible to use audio sources which produce accurately directional sound the incoming direction of which can be sensed. The audio sources are positioned such that no harmful reflections are caused to sound waves which could confuse the direction when guiding people solely by means of sound. [0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, Figs. 3a and 3b show a simplified situation in which an audio source 3 has been positioned up and a sound 3a has been directed downwards from above somewhat vertically. This is used in the system according to the invention to indicate a point where the person should stop e.g. at the point of a door 4 or equivalent. [0023] Fig. 4 schematically shows a space where there are corridors 5 and at least one door 4, such as the door of an exit. It can be considered being e.g. a ship cabin compartment or a section of a hotel floor where only the corridor spaces are shown for clarity. In this context, the corridor 5 generally refers to a passage along which people are to be controlled. In the space are arranged audio sources 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 3 which are intended to catch attention and installed along a desired guidance route, such as an exit. The route proceeds from a point which is farther from the end of guidance to a point which is closer to the end of guidance. In the figure, there are nine audio sources which are arranged such that, when arranged successively, their sounds 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 3 cover the desired route. [0024] In the figures, dashed lines show the direction and range of the sound of each audio source. The audio sources are very directional audio sources the sound waves of which do not disperse widely but maintain their direction. In this case, a person who wishes to move towards the door 4 is controlled all the way based on the sounds produced by the audio sources 1a...1h. The person moves towards the sound of the audio source until hearing the sound produced by the next audio source and continuing towards it. The person is at the destination when hearing the sound directly from above from the audio source 3. [0025] Fig. 5 shows a signal given by two different audio sources on the time axis. In the embodiment of the figure, the audio sources give an audio signal at specific time intervals. The audio signals given by the successive audio sources 1a, 1b are arranged in relation to each other such that the audio sources give the audio signal in turns. Then, confusing the sounds is avoided well and the control ability of the system is improved. It is also possible to employ other suitable means for separating signals produced by successive audio sources from each other. [0026] The method and system according to the invention can also use as the audio sources 1 a...1 h, 3 advantageously audio elements directing sound waves extremely well, e.g. planar audio elements. The planar au-
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dio elements are typically speaker panels extremely light and thin, of the thickness of some millimetres. They can be inconspicuously installed in e.g. public spaces. If desired, they can be covered, cut, bent, framed or combined into larger surfaces. An important feature from the viewpoint of the invention is the controllability of sound typical for a planar audio element, whereby the sound can be directed exactly in a specific direction. The sound produced by the planar audio element also ranges quite far without weakening its quality and volume. According to an advantageous embodiment, it is possible to use elements the dispersion of the sound directionality of which is extremely low, e.g. in the range of 0-4 degrees in a specific frequency range. A means suitable for the audio source is e.g. Panphonics Oy’s planar audio element Audio Element SoundShower ®. [0027] In an emergency, the arrangement according to the invention can be used for controlling, guiding people to exit routes, e.g. an emergency exit route. The emergency can be e.g. a case of fire. The audio sources can be controlled with a control system, whereby the control system can receive signals from one or more fire detectors connected to it. [0028] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a system of the invention in which the audio sources are arranged to control the way to the exit door 4. [0029] Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which a set of audio sources is arranged in a space into connection with its passages. The audio sources are arranged to cover possible control and guidance requirements of the passages of the space. The space has two exits 4, 40. A first part of the audio sources 1a...1h is mainly intended to guide to the first exit 4. A second part of the audio sources 10a...10h is mainly intended to guide to the second exit 40. It is possible to use some of the audio sources to guide to routes going to one exit or both exits. Depending on the hazard, it is then possible to connect the suitable audio sources to control moving along a route passing away from the danger and not along a route passing towards the danger. In a dangerous situation, the audio sources of the same corridor space controlling in the opposite directions can be connected such that the audio source on the side of the danger does not turn on or that the sound level it produces is lower, whereby the people are not controlled towards the danger area. According to another embodiment, the sound level of the audio source on the side of the better exit is intensified, whereby the system controls people more effectively towards the safer exit. [0030] Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment in which the audio sources 1d’, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h; 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h guide mainly to a route which leads to the nearest exit 4, 40. [0031] Figs. 9a, 9b, 9c show a space, e.g. a cabin compartment, where there are cabins (not numbered) and corridor spaces 51, 52, 53, 54 between them. The compartment has four exits 41, 42, 43, 44. In the corridor spaces of the compartment is arranged a system according to the invention in which there are audio sources 11a,
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11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, 11h which equivalently have directional audio patterns 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g, 21h. In the embodiment of the figures, each corridor space is arranged with two audio sources, one at each end of the corridor. For instance, in the corridor space 51 there is the first audio source 11a and at the opposite end the second audio source 11 d. The audio sources are directed against each other such that the audio patterns 21a, 21d of the audio sources 11a, 11d range until the middle of the length of the corridor 51. In an equivalent way, there are the audio sources 11 h, 11e in the corridor 52, the audio sources 11 b, 11 g in the corridor 53 and the audio sources 11c, 11f in the corridor 54. The corridor spaces 51 and 52 are parallel at a distance from each other and the corridor spaces 53 and 54 are parallel to each other and crosswise in relation to the corridor spaces 51 and 52. Fig. 9a shows a situation in which the system aims at controlling people from the corridors of the space evenly to all of the four exits 41, 42, 43, 44. [0032] Fig. 9b shows a situation in which there is a fire in the space. The system receives a signal e.g. from an automatic fire detector which has located the point of the fire (Fire) or a manual alarm has been given. In the embodiment of the figure, the fire is along the corridor 52. The audio sources of the corridor are arranged to change the sound volume or audio pattern range such that people are not controlled towards the fire (Fire). Based on this, the audio pattern 21 h produced by the audio source 11h is shorter in the corridor space and the second audio pattern 21e produced by the audio source 11e is longer. Then, the controlled route can be affected by altering the properties of the audio signal produced by the audio sources, such as sound pressure. [0033] Fig. 9c shows another situation in which there is a fire (Fire) in a space near the exit 44. Then, the fire is close to the end of the corridor 52 on the side of the exit 44, whereby the audio sources in its vicinity do not produce sound, because the system does not now control out of the space via the exit 44. Instead, the audio pattern produced by the audio sources 11 h and 11 c of the corridor spaces 52 and 54 of the fire site at the opposite end in relation to the site ranges now in the vicinity of the fire site and tries to control away from it. The audio signal of the audio sources in question is e.g. intensified such that a more intense sound is also heard until the opposite end of the corridor. [0034] The audio sources 1a...1h, 3 can also have other operating modes than the ones described above. For instance, they can be utilised in marketing, communication or playing music. [0035] Next, characteristics of some embodiments of the invention will be introduced: The invention relates to a method for guiding, controlling or warning people, particularly for controlling and guiding people to a desired route, e.g. an emergency exit, in a dangerous situation, in which method, a person is guided by means of audio sources. In the method, audio sources 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h arranged successively at a distance from each
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other are activated to produce sound, in which the audio sources successively arranged in the space guide the direction of the exit route by producing an audio signal with the audio source against the travel direction of the guided route 6. [0036] In the method, the audio sources 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 3 produce a directional audio pattern 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 3a. [0037] In the method, the audio pattern 2b of the audio source 1b farther behind in the travel direction of the route ranges until the audio pattern 2a of the preceding audio source 1a. [0038] The audio signals of two successive audio sources are formed distinguishable from each other, e.g. by sequencing sound and/or altering the frequency of sound. [0039] In the method, the sound 3a directed straight downwards from above from the audio source 3 positioned up means a point which requires special actions, such as e.g. stopping, a door 4 or a staircase. [0040] The audio source is an audio element producing very directional sound, e.g. a planar audio element. [0041] The audio source produces a directional audio pattern which ranges at a distance of 5-40 m from the audio source, advantageously 10-40 m, most advantageously 30-40 m. [0042] At sites which have several exits, the successively arranged audio sources are arranged to guide to the nearest exit and/or arranged to distribute the people at the site dividedly to different exits. [0043] At sites which have several exits 4, 41, 42, 43, 44, the audio sources are arranged to guide away from the dangerous situation, such as a fire site. [0044] The audio sources are at other times utilised for communicating information, marketing or playing music. [0045] The successive audio sources are arranged at a distance, which is in the range of 10-40 m, advantageously 20-30 metres, from each other. [0046] A guidance, control or warning system, particularly for controlling and guiding people to a desired route, e.g. to an emergency exit route, in a dangerous situation, comprises audio sources. The system comprises audio sources 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h arranged successively at a distance from each other which are, when activated, arranged to guide the direction of an exit route 6 by producing an audio signal with the audio source against the travel direction of the guided route 6. [0047] The audio source 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h is arranged to produce a directional audio pattern. [0048] In the travel direction of the route, the audio pattern 2b of each audio source 1b farther behind is arranged to range until the audio pattern 2a of the preceding audio source 1a. [0049] The audio signals of two successive audio sources are arranged distinguishable from each other, e.g. by sequencing sound and/or altering the frequency of sound. [0050] The audio source is an audio element producing
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very directional sound, e.g. a planar audio element. [0051] The audio source is arranged to produce a directional audio pattern which ranges at a distance of 5-40 m from the audio source, advantageously 10-40 m, most advantageously 30-40 m. [0052] The successive audio sources are arranged at a distance, which is in the range of 10-40 m, advantageously 20-30 metres, from each other. [0053] In the system, the audio sources are arranged to alter the directional audio pattern produced by the audio source, e.g. by changing sound pressure. [0054] The system is arranged fittable to buildings, such as hotels, public spaces, shopping centres, passenger terminals, service stations, office buildings, residential buildings or equivalents, or to ships, such as passenger ships. [0055] The audio sources are arranged to be utilised at other times for communicating information, marketing or playing music. [0056] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it may be varied within the scope of the enclosed claims. When necessary, the features possibly described in this specification together with other features may also be used separately from each other.
frequency of sound. 4.
A method according to any one of claims 1-3, charaterised in that, in the method, a sound (3a) directed straight downwards from above from an audio source (3) located up marks a door (4) or a staircase or a point which requires stopping.
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A method according to any one of claims 1-4, charaterised in that the audio source is a planar audio element.
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A method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that the audio source produces a directional audio pattern which ranges at a distance of 5-40 m from the audio source, advantageously 10-40 m, most advantageously 30-40 m.
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A method according to any one of claims 1-6, charaterised in that at sites which have several exits (4, 41, 42, 43, 44) the successively arranged audio sources are arranged to guide to the nearest exit and/or arranged to distribute the people at the site dividedly to different exits.
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A method according to any one of claims 1-7, charaterised in that at sites which have several exits (4, 41, 42, 43, 44) the audio sources are arranged to guide away from the dangerous situation, such as a fire site.
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A method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterised in that the audio sources are utilised at other times for communicating information, marketing or playing music.
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10. A method according to any one of claims 1-9, charaterised in that the successive audio sources are arranged at a distance, which is in the range of 10-40 m, advantageously 20-30 metres, from each other.
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Claims 1.
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A method for guiding, controlling or warning people in a dangerous situation, in which method, a person is guided by means of audio sources, audio sources (1a, 1b, 1 c, 1 d, 1 e, 1 f, 1g, 1 h) arranged successively at a distance from each other are arranged to produce sound, and the audio sources successively arranged in the space guide a person in the direction of an exit route by producing an audio signal with the audio source against the direction of the guided route (6), charaterised in that the audio source is an audio element producing accurately directional sound, which audio sources are positioned such that no harmful reflections are caused to sound waves which could confuse the direction when guiding people by means of sound, and that audio signals given by the successive audio sources are arranged in relation to each other such that the audio sources give the audio signal in turns. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that, in the method, an audio pattern (2b) of the audio source (1 b) farther behind in the travel direction of the route ranges until an audio pattern (2a) of the preceding audio source (1a). A method according to any one of claims 1-2, charaterised in that the audio signals of two successive audio sources are formed distinguishable from each other, e.g. by sequencing sound and/or altering the
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11. A guidance, control or warning system for controlling and guiding people to a desired route in a dangerous situation, which system comprises audio sources (1 a, 1b, 1 c, 1 d, 1 e, 1 f, 1 g, 1 h) arranged successively at a distance from each other which, when activated, are arranged to guide a person in the direction of an exit route (6) by producing an audio signal with the audio source against the direction of the guided route (6), charaterised in that the audio source is an audio element producing accurately directional sound, which audio sources are positioned such that no harmful reflections are caused to sound waves which could confuse the direction when guiding people by means of sound, and that audio signals given by the successive audio sources are arranged in relation to each other such that the audio sources give the audio signal in turns.
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12. A system according to claim 11, characterised in that an audio pattern (2b) of each audio source (1b) farther behind in the travel direction of the route is arranged to range until an audio pattern (2a) of the preceding audio source (1 a). 13. A system according to any one of claims 11-12, charaterised in that the audio signals of two successive audio sources are arranged distinguishable from each other, e.g. by sequencing sound and/or altering the frequency of sound. 14. A system according to any one of claims 11-13, charaterised in that the audio source is a planar audio element. 15. A system according to any one of claims 11-14, characterised in that the audio source is arranged to produce a directional audio pattern which ranges at a distance of 5-40 m from the audio source, advantageously 10-40 m, most advantageously 30-40 m. 16. A system according to any one of claims 11-15, charaterised in that the successive audio sources are arranged at a distance, which is in the range of 10-40 m, advantageously 20-30 metres, from each other. 17. A system according to any one of claims 11-16, charaterised in that the system is arranged fittable to buildings, such as hotels, public spaces, shopping centres, passenger terminals, service stations, office buildings, residential buildings or equivalents, or to ships, such as passenger ships. 18. A system according to any one of claims 11-17, characterised in that the audio sources are arranged to be utilised at other times for communicating information, marketing or playing music.
Leitung von Menschen mittels Schall zu einer Verwirrung über die Richtung führen könnten, und dass durch die nacheinanderfolgenden Audioquellen abgegebene Audiosignale in Bezug aufeinander derart eingerichtet sind, dass die Audioquellen das Audiosignal abwechselnd abgeben.
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Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Verfahren ein Schallmuster (2b) der Audioquelle (1b), die sich in der Laufrichtung des Wegs weiter hinten befindet, bis zu einem Schallmuster (2a) der vorangehenden Audioquelle (1a) reicht.
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Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audiosignale von zwei nacheinanderfolgenden Audioquellen z.B. durch Sequenzierung von Schall und/oder Veränderung der Frequenz des Schalls voneinander unterscheidbar ausgebildet sind.
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Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Verfahren ein Schall (3a), der von einer oben angeordneten Audioquelle (3) von oben gerade nach unten gerichtet wird, eine Tür (4) oder einen Treppenaufgang oder eine Stelle, die ein Anhalten erfordert, kennzeichnet ist.
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Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audioquelle ein planares Audioelement ist.
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Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audioquelle ein gerichtetes Schallmuster erzeugt, das bis zu einer Entfernung von 5-40 m, vorteilhafterweise 10-40 m, am meisten vorteilhaft 10-40 m, von der Audioquelle reicht.
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Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass an Orten, die mehrere Ausgänge (4, 41, 42, 43, 44) aufweisen, die nacheinanderfolgend angeordneten Audioquellen eingerichtet sind, um zu dem nächsten Ausgang zu leiten, und/oder eingerichtet sind, um die Menschen an dem Ort auf unterschiedliche Ausgänge aufgeteilt zu verteilen.
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Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass an Orten, die mehrere Ausgänge (4, 41, 42, 43, 44) aufweisen, die Audioquellen eingerichtet sind, um von der gefährlichen Situation, wie beispielsweise einer Feuerstelle, wegzuleiten.
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Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audioquel-
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Patentansprüche 1.
Verfahren zur Leitung, Kontrolle oder Warnung von Menschen in einer gefährlichen Situation, wobei in dem Verfahren eine Person mittels Audioquellen geleitet wird, wobei Audioquellen (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h) in einem Abstand zueinander nacheinanderfolgend angeordnet sind, um Schall zu erzeugen, und wobei die Audioquellen, die in dem Raum nacheinanderfolgend angeordnet sind, eine Person in die Richtung eines Ausgangwegs leiten, indem ein Audiosignal mit der Audioquelle gegen die Richtung des geleiteten Wegs (6) erzeugt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audioquelle ein Audioelement ist, das einen genau gerichteten Schall erzeugt, wobei die Audioquellen derart positioniert sind, dass keine schädlichen Reflexion an den Schallwellen hervorgerufen werden, die bei einer
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11-15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die nacheinanderfolgenden Audioquellen in einem Abstand, der in dem Bereich von 10-40 m, vorteilhafterweise 20-30 m, liegt, voneinander angeordnet sind.
len zu anderen Zeiten für die Vermittlung von Informationen, Marketing oder Wiedergabe von Musik genutzt werden. 10. Verfahren nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 1-9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die nacheinanderfolgenden Audioquellen in einem Abstand, der in dem Bereich von 10-40 m, vorteilhafterweise 20-30 m, liegt, zueinander angeordnet sind.
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11. Leit-, Kontroll- oder Warnsystem zur Kontrolle und Leitung von Menschen auf einem gewünschten Weg in einer gefährlichen Situation, wobei das System in einem Abstand zueinander nacheinanderfolgend angeordnete Audioquellen (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h) aufweist, die im aktivierten Zustand eingerichtet sind, um eine Person in die Richtung eines Ausgangwegs (6) zu leiten, indem ein Audiosignal mit der Audioquelle gegen die Richtung des geleiteten Wegs (6) erzeugt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audioquelle ein Audioelement ist, das einen genau gerichteten Schall erzeugt, wobei die Audioquellen derart positioniert sind, dass an den Schallwellen keine schädlichen Reflexionen hervorgerufen werden, die bei der Leitung von Menschen mittels Schall zu einer Verwirrung über die Richtung führen könnten, und dass durch nacheinanderfolgende Audioquellen abgegebene Audiosignale in Bezug aufeinander derart eingerichtet sind, dass die Audioquellen das Audiosignal abwechselnd abgeben. 12. System nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Schallmuster (2b) jeder Audioquelle (1b), die sich in der Laufrichtung des Wegs weiter hinten befindet, eingerichtet ist, um bis zu einem Schallmuster (2a) der voranstehenden Audioquelle (1a) zu reichen. 13. System nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 11-12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audiosignale von zwei nacheinanderfolgenden Audioquellen z.B. durch Sequenzierung von Schall und/ oder Veränderung der Frequenz des Schalls voneinander unterscheidbar eingerichtet sind.
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17. System nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 11-16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das System zu Gebäuden, beispielsweise Hotels, öffentlichen Räumen, Einkaufszentren, Abfertigungsgebäuden, Tankstellen, Bürogebäuden, Wohngebäuden oder Ähnlichem oder zu Schiffen, beispielsweise Passagierschiffen, passend eingerichtet ist. 18. System nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 11-17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audioquellen eingerichtet sind, um zu anderen Zeiten für die Vermittlung von Informationen, Marketing oder Wiedergabe von Musik genutzt zu werden.
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Revendications 1.
Procédé de guidage, contrôle ou alerte de personnes dans une situation dangereuse, dans lequel procédé, une personne est guidée au moyen de sources audio, des sources audio (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h) agencées successivement à distance les unes des autres sont agencées pour produire un son, et les sources audio agencées successivement dans l’espace guident une personne dans la direction d’un itinéraire de sortie en produisant un signal audio avec la source audio inversement à la direction de l’itinéraire guidé (6), caractérisé en ce que la source audio est un élément audio produisant un son directionnel précisément, lesquelles sources audio sont positionnées de telle manière qu’aucune réflexion néfaste n’est causée aux ondes sonores qui pourrait entraîner une confusion concernant la direction lors du guidage de personnes au moyen du son, et en ce que des signaux audio émis par les sources audio successives sont agencés en relation entre eux de telle manière que les sources audio émettent le signal audio tour à tour.
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Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, dans le procédé, un motif audio (2b) de la source audio (1b) plus en avant dans la direction de déplacement de l’itinéraire porte jusqu’à un motif audio (2a) de la source audio (1a) précédente.
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Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-2, caractérisé en ce que les signaux audio de deux sources audio successives sont formés de façon à pouvoir être distingués l’un de l’autre, par exemple en séquençant le son et/ou en altérant la fréquence du son.
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Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications
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15. System nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 11-14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Audioquelle eingerichtet ist, um ein gerichtetes Schallmuster zu erzeugen, das bis zu einer Entfernung von 5-40 m, vorteilhafterweise 10-40 m, am meisten vorteilhaft 30-40 m, von der Audioquelle reicht.
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16. System nach einem beliebigen der Ansprüche
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1-3, caractérisé en ce que, dans le procédé, un son (3a) dirigé droit du haut vers le bas depuis une source audio (3) située en hauteur marque une porte (4) ou une cage d’escalier ou un point qui requiert un arrêt.
entre eux de telle manière que les sources audio émettent le signal audio tour à tour.
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Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-4, caractérisé en ce que la source audio est un élément audio plan.
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Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-5, caractérisé en ce que la source audio produit un motif audio directionnel qui porte sur une distance de 5-40 m depuis la source audio, avantageusement 10-40 m, plus avantageusement 30-40 m.
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Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-6, caractérisé en ce qu’en des sites qui ont plusieurs sorties (4, 41, 42, 43, 44) les sources audio agencées successivement sont agencées pour guider vers la sortie la plus proche et/ou agencées pour répartir les gens sur le site de manière divisée vers différentes sorties.
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Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-7, caractérisé en ce qu’en des sites qui ont plusieurs sorties (4, 41, 42, 43, 44) les sources audio sont agencées pour éloigner les gens des situations dangereuses, comme un site d’incendie.
12. Système selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce qu’un motif audio (2b) de chaque source audio (1b) plus en avant dans la direction de déplacement de l’itinéraire est agencée pour porter jusqu’à un motif audio (2a) de la source audio (1a) précédente. 13. Système selon l’une quelconque des revendications 11-12, caractérisé en ce que les signaux audio de deux sources audio successives sont formés de façon à pouvoir être distingués l’un de l’autre, par exemple en séquençant le son et/ou en altérant la fréquence du son. 14. Système selon l’une quelconque des revendications 11-13, caractérisé en ce que la source audio est un élément audio plan.
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Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-8, caractérisé en ce que les sources audio sont utilisées à d’autres moment pour communiquer des informations, de la publicité ou jouer de la musique.
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10. Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-9, caractérisé en ce que les sources audio successives sont agencées à une distance les unes des autres, qui est dans une plage de 10-40 m, avantageusement de 20-30 m.
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11. Système de guidage, de contrôle ou d’alarme pour contrôler et guider des gens selon un itinéraire souhaité dans une situation dangereuse, lequel système comprend des sources audio (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h) agencées successivement à distance les unes des autres qui, quand elles sont activées, sont agencées pour guider une personne dans la direction d’un itinéraire de sortie (6) en produisant un signal audio avec la source audio inversement à la direction de l’itinéraire guidé (6), caractérisé en ce que la source audio est un élément audio produisant un son directionnel précisément, lesquelles sources audio sont positionnées de telle manière qu’aucune réflexion néfaste n’est causée aux ondes sonores qui pourrait entraîner une confusion concernant la direction lors du guidage de personnes au moyen du son, et en ce que des signaux audio émis par les sources audio successives sont agencés en relation
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15. Système selon l’une quelconque des revendications 11-14, caractérisé en ce que la source audio produit un motif audio directionnel qui porte sur une distance de 5-40 m depuis la source audio, avantageusement 10-40 m, plus avantageusement 30-40 m. 16. Système selon l’une quelconque des revendications 11-15, caractérisé en ce que les sources audio successives sont agencées à une distance les unes des autres, qui est dans une plage de 10-40 m, avantageusement de 20-30 m. 17. Système selon l’une quelconque des revendications 11-16, caractérisé en ce que le système est agencé pour pouvoir être installé dans des immeubles, comme des hôtels, des espaces publics, des centres commerciaux, des terminaux de passager, des stations-services, des immeubles de bureaux, des immeubles résidentiels ou équivalents, ou des bateaux, comme des bateaux de passager. 18. Système selon l’une quelconque des revendications 11-17, caractérisé en ce que les sources audio sont agencées pour être utilisées à d’autres moment pour communiquer des informations, de la publicité ou jouer de la musique.
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EP 2 327 062 B1 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description • •
GB 2225661 A [0007] US 2007279242 A1 [0008]
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Non-patent literature cited in the description •
VAN WIJNGAARDEN, S. J. et al. Auditory Evacuation Beacons. J. AUDIO ENG. SOC., January 2005, vol. 53 (1/2), 44-53 [0009]
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US 2007041590 A1 [0009] US 2006214809 A1 [0010]
