Systems and Methods of Information Distribution

• US 20080204222A1
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Nguyen, Phong T., Teta, Robert, Fritts, W. Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,362,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A video distribution system can present pictorial information relative to a developing alarm condition. Pre-recorded, or live images can be presented automatically in response to alarm indicating indicia, or, minimal inputs.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

sensing a potential alarm condition in a predetermined region; and

distributing at least multi-dimensional visual information relative to the condition to a plurality of multi-dimensional visual output ports located throughout the region.

2. A method as in claim 1 where distributing includes distributing video-type signals to the output ports.

3. A method as in claim 1 which includes providing live video-type information for distribution.

4. A method as in claim 1 where sensing includes sensing ambient conditions at a plurality of locations throughout the region.

5. A method as in claim 4 where indicia relative to the ambient conditions are presented at least in part visually at a predetermined location.

6. A method as in claim 5 where distributing the information includes distributing it from the predetermined location.

7. A method as in claim 6 where distributing includes transmitting at least one of real-time video, or pre-recorded video to the output ports.

8. A method as in claim 2 where distributing includes formatting the video-type signals to present multi-sectional, multi-dimensional images at the output ports.

9. A method as in claim 8 where formatting includes providing at least some of, instructions to recipients of the images, live video of a selected portion of the region, or, status information.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a distribution network for visual images;

an ambient condition monitoring system; and

a control unit coupled to the network and the system, the control unit, responsive at least in part to inputs from the system, directs visual images through the transmission system.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 which includes pre-stored images coupled to the control unit.

12. An apparatus as in claim 10 which includes a video camera, coupled to the control unit, the camera provides live video signals.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12 which includes pre-stored video coupled to the control unit.

14. An apparatus as in claim 13 which includes circuitry to format selected video signals into a multi-sectional visual display prior to distribution via the network.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14 where the circuitry generates signals to present real-time images on one section of the display.

16. An apparatus as in claim 10 where the control unit includes circuitry, responsive to alarm indicating indicia from the monitoring system, that terminates existing image transmission, and, initiates transmission of alarm related signals.

17. An apparatus as in claim 16 where the control circuitry also responds to manually initiated inputs.

18. An apparatus as in claim 15 which includes a plurality of graphical display devices coupled to the network

19. An apparatus as in claim 18 where the monitoring system includes at least some of fire detectors, smoke detectors, gas detectors, thermal detectors, or, motion detectors.