{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854082","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854082","title":"System and method for controlling equipment installed within a building upon receiving disaster notification","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-04-17T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04M","H04W"],"num_claims":15,"abstract":"An equipment control system includes a disaster notification apparatus configured to transmit a disaster notification, and a wireless communication apparatus provided in a building. The wireless communication apparatus receives the disaster notification, and determines whether a user of a portable terminal is present in the building, based on a communication situation between the wireless communication apparatus and one or more portable terminals. Upon receiving the disaster notification, the wireless communication apparatus controls one or more pieces of equipment installed within the building, differently depending on whether the user of the portable terminal is present in the building."},"analysis":{"summary":"The System and Method for Controlling Equipment Installed Within a Building Upon Receiving Disaster Notification patent details an innovative system designed to enhance building safety and emergency response. The core innovation lies in its ability to intelligently control building equipment upon receiving a disaster notification, adapting its response based on the presence of occupants.\n\nThe system addresses the problem of inefficient and often inadequate emergency response protocols in traditional buildings. These systems typically rely on static, pre-programmed responses that fail to account for the specific circumstances of a disaster, such as the location and number of occupants. This can lead to delayed evacuations, unnecessary property damage, and increased risk of injury or loss of life.\n\nTechnically, the system employs a combination of wireless communication, occupancy detection, and automated control logic. It receives disaster notifications from external sources and then uses wireless signals from portable terminals (e.g., smartphones) to determine if occupants are present within the building. Based on this information, the system controls various building systems, such as lighting, HVAC, door locks, and elevators, to optimize safety and minimize damage.\n\nThe business value of this technology lies in its potential to significantly reduce the risk of injury or loss of life during disasters, minimize property damage, and improve emergency response efficiency. It can be integrated into existing building management systems and fire alarm systems, providing a more comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness. The market opportunity is substantial, as building owners and managers increasingly recognize the need for more intelligent and responsive emergency response systems.\n\nThis technology could be crucial for saving lives and significantly improving emergency response effectiveness.","layman_explanation":"The System and Method for Controlling Equipment Installed Within a Building Upon Receiving Disaster Notification is designed to make buildings safer during emergencies like fires, earthquakes, or gas leaks. It's like giving a building a 'brain' that can react intelligently to protect the people inside and minimize damage.\n\n**1. What Problem Does This Solve?**\n\nImagine a fire alarm goes off in your office building. In a typical scenario, people might panic, not know which way to go, or get trapped because doors are locked. Existing systems often rely on someone manually unlocking doors or shutting off gas lines, which takes time and can be error-prone. This patent aims to solve this problem by automating the building's response to a disaster, making it faster and more effective.\n\n**2. How Does It Work?**\n\nThink of it like this: the building 'listens' for disaster alerts, just like you listen for the radio. It uses wireless technology to receive these alerts. Then, it 'checks' to see if anyone is inside, using signals from cell phones or other devices people carry. If people are inside, the building might automatically unlock doors to help them escape. If no one is inside, it might shut off the gas to prevent explosions. It's all done automatically, without needing someone to manually intervene.\n\n**3. Why Does This Matter?**\n\nThis matters because it can save lives and reduce property damage. By reacting quickly and intelligently, the building can help people evacuate safely and prevent further harm. It also offers a competitive advantage for building owners, as it makes their properties more attractive to tenants who value safety and security. The potential ROI is significant, as it can reduce insurance costs and minimize potential lawsuits related to injuries or fatalities during emergencies.\n\n**4. What's Next?**\n\nIn the future, this technology could be integrated with even more systems, such as smart city infrastructure and emergency response networks. We might see buildings that can automatically communicate with firefighters or send alerts to emergency services, providing real-time information about the situation inside. Market adoption is likely to increase as building owners and managers become more aware of the benefits of smart building technologies. This innovation represents a significant investment opportunity for companies looking to capitalize on the growing demand for safer and more resilient buildings.","technical_analysis":"The System and Method for Controlling Equipment Installed Within a Building Upon Receiving Disaster Notification patent describes a system that leverages wireless communication and occupancy detection to automate building responses to disaster notifications. The technical architecture consists of three primary components: the disaster notification apparatus, the wireless communication apparatus located within the building, and portable terminals used by occupants.\n\nThe disaster notification apparatus is responsible for transmitting alerts to the building. The wireless communication apparatus receives these alerts and then determines whether users of portable terminals are present within the building. This determination is based on the communication situation between the wireless communication apparatus and one or more portable terminals, likely employing techniques such as Wi-Fi triangulation or Bluetooth beaconing to estimate location.\n\nImplementation details would involve programming the wireless communication apparatus to interpret the received disaster notifications and execute appropriate control actions. This likely involves a programmable logic controller (PLC) or similar embedded system that interfaces with various building systems, including lighting, HVAC, door locks, and elevators. The system would need to be designed for low latency and high reliability, ensuring a timely and accurate response to disaster events.\n\nIntegration patterns would involve seamless connectivity with existing building management systems (BMS) and fire alarm systems. The system should be designed to operate autonomously in the event of a power outage or network failure, potentially through the use of backup power supplies and local data storage. Performance characteristics would be crucial, with a focus on minimizing response time and maximizing the accuracy of occupancy detection.\n\nCode-level implications would involve developing robust and efficient algorithms for occupancy detection, disaster notification processing, and equipment control. The system would need to be designed with security in mind, protecting against unauthorized access and malicious attacks. This technology offers a robust and versatile automated emergency response system.","business_analysis":"The System and Method for Controlling Equipment Installed Within a Building Upon Receiving Disaster Notification patent presents a significant business opportunity in the rapidly growing market for smart building technologies. The market opportunity size is substantial, as building owners and managers increasingly recognize the need for more intelligent and responsive emergency response systems. The competitive advantages of this technology lie in its adaptive control mechanism, which allows it to tailor its response based on the presence of occupants, and its seamless integration with existing wireless communication infrastructure.\n\nThe revenue potential is significant, as the system can be sold as a standalone product or integrated into existing building management systems. Business models could include direct sales, licensing agreements, and subscription-based services. Strategic positioning would involve targeting building owners, property managers, and emergency services providers.\n\nROI projections would depend on factors such as the cost of implementation, the reduction in property damage, and the potential for saving lives. However, the potential for significant cost savings and improved safety makes this technology a compelling investment. The System and Method for Controlling Equipment Installed Within a Building Upon Receiving Disaster Notification patent has the potential to disrupt the market for building automation and emergency response systems, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. The commercial applications are extensive and promise a strong return on investment.","faqs":null,"topics":["disaster response automation","smart building safety","wireless communication","building automation","occupancy detection"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Smart Building Disaster Response - System and Method for Controlling Equipment Installed Within a Building Upon Receiving Disaster Notification","description":"Discover how the System and Method for Controlling Equipment Installed Within a Building Upon Receiving Disaster Notification patent automates building safety during disasters. Real-time occupancy detection & adaptive controls.","keywords":["disaster response automation","smart building safety","wireless communication","building automation","occupancy detection","emergency response","patent","patent US-9854082","building management system","HVAC control","door lock automation"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854082","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854082","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"System and method for controlling equipment installed within a building upon receiving disaster notification\" (US-9854082). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854082","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854082","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854082","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T01:53:30.362Z"}