A computer-based method and apparatus for identifying hazardous materials based on observable physical properties and signs and systems of exposure to the hazardous materials. The observable physical properties are obtained by preprocessing plain language data to obtain normalized descriptors and modifiers pertaining to a plurality of properties and signs and symptoms. The normalized descriptors and signs and symptoms are presented to a user in lists for comparison with a sample in the field. Tightly integrated with identifying the hazardous materials are obtaining response data, obtaining controlled materials of which the hazardous materials may be precursors, and predicting reactions of pairs of hazardous materials. The preferred embodiments of the invention are particularly useful to responders to a hazardous waste incident.

A device, system and method for crowd control is provided. An aural command is detected at a location using a microphone at the location. A computing device determines, based on video data received from one or more multimedia devices, whether one or more persons at the location are not following the aural command. The computing device modifies the aural command to generate a second version of the aural command based on one or more of the video data and multimedia data associated with the location. The computing device causes the second version of the aural command to be provided, to the one or more persons who are not following the aural command at the location, using one or more notification devices.

A device for displaying images for stands or stairways in a public venue includes a controller and a set of electronic screens connected to one another. Mounting devices secure the electronic screens to the risers of an existing stairway or stand. The controller controls displaying an advertising motif distributed between all the electronic screens.

Some embodiments provide a non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores a program. The program receives sensor data from a set of sensors. Each sensor in the set of sensors is configured to sense a physical quantity in an environment. Based on the sensor data, the program further determines a set of configurations for a set of smart devices. The set of smart devices includes a set of smart emergency devices installed in a building. Each smart emergency device in the set of smart emergency devices is configured to provide emergency exit information to guide exiting the building. The program also sends the set of configurations to the set of smart devices.

Some embodiments provide a non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores a program. The program receives a set of sensor data from a set of sensors. Each sensor in the set of sensors is configured to sense a physical quantity. Based on the set of sensor data, the program further determines that a particular event has occurred. Based on the determination that the particular event has occurred, the program also sends a set of notifications to a set of subscribers.

A method and system for viral identification of evacuees are provided. The method is recursive and involves bringing an emergency warden and a midstream evacuee in close proximity with one another to enable a handheld computing device belonging to one of the two to read information from the other, enabling the handheld computing device to read the information, having the handheld computing device read the information to enable an identification of the midstream evacuee, providing the identifier of the midstream evacuee to a central mustering server, whereby the midstream evacuee is enabled to act as an emergency warden, and performing the method with the midstream evacuee acting as an emergency warden with respect to another evacuee before the central mustering server. The method provides the advantage of virally identifying evacuees within the confines of a muster point in an efficient and reliable manner.

A method for rescue support involves distributing transponder devices to individuals in a geographic region and causing the transponder devices to be activated. If a large-scale emergency situation occurs, a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles are operated within the geographic region to receive distress signals transmitted by the activated transponder devices. A computer system processes the distress signals to obtain detection data for the individuals, the detection data comprising a location of the respective transponder device and a health status of the respective individual. The computer system generates, based on the location and health status of the respective individual, a prioritization chart for the geographic region, the prioritization chart being indicative of one or more sub-regions to be prioritized for a rescue operation.

The disclosed technology uses signaling devices and sensors that are distributed throughout a building in order to provide egress guidance to people located in a building when an emergency occurs. Such signaling devices can be located at or near doors, windows, and/or other junction points between different parts of a building (e.g., passageways between different rooms). Signaling devices can provide audio and/or visual information to people to guide them along a safe pathway that is selected to provide safe egress for the person, including anticipating and protecting the person from changing emergency conditions within the building.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for guest quarters coordination during muster on a vessel. In an embodiment of the invention, a guest quarters coordination method during muster on a vessel includes initiating a muster event on a vessel and responding to the muster event, in each cabin on the vessel, by activating a television display in the cabin, retrieving a muster location assigned to the cabin and displaying the muster location on the television display.

A server associated with a building automation emergency response system, receives indications of a detected emergency from sensors distributed among zones in the building, comprising a sensor reading level and a sensor identity. The server determines a zone danger level, based on the sensor identity and on the sensor reading levels. The server calculates an evacuation route commencing from user interfaces distributed among the zones. The user interfaces include a display device. The evacuation route is calculated to traverse the zones with a lower route danger level. The evacuation route is directed toward a safe exit, based on a floor plan. The server then transmits a depiction of the evacuation route to the user interfaces for display. The server continues receiving updated indications from the sensors, determines updated route danger levels, calculates an updated evacuation route, and transmits an updated depiction of the evacuation route to the user interfaces for display.