Advanced Escape Route System using Bistable E-Paper Displays and Dynamic Rerouting

Escape route signs provide orientation in a case of emergency. However, these signs are static and always direct people always in the same direction regardless of the actual situation. Dynamic escape route displays provide benefits in order to redirect people for an optimized route, e.g. by avoiding congestions and blocked routes. We designed and prototyped an escape route system using wireless controlled e-paper displays (electrophoretic E Ink), fire detectors, cameras with artificial intelligence algorithms to identify e.g. congestions and persons lying on the floor and a system controller. Because e-paper is bistable, the default direction is always displayed even if no power is available. Therefore, even if the intelligent system is down or not available, the safety is the same as for static signs. Optical measurements and evaluations on various monochrome and color e-paper displays have been performed. The green and white appearance of multi-particles e-paper is close to today’s fixed printed signs. The white state reflectance was measured between 35 % (multi-particle) and 50% (monochrome), the contrast ratio is in the region of 10:1 which ensures good readability.