Fig. 4: Electrical System Block Diagram Digital Signage Public Alert System Emergency Messaging System for Classrooms and Frequently Populated Areas Team Members: Wai Hung Cheung, Victor Fung, Jessica Ha, Jason Hightower, Myat Thu Kyaw, Nicholas Nolta, Carmen O’Rourke, Andrew Permenter, Thavidu Ranatunga, AJ Sutton, Allen Wong Advisors: Dr. Doug Palmer, Xavier Monraz, Javier Rodriguez, Jeff Cuenco, Daniel Johnson Introduction In conjunction with the UCSD Campus Police and Emergency Services, the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology presents a centralized public alert system that will display normal and emergency messages on digital signage throughout the UCSD campus. The existing method of alerting UCSD staff and students sends notifications via and text messages. Our mission is to link many public displays to a central database while enabling each display node to gather and share information. Additional instruments will be incorporated into the design, including sound alerts, strobe lights, humidity/temperature sensors, smoke sensors, and CO2 sensors, which can help lessen the energy consumed by A/C systems. The team aims at integrating an intercom with the signs as a direct link between classrooms and the UCSD Campus Police in emergency situations. Fig.1: System Diagram describing the flow of data in the system, where alerts are going to be shown, and other emergency systems that will connect to the secure network. Fig. 3: The first location to be equipped with this new system will be Center Hall. As we install the signs into every classroom and lecture hall, we will continue to update and test the system before implementing the system campus wide. Fig. 2: Screenshot of the user interface for the distribution of warning messages at the UCSD Police Department Dispatch Center. From this location, the Dispatcher can alter signs to show the appropriate warning message in any classroom, lecture hall, or frequently populated areas installed with the signage system. Acknowledgements: Vice Chancellor Steve Relyea (Chancellor’s Office); David Rose (Campus Police); Phillip van Saun (Emergency Services); Jeff Henry, Don Olliff, and Jonathan Reinstein (Media Services); Jan Kleissl (DEMROES); TIES Program; Calit2 System Features The information displayed on each sign can be changed at any time by an authorized user at a distant location Information can be sent to signs from a secondary backup location (to be specified later) The changeable message signs will display relevant course information during non-emergency times Installation of hardware is non-invasive Each display node will contain a sensor array Information from the remote sensors is sent over the network to a central database in Calit2 Future addition of nodes at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and UCSD health care locations Created January 22, 2008 Fig. 7: Programmable Signs in operation Fig. 6: ATMEL Sensor Board, USB compatible Fig. 5: Electronic Hardware Statement of Goals The mission of our team is to equip Center Hall with 18 remotely controllable LED signs providing the UCSD Police Department with a new tool for emergency management. System Requirements Low Cost Easily maintained software and hardware Center hall equipped with 18 LED signs (17 indoor and 1 outdoor) The network of signs will be safe from intrusion attempts Information on the signs will be updated primarily from police headquarters The signs will not interfere with the quality of classroom instruction Installed hardware lasts for at least ten years An interactive software user interface providing dispatchers access to real-time information Design Approach A fast roll-out is expected because infrastructure is already in place. Therefore installation time will be minimal. Broadcasting public safety information requires designing a hardware/software platform that is compatible with classroom audio/visual systems and the Talk-a-Phone intercom system.