Security system

1 . A security system comprising:

a plurality of input devices positioned at a plurality of locations in or around a secure area to be monitored;

a master controller in electrical communication with the plurality of input devices and configured to receive input signals from the plurality of input devices, the input signals being indicative of sensory activity detected within the secure area, the master controller further configured to analyze the input signals to determine whether a potential security issue exists; and

a plurality of output devices in electrical communication with the master controller and configured to receive indication from the master controller when the potential security issue exists;

wherein, in response to receiving indication from the master controller when the potential security issue exists, the plurality of output devices are configured to assist occupants within the secure area to respond to the potential security issue; and

wherein the plurality of output devices include at least one instructional sign configured to direct the movement of occupants located in the vicinity of the instructional sign to a designated safety zone, where at least one of the at least one instructional sign is a smart emergency exit sign comprising a housing including an interior; a first section within the interior, the first section including a center section and two end sections disposed on opposite ends of the center section; a first light barrier within the interior disposed between the center section and each end section; and light sources within the interior in the center section and each end section; and an illumination light within the interior but outside the center section and the end sections; wherein the first light barrier compartmentalizes the interior of the housing into the center section and the end sections and isolates the center section from each end section and each end section from each other such that illumination of light sources in one of the center section or end section does not illuminate the others of the center section and end section; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of input devices is located in the at least one instructional sign.

2 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one instructional sign is configured to illuminate at least one arrow symbol to direct the occupants located in the vicinity of the at least one instructional sign to move in at least one direction to one or more designated safety zones.

3 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one instructional sign is configured to illuminate at least one word on the at least one instructional sign to direct the occupants located in the vicinity of the at least one instructional sign to exit their current location or to seek shelter in their current location.

4 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein the master controller is configured to identify and track the location of a threat based on the sensory activity obtained by the plurality of input devices over time.

5 . The security system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of output devices are configured to change an escape management plan according to changes in the location of the threat over time.

6 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein, in response to detection of a potential security issue, the plurality of output devices are configured to provide push alerts to at least the occupants within the secure area.

7 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of output devices includes a graphical user interface (GUI) showing a floor plan of a building within the secure area.

8 . The security system of claim 1 , further comprising memory in communication with the master controller, wherein the memory includes threat analysis software.

9 . The security system of claim 8 , wherein the memory further includes at least one of a floor plan of monitored areas, a crowd movement algorithm, a database for storing audio and video data obtained by at least one of the plurality of input devices, facial recognition software, and vehicle recognition software.

10 . The security system of claim 1 , further comprising components for automatically locking and unlocking doors and controlling light fixtures within a building in the secure area, the components being in electrical communication with and controlled by the master controller.

11 . The security system of claim 1 , further comprising a response access kit comprising lethal or non-lethal weapons, the response access kit being in electrical communication, and whereby access to the response access kit is controlled by the master controller.

12 . The security system of claim 1 , further comprising an unmanned autonomous system in electrical communication with and controlled by the master controller.

13 . The security system of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless communication device configured to communicate information regarding a potential security issue to a plurality of mobile devices associated with the occupants and to receive supplemental information from the plurality of mobile devices based on observations made by the occupants.

14 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of output devices includes a beacon comprising lights having different colors for communicating various threat levels.

15 . The security system of claim 14 , wherein the beacon further comprises flashing lights, sirens, speakers, and directional symbols for directing the occupants in at least one direction.

16 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of input devices comprise audio detectors for detecting at least one of particular sound patterns, escalating noise levels, a specific keyword, or a gunshot.

17 . The security system of claim 1 , further comprising an external interface for communicating the existence of the potential security issue to at least one external emergency agency.

18 . The security system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one instructional sign includes at least a first and a second instructional sign, the second instruction sign being at least one of:

a smart hallway intersection sign including

a housing including a top, a bottom, and at least one side,

a plurality of independently illuminable directional arrows located on the bottom, each of the plurality of independently illuminable directional arrows pointing in different directions,

at least one strobe light located in the side of the housing, and

means for electronic communication between the smart hallway intersection sign and the master controller, wherein the independently illuminable directional arrows and the at least one strobe light are configured to be independently activated or deactivated by the master controller; or

a supplemental smart emergency sign including

a housing,

at least one strobe light in the housing, and

means for electronic communication between the supplemental smart emergency sign and a remotely located master controller, wherein each of the at least one strobe light is configured to be independently activated or deactivated by the master controller; or

a hallway sign including

a housing including opposing ends,

at least one light source located in each end, and

means for electronic communication between the hallway sign and the master controller, wherein each of the at least one light sources located in each end are configured to be independently activated or deactivated by the master controller.

19 . A method for managing potential security issues, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving sensory activity of a secure area to be monitored using a plurality of input devices positioned at a plurality of locations in or around the secure area;

analyzing the sensory activity to determine if a potential security threat exists; and

in response to determining that a potential security threat exists, activating at least one of a plurality of output devices to assist occupants within the secure area to respond to the potential security threat;

wherein at least one of the plurality of output devices is an instructional sign, wherein at least one of the plurality of input devices is incorporated into the instructional sign, and where the instructional sign is a smart emergency exit sign comprising a housing including an interior; a first section within the interior, the first section including a center section and two end sections disposed on opposite ends of the center section; a first light barrier within the interior disposed between the center section and each end section; and light sources within the interior in the center section and each end section; and an illumination light within the interior but outside the center section and the end sections;

wherein the first light barrier compartmentalizes the interior of the housing into the center section and the end sections and isolates the center section from each end section and each end section from each other such that illumination of light sources in one of the center section or end section does not illuminate the others of the center section and end section.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:

identifying and tracking the location of the potential security threat based on the sensory activity obtained over time; and

changing an escape management plan according to changes in the location of the potential security threat over time.

21 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:

automatically locking/unlocking doors and windows;

controlling light fixtures within a building in the secure area; and

enabling access to a response access kit by authorized personnel, the response access kit comprising lethal or non-lethal weapons, and or emergency medical supplies.