Method for automatic identification of fire detectors

Abstract

The invention is a method for automatically identifying a fire alarm system (10) connected to a transmission line (14) by evaluating so-called floor plan data on the one hand and measuring along the transmission line (14) on the other hand.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the automatic identification of fire detectors in a fire alarm system. Fire detectors are connected to a bus line. The bus line is connected to a central unit (fire alarm center), which is referred to as a switchboard in the following text. Such a central unit is also often referred to as a control panel in technical terms. The bus line is connected to the switchboard in a ring shape. That is, the bus line starts and ends at the switchboard. In principle, data and / or energy can be transmitted via the bus line and from the switchboard in each of the two conceivable directions. In this way, in the event of a bus line fault, data and / or energy can be transmitted from the switchboard to the two bus line sections caused by the fault. The bus line is referred to as the transmission line in the following text. Due to the ring topology (in the absence of faults), the transmission line is a transmission ring line. Branches can be branched off from the transmission ring line. Background Art

[0002] German Patent DE 4038992 C1 discloses a method for automatically assigning alarm addresses in a hazard alarm system having a central office and at least one connected alarm main line. Multiple hazard detectors, each comprising at least one transmission device, at least one measured value memory, at least one address memory, at least one voltage measuring device, and at least one switch, are arranged on the alarm main line. In a first phase, the central office applies an open-circuit voltage to the line, thereby supplying energy to the detectors. In a second phase, a short-circuit voltage is applied to the line, causing all detectors whose address memories are empty to short-circuit the line using the switches. In a third phase, a measuring current is applied to the line, and the voltage dropped at the first detector whose switch is closed is determined and stored in the measured value memory. In a fourth phase, a query voltage is applied to the line, enabling detectors whose measured value memories are occupied but whose address memories are empty to communicate and are assigned addresses by the central office. These detectors then store these addresses in the address memory.

[0003] European Patent Application EP 1174838 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for installing a peripheral device. The method involves installing a peripheral device at a location connected to a central unit. During the installation, the installer's location is recorded along with associated time information, and the time of the peripheral device's installation is stored in the central unit. These two time information items are correlated, and the location of the peripheral device at the time of installation is determined accordingly. The apparatus for performing this method includes a mobile station equipped with means for determining the station's location and means for recording this location as a function of time. Furthermore, means are provided for accurately notifying the central unit of the installation of the peripheral device, as well as means for correlating the installation time with the station's location at that time.

[0004] When installing fire detectors for transmitting data and / or energy via a bus line, technical identifications of these fire detectors must be assigned to the respective installation locations. The technical identifications include, for example, the bus address of the fire detector, the serial number of the fire detector, the hardware address, etc.

[0005] Currently, this identification is achieved, for example, by the sequence of fire detectors along a transmission line. However, this requires knowledge of the cabling, i.e., the wiring of the transmission line. Another option is to trigger the fire detectors, record these triggerings and the corresponding identification of the triggered fire detectors, and then perform the assignment using special tools.

[0006] All currently known methods have in common that they require manual steps that are time-consuming and error-prone. Consequently, subsequent verification of the correctness of the identification performed in this way is required. Depending on the method, 100% test coverage is required. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A corresponding object of the present invention is to specify a method for identifying fire detectors which can be run automatically.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a method having the features of claim 1 .

[0009] The method proposed herein for automatically identifying fire detectors in a fire alarm system, and in a building in which the fire alarm system comprises a switchboard, fire detectors connected to the switchboard via a transmission ring, and the transmission line as devices, is based on the distances (linear distances), or in other words, the linear distances between the devices on the one hand, and the line lengths (hereinafter referred to as distances), or in other words, the line distances between the devices on the other hand. The linear distances are in particular the shortest possible distances between any two devices. The distances or linear distances are present in the form of floor plan data or are determined within the scope of the method based on floor plan data. The distances or line distances are determined along the transmission ring using measurement technology.

[0010] The method is based on the use of two technical information sources: the first being the floor plan and the data it contains, and the second being measurements along the transmission line carried out by the switchboard (which are in principle known per se).

[0011] The floor plan includes the installation locations of fire detectors and the switchboard, for example, in the form of CAD data. Especially for new buildings, CAD drawings of the building, floors, or even rooms are now almost invariably available. The locations of the fire detectors and switchboard are documented in these drawings. This data can be evaluated electronically and is evaluated electronically within the framework of the method presented here.

[0012] When measuring along the transmission line, the central control center determines the line resistance (transmission line resistance) to each fire detector connected to the transmission line based on the specific resistance of the transmission line and in a manner generally known per se. Based on this, the central control center determines, on the one hand, the distance between each two adjacent fire detectors along the transmission line, and, on the other hand, the distance between the central control center and the first fire detector along the transmission line, as well as the distance between the central control center and the last fire detector along the transmission line. Within the framework of this measurement, the central control center also determines the fire detector sequence, i.e., the order of the fire detectors along the transmission line.

[0013] In the method, a graph is generated with the aid of these spacings and these distances. The graph comprises a set of potential connection sequences. The set comprises at least one potential connection sequence. The fire detector sequence and the potential connection sequence or each potential connection sequence respectively comprise a name. The name of the fire detector sequence respectively refers to a fire detector connected to the transmission line. The name of the potential connection sequence or each potential connection sequence respectively refers to a fire detector provided according to the floor plan data. Within the framework of the method, a potential connection sequence matching the fire detector sequence is determined from the set of potential connection sequences. Based on the potential connection sequence determined as matching, the result of the method is a correspondence between the names comprised by the fire detector sequence on the one hand and the names comprised by the determined connection sequence on the other hand, more precisely the order of these names within the fire detector sequence or the determined connection sequence. The determined correspondence represents an identification of the fire detector sought by the method.

[0014] In order to check whether the determined correspondence can be the identification of the desired fire detector, it is necessary to realize the following: the determined connection sequence includes the names of the fire detectors in the distance data set, that is, the names of the fire detectors in the first database. The first database is floor plan data or the first database is based on floor plan data. In other words, the determined connection sequence includes the names of the fire detectors in the floor plan data. The fire detector sequence includes the names of the fire detectors in the distance data set. The names there are, for example, bus addresses of fire detectors, etc. In other words, by finding the correspondence between the fire detector sequence and the determined connection sequence, the fire detectors provided according to the floor plan can be clearly assigned to the fire detectors connected to the transmission line, and vice versa. This represents the identification of the desired fire detector. Each fire detector connected to the transmission line is clearly identified as exactly one of the fire detectors provided according to the floor plan (and vice versa).

[0015] By assigning the symbol names used in the floor plan to each fire detector, a clear relationship between the actual fire detector and the floor plan data is fixed. By means of this relationship, in addition to the symbol names from the floor plan data, further floor plan data can also be accessed.

[0016] For automatic execution, the method is preferably implemented in the form of a computer program. This computer program is an implementation of the subject method for automatic identification of fire detectors. The present invention also comprises, on the one hand, a computer program with program code instructions executable by a computer, on the other hand, a storage medium with such a computer program, i.e., a computer program product with program code means, and finally, a device in whose memory such a computer program is or can be loaded as a means for executing the method and its design.

[0017] If method steps or sequences of method steps are described below, this refers to actions that are performed on the basis of a computer program or under the control of a computer program, unless otherwise stated that the individual actions are initiated by the user of the computer program. Any use of the term "automatically" means at least that the actions in question are performed on the basis of a computer program or under the control of a computer program.

[0018] Instead of a computer program with individual program code instructions, the methods described here and below can also be implemented in the form of firmware. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that instead of implementing the method in software, an implementation in firmware, or in firmware and software, or in firmware and hardware is always possible. Therefore, for the description presented here, it should be applied that the term "software" or the term "computer program" also includes other implementation possibilities, namely, in particular an implementation in firmware, or in firmware and software, or in firmware and hardware.

[0019] Finally, the present invention also relates to a device defined and configured for carrying out the method. Such a device includes a switchboard of a fire alarm system or one of a group of several switchboards of the fire alarm system. In the case of a device external to the fire alarm system, either permanently or only temporarily connected, as the means for carrying out the method, the method includes the additional step of transmitting data determined by the switchboard within the scope of the method to the device for further processing there. Examples of such a device include so-called edge devices or at least one device or a group of devices in a so-called cloud.

[0020] To implement the method proposed here, a corresponding device, in particular a switchboard, includes a processing unit in the form or type of a microprocessor and a memory in which an implementation of the method is stored in software or stored or loaded in software and firmware. The switchboard implements the method during operation, for example, when a fire alarm system including the switchboard is first put into operation. To this end, the switchboard has access to the floor plan data in a generally known manner, for example, by having at least temporary access to a memory containing this data via a network connection (Ethernet, etc.).

[0021] To avoid unnecessary repetition, it applies to the following description that the features and details described in conjunction with the aforementioned description of the method for automatic identification of fire detectors and possible embodiments also apply in conjunction with and with respect to the apparatus for implementing the method, particularly a switchboard for a fire alarm system, and vice versa. Accordingly, the method can also be expanded by means of one or more method features relating to method steps implemented by the corresponding apparatus, and the apparatus can also be expanded by means for implementing the method steps implemented within the scope of the method. Therefore, the features and details described in conjunction with the subject method also apply in conjunction with and with respect to the apparatus intended for implementing the method, and vice versa, respectively, so that the disclosure regarding the various aspects of the present invention can always be cross-referenced.

[0022] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. References within the claims used herein indicate further developments of the subject matter of the cited claim by means of the features of the respective dependent claim. These references should not be understood as a waiver of independent subject matter protection for the features or feature combinations of the dependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to the interpretation of the claims and the description of the further refinements of the features in the dependent claims, it should be assumed that such limitations do not exist in the respective above-mentioned claims and in the more general embodiments of the subject method. Therefore, each reference in the description to aspects of the dependent claims can also be read unambiguously as a description of optional features without special indication.

[0023] In one embodiment of the method, a symbolic name used within the method exists for each device of the fire alarm system; a distance data set exists or is generated within the method, comprising the symbolic name of each two devices of the fire alarm system and the distance between the respective devices; each distance data set comprises the name of the respective device as the initial and final device; the distances between the devices of the fire alarm system are determined along a transmission line by measurement and stored as a distance data set in the order of the measurements along the transmission line; a graph is generated within the method based on the distance data set and the distance data set; and the generated graph comprises the potential connection sequence or each potential connection sequence, i.e., the potential connection sequence or a potential connection sequence that is examined within the method in relation to the fire detectors. The aforementioned symbolic names of the fire detectors are derived, for example, from floor plan data and, in this case, are already created there as symbolic names of the fire detectors. Reference is made to the names of the respective devices as the initial and final devices in the distance data set (each distance data set comprises the name of the respective device as the initial and final device).

[0024] In this embodiment of the method, the distance dataset encodes the above-mentioned distance between the devices and the distance dataset encodes the likewise above-mentioned distance between the devices.The distance dataset and the distance dataset are the first or second information source.

[0025] In another embodiment of the method, the graph generated within the framework of the method is generated in multiple steps. In a first step, a node representing the switchboard is created in the graph and represented by the symbolic name of the switchboard. These distance data sets are then processed sequentially in the order of the distance data sets. A search is performed for a distance data set that matches the name of the respective distance data set considered and the name of the last created node. For each distance data set found, a new node is created in the graph with the name of the target device of the corresponding distance data set and is connected to the node created in the previous step. The method then continues with the processing of the distance data sets in new steps until all distance data sets have been processed.

[0026] This embodiment of the method is an example of the generation of a graph comprising at least one path between a first node representing a switchboard and a last node also representing a switchboard. Within the framework of the method, a symbolic name is assigned to each node and a sequence of symbolic names is derived from the sequence of nodes of the path. This path is derived based on a corresponding subtree of the graph. The terms "path" and "subtree" are synonymous in this respect: each subtree of the graph describes / defines a path in the graph; each path in the graph is based on a subtree of the graph. All symbolic names occurring along the path are considered, excluding the first symbolic name (representing a switchboard) and the last symbolic name (also representing a switchboard). This is a sequence of symbolic names and this sequence (each such sequence) is a potential connection order.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the distances are determined by measurement either in precisely one measuring direction or according to a special method, which can be implemented, for example, as a sub-method within the method presented herein. In this sub-method, the distances are determined by measurement starting from the central office at least partially in a first measuring direction and then, likewise starting from the central office, at least partially in a second measuring direction opposite the first measuring direction (distance measurement in two measuring directions), wherein all fire detectors are detected at least once overall using the measurements in the first and second measuring directions. This sub-method of distance measurement in two measuring directions is considered the basis for subsequent methods, particularly testing or identification methods, and is independent in the sense that the implementation of subsequent methods is not required for this sub-method of distance measurement in two measuring directions. This sub-method of distance measurement in two measuring directions is preferably considered the basis for the previously described method and its embodiments, and is independent in the sense that the subsequent implementation of the previously described method and its possible embodiments is not required for this sub-method of distance measurement in two measuring directions. The distance measurement in two measuring directions can be completely independent of any subsequent use of the measured values ​​(distance measurement values) obtained during the distance measurement. The separate claim for distance measurement in two measuring directions without including the features of the method for automatic identification of fire detectors proposed here is expressly retained and applies to the following description: when explaining the distance measurement in two measuring directions, the independent properties of this distance measurement with respect to the method for automatic identification of fire detectors are always and explicitly read out at the same time.

[0028] The method for carrying out measurements in two directions in a form independent of the subsequent implementation of the test or identification method can be briefly defined as follows: a method for carrying out measurements in a fire alarm system and in a building, wherein the fire alarm system comprises a switchboard and fire detectors connected to the switchboard via a transmission line as devices, wherein the fire alarm system comprises these devices and the transmission line, wherein distances are determined using measurement technology starting from the switchboard at least partially in a first measuring direction and likewise starting from the switchboard at least partially in a second measuring direction opposite to the first measuring direction, and wherein all fire detectors as a whole are detected at least once using the measurements in the first measuring direction and the second measuring direction.

[0029] The advantage of the present invention is that the identification of fire detectors can be performed automatically or at least substantially automatically, thereby eliminating previously unavoidable sources of error. A further advantage is that, for example, when a fire detector needs to be replaced, the location of the fire detector in the building / on the floor / in the room is known precisely, i.e., based on the floor plan data. This is achieved by providing a precise assignment (identification) of the physical fire detector with its network address (bus address) and / or serial number, etc., to the floor plan data based on the method proposed herein.

[0030] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Objects or elements corresponding to each other are provided with the same reference numerals in all the drawings.

[0031] This embodiment should not be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, within the scope of the present disclosure, additional solutions and modifications are also possible, in particular those that, for a person skilled in the art, can yield solutions to the problem by, for example, combining or modifying the features or method steps described in the general or specific description parts and contained in the claims and / or the drawings, and that, due to the combinable features, lead to new subject matter or to new method steps or sequences of method steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] in:

[0033] Figure 1 Shows a so-called floor plan with fire detectors and a fire alarm center (switchboard);

[0034] Figure 2 A fire alarm system is shown having a switchboard, a transmission line connected to the switchboard, and fire detectors connected to the transmission line and thereby also to the switchboard;

[0035] Figure 3 A first and a second database having a spacing dataset or a distance dataset are shown;

[0036] Figure 4 shows a graph formed within the framework of the method proposed herein and based on a spacing and distance dataset;

[0037] Figure 5 showing the reduced graph and the potential connection order and fire detector sequence derived therefrom; and

[0038] Figure 6 A schematically simplified diagram of a computer program as an implementation of the method proposed here is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 The illustration in FIG shows a simple so-called floor plan—that is, a floor plan or floor plan of a building (not shown in further detail)—with fire detectors 10 and a switchboard (fire alarm center, central unit) 12 for controlling and monitoring the fire detectors 10. Fire detectors 10 typically have distinguishing features that are recognized by the switchboard 12 and depicted in the floor plan. These distinguishing features can be used for identification. For example, the detector type can be distinguished—manual call point, heat detector, optical smoke detector, combination detector, input and output module.

[0040] The fire detector 10 is connected to the fire detector 10 by means of what is sometimes referred to as a transmission line 14 ( Figure 2 ) is connected to the central station 12 via a transmission ring line, optionally with one branch or a plurality of branch branches. In the floor plan, each fire detector 10 is assigned a symbolic name which is in principle freely selectable but is unique within the floor plan. Figure 1 In the illustration in FIG, the fire detectors 10 are symbolically indicated by “ M1 ”, “ M2 ”, etc. and the switchboard 12 is symbolically indicated by “Z”.

[0041] The number of fire detectors 10 is selected for the purpose of the description presented here, and for the sake of clarity, the illustrated plan only includes a small number of fire detectors 10. In practice, a significantly higher number of fire detectors 10 is common. The solution proposed here is also suitable for a plurality of fire detectors 10, such as twenty, thirty, or more fire detectors 10, but also for fewer fire detectors 10, such as five or ten fire detectors 10.

[0042] The plan data exists in a computer-readable form (for example, in the form of CAD data), and the corresponding files and the like having the plan data are hereinafter referred to as a database 20 and are used for comparison with other databases ( Figure 2 ) is distinguished and referred to as the first database 20.

[0043] The first database 20 includes the positions (installation positions) of the central office 12 and each fire detector 10 connected to the central office 12 by means of the transmission line 14. The first database 20 includes these positions directly, in particular in the form of CAD data, for example, or these positions are derived from the data included in the first database 20. The distances between the central office 12 and at least the individual fire detectors 10 and between at least the individual fire detectors 10, in particular between the central office 12 and each fire detector 10, and between all the fire detectors 10, are derived from the respective positions. Figure 1 In the diagram in , various intervals are drawn as examples, such as "15m", "8m", etc.

[0044] These distances are the length of a straight line between two fire detectors 10 or between a switchboard 12 and a fire detector 10. In the example shown, the distance between the fire detectors 10, symbolically designated "M1" and "M2," is "8 m," or eight meters, and the distance between the switchboard 12 and the fire detector 10, symbolically designated "M1," is "15 m," or fifteen meters.

[0045] exist Figure 1 In the case shown as an example, the following spacing is obtained:

[0046] Z->M1: 15m,

[0047] Z->M5: 30m,

[0048] M1->M2: 8m,

[0049] M1->M3: 6m,

[0050] M2->M3: 2m,

[0051] M3->M4: 8m,

[0052] M3->M5: 5m,

[0053] M4->M5: 8m, and

[0054] M5->Z: 30m.

[0055] It should be noted that not all possible distances are depicted and listed. In principle, the method presented here can take into account all possible distances, for example, all distances from the switchboard 12 to each fire detector 10 and / or all distances from each fire detector 10 to each other fire detector 10. For simplicity, only individual distances are shown and listed above.

[0056] For example, if a building wall is located between the central office 12 and individual fire detectors 10 or between fire detectors 10 and other fire detectors 10, a limit on the number of distances to be considered can be derived from the floor plan data in an automatically assessable form. A limit on the number of distances to be considered can also be derived in an automatically assessable form based on the different types of fire detectors 10 and / or possible branch lines.

[0057] These distances, together with the devices (switchboards 12 or fire detectors 10) between which the corresponding distances are located, result in a data set which is referred to below as a distance data set 22. It is unimportant whether such a data set 22 is stored in a separate data structure or whether such a data set 22 is only temporarily formed based on the data of the first database 20. For ease of reference, the distance data set 22 will still be discussed below and the upper row can be regarded as an example of such a distance data set and its content. Figure 1 A single distance data set 22 is shown symbolically in FIG.

[0058] Each distance data set 22 includes the respectively determined distances and names of the devices (switchboards 12 or fire detectors 10) between which the corresponding distance exists. The corresponding devices are usually referred to as "primary devices" and "terminal devices", and using these terms, the contents of the distance data set 22 can generally be written as follows:

[0059] Initial device -> terminal device: spacing.

[0060] Each distance data set 22 thus includes: distance data, i.e., the corresponding distance; and name data, i.e., the names of the corresponding initial and terminal devices. The first database 20 (directly or indirectly) includes the distance data set 22. Thus, the first database 20 also includes these distance and name data.

[0061] Figure 2 The diagram in the figure shows the fire alarm system and shows the Figure 1 The switchboard 12 and the fire detector 10 are included in the fire alarm system. Figure 2 The diagram in FIG shows a transmission line 14 to which the switchboard 12 and each individual fire detector 10 are connected, and which connects the fire detectors 10 to the switchboard 12. The fire detectors 10 are connected to the transmission line 14 and, via the transmission line 14, to the switchboard 12. The transmission line 14 is a component of the fire alarm system.

[0062] The transmission line 14 is shown as a pure ring line, i.e., without any branching branches branching off from the transmission line 14, which is possible in principle. For the sake of simplicity, the following description uses the transmission line 14 in the form of a pure ring line as an example. The innovation presented here is expressly not limited to the transmission line 14 in the form of a pure ring line, and each time a transmission line 14 or a transmission ring line is mentioned, both the transmission line 14 in the form of a pure ring line and the transmission line 14 in the form of a ring line with at least one branch branching off from the ring line are always referred to.

[0063] Along the transmission line 14, after the switchboard 12 (which serves as the starting point or origin of the transmission line 14), there is a fire detector 10, after which there is another fire detector 10, and so on, until the transmission line 14 finally ends at the switchboard 12 (which serves as the end point of the transmission line 14). In the case of a transmission ring line having branch branches (not shown here), at least one fire detector 10 is connected to each branch branch.

[0064] The fire detectors 10 are connected to a central control unit 12 for data exchange via a transmission line 14. This data exchange occurs at least between the central control unit 12 and each fire detector 10. Optionally, the fire detectors 10 are connected to the central control unit 12 for this data exchange and, in addition, for the energy supply to each fire detector 10 via the central control unit 12 and via the transmission line 14. For example, the data exchange and energy transmission are based on a data transmission protocol or a data and energy transmission protocol that is generally known per se. The protocol used by the applicant in this regard is known as FDNet.

[0065] Switchboard 12 and fire detector 10 are also Figure 2 These names can in principle be freely selectable, but must be unique along the transmission line 14. Advantageously, within the framework of the method, names are used here which originate from the fire detectors 10 themselves and are readable by the central control 12 at each fire detector 10. Unambiguous names that are suitable in this respect are, for example, the bus address, serial number, etc. of the fire detector 10 (see above: "Technical identification"). The following description is based on Figure 2 , which are shown in FIG. 1 . In this respect, these names can be regarded, for example, as (simplified) bus addresses of the individual fire detectors 10 . These names can also be regarded, for example, as symbolic names and as (simplified) bus addresses of the individual fire detectors 10 .

[0066] It should be noted that at the start of the method proposed here, there is no information in the corresponding fire alarm system (switchboard 12, fire detectors 10 and transmission line 14) about the assignment of the fire detectors 10 connected to the transmission line 14 to the installation locations provided according to the floor plan. Primarily, there is no assignment between the names of the fire detectors 10 along the transmission line 14 and the symbolic names of the fire detectors 10 in the floor plan. These fire detectors 10 are correspondingly assigned and also for better differentiation within the scope of the subsequent description of the method proposed here. Figure 2 The figure in the figure is equipped with Figure 1 The icons in the figure have different names. Figure 1 In the diagrams in the figure, these fire detectors are symbolically represented by "M1", "M2", "M3" etc. Figure 2 In the diagrams in the figure, these fire detectors are represented by "MA", "MB", "MC" and so on.

[0067] At the start of the method proposed here, it is not known whether, for example, a fire detector 10 connected to the transmission line 14 and designated "MA" is the fire detector 10 provided according to the floor plan and symbolically designated there as "M1." The information about which fire detector 10 on the transmission line 14 a particular fire detector 10 in the floor plan corresponds—that is, the identification of the fire detector 10—is the target of the method proposed here.

[0068] By means of measurements which are in principle known per se, in particular resistance measurements when the fire detectors 10 are connected ("connected") to the transmission line 14 in sequence, the spacing between the devices connected to the transmission line 14 (the switchboard 12 and the fire detectors 10), which is referred to below for differentiation, is determined along the transmission line 14.

[0069] The measurement is performed, for example, as a directional measurement, whereby measurements are carried out specifically along the transmission line 14 in a flow direction that is, in principle, freely selectable but maintained during the method. The flow direction selected in each case is the measurement direction. In a preferred embodiment of the solution proposed here, the measurement is performed starting from the switchboard 12 and then continuously up to each fire detector 10 that is reached within the scope of these measurements.

[0070] The following distances are usually determined: the distance between the switchboard 12 and the first fire detector 10 along the transmission line 14 - that is, the distance between the switchboard 12 and the first fire detector 10 along the transmission line 14 Figure 2In the case shown in FIG, the distance between the switchboard 12 and the fire detector 10 symbolically indicated by "MA"; the distance between two directly consecutive (adjacent) fire detectors 10 along the transmission line 14; and the distance between the last fire detector 10 along the transmission line 14 and the switchboard 12 - that is, the distance between the last fire detector 10 and the switchboard 12. Figure 2 In the case shown in FIG, the distance between the fire detector 10 and the switchboard 12 is symbolically indicated by “ME”. Figure 2 In the case shown in , the determination of the distance between two adjacent fire detectors 10 along the transmission line 14 includes the distance between the fire detectors 10 symbolically represented by "MA" and "MB", the distance between the fire detectors 10 symbolically represented by "MB" and "MC", and so on.

[0071] exist Figure 2 In the case shown as an example, the following distances result:

[0072] Z->MA: 20m,

[0073] MA->MB: 10m,

[0074] MB->MC: 3m,

[0075] MC->MD: 10m,

[0076] MD->ME: 10m, and

[0077] ME->Z: 35m.

[0078] The distance determined by measuring ( Figure 2 ) is usually larger than the plan view ( Figure 1 ) and the straight-line distance there, since the routing of the transmission lines 14 generally follows the corresponding building realities (walls, ceilings, etc.).

[0079] The determined distances are stored in a computer-readable form in a second database 30. Individual data sets, designated for differentiation as distance data sets 32, are found in the second database 30. The number N of determined distance data sets 32 corresponds to the number of sections of the transmission line 14 between two devices (switchboards 12 or fire detectors 10) in the fire alarm system and the total number of devices included in the fire alarm system. Thus, the number of fire detectors 10 included in the fire alarm system is N-1.

[0080] In an advantageous embodiment, the distance data sets 32 are numbered during their determination, so that each distance data set 32 ​​comprises an index:

[0081] (1) Z->MA: 20m,

[0082] (2) MA->MB: 10m,

[0083] (3)MB->MC: 3m,

[0084] ..MC->MD: 10m,

[0085] ..MD->ME: 10m, and

[0086] (N)ME->Z: 35m.

[0087] Using an index derived based on this number, each individual distance data set 32 ​​can be accessed. This works in an advantageous embodiment of the method:

[0088] In this embodiment, the distance is first measured in a first measuring direction and then again in a second measuring direction, but opposite to the first. During the distance measurement in the first measuring direction, a distance data set 32 ​​is generated, as described above, including the numbering and the determination of the total number N of devices included in the fire alarm system.

[0089] Since each fire detector 10 has a contact resistance that is subject to certain tolerances, the fewer fire detectors 10 there are in the measurement path, the more accurate the measurement. In other words, to determine a specific distance particularly accurately, it is advantageous to use a measurement value in which fewer fire detectors 10 are located on the portion of the transmission line 14 involved in the measurement. Therefore, when measuring in only one measuring direction, it must be assumed that the distance measurement becomes less accurate as the number of fire detectors 10 along the measurement path increases. When measuring in both possible measuring directions (the first measuring direction and the second measuring direction), this increased inaccuracy can be at least partially compensated. For this purpose, it is provided that the distances determined in the second measuring direction are entered, to a certain extent, inversely into the sequence of the distance data set 32. That is, the first distance determined in the second measuring direction is entered in the distance data set 32 ​​as a distance with the index N. The second distance determined in the second measuring direction is entered in the distance data set 32 ​​as a distance with the index N-1, and so on. This continues in the second measuring direction for at least (N / 2) distance data sets 32—of course, only the next higher or next lower integer value resulting from the division is used. The result is a sequence of distance data sets 32 in which the distances of approximately half of the fire detectors 10 are determined in the first measuring direction and the distances of the remaining half of the fire detectors 10 are determined in the second measuring direction. This minimizes the inaccuracies in distance measurement described briefly above when there are a large number of fire detectors 10 in the measuring path.

[0090] Within the framework of measuring the distance in precisely one measuring direction along the transmission line 14 (distance measurement), in particular by means of distance measurement or when connecting fire detectors 10 to the transmission line 14 in sequence, information about the sequence (order) of the fire detectors 10 along the transmission line 14 is also determined. This information is referred to below as the fire detector sequence 34. Figure 2 In the illustration in FIG, a fire detector sequence 34 is shown as an independent data set included in the second database 30. An independent data set is not required and is accordingly only an option. The fire detector sequence 34 is also obtained by considering all distance data sets 32 in the correct order corresponding to distance measurements in exactly one measuring direction.

[0091] Figure 3 The diagram in FIG. 1 shows a first database 20 having a spacing data set 22 included therein and a second database 30 having a distance data set 32 ​​included therein (corresponding to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). Obviously, the first or second column of the entirety of the distance data set 32 ​​without the name of the switchboard 12—in each case without a possible index—corresponds to the fire detector sequence 34, so that this fire detector can also be directly extracted from the entirety of the distance data set 32 ​​without a special entry.

[0092] Note: To better understand the description presented here, it should be noted that the terms "spacing" and "distance" are used with care. Both terms refer to spacing. The term "spacing" relates to data that can be traced directly or indirectly to a plan view. The term "distance" relates to data that can be traced directly or indirectly to measurements along the transmission line 14. Spacing (spacing information) is derived from the first database 20 and the spacing data set 22 in a computer-readable and automatically processable form. Distance (distance information) is derived—based on previous corresponding measurements—from the second database 30 and the distance data set 32 ​​in a likewise computer-readable and automatically processable form.

[0093] The spacing information from the first database 20 represents, to a certain extent, “straight-line distance.” The distance information from the second database 30 represents the distance along the transmission line 14 .

[0094] Each distance data set 32 ​​includes at least the determined distance. Optionally, each distance data set 32 ​​includes the device from which the distance measurement was made ("initial device") and / or the device to which the distance was determined ("end device"). Therefore, the above row can be regarded as an example of a distance data set 32 ​​having the structure "initial device, end device, distance" (or the optional structure "index, initial device, end device, distance") and its content. Figure 2 In the diagram in FIG, a single distance data set 32 ​​is symbolically shown. Generally and using the terminology introduced above, the content of the distance data set 32 ​​can be formed as follows:

[0095] Initial device -> terminal device: distance,

[0096] The information about the initial and / or terminal device is, in principle, optional data.

[0097] In one embodiment of the method proposed here, all distances along the transmission line 14 are first determined and stored in a second database 30 using corresponding distance data sets 32. In an alternative embodiment of the method proposed here, the distances are determined individually as required, for example, only a single distance is determined in each case. The second database 30 then includes only a distance data set 32 ​​for the respective newly determined distance or each respective newly determined distance, or a distance data set 32 ​​for the respective newly determined distance or each respective newly determined distance as well as distance data sets 32 for all previously determined distances.

[0098] For easier readability of the following description, it is assumed that the second database 30 is present in a form that includes a distance data set 32 ​​for each distance measured along the transmission line 14. The distance data sets 32 are present in the second database 30 in the form of a table, list, or the like, such that the individual distance data sets 32 can be accessed sequentially and in the order of the distances measured along the transmission line 14. That is, the distance data set 32 ​​containing the distance from the switchboard 12 to the first fire detector 10 is the first distance data set 32; the distance data set 32 ​​containing the distance from the first fire detector 10 to the next fire detector 10 is the second distance data set 32, and so on. Thus, the fire detector sequence 34 can also be implicitly derived from this sequence, on the one hand, and from the distance data sets 32, on the other hand. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other forms of storage of the distance data sets 32 are also conceivable that also allow access in the order of the distances measured along the transmission line 14, such as access via a lookup table that contains, for example, the addresses of the distance data sets 32 in an ordered form.

[0099] Figure 4 The diagram in FIG shows a graph 40. This graph 40 is automatically generated according to the scheme proposed here for identifying fire detectors 10 and within the framework of the method proposed here. The root of the graph 40 represents the switchboard 12. The nodes in the graph 40 represent fire detectors 10 connected to the switchboard 12 by means of transmission lines 14. Figure 4 The diagram 40 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The floor plan and Figure 2 FIG40 shows a fire alarm system and the fire detectors 10 therein.

[0100] At the beginning of the method, a node representing the switchboard 12 is created in the graph 40. This node receives a symbolic name that can also be used within the framework of the method, namely the symbolic name of the switchboard 12, namely the symbolic name "Z". This node forms the root of the graph 40.

[0101] The distances determined along the transmission line 14 are now taken into account starting from the central office 12 when automatically generating the graph 40. For this purpose, the second database 30 with the distance data sets 32 is processed in the order of the determined distances.

[0102] That is, the generation of the graph 40 begins with the first distance data set 32

[0103] Z->MA: 20m

[0104] and the distance indicated there ("20 m"; twenty meters); it should be noted that the information about the initial device ("Z") and about the terminal device ("MA") in the distance data set 32 ​​is optional information. Figure 4 In the illustration in , this is laterally indicated by “1.” for the first search in the distance data set 22 and also indicates the distance “20 m” taken into account in this search.

[0105] Now, using the distance from distance data set 32 ​​and the symbolic name of the node just created—that is, using the distance "20 m" or the name "Z"—a search is performed in first database 20 for a matching distance data set 22. A matching distance data set 22 is one that has the name "Z" as the name of the initial device and in which the distance specified therein is less than or equal to "20 m." The distance data set 22 determined during this search and subsequently processed is then deleted or at least marked so that it is not found again during a subsequent search.

[0106] In general, the search in the first database 20 and the distance data sets 22 therein can be written as follows: determine those distance data sets 22 which have a name corresponding to the name of the node just created in the graph 40 as the name of the initial device and in which, in the case of said distance data sets, the distance described there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the distance data set 32 ​​under consideration.

[0107] From the spacing data set 22 described above, in this first search (at Figure 4 In the diagram in FIG, the side is indicated by "1." and the distance "20 m" considered in this first search, the following data set (distance data set 22) is determined to be a match:

[0108] Z->M1: 15m.

[0109] Only the distance data set 22 has the name "Z" as the name of the original device and has a distance of less than or equal to "20 m".

[0110] Based on the distance data set 22 determined during the first search (in principle, based on each distance data set 22 determined during the first search), a node is created in the graph 40 for the terminal device specified therein. The new node or each new node receives the symbolic name of the terminal device of the corresponding distance data set 22, here "M1". The new node or each new node is connected to the node representing the switchboard 12 by means of an edge in the graph 40.

[0111] In the following text, once again for better readability of the following description, the nodes of the graph 40 are sometimes represented by the symbolic name of the device (fire detector 10 or switchboard 12) respectively represented. For example, a node representing a fire detector 10 with the symbolic name "M1" is referred to as "node M1" according to this convention. The same applies correspondingly to all other nodes, including the node representing the switchboard 12.

[0112] The search now begins with the second distance data set 32 ​​at the distance specified there ("10 m"; ten meters).

[0113] MA->MB: 10m,

[0114] and continue with the symbolic name of the node M1 just created ("M1"); Figure 4In the diagram in FIG, the distance "2." is indicated on the side and the distance "10 m" considered in this search is indicated (this applies correspondingly to the other searches described below). Here, as already described in principle above, those distance data sets 22 are now determined which have a name corresponding to the name of the node M1 just created, i.e. "M1", as the name of the initial device, and in which the distance specified therein is less than or equal to the distance specified in the considered distance data set 32, i.e. "10 m".

[0115] During this second search, based on the distance data set 22 described above, the following data sets (distance data sets 22) are determined to be matching:

[0116] M1->M2: 8m and

[0117] M1->M3: 6m.

[0118] Only these two distance data sets 22 have the name “M1” as the name of the original device and have a distance of less than or equal to “10 m”.

[0119] Based on each (or each) distance data set 22 determined during this second search, a node is created in graph 40 for each terminal device specified therein, i.e., a node with the symbolic name of the terminal device of the corresponding distance data set 22, here "M2" and "M3". Each new node—here, the new nodes M2 and M3—is connected to the node generated in the corresponding previous step—here, node M1—by an edge in graph 40.

[0120] If more than one new node is generated in graph 40 based on the search using distance dataset 32, each newly generated node expands a subtree of graph 40. Below, another method is further explained based on a node that is symbolically designated "M2" and is itself designated "M2" and a subtree that extends therefrom. Each subtree in graph 40—as well as other subtrees that are to be formed within the framework of this method—is treated in the same manner as that subtree.

[0121] The search now begins with the third distance data set 32 ​​of the distance indicated there ("3m"; three meters).

[0122] MB->MC: 3m,

[0123] And continue with the symbolic name of the node M2 ​​just created ("M2").

[0124] Again, as already described above, those distance data sets 22 are determined which have a name corresponding to the name of the node M2 ​​just created, i.e. "M2", as the name of the initial device, and in which, in the case of said distance data sets, the distance indicated there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the distance data set 32 ​​under consideration, i.e. "3m".

[0125] During this search, based on the distance data set 22 described above, the following data sets (distance data sets 22) are determined to be matching:

[0126] M2->M3: 2m.

[0127] Only the distance data set 22 has the name "M2" as the name of the original device and has a distance of less than or equal to "3 m".

[0128] Based on the (or each) distance data set 22 determined during this third search, a node, node M3, is created in graph 40 for the (or each) terminal device specified therein. The (or each) new node M3 is connected to the node generated in the corresponding previous step, here node M2, via an edge in graph 40.

[0129] The search now begins with the next (third) distance data set 32 ​​for the distance specified there ("10 m"; ten meters).

[0130] MC->MD: 10m,

[0131] And continue with the symbolic name of the node M3 just created ("M3").

[0132] Again, as already described above, among the remaining distance data sets 22, those distance data sets 22 are determined which have a name corresponding to the name of the node M3 just created, i.e. "M3", as the name of the initial device, and in the case of said distance data sets, the distance indicated there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the distance data set 32 ​​under consideration, i.e. "10m".

[0133] During this search, the following data sets are determined to be matching based on the remaining distance data sets 22:

[0134] M3->M4: 8m and

[0135] M3->M5: 5m.

[0136] Only these two distance data sets 22 have the name "M3" as the name of the original device and have a distance of less than or equal to "10 m".

[0137] Based on each (the or each) distance data set 22 determined during the search, a node (node ​​M4, node M5) is created in graph 40 for each (the or each) terminal device specified therein. Each (the or each) new node (here, M4, M5) is connected to the node generated in the corresponding previous step (here, node M3) by an edge in graph 40.

[0138] Here, nodes M4 and M5 again form the starting point of a new subtree, and the following description continues only along the subtree starting from node M4. As already described above, the other subtree can be processed later within the framework of the method or, if necessary, simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously in the same manner and continued in the same manner, if appropriate, with suitable processing hardware and software.

[0139] The search now begins with the next (fourth) distance data set 32 ​​with the distance specified there ("10 m"; ten meters).

[0140] MD->ME: 10m,

[0141] The process continues with the symbolic name of the newly created node M4 ("M4"). From the remaining distance data sets 22, those distance data sets 22 are determined that have the name of the newly created node M4, i.e., "M4," as the name of the initial device and in which the distance specified is less than or equal to the distance specified in the considered distance data set 32, i.e., "10 m."

[0142] The only matching spacing dataset 22 is dataset (spacing dataset 22)

[0143] M4->M5: 8m, and based on this, a node M5 is created in the graph 40 and connected to the previously generated node M4 by means of an edge.

[0144] The search continues in this way until either no more matching distance data sets 22 are found or the last distance data set 32 ​​has finally been considered. In the present example, this is the case for the last distance data set 32 ​​(ME->Z: 35 m) and the distance data set 22 found for it (M5->Z: 30 m), and a node representing switchboard Z is formed in the graph as a leaf of graph 40.

[0145] The results of the search and the nodes and edges generated respectively (illustrated by arrows pointing from one node to the next) are shown for the exemplary hypothetical case in Figure 4 is shown in the diagram in .

[0146] Only the subtree in the resulting graph 40 that originates from and ends at switchboard Z is considered for the identification of fire detectors 10. If the graph 40 only includes this subtree, identification is already unambiguous. The actual fire detectors 10 connected to the transmission line 14 can then be identified based on the names of the subtree nodes (Z, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, Z). These fire detectors 10 are symbolically represented above as MA, MB, MC, MD, and ME, and the order of the identifiers also corresponds to the order along the transmission line. Based on the node identifiers and their order, the following correspondence applies: MA = M1, MB = M2, MC = M3, MD = M4, and ME = M5. This means that the fire detector 10 temporarily or symbolically represented by "MA" corresponds to the fire detector 10 symbolically represented by "M1" in the floor plan, and so on. All or selected or selectable data of the fire detectors 10 connected to the transmission line 14 can now be transferred to the floor plan data in a matching manner, for example, the serial number of the fire detector 10, the bus address of the fire detector 10, etc. Alternatively, the selected or selectable data created for these fire detectors 10 in the floor plan can also be transferred to the actual fire detectors 10 connected to the transmission line 14 and loaded there into the memory of the fire detector 10.

[0147] If after completing the described method more than one possible solution is obtained ( Figure 4 : Z, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, Z; Z, M1, M3, M2, M4, M5, Z), i.e. if there is ambiguity in the graph 40 in the form of more than one path starting from and ending at switchboard Z - as is the case in particular in symmetric topologies, the actually correct solution, i.e. the subtree actually to be considered, is determined by elimination.

[0148] To this end, at least one fire detector 10 is determined, the unique representation of which can resolve the ambiguity. To this end, a reduced graph 42 is optionally generated from the graph 40. The reduced graph 42 is formed by removing from the original graph 40 all subtrees that do not start and end at the switchboard Z. Figure 5 The diagram in the figure shows the Figure 4The resulting reduced graph 42 in this respect is the graph 40 in the original. Consequently, only the subtree (path) describing the possible solutions to the problem situation is retained in the reduced graph 42. The method can also be continued with the original graph 40, i.e., only the complete path there (starting and ending at switchboard Z) is considered. The original graph 40 includes the reduced graph 42. Thus, the original graph 40 also includes all the data described below with reference to the reduced graph 42. For better readability, the following description continues based on the reduced graph 42—but without sacrificing further general validity.

[0149] After the reduced graph 42 has been generated, the first level of the remaining subtrees below the root Z is first checked in this reduced graph. It is determined whether at least one node occurs exactly once in this level. If this is not the case, as is the case in the present case, the next level is selected and also checked, and so on, until a level is found in which at least one node occurs exactly once.

[0150] In the simple example shown, this situation exists at the second level of the reduced graph 42. There are nodes M2 and M3 (in Figure 4 (as highlighted in the diagram above). Each of these two nodes appears only once in this layer. That is, each of these nodes satisfies the above condition.

[0151] In a subsequent method step, the correct subtree is determined within the reduced image 42 (and within the base image 40) by manually triggering exactly one real fire detector 10, thereby resolving the ambiguity. Activation of a fire detector 10 is understood to mean triggering the fire detector 10, which causes the fire detector 10 to transmit a signal via the transmission line 14 and to the switchboard 12. This triggering can be an operator action at the corresponding fire detector 10, such as pressing a button at the fire detector 10, or triggering with the aid of a test gas, a detector tester, or the like. This triggering is performed by the user of the method presented here. The fire detector 10 to be triggered is specified to the user within the framework of the method and is displayed, for example, on a display unit of the device used to implement the method.

[0152] According to Figure 1 and Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 In the case shown in the diagram in , either node M2 ​​or node M3 may correspond to the fire detector 10 having the name (or address) “MB”.

[0153] If, for example, a fire detector 10, now symbolically indicated in the plan view by "M2", is manually triggered, the central control 12 receives information about this triggering in a manner known per se. This feedback to the central control 12 is the basis for resolving ambiguities.

[0154] A specific manual triggering of precisely this fire detector 10 (and thereby also of each other fire detector 10) is possible because the position (installation location) of the fire detector 10 with this symbolic name (and thereby also the position of each other fire detector 10) is known based on the floor plan data.

[0155] The above-mentioned feedback based on the manual triggering of exactly one fire detector 10 includes a unique identifier of the triggered fire detector 10 , i.e., an identifier that is unique within the framework of the protocol for data transmission along the transmission line 14 , for example, the bus address of the triggered fire detector 10 .

[0156] To resolve the ambiguity, in a first step, one of the nodes in the previously determined layer of the graph 42 is automatically selected. This selected node would be, for example, node M2. When a fire detector 10 located at the installation location provided according to the floor plan for the fire detector 10 with the designation M2 is manually triggered, the switchboard 14 receives the response "MB." This response matches the designation "MB" at the second position in the fire detector sequence 34, and the underlying search in the fire detector sequence 34 that led to this result is the second step in resolving the ambiguity.

[0157] In the third step, the reduced graph 42 is now searched for a matching path using the triggered fire detector M2 and the intermediate result "second position of the connection sequence." Each path or subtree remaining in the reduced graph 42—reduced by the node representing the switchboard Z—is a potential connection sequence 44, 46. In the example shown, there is a first potential connection sequence 44 and a second potential connection sequence 46. That is, the reduced graph 42 includes a set of potential connection sequences 44, 46, from which exactly one connection sequence 44, 46 is selected to resolve ambiguity.

[0158] Specifically, in the third step, potential connection sequences 44 and 46 are considered, and the positions according to the intermediate results are considered there. Only in the case of the first potential connection sequence 44 is node M2 ​​in the position to be considered according to the intermediate result ("the second position in the connection sequence"). In other words, the first potential connection sequence 44 is the actual connection sequence, and the ambiguity is resolved.

[0159] On the other hand, if in the first step node M3 (on the same level of the graph 42) is selected instead of node M2, the following situation results: when the fire detector 10 that is located in the installation position provided according to the floor plan for the fire detector 10 with this name is manually triggered, the switchboard 14 receives the feedback "MC". This feedback matches the name "MC" at the third position in the fire detector sequence 34. That is, the intermediate step after the first step is here: "third position of the connection sequence". In the third step, the potential connection sequences 44 and 46 are considered and the positions according to the intermediate results are considered there respectively. Only in the case of the first potential connection sequence 44 is the node M3 in the position to be considered according to the intermediate result ("third position of the connection sequence"). Here again, the first potential connection sequence 44 is identified as the actual connection sequence and the ambiguity is also resolved.

[0160] Note: If the names used within the framework of the method, i.e. here the names "MA", "MB", etc., do not correspond to the names reported to the switchboard 12 when the fire detector 10 is manually triggered, then one or more lookup tables, etc. are required for an unambiguous assignment in a manner that is in principle known per se, which include, on the one hand, the names that can be expected as feedback and the names used within the framework of the method and encode an unambiguous relationship between the two.

[0161] In general, the resolution of possible ambiguities comprises the following steps: when a node that appears exactly once on a layer of the reduced graph 42 is automatically identified and the node is also automatically selected, the fire detector 10 associated with the floor plan is manually triggered (first step). The triggered fire detector 10 sends a feedback. This feedback is searched in the fire detector sequence 34 (second step). The position of the name corresponding to the feedback in the fire detector sequence 34 is the intermediate result. Now, the potential connection sequence 44, 46 is checked with respect to the selected node at the position according to the intermediate result (third step). The potential connection sequence 44, 46 that has the node selected in the first step at the position according to the intermediate result is the actual connection sequence.

[0162] Using the actual connection sequence found (either based on exactly one complete path in the graph 40 or after resolving ambiguities in multiple complete paths), an assignment of fire detectors 34 to the actual connection sequence is determined. Based on this assignment, an assignment of the respectively represented fire detectors 10 is then determined—all automatically. Thus, in the example shown, the following assignments are obtained: "M1" corresponds to "MA"; "M2" corresponds to "MB"; "M3" corresponds to "MC"; "M4" corresponds to "MD"; ​​and "M5" corresponds to "ME". These determined assignments can also be abbreviated as "M1=MA," and so on.

[0163] In this way, all fire detectors 10 included in the fire alarm system are identified continuously and automatically, with the possible exception of manual triggering of exactly one fire detector 10 in the event of ambiguity resolution, in such a way that there is now a unique correspondence between the actual fire detector 10 reflected by the corresponding name (e.g. bus address) and the name of the fire detector 10 provided according to the floor plan.

[0164] at last, Figure 6 The diagram in FIG shows a computer program 50 in a highly schematically simplified form. The computer program instructions contained in this computer program 50, when executed by a computer, result in the implementation of the method presented herein, optionally using a single or multiple advantageous embodiments. The fire alarm system's switchboard 12 or one of a plurality of switchboards is considered the executing computer. The switchboard has direct or indirect access to the floor plan data. Computers connected to the fire alarm system, etc., are also considered computers, as mentioned at the outset. Such devices—not shown—are connected, for example, directly to the switchboard 12 or indirectly via a connection to a transmission line 14.

[0165] The computer program 50 comprises individual steps, each of which comprises at least one computer program instruction—not shown—and which form a functional unit within the framework of the method or at least belong to the same functional entity.

[0166] A first step 52 of the computer program 50 is to determine the distance dataset 22. A second step 54 of the computer program 50 is to determine the distance dataset 32 ​​and the fire detector sequence 34. A third step 56 of the computer program 50 is to generate the graphs 40, 42 based on the distance dataset 22 and the distance dataset 32 ​​and to determine a set of potential connection sequences 44, 46. The order of the first two steps 52, 54 can also be reversed. The first two steps 52, 54 can also be performed simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously—on different devices. Furthermore, the first two steps 52, 54 can be integrated into the third step 56.

[0167] A fourth step 58 of the computer program 50 is designed to determine potential connection sequences 44 , 46 that match the fire detector sequence 34 .

[0168] Finally, a fifth step 60 of the computer program 50 is provided for outputting, forwarding, or generally making available the correspondence resulting from the potential connection sequences 44, 46 determined to be matching. This correspondence consists in a correspondence between the names included in the fire detector sequence 34, on the one hand, and the determined connection sequences 44, 46, on the other hand, in their order within the fire detector sequence 34 or the determined connection sequences 44, 46. This means, for example, that the connection sequences and the names included therein, as well as the potential connection sequences 44, 46 determined to be matching and the names included therein, are outputted, forwarded, made available, etc., in a corresponding order.

[0169] In the fourth step 58, and within the framework of the determination of potential connection sequences 44, 46 that match the fire detector sequence 34, which is performed there, the fire detector 10 is manually activated, if necessary. Apart from this manual activation of the fire detector 10, all steps of the method, and therefore all steps 52-60 of the computer program 50, are executed automatically. The fire detector 10 to be manually activated is displayed to the user of the method. The determination of the fire detector 10 to be manually activated is also performed automatically (within the framework of the fourth step 58 of the computer program 50), and the display of the fire detector 10 to be manually activated is also performed automatically (also within the framework of the fourth step 58 of the computer program 50).

[0170] Although the present invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by way of embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed example or examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0171] The various key aspects of the present specification can be briefly summarized as follows: A method is described for automatically identifying fire alarm systems 10 connected to a transmission line 14 by evaluating so-called floor plan data and measuring along the transmission line 14. The fire alarm system includes a switchboard 12 and fire detectors 10 connected to the switchboard 12 via the transmission line 14 as devices, as well as the transmission line 14. The automatic identification of the fire detectors 10 is based on the spacing between the devices 10, 12 and the distances between the devices 10, 12. These spacings are present in the form of floor plan data or are determined within the scope of the method based on floor plan data. These distances are determined along the transmission line 14 using measurement technology, and within the scope of these measurements, a fire detector sequence 34 is determined. Using these spacings and distances, a graph 40, 42 is generated with a collection of potential connection sequences 44, 46. The fire detector sequence 34 and the or each potential connection sequence 44, 46 include names that respectively reflect the fire detectors 10 connected to the transmission line 14 or provided based on the floor plan data. From the set of potential connection sequences 44, 46, a potential connection sequence 44, 46 that matches the fire detector sequence 34 is determined. Based on the potential connection sequences 44, 46 determined to be matching, a correspondence is determined between the names included in the fire detector sequence 34 on the one hand and the determined connection sequences 44, 46 on the other hand, in their order within the fire detector sequence 34 or the determined connection sequences 44, 46. This determined correspondence is the identification of the fire detector 10.

Claims

1. A method for the automatic identification of fire detectors (10) in a fire alarm system and in a building, - wherein the fire alarm system comprises a switchboard (12) and fire detectors (10) connected to the switchboard (12) via transmission lines (14), wherein, The switchboard (12) and the fire detector (10) are devices, - wherein the fire alarm system comprises these devices (10, 12) and the transmission line (14), - wherein the automatic identification is based on the linear spacing between the devices (10, 12) on the one hand and on the line distance between the devices (10, 12) on the other hand, - the straight line spacing is present in the form of floor plan data or is determined within the framework of the method based on floor plan data, - the line distance is determined along the transmission line (14) by measurement technology, and the fire detector sequence (34) is determined based on the line distance, - wherein a graph of a set of potential connection sequences (44, 46) is generated by means of said straight line spacings and said line distances, - wherein the fire detector sequence (34) and the or each potential connection sequence (44, 46) include names reflecting the fire detectors (10) connected to the transmission line (14) or provided according to the floor plan data, respectively, - wherein from the set of potential connection sequences (44, 46), a potential connection sequence (44, 46) matching the fire detector sequence (34) is determined, - based on the potential connection sequences (44, 46) determined as matching, a correspondence is obtained between the names comprised by the fire detector sequence (34) on the one hand and the determined connection sequence (44, 46) on the other hand in their order within the fire detector sequence (34) or the determined connection sequence (44, 46), and - wherein the corresponding relationship is an identification of the fire detector (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, - wherein for each device (10, 12) of the fire alarm system there is a symbolic designation used within the scope of the method, - a distance data set (22) is present or is generated within the scope of the method, the distance data set comprising the symbolic names of two devices (10, 12) of the fire alarm system and the linear distance between the respective devices (10, 12), - wherein each distance data set (22) includes the names of the respective devices (10, 12) as initial and terminal devices, - wherein the line distances between the devices (10, 12) of the fire alarm system are determined along the transmission line (14) by measurement technology and the line distances are stored as a distance data set (32) in the order of the measurements along the transmission line (14), - wherein within the framework of the method a graph is generated based on the spacing data set (22) and the distance data set (32), and - wherein said graph comprises the or each potential connection sequence (44, 46).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, in order to generate the graph, in a first step a node representing the switchboard (12) is created in the graph and the node is represented by a symbolic name of the switchboard (12), - wherein the distance data sets are processed sequentially according to the order of the distance data sets (32), - wherein a distance dataset (22) is searched for a match with the name of the respectively considered distance dataset (32) and the last created node, wherein for each distance data set (22) found, a new node is created in the graph with the name of the target device of the corresponding distance data set (22) and the new node is connected to the node created in the previous step, - wherein the method continues with the processing of the distance data sets (32) in each case in a new step until all distance data sets (32) have been processed.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, - wherein the connection of the devices (10, 12) to the transmission line (14) defines a connection sequence and the fire detector sequence (34) is derived based on the connection sequence, - wherein a potential connection sequence (44, 46) matching the fire detector sequence (34) is determined from the set of potential connection sequences (44, 46) by: - manually triggering a fire detector (10) that appears exactly once on exactly one layer of a potential connection sequence (44, 46) in a plurality of potential connection sequences (44, 46), and searching for a name at a position in the fire detector sequence (34) indicated by a corresponding layer in the connection sequence (44, 46) that is fed back by the triggered fire detector (10) based on such triggering. 5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the line distance is determined by measurement in precisely one measuring direction.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the line distance is determined by measuring technology starting from the switchboard (12) at least partially in a first measuring direction and also starting from the switchboard (12) at least partially in a second measuring direction opposite to the first measuring direction, and wherein all fire detectors (10) as a whole are detected at least once using the measurements in the first measuring direction and the second measuring direction.

7. The method according to claim 6, - wherein during the distance measurement along the first measuring direction, the line distances between substantially the first half of the fire detectors (10) comprised by the fire alarm system are determined, and - determining the line distances between the fire detectors (10) comprised by the fire alarm system in the remaining second half during the distance measurement along the second measuring direction.

8. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a computer program (50), the computer program having computer program instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of method claims 1 to 7. 9 . A computer program product comprising instructions or electronically readable control signals which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to claim 1 .

10. A device having a memory and a processing unit, the device being designed and configured to function as a switchboard (12) in a fire alarm system, wherein a computer program (50) is loaded into the memory of the device and wherein the device executes the computer program (50) during operation, wherein: The computer program (50) comprises computer program instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of method claims 1 to 7.

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