Signaling device for an alarm system, alarm system and method for operating the signaling device

Abstract

Signaling device (1) for an alarm system (2), with a signal transmitter (3) for outputting a warning signal (6) into an environment of the signaling device (1), with a control device (4) for controlling the signal transmitter (3), and with an activation interface (5) for receiving an activation signal for synchronizing the control device (4), wherein the activation interface (5) is configured to receive the indicator signal (6) from a signal transmitter (3) other than the activation signal, wherein the signaling device (1) is synchronized to the other signaling device (3) in response to the reception of the indicator signal (6) from the other signaling device (3). and with a release interface (8) for receiving a release signal, wherein the control device (4) is configured to release the signaling device (1) in response to the release signal, in order to control and / or trigger the signal transmitter (3) when the release signal and the activation signal are present, such that synchronized indicator signals (6) are output.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a signaling device for an alarm system, comprising a signal transmitter for outputting a warning signal to the vicinity of the signaling device, a control unit for controlling the signal transmitter, and an activation interface for receiving an activation signal to trigger and / or synchronize the control unit. The invention also relates to an alarm system with the signaling device and a method for its operation.

[0002] Alarm systems in buildings or other environments serve to alert people to special events, particularly hazards. For example, fire alarm systems typically have visual signaling devices that, when triggered, alert people in a building to a dangerous situation through visual signals. The aim is to prompt people to leave the building via the escape routes. Common designs of visual signaling devices use flashing lamps that emit a very short but very intense pulse of light into the surrounding area. To ensure that the alarm is triggered across the entire alarm area, several visual signaling devices are usually used, with overlapping detection zones.

[0003] Such an optical external signal transmitter is described, for example, in the publication DE 196 322 87 B4.

[0004] For the basic function of the signal transmitter, it is sufficient to apply an activation signal or a supply voltage to the signal transmitter via a connecting line, which then flashes with a preset time rhythm, e.g. with about one light pulse per second.

[0005] However, a problem can arise if component tolerances cause the flashing frequency of different signaling devices to vary or shift over time, meaning that a person in the alarm zone would perceive different light pulses from different directions at slightly staggered times. This shift in the light pulses relative to each other is not only unpleasant but, in the worst case, can lead to confusion among people in the alarm zone.

[0006] Document US 5 886 620 A, which probably represents the closest state of the art, therefore proposes an alarm system in which a synchronization pulse is transmitted via a common power supply line, so that the optical signal transmitters are triggered or activated simultaneously.

[0007] US Patent 5,760,686 A discloses a device and a method for detecting and signaling when a vehicle enters a construction zone or when there is a risk of entering a work zone on the roadway. Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The invention proposes a signaling device for an alarm system with the features of claim 1, an alarm system with the features of claim 6, and a method for operating the signaling device and / or the alarm system with the features of claim 8. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying figures.

[0009] According to the invention, a signaling device for an alarm system is proposed. In preferred embodiments, the alarm system comprises an alarm control panel and a bus system via which the alarm control panel is connected and / or connectable to at least one signaling device. In particular, the signaling device is designed as a component of the alarm system. Specifically, the signaling device and the alarm control panel are components in a common communication system. From a structural perspective, the signaling device is preferably implemented as a ceiling- or wall-mountable device.

[0010] The signaling device comprises a signal transmitter designed to output a warning signal to the surrounding area. In particular, the warning signal is transmitted wirelessly. Preferably, the warning signal is designed so that it can be perceived by a person without any additional aids. The warning signal can be, for example, visual, acoustic, or haptic. In particular, the warning signal is designed so that it can be transmitted to the person over a distance of more than 2 m, preferably over a distance of more than 5 m.

[0011] The signaling device further includes a control unit which is designed to control, in particular to activate, the signal transmitter so that it outputs the warning signal.

[0012] Furthermore, the signaling device features an activation interface for receiving an activation signal to trigger and / or synchronize the control device. In its most general form, the activation signal can be a release signal, a synchronization signal, or a trigger signal.

[0013] Within the scope of the invention, it is proposed that the activation interface is designed to receive a warning signal from a different signal transmitter, in particular from a different signaling device, than the activation signal.

[0014] In contrast to signaling devices of the known prior art, the invention uses the warning signal as an activation signal, which until now has been used exclusively for notifying people. The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the warning signal can be received by the signaling device from the environment and / or transmitted wirelessly, so that no further installation effort is necessary for transmitting the activation signal. In particular, it is proposed to synchronize signaling devices based on the warning signals.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the signaling device is designed as an optical signal transmitter for a fire alarm system. In this case, it is preferred that the optical signal transmitter is implemented as a flash lamp, in particular a so-called flash light or strobe. For receiving the warning signal from the environment, it is preferred that the activation interface has a light-sensitive sensor. In particular, the signaling device has a photoreceiver as the light-sensitive sensor, which receives the light from another signaling device located in the vicinity, designed as a flash lamp, which constitutes the activation signal.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the activation interface includes a detection means configured to recognize and / or filter out the indicator signal, so that only a signal verified by the detection means as an indicator signal is passed on to the control device as an activation signal. The detection means can, for example, be configured as an optical filter that only transmits light corresponding to the indicator signal. Alternatively or additionally, the detection means can perform a temporal analysis of the received signals and, for example, detect a sharp increase in light intensity due to a light pulse, thereby detecting or verifying the indicator signal.

[0017] In a possible practical implementation, the signaling device could be designed to receive the indicator signal from another signal transmitter via its activation interface and immediately transmit its own indicator signal. Since the circuitry for controlling the signal transmitter within the signaling device can be designed to be very fast, the time delay between receiving the indicator signal and transmitting its own indicator signal can be kept very short.

[0018] In particular, it is possible that the delay is less than 10 milliseconds. This transmission method of the activation signal is therefore sufficient to meet legal requirements for synchronization. For example, UL 1971 "signaling for the hearing impaired" requires that the interval between light pulses from different signal transmitters be no more than 10 milliseconds. In terms of the task at hand, simultaneity can therefore be assumed.

[0019] According to the invention, the signaling device has a release interface configured to receive a release signal, and the control unit is configured to release the signaling device in response to the release signal. This is based on the consideration that, to avoid false alarms, it may be advantageous for the signaling device to be first enabled, for example via a central alarm system, and only then triggered or synchronized by the activation signal.

[0020] For example, the enable signal could be a first condition and the activation signal a second condition for controlling the signal transmitter, so that the signal transmitter is controlled, specifically activated, when both conditions are met. If both conditions are present, synchronized indicator signals are output.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the signaling device is designed such that the input of an enable signal causes the control device to activate or trigger the signal transmitter, particularly at regular intervals, for example with an output frequency below 10 Hertz, especially at 1-2 Hertz. By applying the enable signal, the signaling device can thus be operated freely or unsynchronously, so that unsynchronized indicator signals are output.

[0022] In a further development, the signaling device can thus be configured to output synchronized and unsynchronized warning signals. To prevent the overly frequent output of warning signals, it is preferred that the control device includes a delay module configured to suppress activation of the signal transmitter for a predefined time interval. The predefined time interval is preferably shorter than the interval between warning signals at the output frequency. Particularly preferably, the predefined time interval is started with the output of a warning signal, or in special cases, only with the output of a synchronized signal. This further development is based on the consideration that the signaling device is passively switched for the predefined time interval and therefore cannot output either an unsynchronized or a synchronized warning signal.If an activation signal is present after the time interval, a synchronized indicator signal is output, and the delay module prevents the signal generator from being activated for a further time interval, thus preventing an unsynchronized indicator signal from being output. Conversely, if an unsynchronized indicator signal is output after the time interval, the delay module ensures that no further synchronized indicator signal is output in the subsequent time interval. The delay module thus also ensures that each signaling device maintains approximately the expected lighting rhythm, even in an unsynchronized state.

[0023] Another advantage of the signaling device is that the alarm system, especially the fire alarm system, can be easily expanded. If another signaling device is within the line of sight of the signaling device, it can also be activated using the indicator signal. By using the indicator signal as the activation signal, a large number of signaling devices located within each other's line of sight or range can be operated synchronously or quasi-synchronously. This synchronous operation prevents a person, regardless of their location within the alarm zone, from being influenced or confused by irregular light pulses from different directions.

[0024] A further aspect of the invention relates to a signaling system, in particular a fire alarm system, which comprises at least one signaling device, preferably a plurality of signaling devices according to one of the preceding claims or as previously described. In a preferred embodiment, the signaling system comprises a control panel configured to transmit an enable signal to the at least one signaling device.

[0025] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating the signaling device and / or the alarm system with the features of claim 8. In the method, it is provided that the signaling device is triggered and / or synchronized in response to the receipt of a warning signal from another signal transmitter.

[0026] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic block representation of a signaling device as a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an alarm system with the signaling device in the Fig. 1 as a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3. A top view of a building floor plan with distributed signaling devices according to the Fig. 1; Fig. 4. A temporal plot of the offset of lightning pulses and their synchronization by signaling devices according to the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2

[0027] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a signaling device 1, which is intended for use in a fire alarm system 2 ( Fig. 2) is suitable and / or designed. The signaling device 1 is designed as an optical signaling device which, in the event of an alarm, emits light pulses or flashes as warning signals into the surroundings to warn people in the vicinity. The signaling device 1 has a signal generator in the form of a flashing lamp 3, which is also referred to as a flash light or strobe in technical terms. The flashing lamp 3 allows the emission of a short but intense light pulse as a warning signal into the surroundings. The intensity of the light emission is deliberately high in order to underscore the impression of a dangerous situation in every case. As can be seen from the illustration in the Fig. 2 results in the signal device 1 having a cylindrical housing.

[0028] To control the flash lamp 3, the signaling device 1 includes a control unit 4, which in particular comprises the flash electronics and is configured to activate the flash lamp 3. To trigger the flash lamp 3 or to synchronize it with other signaling devices 1, the signaling device 1 has an activation interface 5, which is configured to receive a signal 6 from another signaling device 1 or another flash lamp 3 as an activation signal. For receiving the signal 6, the activation interface 5 includes, for example, a photosensitive element 7. In the illustrated example, the signal 6 is configured as another light pulse. In modified embodiments, the signal 6 can, for example, also be an acoustic signal, and the activation interface can include a microphone.

[0029] Optionally, the signaling device 1 includes a release interface 8, via which a release signal can be transmitted from a higher-level control system to the signaling device 1, which includes a general release for the transmission of a warning signal.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 2 shows, in a schematic block diagram, the fire alarm system 2, which has a plurality of signaling devices 1 according to the Fig. The system comprises a control unit 1 and a control center 9. The control center 9 can be either a staffed control unit or an automated control center 9, particularly in the form of a data processing unit. The signaling devices 1 are connected to the control center 9 via a bus 10, in particular a fieldbus or safety bus. Additional network components 11, such as interfaces, repeaters, or the like, may be interposed. Furthermore, other types of signaling devices, such as signs, sirens, etc., may also be connected to the bus 10. Alternatively, the control center 9 and the signaling devices 1 can be directly wired to each other.

[0031] In the event of an alarm, a release signal is transmitted from the alarm control panel 9 to the signaling devices 1 via bus 10. Further synchronization or triggering between them is carried out via the warning signals 6 emitted by the signaling devices 1, which can be received via the activation interfaces 5.

[0032] In the Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a building floor plan with a plurality of signal devices 1, illustrating that the warning signals 6 can be transmitted to each signal device 1, if necessary, via wall reflections. No particularly high requirements are placed on the spatial distribution of the signal devices 1.

[0033] The Fig.Figure 4 shows the time offset of lightning pulses from three different signaling devices 1a, 1b, and 1c to illustrate the operation of the fire alarm system 2 and the signaling devices 1. The control panel 9 activates the respective signaling devices 1 by means of an enable signal transmitted via bus 10 to the enable interface 8. All signaling devices emit a lightning pulse 12 in response to the enable signal. Due to propagation delays and other switching times, the lightning pulses 12 exhibit a slight time offset, which is negligible for human perception. Activation via the activation interface 5 is not yet effective at the beginning because, when the first signaling device 1a is triggered, the enable signal, which is not yet available at the other signaling devices 1b and 1c due to the electrical propagation delays, prevents triggering.

[0034] The control unit 4 now begins to regularly trigger a warning signal 6, typically at intervals of 1 to 2 seconds. The first signaling device 1, which is triggered again due to the different tolerances – in this case, signaling device 1c – then emits another warning signal 6 in the form of a flash pulse 12. This flash pulse 12 triggers the other signaling devices 1a and 1b within the optical range of signaling device 1c via the activation interface 5, causing them to be triggered almost simultaneously. Further signaling devices within the optical range of signaling devices 1a and 1b are also triggered by the resulting transmission chain. Due to the very short switching times, it appears as if all signaling devices have been triggered simultaneously.The process now repeats periodically with the period of signal device 1 with the shortest running internal timer.

[0035] It is also advantageous that, if further signaling devices 1 are to be added due to another alarm event, these only require the release signal and are automatically included in the synchronization after a flash period.

[0036] To prevent false triggering by other light sources or interference, technical measures can be employed. For example, an electrical edge filter, such as a high-pass filter with a suitable slope, can be used to react only to the characteristic edge of a flash lamp pulse. Evaluating characteristic optical signatures in the flash signal to prevent false triggering is also a viable option. Furthermore, triggering another flash after an initial flash can be prevented for a certain period until a minimum time has elapsed before another flash can be enabled. This time can be slightly shorter than the smallest permissible flash sequence interval.

Claims

[1] Signaling device (1) for an alarm system (2), with a signal transmitter (3) for outputting a warning signal (6) into an environment of the signaling device (1), with a control device (4) for controlling the signal transmitter (3), and with an activation interface (5) for receiving an activation signal for synchronizing the control device (4), wherein the activation interface (5) is configured to receive the indicator signal (6) from a signal transmitter (3) other than the activation signal, wherein the signaling device (1) is synchronized to the other signaling device (3) in response to the reception of the indicator signal (6) from the other signaling device (3). and with a release interface (8) for receiving a release signal, wherein the control device (4) is configured to release the signaling device (1) in response to the release signal, in order to control and / or trigger the signal transmitter (3) when the release signal and the activation signal are present, such that synchronized indicator signals (6) are output. [2] Signaling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the signaling device (1) is preferably designed with an optical signal transmitter (3) for a fire alarm system. [3] Signaling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the activation interface (5) has a light-sensitive sensor (7) designed to receive the optical cue signal (6) from the other signal transmitter (3). [4] Signaling device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the activation interface (5) has a detection means which is designed to detect and / or filter out the indicator signal (6). [5] Signaling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control device (4) has a delay module which is designed to prevent the control of the signal transmitter (3) for a predefinable time interval. [6] Alarm system (2), in particular fire alarm system, characterized by at least one signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Alarm system (2) according to claim 6, characterized by a signaling center (9), wherein the signaling center (9) is designed to transmit at least one signaling device (1) the release signal. [8] Method for operating the signaling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or the alarm system (2) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by, that the signaling device (1) is triggered and / or synchronized in response to the reception of the cue signal (6) from the other signal transmitter (3). [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by , that further signaling devices (1) are triggered and / or synchronized by transmitting the indicator signal (6) from the signaling device (1).

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