Method for adjusting the brightness of a flashing light in a hazard detection system using a mobile device, as well as corresponding system and suitable mobile device

Abstract

Method for adjusting the brightness of a flashing light (41) of a hazard detection system, - wherein the brightness of a flash emitted by the flash lamp (41) is measured by means of an optical sensor (51) of a mobile device (5), and - where a setting value for the brightness of the flash lamp (41) is adjusted based on measurement results from the mobile device (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for adjusting the brightness of a flashing light of a hazard warning system according to claim 1 and to a mobile device according to claim 24 which is designed to carry out the method.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for adjusting the brightness of a flashing light of a hazard warning system according to claim 16. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The communication of a mobile device with a control center of a hazard alarm system is known, for example, from US 2013 / 0 285 808 A1. The control center is connected to a plurality of alarm devices, in particular to a plurality of alarm flashing lights, via a first communication interface. The control center is also wirelessly connected to a mobile communication terminal, such as a smartphone, via a second communication interface. Using the mobile communication terminal, a user can configure a selected alarm flashing light, such as the brightness value (candela) of the alarm flashing light. The brightness value set for the selected alarm flashing light is then transmitted from the mobile communication terminal to the control center, where it is updated in a configuration memory of the control center.

[0004] US 2010 / 0 315 224 A1 discloses an alarm device with a self-test function, such as an alarm flashing light and / or an acoustic alarm device (sounder). The alarm device is configured to control a light emitter of the alarm device, such as an LED or a xenon lamp, in response to a control signal from the fire alarm control panel, measure the light level using a photodiode of the alarm device, and output a verification signal to a controller of the alarm device in order to adjust the light level to meet a mandatory standard by changing the control of the light emitter.The alarm device can also be configured to control a loudspeaker of the alarm device in response to a control signal, to measure the sound pressure level using a microphone of the alarm device and to output a verification signal to the controller of the alarm device in order to adjust the sound pressure level to meet a binding standard for this purpose by changing the control of the loudspeaker.

[0005] US 2016 / 0 343 242 A1 describes a system and method for self-administering a sound check to check the operation of a loudspeaker and / or an alarm within a hazard detection system. The hazard detection system is, in particular, a "smart" multi-criteria fire detector. The sound check can be used to check whether the acoustic sources, such as the alarm and the loudspeaker, are operating at the required volume and frequencies. Furthermore, the sound check can be carried out in a self-administered manner, as it does not require the presence of a person to trigger or check the proper functioning of the acoustic sources. The scheduling of the sound check can be done using a smartphone. In one embodiment, the use of the smartphone's microphone for the sound check is described instead of the microphone of the hazard detection system.For this purpose, the hazard detection system, i.e. the smart fire detector, establishes communication with the smartphone, e.g. via Bluetooth, and instructs it to listen to and evaluate sound signals emitted by the loudspeaker and / or buzzer in order to determine whether the sound check has been passed.

[0006] US 2013 / 0 076 506 A1 discloses a glass break detector that can be tested using a smartphone and a downloaded test application. The recommended test procedure can be performed by interacting with the smartphone and the test application. The smartphone can emit a selected audio test signal to which the glass break detector responds. This has the advantage that the installer does not have to read a test procedure from a manual or use a special test tool.

[0007] US 2013 / 0 221 852 A1 describes a mobile application that allows a user to configure an LED-based lamp. The LED-based lamp has the ability to tune color spectra and calibrate color temperatures, brightness, and hue based on a color model. The mobile application can actively or passively send or schedule commands to activate the color adjustment and calibration process of the LED-based lamp. The mobile application can also receive status information about the LED-based lamp, including fault detection, estimated lifetime, temperature, power consumption, or any combination thereof.

[0008] US 6,838,988 B2 discloses a cost-effective system for testing smoke detectors and determining and communicating their operating characteristics, which advantageously utilizes existing circuit components for a secondary communication function. In this arrangement, a weak RF alarm signal is transmitted from the smoke detector, which can be received within a radius of several meters around the detector. Preferably, the RF signal is generated by a pulsed input signal supplied to an existing coil as part of the circuit, which coil is used to generate and / or report alarm signals. A receiving arrangement is also disclosed, which can be mounted in the immediate vicinity of a triggered smoke detector to report its operating characteristics. These can then be analyzed to determine whether preventative maintenance is appropriate.

[0009] EP 3 091 517 A1 discloses an open scattered light smoke detector with a detection chamber located outside the detector for smoke detection. It comprises a light transmitter for emitting light, a spectrally tuned light receiver, and a connected control unit. The control unit is configured to repeatedly trigger the light transmitter with a pulsed signal sequence to emit corresponding light pulses, as well as to temporally evaluate a received signal sequence from the light receiver and to issue a fire alarm if the corresponding received signal strength exceeds a minimum value for the smoke concentration.According to the invention therein, the control unit is configured to switch the detector from a normal operating mode to a service mode if a phase angle determined by the detector between a transmitted and received signal sequence increases by a minimum angle value which, in terms of propagation time, corresponds to an increase in the optical path distance from the light transmitter to the light receiver of more than 6 m.

[0010] US 2012 / 0 286 946 A1 discloses a method for testing audio emergency alarm devices designed to alert the occupants of a building that an emergency condition requiring action has occurred. The method comprises manually or automatically activating a control panel to test an audio device, instructing the control panel to test the audio devices either individually, sequentially, or simultaneously, and generating a test signal for testing the devices, which test signal is sent to each audio device via a closed circuit or a radio frequency. The test signal causes each device to generate an audio signal, the level or frequency of which is measured by each device using a calibrated microphone and sent to a selected destination.

[0011] US 2016 / 0 225 251 A1 discloses a device for configuring a fire alarm system, which device comprises at least one smoke detector. Each smoke detector contains a sensor for measuring the value of a physical quantity in the vicinity of the sensor and for transmitting a signal representative of the value, as well as a smoke detector for detecting the presence of a fire based on the processing of the signal transmitted by the sensor. The device also comprises at least one transceiver for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicating the presence of a fire, and a portable communication terminal. The communication terminal contains a receiver for receiving the signal transmitted by the transmitter and a display for displaying a message representative of the signal received by the transmitter.A configurator on the communication terminal configures at least one parameter value for the processing performed by the smoke detector. The signal representative of the parameter value is then transmitted wirelessly to the transmitter / receiver.

[0012] US 2013 / 0 241 738 A1 discloses the use of a two-pole connector mounted in a detector base for detachably accommodating a hazard detector to set one of at least two operating modes of the hazard detector. An electrical characteristic value of the two-pole connector, in particular an ohmic resistance value, can be electrically read by an electronic control system of the hazard detector via two electrical contact pairs that are in contact with each other when the hazard detector is inserted.

[0013] In the draft of DIN EN 54-14 entitled “Fire alarm systems - Part 14: Guidelines for planning, design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance”, German version prEN 54-14:2011, the sound levels required for an acoustic alarm are specified in Chapter 6.6.2 “Acoustic alarms”.

[0014] Typically, a signal line or control line (2) is connected to a controller (1) or control unit (1, fire panel) of a hazard detection system, to which a plurality of alarm devices (4) can be connected. The alarm devices (4) are, for example, flashing lights (41, beacon, strobe light), acoustic signaling devices (42, sounder), or a combination thereof (43, sounder beacon). The alarm device (4) is controlled via this signal or control line (2), e.g., in the event of an alarm.

[0015] The candela values ​​currently available for optical alarms, generated by a single flash, are limited, leading to inefficient energy supply and / or inefficient layout within a building. The current standard (e.g., EN 54 / 23) requires a minimum brightness for the flash. The flash duration is typically in the range of 10 to 200 ms. However, more powerful flashing lights are also in use that exceed the requirements of the standard.

[0016] Today's flashing lights only allow a predefined number of selectable candela values. This leads to inefficient power supply and / or unnecessarily high system costs. SOLUTION TO THE TASK

[0017] The object of the invention is solved with regard to the method by the features of independent patent claim 1 and with regard to the system by the features of independent patent claim 16.

[0018] Advantages and embodiments of the invention, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0019] A prerequisite for the technical approach are addressable alarm devices, i.e. addressable flashing lights and addressable acoustic alarm devices. The setting of the alarm devices should be at least almost infinitely variable. This can also be done during operation, maintenance, or commissioning of the hazard alarm system. Standard smartphones (e.g., the iPhone from Apple or the Galaxy from Samsung) can be used, which already have an optical sensor and can be used by a user (service technician) to measure the ambient brightness. The smartphones typically also have a microphone with which the sound pressure level of an acoustic signaling device can be measured. Corresponding "apps" for measuring brightness and sound pressure levels are already available as individual applications. The measurement takes place in the room (e.g.,Office) of a building where alarm devices are also installed to alert those present in the event of danger. This allows the brightness and / or sound pressure level to be adjusted locally via an internet connection on a smartphone. The smartphone is then connected to the "Fire Controller" of the alarm system via the internet connection. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION - A more flexible layout of the alarm system is possible, i.e. a more flexible positioning of the alarm devices in a building room. - System costs are reduced, meaning fewer alarm devices and power supply units can be used. The power supply units may also have lower electrical power and are therefore more cost-effective. - Fewer types of flashing lights and acoustic signaling devices are required, as these offer a wider, particularly continuous, adjustment range for a candela or lumen value, or for a sound pressure level. "Continuous" means that a multitude of settings, at least 16, and especially at least 32, are available for adjustment. The maximum number of settings can be 128 or 256, for example. FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0020] The invention and advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained using the following figures as examples. They show: Fig. 1 shows an example of a room 3 in a building with several alarm devices 4 connected to a signal line 2. 41 denotes flashing lights, 42 acoustic signaling devices, and 43 a combination of both. In the center of room 3, a smartphone 5 is shown for adjusting the brightness and / or sound pressure level of the alarm devices 4. The smartphone 5 is connected to a control unit 1 or fire controller of the hazard alarm system via an internet connection 6 and has an optical sensor 51 and a microphone 52.

[0021] The analysis of the measurement results from the smartphone 5 can be carried out, for example, by the Fire Controller 1 or by a suitable “app” that is loaded on the smartphone 5.

[0022] The Fire Controller 1 can also be implemented as a cloud application running in a cloud infrastructure.

[0023] Fig.2 shows a flowchart of the method according to the invention for adjusting the brightness and the sound pressure level.

Claims

[1] Method for adjusting the brightness of a flashing light (41) of a hazard warning system, - wherein the brightness of a flash emitted by the flashlight (41) is measured by means of an optical sensor (51) of a mobile device (5), and - wherein a setting value for the brightness of the flash light (41) is adjusted based on measurement results of the mobile device (5). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the setting value for the brightness is accomplished by a software program (APP) which is installed and executed on the mobile device (5). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting value for the brightness is transmitted directly from the mobile device (5) to the flash light (41). [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mobile device (5) is a mobile communication terminal, in particular a smartphone, wherein the software program (APP) is in particular an app downloadable via the Internet (6) and wherein the optical sensor (51) is in particular a brightness sensor or a camera of the smartphone. [5] Method according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein measured values ​​for brightness acquired by the mobile device (3) are transmitted to an embedded control device (1) for fire detection, to a PC-based control device (1) for fire detection or to a cloud-based controller (6) for fire detection, and wherein the embedded control device (1) for fire detection, the PC-based control device (1) for fire detection or the cloud-based controller (6) adjusts the setting value for brightness based on the measured values ​​for brightness received from the mobile device (5). [6] Method according to claim 5, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the transmission of the measured values ​​and the setting value for the brightness takes place wirelessly, in particular via a mobile telecommunications network, via WLAN or via Bluetooth. [7] Method according to claim 5, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the transmission of the measured values ​​and the setting value for the brightness takes place wirelessly, in particular via a mobile telecommunications network, via WLAN or via Bluetooth, to the embedded control device (1) for fire detection, to the PC-based control device (1) for fire detection or to the cloud-based control (6) for fire detection. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein measurement values ​​for the brightness are recorded by the mobile device (5) preferably at a predetermined distance from the flashing light (41) to be adjusted and in a room in which the flashing light (41) is mounted for intended use. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein, in addition to adjusting the brightness of the flashing light (41), a sound pressure level of a signal tone emitted by an acoustic signal generator (42) of a hazard warning system is measured by means of a microphone (52) of the mobile device (5), and - wherein a setting value for the sound pressure level of the acoustic signal generator (42) is adjusted based on measurement results of the mobile device (5). [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment of the setting value for the sound pressure level is accomplished by a software program (APP) which is installed and executed on the mobile device (5). [11] Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the setting value for the sound pressure level is transmitted directly from the mobile device (5) to the acoustic signal generator (42). [12] The method according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein measured values ​​for the sound pressure level acquired by the mobile device (5) are transmitted to an embedded control unit (1) for fire detection, to a PC-based control unit (1) for fire detection or to a cloud-based controller (6) for fire detection, and wherein the embedded control unit (1) for fire detection, the PC-based control unit (1) for fire detection or the cloud-based controller (6) for fire detection adjusts the setting value for the sound pressure level based on the measured values ​​for the sound pressure level received from the mobile device (5). [13] Method according to claim 12, when dependent on claim 11, wherein the transmission of the measured values ​​and the setting value for the sound pressure level takes place wirelessly, in particular via a mobile telecommunications network, via WLAN or via Bluetooth. [14] Method according to claim 12, when dependent on claim 11, wherein the transmission of the measured values ​​and the setting value for the sound pressure level takes place wirelessly, in particular via a mobile telecommunications network, via WLAN or via Bluetooth, to the embedded control unit (1) for fire detection, to the PC-based control unit (1) for fire detection or to the cloud-based control unit (6) for fire detection. [15] Method according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the acquisition of measured values ​​for the sound pressure level by the mobile device (5) preferably takes place at a predetermined distance from the acoustic signal generator (42) to be adjusted and in a room in which the acoustic signal generator (42) is mounted for intended use. [16] System for adjusting the brightness of a flashing light (41) of a hazard warning system, which comprises - an optical sensor (51) of a mobile device (5) for detecting the brightness of a flash emitted by the flashlight (41), and - means for adjusting a setting value for the brightness of the flash light (41) based on measurement results from the optical sensor (51) of the mobile device (5). [17] System according to claim 16, wherein the adjustment of the brightness setting value is accomplished by a software program (APP) on the mobile device (5). [18] System according to claim 16 or 17, the setting value for the brightness can be transmitted directly from the mobile device (5) to the flash light (41). [19] System according to one of claims 16, 17 or 18, wherein the mobile device (5) for detecting measured values ​​for the brightness by the mobile device (5) is arranged and aligned at a predetermined distance from the flashing light (41) to be adjusted. [20] System according to one of the preceding claims 16 to 19, which further comprises - a microphone (52) of the mobile device (5) for detecting a sound pressure level of a signal tone emitted by an acoustic signal generator (42), and - means for adjusting a setting value for the sound pressure level of the acoustic signal generator (42) based on measurement results from the microphone (52) of the mobile device (5). [21] System according to claim 20, wherein the adjustment of the setting value for the sound pressure level can be accomplished by a software program (APP) on the mobile device (5). [22] System according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the setting value for the sound pressure level can be transmitted directly from the mobile device (5) to the acoustic signal generator (42). [23] System according to one of claims 20, 21 or 22, wherein the mobile device (5) for detecting measured values ​​for the sound pressure level by the mobile device (5) is arranged and aligned at a predetermined distance from the acoustic signal generator (42) to be adjusted. [24] Mobile device (5), in particular a smartphone or mobile communication terminal, configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15.

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