METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF FIRE DETECTORS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the automatic identification of fire detectors in a fire alarm system. The fire detectors are connected to a bus line. The bus line is connected to a central unit (fire alarm control panel), hereinafter referred to as the control panel. Such a central unit is often also called a panel in technical terminology. The bus line is connected to the control panel as a ring. The bus line thus originates at and terminates at the control panel. Data and / or power transmission via the bus line from the control panel is possible in either direction. In this way, if the bus line fails, data and / or power transmission from the control panel to the two segments of the bus line resulting from the failure can occur. The bus line is hereinafter referred to as the transmission line.Due to its ring-shaped topology (assuming no fault occurs), the transmission line is a ring-shaped transmission line. Branch lines can extend from it.

[0002] German patent DE 40 38 992 C1 discloses a method for the automatic assignment of detector addresses in a fire alarm system with a central unit and at least one connected primary alarm line, on which several fire alarms, each comprising at least one transmission device, a measured value memory, an address memory, a voltage measuring device, and a switch, are arranged. In a first phase, the central unit applies a quiescent voltage to the line, thereby energizing the detectors. In a second phase, a short-circuit voltage is applied to the line, causing all detectors with empty address memories to short-circuit the line via the switch. In a third phase, a measuring current is applied to the line, and the voltage drop across the first detector with the switch closed is measured by the voltage measuring device and stored in the measured value memory.In a fourth phase, a query voltage is applied to the line, which enables the detector, whose measured value memory is occupied but whose address memory is empty, to communicate and receive an address from the central unit, which it stores in its address memory.

[0003] European patent application EP 1 174 838 A1 discloses a method and a device for installing peripheral devices. The method is used to install peripheral devices at locations connected to a central processing unit. During installation, the installer's position is recorded along with the corresponding time information, and the central processing unit stores the time of installation of the peripheral device. The two time information pieces are combined to determine the location of the peripheral device at the time of installation. The device for carrying out this method comprises a mobile station equipped with means for determining the station's position and for recording this position as a function of time.Furthermore, means are provided for the timely notification of the installation of a peripheral device to the central unit, as well as means for linking the installation time with the position of the station at that time.

[0004] When installing fire detectors addressed for data and / or power transmission via the bus line, their technical identification must be assigned to their respective installation location. This technical identification includes, for example, the fire detector's bus address, serial number, hardware address, or similar information.

[0005] Today, such identification is achieved, for example, by tracking the sequence of fire detectors along the transmission line. However, this requires knowledge of the cable routing, i.e., the path of the transmission line. Another possibility is to trigger a fire detector, record these triggers including the identification of the triggered fire detector, and then assign them using specialized tools.

[0006] All currently known methods have in common that they require manual steps, which are time-consuming and prone to errors. Therefore, subsequent verification of the accuracy of such an identification is necessary. Depending on the method, this may require 100% test coverage.

[0007] Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a method for identifying fire detectors that can be carried out automatically.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by means of a method having the features of claim 1.

[0009] In the proposed method for the automatic identification of fire detectors in a fire alarm system and in a building, where the fire alarm system comprises a control panel, fire detectors connected to the control panel via a transmission ring, and the transmission ring itself, automatic identification is based on distances (straight-line distances) between the devices on the one hand, and cable lengths (hereinafter referred to as distances) between the devices on the other. The straight-line distances are, in particular, the shortest possible distances between any two devices. The distances, or straight-line distances, are available in the form of floor plan data or are determined based on floor plan data within the framework of the method.Line distances are determined using measurement techniques along the transmission ring line by means of resistance measurements when the fire detectors are sequentially connected to the transmission line.

[0010] The procedure is therefore based on the use of two technical information sources. The first information source is the floor plan and the data it contains. The second information source is a measurement along the transmission line, performed by the control center (and which is generally known in itself).

[0011] The floor plan, for example in the form of CAD data, includes the installation locations of the fire detectors and the control panel. Especially in new buildings, CAD plans of the building, a floor, or even just a room are almost always available today. These plans show the positions of the fire detectors and the control panel. Such data can be evaluated electronically and is evaluated electronically within the framework of the procedure proposed here.

[0012] During measurements along the transmission line, the control unit determines the line resistances (resistances of the transmission line) to each individual fire detector connected to the transmission line, based on the specific resistance of the transmission line and in a generally known manner. From this, it calculates the distances between any two adjacent fire detectors along the transmission line, as well as the distances between the control unit and the first fire detector along the transmission line, and between the control unit and the last fire detector along the transmission line. As part of this measurement, the control unit also determines the fire detector sequence, i.e., the order of the fire detectors along the transmission line.

[0013] The process generates a graph using the spacing and distances. This graph comprises a set of potential connection sequences. This set includes at least one potential connection sequence. The fire detector sequence, as well as each potential connection sequence, each includes labels. The labels of the fire detector sequence each refer to a fire detector connected to the transmission line. The labels of each potential connection sequence each refer to a fire detector specified in the floor plan data. Connecting the devices to the transmission line determines a connection sequence, and the fire detector sequence results from this connection sequence.From the set of potential connection sequences, the procedure identifies a potential connection sequence that matches the fire alarm sequence. This is achieved by manually triggering a fire alarm that appears exactly once at precisely one level within a plurality of potential connection sequences. The resulting designation reported by the triggered fire alarm is then located at the position in the fire alarm sequence designated by that level. Based on the potential connection sequence identified as suitable, the procedure results in a correspondence between the designations encompassed by the fire alarm sequence and the determined connection sequence, specifically in their order within the fire alarm sequence and the determined connection sequence, respectively.The determined correspondence represents the identification of the fire detectors sought by the procedure.

[0014] To conceptually verify whether the determined correspondence can be the intended identification of the fire detectors, the following must be considered: The determined connection sequence comprises the designations of the fire detectors in the distance data records, i.e., the designations of the fire detectors in the first data source. The first data source is the floor plan data, or the first data source is based on the floor plan data. The determined connection sequence therefore includes the designations of the fire detectors in the floor plan data. The fire detector sequence comprises the designations of the fire detectors in the distance data records. These designations are, for example, the bus addresses of the fire detectors or similar information. Therefore, due to the found correspondence between the fire detector sequence and the determined connection sequence, a unique assignment of the fire detectors specified in the floor plan to the fire detectors connected to the transmission line, and vice versa, is possible.This represents the intended identification of the fire detectors. Each fire detector connected to the transmission line is uniquely identified as exactly one of the fire detectors specified in the floor plan (and vice versa).

[0015] By assigning a symbolic label used in the floor plan to each fire detector, a clear relationship is established between the actual fire detectors and the floor plan data. This relationship allows access to further floor plan data beyond the symbolic label derived from the floor plan data.

[0016] The method is preferably implemented in the form of a computer program for automatic execution. The computer program is an implementation of the present method for the automatic identification of fire detectors. The invention is thus, on the one hand, a computer program with program code instructions executable by a computer, and on the other hand, a storage medium containing 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 loaded or loadable as a means of carrying out the method and its embodiments.

[0017] When procedural steps or sequences of procedural steps are described below, this refers to actions that are carried out by or under the control of the computer program, unless it is expressly stated that individual actions are initiated by a user of the computer program. At a minimum, any use of the term "automatically" means that the action in question is carried out by or under the control of the computer program.

[0018] Instead of a computer program with individual program code instructions, the method described here and below can also be implemented in the form of firmware. It is clear to those skilled in the art that, instead of implementing a method in software, it is always also possible to implement it in firmware, in firmware and software, or in firmware and hardware. Therefore, for the purposes of this description, the terms "software" and "computer program" should be understood to encompass other implementation possibilities, namely, in particular, implementation in firmware, in firmware and software, or in firmware and hardware.

[0019] The invention also includes a device designed and configured for carrying out the method. Such a device could be the control unit of the fire alarm system or one of several control units within a group. If the device used for carrying out the method is external and connected to the fire alarm system, either permanently or temporarily, the method includes the additional steps of transmitting the data collected by the control unit during the process to this device for further processing. Examples of such devices are an edge device or at least a device or group of devices in the cloud.

[0020] The respective device, in particular the control unit, comprises, for the execution of the method proposed here in a manner known per se, a processing unit in the form of or similar to a microprocessor, as well as a memory in which an implementation of the method is stored in software or an implementation is stored or imprinted in software and firmware. During operation, the control unit executes the method, for example, during the initial commissioning of a fire alarm system encompassing the control unit. For this purpose, the floor plan data is made available to the control unit in a manner known per se, for example, by allowing the control unit to access a memory containing this data, at least temporarily, via a network connection (Ethernet or similar).

[0021] To avoid unnecessary repetition, the following description should be understood to apply to the features and details described in connection with the aforementioned method for the automatic identification of fire detectors and any possible configurations, and in connection with and with regard to the device used to carry out the method, in particular a control panel of a fire alarm system, and vice versa. Accordingly, the method may also be further developed by means of one or more process features relating to process steps performed by a corresponding device, and the device may also be further developed by means of executing process steps carried out within the framework of the method.Consequently, features and details described in connection with the present method naturally also apply in connection with and with regard to the device intended for carrying out the method, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, mutual reference is always made or can be made.

[0022] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. References within the claims indicate the further development of the subject matter of the referenced claim by the features of the respective dependent claim. They are not to be understood as a waiver of the right to obtain independent, substantive protection for the features or combinations of features of a dependent claim. Furthermore, with regard to the interpretation of the claims and the description, when specifying a feature in a dependent claim in more detail, it must be assumed that such a limitation does not exist in the preceding claims or in a more general embodiment of the method. Therefore, any reference in the description to aspects of dependent claims is to be read, even without specific indication, as a description of optional features.

[0023] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that a symbolic designation, used within the method, is available for each device of the fire alarm system; that distance data records are available or generated within the method, which include the symbolic designations of each pair of devices of the fire alarm system as well as a distance between the respective devices; that each distance data record includes the designations of the respective devices as the initial and final devices; that distances between the devices of the fire alarm system are measured along the transmission line and stored as distance data records in the order of measurement along the transmission line; that a graph is generated within the method based on the distance data records; and that the generated graph includes the or each potential connection sequence, namely the or a potential connection sequence.which is examined within the framework of the procedure with regard to the fire detector sequence. The aforementioned symbolic designations of the fire detectors, for example, originate from the floor plan data and are already defined there as symbolic designations of the fire detectors in such a case. The designations of the respective devices in a distance data set are referenced as the initial and final devices (each distance data set includes the designations of the respective devices as the initial and final devices).

[0024] In this embodiment of the method, the distance data sets encode the aforementioned distances between the devices, and the range data sets encode the aforementioned distances between the devices. The distance data sets and the range data sets are the first and second sources of information, respectively.

[0025] In another embodiment of the method, the graph generated within the process is created in several steps. In the first step, a node representing the central unit is created in the graph and labeled with the symbolic name of the central unit. The distance data records are then processed sequentially according to their order. For each distance data record under consideration and the name of the last created node, matching distance data records are searched for. For each distance data record found, a new node is created in the graph with the name of the target device of the respective distance data record and connected to the node created in the previous step. The process then continues with each new step, processing the distance data records, until all distance data records have been processed.

[0026] This embodiment of the method is an example of generating a graph that includes at least one path between a first node, representing the central node, and a last node, also representing the central node. Each node was assigned a symbolic label within the method, and the sequence of nodes along this path results in a sequence of symbolic labels. Such a path arises from 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 within the graph; each path within the graph is based on a subtree of the graph. All symbolic labels occurring along the path are considered, excluding the first symbolic label (which designates the central node) and the last symbolic label (which also designates the central node).This is a sequence of symbolic designations and this sequence (every such sequence) is a potential sequence of continuations.

[0027] In advantageous embodiments of the method, the distances are determined metrologically either in exactly one measuring direction or according to a special method, which, for example, is implemented as a sub-method within the method proposed here. In this sub-method, the distances are determined metrologically starting from the central unit, at least section by section, in a first measuring direction and subsequently, also starting from the central unit, at least section by section, in a second measuring direction opposite to the first (distance measurement in both measuring directions), whereby the measurements in the first and second measuring directions together ensure that all fire detectors are recorded at least once.This sub-method of distance measurement in both directions can serve as the basis for a subsequent procedure, particularly a test or identification procedure, and is independent in the sense that the execution of a subsequent procedure is not necessary for the sub-method of distance measurement in both directions. This sub-method of distance measurement in both directions is preferably suitable as the basis for the previously described procedure and its various configurations, and is independent in the sense that a subsequent execution of the previously described procedure and any possible configurations for the sub-method of distance measurement in both directions is not necessary. The distance measurement in both directions can be carried out completely independently of any subsequent use of the measured values ​​(distance values) obtained from this distance measurement.A separate claim for distance measurement in both measuring directions without including features of the procedure proposed here for the automatic identification of fire detectors is expressly reserved, and for the further description it is important to note that when explaining the distance measurement in both measuring directions, its independence from the procedure for the automatic identification of fire detectors must always be explicitly implied.

[0028] The method for measuring in two directions in a form independent of any subsequent execution of test or identification procedures can be briefly defined as follows: Method for carrying out measurements in a fire alarm system and in a building, wherein the fire alarm system comprises a control panel and fire detectors connected to the control panel via a transmission line, wherein the fire alarm system includes these devices and the transmission line, wherein a metrological determination of distances in the fire alarm system is carried out starting from the control panel at least section by section in a first measuring direction and, likewise starting from the control panel, at least section by section in a second measuring direction opposite to the first measuring direction, and wherein all fire detectors are recorded at least once with the measurements in the first measuring direction and the second measuring direction.

[0029] The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the identification of fire detectors can be carried out automatically, or at least essentially automatically, thus eliminating the previously unavoidable sources of error. A further advantage is that, for example, when a fire detector needs to be replaced, its position in the building / floor / room is precisely known, namely from the floor plan data, by using the method proposed here to precisely assign (identify) the physical fire detectors with their network address (bus address) and / or serial number or the like to the floor plan data.

[0030] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0031] The exemplary embodiment is not to be understood as a limitation of the invention. The invention is defined in claim 1.

[0032] They show FIG 1 a so-called floor plan with fire detectors and a fire alarm control panel (control panel), FIG 2 a fire alarm system with a control panel, a transmission line connected to the control panel and fire detectors connected to the transmission line and thus also to the control panel, FIG 3 a first and a second database with distance data sets or distance data sets, FIG 4 a graph generated within the framework of the proposed method and on the basis of the distance and distance data sets, FIG 5 a reduced graph and resulting potential connection sequences as well as a fire detector sequence and FIG 6 a schematically simplified representation of a computer program as an implementation of the proposed method.

[0033] The representation in FIG 1Figure 1 shows a simple floor plan – that is, a floor plan or a floor plan of a building not shown in detail – with fire detectors 10 and a control unit (fire alarm control panel, central unit) 12 that controls and monitors the fire detectors 10. Fire detectors 10 typically have distinguishing features recognizable by the control unit 12 and recorded in the floor plan, which can be used for identification. For example, the types of detectors – manual call points, heat detectors, optical smoke detectors, combined detectors, and input / output modules – can be distinguished.

[0034] The fire detectors 10 are connected by means of a transmission line 14, which is sometimes referred to briefly below ( FIG 2The transmission ring line (or, if applicable, a transmission ring line with one or more branch lines) is connected to the central unit 12. Each fire detector 10 is assigned a symbolic designation in the floor plan that is generally freely selectable but unique within the floor plan. In the representation in FIG 1 The fire detectors 10 are symbolically labelled "M1", "M2" etc. and the control unit 12 is symbolically labelled "Z".

[0035] The number of fire detectors (10) was chosen for the description presented here, and for the sake of clarity, the floor plan shown includes only a few fire detectors (10). In practice, a significantly larger number of fire detectors (10) is common. The approach proposed here is equally suitable for many fire detectors (10), for example, twenty, thirty, or more, as well as for fewer fire detectors (10), for example, five or ten.

[0036] The floorplan data is in a computer-readable format (for example, in the form of CAD data), and a corresponding file or the like containing the floorplan data is referred to below as data basis 20 and, to distinguish it from a further data basis to be explained later ( FIG 2 ) referred to as the first database 20.

[0037] The first data set 20 comprises the positions (installation locations) of the control unit 12 and each fire detector 10 connected to the control unit 12 via the transmission line 14. The first data set 20 includes these positions directly, for example, in the form of CAD data, or the positions are derived from the data contained in the first data set 20. The distances between the control unit 12 and at least some fire detectors 10, as well as between at least some fire detectors 10 themselves, in particular between the control unit 12 and each fire detector 10, and between all fire detectors 10 themselves, are derived from the respective positions. In the representation in FIG 1 Examples of individual distances are shown, e.g. "15 m", "8 m", etc.

[0038] The distances are the lengths of a path between two fire detectors 10 or between the control panel 12 and a fire detector 10. In the example shown, the distance between the fire detectors 10 symbolically labeled "M1" and "M2" is "8 m", i.e., eight meters, and the distance between the control panel 12 and the fire detector 10 symbolically labeled "M1" is "15 m", i.e., fifteen meters.

[0039] At the in FIG 1 The following distances result from the situation shown as an example: Z -> M1 : 15 m, Z -> M5 : 30 m, M1 -> M2 : 8 m, M1 -> M3 : 6m, M2 -> M3 : 2 m, M3 -> M4 : 8 m, M3 -> M5 : 5 m, M4 -> M5 : 8 m and M5 -> Z : 30 m.

[0040] It should be noted that not all possible distances are shown and listed. In principle, the procedure proposed here can take all possible distances into account, for example, all distances from the control panel 12 to each fire detector 10 and / or all distances from each fire detector 10 to every other fire detector 10. For the sake of simplicity, only selected distances are shown and listed above.

[0041] A limitation on the number of distances to be considered can result from the floor plan data in an automatically evaluable form, for example, if a building wall is located between the control panel 12 and individual fire detectors 10, or between a fire detector 10 and other fire detectors 10. A limitation on the number of distances to be considered can also result from different types of fire detectors 10 and / or any branch circuits, also in an automatically evaluable form.

[0042] The distances, together with the devices (control unit 12 or fire detector 10) between which the respective distances exist, constitute a data set referred to below as a distance data set 22. It is irrelevant whether such data sets 22 are stored in a separate data structure or whether they are only temporarily created based on the data of the first data set 20. For ease of reference, the term distance data sets 22 will be used below, and the lines above can be considered examples of such distance data sets and their contents. A single distance data set 22 is in FIG 1 Shown symbolically.

[0043] Each distance data record 22 includes the determined distance and the designations of the devices (central unit 12 or fire detector 10) between which the respective distance exists. The respective devices are generally referred to as the "starting device" and "end device," and the content of a distance data record 22 can generally be written as follows using these terms: Starter device -> terminal device : Distance.

[0044] Each distance data record 22 thus comprises distance data, namely the respective distance, and label data, namely the labels of the respective starting and ending points. The first data basis 20 comprises (directly or indirectly) the distance data records 22. Therefore, the first data basis 20 also comprises this distance and label data.

[0045] The representation in FIG 2 shows a fire alarm system and, as devices included in the fire alarm system, the control panel 12 and the fire detectors 10 according to FIG 1. In the representation in FIG 2 The transmission line 14 is shown, to which the control panel 12 and each individual fire detector 10 are connected, and which connects the fire detectors 10 to the control panel 12. The fire detectors 10 are connected to the transmission line 14 and, via the transmission line 14, to the control panel 12. The transmission line 14 is part of the fire alarm system.

[0046] Transmission line 14 is shown as a pure ring line, i.e., without any branch lines leading from it. For the sake of simplicity, the following description uses the example of transmission line 14 in the form of a pure ring line.

[0047] The proposed innovation is expressly not limited to a transmission line 14 in the form of a pure ring line, and whenever transmission line 14 is mentioned or a transmission ring line is mentioned, a transmission line 14 in the form of a pure ring line and a transmission line 14 in the form of a ring line with at least one branch branch leading from the ring line must always be implied.

[0048] Along transmission line 14, following the control unit 12 (as the starting point of transmission line 14), there is a fire detector 10, followed by another fire detector 10, and so on, until transmission line 14 finally terminates at the control unit 12 (as the endpoint of transmission line 14). In a transmission ring line with branch circuits – not shown here – at least one fire detector 10 is connected to each branch circuit.

[0049] The connection of the fire detectors 10 to the control panel 12 enables data exchange via transmission line 14. Data exchange occurs at least between the control panel 12 and each fire detector 10. Optionally, the fire detectors 10 can also be connected to the control panel 12 for data exchange, as well as for power supply to each fire detector 10 via the control panel 12 and transmission line 14. The data exchange and power transmission are based, for example, on a generally known data transmission protocol. The protocol used by the applicant in this respect is known as FDNet.

[0050] The central unit 12 and the fire alarms 10 are also shown in the diagram. FIG 2The designations are generally freely selectable, but must be unique along the transmission line 14. Advantageously, within the scope of this procedure, designations are used that originate from the fire detectors 10 themselves and can be read by the control panel 12 from each fire detector 10. Unique designations that could be considered in this respect include, for example, a bus address of the fire detector 10, a serial number, or the like (see above: "technical identification"). The following description is based on the in FIG 2 The particularly short and simple symbolic designations shown are continued. In this respect, these designations can be considered, for example, as (simplified) bus addresses of the individual fire detectors 10. Likewise, these designations can be considered, for example, as symbolic designations as well as (simplified) bus addresses of the individual fire detectors 10.

[0051] It should be noted that at the beginning of the procedure proposed here, the respective fire alarm system (control panel 12, fire detector 10, and transmission line 14) contains no information regarding the assignment of the fire detectors 10 connected to the transmission line 14 to an installation location specified in the floor plan. In particular, there is no correspondence between the designation of the fire detectors 10 along the transmission line 14 and their symbolic designation in the floor plan. The fire detectors 10 are therefore, and also for better differentiation within the further description of the procedure proposed here, shown in the diagram. FIG 2 compared to the representation in FIG 1 other designations. In the representation in FIG 1 The fire alarms are symbolically labeled "M1", "M2", "M3", etc. In the diagram in FIG 2The fire alarms are labeled "MA", "MB", "MC", etc.

[0052] At the beginning of the procedure proposed here, there is no knowledge as to whether, for example, the fire detector 10 connected to transmission line 14 and labeled "MA" is the fire detector 10 specified in the floor plan and symbolically labeled "M1" there, or not. The aim of the procedure proposed here is to determine which fire detector 10 on transmission line 14 corresponds to a specific fire detector 10 in the floor plan – i.e., to identify the fire detectors 10.

[0053] By means of measurements that are generally known per se, according to the invention by means of resistance measurements during the sequential switching on ("connection") of the fire detectors 10 to the transmission line 14, distances between the devices connected to the transmission line 14 (central unit 12 and fire detectors 10), hereinafter referred to as distances for differentiation purposes, are determined along the transmission line 14.

[0054] The measurement is performed, for example, as a directed measurement, whereby measurements are taken along a freely selectable direction of travel along the transmission line 14, which is maintained throughout the process. The selected direction of travel is the measurement direction. In a preferred embodiment of the approach proposed here, the measurements are performed starting from the central unit 12 and then successively up to each fire detector 10 reached during the measurements.

[0055] Generally, the following distances are determined: The distance between the central unit 12 and the first fire detector 10 along the transmission line 14 - at the point where FIG 2 The situation shown is therefore between the central unit 12 and the fire alarm 10, symbolically labelled "MA". -, the distance between each pair of immediately 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 control panel 12 - in the FIG 2 The situation shown is therefore between the fire alarm 10, symbolically labelled "ME", and the control unit 12.

[0056] Determining the distances between any two adjacent fire detectors along the transmission line 14 includes, in the case of FIG 2The situation shown shows the distances between the fire detectors 10 symbolically labelled "MA" and "MB", between the fire detectors 10 symbolically labelled "MB" and "MC", etc.

[0057] At the in FIG 2 The following distances result from the situation shown as an example: Z -> MA : 20 m, MA -> MB : 10 m, MB -> MC : 3 m, MC -> MD : 10 m, MD -> ME : 10 m and ME -> Z : 35 m.

[0058] The distances determined by measurement ( FIG 2 ) are regularly larger than the distances according to the floor plan ( FIG 1 ) and the straight-line distance there, because the routing of the transmission line 14 usually follows the respective building conditions (walls, ceilings, etc.).

[0059] The determined distances are stored in a computer-readable format in a second database 30. This results in 30 individual data records in the second database, which are designated as distance data records 32 for differentiation purposes. A number N of determined distance data records 32 corresponds to the number of individual sections of the transmission line 14 between each pair of devices (control panel 12 or fire detector 10) of the fire alarm system, as well as the total number of devices included in the fire alarm system. The number of fire detectors 10 included in the fire alarm system is thus N-1.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment, the distance data records 32 are numbered during their determination, so that each distance data record 32 comprises an index: (1) Z -> MA : 20 m, (2) MA -> MB : 10 m, (3) MB -> MC : 3 m, etc. MC -> MD : 10 m, etc. MD -> ME : 10 m and (N) ME -> Z : 35 m.

[0061] The index resulting from this numbering allows access to each individual distance data record 32. This is advantageous in a specific embodiment of the method:

[0062] In this embodiment, the distances are first measured in a first measuring direction and then again in a second measuring direction opposite to the first. The distance measurement in the first direction generates the distance data sets 32 as described above, including numbering and a determination of the total number N of devices encompassed by the fire alarm system.

[0063] Because each fire detector 10 has a contact resistance that is subject to certain tolerances, the measurement is more accurate the fewer fire detectors 10 are in the measurement path. This means that for a particularly accurate determination of a specific distance, the measurement value is advantageous where the fewest fire detectors 10 are located on the part of the transmission line 14 involved in the measurement. Therefore, when measuring in only one direction, it must be assumed that the distance measurements become less accurate with an increasing number of fire detectors 10 along the measurement path. When measuring in both possible directions (first direction, second direction), this increasing inaccuracy can be at least partially compensated for. For this purpose, the distances determined in the second direction are entered, in a sense, backwards into the sequence of distance data records 32.The first distance determined in the second measurement direction is thus entered into distance data record 32 with the index N. The second distance determined in the second measurement direction is entered into distance data record 32 with the index N-1, and so on. This continues at least until the (N / 2) distance data record 32 in the second measurement direction – naturally, only the next larger or next smaller integer value resulting from the division is used. The result is a sequence of distance data records 32 in which the distances for approximately half of the fire detectors 10 in the first measurement direction and the remaining half of the fire detectors 10 in the second measurement direction have been determined. This avoids, as far as possible, the increasing inaccuracy of the distance measurement described above in the case of a large number of fire detectors 10 in a measurement path.

[0064] During the measurement of distances along the transmission line 14 (distance measurement) in exactly one measuring direction, in particular by means of distance measurement or during the sequential connection of the fire detectors 10 to the transmission line 14, information on 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. In the representation in FIG 2 The fire alarm sequence 34 is shown as an independent data set encompassed by the second data set 30. An independent data set is not necessary and is therefore only an option. The fire alarm sequence 34 also results from considering all distance data sets 32 in the correct order according to the distance measurement in exactly one direction.

[0065] The representation in FIG 3The first data set 20 shows the distance data sets 22 it contains, and the second data set 30 shows the distance data sets 32 it contains (each corresponding to the examples shown in FIG 1 and FIG 2 (as shown in the situation). The first column or the second column - each without any possible index - of the entirety of the distance data records 32 without the designation of the central unit 12 clearly corresponds to the fire alarm sequence 34, so that this can be taken directly from the entirety of the distance data records 32 even without special recording.

[0066] Note: For a better understanding of the description presented here, it should be noted that the terms "distance" and "spacing" were chosen deliberately. Both terms denote distances. The term "spacing" refers to data that is directly or indirectly derived from the floor plan. The term "distance" refers to data that is directly or indirectly derived from measurements along transmission line 14. Spacing (distance information) is obtained in a computer-readable and automatically processable form from the first database 20 and the spacing data sets 22. Distances (distance information) are obtained—after corresponding prior measurements—also in a computer-readable and automatically processable form from the second database 30 and the distance data sets 32.

[0067] The distance information from the first data set 20 represents, in a sense, "straight-line distances". The distance information from the second data set 30 represents distances along the transmission line 14.

[0068] Each distance data record 32 includes at least the determined distance. Optionally, each distance data record 32 additionally includes the device from which the distance measurement was taken ("starting device") and / or the device to which the distance was determined ("end device"). The lines above can thus be seen as examples of distance data records 32 with the structure "starting device, end device, distance" (or the optional structure "index, starting device, end device, distance") and their contents. In the representation in FIG 2 A single distance data record 32 is shown symbolically. In general, and using the concepts introduced above, the content of a distance data record 32 can be written as follows: Starter device -> terminal device : Distance, The specification of the starting and / or ending device is generally optional.

[0069] In one embodiment of the proposed method, all distances along the transmission line 14 are first determined and stored in the second database 30 using respective distance data records 32. In an alternative embodiment of the proposed method, the distances are determined as needed, for example, only a single distance at a time. In this case, the second database 30 comprises either one distance data record 32 for each newly determined distance, or one distance data record 32 for each newly determined distance, as well as the distance data records 32 of all previously determined distances.

[0070] For the sake of readability, it is assumed that the second database 30 is in a format that includes a distance data record 32 for each distance measured along the transmission line 14, and that the distance data records 32 in the second database 30 are in the form of a table, a list, or the like, so that the individual distance data records 32 can be accessed sequentially and according to the order of the distances measured along the transmission line 14. Thus, the distance data record 32 containing the distance from the control unit 12 to the first fire detector 10 is the first distance data record 32, the distance data record 32 containing the distance from the first fire detector 10 to the next fire detector 10 is the second distance data record 32, and so on. From this sequence on the one hand and the distance data records 32 on the other, the fire detector sequence 34 can also be derived implicitly.It is clear to the expert that other forms of storage of the distance data records 32 are also possible, which also allow access in the order of the distances measured along the transmission line 14, for example access by means of a lookup table, wherein the lookup table includes, for example, the addresses of the distance data records 32 in an ordered form.

[0071] The representation in FIG 4 Figure 40 shows a graph 40. Such a graph 40 is automatically generated according to the approach proposed here for identifying the fire detectors 10 and within the framework of the procedure proposed here. The root of graph 40 represents the control unit 12. Nodes in graph 40 represent the fire detectors 10 connected to the control unit 12 via the transmission line 14. The in FIG 4 Graph 40, shown as an example, is a graph 40 corresponding to the floorplan according to FIG 1 as well as the fire alarm system according to FIG 2and the fire alarms there 10.

[0072] At the beginning of the procedure, a node representing the central point 12 is created in graph 40. This node is given a symbolic label that can also be used within the procedure, namely the symbolic label of central point 12, i.e., the symbolic label "Z". This node forms the root of graph 40.

[0073] During the automatic generation of graph 40, the distances determined along transmission line 14 are considered, starting from the central unit 12. For this purpose, the second database 30 with its distance data records 32 is processed in the order of the determined distances.

[0074] The generation of graph 40 therefore begins with the first distance data set 32. Z -> MA : 20 m and the distance specified there ("20 m"; twenty meters); it should be noted that the information on the starting device ("Z") and the terminal device ("MA") in distance data set 32 ​​is optional. In the representation in FIG 4 This is labelled laterally with "1." for a first search in the distance data sets 22 and the distance considered in this search is also indicated as "20 m".

[0075] Now, using the distance from distance data record 32 and the symbolic designation of the newly created node – i.e., the distance "20 m" or the designation "Z" – matching distance data records 22 are searched for in the first database 20. Matching distance data records 22 are those that have the designation "Z" as the starting device designation and where the specified distance is less than or equal to "20 m". A distance data record 22 found in such a search and subsequently processed is then deleted or at least marked in such a way that it is not found again in a later search.

[0076] In general, the searches in the first database 20 and the distance data records 22 therein can be written as follows: Those distance data records 22 are identified which have a designation for the starting device that corresponds to the designation of the node just created in the graph 40, and in which the distance specified there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the distance data record 32 under consideration.

[0077] From the distance data sets 22 listed above, this first search (shown in the representation in FIG 4 (labelled laterally with "1." and the distance considered in this search "20 m"), the following data set (distance data set 22) was determined to be a match: Z -> M1 : 15 m. Only this distance data set 22 has the designation "Z" as the designation of the launch device and a distance less than or equal to "20 m".

[0078] Based on the distance data set 22 determined during this initial search (basically, based on every distance data set 22 determined during this initial search), a node is created in graph 40 for the terminal device specified therein. Each new node receives the symbolic name of the terminal device in the respective distance data set 22, in this case, "M1". Each new node is connected to the node representing the central unit 12 via an edge in graph 40.

[0079] In the following text—again for the sake of readability—the nodes of graph 40 will sometimes be referred to by the symbolic names of the device they represent (fire alarm 10 or control unit 12). The node representing fire alarm 10 with the symbolic name "M1" will therefore be referred to as "Node M1" according to this convention. The same applies to all other nodes, as well as to the node representing control unit 12.

[0080] The search will now be conducted using the second distance data set 32 MA -> MB : 10 m, the distance specified there ("10 m"; ten meters) and continued with the symbolic designation of the newly created node M1 ("M1"); in the representation in FIG 4 The data is labelled laterally with "2." and the distance considered in this search is "10 m" (this applies accordingly to the subsequent searches described below). As already described above, the distance data records 22 are now identified which have a designation for the starting device that corresponds to the designation of the node M1 just created – i.e., "M1" – and in which the distance specified there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the considered distance data record 32 – i.e., "10 m".

[0081] From the distance data sets 22 listed above, the following data sets (distance data sets 22) are determined to be suitable in this second search: M1 -> M2 : 8 m and M1 -> M3 : 6 m.

[0082] Only these two distance data sets 22 have the designation "M1" as the designation of the launch device and a distance less than or equal to "10 m".

[0083] Based on each distance data record 22 determined in this second search, a node is created in graph 40 for the terminal device specified therein, namely a node with the symbolic name of the terminal device of the respective distance data record 22, here "M2" and "M3". Each new node - here the new nodes M2 and M3 - is connected by an edge in graph 40 to the node created in the preceding step - here node M1.

[0084] If more than one new node is created in graph 40 as a result of a search using a distance data set 32, each newly created node spans a subtree in graph 40. The following section explains the further procedure using the node representing (and itself labeled "M2") the fire alarm 10 with the symbolic designation "M2" and the subtree radiating from it. Every subtree in graph 40—including any further subtrees created during the procedure—is treated in the same way as this subtree.

[0085] Now the search will be performed using the third distance data set, 32. MB -> MC : 3 m, the distance specified there ("3 m"; three meters) and continued with the symbolic designation of the newly created node M2 ​​("M2").

[0086] Once again, as already written above, those distance data sets 22 are determined which have as the designation of the starting device a designation that corresponds to the designation of the node M2 ​​just created - i.e. "M2" - and in which the distance specified there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the distance data set 32 ​​under consideration - i.e. "3 m".

[0087] From the distance data sets 22 listed above, the following data set (distance data set 22) is determined to be a match in this search: M2 -> M3 : 2 m.

[0088] Only this distance data set 22 has the designation "M2" as the designation of the launch device and a distance less than or equal to "3 m".

[0089] Based on the distance data set 22 determined in this third search, a node – node M3 – is created in graph 40 for the terminal device specified therein. The new node M3 is connected by means of an edge in graph 40 to the node created in the preceding step – in this case, node M2.

[0090] The search will now continue with the next (the third) distance data record 32 MC -> MD : 10 m, the distance specified there ("10 m"; ten meters) and continued with the symbolic designation of the newly created node M3 ("M3").

[0091] As already written above, in the remaining distance data sets 22, those distance data sets 22 are again determined which have as the designation of the starting device a designation that corresponds to the designation of the node M3 just created - i.e. "M3" - and in which the distance specified there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the distance data set 32 ​​under consideration - i.e. "10 m".

[0092] From the remaining distance data sets (22), the following data sets are identified as matching in this search: M3 -> M4 : 8 m and M3 -> M5 : 5 m.

[0093] Only these two distance data sets 22 have the designation "M3" as the designation of the launch device and a distance less than or equal to "10 m".

[0094] Based on each distance data set 22 determined in this search, a node – node M4, node M5 – is created in graph 40 for each terminal device specified therein. Each new node – here M4, M5 – is connected by means of an edge in graph 40 to the node created in the preceding step – here node M3.

[0095] Here, nodes M4 and M5 have again become the starting points of new subtrees, and the further description continues only along the subtree originating from node M4. The other subtree will be processed and continued in the same way later within the procedure, or possibly simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously with suitable processing hardware and software, as previously described.

[0096] The search will now continue with the next (the fourth) distance data record 32. MD -> ME : 10 m, the distance specified there ("10 m"; ten meters) and with the symbolic designation of the newly created node M4 ("M4"). From the remaining distance data records 22, those distance data records 22 are determined which have the designation of the newly created node M4 as the starting device designation - i.e., "M4" - and in which the distance specified there is less than or equal to the distance specified in the considered distance data record 32 - i.e., "10 m".

[0097] The only matching distance data set 22 is the data set (distance data set 22) M4 -> M5 : 8 m and on this basis, node M5 is created in graph 40 and connected to the previously created node M5 by means of an edge.

[0098] The search continues in this way until either no suitable distance data record 22 can be found or the last distance data record 32 has been considered. This is the case in the present example with the last distance data record 32 (ME -> Z : 35 m) and the corresponding distance data record 22 (M5 -> Z : 30 m) found, and a node representing the central point Z is created in graph 40 as a leaf of graph 40.

[0099] The result of the search and the nodes and edges generated (illustrated by arrows pointing from one node to a subsequent node) are shown for the exemplary situation in the representation in FIG 4 shown.

[0100] Only the subtrees in the resulting graph 40 that originate from and terminate at the central unit Z are suitable for identifying the fire detectors 10. If graph 40 contains only one such subtree, identification is already unambiguous. The actual fire detectors 10 connected to the transmission line 14 can then be identified using the designations of the nodes in the subtree (Z, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, Z). These fire detectors 10 were symbolically designated above as MA, MB, MC, MD, and ME, and the order of the designations corresponds to the order along the transmission line. Based on the designations of the aforementioned nodes and their order, the following correspondences apply: MA = M1, MB = M2, MC = M3, MD = M4, and ME = M5. This means that the fire detector 10 temporarily or symbolically designated "MA" corresponds to the fire detector 10 symbolically designated "M1" in the floor plan, etc.All or selected or selectable data of the fire detector 10 connected to transmission line 14 can now be appropriately transferred to the floor plan data, for example, a serial number of the fire detector 10, a bus address of the fire detector 10, etc. Likewise, optionally, data created, selected, or selectable in the floor plan for this fire detector 10 can be transferred to the actual fire detector 10 connected to transmission line 14 and stored in a memory of the fire detector 10.

[0101] If, after completion of the described procedure, more than one possible solution emerges ( FIG 4 : Z, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, Z; Z, M1, M3, M2, M4, M5, Z), if there is an ambiguity in graph 40 in the form of more than one path starting and ending at the central point Z - as is the case especially with symmetric topologies. -,The actually correct solution, namely the subtree to be considered, is determined by elimination.

[0102] For this purpose, at least one fire detector 10 is identified, whose unique identification can resolve any ambiguity. Optionally, a reduced graph 42 is generated from graph 40. The reduced graph 42 is created by removing all subtrees from the original graph 40 that do not begin and end at central unit Z. The representation in FIG 5 shows the one based on graph 40 in FIG 4The resulting reduced graph 42 contains only those subtrees (paths) that describe possible solutions to the problem. The procedure can also be continued with the original graph 40, specifically by considering only the complete paths there (starting and ending at central Z). The original graph 40 encompasses the reduced graph 42. Therefore, the original graph 40 also includes all data described below with reference to the reduced graph 42. For the sake of readability, the further description will continue based on the reduced graph 42 – but expressly without relinquishing any broader general applicability.

[0103] After generating the reduced graph 42, the first level of the remaining subtrees below its root Z is examined. It is determined whether at least one node occurs exactly once at this level. If this is not the case—as in the present situation— -, The next level is chosen and examined in the same way, and so on, until a level is found on which at least one node occurs exactly once.

[0104] In the simple example shown, this situation occurs on the second level of the reduced graph 42. Here, nodes M2 and M3 are located (in the representation in FIG 4 (already highlighted). Each of these two nodes occurs only once at this level. Therefore, the condition formulated above is satisfied for each of these nodes.

[0105] In a subsequent step, the correct subtree within the reduced graph 42 (as well as within the underlying graph 40) is determined by manually triggering exactly one real fire detector 10, thus resolving the ambiguity. Triggering a fire detector 10 is defined as activating the fire detector 10, which causes it to send feedback via the transmission line 14 to the control panel 12. This triggering can consist of an operation performed on the respective fire detector 10, for example, pressing a button on the fire detector 10 or triggering it using test gas, a detector tester, or the like. The triggering is carried out by a user of the procedure proposed here. The fire detector 10 to be triggered is indicated to the user within the procedure, for example, displayed on a screen of the device used to execute the procedure.

[0106] According to the representations in FIG 1 and FIG 2 as well as FIG 5 In the situation shown, either node M2 ​​or node M3 could correspond to fire detector 10 with the designation (or address) "MB".

[0107] If, for example, fire detector 10, symbolically labeled "M2" in the floor plan, is manually triggered, the control panel 12 receives information about this triggering in a familiar manner. This feedback to the control panel 12 is the basis for resolving the ambiguity.

[0108] The specific, manual triggering of precisely this fire detector 10 (and thus also the specific triggering of each other fire detector 10) is possible because the position (the installation location) of the fire detector 10 with this symbolic designation (and thus correspondingly the position of each other fire detector 10) is known due to the floorplan data.

[0109] The feedback based on the manual activation of exactly one fire detector 10 includes a unique identifier of the activated fire detector 10, namely, for example, a unique identifier within the framework of the protocol for data transmission along the transmission line 14, for example, the bus address of the activated fire detector 10.

[0110] To resolve the ambiguity, one of the nodes on the previously determined level of graph 42 is automatically selected in a first step. Let the selected node be, for example, node M2. Upon manual activation of the fire detector 10 located at the installation location designated M2 according to the floor plan, the control unit 14 receives the feedback "MB". This feedback corresponds to the designation "MB" at the second position of the fire detector sequence 34, and the underlying search within the fire detector sequence 34 that leads to this result constitutes the second step in resolving the ambiguity.

[0111] Now, in a third step, using the triggered fire alarm M2 and the intermediate result "second position of the connection sequence," a suitable path is sought in the reduced graph 42. Each remaining path or subtree in the reduced graph 42—reduced by the nodes representing the central unit Z—represents 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. The reduced graph 42 thus comprises a set of potential connection sequences 44, 46, from which exactly one connection sequence 44, 46 is selected to resolve the ambiguity.

[0112] Specifically, in the third step, the potential connection sequences 44 and 46 are considered, along with their respective positions according to the intermediate result. Only in the first potential connection sequence, 44, is node M2 ​​located at a position that qualifies for consideration according to the intermediate result ("second position of the connection sequence"). Therefore, the first potential connection sequence, 44, represents the actual connection sequence, and the ambiguity is resolved.

[0113] If, however, node M3 (located on the same level of graph 42) had been selected instead of node M2 ​​in the first step, the following situation would arise: When the fire detector 10 located at the installation location designated for fire detector 10 according to the floor plan is manually triggered, the control unit 14 receives the feedback "MC". This feedback corresponds to the designation "MC" at the third position of the fire detector sequence 34. The intermediate result after the first step is therefore: "third position of the connection sequence". In the third step, the potential connection sequences 44 and 46 are considered, along with their respective positions according to the intermediate result. Only in the first potential connection sequence, 44, is node M3 located at a position to be considered according to the intermediate result ("third position of the connection sequence").Here too, the first potential connection sequence 44 has been identified as the actual connection sequence and the ambiguity has also been resolved.

[0114] Note: If the designations used in the procedure, i.e., the designations "MA", "MB", etc., do not correspond to a designation as reported to the control panel 12 when a fire alarm 10 is manually triggered, one or more lookup tables or the like are required for unambiguous assignment in a generally known manner, which include on the one hand the designations expected as feedback and on the other hand the designations used in the procedure and encode a unique relationship between the two.

[0115] In general terms, resolving any ambiguity involves the following steps: After automatically identifying and automatically selecting a node that occurs exactly once on a level of the reduced graph 42, the corresponding fire detector 10 according to the floorplan is manually triggered (first step). The triggered fire detector 10 sends a response. This response is then searched for in the fire detector sequence 34 (second step). The position of a label corresponding to the response in the fire detector sequence 34 is an intermediate result. The potential connection sequences 44, 46 are then examined at the position determined by the intermediate result with respect to the selected node (third step). The potential connection sequence 44, 46 that has the node selected in the first step at the position determined by the intermediate result represents the actual connection sequence.

[0116] The actual connection sequence found (either based on exactly one complete path in graph 40 or after resolving an ambiguity with multiple complete paths) results in a correspondence between the fire detector sequence 34 and the actual connection sequence. Based on this correspondence, a correspondence between the respective designated fire detectors 10 results automatically. In the example shown, the following correspondences result: "M1" corresponds to "MA", "M2" corresponds to "MB", "M3" corresponds to "MC", "M4" corresponds to "MD", and "M5" corresponds to "ME". These established correspondences can also be written concisely as "M1=MA", etc.

[0117] Thus, apart from the possible manual triggering of exactly one fire detector 10 in the event of a necessary resolution of an ambiguity, all fire detectors 10 included in the fire alarm system are identified continuously automatically, by establishing a unique correspondence between the real fire detectors 10 referenced by a respective designation (for example, a bus address) and the designations of the fire detectors 10 provided according to the floor plan.

[0118] The representation in FIG 6Figure 50 is shown in a highly simplified schematic form. The instructions contained in the computer program 50, when executed by a computer, result in the execution of the method proposed here, possibly with one or more advantageous embodiments. The executing computer could be the control unit 12 of the fire alarm system or one of several control units. The control unit has or receives direct or indirect access to the floor plan data. A computer connected to the fire alarm system, or the like, as mentioned at the outset, could also be used as the computer. Such a device—not shown—is, for example, connected directly to the control unit 12 or indirectly to the control unit 12 by connecting it to the transmission line 14.

[0119] The computer program 50 comprises individual steps, each of which includes at least one computer program instruction - not shown - and which form a functional unit within the procedure or are at least functionally related.

[0120] A first step 52 of the computer program 50 is intended to determine the distance data records 22. A second step 54 of the computer program 50 is intended to determine the distance data records 32 and the fire alarm sequence 34. A third step 56 of the computer program 50 is intended to generate a graph 40, 42 based on the distance data records 22 and 32, as well as 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 executed simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously on different devices. Furthermore, the first two steps 52, 54 can be integrated into the third step 56.

[0121] A fourth step 58 of the computer program 50 is intended to determine a potential connection sequence 44, 46 that matches the fire alarm sequence 34.

[0122] A fifth step 60 of the computer program 50 is ultimately intended for the output, forwarding, or generally the provision of a correspondence resulting from the potential connection sequence 44, 46 determined to be suitable. The correspondence consists of a correspondence between the designations encompassed by the fire alarm sequence 34 on the one hand and the determined connection sequence 44, 46 on the other, in their respective order within the fire alarm sequence 34 and the determined connection sequence 44, 46, respectively. Thus, for example, the connection sequence and the designations it encompasses, as well as the potential connection sequence 44, 46 determined to be suitable and the designations it in turn encompasses, are output, forwarded, provided, or the like, in their respective order.

[0123] Within the fourth step 58, and as part of the determination of a potential connection sequence 44, 46 suitable for the fire detector sequence 34, a fire detector 10 may be manually activated. Except for this manual activation of a fire detector 10, all steps of the procedure, and thus all steps 52-60 of the computer program 50, run automatically. The fire detector 10 to be manually activated is displayed to a user of the procedure. The determination of the fire detector 10 to be manually activated also occurs automatically (within the fourth step 58 of the computer program 50), and the display of the fire detector 10 to be manually activated also occurs automatically (likewise within this fourth step 58 of the computer program 50).

[0124] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed example(s) and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

[0125] Key aspects of the submitted description can be summarized as follows: A method for the automatic identification of fire detectors 10 connected to a transmission line 14 of a fire alarm system is described. This method is based on the evaluation of floor plan data on the one hand and measurements along the transmission line 14 on the other. The fire alarm system comprises a control panel 12, the fire detectors 10 connected to the control panel 12 via the transmission line 14, and the transmission line 14 itself. The automatic identification of the fire detectors 10 is based on the distances between the devices 10 and 12. These distances are available as floor plan data or are determined within the framework of the method based on floor plan data.The distances are measured along the transmission line 14, and a fire detector sequence 34 is determined as part of this measurement. Using the distances, a graph 40, 42 with a set of potential connection sequences 44, 46 is generated. The fire detector sequence 34 and each potential connection sequence 44, 46 comprise designations that each refer to a fire detector 10 connected to the transmission line 14 or a fire detector 10 specified according to the floor plan data. From the set of potential connection sequences 44, 46, a potential connection sequence 44, 46 suitable for the fire detector sequence 34 is determined.Based on the potential connection sequence 44, 46, which was determined to be suitable, there is a correspondence between the designations encompassed 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 and the determined connection sequence 44, 46, respectively. This determined correspondence represents the identification of the fire detectors 10.

Claims

1. Method for automatic identification of fire detectors (10) in a fire alarm system and in a building, wherein the fire alarm system as its devices comprises a panel (12) as well as fire detectors (10) connected via a transmission line (14) to the panel (12) and the transmission line (14), characterised in that - the automatic identification is based on straight-line distances between the devices (10, 12) on the one hand and cable lengths between the devices (10, 12) on the other hand, - the straight-line distances are available in the form of floor plan data or are determined on the basis of floor plan data as part of the method, - the cable lengths are determined by measurement along the transmission line (14) by means of resistance measurements during sequential switching-on of the fire detectors (10) on the transmission line (14) and as a result of the cable lengths a fire detector sequence (34) is determined, wherein the connection of the devices (10, 12) to the transmission line (14) defines a connection order and the fire detector sequence (34) is produced as a result of the connection order, - by means of the straight-line distances and the cable lengths a graph (40, 42) with a set of potential connection orders (44, 46) is created, - the fire detector sequence (34), as well as the or each potential connection order (44, 46), comprise designations, which in each case reference a fire detector (10) connected to the transmission line (14) or a fire detector provided according to the floor plan data, - a potential connection order (44, 46) matching the fire detector sequence (34) is determined from the set of potential connection orders (44, 46) in that, in a plurality of potential connection orders (44, 46), a fire detector (10) occurring precisely once at precisely one level of the potential connection orders (44, 46) is triggered manually and a designation returned as a result of such a triggering from the triggered fire detector (10) at the position in the fire detector sequence (34) designated by the respective level in the connection order (44, 46) is sought, - as a result of the potential connection orders (44, 46) determined as matching, a correspondence of the designations included in the fire detector sequence (34) on the one hand and the connection order (44, 46) determined on the other hand in their order within the fire detector sequence (34) or the connection order (44, 46) determined results and - this correspondence represents the identification of the fire detectors (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, - wherein, for each device (10, 12) of the fire alarm system, a designation that is symbolic and used as part of the method is available, - wherein spacing data records (22) are available or are created as part of the method, which comprise the symbolic designations of two devices (10, 12) of the fire alarm system in each case as well as a straight-line distance between the respective devices (10, 12), - wherein each spacing data record (22) comprises the designations of the respective devices (10, 12) as beginning and end device, - wherein cable lengths between the devices (10, 12) of the fire alarm system along the transmission line (14) are determined by measurement and stored in the order of the measurement along the transmission line (14) as distance data records (32), - wherein, as part of the method, on the basis of the spacing data records (22) and the distance data records (32) a graph (40, 42) is created and - wherein the graph (40, 42) comprises the or each potential connection order (44, 46).

3. Method according to claim 2, - wherein, for creation of the graph (40, 42), in a first step a node (12) representing the panel is set up in the graph (40, 42) and is designated with the symbolic designation of the panel (12), - wherein the distance data records (32) are processed one after the other according to their order, - wherein matching spacing data records (22) are sought for the distance data record (32) and the designation of the last node set up in each case, - wherein, for each spacing data record (22) found, a new node with the designation of the target device of the respective spacing data record (22) is set up in the graph (40) and linked to the node set up in the preceding step, - wherein the method is continued with a new step in each case with the processing of the distance data records (32) until all distance data records (32) are processed.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination of the cable lengths by measurement is undertaken in precisely one measurement direction.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination of the cable lengths by measurement is undertaken starting from the panel (12), at least in sections, in a first measurement direction and, likewise starting from the panel (12), at least in sections, in a second measurement direction opposite to the first measurement direction and wherein with the measurements in the first measurement direction and the second measurement direction overall all fire detectors (10) are acquired at least once.

6. Method according to claim 5, - wherein, for distance measurements along the first measurement direction, cable lengths between essentially a first half of the fire detectors (10) included in the fire alarm system and - wherein, for distance measurements along the second measurement direction, cable lengths between the remaining second half of the fire detectors (10) included in the fire alarm system are determined.

7. Computer program (50) with computer program instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to carry out the method according to one of the preceding method claims, irrespective of the possible manual triggering of precisely one fire detector (10) in the event of a necessary resolution of an ambiguity.

8. Computer program product, comprising commands or electrically readable control signals, which, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to carry out the method according to one of the preceding method claims irrespective of the possible manual triggering of precisely one fire detector (10) in the event of a necessary resolution of an ambiguity.

9. Apparatus with a memory and a processing unit, which is intended and configured to function as a panel (12) in a fire alarm system, wherein a computer program (50) according to claim 7 is loaded into its memory and wherein the apparatus executes the computer program (50) when in operation.