Loudspeaker broadcasting system

Abstract

To provide a loudspeaker broadcasting system that can notify people in the vicinity of a location where a predetermined event occurred of the occurrence of the predetermined event.SOLUTION: A plurality of broadcasting facilities 20 are provided in architectural structures 10 at different sites, which comprise: detection means 2 for detecting that a loudspeaker broadcast of notification information regarding an occurrence of a predetermined event has been activated from any one broadcasting facility 20 of the plurality of broadcasting facilities 20; determining means 3 for determining a predetermined area around the broadcasting facility 20 when the detection means 2 detects the activation of the loudspeaker broadcast of the notification information; specifying means 4 for specifying a broadcasting facility 20, in which the activation of the loudspeaker broadcast of the notification information was detected by the detection means 2, as a first broadcasting facility, and for specifying one or more other broadcasting facilities 20 present within the predetermined area as a second broadcasting facility; and broadcasting control means 5 for causing the second broadcasting facility to broadcast relevant notification information related to the notification information to a loudspeaker when the detection means 2 detects the activation of loudspeaker broadcast of notification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a public address system.

Background Art

[0002] Emergency broadcast equipment is known as equipment for publicly broadcasting information to people. Emergency broadcast equipment is electrical equipment for safely guiding evacuation in the event of an emergency such as a fire. In order to safely guide evacuation, emergency broadcast equipment broadcasts notification information in an emergency. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of emergency broadcast equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional emergency broadcast equipment sounds when a predetermined event such as an emergency occurs, and calls on people in the building where the emergency broadcast equipment is installed to take actions such as evacuation. However, people outside the building could not know about the occurrence of the predetermined event and could not take actions corresponding to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0005] On the other hand, when a predetermined event occurs, it is desirable that people around the place where the predetermined event occurs also know about the occurrence of the predetermined event and can take actions corresponding to the predetermined event.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A public address system that coordinates public address broadcasts among a plurality of broadcast facilities, wherein the plurality of broadcast facilities are provided in buildings within different sites, and detection means for detecting that a public address broadcast of notification information regarding the occurrence of a predetermined event has been activated from any one of the plurality of broadcast facilities; determination means for determining a predetermined area around the broadcast facility when the detection means detects the activation of the public address broadcast of the notification information; identification means for identifying, as a first broadcast facility, the broadcast facility in which the activation of the public address broadcast of the notification information has been detected by the detection means, and as a second broadcast facility, one or more other broadcast facilities existing within the predetermined area; and broadcast control means for causing the second broadcast facility to perform a public address broadcast of related notification information related to the notification information when the detection means detects the activation of the public address broadcast of the notification information.

[0007] According to this configuration, when a public address broadcast of notification information regarding the occurrence of a predetermined event is activated from any one of the plurality of broadcast facilities, the public address system can perform a public address broadcast of related notification information to people around the building within the site where the notification information is being publicly addressed. Therefore, the public address system can notify people around the location where the predetermined event has occurred of the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0008] (2) In the public address system according to (1) above, the determination means has a database, the database includes unique information and location information for each of the plurality of broadcast facilities, and the determination means determines the predetermined area based on the database when the detection means detects the activation of the public address broadcast of the notification information. According to this configuration, the determination means can suitably determine a predetermined area based on the database.

[0009] (3) In the public address system according to (1) or (2) above, the related notification information varies according to the status of the second broadcast facility, and the broadcast control means causes the second broadcast facility to perform a public address broadcast of the related notification information corresponding to the status of the second broadcast facility. According to this configuration, it is possible to perform a public address broadcast of related notification information corresponding to the status of the second broadcast facility to the second broadcast facility.

[0010] (4) In the public address system according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the notification information includes emergency information regarding an emergency, and the detection means detects that the broadcasting facility has been activated to broadcast the emergency information. According to this configuration, the detection means can detect the activation of the broadcasting facility at the time of an emergency.

[0011] (5) In the public address system according to (4) above, the related notification information includes related emergency information related to the emergency information, the broadcasting facility stores the emergency information and the related emergency information, the emergency information is stored in a first category as information that can be publicly addressed during an emergency, and the related emergency information is stored in a second category as information that can be publicly addressed other than during an emergency. According to this configuration, the broadcasting facility can store the emergency information and the related emergency information separately.

[0012] (6) In the public address system according to (4) or (5) above, the related notification information varies according to the notification information, and the broadcast control means causes the second broadcasting facility to publicly address the related notification information corresponding to the notification information. According to this configuration, the broadcast control means can cause the second broadcasting facility to publicly address the related notification information corresponding to the content of the notification information.

[0013] (7) In the public address system according to any one of (1) to (6) above, each of the plurality of broadcasting facilities includes a general speaker unit and a management speaker unit provided at a location different from the general speaker unit, and when the detection means detects the activation of the public address of the notification information, the broadcast control means causes the related notification information to be publicly addressed only from the management speaker unit of the second broadcasting facility. According to this configuration, the public address system can notify only the people at the location where the related notification information is publicly addressed from the management speaker unit of the second broadcasting facility.

[0014] (8) In the public address system according to any one of (1) to (7) above, the system further includes the plurality of broadcasting facilities. According to this configuration, the public address system can broadcast notification information from the first broadcasting facility and broadcast related notification information from the second broadcasting facility.

[0015] (9) In the public address system according to (8) above, the plurality of broadcasting facilities are connected to the detection means and the broadcast control means via a network. According to this configuration, the detection means can suitably detect the plurality of broadcasting facilities on the network. Also, the broadcast control means can suitably control the plurality of broadcasting facilities on the network.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the public address system of the present disclosure, it is possible to notify people around the location where a predetermined event has occurred of the occurrence of the predetermined event.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] <Embodiment> With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, the amplified voice broadcast system 1 of the embodiment will be described.

[0019] The amplified voice broadcast system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for coordinating amplified voice broadcasts among a plurality of broadcast facilities 20.

[0020] <Buildings within the Site> The plurality of broadcast facilities 20 are respectively provided in different buildings 10 within the site. The buildings 10 within the site include at least one building provided within a predetermined site. The buildings 10 within the site are, for example, shopping malls, office buildings, schools, research institutions, government office buildings, factories, and stadiums, etc.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the buildings 10 within the site are provided with automatic fire alarm facilities 11. The broadcast facilities 20 are electrically connected to the automatic fire alarm facilities 11. The automatic fire alarm facilities 11 output an alarm signal to the broadcast facilities 20 when an emergency such as a fire occurs. The broadcast facilities 20 may be configured as a part of the automatic fire alarm facilities 11.

[0022] The buildings 10 within the site have an AC power supply 12. The AC power supply 12 supplies power to at least one electronic device provided in the buildings 10 within the site. The AC power supply 12 is, for example, a commercial power supply. The at least one electronic device includes, for example, the automatic fire alarm facilities 11 and the broadcast facilities 20. The AC power supply 12 is electrically connected to the automatic fire alarm facilities 11 and the broadcast facilities 20. The AC power supply 12 supplies power to the automatic fire alarm facilities 11 and the broadcast facilities 20. The automatic fire alarm facilities 11 and the broadcast facilities 20 may be supplied with power from different power sources respectively.

[0023] <Broadcast Facilities> The public address system 1 includes a plurality of broadcast facilities 20. In the present embodiment, the public address system 1 includes the first broadcast facility 20A to the nth broadcast facility 20C. n is 2 or more. The first broadcast facility 20A to the nth broadcast facility 20C are provided in different on-site buildings 10 respectively. The number of on-site buildings 10 corresponds to the number of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an example when the public address system 1 includes three or more broadcast facilities 20. The first broadcast facility 20A is provided in the first on-site building 10A, for example. The second broadcast facility 20B is provided in the second on-site building 10B, for example. The nth broadcast facility 20C is provided in the nth on-site building 10C, for example.

[0025] The broadcast facility 20 broadcasts normal information by public address to unspecified people located in the on-site building 10 during normal times when no predetermined event has occurred, and broadcasts notification information by public address when a predetermined event occurs. The related notification information differs according to the notification information. The related notification information is provided to correspond to each of various types of notification information.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the broadcast facility 20 outputs the notification information and the related notification information as audio signals. The broadcast facility 20 may output the notification information and the related notification information as video signals. The broadcast facility 20 may also broadcast information unrelated to the notification information and the related notification information by public address to unspecified people located in the on-site building 10.

[0027] The predetermined event includes, for example, an emergency. The emergency is, for example, at the time of occurrence of at least one of natural disasters and disasters caused by people. Examples of natural disasters and disasters caused by people are disasters caused by earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods caused by increased river water levels, building or mountain fires, chemical plant fires, disasters caused by missile launches, and disasters caused by nuclear power accidents, etc.

[0028] The notification information includes emergency information regarding an emergency situation. The emergency information includes at least one of the occurrence information of a disaster, a forecast informing that a disaster may occur, warning information regarding a disaster, information informing of a danger caused by a disaster, an evacuation instruction, an evacuation advice, the opening information of an evacuation shelter, and traffic information accompanying a disaster, etc. The emergency information may be information regarding an emergency situation other than a disaster. The information regarding an emergency situation other than a disaster is, for example, information regarding heat stroke due to climate, infrastructure information, and information regarding a missing person issued by the police, etc. The infrastructure information is information regarding a power outage, a gas or water supply stop, and a water supply station. The information regarding a missing person issued by the police is a request for information provision and discovery information of a missing person.

[0029] The related notification information includes related emergency information related to the emergency information. The related emergency information is provided to correspond to each of various types of emergency information. For example, for the occurrence information of a disaster, related notification information corresponding to the occurrence information of the disaster is provided. For example, for a forecast informing that a disaster may occur, related notification information corresponding to the forecast is provided.

[0030] The predetermined situation may be the occurrence time of an event, a time sale, etc. When the predetermined situation is the occurrence time of an event, a time sale, etc., the notification information may include event information which is information regarding the occurrence of an event, a time sale, etc.

[0031] The broadcasting facility 20 stores the emergency information and the related emergency information. The emergency information and the related emergency information are stored in different storage sections. The emergency information is stored in the first section as information that can be broadcast loudly in an emergency. The related emergency information is stored in the second section as information that can be broadcast loudly other than in an emergency.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows an example of the information stored in the first section and the information stored in the second section. In the first section, emergency information is stored. In the second section, normal information is stored. Normal information is information that can be broadcast at an increased volume in cases other than emergencies. The second section further stores related emergency information. Related emergency information is included in the normal information, for example.

[0033] The emergency information includes first emergency information, second emergency information, and third emergency information. The first to third emergency information is information that should be broadcast at an increased volume in a phased or selective manner according to the situation of a predetermined event. For example, the first emergency information is emergency information that should be broadcast at an increased volume at the initial stage of a predetermined event. For example, the second emergency information is emergency information that should be broadcast at an increased volume at the later stage of a predetermined event. For example, the third emergency information is emergency information that should be broadcast at an increased volume in place of the second emergency information depending on the progress of a predetermined event.

[0034] The first emergency information includes, for example, information related to the detection by the automatic fire alarm equipment 11. In other words, the information related to the detection by the automatic fire alarm equipment 11 is information that notifies of the possibility of a fire occurring. The second emergency information is, for example, information related to prompting evacuation because a fire has been confirmed after the detection by the automatic fire alarm equipment 11. The third emergency information is, for example, information related to the fact that a fire has not been confirmed after the detection by the automatic fire alarm equipment 11 and it was a false alarm.

[0035] Normal information is information that can be broadcast at an increased volume during normal times when the occurrence of a predetermined event has not been detected and it is not in an emergency state. Normal information includes, for example, BGM information and related emergency information. Normal information may include any information as long as it can be broadcast at an increased volume in cases other than emergencies.

[0036] The BGM information includes sound source data such as music that is broadcast loudly as background music inside the building 10 on the site. The related emergency information is different from the emergency information that can be broadcast loudly upon detection of a predetermined situation, but is information that has a high importance level comparable to that of the emergency information and should be broadcast loudly urgently. The related emergency information is set to have a higher priority than the BGM information and is broadcast loudly prior to the BGM information. The related emergency information includes first related emergency information corresponding to the first emergency information, second related emergency information corresponding to the second emergency information, and third related emergency information corresponding to the third emergency information.

[0037] An example of the first emergency information includes sound source data related to a voice message "A fire detector has just activated. Since the staff is checking, please pay attention to the next broadcast." An example of the second emergency broadcast includes sound source data related to a voice message "There is a fire. A fire has broken out. Please stay calm and evacuate." An example of the third emergency broadcast includes sound source data related to a voice message "As a result of confirmation, there was no abnormality in the activation of the fire detector just now."

[0038] An example of the first related emergency information is related to the first emergency information and includes sound source data related to a voice message "A fire detector has activated around this building. It is currently being checked." An example of the second related emergency information is related to the second emergency information and includes sound source data related to a voice message "A fire has broken out around this building. There is a risk of fire spreading, so please leave the building as soon as possible." An example of the third related emergency information is related to the third emergency information and includes sound source data related to a voice message "The fire detector that activated around this building just now has activated, but as a result of confirmation, it was a false alarm."

[0039] <Main body part> As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcasting facility 20 has a main body part 30 that outputs notification information and at least one speaker part 40 that broadcasts loudly the notification information output by the main body part 30. The main body part 30 is electrically connected to the automatic fire alarm facility 11. When a reporting signal is input from the automatic fire alarm facility 11, for example, the main body part 30 outputs the notification information to the speaker part 40.

[0040] The main body part 30 includes a plurality of units and a housing in which the plurality of units are provided. The plurality of units include, for example, an operation unit, an amplifier unit, a power supply unit, and the like. The combination of the plurality of units is arbitrarily set according to the location where the broadcasting facility 20 is installed. In the operation unit, for example, a microphone, an operation switch, a recording medium, and the like are provided. The recording medium includes, for example, a cassette tape, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (Mini Disc), an SD (Security Digital) memory card, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like.

[0041] <Speaker part> The speaker part 40 is provided, for example, on at least one of the ceiling and walls of the building 10 within the site. The speaker part 40 includes, for example, at least one of a ceiling speaker and a wall-mounted speaker. The speaker part 40 may include a horn speaker. The speaker part 40 is electrically connected to the main body part 30.

[0042] At least one speaker part 40 includes a plurality of speaker parts 40. The plurality of speaker parts 40 may be connected to a common single wiring within the building 10 within the site, or may be connected to each of a plurality of wirings divided by area within the building 10 within the site.

[0043] Each of the plurality of speaker parts 40 is arranged in a plurality of floors, rooms, corridors, staircases, etc. of the building 10 within the site in order to broadcast sound evenly within the building 10 within the site. The number of the plurality of speaker parts 40 is determined by the structure of the building 10 within the site and the like.

[0044] The broadcasting equipment 20 includes, for example, the first speaker unit 40A to the m-th speaker unit 40C. m is 2 or more. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example when the broadcasting equipment 20 includes three or more speaker units 40. In this case, the plurality of speaker units 40 include the first speaker unit 40A and the second speaker unit 40B to the m-th speaker unit 40C.

[0045] <Remote controller> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the broadcasting equipment 20 further has a remote controller 50. The remote controller 50 can remotely operate the broadcasting equipment 20. The remote controller 50 is arranged at a position different from that of the main body unit 30 inside the building 10 on the site. The remote controller 50 is electrically connected to the main body unit 30.

[0046] The remote controller 50 includes a plurality of remote units and a remote housing where the plurality of remote units are provided. The plurality of remote units include, for example, a combination of a plurality of remote units such as a remote operation unit and a remote power supply unit, which is arbitrarily set according to the place where the remote controller 50 is installed. The remote operation unit is provided with, for example, a microphone and an operation switch.

[0047] At least one remote controller 50 is provided inside the building 10 on the site. When a plurality of remote controllers 50 are provided inside the building 10 on the site, each of the plurality of remote controllers 50 is arranged at a different place inside the building 10 on the site. The number of remote controllers 50 is determined by the structure of the building 10 on the site and the like.

[0048] <Electrical configuration of the broadcasting equipment> As shown in FIG. 3, the main body unit 30 includes an operation unit 31. The operation unit 31 is provided in the operation unit. The operation unit 31 is connected to, for example, a microphone provided in the operation unit and a recording medium. The operation unit 31 is configured to be able to generate notification information based on information obtained from at least one of, for example, the microphone and the recording medium.

[0049] The operation unit 31 includes a control unit 32. The control unit 32 includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program and control processes. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 32 may include one or more microcomputers. The control unit 32 may include a plurality of arithmetic processing devices arranged separately at a plurality of locations.

[0050] The operation unit 31 includes a storage unit 33. The storage unit 33 stores, for example, information used for the control program and control processes of the control unit 32. The storage unit 33 includes, for example, at least one of a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes, for example, at least one of a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0051] The storage unit 33 includes, for example, a sound source storage unit 33A, a setting storage unit 33B, and a history storage unit 33C. The sound source storage unit 33A stores voice data related to at least one of notification information and related notification information. The voice data is, for example, a message notifying of a fire occurrence, a message prompting evacuation guidance, etc. It stores sound source data for amplified broadcast from the speaker unit 40. The setting storage unit 33B stores setting data of the broadcast facility 20. An example of the setting data is time setting, password, network setting, main body setting, switch setting, voice setting, volume setting during broadcast, information on the broadcast destination determined under the control of the line control unit 34 described later, etc. The history storage unit 33C stores at least one of the operation history and the failure history of the broadcast facility 20.

[0052] The main body unit 30 includes a line control unit 34. The line control unit 34 is provided in the operation unit. The line control unit 34 is connected to the speaker unit 40. The line control unit 34 selects from which of the plurality of speaker units 40 provided in the building 10 within the site to broadcast the notification information by amplifying the sound. The line control unit 34 includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program and control processes. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The line control unit 34 may include one or more microcomputers. The line control unit 34 may include a plurality of arithmetic processing devices arranged separately at a plurality of locations.

[0053] The main body unit 30 includes a playback unit 32A and an amplifier unit 35. The playback unit 32A plays back the sound source data regarding the emergency information or normal information stored in the sound source storage unit 33A, and outputs the played-back signal to the amplifier unit 35. The playback unit 32A may be included in the main body unit 30 separately from the control unit 32, or may be included in the control unit 32. The amplifier unit 35 is provided in the amplifier unit. The amplifier unit 35 includes an amplifier circuit. The control unit 32 is connected to the line control unit 34 via the amplifier unit 35. The voice signal regarding the notification information output from the control unit 32 is input to the line control unit 34 via the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit is, for example, a power amplifier. The amplifier unit 35 amplifies the voice played back by the playback unit 32A with the amplifier circuit and outputs it to the line control unit 34.

[0054] The main body unit 30 includes a communication unit 36. The communication unit 36 is connected to a network, for example, by a LAN (Local Area Network). An example of the network is the Internet. The broadcast facility 20 communicates via the Internet by the communication unit 36.

[0055] The main body unit 30 includes a power supply unit 37. The power supply unit 37 is provided in the power supply unit, for example. The power supply unit 37 is supplied with power from the AC power supply 12. The power supply unit 37 has an AC / DC converter, an emergency power supply, a charging circuit, and a power supply switching unit.

[0056] The power of the AC power supply 12 is supplied to the operation unit 31, the line control unit 34, the amplifier unit 35, the communication unit 36, and the charging circuit etc. via an AC / DC converter. The emergency power supply includes a storage battery. The charging circuit charges the emergency power supply by outputting electricity to the emergency power supply according to the state of the storage battery of the emergency power supply.

[0057] The power supply switching unit switches between a first power supply state and a second power supply state. In the first power supply state, the operation unit 31, the line control unit 34, the amplifier unit 35, and the communication unit 36 are supplied with power from the AC power supply 12. In the second power supply state, the operation unit 31, the line control unit 34, the amplifier unit 35, and the communication unit 36 are supplied with power from the emergency power supply. The first power supply state and the second power supply state are switched according to whether power is being supplied from the AC power supply 12. The power supply switching unit is controlled to be in the first power supply state when power is being supplied from the AC power supply 12. The power supply switching unit is controlled to be in the second power supply state when power is not being supplied from the AC power supply 12.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 50 includes a remote operation unit 51. The remote operation unit 51 is provided in a remote operation unit. The remote operation unit 51 is connected to the control unit 32. The remote operation unit 51 includes a remote control unit 52. The remote control unit 52 includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program and control processes. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The remote control unit 52 may include one or more microcomputers. The remote control unit 52 may include a plurality of arithmetic processing devices arranged separately at a plurality of locations.

[0059] The remote controller 50 includes a remote storage unit 53. The remote storage unit 53 stores, for example, information used for the control program and control processes of the remote control unit 52. The remote storage unit 53 includes at least one of, for example, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes at least one of, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM.

[0060] The remote controller 50 includes a remote power supply unit 54. The remote power supply unit 54 is provided, for example, in a remote power supply unit. The remote power supply unit 54 is supplied with power from the AC power supply 12. The remote power supply unit 54 has a remote AC / DC converter, a remote emergency power supply, a remote charging circuit, and a remote power supply switching unit.

[0061] The power of the AC power supply 12 is supplied to the remote operation unit 51 via the remote AC / DC converter. The remote emergency power supply includes a storage battery. The remote charging circuit charges the remote emergency power supply by outputting electricity to the remote emergency power supply according to the state of the storage battery of the remote emergency power supply.

[0062] The remote power supply switching unit switches between a first remote power supply state and a second remote power supply state. In the first remote power supply state, the remote operation unit 51 is supplied with power from the AC power supply 12. In the second power supply state, the remote operation unit 51 is supplied with power from the remote emergency power supply. The first remote power supply state and the second remote power supply state are switched according to whether power is being supplied from the AC power supply 12. The remote power supply switching unit is controlled to be in the first remote power supply state when power is being supplied from the AC power supply 12. The remote power supply switching unit is controlled to be in the second remote power supply state when power is not being supplied from the AC power supply 12.

[0063] <Server> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the server 60 is connected to each of a plurality of broadcast facilities 20. The server 60 is arranged at a location different from that of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20. The server 60 is connected to the plurality of broadcast facilities 20 via a network. The server 60 is connected to the network, for example, by a LAN. The server 60 manages, for example, the installation locations and sounding states of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20.

[0064] Server 60 includes a server control unit 61. The server control unit 61 includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program and control processes. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The server control unit 61 may include one or more microcomputers. The server control unit 61 may include a plurality of arithmetic processing devices arranged separately at multiple locations.

[0065] Server 60 includes a server storage unit 62. The server storage unit 62 stores information used for the control program and control processes of the server control unit 61. The server storage unit 62 includes, for example, at least one of a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes, for example, at least one of a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM.

[0066] Server 60 has a startup detection unit 63. The startup detection unit 63 is connected to a plurality of broadcast facilities 20 via the Internet. The startup detection unit 63 detects that a voice broadcast has been started by any one of the broadcast facilities 20.

[0067] <Control by Broadcast Facility> When the control unit 32 receives a reporting signal from the automatic fire alarm facility 11, it detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation related to the occurrence of a fire. When the control unit 32 detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation related to the occurrence of a fire, it controls at least one of the playback unit 32A, the amplifier unit 35, and the line control unit 34 to broadcast emergency information by voice. Specifically, when the control unit 32 detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation related to the occurrence of a fire, as a first stage where a fire may occur, it controls at least one of the playback unit 32A, the amplifier unit 35, and the line control unit 34 to broadcast first emergency information by voice. After the first emergency information is broadcast by voice, when the operation unit or the remote operation unit is operated to broadcast second emergency information, the control unit 32 controls at least one of the playback unit 32A, the amplifier unit 35, and the line control unit 34 to broadcast the second emergency information by voice.

[0068] When the control unit 32 controls the broadcast facility 20 to perform a loud broadcast of an emergency broadcast, it notifies the server 60 of the activation of the loud broadcast of the emergency information via the communication unit 36. Specifically, the control unit 32 may notify the server 60 of the activation of the loud broadcast of the emergency information upon the activation of the loud broadcast of the first emergency information, or may notify the server 60 of the activation of the loud broadcast of the emergency information upon the activation of the loud broadcast of the second emergency information. The control unit 32 may notify the server 60 of the activation of the loud broadcast of the emergency information step by step. Specifically, after transmitting the first notification to the server 60 upon the activation of the loud broadcast of the first emergency information, the second notification may be transmitted to the server 60 upon the activation of the loud broadcast of the second emergency information.

[0069] After the first emergency information is loudly broadcast, when the operation unit or the remote operation unit is operated so as to loudly broadcast the third emergency information, the control unit 32 controls at least one of the amplifier unit 35 and the line control unit 34 so as to loudly broadcast the third emergency information. The control unit 32 may control at least one of the amplifier unit 35 and the line control unit 34 so as to loudly broadcast different information for each floor where the speaker unit 40 is provided. The control unit 32 may notify the server 60 of a third notification indicating that the fire was a false alarm upon the activation of the loud broadcast of the third emergency information.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, the process by which the control unit 32 notifies the server 60 of the activation of the emergency broadcast is described. When power is supplied to the control unit 32, the control unit 32 starts the process and proceeds to step S31 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. When the flowchart of FIG. 6 ends, the control unit 32 repeats the process from step S31 after the elapse of a predetermined period until the power supply is stopped.

[0071] In step S31, the control unit 32 determines whether it has received an alarm signal from the automatic fire alarm facility 11. If it has received an alarm signal from the automatic fire alarm facility 11, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S32. If it has not received an alarm signal from the automatic fire alarm facility 11, the control unit 32 ends the process. While not receiving an alarm signal from the automatic fire alarm facility 11, the broadcast facility 20 can broadcast the BGM information of normal information at a louder volume.

[0072] In step S32, the control unit 32 activates the louder-volume broadcast of the first emergency information and proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the control unit 32 notifies the server 60 of the activation of the louder-volume broadcast of the first emergency information and proceeds to step S34. In step S34, the control unit 32 determines whether the operation unit or the remote operation unit has been operated to activate the louder-volume broadcast of the second emergency information. If the operation unit or the remote operation unit has been operated to activate the louder-volume broadcast of the second emergency information, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S35.

[0073] In step S35, the control unit 32 activates the louder-volume broadcast of the second emergency information and proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the control unit 32 notifies the server 60 of the activation of the louder-volume broadcast of the second emergency information and ends the process.

[0074] In step S34, if the operation unit or the remote operation unit has not been operated to activate the louder-volume broadcast of the second emergency information, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S37. In step S37, the control unit 32 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed. The predetermined period is, for example, a period longer than the period required from the reception of the alarm signal from the automatic fire alarm facility 11 until the administrator takes some action. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S35. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S38.

[0075] In step S38, the control unit 32 determines whether the operation unit or the remote operation unit has been operated to activate the amplified broadcast of the third emergency information. When the operation unit or the remote operation unit is operated to activate the amplified broadcast of the third emergency information, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S39. In step S39, the control unit 32 activates the amplified broadcast of the third emergency information and proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the control unit 32 notifies the server 60 of the activation of the amplified broadcast of the third emergency information and ends the process. When, in step S38, the operation unit or the remote operation unit has not been operated to activate the amplified broadcast of the third emergency information, the control unit 32 repeats the process from step S34.

[0076] The control unit 32 may omit the processes from step S34 to step S40. After the process of step S32, the control unit 32 may omit the process of step S33 and proceed to step S34.

[0077] <Amplified Broadcast System> The amplified broadcast system 1 includes a detection means 2, a determination means 3, a specification means 4, and a broadcast control means 5.

[0078] The detection means 2 includes, for example, the startup detection unit 63 of the server 60. The detection means 2 detects that the amplified broadcast of the notification information regarding the occurrence of a predetermined situation has been activated by any one of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20. The detection means 2 detects that the amplified broadcast of the emergency information has been activated.

[0079] The determination means 3 includes, for example, the server control unit 61 and the server storage unit 62 of the server 60. When the detection means 2 detects the activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information, the determination means 3 determines a predetermined area X around the broadcast facility 20 where the activation of the emergency broadcast has been detected. The determination means 3 has a database 6. The database 6 is stored in the server storage unit 62. The database 6 includes the unique information and the location information for each of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20. The unique information includes, for example, the product number, type, and IP address of each broadcast facility 20.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4, the database 6 includes a table of unique information and location information. In FIG. 4, as an example, the IP addresses and location information of each broadcast facility 20 are shown. When the detection means 2 detects the activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information, the determination means 3 determines a predetermined area X based on the database 6. Specifically, when the detection means 2 detects the activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information, the determination means 3 determines the predetermined area X based on the location information regarding the broadcast facility 20 that detected the activation and the location information of the surrounding broadcast facilities 20. For example, when there is a possibility that the broadcast facilities 20 around the broadcast facility 20 that detected the activation are affected by a predetermined situation according to the population density, temporary density of people, time zone, weather, etc., the determination means 3 determines the predetermined area X so that the corresponding broadcast facilities 20 are included in the predetermined area X.

[0081] The determination means 3 may determine a predetermined range around the broadcast facility 20 where the amplified broadcast of the notification information has been activated as the predetermined area X. The predetermined range may be a fixed range, or may be a range that changes according to predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions include, for example, population density, temporary density of people, time zone, weather, etc.

[0082] The specifying means 4 includes, for example, the server control unit 61 of the server 60. The specifying means 4 designates the broadcast facility 20 whose activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information has been detected by the detection means 2 as the first broadcast facility 20A, and specifies one or more other broadcast facilities 20 existing within the predetermined area X as the second broadcast facilities 20B. When a plurality of broadcast facilities 20 exist in the predetermined area X, the specifying means 4 specifies all of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20 as the second broadcast facilities 20B.

[0083] The broadcast control means 5 includes, for example, the server control unit 61 of the server 60. When the detection means 2 detects the activation of the voice broadcast of the notification information by the first broadcast facility 20A, the broadcast control means 5 causes the second broadcast facility 20B to voice broadcast the related notification information related to the notification information. When the detection means 2 detects the activation of the voice broadcast of the notification information by the first broadcast facility 20A, the broadcast control means 5 causes the second broadcast facility 20B specified by the specifying means 4 to voice broadcast the related notification information related to the notification information.

[0084] The broadcast control means 5 causes the second broadcast facility 20B to voice broadcast the related notification information corresponding to the notification information. For example, when the notification information is the first emergency information (i.e., upon receiving the notification to the server 60 in step S33), the broadcast control means 5 causes the second broadcast facility 20B to voice broadcast the first related emergency information corresponding to the first emergency information. For example, when the notification information is the second emergency information (i.e., upon receiving the notification to the server 60 in step S36), the broadcast control means 5 causes the second broadcast facility 20B to voice broadcast the second related emergency information corresponding to the second emergency information. For example, when the notification information is the third emergency information (i.e., upon receiving the notification to the server 60 in step S40), the broadcast control means 5 causes the second broadcast facility 20B to voice broadcast the third related emergency information corresponding to the third emergency information. The broadcast control means 5 may cause the specified broadcast facility 20 to voice broadcast the information regarding the source of the emergency information together with the first related emergency information, the second related emergency information, or the third related emergency information.

[0085] When the notification information is event information, the broadcast control means 5 may cause the specified broadcast facility 20 to voice broadcast the related notification information corresponding to the event information. In this case, the broadcast control means 5 may cause the specified broadcast facility 20 to voice broadcast the information regarding the source of the event information together with the related notification information.

[0086] The broadcast control means 5 may cause the second broadcast facility 20B to broadcast the related notification information according to the situation of the second broadcast facility 20B. In this case, the related notification information varies according to the situation of the second broadcast facility 20B. For example, the broadcast control means 5 adds information according to the situation of the second broadcast facility 20B to the information related to the notification information, combines these, and causes them to be broadcast aloud to the broadcast facility 20 specified as the related notification information. The situation of the second broadcast facility 20B is population density, temporary crowd density, time zone, weather, wind direction, wind strength, dryness, etc. For example, when the temporary crowd density is high, the related notification information includes information calling for rapid evacuation to avoid congestion. For example, when the wind is strong, the related notification information includes information calling for evacuation while paying attention to smoke, etc.

[0087] The plurality of broadcast facilities 20 are connected to the detection means 2 and the broadcast control means 5 via a network. The plurality of broadcast facilities 20 notify the detection means 2 via the network that the broadcast aloud of the notification information has been activated. The broadcast control means 5 controls the broadcast facility 20 specified by the specifying means 4 via the network.

[0088] FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 show an example in the case where the determination means 3 determines the predetermined area X and the specifying means 4 specifies the broadcast facility 20 within the predetermined area X. In FIG. 8, the first broadcast facility 20A is indicated by a black circle. The predetermined area X is indicated by a two-dot chain line circle. The second broadcast facility 20B is indicated by a hatched circle with diagonal lines. FIG. 8 shows an example in the case where all of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20 within the predetermined area X are specified as the second broadcast facility 20B by the specifying means 4. The specifying means 4 specifies the broadcast facility 20 located not only within the predetermined area X but also on the boundary of the predetermined area X as the second broadcast facility 20B. The specifying means 4 may specify only the broadcast facility 20 located within the predetermined area X excluding the boundary of the predetermined area X as the second broadcast facility 20B.

[0089] With reference to FIG. 7, an example of the processing executed by the server control unit 61 will be described. When power is supplied to the server control unit 61, the server control unit 61 starts processing and proceeds to step S51 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. When the flowchart in FIG. 7 ends, the server control unit 61 repeats the processing from step S51 after the elapse of a predetermined period until the power supply is stopped.

[0090] In step S51, the server control unit 61 determines whether it has received a startup notification from any one of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20. The startup notification is a notification regarding the start of the amplified broadcast of the notification information. When the server control unit 61 receives a startup notification from any one of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20, the processing proceeds to step S52. When the server control unit 61 does not receive a startup notification from any of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20, the processing ends.

[0091] In step S52, the server control unit 61 determines a predetermined area X based on the database 6 and proceeds to step S53. In step S52, the server control unit 61 may determine a predetermined range as the predetermined area X. In step S53, the server control unit 61 identifies the broadcast facilities 20 existing within the predetermined area X as the second broadcast facilities 20B and proceeds to step S54.

[0092] In step S54, the server control unit 61 controls the second broadcast facilities 20B to amplify and broadcast the related notification information and ends the processing. Specifically, the server control unit 61 transmits a signal instructing the identified second broadcast facilities 20B to amplify and broadcast the related notification information. In response to this, the second broadcast facilities 20B read the related notification information from the storage unit 33, reproduce it, and amplify and broadcast it from the speaker unit 40.

[0093] More specifically, in response to the activation notification received in step S51, the server control unit 61 transmits a signal including information for identifying the notification information to the second broadcast facility 20B. For example, when in step S51, a first notification (notification to the server 60 in step S33) triggered by the first emergency information being broadcasted loudly is received, the server control unit 61 transmits a signal including the first emergency information to the second broadcast facility 20B. In response to this, the control unit 32 of the second broadcast facility 20B controls at least one of the amplifier unit 35 and the line control unit 34 to broadcast loudly the first related notification information related to the first emergency information.

[0094] For example, when in step S51, a second notification (notification to the server 60 in step S36) triggered by the second emergency information being broadcasted loudly is received, the server control unit 61 transmits a signal including the second emergency information to the second broadcast facility 20B. In response to this, the control unit 32 of the second broadcast facility 20B controls at least one of the amplifier unit 35 and the line control unit 34 to broadcast loudly the second related notification information related to the second emergency information.

[0095] For example, when in step S51, a third notification (notification to the server 60 in step S40) triggered by the third emergency information being broadcasted loudly is received, the server control unit 61 transmits a signal including the third emergency information to the second broadcast facility 20B. In response to this, the control unit 32 of the second broadcast facility 20B controls at least one of the amplifier unit 35 and the line control unit 34 to broadcast loudly the third related notification information related to the third emergency information.

[0096] In this embodiment, an example of the emergency information includes the content of a voice message prompting evacuation due to a fire, and an example of the related emergency information includes the content of a voice message prompting preparations for evacuation in case of the spread of the fire, in accordance with the emergency information.

[0097] <Actions of this Embodiment> When the loud broadcast of the notification information is activated, the loud broadcast system 1 can identify other neighboring broadcast facilities 20 and broadcast loudly the related notification information from the other neighboring broadcast facilities 20.

[0098] <Modification Example> The above-described embodiment is an exemplification of the forms that the public address broadcast system 1 can take, and is not intended to limit the form. The public address broadcast system 1 can take a form different from the above-described embodiment. A form different from the above-described embodiment is, for example, a form in which a part of the configuration of the embodiment is replaced, changed, or omitted, or a form in which a new configuration is added to the embodiment. Modification examples of the embodiment are shown below.

[0099] · When the detection means 2 detects the activation of the public address broadcast of the notification information, the broadcast control means 5 may perform the public address broadcast of the relevant notification information only from the speaker unit 40 on a specific floor of the second broadcast facility 20B. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the plurality of broadcast facilities 20 includes a general speaker unit 40X and a management speaker unit 40Y provided at a location different from the general speaker unit 40X. The management speaker unit 40Y is provided, for example, in the manager's room together with the main body unit 30. The general speaker unit 40X is provided on general floors other than the manager's room. When the detection means 2 detects the activation of the public address broadcast of the notification information, the broadcast control means 5 performs the public address broadcast of the relevant notification information only from the management speaker unit 40Y of the second broadcast facility 20B.

[0100] · In the above modification example, the broadcast control means 5 may change the floor on which the relevant notification information is publicly addressed in accordance with the transition of the emergency information. For example, when the first emergency information is publicly addressed by the first broadcast facility 20A, the broadcast control means 5 publicly addresses the first related emergency information only from the management speaker unit 40Y in the manager's room of the building 10B within the second site. For example, when the second emergency information is publicly addressed by the first broadcast facility 20A, the broadcast control means 5 publicly addresses the second related emergency information from all the speaker units 40 of the building 10B within the second site. According to this configuration, the public address broadcast system 1 can vary the floor on which the related emergency information is publicly addressed according to the emergency information.

[0101] The related information is stored in the server 60, and the server 60 may stream and transmit the related information to the second broadcasting facility 20B. In this modified example, the related information is stored in the server storage unit 62. The broadcast control means 5 may cause the second broadcasting facility 20B to perform a voice broadcast of the related information stored in the server storage unit 62. In this case, the broadcasting facility 20 does not necessarily need to store the related information. In this case, upon receiving a start notification regarding the activation of the voice broadcast of the information from the first broadcasting facility 20A, the broadcast control means 5 reads out the related information from the server storage unit 62 and performs a streaming transmission to the second broadcasting facility 20B. The streaming transmission is executed using a streaming protocol such as the RTMP protocol, for example. The second broadcasting facility 20B receives the related information transmitted from the server 60, performs a streaming playback, and performs a voice broadcast through the speaker unit 40.

[0102] · The broadcast control means 5 may cause each of the plurality of second broadcasting facilities 20B to perform a voice broadcast of different related information according to the distance from the first broadcasting facility 20A. In this case, the broadcast control means 5 adds information corresponding to the distance from the first broadcasting facility 20A to the information related to the information, for example, and collectively causes the broadcasting facility 20 specified as the related information to perform a voice broadcast. For example, the broadcast control means 5 causes the second broadcasting facility 20B closest to the first broadcasting facility 20A to perform a voice broadcast of the related information related to the most urgent voice message. For example, the broadcast control means 5 causes the broadcasting facility 20 farther from the first broadcasting facility 20A to perform a voice broadcast of the related information related to a voice message with lower urgency.

[0103] ·The specific means 4 may specify each broadcasting facility 20 within the predetermined area X as a different broadcasting facility 20 in the order from the closest to the first broadcasting facility 20A. For example, based on the position information of each broadcasting facility 20 included in the database 6, the specific means 4 specifies each broadcasting facility 20 as the first, second, third, fourth broadcasting facilities, etc. in the order from the closest to the first broadcasting facility 20A. In this case, the broadcast control means 5 can perform a voice broadcast of different relevant notification information for each broadcasting facility 20 specified by the specific means 4. Also, the broadcast control means 5 can perform a voice broadcast with a time difference in the order of the specified broadcasting facilities 20.

[0104] ·The voice broadcast system 1 may further include a voice synthesis means. The voice synthesis means is provided in the server 60. The voice synthesis means includes, for example, voice synthesis software. The voice synthesis means generates relevant notification information, for example, according to the progress of a predetermined situation. The voice synthesis means may generate relevant notification information according to the transition of emergency information. The voice synthesis means may generate relevant notification information according to the situation of the second broadcasting facility 20B. For example, the broadcast control means 5 causes the information synthesized by the voice synthesis means to be voice-broadcast to the specified broadcasting facility 20 as relevant notification information.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1... Voice broadcast system, 2... Detection means, 3... Decision means, 4... Specific means, 5... Broadcast control means, 6... Database, 10... Buildings within the site, 20... Broadcasting facility, 20A... First broadcasting facility, 20B... Second broadcasting facility, 40X... General speaker section, 40Y... Management speaker section.

Claims

1. An amplified broadcast system for coordinating amplified broadcasts among a plurality of broadcast facilities, wherein the plurality of broadcast facilities are provided in buildings within different sites, detection means for detecting that an amplified broadcast of notification information regarding the occurrence of a predetermined situation has been activated from any one of the plurality of broadcast facilities; determination means for determining a predetermined area around the broadcast facility when the detection means detects the activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information; specification means for specifying, by the detection means, the broadcast facility in which the activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information has been detected as a first broadcast facility, and one or more other broadcast facilities existing within the predetermined area as second broadcast facilities; broadcast control means for causing the second broadcast facilities to perform an amplified broadcast of related notification information related to the notification information when the detection means detects the activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information. An amplified broadcast system comprising:

2. The determination means has a database, the database includes unique information and location information for each of the plurality of broadcast facilities, The determination means determines the predetermined area based on the database when the detection means detects the activation of the amplified broadcast of the notification information. The amplified broadcast system according to claim 1.

3. The related notification information varies according to the situation of the second broadcast facility, The broadcast control means causes the second broadcast facilities to perform an amplified broadcast of the related notification information corresponding to the situation of the second broadcast facility. The amplified broadcast system according to claim 1.

4. The notification information includes emergency information regarding an emergency situation, The detection means detects that the amplified broadcast of the emergency information has been activated. The amplified broadcast system according to claim 1.

5. The related emergency information includes related emergency information related to the emergency information, the broadcast facility stores the emergency information and the related emergency information, the emergency information is stored in a first category as information that can be amplified and broadcast during an emergency, The related emergency information is stored in a second category as information that can be amplified and broadcast other than during an emergency. The amplified broadcast system according to claim 4.

6. The related notification information varies according to the notification information, The broadcast control means causes the second broadcast facilities to perform an amplified broadcast of the related notification information corresponding to the notification information. The amplified broadcast system according to claim 4.

7. Each of the plurality of broadcast facilities includes a general speaker unit and a management speaker unit provided at a location different from the general speaker unit. The voice amplification broadcast system according to claim 1, wherein when the detection means detects activation of voice amplification broadcast of the notification information, the broadcast control means causes the related notification information to be voice amplified and broadcast only from the management speaker unit of the second broadcast facility. **Claim 8** The voice amplification broadcast system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the plurality of broadcast facilities. **Claim 9** The voice amplification broadcast system according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of broadcast facilities are connected to the detection means and the broadcast control means via a network.

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