Alarm unit and warning system

Abstract

To provide an alarm unit and a warning system capable of improving convenience of a user.SOLUTION: A warning system comprises a plurality of devices including alarm units, so as to issue a warning by linkage of the devices through transmission of a linkage control signal from the alarm unit which has detected an abnormality to the other devices. In the system, the alarm unit includes: an abnormality detection circuit for detecting an abnormality; a transmission / reception circuit for transmitting / receiving the linkage control signal with the other devices; notification means for issuing a warning when the abnormality detection circuit detects the abnormality or when the transmission / reception circuit receives the linkage control signal; linkage interruption mode setting means for setting a linkage interruption mode so as not to allow the transmission / reception circuit to transmit the linkage control signal; and a control circuit for controlling the transmission / reception circuit in response to the setting of the linkage interruption mode setting means. The control circuit does not allow the transmission / reception circuit to transmit the linkage control signal in a case where the linkage interruption mode is set when the abnormality detection circuit detects the abnormality.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm device and an alarm system.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of an alarm system, a linked fire alarm system is disclosed in which signals related to a fire, which is an example of an environmental abnormality, are transmitted and received between a plurality of fire alarms to notify a fire alarm in a linked manner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above fire alarm system, for example, even when smoke or heat that is known in advance not to be a fire is generated, such as during inspection, construction at the installation location, cooking, etc., a fire alarm that detects the smoke or heat transmits an interlock control signal to other fire alarms. In this case, the fire alarm that receives the interlock control signal gives an interlock alarm. Thus, even though there is actually no fire, interlock alarms such as, for example, an interlock destination fire alarm, voice output from a doorbell, and flashing of a light are performed, which may be troublesome for the user and there are problems with convenience.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain an alarm device and an alarm system that can improve the convenience for the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The alarm device of the present invention is an alarm device in an alarm system that has a plurality of devices including the alarm device and performs an alarm in conjunction with other devices by transmitting an interlock control signal from the alarm device that has detected an abnormality to other devices. It includes an abnormality detection circuit that detects an abnormality, a transmission / reception circuit that transmits and receives an interlock control signal to and from other devices, a notification means that gives an alarm when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection circuit or when an interlock control signal is received by the transmission / reception circuit, an interlock cutoff mode setting means that sets an interlock cutoff mode to prevent the transmission of the interlock control signal from the transmission / reception circuit, and a control circuit that controls the transmission / reception circuit according to the setting of the interlock cutoff mode setting means. The control circuit does not transmit an interlock control signal from the transmission / reception circuit when the interlock cutoff mode is set when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection circuit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] Since the alarm device and the alarm system according to the present invention do not transmit an interlock control signal from the transmission / reception circuit when the interlock cutoff mode is set when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection circuit, the convenience for the user can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1. The fire alarm system of the present Embodiment 1 is an example of an alarm system and includes a plurality of fire alarms 10 (an example of an alarm) and a repeater 30. In the following description, when the fire alarm 10 and the repeater 30 are not distinguished, they are referred to as devices.

[0010] The fire alarm system is an alarm system that interlocks and gives an alarm between devices by transmitting an interlock control signal from a fire alarm 10 that has detected a fire to other devices. The fire alarm system is configured by a group of devices that can transmit and receive wireless signals within the system. In the present Embodiment 1, one parent fire alarm 10 is provided in the group, and the remaining devices are children. The transmission and reception of signals between each device constituting the alarm system are not limited to wireless, and may be wired. Hereinafter, the description will be made on the assumption that each device transmits and receives wireless signals.

[0011] In FIG. 1, the inside of the system is regarded as one group, but for example, a plurality of groups can be configured in the system. Also, although not particularly limited, basically, the parent fire alarm 10 is provided at a position where it can communicate with all devices in the group. When the parent fire alarm 10 receives an alarm signal related to a fire such as an interlock control signal described later from another fire alarm 10, it re-transmits the alarm signal to other devices in the group to ensure interlocking. Further, for example, each device in the group has an address uniquely set in the group in order to identify the communication source and the communication destination.

[0012] When the fire alarm 10 detects a fire or the like, it gives an alarm by sound, display, etc., notifies the user (e.g., the resident), and transmits an interlock control signal to other devices in the group. Further, when the fire alarm 10 receives an interlock control signal from another fire alarm 10 in the group, it gives an alarm in conjunction with it.

[0013] The repeater 30 is a device that relays (outputs) an alarm signal related to a fire in the present fire alarm system to an external device (including an external system). A unique address is also set for the repeater 30 in the same way as for the fire alarm 10, and it is treated as a child device in communication. Here, the repeater 30 of the first embodiment does not have a function of detecting a fire or the like, but is assumed to be able to give an alarm in conjunction with a control signal from the fire alarm 10.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram for showing the circuit configuration and the like of the fire alarm 10 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the fire alarm 10 includes a control circuit 1, a battery 2, a power supply circuit 3, a battery voltage detection circuit 4, a transmission / reception circuit 5, an antenna 6, a fire detection circuit 7 as an example of an abnormality detection circuit for detecting an environmental abnormality, an alarm sound control circuit 8, a display circuit 9, an alarm stop switch 20, and an interlock cutoff switch 23.

[0015] The control circuit 1 performs processing based on an input signal or the like, and controls circuits and the like included in the fire alarm 10. For example, based on a signal from the fire detection circuit 7, the control circuit 1 operates the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display circuit 9 to give an alarm related to a fire by sound and display. The control circuit 1 performs communication processing with other devices in the system (group) via the transmission / reception circuit 5. The control circuit 1 includes a storage element 21 and a timer 22. The storage element 21 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores various data such as a program related to processing executed by the control circuit 1, addresses set for itself and other devices in the group, and a group ID of the group to which it belongs. The timer 22 measures the operation time in the interlock cutoff mode described later.

[0016] The battery 2 supplies a DC power supply to the power supply circuit 3. The power supply circuit 3 controls the voltage of the battery 2 to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to each circuit of the fire alarm 10. The battery voltage detection circuit 4 detects the voltage applied to the battery 2 and outputs a battery voltage detection signal corresponding to the detected voltage to the control circuit 1. The control circuit 1 drives the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display circuit 9 based on the battery voltage detection signal from the battery voltage detection circuit 4 to notify battery depletion or the like. Here, the fire alarm 10 is a wireless type and is described as using the battery 2 as a power supply. However, in the case of a wired type, an AC power supply can be used as a power supply.

[0017] The transmission / reception circuit 5 transmits and receives various signals including an interlock control signal to and from the transmission / reception circuit 5 of other devices. When the transmission / reception circuit 5 determines that its own address is included as destination data in the wireless signal input via the antenna 6 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, it performs reception processing. The transmission / reception circuit 5 also performs reception processing when the wireless signal input via the antenna 6 includes all designated addresses with all devices in the group as destinations. The transmission / reception circuit 5 does not perform reception processing when it determines that the wireless signal is other than its own address and all designated addresses. In addition, the transmission / reception circuit 5 performs transmission processing of status signals and the like related to the processing of the control circuit 1.

[0018] The fire detection circuit 7 detects physical changes such as smoke and heat based on a fire phenomenon and outputs a signal corresponding to the detection content to the control circuit 1. Here, the fire detection circuit 7 is described as comparing the smoke concentration with a threshold value, determining that a fire has been detected when the smoke concentration is equal to or higher than the threshold value, and outputting a signal related to the fire detection to the control circuit 1. When a signal related to the fire detection is input to the control circuit 1, the fire alarm 10, as will be described in detail below, issues a fire source alarm and transmits an interlock control signal for causing an interlock alarm to other devices, specifically, other fire alarms 10 and the repeater 30.

[0019] The alarm sound control circuit 8 is a circuit that controls the operation of generating an alarm sound or the like from a buzzer, speaker, etc. (not shown). The display circuit 9 is a circuit that controls the lighting operation of a display lamp (not shown) such as a light-emitting diode. Here, although the description will be made on the assumption that the display circuit 9 is a circuit that controls the lighting of the display lamp, when the fire alarm 10 has a display means capable of displaying, for example, characters, numbers, etc., the display circuit 9 may control the display of characters and the like. One or both of the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display circuit 9 serve as notification means for giving an alarm.

[0020] The alarm stop switch 20 is a switch for the user to stop the alarm related to a fire during an alarm related to a fire.

[0021] The interlock cut-off switch 23 is a switch for the user to set the interlock cut-off mode described below. The interlock cut-off mode is a mode in which a linkage control signal is not transmitted from the fire alarm 10 that is the origin of the detected fire to other devices. For example, when it is known in advance that there is no fire even though a fire is detected by the fire detection circuit 7 due to cooking or the like, there is no need to give a linked alarm by other devices. Therefore, in the fire alarm 10 according to the first embodiment, when the interlock cut-off mode is set by the interlock cut-off switch 23, even if a fire is detected by the fire detection circuit 7, a linkage control signal is not transmitted to other devices.

[0022] The interlock cut-off switch 23 is, for example, a button-type switch or a dip switch. If the interlock cut-off switch 23 is, for example, a button-type switch, pressing it once sets the interlock cut-off mode, and long-pressing it releases the interlock cut-off mode. Also, the interlock cut-off switch 23 is not limited to being provided independently separately from the alarm stop switch 20 as shown in FIG. 2, and the alarm stop switch 20 may be used also as the interlock cut-off switch 23. When the alarm stop switch 20 is also used as the interlock cut-off switch 23, for example, the switches can be used properly by distinguishing them by half-pressing or full-pressing, short-pressing or long-pressing (continuous pressing), etc. When the alarm stop switch 20 is also used as the interlock cut-off switch 23, the number of switches can be reduced. The interlock cut-off switch 23 is an example of an interlock cut-off mode setting means for setting an interlock cut-off mode for preventing the transmission and reception circuit 5 from transmitting an interlock control signal.

[0023] The interlock cut-off mode is set or released by the user's operation of the interlock cut-off switch 23. Also, the interlock cut-off mode is automatically released when a preset fixed time has elapsed since the interlock cut-off mode was set. This is to prevent the situation where the user forgets to release the interlock cut-off mode and the interlock cut-off mode operates unintentionally. The control for automatically releasing the interlock cut-off mode is performed by the control circuit 1. This control will be described again using the flowchart of FIG. 5 described later.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram for showing the circuit configuration etc. of the repeater 30 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the repeater 30 includes a control circuit 31, a battery 32, a power supply circuit 33, a battery voltage detection circuit 34, a transmission and reception circuit 35, an antenna 36, an alarm sound control circuit 38, a display circuit 39, a movement report output section 40, and an inspection / alarm stop switch 41.

[0025] The control circuit 31 performs processing based on input signals and the like, and controls circuits and the like of the repeater 30. For example, based on an alarm signal from the fire alarm 10, the control circuit 31 operates the alarm sound control circuit 38 and the display circuit 39 to give an alarm related to a fire by sound and display. Further, the control circuit 31 performs communication processing with other devices in the system (group) via the transmission / reception circuit 35.

[0026] The control circuit 31 has a storage element 44. The storage element 44 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores various data such as a program related to the processing executed by the control circuit 31, addresses set for itself and other devices in the group, and the group ID of the group to which it belongs.

[0027] The battery 32 supplies a DC power supply to the power supply circuit 33. The power supply circuit 33 controls the voltage of the battery 32 to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to each circuit of the repeater 30. The battery voltage detection circuit 34 detects the voltage related to the application of the battery 32 and outputs a battery voltage detection signal to the control circuit 31. The control circuit 31 drives the alarm sound control circuit 38 and the display circuit 39 based on the battery voltage detection signal to notify of battery exhaustion or the like. Here, the repeater 30 is described as being wireless and using the battery 32 as a power supply, but in the case of a wired type, an AC power supply can be used as a power supply.

[0028] When the transmission / reception circuit 35 determines that its own address is included as communication destination data in a wireless signal input via the antenna 36 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, it performs reception processing. Similarly, when the transmission / reception circuit 35 determines that a broadcast address including all devices in the group as communication destinations is included in the wireless signal input via the antenna 36, it performs reception processing. When the transmission / reception circuit 35 determines that the wireless signal is other than its own address and the broadcast address, it does not perform reception processing. The transmission / reception circuit 35 outputs the received signal to the control circuit 31. Further, the transmission / reception circuit 35 performs transmission processing of state signals and the like related to the processing of the control circuit 31.

[0029] The alarm sound control circuit 38 is a circuit that controls the operation of generating an alarm sound from a buzzer, speaker, etc. (not shown). The display circuit 39 is a circuit that controls the lighting operation of a display lamp (not shown) such as a light-emitting diode. When the relay 30 has a display means capable of displaying, for example, characters, numbers, etc., the display circuit 39 may be configured to control the display of characters and the like. One or both of the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display circuit 9 serve as notification means for giving an alarm.

[0030] The transfer report output unit 40 outputs a transfer report signal including an alarm signal related to a fire to an external device outside the system. Here, in the first embodiment, the transfer report output unit 40 is wired-connected to the external device, but it may be wirelessly connected. The external device is, for example, a fire door, a fire shutter, a door phone, a light, etc.

[0031] The inspection / alarm stop switch 41 is a switch for the user to stop the alarm related to a fire during an alarm related to a fire. Also, the inspection / alarm stop switch 41 is a switch for causing the transfer report output unit 40 to output a transfer report signal related to a transfer report inspection alarm in order to inspect whether a transfer report signal can be output. The inspection / alarm stop switch 41 is, for example, a button-type switch, and it is assumed that the switch can be properly used by distinguishing between a half-press or a full-press, a short-press or a long-press (continuous press), etc.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the alarm process related to a fire of the fire alarm 10 according to the first embodiment. Here, based on FIG. 4, the alarm process related to a fire performed by the control circuit 1 of the fire alarm 10 will be described.

[0033] First, the control circuit 1 determines whether a signal related to fire detection is input from the fire detection circuit 7 (S1). When the control circuit 1 determines that a signal related to fire detection has been input, it then determines the set state of the interlock shutdown mode (S2).

[0034] When the control circuit 1 determines that the interlock shutdown mode is not set, it operates the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display circuit 9 to give an alarm indicating that there is a fire at the origin, and gives a fire origin alarm for normal times (S3a). Further, the control circuit 1 causes the transmission / reception circuit 5 to transmit, via the antenna 6, an interlock control signal for interlocking the alarm to other devices in the group (S4). Here, specifically, for the fire origin alarm for normal times, the alarm sound control circuit 8 is operated to generate, for example, a voice such as "Pe, Hoo, Hoo, There is a fire, There is a fire", and the display circuit 9 is operated to blink a display lamp, for example, in red.

[0035] When the control circuit 1 determines in step S2 that the interlock shutdown mode is set, it operates one or both of the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display circuit 9 to give an alarm indicating that there is a fire at the origin, and gives a fire origin alarm for interlock shutdown times (S3b). The fire origin alarm for interlock shutdown times is an alarm different from the fire origin alarm for normal times, and is, for example, the following alarm. For the fire origin alarm for interlock shutdown times, the volume of the voice is made smaller than the volume in the fire origin alarm for normal times, or, for example, the voice is not generated and only the display lamp blinks. Note that it is not always necessary to change the content of the alarm depending on whether the interlock shutdown mode is set or not, and the same alarm may be used. In the following description, when the fire origin alarm for normal times and the fire origin alarm for interlock shutdown times are not distinguished, it is referred to as a fire origin alarm.

[0036] In this way, even when there is an input of a signal related to fire detection from the fire detection circuit 7, if the control circuit 1 determines in step S2 that the interlock shutdown mode is set, it does not transmit an interlock control signal to other devices.

[0037] On the one hand, when the control circuit 1 determines in step S1 that no signal related to fire detection is input from the fire detection circuit 7, it determines whether it has received an interlock control signal from other devices via the antenna 6 and the transceiver circuit 5 (S5). When the control circuit 1 determines that it has received the interlock control signal, it operates the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display circuit 9 to give an interlock alarm indicating that a fire has occurred at another location (S6). Specifically, for the interlock alarm, the alarm sound control circuit 8 is operated to generate, for example, a sound such as "Pe, Hoo, Hoo, there is a fire at another location", and the display circuit 9 is operated to blink the display lamp in, for example, orange different from red during the fire source alarm. When the control circuit 1 determines that it has not received the interlock control signal, it returns to S1 and determines whether an alarm signal is input from the fire detection circuit 7 or the interlock control signal is received at predetermined intervals.

[0038] Then, after the control circuit 1 gives any one of the normal-time fire source alarm, the fire source alarm during interlock shutdown, and the interlock alarm, it determines whether there is an operation to stop the alarm (S7). Specifically, the control circuit 1 determines whether the alarm stop switch 20 has been pressed.

[0039] When the control circuit 1 determines that the alarm stop switch 20 has been pressed, it stops the sound generation by the alarm sound control circuit 8, the display by the display circuit 9, and stops the currently operating alarm (S8). Here, when the control circuit 1 stops the interlock alarm, it stops both the sound generation by the alarm sound control circuit 8 and the display by the display circuit 9. On the other hand, when the control circuit 1 stops the fire source alarm, it stops the sound generation by the alarm sound control circuit 8 but continues to blink the display lamp in the display circuit 9.

[0040] Then, the control circuit 1 checks the set state of the interlock shutdown mode again (S9). Here, if the interlock shutdown mode is not set, other devices are in a state where an interlock alarm is being given by transmitting the interlock control signal in step S4. Therefore, the control circuit 1 transmits an interlock alarm stop signal for stopping the interlock alarm from the transceiver circuit 5 to other devices via the antenna 6 (S10), and then returns to step S1.

[0041] On the one hand, if the interlock shutdown mode is set, the control circuit 1 does not send an interlock control signal to other devices in the first place, and since no interlock alarm is being issued by other devices, it does not send an interlock alarm stop signal and returns to step S1.

[0042] Also, if the control circuit 1 determines in step S7 that no alarm stop operation has been performed, it then determines whether it has subsequently received an interlock alarm stop signal from another fire alarm 10 (S11). If the control circuit 1 determines that it has not received an interlock alarm stop signal, it returns to step S7. If the control circuit 1 determines that it has received an interlock alarm stop signal from another fire alarm 10, it stops its own interlock alarm (S12) and returns to step S1.

[0043] Here, since only the interlock alarm is stopped by receiving the interlock alarm stop signal in step S11, the fire source alarm does not stop in the fire alarm 10 that is issuing the fire source alarm. If the control circuit 1 determines in step S11 that it has not received an interlock alarm stop signal from the fire alarm 10, it returns to step S7 and continues the fire source alarm until an alarm stop operation is performed.

[0044] By performing the above processing, when the interlock shutdown mode is set in the fire alarm 10, even if a fire is detected by its own fire detection circuit 7, no interlock alarm is issued from devices other than itself, and only itself, that is, only the fire alarm 10 at the fire source, issues a fire source alarm. In other words, the case where the interlock shutdown mode is set can be said to be a situation where the user is, for example, cooking and is near the installation location of the fire alarm 10 at the fire source. Therefore, even if a fire is detected by the fire detection circuit 7, it can be dealt with immediately, and an interlock alarm in other devices is not essential. By having the interlock shutdown mode, the fire alarm 10 can prevent other devices from issuing an interlock alarm, thus enhancing the convenience for the user.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the cancellation timing of the interlock shutdown mode of the fire alarm 10 according to Embodiment 1. The control circuit 1 determines whether the interlock shutdown mode is set (S21). Specifically, the control circuit 1 determines whether an operation to set the interlock shutdown mode is performed by the interlock shutdown switch 23. When the control circuit 1 determines that an operation to set the interlock shutdown mode is performed by the interlock shutdown switch 23, it starts the timing by the timer 22 (S22) and operates the display circuit 9 to perform an interlock shutdown mode setting display indicating that the interlock shutdown mode is being set (S23).

[0046] Then, the control circuit 1 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the timing by the timer 22 (S24). Here, in this Embodiment 1, the certain period of time is, for example, 1 hour. When the control circuit 1 determines that the certain period of time has elapsed or an operation to cancel the interlock shutdown mode is performed by the interlock shutdown switch 23 during the timing (S25), it cancels the interlock shutdown mode (S26).

[0047] The certain period of time is stored in the storage element 21 and can be arbitrarily set and changed according to the installation environment and the like. The control circuit 1 can extend the certain period of time by performing a specific operation on various switches provided in the fire alarm 10 during the setting of the interlock shutdown mode. Specifically, for example, when the interlock shutdown switch 23 is used as an extension switch, the control circuit 1 extends the certain period of time when the interlock shutdown switch 23 is pressed once, for example, during the setting of the interlock shutdown mode. The interlock shutdown switch 23 is an example of an extension instruction means for instructing the extension of the certain period of time.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the alarm process related to a fire of the repeater 30 according to Embodiment 1. Next, the alarm process related to a fire performed by the control circuit 31 of the repeater 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0049] First, the control circuit 31 determines whether it has received an interlock control signal from the fire alarm 10 via the antenna 36 and the transceiver circuit 35 (S31). If the control circuit 31 determines that it has not received the interlock control signal, it will perform the determination of receiving the interlock control signal in step S31 every predetermined time. Here, as described above, the interlock control signal is transmitted from the fire alarm 10 to the repeater 30 when the interlock cutoff mode is not set in the fire alarm 10 and a signal related to fire detection is input from the fire detection circuit 7 to the control circuit 1, that is, when interlock alarms are required for devices other than the fire alarm 10 at the fire source.

[0050] When the control circuit 31 of the repeater 30 determines that it has received the interlock control signal, it operates the alarm sound control circuit 38 and the display circuit 39 to perform an interlock alarm (S32). Specifically, for the interlock alarm, the alarm sound control circuit 38 is operated to generate, for example, a voice such as "Pe, Hoo, Hoo, There is a fire in another location", and the display circuit 39 is operated to blink the display lamp in a different orange color, for example, when there is an alarm at the fire source. Also, the control circuit 31 causes the transfer output unit 40 to output a transfer signal of the alarm related to the fire (S33). The transfer signal output from the transfer output unit 40 is received by an external device, and an operation based on the transfer signal is performed. For example, if the external device is a fire shutter, an operation to close the fire shutter is performed.

[0051] Then, the control circuit 31 determines whether there is an operation to stop the alarm (S34). Specifically, the control circuit 31 determines whether an operation to stop the alarm has been performed by the inspection / alarm stop switch 41. If the control circuit 31 determines that an operation to stop the alarm has been performed by the inspection / alarm stop switch 41, it stops the interlock alarm (S35). Here, when stopping the interlock alarm in the repeater 30, for example, the generation of sound by the alarm sound control circuit 38 is stopped, but the display circuit 39 continues to blink the display lamp. Then, the control circuit 31 continues to cause the transfer output unit 40 to output a transfer signal of the alarm related to the fire (S36), and returns to step S34.

[0052] On the other hand, when the control circuit 31 determines in step S34 that there is no operation to stop the alarm, it then determines whether an interlock alarm stop signal has been received (S37). If the control circuit 31 determines that the interlock alarm stop signal has not been received, it returns to step S34. If the control circuit 31 determines that the interlock alarm stop signal has been received, it stops the interlock alarm (S38). Specifically, the control circuit 31 stops both the generation of sound by the alarm sound control circuit 38 and the display by the display circuit 39. Further, the control circuit 31 stops the output of the transfer signal from the transfer output unit 40 (S39) and returns to step S31.

[0053] Note that in the above, it has been described that the interlock alarm stop signal is transmitted only from the fire alarm 10 at the fire source. However, the following may also be adopted. The interlock alarm stop signal may be retransmitted from the parent fire alarm 10 to other devices (fire alarms 10 and repeaters 30) in the group when the parent fire alarm 10 receives the interlock alarm stop signal from the child fire alarm 10 at the fire source. By the parent fire alarm 10 retransmitting the interlock alarm stop signal, even if the interlock alarm stop signal transmitted from the fire alarm 10 at the fire source does not reach other devices due to some factor, the interlock alarm stop signal can surely reach other devices in the group.

[0054] Also, although not described in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the transfer output inspection mode is set by the inspection / alarm stop switch 41 in the repeater 30, the following processing is performed. The repeater 30 operates the alarm sound control circuit 38 to generate sound, etc. during transfer output inspection, and also operates the display circuit 39 to perform transfer output inspection display. The transfer output inspection display is, for example, the same as the interlock alarm, and the display lamp is blinked in orange. Further, the repeater 30 performs processing to output a transfer signal related to the transfer output inspection alarm to the transfer output unit 40.

[0055] Embodiment 2. In the above-described Embodiment 1, regardless of whether the interlock shutdown mode was set or not, when a fire was detected by the fire detection circuit 7, the fire source alarm was activated. In Embodiment 2, during the setting of the interlock shutdown mode, the sensitivity of fire detection in the fire detection circuit 7 was reduced so that the fire source alarm was not activated. The configurations of the fire alarm 10 and the alarm system are the same as those in Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the operations in which Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the alarm process related to a fire of the fire alarm 10 according to Embodiment 2. Hereinafter, the processes in which the flowchart of FIG. 7 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 4 in Embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the processes of steps S41 and S42 are newly added.

[0057] The control circuit 1 determines whether the interlock shutdown mode is set (S41). Specifically, the control circuit 1 determines whether an operation to set the interlock shutdown mode has been performed by the interlock shutdown switch 23. When the control circuit 1 determines that an operation to set the interlock shutdown mode has been performed by the interlock shutdown switch 23, it reduces the fire detection sensitivity in the fire detection circuit 7 (S42). Specifically, the control circuit 1 reduces the fire detection sensitivity by increasing the threshold value used for fire determination in the fire detection circuit 7.

[0058] Here, the control circuit 1 sets the threshold value to a value exceeding the maximum value of the smoke density assumed at the time of a fire (hereinafter, the first threshold value). Thereby, when the interlock shutdown mode is set, the smoke density detected by the fire detection circuit 7 does not become equal to or higher than the first threshold value, and a signal related to fire detection is not input from the fire detection circuit 7 to the control circuit 1. On the other hand, when the interlock shutdown mode is not set, the control circuit 1 does not perform the process of reducing the fire detection sensitivity in step S42. The subsequent processes are the same as the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0059] As described above, the fire alarm 10 does not activate the fire source alarm during the setting of the interlock shutdown mode.

[0060] Here, it is assumed that the threshold value is set to a first threshold value that exceeds the maximum value of the smoke density assumed at the time of a fire. However, the threshold value is not limited to the first threshold value. The threshold value may be set to a second threshold value that is greater than the default value before the sensitivity decreases and less than the first threshold value. In this case, if the detected smoke density is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the fire alarm 10 performs an associated shutdown fire source alarm. That is, the fire alarm 10 may be configured such that the threshold value is set to the first threshold value to minimize the fire detection sensitivity and no fire source alarm is completely performed, or the threshold value is set to the second threshold value to reduce the fire detection sensitivity from the default state and it is difficult for the fire source alarm to be performed.

[0061] Note that when the setting of the associated shutdown mode is canceled, the control circuit 1 automatically returns the threshold value to the default value and restores the sensitivity.

[0062] According to the fire alarm 10 of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained. The fire alarm 10 reduces the fire detection sensitivity when the associated shutdown mode is set. As a result, the fire alarm 10 either does not completely issue an associated shutdown fire source alarm when the associated shutdown mode is set, or it becomes difficult to issue an associated shutdown fire source alarm. Thereby, the fire alarm 10 can enhance convenience more.

[0063] In all of the above embodiments, an example in which the alarm is the fire alarm 10 that detects a fire has been described. However, the alarm may be an alarm that detects an abnormality in other environments such as gas leakage. The alarm system may be a system that has a plurality of devices including an alarm and performs an alarm in conjunction with each other by outputting an associated control signal from the alarm that has detected an abnormality to other devices.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 1 Control circuit, 2 Battery, 3 Power supply circuit, 4 Battery voltage detection circuit, 5 Transceiver circuit, 6 Antenna, 7 Fire detection circuit, 8 Alarm sound control circuit, 9 Display circuit, 10 Fire alarm, 20 Alarm stop switch, 21 Memory element, 22 Timer, 23 Interlock cut-off switch, 30 Repeater, 31 Control circuit, 32 Battery, 33 Power supply circuit, 34 Battery voltage detection circuit, 35 Transceiver circuit, 36 Antenna, 38 Alarm sound control circuit, 39 Display circuit, 40 Transfer report output section, 41 Inspection / alarm stop switch, 44 Memory element.

Claims

1. An alarm device in an alarm system that has a plurality of devices including an alarm device, and performs an alarm in conjunction with other devices by transmitting an interlock control signal from the alarm device that has detected an abnormality to other devices, comprising: An abnormality detection circuit that detects an abnormality; A transmission / reception circuit that transmits and receives the interlock control signal to and from the other devices; Notification means for giving an alarm when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection circuit or when the interlock control signal is received by the transmission / reception circuit; Interlock cutoff mode setting means for setting an interlock cutoff mode that prevents the transmission of the interlock control signal from the transmission / reception circuit; A control circuit that controls the transmission / reception circuit according to the setting of the interlock cutoff mode setting means, and when the interlock cutoff mode is set when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection circuit, the control circuit does not transmit the interlock control signal from the transmission / reception circuit Alarm device.

2. The control circuit makes the alarm performed by the notification means different when the interlock cutoff mode is set and when the interlock cutoff mode is not set The alarm device according to Claim 1.

3. When the interlock cutoff mode is set, the control circuit reduces the sensitivity of abnormality detection in the abnormality detection circuit compared to when the interlock cutoff mode is not set The alarm device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. When the interlock cutoff mode is set, the control circuit starts timing, and when a preset fixed time has elapsed, releases the setting of the interlock cutoff mode The alarm device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

5. It is provided with extension instruction means for instructing an extension of the fixed time, and when the extension of the fixed time is instructed from the extension instruction means, the control circuit extends the fixed time The alarm device according to Claim 4.

6. An alarm system comprising a plurality of alarm devices according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

Images