Fire alarm receiver

Abstract

To reduce the time required from when a fire alarm receiver is powered on until processing for a fire detector is executed in response to user operation.SOLUTION: A fire alarm receiver 20 includes: a setting unit 212 that, upon power-up, sets a connection status indicating that the maximum number of fire detectors 10 connectable to a line L1 are connected, without verifying the connection status of the fire detectors 10 connected via the line L1; and a processing unit 213 that, with the connection status set, executes processing for the fire detectors 10 in response to user operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire alarm receiver. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that when a fire control signal receiver is started up in a maintenance installation mode, part of the start-up process is omitted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-68392 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some fire receivers require a certain amount of time to start up because they check the connection status of each fire detector connected via a line. However, if this process were omitted at startup, the fire receiver would not know the connection status of the fire detectors, and would not be able to perform any processing on the fire detectors until it checked their connection status after startup. For example, during construction, a fire receiver may be powered off to install a new fire detector, and then powered on to automatically test the new fire detector. However, if the process of checking the connection status of the fire detectors at startup were omitted, the new fire detector would not be able to be automatically tested immediately after startup, preventing the construction work from proceeding smoothly.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the time required from when a fire receiver is powered on until processing for a fire detector is executed in response to a user's operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a fire receiver that includes a setting unit that, when powered on, sets a connection state indicating that the maximum number of fire detectors that can be connected to the line are connected without checking the connection states of the fire detectors connected via the line, and a processing unit that, when the connection state is set, executes processing on the fire detectors in response to user operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required from when the power of the fire receiver is turned on until processing for the fire detector is executed in response to a user operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fire alarm system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a connection management table. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fire control receiver at startup. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (composition) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fire alarm system 1 according to one embodiment. The fire alarm system 1 is a system that, when a fire breaks out in a building, notifies people in the building of the occurrence of a fire. The fire alarm system 1 includes a plurality of fire detectors 10 and a fire receiver 20. The plurality of fire detectors 10 and the fire receiver 20 are connected via a line L1. Note that, although only one line L1 is connected to the fire receiver 20 in FIG. 1, a plurality of lines may be connected.

[0010] The fire detector 10 detects a fire that has broken out in a building and transmits a fire signal to the fire receiver 20. The fire detector 10 has a sensor that detects physical phenomena caused by a fire. The objects that the sensor detects include smoke, heat, flames, and CO. For example, the fire detector 10 is a P-type fire detector with an automatic test function. A unique address is assigned to the fire detector 10 in advance.

[0011] When the fire receiver 20 receives a fire signal from the fire detector 10, it outputs an alarm to notify the occurrence of a fire. The fire receiver 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, a display unit 25, and an audio unit 26. The various units of the fire receiver 20 are connected via a bus.

[0012] The control unit 21 controls each part of the fire receiver 20. The control unit 21 includes a processor such as a CPU. The memory unit 22 stores programs for realizing the functions of the fire receiver 20 and various data. The memory unit 22 includes memories such as RAM and EEPROM. The communication unit 23 communicates with the fire detector 10 via line L1. The operation unit 24 is used to operate the fire receiver 20. The operation unit 24 includes various operation buttons including a power switch. The display unit 25 displays various information. The display unit 25 includes an LED, a 7-segment display, and an LCD display, for example. The audio unit 26 outputs various sounds including an alarm sound. The audio unit 26 includes a speaker, for example.

[0013] The control unit 21 functions as an operation restriction unit 211, a setting unit 212, a processing unit 213, a status confirmation unit 214, an update unit 215, and an abnormality output unit 216. These functions are realized by the control unit 21 executing a program stored in the storage unit 22 to perform calculations or control each unit of the fire receiver 20. Note that at least some of the functions of the control unit 21 may be realized by a hardware module such as an electronic circuit.

[0014] The operation restriction unit 211 restricts the operation of the fire receiver 20 from when the fire receiver 20 is powered on until the connection status of the fire detector 10 is set. More specifically, during this period, the operation restriction unit 211 does not accept any operation performed using the operation unit 24. This is because, if the connection status of the fire detector 10 is unknown, it is not possible to perform processing on the fire detector 10 in response to a user's operation. Once the connection status of the fire detector 10 is set, it becomes possible to perform processing on the fire detector 10 in response to a user's operation, and therefore the operation restriction unit 211 permits the operation of the fire receiver 20. Note that, while the operation of the fire receiver 20 is restricted by the operation restriction unit 211, a message indicating that the fire receiver 20 is in the process of starting up or a countdown of the time required for startup may be displayed on the display unit 25 to notify the user that the fire receiver 20 cannot be operated.

[0015] When the fire receiver 20 is powered on, the setting unit 212 sets a connection status indicating that the maximum number of fire detectors 10 connectable to the line L1 is connected. At this time, the setting unit 212 sets the connection status without checking the connection status of the fire detectors 10 connected to the line L1. Therefore, the connection status set at this time does not reflect the actual connection status of the fire detectors 10. More specifically, the memory unit 22 stores a connection management table 221 for setting the connection status of the fire detectors 10. The setting unit 212 uses this connection management table 221 to set a connection status indicating that the maximum number of fire detectors 10 connectable to the line L1 is connected.

[0016] 2 is a diagram illustrating the connection management table 221. The connection management table 221 stores the ID of a line, the addresses of the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to that line, and the connection status of those fire detectors 10, in association with each other. The number of lines connected to the fire receiver 20 and the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to each line are set in advance. For example, if the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to line L1 is 60, the connection management table 221 stores the ID of line L1, the addresses of the 60 fire detectors 10 numbered "1" to "60," and the connection status of those fire detectors 10, in association with each other. When the fire receiver 20 is powered on, the setting unit 212 sets the connection status of all fire detectors 10 that are associated with the ID of line L1 in the connection management table 221 to "connected."

[0017] The processing unit 213 performs processing in response to user operations when the connection status of the fire detector 10 is set by the setting unit 212 and operation of the fire receiver 20 is permitted by the operation restriction unit 211. This user includes construction workers. This processing includes processing to cause the fire detector 10 to execute an automatic test. This automatic test is also called an alarm test, and is a test to confirm whether the fire detector 10 goes into an alarm state in response to an instruction from the fire receiver 20.

[0018] After the setting unit 212 sets the connection status of the fire detectors 10, the status confirmation unit 214 confirms the connection status of the fire detectors 10 connected via the line L1. More specifically, the status confirmation unit 214 confirms the connection status of the fire detectors 10 by polling. The status confirmation unit 214 transmits a status confirmation signal to confirm the connection status to the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to the line L1. If the status confirmation unit 214 receives a response including its address from a fire detector 10 in response to the status confirmation signal, the status confirmation unit 214 determines that the fire detector 10 is connected to the line L1. On the other hand, if the fire detector 10 does not respond to the status confirmation signal, the status confirmation unit 214 determines that the fire detector 10 is not connected to the line L1. This connection status confirmation takes a time corresponding to the number of fire detectors 10. For example, in the fire receiver 20 of this embodiment, if the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to the line L1 is 60, it takes about one and a half minutes to confirm the connection status.

[0019] The update unit 215 updates the connection status set by the setting unit 212 according to the connection status confirmation result by the status confirmation unit 214. More specifically, for fire detectors 10 that are determined by the status confirmation unit 214 to be connected to line L1, the update unit 215 leaves the connection status stored in the connection management table 221 as "connected" without updating it. On the other hand, for fire detectors 10 that are determined by the status confirmation unit 214 to be not connected to line L1, the update unit 215 updates the connection status stored in the connection management table 221 to "unconnected". In this way, the update unit 215 updates the connection status of the number of fire detectors 10 that is the difference between the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to line L1 and the number of fire detectors 10 that are actually connected to line L1 to "unconnected".

[0020] After the operation of the fire receiver 20 is permitted by the operation restriction unit 211, if a user instructs execution of processing on a fire detector 10 that is not connected to the line L1 before the status confirmation unit 214 has completed confirmation of the connection status, the abnormality output unit 216 outputs abnormality information indicating that the fire detector 10 is not connected to the display unit 25, etc. This output may include a display on the display unit 25 and a sound output from the audio unit 26. The display unit 25 and the audio unit 26 are examples of the output unit according to the present invention.

[0021] (operation) 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation at the time of starting up the fire control panel 20. This operation is initiated when the user turns on the power switch of the fire control panel 20.

[0022] In step S11, when the power switch is turned on, the power is supplied to the fire receiver 20. In step S12, the operation restriction unit 211 restricts the operation of the fire receiver 20. While the operation of the fire receiver 20 is restricted, even if the user operates the fire receiver 20 using the operation unit 24, this operation is not accepted.

[0023] In step S13, the setting unit 212 sets a connection status indicating that the maximum number of fire detectors 10 connectable to the line L1 is connected, using the connection management table 221. For example, if the maximum number of fire detectors 10 connectable to the line L1 is 60, the setting unit 212 stores the connection status "connected" in association with the ID of the line L1 and the addresses of the fire detectors 10 "1" to "60" in the connection management table 221, as shown in FIG.

[0024] When the connection state is set in step S13, in step S14, the operation restriction unit 211 permits operation of the fire receiver 20. In a state in which operation is permitted, when a user operates the fire receiver 20 using the operation unit 24, this operation is accepted. For example, when a user uses the operation unit 24 to perform an operation to instruct the execution of processing on the fire detector 10, the processing unit 213 executes processing on the fire detector 10 in response to this operation.

[0025] In step S15, the status confirmation unit 214 confirms the connection status of the fire detectors 10 connected via the line L1. For example, the status confirmation unit 214 transmits a status confirmation signal to the fire detectors 10 with addresses "1" to "60" to confirm their connection status. If there is a response from the fire detectors 10 with addresses "1" to "50" in response to this status confirmation signal, the status confirmation unit 214 determines that these fire detectors 10 are connected to the line L1. On the other hand, if there is no response from the fire detectors 10 with addresses "51" to "60", the status confirmation unit 214 determines that these fire detectors 10 are not connected to the line L1.

[0026] In addition, when processing for the fire detector 10 is executed in response to user operation in step S14 described above, the processing for checking the connection status of the fire detector 10 in step S15 may be performed in parallel with the processing for the fire detector 10.

[0027] In step S16, the update unit 215 updates the connection status stored in the connection management table 221 in accordance with the connection status confirmation result in step S15. For example, if it is determined that the fire detectors 10 with addresses "51" to "60" are not connected to the line L1, the update unit 215 changes the connection status associated with the ID of the line L1 and the addresses "51" to "60" from "connected" to "unconnected," as shown in Fig. 2. In this way, the connection status of 10 fire detectors 10, which is the difference between 60, the maximum number of fire detectors 10 connectable to the line L1, and 50, the number of fire detectors 10 actually connected to the line L1, is changed from "connected" to "unconnected."

[0028] As described above, after operation is permitted in step S14, but before confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 is completed in step S15, the user may use the operation unit 24 to perform an operation to instruct the execution of processing on the fire detector 10. For example, when the power to the fire receiver 20 is turned off during construction to add a new fire detector 10 and then the power to the fire receiver 20 is turned on to perform an automatic test of the new fire detector 10, in order to smoothly proceed with the work, the user may use the operation unit 24 to perform an operation to instruct the execution of an automatic test of the new fire detector 10 as soon as the fire receiver 20 becomes operable after the power is turned on.

[0029] For example, if a user uses the operation unit 24 to specify a fire detector 10 with address "50" connected to line L1 and performs an operation to instruct the execution of an automatic test, the processing unit 213 performs processing to cause the fire detector 10 to execute an automatic test, even if the status confirmation unit 214 has not yet confirmed the status of the fire detector 10 with address "50." More specifically, the processing unit 213 transmits a test signal to the fire detector 10 with address "50." If the fire detector 10 with address "50" is connected and operating normally, a response is made to the fire receiver 20 in response to the test signal, the confirmation light of the fire detector 10 is turned on, and "normal" is displayed on the display unit 25. In this way, the processing unit 213 can perform processing on the fire detector 10 after the power to the fire receiver 20 is turned on and before the confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 in step S15 is completed.

[0030] On the other hand, if the fire detector 10 with address "50" is malfunctioning, a detector abnormality signal is sent to the fire receiver 20 in response to this test signal. In this case, the abnormality output unit 216 causes the display unit 25 to display abnormality information "test failed", indicating that the specified fire detector 10 is connected but not operating normally. This abnormality information may be displayed by lighting an abnormality light indicating "test failed", displaying an error code indicating "test failed", or displaying characters indicating "test failed".

[0031] Furthermore, after operation is permitted in step S14, but before confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 is completed in step S15, the user may perform an operation to instruct execution of processing for a fire detector 10 that is not actually connected to line L1. For example, even though only fire detectors 10 with addresses "1" to "50" are connected to line L1, the user may use the operation unit 24 to specify the fire detector 10 with address "51" and perform an operation to instruct execution of an automatic test. When this operation is performed, the processing unit 213 transmits a test signal to the fire detector 10 with address "51." However, since the fire detector 10 with address "51" is not connected, it does not respond to this test signal. In this case, the abnormality output unit 216 causes the display unit 25 to display abnormal information indicating that the specified fire detector 10 is not connected, such as "detector not connected." This abnormality information may be displayed by lighting an abnormal light indicating "detector not connected," displaying an error code indicating "detector not connected," or displaying the words "detector not connected." In this way, the abnormality output unit 216 outputs different abnormality information when the fire detector 10 connected to line L1 has failed and when the fire detector 10 is not connected to line L1. At this time, the connection status corresponding to address "51" in the connection management table 221 may be set to "not connected," and thereafter, when the status confirmation unit 214 confirms that the fire detector 10 with address "51" is not connected to line L1, the connection status corresponding to address 51 in the connection management table 221 may be set to "not connected."

[0032] Furthermore, after the operation is permitted in step S14, but before confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 is completed in step S15, the user may use the operation unit 24 to perform an operation to instruct display of the connection status of the fire detector 10. Here, it is assumed that multiple lines are connected to the fire receiver 20, and confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 has not been completed for line L1, but confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 has been completed for the other lines. In this case, the processing unit 213 causes the display unit 25 to display the updated connection status for the other lines, for example, by turning on an indicator light indicating the address of the fire detector 10 connected to that line, in accordance with the updated connection status stored in the connection management table 221. Meanwhile, because confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 for line L1 has not been completed, the processing unit 213 causes the display unit 25 to display information "checking," indicating that the connection status is being checked. The connection status stored in the connection management table 221 is not displayed for the line L1 for which confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 has not been completed because the connection status before update stored in the connection management table 221 does not reflect the actual connection status of the fire detector 10.

[0033] According to the above-described embodiment, when the fire receiver 20 is powered on, the connection status is set to indicate that the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to the line L1 is connected without checking the connection status of the fire detectors 10, and the fire receiver 20 enters a state in which it can accept operations. This allows the user to operate the fire receiver 20 to execute processing on the fire detectors 10 before checking the connection status of the fire detectors 10 is complete. Therefore, compared to a case in which the fire receiver 20 does not accept operations from the time the fire receiver 20 is powered on until checking the connection status of the fire detectors 10 is complete, the time required from the time the fire receiver 20 is powered on until processing on the fire detectors 10 is executed in response to a user operation can be shortened. In particular, since the power may be turned on / off frequently during construction, if the fire receiver 20 were configured not to accept operations from the time the power is turned on until checking the connection status of the fire detectors 10 is complete, it would be necessary to wait until checking the connection status of the fire detectors 10 is complete every time the power is turned on, which would delay construction work. However, according to the above-described embodiment, the user can operate the fire receiver 20 to perform processing on the fire detector 10 before completing confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10, thereby allowing the work associated with installation to proceed smoothly.

[0034] In addition, after the connection status of the fire detectors 10 is set, the connection status of the fire detectors 10 connected via line L1 is confirmed, and the set connection status is updated according to the confirmation results. Therefore, only the connection status of the fire detectors 10 that is the difference between the number of fire detectors 10 actually connected to line L1 and the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected to line L1 is updated to unconnected, thereby reducing the amount of processing required for updating compared to updating the connection status of all of the maximum number of fire detectors 10 that can be connected.

[0035] Furthermore, even before confirmation of the connection status of the fire detectors 10 is completed, processing can be executed for the fire detectors 10 that are actually connected. At this time, if a user operates to instruct execution of processing for a fire detector 10 that is not connected to line L1, information indicating that the specified fire detector 10 is not connected is output, allowing the user to recognize that the fire detector 10 that is the target of processing is not connected. Furthermore, if an operation is performed to instruct display of the connection status of the fire detectors 10 before confirmation of the connection status of the fire detectors 10 is completed, an updated connection status is displayed for lines for which confirmation of the connection status of the fire detectors 10 has been completed, and information indicating that the connection status is being confirmed for lines for which confirmation of the connection status has not been completed is displayed, allowing the user to recognize lines for which confirmation of the connection status has not been completed.

[0036] (Variation) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented by modifying it as in the following modifications. The following modifications may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] In the above-described embodiment, after operation is permitted in step S14, if a user specifies a fire detector 10 whose connection status has not yet been confirmed and performs an operation to instruct the execution of an automatic test before the confirmation of the connection status of the fire detector 10 is completed in step S15, this automatic test may not be performed, or its execution may be postponed until the connection status of the specified fire detector 10 is confirmed.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the fire alarm system 1 may be applied to a P-type system or an R-type system. However, the R-type system can be applied when a repeater that relays signals is provided between the P-type fire detector and the R-type fire receiver, and the components under the repeater have the same configuration as the P-type system.

[0039] In the above-described embodiments, the configurations of the fire alarm system 1, the fire detector 10, and the fire receiver 20 are not limited to the above-described examples, and may be configured to include one or more of the above-described devices or parts, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices or parts. Furthermore, the operations of the fire alarm system 1, the fire detector 10, and the fire receiver 20 are not limited to the above-described examples, and the order of their operation procedures may be changed or some operation procedures may be omitted, as long as there is no contradiction.

[0040] Another aspect of the present invention may provide a method having operational steps performed in at least one of the fire alarm system 1, the fire detector 10, and the fire receiver 20. Furthermore, yet another aspect of the present invention may provide a program executed in the fire detector 10 or the fire receiver 20. This program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided by downloading via the Internet or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1: Fire alarm system, 10: Fire detector, 20: Fire receiver, 21: Control unit, 22: Memory unit, 23: Communication unit, 24: Operation unit, 25: Display unit, 26: Sound unit, 211: Operation restriction unit, 212: Setting unit, 213: Processing unit, 214: Status confirmation unit, 215: Update unit, 216: Abnormality output unit

Claims

1. a setting unit that, when powered on, sets a connection state indicating that the maximum number of fire detectors connectable to the line are connected without checking the connection states of the fire detectors connected via the line; a processing unit that executes processing for the fire detector in response to an operation by a user while the connection state is set; A fire receiver equipped with a

2. a status confirmation unit that confirms the connection status of the fire detector connected via the line after the connection status is set; an update unit that updates the set connection status in accordance with a result of checking the connection status. The fire receiver according to claim 1.

3. The update unit updates the connection status of the fire detectors, which is the difference between the number of the fire detectors connected via the line and the maximum number of fire detectors that can be connected, to unconnected. The fire receiver according to claim 2.

4. The system further includes an output unit that outputs information indicating that the fire detector to be processed is not connected when an instruction to execute a process for the fire detector that is not connected to the line is given by the operation before the confirmation of the connection state is completed. The fire receiver according to claim 2.

5. The display unit further includes a display unit that displays the updated connection status for a line for which confirmation of the connection status has been completed, and that displays information indicating that confirmation of the connection status is currently being performed for a line for which confirmation of the connection status has not been completed. The fire receiver according to claim 2.

Images