Fire alarm receiver

Abstract

To provide a fire alarm receiver that can reduce the hassle when communication failures occur over long periods or with high frequency.SOLUTION: A fire alarm receiver includes: a status information acquisition unit that repeatedly executes a status information collection process to acquire status information from a terminal device connected to the receiver via communication; and an abnormality control unit that controls the status information acquisition unit to stop the communication for acquiring status information when one or both of the following abnormality control conditions are met: the frequency of detecting communication abnormalities with the terminal device during execution of the status information acquisition process is at or above a first threshold, and a detection interval between communication abnormalities is less than a second threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire receiver to which a plurality of fire detectors are connected. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a fire receiver connected to a plurality of fire detectors by a line normally collects status information such as the status of the fire detectors and the results of self-inspection, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic fire alarm system equipped with a fire detector that, when it receives an information collection signal by a transmission signal from the fire receiver via the line, sends a response signal of the automatic test result to the line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-109136 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In general, communication between devices can be affected by noise caused by electromagnetic waves from surrounding devices. For example, if an automatic fire alarm system in which a fire receiver collects status information from a fire detector is installed in an environment where there are many electromagnetically emitting equipment or machines and it is difficult to avoid the electromagnetic waves, noise may occur in the communication between the fire receiver and the fire detector, resulting in a communication malfunction. In particular, if the noise is caused by electromagnetic waves generated by a malfunctioning equipment or machine, the communication malfunction will continue until the equipment or machine is repaired. However, in ships or factories, repairs are often not possible immediately. In particular, for ships at sea, repairs may not be possible until the ship arrives at port, and the communication malfunction may continue for a long period of time. When a communication malfunction occurs, the fire receiver will issue an alarm by some means, but if the communication malfunction continues, the alarm will also continue, causing inconvenience to users.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fire alarm receiver that can reduce the inconvenience when communication abnormalities occur for a long period of time or frequently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fire receiver of the present invention comprises a status information acquisition unit that repeatedly executes a status information collection process to acquire status information from a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the receiver, and an abnormality control unit that controls the status information acquisition unit to stop communication to acquire the status information when an abnormality control condition is satisfied, which is either or both of the frequency of detection of communication abnormalities between the terminal device and the receiver during execution of the status information collection process being equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and the detection interval of the communication abnormalities being less than a second threshold value. The fire receiver of the present invention comprises a status information acquisition unit that repeatedly executes a status information collection process to acquire status information from a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the receiver; an alarm unit that notifies the alarm unit of an abnormality if a communication abnormality between the terminal device and the receiver is detected during execution of the status information collection process; and an abnormality control unit that stops the alarm unit from notifying the abnormality if an abnormality control condition is satisfied, which is either or both of the detection frequency of the communication abnormality being equal to or greater than a first threshold value and the detection interval of the communication abnormality being less than a second threshold value. The fire receiver of the present invention comprises a status information acquisition unit that repeatedly executes a status information collection process to acquire status information from a terminal device that is communication-connected to the receiver, and an abnormality control unit that changes one or more of the communication speed in the next status information collection process, the number of retries in the next status information collection process, and the retry interval in the next status information collection process, depending on the number of times a communication abnormality is detected between the receiver and the terminal device during execution of the status information collection process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The fire control signal receiver of the present invention can reduce inconvenience to the user even when communication abnormalities occur for a long period of time or frequently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a fire alarm system 100 including a fire receiver 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating normal operation and communication abnormality in the state information collection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a state information collection process of the fire control panel 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of an abnormal control condition according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a state information collection process of the fire control panel 1 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a state information collection process of the fire control panel 1 according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fire alarm receiver according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment and illustrated aspects, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiment. Furthermore, in each drawing, components with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and this is common throughout the entire specification.

[0010] Embodiment 1 (Fire alarm system configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a fire alarm system 100 including a fire receiver 1 according to a first embodiment. The fire alarm system 100 includes a fire receiver 1, and fire sensors 3 and transmitters 4 connected to the fire receiver 1 via sensor lines 2. Note that the number of sensor lines 2 illustrated is an example and is not limited to that illustrated. Furthermore, the fire receiver 1 may be connected to smoke prevention and exhaust devices such as fire doors or smoke exhaust devices, or to audio devices such as bells or speakers, via a communication line. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the fire receiver 1 is a P-type fire receiver that uses a voltage change, which is a signal common to each fire sensor 3, as an alarm signal; however, the fire receiver 1 may also be an R-type fire receiver.

[0011] The fire detector 3 is, for example, a heat detector, a smoke detector, or a flame detector. When the fire detector 3 detects a change in a physical phenomenon caused by a fire, it changes the open / close state of the contacts connected to the detector circuit 2, thereby changing the voltage of the detector circuit 2. The fire receiver 1 monitors the voltage of the detector circuit 2, and acquires (receives) the change in voltage caused by the fire detector 3 changing the open / close state of the contacts as a fire alarm signal.

[0012] The fire detector 3 periodically performs an automatic test on itself and stores the results of the automatic test in a memory unit (not shown). The automatic test is performed to check whether the fire detection configuration and transmission circuitry of the fire detector 3 are normal. For example, if the fire detector 3 is a smoke detector, the operating status and presence or absence of dirt of the light-emitting element, light-receiving element, and labyrinth related to smoke detection can be detected by comparing the output of the smoke concentration during normal times when no fire is occurring with a reference value. The fire detector 3 transmits the results of the automatic test to the fire receiver 1 as status information.

[0013] The transmitter 4 is a device that transmits a fire signal to the fire receiver 1 when a person who discovers a fire presses a push button. When the push button is pressed, the voltage of the detector line 2 connected to the fire receiver 1 changes. The fire receiver 1 monitors the voltage of the detector line 2, and acquires (receives) the change in voltage that occurs when the push button is pressed as a fire signal.

[0014] (Configuration of fire receiver) The fire receiver 1 includes a control unit 10, a memory unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an audio output unit 14, and a transmission circuit 15. The control unit 10 of this embodiment has, as functional units, a status information acquisition unit 101 and an abnormality control unit 102. The memory unit 11 stores abnormality setting data 111.

[0015] When an alarm signal from a fire detector 3 that has detected a fire is input via the transmission circuit 15, the control unit 10 causes either or both of the display unit 13 and the audio output unit 14 to output a fire alarm. When a fire alarm is issued, a person in charge of the fire receiver 1, for example, goes to the location of the fire in response to the fire alarm and visually checks whether or not a fire has occurred. Once the person in charge has confirmed that a fire has occurred, he or she presses the push button on the transmitter 4, and upon receiving the fire signal from the transmitter 4, the fire receiver 1 determines that a fire has occurred. In addition, a determination that a fire has occurred may be made when alarm signals are sent from multiple fire detectors 3 to one detector line 2.

[0016] The status information acquisition unit 101 executes a status information collection process to acquire status information from the fire detector 3. Here, the status information of the fire detector 3 is information including the results of the automatic test of the fire detector 3 described above. The status information acquisition unit 101 executes the status information collection process at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 24 hours). When it is time to execute the status information collection process, the status information acquisition unit 101 transmits a request signal to the fire detector 3, acquires the status information signal transmitted in response to the request signal, and stores it in the memory unit 11. The status information acquisition unit 101 may execute the status information collection process for each of the multiple fire detectors 3, or may execute the status information collection process for a group of multiple fire detectors 3.

[0017] The abnormality control unit 102 controls the operation of the fire receiver 1 when a communication abnormality is detected with the fire detector 3 during execution of the status information collection process. When a communication abnormality is detected, the abnormality control unit 102 of this embodiment controls the status information acquisition unit 101 to stop communication with the fire detector 3 based on the abnormality setting data 111 stored in the memory unit 11.

[0018] The control unit 10 is configured by a dedicated control circuit, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes programs stored in memory, or a combination of these. When the control unit 10 is a CPU, each function executed by the control unit 10 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0019] The memory unit 11 stores data used for the control of each unit by the control unit 10. The memory unit 11 stores a table (not shown) that associates each of the sensor lines 2 with information indicating the installation location of that sensor line 2. The memory unit 11 is an internal memory, an external memory medium such as a memory card, or a combination thereof. For example, it is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0020] The abnormality setting data 111 stored in the storage unit 11 is setting data that the abnormality control unit 102 refers to when a communication abnormality is detected. The abnormality setting data 111 may be created using a personal computer and dedicated software, transferred to the storage unit 11, or may be input via the operation unit 12 and stored in the storage unit 11.

[0021] The operation unit 12 includes hardware buttons or switches provided on the housing of the fire receiving device 1. The operation unit 12 may include a touch panel provided over the display of the display unit 13. The operation unit 12 accepts operations from the user and sends a signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 10.

[0022] The display unit 13 displays the detector line 2 or fire detector 3 from which the alarm signal was generated, displays that a transmission signal has been received, and displays a message to that effect if a communication abnormality is detected. The display unit 13 includes light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) provided on the housing of the fire receiving device 1, and a nameplate associated with the light-emitting elements. The display unit 13 may include a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0023] The audio output unit 14 notifies the occurrence of a fire by audio when an alarm signal is received from the fire detector 3 and when a fire is confirmed. In addition, when a communication abnormality is detected, the audio output unit 14 outputs an audio message to that effect. The audio output unit 14 includes either a buzzer or a speaker, or both.

[0024] The transmission circuit 15 is a circuit to which the sensor line 2, which is connected to the fire detector 3 and the transmitter 4, is connected. The transmission circuit 15 receives the alarm signal from the sensor line 2 and the fire signal from the transmitter 4, and sends the received signals to the control unit 10.

[0025] The fire receiving device 1 may also include an output interface as a notification unit that outputs information to an external device (for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a dedicated device) by email or a dedicated application. When an alarm signal is received from the fire detector 3, when a fire is confirmed, or when an abnormality such as a communication abnormality is detected, the output interface outputs information to the external device to notify the user.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating normal operation and communication abnormalities in the status information collection process according to embodiment 1. The upper part of FIG. 2 shows normal operation, and the lower part shows operation when a communication abnormality occurs. In the normal case, i.e., when no communication abnormality occurs, when the fire control receiver 1 transmits a request signal via the sensor line 2 (step ST1), the fire detector 3 receives the request signal. The request signal contains information such as an address or ID that identifies the destination fire detector 3. Upon receiving the request signal, the fire detector 3 transmits a status information signal including the result of the automatic test to the fire control receiver 1 via the sensor line 2 (step ST2). The fire receiver acquires the transmitted status information signal.

[0027] A communication abnormality occurs, for example, when electromagnetic waves generated by the operation or failure of equipment or machinery in the environment in which the fire alarm system 100 is installed generate noise in communications. Even if, when installing the fire alarm system 100, the equipment or machinery is operated and no communication abnormality is confirmed, changes in the electromagnetic waves generated by the equipment or machinery due to aging or failure can cause a communication abnormality. Furthermore, in environments where it takes time to repair equipment or machinery, such as ships or factories, the period during which communication abnormalities occur can be prolonged. Note that even when noise causing a communication abnormality occurs, the alarm signal transmitted when the fire detector 3 detects a fire is transmitted by continuously shorting the detector line 2, so reception of the alarm signal is not affected.

[0028] As shown in the lower part of Fig. 2, a communication abnormality occurs in either or both of the communication related to the transmission of a request signal from the fire receiver 1 to the fire detector 3 (step ST3) and the communication related to the transmission of a status information signal from the fire detector 3 to the fire receiver 1 (step ST4). If these communications via the detector line 2 are not established due to noise, the status information acquisition unit 101 of the fire receiver 1 cannot acquire the status information signal and detects a communication abnormality called "no response." Furthermore, if the fire receiver 1 acquires a status information signal from the fire detector 3 but the signal waveform is distorted, an error check such as CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) performed in the signal reception process of the fire receiver 1 will result in a communication abnormality called "false response."

[0029] Before determining that a communication abnormality has occurred, the status information acquisition unit 101 may perform a retry transmission to transmit a request signal again. In a retry transmission, if there is no response or an incorrect response to the first request, the request signal is sent after a retry interval of, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds. The retry transmission may be performed multiple times. Then, if there is no response or an incorrect response in all retry transmissions, it is determined that a communication abnormality has occurred.

[0030] In the status information collection process of the fire control device 1 of this embodiment, when a communication abnormality is detected and an abnormality control condition, which will be described later, is satisfied, the communication for acquiring status information can be stopped. The status information collection process of this embodiment will be specifically described below.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the status information collection process of the fire receiver 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that Fig. 3 describes the process for one fire detector 3, and similar processes are performed for the other fire detectors 3. Fig. 3 also illustrates an example in which the presence or absence of a communication abnormality is detected (confirmed) after the above-mentioned retry transmission. The fire receiver 1 starts the status information collection process at a predetermined timing.

[0032] First, the fire receiving device 1 transmits a request signal to the target fire detector 3 (step S1). Next, it determines whether the status information signal has been received correctly (step S2). Here, if there is neither no response nor an incorrect response, it is determined that the signal has been received correctly. If the signal has been received correctly (step S2: YES), the status information is stored (step S9) and the process ends.

[0033] If the status information signal has not been received normally, it is determined whether the retry interval has elapsed (step S3). The retry interval is the waiting time from when the request signal is sent in step S1 until the request signal is sent again. By retrying the transmission of the request signal, if a communication abnormality occurs due to temporary noise, the status information signal can be received normally by the retry transmission. If the retry interval has not elapsed (step S3: NO), the process returns to step S2 to wait for reception of the status information signal, and if the retry interval has elapsed (step S3: YES), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0034] In step S4, it is determined whether the number of retries has reached an upper limit. An upper limit (for example, 5 times) is set for the number of retry transmissions of the request signal, and if the upper limit has not been reached (step S4: NO), the process returns to step S1. In other words, the fire receiver 1 continues to retry transmitting the request signal for the information collection process to the fire detector 3 until the upper limit of the number of retries is reached. If the upper limit of the number of retries has been reached (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S5. Note that the upper limit of the number of retries may be set to a fixed value, or may be set to a value that is increased or decreased each time the status information collection process is performed, or a random value.

[0035] In step S5, a communication abnormality is detected. In step S5, a communication abnormality is determined to have occurred if the status information signal cannot be received normally even after sending and retrying the request signal, i.e., if no response or an incorrect response occurs multiple times in succession. When a communication abnormality is detected, the fire receiving device 1 stores the target fire detector 3 and the date and time when the communication abnormality was detected in the memory unit 11. In addition, either or both of the display unit 13 and the audio output unit 14 may notify the detection of the communication abnormality. In addition, the fire receiving device 1 may notify the detection of the communication abnormality by outputting information indicating the detection of the communication abnormality to an external terminal (not shown). Note that a communication abnormality may be determined to have occurred if the status information signal cannot be received normally even once without performing the retry transmissions in steps S3 and S4.

[0036] Next, it is determined whether or not the abnormality control condition is satisfied (step S6). The abnormality control condition is a condition related to the detection state of a communication abnormality, and if this condition is satisfied, it is possible to stop communication related to obtaining status information thereafter. The abnormality control condition will be described later. If the abnormality control condition is not satisfied (step S6: NO), the process ends, and if the abnormality control condition is satisfied (step S6: YES), the process proceeds to step S7. Note that if the process is terminated, the number of retries is reset.

[0037] In step S7, a notification is issued to prompt the user to set whether or not to stop communication. Specifically, either the display unit 13 or the audio output unit 14, or both, output information such as "A communication abnormality has occurred on line N. Please set whether or not to stop communication for collecting status information." Upon receiving this notification, the user sets whether or not to stop communication (step S8). Whether or not to stop communication is set from the operation unit 12, which is the setting unit, or a personal computer or dedicated terminal connected to the fire control receiver 1. The set information is stored in the memory unit 11 as abnormality setting data 111. After step S8, the process ends. When the process ends, the number of retries is reset.

[0038] If it is set in step S8 that communication must be stopped, the fire receiving device 1 will not perform status information collection processing for the set fire detector 3 even when the next timing for status information collection processing arrives. Therefore, even if the cause of the communication abnormality (for example, operation or failure of equipment or devices) has not been resolved, the communication abnormality will not be detected, and no notification or information will be output in step S5.

[0039] If the abnormality control conditions are met without performing the processes in steps S7 and S8, a setting may be stored in the abnormality setting data 111 so as to stop communication without any setting from the user.

[0040] (Abnormal control conditions) The abnormality control condition in this embodiment is either or both of condition (a): the frequency of detection of a communication abnormality with the fire detector 3 during execution of the status information collection process is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and condition (b): the interval between detection of a communication abnormality with the fire detector 3 during execution of the status information collection process is less than a second threshold. Only condition (a) may be the abnormality control condition, or only condition (b) may be the abnormality control condition. Furthermore, conditions (a) and (b) may be set as abnormality control conditions, and the abnormality control condition may be satisfied when either or both of them are satisfied.

[0041] 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining specific examples of abnormality control conditions according to embodiment 1. Figures 4A to 4C show whether each of six status information collection processes executed for a certain fire detector 3 was normal or resulted in a communication abnormality. Also, the time t from one status information collection process to the next status information collection process is assumed to be the same for all of them.

[0042] Let us assume that only condition (a) is set as the abnormality control condition, and the first threshold is 1 / 2 (where the detection frequency is the most recent six times). Since communication abnormalities are detected three times in Figure 4(A) and four times in Figure 4(C), the detection frequency is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and the abnormality control condition is met. Since communication abnormalities are detected two out of six times in Figure 4(B), the detection frequency is less than the first threshold, and the abnormality control condition is not met.

[0043] Let us assume that only condition (b) is set as the abnormality control condition, and the second threshold is 2t. In Figure 4(A), the time from when a communication abnormality is detected to when the next communication abnormality is detected is 2t, so the abnormality control condition is not met. In Figures 4(B) and (C), the time from when a communication abnormality is detected to when the next communication abnormality is detected is t, so the abnormality control condition is met.

[0044] Assume that conditions (a) and (b) are set as the abnormality control conditions, the first threshold is 1 / 2 (where the detection frequency is the most recent six times), and the second threshold is 2t. The abnormality control conditions are met when both conditions (a) and (b) are met. In this case, FIG. 4(A) satisfies condition (a) but not condition (b), so it does not satisfy the abnormality control condition. FIG. 4(B) satisfies condition (b) but not condition (a), so it does not satisfy the abnormality control condition. FIG. 4(C) satisfies both conditions (a) and (b), so it satisfies the abnormality control condition.

[0045] Assume that conditions (a) and (b) are set as the abnormality control conditions, the first threshold is 1 / 2 (where the detection frequency is the most recent six times), and the second threshold is 2t. The abnormality control conditions are met when either condition (a) or condition (b) is met. In this case, FIG. 4(A) satisfies the abnormality control condition because condition (a) is met. FIG. 4(B) satisfies the abnormality control condition because condition (b) is met. FIG. 4(C) satisfies both conditions (a) and (b), so the abnormality control condition is met.

[0046] The determination of communication abnormalities and the setting of whether or not communication should be stopped can be performed for each fire detector 3 or for each group of fire detectors 3. Even if the fire receiving device 1 sets communication to be stopped in the status information collection process for a certain fire detector 3, it continues communication for collecting status information for other fire detectors 3 for which no communication abnormality has occurred.

[0047] The determination of a communication abnormality and the setting of whether or not communication needs to be stopped may be performed for each sensor line 2. For example, among multiple sensor lines 2, communication related to status information collection is stopped for a sensor line 2 that has a communication abnormality and satisfies the abnormality control condition, while communication for status information collection is continued for the other sensor lines 2.

[0048] As described above, the fire receiver 1 of this embodiment includes a status information acquisition unit 101 and an abnormality control unit 102. The status information acquisition unit 101 executes a status information collection process to acquire status information from the fire detector 3, which is a terminal device communicatively connected to the fire receiver 1. When an abnormality control condition is satisfied during the execution of the status information collection process, the abnormality control unit 102 controls the status information acquisition unit 101 to stop communication for acquiring status information. The abnormality control condition is either or both of the following: condition (a) the frequency of detection of a communication abnormality with the fire detector 3 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; and condition (b) the interval between detections of the communication abnormality is less than a second threshold value. According to this embodiment, when a communication abnormality is detected and the abnormality control condition is satisfied, communication related to status information collection is not performed with the fire detector 3 in which the communication abnormality is occurring, and therefore, no communication abnormality occurs. Therefore, no notification or information output associated with the communication abnormality is performed, thereby reducing the inconvenience to the user.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display unit 13 and the audio output unit 14 are provided as notification units that notify the user to set whether or not to stop communication in the status information collection process before stopping the communication, and the operation unit 12 is provided as a setting unit that accepts the setting whether or not to stop the communication. Therefore, the user can decide whether or not to stop the communication, and the fire alarm system 100 can operate in accordance with the installation environment, etc.

[0050] (Variation 1) FIG. 3 illustrates the process of retrying transmission of a request signal when a normal status information signal cannot be received (step S2: NO). The communication speed in this retry transmission may be different from the communication speed before the retry transmission. When multiple retry transmissions are performed in one status information collection process, the communication speed of the retry transmission may be increased in stages, decreased in stages, or changed randomly. By changing the communication speed, the frequency of the electromagnetic waves of the equipment or machine that is causing the communication abnormality and the timing of the communication in the status information collection process may be shifted, thereby eliminating the communication abnormality. This makes it difficult to detect a communication abnormality in the status information collection process.

[0051] (Variation 2) FIG. 3 illustrates the process of retrying transmission of a request signal when a normal status information signal cannot be received (step S2: NO). When retrying transmission multiple times in one status information collection process, the retry interval may be increased in stages, decreased in stages, or changed randomly. By changing the retry interval, the timing between the frequency of electromagnetic waves from the equipment or machine that is causing the communication abnormality and the communication in the status information collection process may be shifted, thereby eliminating the communication abnormality. This makes it difficult to detect a communication abnormality in the status information collection process.

[0052] (Variation 3) 3, it has been explained that an alarm may be issued by either or both of the display unit 13 and the audio output unit 14, or by outputting information to an external terminal. The user may be able to set whether or not to issue this alarm. The setting is made by an operation input to the operation unit 12 or an input from an external terminal connected to the fire receiver 1 for communication, and is stored in the abnormality setting data 111 in the memory unit 11. This allows an alarm to be issued according to the installation environment of the fire alarm system 100.

[0053] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, an example was described in which communication related to the status information collection process can be stopped when the abnormality control condition is satisfied, but in the present embodiment, another example of operation when the abnormality control condition is satisfied will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. The system configuration of the fire alarm system 100 of this embodiment will be described as being the same as that shown in FIG.

[0054] In this embodiment, when a communication abnormality is detected, the abnormality control unit 102 stops the abnormality notification by the notification unit, which is the display unit 13 and the audio output unit 14, based on the abnormality setting data 111 stored in the memory unit 11.

[0055] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the status information collection process of the fire control signal receiver 1 according to the second embodiment. In Figure 5, steps that differ from those in Figure 3 are given the subscript A. In step S5A, a communication abnormality is detected in the same manner as in step S5 in Figure 3, and the fire control signal receiver 1 stores the target sensor line 2 and the date and time when the communication abnormality was detected in the memory unit 11. Note that, although it was explained in the first embodiment that an alert may be issued in step S5, no alert is issued in step S5A in this embodiment.

[0056] Next, the fire receiving device 1 determines whether or not there is a setting to stop the notification of a communication abnormality (step S10A). The setting to stop the notification of a communication abnormality is a setting as to whether or not to stop the notification when a communication abnormality is detected, and the setting is made in step S13A, which will be described later, and is stored in the abnormality setting data 111 in the storage unit 11. The fire receiving device 1 refers to the abnormality setting data 111, and if there is a setting to stop the notification (step S10A: YES), the process proceeds to step S12A, and if there is no setting to stop the notification (step S10A: NO), the process proceeds to step S11A.

[0057] In step S11A, either or both of the display unit 13 and the audio output unit 14 notify that a communication abnormality has been detected. The display unit 13 notifies that a communication abnormality has occurred in text, such as "A communication abnormality has occurred in fire detector M," along with information identifying the fire detector 3 in which the communication abnormality has occurred. The audio output unit 14 may output the same information as that displayed by the display unit 13 in audio, or may output a buzzer sound. The notification in step S5A may also include outputting information indicating that a communication abnormality has been detected to an external terminal (not shown) via email, a dedicated application, or the like. After the notification, the process proceeds to step S12A.

[0058] In step S12A, it is determined whether or not the abnormal control condition is satisfied. The abnormal control condition in this embodiment is the same as the abnormal control condition in embodiment 1. Whether or not the abnormal control condition is satisfied is determined following the example described with reference to step S6 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0059] If the abnormality control conditions are met (step S12A: YES), a process for setting to stop the notification of communication abnormalities is performed (step S13A). This is a setting to prevent the notification in step S11A from being performed for the target fire detector 3 in the future. This setting is stored as abnormality setting data 111 in the memory unit 11. When the setting is completed, the process ends. When the process ends, the number of retries is reset.

[0060] As described above, the fire control device 1 of this embodiment includes a status information acquisition unit 101, a display unit 13 and a sound output unit 14 that are notification units, and an abnormality control unit 102. When an abnormality control condition is satisfied, which is either or both of the detection frequency of a communication abnormality being equal to or greater than a first threshold and the detection interval of a communication abnormality being less than a second threshold, the abnormality control unit 102 stops the notification of an abnormality by the display unit 13 and the sound output unit 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the notification of a communication abnormality is stopped in step S13A, even if a communication abnormality is detected in the next status information collection process (step S5A), the notification is not performed because the notification of a communication abnormality has been stopped (step S10A: YES). Therefore, when the detection frequency of a communication abnormality is high or the detection interval of a communication abnormality is short, frequent notification of a communication abnormality is avoided, thereby reducing the user's annoyance caused by frequent notifications.

[0061] (Variation 1) The setting to stop the notification of a communication abnormality may be performed for each type of communication abnormality. In addition to the "no response" and "false response" described in the first embodiment, the type of communication abnormality may also include "abnormal output value," which is an abnormality that occurs when the value of the status information of the fire detector 3 includes an abnormal value. Then, in steps S10A to S13A, processing is performed for each type of communication abnormality. Specifically, in step S12A, it is determined whether or not the abnormality control condition is satisfied for each type of communication abnormality detected in step S5 (no response / false response / abnormal output value). For example, if a no-response communication abnormality is detected in step S5A, it is determined whether or not the abnormality control condition is satisfied for the no-response communication abnormality. Then, if the no-response communication abnormality satisfies the abnormality control condition (step S12: YES), the setting to stop the notification of the no-response communication abnormality is performed (step S13A).

[0062] Then, in the next state information collection process, if a no-response communication abnormality is detected in step S5A, the notification of no-response communication abnormalities is set to be stopped (step S10A: YES), so the process proceeds to step S12A without notifying the communication abnormality.On the other hand, if an erroneous response or an output value abnormality, which is a type of communication abnormality for which the notification stop setting is not set, is detected in step S5A, the communication abnormality of the erroneous response or the output value abnormality is notified (step S11A).

[0063] In this way, by determining whether the anomaly control conditions are satisfied for each type of communication anomaly and setting the notification to be stopped based on the determination result, it is possible to, for example, not notify only types of communication anomalies that have continued for a long period of time, while notifying other types of communication anomalies, thereby achieving both the reduction of annoyance caused by repeated notifications of communication anomalies and the provision of necessary notifications.

[0064] (Variation 2) Before stopping the notification of a communication anomaly in step S13A, the user may be prompted to set whether or not to stop the notification. Specifically, if the abnormality control condition is met (step S12A: YES), the fire control device 1 notifies the user to set whether or not to stop the notification. The notification can be made via the display unit 13, the audio output unit 14, or an email to an external device. If the operation unit 12 is set to require the notification to be stopped, the process of step S13A is performed. If the operation unit 12 is set to require no notification to be stopped, the process ends without proceeding to step S13A. In this way, allowing the user to set whether or not to stop the notification of a communication anomaly allows the fire control device 1 to operate in accordance with the user's wishes.

[0065] (Variation 3) An example of canceling the setting to stop the notification of a communication abnormality performed in step S13A will be described below. The setting to stop the notification can be canceled based on a user operation on the operation unit 12. The setting to stop the notification may also be canceled based on an input from an external terminal connected to the fire control panel 1 for communication.

[0066] Alternatively, the fire receiving device 1 may determine whether a cancellation condition has been met, and cancel the notification suspension setting if the condition is met. The cancellation condition may be, for example, that the number of occurrences of communication abnormalities within a predetermined period is less than a threshold. Specifically, when the fire receiving device 1 detects a communication abnormality, it increments the number of occurrences, and when the total number within the predetermined period falls below the threshold, it cancels the notification suspension setting and updates the abnormality setting data 111 in the storage unit 11. In this way, if the communication abnormality is resolved or the frequency of communication abnormalities decreases over time, it is possible to resume notification of communication abnormalities, so that, for example, if a new communication abnormality occurs, it can be notified.

[0067] Embodiment 3 In this embodiment, a configuration example will be described that aims to make communication abnormalities less likely to occur in communication in the status information collection process. In this embodiment, differences from embodiments 1 and 2 will be mainly described. The system configuration of the fire alarm system 100 of this embodiment will be described as being the same as that shown in FIG.

[0068] When a communication abnormality is detected, the abnormality control unit 102 of this embodiment controls one or more of the communication speed, number of retries, and retry interval in the status information collection process based on the abnormality setting data 111 stored in the memory unit 11.

[0069] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the status information collection process of the fire control signal receiver 1 according to embodiment 3. In Figure 6, steps that differ from those in Figure 3 are marked with a subscript B. When a communication abnormality is detected in step S5, the fire control signal receiver 1 executes a count process for the number n of communication abnormalities detected in a predetermined period in the most recent past (step S20B). For example, if the predetermined period is two weeks, the number n of communication abnormalities in the past two weeks is calculated, including the number of communication abnormalities detected this time.

[0070] Next, it is determined whether the number of times n is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S21B). If the number of times n is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S21B: YES), the process proceeds to step S22B, and if the number of times n is less than the threshold value (step S21B: NO), the process ends.

[0071] In step S22B, the communication speed (bps) in the status information collection process is changed. Changing the communication speed includes increasing and decreasing the speed. When increasing the communication speed, if the current communication speed is the initial value X, the communication speed is increased to X+α. Then, when processing step S22B next, the current communication speed X+α is increased to X+β. When decreasing the communication speed, if the current communication speed is the initial value X, the communication speed is decreased to X-γ. Then, when processing step S22B next, the current communication speed X-γ is decreased to X-δ. Note that the communication speed X has a predetermined upper and lower limit. If the communication speed X reaches the upper or lower limit after increasing or decreasing, the speed is not changed further or is changed in the opposite direction. The increase or decrease in the communication speed may be the same or may vary each time. The communication speed can be changed, for example, by lengthening or shortening the pulse width of the request signal transmitted from the fire control device 1.

[0072] When the communication speed is changed in step S22B, communication between the fire control panel 1 and the fire detector 3 is performed at the changed communication speed in the next cycle of the status information collection process. By gradually increasing or decreasing the communication speed, the timing of the communication in the status information collection process and the frequency of the electromagnetic waves from the equipment or machine that is causing the communication abnormality can be shifted, and the communication abnormality can be resolved. Therefore, it becomes difficult to detect the communication abnormality in the status information collection process.

[0073] 6, if a communication error is no longer detected after changing the communication speed, that is, if the status information signal is received normally in step S2, the communication speed at that time is maintained, thereby maintaining a state in which no communication error occurs.

[0074] (Variation 1) Instead of or in addition to changing the communication speed in step S22B, the upper limit of the number of retries in step S4 in the next state information collection process may be increased. Specifically, the upper limit R of the number of retries is increased in stages in the same way as the increase in the communication speed described above. As a result, the upper limit R of the number of retries also increases as the number of state information collection processes increases. The increase in the upper limit R of the number of retries is performed within a range equal to or less than a predetermined maximum value. In this way, by gradually increasing the upper limit R of the number of retries to increase the number of communications in one state information collection process, the probability of normal communication can be increased and communication abnormalities can be made less likely to be detected.

[0075] If a predetermined period of time has elapsed during the state information collection process with the upper limit R of the number of retries increased, the upper limit R of the number of retries may be gradually decreased. In other words, the number of communications in one state information collection process is decreased.

[0076] (Variation 2) Instead of or in addition to changing the communication speed in step S22B, the retry interval in step S3 of the next status information collection process may be increased or decreased randomly within a predetermined range, or the interval may be increased or decreased in stages within a predetermined range. By changing the retry interval, the timing of transmitting the request signal in step S1 due to the retry changes, making it possible to collect status information at a timing that does not overlap with periodically occurring noise. Furthermore, the execution cycle of the status information collection process may be increased or decreased randomly within a predetermined range, or the cycle may be increased or decreased in stages within a predetermined range. In this way, it is possible to avoid transient communication abnormalities caused by noise emissions from devices that operate at specific time intervals, and to collect status information without issuing a communication abnormality alarm.

[0077] As described above, the fire receiver of this embodiment includes a status information acquisition unit 101 and an abnormality control unit 102. During execution of the status information collection process, the abnormality control unit 102 changes either or both of the communication speed in the status information collection process and the number of retries in the status information collection process, depending on the number of times a communication abnormality with the fire detector is detected. By changing either or both of the communication speed and the number of retries in the status information collection process, the possibility of establishing normal communication increases, and the inconvenience caused by the occurrence of a communication abnormality can be reduced.

[0078] In the first to third embodiments, the terminal device connected to the fire control panel 1 is the fire detector 3, but the terminal device may be other devices such as a gas leak detector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 Fire receiver, 2 Detector line, 3 Fire detector, 4 Transmitter, 10 Control unit, 11 Memory unit, 12 Operation unit, 13 Display unit, 14 Audio output unit, 15 Transmission circuit, 100 Fire alarm system, 101 Status information acquisition unit, 102 Abnormality control unit, 111 Abnormality setting data.

Claims

1. a status information acquisition unit that repeatedly executes a status information collection process for acquiring status information from terminal devices that are communicatively connected to the device itself; an abnormality control unit that controls the status information acquisition unit to stop communication for acquiring the status information when an abnormality control condition is satisfied, the abnormality control condition being either or both of a frequency of detection of a communication abnormality with the terminal device during execution of the status information collection process being equal to or greater than a first threshold value and a detection interval of the communication abnormality being less than a second threshold value. Fire receiver.

2. a notification unit that notifies the user to set whether or not the communication needs to be stopped before the communication is stopped; a setting unit that receives a setting as to whether or not the stop is necessary; The fire receiver according to claim 1.

3. the status information acquisition unit, when unable to acquire a normal status information signal in response to a request signal for requesting status information transmitted to the terminal device, retries transmitting the request signal, and when unable to acquire a normal status information signal even in the retry transmission, detects the communication abnormality; Making the communication speed in the retry transmission different from the communication speed before the retry transmission, or When multiple retry transmissions are performed, the retry interval is increased or decreased stepwise or randomly.

3. A fire receiver according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a notification unit that notifies the user of a communication abnormality when a communication abnormality between the user and the terminal device is detected during the execution of the status information collection process; a storage unit that stores a setting as to whether or not the notification unit should notify the abnormality; 3. A fire receiver according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a status information acquisition unit that repeatedly executes a status information collection process for acquiring status information from terminal devices that are communicatively connected to the device itself; a notification unit that notifies the abnormality when a communication abnormality with the terminal device is detected during execution of the state information collection process; an abnormality control unit that stops the notification of the abnormality by the notification unit when an abnormality control condition is satisfied, which is either or both of the frequency of detection of the communication abnormality being equal to or greater than a first threshold value and the interval between detections of the communication abnormality being less than a second threshold value. Fire receiver.

6. The communication abnormality includes a plurality of types of abnormalities, The abnormality control unit determines whether the abnormality control condition is satisfied for each type of abnormality.

6. The fire receiver according to claim 5.

7. a status information acquisition unit that repeatedly executes a status information collection process for acquiring status information from terminal devices that are communicatively connected to the device itself; an abnormality control unit that changes one or more of a communication speed in the next state information collection process, a retry count in the next state information collection process, and a retry interval in the next state information collection process, depending on the number of times a communication abnormality with the terminal device is detected during execution of the state information collection process. Fire receiver.

8. When changing the communication speed, the abnormality control unit increases or decreases the communication speed stepwise or randomly as the number of communication abnormalities increases, When changing the number of retries, the abnormality control unit increases the number of retries in stages as the number of communication abnormalities increases. When changing the retry interval, the abnormality control unit increases or decreases the retry interval stepwise or randomly as the number of times the communication abnormality occurs increases.

8. The fire receiver according to claim 7.

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