Repeater and communication test method

Abstract

To obtain a repeater or the like capable of carrying out a stricter communication test.SOLUTION: A repeater 20 is provided in each of a plurality of alarm device groups each having a fire alarm 10, and relays wireless signals relating to communication between the alarm device groups. The repeater 20 includes a transmission / reception circuit 25 which communicates by wireless signals with repeaters 20 belonging to other alarm device groups, and a control circuit 21 which causes the transmission / reception circuit 25 to communicate with repeaters 20 belonging to other alarm device groups multiple times and performs multiple communication tests to determine whether a communication abnormality has occurred.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a repeater and a communication test method, and in particular to a test for determining communication abnormalities at the installation position of a repeater that relays wireless signals between groups of alarm devices. [Background technology]

[0002] There are alarm devices that detect heat or smoke generated indoors, etc., and sound an alarm for fires, etc. With such alarm devices, not only do each alarm device sound an alarm on its own, but sometimes multiple alarm devices sound an alarm in conjunction with each other by sending and receiving wireless signals via radio waves. When multiple alarm devices sound an alarm in conjunction with each other, for example, the multiple alarm devices are grouped together, and the alarm devices within the group sound an alarm in conjunction with each other.

[0003] Here, there is a limit to the number of alarm devices within a group due to factors such as the wireless signal processing load imposed by the alarm devices. Also, in multiple buildings, there are cases where it is desired to link alarm operations between groups made up of alarm devices installed in each building. Accordingly, an alarm system has been proposed in which, for example, multiple groups each include a repeater, and wireless signals are relayed between the repeaters, thereby expanding the range of linked alarms (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-096353 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In alarm systems such as those described above, when repeaters are installed, a test is conducted to check the wireless signal communication status at the installation location. After the equipment is installed, the test is often conducted once, similar to a typical inspection, and if no communication abnormalities occur, the system is deemed to have passed. However, the wireless signal quality is not always constant, and communication abnormalities may occur if the radio wave environment deteriorates. In particular, repeaters that relay signals between buildings are often installed outdoors, where the environment is prone to change over time. For this reason, when installing repeaters, it is desirable to conduct a communication test with stricter standards than the conventional tests conducted during inspections.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a repeater and a communication test method that can perform more stringent communication tests than conventional ones. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The repeater of this invention is provided in each of a plurality of alarm device groups which each contain an alarm device, and relays wireless signals relating to communication between the alarm device groups, and comprises a transceiver unit which communicates via wireless signals with repeaters belonging to other alarm device groups, and a control unit which causes the transceiver unit to communicate with repeaters belonging to other alarm device groups a plurality of times, and performs multiple communication tests to determine whether a communication abnormality has occurred.

[0008] The communications test method of the present invention is a communications test method for repeaters that are provided in each of a plurality of alarm device groups that each contain an alarm device, and that relay wireless signals related to communications between the alarm device groups, and involves multiple executions of a communications execution step that communicates with a repeater that belongs to another alarm device group, and an abnormality determination step that determines whether a communications abnormality has occurred with a repeater that belongs to another alarm device group. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this invention, communications with repeaters belonging to other alarm device groups are executed a number of times, and multiple communication tests are performed to determine whether any communication abnormalities have occurred. As a result, by performing multiple communication tests that are stricter than normal tests, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of communication abnormalities after the repeater has been installed, and it is possible to avoid the need to reinstall the repeater after the test. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fire alarm system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a repeater 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the contents of two types of communication tests performed by the repeater 20 in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a communication test process in the repeater 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the state of a wireless signal when communication is unstable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiment 1 Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm system according to embodiment 1. The fire alarm system according to embodiment 1 is an example of an alarm system, and is made up of one or more fire alarm devices 10 (an example of an alarm device) and multiple repeaters 20. Within the system, one or more alarm device groups are made up of devices capable of sending and receiving wireless signals, and each alarm device group in embodiment 1 has one parent fire alarm device 10 within the group, with the remaining devices being children.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the alarm system in embodiment 1 has alarm device group A and alarm device group B. Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between alarm device group A and alarm device group B, they will be described simply as groups. Here, the alarm system is made up of two groups, but it is also possible, for example, to make up three or more groups within the system. Furthermore, although this is not particularly limited, essentially the parent fire alarm 10 is installed in a position where it can communicate with all devices within the group. Then, when the parent fire alarm 10 receives a fire-related alarm signal (an example of an alarm signal related to an environmental abnormality) from another fire alarm 10 or the like, it retransmits this to the other devices within the group to ensure linkage. Furthermore, for example, each device within the group has an address that is set uniquely within the group in order to identify the source and destination of communication.

[0013] When the fire alarm 10 detects a fire, for example, as an example of an alarm system, it issues an alarm by sound or display to notify users such as residents. Furthermore, when the fire alarm 10 receives a fire-related alarm signal (interlocking control signal) from other fire alarms 10 in the group, it issues an alarm in conjunction with the other fire alarms 10.

[0014] Furthermore, the repeater 20 is a device that relays alarm signals to devices outside the group. Here, each group has one repeater 20, and alarm signals are relayed between groups by transmitting and receiving alarm signals between the repeaters 20. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the repeater 20 may relay communication with an external device to transmit (output) an alarm signal or the like issued from a fire alarm 10 within the group to an external device such as a home information panel. Like the fire alarm 10, the repeater 20 is also assigned a unique address, and is treated as a child device in communication. Although not particularly limited, the repeater 20 does not have the function of detecting fires, etc., but can, for example, issue an alarm in conjunction with the fire alarm 10, based on an interlocking control signal from the fire alarm 10, etc.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of repeater 20 according to embodiment 1. In Fig. 2, repeater 20 includes control circuit 21, battery 22, power supply circuit 23, battery voltage detection circuit 24, transmission / reception circuit 25, antenna 26, alarm sound control circuit 27, display circuit 28, and alarm stop and inspection switch 29.

[0016] The control circuit 21, which serves as the control unit, performs processing based on input signals and controls the circuits and devices of the repeater 20. Based on alarm signals from the fire alarm 10 or repeaters 20 (hereinafter referred to as other repeaters 20) belonging to other groups that are paired (relay destinations), the control circuit 21 activates the alarm sound control circuit 27 and display circuit 28, which will be described later, to issue alarms and other notifications using sound and display. The control circuit 21 also performs processing related to communication with other devices via the transmitter / receiver circuit 25. In particular, the control circuit 21 in the first embodiment performs calculations based on the field strength of the wireless signals and performs processing related to communication tests, such as checking whether there are any problems with communication between the fire alarm 10 that serves as the master device and the other repeaters 20 that are paired (relay destinations).

[0017] The control circuit 21 has a memory element 21A that serves as a storage unit. The memory element 21A is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM. The memory element 21A stores various data such as programs related to the processes executed by the control circuit 21, addresses set for the control circuit 21 itself and other devices in the group, and the group ID of the group to which the control circuit 21 belongs. The control circuit 21 in the first embodiment also has a timer 21B that measures time.

[0018] The battery 22 supplies DC power to the power supply circuit 23. The power supply circuit 23 controls the voltage of the battery 22 to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to each circuit of the repeater 20. The battery voltage detection circuit 24 detects the voltage applied to the battery 22 and sends a battery voltage detection signal to the control circuit 21. Based on the battery voltage detection signal, the control circuit 21 operates the alarm sound control circuit 27 and the display circuit 28 to notify the user of a dead battery, etc.

[0019] The transmitting / receiving circuit 25, which serves as a transmitting / receiving unit, processes the input (sent) radio signal via the antenna 26 for transmitting and receiving the radio signal. For example, the transmitting / receiving circuit 25 performs reception processing when it determines that its own address is included as data of the communication destination (including the case where all addresses are set as the communication destination). On the other hand, the transmitting / receiving circuit 25 does not perform reception processing when it determines that the radio signal is not addressed to its own address. The signal that has undergone reception processing is output to the control circuit 21. Here, in the first embodiment, the transmitting / receiving circuit 25 measures the field strength of the radio signal at set measurement intervals while receiving the radio signal. The transmitting / receiving circuit 25 also performs transmission processing of status signals related to the processing of the control circuit 21.

[0020] The alarm sound control circuit 27 is a circuit that controls the operation of generating an alarm sound from a sound generating device (not shown) that serves as an alarm means such as a buzzer or speaker. The display circuit 28 is a circuit that controls the lighting operation of an indicator light such as a light-emitting diode (LED) that serves as a display device. For example, if the repeater 20 has display means that can display letters, numbers, etc. as an alarm means, the display circuit 28 may control the display of letters, etc.

[0021] The alarm stop and inspection switch 29, which serves as an instruction input means, is a switch that allows the user to stop the alarm from the repeater 20 when an alarm occurs or to have the repeater 20 perform a communication test such as an inspection. The alarm stop and inspection switch 29 is, for example, a button-type switch. Here, the alarm stop and inspection switch 29 is a switch that can be used differently, for example, by being half-pressed or fully pressed, or by being short-pressed or long-pressed. The repeater 20 in the first embodiment has the function of performing two types of communication tests (inspections) between the fire alarm 10 that serves as the master unit and another repeater 20 that serves as a relay destination, by, for example, performing a short press of approximately one second or less by an operator. In particular, the repeater 20 performs a communication test in a single-time communication test mode by, for example, performing a short press once by the operator, and a communication test in a multiple-time communication test mode by performing a short press twice by the operator.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the content of two types of communication tests performed by the repeater 20 in the first embodiment. First, a communication test in the single-time communication test mode will be described. A communication test in the single-time communication test mode (hereinafter referred to as a single-time communication test) is performed during regular inspection, for example, once a month. In the single-time communication test, the transmitter / receiver circuit 25 of the repeater 20 communicates once with the parent fire alarm 10 and with another paired repeater 20, and the control circuit 21 determines whether or not there is a communication abnormality based on the communications. The control circuit 21 determines that there is a communication abnormality based on the criteria for determination, but the control circuit 21 may determine that there is a communication abnormality, for example, if it cannot receive a wireless signal or if the electric field strength is weak.

[0023] Next, a communication test in the multiple communication test mode will be described. A communication test in the multiple communication test mode (hereinafter referred to as a multiple communication test) is performed, for example, during inspections at the time of installation or relocation during construction. As with the single communication test, the transmitter / receiver circuit 25 of the repeater 20 communicates with the parent fire alarm 10 and the other paired repeater 20, and the control circuit 21 determines whether a communication abnormality has occurred. However, in the multiple communication test, this process is performed multiple times at a preset communication interval. The communication interval and the set number of times when performing multiple tests are, for example, 10 to 20 seconds and 5 times, respectively.

[0024] Here, a communication interval is set, and the transmission / reception circuit 25 communicates at equal communication intervals, but this is not limited to this. For example, the communication intervals may be set at different times, and the transmission / reception circuit 25 may communicate a set number of times at different times. Alternatively, communication may be performed at random intervals. In addition, although the description has been given assuming that the communication interval in the transmission / reception circuit 25 is on the order of seconds, this is not limited to this. Furthermore, although the set number of multiple communications is five, this is not limited to this. While a larger set number is expected to more accurately determine the communication status at the installation location, it is desirable to set the number of communications taking into consideration the power consumption of the battery 22.

[0025] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of communication test processing in repeater 20 according to embodiment 1. The communication test processing is mainly performed by control circuit 21. When alarm stop and inspection switch 29 is briefly pressed and a communication test is instructed by the user, control circuit 21 determines whether a single communication test or multiple communication tests has been instructed (step S1).

[0026] When the control circuit 21 determines that a single communication test should be performed, it causes the indicator light to flash in green via the display circuit 28 and causes the transmitter / receiver circuit 25 to communicate with the parent fire alarm device 10 (step S11). The control circuit 21 then makes a determination based on the communication result (step S12). Next, the control circuit 21 causes the indicator light to flash from green to orange via the display circuit 28 and causes the transmitter / receiver circuit 25 to communicate with the other paired repeater 20 (step S13). The control circuit 21 then makes a determination based on the communication result (step S14). The control circuit 21 then notifies the determination result by causing the sound generator, which serves as an alarm means, to generate a sound via the alarm sound control circuit 27 and by lighting the indicator light, which serves as an alarm means, via the display circuit 28 (step S15). The control circuit 21 then terminates the process.

[0027] For example, if communication is normal, the repeater 20 will emit a voice message saying "Normal" and blink the indicator light in orange. If there is a communication abnormality with the parent fire alarm 10, the repeater 20 will emit a voice message saying, for example, "Beep beep, radio wave abnormality, number 0," and blink the indicator light in either red, green, or orange. Here, if there is no response (no wireless signal is sent), the indicator light will blink in red. If there is an abnormality due to interference waves, the indicator light will blink in orange. If the field strength (radio waves) of the wireless signal is weak, the indicator light will blink in green.

[0028] Furthermore, in the event of a communication abnormality with another repeater 20, the repeater 20 will emit a sound such as "beep beep, radio wave abnormality, number 002," and as described above, will light up the indicator light in either "red," "green," or "orange." In the event of a communication abnormality with both the parent fire alarm 10 and another repeater 20, the repeater 20 will emit a sound such as "beep beep, radio wave abnormality, numbers 0 and 002," and as described above, will light up the indicator light in either "red," "green," or "orange."

[0029] When the control circuit 21 determines that a multiple communication test is to be performed, it executes a process including a communication execution step and an abnormality determination step similar to steps S11 to S15 in the single communication test (steps S21 to S25). The control circuit 21 determines whether a communication abnormality has occurred based on the communication result (step S26). When the control circuit 21 determines that a communication abnormality has occurred, it ends the process.

[0030] If the control circuit 21 determines that no communication abnormality has occurred (communication is normal), it determines whether the processing of steps S21 to S25 has been executed a set number of times (step S27). If the control circuit 21 determines that the processing of steps S21 to S25 has not been executed the set number of times, it starts timer 21B to determine whether the communication interval has elapsed (step S28). If the control circuit 21 determines that the communication interval has elapsed, it executes the processing from step S21.

[0031] On the other hand, if the control circuit 21 determines in step S27 that the processing of steps S21 to S25 has been executed the set number of times, it ends the processing.

[0032] As described above, the repeater 20 in the first embodiment can perform two types of communication tests between the parent fire alarm 10 and other repeaters 20: a single communication test and a multiple communication test that is stricter than the single communication test. By performing a multiple communication test, for example, during construction or relocation, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of communication abnormalities after installation and eliminate the need to reinstall the repeater 20 after a communication test. Furthermore, because the repeater 20 in the first embodiment can select and perform two types of communication tests, it can be used separately from the communication test during normal inspections.

[0033] Furthermore, repeater 20 in the first embodiment can perform the communication tests a set number of times at a preset interval, thereby making it possible to perform regular judgments. On the other hand, by performing communication at different communication intervals, control circuit 21 can be expected to judge communication abnormalities due to randomly occurring communication failures, etc.

[0034] Embodiment 2 The multiple communication test performed in repeater 20 in the first embodiment described above involves performing the same process as the single communication test multiple times. In the multiple communication test mode in repeater 20 in the second embodiment, control circuit 21 determines whether there is a communication abnormality based on the field strength of the wireless signal.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the state of a wireless signal when communication is unstable. As shown in Fig. 5, if radio waves are reflected by a building or other object, the field strength of the wireless signal may suddenly change, even during a two-second communication. In such a case, even if the installation location of repeater 20 remains unchanged, the change in field strength becomes large. For example, even if the field strength is higher than the threshold, communication becomes unstable, and repeater 20 is unable to receive wireless signals.

[0036] As described above, the transmission / reception circuit 25 measures the field strength at each measurement interval. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the control circuit 21 determines that communication is unstable based on the field strength measured by the transmission / reception circuit 25 during multiple communication tests, due to the degree of variation in the field strength. If the control circuit 21 determines that communication is unstable, the control circuit 21 determines that a communication abnormality has occurred. For example, the control circuit 21 calculates the difference in strength between the field strength measured by the transmission / reception circuit 25 and, for example, the field strength measured immediately before that. If the control circuit 21 determines that the calculated difference in strength is greater than a preset difference, the control circuit 21 determines that the field strength fluctuates significantly, causing communication to be unstable, and thus determining that a communication abnormality has occurred. Here, the transmission / reception circuit 25 compares the field strength with the field strength measured immediately before, but it may also compare it with the field strength measured two or more times before.

[0037] As described above, according to the repeater 20 of the second embodiment, the control circuit 21 determines whether a communication abnormality has occurred based on the difference in field strength when performing multiple communication tests. Therefore, it is possible to perform a more stringent communication test based on the stability of communication, based on the difference in field strength, rather than simply determining whether the field strength exceeds the threshold.

[0038] Embodiment 3 In the above-described first and second embodiments, in both the single communication test and the multiple communication test, the control circuit 21 determined whether a communication abnormality had occurred in the communication between the fire alarm device 10 serving as the master device and the other repeaters 20. Here, in an alarm group, the communication environment with other repeaters 20 in a different group is often more severe than with the fire alarm device 10 serving as the master device in the same group. Therefore, when performing multiple communication tests, the control circuit 21 may determine whether a communication abnormality has occurred based only on the communication with the other paired repeater 20.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, a fire alarm system configured with a fire alarm device 10 and a repeater 20 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to alarm systems configured with an alarm device and a repeater 20 that detect not only fires but also other environmental abnormalities such as gas leaks.

[0040] In the second embodiment described above, the control circuit 21 determines whether a communication abnormality has occurred by calculating the difference in strength between the field strength measured by the transmission / reception circuit 25 and the field strength measured immediately before by the transmission / reception circuit 25. However, this is not limiting. For example, the control circuit 21 may determine whether a communication abnormality has occurred based on the difference between the maximum and minimum field strength values ​​of all wireless signals related to the second communication test. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Fire alarm, 20 Repeater, 21 Control circuit, 21A Memory element, 21B Timer, 22 Battery, 23 Power supply circuit, 24 Battery voltage detection circuit, 25 Transmitting / receiving circuit, 26 Antenna, 27 Alarm sound control circuit, 28 Display circuit, 29 Alarm stop and inspection switch.

Claims

1. A repeater is provided in each of a plurality of alarm device groups each having an alarm device, and relays wireless signals related to communications between the alarm device groups, a transceiver unit that communicates using the wireless signals with repeaters that belong to other alarm device groups; a control unit that causes the transceiver unit to communicate multiple times with repeaters that belong to other alarm groups and performs multiple communication tests to determine whether a communication abnormality has occurred; A repeater comprising:

2. the transmitting / receiving unit measures the electric field strength of the wireless signal; The repeater according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the communication abnormality has occurred when, during multiple communications with a repeater belonging to another alarm device group, it determines that the difference in strength between the field strength measured by the transceiver unit and the field strength measured immediately before by the transceiver unit is equal to or greater than a preset difference.

3. the transceiver unit communicates via the wireless signal with the alarm device that is the parent device in the alarm device group, The repeater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the transceiver unit to communicate with the alarm device that will be the parent device a plurality of times as the multiple communication test, and determines whether or not a communication abnormality has occurred.

4. An instruction input means for inputting an instruction, The control unit, based on a test execution instruction input from the instruction input means, the multiple communication tests; a single-time communication test that determines whether a communication abnormality has occurred, and causes the transceiver unit to execute, once, communication by wireless signal with the alarm device that is a parent device in the alarm device group, and with a repeater that belongs to another alarm device group, and selects to execute either a single-time communication test or a single-time communication test that determines whether a communication abnormality has occurred.

5. 3. The repeater according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the transmitting / receiving unit to perform the communication a plurality of times at equal intervals.

6. The repeater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the transmitting / receiving unit to perform the communication a plurality of times at different timings.

7. a notification means for issuing a notification; 3. The repeater according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to issue a notification based on the result of the determination.

8. A communications test method for repeaters that are provided in each of a plurality of alarm device groups each having an alarm device, and that relay wireless signals related to communications between the alarm device groups, comprising: a communication execution step of communicating with repeaters that belong to other alarm device groups; an abnormality determination step of determining whether a communication abnormality has occurred with a repeater belonging to another alarm group, A communication test method that is performed multiple times.

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