Wireless repeater, and wireless sensing system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of simplifying the configuration of devices that execute communication between groups.SOLUTION: A first communication unit 210 communicates with a sensor within the same group via an antenna 216. A second communication unit 212 communicates with another wireless repeater included in another group via another antenna 216. A selection unit 214 selects either the first communication unit 210 or the second communication unit 212 as the object to execute the communication via the selection unit 214. The first communication unit 210 executes communication by the first wireless communication method, and the second communication unit 212 executes communication by the second wireless communication method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless detection technology, and more particularly to a wireless relay device and a wireless detection system for detecting fires. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional example, the alarm system described in Patent Document 1 is taken as an example. In this alarm system, when an alarm device in one group detects a fire and issues an alarm, it transmits a fire interlocking signal, causing the other alarm devices in that group to output an alarm. Furthermore, the fire interlocking signal is received by a repeater. The repeater designates another group B and transmits an alarm preparation interlocking signal, causing the alarm devices in that other group to issue an alarm through alarm preparation operation. In this alarm system, the alarm devices in the two groups that are interlocked via the repeater communicate using a communication frequency that differs for each group. The repeater then converts a signal at a communication frequency received from one of the groups into a signal at a communication frequency used by the other group and transmits it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-188173 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The repeater of the alarm system described in Patent Document 1 comprises a communication unit (hereinafter referred to as a "first communication unit") and an antenna (hereinafter referred to as a "first antenna") for use in communicating with one group. The repeater also comprises a communication unit (hereinafter referred to as a "second communication unit") and an antenna (hereinafter referred to as a "second antenna") for use in communicating with another group. In other words, the repeater comprises a communication unit and an antenna for each group. It is desirable to simplify the configuration of such a repeater.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technique that simplifies the configuration of a device that executes communication between groups. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a wireless relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a wireless relay device that is included in one of multiple groups and relays communications with other groups, and includes an antenna, a first communication unit that communicates with sensors in the same group via the antenna, a second communication unit that communicates with other wireless relay devices included in other groups via the antenna, and a selection unit that selects either the first communication unit or the second communication unit as a target for communication via the antenna. The first communication unit communicates using a first wireless communication method, and the second communication unit communicates using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the configuration of a device that executes communication between groups can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless sensing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams illustrating the configurations of a sensor and a wireless relay device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first operation example of the wireless sensing system of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second operation example of the wireless sensing system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing the present disclosure in detail, an overview will be provided. This embodiment relates to a wireless sensing system installed in facilities such as apartment buildings, detached houses, offices, and hospitals. The wireless sensing system is also called an alarm system. The wireless sensing system includes multiple sensors, each of which is capable of detecting the occurrence of a fire and issues an audible alarm upon detecting a fire. Each sensor also has a communication function, such as a wireless communication function, and transmits an interlocking signal for interlocking and issuing an audible alarm upon detecting a fire. Sensors that receive the interlocking signal also issue an audible alarm. Here, events that are the subject of disaster prevention measures are not limited to fires, but may also include floods, earthquakes, gas leaks, and the generation of carbon monoxide (CO) due to incomplete combustion.

[0011] In a wireless detection system, multiple groups are formed, each containing two or more detectors. Each group covers a certain area within the facility. One of the two or more detectors in a group is the "parent device" and the rest are "child devices." The parent device transmits a synchronization signal to the child devices in the group as a synchronization reference, and the child devices establish synchronization with the parent device based on the received synchronization signal. After synchronization is established, the child devices communicate via the parent device. Therefore, each child device transmits an interlocking signal to the parent device and receives an interlocking signal from the parent device. Furthermore, because each group uses a different frequency, each group communicates independently of the others, and the range of interlocking signal transmission is limited within the group.

[0012] In such a wireless sensing system, it is desirable to expand the range of transmission of the interlocking signal across groups, thereby expanding the range of issuance of the alarm sound. In particular, it is desirable to easily achieve relay of communication between groups. In the wireless sensing system according to this embodiment, one wireless relay device is included in each group. The wireless relay device operates as a slave device within the group. Therefore, the wireless relay device establishes synchronization with the master device, transmits interlocking signals to the master device, and receives interlocking signals from the master device.

[0013] Furthermore, the wireless relay devices in each group form a relay group. The relay group uses a different frequency and a different protocol from the aforementioned group. When a wireless relay device receives an interlocking signal from a master device, it transmits the interlocking signal to other wireless relay devices in the relay group. The wireless relay device that receives the interlocking signal transmits the interlocking signal to the master device. As a result, the transmission range of the interlocking signal is expanded to span the groups. Such a wireless relay device performs communication within the group as well as communication between groups, i.e., within the relay group. It is desirable to simplify the configuration of the wireless relay device.

[0014] 1 shows the configuration of a wireless sensing system 1000. The wireless sensing system 1000 includes a first master device 100a to a fourth master device 100d collectively referred to as master devices 100, a first slave device 110a to an eighth slave device 110h collectively referred to as slave devices 110, and a first wireless relay device 200a to a fourth wireless relay device 200d collectively referred to as wireless relay devices 200. The numbers of master devices 100, slave devices 110, and wireless relay devices 200 in the wireless sensing system 1000 are not limited to "4," "8," and "4," respectively.

[0015] The wireless sensing system 1000 is a system for issuing an alarm in the event of a fire, and the master unit 100 and the slave unit 110 are the aforementioned sensors. The sensors are, for example, fire alarms. The sensors therefore have both the function of detecting a fire and the function of sounding an alarm in response to the detection of a fire. The sensors are also interlocking fire alarms that transmit and receive interlocking signals for sounding interlocking alarms. The wireless sensing system 1000 is applied to, for example, a facility. Specifically, multiple sensors are installed on the ceiling or walls of a target installation space within the facility. The facility is assumed to have a relatively large area. In other words, the facility is assumed to be one in which the area to detect fires cannot be covered by two or three sensors. The facility may be an apartment building (condominium), an office building, a theater, a movie theater, a public hall, an amusement park, a complex, a restaurant, a department store, a school, a hotel, an inn, a hospital, a nursing home, a kindergarten, a library, a museum, an art gallery, an underground shopping mall, a station, an airport, or the like.

[0016] The wireless sensing system 1000 includes a first group 10a to a fourth group 10d, collectively referred to as groups 10. The number of groups 10 included in the wireless sensing system 1000 is not limited to four. Each group 10 includes multiple sensors, one master device 100 and one or more slave devices 110. For example, the first group 10a includes a first master device 100a, a first slave device 110a, and a second slave device 110b. The same is true for the second group 10b to the fourth group 10d.

[0017] Furthermore, each group 10 is arranged so as to correspond one-to-one to one of the four major sensing areas within the facility. For example, when the wireless sensing system 1000 is applied to a facility divided into multiple floors, one group 10 is assigned to each floor and installed. Furthermore, the master unit 100 and slave unit 110 of each group 10 are arranged so as to correspond one-to-one to the four small areas of the corresponding sensing area.

[0018] The master units 100 and slave units 110 in each group 10 are, for example, battery-powered fire alarms. However, the master units 100 or slave units 110 may be electrically connected to an external power source (for example, a commercial power grid) and may be powered by converting AC power (for example, an effective value of 100 V) supplied from the external power source into DC power. The master units 100 and slave units 110 in each group 10 are linked fire alarms, and when any master unit 100 or slave unit 110 in each group 10 detects a fire, it sounds an alarm in linkage with the other master units 100 or slave units 110 (together with the other master units 100 or slave units 110).

[0019] To achieve this interlocking, in this embodiment, a network is formed that allows communication between the master device 100 and the slave devices 110 in each group 10. For example, communication is performed between the master device 100 and the slave devices 110 using TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access). The master device 100 periodically broadcasts a synchronization signal, and each slave device 110 establishes synchronization with the master device 100 by receiving the synchronization signal from the master device 100.

[0020] For example, in the first group 10a, the first master device 100a and each slave device 110 are assigned transmission timings that are offset from each other. When an interlocking signal to be transmitted is generated in either the first master device 100a or each slave device 110, the interlocking signal is transmitted at the transmission timing assigned to that device. Furthermore, the first master device 100a and each slave device 110 perform reception operations during periods other than the transmission timing of the first master device 100a. Therefore, when an interlocking signal is transmitted from a first master device 100a or a slave device 110 other than the first master device 100a or each slave device 110, the first master device 100a and each slave device 110 receive the interlocking signal.

[0021] The above-described operations are also performed in the second group 10b to the fourth group 10d. Therefore, communication of interlocking signals and issuance of alarm sounds are performed within each group 10. On the other hand, in order to widen the range of the alarm sounds, communication of interlocking signals is also desired between the groups 10. In the wireless sensing system 1000 according to this embodiment, a wireless relay device 200 is included in each group 10 to easily realize relaying of communications between the groups.

[0022] For example, the first group 10a includes a first wireless relay device 200a. The first wireless relay device 200a performs the same operation as the child devices 110, thereby establishing synchronization with the first parent device 100a and being able to communicate with each child device 110 in the first group 10a. The second group 10b includes a second wireless relay device 200b, the third group 10c includes a third wireless relay device 200c, and the fourth group 10d includes a fourth wireless relay device 200d. The second wireless relay device 200b to the fourth wireless relay device 200d also perform the same operation as the first wireless relay device 200a.

[0023] A relay group 20 is formed by the first wireless relay device 200a to the fourth wireless relay device 200d. Interlocking signals are communicated between the wireless relay devices 200 included in the relay group 20. As an example, among the wireless relay devices 200, the first wireless relay device 200a plays a role corresponding to the master device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "master"), and the remaining wireless relay devices 200 play roles corresponding to the slave devices 110 (hereinafter referred to as the "slave devices"). The master device 100 and the slave devices 110 are fixed, but the master and slave roles are changeable. The first wireless relay device 200a acting as the master periodically broadcasts a synchronization signal, and the other slave wireless relay devices 200 establish synchronization with the first wireless relay device 200a by receiving the synchronization signal from the first wireless relay device 200a.

[0024] In addition, in the relay group 20, the transmission timings of the wireless relay devices 200 are assigned so as to be offset from one another. Each wireless relay device 200 transmits an interlocking signal at the transmission timing assigned to that device. Furthermore, each wireless relay device 200 performs a receiving operation in a period other than the transmission timing of that device. Through this processing, when any wireless relay device 200 receives an interlocking signal from a master device 100 in the group 10, it transmits the interlocking signal at the transmission timing of that device. Furthermore, the remaining wireless relay devices 200 receive the interlocking signal. The wireless relay device 200 that receives the interlocking signal transmits the interlocking signal to the master device 100 in the group 10. In this way, the wireless relay device 200 is included in one of the multiple groups 10 and relays communications with the other groups 10.

[0025] The transmission interval of the synchronization signal in communication within group 10 is different from the transmission interval of the synchronization signal in communication within relay group 20. Therefore, the protocol for communication within group 10 is different from the protocol for communication within relay group 20. When the protocol for communication within group 10 is called a first wireless communication method, the protocol for communication within relay group 20 is called a second wireless communication method.

[0026] Communication in the wireless sensing system 1000 is wireless communication. The wireless frequency band used in communication within the group 10 and the relay group 20 corresponds to the wireless frequency band stipulated in the Fire Service Act, for example. Specifically, the wireless frequency band corresponds to the wireless stations of low-power security systems, i.e., the 426 MHz band. For example, five of the multiple frequency channels in the 426 MHz band are allocated to the four groups 10 and the relay group 20. Here, as an example, the channels of the four groups 10 and the relay group 20 are all set to be different from each other. The channels of the first group 10a to the fourth group 10d are set to first frequencies F1a, F1b, F1c, and F1d, respectively, and the channel of the relay group 20 is set to a second frequency F2. Here, the difference between the frequencies of the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method is set to within 1 MHz.

[0027] 2(a) and 2(b) show the configurations of the sensor 120 and the wireless relay device 200. FIG. 2(a) shows the configuration of the sensor 120. The sensor 120 corresponds to the parent device 100 and the child device 110. The sensor 120 includes a sensing unit 122, an alarm unit 124, a control unit 126, a memory unit 128, a communication unit 130, and a power supply circuit 132. First, the configuration when the sensor 120 is the parent device 100 will be described. The power supply circuit 132 is connected to a battery (not shown), for example a lithium battery, and supplies power from the battery to the sensor 120.

[0028] The control unit 126 has, for example, a computer system having a processor and a memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory, causing the computer system to function as the control unit 126. The program executed by the processor is pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system here, but may also be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

[0029] The sensing unit 122 has a function (detection function) of detecting information related to a fire that will trigger an audible alarm. Here, the sensing unit 122 is, as an example, a photoelectric sensor that detects smoke. Therefore, the information related to the fire includes, for example, information related to smoke. However, the sensing unit 122 is not limited to a photoelectric sensor and may be, for example, a constant temperature sensor that detects heat. The sensing unit 122 has, for example, a light-emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a light-receiving unit such as a photodiode. The light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are arranged within the labyrinth of the device's housing so that the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving unit is off the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit. In the event of a fire, smoke may be introduced into the labyrinth through a hole provided in the housing.

[0030] When there is no smoke in the labyrinth of the housing, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit hardly reaches the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving unit. On the other hand, when there is smoke in the labyrinth of the housing, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit is absorbed by the smoke. The light emitted from the light-emitting unit is scattered by the smoke, and some of the scattered light reaches the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving unit. That is, the light-receiving unit of the sensing unit 122 receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit that has been scattered by the smoke. The sensing unit 122 outputs to the control unit 126 an electrical signal (output signal) that indicates a voltage level corresponding to the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit.

[0031] The control unit 126 determines whether a fire has occurred based on the output signal output by the detection unit 122. For example, the control unit 126 determines that a fire has occurred when the voltage level indicated by the output signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When the control unit 126 detects that a fire has occurred, the control unit 126 transmits an interlocking signal based on the fire detection from the communication unit 130. The control unit 126 also determines that a fire has occurred when it receives an interlocking signal from another detector 120.

[0032] The notification unit 124 has a function (notification function) of notifying the occurrence of a fire when the occurrence of a fire in the facility is detected. The notification unit 124 includes an audio circuit (not shown) and a display circuit (not shown).

[0033] The audio circuit outputs sound (sound waves). When the control unit 126 determines that a fire has broken out in the facility, the audio circuit outputs an alarm sound to notify the occurrence of the fire. The audio circuit is composed of a speaker that converts an electrical signal into sound. The speaker has a diaphragm, and emits an alarm sound by mechanically vibrating the diaphragm in accordance with an electrical signal. The audio circuit outputs an alarm sound (e.g., a beep) under the control of the control unit 126. The alarm sound is composed of, for example, a sweep sound that sweeps from low to high pitches, and a voice message that follows the sweep sound.

[0034] If a fire is detected by a master unit 100 in a certain group 10, the audio circuit of the master unit 100 outputs an audio message such as "There's a fire! There's a fire." In this case, with regard to the linked alarm operation within that group 10, the link source (source of the fire) of the alarm is the master unit 100. Other linked detectors 120 within that group 10 also output audio messages such as "There's a fire in another room! There's a fire in another room." The audio message may include name information indicating the small area (installation location) in which the linked detector 120 is installed. If the detector 120 receives an external operation input (push operation) using a push button type operating unit or the like during an alarm (while the alarm is being sounded), the audio circuit stops outputting the alarm sound.

[0035] The indicator circuit is, for example, an operating light having a red LED. The indicator circuit is normally off (during fire monitoring), and starts flashing (or lighting) when the control unit 126 determines that a fire has occurred. This flashing stops when the alarm sound stops being emitted.

[0036] The storage unit 128 is configured with a device selected from a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 128 stores a unique identifier (identification information) assigned to itself (its own device). The identification information is the IP address, MAC address, name, etc. of the sensor 120. The storage unit 128 also stores warning message data related to the voice message. The storage unit 128 may be a memory of the control unit 126.

[0037] The storage unit 128 also stores a plurality of frequency channels corresponding to the 426 MHz band. In particular, the storage unit 128 of the master unit 100 stores a channel to be used for communication within the group 10 to which the master unit 100 belongs, among the plurality of frequency channels corresponding to the 426 MHz band.

[0038] The communication unit 130 performs wireless communication in the 426 MHz frequency band. When the communication unit 130 communicates with one wireless relay device 200 and two slave devices 110 in the group 10 to which the communication unit 130 belongs, the communication unit 130 uses one channel of the four first frequencies F1a, F1b, F1c, and F1d. In other words, the channel used in communication between the slave device 110 and the master device 100 in each group 10 differs among the multiple groups 10.

[0039] The signals communicated by the communication unit 130 are, for example, synchronization signals and interlocking signals, and the same channel is used for these communications.

[0040] Next, a configuration will be described in which the sensor 120 is a slave device 110. As described above, when the communication unit 130 of the slave device 110 receives a synchronization signal from the master device 100, the communication unit 130 synchronizes the timing of the communication unit 130 with that of the master device 100 based on the synchronization signal. Other operations are similar to those of the master device 100.

[0041] When each slave device 110 detects a fire, it sends an interlocking signal to the master device 100 of the group 10 to which it belongs via the communication unit 130 in order to become the interlocking source and initiate an alarm. When each slave device 110 detects a fire, it starts outputting an alarm sound from its own audio circuit and blinks its own display circuit. On the other hand, when each slave device 110 receives an interlocking signal from the master device 100 of the group 10 to which it belongs via the communication unit 130, it starts outputting an alarm sound from its own audio circuit and blinks its own display circuit.

[0042] 2(b) shows the configuration of the wireless relay device 200. The wireless relay device 200 includes a first communication unit 210, a second communication unit 212, a selection unit 214, an antenna 216, a control unit 218, a notification unit 220, a power supply circuit 222, and a storage unit 224.

[0043] The first communication unit 210 and the second communication unit 212 are connected to an antenna 216 via a selection unit 214. The first communication unit 210 is capable of communication using the first wireless communication method described above. The first communication unit 210 communicates with a master unit 100 in the same group 10 via the antenna 216, and establishes synchronization with the master unit 100, i.e., synchronization within the same group 10, based on a synchronization signal received from the master unit 100.

[0044] After synchronization is established, the first communication unit 210 performs communication within the same group 10. Communication within the same group includes communication with the master device 100 and communication with the slave devices 110 within the same group 10 via the master device 100. As a result, the first communication unit 210 communicates with multiple sensors 120 within the same group 10. For example, the first communication unit 210 receives an interlocking signal from the master device 100 and transmits an interlocking signal to the master device 100.

[0045] The second communication unit 212 is capable of performing communication using the second wireless communication method described above. The second communication unit 212 communicates with other wireless relay devices 200 in the relay group 20, i.e., other wireless relay devices 200 included in other groups 10, via the antenna 216. When the wireless relay device 200 is a master, the second communication unit 212 synchronizes the timing of the other wireless relay devices 200 with the timing of the second communication unit 212 by broadcasting a synchronization signal via the antenna 216. On the other hand, when the wireless relay device 200 is a slave, the second communication unit 212 communicates with the master wireless relay device 200 via the antenna 216 and establishes synchronization with the master wireless relay device 200, i.e., synchronization within the relay group 20, based on the synchronization signal received from the master wireless relay device 200. Here, the group 10, which is the communication target of the first communication unit 210, and the relay group 20, which is the communication target of the second communication unit 212, are asynchronous.

[0046] After synchronization is established, the second communication unit 212 executes communication within the relay group 20. Communication within the relay group 20 includes communication with other wireless relay devices 200. As a result, the second communication unit 212 communicates with multiple other wireless relay devices 200 within the relay group 20. For example, the second communication unit 212 receives an interlocking signal from the other wireless relay devices 200 and transmits an interlocking signal to the other wireless relay devices 200.

[0047] The control unit 218 is connected to the first communication unit 210, the second communication unit 212, and the selection unit 214, and controls the operation of the wireless relay device 200. When the first communication unit 210 receives an interlocking signal, the control unit 218 causes the second communication unit 212 to transmit the interlocking signal. When the second communication unit 212 receives an interlocking signal, the control unit 218 causes the first communication unit 210 to transmit the interlocking signal. In this way, the control unit 218 relays communications within the group 10 and communications within the relay group 20.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 218 controls the selection of the first communication unit 210 or the second communication unit 212 by the selection unit 214. When communication by the first communication unit 210 is not to be performed, the control unit 218 determines to select the second communication unit 212. Furthermore, the control unit 218 determines to select the first communication unit 210 during a period when the first communication unit 210 should communicate with the master device 100 (sensor 120), and to select the second communication unit 212 when the period ends. The control unit 218 outputs the determined selection result to the selection unit 214.

[0049] The selection unit 214 selects either the first communication unit 210 or the second communication unit 212 as a target for communication via the antenna 216 in accordance with the selection result from the control unit 218 .

[0050] The notification unit 220 is similar to the notification unit 124 described above. The notification unit 220 may include an audio circuit (not shown) and a display circuit (not shown). When an abnormality occurs in at least one of the first communication unit 210 and the second communication unit 212, such as a communication failure, the control unit 126 may cause the notification unit 220 to notify of the abnormality. The power supply circuit 222 and the memory unit 224 are similar to the power supply circuit 132 and the memory unit 128 in the front vertical direction.

[0051] The subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0052] The operation of the wireless sensing system 1000 configured as described above will now be described. FIG. 3 shows a first example of operation of the wireless sensing system 1000. Here, the operation when a fire is detected in the first group 10a including the first wireless relay device 200a acting as the master will be described. When the first slave device 110a of the first group 10a detects a fire in a corresponding small area in a predetermined detection area within the facility, it outputs a voice message "Fire! Fire!" in succession to a sweep sound. In addition, the first slave device 110a transmits an interlocking signal to the first master device 100a of the first group 10a using radio waves of the first frequency F1a, which is the communication frequency for the first group 10a (i).

[0053] When the first master device 100a receives the linking signal from the first slave device 110a, it starts emitting an alarm sound in response to the first slave device 110a's alert. The first master device 100a then transmits the linking signal to the other slave devices 110 in the first group 10a, i.e., the second slave device 110b and the first wireless relay device 200a, using radio waves of the first frequency F1a (ii).

[0054] As a result, the second child device 110b also starts emitting an alarm sound in coordination with the first parent device 100a. When the first wireless relay device 200a receives the coordination signal from the first parent device 100a, the first wireless relay device 200a transmits the coordination signal from the second wireless relay device 200b to the fourth wireless relay device 200d using radio waves of the second frequency F2, which is the communication frequency for the relay group 20 (iii).

[0055] When the second wireless relay device 200b receives the interlocking signal from the first wireless relay device 200a, it transmits the interlocking signal to the second master device 100b using the first frequency F1b, which is the communication frequency of the second group 10b (iv). When the second master device 100b receives the interlocking signal, it starts emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the first master device 100b. The second master device 100b also transmits the interlocking signal to the slave devices 110 of the second group 10b, i.e., the third slave device 110c and the fourth slave device 110d, using radio waves of the first frequency F1b (v). When the third slave device 110c and the fourth slave device 110d receive the interlocking signal, they start emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the second master device 100b.

[0056] When the third wireless relay device 200c receives the interlocking signal from the first wireless relay device 200a, it transmits the interlocking signal to the third parent device 100c using the first frequency F1c, which is the communication frequency of the third group 10c (iv). When the third parent device 100c receives the interlocking signal, it starts emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the third parent device 100c. In addition, the third parent device 100c transmits the interlocking signal to the child devices 110 of the third group 10c, i.e., the fifth child device 110e and the sixth child device 110f, using radio waves of the first frequency F1c (v). When the fifth child device 110e and the sixth child device 110f receive the interlocking signal, they start emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the third parent device 100c.

[0057] When the fourth wireless relay device 200d receives the interlocking signal from the first wireless relay device 200a, it transmits the interlocking signal to the fourth master device 100d using the first frequency F1d, which is the communication frequency of the fourth group 10d (iv). When the fourth master device 100d receives the interlocking signal, it starts emitting an alarm sound in coordination with the fourth master device 100d. In addition, the fourth master device 100d transmits the interlocking signal to the slave devices 110 of the fourth group 10d, i.e., the seventh slave device 110g and the eighth slave device 110h, using radio waves of the first frequency F1d (v). When the seventh slave device 110g and the eighth slave device 110h receive the interlocking signal, they start emitting an alarm sound in coordination with the fourth master device 100d.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates a second operation example of the wireless sensing system 1000. The second and third operation examples explain the operation when a fire is detected in the second group 10b, which includes the second wireless relay device 200b as a slave. The second operation example corresponds to a case where the master does not change, and the third operation example corresponds to a case where the master changes. When the fourth slave device 110d of the second group 10b detects a fire in a corresponding small area within a predetermined detection area within the facility, it outputs a voice message "Fire! Fire!" in succession to a sweep sound. In addition, the fourth slave device 110d transmits an interlocking signal to the second master device 100b of the second group 10b using radio waves of the first frequency F1b, which is the communication frequency for the second group 10b (i).

[0059] When the second master device 100b receives the linking signal from the fourth slave device 110d, it starts emitting an alarm sound in response to the fourth slave device 110d. The second master device 100b then transmits the linking signal to the other slave devices 110 in the second group 10b, i.e., the third slave device 110c and the second wireless relay device 200b, using radio waves of the first frequency F1b (ii).

[0060] As a result, the third child device 110c also starts emitting an alarm sound in coordination with the second child device 110b. When the second wireless relay device 200b receives the coordination signal from the second parent device 100b, it transmits the coordination signal to the first parent wireless relay device 200a using radio waves of the second frequency F2, which is the communication frequency for the relay group 20 (iii). When the first wireless relay device 200a receives the coordination signal from the second wireless relay device 200b, it transmits the coordination signal to the third wireless relay device 200c and the fourth wireless relay device 200d using radio waves of the second frequency F2 (iv).

[0061] When the first wireless relay device 200a receives the interlocking signal from the second wireless relay device 200b, it transmits the interlocking signal to the first master device 100a using the first frequency F1a, which is the communication frequency of the first group 10a (v). When the first master device 100a receives the interlocking signal, it starts emitting an alarm sound in coordination with the first master device 100a. The first master device 100a also transmits the interlocking signal to the slave devices 110 in the first group 10a, i.e., the first slave device 110a and the second slave device 110b, using radio waves of the first frequency F1a (vi). When the first slave device 110a and the second slave device 110b receive the interlocking signal, they start emitting an alarm sound in coordination with the first master device 100a.

[0062] When the third wireless relay device 200c receives the interlocking signal from the first wireless relay device 200a, it transmits the interlocking signal to the third parent device 100c using the first frequency F1c, which is the communication frequency of the third group 10c (v). When the third parent device 100c receives the interlocking signal, it starts emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the third parent device 100c. In addition, the third parent device 100c transmits the interlocking signal to the child devices 110 of the third group 10c, i.e., the fifth child device 110e and the sixth child device 110f, using radio waves of the first frequency F1c (vi). When the fifth child device 110e and the sixth child device 110f receive the interlocking signal, they start emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the third parent device 100c.

[0063] When the fourth wireless relay device 200d receives the interlocking signal from the first wireless relay device 200a, it transmits the interlocking signal to the fourth master device 100d using the first frequency F1d, which is the communication frequency of the fourth group 10d (v). When the fourth master device 100d receives the interlocking signal, it starts emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the fourth master device 100d. The fourth master device 100d also transmits the interlocking signal to the slave devices 110 of the fourth group 10d, i.e., the seventh slave device 110g and the eighth slave device 110h, using radio waves of the first frequency F1d (vi). When the seventh slave device 110g and the eighth slave device 110h receive the interlocking signal, they start emitting an alarm sound in cooperation with the fourth master device 100d.

[0064] According to this embodiment, a wireless relay device 200 that communicates within a group 10 using the first wireless communication method communicates with another wireless relay device 200 in another group 10 using the second wireless communication method, so that relay of communication between groups 10 can be easily realized. Furthermore, when communication by the first communication unit 210 is not performed, the second communication unit 212 is selected, so that it is possible to switch between the first communication unit 210 and the second communication unit 212. Furthermore, the first communication unit 210 is selected during a period when the first communication unit 210 should communicate, and the second communication unit 212 is selected when the period ends, so that it is possible to switch between the first communication unit 210 and the second communication unit 212.

[0065] Furthermore, the first communication unit 210 communicates based on synchronization within the same group 10, and the second communication unit 212 communicates based on synchronization within the relay group 20. Since the group 10 and the relay group 20 are asynchronous, the influence of the relay group 20 on the group 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, the first communication unit 210 establishes synchronization based on a signal from a master unit 100 included in the same group 10, and the second communication unit 212 establishes synchronization based on a signal from a master unit included in the relay group 20, so that synchronization of the group 10 and synchronization of the relay group 20 can be established. Furthermore, since the difference in frequency between the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method is within 1 MHz, the antenna 216 can be shared. Furthermore, the notification unit 220 notifies of an abnormality related to at least one of the first communication unit 210 and the second communication unit 212, so that the abnormality can be notified.

[0066] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure may be summarized as follows. (Item 1) A plurality of groups (10) each including a plurality of sensors (120) are formed, and a wireless relay device (200) is included in one of the plurality of groups (10) and relays communication with another of the groups (10), Antenna (216) and a first communication unit (210) that communicates with the sensors (120) in the same group (10) via the antenna (216); a second communication unit (212) that communicates with the other wireless relay devices (200) included in the other groups (10) via the antenna (216); a selection unit (214) that selects either the first communication unit (210) or the second communication unit (212) as a target for performing communication via the antenna (216); the first communication unit (210) performs communication using a first wireless communication method; The second communication unit (212) is a wireless relay device (200) that performs communication according to a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method.

[0067] (Item 2) Item 1. The wireless relay device (200) according to item 1, wherein the selection unit (214) selects the second communication unit (212) when communication by the first communication unit (210) is not performed.

[0068] (Item 3) The wireless relay device (200) according to item 2, wherein the selection unit (214) selects the first communication unit (210) during a period when the first communication unit (210) should communicate with the sensor (120), and selects the second communication unit (212) when the period ends.

[0069] (Item 4) 2. The wireless relay device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects the first communication unit when communication by the second communication unit is not to be performed.

[0070] (Item 5) The selection unit (214) When communication is performed by the first communication unit (210), the first communication unit (210) is selected until a period in which communication is to be performed by the second communication unit (212), A wireless relay device (200) according to item 1, wherein when communication is performed by the second communication unit (212), the wireless relay device (200) selects the second communication unit (212) until a period during which communication by the first communication unit (210) should be performed.

[0071] (Item 6) the first communication unit (210) communicates based on synchronization within the same group (10); the second communication unit (212) communicates based on synchronization within a relay group (20) including the wireless relay device (200) and the other wireless relay device (200); 2. The wireless relay device according to claim 1, wherein the same group and the relay group are asynchronous.

[0072] (Item 7) One of the plurality of sensors (120) included in the same group (10) is a parent sensor (100) and the rest are child sensors (110), One of the other wireless relay devices (200) included in the relay group (20) is a parent device, and the rest are child devices; The first communication unit (210) establishes synchronization based on a signal from the master unit (100) included in the same group (10), 7. The wireless relay device (200) according to item 6, wherein the second communication unit (212) establishes synchronization based on a signal from the master included in the relay group (20).

[0073] (Item 8) Item 1. The wireless relay device (200) according to item 1, wherein the difference between the frequency of the first wireless communication system and the frequency of the second wireless communication system is within 1 MHz.

[0074] (Item 9) 2. The wireless relay device (200) according to item 1, further comprising a notification unit (220) that notifies of an abnormality relating to at least one of the first communication unit (210) and the second communication unit (212).

[0075] (Item 10) A wireless sensing system (1000) comprising the wireless relay device (200) according to any one of items 1 to 8 and the sensor (120).

[0076] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0077] Control unit 218 according to this embodiment may select first communication unit 210 or second communication unit 212 as follows. When communication by second communication unit 212 is not to be executed, control unit 218 may select first communication unit 210. Furthermore, when communication by first communication unit 210 is executed, control unit 218 may select first communication unit 210 until a period in which communication by second communication unit 212 should be executed, and when communication by second communication unit 212 is executed, control unit 218 may select second communication unit 212 until a period in which communication by first communication unit 210 should be executed. This modification can improve the degree of freedom in the configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 group, 20 relay group, 100 parent unit, 110 child unit, 120 sensor, 122 sensor unit, 124 alarm unit, 126 control unit, 128 memory unit, 130 communication unit, 132 power supply circuit, 200 wireless relay device, 210 first communication unit, 212 second communication unit, 214 selection unit, 216 antenna, 218 control unit, 220 alarm unit, 222 power supply circuit, 224 memory unit, 240 case, 250 circuit board, 260 battery, 270 audio circuit, 272 display circuit, 274 low battery voltage detection circuit, 1000 wireless sensing system.

Claims

1. A wireless relay device is provided in which a plurality of groups are formed, each group including a plurality of sensors, and the wireless relay device is included in one of the plurality of groups and relays communication with another of the groups, The antenna and a first communication unit that communicates with the sensors in the same group via the antenna; a second communication unit that communicates with the other wireless relay devices included in the other group via the antenna; a selection unit that selects either the first communication unit or the second communication unit as a target for performing communication via the antenna; the first communication unit performs communication using a first wireless communication method; The second communication unit is a wireless relay device that performs communication using a second wireless communication method that is different from the first wireless communication method.

2. The wireless relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the selection unit selects the second communication unit when communication by the first communication unit is not performed.

3. The wireless relay device according to claim 2 , wherein the selection unit selects the first communication unit during a period when the first communication unit is to communicate with the sensor, and selects the second communication unit when the period ends.

4. The wireless relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the selection unit selects the first communication unit when communication by the second communication unit is not to be performed.

5. The selection unit When communication by the first communication unit is performed, the first communication unit is selected until a period in which communication by the second communication unit is to be performed is reached; The wireless relay device according to claim 1 , wherein, when communication by the second communication unit is performed, the second communication unit is selected until a period in which communication by the first communication unit is to be performed.

6. the first communication unit communicates based on synchronization within the same group; the second communication unit communicates based on synchronization within a relay group including the wireless relay device and the other wireless relay device; The wireless relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the same group and the relay group are asynchronous.

7. one of the plurality of sensors included in the same group is a parent sensor and the rest are child sensors, One of the other wireless relay devices included in the relay group is a parent device, and the rest are child devices; the first communication unit establishes synchronization based on a signal from the master unit included in the same group; The wireless relay device according to claim 6 , wherein the second communication unit establishes synchronization based on a signal from the master included in the relay group.

8. 2. The wireless relay device according to claim 1, wherein a difference between the frequency of the first wireless communication system and the frequency of the second wireless communication system is within 1 MHz.

9. The wireless relay device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies of an abnormality relating to at least one of the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

10. A wireless sensing system comprising the wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and the sensor.

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