Management device and warning system

Abstract

To recognize a state of a detector for detecting an abnormality having occurred in a monitoring area before replacement even when the detector is replaced with a new detector.SOLUTION: A master unit 10b comprises: a storage section for storing state information of a slave unit for detecting an abnormality having occurred in a monitoring area in association with an identifier of the slave unit; an update section for updating the state information stored in the storage section in association with the identifier into new state information when a signal including the identifier and the new state information is received; and an update control section for prohibiting the update section from updating the state information stored in the storage section in association with the identifier into the new state information when a situation satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the slave unit with the occurrence of a unit abnormality has been replaced with a new slave unit 10a-2 where an identifier being the same as that of a former slave unit has been set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for managing status information of a detector that detects an abnormality that occurs in a monitored area. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique is known in which an equipment failure interlocking signal transmitted from a fire detector in a group is transferred between groups to perform interlocking between groups (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-008679 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an equipment abnormality occurs in a detector that detects abnormalities occurring in a monitored area, the responsible worker should normally check the equipment abnormality in the detector and take appropriate action, such as replacing the detector. However, there are cases where the detector is replaced with a new detector by someone other than the responsible worker. Furthermore, during this replacement, the replacement detector may be assigned the same identifier as the previous detector. The management device manages the status information of each detector. However, because each detector is identified by an identifier, if the replacement detector is assigned the same identifier as the previous detector, the detectors are recognized as the same device. Therefore, when the management device receives a status report from the replaced detector, it erroneously recognizes the replaced detector as the same device as the previous detector and updates the status information of the previous detector with the status information of the replaced detector. When this update occurs, the responsible worker is unable to recognize the equipment abnormality in the previous detector.

[0005] One of the objects of the present invention is to make it possible to recognize the status of a detector before replacement, even if the detector that detects an abnormality that occurs in a monitored area is replaced with a new detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a management device comprising: a memory unit that stores status information of a first detector that detects an abnormality that has occurred in a monitored area, in association with the identifier of the first detector; an update unit that, when a signal including the identifier and new status information is received, updates the status information stored in the memory unit in association with the identifier to the new status information; and an update control unit that, when a predetermined condition is met indicating that the first detector in which an equipment abnormality has occurred has been replaced with a new second detector having the same identifier as the first detector, prohibits the update unit from updating the status information stored in the memory unit in association with the identifier to the new status information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even when a detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitored area is replaced with a new detector, the state of the detector before replacement can be recognized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an alarm system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an alarm device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a report transfer device. [Figure 4] 10 is a sequence chart showing an example of an operation when a device abnormality occurs in a slave unit. [Figure 5] 10 is a sequence chart showing an example of an operation when a device abnormality occurs in a slave unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an alarm system 1 according to this embodiment. The alarm system 1 is a system that issues a fire alarm in cooperation within a group. The alarm system 1 comprises a plurality of alarm devices 10 that function as slave devices (hereinafter referred to as "slave devices 10a"), an alarm device 10 that functions as a master device (hereinafter referred to as "master device 10b"), and a report transfer device 20. In the following explanation, the slave devices 10a and master device 10b will also be referred to collectively as the alarm device 10. The slave devices 10a, master device 10b, and report transfer device 20 belong to the same group, and are connected wirelessly. The report transfer device 20 is connected via a signal line 40 to an external device 30 that is not included in the alarm system 1. The number of slave devices 10a shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and is not limited to this.

[0010] The alarm device 10 is installed on the ceiling or wall of a building to be managed, such as a home, commercial building, or office building, and detects fires and issues an alarm. A building to be managed is an example of a monitored area according to the present invention. The alarm device 10 may be any device that detects fires and issues an alarm, such as a residential fire alarm or fire sensor. A fire is an example of an abnormality according to the present invention. The alarm device 10 is an example of a detector according to the present invention. The master unit 10b is installed in a position where it can communicate wirelessly with multiple slave units 10a and the report transmission device 20, and forwards signals received from the slave units 10a to the report transmission device 20. The master unit 10b also manages the status information of the alarm devices 10 within the group. The master unit 10b is an example of a management device according to the present invention.

[0011] When the report transfer device 20 receives a signal indicating the detection of a fire in the alarm device 10, it outputs a report to the external device 30. The report transfer device 20 also outputs a report to the external device 30 when it receives a signal indicating the detection of an abnormality other than a fire, such as a malfunction of the alarm device 10 itself. This report transfer output refers to the transmission of an alarm. Note that in this embodiment, the report transfer device 20 itself does not detect fires.

[0012] The external device 30 is a control device that is managed and operated, for example, in a caretaker's office, and monitors the building under management. When a report is output from the report transmission device 20, the external device 30 performs processing in response to this report transmission output. This processing is, for example, processing that transmits a signal to a control center of a management company that manages the building in response to the report transmission output from the report transmission device 20. Note that the external device 30 may be operated by connecting to an alarm device such as an additional buzzer or flashlight, smoke control devices such as shutters or fire doors, or a home information panel of an intercom system. The processing in response to the report transmission output is not limited to processing that transmits a signal, and may be any processing.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the alarm device 10. The alarm device 10 comprises a control unit 101, a memory unit 102, a communication unit 103, an operation unit 104, a display unit 105, a sound output unit 106, a fire detection unit 107, and a power supply unit 108. The various units of the alarm device 10 are connected via a bus or power supply line.

[0014] The control unit 101 controls each part of the alarm device and performs various processes. The control unit 101 includes one or more processors, such as a CPU, which execute programs stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 includes non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, and volatile memory such as RAM. The non-volatile memory stores programs for implementing the functions of the alarm device, the address of the alarm device, and a group ID. This address is a number that uniquely identifies the alarm device 10 within a group. Addresses with consecutive numbers are set in advance for multiple alarm devices 10 that belong to the same group. The address is an example of an identifier according to the present invention. The group ID is information that uniquely identifies the group to which the alarm device 10 belongs. The group ID is used to receive various signals generated within the group. Status information of the alarm device is stored in the volatile memory. Status information is information that indicates the status of the alarm device, and indicates either a normal status or an abnormal device status. Furthermore, the volatile memory of the master unit 10b stores the address of each alarm device 10 within the group and the status information for that alarm device 10, in association with each other. The communication unit 103 is a communication interface for wireless communication with other devices in accordance with a wireless communication standard, and includes, for example, an antenna and a transmission / reception circuit.

[0015] The operation unit 104 accepts operations from an operator. The operation unit 104 includes various buttons, such as a test button. The test button accepts an operation to instruct the execution of a test to confirm operation. The display unit 105 displays various information. The display unit 105 includes multiple LEDs with different light colors, and various information is indicated by the lighting patterns of each LED. The sound output unit 106 outputs various alarm sounds and voice messages. The sound output unit 106 includes, for example, a speaker. The fire detection unit 107 detects a fire by measuring physical quantities that change with a fire. The fire detection method is, for example, a photoelectric method or a constant temperature method. In the case of a photoelectric method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the ambient smoke concentration. In the case of a constant temperature method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the ambient temperature. Note that the fire detection method is not limited to a photoelectric method or a constant temperature method, and any method capable of detecting a fire, such as an infrared method or a combined method, may be used. The power supply unit 108 supplies power to each component of the device. The power supply unit 108 includes, for example, a battery and a power supply circuit.

[0016] The control unit 101 functions as an abnormality detection unit 111, an alarm control unit 112, an update unit 113, a test unit 114, a transmission unit 115, a reception unit 116, and an update control unit 117. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 101 executing a program stored in the storage unit 102 to perform calculations or control each unit of the device itself.

[0017] The abnormality detection unit 111 checks the status of its own device at predetermined time intervals and detects abnormalities in its own device. Types of device abnormalities include, for example, dead battery and sensor abnormality. Dead battery indicates a state in which the remaining battery power is low. Sensor abnormality indicates a state in which there is an abnormality in the output of the fire detection unit 107.

[0018] When an equipment abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111, the alarm control unit 112 outputs an alarm notifying the occurrence of the equipment abnormality from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106. For example, the alarm control unit 112 outputs a voice message from the sound output unit 106 and lights up the LED of the display unit 105 according to a predetermined lighting pattern.

[0019] When an equipment abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111, the update unit 113 updates the status information stored in the memory unit 102 to information indicating the equipment abnormality. Furthermore, when the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b receives a signal including status information received from the slave unit 10a, it updates the status information of the slave unit 10a stored in the memory unit 102. This signal includes an equipment abnormality signal and a test result signal. The equipment abnormality signal is a signal indicating an equipment abnormality. The test result signal is a signal indicating the result of a test to confirm operation.

[0020] The test unit 114 performs a test to check the operation of the device itself. For example, in this test, it is determined whether the abnormality detection unit 111 has detected a dead battery or an abnormality in the sensor.

[0021] The transmission unit 115 transmits various signals to the other alarm devices 10 and the report transmission device 20. For example, when an equipment abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111, the transmission unit 115 transmits an equipment abnormality signal. Furthermore, when a test is carried out by the test unit 114, the transmission unit 115 transmits a test result signal indicating the results of that test. Furthermore, the transmission unit 115 of the master unit 10b forwards various signals received from other alarm devices 10 to the report transmission device 20 and further alarm devices 10. This is to ensure that even when a report transmission device 20 or further alarm devices 10 belonging to the same group are installed outside the wireless communication range of the other alarm devices 10, these devices can receive signals transmitted from the other alarm devices 10.

[0022] The receiver 116 receives various signals from other alarm devices 10 and the report transmission device 20. These signals include equipment abnormality signals.

[0023] If a predetermined condition is met indicating that the slave 10a in which an equipment abnormality has occurred has been replaced with a new slave 10a to which the same address as that of the slave 10a has been set, the update control unit 117 of the master 10b prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the status information stored in the memory unit 102 in association with this address to new status information, even if a signal including this address and status information is received.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the report transmission device 20. The report transmission device 20 comprises a control unit 201, a memory unit 202, a communication unit 203, an operation unit 204, a display unit 205, a sound output unit 206, a report transmission output unit 207, and a power supply unit 208. The various units of the report transmission device 20 are connected via a bus or a power line. The control unit 201, the memory unit 202, the communication unit 203, the operation unit 204, the display unit 205, the sound output unit 206, and the power supply unit 208 are basically the same as the control unit 101, the memory unit 102, the communication unit 103, the operation unit 104, the display unit 105, the sound output unit 106, and the power supply unit 108 of the alarm device 10, respectively. However, the memory unit 202 stores information such as the group ID required for receiving abnormality information about a fire or other event that has occurred within a group.

[0025] When an equipment abnormality occurs in the alarm device 10, the alarm output unit 207 outputs an alarm signal to the external device 30, reporting the occurrence of an equipment abnormality. The alarm output unit 207 includes a contact that is connected to the external device 30. This contact is, for example, a break contact, and is normally closed. In this example, the alarm output unit 207 includes a contact relay, but it may also include a contactless relay.

[0026] The control unit 201 functions as a receiving unit 211, an alarm control unit 212, and a contact control unit 213. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 201 executing a program stored in the storage unit 202 to perform calculations or control each unit of the device itself.

[0027] The receiver 211 receives various signals from the alarm device 10. These signals include device abnormality signals and test result signals. The receiver 211 may receive these signals directly from the slave unit 10a or master unit 10b, or may receive signals transferred by the master unit 10b.

[0028] If the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that an equipment abnormality has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 within a group, the alarm control unit 212 causes the display unit 205 to output an alarm regarding the equipment abnormality.

[0029] The contact control unit 213 controls the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207 in response to signals received by the receiving unit 211. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts by utilizing the electromagnetic force of a coil that pairs with the contacts. If the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that an equipment abnormality has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 within the group, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207, and causes the report output unit 207 to output an alarm transfer signal that notifies the external device 30 that an equipment abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. Furthermore, if the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that the status of all alarm devices 10 within the group has returned to normal, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the report output unit 207, and stops the output of this report transfer signal.

[0030] 2. Operation 4 and 5 are sequence charts showing an example of the operation when an equipment abnormality occurs in the slave device 10a-1. This operation is started when the slave device 10a-1 detects the equipment abnormality. The slave device 10a-1 is an example of a first detector according to the present invention.

[0031] In step S11, when an equipment abnormality occurs in the slave unit 10a-1, the abnormality detection unit 111 detects this equipment abnormality. One type of equipment abnormality is a dead battery. The abnormality detection unit 111 determines, at predetermined time intervals, whether the battery voltage value is equal to or greater than a predetermined operating voltage value for the slave unit 10a-1. If the battery voltage value is determined to be less than the operating voltage value a predetermined number of times in succession, the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a dead battery. Equipment abnormalities also include a sensor abnormality. The abnormality detection unit 111 determines, at predetermined time intervals, whether the output of the fire detection unit 107 is within a predetermined normal range. Here, for example, in the case of a photoelectric fire detection unit 107, if a component malfunctions or the fire detection unit 107 is soiled, the output of the fire detection unit 107 will be outside the normal range. If the output of the fire detection unit 107 is outside the normal range and this state is determined a predetermined number of times in succession, the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a sensor abnormality.

[0032] In step S12, the alarm control unit 112 of the slave unit 10a-1 causes the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to output an alarm indicating the occurrence of a device abnormality. At this time, the alarm control unit 112 outputs different alarms depending on the type of device abnormality. For example, if a dead battery is detected, the alarm control unit 112 causes the sound output unit 106 to output a voice message saying "Battery is dead" and causes the LED of the display unit 105 to flash once in a predetermined second flashing cycle. On the other hand, if a sensor abnormality is detected, the alarm control unit 112 causes the sound output unit 106 to output a voice message saying "Sensor abnormality" and causes the LED of the display unit 105 to flash three times in a predetermined second flashing cycle. Note that, although the difference is indicated by the number of flashes here, the LED display color and flashing cycle may also be different.

[0033] In step S13, the transmitter 115 of the slave device 10a-1 wirelessly transmits an equipment abnormality signal. Note that the processing of step S12 and the processing of step S13 may be performed either first or in parallel. This equipment abnormality signal includes status information indicating the equipment abnormality and information indicating the type of the equipment abnormality. In addition, this equipment abnormality signal is accompanied by the address and group ID of the slave device 10a-1 so that it is possible to identify which device has detected the equipment abnormality among other devices belonging to the same group. The receiver 116 of the master device 10b receives the equipment abnormality signal transmitted from the slave device 10a-1 because the group ID included in the equipment abnormality signal matches the group ID stored in the memory 102 of the master device 10b.

[0034] In step S14, the alarm control unit 112 of the parent device 10b outputs an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to notify the user of the occurrence of a device abnormality. At this time, the alarm control unit 212 displays a different alarm depending on the type of device abnormality indicated by the device abnormality signal. For example, if the type of device abnormality is a dead battery, the alarm control unit 112 causes the LED of the display unit 105 to blink once in a predetermined second blinking cycle. On the other hand, if the type of device abnormality is a sensor abnormality, the alarm control unit 112 causes the LED of the display unit 105 to blink three times in a predetermined second blinking cycle. Note that although the difference is indicated by the number of blinks here, the LED display color or blinking cycle may also be different.

[0035] In step S15, the update unit 113 of the parent device 10b updates the status information of the child device 10a-1 stored in the storage unit 102 in response to the received device abnormality signal. The received device abnormality signal includes the address of the child device 10a-1 and status information indicating the device abnormality. The update unit 113 of the parent device 10b updates the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address of the child device 10a-1 to information indicating the device abnormality.

[0036] In step S16, the transmitter 115 of the master device 10b confirms that the transmission of the device abnormality signal from the slave device 10a-1 that detected the device abnormality has stopped, and then wirelessly transfers this device abnormality signal to the report transfer device 20. The receiver 211 of the report transfer device 20 receives the device abnormality signal transferred from the master device 10b because the group ID included in the device abnormality signal matches the group ID stored in the memory device 202. Note that the other slave devices 10a-1 may also receive the device abnormality signal, but in this embodiment, the other slave devices 10a-1 do not perform any processing in response to the device abnormality signal.

[0037] In step S17, the alarm control section 212 of the report transmission device 20 causes the display section 205 to display an alarm indicating that a device abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. At this time, the alarm control section 212 displays an alarm that differs depending on the type of device abnormality indicated by the device abnormality signal. For example, if the type of device abnormality is a dead battery, the alarm control section 212 causes the LED on the display section 205 to flash once in a predetermined second flashing cycle. On the other hand, if the type of device abnormality is a sensor abnormality, the alarm control section 212 causes the LED on the display section 205 to flash three times in a predetermined second flashing cycle. Note that, although the difference is indicated here by the number of flashes, the LED display color and flashing cycle may also be different.

[0038] In step S18, the contact control section 213 of the report transfer device 20 controls the contacts to output a report signal from the report output section 207 to the external device 30, reporting that a device abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. For example, under normal circumstances, the contacts are closed, and current flows to the external device 30. However, when a device abnormality signal is received, the contact control section 213 switches the contacts to an open state. When the contacts are switched to an open state, continuity between both ends of the contacts is lost, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. This allows the external device 30 to recognize that a device abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. The external device 30 then sends a signal indicating the occurrence of a device abnormality in the alarm device 10, for example, to the control center of the management company. This allows the management company to recognize that a device abnormality has occurred in an alarm device 10 installed in a building that it manages, and allows an operator to move to the building that it manages to deal with the device abnormality. The output of this report signal continues until the output of the report signal is stopped.

[0039] Here, assume that a general user in the building under management replaces the slave 10a-1, which has developed an abnormality, with another slave 10a-2 before the arrival of the worker. The slave 10a-2 is an example of a second detector according to the present invention. Furthermore, the replaced slave 10a-2 is set to the same address as the slave 10a-1. One method for setting the address for the slave 10a-2 is for the general user to connect a setting device to the slave 10a-2 and operate the setting device to set the same address as the slave 10a-1 to the slave 10a-2. Another method is for the slave 10a-2 to have a function for setting an address, for example, for the general user to operate the slave 10a-2 and set the same address as the slave 10a-1 to the slave 10a-2. The address set in this manner is stored in the storage unit 102 of the slave 10a-2.

[0040] When the task of replacing the slave unit 10a-1 with the slave unit 10a-2 is completed, the general user presses the test button on the operation unit 104 of the slave unit 10a-2 in step S21. When the test button is pressed, the test unit 114 of the slave unit 10a-2 executes a test to check the operation of the slave unit 10a-2 in step S22. For example, prior to this process, the abnormality detection unit 111 checks the state of the slave unit 10a-2 at predetermined time intervals. The test unit 114 determines whether the abnormality detection unit 111 has detected a dead battery or a sensor abnormality. Alternatively, the test unit 114 causes the abnormality detection unit 111 to measure the battery voltage value in response to the pressing of the test button, and determines whether the abnormality detection unit 111 has detected a dead battery in response to the measured voltage value. Furthermore, the test unit 114 activates the fire detection unit 107 in response to the pressing of the test button, and determines whether the abnormality detection unit 111 has detected a sensor abnormality in response to the output of the fire detection unit 107. Here, it is assumed that the abnormality detection unit 111 has not detected a dead battery or a sensor abnormality, and the test results indicate that the slave device 10a-2 is normal. In this case, the storage unit 102 of the slave device 10a-2 stores status information indicating a normal status.

[0041] In step S23, the transmitter 115 of the slave device 10a-2 wirelessly transmits a test result signal indicating the result of the test performed in step S22. In this example, the test result signal includes status information indicating a normal status stored in the memory 102 of the slave device 10a-2. The test result signal also includes the address and group ID of the slave device 10a-2 so that it is possible to determine which device performed the test compared to other devices belonging to the same group. The address of this slave device 10a-2 is the same as the address of the slave device 10a-1. The receiver 116 of the master device 10b receives the test result signal transmitted from the slave device 10a-2 because the group ID included in the test result signal matches the group ID stored in the memory 102 of the master device 10b.

[0042] In step S24, upon receiving the test result signal, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, indicating that the slave unit 10a-1 in which an equipment abnormality occurred has been replaced with a new slave unit 10a-2 having the same address as the slave unit 10a-1. This predetermined condition is, for example, a condition that the received signal is a test result signal, the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal indicates an equipment abnormality, and the status information included in the test result signal indicates a normal state. If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the determination in step S24 is NO. In this case, the process proceeds to step S25, where the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal in accordance with the received test result signal.

[0043] In step S26, the transmitter 115 of the master device 10b confirms that the transmission of the test result signal from the slave device 10a-2 that has been tested has stopped, and then wirelessly transmits this test result signal to the transfer device 20. The receiver 211 of the transfer device 20 receives the test result signal transferred from the master device 10b because the group ID included in the test result signal matches the group ID stored in the memory 202.

[0044] In step S27, if the status information included in the received test result signal indicates a normal status, this means that the alarm device 10 has recovered from the device abnormality, and so by controlling the contacts, the contact control section 213 of the alarm transfer device 20 stops the output of the report signal from the report output section 207. For example, the contact control section 213 switches the contacts to a closed state. When the contacts are switched to a closed state, conduction occurs between both ends of the contacts, and current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the alarm device 10 has recovered from the device abnormality.

[0045] On the other hand, if the slave unit 10a-1 in which an equipment abnormality occurred is replaced with the slave unit 10a-2, and the slave unit 10a-2 is set with the same address as the slave unit 10a-1, the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal indicates an equipment abnormality. The test result signal also includes status information indicating a normal state. In this case, the above-mentioned predetermined condition is met, and the judgment in step S24 is YES. If the slave unit 10a-1 in which an equipment abnormality occurred is replaced with a new slave unit 10a-2 to which the same address as the slave unit 10a-1 is set, it is preferable that the status information of the previous alarm device 10 be retained so that the worker can recognize the status of the previous slave unit 10a-1. Therefore, if the predetermined condition is met, proceed to step S28, and the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the status information in response to the test result signal. When the updating of the status information is prohibited, the update unit 113 of the master device 10b does not update the status information stored in the memory unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal to the status information included in this test result signal indicating a normal state, so the status information stored in the memory unit 102 remains as the status information indicating an equipment abnormality. Also, since the master device 10b does not transmit a test result signal including status information indicating a normal state to the report transfer device 20, the output of the report transfer signal from the report transfer device 20 to the external device 30, which was started in the above-mentioned step S18, continues.

[0046] Note that even if it is determined in step S24 that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the parent device 10b may transmit a test result signal to the report transfer device 20. In this case, however, the test result signal includes the pre-update status information stored in the memory unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal, i.e., status information indicating a device abnormality. As a result, even if the test result signal is transmitted from the parent device 10b to the report transfer device 20, the output of the report transfer signal from the report transfer device 20 to the external device 30, which was started in the above-mentioned step S18, continues.

[0047] Generally, when an equipment abnormality occurs in the alarm device 10, the management company must have an employee go to the installation location of the alarm device 10 to deal with the equipment abnormality and confirm that the alarm device 10 has returned to a normal state. For this reason, it is preferable that the output of a report transmission signal from the report transmission device 20 continue until the employee confirms this. According to the embodiment described above, even if a general user replaces the handset 10a in which the equipment abnormality occurred with another handset 10a with the same address while a report transmission signal is being output from the report transmission device 20 in response to an equipment abnormality that occurred in the handset 10a, and a test is conducted to confirm the operation of the new replacement handset 10a, the output of the report transmission signal will continue regardless of the results of this test. For this reason, even after the handset 10a in which the equipment abnormality occurred has been replaced with a new handset 10a, the management company can recognize the equipment abnormality in the previous handset 10a and take appropriate action. In other words, the appropriate person can properly take action, such as replacing the handset 10a in which the equipment abnormality occurred.

[0048] 3. Variations The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiment may be modified as in the following modified examples. The embodiment and the modified examples may be used in combination, or may be switched depending on the implementation. Similarly, the following modified examples may be used in combination, or may be switched depending on the implementation.

[0049] Variation 1 In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined condition is not limited to the example described in the embodiment. For example, the predetermined condition may include, in addition to the condition described in the embodiment, a condition that a test result signal is received before a predetermined signal is transmitted from the replaced slave unit 10a-2. This predetermined signal includes an initial periodic signal. The periodic signal is a signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a at predetermined time intervals. The periodic signal includes the address and status information of the slave unit 10a.

[0050] Here, the operation when the predetermined signal is the first periodic signal will be described. In this case, if the condition that the test result signal is received before the first periodic signal is received from the slave unit 10a-2 is met in addition to the conditions described in the embodiment, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the status information in response to the test result signal. That is, if a test result signal including the address of the slave unit 10a-1 and status information indicating a normal state is received during the period from when the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address of the slave unit 10a-1 is updated to one indicating an equipment abnormality until the first periodic signal including this address is received, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the status information in response to this test result signal.

[0051] The following methods can be used to identify and determine the first periodic signal. For example, when the slave unit 10a-2 is powered on, the slave unit 10a-2 transmits a battery connection signal to the master unit 10b to notify the master unit 10b that it has been powered on. The periodic signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a-2 following this battery connection signal is the first periodic signal. Alternatively, when the slave unit 10a-2 transmits a periodic signal for the first time since being powered on, the slave unit 10a-2 may include initial information in the periodic signal indicating that it is the first periodic signal. In this case, the periodic signal including the initial information is the first periodic signal.

[0052] In the former example, when the battery connection signal is received, it can be determined whether the test result signal was received before the first periodic signal was received. Therefore, after the battery connection signal is received, the reception of the test result signal triggers a process to determine whether the predetermined condition is met. In the latter example, however, it is not possible to determine whether the test result signal was received before the first periodic signal is received until the periodic signal is received. Therefore, once the test result signal is received, the process to determine whether the predetermined condition is met is suspended until the next periodic signal is received.

[0053] According to this modification, when a slave unit 10a in which an equipment abnormality has occurred is replaced with a new slave unit 10a having the same address as the slave unit 10a, the status information of the previous slave unit 10a is maintained without being updated until a predetermined signal is received from the new slave unit 10a. After the predetermined signal is received from the new slave unit 10a, the status information of the previous slave unit 10a is updated to the status information of the replaced slave unit 10a, so that the status of the replaced slave unit 10a can be recognized.

[0054] Variation 2 In the above-described embodiment, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b may permit the update unit 113 to update the status information in response to the test result signal if an update condition is met. The update condition may be, for example, that an abnormality recovery button on the operation unit 104 of the master unit 10b is pressed. This abnormality recovery button is pressed, for example, after an operator confirms that the device abnormality has been recovered from. Alternatively, the update condition may be that a test result signal is received multiple times from the slave unit 10a-2 within a predetermined time. For example, after an operator confirms that the device abnormality has been recovered from, the operator presses the test button on the operation unit 104 of the replaced slave unit 10a-2 multiple times within a predetermined time, causing the slave unit 10a-2 to transmit a test result signal multiple times within the predetermined time. When the update control unit 117 permits the update, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information in response to the test result signal. According to this modified example, even if a slave unit 10a in which an equipment abnormality has occurred is replaced with a new slave unit 10a to which the same address as the slave unit 10a has been set, after an operator has confirmed that the equipment abnormality has been recovered from, the status information of the slave unit 10a before replacement is updated to the status information of the slave unit 10a after replacement in accordance with the test result signal, so that the status of the slave unit 10a after replacement can be recognized.

[0055] Variation 3 In the above-described embodiment, when the slave unit 10a-1 in which an equipment abnormality has occurred is replaced with a new slave unit 10a-2, and if the replaced slave unit 10a-2 also has an equipment abnormality, processing may be performed to notify the replaced slave unit 10a-2 of the presence of an equipment abnormality. For example, if the received signal is a test result signal, and status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal indicates an equipment abnormality, and the status information included in the test result signal also indicates an equipment abnormality, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b will determine that there is an equipment abnormality in the replaced slave unit 10a-2. If it is determined that there is an equipment abnormality in the replaced slave unit 10a-2, for example, the alarm control unit 112 of the master unit 10b may display information on the display unit 105 indicating that there is an equipment abnormality in the replaced alarm device 10. Furthermore, the transmitter 115 of the master unit 10b may wirelessly transmit a signal notifying the replaced alarm device 10 that there is an equipment abnormality. When this signal is received, the contact control section 213 of the report transfer device 20 may output a report transfer signal in an output format that notifies that there is an equipment abnormality in the replaced alarm device 10. This output format may, for example, be such that the output of the report transfer signal notifying of the equipment abnormality is stopped for a predetermined period of time, and then the output of this report transfer signal is started again. Alternatively, this output format may be such that the output and stopping of the report transfer signal is repeated at a predetermined cycle. According to this variant, if there is an equipment abnormality in the replaced slave unit 10a, the management company can recognize that there is an equipment abnormality in the replaced slave unit 10a.

[0056] Variation 4 In the above-described embodiment, the master device 10b may have a function of setting the address of the slave device 10a. In this case, the master device 10b sets the address of the slave device 10a in response to an operation using the operation unit 104, for example.

[0057] Variation 5 In the above-described embodiment, device abnormalities in the alarm device 10 are not limited to dead batteries and sensor abnormalities. The device abnormality may be any abnormality related to the alarm device 10, such as a radio wave abnormality.

[0058] Variation 6 In the above-described embodiment, when transmitting a signal received from the slave device 10a, the transmitter 115 of the master device 10b does not necessarily have to confirm that transmission of the signal from the slave device 10a has stopped before transmitting the signal. For example, the transmitter 115 may transmit the signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the signal from the slave device 10a, or may transmit the signal immediately upon receiving the signal from the slave device 10a.

[0059] Variation 7 In the above-described embodiment, when the report transfer device 20 is installed within the wireless communication range of the slave device 10a, the signal transmitted from the slave device 10a reaches the report transfer device 20 as is. In this case, the report transfer device 20 may receive the signal directly from the slave device 10a and perform processing according to the received signal.

[0060] Variation 8 In the above-described embodiment, the contents of the alarms of the handset 10a, the base unit 10b, and the report transfer device 20 are merely examples and are not limited thereto. For example, in the report transfer device 20, a voice message may be output from the sound output unit 206, similar to the handset 10a and the base unit 10b.

[0061] Variation 9 In the above-described embodiment, the management device that manages the status information of the alarm devices 10 is not limited to the master unit 10b. The management device may also be any device other than the master unit 10b, such as one of the multiple slave units 10a, the report transfer device 20, or a relay device in a regional disaster prevention system. In short, the management device of the present invention is not limited to the master unit 10b, and may be any device as long as it has the function of managing the status information of the alarm devices 10.

[0062] Variation 10 The detector according to the present invention is not limited to the alarm device 10, and does not necessarily have to issue an alarm. For example, the detector may be a sensor without an alarm function or a fire sensor. The present invention may also be applied to systems that issue an alarm for the occurrence of phenomena other than fires. In this variant, the alarm device 10 may be a gas alarm, a motion sensor, or another device that detects and issues an alarm for phenomena other than fires. Gas alarms, motion sensors, and other devices that detect and issue an alarm for phenomena other than fires are also examples of detectors according to the present invention. In short, the detector according to the present invention may be any device that detects an abnormality that occurs in a monitored area. This abnormality is not limited to fire, and may be any abnormality, such as a gas leak or the intrusion of a suspicious person.

[0063] Variation 11 In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the example described above. The alarm system 1 may be configured to include one or more of the devices described above, or may be configured to not include some of the devices. For example, the alarm system 1 does not necessarily have to include a slave unit 10a and a master unit 10b, and may include multiple alarm devices 10 without any distinction between them. The configurations of the alarm devices 10 and alarm transmission devices 20 may also be configured to include one or more of the components described above, or may not include some of the components.

[0064] The report output unit 207 may have any circuit configuration as long as it is capable of implementing the functions of the report output unit 207. The report output unit 207 may be configured to include one or more of the circuit elements described above, or may be configured to exclude some of the circuit elements. For example, the contact of the report output unit 207 may be a make contact or a transfer contact, or the report output unit 207 may have multiple contacts. If the contact of the report output unit 207 is a make contact, the contact is normally open and no current flows to the external device 30. However, when an equipment abnormality signal is received, the contact control unit 213 switches the contact to a closed state. When the contact is switched to a closed state, both ends of the contact become conductive and current flows to the external device 30. This allows the external device 30 to recognize that there is an equipment abnormality in the alarm device 10. Furthermore, when stopping the output of the report signal, the contact control unit 213 switches the contact of the report output unit 207 to the normal open state. When the contacts switch to the open state, continuity between both ends of the contacts is lost, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the device abnormality in the alarm device 10 has been resolved. If the contacts of the report output unit 207 are break contacts, as in the embodiment described above, a report signal is output to notify that current has stopped flowing to the external device 30. On the other hand, if the contacts of the report output unit 207 are make contacts, as in this modified example, a current flows to the external device 30, and a report signal is output to notify that a device abnormality has occurred.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 101 of the alarm device 10 includes circuitry such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA, and at least some of the functions of the alarm device 10 may be realized by this circuitry. Similarly, the control unit 201 of the report transfer device 20 also includes this circuitry, and at least some of the functions of the report transfer device 20 may be realized by this circuitry.

[0066] Variation 12 In the above-described embodiment, the operation of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the above-described example. The order of the processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be changed as long as there is no contradiction. Furthermore, some of the processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be omitted.

[0067] Variation 13 Another aspect of the present invention may provide a method having processing steps performed in at least one of the alarm system 1, the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the report transfer device 20. Furthermore, yet another aspect of the present invention may provide a program executed in the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the report transfer device 20. This program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided by downloading via the Internet or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1: alarm system, 10: alarm device, 10a: slave unit, 10b: master unit, 20: report transfer device, 30: external device, 111: abnormality detection unit, 112: alarm control unit, 113: update unit, 114: test unit, 115: transmitter, 116: receiver, 117: update control unit, 211: receiver, 212: alarm control unit, 213: contact control unit

Claims

1. a transmitter that, when receiving an equipment abnormality signal including an identifier of a first detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitoring area and status information indicating the equipment abnormality of the first detector, transmits the equipment abnormality signal to a reporting device, thereby causing the reporting device to output a reporting signal notifying the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the first detector; When a predetermined condition indicating that the first detector in which the equipment abnormality has occurred has been replaced with a new second detector to which the same identifier as that of the first detector has been set is satisfied, and a test result signal including new status information indicating that the second detector is in a normal state is received, the transmitting unit does not transmit the test result signal to the reporting device, or transmits a test result signal including status information indicating the equipment abnormality to the reporting device, thereby allowing the reporting device to continue outputting the reporting signal. Management device.

2. a storage unit that stores the status information of the first detector in association with an identifier of the first detector; The predetermined condition is a condition that the status information stored in the storage unit in association with the identifier included in the test result signal indicates the equipment abnormality, and the new status information included in the test result signal indicates a normal state. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. An alarm system comprising a management device and a reporting device, The management device a transmitting unit that, when receiving an equipment abnormality signal including an identifier of a first detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitoring area and status information indicating the equipment abnormality of the first detector, transmits the equipment abnormality signal to a reporting device, thereby causing the reporting device to output a reporting signal notifying the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the first detector; When a predetermined condition indicating that the first detector in which the equipment abnormality occurred has been replaced with a new second detector to which the same identifier as that of the first detector is set is satisfied, and a test result signal including new status information indicating that the second detector is in a normal state is received, the transmitting unit does not transmit the test result signal to the reporting device, or transmits a test result signal including status information indicating the equipment abnormality to the reporting device, thereby allowing the reporting device to continue outputting the reporting signal; The report transfer device is a receiving unit that receives at least the device abnormality signal from the management device, out of the device abnormality signal and the test result signal; and a signal transfer output unit that outputs the signal transfer signal to an external device when the status information included in the received device abnormality signal or test result signal indicates the device abnormality. Alarm system.

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