Disaster prevention system, communication method for disaster prevention system, and alarm device

Abstract

To minimize the delay of communication operations using respective signals without disturbing the communication operations using the respective signals with each other even when an apparatus is provided with a communication part operated by switching two kinds of signals.SOLUTION: A disaster prevention system includes alarming devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) and another system device 12, wherein the alarming devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) transmit a linking signal to the other alarming devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) and transmit a notification transfer signal to the other system device 12, the linking signal includes an activation command signal that repeats a transmission period and a pause period a plurality of times and places the destination alarming devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) in a reception standby state, and the notification transfer signal is transmitted during the pause period of the activation command signal of the linking signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a disaster prevention system including a first device and a second device different from the first device, a communication method for the disaster prevention system, and an alarm device that can be applied to the disaster prevention system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, wirelessly linked residential fire alarms (hereinafter referred to as "alarms") have been configured to issue fire alarms in a linked group consisting of multiple alarms, with an alarm that detects a fire and issues an alarm wirelessly transmitting a linked signal containing a fire signal indicating the detection of a fire to the other alarms, causing them to issue an alarm.

[0003] In this case, the alarm device that receives the interlocking signal will wirelessly transmit a fire reception confirmation signal (ACK) indicating that it has received the fire signal contained in the interlocking signal at a predetermined timing and for a predetermined period of time, based on the number within the interlocking group that has been assigned to it; if the alarm device that detects the fire receives fire reception confirmation signals from all other alarm devices, it will consider the communication operation of the interlocking signal to have ended normally, and if there is any alarm device that cannot receive the fire reception confirmation signal, it will resend the interlocking signal.

[0004] For example, if the time when an alarm device that detected a fire finished transmitting its fire signal is taken as 0 seconds, then alarm device 1 will transmit a fire reception confirmation signal at a predetermined time determined for each alarm device, between 0 and 3 seconds, alarm device 2 between 3 and 6 seconds, and alarm device 3 between 6 and 9 seconds.

[0005] For this reason, as the number of alarm devices forming an interlocking group increases, it takes time for all alarm devices to complete sending of the fire reception confirmation signal, so the transmission time for the fire reception confirmation signal and the maximum number of fire alarms in a group are determined so that they fit within a specified time, taking into account the possibility of resending the interlocking signal if there is an alarm device that cannot receive the fire reception confirmation signal.For example, if the time from fire detection to complete reception of the fire reception confirmation signal is set to within one minute so that it fits within the specified time, the maximum number of alarm devices is set at 15, for example.

[0006] In addition, in an alarm system that forms a linked group, a signal is sent based on the detection of a fire by the alarm device, and an alarm is also triggered in other system devices, such as a home security system installed in the same house.

[0007] However, when an alarm that detects a fire attempts to send a transfer signal to other system devices using the same frequency band as the interlocking signal, the time required for the communication of the interlocking signal with all other alarm devices is not within the specified time that needs to be filled, so it is not possible to secure time for the communication of the transfer signal with other system devices within the specified time, making it difficult in terms of time to activate the alarm in other system devices using the same frequency band.

[0008] To solve this problem, the 426 MHz frequency band known as RCR STD-30 is used for communication between alarm units, while other frequency bands, such as the 920 MHz frequency band known as STD-T108, are used for communication with other system devices.When a fire is detected, an interlocking signal is transmitted in the 426 MHz band and an alarm transfer signal is transmitted in the 920 MHz band at the same time.By using two different frequency bands, other system devices can also sound an alarm based on the fire detection without any time delay.When using the 426 MHz frequency band known as RCR STD-30, the continuous transmission time is limited to three seconds.If a transmission time of more than three seconds is required, a two-second transmission pause is required after the three-second transmission time.Therefore, three-second transmissions and two-second transmission pauses are repeated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-014986 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-265763 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-069067 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, in the case of alarm devices that use two frequency allocation bands, the 426 MHz band and the 920 MHz band, it is necessary to provide separate communication ICs that function as communication sections for the 426 MHz band and the 920 MHz band, which increases the number of components and raises the problem of costs.

[0011] Furthermore, some alarms are battery-powered, and because batteries need to be replaced as they reach their end of life, a long battery life is desirable, and in order to extend battery life, it is desirable to design the power supply voltage at which the alarm circuit determines that it is dead low. On the other hand, when a momentary voltage drop occurs due to a change in current consumption, a phenomenon known as undershoot, it is necessary to take care that the power supply voltage does not fall below the minimum operating voltage of the ICs and other components mounted in the alarm, and the power supply voltage at which it is determined that it is dead must be set high to take this into account. In other words, if the voltage drop due to undershoot is large, the power supply voltage at which it is determined that it is dead must be set high accordingly, which will shorten the battery life.

[0012] Therefore, to achieve a power supply voltage that takes into account the voltage drop due to undershoot without shortening battery life, it is necessary to suppress the voltage drop due to undershoot. To achieve this, it is possible to reduce the amount of change in current consumption that causes it, or to use a power supply IC that is highly resistant to current changes.

[0013] However, communication ICs have a relatively large current consumption, and the current consumption increases even more during communication. Therefore, if a 426MHz band communication IC and a 920MHz band communication IC are installed separately, there will be times when the communication ICs operate simultaneously, resulting in large fluctuations in current consumption, making it difficult to suppress the fluctuations in current consumption. Furthermore, if a power supply IC with high resistance to current fluctuations is adopted, the power supply IC must be selected based on strict specifications, which narrows the design options and further increases costs. Furthermore, power supply ICs with high resistance to current fluctuations generally consume a larger dark current inside the power supply IC than regular power supply ICs, which accelerates battery consumption and makes them unsuitable for battery-powered products.

[0014] To solve these cost and battery life issues in battery-powered alarms, it is possible to integrate both the 426 MHz band and 920 MHz band communication units into a single communication IC. By integrating the communication units, the number of components can be reduced, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, the change in current consumption can be reduced compared to when the communication units are provided separately, thereby extending battery life. However, if a single communication IC is provided with communication units that use two different frequency allocation bands, the communication units cannot operate simultaneously in both frequency allocation bands, and they must be operated separately for transmission and reception. Therefore, while integrating the communication IC into a single unit offers benefits in terms of cost and battery life, the time issue remains, just as when the same frequency band is used for both interlocking signals and alarm transfer signals.

[0015] The present invention aims to provide a disaster prevention system, a communication method for a disaster prevention system, and an alarm device that minimize delays in communication operations using two types of signals without mutual interference between the communication operations using each signal, even when the device is equipped with a communication unit (communication IC) that operates by switching between two types of signals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] (Disaster prevention system) The present invention provides a disaster prevention system including a first device and a second device different from the first device, a first device performs communication by transmitting a first signal to another first device and a second signal different from the first signal to a second device; the first signal includes a wake-up command signal that repeats a transmission period and a pause period multiple times and puts the first device, which is the transmission destination, into a reception standby state; The second signal is characterized by being transmitted during a pause period of the start command signal of the first signal.

[0017] (Disaster prevention system communication method) In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method for a disaster prevention system including a first device and a second device different from the first device, In the communication between the first devices, a transmission period and a pause period are repeated multiple times, and a first signal including a start-up command signal that puts the destination first device into a reception standby state is transmitted from the first device to another first device; In communication between the first device and the second device, a second signal different from the first signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device during a pause period of the start-up command signal of the first signal.

[0018] (Alarm) In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm device that communicates with a plurality of types of devices, comprising: Transmitting a first signal to a first device that is a destination of the signal, and transmitting a second signal different from the first signal to a second device that is a destination of the signal different from the first device; the first signal includes a wake-up command signal that repeats a transmission period and a pause period multiple times and puts the first device, which is the transmission destination, into a reception standby state; The second signal is characterized by being transmitted during a pause period of the start command signal of the first signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] (Effectiveness of the warning system) According to the alarm system of the present invention, alarm devices belonging to an interlocking group perform communication operations by switching between a first frequency allocation band (for example, the 426 MHz band) and a second frequency allocation band (for example, the 920 MHz band), and when a fire is detected, they transmit an interlocking signal to other alarm devices belonging to the interlocking group using the first frequency allocation band, and during pauses in the interlocking signal communication operation, they transmit a transfer signal to other system devices that do not belong to the interlocking group using the second frequency allocation band. Therefore, even if the alarm device switches between two frequency allocation bands and operates sequentially, switching between transmission and reception, it can complete communication operation using the second frequency allocation band during pauses in communication operation using the first frequency allocation band, without interfering with the interlocking signal communication operation for other alarm devices that belong to the interlocking group, and there is no need to wait for the interlocking signal communication operation to be completed, and there is no delay in either the interlocking signal communication operation or the interlocking signal communication operation, and it is possible to quickly perform communication operation of the transfer signal to other system devices that do not belong to the interlocking group. Here, "communication operation" refers to a series of communication operations for causing an alarm operation to be performed at an interlocking destination or a notification transfer destination, including a transmission operation, a reception operation, and a pause operation in which neither a transmission operation nor a reception operation is performed.

[0020] Furthermore, because the alarm device performs communication operations by switching between a first frequency allocation band (for example, the 426 MHz band) and a second frequency allocation band (for example, the 920 MHz band), it is possible to realize the functions of the communication unit using a single communication IC, which simplifies the circuit configuration and reduces costs compared to the conventional case in which a communication IC that functions as a communication unit for the 426 MHz band and a communication IC that functions as a communication unit for the 920 MHz band were provided separately.

[0021] (Effect of transmitting the signal transfer signal during the pause period of the start command signal) In addition, the interlocking signal transmitted from the alarm uses, as a first frequency allocation band, for example, the 426 MHz band known as the communications standard RCR STD-30, and therefore, in accordance with the RCR STD-30 communications standard, the interlocking signal includes an activation command signal that is transmitted multiple times, repeating a 3-second transmission period and a 2-second pause period, and a fire signal that is transmitted after the activation command signal, indicating that a fire has been detected. During the pause period of the activation command signal, the second frequency allocation band is switched to, for example, the 920 MHz band known as the communications standard STD-T108, and the report signal is transmitted to other system devices, making it possible to quickly perform the communication operation of the interlocking signal without being restricted by or interfering with the communication operation of the interlocking signal.

[0022] (Effect of receiving a message reception confirmation signal) In addition, an alarm device that detects a fire enters a reception standby period during which it can receive a report transfer confirmation signal from other system devices from the time it sends the report transfer signal until the end of the pause period of the start command signal that sent the report transfer signal.This allows the alarm device to receive a report transfer confirmation signal from other system devices that received the report transfer signal using the 920 MHz band during the two-second pause period of the start command signal, and to quickly complete the communication operation of the report transfer signal to other system devices.

[0023] (Effect of retransmission of the signal when the signal transmission fails but the interlocking signal transmission is successful) Furthermore, if the alarm device that detected the fire fails to communicate the report signal using the pause period of the activation command signal (if it is unable to receive the report reception confirmation signal), but succeeds in communicating the interlocking signal (if it receives fire reception confirmation signals from all other alarm devices), after the communication operation of the interlocking signal to the other alarm devices belonging to the interlocking group has completed successfully, it will request another specified alarm device to send the report signal by a first other system transfer request signal, and have the report signal sent via a different communication path, making it possible to efficiently recover from the failure of the communication operation of the report signal from the alarm device that detected the fire.

[0024] (Effect of retransmission of the signal transfer signal and interlocking signal in the event of failure of the communication operation of the signal transfer signal and interlocking signal) Furthermore, if an alarm device that detects a fire fails to communicate the report transfer signal using the pause period of the activation command signal, and also fails to communicate the interlocking signal to other alarm devices that belong to the interlocking group (if the fire reception confirmation signal cannot be received from any of the other alarm devices), it will use a second other system transfer request signal to request that another alarm device that successfully received the fire reception confirmation signal send the interlocking signal and report transfer signal; in this case, just as when a fire is detected, the alarm device that receives the request will send an interlocking signal that includes the activation command signal and fire signal, and will send the report transfer signal to other system equipment during the pause period of the activation command signal, making it possible to efficiently recover from the failure of the interlocking signal communication operation from the alarm device that detected the fire, and the failure of the report transfer signal communication operation.

[0025] (Effect of destination of other system transfer request signal) In addition, the alarm device that detects a fire stores, for example, a shared alarm reception confirmation history of each alarm device that sent an alarm transmission signal and received an alarm transmission reception confirmation signal from another system device, and by sending a first or second other system transfer request signal to another alarm device that has stored the latest alarm transmission reception confirmation history, it requests another alarm device that has previously successfully performed communication operations for an alarm transmission signal to another system device, making it possible to efficiently recover the communication operations of the alarm transmission signal that failed in the alarm device that detected the fire, or the communication operations of the interlocking signal and the alarm transmission signal.

[0026] (Effect of transmitting the signal transfer signal before transmitting the start command signal) In addition, an alarm that detects a fire can also transmit a report signal during the pause period before transmitting the first activation command signal, thereby increasing the opportunities to transmit the report signal and improving the success rate of the report signal communication operation, thereby reinforcing the report signal communication operation; and if the report signal communication operation is successful during the pause period before transmitting the activation command signal, it is possible to complete the report signal communication operation to other system devices early. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an alarm system of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an alarm. [Figure 3] 10 is a time chart showing a case where communication operations of interlocking signals and report signals are performed normally. [Figure 4] 10 is a time chart showing the retransmission operation of the report signal when the communication operation of the report signal fails and the communication operation of the interlocking signal is successful. [Figure 5] 10 is a time chart showing the retransmission operation of the report signal and the interlocking signal when the communication operation of the report signal and the interlocking signal fails. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating a retransmission operation following FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An alarm system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0029] [Basic concept of the embodiment] First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be explained. In general terms, the embodiment relates to an alarm system in which a plurality of alarm devices form an interlocking group, and an alarm device that detects a fire and issues an alarm operation sends an interlocking signal to other alarm devices that belong to the interlocking group to cause them to issue an alarm operation, and also sends a transfer signal to other system devices that do not belong to the interlocking group to cause them to issue an alarm operation.

[0030] Here, an "alarm device" is a device that is installed in an ordinary home, a group home, etc., that detects a fire and sets off an alarm, and that also sets off an alarm by transmitting an interlocking signal sent from other alarm devices. An "interlocking group" is made up of multiple alarm devices, and each alarm device has pre-registered (stored) information for configuring the interlocking group, such as a group number and the alarm device numbers of its own and the other alarm devices. An interlocking signal containing a fire signal indicating a fire has been detected is transmitted including the group number and its own alarm device number, and the other alarm devices compare the group number and the alarm device number of the sender included in the interlocking signal with their registered group number and alarm device number, identify that the interlocking signal is from an alarm device belonging to their own group, and set off a fire alarm. The group number is a concept that includes group identification information such as the group address, group code, and group code, and the alarm device number is a concept that includes alarm device identification information such as the alarm device address, alarm device code, and alarm code.

[0031] Furthermore, "other system devices" are devices from other systems that do not belong to the linked group of the alarm device that detects and issues the alarm, such as a home security system installed in the same house, which receives the notification signal sent from the alarm device that detected the fire and issues a fire alarm. Furthermore, an "notification signal" is a signal that indicates that a fire has been detected and is sent from the alarm device that detected the fire to other system devices, and is a signal that can be received by other system devices.

[0032] In such an alarm system, the alarm device switches between a first frequency allocation band and a second frequency allocation band to transmit and / or receive signals, and when a fire is detected, it uses the first frequency band allocation band to transmit an interlocking signal to other alarm devices that belong to the interlocking group, and during periods when the interlocking signal is paused it uses the second frequency band allocation band to transmit a transfer signal to other system devices that do not belong to the interlocking group.

[0033] Here, the "first frequency allocated band" is, for example, the 426 MHz frequency allocated band known as the communications standard RCR STD-30. A restriction of the communications standard RCR STD-30 is that an alarm device that detects a fire must transmit an activation command signal to put other alarm devices into a reception standby state so that they can receive the fire signal before transmitting a fire signal indicating that a fire has been detected, and when using the communications standard RCR STD-30, the activation command signal must be transmitted multiple times, alternating between a three-second transmission and a two-second pause.

[0034] The activation command signal is a signal that includes a preamble code of approximately 2.5 seconds, and a continuous reception command that commands other alarm devices in an intermittent reception state, which switches to reception at specified intervals, to receive the signal. By transmitting the activation command signal multiple times, alternating between a 3-second transmission and a 2-second pause, alarm devices in an intermittent reception state will switch to reception mode in response to one of the multiple activation command signals, regardless of the timing relationship between the activation command transmission pause cycle and the intermittent reception cycle.

[0035] More specifically, the fire signal is a signal that includes a preamble code of, for example, 0.5 seconds, which is shorter than the activation command signal, and information indicating that a fire has been detected, so that other alarm devices that are in a receiving-ready state and that are continuously receiving signals can receive the signal, and the transmission time is 3 seconds or less.

[0036] Furthermore, the "second frequency allocated band" is, for example, the 920 MHz frequency allocated band known as the communication standard STD-T108, which is a frequency allocated band for a communication standard different from the communication standard of the first frequency allocated band. The communication standard STD-T108 employs a carrier sense method in which, before transmitting a signal, it is confirmed that no other station is transmitting radio waves in the 920 MHz band, and therefore there is no need to transmit a wake-up command signal.

[0037] Furthermore, "switching between the first frequency allocation band and the second frequency allocation band to transmit or receive a signal" means switching between two types of frequency allocation bands and switching between transmission and reception of signals in the selected frequency allocation band to transmit or receive signals, and this means switching by setting a status (state), for example. Examples of the status include: 426MHz (first frequency allocation band) transmission status 426MHz (first frequency allocation band) reception status 920MHz (second frequency allocation band) transmission status 920MHz (second frequency allocation band) reception status The status can be switched to one of the above, and operations in the status that have not been switched cannot be performed.

[0038] For example, when switched to 426MHz transmit status, transmission is possible using the 426MHz band but reception is not possible, and transmission and reception are not possible in the 920MHz band. This makes it possible to realize communication operations using two different frequency allocation bands, the 426MHz band and the 920MHz band, with a single communications IC functioning as a single communications unit.

[0039] The status can be set arbitrarily, but for example, it can be set by a command, such as a 426 MHz transmit command, a 426 MHz receive command, a 920 MHz transmit command, or a 920 MHz receive command.

[0040] In addition, an alarm that detects a fire transmits an interlocking signal using the first frequency allocation band, and this interlocking signal includes, for example, a start command signal that is transmitted multiple times by repeating a transmission period T1 and a pause period T2, and a fire signal that indicates that a fire has been detected and is transmitted after the start command signal, and the report signal using the second frequency allocation band is transmitted, for example, during the pause period of the start command signal in the interlocking signal.

[0041] Here, within the pause period of the activation command signal, for example, a report transfer signal is transmitted during the first specified period, and from the transmission of the report transfer signal until the end of the pause period, the device enters a reception standby state in which it can receive a report transfer reception acknowledgment signal (ACK) from other system equipment, and when a report transfer reception acknowledgment signal is received in this state, the communication operation of the report transfer signal is completed normally, and the communication operation of the report transfer signal can be completed before the communication operation of receiving the fire reception response signal after the linkage signal including the fire signal is transmitted to other alarm devices is completed normally.

[0042] In addition, if an alarm device that has detected a fire does not receive a signal transfer confirmation signal in response to a signal transfer signal sent during the pause period of the activation command signal, the signal transfer signal communication operation has failed, and the signal transfer signal will be retransmitted.

[0043] The retransmission operation in this embodiment is divided into cases where the communication operation of the alarm transfer signal fails but the communication of the interlocking signal is successful, and cases where the communication operation of both the alarm transfer signal and the interlocking signal fails. Furthermore, the "communication operation of the interlocking signal" refers to the state in which the alarm device goes into a reception standby state in which it is able to receive fire reception confirmation signals from other alarm devices for a predetermined period of time after transmitting the fire signal, and if fire reception confirmation signals are received from all other alarm devices in this reception standby state, all other alarm devices are in a state in which they can perform an alarm operation, and therefore the communication operation of the interlocking signal is deemed to be successful. On the other hand, if a fire reception confirmation signal cannot be received from any alarm device, this means that there is an alarm device that cannot perform an alarm operation, and therefore the communication operation of the interlocking signal is deemed to be a failure. In addition, the "communication operation of the report signal" refers to a state in which the device enters a standby state in which it can receive a report reception confirmation signal from another system device until the end of the pause period after transmitting the report signal, and if a report reception confirmation signal is received from another system device in this standby state, the other system device is in a state in which it can perform an alarm operation, resulting in a successful communication operation of the report signal; on the other hand, if a report reception confirmation signal cannot be received from the other system device, the other system device cannot perform an alarm operation, resulting in a failure of the communication operation of the report signal.

[0044] If an alarm device that detects a fire fails to communicate the report signal but succeeds in communicating the interlocking signal, after the interlocking signal communication operation is completed, it will send a first other system transfer request signal to a specified other alarm device instructing it to send the report signal, and the other alarm device will send the report signal to other system equipment, and a recovery operation will be performed by resending the report signal.

[0045] On the other hand, if the alarm device that detected the fire fails to communicate the report transfer signal and interlocking signal, after the interlocking signal communication operation is completed, it sends a second other system transfer request signal to instruct the other alarm devices that have successfully received the fire reception confirmation signal to send the interlocking signal and report transfer signal, and the other alarm devices that receive the second other system transfer request signal send an interlocking signal that includes an activation command signal and a fire signal, and during the pause period of the activation command signal, it sends the report transfer signal to other system equipment, and performs recovery operations by re-sending the report transfer signal and interlocking signal.

[0046] Additionally, the alarm devices store and share, for example between the alarm devices, the report transfer reception confirmation history of each alarm device that has transmitted a report transfer signal and received a report transfer reception confirmation signal from another system device, and if the report transfer signal communication operation fails, or if the report transfer signal and linkage signal communication operation fails, a first or second other system transfer request signal is sent to the other alarm devices based on the most recent report transfer reception confirmation history, thereby improving the degree (probability) of successful communication operation through retransmission.

[0047] Furthermore, an alarm that detects a fire can also send a signal transfer signal during the pause period before sending the first activation command signal, thereby further improving the degree (probability) of successful communication of the signal transfer signal.

[0048] A specific embodiment will be described below. In the specific embodiment shown below, a case will be described in which the "first frequency allocated band" is the "426 MHz band in accordance with the communication standard RCR STD-30" and the "second frequency allocated band" is the "920 MHz band in accordance with the communication standard STD-T108."

[0049] [Specific details of the embodiment] The alarm system will now be explained in more detail, divided into the following sections: a. Alarm system b. Alarm b1. Alarm configuration b2.Fire control section 40 b3. Signal transfer control unit 42 b4. Retransmission of the signal b5. Retransmission when the communication operation of the signal transfer fails and the communication operation of the interlocking signal is successful b6. Retransmission of the signal transfer signal and interlocking signal in case of communication failure c. Communications Department 16 c1.426MHz transmitter 48 c2.426MHz receiver 50 c3.920MHz transmitter 52 c4.920MHz receiver 54 c5. Antenna 62 c6. Communication control unit 46 d. Alarm system communication control d1. Communication control when the communication operation of the signal transfer signal and interlocking signal is successful d2. Communication control when the communication operation of the signal transfer fails and the communication operation of the interlocking signal is successful d3. Communication control in the event of failure of communication operations of the signal transfer signal and interlocking signal

[0050] [a. Alarm System] The alarm system will now be described in more detail. The alarm system of this embodiment is installed in, for example, a home to monitor for fires, and although installation within the home is optional, for example, as shown in Figure 1, alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) that detect fires and issue an alarm are installed in each room of a home 11, such as the kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and children's room.

[0051] The alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) form a linked group. A linked group is formed by registering a unique group number and alarm device number to the alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4), and by storing group management information in which the alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) register the alarm device numbers of the other alarm devices that belong to their own group. There is a set maximum number of alarm devices that can form a linked group, and for example the maximum number is 15.

[0052] Taking alarm device 10 (10-1) as an example, when a fire is detected, it will issue an alarm by outputting a predetermined voice message and activating an indicator light to indicate that a fire has occurred, and will also send an interlocking signal including a fire signal to other alarm devices to indicate that a fire has been detected, causing them to issue fire alarms.

[0053] The interlocking signal transmitted by the alarm device 10 (10-1) uses the 426 MHz band of the communications standard RCR STD-30 as the first frequency allocation band, and transmits a fire signal indicating that a fire has been detected, followed by an activation command signal that repeats a 3-second transmission followed by a 2-second pause, and the fire signal includes the group number and the alarm device's own number.

[0054] Other alarm devices that receive the interlocking signal from the alarm device 10 (10-1), for example alarm device 10 (10-2), perform a specified reception preparation operation to enable them to receive fire signals upon receiving the activation command signal, such as pulling in the demodulation frequency, and then compare the group number and alarm device number contained in the received fire signal with the registered details of the group management information, and if a match is obtained, the received fire signal is deemed valid and a fire alarm operation is carried out. The same is true for the other alarm devices 10 (10-3) to 10 (10-4).

[0055] In a home 11 in which alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) that make up a linked group are installed, devices of systems other than the alarm system are installed as other system devices 12. The other system devices 12 are arbitrary, but for example, if a home security system for monitoring crime prevention in the home 11 is installed, the other system devices 12 would be monitoring devices and repeaters for the home security system.

[0056] Other system devices 12 such as a home security system communicate wirelessly with security sensors (not shown) using a second frequency allocation band different from that of the alarm system. The wireless communication of the other system devices 12 uses, for example, the 920 MHz band of the communication standard STD-T108 as the second frequency allocation band.

[0057] When a fire is detected, the alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) of the alarm system transmit a report signal using the 920 MHz band to other system devices 12 to cause an alarm to be triggered, and the report signal is transmitted during the pause period of the activation command signal of the 426 MHz band interlocking signal.

[0058] [b.Alarm] (b1. Alarm configuration) The alarm device will now be described in more detail. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a specific embodiment of an alarm device. As shown in Figure 2, the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects a fire and transmits an interlocking signal including an activation command signal and a fire signal to other alarm devices, as well as transmitting a report signal to other system equipment 12. Its functions and configuration are arbitrary, but it may be made up of a control processor 14 and a communication unit 16, for example.

[0059] The control processor 14 is provided with a CPU 18, and a bus 26 from the CPU 18 is connected to a control logic 20, a ROM 22, and a RAM 24. The control logic 26 realizes various hardware functions such as bus control associated with the control processing of the CPU 18. The bus 26 is connected to a communication unit 16, a smoke detector 28, a test switch 30, an indicator light 32, a speaker 34, a registration switch 36, and a non-volatile memory 38, which are provided outside the control processor 14.

[0060] The smoke detector 28 has a known scattered light type smoke detector structure, and intermittently drives an infrared LED light emitter at a predetermined cycle, amplifies the scattered light received by a light receiver such as a photodiode, and outputs a smoke density detection signal. Note that a temperature detector may be provided instead of the smoke detector 28, and the temperature detector may use a thermistor as the temperature detection element, in which case it outputs a temperature detection signal that is a voltage signal corresponding to the change in resistance value due to temperature.

[0061] When the test switch 30 is operated when no fire has been detected, it performs a specified test operation and outputs a specified test message from the speaker 34. Furthermore, while a fire alarm is being output, the test switch 30 functions as an alarm stop switch. The indicator light 32 uses an LED, which lights up when the alarm device itself detects a fire, and flashes or blinks when it receives an interlocking signal that includes a fire signal from another alarm device. The registration switch 36 generates group management information 44 in which the group number and the alarm device numbers of other alarm devices are registered through a specified registration operation, and stores this in non-volatile memory 38.

[0062] The communication unit 16 is connected to an antenna 62, and performs communication operations for interlocking signals, including fire signals, using the 426 MHz band with the other alarm devices 10 (10-2) to 10 (10-4). The communication unit 16 also performs communication operations for alarm transfer signals using the 920 MHz band with other system devices 12. The communication unit 16 can also be configured as a single communication IC, and the concept of a communication IC includes a communication module, communication modem, etc.

[0063] The CPU 18 is provided with the functions of a fire control unit 40 and an alarm transfer control unit 42 which are realized by executing a program stored in the ROM 22 .

[0064] (b2.Fire control section 40) The fire control unit 40 will be described in more detail. The fire control unit 40 performs A / D conversion and reads the smoke density detection signal output from the smoke detector 28, detects a fire when the smoke density is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and performs control to output a fire alarm indicating that a fire has been detected.

[0065] Furthermore, when a fire alarm operation has been performed, the fire control unit 40 instructs the communication unit 16 to generate an interlocking signal containing an activation command signal and a fire signal indicating that a fire has been detected, and controls transmission of this to other alarm devices using the 426 MHz band. Here, the fire signal contains the group number and the alarm device number of the device itself.

[0066] Furthermore, the fire control unit 40 enters a reception standby state in which it can receive fire reception confirmation signals from other alarm devices for a predetermined time T3 starting from the end of the fire signal transmission, and if it can receive fire reception confirmation signals from all other alarm devices in this reception standby state, it ends the process normally as the communication operation of the interlocking signal has been successful, but if it cannot receive a fire reception confirmation signal from any of the other alarm devices, it controls to resend the interlocking signal as the communication operation of the fire signal has failed.

[0067] Furthermore, when the fire control unit 40 receives an interlocking signal by the communication unit 16 transmitted by another alarm device belonging to the interlocking group, it controls the output of a fire alarm indicating that a fire has been detected by the other alarm device, and also controls the transmission of a fire reception confirmation signal indicating that it has confirmed the reception of a fire signal including the group number and the number of the alarm device that detected the fire, for a predetermined time T3 starting from the end of transmission of the fire signal by the other alarm device, at the timing of its own turn determined according to the alarm device number, for example.

[0068] In addition, for alarm stop control by operating the test switch 30 and fire recovery control in which the smoke concentration of the smoke detector 28 drops below the threshold, the fire control unit 40 transmits, via the communication unit 16, a linkage signal including an alarm stop signal indicating that the alarm has been stopped and a linkage signal including a fire recovery signal indicating that the fire has been recovered, just as in the case of a linkage signal including a fire signal.

[0069] (b3. Signal transfer control unit 42) The report transfer control unit 42 will be described in more detail. When a fire is detected by the fire control unit 40, the report transfer control unit 42 controls the transmission of a report transfer signal indicating that a fire will be transferred using the 920 MHz band to other system devices 12 at the timing of the pause period T2 of the activation command signal, which is comprised of a repeat of a transmission period of T1 = 3 seconds and a pause period of T2 = 2 seconds included in the interlocking signal transmitted using the 426 MHz band.

[0070] In addition, the report transfer control unit 42 enters a reception standby state in which it can receive a report transfer acknowledgement signal (ACK) from other system equipment 12 from the time the transmission of the report transfer signal ends until the end of the pause period of the start-up command signal.If the report transfer acknowledgement signal is received in this reception standby state, it determines that the communication operation of the report transfer signal has been successful and has ended normally.On the other hand, if the report transfer acknowledgement signal is not received, it determines that the communication operation of the report transfer signal has failed and controls to resend the report transfer signal.

[0071] (b4. Retransmission of the signal) The retransmission control unit 42 performs different retransmission control when the communication operation of the retransmission signal fails depending on whether the communication operation of the retransmission signal fails but the communication operation of the interlocking signal is successful, or whether the communication operations of both the retransmission signal and the interlocking signal fail.

[0072] (b5. Retransmission when the communication operation of the signal transfer fails and the communication operation of the interlocking signal is successful) If the communication operation of the alarm transfer signal fails, but the fire control unit 40 has succeeded in communicating the interlocking signal, the alarm transfer control unit 42 controls the transmission of a first other system transfer request signal specifying another specified alarm device as the destination using the 426 MHz band, instructing the alarm device to transmit the alarm transfer signal using the 920 MHz band, and causes the requested alarm device to transmit the alarm transfer signal.

[0073] (b6. Retransmission in the event of a failure in the communication of the signal transfer signal and the interlocking signal) If the communication operation of the report transfer signal fails and the communication operation of the interlocking signal also fails in the fire control unit 40, the report transfer control unit 42 controls the transmission of a second other system transfer request signal to specify as the destination another alarm device that was able to successfully receive the fire reception confirmation signal using the 426 MHz band, and to instruct it to send the report transfer signal and interlocking signal.

[0074] The fire control unit 40 and the report transfer control unit 42 of the alarm device that receives the second other system transfer request signal transmit an activation command signal using the 426 MHz band and an interlocking signal including a fire signal to the other alarm device, just as when a fire is detected, and control the other alarm device to enter a reception standby state in which it can receive a fire reception confirmation signal for a predetermined time T3, and during the pause period T2 of the activation command signal, transmit a report transfer signal using the 920 MHz band, and then control the other alarm device to enter a reception standby state in which it can receive a report transfer reception confirmation signal.

[0075] Here, the alarm device that is the request destination for the first other system transfer request signal or the second other system transfer request signal is arbitrary, but as an example, if each of the alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) is successful in communicating the report transfer signal to the other system device 12, a report transfer reception confirmation history is generated and stored in the non-volatile memory 34, and the report transfer reception confirmation history is shared among the alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4), and when transmitting the first or second other system transfer request signal, the other alarm device with the most recent report transfer reception confirmation history is specified for transmission. This makes it possible to increase the likelihood of success in communicating the report transfer signal and / or fire signal.

[0076] [c. Communications Department 16] The communication unit 16 will be described in more detail. The communication unit 16 performs communication operations of transmitting or receiving using the 426 MHz band according to the communication standard RCR STD-30 and of transmitting or receiving using the 920 MHz band according to the communication standard STD-T108 based on communication control instructions (status commands) of start-up command signals, interlocking signals including fire signals, and report transfer signals from the control processor 14. The function and configuration of the communication unit 16 are arbitrary, but for example, as shown in Fig. 2, the communication unit 16 is composed of a communication control unit 46, a 462 MHz transmitter 48, a 462 MHz receiver 50, a 920 MHz transmitter 52, a 920 MHz receiver 54, a switcher 56 for switching between transmission and reception in the 462 MHz band, a switcher 58 for switching between transmission and reception in the 920 MHz band, and a switcher 60 for switching between the 426 MHz band and the 920 MHz band frequency allocation band, and an antenna 62 is connected to the switcher 60.

[0077] The communication speed for fire signals using the 426MHz band is optional, but is set to 2400bps for example, and the communication speed for alarm signals using the 920MHz band is also optional, but is set to 9600bps for example. For this reason, when transmitting signals of the same bit length, the communication time for the 920MHz band is 1 / 4 of the transmission time for the 426MHz band.

[0078] (c1.426MHz transmitter 48) The 426 MHz transmitter 48 will now be described in more detail. The 426 MHz transmitter 48 performs, for example, FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) modulation on a 426 MHz carrier signal using a transmission signal input as a bit stream, and transmits the signal radio wave from the antenna 62. The 426 MHz transmitter 48 performs wireless transmission without carrier sense by using radio waves at a predetermined channel frequency within the 426 MHz band frequency band of 426.2500 MHz or higher and 426.8375 MHz or lower, in accordance with the communications standard RCR STD-30. The 426 MHz transmitter 48 also performs continuous signal transmission by repeating a transmission period of T1 = 3 seconds and a rest period of T2 = 2 seconds, in accordance with the communications standard RCR STD-30.

[0079] (c2.426MHz receiver 50) The 426 MHz receiving unit 50 will now be described in more detail. The 426 MHz receiving unit 50 receives 426 MHz band radio waves via the antenna 62, performs FSK demodulation, and then performs bit determination to generate a bit stream that is output as a received signal. The 426 MHz receiving unit 50 also performs intermittent reception, enabling intermittent reception at a predetermined intermittent reception period, for example, every 10 seconds, by setting a predetermined receivable time, for example, a few milliseconds, to perform carrier sensing of 426 MHz band radio waves, and when a reception level exceeding a predetermined threshold is obtained by carrier sensing, the receiving unit continues receiving operation and receives 426 MHz band radio signals.

[0080] (c3.920MHz transmitter 52) The 920 MHz transmitter 52 will now be described in more detail. The 920 MHz transmitter 52 performs, for example, FSK modulation on a 920 MHz band carrier signal using a transmission signal input as a bit stream, and transmits the signal radio wave from the antenna 62. The 920 MHz transmitter 52 also performs wireless transmission based on carrier sense, in accordance with the 920 MHz band communications standard STD-T108, with an antenna power of 250 mW or less and using radio waves of a predetermined channel frequency in the frequency band from 916 MHz to 928 MHz inclusive.

[0081] (c4.920MHz receiver 54) The 920 MHz receiver 54 will now be described in more detail. The 920 MHz receiver 54 receives 920 MHz band radio waves via the antenna 62, performs FSK demodulation, and then performs bit determination to generate a bit stream that is output as a received signal. The 920 MHz receiver 54 also performs intermittent reception, enabling intermittent reception operation by setting a predetermined intermittent reception period, for example, every 10 seconds, for a predetermined receivable time, for example, a few milliseconds, to perform carrier sensing of 920 MHz band radio waves, and when a reception level exceeding a predetermined threshold is obtained by carrier sensing, the receiver continues reception operation and receives 920 MHz band radio signals.

[0082] (c5. Antenna 62) The antenna 62 will now be described in more detail. While any type of antenna 62 may be used, for example, a single-pole antenna is used, and the antenna length is set to a length that allows for use in both the 426 MHz and 920 MHz bands. That is, the antenna length L of the antenna 62 is set to a length that is 1 / 4 wavelength of 426 MHz and close to 5 / 8 wavelength of 920 MHz. Specifically, the antenna length for a 1 / 4 wavelength in the 426 MHz band is 17.6 cm, and the antenna length for a 5 / 8 wavelength in the 926 MHz band is 20.4 cm, so the antenna length L of the antenna 62 is set to 17.6 cm for the 426 MHz band. The actual antenna length is determined by further considering the shortening rate.

[0083] (c6. Communication control unit 46) The communication control unit 46 will be described in more detail. Based on a communication control instruction from the fire control unit 40 or the report transfer control unit 42 provided in the CPU 18 of the control processor 14, specifically based on a status command, the communication control unit 46 controls the transmission operations of interlocking signals including a start command signal and a fire signal, report transfer signals, a first other system transfer request signal, a second other system transfer request signal, and the like, and also controls the reception operations of signals accompanying the transmission operations and reception confirmation signals for the interlocking signals, etc.

[0084] Here, the status commands instructed from the fire control unit 40 or the alarm transfer control unit 42 to the communication control unit 46 are arbitrary, but examples include a 426 MHz transmission command, a 426 MHz reception command, a 920 MHz transmission command, a 920 MHz reception command, and an end command.

[0085] When the communication control unit 46 receives the 426 MHz transmission command, it activates the 426 MHz transmission unit 48, switches the switching units 56 and 60 to connect the antenna 62 to the output of the 426 MHz transmission unit 48, modulates the instructed signal, and transmits the signal radio wave.

[0086] Furthermore, when the communication control unit 46 receives a 426 MHz reception command, it activates the 426 MHz reception unit 50, switches the switches 56 and 60 to connect the antenna 62 to the input of the 426 MHz reception unit 50, and demodulates the received radio wave signal.

[0087] For example, in the case of transmitting an interlocking signal including a start command signal and a fire signal, the fire control unit 40 sends a 426 MHz transmission command to the communication control unit 46 when the transmission of the start command signal begins, sends an end command to the communication control unit 46 after the transmission period T1 = 3 seconds has elapsed, and again sends a 426 MHz transmission command to the communication control unit 46 after the pause period T2 = 2 seconds has elapsed, and repeats this process.

[0088] Furthermore, when transmission of the activation command signal has finished, the fire control unit 40 sends a 426MHz transmission command to the communication control unit 46 at the start of fire signal transmission, causing the fire signal to be transmitted. When transmission of the fire signal has finished, the fire control unit 40 sends a 426MHz reception command to the communication control unit 46, making it possible to receive fire reception confirmation signals from other alarm devices, and when a predetermined time T3 has elapsed, it sends an end command to stop the reception operation.

[0089] Furthermore, when the communication control unit 46 receives a 920 MHz transmit command, it operates the 920 MHz transmitter 52, switches the switches 58 and 60 to connect the antenna 62 to the output of the 920 MHz transmitter 52, modulates the instructed signal, and transmits the signal radio wave. Furthermore, when the communication control unit 46 receives a 920 MHz receive command, it operates the 920 MHz receiver 54, switches the switches 58 and 60 to connect the antenna 62 to the input of the 920 MHz receiver 54, and demodulates the received radio wave signal.

[0090] For example, when transmitting a report transfer signal to another system device 12, the report transfer control unit 42 sends a 920 MHz transmit command to the communication control unit 46 at the timing when the report transfer signal starts to be transmitted during the pause period T2 of the start command signal in the interlocking signal, causing the report transfer signal to be transmitted. In this case, the transmission time is, for example, about 100 ms, and when the transmission of the report transfer signal ends, the report transfer control unit 42 sends a 920 MHz receive command to the communication control unit 46 to enable reception of a report transfer reception confirmation signal from the other system device 12, and when the pause period of the start command signal in the interlocking signal ends, sends an end command to stop the reception operation.

[0091] [d. Alarm system communication control] The communication operations of the interlocking signals of the alarm devices 10 (10-1) to 10 (10-4) provided in the alarm system, and the communication operations of the report transfer signals to other system devices 12 will be explained in more detail with reference to the time charts of FIGS.

[0092] (d1. Communication control when the communication operation of the signal transfer signal and interlocking signal is successful) FIG. 3 shows a time chart in which an alarm device 10 (10-1) detects a fire, successfully communicates a fire signal to the other alarm devices 10 (10-2) to 10 (10-4), and also successfully communicates a report signal to other system devices 12, resulting in a normal end.

[0093] In Figure 3, if the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects a fire at time t0, then at time t1 during the pause period prior to time t2 when transmission of the activation command signal in the interlocking signal begins, it transmits a 920 MHz band report signal to the other system device 12. The transmission period for this report signal is approximately 100 ms. Next, from the time when transmission of the report signal ends until time t2 when transmission of the activation command signal begins, the alarm device 10 (10-1) enters a reception standby state in which it is able to receive a report transfer reception acknowledgment signal ACK1 from the other system device 12, however in this example no report transfer reception acknowledgment signal is transmitted from the other system device 12.

[0094] Next, from time t2, the alarm device 10 (10-1) repeats transmitting an activation command signal PA in the 426 MHz band three times, with a transmission period T1 of 3 seconds and a pause period T2 of 2 seconds, and at time t4 when the transmission of the activation command signal and the pause period have ended, it transmits a fire signal FR in the 426 MHz band for a predetermined period of time.

[0095] Furthermore, the alarm device 10 (10-1) transmits a 920 MHz band report signal at the start of the pause period T2 of the activation command signal PA from time t3, and from the end of transmission of the report signal until the end of the pause period, it enters a reception standby state in which it can receive a report signal reception acknowledgment signal ACK1 from the other system device 12. At this time, the other system device 12 has received the report signal normally, and so transmits a report signal reception acknowledgment signal ACK1; when this is received by the alarm device 10 (10-1), it is deemed that the report signal communication operation was successful, and the process has ended normally, and no report signal is transmitted during the pause period of the activation command signal PA thereafter.

[0096] When transmission of the fire signal FR from the alarm device 10 (10-1) ends at time t5, it enters a reception standby state during the predetermined time T3 until time t6, during which it is able to receive fire reception acknowledgment signals ACK2 from the other alarm devices 10 (10-2) to 10 (10-4); in this case, all of the other alarm devices 10 (10-2) to 10 (10-4) transmit fire reception acknowledgment signals ACK2 in sequence, and upon receiving this, the alarm device 10 (10-1) considers that the communication operation of the interlocking signal has been successful and ends normally.

[0097] (d2. Communication control when the communication operation of the signal transfer signal fails and the communication operation of the interlocking signal ends normally) FIG. 4 is a time chart showing communication control when an alarm device 10 (10-1) that detects a fire fails to communicate a report signal to other system devices 12, but succeeds in communicating an interlocking signal to other alarm devices.

[0098] As in the case of Figure 3, at times t1 and t3 in Figure 4 the alarm device 10 (10-1) transmits a report transfer signal to the other system device 12, but the other system device 12 does not transmit a report transfer receipt acknowledgment signal (ACK1), and during the subsequent pause period of the start command signal PA the alarm device 10 (10-1) also transmits a report transfer signal to the other system device 12, but the other system device 12 does not transmit a report transfer receipt acknowledgment signal (ACK1), and the report transfer signal communication operation has failed.

[0099] Meanwhile, with regard to the fire signal FR sent by the alarm device 10 (10-1) at time t4, it is in a reception standby state which enables it to receive a fire reception acknowledgment signal ACK2 for a predetermined time T3, and although this is omitted here, in the same way as shown at times t5 to t6 in Figure 3, all of the other alarm devices 10 (10-2) to 10 (10-4) transmit fire reception acknowledgment signals ACK2 in sequence, and the communication operation of the interlocking signal is successful and has ended normally.

[0100] Therefore, in order to recover the failed communication operation of the report transfer signal, at time t7 after the reception standby state which enables reception of a fire reception acknowledgment signal ACK2 has ended at time t6, the alarm device 10 (10-1), for example, designates the alarm device 10 (10-2) and transmits a first other system transfer request signal RQ1 instructing it to transmit a report transfer signal. Having received this first other system transfer request signal RQ1, the alarm device 10 (10-2) transmits a 920 MHz band report transfer signal at time t8, and the other system device 12 which receives this transmits a report transfer reception acknowledgment signal ACK1 at time t9, and the communication operation of the retransmitted report transfer signal is successful and completed at time t10, and the failed communication operation of the report transfer signal is recovered by the retransmission.

[0101] (d3. Communication control in the event of failure of communication operations of the signal transfer signal and interlocking signal) 5 and 6 are time charts showing communication control when the alarm device 10 (10-1) that detected a fire fails to communicate the alarm transfer signal, and also fails to communicate the interlocking signal.

[0102] Up to time t5 in Figure 5, the situation is the same as in Figure 4, and a report transfer signal is transmitted at times t1, t3, and during the pause period of the start-up command signal PA after t3, but no report transfer reception confirmation signal (ACK1) is transmitted from other system equipment 12, and the communication operation of the report transfer signal has failed.

[0103] Furthermore, in response to the fire signal sent at time t4, in a reception standby state that allows reception of a fire reception confirmation signal ACK2 for a predetermined period T3, the alarm device 10 (10-3) does not send a fire reception confirmation signal, indicating no response 64, and the communication operation of the interlocking signal also fails.

[0104] For this reason, as shown at time t6 in Figure 6, the alarm device 10 (10-1) that detected a fire transmits a second other system transfer request signal RQ2 instructing it to transmit an interlocking signal and a report transfer signal, specifying the other alarm device that transmitted the fire reception acknowledgment signal ACK2, for example the alarm device 10 (10-2). The alarm device 10 (10-2) that received the second other system transfer request signal RQ2 transmits a fire signal FR after repeatedly transmitting and pausing an activation command signal PA in the 426 MHz band, in the same way as when a fire is detected from time t7, and also transmits a report transfer signal in the 920 MHz band during the pause period before starting transmission of the activation command signal PA, and at times t8 and t9, for example, when the pause period T2 for the activation command signal begins. In this case, the other system device 12 transmits a report transfer reception acknowledgment signal ACK1 in response to the report transfer signal transmitted at time t9, thereby successfully communicating the report transfer signal.

[0105] Furthermore, in response to the fire signal FR sent at time t11, at time t12 the alarm device 10 (10-3), which had previously received no response 64, sends a fire reception confirmation signal ACK2, and the communication operation of the interlocking signal is also successful, and the failed communication operation of the report transfer signal and interlocking signal is recovered by retransmission.

[0106] In addition, if the communication operation of the report signal fails, or if the communication operation of the report signal and the interlocking signal fails, retransmission will be repeated a predetermined number of times, but if retransmission is not successful even after repeated retransmissions a predetermined number of times, the retransmission may be stopped and a fault such as a communication error may be displayed.

[0107] [e. Modifications of the present invention] (First frequency allocation band and second frequency allocation band) In the above embodiment, the 920 MHz band of the communication standard STD-T108 is used as an example of the second frequency allocation band, but it is not limited to this and is arbitrary, and includes using a frequency allocation band of an appropriate communication standard as long as it can complete the communication operation of the report signal to other system devices during the pause period of the activation command signal in the communication standard RCR STD-30 as the first frequency allocation band. For example, the 2.4 GHz band of the communication standard ARIB STD-T66, the 2.4 GHz band of the communication standard RCR STD-33, and the 5 GHz band of the communication standards ARIB STD-T70 to ARIB STD-T72 may be used as the second frequency allocation band.

[0108] (parent-child method) In the above embodiment, when multiple alarm devices are installed in a home to form an interlocking group, there is no distinction between parent and child devices and the individual alarm devices communicate with each other; however, an interlocking group can also be formed by providing a parent device and multiple child devices, and the parent device and child devices can communicate with each other within the group using the 426 MHz band, and can also be given the ability to transmit alarm signals to other system devices using the 920 MHz band.

[0109] (Alarm) The above embodiment has taken as an example a wireless alarm device that detects fire and issues an alarm, but the invention can also be applied to alarm systems that employ wireless fire alarms, gas leak alarms, CO alarms, and various types of security alarms other than alarm devices, as well as systems that include a combination of these alarm devices.

[0110] Furthermore, the above embodiment takes as an example a wireless alarm device in which the sensor unit and alarm output processing unit are integrated, but in other embodiments, the sensor unit and alarm output processing unit may be separate wireless alarm devices.

[0111] (others) Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values ​​shown in the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10(10-1)~10(10-4):Alarm 11: Housing 12: Other system devices 14: Control processor 16: Communications Department 18:CPU 20: Control logic 22:ROM 24:RAM 26: Bus 28: Smoke Detection Department 30: Test switch 32: Indicator light 34: Speaker 36: Registration switch 38: Non-volatile memory 40: Fire Control Department 42: Signal transfer control unit 44: Group management information 46: Communication control unit 48:426MHz transmitter 50:426MHz receiver 52: 920MHz transmitter 54: 920MHz receiver 56, 58, 60: Switching section 62: Antenna

Claims

1. A disaster prevention system including a first device and a second device different from the first device, the first device performs communication by transmitting a first signal to another of the first devices and transmitting a second signal different from the first signal to the second device; the first signal includes a start-up command signal that repeats a transmission period and a pause period multiple times and puts the first device, which is a transmission destination, into a reception standby state; A disaster prevention system, wherein the second signal is transmitted during the pause period of the activation command signal of the first signal.

2. A communication method for a disaster prevention system including a first device and a second device different from the first device, In the communication between the first devices, a transmission period and a pause period are repeated a plurality of times, and a first signal including a start-up command signal that puts the first device, which is the destination, into a reception standby state is transmitted from the first device to another first device; A communication method for a disaster prevention system, characterized in that in communication between the first device and the second device, a second signal different from the first signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device during a pause period of the activation command signal of the first signal.

3. An alarm device that communicates with multiple types of devices, Transmitting a first signal to a first device that is a destination of the signal, and transmitting a second signal that is different from the first signal to a second device that is a destination of the signal different from the first device; the first signal includes a start-up command signal that repeats a transmission period and a pause period multiple times and puts the first device, which is a transmission destination, into a reception standby state; An alarm device characterized in that the second signal is transmitted during a pause period of the activation command signal of the first signal.

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