Alarm system

Abstract

To provide an alarm system capable of assisting the installation of an alarm at a place with a better radio wave state.SOLUTION: An alarm system 1 includes a master unit 10A, a first slave unit 10B, and a second slave unit 10B, and is configured to perform an interlocking test by wireless communication between the master unit 10A, and the first slave unit 10B and the second slave unit 10B, and in the interlocking test, when the first slave unit 10B outputs a trigger signal serving as a trigger of the interlocking test, the master unit 10A that has received the trigger signal outputs an interlocking signal to the second slave unit 10B. The second slave unit 10B that has received the coordination signal outputs the radio wave intensity in the wireless communication with the master unit 10A in the coordination test.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm system equipped with a plurality of alarm devices that detect abnormalities such as fires or gas leaks and output an alarm. [Background technology]

[0002] Alarm devices that detect abnormalities such as fires or gas leaks and issue an alarm have become widespread in the past. Interlocking alarm systems in which multiple such alarm devices communicate wirelessly have also been proposed. In an interlocking alarm system, abnormality information detected by one alarm device is output as a linked alarm by the other alarm devices. In such an interlocking alarm system, it is necessary to confirm that the alarm devices are able to communicate with each other before installing each device. Therefore, alarm systems have been proposed that perform interlocking tests between alarm devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the system of Patent Document 1, residential alarm devices that receive a signal containing test information during an interlocking test issue a notification that the interlocking test was successful by sounding from their speakers and / or displaying an LED. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-262333 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even if the radio wave conditions are good and the test results are normal during the interlocking test when the alarm devices are installed, rearrangements to the room after installation can worsen the radio wave conditions, making it impossible for the alarm devices to interlock with each other. In other words, a radio wave environment that was normal when the alarm devices were installed can become abnormal later on. Furthermore, because alarm devices that are installed high on the ceiling or wall require time and effort to reinstall, there has been a desire to install them in a location with as good a radio wave condition as possible when they are first installed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an alarm system that can assist in installing alarm devices in locations with better radio wave conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The alarm system of the present invention is an alarm system comprising an alarm device that functions as a parent device, an alarm device that functions as a first child device, and one or more alarm devices that function as second child devices, and is configured to carry out an interlocking test via wireless communication between the parent device and the first and second child devices, and during the interlocking test, when the first child device outputs a trigger signal that triggers the interlocking test, the parent device that receives the trigger signal outputs an interlocking signal to the second child device, and the second child device that receives the interlocking signal outputs the radio wave strength of the wireless communication with the parent device during the interlocking test. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the second slave unit that receives the interlocking signal outputs the radio wave strength of the wireless communication with the master unit during the interlocking test. As a result, the user can install each alarm unit in a location with better radio wave conditions based on the output radio wave strength. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fire alarm system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of an interlocking test of the fire alarm system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of an interlocking test of the fire alarm system 1 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of an interlocking test of the fire alarm system 1 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a fire alarm 10 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a fire alarm 10 according to another example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm 10 according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, the alarm device of the present invention will be described as a fire alarm device, and the alarm system of the present invention will be described as a fire alarm system. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the device shown in the drawings is an example of the device of the present invention, and the device of the present invention is not limited to the device shown in the drawings. Furthermore, in each drawing, parts with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and this applies throughout the entire specification. In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationship or shape of each component may differ from the actual ones.

[0010] Embodiment 1 (System configuration of Fire Alarm System 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm system 1 according to a first embodiment. The fire alarm system 1 is installed in a building 100, such as a residential building, to monitor for fires and issue an alarm if a fire is detected. The fire alarm system 1 includes a plurality of fire alarms 10. Each of the plurality of fire alarms 10 is configured to be able to communicate with one or more of the other fire alarms 10, and is configured so that when a fire is detected by one fire alarm 10, a linked alarm is issued by the other fire alarms 10. To achieve this linked alarm operation, the plurality of fire alarms 10 are registered as a group, with one of the fire alarms 10 in the group functioning as a master unit and the remaining units functioning as slave units. In FIG. 1 and the following description, the master unit of the fire alarms 10 will be referred to as master unit 10A and the slave unit as slave unit 10B, and will be referred to as a fire alarm 10 when there is no need to distinguish between the two. One or more fire alarms 10 may be installed in each of a plurality of rooms 101 in the building 100.

[0011] The master device 10A is installed in a position where it can communicate wirelessly with each of the slave devices 10B. When each slave device 10B is installed in a position where it can communicate wirelessly with the other slave devices 10B, it communicates directly with the other slave devices 10B, but when it cannot communicate wirelessly with the other slave devices 10B, it communicates wirelessly with the other slave devices 10B via the master device 10A.

[0012] (Fire alarm 10) 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm 10 according to an embodiment. The fire alarm 10 has a control unit 11, a fire detection unit 12, an audio output unit 13, a display unit 14, a communication unit 15, an operation unit 16, a memory unit 17, and a power supply unit 18.

[0013] The control unit 11 is composed of a dedicated hardware circuit or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program stored in a memory. The control unit 11 controls the audio output unit 13, the display unit 14, and the communication unit 15 based on signals input from the fire detection unit 12, the communication unit 15, and the operation unit 16. The control unit 11 also reads information from the storage unit 17 and writes information to the storage unit 17.

[0014] The fire detection unit 12 detects a fire by detecting smoke, heat, gas, flames, etc. that are generated in association with a fire. When the fire detection unit 12 detects smoke, it has a photoelectric smoke sensor that emits light toward a smoke detection space formed in the housing and detects smoke by receiving scattered light generated by smoke present in the smoke detection space. When the fire detection unit 12 detects heat, it has a thermal sensor such as a differential or constant temperature sensor that detects heat generated by a fire. When the fire detection unit 12 detects gas, it has a gas sensor that detects gas that is generated in association with a fire. When the fire detection unit 12 detects flames, it has either an ultraviolet sensor or an infrared sensor, or both.

[0015] The audio output unit 13 is a device that outputs an alarm sound, such as a speaker. The audio output unit 13 of this embodiment outputs one of a plurality of sounds pre-stored in the storage unit 17 based on an instruction from the control unit 11.

[0016] The display unit 14 is a device that visually notifies the user, and is, for example, a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode. The display unit 14 displays information in different modes, such as continuous lighting or blinking, under the control of the control unit 11. The display unit 14 may also include light-emitting elements of multiple colors and emit light in multiple colors based on instructions from the control unit 11.

[0017] The communication unit 15 is an antenna and communication circuit that performs wireless communication with other fire alarm devices 10. The communication unit 15 transmits signals generated by the communication circuit via the antenna, and receives and processes signals acquired via the antenna in the communication circuit. The signals transmitted by the communication unit 15 are input from the control unit 11. Furthermore, the signals received by the communication unit 15 are input to the control unit 11. Furthermore, the communication unit 15 of this embodiment measures the radio wave strength of the received wireless signal. The communication unit 15 performs predetermined signal processing on the radio waves received by the antenna, and obtains the radio wave strength by, for example, calculating RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator).

[0018] The operation unit 16 is a button or switch operated by the user. In this embodiment, the operation unit 16 is a mechanical button or switch, but may be, for example, a touch switch. The operation unit 16 may be operated by a drawstring. The number of operation units 16 may be set according to the operations to be input. Furthermore, the operation unit 16 may accept different types of operations, such as a long press, a short press, or a continuous press, and input a signal according to the operation to the control unit 11.

[0019] The storage unit 17 stores various data used for control by the control unit 11. The storage unit 17 stores a device ID that identifies the device itself and a group ID that identifies the group to which the device belongs. The storage unit 17 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0020] The power supply unit 18 supplies power to the control unit 11, the fire detection unit 12, the audio output unit 13, the display unit 14, the communication unit 15, and the memory unit 17. The power supply unit 18 has a battery, a voltage adjustment circuit that adjusts the battery voltage, and the like, and supplies power of the voltage required for each unit. Note that the power supply unit 18 may also supply power supplied from a commercial power source to each unit.

[0021] (Fire alarm system 1 group setting) A group is set for multiple fire alarm devices 10 when they are installed in the building 100. For example, when a predetermined operation to set a certain fire alarm device 10 as a master device is performed on the operation unit 16 of that device, information about that device as a master device is set in the memory unit 17, and that fire alarm device 10 becomes a master device 10A. Subsequently, when a predetermined operation to set another fire alarm device 10 as a slave device is performed on the operation unit 16 of that device, that fire alarm device 10 becomes a slave device 10B. Then, that slave device 10B transmits a wireless signal including its own ID and a signal requesting group registration to the master device 10A. In response to the wireless signal, the master device 10A transmits a wireless signal including a group ID to the slave device 10B. Having acquired the group ID, the slave device 10B stores the group ID in the memory unit 17. By performing the same operation on one or more other fire alarm devices 10, one or more slave devices 10B are registered in the group to which the master device 10A belongs. Note that whether a fire alarm 10 is a master device or a slave device may be preset at the time of shipping from the factory.

[0022] (Operations in the event of a fire) When a fire breaks out, the fire alarm 10 detects the fire using the fire detection unit 12, and outputs a fire source alarm indicating the source of the fire using the audio output unit 13 and the display unit 14.

[0023] Furthermore, when another fire alarm 10 detects a fire, the fire alarm 10 outputs a linked alarm. Specifically, when the master unit 10A detects a fire, it transmits a linking signal to all slave units 10B instructing them to output a linked alarm. The slave units 10B that receive the linking signal output a linked alarm via the audio output unit 13 and the display unit 14. When a slave unit 10B detects a fire, it transmits a linking signal to the master unit 10A and the other slave units 10B instructing them to output a linked alarm. The master unit 10A and the other slave units 10B that receive the linking signal output a linked alarm. Furthermore, when the master unit 10A receives a linking signal from the slave unit 10B that detected the fire, it transmits a linking signal to the other slave units 10B. As a result, the slave units 10B that did not directly receive the linking signal from the slave unit 10B that detected the fire can output a linked alarm via the linking signal from the master unit 10A.

[0024] In communication via the parent unit 10A related to the output of a linked alarm, communication from the child unit 10B that detects a fire to the parent unit 10A is called primary communication, and communication related to the transmission of a linked signal from the parent unit 10A to the child unit 10B is called secondary communication.

[0025] (Interlocking test) In order to achieve the linked alarms described above in the fire alarm system 1, it is necessary to install each fire alarm 10 in a position where it can communicate wirelessly with at least the master unit 10A and slave unit 10B. It is desirable to install a fire alarm 10 in each room 101 in the building 100, but communication conditions vary depending on the installation location, the structure and furniture of the building 100, etc. Therefore, the fire alarm 10 of the fire alarm system 1 of this embodiment is configured to perform a linkage test. The linkage test is usually performed when the fire alarm 10 is installed in the building 100.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of an interlocking test of the fire alarm system 1 according to the first embodiment. It is assumed that, prior to the interlocking test, each fire alarm 10 is configured as a master unit and a slave unit. Each fire alarm 10 is either temporarily installed at the planned installation location or placed on the floor or the like at the planned installation location. Each fire alarm 10 is configured to operate in an interlocking test mode for conducting the interlocking test. Here, the interlocking test mode is set, for example, by performing a mode setting operation on the operation unit 16. Also, in FIG. 3, the slave unit 10B that triggers the start of the interlocking test, i.e., the interlocking source slave unit 10B, is shown as the first slave unit 10B, and one or more interlocking destination slave units 10B are shown as the second slave unit 10B. In the description of FIG. 3, the names master unit 10A, first slave unit 10B, and second slave unit 10B are used, respectively.

[0027] When an interlocking test operation is performed on the operation unit 16 of the first slave unit 10B (step S1), the first slave unit 10B outputs a fire alarm and transmits a trigger signal to the master unit 10A (step S2). Upon receiving the trigger signal, the master unit 10A outputs an interlocking alarm and transmits an interlocking signal to the second slave unit 10B (step S3).

[0028] Upon receiving the interlocking signal, second slave device 10B outputs an interlocking alarm (step S4) and notifies the test result of the interlocking test (step S5). The test result is information indicating that the interlocking signal was received normally, and either or both of audio output unit 13 and display unit 14 output the test result. Note that the notification of the test result (step S5) may be performed before the output of the interlocking alarm (step S4), or only one of these operations may be performed.

[0029] In this way, by outputting either or both of the linkage warning and the test result, the user can confirm that the first and second slave devices 10B and the master device 10A are linked normally. Note that the second slave device 10B that did not receive the linkage signal transmitted in step S3 does not output a linkage warning or notify the test result. This allows the user to know that there is a problem with the wireless communication between the second slave device 10B and the master device 10A.

[0030] Second slave unit 10B, which has received the linking signal, further reports the radio wave strength of the linking signal received from master unit 10A, i.e., the radio wave strength related to the secondary communication (step S6). The radio wave strength is reported by either or both of audio output unit 13 and display unit 14. The radio wave strength may be reported in dBm units, or may be reported as a predetermined level (for example, 10 levels from 0 to 9).

[0031] In this way, by the second slave device 10B reporting the radio wave strength, the user can consider installing the fire alarm 10 in a location with better radio wave conditions based on the output radio wave strength. Even if the linked alarm is output and the test result is reported normally, if the radio wave strength is relatively low, the wireless communication status related to the interlocking may deteriorate later due to rearrangement of rooms in the building 100, etc. In other words, even if the interlocking test performed when the fire alarm 10 is installed is normal, the interlocking may not function properly thereafter, and such a case is difficult for the user to notice. However, since the fire alarm 10 of this embodiment reports the radio wave strength during the interlocking test, the user can change the installation location of the fire alarm 10 if the radio wave strength is relatively low. This reduces the risk of interlocking not functioning properly later.

[0032] In this embodiment, second device 10B notifies the radio wave strength related to the secondary communication separately from the linked alarm and the test results. Therefore, if the radio wave strength is good but the linked alarm is not output or the test results are abnormal, the user can quickly determine that there is a device malfunction in second device 10B.

[0033] Here, when fire alarms 10 are installed in multiple rooms 101 in a building 100, it is difficult for a user to simultaneously check the test results and radio wave strength of multiple fire alarms 10. For this reason, in the present embodiment, in Fig. 3, when an instruction to re-output radio wave strength is given to the operation unit 16 of second sub-unit 10B within a predetermined time after outputting the radio wave strength (step S7), second sub-unit 10B reports the radio wave strength (step S8). In step S8, second sub-unit 10B may output either or both of the test results and linked alarm in addition to the radio wave strength.

[0034] In this way, the fire alarm 10 that has received the re-output instruction operation reports the radio wave strength, making it easy for the user to check the radio wave strength of each fire alarm 10 at any time. For example, when one user performs an interlocking test, the user performs the interlocking test operation on the first sub-unit 10B, and then goes to the second sub-unit 10B installed in another room 101 and issues a re-output instruction operation. This allows the user to check the radio wave strength of all second sub-units 10B installed in different locations. Furthermore, even if the user misses or fails to hear the radio wave strength report from the second sub-unit 10B, the user can re-check the radio wave strength of the second sub-unit 10B. Therefore, this embodiment improves user convenience.

[0035] Note that first child device 10B can also receive the linking signal transmitted in step S3. Therefore, in the linking test, first child device 10B that receives the linking signal may also perform the same operations as steps S4 to S8.

[0036] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, it has been described that the slave device 10B notifies the radio wave intensity of the secondary communication. In the present embodiment, an aspect in which the master device 10A notifies the radio wave intensity will be described. In the present embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the interlocking test of the fire alarm system 1 according to the second embodiment. Steps S1 to S6 are the same as those described in FIG. 3. After the second slave device 10B of this embodiment reports the radio wave strength (step S6), it transmits a response signal to the master device 10A (step S10). It is preferable that the timing at which each of the second slave devices 10B transmits a response signal does not overlap. When the master device 10A receives response signals from all of the second slave devices 10B, it reports the radio wave strength (step S11).

[0038] The notification of the radio wave strength in step S11 is performed by either or both of the audio output unit 13 and the display unit 14. When the audio output unit 13 notifies, it outputs a combination of information identifying the second sub-device 10B and the radio wave strength of the response signal from that second sub-device 10B by audio, for example, "No. 1, radio wave strength N1," "No. 2, radio wave strength N2," and so on. When the display unit 14 notifies, it emits light in a color or with a number of flashes indicating the radio wave strength in a predetermined order for the multiple second sub-devices 10B. For example, if the radio wave strength is displayed in five stages, the display unit 14 flashes a number of times corresponding to the radio wave strength.

[0039] The notification of the radio wave strength in step S11 may be performed after an operation is performed on the operation unit 16. Specifically, when an operation is performed on the operation unit 16 of the master unit 10A, the master unit 10A sequentially outputs the radio wave strength of the response signal for each of the second slave units 10B in a predetermined order. This allows the user to check the radio wave strength for communication with each of the second slave units 10B by checking one master unit 10A. Alternatively, the master unit 10A may output the radio wave strength of the response signal for each of the second slave units 10B each time an operation is performed on the operation unit 16. Specifically, when the operation unit 16 of the master unit 10A is operated for the first time, the master unit 10A notifies the radio wave strength of the first second slave unit 10B, and when the operation unit 16 is operated again, the master unit 10A notifies the radio wave strength of the second second slave unit 10B. This process is repeated for each of the second slave units 10B. This allows the user to check the radio wave intensity relating to the wireless communication between the master device 10A and each of the second slave devices 10B at any time.

[0040] If there is a second child device 10B from which the response signal cannot be received within a predetermined time after transmitting the interlocking signal (step S3), the parent device 10A determines that the interlocking operation is not normal for that second child device 10B. The parent device 10A then notifies the user, via either or both of the audio output unit 13 and the display unit 14, that there is an abnormality in the result of the interlocking test. This allows the user to know that there is a second child device 10B that cannot operate normally by checking the parent device 10A.

[0041] If an instruction to re-output the radio wave strength is given to operation unit 16 of master unit 10A within a predetermined time after outputting the radio wave strength (step S12), master unit 10A reports the radio wave strength (step S13). The method of reporting the radio wave strength in step S13 may be the same as or different from the method of reporting in step S11. For example, the radio wave strengths of all second slave units 10B may be reported consecutively in step S11, and the radio wave strength of each second slave unit 10B may be reported each time operation unit 16 is operated in step S13.

[0042] Note that first child device 10B can also receive the interlocking signal transmitted in step S3. Therefore, in the interlocking test, first child device 10B that receives the interlocking signal may also transmit a response signal as in step S10. In this case, parent device 10A also reports the radio wave strength of first child device 10B in steps S11 and S13.

[0043] In addition, in the second embodiment, the second child device 10B reports the radio wave intensity (step S6), and the parent device 10A reports the radio wave intensity (step S11). However, the second child device 10B may not report the radio wave intensity, and only the parent device 10A may report the radio wave intensity.

[0044] Embodiment 3 In the first embodiment, it was explained that the slave device 10B reports the radio wave strength of the secondary communication in the interlocking test. In the present embodiment, an example will be explained in which the fire alarm device 10 reports the radio wave strength of the primary communication in the interlocking test. In the present embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

[0045] 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the interlocking test of the fire alarm system 1 according to embodiment 3. When an interlocking test operation is performed on the operation unit 16 of the first slave device 10B (step S1), the first slave device 10B transmits a trigger signal to the master device 10A and one or more second slave devices 10B (step S20).

[0046] The master device 10A that has received the trigger signal reports the radio wave strength of the received trigger signal (step S21). The second slave device 10B that has received the trigger signal reports the radio wave strength of the received trigger signal (step S22). The radio wave strength is reported by either or both of the audio output unit 13 and the display unit 14.

[0047] When an instruction to re-output the radio wave strength is given to the operation unit 16 of the master unit 10A within a predetermined time after the output of the radio wave strength (step S23), the master unit 10A reports the radio wave strength (step S24). The method of reporting the radio wave strength in step S24 may be the same as or different from the method of reporting in step S21. For example, the reporting may be by both audio and visual means in step S21, and by audio only in step S24. Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 5, when an instruction to re-output the radio wave strength is given to the operation unit 16 of the second slave unit 10B, the second slave unit 10B reports the radio wave strength.

[0048] According to this embodiment, the parent unit 10A reports the radio wave strength, allowing the user to grasp the radio wave strength of the primary communication in the interlocking operation. Therefore, based on the output radio wave strength, the user can consider installing the first child unit 10B and the parent unit 10A in a location with better radio wave conditions. This reduces the risk of a communication error occurring later in the interlocking communication between the parent unit 10A and the first child unit 10B. Furthermore, the second child unit 10B reports the radio wave strength, allowing the user to consider installing the first child unit 10B and the second child unit 10B in a location where primary communication can be performed without the parent unit 10A. If the first child unit 10B and the second child unit 10B can be installed in a location where interlocking communication can be performed without the parent unit 10A, an interlocking alarm can be issued more quickly in the event of a fire.

[0049] Embodiment 4 In this embodiment, an example of the structure of the display unit 14 provided in the fire alarm 10 will be described. This embodiment can be combined with each of the first to third embodiments.

[0050] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a fire alarm 10 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the fire alarm 10 attached to a ceiling 102. In this embodiment, a plurality of display units 14 (three in FIG. 6) which are light-emitting elements are provided. The plurality of display units 14 are individually controlled to be turned on and off. The plurality of display units 14 can display the level of radio wave strength, for example, in binary notation. As shown in FIG. 6, using three display units 14 can represent eight levels of radio wave strength, and using four or more display units 14 can represent even more levels of radio wave strength.

[0051] The same number of display units 14 as the number of levels of radio wave strength that is desired to be expressed may be provided. For example, to express eight levels of radio wave strength, eight display units 14 that are light-emitting elements are provided, and the display units 14 at positions corresponding to the radio wave strength are made to light up or flash. Alternatively, the number of display units 14 corresponding to the radio wave strength are made to light up or flash. This allows the fire alarm 10 to convey the radio wave strength to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0052] Furthermore, the multiple display units 14 may be configured to be able to light up in multiple colors. Then, multiple levels of radio wave strength are expressed by combining whether the multiple display units 14 are lit and the colors they are lit in. This makes it possible to express a greater number of levels of radio wave strength than the number of display units 14.

[0053] FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a fire alarm 10 according to another example of the fourth embodiment. The display unit 14 shown in FIG. 7 is configured with so-called 7-segment light-emitting elements. The display unit 14 can display numbers 0 to 9 by switching the lighting of each light-emitting element. Therefore, the fire alarm 10 shown in FIG. 7 displays radio wave strength using numbers 0 to 9 on the display unit 14. This allows the fire alarm 10 to communicate the radio wave strength to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. The display unit 14 may display the radio wave strength in combination with a number identifying the fire alarm 10 for which the radio wave strength is to be displayed. For example, the display unit 14 may display a number identifying the fire alarm 10 of the communication partner for which the radio wave strength is to be displayed, followed by displaying the radio wave strength in a different lighting color. This allows the user to more easily understand the target fire alarm 10 and the radio wave strength. Although FIG. 7 shows the display unit 14 displaying a single-digit number, the display unit 14 may also display a number of two or more digits.

[0054] The display units 14 in Figures 6 and 7 may be combined. That is, the fire alarm 10 is provided with a plurality of display units 14 that are light-emitting elements as exemplified in Figure 6 and a display unit 14 that is a 7-segment light-emitting element as exemplified in Figure 7. One of the display units 14 then displays information that identifies the fire alarm 10 with which communication is being made, and the other displays its radio wave strength. In this way, the target fire alarm 10 and its radio wave strength can be communicated to the user in a more easily understandable manner.

[0055] Embodiment 5 In this embodiment, a fire alarm 10 that reports radio wave intensity through short-range wireless communication will be described. The fire alarm 10 of this embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from embodiment 1, but the matters described in embodiments 2 to 4 can also be combined with this embodiment.

[0056] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm 10 according to embodiment 5. Fig. 8 also shows a communication terminal 20 that communicates with the fire alarm 10 by short-range wireless communication.

[0057] The fire alarm 10 of this embodiment includes a second communication unit 19 in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment. The second communication unit 19 communicates with the communication terminal 20 via short-range wireless communication. The second communication unit 19 is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module. The second communication unit 19 is controlled by the control unit 11 and communicates with the communication terminal 20. The control unit 11 causes the second communication unit 19 to transmit the radio wave intensity measured by the communication unit 15 during the interlocking test to the communication terminal 20.

[0058] The timing of transmission of the radio wave intensity by the second communication unit 19 to the communication terminal 20 can be as follows. As a first example, in the operation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second child device 10B notifies the radio wave intensity in step S6 and also transmits the radio wave intensity by the second communication unit 19. In this first example, the first child device 10B that receives the linking signal from the master device 10A may also transmit the radio wave intensity by the second communication unit 19. As a second example, in the operation shown in FIG. 4, the master device 10A notifies the radio wave intensity in step S11 and also transmits the radio wave intensity by the second communication unit 19. At this time, the radio wave intensities of the multiple second child devices 10B may be transmitted together to the communication terminal 20. Furthermore, if the first child device 10B is configured to transmit a response signal, the master device 10A may also transmit the radio wave intensities of the first child device 10B and the multiple second child devices 10B together to the communication terminal 20. 5, in addition to reporting the radio wave strength in steps S21 and S22, master unit 10A and second slave unit 10B also transmit the radio wave strength from second communication unit 19. Furthermore, fire alarm device 10 may report the radio wave strength to communication terminal 20 by communication via second communication unit 19, instead of reporting the radio wave strength via either or both of audio output unit 13 and display unit 14.

[0059] The communication terminal 20 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, or dedicated terminal, and is a device equipped with a display. The communication terminal 20 acquires information from the fire alarm 10 via short-range wireless communication and displays the acquired information on a display. The communication terminal 20 displays the radio wave intensity acquired from the fire alarm 10 using a pre-installed application. When the communication terminal 20 receives radio wave intensity information from the fire alarm 10, it displays the received information using the application. The communication terminal 20 can display, for example, the ID of a slave 10B belonging to a specific group and the radio wave intensity between the slave 10B and the master 10A in a list or map format. The radio wave intensity displayed by the communication terminal 20 may also include the radio wave intensity between the slave 10B and the slave 10B.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the fire alarm 10 is provided with the second communication unit 19 that transmits information related to radio wave strength, so that even a user who is in a location where they cannot hear the sound or the display can check the radio wave strength using the communication terminal 20. Furthermore, the communication terminal 20 can display the information related to radio wave strength in an easy-to-read manner and manage it as history, making it easier for the user to manage the fire alarm system 1.

[0061] Furthermore, although the first to fifth embodiments have been described taking as an example a fire alarm 10 that detects fires, the present invention can also be applied to alarms that detect abnormalities other than fires, such as gas leaks, and alarm systems that include such alarms. Furthermore, the fire alarm 10 may report the radio wave strength in a one-to-one communication test between the master unit 10A and one slave unit 10B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Fire alarm system, 10 Fire alarm, 10A Parent unit, 10B Child unit, 11 Control unit, 12 Fire detection unit, 13 Audio output unit, 14 Display unit, 15 Communication unit, 16 Operation unit, 17 Memory unit, 18 Power supply unit, 19 Second communication unit, 20 Communication terminal, 100 Building, 101 Room, 102 Ceiling.

Claims

1. An alarm system comprising an alarm device that functions as a master device, an alarm device that functions as a first slave device, and one or more alarm devices that function as second slave devices, a wireless communication link test is performed between the parent device and the first and second child devices; In the linked test, When the first slave device outputs a trigger signal that triggers the interlocking test, The master device is configured to receive the trigger signal and output a linkage signal to the second slave device, The second slave device that has received the linkage signal outputs the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication with the master device during the linkage test. Alarm system.

2. The second device is If an instruction to re-output is received within a predetermined time after the radio wave intensity is output, the radio wave intensity is output again. The alarm system of claim 1.

3. The parent unit is Outputting radio wave intensities in wireless communication between the first slave device and the second slave device in the interlocking test.

3. An alarm system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. Each of the plurality of alarm devices The device includes one or more of a display unit that displays the radio wave strength, a sound output unit that outputs sound that indicates the radio wave strength, and a communication unit that transmits information related to the radio wave strength.

3. An alarm system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. In the interlocking test, when the second slave device receives the trigger signal, it outputs the radio wave intensity of the trigger signal.

3. An alarm system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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