Fire detector and automatic inspection system thereof

Abstract

To provide a fire sensor and its automatic inspection system capable of automatically inspecting the appearance of the fire sensor.SOLUTION: The fire sensor 2 includes a sensor body 7 and an automatic inspection means 8, the automatic inspection means 8 has an imaging means 4 directed to the sensor body 7 in order to inspect the appearance of the sensor body 7, and the imaging means 4 is provided outside or inside the fire sensor 2 so that a photographed image can be transmitted to a determination means for determining a change in the appearance of the sensor body 7 from the image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire detector and an automatic inspection system thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] The installation of fire-fighting equipment such as fire detectors is mandatory depending on the size and use of the building, and regular inspections by nationally qualified personnel are required by law. Even in buildings where the installation of fire-fighting equipment is not mandatory, it is desirable to install fire detectors, and regular inspections are necessary to maintain their functionality.

[0003] Conventionally, there are fire detectors with automatic testing functions (hereinafter referred to as detectors with automatic testing functions) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Detectors with automatic testing functions can be connected to a receiver or the like to automatically test whether the detector's functionality is being maintained, and are exempt from operational tests such as smoke tests and heat tests that are conducted during periodic inspections of fire detectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-157919 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, regular inspections of fire detectors require a visual test to confirm that there are no abnormalities in the appearance of the fire detector. Even detectors with automatic testing functions are not exempt from the visual test, so someone must regularly enter the installation location of the fire detector to inspect it.

[0006] On the other hand, fire detectors are also installed in places where it is difficult for unauthorized persons to enter due to confidentiality and other reasons. For fire detectors installed in such places, it has been difficult to conduct visual tests, which require the tester to enter the area.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fire detector and an automatic inspection system for the fire detector that can automatically inspect the appearance of the fire detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The fire detector of the present invention is a fire detector comprising a detector body and an automatic inspection means, wherein the automatic inspection means has an imaging means directed toward the detector body in order to inspect the appearance of the detector body, and the imaging means is arranged so as to be able to transmit the captured image to a determination means arranged outside or inside the fire detector.

[0009] The automatic inspection system of the present invention is an automatic inspection system for the appearance of a fire detector, and is equipped with an imaging means, a judgment means, and an image processing means, wherein the imaging means is provided facing the fire detector, the image processing means processes the image captured by the imaging means, and the judgment means is provided to be able to receive the processed image and judges changes in the appearance of the fire detector from the image.

[0010] The present invention can be configured such that the determination means determines a change in the appearance of the sensor body from the image. Also, the present invention can be configured such that the image processing means performs silhouette processing on the image, and the determination means determines a change in the appearance of the sensor body based on a displacement of the image.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention may further include image processing means that pixelates the image, and the determination means may determine a change in appearance of the sensor body based on a change in color for each pixel of the image. Also, the present invention may further include image processing means that encrypts the image, and the determination means may transmit the encrypted image.

[0012] In the present invention, the term "image" is defined to include both still images and moving images. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention makes it possible to provide a fire detector and an automatic inspection system therefor that can automatically inspect the appearance of a fire detector by equipping the fire detector or the automatic inspection system therefor with an imaging means directed toward the fire detector or the detector body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a fire detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, taking a fire detector installed in a fire extinguishing facility as an example. The fire extinguishing facility 1 is, for example, an automatic fire alarm facility, and includes a fire detector 2, an automatic inspection system, and a receiver 3.

[0016] The automatic inspection system is provided to automatically inspect the appearance of the fire detector 2, and includes an imaging means 4, a determination means 5, and an image processing means 6. The imaging means 4 is provided facing the fire detector 2, and is capable of transmitting the captured image to the determination means 5 directly or indirectly.

[0017] In this embodiment, the imaging means 4 is, for example, a visible light camera, is provided as part of the fire detector 2, is provided facing a detector main body 7 of the fire detector 2 described below, and is provided as a 360° camera so as to be able to capture substantially the entire exterior of the detector main body 7. Note that the imaging means 4 may capture images of the fire detector 2 continuously, but it may also capture images intermittently, for example, at regular intervals. Furthermore, the imaging means 4 is not limited to such a camera, and can be selected as appropriate as long as it is able to capture images of substantially the entire exterior of the fire detector 2.

[0018] The image processing means 6 is provided to process the image captured by the imaging means 4. In this embodiment, the image processing means 6 is provided to process the image so that it becomes difficult to identify the room in which the fire detector 2 is installed from the image, and is provided in the fire detector 2, for example, in the detector main body 7 or the automatic inspection means 8.

[0019] The image processing means 6 is configured to process the image captured by the imaging means 4 and generate two types of images. One image is a silhouette image of the image captured by the imaging means 4 (hereinafter referred to as a silhouette image), and the other image is a pixelated image of the image captured by the imaging means 4 (hereinafter referred to as a pixelated image). Since it is difficult to identify the details of the room in which the fire detector 2 is installed from either the silhouette image or the pixelated image, processing the image in this manner makes it possible to maintain confidentiality even in places where confidentiality is required.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when an image is transmitted from the imaging means 4 or the image processing means 6 to the determination means 5, the image is encrypted so that the contents of the image cannot be read even if the image is stolen.

[0021] The determination means 5 is provided to determine a change in the appearance of the fire detector 2 (in this embodiment, the detector main body 7) based on the image captured by the imaging means 4 or the image processed by the image processing means 6 (hereinafter referred to as the determined image), and is provided so as to be able to receive the determined image and is provided outside or inside the fire detector 2. In this embodiment, the determination means 5 is provided in the receiver 3 to which the fire detector 2 is connected.

[0022] In addition, in this embodiment, the judgment means 5 is equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), and based on the judged image, the AI ​​judges changes in the appearance of the sensor main body 7 without the intervention of human eyes.

[0023] The determination means 5 acquires displacement data from the silhouette image and determines changes in the external shape of the detector main body 7, such as damage, from the displacement data. The determination means 4 also acquires color changes for each pixel from the pixel image and determines color changes, such as discoloration, in the appearance of the detector main body 7 based on the color changes for each pixel. In this way, the determination means 5 determines changes in the appearance of the fire detector 2 (the detector main body 7 in this embodiment).

[0024] In this embodiment, the image after the determination by the determination means 5 is erased from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality, and details of the change in appearance of the detector main body 7 determined by the determination means 5 are stored as information separate from the image in a recording medium provided in the fire detector 2 and / or receiver 3, etc. The timing of erasing the image can be selected appropriately taking into account the required level of confidentiality, etc. For example, if there is a change in the image, that is, if an abnormality is determined, the image may be stored in the recording medium until it is confirmed so that the change can be recorded and confirmed.

[0025] The fire detector 2 comprises a detector main body 7 and an automatic inspection means 8. The detector main body 7 is provided with various sensors depending on the object of detection by the fire detector 2, and may appropriately adopt a structure similar to that of various known detectors with testing functions. In this embodiment, the detector main body 7 is provided as a smoke detector and has mechanisms such as a light receiving element and a light emitting element (not shown), but the type of detector is not critical, and a heat detector, flame detector, or other detector, detector, or fire extinguishing equipment may be appropriately selected.

[0026] The automatic inspection means 8 constitutes a part of the automatic inspection system, and has an imaging means 4. In this embodiment, the automatic inspection means 8 further has an image processing means 6. In this embodiment, the automatic inspection means 8 is connected via a support part 10 that is provided so as to extend from the top plate 9 of the detector main body 7, but the method of mounting the automatic inspection system 8 can be selected appropriately as long as it does not interfere with the operation of the detector main body 7.

[0027] The automatic inspection system uses an imaging means 4 to capture an image of the fire detector 2 (the detector main body 7 in this embodiment), processes the image using an image processing means 6, and transmits the image to be determined to a determination means 5. The determination means 5 receives the image to be determined, obtains displacement and change from the image to be determined, and determines whether or not there has been a change in the appearance of the fire detector 2. If it is determined that there has been a change in the appearance of the fire detector 2, it displays this fact on the receiver 3, for example. If there is no problem from the standpoint of confidentiality, etc., the captured image may be displayed on the receiver, and if confidentiality needs to be maintained, details of the degree of change in appearance may be displayed.

[0028] Therefore, in the fire detector 2 and the automatic inspection system of this embodiment, the external appearance of the fire detector 2 is photographed by the imaging means 4 provided facing the fire detector 2, and changes in the external appearance can be determined by the determination means 5 based on the photographed image, making it possible to provide a fire detector and an automatic inspection system therefor that can automatically inspect the external appearance of the fire detector.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0030] (1) In the above embodiment, the determination means 5 is provided outside the fire detector 2, but it is also possible to provide it inside the fire detector 2 (including the automatic inspection means 8) so that the inspection of the appearance can be completed inside the fire detector 2. In this case, it is also possible to configure the fire detector 2 as a fire detector 2 with an automatic appearance inspection function without providing the automatic inspection system, and it is also possible to provide an alarm unit, such as an alarm light, that alerts of abnormalities in appearance.

[0031] (2) In the above embodiment, one imaging means 4 is provided, but it is also possible to provide multiple imaging means 4. When multiple imaging means 1 are provided, it is also possible for each imaging means 4 to capture an image of the fire detector 2 from a different angle.

[0032] (3) In the above embodiment, the imaging means 4 is provided in the fire detector 2, but it may be provided separately from the fire detector 2. In that case, the imaging means 4 or the automatic inspection means 8 having the imaging means 4 may be attached to the ceiling surface or the like of the room in which the fire detector 2 is installed.

[0033] (4) In the above embodiment, an image processing means 6 is provided to maintain confidentiality. However, in cases where there is no risk of confidential information being captured in the image, such as when the fire detector 2 is installed in a location where confidentiality is not required, or where there is no risk of the image being leaked to the outside, such as when the external inspection is completed inside the fire detector 2, the image processing means 6 does not need to be provided.

[0034] (5) If there are no particular problems with maintaining confidentiality, the imaging means 4 may be installed so that it can take pictures of the room in which the fire detector 2 is installed, and may also serve as a security camera or a fire monitoring camera. Also, if there are no problems with maintaining confidentiality, the images taken by the imaging means 4 may be recorded so that they can be checked later, rather than being deleted.

[0035] (6) It is also possible to not provide the fire detector 2 with an automatic testing function, but to automatically inspect only the exterior of the fire detector 2, and to perform regular inspections of other components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Firefighting equipment 2. Fire detector 3. Receiver 4 imaging means 5 determination means 6 image processing means 7 Detector body 8 Automatic inspection means 9 Top plate 10 Support part

Claims

1. A fire detector, The detector comprises a detector body and an automatic inspection means, the automatic inspection means has an imaging means directed toward the sensor body to inspect the appearance of the sensor body; The fire detector is characterized in that the imaging means is provided so as to be able to transmit the captured image to a determination means provided outside or inside the fire detector.

2. 2. The fire detector according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines a change in the appearance of the detector body from the image.

3. further comprising an image processing means, the image processing means performs silhouette processing on the image, 3. The fire detector according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines a change in the appearance of the detector body based on the displacement of the image.

4. further comprising an image processing means, the image processing means pixelates the image; 3. The fire detector according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines a change in appearance of the detector body based on a change in color of each pixel of the image.

5. further comprising an image processing means, the image processing means encrypts the image, 3. The fire detector according to claim 1, wherein the image is encrypted and transmitted to the determination means.

6. An automatic inspection system for the appearance of a fire detector, The apparatus includes an imaging means, a determining means, and an image processing means, the imaging means is provided facing the fire detector, the image processing means processes the image captured by the imaging means, The automatic inspection system is characterized in that the determining means is provided to be able to receive the processed image and determines a change in the appearance of the fire detector from the image.

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