Fire alarm and fire alarm system

Abstract

To provide a fire alarm and a fire alarm system capable of suppressing a result of a radio wave test from becoming abnormal by mistake.SOLUTION: The fire alarm 10 includes a communication unit 15 for performing wireless communication with other fire alarms 10, an operation unit 17 for receiving an operation input for performing a radio wave test related to the wireless communication, and a control unit 11 for controlling the communication unit 15 in a first test mode when performing the radio wave test, and the control unit 11 controls the communication unit 15 to transmit a test signal of the radio wave test when an operation input is received by the operation unit 17 in the first test mode, and controls the communication unit 15 to retransmit the test signal after waiting for a predetermined time when an abnormal response to the test signal is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire alarm and a fire alarm system equipped with the fire alarm. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which fire alarms that detect fires and output alarms send and receive wireless signals between each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the system described in Patent Document 1, one of the fire alarms detects a fire and outputs an alarm, and also transmits a wireless signal to notify the other fire alarms of the fire detection, so that the other fire alarms also output alarms in conjunction with each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-027083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, fire alarms that communicate wirelessly with each other must be subjected to radio wave testing at the time of installation and periodically thereafter to ensure proper communication. Such radio wave testing is typically performed by operating each fire alarm individually to transmit a test radio wave signal and then checking whether other fire alarms receive the signal, which is a time-consuming process. For this reason, workers who want to complete the work as quickly as possible may test multiple fire alarms one after another. However, because multiple fire alarms use the same frequency band, communication delays can occur due to frequency interference or crosstalk. If a delay occurs in the radio wave test of the previous fire alarm, the previous radio wave signal remains when the radio wave test of the next fire alarm is performed, and the radio wave test result for the next fire alarm may be abnormal, even though the next fire alarm is actually communicating normally.

[0005] The present invention has been made against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a fire alarm and a fire alarm system that can prevent the results of radio wave tests from being mistakenly found to be abnormal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fire alarm of the present invention comprises a communication unit that performs wireless communication with other fire alarms, an operation unit that accepts operational input to perform a radio wave test related to the wireless communication, and a control unit that controls the communication unit in a first test mode when performing the radio wave test, and in the first test mode, when the operation unit accepts the operational input, the control unit controls the communication unit to send a test signal for the radio wave test, and when an abnormal response to the test signal is detected, controls the communication unit to wait for a predetermined time and then retransmit the test signal.

[0007] The fire alarm system according to the present invention comprises the other fire alarm device that functions as a master device in the wireless communication, and a plurality of the fire alarm devices that function as slave devices in the wireless communication. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] When an abnormal response is detected in a test signal transmitted in response to an operation input for performing a radio wave test, the fire alarm of the present invention waits a predetermined period of time before retransmitting the test signal. By retransmitting the test signal, it becomes easier to obtain the intended test result if the abnormal response to the previous test signal was due to a communication delay in the fire alarm. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a fire alarm system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fire alarm according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a radio wave test in a first test mode according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a radio wave test in a second test mode according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 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 is common throughout the entire specification.

[0011] Embodiment (System configuration of Fire Alarm System 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a fire alarm system 1 according to an embodiment. The fire alarm system 1 is a system that is installed in a building, such as a dwelling, to monitor for fires and output an alarm when a fire is detected. The fire alarm system 1 comprises 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 output 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 rest functioning as slave units.

[0012] (Fire alarm 10) 2 is a diagram showing an example of 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, a memory unit 16, an operation unit 17, a mode setting unit 18, and a power supply unit 19.

[0013] The control unit 11 is composed of a dedicated hardware circuit or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program stored in 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 17, as well as information set by the mode setting unit 18. The control unit 11 also reads information from the memory unit 16 and writes information to the memory unit 16. The control unit 11 also has a timer circuit that is used to measure time during a radio wave test, which will be described later.

[0014] The control unit 11 also controls the communication unit 15 to perform a radio wave test with other fire alarm devices 10. In this embodiment, the radio wave test has a first test mode and a second test mode. The control unit 11 controls the communication unit 15 to perform a radio wave test in either the first test mode or the second test mode set by the mode setting unit 18. The radio wave test will be described later.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The audio output unit 13 is a device that outputs an alarm sound, such as a speaker. The audio output unit 13 in this embodiment outputs one of a plurality of sounds pre-stored in the storage unit 16 based on an instruction from the control unit 11. In this embodiment, the audio output unit 13 functions as a notification unit that notifies the result of the radio wave test.

[0017] 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 is controlled by the control unit 11 to display in different modes, such as continuous lighting or blinking. The display unit 14 may also be provided with light-emitting elements of multiple colors and may emit light in multiple colors based on instructions from the control unit 11. In this embodiment, the display unit 14 functions as a notification unit that notifies the result of the radio wave test.

[0018] 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 in 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 measures the radio wave intensity of the received radio waves.

[0019] The storage unit 16 stores various data used for control by the control unit 11. The storage unit 16 stores a device ID that identifies the device itself and a group ID that identifies the group to which the device itself belongs. If the fire alarm device 10 is a master device, the storage unit 16 stores an ID that identifies a slave device in the group, and if the fire alarm device 10 is a slave device, the storage unit 16 stores an ID that identifies the master device. The storage unit 16 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0020] The operation unit 17 is a button or switch operated by the user. The operation unit 17 in this embodiment is a mechanical button or switch, but may be, for example, a touch switch. The operation unit 17 may be operated by a drawstring. The number of operation units 17 may be set according to the operations to be input. Furthermore, the operation unit 17 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. The operation unit 17 in this embodiment accepts an operation input for executing a radio wave test.

[0021] The mode setting unit 18 sets the test mode for the radio wave test that the fire alarm 10 performs between itself and another fire alarm 10. In this embodiment, there are a first test mode and a second test mode, and the mode setting unit 18 sets either one. The mode setting unit 18 is, for example, a DIP switch. The fire alarm 10 may also receive the mode setting via the communication unit 15, in which case the mode setting unit 18 is a memory element that stores the set information.

[0022] The power supply unit 19 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 16. The power supply unit 19 has a battery, a voltage adjustment circuit that adjusts the battery voltage, and the like, and supplies power of the required voltage to each unit. Note that the power supply unit 19 may also supply power from a commercial power source to each unit.

[0023] (Group setting of 10 fire alarms) Multiple fire alarm devices 10 are set as a group when installed in a building. For example, when a predetermined operation to set a certain fire alarm device 10 as a master device is performed on the operation unit 17, information about the device as a master device is set in the memory unit 16, and the fire alarm device 10 becomes a master device. Subsequently, when a predetermined operation to set another fire alarm device 10 as a slave device is performed on the operation unit 17, the fire alarm device 10 becomes a slave device. The slave device then transmits a wireless signal to the master device, including its own ID and a signal requesting group registration. In response to the wireless signal, the master device transmits a wireless signal including its own ID and group ID to the slave device. The slave device, having acquired the master device's own ID and group ID, stores the master device's own ID and group ID in the memory unit 16. By performing the same operation on one or more other fire alarm devices 10, one or more slave devices are registered in the group to which the master device belongs. Note that the fire alarm device 10 may be preset as a master device or a slave device at the time of shipping from the factory.

[0024] The master unit is installed in a position where it can communicate wirelessly with each of the slave units. When each slave unit is installed in a position where it can communicate wirelessly with other slave units, it communicates directly with the other slave units. However, when it cannot communicate wirelessly with other slave units, it communicates wirelessly with the other slave units via the master unit.

[0025] (Actions 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.

[0026] Furthermore, when another fire alarm 10 detects a fire, the fire alarm 10 outputs a linked alarm. Specifically, when the master unit detects a fire, it transmits a linking signal to all slave units instructing them to output a linked alarm. The slave units that receive the linking signal output a linked alarm via the audio output unit 13 and display unit 14. When a slave unit detects a fire, it transmits a linking signal to the master unit and other slave units instructing them to output a linked alarm. The master unit and other slave units that receive the linking signal output a linked alarm. Furthermore, when the master unit receives a linking signal from a slave unit that detected a fire, it transmits a linking signal to the other slave units. As a result, slave units that did not directly receive a linking signal from the slave unit that detected a fire can output a linked alarm via the linking signal from the master unit.

[0027] (Radio wave test) In order to realize the linked alarms as described above in the fire alarm system 1, it is necessary to enable wireless communication between the fire alarm devices 10, at least between the master and slave devices. To confirm that wireless communication is possible, the fire alarm devices 10 of the fire alarm system 1 of this embodiment are configured to perform a radio wave test relating to wireless communication between them and other fire alarm devices 10. Note that the radio wave test in this embodiment will be described as being performed one-to-one between a slave fire alarm 10 and a master fire alarm 10.

[0028] There are two types of radio wave tests, a first test mode and a second test mode, and the radio wave test is performed in the mode set in the mode setting unit 18. The radio wave test mode is the mode set in the fire alarm 10 that transmits the test signal during the radio wave test. When an operation input to perform a radio wave test is made to the operation unit 17, the control unit 11 of the fire alarm 10 that transmits the test signal transmits a test signal as will be explained in Figures 3 and 4 below, and determines the test result based on a response signal returned in response to the test signal.

[0029] The control unit 11 of the fire alarm 10 on the receiving side of the test signal in the radio wave test receives the test signal transmitted from another fire alarm 10 via the communication unit 15. Furthermore, the control unit 11 acquires the radio wave strength of the test signal measured by the communication unit 15, determines that the radio wave strength is normal if it exceeds a predetermined threshold, and determines that the radio wave strength is abnormal if it is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, and returns a response signal indicating the test result via the communication unit 15. The response signal may include information on the radio wave strength of the received test signal. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the fire alarm 10 on the receiving side of the test signal may cause either or both of the audio output unit 13 and the display unit 14 to notify the test result, indicating whether it is normal or abnormal.

[0030] The operation of the fire alarm device 10 on the test signal transmission side in the radio wave test will be described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the radio wave test in the first test mode according to the embodiment.

[0031] When an operation input to execute a radio wave test is made to the operation unit 17 of the fire alarm 10 (step S1), the control unit 11 assigns 1 to the number of times n to transmit the test signal to initialize the number of times n to transmit (step S2). Subsequently, the control unit 11 controls the communication unit 15 to transmit a test signal for the radio wave test (step S3). The test signal includes an ID that identifies the destination fire alarm 10. If the fire alarm 10 that is to execute the radio wave test is a master unit, the destination is a specific slave unit, and if the fire alarm 10 that is to execute the radio wave test is a slave unit, the destination is the master unit. If the fire alarm 10 that is to execute the radio wave test is a master unit, the ID of the destination slave unit may be specified using the operation unit 17, or may be specified in order from multiple IDs stored in advance in the storage unit 16 each time a radio wave test is executed. If the fire alarm 10 that is to execute the radio wave test is a slave unit, the ID of the master unit stored in the storage unit 16 is used as the destination.

[0032] When the fire alarm 10 receives a response signal to the test signal (step S4: YES), it determines whether the response is abnormal based on the received response signal (step S5). The fire alarm 10 can determine that the response is abnormal if, for example, one or more of the following applies: (i) the radio wave strength of the received response signal is below a predetermined threshold, (ii) the received response signal is missing, or (iii) the received response signal contains information indicating an abnormality. (i) Whether the radio wave strength of the received response signal is below a predetermined threshold can be determined by measuring the radio wave strength of the received response signal with the communication unit 15. In addition, the fire alarm 10 that is the other party in the radio wave test transmits a response signal indicating whether the response is normal or abnormal based on the radio wave strength of the received test signal, and therefore, based on the information contained in the response signal, it can determine (iii) whether the received response signal contains information indicating an abnormality.

[0033] If the response is not abnormal (step S5: NO), the test result indicating normality is announced (step S6), and the radio wave test in the first test mode is terminated. The test result is announced by either or both of the audio output unit 13 and the display unit 14. For example, the audio output unit 13 may output an audio message such as "normal" or may output a sound such as a "beep." Furthermore, the display unit 14 may light up a light-emitting element in yellow.

[0034] If the response is abnormal (step S5: YES), it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the response signal was received (step S4) (step S7). The predetermined time is predetermined and can be, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds, but the numerical value is not limited. If the predetermined time has passed (step S7: YES), it is determined whether the number of times n the test signal has been transmitted is less than a predetermined upper limit (step S8). The upper limit is a positive number equal to or greater than 2. If the number of times n the test signal has been transmitted is less than the upper limit (step S8: YES), 1 is added to the number of times n the test signal has been transmitted (step S9), and the process returns to step S3 to transmit the test signal again.

[0035] If the number of times n the test signal is transmitted is equal to or greater than the upper limit (step S8: NO), a test result indicating an abnormality is notified (step S10), and the radio wave test in the first test mode is terminated. The notification of the test result indicating an abnormality in step S10 is performed in a manner different from the notification in step S6. For example, the audio output unit 13 may output a voice message such as "There is an abnormality," or may output a "beep beep" sound. Furthermore, the display unit 14 may cause the light-emitting element to flash in red.

[0036] Furthermore, if a predetermined no-response time has elapsed (step S11: YES) without receiving a response signal (step S4: NO) after transmitting a test signal (step S3), the process proceeds to step S8. If the number of times n the test signal has been transmitted is less than the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S9. If the number of times n is equal to or greater than the upper limit, the process notifies the test result indicating an abnormality (step S10).

[0037] In this way, if the fire alarm 10 of this embodiment detects an abnormal response to the transmitted test signal during a radio wave test in the first test mode, it will wait a predetermined time and then retransmit the test signal. Therefore, when test operations are performed consecutively on multiple fire alarms 10, even if an abnormal response occurs because the radio wave signal from the previous radio wave test remains, the intended test result will be more likely to be obtained by the retransmitted test signal.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the radio wave test result based on the initially transmitted test signal is abnormal, the test result is not notified, but the abnormality is notified only when an abnormal response is detected in response to the retransmitted test signal. In this way, by not notifying unnecessary abnormalities, the hassle of the worker performing the radio wave test of the fire alarm 10 can be reduced.

[0039] In this embodiment, the test signal is retransmitted both when the received response signal is abnormal and when the response signal cannot be received within a predetermined no-response time. However, if the response signal cannot be received within the no-response time, the test result indicating an abnormality may be notified without retransmitting the test signal. That is, if the determination in step S11 is YES, the process may proceed to step S10 without proceeding to step S8.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a radio wave test in the second test mode according to an embodiment. In Fig. 4, the same steps as in Fig. 3 are assigned the same step numbers, and different steps are assigned the suffix A to the step numbers. When an operation input to execute a radio wave test is made to the operation unit 17 of the fire alarm 10 (step S1), the control unit 11 controls the communication unit 15 to transmit a test signal for the radio wave test (step S3). When the fire alarm 10 receives a response signal to the test signal (step S4: YES), it determines whether the received response signal is an abnormal response (step S5A). The determination of an abnormal response in step S5A is performed in the same manner as in step S5 of Fig. 3.

[0041] If the response is not abnormal (step S5A: NO), the test result indicating normality is reported (step S6), and the radio wave test in the second test mode is terminated. If the response is abnormal (step S5A: YES), the test result indicating abnormality is reported (step S10), and the radio wave test in the second test mode is terminated. Furthermore, if a response signal is not received (step S4: NO) after the test signal is transmitted (step S3), and a predetermined no-response time has elapsed (step S11A: YES), the test result indicating abnormality is reported (step S10).

[0042] In this way, in the second test mode, if an abnormal response to the transmitted test signal is detected or if a response signal cannot be received, the test signal is not retransmitted and the test result is reported. This allows the operator to obtain the test results quickly. The fire alarm 10 of this embodiment is configured to allow selection of either the first test mode or the second test mode, so that the effective mode can be selected depending on the installation environment of the fire alarm 10 or the needs of the operator performing the radio wave test.

[0043] In the embodiment, an example of conducting a radio wave test between a parent unit and a child unit is shown, but a radio wave test may also be conducted between child units, or between fire alarm devices 10 with no distinction between parent and child units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Fire alarm system, 10 Fire alarm, 11 Control unit, 12 Fire detection unit, 13 Audio output unit, 14 Display unit, 15 Communication unit, 16 Memory unit, 17 Operation unit, 18 Mode setting unit, 19 Power supply unit.

Claims

1. a communication unit that performs wireless communication with other fire alarm devices; an operation unit that receives an operation input for executing a radio wave test related to the wireless communication; a control unit that controls the communication unit in a first test mode when the radio wave test is performed, In the first test mode, the control unit When the operation unit receives the operation input, the operation unit controls the communication unit to transmit a test signal for the radio wave test; When an abnormal response to the test signal is detected, the communication unit is controlled to retransmit the test signal after waiting for a predetermined time. Fire alarm.

2. a notification unit that notifies the result of the radio wave test, The notification unit If an abnormal response is detected in response to the test signal that is first transmitted in the radio wave test, no notification is made; If an abnormal response to the retransmitted test signal is detected, the abnormality is reported.

2. The fire alarm of claim 1.

3. the control unit is configured to be able to control the communication unit in a second test mode instead of the first test mode when executing the radio wave test, In the second test mode, the control unit When the operation unit receives the operation input, the operation unit controls the communication unit to transmit the test signal for the radio wave test; When an abnormal response to the test signal is detected, the communication unit is not caused to retransmit the test signal, and the notification unit is caused to notify the abnormality.

3. The fire alarm of claim 2.

4. the other fire alarm device that functions as a master device in the wireless communication; and a plurality of fire alarm devices according to any one of claims 1 to 3 that function as slave devices in the wireless communication. Fire alarm system.

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