Telegraph transfer device

Abstract

This system ensures that unnecessary relay signals are not output when conducting tests with the relay signal blocking function enabled, or when receiving interlocking signals due to a real fire during testing, while also enabling the rapid output of relay signals when necessary. [Solution] The alarm relay device 12 is provided with an alarm relay output unit 64 that outputs an alarm relay signal and an alarm relay control unit 76 that controls an alarm relay blocking function that blocks the output of an alarm relay signal. The alarm relay control unit 76 retains the reception history of fire interlock signals when it receives a fire interlock signal while the alarm relay blocking function is set, and releases the retention of the reception history when it receives a fire recovery signal corresponding to a fire interlock signal in the reception history. If the reception history is not retained when the release of the alarm relay blocking function is detected, it releases the alarm relay blocking function. If the reception history is retained when the release of the alarm relay blocking function is detected, it holds the output of the alarm relay signal for a waiting period, and outputs an alarm relay signal if the reception history is still retained after the waiting period has elapsed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reporting device that receives a fire interlock signal from an alarm system that outputs a fire alarm in conjunction with a plurality of alarms and outputs a reporting signal to an external device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, fire alarms that detect and alarm fires in houses and the like have become widespread. Such residential fire alarms operate on battery power, integrally include a sensor unit that detects a fire and an alarm unit that alarms a fire, and when a fire is detected based on a detection signal of the sensor unit, a fire alarm sound is output from the alarm unit. Since it is possible to monitor a fire and give an alarm notification with a single alarm device without the need for a receiver or the like like a so-called automatic fire alarm facility, the installation is simple and the cost is low, and it has spread widely with the obligation to install it in ordinary houses. Hereinafter, the "fire alarm" will be simply referred to as an "alarm".

[0003] In addition, an alarm system using a wireless interlocking type alarm that performs wireless communication between a plurality of alarms so that when a fire alarm sound is output from an arbitrary alarm, the other alarms also output a fire alarm sound in conjunction has been put into practical use and has spread.

[0004] Furthermore, for specific small-scale facilities where there is no obligation to install fire notification equipment and the floor area is less than 300 square meters, such as group homes that provide housework support for the elderly and people with intellectual disabilities, automatic fire notification equipment for specific small-scale facilities has been introduced. The automatic fire notification equipment for specific small-scale facilities is composed of the same sensors as those of residential alarms that integrally include a sensor unit that detects a fire and an alarm unit that alarms a fire, and when a fire is detected by any one of the sensors by wirelessly interlocking the sensors, all the sensors in the facility issue a report to notify the entire facility of the fire.

[0005] In alarm systems using such wireless interconnected alarms, a relay device is provided that functions as a relay that receives fire interlocking signals from the alarm system and outputs a relay signal to external devices. For example, an automatic reporting device that notifies the fire department of the occurrence of a fire is connected to the relay device.

[0006] However, if a smoke-sensing alarm that detects smoke from a fire is installed, it is necessary to periodically perform a so-called "burn test" using a smoke tester to trigger the alarm for a fire. When the alarm is triggered for the test, a transmission signal is output from the transmission device and an automatic notification is made even if there is no fire. To address this, the transmission device is equipped with a transmission blockage function that prevents the transmission signal from being output by switching it on, thus preventing the transmission signal from being output when the alarm is triggered for the test (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-203562 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-113114 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-225055 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Incidentally, in the relay device installed in such conventional alarm systems, a relay blocking function that prevents the output of a relay signal even when a fire interlocking signal is received from an alarm is set by operating a switch, and the relay blocking function is released when predetermined conditions for releasing the relay blocking function are met. These conditions for releasing the relay blocking function are, for example, when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the setting operation of the relay blocking function, when a fire interlocking signal is received from an alarm other than the alarm that received the interlocking signal while the relay blocking was in effect, or when the switch for setting the relay blocking function is pressed again while the relay blocking was in effect.

[0009] Therefore, even if the alarm transmission blocking function is set by operating the switch on the alarm transmission device when performing a heat test on an alarm device, if, for example, a certain amount of time has elapsed while multiple alarm devices are being heat tested in sequence, the alarm transmission blocking function will be deactivated. Also, if the next alarm device is tested before the alarm that has been tested has recovered, the alarm transmission blocking function will be deactivated. As a result of deactivating the alarm transmission blocking function, an alarm transmission signal will be output, and an automatic notification may be mistakenly made.

[0010] Furthermore, if the alarm's burning test is completed and the transmission blockage function is deactivated by switching the transmission device, the alarm's test alarm continues to sound until the smoke that entered during the burning test disappears and the fire recovery signal is received, causing repeated transmission of the fire interlock signal. This leads to a problem where the transmission signal is output due to the re-reception of the fire interlock signal caused by the continued test alarm, resulting in an incorrect automatic notification.

[0011] Furthermore, even if a real fire occurs during testing of the alarm and a fire alarm signal is received, as long as the alarm transmission blockage function of the transmission device is set, automatic notification by outputting an alarm signal will not occur even if a fire alarm signal from a real fire is received. The alarm transmission blockage function will not be deactivated until the fire spreads and transmission signals are received from other alarm devices, resulting in a delay between the detection of a real fire and the output of an alarm signal for automatic notification.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a signal relay device for use in an alarm system using an alarm that reliably prevents the output of unnecessary signal relays in response to tests performed with a signal relay blocking function set, or to the reception of interlocking signals due to a real fire during a test, while also enabling the rapid output of signal relays when necessary. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] (transfer device) The present invention relates to a relay device that performs relaying between an alarm system having an alarm device capable of transmitting and receiving fire interlock signals and a predetermined external device, A transmission output unit that outputs a transmission signal to an external device based on the reception of a fire alarm signal, A transfer control unit controls a transfer blocking function that blocks the output of a transfer signal by the transfer output unit, A system was established, Furthermore, the relay control unit, When the alarm transmission blocking function is set, if a fire alarm interlock signal is received while the alarm transmission blocking function is set, the reception history of that fire alarm interlock signal is retained, and when a fire recovery signal corresponding to the fire alarm interlock signal in the reception history is received, the retention of the reception history is released. If the reception history is not retained when the deactivation operation is detected, the forward broadcast blocking function will be deactivated. If a deactivation operation is detected and a reception history is retained, the output of the transfer signal will be suspended for a predetermined waiting period. The system is characterized by outputting a transmission signal if the reception history is still retained after a waiting period has elapsed.

[0014] (Suppression of transmission output by releasing the retention of reception history during waiting time) If the retention of the reception history is canceled while the waiting period is ongoing, the transmission control unit will cancel the transmission blocking function without outputting a transmission signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] (Basic effects) The present invention relates to a relay device that relays between an alarm system having an alarm device capable of sending and receiving fire interlock signals and a predetermined external device, comprising: a relay output unit that outputs a relay signal to the external device based on the reception of a fire interlock signal; and a relay control unit that controls a relay blocking function that blocks the output of a relay signal by the relay output unit, and further, when the relay blocking function is set, the relay control unit retains the reception history of a fire interlock signal if a fire interlock signal is received while the relay blocking function is set, releases the retention of the reception history when a fire recovery signal corresponding to the fire interlock signal in the reception history is received, if the reception history is not retained when the release operation is detected, releases the relay blocking function, and if the reception history is retained when the release operation is detected, predetermined During the waiting period, an alarm activation notification is issued to indicate that the alarm is active. If the reception history is still retained after the waiting period has elapsed, a transfer signal is output. Therefore, if a real fire occurs during an alarm ignition test conducted with the transfer blockage function enabled, when the transfer blockage function is deactivated upon completion of the ignition test, an alarm activation notification is issued in response to the reception history of the fire interlock signal for the real fire. If the reception history is not released by the fire recovery signal after the waiting period has elapsed, a transfer signal is output. This enables the rapid and reliable output of the transfer signal to an external device for automatic notification in response to a real fire that occurred during an ignition test conducted with the transfer blockage function enabled.

[0016] Furthermore, while the waiting period continues, an alarm activation notification is issued to indicate that the alarm is active. This allows the system to know that the alarm is active when the scorching test is completed and the alarm transfer shutoff function is deactivated. If it is a real fire, an alarm transfer signal will be output once the waiting period has elapsed, thus enabling preparation for the occurrence of a real fire.

[0017] (Effect of suppressing transmission output by releasing the retention of reception history during waiting time) In addition, when the reception history retention is cancelled while the waiting time is ongoing, the transfer control unit stops the waiting time and the in-operation notification of the alarm in the middle and suppresses the output of the transfer signal to cancel the transfer blocking function. Therefore, when the transfer blocking function is cancelled after the baking test, even if an in-operation notification of the alarm indicating that the alarm is in operation is given corresponding to the reception history of the fire linkage signal by the baking test, the alarm that has undergone the baking test has its reception history retention cancelled by the reception of the fire restoration signal before the waiting time elapses. Also, the in-operation notification of the alarm stops, and when the waiting time elapses, it can return to the normal monitoring state with the transfer blocking function cancelled without erroneously outputting a fire transfer signal.

[0018] (Effect of cancellation of reception history retention by reception of fire restoration signal) In addition, the transfer control unit retains a unique reporting number indicating the order of fire reporting included in the fire linkage signal as the reception history of the fire linkage signal. When a fire restoration signal with the same reporting number as the reporting number of the reception history is received while the reception history is retained, it is determined that a fire restoration signal corresponding to the fire linkage signal in the reception history is received, and the retention of the reception history is cancelled. Therefore, it can be surely identified that it is a fire restoration signal corresponding to the fire linkage signal in the reception history. By cancelling the retention of the reception history, it is possible to prevent erroneously outputting a transfer signal when the waiting time elapses and to return to the normal state with the transfer blocking function cancelled.

[0019] (Effect of waiting time) Also, the alarm is an alarm that detects smoke and reports a fire. The waiting time is a predetermined time based on the restoration time from when the smoke escapes from the alarm that has reported a fire due to the baking test until it is restored. Therefore, even if the transfer blocking function cancellation operation is performed after the baking test of the alarm is completed and the test fire reporting continues, the alarm that has reported a test fire during the waiting time until the transfer blocking function is cancelled is surely restored. By cancelling the retention of the reception history by the reception of the fire restoration signal, a transfer signal will not be output even when the waiting time elapses.

[0020] (Effect of the mode of transmission interruption notification and alarm operation notification) Also, when the transmission control unit detects a setting operation and sets the transmission interruption function, as a transmission interruption notification indicating that the transmission is interrupted, the indicator light is blinked or turned on and off at a predetermined period or pattern, and as an alarm operation notification, a predetermined voice message indicating that the alarm is operating is output from the voice output unit. Therefore, while the setting of the transmission interruption function continues, a transmission interruption notification indicating that the transmission interruption function is in the set state is issued. Related parties such as testers who are conducting a heat test of the alarm can confirm that the transmission interruption function is set by the transmission interruption notification. Also, since the transmission interruption notification can be made with just the indicator light, the configuration of the transmission device is simplified. In addition, the alarm operation notification repeats a voice message, for example, "The alarm is operating", so that it is possible to inform related parties such as testers whether they are in a state of waiting for recovery from a test transmission or in a state of waiting for a transmission for a real fire.

[0021] (Effect of receiving a new fire-linked signal during the waiting time) Also, the transmission device includes an operation unit. When the transmission control unit receives a new fire-linked signal from another alarm while the waiting time continues, the transmission control unit causes the transmission output unit to output a transmission signal. Therefore, during the alarm operation notification after the heat test of the alarm is completed and the transmission interruption function is released, when a new fire-linked signal due to a real fire is received, a transmission signal is output, enabling a transmission operation such as automatic notification promptly for the real fire.

[0022] (Effect of receiving and judging a new fire-linked signal based on the transmission number) Furthermore, the alarm transfer device includes an operating unit for setting or deactivating the alarm transfer blocking function. The alarm transfer control unit maintains a unique alarm number indicating the order of fire alarms included in the fire interlock signal as part of the fire interlock signal reception history. If a fire interlock signal with an alarm number different from the alarm number in the reception history is received while the waiting period is ongoing, the unit determines that a new fire interlock signal has been received from another alarm and outputs an alarm transfer signal. This ensures that the system reliably determines that the fire interlock signal is due to a real fire and outputs an alarm transfer signal, enabling the rapid and reliable activation of external devices such as automatic notification systems in response to the occurrence of a real fire.

[0023] (Effect of outputting a transfer message during waiting time) Furthermore, the alarm transfer control unit is configured to output an alarm transfer signal from the alarm transfer output unit if a predetermined alarm transfer output operation is performed by the operation unit while the waiting period is ongoing. For example, if an alarm is activated via voice output and a person in charge, such as a tester, notices a real fire, they can perform an alarm transfer output operation without waiting for the waiting period to elapse. For example, by briefly pressing switch 1 on the operation unit, they can forcibly output an alarm transfer signal and activate an external device such as an automatic notification device.

[0024] (Effects of different operations on switch 1) Furthermore, the operating unit is equipped with one switch, and the alarm transmission control unit sets the alarm transmission blockage function when the switch is operated while the alarm transmission blockage function is deactivated, and deactivates the alarm transmission blockage function when the same switch operation is detected while the alarm transmission blockage function is activated. Moreover, the alarm transmission control unit distinguishes and detects the switch operation for setting and deactivating the alarm transmission blockage function from other switch operations based on the difference in the operation time of the switch. For example, setting and deactivating the alarm transmission blockage function is performed by alternating long presses of the switch, while other operations, such as the alarm signal output operation, are performed by short presses of the switch. As a result, only one switch is needed, simplifying the configuration of the alarm transmission device, enabling miniaturization, weight reduction, and cost reduction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0025] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing an alarm system in which the alarm transfer device of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the alarm system. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information transfer device. [Figure 4] This is a time chart showing the operation when the fire alarm interlocking signal is received due to a test alarm while the alarm relay blocking function is enabled, the reception history is retained, and then the alarm relay blocking function is deactivated after the fire alarm recovery signal is received upon completion of the test and the retention of the reception history is released. [Figure 5] This is a time chart illustrating the operation when a fire alarm interlock signal is received due to a test alarm while the alarm transmission blockage function is enabled, and then a fire restoration signal is received while the alarm transmission blockage function is deactivated after the test is complete and the alarm is operating. [Figure 6] This is a time chart illustrating the operation of receiving a fire alarm signal due to a real fire during testing, and then outputting a relay signal after a waiting period has elapsed following the release of the relay shutoff function at the end of the test. [Figure 7] This is a time chart showing the operation when a fire-linked signal from a real fire is received while the alarm system is operating and the transmission blocking function has been deactivated after the test is complete. [Figure 8] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the control operation by the alarm transfer device. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control operation of the alarm transfer device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Embodiments of the alarm transmission device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0027] [Basic Concepts of the Embodiment] First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be explained. The embodiment generally relates to a relay device that relays (transmits) a fire alarm system having an alarm device capable of sending and receiving fire alarm signals and a predetermined external device.

[0028] Here, "fire alarm" refers to a concept that includes wireless interconnected residential fire alarms and fire detectors for specific small-scale facilities, which integrate a sensor unit to detect fire and an alarm unit to warn of the fire, output a fire alarm sound from the alarm unit when a fire is detected, and further include a wireless communication unit to transmit and receive signals to other fire alarms and to operate in conjunction with them.

[0029] Furthermore, an "alarm system" is a system in which multiple alarms installed in a facility being monitored communicate wirelessly with each other, so that when a fire is detected by any of the alarms, all the alarms in the facility will sound, alerting the entire facility to the fire.

[0030] In this embodiment, the facilities to which the alarm system is installed include specific small-scale facilities with a floor area of ​​less than 300 square meters that are not required to install fire alarm equipment, such as group homes that provide household support for the elderly and intellectually disabled.

[0031] Furthermore, the alarm used in this embodiment is a smoke-sensing type alarm that detects smoke from a fire and issues an alarm, and it is an alarm that requires periodic so-called smoke testing, in which a smoke tester is used to trigger the alarm to sound the fire alarm.

[0032] Furthermore, a "transfer device" is a device that functions as a relay that receives a fire interlock signal from an alarm system having an alarm device capable of sending and receiving fire interlock signals and outputs a transfer signal to an external device, and comprises a transfer output unit, a transfer control unit, and an operation unit.

[0033] Here, the "transfer output unit" is a unit that outputs a transfer signal to an external device based on the reception of a fire interlocking signal. The "external device" is a device located outside the alarm system that operates by receiving a transfer signal from the transfer device. The type, configuration, function, and purpose of the device are arbitrary, but one example is an automatic reporting device that notifies the fire department of the occurrence of a fire.

[0034] Furthermore, the "transfer control unit" controls the transfer blocking function, which blocks the output of transfer signals by the transfer output unit to external devices. If you do not want to activate external devices in response to the reception of a fire-linking signal, you can set the transfer blocking function to prevent the output of transfer signals based on the reception of a fire-linking signal. On the other hand, if you want to activate external devices in response to the reception of a fire-linking signal, you can deactivate the transfer blocking function to output transfer signals based on the reception of a fire-linking signal.

[0035] Here, the "transfer signal blocking function" is a function that prevents the transmission of a transfer signal to an external device when a fire alarm interlock signal is received, and "blocking" is a concept that includes "stopping," "prohibiting," and "deterring."

[0036] Furthermore, "setting the relay blocking function" means enabling the relay blocking function to work, and "setting" is a concept that includes "enabling." Also, "disabling the relay blocking function" means preventing the relay blocking function from working, and "disabling" is a concept that includes "deactivating," and further, it means "setting the relay blocking disabling function."

[0037] Furthermore, "the case in which you do not want to activate external equipment in response to the reception of a fire interlock signal" refers to the case in which a fire interlock signal is received due to a fire trigger caused by a heat test of the alarm, while "the case in which you want to activate external equipment in response to the reception of a fire interlock signal" refers to the case in which a fire interlock signal is received due to a fire trigger caused by a real fire in another alarm during the heat test.

[0038] Furthermore, the "operation unit" is used to set or deactivate the alarm blocking function on the alarm blocking control unit. Its configuration, structure, and type are arbitrary, but for example, a push-button switch may be used.

[0039] The "transfer control unit" of this embodiment detects a setting operation by the operation unit and, when the transfer blocking function is set, issues a transfer blocking notification indicating that the transfer is currently blocked. Therefore, those involved can know from the transfer blocking notification that the transfer device is in a state where the transfer output is blocked.

[0040] Furthermore, the "transfer control unit," when the transfer blocking function is set, generates and retains a history of fire interlock signals received, and performs control to release the retention of the reception history when a fire recovery signal corresponding to the fire interlock signal in the reception history is received.

[0041] Here, "reception history" refers to historical information indicating that a fire interlock signal has been received. This history is generated when a fire interlock signal is received from an alarm that has detected a fire and activated the alarm, or from an alarm that has activated the alarm during a test burn test, and is stored in the memory unit. When a fire recovery signal corresponding to the fire interlock signal in the reception history is received, the reception history is deleted from the memory unit and its retention is released.

[0042] Furthermore, a reception history is generated even when a fire alarm signal is received from the same alarm device. The newly formed reception history updates the previous reception history, ensuring that the latest fire alarm signal reception history is always maintained.

[0043] Furthermore, the reception history is generated and stored for each fire alarm when fire alarm interlock signals are received consecutively while the alarm transmission blockage function is enabled, such as in cases of continuous alarm activation.

[0044] Furthermore, the "transfer control unit" will deactivate the transfer blocking function if it detects a deactivation operation and no reception history is retained. Therefore, if the transfer blocking function is deactivated after the burning test is completed and the smoke has dissipated from the alarm that triggered the fire alarm during the test, the transfer blocking function will be deactivated, and the system will return to its normal state of outputting a transfer signal in response to the reception of a fire interlocking signal.

[0045] Furthermore, the "transfer control unit" detects a deactivation operation by the operation unit and, if reception history is retained, it will issue an alarm activation notification indicating that the alarm is active for a predetermined waiting period, and if the reception history is still retained after the waiting period has elapsed, it will output a transfer signal.

[0046] Here, "waiting time" refers to a predetermined time based on the recovery time from when the smoke dissipates from the alarm that was triggered by the burning test until it is restored. The waiting time is arbitrary, but it is the time obtained by adding a predetermined buffer time to the experimentally determined recovery time, and specifically it is a predetermined time that falls within the range of approximately 1 to 2 minutes.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the "transfer signal blocking function is released," even if the transfer signal blocking function is released, it does not immediately result in the output of a transfer signal in response to the reception of a fire interlocking signal. Instead, the release of the transfer signal blocking function is withheld for a predetermined waiting period, and the release of the transfer signal blocking function is activated only after the waiting period has elapsed while an alarm operating notification indicating that the alarm is operating is issued. For this reason, even if the transfer signal blocking function is released when the alarm's heat test is completed and smoke has not yet escaped from the alarm that triggered the fire and is still operating, the release is withheld for the waiting period, ensuring that the alarm that triggered the fire due to the heat test is reliably restored during that time, preventing the erroneous output of a transfer signal. On the other hand, if a history of fire interlocking signal reception is retained after the waiting period has elapsed, it is determined that one of the alarms is operating, and a transfer signal is output to activate the external device.

[0048] Furthermore, the "fire interlock signal reception history" holds a unique alarm number indicating the sequence of fire alarms included in the fire interlock signal. When a fire recovery signal with the same alarm number as the alarm number in the reception history is received while the reception history is being held, the system determines that a fire recovery signal corresponding to the fire interlock signal in the reception history has been received, and the retention of the reception history is canceled.

[0049] Here, the "alarm number" is a number that includes the identification information of the alarm device and the number of alarms. The format of the alarm number is arbitrary, but for example, it can be "XXYY," which is a combination of the alarm device identification number "XX" and the number of alarms "YY." Specifically, since the maximum number of alarm devices that make up the alarm system is 15, "XX" will take values ​​from 1 to 15, and the number of alarms "YY" will take values ​​from 1 to 99.

[0050] Furthermore, each alarm has a predetermined initial value set for its alarm number. When a fire alarm is triggered, a fire interlock signal is transmitted, and if the fire is subsequently extinguished, the alarm number "YY" increases by one. In addition, the alarm in this embodiment repeatedly transmits a fire interlock signal at predetermined intervals while activated by a fire alarm, and the alarm number "YY" increases by one each time the signal is transmitted.

[0051] Furthermore, when a fire alarm that has triggered a fire alarm is restored, a fire restoration signal is transmitted that includes the alarm number of the last fire alarm signal sent before the restoration. Therefore, if the transmission number of the fire alarm signal in the reception history matches the transmission number of the fire restoration signal received thereafter, it can be determined that it is a fire restoration signal corresponding to the fire alarm signal in the reception history, and the retention of the reception history can be canceled.

[0052] Furthermore, the manner in which the "transfer blocking notification indicating that the transfer blocking function is being set" and the "alarm activation notification indicating that the alarm is activated" are displayed is arbitrary, but the transfer control unit controls the indicator light to blink or flash at a predetermined period or pattern as the transfer blocking notification, and to output a predetermined voice message from the voice output unit indicating that the alarm is activated and the remaining waiting time as the alarm activation notification.

[0053] This notification of signal blocking allows those involved to know that the signal blocking function of the signal blocking device is set and that no signal will be output even if they perform a heating test on the alarm, enabling them to perform the test work with peace of mind. In addition, the notification of alarm activation allows those involved to know that the system is in a waiting state for signal output in response to an activated alarm.

[0054] Furthermore, the "transfer control unit" controls the output of a transfer signal if a new fire alarm signal is received from another alarm device while the waiting period is ongoing. In this case, the determination of "receiving a new fire alarm signal from another alarm device" is made by storing a unique alarm number indicating the order of fire alarms included in the fire alarm signal received while the transfer blocking function was set, and if the alarm number of a fire alarm received between the time the transfer blocking function is deactivated and the waiting period has elapsed is found to be different from the alarm number of a fire alarm received in the reception history, it can be determined that a new fire alarm signal has been received.

[0055] Furthermore, the "alert transfer control unit" is designed to, if a person involved becomes aware of a real fire while the waiting period is ongoing, to forcibly output an alert signal without waiting for the waiting period to end, provided that a predetermined alert transfer output operation is performed by the control unit.

[0056] Furthermore, the "operation unit" is equipped with one switch, such as a test switch, and in response to this, the "transfer control unit" sets the transfer blocking function when the switch operation is detected while the transfer blocking function is deactivated, and deactivates the transfer blocking function when the same switch operation is detected while the transfer blocking function is activated.

[0057] Furthermore, if the "operation unit" is equipped with one switch such as a test switch, the "transfer control unit" detects a "long press operation" as a switch operation for setting and releasing the transfer blocking function based on the difference in the operation time of the switch, and detects other switch operations, such as a "short press operation" as a transfer output operation during the waiting period.

[0058] The following describes a specific embodiment. In the specific embodiment shown below, the "external device" is an "automatic notification device," the "case where the transmission blocking function is set in the transmission device" is the "case where a heating test is performed on the alarm device installed in the alarm system," the "transmission blocking notification indicating that transmission blocking is in progress" is the "flashing of an indicator light," and the "alarm device operating notification indicating that the alarm device is operating" is the "voice message from the voice output unit."

[0059] [Specific details of the embodiment] I will now explain the information transfer device in more detail. The details will be explained in the following sections. a. Alarm system b.Alarm b1. Functional Configuration b2. Fire control function c. Transfer device c1. Functional Configuration c2. Alarm transfer control function d. Alarm transfer control operation] d1. Operation when test alarm activation is restored while the alarm transfer blocking function is enabled. d2. Operation when test alarm activation is restored after the alarm transfer blocking function is deactivated. d3. Operation when a real fire occurs while the alarm transmission and blocking function is enabled. d4. Action taken if a real fire occurs during the waiting period. e. Control operation of the relay device f. Modified versions of the present invention

[0060] [a. Alarm system] The alarm system equipped with the alarm transfer device of this embodiment will be described in more detail. In this description, refer to Figure 1, which shows the alarm system in which the alarm transfer device of this embodiment is used. Furthermore, the alarm system in this embodiment is given as an example of an alarm system consisting of wireless alarms installed in specific small-scale facilities with a floor area of ​​less than 300 square meters, such as group homes that provide household support for the elderly and intellectually disabled.

[0061] As shown in Figure 1, wireless interconnected alarms 10(10-1) to 1(10-4) that detect smoke from a fire and issue an alarm are installed in common spaces such as rooms and corridors of the facility. Furthermore, a relay device 12 of this embodiment is provided that receives fire interconnection signals transmitted from alarms 10(10-1) to 1(10-4) and outputs a relay signal. An automatic notification device 14 is connected to the relay device 12 as an external device, for example, to automatically notify a fire department via a telephone line 16. Note that the external device connected to the relay device 12 is arbitrary, and other devices can be connected as needed in addition to the automatic notification device 12.

[0062] Alarm devices 10(10-1) to 10(10-4) are equipped with the function of wirelessly transmitting and receiving interlocking signals for fires and other incidents. Furthermore, alarm devices 10(10-1) to 10(10-4) form an interlocking group by using the same channel frequency. The maximum number of alarm devices forming an interlocking group in this embodiment is arbitrary, but for example, it is 15.

[0063] The alarm system's interlocking group consists of alarm devices 10(10-1) to 10(10-4) and a transmission device 12. To configure the interlocking group, group registration is performed before installation by arranging the alarm devices 10(10-1) to 10(10-4) and the transmission device 12 on a table or the like.

[0064] The method of group registration is arbitrary, but for example, the battery power of the alarm devices 10(10-1) to 1(10-4) and the alarm transmission device 12, which are arranged on a table, is turned on, and the registration switch operation is performed on each. For example, when the registration switch operation is performed on alarm device 10(10-1), address A1 is registered on alarm device 10(10-1), and address A1 is also transmitted to and registered on the other alarm devices 10(10-2) to 10(10-4) and the alarm transmission device 12. By sequentially repeating this registration operation for the remaining alarm devices 10(10-2) to 10(10-4) and the alarm transmission device 12, the self-addresses A1 to A5 are registered on each of the alarm devices 10(10-1) to 1(10-4) and the alarm transmission device 12, and other addresses in an interlocking relationship are also registered.

[0065] If a fire were to occur at the location where alarm unit 10(10-1) is installed, alarm unit 10(10-1) would detect smoke from the fire (activate a fire alarm) and output a fire alarm indicating the source of the fire with an alarm sound and display. Alarm unit 10(10-1), having detected the fire, would also wirelessly transmit a fire interlock signal to the other alarm units 10(10-2) to 1(10-4) and the transmission device 12. When the other alarm units 10(10-2) to 1(10-4) receive the fire interlock signal from the source alarm unit 10(10-1), they would output a fire alarm indicating the destination with an alarm sound and display.

[0066] The alarm transmission device 12 can be configured to block the alarm transmission by setting and deactivating a switch on its control panel. In normal monitoring conditions, the alarm transmission blockage function is deactivated. When it receives a fire alarm signal from the source alarm device (10-1), it outputs an alarm transmission signal to the automatic notification device 14, which then activates the automatic notification device 14 to perform an automatic notification.

[0067] When an alarm stop operation is performed while a fire alarm is being output from alarm devices 10(10-1) to 1(10-4), the alarm stops itself and transmits an alarm stop interlocking signal to the other alarm devices, causing them to perform the alarm stop operation. Furthermore, when a fire recovery is detected in alarm device 10(10-1) that has detected a fire, it stops its own alarm and transmits a fire recovery signal to the other alarm devices 10(10-2) to 10(10-4) and the transmission device 12, causing alarm devices 10(10-2) to 1(10-4) to perform the alarm stop operation and stopping the output of the transmission signal by the transmission device 12.

[0068] Furthermore, the alarm system for specific small-scale facilities in this embodiment is subject to mandatory periodic inspections. These inspections involve performing a smoke test using a test fixture (smoke tester) that generates simulated smoke to trigger a fire alarm (test alarm) and confirm that the system is functioning correctly. When performing this smoke test on alarms 10(10-1) to 1(10-4), the alarm transmission device 12 is configured to have its transmission blocking function activated by a switch, preventing it from outputting a transmission signal to the automatic notification device 14 even when it receives a fire interlock signal from the test alarm of alarms 10(10-1) to 1(10-4).

[0069] [b.Alarm] The alarm devices installed in the alarm system will be explained in more detail. Refer to Figure 2, which shows the functional configuration of the alarm devices, for further explanation.

[0070] (b1. Functional Configuration) The functional configuration of the alarm device will be explained in more detail. As shown in Figure 2, the alarm device 10(10-1) is equipped with a control processor 18, and the control processor 18 is connected to a communication unit 20, a smoke detection unit 22, a test switch 24, an indicator light using an LED 26, and a speaker 28. The other alarm devices 10(10-2) to 10(10-4) shown in Figure 1 are similar.

[0071] The control processor 18 is equipped with a CPU 36, and the control logic 38, ROM 40, and RAM 42 are connected to a bus 44 from the CPU 36. The control logic 38 implements various hardware functions, such as bus control, in conjunction with the control processing of the CPU 36.

[0072] The communication unit 20 is equipped with a wireless communication unit 32 to which a communication processor 30 and an antenna 34 are connected. The wireless communication unit 32 transmits and receives interlocking signals such as fire alarms to and from other alarms and transmission devices 12 according to a predetermined communication protocol. In the case of Japan, this communication protocol conforms to, for example, STD-30 (Standard for Radio Equipment of Low-Power Security System Radio Stations), which is known as the standard for low-power radio stations in the 426 MHz band.

[0073] In the 426MHz band low-power security system radio station equipment, 48 channels with a frequency bandwidth of 12.5kHz are allocated between 426.2500MHz and 426.8375MHz, and one of these channel frequencies is assigned to an interlocking group consisting of multiple alarm devices for use.

[0074] The wireless communication unit 32 modulates data signals such as fire alarm signals output from the communication processor 30 using MSK modulation, then modulates them using FM modulation, and transmits them from the antenna 34 as signal radio waves on the assigned channel frequency in the 426MHz band.

[0075] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 32 receives signal radio waves transmitted by other alarm devices via the antenna 34, performs FM demodulation, then FSK demodulation, and finally performs bit determination to demodulate data signals such as fire alarm signals.

[0076] Furthermore, the communication processor 30 instructs the wireless communication unit 32 to perform a communication test, for example, once every three days (72-hour cycle). The communication test begins when the alarm that has reached the 72-hour cycle first sends a communication test signal. If response signals are received from all other alarms and transmission devices, the test is considered to have completed successfully. If there is a destination to which no response signal is received, the test is considered to have completed abnormally. If abnormal terminations occur a predetermined number of times in a row, it is determined to be a communication error and a fault notification is issued.

[0077] The smoke detection unit 22 has a known scattered light smoke detection structure, intermittently drives a light-emitting unit using an infrared LED at a predetermined period, amplifies the received signal of scattered light received by a light-receiving unit such as a photodiode, and outputs a smoke concentration detection signal.

[0078] The test switch 24 is, for example, a push-button switch. When the test switch 24 is pressed during normal monitoring, a predetermined test message indicating normal operation is output from the speaker 28. The test switch 24 also functions as an alarm stop switch when a fire alarm is being output via sound from the speaker 28 and indicator light 26. When the test switch 24 is pressed, the fire alarm stops, and an alarm stop interlock signal is sent to other alarm devices.

[0079] The indicator lights 26 use LEDs, and they display different indicators for fire alarms indicating the source of the connection and fire alarms indicating the destination; for example, one lights up while the other flashes or blinks.

[0080] Speaker 28 outputs test messages, source fire alarm messages, destination fire alarm messages, etc., as audio.

[0081] (b2. Fire control function) The fire control function of the alarm system will be explained in more detail. The CPU 36 is equipped with the functions of the fire control unit 46, which are realized by executing a program stored in the ROM 40.

[0082] The fire control unit 46 reads the smoke concentration detection signal output from the smoke detection unit 22 by performing an A / D conversion, and if the smoke concentration satisfies predetermined fire determination conditions, it determines that there is a fire (fire alarm is triggered) and controls the output of a fire alarm indicating the fire at the source of the interlock. Here, "when the fire determination conditions are satisfied" means that the smoke concentration is above or exceeds a predetermined threshold, or that the state of smoke concentration being above or exceeding a predetermined threshold continues for a predetermined accumulation time.

[0083] When the fire control unit 46 outputs a fire alarm, it generates a fire interlock signal including a unique alarm number, instructs the communication unit 20 to send the fire interlock signal to the alarms in other dwelling units, and the alarms in the other dwelling units that receive the fire interlock signal output a fire alarm indicating the interlocked unit.

[0084] The format of the alarm number is arbitrary, but for example, it can be "XXYY," which is a combination of the alarm identification number "XX" and the alarm count "YY." Each alarm has a unique initial value, and if a fire is detected and then reset, and then another fire is detected, the alarm count "YY" in the alarm number will increase by one. Also, if the fire detection continues, the alarm count "YY" in the alarm number will increase by one after a predetermined time, for example, 13 minutes. Therefore, the party receiving the fire signal can determine whether it is a fire linkage signal due to continued fire detection from the same alarm or a fire linkage signal due to fire detection from a different alarm by examining the alarm number.

[0085] Furthermore, when the fire control unit 46 transmits a fire interlocking signal, it receives a response signal from another alarm that includes the source address of the response device. If the response condition is met, and response signals are received from all other destinations belonging to the interlocking group, the unit considers the operation to have completed successfully. If the response condition is not met, the unit retransmits the fire interlocking signal. If the response condition is not met even after repeating the retransmission a predetermined number of times, the unit reports a communication error.

[0086] Furthermore, when the fire control unit 46 receives a fire interlock signal transmitted by another alarm in the same interlocking group within the dwelling unit, it performs control to output a fire signal indicating the interlocking target. When the fire control unit 46 receives a fire interlock signal from another alarm, it performs control to transmit a response signal that includes its own address.

[0087] Furthermore, the fire control unit 46 also transmits alarm stop interlock signals and fire recovery signals in the same manner as for fire interlock signals, when the test switch 24 is operated during a fire alarm and when the smoke concentration in the smoke detection unit 22 falls below a threshold, thereby controlling the alarm to stop and the fire to recover. The fire recovery signal transmitted by the fire control unit 46 includes the alarm number that was included in the previously transmitted fire interlock signal. In addition, when the fire control unit 46 receives an alarm stop interlock signal or a fire recovery signal from another alarm device, it transmits a response signal that includes its own address, making it possible to determine whether the transmission at the source was completed successfully.

[0088] [c. Transfer device] The alarm transmission device of this embodiment will be described in more detail. In this description, refer to Figure 3, which shows the functional configuration of the alarm transmission device.

[0089] (c1. Functional Configuration) The functional configuration of the alarm transmission device will be explained in more detail. As shown in Figure 3, the alarm transmission device 12 is equipped with a control processor 48, and the control processor 48 is provided with a communication unit 50, a test switch 54 which functions as an operation unit, an indicator light 56 ​​using an LED, and a speaker 58 which functions as an audio output unit.

[0090] The control processor 48 is equipped with a CPU 66, and the control logic 68, ROM 70, and RAM 72 are connected to a bus 74 from the CPU 66. The control logic 68 implements various hardware functions, such as bus control, in conjunction with the control processing of the CPU 66.

[0091] The communication unit 50 is equipped with a communication processor 60, a wireless communication unit 62 to which an antenna 63 is connected, and a transmission output unit 64. The wireless communication unit 62 receives fire interlocking signals, fire recovery signals, and alarm stop interlocking signals transmitted from the alarm according to a predetermined communication protocol. The details of the communication processor 60 and the wireless communication unit 62 are basically the same as those of the wireless communication unit 32 of the alarm 10 (10-1) in Figure 2.

[0092] The alarm output unit 64 outputs an alarm signal based on instructions from the communication processor 60, and operates the automatic notification device 14 shown in Figure 1. The function and configuration of the alarm output unit 64 are arbitrary, but for example, it is a voltage-free normally open contact circuit and outputs a voltage-free normally open contact signal as the alarm signal.

[0093] The test switch 54, which functions as a switch on the control unit, is, for example, a push-button switch. When the test switch 54 is pressed for, for example, 6 seconds in the normal monitoring state where the alarm blocking function is deactivated, the setting operation of the alarm blocking function is detected, and the alarm blocking function is set on the alarm device 12. Furthermore, when the alarm blocking function is set on the alarm device 12, pressing the test switch 54 for, for example, 6 seconds is detected, the deactivation operation of the alarm blocking function is detected, the alarm blocking function of the alarm device 12 is deactivated, and the system returns to the normal monitoring state. In other words, when the test switch 54 is pressed and held while the alarm blocking function is deactivated, the alarm blocking function is set, and subsequently, when the alarm blocking function is set, the alarm blocking function is deactivated. Each press and hold operation alternates between setting and deactivating the alarm blocking function.

[0094] The indicator light 56 ​​uses an LED, and when the alarm blocking function is set by pressing and holding the test switch 54 in the normal monitoring state where the alarm blocking function is deactivated, the indicator light 56 ​​flashes at a predetermined interval while the alarm blocking function remains set, providing an alarm blocking notification that the alarm blocking function is set and the alarm blocking state is active. The flashing of the indicator light 56 ​​that provides the alarm blocking notification at a predetermined interval is, for example, 0.01 seconds on and 1.99 seconds off at a 2-second interval, which results in a display where momentary illumination is repeated at a 2-second interval.

[0095] Speaker 58 functions as an audio output unit and includes an audio amplification circuit (not shown), and repeatedly outputs an alarm activation notification, described later, using a predetermined audio message.

[0096] (c2. Alarm transfer control function) The alarm transfer control function of the alarm transfer device 12 will be explained in more detail. The CPU 66 shown in Figure 3 is equipped with the functions of the alarm transfer control unit 76, which are realized by executing a program stored in the ROM 70.

[0097] The alarm transmission control unit 76 detects that the alarm transmission blocking function has been set by pressing and holding the test switch 54 while the alarm transmission blocking function is deactivated (normal monitoring state), and sets the alarm transmission blocking function, thereby preventing the alarm transmission signal from being output from the alarm transmission output unit 64 even when a fire interlock signal is received.

[0098] Furthermore, when the alarm blocking function is set, the alarm blocking control unit 76 provides an alarm blocking notification while the alarm blocking function remains active. The alarm blocking notification is optional, but for example, it may be used to blink the indicator light 56 ​​at a predetermined interval, for example, by repeatedly flashing it momentarily every two seconds. The alarm blocking control unit 76 also stops the alarm blocking notification when the alarm blocking function is released.

[0099] Furthermore, when the alarm transmission control unit 76 receives a fire interlock signal from an alarm while the alarm transmission blocking function is set, it generates a reception history including the alarm number of the fire interlock signal and stores and retains it in the RAM 72. The reception history retained by the alarm transmission control unit 76 is subsequently released (deleted) when it detects the receipt of a fire recovery signal containing the same alarm number as the reception history.

[0100] Furthermore, if the alarm transmission control unit 76 detects that the alarm transmission blocking function has been deactivated by pressing and holding the test switch 54 while the alarm transmission blocking function is set, it deactivates the alarm transmission blocking function. If it has retained the reception history of fire interlock signals, it holds the output of the alarm transmission signal and sets a predetermined waiting time T. If the reception history is still retained after the waiting time T has elapsed, it instructs the communication processor 60 of the communication unit 50 to output an alarm transmission signal from the alarm transmission output unit 64.

[0101] Here, the waiting time T is the time obtained by experimentally determining the recovery time from the alarm that was activated by the burning test until the smoke dissipates and the alarm returns to normal, as described above (Basic Concepts of the Embodiment). Specifically, it is a predetermined time that falls within the range of 1 to 2 minutes, for example, 100 seconds (1 minute 40 seconds).

[0102] Furthermore, the alarm transfer control unit 76 provides an alarm activation notification while the waiting time T for the alarm transfer output is in progress. The alarm activation notification by the alarm transfer control unit 76 involves repeatedly outputting an audio message, for example, "The alarm is activated," from the speaker 58 at predetermined time intervals.

[0103] Furthermore, the alarm transmission control unit 76 may repeatedly output an audio output that combines a warning sound and an audio message, such as "Beep beep, alarm is activated, beep beep." In addition, the alarm activation notification by the alarm transmission control unit 76 may include not only an audio output from the speaker 58, but also the flashing or blinking of the indicator light 56 ​​at a different frequency or pattern than the alarm transmission interruption notification that indicates the alarm transmission is interrupted.

[0104] Furthermore, the transmission control unit 76 stops the alarm activation notification if, while the waiting time T is in progress, a fire recovery signal corresponding to the fire interlock signal in the reception history is received and the retention of the reception history is released. Therefore, personnel such as testers can know that the alarm, which had triggered a fire alarm during the burning test while the transmission output was pending, has been restored to normal operation from the cessation of the alarm activation notification while the waiting time T is in progress.

[0105] Furthermore, the alarm transmission control unit 76 also stops the alarm activation notification if the waiting time T elapses without the reception history being released while the waiting time T is still in progress. In this case, when the alarm activation notification stops due to the elapsed waiting time T, a transmission signal is output from the transmission output unit 64. Therefore, personnel such as testers can understand from the cessation of the alarm activation notification when the waiting time T has elapsed that a transmission signal has been output in response to the fire interlock signal from the alarm that has activated a fire. In addition, when the alarm activation notification stops after the waiting time T has elapsed, an audio message indicating the output of a transmission signal may be output, for example, "The alarm is activated. A transmission signal has been output."

[0106] With the control of the alarm transfer control unit 76 in this manner, if a real fire occurs during a scorching test of the alarm while the alarm transfer blockage function is set, when the alarm transfer blockage function is released upon completion of the scorching test, an alarm activation notification is issued indicating that the alarm is activated and the remaining waiting time T is recorded based on the history of fire interlock signals received. Since it is a real fire, the reception history is not released upon receipt of a fire recovery signal, and once the waiting time T has elapsed, an alarm transfer signal is output. This allows for the rapid and reliable output of an alarm transfer signal in response to a real fire that occurred during a scorching test while the alarm transfer blockage function was set, enabling automatic notification and other actions.

[0107] Furthermore, if the alarm transfer control unit 76 receives a new fire interlock signal from another alarm while the alarm activation notification is being made via the audio output from the speaker 58 during the waiting period T, it instructs the communication processor 60 of the communication unit 50 to output an alarm transfer signal from the alarm transfer output unit 64 once the waiting period T has elapsed.

[0108] In other words, if the alarm transfer control unit 76 receives a fire interlocking signal with a new alarm number different from the alarm number in the reception history while the waiting time T for the alarm activation notification is continuing, it determines that a new fire interlocking signal has been received based on the detection of a real fire, and when the waiting time T has elapsed, it instructs the communication processor 60 of the communication unit 50 to output an alarm transfer signal from the alarm transfer output unit 64.

[0109] Therefore, by completing the alarm's heating test and releasing the alarm transmission blocking function, if a new fire interlock signal is received due to a real fire while the alarm activation notification is still in effect (waiting time T), an alarm transmission signal will be output once the waiting time T has elapsed. This allows for the prompt output of an alarm transmission signal in response to a real fire, enabling automatic notification by the automatic notification device 14.

[0110] Furthermore, if the alarm transmission control unit 76 receives a fire recovery signal with the same alarm number as the alarm number in the reception history while the waiting time T during which the alarm activation notification is being made via the speaker 58 continues, it will release the retention of the reception history and perform control to return to the normal monitoring state with the alarm transmission blocking function released without outputting a transmission signal even after the waiting time T has elapsed.

[0111] Therefore, even if the alarm transmission blocking function is deactivated before the test alarm triggered by the burning test is restored, the transmission signal will not be output until a waiting time T, which takes into account the time required for the test to be restored, has elapsed. By then, the fire restoration signal from the test restoration will be received, releasing the retention of the reception history and preventing transmission. This reliably prevents the transmission signal from being mistakenly output and causing external equipment to malfunction.

[0112] [d. Alarm transfer control operation] Next, we will explain in more detail the alarm control operation by the alarm transfer device.

[0113] (d1. Operation when test alarm activation is restored while the alarm transmission blocking function is enabled) First, we will explain in more detail the operation when a test alarm is restored while the alarm transmission blockage function of the alarm transmission device is set. In this explanation, we will refer to the time chart in Figure 4, which shows the operation when a fire interlock signal is received due to a test alarm while the alarm transmission blockage function is set, and a fire recovery signal is received before the alarm transmission blockage function is released due to the end of the test. Here, Figure 4(A) shows the operation of the test switch 54, Figure 4(B) shows the reception of the fire interlock signal, Figure 4(C) shows the reception of the fire recovery signal, Figure 4(D) shows the retention of the fire interlock signal reception history, Figure 4(E) shows the setting or release state of the alarm transmission blockage function, Figure 4(F) shows the alarm transmission blockage notification by the indicator light 56, Figure 4(G) shows the alarm activation notification by the speaker's audio output, and Figure 4(H) shows the output of the alarm transmission signal.

[0114] When a heat test is performed on the alarm devices 10(10-1) to 10(10-4) installed in the alarm system shown in Figure 1 during a periodic inspection, as shown in Figure 4, when the tester presses and holds the test switch 54 of the alarm transmission device 12, the setting operation of the alarm transmission blocking function by pressing and holding the test switch 54 is detected at time t1, the alarm transmission blocking function is set, and the indicator light 56 ​​flashes at a predetermined interval to indicate that the alarm transmission is blocked, and an alarm transmission blocking notification is issued.

[0115] If, after the alarm transmission is shut off at time t1, a fire alarm signal is detected at time t2 from an alarm that was activated by a heat test, a reception history including the alarm number of the received fire alarm signal is generated and stored in memory such as RAM.

[0116] The fire alarm signal received at time t2 is the signal transmitted by the last alarm's smoke test. Once the smoke from the smoke test has dissipated, the alarm transmits a fire recovery signal containing the same alarm number. When the reception of the fire recovery signal is detected at time t3, the reception history held by the fire alarm signal received at time t2 is released (cleared).

[0117] Next, the tester presses and holds the test switch 54 again upon completion of the inspection. This detects the release operation at time t4. Since there is no record of fire interlock signal reception history at this time, the alarm transmission blocking function is released and the system returns to normal without setting a waiting time T to hold the transmission output, nor without issuing an alarm activation notification indicating that the alarm is activated or the remaining waiting time.

[0118] (d2. Operation when test alarm activation is restored after the alarm transfer blocking function is deactivated) Next, we will explain in more detail the operation when test alarm activation is restored after the alarm transmission blocking function has been deactivated. In this explanation, we will refer to the time chart in Figure 5, which shows the operation when a fire interlock signal is received due to test alarm activation while the alarm transmission blocking state is active, and a fire restoration signal is received during the set waiting time after the alarm transmission blocking function is deactivated upon completion of the test. Note that Figures 5(A) to (H) correspond to Figures 4(A) to (H).

[0119] In Figure 5, at time t1, the setting operation of the alarm transmission interruption function by pressing and holding the test switch 54 is detected, and the alarm transmission interruption function is set. The indicator light 56 ​​flashes at a predetermined interval to indicate that the alarm transmission interruption is in effect. At time t2, when the reception of a fire interlock signal from the alarm that was activated by the burning test is detected, a reception history including the alarm number of the received fire interlock signal is generated and stored in memory. This is the same as in Figure 4, however, in Figure 5, there is a difference in that smoke did not completely escape from the alarm that was activated during the test while the alarm transmission interruption function was set, and after the alarm transmission interruption function was deactivated, the smoke escaped from the alarm and it recovered, resulting in the reception of a fire recovery signal.

[0120] Specifically, in Figure 5, the tester presses and holds the test switch 54 again upon completion of the inspection. This detects the release of the alarm transmission blockage function at time t3, and the alarm transmission blockage function is deactivated. At this time, since the fire interlock signal reception history is being retained while the alarm transmission blockage function is set, a waiting time T is set to hold off on outputting the alarm transmission signal, and an alarm activation notification is started from time t3 via audio output from speaker 58.

[0121] The testers hear an audio notification from the alarm transmission device 12 indicating that the alarm that was last activated in the test has not been reset, and they wait for the alarm to be reset. After a certain amount of time, the smoke that has entered the alarm due to the burning test will dissipate, and the fire detection will be restored before the waiting time T has elapsed, and a fire recovery signal will be transmitted.

[0122] The transfer device 12 detects the reception of a fire recovery signal at time t4 while the standby alarm activation notification is in progress. Since the fire recovery signal's activation number is the same as the fire interlock signal reception history retained at time t3, the retention of the reception history is released (erased), the alarm activation notification via voice output from speaker 58 stops midway, and no transfer signal is output even after the standby time T has elapsed. As a result, the inspector can confirm the recovery of the alarm that was last tested and complete the inspection work.

[0123] (d3. Operation when a real fire occurs while the alarm blocking function is enabled) Next, we will explain in more detail the operation of the alarm relay device when a real fire occurs while the alarm relay shutoff function is enabled. In this explanation, refer to the time chart in Figure 6, which shows the operation of receiving a fire interlocking signal due to a real fire during the test, and outputting an alarm relay signal after a waiting period has elapsed since the alarm relay shutoff function was deactivated at the end of the test. Note that Figures 6(A) to 6(H) correspond to Figures 4(A) to 6(H).

[0124] As shown in Figure 6, at time t1, the setting operation of the alarm transmission interruption function by pressing and holding the test switch 54 is detected, and upon setting the alarm transmission interruption function, the indicator light 56 ​​flashes at a predetermined interval to indicate that the alarm transmission interruption state is being indicated, and thereafter, the alarm burn test is repeated, and after the last alarm burn test is performed and the system is restored, a real fire occurs, and at time t2, the reception of a fire interlock signal is detected from the alarm that detected the real fire. In this case, a reception history including the alarm number of the fire interlock signal received and detected at time t2 is generated and stored in memory.

[0125] Upon completion of the inspection, the tester presses and holds the test switch 54 again, which detects the deactivation of the alarm transmission blockage function at time t3, and the alarm transmission blockage function is deactivated. At this time, since the reception history of fire interlock signals received while the alarm transmission blockage function was set is retained, a waiting time T is set when the alarm transmission blockage function is deactivated, and an alarm activation notification is made via audio output from speaker 58, indicating that the alarm is activated and the remaining waiting time.

[0126] The testers hear the alarm activation notification from speaker 58, and determine that the last alarm tested has not been reset. They then wait for it to be reset. However, since the fire alarm signal received at time t2 is due to a real fire, no fire reset signal is received.

[0127] As the alarm activation notification continues via audio output from speaker 58, and the waiting time T elapses at time t4, the fire interlock signal reception history is still being retained. As a result, the transfer signal rises from L level to H level and is output, which can, for example, activate an automatic notification device to make an automatic notification.

[0128] Therefore, even if the alarm interruption function is deactivated while a real fire is occurring during the heating test, if the alarm activation notification continues for a waiting time T, an alarm interruption signal will be output, allowing for a quick and reliable response to a real fire by outputting an alarm interruption signal.

[0129] (d4. Action taken if a real fire occurs during the waiting period) Next, we will explain in more detail the operation of the alarm relay device when a real fire occurs during the waiting time T that follows the deactivation of the alarm relay blockage function. In this explanation, we will refer to the time chart in Figure 7, which shows the operation when a fire interlock signal due to a real fire is received during the waiting time after the alarm relay blockage function is deactivated at the end of the test. Note that Figures 7(A) to 7(H) correspond to Figures 4(A) to 7(H).

[0130] As shown in Figure 7, at time t1, the setting operation of the alarm transfer cancellation function by pressing and holding the test switch 54 is detected, and an alarm transfer interruption notification is issued indicating that the alarm transfer has been interrupted, with the indicator light 56 ​​flashing in the first cycle due to the setting of the alarm transfer interruption function, and the reception of the fire interlock signal by the final alarm heating test is detected at time t2, a reception history including the fire interlock signal issuance number is generated and stored in memory.

[0131] Upon completion of the inspection, the tester presses and holds the test switch 54 again, which detects the deactivation of the alarm transmission blockage function at time t3, and deactivates the alarm transmission reception function. At this time, since the reception history of fire interlock signals received while the alarm transmission blockage is active is retained, a waiting time T is set to hold off on transmitting the alarm, and an alarm activation notification is made via audio output from speaker 58, indicating that the alarm is activated.

[0132] In this way, if, during the waiting period T from time t3, the alarm is activated and an alert is given via voice output, and a fire interlock signal is received from an alarm that has been activated due to a real fire, the alarm number of the received fire interlock signal will be different from the alarm number of the fire interlock signal tested in the reception history received and held at time t2. Based on the difference in alarm numbers, it is determined at time t4 that a new fire alarm signal has been received, and without waiting for the waiting period T to elapse, the transfer signal from the transfer output unit 64 is output by rising from L level to H level, allowing, for example, the automatic notification device 14 to be activated and an automatic notification to be made.

[0133] Therefore, even if a real fire occurs while the alarm is still operating and the waiting period continues after the burning test is completed and the alarm signal interruption is released, the system can reliably detect the real fire and promptly output an alarm signal to take action.

[0134] Furthermore, after the transmission signal is output at time t4, a fire recovery signal is received at time t5. Since the fire recovery signal's activation number matches the fire interlock signal's activation number in the reception history held at time t2, the reception history is released. At the same time, the alarm activation notification is stopped before time t6, when the waiting time T has elapsed, which is the same as in the case of Figure 5.

[0135] [e. Control operation of the alarm transfer device] Next, the control operation of the alarm transfer device will be explained in more detail. In this explanation, refer to the flowchart in Figure 8 showing the control operation by the alarm transfer device in Figure 3, and the flowchart in Figure 9 showing the control operation of the alarm transfer device following Figure 8. Furthermore, the control operation of the alarm transfer device in Figures 8 and 9 is the control operation by the alarm transfer control unit 76 of the alarm transfer device 12 shown in Figure 3.

[0136] As shown in Figure 8, when the alarm transmission device 12 is powered on and activated, the alarm transmission control unit 76 proceeds to step S2 by releasing the alarm transmission blocking function in step S1. In step S2, the alarm transmission control unit 76 determines that it has received a fire interlocking signal from the alarm that has been activated after detecting a fire, and proceeds to step S3. Since the alarm transmission blocking function was released in step S1, it instructs the alarm transmission output unit 64 to output an alarm transmission signal, which in turn activates the automatic notification device 14 to perform an automatic notification.

[0137] Furthermore, if the alarm control unit 76 detects in step S4, for example, that the test switch 54 has been pressed and held to set the alarm suppression function in conjunction with a heating test of the alarm device, it proceeds to step S5, sets the alarm suppression function, and then in step S6 flashes the indicator light 56 ​​at a predetermined interval to indicate that the alarm suppression state is active.

[0138] When the alarm transmission blockage function is set, the alarm transmission control unit 76, upon determining in step S7 that it has received a fire alarm signal from an alarm that was triggered by a heat test, generates a reception history in step S8 that includes the trigger number of the received fire alarm signal, stores it in memory, and keeps it there.

[0139] Next, in step S9, the alarm transmission control unit 76 monitors whether or not a fire recovery signal has been received. If it determines in step S9 that a fire recovery signal has been received, it proceeds to step S10, and if the alarm number included in the fire recovery signal matches the alarm number in the reception history held in step S8, it releases and deletes the reception history held in step S8.

[0140] Next, the alarm transfer control unit 76 monitors the long press operation of the test switch 54 in step S11. When it detects that the test switch 54 has been long pressed due to the end of the heating test, it proceeds to step S12 and releases the alarm transfer blocking function.

[0141] Next, the alarm transmission control unit 76 proceeds to step S13 in Figure 9, where it determines whether or not a history of fire interlock signals has been received during the alarm transmission interruption. If a history of fire interlock signals has been received, it proceeds to step S14, where it starts a timer with a set waiting time T. Subsequently, it proceeds to step S15, where it makes an alarm activation notification via audio output from speaker 58, indicating that the alarm is activated and the remaining waiting time.

[0142] If the alarm activation notification performed in step S15 continues, and the transmission control unit 76 detects the reception of a fire recovery signal in step S16, it proceeds to step S20 if the alarm number in the currently held reception history matches the alarm number of the received fire recovery signal, stops the alarm activation notification, and returns to step S2 in Figure 8. The timer may also be stopped in conjunction with the stopping of the alarm activation notification.

[0143] Furthermore, if the transmission control unit 76 does not determine in step S16 that a fire recovery signal has been received, it proceeds to step S17. If it receives a fire interlocking signal with the same alarm number as the alarm number in the reception history held in the state where the transmission blocking function is set, it determines that it is not a new fire interlocking signal and proceeds to step S18. At this time, the reception history is updated to include the alarm number of the fire interlocking signal that was received again.

[0144] In step S18, once the waiting time T has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S19. Since the history of fire alarm signal reception is retained, the system instructs the transmission output unit 64 to output a transmission signal. Subsequently, in step S20, the alarm activation notification is stopped, and the process returns to step S2 in Figure 8, entering a state of waiting to receive fire alarm signals.

[0145] Furthermore, if a fire interlock signal with a different alarm number is received in step S17 with the alarm transmission blocking function set, it is determined that a new fire interlock signal has been received, and the process proceeds to step S19. Without waiting for the waiting time T to elapse, the system instructs the alarm transmission output unit 64 to output the transmission signal. Subsequently, in step S20, the alarm activation notification is stopped, and the process returns to step S2 in Figure 8, entering a state of waiting to receive fire interlock signals.

[0146] [f. Variations of the present invention] (Transfer signal output operation during waiting period) In the above embodiment, the test switch 54 provided in the alarm transmission device 12 may function as an alarm transmission output operation switch while a waiting time T is set when the alarm transmission blocking function is released and an alarm operation notification indicating that the alarm is in operation is being made by the speaker 58. When the test switch 54 is pressed in the normal operation of short press, it may be controlled to output an alarm transmission signal.

[0147] Therefore, if a tester or other person in charge notices a real fire while the alarm is activated via the audio output from speaker 58, they can briefly press test switch 54 to forcibly output a transfer signal without waiting for the waiting time T to elapse, thereby activating external devices such as the automatic notification device 14.

[0148] (Alarm activated notification) In the above embodiment, the alarm is activated, and an audio message indicating that the alarm is activated is repeatedly output, for example, "The alarm is activated." However, the remaining waiting time T may also be included. For example, the alarm is activated, and an audio message stating "The alarm is activated, remaining waiting time is XX seconds" is repeatedly output. This allows those involved to know the remaining time from the alarm activation notification until the transfer signal is output, enabling them to prepare for the output of the transfer signal.

[0149] (Notification of signal interruption and notification of alarm activation) The above notification involves flashing the indicator light 56 ​​at a predetermined interval to indicate that the alarm blocking function is in the set state. However, the alarm blocking notification may also be performed in combination with an audio output from the speaker 58, in addition to the flashing of the indicator light 56.

[0150] (parent-child method) In the above embodiment, when multiple alarms are installed within a protected area to form an interlocking group, there is no distinction between master and slave units, and each alarm communicates with the others. However, it is also possible to form an interlocking group with a master unit and multiple slave units, and to provide a relay device as a slave unit of the group.

[0151] (Alarm) The above embodiment took the example of a relay device installed in an alarm system using wireless interconnected alarms that detect and sound out fires. However, the same can be applied to alarm systems that include wireless fire alarms, gas leak alarms, CO alarms, and various types of security alarms, as well as systems that include a combination of these alarms, when a relay device is installed.

[0152] Furthermore, while the above embodiment takes the example of a case where the sensor unit and the alarm output processing unit are integrated into a wireless interconnected alarm device, other embodiments may include an alarm transmission device for an alarm system using a wireless interconnected alarm device in which the sensor unit and the alarm output processing unit are separate.

[0153] Furthermore, although the above embodiment takes the example of a case where the alarm transmission device and the automatic notification device are provided as separate components, they may also be configured as an integrated device. For example, the integrated device may contain a functional unit corresponding to the alarm transmission device and a functional unit corresponding to the automatic notification device, and the functional unit corresponding to the alarm transmission device may output a signal to the functional unit corresponding to the automatic notification device.

[0154] (others) Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes appropriate modifications that do not impair its purpose and advantages, and is not limited by the numerical values ​​shown in the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0155] 10(10-1)~10(10-4):Alarm 12: Transfer device 14: Automatic notification device 16: Telephone line 18,48: Control processor 20,50: Communications Department 22: Smoke Detection Department 24,54: Test switch 26,56: Indicator light 28,58: Speaker 30,60: Communication processor 32,62: Wireless Communication Section 36,66:CPU 38,68: Control logic 40,70:ROM 42,72:RAM 44,74: Bus 46: Fire Control Unit 64: Transfer output unit 76: Report Transfer Control Unit

Claims

1. A relay device that relays signals between an alarm system having an alarm capable of sending and receiving fire-related signals and a predetermined external device, A transfer output unit that outputs a transfer signal to the external device based on the reception of the fire interlock signal, A transfer control unit controls a transfer blocking function that blocks the output of the transfer signal by the transfer output unit, A system was established, Furthermore, the notification control unit, If a fire alarm signal is received while the alarm transmission blocking function is set, the reception history of the fire alarm signal is retained, and if a fire recovery signal corresponding to the fire alarm signal in the reception history is received, the retention of the reception history is released. If the deactivation of the aforementioned signal blocking function is detected and the reception history is not retained, the signal blocking function is deactivated. If the deactivation of the transmission blocking function is detected and the reception history is retained, the output of the transmission signal will be suspended for a predetermined waiting period. A transfer device characterized by outputting the transfer signal when the reception history is still being retained after the aforementioned waiting time has elapsed.

2. A relay device according to claim 1, The alarm transfer device is characterized in that, if the retention of the reception history is released while the waiting time is continuing, the alarm transfer control unit releases the alarm transfer blocking function without outputting the alarm transfer signal.

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