Alarm system

Abstract

Even after the power to the detector that detects abnormalities has been restored, the system will be able to recognize equipment malfunctions in the fire detector that occurred before the power was restored. [Solution] The alarm system 1 comprises a master unit 10b and a transmission device 20. The master unit 10b includes a storage unit that stores status information of the master unit 10b, an initialization unit that initializes the status information to indicate a normal state when the power to the master unit 10b is turned on again, a notification unit that notifies the transmission device 20 of the power being turned on again when the power is turned on again, and a transmission unit that transmits status information to the transmission device 20 at a predetermined timing. The transmission device 20 includes a transmission output unit that outputs a transmission signal to an external device 30 according to the received status information, and a limiting unit that limits the processing of the transmission output unit according to the status information received within a predetermined time from the time the power being turned on is notified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting the state of a detector that detects an abnormality to the outside.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a technique for periodically transmitting a signal for checking whether each device is operating normally between a master unit and a slave unit of a fire alarm (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Some detectors that detect abnormalities recognize the state of the detector and transmit a signal indicating this state to a reporting device. However, when the power of the detector is restarted, the state of the device recognized by this detector is initialized to the normal state. Therefore, when a signal indicating the state of the device is transmitted from the detector immediately after the power is restarted, a signal indicating the normal state is transmitted regardless of whether there is a device abnormality in the detector. When this signal is received, the reporting device recognizes that the detector is normal and performs processes such as stopping the output of the reporting signal. When this process is performed, it becomes impossible to recognize the device abnormality of the detector that occurred before the power was restarted at the output destination of the reporting signal. As a result, there is a risk that the device abnormality of the detector cannot be appropriately addressed.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to enable recognition of a device abnormality of a detector that occurred before the power was restarted even after the power of the detector that detects an abnormality is restarted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides an alarm system comprising a detector for detecting abnormalities and an alarm transmission device, wherein the detector includes a storage unit for storing state information of the detector, an initialization unit for initializing the state information to indicate a normal state when the power to the detector is turned on again, a notification unit for notifying the alarm transmission device of the power being turned on again when the power is turned on again, and a transmission unit for transmitting the state information to the alarm transmission device at a predetermined timing, and the alarm transmission device includes an alarm output unit for outputting an alarm signal to an external device in accordance with the received state information, and a limiting unit for limiting the processing of the alarm output unit in accordance with the state information received within a predetermined time from the time the power being turned on again is notified. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even after the power to the detector that detects abnormalities has been turned back on, it is possible to recognize the equipment abnormality of the detector that occurred before the power was turned back on. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of an alarm system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an alarm system. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a relay device. [Figure 4] This sequence diagram shows an example of what happens when a device malfunction occurs in the master unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] 1. Structure Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the alarm system 1 according to this embodiment. The alarm system 1 is a system that alerts for the occurrence of a fire in conjunction with other devices within a group. The alarm system 1 comprises a plurality of alarm devices 10 that function as slave units (hereinafter referred to as "slave units 10a"), an alarm device 10 that functions as a master unit (hereinafter referred to as "master unit 10b"), and a transmission device 20. In the following description, the slave units 10a and master unit 10b are collectively referred to as the alarm device 10. The slave units 10a, master unit 10b, and transmission device 20 belong to the same group and are connected wirelessly. The transmission device 20 is connected to an external device 30 that is not included in the alarm system 1 via a signal line 40. The number of slave units 10a shown in Figure 1 is illustrative and not limited thereto.

[0010] The alarm device 10 is installed on the ceiling or wall of a building under management, such as a house, commercial building, or office building, and detects a fire and issues an alarm. The alarm device 10 may be any device that detects a fire and issues an alarm, such as a residential fire alarm or fire sensor. Fire is an example of an abnormality according to the present invention. The alarm device 10 is an example of a detector according to the present invention. The master unit 10b is installed in a location where it can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of slave units 10a and a transmission device 20, and transmits signals received from the slave units 10a to the transmission device 20.

[0011] When the alarm transmission device 20 receives a signal indicating fire detection from the alarm 10, it transmits an alarm to the external device 30. The alarm transmission device 20 also transmits an alarm to the external device 30 if it receives a signal indicating an abnormality other than fire, such as a malfunction of the alarm 10 itself. This transmission refers to the transmission of an alarm. In this embodiment, the alarm transmission device 20 itself does not detect fire.

[0012] External device 30 is a control device that is managed and operated, for example, in a manager's office, and monitors the building under management. When an alarm output is received from alarm transmission device 20, external device 30 performs processing corresponding to this alarm output. This processing is, for example, sending a signal to the control center of the management company that manages the building in response to the alarm output from alarm transmission device 20. External device 30 may also be operated in connection with alarm devices such as additional buzzers and flashlights, smoke control equipment such as shutters and fire doors, and the residential information panel of an intercom system. The processing corresponding to the alarm output is not limited to sending a signal, but can be any processing.

[0013] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the alarm unit 10. The alarm unit 10 comprises a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication unit 103, an operation unit 104, a display unit 105, a sound output unit 106, a fire detection unit 107, and a power supply unit 108. Each part of the alarm unit 10 is connected via a bus or power line.

[0014] The control unit 101 controls various parts of the device and performs various processes. The control unit 101 includes one or more processors, such as a CPU, and the processors execute programs stored in the memory unit 102. The memory unit 102 includes volatile memory such as RAM and non-volatile memory such as ROM, EEPROM, and flash memory. The volatile memory stores the device's status information. The status information indicates the device's state and shows either a normal state or an abnormal state. The volatile memory of the master unit 10b also stores the status information of all alarm devices 10 in the group. The non-volatile memory stores the program for realizing the device's functions, the device's address, and the group ID. This address is a number that uniquely identifies the alarm device 10 in the group. Multiple alarm devices 10 belonging to the same group are assigned consecutive addresses in advance. The communication unit 103 is a communication interface for wireless communication with other devices according to wireless communication standards. The communication unit 103 includes, for example, an antenna and a transmitting / receiving circuit.

[0015] The control unit 104 is used for operation by the operator. The control unit 104 includes, for example, operation buttons. The display unit 105 displays various information. The display unit 105 includes multiple LEDs with different light-emitting colors, and various information is indicated by the lighting pattern of each LED. The sound output unit 106 outputs various alarm sounds and voice messages. The sound output unit 106 includes, for example, a speaker. The fire detection unit 107 detects a fire by measuring physical quantities that change in conjunction with the fire. The fire detection method is, for example, photoelectric or fixed-temperature. In the case of the photoelectric method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the smoke density in the surroundings. In the case of the fixed-temperature method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the temperature in the surroundings. Note that the fire detection method is not limited to the photoelectric or fixed-temperature method, but can be any method that can detect a fire, such as infrared or combined methods. The power supply unit 108 supplies power to each part of the unit. The power supply unit 108 includes, for example, a battery and a power supply circuit. In the following explanation, turning on the power supply unit 108 is referred to as turning on the power, and turning off the power supply is referred to as turning off the power.

[0016] The control unit 101 of the alarm device 10 functions as an abnormality detection unit 111, an alarm control unit 112, an update unit 113, a transmission unit 114, and a notification unit 115. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 101 executing a program stored in the memory unit 102 to perform calculations or to control various parts of the device.

[0017] The abnormality detection unit 111 checks the status of the unit at predetermined time intervals and detects equipment abnormalities in the unit. Types of equipment abnormalities include, for example, battery depletion, sensor abnormality, and radio wave abnormality. Battery depletion indicates a state where the battery level is low. Sensor abnormality indicates a state where there is an abnormality in the output of the fire detection unit 107. Radio wave abnormality indicates a state where there is an abnormality in wireless communication between the unit and other units.

[0018] When the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a device abnormality, the alarm control unit 112 causes the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to output an alarm notifying the occurrence of the device abnormality. For example, the alarm control unit 112 causes the sound output unit 106 to output an audio message and causes the LEDs of the display unit 105 to light up according to a predetermined lighting pattern.

[0019] When the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a device abnormality, the update unit 113 updates the state information stored in the storage unit 102 to indicate the device abnormality. Also, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the state information of the slave unit 10a stored in the storage unit 102 according to the device abnormality signal or the periodic signal received from the slave unit 10a. Further, when the power is re-supplied, the update unit 113 initializes the state information stored in the storage unit 102 to indicate a normal state. The update unit 113 is an example of the initialization unit according to the present invention.

[0020] The transmission unit 114 transmits the state information stored in the storage unit 102 at a predetermined timing. For example, the transmission unit 114 transmits a periodic signal including the state information stored in the storage unit 102 at a predetermined time interval. Also, when the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a device abnormality, the transmission unit 114 transmits a device abnormality signal including the state information stored in the storage unit 102.

[0021] When the power is re-supplied, the notification unit 115 notifies the transfer device 20 of the re-supplying of the power. Re-supplying of the power means that the power is cut off once and then re-supplied. For example, the notification unit 115 notifies the transfer device 20 of the re-supplying of the power by transmitting a battery connection signal notifying that the power has been re-supplied.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transfer reporting device 20. The transfer reporting device 20 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a communication unit 203, an operation unit 204, a display unit 205, a sound output unit 206, a transfer reporting output unit 207, and a power supply unit 208. Each unit of the transfer reporting device 20 is connected via a bus or a power line. The control unit 201, the storage unit 202, the communication unit 203, the operation unit 204, the display unit 205, the sound output unit 206, and the power supply unit 208 are basically the same as the control unit 101, the storage unit 102, the communication unit 103, the operation unit 104, the display unit 105, the sound output unit 106, and the power supply unit 108 of the alarm device 10, respectively, and thus their descriptions are omitted. However, the storage unit 202 stores information such as a group ID necessary for receiving abnormal information such as a fire occurring within the group.

[0023] When a device abnormality occurs in the alarm device 10, the transfer reporting output unit 207 outputs a transfer reporting signal indicating the occurrence of the device abnormality to an external device 30. The transfer reporting output unit 207 includes a contact connected to the external device 30. This contact is, for example, a break contact and is normally in a closed state. In this example, the transfer reporting output unit 207 has a contact relay, but it may have a non-contact relay.

[0024] The control unit 201 functions as a receiving unit 211, an alarm control unit 212, a contact control unit 213, and a restricting unit 214. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 201 executing a program stored in the storage unit 202 to perform calculations or control each unit of the device itself.

[0025] The receiving unit 211 receives a device abnormality signal and a periodic signal. The receiving unit 211 may directly receive these signals from the slave unit 10a or the master unit 10b, or may receive a signal transferred by the master unit 10b.

[0026] If the alarm control unit 212 receives a signal from the receiving unit 211 indicating that an equipment malfunction has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 within the group, it will output an alarm related to the equipment malfunction from the display unit 205. At this time, the alarm control unit 212 may display different alarms depending on the type of equipment malfunction. For example, the alarm control unit 212 may light up LEDs included in the display unit 205 according to different lighting patterns predetermined for each type of equipment malfunction.

[0027] The contact control unit 213 controls the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 in accordance with the signal received by the receiving unit 211. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts using the electromagnetic force of a coil paired with the contacts. If the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that an equipment malfunction has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 in the group, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 to output an alarm signal from the alarm output unit 207 to the external device 30, informing that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. Also, if the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that the state of all alarm devices 10 in the group has returned to normal, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 to stop the output of this alarm signal.

[0028] The restriction unit 214 sets a prohibition time based on the time when the master unit 10b notifies the system of power-on, and restricts the processing of the transmission output unit 207 in response to signals received within the prohibition time. For example, the restriction unit 214 invalidates signals received within the prohibition time and prohibits processing corresponding to those signals. The prohibition time is set in advance to include, for example, the time when the first periodic signal transmitted for the first time after the master unit 10b is power-on is received. The prohibition time is an example of a predetermined time according to the present invention. Furthermore, the restriction unit 214 permits processing corresponding to signals received after the prohibition time has elapsed.

[0029] 2. Operation Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation that occurs when a device malfunction occurs in the master unit 10b. This operation is initiated when the master unit 10b detects a device malfunction in its own unit.

[0030] In step S11, the abnormality detection unit 111 of the master unit 10b detects an abnormality in its own unit. Specifically, the abnormality detection unit 111 checks the status of its own unit at predetermined time intervals. Here, we will explain using the example of a battery failure in the master unit 10b. At predetermined time intervals, the abnormality detection unit 111 determines whether the battery voltage is equal to or greater than the predetermined operating voltage value of the master unit 10b. If the battery voltage is determined to be less than the operating voltage value for a predetermined number of consecutive times, the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a battery failure.

[0031] In step S12, the alarm control unit 112 of the master unit 10b outputs an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to indicate the occurrence of a device malfunction. At this time, the alarm control unit 112 outputs different alarms depending on the type of device malfunction. In this example, since a dead battery is detected, the alarm control unit 112 outputs the voice message "Battery is dead" from the sound output unit 106 and also causes the LED on the display unit 105 to blink once at a predetermined blinking cycle.

[0032] In step S13, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information of the master unit 10b stored in the memory unit 102 to indicate a device malfunction. In this example, the status information of the master unit 10b stored in the memory unit 102 is updated to indicate a dead battery. In addition to the status information of the master unit 10b, the memory unit 102 also stores the status information of the slave units 10a included in the group, but in this example, the status information of the slave units 10a is assumed to indicate a normal state.

[0033] In step S14, the transmitter 114 of the master unit 10b wirelessly transmits an equipment malfunction signal containing the status information of the master unit 10b stored in the storage unit 102. Note that the processes in steps S12 to S14 may be performed in any order or in parallel. This equipment malfunction signal contains information indicating the type of malfunction. In addition, the address of the master unit 10b and the group ID are added to this equipment malfunction signal so that other devices belonging to the same group can know which device has malfunctioned. The status information included in this equipment malfunction signal is an example of the first status information according to the present invention. The receiver 211 of the transmission device 20 receives the equipment malfunction signal transferred from the master unit 10b because the group ID included in the equipment malfunction signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 202.

[0034] In step S15, the alarm control unit 212 of the alarm transmission device 20 outputs an alarm from the display unit 205 to indicate that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. In this example, since the type of malfunction is a dead battery, the alarm control unit 212 makes the LED of the display unit 205 blink once at a predetermined blinking cycle.

[0035] In step S16, the contact control unit 213 of the alarm transmission device 20 controls the contacts of the alarm transmission output unit 207 to output an alarm transmission signal from the alarm transmission output unit 207 to the external device 30, informing it of the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm 10. This transmission signal continues to be output until the device malfunction is resolved. For example, under normal circumstances, the contacts are closed and current flows to the external device 30. However, upon receiving a device malfunction signal, the contact control unit 213 switches the contacts to an open state. When the contacts are switched to an open state, conductivity is lost across both ends of the contacts, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm 10. The external device 30 then transmits a signal indicating the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm 10 to the management company's control center. As a result, the management company recognizes that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm 10 installed in the building under its management, and workers can move to the building under its management to deal with the device malfunction.

[0036] Here, we assume that before the worker arrives, a general user in the building under management removes and reinserts the battery of the master unit 10b, and the master unit 10b temporarily recovers from a battery-dead state. The master unit 10b has status information for the alarm devices 10, but this status information is stored in the volatile memory of the storage unit 102, and is therefore erased when the power is cut off by removing and reinserting the battery. When the power to the master unit 10b is restored in step S17, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b initializes the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in step S18. As a result of this initialization, the volatile memory of the storage unit 102 stores status information indicating a normal state for all alarm devices 10 included in the group.

[0037] In step S19, the notification unit 115 of the master unit 10b wirelessly transmits a battery connection signal to notify that the power has been restored. The address of the master unit 10b and the group ID are added to this battery connection signal so that other devices belonging to the same group can know which device has had its power restored. The receiving unit 211 of the transmission device 20 receives the battery connection signal transmitted from the master unit 10b because the group ID included in the battery connection signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 202.

[0038] In step S20, the limiting unit 214 of the signal transfer device 20 sets a prohibition time that restricts processing in accordance with the periodic signal received from the master unit 10b, based on the time when the battery connection signal is received. The prohibition time is, for example, the first hour from the time the battery connection signal is received.

[0039] In step S21, the transmitter 114 of the master unit 10b transmits the first periodic signal wirelessly two hours after transmitting the battery connection signal. Here, the first hour described above is set to be longer than the second hour and shorter than the time between the transmission of the battery connection signal and the transmission of the second periodic signal. As described above, the status information is initialized when the power of the master unit 10b is turned on again, and status information indicating the normal state is stored in the storage unit 102 for all alarm devices 10. Therefore, the first periodic signal includes status information indicating the normal state for all alarm devices 10. The status information included in this periodic signal is an example of the second status information according to the present invention. In addition, the address of the master unit 10b and the group ID are added to the periodic signal so that other devices belonging to the same group can know which device is the source of the periodic signal. The receiver 211 of the alarm transfer device 20 receives the periodic signal transmitted from the master unit 10b because the group ID included in the battery connection signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 202.

[0040] In step S22, the limiting unit 214 of the alarm transfer device 20 restricts the processing of the alarm transfer output unit 207 in response to the initial periodic signal because it is received within the prohibited time. For example, if an alarm transfer signal is output from the alarm transfer output unit 207, the limiting unit 214 discards the periodic signal received by the receiving unit 211 and prohibits the stopping of the output of the alarm transfer signal in response to the state information contained in this periodic signal. When the periodic signal is discarded, the contact control unit 213 does not control the contacts in response to the periodic signal. Since the connection state of the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207 does not change when the contact control unit 213 does not control the contacts, the output of the alarm transfer signal continues.

[0041] Three hours after the initial periodic signal is transmitted, the master unit 10b transmits the next periodic signal to the alarm transfer device 20 (step S23). Here, it is assumed that the worker arrives, the battery of the master unit 10b is replaced by the worker, and all alarm devices 10 have returned to a normal state between the transmission of the initial periodic signal and the transmission of the next periodic signal. In this case, the next periodic signal includes status information indicating that all alarm devices 10 are in a normal state. The limiting unit 214 of the alarm transfer device 20 permits the processing of the alarm transfer output unit 207 in accordance with this periodic signal, since the next periodic signal will be received after the prohibited time has elapsed. As a result, processing in accordance with this periodic signal is carried out (step S24). For example, the limiting unit 214 supplies this periodic signal to the contact control unit 213 without discarding it. If an alarm transfer signal is being output from the alarm transfer output unit 207, the contact control unit 213 stops the output of the alarm transfer signal from the alarm transfer output unit 207. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207 to the normal closed state. When the contact switches to the closed state, both ends of the contact become conductive, and current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the malfunction of the alarm device 10 has been resolved.

[0042] Generally, if a malfunction occurs in the alarm 10, the management company needs an operator to go to the location where the alarm 10 is installed, deal with the malfunction, and confirm that the alarm 10 has returned to a normal state. For this reason, it is preferable that the output of the transfer signal from the transfer device 20 continues until the operator confirms that the alarm 10 has returned to a normal state. According to the embodiment described above, even if the power to the master unit 10b is turned back on while the transfer signal is being output from the transfer device 20 in response to a malfunction that occurred in the master unit 10b, the output of the transfer signal will continue regardless of the periodic signal received from the master unit 10b within the prohibited time. Therefore, even after the power to the master unit 10b is turned back on, the management company can recognize the malfunction in the master unit 10b that occurred before the power to the master unit 10b was turned on and deal with it appropriately.

[0043] 3. Variant The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The embodiments described above may be modified and implemented as shown in the following modifications. The embodiments and modifications may be used in combination or switched between depending on the application. Similarly, the following modifications may be used in combination or switched between depending on the application.

[0044] Variation 1 In the embodiment described above, the alarm transfer device 20 may detect an equipment malfunction in the master unit 10b. As described above, the master unit 10b transmits periodic signals to the alarm transfer device 20 at predetermined time intervals. If these periodic signals are no longer transmitted at predetermined time intervals, it can be said that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the master unit 10b. Therefore, if the alarm transfer device 20 does not receive periodic signals from the master unit 10b for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined time interval, it detects an equipment malfunction in the master unit 10b. Upon detecting an equipment malfunction in the master unit 10b, the alarm transfer device 20 performs the processing from step S15 onwards as described above. In step S16, an alarm transfer signal indicating the occurrence of an equipment malfunction in the alarm device 10 is output to the external device 30. Even in this modified example, it is possible to recognize an equipment malfunction that occurred in the master unit 10b before the power was restored, after the power of the master unit 10b has been restored.

[0045] Variation 2 In the embodiment described above, the alarm transfer device 20 may output an alarm transfer signal in response to an equipment malfunction in the slave unit 10a. When the abnormality detection unit 111 of the slave unit 10a detects an equipment malfunction, the alarm control unit 112 of the slave unit 10a outputs an alarm to indicate the occurrence of an equipment malfunction. The update unit 113 of the slave unit 10a updates the status information stored in the storage unit 102 to indicate an equipment malfunction. The transmission unit 114 of the slave unit 10a wirelessly transmits an equipment malfunction signal including the status information stored in the storage unit 102. When this equipment malfunction signal is received, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information of this slave unit 10a stored in the storage unit 102 to indicate an equipment malfunction. The transmission unit 114 of the master unit 10b also wirelessly transmits the equipment malfunction signal to the alarm transfer device 20. When the alarm transfer device 20 receives this equipment malfunction signal, it performs the processing from step S15 onwards. In step S16, a transfer signal is output to the external device 30 to indicate that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. In step S18, the state information stored in the memory unit 102 is initialized, so in step S21, a periodic signal containing state information indicating a normal state is transmitted for the slave unit 10a where the equipment malfunction occurred. However, as in the embodiment described above, in step S22, processing in response to this periodic signal is restricted, so the output of the transfer signal continues.

[0046] Furthermore, the transmitter 114 of the slave unit 10a transmits periodic signals wirelessly at predetermined time intervals. This predetermined time interval is shorter than the transmission interval of periodic signals between the master unit 10b and the alarm transfer device 20. These periodic signals include status information of the slave unit 10a stored in the storage unit 102. If the periodic signal received from the slave unit 10a includes status information indicating an equipment malfunction, the alarm control unit 112 of the master unit 10b may output an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to indicate the occurrence of an equipment malfunction in the slave unit 10a. In addition, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information of the slave unit 10a stored in the storage unit 102 according to the periodic signal. For example, if the periodic signal includes status information indicating an equipment malfunction, the update unit 113 updates the status information of the slave unit 10a stored in the storage unit 102 to indicate an equipment malfunction. The transmitter 114 of the master unit 10b wirelessly transmits a periodic signal to the alarm transfer device 20 after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the last transmission of the periodic signal. This periodic signal includes status information of the alarm devices 10 in the group stored in the memory unit 102. When the alarm transfer device 20 receives this periodic signal, if the status information contained in the periodic signal indicates that a device malfunction has occurred in at least one alarm device 10, it performs the processing from step S15 onwards. In step S16, an alarm transfer signal indicating the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm device 10 is output to the external device 30. In step S18, the status information stored in the memory unit 102 is initialized, so in step S21, a periodic signal including status information indicating a normal state is transmitted for the slave unit 10a where the device malfunction occurred. However, as in the embodiment described above, in step S22, processing in response to this periodic signal is restricted, so the output of the alarm transfer signal continues.

[0047] According to this modified version, even if a device malfunction occurs in the slave unit 10a and the power to the master unit 10b is turned on again, causing the master unit 10b to send a periodic signal indicating that the slave unit 10a is functioning normally, the output of the transfer signal from the transfer device 20 will continue. This prevents the slave unit 10a from being mistakenly recognized as functioning normally despite having a device malfunction.

[0048] Variation 3 In the embodiment described above, even if a periodic signal is received within the prohibited time, processing corresponding to the periodic signal may be performed depending on its content. For example, consider the case where a device malfunction signal is transmitted from the slave unit 10a to the master unit 10b between the time the master unit 10b is powered on again and the time the master unit 10b transmits a battery connection signal. In this case, the status information of the slave unit 10a stored in the storage unit 102 of the master unit 10b is updated to indicate a device malfunction due to this device malfunction signal, so the initial periodic signal includes status information indicating a device malfunction. The restriction unit 214 of the alarm transfer device 20 may permit the output of an alarm transfer signal corresponding to the periodic signal even if the initial periodic signal is received within the prohibited time, if the status information included in this periodic signal indicates a device malfunction. When the restriction unit 214 permits the output of an alarm transfer signal, an alarm transfer signal indicating the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm device 10 is output from the alarm transfer output unit 207 to the external device 30.

[0049] Furthermore, consider the case where a device malfunction in the master unit 10b is detected between the time the master unit 10b is powered on again and the time the master unit 10b transmits a battery connection signal. In this case, the detection of this device malfunction updates the status information of the master unit 10b stored in the storage unit 102 of the master unit 10b to indicate a device malfunction, so the initial periodic signal includes status information indicating a device malfunction. The restriction unit 214 of the alarm transfer device 20 may, even if it receives the initial periodic signal within the prohibited time, permit the output of an alarm transfer signal corresponding to the periodic signal if the status information included in this periodic signal indicates a device malfunction. When the restriction unit 214 permits the output of an alarm transfer signal, an alarm transfer signal indicating the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm device 10 is output from the alarm transfer output unit 207 to the external device 30.

[0050] Thus, if the status information contained in the periodic signal received within the prohibited time period indicates a normal state, no processing corresponding to that periodic signal is performed, but if it indicates a device malfunction, processing corresponding to that status information may be performed. According to this modification, if a device malfunction occurs in the alarm device 10 between the time the power to the master unit 10b is turned on and the time the master unit 10b transmits a battery connection signal, the external device 30 can be notified of the occurrence of this device malfunction.

[0051] Variation 4 In the embodiment described above, if the transmission device 20 is installed within the wireless communication range of the slave unit 10a, the signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a reaches the transmission device 20 as is. In this case, the transmission device 20 may receive the signal directly from the slave unit 10a and perform processing according to the received signal.

[0052] Variation 5 The fire detector according to the present invention is not limited to the alarm 10, and does not necessarily have to emit an alarm. For example, the fire detector may be a sensor or fire detector that does not have an alarm function.

[0053] Variation 6 In the embodiments described above, the configuration of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the examples described above. The alarm system 1 may be configured to include one or more of the devices described above, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices. For example, the alarm system 1 does not necessarily have to include a slave unit 10a and a master unit 10b, and may include multiple alarm devices 10 without distinction between them. The configuration of the alarm devices 10 and the alarm transfer device 20 may also be configured to include one or more of the configurations described above, or it may be configured to omit some of the configurations. The alarm transfer output unit 207 may have any circuit configuration as long as it can realize the functions of the alarm transfer output unit 207. The alarm transfer output unit 207 may be configured to include one or more of the circuit elements described above, or it may be configured to omit some of the circuit elements. For example, the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207 may be make contacts or transfer contacts, and the alarm transfer output unit 207 may have multiple contacts. When the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207 are make contacts, the contacts are normally in an open state, and no current flows to the external device 30. However, upon receiving a device malfunction signal, the contact control unit 213 switches the contact to a closed state. When the contact is switched to a closed state, both ends of the contact become conductive, and current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm 10. Also, when stopping the output of the alarm transmission signal, the contact control unit 213 switches the contact of the alarm transmission output unit 207 to a normal open state. When the contact is switched to an open state, conductivity is lost between both ends of the contact, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the device malfunction in the alarm 10 has been resolved. In the embodiment described above, if the contact of the alarm transmission output unit 207 is a break contact, the alarm transmission signal indicating that a device malfunction has occurred is output because current stops flowing to the external device 30. On the other hand, in the modified example, if the contact of the alarm transmission output unit 207 is a make contact, the alarm transmission signal indicating that a device malfunction has occurred is output because current flows to the external device 30. Furthermore, the location where the status information of the alarm devices 10 within the group is stored in the master unit 10b does not necessarily have to be volatile memory; it may be non-volatile memory.Even with this configuration, if the state information stored in the non-volatile memory is initialized to indicate a normal state when the power to the master unit 10b is turned on again, the same problems as in the above-described embodiment may occur, and therefore, the same processing as in the above-described embodiment may be performed.

[0054] In the embodiments described above, the control unit 101 of the alarm device 10 includes circuits such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, etc., and at least part of the functions of the alarm device 10 may be realized by these circuits. Similarly, the control unit 201 of the alarm transmission device 20 also includes these circuits, and at least part of the functions of the alarm transmission device 20 may be realized by these circuits.

[0055] Variation 7 In the embodiments described above, the operation of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the examples described above. The processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. In addition, some of the processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be omitted.

[0056] Variation 8 Another embodiment of the present invention may provide a method having processing steps performed in at least one of the alarm system 1, the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the alarm transmission device 20. Yet another embodiment of the present invention may provide a program to be executed in the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the alarm transmission device 20. This program may be provided stored on a computer-readable recording medium or provided by download via the Internet or the like.

[0057] Modification 9 The present invention may also be applied to a system that alarms for phenomena other than fire. In this modified example, the alarm 10 may be a gas alarm, a motion sensor, or other device that detects and alarms for phenomena other than fire. A gas alarm, a motion sensor, or other device that detects and alarms for phenomena other than fire is also an example of a detector according to the present invention. In short, the detector according to the present invention may be any device that detects an abnormality. This abnormality is not limited to fire, but may be any abnormality such as a gas leak or intrusion by a suspicious person. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1: Alarm system, 10: Alarm device, 20: Alarm transfer device, 30: External equipment, 111: Anomaly detection unit, 112: Alarm control unit, 113: Update unit, 114: Transmission unit, 115: Notification unit, 207: Alarm transfer output unit, 211: Receiving unit, 212: Alarm control unit, 213: Contact control unit, 214: Restriction unit

Claims

[Claim 1] An alarm system comprising a detector for detecting abnormalities and a signal transmission device, The aforementioned detector is A storage unit that stores the status information of the aforementioned detector, When the power to the detector is turned on again, an initialization unit initializes the status information to indicate a normal state, It includes a communication unit that transmits the status information at a predetermined timing, The communication unit, upon the power being restored, further transmits information regarding the power being restored. The aforementioned relay device, A transmission output unit that outputs a transmission signal to an external device according to the received status information, It includes a limiting unit that restricts the processing of the transfer output unit according to the corresponding state information based on the received information regarding the re-energization of the power supply. Alarm system.

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