Reporting system

Abstract

We provide a reporting system that ensures a relatively high level of security while minimizing the effort required to update the list of recipients. [Solution] The notification system 1 includes child notification devices 21 and 22 and a parent notification device 10 that can communicate with each other via the Internet N. When each notification device receives information indicating that a fire has occurred, it sends a message indicating this to the recipients shown in the recipient list 112 or 212. The storage unit 110 of the parent notification device 10 stores a recipient list 112 related to the recipients of messages. When the recipient list 112 is updated, the list receiving units 230 of the child notification devices 21 and 22 update the contents of the recipient list 212 stored in the storage unit 210 based on the updated recipient list 112 sent from the list transmitting unit 130 of the parent notification device 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a notification system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when an event that causes a notification factor such as a fire occurs, there is a device that transmits information to a preset destination. Patent Document 1 is an example of this, and relates to a device that transmits an e-mail notifying a fire to a destination of a preset e-mail address based on information from a fire notification device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is preferable that the information of the notification destination is secured with relatively high security. On the other hand, there are multiple notification destinations, and in some cases, there may be a large number. Therefore, it is desired that the update of the list of notification destinations does not take much time.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a notification system that is relatively highly secure and that is not difficult to update the list of notification destinations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The notification system of the present invention is a notification system comprising one or more notification devices and one notification destination management device that can communicate with each other via a network, wherein the one or more notification devices and the notification destination management device are installed in different buildings, and each of the one or more notification devices includes a first storage means for storing a first destination list relating to the destinations to which messages are sent, an information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating that an event that causes notification has occurred, and a transmission means for sending a notification message indicating that the event has occurred to the destinations included in the first destination list stored by the first storage means when the information acquisition means has acquired the information. The notification destination management device comprises a second storage means for storing a second destination list relating to the destinations of messages sent by one or more notification devices; a first update means for updating the contents of the second destination list stored in the second storage means based on input information from a user; and a destination transmission means for transmitting the second destination list stored in the second storage means to each of the one or more notification devices, and each of the one or more notification devices further comprises a second update means for updating the contents of the first destination list stored in the first storage means based on the second destination list transmitted from the destination transmission means.

[0007] According to the notification system of the present invention, the list of recipients of notifications from the notification device is centrally managed in the notification recipient management device. Therefore, the security of information management of notification recipients can be enhanced. Furthermore, if the second recipient list is updated in the notification recipient management device, the contents are reflected in the update of the first recipient list. Therefore, updating the lists is less time-consuming.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that the notification device includes a means for sending a notification destination management device a message indicating that it cannot receive the notification if the transmission of the second destination list from the destination transmission means to the notification device is initiated within a predetermined period after the event occurs. According to this, when an event that triggers notification occurs, the notification device will be treated as unable to receive the second destination list. The notification destination management device will then be informed that it cannot receive the notification. Therefore, the notification destination management device can appropriately process the fact that the notification device was unable to receive the second destination list.

[0009] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the notification destination management device displays an error message on the display of the notification device indicating that the transmission of the second destination list could not be performed. This error message distinguishes between cases where a communication error occurred when the transmission destination means transmitted the second destination list and cases where the transmission failure reply means sent a message indicating that the message could not be received. This makes it possible to clearly indicate on the display of the notification destination management device whether the failure to receive the second destination list was due to a communication error or the occurrence of an event.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of notification devices are provided, and that when an event occurs in one of the notification devices, the fact that the event has occurred is transmitted to the other notification devices via or without the notification destination management device, and that the other notification devices display on their displays that the event has occurred in one of the notification devices. This makes it possible to indicate that an event has occurred in one notification device by the display of the other notification devices.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that when the contents of the second destination list are updated by the first update means, the destination transmission means transmits the second destination list to the notification device. In this case, the updated second destination list is transmitted to the notification device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the destination transmission means transmits the second destination list to the notification device each time the contents of the second destination list are updated by the first update means, or when it is determined at a predetermined timing that the contents of the second destination list have been updated by the first update means. This ensures that the updated second destination list is transmitted to the notification device at an appropriate time.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the destination transmission means transmits information identifying the source when transmitting the second destination list to the notification device, and the notification device decides whether or not to update the first destination list based on the second destination list based on whether or not the information indicates an appropriate source. This ensures the security of updating the first destination list based on the second destination list.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, the notification destination management device may also include a management-side information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating that an event causing a notification has occurred, and a management-side transmission means for transmitting a notification message indicating that the event has occurred to the recipients included in the second recipient list stored in the second storage means when the information acquisition means acquires the information. In this case, the notification destination management device will also have the function of a notification device.

[0015] Furthermore, in the present invention, the notification destination management device transmits to the notification device that the event has occurred, and the notification device may display on its display that the event has occurred in the notification destination management device. This makes it possible to indicate that the event has occurred in the notification destination management device through the display of the child notification device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a notification system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]It is a functional block diagram showing the schematic configurations of the parent notification device and the child notification device in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a functional block diagram showing the schematic configurations of the destination list in FIG. 2 and the terminal device. [Figure 4] It is a functional block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the storage unit of each notification device in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] It is a screen shown on the display of each notification device in FIG. 1, indicating that an email indicating the occurrence of a fire has been sent from the standby screen. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a state of switching from the state of FIG. 5 to a screen for sending an email indicating fire extinguishment, which is displayed on the display of each notification device in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a state of switching from the state of FIG. 6 to the standby screen, which is displayed on the display of each notification device in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] (a) In the distribution device of FIG. 1, when the parent notification device transmits the destination list, a diagram showing a situation where a fire detector connected to the child notification device is operating and the child notification device transmits a reception failure notification indicating that it cannot receive the transmission list to the parent notification device. (b) It is an example of a message indicating a reception failure error displayed on the display of the parent notification device in (a). [Figure 9] (a) In the distribution device of FIG. 1, when the parent notification device transmits the destination list, a diagram showing a situation where a communication error occurs and the parent notification device cannot transmit the transmission list. (b) It is an example of a message indicating a communication error displayed on the display of the parent notification device in (a). [Figure 10] It is a functional block diagram showing the schematic configuration for executing telop control processing by the parent notification device or a certain child notification device in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] It is an example of a screen on which a telop is displayed according to the configuration of FIG. 10.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the notification system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The notification system 1 is a system that sends a notification by email to a preset destination when an event that is a notification factor occurs. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the notification factor is the occurrence of a fire will be described. When a fire occurs in a building or the like to be monitored, the notification system 1 sends an email including a message indicating that fact to the email addresses in a list of preset notification destinations. Note that there may be a plurality of events that are notification factors, and the system may be configured to send notifications for each of the plurality of events. The notification system 1 is also a system that updates the list. The recipients of the email are persons related to the building to be monitored for fire (such as administrators).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the notification system 1 includes fire detectors 2A to 2C, a parent notification device 10 (notification destination management device in the present invention), child notification devices 21 and 22 (notification devices in the present invention), the Internet N, and terminal devices 3A to 3F. The parent notification device 10, the child notification devices 21, and 22 are installed in different buildings. The fire detectors 2A to 2C are installed inside different buildings or the like. The fire detector 2A is connected to the parent notification device 10. The fire detector 2B is connected to the child notification device 21. The fire detector 2C is connected to the child notification device 22. When the fire detector 2A operates due to the occurrence of a fire, the parent notification device 10 notifies the terminal devices 3A and 3B of that fact by email. When the fire detector 2B operates due to the occurrence of a fire, the child notification device 21 notifies the terminal devices 3C and 3D of that fact by email. When the fire detector 2C operates due to the occurrence of a fire, the child notification device 22 notifies the terminal devices 3E and 3F of that fact by email. Each terminal device is grouped according to the notification device it connects to. For example, the group of terminal devices 3A and 3B is terminal group A, and the group of terminal devices 3C and 3D is terminal group 3B (see FIG. 3).

[0019] The parent notification device 10 is constructed from a main unit such as a personal computer equipped with various storage devices such as a CPU and memory, input devices such as a touch panel and keyboard, and various output devices such as a display, and software stored in its storage devices. In this embodiment, the parent notification device 10 is provided with a touch panel display as an input / output device. The various functions of the storage unit 110, etc., described later, are realized through the cooperation of the software and the main unit of the parent notification device 10.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the parent notification device 10 includes a storage unit 110 (second storage means in the present invention), a list update unit 120 (first update means in the present invention), a list transmission unit 130 (destination transmission means in the present invention), a message distribution unit 140 (management-side information acquisition means and management-side transmission means in the present invention), and a ticker control unit 150.

[0021] The storage unit 110 has setting information 111 and a destination list 112 (the second destination list in this invention). The setting information 111 and the destination list 112 are information that instructs which recipients to send emails to when a fire occurs. The destination list 112 is a complete list of email addresses related to the recipients of messages sent by the parent notification device 10 and the child notification devices 21 and 22. In this embodiment, the destination list 112 is a list relating to terminal devices 3A to 3F. As shown in Figure 3, the destination list 112 has, for example, address group A and address group B. Address group A has addresses 1121 and 1122. Address group A corresponds to terminal group A, where address 1121 is the address of terminal device 3A and address 1122 is the address of terminal device 3B. Address group B has addresses 1123 and 1124. Address group B corresponds to terminal group B, where address 1123 is the address of terminal device 3C and address 1124 is the address of terminal device 3D. Configuration information 111 is information that associates the group to which the email will be sent with the triggering factor. For example, it indicates which of these groups will be the recipient of the email when the fire detector 2A, which is the triggering factor, is activated. In the example shown in Figure 4, configuration information 111 indicates group A as the recipient. If there are multiple triggering factors, configuration information 111 may associate each of the multiple causes with a recipient group.

[0022] The list update unit 120 updates the contents of the destination list 112 stored in the storage unit 110 based on input from the user. User input may be made through an input device, or it may be made by reading data recorded in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or the like connected to the parent notification device 10 into the parent notification device 10.

[0023] The list transmission unit 130 transmits the destination list 112 stored in the storage unit 110 to the child notification devices 21 and 22 when the contents of the destination list 112 are updated by the list update unit 120. Transmission of the destination list 112 to each notification device may be performed each time the destination list 112 is updated, or it may be performed at predetermined timings, for example, by periodically determining whether or not it has been updated and only when it is determined that it has been updated.

[0024] When the list transmission unit 130 transmits the destination list 112, it transmits the IP address that identifies the source (information that identifies the source in this invention) to the child notification devices 21 and 22.

[0025] The message distribution unit 140 receives a signal from the fire detector 2A indicating that the fire detector 2A has been activated (the "information indicating that an event causing a notification has occurred" according to the present invention). Upon receiving the signal from the fire detector 2A, the message distribution unit 140 sends a message pre-stored in the message distribution unit 140 to the destinations indicated by the setting information 111 and the destination list 112. In one example shown in Figures 3 and 4, since the setting information 111 indicates group A, the message distribution unit 140 sends the message via email to the addresses included in group A in the destination list 112. This sends the message to terminal devices 3A and 3B. The message distribution unit 140 also notifies the ticker control unit 150 when the fire detector 2A is activated.

[0026] The ticker control unit 150, upon receiving notification from the message distribution unit 140 that the fire detector 2A has been activated, or upon receiving a similar notification from the sub-notification device 21 or 22 as described later, executes ticker control processing in cooperation with the ticker control units 250 of the sub-notification devices 21 and 22. Details of the ticker control processing will be described later.

[0027] The child notification devices 21 and 22 are constructed from a device body such as a tablet or smartphone equipped with various storage devices such as a CPU and memory, input devices such as a touch panel, and various output devices such as a display, and software stored in the storage devices. In this embodiment, a touch panel display (hereinafter referred to as the display) is provided as an input / output device. The functions of the storage unit 210 and the like, described later, are realized through the cooperation of the software in the child notification devices 21 and 22 and the device body.

[0028] Sub-notification devices 21 and 22 each have a storage unit 210 (first storage means in this invention), a list receiving unit 230 (second update means and unreceivable reply means in this invention), a message distribution unit 240 (information acquisition means and transmission means in this invention), and a ticker control unit 250. The sub-notification device 21 will be described below. Sub-notification device 22 has a similar configuration, differing only in the fire detector and terminal device it is connected to.

[0029] The storage unit 210 contains setting information 211 and a recipient list 212 (the first recipient list in this invention). The setting information 211 and the recipient list 212 are information that instructs which recipients to send an email to in the event of a fire.

[0030] The recipient list 212 matches the recipient list 112 held in the storage unit 110 of the parent notification device 10 if it has not been updated. In other words, the recipient list 212 is a complete list of email addresses for recipients of messages sent by the parent notification device 10 and the child notification devices 21 and 22. On the other hand, if the recipient list 112 is updated by the list update unit 120 in the parent notification device 10, the recipient list 112 and the recipient list 212 will temporarily no longer match. Accordingly, as described above, when the recipient list 112 is updated, the updated recipient list 112 is sent to the child notification devices 21 and 22.

[0031] When the list receiving unit 230 receives the destination list 112 sent from the list sending unit 130, it determines whether the IP address indicates a valid source. If it determines that the IP address indicates a valid source, it decides to update the destination list 212 based on the destination list 112. In other words, the list receiving unit 230 updates the contents of the destination list 212 based on the received destination list 112. As a result, the destination list 212 matches the destination list 112 again. On the other hand, if it determines that the IP address does not indicate a valid source, it decides not to update the destination list 212 based on the destination list 112.

[0032] Configuration information 211 is information that associates the group to which the email will be sent with the triggering factor. For example, it indicates which of these groups will be the recipient of the email when the fire detector 2B, which is the triggering factor, is activated. In the example shown in Figure 4, configuration information 211 indicates group B as the recipient. If there are multiple triggering factors, configuration information 211 may associate each of the multiple causes with a recipient group.

[0033] The message distribution unit 240 receives a signal from the fire detector 2B indicating that the fire detector 2B has been activated (the "information indicating that an event causing a notification has occurred" according to the present invention). Upon receiving the signal from the fire detector 2B, the message distribution unit 240 sends a message pre-stored in the message distribution unit 240 to the destinations indicated by the setting information 211 and the destination list 212. In one example shown in Figures 3 and 4, since the setting information 211 indicates group B, the message distribution unit 240 sends the message via email to the addresses included in group B in the destination list 212. This sends the message to terminal devices 3C and 3D. The message distribution unit 240 also notifies the ticker control unit 250 when the fire detector 2B is activated.

[0034] The ticker control unit 250, upon receiving notification from the message distribution unit 240 that the fire detector 2B has been activated, or upon receiving a similar notification from the parent notification device 10 as described later, executes ticker control processing in cooperation with the ticker control unit 150 of the parent notification device 10 and the ticker control units 250 of other child notification devices. Details of the ticker control processing will be described later.

[0035] The following describes the process by which the notification system 1 distributes messages to each terminal device, using Figures 5 to 7. First, the parent notification device 10 will be explained. The message distribution unit 140 displays screen IM1, which includes the string "Waiting" as shown in Figure 5, on its display and waits until the fire detector 2A is activated. Upon receiving a signal from the fire detector 2A indicating its activation, the message distribution unit 140 sends an email notifying that the fire detector 2A has been activated to the addresses 1121 of terminal device 3A and 1122 of terminal device 3B, which are included in Group A. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the display switches from screen IM1 to screen IM2. Screen IM2 includes the strings "Fire detector activated," "Fire detector activated email sent," and "A fire detector has been activated at "○○." Please check the site." The email includes, for example, the string "A fire detector at "○○" has been activated. Please check the site." ○○ corresponds to the name, symbol, etc., of the building where the fire detector 2A is installed.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 6, the message distribution unit 140 switches the display from screen IM2, which contains the text "Fire detector activated," to screen IM3, which contains the text "Touch the flashing logo to perform fire extinguishing operations" and a flashing button image C1. When a field supervisor or other person touches the position corresponding to button image C1 on the display, the message distribution unit 140 sends an email to addresses 1121 and 1122 notifying them that the fire has been extinguished. The message distribution unit 140 also displays the text "Fire extinguishing email sent." on the display. The email contains, for example, the text "The fire has been extinguished. Please rest assured." Then, the message distribution unit 140 displays screen IM1, which contains the text "Waiting."

[0037] Next, the sub-notification device 21 will be described. The sub-notification device 22 follows a similar procedure, differing only in the connected fire detector and terminal device. First, the message distribution unit 240 displays screen IM1, which includes the string "Standby" as shown in Figure 5, on its display and waits until the fire detector 2B is activated. Upon receiving a signal from the fire detector 2B indicating its activation, the message distribution unit 240 sends an email notifying that the fire detector 2B has been activated to address 1123 of terminal device 3C and address 1124 of terminal device 3D, which are included in group B. It also displays screen IM2 from screen IM1 in Figure 5. Screen IM2 contains the strings "Fire detector activated," "Fire detector activated email sent," and "A fire detector has been activated in "○○." Please check the site." The email contains, for example, the string "A fire detector in building ○○ has been activated. Please check the site." ○○ corresponds to the name or symbol of the building where the fire detector 2B is installed.

[0038] Next, as shown in Figure 6, the message distribution unit 240 displays screen IM3, which includes the text "Touch the flashing logo to perform fire extinguishing operations" and a flashing button image C1, after screen IM2, which includes the text "Fire detector activated," etc. When a field monitor or the like touches the position on the display corresponding to button image C1, the message distribution unit 240 sends an email to addresses 1123 and 1124 notifying them that the fire has been extinguished. The message distribution unit 240 also displays the text "Fire extinguishing email sent." on the display. The email includes, for example, the text "The fire has been extinguished. Please rest assured." Then, the message distribution unit 240 displays screen IM1, which includes the text "Standby."

[0039] The following describes the case where communication regarding the destination list 112 between the parent notification device 10 and the child notification device 21 or 22 is not possible, using Figures 8 and 9. First, we will describe the case where the fire detector 2B of the child notification device 21 is activated and the child notification device 21 is unable to receive the destination list 112. As shown in Figure 8(a), in a building where a fire detector 2B is installed, if a fire occurs and the fire detector 2B is activated, and the parent notification device 10's list transmission unit 130 starts transmitting the destination list 112, the child notification device 21 does not update the destination list 212 based on the destination list 112. The list receiving unit 230 of the child notification device 21 then sends a notification of unreceivable to the list transmission unit 130 indicating that it is unable to receive the destination list 112. The child notification device 21 performs this processing within the period (a predetermined period in this invention) from when the display switches from screen IM1 to screen IM2 until it switches back to screen IM1. Upon receiving a notification of unreceivable information, the list transmission unit 130 of the parent notification device 10 displays screen IM4, shown in Figure 8(b), on its display screen, which includes an error message. Screen IM4 contains the strings "Unreceivable Error" and "The destination list could not be received because a fire detector was activated at the destination." When a similar incident occurs in a building where a fire detector 2C is installed, the child notification device 22 and the parent notification device 10 perform the same processing.

[0040] Next, we will explain what happens when a communication error occurs and the destination list 112 cannot be sent to the child notification device 21. As shown in Figure 9(a), if a communication error occurs and the destination list 112 cannot reach the child notification device 21, the list transmission unit 130 displays screen IM5 containing an error message on the display of the parent notification device 10. Screen IM5 contains the strings "Communication error" and "The destination list could not be sent due to poor communication conditions." When a similar incident occurs in a building where a fire detector 2C is installed, the parent notification device 10 performs the same processing.

[0041] The following describes the ticker control process performed by the cooperation of each notification device, using Figure 10. The ticker control unit 150 of the parent notification device 10 and the ticker control units 250 of the child notification devices 21 and 22 control the display of tickers in each notification device as follows.

[0042] The ticker control unit 150 includes a ticker distribution unit 151 and a ticker display unit 152. When the ticker distribution unit 151 receives notification from the message distribution unit 140 due to the activation of fire detector 2A, it sends an instruction to the child alarm devices 21 and 22 to display a ticker indicating that a fire has occurred in the building of the parent alarm device 10. In addition, when the ticker distribution unit 151 receives notification from the ticker control unit 250 of either child alarm device 21 or 22 that fire detector 2B or 2C has been activated, it instructs the ticker display unit 152 to display a ticker indicating that a fire has occurred in the building of one of the child alarm devices 21 or 22, and also sends an instruction to the other child alarm device 21 or 22 to display the same ticker.

[0043] When the ticker control unit 250 receives a notification from the message distribution unit 240 due to the activation of fire detector 2B or 2C, it notifies the ticker distribution unit 151 of the master notification device 10. The ticker control unit 250 also has a ticker display unit 252. When the ticker display unit 252 receives an instruction from the ticker distribution unit 151 to display a ticker, it displays a ticker on the display that contains the content of that instruction.

[0044] As an example, the flow of the ticker control process when a fire occurs in the building of the parent notification device 10 or the child notification device 21 will be explained using Figures 10 and 11. First, the case when the fire detector 2A is activated will be explained. When the fire detector 2A is activated, the message distribution unit 140 notifies the ticker distribution unit 151 of this fact. Upon receiving this notification, the ticker distribution unit 151 notifies the child notification devices 21 and 22 that the fire detector 2A has been activated. In response, the ticker display units 252 of the child notification devices 21 and 22 display ticker D1, "A fire has occurred in "○○"," on their displays, as shown in screen IM1 of Figure 11. Ticker D1 is displayed repeatedly, scrolling from right to left. ○○ corresponds to the name, symbol, etc., of the building where the fire detector 2A is installed.

[0045] Next, the flow of the ticker control process when the fire detector 2B of the child notification device 21 is activated will be explained. When the fire detector 2B is activated, the message distribution unit 240 notifies the ticker control unit 250 of this fact. Upon receiving this notification, the ticker control unit 250 further notifies the ticker distribution unit 151 of the parent notification device 10 of this fact. In response, the ticker distribution unit 151 sends an instruction to the ticker display unit 152 of the parent notification device 10 and the ticker display unit 252 of the child notification device 22 to display a ticker indicating that a fire has occurred in the child notification device 21. In response, the ticker display unit 152 of the parent notification device 10 and the ticker display unit 252 of the child notification device 22 display ticker D1 "A fire has occurred in "○○"." on the display, as shown in screen IM1 of Figure 11. Ticker D1 is displayed repeatedly, scrolling from right to left. ○○ corresponds to the name, symbol, etc., of the building where the fire detector 2B is installed.

[0046] Furthermore, if fire detectors are activated simultaneously in multiple locations, it is preferable that a scrolling message indicating that a fire has occurred in each of the multiple buildings is displayed on the screen in sequence. Also, when the parent notification device 10 is notified from the child notification device 21 or 22 that fire detector 2B or 2C has been activated, if the parent notification device 10 is displaying a screen other than screen IM1 due to the activation of fire detector 2A, the parent notification device 10 may temporarily suspend the execution of at least a part of the scrolling message control process. For example, the processing of the scrolling message distribution unit 151 is executed, but the processing of the scrolling message display unit 152 is temporarily suspended. Alternatively, for example, the entire scrolling message control process may be temporarily suspended. In these cases, after the fire is extinguished, the suspended processing should be resumed after the display of the parent notification device 10 returns to screen IM1.

[0047] As described above, in the notification system 1 of this embodiment, the recipient list 112 for notifications from each notification device is centrally managed in the parent notification device 10. Therefore, the security of the information management of notification recipients can be enhanced. In addition, if the recipient list 112 is updated in the parent notification device 10, the contents will be reflected in the update of the recipient list 212. Therefore, updating the lists is less time-consuming.

[0048] Furthermore, if fire detector 2B or 2C is activated, the sub-notification device 21 or 22 will be prevented from receiving the destination list 112. This is because if the contents of the destination list 212 are changed while the sub-notification device 21 or 22 is in the process of sending a message due to the activation of the fire detector, it may cause confusion in the message sending process. The parent notification device 10 will then receive a notification of non-reception from the sub-notification device. This allows the parent notification device 10 to appropriately handle the fact that the sub-notification device 21 or 22 was unable to receive the destination list 112. In addition, the parent notification device 10's display can clearly indicate whether the failure to receive the destination list 112 was due to a communication error or the occurrence of a fire.

[0049] Furthermore, if a notification of inability to receive is sent from a child notification device 21 or 22 to the parent notification device 10, after the fire is extinguished, when the display of the child notification device returns to screen IM1, the child notification device may notify the parent notification device 10 that the fire has been extinguished. In this case, the parent notification device 10, upon receiving the notification, should resend the recipient list 112 to the child notification device. The resending of the recipient list 112 may be performed automatically upon receiving the notification, or it may be performed conditionally upon the user inputting a new instruction to send it.

[0050] Furthermore, when a fire detector is activated in one of the child alarm devices, the parent alarm device 10 transmits the information to other child alarm devices, and the parent alarm device 10 and the other child alarm devices display that a fire has occurred. Also, the parent alarm device 10 transmits the information that a fire detector has been activated to child alarm devices 21 and 22, and the child alarm devices 21 and 22 display that a fire has occurred. This makes it possible to indicate that a fire has occurred in one alarm device through the display of other alarm devices.

[0051] Furthermore, when the contents of the destination list 112 are updated by the list update unit 120, the list transmission unit 130 transmits the destination list 112 to the child notification devices 21 and 22. As a result, the updated destination list 112 is transmitted to the child notification devices 21 and 22.

[0052] Furthermore, each time the contents of the destination list 112 are updated by the list update unit 120, or when the list update unit 120 determines at a predetermined timing that the contents of the destination list 112 have been updated, the list transmission unit 130 transmits the destination list 112 to the child notification devices 21 and 22. This ensures that the updated destination list 112 is transmitted to the child notification devices 21 and 22 at the appropriate time.

[0053] Furthermore, when the list transmission unit 130 transmits the destination list 112, it transmits the IP address to the child notification devices 21 and 22, and the child notification devices 21 and 22 decide whether or not to update the destination list 212 based on the destination list 112 based on whether or not the IP address indicates an appropriate source. This ensures the security of updating the destination list 212 based on the destination list 112.

[0054] <Variation> The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the means for solving the problem.

[0055] For example, in the above embodiment, a fire is assumed as the event that triggers notification. However, other disasters or emergencies may also be assumed. For example, suppose the parent notification device 10 and the child notification device have touch panel displays. In this case, a button image for inputting that a resident of the facility has gone missing is displayed on the touch panel display, and when the position corresponding to the button image is touched by the user, an email indicating that a resident has gone missing may be sent to the recipients shown in the recipient list 112 or 212. Alternatively, a button image for inputting that a fire has occurred may be displayed on the touch panel display. In this case, when the position corresponding to the button image is touched by the user, an email indicating that a fire has occurred may be sent to the recipients shown in the recipient list 112 or 212, regardless of whether the fire detector has activated or not.

[0056] In addition to the embodiments described above, a configuration that allows for the transmission of training messages may also be adopted. For example, when the parent notification device 10 or the child notification device 21 or 22 is instructed to start training based on user input, the message distribution unit 140 may send a message indicating that training is taking place to the recipients shown in the recipient list 112, or the message distribution unit 240 may send a similar message to the recipients shown in the recipient list 212. In addition, the ticker control units 150 and 250 may work together to display a ticker indicating that training is in progress on the display of each notification device.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, if one of the sub-notification devices 21 and 22's fire detectors is activated, this fact is first communicated to the ticker display unit 151 of the parent notification device 10. The ticker display unit 151 then instructs the other sub-notification device 21 and 22 to display a ticker indicating that a fire has occurred. In response, the ticker display unit 252 of the other sub-notification device 21 and 22 displays a ticker indicating that a fire has occurred on its display. However, unlike the above-described embodiment, the fact that a fire has occurred may be communicated directly from one sub-notification device 21 and 22 to the other without going through the ticker display unit 151, and a ticker indicating that a fire has occurred may be displayed on the display of the other sub-notification device 21 and 22.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, each of the recipient lists 112 and 212 is a complete list of email addresses to which messages are sent by the parent notification device 10 and the child notification devices 21 and 22. The configuration information stored in the memory of each notification device indicates the group of recipients, and when a notification event occurs, a message is sent to the recipients indicated by the recipient list and the configuration information. Alternatively, the recipient list stored in the parent notification device may include email addresses associated with each notification device. When the recipient list is sent from the parent notification device to the child notification devices, a list consisting only of email addresses associated with the recipient child notification devices may be sent. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1. Notification System 2A~2C Fire detector 3A-3F Terminal Equipment 10 Parent notification device 21, 22 Child reporting device 110, 210 Storage section 112, 212 Recipient List 120 List Update Section 130 List transmission section 140, 240 Message Distribution Department 150, 250 Teleprompter Control Unit

Claims

1. A notification system comprising one or more notification devices and one notification destination management device that can communicate with each other via a network, The one or more notification devices and the notification destination management device are installed in different buildings. Each of the one or more notification devices described above, A first storage means for storing a first recipient list regarding the recipients of a message, Information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating that an event that triggers reporting has occurred, The system includes, when the information acquisition means acquires the information, a transmission means that sends a notification message indicating that the event has occurred to the recipients included in the first recipient list stored in the first storage means, The aforementioned notification destination management device, A second storage means for storing a second destination list relating to the destinations of messages sent by one or more notification devices, A first update means updates the contents of the second destination list stored in the second storage means based on user input information, The system includes a destination transmission means that transmits the second destination list stored in the second storage means to each of the one or more notification devices, Each of the one or more notification devices described above, A notification system further comprising a second update means for updating the contents of the first destination list stored in the first storage means based on the second destination list transmitted from the destination transmission means.

2. The aforementioned notification device, The notification system according to claim 1, further comprising a means for sending a notification recipient management device a notification that it could not be received if the transmission of the second recipient list is initiated from the recipient transmission means to the notification device within a predetermined period after the occurrence of the aforementioned event.

3. The aforementioned notification destination management device, The notification system according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the recipient transmission means transmits the second recipient list, an error message distinguishing between a communication error occurring and a message indicating that the recipient could not be received being sent from the recipient-cancellation reply means is displayed on the notification device's display as a message indicating that the transmission of the second recipient list could not be completed.

4. It is equipped with multiple notification devices, The notification system according to claim 1, characterized in that a notification device transmits to other notification devices, with or without the notification destination management device, that the event has occurred in one of the notification devices, and that the other notification devices display on their displays that the event has occurred in one of the notification devices.

5. The notification system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the contents of the second recipient list are updated by the first update means, the recipient transmission means transmits the second recipient list to the notification device.

6. The notification system according to claim 5, characterized in that each time the contents of the second recipient list are updated by the first update means, or when the recipient transmission means determines at a predetermined timing that the contents of the second recipient list have been updated by the first update means, the recipient transmission means transmits the second recipient list to the notification device.

7. When the destination transmission means transmits the second destination list, it transmits information identifying the source to the notification device. The notification system according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification device determines whether or not to update the first destination list based on the second destination list based on whether or not the information indicates an appropriate source.

8. The aforementioned notification destination management device, A management-side information acquisition means that acquires information indicating that an event that triggers reporting has occurred, The notification system according to claim 1, further comprising: an information acquisition means that, when it acquires the information, sends a notification message indicating that the event has occurred to the recipients included in the second recipient list stored in the second storage means.

9. The notification system according to claim 8, characterized in that the notification destination management device transmits to the notification device that the event has occurred, and the notification device displays on its display that the event has occurred in the notification destination management device.

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