Fire alarm system
The fire alarm system addresses the lack of people position information in conventional systems by using beacons and central control panels to track and display pedestrian flow, enhancing emergency response and commercial management.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NOHMI BOSAI LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-08
Smart Images

Figure 2026093166000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0006] , , ,
[0007] , , ,
[0001] The present invention relates to a fire alarm system.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes displaying a map image showing the current position of a mobile terminal on the mobile terminal by using a beacon installed together with a fire detector or a sprinkler head.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In large-scale fire protection objects, a comprehensive operation panel is provided to comprehensively monitor and operate fire protection equipment collectively. However, in a conventional comprehensive operation panel, information according to the position of people, such as the flow information of people in the fire protection object, cannot be obtained.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to obtain information according to the position of people in a fire protection object by utilizing a comprehensive operation panel.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The fire alarm system according to the present invention includes a beacon that receives a beacon signal from a mobile terminal carried by each person in a fire protection object, a fire detector that transmits beacon information corresponding to the beacon signal, and a comprehensive operation panel that acquires information according to the position of the mobile terminal measured by using the transmitted beacon information and displays it on a map of the fire protection object.
Effects of the Invention
[0007] According to the present invention, information corresponding to the location of people within a fire-protected building can be obtained by utilizing a central control panel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a fire alarm system in an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a fire detector. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the auxiliary equipment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the control panel. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a mobile device. [Figure 6] This is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the fire alarm system in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of pedestrian flow information in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the auxiliary device in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the integrated control panel in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a fire detection screen. [Figure 11] This is a sequence chart showing the operation of the fire alarm system in the second embodiment when a fire occurs. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a fire alarm system 1 in an embodiment. The fire alarm system 1 is installed in buildings (fire-protected objects) such as commercial facilities. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the fire alarm system 1 includes multiple fire detectors 2, a fire alarm receiver 3, a central control panel 4, an accessory device 5, a portable terminal 6, and a display terminal 7. Although Figure 1 shows three fire detectors 2 as an example, at least one fire detector 2 is sufficient.
[0010] Multiple fire detectors 2, fire alarm receivers 3, a central control panel 4, and a display terminal 7 are each installed in designated locations within Building B. The mobile terminal 6 is a smartphone carried and transported by a person inside Building B. A person inside Building B may be, for example, a facility manager, a facility employee, or a facility user (customer). The auxiliary device 5 is installed outside Building B, for example, a cloud server. The display terminal 7 may also be the central control panel 4, or it may be installed outside Building B.
[0011] Multiple fire detectors 2 and the central control panel 4 are connected to the fire alarm receiver 3 via a communication line Na. Furthermore, the multiple fire detectors 2, the fire alarm receiver 3, the central control panel 4, and the display terminal 7 are connected to the auxiliary device 5 via a communication line Nb. The communication line Nb is, for example, an internet connection. Note that the central control panel 4 may not be directly connected to the auxiliary device 5 via the communication line Nb, but rather connected to the auxiliary device 5 via the communication line Na, the fire alarm receiver 3, and the communication line Nb. Each configuration will be described in detail below.
[0012] (Fire detector 2) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the fire detector 2. The fire detector 2 includes smoke detectors, heat detectors, and flame detectors, which are used depending on the installation environment. As shown in Figure 2, the fire detector 2 also incorporates a beacon 12. Each fire detector 2 is positioned so that there are no unprotected areas in building B (Figure 1) against fire. The communication range of the beacon 12 is wider than the detection range of the fire detector 2, and by positioning the fire detectors 2 to ensure there are no unprotected areas against fire, each beacon 12 is positioned to cover a predetermined area of building B (Figure 1). The beacon 12 is installed on the base side of the fire detector 2 and may be powered by the fire receiver 3 in the same way as the fire detector 2. Alternatively, the fire detector 2 may be mounted on the ceiling, and the beacon 12 may be installed so that it is hidden in the ceiling space. By installing the beacon 12 in this way, the appearance of the fire detector 2 can be made thinner.
[0013] Each beacon 12 is assigned identification information (hereinafter referred to as a beacon ID) to identify it. A beacon 12 includes a control unit 120 and a beacon communication unit 121. The beacon communication unit 121 transmits a beacon signal using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) under the control of the control unit 120. The control unit 120 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM) (not shown), and the CPU controls the beacon communication unit 121 by executing a control program stored in the ROM. The control unit 120 transmits and receives beacon signals to and from the mobile terminal 6 via the beacon communication unit 121. The control unit 120 also outputs information based on the beacon signal received from the mobile terminal 6 to the fire detector 2.
[0014] The fire detector 2 includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 21, a memory unit 22, and a sensor 23. The communication unit 21 communicates with the accessory device 5 via the communication line Nb (FIG. 1) or with the fire receiver 3 via the communication line Na (FIG. 1) under the control of the control unit 20. The sensor 23 senses a fire by detecting smoke, heat, or flame. The memory unit 22 stores the address assigned to the fire detector 2 and the like. The control unit 20 includes a CPU and memories (ROM and RAM) (not shown), and the CPU executes a control program stored in the ROM to control each unit connected to the control unit 20. Specifically, the control unit 20 transmits beacon information based on the beacon signal acquired from the beacon 12 to the accessory device 5 via the communication line Nb from the communication unit 21. The beacon information includes the beacon ID of the beacon 12, the radio wave intensity of the beacon signal, and the identification information of the mobile terminal 6.
[0015] (Fire receiver 3) The fire receiver 3 (FIG. 1) includes a CPU, memories (ROM and RAM), and a communication unit (all not shown), and as a user interface, for example, a display 31 and operation buttons 32, a speaker, and a lamp (not shown) indicating the event in progress. The fire receiver 3 controls the communication unit and the user interface by the CPU executing a control program stored in the ROM, communicates with the fire detector 2, and outputs an alarm.
[0016] (Accessory device 5) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the accessory device 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the accessory device 5 includes a control unit 50, a memory unit 51, and a communication unit 52.
[0017] The memory unit 51 includes a non-volatile memory medium such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 51 stores data such as map information indicating the positions of the fire detectors 2 (and beacons 12) in the building B and the position information of the fire detectors 2 corresponding to the beacon IDs of each beacon 12.
[0018] The communication unit 52 communicates with the fire detector 2, fire alarm receiver 3, central control panel 4, and display terminal 7 via the communication line Nb (Figure 1) under the control of the control unit 50.
[0019] The control unit 50 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM) (not shown). The control unit 50 controls each unit connected to it by having the CPU execute a control program stored in the ROM, and functions as a communication control unit 501 and a positioning unit 502.
[0020] The communication control unit 501 receives beacon information from the fire detector 2 via the communication unit 52 and transmits location information of the mobile terminal 6 output from the positioning unit 502 to the main control panel 4. In addition, when the communication control unit 501 receives a request from the display terminal 7 via the communication unit 52 to display the screen of the main control panel 4, it obtains image data from the main control panel 4 and transmits it to the display terminal 7.
[0021] The positioning unit 502 measures the location of the mobile terminal 6 based on the beacon information received via the communication unit 52. For example, if beacon information based on a beacon signal transmitted from a mobile terminal 6 is received from multiple fire detectors 2, the positioning unit 502 measures the location of the mobile terminal 6 based on the map information and the radio wave strength of each beacon. Specifically, the positioning unit 502 extracts the beacon information with the highest radio wave strength from the multiple beacon information, identifies the location of the beacon 12 corresponding to the beacon identification information contained in that beacon information from the map information, and sets the location of the identified beacon 12 as the location of the mobile terminal 6.
[0022] Alternatively, if the positioning unit 502 receives a beacon signal transmitted from a mobile terminal 6 using three beacons 12, it may convert the radio wave intensity of the beacon signal received by each beacon 12 into distance and determine the location of the mobile terminal 6 using trilateration or the like.
[0023] Furthermore, if the positioning unit 502 receives beacon information for a mobile terminal 6 from one fire detector 2, it may identify the location of the beacon 12 corresponding to the beacon identification information of that beacon information as the location of the mobile terminal 6. Alternatively, the positioning unit 502 may identify the location of the mobile terminal 6 using a known calculation formula that calculates the distance between the fire detector 2 (beacon 12) and the mobile terminal 6 from the radio wave intensity of the received beacon signal.
[0024] (General Control Panel 4) Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the control panel 4. The control panel 4 may be, for example, a personal computer. As shown in Figure 4, the control panel 4 comprises a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a communication unit 42, an operation unit 43, and a display unit 44.
[0025] The storage unit 41 includes, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or SSD. The storage unit 41 stores map data of building B and installation information indicating the installation locations of the fire detectors 2 and beacons 12 within building B. The installation information may include the installation locations of the fire detectors 2 and beacons 12 in the map data, or the floors or compartments where the fire detectors 2 and beacons 12 are installed.
[0026] The communication unit 42 communicates with the fire alarm receiver 3 via the communication line Na (Figure 1) or with the auxiliary device 5 via the communication line Nb (Figure 1) under the control of the control unit 40.
[0027] The operation unit 43 includes, for example, a mouse or keyboard, and receives input from the facility manager. The operation unit 43 outputs operation information indicating the received operation to the control unit 40.
[0028] The display unit 44 includes a display and displays an image under the control of the control unit 40.
[0029] The control unit 40 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM) (not shown). The control unit 40 controls each part connected to the control unit 40 by having the CPU execute a control program stored in the ROM, and functions as a communication control unit 401 and a display control unit 402.
[0030] The communication control unit 401 receives location information from the auxiliary device 5 via the communication unit 42 and outputs the received location information to the display control unit 402.
[0031] The display control unit 402 acquires location information from the communication control unit 401. Based on the map data and location information in the storage unit 41, the display control unit 402 acquires pedestrian flow information indicating the flow of people on the map and displays the pedestrian flow information on the display unit 44. In this embodiment, the pedestrian flow information is an example of information corresponding to the location of the mobile terminal 6. The pedestrian flow information may also be shown as a heat map, for example, indicating the density of the location of the mobile terminal 6 by the intensity of the color. The location of the mobile terminal 6 is estimated to be where people are present, and the flow of people inside building B can be recognized at a glance by the intensity of the color.
[0032] (Mobile device 6) Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 6. As shown in Figure 5, the mobile terminal 6 comprises a control unit 60, a storage unit 61, a communication unit 62, an operation unit 63, and a display unit 64. Although not shown in the diagram, the mobile terminal 6 also includes a speaker, a microphone, and a telephone communication unit connected to a telephone line.
[0033] The storage unit 61 includes, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. The storage unit 61 stores data such as the identification information (ID) of the mobile terminal 6 and a predetermined application program capable of sending and receiving beacon signals.
[0034] The communication unit 62 transmits a beacon signal at predetermined intervals under the control of the control unit 60. The beacon signal includes the ID of the mobile terminal 6. The communication unit 62 also connects to an internet server such as the auxiliary device 5 via wireless communication under the control of the control unit 60 to exchange data such as voice and images.
[0035] The operation unit 63 includes, for example, a touch panel and operation buttons. The touch panel is provided on top of the display unit 64 and receives touch operations from a user carrying the mobile terminal 6. The operation buttons receive press operations from the user. The operation unit 63 outputs operation information indicating the received touch and press operations to the control unit 60.
[0036] The display unit 64 includes a display and displays an image under the control of the control unit 60.
[0037] The control unit 60 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM) (not shown). The control unit 60 controls each part connected to it by having the CPU execute a control program stored in the ROM. Specifically, the control unit 60 causes the communication unit 62 to transmit a beacon signal. The control unit 60 also sends and receives data to and from the auxiliary device 5 via the communication unit 62 based on operation information from the operation unit 63.
[0038] (Display terminal 7) The display terminal 7 (Figure 1) is, for example, a personal computer that can be connected to the communication line Nb. The display terminal 7 acquires image data of the screen of the main control panel 4 from the auxiliary device 5 via the communication line Nb and displays the acquired image data on its display. The image data may be displayed on the display terminal 7, for example, using a browser. Although the display terminal 7 is exemplified as a personal computer, any device equipped with a display capable of displaying images from the auxiliary device 5 is acceptable.
[0039] (operation) Figure 6 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the fire alarm system 1 in this embodiment. The operation of the fire alarm system 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6.
[0040] Inside building B, the mobile terminal 6 transmits a beacon signal at regular intervals (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 60 of the mobile terminal 6 causes the communication unit 62 to transmit a beacon signal containing its own terminal ID at regular intervals.
[0041] The beacon signal transmitted in step S11 is received by the beacon 12 of the fire detector 2 within the radio wave range of the beacon signal. The fire detector 2, which has a built-in beacon 12 that has received the beacon signal, transmits beacon information based on the received beacon signal to the auxiliary device 5 (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 20 of the fire detector 2 (Figure 2) acquires the ID of the mobile terminal 6 and the radio wave strength of the beacon signal from the beacon signal received by the beacon 12, generates beacon information including the acquired ID and radio wave strength and the beacon ID of the beacon 12, and transmits the beacon information from the communication unit 21 to the auxiliary device 5 via the communication line Nb (Figure 1).
[0042] The auxiliary device 5 receives beacon information transmitted from the fire detector 2 and measures the location of the mobile terminal 6 that transmitted the beacon signal based on the received beacon information (step S13). Specifically, if beacon information for the ID of one mobile terminal 6 is transmitted from multiple fire detectors 2, the positioning unit 502 (Figure 3) of the auxiliary device 5 identifies the beacon information with the highest radio wave strength among the beacon information received via the communication unit 52. Then, the positioning unit 502 reads the location information of the fire detector 2 corresponding to the beacon ID included in the identified beacon information from the storage unit 51 and sets the read location information as the location of the mobile terminal 6.
[0043] Then, the auxiliary device 5 transmits the location information of the mobile terminal 6 to the main control panel 4 (step S14). Specifically, the communication control unit 501 (Figure 3) transmits the location information indicating the position of the mobile terminal 6, measured by the positioning unit 502, to the main control panel 4 via the communication unit 52.
[0044] The control panel 4 receives location information of the mobile terminal 6 transmitted from the auxiliary device 5 and displays pedestrian flow information based on the location information (step S15). Specifically, the communication control unit 401 (Figure 4) of the control panel 4 receives the location information of the mobile terminal 6 transmitted from the auxiliary device 5 via the communication unit 42. The display control unit 402 then reads map data from the storage unit 41, plots the location of the mobile terminal 6 indicated by the location information received from the auxiliary device 5 on the map, generates pedestrian flow information represented by varying shades of gray on the map according to the density of the plots, and displays it on the display unit 44.
[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of pedestrian flow information in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the pedestrian flow information G is shown on a map of the building B, with the locations P of the fire detectors 2 shown as rectangles, and shades C1 to C3 corresponding to the density of the locations of the mobile terminals 6 shown on the map. In this example, the larger the number C1 to C3, the darker the color. The density of the locations of the mobile terminals 6 is not limited to three shades, but may also be represented by two shades or four or more shades.
[0046] In the first embodiment described above, the fire alarm system 1 receives a beacon signal emitted by a mobile terminal 6 inside building B using a beacon 12 on the fire detector 2, and transmits beacon information based on the beacon signal from the fire detector 2 to the auxiliary device 5. The auxiliary device 5 identifies the location of the mobile terminal 6 based on the beacon information, and the central control panel 4 displays pedestrian flow information G (Figure 7) based on the location information of the mobile terminal 6 identified by the auxiliary device 5.
[0047] In this way, the pedestrian flow information G is displayed on the central control panel 4, allowing facility managers to check the density and movement of people within building B. In particular, pedestrian flow information is commercially valuable in commercial facilities. By analyzing pedestrian flow from the pedestrian flow information G, the commercial performance of the facility can be improved, and the central control panel 4 can be used for purposes other than disaster prevention.
[0048] Furthermore, in the event of an emergency such as a fire, firefighters can use the human flow information G to identify crowded areas and locations where people are delayed in evacuating, thus enabling them to utilize the human flow information G for evacuation guidance.
[0049] In addition, when installing a general control panel, a map showing the placement of fire prevention equipment such as fire detectors is often created in advance as part of the property information. Therefore, this pre-created map can be used to display the pedestrian flow information G. This reduces the cost of creating a new building map to display the pedestrian flow information G. Furthermore, since the beacon 12 is built into the fire detector 2, there is no need to register the location information of the beacon 12 on the map.
[0050] <Second Embodiment> This embodiment describes the processing of the fire alarm system 1 when a fire occurs.
[0051] (2 fire detectors, 12 beacons) When the control unit 20 (see Figure 2) of the fire detector 2 detects a fire using the sensor 23, it outputs a fire signal, including the address of the unit stored in the memory unit 22, to the fire receiver 3 via the communication unit 21.
[0052] The control unit 20 receives a fire confirmation request notification from the integrated control panel 4A (described later) and transmits a beacon signal (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation request beacon signal) indicating the fire confirmation request information, including the beacon ID, from the beacon 12 having the beacon ID included in the fire confirmation request notification, i.e., the beacon 12 built into the fire detector 2. Specifically, the control unit 120 of the beacon 12 (see Figure 2) transmits the confirmation request beacon signal from the beacon communication unit 121 within the communication range under the direction of the control unit 20. The confirmation request beacon signal is transmitted to a mobile terminal 6 equipped with a predetermined application program.
[0053] When the control unit 120 of the beacon 12 receives a beacon signal indicating the occurrence of a fire (hereinafter referred to as a fire confirmation beacon signal) from the mobile terminal 6 via the beacon communication unit 121, it notifies the control unit 20 of the fire detector 2 of the receipt of the fire confirmation beacon signal.
[0054] When the fire detector 2 receives notification of the reception of a fire confirmation beacon signal from the beacon 12, the communication unit 21 transmits a fire confirmation signal to the auxiliary device 5A.
[0055] (Fire alarm receiver 3) When the fire alarm receiver 3 (see Figure 1) receives a fire signal from the fire detector 2 via the communication line Na, it outputs a fire signal to the control panel 4A via the communication line Na and outputs an alarm (hereinafter referred to as a fire alarm) indicating that the fire detector 2 has activated from the user interface (not shown) described above. Specifically, the fire alarm receiver 3 may, for example, display information corresponding to the fire detector 2 that output the fire signal (detector type, activation status, installation location, etc.) on the display 31, or it may sound an alarm from the speaker (not shown).
[0056] Furthermore, when the fire alarm receiver 3 receives a fire signal from the fire detector 2, it determines whether a fire has occurred based on a fire confirmation signal output from the auxiliary device 5A. Specifically, when the fire alarm receiver 3 receives a fire confirmation signal from the auxiliary device 5A via the communication line Nb (Figure 1), it determines that a fire has occurred and outputs an alarm indicating the confirmation of a fire (hereinafter referred to as a fire confirmation alarm) from the display 31 or speaker. The fire confirmation alarm is issued by displaying a different screen on the display 31 than the fire detection alarm, or by outputting a different alarm sound from the speaker than the fire detection alarm.
[0057] Furthermore, the fire alarm receiver 3 includes a reset button 32, which resets the fire status. If the fire alarm receiver 3 does not receive a fire confirmation signal from the auxiliary device 5A and the reset button is pressed, the fire alarm receiver 3 determines that the fire is false.
[0058] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the auxiliary device 5A in this embodiment. Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the main control panel 4A in this embodiment. In Figures 8 and 9, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.
[0059] (Integrated control panel 4A) As shown in Figure 9, the main control panel 4A includes a sound emission unit 45 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, and the control unit 40A includes an alarm control unit 403.
[0060] The memory unit 41 stores map data of the building B, information on the installation of fire detectors 2 and beacons 12, as well as fire detector information that associates the address corresponding to each fire detector 2 and the beacon ID of the beacon 12 embedded in the fire detector 2.
[0061] The sound emission unit 45 includes a speaker and outputs sound such as an alarm sound under the control of the control unit 40A.
[0062] When the alarm control unit 403 receives a fire signal from the fire receiver 3 via the communication unit 42, it outputs an alarm sound from the sound emitter 45 and displays alarm information indicating that the fire detector 2 has activated on the display unit 44. In addition, when the alarm control unit 403 receives a fire signal, it sends a fire confirmation request notification to the fire detector 2 via the communication unit 42, which includes a beacon ID corresponding to the address contained in the fire signal.
[0063] (Attached device 5A) As shown in Figure 8, the auxiliary device 5A includes a fire confirmation unit 503 in the control unit 50A, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. When the fire confirmation unit 503 receives a fire confirmation signal from the fire detector 2 via the communication unit 52, it performs a fire confirmation process. The fire confirmation process is the process of notifying the fire receiver 3 that a fire has been confirmed by visual inspection. For example, the fire confirmation unit 503 may notify the fire receiver 3 when it receives at least one fire confirmation signal, or it may notify the fire receiver 3 when it has received a predetermined number of fire confirmation signals, each containing the identification information of different mobile terminals 6. In this embodiment, notification to the fire receiver 3 is performed by transmitting the fire confirmation signal to the fire receiver 3 via the communication unit 52.
[0064] The fire confirmation process is not limited to the above. For example, the fire confirmation process may be performed based on the user attributes of the mobile terminal 6 that transmitted the fire confirmation signal. User attributes include facility managers, facility employees, and facility users (customers). In this case, the storage unit 51 stores the user attributes (facility manager or employee) along with the identification information of the mobile terminal 6 of the facility manager and employee. The fire confirmation unit 503 outputs a fire confirmation signal if it receives at least one fire confirmation signal that includes user attributes indicating a facility manager, and outputs a fire confirmation signal if it receives at least two fire confirmation signals that include user attributes indicating an employee. The fire confirmation unit 503 also outputs a fire confirmation signal if it receives at least three or more fire confirmation signals that do not include user attributes of facility managers and employees.
[0065] Furthermore, for example, the weighting may be changed between employees who have received the prescribed fire training and those who have not. In this case, the storage unit 51 further stores training information indicating that the employee has received the prescribed fire training as a user attribute of the employee. The fire confirmation unit 503 may, for example, output a fire confirmation signal to the fire receiver 3 if it receives at least one fire confirmation signal that includes the user attribute of an employee who has training information.
[0066] Thus, the number of fire confirmation signals that trigger the fire confirmation process may be weighted according to user attributes. By configuring it in this way, the accuracy of fire confirmation is improved compared to when only the number of received fire confirmation signals is used as the condition.
[0067] (Mobile device 6) When the control unit 60 (see Figure 5) of the mobile terminal 6 receives a confirmation request beacon signal transmitted from the beacon 12 via the communication unit 62, it displays the fire confirmation screen, described later, on the display unit 64. Image data for displaying the fire confirmation screen is stored in the storage unit 61.
[0068] Figure 10 shows an example of a fire confirmation screen in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the fire confirmation screen 640 includes text 64a requesting confirmation of the occurrence of a fire and an operation button 64b indicating that the occurrence of a fire has been confirmed.
[0069] When the control unit 60 receives an operation via the operation unit 63 to press the operation button 64b on the fire confirmation screen 640 as a fire confirmation operation, it transmits a fire confirmation beacon signal, including the beacon ID and identification information of its own terminal, from the communication unit 62 to the beacon 12.
[0070] (operation) Figure 11 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the fire alarm system 1 in this embodiment when a fire occurs.
[0071] First, the fire detector 2, having detected a fire, transmits a fire signal to the fire receiver 3 (step S21). Specifically, when the control unit 20 of the fire detector 2 (see Figure 2) detects a fire using the sensor 23, it reads its own address from the storage unit 22 and transmits a fire signal containing its own address from the communication unit 21.
[0072] When a fire signal is transmitted from a fire detector 2, the fire alarm receiver 3 outputs a fire alarm (step S22), and further outputs a fire signal to the control panel 4A (step S23). Specifically, when the fire alarm receiver 3 receives a fire signal containing the address of a fire detector 2 from a fire detector 2 via the communication line Na, it lights up the lamp (not shown) corresponding to each fire detector 2 that indicates the fire detector 2 corresponding to the address included in the received fire signal, and outputs an alarm sound from the speaker (not shown). The fire alarm receiver 3 also outputs a fire signal containing the address of a fire detector 2 to the control panel 4A via the communication line Na. Note that the fire alarm does not necessarily have to be output.
[0073] The control panel 4A outputs a fire detection alarm when a fire signal is transmitted from the fire receiver 3 (step S24). Specifically, the alarm control unit 403 (Figure 9) of the control panel 4A, upon receiving a fire signal from the fire receiver 3 via the communication unit 42, outputs an alarm sound from the sound emitter 45 and displays the fire detection alarm on the display unit 44. The fire detection alarm is information indicating, for example, that a fire detector 2 corresponding to the address included in the fire signal has activated. Note that the fire detection alarm does not necessarily have to be output.
[0074] Next, the control panel 4A sends a fire confirmation request notification to the fire detector 2 that emitted the fire signal (step S25). Specifically, the alarm control unit 403 (Figure 9) of the control panel 4A refers to the fire detector information stored in the memory unit 41 and reads the beacon ID of the beacon 12 of the fire detector 2 corresponding to the address included in the received fire signal. Then, the alarm control unit 403 sends a fire confirmation request notification, including the read beacon ID, to the fire detector 2 corresponding to the address included in the fire signal via the communication unit 42. Alternatively, the control panel 4A may not directly send the fire confirmation request notification to the fire detector 2 that emitted the fire signal, but may instead send an instruction to the fire receiver 3 to send the fire confirmation request notification to the fire detector 2 that emitted the fire signal. In this case, the fire receiver 3 sends the fire confirmation request notification to the fire detector 2 that emitted the fire signal according to the instruction received from the control panel 4A.
[0075] When a fire confirmation request notification is sent from the central control panel 4A, the fire detector 2 sends a confirmation request beacon signal from its built-in beacon 12 (step S26). Specifically, when the control unit 20 of the fire detector 2 (Figure 2) receives a fire confirmation request notification via the communication unit 21, it checks the beacon ID included in the fire confirmation request notification and instructs the built-in beacon 12 to send a confirmation request beacon signal. When the control unit 120 of the beacon 12 receives the instruction to send a confirmation request beacon signal from the fire detector 2, it sends the confirmation request beacon signal from the beacon communication unit 121.
[0076] Upon receiving the confirmation request beacon signal, the mobile terminal 6 displays the fire confirmation screen 640 (Figure 10) (step S27). Specifically, when the control unit 60 of the mobile terminal 6 acquires the confirmation request beacon signal via the communication unit 62, it displays the image data of the fire confirmation screen 640 stored in the storage unit 61 on the display unit 64.
[0077] When a user (facility manager, employee, or customer) carrying the mobile terminal 6 confirms the occurrence of a fire according to the display on the fire confirmation screen 640 and presses the operation button 64b (Figure 10) on the fire confirmation screen 640, the mobile terminal 6 transmits a fire confirmation beacon signal to the beacon 12 of the fire detector 2 (step S28). Specifically, when the control unit 60 (Figure 5) of the mobile terminal 6 receives the operation of pressing the operation button 64b (Figure 10) on the fire confirmation screen 640 via the operation unit 63, it transmits a fire confirmation beacon signal from the communication unit 62.
[0078] When the beacon 12 inside the fire detector 2 receives a fire confirmation beacon signal, the fire detector 2 transmits a fire confirmation signal to the auxiliary device 5A (step S29). Specifically, when the control unit 120 of the beacon 12 (Figure 2) receives a fire confirmation beacon signal from the mobile terminal 6 via the beacon communication unit 121, it notifies the control unit 20 of the fire detector 2 of the reception of the fire confirmation beacon signal. When the control unit 20 of the fire detector 2 receives the notification of reception of the fire confirmation beacon signal, it transmits a fire confirmation signal to the auxiliary device 5A from the communication unit 21.
[0079] When an auxiliary device 5A receives a fire confirmation signal from the fire detector 2, it performs fire confirmation processing based on the fire confirmation signal (step S30). Specifically, the fire confirmation unit 503 (Figure 8) of the auxiliary device 5A, for example, when it receives at least one fire confirmation signal, transmits a fire confirmation signal from the communication unit 52 to the fire receiver 3 (step S31).
[0080] When the fire alarm receiver 3 receives a fire confirmation signal from the auxiliary device 5A, it confirms the existence of a fire (step S32) and outputs a fire confirmation alarm (step S33). Specifically, when the fire alarm receiver 3 receives a fire confirmation signal from the auxiliary device 5A, it determines that a fire has occurred and confirms the occurrence of a fire, and outputs a fire confirmation alarm from the user interface. However, if the fire alarm receiver 3 does not receive a fire confirmation signal within a predetermined time, it determines that a fire has occurred (false) and does not output a fire confirmation alarm.
[0081] Conventionally, when a fire detector triggered a fire alarm, a person in charge at the disaster prevention center or similar location would visually inspect the area around the fire detector and then perform a predetermined operation on the fire alarm receiver to confirm the fire. In the second embodiment described above, the fire alarm system 1 transmits a fire confirmation request beacon signal to a mobile terminal 6 located around the fire detector 2 based on the fire signal output from the fire detector 2, and asks the user of the mobile terminal 6 to perform the fire confirmation work. Therefore, the fire alarm system 1 in the second embodiment can shorten the time it takes to confirm a fire compared to the conventional system.
[0082] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the fire confirmation process involves the transmission of a fire confirmation signal from the auxiliary device 5A to the fire receiver 3 based on a fire confirmation signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 6. Specifically, the fire confirmation signal is transmitted when the user attributes of the mobile terminal 6 that transmitted the fire confirmation signal and the number of fire confirmation signals acquired by the auxiliary device 5A meet predetermined conditions. This improves the accuracy of fire confirmation.
[0083] The above describes embodiments of the fire alarm system. However, the fire alarm system is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. The drawings schematically show each component for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown may differ from the actual dimensions due to the convenience of drawing creation. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention. Modifications of the above embodiments will be described below.
[0084] <Variation> (1) In the first embodiment, commercial information such as sales information and coupons may be transmitted from beacons 12 located within a range selected by the facility manager or the like to mobile terminals 6 located within the range of the pedestrian flow information displayed on the central control panel 4. Specifically, when the central control panel 4 receives an operation to select a range in the displayed pedestrian flow information, it instructs fire detectors 2 located within the selected range to transmit a beacon signal containing predetermined information such as sales information. Based on the transmission instruction from the central control panel 4, the fire detectors 2 transmit a beacon signal containing predetermined information from their built-in beacons 12. With this configuration, arbitrary information can be provided to mobile terminals 6 within a specific range.
[0085] (2) In the second embodiment, the human flow information of the first embodiment may be utilized. With this configuration, in the event of a fire, facility managers and others can easily determine whether there are any people who have been left behind based on the location of the mobile terminal 6 indicated by the human flow information. The determination of whether there are any people who have been left behind may be made, for example, using a trained program that determines whether there are people who have been left behind from the human flow information. In this configuration, evacuation guidance information may be transmitted from the central control panel 4A to the mobile terminal 6 of any people who have been left behind via the beacon 12. With this configuration, evacuation guidance for people who have been left behind can be carried out quickly. The determination of whether there are any people who have been left behind may be made by the central control panel 4A or the auxiliary device 5A. In addition, evacuation guidance information, etc., corresponding to the location of the mobile terminal 6 of any people who have been left behind may be generated by the central control panel 4A or the auxiliary device 5A.
[0086] (3) In the auxiliary device 5 of the first embodiment, the movement of people in and out of each area may be analyzed based on the location information of the mobile terminal 6, and the analysis results may be displayed on the main control panel 4 as pedestrian flow information. The analysis results showing the movement of people in and out of each area may be, for example, the number of people staying on each floor of building B, the number of people entering at predetermined intervals, the length of stay, etc., or the occupancy status (or vacancy status) of the toilets in building B. The main control panel 4 may display these analysis results in different colors on the same screen as the pedestrian flow information of the first embodiment, or it may display these analysis results on a separate screen or on a display terminal 7 from the pedestrian flow information of the first embodiment.
[0087] (4) The fire alarm system 1 may be configured such that the location of the portable terminal 6 in the auxiliary device 5 of the first embodiment is measured by the central control panel 4 or the fire alarm receiver 3. In other words, the central control panel 4 or the fire alarm receiver 3 may be equipped with a function equivalent to the positioning unit 502 in the auxiliary device 5. Alternatively, the fire alarm system 1 may be configured such that the fire confirmation processing in the auxiliary device 5A of the second embodiment is performed by the central control panel 4A or the fire alarm receiver 3. In other words, the central control panel 4A or the fire alarm receiver 3 may be equipped with a function equivalent to the fire confirmation unit 503 in the auxiliary device 5A. In this case, the auxiliary devices 5 and 5A are not required, thus reducing installation costs.
[0088] (5) The fire alarm system 1 may have two operating modes: a normal mode which performs the same processing as in the first embodiment when no fire is occurring, and a fire occurrence mode which performs the processing of the second embodiment when a fire occurs. In other words, the fire alarm system 1 operates in normal mode if the fire detector 2 does not output a fire signal, and switches from normal mode to fire occurrence mode when the fire detector 2 outputs a fire signal.
[0089] (6) In the second embodiment, if the mobile terminal 6 is located in an area where the communication ranges of the beacons 12 of multiple fire detectors 2 overlap, confirmation request beacon signals for fire signals from multiple fire detectors 2 may be transmitted to the same mobile terminal 6 multiple times. The mobile terminal 6 receives multiple confirmation request beacon signals, but may be configured to accept the operation of the operation button 64b on the fire confirmation screen 640 only once. The fire alarm system 1 only needs to be able to determine that there is a user who has confirmed a fire in building B, so even if the mobile terminal 6 receives multiple confirmation request beacon signals, it is sufficient to configure the mobile terminal 6 to operate the operation button 64b only once.
[0090] (7) In the first and second embodiments, the fire detector 2 determines that there is a fire and notifies the fire receiver 3. However, the fire detector 2 may also continuously or as needed transmit measurement values based on its own sensors, and the fire receiver 3 may determine that there is a fire based on these measurement values. In this case as well, the operation after determining that a fire has occurred is the same. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0091] 1: Fire alarm system, 2: Fire detector, 3: Fire alarm receiver, 4,4A: Integrated control panel, 5,5A: Ancillary equipment, 6: Portable terminal, 7: Display terminal, 12: Beacon, 402: Display control unit, 403: Alarm control unit, 502: Positioning unit, 503: Fire confirmation unit, 640: Fire confirmation screen
Claims
1. A fire detector having a beacon that receives beacon signals from a portable terminal carried by each person inside the building, and transmitting beacon information corresponding to the beacon signal, A comprehensive control panel that acquires information corresponding to the location of the mobile terminal measured using the transmitted beacon information and displays it on a map of the fire-protected building. A fire alarm system characterized by being equipped with [a specific feature].
2. It is further equipped with a fire detection unit, The beacon of the fire detector that has detected the fire transmits fire confirmation request information to at least one of the mobile terminals within its communication range. The fire detector receives a fire confirmation signal based on the fire confirmation operation from the at least one of the mobile terminals that has received the fire confirmation operation in response to the request information, and transmits the received fire confirmation signal to the fire confirmation unit. The fire confirmation unit confirms the fire in accordance with the fire confirmation signal. The fire alarm system according to feature 1.
3. When the beacon of the fire detector receives the fire confirmation signal from the at least one of the mobile terminals, it transmits the identification information of the at least one mobile terminal that transmitted the fire confirmation signal and the fire confirmation signal to the fire confirmation unit. When the fire detection unit receives the identification information and the fire confirmation signal from the fire detector and the at least one of the mobile terminals, it weights the received identification information and confirms the fire according to the result of the weighting. The fire alarm system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.
4. When the fire detector detects a fire, the control panel acquires information corresponding to the location of people who are trapped, based on the location of the mobile device measured using the beacon information, and displays it on the map. The fire alarm system according to feature 1.
5. The aforementioned control panel receives an operation to select an area on the map of the fire-protected building that includes the location of at least one of the mobile terminals, and instructs the beacon, whose communication range is the selected area, to transmit predetermined information. The beacon transmits the beacon signal containing the instructed predetermined information. The fire alarm system according to feature 1.