Disaster prevention radio system, control station for the disaster prevention radio system, and method for starting / stopping test signal transmission for the disaster prevention radio system.

Abstract

We provide a disaster prevention radio system that can improve convenience. [Solution] According to the embodiment, the disaster prevention radio system comprises a control station and a plurality of substations. The control station comprises a master unit, an operating console, and a side console. The master unit transmits an audio signal for broadcasting voice or a test signal for checking the reception status of radio waves to the substations. The side console comprises an automatic telephone answering device. The automatic telephone answering device is connected to the public telephone network and is capable of receiving ringing signals from the public telephone network and PB signals from the caller's telephone, and is capable of transmitting guidance voice to the telephone in response to the PB signal. When the operating console receives a ringing signal, it starts a first guidance process regarding listening to a recording of the voice broadcast, and when it receives a first PB signal during the first guidance process, it controls the automatic telephone answering device to switch from the first guidance process to a second guidance process regarding starting / stopping the transmission of a test signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a disaster prevention wireless system, a control station of the disaster prevention wireless system, and a method for starting / stopping transmission of a test signal of the disaster prevention wireless system.

Background Art

[0002] A disaster prevention wireless system operated by a local public body (local government) such as a municipality is a system that performs voice broadcasts of disaster prevention information, administrative information, etc. to the residents of the local government. The disaster prevention wireless system is, for example, a system including a control station installed in the local government office building and a plurality of slave stations (outdoor slave stations, per-household slave stations) installed within the local government.

[0003] In such a disaster prevention wireless system, for example, when newly installing a slave station, the wireless device of the master station device is controlled from the operation console installed in the control station, and a test signal (BER [bit error rate] measurement signal) is transmitted to confirm the radio wave reception status at the newly installed slave station.

[0004] On the other hand, regarding the transmission of the test signal, from the perspective of disaster prevention, it is necessary to avoid long-time transmission that occupies radio waves.

[0005] Therefore, a worker different from the worker (responsible for installing the slave station) who works at the installation site of the slave station always enters the control station, or the worker responsible for installing the slave station enters the control station each time, and operates the operation console to appropriately start / stop the transmission of the test signal.

[0006] However, there are, for example, the following problems when a worker always or each time enters the control station and starts / stops the transmission of the test signal. (1) It is necessary to appoint a person in charge of operating the operation console (operation console in charge). (2) When the person in charge of the operation console always enters the station, the waiting time until the installation confirmation is carried out is long and inefficient. (3) When the worker responsible for installing the slave station who also serves as the person in charge of the operation console enters the station each time, the moving time is wasted. (4) If entry is restricted due to the local government's circumstances, it will affect the installation schedule. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-261701 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 63-047174 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-027091 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide a disaster prevention radio system that can improve convenience, a control station for the disaster prevention radio system, and a method for starting / stopping the transmission of test signals for the disaster prevention radio system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the embodiment, the disaster prevention radio system comprises a control station and a plurality of substations. The substations are capable of receiving radio signals transmitted from the control station. The control station comprises a master unit, an operating console, and a side console. The operating console is a device for operating the master unit. The side console is connected to the operating console. The master unit comprises a radio device. The radio device transmits voice signals for voice broadcasting or test signals for checking the reception status of radio waves at the substations. The side console comprises an automatic telephone answering device. The automatic telephone answering device is connected to the public telephone network and is capable of receiving call signals from the public telephone network and PB (push button) signals transmitted from the caller's telephone, and is capable of transmitting guidance voice to the telephone in response to the PB signal. The operating console comprises a control device. The control device controls the automatic telephone answering device. When the control device receives a call signal, it starts a first guidance process related to listening to a recording of the voice broadcast. If a first PB signal is received during the first guidance process, the control device controls the automatic telephone answering system to switch from the first guidance process to a second guidance process related to starting / stopping the transmission of a test signal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the disaster prevention radio system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the configuration for starting / stopping the transmission of test signals to the control console, side console, and master station equipment installed in the control station of a disaster prevention radio system. [Figure 3A] The first sequence chart shows an example of the information flow between the control console, operating console, and master station equipment regarding the start / stop of test signal transmission for a disaster prevention radio system. [Figure 3B] A second sequence chart showing an example of the information flow between the control console, operating console, and master station equipment regarding the start / stop of test signal transmission for a disaster prevention radio system. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the operational procedures for starting and stopping the transmission of test signals for the disaster prevention radio system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the disaster prevention radio system according to this embodiment. The disaster prevention radio system 1 shown in Figure 1 is operated by a local government such as a city or town, and is configured to broadcast voice information (simultaneous radio broadcasting) such as disaster prevention information and administrative information to the residents of the local government.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the disaster prevention radio system 1 comprises a master station device 30 that controls the entire system and is installed in a control station (for example, a local government building) 2, and an operating console 10, also installed in the local government's control station 2. A side console 60 is connected to the operating console 10. The side console 60 is connected to a public telephone line 100. Furthermore, it comprises a remote control device 20 installed in a branch office 3 (for example, a municipal branch office or fire station) which is in a different location from the control station 2.

[0013] Furthermore, the disaster prevention radio system 1 comprises multiple substations (wireless substation devices and individual receivers installed in residents' homes) 40 distributed throughout the local government, and relay stations 50 installed between the main station device 30 and the multiple substations 40 as needed. Within a local government, there may be multiple districts under its jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as "target districts"), and there is a correspondence between the target districts and the substations installed in those districts.

[0014] Furthermore, the master station 30, the multiple slave stations 40, and the relay station 50 are equipped with antennas AT for wireless communication (i.e., for transmitting and receiving radio waves).

[0015] The operation console 10 and the remote control device 20 are realized by an information processing device such as a personal computer that is operated (used) when an operator gives an instruction for voice broadcasting. That is, the operator can perform voice broadcasting by operating the operation console 10 and the remote control device 20. Although only one remote control device 20 is shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device 20 may be installed in a plurality of branch offices 3.

[0016] The portable console 60 provides an interface for residents to receive a service that allows them to listen to the recording of voice broadcasting by phone under the control of the operation console 10. The disaster prevention radio system 1 of the present embodiment realizes a mechanism for efficiently starting / stopping test signal transmission by utilizing the function of the portable console 60 to provide an interface for residents. Details thereof will be described later.

[0017] The master station device 30 is driven by a power supply voltage obtained by converting AC100V commercial power from a lightning protection transformer T to DC through a DC power supply device E, and operates according to an operator's operation on the operation console 10 in the office building or the remote control device 20 in the branch office 3. Specifically, the master station device 30 wirelessly transmits the same-signal wave Ws and the relay wave Wc including the voice signal for performing the above-described voice broadcasting.

[0018] Each of the plurality of slave stations 40 is driven by AC100V commercial power. The plurality of slave stations 40 include an outdoor slave station (outdoor loudspeaker slave station device) installed outdoors and a per-household slave station (per-household receiver) installed indoors. Each of the plurality of slave stations 40 receives the same-signal wave Ws or the retransmission wave Wrs, and operates to output the voice signal included in the same-signal wave Ws or the retransmission wave Wrs. Specifically, each of the plurality of slave stations 40 includes a speaker SP, and outputs voice (sound source) based on the voice signal from the speaker. The plurality of slave stations 40 may include a retransmission slave station that operates to transmit a retransmission wave Wrs to another slave station 40 based on, for example, the above-described same-signal wave Ws.

[0019] In addition, the above-described master station device 30 and the plurality of slave station devices 40 shall be able to operate by means of an emergency power source (not shown) or a storage battery possessed by the master station device 30 and the slave station devices 40 when there is a power outage of the commercial power supply (AC100V).

[0020] The relay station 50 receives and relays the relay wave Wc transmitted from the master station device 30, and transmits the same-report wave Ws to the plurality of slave station devices 40. Note that the same-report wave Ws and the relay wave Wc are transmitted using different channels in a frequency band of, for example, 60 MHz.

[0021] In the disaster prevention radio system 1 as described above, the voice signal transmitted from the master station device 30 is output from each of the plurality of slave station devices 40 (that is, the voice based on the voice signal is output from the speaker SP), whereby voice broadcasting to the residents in the target area can be realized.

[0022] By the way, in the disaster prevention radio system 1 described above, it is possible to perform voice broadcasting for all of the plurality of slave station devices 40, but depending on the content of the voice broadcasting, there may be cases where voice broadcasting is performed only for some of the plurality of slave station devices 40. For this reason, in the disaster prevention radio system 1, the operation console 10 and the remote control device 20 are configured to be able to select a slave station (hereinafter referred to as a broadcast target slave station) 40 that is the target of voice broadcasting according to the operation of the person in charge. In this case, the broadcast target slave station 40 may be selected, for example, individually from among the plurality of slave station devices 40, or may be selected by designating a group (groups G1 and G2 etc. shown in FIG. 1) in which the preset slave station devices 40 are registered.

[0023] Note that the disaster prevention radio system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and a part of the configuration of the disaster prevention radio system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted. Specifically, for example, when each of the plurality of slave station devices 40 can directly receive the same-report wave Ws (voice signal) transmitted from the master station device 30 (that is, is installed within a range capable of wireless communication with the master station device 30), the relay station 50 may be omitted.

[0024] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration for starting / stopping the transmission of test signals for the control console 10, side console 60, and master station equipment 30 installed in the control station 2.

[0025] The control console 10 includes an operation display unit 11, a control unit 12, a digital wireless interface unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

[0026] The operation display unit 11 is a GUI (graphical user interface) device that presents information for monitoring and operating the master station device 30 to the operator at the control console. The information presented by the operation display unit 11 includes whether or not a test signal is being transmitted.

[0027] The control unit 12 controls the various parts of the control console 10 (operation display unit 11, digital wireless interface unit 13, storage unit 14), the automatic telephone answering device 61 of the side console 60 (described later), and the wireless device 31 of the base station unit 30 (described later). For controlling the automatic telephone answering device 61, the control unit 12 has a control module 121. The control module 121 may be implemented by a CPU (central processing unit) built into the control unit 12 executing a program, or it may be implemented by hardware such as an electrical circuit. Alternatively, the entire control unit 12 may be implemented by a CPU built into the control console 10 executing a program, or it may be implemented by hardware such as an electrical circuit.

[0028] The control module 121 transmits a control signal (a1) to the automatic telephone answering device 61 to adaptively operate the automatic telephone answering device 61 depending on whether or not the master unit 30 is transmitting a test signal. The control module 121 also receives information (a2) from the automatic telephone answering device 61 regarding the operation of the dial buttons of the telephone 101, which is connected to the automatic telephone answering device 61.

[0029] Based on instructions from the control unit 12, the digital radio interface unit 13 transmits a test signal transmission start / stop request signal (a3) ​​to the radio interface unit 312 of the radio device 31 of the master station device 30 (described later).

[0030] The storage unit 14 stores the recorded audio of the voice broadcast. The storage unit 14 is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or SSD (solid state drive). Here, we show an example in which the recorded audio of the voice broadcast is stored in the storage unit 14 of the control console 10, but the recorded audio of the voice broadcast may also be stored in a storage device provided by the master station 30. Alternatively, the recorded audio of the voice broadcast may be stored in a file server or the like that can be accessed from both the control console 10 and the master station 30.

[0031] The desk unit 60 has an automatic telephone answering device 61. The automatic telephone answering device 61 is a device that provides residents with an interface for receiving the aforementioned service that allows them to listen to recordings of voice broadcasts by telephone. The telephone number for receiving this service is made public to residents in advance by the local government.

[0032] The automated telephone answering device 61 first receives an incoming call from the telephone 101 via the public telephone line 100 in response to a call to the aforementioned telephone number. Specifically, it receives a ringing signal from the public telephone line 100. Upon receiving the ringing signal, the automated telephone answering device 61 transmits a guidance message, including, for example, a recorded voice message from an audio broadcast, to the caller's telephone 101 via the public telephone line 100.

[0033] The guidance voice from the automatic telephone answering device 61 may include, for example, a voice instructing the caller to operate the dial buttons to listen to a recorded voice broadcast again. Based on the guidance voice, the caller operates the dial buttons on the telephone 101. The telephone 101 outputs a PB signal corresponding to the operated dial button. The automatic telephone answering device 61 receives this PB signal via the public telephone line 100. The automatic telephone answering device 61 proceeds with guidance processing according to the received PB signal. The guidance processing by the automatic telephone answering device 61 according to the PB signal is controlled by the control module 121 of the control unit 12 of the control console 10.

[0034] The master station 30 has a radio device 31. The radio device 31 transmits voice signals for voice broadcasting to a plurality of slave stations 40. The radio device 31 has a transceiver unit 311 and a radio interface unit 312.

[0035] The transceiver unit 311 transmits the transmission signal, which is forwarded from the wireless interface unit 312, via the antenna. The transceiver unit 311 also has the function of forwarding the received signal received by the antenna to the wireless interface unit 312. The wireless interface unit 312 starts transmitting a test signal via the transceiver unit 311 or stops transmitting a test signal via the transceiver unit 311 based on a test signal transmission start / stop request signal supplied from the digital wireless interface unit 13 of the control console 10.

[0036] Next, regarding the start / stop of test signal transmission, we will explain how the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment, which has the control console 10, side console 60, and master station device 30 configured as described above, implements a mechanism for efficiently starting / stopping test signal transmission.

[0037] As mentioned above, when the automatic telephone answering device 61 of the desk unit 60 receives an incoming call from the telephone 101, it transmits a guidance voice message regarding listening to a recording of the voice broadcast. Thereafter, the automatic telephone answering device 61 proceeds with the guidance processing regarding listening to the recording of the voice broadcast in response to the PB signal from the telephone 101. For example, the automatic telephone answering device 61 notifies the control module 121 that it has received an incoming call from the telephone 101, receives the recording of the voice broadcast stored in the storage unit 14 from the control module 121, and transmits the recording of the voice broadcast to the telephone 101 as a guidance voice message. Also, for example, when it receives a PB signal requesting to listen to the recording of the voice broadcast again, it retransmits the recording of the voice broadcast to the telephone 101. The PB signal requesting to listen to the recording of the voice broadcast again is output from the telephone 101 when the caller performs the dial button operation on the telephone 101 as instructed by the guidance voice message.

[0038] When the control module 121 receives notification of an incoming call from the automatic telephone answering device 61, the control unit 12 retrieves the recorded audio of the voice broadcast from the storage unit 14. The control module 121 transmits the recorded audio of the voice broadcast to the automatic telephone answering device 61 and also instructs the automatic telephone answering device 61 to transmit the recorded audio to the caller's telephone 101.

[0039] If no recorded voice broadcast audio is stored in the storage unit 14, the automatic telephone answering device 61 will, for example, send a voice message to the telephone 101 informing it that no recorded voice broadcast exists, as a guidance message to be sent in response to the reception of a call signal.

[0040] In the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment, if the automatic telephone answering device 61 receives a predetermined PB signal during the guidance processing related to listening to a recording of an audio broadcast, the control module 121 controls the automatic telephone answering device 61 to switch from the guidance processing related to listening to a recording of an audio broadcast to the guidance processing related to starting / stopping the transmission of a test signal. The procedure for operating the dial buttons to output the predetermined PB signal to the telephone 101 is confidential information, limited to personnel involved in the installation work of the substation 40, and not disclosed to residents. This dial button operation involves, for example, pressing multiple dial buttons in a predetermined order.

[0041] Specifically, when the control module 121 receives a predetermined PB signal, it controls the automatic telephone answering device 61 to notify it of the reception of the predetermined PB signal. That is, the control module 121 sets the automatic telephone answering device 61 to transmit information (a2) indicating a predetermined dial button operation. When the control module 121 receives this notification, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the base station 30 is transmitting a test signal. The control console 10, which is a device for operating the base station 30, holds information regarding the status of the base station 30, including whether or not a test signal is being transmitted.

[0042] If no test signal is transmitted, the control module 121 controls the automatic telephone answering device 61 to send a guidance voice message to the caller's telephone 101 informing them that no test signal has been transmitted and guiding them to operate the dial buttons to start transmitting the test signal. Specifically, it sends a control signal (a1) to the automatic telephone answering device 61 instructing it to transmit a guidance voice message for when no test signal is transmitted.

[0043] When the automatic telephone answering system 61 receives a PB signal requesting the start of a test signal transmission in response to the transmission of this guidance voice, it transmits the dial information (a2) corresponding to that PB signal to the control module 121. The PB signal requesting the start of a test signal transmission is output from the telephone 101 when the caller performs the dial button operation indicated by the guidance voice on the telephone 101.

[0044] When the control module 121 receives information from the automatic telephone answering device 61 corresponding to a dial button operation to request the start of test signal transmission, the control unit 12 instructs the digital radio interface unit 13 to send a test signal transmission start request signal to the radio interface unit 312 of the radio device 31 of the master station device 30. Upon receiving the test signal transmission start request signal, the radio interface unit 312 starts transmitting the test signal via the transceiver unit 311.

[0045] On the other hand, when the automatic telephone answering device 61 receives a predetermined PB signal, if a test signal has been transmitted, the control module 121 controls the automatic telephone answering device 61 to send a guidance voice message to the caller's telephone 101 notifying them that a test signal has been transmitted and instructing them to operate the dial buttons to stop the transmission of the test signal. Specifically, it sends a control signal (a1) to the automatic telephone answering device 61 instructing it to transmit a guidance voice message for when a test signal is transmitted.

[0046] If the automatic telephone answering system 61 receives a PB signal requesting the cessation of the transmission of the test signal in response to the transmission of this guidance voice, it transmits information (a2) corresponding to the PB signal to the control module 121. The PB signal requesting the cessation of the transmission of the test signal is output from the telephone 101 when the caller performs the dial button operation indicated by the guidance voice on the telephone 101.

[0047] When the control module 121 receives information from the automatic telephone answering device 61 corresponding to a dial button operation to request the cessation of test signal transmission, the control unit 12 instructs the digital radio interface unit 13 to transmit a test signal cessation request signal to the radio interface unit 312 of the radio device 31 of the master station device 30. Upon receiving the test signal cessation request signal, the radio interface unit 312 begins transmitting the test signal via the transceiver unit 311.

[0048] Thus, in the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment, the person in charge of setting up the substation at the site can start or stop transmitting a test signal using a telephone 101 such as a smartphone.

[0049] As a result, the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment eliminates the need to enter the control station 2 in order to start / stop the transmission of test signals from the control console 10. In other words, the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment can improve convenience.

[0050] Figures 3A and 3B are sequence charts showing an example of information transfer between the side console 60, the control console 10, and the master station device 30 regarding the start / stop of transmission of a test signal in the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment. Here, we assume a case where the person in charge of installing the sub-station starts or stops the transmission of the test signal using a telephone 101 such as a smartphone at the installation site of the sub-station 40.

[0051] The person in charge of setting up the substation first uses telephone 101 to dial the telephone number provided by the local government for a service that allows residents to listen to recordings of voice broadcasts by telephone (Figure 3A (1)).

[0052] When the automatic telephone answering device 61 of the desk unit 60 receives an incoming call from the telephone 101, it starts processing guidance regarding listening to a recording of an audio broadcast (Figure 3A (2)). The automatic telephone answering device 61 sends a normal guidance voice, including, for example, a recording of an audio broadcast, to the telephone 101 (Figure 3A (3)).

[0053] Here, the person in charge of installing the substation performs a predetermined dial button operation on the telephone 101 to switch from guidance processing regarding listening to recordings of voice broadcasts to guidance processing regarding the start / stop of transmission of test signals, which is not disclosed to residents and is known only to those involved in the installation work of substation 40 (Figure 3A (4)). In conjunction with the predetermined dial button operation, a PB signal corresponding to that predetermined dial button operation is output from the telephone 101.

[0054] The automatic telephone answering device 61 notifies the control module 121 of the control unit 12 of the operating console 10 of the PB signal received from the telephone 101 (Figure 3A (5)). The actions that the automatic telephone answering device 61 should take for each PB signal, including this notification, are pre-set by the control module 121. In this case, the automatic telephone answering device 61 transmits information indicating a predetermined dial button operation to the control module 121.

[0055] The control module 121 switches the guidance processing of the automatic telephone answering device 61 from guidance processing related to listening to the recording of the voice broadcast to guidance processing related to starting / stopping the transmission of the test signal (Figure 3A (6)). The control module 121 determines whether or not the master station device 30 is transmitting a test signal (Figure 3A (7)).

[0056] The control module 121 instructs the automatic telephone answering device 61 to send a guidance voice message to the telephone 101 informing it of the status of the test signal transmission (Figure 3A (8)). Specifically, if the master unit 30 has stopped transmitting the test signal, it instructs the master unit 61 to send a guidance voice message informing that the transmission of the test signal has stopped. On the other hand, if the test signal is being transmitted, it instructs the master unit 61 to send a guidance voice message informing that the test signal is being transmitted.

[0057] Based on instructions from the control module 121, the automatic telephone answering device 61 transmits a guidance voice message to the telephone 101 informing it that the transmission of the test signal has stopped, or informing it that the test signal is being transmitted (Figure 3A (9)). The guidance voice message informing it that the transmission of the test signal has stopped includes instructions on how to operate the dial buttons to start transmitting the test signal. The guidance voice message informing it that the test signal is being transmitted includes instructions on how to operate the dial buttons to stop transmitting the test signal.

[0058] The sub-station operator performs the dial button operations on the telephone 101 as instructed by the voice guidance (Figure 3B (1)). Specifically, if the call is made with the purpose of having the base station 30 transmit a test signal, the operator performs the dial button operations to start the transmission of the test signal. On the other hand, if the call is made with the purpose of stopping the transmission of the test signal, the operator performs the dial button operations to stop the transmission of the test signal.

[0059] It is also possible that the installation of multiple substations 40 may be carried out simultaneously in different locations. Therefore, for example, when one substation installation worker intends to send a test signal, it is possible that a test signal is already being sent by another substation installation worker at a different site. In this case, even if the substation installation worker makes a call with the intention of sending a test signal, the telephone 101 will output a guidance voice informing the caller that a test signal is being sent, including a voice message instructing them on how to stop the transmission of the test signal using the dial buttons. In this case, the objective of sending a test signal has been achieved, so the substation installation worker can simply end the call.

[0060] The automatic telephone answering device 61 of the desk unit 60 notifies the control module 121 of the control unit 12 of the operating console 10 of the PB signal received from the telephone 101 (Figure 3B (2)). As mentioned above, the actions that the automatic telephone answering device 61 should take for each PB signal are pre-set by the control module 121. Here, the automatic telephone answering device 61 sends information to the control module 121 indicating a dial button operation to start sending a test signal, or a dial button operation to stop sending a test signal.

[0061] Based on a notification received by the control module 121 from the automatic telephone answering device 61, the control unit 12 requests the radio device 31 of the master station device 30 to start or stop transmitting a test signal via the digital radio interface unit 13 (Figure 3B (3)). Specifically, if information indicating a dial button operation to start transmitting a test signal is received, the control unit 12 requests the start of test signal transmission; on the other hand, if information indicating a dial button operation to stop transmitting a test signal is received, the control unit 12 requests the stop of test signal transmission.

[0062] The wireless interface unit 312 of the wireless device 31 of the master station device 30 starts or stops transmitting a test signal via the transceiver unit in response to a request from the digital wireless interface unit 13 of the control console 10 (Figure 3B (4)).

[0063] The wireless interface unit 312 responds to the digital wireless interface unit 13 on the control console 10 by indicating the start or stop of transmission of the test signal (Figure 3B (5)). The digital wireless interface unit 13 notifies the control unit 12 that it has received the response. The control module 121 of the control unit 12 instructs the automatic telephone answering device 61 to send a guidance voice message to the telephone 101 to notify it of the start or stop of sending the test signal (Figure 3B (7)).

[0064] Based on instructions from the control module 121, the automatic telephone answering device 61 transmits a guidance voice message to the telephone 101 to notify it of the start or stop of transmission of the test signal (Figure 3B (8)).

[0065] This guidance voice allows the substation installation staff to confirm when the test signal transmission has started or stopped.

[0066] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure for starting and stopping the transmission of a test signal for the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment.

[0067] S101-S104 in (A) shows the flow of the guidance process related to listening to recordings of audio broadcasts.

[0068] At S101, the person in charge of setting up the sub-station makes a call using telephone 101. The telephone number that is dialed at this time is the telephone number for a service that allows residents to listen to recordings of voice broadcasts by telephone, which has been made public by the local government.

[0069] In S102, the control unit 12 of the control console 10 determines whether or not a recording of the audio broadcast is stored in the storage unit 14. If a recording of the audio broadcast exists (S102: YES), proceed to S103. If a recording of the audio broadcast does not exist (S102: NO), proceed to S104.

[0070] In S103, the automatic telephone answering device 61 of the desk unit 60 transmits the recording of the voice broadcast stored in the storage unit 14 to the telephone 101, under the control of the control module 121 of the control unit 12 of the control console 10.

[0071] In S104, the automatic telephone answering device 61, under the control of the control module 121, sends a kaidan voice to the telephone 101 informing it that no recording of the voice broadcast exists.

[0072] On the other hand, S201 to S208 in (A) show the flow of guidance processing related to the start / stop of transmission of the test signal.

[0073] In S201, the person in charge of setting up the substation performs a predetermined dial button operation on telephone 101 at any time while the guidance processing for listening to the audio broadcast recording (S101-S104) is underway. This predetermined dial button operation is a pre-defined operation to switch to the guidance processing for starting / stopping the transmission of the test signal, and is confidential information reserved only for those involved in the installation of substation 40, and not disclosed to residents.

[0074] In S202, the control unit 12 of the control console 10 determines whether the master station device 30 is transmitting a test signal. If no test signal is transmitted (S202: NO), proceed to S203. If a test signal is transmitted (S202: YES), proceed to S206.

[0075] In S203, the automatic telephone answering device 61 of the desk unit 60, under the control of the control module 121 of the control unit 12 of the operating console 10, notifies the telephone 101 that no test signal has been transmitted and sends a guidance voice message instructing the user to dial the buttons to start transmitting the test signal. Figure 4 shows an example of dialing the buttons to start transmitting the test signal, in which the user presses "1" and "#".

[0076] In S204, the control module 121 determines whether the automatic telephone answering device 61 has received a PB signal corresponding to "1" or "#". If a PB signal corresponding to "1" or "#" has been received (S204: YES), the process proceeds to S205. If a PB signal corresponding to "1" or "#" has not been received (S204: NO), the process returns to S203 and the guidance voice is retransmitted. Alternatively, the control module 121 may control the automatic telephone answering device 61 to disconnect the connection with the telephone 101 if a PB signal corresponding to "1" or "#" is not received within a certain time after the guidance voice is transmitted in S203.

[0077] In S205, the control unit 12 of the control console 10 requests the radio device 31 of the master station device 30 to start transmitting a test signal via the digital radio interface unit 13.

[0078] In S206, the automatic telephone answering device 61 of the desk unit 60, under the control of the control module 121 of the control unit 12 of the control console 10, notifies the telephone 101 that a test signal is being transmitted and sends a guidance voice message instructing the user to operate the dial buttons to stop the transmission of the test signal. Figure 4 shows an example of operating the dial buttons to stop the transmission of the test signal, in which the user presses "0" and "#".

[0079] In S207, the control module 121 determines whether the automatic telephone answering device 61 has received a PB signal corresponding to "0" or "#". If a PB signal corresponding to "0" or "#" has been received (S207: YES), the process proceeds to S208. If a PB signal corresponding to "0" or "#" has not been received (S207: NO), the process returns to S206 and the guidance voice is retransmitted. As explained in S204, the control module 121 may also control the automatic telephone answering device 61 to disconnect the connection with the telephone 101 if a PB signal corresponding to "0" or "#" is not received within a certain time after the guidance voice is transmitted in S206.

[0080] As described above, the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment utilizes an existing interface provided for a service that allows residents to listen to recordings of voice broadcasts by telephone. This makes it possible for the person in charge of installing the substation 40 to instruct the start / stop transmission of the test signal from the control station, which is necessary when installing the substation 40, on-site using a telephone 101 such as a smartphone, without having to enter the control station 2.

[0081] As a result, the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment can solve the following problems of the conventional system. (1) It is necessary to appoint a person in charge of operating the control console (control console operator). (2) If the person in charge of the control panel is always on-site, the waiting time before the installation check can be performed is long and inefficient. (3) If the person in charge of setting up the substation, who also handles the control console, has to enter the station each time, travel time is wasted. (4) If entry is restricted due to the local government's circumstances, it will affect the installation schedule. In other words, the disaster prevention radio system 1 of this embodiment can improve convenience.

[0082] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...Disaster prevention radio system, 2...Control station, 3...Branch office, 10...Operation console, 11...Operation display unit, 12...Control unit, 13...Digital radio interface unit, 14...Storage unit, 20...Remote control device, 30...Master station equipment, 31...Radio equipment, 40...Sub station, 50...Relay station, 60...Desktop, 61...Automatic telephone answering device, 100...Public telephone line, 101...Telephone, 121...Control module, 311...Transceiver unit, 312...Radio interface unit.

Claims

1. In a disaster prevention radio system comprising a control station and a plurality of substations capable of receiving radio signals transmitted from the control station, The control station comprises a master station device, an operating console for operating the master station device, and a side console connected to the operating console. The master station device includes a radio device that transmits an audio signal for broadcasting audio or a test signal for checking the reception status of radio waves at the slave station. The aforementioned desk unit is connected to a public telephone network and is capable of receiving call signals from the public telephone network and push button (PB) signals transmitted from the caller's telephone, and is equipped with an automatic telephone answering device capable of transmitting a guidance voice to the caller to the telephone in response to the PB signal. The control console includes a control device for controlling the automatic telephone answering device, The control device is When the aforementioned call signal is received, the first guidance process for listening to the recording of the voice broadcast is initiated. If a first PB signal is received during the first guidance process, the system switches from the first guidance process to a second guidance process related to the start / stop of the transmission of the test signal. Control the automatic telephone answering device in such a manner. Disaster prevention radio system.

2. The control device is When the automatic telephone answering device receives the first PB signal, it determines whether or not the test signal has been transmitted from the wireless device of the base station. If the test signal is not transmitted, the automated telephone answering system will transmit a guidance voice message to notify that the test signal is not being transmitted. If the test signal is being transmitted, the automated telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message to notify that the test signal is being transmitted. The disaster prevention radio system according to claim 1.

3. The control device is If the aforementioned test signal is not transmitted, the automatic telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message instructing the dial button operation for transmitting the second PB signal from the telephone. When the automatic telephone answering device receives the second PB signal, it transmits a control signal to the wireless device of the base station requesting the start of transmission of the test signal. The disaster prevention radio system according to claim 2.

4. The control device is When the aforementioned test signal is transmitted, the automatic telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message instructing the dial button operation for transmitting the third PB signal from the telephone. When the automatic telephone answering device receives the third PB signal, it transmits a control signal to the wireless device of the base station requesting the cessation of transmission of the test signal. The disaster prevention radio system according to claim 2.

5. In a control station of a disaster prevention radio system that broadcasts voice messages via multiple substations capable of receiving radio signals, The system comprises a master station, an operating console for operating the master station, and a side console connected to the operating console. The master station device includes a radio device that transmits an audio signal for broadcasting audio or a test signal for checking the reception status of radio waves at the slave station. The aforementioned desk unit is connected to a public telephone network and is capable of receiving call signals from the public telephone network and push button (PB) signals transmitted from the caller's telephone, and is equipped with an automatic telephone answering device capable of transmitting a guidance voice to the caller to the telephone in response to the PB signal. The control console includes a control device for controlling the automatic telephone answering device, The control device is When the aforementioned call signal is received, the first guidance process for playback of the audio broadcast recording is initiated. If a first PB signal is received during the first guidance process, the system switches to a second guidance process related to starting / stopping the transmission of the test signal. Control the automatic telephone answering device in such a manner. Control station.

6. The control device is When the automatic telephone answering device receives the first PB signal, it determines whether or not the test signal has been transmitted from the wireless device of the base station. If the test signal is not transmitted, the automated telephone answering system will transmit a guidance voice message to notify that the test signal is not being transmitted. If the test signal is being transmitted, the automated telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message indicating that the test signal is being transmitted. The control station according to claim 5.

7. The control device is If the aforementioned test signal is not transmitted, the automatic telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message instructing the dial button operation for transmitting the second PB signal from the telephone. When the automatic telephone answering device receives the second PB signal, it transmits a control signal to the wireless device of the base station requesting the start of transmission of the test signal. The control station according to claim 6.

8. The control device is When the aforementioned test signal is transmitted, the automatic telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message instructing the dial button operation for transmitting the third PB signal from the telephone. When the automatic telephone answering device receives the third PB signal, it transmits a control signal to the wireless device of the base station requesting the cessation of transmission of the test signal. The control station according to claim 6.

9. A method for starting / stopping the transmission of a test signal for a disaster prevention radio system comprising a control station and a plurality of substations capable of receiving radio signals transmitted from the control station, The control station comprises a master station device, an operating console for operating the master station device, and a side console connected to the operating console. The master station device includes a radio device that transmits an audio signal for broadcasting audio or a test signal for checking the reception status of radio waves at the slave station. The aforementioned desk unit is connected to a public telephone network and is capable of receiving call signals from the public telephone network and push button (PB) signals transmitted from the caller's telephone, and is equipped with an automatic telephone answering device capable of transmitting a guidance voice to the caller to the telephone in response to the PB signal. The control console includes a control device for controlling the automatic telephone answering device, The control device is When the aforementioned call signal is received, the first guidance process for listening to the recording of the audio broadcast is initiated. If a first PB signal is received during the first guidance process, the system switches from the first guidance process to a second guidance process related to the start / stop of the transmission of the test signal. Control the automatic telephone answering device in such a manner. Method for starting / stopping the transmission of test signals for the disaster prevention radio system.

10. The control device is When the automatic telephone answering device receives the first PB signal, it determines whether or not the test signal has been transmitted from the wireless device of the base station. If the test signal is not transmitted, the automated telephone answering system will transmit a guidance voice message to notify that the test signal is not being transmitted. If the test signal is being transmitted, the automated telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message indicating that the test signal is being transmitted. A method for starting / stopping the transmission of a test signal for a disaster prevention radio system according to claim 9.

11. The control device is If the aforementioned test signal is not transmitted, the automatic telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message instructing the dial button operation for transmitting the second PB signal from the telephone. When the automatic telephone answering device receives the second PB signal, it transmits a control signal to the wireless device of the base station requesting the start of transmission of the test signal. A method for starting / stopping the transmission of a test signal for a disaster prevention radio system according to claim 10.

12. The control device is When the aforementioned test signal is transmitted, the automatic telephone answering system is instructed to transmit a guidance voice message instructing the dial button operation for transmitting the third PB signal from the telephone. When the automatic telephone answering device receives the third PB signal, it transmits a control signal to the wireless device of the base station requesting the cessation of transmission of the test signal. A method for starting / stopping the transmission of a test signal for a disaster prevention radio system according to claim 10.

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