Alarm system

Abstract

To easily enable a group registration in order to form a linkage group with a simple procedure by connecting both alarm devices with a signal cable.SOLUTION: By registering a predetermined group address and an address in a group to a plurality of alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5), a linkage group which can mutually communicate a signal is formed. When the other alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) are connected to the alarm device 10 (10-1) as a registration source in order with a signal cable 70, the group address and the address in the group are alternately registered by a signal transmission and reception via the signal cable 70. Then, a communication test is started when removing the signal cable 70 from the alarm device 10 (10-1) as a registration source, and the other alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) acquire the unregistered address in the group, the address in the group as a linkage destination with the group address to all of the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) is registered, and the linkage group is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm system in which an interlocking group is formed from wireless interlocking alarm devices, and when an alarm device detects a fire and issues an alarm, it transmits a fire interlocking signal to the other alarm devices to issue an alarm. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, alarms that detect and warn of fires in homes have been widely used. These alarms have a sensor section and an alarm section integrated into the alarm, and sound a fire alarm when a fire is detected. Since the alarm unit alone can monitor for fires and sound an alarm, they are easy to install and inexpensive, and have become widespread as their installation in general homes has become mandatory.

[0003] Additionally, linked alarm systems in which multiple alarm devices are used as wireless interlocking types to form an interlocking group, and when a fire is detected in any one of the alarm devices and an alarm sound indicating the interlocking source is output, a fire interlocking signal is transmitted, and the other alarm devices also output an alarm sound indicating the interlocking destination, have also been put into practical use and are widespread.

[0004] In this type of linked alarm system, in order to form a linked group from multiple alarm devices, a group registration operation is required to register a group address and an intra-group address to each alarm device prior to installing the alarm devices. Here, a group address is an address that identifies the linked group, and an intra-group address is an address that identifies the alarm devices included in the linked group.

[0005] Conventional group registration operations involve lining up multiple alarm devices that make up the linked group on a workbench such as a table, removing the battery sticker and turning the device on to enable operation, and then carrying out the registration operation in the following procedure. a) Press the registration button for the first device. b) After pressing the registration button on the first alarm, within a specified period of time (for example, within 60 seconds), press the registration buttons on the second, third, etc. alarms. c) After a specified time has elapsed, the first alarm device will begin group registration operation and the indicator light will flash, and the group will be registered in accordance with communications with the other alarm devices; when group registration is complete, an audio message will be output indicating that registration is complete, and the indicator light will switch to a lit state. d) Repeat steps a) through c) for the second, third, etc. alarms until the final alarm. The registration process is complete when a voice output indicating completion of registration is output from all alarm devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-113114 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-225055 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2015-087885 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when registering alarm devices in groups in such conventional alarm systems, the maximum number of alarm devices that can form a linked group is, for example, 15, and while this is not a problem when forming a linked group with just a few alarm devices, when registering a large number of alarm devices, for example 10 to 15 alarm devices, the effort and burden of the registration process becomes significant, and there is a risk that the group cannot be registered properly.

[0008] This is because pressing the registration button on one alarm device does not start group registration, but instead waits for the remaining alarm devices to be operated, and the group registration operation starts after a specified wait time has elapsed, so if one does not pay attention to the alarm device whose registration button has been operated, it may become difficult to tell whether or not the registration button on the alarm device has been pressed, and one may have trouble operating the registration button.In such a case, once the specified wait time has elapsed since the operation of the registration button on the last alarm device was operated, the group registration operation will start even though there are still alarm devices whose registration buttons have not been operated, and this may result in some alarm devices being unable to be registered in a group, requiring additional group registration for those alarm devices.

[0009] For elderly people in particular, the operation itself is simple, simply pressing a registration button, but if the number of alarms increases, it is anticipated that the task of group registration will become considerably more difficult, and improvements in this regard are desirable.

[0010] The present invention is a system for forming linked groups by connecting alarm devices with signal cables. group The object of the present invention is to provide an alarm system which enables easy registration through simple procedures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] (Alarm System) The present invention relates to an alarm system in which a linkage group is formed of multiple alarm devices capable of communicating signals with each other, and when a specified abnormality is detected in any of the multiple alarm devices, an abnormality linkage signal is transmitted to the other alarm devices, The alarm device is characterized by forming a linkage group based on the sending and receiving of signals when connected to a number of other alarm devices via a signal cable.

[0014] (Group registration operation) As a group registration operation for setting up a linked group, If alarm 1 is connected to other alarms with a signal cable, 1 alarm butSends the group address and its own address within the group to other alarm devices. 、 The group address and intra-group address were received from alarm device 1. Other alarms , received group address and 1 alarm Group Address of Register and then follow the instructions Group address Your own group address and This is then registered and sent to alarm 1. Furthermore 、 A group address was received from another alarm device Alarm 1 Received Other alarms Group Address of Register, When alarm 1 detects that the signal cable has been disconnected for , 1 alarm but Sends a communication test signal specifying the group address. 、 A communication test signal was received Other alarms , and transmits a communication test response signal including its own in-group address. At the same time , from another alarm Received Communication test response signal Included in Other alarms of Group Address of register.

[0015] (Generation and registration of group addresses and addresses within the group when connecting cables for the first time) When alarm device 1 detects the first time that another alarm device is connected via a signal cable, it generates and initially registers a specified group address and its own address within the group.

[0016] ( group Registration Completion of the operation Notice) Other alarms in Group Address and When the registration of addresses within the group is completed, the designated alarm In group Registration Operation Notify completion. Effect of the Invention

[0017] (Basic effect) The present invention is an alarm system in which multiple alarm devices form interlocking groups capable of communicating signals with each other, and if any of the multiple alarm devices detects a specified abnormality (for example a fire), it transmits an abnormality interlocking signal to the other alarm devices; the alarm devices form interlocking groups based on the signal transmission and reception when connected to multiple other alarm devices via a signal cable, so that any one of the multiple alarm devices that form the interlocking group is selected and the other alarm devices are connected to this alarm device in turn via a signal cable, and a group address and intra-group address are registered in the alarm device connected by the signal cable, and compared to the conventional task of pressing a registration button, where the result is invisible, by connecting the signal cable to the alarm device and then disconnecting it once registration is complete the task can be confirmed unconsciously, and even when registering a large number of alarm devices, for example 10 to 15 devices, the group registration task can be carried out simply and easily without being overlooked, and even elderly people can carry out the burdensome task.

[0018] (Effect of starting registration operation by connecting the signal cable) Furthermore, when one alarm device is connected to another alarm device via a signal cable, the first alarm device will initiate a specified address registration operation each time it detects a connection to another alarm device via the signal cable, so group registration operation will begin simply by connecting the signal cable connected to the first alarm device to a second or subsequent alarm device, making it easy to start group registration with the single action of connecting the cable.

[0019] (Effects of connecting the signal cable and starting address registration by the registration operation) Furthermore, if one alarm device is connected to another alarm device via a signal cable, the first alarm device will detect a connection to another alarm device via the signal cable and will initiate a prescribed address registration operation each time it detects a prescribed registration operation, so group registration is initiated with just two actions, connecting the cable and pressing the switch button, making it possible to increase confirmation that group registration has been performed.

[0020] (Effect of address registration action) Furthermore, each time the first alarm device detects a connection with another alarm device via the signal cable and detects a specified registration operation, it transmits its group address and its own in-group address to the other alarm devices, and when the other alarm devices receive the group address and in-group address from the first alarm device, they register the received group address and register the received in-group address as an interlocking destination address, then generate and register their own specified in-group address and send it to the first alarm device, and further, when the first alarm device receives an in-group address from another alarm device, it registers the received in-group address as an interlocking destination address, and if the first alarm device detects that the signal cable has been disconnected, the first alarm device transmits a communications test signal with its group address specified to the other alarm devices, and when the other alarm devices receive the communications test signal, they transmit a communications test response signal including their own in-group address and receive a communications test response signal from another alarm device. When a signal response signal is received, the unregistered in-group address of another alarm device is obtained and registered as the interlocking address, so that registration of group addresses and in-group addresses begins with alarm device 1 as the starting point, and each time another alarm device is connected with a signal cable, the group address and in-group address are transmitted, and the group address is registered in the other alarm device to which it is transmitted, and the in-group address is registered as a interlocking address, and the other alarm device generates and registers its own address and sends it to alarm device 1, which registers it as a interlocking address in alarm device 1. As a result, when a signal cable is connected between alarm device 1 and all of the other alarm devices, the group addresses are registered in all of the alarm devices, and also the in-group addresses of the other alarm devices are registered in alarm device 1 as interlocking addresses, and all of the other alarm devices have the in-group address of alarm device 1 registered as a interlocking address.

[0021] Next, when the signal cable is disconnected from alarm device 1, alarm device 1 detects that the signal cable has been disconnected and sends a communications test signal to the other alarm devices, and the other alarm devices send communications test response signals including their own in-group addresses, and on receiving this communications test response signal, the other alarm devices are able to obtain and register all of the interlocking addresses belonging to the interlocking group that were not registered when the group was registered by connecting the signal cable, and as a result, the group addresses and all in-group addresses to be interlocked are registered in all of the alarm devices, completing the group registration.

[0022] (Generation and registration of group addresses and addresses within the group when connecting cables for the first time) Furthermore, when alarm device 1 detects the first connection of another alarm device via a signal cable, it generates and initially registers a specified group address and its own intra-group address, so although the group address and intra-group address are undetermined when shipped from the factory, when the first signal cable connection is detected the group address and intra-group address are automatically generated in accordance with specified rules and registered.

[0023] (Effect of visual and audio notification of registration completion) Furthermore, when other alarm devices have completed registering their group addresses, the addresses of other alarm devices in the group that will serve as linkage addresses, and their own address in the group, a specific alarm device will notify the completion of registration by means of an indicator light or audio guidance, so that after connecting and disconnecting the signal cable, it can be easily confirmed that group registration is complete. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing alarm systems forming a linkage group. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the external appearance of the alarm device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an alarm device with a group registration function. [Figure 4]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a signal cable for performing group registration. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing group management information that is initially registered in an alarm device. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing group management information for five alarm devices for which group registration has been completed. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing group management information that changes depending on the connection of a signal cable of another alarm device to the registration source alarm device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the registration of an interlocking destination address that is registered by setting an interlocking destination flag by a communication test. [Figure 9] 4 is a time chart showing a control operation of group registration. [Figure 10] 11 is a time chart showing a control operation for deleting a group registration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The following is a description of the present invention. Alarm system The embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0026] [Basic Concept of the Implementation Mode] First, a basic concept of the embodiment will be described. The embodiment generally relates to an alarm system.

[0027] The alarm system of this embodiment forms a linked group from a plurality of alarm devices, and outputs an alarm upon detecting a specified abnormality.

[0028] Here, an "alarm system" is one that detects specified abnormalities such as fire, gas leaks, theft, etc. and issues an alarm through sound and display, and specifically, is equipped with multiple alarm devices that issue an alarm in conjunction with each other by sending and receiving signals to each other, for example by wireless transmission. Also, an "interlocking group" is a collection of multiple alarm devices that issue an alarm in conjunction with each other, and when an abnormality is detected in any of the multiple alarm devices that make up the interlocking group, it outputs an abnormality alarm indicating the interlocking source, and sends an abnormality interlocking signal to the other alarm devices, causing them to output an abnormality alarm indicating the interlocking destination.

[0029] The formation of a linking group is performed for multiple alarms. group Specifically, the common group address, the alarm device's own address within its group, and the addresses within the group of the other alarm devices are registered in each alarm device. group Registration involves registering a group address and an address within the group based on the signal transmissions when a single alarm device that is the registration source is connected in sequence to each of a number of other alarm devices via a signal cable.

[0030] Here, when the registration source alarm device and other alarm devices are connected in sequence with a signal cable and the registration operation is performed, the registration source alarm device generates and registers a group address and its own address within the group, which are then sent to the other alarm devices and registered, and the other alarm devices generate and register their own address within their group, which is then sent back to the registration source alarm device and registered as the link destination.

[0031] Furthermore, when the signal cable is removed from the original alarm device, a communications test signal is sent to the other alarm devices, and when the other alarm devices receive this, they set their own group address in the response signal and send it back, thereby registering the group address of the other alarm devices other than themselves in the other alarm devices that do not have a signal cable connected.

[0032] Furthermore, when the original alarm device and the alarm device to be deleted are connected via a signal cable and the deletion operation is performed, the registration of the intra-group address of the alarm device to be deleted is deleted from all alarm devices other than the alarm device to be deleted that form the linked group, in the same way as when it was registered.

[0033] In the specific embodiment described below, the case will be described in which the "specified abnormality" is a "fire," the "abnormality alarm" is a "fire alarm," the "abnormality interlocking signal" is a "fire interlocking signal," and the "transmission and reception of signals for interlocking" is "transmission and reception of signals via wireless communication."

[0034] [Specific details of the embodiment] The specific embodiment of the alarm system forming the interlocking group will now be described in more detail, which will be divided into the following sections: a. Overview of the warning system b. Functional configuration of the alarm b1. Functional configuration overview b2. Functions of the fire control unit c. Group registration control section c1. Overview of group registration control c2. Functions of the group registration control unit c3. Group management information c4. Group registration by communication test d. Group registration control operations e. Group registration deletion control operations f. Modifications of the present invention

[0035] [a. Overview of the alarm system] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an alarm system that forms a linking group, taking as an example an alarm system made up of wireless alarm devices (residential fire alarm devices) installed in homes.

[0036] In this example, alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-4) that detect and warn of fires are installed in the kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and children's room of a house 12, and an alarm device 10 (10-5) is also installed in a garage 14 built outside.

[0037] The alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) have the function of transmitting and receiving interlocking signals for fires, etc. to each other via wireless 11, and perform fire monitoring for the entire house. The alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) also form interlocking groups by using the same channel frequency. The maximum number of alarm devices that can form a interlocking group is, for example, 15, and this embodiment will be described as including 5 alarm devices.

[0038] A linked group capable of communicating signals with each other is formed by registering a specific group address G1 and unique intra-group addresses A1 to A5 in each of the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5).

[0039] Now, if a fire F breaks out in a child's room in the house 12, the alarm device 10 (10-4) detects the fire F and outputs a fire alarm indicating the interlocking source with an alarm sound and alarm display. The alarm device 10 (10-4) that detected the fire F also transmits a fire interlocking signal, with a group address set to indicate the occurrence of a fire, via wireless communication 11 to the other alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-3, 10-5).

[0040] When the other alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-3, 10-5) receive a fire interlocking signal from the interlocking source alarm device 10 (10-4), they output a fire alarm indicating the interlocking destination by alarm sound and alarm display.

[0041] When an alarm stop operation is performed on an alarm device 10 (10-1 to 10-5) while a fire alarm is being output, it stops its own alarm and sends an alarm stop interlocking signal with the group address set to the other alarm devices to perform the alarm stop operation. Also, when the alarm device 10 (10-4) that detected fire F detects that the fire has been restored, it stops its own alarm and sends a fire restoration interlocking signal with the group address set to the other alarm devices to perform the alarm stop operation.

[0042] Furthermore, in normal monitoring conditions, the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) automatically perform communications tests (periodic reporting tests) at cycles of, for example, 72 hours. Furthermore, the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) can perform communications tests by pressing and holding the test switch.

[0043] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of a wireless alarm device, with FIG. 2(A) showing a front view and FIG. 2(B) showing a side view.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the alarm 10 is composed of a main body 16 and a cover 18. A smoke inlet is opened in the center of the cover 18, and a smoke detector 25 is placed inside, which detects a fire when smoke from a fire reaches a specified concentration. An audio hole 24 is provided on the lower left side of the cover 18, and a speaker is built in behind this so that an alarm sound and voice messages can be output.

[0045] A test switch 20 is provided below the smoke detection section 25. The test switch 20 also functions as a switch to instruct the alarm device 10 to stop an alarm; when the test switch 20 is operated in the event of a fire alarm, the alarm stops, and when the test switch 20 is operated in normal conditions, a functional check begins and the results are reported. Furthermore, a communication test is performed when the test switch 20 is pressed and held. An LED 22 that displays an alarm is disposed inside the test switch 20, as shown by the dotted line, and the lighting, blinking, etc. of the internal two-color LED 22 can be visually confirmed via the test switch 20. A signal cable for group registration and deletion is connected to the communication connector 30 between other alarm devices 10.

[0046] A registration switch 26 is provided on the rear surface of the main body 16 of the alarm device 10; normal operation of the switch instructs a group registration operation, and pressing and holding the switch instructs a group registration deletion operation.

[0047] [b. Functional configuration of the alarm] (b1. Overview of Functional Configuration) 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an alarm device with a group registration function. The alarm device 10 is equipped with a control processor 32, and the control processor 32 is provided with a smoke detection section 25, test switch 20, LED 22, speaker 28, registration switch 26, non-volatile memory 56 in which group management information 60 is stored, and a communications section 34.

[0048] The control processor 32 is provided with a CPU 44, and a control logic 46, a ROM 48, and a RAM 50 are connected to a bus 52 extending from the CPU 44. The control logic 46 realizes various hardware functions such as bus control associated with the control processing of the CPU 44.

[0049] The bus 52 is connected to the smoke detector 25, the test switch 20, the LED 22, the speaker 28, the registration switch 26 and a non-volatile memory 56, and is further connected to the communication unit 34. The non-volatile memory 56 may be a removable non-volatile memory card.

[0050] The smoke detector 25 has a known scattered light type smoke detector structure, and drives an infrared LED light emitter to emit light intermittently at a predetermined cycle, amplifies the light receiving signal of the scattered light received by a light receiving unit such as a photodiode, and outputs a smoke concentration detection signal. Note that a temperature detector may be provided instead of the smoke detector 25, and the temperature detector may use a thermistor as a temperature detection element, in which case it outputs a temperature detection signal that is a voltage signal corresponding to the change in resistance value due to temperature.

[0051] The communication unit 32 includes a communication processor 36 to which a wireless communication unit 38 including an antenna 40 and a wired communication unit 42 including a communication connector 30 are connected.

[0052] The wireless communication unit 38 transmits and receives linkage signals for fires, etc., to and from other alarm devices in accordance with a specific communication protocol. In Japan, this communication protocol complies with STD-30 (standard specification for radio equipment for specified low-power security system radio stations), known as the standard specification for specified low-power radio stations in the 426 MHz band.

[0053] For specific low-power security system radio station equipment in the 426 MHz band, 48 channels with a frequency bandwidth of 12.5 kHz are allocated between 426.2500 MHz and 426.8375 MHz, and one of the channel frequencies is assigned to an interlocking group consisting of multiple alarm devices for use.

[0054] The wireless communication unit 38 is composed of a wireless transmission unit and a wireless reception unit. The wireless transmission unit MSK-modulates and then FM-modulates data signals such as the fire interlocking signal output from the communications processor 36, and transmits the resulting signal radio waves at an assigned channel frequency of 426 MHz from the antenna 40. The wireless reception unit receives signal radio waves transmitted by other alarm devices via the antenna 40, FM-demodulates the signal, then FSK-demodulates it, and further performs bit determination to demodulate the data signals such as the fire interlocking signal.

[0055] The wired communication section 42 transmits and receives various signals required for group registration to and from other alarm devices connected via the communication connector 30, in accordance with a serial communication protocol such as RS485.

[0056] The wired communication unit 42 is composed of a wired transmission unit and a wired reception unit. The wired transmission unit converts the parallel signals output from the communication processor 36 into serial signals and transmits them to a serial transmission path of a signal cable connected to the communication connector 30. The wired reception unit converts the serial signals received from the serial transmission path of the signal cable connected to the communication connector 30 into parallel signals and outputs them to the communication processor 36.

[0057] The CPU 44 is provided with the functions of a fire control unit 62, a group registration control unit 64, and a communication test control unit 66 which are realized by executing a program.

[0058] (b2. Functions of the fire control unit) The control function of the fire control unit 62 provided in the CPU 44 is as follows: The fire control unit 62 performs AD conversion and reads the smoke density detection signal output from the smoke detector unit 25, detects a fire when the smoke density is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, and performs control to output a fire alarm indicating the linked fire.

[0059] When the fire control unit 62 outputs a fire alarm, it instructs the communications processor 36 to generate a fire interlocking signal with a group address set, and controls the wireless communication unit 38 to transmit the fire interlocking signal to other alarm devices in the same interlocking group, causing other alarm devices in the same interlocking group that receive the fire interlocking signal to output a fire alarm indicating the interlocking destination.

[0060] Furthermore, when the fire control unit 62 receives a fire interlocking signal transmitted by another alarm device in the same interlocking group via the wireless communication unit 38, it performs control to output a fire indicating the interlocking destination.

[0061] In addition, the fire control unit 62 also transmits an alarm stop interlocking signal and a fire recovery interlocking signal via the wireless communication unit 38 for alarm stop control by operating the test switch 20 and fire recovery control in which the smoke concentration in the smoke detector falls below the threshold value, in the same manner as in the case of the fire interlocking signal.

[0062] [c. Group registration control section] (c1. Overview of group registration control) 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection state of the signal cables used for group registration. Group registration is performed by arranging, on a work table, for example, five alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) that form the linked group, and with the battery power turned on, selecting, for example, the alarm device 10 (10-1) as the registration source, and connecting the plug or jack at one end of the signal cable 70, which provides serial transmission, to the communications connector 30 of the alarm device 10 (10-1).

[0063] Next, when the plug or jack at the other end of the signal cable 70 connected to the alarm device 10 (10-1) is connected to a second device, for example the alarm device 10 (10-2), and a registration operation is performed to turn on the registration switch 26 of the alarm device 10 (10-1), a specified group registration operation is carried out by sending and receiving signals between the alarm device 10 (10-1) and the alarm device 10 (10-2), and when the registration operation of the alarm device 10 (10-2) is completed, the LED 22 will, for example, flash and an audio message will be heard from the speaker 28 to notify the completion of registration.

[0064] Once the group registration of the alarm device 10 (10-2) has been confirmed, the signal cable 70 is disconnected from the alarm device 10 (10-2) and connected to the third alarm device 10 (10-3), and when the registration operation is performed by turning on the registration switch 26 of the alarm device 10 (10-1), the group registration of the alarm device 10 (10-3) will be carried out and the completion of registration will be notified.

[0065] Similarly, the communication cable 70 is connected to the fourth and fifth alarm devices 10 (10-4, 10-5) and group registration is performed, and once group registration of all of the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) has been completed, the signal cable 70 is removed from the original alarm device 10 (10-1), which will detect a cable disconnection in the alarm device 10 (10-1) and perform group registration by running a communications test, and if the communications test is successful, the group address, its own in-group address and the in-group address of the linkage destination are registered in the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5), completing the formation of the linkage group and transitioning to fire monitoring by the linkage group.

[0066] (c2. Functions of group registration control unit) The control function of the group registration control unit 64 provided in the CPU 44 is as follows. As shown in Fig. 4, when the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) that form the linked group are arranged on a work table and, with the battery power turned on, for example, the alarm device 10 (10-1) is selected as the registration source and one end of the signal cable 70 for serial transmission is connected to the communications connector 30, and the other end of the communications cable 70 is connected to the alarm device 10 (10-2), the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) performs the following control. Note that in the following explanation, the group management information 60 for each of the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) is referred to as group management information 60 (10-1 to 10-5).

[0067] The group registration control unit 64 commences group registration operation when it detects that the alarm device 10 (10-2) has been connected to the alarm device 10 (10-1) via the signal cable 70, and when it detects a registration operation in which the registration switch 26 has been turned on.

[0068] The control operation by the group registration control unit 64 starts at the registration switch The control operation may be started when the connection of the signal cable 70 is detected in step S1 without requiring the registration operation by means of 26.

[0069] Having begun the group registration operation, the group registration control unit 64 generates an unregistered group address G1 based on predetermined rules, for example the unique serial number stored in the alarm device 10 (10-1), and registers it in the group management information 60 (60-1).

[0070] Next, the group registration control section 64 generates an unregistered in-group address and registers it in the group management information 60 (60-1). Because the maximum number of alarm devices constituting a linked group is set to, for example, 15, the in-group address is controlled to be generated from among the in-group addresses A1 to A15 prepared in advance in accordance with a predetermined rule, for example a rule that selects the minimum empty address A1.

[0071] Next, the group registration control unit 64 transmits the group address G1 and its own in-group address A1 registered in the group management information 60 (60-1) to the alarm device 10 (10-2) connected by a signal cable 70, via the communications processor 36 and wired communications unit 42, and performs control so that the alarm device 10 (10-2) registers the group address G1 and its own in-group address A1 as interlocking addresses.

[0072] The group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-2) that has registered the group address G1 received from the alarm device 10 (10-1) and the in-group address A1 as the linkage destination address sets its own in-group address to, for example, the smallest available address among the in-group addresses A1 to A15 prepared in advance, selects its own in-group address A2 and registers it in the group management information 60 (60-2), and then performs control to send its own in-group address A2 via the signal cable 70 to the alarm device 10 (10-1) that registered it.

[0073] When the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) receives the group address A2 transmitted from the alarm device 10 (10-2), it performs control to register the group address A2 of the alarm device 10 (10-2) as a linkage destination address in the group management information 60 (60-1).

[0074] When the group registration operation is completed in this way by connecting the alarm device 10 (10-2) to the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) via the signal cable 70, the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) causes the LED 22 to flash, and also performs control to output from the speaker 28 a voice message stating, for example, "Beep beep. Registration complete. Please connect another alarm device".

[0075] Next, when the alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5) are connected in sequence to the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) via the signal cable 70, similar group registration control is repeated, and the group address G1 and group address A1 as the interlocking destination address are registered in the alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5), and their own in-group addresses A3, A4, A5 are also generated and registered. Furthermore, the in-group addresses A3 to A5 of the alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5) are sent to the alarm device 10 (10-1) and registered as interlocking destination addresses.

[0076] When the registration operation based on the connection of the other alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) via the signal cable 70 to the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) is completed, the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) flashes the LED 22, and performs control to output an audio message from the speaker 28, such as "Beep beep. Registration is complete. Please disconnect the cable. A communications test will now begin."

[0077] In response to this, when the user removes the signal cable 70 from the registered alarm device 10 (10-1), the group registration control unit 64 of the registered alarm device 10 (10-1) receives the detection result that the signal cable 70 has been disconnected from the communication connector 30 via the wired communication unit 42 and communication processor 36, and issues an instruction to the communication processor 36 and wireless communication unit 38 to control the transmission of a communication test signal specifying the group address G1 to the alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5).

[0078] The communications test signal transmitted from the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) is received by the alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5), and the alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) transmit a communications test response signal including the intra-group addresses A2 to A5. The communications test response signal transmitted from the alarm device 10 (10-2 to 10-5) is received by all other alarm devices other than the alarm device itself.

[0079] For this reason, if the in-group address included in the received communication test response signal is not registered in its own group management information 60, the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-2 to 10-5) registers it as a linkage destination address, and as a result, the in-group addresses of other alarm devices belonging to the linkage group are stored as linkage destination addresses in the group management information 60 (60-2 to 60-5) of all alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) other than the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1), completing the registration of the group addresses for forming the linkage group and the in-group addresses indicating the linkage destination, and it is possible to move to fire monitoring using the linkage group.

[0080] When the group registration control unit 64 of the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) has acquired all of the intra-group addresses A2 to A5 contained in the communications test response signal, it recognises that the communications test has ended successfully, and causes the LED 22 to flash, as well as controlling the speaker 28 to output an audio message, for example, "Beep beep, communications test successful, please install the alarm device".

[0081] (c3. Group management information) Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the group management information initially registered in an alarm device, Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the group management information of five alarm devices for which group registration has been completed, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the group management information that changes when the signal cable of another alarm device is connected to the alarm device from which it is registered, and Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the registration of the interlocking destination address that is registered when the interlocking destination flag is set by a communications test.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 5, the group management information 60 that is initially registered when the alarm device 10 is shipped from the factory consists of a group address, an intra-group address, an interlocking source flag, an interlocking destination flag, and the response delay time of the communications test response signal, and the group address G1 is undetermined at the initial registration, and the intra-group addresses A1 to A15 that correspond to the maximum number of 15 alarm devices that can make up a linked group are initially registered.

[0083] The link source flag indicates that the address within the group is the alarm device's own address. of This bit is reset to 0 when initially registered. The link destination flag indicates that the address within the group is the address of another alarm device that will be linked to the group, and is reset to 0 when initially registered.

[0084] When multiple alarm devices 10 simultaneously receive a communication test signal, different response delay times Tw1 to Tw15 are initially registered in order to prevent collisions by staggering the transmission timing of the communication test response signals.

[0085] In addition, since carrier sensing is not mandatory in STD-30 (standard specification for radio equipment for specified low-power security system radio stations) of the wireless communication unit 38 in FIG. 3, signal collisions are avoided using the response delay times Tw1 to Tw15. However, if signal collisions are avoided by carrier sensing, initial registration of the response delay times Tw1 to Tw15 is not required.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, when group registration of the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) is completed by connecting the signal cable 70 and performing a communications test afterwards, the group management information 60 (60-1 to 60-5) of the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) is registered and a linked group is formed, as shown in FIGS. 6(A) to (E).

[0087] A common group address G1 is registered for all of the group management information 60 (60-1 to 60-5) for the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) in Fig. 6. Additionally, by setting the linkage source flag to bit 1, intra-group addresses A1 to A5 are individually set as the own addresses of the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5).

[0088] Furthermore, an address within the group that will become the interlocking destination address is set by setting the interlocking destination flag to bit 1. For example, for the alarm device 10 (10-1), the intra-group address A1 is set as its own address, and the intra-group addresses A2 to A5 are set as the interlocking destination addresses.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 4, when the group registration operation is carried out while the alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) are connected in order via the signal cable 70 to the alarm device 10 (10-1) selected as the registration source, the group of alarm device 10 (10-1) shown in FIG. management Information 60 (60-1) The groups in Fig. 7(A)-(D) management As shown in information 60 (60-1a to 60-1d), the registered contents change.

[0090] First, connect the signal cable 70 to the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) and register it. switch When the registration operation of 26 is performed, a group address G1 is generated and registered as shown in group management information 60 (60-1a) in FIG. 7(A), and the group address A1 is set to the self address by setting bit 1 of the link source flag.

[0091] The group address G1 can be generated using any appropriate generation rule, such as calculation from the alarm device's unique serial number, random selection from pre-prepared group addresses, etc. Furthermore, the own address is generated using the interlocking source flag according to a rule that selects the first address among the addresses in the group that is empty when bit 0 of the interlocking source flag is reset.

[0092] Next, bit 1 of the interlocking destination flag is set by sending and receiving signals between the alarm device 10 (10-1) and the alarm device 10 (10-2) using the signal cable 70, and the in-group address A2 generated as the alarm device 10 (10-2)'s own address is set as the interlocking destination address.

[0093] Next, when group registration is performed by connecting the alarm devices 10 (10-3, 10-4, 10-5) in order to the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) via the signal cable 70, the group management information of the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) 60(60-1a) As shown in the group management information 60 (60-1b to 60-1d) of Figures 7(B) to (D), by setting bit 1 of the interlocking destination flag, the group addresses A3, A4, and A5 are registered in order as interlocking destination addresses, and group registration of the alarm device 10 (10-1) is completed in the group management information 60 (60-1d).

[0094] (c4. Group registration by communication test) FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the registration of an interlocking destination address that is registered by setting the interlocking destination flag due to a communications test, taking as an example the group registration of the alarm device 10 (10-2) in FIG.

[0095] In FIG. 4, when the alarm device 10 (10-2) is connected to the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) via the signal cable 70 and group registration is performed, the group management information of the alarm device 10 (10-2) 60(60-2) become the contents of the group management information 60 (60-2a) shown in Fig. 8. That is to say, the group address G1 is registered in the group management information 60 (60-2a) of the alarm device 10 (10-2), and also, by setting bit 1 of the interlocking destination flag, the intra-group address A2 is set as the self-address, and further, by setting bit 1 of the interlocking destination flag, the intra-group address A1 (the intra-group address of the alarm device 10 (10-1)) is set as the interlocking destination address. However, at this stage, the intra-group addresses of the alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5) that will be the interlocking destinations have not yet been determined.

[0096] Therefore, the group registration control unit 64 of this embodiment executes a communications test after group registration has been completed by connecting the signal cable 70, obtains the in-group addresses A3 to A5 of the unregistered alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5), and managementAs shown in information 60 (60-2b), the interlock destination flag is set to bit 1 to register the intra-group addresses A3 to A5 as interlock destination addresses, thereby 10- 5) Group registration is completed.

[0097] [d. Group registration control operations] FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the control operations for group registration, taking as an example the control operations when the alarm device 10 (10-1) is the registration source and the alarm device 10 (10-2) is connected via a signal cable.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 9, when the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects connection of the signal cable 70 in step S1, it proceeds to step S2 and group When the registration operation is detected, the group management information 60 (60-1) is group In step S3, the alarm device 10 (10-1) determines whether or not it has been registered. group If it is determined that the address is not registered, the process proceeds to step S4, where the group address G1 and its own in-group address A1 are generated or selected according to a predetermined rule, and are registered in the group management information 60 (60-1).

[0099] Next, in step S5, the alarm device 10 (10-1) transmits the group address G1 and its own in-group address A1 via the signal cable 70 to the alarm device 10 (10-2).

[0100] In step S6, the alarm device 10 (10-2) registers the group address G1 transmitted from the alarm device 10 (10-1) in the group management information 60 (60-2), and then in step S7 registers the intra-group address A1 in the group management information 60 (60-2) as a linkage destination address.

[0101] Next, in step S8, the alarm device 10 (10-2) generates its own in-group address A2 and registers it in the group management information 60 (60-2), and in step S9 transmits its own in-group address A2 via the signal cable 70 to the alarm device 10 (10-1) that registered it.

[0102] In step S10, the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) receives the group address A2 from the alarm device 10 (10-2) and registers it as a linkage destination address in the group management information 60 (60-1), and then in step S11 notifies the user that the registration of the alarm device 10 (10-2) is complete and that the cable of the next alarm device has been connected by flashing the LED 22 and sending a voice message from the speaker 28.

[0103] As a result, when the user disconnects the signal cable 70 from the alarm device 10 (10-2) that has already been registered, and connects the next alarm device 10 (any of 10-3 to 5), a new cable connection is detected again in step S1 and the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is determined that this is a registration operation using the registration switch 26, the process proceeds to step S3, and as the group address G1 and its own in-group address A1 have already been registered in the previous control, step S4 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S5, and the processing of steps S5 to S11 is repeated for the newly connected alarm device.

[0104] Meanwhile, when group registration by connecting signal cables to the interlocking source alarm device 10 (10-1) and all of the other alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) is complete, the user removes the signal cable 70 from the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1), and the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects that the cable has been disconnected in step S12 and proceeds to step S13, sending a communications test signal specifying the group address G1 to the other alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5).

[0105] The alarm device 10 (10-2) that receives the communications test signal from the alarm device 10 (10-1) transmits a communications test response signal including its own in-group address A2 in step S14, this is received by the other alarm devices, and the in-group address A2 is registered in the unregistered interlocking source address. When registration is complete, the other alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5) may notify the completion of registration by means of an indicator light or audio guidance.

[0106] When the registration source alarm device 10 (10-1) determines in steps S15 and S16 that it has received communications test response signals from all of the other alarm devices 10 (10-2 to 10-5), it proceeds to step S17, flashing the LED 22 and an audio message from the speaker 28 notifying the user that the communications test has been completed successfully and that the alarm device can now be installed, thereby completing the series of group registration control operations.

[0107] [e. Control operation for deleting group registration] During operation of an alarm system in which a linkage group is formed from the alarm devices 10 (10-1 to 10-5) shown in FIG. 1, if the registration of a specific alarm device needs to be deleted from the linkage group due to a malfunction or the like, group registration deletion control is carried out.

[0108] For example, when deleting the registration of an alarm device 10 (10-2) from the interlocking group, the alarm device 10 (10-2) to be deleted is removed from its installation location and connected to another arbitrary alarm device, for example the alarm device 10 (10-1) via the signal cable 70, and the registration of the alarm device 10 (10-1) is deleted. switch When 26 is pressed and held, for example, the group registration deletion operation is detected, and the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) carries out the next group registration deletion control.

[0109] When the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects a specified group registration deletion operation, it sends a registration deletion signal via the signal cable 70 to the alarm device 10 (10-2) that is to be deleted.

[0110] When the alarm device 10 (10-2) to be removed receives a registration deletion signal from the alarm device 10 (10-1), it transmits a registration deletion response signal including its own in-group address A2 and also transmits a registration deletion response signal to the alarm device 10 (10-2) Management information 60(60-2) Registration The group address G1 and its own in-group address A2 are deleted from the group.

[0111] When the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) receives a registration deletion response signal from the alarm device 10 (10-2), it deletes the registration of the in-group address A2 of the alarm device 10 (10-2) contained in the registration deletion response signal as a linkage destination address from the group management information 60 (60-1), flashes the LED 22, and performs control to output from the speaker 28 a voice message stating, for example, "The alarm device group registration has been deleted. Please disconnect the cable".

[0112] In response to this, when the user removes the signal cable 70 from the alarm device 10 (10-1), the group registration control unit 64 of the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects the disconnection of the signal cable 70, and executes a registration deletion command including the intra-group address A2 that was selected for deletion. Linkage Send a signal to the other alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5) to delete the registration. Linkage Control is then performed to delete the registration of the intra-group address A2 obtained from the signal.

[0113] FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the control operation for group registration deletion, taking as an example a case where the alarm device 10 (10-2) to be deleted is connected to the alarm device 10 (10-1) via a signal cable 70.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 10, when the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects a connection of the signal cable 70 in step S21, it proceeds to step S22 and group If a registration deletion operation is detected, a registration deletion signal is sent to the alarm device 10-2 via the signal cable 70 in step S23.

[0115] When the alarm device 10 (10-2) receives the registration deletion signal from the alarm device 10 (10-1) via the signal cable 70, it sends a registration response signal including its own in-group address A2 via the signal cable 70 to the alarm device 10 (10-1) in step S24, and then proceeds to step S25, where it deletes the group address G1 and its own in-group address A2 registered in the group management information 60 (60-2).

[0116] When the alarm device 10 (10-1) receives a registration deletion response signal from the alarm device 10 (10-2) via the signal cable 70, it deletes in step S26 the intra-group address A2 of the alarm device 10 (10-2) contained in the registration deletion response signal from the registration of interlocking addresses in the group management information 60 (60-1), and proceeds to step S27 in which it flashes the LED 22 and notifies the completion of the registration deletion by outputting an audio message from the speaker 28 indicating that the registration deletion is complete and to encourage the removal of the signal cable 70.

[0117] Next, when the alarm device 10 (10-1) detects in step S28 that the signal cable 70 has been disconnected, it proceeds to step S29 and sends a registration deletion interlocking signal including the in-group address A2 that has been selected for deletion from the wireless communication unit 38 to the other alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5), causing the registration of the in-group address A2 as an interlocking destination address registered in the other alarm devices 10 (10-3 to 10-5) to be deleted.

[0118] [f. Modifications of the present invention] (Address registration by flag setting) In the above embodiment, the own intra-group address is registered by setting bit 1 of the link source flag for multiple intra-group addresses prepared in advance, and the intra-group address to be the link destination is registered by setting bit 1 of the link destination flag, but it is also possible to directly select and register an intra-group address regardless of the flag setting.

[0119] (Automatic fire alarm system for specific small facilities) The above embodiment takes as an example an alarm system using wireless interlocking alarm devices installed in general homes, but in facilities that are larger than general homes but have a floor area of ​​less than 3,000 square meters and are not required to install fire alarm systems, such as group homes that provide household support for the elderly and intellectually disabled, multiple interlocking groups made up of wireless interlocking alarm devices can be set up and alarm systems that constitute automatic fire alarm systems for specific small-scale facilities that interlock between groups can also share history information on an interlocking group basis, and the history information shared on a group basis can be retrieved as necessary for analysis and use.

[0120] (parent-child method) In the above embodiment, when multiple alarm devices are installed in a dwelling to form an interlocking group, there is no distinction between parent and child units and the alarm devices communicate with each other, but it is also possible to form an interlocking group by providing a parent unit and multiple child units, and giving the parent unit of each group the functionality of a repeater so that communication for interlocking alarms can take place between parent units of different groups.

[0121] (Alarm) The above embodiment has taken as an example a wireless alarm device that detects fire and issues an alarm, but the invention can be similarly applied to alarm systems that employ wireless fire alarms, gas leak alarms, CO alarms, and various types of burglar alarms other than alarm devices, as well as systems that include a combination of these alarms.

[0122] Furthermore, the above embodiment takes as an example a wireless alarm device in which the sensor unit and alarm unit are integrated, however, in other embodiments, the device may be a wireless alarm device in which the sensor unit and alarm unit are separate units.

[0123] (others) Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages of the present invention, and is not limited to the numerical values ​​shown in the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 10,10(10-1)~10(10-5):Alarm 12: Housing 16: Main body 18:Cover 20: Test switch 22: LED 25: Smoke Detection Department 26: Registration switch 28: Speaker 30: Communication connector 32: Control processor 34: Communications Department 36: Communications processor 38: Wireless communication section 42: Wired communications department 44: CPU 56: Non-volatile memory 60,60(60-1)~60(60-5):Group management information 62: Fire control unit 64: Group registration control unit 66: Communication test control section 70: Signal cable

Claims

1. In an alarm system in which a linkage group is formed of multiple alarm devices capable of communicating signals with each other, and when an abnormality is detected in any of the multiple alarm devices, an abnormality linkage signal is transmitted to the other alarm devices, The alarm device performs settings to form the linkage group based on the sending and receiving of signals when connected to a plurality of other alarm devices via a signal cable, As a group registration operation for setting to form the interlocking group, When one alarm device is connected to another alarm device via the signal cable, The first alarm device transmits its group address and its own in-group address to the other alarm devices, the other alarm device that has received the group address and the in-group address from the first alarm device registers the received group address and the in-group address of the first alarm device, and then registers a specific in-group address as its own in-group address and transmits it to the first alarm device, Furthermore, the one alarm device that has received the in-group address from the other alarm device registers the received in-group address of the other alarm device, When the first alarm detects that the signal cable has been disconnected, The first alarm device transmits a communications test signal specifying the group address, An alarm system characterized in that the other alarm device, with the group address registered, that received the communications test signal transmits a communications test response signal including its own in-group address, and registers the in-group address of the other alarm device included in the communications test response signal received from the other alarm device.

2. 2. The alarm system of claim 1, an alarm system characterized in that, when the first alarm device detects connection of the other alarm device via the signal cable for the first time, it generates and initially registers a specified group address and its own intra-group address.

3. The alarm system according to claim 1 or 2, An alarm system characterized in that, when registration of the group address and the intra-group address has been completed in the other alarm devices, a specified alarm device is caused to notify the completion of the group registration operation.

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