Protective Cover for Perceptron and Address Setting Method

Abstract

To provide a sensor protection cover capable of facilitating setting and change of a communication address on an installed sensor.SOLUTION: A sensor protection cover 20 can be attached to a front surface of a sensor 10 including a short-range radio communication section 16 and a function of performing cable communication with a receiver with the use of a predetermined communication address. The sensor protection cover includes: a middle-range radio communication section 25 having communication range which longer than a range capable of performing communication by the short-range radio communication section and is shorter than a range capable of performing communication by a communication function of a radio communication terminal 30 having the communication function with the use of a public radio communication system; a cover-side short-range radio communication section 24 capable of transmitting information to the short-range radio communication section 16 by radio communication; and a power source 27 for supplying a power source voltage. The information received by the middle-range radio communication section is transmitted to the cover-side short-range radio communication section 24. The cover-side short-range radio communication section 24 transmits communication address information to the short-range radio communication section 16 of the sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection cover for a sensor that protects sensors such as fire detectors, and an address setting method for setting a communication address (hereinafter simply referred to as an address) for a sensor after installation using this protection cover.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, sensors such as fire detectors in a fire detection system are configured to detect a match with the address set in the device in response to a call signal based on an address from a receiver or the like, and if they match, to exchange information with the calling receiver or the like. The address set for such a sensor was previously set mechanically by providing a rotary switch or the like, but in recent years, many sensors are provided with a non-volatile memory that stores address information such as an EEPROM and are set electrically. When using a sensor with an electrically set address method, an address setter for connecting to the sensor and setting the address is required. Examples of inventions related to the address setter are described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] However, as the scale of the facility where the fire detection system is installed increases, the number of fire detectors installed there also becomes enormous, and it is a very laborious task to accurately set an address for each individual sensor using an address setter. This setting work is performed by preparing a list or facility drawing in which the installation location and address of each sensor are displayed in advance, and referring to them while setting at the construction site using an address setter. Alternatively, it is performed by setting the address in advance before going to the site and installing the sensors with the address set while referring to the facility drawing at the site. Specifically, referring to lists, facility drawings, etc., sensors of the same type as the sensors to be installed at the installation location were selected and connected to the address setter, and the operator used the numeric keypad on the operation unit to input and set the addresses specified in the lists, facility drawings, etc. Therefore, there was a problem that the burden on the operator was large, it took time to set the address, and there was a risk of human input errors.

[0004] On the other hand, when constructing a fire detection system in a facility such as a building, fire sensors are installed at predetermined positions in each area of the facility, and wiring laying work is carried out to electrically connect each fire sensor to a fire receiver installed in a disaster prevention center or the like. During the period until the construction work is completed, the sensors are protected by covering them with a protective cover so that they are not soiled or damaged. As an invention related to the protective cover for the fire sensor, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 2. In addition, when the sensor is covered with a protective cover, it is necessary to remove it after the work is completed, but there is a risk of forgetting to remove the cover. Patent Document 2 also describes an embodiment in which a light emitting part (LED) is provided at the lower part of the protective cover to prevent forgetting to remove the cover. Patent Document 3 also describes an invention related to a dustproof cover for a sensor and its attaching / detaching device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, according to the address setter described in Patent Document 1, although it has the advantage of being able to eliminate mis-settings due to human input errors because it is equipped with means for checking the address and type set in the sensor, since the address is set by connecting the sensor to the address setter, when it is desired to change the address after the sensor is installed at a predetermined position such as the ceiling surface, high-altitude work is required to remove the sensor once, and the work is troublesome. In addition, when a protective cover is attached to the sensor, there is a problem that there is a risk of forgetting to remove the cover.

[0007] On the other hand, when a light-emitting part (LED) is provided at the lower part of the protective cover as in the invention described in Patent Document 2, although it has the advantage of being able to discover forgetting to remove the cover, since it is necessary to visually check the presence or absence of the light-emitting state of the light-emitting part, it is necessary to tour and check all the areas where the sensors are installed, the burden on the checker is large, and there is a risk of overlooking the areas that should originally be toured. In that case, the problem of not being able to discover forgetting to remove the cover remains.

[0008] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a protective cover for a sensor that can easily set and change the address of an already installed sensor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover for a sensor that can easily and surely discover forgetting to remove it after address setting. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an address setting method that can set an address to an already installed sensor using a protective cover for a sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a protective cover for a sensor that can be attached to the surface of a sensor having short-range wireless communication means and wired communication means for communicating with a receiver by wire using a predetermined communication address. A medium-range wireless communication means having a communication distance longer than the communication distance achievable by the short-range wireless communication means and shorter than the communication distance achievable by the communication function of a mobile communication terminal having a communication function using a wireless communication system, A cover-side short-range wireless communication means capable of transmitting information wirelessly to the short-range wireless communication means, Power supply means for supplying a power voltage to the medium-range wireless communication means and the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and is configured to transmit the information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to the cover-side short-range wireless communication means and to be able to transmit communication address information to the short-range wireless communication means of the sensor by the cover-side short-range wireless communication means.

[0010] According to the above configuration, a short-range wireless communication means and a medium-range wireless communication means are provided on a protective cover attached to a sensor. Since the address information received by the medium-range wireless communication means is transmitted to the short-range wireless communication means and configured to be able to transmit the address information to the sensor, by transmitting an address to the protective cover attached to the sensor using a mobile communication terminal, it is possible to set and change the address of the installed sensor without performing high-altitude work to remove the sensor, reducing the burden on the operator and enhancing safety. Moreover, since it is configured to be able to set the address after installing the sensor, it is possible to suppress human errors such as accidentally installing a sensor with a pre-set address in another location. Also, after the address setting for the sensor is completed, the protective cover can be removed, collected, and reused, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost of the protective cover. Furthermore, by providing a short-range wireless communication means and a medium-range wireless communication means on the protective cover, it is only necessary to provide a simple short-range wireless communication means on the sensor, so it is also possible to suppress an increase in cost due to adding functions to the sensor.

[0011] Here, preferably, there is provided an information processing means having a function of determining that itself is selected as a communication partner based on the information received by the medium-range wireless communication means, and a function of causing the cover-side short-range wireless communication means to transmit the communication address information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to the sensor. It is provided with an indicator light, and when the information processing means determines that itself is selected as a communication partner, the indicator light is caused to blink or light up.

[0012] According to the above configuration, since the indicator light of the protective cover attached to the sensor for which the address information is to be set blinks, the address can be transmitted and set to the protective cover selected by operating the mobile communication terminal from a distant position where a plurality of sensors can be visually recognized, eliminating the need to move around in the floor or area during the address setting operation and improving the work efficiency. Also, after the address setting operation is completed, if communication is performed with the mobile communication terminal on each floor or in each area, if there is a protective cover that has been left off, the indicator light will blink, so it is possible to discover that the protective cover has been left off.

[0013] Furthermore, preferably, there is provided a communication unit in which the medium-range wireless communication means, the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and the power supply means are built into a case, and a cover body that is attached to cover at least a part of the housing of the sensor on the outside of the sensor. The communication unit is configured to be detachably coupled to the cover body.

[0014] According to the above configuration, since the communication unit is configured to be detachable from the cover body, the cover body can be shared between sensors that require address setting and sensors that do not require address setting. Also, when shipping the fire sensor, only the cover body can be shipped in a state of being attached to the sensor, so cost reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, in the case where either the cover body or the communication unit is damaged or fails, it becomes possible to cope by replacing only one of the parts.

[0015] Another invention according to the present application is An address setting method for setting communication addresses for a plurality of sensors that are provided with storage means capable of writing communication addresses, are distributed and installed in a predetermined area where a fire detection system is constructed, and are covered with a protective cover for a sensor having the above-described configuration, using a portable communication terminal provided with wireless communication means capable of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication means, the method comprising: A first step of selecting a sensor for setting a communication address with reference to a facility drawing showing the arrangement of a plurality of sensors installed in the predetermined area; A second step of inputting into the portable communication terminal or selecting from a display screen of the portable communication terminal information on the communication address to be transmitted to the protective cover attached to the selected sensor; A third step of transmitting, by the portable communication terminal, the input or selected communication address information.

[0016] According to the above method, since address information can be transmitted to sensors installed on the ceiling surface or the like of a building and covered with a protective cover using a portable communication terminal, the address can be set for each sensor from a position away from the sensor, so that the address of an installed sensor can be set and changed without performing high-altitude work of removing the sensor, reducing the burden on workers and enhancing safety. Further, by causing the facility drawing to be displayed on the display screen of the portable communication terminal, the worker does not need to carry a paper-based facility drawing.

[0017] Preferably, after the third step, A fourth step of collecting and gathering at one place the protective covers attached to the sensors after setting communication addresses for the plurality of sensors installed in the predetermined area; All of those collected at one place Mid-range wireless communication means of the protective cover And performing communication with the portable communication terminal, and collating with a list showing a list of attached protective covers to determine uncollected protective covers. According to such a method, after the addresses are set, the protective covers attached to the sensors are collected at one place and communicated with a mobile communication terminal and compared with a list, so that it is possible to determine the presence or absence of uncollected protective covers, etc. Therefore, it is possible to easily and surely find the forgotten removal of the protective cover and the position of the sensor whose removal has been forgotten.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably, after the third step and before the fourth step, information including the communication addresses set in the plurality of sensors is acquired via the communication line by a receiver connected to the communication line to which the plurality of sensors are connected, Communication and a step of determining whether an address is set is included. According to such a method, it is possible to easily find sensors for which addresses have not been set.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the protective cover for a sensor according to the present invention, it is possible to easily set and change addresses for installed sensors. In addition, it is possible to easily and surely find the forgotten removal after the address setting. Furthermore, according to the address setting method of the present invention, there is an effect that an address can be set for an installed sensor using the protective cover for a sensor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of a protective cover for a sensor according to the present invention and an address setting method using the same will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a protective cover for a sensor according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration diagram of the sensor and the protective cover for the sensor. Note that FIG. 1(A) is a configuration explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the protective cover for a sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 1(B) is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 1(C) is a diagram showing a coupling structure between the protective cover and the wireless communication unit.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1(A), the protective cover 20 for a sensor of the present embodiment is used by being adhered so as to cover the surface (lower surface in the figure) of the fire sensor 10 installed on the ceiling C of a building or the like. It includes a bowl-shaped cover body 21, a communication unit 22 for information transmission for address setting attached to the bottom surface of the cover body 21, and an indicator light 23 composed of an LED or the like provided on the surface (lower surface in the figure) side of the communication unit 22. The cover body 21 is formed of a material such as a synthetic resin that can pass magnetic lines of force and electromagnetic waves.

[0023] Further, a convex portion 21c that can be engaged with a concave portion of the housing of the fire sensor 10 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mortar-shaped portion of the cover body 21. By engaging the convex portion 21c of the cover body 21 with the concave portion of the fire sensor 12, it is adhered to the surface of the fire sensor 10. Such a structure is also described in, for example, Patent Document 3 and can be easily realized, so a detailed description is omitted. Furthermore, the protective cover 20 may be configured to be detachable from the sensor 10 using a detaching device having an operating rod as described in Patent Document 3.

[0024] The cover body 21 of the protection cover 20 and the communication unit 22 are formed to be circular in a bottom view as shown in FIG. 1(B) corresponding to the outer shape of the fire detector 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 1(C), the communication unit 22 includes a disc-shaped case 22A. A pair of hook-shaped locking pieces 22a and 22b are formed on the upper surface of the case 22A, and a pair of engaging recesses 21a and 21b into which the locking pieces 22a and 22b can be engaged are provided on the cover body 21. The communication unit 22 is configured to be detachable from the cover body 21.

[0025] In addition, after engaging the locking pieces 22a and 22b with the engaging recesses 21a and 21b, it is preferable to adopt a structure in which the case 22A moves to a position where it does not fall off by slightly rotating the cover body 21. Such a structure is the same as the structure for fixing the detector to the detector base. The relationship between the locking pieces 22a and 22b and the engaging recesses 21a and 21b may be reversed, that is, the locking pieces 22a and 22b may be provided on the cover body 21, and the engaging recesses 21a and 21b may be provided on the upper surface of the case 22A.

[0026] As described above, by configuring the communication unit 22 to be detachable from the cover body 21, the cover body 21 can be shared between detectors that require address setting and detectors that do not require address setting. Further, when shipping the fire detector, only the cover body 21 can be shipped in a state of being attached to the detector. Furthermore, when either one of the cover body 21 and the communication unit 22 is damaged or fails, it is possible to deal with it by replacing only one of the parts. Therefore, cost reduction can be achieved.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the functional configuration of the communication unit 22 of the protection cover 20 for the detector and the fire detector 10 to which an address is set. As shown in FIG. 2, the fire detector 10 is connected to the wiring L1 and L2 that constitute the line of the fire detection system laid in the ceiling space or the like and whose ends are connected to the fire receiver. It receives power supply from a fire receiver (not shown) via L1 and has a power input & wired communication unit 11 having a function of performing wired communication with the fire receiver, a detection unit 12 that detects heat, smoke, etc., an indicator lamp 13 for notifying the operating state, etc., a control unit (CPU) 14 that determines a fire based on a signal from the detection unit 12 and performs communication with the fire receiver, a non-volatile memory 15 such as an EEPROM that stores an address used for communication with the fire receiver, and a short-range wireless communication unit 16. Among these, the short-range wireless communication unit 16 is a newly provided function for enabling address setting via the protective cover of the present invention, and functions other than the short-range wireless communication unit 16 are functions provided in conventional fire detectors.

[0028] The communication unit 22 of the protective cover 20 for the detector includes the indicator lamp 23 arranged at a position visible when the protective cover 20 is attached to the detector, a short-range wireless communication unit 24 that communicates with the short-range wireless communication unit 16 of the fire detector 10, a medium-range wireless communication unit 25 that communicates with a portable communication terminal 30 such as a smartphone carried by an operator, a control unit 26 including an information processing device (CPU) that controls the communication units 24 and 25 to execute information transmission processing, and a power supply unit (battery) 27 that supplies power to the indicator lamp 23, the medium-range wireless communication unit 25, the control unit 26, etc. The indicator lamp 23 may be configured to light up or blink when the battery is loaded in order to indicate that the power is turned on and the communication unit 22 is valid.

[0029] In this specification, wireless communication within a distance of 10 cm or less is referred to as short-range wireless communication, wireless communication within a distance of several meters to several tens of meters is referred to as medium-range wireless communication, and wireless communication within a distance of 100 m or more is referred to as long-range wireless communication. The wireless communication (such as LTE, WiFi, etc.) performed between the mobile communication terminal 30 and the base station for connecting to a public wireless communication system as a communication network is long-range communication. It is desirable to use a thin battery such as a button-type battery for the battery of the power supply unit 27, and it is desirable to provide a structure in the case 22A of the communication unit 22 that allows the battery to be replaceable.

[0030] For the wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 24 of the communication unit 22 and the short-range wireless communication unit 16 of the fire detector 10, for example, non-contact communication using an induction coil used in an IC card or IC tag, infrared communication, visible light communication, etc. can be used. Also, for the wireless communication between the medium-range wireless communication unit 25 of the sensor protection cover 20 and the mobile communication terminal 30, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication generally equipped in a smartphone can be used. When using infrared communication for the short-range wireless communication between the sensor protection cover 20 and the fire detector 10, since the fire detector 10 generally has a window portion made of glass or a lens that covers the display lamp 13, it is advisable to configure it to perform transmission and reception of infrared rays using the window portion.

[0031] To set an address for the target fire detector 10 using the mobile communication terminal 30, approach the fire detector 10 already installed on the ceiling, select the address to be set on the screen, and transmit the selected address information from the mobile communication terminal 30 to the communication unit 22 of the protection cover 20 attached to the fire detector 10. Then, the control unit 26 that has received the address information via the medium-range wireless communication unit 25 drives the short-range wireless communication unit 24 to transmit the address information, the short-range wireless communication unit 16 of the fire detector 10 receives it, and the control unit 14 writes the received address information to the memory 15, thereby setting the address. As a result, the operator can set the address from a position away from the sensor.

[0032] Here, the selection of the address to be set for the installed fire detector 10 is such that an operator refers to a facility drawing (floor plan) like FIG. 3 showing the layout of the floor where the fire detectors 10A, 10B, 10C... are installed, and inputs the address appended to the symbol representing the detector at the location where the detector to be set exists using an input means such as the numeric keypad of the mobile communication terminal 30, and then presses the send button or touches the image of the send button.

[0033] Alternatively, an app having a function of transmitting the data of the facility drawing like FIG. 3 to the operator's mobile communication terminal 30, displaying it on the touch panel type screen of the mobile communication terminal 30, and automatically transmitting the address to be set to the installed detector corresponding to the symbol when the operator touches the corresponding detector symbol on the facility drawing displayed on the screen may be created and installed on the mobile communication terminal 30 so that the address can be set. In FIG. 3, "D" written in each block 10A, 10B, 10C... indicating the detector represents the type of the detector (fire detector), "24h", "25h", "26h"... are the communication addresses assigned to the respective fire detectors, and #01, #02, #03... are the serial numbers of the detectors.

[0034] By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, when a plurality of detectors covered with the protection cover 10 are installed on one floor, it is conceivable that the mobile communication terminal 30 held by the operator who has moved to the floor can communicate with a plurality of communication units 22 covered with the plurality of detectors at the same time. During communication, since unique information such as a device ID (identification code) is transmitted from the communication unit 22, the mobile communication terminal 30 can distinguish and recognize each communication unit 22. In that case, all the sensors 10 (or communication units 22) for which the mobile communication terminal 30 has started communication and received a response are displayed on the screen. When an operator touches and selects the symbol of any one sensor, information indicating that the communication unit 22 of that sensor has been selected is transmitted. The communication unit 22 that has received this information is configured to determine that it has been selected and blink the display lamp 23 provided in its own unit.

[0035] Also, when the operator observes the blinking of the display lamp 23 to grasp the position of the corresponding sensor 10 and inputs the address appended to the symbol of the corresponding sensor on the facility drawing into the mobile communication terminal 30 for transmission or touches the symbol of the corresponding sensor on the facility drawing displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30, the address is configured to be automatically transmitted. As a result, the correct address can be transmitted to the communication unit 22 of each installed sensor and written into the memory of the sensor for setting. Furthermore, after setting the address to the sensor, the mobile communication terminal 30 can read out information such as the set address, the type of the sensor, and the history stored in the memory 15 from the sensor 10 via the communication unit 22 and display it on the screen. Therefore, if the set address of the sensor is updated, the updated address is displayed on the mobile communication terminal 30. The communication for confirming the set address of the sensor by the mobile communication terminal 30 may be performed periodically.

[0036] Next, the procedure for setting the address to the fire sensor using the protective cover 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. The address setting according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 is performed after the installation of all the sensors constituting the fire detection system of the target facility is completed. When setting the address, first, an operator carrying the mobile communication terminal 30 moves to the floor or area where the fire detector 10 is installed (step S1). Subsequently, at a position where the fire detector 10 can be visually recognized, communication with the communication unit 22 of the protective cover 20 attached to the detector is started using the mobile communication terminal 30 (step S2). Then, all the responded communication units 22 or the corresponding detectors 20 are displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30 (step S3).

[0037] Next, the operator determines whether a plurality of communication units or detectors are displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30 (step S4). If it is determined that a plurality are displayed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S5. The operator looks at the facility drawing or list on the screen and selects any one of the plurality of communication units 22 or detectors 20 (step S5), and transmits the information including the ID of the device (step S6). The communication unit 22 that has received this information blinks the associated display lamp 23 (step S7). If it is determined in step S4 that a plurality are not displayed (No), that is, only one communication unit or detector is displayed, steps S5 and S6 are skipped.

[0038] Subsequently, the operator visually confirms the detector 10 whose display lamp 23 is blinking or is displayed only on the screen, refers to the facility drawing, and inputs or selects the address to be set on the mobile communication terminal 30 and transmits the address information to the communication unit 22 (step S8). Then, the communication unit 22 that has received the address information transmits the received address information to the detector 10 facing it (step S9). The detector 10 receives the address information via the short-range wireless communication unit 16 by the control unit 14, and writes the received address information into the memory 15 (step S10).

[0039] After that, the operator determines whether the address setting for all sensors in the floor or area has been completed (step S11). If not, the process returns to step S1, moves to the next floor or area, and repeats the above processes S2 to S10. When it is determined that the address setting for all sensors has been completed (step S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, where a communication test is performed with all the sensors connected to the line by the fire receiver to confirm the address setting for all sensors and the work is completed. Note that the communication test of the sensors by the fire receiver can be performed by acquiring setting information including the address and type information from each sensor in a polling method. Alternatively, the portable communication terminal 30 may be used to communicate with each installed sensor to confirm the set address.

[0040] As described above, according to the protection cover and the address setting method of the present embodiment, since the address setting for the sensor is performed after the sensor is installed, the installation work of the sensors constituting the fire detection system can be performed without being aware of the address setting at all during the construction. In addition, since the operator can set the address from a position away from the sensor, there is an advantage that the work efficiency is greatly improved. Further, when the installation and address setting of all the fire sensors 10 constituting the fire detection system to be constructed are completed, the protection cover 20 (Cover body 21 and the communication unit 22 ) are removed and collected. Therefore, Cover body 21 the reuse of the communication unit 22 is possible.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the protection cover of the present embodiment, the recovered Protective cover 20 (cover body 21 and communication unit 22 )By gathering them in one place and communicating using the mobile communication terminal 30, it is possible to easily discover a communication unit 22 that has been forgotten to be removed. By comparing with the facility drawing (paper) or checking the facility drawing on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30, it is possible to easily find the location of the sensor where the forgotten communication unit 22 is attached. Further, after the address is set, if a mistake in the address setting is found, such as when the fire receiver communicates with each fire detector and there is an address duplication or the address set on the facility drawing is different from the set address, the address of the fire detector with the mistake can be easily changed via the protective cover using the mobile communication terminal 30.

[0042] Also, when data indicating the type is stored in the memory 15 of the fire detector 10, before removing the protective cover 20 and the communication unit 22 from the fire detector 10, the data indicating the type is read from the memory 15 of the fire detector 10 via the communication unit 22 and displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30, so that the type of the installed sensor can be confirmed. By replacing the sensor with the wrong type with the correct one and setting the address, it is possible to avoid constructing a fire detection system in which a wrong sensor is installed.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the address is set for the sensor 10 installed using the mobile communication terminal 30. However, as described in Patent Document 3, a medium-range wireless communicator capable of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication device 25 of the protective cover 20 is provided at the tip of the operation rod of a detacher having an operation rod, and a cable is routed inside the operation rod and an address setter is connected at the lower end so that the address can be set by the address setter. Thereby, by setting the address by making the address setter and the sensor correspond one-to-one from a remote position, the address can be set without any selection mistakes. Also, in the case of such a configuration, the communication unit 22 does not require the control unit 26, and it may be configured to directly transmit the transmission information from the medium-range wireless communication unit 25 to the short-range wireless communication unit 24 or to provide signal conversion means for transmission. Also, the indicator lamp 23 can be omitted.

[0044] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the communication unit 22 is detachably attached to the bottom surface of the cover body 21, but the cover body 21 and the communication unit 22 may be integrally configured. Further, an on / off switch for operating the communication unit 22 may be provided on the cover body 21 of the unit. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit 14 of the sensor 10 writes the address received from the main body cover 20 into the memory 15, but it is also possible to configure the short-range wireless communication unit 16 to directly write the received address into the memory 15. In this case, the control unit 26 of the communication unit 22 transmits the write address of the memory together with the address information.

[0045] Also, in the above embodiment, it was described that a battery is used as the power source of the protection cover 20. However, in a mechanism similar to that of a non-contact IC card system, a circuit is provided in the sensor 10 to send a part of the power received through the wiring L1 as a sensor line to the protection cover 20 side through the short-range wireless communication means (coil) 16. The power supply unit 27 of the protection cover 20 may be configured to convert the AC power received by the short-range wireless communication unit 24 into a DC voltage and supply it as a power supply voltage to the control unit 26 and the like. Note that the circuit of the above function of the sensor operates only during construction and is turned off during normal operation for fire detection by control from the receiver or the like. Alternatively, the circuit may be configured to turn on in response to the attachment of the protection cover to the sensor.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a fire sensor is given as an example of the sensor. However, the sensor for setting the address is not limited to the fire sensor, and may be a detector such as a gas sensor or a human sensor. Also, fire sensors such as smoke sensors and heat sensors with different detection methods may be treated as different types of sensors. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a fire detection system, and can be widely applied to a monitoring system or other systems equipped with sensors installed at high locations and performing communication by address.

Explanation of Signs

[0047] 10 Sensor (Fire Sensor) 11 Power Input & Wired Communication Unit 12 Detection Unit 13 Indicator Lamp 14 Control Unit 15 Non-Volatile Memory (Storage Means) 16 Short-Range Wireless Communication Unit (Short-Range Wireless Communication Means) 20 Protection Cover 21 Cover Body 22 Communication Unit 23 Indicator Lamp 24 Short-Range Wireless Communication Unit (Short-Range Wireless Communication Means) 25 Medium-Range Wireless Communication Unit (Medium-Range Wireless Communication Means) 26 Control Unit (Information Processing Means) 27 Power Supply Unit 30 Portable Communication Terminal

Claims

1. A protective cover for a sensor that can be attached to the surface of the sensor, the sensor having a short-range wireless communication means and a wired communication means for communicating with a receiver by wire using a predetermined communication address, a medium-range wireless communication means having a communication distance longer than the distance at which communication is possible by the short-range wireless communication means and shorter than the distance at which communication is possible by the communication function of a portable communication terminal having a communication function using a wireless communication system, a cover-side short-range wireless communication means capable of transmitting information to the short-range wireless communication means by wireless communication, a power supply means for supplying a power supply voltage to the medium-range wireless communication means and the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and configured to transmit the information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and to be able to transmit communication address information to the short-range wireless communication means of the sensor by the cover-side short-range wireless communication means. A protective cover for a sensor, characterized in that.

2. a function of determining that it has been selected as a communication partner based on the information received by the medium-range wireless communication means, and a function of causing the communication address information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to be transmitted to the sensor by the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and an information processing means having, a display lamp, and the information processing means is characterized in that when it is determined that it has been selected as a communication partner, the display lamp is caused to blink or light up. The protective cover for a sensor according to claim 1.

3. a communication unit in which the medium-range wireless communication means, the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and the power supply means are built in a case, and a cover body that is attached to cover at least a part of the housing of the sensor outside the sensor, The protective cover for a sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the communication unit is detachably coupled to the cover body.

4. An address setting method for setting communication addresses respectively using a portable communication terminal provided with a wireless communication means capable of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication means, to a plurality of sensors that are dispersedly installed in a predetermined area where a fire detection system is constructed and to which the protective cover for a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is attached and that are provided with a storage means capable of writing a communication address, a first step of selecting a sensor for setting a communication address with reference to a facility drawing showing the arrangement of a plurality of sensors installed in the predetermined area, A second step of inputting into the mobile communication terminal or selecting from a display screen of the mobile communication terminal information on a communication address to be transmitted to a protective cover attached to the selected sensor; A third step of transmitting the input or selected communication address information by the mobile communication terminal; An address setting method characterized by including the above.

5. After the third step, A fourth step of collecting the protective covers attached to the sensors at one place after recovering the protective covers attached to the sensors after setting communication addresses to a plurality of sensors installed in the predetermined area; A fifth step of communicating between the medium-range wireless communication means of all the protective covers collected at one place and the mobile communication terminal, and collating with a list showing a list of attached protective covers to determine uncollected protective covers; The address setting method according to claim 4, characterized by including the above.

6. After the third step and before the fourth step, A step of obtaining information including the communication addresses set for the plurality of sensors via the communication line by a receiver connected to the communication line to which the plurality of sensors are connected, and determining whether the communication addresses are set, further comprising the address setting method according to claim 5.

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