Alarm system

Abstract

To notify a user of a fact that a warning device is disabled even after a battery becomes exhausted in the warning device so as to be disabled.SOLUTION: Each one of slave units 1B periodically transmits a state signal indicating the state of the own unit to a master unit 1A. When the remaining amount of a battery of the own unit becomes equal to or less than a threshold, the slave unit 1B transmits a state signal indicating that the battery is exhausted to the master unit 1A. The master unit 1A receives the state signal from the slave unit 1B. When the state signal is not received for a predetermined period or more after the state signal indicating that the battery is exhausted is received from the slave unit 1B, the master unit 1A outputs a message notifying that the slave unit 1B is disabled from a speaker of the own unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to alarm systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a residential fire alarm system has been known in which multiple fire alarms are linked together to issue a fire alarm (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This fire alarm system can notify people in rooms other than the room where the fire occurred of the occurrence of the fire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-4826 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The fire alarm system described in Patent Document 1 is composed of a master unit and a slave unit. When the remaining battery power of a slave unit constituting this fire alarm system falls below a predetermined level, it issues a voice from its speaker indicating that the battery is dead. This allows the user to be notified that the battery in the slave unit is dead. However, if the slave unit continues to consume battery power and becomes inoperable, it will no longer be able to issue a voice from its speaker indicating that the battery is dead.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of these circumstances, and aims to notify the user that an alarm device is inoperable, even after the battery in the alarm device has run out and the device has become inoperable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the alarm system of the present invention is an alarm system comprising a first alarm device and a second alarm device, wherein the first alarm device periodically transmits a status signal to the second alarm device notifying the state of its own device, and when the remaining battery charge in its own device falls below a threshold value, it notifies the second alarm device that its battery is low by transmitting a status signal, and the second alarm device receives a status signal from the first alarm device, and if it does not receive a status signal for a prescribed period of time after being notified of the low battery from the first alarm device, it outputs a message from its own speaker notifying that the first alarm device is inoperable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even after an alarm device has run out of battery and become inoperable, it is possible to notify the user that the alarm device is inoperable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a fire alarm system 100 installed in a house H. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the fire alarm 1 [Figure 3] Sequence diagram showing fire-linked processing [Figure 4] Sequence diagram showing the recovery process [Figure 5] Flow diagram showing status monitoring processing [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sending date and time table T1. [Figure 7] Flow diagram showing status notification processing [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state information table T2. [Figure 9] Flow diagram showing status notification processing [Figure 10] Flow diagram showing the status recording process [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a reception date and time table T3. [Figure 12] Flow diagram showing status monitoring processing [Figure 13] Flow diagram showing status notification processing [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission period table T4. [Figure 15] Flow diagram showing the status recording process [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state information table T5. [Figure 17] Flow diagram showing status monitoring processing DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1. Embodiment A fire alarm system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fire alarm system 100 described here is a residential fire alarm system in which a plurality of fire alarm devices work together to issue a fire alarm. 1-1.Configuration

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a fire alarm system 100 installed in a house H. As shown in the figure, the fire alarm system 100 comprises a parent fire alarm device 1A and multiple child fire alarm devices 1B. In the following description, the parent fire alarm device 1A will be referred to as the "parent device 1A," and the child fire alarm devices 1B will be referred to as the "child devices 1B." Furthermore, the parent device 1A and child fire alarm devices 1B will be collectively referred to as the "fire alarm devices 1."

[0011] The fire alarm 1 is an interlocking type fire alarm. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of this fire alarm 1. As shown in the figure, the fire alarm 1 comprises a fire detection unit 11, an alarm unit 12, a wireless communication unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, a power supply unit 15, and a control unit 16.

[0012] Of these, the fire detection unit 11 is a means for detecting a fire. The fire detection unit 11 includes a sensor for detecting smoke or heat in order to detect a fire.

[0013] The alarm unit 12 is a means for issuing an alarm to the user. The alarm unit 12 is equipped with a speaker and an indicator light to issue an alarm to the user.

[0014] The wireless communication unit 13 is a means for wirelessly communicating with other fire alarm devices 1. This wireless communication unit 13 is equipped with an antenna and a wireless communication circuit for wirelessly communicating with other fire alarm devices 1.

[0015] The operation reception unit 14 is a means for receiving operations from the user, and includes a switch for receiving operations from the user.

[0016] The power supply unit 15 is a means for supplying power to each part of the fire alarm 1. In order to supply power to each part of the fire alarm 1, the power supply unit 15 includes a battery and a power supply circuit.

[0017] The control unit 16 is a means for controlling each part of the fire alarm device 1. This control unit 16 is equipped with a memory and a microcomputer to control each part of the fire alarm device 1. Of these, the memory stores programs. Meanwhile, the microcomputer executes the programs stored in the memory to realize various functions in the fire alarm device 1. Below, the functions realized in the master unit 1A and the functions realized in the slave unit 1B will be explained in order.

[0018] First, the functions realized in the master unit 1 A will be described. In the master unit 1 A, the functions of a fire interlocking processing unit 161, a restoration processing unit 162, and a status monitoring unit 163 are realized.

[0019] When the fire detection unit 11 of the device itself detects a fire, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 transmits a fire interlocking signal to each slave device 1B.

[0020] Furthermore, when the fire interlocking processing unit 161 detects the reception of a fire interlocking signal transmitted from a slave device 1B, it activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 transmits a fire interlocking signal to each slave device 1B.

[0021] The restoration processing unit 162 detects receipt of a restoration notification sent from the slave device 1B, and if its own fire detection unit 11 does not detect a fire, it stops the operation of its own alarm unit 12. In addition, the restoration processing unit 162 transmits a restoration linkage signal to each slave device 1B.

[0022] The status monitoring unit 163 periodically transmits an interrogation signal to each slave device 1B. The interrogation signal transmitted here is a signal for inquiring about the status of the slave device 1B. In response to this interrogation signal, the slave device 1B transmits a response signal notifying the status. When the status monitoring unit 163 detects receipt of this response signal, it records the status of the slave device 1B notified by the response signal in a table. The status recorded here includes a dead battery status.

[0023] When the battery of the slave device 1B runs out and the remaining battery power is further consumed, the slave device 1B becomes inoperable. When the slave device 1B becomes inoperable, it is no longer able to transmit a response signal to the master device 1A. In other words, the master device 1A is no longer able to receive a response signal from the slave device 1B. Therefore, if the status monitoring unit 163 receives a response signal from the slave device 1B indicating that the battery is out and then does not receive a response signal for a predetermined period of time, it notifies the user that the slave device 1B is inoperable on behalf of the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 163 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the slave device 1B is inoperable and turns on the indicator light. This notifies the user that the slave device 1B is inoperable.

[0024] Next, a description will be given of the functions realized in the slave device 1 B. In the slave device 1 B, the functions of a fire interlocking processing unit 164, a restoration processing unit 165, and a status notification unit 166 are realized.

[0025] When the fire detection unit 11 of the device itself detects a fire, the fire interlocking processing unit 164 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 164 transmits a fire interlocking signal to the master device 1A and the other slave devices 1B.

[0026] In addition, when the fire interlocking processing unit 164 detects receipt of a fire interlocking signal transmitted from the parent unit 1A or another child unit 1B, it activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light.

[0027] When the fire in the monitoring area of ​​the device is extinguished and the fire detection unit 11 of the device no longer detects the fire, the recovery processing unit 165 transmits a recovery notification to the master device 1A. After transmitting this recovery notification, if the recovery interlocking signal transmitted from the master device 1A is detected, the recovery processing unit 165 stops the operation of the alarm unit 12.

[0028] When the status notification unit 166 detects receipt of an inquiry signal transmitted from the master unit 1A, it returns a response signal notifying the status of the unit itself. The response signal returned here is returned for each inquiry signal transmitted periodically from the master unit 1A, and is therefore transmitted periodically to the master unit 1A.

[0029] When the status notification unit 166 detects receipt of an inquiry signal transmitted from the master unit 1A, it first identifies the remaining battery charge of the master unit 1A. Then, it determines whether the identified remaining battery charge is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. For example, if the master unit 1A has a 3.0V battery, it determines whether the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than 2.8V. If the identified remaining battery charge is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, it transmits a response signal to the master unit 1A indicating that the battery is dead. On the other hand, if the identified remaining battery charge is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, it transmits a response signal to the master unit 1A indicating that the battery is not dead.

[0030] This status notification unit 166 transmits a response signal at a first interval before the remaining battery charge of the device falls below a predetermined threshold, and then transmits the response signal at a second interval that is shorter than the first interval after the remaining battery charge of the device falls below the predetermined threshold. In other words, the transmission interval of the status signal is shortened after the device falls into a dead battery state. This allows parent device 1A to be notified more quickly when the battery of child device 1B is replaced and the dead battery state is resolved.

[0031] 1-2.Operation The following describes the operation of the fire alarm system 100. Specifically, the following describes the fire linkage process, recovery process, status monitoring process, and status notification process.

[0032] 1-2-1. Fire-related treatment The fire linkage processing is processing in which a plurality of fire alarm devices 1 work together to issue a fire alarm when a fire breaks out in the house H. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing this fire linkage processing.

[0033] In the fire interlocking process shown in the figure, when a fire breaks out in the monitoring area of ​​slave unit 1B, fire detection unit 11 of slave unit 1B detects the fire (step Sa1). After detecting the fire, fire interlocking processing unit 164 of slave unit 1B activates alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on an indicator light (step Sa2). This notifies occupants of the fire. In addition, fire interlocking processing unit 164 transmits a fire interlocking signal to master unit 1A and the other slave units 1B (step Sa3).

[0034] When the other slave unit 1B receives this fire interlocking signal, the fire interlocking processing unit 164 of that slave unit 1B activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light (step Sa4), thereby notifying people in the room that a fire has occurred.

[0035] When the master unit 1A receives the fire interlocking signal, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 of the master unit 1A activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light (step Sa5). This notifies people in the room that a fire has occurred. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 transfers the fire interlocking signal to each slave unit 1B (step Sa6). This ensures that the slave units 1B are interlocked with each other.

[0036] If the secondary unit 1B that received the fire interlocking signal sent in this transfer process does not receive a fire interlocking signal from the secondary unit 1B that caused the fire, it activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light, thereby notifying people in the room that a fire has occurred. This concludes the explanation of the fire-linked processing.

[0037] According to the fire-linked processing described above, it is possible to notify people in rooms other than the room where the fire occurred of the occurrence of the fire.

[0038] The above explanation of the fire interlocking process assumes that a fire breaks out in the monitoring area of ​​slave unit 1B. In contrast to this assumption, if a fire breaks out in the monitoring area of ​​master unit 1A, master unit 1A will execute the above steps Sa1 to Sa3.

[0039] 1-2-2.Recovery process The restoration process is a process for stopping the fire alarm that was started in the fire linkage process. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing this restoration process.

[0040] In the recovery process shown in the same figure, when a fire is extinguished in the monitored area of ​​the slave device 1B and the fire detection unit 11 of the slave device 1B no longer detects the fire (step Sb1), the recovery processing unit 165 of the slave device 1B sends a recovery notification to the master device 1A (step Sb2).

[0041] When the restoration processing unit 162 of the master unit 1A receives restoration notifications from all the slave units 1B that have detected a fire and its own fire detection unit 11 does not detect a fire (step Sb3), it controls the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light to notify occupants of the restoration (step Sb4). Then, it stops the operation of its own alarm unit 12 (step Sb4). Additionally, the restoration processing unit 162 transmits a restoration linkage signal to each slave unit 1B (step Sb5).

[0042] When the slave unit 1B receives this restoration linkage signal, the restoration processing unit 165 of the slave unit 1B controls the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light to notify the occupants of the room of the restoration, and then stops the operation of the alarm unit 12 (step Sb6). This concludes the explanation of the recovery process.

[0043] According to the restoration process described above, the fire alarms of all fire alarms 1 are stopped on the condition that no fire is detected by any of the fire alarms 1.

[0044] 1-2-3. Status monitoring process and status notification process The status monitoring process is a process in which the master device 1A monitors the status of each slave device 1B. Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing this status monitoring process. The status monitoring process shown in the figure is executed by the master device 1A for each slave device 1B.

[0045] 5, the state monitoring unit 163 of the master device 1A first identifies the date and time at which to transmit an interrogation signal to the slave device 1B (step Sc1). At this time, the state monitoring unit 163 identifies the date and time at which the interrogation signal is transmitted by referring to the transmission date and time table T1.

[0046] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the transmission date and time table T1. In the transmission date and time table T1 shown in the figure, the transmission date and time of an interrogation signal is associated with the address of the slave device 1B. The status monitoring unit 163 refers to this transmission date and time table T1 to identify the date and time to transmit an interrogation signal to the slave device 1B.

[0047] After identifying the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal, the status monitoring unit 163 waits until the transmission date and time arrives (NO in step Sc2). When the transmission date and time arrives (YES in step Sc2), the status monitoring unit 163 transmits the interrogation signal to the slave device 1B (step Sc3). Upon receiving this interrogation signal, the slave device 1B executes a status notification process. Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing this status notification process.

[0048] In the status notification process shown in the figure, the status notification unit 166 of the slave device 1B identifies the remaining battery power of its own device (step Sd1). Then, it determines whether the identified remaining battery power is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step Sd2). For example, if the battery of the slave device 1B is a 3.0V battery, it determines whether the remaining battery power is equal to or less than 2.8V. If the result of this determination is that the identified remaining battery power is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (YES in step Sd2), the status notification unit 166 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light (step Sd3). This notifies the user that the battery is dead. In addition, the status notification unit 166 transmits a response signal indicating that the battery is dead to the master device 1A (step Sd4). This response signal includes the address of the slave device 1B.

[0049] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sd2 above indicates that the identified remaining battery power is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (NO in step Sd2), the status notification unit 166 transmits a response signal indicating that the battery is not dead to the master device 1A (step Sd5). This response signal includes the address of the slave device 1B. This concludes the description of the status notification process.

[0050] The response signal transmitted by this status monitoring process is received by the master device 1A. When the status monitoring unit 163 of the master device 1A detects the reception of this response signal (YES in step Sc4), it determines whether the slave device 1B is out of battery (step Sc5). If the result of this determination is that the slave device 1B is out of battery (YES in step Sc5), it records in the status information table T2 that the slave device 1B is out of battery (step Sc6).

[0051] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the status information table T2. In the status information table T2 shown in the figure, the status of the slave device 1B is associated with the address of the slave device 1B. The status monitoring unit 163 records the status of the slave device 1B (here, the battery is dead) in this status information table T2 in association with the address of the slave device 1B.

[0052] In addition, the status monitoring unit 163 shortens the period for transmitting an interrogation signal to the slave device 1B (step Sc7). Specifically, for example, the transmission period for the interrogation signal is shortened by changing the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal from "0:00" to "0:00" and "12:00" in the transmission date and time table T1. By shortening the transmission period for the interrogation signal in this way, when the battery of the slave device 1B is replaced and the dead battery state is resolved, the status monitoring unit 163 can recognize this fact more quickly. After executing step Sc7, the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1.

[0053] If the result of the determination in step Sc5 above is that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sc5), the status monitoring unit 163 records in the status information table T2 that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (step Sc8). In other words, the status monitoring unit 163 records in the status information table T2 that the slave device 1B is in a normal state. In addition, if the transmission period of the interrogation signal has been shortened, the status monitoring unit 163 restores the shortened transmission period (step Sc9). Specifically, for example, the status monitoring unit 163 restores the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal from "0:00" and "12:00" to "0:00". After executing step Sc9, the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1.

[0054] In step Sc4, if a response signal is not received from the slave device 1B (NO in step Sc4), the status monitoring unit 163 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step Sc10). The predetermined time here is, for example, one minute.

[0055] If the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step Sc10), the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc4. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step Sc10), the status monitoring unit 163 refers to the status information table T2 and determines whether the battery of the secondary device 1B is dead (step Sc11). If the result of this determination is that the battery of the secondary device 1B is dead (YES in step Sc11), the secondary device 1B is considered to have further consumed its remaining battery power and is in an inoperable state. If the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state, the secondary device 1B itself cannot notify the user that it is inoperable. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 163 notifies the user that the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state on behalf of the secondary device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 163 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the secondary device 1B is inoperable, and turns on the indicator light (step Sc12). This allows the user to be notified that the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state. After executing step Sc12, the state monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1.

[0056] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sc11 above is that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sc11), it is considered that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 163 notifies the user that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 163 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B, and turns on the indicator light (step Sc13). This notifies the user of the radio wave abnormality. After executing step Sc13, the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1. The above is the description of the status monitoring process.

[0057] According to the status monitoring process described above, when the battery of the child device 1B runs out and the child device 1B becomes inoperable, the parent device 1A can notify the user that the child device 1B is inoperable on behalf of the child device 1B.

[0058] 2. Variations The above embodiment may be modified as follows: In addition, the following modifications may be combined with each other.

[0059] 2-1. Variation 1 In the status monitoring process according to the above embodiment, the master device 1A transmits an inquiry signal to the slave device 1B, and the slave device 1B replies with status information in response to the inquiry signal. Instead of this communication procedure, a communication procedure may be adopted in which the slave device 1B unilaterally transmits status information to the master device 1A.

[0060] When this communication procedure is adopted, the slave 1B has a status notification unit 201 instead of the status notification unit 166. This status notification unit 201 periodically transmits a status signal to the master 1A. In doing so, the status notification unit 201 identifies the remaining battery power of the slave 1B and determines whether the identified remaining battery power is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. If the result of this determination shows that the identified remaining battery power is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal indicating that the battery is dead to the master 1A. On the other hand, if the result of the above determination shows that the identified remaining battery power is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal indicating that the battery is not dead to the master 1A.

[0061] This status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal at a first interval before the remaining battery charge of the device falls below a predetermined threshold, and transmits a status signal at a second interval that is shorter than the first interval after the remaining battery charge of the device falls below the predetermined threshold. In other words, the transmission interval of the status signal is shortened after the device falls into a dead battery state. This allows parent device 1A to be notified more quickly when the battery of child device 1B is replaced and the dead battery state is resolved.

[0062] On the other hand, the master device 1A is provided with a status recording unit 202 and a status monitoring unit 203 instead of the status monitoring unit 163. When the status recording unit 202 detects receipt of a status signal transmitted from the slave device 1B, it records the status indicated by the received status signal in a table.

[0063] Meanwhile, the status monitoring unit 203 monitors the reception status of status signals from each slave device 1B. When the status monitoring unit 203 receives a status signal indicating that the battery is dead from a slave device 1B and detects that it has not received a status signal for a predetermined period of time, it notifies the user on behalf of that slave device 1B that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 203 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state, and turns on the indicator light. This notifies the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state.

[0064] Next, the communication procedures according to this modification will be described, specifically the status notification process, the status recording process, and the status monitoring process.

[0065] First, the status notification process will be described. This status notification process is a process in which the slave device 1B periodically transmits a status signal to the master device 1A. Figure 9 is a flow chart showing this status notification process.

[0066] In the status notification process shown in the figure, the status notification unit 201 of the slave device 1B waits until the transmission date and time of the status signal arrives (NO in step Se1). When the transmission date and time arrives (YES in step Se1), the status notification unit 201 identifies the remaining battery level of the slave device 1B (step Se2). After identifying the remaining battery level, the status notification unit 201 determines whether the identified remaining battery level is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step Se3). If the result of this determination is that the identified remaining battery level is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (YES in step Se3), the status notification unit 201 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light (step Se4). This notifies the user that the battery is dead. In addition, the status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal indicating that the battery is dead to the master device 1A (step Se5). This response signal includes the address of the slave device 1B. Furthermore, the status notification unit 201 shortens the cycle of transmitting the status signal to the master device 1A (step Se6). Specifically, for example, the transmission period of the status signal is shortened by changing the transmission date and time of the status signal from "0:00" to "0:00" and "12:00". By shortening the transmission period of the status signal in this way, when the battery of the slave device 1B is replaced and the dead battery state is resolved, this fact can be notified to the master device 1A more quickly. After executing step Se6, the status notification unit 201 returns to step Se1.

[0067] If the result of the determination in step Se3 above is that the remaining battery level is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (NO in step Se3), the status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal indicating that the battery is not dead to the master device 1A (step Se7). This response signal includes the address of the slave device 1B. In addition, if the transmission cycle of the status signal has been shortened, the status notification unit 201 restores the shortened transmission cycle (step Se8). Specifically, for example, the status notification unit 201 restores the transmission date and time of the status signal from "0:00" and "12:00" to "0:00". After executing step Se8, the status notification unit 201 returns to step Se1. This concludes the description of the status notification process.

[0068] According to the status notification process described above, the slave device 1B periodically transmits a status signal to the master device 1A.

[0069] In the above-described status notification process, the remaining battery level is determined (steps Se2 to Se4) at the timing of transmitting the status signal, but this determination of the remaining battery level may be performed at a cycle different from the transmission cycle of the status signal. In this case, the status notification unit 201 of the slave device 1B is controlled to transmit a status signal to the master device 1A according to the latest determination result of the remaining battery level when the transmission date and time of the status signal arrives.

[0070] Next, the status recording process will be described. This status recording process is a process in which the master device 1A records the status of each slave device 1B in the status information table T2 (see FIG. 8). FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing this status recording process. The status recording process shown in the figure is executed every time the master device 1A receives a status signal from a slave device 1B.

[0071] In the status recording process shown in FIG. 10, the status recording unit 202 of the master unit 1A records the reception date and time of the received status signal in the reception date and time table T3 (step Sf1).

[0072] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the reception date and time table T3. In the reception date and time table T3 shown in the figure, the latest reception date and time of the status signal is associated with the address of the slave device 1B. The status recording unit 202 records the reception date and time of the status signal in this reception date and time table T3 in association with the address of the slave device 1B.

[0073] After recording the reception date and time, the status recording unit 202 refers to the received status signal and determines whether the battery of the slave device 1B is dead (step Sf2). If the result of this determination shows that the battery of the slave device 1B is dead (YES in step Sf2), the status recording unit 202 records in the status information table T2 that the battery of the slave device 1B is dead (step Sf3). On the other hand, if the result of this determination shows that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sf2), the status recording unit 202 records in the status information table T2 that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (step Sf4). This concludes the description of the status recording process.

[0074] According to the status recording process described above, the master device 1A records the status of each slave device 1B in the status information table T2.

[0075] Next, the status monitoring process will be described. This status monitoring process is a process in which the master unit 1A monitors whether the slave unit 1B is inoperable or has a radio wave abnormality. Fig. 12 is a flow diagram showing this status monitoring process. The status monitoring process shown in the figure is periodically executed by the master unit 1A for each slave unit 1B.

[0076] In the status monitoring process shown in Fig. 12, the status monitoring unit 203 of the master device 1A refers to the reception date and time table T3 (see Fig. 11) to identify the most recent reception date and time of the slave device 1B (step Sg1). Then, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the identified most recent reception date and time (step Sg2). The predetermined time here is, for example, 25 hours.

[0077] If the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step Sg2), the status monitoring unit 203 terminates the status monitoring process. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step Sg2), the status monitoring unit 203 refers to the status information table T2 (see FIG. 8) and determines whether the battery of the slave device 1B is dead (step Sg3). If the result of this determination is that the battery of the slave device 1B is dead (YES in step Sg3), the slave device 1B is further consuming its remaining battery power and is considered to be in an inoperable state. If the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state, the slave device 1B itself cannot notify the user that it is inoperable. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 203 notifies the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state on behalf of the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 203 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying that the slave device 1B is inoperable and to turn on the indicator light (step Sg4). This allows the user to be notified that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state.

[0078] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sg3 above is that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sg3), it is considered that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 203 notifies the user that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 203 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B, and turns on the indicator light (step Sg5). This allows the user to be notified of the radio wave abnormality. The above is the description of the status monitoring process.

[0079] According to the status monitoring process described above, when the battery of the child device 1B runs out and the child device 1B becomes inoperable, the parent device 1A can notify the user that the child device 1B is inoperable on behalf of the child device 1B.

[0080] 2-2. Variation 2 In the communication procedure according to the above-described first modification, the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own status through a signal message. Instead of this notification method, a notification method may be adopted in which the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own status by changing the signal transmission cycle.

[0081] When this notification method is adopted, the slave device 1B has a status notification unit 301 instead of the status notification unit 201. This status notification unit 301 periodically transmits a periodic signal to the master device 1A. The transmitted periodic signal is a signal notifying the master device of its own status. In parallel with transmitting the periodic signal, the status notification unit 301 determines the remaining battery charge of the slave device. The transmission cycle of the periodic signal is then changed according to the determined remaining battery charge. Specifically, for example, the slave device 1B transmits a periodic signal at a first cycle before the remaining battery charge falls below a threshold, and transmits a periodic signal at a second cycle after the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold. By changing the transmission cycle according to the remaining battery charge in this way, the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own remaining battery charge. At this time, when the remaining battery charge falls below a predetermined threshold, the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A that its own battery is out of power.

[0082] On the other hand, master device 1A has status recording unit 302 and status monitoring unit 303 instead of status recording unit 202 and status monitoring unit 203. Of these, status recording unit 302 determines the remaining battery level of slave device 1B based on the transmission cycle of a periodic signal transmitted from slave device 1B. Specifically, for example, when it detects that a periodic signal has been transmitted at a first cycle, it determines that slave device 1B is not out of battery, and when it detects that a periodic signal has been transmitted at a second cycle, it determines that slave device 1B is out of battery.

[0083] Meanwhile, the status monitoring unit 303 monitors the reception status of periodic signals from each slave device 1B. When the status monitoring unit 303 receives a notification from a slave device 1B that the battery is dead and subsequently detects that it has not received a periodic signal for a predetermined period of time, it notifies the user on behalf of that slave device 1B that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 303 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state, and turns on the indicator light. This allows the user to be notified that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state.

[0084] Next, the communication procedures according to this modification will be described, specifically the status notification process, the status recording process, and the status monitoring process.

[0085] First, the status notification process will be described. This status notification process is a process in which the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own status. Figure 13 is a flow chart showing this status notification process.

[0086] In the status notification process shown in the figure, the status notification unit 301 of the slave device 1B first transmits a periodic signal to the master device 1A (step Sh1). This periodic signal includes the address of the slave device 1B. Next, the status notification unit 301 determines the remaining battery power of its own device (step Sh2). Then, based on the determined remaining battery power, it determines the transmission cycle of the periodic signal (step Sh3). At this time, the state notification unit 301 refers to the transmission period table T4 to identify the transmission period of the periodic signal.

[0087] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission period table T4. In the transmission period table T4 shown in the figure, the battery voltage value, voltage level, and transmission period of the periodic signal are associated with each other. The status notification unit 301 refers to this transmission period table T4 to identify the transmission period that corresponds to the remaining battery power. Then, the identified transmission period is set as the new transmission period.

[0088] After setting the transmission cycle, the status notification unit 301 determines whether the remaining battery power determined in step Sh2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step Sh4). If the result of this determination is that the remaining battery power determined is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (YES in step Sh4), the status notification unit 301 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light (step Sh5). This notifies the user that the battery is dead. The status notification unit 301 then proceeds to step Sh6.

[0089] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sh4 above is that the remaining battery charge is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (NO in step Sh4), the status notification unit 301 waits until it is time to transmit a periodic signal (NO in step Sh6). In other words, the status notification unit 301 waits until one periodic signal transmission cycle (for example, 24 hours in the case of a 24-hour cycle) has elapsed since the last time the periodic signal was transmitted. Then, when it is time to transmit a periodic signal, the process returns to step Sh1 and transmits a periodic signal to the master unit 1A. This concludes the description of the status notification process.

[0090] According to the status notification process described above, the slave device 1B changes the transmission cycle of the periodic signal depending on the remaining battery power of the slave device 1B.

[0091] Next, the status recording process will be described. This status recording process is a process in which the master device 1A records the status of each slave device 1B in a status information table T5, which will be described later. Figure 15 is a flow diagram showing this status recording process. The status recording process shown in the figure is executed every time the master device 1A receives a periodic signal from a slave device 1B.

[0092] In the status recording process shown in FIG. 15, the status recording unit 302 of the master device 1A identifies the slave device 1B that is the sender of the received periodic signal (step Si1). After identifying the slave device 1B, the status recording unit 302 refers to the reception date and time table T3 (see FIG. 11) to identify the date and time when the previous periodic signal was received from the slave device 1B (step Si2). After identifying the previous reception date and time, the status recording unit 302 calculates the difference between the current reception date and time and the previous reception date and time to identify the transmission period of the periodic signal (step Si3). After identifying the transmission period, the status recording unit 302 identifies the battery voltage level of the slave device 1B based on the identified transmission period (step Si4). In this case, the status recording unit 302 refers to the transmission period table T4 (see FIG. 14) to identify the voltage level corresponding to the identified transmission period (or the transmission period that most closely resembles it). After identifying the voltage level, the status recording unit 302 records the identified voltage level in the status information table T5 (step Si5).

[0093] 16 is a diagram showing an example of a state information table T5. In the state information table T5 shown in the figure, the voltage level of the slave device 1B is associated with the address of the slave device 1B. The state recording unit 302 records the voltage level of the slave device 1B in association with the address of the slave device 1B in this state information table T5.

[0094] After recording the voltage level, the status recording unit 302 updates the previous reception date and time identified in step Si2 to the latest reception date and time (step Si6). This concludes the description of the status recording process.

[0095] According to the status recording process described above, the master device 1A identifies and records the voltage level of the battery of the slave device 1B based on the transmission cycle of the periodic signal transmitted from that slave device 1B.

[0096] Next, the status monitoring process will be described. This status monitoring process is a process in which the master unit 1A monitors whether the slave unit 1B is inoperable or has a radio wave abnormality. Figure 17 is a flow diagram showing this status monitoring process. The status monitoring process shown in the figure is periodically executed by the master unit 1A for each slave unit 1B.

[0097] In the status monitoring process shown in Fig. 17, the status monitoring unit 303 of the master device 1A refers to the reception date and time table T3 (see Fig. 11) to identify the most recent reception date and time of the slave device 1B (step Sj1). Then, it determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the identified most recent reception date and time (step Sj2). The predetermined time here is, for example, 25 hours.

[0098] If the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step Sj2), the status monitoring unit 303 terminates the status monitoring process. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step Sj2), the status monitoring unit 303 refers to the status information table T5 (see FIG. 16) to identify the battery voltage level of the slave device 1B (step Sj3). After identifying the voltage level, the status monitoring unit 303 determines whether the identified voltage level is "1" (step Sh4). In other words, it determines whether the slave device 1B is in a dead battery state. If the result of this determination is that the voltage level is "1" (YES in step Sj4), the slave device 1B is considered to have further consumed battery power and is in an inoperable state. If the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state, the slave device 1B itself cannot notify the user that it is inoperable. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 303 notifies the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state on behalf of the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 303 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying that the slave device 1B is inoperable, and turns on the indicator light (step Sj5), thereby notifying the user that the slave device 1B is inoperable.

[0099] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sj4 above is that the voltage level is not "1" (NO in step Sj4), it is considered that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 303 notifies the user that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 303 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B, and turns on the indicator light (step Sj6). This allows the user to be notified of the radio wave abnormality. The above is the description of the status monitoring process.

[0100] According to the status monitoring process described above, when the battery of the child device 1B runs out and the child device 1B becomes inoperable, the parent device 1A can notify the user that the child device 1B is inoperable on behalf of the child device 1B.

[0101] 2-3. Variation 3 In the above embodiment, the master device 1A monitors the status of the slave device 1B. In addition to or instead of this, the slave device 1B may be made to monitor the status of the master device 1A. More specifically, the slave device 1B may be made to execute a status monitoring process, and the master device 1A may be made to execute a status notification process.

[0102] Similarly, in the above-described Modifications 1 and 2, the slave device 1B may be made to monitor the status of the master device 1A. More specifically, the slave device 1B may be made to perform a status recording process and a status monitoring process, and the master device 1A may be made to perform a status notification process.

[0103] When applying this modification, the master device 1A may also notify the slave device 1B of the status information of all slave devices 1B managed by the master device 1A, so that the status information of the slave devices 1B can be shared throughout the system.

[0104] 2-4. Variation 4 In the above-described fire alarm system 100, a distinction is made between parent and child fire alarm devices 1. However, it is not necessary to distinguish between parent and child fire alarm devices 1. The processes described in the above-described embodiment, variant 1, and variant 2 may be executed in a fire alarm system that does not distinguish between parent and child fire alarm devices.

[0105] 2-5. Variation 5 14, the transmission period of the periodic signal becomes shorter as the battery voltage decreases. However, the transmission period table T4 may be set in the opposite way so that the transmission period of the periodic signal becomes longer as the battery voltage decreases.

[0106] Furthermore, in the transmission period table T4 shown in FIG. 14, the voltage levels are classified into five stages, but the voltage levels may be classified into four stages or less or six stages or more.

[0107] 2-6. Variation 6 In the restoration process according to the above embodiment, the master unit 1A determines whether the entire system can be restored. Instead of this restoration method, a method in which each fire alarm 1 individually determines whether it can be restored may be adopted. Specifically, each fire alarm 1 may stop operation of its own alarm unit 12 when it receives restoration notifications from all other fire alarms 1 that have detected a fire, and when its own fire detection unit 11 does not detect a fire.

[0108] 2-7. Variation 7 While the above explanation has been given using a fire alarm as an example of an alarm device used in an alarm system, the present invention can also be applied to alarm devices that have an abnormality detection unit that detects abnormalities in other monitored areas, such as gas leaks, and is not limited to fire alarms. The present invention can also be applied to alarm devices that do not have an abnormality detection unit, such as the above fire alarms and gas leak alarms, but that issue linked alarms by receiving abnormality information transmitted from these alarm devices via wireless communication. Furthermore, in addition to alarm devices, the present invention can also be applied to battery-powered wireless devices that communicate with each other wirelessly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1...fire alarm, 1A...master unit, 1B...slave unit, 11...fire detection unit, 12...alarm unit, 13...wireless communication unit, 14...operation reception unit, 15...power supply unit, 16...control unit, 161...fire interlocking processing unit, 162...recovery processing unit, 163...status monitoring unit, 164...fire interlocking processing unit, 165...recovery processing unit, 166...status notification unit, 201...status notification unit, 202...status recording unit, 203...status monitoring unit, 301...status notification unit, 302...status recording unit, 303...status monitoring unit, H...house, T1...transmission date and time table, T2...status information table, T3...reception date and time table, T4...transmission period table, T5...status information table

Claims

1. An alarm system comprising a first alarm and a second alarm, The first alarm device periodically transmitting a status signal notifying the second alarm device of its own status, When the remaining battery charge of the alarm device itself falls below a threshold, the alarm device notifies the second alarm device of the low battery charge by transmitting a status signal; The second alarm device is receiving a status signal from the first alarm; if a status signal is not received for a predetermined period of time or longer after receiving a notification from the first alarm device that the remaining battery power is low, notify that the first alarm device is inoperable; Before the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold, the first alarm device transmits a status signal to the second alarm device at a first cycle, and after the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold, it transmits a status signal to the second alarm device at a second cycle that is shorter than the first cycle.

1. An alarm system comprising:

2. An alarm system comprising a first alarm and a second alarm, The first alarm device periodically transmitting a status signal notifying the second alarm device of its own status, When the remaining battery charge of the alarm device itself falls below a threshold, the alarm device notifies the second alarm device of the low battery charge by transmitting a status signal; The second alarm device is receiving a status signal from the first alarm; if a status signal is not received for a predetermined period of time or longer after receiving a notification from the first alarm device that the remaining battery power is low, notify that the first alarm device is inoperable; the first alarm device transmits a status signal to the second alarm device in a first cycle before the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold, and transmits a status signal to the second alarm device in a second cycle after the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold; When the second alarm device receives a status signal from the first alarm device in the first cycle, it determines that the first alarm device is not in a low battery state, and when it receives a status signal from the first alarm device in the second cycle, it determines that the first alarm device is in a low battery state.

1. An alarm system comprising:

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