Fire alarm system

Abstract

To provide a fire alarm facility which allows a user to properly understand information displayed in a screen of a receiver to promptly and certainly perform a required coping operation or coping action.SOLUTION: An analog fire sensor 14 is connected with a receiver 10 to monitor a fire. The receiver 10 comprises: a display 36 which displays predetermined information required for fire monitoring in a screen; and a fire control unit 46 which displays guidance information corresponding to the predetermined information displayed in the screen by the display 36 in the screen when a guide switch 48 is operated. The fire control unit 46 actuates an illumination function of the guide switch 48 when the guidance information displayed in the screen is a guidance object, displays different guidance information in the screen when the guide switch 48 is operated in this state, and outputs voice guidance according to the different guidance information being displayed in the screen when the guide switch 48 is further operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire alarm system that monitors fires by connecting a fire detector to a signal line drawn from a receiver. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, R-type fire alarm systems and P-type fire alarm systems are known as fire alarm systems that monitor fires by connecting fire detectors to signal lines drawn from a receiver.

[0003] In the case of an R-type fire alarm system, an analog fire detector with a transmission function and a unique address set is connected to the signal line drawn from the receiver, and when a fire occurs, based on a fire interrupt from the analog fire detector, a search command is issued from the receiver to identify the address of the analog fire detector that triggered the alarm, the receiver turns on the fire representative light and outputs a main sound alarm, and furthermore, the address of the detector that detected the fire is displayed on an address display or the like.

[0004] In this way, knowing the address of the fire detector that detected the fire makes it possible to provide appropriate evacuation guidance and firefighting activities, making this a function that is essential, especially for fire monitoring in large-scale facilities.

[0005] P-type fire alarm systems connect on-off fire detectors to signal lines drawn from the receiver and monitor fires on a line-by-line basis. When a fire is detected, the on-off fire detector issues a fire alarm, causing an alarm current to flow through the signal line, sending a fire detection signal to the receiver, outputting a fire alarm and lighting up the area indicator light corresponding to the signal line that received the fire detection signal to indicate the area where the fire has occurred.

[0006] In addition, the receiver of the R-type fire alarm system is equipped with hardware switches on the panel surface, such as the main sound stop switch, area sound stop switch, and fire determination switch, which are necessary for fire monitoring operations, and is also equipped with a display with a touch panel.

[0007] The receiver's display shows a screen indicating normal operation during normal monitoring, and if a fault such as a signal line break or equipment failure occurs, fault information is displayed on the screen.

[0008] In the event of a fire, a fire alarm screen indicating the area where the fire has occurred will be displayed on the screen, along with guidance information urging the operator to operate the main sound stop button and check the scene. The person in charge will then take the necessary actions to deal with the fire according to procedures acquired through training, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-219870 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-268276 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-096469 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-180280 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, in the case of fire alarm systems that display information necessary for fire monitoring and equipment operation on a screen attached to such receivers, a wizard-based operation method is used, which presents questions and setting items to the user one by one on the screen, prompting them to make selections and inputs, and allows the process to proceed interactively.However, if a user is unfamiliar with the operation, it takes time for them to understand the meaning of the questions and setting items shown to the user on the screen.In particular, when a fire occurs and a fire alarm is output from the receiver, quick and reliable response action is required, but if the meaning of the screen display is difficult to understand, there is a risk that the response will not be smooth.

[0011] Furthermore, the receiver display shows indicators, which are simple display elements such as symbols that indicate the receiver's status and situation. However, when indicators are displayed on the screen in normal monitoring mode, there are many types of indicators, and because the indicators are not displayed on the screen very often, it is difficult to understand what the indicators displayed on the screen indicate, which can cause problems such as delays in taking the necessary corrective action.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a fire alarm system that enables a user to correctly understand the information displayed on the screen of a receiver and to quickly and reliably take necessary countermeasures or actions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] (Fire alarm equipment) The present invention is a fire alarm system that monitors fires by connecting a fire detector to a receiver, The receiver is a display means for displaying predetermined information required for fire monitoring on a screen; a control means for, when the guide operation means is operated, displaying on the screen guidance information corresponding to predetermined information displayed on the screen by the display means; Equipped with The control means is characterized in that, when the receiver is in a normal monitoring state, it causes the display means to display predetermined information on the screen, and when the guide operation means is operated, it causes an explanation of the predetermined information to be displayed on the screen as guidance information.

[0014] Here, the specified information required for fire monitoring by the receiver means all information such as events that occur during normal monitoring and during fires, information required for operation and management, information required for response operations, etc., and also includes information required for operation and management in the maintenance and inspection mode of the receiver.

[0015] The display means is a device such as a touch panel display that can be operated, and the guide operation means is a hard switch arranged on the surface of the receiver.

[0016] (Short press and long press display guidance during normal monitoring) When the guide operation means is pressed briefly while the display means is displaying predetermined information on the screen, the control means displays an explanation of the predetermined information on the screen as guidance information, and when the guide operation means is pressed and held, the control means displays predetermined menu information other than the explanation of the predetermined information on the screen as guidance information.

[0017] (Fire Event Guidance) When a fire event occurs while predetermined information is being displayed on the screen by the display means, the control means displays guidance information for predetermined response actions or response operations by switching the screen in a predetermined order, and when the guide operation means is operated while each guidance information is displayed by switching the screen, the guidance information is output as voice by the audio means.

[0018] (Illumination function of guide operation means) the guide operation means has an illumination function and is disposed near the outside of the screen of the display means; The control means activates the illumination function while the guidance information is displayed on the screen to notify the user that they should operate the guide operating means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] (Basic effect) The present invention is a fire alarm system that monitors fires by connecting a fire detector to a signal line drawn from a receiver, and the receiver is provided with a display means that displays on a screen predetermined information required for fire monitoring by the receiver, and a control means that, when a guide operation means is operated, causes guidance information corresponding to the predetermined information displayed on the screen by the display means to be displayed on the screen.When information is displayed on the display means and the user operates the guide operation means, guidance information such as an explanation of the information displayed on the screen and action guides is displayed on the screen, enabling the user to correctly understand the information displayed on the screen through the guidance information and to quickly and reliably perform the required operations and response actions. The illuminated switch that functions as the guidance operation means lights up or flashes to notify the user that the information to be guided is displayed on the screen, and the user can correctly understand the content of the question posed by the screen display through the guidance information displayed on the screen by operating the guide operation means, and can quickly and reliably take action in accordance with the guidance information.

[0020] (Effect of the display position of the guidance information) Furthermore, the display means is rectangular or approximately rectangular, and the guidance information is positioned in a position where no characters are displayed between the side of the display means closest to the guide operation means and the guidance information. Therefore, by positioning the rectangular or approximately rectangular display means, for example, the side of the display and the guidance information closely together or in close proximity to the margin (which may be filled in with a background color), the guidance information is displayed near the guide operation means, guiding the line of sight and making intuitive operation easier.

[0021] (Effect of the position of the guide operation means) Furthermore, since the guide operation means is provided at the bottom or right side of the display means when the receiver is viewed from the front, and since the receiver's display screen is written horizontally, the operator's line of sight is guided from top to bottom and from left to right, and since the guide operation means is operated when there is something unclear after understanding the displayed content, by placing it at the position of the operator's line of sight after understanding the screen content, intuitive operation can be made even easier.

[0022] (Effect of highlighting selected guidance information) Furthermore, by selecting a portion of the guidance information, the portion of the predetermined information displayed on the screen by the display means that corresponds to the selected portion of the guidance information is highlighted, making it easier to understand the correspondence between the contents of the guidance area and the contents of the main area, and making it possible to know which operation to perform for the content you want to do. Furthermore, since operations in the guidance area do not directly perform actual processing, you can operate the screen with confidence, for example, by placing your fingertip under the explanatory text to check.

[0023] (Effect of indicator guidance display) In addition, the control means causes the display means to display on the screen a specified indicator that indicates a non-fire event that has occurred during the receiver's normal monitoring status, and when the guide operation means is operated, an explanation of the indicator is displayed on the screen as guidance information.Therefore, while the indicator is a simple display element that notifies the user of a certain state or situation on the screen, the explanation of the indicator that is displayed on the screen when the guide operation means is operated enables the user to correctly understand the meaning of the indicator and quickly take the necessary measures.

[0024] Here, the non-fire events displayed on the screen by the indicator include at least one of the following: signal line fault information, printer printing status, changes to receiver setting data, equipment fault information, equipment fault prediction information, and switch warnings that have been set to stop.

[0025] (Effect of guidance display during normal monitoring) Furthermore, the control means displays predetermined menu buttons on the screen by the display means in the normal monitoring state of the receiver, and when the guide operation means is operated, an explanation of the menu button is displayed on the screen as guidance information. Therefore, when the user operates the guide operation means, an explanation of the menu button displayed on the screen in the normal monitoring state is displayed as guidance information, and the user can take action such as starting and shutting down the devices provided in the fire alarm system or setting interlocking stop, for example, by using the screen display. The guidance information provided will enable you to understand the process correctly and perform it reliably.

[0026] (Effect of short press and long press on guidance display during normal monitoring) Furthermore, when the receiver is in its normal monitoring state, the control means causes the display means to display a predetermined menu button on the screen, and when the guide operation means is pressed briefly, causes an explanation of the menu button to be displayed on the screen as guidance information, and when the guide operation means is pressed long, causes predetermined menu information other than the explanation of the menu button to be displayed on the screen as guidance information, so that different guidance information can be displayed depending on how the guide operation means is operated.

[0027] (Effects of fire event guidance) In addition, when a fire event occurs, the control means displays guidance information for predetermined response actions or response operations by switching screens in a predetermined order, and when the guide operation means is operated while each piece of guidance information is displayed by switching screens, the guidance information is output as voice by the audio means.This makes it possible for even users who are unfamiliar with operations to quickly and reliably perform response operations and response actions when a fire event occurs in accordance with the interactive format of the screen display and operation of the guide operation means.

[0028] (Effectiveness of guidance on response operations and actions in response to fire events) Furthermore, the control means displays a guidance screen for a main sound stop operation when a fire event occurs, and when the main sound stop operation is performed, displays a guidance screen displaying on-site confirmation guidance, a fire outbreak button, and a non-fire button, and when the fire outbreak button is operated, displays a guidance screen displaying a fire confirmation operation guidance, and when the fire confirmation operation is performed, displays a guidance screen displaying a predetermined fire response action guidance, and when the non-fire button is operated, displays a guidance screen displaying a predetermined non-fire response action guidance, and when the guide operation means is operated while each guidance screen is displayed, outputs the guidance displayed on each guidance screen by voice. Because the audio is output in stages, when a fire event occurs and a fire alarm is output, extreme tension is created, and when necessary operations and measures must be taken quickly, some users may find themselves in a situation where they do not know what to do immediately.However, even in such a confused situation, by operating the guide operation means provided on the receiver panel, guidance on the necessary response operations and response actions will be output as audio, and the user will be able to correctly understand the main sound stop operation, on-site confirmation, fire confirmation operations and fire response actions when a fire is confirmed on-site, and non-fire response actions when a non-fire is confirmed on-site, and can take action quickly and reliably.

[0029] (Effect of the illumination function of the guide operation means) In addition, the guide operation means is equipped with an illumination function, and the control means activates the illumination function when each guidance screen is displayed to notify the user that the guide operation means should be operated. Therefore, by being equipped with an illumination function, the guide operation means functions, for example, as an illuminated switch, and by the guide operation means flashing, for example, due to the illumination function, it is possible to attract the attention of a user who is in a situation where they do not know what to do and to encourage them to operate the guide operation means, and by outputting guidance as voice, it is possible to ensure that quick and appropriate response operations and response actions are taken in the event of a fire event.

[0030] (Effect of relay panel in distributed system) In addition, a distributed system is configured in which one or more relay panels are connected to the receiver via a network line, fire detectors are connected to signal lines drawn from the relay panel, and when a fire is detected at the relay panel, the receiver is notified and a fire alarm is output.The control means of the receiver is configured to cause the display means to display guidance information corresponding to the relay panel information on the screen when the guide operation means is operated while the display means is displaying the relay panel information necessary for fire monitoring.Therefore, even when the relay panel information is displayed on the screen on the display means, when the user operates the guide operation means, guidance information such as an explanation of the relay panel information displayed on the screen and action guides is displayed on the screen, allowing the user to correctly understand the information displayed on the screen through the guidance information and to quickly and reliably perform the necessary response operations and response actions on the relay panel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing an outline of an R-type fire alarm system to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing the receiver's appearance from the front [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram showing the menu guidance display on the normal monitoring screen [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing the guidance display for a fire simulation on the normal monitoring screen [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram showing the indicator guidance display on the normal monitoring screen [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing the transition of the fire alarm screen when a fire event occurs [Figure 7] Diagram showing a distributed system consisting of a receiver and a relay panel DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] [Fire alarm system] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an R-type fire alarm system to which the present invention is applied.

[0033] (Basic Concept of the Embodiment) The fire alarm system of this embodiment is provided with a touch panel display 36 as display means for displaying on the screen predetermined information required for fire monitoring by the receiver 10, and a guide switch 48 as a hardware switch that functions as a guide operation means near the screen of this display means. The information required for fire monitoring by the receiver 10 is presented to the user on the screen of the display 36, and the user is prompted to perform response operations and actions such as selection and input, and is based on a wizard method known as an operation method for progressing processing interactively. Furthermore, when the user simply operates the guide switch 48, guidance information such as an explanation of the information being displayed on the screen of the display 36 and action guides is displayed on the screen, and when a fire event occurs, guidance information is output as voice, allowing the user to correctly understand the situation and perform the necessary response operations and actions.

[0034] That is, when the user simply presses the guide switch 48, guidance information corresponding to the status of the receiver 10 at that time is displayed on the display 36, and when a fire event occurs, guidance information is output as voice, and if the user does not know what to do or what to do, the user simply follows a single flow of "press the guide switch 48 and look at the screen," so that the user can be prevented from being unsure of what to do in any situation. A specific explanation will be given below.

[0035] (Fire alarm system overview) As shown in Fig. 1, an R-type receiver 10 is installed in a caretaker's room on the first floor of a building where a fire alarm system is installed, and signal lines 12-1 to 12-3 are drawn out from the receiver 10 for each system to the alert area. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the signal lines 12-1 to 12-3, they may be referred to as signal line 12.

[0036] A plurality of analog fire detectors 14 each having a transmission function and a unique address are connected to the signal line 12-1, and an on-off fire detector 18 and a transmitter 20 are connected to a detector line 17 drawn from a repeater 16 having a transmission function and a unique address.

[0037] In addition to the connection of multiple analog fire detectors 14, the signal line 12-2 is also connected to an addressable transmitter 22 with a transmission function and a unique address set thereto.Furthermore, the signal line 12-3 is connected to a smoke control and exhaust device 24 via a repeater 16 with a transmission function and a unique address set thereto.

[0038] Here, the maximum number of addresses that can be set for terminal devices such as analog fire detectors 14 and repeaters 16 connected to signal lines 12-1 to 12-3 is, for example, 255, and terminal devices including a maximum of 255 analog fire detectors 14 can be connected to signal line 12.

[0039] (Receiver functional configuration) The receiver 10 is provided with a main CPU 26 and a plurality of sub-CPU boards 28-1 to 28-3, and the sub-CPU boards 28-1 to 28-3 are provided with sub-CPUs 30-1 to 30-3 and transmission units 32-1 to 32-3.

[0040] The main CPU 26 and the sub CPUs 30-1 to 30-3 are connected by a serial transfer bus 34 and transmit and receive data to and from each other. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the sub CPUs 30-1 to 30-3 and the transmission units 32-1 to 32-3, they may be referred to as the sub CPUs 30 and the transmission units 32.

[0041] A display 36 with a touch panel using a liquid crystal display panel or the like that functions as a display means is connected to the main CPU 26, and information necessary for fire monitoring by the receiver 10 is displayed on the display 36 according to the current status of the receiver 10. The information necessary for fire monitoring by the display 36 includes all information such as events that occur during normal monitoring and in the event of a fire, information necessary for operation and management, information necessary for response operations, and moreover information necessary for operation and management in the maintenance and inspection mode of the receiver.

[0042] In addition to a display 36 that functions as a display means for the main CPU 26, a display unit 38 using indicator lights such as LEDs is provided. The display unit 38 is provided with a fire indicator light, a gas leak indicator light, and the like.

[0043] An operation unit 40 is connected to the main CPU 26, and in addition to various switches necessary for fire monitoring such as a fire determination switch, a main sound stop switch, and a district sound pause switch, the operation unit 40 is also provided with a guide switch 48, which is a hardware switch that functions as a guide operation means in this embodiment. When the user operates the guide switch 48, guidance information corresponding to the information being displayed on the display 36 at that time is displayed on the screen.

[0044] The guide switch 48 can be operated by a short press, known as a one-touch operation, to display guidance information on the screen, but by a long press, it is also possible to display screens other than guidance, such as an operation screen for a fire simulation prepared as a training menu for the receiver 10.

[0045] Furthermore, an acoustic alarm unit 42 equipped with a speaker and a reporting unit 44 are connected to the main CPU 26. The acoustic alarm unit 42 functions as an audio means, and outputs a main acoustic alarm when a fire event occurs, but when the guide switch 48 is operated with the main acoustic alarm stopped, it outputs audio guidance indicating the fire response operations and fire response actions that are displayed on the screen at that time.

[0046] The main CPU 26 is provided with a fire alarm control unit 46 that functions as a control means by executing a program.

[0047] (Receiver appearance) 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the receiver from the front. A display 36 with a touch panel, such as a liquid crystal display panel, is arranged on the face of the receiver 10, functioning as a display means. The display 36 displays color images on the screen, and the touch panel arranged on the screen allows selection and input by touching the screen. Note that instead of the display 36, an appropriate image display panel such as an EL panel can be used as the display means.

[0048] A guide switch 48, which functions as a guide operation means, is placed large enough to be easily seen and easily operable by the user in the center of the left and right sides of the panel below the display 36. Therefore, when a user stands in front of the receiver 10 and looks at the screen of the display 36, the guide switch 48, which is placed close to the screen, also comes into the user's field of vision, enabling operation that is closely linked to the information displayed on the screen.

[0049] The guide switch 48 is an illuminated switch with an illumination function, and the illuminated switch has an indicator light such as an LED built in. For example, the ring portion surrounding the guide switch 48 placed on the panel surface lights up or flashes in a ring shape when an LED placed inside it is activated.

[0050] In this embodiment, when a fire event occurs and information that is the subject of guidance is displayed on the display 36, the illumination function of the guide switch 48 is activated and the switch flashes, prompting the user to operate the guide switch 48.

[0051] In addition, a fire determination switch 50, a main sound stop switch 52, and a district sound pause switch 54 are arranged on the panel below the display 36, allowing for fire response operations linked to the guidance display on the fire screen in the event of a fire event. A sub-door 55 is provided on the panel below the guide switch 48 so that it can be freely opened forward with its lower side as an axis, and various operation switches including a recovery switch are provided inside the small door 55.

[0052] A telephone microphone 64 is also provided on the outside of the fire determination switch 50, and in combination with a speaker inside a sound hole 62 provided next to the display 36, a hands-free emergency telephone function is realized.

[0053] In addition, a fire indicator light 58 and a gas leak indicator light 60 are provided on the upper panel of the display 36. Furthermore, a printer 56 is provided below the panel of the receiver 10, so that events that occur on the receiver 10 can be printed out.

[0054] (Fire monitoring control of receiver) As shown in Figure 1, taking the sub-CPU 30-1 on the sub-CPU board 28-1 as an example, it performs fire monitoring control by instructing the transmitter 32-1 to send and receive signals to and from the analog fire detector 14 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. Downstream signals from the transmitter 32-1 to the analog fire detector 14 are transmitted in voltage mode. These voltage-mode signals are transmitted as voltage pulses that change the line voltage of the signal line 12-1 between, for example, 18 volts and 30 volts.

[0055] On the other hand, the upstream signal from the analog fire detector 14 to the transmitter 32-1 is transmitted in current mode. In this current mode, a signal current flows through the signal line 12-1 at the timing of bit 1 of the transmission data, and the upstream signal is transmitted to the receiver 10 as a so-called current pulse train.

[0056] During normal monitoring, the fire monitoring control by the sub-CPU 30-1 periodically instructs the transmitter 32-1 to transmit a broadcast batch AD conversion signal including a batch AD conversion command, and the analog fire detector 14 that receives this batch AD conversion signal detects and stores the smoke density or temperature as sensor data. A call signal including a polling command sequentially specifying the terminal addresses is transmitted.

[0057] When the analog fire detector 14 receives a call signal with an address that matches its own address, it transmits a response signal including the sensor data it is holding at that time to the transmission unit 32-1. Also, when the smoke density or temperature exceeds a predetermined fire warning level, the analog fire detector 14 transmits a fire interrupt signal to the transmission unit 32-1 of the receiver 10.

[0058] When the sub-CPU 30-1 receives a fire interrupt signal via the transmission unit 32-1, it sends a group search command signal to identify the group that includes the analog fire detector 14 that has detected the fire, and then sends an intra-group search command signal to identify the address of the analog fire detector 14 that has detected the fire, collects analog data from the sensor in a concentrated manner, and sends it to the main CPU 26 via the serial transfer bus 34.

[0059] The main CPU 26 compares the analog data received from the sub-CPU 30-1 with a predetermined fire determination level, and when the analog data reaches the fire determination level, it determines that there is a fire, turns on the fire representative light 58 on the display unit 38, outputs a predetermined main acoustic alarm indicating a fire from the speaker of the acoustic alarm unit 42, displays fire alarm information including the location of the fire on the display 36 based on the address of the detector where the fire was detected, and further outputs a fire alarm signal to the outside via the alarm transfer unit 44 to perform predetermined alarm transfer control, etc.

[0060] The fire monitoring control by the sub-CPU 30-2 and transmission unit 32-2 provided on the sub-CPU board 28-2 is the same as that of the sub-CPU board 28-1 described above. In addition, the sub-CPU 30-3 and transmission unit 32-3 provided on the sub-CPU board 28-3 perform interlocking control of the smoke control and exhaust equipment 24 based on interlocking information stored in advance when a fire is detected by the main CPU 26.

[0061] [Guidance display] (Data change control function) The fire alarm control unit 46 provided as a control means in the main CPU 26 of the receiver 10 controls the display 36 to display on the screen guidance information corresponding to the specified information that is the subject of the guidance displayed on the screen when the guide switch 48 is operated during normal monitoring.

[0062] In addition, when a fire event occurs and a fire alarm is output, the fire alarm control unit 46 displays a guidance screen for the main sound stop operation, and when the main sound stop operation is performed, displays a guidance screen displaying on-site confirmation guidance, a fire outbreak button, and a non-fire button, and when the fire outbreak button is operated, displays a guidance screen displaying guidance for the fire confirmation operation, and when the fire confirmation operation is performed, displays a guidance screen displaying guidance for predetermined fire response actions, while when the non-fire button is operated, displays a guidance screen displaying guidance for predetermined non-fire response actions, and further, when the guide switch 48 is operated while each guidance screen is displayed, causes the acoustic alarm unit 42 to output the guidance displayed on each guidance screen as sound.

[0063] (Guidance in normal monitoring state) Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the menu guidance display on the normal monitoring screen. As shown in Fig. 3, when the receiver 10 is in the normal monitoring state, a normal monitoring screen 66 is displayed on the display 36. On the normal monitoring screen 66, menu buttons 68, 70, and 72 are displayed in a main area 67. Note that in this embodiment, the buttons displayed on the display 36 function as icons that represent uses, functions, etc. using diagrams, pictures, or simple text, and also function as operation buttons (tool buttons) that execute corresponding processing operations when touched.

[0064] In this state, when the guide switch 48 is pressed once (one-touch operation), menu explanations 68b, 70b are displayed on the screen in a guide area 74 at the bottom of the screen in correspondence with the menu button copies 68a, 70a of the menu buttons 68, 70, respectively.

[0065] Menu description 68b may be, for example, "You can set the activation and deactivation of various devices connected to this system.", and menu description 70b may be, for example, "You can set the deactivation of area alarms connected to this system."

[0066] If all the menu explanations cannot be displayed in the guidance area 74, they can be displayed by operating the next button 76. Note that the menu explanations may be switched and displayed each time the guide switch 48 is pressed.

[0067] Also, the main area 67 and the guidance area 74 may be always separated, or the main area 67 may be displayed over the entire display until the guide switch 48 is pressed.

[0068] If the main area 67 is displayed over the entire display until the guide switch 48 is pressed, when the guide switch 48 is pressed, part of the screen becomes the guidance area 74. In this case, part of the main area 67 is hidden, but the main area 67 can be configured to be scrollable independently of the guidance area 74, so that the information can be confirmed.

[0069] The guidance area 74 may also be configured to be scrollable independently of the main area 67. In this case, it is more preferable that the content displayed on the screen in the main area 67 is displayed in the guidance area 74, and the displayed content in the guidance area 74 is switched along with the scrolling of the main area 67. The guidance area 74 can be made invisible by operating the x button on the screen or the like, and the main area 67 can be returned to being displayed on the entire display.

[0070] Furthermore, by selecting the display content of the guidance area 74, such as the menu button copy 68a or the menu explanation 68b, by touch operation or the like, the corresponding part of the main area 67, such as the menu button 68, may be highlighted by changing the color, frame shape, font, etc., or by generating an arrow from the touch operation location to the menu button, etc.

[0071] (Fire simulation guidance display in normal monitoring mode) Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the guidance display for a fire simulation on the normal monitoring screen. As shown in Figure 4, during normal monitoring by the receiver 10, a normal monitoring screen 66 is displayed on the display 36, as in Figure 3, and menu buttons 68, 70, and 72 are displayed in a main area 67.

[0072] In this state, if the guide switch 48 is pressed and held, the guidance area 74 at the bottom of the screen will display, regardless of the menu buttons 68, 70, and 72 displayed in the main area 67, pre-set menu information, such as a fire simulation guidance 78 for training the user in fire response operations using the receiver 10, a Yes button 78a, and a No button 78b, and if the Yes button 78a is pressed, a specified fire simulation will start on the screen.

[0073] (Indicator guidance in normal monitoring state) 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the indicator guidance display on the normal monitoring screen. As shown in FIG. 5, during normal monitoring of the receiver 10, the normal A monitoring screen 66 is displayed, with menu buttons 68, 70, and 72 displayed in a main area 67, and in addition, an indicator 80 is displayed at the top of the screen.

[0074] When the user operates the guide switch 48 while the indicator 80 is displayed, an indicator copy 80a and an indicator explanation 80b are displayed in the guidance area 74.

[0075] Here, indicator 80 is a simple display element that indicates some state or situation on the screen, and a predetermined symbol mark (character, figure, symbol, or a combination of these) is prepared in advance for each display element and displayed as an indicator.

[0076] The indicators in this embodiment show events that occur in the normal monitoring state of the receiver 10, and the types of indicators include signal line fault information, printer printing status, changes in receiver setting data, equipment fault information, equipment fault prediction information, and switch warnings that have been set to stop, and indicators using different symbol marks corresponding to each event are prepared in advance and stored in memory.

[0077] 5 indicates the printing status of the printer 56, for example, and indicates whether the printer is printing normally or whether printing has stopped, for example, by color-coding the indicator 80. If the indicator 80 indicates that the printer is malfunctioning, for example, and printing has stopped, guidance information such as "The printer is being set to stop printing" is displayed on the screen as the indicator explanation 80b.

[0078] [Fire Event Guidance] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the fire alarm screen when a fire event occurs. This screen transition is executed under the control of the fire alarm control unit 46 provided in the receiver 10.

[0079] (Guidance in the event of a fire) As shown in FIG. 6, when a fire event occurs due to the receiver 10 receiving a fire detection signal from the analog fire detector 14, the fire alarm control unit 46 displays a fire alarm screen 82 on the display 36 and simultaneously causes the audible alarm unit 42 to output a main audible alarm.

[0080] The first displayed fire alarm screen 82 displays a main sound stop guidance button 82a as the operation button for the first fire response operation. The main sound stop guidance button 82a is information that is the target of guidance, and therefore the fire alarm control unit 46 causes the guide switch 48 to flash to prompt the operation.

[0081] When the user operates the flashing guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 displays the following fire alarm screen 84 on the display 36. In addition to on-site confirmation guidance 84a, which is the fire response action, the fire alarm screen 84 also displays a fire outbreak button 84b and a non-fire button 84c as operation buttons for inputting the on-site confirmation results. The fire outbreak button 84b and non-fire button 84c are information that is the target of guidance, and for this reason the fire alarm control unit 46 flashes the guide switch 48 to encourage operation.

[0082] When the user operates the flashing guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 outputs audio guidance indicating the operation of the fire button 84b and the non-fire button 84c. This audio guidance may be, for example, "In the case of a fire, press the fire button. Guidance for when a fire occurs will be displayed. In the case of no fire, press the non-fire button. Guidance for when a non-fire occurs will be displayed." When the audio guidance is output, the guide switch 48 turns off.

[0083] (Guidance when confirming a fire) If a user who has gone to the scene confirms a fire, the user touches the fire occurrence button 84b on the fire alarm screen 84, which causes the fire alarm control unit 46 to display the next fire alarm screen 86 on the display 36. As a fire response operation, the fire alarm screen 86 displays operation guidance 86a for the fire determination switch 50 provided on the panel surface of Fig. 2. Because the operation guidance 86a for the fire determination switch 50 is information that is the subject of guidance, the fire alarm control unit 46 causes the guide switch 48 to flash to prompt the user to operate it.

[0084] When a user operates the flashing guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 outputs a voice message indicating the operation of the fire determination switch 50. For example, this voice message may read, "When the fire determination switch is pressed, the equipment that is in the start-up cutoff and alarm transfer stopped state will return to an operable state, and an alarm will sound in the building to notify the user of a fire."

[0085] When the fire determination switch 50 is operated, the fire alarm control unit 46 causes the display 36 to display the following fire alarm screen 88. The fire alarm screen 88 displays a guidance 88a indicating completion of operation of the fire determination switch 50 and a fire response reference button 88b. Because the fire response reference button 88b is information that is the subject of guidance, the fire alarm control unit 46 causes the guide switch 48 to flash to prompt operation.

[0086] When the user operates the flashing guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 outputs audio guidance indicating the operation details of the fire response reference button 88b. For example, this audio guidance may be "Press the fire response reference button to display how to respond in the event of a fire."

[0087] When the user touches the fire response reference button 88b on the fire alarm screen 88, the fire alarm control unit 46 displays the next fire alarm screen 90 on the display 36. The fire alarm screen 90 displays the fire guidance "Take the following measures and touch when complete," along with fire response buttons 90a, 90b, 90c, and 90d. Because the fire response buttons 90a, 90b, 90c, and 90d are information that is the subject of guidance, the fire alarm control unit 46 causes the guide switch 48 to flash to prompt operation.

[0088] When the user operates the flashing guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 outputs audio guidance indicating the operation details of the fire response buttons 90a, 90b, 90c, and 90d. This audio guidance may be, for example, "When you press each response button, a processed mark will be displayed. Please remain calm and take action one by one." Following this audio guidance, the user can efficiently and reliably proceed with all the necessary fire response measures.

[0089] (Guidance for when no fire is confirmed) If a user who follows the guidance on the fire alarm screen 84 goes to the scene and confirms that there is no fire, touches the non-fire button 84c on the fire alarm screen 84, which causes the fire alarm control unit 46 to display the next fire alarm screen 92 on the display 36. The fire alarm screen 92 displays guidance 92a on the non-fire confirmation result and a non-fire response reference button 92b. Because the non-fire response reference button 92b is information that is the subject of guidance, the fire alarm control unit 46 causes the guide switch 48 to flash to prompt operation.

[0090] When the user operates the flashing guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 outputs a voice message indicating the operation of the non-fire response reference button 92b. For example, this voice message may read, "Press the non-fire response button to display the response method in the event of a non-fire."

[0091] When the user touches the non-fire response reference button 92b on the fire alarm screen 92, the fire alarm control unit 46 displays the next fire alarm screen 94 on the display 36. The non-fire guidance message "Please take the following action" is displayed, and non-fire response buttons 94a, 94b, 94c, and 94d are displayed. Since the non-fire response buttons 94a, 94b, 94c, and 94d are information that is the subject of guidance, the fire alarm control unit 46 causes the guide switch 48 to flash to prompt the user to operate them.

[0092] When the user operates the flashing guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 outputs audio guidance indicating the response operation of the non-fire response buttons 94a, 94b, 94c, and 94d. For example, this audio guidance may be, "Press each response button to display details of the response method."

[0093] If the user wishes to restore the receiver 10, he or she touches the non-fire response button 94b on the fire alarm screen 94, which is labeled "Restore receiver," and the fire alarm control unit 46 displays the next fire alarm screen 96 on the display 36.

[0094] In addition to the guidance display "Please take the following measures," the fire alarm screen 96 displays recovery guidance 96a, which includes a recovery explanation 96b. The recovery explanation 96b may be, for example, "Once non-fire causes have been removed, pressing the recovery switch will return the system to normal."

[0095] Since the restoration guidance 96a is information that is the target of guidance, the fire alarm control unit 46 flashes the guide switch 48 to prompt the user to operate it. When the user operates the guide switch 48, the fire alarm control unit 46 outputs a voice message with the same content as the restoration explanation 96b. As mentioned above, the restoration switch is located inside the small door 55 in Figure 2.

[0096] By linking the transition of the fire alarm screen when a fire event occurs with the audio output of guidance indicating fire response operations and fire response actions by operating the guide switch 48, even if the user is placed in a situation where extreme tension is exerted when a fire event occurs and a fire alarm is output, and the user does not know what to do when necessary operations or actions must be taken quickly, by operating the guide switch 48 on the receiver panel, audio guidance on the fire response operations and fire response actions required at that time will be output, and the user will be able to correctly understand the main sound stop operation, on-site confirmation, fire confirmation operations and fire response actions when a fire is confirmed on-site, non-fire response operations when a non-fire is confirmed on-site, etc., and can take action quickly and reliably.

[0097] [Distributed Systems Guidance] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a distributed system made up of receivers and a relay panel. When the facility to be monitored is large-scale, for example, being divided into multiple buildings, as shown in Fig. 7, a relay panel 100 is installed for each building, for example, with a receiver 10 installed in a disaster prevention center, and the receivers 10 and the relay panel 100 are connected for communication by a network line 106 such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0098] Receiver 10 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1, whereas relay panel 100 has a configuration that excludes the operation and display functions including display 36, display unit 38, operation unit 40 and acoustic alarm unit 42 from receiver 10 in Fig. 1, but other than that it is basically the same as receiver 10, and terminal equipment including analog fire detectors 14 is connected to signal lines 102 drawn out to the alert area in the same way as receiver 10. Also, corresponding to fire alarm control unit 46 of receiver 10, relay panel 100 is provided with the function of relay panel control unit 104.

[0099] When the guide switch 48 is operated during normal monitoring, in which the display 36 is displaying information from the relay panel 100 necessary for fire monitoring, the fire alarm control unit 46 of the receiver 10 controls the display 36 to display on the screen predetermined information that is the subject of the guidance being displayed on the screen, such as guidance information corresponding to a menu or indicator.

[0100] In addition, when a fire event occurs in the relay panel 100 and a fire alarm is output, the fire alarm control unit 46 of the receiver 10 displays a guidance screen for the main sound stop operation, and when the main sound stop operation is performed, a guidance screen displaying on-site confirmation guidance, a fire outbreak button, and a non-fire button is displayed.When the fire outbreak button is operated, a guidance screen displaying guidance for the fire confirmation operation is displayed.When the fire confirmation operation is performed, a guidance screen displaying guidance for predetermined fire response actions is displayed.On the other hand, when the non-fire button is operated, a guidance screen displaying guidance for predetermined non-fire response actions is displayed.Furthermore, when the guide switch 48 is operated while each guidance screen is displayed, the guidance displayed on each guidance screen is output as sound by the acoustic alarm unit 42.

[0101] This allows the user to correctly understand the content of the information displayed on the relay panel 100, the countermeasure operations and actions, etc., through the guidance information, enabling the user to quickly and reliably perform countermeasure operations and actions on the relay panel 100.

[0102] [Modifications of the present invention] (P-type receiver) The above embodiment takes as an example a fire alarm system in which an R-type fire detector is connected via a signal line from an R-type receiver, but similarly, for a fire alarm system in which an addressable fire detector with a transmission function is connected and an address is set on the detector line drawn from a P-type receiver, a guide switch as a hardware switch is provided near the display on the receiver panel, and when information related to the receiver's fire monitoring is displayed on the display, if the user operates the guide switch, guidance information such as an explanation of the information displayed on the screen and action guides will be displayed on the screen, allowing the user to correctly understand the information displayed on the screen through the guidance information and to perform the necessary operations and response actions quickly and reliably.

[0103] (others) Furthermore, the present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited to the numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10: Receiver 12, 12-1 to 12-3: Signal line 14: Analog fire detector 16: Repeater 17: Sensor line 18: On / off fire detector 20: Transmitter 22: Addressable transmitter 24: Smoke prevention equipment 26: Main CPU 28-1 to 28-3: Sub-CPU board 30-1 to 30-3: Sub-CPU 32-1 to 32-3: Transmission section 34: Serial transfer bus 36: Display 38: Display section 40:Operation unit 42: Acoustic alarm section 44:Transfer Department 46: Fire alarm control unit 48: Guide switch 50: Fire detection switch 52: Main sound stop switch 54: District sound pause switch 56: Printer 58: Fire representative light 60: Gas leak indicator light 62: Acoustic hole 64: Telephone microphone 66: Normal monitoring screen 68, 70, 72: Menu buttons 74: Guidance Area 78: Fire Simulation Guidance 80: Indicator 80a: Indicator copy 80b: Indicator description 82,84,86,88,90,92,94,96: Fire alarm screen 82a: Main sound stop guidance button 84b: Fire alarm button 84c: Non-fire button 88b: Fire response reference button 90a~90d: Fire emergency button 92b: Non-fire reference button 94a~94d: Non-fire emergency buttons 96a: Recovery Guidance 100: Relay panel 104: Relay panel control unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A fire alarm system that monitors fires by connecting a fire detector to a receiver, The receiver includes: a display means for displaying predetermined information required for fire monitoring on a screen; a guide operation means having an illumination function; a control means for, when the guide operation means is operated, displaying on the screen guidance information corresponding to the predetermined information displayed on the screen by the display means; Equipped with The control means activating the illumination function when the guidance information displayed on the screen is information that is a guidance target; When the guide operation means is operated in a state in which the guidance information is displayed on the screen and the illumination function is activated in the event of a fire, guidance information different from the guidance information being displayed on the screen is displayed on the screen; A fire alarm system characterized in that when the guide operation means is operated while the different guidance information is displayed on the screen and the illumination function is activated, audio guidance corresponding to the different guidance information being displayed on the screen is output.

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