Alarm system
The alarm system addresses the issue of detectors resetting upon power restoration by using a memory and notification system to ensure continued transmission of abnormality signals, enabling effective detection and handling of pre-existing issues.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing detectors that detect abnormalities reset their status to normal upon power restoration, leading to incorrect signals being transmitted, which can mask previous equipment abnormalities and prevent appropriate handling.
An alarm system with a detector that includes a memory unit to store status information, an initialization unit to reset to a normal state upon power restoration, a notification unit to signal power restoration, and a transmission unit to send status information at a predetermined timing, along with a reporting device that restricts processing based on received status information within a predetermined time.
Ensures recognition of pre-existing equipment abnormalities even after power restoration, allowing for appropriate handling of issues by continuing to transmit abnormality signals until confirmed normal operation is verified.
Smart Images
Figure 0007829022000001 
Figure 0007829022000002 
Figure 0007829022000003
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting the state of a detector that detects an abnormality to an external device. [Background technology]
[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known a technique for periodically transmitting a signal between a master unit and slave units of a fire alarm to check whether each unit is operating normally (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5478316 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Some detectors that detect abnormalities recognize their own status and transmit a signal indicating this status to a reporting device. However, when the power to the detector is turned back on, the equipment status recognized by the detector is initialized to a normal state. Therefore, if a signal indicating the equipment status is transmitted from the detector immediately after the power is turned back on, the signal indicating the normal state will be transmitted regardless of whether or not there is an equipment abnormality in the detector. Upon receiving this signal, the reporting device recognizes that the detector is normal and performs processing such as stopping the output of the reporting signal. When this processing is performed, the device to which the reporting signal is output will not be able to recognize the equipment abnormality in the detector that occurred before the power was turned back on. As a result, there is a risk that the equipment abnormality in the detector will not be dealt with appropriately.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to recognize an equipment abnormality in a detector that occurred before the power was turned on again, even after the power of the detector that detects the abnormality is turned on again. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides an alarm system comprising a detector that detects abnormalities and a reporting device, wherein the detector has a memory unit that stores status information of the detector, an initialization unit that initializes the status information to one indicating a normal status when the detector is powered back on, a notification unit that notifies the reporting device that the power has been powered back on when the power has been powered back on, and a transmission unit that transmits the status information to the reporting device at a predetermined timing, and the reporting device has a reporting output unit that outputs a reporting signal to an external device in accordance with the received status information, and a restriction unit that restricts the processing of the reporting output unit in accordance with the status information received within a predetermined time from the time the power has been notified that it has been powered back on. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, even after the power supply of a detector that detects an abnormality is turned on again, it is possible to recognize an equipment abnormality in the detector that occurred before the power supply was turned on again. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an alarm system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an alarm device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a report transfer device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation when a device abnormality occurs in the parent device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] 1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an alarm system 1 according to this embodiment. The alarm system 1 is a system that issues a fire alarm in cooperation within a group. The alarm system 1 comprises a plurality of alarm devices 10 that function as slave devices (hereinafter referred to as "slave devices 10a"), an alarm device 10 that functions as a master device (hereinafter referred to as "master device 10b"), and a report transfer device 20. In the following explanation, the slave devices 10a and master device 10b will also be referred to collectively as the alarm device 10. The slave devices 10a, master device 10b, and report transfer device 20 belong to the same group, and are connected wirelessly. The report transfer device 20 is connected via a signal line 40 to an external device 30 that is not included in the alarm system 1. The number of slave devices 10a shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and is not limited to this.
[0010] The alarm device 10 is installed on the ceiling or wall of a building under management, such as a home, commercial building, or office building, and detects fires and issues an alarm. The alarm device 10 may be any device that detects fires and issues an alarm, such as a residential fire alarm or fire sensor. A fire is an example of an abnormality according to the present invention. The alarm device 10 is an example of a detector according to the present invention. The master unit 10b is installed in a position where it can communicate wirelessly with multiple slave units 10a and the report transmission device 20, and transfers signals received from the slave units 10a to the report transmission device 20.
[0011] When the report transfer device 20 receives a signal indicating the detection of a fire in the alarm device 10, it outputs a report to the external device 30. The report transfer device 20 also outputs a report to the external device 30 when it receives a signal indicating the detection of an abnormality other than a fire, such as a malfunction of the alarm device 10 itself. This report transfer output refers to the transmission of an alarm. Note that in this embodiment, the report transfer device 20 itself does not detect fires.
[0012] The external device 30 is a control device that is managed and operated, for example, in a caretaker's office, and monitors the building under management. When a report is output from the report transmission device 20, the external device 30 performs processing in response to this report transmission output. This processing is, for example, processing that transmits a signal to a control center of a management company that manages the building in response to the report transmission output from the report transmission device 20. Note that the external device 30 may be operated by connecting to an alarm device such as an additional buzzer or flashlight, smoke control devices such as shutters or fire doors, or a home information panel of an intercom system. The processing in response to the report transmission output is not limited to processing that transmits a signal, and may be any processing.
[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the alarm device 10. The alarm device 10 comprises a control unit 101, a memory unit 102, a communication unit 103, an operation unit 104, a display unit 105, a sound output unit 106, a fire detection unit 107, and a power supply unit 108. The various units of the alarm device 10 are connected via a bus or power supply line.
[0014] The control unit 101 controls each unit of the alarm device and performs various processes. The control unit 101 includes one or more processors, such as a CPU, which execute programs stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 includes volatile memory, such as RAM, and non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EEPROM, and flash memory. Status information for the alarm device itself is stored in the volatile memory. Status information is information indicating the status of the alarm device itself, and indicates either a normal state or an abnormal device state. Furthermore, status information for all of the alarm devices 10 within the group is stored in the volatile memory of the master unit 10b. Programs for implementing the functions of the alarm device, the address of the alarm device itself, and the group ID are stored in the non-volatile memory. This address is a number that uniquely identifies each alarm device 10 within a group. Consecutive addresses are set in advance for multiple alarm devices 10 belonging to the same group. The communication unit 103 is a communication interface for wireless communication with other devices in accordance with a wireless communication standard. The communication unit 103 includes, for example, an antenna and a transmission / reception circuit.
[0015] The operation unit 104 is used by an operator for operation. The operation unit 104 includes, for example, operation buttons. The display unit 105 displays various information. The display unit 105 includes multiple LEDs with different light colors, and various information is indicated by the lighting patterns of each LED. The sound output unit 106 outputs various alarm sounds and voice messages. The sound output unit 106 includes, for example, a speaker. The fire detection unit 107 detects a fire by measuring physical quantities that change with a fire. The fire detection method is, for example, a photoelectric method or a constant temperature method. In the case of a photoelectric method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the ambient smoke concentration. In the case of a constant temperature method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the ambient temperature. Note that the fire detection method is not limited to a photoelectric method or a constant temperature method, and may be any method that can detect a fire, such as an infrared method or a combined method. The power supply unit 108 supplies power to each component of the device. The power supply unit 108 includes, for example, a battery and a power supply circuit. In the following description, a state in which power is supplied from the power supply unit 108 is referred to as "power on," and a state in which power is not supplied is referred to as "power off."
[0016] The control unit 101 of the alarm device 10 functions as an abnormality detection unit 111, an alarm control unit 112, an update unit 113, a transmission unit 114, and a notification unit 115. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 101 executing a program stored in the storage unit 102, performing calculations, or controlling each unit of the device itself.
[0017] The abnormality detection unit 111 checks the status of the device at predetermined time intervals and detects any abnormalities in the device itself. Types of device abnormalities include, for example, dead battery, sensor abnormality, and radio wave abnormality. Dead battery indicates a state in which the remaining battery power is low. Sensor abnormality indicates a state in which there is an abnormality in the output of the fire detection unit 107. Radio wave abnormality indicates a state in which there is an abnormality in the wireless communication between the device itself and other devices.
[0018] When an equipment abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111, the alarm control unit 112 outputs an alarm notifying the occurrence of the equipment abnormality from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106. For example, the alarm control unit 112 outputs a voice message from the sound output unit 106 and lights up the LED of the display unit 105 according to a predetermined lighting pattern.
[0019] When an equipment abnormality is detected by abnormality detection unit 111, update unit 113 updates the status information stored in memory unit 102 to one indicating an equipment abnormality. Furthermore, update unit 113 of master unit 10b updates the status information of slave unit 10a stored in memory unit 102 in response to an equipment abnormality signal or a periodic signal received from slave unit 10a. Furthermore, when the power is turned on again, update unit 113 initializes the status information stored in memory unit 102 to one indicating a normal state. Update unit 113 is an example of an initialization unit according to the present invention.
[0020] The transmitting unit 114 transmits the status information stored in the storage unit 102 at a predetermined timing. For example, the transmitting unit 114 transmits a periodic signal including the status information stored in the storage unit 102 at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, when the abnormality detection unit 111 detects an equipment abnormality, the transmitting unit 114 transmits an equipment abnormality signal including the status information stored in the storage unit 102.
[0021] When the power is turned back on, the notification unit 115 notifies the report transfer device 20 that the power has been turned back on. "Power is turned back on" means that the power has been turned off once and then turned back on. For example, the notification unit 115 notifies the report transfer device 20 that the power has been turned back on by transmitting a battery connection signal notifying that the power has been turned back on.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the report transmission device 20. The report transmission device 20 comprises a control unit 201, a memory unit 202, a communication unit 203, an operation unit 204, a display unit 205, a sound output unit 206, a report transmission output unit 207, and a power supply unit 208. The various units of the report transmission device 20 are connected via a bus or a power line. The control unit 201, the memory unit 202, the communication unit 203, the operation unit 204, the display unit 205, the sound output unit 206, and the power supply unit 208 are basically the same as the control unit 101, the memory unit 102, the communication unit 103, the operation unit 104, the display unit 105, the sound output unit 106, and the power supply unit 108 of the alarm device 10, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. However, the memory unit 202 stores information such as the group ID required for receiving abnormality information such as a fire that has occurred within a group.
[0023] When an equipment abnormality occurs in the alarm device 10, the alarm output unit 207 outputs an alarm signal to the external device 30, reporting the occurrence of an equipment abnormality. The alarm output unit 207 includes a contact that is connected to the external device 30. This contact is, for example, a break contact, and is normally closed. In this example, the alarm output unit 207 includes a contact relay, but it may also include a contactless relay.
[0024] The control unit 201 functions as a receiving unit 211, an alarm control unit 212, a contact control unit 213, and a limiting unit 214. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 201 executing a program stored in the storage unit 202 to perform calculations or control each unit of the device itself.
[0025] The receiving unit 211 receives the device abnormality signal and the periodic signal. The receiving unit 211 may receive these signals directly from the slave unit 10a or the master unit 10b, or may receive signals transferred by the master unit 10b.
[0026] If the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that an equipment abnormality has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 within a group, the alarm control unit 212 causes the display unit 205 to output an alarm related to the equipment abnormality. At this time, the alarm control unit 212 may display different alarms depending on the type of equipment abnormality. For example, the alarm control unit 212 lights up the LED included in the display unit 205 in accordance with different lighting patterns that are predetermined for each type of equipment abnormality.
[0027] The contact control unit 213 controls the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207 in response to signals received by the receiving unit 211. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts by utilizing the electromagnetic force of a coil that pairs with the contacts. If the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that an equipment abnormality has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 within the group, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the alarm transfer output unit 207, and causes the report output unit 207 to output an alarm transfer signal that notifies the external device 30 that an equipment abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. Furthermore, if the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that the status of all alarm devices 10 within the group has returned to normal, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the report output unit 207, and stops the output of this report transfer signal.
[0028] The restriction unit 214 sets a prohibition time based on the time when the base unit 10b notifies the base unit 10b that the power has been turned back on, and restricts the processing of the report output unit 207 in response to a signal received within the prohibition time. For example, the restriction unit 214 invalidates a signal received within the prohibition time and prohibits processing in response to that signal. The prohibition time is set in advance to include, for example, the time when the first periodic signal transmitted for the first time after the base unit 10b is turned back on is received. The prohibition time is an example of a predetermined time according to the present invention. Furthermore, the restriction unit 214 permits processing in response to a signal received after the prohibition time has elapsed.
[0029] 2.Operation 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation when a device abnormality occurs in the master unit 10b. This operation is started when the master unit 10b detects a device abnormality in its own device.
[0030] In step S11, when an equipment abnormality occurs in the parent device 10b, the abnormality detection unit 111 of the parent device 10b detects this equipment abnormality. Specifically, the abnormality detection unit 111 checks the state of the parent device at predetermined time intervals. Here, an example will be described in which the battery of the parent device 10b has run out. The abnormality detection unit 111 determines, at predetermined time intervals, whether the battery voltage value is equal to or greater than a predetermined operating voltage value of the parent device 10b. If it is determined that the battery voltage value is less than the operating voltage value a predetermined number of times in succession, the abnormality detection unit 111 detects that the battery has run out.
[0031] In step S12, the alarm control unit 112 of the parent device 10b causes the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to output an alarm informing the user of the occurrence of a device abnormality. At this time, the alarm control unit 112 causes different alarms to be output depending on the type of device abnormality. In this example, since a dead battery is detected, the alarm control unit 112 causes the sound output unit 106 to output a voice message saying "Battery is dead" and causes the LED of the display unit 105 to flash once at a predetermined flashing cycle.
[0032] In step S13, the update unit 113 of the parent device 10b updates the status information of the parent device 10b stored in the storage unit 102 to indicate an abnormality in the device. In this example, the status information of the parent device 10b stored in the storage unit 102 is updated to indicate a dead battery. Note that the storage unit 102 also stores status information of the child device 10a included in the group in addition to the status information of the parent device 10b, but in this example, the status information of the child device 10a indicates a normal state.
[0033] In step S14, the transmitter 114 of the base unit 10b wirelessly transmits a device abnormality signal including the status information of the base unit 10b stored in the memory unit 102. Note that the processes of steps S12 to S14 may be performed in any order, or may be performed in parallel. This device abnormality signal includes information indicating the type of abnormality. In addition, this device abnormality signal is accompanied by the address of the base unit 10b and a group ID so that other devices belonging to the same group can know which device has experienced the abnormality. The status information included in this device abnormality signal is an example of first status information according to the present invention. The receiver 211 of the report transfer device 20 receives the device abnormality signal transferred from the base unit 10b because the group ID included in the device abnormality signal matches the group ID stored in the memory unit 202.
[0034] In step S15, the alarm control section 212 of the report transfer device 20 causes the display section 205 to output an alarm notifying the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the alarm device 10. In this example, the type of abnormality is a dead battery, so the alarm control section 212 causes the LED of the display section 205 to flash once in a specified flashing cycle.
[0035] In step S16, the contact control section 213 of the alarm transmission device 20 controls the contacts of the alarm transmission output section 207, causing the report output section 207 to output a report signal, reporting that an equipment abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10, to the external device 30. Output of this report signal continues until the equipment abnormality is resolved. For example, under normal circumstances, the contacts are closed, and current flows to the external device 30. However, when an equipment abnormality signal is received, the contact control section 213 switches the contacts to an open state. When the contacts are switched to an open state, continuity between both ends of the contacts is lost, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. This allows the external device 30 to recognize that an equipment abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. The external device 30 then sends a signal indicating the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the alarm device 10, for example, to a control center of the management company. This allows the management company to recognize that an equipment abnormality has occurred in an alarm device 10 installed in a building under its management, and allows workers to move to the building under management to deal with the equipment abnormality.
[0036] Here, let's assume that a general user in the building under management removes and inserts the battery in the master unit 10b before the worker arrives, causing the master unit 10b to temporarily recover from its dead battery state. The master unit 10b holds status information for the alarm devices 10, but as this status information is stored in the volatile memory of the storage unit 102, it is erased when the power is turned off due to the battery being removed and inserted. When the power to the master unit 10b is turned back on in step S17, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b initializes the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in step S18. As a result of this initialization, status information indicating a normal state for all of the alarm devices 10 included in the group is stored in the volatile memory of the storage unit 102.
[0037] In step S19, the notification unit 115 of the parent device 10b wirelessly transmits a battery connection signal notifying that the power has been turned back on. This battery connection signal includes the address of the parent device 10b and the group ID so that other devices in the same group can know which device has been turned back on. The receiving unit 211 of the report transfer device 20 receives the battery connection signal transmitted from the parent device 10b because the group ID included in the battery connection signal matches the group ID stored in the memory unit 202.
[0038] In step S20, the limiting unit 214 of the report transfer device 20 sets a prohibition time for limiting processing in response to the periodic signal received from the master device 10b, based on the time when the battery connection signal is received. The prohibition time is, for example, a first time from the time when the battery connection signal is received.
[0039] In step S21, the transmitter 114 of the parent unit 10b wirelessly transmits an initial periodic signal when a second time has elapsed since the battery connection signal was transmitted. Here, the above-mentioned first time is set in advance to a time that is longer than the second time, and shorter than the time from when the battery connection signal is transmitted until the second periodic signal is transmitted. As described above, when the parent unit 10b is powered back on, the status information is initialized, and the memory unit 102 stores status information indicating a normal state for all alarm devices 10. Therefore, the initial periodic signal contains status information indicating a normal state for all alarm devices 10. The status information contained in this periodic signal is an example of second status information according to the present invention. Furthermore, the address and group ID of the parent unit 10b are added to the periodic signal so that other devices belonging to the same group can determine which device transmitted the periodic signal. The receiver 211 of the report transfer device 20 receives the periodic signal from the parent unit 10b, as the group ID contained in the battery connection signal matches the group ID stored in the memory unit 202.
[0040] In step S22, the limiting unit 214 of the report transfer device 20 limits the processing of the report transfer output unit 207 in response to the periodic signal because the first periodic signal is received within the prohibited time. For example, when a report transfer signal is being output from the report transfer output unit 207, the limiting unit 214 discards the periodic signal received by the receiving unit 211 and prohibits the output of the report transfer signal in response to the status information contained in the periodic signal. When the periodic signal is discarded, the contact control unit 213 does not control the contact in response to the periodic signal. When the contact control unit 213 does not control the contact, the connection state of the contact of the report transfer output unit 207 does not change, and the output of the report transfer signal continues.
[0041] When a third time has elapsed since the initial periodic signal was transmitted, the next periodic signal is transmitted from the parent unit 10b to the report transmission device 20 (step S23). Here, it is assumed that an employee arrives, replaces the battery in the parent unit 10b, and that all of the alarm devices 10 have returned to a normal state between the transmission of the initial periodic signal and the transmission of the next periodic signal. In this case, the next periodic signal contains status information indicating a normal state for all of the alarm devices 10. Because the next periodic signal is received after the prohibition time has elapsed, the restriction unit 214 of the report transmission device 20 permits processing by the report transmission output unit 207 in response to this periodic signal. As a result, processing in response to this periodic signal is carried out (step S24). For example, the restriction unit 214 causes this periodic signal to be supplied to the contact control unit 213 without discarding it. If a report transmission signal is being output from the report transmission output unit 207, the contact control unit 213 stops output of the report transmission signal from the report transmission output unit 207. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the contacts of the report transmission output unit 207 to the normal closed state. When the contact switches to the closed state, both ends of the contact become conductive and current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the alarm device 10 has recovered from its device abnormality.
[0042] Generally, when an equipment abnormality occurs in the alarm device 10, the management company must have an employee go to the installation location of the alarm device 10 to deal with the equipment abnormality and confirm that the alarm device 10 has returned to normal. For this reason, it is preferable for the output of a report transfer signal from the report transfer device 20 to continue until the employee confirms that the alarm device 10 has returned to normal. According to the embodiment described above, even if the power to the master unit 10b is turned back on while a report transfer signal is being output from the report transfer device 20 in response to an equipment abnormality that has occurred in the master unit 10b, the output of the report transfer signal will continue regardless of a periodic signal received from the master unit 10b within the prohibited time. For this reason, even after the power to the master unit 10b has been turned back on, the management company will be able to recognize and appropriately deal with an equipment abnormality in the master unit 10b that occurred before the power to the master unit 10b was turned on.
[0043] 3. Variations The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiment may be modified as in the following modified examples. The embodiment and the modified examples may be used in combination, or may be switched depending on the implementation. Similarly, the following modified examples may be used in combination, or may be switched depending on the implementation.
[0044] Variation 1 In the embodiment described above, the report transfer device 20 may also detect an equipment abnormality in the base unit 10b. As described above, the base unit 10b transmits periodic signals to the report transfer device 20 at specified time intervals. If this periodic signal is no longer transmitted at the specified time interval, it can be said that an equipment abnormality has occurred in the base unit 10b. Therefore, if the report transfer device 20 does not receive a periodic signal from the base unit 10b for a predetermined continuous period of time that is longer than the specified time interval, it will detect an equipment abnormality in the base unit 10b. When an equipment abnormality in the base unit 10b is detected, the report transfer device 20 performs the processing from step S15 onwards described above. In step S16, a report transfer signal is output to the external device 30, notifying the external device 30 that an equipment abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. Even with this variant, it is possible to recognize an equipment abnormality that occurred in the base unit 10b before the power was turned back on after the power to the base unit 10b is turned back on.
[0045] Variation 2 In the above-described embodiment, the report transfer device 20 may output a report transfer signal in response to an equipment abnormality in the slave device 10a. When the abnormality detection unit 111 of the slave device 10a detects an equipment abnormality, the alarm control unit 112 of the slave device 10a outputs an alarm notifying the occurrence of the equipment abnormality. The update unit 113 of the slave device 10a updates the status information stored in the memory unit 102 to one indicating the equipment abnormality. The transmission unit 114 of the slave device 10a wirelessly transmits an equipment abnormality signal including the status information stored in the memory unit 102. Upon receiving this equipment abnormality signal, the update unit 113 of the master device 10b updates the status information of the slave device 10a stored in the memory unit 102 to one indicating the equipment abnormality. Furthermore, the transmission unit 114 of the master device 10b wirelessly transfers the equipment abnormality signal to the report transfer device 20. Upon receiving this equipment abnormality signal, the report transfer device 20 performs the processes from step S15 onwards. In step S16, an alarm transfer signal reporting the occurrence of a device abnormality in the alarm device 10 is output to the external device 30. In step S18, the status information stored in the memory unit 102 is initialized, and therefore in step S21 a periodic signal containing status information indicating a normal status is transmitted for the slave unit 10a in which a device abnormality has occurred. However, as in the embodiment described above, in step S22 processing in response to this periodic signal is restricted, and so output of the alarm transfer signal continues.
[0046] Furthermore, the transmitter 114 of the slave 10a wirelessly transmits a periodic signal at a predetermined time interval. This predetermined time interval is shorter than the transmission interval of the periodic signal between the master 10b and the report transfer device 20. This periodic signal includes status information of the slave 10a stored in the memory 102. If the periodic signal received from the slave 10a includes status information indicating an equipment abnormality, the alarm control unit 112 of the master 10b may cause the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to output an alarm notifying the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the slave 10a. Furthermore, the update unit 113 of the master 10b updates the status information of the slave 10a stored in the memory 102 in response to the periodic signal. For example, if the periodic signal includes status information indicating an equipment abnormality, the update unit 113 updates the status information of the slave 10a stored in the memory 102 to information indicating an equipment abnormality. When a specified time interval has elapsed since the previous transmission of a periodic signal, the transmitter 114 of the master unit 10b wirelessly transfers the periodic signal to the report transfer device 20. This periodic signal contains status information for the alarm devices 10 within the group that is stored in the memory unit 102. When the report transfer device 20 receives this periodic signal, if the status information included in the periodic signal indicates that an equipment abnormality has occurred in at least one alarm device 10, it carries out processing from step S15 onwards. In step S16, a report transfer signal notifying the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in an alarm device 10 is output to the external device 30. In step S18, the status information stored in the memory unit 102 is initialized, and therefore in step S21 a periodic signal containing status information indicating a normal state is transmitted for the slave unit 10a in which an equipment abnormality occurred. However, as in the embodiment described above, in step S22 processing in response to this periodic signal is restricted, and so output of the report transfer signal continues.
[0047] According to this modified example, even if a periodic signal indicating that the slave unit 10a is normal is sent from the master unit 10b after the master unit 10b has been powered back on after an equipment abnormality has occurred in the slave unit 10a, the output of the transmission signal from the transmission device 20 continues, thereby preventing the slave unit 10a from being mistakenly recognized as being in a normal state despite the fact that there is an equipment abnormality in the slave unit 10a.
[0048] Variation 3 In the above-described embodiment, even if a periodic signal is received within the prohibited time, processing may be performed in accordance with the periodic signal depending on its content. For example, consider a case in which an equipment abnormality signal is transmitted from the slave unit 10a to the master unit 10b between the time the master unit 10b's power is turned back on and the time the master unit 10b transmits a battery connection signal. In this case, this equipment abnormality signal causes the status information of this slave unit 10a stored in the memory unit 102 of the master unit 10b to be updated to indicate an equipment abnormality, and therefore the initial periodic signal contains status information indicating an equipment abnormality. Even if the initial periodic signal is received within the prohibited time, the restriction unit 214 of the report transmission device 20 may permit output of a report transmission signal in accordance with the periodic signal if the status information contained in this periodic signal indicates an equipment abnormality. When output of a report transmission signal is permitted by the restriction unit 214, a report transmission signal notifying the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the alarm device 10 is output from the report transmission output unit 207 to the external device 30.
[0049] Furthermore, let us consider the case where an equipment abnormality in the parent unit 10b is detected between the time the parent unit 10b is powered back on and the time a battery connection signal is transmitted from the parent unit 10b. In this case, the detection of this equipment abnormality causes the status information of the parent unit 10b stored in the memory unit 102 of the parent unit 10b to be updated to indicate an equipment abnormality, and therefore the initial periodic signal includes status information indicating the equipment abnormality. Even if the initial periodic signal is received within the prohibited time, the restriction unit 214 of the report transmission device 20 may permit the output of a report transmission signal in response to the periodic signal if the status information included in this periodic signal indicates an equipment abnormality. When the restriction unit 214 permits the output of a report transmission signal, a report transmission signal reporting the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the alarm device 10 is output from the report transmission output unit 207 to the external device 30.
[0050] In this way, if the status information included in a periodic signal received within the prohibited time indicates a normal status, then no processing is carried out in accordance with that periodic signal, and if it indicates an equipment abnormality, then processing is carried out in accordance with that status information. According to this modified example, if an equipment abnormality occurs in the alarm device 10 between the time the power to the parent unit 10b is restored and the time a battery connection signal is sent from the parent unit 10b, it is possible to notify the external device 30 of the occurrence of this equipment abnormality.
[0051] Variation 4 In the above-described embodiment, when the report transfer device 20 is installed within the wireless communication range of the slave device 10a, the signal transmitted from the slave device 10a reaches the report transfer device 20 as is. In this case, the report transfer device 20 may receive the signal directly from the slave device 10a and perform processing according to the received signal.
[0052] Variation 5 The fire detector according to the present invention is not limited to the alarm device 10, and does not necessarily have to issue an alarm. For example, the fire detector may be a sensor or fire sensor that does not have an alarm function.
[0053] Variation 6 In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the example described above. The alarm system 1 may be configured to include one or more of the devices described above, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices. For example, the alarm system 1 does not necessarily have to include the slave unit 10a and master unit 10b, and may include multiple alarm devices 10 without any distinction between them. The alarm devices 10 and alarm transmission devices 20 may also be configured to include one or more of the components described above, or may not include some of the components. The alarm transmission output unit 207 may have any circuit configuration as long as it is capable of realizing the function of the alarm transmission output unit 207. The alarm transmission output unit 207 may be configured to include one or more of the circuit elements described above, or may be configured to exclude some of the circuit elements. For example, the contact of the alarm transmission output unit 207 may be a make contact or a transfer contact, or the alarm transmission output unit 207 may have multiple contacts. If the contact of the alarm transmission output unit 207 is a make contact, the contact is normally open and no current flows to the external device 30. However, when an equipment abnormality signal is received, the contact control unit 213 switches the contact to a closed state. When the contact switches to a closed state, continuity is established between both ends of the contact, and current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that an equipment abnormality has occurred in the alarm device 10. Furthermore, when halting the output of the alarm signal, the contact control unit 213 switches the contact of the alarm output unit 207 to the normal open state. When the contact switches to an open state, continuity is lost between both ends of the contact, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the alarm device 10 has recovered from the equipment abnormality. If the contact of the report output unit 207 is a break contact, as in the embodiment described above, a report signal is output, notifying that current has stopped flowing to the external device 30. On the other hand, if the contact of the report output unit 207 is a make contact, as in this modified example, a current flows to the external device 30, and a report signal is output, notifying that an equipment abnormality has occurred. Furthermore, the destination in which the status information for the alarm devices 10 in the group is stored in the master unit 10b does not necessarily have to be volatile memory, but may also be non-volatile memory.Even with this configuration, if the status information stored in the non-volatile memory is initialized to indicate a normal state when the power of the parent unit 10b is turned back on, the same problem as in the above-mentioned embodiment may occur, and therefore processing similar to that in the above-mentioned embodiment may be performed.
[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 101 of the alarm device 10 includes circuitry such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA, and at least some of the functions of the alarm device 10 may be realized by this circuitry. Similarly, the control unit 201 of the report transfer device 20 also includes this circuitry, and at least some of the functions of the report transfer device 20 may be realized by this circuitry.
[0055] Variation 7 In the above-described embodiment, the operation of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the above-described example. The order of the processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be changed as long as there is no contradiction. Furthermore, some of the processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be omitted.
[0056] Variation 8 Another aspect of the present invention may provide a method having processing steps performed in at least one of the alarm system 1, the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the report transfer device 20. Furthermore, yet another aspect of the present invention may provide a program executed in the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the report transfer device 20. This program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided by downloading via the Internet or the like.
[0057] Variation 9 The present invention may also be applied to systems that issue alarms for the occurrence of phenomena other than fires. In this modification, the alarm device 10 may be a gas alarm, a motion sensor, or another device that detects and issues an alarm for phenomena other than fires. Gas alarms, motion sensors, and other devices that detect and issue an alarm for phenomena other than fires are also examples of detectors according to the present invention. In short, the detector according to the present invention may be any device that detects an abnormality. This abnormality is not limited to fire, and may be any abnormality, such as a gas leak or the intrusion of a suspicious person. [Explanation of symbols]
[0058] 1: alarm system, 10: alarm device, 20: report transfer device, 30: external device, 111: abnormality detection unit, 112: alarm control unit, 113: update unit, 114: transmission unit, 115: notification unit, 207: report transfer output unit, 211: reception unit, 212: alarm control unit, 213: contact control unit, 214: restriction unit
Claims
1. An alarm system comprising a detector that detects an abnormality, a device that can communicate with the detector, and a reporting device, The device comprises: a storage unit that stores state information of the detector; an initialization unit that initializes the status information to indicate a normal status when the power of the device is turned on again; a notification unit that notifies the report transfer device that the power supply is turned on again when the power supply is turned on again; a second transmitting unit that transmits the status information stored in the storage unit to the report transfer device, The report transfer device is a signal transfer output unit that outputs a signal transfer signal to an external device in response to the received status information; a limiting unit that limits processing of the signal transfer output unit according to the status information received within a predetermined time from the time when the power is turned on again; Alarm system.
2. The detector comprises: a first transmission unit that transmits state information of the detector to the device at a predetermined first timing; the storage unit stores the status information received from the detector; The second transmission unit transmits the status information stored in the storage unit to the report transfer device at a predetermined second timing. The alarm system of claim 1 .
3. The storage unit further stores status information of the device, when the power is turned on again, the initialization unit initializes the status information of the detector and the status information of the device stored in the storage unit to information indicating the normal status; the second transmission unit transmits the status information of the detector and the status information of the device stored in the storage unit to the report transfer device at the predetermined second timing; the report output unit outputs the report signal to the external device in accordance with the received status information of the detector and the status information of the device; The limiting unit limits processing of the signal transfer output unit according to the status information of the detector and the status information of the device received within the predetermined time from the time when the power is turned back on.
3. The alarm system of claim 2.
4. the first transmission unit transmits the status information of the detector to the device at first time intervals; the second transmission unit transmits the status information stored in the storage unit to the report transfer device at second time intervals; The first time interval is shorter than the second time interval.
4. An alarm system according to claim 2 or 3.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Quenching of steel pipe
JP1979078316A
Alarm
JP2009163723A
Repeater
JP2011053751A
Radio device for disaster prevention
JP2011113113A