Perceptor

Abstract

To send, to an external apparatus, test information including plural types of information by using lighting of an indicating light of a sensor.SOLUTION: A shifting unit 111 shifts a mode of an own unit to a monitor mode when a sensor 14 detects a target showing a fire, and shifts the mode of the own unit to a test mode when a reception unit 15 receives a start signal. An instruction unit 113 issues an instruction to a warning unit 16 when occurrence of a fire is determined, and causes the warning unit to issue a notification of occurrence of the fire. The instruction unit 113 controls the indicating light 13 and causes the indicating light to indicate a fire alert by lighting. A generation unit 114 generates test information 122 according to the determined mode of the own unit. A coding unit 115 line-encodes the test information 122 generated by the generation unit 114. A transmission unit 116 converts the line-encoded test information 122 into a flashing pattern of the indicating light 13 and sends the test information 122 to a test unit 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring information from a detector that senses a fire.

Background Art

[0002] When a detector that senses a fire operates, an indicator light called a confirmation light is lit to identify the operating detector. This indicator light is mainly visually confirmed by people, but when the detector is operated for regular inspection, etc., the lighting state of this indicator light may be detected by a test device for inspection to grasp the state of the detector.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a fire detector including a microcomputer that determines the sensitivity of a light-emitting circuit and a light-receiving circuit based on the output of the light-receiving circuit, and causes a fire indicator light to emit light at least three times at time intervals corresponding to the sensitivities of the light-emitting circuit and the light-receiving circuit in one output of an operation signal.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a test device that receives the light output when the indicator light of a detector is lit and detects the state regarding the detection of an abnormality by the detector based on the received light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, the information indicating the state of the detector has various contents in addition to the distinction between abnormal and normal and the scalar value of the sensitivity.

[0007] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the fire indicator light must fix the time interval between two consecutive flashes and set the time interval between the other two consecutive flashes to a time corresponding to the sensitivity of the detector's detection unit, and must flash at least three times. Furthermore, in this technology, the sensitivity testing device for testing the sensitivity of the fire detector must wait for the fixed time interval and the time interval corresponding to the sensitivity to elapse between the three flashes. Moreover, in this technology, the fire indicator light can only convey a single scalar value indicating sensitivity through three flashes.

[0008] Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 merely determines whether or not the indicator light of the sensor lit up within the judgment time. In other words, this technology does not embody information in the illumination operation of the indicator light or anything like that.

[0009] The present invention aims to transmit test information containing multiple types of information to an external device by utilizing the illumination of an indicator light on a sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a detector having, in one embodiment, an indicator light that lights up when a fire is detected and a fire alarm is triggered, and a control unit that, when the sensor detects an object, lights up the indicator light to indicate that the object has been detected, generates test information relating to the test, and transmits the test information by encoding it using the flashing pattern of the indicator light, wherein the test information includes sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of the sensor and / or identification information of the device itself. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, test information containing multiple types of information is transmitted to an external device by utilizing the illumination of the indicator light of the sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A diagram showing one example of the overall configuration of the detector testing system 9. [Figure 2] A diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of the detector testing system 9. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of sensor 1. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of Mode Table 121. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the structure of test information 122. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of sensor 1. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a serial signal indicating test information 122. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating an example of the operation flow of sensor 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [Embodiment] [Overall configuration of the detector testing system] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the detector testing system 9. The detector testing system 9 includes one or more detectors 1, one or more testers 2a, and a receiver 3. The detector testing system 9 is a system that tests the detector 1 with the tester 2a and allows the tester 2a to acquire the test information accumulated by the detector 1.

[0014] Detector 1 is a device that detects fire and triggers a fire alarm, and in the illustrated example, it is installed on ceiling C. Tester 2a is a device that tests detector 1 and acquires test information from detector 1.

[0015] Receiver 3 is installed in a control room or similar location and is electrically connected to each of the one or more detectors 1 installed in the monitoring area. Receiver 3 is a device that receives fire signals from connected detectors and transmitters and transmits an alarm signal to sound equipment, smoke control equipment, etc., to notify of a fire. It receives alarm notifications from detectors 1 and operates to manage the power supplied to those detectors 1. When any of the detectors 1 detect a fire, receiver 3 receives an alarm signal from that detector 1 and supplies the power necessary for fire alarm activation to that detector 1.

[0016] The sensor 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an indicator light 13 and a sensor 14. The tester 2a shown in FIG. 1 has a housing 20, a light receiving part 23, a connecting part 24, a support rod 25, a smoke generating unit 26, and a sensitivity test unit 27.

[0017] The sensor 14 senses an object indicating a fire such as smoke. The sensor 14 shown in FIG. 1 senses smoke as the object, but may also sense other objects indicating a fire such as heat or infrared rays. The sensor 14 of the present embodiment employs a scattered light type sensor that takes in smoke inside the sensor 1, and detects a fire when the light irradiated toward the monitoring area is scattered by the smoke and enters the light receiving element. The sensor 1 is in a monitoring mode in which the sensor 1 is always operating in a fire monitoring state. When the sensor 14 senses heat or smoke as the object, the indicator light 13, also called a confirmation light, lights up, the sensor 1 operates, and notifies that a fire alarm has been issued.

[0018] The support rod 25 is a rod for a user performing a test to hold the tester 2a. One end of the support rod 25 is connected to each component of the tester 2a as shown in FIG. 1 and supports them. The other end of the support rod 25 (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided with an operator such as a handle for the user to grip or a lever for performing an operation.

[0019] The housing 20 is configured in a substantially hemispherical shape so as to cover the sensor 1 and adhere closely to the ceiling C. When covered by the housing 20, the space around the sensor 1 is isolated inside and outside the housing 20 respectively.

[0020] The housing 20 is made of a color and material that at least reduces light (especially visible light emitted by the indicator light 13). It is desirable that the material constituting the housing 20 has high flexibility such as rubber or synthetic resin so that no gap occurs between the housing 20 and the ceiling C. Further, it is desirable that the housing 20 is made of a color that shields red light or the like emitted by the indicator light 13, such as black. In this case, the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the sensor 1 is difficult to leak outside the housing 20.

[0021] The smoke generating unit 26 is a unit that emits test smoke and includes, for example, a can that emits smoke components that mimic fire smoke along with compressed gas.

[0022] The connecting section 24 is connected to a lid that covers the opening from which the smoke-releasing unit 26 emits smoke, and is also connected to an operating element such as a lever provided at the other end of the support rod 25. When the user operates the operating element, the connecting section 24 rotates and removes the lid of the smoke-releasing unit 26. As a result, the smoke-releasing unit 26 emits smoke towards the sensor 1.

[0023] As described above, detector 1 triggers a fire alarm and illuminates indicator light 13 when sensor 14 detects smoke components emitted from smoke generating unit 26. At this time, detector 1 transmits test information encoded in the transmission path using the flashing pattern of the indicator light 13. This test information concerns tests performed on detector 1.

[0024] The light receiving unit 23 receives light from the indicator light 13 and sends a signal (called a light receiving signal) corresponding to its flashing pattern to the sensitivity test unit 27.

[0025] Furthermore, the aforementioned housing section 20 may be provided with a window for a person to visually confirm the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the sensor 1. This window is made of transparent or translucent resin or the like, and separates the internal and external spaces to prevent the inflow or outflow of substances while allowing the light from the indicator light 13 to pass to the outside. This window may be positioned, for example, behind the light receiving section 23. With this arrangement, the light receiving section 23 receives the light from the indicator light 13 while being less susceptible to light entering through the window.

[0026] The sensitivity test unit 27 has a processor, memory, etc., and acquires the received light signal sent from the light receiving unit 23, and extracts the test information that has been encoded in the transmission path by the sensor 1 from this received light signal.

[0027] Figure 2 shows another example of the overall configuration of the detector test system 9. The detector test system 9 has one or more detectors 1, one or more testers 2b, and a receiver 3. The tester 2a shown in Figure 1 and the tester 2b shown in Figure 2 are referred to simply as tester 2, respectively, unless otherwise distinguished.

[0028] Tester 2b is similar to tester 2a described above in that it is a device for testing sensor 1. On the other hand, tester 2b differs from tester 2a in that it does not have a smoke generating unit 26. Tester 2b has a transmitter 28. The transmitter 28 transmits a start signal to sensor 1 indicating that the test should begin. Tester 2b may also have a sensitivity test unit 27. In this case, the transmitter 28 may transmit the start signal described above under the control of, for example, a processor in the sensitivity test unit 27.

[0029] The sensor 1 shown in Figure 2 has a receiving unit 15. The receiving unit 15 receives a start signal transmitted by the transmitting unit 28 of the test device 2b. In other words, this receiving unit 15 is an example of a receiving unit that receives a start signal from the test device indicating that the test should be started. When the receiving unit 15 receives the start signal, the sensor 1 switches its mode to test mode. Test mode is a mode that is switched to when a start signal is received when performing a smoke test and a sensitivity test.

[0030] [Configuration of the detector] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of detector 1. Detector 1 shown in Figure 3 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an indicator light 13, a sensor 14, a receiving unit 15, and an alarm unit 16. These components are connected to each other in a communicative manner, for example, by a bus.

[0031] The control unit 11 controls each part of the sensor 1 by reading and executing a computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as "program") stored in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0032] The memory unit 12 is a storage means that stores the operating system, various programs, data, etc., which are loaded into the control unit 11. The memory unit 12 has RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory unit 12 may also have a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. In addition, this memory unit 12 stores the mode table 121 and test information 122.

[0033] The indicator light 13 is an example of an indicator light that illuminates when the detector 1 detects a fire and triggers a fire alarm. This indicator light 13 is a component that is required to be provided due to legal and regulatory constraints, and has a light-emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode). This light-emitting element is an element that emits visible light, and for example, emits red light with a wavelength corresponding to 610 nanometers or more and less than 780 nanometers. The indicator light 13 is turned on and off under the control of the control unit 11.

[0034] As described above, sensor 14 detects objects that indicate a fire.

[0035] As described above, the receiving unit 15 receives the start signal. When the receiving unit 15 receives the start signal, the control unit 11 switches the mode of the device to test mode.

[0036] The alarm unit 16, under the control of the control unit 11, issues an alarm indicating that a fire has occurred. The alarm unit 16 notifies the receiver 3 that a fire has occurred, for example, when the sensor 14 detects an object indicating a fire, or when the receiver 15 receives a start signal from the test device 2, causing the device to switch to test mode and trigger an alarm due to the test.

[0037] When the receiver 3 receives this notification, it increases the amount of power supplied to the detector 1 that sent the notification to a preset level required for fire alarm activation. Upon receiving the newly increased power from the receiver 3, the alarm unit 16 activates the fire alarm by issuing an alarm or the like. The alarm unit 16 may have a sound-emitting configuration, such as a speaker, and the control unit 11 may play back warning voice data or the like that has been stored in the storage unit 12 in advance, thereby emitting a sound corresponding to that voice data.

[0038] Furthermore, when the receiver 3 supplies the newly increased power, the control unit 11 generates test information corresponding to the transitioned mode and encodes it in the transmission path. The control unit 11 then flashes the indicator light 13 and transmits the encoded test information using this flashing pattern.

[0039] [Mode Table Structure] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the mode table 121. The mode table 121 shown in Figure 4 is a table that stores the items of current status, mode, and specified number of transmissions in correspondence with each other.

[0040] The "Current Status" field indicates the current mode of sensor 1. This field stores "YES" in only one record, and "NO" in all other records.

[0041] The "Mode" column lists the modes that sensor 1 can enter. In the mode table 121 shown in Figure 4, the "Mode" column is either "Monitoring Mode" or "Test Mode". Of the modes listed in this "Mode" column, the mode in which the corresponding "Current Status" column is "YES" is the current mode of sensor 1.

[0042] The "Specified Number of Transmissions" item indicates the number of times the transmission-line encoded test information is transmitted in the corresponding mode. In the mode table 121 in Figure 4, the column for the specified number of transmissions in the monitoring mode, which is the normal fire monitoring state, stores "-". This means that the specified number of transmissions for the monitoring mode is not defined. On the other hand, in the same mode table 121, the column for the specified number of transmissions in the test mode stores "5". This means that the specified number of transmissions for the test mode is set to 5 times. Therefore, when the detector 1 switches to the test mode, it transmits test information only 5 times.

[0043] [Structure of Exam Information] Figure 5 shows an example of the structure of test information 122. The test information 122 shown in Figure 5 is information that associates values ​​with each of several items. This test information 122 stores the values ​​of the following items: "model code," "manufacturing date," "serial number," "fire threshold," "amount of soiling," and "fire history."

[0044] The "Model Code" field is for storing the model code, which is identification information that identifies the model of sensor 1.

[0045] The "Date of Manufacture" field is where the date of manufacture of sensor 1 is recorded.

[0046] The "Serial Number" field is for storing the serial number of sensor 1. This serial number is an example of identification information that uniquely identifies sensor 1.

[0047] Note that "model code" and "manufacturing date" are information indicating the model and manufacturing date of sensor 1, respectively. While these may not identify individual sensors 1, they are used to identify the group to which sensor 1 belongs. Therefore, "model code" and "manufacturing date" are also included in the sensor identification information. Furthermore, "serial number" does not necessarily have to be identification information that uniquely identifies sensor 1; for example, it may be information that, when combined with "model code" and / or "manufacturing date," becomes identification information that uniquely identifies the sensor. In other words, "model code," "manufacturing date," "serial number," and combinations thereof are examples of identification information for sensor 1.

[0048] The "fire threshold" is information that indicates the threshold at which the sensitivity of detector 1 is deemed abnormal. For example, if the measured sensitivity exceeds a predetermined percentage of smoke concentration (e.g., 10% / m) or a predetermined temperature (e.g., 60°C) relative to the fire threshold, the detector 1 at which the sensitivity was measured is determined to be abnormal. Because each detector 1 is unique, the fire threshold is set according to the results of testing each detector 1 at the time of factory shipment.

[0049] "Dirt level" is an example of sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of sensor 14. This dirt level is a scalar value indicating how dirty sensor 14 of detector 1 is, and can be expressed in 256 steps, for example. The dirt level is estimated, for example, by how far the output voltage of the amplifier (not shown) connected to sensor 14 deviates from its initial value when placed in a smoke-free space within the electrical circuit inside detector 1.

[0050] However, since the amplifier's output voltage fluctuates instantaneously, the amount of contamination should be estimated using an arithmetic mean of the output voltage measured over a specified period. For example, the amount of contamination can be estimated using the average of the amplifier's output voltage measured over the most recent 24 hours. The relationship between voltage and contamination can be represented, for example, by a calibration curve based on the results of a prior test.

[0051] The analog signal indicating the measured output voltage of the amplifier is sent, for example, to the A / D conversion port (not shown) of the control unit 11, converted to a digital signal, and stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 calculates the arithmetic mean of the measured values ​​measured over a predetermined period and estimates the amount of contamination corresponding to this arithmetic mean based on the calibration curve described above.

[0052] The initial output voltage corresponding to the initial sensitivity of the sensor 14 is stored in the memory unit 12 for each detector 1.

[0053] The "fire history" is information indicating the number of times a "fire" was detected within a predetermined period, such as one week. The "fires" detected here are not limited to actual fires, but also include, for example, when sensor 14 detects test smoke. Furthermore, these "fires" may also include those detected due to a malfunction in any component of detector 1.

[0054] However, this "fire" does not necessarily include the time when the receiving unit 15 receives the start signal. In this case, the fire history is the number of times a fire alarm was triggered by detecting smoke, and does not include the number of times a fire alarm was triggered by receiving the start signal.

[0055] Furthermore, the number of fires counted in the fire history is not limited to the cases described above. For example, the fire history may not include the number of times a fire alarm was triggered by detecting smoke from a test fire, but it may include the number of times a fire alarm was triggered by detecting smoke from an actual fire.

[0056] In this case, the smoke-emitting tester 2a may have a smoke-generating unit 26 and a transmitting unit 28. The transmitting unit 28 of tester 2a may transmit a different start signal than the transmitting unit 28 of tester 2b. When the detector 1 receives the start signal via the receiving unit 15 and detects smoke via the sensor 14, it should determine that the smoke is test smoke and distinguish it from smoke caused by an actual fire.

[0057] [Functional configuration of a detector] Figure 6 shows an example of the functional configuration of sensor 1. The control unit 11 of sensor 1 functions as a transition unit 111, a determination unit 112, an instruction unit 113, a generation unit 114, an encoding unit 115, and a transmission unit 116 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 12.

[0058] Furthermore, the transition unit 111 shown in Figure 6 is an example of a transition unit that switches the mode of the device to test mode when a test is performed on the device itself. For example, when the receiving unit 15 receives a start signal from the transmitting unit 28 of the test device 2, the transition unit 111 switches the mode of the device to test mode. In this case, the transition unit 111 is an example of a transition unit that switches the mode of the device to the test mode when the receiving unit receives a start signal from the test device indicating an instruction to start the test.

[0059] The determination unit 112 determines the current mode of the device by referring to the mode table 121. Based on the determined mode of the device, the instruction unit 113, if it determines that a fire has occurred, issues an instruction to the alarm unit 16, which then notifies the receiver 3 that a fire has occurred. The instruction unit 113 also controls the indicator light 13 to light up to indicate that a fire has been detected. In other words, the control unit 11, which functions as this instruction unit 113, is an example of a control unit that lights up an indicator light to show that an object has been detected when a sensor detects an object.

[0060] The generation unit 114 generates test information 122 corresponding to the determined mode of the device and stores it in the storage unit 12. For example, in the above example, if the mode of the device is monitoring mode, the generation unit 114 increases the number of fires described in the fire history and generates test information 122 that includes this.

[0061] On the other hand, when the device is in test mode, the generation unit 114 generates test information 122 that includes the fire history description while maintaining its contents.

[0062] The encoding unit 115 encodes the test information 122 generated by the generation unit 114 and stored in the storage unit 12 using a transmission line code. Here, the transmission line code refers to a code used to convert the information into a pulse waveform represented by the lighting and extinguishing of the indicator light 13. Examples of this transmission line code include RZ (return to zero) code, NRZ (non-return to zero) code, Manchester code, etc.

[0063] The transmitting unit 116 converts the test information 122, which has been encoded in the transmission path by the encoding unit 115, into the operation of turning on and off the indicator light 13 according to a predetermined method, and transmits this flashing pattern of light to the tester 2.

[0064] In other words, the control unit 11, which functions as a generation unit 114, an encoding unit 115, and a transmission unit 116, is an example of a control unit that, when a fire alarm is triggered in monitoring mode, lights up an indicator light to display the mode of the device, generates test information related to the test, and transmits this test information by encoding it through the flashing pattern of the indicator light.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 11 described above generates different test information 122 depending on whether the device is in monitoring mode or testing mode, and transmits it after encoding it in the transmission path. In other words, the control unit 11, which functions as a generation unit 114, encoding unit 115, and transmission unit 116, is an example of a control unit that generates different test information in testing mode than in monitoring mode, and transmits this test information after encoding it in the transmission path using the flashing pattern of the indicator light. The test device 2 can receive the necessary information corresponding to fire alarms and inspections, respectively, because the detector 1 transmits different test information 122 depending on the mode.

[0066] The transmission method used by the transmitter 116 to transmit the test information 122 is preferably an asynchronous communication method, for example, a half-duplex asynchronous communication method (UART) is employed. The transmitter 116 generates a 12-byte serial signal by adding a header and a checksum to the test information 122. The transmitter 116 then blinks the indicator light 13 to transmit this serial signal at a speed of 1200 bps.

[0067] Figure 7 shows an example of a serial signal indicating test information 122. The serial signal shown in Figure 7 has a header and checksum added using a half-duplex asynchronous method. STB is the 1-byte header transmitted first in this serial signal, and is, for example, the hexadecimal number "FFh". "FFh" is "255" in decimal.

[0068] The data from D1 to D10 shown in Figure 7 consists of 10 bytes transmitted in this order and corresponds to the content of the test information 122. In this serial signal, the model code is represented by the 1 byte indicated by D1, the manufacturing date by the 2 bytes indicated by D2 and D3, and the serial number by the 3 bytes indicated by D4, D5, and D6.

[0069] Furthermore, in this serial signal, the fire threshold, soiling level, and fire history are represented by one byte each, indicated by D7, D8, and D9, respectively. Note that the one byte D10 is reserved for use in future standard extensions and is currently set to a fixed value such as "00h".

[0070] SUM is the last byte of the serial signal transmitted. This SUM can be calculated using, for example, the logical OR of the sum of the upper bits of STB, D1-D10, and the hexadecimal value "7Fh". This SUM is used as an error detection code.

[0071] As mentioned above, "model code," "manufacturing date," "serial number," and combinations thereof are examples of identification information for detector 1. Also, as mentioned above, "amount of contamination" is an example of sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of sensor 14. Therefore, the test information 122 shown in Figure 7 is an example of test information that includes sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of the sensor and identification information of the device itself. Note that the test information 122 does not have to include both the sensitivity information of sensor 14 and the identification information of detector 1; it may include either one of them. In other words, the test information 122 may include sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of the sensor and / or identification information of the device itself.

[0072] The transmitter 116 transmits test information 122, which is a 12-byte transmission-channel encoded serial signal, at a transmission speed of 1200 bps (i.e., 150 B / s (bytes per second)). Therefore, the time it takes for the transmitter 116 to transmit the test information 122 is 80 milliseconds per transmission. The transmitter 116 transmits this serial signal once every second from the start of the alarm.

[0073] As mentioned above, if the number of transmissions is set to five, the transmission unit 116 will keep the indicator light 13 lit and stop transmitting the serial signal indicating the test information 122 after completing the five transmissions. In other words, the control unit 11, which functions as this transmission unit 116, is an example of a control unit that transmits test information over a predetermined number of times. This reduces the chances of a person perceiving flickering when looking at the indicator light 13.

[0074] [Detector operation] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of sensor 1. The control unit 11 of sensor 1 determines whether or not the receiving unit 15 has received a start signal (step S101).

[0075] When the receiving unit 15 determines that it has received a start signal (step S101; YES), the control unit 11 switches the mode of the device to test mode (step S102). Then, the control unit 11 updates the test information 122 related to the test mode (step S103).

[0076] For example, if the test information 122 includes the number of times the sensor 1 has been tested in test mode, the control unit 11 performs an update to increase this number. However, if the test information 122 does not contain any content to update in test mode, the control unit 11 does not need to perform any processing in step S103.

[0077] On the other hand, if the receiving unit 15 determines that it has not received a start signal (step S101; NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the sensor 14 has detected smoke (step S104).

[0078] If the sensor 14 determines that it has not detected smoke (step S104; NO), the control unit 11 returns to step S101 and continues this determination.

[0079] On the other hand, if the sensor 14 determines that it has detected smoke (step S104; YES), the control unit 11 updates the test information 122 related to the monitoring mode (step S105).

[0080] For example, if the test information 122 includes the number of times the detector 1 has triggered a fire alarm in monitoring mode, as in the fire history described above, the control unit 11 performs an update to increase this number. However, if the test information 122 does not contain any content to update in monitoring mode, the control unit 11 does not need to perform any processing in step S105.

[0081] When step S103 or step S105 is completed, the control unit 11 generates test information 122 containing the updated content (step S106) and encodes it in the transmission line (step S107). Then, the control unit 11 flashes the indicator light 13 and transmits the encoded test information 122 to the test device 2 (step S108).

[0082] As described above, the sensor 1 in the present invention encodes test information 122 containing multiple types of information along the transmission path and sequentially represents and outputs it as a serial signal by the flashing of the indicator light 13. Therefore, the tester 2 having a light receiving unit 23 can acquire this test information 122.

[0083] Furthermore, the sensor 1 in this invention does not transmit a scalar value proportional to the interval between the illumination of the indicator light 13, but rather transmits test information containing multiple values ​​using a transmission line code, for example, where "1" represents illumination and "0" represents extinguishing. Therefore, this sensor 1 can transmit more diverse information per unit time compared to the case where a scalar value proportional to the illumination interval is transmitted.

[0084] Furthermore, the detector 1 in this invention transmits a notification to the receiver 3 that a fire has occurred, and when it receives a predetermined amount of power from the receiver 3, it transmits test information 122 encoded in the transmission path. Therefore, the amount of information that the detector 1 transmits is less limited compared to when it transmits information by flashing the indicator light 13 during periods when there is no fire and the amount of power supplied from the receiver 3 is limited. The present invention has the effect of shortening inspection time and making effective use of power by enabling the detector 1 to send test information in addition to fire alarm information to the receiver 3 at the same time it receives more power than usual when the detector 1 has activated an alarm during inspection.

[0085] Furthermore, since the sensor 1 in this invention can transmit test information to the non-contact tester 2 using light without communicating with the receiver 3, periodic operational checks can be performed without removing it from the mounting surface of the ceiling C.

[0086] [Differentiation] The embodiments described above are just one specific example of the present invention and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Examples of such modifications are as follows. Two or more of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0087] (1) In the embodiment described above, the sensor 14 was for detecting an object indicating a fire, but the detector 1 may have sensors for detecting other objects. For example, the sensor 14 may include a proximity sensor that detects when the tester 2 approaches within a predetermined distance.

[0088] The proximity sensor can detect when the test device 2 is within a predetermined distance, for example, by using a magnet, RFID (radio frequency identifier), or near-field communication (NFC). Alternatively, the proximity sensor may directly contact a member extending from the test device 2 and detect the force received from that member at the contact surface to detect when the test device 2 is within a predetermined distance.

[0089] Here, the transition unit 111 implemented by the control unit 11 may switch the mode of the device from monitoring mode to testing mode when the proximity sensor provided in the sensor 14 detects the aforementioned proximity of the test device 2. In this case, this transition unit 111 is an example of a transition unit that switches the mode of the device to testing mode when the sensor detects that the test device has come within a predetermined distance.

[0090] (2) In the embodiment described above, the sensor 1 switched its mode to test mode when the receiving unit 15 received a start signal, but it may switch its mode to test mode at other times. For example, the sensor 1 may switch its mode to test mode when the physical terminals of the sensor 1 and the physical terminals of the test device 2 come into direct contact, or when a voltage is applied from the test device 2.

[0091] (3) In the modified example described above, the detector 1 had a sensor 14 and a receiving unit 15, but it may also have other configurations that change according to external conditions. For example, the detector 1 may have a thermometer. This thermometer is, for example, a thermometer built into the control unit. The temperature measured by this thermometer is stored in the memory unit 12 and may be used, for example, to correct the sensitivity of the sensor 14. The temperature measured by this thermometer is written in the test information 122 and may be transmitted by the flashing pattern of the indicator light 13.

[0092] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the detector test system 9 was provided with an indicator light 13 on the detector 1 and a receiving unit 15 on the tester 2. However, the detector 1 may also be provided with a light receiving unit and the tester 2 with a light emitting unit. In this case, the light receiving unit of the detector 1 only needs to receive the light emitted by the light emitting unit of the tester 2. Furthermore, the light emitting unit of the tester 2 may transmit information to the detector 1 by flashing light patterns. The detector 1 may, for example, start communication when the light receiving unit receives the light emitted by the light emitting unit of the tester 2 as a trigger. According to this modified example, the detector 1 and the tester 2 can communicate bidirectionally by exchanging light with each other.

[0093] (5) In the embodiments described above, the control unit 11 was a CPU, but it may have other configurations. The control unit 11 may be, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may include an FPGA. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may have an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other programmable logic device, and control may be performed by these.

[0094] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the program loaded into the control unit 11 is an example of a program that causes the computer that controls the indicator light that lights up when a fire is detected and a fire alarm is triggered, and the sensor, to function as a control unit that lights up the indicator light when the sensor detects an object, indicating that an object has been detected and the detector 1 has been activated, generates test information related to the test, and transmits this test information by encoding it in the flashing pattern of the indicator light. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 1...Sensor, 11...Control unit, 111...Transition unit, 112...Determination unit, 113...Indicator unit, 114...Generator unit, 115...Encoding unit, 116...Transmitter unit, 12...Storage unit, 121...Mode table, 122...Test information, 13...Indicator light, 14...Sensor, 15...Receiver unit, 16...Alarm unit, 2(2a, 2b)...Tester, 20...Housing unit, 23...Light receiving unit, 24...Connecting unit, 25...Support rod, 26...Smoke generating unit, 27...Sensitivity test unit, 28...Transmitter unit, 3...Receiver, 9...Sensor test system.

Claims

1. An indicator light that illuminates when a fire is detected and a fire alarm is triggered, A control unit that, when the sensor detects an object, illuminates the indicator light to indicate that the object has been detected, generates test information related to the test, and transmits the test information by encoding it using the flashing pattern of the indicator light; A transition unit that switches the mode of the device to test mode when testing is performed on the device, It has, When the control unit transitions to the test mode, it generates test information different from that in the monitoring mode, which is a fire monitoring state, and transmits the test information by encoding it using the flashing pattern of the indicator light. The test information generated when transitioning to the aforementioned test mode includes sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of the sensor and / or identification information of the device itself. sensor.

2. The transition unit switches the mode of the device to the test mode when the sensor detects that the test device has come within a predetermined distance. The detector according to claim 1.

3. It has a receiving unit that receives a start signal from the test equipment indicating that the test should be started. The transition unit, when the receiving unit receives the start signal, switches the mode of the device to the test mode. The detector according to claim 1.

4. The control unit transmits the test information a predetermined number of times. The detector according to claim 1.

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