Control device and alarm system

Abstract

To recognize a state of a detector for detecting an abnormality having occurred in a monitoring area before replacement even when the detector is replaced with a new detector.SOLUTION: A master unit 10b comprises: a storage section for storing state information of a slave unit for detecting an abnormality having occurred in a monitoring area in association with an identifier of the slave unit; an update section for updating the state information stored in the storage section in association with the identifier into new state information when a signal including the identifier and the new state information is received; and an update control section for prohibiting the update section from updating the state information stored in the storage section in association with the identifier into the new state information when a situation satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the slave unit with the occurrence of a unit abnormality has been replaced with a new slave unit 10a-2 where an identifier being the same as that of a former slave unit has been set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for managing state information of a detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitoring area.

Background Art

[0002] A technique is known in which a device failure interlock signal transmitted from a fire detector in a group is relayed between groups to perform interlock between groups (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a device abnormality occurs in a detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitoring area, originally, the responsible operator should confirm the device abnormality of this detector and take measures such as replacement. However, a person other than the responsible operator may replace this detector with a new detector. Also, at the time of this replacement, the same identifier as that of the detector before replacement may be assigned to the detector after replacement. The management device manages the state information of each detector. However, since each detector is identified by an identifier, if the same identifier as that of the detector before replacement is assigned to the detector after replacement, these detectors are recognized as the same device. Therefore, when the management device is notified of the state from the detector after replacement, it misrecognizes that the detector after replacement is the same device as the detector before replacement, and updates the state information of the detector before replacement with the state information of the detector after replacement. When such an update is performed, the responsible operator cannot recognize the device abnormality of the detector before replacement.

[0005] One of the objectives of this invention is to enable the recognition of the state of the detector before replacement, even when a detector used to detect anomalies occurring in a monitoring area is replaced with a new detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a management device comprising: a storage unit that stores state information of a first detector associated with an identifier of the first detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitoring area; an update unit that, when a signal including the identifier and new state information is received, updates the state information stored in the storage unit associated with the identifier to the new state information; and an update control unit that, when a predetermined condition is met indicating that the first detector in which the equipment abnormality occurred has been replaced with a new second detector with the same identifier as the first detector, prohibits the update unit from updating the state information stored in the storage unit associated with the identifier to the new state information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even if a detector that detects abnormalities occurring in a monitoring area is replaced with a new detector, the state of the detector before the replacement can be recognized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of an alarm system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an alarm system. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a relay device. [Figure 4] This is a sequence chart showing an example of what happens when a device malfunction occurs in the slave unit. [Figure 5] This is a sequence chart showing an example of what happens when a device malfunction occurs in the slave unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] 1. Structure Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the alarm system 1 according to this embodiment. The alarm system 1 is a system that alerts for the occurrence of a fire in conjunction with other devices within a group. The alarm system 1 comprises a plurality of alarm devices 10 that function as slave units (hereinafter referred to as "slave units 10a"), an alarm device 10 that functions as a master unit (hereinafter referred to as "master unit 10b"), and a transmission device 20. In the following description, the slave units 10a and master unit 10b are collectively referred to as the alarm device 10. The slave units 10a, master unit 10b, and transmission device 20 belong to the same group and are connected wirelessly. The transmission device 20 is connected to an external device 30 that is not included in the alarm system 1 via a signal line 40. The number of slave units 10a shown in Figure 1 is illustrative and not limited thereto.

[0010] The alarm device 10 is installed on the ceiling or wall of a building under management, such as a house, commercial building, or office building, and detects a fire and issues an alarm. The building under management is an example of the monitoring area according to the present invention. The alarm device 10 may be any device that detects a fire and issues an alarm, such as a residential fire alarm or fire sensor. 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 location where it can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of slave units 10a and a transmission device 20, and transmits signals received from the slave units 10a to the transmission device 20. The master unit 10b also manages the status information of the alarm devices 10 in the group. The master unit 10b is an example of a management device according to the present invention.

[0011] When the alarm transmission device 20 receives a signal indicating fire detection from the alarm 10, it transmits an alarm to the external device 30. The alarm transmission device 20 also transmits an alarm to the external device 30 if it receives a signal indicating an abnormality other than fire, such as a malfunction of the alarm 10 itself. This transmission refers to the transmission of an alarm. In this embodiment, the alarm transmission device 20 itself does not detect fire.

[0012] External device 30 is a control device that is managed and operated, for example, in a manager's office, and monitors the building under management. When an alarm output is received from alarm transmission device 20, external device 30 performs processing corresponding to this alarm output. This processing is, for example, sending a signal to the control center of the management company that manages the building in response to the alarm output from alarm transmission device 20. External device 30 may also be operated in connection with alarm devices such as additional buzzers and flashlights, smoke control equipment such as shutters and fire doors, and the residential information panel of an intercom system. The processing corresponding to the alarm output is not limited to sending a signal, but can be any processing.

[0013] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the alarm unit 10. The alarm unit 10 comprises a control unit 101, a storage 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. Each part of the alarm unit 10 is connected via a bus or power line.

[0014] The control unit 101 controls various parts of the device and performs various processes. The control unit 101 includes one or more processors, such as a CPU, and the processors execute programs stored in the memory unit 102. The memory unit 102 includes non-volatile memory such as EEPROM and volatile memory such as RAM. The non-volatile memory stores programs for realizing the functions of the device, the device's address, and a group ID. This address is a number that uniquely identifies the alarm device 10 within the group. Multiple alarm devices 10 belonging to the same group are assigned consecutive addresses in advance. The address is an example of an identifier according to the present invention. The group ID is information that uniquely identifies the group to which the alarm device 10 belongs. The group ID is used to receive various signals generated within the group. The volatile memory stores the device's status information. The status information indicates the state of the device, showing either a normal state or an abnormal state. In addition, the volatile memory of the master unit 10b stores the addresses of each alarm device 10 within the group and their status information in association. The communication unit 103 is a communication interface for wireless communication with other devices in accordance with wireless communication standards. The communication unit 103 includes, for example, an antenna and a transmitting / receiving circuit.

[0015] The control unit 104 accepts operator input. The control unit 104 includes various buttons, such as a test button. The test button accepts input to instruct the execution of a test to verify operation. The display unit 105 displays various information. The display unit 105 includes multiple LEDs with different light-emitting colors, and the lighting patterns of each LED indicate various information. 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 in conjunction with the fire. The fire detection method is, for example, photoelectric or fixed-temperature. In the case of the photoelectric method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the smoke density in the surrounding area. In the case of the fixed-temperature method, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the temperature in the surrounding area. Note that the fire detection method is not limited to the photoelectric or fixed-temperature method, but can be any method that can detect a fire, such as infrared or combined methods. The power supply unit 108 supplies power to each part of the machine. The power supply unit 108 includes, for example, a battery and a power supply circuit.

[0016] The control unit 101 functions as an abnormality detection unit 111, an alarm control unit 112, an update unit 113, a test unit 114, a transmission unit 115, a reception unit 116, and an update control unit 117. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 101 executing programs stored in the memory unit 102 to perform calculations or to control various parts of the machine.

[0017] The abnormality detection unit 111 checks the status of the unit at predetermined time intervals and detects equipment abnormalities in the unit. Types of equipment abnormalities include, for example, battery depletion and sensor abnormalities. Battery depletion indicates a state where the battery level is low. Sensor abnormality indicates a state where there is an abnormality in the output of the fire detection unit 107.

[0018] When the alarm control unit 112 detects an equipment malfunction by the abnormality detection unit 111, it outputs an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to indicate the occurrence of the equipment malfunction. For example, the alarm control unit 112 outputs an audio message from the sound output unit 106 and lights up the LEDs of the display unit 105 according to a predetermined lighting pattern.

[0019] When the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a device abnormality, the update unit 113 updates the state information stored in the storage unit 102 to indicate the device abnormality. Further, when a signal including the state information received from the slave unit 10a is received, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the state information of the slave unit 10a stored in the storage unit 102. This signal includes a device abnormality signal and a test result signal. The device abnormality signal is a signal indicating a device abnormality. The test result signal is a signal indicating the result of a test for confirming the operation.

[0020] The test unit 114 conducts a test to confirm the operation of its own device. For example, in this test, it is determined whether the battery is exhausted or a sensor abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111.

[0021] The transmission unit 115 transmits various signals to other alarm devices 10 and the relay device 20. For example, when the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a device abnormality, the transmission unit 115 transmits a device abnormality signal. Further, when a test is conducted by the test unit 114, the transmission unit 115 transmits a test result signal indicating the result of that test. Also, the transmission unit 115 of the master unit 10b transfers various signals received from other alarm devices 10 to the relay device 20 and further to other alarm devices 10. This is to enable these devices to receive signals transmitted from other alarm devices 10 even when the relay device 20 belonging to the same group and further other alarm devices 10 are installed outside the wireless communication range of other alarm devices 10.

[0022] The reception unit 116 receives various signals from other alarm devices 10 and the relay device 20. This signal includes a device abnormality signal.

[0023] When a predetermined condition indicating that the slave unit 10a in which a device abnormality has occurred has been replaced with a new slave unit 10a having the same address as this slave unit 10a is satisfied, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the state information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with this address to new state information even when a signal including this address and state information is received.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the alarm transmission device 20. The alarm transmission device 20 comprises a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a communication unit 203, an operation unit 204, a display unit 205, a sound output unit 206, an alarm transmission output unit 207, and a power supply unit 208. Each part of the alarm transmission device 20 is connected via a bus or power line. The control unit 201, storage unit 202, communication unit 203, operation unit 204, display unit 205, sound output unit 206, and power supply unit 208 are basically the same as the control unit 101, storage unit 102, communication unit 103, operation unit 104, display unit 105, sound output unit 106, and power supply unit 108 of the alarm device 10, respectively. However, the storage unit 202 stores information such as a group ID necessary to receive abnormal information such as a fire occurring within the group.

[0025] When an equipment malfunction occurs in the alarm device 10, the alarm output unit 207 outputs an alarm signal to the external device 30 to indicate the occurrence of the equipment malfunction. The alarm output unit 207 includes a contact connected to the external device 30. This contact is, for example, a break contact and is normally in a closed state. In this example, the alarm output unit 207 has a contact relay, but it may also have a non-contact relay.

[0026] The control unit 201 functions as a receiving unit 211, an alarm control unit 212, and a contact control unit 213. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 201 executing a program stored in the memory unit 202 to perform calculations or to control various parts of the machine.

[0027] The receiving unit 211 receives various signals from the alarm device 10. These signals include equipment malfunction signals and test result signals. The receiving unit 211 may receive these signals directly from the slave unit 10a or the master unit 10b, or it may receive signals that have been forwarded by the master unit 10b.

[0028] If the alarm control unit 212 receives a signal from the receiving unit 211 indicating that an equipment malfunction has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 within the group, it will output an alarm related to the equipment malfunction from the display unit 205.

[0029] The contact control unit 213 controls the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 in accordance with the signal received by the receiving unit 211. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts using the electromagnetic force of a coil paired with the contacts. If the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that an equipment malfunction has occurred in at least one alarm device 10 in the group, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 to output an alarm signal from the alarm output unit 207 to the external device 30, informing that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. Also, if the signal received by the receiving unit 211 indicates that the state of all alarm devices 10 in the group has returned to normal, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 to stop the output of this alarm signal.

[0030] 2.Operation Figures 4 and 5 are sequence charts showing an example of operation when a device malfunction occurs in the slave unit 10a-1. This operation is initiated when the slave unit 10a-1 detects a device malfunction. The slave unit 10a-1 is an example of the first detector according to the present invention.

[0031] In step S11, the abnormality detection unit 111 of the slave unit 10a-1 detects an equipment abnormality when one occurs in the unit itself. One type of equipment abnormality is a dead battery. The abnormality detection unit 111 determines at predetermined time intervals whether the battery voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined operating voltage value for the slave unit 10a-1. If the battery voltage is determined to be less than the operating voltage value for a predetermined number of consecutive times, the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a dead battery. Equipment abnormalities also include sensor abnormalities. The abnormality detection unit 111 determines at predetermined time intervals whether the output of the fire detection unit 107 is within a predetermined normal range. Here, for example, in the case of a photoelectric fire detection unit 107, if a component failure or contamination of the fire detection unit 107 occurs, the output of the fire detection unit 107 will be outside the normal range. If the output of the fire detection unit 107 is outside the normal range and this condition is determined for a predetermined number of consecutive times, the abnormality detection unit 111 detects a sensor abnormality.

[0032] In step S12, the alarm control unit 112 of the slave unit 10a-1 outputs an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to indicate the occurrence of a device malfunction. At this time, the alarm control unit 112 outputs different alarms depending on the type of device malfunction. For example, if a dead battery is detected, the alarm control unit 112 outputs the voice message "Battery is dead." from the sound output unit 106 and flashes the LED of the display unit 105 once at a predetermined second flashing cycle. On the other hand, if a sensor malfunction is detected, the alarm control unit 112 outputs the voice message "Sensor malfunction." from the sound output unit 106 and flashes the LED of the display unit 105 three times at a predetermined second flashing cycle. Note that here the difference is shown by the number of flashes, but the display color of the LED or the flashing cycle may also be different.

[0033] In step S13, the transmitter 115 of the slave unit 10a-1 transmits a device malfunction signal wirelessly. Note that the processing in step S12 and the processing in step S13 may be performed in either order or in parallel. This device malfunction signal includes status information indicating a device malfunction and information indicating the type of device malfunction. In addition, the address of the slave unit 10a-1 and the group ID are added to this device malfunction signal so that other devices belonging to the same group can know which device detected the device malfunction. The receiver 116 of the master unit 10b receives the device malfunction signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a-1 because the group ID included in the device malfunction signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 102 of the master unit 10b.

[0034] In step S14, the alarm control unit 112 of the master unit 10b outputs an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to indicate the occurrence of an equipment malfunction. At this time, the alarm control unit 212 displays different alarms depending on the type of equipment malfunction indicated by the equipment malfunction signal. For example, if the type of equipment malfunction is a dead battery, the alarm control unit 112 flashes the LED of the display unit 105 once at a predetermined second flashing cycle. On the other hand, if the type of equipment malfunction is a sensor malfunction, the alarm control unit 112 flashes the LED of the display unit 105 three times at a predetermined second flashing cycle. Although the difference is indicated here by the number of flashes, the display color or flashing cycle of the LED may also be different.

[0035] In step S15, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information of the slave unit 10a-1 stored in the storage unit 102 in accordance with the received device malfunction signal. The received device malfunction signal includes the address of the slave unit 10a-1 and status information indicating a device malfunction. The update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address of the slave unit 10a-1 to indicate a device malfunction.

[0036] In step S16, the transmitter 115 of the master unit 10b confirms that the transmission of the equipment malfunction signal from the slave unit 10a-1 that detected the equipment malfunction has stopped, and then wirelessly transmits this equipment malfunction signal to the transmission device 20. The receiver 211 of the transmission device 20 receives the equipment malfunction signal transmitted from the master unit 10b because the group ID included in the equipment malfunction signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 202. Although other slave units 10a-1 may also receive the equipment malfunction signal, in this embodiment, the other slave units 10a-1 do not perform any processing in response to the equipment malfunction signal.

[0037] In step S17, the alarm control unit 212 of the alarm transmission device 20 causes the display unit 205 to display an alarm indicating that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. At this time, the alarm control unit 212 displays different alarms depending on the type of device malfunction indicated by the device malfunction signal. For example, if the type of device malfunction is a dead battery, the alarm control unit 212 flashes the LED on the display unit 205 once at a predetermined second flashing cycle. On the other hand, if the type of device malfunction is a sensor malfunction, the alarm control unit 212 flashes the LED on the display unit 205 three times at a predetermined second flashing cycle. Although the difference is indicated here by the number of flashes, the display color of the LED or the flashing cycle may also be different.

[0038] In step S18, the contact control unit 213 of the alarm transfer device 20 controls the contacts to cause the alarm transfer output unit 207 to output an alarm transfer signal to the external device 30 that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm 10. For example, under normal circumstances, the contacts are closed and current flows to the external device 30. However, upon receiving an equipment malfunction signal, the contact control unit 213 switches the contacts to an open state. When the contacts are switched to an open state, conductivity is lost across both ends of the contacts, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm 10. The external device 30 then transmits a signal indicating the occurrence of an equipment malfunction in the alarm 10 to the management company's control center. As a result, the management company recognizes that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm 10 installed in the building under its management, and workers can move to the building under its management to deal with the equipment malfunction. The output of this alarm transfer signal continues until the output of the alarm transfer signal is stopped.

[0039] Here, we assume a scenario where, before the worker arrives, a slave unit 10a-1 that has malfunctioned is replaced by another slave unit 10a-2 by a general user in the building under management. Slave unit 10a-2 is an example of the second detector according to the present invention. Furthermore, it is assumed that the replaced slave unit 10a-2 is assigned the same address as slave unit 10a-1. One method for assigning an address to slave unit 10a-2 is for a general user to connect a setting device to slave unit 10a-2 and operate the setting device to assign the same address as slave unit 10a-1 to slave unit 10a-2. Another method is, for example, if slave unit 10a-2 has a function to set an address, for a general user to operate slave unit 10a-2 and assign the same address as slave unit 10a-1 to slave unit 10a-2. The address assigned in this way is stored in the storage unit 102 of slave unit 10a-2.

[0040] Once the replacement of sub-unit 10a-1 with sub-unit 10a-2 is complete, in step S21, the user presses the test button on the operation unit 104 of sub-unit 10a-2. When the test button is pressed, in step S22, the test unit 114 of sub-unit 10a-2 performs a test to confirm the operation of the unit. For example, prior to this process, the abnormality detection unit 111 checks the status of the unit at predetermined time intervals. The test unit 114 determines whether the abnormality detection unit 111 has detected a dead battery or a sensor abnormality. Alternatively, the test unit 114 causes the abnormality detection unit 111 to measure the battery voltage in response to the press of the test button, and determines whether the abnormality detection unit 111 has detected a dead battery based on the measured voltage. In addition, the test unit 114 activates the fire detection unit 107 in response to the press of the test button, and determines whether the abnormality detection unit 111 has detected a sensor abnormality based on the output of the fire detection unit 107. Here, it is assumed that the abnormality detection unit 111 does not detect battery depletion or sensor malfunction, and the test results determine that the slave unit 10a-2 is functioning normally. In this case, the storage unit 102 of the slave unit 10a-2 stores status information indicating a normal state.

[0041] In step S23, the transmitter 115 of the slave unit 10a-2 wirelessly transmits a test result signal indicating the result of the test performed in step S22. In this example, the test result signal includes status information indicating a normal state, which is stored in the storage unit 102 of the slave unit 10a-2. The test result signal also includes the address of the slave unit 10a-2 and the group ID so that other devices belonging to the same group can identify which device performed the test. The address of the slave unit 10a-2 is the same as the address of the slave unit 10a-1. The receiver 116 of the master unit 10b receives the test result signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a-2 because the group ID included in the test result signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 102 of the master unit 10b.

[0042] In step S24, when the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b receives a test result signal, it determines whether a predetermined condition is met that indicates that the slave unit 10a-1, which experienced a device malfunction, has been replaced by a new slave unit 10a-2 with the same address as slave unit 10a-1. This predetermined condition is, for example, that the received signal is a test result signal, the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal indicates a device malfunction, and the status information included in the test result signal indicates a normal state. If the predetermined condition is not met, the determination in step S24 is NO. In this case, the process proceeds to step S25, and the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal, according to the received test result signal.

[0043] In step S26, the transmitter 115 of the master unit 10b confirms that the transmission of the test result signal from the slave unit 10a-2 that performed the test has stopped, and then wirelessly transmits this test result signal to the transfer device 20. The receiver 211 of the transfer device 20 receives the test result signal transferred from the master unit 10b because the group ID included in the test result signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 202.

[0044] In step S27, the contact control unit 213 of the alarm transfer device 20 stops outputting the alarm transfer signal from the alarm transfer output unit 207 by controlling the contacts, because if the status information contained in the received test result signal indicates a normal state, it means that the equipment malfunction of the alarm device 10 has been resolved. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the contacts to a closed state. When the contacts are switched to a closed state, both ends of the contacts become conductive, and current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the equipment malfunction of the alarm device 10 has been resolved.

[0045] On the other hand, if the slave unit 10a-1 that has experienced a malfunction is replaced by slave unit 10a-2, and slave unit 10a-2 is assigned the same address as slave unit 10a-1, the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal indicates a malfunction. The test result signal also includes status information indicating a normal state. In this case, the predetermined conditions described above are met, and the determination in step S24 becomes YES. When the slave unit 10a-1 that has experienced a malfunction is replaced by a new slave unit 10a-2 that has the same address as slave unit 10a-1, it is preferable that the status information of the alarm unit 10 before the replacement is retained so that the operator can recognize the state of slave unit 10a-1 before the replacement. Therefore, if the predetermined conditions are met, the process proceeds to step S28, and the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the status information in response to the test result signal. If the update of status information is prohibited, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b does not update the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal to the status information indicating a normal state included in the test result signal. Therefore, the status information stored in the storage unit 102 remains as status information indicating a device malfunction. Also, since the master unit 10b does not transmit a test result signal containing status information indicating a normal state to the alarm transmission device 20, the output of the alarm transmission signal from the alarm transmission device 20 to the external device 30, which was started in step S18 described above, continues.

[0046] Even if it is determined in step S24 that the predetermined conditions are met, the master unit 10b may still transmit a test result signal to the alarm transfer device 20. However, in this case, the test result signal includes the pre-update state information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal, i.e., state information indicating equipment malfunction. As a result, even if the master unit 10b transmits a test result signal to the alarm transfer device 20, the output of the alarm transfer signal from the alarm transfer device 20 to the external device 30, which was started in step S18 described above, will continue.

[0047] Generally, if a malfunction occurs in the alarm 10, the management company needs an operator to go to the location where the alarm 10 is installed, address the malfunction, and confirm that the alarm 10 has returned to a normal state. For this reason, it is preferable that the output of the alarm signal from the alarm transfer device 20 continues until the operator confirms that the alarm 10 has returned to a normal state. According to the embodiment described above, even if the alarm transfer device 20 outputs an alarm signal in response to a malfunction in the slave unit 10a, and a general user replaces the malfunctioning slave unit 10a with another slave unit 10a with the same address set, and a test is performed to confirm the operation of the new slave unit 10a after the replacement, the output of the alarm signal continues regardless of the result of this test. Therefore, even after the malfunctioning slave unit 10a has been replaced with a new slave unit 10a, the management company can recognize the malfunction of the slave unit 10a before the replacement and take appropriate action. In other words, the appropriate person can correctly replace or otherwise address the malfunctioning slave unit 10a.

[0048] 3. Variant The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The embodiments described above may be modified and implemented as shown in the following modifications. The embodiments and modifications may be used in combination or switched between depending on the application. Similarly, the following modifications may be used in combination or switched between depending on the application.

[0049] Variation 1 In the embodiments described above, the predetermined conditions are not limited to the examples described in the embodiments. For example, the predetermined conditions may include, in addition to the conditions described in the embodiments, the condition that a test result signal is received before a predetermined signal is transmitted from the replaced slave unit 10a-2. This predetermined signal includes the initial periodic signal. The periodic signal is a signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a at predetermined time intervals. The periodic signal includes the address and status information of the slave unit 10a.

[0050] This section describes the operation when a predetermined signal is the first periodic signal. In this case, in addition to the conditions described in the embodiment, if the condition that a test result signal is received before the first periodic signal is received from the slave unit 10a-2 is met, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the status information in response to the test result signal. That is, if the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b receives a test result signal containing this address and status information indicating a normal state between the time the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address of the slave unit 10a-1 is updated to indicate a device malfunction and the time the first periodic signal containing this address is received, the update control unit 113 prohibits the update unit 113 from updating the status information in response to this test result signal.

[0051] One way to determine the first periodic signal is as follows: For example, when the power to the slave unit 10a-2 is turned on, the slave unit 10a-2 sends a battery connection signal to the master unit 10b to notify it that power has been turned on. In this case, the periodic signal sent by the slave unit 10a-2 following this battery connection signal is the first periodic signal. Alternatively, if the slave unit 10a-2 sends a periodic signal for the first time after power is turned on, this periodic signal may include initial information indicating that it is the first periodic signal. In this case, the periodic signal including the initial information is the first periodic signal.

[0052] In the former example, it is possible to determine whether the test result signal was received before the first periodic signal was received when the battery connection signal is received. Therefore, after the battery connection signal is received, a process is performed to determine whether the predetermined conditions are met, triggered by the receipt of the test result signal. On the other hand, in the latter example, it is not possible to determine whether the test result signal was received before the first periodic signal was received until the periodic signal is received. Therefore, once the test result signal is received, the process of determining whether the predetermined conditions are met is suspended until the next periodic signal is received.

[0053] According to this modified example, if a slave unit 10a experiencing equipment malfunction is replaced with a new slave unit 10a that has the same address set, the status information of the slave unit 10a before replacement is retained without being updated until a predetermined signal is received from the new slave unit 10a. After the predetermined signal is received from the new slave unit 10a, the status information of the slave unit 10a before replacement is updated with the status information of the slave unit 10a after replacement, so the status of the slave unit 10a after replacement can be recognized.

[0054] Variation 2 In the embodiment described above, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b may permit the update unit 113 to update the status information in accordance with the test result signal if the update conditions are met. The update conditions may be, for example, the condition that the abnormal recovery button on the operation unit 104 of the master unit 10b is pressed. This abnormal recovery button is pressed, for example, after it has been confirmed by an operator that the equipment abnormality has been recovered. Alternatively, the update conditions may be the condition that the test result signal has been received multiple times from the slave unit 10a-2 within a predetermined time. For example, after an operator confirms that the equipment has recovered from an abnormality, the test button on the operation unit 104 of the replaced slave unit 10a-2 is pressed multiple times within a predetermined time, thereby transmitting the test result signal multiple times from the slave unit 10a-2 within a predetermined time. When the update is permitted by the update control unit 117, the update unit 113 of the master unit 10b updates the status information in accordance with the test result signal. According to this modified example, even if a slave unit 10a experiencing a malfunction is replaced with a new slave unit 10a with the same address, after the operator confirms that the malfunction has been resolved, the status information of the slave unit 10a before replacement is updated with the status information of the slave unit 10a after replacement according to the test result signal, so the status of the slave unit 10a after replacement can be recognized.

[0055] Variation 3 In the embodiment described above, if a slave unit 10a-1 that has experienced a device malfunction is replaced with a new slave unit 10a-2, and the replaced slave unit 10a-2 also has a device malfunction, a process may be performed to notify the replaced slave unit 10a-2 of the device malfunction. For example, the update control unit 117 of the master unit 10b determines that the replaced slave unit 10a-2 has a device malfunction if the received signal is a test result signal, the status information stored in the storage unit 102 in association with the address included in the test result signal indicates a device malfunction, and the status information included in the test result signal indicates a device malfunction. If it is determined that the replaced slave unit 10a-2 has a device malfunction, for example, the alarm control unit 112 of the master unit 10b may display information on the display unit 105 indicating that the replaced alarm device 10 has a device malfunction. Alternatively, the transmission unit 115 of the master unit 10b may wirelessly transmit a signal notifying the replaced alarm device 10 of a device malfunction. Upon receiving this signal, the contact control unit 213 of the alarm transfer device 20 may output an alarm transfer signal in an output format that notifies the replaced alarm 10 of an equipment malfunction. This output format may, for example, stop outputting the alarm transfer signal that indicates the equipment malfunction for a predetermined time and then start outputting the alarm transfer signal again. Alternatively, this output format may repeat the outputting and stopping of the alarm transfer signal at a predetermined cycle. According to this modification, if there is an equipment malfunction in the replaced slave unit 10a, the management company can recognize that there is an equipment malfunction in the replaced slave unit 10a.

[0056] Variation 4 In the embodiment described above, the master unit 10b may have a function to set the address of the slave unit 10a. In this case, the master unit 10b sets the address of the slave unit 10a in response to an operation using, for example, the operation unit 104.

[0057] Variation 5 In the embodiments described above, the equipment malfunction of the alarm device 10 is not limited to battery failure and sensor malfunction. The equipment malfunction may be any malfunction relating to the equipment of the alarm device 10, such as a radio wave malfunction.

[0058] Variation 6 In the embodiment described above, the transmitting unit 115 of the master unit 10b does not necessarily have to wait until it has confirmed that the transmission of the signal from the slave unit 10a has stopped before transferring the signal received from the slave unit 10a. For example, the transmitting unit 115 may transfer the signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since it received the signal from the slave unit 10a, or it may transfer the signal immediately upon receiving the signal from the slave unit 10a.

[0059] Variation 7 In the embodiment described above, if the transmission device 20 is installed within the wireless communication range of the slave unit 10a, the signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a reaches the transmission device 20 as is. In this case, the transmission device 20 may receive the signal directly from the slave unit 10a and perform processing according to the received signal.

[0060] Variation 8 In the embodiments described above, the content of the alarms from the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the alarm transmission device 20 is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the alarm transmission device 20 may also output an audio message from the sound output unit 206, similar to the slave unit 10a and the master unit 10b.

[0061] Modification 9 In the embodiments described above, the management device for managing the status information of the alarm 10 is not limited to the master unit 10b. The management device may be any of the multiple slave units 10a, the alarm transmission device 20, the relay device of the regional disaster prevention system, or any other device other than the master unit 10b. In short, the management device according to the present invention is not limited to the master unit 10b, and may be any device that has the function of managing the status information of the alarm 10.

[0062] Variation 10 The detector according to the present invention is not limited to the alarm 10 and does not necessarily have to issue an alarm. For example, the detector may be a sensor or fire sensor that does not have an alarm function. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system that issues an alarm for phenomena other than fire. In this modified example, the alarm 10 may be a gas alarm, a motion sensor, or other device that detects phenomena other than fire and issues an alarm. A gas alarm, a motion sensor, or other device that detects phenomena other than fire and issues an alarm is also an example of a detector according to the present invention. In short, the detector according to the present invention may be any device that detects an abnormality occurring in the monitored area. This abnormality is not limited to fire, but may be any abnormality such as a gas leak or intrusion by a suspicious person.

[0063] Variation 11 In the embodiments described above, the configuration of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the examples described above. The alarm system 1 may be configured to include one or more of the devices described above, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices. For example, the alarm system 1 does not necessarily have to include a slave unit 10a and a master unit 10b, and may include multiple alarm devices 10 without distinction between them. The configuration of the alarm devices 10 and the alarm transmission device 20 may also be configured to include one or more of the configurations described above, or it may be configured to omit some of the configurations.

[0064] The alarm output unit 207 may have any circuit configuration as long as it can realize the functions of the alarm output unit 207. The alarm output unit 207 may be configured to include one or more of the above-described circuit elements, or it may be configured to omit some of the circuit elements. For example, the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 may be make contacts or transfer contacts, and the alarm output unit 207 may have multiple contacts. If the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 are make contacts, under normal circumstances the contacts are in an open state and no current flows to the external device 30. However, when a device malfunction signal is received, the contact control unit 213 switches the contacts to a closed state. When the contacts are switched to a closed state, both ends of the contacts become conductive, and current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that there is a device malfunction in the alarm device 10. Also, when stopping the output of the alarm signal, the contact control unit 213 switches the contacts of the alarm output unit 207 to the normal open state. When the contact switches to the open state, conductivity is lost at both ends of the contact, and current stops flowing to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that the equipment malfunction of the alarm 10 has been resolved. In the embodiment described above, when the contact of the alarm output unit 207 is a break contact, the absence of current flowing to the external device 30 results in the output of an alarm signal indicating that an equipment malfunction has occurred. On the other hand, in the modified example, when the contact of the alarm output unit 207 is a make contact, current flows to the external device 30, resulting in the output of an alarm signal indicating that an equipment malfunction has occurred.

[0065] In the embodiments described above, the control unit 101 of the alarm device 10 includes circuits such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, etc., and at least part of the functions of the alarm device 10 may be realized by these circuits. Similarly, the control unit 201 of the alarm transmission device 20 also includes these circuits, and at least part of the functions of the alarm transmission device 20 may be realized by these circuits.

[0066] Variation 12 In the embodiments described above, the operation of the alarm system 1 is not limited to the examples described above. The processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. In addition, some of the processing steps of the alarm system 1 may be omitted.

[0067] Variation 13 Another embodiment 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 alarm transmission device 20. Yet another embodiment of the present invention may provide a program to be executed in the slave unit 10a, the master unit 10b, and the alarm transmission device 20. This program may be provided stored on a computer-readable recording medium or provided by download via the Internet or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1: Alarm system, 10: Alarm device, 10a: Slave unit, 10b: Master unit, 20: Alarm transfer device, 30: External equipment, 111: Anomaly detection unit, 112: Alarm control unit, 113: Update unit, 114: Test unit, 115: Transmitter, 116: Receiver, 117: Update control unit, 211: Receiver, 212: Alarm control unit, 213: Contact control unit

Claims

1. The system includes a transmitting unit that, upon receiving an equipment abnormality signal including an identifier for a first detector that detects an abnormality occurring in the monitoring area and status information indicating an equipment abnormality of the first detector, transmits the equipment abnormality signal to a transmission device, thereby causing the transmission device to output a transmission signal indicating the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the first detector. When the transmitting unit satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the first detector, which experienced the equipment malfunction, has been replaced with a new second detector that has the same identifier as the first detector, and receives a test result signal that includes new status information indicating that the second detector is in a normal state, the transmitting unit either refrains from transmitting the test result signal to the transmission device, or transmits the test result signal that includes status information indicating the equipment malfunction to the transmission device, thereby continuing the output of the transmission signal from the transmission device. Management device.

2. The system further comprises a storage unit that stores the state information of the first detector in association with the identifier of the first detector, The predetermined condition is that the state information stored in the storage unit in association with the identifier included in the test result signal indicates an equipment malfunction, and the new state information included in the test result signal indicates a normal state. The control device according to claim 1.

3. An alarm system comprising a control device and a transmission device, The aforementioned control device is The device has a transmitting unit that, upon receiving an equipment abnormality signal including an identifier for a first detector that detects an abnormality occurring in the monitoring area and status information indicating an equipment abnormality of the first detector, transmits the equipment abnormality signal to a transmission device, thereby causing the transmission device to output a transmission signal indicating the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the first detector. When the transmitting unit satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the first detector in which the equipment malfunction occurred has been replaced with a new second detector having the same identifier as the first detector, and when a test result signal including new status information indicating that the second detector is in a normal state is received, the transmitting unit will either not transmit the test result signal to the transmission device, or will transmit the test result signal including status information indicating the equipment malfunction to the transmission device, thereby continuing the output of the transmission signal from the transmission device. The aforementioned relay device, A receiving unit that receives at least the equipment malfunction signal from the management device among the equipment malfunction signal and the test result signal, The system also includes a transfer output unit that outputs the transfer signal to an external device if the status information contained in the received equipment malfunction signal or test result signal indicates an equipment malfunction. Alarm system.

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