Alarm system

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables an external device to recognize the occurrence of a device abnormality in a detector that detects an abnormality in a monitoring area.SOLUTION: An alarm system includes a warning device and a transfer device 20. The warning device transmits a device abnormality signal when a device abnormality occurs in the warning device. The transfer device 20, upon receiving the device abnormality signal, outputs a transfer signal to an external device 30 that is not included in the alarm system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for notifying the outside of a device abnormality of a detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitoring area.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A technique is known that transmits and outputs a fire signal output from a fire detector to an external device (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Further, a technique is known that performs inter-group linkage by transferring a device failure interlocking signal transmitted from fire detectors in a group between groups (for example, Patent Document 3).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

PATENT DOCUMENT 2

PATENT DOCUMENT 3

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, there is a demand for the user of an external device to know that this device abnormality has occurred. However, in the conventional technology, the external device side cannot recognize that the device abnormality of this detector has occurred.

[0005] One of the objects of the present invention is to enable an external device side to recognize the occurrence of a device abnormality in a detector that detects an abnormality occurring in a monitoring area.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides an alarm system comprising a detector for detecting abnormalities occurring in a monitoring area and a signal relay device, wherein the detector transmits an equipment abnormality signal when an equipment abnormality occurs in the detector, and the signal relay device, upon receiving the equipment abnormality signal, outputs a signal relay to an external device not included in the alarm system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an external device can recognize the occurrence of a malfunction in a detector that detects abnormalities occurring in a monitoring area. [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 diagram shows an example of the configuration of the relay output unit. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of how a fire alarm works. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of what happens when a device malfunction occurs in the handset. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of what happens when a device malfunction occurs in the main unit. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the transmission output unit related to a modified example. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the transmission output unit related to another modified example. [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 systems 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 the master unit 10b are collectively referred to as the alarm device 10. The slave units 10a, the master unit 10b, and the 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. The number of slave units 10a may be any number up to, for example, 14 or less.

[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.

[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 each part of the own device and executes various processes. The control unit 101 includes, for example, one or more processors such as a CPU, and a main memory such as a RAM, and the processor loads a program stored in the storage unit 102 into the main memory and executes it. The storage unit 102 stores various data such as a program for realizing the functions of the own device, an address set for the own device, and a group ID of the group to which the own device belongs. This address is a number that uniquely identifies the alarm 10. Addresses with consecutive numbers are preset for the plurality of alarms 10 belonging to the same group. The storage unit 102 includes, for example, at least one of a ROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The communication unit 103 is a communication interface for performing wireless communication with other devices in accordance with a wireless communication standard. The communication unit 103 includes, for example, an antenna and a transmission / reception circuit. The operation unit 104 is used for operations by an operator. The operation unit 104 includes, for example, operation buttons. The display unit 105 displays various types of information. The display unit 105 includes a plurality of LEDs with different emission colors, and indicates various types of information by the lighting pattern of each LED. The sound output unit 106 outputs various alarm sounds and voice messages. The sound output unit 106 includes, for example, a speaker. The fire detection unit 107 detects a fire by measuring a physical quantity that changes with a fire. The fire detection method is, for example, a photoelectric type or a fixed temperature type. In the case of the photoelectric type, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the ambient smoke concentration. In the case of the fixed temperature type, the fire detection unit 107 measures and outputs the ambient temperature. Note that the fire detection method is not limited to the photoelectric type or the fixed temperature type, and may be any method that can detect a fire, such as an infrared type or a combined type. The power supply unit 108 supplies power to each part of the own device. The power supply unit 108 includes, for example, a battery and a power supply circuit.

[0015] The control unit 101 functions as an abnormality detection unit 111, a transmission unit 112, a reception unit 113, an alarm control unit 114, and a transfer unit 115. These functions are realized by the processor of the control unit 101 executing the program stored in the storage unit 102 to perform calculations or control each part of the own device.

[0016] The abnormality detection unit 111 checks the state of its own device at predetermined time intervals, and detects a device abnormality of the own device. The types of device abnormality include, for example, battery exhaustion, sensor abnormality, and radio wave abnormality. The battery exhaustion indicates a state where the remaining battery level is low. The sensor abnormality indicates a state where there is an abnormality in the output of the fire detection unit 107. The radio wave abnormality indicates a state where there is an abnormality in wireless communication between the own device and another device.

[0017] When a fire is detected by the fire detection unit 107, the transmission unit 112 transmits a fire interlocking signal. This fire interlocking signal is an example of the fire signal according to the present invention. Further, when a device abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111, the transmission unit 112 transmits a device abnormality signal. This device abnormality signal indicates the type of the device abnormality.

[0018] When a fire is detected by another alarm device 10, the reception unit 113 receives a fire interlocking signal from the other alarm device 10.

[0019] When a fire is detected by the fire detection unit 107 or a fire interlocking signal is received from another alarm device 10, the alarm control unit 114 causes the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to output an alarm notifying the occurrence of the fire. Further, when a device abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111, the alarm control unit 114 causes the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to output an alarm notifying the occurrence of the device abnormality. For example, the alarm control unit 114 causes the sound output unit 106 to output a voice message, and lights the LED of the display unit 105 in accordance with a predetermined lighting pattern.

[0020] The transfer unit 115 transfers various signals received from the other alarm device 10 to the notification device 20 and further other alarm devices 10. This is to enable these devices to receive the signal transmitted from the other alarm device 10 even when the notification device 20 and the further other alarm devices 10 belonging to the same group are installed outside the wireless communication range of the other alarm device 10.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the alarm output unit 207. In this example, the external device 30 includes a first receiving unit 301 that receives an alarm signal indicating the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm 10, and a second receiving unit 302 that receives an alarm signal indicating the occurrence of a fire. The alarm output unit 207 includes terminals 271a to 271d and contacts 272a and 272b. Each of terminals 271a and 271b is connected to the first receiving unit 301 via a signal line 40. A contact 272a is connected in series between terminals 271a and 271b. Contact 272a is used for alarm output of device malfunctions. Contact 272a is an example of a first contact according to the present invention. Contact 272a is a break contact and is normally in a closed state. Each of terminals 271c and 271d is connected to the second receiving unit 302 via a signal line 40. A contact 272b is connected in series between terminals 271c and 271d. Contact 272b is used for fire alarm output. Contact 272b is an example of a second contact according to the present invention. Contact 272b is a make contact and is normally in the open state.

[0023] Returning to Figure 3, 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.

[0024] The receiving unit 211 receives fire alarm signals and equipment malfunction signals. The receiving unit 211 may receive these signals directly from the slave unit 10a or master unit 10b that has detected a fire or equipment malfunction, or it may receive signals that have been forwarded by the master unit 10b.

[0025] When the alarm control unit 212 receives a fire interlock signal at the receiving unit 211, it displays a fire-related alarm on the display unit 205. Furthermore, when the alarm control unit 212 receives an equipment malfunction signal at the receiving unit 211, it displays an equipment malfunction alarm on the display unit 205. In this case, the alarm control unit 212 may display different alarms depending on the type of equipment malfunction indicated by the equipment malfunction signal. For example, the alarm control unit 212 may light up the LEDs on the display unit 205 according to different predetermined lighting patterns for each type of equipment malfunction.

[0026] The contact control unit 213 controls contacts 272a and 272b of the alarm output unit 207. The contact control unit 213 changes the connection state of contacts 272a and 272b depending on whether a fire alarm signal or an equipment malfunction signal is received. As a result, different alarm signals are output from the alarm output unit 207 depending on whether a fire alarm signal or an equipment malfunction signal is received. For example, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of contacts 272a and 272b by using the electromagnetic force of coils (not shown) paired with each of the contacts 272a and 272b. In the example shown in Figure 4, the alarm output unit 207 has a contact relay, but it may also have a non-contact relay.

[0027] 2.Operation Figure 5 shows an example of fire alarm operation. The fire alarm operation is initiated when the alarm device 10 detects a fire. Here, we will explain using the case where the slave unit 10a detects a fire as an example.

[0028] In step S11, the fire detection unit 107 of the slave unit 10a detects a fire. In step S12, the alarm control unit 114 of the slave unit 10a outputs an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to indicate the occurrence of a fire. For example, the alarm control unit 114 outputs the voice message "Fire! Fire!" from the sound output unit 106 and flashes the LED of the display unit 105 at a predetermined first flashing cycle. In step S13, the transmission unit 112 of the slave unit 10a transmits a fire interlock signal wirelessly. Note that the processes in step S12 and step S13 may be performed in either order or in parallel. The address of the slave unit 10a and the group ID are added to this fire interlock signal so that other devices belonging to the same group can know which device detected the fire. The receiver 113 of the master unit 10b receives the fire alarm signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a because the group ID included in the fire alarm signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 102 of the master unit 10b. Other devices within the wireless communication range of the slave unit 10a may also receive the fire alarm signal in the same way as the master unit 10b.

[0029] In step S14, the alarm control unit 114 of the master unit 10b outputs an alarm from the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to indicate the occurrence of a fire. For example, if the address of the alarm device 10 included in the fire interlock signal is 5, the alarm control unit 114 outputs the voice message "Fire at number 5" from the sound output unit 106 and flashes the LED of the display unit 105 at a predetermined first flashing cycle. The display color of the LED may be different for the alarm device 10 that detected the fire and the alarm device 10 that received the fire interlock signal. In steps S15 and S16, the transfer unit 115 of the master unit 10b confirms that the transmission of the fire interlock signal from the slave device 10a that detected the fire has stopped, and then wirelessly transfers this fire interlock signal to the other slave devices 10a and the transmission device 20. The receiving unit 113 of the other slave unit 10a receives the fire alarm signal transferred from the master unit 10b because the group ID included in the fire alarm signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 102 of this slave unit 10a. Similarly, the receiving unit 211 of the alarm transfer device 20 also receives the fire alarm signal transferred from the master unit 10b because the group ID included in the fire alarm signal matches the group ID stored in the storage unit 202.

[0030] In step S17, the alarm control unit 114 of the other slave unit 10a causes the display unit 105 and the sound output unit 106 to emit an alarm indicating the occurrence of a fire. For example, the alarm control unit 114 emits the voice message "Fire at number 5" from the sound output unit 106 and causes the LED of the display unit 105 to blink at a predetermined first blinking cycle. In step S18, the alarm control unit 212 of the transmission device 20 causes the display unit 205 to display an alarm indicating the occurrence of a fire. For example, the alarm control unit 212 causes the LED of the display unit 205 to blink at a predetermined first blinking cycle.

[0031] In step S19, the contact control unit 213 of the alarm transmission device 20 controls contacts 272a and 272b to output an alarm signal from the alarm transmission output unit 207 to the external device 30 to inform it of the occurrence of a fire. This alarm signal is an example of the second alarm signal according to the present invention. Note that the processing in step S18 and the processing in step S19 may be performed in either order or in parallel. As shown in Figure 4, under normal circumstances, contact 272a is in the closed state and contact 272b is in the open state, so current flows to the first receiving unit 301 of the external device 30, but no current flows to the second receiving unit 302. However, upon receiving a fire interlocking signal, the contact control unit 213 maintains contact 272a in the normally closed state shown in Figure 4 and switches contact 272b to the closed state. When contact 272b is switched to the closed state, both ends of contact 272b become conductive, so current flows to the second receiving unit 302 of the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a fire has occurred. The external device 30 then transmits a signal indicating the occurrence of a fire to the management company's control center. Consequently, the management company recognizes that a fire has occurred in the building under its management and can take appropriate action. This transmission signal continues to be output until a fire recovery signal is received from the source of the fire detection.

[0032] Figure 6 shows an example of the operation that occurs when a device malfunction occurs in the slave unit 10a. This operation is initiated when the slave unit 10a detects a device malfunction.

[0033] In step S21, the abnormality detection unit 111 of the slave unit 10a detects an equipment abnormality if 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. 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.

[0034] In step S22, the alarm control unit 114 of the slave unit 10a 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 114 outputs different alarms depending on the type of device malfunction. For example, if a dead battery is detected, the alarm control unit 114 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 114 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.

[0035] In step S23, the transmitter 112 of the slave unit 10a wirelessly transmits a device malfunction signal. Note that the processing in step S22 and the processing in step S23 may be performed in either order or in parallel. The address of the slave unit 10a 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 device malfunction signal also contains information indicating the type of device malfunction. The receiver 113 of the master unit 10b receives the device malfunction signal transmitted from the slave unit 10a 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.

[0036] In step S24, the transfer unit 115 of the master unit 10b confirms that the transmission of the equipment malfunction signal from the slave unit 10a that detected the equipment malfunction has stopped, and then wirelessly transfers this equipment malfunction signal to the alarm transfer device 20. The receiving unit 211 of the alarm transfer device 20 receives the equipment malfunction signal transferred 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 may also receive the equipment malfunction signal, in this embodiment, the other slave units 10a do not perform any processing in response to the equipment malfunction signal.

[0037] In step S25, the alarm control unit 212 of the alarm transmission device 20 causes the display unit 205 to display an alarm indicating the occurrence of a device malfunction 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 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 device malfunction is a sensor malfunction, the alarm control unit 114 flashes the LED on the display unit 205 three times at a predetermined second flashing cycle. Although the difference is shown here by the number of flashes, the display color of the LED or the flashing cycle may also be different.

[0038] In step S26, the contact control unit 213 of the alarm transmission device 20 controls contacts 272a and 272b to cause the alarm transmission output unit 207 to output an alarm transmission signal to the external device 30 that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. This alarm transmission signal is an example of the first alarm transmission signal according to the present invention. Note that the processing in step S25 and the processing in step S26 may be performed in either order or in parallel. As shown in Figure 4, under normal circumstances, contact 272a is in a closed state and contact 272b is in an open state, so current flows to the first receiving unit 301 of the external device 30, but no current flows to the second receiving unit 302. However, upon receiving an equipment malfunction signal, the contact control unit 213 switches contact 272a, shown in Figure 4, to an open state and maintains contact 272b in its normal open state. When contact 272a switches to the open state, conductivity is lost across both ends of contact 272a, and current stops flowing to the first receiving unit 301 of the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. The external device 30 then transmits a signal to the management company's control center, for example, indicating that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10. As a result, the management company recognizes that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10 installed in the building under its management and can take appropriate action. The output of this relay signal continues until the device malfunction at the source of the malfunction is resolved.

[0039] In this case, if a fire and a malfunction in the alarm 10 occur simultaneously, the receiving unit 211 of the transmission device 20 will receive the fire interlock signal and the malfunction signal from at least one alarm 10 at related timings. Note that the fire interlock signal and the malfunction signal do not necessarily have to be received simultaneously, as long as they are received at related timings. For example, if a malfunction signal is received and a transmission signal indicating a malfunction in the alarm 10 is being output, and a fire interlock signal is received at the same time, the fire interlock signal and the malfunction signal will still be considered to have been received at related timings.

[0040] In this embodiment, when a fire alarm signal and an equipment malfunction signal are received at related timings, the contact control unit 213 of the alarm transmission device 20 controls the connection state of contacts 272a and 272b to cause the alarm transmission output unit 207 to output an alarm signal to the external device 30 indicating the occurrence of a fire. When the fire alarm signal and the equipment malfunction signal are received at related timings, the contact control unit 213 switches contact 272a, shown in Figure 4, to the normal closed state and switches contact 272b to the closed state, similar to when the fire alarm signal is received. For example, if contact 272a is in the closed state, the contact control unit 213 maintains contact 272a in the closed state. On the other hand, for example, if an alarm transmission output signal indicating the occurrence of an equipment malfunction in the alarm 10 has already been output, contact 272a is switched to the open state. In this case, the contact control unit 213 switches contact 272a to the closed state. When contact 272b is in the closed state, current flows to the second receiving unit 302 of the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a fire has occurred. The external device 30 then sends a signal, for example, indicating the occurrence of a fire, to the management company's control center. Consequently, the management company recognizes that a fire has occurred in the building under its management and can take appropriate action.

[0041] Figure 7 shows an example of the operation that occurs when a device malfunction occurs in the master unit 10b. This operation is initiated when the master unit 10b detects a device malfunction.

[0042] In step S31, the abnormality detection unit 111 of the master unit 10b detects an equipment abnormality in its own unit, similar to step S21 described above. In step S32, the alarm control unit 114 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 abnormality, similar to step S22 described above. In step S33, the transmission unit 112 of the master unit 10b transmits an equipment abnormality signal wirelessly, similar to step S23 described above. Note that the processing in step S32 and the processing in step S33 may be performed in either order or in parallel. The receiving unit 211 of the alarm transmission device 20 receives this equipment abnormality signal. The processing in steps S34 and S35 is the same as the processing in steps S25 and S26 described above, so their explanation is omitted.

[0043] According to the embodiment described above, when a malfunction occurs in the alarm 10, a relay signal indicating the occurrence of this malfunction is output to the external device 30, so that the external device 30 can recognize the malfunction of the alarm 10. Furthermore, since different relay signals are output for when a fire occurs and when a malfunction occurs in the alarm 10, the external device 30 can distinguish and recognize the occurrence of a fire and the malfunction of the alarm 10. Moreover, if both a fire and a malfunction of the alarm 10 occur, a relay signal indicating the occurrence of a fire is output to the external device 30, so that the external device 30 can recognize the occurrence of the fire, which has a higher priority. Furthermore, since the relay device 20 displays different alarms depending on the type of malfunction, the type of malfunction can be recognized by looking at the display of the relay device 20.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Variation 1 In the embodiments described above, the configuration of the alarm output unit 207 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 4. Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of an alarm output unit 217 according to a modified example. The alarm output unit 217 includes terminals 271a to 271d and contacts 272a and 272b. A terminator 273 is provided between the alarm output unit 217 and the external device 30. The terminator 273 includes resistors 275a, 275b, and 275c. Terminal 271a is connected to one end of the terminator 273 via a signal line 40. One end of the terminator 273 is connected to the external device 30 via a signal line 40. Contact 272a is connected in series between terminals 271a and 271b. Resistor 275a is connected in parallel with terminal 271a. Resistors 275a and 275b are connected in series between terminal 271b and one end of the terminator 273. In other words, terminal 271b and one end of the terminator 273 are connected via resistors 275a and 275b. Also, resistors 275b and 275c are connected in series between terminal 271b and the other end of the terminator 273. That is, terminal 271b and the other end of the terminator 273 are connected via resistors 275b and 275c. Resistor 275b is connected in series between terminal 271b and terminal 271c. Contact 272b is connected in series between terminal 271c and terminal 271d. Resistor 275c is connected in parallel with contact 272b. Terminal 271d is connected to the other end of the terminator 273 via signal line 40. Also, resistors 275a and 275c are connected in series between one end and the other end of the terminator 273. That is, one end and the other end of the terminator 273 are connected via resistors 275a and 275c. The other end of the terminator 273 is connected to an external device 30 via a signal line 40.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 8, under normal circumstances, contact 272a is in the closed state, so both ends of contact 272a conduct, and a current corresponding to the resistance values ​​of resistors 275b and 275c of the terminator 273 flows to the external device 30. However, when a fire alarm signal is received, the contact control unit 213 maintains contact 272a in its normal closed state and switches contact 272b to the closed state. When contact 272b is switched to the closed state, both ends of contact 272b conduct, and a current corresponding to the resistance value of resistor 275b of the terminator 273 flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a fire has occurred. On the other hand, when an equipment malfunction signal is received, the contact control unit 213 switches contact 272a to the open state and maintains contact 272b in its normal open state. When contact 272a is switched to the open state, conductivity is lost across both ends of contact 272a, causing a current corresponding to the resistance values ​​of resistors 275a and 275c of the terminator 273 to flow to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a device malfunction has occurred in the alarm device 10.

[0047] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the alarm output unit 227 according to another modified example. In this example, the alarm output unit 227 includes terminals 271e and 271f, contacts 272a and 272b, and a bypass resistor 274. Contacts 272a and 272b are connected in series between terminals 271e and 271f. The bypass resistor 274 is connected in parallel with contact 272b.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 9, under normal circumstances, contact 272a is in the closed state, so both ends of contact 272a conduct, and a current corresponding to the resistance value of the bypass resistor 274 flows to the external device 30. However, when a fire alarm signal is received, the contact control unit 213 maintains contact 272a in its normal closed state and switches contact 272b to the closed state. When contact 272b is switched to the closed state, both ends of contact 272b conduct, and a larger current than usual flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that a fire has occurred. On the other hand, when an equipment malfunction signal is received, the contact control unit 213 switches contact 272a to the open state and maintains contact 272b in its normal open state. When contact 272a is switched to the open state, conduction is lost between both ends of contact 272a, so no current flows to the external device 30. As a result, the external device 30 recognizes that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the alarm 10.

[0049] In the examples shown in Figures 4, 8, and 9, diodes may be connected in series between terminal 271a or 271e and contact 272a, and between contact 272b and terminal 271d or 271f, in order to limit the direction of current flow. Furthermore, both contacts 272a and 272b may be break contacts or make contacts. Even with this modified configuration, the external device 30 can distinguish and recognize the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm 10 and the occurrence of a fire.

[0050] Variation 2 In the embodiments described above, when a device malfunction in the alarm 10 and a fire occur simultaneously, if the priority for reporting the device malfunction is high, a reporting signal indicating the occurrence of a device malfunction in the alarm 10 may be output. For example, if a device malfunction signal, a fire interlock signal, and a fire recovery signal are repeatedly received from the same alarm 10 at predetermined short time intervals, it is considered that there is a serious device malfunction in this alarm 10, and therefore the priority for reporting the device malfunction may be high. Also, if a fire interlock signal is received from at least one alarm 10 and a device malfunction signal is received from more than a predetermined number of alarm 10, there is a possibility that the fire has not been detected correctly, and therefore the priority for reporting the device malfunction may be high. Furthermore, if both a fire interlock signal and a device malfunction signal are received from the same alarm 10, the reliability of the fire interlock signal is low, and therefore the priority for reporting the device malfunction may be high. Furthermore, when a sensor malfunction in the alarm 10 is detected, if the output of the fire detection unit 107 is greater than the normal range, the fire is likely to be falsely detected, and therefore the priority for reporting the device malfunction may be high. Furthermore, if the output of the fire detection unit 107 is greater than the normal range and the priority of reporting equipment malfunctions is to be increased, the malfunction detection unit 111 of the alarm 10 distinguishes between a first sensor malfunction, where the output of the fire detection unit 107 is less than the normal range, and a second sensor malfunction, where the output is greater than the normal range. When a second sensor malfunction is detected, the equipment malfunction signal includes information indicating the second sensor malfunction. Based on this information, the alarm transmission device 20 recognizes that the output of the fire detection unit 107 is greater than the normal range. When equipment malfunctions in the alarm 10 and a fire occur simultaneously, and the priority of reporting equipment malfunctions is high, the contact control unit 213 switches the connection state of at least one of contacts 272a and 272b to the same state as when an equipment malfunction signal is received. As a result, an alarm transmission signal indicating the occurrence of equipment malfunctions in the alarm 10 is output from the alarm transmission output unit 207. According to this modified example, even if a malfunction in the alarm 10 and a fire occur simultaneously, if the priority for reporting the malfunction is high, a transmission signal indicating the malfunction of the alarm 10 is output to the external device 30, allowing the external device 30 to recognize the malfunction of the alarm 10.

[0051] Variation 3 In the embodiment described above, the slave unit 10a may transmit a periodic signal indicating its own status to the master unit 10b at predetermined time intervals. If an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 111 of the slave unit 10a and the abnormality has not been resolved, the periodic signal includes status information indicating the equipment abnormality. This status information includes information indicating the type of equipment abnormality. When the receiving unit 113 of the master unit 10b receives this periodic signal, it stores the status information contained in the periodic signal in the storage unit 102 of the master unit 10b. The storage unit 102 also stores status information indicating the status of the master unit 10b. In this modified example, the master unit 10b transmits a periodic signal indicating the status of the slave units 10a in the group and its own status to the transmission device 20 at predetermined time intervals. This periodic signal includes the status information of the slave units 10a and the master unit 10b stored in the storage unit 102 of the master unit 10b. The receiving unit 211 of the transmission device 20 receives this periodic signal. If this periodic signal indicates that there is an abnormality in the slave unit 10a or the master unit 10b, the alarm transfer device 20 performs the same processing as in steps S25 and S26 described above. Even with this modified method, when a malfunction occurs in the alarm device 10, an alarm transfer signal indicating the occurrence of this malfunction is output to the external device 30, so that the external device 30 can recognize the occurrence of a malfunction in the alarm device 10.

[0052] Variation 4 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 can be any malfunction relating to the equipment of the alarm device 10. For example, the equipment malfunction may include radio wave malfunctions. As in Modification 3, if the slave unit 10a transmits a periodic signal indicating its status to the master unit 10b at predetermined time intervals, the master unit 10b detects a radio wave malfunction of the slave unit 10a if the state of not receiving a periodic signal from the slave unit 10a continues for a predetermined period of time or longer. This predetermined period is greater than the length of the predetermined time interval. When the master unit 10b detects a radio wave malfunction of the slave unit 10a, the alarm control unit 114 outputs the voice message "Radio wave malfunction" from the sound output unit 106 and flashes the LED of the display unit 105 twice, for example, at a predetermined second flashing cycle. The transmission unit 112 of the master unit 10b transmits an equipment malfunction signal, similar to step S33 described above. This equipment malfunction signal includes information indicating a radio wave malfunction. The subsequent processing is basically the same as steps S34 and S35 described above. However, in step S34, the alarm control unit 212 of the alarm transmission device 20 causes the LED of the display unit 205 to blink twice, for example, at a predetermined second blinking cycle.

[0053] In this modified example, the slave unit 10a may detect a radio wave anomaly in its own unit. For example, the anomaly detection unit 111 of the slave unit 10a transmits a test signal to the master unit 10b at predetermined time intervals to check for radio wave anomalies. When the master unit 10b receives a test signal from the slave unit 10a, it transmits a response signal to the slave unit 10a. If the anomaly detection unit 111 of the slave unit 10a does not receive a response signal from the master unit 10b within a predetermined time after transmitting the test signal, it detects a radio wave anomaly. In this case, the alarm control unit 114 of the slave unit 10a outputs an audio message, "Radio wave anomaly," from the sound output unit 106, and also causes the LED of the display unit 105 to blink twice, for example, at a predetermined second blinking cycle. The transmission unit 112 of the slave unit 10a transmits an equipment anomaly signal, similar to step S23 described above. This equipment anomaly signal contains information indicating a radio wave anomaly. The subsequent processing is basically the same as steps S24 to S26 described above. However, in step S25, the alarm control unit 212 of the alarm transfer device 20 causes the LED of the display unit 205 to blink twice, for example, at a predetermined second blinking cycle. According to this modified example, even if a radio wave abnormality occurs in the slave unit 10a, an alarm transfer signal indicating the occurrence of an equipment abnormality is output to the external device 30, so that the external device 30 can recognize the occurrence of an equipment abnormality in the alarm device 10.

[0054] Variation 5 In the embodiment described above, the transfer unit 115 of the master unit 10b does not necessarily have to wait until it has confirmed that the transmission of the fire interlock signal from the fire detection source alarm 10 has stopped before transferring the signal received from the slave unit 10a. For example, the transfer unit 115 may transfer the signal after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time it receives the signal from the slave unit 10a. Alternatively, the transfer unit 115 may transfer the signal immediately upon receiving it from the slave unit 10a. Furthermore, if the transfer unit 115 receives a fire interlock signal and an equipment malfunction signal from one or more slave units 10a, it may transfer these signals at different timings. For example, if the transfer unit 115 receives a fire interlock signal and an equipment malfunction signal from one or more slave units 10a, it may first transfer the fire interlock signal, and then transfer the equipment malfunction signal after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time the fire interlock signal was transferred. This makes it possible to avoid signal collisions when transferring these signals when receiving a fire interlock signal and an equipment malfunction signal from one or more slave units 10a.

[0055] Variation 6 In the embodiment described above, other slave units 10a (hereinafter referred to as "other slave units 10a") that have not experienced an equipment malfunction may receive the equipment malfunction signal and perform processing corresponding to the equipment malfunction signal. In this case, the transfer unit 115 of the master unit 10b also transfers the equipment malfunction signal to the other slave units 10a. When a slave unit 10a installed around the slave unit 10a that has experienced an equipment malfunction receives the equipment malfunction signal, it may, for example, shorten the sampling period used for fire detection or increase the sensitivity of the fire detection unit 107. The slave units 10a installed around the slave unit 10a that has experienced an equipment malfunction may be identified, for example, based on information indicating the installation location of the alarm unit 10 stored in the storage unit 102. According to this modification, even if an equipment malfunction occurs in a slave unit 10a and the fire is not detected by this slave unit 10a, the fire is more likely to be detected by the slave units 10a installed around that slave unit 10a.

[0056] 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 directly receive the signal from the slave unit 10a and perform processing according to the received signal.

[0057] 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.

[0058] Modification 9 The detector according to the present invention is not limited to the alarm device 10, and does not necessarily have to emit an alarm. For example, the detector may be a sensor or fire sensor that does not have an alarm function.

[0059] Variation 10 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. Also, the circuit configurations shown in Figures 4, 8, and 9 are examples, and other circuit configurations are also possible. For example, the number of components in the circuit may be increased or decreased, such as by appropriately increasing the number of contacts depending on the number of transmission signals to be output. In addition, other components other than those shown in Figures 4, 8, and 9 may be included, or the system may be configured to omit some of the components shown in Figures 4, 8, and 9. In short, any circuit configuration is acceptable as long as it can realize a mechanism that can transmit abnormalities by changing the current according to the combination of contact connection states.

[0060] In the embodiments described above, the control unit 101 of the alarm device 10 may include circuits such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), 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 may also include these circuits, and at least part of the functions of the alarm transmission device 20 may be realized by these circuits.

[0061] Variation 11 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.

[0062] Variation 12 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.

[0063] Variation 13 In the embodiment described above, after a fire and a malfunction in the alarm 10 occur simultaneously, when the alarm 10 that detected the fire is restored and transmits a fire restoration signal, the receiving unit 211 of the transmission device 20 receives the fire interlocking signal and the equipment malfunction signal from at least one alarm 10 at the appropriate timings, and then receives the fire restoration signal. In this case, the contact control unit 213 of the transmission device 20 first sets contact 272a to the normal closed state and contact 272b to the normal open state, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, switches contact 272a to the open state and maintains contact 272b in the normal open state, similar to when an equipment malfunction occurs. As a result, the external device 30 can recognize that the fire has been restored after a fire and a malfunction in the alarm 10 occurred simultaneously.

[0064] Variation 14 In the embodiment described above, the alarm output unit 207 may include only one contact. In this modified example, the contact is normally in a closed state. When a fire alarm signal is received, the contact control unit 213 switches this contact between an open state and a closed state at predetermined time intervals. When an equipment malfunction signal is received, the contact control unit 213 switches this contact to an open state. With this configuration as well, the external device 30 can distinguish and recognize the occurrence of a fire and the occurrence of an equipment malfunction.

[0065] Variant 15 The present invention may also be applied to a system that alarms 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 and alarms for phenomena other than fire. A gas alarm, a motion sensor, or other device that detects and alarms for phenomena other than fire 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 monitoring area. This abnormality is not limited to fire, but may be any abnormality such as a gas leak or intrusion by a suspicious person.

[0066] Variation 16 In the embodiment described above, the alarm output unit 207 may include three or more contacts. In this modified example, the alarm output unit 207 switches the connection state of three or more contacts according to the type of equipment malfunction, the alarm 10 that has malfunctioned, or the number of alarm 10 that have malfunctioned, thereby outputting different alarm signals depending on the type of equipment malfunction, the alarm 10 that has malfunctioned, or the number of alarm 10 that have malfunctioned. According to this modified example, since different alarm signals are output depending on the type of equipment malfunction, the alarm 10 that has malfunctioned, and the number of alarm 10 that have malfunctioned, more detailed information about the occurrence of an abnormality can be recognized. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1: Alarm system, 10: Alarm device, 20: Transfer device, 30: External equipment, 111: Anomaly detection unit, 112: Transmitter, 113: Receiver, 114: Alarm control unit, 115: Transfer unit, 207: Transfer output unit, 211: Receiver, 212: Alarm control unit, 213: Contact control unit

Claims

[Claim 1] An alarm system comprising a plurality of detectors installed in a building's monitoring area for detecting a fire occurring in the monitoring area, The aforementioned plurality of detectors include a master unit and a plurality of slave units, The master unit is positioned in a location where it can communicate wirelessly with the plurality of slave units and the transmission device. When an equipment malfunction occurs in the aforementioned detector, each of the plurality of detectors wirelessly transmits an equipment malfunction signal that includes its own address. When the master unit receives the equipment malfunction signal wirelessly from the first detector among the plurality of slave units, it receives the equipment malfunction signal and wirelessly transmits the equipment malfunction signal to the signal transfer device and other slave units. When the second detector, which is installed around the first detector, receives the equipment malfunction signal, it identifies that it is installed around the first detector based on the information indicating the installation locations of the plurality of detectors stored in the memory unit, and shortens the sampling period used for fire detection. Alarm system.

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