GB2605125A

GB2605125A - Emergency voice communication system

Info

Publication number: GB2605125A
Application number: GB2103139.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Morgan Anthony
Original assignee: Baldwin Boxall Communications Ltd
Current assignee: Baldwin Boxall Communications Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-05
Filing date: 2021-03-05
Publication date: 2022-09-28
Also published as: EP4302472A1; WO2022185070A1; GB202103139D0

Abstract

An EVC system has at least one termination point (TP, 7) to which outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) are connected. The outstations are connected to interchangeable zone boards (8, 9) located within the termination point where first zone boards allow connection of outstations in a loop and second zone boards allow radial outstation connections. There may be a series of TP’s and first outstations may be connected in a loop to a zone board and second outstations may be connected radially to a zone board. The connections between the zone boards and the outstations may be via a cable having two cores, such as copper cores, and the cable may carry power, control and audio data. The TP’s may be connected together via a fault tolerant loop. The connections may utilise OFDM Narrowband Power Line Communication (PLC) modems.

Description

Emergency Voice Communication System The present invention relates to an emergency voice communication (EVC) and fire telephone system able to support outstations connected to control panels either via 2 core radial connections and/or via a 2 core fault tolerant loop containing multiple outstations.

Background of the Invention

At present there are available on the market 2 types of emergency voice communication and fire telephone system, radial and loop. Building installations as the loop connection method is best suited to stairwell installations and the radial connection method is best suited for individually located outstations. However, there is currently no commercially available solution to allow the both types of connection on a single system.

In light of the problems discussed above, various proposals have been made, but there remains a need for an improved device which address one or more of the problems presented by prior art arrangements. In this regard, the present invention seeks to provide an alternative device which preferably addresses one or more of the problems

presented by prior art arrangements.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an emergency voice communication (EVC) system which comprises at least one termination point (TP) to which outstations are connected, wherein the outstations are connected to interchangeable zone boards located within the termination point where first zone boards allow connection of outstations in a loop and second zone boards allow radial outstation connections.

Preferably, the EVC system comprises a series of termination points (TP).

Preferably, first outstations are connected in a loop to a zone board and second outstations are connected radially to a zone board. In this regard, preferably, outstations are connected both radially and in a loop. Preferably, the zone boards are separate.

Preferably, the connection between zone boards and outstations is via a 2 core cable connection. Preferably, the cable comprises two copper cores. Preferably, the cable carries power, control and audio data.

Preferably, the cable comprises no more than two cores. Alternatively, the cable comprises a plurality of cores, but only two cores are connected between a zone board and an outstation. Preferably, the two cores connected carry power, control and audio data.

Preferably, polarity of the connection between zone boards and outstations is not significant. This provides the advantage that the connection can be connected with reverse polarity.

Preferably, outstations are configurable by the end user to be connected as a loop or radially. This provides the advantage of reducing the amount of spare units that will need to be held in order to maintain installed systems.

Preferably, outstations are as described in B55839-9, Type A or Type B. Preferably, B58300 compliant disabled toilet alarm systems can connected to first or second outstations or to a specialised unit designed for connection of disabled toilet alarms only.

Preferably, termination points comprise a user interface (TPUI) or no user interface (TP) to allow communication with connected outstations.

Preferably, a standalone user interface is provided which can be connected to a termination point. Advantageously, communication to outstations connected to a termination point without a user interface is possible via a user interface fitted / connected to another termination point.

Advantageously, termination points can be connected together via a fault tolerant loop. Preferably, the fault tolerant loop comprises a wired network utilising either copper, fibre or both.

Preferably, the connection utilises Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Narrowband Power Line Communication (PLC) modems. Preferably, audio compression is used. This provides the advantage of reducing the bit rate required so that Narrowband PLC modems can be used. This is considered to be innovative as Narrowband PLC has not been used in this way before for EVC audio transmission applications.

Advantageously, the use of Narrowband PLC allows for longer loop lengths than other communication methods, a reduced number of conductors and also allows for the connections to be made polarity insensitive. This reduces the amount of additional equipment required for some large installations as repeaters are not required and reduces the amount of failures! faults due to incorrect installation.

Preferably, outstations configured for loop connection have the ability to sense short circuit and open circuit conditions present in the loop.

Preferably, each outstation has the ability to break the loop in order to mitigate the consequences of a shorted connection. Advantageously, in use, when this occurs a fault is indicated at a user interface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diagram of an embodiment of a termination point (TP) and connected outstations according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a diagram of termination points connected together via a fault tolerant loop wired network.

Detailed Description of the Invention

It will be appreciated that aspects, embodiments and preferred features of the invention have been described herein in a way that allows the specification to be written in a clear and concise way. However, unless circumstances clearly dictate otherwise, aspects, embodiments and preferred features can be variously combined or separated in accordance with the invention. Thus, preferably, the invention provides a device having features of a combination of two or more, three or more, or four or more of the aspects described herein. In a preferred embodiment, a device in accordance with the invention comprises all aspects of the invention.

Within the context of this specification, the word "comprises" means "includes, among other things" and should not be construed to mean "consists of only".

Within the context of this specification, the term "outstation" is interpreted to have the meaning as described in B55839-9, Type A or Type B. In this regard, an outstation is a unit, located at a strategic point in a building or building complex, that allows two-way voice conversation with a master station. A Type A outstation is an outstation using a telephone-style handset for voice communication, so that the user's mouth and ear can be as close as possible to the microphone and ear-piece, respectively. In contrast, a Type B outstation is an outstation using an intercom-style fixed microphone and adjacent loudspeaker, normally mounted on a wall or other vertical surface.

S

Within the context of this specification, the term "master station" or "termination point" is interpreted to have the meaning as described in BS5839-9. In this regard, a master station is a control unit located at a central control point which controls an EVC system.

Within the context of this specification, the term "EVC system" is interpreted to have the meaning as described in BS5839-9. In this regard, an EVC system is a system that allows voice communication in either direction between a central control point and a number of other points throughout a building or building complex, particularly in a fire emergency situation.

The invention provides a system wherein multiple outstations are connected to an emergency voice communication system. According to the invention, communication and power transfer is provided which allows outstations to be connected to a control system utilizing both loop and radial connection methods simultaneously on one system. Connections to outstations are made utilizing 2 core cables, where the polarity is not important regardless of the connection method used. This provides the advantage that using the most suitable connection method significantly reduces the amount of cable required.

As shown in Figure 1, an embodiment of the invention comprises an EVC system which includes a termination point (TP) (7) to which outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) are connected. Outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) are connected to interchangeable zone boards (8, 9) located within the termination point (7) where first zone boards (9) allow connection of outstations (2, 3) in a loop and second zone boards (8) allow radial outstation connections to outstations (4, 5).

Communication and power transfer is provided which allows outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) to be connected to a master station (7) utilizing both loop and radial connection methods simultaneously on one system. Connections are made to outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) are made utilizing 2 core cables (10, 11).

An EVC system contains at least one master station (7). The EVC system is controlled from a master station (7) located at a central control point such as a fire control centre or security room or, if there is no manned control centre, at a main fire and rescue service access point. A master station (7) is expected to be permanently manned in an emergency. In a fire emergency situation, control might be taken over by a fire officer.

In a large building or complex, there may be more than one point from which evacuation or other emergency situations can be controlled. It may then be appropriate for a master station (7) to be installed at each such location. Where more than one master station (7) is installed in a building or complex, one master station (7) needs to have overall control of the EVC system at any given time, the remainder of the "master stations" (7) effectively becoming repeaters.

A master station (7) communicates with a number of outstations (2, 3,4, 5) throughout a building or complex. It needs to be powered from the normal low voltage electricity supply in a building or complex, but has a secondary power supply comprising a battery which is kept fully charged.

A master station (7) is able to receive calls from all outstations (2, 3, 4, 5). Where required, it also has a facility to call each individual outstation (2, 3, 4, 5), group of outstations or all outstations. As a minimum, a master station (7) will has a telephone-style handset or microphone and loudspeaker for voice communication purposes, controls for making calls to, and receiving calls from, outstations, indicators to identify incoming calls, and fault and status indicators. Under the control of the master station (7), a "conferencing" facility may be available for a limited number of outstations (2, 3, 4, 5). In a complex of different buildings, it may be desirable to have a voice communication link (10, 11) between a master station (7) in one building and master stations (7) in other buildings.

Since the main function of an EVC system is voice communication, audibility and intelligibility of conversation is very important.

Outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) are configurable by the end user to be either wired as loop (2, 3) or radial (4, 5) outstations.

B58300 compliant disabled toilet alarm systems (1, 6) can connected to first (2, 3) or second outstations (4, 5) or to a specialised unit designed for connection of disabled toilet alarms only.

Termination points (7) comprise a user interface (TPUI) or no user interface (TP) to allow communication with connected outstations (2, 3, 4, 5).

As shown in Figure 2, a standalone user interface (12) can be provided which can be connected to a termination point (7). Advantageously, communication to outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) connected to a termination point (7) without a user interface will be possible via the user interface fitted / connected to another termination point (7).

Termination points (7) can be connected together via a fault tolerant loop. The fault tolerant loop comprises a wired network utilising either copper, fibre or both.

The connection method between termination points (7) and outstations (2, 3, 4, 5) is via a 2 core copper cable (10, 11) connection which carries power, control and audio data.

The polarity of the connection (10, 11) between termination points (7) is not significant.

The connection method utilises Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Narrowband Power Line Communication (PLC) modems. In addition, audio compression is used.

Outstations (2, 3) configured for loop connection have the ability to sense short circuit and open circuit conditions present in the loop.

Each outstation (2, 3) has the ability to break the loop in order to mitigate the consequences of a shorted connection. In use, when this occurs a fault is indicated at the user interface (12).

The above described embodiments have been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An emergency voice communication (EVC) system which comprises at least one termination point (TP) to which outstations are connected, wherein the outstations are connected to interchangeable zone boards located within the termination point where first zone boards allow connection of outstations in a loop and second zone boards allow radial outstation connections.
2. The EVC system according to claim 1, wherein the EVC system comprises a series of termination points (TP).
3. The EVC system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein first outstations are connected in a loop to a zone board and second outstations are connected radially to a zone board.
4. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connection between zone boards and outstations is via a cable having two cores.
5. The EVC system according to claim 4, wherein the cable comprises two copper cores.
6. The EVC system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cable comprises no more than two cores or a plurality of cores, but only two cores are connected.
7. The EVC system according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein in use the cable carries power, control and audio data.
8. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein polarity of the connection between zone boards and outstations is not significant.
9. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein outstations are configurable by the end user to be connected as a loop or radially.
10. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein outstations are as described in BS5839-9, Type A or Type B.
11. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein BS8300 compliant disabled toilet alarm systems can connected to first or second outstations or to a specialised unit designed for connection of disabled toilet alarms only.
12. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a termination point comprises a user interface (TPUI) or no user interface (TP) to allow communication with connected outstations.
13. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a standalone user interface is provided which can be connected to a termination point.
14. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein termination points are connected together via a fault tolerant loop.
15. The EVC system according to claim 14, wherein the fault tolerant loop comprises a wired network utilising either cables having a copper core, fibre or both.
16. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection utilises Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Narrowband Power Line Communication (PLC) modems.
17. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein audio compression is used.
18. The EVC system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein outstations configured for loop connection have the ability to sense short circuit and open circuit conditions present in the loop.
19. The EVC system according to claim 18, wherein each outstation configured for loop connection has the ability to break the loop in order to mitigate the consequences of a shorted connection.