IE20040503U1 - A smoke alarm device - Google Patents
A smoke alarm device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- IE20040503U1 IE20040503U1 IE2004/0503A IE20040503A IE20040503U1 IE 20040503 U1 IE20040503 U1 IE 20040503U1 IE 2004/0503 A IE2004/0503 A IE 2004/0503A IE 20040503 A IE20040503 A IE 20040503A IE 20040503 U1 IE20040503 U1 IE 20040503U1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- alarm
- interconnect interface
- devices
- interconnect
- network
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 230000003213 activating Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000051 modifying Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920002892 amber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004059 degradation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000881 depressing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000789 fastener Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001603 reducing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006722 reduction reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
- G08B25/003—Address allocation methods and details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
- G08B25/007—Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
- G08B25/009—Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
Abstract
ABSTRACT A smoke alarm modular base (10) contains an interconnect interface (30) for wireless communication with other devices in a group. An alarm device (1-7) is completed by push—fitting an alarm unit to the base (10). An antenna (15) is curved within a housing, or may be extended out through an aperture (16). The interconnect interface is activated when the alarm unit is pushed into place, by a protruding switch (25). Pressing of a house coding switch (28) of a number of devices in quick succession causes them to communicate a unique device identifier to each other so that a network group is automatically leamed.
Description
LOGGED
“A smoke alarm device”
INTRODUCTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to smoke alarm devices. This term should be interpreted to
include any device for detecting fire or fire potential, for detecting smoke, gas, or
heat.
Prior Art Discussion
In many situations it is specified that a number of such devices must be inter-linked
so that they communicate with each other in a network. One problem arising from
this is the task of installing the necessary cabling. Another problem is the tedium of
testing that they all communicate correctly with each other. With say 12 smoke
alarms, checking that they are all communicating can be quite a chore, often
requiring two people. For example, one must check that the first unit
communicates with all the other ll units so that it can cause them to go into alarm.
While one person holds down the test button on the first unit the other person goes
around ensuring that all the other 11 are in alarm. This is then repeated with the
second unit, and so on. This results in ll X 12 = 132 combinations being checked —
quite a tedious task. Further if there are problems with some units not
communicating they will need to be re-sited and then the whole checking process
repeated.
The invention is directed towards providing for simplified device installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a smoke alarm device comprising a fire
sensor, an alarm circuit for determining when an alarm condition exists and for
generating an alarm, and an interconnect interface for communicating with other
alarm devices in a network, characterised in that the interconnect interface
communicates wirelessly, by radiation.
In another aspect, the invention also provides a smoke alarm modular base
comprising a housing, an interconnect interface for wireless communication with
other devices in a network, and mains terminals for connection on one side to
mains cables and on the other side to an alarm unit, and signal terminals for alarm
status communication with an alarm unit with which it is connected to complete an
alarm device.
In one embodiment, the radiation is radio frequency radiation.
In another embodiment, the interconnect interface uses frequency modulation.
In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface comprises means for
automatically testing integrity of interconnect communication among devices in a
network.
In one embodiment, the interconnect interface comprises means for generating a
user output, such as activating an LED, to indicate testing status.
In another embodiment, the interconnect interface comprises means for activating
house coding for a network of devices in response to a user input.
In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface maintains a count of the
number of devices from which it has received a house—coding signal, and indicates
the count to the user.
In one embodiment, the interconnect interface activates an LED in successive
flashes to indicate the count.
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In another embodiment, the activation is repeated at successive intervals such as 5
seconds.
In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface is factory programmed with a
unique device identifier code, during house coding it transmits said code and
receives codes from other devices and saves them to a register, and generates the
user indication according to the number of codes in the register.
In one embodiment, the interconnect interface recognises a received common
default serial code and transmits said code in absence of house coding.
In another embodiment, the interconnect interface is programmable to operate as a
repeater of an alarm signal.
In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface modifies a received alarm
signal before repeating it, to indicate that it is not original, and does not repeat
alarm signals having a non-original indicating code.
In one embodiment, the interconnect interface wakes at pre-programmed intervals
according to a timer, and an alarm trigger signal indicating an alarm condition
transmitted by said interface is longer then said interval, and the circuit remains in
wake mode until alarming ceases.
In another embodiment, the interface generates an alarm cancel signal a pre-set
time after ceasing sensing an alarm condition.
In a further embodiment, the interface ceases outputting an alarm output after
expiry of a time-out period after sensing of an alarm condition.
In one embodiment, the device comprises an antenna, and means for moving the
antenna between a retracted position and an extended position.
In another embodiment, in the retracted position the antenna extends peripherally
in an are within part of a housing of the device.
In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface is housed within a modular
base of the device, and the device further comprises an alarm unit for connection to
the base.
In one embodiment, the base contains an independent back-up battery.
In another embodiment, the base comprises an interconnect interface activation
switch configured to turn on when the alarm unit is secured to the base.
In a further embodiment, the base and the alarm unit are configured for sliding
push-fit interconnection, and the activation switch protrudes from a plane of the
base so that it is pressed down as the alarm unit is fitted.
In one embodiment, the interconnect interface communicates with a message signal
unit having a pre-defined fixed length, and it repeats signal units to build up to a
desired transmission time.
In another embodiment, each message signal unit comprises a plurality of fields
including a device identifier code.
In a further embodiment, the fields include a code field indicating nature of the
message, and a checksum field.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of
some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:—
Fig. l is a diagram showing a wireless network of smoke alarm devices
within a domestic dwelling;
Fig. 2 is a top perspective View of a modular base of a device;
Fig. 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing desired orientations of devices,
while Fig. 3(c) shows an undesirable mutual orientation;
Fig. 4 is an underneath perspective view of the modular base, showing the
side which connects with an alarm unit;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an interconnect circuit of the modular base; and
Fig. 6 is a representation illustrating interconnect signal format.
Description of the Embodiments
Referring to Fig. l a number of smoke alarm devices 1 to 7 are mounted in a
number of rooms in a building. The devices 1 are mains-powered. However there is
wireless communication between the devices for enhanced fire/smoke warning
capability and ease of installation. The wireless communication is performed by a
transceiver within each device 1, and the modulation is FM, at a frequency of
868MHz. The communication protocol is unique to networks of devices 1 and
allows a large amount of information to be conveyed in a short communication
duty cycle of 0.004%. In the network of Fig. l the device 4 is configured by the
installer to be a repeater unit. This merely involves an input for microcontroller
software configuration.
Referring to Figs 2, 3, and 4 a modular base 10 of a device is shown. The base l0 is
secured to a wall or ceiling, and a smoke alarmiunit is pushed translationally for
simultaneous mechanical and electrical interconnection so that mains power wired
to the base 10 is delivered to the alarm unit. This is in principle as described in our
prior European Patent Specification No. EPl045354.
In this case, however, the base 10 does much more than provide mains power. It
contains an interconnect interface 30 for radio frequency (RF) communication with
the other devices within its network. It also contains its own rechargeable power
supply.
The base 10 comprises a base plate 12 having holes for securing to a ceiling or wall
using screw fasteners. It also has an opening 13 for receiving mains power cables,
which are connected to input terminals in a terminal block 20. As shown in Fig. 2
an antenna 15 is initially curved around the periphery of the base 10. However a
frangible tab 16 allows it to be pulled out so that it extends outwardly, such as
radially. Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) show preferred mutual orientations for the devices
closest to each other, while Fig. 3(c) shows a poor mutual orientation. Depending
on the barriers within the building between the devices the antennae 15 may not
need to be extended. If extension is required, the preferred orientations are as
illustrated. The antenna arrangement allows excellent versatility.
The underneath of the base, where it connects with an alarm unit, is shown in Fig.
4. The terminal block 20 has output terminals 21 for push-fit connection with
terminal spades of the alarm unit. By incorporating all interconnect functionality
within the base 10, the RF interconnect capability can be retro—fitted to existing
alarm units of the push fit, type (as described in our prior EPlO45354). The
interconnect circuit contained within the base 10 is automatically powered up by its
own battery because a protruding switch 25 is pressed down when the alarm unit
slides over the base l0 during push-fitting. An OFF button 26 is also provided. This
does not protrude, and is operated manually whenever the smoke alarm unit is
removed from the base l0.
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'5 040503
The base l0 also comprises a “house-coding” switch 28 connected to a ramped
actuator 27 which is accessible from the side using a screwdriver or similar tool
pushed through an aperture 29 in the side wall.
Referring to Fig. 5 the base 10 includes the interconnect interface circuit 30 and
power supply for interconnect functions. Input mains terminals 31 on one side of
the terminal block 20 are connected to mains cables. A DC rectifier 32 supplies a
regulator 34, in turn providing a 3.3V DC output for circuit operation. It also
supplies a charging circuit 35, which provides a 6.6V DC charging potential to
Lithium rechargeable batteries 36. Back—up power is provided by the Lithium
rechargeable batteries 36. A DC rail 37 provides power for a transceiver 38
connected to the antenna 15. A 5-bit bus 39 links the transceiver 38 to a PIC
microcontroller 40. The microcontroller 40 is connected by a link 41 to an output
terminal 41 is the block 20 for communication with the alarm unit control circuit.
The house coding switch 28 is connected to the mircrocontroller 40. The basic
modulation parameters for the transceiver 38 are outlined above. In more detail,
and referring to Fig. 6, the coding protocol includes the following segments:
, message code;
, message length;
, indicator of whether original or repeat;
, checksum; and
, serial number.
The message codes 41 are:
F5, fire; C8, remote test;
D5, alarm off; EB, remote hush;
CA, learn mode; FC, remote locate;
DB, standby F2, low battery; and
D2, button test; C5, optical chamber degradation
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As shown in Fig. 6 the serial number includes the year and week of manufacture
together with a four-digit code. This gives a very large number of possible codes, so
that there is in practice almost no chance of interference with a neighbouring alarm
device wireless network.
The microcontroller 40 is programmed in software to perform the interconnect
operations.
To install each device 1, an electrician connects the mains cables to the terminals in
the block 20 and then slides the alarm unit until its terminal spades engage in the
terminals 21. A screwdriver is then inserted into the slot 29 to contact the house
coding switch ramp 27. This is repeated for all devices 1 of the network within a 15
minute timeframe. When activating the house coding switch 28, the electrician
must wait until an amber LED is activated. He or she then checks that all devices 1
have communicated with each other by counting the number of times the amber
light flashes on each device in turn. For example, if there are eight devices in the
network, there should be eight flashes within a five-second period repeated every 5
seconds in each device.
During house coding, within a 15 minute period each device transmits every 5
seconds a signal stating that it is in the house coding mode and also transmitting its
unique serial number. This is factory programmed to ROM. Every 5 seconds each
unit will flash a light (e.g. a blue LED) to indicate the number of units it has
identified. If it has not identified any unit, it will just flash once indicating there is
just one unit, itself, in the network. As it detects a second unit it will flash twice,
and so on. So, by simply checking that each of the 12 units is flashing its light 12
times, every 5 seconds, the installer can confirm that they are all operating.
If, say, two units are only flashing the blue LED 11 times, whereas the rest are
flashing 12 times, it indicates that these two are not communicating with each
other. They can then be re-sited or the antennae re-orientated until each flashes l2
times. The system can then be checked by clearing the coding in all 12 units (for
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example, by first powering up each unit with the test button held on, or by
depressing a switch while powering up the unit, and then putting them into the
checking mode as described above).
During house coding, each device saves in a register each successive serial number
it receives. At the end of house coding each device should therefore store in its
register a serial number for every other device of the network.
A further feature is that while the units are in the house coding mode they will only
acknowledge signals that are about 10 dB higher than its normal signal threshold.
This helps to ensure that small reductions in the RF signal strength due for
example, to furniture being moved or renovations will not lead to a loss of
communication.
The interconnect circuit 30 is programmed so that all units will communicate with
each other as shipped using a default serial number “D00 0001”. If there is likely to
be a potential problem with neighbouring units, there is a simple way (described
above) of coding the units so they communicate with their own units, but ignore
communications from other systems. Thus, the unique code of each device stored
in its ROM is accessed only if the house coding switch is pressed.
For speed of installation the installer can take a unit out of the program mode by
repeating the sequence that caused it to go into program mode (e.g. 3 presses of the
test button or pressing the program switch). Later on, further units can be added to
the system by installing them and then simply putting the new units along with all
the old units into program mode. If it is necessaryyto clear all the codes learned (e.g.
if a unit was being transferred to a new system, or after a preliminary test) this can
be done by simply holding the house code button down for 6 seconds, until the
LED starts flashing. It could also alternatively be done by powering up the unit
while holding down the house code switch — however this may be more awkward.
On units with a separate program switch it can be done by powering up the unit
while holding down the program switch.
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Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be appreciated that some devices may not
communicate with others because of barriers between them. For example, the
device 1 may be in a building extension connected to the remainder of the building
by an external wall and possibly having foil-backed plaster-board. To address this
issue, all circuits 30 have the software capability to act as repeaters. The installer
configures a selected device to be a repeater by holding the test button until the RF
signal is being sent, (as indicated by the LED being on for 3.5 seconds), and then
while the RF is being sent to press the house code switch. This well-defined
procedure ensures a unit will not be made into a repeater inadvertently.
The microcontroller 40 automatically re-broadcasts each alarm trigger message if it
has been configured to act as a repeater. However, before doing so it flips the code
in field 43 to indicate that the message is not original. Thus, a device in a “blind”
location potentially receives the original alarm trigger message broadcast by the
device which detected smoke and also the repeated one. Because field 43 has been
“flipped” it is not repeated by the repeater device and the possible problem of
perpetual broadcast of the alarm trigger message is avoided. Thus, by careful
selection of the location of the repeater device or devices there is full coverage
because there are multiple paths to even devices in “blind” locations.
A timer in each circuit 30 “wakes” the circuit every 1.8 seconds. The trigger signal
has a total duration of 3.5 seconds, thus ensuring that all devices can receive it. The
actual message transmission takes lOrns, and so the trigger message is a message
unit with the message code field 41 indicating alarm, repeated 350 times. Thereafter
the unit sensing smoke transmits a continuing alarm message of 50ms duration (5
message units) every 5 seconds. These are all repeated by each repeater device, with
the field 43 flipped. The microcontroller 40 is programmed to transmit a cancel
message of 3.5 seconds duration, each message unit having a cancel code in the
field 41. Also, each microcontroller 40 is programmed to cancel an alarm after
absence of an alarm signal for 1 minute.
EITEIS
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It is envisaged that the circuit 30 may also transmit an RF signal in a proprietary
protocol or Bluetooth, for example, to a mobile network to cause one or more
mobile stations to sound and possibly also to display text message. Also, it is
envisaged that the circuits may transmit wirelessly status update signals to a control
controller of the network. Such a controller could accordingly display basic status
data such as fire alarm, battery-low, or system-OK. status levels.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in
construction and detail.
EITFIS
Claims (1)
- CLAIMS A smoke alarm device comprising a fire sensor, an alarm circuit for determining when an alarm condition exists and for generating an alarm, and an interconnect interface for communicating with other alarm devices in a network, characterised in that the interconnect interface communicates wirelessly, by radiation. A smoke alarm device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation is radio frequency radiation; and wherein the interconnect interface uses frequency modulation; and wherein the interconnect interface comprises means for automatically tests integrity of interconnect communication among devices in a network; and wherein the interconnect interface comprises means for generating a user output, such as activating an LED, to indicate testing status; and the interconnect interface comprises means for activating house coding for a network of devices in response to a user input. A smoke alarm device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the interconnect interface is programmable to operate as a repeater of an alarm signal; and wherein the interconnect interface modifies a received alarm signal before repeating it, to indicate that it is not original, and does not repeat alarm signals having anon-original indicating code; and wherein the interconnect interface wakes at pre-programmed intervals according to a timer, and an alarm trigger signal indicating an alarm condition transmitted by said interface is longer then said interval, and the circuit remains in wake mode until alarming ceases; and wherein the interface generates an alarm cancel signal a pre-set time after ceasing sensing an alarm condition. A smoke alarm device substantially as described with reference to the drawings. A smoke alarm modular base comprising a housing, an interconnect interface for wireless communication with other devices in a network, and mains terminals for connection on one side to mains cables and on the other side to an alarm unit, and signal terminals for alarm status communication with an alarm unit with which it is connected to complete an alarm device.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IEIRELAND25/07/20032003/0551 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IE20040503U1 true IE20040503U1 (en) | 2005-03-23 |
IES83854Y1 IES83854Y1 (en) | 2005-04-06 |
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