JP2001016663A - Dual mode radio communication system and alarm radio system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a dual mode radio communication system that uses only one radio unit to interconnect two systems where possibility of crosstalk/re- transmission can especially be very low. SOLUTION: A radio master set that can make communication with each radio unit used for both a radio automatic metering system and a security system and awaits a reception of a signal at a period T in the radio automatic metering system through the intermittent waiting system, assings an idle time of the intermittent waiting to a reception standby period B for the security. Since the radio unit for the security system can be selectively select, e.g. 6 channels Ch.1-Ch.6, even when a plurality of the radio units for the security side make transmission nearly at the same time, the possibility of occurrence of crosstalk is low. Furthermore, a reception wait time Ts with respect to each of the channels Ch.1-Ch. 6 can be much decreased so as to allow each radio unit to repetitively transmit a signal for many number of times within the one security reception standby period B by the reduction thereby reducing the possibility of no reception and of being forced to make re-transmission very much.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dual mode wireless communication system in which a wireless automatic meter reading system and another system are connected by one wireless means, and an alarm wireless system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with respect to meter reading of gas, electricity, water, and the like in general households, an automatic meter reading is automatically performed via a network in order to eliminate the trouble of a person going around each household. Meter reading systems are known. For example, the center and a meter for automatic meter reading attached to each customer are connected by a public telephone line with a terminal network control device (T-NCU), and the meter for the automatic meter reading is called from the center device through the telephone line. A method of reading information stored in the meter is known.

As for such a system, a wireless automatic meter reading system using wireless communication has been proposed, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-85938.

For example, as shown in FIG. 29,
The wireless master unit 24 is attached to the terminal network control device (T-NCU 23) side, and the wireless slave unit 25 is attached to the automatic meter reading meter 26 side, and the T-NCU 23 and the automatic meter reading meter 2 are attached.
An automatic meter reading system or the like configured to wirelessly communicate between six devices has been proposed. (T-NCU 23 uses telephone line 2
2 is connected to the center device 21 via a public line such as a public network.

[0005] In the above-described wireless meter reading system, a specific low-power radio (a radio wave 27 for telemeter / telecontrol) is usually used for radio communication between the radio base station 24 and the radio slave unit 25. Usually, in such a system, an intermittent standby system is often used for reception in order to extend the battery life of the wireless device.

In this intermittent standby system, for example, as shown in FIG. 30, an intermittent standby cycle is T, and a meter reading control standby section and a reception pause section are set. The meter reading control standby section is a section in which power is supplied to the receiving circuit to enable reception, and in particular, in this figure, two frequencies (Ch.
1, Ch.2) is used, and accordingly, each channel (C
An example is shown in which the reception standby for h.1 and Ch.2) is set to be performed during the time Tt. The time Tt is
It is assumed that the time is set to at least the minimum time required for performing the carrier sense of the channel. In this method, for example, even if there is a transmission from a wireless device using Ch.1, it may not be possible to receive unless the above-mentioned Ch.1 reception standby section is in progress during transmission. The transmission is set to be continuous during the intermittent period T or more.

On the other hand, in recent years, home security services have also become widespread in ordinary households and the like, and upon receiving signals from sensors / switches such as a gas alarm, a fire alarm, an emergency push button, and a security sensor, 2. Description of the Related Art A security system for notifying and displaying information to a center or the like is known.
Regarding this, a wireless security system that wirelessly communicates between a sensor and a notification device / display is known.
No. 90 and the like have proposed a wireless security system capable of knowing accurate alarm information irrespective of the presence or absence of a miss report (failure to receive a radio wave by a controller).

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-319896 and the like disclose,
It is described that a wireless remote controller is attached to a microcomputer gas meter having an electric gas shutoff valve, and the gas shutoff valve is opened / closed remotely.

[0009] When an abnormality is detected by combining the automatic meter reading system with another system (particularly a home security system, etc.), the state of the target device (gas, electricity, water, etc.) is monitored, If it becomes possible to perform control such as shutoff, for example, when a fire or gas leak occurs, the gas meter can be shut off promptly, so various effects can be obtained, such as preventing disasters or preventing the spread of disasters, etc. The combination of such systems has high potential requirements.

What can be considered for realizing such an extended system is that, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 31 allows the wireless master device 24 shown in FIG. 29 to be replaced not only by the wireless device of the automatic meter reading system but also by other devices. This is to enable communication with the radio of the system.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless master unit for realizing the above-mentioned extended system.

The radio base station 150 shown in FIG. 1 includes a telemeter / telecontrol radio 151, a security radio 152, and a communication control unit 153 for controlling these radios 151 and 152 to perform communication. . The wireless devices 151 and 152 may have substantially the same configuration except that the frequency bands that can be transmitted and received are different. That is, the wireless device 1
Reference numeral 51 comprises a wireless control unit 151a, a telemeter / telecontrol wireless communication unit 151b, and an antenna 151c, which are designed to correspond to the telemeter / telecontrol wireless frequency. Similarly, the wireless device 152 includes a wireless control unit 152a, a wireless wireless communication unit 152b for security, and an antenna 152c, which are designed to correspond to wireless frequencies for security.

[0013] However, if a configuration is provided with two radios to cope with the above two systems, the hardware scale is naturally increased and the cost is increased. For this reason, it is desired that one radio can support two systems. However, it is only necessary to use one radio that can support both frequency bands used by the two systems. Then, various troubles will occur under the actual operating environment of the system.

In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-290485
In the invention of No., the existing wireless meter reading system,
In order to expand the function of the meter reading system by connecting a new terminal means (such as a wireless terminal of a home security system), there is a possibility that (1) urgent communication from an alarm device or the like may be waited. (2) If the same frequency is used, in order to solve problems such as interference with the meter reading system of a neighbor due to the use of the terminal means, for example, when communication with the terminal side wireless communication means is performed, transmission before transmission is performed. A system has been proposed in which communication with terminal means is prioritized by making the line use monitoring time shorter than other communication. Furthermore, instead of using the same frequency, the first frequency is used for the meter-side wireless communication means and the second frequency is used for the terminal-side wireless communication means.
And that the communication with the terminal-side wireless communication means can be prioritized by making the reception standby time of the second frequency longer than the reception standby time of the first frequency. Is disclosed.

In a wireless security system (warning radio system), the radio base station needs to identify which of the plurality of radio sub stations has transmitted an alarm. For this reason, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 3-201196, a group address including one wireless master unit and one or more wireless slave units as one group and a unique address unique to the wireless slave unit are assigned to the wireless slave unit. A system with setting means is proposed. Than this,
By setting the group address and the number of wireless slaves to be installed in the group to the wireless master, and automatically generating / setting the individual address of the wireless slave, the address setting operation is facilitated, and the setting mistake can be prevented. Prevention can be achieved.

Further, in order to conduct a radio wave propagation test on whether or not communication is possible from the wireless slave to the wireless master, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-2
In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01194, there is provided a test switch for performing a radio wave transmission test on a wireless handset, and a test transmitting means for transmitting a test signal together with its own address signal to the wireless master device when the test switch is operated. The radio base station is provided with a transfer prohibition unit that prohibits the transmission to the monitoring center when the test signal is received from the slave unit, thereby simplifying the radio wave propagation test from the wireless slave unit to the wireless master unit. I have.

[0017]

As described above, with respect to an automatic meter reading system such as gas, electricity, and water, a home security system, and the like, in particular, each meter and sensor in each home have been conventionally (wired). It has been proposed to use wireless to connect networks (without much labor / cost for laying etc. as in the case).

Further, when an abnormality is detected by combining the automatic meter reading system with another system (particularly a home security system, etc.), the state of the target device (gas, electricity, water, etc.) is monitored. If it becomes possible to perform control such as shutting down or shutting off, for example, when a fire or gas leak occurs, the gas meter can be shut off immediately, so that various effects can be obtained, such as preventing a disaster beforehand and preventing the spread of the disaster. Therefore, such a combination of systems has high potential requirements, but in particular, in the case of a system utilizing wireless communication, various problems occur when two or more systems having different purposes are combined.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 90485 has been proposed. In the present invention, interference between the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means is prevented by using different frequencies. Particularly, when the terminal-side wireless communication means is a wireless device of a security system, When a situation occurs in which alarms are transmitted almost simultaneously from various wireless devices connected to various sensors (fire, gas leak, earthquake, etc.) for detecting abnormalities, these multiple terminals Interference could occur between the side wireless communication means. That is, since the terminal-side wireless communication unit uses only the second frequency as described above, interference occurs between the terminal-side wireless communication units, and the network control-side wireless communication unit receives accurate information. There is a problem that it becomes difficult.

In order to solve such a problem, for example,
In the system disclosed in JP-A-10-290485,
The terminal-side wireless communication means includes a third
Can be used.

In this case, the reception standby timing of the master unit connected to the public line network or the like is as shown in, for example, FIG. 32 (upper side of FIG. 32). If the transmission is performed at the second frequency at the timing shown on the side, it cannot be received and retransmission is required. (Here, the transmission data usually has a header section (synchronization section, ID identification section, etc.) before the information section which is the actual transmission information, as shown in FIG. The receiving unit can receive the signal by catching a predetermined time or more (for example, Tt or Ts to be described later). If the time of the header section is short, it may not be possible to receive. From this, a method of increasing the data transmission time per transmission of the terminal-side wireless communication means can be considered. However, even in a normal system, the problem that the power consumption of the terminal-side wireless communication means increases and interference occurs. In addition to the problem that the time required for retransmission / normal reception at the time increases, the maximum value of the data transmission time per transmission is limited by law, especially in a home security system. This is particularly limited to be much shorter than that of the wireless automatic meter reading system, so that it is not practically possible to extend the data transmission time so that the data can be sufficiently received.

As described above, in particular, when a home security system is combined with a wireless automatic meter reading system, a plurality of sensors exist in the home security system, and each of them transmits an alarm signal or the like by a wireless device (particularly almost simultaneously). In situations where there is a possibility of transmission, it is very important to reduce the possibility of occurrence of interference or the possibility of having to retransmit without being able to receive the signal from the viewpoint of system reliability. There is something.

Further, it has been particularly desired that the existing wireless automatic meter reading system be modified without any troubles and combined with other systems without any trouble.

Here, especially in a home security system, usually, in order to prevent a false report or an erroneous report due to a human error, an alarm is actually issued after an abnormality detection signal is output from each sensor. In general, a certain delay time or accumulation time is given before (or notification to the center).

Various methods have been proposed for preventing such false alarms, particularly in a wireless security system using a radio as described above, but all have had problems. That is, first, when the delay time is managed on the alarm radio side, the setting cannot be changed by wireless communication. (Normally, the alarm radio is dedicated to transmission only in order to simplify its configuration and reduce its size. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to change the setting wirelessly from the outside, it cannot be received.) The setting can be changed by providing a setting switch in the alarm radio or by connecting the alarm radio to a wire. However, in this case, the configuration is increased, and the transmission is performed in order to simplify or reduce the size. The meaning of being dedicated is lost.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In No. 8, the "time information" is included in the data transmitted from the alarm radio, and the master unit controls the delay time based on the "time information" to determine whether or not to issue an alarm. Has been proposed.

However, in this method, since a timer circuit is provided in each alarm radio to create "time information", there is a problem in miniaturization of the device. In addition, the timer circuit is always used from detection of an abnormality by sensors to determination of an alarm. Need to be driven, so that there is still a problem in reducing power consumption.

Also, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-300267, in response to the problem that reports to the center are duplicated due to retries and the like, the transmission information from the wireless slave includes transmission time information and transmission count information. However, this is analyzed by the wireless master device to determine whether or not to notify the center. Also in this method, it is necessary to provide a configuration for detecting time information in the wireless slave device, and the time information usually has a long data length. Further, it is considered that the above analysis on the wireless master device side is also complicated. In order to improve the success rate of communication between the wireless slave device and the master device, it is proposed to change the frequency for transmission. However, when a plurality of transmitters start transmission substantially simultaneously in a system in which a plurality of wireless slaves are present, if the frequency changing means in each wireless slave is the same, the frequency is similarly changed. Transmitted, the probability of interference occurring increases.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-2011
In an alarm radio system as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 96, a group address is set to the radio base station and the radio sub station before the radio base station and the radio sub station are installed. A complicated operation of setting the number of wireless slaves to be installed in the system occurs.

Further, since it is necessary to set in advance the group address and the number of wireless slave units to be installed in the group, when adding a wireless slave unit to an existing similar alarm wireless system, the group address is set. Is stored in a storage device other than the wireless base unit, or the group address of the existing alarm wireless system is acquired locally, this data is brought back, and the group address is set for the additional wireless slave unit based on the brought back data. It was necessary to work. Further, for the wireless master device, it is necessary to change the setting of the number of wireless slave devices installed in the group in the same manner as the setting of the group address.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dual mode wireless communication system which is a wireless system in which two systems are connected by a single wireless device, and in which the possibility of interference / retransmission can be extremely reduced. That is. Also,
An object of the present invention is to provide an alarm radio system that can further reduce the possibility of interference and that prevents false alarms without impairing the convenience of simplification / miniaturization of radio equipment. In addition, an alarm that simplifies a series of operations for registering from the wireless slave unit to the wireless master unit, including work before installation, and simplifies the addition of wireless slave units to the existing system, and also facilitates the test of wireless circuits To provide a wireless system.

[0032]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A dual mode wireless communication system according to the present invention is used in a wireless meter reading system used in a wireless automatic meter reading system and used in a system other than the wireless automatic meter reading system, and is allocated in advance. A plurality of wireless terminal means for selecting and using a plurality of frequencies to perform wireless communication, and a reception time corresponding to a plurality of frequencies of the wireless terminal means, wherein an idle time of intermittent reception standby for a radio wave from the meter reading wireless means is received. And a dual wireless communication means for wirelessly connecting to both the wireless automatic meter reading system and the other system, assigned to a standby timing.

According to the dual mode wireless communication system, the idle time of the intermittent reception standby for the wireless automatic meter reading system is used, and the idle time is set to the reception standby timing for another (wireless) system. By assigning, only one wireless device (dual wireless communication means) can be wirelessly connected to both of the two systems, and a plurality of wireless terminal means are used in another system. Even in the case where there is a possibility that each radio terminal may select a transmission frequency from a plurality of frequencies to be allocated, the probability of interference can be greatly reduced.

Further, in the dual mode wireless communication system according to the present invention, the dual wireless communication means includes a plurality of wireless terminal means which can be used by the wireless terminal means during an idle time of intermittent reception of a radio wave from the meter reading wireless means. Is repeated at least two times or more (in other words, the time per reception standby is shortened and the frequency is increased accordingly).

By doing so, for example, even if transmission is performed at a timing that cannot be received during the first round of reception standby, the second round of reception standby is immediately performed within the idle time, so that transmission is still continued. Is likely to be able to be received by the second round of waiting for reception,
The probability of having to retransmit at the transmitting side without receiving can be greatly reduced.

Further, particularly when the other system is a security system, the effect of the dual mode wireless communication system of the present invention becomes very remarkable. In other words, when using wirelessly in a security system, the maximum time for continuous transmission is limited to a short time,
Although there was a high probability that the signal could not be received and had to be retransmitted on the transmitting side, according to the dual mode wireless communication system of the present invention, from the reception standby timing related to a certain frequency to the next reception standby Since the time until the timing is shortened, the possibility of reception even if the transmission time is short can be greatly increased. In particular, when using wirelessly in a security system, it is highly possible that some kind of emergency has occurred.
If the notification is delayed due to interference / retransmission or the like, the situation may be irreversible. Therefore, it is a very remarkable effect to reduce the probability that such interference / retransmission occurs.

The alarm radio system according to the present invention is an alarm radio system having a plurality of radio units each connected to various alarm sensors and a master unit for performing radio communication with the plurality of radio units. When an alarm is detected by an alarm sensor connected to itself, the wireless slave assigns an alarm event number to the generated alarm, and until the alarm is restored, at least the alarm event number and the alarm for the alarm are reset. Alarm information having information on the number of transmissions indicating the number of times of wireless transmission, having an alarm information transmitting means that continues to wirelessly transmit at predetermined time intervals,
The master unit has an alarm monitoring unit that, when the number of transmissions included in the received alarm information reaches a specified value, regards the alarm as not a false alarm and notifies the center of the occurrence of the alarm.

According to the above-mentioned alarm radio system, the radio slave unit repeats transmission at a predetermined time interval instead of measuring and transmitting the elapsed time from the occurrence of the alarm, Is transmitted, there is no need to provide a configuration or the like for measuring the elapsed time, and the amount of transmission data can be reduced. Further, each alarm is distinguished by an alarm event number.

Further, for example, each time the wireless slave device performs wireless transmission at the predetermined time interval, it determines a transmission frequency by generating a random number based on its own identification ID.

By doing so, even when transmissions are performed almost simultaneously from a plurality of wireless handsets, the probability of interference becomes extremely low.

The alarm radio system has further remarkable effects when applied to the dual mode radio communication system.

Another alarm radio system according to the present invention is directed to an alarm radio system having one or more radio terminals connected to an alarm device and a radio master device for receiving radio waves transmitted from the radio terminals. The wireless slave device includes configuration information notifying means for acquiring configuration information of the own device when a predetermined operation is performed and wirelessly transmitting the configuration information for a certain period of time, and the wireless master device determines a state of the own device. A mode switching control means for controlling to switch between a normal alarm system operation mode and an initial registration mode of the wireless slave; and when configuration information is received from the wireless slave during the initial registration mode, a new setting is performed based on the configuration information. And control means for registering a wireless communication device.

According to the above-mentioned alarm radio system, for example, an operator or the like who installs a radio personal station to construct or expand the alarm radio system can perform a predetermined operation such as pressing a dedicated switch provided in the radio personal station. The configuration information of the wireless slave device is registered in the wireless master device by performing an operation and switching the wireless master device to the initial registration mode by performing a similar predetermined operation. In this way, both when constructing the system and when adding a wireless slave, the wireless slave can be registered in the wireless master by a simple operation.

The wireless handset further includes, for example, connection detection means for detecting the presence or absence of connection between the self-equipment and the alarm device, or alarm device type discrimination means for determining the type of the alarm device connected to the self-device. The detection result by the connection detection means or the determination result by the alarm type determination means is defined as a part of the configuration information.

Thus, at the time of initial registration of each wireless slave,
By a simple operation such as pressing the dedicated switch,
The wireless handset can automatically detect / determine the presence / absence of the connection with the alarm device and the type of the alarm device, notify the wireless base device and register it.

For example, in the alarm system operation mode, the wireless slave unit transmits alarm data to the wireless master unit regarding the alarm device whose connection has been confirmed by the connection detecting means,
The transmission of the alarm data to the wireless master device regarding the unconnected alarm device is suppressed.

By doing so, for example, especially in a wireless slave unit that can be connected to a plurality of alarm units, alarm data such as “disconnected” for an unconnected alarm unit is transmitted by the wireless master unit. Can be prevented.

The alarm data is, for example, an alarm signal from an alarm device that has confirmed the connection or detection data of a disconnection of the connection.

For example, when receiving the configuration information from the wireless slave device during the alarm system operation mode, the wireless master device performs a wireless line test process.

As described above, when the wireless master unit receives configuration information from the wireless slave unit during the initial registration mode, the wireless master unit registers a new wireless slave unit based on the configuration information. When the configuration information is received during the alarm system operation mode, a process of a wireless line test is performed. By doing so, for example, the dedicated switch can be used for both initial registration and wireless line test in the wireless slave device,
Usually, two switches are required and only one is required.

Also, for example, the alarm radio system is a system in which the wireless master unit is connected to a wired line and can communicate with a monitoring center via the wired line. When receiving the alarm data transmitted from the wireless slave device during the communication, the alarm generation is reported to the monitoring center via the wired line, or the wireless line test data is transmitted to the wired line in the wireless line test processing. To the monitoring center.

Further, for example, it is possible to set whether or not to make the wireless master unit report the data for the wireless line test to the monitoring center in the wireless slave unit and / or the wireless master unit.

The wireless slave unit determines, for example, the type of the alarm unit connected to the wireless unit, registers the type information of the alarm unit in the wireless master unit or the monitoring center, and generates an alarm by the alarm unit. Is notified and the wireless slave transmits the alarm data to the wireless master, and the wireless master or the monitoring center notified of the occurrence of the alarm from the wireless master responds to the type of the alarm in which the alarm occurred. Notify the notification destination that the alarm has occurred.

As described above, for example, if the alarm connected to a certain wireless slave unit is a fire alarm, this is registered in the wireless master unit or the like at the time of initial registration as described above.
When an alarm occurrence notification is received from the wireless slave device, a system or the like that determines that a fire has occurred and automatically notifies a fire department or the like can be constructed.

[0055]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire wireless system according to the present embodiment in which a home security system is added to the wireless automatic meter reading system.

In the figure, the same components as those of the conventional wireless automatic meter reading system are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In the figure, a gas alarm 3 and a fire alarm 5 are examples of sensors for abnormality detection in a home security system. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and other sensors for detecting an earthquake, an intruder, a door lock, and the like can be considered.

Each of the gas alarm 3 and the fire alarm 5 has:
The alarm radios 2 and 4 are connected. The alarm radios 2 and 4 are radios that use, for example, a low-power wireless security system frequency band. When transmitting, the alarm radios 2 and 4 can select and use a plurality of frequencies in the security system frequency band.

The master unit 1 is a single wireless unit, and includes a wireless slave unit 25 (using a telemeter / telecontrol frequency band) on the wireless automatic meter reading system side and a warning wireless unit 2 and 4 on the home security system side. A wireless communication / control device that can communicate with both.

In the following, a system having a master unit that can be connected to two systems with only one wireless unit will be described below.
It is called a dual mode wireless communication system.

More specifically, the base unit 1 can communicate with the alarming radio units 2 and 4 of the home security system without changing the radio slave unit 25 of the existing wireless automatic meter reading system. , The wireless slave device 25 and the alarm wireless devices 2, 4
In addition to preventing radio interference from occurring, radio communication that can prevent radio interference between the alarm radio 2 and the alarm radio 4 from occurring (can greatly reduce the probability of interference). / Control device. Further, the base unit 1 employs an intermittent standby system for the wireless slave unit 25 of the existing wireless automatic meter reading system, and determines the idle time of the intermittent reception timing by using the alarm wireless units 2, 4 on the home security system side. Is assigned to the timing of receiving the radio wave from. This is provided with a standby time (Ts described later) for each channel corresponding to a plurality of frequencies (hereinafter, each channel) that can be used by the alarm radios 2 and 4. At this time, in the present embodiment, in particular, within one idle time period of the intermittent reception timing, after the standby for all the channels usable by the alarm radios 2 and 4 has completed one round, at least two rounds have been performed. The above Ts is set short so that the above operation can be repeated.
By doing so, there is a high possibility that the radio signals from the alarming radios 2 and 4 can be received in the second and subsequent rounds even if the radio signals from the alarm radios 2 and 4 are not received in the first round within the idle time of the intermittent reception timing. And it is possible to greatly reduce the probability of having to perform retransmission due to complete reception failure.

The above-described master unit 1 will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the base unit 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, master unit 1 includes control unit 11, modulation unit 12, demodulation unit 13, PLL setting unit 14, transmission / reception switching unit 15, filter unit 16, antenna 17, and the like. The modulation unit 12, the demodulation unit 13, the PLL setting unit 14,
The transmission / reception switching unit 15 and the filter unit 16 are collectively referred to as a “wireless unit”.

The control unit 11 controls the “wireless unit” to perform wireless communication with the wireless slave unit 25 and the alarm wireless units 2 and 4. In particular, by sequentially changing and controlling the setting contents of the PLL setting unit 14, the reception standby of the plurality of channels is performed by sequentially switching the reception channels. The control unit 11 has a memory and the like, and stores a program for controlling the “wireless unit”, set values used for the control, and the like. Details of the control / processing contents realized by executing this program will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The modulating section 12, demodulating section 13 and transmission / reception switching section 15 may have the same configuration as that of the base unit of the existing wireless automatic meter reading system and have a well-known configuration. do not do. PLL setting unit 1
4, the filter unit 16 and the antenna 17 can be easily realized by simply making the configuration of the base unit of the existing wireless automatic meter reading system compatible with the above-mentioned frequency band for the security system. do not do.
In particular, the frequency band for the security system used in the home security system and the frequency band for the telemeter / telecontrol used in the wireless automatic meter reading system are:
Since the frequency band is relatively close, it can be realized without significantly modifying the master unit of the existing wireless automatic meter reading system.

The base unit 1 of the present embodiment controls the "radio unit" by performing the processes shown in FIGS.
For example, by performing carrier sense (detection of presence / absence of a radio wave) at a timing as shown in FIG. 3, a function unique to the master unit 1 of the present embodiment described above can be achieved. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the carrier sense timing by the master unit 1 of the wireless system of the present embodiment.

In the figure, for example, the number of channels used on the wireless automatic meter reading system side (using the frequency band for telemeter / telecontrol) is set to 2, and the number of channels used on the home security system side (using the frequency band for security system) is set. An example where the number is 6 is shown. Further, it is assumed that the carrier sensing of the existing wireless automatic meter reading system is performed for each channel (Ch.1, Ch.2) for Tt at intervals of time T (intermittent reception waiting of period T).

The idle time (T-2Tt) during the intermittent reception wait (reading reception section for meter reading: A) of the wireless automatic meter reading system is determined by the wireless communication from the warning wireless devices 2 and 4 on the home security system side. It is assigned to the radio wave reception waiting time (security reception standby section: B). Also, the alarm radio on the home security system side
Although a plurality of channels (n channels) can be used in the frequency band for the security system, it is assumed here that n = 6.
It is assumed that six channels Ch.1 to Ch.6 can be used.

In the base unit 1 of the wireless system according to the present embodiment,
As shown in the figure, the reception standby time Ts for each channel (Ch.1 to Ch.6) in the security reception standby section B is extremely short. For example, Ts is set to the same value as the minimum time required to carry out carrier sensing of the channel between the alarm radios 2 and 4 and the master 1. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, but it is desirable to set the value of Ts to a time as short as possible after securing the minimum time required for performing the carrier sense. By doing so (ie, T−2Tt ≫T
s × n), because the carrier sense of each channel can be repeated many times in the security reception standby section: B.

For example, in the same figure, when carrier sensing is performed for each channel from Ch.1 to Ch.6, carrier sensing is performed again from Ch.1 until the end of the security reception standby section: B. Repeat.

Thus, for example, if the transmission is performed at the frequency of Ch. 1 from the alarm radio 2 or 4 at the timing of performing the carrier sensing of Ch. .1 can not be received by the carrier sense of the second round, but can be received immediately by the carrier sense of the second Ch.1 (of course, this may be the third round, the fourth round, etc.).

As described above, according to the radio system of the present embodiment, in particular, by setting the usable frequencies (channels) of the alarm radio to a plurality (for example, 6), the alarm radio can transmit simultaneously. Even if such a situation occurs, the probability of interference can be significantly reduced. Further, the reception standby time Ts for each channel used by the alarm radio is made very short so that the carrier sense of each channel is repeated many times in the idle time during the intermittent reception standby of the wireless automatic meter reading system. By doing so, the possibility that the transmission from the alarm radio cannot be received and the retransmission must be performed can be extremely reduced. In a conventional system, if the transmission time from the alarm radio is extended to reduce the possibility that the transmission cannot be received, the power consumption of the radio increases, and retransmission is performed when interference occurs. However, in the wireless system according to the present embodiment, the frequency of carrier sensing for each channel is high from Ch. 1 to Ch. 6, and such a problem occurs. Will not occur. Furthermore, for radio equipment that can be used in a security system, the upper limit of the above transmission time is determined by law to be a relatively short value (at least, it is very short compared to a wireless meter reading system). In this case, the above-described effect of the wireless system according to the present embodiment is more remarkable.

In the example of FIG. 3, the wireless automatic meter reading system includes at least the time T in the header part (synchronization part, ID identification part, etc.) of the transmission signal as in the existing system.
By allocating the above, master device 1 can sufficiently receive this signal.

Next, a description will be given of the contents of control processing of the control section 11 for performing carrier sensing as in the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the entire control processing by the control unit 11. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the carrier sensing processing of the telemeter / telecontrol frequency band (hereinafter referred to as TM / TC) in step S2 in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a security carrier sensing process in step S5 in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4A, the control unit 11 first starts a timer (hereinafter, referred to as a TM / TC timer) for which a time T is set (step S1), and sets the wireless slave unit of the wireless automatic meter reading system. (Step S2). When the TM / TC timer times out, it returns to the start of FIG. 4A and performs S1. That is, the process of FIG. 4A is repeated.

The processing in step S2 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, first, '1' is substituted for a variable Nt indicating a channel number in a telemeter / telecontrol frequency band used in the wireless automatic meter reading system (step S11). That is, the frequency to be subjected to carrier sensing is Ch. 1 in the telemeter / telecontrol frequency band. Then, a carrier sense process for the channel Nt (Ch.1) is performed (step S12).

At this time, if a transmission has been made at the frequency of channel Nt (Ch.1) from the wireless slave unit of the wireless automatic meter reading system (step S12, YES), predetermined reception processing is performed (step S15). . If not (step S12, NO), subsequently, it is determined whether or not Nt = 2 (step S13). If Nt = 2 (step S13, YES), the process of step S2 is performed. To end. If Nt = 2 is not satisfied (step S1
3, NO), substituting '2' for Nt (step S1)
4), the process returns to step S12. This is shown in FIG.
In the case where Ch.1 to Ch.3 are used, for example, the processing in step S13 is "Nt =
3? ", And the processing in step S14 is Nt = Nt + 1.
Becomes

Referring again to FIG. Step S2 above
Is completed, the control unit 11 sets the time T2 of the security reception standby section: B in FIG. 2 (this is T-2Tt).
A timer (hereinafter, referred to as a security timer) for measuring a value less than or equal to the range (hereinafter, referred to as a security timer) is activated (step S3), and a flag for monitoring the elapse of time T2 (hereinafter, referred to as a security flag) is set (step S3). S4). Then, a carrier sense process is performed on the wireless device of the security system (step S5).

The processing in step S5 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows processing corresponding to the example shown in FIG. 3, similarly to FIG. 5, and the present invention is not limited to this example.

In FIG. 6, first, when the current value of the variable NS indicating the channel number in the security system frequency band is “6” or immediately after the start of the security carrier sense process (step S2).
1, YES), and assigns '1' to NS (step S2).
2). Otherwise (step S21, NO),
One is added to the current value of the variable NS (step S23).
This is repeated until the security flag is reset (until the time T2 has elapsed). However, as described above, when the carrier sense is performed from Ch.1 to Ch.6, Return to Ch.1, again Ch.1-C
This is because the carrier sense is repeated until h.6.

If a radio wave having the frequency of Ch.Ns is detected (step S24, YES), a predetermined reception process is performed (step S25). On the other hand, if not (step S24, NO), the process proceeds to step S6, where it is checked whether the security flag has been reset. If not, the security flag has not been reset (step S6, step S6).
NO), the process returns to step S21, and the processes of steps S21 to S25 described above are repeated.

The security flag is reset when the security timer started in step S3 times out (that is, when the time T2 elapses), as shown in FIG. 4B. (Step S7).

The change of Nt and Ns is performed by the control unit 1
1 performs a predetermined operation in accordance with the above program and
This is realized by controlling the LL setting unit 14.

In the above description of the embodiment, a home security system has been described as another system to be combined with the wireless automatic meter reading system, but the present invention is not limited to this. However, in the home security system, as described above, since the maximum transmission time is restricted by law, the above-mentioned effects achieved by the master unit of the present embodiment are more remarkable.

When the home security system is combined with the wireless automatic meter reading system by the base unit 1,
For example, when an alarm signal such as a gas leak or a fire is sent from a wireless device on the home security system side, this is notified to the center device 21 via a public line network or the like, and the function of the wireless automatic meter reading system side is used to detect gas. Various conveniences can be expected, for example, the control for shutting off the main plug can be performed, and a disaster can be prevented beforehand and the spread of the disaster can be prevented.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

Here, in the above-described dual-mode wireless communication system, particularly in an embodiment in which a security system is combined with a wireless automatic meter reading system, such a security system usually has a false alarm or an artificial In order to prevent a report or the like due to a mistake or the like, it is common to provide a certain delay time or accumulation time from when a signal is detected from sensors to when an alarm is issued.

In a wireless security system having a plurality of wireless handsets (warning wireless devices), as described above, the wireless devices can be reduced in size and power consumption.
It is desired that a better radio be provided with respect to reducing the probability of interference of multiple alarm radios.

In the second embodiment, a wireless security system (hereinafter, referred to as a wireless alarm system) that satisfies the above-mentioned demands is proposed.

The radio alarm system according to the second embodiment can of course be applied to the dual mode radio communication system described above, and has further remarkable effects in the dual mode radio communication system. Since the present invention is not limited to the application to the dual-mode wireless communication system, the wireless alarm system alone will be described first.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing the entire radio alarm system according to the second embodiment.

In the figure, a gas alarm 3, a fire alarm 5, and an emergency push button 6 are sensors for detecting various abnormalities. An alarm radio 30 (30a, 30b, 30c) is connected to each of these sensors.

The alarm radio 30 has, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 8 to be described later. When an abnormality is detected by sensors connected to itself, the alarm radio 30 performs the processing shown in FIG.
Wirelessly in the format shown in FIG. Details will be described later.

The base unit 40 has, for example, a configuration shown in FIG. 11 to be described later, is connected to a network (such as the telephone line 22) by a wire via the T-NCU 23, and issues an alarm to the center unit 21. It is possible to report that it has occurred. Master device 40 does not immediately notify center device 21 upon receiving a radio wave from each alarm radio device 30, but notifies center device 21 when an alarm is confirmed by a process shown in FIG. 12 described later. Details will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the alarm radio 30 shown in FIG.

The alarm radio 30 shown in the figure includes a sensor input unit 31, a control unit 32 (with a built-in memory), a PLL setting unit 3
3, modulation section 34, transmission amplifier section 35, and antenna 36
Having.

The sensor input unit 31 is connected to the alarm radio 30
Is an input interface for inputting an abnormality detection signal sent from sensors (3, 5, 6 and the like in FIG. 7) connected to the.

When an abnormality detection signal is input from the sensor input unit 31, the control unit 32 creates a message in a format shown in FIG. 9 by a process shown in FIG. Then, the generated message signal is modulated by controlling the modulation unit 34, amplified by the transmission amplifier 35, and transmitted to the antenna 36.
More wireless transmission. At this time, the transmission frequency is switched and controlled by the PLL setting unit 33. The second embodiment has a feature regarding the selection / switching of the transmission frequency, which will be described later. In the above example,
Since the alarm radio 30 is dedicated to transmission, its configuration is simplified and current consumption is suppressed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a message transmitted from the alarm radio 30.

The message 50 shown in the figure is roughly divided into a radio communication control section and an information section.

The radio communication control section corresponds to the “header section” in the transmission data shown in FIG. 32, and includes a bit synchronization signal 51, a frame synchronization signal 52, and a radio identification signal 53. The bit synchronization signal 51 and the frame synchronization signal 52 are used for performing bit synchronization and frame synchronization when carrier sensing is performed on the master unit 40 side. The wireless device identification signal 53 is a pre-assigned identification number (ID) unique to each alarm wireless device, so that the master device 40 determines whether or not it is transmission data from the alarm wireless device 30 managed by itself. It determines whether or not, and if so, receives the information section and starts an analysis process described later.

The information section contains an alarm content 54, an event number 5
5 and the number of transmissions 56 are included. The alarm content 54 stores data indicating the type of alarm determined based on the abnormality detection signal. In the event number 55 and the number of transmissions 56, values determined by the processing of FIG. 10 described later are stored. In the present embodiment, the event number and the number of transmissions are used instead of the above-described conventional "time information", so that a timer circuit or the like is not required and a relatively short data amount can be achieved. become.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the processing executed in the control unit 32 of the alarm radio 30. This process is performed by reading out a program stored in a memory built in the control unit 32 and executing the program by a CPU or the like.

The processing shown in FIG.
(Every second) Starts when an interrupt occurs.

First, it is checked whether an abnormality detection signal from sensors connected to itself is input to the sensor input unit 31 (step S31). If no abnormality is detected (step S31, NO), a normal standby state is set (step S39).

On the other hand, if an abnormality has been detected (step S31, YES), it is first determined whether or not an alarm recovery standby state is present (step S32). In other words, it is determined whether or not this is the first abnormality detection for the alarm. If the alarm is currently in the standby state for recovery from the alarm, that is, if it is the second or subsequent abnormality detection for the alarm (step S31, YES), +1 is added to the current number of transmissions N (step S33). on the other hand,
Otherwise (step S31, NO), the number of transmissions N is reset (step S34), and the event number M is incremented by +1 (step S35).
Note that the event number M is reset when it is incremented to an appropriate number. Then, the above step S3
3 or the information part of FIG. 9 based on the value of the event number M and the number of transmissions N determined by the processing of steps S34 and S35, and the content of the detected alarm, and the generated message 50
Is transmitted to the parent device 40 (step S36). The transmission frequency (channel) at this time is determined by the process of step S37 of the present process at the time of the previous transmission. That is, when the transmission processing in step S36 is completed, a frequency (channel) to be used for the next transmission is determined (step S37). Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the current transmission frequency (channel) may be determined before transmission.

Then, an alarm recovery standby state is set (step S38).

In the second embodiment, the processing in step S37 has a feature. That is, for example, when the frequency to be used is six, one
Channel numbers from 1 to 6 are allocated, and a random number is generated using the above-mentioned “wireless device identification number” as a so-called “seed” to determine any of 1 to 6. By doing so, uniqueness and randomness are created in the frequency determined by each alarm radio 30, and even if a situation occurs in which a plurality of alarm radios 30 transmit at almost the same time, interference occurs. Probability is greatly reduced. Furthermore, since the existing "wireless device identification number" is used as the "seed" for random number generation, there is no need to newly set a "seed" for each alarm wireless device. Generates a random number based on the "seed" that is different for each alarm radio, and
Can acquire randomness.

As described above, in this process, after a certain alarm is restored, the event number M is changed only when a new alarm is generated. Then, as long as the abnormality detection regarding the alarm continues, the transmission is continued to the master unit 40 at predetermined preset time intervals (for example, every 5 seconds) while increasing the transmission number N by one. If the transmission is performed at a predetermined time interval as described above, it is only necessary to count the number of transmissions N and notify the master unit 40 (further, the event number assigned to the alarm as described above) M
), And the base unit 40 actually issues an alarm for the alarm (notifies the center), as described later.
It is possible to judge whether or not the time for the above-mentioned operation (the above-mentioned fixed delay time or accumulation time) has elapsed (it is necessary for the master unit to know the value of the predetermined time interval in advance).

Thus, for example, the data of the elapsed time of 100 seconds from the occurrence of the alarm is replaced with the form of the number of transmissions of 20 (in the case of the transmission interval = 5 seconds), and each alarm is distinguished by the event number M. Further, for example, the event number M can be reduced to a transmission data amount by repeatedly using a natural number up to 9 for example. Further, it is not necessary to provide a new configuration such as a timer.

Next, the master unit 40 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of master device 40 of FIG.

The master unit 40 shown in the figure has a control unit 41 (built-in memory), a PLL setting unit 42, a demodulation unit 43, a filter unit 44, and an antenna 45. The master unit shown in FIG.
In order to simplify / reduce the size, the configuration is exclusively for reception.

In the base unit 40, the radio wave signal transmitted from the alarm radio unit 30 is detected by the antenna 45, and after the noise and the like are removed by the filter unit 44, the signal is decoded by the demodulation unit 43. , Control unit 41
To enter. The reception frequency is determined by the control unit 41 controlling the PLL setting unit 42.

The carrier sense of the master unit 40 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
In other words, the switching is performed by switching the frequency (channel) at very short intervals as shown in the security reception standby section B (in other words, the meter reading reception standby section A at the carrier sense timing shown in FIG. 3). In this case, it is free to use the meter reading reception standby section A as the reception standby section for the alarm radio, or to set this section A as the reception pause section.

Master device 40 performs the carrier sense as described above and detects a radio wave.
Bit synchronization and frame synchronization are performed by the bit synchronization signal 51 and the frame synchronization signal 52 shown in (3), and the wireless device identification signal 53 is of the alarm wireless device managed by itself (the master device 40 has its own Receives the information unit (the alarm content 54, the event number 55, and the number of transmissions 56) of the alarm wireless device managed by the wireless communication device, and starts the analysis of the alarm content.

This will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of processing at the time of reception by base unit 40.

In the figure, master unit 40 first determines whether the value of radio identification signal 53 of the received message (hereinafter referred to as radio identification number a) is one of the previously registered radio identification numbers. If it does not correspond to (step S41,
NO), deemed to have received radio waves outside its jurisdiction,
The process immediately shifts to the standby state without analyzing the alarm content (step S46). Note that the standby state is a state in which the carrier sense is being performed.

On the other hand, if the wireless device identification number a corresponds to any of the wireless device identification numbers registered in advance (step S41, YES), first, the number of transmissions N of the received data (the transmission It is determined whether or not the number 56) is equal to or greater than the specified value Tc (step S42). Specified value Tc
Is the “delay time” set on the base unit (ie,
As described above, the transmission interval (in this example, a certain delay time is provided between the time when an abnormality is detected by the sensors and the time when an alarm is actually issued (notification of an alarm is issued to the center device)). 5 seconds). That is, in step S42, it is substantially determined whether or not the "delay time" has elapsed since the first abnormality detection was performed by the sensors.

Then, the number of transmissions N of the received data is
If the specified value Tc has not yet been reached (step S4
(2, NO), and shifts to the standby state (step S46).

On the other hand, when the number of transmissions N of the received data has reached the specified value Tc (step S42, YES), the event number M (event number 55 in FIG. 9) of the received data is already It is determined whether or not the event number is the same as the event number M (n) of the alarm that has notified the center device that the alarm has occurred (step S43). In the figure, the event number M (a, n)
Considering the case where the same event number is used by a plurality of alarm radios 30, the alarm event number M ( n) is recorded. In other words, master device 40 distinguishes each alarm radio device 30 and individually determines an alarm report.

In the present embodiment, the processing in step S43 is a transmission-only configuration as described above in order to simplify and downsize the configuration of the alarm radio 30, and a new configuration such as a timer is provided. Since the alarm wireless device 30 does not know that the predetermined “delay time” has elapsed and cannot perform reception, the above-mentioned transmission may be performed while the sensors continue to detect abnormality. This is to prevent duplicate notification to the center.

If the event number M is equal to the event number M (a, n) in the determination in step S43 (step S43, NO), the alarm has already been sent to the center device 2.
Since the notification has already been made to the center device 21, the transmission to the center device 21 is not performed, and the process directly shifts to the standby state (step S4).
6). As a result, as described above, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the same alarm is repeatedly reported to the center device 21.

On the other hand, if the event number M ≠ the event number M (n) (step S43, YES), the contents of the alarm are transmitted to the center device 21 assuming that a new alarm has occurred. (Step S44). Then, the value of the event number M (a, n) is updated (step S45).
That is, the event number M of the alarm reported this time is set as a new event number M (a, n). Then, the process proceeds to a standby state (step S46).

With reference to FIG. 13, a description will be given of a specific example in which an alarm is generated with a “delay time” by the above-described processing in the alarm radio and the master unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of an alarm occurrence notification having a "delay time" according to the second embodiment.

In the figure, it is assumed that “8” is set as the specified value Tc.

In the figure, if it is assumed that an alarm is detected for the first time on a certain alarm radio 30, the alarm radio 30 has the event number M = “1” and the number of transmissions N = “1”.
Is generated and transmitted to the parent device 40. Then, the state shifts to the recovery standby state. Thereafter, if the alarm is not a false alarm and the alarm continues to be generated, the alarm radio 30 is activated at regular intervals (for example, at the 5-second intervals).
The transmission to the master unit 40 is continued while incrementing the transmission number N by +1.

Then, as shown in FIG.
When the transmission data of the transmission number N = '8' is received, the center device 21 is notified of the occurrence of the alarm. After that, the alarm radio 30 sends transmission data of the transmission number N = '9', but the master 40 does not notify the occurrence of the alarm. When the alarm is restored, the alarm radio 30 shifts from the restoration standby state to the normal standby state and stops transmission.

Thereafter, when the alarm radio 30 detects a new alarm occurrence in the normal standby state, the number of transmissions N is reset and the event number M is incremented by +1 by the processing of steps S34 and S35 in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the event number M = “2” and the number of transmissions N =
Transmission data of “1” is created and transmitted to the parent device 40.

Thereafter, similarly to the above, the alarm radio 30
Indicates that the alarm (event number M =
For the "warning of" 2 "), the transmission to the master unit 40 is continued while incrementing the number of transmissions N by one at regular time intervals (for example, at intervals of 5 seconds). When (= 8) is reached, a report to the center device 21 is made for the first time, and thereafter a report to the center device 21 is not made even if there is a transmission from the alarm radio 30.

Incidentally, if data of the event number M = “1” or the like is transmitted from another alarm radio 30 thereafter, the event number M is transmitted as described in step S43.
(A, n), the center device 21
Will not be confused with what has already been reported.

Next, a case will be described in which the wireless alarm system of the second embodiment is applied to a dual mode wireless communication system.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire dual mode wireless communication system to which the second embodiment is applied.

The configuration shown in the figure differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in each of the alarm radios 30 (30a to 30c) and the master unit 60. However, the basic configuration and operation (such as carrier sense timing) of the alarm radio 30 / master 60 are as follows.
The alarm radios 2 and 4 and the base unit 1 of FIG. 1 may be substantially the same, and may be a program for performing the above-described processing shown in FIG. 10 or 12 or a data for transmitting data in the format shown in FIG. The difference is that programs / data and the like are additionally stored in a memory unit or the like.

However, not all of the second embodiment is applied to the dual mode wireless communication system. For example, the above-described method in the second embodiment, in which only “determining the frequency (channel) by setting the“ radio device identification number ”as“ seed ”and generating a random number based on the“ seed ””, is also applicable. Since the uniqueness and randomness of the transmission frequency can be obtained, the probability of interference can be further reduced, for example, even when a situation occurs in which transmission is performed almost simultaneously from a plurality of alarm radios 30.

In the dual mode wireless communication system shown in FIG. 14, a case where transmission is performed almost simultaneously from each alarm radio 30 will be described with reference to an example shown in FIG.

As shown in the upper part of FIG.
0, the carrier sense as shown in FIG. 3 is performed in the same manner as in the base unit 1 in FIG. 1, and for this, for example, as shown in the lower part of FIG. It is assumed that transmissions have been made almost at the same time.

As a result of generating a random number by using its own “radio device identification number” as a “seed”, the alarm radio device 30a transmits at the frequency of channel number 2 (Ch2), for example, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the alarm radio 30b also generates a random number based on its own “radio device identification number” as a “seed”. As a result, the alarm radio 30b generates random numbers based on a “seed” different from the alarm radio 30a. The possibility of being determined by a different channel number becomes extremely high, and in the example shown in the figure, transmission is performed at the frequency of channel number 6 (Ch6). In this way, even when transmissions are made almost simultaneously from a plurality of alarm radios, the probability that different frequencies are used is increased, so that interference occurs and it is difficult or impossible to receive both. Is very low. Then, for example, the master unit 60 of the example shown in FIG.
In the carrier sense timing on the side, the channel Ch2
Is received first, so that base unit 60 receives the message from alarm radio 30a. Similarly, at the time of the second transmission shown in the drawing, the alarm radio 30a transmits at the frequency of the channel Ch5 and the alarm radio 30b transmits at the frequency of the channel Ch4, and the channel Ch4 is transmitted first according to the carrier sense timing of the master unit. Since carrier sense is performed, master device 60 receives a message from alarm radio device 30b.

Further, in the above-described alarm radio system alone, for example, when it is determined that the alarm generation has been confirmed (not an erroneous report) in the base unit 40, the alarm is merely reported to the center device 21. When applied to the system, master device 60 communicates wirelessly with wireless device 25 of FIG. 14 (in this case, the configuration of master device 60 is substantially the same as that of FIG. , Transmission is also possible), so that the remote shutoff control can be performed on, for example, an automatic meter reading gas meter using the function of the existing automatic meter reading system. In this way, for example, when a gas leak or the like is detected on the alarm radio system side and it is confirmed that there is no false alarm, it is possible to apply a remote control and automatically close the gas plug, etc. This is effective when there is no room to wait for the response.

In this case, step S in FIG.
For example, the alarm process of 44 performs the process shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the warning process in step S44 of FIG. 12 in the dual mode wireless communication system.

In the figure, the master unit 60 first determines whether or not the alarm (to be notified) is to be shut off by the gas meter (the type of alarm to be shut off when the alarm is generated is set in advance). Is performed) (step S51). If the gas meter is not to be shut off (step S51, NO), only the notification to the center is made (step S53).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the gas meter is to be shut off (step S51, YES), for example, a gas meter shut-off signal is transmitted by wirelessly communicating with the wireless slave unit 25 (step S52). Thus, the gas meter is automatically shut off by the function of the existing automatic meter reading system. Then, a notification is sent to the center (step S53).

Note that such remote control is not limited to gas meter shutoff.

Next, referring to FIGS. 17 to 28,
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, it is possible to simplify the work of registering the wireless slave device without extra work such as registering the number of wireless slave devices in advance with the wireless master device in advance. We propose a wireless alarm system that makes it easy to add slave units to the system and that allows easy registration from a wireless slave unit to a wireless master unit.
We also propose a wireless alarm system that can easily perform wireless line tests.

FIG. 17 is a system configuration diagram showing the entire radio alarm system according to the third embodiment.

In the figure, alarms 71-1 to 71-n
Are various alarms such as, for example, a fire alarm, a gas alarm, and an emergency push button, and it is assumed that 1 to n (n: integer) alarms are installed.

The wireless slave units 72-1 to 72-n are connected to the alarm units 71-1 to 71-n, respectively, and wirelessly transmit alarm information obtained from the alarm units 71-1 to 71-n. This is a wireless device for transmitting to the master unit 73, and is, for example, a specific low-power wireless device. For example, assuming that the alarm device 71-1 is a fire alarm device, the wireless slave device 72-1 receives a fire detection signal or the like from the fire alarm device and transmits the fire detection signal to the wireless slave devices 72-1 to 72-n. The information is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless master device 73 together with a unique identification value (identification value assigned to itself) assigned to identify each. Note that a configuration in which a plurality of alarm devices are connected to one wireless slave device may be employed.

When the radio base station 73 receives / decodes the transmission radio wave transmitted from any of the radio sub stations 72, the radio base station 73 can determine the transmission source radio sub station 72 based on the identification value. Manage information.

If the system configuration is such that alarm information is centrally managed by the monitoring center 77, the line controllers 74, 7
6 and the public line network 75, the wireless master device 73 can notify the monitoring center 77 of an alarm state. As a unique identification value for identifying the wireless slave 72, for example, an identification code approved by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications for a specific low-power wireless station can be used.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a new identification value is not separately allocated assuming that an identification code or the like is used as a unique identification value for identifying the wireless slave device 72, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration / function of radio base station 73 in the alarm radio system of FIG.

A wireless master device 73 shown in FIG.
0, antenna 91, radio demodulation unit 92, memory 93, LE
D94, an initial registration switch 95, a test report setting switch 96, and the like. The CPU 80 includes a wireless data analysis unit 81, a switching unit 82, a parent device state control unit 83, a timer 8
4. A central processing unit that realizes various functions such as an initial registration determination unit 85, a notification determination unit 86, a notification data creation unit 87, a notification control unit 88, and an LED control unit 89.

The antenna 91 is a radio receiving antenna for receiving a radio wave transmitted from the wireless handset 72, and the radio wave received by the antenna 91 is demodulated by the radio demodulation unit 92. The demodulated signal is analyzed by the wireless data analyzer 81. The wireless data analysis unit 81 determines that the received signal is, for example, data for initial registration and wireless line test (to be described later, data for registering wireless slave unit information to the wireless base unit 73 and wireless line test data). ) Or alarm data.

When the initial registration switch 95 is turned on, the base unit status control unit 83 controls the switching unit 82 to switch to the initial registration determination unit 85, thereby setting the wireless base unit 73 to the alarm system operation mode. To the wireless slave device configuration information acquisition / registration mode. As shown in the state transition diagram of FIG. 19, when the initial registration switch 95 is turned on by a worker or the like, the wireless master device 73 transitions from the normal alarm system operation mode to the wireless slave device configuration information acquisition / registration mode. I do. When the acquisition / registration of the child device configuration information is completed or when the timer 84 times out, the parent device state control unit 83 controls the switching of the switching unit 82 to the message determination unit 86, thereby controlling the wireless parent device 73. Is changed to the normal alarm system operation mode. Note that the acquisition / registration mode of the wireless slave device configuration information is hereinafter referred to as an initial registration mode.

The timer 84 starts when the initial registration switch 95 is turned on, and times out when a predetermined time elapses. That is, the timer 84 is used to return to the normal alarm system operation mode after a lapse of a predetermined time when the initial registration data cannot be received from the wireless slave device 72 in the initial registration mode.

During the initial registration mode, the initial registration judgment unit 85
If the received data is the data for initial registration and wireless line test (to be described in detail later), it is determined that initial registration is necessary, and the initial registration is performed together with a unique identification value for identifying the wireless slave unit. The contents of the data for wireless line test are recorded in the memory 93.

Further, base unit status control unit 83 controls wireless base unit 7
3 sends a control signal to the LED lighting control unit 89 so that the LED 94 blinks and lights so that the worker can visually distinguish whether the current registration mode is the initial registration mode or the alarm system operation mode. The method of blinking / lighting the LED 94 can distinguish between the initial registration mode and the alarm system operation mode. Further, when shifting from the initial registration mode to the alarm system operation mode, it is determined whether or not the initial registration is successful. Etc. should be able to be determined by seeing.

During the alarm system operation mode, the report judging unit 8 is operated based on the data analyzed by the radio data analyzing unit 81.
6 determines whether to notify the monitoring center 77. Then, when the report determination unit 86 determines that the report is necessary, the report data generation unit 87 generates report data,
The notification control unit 88 performs retry control and the like, and notifies the monitoring center 77.

As for the test report setting switch 96,
It will be described later.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration and function of the wireless slave 72 in the alarm wireless system shown in FIG.

The wireless slave unit 72 shown in FIG. 18 determines whether or not the alarm event detection unit 101 for detecting an alarm from the output of the alarm unit 71 to which the wireless slave unit is connected and the alarm unit 71 are connected. An alarm device connection detection unit 102 for detection is provided. Also, a memory 103, an initial registration switch 104,
It comprises an LED 105, a test report setting switch 106, a wireless modulator 107, an antenna 108, a CPU 110, and the like. The CPU 110 includes a wireless call determination unit 111, a handset status control unit 112, a timer 113, a wireless data generation unit 11,
This is a central processing unit that realizes functions such as No. 4.

In the above configuration, slave unit status control unit 112
As shown in the state transition diagram of FIG. 21, when the initial registration switch 104 is turned on, the state (mode) of the wireless slave device 72 is changed from the normal alarm system operation mode to the wireless slave device configuration information. A transition is made to a mode for transmitting for a fixed time.
At the same time, the handset status control unit 112
Blinks / lights up. The reason for blinking / lighting the LED 105 is the same as in the case of the wireless master device 73.
The mode in which the wireless slave device configuration information is transmitted for a certain period of time is hereinafter referred to as an initial registration / test mode. Timer 11
3 starts when the initial registration switch 104 is turned on, and times out when a predetermined time elapses. When the timer 113 times out after the transition to the initial registration / test mode, the slave unit state control unit 112 transitions to the normal alarm system operation mode.

The wireless call determination unit 111 performs the following process according to the current state (mode) of the wireless handset 72.

While in the initial registration / test mode, when the alarm connection detection section 102 detects whether or not the alarm 71 is connected, the wireless call determination section 111 includes this detection information. Initial registration and wireless line test data are generated by the wireless data generation unit 114. Alternatively, the type of the connected alarm device 71 (fire alarm device, gas alarm device, emergency push button, etc.) is determined, and the initial registration and wireless line test data including the alarm device type information is transmitted to the wireless device. The data is generated by the data generator 114. The wireless data generated by the wireless data generator 114 is transmitted to the wireless modulator 1
At 07, the signal is wirelessly modulated and transmitted from the antenna 108.

On the other hand, in the alarm system operation mode, when the alarm event detection unit 101 detects an alarm signal from the alarm unit 71 connected to the unit itself, or in the initial registration / test mode, When the connection detection unit 102 detects that the connection with the alarm device that has detected the connection is broken, the wireless call determination unit 111 determines that the alarm generation or disconnection detection should be notified to the wireless base unit 73. Then, the alarm data is generated by the wireless data generation unit 114 and transmitted to the wireless master device 73.

Note that the wireless call determination unit 111 performs a delay process or the like when sending a signal to the wireless data generation unit 114 in order to prevent false reports and the like.

The test report setting switch 106 will be described later.

FIG. 22 is a format diagram of wireless transmission data transmitted from the wireless slave to the wireless master in this embodiment.

The radio transmission data 120 includes bit synchronization data 121, frame synchronization data 122, and a unique identification code 123 (here,
(The identification code approved by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications for the specified low-power radio) and the wireless communication device information 124.
Further, the wireless slave device information 124 includes a flag 125 indicating whether the wireless slave device is currently in the initial registration / test mode or the alarm system operation mode, an alarm device type 126, an alarm occurrence 127, and an alarm device disconnection 128. , And notification (present / absent) 129 of the slave unit registration information.

Radio base station 73 transmits radio transmission data 1 in which flag 125 indicates “initial registration / test mode”.
When the data 20 is received, it is determined that the wireless transmission data 120 is the above-described initial registration and wireless line test data.

The alarm device type 126 indicates the type of the alarm device connected to the own device (fire alarm device, gas alarm device, emergency push button, etc.) detected in the initial registration / test mode. Data. Note that this may be data indicating only the presence or absence of the connection of the alarm device.

Alarm generation 127 and alarm disconnection 128
In the above-mentioned alarm system operation mode, when an alarm is notified from the alarm device, or when it is detected that the connection with the alarm device that has detected the connection during the initial registration / test mode is disconnected. These are data for notifying the wireless master device of these.

Notification of slave unit registration information (yes / no) 129
Will be described later.

FIG. 23 shows a procedure for registering one wireless slave in the wireless master in the alarm wireless system having the wireless slave and the wireless master described above.

First, in order to set the wireless master device 73 in a state in which wireless slave device information can be registered, the initial registration switch 95 provided on the wireless master device 73 is turned on, and the wireless master device 73 is shifted to the initial registration mode. Let it. Next, the initial registration switch 104 of the wireless slave device 72 is turned on to initially register the wireless slave device 72.
When the mode is shifted to the test mode, the wireless handset 72 detects the presence or absence or the type of the alarm 71 connected to the own handset, and transmits the initial registration and wireless line test data including this detection information to the wireless handset 72. The transmission is repeated until the internal timer 113 times out. Since the flag 125 in the wireless transmission data 120 transmitted during the initial registration / test mode indicates the initial registration / test mode, the wireless master device 73 that has received the wireless transmission data 120 It is determined that the registration and wireless line test data has been received.

When the wireless master device 73 in the initial registration mode receives the data for the initial registration and wireless line test, it registers the data of the alarm device type 126 together with the identification code 123 in the memory 93. When the initial registration process of the wireless slave device is completed, the wireless master device 73 shifts to the alarm system operation mode. Alternatively, even if the initial registration process is not completed, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the transition to the initial registration mode (when the timer 84 has expired), the wireless master device 73 transitions to the alarm system operation mode. The display of the LED 94 when shifting to the alarm system operation mode is performed so that it can be distinguished whether or not the initial registration processing has been normally completed.

In a system composed of n (n; 2 or more) wireless slaves, the initial registration procedure shown in FIG. 23 is performed until all the wireless slaves complete the initial registration as shown in FIG. repeat.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for registering a plurality of wireless slaves in the wireless master.

In FIG. 24, when the processing is started, first, an initial value 1 is set to a variable N indicating the number of the wireless slave unit 72 to be subjected to the initial registration processing (step S).
1).

Next, in steps S2 to S5, an initial registration process for the Nth wireless slave 72 is performed. This is almost the same as the processing shown in FIG. 23. First, the initial registration switch 95 provided in the wireless master device 73 is turned on.
The wireless master device 73 is shifted to the initial registration mode (step S2). Next, the switch 104 for initial registration of the wireless handset 72
Is turned on, the mode is shifted to the initial registration / test mode, and the data for initial registration and wireless line test is transmitted (step S
3). If the wireless master device 73 can normally receive the data for the initial registration and wireless line test and can acquire the data of the identification code 123 and the alarm device type 126 and register it in the memory 93 (step S4), This Nth wireless handset 7
2 is assumed to have been normally completed (step S5, YES), and N is incremented by +1 (N = N +
1) (Step S6), the process proceeds to the initial registration process of the next wireless client 72. If N exceeds the number n to be registered (step S7, YES), the process ends.

On the other hand, due to the deterioration of the line peculiar to the wireless line and the influence of the installation environment of the wireless slave unit 72, the wireless master unit 73
Successfully received the data for initial registration and wireless circuit test /
If the timer 113 times out without being able to register, it is assumed that the initial registration processing of the Nth wireless slave 72 has not been completed normally (step S5, NO),
Again, the initial registration processing of the Nth wireless slave 72 is executed.

It is to be noted that whether or not the initial registration in step S5 has been completed normally is determined, for example, by turning on / off the LED 94.

By the way, in the above-mentioned wireless alarm system, it is expected that the wireless master unit 73 and the wireless slave unit 72 are set apart from each other. The operation of turning on the initial registration switch 104 of the wireless slave device 72 after turning on the registration switch 95 is troublesome (the wireless slave device 72 cannot be moved because the alarm device 71 is connected). However, for example, means for enabling connection of a battery to the wireless master device 73 near the wireless slave device 72 is provided, or a battery is built in the wireless master device 73 so that the wireless slave device 72
(The battery is not usually built in the wireless master device), so that the initial registration is quickly performed even after the wireless slave device 72 is installed and the alarm device 71 is connected. It is possible.

After the initial registration is completed according to the above procedure, a test of the radio line may be performed to confirm whether the radio line is normal. For example, a wireless line test from the wireless slave 72 to the wireless master 73 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of the wireless line test.

In the wireless line test, as in the case of the initial registration, the initial registration switch 104 of the wireless slave 72 is turned on. However, the wireless master device 73 does not turn on the initial registration switch 95, and keeps the alarm system operation mode.

Here, when the wireless master device 73 receives the data for the initial registration and the wireless line test from the wireless slave device 72 during the alarm system operation mode, the wireless master device 73 regards this data as the wireless line test data. It is configured to determine.

As described above, by sharing the data for registration of the wireless slave device information and the data for the wireless line test, the number of switches for transmitting these data can be reduced to one.・ Low cost is possible.

When wireless base station 73 receives the wireless line test data normally, wireless base station 73 may display that the wireless line test data has been normally received, for example, by turning on / off LED 94, or may perform wireless line test. The fact that the application data has been normally received may be recorded in the memory 93, or an operation such as a test call to the monitoring center 77 may be performed. Line controller 74, line 75, line controller 76
When a test call is sent to the monitoring center 77 via the, the monitoring center 77 returns a response confirming the reception of the test call when the test call is normally received. The wireless master device 73 displays on the LED 94 that the test call has been normally received by the monitoring center 77.

As described above, it is easy to determine whether or not the radio base station 73 and the monitoring center 77 can be normally notified when an alarm occurs (in other words, whether or not the entire system is normal). Can be tested.

FIG. 26 is a diagram collectively showing the transmission data from radio base station 72 and how radio base station 73 operates in accordance with the mode of radio base station 73 at that time. That is, it is a summary of the above description.

The transmission data from the wireless handset 72 includes the above-described data for initial registration and wireless line test, and alarm data for notifying when an alarm has actually occurred. The wireless master device 73 has the above-described initial registration mode and the alarm system operation mode.

As shown in FIG. 26, when the data for the initial registration and the wireless line test is received from the wireless handset 72,
When the wireless master device 73 is in the initial registration mode, the wireless master device 73 registers the wireless slave device 72 of the transmission source.

When the wireless master unit 73 is in the alarm system operation mode when receiving the data for initial registration and wireless line test from the wireless slave unit 72, the wireless master unit 73 receives the wireless line test data. Monitoring center 7
7 to perform an operation such as a test call.

If the wireless master unit 73 is in the initial registration mode but cannot receive the data for the initial registration and wireless line test from the wireless slave unit 72, the timer 84 in the wireless master unit 73
To the alarm system operation mode due to the timeout of. From this, as shown in FIG. 26, when the wireless master device 73 receives the alarm data while in the initial registration mode,
When waiting for the timer 84 to time out, and receiving alarm data when the mode shifts to the alarm system operation mode, the wireless master device 73 performs a predetermined operation (notification to the monitoring center 77, etc.) when receiving the alarm data.

The present invention is characterized in that the wireless slave 72 detects the presence or absence of connection between the wireless slave 72 and the alarm 71 and notifies the wireless master 73 of the detection to register the wireless slave 72. And Further, when the connection to the alarm device 71 which has detected “connection present” at the time of the initial registration is disconnected, this is detected and notified to the wireless master device 73.

A specific example of a circuit for detecting connection / disconnection with the alarm 71 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.

First, the alarm 71 connected to the wireless slave 72
As an example, assume a gas alarm with a voltage output that generates a voltage of 6 V during normal operation and a voltage of 12 V during gas leakage. In such a case, for example, the alarm 7
A disconnection between 1-wireless handset 72 can be detected. That is, for example, the reference voltage VS generated by the comparison reference voltage source 132 is set to 0.
The voltage V1 of the alarm signal source 131 is compared with a reference voltage VS by a voltage comparator 133 (comparator). When V1 becomes lower than VS,
Outputs disconnection detection signal.

For example, when the alarm 71 is a fire alarm with a contact output, the disconnection between the alarm 71 and the wireless slave 72 is detected, for example, as shown in FIG. R1 (Ω) disconnection detection resistor 142 is connected in parallel with the contact output (relay contact 141),
On the side, a reference voltage source 143 and a voltage dividing resistor 14 having a resistance value R2 are provided.
4. Whether or not the alarm device 71 and the wireless handset 72 are disconnected is determined by whether or not a voltage corresponding to the resistance value R1 can be detected using a circuit including the comparison reference voltage source 145 and the voltage comparator 146. Can be detected.

Of course, the circuits shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 are merely examples, and other circuits may be used to detect the connection / disconnection between the alarm device and the wireless client.

In the above alarm radio system, the radio base station 73 not only automatically determines the type of alarm and notifies the monitoring center 77, but also promptly goes to a necessary place according to the type of alarm. The system configuration may be such that an alarm occurrence notification can be made. That is, a plurality of alarms 71
If there is an interface with the alarm device 71, as described above, by providing a circuit for detecting the presence or absence of connection between the wireless slave device 72 and the alarm device 71, it is possible to manage which interface the alarm device 71 is connected to. It is possible. Also,
If the type of the alarm device that can be connected to each interface is determined, or if the type of the alarm device that is connected to each interface is determined in advance, the wireless child device 72 detects the connection with the alarm device and sets the alarm device. By notifying the type of the wireless base unit 73,
The wireless master device 73 can register / manage the type of the alarm device connected to each wireless slave device 72. For example, wireless base unit 7
3 stores, in the memory 93, data indicating the type of the alarm device connected to the wireless slave device 72 in association with the identification code of each wireless slave device 72.

[0210] For example, assuming that a certain wireless slave 72 is connected only to a fire alarm, the wireless master 73, together with the identification code of the wireless slave 72, is installed at the time of installation. The fact that the alarm device connected to 72 is a fire alarm device is stored in the memory, and when the occurrence of an alarm is notified from the wireless slave device 72 during the operation of the alarm system, the wireless master device 73 operates as a fire alarm. It is determined that the alarm has been notified from the container. Alternatively, the wireless slave device 72 may determine that an alarm has been issued from the fire alarm device, and notify the wireless master device 73 to that effect. In this manner, the alarm device 71 in which the wireless master device 73 is connected to each wireless slave device 72.
For example, when the above alarm is issued, when a call is made to the monitoring center 77 via the wireless base unit 73 or the public line 75, a system for automatically reporting a fire to a fire department or the like is provided. Can be configured. Similarly, for example, the wireless slave 72 registered in the wireless master 73
Is assumed to be connected to a gas alarm, a system is configured to automatically notify a gas company of a gas leak when an alarm is called to the monitoring center 77 via the wireless base unit 73 or the public line 75. can do. As described above, if the type of the alarm device 71 connected to the wireless slave device 72 can be registered in the wireless master device 73, it is very significant in considering a service after an alarm is issued.

[0211] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned alarm radio system, a configuration is proposed in which the wireless slave 72 detects a disconnection between itself and the alarm 71 and transmits it to the wireless master 73 as an alarm. If there is an unused interface among the input interfaces from the alarm 71 at 72, when a transition is made from the initial registration mode to the alarm system operation mode, a disconnection alarm is immediately issued for the unconnected alarm 71. That is, the unnecessary alarm is transmitted, and the power consumption of the wireless slave device 72 is increased. It can also be a misinformation. Further, if unnecessary radio wave transmission is performed frequently, the surrounding radio wave environment may be deteriorated.

In view of such a situation, the alarm device 71 (input interface) that cannot detect the connection in the initial registration mode is recorded. Suppress transmission. For example, for an input interface that was not connected in the initial registration mode, disconnection, an alarm signal, and the like are not detected in the alarm system operation mode. Alternatively, detection is performed, but alarm data transmission is not performed.

By suppressing the transmission of unnecessary alarms / false alarms in this manner, it is possible to suppress the power consumption when transmitting from the wireless handset 72, and to further reduce the radio wave environment due to unnecessary radio wave transmission. Deterioration can be reduced, and limited frequency resources can be used effectively.

[0214] Further, the wireless master unit 73 is connected to the public line 75.
An alert system that reports registration information or test data of the wireless handset 72 to the monitoring center 77 when connected to the monitoring center 77 via the monitoring center 77 and an alert system that does not report the registration information or test data can be considered.

The alarm system for notifying the monitoring center 77 of the initial registration information and the like includes a case where the monitoring center 77 manages the status of the wireless slave 72 for each connected alarm device, and a case where the wireless slave managed by the monitoring center 77 is used. It is conceivable to change the action after the alarm is generated according to the information.

On the other hand, when it is not necessary to manage which wireless slave 72 has issued the alarm, the initial registration information is stored in the monitoring center 77 in order to avoid complicating the processing in the monitoring center 77. It is desirable not to report to.

In consideration of such a situation, it is very useful to be able to set whether or not to notify the initial registration information or test data to the monitoring center 77. In the present invention, in order to realize this function, a configuration that allows setting of presence / absence of a report in the wireless handset 72 and a configuration that enables setting of presence / absence of a report in the wireless base unit 73 are provided. . That is, the test report setting switch 106 of the wireless slave 72 and the test report setting switch 96 of the wireless master 73 are provided.

When the setting of the presence / absence of a report is made on the side of the wireless slave 72, the test report setting switch 106 provided on the wireless slave 72 is turned on, so that the registration of the wireless slave information and the data for the wireless line test are performed. The notification flag 129 of the child device registration information provided therein is set to “with notification” (for example, flag “1”). As a result, the wireless master device 73 that has received the data transmits the test data to the monitoring center 77.

When setting the presence / absence of a report on the side of the radio base station 73, when the test report setting switch 96 provided in the radio base station 73 is turned on, registration of the radio slave unit information from the wireless slave unit 72 is performed. When the data for the dual-line test is received,
The test data is transmitted to the monitoring center 77.

[0220] In this case, there is a report /
The setting of “No” is ignored, and whether to set the presence / absence of the report in either the wireless master device 73 or the wireless slave device 72 is as follows.
The setting of the wireless master device 73 will be followed. However, as to whether the setting of the presence / absence of the report is performed by the wireless slave device 72 or the wireless master device 73, a configuration that enables remote setting from the monitoring center 77 may be provided. It may be fixedly set in the master unit 73. When the setting is fixed to the wireless master device 73 before installation, the test report setting switch of either the wireless slave device 72 or the wireless master device 73 can be removed, so that the size and the price are reduced accordingly. It is possible.

The warning radio system according to the third embodiment described above may be applied to the dual mode radio communication system.

[0222]

As described in detail above, according to the dual mode wireless communication system of the present invention, the wireless automatic meter reading system and other systems can be connected by only one wireless device, and the hardware scale and It can connect to two systems without increasing cost, and especially interference,
The probability that retransmission will occur can be greatly reduced.

This effect is particularly remarkable when the other system is a home security system (constructed in accordance with the law).

Further, in the case of a security system, if interference occurs in an alarm signal indicating the occurrence of a disaster or a delay due to retransmission occurs, there is a possibility that an urgent situation cannot be dealt with immediately, which may cause a danger. In addition, the reliability is impaired, but the possibility of such a situation can be greatly reduced.

Further, according to the alarm radio system of the present invention, it is possible to prevent improper reporting / remote control due to false alarms while simplifying / reducing the configuration of each radio device, Can be further reduced.

Further, according to the alarm radio system of the present invention, a series of operations for registering from the wireless slave to the wireless master, including the work before installation, can be simplified, and the wireless slave can be added to the existing system. This simplifies the test of the wireless line.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an entire dual mode wireless communication system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a master unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of carrier sense timing by a master unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the entire control processing by the control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining in detail a TM / TC carrier sensing process in step S2 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a security carrier sensing process in step S5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing an entire wireless alarm system according to a second embodiment.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a parent device in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a message transmitted from the alarm radio.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process executed in a control unit of the alarm radio.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a master unit in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing at the time of reception by the master unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a notification of an alarm occurrence having a “delay time” according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a dual mode wireless communication system to which the second embodiment is applied.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where transmission is performed almost simultaneously from a plurality of alarm radios.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an alarm process in step S44 of FIG. 12 in the dual mode wireless communication system.

FIG. 17 is a system configuration diagram showing the entire wireless alarm system according to the third embodiment.

18 is a configuration / function block diagram of a wireless master device in the alarm wireless system of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a state transition diagram of the wireless master device to each mode.

20 is a configuration / function block diagram of a wireless client device in the alarm wireless system shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a state transition diagram of the wireless slave device to each mode.

FIG. 22 is a format diagram of wireless transmission data transmitted from the wireless slave to the wireless master;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a procedure for registering one wireless slave device to the wireless master device.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for registering a plurality of wireless slaves in the wireless master.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a procedure of a wireless line test.

FIG. 26 is a diagram summarizing how the wireless master device operates according to transmission data from the wireless slave device and the mode of the wireless master device at that time.

FIG. 27 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a circuit for detecting the presence or absence of connection with an alarm device.

FIG. 28 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating one example of a circuit for detecting the presence or absence of connection with an alarm device;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional wireless automatic meter reading system.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an intermittent standby method.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless master device that realizes a conventional dual mode wireless communication system.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a situation where a reception error / retransmission occurs when a third frequency is enabled.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 base unit 2 alarm radio 3 gas alarm 4 alarm radio 5 fire alarm 6 emergency push button 11 control unit 12 modulation unit 13 demodulation unit 14 PLL setting unit 15 transmission / reception switching unit 16 filter unit 17 antenna 30 alarm radio Device 31 Sensor input unit 32 Control unit 33 PLL setting unit 34 Modulation unit 35 Transmission amplifier unit 36 Antenna 40 Master unit 41 Control unit 42 PLL setting unit 43 Demodulation unit 44 Filter unit 45 Antenna 50 Electronic message 51 Bit synchronization signal 52 Frame synchronization signal 53 Wireless device identification signal 54 Alarm content 55 Event number 56 Number of transmissions 60 Main device 71 Alarm device 72 Wireless sub device 73 Wireless base device 74 Line controller 75 Network (public line network, etc.) 76 Line controller 77 Monitoring center 80 CPU 81 Wireless Data analysis unit 82 Switching unit 83 Base unit status control unit 84 Thailand M 85 Initial registration determination unit 86 Report determination unit 87 Report data creation unit 88 Report control unit 89 LED control unit 91 Antenna 92 Radio demodulation unit 93 Memory 94 LED 95 Initial registration switch 96 Test report setting switch 101 Alarm event detection unit 102 Alarm Device connection detection unit 102 103 Memory 104 Initial registration switch 105 LED 106 Test report setting switch 107 Wireless modulation unit 108 Antenna 110 CPU 111 Wireless call determination unit 112 Remote unit status control unit 113 Timer 114 Wireless data generation unit 120 Wireless transmission data 121 Bit synchronization data 122 Frame synchronization data 123 Identification code 124 Wireless slave unit information 125 Flag 126 Alarm type 127 Alarm generation 128 Alarm disconnection 129 Notification of slave unit registration information (Yes / No) 13 Alarm signal source 132 compares the reference voltage source 133 voltage comparator 141 relay contacts 142 break-detecting resistor 143 reference voltage source 144 of voltage dividing resistors 145 compares the reference voltage source 146 voltage comparator

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme Court II (Reference) (72) Inventor Masakazu Okubo 1-1-1 Tanabe Shinda, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eiichi Miura 1-1, Tanabe-Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eiji Matsumoto 1-1-1, Tanabe-Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Person Shiro Kondo 1-1-1 Tanabe-Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A wireless means for meter reading used in a wireless automatic meter reading system, and a plurality of wireless devices used in a system other than the wireless automatic meter reading system and performing wireless communication by selectively using a plurality of pre-assigned frequencies. Terminal means, allocating an idle time of intermittent reception standby for radio waves from the meter reading wireless means to reception standby timings corresponding to a plurality of frequencies of the wireless terminal means, and the wireless automatic meter reading system and the other And a dual wireless communication means for wirelessly connecting to both of the systems. 2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the dual wireless communication unit is configured to perform at least reception standby corresponding to a plurality of frequencies usable by the wireless terminal unit during an idle time of intermittent reception of the radio wave from the meter reading wireless unit. 2. The dual mode wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the operation is repeated two or more times. 3. The dual mode wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein said another system is a security system, and said wireless terminal means is a warning wireless means. 4. A transmission time from the alarm radio means,
4. The dual mode wireless communication system according to claim 3, wherein the frequency of transmission from the alarm radio means is increased by making the transmission time shorter than the transmission time from the meter reading radio means. 5. The dual mode wireless communication system according to claim 3, wherein a frequency band usable by said alarm radio means is different from a frequency band usable by said meter reading radio means. 6. A frequency band which can be used by the alarm radio means is a radio frequency band for a security system which is a low power radio, and a frequency band which can be used by the meter reading radio means is a telemeter which is a specific low power radio. 6. A radio frequency band for telecontrol.
A dual mode wireless communication system as described. 7. When the alarm is detected, each of the alarm wireless means sets at least an alarm event number assigned to the generated alarm and the number of times of transmission indicating the number of wireless transmissions of the alarm until the alarm is recovered. Alarm information having information is continuously transmitted by radio at a predetermined time interval, and the dual radio communication means, when receiving the alarm information from the alarm radio means, transmits the number of times related to the alarm event number in the alarm information. 7. The dual-mode wireless communication system according to claim 3, wherein when a predetermined value is reached, it is determined that an alarm is confirmed. 8. The wireless terminal device according to claim 1, wherein, when selecting a transmission frequency from the plurality of frequencies, a transmission frequency is determined by generating a random number based on its own identification ID. 8. The dual mode wireless communication system according to any one of claims 7 to 7. 9. The dual wireless communication means according to claim 7, wherein said dual wireless communication means is connected to a center via a network and, when determining that said alarm is determined, notifies the center of occurrence of an alarm. Mode wireless communication system. 10. The dual wireless communication unit determines that the alarm is determined, and when the determined alarm relates to a preset remote control object, the remote wireless communication unit used in the wireless automatic meter reading system. 9. The dual-mode wireless communication system according to claim 7, wherein the dual-mode wireless communication system communicates with a meter reading wireless unit connected to a device to be controlled to remotely control the device. 11. An alarm radio system, comprising: a plurality of wireless terminals each connected to various alarm sensors; and a master unit for wirelessly communicating with the plurality of wireless terminals. When an alarm is detected by an alarm sensor connected to an alarm, an alarm event number is assigned to the generated alarm, and at least the alarm event number and the number of times of wireless transmission of the alarm are indicated until the alarm is restored. Alarm information transmitting means for continuously transmitting alarm information having information on the number of times of transmission at predetermined time intervals, wherein the master unit, when the number of transmissions included in the received alarm information reaches a specified value, Is an alarm radio system characterized by having an alarm monitoring means for notifying the center of the occurrence of an alarm, assuming that the alarm is not a false alarm. 12. The alarm according to claim 11, wherein the wireless slave device determines a transmission frequency by generating a random number based on its own identification ID each time the wireless slave device performs wireless transmission at the predetermined time interval. Wireless system. 13. The alarm radio system according to claim 11, wherein said master unit performs carrier sense for switching a reception frequency at a very short time interval. 14. An alarm wireless system comprising one or more wireless slaves connected to an alarm device and a wireless master unit for receiving a radio wave transmitted from the wireless slave unit, wherein the wireless slave unit performs a predetermined operation. When the wireless communication is performed, the wireless master device obtains the configuration information of the own device and wirelessly transmits the configuration information for a certain period of time, and the wireless master device changes the status of the own device to the normal alarm system operation mode and the wireless slave device. Mode switching control means for controlling switching to the initial registration mode, and control means for registering a new wireless slave based on the configuration information when configuration information is received from the wireless slave during the initial registration mode. An alarm wireless system comprising: 15. The wireless slave device further includes connection detection means for detecting the presence or absence of connection between the wireless device and the alarm device, or alarm device type determination means for determining the type of the alarm device connected to the wireless device. 15. The alarm radio system according to claim 14, wherein a detection result by the connection detection means or a determination result by the alarm type determination means is used as a part of the configuration information. 16. In the alarm system operation mode, the wireless slave device transmits alarm data to the wireless master device relating to the alarm device whose connection has been confirmed by the connection detecting means, and transmits the alarm data to the wireless master device relating to the unconnected alarm device. The alarm radio system according to claim 15, wherein transmission of the alarm data is suppressed. 17. The alarm radio system according to claim 16, wherein the alarm data is an alarm signal from an alarm device that has confirmed the connection or detection data of a disconnection of the connection. 18. The wireless base unit, when receiving configuration information from the wireless slave unit during an alarm system operation mode, performs a wireless line test process.
18. The alarm wireless system according to any one of claims 17 to 17. 19. The alarm wireless system is a system in which the wireless master device is connected to a wired line and is capable of communicating with a monitoring center via the wired line. When receiving the alarm data transmitted from the wireless slave device during the, to notify the monitoring center via the wired line of the alarm generation,
19. The alarm radio system according to claim 18, wherein, in the processing of the radio line test, data for a radio line test is transmitted to the monitoring center via the wired line. 20. The radio base station according to claim 19, wherein whether the radio base station notifies the monitoring center of the data for the radio line test can be set in the radio base station and / or the radio base station. Alarm radio system. 21. The wireless slave device determines the type of the alarm device connected to the wireless device, registers the type information of the alarm device in the wireless master device or the monitoring center, and generates an alarm by the alarm device. Is notified and the wireless slave transmits the alarm data to the wireless master, and the wireless master or the monitoring center notified of the occurrence of the alarm from the wireless master responds to the type of the alarm in which the alarm occurred. 21. The alarm radio system according to claim 20, wherein the notification destination is notified of the occurrence of the alarm.