JP2006268162A - Fire monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fire monitoring system capable of easily and rapidly constructing a network. <P>SOLUTION: A master module 14 and a number of slave modules 12 are distributed within a monitored area 10. The plurality of modules together form an ad hoc network via a communication part in an autonomous manner. Fire detection information detected by the sensor part of any of the slave modules 12 is collected to the master module 14 via the ad hoc network and transmitted to a server 16. The slave modules 12 and the master module 14 each store a program for forming the ad hoc network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fire monitoring system, and more particularly to a fire monitoring system suitable for monitoring a fire in a relatively wide area facility or area.

  In recent high-rise buildings and intelligent buildings, effective fire monitoring systems are installed and operated. However, older buildings often have no or insufficient fire monitoring systems. If an attempt is made to enhance a fire monitoring network in a facility where such a fire monitoring system is insufficient, a large-scale wiring work is required, and the construction of the system takes a lot of labor and cost. In addition, there are usually many visitors at event venues, and if a fire breaks out, it may cause a catastrophe. For this reason, it is often the case that a simple fire monitoring system with a limited period of use must be constructed urgently.

Patent Document 1 discloses a fire monitoring system that includes a plurality of sensors that detect fire and smoke, and a receiver that receives fire detection information from these sensors as multiple transmission symbols via a line and performs fire detection. ing. Patent Document 2 discloses a fire monitoring system in which fire detection information from a fire monitoring device arranged for each of a plurality of areas is transmitted to a remote monitoring device by a wireless LAN.
Japanese Patent No. 2784008 JP 2001-126171 A

However, since the fire monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a line, it requires a great deal of labor and cost for laying the line. In addition, there is a problem that the system does not function when the line is interrupted by an earthquake or fire. In addition, since the fire monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 2 transmits the fire detection information from the fire monitoring device through a wireless LAN, the above problem is solved, but the fire monitoring device is provided for each of a plurality of areas. Installation of the system is a major construction. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not useful when urgency is required for system construction.
An object of the present invention is to provide a fire monitoring system capable of improving the problems of the prior art and constructing a sensor network simply and quickly.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fire monitoring system according to the present invention includes a communication unit and a sensor unit, and a plurality of modules distributed in a monitoring area are ad hoc networks between the modules via the communication unit. The at least one of the plurality of modules collects the fire detection information detected by the sensor unit of each module via the ad hoc network and transmits the information to a server. It is characterized by that.

  The fire monitoring system according to the present invention includes at least one network unit that forms the ad hoc network by one parent module and a plurality of child modules, and the parent module of each network unit transmits the transmission. It is characterized as a means. Each of the modules stores a program for forming the ad hoc network.

  In the fire monitoring system according to the present invention, a plurality of modules distributed and arranged in a monitoring area autonomously form an ad hoc network between the modules via a communication unit. The server can collect the information via the ad hoc network formed by the fire detection information detected by the sensor unit of the module. For this reason, a wide-area monitoring network can be constructed easily and quickly without installing a dedicated line. Moreover, it can be easily and quickly removed after use. Therefore, it is particularly useful as a simple fire monitoring system with a limited use period.

  The fire monitoring system according to the present invention includes at least one network unit including one parent module and a plurality of child modules, and each network unit forms an ad hoc network. And it is set as the transmission means which transmits the fire detection information which the parent module of each network unit collected to the server. For this reason, the function which a child module should have can be suppressed to the minimum, and a fire monitoring system with reduced cost can be realized. Each module stores an NCMS (Network Configuration Management System) as a program for forming an ad hoc network. For this reason, formation of a quick and simple ad hoc network can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a fire monitoring system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a fire monitoring system according to the present invention. This is a wide monitoring area 10 that needs fire monitoring surrounded by a two-dot chain line. In the monitoring area 10, a plurality of child modules 12 and one parent module 14 are distributed and arranged at important points in the monitoring area 10. A server 16 is arranged in the monitoring center, and the parent module 14 functions as a transmission means for the server 16.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the child module 12. The child module 12 includes a communication unit 18, a data processing unit 20, a sensor unit 22, and a power supply unit 24. The communication unit 18 transmits / receives necessary information to / from other child modules 12 or the parent module 14 in a short distance. The data processing unit 20 executes processing for forming an ad hoc network based on information received by the communication unit 18. Further, the data processing unit 20 exchanges information with the sensor unit 22.

  The network formation program 19 is a dedicated program for the plurality of child modules 12 and the parent module 14 that are distributed to form an ad hoc network. At the initial time when a plurality of child modules 12 and parent modules 14 are distributed and distributed, this network formation program 19 operates to autonomously form an ad hoc network between the modules. Further, even when an ad hoc network is formed and some of the child modules 12 break down and the originally formed network is cut off, the network formation program 19 can recreate a new ad hoc network. it can.

The sensor unit 22 incorporates at least one sensor for detecting fire and smoke (including a camera) and at least one sensor for detecting fire information such as ambient temperature, carbon dioxide gas, and carbon monoxide concentration. The sensor of the sensor unit 22 detects the fire detection information at the point where the child module 12 is arranged according to a sensing command from the data processing unit 20. The fire detection information detected by the sensor unit 22 is sent to the data processing unit 20. The data processing unit 20 analyzes and determines the sent information. These fire detection information and processing results are wirelessly transmitted from the communication unit 18 to the parent module 14 via the ad hoc network after receiving necessary processing. The sensor unit 22 has a self-position detecting function such as GPS. For this reason, the child module 12 can link the self-position and the fire detection information at the position to be transmitted to the parent module 14.
The power supply unit 24 supplies power to the communication unit 18, the data processing unit 20, and the sensor unit 22. The power supply unit 24 can be composed of various batteries.

  The child module 12 can incorporate a function of controlling the sensor unit 22 to be turned on only when wireless communication is performed and the sensor unit 22 is turned off except when necessary. This power-off can be performed by a clock function incorporated in the data processing unit 20 or by a command from the parent module 14. By providing such a control function, the power consumption of the child module 12 can be remarkably reduced, and even when a battery is used, the child module 12 can be operated for a long time without battery replacement.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the parent module 14. The parent module 14 mainly includes a communication unit 26, a network formation program 28, a data processing unit 30, a sensor unit 32, and a power supply unit 34, and includes a sensor unit 32 as necessary. The communication unit 26 transmits and receives necessary information between the plurality of child modules 12 and the server 16 at a short distance by radio.

  The network formation program 28 is a dedicated program for the parent module 14 to form an ad hoc network with the plurality of child modules 12. At an initial time when the parent module 14 and the plurality of child modules 12 are distributed and distributed, the network formation program 28 operates to form an ad hoc network between the modules autonomously. Further, even when the ad hoc network is formed and some of the child modules 12 fail, for example, when the originally formed network is broken, the network forming program 28 can recreate a new ad hoc network. it can.

  The data processing unit 30 mainly stores and organizes fire detection information from the plurality of child modules 12 received via the communication unit 26, or calculates and processes as necessary. These processed fire detection information or processing results are wirelessly transmitted to the server 16 via the communication unit 26 at an appropriate timing. Further, the data processing unit 30 can periodically create a sensing command signal for the child module 12 based on the built-in calendar.

  The sensing command signal can also be created based on the monitoring result by the sensor unit 32. Alternatively, when an abnormal value is found in the fire detection information transmitted from the child module 12, a sensing command signal can be created as needed. These sensing command signals are transmitted from the communication unit 26 to each of the plurality of child modules 12 via the ad hoc network. As described above, the sensor unit 22 of the child module 12 determines the fire detection information by the sensor based on the sensing command. Perform detection.

  The sensing command for the child module is not limited to the above method. Even if each child module 12 does not receive a command from the parent module, the sensing may be performed spontaneously based on the built-in clock function.

Similar to the child module 12, the sensor unit 32 incorporates at least one sensor for detecting fire and smoke, and a sensor for detecting ambient temperature, carbon dioxide gas, and carbon monoxide concentration. The sensor incorporated in the sensor unit 32 is preferably selected to be able to detect monitoring items that are highly motivated in creating the sensing command signal. The fire detection information detected by the sensor unit 32 is continuously sent to the data processing unit 30, and when the data processing unit 30 finds a change exceeding the threshold in the sent fire detection information, the sensing command to the child module 12 is detected. A signal can also be created.
The power supply unit 34 supplies power to the communication unit 26, the network formation program 28, the data processing unit 30, and the sensor unit 32. Similar to the power supply unit 24 in the child module 12, the power supply unit 34 can also be configured by various batteries.
Next, the process of forming an ad hoc network will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the first stage of the ad hoc network formation process. In FIG. 4, in the monitoring area 10, one parent module 14 and many child modules 12A, 12B, 12C,... Are distributed. These child modules have a radio communication limit distance of radius r for the purpose of saving power consumption. That is, the parent module 14 can communicate only with the child modules 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E within the circular radio communication limit range TA with a radius r among many child modules, and cannot communicate with other child modules. . Therefore, in the first stage, primary transfer paths a, b, c, d, and e of five routes connecting the respective child modules 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E and the parent module 14 are specified as information transfer paths. The These primary transfer paths a, b, c, d, and e are stored in the memory of the network formation program 28 of the parent module 14, and the primary transfer path a is stored in the data processing unit 20 of the child module 12A. . Similarly, primary transfer paths b, c, d, and e are stored in the data processing units 20 of the child modules 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E, respectively.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the second stage of the ad hoc network formation process. In this second stage, the child modules 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E for which the primary transfer path is specified search for child modules within the respective radio communication limit ranges. That is, the child module 12A searches for the child modules 12G and 12F as child modules that can communicate with each other, and specifies the secondary transfer paths g and f.

  Further, the child module 12B searches for the child modules 12S and 12U as child modules that can communicate, and specifies the secondary transfer paths s and u. Further, the child module 12C searches for the child modules 12M and 12Q as child modules that can communicate with each other, and identifies the secondary transfer paths m and q. Although the child module 12C can communicate with the child module 12S, the secondary transfer path s has already been specified between the child module 12S and the child module 12B. For this reason, in order to avoid complications and complications of the ad hoc network, the transfer path s ′ indicated by the broken line in the figure is only stored in the data processing units 20 of the child module 12C and the child module 12S as a spare transfer path. It is not used as an actual transfer path.

  Further, the child module 12D searches for the child module L as a child module that can communicate, and specifies the secondary transfer path l. Although this child module 12D can communicate with the child module 12M, the secondary transfer path m has already been specified between the child module 12M and the child module 12C. For this reason, the transfer path m ′ indicated by a broken line is only stored in the data processing unit 20 of the child module 12D and the child module 12M as a spare transfer path, and is not used as an actual transfer path. Further, the child module 12E searches for the child module I and the child module J as child modules that can communicate with each other, and specifies the secondary transfer paths i and j. Although this child module 12E can communicate with the child module 12F and the child module 12L, the secondary transfer path f is already specified with the child module 12A, and the child module 12L has already communicated with the child module 12D. A secondary transfer path l is specified between them. For this reason, the transfer paths f ′ and l ′ indicated by the broken lines are also stored as backup transfer paths and are not used as actual transfer paths.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the third stage of the ad hoc network formation process. Also in the second stage, the tertiary transfer paths h, k, n, r, and t are specified based on the same concept as described above, and the spare transfer paths are stored. As a result, all of the many child modules 12A, 12B, 12C,... Distributed in the monitoring area 10 are connected to the parent module 14 via the transfer path, and the ad hoc network is completed. When the monitoring area 10 is wider and the number of child modules 12 is large, the fourth, fifth,... Transfer paths are identified between the child modules by the same procedure as described above.

  Therefore, all the fire detection information or processing results detected by the sensor units 22 of the respective child modules 12 can be collected in the parent module 14 via the completed ad hoc network. These fire detection information or processing results are wirelessly transmitted to the monitoring center server 16 via the communication unit 26 of the parent module 14. The server 16 analyzes the fire detection information or processing result transmitted from the parent module 14, issues an alarm when an abnormality is found, and activates a fire extinguishing device or an evacuation guidance device as necessary. In addition, related organizations such as the fire department and the police station can access the server 16 at any time via the Internet or the like to know the monitoring status in the monitoring area 10.

  The first to third stages of ad hoc network formation process are instantaneously executed on the order of several seconds. In addition, even when one of the child modules 12 fails after the ad hoc network is formed, the network formation program 28 is operated based on the failure signal even when the originally formed network is cut off. A new ad hoc network can be recreated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the construction and operation procedure of the fire monitoring system described above. In S100, the parent module 14 and a large number of child modules 12 are distributed in the monitoring area 10, and the server 16 is installed in the monitoring center to prepare for system construction. In S110, the distributedly arranged parent module 14 and a large number of child modules 12 operate according to the network program 28 stored in each to form an ad hoc network autonomously. In S120, a sensing command is transmitted to the sensor unit 22 of the child module 12 periodically or at any time by the clock function built in the parent module 14 or the child module 12. In S130, fire detection information is detected by the sensor unit 22 in the child module 12 in response to the sensing command. When the fire detection information detected by each individual child module 12 is abnormal, the child module 12 itself can emit a warning sound or turn on a warning lamp to notify a nearby person of the abnormality. It is also possible to display the evacuation guidance route on the child module 12. Furthermore, if the child module 12 is equipped with a microphone, the microphone catches the utterance sound of a person who has escaped, so that the whereabouts can be accurately grasped.

  In S140, the fire detection information or the processing result associated with the ID number of the child module 12 is collected in the parent module 14 via the ad hoc network. In S150, a large number of fire detection information or processing results collected by the parent module 14 are wirelessly transmitted to the server 16. In S160, the server 16 analyzes the fire detection information or the processing result, and if an abnormality is found, an alarm is issued and necessary measures are taken. The analysis results are also disclosed to related organizations via the Internet or the like. Thereafter, S120 to S160 are repeated. In addition, when a missing is detected in the fire detection information or processing result of the child module 12 collected in S140, it is determined that the missing child module 12 has failed for some reason, and the process returns to S110 to set up the ad hoc network. Reform.

  As described above, according to the fire monitoring system according to the present embodiment, a plurality of child modules 12 distributed in the monitoring area 10 autonomously form an ad hoc network between the child modules 12 via the communication unit 18. The fire detection information detected by the sensor unit 22 of the child module 12 can be collected in the server 16 via the ad hoc network. For this reason, a sensor network can be constructed easily and quickly.

Further, the parent module 14 in units of networks forming an ad hoc network by one parent module 14 and a plurality of child modules 12 functions as a transmission means to the server 16. For this reason, the function which the child module 12 should have can be suppressed to the minimum, and a fire monitoring system with reduced cost can be realized.
The child module 12 and the parent module 14 store a program for forming an ad hoc network. For this reason, it is possible to achieve a quick and concise ad hoc net formation.

  FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the fire monitoring and monitoring system according to the present invention. In FIG. 8, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, all the child modules 12 within the wireless communication possible distance are connected to each other by the transfer path z, so that the plurality of child modules 12 and one parent module 14 form an ad hoc network. . Therefore, for example, the fire detection information detected by the sensor unit of the child module 12H can be transmitted to the parent module 14 through the transfer path of the child module 12H → 12G → 12A → the parent module 14, or the child module 12H → 12I → 12E → Transmission to the parent module 14 is also possible on the transfer path of the parent module 14. Furthermore, the fire detection information of the child module 12H can be transmitted to the parent module 14 by a transfer path other than the above. For this reason, for example, even when the child module 12G in the transfer path fails, the fire detection information can be transmitted to the parent module 14 through another transfer path. The data processing unit 30 of the parent module 14 may have a function of processing fire detection information from the same child module 12 transmitted from a plurality of transfer paths as the same data.

  FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the fire monitoring system according to the present invention. 9, elements having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, two parent modules 14 are arranged in the monitoring area 10, and each parent module 14 forms an ad hoc network with a plurality of child modules 12. Existing. This third embodiment is effective when the monitoring area 10 is wide and the number of installed child modules 12 is large. When one parent module 14 fails, the two network units are connected by the transfer path x or y. As a result, the fire detection information of all the child modules 12 can be collected in the parent module 14 that has not failed and transmitted to the server 16.

  FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the fire monitoring system according to the present invention. 10, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, in the monitoring area 10, in addition to the child module 12 and the parent module 14, the relay dedicated modules 40 are distributed and constitute a part of the network unit. This relay-dedicated module 40 has only a function of relaying information and does not have a sensor unit. For this reason, the structure is simple and can be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, when the fire detection information of the sparsely arranged child modules 12 is transferred to the parent module 14 using the relay dedicated module 40, the efficiency of the system and the cost reduction are achieved. It is effective for.

  Each of the above embodiments is a fire monitoring system in which an ad hoc network is formed using a child module 12 and a parent module 14 having different functions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a system configuration may be adopted in which all modules have the same function and each module can arbitrarily share the role of a parent module or a child module. According to such a configuration, for example, according to an instruction from the server, an optimal module can be selected as a parent module among a large number of modules arranged in a distributed manner according to geographical conditions. For this reason, optimization and flexibility of the system can be achieved.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a fire monitoring system according to the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a child module 12. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a parent module 14. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the 1st step of the formation process of an ad hoc network. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the 2nd step of the formation process of an ad hoc network. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the 3rd step of the formation process of an ad hoc network. It is the flowchart which showed the construction and operation procedure of the fire monitoring system. It is a whole block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the fire monitoring system which concerns on this invention. It is a whole block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment of the fire monitoring system which concerns on this invention. It is a whole block diagram which shows 4th Embodiment of the fire monitoring system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10 ......... Monitoring area, 12 ......... Child module, 14 ......... Parent module, 16 ......... Server, 18 ......... Communication unit, 19 ...... Network formation program, 20 ...... Data processing unit, 22 ......... Sensor unit, 24 ......... Power supply unit, 26 ......... Communication unit, 28 ......... Network formation program, 30 ......... Data processing unit, 32 ......... Sensor unit, 40 ......... Relay Dedicated module.

Claims (3)

  A plurality of modules that are provided with a communication unit and a sensor unit and are distributed in a monitoring area autonomously form an ad hoc network between the modules via the communication unit, and at least one of the plurality of modules A fire monitoring system, characterized in that the module collects fire detection information detected by the sensor unit of each module via the ad hoc network and transmits it to a server.   The network module comprising at least one network unit forming the ad hoc network by one parent module and a plurality of child modules, wherein the parent module of each network unit is used as the transmission means. The fire monitoring system according to 1.   The fire monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein each module stores a program for forming the ad hoc network.

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