JP2011133980A - Wireless interlocking alarm system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent identification information from being wrongly registered in installing a wireless alarm system. <P>SOLUTION: When a predetermined operation is performed in one alarm 1 and the other alarm 1, the one alarm starts communication control means 14, 17 and executes registration request mode, and the other alarm 1 starts communication control means 14, 17 and executes registration reception mode. In the registration request mode, a registration request signal and the identification information are transmitted. In the registration reception mode, a series of communication protocol to register the identification information transmitted along with the registration request signal is performed. In at least one of the registration request mode and the registration reception mode, a signal level is determined. In the signal level determination, a reception level of a signal received from the other device is compared with a predetermined reference level, to determine validity thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a wireless interlocking alarm system in which control signals are transmitted to each other wirelessly, and when any alarm device detects an abnormality, another alarm device belonging to the system interlocks and outputs an alarm.

  As a conventional example of the alarm system as described above, Patent Document 1 discloses that a fire alarm is a radio signal in order to suppress power consumption while preventing oversight of a radio signal transmitted from another residential fire alarm. A radio signal receiving unit that sequentially repeats a reception time and a pause time, and a radio signal transmission unit that transmits a radio signal including a fire signal for a transmission time longer than the pause time when a fire factor is detected Is disclosed.

JP 2008-004033 A

  In such a system, in order to prevent false alarms such as receiving a radio signal from a neighboring alarm device and outputting an alarm, an initial setting for identifying the alarm device belonging to the system is necessary. Here, if an alarm device of another system is registered by mistake, problems such as outputting a false alarm will occur. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an alarm system that can reliably perform such initial setting.

The alarm interlocking system according to the present invention combines a plurality of alarm devices having communication control means, these alarm devices transmit control signals to each other wirelessly, and if any alarm device detects an abnormality, it belongs to the system. In a wireless interlocking alarm system in which the other alarm devices are linked to output an alarm, when one of the alarm devices in the system and the other alarm device perform a predetermined operation, The communication control means of the device is operated to execute the registration request mode, and the other alarm device operates the communication control means of its own device to execute the registration acceptance mode.
In the registration request mode, a registration request signal and identification information of the device itself are transmitted. In the registration acceptance mode, a series of communication protocols for registering the identification information transmitted along with the registration request signal is performed. The signal level determination process is executed in at least one of the registration request mode and the registration acceptance mode. The signal level determination process uses the reception level of the signal received from the other party as a predetermined registration reference level. Compare and judge whether it is valid or invalid

  According to the present invention, the reference level at the time of registration is not a state in which the alarm device is installed in each room, but is a value on the assumption that the parent alarm device and the child alarm device are in a short distance, that is, pre-installation work. That is, the distance between the two is set in advance assuming 1 meter, for example. Then, since the identification information is not registered unless the distance between the alarms is within 1 meter, the identification signal of the alarm that is far away (specifically, in another house) is erroneously registered. There is no danger of it.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an alarm device. These are the external views of an alarm device. These are the block diagrams of the alarm system by this invention. These are timing charts at the time of registration of identification information.

  Hereinafter, although the Example of this invention is described about the alarm system comprised by the some fire alarm device, this invention was comprised by other types of alarm devices, for example, a gas leak alarm device, a security alarm device, etc. It can also be applied to alarm systems.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an alarm device constituting an alarm system according to the present invention. The alarm device 1 constituting this alarm system has a distinction between a parent alarm device 1A and a child alarm device 1B. That is, the parent alarm device 1A has a central role in the transmission of the control signal and controls the interlocking of the child alarm device 1B. However, this is mainly based on the difference between the control programs, and the basic configuration of both is common, both of which are a power supply unit 11 configured by a power battery, a detection unit 12 for detecting smoke concentration, The operation unit 13 that receives an alarm stop operation, the communication unit 14 that transmits a control signal to and from another alarm device 1 by wireless communication, the output unit 15 that outputs an alarm sound, and the setting information can be rewritten. A storage unit 16 for storing, a control unit 17 for controlling each unit, and the like are provided.

  The detection unit 12 has a structure in which a light emitting unit composed of a light emitting diode or the like and a light receiving unit composed of a phototransistor or the like are appropriately disposed in a detection space surrounded by a labyrinth wall that allows light to flow while blocking light. Thus, the reflected light obtained by reflecting the light irradiated by the light emitting unit by the smoke particles is received by the light receiving unit, photoelectrically converted, and output as a detection signal.

  The operation unit 13 includes an operation button 13a that accepts an alarm stop operation, and a registration acceptance button 13b that accepts an operation for registering identification information of the child alarm device 1B if the alarm device 1 is the parent alarm device 1A. ing. On the other hand, if the alarm device 1 is a child alarm device 1B, a registration request button 13c for registering identification information of the parent alarm device 1A is provided instead of the registration acceptance button 13b.

  The communication unit 14 includes an antenna 14a, a reception level detection unit 14b that detects the reception level of the control signal transmitted from the other alarm device 1, and a selection unit configured by, for example, a dip switch to select and set a communication channel. I have.

  The storage unit 16 is composed of, for example, an electrically writable / erasable flash memory, and holds stored contents even when the power is turned off.

  The control part 17 is comprised, for example with a microcomputer etc., and controls the detection part 12, the communication part 14, the output part 15 grade | etc., According to a control program. The communication unit 14 and the control unit 17 constitute a communication control unit that controls communication with other alarm devices 1.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the alarm device, and a detection unit 12 covered with an insect protection cover is disposed at the center of the surface of the housing 1a, and an operation button 13a, a registration acceptance button 13b (a registration request button 13c) are provided around the detection unit 12. ), A sound passage hole 15b for the speaker 15a constituting the output unit 15 is provided, and an antenna 14a of the communication unit 14 protrudes from the side surface of the housing 1a. In addition, a circuit board on which the communication unit 14, the control unit 17, and the like are mounted, a power supply battery, and the like are housed inside the housing 1a.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a wireless alarm system according to the present invention, which includes one parent alarm device 1A and a plurality of child alarm devices 1B.

  The basic operation of this alarm system will be briefly described below. The alarm device 1 operates the detection unit 12 in a predetermined cycle, and outputs a warning when it determines that a fire has occurred by comparing the detected smoke density with a threshold value. If the alarm device 1 that has determined this fire is the parent alarm device 1A, an interlocking alarm command signal is transmitted to all the alarming devices, and an alarm is output in conjunction. On the other hand, if the alarm device 1 that has determined the fire is a child alarm device 1B, a fire notification signal is transmitted to the parent alarm device 1A, and the parent alarm device 1A that receives this detection signal outputs an alarm in conjunction with it. The interlock alarm command signal is transmitted to the other child alarm device 1B, and the alarm is output in conjunction.

  Thereafter, when any alarm device 1 accepts an alarm stop operation, the parent alarm device 1A transmits an interlock stop command signal to the child alarm device 1B in the same procedure as in the case of the fire detection described above. Stop the output of the child alarm.

  This alarm system has an automatic return function that automatically stops the alarm when the detected fire is extinguished. Therefore, the parent alarm device 1A stores the identification information of the child alarm device 1B that has transmitted the notification signal, the device itself has not judged a fire, and the release notification signal is sent from all of the child alarm devices 1B. When received, an interlock stop command signal is transmitted to all the child alarm devices 1B.

  Transmission of the control signal is performed between the parent alarm device 1A and the child alarm device 1B. At this time, identification information of the transmission destination and the transmission source is added to the control signal. Therefore, as the initial setting of the system, the channel setting common to each alarm device 1, the identification information of the child alarm device 1B belonging to the same system for the parent alarm device 1A, and the parent alarm device 1A for each child alarm device 1B are registered. It is necessary to register the identification information. As the identification information, a unique number is assigned in advance for each alarm device 1 at the manufacturing stage.

  Registration of identification information is performed as follows according to the button operation of the parent alarm device 1A and the child alarm device 1B.

  First, the registration request button 13c is operated in the child alarm device 1B to set the child alarm device 1B to the registration request mode. In this mode, the control unit 17 of the child alarm device 1B controls the communication unit 14 so that the registration request signal including the identification information of the own device is registered by the parent alarm device 1A processing the request signal. Is repeatedly transmitted until the registration command signal is received, the identification information is temporarily stored. Then, the reception level detected by the reception level detection means is compared with a preset reference level at the time of registration, and if it is equal to or higher than the reference level, the temporarily stored identification information is registered in the storage unit 16 and a response to the command signal Perform a series of protocols to send back signals.

  On the other hand, if the reception level of the registration command signal is less than the reference level, the child alarm device 1B invalidates the registration command signal and terminates the procedure without returning a response signal. The registration reference level is set to the reception level when the child alarm device 1B receives the control signal transmitted from the parent alarm device 1A at a predetermined distance, for example, 1 meter.

  Then, the registration acceptance button 13b is operated on the parent alarm device 1A to set the parent alarm device 1A to the registration acceptance mode. In this mode, when the control unit 17 of the parent alarm device 1A controls the communication unit 14 and receives a registration request signal from the child alarm device 1B, the identification information is temporarily stored. Then, the reception level detected by the reception level detection means is compared with a preset reference level for registration, and if it is equal to or higher than the reference level, a registration command signal including its own identification information is returned. . Thereafter, when the parent alarm device 1A receives a response signal from the child alarm device 1B to the registration command signal, the parent alarm device 1A determines that the registration is completed, and performs a series of protocols for registering the identification information of the child alarm device 1B in the storage unit 16.

  On the other hand, if the reception level is lower than the reference level, the parent alarm device 1A invalidates the registration request signal and ends the procedure.

  Thus, in the present invention, when the control signal is received from the other party in the parent alarm device 1A and the child alarm device 1B in the registration process of the identification information, the reception level is compared with the reference level at the time of registration. Then, only when the reception level is equal to or higher than the reference level, the subsequent processing is continued. Accordingly, if the reception level when the parent alarm device 1A receives the control signal transmitted by the child alarm device 1B at 1 meter is set as the reference level at the time of registration, registration of identification information is performed at a short distance, in this case 1 meter. Even if a similar signal happens to be transmitted only between the parent alarm device 1A and the child alarm device 1B, and is far away from the alarm device 1B, for example, from the adjacent alarm device 1B, the identification information There is no risk of accidental registration.

  In this example, the parent alarm device 1A compares the registration request signal from the child alarm device 1B with the registration reference level to determine whether or not to continue the subsequent processing. The child alarm device 1B The registration command signal from the parent alarm device 1A is compared with the registration reference level to determine whether or not to continue the subsequent processing. That is, both the parent alarm device 1A and the child alarm device 1B determine whether or not to continue the subsequent processing based on the reception level of the control signal by the other party. However, it is not always necessary to make such a determination in both the parent alarm device 1A and the child alarm device 1B, and a configuration in which such a determination is performed by only one of them may be employed.

  The parent alarm device 1A may notify the child alarm device 1B of the system identification information in addition to the identification information of the own device. The system identification information is identification information common to the alarm devices 1 belonging to the system. With this identification information, the parent alarm device 1A can broadcast control signals to all the child alarm devices 1B all at once by broadcasting. become.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the registration request button 13c and the registration acceptance button 13b related to the above process and the operating state of the communication unit 14 in time series.

  In the figure, at time (a), the registration request button 13c of the child alarm device 1B is pressed to start the registration request mode, and the child alarm device 1B repeatedly transmits a registration request signal to the parent alarm device 1A. . At time (b), the registration acceptance button 13b of the parent alarm device 1A is pressed, and the registration acceptance mode is started.

  Thereafter, at time (c), the parent alarm device 1A receives the registration request signal from the child alarm device 1B, and compares and determines the reception level with the reference level at the time of registration. If the reception level is equal to or higher than the reference level, the parent alarm device 1A returns a registration command signal to the child alarm device 1B. If the reception level is lower than the reference level, the registration request signal is invalidated and registered. Does not send back command signals.

  At time (d), the child alarm device 1B receives the registration command signal from the parent alarm device 1A, and compares and discriminates the reception level with the registration reference level. Here, if the reception level is equal to or higher than the reference level, the child alarm device 1B returns a response signal to the child alarm device 1B. If the reception level is lower than the reference level, the registration command signal is invalidated and the registration command signal is invalidated. Do not send a signal back. Here, it is determined that the reception level of the registration command signal is equal to or higher than the reference level, and a response signal is returned.

  At time (e), the parent alarm device 1A receives the response signal from the child alarm device 1B and notifies the completion of the registration process of the identification information. At this time, for example, a voice message such as “slave device registration has been successful” may be output from the output unit, or the display lamp may blink a predetermined number of times. The similar alarm is also performed at the child alarm device 1B. In this way, since it is confirmed that registration of the identification information has been completed successfully, problems such as the child alarm device 1B not being registered and not being linked can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the parent alarm device 1A includes the registration acceptance button 13b and the child alarm device 1B includes the registration request button 13c. However, the parent alarm device 1A includes the registration request button 13c, and the child alarm device 1B is good also as a structure provided with the registration acceptance button 13b. Each of the parent alarm device 1A and the child alarm device 1B includes a registration button. When the registration button is operated, one of them operates its own communication control means to execute the registration request mode. On the other hand, the registration acceptance mode may be executed by operating the communication control means of the own device.

  All alarm devices 1 have both a registration request button 13c and a registration acceptance button 13b, and select and execute either the registration request mode or the registration acceptance mode depending on which button is operated. It is good also as a structure.

  Further, when the registration request button 13c and the registration acceptance button 13b are operated, the registration request mode and the registration acceptance mode are executed by other operations instead of the configuration in which the registration request mode and the registration acceptance mode are executed. It may be. Another example of the operation may be a power-on operation, for example, and is not particularly limited.

1 Alarm device 14, 17 Communication control means 14b Reception level detection means

Claims (1)

Combining multiple alarm devices with communication control means, these alarm devices wirelessly transmit control signals to each other, and if any alarm device detects an abnormality, other alarm devices belonging to the system are linked. In the wireless interlocking alarm system that outputs alarms,
When a predetermined operation is performed on one alarm device and the other alarm device in the system, one alarm device operates its own communication control means to execute the registration request mode, and the other alarm device performs the registration request mode. In the alarm device, the communication control means of its own device is operated to execute the registration acceptance mode,
In the registration request mode, a registration request signal and identification information of the device itself are transmitted. In the registration acceptance mode, a series of communication protocols for registering the identification information transmitted along with the registration request signal is performed. And
In at least one of the registration request mode and the registration acceptance mode, signal level determination processing is executed,
The above-described signal level determination process is a wireless interlocking alarm system in which the reception level of a signal received from the other party is compared with a predetermined registration reference level to determine validity / invalidity.

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