JP2012043373A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system capable of promoting a user for properly dealing with a problem early before malfunctioning of a wireless sensor.SOLUTION: A communication system 1 comprises: a wireless sensor 10 including a transmission part for transmitting a wireless signal, a malfunction prediction part for predicting malfunctioning of the wireless sensor 10, and a malfunction notification part for transmitting a wireless signal including malfunction notification information via the transmission part for reporting that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted by the malfunction prediction part; and a receiving relay 30 including a wireless communication part for receiving the wireless signal, an input-output part for transmitting a line signal, a display part for outputting information, and a malfunction relay part for transmitting the line signal including the malfunction notification information via the input-output part while outputting the malfunction notification information via the display part when receiving the signal including the malfunction notification information via the wireless communication part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system.

  Conventionally, a wireless sensor is used in a disaster prevention system for monitoring a fire. The wireless sensor is installed in a monitoring target area in a house or a building, and transmits a wireless signal including an output value of a sensor included in the wireless sensor, a fire determination result by the wireless sensor, and the like. This wireless signal is converted into a wired signal through a reception repeater and received by a receiver connected to the reception repeater in a wired manner. The receiver performs predetermined processing such as fire determination and fire display based on information included in the received signal. By using the wireless sensor and the reception repeater, wiring for connecting the sensor and the repeater can be omitted, so that the installation work can be simplified (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when the distance from the wireless sensor to the reception repeater is long, or there is an obstacle between them, the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless sensor will reach before the reception repeater. If the signal is greatly attenuated, the S / N ratio is lowered, and it may be difficult to determine the contents of the radio signal. For this reason, a wireless repeater is installed between the wireless sensor and the reception repeater, and the signal from the wireless sensor is relayed and transmitted at a predetermined intensity from a location closer to the reception repeater. It is also considered to increase the intensity of the radio signal reaching the reception repeater to a level sufficient to determine the content of the radio signal.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-274580 (paragraph 0002)

  However, it has been difficult to conduct a thorough investigation in advance on the arrival status of radio signals in a building. In addition, after installing a wireless sensor, a wireless repeater, and a receiving repeater, changes in the arrival status of wireless signals occur due to installation of furniture, layout, partition change, opening / closing of fire doors, etc. was there. In such a case, it may be necessary to change the installation position of the wireless sensor according to the arrival state of the wireless signal.

  To solve this problem, it is possible to easily change the installation position by using a battery-type wireless sensor. However, in this case, for example, the output voltage decreases excessively due to the progress of battery discharge, for example. In such a case, the function as a wireless sensor may become defective. Therefore, when a malfunction occurs, it is necessary to notify the receiver to that effect and to promptly replace the battery. However, in such a situation, it is difficult for the wireless sensor to transmit a wireless signal with sufficient strength, and communication with the receiver (reception repeater) is interrupted.

  Here, the receiver to which the reception repeater is connected by wire is originally a conventional receiver (for example, a so-called P-type fire receiver) intended for connecting a wired sensor as it is through a sensor line. is there. When such a conventional receiver is already installed, a case where a wireless sensor is connected later is considered, and a wireless sensor is used for cost reduction due to common use of receivers. This receiver is used as it is in the system. For this reason, when a wireless sensor is connected, a reception repeater for converting a wireless signal into a wired signal is connected to the sensor line of the receiver. In other words, when receiving a wireless signal indicating a fire, for example, the receiving repeater converts this signal into a wired output similar to a wired sensor and outputs it to a sensor line connected to the receiver. I am doing so.

  By the way, in such a fire alarm system connected to a conventional wired sensor, a termination device having an impedance sufficiently smaller than the normal load impedance of the sensor is provided at the end of the connection line of the wired sensor and is always predetermined. A current of a level is supplied, and this current is monitored by the receiver. When the line is disconnected, it is detected that the line current decreases with respect to the normal time, and a notification output indicating a failure is performed. .

  However, since these receivers are not supposed to connect battery-powered wireless devices (wireless sensors or wireless repeaters) that operate on battery power to the sensor line, they will report battery voltage drop failures (acoustics). It does not have a function to output or display).

  Therefore, if any battery-powered wireless device malfunctions due to a decrease in battery voltage, the receiving repeater detects a communication failure with the battery-powered wireless device (or the terminal before malfunctioning). A wireless signal indicating a voltage drop failure transmitted from the receiver is detected), and a wired signal similar to that at the time of disconnection of the wired line is output to the sensor line, so that the receiver is notified of the failure of the sensor line. I am doing so.

  Here, a plurality of battery-powered wireless devices such as a wireless sensor and a wireless repeater may be provided for one receiving repeater, that is, for one sensor line of the receiver. However, the receiver can only notify the line failure for each line. In other words, it is impossible to notify what kind of failure has occurred. There are receivers that can improve this problem and identify the type of failure as broken, but it is still impossible to pinpoint exactly which part of the sensor line is broken. Can not.

  In other words, even when using a receiver that identifies faults in the sensor line and reports a fault, if a plurality of battery-powered wireless devices are assigned to one line, any of these battery-powered wireless devices has a low battery voltage. In the case of malfunction due to, the receiver can only notify that the sensor line to which the receiver is assigned is disconnected. At this time, there is a possibility that the wired connection with the receiving repeater is actually disconnected, a possibility that any battery-powered wireless device has transmitted a signal indicating a decrease in battery voltage, and any battery-powered wireless device has a battery voltage. There is a possibility that a communication failure has occurred due to a malfunction due to a decrease, or a communication failure may have occurred due to deterioration of the wireless communication environment, but such identification and notification are not performed in the receiver. And since it is impossible to know which device or communication path in the line has failed, it is necessary to go to each location for each device or communication path to conduct a specific investigation of the cause of the failure. The amount of work involved in the investigation and restoration has increased, and the installation location of the receiver and other equipment is far from each other, which requires a plurality of personnel and takes time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of prompting a user to take an appropriate action at an early stage before the function of a wireless sensor becomes defective. To do. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system capable of quickly and efficiently investigating a cause even when a malfunction occurs and further improving the efficiency of restoration work.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the communication system according to claim 1 is a wireless sensor that transmits a wireless signal, the first transmitting means for transmitting the wireless signal, and the wireless Malfunction predicting means for predicting that the function of the wireless sensor will fail, and if the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail by the malfunction predicting means, the function will fail. A wireless sensor including a wireless signal including information for notifying that the wireless signal is predicted via the first transmission unit, and reception for relaying the wireless signal as a wired signal A function of the wireless sensor, the first receiving means for receiving wireless signals, the wired transmitting means for transmitting wired signals, the first output means for outputting information, and the wireless sensor Announced that was predicted When a wireless signal including information for receiving is received via the first receiving means, a wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure is obtained. A first function for transmitting via the wired output means and for outputting, via the first output means, information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure A reception repeater including a failure relay means.

  Further, the communication system according to claim 2 is the radio repeater for relaying a radio signal in the communication system according to claim 1, wherein the radio signal is transmitted to the second receiving means for receiving the radio signal. A second transmission means; a second output means for outputting information; and a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure. A wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure when transmitted via the second transmission means, and the wireless sensor A wireless repeater comprising: second malfunction relay means for outputting information for notifying that the function of the sensor is predicted to be malfunctioning via the second output means;

  A communication system according to claim 3 is a receiver that receives a wired signal from the wired transmission means in the communication system according to claim 1 or 2, and supplies power to the reception repeater. The first malfunction relay means includes a radio signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail via the first reception means. When the wireless signal is received, a wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail is transmitted to the receiver via the wired transmission means.

  In addition, the communication system according to claim 4 is the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first malfunction relay means has a malfunction of the wireless sensor. When a wireless signal including information for notifying that a disconnection failure has occurred is received via the first receiving means, a wired signal including information for notifying that a disconnection failure has occurred is transmitted to the wired transmission. Send via means.

  A communication system according to claim 5 is the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a line terminator connected to an end of a transmission line through which the wired signal is transmitted; Release means for releasing the connection between the line terminator and the transmission line, and the first malfunction relay means for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be malfunctioning. When the wireless signal including the above information is received via the first receiving means, the release means releases the connection between the line terminator and the transmission line.

  Further, the communication system according to claim 6 is the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wireless sensor includes a battery serving as a power source of the wireless sensor, The malfunction prediction means predicts that the function of the wireless sensor is malfunctioned when the output voltage of the battery falls below a predetermined level.

  Further, the communication system according to claim 7 is the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the malfunction predicting means indicates that the function of the wireless sensor has failed. And when the malfunction predicting means specifies that the function of the wireless sensor has failed, information for notifying that the function has failed is specified. Including a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor has failed, and transmitting the wireless signal including the wireless signal via the first transmission unit. When received via the first receiving means, a wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor has failed is transmitted via the wired transmitting means, and the wireless The malfunction of the sensor The information for notifying that Tsu, output via the first output means.

  The reception repeater according to claim 8 is a reception repeater for relaying a wireless signal transmitted from a wireless sensor or a wireless repeater as a wired signal, and receiving means for receiving the wireless signal; Receiving a wireless signal including information for notifying that a function of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail, a wired transmission means for transmitting a wired signal, an output means for outputting information, A wireless signal is transmitted via the wired transmission means, and a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure is received. A malfunction relay means for outputting information for notifying that the function of the sensor is predicted to fail through the output means.

  According to the communication system according to claim 1 or the reception repeater according to claim 8, the first malfunction relay means informs that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to malfunction. When a wireless signal including information for receiving is received via the first receiving means, a wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure is Since the information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure is output via the first output means while being transmitted via the wired transmission means, the wireless sensor Before the output voltage of the battery drops excessively and the wireless sensor function actually fails, it is possible to prompt the user to take appropriate measures such as battery replacement via the reception repeater at an early stage. In addition, when the wireless sensor is battery-powered, there is a problem that continuous warning display on the wireless sensor itself after the battery voltage drops will further shorten the battery life. Since it operates with the power supplied from the receiver, the display by the output means can be continuously performed, and it is possible to more reliably notify that it is predicted that the function of the wireless sensor will fail. it can. In addition, since the malfunction detection prediction information of the wireless sensor is output by the reception repeater, if the information output content of the reception relay is confirmed, which wireless sensor is predicted to malfunction Etc., and the cause investigation and recovery work are made more efficient.

  Further, according to the communication system according to claim 2, the second malfunction relay means outputs the radio signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor is predicted to occur. 2 When receiving via the receiving means, a radio signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail is transmitted via the second transmitting means, Since the information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail is output via the second output means, the output voltage of the wireless sensor battery is excessively reduced, Before the function of the wireless sensor actually fails, it is possible to prompt the user to take appropriate measures such as battery replacement via the wireless repeater at an early stage. In particular, the malfunction output prediction information of the wireless sensor that is the transmission source of the wireless signal to be relayed by the wireless repeater is output by the second output means of the wireless repeater. If it is confirmed, it is possible to more easily grasp which wireless sensor is predicted to malfunction, and the cause investigation and recovery work can be made more efficient.

  Further, according to the communication system according to claim 3, the first malfunction relay means includes a wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to malfunction. Since it is transmitted to the receiver via a wired transmission means, an appropriate response such as replacement of the battery of the wireless sensor should be performed before the function of the wireless sensor actually fails. It is possible to prompt the user at an early stage. In addition, it is possible to know a line that is predicted to malfunction at the receiver. Then, since the malfunction detection prediction information of the wireless sensor is output from the reception repeater assigned to the line and disposed relatively close to the receiver, the information output content of the reception repeater can be confirmed. For example, it is possible to know which wireless sensor is predicted to malfunction, and the cause investigation and recovery work are made more efficient.

  Further, according to the communication system according to claim 4, the first malfunction relay means transmits a radio signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be malfunctioning, When receiving via the first receiving means, a wired signal including information for notifying that a disconnection failure has occurred is transmitted via the wired transmitting means, so a reception repeater for transmitting the wired signal is provided. It is possible to output an alarm display and an alarm sound indicating that a disconnection failure has occurred in the connected line via a display panel or a speaker of the receiver. As a result, even when the receiver cannot output to notify the malfunction of the wireless sensor, it is possible to make the user know that some kind of failure has occurred on a specific floor or the like. Response can be encouraged.

  Further, according to the communication system according to claim 5, the first malfunction relay means transmits a radio signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to malfunction. When the signal is received via the first receiving means, the connection between the line terminator connected to the end of the transmission line to which the wired signal is transmitted and the transmission line is released by the releasing means, so that the receiver breaks the transmission line. Can be detected and output by judging the presence or absence of a line terminator connected to the end of the transmission line, the information for informing the disconnection failure in the receiver is “the function of the wireless sensor”. Can be informed as “information for informing that it has been predicted that a failure will occur”.

  In addition, according to the communication system according to claim 4 or 5, the function of receiving and displaying a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred in a device or a line, such as a disconnection failure, has many conventional receivers. Even if a reception repeater is connected to a conventional receiver that does not have a function to display when a malfunction is predicted, the function of the wireless sensor When failure is predicted, it is possible to display and notify that there is some abnormality in the device.

  In addition, after identifying the line where the disconnection failure has occurred in the receiver, before confirming the disconnection of the wiring (line) connecting the receiver and the receiving repeater, it is assigned to the line and is relatively close to the receiver If you check the output information of the malfunction detection information of the wireless sensor with the reception repeater placed in the cable, it is a failure due to the malfunction prediction of the wireless sensor, or the wiring that connects the receiver and the reception repeater It is possible to identify whether the failure is due to the disconnection of the (line), and if the wireless sensor malfunction is predicted, the wireless sensor can be easily identified, and the cause investigation and recovery work can be performed. Increased efficiency.

  According to the communication system of claim 6, the malfunction prediction means predicts that the function of the wireless sensor will be defective when the output voltage of the battery falls below a predetermined level. It is possible to predict early that it becomes difficult to transmit a radio signal with sufficient strength and to operate the wireless sensor due to a decrease in the output voltage of the battery. Then, it is possible to easily and reliably take measures such as replacing or charging the battery before the malfunction occurs.

  Further, according to the communication system of claim 7, the first malfunction relay means receives the radio signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor has failed as the first reception means. When a signal is received via a wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor has failed, the wired sensor is transmitted, and the function of the wireless sensor is defective. When the output voltage of the battery of the wireless sensor is excessively lowered and the function of the wireless sensor actually fails An appropriate response such as battery replacement can be prompted to the user via the reception repeater. In addition, since the information that informs that the function of the wireless sensor has failed in the reception repeater is output, if the information output content of the reception repeater is confirmed, which wireless sensor is It is possible to know whether or not a malfunction has occurred, and the cause investigation and recovery work are made more efficient.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of a communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical principal part structure of a wireless sensor. It is the figure which illustrated the structure of the message | telegram contained in the radio signal which a wireless sensor transmits. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical principal part structure of a radio repeater. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical principal part structure of the receiving repeater. It is a flowchart of a relay process. It is a flowchart of a malfunction handling process. 8 is a flowchart of a malfunction handling process following FIG.

  Embodiments of a communication system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment
First, an embodiment will be described.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a wireless sensor 10, a wireless repeater 20, a reception repeater 30, and a receiver 40.

(Configuration-wireless sensor)
The wireless sensor 10 is a battery-type wireless sensor 10 that transmits a wireless signal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical main part of the wireless sensor 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless sensor 10 includes an observation unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a transmission unit 14, a battery 15, a control unit 16, and a storage unit 17.

  The observation unit 11 observes (monitors) a detection target (physical phenomenon or the like caused by the abnormality) due to the abnormality of the monitoring region, and is referred to as a signal (an observation signal or a monitor signal) according to the observation value. Is an observation means for outputting to the control unit 16. The observation unit 11 performs an observation operation in a predetermined cycle in synchronization with a clock signal supplied from, for example, a clock oscillation circuit (not shown), and inputs a signal corresponding to the observation value to the control unit 16. As this observation unit 11, for example, a smoke sensor for observing smoke generated due to a fire in a monitoring area, a temperature sensor for observing a temperature rise caused by a fire, or a flame for observing an electromagnetic wave generated by a flame caused by a fire Known observation means such as a sensor and a gas sensor for observing an increase in gas concentration caused by gas leakage can be used.

  The operation unit 12 receives an operation input to the wireless sensor 10. The operation unit 12 is configured by using known operation means such as a switch or a touch panel (the same applies to the operation unit 21 of the wireless repeater 20 and the operation unit 31 of the reception repeater 30 described later).

  The display unit 13 is output means for displaying and outputting information related to the wireless sensor 10. As the display unit 13, for example, a known LED (Light Emitting Diode), a 7-segment display, a liquid crystal display, or the like can be used, and these can be used in combination (a display unit 22 of the wireless repeater 20 described later, The same applies to the display unit 32 of the reception repeater 30).

  The transmission unit 14 is a transmission unit that transmits a radio signal. The transmission unit 14 includes, for example, a radio signal transmission circuit (not shown), and transmits the radio signal to the radio repeater 20 and the reception repeater 30 via the transmission circuit.

  The battery 15 serves as a power source for the wireless sensor 10 and supplies power to each part of the wireless sensor 10. As the battery 15, a known dry battery or a rechargeable battery can be used (the same applies to the battery 24 of the wireless repeater 20 described later). In addition, illustration of the power supply line from the battery 15 to each part of the wireless sensor 10 is omitted.

  The control unit 16 is a control unit that controls each unit of the wireless sensor 10. Specifically, the control unit 16 is a CPU, various programs that are interpreted and executed on the CPU (a basic control program such as an OS, and the OS). And a computer configured to include an internal memory such as a RAM for storing programs and various types of data (including an application program that is activated to realize a specific function) (a control unit 25 of the wireless repeater 20 described later, The same applies to the control unit 36 of the reception repeater 30).

  The control unit 16 includes a detection processing unit 16a, a malfunction prediction unit 16b, and a malfunction notification unit 16c in terms of functional concept. The detection processing unit 16a detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in the monitoring area based on the output (observation signal) from the observation unit 11. The malfunction prediction unit 16b is a malfunction prediction unit that predicts that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is malfunctioning. Here, the target for predicting malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 and the specific criteria for predicting malfunction will be arbitrary, but in this embodiment, the output voltage of the battery 15 is at a predetermined level. The case where it is predicted that the function of the wireless sensor 10 will fail will be described as an example, assuming that there is a possibility that the wireless signal may not be transmitted with sufficient strength when it is less than the predetermined threshold value, for example, below a predetermined threshold value. . In this case, the malfunction predicting unit 16b acquires the output voltage and output voltage change of the battery 15 via an appropriate voltage monitoring circuit (not shown). The malfunction notification unit 16c is a radio signal including information for reporting that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted, for example, that the output voltage of the battery 15 is less than a predetermined threshold. Is a malfunction notification means for transmitting the information via the transmitter 14. Details of processing executed by each component of the control unit 16 will be described later.

  The storage unit 17 is identification information storage means for storing first identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless sensor 10. The storage unit 17 is configured by using a rewritable recording medium, and for example, a non-volatile recording medium such as a flash memory can be used (a storage unit 26 of the wireless repeater 20 and a reception repeater 30 described later). The same applies to the storage unit 37). As the first identification information stored in the storage unit 17, for example, the serial number or address number of the wireless sensor 10 can be used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a telegram included in a radio signal transmitted by the wireless sensor 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the message includes, for example, a preamble, a start code, a communication control code, a transmission source identification code, a data code, and an error check code. Among these, the first identification information is included in the electronic message as a transmission source identification code. The first identification information is read from the storage unit 17 when the wireless sensor 10 transmits a wireless signal, and is added to the wireless signal and transmitted. Further, the temperature or smoke concentration observed by the observation unit 11 or the detection result of the presence or absence of an abnormality such as a fire by the detection processing unit 16a is added to the message as a data code. In addition, the type of information included in the data code can be specified by the communication control code (if the type of information is different, such as “registration” or “fire”, the contents of the data code will be different accordingly. (The content of the data code can be determined by decoding the communication control code).

  In this embodiment, the wireless sensor 10 is a one-way communication terminal that only transmits a wireless signal and does not receive a wireless signal. However, the wireless sensor 10 receives another wireless sensor so as to receive a wireless signal. It is also possible to perform various controls and processes by receiving radio signals from the device 10, the radio repeater 20, the reception repeater 30, and the like.

(Configuration-wireless repeater)
The wireless repeater 20 receives a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 and relays the received wireless signal to the reception repeater 30. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical main part configuration of the wireless repeater 20. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wireless repeater 20 includes an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, a wireless communication unit 23, a battery 24, a control unit 25, and a storage unit 26. In addition, about the structure of the operation part 21, the display part 22, the battery 24, the control part 25, and the memory | storage part 26, the operation part 12, the display part 13, the battery 15, the control part 16, and memory | storage in the wireless sensor 10 mentioned above. Since it is the same as that of the part 17, description is abbreviate | omitted except the part mentioned specially. However, the functional conceptual configuration of the control unit 25 is different from the control unit 16 of the wireless sensor 10. This will be described later.

  The wireless communication unit 23 is a second receiving unit that receives a wireless signal, and is a second transmitting unit that transmits a wireless signal. The wireless communication unit 23 includes, for example, a wireless signal reception circuit and a transmission circuit (both not shown), receives the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless sensor 10 via the reception circuit, and transmits the transmission circuit. The wireless signal is transmitted to the reception repeater 30 through the wireless communication device 30.

  Unlike the wireless sensor 10, the control unit 25 includes a malfunctioning relay unit 25a in terms of functional concept. If the malfunctioning relay unit 25a receives a wireless signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be malfunctioning via the wireless communication unit 23, the malfunctioning relay unit 25a A wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the sensor 10 is predicted to fail is transmitted via the wireless communication unit 23, and the function of the wireless sensor 10 is failed. It is the 2nd malfunctioning relay means which outputs the information for alert | reporting that it was predicted via the display part 22. FIG. For example, the wireless signal received from the wireless sensor 10 via the wireless communication unit 23 includes “information for notifying that the output voltage of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 has become less than a predetermined threshold”. If it is, the malfunctioning relay unit 25a transmits the "information for notifying that the output voltage of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 has become less than a predetermined threshold" to "the function of the wireless sensor 10". Is transmitted in a wireless signal as “information for informing that it has been predicted that a failure will occur”. Details of processing executed by the components of the control unit 25 will be described later.

  The storage unit 26 is identification information storage means for storing first identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless sensor 10 as a transmission source of a wireless signal to be relayed. The storage unit 26 also stores second identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless repeater 20 itself. As the first identification information and the second identification information stored in the storage unit 26, for example, serial numbers and address numbers of the wireless sensor 10 and the wireless repeater 20 can be used.

(Configuration-Reception repeater)
Returning to FIG. 1, the reception repeater 30 relays a wireless signal as a wired signal, and is connected to the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2 and the power supply line 3. The transmission line 2 and the power line 3 may be shared. The reception repeater 30 receives a wireless signal transmitted from the wireless sensor 10 and / or the wireless repeater 20, and converts the received wireless signal into a signal that can be identified by the receiver 40. Output to the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical main configuration of the reception repeater 30. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the reception repeater 30 includes an operation unit 31, a display unit 32, a wireless communication unit 33, an input / output unit 34, a power supply circuit unit 35, a control unit 36, and a storage unit 37. The configurations of the operation unit 31, the display unit 32, the control unit 36, and the storage unit 37 are the same as those of the operation unit 12, the display unit 13, the control unit 16, and the storage unit 17 in the wireless sensor 10 described above. Therefore, description is abbreviate | omitted except the part to mention specially. However, the functional conceptual configuration of the control unit 36 is different from the control unit 16 of the wireless sensor 10. This will be described later.

  The wireless communication unit 33 is a first receiving unit that receives a wireless signal, and transmits the wireless signal. The wireless communication unit 33 includes a wireless signal receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit (both not shown), and receives a wireless signal transmitted from the wireless sensor 10 and / or the wireless repeater 20 via the receiving circuit. I do. In addition, a radio signal is transmitted to the radio repeater 20 via the transmission circuit.

  The input / output unit 34 includes wired transmission means for transmitting a wired signal, and inputs / outputs various information to / from the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2. The power supply circuit unit 35 supplies the power supplied from the receiver 40 via the power supply line 3 to each part of the reception repeater 30 (note that the power supply from the power supply circuit part 35 to each part of the reception repeater 30 (The supply line is not shown).

  Unlike the wireless sensor 10, the control unit 36 includes a malfunctioning relay unit 36a in terms of functional concept. If the malfunctioning relay unit 36a receives a wireless signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be malfunctioning via the wireless communication unit 33, the malfunctioning relay unit 36a A wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the sensor 10 is predicted to fail is transmitted via the input / output unit 34, and the function of the wireless sensor 10 is failed. It is the 1st malfunction relay means which outputs the information for alerting | reporting that it was estimated via the display part 32. FIG. As “information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be in failure” included in the wired signal transmitted by the malfunction relay unit 36a, the reception repeater 30 is connected. The receiver 40 is capable of performing some kind of alarm output corresponding to the information. For example, when the receiver 40 cannot perform an output for reporting malfunction of the wireless sensor 10, but can perform an output for reporting a disconnection failure of a line to which the wireless sensor 10 is assigned. In this case, the information for notifying the disconnection failure is transmitted by being included in the wired signal as “information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to fail”. In addition, for example, the receiver 40 cannot output to notify the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10, and has a function of receiving a code transmitted from the reception repeater 30 via the transmission line 2. If it does not have, but it can detect and report the disconnection failure of the transmission line 2 by judging the presence or absence of a line terminator (not shown) connected to the end of the transmission line 2, it is malfunctioning. The relay unit 36a informs the receiver 40 of a disconnection failure by releasing the connection between the line terminator and the transmission line 2 by means for releasing the connection between the line terminator and the transmission line 2 (not shown). As “information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be in failure”.

(Configuration-Receiver)
Returning to FIG. 1, the receiver 40 receives a wired signal from the input / output unit 34 of the reception repeater 30 via the transmission line 2, and based on information included in the received wired signal, an alarm display and an alarm sound are received. Various processes such as output are executed. For example, when a wired signal including information for notifying that a failure such as a disconnection failure has occurred is received, a known output means such as a display panel or a speaker is used to display an alarm display or an alarm sound indicating that the failure has occurred. (Omitted). The receiver 40 supplies power to the reception repeater 30 through the power line 3. As this receiver 40, a well-known disaster prevention receiver can be used, for example.

(Processing-Relay processing)
Next, processing executed by the communication system 1 configured as described above will be described. First, the relay process executed by the radio repeater 20 and the reception repeater 30 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the relay process (in the following description of each process, step is abbreviated as “S”). This process is repeatedly started at a predetermined cycle after the power is turned on, for example, in each of the wireless repeater 20 and the reception repeater 30. As a premise of this relay processing, the wireless sensor 10 transmits a wireless signal including first identification information that uniquely identifies itself at a predetermined period and / or when an abnormal state such as a fire occurs. It shall be. Further, the malfunction handling process executed when the malfunction prediction unit 16b predicts that the function of the wireless sensor 10 will be malfunctioned will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when relay processing is started in the wireless repeater 20, the control unit 25 of the wireless repeater 20 determines whether the wireless communication unit 23 has received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10. (SA1). The specific determination method is arbitrary. For example, when a radio wave having a certain intensity or more is detected in the reception circuit of the wireless communication unit 23, the wireless signal can be interpreted when the message included in the wireless signal can be interpreted. Is determined to have been received.

  As a result, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 23 has not received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 (SA1, No), the control unit 25 assumes that there is no wireless signal to be relayed, and the wireless relay unit 20 The relay process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 23 has received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 (SA1, Yes), the control unit 25 determines whether the received wireless signal includes first identification information. Determine (SA2). For example, it is determined whether or not the first identification information is included as the transmission source identification code of the message included in the received wireless signal.

  As a result, when it is determined that the first identification information is not included in the wireless signal (SA2, No), the control unit 25 is not a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 belonging to the communication system 1, and the wireless relay is performed. The relay process in the device 20 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the first identification information is included in the wireless signal (SA2, Yes), the control unit 25 determines whether or not the first identification information is stored in the storage unit 26 of the wireless repeater 20. Is determined (SA3).

  As a result, when the first identification information included in the received radio signal is not stored in the storage unit 26 (SA3, No), the control unit 25 does not need to relay the radio signal, and the radio relay The relay process in the device 20 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the first identification information included in the received wireless signal is stored in the storage unit 26 (SA3, Yes), the control unit 25 determines that the received wireless signal should be relayed, and By changing the transmission source identification code of the wireless signal to the second identification information and transmitting the wireless signal in which the first identification information included in the received wireless signal is added to the data code from the transmission circuit of the wireless communication unit 23 Relay is performed (SA4). After performing the relay in SA4, the control unit 25 ends the relay process in the wireless repeater 20.

  When the relay process is started in the reception repeater 30, the control unit 36 of the reception repeater 30 determines whether the wireless communication unit 33 has received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20. Is determined (SA5).

  As a result, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 33 has not received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20 (SA5, No), the control unit 36 has no wireless signal to be relayed, The relay process in the reception repeater 30 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 33 has received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20 (SA5, Yes), for example, when a wireless signal relayed by the wireless repeater 20 is received at SA4 The control unit 36 determines whether or not the received wireless signal includes the first identification information or the second identification information (SA6). For example, it is determined whether the first identification information or the second identification information is included as a transmission source identification code of a message included in the received wireless signal.

  As a result, when it is determined that neither the first identification information nor the second identification information is included in the wireless signal (SA6, No), the control unit 36 uses the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater belonging to the communication system 1. It is assumed that it is not a radio signal from 20, and the relay processing in the reception repeater 30 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the first identification information or the second identification information is included in the wireless signal (SA6, Yes), the control unit 36 determines whether the first identification information or the second identification information is the reception repeater 30. Is stored in the storage unit 37 (SA7).

  Here, the wireless signal directly received from the wireless sensor 10 does not include the second identification information, but includes only the first identification information. In this case, a radio signal indicating a fire is a typical relay target, and this relay is also controlled by the malfunction relay unit 36a.

  As a result, when the first identification information or the second identification information included in the received radio signal is not stored in the storage unit 37 (SA7, No), the control unit 36 does not need to relay the radio signal. Then, the relay process in the reception repeater 30 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the first identification information or the second identification information included in the received wireless signal is stored in the storage unit 37 (Yes in SA7), the control unit 36 uses the received wireless signal as a wired signal. Information that is determined to be relayed and included in the received wireless signal (for example, information that specifies the temperature or smoke concentration detected by the wireless sensor 10, information that indicates the presence or absence of a fire, first identification information or The second identification information or the like is selected according to the content of the signal and transmitted from the input / output unit 34 to the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2 (SA8). After outputting at SA8, the control unit 36 ends the relay process in the reception repeater 30.

(Processing-malfunction handling)
Next, malfunction handling processing for dealing with malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 will be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts of malfunction handling processing executed in the wireless sensor 10, the wireless repeater 20, and the reception repeater 30. FIG. This process is started repeatedly at a predetermined cycle in parallel with the relay process of FIG. 6, for example, after the power is turned on in each of the wireless sensor 10, the wireless repeater 20, and the reception repeater 30.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the malfunction handling process is started, the malfunction prediction unit 16b of the wireless sensor 10 determines whether or not the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted. Determine (SB1). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the output voltage of the battery 15 has fallen below a predetermined level, that is, for example, whether or not it has become less than a predetermined threshold. As a threshold value serving as a reference for this determination, for example, a voltage value that needs to prompt the replacement of the battery 15 and a voltage value that can secure a predetermined grace time before malfunctioning can be used. That is, a threshold value is set in consideration so that measures such as battery replacement can be performed during this grace period.

  As a result of the determination, when the output voltage of the battery 15 falls below a predetermined level (SB1, Yes), that is, when it is predicted that the function of the wireless sensor 10 will be in failure, the malfunction notification unit 16c The malfunction detection information and the first identification information for notifying that the function of the sensor 10 is predicted to be in failure, that is, that the output voltage of the battery 15 has fallen below a predetermined level is used as the data code. The included radio signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit of the transmission unit 14 (SB2). At the same time, display related to malfunction prediction may be performed on the display unit 13 of the wireless sensor 10, or audio output may be performed from a speaker or a buzzer (both not shown). Thereafter, the control unit 16 ends the malfunction handling process in the wireless sensor 10. The malfunction notification information due to a decrease in the output voltage of the battery 15 may include battery voltage data, a predicted time until the battery runs out (operating power supply is not possible), and the like.

  On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 15 is not less than the threshold value in SB1 (SB1, No), that is, when it is not predicted that the function of the wireless sensor 10 will fail, the output voltage of the battery 15 decreases. The control unit 16 ends the malfunction handling process in the wireless sensor 10.

  When the malfunction handling process is started in the wireless repeater 20, the malfunction relay unit 25a of the wireless repeater 20 determines whether the wireless communication unit 23 has received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10. (SB3).

  As a result, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 23 has not received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 (SB3, No), the malfunction relay unit 25a may fail to function in the wireless sensor 10. It is assumed that it has not been predicted, and the malfunction handling process in the wireless repeater 20 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 23 has received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 (SB3, Yes), for example, when a wireless signal transmitted from the wireless sensor 10 is received in SB2, a malfunctioning relay is performed. The unit 25a determines whether or not the received radio signal includes the first identification information and malfunction notification information (SB4).

  As a result, when it is determined that the first identification information and the malfunction notification information are not included in the radio signal (SB4, No), the malfunction relay unit 25a receives the radio signal from the wireless sensor 10 belonging to the communication system 1. It is assumed that the wireless sensor 10 is not expected to malfunction, and the malfunction handling process in the wireless repeater 20 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the first identification information and the malfunction notification information are included in the wireless signal (SB4, Yes), the malfunction relay unit 25a predicts that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is malfunctioned. The wireless communication unit 23 is caused to transmit a wireless signal including information for notifying that this has been done (SB5).

  Subsequently, information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to fail is output and displayed via the display unit 22 (SB6). The specific content of the output display is arbitrary. For example, the display unit 22 may output a numerical value indicating the output voltage of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 specified based on the malfunction notification information. The display unit 22 may output a message indicating that the output voltage is lower than a predetermined level by LED blinking display, acoustic output, or the like. Thereafter, the control unit 25 ends the malfunction handling process in the wireless repeater 20.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the malfunction handling process is started in the reception repeater 30, the malfunction relay section 36a of the reception repeater 30 has the wireless communication section 33 that is the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20. It is determined whether or not a radio signal is received from (SB7).

  As a result, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 33 has not received a wireless signal from either the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless relay 20 (SB7, No), the malfunctioning relay unit 36a is It is assumed that the function is not predicted to fail in step S4, and the malfunction handling process in the reception repeater 30 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 33 has received a wireless signal from the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20 (SB7, Yes), for example, the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless sensor 10 in SB2 of FIG. Or when the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless repeater 20 is received in SB5, the malfunction relay unit 36a determines whether the received identification signal and malfunction notification information are included in the received radio signal. Is determined (SB8).

  Returning to FIG. 8, when it is determined that the first identification information and the malfunction notification information are not included in the wireless signal (SB8, No), the malfunction relay unit 36a transmits from the wireless sensor 10 belonging to the communication system 1. It is assumed that no radio signal is transmitted or a radio signal relayed by the radio repeater 20 or that the radio sensor 10 is not expected to malfunction. finish.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the first identification information and the malfunction notification information are included in the wireless signal (SB8, Yes), the malfunction relay unit 36a predicts that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is malfunctioning. As information for notifying that this has been done, a wired signal including information for notifying that a disconnection failure has occurred is transmitted from the input / output unit 34 to the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2 (SB9).

  Subsequently, information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to fail is output and displayed via the display unit 32 (SB10). The specific content of the output display is arbitrary. For example, the display unit 32 may output a numerical value indicating the output voltage of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 specified based on the malfunction notification information. The display unit 32 may output that the output voltage is lower than a predetermined level by blinking LED display, sound output, or the like. Thereafter, the control unit 36 ends the malfunction handling process in the reception repeater 30.

  When the receiver 40 receives a wired signal transmitted from the input / output unit 34 via the transmission line 2 by the malfunction relay unit 36a in SB9, the receiver 40 notifies that a disconnection failure included in the wired signal has occurred. The process based on the information for executing is executed. For example, the receiver 40 outputs an alarm display or an alarm sound indicating that a disconnection failure has occurred on a line provided with the reception repeater 30 that transmits a wired signal, via a display panel, a speaker, or the like.

  Thereby, for example, when the reception repeater 30 is provided on each floor, the user can grasp that some kind of failure has occurred in the specific floor where the reception repeater 30 that transmits the wired signal is provided. Therefore, when the user confirms the display unit 32 of the reception repeater 30 installed on the floor, it is predicted that a malfunction occurs in the wireless sensor 10 corresponding to the reception repeater 30. It becomes possible to recognize that.

  Further, when the user confirms the display unit 22 of the wireless repeater 20 corresponding to the reception repeater 30, it is predicted that a malfunction occurs in the wireless sensor 10 corresponding to the wireless repeater 20. It becomes possible to recognize that. In particular, when a plurality of wireless repeaters 20 are installed corresponding to the reception repeaters 30, and each wireless repeater 20 is a relay target for a wireless signal transmitted from a different wireless sensor 10, either It becomes possible to recognize whether the wireless sensor 10 corresponding to the wireless repeater 20 is predicted to malfunction.

(effect)
As described above, according to the embodiment, the malfunction relay unit 36a of the reception repeater 30 includes a radio signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to malfunction. Is received via the wireless communication unit 33, a wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be in failure is transmitted via the input / output unit 34. Since the information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to fail is output via the display unit 32, the output voltage of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 is The user can be promptly encouraged to take appropriate measures such as replacement of the battery 15 through the reception repeater 30 before the wireless sensor 10 actually deteriorates due to excessive reduction. When the wireless sensor 10 is battery-powered, continuous warning display on the wireless sensor 10 itself after the battery voltage drops causes a problem that the battery life is further shortened. Since the device 30 operates with the electric power supplied from the receiver 40, it is possible to continuously display on the display unit 32, and it is further predicted that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be defective. It is possible to reliably notify. In addition, since the malfunction detection prediction information of the wireless sensor 10 is output by the reception repeater 30, if the information output content of the reception relay 30 is confirmed, the malfunction of any wireless sensor 10 may be detected. It is possible to know whether it is predicted or not, and the cause investigation and recovery work are made efficient.

  Further, the malfunction relay unit 25a of the wireless repeater 20 transmits a wireless signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be performed via the wireless communication unit 23. When received, the wireless sensor 10 transmits a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be in failure, via the wireless communication unit 23, and the wireless sensor 10. Since the information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be in failure is output via the display unit 22, the output voltage of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 is excessively decreased, and the wireless Before the function of the sensor 10 fails, it is possible to prompt the user to take appropriate measures such as replacement of the battery 15 via the wireless repeater 20 at an early stage. In particular, the malfunction prediction information of the wireless sensor 10 that is the transmission source of the wireless signal to be relayed by the wireless repeater 20 is output on the display unit 22 of the wireless repeater 20, so By confirming the information output contents, it is possible to more easily know which wireless sensor 10 is predicted to malfunction, and the cause investigation and recovery work are further improved.

  In addition, the malfunction relay unit 36a transmits a wired signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to malfunction to the receiver 40 via the input / output unit 34. Therefore, before the function of the wireless sensor 10 actually fails, an appropriate response such as replacement of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 is promptly performed by the user via the alarm display or alarm sound of the receiver 40. Can be encouraged. In addition, it is possible to know a line that is predicted to malfunction in the receiver 40. Since the malfunction relay prediction information of the wireless sensor 10 is output by the reception relay 30 allocated to the line and disposed relatively close to the receiver 40, the information output of the reception relay 30 is performed. If the contents are confirmed, it is possible to know which wireless sensor 10 is predicted to malfunction, and the cause investigation and recovery work are made efficient.

  In particular, when the malfunctioning relay unit 36a receives a wireless signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be malfunctioning via the wireless communication unit 33, the malfunctioning relay unit 36a is disconnected. Since a wired signal including information for notifying that a failure has occurred is transmitted via the input / output unit 34, a disconnection failure has occurred in the line provided with the reception repeater 30 that has transmitted the wired signal. A warning display and a warning sound can be output via the display panel or speaker of the receiver 40. Thereby, even when the receiver 40 cannot output to notify the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10, it is possible to make the user know that some trouble has occurred on a specific floor. Can be encouraged.

  Alternatively, when the malfunction relay unit 36a receives a wireless signal including information for notifying that the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be malfunctioning via the wireless communication unit 33, Since the connection between the line terminator connected to the end of the transmission line 2 to which the signal is transmitted and the transmission line 2 is released by the release means, the receiver 40 causes the disconnection failure of the transmission line 2 to occur at the end of the transmission line 2. When it is possible to detect and output a notification by determining the presence or absence of a connected line terminator, information indicating a disconnection failure in the receiver 40 is “the function of the wireless sensor 10 becomes defective. Can be notified as “information for notifying that the prediction has been predicted”.

  In addition, since a function for receiving and displaying a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred in a device or a line, such as a disconnection failure, is provided in many conventional receivers 40, when a malfunction is predicted, Even when the reception repeater 30 is connected to a conventional receiver 40 that does not have a function for performing display, if a malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted, there is some abnormality in the device. It is possible to display and notify that there is.

  In addition, after identifying the line in which the disconnection failure has occurred in the receiver 40, and before confirming the disconnection of the wiring (line) connecting the receiver 40 and the reception repeater 30, the receiver 40 is assigned to the line. If the output information of the malfunction prediction information of the wireless sensor 10 is confirmed by the reception repeater 30 arranged relatively close to the receiver 40, the failure may be caused by the malfunction prediction of the wireless sensor 10, or the receiver 40 It is possible to identify whether the failure is due to the disconnection of the wiring (line) connecting the reception repeater 30. When the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to malfunction, it is easy to specify the wireless sensor 10 or the like. This can improve the efficiency of investigation and recovery work.

  In addition, the malfunction predicting unit 16b predicts that the function of the wireless sensor 10 will fail when the output voltage of the battery 15 falls below a predetermined level. It can be predicted at an early stage that transmission of a wireless signal with sufficient strength and operation of the wireless sensor 10 will be difficult due to the decrease. Then, measures such as replacement or charging of the battery 15 before malfunction can be easily and reliably performed.

[Modifications to Embodiment]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration and means of the present invention can be arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical idea of each invention described in the claims. Can do. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(About problems to be solved and effects of the invention)
First, the problems to be solved by the invention and the effects of the invention are not limited to the above-described contents, and the present invention solves the problems not described above or has the effects not described above. There are also cases where only some of the described problems are solved or only some of the described effects are achieved.

(About distribution and integration)
Further, each of the electrical components described above is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the specific form of distribution or integration of each part is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof is functionally or physically distributed or integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be configured.

(About the malfunction prediction section)
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the malfunction prediction unit 16b predicts that the function of the wireless sensor 10 will malfunction when the output voltage of the battery 15 falls below a predetermined level. It may be predicted that the function of the sensor 10 will fail. For example, the observation unit 11 irradiates detection light from a light emitting element into a smoke detection space provided in the wireless sensor 10, and detects light scattered by smoke particles flowing into the smoke detection space from the monitoring region (scattering). (Referred to as light) is received by a light receiving element and converted into an electrical signal to output an electrical signal with a voltage corresponding to the smoke concentration. Even if there is no smoke in the smoke detection space It is assumed that an electrical signal having a predetermined voltage (referred to as a zero point signal) is set to be output. In this case, when the electrical signal output from the observation unit 11 falls below the zero point signal level by a predetermined value or more, there is a possibility that some abnormality such as a disconnection occurs in the observation unit 11 and the abnormality in the monitoring region cannot be detected. Therefore, it may be predicted that the function of the wireless sensor 10 will fail. Thus, “prediction” is a state in which a certain degree of malfunction has occurred, in addition to a case in which it is predicted that the state changes from that state to a state in which malfunction occurs with reference to a state in which no malfunction has occurred. On the basis of the above, the case of predicting that the state changes to a state in which dysfunction further increases is included. A plurality of malfunction predictions may be performed for one wireless sensor 10, or different malfunction predictions may be performed for a plurality of wireless sensors 10 in the same system.

  Moreover, you may make it the malfunction prediction part 16b identify that the function of the wireless sensor 10 actually failed. The malfunction notification unit 16c, when the malfunction prediction unit 16b identifies that the function of the wireless sensor 10 is malfunctioning, includes a radio signal including information for reporting that the malfunction has occurred. Is transmitted via the transmitter 14. Further, when the malfunctioning relay unit 36a of the reception repeater 30 receives a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 has failed via the wireless communication unit 33. A wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 has failed is transmitted via the input / output unit 34, and the function of the wireless sensor 10 has failed. Information for notifying this is output via the display unit 32. Similarly, when the malfunctioning relay unit 25a of the wireless repeater 20 receives a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 has failed via the wireless communication unit 23. In addition to transmitting a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor 10 has failed via the wireless communication unit 23, the function of the wireless sensor 10 has failed. Information for notifying this may be output via the display unit 22. As a result, when the output voltage of the battery 15 of the wireless sensor 10 is excessively lowered and the function of the wireless sensor 10 actually fails, an appropriate response such as replacement of the battery 15 is relayed for reception. The user can be prompted via the device 30 or the wireless repeater 20. In addition, since information indicating that the function of the wireless sensor 10 has failed in the reception repeater 30 or the wireless repeater 20 is output, the information output of the reception repeater 30 or the wireless repeater 20 is output. If the contents are confirmed, it is possible to know which wireless sensor 10 has malfunctioned, and the cause investigation and recovery work are made efficient.

(About the malfunctioning relay section)
In the above-described embodiment, the malfunction relay unit 36a informs that a disconnection failure has occurred as information for reporting that the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to malfunction. It has been described that a wired signal including information is transmitted from the input / output unit 34 to the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2. However, if the receiver 40 can output the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10, the malfunction occurs. A wired signal including notification information may be transmitted to the receiver 40.

(About malfunction handling)
The display on the display unit 32 of the reception repeater 30 and the display unit 22 of the wireless repeater 20 can be changed according to the wireless sensor 10 that is predicted to fail. For example, when one reception repeater 30 provided on a certain floor directly receives wireless signals from a plurality of wireless sensors 10 provided on the floor, or a wireless signal relayed by the wireless repeater 20 In the storage unit 37 of the reception repeater 30, the first identification information of each of the plurality of wireless sensors 10 and the function of each of the plurality of wireless sensors 10 are defective. A display control table for associating display patterns with each other when predicted is stored. In the malfunction handling process, the control unit 36 of the reception repeater 30 includes the first identification information and malfunction notification information when the wireless signal received from the wireless sensor 10 includes the first identification information and malfunction notification information. A display pattern corresponding to one identification information is acquired from the display control table, and the display unit 32 is caused to display using the acquired display pattern. Thereby, for example, when a malfunction is predicted by the wireless sensor 10 closest to the reception repeater 30, a blinking display is performed at intervals of 1 second, and the second wireless method closest to the reception repeater 30 is performed. When a malfunction is predicted by the sensor 10, a wireless display in which malfunction is predicted by the user viewing the display on the display unit 32 of the reception repeater 30, such as blinking display at intervals of 2 seconds. The device 10 can be displayed so that it can be more easily identified.

  Further, when one wireless repeater 20 relays wireless signals from the plurality of wireless sensors 10, the storage unit 26 of the wireless repeater 20 stores the first of each of the plurality of wireless sensors 10. A display control table that associates the identification information with the display pattern when each of the plurality of wireless sensors 10 is predicted to fail is stored. In the malfunction handling process, the control unit 25 of the radio repeater 20 includes the first identification information and the malfunction notification information when the radio signal received from the radio sensor 10 includes the first identification information and the malfunction notification information. A display pattern corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the display control table, and the display unit 22 is caused to display with the acquired display pattern. Thus, for example, when a malfunction is predicted by the wireless sensor 10 closest to the wireless repeater 20, a blinking display is performed at intervals of 1 second, and the wireless sensor closest to the wireless repeater 20 is displayed. When the malfunction is predicted in 10, the user performs a blinking display at intervals of 2 seconds, for example, the user looks at the display on the display unit 22 of the wireless repeater 20, and displays the wireless sensor 10 in which the malfunction is predicted. It can be displayed so that it can be identified more easily.

  In addition, when the control unit 25 of the wireless repeater 20 is provided with a malfunction prediction unit and a malfunction notification unit, and the malfunction prediction unit predicts that the function of the wireless relay 20 is malfunctioning, the malfunction The malfunction notification unit may transmit a radio signal including information for notifying that it is predicted to be via the radio communication unit 23. In this case, the reception repeater 30 receives a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless repeater 20 is predicted to be in failure via the wireless communication unit 33, A wired signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless repeater 20 is predicted to fail is transmitted via the input / output unit 34, and the function of the wireless repeater 20 is failed. Is output via the display unit 32. Thereby, even when it is predicted that the function of the wireless repeater 20 will fail, it is possible to prompt the user to take appropriate measures such as replacement of the battery 24 via the reception repeater 30 at an early stage. Furthermore, when the function of the wireless sensor 10 is predicted to be in failure, and when the function of the wireless repeater 20 is predicted to be in failure, the display unit 32 displays different display patterns. May be performed. As a result, if the information output content of the reception repeater 30 is confirmed, it is a failure due to the malfunction prediction of the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20, or the wiring connecting the receiver 40 and the reception repeater 30. It is possible to identify whether the failure is due to a disconnection of the (line), and when the malfunction of the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20 is predicted, it is easy to specify the wireless sensor 10 or the wireless repeater 20. This can improve the efficiency of the cause investigation and recovery work.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 2 Transmission line 3 Power supply line 10 Wireless sensor 11 Observation part 12, 21, 31 Operation part 13, 22, 32 Display part 14 Transmission part 15, 24 Battery 16, 25, 36 Control part 16a Detection process part 16b Dysfunction prediction unit 16c dysfunction notification unit 17, 26, 37 storage unit 20 wireless repeater 23, 33 wireless communication unit 25a, 36a dysfunction relay unit 30 reception repeater 34 input / output unit 35 power supply circuit unit 40 receiver

Claims (8)

A wireless sensor for transmitting a wireless signal, the first transmitting means for transmitting the wireless signal, the malfunction predicting means for predicting that the function of the wireless sensor is malfunctioning, and the malfunction predicting means When it is predicted that the function of the wireless sensor will fail, a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function is predicted to fail is transmitted via the first transmission means. A wireless sensor comprising a malfunction notification means for transmitting
A reception repeater for relaying a wireless signal as a wired signal, a first receiving means for receiving a wireless signal, a wired transmission means for transmitting a wired signal, a first output means for outputting information, and the wireless type When a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the sensor is predicted to be in failure is received via the first receiving means, the function of the wireless sensor is in failure. For transmitting a wired signal including information for notifying that the wireless sensor is predicted, and for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure A reception repeater comprising: first malfunction relay means for outputting information via the first output means;
A communication system comprising: A wireless repeater for relaying a wireless signal, the second receiving means for receiving the wireless signal, the second transmitting means for transmitting the wireless signal, the second output means for outputting information, and the wireless sensor When a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function is predicted to be failed is received via the second receiving means, it is predicted that the function of the wireless sensor will be failed. A wireless signal including information for notifying that the wireless sensor is transmitted via the second transmission means, and information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure And a second malfunctioning relay means for outputting via the second output means, a wireless repeater,
The communication system according to claim 1. A receiver for receiving a wired signal from the wired transmission means, comprising a receiver for supplying power to the reception repeater;
The first malfunction relay means is
When a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail is received via the first receiving unit, the function of the wireless sensor is failed. A wired signal including information for notifying that it is predicted to be transmitted to the receiver via the wired transmission means;
The communication system according to claim 1 or 2. The first malfunction relay means is
When a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure is received via the first receiving means, it is notified that a disconnection failure has occurred. A wired signal including information for transmitting via the wired transmission means;
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A line terminator connected to the end of a transmission line through which the wired signal is transmitted;
Release means for releasing the connection between the line terminator and the transmission line,
The first malfunction relay means is
When a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to fail is received via the first receiving means, the canceling means and the line terminator Disconnecting from the transmission line;
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The wireless sensor is
It has a battery that serves as a power source for the wireless sensor,
The dysfunction prediction means includes
Predicting that the wireless sensor will fail when the battery output voltage falls below a predetermined level;
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The dysfunction prediction means includes
Identifying that the function of the wireless sensor has failed,
The malfunction notification means
When it is specified by the malfunction prediction means that the function of the wireless sensor is malfunctioning, a radio signal including information for notifying that the function has malfunctioned is transmitted to the first transmission means. Send through
The first malfunction relay means is
When a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor has failed is received via the first receiving means, the function of the wireless sensor has failed. A wired signal including information for notifying the wireless sensor is transmitted via the wired transmission means, and information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor has failed is sent to the first output means. Output via
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A reception repeater for relaying a wireless signal transmitted from a wireless sensor or wireless repeater as a wired signal,
Receiving means for receiving a radio signal;
A wired transmission means for transmitting a wired signal;
An output means for outputting information;
When a wireless signal including information for notifying that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure is received via the receiving means, the function of the wireless sensor is in failure. In order to transmit a wired signal including information for notifying that it has been predicted through the wired transmission means and to notify that the function of the wireless sensor is predicted to be in failure Dysfunction relay means for outputting the information via the output means,
A receiving repeater.

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