JP2015087864A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system that restrains the amount of power consumption of a sensor while shortening a time required for state confirmation of the sensor at a controller.SOLUTION: A communication system includes a sensor and a controller that are able to communicate with each other. The sensor includes: a sensor communication unit for communicating with the controller; a state notification unit for notifying the controller of a state change when the sensor has changed a state between a first state and a second state; a transmission deterrent unit for deterring the state notification unit from giving notice of a new state change for a prescribed period in response to a state change from the first state to the second state of the sensor; and a state reply unit for notifying the controller of a current state of the sensor in response to state inquiry from the controller. The controller includes: a communication unit for communicating with the sensor; a storage unit for storing a state of the sensor; and a state inquiry unit for receiving the current state of a sensor by performing state inquiry to the sensor whose second state is stored in the storage unit among sensors.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system including at least one sensor and a controller capable of communicating with each other.

  2. Description of the Related Art When an intrusion abnormality or a fire abnormality occurs in a monitoring area such as an office, a store, or a house, a security system that senses the abnormality and notifies the monitoring center is widely used. Such a security system includes a sensor installed in a monitoring area and a security device serving as a central controller. The security device can be set to any of a plurality of modes including, for example, a monitoring mode in which the inside of the monitoring area is monitored by a sensor and a release mode in which the inside of the monitoring area is not monitored.

  In the conventional security system, when the mode of the security device is switched to the monitoring mode, after confirming that all the sensors installed in the monitoring area are in the non-sensing state, the mode can be shifted to the monitoring mode. Yes. That is, the security device shifts to the monitoring mode after confirming that none of the sensors indicates an abnormality such as “door open” or “human residue”.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, detection information by a sensor that detects a change occurring in a monitoring area is accumulated in a detection history section, the accumulated detection information is transmitted to a user terminal, and the information is confirmed. A security device is described that sets the security state to the security set mode when a security set mode setting signal transmitted from the terminal of the user who received the command is received.

JP 2009-223708 A

  When checking the sensor status when switching to the monitoring mode, inquiring the status of each sensor, the time required to check the status increases as the number of sensors installed increases, which impairs user convenience. It is. Not only when shifting to the monitoring mode, but also when the security device is set to the monitoring mode, if you try to check the status of each sensor installed in the monitoring area, the time required to check the status increases as the number of sensors increases. Becomes longer. Moreover, not only in a security system that senses an abnormality and reports to the monitoring center, but also in a communication system that uses a controller to check the status of each sensor, such as the open / closed state of a door, the time required to check the status increases as the number of sensors increases. become longer. This tendency is particularly noticeable when a communication method with a large communication delay such as a specific low-power wireless method is used between the controller and the sensor.

  In order to shorten the time required for the state confirmation, as in Patent Document 1, the controller previously receives the sensor state change and stores it in the storage unit, and refers to the sensor state in the storage unit, It may be possible to omit the status inquiry to the sensor. However, if the state change is notified to the controller each time the state of the sensor changes, the sensor having a large number of state changes frequently communicates with the controller, resulting in increased power consumption and battery life. Becomes shorter. For this reason, it is difficult to achieve both improvement in convenience by shortening the time required for checking the state of the sensor and prolonging the battery life of the sensor.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that reduces the amount of power consumed by a sensor while shortening the time required to check the state of the sensor in a controller.

  As one form of this invention, the communication system containing the at least 1 sensor and controller which can communicate mutually is provided. In this communication system, the sensor includes a sensor communication unit that communicates with the controller, and the sensor when the state changes from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state. A state notification unit for notifying the controller of a state change via the communication unit, and a notification of a new state change by the state notification unit for a predetermined period in response to the state change of the sensor from the first state to the second state A transmission suppression unit for suppressing, and a state answering unit for notifying the controller of the current state of the sensor via the sensor communication unit in response to a state inquiry from the controller, and the controller communicates with the sensor. A communication unit to perform, a storage unit to store the state of the sensor received from the sensor, and a state inquiry to the sensor having the second state stored in the storage unit among the sensors via the communication unit Go and characterized by having a status query unit for receiving the current state of the sensor.

  The first state is a non-sensing state of the sensor, the second state is a sensing state of the sensor, and the controller can be set to any one of a plurality of modes including a monitoring mode for monitoring a monitoring area by the sensor. Yes, when there is a sensor in which the second state is stored in the storage unit when the mode is changed to the monitoring mode, as a result of the state inquiry performed by the state inquiry unit, all the sensors stored in the storage unit It is preferable to further include a mode setting unit that allows mode change if the state is the first state.

  After the sensor changes to the second state, the transmission suppression unit changes the new state change by the state notification unit until the sensor changes to the first state and the first state continues for a predetermined period. The notification is suppressed, and the state notification unit preferably notifies the state change from the second state to the first state when the suppression by the transmission suppression unit ends.

  The transmission suppression unit suppresses notification of a new state change by the state notification unit for a predetermined period after the sensor changes to the second state, and the state notification unit finishes suppression by the transmission suppression unit Sometimes, it is preferable to notify the state change from the second state to the first state.

  The transmission suppressing unit preferably counts the frequency of state changes per unit time, and sets a predetermined period to a longer period as the frequency increases.

  According to the communication system of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the sensor while shortening the time required for checking the state of the sensor in the controller.

It is a schematic block diagram of a security system. It is a schematic block diagram of a security device. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of a security device. It is a schematic block diagram of a sensor. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of a sensor. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the state of a sensor, and the suppression period. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the security apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the sensor.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The communication system includes at least one sensor and a controller that can communicate with each other, and the sensor notifies the controller of its own state. However, when the sensor changes state from the first state to the second state, after notifying the controller of the state change, the sensor suppresses notification of a new state change for a predetermined period. Thereby, even in a sensor in which state changes frequently occur, power consumption accompanying state notification can be suppressed. In addition, the controller stores the state notified from the sensor, makes a state inquiry to the sensor whose second state is stored in the storage unit, and receives the current state of the sensor. In other words, the controller requires the state inquiry by limiting the number of sensors inquiring about the state by making a state inquiry only to the sensor that seems to be suppressing the state notification because the second state is stored. Reduce time. Thereby, in this communication system, it is aimed to improve both convenience and extend the life of the sensor battery.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a security system 1. The security system 1 is installed in an office, store, house, or the like serving as the monitoring area 2 and monitors whether there is an abnormality in the monitoring area 2. The security system 1 includes a security device 10 and at least one sensor 20. The security system 1 is an example of a communication system, and the security device 10 and the sensor 20 can wirelessly communicate with each other via a wireless network such as a specific low power wireless or wireless LAN. Alternatively, the security device 10 and the sensor 20 may be connected to each other via a wired network.

  The security device 10 is an example of a controller, and is installed on a wall surface in the monitoring area 2 or the like. The security device 10 is connected to a center device 41 in the monitoring center 40 via a communication network 50 such as the Internet. The security device 10 receives the sensing signal from the sensor 20 and transmits an abnormal signal to the remote center device 41 as necessary.

  The sensors 20 are installed at various locations in the monitoring area 2, and transmit a detection signal to the security device 10 when detecting an abnormality such as an intruder into the monitoring area 2. The sensor 20 includes, for example, a security sensor for detecting the presence of a person, a disaster prevention sensor such as a smoke sensor or a heat sensor, and an emergency button operated by a user. Among these sensors, for example, an infrared sensor that detects the presence of a person by infrared rays, an image sensor that detects the presence of a person from an input image, and a proximity that detects the opening of a window, door, door, or the like from a change in a magnetic field. Sensors etc. are included.

  The security device 10 can be set to any of a plurality of modes including, for example, a monitoring mode in which the inside of the monitoring area 2 is monitored by the sensor 20 and a release mode in which the inside of the monitoring area 2 is not monitored, according to the operation of the user. It is. When the monitoring device 10 is set to the monitoring mode, when the security device 10 receives a sensing signal indicating, for example, a window, a door, an opening of a door, or the presence of a person from the sensor 20 being monitored, an abnormality has occurred in the monitoring area 2. Determination is made and an abnormal signal is transmitted to the center device 41. On the other hand, when the release mode is set, the security device 10 ignores the detection signal from the sensor 20 even if the security sensor detects an event to be detected. However, when a detection signal from the disaster prevention sensor or the emergency button is input, the security device 10 transmits an abnormality signal to the center device 41 regardless of which mode is set.

  The monitoring center 40 is a facility provided with a center device 41 operated by a security company or the like, and a controller constantly monitors the monitoring area 2. The center device 41 is composed of one or a plurality of computers. In the monitoring center 40, based on the abnormality signal received by the center device 41 from the security device 10, information on the monitoring area 2 to be dealt with is displayed on the display unit 42, so that the confirmation process for the user or the guard to the monitoring area 2 is performed. Necessary measures such as coping instructions are taken.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the security device 10. The security device 10 includes a center communication unit 11, a sensor I / F 12, an operation unit 13, a notification unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16.

  The center communication unit 11 is a communication interface connected to the communication line network 50, and performs security information communication with the center apparatus 41 via the communication line network 50. The security information is information that is collected and generated in order to perform abnormality monitoring in the monitoring area 2, such as the current mode of the security device 10 and the presence or absence of abnormality in the monitoring area 2. An ID (identification information) set in advance in the security device 10 is added to the communication with the center device 41 by the center communication unit 11.

  The sensor I / F 12 is connected to the sensor 20 installed in the monitoring area 2, is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the sensor 20, and functions as a communication unit that performs communication with the sensor. . The sensor I / F 12 is a wireless communication unit that performs communication in accordance with, for example, a specific low power wireless communication standard. However, the communication standard is not limited to the specific low-power radio, and may be a wireless communication standard such as a so-called wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark) based on any of the IEEE 802.11 standards. Each sensor 20 is given a unique sensor ID (identification information), and a signal transmitted and received between the sensor I / F 12 and the sensor 20 includes this sensor ID.

  For example, the operation unit 13 is a switch for the user to set the mode of the security device 10 to a monitoring mode or a release mode. The operation unit 13 may include a button for confirming the state of each sensor 20 installed in the monitoring area 2, for example. When these switches or buttons are selected by the user, the operation unit 13 inputs a corresponding signal to the control unit 16.

  The alerting | reporting part 14 is comprised by a liquid crystal display, a speaker, etc., for example, and outputs the information of the security system 1 to a user with a character or a voice | voice. The notification unit 14 may be integrated with the operation unit 13 by a liquid crystal touch panel display, for example.

  For example, when the operation unit 13 is operated and a mode change to the monitoring mode is instructed, the notification unit 14 notifies the user of whether or not the mode can be changed. At this time, if there is a sensor 20 that senses an abnormality, the notification unit 14 notifies the user that the mode change is impossible together with the installation location of the target sensor. On the other hand, when there is no sensor 20 that senses an abnormality, the notification unit 14 notifies the user that the mode can be changed. Further, the notification unit 14 notifies the user of the state of each sensor 20 when the operation unit 13 is operated and the state confirmation of each sensor 20 is instructed.

  The storage unit 15 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, or an HDD, and stores various data and various programs for operating the security device 10. For example, the storage unit 15 stores the ID of the security device 10, the current mode of the security device 10, a sensor information table, and the like.

  The sensor information table is table information in which a sensor ID, a sensor type, a sensor installation location, a sensor state, and the like are associated with each sensor 20 registered in the security device 10. There are three types of sensors, for example, security sensors, disaster prevention sensors, and emergency buttons. The sensor states include, for example, a “non-sensing state” (an example of a first state) and a “sensing state” (an example of a second state). For example, for a security sensor, the non-sensing state and the sensing state correspond to a state in which a door or the like is opened or a presence of a person is not sensed and a sensed state, respectively. Regarding the disaster prevention sensor, the non-sensing state and the sensing state correspond to a state where smoke or heat is not sensed and a state where it is sensed, respectively. For the emergency button, the non-sensing state and the sensing state correspond to a state where the button is not pressed and a state where the button is pressed, respectively. The sensor state is not limited to the non-sensing state and the sensing state, and may include, for example, “apparatus abnormality”, “attention required” (intermediate state between the sensing state and the non-sensing state), and the like.

  The control unit 16 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like and peripheral circuits thereof, and controls the above-described units to operate the security device 10.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 16 of the security device 10. The control unit 16 includes a state inquiry unit 161, a mode setting unit 162, an abnormality determination unit 163, and a reporting unit 164 as functional modules realized by the microcomputer and the computer program executed on the microcomputer. Have.

  The state inquiring unit 161 stores the sensing state in the sensor information table of the storage unit 15 among the sensors 20 when the operation unit 13 is operated to instruct to change the mode to the monitoring mode or check the state of each sensor 20. A status inquiry is made to the sensor being operated via the sensor I / F 12, and the current status of the sensor is received. When the received sensor state is a non-sensing state, the state inquiry unit 161 updates the sensor state stored in the sensor information table for the target sensor 20. As will be described later, each sensor 20 notifies the controller of its own state. When the sensor 20 changes from the non-sensing state to the sensing state, after the state change is notified, the security device 10 is notified of a new state change. Is suppressed for a predetermined period. Therefore, for the sensor 20 whose sensing state is stored in the sensor information table, when the sensing state continues now, and after that, the sensor 20 has changed to a non-sensing state, but notification of the state change is suppressed. There are two possibilities: Therefore, the state inquiry unit 161 makes a state inquiry to the sensor 20 whose detection state is stored in the sensor information table.

  On the other hand, for the sensors 20 in which the non-sensing state is stored in the sensor information table, it can be seen that the sensor is still in the non-sensing state, so the state inquiry unit 161 makes a state inquiry to these sensors 20. Not performed. In this way, by limiting the number of sensors inquiring about the state, the state inquiry unit 161 shortens the time required for the state inquiry.

  The mode setting unit 162 switches and sets the mode of the security device 10 to the monitoring mode or the release mode when the operation unit 13 is operated and the mode change of the security device 10 is instructed, and the new mode is stored in the storage unit 15. Remember. Thereby, the security device 10 operates according to the set new mode.

  However, when there is a sensor 20 whose sensing state is stored in the sensor information table of the storage unit 15 when the mode is changed to the monitoring mode, the mode setting unit 162 is the result of the state inquiry unit 161 performing the state inquiry. The mode change is allowed only when all the sensors stored in the sensor information table are in a non-sensing state. At this time, the mode setting unit 162 controls the notification unit 14 to notify the user that the mode can be changed. On the other hand, if there is a sensor whose state is the sensing state among the sensors 20 stored in the sensor information table, the mode setting unit 162 does not allow the mode change, and controls the notification unit 14, Along with the installation location of the target sensor, the user is notified that the mode cannot be changed. The mode setting unit 162 allows the mode change when changing to a mode other than the monitoring mode, such as the release mode, regardless of the state of each sensor 20.

  When the abnormality determination unit 163 receives the sensing signal from the sensor 20, the abnormality determination unit 163 refers to the sensor information table and identifies the type of sensor associated with the sensor ID included in the received sensing signal. In addition, the abnormality determination unit 163 refers to the current mode of the security device 10 held in the storage unit 15. And the abnormality determination part 163 determines with it being abnormal, if the security device 10 is set to the monitoring mode, if a sensing signal is received from any one of a security sensor, a disaster prevention sensor, or an emergency button. Moreover, the abnormality determination part 163 will determine with it being abnormal, if the security device 10 is set to cancellation | release mode, if a sensing signal is received from a disaster prevention sensor or an emergency button. In addition, when the security device 10 is set in the release mode, the abnormality determination unit 163 determines that there is no abnormality when receiving a detection signal from the security sensor (that is, ignores the detection signal).

  The reporting unit 164 transmits an abnormality signal to the center device 41 via the center communication unit 11 when the abnormality determination unit 163 determines that there is an abnormality. The abnormal signal includes, for example, information such as the ID of the security device 10 stored in the storage unit 15, the sensor ID of the sensor that has detected the abnormality, and the type and location of the sensor identified from the sensor information table. .

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the sensor 20. The sensor 20 includes a sensing unit 21, a wireless communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a control unit 24.

  The sensing unit 21 senses an event targeted by the sensor based on a physical quantity input from the monitoring direction of the sensor 20. If the sensor 20 is a security sensor, the sensing unit 21 includes, for example, a heat ray sensor that senses the presence of a person with infrared rays, a sensor that senses the presence of a person with ultrasound, an image sensor that senses the presence of a person from an input image, And a known sensor that senses the presence of a person or the destruction of a building, such as a proximity sensor that senses a change in a magnetic field and senses the opening of a door. Moreover, if the sensor 20 is a disaster prevention sensor, the sensing part 21 is comprised by the well-known sensing means which senses smoke or heat, for example. Moreover, if the sensor 20 is an emergency button, the sensing part 21 is comprised with a switch.

  The radio communication unit 22 includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from the security device 10 and a communication control unit connected to the antenna. The wireless communication unit 22 communicates with the security device 10 according to a communication standard such as specific low power wireless. The wireless signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit 22 to the security device 10 includes at least its own sensor ID and communication address stored in the storage unit 23. The wireless communication unit 22 functions as a sensor communication unit that performs communication with the controller.

  The wireless communication unit 22 receives a signal transmitted from the security device 10 by intermittent reception in order to suppress the power consumption of the sensor 20. For example, the wireless communication unit 22 alternately repeats a reception state of about several tens of milliseconds determined according to a communication rate and a disconnection state of about several seconds, and receives a signal from the security device 10 when in the reception state. To do.

  The storage unit 23 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, or an HDD, and stores various data and various programs for operating the sensor 20. For example, the storage unit 23 stores the state of the sensor 20, the sensor ID, the communication address, the intermittent reception interval, and the like. In addition, the storage unit 23 stores the length of a period (a non-sensing continuation period T ′ described later) during which a notification of a new state change to the security device 10 is suppressed.

  The control unit 24 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like and peripheral circuits thereof, and controls the above-described units to operate the sensor 20.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 24 of the sensor 20. The control unit 24 includes a status notification unit 241, a transmission suppression unit 242, a status answering unit 243, and a timer 244 as functional modules realized by the microcomputer and the computer program executed on the microcomputer. .

  When the sensing unit 21 senses a target event and changes from a non-sensing state to a sensing state, the state notification unit 241 notifies the security device 10 of the state change via the wireless communication unit 22. That is, the state notification unit 241 causes the security device 10 to transmit a sensing signal indicating that the sensor 20 has entered the sensing state. Further, the state notification unit 241 notifies the security device 10 of the state change via the wireless communication unit 22 when the sensing unit 21 no longer senses the target event and changes from the sensing state to the non-sensing state. That is, the state notification unit 241 causes the security device 10 to transmit a non-sensing signal indicating that the sensor 20 has entered a non-sensing state.

  The transmission suppression unit 242 suppresses notification of a new state change by the state notification unit 241 for a predetermined period in response to the state change of the sensor 20 from the non-sensing state to the sensing state. For example, after the sensor 20 changes to the sensing state, the transmission suppression unit 242 performs a new notification by the state notification unit 241 until the sensor 20 changes to the non-sensing state and the non-sensing state continues for a predetermined period. Suppresses status change notifications. In response to this, the state notification unit 241 notifies the state change from the sensing state to the non-sensing state when the suppression by the transmission suppression unit 242 is completed.

  Hereinafter, a period during which the transmission suppression unit 242 suppresses notification of a state change is referred to as “a suppression period T”. Further, the duration of the non-sensing state in which the suppression of the state change notification by the transmission inhibiting unit 242 is released (the above-described predetermined period) is referred to as “non-sensing duration T ′”. For example, the suppression period T is a period with an indefinite length, and the non-sensing continuation period T ′ is a period with a fixed length.

  The status answering unit 243 notifies the security device 10 of the current status of the sensor 20 via the wireless communication unit 22 in response to a status inquiry from the security device 10. After the sensor 20 changes to the sensing state, during the suppression period T, the transmission suppression unit 242 suppresses the notification of the state change by the state notification unit 241 for a predetermined period, so that the security device 10 knows the current state of the sensor 20. In addition, the sensor 20 may receive a status inquiry from the security device 10. Even during the suppression period T, the state answering unit 243 notifies the security device 10 of the current state of the sensor 20 in response to this state inquiry.

  The timer 244 is controlled by the transmission suppression unit 242 and counts elapsed time.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the state of the sensor 20 and the inhibition period T. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 20 is in a non-sensing state before time t0, changes from a non-sensing state to a sensing state at times t0, t2, t4, and t6, and at times t1, t3, t5, and t7. The state changes from the sensing state to the non-sensing state and is in the non-sensing state after time t7 (there is a relationship of t0 <t1 <... <T7). When the sensor 20 enters the sensing state at time t0, the state notification unit 241 notifies the security device 10 of the state change and the suppression period T starts, and the transmission suppression unit 242 notifies the state notification unit 241 of subsequent state changes. Is suppressed.

  Thereafter, when the sensor 20 enters a non-sensing state at time t1, the timer 244 starts counting. If this non-sensing state continues for the non-sensing duration T ′, the suppression period T ends. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 20 enters the sensing state again at time t <b> 2 before time elapses from the time t <b> 1 by the non-sensing duration T ′. As described above, when the sensor 20 enters the sensing state again before the non-sensing state continues for the non-sensing duration T ′, the timer 244 is reset.

  Thereafter, when the sensor 20 becomes a non-sensing state at time t3, the timer 244 starts counting again. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the timer 244 is reset again because the sensor 20 enters the sensing state again at the time t4 before the time of the non-sensing duration T ′ elapses from the time t3. Similarly, after that, the timer 244 starts counting when the sensor 20 enters the non-sensing state at time t5, and is reset when the sensor 20 enters the sensing state at time t6.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, after the sensor 20 enters the non-sensing state at time t <b> 7, the non-sensing state continues for a period longer than the non-sensing continuation period T ′. In this case, after the sensor 20 enters the non-sensing state at time t7, the suppression period T ends at time t8 when time has elapsed for the non-sensing continuation period T ′. That is, the suppression period T continues until the non-sensing state of the sensor 20 continues for the non-sensing duration T ′.

  When the suppression period T ends at time t8, the transmission suppression unit 242 cancels the suppression of the state change notification by the state notification unit 241. In response to this, the state notification unit 241 notifies the security device 10 of a state change from the sensing state to the non-sensing state at time t8.

  From the point of view of the security device 10, after being notified that the sensor 20 is in the sensing state at time t0, the state change of the sensor 20 is not notified until time t8. For this reason, the security device 10 cannot grasp the true state of the sensor 20 that has been recognized as being in the sensing state until receiving a notification that the sensor 20 has entered the non-sensing state. For this reason, the state inquiry unit 161 of the security device 10 makes a state inquiry to the sensor 20 whose sensing state is stored in the storage unit 15 when the mode is shifted to the monitoring mode.

  Since the suppression period T does not start when the sensor 20 changes to the non-sensing state, the sensor 20 that the security device 10 recognizes as the non-sensing state is not in the suppression period T. , In a non-sensitive state. That is, the security device 10 can determine whether or not each sensor 20 is in the suppression period T from only the state of the sensor stored in the storage unit 15. For this reason, the state inquiry unit 161 of the security device 10 does not need to make a state inquiry to the sensor 20 in which the non-detected state is stored in the storage unit 15. Therefore, since the number of sensors for which the security device 10 inquires about the state can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the time required for the state inquiry unit 161 to make the state inquiry when the mode is shifted to the monitoring mode.

  FIG. 6 also shows a sensing signal and a non-sensing signal notified by the sensor when the inhibition period T is not provided. In the case of a sensor that does not have the inhibition period T, a sensing signal is transmitted at times t0, t2, t4, and t6, and a non-sensing signal is transmitted at times t1, t3, t5, and t7. On the other hand, as described above, the sensor 20 only transmits a sensing signal at time t0 and transmits a non-sensing signal at time t8. The sensor 20 does not notify the security device 10 of a state change in the suppression period T, so that the power consumption of the sensor 20 is suppressed as the sensor changes its state more frequently.

  Further, as described above, the suppression period T does not end unless the non-sensing state of the sensor 20 continues for the non-sensing duration T ′. Therefore, since the suppression period T becomes longer as the sensor has a higher frequency of state change, the power consumption is further suppressed as the sensor can generate more frequent state notifications.

  The transmission suppression unit 242 may count the frequency of state changes per unit time for the sensor 20, and may set the non-sensing continuation period T 'to a longer period as the frequency increases. For example, the transmission suppression unit 242 counts the number of state changes when the sensor 20 is in the suppression period T, and the non-detection duration T ′ in the suppression period T is changed to a longer period as the number increases. Also good. Alternatively, the transmission suppression unit 242 may set the length of the non-sensing continuation period T ′ according to, for example, the number of state changes of the sensor 20 in one day. For example, the transmission suppression unit 242 has a non-sensing duration T ′ of about 10 minutes when the number of state changes is almost zero, and a non-sensing duration T ′ of 20 when the number of state changes is an assumed maximum. You may change the length of the period according to the number of state changes so that it may be about -30 minutes.

  In the above description, the suppression period T is a period with an indefinite length, but the length of the suppression period T may also be fixed. For example, after the sensor changes to the sensing state, the transmission suppression unit 242 suppresses notification of a new state change by the state notification unit 241 for a predetermined length of the suppression period, and the state notification unit 241 When the suppression by the unit 242 is completed, a state change from the sensing state to the non-sensing state may be notified. In this case, the transmission suppression unit 242 counts the frequency of state changes per unit time for the sensor 20, and sets the suppression period of the predetermined length to a longer period as the frequency increases. Also good.

  Moreover, the transmission suppression part 242 may shorten the intermittent reception interval in the suppression period T compared with the intermittent reception interval of other periods. Since the status inquiry may be received from the security device 10 during the suppression period T, if the intermittent reception interval is shortened, the status answering unit 243 can immediately respond to the status inquiry from the security device 10. Therefore, if the intermittent reception interval in the suppression period T is shortened, the time required for the state inquiry unit 161 of the security device 10 to inquire about the state of each sensor 20 can be further shortened. For example, if the intermittent reception interval other than the suppression period T is about 2 to 3 seconds, the intermittent reception interval in the suppression period T is set to about 1 second, and these intermittent reception intervals are stored in the storage unit 23. . And the transmission suppression part 242 may switch an intermittent reception interval in these two steps. In addition, since the state inquiry is not received from the security device 10 in a period other than the suppression period T, the power consumption of the sensor 20 can be increased by setting the intermittent reception interval longer than in the suppression period T. Can be suppressed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the security device 10. When the operation unit 13 of the security device 10 is operated and the mode change to the monitoring mode is instructed, the flow illustrated in FIG. 7 is performed according to the program stored in advance in the storage unit 15 of the security device 10. It is executed by the control unit 16.

  When the mode change to the monitoring mode is instructed, first, the mode setting unit 162 confirms the state of one of the sensors 20 stored in the sensor information table of the storage unit 15 (step S11). . If the state of the sensor 20 confirmed in step S11 is a sensing state (Yes in step S12), the state inquiry unit 161 makes a state inquiry to the sensor 20 via the sensor I / F 12 (step S13). As a result, the state inquiry unit 161 receives the current state of the sensor 20 and stores the received state in the sensor information table of the storage unit 15. On the other hand, if the state of the sensor 20 confirmed in step S11 is a non-sensing state (No in step S12), the state inquiry unit 161 does not make a state inquiry, and the operation flow proceeds to step S14.

  And the mode setting part 162 determines whether there exists the sensor 20 which has not confirmed the state yet (step S14). If there is a sensor 20 whose state has not yet been confirmed (Yes in step S14), the operation flow returns to step S11, and the mode setting unit 162 performs the operations of the above steps for the other sensors. On the other hand, when the states of all the sensors 20 stored in the storage unit 15 are confirmed (No in step S14), the mode setting unit 162 refers to the sensor information table in the storage unit 15 again, and the detection state is determined. It is confirmed whether or not there is a stored sensor 20 (step S15).

  If there is a sensor 20 in which the sensing state is stored (Yes in step S15), the mode setting unit 162 does not allow the mode change to the monitoring mode and notifies the user that the mode change is impossible. (Step S16). At this time, the mode setting unit 162 also notifies the user of the sensor 20 in which the sensing state is stored and the installation location specified from the sensor information table. On the other hand, when there is no sensor 20 in which the sensing state is stored (No in step S15), the mode setting unit 162 allows the mode change to the monitoring mode and indicates that the mode change is possible. (Step S17). Thereby, the mode setting unit 162 ends the operation.

  FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are flowcharts illustrating an operation example of the sensor 20. 8A and 8B is executed by the control unit 24 of the sensor 20 in accordance with a program stored in advance in the storage unit 23 of the sensor 20.

  FIG. 8A is an operation flow of processing executed by the control unit 24 when the sensor 20 is activated. When the sensor 20 is activated, first, the state notification unit 241 notifies the security device 10 that the sensor 20 has been activated via the wireless communication unit 22 (step S21). At this time, the state notification unit 241 transmits a non-sensing signal indicating that the sensor 20 is in a non-sensing state. At this time, the control unit 24 receives a synchronization signal periodically transmitted by the security device 10 and keeps synchronized with the security device 10.

  Next, the control unit 24 sets the intermittent reception interval of the sensor 20 to the longer one of the two-stage values stored in the storage unit 23 (step S22). Then, the control unit 24 waits until the sensing unit 21 senses the target event and the sensor 20 changes from the non-sensing state to the sensing state (step S23). When the sensor 20 changes to a sensing state (Yes in step S23), the state notification unit 241 notifies the security device 10 of the state change via the wireless communication unit 22 (step S24). Then, the transmission suppression unit 242 executes the transmission suppression process shown in FIG. 8B according to this state change, and suppresses the notification of a new state change by the state notification unit 241 for a predetermined period (step S25). When this transmission suppression process ends, the operation flow returns to step S22, and the above process is repeated.

  FIG. 8B is an operation flow of a transmission suppression process executed by the transmission suppression unit 242. First, the transmission suppression unit 242 sets the intermittent reception interval of the sensor 20 to the shorter one of the two-stage values stored in the storage unit 23 (step S31). Further, the transmission inhibiting unit 242 sets the length of the non-sensing continuation period T ′ (step S32). This value may be a value stored in advance in the storage unit 23, or may be a value determined each time the transmission suppression process is executed, for example, according to the frequency of state change per unit time. .

  Here, the transmission suppression unit 242 starts the timer 244 with an initial value t = 0 (step S33). When the sensing unit 21 senses the target event and the sensor 20 changes from the non-sensing state to the sensing state (Yes in Step S34), the operation flow proceeds to Step S32 without proceeding the count of the timer 244. Return. On the other hand, when the sensor 20 has not changed to the sensing state (No in step S34), the transmission suppression unit 242 causes the timer 244 to count (step S35).

  Next, the transmission suppression unit 242 determines whether or not the time has elapsed for the non-sensing duration T ′ after the timer 244 starts counting (step S36). If the time has not elapsed for the non-sensing duration T ′ (No in step S36), the operation flow returns to step S34. On the other hand, if the time has elapsed for the non-sensing duration T ′ (Yes in step S36), the transmission suppression unit 242 stops the timer 244 (step S37). At this time, since the suppression period T ends, the transmission suppression unit 242 ends the suppression of the state notification by the state notification unit 241 and causes the state notification unit 241 to notify the state change from the sensing state to the non-sensing state (step) S38). The transmission suppression unit 242 ends the transmission suppression process.

  In addition, about the sensor 20 which notified the non-sensing state with respect to the state inquiry from the security device 10, it is possible to lengthen the intermittent reception interval and to shorten the battery life by removing the loop in the transmission suppression process as soon as possible. This is preferable because it can be extended. Therefore, the sensor 20 that has notified the non-sensing state as the current state in response to the state inquiry from the security device 10 in step S13 is the timer started in step S33 regardless of the non-sensing duration T ′. 244 may be stopped, the transmission suppression process in step S25 may be terminated, and the process may be shifted to step S22.

  As described above, in the security system 1, when the state of the sensor 20 changes from the non-sensing state to the sensing state, after the state change is notified to the security device 10, notification of a new state change is suppressed for a predetermined period. . Further, the security device 10 stores the state notified from the sensor 20, makes a state inquiry only to the sensor whose sensing state is stored in the storage unit 15, and receives the current state of the sensor. To do. Thereby, in this communication system, it is possible to reduce the time required for the state inquiry and to suppress the power consumption of the sensor.

  The suppression period T may be started not at the time when the sensor 20 changes from the non-sensing state to the sensing state, but at a predetermined time. In this case, for example, for each sensor 20, it is predetermined that the time period from what time to what time is set as the suppression period T, and the storage unit 23 of each sensor 20 and the sensor of the storage unit 15 of the security device 10. The schedule is stored in the information table. In the sensor 20, the transmission suppression unit 242 suppresses the notification of the state change by the state notification unit 241 during the time period in the suppression period T. In the security device 10, when the operation unit 13 is operated and the mode change to the monitoring mode or the state confirmation of each sensor 20 is instructed, the state inquiry unit 161 refers to the sensor information table and the current inhibition period T It is only necessary to inquire about the state of a certain sensor 20. In this way, if the suppression period T is set according to the time zone, for example, by setting the time zone in which there are many people passing near the sensor and the state changes frequently as the suppression period T, the power consumption due to the status notification of the sensor Can be suppressed.

  In the above description, the non-sensing state is an example of the first state and the sensing state is an example of the second state. However, the sensing state is the first state and the non-sensing state is the second state. It is good. That is, the transmission suppression unit 242 of the sensor 20 may suppress the notification of a new state change by the state notification unit 241 for a predetermined period in response to the state change of the sensor 20 from the sensing state to the non-sensing state. In this case, the state inquiry unit 161 of the security device 10 is in a non-sensing state in the sensor information table of the storage unit 15 among the sensors 20 when the mode change to the monitoring mode or the state confirmation of each sensor 20 is instructed. Is sent to the sensor in which the current state of the sensor is stored, and the current state of the sensor is received.

  In the above description, the security system 1 has been described as an example of a communication system. However, the communication system is not limited to a security system that senses an abnormality and notifies a monitoring center, and for example, the state of each sensor that indicates an open / closed state of a door or the like. May be confirmed by a controller.

1 Security System 10 Security Device 12 Sensor I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Memory | storage part 16 Control part 161 State inquiry part 162 Mode setting part 163 Abnormality determination part 164 Reporting part 20 Sensor 21 Sensing part 22 Wireless communication part 23 Memory | storage part 24 Control part 241 Status notification part 242 Transmission suppression part 243 Status reply part 244 Timer

Claims (5)

A communication system comprising at least one sensor and a controller capable of communicating with each other,
The sensor is
A sensor communication unit that communicates with the controller;
A state notification unit for notifying the controller of the state change via the sensor communication unit when the sensor changes from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state;
A transmission suppression unit that suppresses a notification of a new state change by the state notification unit for a predetermined period in response to the state change of the sensor from the first state to the second state;
In response to a status inquiry from the controller, a status answering unit for notifying the controller of the current status of the sensor via the sensor communication unit,
Have
The controller is
A communication unit for communicating with the sensor;
A storage unit for storing the state of the sensor received from the sensor;
Among the sensors, a state inquiry unit that performs a state inquiry to the sensor whose second state is stored in the storage unit via the communication unit, and receives a current state of the sensor,
A communication system comprising: The first state is a non-sensing state of the sensor, and the second state is a sensing state of the sensor,
The controller is
It can be set to any of a plurality of modes including a monitoring mode for monitoring a monitoring area by the sensor,
When there is a sensor in which the second state is stored in the storage unit at the time of the mode change to the monitoring mode, as a result of the state inquiry performed by the state inquiry unit, all the stored in the storage unit The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a mode setting unit that permits the mode change if the sensor state is the first state. After the sensor changes to the second state, the transmission suppression unit performs the state notification unit until the sensor changes to the first state and the first state continues for a predetermined period. Suppress notifications of new state changes,
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the state notification unit notifies a state change from the second state to the first state when the suppression by the transmission suppression unit is completed. The transmission suppression unit suppresses notification of a new state change by the state notification unit for a predetermined period after the sensor changes to the second state,
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the state notification unit notifies a state change from the second state to the first state when the suppression by the transmission suppression unit is completed.   The communication system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the transmission suppression unit counts the frequency of state changes per unit time and sets the predetermined period to a longer period as the frequency increases.

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