JP2019153207A - External device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an external device that can reliably discriminate between a connection verification signal and an alarm signal transmitted from an alarm device.SOLUTION: When receiving a signal including a signaled state from an alarm device 10 via a signal line, an external device 20 determines that an alarm signal has been received in the case where a signaled period of the signal including the signaled state is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference period and starts before a scheduled signal timing, and determines that a connection verification signal has been received in the case where the signaled period is less than the reference period or the signaled period is equal to or longer than the reference period and has not started before the scheduled signal timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an external device connected to an alarm device including an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality using a signal line.

  Patent Document 1 describes an external device that is connected to an alarm device including an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality using a signal line. This alarm device is connected to an external device connection terminal to which a normally open control contact is connected and to which an external device connection lead wire can be connected, and the control contact is continued when it is determined that an abnormal state to be alarmed is generated. And an alarm control unit that performs alarm communication processing for closing and closing. And, in order to avoid leaving the alarm device and the external device not connected in the specified connection abnormal state, test the control contact every time the alarm control unit reaches the test timing of the set test cycle. It is configured to execute a verification communication process that performs a closing operation over a set time.

  As described above, in Patent Document 1, in a state where the external device is connected to the alarm device by the lead wire, the lead wire is in a conductive state for the set time for testing every time the test timing of the set test cycle is reached. become. Therefore, if the continuity of the lead wire can be confirmed in the set test cycle, it can be recognized that the alarm device and the external device are normally connected, and the continuity of the lead wire cannot be confirmed in the set test cycle. , It can be recognized that the alarm device and the external device are in a connection abnormal state in which they are not connected as prescribed. If the set test cycle is set within a short period of time, such as one day or half a day, if an abnormal connection state occurs in which the alarm device and the external device are not connected as prescribed, a short period such as one day or half a day will occur. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the alarm device and the external device from being left in a connection abnormal state where they are not connected as prescribed.

  Moreover, the external device of patent document 1 determines whether the lead wire connected to an alarm device is a conduction | electrical_connection state, and performs the process based on the determination result. Specifically, when it is determined that the lead wire is in the conductive state, the external device causes the processing operation unit to perform an alarm operation when the time in which the lead wire is in the conductive state exceeds the set time for testing. On the other hand, when it is determined that the lead wire is in the conductive state, the external device does not cause the processing operation unit to perform an alarm operation if the time of the conductive state is within the test set time. In other words, based on the length of time that the external device is in the conductive state, whether the conductive state is due to the fact that the alarm device has actually performed alarm communication processing that issues an alarm, or the alarm device is for verification. It is determined whether it is due to execution of communication processing.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-185026

  In Patent Document 1, the external device determines whether the occurrence of the conduction state is due to the verification communication process or the alarm communication process based on the length of time that the lead wire is in the conduction state. Deciding. However, when the alarm device performs communication processing for verification, the length of time that the lead wire is in a conductive state (test setting time) depends on the setting and actual operation of the alarm device. There is a possibility that no difference will occur compared to the test setup time managed by the external device. That is, even when the communication process for verification is performed by the alarm device, the case where the lead wire is in the conductive state may be longer than the test set time. Therefore, even though the communication processing for verification is performed by the alarm device, the external device may be determined as an alarm only because the time that the lead wire is in a conductive state is relatively long.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an external device that can reliably discriminate between a connection verification signal and an alarm signal transmitted from an alarm device.

In order to achieve the above object, the characteristic configuration of the external device according to the present invention includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality, and a non-voltage contact that switches between a signaled state and a no-signal state by switching between conduction and non-conduction. The alarm signal based on the detection result of the abnormality detection unit, the alarm signal is output to the signal line according to the switching pattern of conduction and non-conduction of the non-voltage contact, and when the predetermined scheduled signal timing, the signal line An alarm device comprising a signal output unit for performing communication processing for verification to output a connection verification signal for verifying whether or not is normal to the signal line according to a switching pattern of conduction and non-conduction of the non-voltage contact; Between the external devices connected using the signal line,
When receiving a signal including the signaled state from the alarm device via the signal line,
When the signal period of the signal including the signal condition is longer than a predetermined reference period and starts before the scheduled signal timing, it is determined that the alarm signal has been received,
When the signaled period is less than the reference period, or when the signaled period is longer than the reference period and has not started before the scheduled signal timing, The point is that it is determined that the connection verification signal has been received.

According to the above characteristic configuration, when the external device determines whether the signal including the signaled state received from the alarm device is an alarm signal or a connection verification signal, the length of the signaled period of the signal is long. In addition, it is also considered whether the timing at which the signal is received is before the scheduled signal timing when the alarm device transmits the connection verification signal. That is, the external device determines that the alarm signal is received when the signal period is longer than the predetermined reference period and starts before the scheduled signal timing, and the signal period is the reference If the length is less than the period, or the signaled period is longer than the reference period, but the signaled period has not started before the scheduled signal timing, it is for connection verification. It is determined that a signal has been received. As a result, even though the communication processing for verification is performed by the alarm device, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the external device is determined to be an alarm only because the signaled period is relatively long.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an external device that can reliably discriminate between the connection verification signal and the alarm signal transmitted from the alarm device.

  Another characteristic configuration of the external device according to the present invention determines that the signal line is not normal when a signal including the signaled state is not received from the alarm via the signal line within a predetermined period in the past. There is in point to do.

In the alarm device, when a predetermined scheduled signal timing comes, a verification signal for outputting a connection verification signal for verifying whether the signal line is normal or not to the signal line by a switching pattern of non-voltage contact conduction and non-conduction. Perform communication processing. Therefore, if the signal line connecting the alarm device and the external device is normal, a signal including a signaled state should be periodically transmitted from the alarm device to the external device.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the external device determines that the signal line is not normal when it does not receive a signal including a signaled state from the alarm device via the signal line within the past predetermined period. Therefore, when the external device makes such a determination, the abnormality of the signal line can be detected at an early stage.

It is a figure explaining the structure of an alarm device and an external apparatus. It is a flowchart of the connection verification process which the control part of an external apparatus performs. It is a flowchart of the signal determination process which the control part of an external apparatus performs. It is a figure which shows the example of a timing of a no signal state and a presence signal state. It is a figure which shows the example of a timing of a no signal state and a presence signal state.

Hereinafter, an external device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating configurations of the alarm device 10 and the external device 20. The alarm device 10 includes an abnormality detection unit 11 and a signal output unit 15 that detect an abnormality. In addition, the alarm device 10 of the present embodiment includes a power supply unit 17 and a notification unit 14.

  The abnormality detection unit 11 is configured to be able to detect a plurality of types of abnormality. Specifically, the abnormality detection unit 11 includes a detection sensor 13 such as a fire detection sensor, a gas leak detection sensor, and a carbon monoxide detection sensor. In addition, the abnormality detection unit 11 includes a control unit 12 that determines a detection result of the detection sensor 13.

  The fire detection sensor can be configured using a smoke sensor that detects smoke generated by a fire. Alternatively, when a fire is occurring, the ambient temperature becomes high, and thus a fire detection sensor can be configured using a thermal sensor (such as a thermistor) for detecting the ambient temperature. Alternatively, the fire detection sensor can be configured using a light receiving sensor capable of detecting light emission peculiar to a flame. And the control part 12 determines whether a flame exists based on the detection result transmitted from a fire detection sensor.

The gas leak detection sensor is configured using a methane gas detection sensor for detecting the concentration of methane gas (CH ₄ ), which is the main component of city gas, for example, when city gas is a detection target. In the case where another gas is to be detected, a sensor that can detect the gas may be used. Then, based on the detection result transmitted from the gas leak detection sensor, the control unit 12 determines whether or not a gas leak has occurred (that is, whether or not the gas concentration to be detected is equal to or higher than a predetermined level). judge.

  The carbon monoxide detection sensor is configured using a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of carbon monoxide gas (CO). And the control part 12 determines whether the density | concentration of carbon monoxide is more than the predetermined level based on the detection result transmitted from a carbon monoxide detection sensor.

  The alerting | reporting part 14 is an apparatus which alert | reports generation | occurrence | production of abnormality, such as the gas leak mentioned above and a fire, with an audio | voice or light.

  The power supply unit 17 supplies power to the inside of the alarm device 10 from a battery or an AC power supply.

  The signal output unit 15 includes a switch 16 as a non-voltage contact that switches between a signaled state and a no-signal state by switching between conduction and non-conduction. The switch 16 uses a mechanical switch that switches between a conductive state and a non-conductive state by mechanically switching between contact and non-contact of the contact, and a semiconductor element that switches between a conductive state and a non-conductive state. This can be realized using a switch or the like. The signal output unit 15 performs an alarm communication process in which an alarm signal based on the detection result of the abnormality detection unit 11 is output to the signal line 1 according to a switching pattern of non-voltage contact. Further, the signal output unit 15 generates a connection verification signal for verifying whether or not the signal line 1 is normal when a predetermined scheduled signal timing is reached, according to a switching pattern of non-voltage contact conduction and non-conduction. The communication process for verification output to 1 is performed.

  For example, the no-voltage signal output from the signal output unit 15 includes a no-voltage a contact signal and a no-voltage b contact signal. In the non-voltage a contact signal, the contact of the switch 16 is continuously maintained in the non-conductive state at the normal time when no signal is output, and the contact of the switch 16 is in the conductive state and the non-conductive state when the signal is output. It is a signal that can be switched between. In the non-voltage b contact signal, the contact of the switch 16 is continuously maintained in the conductive state at the normal time when the signal is not output, and when the signal is output, the contact of the switch 16 is in the non-conductive state and the conductive state. It is a signal that can be switched between.

[Verification communication processing]
The verification communication process executed by the signal output unit 15 of the alarm device 10 is, for example, a process of continuing the signaled state for a predetermined signaled period by switching between conduction and non-conduction of the switch 16 at the scheduled signal timing. is there. The scheduled signal timing is, for example, at a predetermined timing such as once a day (such as once every day at 0:00) or twice a day (such as twice every day at 0:00 and 12:00). Is set. Further, the signaled period is set to a period of several seconds or 0.5 seconds, for example. As an example of the communication process for verification, the signal output unit 15 continues the non-signal state of the switch 16 such that the signal state is continued for 1 second once every day at time 0, and then returned to the no-signal state. A switching pattern for switching conduction is output as a connection verification signal.

[Communication processing for alarm]
When the abnormality detection unit 11 detects an abnormality, the signal output unit 15 of the alarm device 10 performs an alarm communication process based on the detection result. For example, when the abnormality detection unit 11 detects an abnormality, the signal output unit 15 performs processing to continue the signaled state for a predetermined signaled period by switching between conduction and non-conduction of the switch 16. This signal period is set to be longer than the signal period of the connection verification signal. As an example of the alarm communication process, when the abnormality detection unit 11 detects an abnormality, the signal output unit 15 continues the signaled state for 10 seconds and then returns to the no-signal state. A switching pattern for switching non-conduction is output as a warning signal.

  Thus, the connection verification signal transmitted from the alarm device 10 to the external device 20 via the signal line 1 is different from the alarm signal. As a result, the external device 20 can distinguish between the received connection verification signal and the alarm signal.

  The external device 20 is configured separately from the alarm device 10, and is connected to the alarm device 10 via the signal line 1. For example, the external device 20 is a speaker, a flashlight, a home security device, or the like. The external device 20 of the present embodiment includes a signal reception unit 21, a control unit 22, a notification unit 23, and a power supply unit 24.

  The signal receiving unit 21 is a continuity detecting unit connected to the signal line 1. That is, the signal receiving unit 21 detects that the contact of the switch 16 of the alarm device 10 is closed, or that the contact of the switch 16 is open and is in a non-conductive state. Alternatively, the non-conduction state is transmitted to the control unit 22.

The control unit 22 analyzes the information received by the signal receiving unit 21 and performs a notification process in the notification unit 23 as necessary. That is, the control unit 22 analyzes the switching pattern of the conduction state or the non-conduction state received by the signal reception unit 21 from the alarm device 10.
Specifically, the control unit 22 of the external device 20 has a signal period including a signal condition that is longer than a predetermined reference period and starts before the scheduled signal timing. It can be determined that an alarm signal has been received. In addition, the control unit 22 of the external device 20 starts when the signaled period is shorter than the reference period or when the signaled period is longer than the reference period and before the scheduled signal timing. If not, it is determined that a connection verification signal has been received.

  The alerting | reporting part 23 is an apparatus which alert | reports generation | occurrence | production of a gas leak, a fire, etc. with an audio | voice and light. When the signal received by the signal receiving unit 21 is a warning, the control unit 22 causes the notification unit 23 to notify the warning. When the external device 20 is a speaker, when the alarm signal transmitted from the alarm device 10 is received by the speaker as the external device 20, an abnormality has occurred to the user by performing a sounding operation or the like. Is notified. When the external device 20 is a flash light, when the flash light as the external device 20 receives the alarm signal transmitted from the alarm device 10, an abnormality occurs to the user by performing a flashing operation or the like. Notify that When the external device 20 is a home security device, when the home security device as the external device 20 receives an alarm signal transmitted from the alarm device 10, the home security device has an abnormality with respect to a security company or the like. Is notified.

  The power supply unit 24 supplies power to the inside of the external device 20 from a battery or an AC power supply.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a connection verification process performed by the control unit 22 of the external device 20. The control unit 22 of the external device 20 repeatedly executes the connection verification process shown in FIG.
As described above, when the scheduled signal timing comes, the signal output unit 15 of the alarm device 10 performs verification communication processing for continuing the signaled state for a predetermined signaled period by switching between conduction and non-conduction of the switch 16. To do. For example, when the scheduled signal timing is set to a timing of once every day at 0:00 (that is, once every 24 hours), the verification communication process should be performed at least once every 24 hours. That is, the connection verification signal should be transmitted from the alarm device 10 to the external device 20 within a predetermined period of the past 24 hours.

Therefore, in step # 1, the control unit 22 determines whether or not a signal including a signaled state is received from the alarm device 10 within a predetermined period in the past, and when the signal is received (“Yes in step # 1”). ”), The process proceeds to step # 3, and it is determined that the signal line 1 is not disconnected. This predetermined period is set to a period longer than the period of the scheduled signal timing at which the verification communication process is performed. For example, if the period of the scheduled signal timing for performing the verification communication process is a 24-hour period, the predetermined period is set to a period longer than 24 hours.
On the other hand, when the control unit 22 does not receive a signal including a signaled state from the alarm device 10 (in the case of “No” in the process # 1), the control unit 22 proceeds to the process # 2, and the signal line 1 is connected. Judge that it is disconnected. When the external device 20 makes such a determination, an abnormality such as a disconnection of the signal line 1 can be detected at an early stage.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of signal determination processing performed by the control unit 22 of the external device 20. The control unit 22 of the external device 20 repeatedly executes the signal determination process shown in FIG.
First, in step # 10, the control unit 22 determines whether or not there is a signal from the alarm device 10, and when there is a signal from the alarm device 10 (in the case of "Yes" in step # 10), the process # 10. 11 On the other hand, the control part 22 complete | finishes this flowchart, when there is no signal from the alarm device 10. FIG.

  In step # 11, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the signaled period of the signal from the alarm device 10 is equal to or longer than the reference period, and if it is equal to or longer than the reference period, the process proceeds to step # 12. This reference period is longer than the signal period (for example, 1 second) of the connection verification signal generated by the alarm device 10 in the verification communication process, and the alarm signal generated by the alarm device 10 in the alarm communication process Is set to a period shorter than the signal period (for example, 10 seconds). Therefore, if the signaled period of the signal from the alarm device 10 is equal to or longer than the reference period (“Yes” in step # 11), there is a high possibility that the signal is an alarm signal.

  However, in this embodiment, when determining that the signal from the alarm device 10 is an alarm signal, the possibility that the signal verification period of the connection verification signal from the alarm device 10 is exceptionally longer than the reference period is considered. The verification shown in step # 12 is further performed. That is, in step # 12, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the signaled period of the signal from the alarm device 10 is started before the scheduled signal timing, and the signaled period is started before the scheduled signal timing. In this case, the process proceeds to step # 13, and it is determined that the signal from the alarm device 10 is an alarm signal.

  More specifically, the control unit 22 of the external device 20 stores information about the timing (scheduled signal timing) at which the verification communication processing is next performed by the alarm device 10. Further, the connection verification signal is not transmitted from the alarm device 10 to the external device 20 before the scheduled signal timing. For example, when the scheduled signal timing is 0:00 of the next time, the connection verification signal is not transmitted from the alarm device 10 to the external device 20 at 22:00, 2 hours before that. Therefore, when the signaled period of the signal transmitted from the alarm device 10 to the external device 20 is started before the scheduled signal timing (in the case of “Yes” in step # 12), the signal is an alarm signal. It can be said that there is a very high possibility.

  In contrast, if the control unit 22 determines in step # 11 that the signaled period of the signal from the alarm device 10 is not longer than the reference period, the control unit 22 proceeds to step # 14 and the signal from the alarm device 10 is It is determined that it is a connection verification signal. In addition, when the signaled period of the signal from the alarm device 10 has not started before the scheduled signal timing in step # 12, the control unit 22 proceeds to step # 14 and performs a signal from the alarm device 10. Is determined to be a connection verification signal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a timing example of the no-signal state and the presence / absence signal state.
As shown in the figure, the signal A starts a signal period of the signal from the alarm device 10 at time t0, and the signal period Ta is shorter than the reference period Tr. Signal A is a connection verification signal.
Thereafter, the signal B transmitted from the alarm device 10 to the external device 20 starts a signal signal period at time t1, and the signal period Tb is shorter than the reference period Tr. In addition, the signal period is started simultaneously with the scheduled signal timing t1. In this example, the scheduled signal timing arrives at every reference interval: Ti. Therefore, the control unit 22 of the external device 20 determines that this signal B is a connection verification signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a timing example of the no-signal state and the presence / absence signal state.
As shown in the figure, the signal A starts a signal period of the signal from the alarm device 10 at time t0, and the signal period Ta is shorter than the reference period Tr. Signal A is a connection verification signal.
Thereafter, the signal C transmitted from the alarm device 10 to the external device 20 starts a signal signal period at time t2, and the signal period Tc is longer than the reference period Tr. In addition, the start time t2 of the signal period is before the scheduled signal timing (time t3). Therefore, the control unit 22 of the external device 20 determines that the signal B is an alarm signal.

  As described above, when the external device 20 determines whether the signal including the signaled state received from the alarm device 10 is an alarm signal or a connection verification signal, the length of the signaled period of the signal is long. In addition, it is also considered whether the timing at which the signal is received is before the scheduled signal timing when the alarm device 10 transmits the connection verification signal. That is, the external device 20 determines that the warning signal is received when the signal period is longer than the predetermined reference period and starts before the scheduled signal timing, and the signal period is If the length is less than the reference period, or if the signaled period is longer than the reference period but the signaled period has not started before the scheduled signal timing, connection verification It is determined that the service signal has been received. As a result, although the verification communication process is performed by the alarm device 10, the possibility that the external device 20 is determined to be an alarm only by the relatively long signal period can be eliminated.

<Another embodiment>
<1>
In the said embodiment, although the specific example was given and demonstrated about the structure of the external apparatus 20 and the alarm device 10 of this invention, the structure can be changed suitably. For example, although a fire detection sensor, a gas leak detection sensor, a carbon monoxide detection sensor, and the like have been illustrated as the detection sensor 13, other types of sensors may be used. For example, when the power supply unit 17 is a battery, it may be a sensor that detects the remaining capacity (battery voltage) of the battery. Then, the abnormality detection unit 11 may determine that an abnormality has occurred when the remaining capacity (battery voltage) of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

<2>
In the above-described embodiment, the signal period, the scheduled signal timing, and the like have been described with specific numerical values. However, these values are described for illustrative purposes and can be changed as appropriate.

<3>
In the above embodiment, the switching pattern of the non-voltage contact shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is described for the purpose of illustration and can be changed as appropriate.

<4>
The structure disclosed in the above embodiment (including another embodiment) can be applied in combination with the structure disclosed in the other embodiment as long as no contradiction arises, and is disclosed in this specification. The embodiment described above is an exemplification, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an external device that can reliably discriminate between a connection verification signal and an alarm signal transmitted from an alarm device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Signal line 10 Alarm device 11 Abnormality detection part 12 Control part 13 Detection sensor 14 Notification part 15 Signal output part 16 No-voltage contact 17 Power supply part 20 External device 21 Signal reception part 22 Control part 23 Notification part 24 Power supply part

Claims (2)

An abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality, and a non-voltage contact that switches between a signaled state and a no-signal state by switching between conduction and non-conduction, and the alarm signal based on the detection result of the abnormality detection unit When the communication process for alarm output to the signal line by the switching pattern of conduction and non-conduction of the voltage contact and the predetermined scheduled signal timing are reached, the connection verification signal for verifying whether the signal line is normal or not An external device connected using the signal line with an alarm device including a signal output unit that performs a communication process for verification to be output to the signal line by a switching pattern of conduction and non-conduction of a non-voltage contact,
When receiving a signal including the signaled state from the alarm device via the signal line,
When the signal period of the signal including the signal condition is longer than a predetermined reference period and starts before the scheduled signal timing, it is determined that the alarm signal has been received,
When the signaled period is less than the reference period, or when the signaled period is longer than the reference period and has not started before the scheduled signal timing, An external device that determines that a connection verification signal has been received. The external device according to claim 1, wherein the signal line is determined not to be normal when a signal including the presence / absence signal state is not received from the alarm via the signal line within a predetermined period in the past.

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