JP3512527B2 - Monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a monitoring device used for security systems, emergency call systems, telemeter systems and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various security systems, emergency call systems, etc. have been put into practical use in which a monitoring device receives a signal from a transmitter and performs a process according to the signal.
The conventional technique will be described by taking an emergency call system as an example.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of an emergency call system. The conventional emergency call system includes portable transmitters 1a and 1b that wirelessly transmit an emergency signal, a stationary transmitter 1c that transmits an emergency signal by wire, and these transmitters 1
Monitoring device 2 for receiving a signal from the monitor, and monitoring device 2
And a central monitoring device 3 installed in a monitoring center connected via a communication line.

FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the transmitters 1a and 1b in the conventional emergency call system. The transmitter 1a or 1b is composed of an operating unit 11, a clocking unit 12, a storage unit 13, a transmitting unit 14, a transmitting antenna 15, and a control unit 16.

Each means will be described. The operating means 11 is composed of two switches and outputs an operating signal to the control means 16 when both switches are pressed simultaneously.
The time measuring means 12 is a timer, and measures the time interval at which a communication check signal for checking the communication state between the transmitter 1a or 1b and the monitoring device 2 is sent. Then, when a predetermined time set in advance is counted, a trigger signal for transmitting a communication check signal is output to the control means 16. For example, when the communication check with the monitoring device 2 is performed at intervals of 3 hours, the time measuring means 12 outputs a trigger signal to the control means 16 every 3 hours.

The memory means 13 is composed of a ROM and a RAM, and stores data necessary for the system such as an operation program of the transmitter, its own address, a radio frequency to be used, an information code (emergency signal code, check signal code, etc.). I remember. The transmitting unit 14 converts the signal to be transmitted to the monitoring device 2 into a radio signal having a predetermined frequency, and the transmitting antenna 15
Send the signal from. The radio frequency to be used is set for each monitoring area so as not to interfere with the radio signals of other monitoring areas.

The control means 16 is composed of a microcomputer and peripheral circuits, and the transmitter 1 as a whole is based on the inputs from the operation means 11 and the timekeeping means 12, the programs stored in the storage means 13, various data, and the like. Control. Since the transmitter 1c is connected to the monitoring device 2 via a transmission line (wired), it does not include the transmission antenna 15,
Further, it has the same configuration except that the transmitting means 14 transmits a wired signal.

Next, the operation of the transmitter 1 thus constructed will be described. When sending an emergency signal from the transmitter 1, when the user operates the operation means 11, an operation output is output to the control means 16. Upon receiving the operation output, the control means 16 reads out its own address, emergency signal code, radio frequency, etc. from the storage means 13 and creates an emergency signal. Then, the emergency signal of a predetermined frequency is transmitted from the transmitting means 14 via the transmitting antenna 15.

Further, when the communication check with the monitoring device 2 is performed, the clocking means 12 sends the trigger signal to the control means 1.
Output to 6. The time counting means 12 restarts the time counting. When the control means 16 receives the trigger signal, it reads its own address, the check signal code, the radio frequency to be used, etc. from the storage means 13 to create a communication check signal, and the transmission means 14 via the transmission antenna 15
A communication check signal of a predetermined frequency is sent.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring device 2 in the conventional emergency call system. The monitoring device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The monitoring device 2 uses the notification means 2
1, clocking means 22, storage means 23, wireless signal receiving means 2
4, the wired signal receiving means 25, the receiving antenna 26, the reporting means 27, and the control means 28.

Each means will be described. The notification means 21 is composed of an LCD, an LED, and a buzzer, and displays the state of the transmitters 1a, 1b, 1c and the state of the monitoring device 2 in character display, pictorial display, lighting of lamps and LEDs, and ringing of the buzzer. A person in the vicinity of the monitoring device 2 is notified. The time measuring means 22 is composed of a timer and measures time for each transmitter. Specifically, when a communication check signal or an emergency signal is received from each transmitter, the timer of the corresponding transmitter is cleared and restarted. Then, when the preset time is measured, a time-up signal is output to the control means 28.

The storage means 23 is composed of a ROM and a RAM, and has an operation program of the monitoring device 2, its own address,
It stores history data of received signals, information codes (emergency signal code, check signal code, etc.), data necessary for the system such as radio frequency. Radio signal receiving means 24
Receives a radio signal of a predetermined frequency transmitted by the transmitter 1a or 1b via the receiving antenna 26, and the control means 2
The signal is converted into a signal that can be processed in 8 and output to the control means 28.

Upon receiving the signal from the transmitter 1c via the transmission line, the wired signal receiving means 25 converts the received signal into a signal which can be processed by the control means 28 and outputs it to the control means 28. The reporting means 27 reports the status within the monitoring area to the central monitoring device 3 via a communication line.

The control means 28 is composed of a microcomputer and peripheral circuits, and stores programs and various types stored in the storage means 23 in accordance with signals received from the transmitter 1 and outputs from the time measuring means 22. Control of the notification means 21 and the notification means 27 is performed based on the data.

Next, the operation of the emergency call system will be described. Now, it is assumed that a user carrying the transmitter 1a is attacked by a seizure and operates the operation means 11. The control means 11 reads out predetermined information from the storage means 13 and forms an emergency signal. Then, the transmitter 1a transmits an emergency signal to the monitoring device 2. The monitoring device 2 receives this signal by the wireless signal receiving means 24 via the receiving antenna 26. Then, the information corresponding to the address of the transmitter 1a included in the received signal is read from the storage means 23, and the notification means 21 is operated. That is, the name of the person carrying the transmitter 1a and the symbol mark of the abnormality occurrence are displayed on the LCD or LED, and the buzzer sounds. Furthermore, reporting means 2
An emergency signal is transmitted from 7 to the central monitoring device 3 via a communication line.

If a person is present near the monitoring device 2, a buzzer sound or an abnormal display will be noticed, so that quick treatment can be taken. Also, since an abnormal signal is sent to the monitoring center,
They had to take prompt and appropriate measures, such as urging the person to respond from the monitoring center and arranging an ambulance.

In the emergency notification system, if a signal is not sent from the transmitter 1 to the monitoring device 2, it is not possible for the monitoring device 2 to notify an emergency, and it is also possible to send an abnormal signal to the monitoring center. Disappear. Therefore, it is extremely important that the communication state between the transmitter 1 and the monitoring device 2 is normal. Therefore, in such an emergency call system,
It is checked every predetermined time that the communication between the transmitter 1 and the monitoring device 2 can be performed normally. This check operation will be described. The transmitter 1a transmits a communication check signal to the monitoring device 2 from the timing means 12 at predetermined time intervals. When the communication between the transmitter 1 a and the monitoring device 2 can be normally performed, the monitoring device 2 receives the communication check signal from the wireless signal receiving means 24 via the receiving antenna 26.

In the control means 28, the clock means 22 corresponding to the address of the transmitter 1a in the communication check signal.
Clear the timer and start timing from the beginning. The time measured by the time measuring means 22 is set to a time slightly longer than the transmission interval of the communication check signal by the transmitter 1. Therefore, if the transmitter 1 and the monitoring device 2 can normally communicate with each other, the time measuring means 22 always receives and clears the communication check signal or another signal, and starts time measurement from the beginning. No signal is output.

On the other hand, when the transmitter 1a fails, the monitoring device 2 cannot receive the signal from the transmitter 1a and the time measuring means 22 finishes measuring the predetermined time. Output. In the control means 28, the transmitter 1
Recognizing that there is something wrong with a or its communication path,
An alarm is displayed on the notification means 21, a buzzer is sounded, and a communication abnormality signal is sent from the notification means 27 to the central monitoring device 3.

At the monitoring center, since an abnormality is displayed on the central monitoring device 3, the observant person sees the abnormality display and urges the person in charge to the monitoring area in which the monitoring device 2 is installed. The person who arrived at the monitoring area checked the cause of the failure of the transmitter 1a, eliminated the cause of the failure, and returned the system to the normal state.

[0021]

In the conventional emergency call system, once an abnormality occurs, the system cannot be returned to the normal state until the cause of the abnormality is eliminated. Therefore, when the user goes out of the monitored area, that is, out of the communicable area with the transmitter, a communication error occurs, and the monitoring device 2 is used until the user returns home with the transmitter.
The central monitoring device 3 could not be returned from the abnormal state to the normal state. That is, in the monitoring device 2, the notification means 21
Remains in the abnormality notification state, and the central monitoring apparatus 3 displays the abnormal state of the monitoring apparatus 2 for a long period of time.

Then, the monitoring staff of the monitoring center remembers that this abnormal display does not require an urgent response,
In addition, it was necessary to periodically check whether or not the user came home by calling or the like. When the user returns home, the person in charge goes to the monitoring area and the transmitter 1a
It was necessary to return the monitoring device 2 and the central monitoring device 3 to the normal state after carrying out a communication check with.

[0023]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a signal receiving means for receiving a signal from a transmitter and a signal receiving means for restarting each time a signal from the transmitter is received and outputting when a predetermined time is counted There is provided a monitoring device having a time measuring means, a notifying means for notifying the occurrence of a communication abnormality by an output from the time measuring means, a storage means for storing the occurrence of the communication abnormality, and a holding operation means for holding the communication abnormality. . Further, there is provided a monitoring device having storage means for storing a hold signal based on the hold operation means.

[0024]

When the hold operation means is operated while the communication abnormality is occurring, the communication abnormality is suspended, and when the signal from the transmitter is received during the suspension, the suspension is released.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example in which the present invention is applied to an emergency call system will be described below with reference to FIGS. The overall configuration of the system is substantially the same as that of FIG. 5 except that the monitoring device 2 is replaced with the monitoring device 4, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the monitoring device 4. Figure 2
The operation | movement flow of the monitoring apparatus 4 is shown. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those in the related art are designated by the same reference numerals.

The monitoring device 4 comprises an informing means 41 and an operating means 4.
2, clocking means 22, storage means 43, wireless signal receiving means 2
4, the wired signal receiving means 25, the receiving antenna 26, the reporting means 27, and the control means 44.

Each means will be described. The notification means 41 is composed of an LCD, an LED, and a buzzer, and notifies the state of the transmitters 1a, 1b, 1c and the monitoring device 4 to a person in the vicinity of the monitoring device 4 by character display, pictorial display and buzzer sounding. . Then, when a communication abnormality hold operation is performed by the operation unit 42 described later, the fact that the call is on hold is displayed. For example, when the user goes out of the communicable area while holding the transmitter 1a, the operation unit 42 transmits the transmitter 1a.
Is a means for performing an operation for suspending the communication abnormality of. For example, numeric keypad switch, touch panel, key switch,
Any of various operation input means such as a card reader may be used.

The time measuring means 22 is a timer provided for each transmitter 1 and measures a predetermined time. Specifically, when a communication check signal, an emergency signal, or the like is received from each transmitter, the timer of the corresponding transmitter is cleared and time is counted from the beginning. When the preset time is measured, a time-up signal is output to the control means 44. The storage means 43 is composed of a ROM and a RAM, and has an operation program of the monitoring device 4, its own address, received signal history data, information code (emergency signal code, check signal code, etc.), radio frequency to be used, and holding operation. It stores the data necessary for the system, such as the presence or absence of.

The radio signal receiving means 24 includes the receiving antenna 2
A radio signal having a predetermined frequency is received from the transmitter 1 via 6, converted into a signal which can be processed by the control means 44, and output. Upon receiving the signal from the transmitter 1c via the transmission line, the wired signal receiving means 25 converts the received signal into a signal that can be processed by the control means 44 and outputs it. The reporting means 27 is
The state in the monitoring area is notified to the central monitoring device 3 via a communication line.

The control means 44 is composed of a microcomputer and peripheral circuits, and outputs signals from the radio signal receiving means 24 or the wired signal receiving means 25, outputs from the clocking means 22, and programs stored in the storage means 43. Based on various kinds of data and the like, the monitoring device 4 as a whole is controlled by controlling the notification means 41 and the notification means 27. Also,
When a predetermined holding operation is performed by the operation means 42, the notification means 4
Also, the control related to the hold such as displaying that the call is being held in 1 is performed.

Next, FIG. 2 showing an operation flow of the monitoring device 4.
The operation associated with the communication abnormality in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the clocking means 22 is provided for each of the transmitters 1a, 1a.
Each of b and 1c has a timer. Here, of the plurality of timers for each transmitter, the timer operation of the transmitter 1a will be described. It is assumed that the initial setting of the emergency call system is now completed. Then, the power of the monitoring device 4 is turned on to start up the system.

In step 1, the clocking means 2 of the monitoring device 4
2 starts timing. Then, in step 2, it is determined whether or not a signal such as a communication check signal or an emergency signal is received from the transmitter 1a. Here, when the signal is not received, the process proceeds to step 3, and when the signal is received, the process proceeds to step 10. In step 3, it is determined whether or not the time measuring means 22 has timed a predetermined time. Then, when the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step 2 and the clocking is continued. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the time measuring means 22 outputs a time-up signal to the control means 44, and proceeds to step 4.

In step 4, it is determined whether or not a holding flag described later is "1". When the hold flag is "1", that is, when the hold flag is being held, the process proceeds to step 9, the timekeeping means 22 is cleared, and the timekeeping is restarted. On the other hand, when the hold flag is "0", that is, when the hold flag is not being held,
It is determined that there is a communication error, and error processing is performed in step 5.

Now, the hold flag will be described. The hold flag is stored in the storage unit 43 for each transmitter. When starting up the emergency call system, all are set to "0". When the transmitter 1a has a communication error and the operator inputs the personal identification code and the hold code of the coping person by the operation means 42, the control means 44 causes the storage means 43 to hold the hold flag corresponding to the transmitter 1a. Is set to "1". After that, when the control means 44 receives the signal from the transmitter 1a, the control means 44 sets "0" to the hold flag corresponding to the transmitter 1a of the storage means 43. When the hold flag is "1", the control unit 44 operates to ignore the communication abnormality in the transmitter 1a.

In step 5, when the communication check signal of the transmitter 1a cannot be received for a predetermined time and the holding operation is not performed, the notification means 41 displays the communication abnormality of the transmitter 1a and the notification means 27 A communication abnormality signal is sent to the central monitoring device 3 via the communication line. This notification signal includes the address of the monitoring device 4 and the type of abnormality. Upon receiving this communication abnormality signal, the central monitoring device 3 displays on the CRT screen that a communication abnormality has occurred in the monitoring area of the monitoring device 4. The monitoring staff of the monitoring center looks at this abnormality display and takes appropriate measures such as directing the person in charge to the monitoring area in which the monitoring device 4 is installed. In step 6, the coping person arrives at the monitoring area in which the communication is abnormal, investigates the cause, and takes appropriate action.

If the person in charge can check the cause of the communication abnormality and change the position of the obstacle in the monitoring area due to a poor communication condition, for example, and if the normal state can be restored on the spot, the process proceeds to step 9 for the normal monitoring state. Return to. To return to the normal state,
This is performed by transmitting a restoration signal from the transmitter 1a (operating only one of the two operation switches on the operating means 11 of the transmitter 1a), and the monitoring device 4 receiving this restoration signal. When returning to the normal state, the notification means 41
Then, the return signal is transmitted from the notification means 27 to the central monitoring device 3. In the central monitoring device 3, when the return signal is received, the abnormality display of the monitoring device 4 disappears.

On the other hand, when the transmitter 1a is outside the monitoring area, that is, outside the communicable area, and cannot return to the normal state, the process proceeds to step 7. In step 7, the operator's secret code, the address of the transmitter 1a, and the hold code are input from the ten-key switch which is the operation means 42 of the transmitter 1a. When this holding operation is performed, "1" is set to the corresponding holding flag of the storage means 43. As a result, the communication abnormality of the monitoring device 4 is suspended and returned to the normal state, and the notification means 41 is displayed.

As a result, even if the transmitter 1a is not in the monitoring area, the monitoring device 4 can be artificially returned to the normal state. (Step 8) On the other hand, if there is no holding operation, the procedure returns to Step 6 and the abnormal state is maintained. In step 9,
The control means 44 clears the timer of the time counting means 22, starts counting a predetermined time from the beginning, and returns to step 2.

Next, the operation when the monitoring device 4 receives the signal from the transmitter 1a in step 2 will be described. In step 2, when the control means 44 receives the signal from the transmitter 1a, the control means 44 proceeds to step 10 and determines whether the hold flag corresponding to the transmitter 1a of the storage means 43 is set to "1". That is, it is determined whether the communication abnormality of the transmitter 1a is suspended.

If the hold flag is "1", the hold flag is set to "0" and the process proceeds to step 9. On the other hand, if the hold flag is “0”, the process directly proceeds to step 9. That is, the suspension of the communication abnormality is automatically released when the signal from the transmitter 1a is received, and the normal communication abnormality monitoring is resumed. When the hold is released, the on-hold display of the notification means 41 also disappears. In this way, the coping person does not have to deal with the pending monitoring area.

Although the "emergency call system" has been described in the present embodiment, it can be widely applied to other systems for checking the communication state between the transmitter and the monitoring device at predetermined time intervals. Further, the transmitter is not limited to a wireless emergency call transmitter, but can be applied to various transmitters such as a fire monitoring sensor that transmits a signal by wire or wirelessly, an intruder detection sensor, and a facility monitoring sensor.

In this embodiment, the hold flag is "1".
It is explained that the time counting means 22 clears the time counting and restarts each time the time counting means 22 times up. However, when a communication error is held by the holding operation means, the time counting means stops the time counting and The timing may be restarted by receiving the signal. The timing may or may not be cleared when stopping only the timing means.

[0043]

Since the transmitter is taken out of the monitoring area as described above, even if the communication abnormality cannot be recovered on the spot, the communication abnormality is suspended.
Can be normalized. Further, the transmitter is automatically returned from the monitoring area and the communication signal or other signal is sent to release the hold, so that the hold state is not left. Then, the coping person does not need to take any action to release the hold, and the coping person's burden is lightened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a monitoring device 4.

FIG. 2 shows an operation flow of a monitoring device 4.

FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of transmitters 1a and 1b.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration block diagram of a monitoring device 2 in a conventional emergency call system.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of an emergency call system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is the transmitter 1a and 1b are wireless transmitters 1c is a wired transmitter 11 is an operating means 12 is a time measuring means 13 is a storage means 14 is a transmission means 15 is a transmitting antenna 16 is control means 2 is a conventional monitoring device 21 is a notification means 22 is a time measuring means 23 is a storage means 24 is a radio signal receiving means 25 is a wired signal receiving means 26 is a receiving antenna 27 is a reporting means 3 is a central monitoring device 4 is a monitoring device to which the present invention is applied 41 is a notification means 42 is an operating means 43 is a storage means 44 is control means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-7-152976 (JP, A) JP-A-7-15544 (JP, A) JP-A-5-128387 (JP, A) JP-A-63- 267374 (JP, A) JP-A-6-140990 (JP, A) JP-A-5-220117 (JP, A) JP-A-4-264828 (JP, A) JP-A-3-262099 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G08B 25/10 G08B 3/10 G08B 5/36 G08B 21/00 G08C 25/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A signal receiving means for receiving a signal from a transmitter, a timer means for restarting every time a signal from the transmitter is received, and outputting when a predetermined time is counted, and an output from the timer means. The communication device includes an informing unit for informing the occurrence of the communication abnormality, a storage unit for storing the occurrence of the communication abnormality, and a holding operation unit for holding the communication abnormality, and the holding operation during the occurrence of the communication abnormality. A monitoring device characterized in that a communication abnormality is suspended when a means is operated. 2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing a hold signal by the hold operation means, and releasing the hold when a signal from the transmitter is received during the hold. .