JP5855855B2 - Wireless communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system including a sensor, a repeater, a receiver, and the like, and more particularly to a wireless communication system in which a part of various signals is converted into a wireless signal.

  Conventionally, a plurality of repeaters that relay the fire detection data obtained by receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the fire detector, and a predetermined fire notification when the fire detection data is transmitted from any one of the repeaters A fire alarm system having a monitoring panel for processing is known.

In such a fire alarm system, “if the time slots D1 to D32 used for receiving the radio signal from the fire detector 1 are different for each repeater 2 that uses the same frequency channel, the same frequency channel is used. It is possible to avoid malfunction caused by simultaneous reception of radio signals from one fire detector 1 to two or more repeaters 2 and collision between radio signals from the fire detector 1. Therefore, the same frequency channel is used. The fire detector 1 is arranged at a position where two or more repeaters 2 and wireless communication can be performed simultaneously "(for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-009566 A

  In the fire alarm system of the above-mentioned patent document 1, since the communication range of the repeater and the fire detector is increased, it is necessary to perform wireless communication using a special frame. In a general wireless communication system in which the repeater and the fire detector communicate asynchronously at normal times, there is a possibility of interference with similar wireless devices arranged around.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and can reduce the possibility of receiving a radio signal from an unintended direction and the possibility of transmitting a radio signal in an unintended direction. Is to provide.

A wireless communication system according to the present invention includes: a state determination unit that determines a state based on a state signal from a state detection unit; a sensor that transmits and receives a wireless signal by a transmission and reception unit; and a receiver that monitors and controls the sensor. A plurality of repeaters that are interposed between the sensor and the receiver and constitute a plurality of communication layers and relay radio signals, and the plurality of repeaters are connected to the receiver by signal lines. One wireless repeater and one or more repeater repeaters as lower layers of the wireless repeater. The wireless repeater, the repeater repeater, and the sensor have their own transmission outputs. And a communication range adjusting means for adjusting its own reception sensitivity, and configured so that a radio signal transmitted by itself is received by only one layer above and one layer below, Status request signal sent from the device A wireless communication system that performs a state collection process in which a lower-level device in the communication layer transmits a state information signal including its own device state information. And an external tester for making a status request to a repeater repeater and a sensor which are lower devices of the communication layer, and a status information signal used in the wireless repeater and the repeater repeater Data area for sensor information in which device status information is stored, data area for repeater repeater information in which device status information for repeater repeaters is stored, and wireless relay in which device status information for wireless repeaters is stored If the status request from the external tester is started, the wireless repeater information that is not used during the status collection process by the wireless repeater The data area, wherein the device state information of the wireless repeater is stored.

In the wireless communication system according to the present invention, the wireless repeater, repeater repeater, and sensor have the same communication range, and the communication range of the wireless repeater, repeater repeater, and sensor increases as the number of repeater repeaters increases. It is characterized by narrowing.

  According to the present invention, a relay is provided between a sensor and a receiver, and a plurality of repeaters that configure a plurality of communication layers and relay radio signals are provided. The fire signal can reach the destination quickly without reaching in an unintended direction and causing interference with other similar wireless devices. In addition, since the repeater repeater receives the radio signal transmitted by itself only in the upper layer and only the lower layer, the power consumption can be reduced.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the sensor in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the repeater repeater in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the wireless relay device in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the external tester in embodiment. It is a figure explaining the communication message | telegram transmitted with respect to a wireless repeater or a repeater repeater in the state collection process and fire notification process of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the communication message | telegram transmitted to the sensor and the communication message | telegram which a sensor transmits in the state collection process of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the communication message | telegram which a repeater repeater transmits in the state collection process of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state collection process which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the fire notification process which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the communication range of the radio | wireless apparatus in the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on embodiment.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a radio communication system according to an embodiment. The fire notification facility as a wireless communication system shown in FIG. 1 is a system that is installed in a building to be monitored and notifies when a fire or abnormality is detected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fire alarm system 100 according to the present embodiment transmits a fire receiver A, a wireless repeater B1 connected to the fire receiver A via a transmission line CL1, and a fire receiver A. Line C
Wireless repeater B2 connected by L2, and wireless sensors D11, D12, D21, D22, D31, D32, D41, D42 arranged on the ceiling of each room of the building to be monitored
, D43, a repeater repeater C1 for relaying radio signals between the wireless repeater B1 and the sensors D21 and D22, and a repeater repeater C1 for interposing the wireless signals B1 and the sensors D31 and D32. Repeater repeaters C2 and C3 for relaying radio signals.

As will be described later, the external tester E shown in FIG. 1 performs a remote test using wireless signals for the wireless repeaters B1 and B2, and also shows the state at the time of registration of the communication paths F1, F2, F3, and F4. It is a device used for confirmation.

From this point onward, the wireless repeaters B1 and B2 are referred to as wireless repeaters B, sensors D11, D12,
In some cases, D21, D22, D31, D32, D41, D42, and D43 are collectively referred to as sensor D, and repeater repeaters C1, C2, and C3 are referred to as repeater repeater C.

Here, a set of the wireless repeater B and the sensor D and the repeater repeater C that perform wireless communication with the wireless repeater B is referred to as a group. That is, one group is formed for each wireless repeater B. In the example of FIG. 1, repeater repeaters C1, C2, and C3 and sensors D11, D12, D21, and D22 that perform wireless communication with the wireless repeater B1 and the wireless repeater B1.
, D31 and D32 are referred to as group G1. Further, the wireless repeater B2 and the sensors D41, D42, and D43 that perform wireless transmission / reception with the wireless repeater B2 are referred to as a group G2.

In each group, a plurality of communication paths starting from the wireless repeater B are established. In the example of the group G1 in FIG. 1, a communication path F1 is established between the wireless relay B1 and the sensors D11 and D12, and the wireless relay B1 and the repeater relay C1 and the repeater relay C1 and the sensor. A communication path F2 is established between D21 and D22. Further, the wireless repeater B1 and repeater repeaters C2 and C3 and the repeater repeater C3 and sensors D31 and D32
A communication path F3 is established between the two. Further, in the example of the group G2 in FIG. 1, a communication path F4 is established between the wireless repeater B2 and the sensors D41, D42, and D43. For example, the communication frequency between devices can be set to the same setting for each group by operating a change-over switch described later, but is not limited thereto.

(Sensor D)
The sensor D detects a physical quantity or a physical change of a detection target based on a phenomenon such as a fire or an abnormality, and transmits a state signal corresponding to the detected content as a radio signal. As the sensor D, for example, a wireless smoke detector that outputs an analog value based on the detected smoke density or a fire signal as a wireless signal, or a wireless type that outputs an analog value or fire signal based on the detected ambient temperature as a wireless signal The heat sensor is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the sensor in the embodiment. The sensor D includes a control circuit 1, a battery 2, a constant voltage circuit 3, a voltage detection circuit 4, a transmission / reception circuit 5, an antenna 6, a fire detection circuit 7, an indicator lamp circuit 8, and a registration switch 9.

The battery 2 supplies a DC voltage to the constant voltage circuit 3. The constant voltage circuit 3 controls the DC voltage of the battery 2 to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to the control circuit 1, the transmission / reception circuit 5, the fire detection circuit 7, and the indicator lamp circuit 8.

For example, the voltage detection circuit 4 detects a DC voltage of the battery 2 applied to the constant voltage circuit 3 and outputs a battery voltage detection signal corresponding to the detection voltage to the control circuit 1. When the voltage detection circuit 4 detects that the remaining battery level has dropped or has fallen below the threshold value for running out of the battery, the voltage detection circuit 4 outputs it to the control circuit 1 to operate the indicator lamp circuit 8 and to display the battery running out status information. The state signal including the signal is output from the transmission / reception circuit 5.

The fire detection circuit 7 has a function as a state detection unit that detects a physical quantity or a physical change of a detection object such as smoke or heat based on a fire phenomenon, and sends a state signal corresponding to the detection content to the control circuit 1. Output. The indicator lamp circuit 8 is a circuit that controls the lighting operation of the light emitting diode (LED). For example, when the battery is dead, the LED blinks, and when a fire is detected by the fire detection circuit 7, the cycle is different from the blinking. To blink the LED.

The transmission / reception circuit 5 is connected to an antenna 6 for transmitting / receiving radio signals, and includes a transmission circuit 5a and a reception circuit 5b. The reception circuit 5b performs a reception sampling operation at a predetermined period to detect a radio signal received from the antenna 6, and when the radio signal is addressed to itself, performs a reception process according to the contents. Then, the reception circuit 5b outputs the signal subjected to the reception process to the control circuit 1. The transmission circuit 5a is controlled by the control circuit 1 to perform transmission processing of signals such as status signals. The registration switch 9 is a switch used when registering information such as a communication path necessary for transmitting and receiving a radio signal within a group.

The control circuit 1 has a function as a state determination unit that determines a fire state and the like based on a signal output from the fire detection circuit 7. When the control circuit 1 determines that it is in a fire state, the control circuit 1 controls the indicator lamp circuit 8 and issues an alarm by blinking the LED. In addition, the control circuit 1 performs necessary processing based on the signal received by the transmission / reception circuit 5 and controls the transmission / reception circuit 5 as necessary to send a status signal to the wireless repeater B or the repeater repeater C. Send fire signals. The storage element 1a is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, for example.
A program executed by the control circuit 1, various data, and its own address are stored.

  In addition, the control circuit 1 includes a frequency switch (not shown) that switches the communication frequency of the radio signal. By this switching, the communication frequency with other devices is set. The control circuit 1 includes communication range adjustment means (not shown) that adjusts radio signal reception sensitivity and radio signal transmission output. By this adjustment, the communication range of the sensor D is appropriately set.

  Further, as will be described later, the control circuit 1 transmits a registration request signal to another device when the registration switch 9 is turned on. When a registration signal indicating that the wireless relay B from the wireless relay B has registered the sensor D is received by the transmission of the registration request signal, for example, a communication path with the wireless relay B is established. Establish.

(Repeater repeater C)
The repeater repeater C is interposed between the wireless repeater B and the sensor D and relays wireless signals. The repeater repeater C is provided when radio waves do not reach each other between the wireless repeater B and the sensor D. Like the repeater repeaters C2 and C3 shown in the group G1 in FIG. 1, two or more repeater repeaters C may be provided between the wireless repeater B and the sensor D for relay.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the repeater repeater in the embodiment.
The repeater repeater C includes a control circuit 11, a battery 2, a constant voltage circuit 3, a voltage detection circuit 4, a transmission / reception circuit 5, an antenna 6, an indicator lamp circuit 8, and a registration switch 9. Unlike the above-mentioned sensor D, the repeater repeater C does not include the fire detection circuit 7 and the operation content of the control circuit 11 is different, but the other configurations are basically the same as the sensor D. . Note that the repeater repeater C may be provided with a fire detection circuit 7 such as the sensor D shown in FIG. 2 or a sensor that senses smoke, heat, or the like, and the repeater repeater C may have a fire detection function.

  Similarly to the sensor D, the control circuit 11 includes a frequency change switch (not shown) that switches the communication frequency of the radio signal. By this switching, the communication frequency with other devices is set. The control circuit 11 includes communication range adjustment means (not shown) that adjusts the reception sensitivity of the radio signal and the transmission output of the radio signal. By this adjustment, the communication range of the repeater repeater C is appropriately set.

  Further, the control circuit 11 transmits a registration request signal to another device when the registration switch 10 is operated. When a registration signal indicating that the wireless repeater B from the wireless repeater B has registered the repeater repeater C is received by the transmission of the registration request signal, communication is performed with the wireless repeater B. Establish a route.

(Wireless repeater B)
The wireless repeater B has a function of transmitting and receiving a wireless signal between the sensor D and the repeater repeater C and transferring the wireless signal from the sensor D or the repeater repeater C to the fire receiver A. Yes.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the wireless repeater in the embodiment.
The wireless repeater B includes a control circuit 21, a constant voltage circuit 3, a voltage detection circuit 4, a transmission / reception circuit 5, an antenna 6, an indicator lamp circuit 8, a registration switch 9, a receiver I / F circuit 22, and a power line terminal 20a.
And a signal line terminal 20b. The wireless repeater B includes the aforementioned sensor D and repeater repeater C.
As described above, DC power is supplied from the fire receiver A through the power line connecting the fire receiver A and the power line terminal 20a instead of battery driving. Also, fire receiver A and signal line terminal 20b
Are connected by a signal line (transmission line CL), and the wireless relay B transmits and receives signals to and from the fire receiver A via the receiver I / F circuit 22.

Similarly to the sensor D, the control circuit 21 includes a frequency changeover switch (not shown) that switches the communication frequency of the radio signal. By this switching, the communication frequency with other devices is set. The control circuit 21 includes communication range adjusting means (not shown) that adjusts radio signal reception sensitivity and radio signal transmission output. By this adjustment, the communication range of the wireless repeater B is appropriately set.
The storage element 21a stores a program for executing the function of the wireless repeater B, various data, a group ID, the registered device address, communication path information (described later), and the like.

The wireless repeater B is basically the same as the sensor D and the repeater repeater C, although the operation content of the control circuit 21 and the information stored in the storage element 21a are partially different.
When the registration request signal is received when the registration switch 9 is in the ON state, the wireless repeater B indicates that they are registered in the sensor D or the repeater repeater C that has issued the registration request signal. A registration signal is transmitted to establish a communication path. The wireless repeater B changes the communication route to the sensor D to the repeater repeater C when a route change signal is received from the repeater repeater C after establishing the communication route.

(External tester E)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the external tester in the embodiment.
The external tester E is a process of selecting execution of the control circuit 31, the battery 2, the constant voltage circuit 3, the voltage detection circuit 4, the transmission / reception circuit 5, the antenna 6, the indicator lamp circuit 8, and the display unit 8a, for example, a test function. A selection switch 39 and a buzzer 10 are provided.
The battery 2 supplies a DC voltage to the constant voltage circuit 3. The constant voltage circuit 3 controls the DC voltage of the battery 2 to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to the control circuit 31, the transmission / reception circuit 5, the indicator lamp circuit 8, the buzzer 10, and the like. The voltage detection circuit 4 detects, for example, the DC voltage of the battery 2 applied to the constant voltage circuit 3,
A battery voltage detection signal corresponding to the detection voltage is output to the control circuit 31. When the voltage detection circuit 4 detects that the remaining battery level has dropped or has fallen below the threshold value for running out of the battery, the voltage detection circuit 4 outputs it to the control circuit 31 to cause the indicator lamp circuit 8 to operate.

The transmission / reception circuit 5 is connected to an antenna 6 for transmitting / receiving a radio signal, and includes a transmission circuit 5a and a reception circuit 5b. The reception circuit 5 b performs a reception sampling operation at a predetermined period to detect a radio signal received from the antenna 6, and outputs the received signal to the control circuit 31. Further, the transmission circuit 5a is controlled by the control circuit 31, for example, a wireless repeater B
Performs transmission processing to allow the remote test to be performed. The process selection switch 39 is a switch used when selecting to execute various functions of the external tester E. The storage element 31a is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, for example, and stores a program executed by the control circuit 31 and various data such as a common ID. The display unit 8a includes an LED display, an LCD, and the like, and displays various test results and the like.

(Overview of fire alarm equipment operation)
The first major operation of the fire alarm system 100 is fire monitoring. Specifically, each sensor D monitors the presence or absence of a fire in its own monitoring area. When the sensor D detects a change in the environment such as smoke or heat due to a fire, this detection information is transmitted to the wireless repeater B through a wireless signal via the repeater repeater C or directly. Further, detection information is transmitted from the wireless repeater B to the fire receiver A. Upon receiving the fire detection information, the fire receiver A controls a sound alarm device (not shown) to notify the fire, and activates a fire door, a smoke exhauster, a shutter (not shown) and the like to prevent the spread of fire.
The second main operation of the fire alarm system 100 is a state collection process. In the fire alarm system 100, if a battery runs out or a wireless communication failure occurs in each device constituting the fire alarm facility 100, the fire notification cannot be performed. In order to prevent such a problem from occurring, a state collection process is performed in which the state of each device (battery state, wireless communication function state, etc.) is collected at a predetermined period.

(Outline of send / receive processing)
Next, an outline of transmission / reception processing in the fire alarm facility 100 will be described.
The main radio signal transmission / reception processes in the fire alarm system 100 are (1) status collection process, (
2) Fire notification process.

(1) State collection process In the state collection process, the wireless relay B collects state information (for example, battery state) of devices (repeater repeater C, sensor D) that transmit and receive wireless signals to and from itself. It is processing. The wireless repeater B transmits a status request signal for requesting its subordinate device to transmit the status information of the device itself, and the device that has received the status request signal further transmits to the subordinate device thereof. To send a status request signal. This status request signal is relayed to the end of the communication path,
The sensor D, which is a terminal device, transmits a signal including its state information to the host device as a state information signal. The host device that has received this state information signal adds a signal including its own state information to the received signal, and transmits the signal as a state information signal to the host device.
This state information signal is transmitted in sequence until reaching the wireless repeater B which is the highest-level device in the communication path. Then, the wireless repeater B determines the state of the state information signal collected from the lower device, and transmits the information included in the state information signal to the fire receiver A if necessary.

The state collection process is performed for each wireless communication path. That is, in the example of FIG. 1, first, the wireless repeater B1 performs state collection processing between the sensors D11 and D12 (communication path F1), and when this is completed, the wireless repeater B1 becomes the repeater repeater C1. And a sensor D for transmitting / receiving to / from the sensor D
21 and D22 (communication path F2), a state collection process is performed, and when this is completed, the wireless repeater B1 communicates between the repeater repeaters C2 and C3 and the sensors D31 and D32 that perform transmission and reception with the repeaters (communication). The state collection process is performed on the route F3). The state collection processing may be performed at a predetermined cycle (for example, a 24-hour cycle), or the cycle of performing the state collection processing may be changed according to the situation such as the installation years of the fire alarm facility 100.

(2) Fire Notification Processing This is processing for transmitting a wireless signal based on the fire information detected by the sensor D to the fire receiver A via the wireless repeater B. The signal flow is as follows: sensor D, repeater repeater C (
Only in the case of interposition), the order is from the lower order device to the higher order device of the communication path of the wireless repeater B and the fire receiver A.

In addition, when transmitting a radio signal, it is necessary to transmit within the range of the transmission time set by the standard etc. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the transmission period is 3 seconds or shorter and the transmission pause time is 2 seconds or longer in accordance with the standard RCR STD-30.
In addition, the wireless repeater B, the repeater repeater C, and the sensor D basically perform intermittent reception of receiving wireless signals from other devices at predetermined intervals. In the present embodiment, the intermittent reception interval of the wireless repeater B is TB, the intermittent reception interval of the repeater repeater C is TC, and the intermittent reception interval of the sensor D is TD.
In the above-described fire monitoring and status collection transmission / reception processing, communication is performed using radio signals.
The wireless repeater B and the repeater repeater C are interposed between the fire receiver A and the sensor D, and function as a repeater that relays wireless communication to be performed between them.
Note that the intermittent reception intervals TB, TC, and TD are individually set, and so-called asynchronous communication is performed during monitoring.

Moreover, in each device constituting the fire alarm facility 100, information necessary for transmitting and receiving signals is stored in the storage element of each device. Information stored in the storage element includes at least a group ID, a self address, a higher device address, a lower device address, a device number, a common ID, and a device ID.
The group ID is an ID uniquely assigned to each group shown in FIG. This group ID is set for all devices of the wireless repeater B, the repeater repeater C, and the sensor D.
The self-address is a communication address uniquely assigned to each device, and the wireless repeater B
, Repeater repeater C, and sensor D are set for all devices.

The upper device address is an address of a device located immediately above itself in the communication hierarchy. Here, the upper level means a side closer to the fire receiver A with respect to each device. For example, FIG.
In the group G1, the high-order equipment of the repeater repeater C1 is the wireless repeater B1, and the high-order equipment of the sensors D21 and D22 is the repeater repeater C1. This higher device address is
It is set for the repeater repeater C and the sensor D.
The lower device address is an address of a device located immediately below itself in the communication hierarchy. Here, the low order means the side far from the fire receiver A with respect to each device. For example, in the group G1 of FIG. 1, the low-order device of the repeater repeater C2 is the repeater repeater C3, and the low-order devices of the repeater repeater C3 are the sensors D31 and D32. This lower device address is
It is set for the wireless repeater B and the repeater repeater C.

The device number is a number uniquely assigned to each terminal in the same type of device belonging to one group. For example, in this embodiment, a repeater repeater C that can be connected to one group.
Is the maximum number, and each repeater repeater C is assigned one of the device numbers 01 to 06. In the present embodiment, the maximum number of sensors D that can be connected to one group is 30, and each sensor D is assigned a device number of 01 to 30. In this embodiment, an example in which a self address and a device number are provided separately is shown, but a self address that is information unique to each device can also be used as a device number.
The common ID is all the same models (for example,
The wireless repeater B or repeater repeater C or sensor D) is designated as the transmission destination of the wireless signal.
The device ID is a unique number assigned based on a production number or the like. It may be common to various addresses and device numbers.

Here, an outline of a registration process for registering information such as a communication path necessary for transmitting and receiving a radio signal in a group in each device will be described.
First, the wireless repeater B and the repeater repeater C, which are host devices, have a mode called a registration mode as an operation mode for registering a communication path. Further, the repeater repeater C and the sensor D, which are lower devices, can transmit a registration request signal for requesting registration of a communication path.
In such a configuration, a registration request signal including its own address is transmitted from the lower device (repeater repeater C or sensor D) to the upper device (wireless repeater B or repeater repeater C) in the registration mode state. Then, the upper device sets the address included in the registration request signal as its lower device address, and transmits a registration signal including the self address to the lower device. The lower device (repeater repeater C or sensor D) that has received this registration signal sets the address included in the registration signal as its upper device address. By performing such processing for each device constituting the communication path, the communication path is established. The transition to the registration mode and the transmission of the registration request signal are executed by operating the registration switch 9 by the user. Further, this registration process can be performed when newly installing the fire alarm facility 100, or when adding equipment after the fire alarm facility 100 is installed.

(Communication telegram)
Next, a communication message used in the fire alarm facility 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The communication message described here is a communication message used in the above-described (1) state collection processing and (2) fire notification processing.
In the fire alarm facility 100 according to the embodiment, the communication message to be used depends on the type of transmission / reception processing ((1) status collection processing or (2) fire notification processing), the type of the transmission source device, and the type of the reception source device. It has been established. First, each communication message will be specifically described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a communication message transmitted to the wireless repeater or the repeater repeater in the state collection process and the fire notification process according to the embodiment.
The communication slot 110 shown in FIG. 6 has a transmission source (wireless repeater B or repeater repeater C).
) From the repeater repeater C, or from the transmission source (repeater repeater C or sensor D) to the wireless repeater B or repeater repeater C, and to receive signals from other devices. The continuous reception slot 112 is configured.

The transmission slot 111 is composed of a plurality of consecutive basic frames 101 (60 in this embodiment).
Consists of. That is, in the transmission slot 111, the basic frame 101 is continuously transmitted a plurality of times. The basic frame 101 includes, for example, a synchronization signal, a group ID for identifying a transmission source, a transmission source address, a frame number, data, and the like.
The length of the transmission slot 111 is set to be longer than the length of the intermittent reception interval TB of the wireless repeater B and the intermittent reception interval TC of the repeater repeater C, and the wireless repeater B and the repeater repeater C Can receive any one of the basic frames 101 in the transmission slot 111.
Before starting transmission using the transmission slot 111, CS before transmission (carrier sense before transmission) is performed, and transmission is started after confirming that no other device is transmitting a radio signal.

The continuous reception slot 112 is a transmission suspension period in which no radio signal is transmitted, and is a time period in which the reception circuit is activated to perform a radio signal reception process. The continuous reception slot 112 includes a fire transfer signal area 113, a fire notification signal area 114, and other signal areas 115. A fire transfer signal area 113 is an area for receiving a fire transfer signal transferred from another device, a fire notification signal area 114 is an area for receiving a fire notification signal transmitted from the sensor D, and other signals. The area 115 is an area for receiving a control request signal or status information signal other than the fire transfer signal and the fire notification signal. Other devices can transmit corresponding signals to the fire transfer signal area 113, the fire notification signal area 114, and the other signal area 115. In the present embodiment, a fire transfer signal area 113 and a fire notification signal area 114 are arranged in descending order of the importance of radio signals.
The other signal areas 115 are provided in this order.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication message transmitted to the sensor and a communication message transmitted by the sensor in the state collection process of the embodiment. 7A shows a communication message transmitted from the wireless repeater B or repeater repeater C to the sensor D, and FIG. 7B shows a communication message transmitted from the sensor D. . FIG. 7B shows an example of transmission / reception operations of a plurality of sensors D having different intermittent reception timings.

The block communication 120 shown in FIG. 7A includes a transmission slot 121 and a continuous reception slot 1.
22, a transmission slot 123, a continuous reception slot 124, a transmission slot 125, and a continuous reception slot 126. The transmission slots 121, 123, and 125 are composed of a plurality of continuous basic frames 101. That is, transmission slots 121, 123, 1
25, the basic frame 101 is continuously transmitted a plurality of times. Before starting transmission by the transmission slot 121, CS before transmission (carrier sense before transmission) is performed, and transmission is started after confirming that no other device is transmitting a radio signal.

The continuous reception slots 122, 124, and 126 are transmission suspension periods during which no radio signal is transmitted, and the reception circuit is activated to perform radio signal reception processing.
In the block communication 120, a transmission period (transmission slots 121, 123 for transmitting radio signals).
, 125), and a transmission pause period during which no radio signal is transmitted (continuous reception slots 122, 124,
126) are repeated alternately.

Here, the time of each slot constituting the block communication 120 will be described. First, the wireless signal transmission processing is performed according to the standard as described above, with a transmission period of 3 seconds or less and a transmission pause time of 2 seconds.
It must be set to be at least 2 seconds. On the other hand, the sensor D on the receiving side performs intermittent reception every intermittent reception interval TD (7 seconds in the present embodiment), and the timing of intermittent reception of each sensor D may be different. Therefore, in order for each sensor D to receive a radio signal in intermittent reception, the timing of intermittent reception of each sensor D needs to be included in one of the transmission slots 121, 123, 125 of the signal transmission source. There is.
Therefore, in the block communication 120 of the present embodiment, the transmission slot 121, the continuous reception slot 1
22, the total time of the transmission slot 123 is equal to or shorter than the intermittent reception interval TD (7 seconds) of the sensor D, and the transmission slot 1 is 7 seconds after the continuous reception slot 122 (section T1 in FIG. 7).
25. In this way, all the detectors D can receive the radio signal transmitted in any one of the transmission slots 121, 123, and 125. That is, for example, the intermittent reception timing of a certain sensor D is the continuous reception slot 122.
Even if the sensor D is included, the sensor D can receive the radio signal transmitted in the transmission slot 125 at the next intermittent reception timing.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the sensor D receives a radio signal from the wireless repeater B or the repeater repeater C, the sensor D transmits a shortened frame 102. The shortened frame 102 includes, for example, a synchronization signal, a group ID for identifying a transmission source, a transmission source address, data, and the like.

Here, the timing at which the sensor D transmits the shortened frame 102 as a response signal will be described. First, the continuous reception slot 122 will be further described. As shown in FIG. 7A, the continuous reception slot 122 includes a sensor return slot 129 divided into areas for receiving radio signals from the respective sensors D. Sensor return slot 129
Are divided into areas (30 areas in the present embodiment) corresponding to the number of sensors D that can be connected to the group.
When each sensor D receives any of the basic frames 101 transmitted in the transmission slots 121, 123, and 125, based on the frame number included in the received basic frame 101, each sensor D (transmission slots 121, 123). , 125) is completed. The sensor return slot 1 stored in the storage element 1a of each sensor D in advance.
Based on the information on the timing of each of the 29 areas, the sensor D transmits a radio signal to the area (time zone) corresponding to the device number assigned to itself among the areas of the sensor return slot 129. To do. For example, the sensor D with the device number 5 is the sensor return slot 1.
A radio signal is transmitted to the fifth area of 29. In this way, by setting the reception time zone (the transmission time zone of the sensor D) by the sensor D, it is possible to suppress the destruction of the telegram due to the simultaneous transmission of signals by the plurality of sensors D. can do. Further, since radio signals from a plurality of sensors D can be received by one block communication 120, the time required for reception can be shortened.

Next, an operation example of the sensor D having different intermittent reception timing will be described with reference to FIG. First, the sensor D having the device number 01 receives the 45th basic frame 101 of the transmission slot 123 by intermittent reception, and receives a shortened frame 102 as a response thereto.
Transmit to the first area of the sensor return slot 129 of the continuous reception slot 124. The sensor D with the device number 02 receives the 48th basic frame 101 of the transmission slot 121 by intermittent reception, and sends a shortened frame 102 as a response to this to the sensor return slot 129 of the continuous reception slot 122. Transmit to the second area.
The sensor D number 03 receives the 55th basic frame 101 of the transmission slot 125 by intermittent reception, and sends the shortened frame 102 as a response thereto to the sensor return slot 129 3 of the continuous reception slot 126. Send to the second area.
In this way, each sensor D has a transmission slot (transmission slot 121, 12 that receives the signal).
3 or 125), continuous reception slots (continuous reception slots 122, 124, 1)
26), the shortened frame 102 is transmitted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a communication message transmitted by the repeater repeater in the state collection processing according to the embodiment. More specifically, the communication telegram shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted by the repeater repeater C to the wireless repeater B or the repeater repeater C in the state collection process.
The communication slot 130 shown in FIG. 8 includes a transmission slot 131 that transmits a signal from the repeater repeater C to another repeater repeater C or the wireless repeater B, and a continuous reception slot that receives signals from other devices. 132.

The transmission slot 131 includes a plurality of continuous transmission frames 103 (10 in this embodiment).
Consists of. That is, in the transmission slot 131, the continuous transmission frame 103 is continuously transmitted a plurality of times.
The transmission slot 131 is used to transmit a radio signal to the wireless repeater B or the repeater repeater C. Accordingly, the length of the transmission slot 131 is set to be longer than the length of the intermittent reception interval TB of the wireless repeater B and the intermittent reception interval TC of the repeater repeater C. The device C can receive any one of the continuous transmission frames 103 in the transmission slot 131.
Before starting transmission using the transmission slot 131, CS before transmission (carrier sense before transmission) is performed, and transmission is started after confirming that other devices are not transmitting radio signals.

The continuous transmission frame 103 includes device information composed of sensor information 201, repeater repeater information 202, and wireless repeater information 203, which are sequentially assigned to each device. The sensor information 201 is composed of data areas corresponding to the number of sensors D (30 in this embodiment) that can communicate with one wireless repeater B. The repeater repeater information 202 includes data areas corresponding to the number of repeater repeaters C that can communicate with one wireless repeater B (6 in the present embodiment). The wireless repeater information 203 is composed of data areas corresponding to the number of wireless repeaters B that can communicate with the external tester E (1 in this embodiment), but is used during status collection processing. Therefore, the command processing operation of the external tester E will be described later.
Therefore, for the status request signal from the wireless repeater B, the continuous transmission frame 103 includes the sensor information 201 and the repeater repeater information 202. The status of each device can be easily confirmed.

The continuous reception slot 132 is a time zone in which a radio signal is not transmitted and reception of a signal from another device is waited for. A fire transfer signal area 133, a fire notification signal area 134, and other signal areas 135 Is provided. Continuous reception slot 132, fire transfer signal area 13
3, the fire notification signal area 134 and the other signal area 135 are respectively the continuous reception slot 112, the fire transfer signal area 113, and the fire notification signal area 1 shown in FIG.
14 and other signal areas 115.

(Details of send / receive processing)
Next, (1) status collection processing and (2) fire notification processing will be further described including communication telegrams used in these processing.

(1) Status Collection Processing FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining status collection processing according to the embodiment. In FIG. 9, communication paths F1 (sensors D11, D, D) among the communication paths for performing wireless communication with the wireless repeater B1 shown in FIG.
12 communication paths) and communication path F3 (communication paths of repeater repeaters C2, C3 and sensors D31, 32) will be described as an example.

First, it is assumed that the wireless repeater B1 has received a status request signal from the fire receiver A.
(S301) The wireless repeater B1 transmits a status request signal to the lower device address stored in the storage element among the devices belonging to the communication path F1. In this example, since the subordinate devices in the communication path F1 of the wireless repeater B1 are the sensors D11 and D12, the wireless repeater B1 sends a status request signal to the block communication 120 (FIG. 7A). Send.
On the other hand, the detectors D11 and D12 perform intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TD, and receive the state request signal transmitted by the wireless repeater B1 in any of the transmission slots 121, 123, and 125 of the block communication 120. . In this example, it is assumed that the sensor D12 receives the status request signal transmitted in the transmission slot 123, and the sensor D11 receives the status request signal transmitted in the transmission slot 125.

(S302) Upon receiving the state request signal, the sensor D12 transmits a state information signal including its own state information by the shortened frame 102. More specifically, the wireless repeater B1
In the area corresponding to the device number of the sensor return slot 129 of the continuous reception slot 124 (FIG. 7), a status information signal is transmitted.
(S303) Upon receiving the state request signal, the sensor D11 transmits a state information signal including its own state information by the shortened frame 102. More specifically, the wireless repeater B1
In the area corresponding to the device number of the sensor return slot 129 of the continuous reception slot 126 (FIG. 7), a status information signal is transmitted.

The state collection process of the communication path F1 is completed by steps S301 to S303, and the wireless relay device B1 has collected the state information of the sensor D11 and the sensor D12.
In the example of FIG. 1, the state collection process of the communication path F2 is performed after the state collection process of the communication path F1 is completed. However, the processing content in the communication path F2 is included in the processing content of the communication path F3. The description is omitted here, and the state collection processing of the communication path F3 will be described below.

(S304) The wireless repeater B1 transmits a status request signal to the lower device address stored in the storage element among the devices belonging to the communication path F3. In this example, since the lower-order device in the communication path F3 of the wireless repeater B1 is the repeater repeater C2, the wireless repeater B1 sends a status request signal to the transmission slot 111 (FIG. 6) of the communication slot 110. Send. After transmitting the status request signal through the transmission slot 111, the wireless repeater B1 activates the reception function and shifts to the reception standby state of the continuous reception slot 112.
On the other hand, the repeater repeater C2 performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TC, and receives the state request signal transmitted by the wireless repeater B1 in the transmission slot 111.

(S305) When the repeater repeater C2 receives the state request signal transmitted by the wireless repeater B1, the repeater repeater C2 relays and transmits the state request signal to the lower device address stored in its own storage element. In this example, since the lower-order device of the repeater repeater C2 is the repeater repeater C3, the repeater repeater C2 sends a status request signal to the transmission slot 111 (
Transmit in FIG.

Here, at the timing when the repeater repeater C2 transmits the state request signal, the wireless repeater B1 is in the reception standby state of the continuous reception slot 112 (S304). The wireless repeater B1 receives the state request signal transmitted from the repeater repeater C2 to the repeater repeater C3 in the continuous reception slot 112 (see the broken line in S304), and the state request signal is normally transmitted to the other party. Recognize that it has been received. Although not shown, when the status request signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2 cannot be received in the continuous reception slot 112 in step S304, the wireless repeater B1 has an error such as a communication error. And the status request signal is retransmitted.
On the other hand, the repeater repeater C3 performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TC, and receives the state request signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2 in step S305.

(S306) When the repeater repeater C3 receives the state request signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2, the repeater repeater C3 transmits a state request signal to the lower device address stored in its own storage element. In this example, since the subordinate devices of the repeater repeater C3 are the sensors D31 and D32, the repeater repeater C3 sends the status request signal to the transmission slot 121 of the block communication 120,
123 and 125 (FIG. 7A).

Here, at the timing when the repeater repeater C3 transmits the state request signal, the repeater repeater C2 is in the reception standby state of the continuous reception slot 112 (S305). The repeater repeater C2 receives the status request signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C3 in the continuous reception slot 112 (see the broken line in S305), and thereby recognizes that the status request signal has been normally received by the other party. . Although not shown, in the continuous reception slot 112 in step S305,
If the state request signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C3 cannot be received, the repeater repeater C2 determines that some abnormality such as a communication abnormality has occurred, and retransmits the state request signal.
On the other hand, the sensors D31 and D32 perform intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TD, and receive the state request signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C3 in any of the transmission slots 121, 123, and 125. In this example, it is assumed that the sensor D32 receives the status request signal transmitted in the transmission slot 123, and the sensor D31 receives the status request signal transmitted in the transmission slot 125.

(S307) Upon receiving the state request signal, the sensor D32 transmits a state information signal including its own state information through the shortened frame 102. More specifically, the wireless repeater B1
In the area corresponding to the device number of the sensor return slot 129 of the continuous reception slot 124 (FIG. 7), a status information signal is transmitted.
(S308) Upon receiving the state request signal, the sensor D31 transmits a state information signal including its own state information by the shortened frame 102. More specifically, the wireless repeater B1
In the area corresponding to the device number of the sensor return slot 129 of the continuous reception slot 126 (FIG. 7), a status information signal is transmitted.

Through these steps S306, 307, and 308, the repeater repeater C3 has collected the state information of its own lower devices (sensors D31 and D32).

(S309) The repeater repeater C3 transmits a status information signal to the upper device address stored in its own storage element. In this example, since the higher-level device of the repeater repeater C3 is the repeater repeater C2, the repeater repeater C3 transmits the other of the communication slot 130 transmitted by the repeater repeater C3 through the transmission slot 131 (FIG. 8) of the communication slot 130. A status information signal is transmitted at the timing of the signal area 135. Continuous transmission frame 1 transmitted at this time
03 includes the state information included in the state information signals from the sensors D31 and D32 received in step S306 in the sensor information 201 and the state information of the repeater repeater C3 itself in the repeater repeater information 202. . That is, the state information signal transmitted from the repeater repeater C3 includes the state information of the sensors D31 and D32 and the repeater repeater C3, which are lower devices of the repeater repeater C3.
On the other hand, the repeater repeater C2 performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TC, and receives the status information signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C3 in step S309.

(S310) When the repeater repeater C2 receives the state information signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C3, the repeater repeater C2 transmits a state information signal to the higher-level device address stored in its own storage element. In this example, since the host device of the repeater repeater C2 is the wireless repeater B1, the repeater repeater C2 transmits the status information signal through the transmission slot 131 (FIG. 8) of the communication slot 130. The sensor information 201 of the continuous transmission frame 103 transmitted at this time includes the sensor D.
31 and D32, and repeater repeater information 202 includes repeater repeaters C3 and C32.
2 state information is included. That is, the repeater repeater C2 transmits a signal obtained by adding its own state information to the state information signal received from the lower device as a state information signal.

Here, at the timing when the repeater repeater C2 transmits the state information signal, the repeater repeater C3 is in the reception standby state of the continuous reception slot 132 (S309). The repeater repeater C3 receives the status information signal transmitted to the wireless repeater B1 by the repeater repeater C2 in the continuous reception slot 132 (see the broken line in S309), and the status information signal is normally transmitted to the other party. Recognize that it has been received. Although not shown, if the status information signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2 cannot be received in the continuous reception slot 132 in step S309, the repeater repeater C3 is assumed to have some abnormality such as a communication abnormality. Determine and retransmit the status information signal.
On the other hand, the wireless repeater B1 performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TB, and receives the state request signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2 in step S310.

(S311) When the wireless repeater B1 receives the status information signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2, the timing of the other signal area 135 of the communication slot 130 transmitted by the repeater repeater C2 to the transmission source device. A reception response signal that is a signal indicating that the signal has been received is transmitted.
The repeater repeater C2 receives the reception response signal transmitted by the wireless repeater B1 in step S.
The signal is received in the continuous reception slot 132 of 310, thereby recognizing that the status information signal has been normally received by the other party. Although not shown, when the reception response signal transmitted from the wireless repeater B1 cannot be received in the continuous reception slot 132 in step S310, the repeater repeater C2 has some abnormality such as a communication abnormality. And the state information signal is retransmitted.

Although not shown, when the state collection processing of all communication paths of its own group is completed, the wireless repeater B1 determines the state of the signal including the collected state information, and if necessary, the state information. The information contained in the signal is transmitted to the fire receiver A. Step S31
1 shows an example in which the wireless repeater B1 transmits a reception response signal to the repeater repeater C2. However, the wireless repeater B1 may perform wireless communication between the wireless repeater B1 and the fire receiver A. For example, the signal including the state information transmitted from the wireless repeater B1 to the fire receiver A may be replaced with a reception response signal for the repeater repeater C2.

Thus, in fire alarm equipment 100 of this embodiment, step S305 in FIG. 9 is performed.
As shown in S306 and S310, the status information signal transmitted from the repeater repeater C to the relay destination device also serves as a response signal indicating that the relay source device has received the status information signal. For this reason, compared with the case where the response signal which shows having received the signal normally is separately transmitted with respect to a relay origin apparatus, the frequency | count of signal transmission can be reduced, current consumption can be reduced, and communication traffic can be suppressed.

In block communication 120, not all slots (transmission slot 121, continuous reception slot 122, transmission slot 123, continuous reception slot 124, transmission slot 1
25 and the continuous reception slot 126), the transmission of the signal can be stopped when the status information signals from all the sensors D belonging to the communication path are received. For example, when the status information signals from all the sensors D are received in the continuous reception slot 122, the repeater repeater C or the wireless repeater B that is the transmission source of the block communication 120 is used.
Does not perform processing subsequent to the transmission slot 123. In this way, it is not necessary to perform useless communication processing, current consumption can be reduced, and delay in information transmission can be prevented.
Also, in any of the continuous reception slots 122, 124, 126, when the status information signal cannot be received from the sensor D belonging to its own communication path, the repeater repeater C or the wireless repeater B The area of the sensor return slot 129 assigned to D
It is determined that there is no response, and is transmitted to a higher-level device as a status information signal including this.
Note that the repeater repeater C does not transmit a status information signal including its own “no response”, and the wireless repeater B makes a determination based on the lower device address (device number) stored in the storage element 21a. May be.

(2) Fire Notification Processing FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining fire notification processing. 10A shows a communication path F1 (communication path of the sensors D11 and D12) among the communication paths for performing wireless communication with the wireless repeater B1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. , Communication path F3 (repeater repeaters C2, C3, sensor D
31 and 32 communication paths). Hereinafter, the fire notification process will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and the above-described FIGS. The processing content of the communication path F2 in FIG. 1 is omitted here because the same processing is included in the communication path F3 and the processing content.

FIG. 10A shows an example where a fire has occurred in the monitoring area of the sensor D12.
(S401) Upon detecting the occurrence of a fire, the sensor D12 transmits a fire signal including fire detection information to the upper device address stored in the storage element 1a through the transmission slot 111 (FIG. 6) of the communication slot 110. . In this example, the upper device of the sensor D12 is a wireless repeater B.
Since it is 1, the sensor D12 transmits a fire signal to the wireless repeater B1. After transmitting the fire signal through the transmission slot 111, the sensor D12 activates the reception function and shifts to the reception standby state of the continuous reception slot 112.
On the other hand, the wireless repeater B1 performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TB, and the sensor D12.
Receives the fire signal transmitted in step S401.

(S402) Upon receiving the fire signal from the sensor D12, the wireless repeater B1 transmits to the sensor D12, which is the transmission source device, the other signal area 115 of the communication slot 110 transmitted by the sensor D12. A reception response signal that is a signal indicating that the signal has been received at the timing is transmitted.
The sensor D12 receives the reception response signal transmitted by the wireless repeater B1 in step S401.
Thus, it is recognized that the fire signal has been normally received by the other party. Although not shown, the continuous reception slot 112 in step S401 is shown.
If the reception response signal transmitted by the wireless repeater B1 cannot be received, the sensor D12 determines that some abnormality such as a communication abnormality has occurred, and retransmits the fire signal.

FIG. 10B shows an example where a fire has occurred in the monitoring area of the sensor D31.
(S501) Upon detecting the occurrence of a fire, the sensor D31 transmits a fire signal to the upper device address stored in the storage element 1a through the transmission slot 111 (FIG. 6) of the communication slot 110. In this example, since the host device of the sensor D31 is the repeater repeater C3, the sensor D31 transmits a fire signal to the repeater repeater C3. After transmitting the fire signal through the transmission slot 111, the sensor D31 activates the reception function to start the continuous reception slot 1
12 shifts to the reception standby state.
On the other hand, the repeater repeater C3 performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TC, and the sensor D3
1 receives the fire signal transmitted in step S501.

(S502) When the repeater repeater C3 receives the fire signal from the sensor D31, the communication transmitted by the sensor D31 to the host device address (here, the address of the repeater repeater C2) stored in the storage element 11a. A fire transfer signal is transmitted at the timing of the fire transfer signal area 113 in the slot 110. After transmitting the fire transfer signal, the repeater repeater C3 activates the reception function and shifts to the reception standby state of the continuous reception slot 112.
The fire transfer signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C3 is received by the sensor D31 in the continuous reception slot 112 (see the broken line in S501), and the sensor D31 receives the fire transfer signal and receives the fire signal transmitted by itself. Is normally received by the repeater repeater C3.
On the other hand, the repeater repeater C2 that performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TC also receives the fire transfer signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C3.

(S503) When the repeater repeater C2 receives the fire transfer signal from the repeater repeater C3, the fire transfer signal is transmitted from the transmission slot 111 (FIG. 6) to the communication slot 110 transmitted by the repeater repeater C3. It transmits with respect to the high-order apparatus address (here address of wireless relay device B1) memorize | stored in the memory element 11a at the timing of the service area 113. After transmitting the fire transfer signal, the repeater repeater C2 activates the reception function and shifts to the reception standby state of the continuous reception slot 112.
The fire transfer signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2 is received by the repeater repeater C3 at the continuous reception slot 112 (see the broken line in S502), and the repeater repeater C3 transmits the fire transfer signal by receiving the fire transfer signal. It recognizes that the fire signal has been normally received by the repeater repeater C2.
On the other hand, the wireless repeater B1 that performs intermittent reception at the intermittent reception interval TB also receives the fire transfer signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2.

(S504) When the wireless repeater B1 receives the fire transfer signal from the repeater repeater C2, the repeater repeater C2 transmits the fire transfer signal to the repeater repeater C2 that is the transmission source of the fire transfer signal. A reception response signal is transmitted at the timing of the other signal area 115.
The repeater repeater C2 receives the reception response signal from the wireless repeater B1 in the continuous reception slot 112, so that the fire transfer signal transmitted by itself is normally transmitted to the wireless repeater B1.
Can be recognized.

Even if the repeater repeater C is interposed between the wireless repeater B and the sensor D, as shown in the example of FIG. In some cases, the wireless repeater B can directly receive the fire signal transmitted from the device D. In such a case, the wireless repeater B recognizes that a fire has occurred due to the fire signal transmitted from the sensor D even if the fire transfer signal from the repeater repeater C has not arrived, and fires the fire signal. Transmit to receiver A. For this reason, a fire signal can be transmitted from the sensor D to the fire receiver A at an early stage.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a communication range of a wireless device in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. (A) is an example in which no repeater repeater C is installed between the sensor D and the wireless repeater B. On the other hand, (B) is an example in which two repeater repeaters C are installed between the sensor D and the wireless repeater B. For easy comparison, (A) and (B) have the same distance between the sensor D and the wireless repeater B, and the communication ranges of the sensor D, the repeater repeater C, and the wireless repeater B are respectively It is the same.
In (A), in order for the sensor D and the wireless repeater B to communicate with each other, the communication range A1 must be within the radius R1. For this reason, there is a high possibility of receiving a radio signal from an unintended direction or transmitting a radio signal in an unintended direction.
On the other hand, in (B), in order for the sensor D and the wireless repeater B to communicate with each other via the two repeaters C, the communication range A2 may be set with the radius R2.
That is, at least a radio signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C1 is received only by the sensor D1 in the next lower layer and the repeater repeater C2 in the upper layer. Alternatively, at least a radio signal transmitted by the repeater repeater C2 is received only by the repeater repeater C1 in the next lower layer and the wireless repeater B1 in the next higher layer.
Here, at least the wireless signal transmitted by the sensor D1 may be received only by the repeater repeater C1 in the next higher layer. Further, at least a radio signal transmitted from the radio repeater B1 may be received only by the repeater repeater C2 in the next lower layer.
If the communication range of each device is equal, the communication range of the wireless repeater B, the repeater repeater C, and the sensor D becomes narrower as the number of repeater repeaters C is increased. Since it tends to be relayed one layer at a time, the possibility of interference with other devices can be reduced. Furthermore, for example, since the amplification factor of the reception amplifier (not shown) or the transmission amplifier (not shown) of the control circuit 1 of each device is set low, the current consumption for wireless communication can be reduced.
The sensor D, the repeater repeater C, and the wireless repeater B may have different communication ranges according to the installation state and drive state of each device. In addition to these configurations, a plurality of adjustment means (not shown) may be provided so that reception sensitivity and transmission output can be adjusted.
Further, the repeater repeater B and the repeater repeater C may be provided with a plurality of frequency changeover switches so that communication frequencies in wireless communication between the upper layer device and the lower layer device are different.
In the above description, two repeater repeaters C are installed between the wireless repeater B and the sensor D. However, at least one repeater repeater C is sufficient. (It is enough if there are two or more wireless repeaters B)

As described above, when the external tester E is used, various commands for each device can be executed. Here, the processing operation of the status request from the external tester E will be described.
At this time, when the processing selection switch 39 of the external tester E is operated, the external tester E is connected to the wireless repeater B with the repeater repeater in the lower hierarchy registered as the wireless repeater B and the communication path information. Initiate a status request between C and sensor D.
The data is received by the sensor D via the repeater repeater C by the same communication message as the state collection process by the wireless repeater B. When the sensor D transmits the status information signal using a shortened frame, the same test message is received by the external tester E via the repeater repeater C and the wireless repeater B. In addition, restoration, fire test, LED lighting, etc. can be controlled from the external tester E to the wireless repeater B or the like. The command from the external tester E may be different.
Here, the repeater repeater C and the wireless repeater B transmit through the communication slot 130 shown in FIG. 8, but unlike the wireless repeater B status collection process, the wireless repeater information 203 includes the wireless repeater information 203. The status signal data of the repeater B is stored.
On the other hand, in the sensor information 201 and the repeater repeater information 202, the state signal data of the sensor D and the repeater repeater C are stored as in the state collection process from the wireless repeater B.
Therefore, for the command of the external tester E, the continuous transmission frame 103 includes the sensor information 201, the repeater repeater information 202, and the wireless repeater information 203. It is possible to check the status of each device quickly and easily.

In FIG. 1, a communication path F3 is established by the wireless repeater B1, repeater repeaters C2, C3, and sensors D31, D32.
For example, when the sensor D30 (not shown) is added to the communication path F3, the lower device address of the repeater repeater C3 may be registered as in the case of the sensors D31 and D32. However, the lower order of the repeater repeater C2 may be registered. You may register with a device address. At this time, the repeater repeater C2 transmits a state request signal to the repeater repeater C3 through the communication slot 110, and transmits a state request signal to the added sensor D30 through the block communication 120.

As described above, in the state collection processing according to the present embodiment, when the repeater repeater C receives the fire notification signal from the sensor D during the transmission of the state request signal, the state request signal by the block communication 120 is transmitted. Stops sending and starts sending fire transfer signals. By doing in this way, the signal which notifies the fire transmitted from the sensor D can be received by the wireless repeater B more quickly. For example, as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, FIG.
If the fire notification process is started after the state collection process shown in 0 (A) is completed, the time until the fire transfer signal reaches the wireless repeater B1 is longer than that in FIG. 10 (B). turn into. However, according to the present embodiment, the wireless repeater B1 can receive the fire transfer signal earlier.

Even if the repeater repeater C is interposed between the wireless repeater B and the sensor D, for example, the wireless signal from the sensor D is transmitted to the wireless repeater B depending on the arrangement of devices and the radio wave condition. Can be directly received, the wireless repeater B receives and processes the fire notification signal from the sensor D. For this reason, even if the fire transfer signal from the repeater repeater C has not arrived, the wireless repeater B can recognize that a fire has occurred by the fire notification signal transmitted from the sensor D. Thus, the wireless repeater B can recognize the fire detected by the sensor D earlier. Further, the wireless repeater B transfers the fire notification signal from the sensor D to the fire receiver A, so that a signal notifying the fire from the sensor D to the fire receiver A can be transmitted at an early stage.

Moreover, the repeater repeater C and the sensor D transmit a signal to the corresponding area of the receiving device depending on the type of signal to be transmitted. In this way, depending on the type of signal, the reception time zone (
By setting the transmission time zone in the transmission side device), it is possible to prevent the electronic message from being destroyed by simultaneously transmitting a plurality of types of signals. Further, since the reception area (time zone) in the receiving device is divided according to the type of signal to be transmitted, priority can be given to transmission of a fire signal with high importance, and the fire signal can be transmitted early.

In the above embodiment, when the wireless repeater B receives the state request signal from the fire receiver A, the state information signal of the sensor D and the like of each path is transmitted to the fire receiver A. Without being limited thereto, the wireless repeater B may collect the state and determine the state of the sensor D and the like of each path at its own timing. In this case, a state information signal may be transmitted to the fire receiver A when a fire or abnormality (battery exhaustion, no response, etc.) is necessary.

  The present invention can also be applied to alarm devices for detecting abnormalities in addition to fire detectors.

1 control circuit, 1a memory element, 2 battery, 3 constant voltage circuit, 4 voltage detection circuit, 5
Transmission / reception circuit, 5a Transmission circuit, 5b Reception circuit, 6 Antenna, 7 Fire detection circuit, 8
Indicator lamp circuit, 8a Display section, 9 Registration switch, 10 buzzer, 11 Control circuit, 11a
Memory element, 20a Power line terminal, 20b Signal line terminal, 21 Control circuit, 21a
Memory element, 22 Receiver I / F circuit, 31 Control circuit, 31a Memory element, 39 Processing selection switch, 100 Fire alarm equipment, 101 Basic frame, 102 Short frame, 1
03 continuous transmission frame, 110 communication slot, 111 transmission slot, 112 continuous reception slot, 113 fire transfer signal area, 114 fire notification signal area, 115 other signal area, 120 block communication, 121 transmission slot, 122 continuous reception slot 123 transmission slots, 124 continuous reception slots, 125 transmission slots, 1
26 continuous reception slot, 129 sensor return slot, 130 communication slot, 131
Transmission slot, 132 Continuous reception slot, 133 Fire transfer signal area, 134
Fire notification signal area, 135 Other signal area, 201 Sensor information, 202 Repeater repeater information, 203 Wireless repeater information, A Fire receiver, B Wireless repeater, C Repeater repeater, D sensor, E External tester, F1-F4 communication path.

Claims (2)

A state determination unit determines a state based on a state signal from the state detection unit, a sensor that transmits and receives a radio signal by a transmission and reception unit, and a receiver that monitors and controls the sensor,
A plurality of repeaters that are interposed between the sensor and the receiver and relay a radio signal by forming a plurality of communication layers;
The plurality of repeaters are composed of one wireless repeater connected to the receiver through a signal line, and one or more repeater repeaters as a lower hierarchy of the wireless repeater,
The wireless repeater, the repeater repeater, and the sensor have communication range adjusting means for adjusting their own transmission output and their own reception sensitivity. Configured to be received only at the next lower level,
A wireless communication system that performs state collection processing in which a lower device in a communication layer transmits a state information signal including its own device state information based on a state request signal transmitted from a higher device in the communication layer,
The wireless communication system further includes an external tester that makes a status request to the wireless repeater and a repeater repeater and a sensor that are lower devices in the communication layer of the wireless repeater,
The status information signal used in the wireless repeater and the repeater repeater includes a sensor information data area in which the device status information of the sensor is stored, and a repeater repeater in which the device status information of the repeater repeater is stored. It consists of a data area of information and a data area of wireless repeater information in which device status information of the wireless repeater is stored,
When the status request from the external tester is started, the device status information of the wireless repeater is stored in the data area of the wireless repeater information that is not used during the state collection process by the wireless repeater. wireless communication system, characterized in that that.
The wireless repeater, the repeater repeater, and the sensor have the same communication range. As the number of the repeater repeaters is increased, the communication range of the wireless repeater, the repeater repeater, and the sensor is narrowed. The wireless communication system according to claim 1.

Images