JPH09116984A - External alarm output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an external alarm output independently respectively to plural man-machine interfaces in the device generating an external alarm output by sending monitor information from a monitored point of a building management system or the like to the man-machine interfaces via a communication controller. SOLUTION: A communication controller 3 groups man-machine interfaces 5 for kinds of monitored points and outputs monitor information to the grouped corresponding man-machine interfaces 5. The communication controller 3 adds presence of time designation or monitor to alarm output conditions of each group and is provided with an interlock function 35 conducting confirmation processing of output destination to the man-machine interfaces 5. Furthermore, the monitor information is processed internally and outputted to an alarm display device 50a and an alarm voice output device 50b. A fact of alarm output state may be displayed on a screen of a display device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external alarm output device, and more particularly to an external alarm output device for monitoring equipment such as a building management system.

When a building manager is absent in a building when an alarm for equipment such as air conditioning, electric power, and disaster prevention occurs in a building, the contents of the alarm are communicated to outsiders (building maintenance company, equipment company, fire department,
It is necessary to improve the safety inside the facility by notifying the police).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows an overall configuration of a conventional external alarm output device, which is conventionally known. In the figure, P indicates a facility being monitored (hereinafter referred to as a monitored point). , 1n (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as monitoring device 1).
The occurrence of abnormalities in equipment such as electric power and disaster prevention is monitored.

These monitoring devices 1 use a HDLC (high level digital link control) line 2 to establish a communication control device 3
The communication control device 3 is connected to a man-machine interface device 51, 52, ..., 5n (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as a man-machine interface device 5) via a LAN (local area network) 4. Has been done.

Further, each man-machine interface device 5 includes a display device such as a printer 5a or a CRT 5b and an alarm device 5c such as a lamp or an alarm buzzer.

In the operation of such an external alarm output device, when an abnormality occurs at the monitored point P as indicated by a star, an abnormality occurrence notification is sent to the monitoring device 11 in the illustrated example, and the monitoring device 11 An alarm occurrence notification is sent to the communication control device 3 via the HDLC line 2.

[0006] The communication control device 3 receives the alarm notification and further requests external alarm output to each man-machine interface device 5 via the LAN 4.

The communication control device 3 outputs three kinds of external outputs corresponding to the alarm levels (heavy alarm / medium alarm / light alarm) indicated by the abnormality occurrence notification from the monitored point P to the man-machine interface device 5. Is occurring.

In each of the man-machine interface devices 5 that have received such an external alarm output request, the printer 5a, the CRT 5b, and / or the alarm device 5c outputs an abnormality occurrence at the monitoring point P.

Further, after outputting the external alarm as described above, when each man-machine interface device 5 sends an external alarm cancellation request to the communication control device 3 via the LAN 4, the communication control device 3 further notifies the alarm cancellation. Send to the monitoring device 11.

Then, the monitoring device 11 cancels the abnormality occurrence at the monitored point P based on the alarm cancellation notification.

When an alarm is issued, an alarm sound is sounded to notify the operator of the alarm at the same time.

[0012]

As described above, the conventional external alarm output device has the following problems. (1) When a plurality of alarms are issued to the same man-machine interface device, it is not a function that can perform processing collectively, so it is not possible to independently send an external alarm output notification to a plurality of man-machine interface devices. Since the external alarm output is commonly reported, an unnecessary external alarm is output.

(2) Since the external alarm output time zone is set for each man-machine interface device as a whole system, an external alarm output may occur at an unnecessary time.

(3) When an alarm is issued at the monitored point, an external alarm is output unconditionally, which may result in a false alarm.

(4) In the man-machine interface device, since the display function and the alarm sound function work together, only one of the functions cannot be maintained at the time of a failure, and both functions are lost at the same time. It will be.

(5) Since the output status is not displayed on the display device even when the external alarm is being output, the user cannot know whether the external alarm is being output.

(6) The user cannot start / end external alarm output monitoring at any time regardless of the output monitoring time zone.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in a device which sends monitoring information from a monitored point to a man-machine interface device via a communication control device to generate an external alarm output. .

That is, an external alarm output can be independently provided to a plurality of man-machine interface devices, and at the same time, an external alarm output can be performed only at a necessary time, or an external alarm output can be conditionally performed. In addition, it is possible to maintain only one of the display function and the alarm sound function at the time of failure, and display on the display device that the external alarm is being output, or monitor the external alarm output at any time. The purpose is to be able to start / end.

[0020]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

[1] In the present invention, the communication control device groups the man-machine interface devices according to the types of monitored points, and sets the monitoring information from the monitored points to the corresponding man-machine interface devices that are grouped. An alarm is output.

As a result, a plurality of monitored points can be set in the same group of man-machine interface devices, and unnecessary alarms from the monitored points are not output in each man-machine interface device.

[2] In the above [1], the communication control device can add time designation as a condition for limiting each group.

As a result, the output time zone can be changed for each different man-machine interface.

[3] Also, in the above [1] or [2], the communication control device can add the necessity of monitoring as a condition for limiting each group.

Thus, the user can switch the start / end of the output monitoring at an arbitrary time, and unconditionally switch to the external alarm output enable / disable state.

[4] In the above [1] to [3], the communication control device can be provided with an interlock function for confirming the output destination with respect to the man-machine interface device.

As a result, it is possible to determine the output of the external alarm by checking the status of other equipment, and reduce the false alarm output of the external alarm.

[5] In the above [1] to [4], the above man-machine interface device can be composed of an alarm display device and an alarm sound output device. In this case, the communication control device has a monitored point. It is possible to separate the monitoring information from the alarm display device and the alarm sound output device for internal processing and output.

Thus, the alarm display function and the alarm voice output function can be made independent of each other, and even if one of them fails, the other function can exert a fail-safe function.

[6] In the above [1] to [5], the man-machine interface device includes a display device, and the fact that the communication control device is outputting an alarm can be displayed on the display device.

As a result, it is possible to display on the screen which group is outputting the external alarm.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an external alarm output device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, the communication control device 3 is a monitoring device. 1, a transmission / reception processing unit 31 interconnected with 1, a time management function unit 32 for generating the current time, an external alarm function unit 33 interconnected with the transmission / reception processing unit 31 and the time management function unit 32,
An external alarm file 34 for writing the output status from the external alarm function unit 33, checking the external alarm mode, and checking the output monitoring time (start / end), and an interface connected to the external alarm function unit 33. An interlock function unit 35 for performing lock monitoring, an alarm sound function unit 36 connected to the transmission / reception processing unit 31, an external alarm function unit 33, and an alarm sound function unit 36 are interconnected, and the man-machine interface device 5 is also provided. Display device 50a in FIG.
It corresponds to the printer 5a or the CRT 5b in. ) And a warning voice device 50b (which corresponds to the warning device 5c, but outputs a voice here) and a transmission / reception processing unit 37 interconnected.

Next, the operation of such an embodiment of the external alarm output device according to the present invention will be sequentially described.

First, the external alarm file 34 in the communication control unit 3 divides the man-machine interface unit 5 into n groups, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. The end time, output status, and external alarm mode can be set, and these functions include the above functions [1] to [3] and [6].

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 more specifically. In group 1, the output monitoring start time is 9
When the output monitoring end time is 16:00, the output status indicating whether the external alarm is being output is set to "1", and also indicating whether the external alarm output is being monitored. The external alarm mode is also set to "1".

Similarly, in group 2, the output monitoring start time is set to 17:00 and the output monitoring end time is set to 22.
At the same time, the output status and the external alarm mode are both set to "0".

Further, in group 7, the output monitoring start time is set at 15:00 and the output monitoring end time is set at 18:00. The output status is set to "1" and the external alarm mode is set to "1".

In group 8, the output monitoring start time is set to 7:00 and the output monitoring end time is 1
It is set at 8 o'clock. The output status and external alarm mode are both set to "0".

In such an embodiment, the current time of the external alarm function unit 33 is set to 1 by the time management function unit 32.
It is notified every 0 minutes.

Now, assuming that an alarm is issued at the monitored point P (see FIG. 6) for all groups at 14:30, an alarm generation notification is sent from the monitoring device 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 31. By referring to the external alarm file 34, the received external alarm function unit 33 displays the alarm output request via the transmission / reception processing unit 37 because the output start time zone and the external alarm mode are “1” for the group 1. It is sent to the device 50a to output an external alarm. Since the output status is also "1", the external alarm function unit 33 causes the display device 50a to display an external alarm on the screen via the transmission / reception processing unit 37.

Similarly, in the group 2, since the output monitoring time is out and the external alarm mode is "0", no processing is performed.

Further, regarding the group 7, although it is outside the output monitoring time, since the external alarm mode is "1", the external alarm is output to the display device 50a, and the output status is "1" so that it is displayed on the screen.

Further, regarding the group 8, although it is in the output monitoring time zone, since the external alarm mode is "0", no processing is performed.

In the above case, it is assumed that the alarms are issued to all the groups, but if the group 2 is an alarm group related to fire, for example, the monitoring device 1 detects an abnormality at the monitored point P. When the alarm detection notification is sent from the transmission / reception processing unit 31 to the external alarm function unit 33 and the alarm generation notification is related to a fire, the external alarm function unit 33 outputs the occurrence time in this group 2. An alarm output is generated on the display device 50a in the man-machine interface device 5 belonging to the group 2 only when the alarm occurs between the monitoring start time and the monitoring end time and the external alarm mode is "1".

In FIG. 4, the communication controller 3 has the above-mentioned function [4].
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the case where the external alarm function unit 33 receives an alarm generation notification from the monitoring device 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 31, and the interlock function unit 35 interlocks. Monitor.

That is, when the request confirmation of the output destination is sent from the external alarm function unit 33 to the interlock function unit 35, the interlock function unit 35 refers to the internal interlock table shown in FIG. Due to
It is determined whether or not the interlock condition of each monitored point is set for the group.

As a result, when the condition of the interlock point is "1", it means that the interlock is applied. Therefore, the interlock function unit 35 causes the man-machine through the external alarm function unit 33 and the transmission / reception processing unit 37. The output destination confirmation is executed for the display device 50a in the interface device 5.

The man-machine interface device 5 which has received the output destination confirmation sends an output condition notification back to the interlock function unit 35.

Therefore, by sending this output condition notification in the interlock function unit 35, the external alarm function unit 33 sends the alarm occurrence notification from the monitoring device 1 to the display device 5.
0a to output an external alarm.

However, the interlock function unit 35
When the interlock condition of the table shown in FIG. 5 is "0", the interlock function does not work. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the external alarm output notification is sent directly from the external alarm function unit 33 to the transmission / reception processing unit. It is sent to the display device 50a via 37.

Further, in the present invention, in order to fulfill the above-mentioned function [5], the communication control device 3 is provided with an alarm sound function unit 36. This alarm sound function unit 36 is provided.
Is an external alarm function unit 33 between the transmission / reception processing units 31 and 37.
When the alarm generation notification from the monitoring device 1 is sent to the transmission / reception processing unit 31, the transmission / reception processing unit 31 gives the content of the alarm generation notification to the alarm voice function unit 36. , This alarm voice function unit 36
Converts the content of the alarm into alarm sound data and sends it from the transmission / reception processing unit 37 to the alarm sound device 50b.

Therefore, in the warning voice device 50b, the user can be notified by the voice synthesis signal which monitor device has issued the warning.

As a result, even if the external alarm function unit 33 fails, the alarm sound function unit 36 and the alarm sound device 50.
An external alarm output independent of b can be given to the user.

On the contrary, even when the alarm sound function unit 36 and the alarm sound device 50b fail, the external alarm function unit 33 is used.
If is normal, the external alarm output can be generated as described above.

In this way, the external alarm function and the alarm sound function can be exerted in a fail-safe manner.

In the above embodiment, the external alarm can be output from the output port (card) of the communication control device to the man-machine interface device.
It may be possible to use a facility point of a building instead of the output port to enable notification to a large number of output destinations.

[0056]

As described above, according to the external alarm output device of the present invention, the following unique effects can be obtained.

(1) By grouping the man-machine interface, which is an external alarm point, the output display screen is easy for the user to see. Further, internally, the processing for each type (group) can be performed, so the load on the system can be reduced. (2) The output time zone can be changed for each different external alarm notification destination, and the external alarm output can be monitored only at the required time. (3) Since the interlock is monitored, the false alarm output is reduced. (4) Since the alarm voice function and the external alarm output function are independent of each other, the alarm output backup function can be exerted mutually. (5) Functions for the user such as start / end of external alarm output monitoring and setting of external alarm output time zone for each group are expanded. (6) The user can confirm the current external alarm output status by displaying it on the screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an external alarm output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an external alarm file used in the communication control device in the external alarm output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram more specifically showing the external alarm file shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of an interlock monitoring function in the external alarm output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a table structure of an interlock in the external alarm output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an external alarm output device common to the present invention and a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P Monitored point 1, 11 to 1n Monitoring device 3 Communication control device 5, 51 to 5n Man-machine interface device 5a Printer 5b CRT 5c Alarm device 33 External alarm function unit 34 External alarm file 35 Interlock function unit 36 Alarm voice function unit 50a display device 50b alarm sound device In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A device for sending monitoring information from a monitored point to a man-machine interface device via a communication control device to generate an external alarm output, wherein the communication control device monitors the man-machine interface device for monitoring. An external alarm output device, characterized in that the points are grouped for each type, and the monitoring information is output as an alarm to the corresponding man-machine interface device. 2. The communication control device adds time designation as an alarm output condition of each group.
External alarm output device described in. 3. The external alarm output device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication control device adds presence or absence of monitoring as an alarm output condition for each group. 4. The external alarm according to claim 1, wherein the communication control device has an interlock function for performing an output destination confirmation process with respect to the man-machine interface device. Output device. 5. The man-machine interface device comprises an alarm display device and an alarm sound output device, and the communication control device separates the monitoring information into the alarm display device and the alarm sound output device. The external alarm output device according to claim 1, wherein the external alarm output device processes and outputs. 6. The man-machine interface device includes a display device, and the communication control device causes the display device to display a screen indicating that the alarm is being output. External alarm output device described in.