JPH11120461A - Alarming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely report an alarm sound to an operator without being interrupted by a surrounding noise even in a place such as a central monitor room where the level of a noise is always changing. SOLUTION: Whether or not any operator is present in a central monitor room is detected by a person detecting part 2, and a noise level in the central monitor room is measured by a noise level measuring part 6. Then, an alarm sound is generated with sound volume corresponding to the noise level in the central monitor room to an operator who is present in the central monitor room or an operator who returns to the central monitor room according to the detected result and the measured result. Thus, the operator can know the generation of alarm.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alarm device for notifying a person when an abnormality occurs on a plant or the like to be monitored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a central monitoring room or the like that integrally manages a plant, when a contact output (alarm signal) indicating a plant abnormality is output from a plant monitoring and control device, an alarm sound is output from the alarm device. Thus, an operator in a central monitoring room or the like is notified that an abnormality has occurred.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a conventional alarm device provided in such a central monitoring room or the like.

An alarm device 101 shown in FIG. 1 includes an amplifier 103 for amplifying an alarm signal when a contact 102 on the monitoring control device side is closed and a warning signal is input, and an alarm signal output from the amplifier 103. And a speaker 104 for generating an alarm sound corresponding to the above. This alarm device 101
Then, when a contact signal 102 on the monitoring control device side is closed and a warning signal is input, the warning signal is amplified and a warning sound is output from the speaker 104, and an operator in a central monitoring room or the like is notified to the operator on the plant side. Informs that some abnormality has occurred.

[0005]

However, the above-described conventional alarm device 101 can only output an alarm sound at a constant volume regardless of the surrounding conditions. When the surrounding noise is loud, the warning sound from the speaker 104 may not be heard.

Therefore, it has been practiced to increase the amplification factor of the amplifier 103 to increase the volume of the alarm sound output from the speaker 104. However, in this case, when the surroundings are quiet, the alarm sound is generated. There is a problem that the operator feels noisy and gives an unpleasant feeling to the operator, and other sounds cannot be heard.

Further, in the conventional alarm device 101, even when no operator is present in the central monitoring room or the like, regardless of the alarm, the alarm device 101 is automatically stopped after sounding for a certain period of time. In some cases, the warning could not be conveyed accurately.

On the other hand, as the prior art relating to these warnings, there are other "running warning devices for automatic guided vehicles" disclosed in JP-A-6-149373 and "unmanned guided vehicles" disclosed in JP-A-8-37701. and so on.

However, in these techniques, the surrounding noise is measured in advance at each mark plate portion, and the reference level of the traveling warning sound is set for each mark plate based on the measurement result. In a place such as a monitoring room where the noise level is constantly changing, for example, various alarm sounds and message sounds are emitted randomly from a plurality of devices, this technique cannot be applied as it is.

Still another prior art is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
There is also proposed an "alarm clock with an interpersonal sensor" disclosed in 174870 and a "level crossing alarm generator" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-96838.

However, in these techniques, the operation of a wakeup target or a pedestrian is detected by an infrared sensor or an interpersonal sensor that detects infrared rays in a small area, and based on the detection result, the wakeup sound is output from a wakeup sound generator. Since the wake-up sound is stopped and warnings are given to pedestrians, in environments where multiple operators are distributed over a relatively large area such as a central monitoring room, many infrared sensors and interpersonal sensors are used. Even if it is provided, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect whether or not there is an operator. Also, even with these technologies, even if the presence or absence of an operator can be detected, when all the operators are out of the central monitoring room, if the generation of the alarm sound is stopped,
When these operators return to the central monitoring room, it is not possible to know what audible alarm has been silenced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in claim 1, even in a place where the noise level is constantly changing, such as a central monitoring room, an alarm sound can be accurately given to an operator without being disturbed by surrounding noise. , And
It is desirable to provide an alarm device that can prevent a useless alarm sound from being emitted when an operator is away from a seat and can notify the operator of the occurrence of an alarm as soon as the operator returns. The purpose is.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the central monitoring room or the like is extremely large and the noise level is constantly changing, the alarm sound is accurately notified to the operator without being disturbed by the surrounding noise. When the operator is away from the desk, an unnecessary alarm sound is prevented from being emitted, and as soon as the operator returns, an alarm can be accurately notified to the operator that the alarm is being output. It is intended to provide a device.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a person is present in a predetermined area, the alarm is detected to generate a person detection signal. A human detection unit, a noise level measurement unit that measures a noise level in the predetermined area and generates a noise level detection signal, and whether a human detection signal is output from the human detection unit when an alarm signal is input. Switching means for switching the output destination of the alarm signal based on whether the alarm signal is output, and when the alarm signal is output from the switching means in a state where the human detection signal is not output from the human detection means, the alarm signal is fetched and stored. And when a human detection signal is subsequently output from the human detection means, a storage means for supplying the stored alarm signal to the switching means, and an alarm output from the switching means. Captures the signal, is characterized by comprising an alarm means for generating an alarm sound amplified by the amplification factor corresponding to the value of the noise level detection signal output from the noise level measuring means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the alarm device according to the first aspect, the human detecting means, the noise level measuring means, and the alarming means are arranged for each location in the predetermined area, and are provided for each location. In addition, a human detection process, a noise level measurement process, and an alarm process are performed.

In the above configuration, in the alarm device according to the first aspect, when a person is present in a predetermined area, the person detecting means detects the person, generates a person detection signal, and measures a noise level. The means measures a noise level in the predetermined area and generates a noise level detection signal. When an alarm signal is input in a state where the human detection signal is being generated, the switching unit outputs an alarm sound at a volume corresponding to the value of the noise level detection signal from the alarm unit, and the human detection signal is output. When an alarm signal is input in a state where the alarm signal has not been generated, the switching unit takes in the alarm signal and temporarily stores the alarm signal in the storage unit. Thereafter, when the generation of the human detection signal is restarted, the alarm signal is read from the storage unit, and the alarm unit outputs an alarm sound at a volume corresponding to the value of the noise level detection signal. Thereby, even in a place where the noise level is constantly changing, such as a central monitoring room, the alarm sound is accurately notified to the operator without being disturbed by the surrounding noise, and when the operator is away from the seat, A useless alarm sound is prevented from being emitted, and as soon as the operator returns, the operator is properly notified that the alarm is being issued.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the human detecting means, the noise level measuring means, and the alarming means are arranged for each location in the predetermined area, and for each location, a human detection process is performed.
By performing noise level measurement processing and alarm processing, even when the central monitoring room is extremely wide and the noise level is constantly changing, alarm sounds can be given to the operator without being disturbed by surrounding noise. In addition to providing accurate notification, when the operator is away from the seat, useless warning sounds are not output, and as soon as the operator returns, the operator is notified of the fact that an alarm is being output.

[0018]

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

The alarm device 1a shown in FIG. 1 is attached to, for example, a ceiling portion of a central monitoring room, and detects an operator when the operator is present in the central monitoring room to generate a human detection signal. When the detection unit 2 and the contact 3 on the monitoring and control device side are closed and an alarm signal is supplied, the alarm signal is captured and amplified, and whether or not the human detection signal is output from the human detection unit 2 is determined. A muting circuit 4 for switching the output destination of the amplified alarm signal based on the alarm signal when the alarm signal is output from the muting circuit 4 in a state where the human detection unit is not outputting the human detection signal. On the other hand, when a human detection signal is output from the human detection unit 2 thereafter, the storage circuit 5 that supplies the stored alarm signal to the muting circuit 4 and the top of the central monitoring room A noise level measuring unit 6 that measures a noise level in the central monitoring room and generates a noise level detection signal; and an amplification factor according to a value of the noise level detection signal output from the noise level measurement unit 6. When an alarm signal is being output from the muting circuit 4 while changing the alarm signal, the alarm circuit 7 amplifies the alarm signal and generates an alarm sound.

The human detection unit 2 is mounted on a ceiling or the like such as a central monitoring room, and detects whether a heat source enters or exits one of a plurality of radially extending detection areas to generate a detection signal. A detection signal output from the pyroelectric human detection sensor 8 is processed based on the electric human detection sensor 8 and a preset determination criterion to determine whether or not an operator is in the central monitoring room. And a determination circuit 9 for generating a human detection signal when it is determined that there is a vehicle.

The muting circuit 4 is a switching device 10 for switching between a destination for receiving an alarm signal and a destination for outputting an alarm signal based on whether or not a human detection signal is being output from the human detection section 2.
It has.

When no human detection signal is output from the human detection section 2, the storage circuit 5 performs a storage operation, and
When the output of the human detection signal is restarted from, the storage element 11 that outputs the stored content to the muting circuit 4 is provided.

The noise level measuring section 6 is provided at a ceiling portion of the central monitoring room, and collects ambient noise over a wide range. The microphone 12 is configured based on a plurality of preset reference levels. And a judgment circuit 13 for judging the level of the noise signal output from the controller and generating a noise level detection signal having a value corresponding to the judgment result.

The alarm circuit 7 has a volume setting device 14 for generating a reference volume signal corresponding to an angle set by an operator or the like, and an amplification factor specified by the reference volume signal output from the volume setting device 14 as a reference. A variable amplification factor amplifier 15 that amplifies an alarm signal output from the muting circuit 4 while changing the amplification factor in accordance with the value of the noise level detection signal output from the noise level measurement unit 6;
A speaker 16 is provided for generating an alarm sound based on an alarm signal output from the variable amplification factor amplifier 15.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The human detecting section 2 constantly detects whether or not an operator is present over a wide area in the central monitoring room. When an operator is detected, the human detecting section 2 generates a human detection signal, and outputs the signal to the muting circuit 4. , And the storage circuit 5.

The muting circuit 4 fetches the alarm signal and supplies it to the alarm circuit 7 when an alarm signal is output from the monitoring control device while the human detection signal is being output from the human detection section 2. I do. On the other hand, when an alarm signal is output from the supervisory control device in a state where the human detection signal is not output from the human detection unit 2, the alarm signal is fetched and supplied to the storage circuit 5. Thereafter, when the output of the human detection signal from the human detection unit 2 is restarted, the storage circuit 5 and the monitoring control device are designated as the destinations of the alarm signal for a predetermined period, and the storage circuit 5 and the monitoring If an alarm signal has been output from the control device, it is fetched and supplied to the alarm circuit 7. Then, when a certain period of time is over, the destination of the alarm signal is returned to the original.

On the other hand, the noise level measuring section 6 constantly measures the noise level in the central monitoring room, and based on the measurement result,
A noise level detection signal is generated and supplied to the alarm circuit 7.

The alarm circuit 7 sets an amplification factor according to the value of the noise level detection signal output from the noise level measuring section 6 based on the volume set in the volume setter 14, and sets muting. When an alarm signal is output from the circuit 4, the alarm signal is captured and amplified, and an alarm sound having a volume corresponding to the amplification factor is generated.

As described above, in this embodiment, the presence or absence of an operator in the central monitoring room is detected by the human detecting unit 2 and the noise level in the central monitoring room is measured by the noise level measuring unit 6. Detection result,
According to the measurement result, only when there is an operator in the central monitoring room, at a volume corresponding to the noise level in the central monitoring room,
Since an alarm sound is output,
Even in a place where the noise level is constantly changing, the alarm sound can be accurately notified to the operator without being disturbed by the surrounding noise. Further, when the operator is away from the seat, it is possible to prevent a useless alarm sound from being emitted, and to immediately notify the operator immediately after the operator returns that the alarm has been issued.

<Other Embodiments> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the alarm device according to the present invention. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The alarm device 1b shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of human detection units 2, a plurality of noise level measurement units 6, and a plurality of speakers 16 disposed at each location in the central monitoring room, and a monitoring control device side. When the contact 3 is closed and a warning signal is supplied, it is taken in, amplified by the amplification factor output from each noise level measuring unit 6, and is also detected by each person detecting unit 2.
A muting circuit 4 for switching an output destination based on whether a human detection signal is output from the
When an alarm signal is output from the muting circuit 4 in a state where the human detection signal is no longer output from the device, the alarm signal is captured and stored, and thereafter, the output of the human detection signal from the human detection unit 2 is restarted. A memory circuit 5 for returning the stored alarm signal to the muting circuit 4, and an amplifier circuit 18 for amplifying the alarm signal when the muting circuit 4 outputs the alarm signal.
When the human detection signal is output from each of the human detection units 2, the contact 19 corresponding to each of the human detection units 2 is closed, and the alarm signal output from the amplification circuit 18 is transmitted to each of the speakers 16. And a switching circuit 20 for guiding.

In the alarm device 1b having the above structure, each person detecting section 2 detects whether or not there is an operator at each location in the central monitoring room, and each noise level measuring section 6 determines each operator in the central monitoring room. The noise level is detected. When the contact 3 on the monitoring control device side is closed and an alarm signal is input, the muting circuit 4 amplifies the alarm signal. For a place where an operator is present, a warning sound is output from the speaker 16 at a volume corresponding to the noise level of each place, and for a place where there is no operator,
The alarm signal is stored in the storage circuit 5, and when the operator returns thereafter, the alarm signal stored in the storage circuit 5 is reproduced, and at a volume corresponding to the noise level of each location,
An alarm sound is output from the speaker 16.

As described above, in this embodiment, the human detection unit 2, the noise level measurement unit 6, and the speaker 16 are arranged at each location in the central monitoring room, and the contact 3 on the monitoring control device side is connected. When a warning signal is input in the closed state, a warning sound is output in real time at a volume corresponding to the noise level of each location where an operator is present, and an operator is provided at this location for a location where no operator is present. When the sound returns, the warning sound is output at a volume corresponding to the noise level of each place. Therefore, as in the first embodiment described above, the noise level in the central monitoring room or the like is reduced. Even in a constantly changing place, the alarm sound can be accurately notified to the operator without being disturbed by the surrounding noise, and when the operator is away, no useless alarm sound is output. Paper and as soon as the return is operator, for this operator, it is possible to accurately informed that the alarm has come out.

Further, in this embodiment, for each location in the central monitoring room, the human detection unit 2, the noise level measurement unit 6,
Since the speaker 16 is provided, even when the central monitoring room is large, a detailed warning can be issued, and each operator can be surely recognized by the warning.

In each of the above-described embodiments,
A pyroelectric human detection sensor 8 is arranged in the human detection unit 2 to detect whether or not an operator is in the central monitoring room. However, a human detection sensor other than such a pyroelectric human detection sensor 8 is used. For example, an ultrasonic wave is generated at a preset cycle, and based on a change in the reflected sound, it is determined whether or not there is a moving object, and it is detected whether or not an operator is in the central monitoring room. Captures visible or infrared images in the central monitoring room using an ultrasonic type human sensor or wide-angle lens, and processes these images to detect whether an operator is in the central monitoring room. Alternatively, an image processing type human detection sensor or the like may be used.

In this way, it is also possible to detect whether or not there are operators in all areas in the central monitoring room.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, even in a place where the noise level is constantly changing, such as a central monitoring room, the alarm sound can be obtained without being disturbed by the surrounding noise. Can be accurately notified to the operator, and when the operator is away from the desk, unnecessary warning sound is prevented from being emitted, and as soon as the operator returns, the operator is properly notified that the alarm is issued. Can be informed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the central monitoring room or the like is extremely large and the noise level is constantly changing, the alarm sound can be accurately notified to the operator without being disturbed by the surrounding noise. When the operator is away from the desk, it is possible to prevent a useless alarm sound from being emitted, and to notify the operator of the occurrence of an alarm as soon as the operator returns.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the alarm device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a conventionally known alarm device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b alarm device 2 person detection unit 3 contact 4 muting circuit (switching means) 5 storage circuit 6 noise level measurement unit 7 alarm circuit 8 pyroelectric human detection sensor 9 determination circuit 10 switch 11 storage element 12 microphone 13 determination Circuit 14 Volume setting device 15 Variable amplification factor amplifier 16 Speaker 17 Fixed amplification factor amplifier 18 Amplifier circuit 19 Contact 20 Switching circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A human detecting means for detecting when a person is present in a predetermined area and generating a human detection signal, and measuring a noise level in the predetermined area to generate a noise level detection signal. Level measurement means, when an alarm signal is input, switching means for switching the output destination of the alarm signal based on whether or not the human detection signal is output from the human detection means, and human detection from the human detection means When a signal is not being output and an alarm signal is output from the switching unit,
A memory for supplying the stored alarm signal to the switching unit when the human detection signal is output from the human detection unit while storing and storing the alarm signal, and an alarm signal output from the switching unit. And an alarm unit for generating an alarm sound amplified at an amplification factor according to the value of the noise level detection signal output from the noise level measurement unit. 2. The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the person detecting means, the noise level measuring means, and the alarming means are arranged at each location in the predetermined area, and a person is detected at each location. An alarm device which performs processing, noise level measurement processing, and alarm processing.