NL2006468C2

NL2006468C2 - Isolator device for passing through a signal.

Info

Publication number: NL2006468C2
Application number: NL2006468A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Willemjan Johannes Jonkman
Original assignee: Astrea Intellectueel Eigendomsrecht B V
Priority date: 2011-03-25
Filing date: 2011-03-25
Publication date: 2012-09-26

Description

Isolator device for passing through a signal FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices for passing through a signal and in particular to isolator 5 devices in evacuation systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Emergency evacuation systems in accordance with class A comprise signalling devices wired in a loop comprising a signalling line. In case of evacuation, the loop is provided 10 with an evacuation signal from a base station. The loop comprises isolator devices like the Astrea isolator type ASB-11 till 22. The isolator devices are connected by the signalling line. The loop wiring comprises two conductors like a pair of wires or a coax cable. The loop wiring is interrupted by the isolator. The isolator receives a signal on a receiving module via the signalling line.

15

Upon reception of the signal, the signal is retransmitted via a sending unit. The quality of the signal sent out is tested. In case the quality of the signal does not meet certain quality standards with respect to for example voltage and/or current, the sending of the signal is interrupted as an out of spec voltage and/or current may indicate a short or 2 0 open in a signalling line that is part of the loop. Subsequently, the loop is fed from the other side via signalling lines in the loop that are still in good state.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is preferred to have a device with which an erroneous location in the loop can be 25 determined.

The invention provides in a first aspect an isolator device for passing through a signal comprising: a first terminal for receiving a signal; a second terminal for sending the received signal; a signal quality monitoring module for monitoring the quality of the 30 signal sent by via the second terminal; a pass through module for passing the signal through from the first terminal to the second terminal; a memory module arranged for storing identification information identifying the device a control module arranged to receive information from the signal integrity monitoring module; instruct the pass 2 through module to pass through the signal received from the first terminal to the second terminal if the quality of the signal sent by means of the second terminal meets predetermined criteria; instruct the pass through module not to pass through the signal from the first terminal if the quality of the signal sent by means of the second transceiver 5 module connection does not meet pre-determined criteria; generate an error signal if the quality of the signal sent by means of the second terminal does not meet predetermined criteria, the error signal comprising the identification information; and send said signal via the first terminal.

10 With the device sending an error signal comprising the identification information, the location of the error can be detected. With the identification information available, the device directly connected to an erroneous part of the loop can be determined. This reduces the amount of work required for finding an error compared to a situation where devices do not send out error messages comprising identification information.

15

In an embodiment of the isolator device according to the invention, the control module is arranged to: retrieve instruction data comprised by the received signal; and execute the retrieved instructions.

2 0 An advantage of this embodiment is that operation of the isolator device can be remotely controlled.

In a further embodiment of the isolator device according to the invention, the control module is further arranged to: retrieve identification information comprised by the 2 5 received signal; and execute the retrieved instructions if the identification information derived from the signal matches a pre-determined criterion.

With this embodiment, a specific isolator device in an evacuation system can be addressed specifically.

30

In yet another embodiment of the isolator device according to the invention, The isolator device comprises a third terminal operatively connected to the control module for connecting the isolator device to another device; and the control module is arranged to 3 send information comprised by the received signal through the third terminal upon being instructed to do so.

This largely enhances the functionality of the isolator device.

5

An embodiment of the isolator device according to the invention comprises a speaker connection module operatively connectable to a speaker for providing sound information comprised by a sound signal received by the device through the first terminal or the second terminal to the speaker.

10

In this embodiment, the signalling line between devices is not interrupted by further speaker devices, so the integrity of a part of a signalling line between two devices is tested by a device. Furthermore, as there are no further connections or interruptions of the signalling line between two devices, that part of the signalling line is less prone to 15 failures.

The invention provides in a second aspect a system comprising a base station comprising a base sending module for sending data; at least one isolator device according to claim 7 and claims dependent thereon for receiving data sent by the bases 2 0 station wherein the first terminal of the device is connected to the base sending unit; and a speaker connected to the isolator device for reproducing the audio information comprised by the data sent by the base station and received by the device as an audible signal.

25 Such system provides an efficient and convenient evacuation system for a building.

An embodiment of the system according to the invention comprises a multitude of isolator devices according to claim 7 and claims dependent thereon, wherein the isolator devices are connected in series and in a loop by connecting the second terminal 30 of a first isolator device to the first terminal of a second isolator device, wherein the first terminal of the first isolator device is connected to the base station and the second terminal of the last isolator device in the series is connected to the base station.

4

Such system provides an efficient and convenient evacuation system for a building.

Another embodiment of the system according to the invention comprises a first isolator device according to claim 3 or 4 and a second isolator device according to claim 3 or 4 5 connected in series with the multitude of isolator devices according to any of the claim 7 and claims dependent thereon; a further multitude of isolator devices according to any of the claim 7 and claims dependent thereon connected in series and in a further loop; a third isolator device according to claim 3 or 4 and a fourth isolator device according to claim 3 or 4, connected in series and in the further loop with the further multitude of 10 isolator devices according to any of the claim 7 and claims dependent thereon; wherein: the third terminal of the first isolator device according to claim 3 or 4 is connected to the third terminal of the third isolator device according to claim 3 or 4 for transferring data from the loop to the further loop and vice versa; and the third terminal of the second isolator device according to claim 3 or 4 is connected to the third terminal of the fourth 15 isolator device according to claim 3 or 4 for transferring data from the loop to the further loop and vice versa.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous in large buildings that for example comprise multiple floors. Rather than routing multiple loops from for example a ground 2 0 floor where the base station is located, one loop is provided from ground floor to top floor, with several sub loops branching from the main loop. This largely reduces wiring through the building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

25 The invention will now be discussed in further detail by means of Figures. In the Figures,

Figure 1: shows an evacuation system; 30 Figure 2: shows an isolator device;

Figure 3: shows a power isolator device; 5

Figure 4: shows a base station;

Figure 5: shows another evacuation system; 5 Figure 6: shows a further evacuation system;

Figure 7 A: shows an evacuation system in a first defective situation;

Figure 7 B: shows an evacuation system in a second defective situation; and 10

Figure 7 C: shows an evacuation system in a third defective situation.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows an evacuation system 100 comprising a first isolator device 110.1 15 having a first pair of speakers 112.1 connected thereto, a second isolator device 110.2 having a second pair of speakers 112.2 connected thereto, a third isolator device 110.3 having a third pair of speakers 112.3 connected thereto, a fourth isolator device 110.4 having a fourth pair of speakers 112.4 connected thereto, a fifth isolator device 110.5 having a fifth pair of speakers 112.5n connected thereto, a sixth isolator device 110.6 2 0 having a sixth pair of speakers 112.6 connected thereto and a base station 120 connected to the first isolator device 110.1 and the sixth isolator device 110.6.

Between the second isolator device 110.2 and the third isolator device 110.3 a first power isolator device 130.1 is provided. Between the fourth isolator device 110.4 and 2 5 the fifth isolator device 110.5 a second power isolator device 130.2 is provided. The power isolator device 130 is particularly arranged for powering isolator devices 110 in the evacuation system 100. In this embodiment, the power isolator devices 130 do not have a pair of speakers 112 connected to them.

3 0 With the isolator devices 110 and the power isolator devices 130 connected to one another in series by signalling lines, the isolator devices 110 and the base station 120 are connected in a loop. The signalling lines are preferably provided by pairs of electrical conductors, either in parallel as a pair of wires or coaxially with a centre 6 conductive wire, surrounded by an insulating cladding which is in case clad by a conductor.

Figure 2 shows an isolator device 110 in further detail. The isolator device 110 5 comprises a microprocessor 202 as a control module for controlling the operation of the various elements of the isolator device 110, a first transceiver 204, a second transceiver 206, a pass through module 208, a signal quality monitoring module 210, a memory module 212, a sound processor 214 and a capacitor 216 as energy storage module. The capacitor 216 is on one side connected to ground of the isolator device. On another 10 side, the capacitor 216 is connected to the various elements of the isolator device 110 for providing them with energy stored in the capacitor 216. The capacitor 216 is connected to a conductor of the signalling line connected to a first terminal 222. Alternatively, the capacitor is connected to a conductor of the signalling line connected to a second terminal 224. The capacitor is charged by electrical power provided by the 15 signalling lines connected to the isolator device 110.

The pass through module comprises a first MOSFET 242 for switching a first signaling line conductor 226 provided between the first terminal 222 and the second terminal 224 and a second MOSFET 244 for switching a second signaling line conductor 228 2 0 provided between the first terminal 222 and the second terminal 224. The operation of the first MOSFET 242 and the second MOSFET 244 is controlled by the microprocessor 202. Switching the first MOSFET 242 and the second MOSFET 244 determines whether a signal received at the first terminal 222 is passed through to the second terminal 224 and vice versa.

25

The first transceiver 204 and the second transceiver 206 share a common first signalling line conductor 226 and the second signalling line conductor 228. The first transceiver 204 comprises a first inductive coupling 236 for providing a galvanic separation between the various other elements of the isolator device 110 and the first 30 signaling line conductor 226 and the second signalling line conductor 228. The second transceiver 206 comprises a second inductive coupling 238 for providing a galvanic separation between the various other elements of the isolator device 110 and the second signalling line conductor and the second signalling line conductor.

7

Both inductive couplings are on a first side connected to the first signalling line conductor 226 and the second signalling line conductor 228. At a second side, both inductive couplings are coupled to a common transceiver circuit 230 shared by the first 5 transceiver 204 and the second transceiver 206. The transceiver circuit 210 preferably comprises the INT6400 and INT1400 circuits of Intellon. This combination of circuits receives a physical signal and provides information at MAC level for further processing by the microprocessor 202. Alternatively, other similar or equivalent circuits of Intellon or other suppliers may be used. Both inductive couplings are in particular coupled to a 10 receiver sub circuit 232 of the transceiver circuit 210 and a transmitter sub circuit 234 of the transceiver circuit 210. In this way, the isolator device 110 is enabled to send and receive data from the first terminal 222 and the second terminal 224.

The transceiver circuit 210 is arranged to send and receive multiple data messages in 15 one signal. The data messages are provided in parallel by means of frequency division multiplexing (FDM). Signals send through the evacuation system 100 (Figure 1) are preferably sent with a base carrier frequency between 30 MFIz and 60 MHz, though other frequencies are possible as well. With audio data being limited to a frequency of for example 5 kHz, a signal with a base carrier frequency of 30 MHz can carry up to 2 0 3000 parallel channels. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that this is a theoretical upper limit determined by means of the Nyquist rate and that in practice with non-ideal signalling lines, the number of parallel channels available will be less. In particular in critical scenarios like fire evacuation and fire detection, reliability has priority over everything. That condition, together with desired cable length and available cable 2 5 quality, the number of parallel lines available with FDM is still considerable. In practice, about 200 to about 400 frequency channels can be well achieved.

The transceiver circuit 210 comprises a signal quality monitoring module 210 for monitoring the signal sent out by the transceiver circuit 210.

30

The sound processor 214 comprises in this embodiment two amplifiers 260 that are preferably class D amplifiers. One speaker 112 is connectable to each amplifier 260.

8

The sound processor 214 may comprise further circuitry for providing a PWM signal to the class D amplifiers.

In the memory module 212, identification information identifying the isolator device 110 5 and in particular uniquely identifying the isolator device 110 is stored. In addition, computer executable instructions that can be executed by the microprocessor 202 are stored in the memory module 212. The isolator device 110 further comprises a digital input/output module 250 connected to the microprocessor 202. The digital input/output module 250 enables the isolator device 110 and in particular the microprocessor 202 to 10 connect to and communicate with other devices. Such devices may include a control unit for controlling the evacuation system 100 (Figure 1), signalling lamps, fire detectors, I/O extenders for providing additional input/output connections, audio input and output modules, data read out units for reading out data related to the status of the evacuation system 100, other, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, analogue input 15 and output modules may be provided. The digital input/output module 250 may comprise optical and/or electrical connectors in commonly standardised as well as proprietary formats.

Figure 3 shows a power isolator device in further detail. The power isolator device 130 2 0 comprises a microprocessor 302 as a control module for controlling the operation of the various elements of the power isolator device 130, a first transceiver 304 comprising a first transceiver circuit 332, a second transceiver 306 comprising a second transceiver circuit 334, a pass through module 308, signal quality monitoring modules 310 provided in the first transceiver circuit 332 and the second transceiver circuit 334 and a memory 25 module 312.

The first transceiver circuit 332 and the second transceiver circuit 334 preferably comprise the INT6400 and INT1400 circuits of Intellon. Alternatively, other similar or equivalent circuits of Intellon or other suppliers may be used. In the memory module 30 312, identification information identifying the power isolator device 130 and in particular uniquely identifying the power isolator device 130 is stored. In addition, computer executable instructions that can be executed by the microprocessor 302 are stored in the memory module 312.

9

The first transceiver circuit 332 is coupled to a first terminal 322 of the power isolator device 130 via a first inductive coupling 336 and the second transceiver circuit 334 is coupled to a second terminal 324 of the power isolator device 130 via a second 5 inductive coupling 338. In this way, the further elements of the power isolator device 130 are galvanically separated from the first terminal 322 and the second terminal 324 to which signalling lines may be provided for connecting the power isolator device 130 to other power isolator devices 130 or isolator devices (Figure 1, Figure 2).

10 Preferably, the pass through module 308 is omitted to also separate the first terminal 322 from the second terminal 324. Alternatively, the pass through module is embodied comprising a relay rather than a MOSFET. For passing through information from the first terminal 322 to the second terminal 324, information is retrieved from a signal received at the first terminal 322 by the first transceiver circuit 332 and subsequently 15 provided to the second transceiver circuit 334 for generating a signal comprising the information retrieved from the signal retrieved at the first terminal 322 and providing the generated signal at the second terminal 324.

The power isolator device 130 is particularly arranged for powering isolator devices 110 2 0 in the evacuation system 100 depicted by Figure 1. For this purpose, the first transceiver circuit 332 and the second transceiver circuit 334 are connected to a power line 360. The power line 360 is connected to a mains power supply, a battery, another power supply or a combination thereof.

25 The power isolator device 130 further comprises a digital input/output module 350 connected to the microprocessor 302. The digital input/output module 350 enables the power isolator device 130 and in particular the microprocessor 302 to connect to and communicate with other devices. Additionally or alternatively, analogue input and output modules may be provided.

30

Figure 4 shows the base station 120 in further detail. The base station 120 comprises a microprocessor 402 as a control module for controlling the operation of the various elements of the base station 120, a first base transceiver 404 connected to a first base 10 terminal 422, a second base transceiver 406 connected to a second base terminal 424, a memory module 412 and an external communication module 416. The memory module 412 may have computer executable instruction stored on it to program the base microprocessor 402. Additionally, the base microprocessor is arranged for storing 5 identification information related to isolator devices 110 (Figure 1) and power isolator devices 130 (Figure 1).

The first base transceiver 404 and the second base transceiver 406 are arranged to send and receive multiple data messages in one signal. The data messages are 10 provided in parallel by means of frequency division multiplexing (FDM), as discussed in conjunction with Figure 2.

The operation of the evacuation system 100 will now be discussed in conjunction with Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3. The evacuation system 100 is used for reproduction of 15 evacuation signals like alarm sounds, in particular the so-called slow whoop sound, and spoken messages. An alarm signal is sent by the base station 120 by means of the first base transceiver 404 to the first isolator device 110.1. The first isolator device 110.1 receives the alarm signal via the first terminal 222 by means of the first transceiver 204. The reception of the alarm signal is registered by the microprocessor 202 and passed to 2 0 the speaker 112 by the sound processor 214 for reproduction as an audible sound by a connected speaker 112. The alarm signal received by via a first terminal 222 can is sent to the second terminal 224 via the pass through module 208 upon instruction of the microprocessor 202. The signal sent via the second terminal 224 of the first isolator device 110.1 is received by the first transceiver 204 of the second isolator device 110.2, 2 5 where the same operation is repeated.

In a preferred embodiment, the alarm signal comprises in particular alarm information dedicated to a specific room in a building in which the evacuation system 100 is located. For example, the particular information is dedicated to a lift system with an instruction to 3 0 remain calm and wait for help or to a room giving access to the lift system with an instruction not to use the lifts and the stairs instead. Alternatively, in case fire is only detected in a specific room, one may prefer to provide only that room with an audible alarm. Such information is in this embodiment accompanied with identification 11 information like address information with a unique address or an address range. The address is to identify a specific isolator device 110. The base station 120 has the addresses of the isolator devices 110 of the evacuation system 100 stored in the memory module 312.

5

Upon receiving an instruction to send out an alarm signal, the base microprocessor 402 sends out an alarm signal comprising alarm information to the loop of isolator devices 110 by means of the first base transceiver 404. The instruction to send out an alarm signal is received via the external communication module 416. The external 10 communication module 316 may for that purpose be connected to a fire detection system. The base station 120 may also be integrated with a base station for fire detection. Alternatively, a button or other sensor is provided on the base station 120 for instructing the base station 120 to send out an alarm signal.

15 In case dedicated alarm information is required or preferred for a specific room and/or a specific isolator devices 110 located in a specific room, the alarm information is accompanied with an address of a specific isolator device 110 or an address range identifying multiple specific isolator devices 110. Dedicated and/or general alarm information is preferably stored in the base memory module 312. Dedicated alarm 2 0 information may be coupled to certain addresses of certain isolator devices 110.

Alternatively, general and/or dedicated alarm information is provided to the base station 120 via the external communication module 316.

In order to recognise alarm information specifically indicated for a specific isolator 25 device 110, the memory module 212 has in this embodiment an address stored in it to identify the isolator device 110. Upon reception of signal information comprising address information by the first transceiver 204, the microprocessor 202 compares the address information in the signal with the address information stored in the memory module 212.

3 0 If the address information comprised by the alarm signal received relates to the address information stored in the memory module 212 and in particular if the address information matches, the dedicated alarm information received is passed through to the sound processor 214. It is noted that the speaker 112 and the isolator device 110 are 12 not necessarily located in the same room. It is noted that a relation between the address information comprised by the alarm signal received and the address information stored in the memory module 212 can also be related if there is no match when the address information stored in the memory module 212 is within a range of address information 5 comprised by the alarm signal received.

Referring to the isolator device 110, upon passing through the alarm signal by the pass through module 208, the quality of the signal sent out is tested by the signal quality monitoring module 210. The signal quality monitoring module 210 tests in particular 10 whether the signal on the second signaling line connection 224 has a voltage within a pre-determined range and/or whether the signal sent out has a current within a predetermined range. A too low voltage and/or a too high current may indicate a short circuit further downstream; a too low current or no current at all may indicate an open circuit further downstream. This applies to the signal quality monitoring modules 310 as 15 well.

Figure 5 shows another evacuation system 500. The evacuation system 500 comprises a first loop 510 of isolator devices 110 and power isolator devices 130 and a second loop 520 of isolator devices 110 and power isolator devices 130. The first loop 510 2 0 comprises a base station 120. A first power isolator device 130.1 comprised by the first loop 510 is connected to a third power isolator device 130.3 comprised by the second loop 520. A second power isolator device 130.2 comprised by the first loop 510 is connected to a fourth power isolator device 130.4 comprised by the second loop 520. The pairs of power isolator devices 130 are connected via the digital input/output 2 5 modules 350 of each power isolator device 130. Alternatively, the loops are connected to one another via isolator devices 110.

Data messages comprising sound data and instruction data intended to be reproduced or executed by isolator devices 110 and the power isolator devices 130 comprised by 30 the second loop 520 are issued by the base station 120. In one embodiment, the data intended for the second loop 520 is addressed directly to the second loop by addressing for example data intended for an eighth isolator device 110.8 comprised by the second loop 520 by including identification information of the eighth isolator device 110.8 in the 13 data. The data is subsequently routed via the first power isolator 130.1 and the third power isolator 130.3 to the eight isolator device 110.8.

In this embodiment, the first power isolator is aware of the eight isolator device 110.8 5 being in the second loop 520. The data is derived from a signal received by either one of the terminals of the first power isolator 130.1, transmitted to the third power isolator 130.3 via the digital input/output modules 350 of the first power isolator device 130.1 and the third power isolator device 130.3. The third power isolator device 130.3 subsequently generates a signal for the second loop 520, issued by either one of the 10 transceivers of the third power isolator device 130.3 and comprising the data intended for the eight isolator device 110.8.

In another embodiment, the data intended for and addressed to the eight isolator device 110.8 is carried in an envelope message addressed to the first power isolator device 15 130.1. The envelope message carries instructions for the first power isolator device 130.1 to provide the data intended for the eighth isolator device to the second loop 520, where it is received by the eighth isolator device 110.8.

Figure 6 shows a further evacuation system 600. The evacuation system 600 comprises 2 0 a primary loop 610 only comprising power isolator devices 130 and a base station 120. In a slightly varying embodiment, the primary loop 610 also comprises one or more isolator devices 110. The evacuation system 600 further comprises a first secondary loop 620 comprising several isolator devices 110 and two or more power isolator devices 130 of which at least two are connected to power isolator devices 130 2 5 comprised by the primary loop 610.

Data comprising sound data intended to be reproduced by a specific device in a secondary loop or instruction data intended to be executed by the specific device in a secondary loop is addressed to the specific device as discussed in conjunction with 30 Figure 5. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for buildings having multiple floors above one another. Instead of routing separate loops from the base station 120 that is for example located at the ground floor to the various floors of the building, only one loop - the primary loop 610 - is routed from the ground floor to the top floor, with two 14 power isolator devices 130 provided at each floor. At each floor, a secondary loop like the first secondary loop 620 and the second secondary loop 630 is provided and connected to the primary loop 610 via power isolator devices 130.

5 It is noted that one specific isolator device 120 comprised by the second secondary loop 630 does not have a speaker 112 connected to it, but a signalling lamp 612. The signalling lamp 612 is connected to the specific isolator device 120 via the digital input/output module 250 of the specific isolator device 110. For this specific purpose, the digital input/output module 250 may be arrange for an analogue input/output mode 10 as well for providing power to the signalling lamp 612. The signalling lamp 612 is powered by electrical power provided by a power isolator device 130 comprised by the second secondary loop 630. Alternatively or additionally, other components may be connected to the specific isolator device 110 like fire detectors, I/O extenders for providing additional input/output connections, audio input and output modules, data 15 read out units for reading out data related to the status of the evacuation system 600, other, or a combination thereof.

As discussed, the quality of signals sent out by the isolator devices 110 and the power isolator devices 130 is monitored to detect errors in the evacuation systems they are 2 0 comprised by. This will be further discussed in conjunction with Figure 7 A, Figure 7 B and Figure 7 C, as well as Figure 2 and Figure 4. Figure 7 A, Figure 7 B and Figure 7 C depict an evacuation system 700 as a simplified version of the evacuation system 100 depicted by Figure 1. The evacuation system 700 does not comprise power isolator devices 130. It is noted that with respect to the disclosure discussed hereafter, the 25 functionality of the isolator devices 110 discussed hereafter can be executed by power isolator devices 130 as well.

In emergency operation where evacuation is required, an alarm signal is relayed from the base station 120 back to the base station 120 via the first isolator device 110.1, the 30 second isolator device 110.2, the third isolator device 110.3 and the fourth isolator device 110.4 in the mode discussed above, by the pass through modules 208 passing signals from the first signalling line connection 222 to the second signalling line connection 224 of the isolator devices 110. In a non-alarm state of the evacuation 15 system 110, a test signal is periodically relayed from and to the base station 120 via the isolator devices 110.

Additionally or alternatively, in particular if the isolator devices 110 are powered by a 5 signal sent by the base station 120, a power signal is periodically relayed from and to the base station 120. In case power isolator devices 130 (Figure 1, Figure 3) are provided in the evacuation system 700, the can provide a power signal as well. The power signal may also be employed as a test signal, as will be discussed later. Both the test signal and the power signal may be sent independently from one another. In a 10 preferred embodiment, the power signal is provided at two sides of the evacuation system 100 and the test signal is provided from left to right, being passed clockwise through the loop of the evacuation system 100.

The power signal is in normal mode passed through the loop of the evacuation system 15 100, where the isolator devices 110 act as transparent signal gates, passing through the test signal without further interaction.

The test signal is passed through the evacuation system, where each isolator device 110 returns a response signal that the isolator device is in good order. In order to check 2 0 that the isolator device 110 is in good order, the isolator device 110 runs a self diagnosis routine, including a check whether at least one speaker 112 is connected to the isolator device 110 and whether characteristics of the test signal related to a neighbouring isolator device 110 are within certain boundaries. The response signal includes identification of the specific isolator device 110 sending the response signal.

25

In the case depicted by Figure 7 A, there is an open in the signal line between the second isolator device 110.2 and the third isolator device 110.3. This is detected by the signal quality monitoring module 210 of the second isolator device 110.2 as discussed above as the current level is too low. Upon detection of the short in the signal line, the 30 signal quality monitoring module 210 of the second isolator device 110.2 reports to the microprocessor 202 that the signal send by the second transceiver 206 does not meet pre-set quality requirements, like the voltage and current requirements discussed above. Subsequently, the microprocessor 220 generates an error message and the type 16 of error and instructs the first transceiver to send out a signal comprising the error message and the identification information of the second isolator device 110.2.

The error signal is received by the first base transceiver 304 and passed on to the base 5 microprocessor 302. Preferably, this information is provided to a person operating the evacuation system 100 so appropriate action can be taken for repair. Upon receiving the error signal comprising the error message and the identification information of the second isolator device 110.2, the base microprocessor 302 determined the location of the second isolator 110.2 in the loop of the evacuation system 100 and instructs the 10 third isolator 110.3 to reverse operation. This is done by sending a signal comprising reversal message to the third isolator 110.3 by means of the second base transceiver 306. This message is received by the second transceiver 206 of the third isolator 110.3 and passed on to the microprocessor 202.

15 The microprocessor 202 subsequently instructs the first transceiver 204 to take over functionality of the second transceiver 206 and the second transceiver 206 to take over the functionality of the first transceiver 204. The same instruction is also sent to the fourth isolator device 110.4. This means that the functionality of the first transceiver 204 and that of the second transceiver is at least substantially the same. Alternatively, the 2 0 first transceiver 204 and the second transceiver 206 are always in a listening mode, unless they are instructed to send a signal and in case one of the two transceivers receives a signal, the signal will be reproduced by the other transceiver.

In this way, the defective signal line between the second isolator device 110.2 and the 25 third isolator device 110.3 is isolated and the functionality of the evacuation system 100 is maintained. A first half of the loop of the evacuation system 100 with the isolator devices 110 is fed by the first base transceiver 304 and a second half of the loop of the evacuation system 100 is fed by the second base transceiver 306. Advantageously, the second isolator device 110.2 and the third isolator device 110.3 are instructed not to 30 relay any signals forward anymore. In another embodiment, the second isolator device 110.2 and the third isolator device 110.3 periodically test the status of the signal line between them and report back in case the signal line is restored.

17

In the case depicted by Figure 7 B, the third isolator device 110.3 is not functional anymore. This may have several causes, like loss of power or dysfunctional elements. If a signal sent out by the second transceiver of the second isolator device 110.2 or passed through by the pass through module 208 does not meet the pre-set quality 5 requirements, the signal quality monitoring module 210 of the second isolator device 110.2 will generate an error. This will trigger the second isolator device 110.2 to send an error signal to the base station 120 as discussed above. Preferably, this information is provided to a person operating the evacuation system 100 so appropriate action can be taken for repair. If the third isolator device 110.3 is only partially operational but still able 10 to run self-diagnostics and to send out an error message, the third isolator device 110.3 will report itself to be in an error state.

If a signal sent out by the second transceiver of the second isolator device 110.2 meets the pre-set quality requirements, the signal quality monitoring module 210 of the second 15 isolator device 110.2 will not generate an error. As the third isolator device 110.3 is not operational anymore, it will not relay any information anymore to the fourth isolator device 110.4 and the base station 120. In this way, the base station 120 will detect that there is an issue in the loop of isolator devices 110.

2 0 To detect the location of the problem, the base station 120 will hail all isolator devices 110 in the loop of the evacuation system 100 to report by means of the first base transceiver 304 and the second base transceiver 306. In an alternative embodiment, all isolator devices 110 report regularly and preferably periodically to the base station 110. Sending such a reporting signals may be triggered at pre-determined intervals 25 controlled by the isolator devices themselves. Alternatively or additionally, sending such reporting signals is triggered by receiving the test signal as discussed above. If a specific isolator device 110 does not report itself to the base station 110 within a predetermined time limit, the base station will understand that there is an issue in the loop.

30 Upon detecting that the third isolator device 110.3 is dysfunctional, the fourth isolator 110.4 is instructed to reverse operational direction of relaying signals as discussed before. If the loop would comprise more isolator devices 110 like a fifth and a sixth one, those isolator devices 110 would be instructed as well to reverse operation. This means 18 that within the evacuation system 100, only the third isolator device 110.3 is not operational anymore and that other devices would still be operational and operatively connected to the base station 120, either via the first base transceiver 304 or the second base transceiver 306.

5

Figure 7 C depicts another erroneous situation, where the third speaker 112.3 is not properly connected to the third isolator device 110.3. In this embodiment, the sound processor 214 of the third isolator device 110.3 is arranged to detect whether the third speaker is properly connected to the third isolator device 110.3 and in particular to the 10 sound processor 214. If the third speaker 112.3 is not properly connected to the third isolator device 110.3 as depicted by Figure 7 C, the sound processor 214 generates an error message and transmits the error message to the microprocessor 202. Subsequently, the microprocessor 202 instructs the either the first transceiver 204 or the second transceiver 206 to send an error signal comprising the error message 15 together with identification information identifying the third isolator device 110.3 to the base station 120.

Upon receiving this error signal, the base station 120 is informed that the third speaker 112.3 is unable to reproduce alarm messages intended to be reproduced by the third 2 0 speaker via the third isolator device 110.3. Preferably, this information is provided to a person operating the evacuation system 100 so appropriate action can be taken for repair. Optionally, alarm information intended for the third speaker 112.3 is rerouted to the second speaker 112.2 via the second isolator 110.2 or the fourth speaker 112.4 via the fourth isolator.

25

Expressions such as "comprise", "include", "incorporate", "contain", "is" and "have" are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be 30 construed in be a reference to the plural and vice versa.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being "on", "onto" or "connected to" another 19 element, the element is either directly on or connected to the other element, or intervening elements may also be present.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided 5 in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

10 A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, 15 but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims.

Claims

An isolator device for transmitting a signal, comprising: a) A first terminal for receiving a signal; b) A second terminal for sending the received signal; c) A signal quality monitoring module for monitoring the quality of the signal sent through the second terminal; d) A pass module for passing the signal from the first terminal to the second terminal; e) A memory module adapted to store identification information which identifies the device; F) A control module adapted to: i) Receive information from the signal quality monitoring module; ii) instructing the pass module to forward the received signal from the first terminal to the second terminal if the quality of the signal sent through the second terminal meets predetermined criteria; iii) instructing the pass module not to forward the signal from the first terminal to the second terminal if the quality of the signal sent through the second terminal 2. does not meet the predetermined criteria; iv) generate an error signal if the quality of the signal sent through the second terminal does not meet predetermined criteria, which error signal comprises the identification information; V) The error signal to be sent via the first terminal.

An isolator device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged to: a) Retrieve instruction data included in the received signal; 35 b) Execute the instructions received.

The isolator device of claim 2, wherein the control module is further adapted to: a) retrieve identification information included in the received signal; b) Execute the received instructions if the identification information derived from the received signal meets a predetermined criterion. 10

An isolator device according to claim 3, wherein: a) The control module is arranged to identify the information derived from the received signal with the identification information stored in the memory module; and b) The predetermined criterion is that the identification information derived from the signal corresponds to the identification information stored in the memory module.

The isolator device of claim 2, wherein: 2. a) The isolator device comprises a third terminal operatively connected to the control module to connect the isolator device to another device; and b) The control module is arranged to send information contained in the received signal through the third terminal by an instruction to perform it.

The isolator device of claim 5, wherein the third terminal is operatively connected to the control module via a digital transceiver.

An isolator device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a loudspeaker connection module operably connectable to a loudspeaker for supplying sound information comprising a sound signal received by the device via the first terminal or second terminal to the loudspeaker.

The isolator device of claim 7, wherein the control module is further adapted to: a) retrieve identification information and sound information included in the received signal; b) Deliver the derived sound information to the speaker connection module for reproduction as an audible signal if the identification information meets a predetermined criterion.

9. An isolator device according to claim 7, wherein the control module is adapted to: a) Detect whether a loudspeaker is operatively connected to the loudspeaker connection module; b) If no speaker is detected, generate a message that no speaker is operatively connected to the speaker connection module; c) Send this message via the first or the second terminal.

The isolator device of claim 7, wherein the 2 o loudspeaker connection module comprises a class D amplifier.

An isolator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pass module comprises at least one switch. 2 5

The isolator device of claim 11, wherein the switch comprises an electronic switch.

An isolator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pass module comprises a first transceiver which connects the first terminal to the control module and a second transceiver which connects the second terminal to the control module.

14. An isolator device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are adapted to derive a plurality of data streams comprising the received signal, wherein a plurality of data streams are multiplexed in the received signal by means of frequency division multiplexing.

Isolator device according to claim 13, wherein the first transceiver is connected to the first terminal via a first inductive coupling and the second transceiver is connected to the second terminal via a second inductive coupling.

A system comprising: a) A base station comprising a basic transmit module for transmitting a signal comprising sound information; B) At least one device according to any of claims 7 and claims dependent thereon for deriving audio information from the signal wherein the first terminal of the device is connected to the basic transmit module; c) A loudspeaker connected to the device for converting the audio information derived from the signal received by the device into an audible signal.

17. System as claimed in claim 16, comprising a plurality of isolator devices as claimed in any of the claims 7 and claims dependent thereon, wherein the devices are connected in series and in a loop by connecting the second terminal of a first device to the first terminal of a second device, wherein the first terminal of the first device is connected to the base station and the second terminal of a last device is connected to the base station. 2 5

The system of claim 17, further comprising: a) A first insulator device according to claim 3 or 4 and a second insulator according to claim 3 or 4 connected in series to the plurality of insulator devices according to any of claims 7 and claims dependent therefrom; B) A further plurality of insulator devices according to any of claims 7 and claims depending on connected in series in a further loop; c) A third insulator device according to claim 3 or 4 and a fourth insulator device according to claim 3 or 4 connected in series to the further plurality of insulator devices according to any one of claims 7 and claims depending thereon; D) The third terminal of the first insulator device according to claim 3 or 4 is connected to the third terminal of the third insulator device according to claim 3 or 4 for transferring data from the loop to the further loop and vice versa; and e) The third terminal of the third insulator device according to claim 3 or 4 is connected to the v terminal of the fourth insulator device according to claim 3 or 4 for transferring data from the loop 10 to the further loop and vice versa.