JP7712788B2 - Protective cover for detector and address setting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a protective cover for a detector that protects a detector such as a fire detector, and an address setting method that uses the protective cover to set a communication address (hereinafter simply referred to as an address) in the detector after installation.

Conventionally, some detectors, such as fire detectors in fire detection systems, are configured to respond to an address-based call signal from a receiver or the like, detect a match with the address set in the detector, and if there is a match, exchange information with the calling receiver or the like. The addresses set in such detectors were previously set mechanically using a rotary switch or the like, but in recent years, many detectors are set electrically using a non-volatile memory that stores address information, such as an EEPROM. When using a detector that sets the address electrically, an address setting device that is connected to the detector and sets the address is required, and an invention related to an address setting device is described, for example, in Patent Document 1.

However, as the scale of a facility in which a fire detection system is installed increases, the number of fire detectors installed there also increases, and it becomes a tedious task to set the address for each detector without fail using an address setting device. This setting work is carried out by preparing a list or equipment drawings in which the installation location and address of each detector are displayed in advance, and setting the addresses at the construction site using an address setting device while referring to these. Alternatively, the addresses can be set in advance before going to the site, and the detectors with the addresses set can be installed at the site while referring to the equipment drawings.
Specifically, by referring to a list or facility drawings, a detector of the same type as the detector to be installed at that installation location was selected and connected to the address setting device, and the worker input and set the address specified in the list or facility drawings using the numeric keypad on the operation unit. This placed a heavy burden on the worker, took time to set the address, and there was a risk of human input errors.

On the other hand, when constructing a fire detection system in a facility such as a building, fire detectors are installed at predetermined positions in each area of the facility, and wiring is laid to electrically connect each fire detector to a fire receiver installed in a disaster prevention center, etc., but until the construction work is completed, the detectors are covered with protective covers to protect them from dirt and scratches. An example of an invention related to a protective cover for a fire detector is described in Patent Document 2.
Furthermore, if a protective cover is placed over the detector, it must be removed after the work is completed, but there is a risk that the cover may be forgotten to be removed. Patent Document 2 also describes an embodiment in which a light-emitting unit (LED) is provided at the bottom of the protective cover to prevent forgetting to remove the cover. Patent Document 3 describes an invention relating to a dust cover for a detector and a device for attaching and detaching the dust cover.

JP 2010-44598 A JP 2016-148983 A JP 2019-21009 A

However, the address setting device described in Patent Document 1 has the advantage of being equipped with a means for checking the address and type set in the detector, which can eliminate erroneous settings due to human input errors. However, since the address is set by connecting the detector to the address setting device, if it is desired to change the address after installing the detector in a specified position on the ceiling or the like, it is necessary to work at a height to remove the detector, which is troublesome work. In addition, if a protective cover is placed on the detector, there is a problem in that the cover may be forgotten to be removed.

On the other hand, if a light-emitting unit (LED) is provided at the bottom of the protective cover, as in the invention described in Patent Document 2, this has the advantage of making it possible to discover when the cover has been left on for removal. However, this requires visual confirmation of whether the light-emitting unit is emitting light or not, which requires the worker to patrol all areas where sensors are installed to check. This places a heavy burden on the worker and there is a risk that the worker will miss areas that should be patrolled, which leaves the problem of not discovering that the cover has been left on for removal.

The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a protective cover for a sensor that allows easy setting and changing of the address of an installed sensor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover for a sensor which can be easily and reliably detected if it has been left unremoved after an address has been set.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an address setting method capable of setting an address to an installed sensor by using a sensor protective cover.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A protective cover for a sensor that can be attached to a surface of a sensor having short-range wireless communication means and wired communication means for communicating with a receiver by wire using a predetermined communication address,
a medium-range wireless communication means having a communication distance longer than the distance at which communication is possible using the short-range wireless communication means and shorter than the distance at which communication is possible using the communication function of a portable communication terminal having a communication function using a wireless communication system;
a cover-side short-range wireless communication means capable of wirelessly transmitting information to the short-range wireless communication means;
a power supply means for supplying a power supply voltage to the medium-range wireless communication means and the cover-side short-range wireless communication means;
The cover-side short-range wireless communication means is configured to transmit information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and to transmit communication address information to the short-range wireless communication means of the sensor from the cover-side short-range wireless communication means.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, the protective cover attached to the detector is provided with short-range wireless communication means and medium-range wireless communication means, and the address information received by the medium-range wireless communication means is transmitted to the short-range wireless communication means so that the address information can be transmitted to the detector, so that the address can be set and changed on the installed detector without the need to work at a height to remove the detector by transmitting the address to the protective cover attached to the detector using a mobile communication terminal, thereby reducing the burden on the worker and increasing safety. Furthermore, since the address can be set after the detector is installed, it is possible to prevent human error, such as installing a detector with a preset address in the wrong place.
In addition, after the address setting to the detector is completed, the protective cover can be removed and collected for reuse, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost of the protective cover. Furthermore, by providing the protective cover with short-range wireless communication means and medium-range wireless communication means, it is only necessary to provide the detector with a simple short-range wireless communication means, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost associated with adding functions to the detector.

Here, preferably, the information processing means has a function of determining that the device itself has been selected as a communication partner based on information received by the medium-range wireless communication means, and a function of transmitting communication address information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to the sensor by the cover-side short-range wireless communication means;
and an indicator light, and the information processing means causes the indicator light to flash or light when it determines that the information processing means has been selected as a communication partner.

According to the above configuration, the indicator light of the protective cover attached to the detector for which address information is to be set flashes, so that the address can be sent to the selected protective cover by operating the mobile communication terminal from a remote location where multiple detectors can be seen, and the address can be set, eliminating the need to move around within the floor or area during the address setting work, improving work efficiency. In addition, if communication is made with the mobile communication terminal on each floor or area after the address setting work is completed, the indicator light of any protective cover that has been left unremoved will flash, making it possible to discover that the protective cover has been left unremoved.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the sensor further comprises a communication unit in which the medium-range wireless communication means, the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and the power supply means are built into a case, and a cover body that is attached to the outside of the sensor so as to cover at least a part of the housing of the sensor,
The communication unit is configured to be detachably coupled to the cover body.

With the above configuration, the communication unit is detachable from the cover body, so the cover body can be shared by a detector that requires address setting and a detector that does not require address setting. Also, when shipping the fire detector, it can be shipped with only the cover body attached to the detector, which reduces costs. Furthermore, if either the cover body or the communication unit is damaged or malfunctions, it is possible to deal with the problem by replacing only one of the parts.

Another invention related to this application is
An address setting method for setting communication addresses for a plurality of sensors, the sensors having storage means capable of writing communication addresses, which are distributed and installed in a predetermined area in which a fire detection system is constructed, and which are covered with protective covers for sensors having the above-mentioned configuration, by using a mobile communication terminal having wireless communication means capable of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication means, comprising:
A first step of selecting a sensor to which a communication address is to be set by referring to an equipment drawing showing the arrangement of a plurality of sensors installed in the predetermined area;
A second step of inputting information of a communication address to be transmitted to the protective cover attached to the selected sensor into the mobile communication terminal or selecting the communication address from a display screen of the mobile communication terminal;
and a third step of transmitting information of the input or selected communication address from the portable communication terminal.

According to the above method, addresses can be set from a distance to sensors that are installed on the ceiling surface of a building or the like and covered with a protective cover by using a mobile communication terminal to send address information. This makes it possible to set and change addresses on installed sensors without having to work at height to remove the sensors, reducing the burden on workers and increasing safety. In addition, by displaying facility drawings on the display screen of the mobile communication terminal, workers no longer need to carry around paper-based facility drawings.

Also, preferably, after the third step,
a fourth step of collecting protective covers attached to the sensors after setting communication addresses for the sensors installed in the predetermined area and collecting them in one place;
and a fifth step of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication means of all the protective covers collected in one location using the mobile communication terminal, and determining which protective covers have not been collected by comparing them with a list of protective covers that have already been applied.
According to this method, after the address is set, the protective covers attached to the sensors are collected and gathered in one place, and by communicating via a mobile communication terminal and comparing the list, it is possible to determine whether or not there are any uncollected protective covers, making it easy and reliable to find any protective covers that have been left unremoved or the location of sensors that have been left unremoved.

Further, preferably, after the third step and before the fourth step,
The method includes a step of acquiring information including the communication addresses set in the plurality of sensors via the communication line by a receiver connected to the communication line to which the plurality of sensors are connected, and determining whether a communication address has been set.
According to this method, sensors for which addresses have not been set can be easily found.

The protective cover for a sensor according to the present invention makes it easy to set and change the address of an installed sensor. It also makes it easy and reliable to find out if the sensor has been left detached after the address has been set. Furthermore, the address setting method according to the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to set an address to an installed sensor by using the protective cover for a sensor.

1A is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a protective cover for a sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 1B is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing the connection structure between the protective cover and a wireless communication unit. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a functional configuration of a detector protective cover and an addressed fire detector according to the present invention; 1 is a diagram showing an example of an equipment drawing (floor diagram) showing the layout of a floor on which detectors such as fire detectors whose addresses are set by an address setting device are installed. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for setting an address to a sensor using the protective cover of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sensor protective cover and an address setting method using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a sensor protective cover according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows a functional diagram of a sensor and the sensor protective cover. Fig. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of a sensor protective cover according to the present invention, Fig. 1(B) is a bottom view thereof, and Fig. 1(C) is a diagram showing a connection structure between the protective cover and a wireless communication unit.

As shown in FIG. 1(A), the detector protective cover 20 of this embodiment is used by being attached to cover the surface (the underside in the figure) of a fire detector 10 installed on the ceiling C of a building or the like, and is equipped with a cup-shaped cover body 21, a communication unit 22 for transmitting information for address setting that is attached to the bottom surface of the cover body 21, and an indicator light 23 such as an LED provided on the surface (the underside in the figure) side of the communication unit 22. The cover body 21 is made of a material such as synthetic resin that allows magnetic lines and electromagnetic waves to pass through.

The inner circumferential surface of the bowl-shaped portion of the cover body 21 is provided with a protrusion 21c that can engage with a recess in the housing of the fire detector 10, and the cover body 21 is attached to the surface of the fire detector 10 by engaging the protrusion 21c of the cover body 21 with the recess of the fire detector 12. This type of structure is also described in, for example, Patent Document 3, and can be easily realized, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, the protective cover 20 may be configured to be attached and detached to the detector 10 using an attachment/detachment device having an operating rod as described in Patent Document 3.

The cover body 21 and communication unit 22 of the protective cover 20 are formed to have a circular shape when viewed from below, as shown in FIG. 1(B), in accordance with the external shape of the fire detector 10. Also, as shown in FIG. 1(C), the communication unit 22 has a disk-shaped case 22A, which has a pair of hook-shaped locking pieces 22a, 22b formed on the upper surface, and the cover body 21 is provided with a pair of engagement recesses 21a, 21b into which the locking pieces 22a, 22b can engage, and the communication unit 22 is configured to be detachable from the cover body 21.

It is preferable to have a structure in which, after the locking pieces 22a, 22b are engaged with the locking recesses 21a, 21b, the cover body 21 is rotated slightly to move the case 22A to a position where it will not fall off. This structure is the same as the structure for fixing the sensor to the sensor base. The relationship between the locking pieces 22a, 22b and the locking recesses 21a, 21b may be reversed, i.e., the locking pieces 22a, 22b may be provided on the cover body 21, and the locking recesses 21a, 21b may be provided on the top surface of the case 22A.

As described above, by configuring the communication unit 22 to be detachable from the cover body 21, the cover body 21 can be shared by a detector that requires address setting and a detector that does not require address setting. Also, when shipping the fire detector, it can be shipped with only the cover body 21 attached to the detector. Furthermore, if either the cover body 21 or the communication unit 22 is damaged or malfunctions, it is possible to deal with the problem by replacing only one of the parts. This allows costs to be reduced.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the communication unit 22 of the detector protective cover 20 and the functional configuration of the addressed fire detector 10.
As shown in Fig. 2, the fire detector 10 is connected to wiring L1, L2 that constitutes a line of a fire detection system that is laid in the ceiling or the like and whose ends are connected to a fire receiver, and includes a power input and wired communication unit 11 that receives power from a fire receiver (not shown) via L1 and has a function of communicating with the fire receiver by wire, a detection unit 12 that detects heat, smoke, etc., an indicator light 13 that notifies the operating state, etc., a control unit (CPU) 14 that judges a fire based on a signal from the detection unit 12 and communicates with the fire receiver, a non-volatile memory 15 such as an EEPROM that stores an address used for communication with the fire receiver, and a short-range wireless communication unit 16. Of these, the short-range wireless communication unit 16 is a newly provided function to enable address setting through the protective cover of the present invention, and the functions other than the short-range wireless communication unit 16 are functions that conventional fire detectors have.

The communication unit 22 of the detector protective cover 20 includes the indicator light 23, which is arranged in a position that is visible when the protective cover 20 is attached to the detector, a short-range wireless communication unit 24 that communicates with the short-range wireless communication unit 16 of the fire detector 10, a medium-range wireless communication unit 25 that communicates with a mobile communication terminal 30 such as a smartphone carried by the worker, a control unit 26 consisting of an information processing device (CPU) that controls the communication units 24 and 25 to transmit information, and a power supply unit (battery) 27 that supplies power to the indicator light 23, the medium-range wireless communication unit 25, the control unit 26, etc. The indicator light 23 may be configured to light up or flash when a battery is inserted to indicate that the power is turned on and the communication unit 22 is active.

In this specification, wireless communication at a distance of 10 cm or less is called short-distance wireless communication, wireless communication at a distance of several meters to several tens of meters is called medium-distance wireless communication, and wireless communication at a distance of 100 m or more is called long-distance wireless communication. Wireless communication (LTE, WiFi, etc.) between the mobile communication terminal 30 and a base station to connect to a public wireless communication system as a communication network is long-distance communication. It is preferable to use a thin battery such as a button battery for the battery of the power supply unit 27, and it is also preferable to provide a structure in the case 22A of the communication unit 22 that allows the battery to be replaced.

For wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication section 24 of the communication unit 22 and the short-range wireless communication section 16 of the fire detector 10, for example, non-contact communication using an induction coil used in IC cards or IC tags, infrared communication, visible light communication, etc. can be used. For wireless communication between the medium-range wireless communication section 25 of the detector protective cover 20 and the mobile communication terminal 30, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, which is generally provided on smartphones, etc. can be used.
When infrared communication is used for short-range wireless communication between the sensor protective cover 20 and the fire sensor 10, the fire sensor 10 generally has a window made of glass or a lens that covers the indicator light 13, so it is preferable to configure the sensor to transmit and receive infrared rays using this window.

To set an address for a target fire detector 10 using the mobile communication terminal 30, approach the fire detector 10 already installed on the ceiling, select the address you want to set on the screen, and send the selected address information from the mobile communication terminal 30 to the communication unit 22 of the protective cover 20 attached to the fire detector 10. The control unit 26 then receives the address information via the medium-range wireless communication unit 25 and drives the short-range wireless communication unit 24 to send the address information, which is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 16 of the fire detector 10, and the control unit 14 writes the received address information into the memory 15, thereby setting the address. This allows the worker to set the address from a position away from the detector.

The address to be set in the installed fire detector 10 can be selected by a worker referring to an equipment drawing (floor plan) such as that shown in Figure 3, which shows the layout of the floor on which the fire detectors 10A, 10B, 10C, etc. are installed, inputting the address attached to the symbol representing the detector at the location where the detector to be set is located using an input means such as a numeric keypad on the mobile communication terminal 30, and then pressing the send button or touching the image of the send button.

In addition, data of an equipment drawing such as that shown in Figure 3 can be sent to the mobile communication terminal 30 of a worker and displayed on the touch panel screen of the mobile communication terminal 30. When the worker touches the symbol of a corresponding detector on the equipment drawing displayed on the screen, an app can be created and installed on the mobile communication terminal 30 so that the address to be set can be automatically sent to the installed detector corresponding to that symbol, thereby enabling the worker to set the address.
In addition, in Figure 3, the "D" written in each block 10A, 10B, 10C ... indicating a detector is a code representing the type of detector (fire detector), "24h", "25h", "26h" ... are communication addresses assigned to each fire detector, and #01, #02, #03 ... are serial numbers of the detector.

Incidentally, when a plurality of sensors covered with protective covers 10 are installed on one floor as shown in Fig. 3, it is conceivable that the mobile communication terminal 30 carried by a worker who moves to the floor will be in a state in which it can simultaneously communicate with a plurality of communication units 22 attached to the plurality of sensors. During communication, the communication units 22 transmit unique information such as a device ID (identification code), so that the mobile communication terminal 30 can distinguish and recognize each communication unit 22.
In this case, the portable communication terminal 30 initiates communication and displays on the screen all detectors 10 (or communication units 22) that have responded. When the worker touches the symbol of one of the detectors to select it, information indicating that it has been selected is sent to the communication unit 22 of that detector. The communication unit 22 that receives this information determines that it has been selected and causes the indicator light 23 provided on its own unit to flash.

Also, the system is configured so that when a worker sees the blinking of the indicator light 23 and ascertains the position of the corresponding detector 10, he or she can input the address attached to the symbol of the corresponding detector on the facility drawing into the mobile communication terminal 30 and transmit it, or touch the symbol of the corresponding detector on the facility drawing displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30, and the address is automatically transmitted. This allows the correct address to be transmitted to the communication unit 22 of each installed detector, and written into the memory of the detector for setting.
Furthermore, after setting an address in the detector, the portable communication terminal 30 can read information such as the set address, detector type, history, etc. stored in memory 15 from the detector 10 via the communication unit 22 and display it on the screen. Therefore, if the set address of the detector is updated, the updated address is displayed on the portable communication terminal 30. Communication by the portable communication terminal 30 to confirm the set address of the detector may be performed periodically.

Next, a procedure for setting addresses for fire detectors using the protective cover 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4. Note that the address setting according to the flowchart of Fig. 4 is carried out after the installation of all the detectors constituting the fire detection system of the target facility has been completed.
When setting the address, first, a worker carrying a portable communication terminal 30 moves to a floor or area where a fire detector 10 is installed (step S1). Next, at a position where the fire detector 10 can be seen, the worker starts communication with the communication unit 22 of the protective cover 20 attached to the detector using the portable communication terminal 30 (step S2). Then, all communication units 22 that have responded or corresponding detectors 20 are displayed on the screen of the portable communication terminal 30 (step S3).

The worker then determines whether multiple communication units or detectors are displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30 (step S4). If the worker determines that multiple units are displayed (Yes), the worker proceeds to step S5, looks at the equipment drawing or list on the screen, selects one of the multiple communication units 22 or detectors 20 (step S5), and transmits information including the ID of that device (step S6). The communication unit 22 that receives this information blinks its associated indicator light 23 (step S7). If multiple units or detectors are not displayed (No) in step S4, i.e., only one communication unit or detector is displayed, steps S5 and S6 are skipped.

The worker then visually checks which detectors 10 have their indicator lights 23 flashing or only one displayed on the screen, and inputs or selects the address to be set on the mobile communication terminal 30 while referring to the equipment drawing, and transmits the address information to the communication unit 22 (step S8). The communication unit 22 then transmits the address information to the opposing detector 10 (step S9), and the control unit 14 of the detector 10 receives the address information via the short-range wireless communication unit 16 and writes the received address information to the memory 15 (step S10).

The worker then determines whether or not address setting has been completed for all detectors on the floor or area (Step S11). If not, the worker returns to Step S1 and moves to the next floor or area and repeats the above steps S2 to S10. If the worker determines that address setting has been completed for all detectors (Step S11: Yes), the worker proceeds to Step S12 and performs a communication test with all detectors connected to the line using the fire receiver to confirm that the addresses have been set for all detectors, and then the work is completed.
The communication test of the detectors by the fire receiver can be performed by acquiring setting information including the address and type information from each detector using a polling method. Also, the setting address can be confirmed by communicating with each installed detector using the mobile communication terminal 30.

As described above, according to the protective cover and address setting method of this embodiment, the address is set to the detector after the detector is installed, so that the detector constituting the fire detection system can be installed without being aware of the address setting. In addition, since the worker can set the address from a position away from the detector, there is an advantage that the work efficiency is greatly improved. Furthermore, when the installation and address setting of all the fire detectors 10 constituting the fire detection system to be installed is completed, the protective cover 20 (the cover body 21 and the communication unit 22 ) are removed from all the fire detectors 10 and collected. Therefore, the cover body 21 and the communication unit 22 can be reused.

Furthermore, according to the protective cover of this embodiment, by collecting the collected protective covers 20 (the cover body 21 and the communication unit 22 ) in one place and communicating with the mobile communication terminal 30, the communication unit 22 that was left behind can be easily found, and the location of the detector to which the communication unit 22 that was left behind is easily found by comparing it with the facility drawing (paper) or checking the facility drawing on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30. Furthermore, even if an address setting error is found, such as a case where the address is duplicated or the address set on the facility drawing differs from the address set by the fire receiver communicating with each fire detector after the address is set, the address of the fire detector with the error can be easily changed via the protective cover using the mobile communication terminal 30.

In addition, if data indicating the type is stored in the memory 15 of the fire detector 10, the data indicating the type can be read from the memory 15 of the fire detector 10 via the communication unit 22 and displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal 30 before removing the protective cover 20 and communication unit 22 from the fire detector 10, thereby making it possible to confirm the type of the installed detector, and by replacing a detector with an incorrect type with a correct one and setting the address, it is possible to avoid constructing a fire detection system in which an incorrect detector is installed.

In the above embodiment, an address is set for the installed detector 10 using the mobile communication terminal 30, but it is also possible to provide a medium-range wireless communication device capable of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication device 25 of the protective cover 20 at the tip of the operating rod of a detachable device having an operating rod as described in Patent Document 3, and to run a cable through the operating rod and connect an address setting device at the lower end, so that the address can be set by the address setting device.
This allows addresses to be set from a distance by matching the address setter and the sensor on a one-to-one basis, without selection errors. In addition, in this configuration, the communication unit 22 does not require the control unit 26, and may be configured to transmit transmission information directly from the medium-range wireless communication unit 25 to the short-range wireless communication unit 24, or to transmit the information by providing a signal conversion means. Also, the indicator light 23 can be omitted.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the communication unit 22 is detachably attached to the bottom surface of the cover body 21, but the cover body 21 and the communication unit 22 may be integrally configured. Also, an on/off switch for putting the communication unit 22 into an operating state may be provided on the cover body 21 of the unit.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit 14 of the sensor 10 writes the address received from the body cover 20 into the memory 15, but it is also possible to configure the short-range wireless communication unit 16 to directly write the received address into the memory 15. In this case, the control unit 26 of the communication unit 22 will transmit the memory write address together with the address information.

In the above embodiment, a battery is used as the power source for the protective cover 20. However, the detector 10 may be provided with a circuit that transmits a portion of the power received via the wiring L1 as the detector line to the protective cover 20 via the short-range wireless communication means (coil) 16 in a similar manner to the contactless IC card system, and the power supply unit 27 of the protective cover 20 may be configured to convert the AC power received by the short-range wireless communication unit 24 into a DC voltage and supply it to the control unit 26, etc. as a power supply voltage. The circuit for the above function of the detector operates only during construction and is turned off during normal operation when fire detection is performed under control from the receiver, etc. Alternatively, the circuit may be configured to be turned on when the detector is covered with a protective cover.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a fire detector is given as an example of a detector, but the detector for which an address is set is not limited to a fire detector, but may be a detector such as a gas detector or a human presence sensor, and fire detectors with different detection methods, such as a smoke detector or a heat detector, may be treated as different types of detectors.
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to fire detection systems, but can be widely applied to monitoring systems and other systems equipped with sensors that are installed at high places and communicate by address.

10 Detector (fire detector)
11 Power supply input & wired communication unit 12 Detection unit 13 Indicator light 14 Control unit 15 Non-volatile memory (storage means)
16 Short-range wireless communication section (short-range wireless communication means)
20 Protective cover 21 Cover body 22 Communication unit 23 Indicator light 24 Short-range wireless communication unit (short-range wireless communication means)
25 Medium-range wireless communication unit (medium-range wireless communication means)
26 Control unit (information processing means)
27 Power supply unit 30 Portable communication terminal

Claims (6)

A protective cover for a sensor that can be attached to a surface of a sensor having a short-range wireless communication means and a wired communication means for communicating with a receiver by wire using a predetermined communication address,
a medium-range wireless communication means having a communication distance longer than the distance at which communication is possible using the short-range wireless communication means and shorter than the distance at which communication is possible using the communication function of a portable communication terminal having a communication function using a wireless communication system;
a cover-side short-range wireless communication means capable of wirelessly transmitting information to the short-range wireless communication means;
a power supply means for supplying a power supply voltage to the medium-range wireless communication means and the cover-side short-range wireless communication means;
and configured to transmit information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and to transmit communication address information to the short-range wireless communication means of a sensor by the cover-side short-range wireless communication means. an information processing means having a function of determining that the device itself has been selected as a communication partner based on information received by the medium-range wireless communication means, and a function of transmitting communication address information received by the medium-range wireless communication means to the sensor by the cover-side short-range wireless communication means;
2. The sensor protective cover according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator light, wherein the information processing means causes the indicator light to flash or light when it determines that the sensor protective cover has been selected as a communication partner. a communication unit in which the medium-range wireless communication means, the cover-side short-range wireless communication means, and the power supply means are built into a case; and a cover body that is attached to the outside of a sensor so as to cover at least a part of a housing of the sensor,
3. The protective cover for a sensor according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is detachably coupled to the cover body. An address setting method for setting communication addresses for a plurality of sensors, the sensors having a storage means capable of writing communication addresses, which are distributed and installed in a predetermined area in which a fire detection system is constructed, and which are covered with the sensor protective cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, by using a mobile communication terminal having a wireless communication means capable of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication means,
A first step of selecting a sensor to which a communication address is to be set by referring to an equipment drawing showing the arrangement of a plurality of sensors installed in the predetermined area;
A second step of inputting information of a communication address to be transmitted to the protective cover attached to the selected sensor into the mobile communication terminal or selecting the communication address from a display screen of the mobile communication terminal;
a third step of transmitting information of the input or selected communication address by the mobile communication terminal;
2. An address setting method comprising: After the third step,
a fourth step of collecting protective covers attached to the sensors after setting communication addresses for the sensors installed in the predetermined area and collecting them in one place;
A fifth step of communicating with the medium-range wireless communication means of all the protective covers collected in one place by the mobile communication terminal and comparing the list of applied protective covers with a list of the applied protective covers to determine the uncollected protective covers;
5. The address setting method according to claim 4, further comprising : After the third step and before the fourth step,
6. The address setting method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of acquiring information including the communication addresses set in the plurality of sensors via a receiver connected to a communication line to which the plurality of sensors are connected, and determining whether a communication address has been set.