JP7734528B2 - Alarm system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an alarm system.

Conventionally, residential fire alarm systems have been known in which multiple fire alarms work together to issue a fire alarm (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This fire alarm system can also notify people in rooms other than the room where the fire occurred of the fire.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-4826

The fire alarm system described in Patent Document 1 is composed of a master unit and a slave unit. When the remaining battery power of a slave unit that makes up this fire alarm system falls below a predetermined level, it issues a notification from its speaker that the battery is dead. This notifies the user that the unit's battery is dead. However, if the slave unit continues to use up its battery power and becomes inoperable, it will no longer be able to issue a notification from its speaker that the battery is dead.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and aims to notify the user that an alarm is inoperable even after the battery in the alarm has run out and become inoperable.

In order to solve the above problems, the alarm system of the present invention is an alarm system comprising a first alarm device and a second alarm device, wherein the first alarm device periodically transmits a status signal to the second alarm device notifying the state of its own device, and when the remaining battery charge of its own device falls below a threshold, it notifies the second alarm device that its battery is dead by transmitting a status signal, and the second alarm device receives a status signal from the first alarm device, and if it does not receive a status signal for a prescribed period of time after being notified of the dead battery from the first alarm device, it outputs a message from its own speaker notifying that the first alarm device is inoperable.

According to the present invention, even after an alarm has run out of battery and become inoperable, the user can be notified that the alarm is inoperable.

FIG. 1 shows a fire alarm system 100 installed in a house H. Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the fire alarm 1 Sequence diagram showing fire-linked processing Sequence diagram showing the recovery process Flow diagram showing status monitoring processing FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sending date and time table T1. Flow diagram showing status notification processing FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state information table T2. Flow diagram showing status notification processing Flow diagram showing the status recording process FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a reception date and time table T3. Flow diagram showing status monitoring processing Flow diagram showing status notification processing FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission period table T4. Flow diagram showing the status recording process FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state information table T5. Flow diagram showing status monitoring processing

1. Embodiment A fire alarm system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fire alarm system 100 described here is a residential fire alarm system in which a plurality of fire alarms are linked together to issue a fire alarm.
1-1. Configuration

Figure 1 shows a fire alarm system 100 installed in a residence H. As shown in the figure, the fire alarm system 100 comprises a parent fire alarm device 1A and multiple child fire alarm devices 1B. In the following description, the parent fire alarm device 1A will be referred to as the "parent device 1A," and the child fire alarm devices 1B will be referred to as the "child devices 1B." Furthermore, the parent device 1A and child devices 1B will be collectively referred to as the "fire alarm devices 1."

Fire alarm 1 is an interlocking type fire alarm. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of this fire alarm 1. As shown in the figure, fire alarm 1 includes a fire detection unit 11, an alarm unit 12, a wireless communication unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, a power supply unit 15, and a control unit 16.

Of these, the fire detection unit 11 is a means for detecting fires. This fire detection unit 11 is equipped with a sensor for detecting smoke or heat in order to detect a fire.

The alarm unit 12 is a means for issuing an alarm to the user. This alarm unit 12 is equipped with a speaker and an indicator light to issue an alarm to the user.

The wireless communication unit 13 is a means for wirelessly communicating with other fire alarm devices 1. This wireless communication unit 13 is equipped with an antenna and wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication with other fire alarm devices 1.

The operation reception unit 14 is a means for receiving user operations. This operation reception unit 14 is equipped with switches to receive user operations.

The power supply unit 15 is a means for supplying power to each part of the fire alarm 1. This power supply unit 15 is equipped with a battery and a power supply circuit to supply power to each part of the fire alarm 1.

The control unit 16 is a means for controlling each part of the fire alarm 1. This control unit 16 is equipped with a memory and a microcomputer to control each part of the fire alarm 1. Of these, the memory stores programs. Meanwhile, the microcomputer executes the programs stored in the memory to realize various functions in the fire alarm 1. Below, we will explain the functions realized in the parent unit 1A and the functions realized in the child unit 1B in order.

First, we will explain the functions implemented in the master unit 1A. The master unit 1A implements the functions of a fire interlocking processing unit 161, a recovery processing unit 162, and a status monitoring unit 163.

When the fire detection unit 11 of the device itself detects a fire, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 transmits a fire interlocking signal to each slave device 1B.

Furthermore, when the fire interlocking processing unit 161 detects the reception of a fire interlocking signal transmitted from a slave unit 1B, it activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 transmits a fire interlocking signal to each slave unit 1B.

The recovery processing unit 162 detects receipt of a recovery notification sent from the slave device 1B, and if its own fire detection unit 11 does not detect a fire, it stops operation of its own alarm unit 12. In addition, the recovery processing unit 162 sends a recovery linkage signal to each slave device 1B.

The status monitoring unit 163 periodically transmits an interrogation signal to each slave device 1B. The interrogation signal transmitted here is a signal for inquiring about the slave device 1B's status. In response to this interrogation signal, the slave device 1B transmits a response signal notifying the slave device 1B of its status. When the status monitoring unit 163 detects receipt of this response signal, it records the status of the slave device 1B notified by the response signal in a table. The status recorded here includes a dead battery state.

When the battery of the sub-device 1B runs out and the remaining battery power is further consumed, it becomes inoperable. When the sub-device 1B becomes inoperable, it is no longer able to send a response signal to the main device 1A. In other words, the main device 1A is no longer able to receive a response signal from the sub-device 1B. Therefore, if the status monitoring unit 163 receives a response signal from the sub-device 1B indicating that the battery is out and then does not receive a response signal for a predetermined period of time, it notifies the user on behalf of the sub-device 1B that the sub-device 1B is inoperable. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 163 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the sub-device 1B is inoperable, and turns on the indicator light. This notifies the user that the sub-device 1B is inoperable.

Next, we will explain the functions implemented in the slave device 1B. The slave device 1B implements the functions of a fire linkage processing unit 164, a recovery processing unit 165, and a status notification unit 166.

When the fire detection unit 11 of the device itself detects a fire, the fire interlocking processing unit 164 activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 164 transmits a fire interlocking signal to the parent device 1A and other child devices 1B.

In addition, when the fire interlocking processing unit 164 detects the reception of a fire interlocking signal transmitted from the parent unit 1A or another child unit 1B, it activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light.

When a fire in the device's monitored area is extinguished and the device's fire detection unit 11 no longer detects the fire, the recovery processing unit 165 sends a recovery notification to the parent device 1A. After sending this recovery notification, if it detects receipt of a recovery linkage signal sent from the parent device 1A, it stops operation of the alarm unit 12.

When the status notification unit 166 detects that it has received an inquiry signal sent from the master unit 1A, it replies with a response signal notifying the master unit of its own status. The response signal sent here is sent for each inquiry signal sent periodically from the master unit 1A, and is therefore sent periodically to the master unit 1A.

When the status notification unit 166 detects that it has received a query signal sent from the parent unit 1A, it first determines the remaining battery charge in its own device. It then determines whether the determined remaining battery charge is below a predetermined threshold. For example, if the parent unit's battery is a 3.0V battery, it determines whether the remaining battery charge is below 2.8V. If the result of this determination is that the determined remaining battery charge is below the predetermined threshold, it sends a response signal to the parent unit 1A indicating that the battery is dead. On the other hand, if the result of the above determination is that the determined remaining battery charge is not below the predetermined threshold, it sends a response signal to the parent unit 1A indicating that the battery is not dead.

This status notification unit 166 transmits a response signal at a first interval before the remaining battery charge of the device falls below a predetermined threshold, and then transmits a response signal at a second interval that is shorter than the first interval after the remaining battery charge of the device falls below the predetermined threshold. In other words, the transmission interval of the status signal is shortened after the device's battery runs out. This allows parent device 1A to be notified more quickly when the battery in child device 1B is replaced and the battery-out condition is resolved.

1-2. Operation The following describes the operation of the fire alarm system 100. Specifically, the following describes the fire linkage process, recovery process, status monitoring process, and status notification process.

1-2-1. Fire Interlocking Processing The fire interlocking processing is processing in which multiple fire alarm devices 1 work together to issue a fire alarm when a fire breaks out in the house H. Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing this fire interlocking processing.

In the fire interlocking process shown in the figure, when a fire breaks out in the monitored area of a slave unit 1B, the fire detection unit 11 of that slave unit 1B detects the fire (step Sa1). After detecting the fire, the fire interlocking processing unit 164 of that slave unit 1B activates the alarm unit 12, which outputs an alarm sound and turns on the indicator light (step Sa2). This notifies occupants of the fire. The fire interlocking processing unit 164 also sends a fire interlocking signal to the master unit 1A and the other slave units 1B (step Sa3).

When this fire interlocking signal is received by another slave unit 1B, the fire interlocking processing unit 164 of that slave unit 1B activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light (step Sa4). This notifies occupants of the room that a fire has occurred.

When the master unit 1A receives the fire interlocking signal, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 of the master unit 1A activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light (step Sa5). This notifies occupants of the room that a fire has occurred. In addition, the fire interlocking processing unit 161 transfers the fire interlocking signal to each slave unit 1B (step Sa6). This ensures more reliable interlocking between each slave unit 1B.

If the slave unit 1B that received the fire interlocking signal transmitted in this transfer process does not receive a fire interlocking signal from the slave unit 1B that caused the fire, it activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light, thereby notifying people in the room that a fire has occurred.
This concludes the explanation of the fire-linked processing.

The fire linkage processing described above makes it possible to notify people in rooms other than the room where the fire occurred.

The above explanation of the fire linkage process assumes that a fire has occurred in the monitoring area of the slave unit 1B. In contrast to this assumption, if a fire has occurred in the monitoring area of the master unit 1A, the master unit 1A will execute steps Sa1 to Sa3 above.

1-2-2. Recovery Processing The recovery processing is a processing for stopping the fire alarm that was started in the fire linkage processing. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing this recovery processing.

In the recovery process shown in the figure, when a fire in the monitoring area of the slave device 1B is extinguished and the fire detection unit 11 of that slave device 1B no longer detects the fire (step Sb1), the recovery processing unit 165 of that slave device 1B sends a recovery notification to the master device 1A (step Sb2).

When the recovery processing unit 162 of the master unit 1A receives recovery notifications from all slave units 1B that have detected a fire, and its own fire detection unit 11 does not detect a fire (step Sb3), it controls the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light to notify occupants of the recovery. It then stops the operation of its own alarm unit 12 (step Sb4). In addition, the recovery processing unit 162 sends a recovery linkage signal to each slave unit 1B (step Sb5).

When the slave unit 1B receives this restoration interlocking signal, the restoration processing unit 165 of the slave unit 1B controls the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light to notify the occupants of the room of the restoration, and then stops the operation of the alarm unit 12 (step Sb6).
This concludes the explanation of the recovery process.

According to the recovery process described above, fire alarms from all fire alarms 1 will stop if no fire is detected by any of the fire alarms 1.

1-2-3. Status Monitoring Process and Status Notification Process The status monitoring process is a process in which the master device 1A monitors the status of each slave device 1B. Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing this status monitoring process. The status monitoring process shown in the figure is executed by the master device 1A for each slave device 1B.

In the status monitoring process shown in Figure 5, the status monitoring unit 163 of the parent device 1A first identifies the date and time to send an interrogation signal to the child device 1B (step Sc1). At that time, the status monitoring unit 163 references the transmission date and time table T1 to identify the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal.

Figure 6 shows an example of the transmission date and time table T1. In the transmission date and time table T1 shown in the figure, the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal is associated with the address of the slave device 1B. The status monitoring unit 163 refers to this transmission date and time table T1 to identify the date and time to transmit the interrogation signal to the slave device 1B.

Once the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal has been identified, the status monitoring unit 163 then waits until the transmission date and time arrives (NO in step Sc2). Then, when the transmission date and time arrives (YES in step Sc2), it transmits the interrogation signal to the slave device 1B (step Sc3). Receiving this interrogation signal, the slave device 1B executes a status notification process. Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating this status notification process.

In the status notification process shown in the figure, the status notification unit 166 of the slave device 1B identifies the remaining battery charge of its own device (step Sd1). Then, it determines whether the identified remaining battery charge is below a predetermined threshold (step Sd2). For example, if the battery of the slave device 1B is a 3.0V battery, it determines whether the remaining battery charge is below 2.8V. If this determination shows that the identified remaining battery charge is below the predetermined threshold (YES in step Sd2), the status notification unit 166 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light (step Sd3). This notifies the user that the battery is dead. In addition, the status notification unit 166 transmits a response signal indicating that the battery is dead to the master device 1A (step Sd4). This response signal includes the address of the slave device 1B.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sd2 is that the identified remaining battery charge is not below the predetermined threshold (NO in step Sd2), the status notification unit 166 transmits a response signal indicating that the battery is still running to the master device 1A (step Sd5). This response signal includes the address of the slave device 1B.
This concludes the description of the status notification process.

The response signal transmitted by this status monitoring process is received by the parent device 1A. When the status monitoring unit 163 of the parent device 1A detects the reception of this response signal (YES in step Sc4), it determines whether the battery of the child device 1B is dead (step Sc5). If the result of this determination is that the battery of the child device 1B is dead (YES in step Sc5), it records in the status information table T2 that the battery of the child device 1B is dead (step Sc6).

Figure 8 shows an example of a status information table T2. In the status information table T2 shown in the figure, the status of the slave device 1B is associated with the address of the slave device 1B. The status monitoring unit 163 records the status of the slave device 1B (here, the battery is dead) in this status information table T2, in association with the address of the slave device 1B.

In addition, the status monitoring unit 163 shortens the period for transmitting interrogation signals to the slave device 1B (step Sc7). Specifically, for example, the transmission period for interrogation signals is shortened by changing the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal from "0:00" to "0:00" and "12:00" in the transmission date and time table T1. By shortening the transmission period for interrogation signals in this way, when the battery in the slave device 1B is replaced and the dead battery state is resolved, the status monitoring unit 163 can recognize this fact more quickly. After executing step Sc7, the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1.

If the result of the determination in step Sc5 above is that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sc5), the status monitoring unit 163 records in the status information table T2 that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (step Sc8). In other words, the status monitoring unit 163 records in the status information table T2 that the slave device 1B is in a normal state. In addition, if the transmission period of the interrogation signal has been shortened, the status monitoring unit 163 restores the shortened transmission period (step Sc9). Specifically, for example, the status monitoring unit 163 restores the transmission date and time of the interrogation signal from "0:00" and "12:00" to "0:00". After executing step Sc9, the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1.

If a response signal is not received from the slave device 1B in step Sc4 above (NO in step Sc4), the status monitoring unit 163 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step Sc10). The predetermined time here is, for example, one minute.

If this determination shows that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step Sc10), the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc4. On the other hand, if this determination shows that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step Sc10), the status information table T2 is referenced to determine whether the battery of the secondary device 1B is dead (step Sc11). If this determination shows that the battery of the secondary device 1B is dead (YES in step Sc11), the secondary device 1B is further consuming its remaining battery power and is considered to be in an inoperable state. If the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state, the secondary device 1B itself cannot notify the user that it is inoperable. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 163 notifies the user that the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state on behalf of the secondary device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 163 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the secondary device 1B is inoperable and to turn on the indicator light (step Sc12). This notifies the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state. After executing step Sc12, the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sc11 above is that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sc11), it is assumed that a radio wave abnormality is occurring between the slave device 1B. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 163 notifies the user that a radio wave abnormality is occurring between the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 163 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that a radio wave abnormality is occurring between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B, and also turns on the indicator light (step Sc13). In this way, the user can be notified of the radio wave abnormality. After executing step Sc13, the status monitoring unit 163 returns to step Sc1.
The above is the description of the status monitoring process.

According to the status monitoring process described above, if the battery of the child device 1B runs out and the child device 1B becomes inoperable, the parent device 1A can notify the user that the child device 1B is inoperable instead of the child device 1B.

2. Modifications The above embodiment may be modified as follows: The following modifications may also be combined with each other.

2-1. Modification 1
In the status monitoring process according to the embodiment described above, the master device 1A transmits an inquiry signal to the slave device 1B, and the slave device 1B replies with status information in response to the inquiry signal. Instead of this communication procedure, a communication procedure may be adopted in which the slave device 1B unilaterally transmits status information to the master device 1A.

When this communication procedure is adopted, the slave device 1B is equipped with a status notification unit 201 instead of the status notification unit 166. This status notification unit 201 periodically transmits a status signal to the master device 1A. In doing so, the status notification unit 201 identifies the remaining battery power of its own device and determines whether the identified remaining battery power is below a predetermined threshold. If the result of this determination is that the identified remaining battery power is below the predetermined threshold, it transmits a status signal to the master device 1A indicating that the battery is dead. On the other hand, if the result of the above determination is that the identified remaining battery power is not below the predetermined threshold, it transmits a status signal to the master device 1A indicating that the battery is not dead.

This status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal at a first interval before the remaining battery charge of the device falls below a predetermined threshold, and transmits a status signal at a second interval that is shorter than the first interval after the remaining battery charge of the device falls below the predetermined threshold. In other words, the transmission interval for the status signal is shortened after the device's battery runs out. This allows parent device 1A to be notified more quickly when the battery in child device 1B is replaced and the battery-out condition is resolved.

On the other hand, parent device 1A is equipped with a status recording unit 202 and a status monitoring unit 203 instead of the status monitoring unit 163. Of these, when the status recording unit 202 detects the reception of a status signal transmitted from child device 1B, it records the status indicated by the received status signal in a table.

Meanwhile, the status monitoring unit 203 monitors the reception status of status signals from each slave device 1B. When the status monitoring unit 203 receives a status signal indicating that the battery is dead from a slave device 1B and then detects that it has not received a status signal for a predetermined period of time, it notifies the user on behalf of that slave device 1B that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 203 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state, and turns on the indicator light. This notifies the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state.

Next, we will explain the communication procedures related to this variation. Specifically, we will explain the status notification process, status recording process, and status monitoring process.

First, we will explain the status notification process. This status notification process involves the slave device 1B periodically sending a status signal to the master device 1A. Figure 9 is a flow diagram showing this status notification process.

In the status notification process shown in the figure, the status notification unit 201 of the slave device 1B waits until the transmission date and time of the status signal arrives (NO in step Se1). When the transmission date and time arrives (YES in step Se1), the unit determines the remaining battery charge of its own device (step Se2). After determining the remaining battery charge, the status notification unit 201 determines whether the determined remaining battery charge is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step Se3). If the result of this determination is that the determined remaining battery charge is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (YES in step Se3), the status notification unit 201 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm sound and turn on the indicator light (step Se4). This notifies the user that the battery is dead. In addition, the status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal indicating that the battery is dead to the master device 1A (step Se5). This response signal includes the address of the slave device 1B. Furthermore, the status notification unit 201 shortens the period for transmitting the status signal to the master device 1A (step Se6). Specifically, for example, the transmission period of the status signal is shortened by changing the transmission date and time of the status signal from "0:00" to "0:00" and "12:00". By shortening the transmission period of the status signal in this way, when the battery of the slave device 1B is replaced and the dead battery condition is resolved, this fact can be notified to the master device 1A more quickly. After executing step Se6, the status notification unit 201 returns to step Se1.

If the result of the determination in step Se3 above indicates that the remaining battery level is not below the predetermined threshold (NO in step Se3), the status notification unit 201 transmits a status signal to the parent device 1A indicating that the battery is not dead (step Se7). This response signal includes the address of the child device 1B. In addition, if the transmission period of the status signal has been shortened, the status notification unit 201 restores the shortened transmission period (step Se8). Specifically, for example, the status signal transmission date and time is restored from "0:00" and "12:00" to "0:00". After executing step Se8, the status notification unit 201 returns to step Se1.
This concludes the description of the status notification process.

According to the status notification process described above, the slave device 1B periodically sends a status signal to the master device 1A.

In the above status notification process, the remaining battery level is determined (steps Se2 to Se4) at the timing of transmitting the status signal, but this determination of the remaining battery level may be performed at a cycle different from the transmission cycle of the status signal. In this case, the status notification unit 201 of the slave device 1B is controlled to transmit a status signal to the master device 1A according to the latest determination result of the remaining battery level when the transmission date and time of the status signal arrives.

Next, we will explain the status recording process. This status recording process is a process in which the master device 1A records the status of each slave device 1B in the status information table T2 (see Figure 8). Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing this status recording process. The status recording process shown in the figure is executed each time the master device 1A receives a status signal from a slave device 1B.

In the status recording process shown in Figure 10, the status recording unit 202 of the master unit 1A records the date and time of receipt of the received status signal in the reception date and time table T3 (step Sf1).

Figure 11 shows an example of the reception date and time table T3. In the reception date and time table T3 shown in the figure, the address of the slave device 1B is associated with the most recent reception date and time of the status signal. The status recording unit 202 records the reception date and time of the status signal in this reception date and time table T3, associating it with the address of the slave device 1B.

After recording the reception date and time, the status recording unit 202 refers to the received status signal and determines whether the battery of the secondary device 1B is dead (step Sf2). If the result of this determination shows that the battery of the secondary device 1B is dead (YES in step Sf2), the status recording unit 202 records in the status information table T2 that the battery of the secondary device 1B is dead (step Sf3). On the other hand, if the result of this determination shows that the battery of the secondary device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sf2), the status recording unit 202 records in the status information table T2 that the battery of the secondary device 1B is not dead (step Sf4).
This concludes the description of the status recording process.

According to the status recording process described above, the parent device 1A records the status of each child device 1B in the status information table T2.

Next, we will explain the status monitoring process. This status monitoring process is a process in which the master unit 1A monitors whether the slave unit 1B is inoperable or has a radio wave abnormality. Figure 12 is a flow diagram showing this status monitoring process. The status monitoring process shown in the figure is periodically executed by the master unit 1A for each slave unit 1B.

In the status monitoring process shown in Figure 12, the status monitoring unit 203 of the parent device 1A refers to the reception date and time table T3 (see Figure 11) to identify the most recent reception date and time of the child device 1B (step Sg1). It then determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the identified most recent reception date and time (step Sg2). The predetermined time here is, for example, 25 hours.

If this determination shows that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step Sg2), the status monitoring unit 203 terminates the status monitoring process. On the other hand, if this determination shows that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step Sg2), the status monitoring unit 203 references the status information table T2 (see FIG. 8) to determine whether the battery of the sub-device 1B is dead (step Sg3). If this determination shows that the battery of the sub-device 1B is dead (YES in step Sg3), the sub-device 1B is further consuming its remaining battery power and is considered to be in an inoperable state. If the sub-device 1B is in an inoperable state, the sub-device 1B itself cannot notify the user that it is inoperable. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 203 notifies the user that the sub-device 1B is in an inoperable state on behalf of the sub-device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 203 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the sub-device 1B is inoperable and to turn on the indicator light (step Sg4). This allows the user to be notified that the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sg3 above shows that the battery of the slave device 1B is not dead (NO in step Sg3), it is assumed that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 203 notifies the user that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 203 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the slave device 1B and the slave device 1B, and also turns on the indicator light (step Sg5). This allows the user to be notified of the radio wave abnormality.
The above is the description of the status monitoring process.

According to the status monitoring process described above, if the battery of the child device 1B runs out and the child device 1B becomes inoperable, the parent device 1A can notify the user that the child device 1B is inoperable instead of the child device 1B.

2-2. Modification 2
In the communication procedure according to the first modification, the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own status through a signal message. Instead of this notification method, a notification method may be adopted in which the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own status by changing the signal transmission cycle.

When this notification method is adopted, the slave device 1B has a status notification unit 301 instead of the status notification unit 201. This status notification unit 301 periodically transmits a periodic signal to the master device 1A. The transmitted periodic signal notifies the master device of its own status. In addition, while transmitting the periodic signal, the status notification unit 301 determines the remaining battery charge of the slave device. The transmission cycle of the periodic signal is then changed according to the determined remaining battery charge. Specifically, for example, before the remaining battery charge falls below a threshold, the periodic signal is transmitted at a first cycle, and after the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold, the periodic signal is transmitted at a second cycle. By changing the transmission cycle according to the remaining battery charge in this way, the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own remaining battery charge. At that time, when the remaining battery charge falls below a predetermined threshold, the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A that its own battery is dead.

On the other hand, parent device 1A is equipped with status recording unit 302 and status monitoring unit 303 instead of status recording unit 202 and status monitoring unit 203. Of these, status recording unit 302 determines the remaining battery level of child device 1B based on the transmission cycle of the periodic signal sent from that child device 1B. Specifically, for example, when it detects that a periodic signal has been sent at a first cycle, it determines that child device 1B is not out of battery, and when it detects that a periodic signal has been sent at a second cycle, it determines that child device 1B is out of battery.

Meanwhile, the status monitoring unit 303 monitors the reception status of periodic signals from each slave device 1B. When the status monitoring unit 303 receives a notification from a slave device 1B that the battery is dead and subsequently detects that no periodic signals have been received for a predetermined period of time, it notifies the user on behalf of that slave device 1B that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 303 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state, and turns on the indicator light. This allows the user to be notified that the slave device 1B is in an inoperable state.

Next, we will explain the communication procedures related to this variation. Specifically, we will explain the status notification process, status recording process, and status monitoring process.

First, we will explain the status notification process. This status notification process is a process in which the slave device 1B notifies the master device 1A of its own status. Figure 13 is a flow diagram showing this status notification process.

In the status notification process shown in the figure, the status notification unit 301 of the slave device 1B first transmits a periodic signal to the master device 1A (step Sh1). This periodic signal includes the address of the slave device 1B. Next, the status notification unit 301 determines the remaining battery charge of its own device (step Sh2). Then, based on the determined remaining battery charge, it determines the transmission cycle of the periodic signal (step Sh3).
At this time, the status notification unit 301 refers to the transmission period table T4 to identify the transmission period of the periodic signal.

Figure 14 shows an example of a transmission period table T4. The transmission period table T4 shown in the figure associates the battery voltage value, voltage level, and transmission period of the periodic signal. The status notification unit 301 references this transmission period table T4 to identify the transmission period that corresponds to the remaining battery charge. The identified transmission period is then set as the new transmission period.

After setting the transmission cycle, the status notification unit 301 determines whether the remaining battery charge determined in step Sh2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step Sh4). If the result of this determination is that the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (YES in step Sh4), the status notification unit 301 activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm sound, and turns on the indicator light (step Sh5). This notifies the user that the battery is dead. The status notification unit 301 then proceeds to step Sh6.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sh4 above is that the remaining battery charge is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (NO in step Sh4), the status notification unit 301 waits until it is time to transmit a periodic signal (NO in step Sh6). In other words, the status notification unit 301 waits until one periodic signal transmission cycle (e.g., 24 hours in the case of a 24-hour cycle) has elapsed since the last time it transmitted a periodic signal. Then, when it is time to transmit a periodic signal, the process returns to step Sh1 and transmits a periodic signal to the master unit 1A.
This concludes the description of the status notification process.

According to the status notification process described above, the slave device 1B changes the transmission period of the periodic signal depending on the remaining battery charge of the slave device.

Next, we will explain the status recording process. This status recording process is a process in which the master device 1A records the status of each slave device 1B in the status information table T5, which will be described later. Figure 15 is a flow diagram showing this status recording process. The status recording process shown in the figure is executed each time the master device 1A receives a periodic signal from the slave device 1B.

In the status recording process shown in FIG. 15, the status recording unit 302 of the master device 1A identifies the slave device 1B that sent the received periodic signal (step Si1). After identifying the slave device 1B, the status recording unit 302 references the reception date and time table T3 (see FIG. 11) to identify the date and time when the previous periodic signal was received from the slave device 1B (step Si2). After identifying the previous reception date and time, the status recording unit 302 calculates the difference between the current reception date and time and the previous reception date and time to identify the transmission period of the periodic signal (step Si3). After identifying the transmission period, the status recording unit 302 identifies the battery voltage level of the slave device 1B based on the identified transmission period (step Si4). In doing so, the status recording unit 302 references the transmission period table T4 (see FIG. 14) to identify the voltage level corresponding to the identified transmission period (or the transmission period that most closely resembles it). After identifying the voltage level, the status recording unit 302 records the identified voltage level in the status information table T5 (step Si5).

Figure 16 shows an example of a status information table T5. In the status information table T5 shown in the figure, the address of the slave device 1B is associated with the voltage level of the slave device 1B. The status recording unit 302 records the voltage level of the slave device 1B in association with the address of the slave device 1B in this status information table T5.

After recording the voltage level, the status recording unit 302 updates the previous reception date and time specified in step Si2 to the latest reception date and time (step Si6).
This concludes the description of the status recording process.

According to the status recording process described above, the parent device 1A identifies and records the battery voltage level of the child device 1B based on the transmission period of the periodic signal sent from that child device 1B.

Next, we will explain the status monitoring process. This status monitoring process is a process in which the master unit 1A monitors whether the slave unit 1B is inoperable or has a radio wave abnormality. Figure 17 is a flow diagram showing this status monitoring process. The status monitoring process shown in the figure is periodically executed by the master unit 1A for each slave unit 1B.

In the status monitoring process shown in Figure 17, the status monitoring unit 303 of the parent device 1A refers to the reception date and time table T3 (see Figure 11) to identify the most recent reception date and time of the child device 1B (step Sj1). Then, it determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the identified most recent reception date and time (step Sj2). The predetermined time here is, for example, 25 hours.

If the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step Sj2), the status monitoring unit 303 terminates the status monitoring process. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step Sj2), the status monitoring unit 303 references the status information table T5 (see FIG. 16) to identify the battery voltage level of the secondary device 1B (step Sj3). After identifying the voltage level, the status monitoring unit 303 determines whether the identified voltage level is "1" (step Sj4). In other words, it determines whether the secondary device 1B is in a dead battery state. If the result of this determination is that the voltage level is "1" (YES in step Sj4), the secondary device 1B is further consuming battery power and is considered to be in an inoperable state. If the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state, the secondary device 1B itself cannot notify the user that it is inoperable. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 303 notifies the user that the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state on behalf of the secondary device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 303 activates the alarm unit 12, outputs an alarm message notifying the user that the secondary device 1B is inoperable, and turns on the indicator light (step Sj5). This notifies the user that the secondary device 1B is in an inoperable state.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step Sj4 above is that the voltage level is not "1" (NO in step Sj4), it is considered that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the device and the slave device 1B. Therefore, the status monitoring unit 303 notifies the user that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the device and the slave device 1B. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 303 activates the alarm unit 12 to output an alarm message notifying the user that a radio wave abnormality has occurred between the device and the slave device 1B, and also turns on the indicator light (step Sj6). This allows the user to be notified of the radio wave abnormality.
The above is the description of the status monitoring process.

According to the status monitoring process described above, if the battery of the child device 1B runs out and the child device 1B becomes inoperable, the parent device 1A can notify the user that the child device 1B is inoperable instead of the child device 1B.

2-3. Modification 3
In the above embodiment, the master device 1A monitors the status of the slave device 1B. In addition to or instead of this, the slave device 1B may be made to monitor the status of the master device 1A. More specifically, the slave device 1B may be made to execute a status monitoring process, and the master device 1A may be made to execute a status notification process.

Similarly, in the above-mentioned variants 1 and 2, the slave device 1B may be made to monitor the status of the master device 1A. More specifically, the slave device 1B may be made to perform status recording processing and status monitoring processing, and the master device 1A may be made to perform status notification processing.

When applying this modification, the parent device 1A may also notify the child device 1B of the status information of all child devices 1B managed by the parent device 1A, so that the status information of the child devices 1B can be shared throughout the system.

2-4. Modification 4
In the above-described fire alarm system 100, a distinction is made between parent and child fire alarm devices 1. However, it is not necessary to distinguish between parent and child fire alarm devices 1. The processes described in the above-described embodiment, Modification 1, and Modification 2 may be executed in a fire alarm system that does not distinguish between parent and child fire alarm devices.

2-5. Modification 5
14, the transmission period of the periodic signal becomes shorter as the battery voltage decreases. However, the transmission period table T4 may be set in such a way that the transmission period of the periodic signal becomes longer as the battery voltage decreases.

In addition, in the transmission period table T4 shown in Figure 14, the voltage levels are classified into five stages, but the voltage levels may also be classified into four stages or less or six stages or more.

2-6. Modification 6
In the restoration process according to the above embodiment, the master unit 1A determines whether the entire system can be restored. Instead of this restoration method, a method in which each fire alarm device 1 individually determines whether it can be restored may be adopted. Specifically, each fire alarm device 1 may stop operation of its own alarm unit 12 when it receives restoration notifications from all other fire alarm devices 1 that have detected a fire and its own fire detection unit 11 does not detect a fire.

2-7. Modification 7
While the above explanation has been given using a fire alarm as an example of an alarm device used in an alarm system, the present invention can also be applied to alarm devices that have an abnormality detection unit that detects abnormalities in other monitored areas, such as gas leaks, and is not limited to fire alarms. The present invention can also be applied to alarm devices that do not have an abnormality detection unit, such as the above fire alarms and gas leak alarms, but that issue linked alarms by receiving abnormality information transmitted from these alarm devices via wireless communication. Furthermore, in addition to alarm devices, the present invention can also be applied to battery-powered wireless devices that communicate with each other wirelessly.

1...fire alarm, 1A...master unit, 1B...slave unit, 11...fire detection unit, 12...alarm unit, 13...wireless communication unit, 14...operation reception unit, 15...power supply unit, 16...control unit, 161...fire interlocking processing unit, 162...recovery processing unit, 163...status monitoring unit, 164...fire interlocking processing unit, 165...recovery processing unit, 166...status notification unit, 201...status notification unit, 202...status recording unit, 203...status monitoring unit, 301...status notification unit, 302...status recording unit, 303...status monitoring unit, H...house, T1...transmission date and time table, T2...status information table, T3...reception date and time table, T4...transmission period table, T5...status information table

Claims (2)

An alarm system comprising a first alarm and a second alarm,
The first alarm device
periodically transmitting a status signal notifying the second alarm device of its own status,
When the remaining battery charge of the alarm device itself falls below a threshold, the alarm device notifies the second alarm device of the low battery charge by transmitting a status signal;
The second alarm device is
receiving a status signal from the first alarm;
if a status signal is not received for a predetermined period of time or longer after receiving a notification from the first alarm device that the remaining battery power is low, notify that the first alarm device is inoperable;
An alarm system characterized in that the first alarm device transmits a status signal to the second alarm device in a first cycle before the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold, and after the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold, transmits a status signal to the second alarm device in a second cycle that is shorter than the first cycle. An alarm system comprising a first alarm and a second alarm,
The first alarm device
periodically transmitting a status signal notifying the second alarm device of its own status,
When the remaining battery charge of the alarm device itself falls below a threshold, the alarm device notifies the second alarm device of the low battery charge by transmitting a status signal;
The second alarm device is
receiving a status signal from the first alarm;
if a status signal is not received for a predetermined period of time or longer after receiving a notification from the first alarm device that the remaining battery power is low, notify that the first alarm device is inoperable;
the first alarm device transmits a status signal to the second alarm device in a first cycle before the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold, and transmits a status signal to the second alarm device in a second cycle after the remaining battery charge falls below the threshold;
An alarm system characterized in that, when the second alarm device receives a status signal from the first alarm device in the first cycle, it determines that the first alarm device is not in a low battery state, and when it receives a status signal from the first alarm device in the second cycle, it determines that the first alarm device is in a low battery state.