FR2844084A1 - Fire prevention control electronic remote control detector/drive having control inputs/information display and wireless transmission with message generator remotely sending requests/test requests - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote control detector or driver has control inputs (15 to 17) and information display (10), together with wireless transmission (18,19). There is a message generator (20) providing transmission and modification requests as well as test requests remotely transmitted.

Description

The present invention relates to a remote control for a sensor or actuator

  electronics, a sensor and an actuator to interact with this remote control. It applies, in particular, to fire safety systems comprising a central signaling system connected to a network of fire detectors and, more generally, to all industrial sensors and actuators connected to a network (intrusion radars , networked 10 industrial sensors, parking space sensor, technical alarms, ...) and all that

  is connected to a network and is subject to individual configuration on site.

  For the installation of a security system, an operator installs the sensors one by one

  and the actuators and connects it to a network connected to a central signaling system.

  Each sensor and each actuator has an identification fixed by construction, for example, by using switches (in English "switch") or jumper (in English "strap") or non-volatile memory. When each sensor and / or each actuator is placed in position, it is associated with a position on the network and, optionally, an attribute, by programming the central signaling system. Installation is therefore slow, tedious and expensive. Similarly, maintenance operations are complicated by the centralized aspect of the signaling system, communication procedures with each sensor and each actuator. In addition, certain sensors or actuators are difficult to test, by their situations or by the test means to be implemented. The current

  invention intends to remedy these drawbacks.

  To this end, the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a remote control 25 for a sensor or actuator, characterized in that it comprises: - a control input means, - an information display means , - a wireless transmission and reception means, adapted to transmit information to a sensor or an actuator and to receive information from the sensor or the actuator, - a message generation means , adapted to generate: a request for transmission, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least part of the content of a non-volatile memory, a request for modification, by the sensor or the actuator, of the content of at least part of said non-volatile memory, as a function of at least one command transmitted by the command input means, a test request, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one function, and To a request for transmission, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one piece of information to a central signaling system managing several sensors and / or actuators; the transmission and reception means being adapted to transmit to the sensor or to the actuator

  each message generated by the message generation means.

  Thanks to these provisions, the installation of a complete fire detection system, including all of its fire sensors and / or all of its actuators, only requires the presence of one person, who moves successively in front of each sensor or actuator and remote control its operation. Likewise, preventive maintenance only requires placing yourself successively next to each sensor or actuator and remotely controlling it. According to particular characteristics, the message generation means is adapted to generate a request to read the address of the sensor or the actuator, on the

  network, in the non-volatile memory of the sensor or actuator.

  According to particular characteristics, the command input means and the display means are jointly adapted to allow the selection of an address and the message generation means is adapted to generate a change request, in the memory not volatile sensor or actuator, sensor address or

  the actuator on the network by the address selected by said selection.

  According to particular characteristics, the message generation means is adapted to generate a request to read the caption of the sensor or of the actuator in the

  memory of the central signaling system.

  For example, the label corresponds to the physical location of the sensor or

  the actuator ("boiler room on the ground floor").

  According to particular characteristics, the command input means and the display means are jointly adapted to allow the selection of a label and the means of

  generation of messages is adapted to generate a change request, of the caption of the sensor or actuator by the caption selected by said selection.

  According to particular characteristics, the message generation means is adapted to generate a request to read the detection zone of the sensor or the actuator. According to particular characteristics, the message generation means is adapted to generate a request for temporary deactivation of the sensor. Thanks to these provisions, maintenance or repair operations can be carried out not only on the sensor, but also in the sensor detection area (deactivation

service by area).

  According to particular characteristics, the message generation means is adapted to generate a request for transmission, by the sensor to the central signaling system, of alarm information, during a temporary deactivation of the sensor. Thanks to these provisions, if an accident occurs during a temporary shutdown, an alarm can be triggered even on the sensor temporarily out of service. According to particular characteristics, the message generation means is adapted to generate a request for transmission, by the sensor, of information triggering the servo. Thanks to these provisions, in the event of a claim, necessary servocontrol can be triggered by authorized persons, by

  use of the remote control (for example smoke control).

  According to particular characteristics, the message generation means is adapted to generate a request for transmission, by the sensor, of information triggering evacuation procedures. Thanks to these provisions, in the event of a disaster, an evacuation of the site can be triggered by authorized persons, by using the remote control. According to particular features, the remote control comprises a means of detecting handholding and a means of measuring duration and, when, following the triggering of one of the sensors, and of a first communication between the remote control and a sensor, the detection means and the duration measurement means detect, jointly, that the remote control is not held in hand for a predetermined duration, the message generation means is adapted to generate a transmission request, by any sensor to the central signaling system, alarm information. Thanks to these provisions, if the holder of the remote control suffers an accident which

  prevents him from using the remote control, an alarm is triggered automatically.

  The present invention aims, according to a second aspect, a sensor or an actuator, characterized in that it comprises: - a wireless transmission and reception means, adapted to transmit information to a remote control placed opposite said sensor or said actuator and to receive information from the remote control, - a message generation means, adapted to generate: at least one message comprising an identifier of the remote-controlled actuator or sensor, at least one message comprising part of the content of a non-volatile memory, a means of modification, by the sensor or the actuator, of the content of at least part of said non-volatile memory, as a function of the information transmitted by said remote control, - a means of testing, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one function, - a means of transmission, of at least one piece of information to a central signaling system managing several sensors and / or actuators; the transmission and reception means being adapted to transmit to the remote control each

  message generated by the message generation means.

  The present invention relates, according to a third aspect, to a remote control method 10 for a sensor or actuator, characterized in that it comprises: - a command input step, - an information display step, - a wireless transmission and reception step, during which information is transmitted to a sensor or an actuator and information is received from the sensor or the actuator, a message generation step , during which one of the following messages is generated as a function of the command input: a first message comprising an identifier of the remote-controlled sensor or actuator, 20. a transmission request, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least part of the content of a non-volatile memory, a request for modification, by the sensor or actuator, of the content of at least part of said non-volatile memory, as a function of at least a command transmitted by the input means of command, and

  25. a test request, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one function ,.

  a request for transmission, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one piece of information to a central signaling system managing several sensors and / or actuators;

  each message generated during the message generation step being transmitted to the sensor or to the actuator during the transmission step.

  The advantages, aims and characteristics of these second and third aspects of the present invention being identical to those of the first aspect of the present invention, they do not

are not recalled here.

  Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

  - Figure 1 shows a front face of a first embodiment of the remote control according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows an algorithm for operating the remote control whose front face is illustrated in Figure 1 and the sensor located in view of the remote control, - Figure 3 shows, in elevation, the positioning opposite a sensor of a second embodiment of the remote control according to the invention, - Figure 4 shows an algorithm for operating the remote control the front face is illustrated in FIG. 3 and the sensor located opposite the remote control, - FIG. 5 represents a front face of a third embodiment of the remote control according to the invention, and

  FIG. 6 represents an algorithm for operating the remote control, the front face of which is illustrated in FIG. 5 and the sensor located opposite the remote control.

  Although the following description is, by way of illustration of at least one mode of

  embodiment of the present invention, limited to the case of a fire detection system, the scope of the present invention includes the remote control of everything, which can be connected to a

  network and be individually configured on site.

  It can be seen, in FIG. 1, that the front face of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: - a display 10, for example with a liquid crystal screen, making it possible to display information coming from a sensor, - indicators d status 11, 12, 13, 14 allowing the user to know the status of various functions of the remote control (power on, indicator 11, discharged battery, indicator 12, transmission of information, indicator 13, and reception of information, indicator 14), and - keys (cursor movement, key 15, validation, key 16, menu scrolling, key 17), - means 18 for transmitting signals to the sensor or the actuator, for example an infrared light-emitting diode, means 19 for receiving signals from the sensor or the actuator, for example a photosensitive sensor, and

  - An electronic circuit 20, preferably with microprocessor and memory.

  This fire sensor remote control allows: 30 - to read information about the sensor, - to address (give an address and / or identification on a network) to a sensor, - to test the sensor, and - to communicate with the central signaling system which is linked, by network,

  all the sensors and actuators of the fire detection system.

  The remote control illustrated in FIG. 1, called "installer", in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, makes it possible to validate and accelerate the putting into operation of the SDI (for fire detection system, within the meaning of the NF standard) or DHW (for control and signaling equipment, within the meaning of the EN standard) and CMSI (for centralization for fire safety). This remote control is used to read, test, or program a sensor or an actuator (the word "actuator" covers the CMSI control elements which are also addressed by the system), the advantage being that only one person is required to commissioning of the installation. This device also makes it possible to inform a technician of the state of the sensors present on a site (in

Preventive maintenance).

  To install or maintain sensors of a fire safety system, the operator takes the "installer" remote control and goes under the desired sensor. He can, for example, program this sensor. Just aim the sensor with the remote control to establish communication. The indicator 13 representative of information transmission flashes and the indicator 14 of information reception lights up. To read and / or modify the address, the label or the detection zone, we use functions grouped in menus

  scrolling also called drop-down menus.

  The functions enabled by the remote control are: * reading the address of the sensor on the network, * programming or modifying a sensor address, * testing the sensor and confirming its status (standby, alarm, sensor fault), * reading of the sensor level (for example temperature for thermal sensors), 20 * reading of the fouling level (for example for optical smoke sensors), * simulation of alarm and fault states for verification of transmission states towards the central signaling system, * reading of system information such as an indication of the quality of the communication on the network, or the state of the central signaling system, * reading of the type, of the serial number, version, date of manufacture of the sensor (non-modifiable data kept in non-volatile memory of the sensor), * reading of the date of the last maintenance or commissioning, * updating of the date of last maintenance in the sensor memory, * reading of the label assigned to the sensor, * modification of the label assigned to the sensor, * reading of the detection zone of the sensor, * modification of the detection zone of the sensor, * reading of the label attributed to the zone assigned to the sensor, * modification of the label assigned to the zone assigned to the sensor, * recording in the remote control of the list of tested sensors for subsequent edition of an intervention report (list of points, labels, parameters, verification dates, etc.), by connecting the remote control to a PC via its serial link

or infrared.

  The sensor tests that can be performed include: - test of the LED; - alarm state simulation; - simulation of fault state measurement of the sensor level for validation of the choice of the sensor type (in% of the alarm level for smoke sensors and in temperature for thermal sensors) - test of the initial sensor level and level fouling; - reading the serial number, type, date of manufacture; - reading and memorizing the date of the last maintenance in the memory of the sensor; - activation / deactivation of the sensor; setting the zone number to which the sensor belongs (this is stored in the central signaling system); - verification and edition of the point label (plain text stored in the central signaling system. This operation combines infrared communication and communication over the network with the central signaling system); - report of the state of the central signaling system (alarm, fault, etc.) to verify the feedback (usually requires two people, one on site, the other with the signaling system); - memorization in the remote control of the test sequence (list of sensors tested, with serial N, parameters), which makes it possible to edit a complete intervention report by connecting the remote control to a PC via a RS232 link at the end of the intervention (improvement of the service provisioning or maintenance) .;

  - modification of the detection threshold for sensors with this possibility.

  The electronic circuit 20 is suitable for generating all or part of the messages corresponding to the functions set out above, including at least: 30. a request for transmission, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least part of the content of a non-volatile memory, a request for modification, by the sensor or the actuator, of the content of at least part of said non-volatile memory, as a function of at least one command transmitted by the command input means, 35. a request for testing, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one function, and a request for transmission, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one piece of information to a central signaling system managing several sensors and / or actuators. In exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit 20 is adapted to implement the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 2. The transmission and reception means 18 and 19 are connected to the electronic circuit 20 and adapted respectively to transmit to the sensor or to the actuator each message generated by the message generation means and to be received from the sensor or from the actuator each

  message sent to the remote control by the sensor or actuator.

  It is observed, in FIG. 2, that after a step 50 of initialization of the remote control, during a step 51, the remote control is placed opposite a sensor. Then, during a step 52, the communication between the remote control and the sensor is triggered and the indicator light 13 is lit during the signal transmission phases to the sensor and the indicator light 14 during the signal reception phases from the sensor. During a step 53, it is tested whether the communication is established, and, when the communication is established, during a step 54, the remote control emits an audible signal representing the establishment of the communication. Then, during a step 55, the user selects a function of the remote control and, optionally, information values to be transmitted (address, zone, label). During a step 56, a request is generated by the remote control to perform the selected function and, optionally, transmit the selected information values. During a step 57, the request is transmitted to the sensor and the indicator is lit

  13. If a response is expected from the sensor, during a step 58, it is tested whether a response has been received. If yes, during a step 59, the LED 14 is lit.

  As soon as the expected response has been received, a message is displayed on the display 10 indicating the existence and, optionally, the content of this response, still during step 59. Then during a step 60, it is determined whether the communication with the sensor is lost. Step 55 and the following ones are repeated as long as the user selects functions and values and communication with the sensor is established. If the communication

  with the sensor is lost, step 51 is repeated.

  For its part, the sensor detects, during a step 70, the triggering of the communication (step 52) by the remote control and, during a step 71, it establishes communication with the remote control. Then, during a step 72, the sensor detects the reception of a request then, during a step 73, the sensor performs the functions corresponding to this request, possibly by communicating with the central signaling system , step 74. If a response must be transmitted to the remote control, when this response is ready to be transmitted to the remote control, during a step 75, a response signal is generated and, during a step 76, we send the answer to the

  remote control before returning to step 72.

  In the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the remote control 200 makes it possible to deactivate a sensor 210. For reasons of stability and to prevent theft, it is then inserted into a support 201 which comprises a panic alarm push-button 202. The operation includes activating the remote control (step 250, FIG. 4), which has the effect of periodically generating and transmitting a deactivation request (step 251) to position it below the or sensors to be deactivated 10 (step 252), to leave the remote control in activity below the deactivated sensor until

removing it (step 254).

  The panic alarm button 202 can be pressed in order to generate and make - transmit by the remote control, to the sensor, an alarm triggering request.

(step 253).

  For its part, the sensor detects, during a step 260, the deactivation request sent by the remote control (step 251). Then, during a step 261, the sensor inhibits the fire detection functions. Temporary decommissioning is

  communicated by the sensor to the central signaling system, during a step 262.

  If an alarm triggering request is received (step 263), an alarm signal is transmitted by the sensor to the central signaling system (step 264).

  If no decommissioning request is received for a predetermined period (test 265), for example 5 minutes, the fire detection functions are

  automatically replaced (step 266).

  In the third embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the "firefighter" remote control 25 300 is intended for firefighters and is used to operate servos in

  the local area (that is to say in a part of the area monitored by a security system).

  In this case, the remote control is made up of a box 301 and a fixed support 302 for charging the battery (not shown) of the remote control which includes a housing 320 for the box 301. The remote control has manual controls (keys 303 30 305) to activate the following controls: - smoke extraction, button 303, - compartmentalisation, button 304, and

- technical stop. button 305.

  A 306 key is used to acknowledge the process. The box 301 further comprises an indicator light 311 for transmitting information, an indicator light 312 for alarms, an indicator light 319 for general evacuation opposite two graphic indications making it possible to immediately understand the meaning of the indicator 319 The fixed support comprises an indicator light 313 for charging the battery of the housing 301, an indicator light 314 for a ready-to-use system, an indicator light 315 for operating anomalies and a

  power-on indicator light 316.

  The remote control 300 makes it possible to trigger the general evacuation of the building or to acknowledge, that is to say stop, the automatic triggering process of the UGA (for alarm management unit according to NF standard). The remote control 300 has indicators 307 to 310, to confirm the execution of the various manual commands and of a "dead man" function: if after a predetermined delay (for example between three and ten minutes), the user no longer holds the remote control, the red "alarm" light begins to flash slowly, then accelerating until it becomes fixed. The general evacuation of the - building is then triggered automatically. It is detected that the user no longer holds the remote control by implementing a push button (not shown) on the side of the

  --- remote control or with a loss of verticality sensor (not shown), for example a mercury contact.

  - .. The operator with the "firefighter" 300 remote control goes to the safety zone (step 350). It can, within this zone, trigger the desired functions (step 351 of generation of servo control request and step 352 of request transmission to the sensor), acknowledge the alarm process (step 353 of generation of acknowledgment request and step 354 of request transmission to the sensor) or trigger the general evacuation of the building (step 355 of generation of general evacuation request and step 356 of request transmission to the sensor). Each manual command is associated with a red light confirming the execution of the command (step 359), after receiving a response from a sensor (step 358). The green "transmission of information" indicator lights up as soon as a key is pressed. To enter into communication with the sensor, it is sufficient to point a sensor with the remote control. The green light also indicates that communication is established (possibly an audible signal

  can confirm the start of the call).

  For its part, the sensor detects, during a step 360, the receipt of a request, then performs the function corresponding to the request (step 361) then prepares an execution message (step 362) and transmits to the remote control the execution message

(step 363).

  Communication opening procedures between the remote control and the sensor

  are not described here. They follow a protocol known to those skilled in the art.

  It is observed that all the information readable and modifiable by the remote control 35 is not necessarily stored in the memory of the sensor. Some are located in the memory of the central signaling system and can be traced back to the remote control,

  via the network at the request of the sensor.

  It is observed that the address of the sensor on the network is kept by the central signaling system and by the sensor. However, the label is not stored in the sensor, but in the central signaling system. This reconciles the address of the sensor and the label to display the correct information in the event of an alarm. The exchange of information between the central signaling system and the sensors only uses the address as an identifier. The label can be sent back to the sensor via the network, on request, then to the remote control via the infrared beam. The labels can also be viewed and edited on the central signaling system, for example by means of a computer terminal, of PC type (for personal computer or personal computer). Likewise, the grouping of sensors by zone is memorized in the central signaling system, and not in the sensor. Remember that the areas of

  detection are normally defined geographically (eg 1st floor of a building).

  The grouping of sensors in one area also makes it possible to control

  specific controls for this zone in the event of an alarm (for example smoke extraction 15 on one floor). This grouping complies with the installation standards.

Claims (9)

  1 - Sensor or actuator remote control, characterized in that it comprises: - a control input means (15 to 17), - an information display means (10), - a means of wireless transmission and reception (18, 19), adapted to transmit information to a sensor or an actuator and to receive information from the sensor or the actuator, - a message generation means (20 ), suitable for generating: 10. a request for transmission, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least part of the content of a non-volatile memory, a request for modification, by the sensor or the actuator, of the content of at least part of said non-volatile memory, as a function of at least one command transmitted by the command input means, 15. a test request, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least a function, and a request for transmission, by the sensor or the actuator, of at least one piece of information to a central central signaling system several sensors and / or actuators; the transmission and reception means being adapted to transmit to the sensor or to the actuator   each message generated by the message generation means.   2 - Remote control according to claim 1, characterized in that the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a request to read the address of the sensor or   of the actuator, on the network, in the non-volatile memory of the sensor or actuator.   3 - Remote control according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that   the command input means (15 to 17) and the display means (10) are jointly adapted to allow the selection of an address and the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a change request , in the non-volatile memory of the sensor   or of the actuator, of the address of the sensor or of the actuator on the network by the address 30 selected by said selection.   4 - Remote control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a read request   of caption of the sensor or actuator in the memory of the central signaling system.   - Remote control according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control input means (15 to 17) and the display means (10) are jointly   adapted to allow the selection of a label and the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a change request, of the sensor or actuator label by the   label selected by said selection.   6 - Remote control according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that   the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a request to read the detection zone of the sensor or the actuator.   7 - Remote control according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that   the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a setting request out of temporary sensor service.   8 - Remote control according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that 10 the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a request for   alarm information transmitted by the sensor to the central signaling system,   during a temporary deactivation of the sensor.   9 - Remote control according to any one of claims I to 8, characterized in that   the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a request for transmission, by the sensor, of information for triggering triggering.   -Remote control according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that   the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a request for transmission, by the sensor, of information triggering evacuation procedures.   11 - Remote control according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that   that it comprises a hand-held detection means and a duration measurement means and, when, following the triggering of one of the sensors, and of a first communication between the remote control and a sensor, the means of detection and the duration measurement means detect, jointly, that the remote control is not held in hand for a predetermined duration, the message generation means (20) is adapted to generate a transmission request, by any sensor to the central signaling system, alarm information.