JP2008269558A - Alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent useless power consumption even when a configuration for performing infrared communication is provided. <P>SOLUTION: An alarm has a communication means 24 for receiving an infrared signal from an external device and a processing means 21a for processing reception data corresponding to the infrared signal received by the communication means 24, wherein the communication means 24 is a means having an active mode that receives an infrared ray and an inactive mode that does not receive the infrared ray. The alarm has a mode switching request generation means 27 for generating a mode switching request for requesting mode switching in the communication means 24, and a mode switching means 21b for usually setting the communication means 24 to the inactive mode, and switching the communication means 24 from the inactive mode to the active mode only when the mode switching request generating means 27 generates the mode switching request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an alarm device that receives various data by performing infrared communication with an external device.

General houses, buildings, etc. are equipped with alarm devices such as gas leak alarms that detect gas leaks and carbon monoxide gas and issue alarms, and fire alarms that detect and detect fires. By causing a user or the like to quickly recognize the occurrence of an abnormal state by an alarm of the alarm device, accidents due to various abnormal states have been prevented from occurring. Conventionally, in the battery-powered alarm device shown in Cited Document 1 and the like, power consumption required for alarming has been reduced, and the alarmable period has been extended.
JP 2006-18597 A

  However, in the alarm device described above, when infrared communication is used to read various data stored in a memory or the like in the alarm device or current real-time data to an external device such as a portable terminal device or a personal computer, Since it was necessary to keep the receiving circuit active at all times, the microcomputer in the alarm was interrupted by infrared signals from other infrared remote controllers or noise from sunlight, etc. There is a problem in that the processing consumes power wastefully and shortens the battery life built in the alarm device. When the alarm device operates with a commercial power source, there arises a problem that power consumption increases.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an alarm device that can prevent wasteful power consumption even if a configuration for performing infrared communication is provided.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the alarm device according to claim 1, which is made according to the present invention, has a communication means 24 for receiving an infrared signal from an external device, and the communication means 24 receives it as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. In the alarm device having processing means 21a for processing the received data according to the infrared signal, the communication means 24 has an active mode in which the infrared signal is received and an inactive mode in which the infrared signal is not received. A mode switching request generating means 27 for generating a mode switching request for requesting mode switching in the communication means 24; and, in normal times, the communication means 24 is set to an inactive mode, and the mode switching request generating means 27 is Only when a mode switching request is generated, mode switching means 21b for switching the communication means 24 from the inactive mode to the active mode; Characterized in that it has a.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 2 is the alarm device according to claim 1, in which the mode switching unit 21 b includes the communication unit 24 as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 1. A means for switching to the inactive mode again after a predetermined time has elapsed since switching from the inactive mode to the active mode.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 3 is the alarm device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mode switching means 21b is the communication means as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. When the end message is received from the external device via 24, the communication means 24 is a means for switching from the active mode to the inactive mode.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 4 is the alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. Is a means for switching the communication means 24 from the active mode to the inactive mode when the mode switching request generating means 27 generates a mode switching request after switching the communication means 24 to the active mode. .

  As described above, according to the alarm device of the present invention described in claim 1, the communication means is provided with the active mode and the inactive mode, and is normally set to the inactive mode, and the mode is switched according to the user's operation or the like. Since the communication means is switched from the inactive mode to the active mode when a request is generated, the infrared signal is not received when infrared communication is not performed. The alarm device does not operate upon reception of power and it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of power. Therefore, even if a configuration for performing infrared communication is provided, wasteful power consumption can be prevented. In addition, since it is not necessary to supply power to the communication means in the inactive mode, it is possible to contribute to the extension of the battery life built in the alarm device.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined time elapses after the communication means is switched to the active mode, the mode is again switched to the inactive mode. It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to return and to simplify the operation by the user.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, after the communication means is switched to the active mode, when the end message is received from the external device, the inactive mode is resumed. Since it can be switched back to inactive when communication is completed, it is possible to reliably prevent reception of infrared signals from infrared remote control and noise caused by sunlight, etc. Can be prevented.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, after switching the communication means to the active mode, the communication means according to a user operation or the like. Can be returned to the inactive state, so that the processing on the external device side can be simplified and the reception of infrared signals from the infrared remote controller and noise caused by sunlight can be reliably prevented. It is possible to prevent consumption.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an alarm device according to the present invention is applied to a data management system will be described below with reference to the drawings of FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, a data management system 1 includes a portable terminal device 10 that is carried by a worker or the like and corresponds to an external device, and a gas leak alarm device (hereinafter referred to as an alarm device) provided separately from the portable terminal device 10. 20).

  The mobile terminal device 10 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 11 that operates according to a predetermined program. As is well known, the MPU 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11a that performs various processes and controls according to a predetermined program, a ROM 11b that is a read-only memory storing a program for the CPU 11a, and various data. And a RAM 11c, which is a readable / writable memory having an area necessary for processing operations of the CPU 11a.

  The portable terminal device 10 further includes a memory unit 12, a communication unit 13, and a display unit 14. Each of the memory unit 12, the communication unit 13, and the display unit 14 is electrically connected to the MPU 11.

  The memory unit 12 is capable of holding various stored data even when power supply is cut off, and is an electrically erasable / rewritable read-only memory (having various storage areas necessary for processing operations of the CPU 11a). EEPROM) or the like is used. The memory unit 12 stores data and the like acquired from the alarm device 20.

  The communication unit 13 is controlled by the MPU 11 and is configured to be capable of infrared communication with the alarm device 20. Although not shown, for example, a transmission unit having a light emitting element such as an LED or a laser, or a light receiving element such as a photo diode Is formed. The communication unit 13 transmits a signal indicating various messages input from the MPU 11 to the alarm device 20 and outputs a message indicated by the signal received from the alarm device 20 to the MPU 11.

  The display unit 14 is controlled by the MPU 11, and various display devices such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) are used. The display unit 14 displays various information requested from the MPU 11 such as received data from the alarm device 20.

  Next, an example of a schematic configuration of the alarm device 20 will be described below.

  The alarm device 20 is driven by electric power from a built-in battery (not shown) and operates according to a predetermined program, a microprocessor (MPU) 21, a memory unit 22, a gas detection unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a voice IC. (Integrated circuit) 25 and a notification unit 26 are provided. Similar to the gas meter 10 described above, the MPU 21 includes a CPU 21a, a ROM 21b, and a RAM 21c. The MPU 21 includes a memory unit 22, a gas detection unit 23, a communication unit 24, an audio IC 25, and a notification unit. 26 is electrically connected.

  The ROM 21b stores a processing unit in the claims, a mode switching processing program for causing the CPU 21a to function as a mode switching unit, a program for issuing an alarm when a gas having a predetermined concentration or more is detected by the gas detection unit 23, and the like. is doing. The memory unit 22 uses an EEPROM or the like, and stores various data such as various setting values and alarm history of the alarm device 20.

  Although not shown, the gas detection unit 23 includes a semiconductor type or catalytic combustion type gas sensor and a drive circuit that drives the gas sensor. When the gas detector 23 operates in the power saving mode and detects the gas concentration during normal operation, the gas detector 23 is driven by the control of the MPU 21 that operates by switching to the normal mode at the time of an alarm or the like. Is output to the MPU 21.

  The communication unit 24 corresponds to communication means in the claims and is controlled by the MPU 21. And the communication part 24 forms the receiving part which has light receiving elements, such as the transmission part which has light emitting elements, such as LED and a laser, and a photo diode similarly to the portable terminal device 10 mentioned above. The communication unit 24 transmits signals indicating various messages input from the MPU 21 to the mobile terminal device 10, outputs an interrupt signal to the MPU 21 in response to reception from the mobile terminal device 10, and transmits a message indicated by the received signal. Output to the MPU 21.

  The communication unit 24 has an active mode that receives infrared rays and an inactive mode that does not receive infrared rays. In the best mode, the CPU 21a controls a circuit or the like (not shown) to stop the supply of power to the communication unit 24, thereby setting the communication unit 24 to the inactive mode and supplying power to the communication unit 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various embodiments such as switching the interrupt input port of the MPU 21 to non-active / active, and providing the communication unit 24 with a changeover switch are described. be able to.

  The audio IC 25 stores a plurality of types of audio information determined in advance, and outputs the audio signals specified by the CPU 21a to the notification unit 26 in the specified order. The notification unit 26 amplifies an audio signal input from the audio IC 25 by an amplifier and outputs it from a speaker or the like, and displays various information input from the MPU 11 on a display such as an LCD.

  The operation unit 27 corresponds to mode switching request generation means in the claims, and is electrically connected to the MPU 21. The operation unit 27 includes an operation switch, and outputs a mode switching request signal to the MPU 21 according to the operation of the operation switch. As an example of the operation unit 27, an alarm stop button or a pull string provided in a gas leak alarm, a fire alarm, or the like is applicable.

  Next, an example of the mode switching process according to the present invention executed by the CPU 21a of the alarm device 20 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the mode switching process is executed by the CPU 21a, in step S11 (mode switching means), the power supply to the communication unit 24 is stopped to shift the communication unit 24 to the inactive mode, and then the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, based on the presence / absence of a mode switching request signal from the operation unit 27, it is determined whether or not a mode switching request has occurred. If it is determined that a mode switching request has not occurred (N in S12), the determination process is repeated to wait for a mode switching request to occur. On the other hand, if it is determined that a mode switching request has occurred (Y in S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13 (mode switching means), the communication unit 24 is shifted to the active mode by starting the supply of power to the communication unit 24. Thereafter, in step S14, a timer that times out when a predetermined time elapses is started. Proceed to S15. The predetermined time is arbitrarily set based on the time required for infrared communication.

  In step S15, reception data corresponding to the infrared signal received by the communication unit 24 is acquired and stored in the memory unit 22, and then the process proceeds to step S16. At this time, the CPU 21a functions as processing means in the claims by performing processing according to the request indicated by the message of the received data in parallel.

  In step S16, it is determined whether an end message has been received based on the message indicated by the received data received. When it is determined that the end message has been received (Y in S16), the process returns to step S11, the communication unit 24 is switched to the inactive mode, and a series of processes is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the end message has not been received (N in S16), the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S <b> 17, it is determined whether or not a mode switching request is generated based on whether or not a mode switching request signal is input from the operation unit 27. If it is determined that a mode switching request is generated (Y in S17), the process returns to step S11, the communication unit 24 is switched to the inactive mode, and a series of processes is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that a mode switching request has not occurred (N in S17), the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on whether or not the above-described timer has timed out. When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (N in S18), the process returns to step S15, and a series of processes is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in S18), the process returns to step S11, the communication unit 24 is switched to the inactive mode, and a series of processes is repeated.

  Next, an example of operations (actions) of the mobile terminal device 10 and the alarm device 20 in the data management system 1 described above will be described below.

  When the alarm device 20 is activated, the MPU 21 operates in the power saving mode, and the communication unit 24 operates in the inactive mode. When the data of the alarm device 20 is sucked into the mobile terminal device 10, the operator operates the operation unit 27 of the alarm device 20 to shift the MPU 21 of the alarm device 20 to the normal mode, so that the alarm device 20 communicates. The unit 24 is switched from the inactive mode to the active mode, so that infrared rays from the outside can be received.

  In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits an infrared signal indicating a telegram requesting data transmission from the communication unit 13 in a state of being close to the alarm device 20. When the alarm device 20 receives the infrared light through the communication unit 24, the alarm device 20 outputs an interrupt signal to the MPU 21, and outputs a telegram as received data to the MPU 21. When the alarm device 20 recognizes that the received electronic message is a data transmission request, the alarm device 20 transmits the transmission target data stored in the memory unit 22 from the communication unit 24.

  When the mobile terminal device 10 receives data from the alarm device 20 by infrared rays using the communication unit 13, the mobile terminal device 10 stores the received data in the memory unit 12 by the CPU 11a. When the data reception is completed, a message for requesting mode switching is generated and transmitted from the communication unit 13 to the alarm device 20. When the alarm device 20 receives the message via the communication unit 24 and recognizes that the request is a mode switching request, the alarm unit 20 cannot receive infrared rays from the outside by switching the communication unit 24 from the active mode to the inactive mode. It becomes a state.

  In addition, when the operation unit 27 is operated while the communication unit 24 of the alarm device 20 is in the active mode, the infrared ray from the outside cannot be received by switching the communication unit 24 from the active mode to the inactive mode. . Further, when the communication unit 24 of the alarm device 20 is in the active mode, the operation unit 27 is not operated, and when a predetermined time elapses without receiving a mode switching request from the mobile terminal device 10, the communication unit 24. By switching from the active mode to the inactive mode, infrared rays from the outside cannot be received.

  According to the alarm device 20 described above, the communication unit 24 is provided with an active mode and an inactive mode, and is normally set to the inactive mode. When the mode switching request is generated according to a user operation or the like, the communication unit 24 is activated. Since it is switched from the inactive mode to the active mode, the infrared signal is not received when the infrared communication is not performed, so the interrupt signal is generated by receiving the infrared signal from the infrared remote controller or the noise caused by the sunlight as in the past. It is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of power. Therefore, even if a configuration for performing infrared communication is provided, wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

  In addition, when the predetermined time elapses after the communication unit 24 is switched to the active mode, the communication unit 24 is switched to the inactive mode again, so that it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to return to the inactive mode and to simplify the operation by the user. .

  Furthermore, after switching the communication unit 24 to the active mode, when the end message is received from the mobile terminal device 10, it can be switched back to the inactive mode again, so that it can be returned to the inactive with the end of the communication. Since it is possible to reliably prevent reception of infrared signals from the infrared remote controller and noise due to sunlight, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of power.

  In addition, after switching the communication unit 24 to the active mode, the communication unit 24 can be deactivated according to a user operation or the like, so that the processing on the mobile terminal device 10 side can be simplified and Since it is possible to reliably prevent reception of infrared signals from the infrared remote controller and noise due to sunlight, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of power.

  In the data management system 1 described above, the case where the portable terminal device 10 is used as an external device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a personal computer, a dedicated reading device, and the like have an infrared communication function. It can be realized with various external devices.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the communication unit 24 of the alarm device 20 outputs an interrupt signal to the MPU 21 when receiving an infrared signal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, received Various embodiments such as outputting all or part of the infrared signal to the MPU 21 can be adopted.

  Furthermore, although the gas leak alarm device 20 has been described in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be realized by various alarm devices such as a fire alarm device and a composite alarm device.

  As described above, the above-described embodiments are merely representative forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the alarm device of this invention. It is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data management system having an alarm device of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the mode switching process which concerns on this invention which CPU of the alarm device in FIG. 2 performs.

Explanation of symbols

1 Data management system 10 External device (mobile terminal device)
20 Alarm (gas leak alarm)
21a Processing means (alarm CPU)
21b Mode switching means (CPU of alarm device)
24 Communication means (communication part of alarm device)
27 Mode switching request generation means (alarm operating section)

Claims (4)

In an alarm device comprising: a communication unit that receives an infrared signal from an external device; and a processing unit that processes received data according to the infrared signal received by the communication unit.
The communication means is a means having an active mode for receiving the infrared signal and an inactive mode for not receiving the infrared signal,
Mode switching request generating means for generating a mode switching request for requesting mode switching in the communication means;
Mode switching means for switching the communication means from the inactive mode to the active mode only when the communication means is normally set to the inactive mode and the mode switching request generating means generates a mode switching request;
An alarm device comprising:   2. The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching unit is a unit that switches the communication unit to the inactive mode again after a predetermined time elapses after the communication unit is switched from the inactive mode to the active mode.   3. The means according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching means is means for switching the communication means from an active mode to an inactive mode when an end message is received from the external device via the communication means. The alarm device described.   The mode switching means is means for switching the communication means from the active mode to the inactive mode when the mode switching request generating means generates a mode switching request after switching the communication means to the active mode. The alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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