[0001] The present invention relates to a bus master device for a hazard alarming system
and a hazard alarming system using the bus master device.
[0002] Hazard alarming systems are used for detecting and communicating a hazardous situation,
like a fire, to persons within a building. These systems usually comprise a plurality
of hazard alarming devices like flash lights or speakers for communicating the hazardous
situation and/or other devices, like smoke detectors, fire detectors, burglar detectors
and so on coupled to a common bus.
[0003] The hazard alarming devices are coupled to the bus supplying control signals and
optionally power to the hazard alarming devices and/or other devices. The bus is additionally
coupled to a bus master device supplying the bus with the control signals and/or the
power and for receiving information from the hazard alarming devices and/or other
devices. The information provided to the bus master device from the hazard alarming
devices and/or other devices can include e.g. information regarding the operation
failure conditions, like short circuits.
[0004] The system can be formed so as to comprise a plurality of bus master devices, each
one with his one bus and his own plurality of hazard alarming devices and/or other
devices. In this case the bus master devices are connected via a second bus with a
common central control device, which is used for a central control of the system and
for informing a user about the actual configuration and status of the system.
[0005] DE 10 2005 062 129 A1 discloses a system, where a plurality of hazard detecting devices are shown, which
are connected to respective buses and respective bus master devices, which in turn
are connected via a second bus to a central control unit.
[0006] In some cases it might occur that the same spatial area is exposed to an emission
of sound or light from hazard alarming devices connected to different bus master devices.
A user observing the sound or light might feel uncomfortable in case of receiving
deviating signals from the two or more hazard alarming devices at the same time.
[0007] DE 100 00 303 B4 or
DE 100 53 525 A1 disclose a system comprising a bus and a plurality of bus members configured to synchronize
with a master clock. The aim of these document is to control the communication times
of the bus members so as to avoid data collisions, respectively so as to ensure a
better use of the bus over the time and therefore a very accurate synchronization
is required. These documents are not directed to hazard alarming systems.
[0008] IEEE 1588 PTP (Precision Time Protocol) is a protocol used to synchronize clocks
throughout a computer network. On a local area network, it achieves clock accuracy
in the submicrosecond range, making it suitable for measurement and control systems.
This document is not related to hazard alarming systems, either.
[0009] WO 2013 055 599 A1 discloses a system and method for synchronizing a plurality of networked fire alarm
panels. A plurality of fire panels (i.e., nodes) are arranged on a token ring network.
One node is designated as a SyncHost, and the remaining nodes are periodically reset
to the clock time associated with the SyncHost to ensure all nodes remain substantially
synchronized to a single time. As such, when an alarm condition is signaled, the visual
notification devices (i.e., strobe lights) of all the fire panels (nodes) will flash
at substantially the same time, in accordance with government guidelines.
[0010] It is an object to provide a bus master device and a hazard alarming system which
can provide a more convenient alarming action for a user.
[0011] According to the present invention the above object is achieved by a bus master device
according to claim 1 and by a hazard alarming system according to claim 4. The dependent
claims are directed to different advantageous aspects of the invention.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention the bus master device for controlling
the operation of at least one hazard alarming device comprising a first interface
for connecting a first bus coupled with the least one hazard alarming device, a second
interface for connecting a second bus coupled with a central control device, and an
internal time determining device for determining a local time signal to be used to
control an alarm operation of the at least one hazard alarming device, wherein the
bus master device further comprises synchronisation means for receiving a master time
signal from the central control device via the second bus and for controlling the
local time signal based on the master time signal.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention the synchronisation means is configured
to control the local time signal so that upon receiving the master time signal the
local time signal is set to the same value as the received master time signal.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention the synchronisation means is configured
to control the local time signal so that upon receiving the master time signal the
internal time determining device is accelerated or delayed.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a hazard alarming system
comprising a central control device for generating a master time signal, a plurality
of master bus devices, a plurality of hazard alarming devices, a plurality of first
buses coupling hazard alarming devices out of the plurality of hazard alarming devices
with respective once of the plurality of master bus devices, and a second bus coupling
the plurality of master bus devices and the central control device, wherein at least
two of the master bus devices are each formed so as to comprise a first interface
for connecting a first bus coupled with the least one hazard alarming device, a second
interface for connecting a second bus coupled with a central control device, and an
internal time determining device for determining a local time signal to be used to
control an alarm operation of the at least one hazard alarming device, wherein the
bus master device further comprises synchronisation means for receiving a master time
signal from the central control device via the second bus and for controlling the
local time signal based on the master time signal.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention the hazard alarming system comprises
a plurality of second buses coupling respective master bus devices, wherein the central
control device is configured to generate the same master time signal for the plurality
of second buses.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention the plurality of hazard alarming devices
includes a plurality of optical alarming devices for emitting flash lights, and the
optical alarming devices are coupled with various master bus devices through various
first buses.
[0018] In the following different preferred embodiments of the invention will be described
with regard to the accompanying drawings, which show:
- Fig. 1
- an overall view of a hazard alarming system according to an embodiment of the invention;
and
- Fig. 2
- a detailed block diagram of a bus master according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] Fig. 1 discloses a hazard alarming system according to a preferred embodiment of
the invention. A plurality of first buses 1 are formed as loops connecting a plurality
of hazard alarming devices 3 and/or other devices - like smoke detectors or flame
detectors - with the respective bus master device 17.
[0020] A typical example of a bus 1 is configured as a two wired bus transmitting both,
the power for the operation of the hazard alarming devices as well as the signals,
to respectively from the hazard alarming devices.
[0021] The bus 1 is not limited to a loop design, other designs, as a branch line or multiple
branch lines connected to the bus master device are possible as well.
[0022] The bus 1 is connecting a plurality of hazard alarming devices 3. Examples of hazard
alarming devices are acoustical hazard alarming devices, optical hazard alarming devices
or loudspeakers for emitting voice messages. However, the system is not limited to
these hazard alarming devices and other suitable means might be implemented, for example
combinations of acoustical and optical hazard alarming devices.
[0023] Additionally and as mentioned above the bus might further connect hazard detecting
devices, like smoke sensors, flame sensors, gas sensors, cameras, burglar alarm devices
and so on. Finally, it is possible to connect relay devices for operating mechanical
apparatuses of the surveillance area, like doors, windows or ventilation openings.
Finally, the bus 1 is not limited to wire bounded buses, but can include an interface
for a wireless transmission, so that individual hazard alarming devices 3 or hazard
detecting devices can be installed at remote places, where no wire connection is available.
[0024] Even if not shown in detail, for cases where a hazard alarming device 3 or hazard
detecting device has to reach an explosion proof area, it is possible that the bus
is divided in galvanic isolated sections.
[0025] The bus 1 is connected with and controlled by a bus master device 17. A typical bus
master device 17 comprises a first interface 15 for connecting the first bus 1, which
as mentioned above is coupled with at least one hazard alarming device 3.
[0026] As shown in Fig. 2 the bus master device 17 comprises an internal time determining
device 11 for determining a local time signal. This local time signal will be used
to control the operation of the at least one hazard alarming device 3 connected through
the bus 1 with the bus master device 17.
[0027] According to the present invention the bus master device 17 further comprises a second
interface 5 for connecting the bus master device 17 to a second bus 7. Additionally,
the bus master device 17 comprises a synchronisation means 13 for receiving a master
time signal via the second bus 7 and for controlling the internal time determining
device 11 so as to control the local time signal based on the master time signal.
[0028] The second bus can be any kind of bus, like a two wired proprietary field bus, an
Ethernet bus, a wireless local area network bus or an optical bus. The second bus
is configured to connect a plurality of bus master devices 17 and a central control
device 9. The central control device 9 can be either a dedicated central control device
9, as shown in Fig. 1, or can be one of the bus master devices, which by internal
setting of the system has been assigned to function as central control device 9.
[0029] The first bus 1 can connect up to 250 bus devices, like hazard alarming devices 3,
and might have a communication rate of for example 6250 Bit/SEC like the FlexES® bus
of the applicant of the present application and might have a length of up to 3 kilometres
using a standard twisted pair of telephone wires.
[0030] The second bus 7 can be for example a CAN-bus having a transmission speed of 1M Bit/SEC
and might be configured to connect up to 80 master bus devices 17.
[0031] As shown in Fig. 1 the system has a further top level control, so that a plurality
of central control devices 9 are connected with a main control unit 19, an example
for that interconnection of the central control devices 9 is implemented under the
trademark "ESSERNET®" using dedicated cable and having a transmission speed of for
example 500 kBit/SEC. The ESSERNET® allows to connect up to 31 central control devices
9 and a dedicated main control unit 19.
[0032] As described the system in Fig. 1 can cover a large area in a huge building like
an airport or a train station with appropriate hazard alarming devices 3.
[0033] In case of an alarm it might happen at any position within the installation that
a person will be alarmed by hazard alarming devices 3 connected with different bus
masters devices 17, which in turn might be connected with the same or even with different
central control units 9. If in this case the hazard alarming devices emit their alarming
signals in an un-synchronised manner, it might be difficult or even impossible to
correctly identify the alarming signal, and the person, to which the alarm is directed,
might be miss leaded.
[0034] Therefore, the present invention proposes to control the operation of the hazard
alarming devices 3 so as to operate in a synchronised manner.
[0035] Especially in the case of using optical alarming devices which are driven in a pulsed
fashion it is helpful, if these devices are driven with a more or less synchronised
clock. Even more important is that the synchronisation should be provided for voice
alarming devices or acoustical alarming devices. In this case time differences of
20 ms can be noticed and a voice message transmitted through the hazard alarming devices
might be difficult to understand, if the time difference exceeds this limit.
[0036] The present invention suggests to assign a master clock for the system. The master
clock will provide a time signal which will be distributed through the network. A
special accuracy of the master clock is not required, since any deviation of the master
time vis-à-vis the real time will be distributed through the entire system and therefore
will not affect the overall operation. In other words, whether a second as determined
by a master clock corresponds exactly to one second is not relevant, since deviations
of the master time from the real time have no influence on the operation of the system.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment described in Fig. 1 the master clock might be provided
by the main control unit 19. The main control unit 19 will transmit a master time
signal through a bus connecting the main control unit 19 and the respective central
control devices 9. The central control devices 9 will receive the master time signal
and use this signal to synchronise their own internal clocks. Thus synchronised internal
clocks will be used to send a derived master time signal through the second bus 7
to the individual bus master devices 17. Upon receiving this derived master time signal
the synchronisation means 13 of the respective bus master device 17 will synchronise
the internal clock of the bus master device 17 and will use the thus synchronised
local time signal for controlling the operation of the hazard alarming devices 3.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment the master time signal of the main control unit might comprise
32 bit, which can represent a counter in steps of milliseconds. The lowest bit, i.e.
bit 0, represents 1 millisecond, the next bit, i.e. bit 1, represents 2 milliseconds,
the next bit, i.e. bit 2, represents 4 milliseconds... and so on. The main control
unit 19 will be configured to send a synchronisation message at regular intervals
or at special events transmitting the master time signal to the respective central
control devices 9.
[0039] The actual time period between the transmission of two consecutive synchronisation
messages depends on the accuracy of the local clocks of the central control devices
9. Typically, with an external resonator, it will be enough to transmit the synchronisation
message every 30 seconds.
[0040] In the time period between the two transmissions of the synchronisation message by
the main control unit each central control device 9 of each central control device
9 will continue to determine a derived master time signal independently by an appropriate
counter within the central control device 9, which will be set by the local clock
of the respective central control device 9. Of course, if the central control devices
9 have high precision clocks a longer time interval between two synchronisation messages
will be possible. On the other hand, if the clock of the central control devices 9
is less accurate, a shorter time interval will be necessary.
[0041] Upon synchronising the central control device 9 will have a derived master time signal.
Each central control device 9 will upon synchronising the internal clock transmit
the derived master time signal though the bus 7 to the bus master devices 17 as a
signal of 32 Bit or less.
[0042] If the time required for the synchronisation in the central control devices 9 is
larger than one millisecond the derived master time signal will be shorter, for example
will have only 29 Bits or 28 Bits and will therefore represent only a signal with
an accuracy of 8 milliseconds or 16 milliseconds.
[0043] Upon receiving the derived master time signal the respective bus master devices 17
will synchronise their local clocks and will transmit any operation instructions and
control signals to the hazard alarming devices 3 based on the synchronised local time
signal.
[0044] For the synchronisation of the clock of a master bus device 17 with the derived master
time signal or for the synchronisation of the clock of a central control device 9
with the main master time signal two different approaches will be explained.
[0045] The first approach is a hard synchronisation. The hard synchronisation will be explained
for the synchronisation of the derived master time signal with the main master time
signal.
[0046] The central control device 9 will upon receiving the main master time signal overwrite
the internal counter value with the received value of the main master time signal
and will continue the operation based on the new time value. This system has the advantage
of achieving a very fast synchronisation of the clocks and can be implemented in a
simple manner.
[0047] The same hard synchronisation method can be used for synchronising the clocks of
a master bus device 9 with the derived master time signal.
[0048] Noted apart, it is not necessary that the time interval of transmitting synchronisation
message between the main control and the central control devices 9 is the same as
the time interval used for transmitting a synchronisation message between a central
control device 9 and the respective bus master devices 17. These time intervals are
independent from each other and should be selected depending on the accuracy of the
respective clocks so as to allow a synchronisation of less than 20 milliseconds over
the entire system. As mentioned above typically a time interval of 30 seconds for
both cases should be possible, so as not to impose a too high load on the transfer
allowed on the respective buses.
[0049] As an alternative to the described hard synchronisation a soft synchronisation might
be used.
[0050] As described above, in case of a hard synchronisation the count value of the internal
clock of a central control device 9 or a bus master device 17 is overwritten. This
means that there might be gaps in the series of values taken by the counter of the
internal clock or that certain count values may be repeated due to the overwriting.
[0051] However, it might be that such a certain count value, which is skipped due to the
hard synchronisation, should be used to trigger an operation of one of the devices.
This means, that in worst case an operation of one of the devices will not start or
end at all.
[0052] In the case that the certain count value designated for triggering an operation is
not skipped, but repeated, the operation will be started twice, which might lead to
operation errors of the entire system. This drawback is avoided by the soft synchronisation
method in which case the synchronisation is done by accelerating or slowing down the
local clocks.
[0053] For doing so the receiving device, that is either the central control device 9 receiving
the main master time signal from the main control unit 19, or the master bus device
17, receiving the derived master time signal from the central control device 9, will
compare the local time signal and the received master time signal.
[0054] If the comparison shows that the two signals match no action will be required.
[0055] In case comparison shows that that the two signals deviate from each other the local
time will either be accelerated or slowed down.
[0056] Since the synchronisation is only done in values of e.g. 1 ms, which is far larger
than the operation step of the typical internal clock of a CPU, it is easy to either
accelerate or slow down the internal clock in units of 1 ms. Depending on the extent
of the slowing down or accelerating of the internal clock after a couple of synchronisation
messages the synchronisation of two time signals, i.e. the local time signal and the
master time signal, will have been reached.
[0057] In an preferred embodiment the extent of acceleration or slowing down of the internal
clock is selected depending on the actual difference between the master time signal
and the local time signal. If the difference is large the extent of acceleration/slowing
down is selected to be large, whereas, if the difference is small, the amount of acceleration/
slowing down is selected to be small. This can be done in 3 different steps, for example.
However any other number of steps might be selected at need.
[0058] The advantage of the soft synchronisation is that the time signal, either the derived
master time signal or the local time signal, will be a continuous count assuming each
value without gaps or repetitions.
[0059] Finally, it is possible to combine both methods for synchronisation, i.e. the hard
synchronisation and the soft synchronisation. For example it will be possible to perform
the hard synchronisation once, for example during the start up of the system, or once
a day, and after the hard synchronisation to keep the times signals matching to each
other by means of a soft synchronisation.
[0060] The system allows a high degree of flexibility in so far as that it is not required
to have the same synchronisation level in each part thereof. For example a bus device,
like a hazard alarming device 3 might take only 8 or 16 bits out of the 32 bit signal
of the time signal distributed by the bus master device 17. The 8 bits might correspond
to a time of 8 milliseconds, 16 milliseconds and up to 2048 milliseconds. This is
preferred if the hazard alarming device 3 connected to the bus 1 makes use a simple
8 bit controller and it is not necessary to archive a precision which goes beyond
the 8 ms provided by this clock.
[0061] According to the invention all the hazard alarming devices 3 will be synchronised
with the corresponding accuracy of 20 ms, regardless whether they are connected with
the same bus 1 or connected to different buses 1, which in turn might be connected
to different central control devices 9.
[0062] A user will always view and hear the alarm message in a synchronised manner, even
if he observes signals emitted from a plurality of hazard alarming devices 3 connected
to different busses 1 within the system.
[0063] The invention is not limited to a 32 bit time signal, neither for the main master
time signal nor for the derived master time signal nor for the local time signal.
If desired a 64 bit time signal or a 16 bit time signal might be used instead.
[0064] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to time intervals of 30 seconds between
synchronisation messages. Different time intervals can be used at the different levels.
[0065] For example the time interval between two consecutive synchronisation messages of
the main control unit 19 can be set at 1 minute or at 20 seconds, depending on the
respective requirements of the accuracy of the desired synchronisation and the accuracy
of the local clocks of the central control devices 9.
[0066] The time intervals used by the central control devices 9 to transmit their derived
master time signal to the bus master devices 17 can be the same for the entire system
or may be set individually for each central control unit 9. This setting can be done
under the control of the main control unit 19.
[0067] Furthermore, the individual devices of the system can be programmed so as to ignore
some of the synchronisation messages, if they do not require the corresponding accuracy.
For example a bus master device 17 can be programmed to ignore every second synchronisation
message.
[0068] Additionally, the system can be implemented by combining hard and soft synchronisation.
For example it might be possible to perform hard synchronisation between the main
control unit 19 and the central control devices 17, and to perform soft synchronisation
between the central control devices 9 and all or some of the bus master devices 17.
1. Bus master device for controlling the operation of at least one hazard alarming device
(3) comprising:
a first interface (15) for connecting a first bus (1) coupled with the least one hazard
alarming device (3), ;
a second interface (5) for connecting a second bus (7) coupled with a central control
device (9), the second bus (7) being a CAN bus, an Ethernet bus, a wireless local
area network bus or an optical bus, the second bus (7) being configured to connect
a plurality of bus master devices in parallel;
an internal time determining device (11) for determining a local time signal to be
used to control an alarm operation of the at least one hazard alarming device (3);
and
synchronisation means (13) for receiving a master time signal from the central control
device (9) via the second bus (7) and for controlling the local time signal based
on the master time signal.
2. Bus master device according to claim 1, wherein:
the synchronisation means (13) is configured to control the local time signal so that
upon receiving the master time signal the local time signal is set to the same value
as the received master time signal.
3. Bus master device according to claim 1, wherein:
the synchronisation means (13) is configured to control the local time signal so that
upon receiving the master time signal the internal time determining device (11) is
accelerated or delayed.
4. Hazard alarming system comprising:
a central control device (9) for generating a master time signal;
a plurality of master bus devices (17);
a plurality of hazard alarming devices (3);
a plurality of first buses (1) coupling hazard alarming devices (3) out of the plurality
of hazard alarming devices (3) with respective once of the plurality of master bus
devices (17);
a second bus (7) coupling the plurality of master bus devices (17) and the central
control device (9), the second bus (7) being a CAN bus, an Ethernet bus, a wireless
local area network bus or an optical bus, the second bus (7) being configured to connect
a plurality of bus master devices in parallel; and
at least two of the master bus devices (17) are configured according to any one of
claims 1 to 3.
5. Hazard alarming system according to claim 4, comprising
a plurality of second buses (7) coupling respective master bus devices (17), wherein
the central control device (9) is configured to generate the same master time signal
for the plurality of second buses (7).
6. Hazard alarming system according to any of claims 4 or 5, wherein
the plurality of hazard alarming devices (3) includes a plurality of optical alarming
devices (3A) for emitting flash lights, and the optical alarming devices (3A) are
coupled with various master bus devices (17) through various first buses (1).
1. Bus-Mastervorrichtung zur Steuerung des Betriebs von zumindest einer Gefahrenmeldevorrichtung
(3) mit:
einer ersten Schnittstelle (15) zur Verbindung eines ersten Busses, der mit der zumindest
einen Gefahrenmeldevorrichtung (3) gekoppelt ist;
einer zweiten Schnittstelle (5) zur Verbindung eines zweiten Busses (7), der mit einer
zentralen Steuervorrichtung (9) gekoppelt ist, wobei der zweite Bus (7) ein CAN-Bus,
ein Ethernet-Bus, ein drahtloser Nahbereichsnetzwerkbus oder ein optischer Bus ist,
wobei der zweite Bus (7) ausgestaltet ist, um eine Mehrzahl von Bus-Mastervorrichtungen
parallel zu verbinden;
einer internen Zeitbestimmungsvorrichtung (11) zum Bestimmen eines lokalen Zeitsignals,
das zur Steuerung eines Alarmbetriebes der zumindest einen Gefahrenmeldevorrichtung
(3) verwendet wird; und
einem Synchronisationsmittel (13) zum Empfang eines Masterzeitsignals von der zentralen
Steuervorrichtung (9) über den zweiten Bus (7) und zum Steuern des lokalen Zeitsignals
beruhend auf dem Masterzeitsignal.
2. Bus-Mastervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der
das Synchronisationsmittel (13) ausgestaltet ist, um das lokale Zeitsignal so zu steuern,
dass bei Empfang des Masterzeitsignals das lokale Zeitsignal auf den gleichen Wert
wie das empfangene Masterzeitsignal gesetzt wird.
3. Bus-Mastervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der
das Synchronisationsmittel (13) ausgestaltet ist, um das lokale Zeitsignal so zu steuern,
dass bei Empfang des Masterzeitsignals die interne Zeitbestimmungsvorrichtung (11)
beschleunigt oder verzögert wird.
4. Gefahrenalarmsystem mit:
einer zentralen Steuervorrichtung (9) zum Erzeugen eines Masterzeitsignals;
einer Mehrzahl von Bus-Mastervorrichtungen (17);
einer Mehrzahl von Gefahrenmeldevorrichtungen (3);
einer Mehrzahl erster Busse (1), die Gefahrenmeldevorrichtungen (3) von der Mehrzahl
Gefahrenmeldevorrichtungen (3) mit jeweiligen einzelnen der Mehrzahl von Bus-Mastervorrichtungen
(17) verbinden;
einem zweiten Bus (7), der die Mehrzahl Bus-Mastervorrichtungen (17) verbindet und
die zentrale Steuervorrichtung (9) verbindet, wobei der zweite Bus (7) ein CAN-Bus,
ein Ethernet-Bus, ein drahtloser Nahbereichsnetzwerkbus oder ein optischer Bus ist,
wobei der zweite Bus (7) ausgestaltet ist, um eine Mehrzahl von Bus-Mastervorrichtungen
parallel zu verbinden; und
zumindest zwei der Bus-Mastervorrichtungen (17) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3 ausgestaltet
sind.
5. Gefahrenalarmsystem nach Anspruch 4, mit
einer Mehrzahl von zweiten Bussen (7), die jeweilige Bus-Mastervorrichtungen (17)
miteinander verbinden, wobei die zentrale Steuervorrichtung (9) ausgestaltet ist,
um das gleiche Masterzeitsignal für die Mehrzahl zweiter Busse (7) zu erzeugen.
6. Gefahrenalarmsystem nach einem der Ansprüche 4 oder 5, bei dem
die Mehrzahl von Gefahrenmeldevorrichtungen (3) zumindest eine Mehrzahl optischer
Alarmvorrichtungen (3A) zum Aussenden von Blitzlichtern enthält, und wobei die optischen
Alarmvorrichtungen (3A) mit verschiedenen Bus-Mastervorrichtungen (17) über verschiedene
erste Busse (1) gekoppelt sind.
1. Dispositif maître de bus pour commander le fonctionnement d'au moins un dispositif
d'alarme de danger (3) comprenant :
une première interface (15) pour se connecter à un premier bus (1) couplé à l'au moins
un dispositif d'alarme de danger (3) ;
une deuxième interface (5) pour se connecter à un deuxième bus (7) couplé à un dispositif
de commande central (9), le deuxième bus (7) étant un bus CAN, un bus Ethernet, un
bus de réseau local sans fil ou un bus optique, le deuxième bus (7) étant configuré
pour se connecter à une pluralité de dispositifs maîtres de bus en parallèle ;
un dispositif de détermination de temps interne (11) pour déterminer un signal de
temps local à utiliser pour commander un fonctionnement d'alarme de l'au moins un
dispositif d'alarme de danger (3) ; et
un moyen de synchronisation (13) pour recevoir un signal de temps maître en provenance
du dispositif de commande central (9) par l'intermédiaire du deuxième bus (7) et pour
commander le signal de temps local sur la base du signal de temps maître.
2. Dispositif maître de bus selon la revendication 1, dans lequel :
un moyen de synchronisation (13) est configuré pour commander le signal de temps local
de sorte que, à la réception du signal de temps maître, le signal de temps local soit
réglé à la même valeur que le signal de temps maître reçu.
3. Dispositif maître de bus selon la revendication 1, dans lequel :
le moyen de synchronisation (13) est configuré pour commander le signal de temps local
de sorte que, à la réception du signal de temps maître, le dispositif de détermination
de temps interne (11) soit accéléré ou retardé.
4. Système d'alarme de danger comprenant :
un dispositif de commande central (9) pour générer un signal de temps maître ;
une pluralité de dispositifs maîtres de bus (17) ;
une pluralité de dispositifs d'alarme de danger (3) ;
une pluralité de premiers bus (1) couplant des dispositifs d'alarme de danger (3)
parmi la pluralité de dispositifs d'alarme de danger (3) à des dispositifs respectifs
de la pluralité de dispositifs maîtres de bus (17) ;
un deuxième bus (7) couplant la pluralité de dispositifs maîtres de bus (17) et le
dispositif de commande central (9), le deuxième bus (7) étant un bus CAN, un bus Ethernet,
un bus de réseau local sans fil ou un bus optique, le deuxième bus (7) étant configuré
pour se connecter à une pluralité de dispositifs maîtres de bus en parallèle ; et
au moins deux des dispositifs maîtres de bus (17) sont configurés selon l'une quelconque
des revendications 1 à 3.
5. Système d'alarme de danger selon la revendication 4, comprenant
une pluralité de deuxièmes bus (7) couplant des dispositifs maîtres de bus (17) respectifs,
dans lequel le dispositif de commande central (9) est configuré pour générer le même
signal de temps maître pour la pluralité de deuxièmes bus (7).
6. Système d'alarme de danger selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 et 5, dans
lequel
la pluralité de dispositifs d'alarme de danger (3) comprend une pluralité de dispositifs
d'alarme optiques (3A) pour émettre des lumières clignotantes, et les dispositifs
d'alarme optiques (3A) sont couplés à divers dispositifs maîtres de bus (17) par l'intermédiaire
de divers premiers bus (1).