TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a fire protection receiver and a fire protection
receiver system including the fire protection receiver, which provide the functions
of a central processing unit mainly controlling terminals and displaying information,
conditions, etc., in fire protection equipment primarily composed of a fire detector,
a controlled apparatus composed of, for example, a smoke controller, the actuation
thereof being interlocked with the fire detector, and a transmitter connected to the
foregoing component units.
GACKGROUND ART
[0002] FIG. 8 is a conceptual view showing an example of a fire protection receiver in conventional
fire protection equipment.
[0003] The example of the conventional equipment has a display unit 30 showing fire information,
operation statuses, etc., a control unit 40 composed of switches and the like, and
a printer 50 on the front surface of a receiver R. Provided inside the receiver R
are mainly a CPU (not shown), which controls the receiver R, and a ROM (read-only
memory) 70, wherein preset data is stored.
[0004] When installing fire protection equipment at a site such as in a building, data showing
the correspondence between the addresses of terminals, including fire detectors and
smoke controllers, and the places, where the terminals are installed (e.g., conference
rooms, office rooms, and an entrance hall), is stored beforehand in the ROM 70 of
the receiver R according to the situations of the site, the data showing such correspondence
being used for display at the time of regular inspection or in case a fire alarm is
given. Further, interlock data showing the interlock relationship between fire detectors
and controlled equipment (data showing which controlled equipment should be actuated
when a certain detector is actuated) and display data to be indicated on the display
unit of the receiver R are also stored in advance in the ROM 70 when fire protection
equipment is installed at a site.
[0005] If, however, a partition change or the like takes place after installing the fire
protection equipment at a building or the like, and if, for example, an office room
is changed to a guest room, then the correspondence between the fire detectors and
the installation places changes. This requires updating the set data, which has been
stored in the ROM 70.
[0006] To update the set data stored in the ROM 70, the ROM 70, which is an IC package having
an IC chip sealed with resin, for example, is removed from a ROM socket, which is
soldered to a substrate, then a new ROM 70a (a ROM storing updated set data) is attached
to the socket. This completes the updating of the set data.
[0007] A person qualified to replace the ROM with the new ROM 70a, however, is limited to
one who is familiar with the ROM to a certain extent. Moreover, even for a person,
who has certain knowledge about the ROM, replacing the ROM requires troublesome work
partly due to the need of carefulness to avoid bending the pins of the ROM 70a. Further,
careless handling of the ROM 70a may destroy the stored data because of static electricity
or external forces such as shocks may damage the pins of the ROM 70a during transportation.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a fire protection receiver and a
fire protection receiver system for fire protection equipment, which enable a person,
who is not familiar with the ROM, i.e., an electronic circuit, to update set data
such as interlock data securely and which permit easy updating work.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENITON
[0009] A fire protection receiver in accordance with the present invention is provided with
an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) as an erasable, nonvolatile
memory, which stores at least one type of set data among such data as the interlock
data showing the interlock relationship between fire detectors and controlled equipment,
the data on correspondence between terminal addresses and the places where the terminals
are installed, and the display data to be shown on the display unit of the fire protection
receiver, and the receiver function data showing the functions of the fire protection
receiver; a reading means, which reads the set data for updating from a memory pack
comprised of an IC card or the like, wherein the data for updating is stored when
the power of the fire protection receiver is turned ON or a similar operation is performed;
and a first writing means, which writes the read set data for updating to the EEPROM.
[0010] According to the present invention, when the power of the fire protection receiver
is turned ON or a similar operation is performed, the set data for updating is read
from the memory pack or the like, where the set data for updating for the interlock
data, correspondence data, display data, receiver function data, etc. are stored,
and the read data is written to the EEPROM; therefore, a person, who does not know
about the ROM shaped like an IC package, is able to update the set data such as the
interlock data securely and easily. Memory packs or the like composed of IC cards
or the like have no pins sticking out and some of them have protective circuits, eliminating
the danger of the stored data being damaged.
[0011] A fire protection receiver according to another aspect of the present invention is
further provided with a second writing means, which transfers the set data currently
stored in the EEPROM, which is an erasable nonvolatile memory, to the memory pack
and writes it to the memory pack as a preparatory step for updating the set data,
so that the set data currently recorded in the EEPROM is transferred to and stored
in the memory pack, and the memory pack is carried into a service center or the like,
where set data for updating is prepared after discussing the current set data. This
allows the set data to be edited at the service center, referring to the old set data
recorded in the EEPROM, making it possible to update the set data in accordance with
actual circumstances.
[0012] The present invention further includes a fire protection receiver system composed
of the aforesaid fire protection receiver and the aforesaid memory pack, which is
disconnectably connected thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a fire protection receiver system according to a
first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another operation of the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fire protection receiver system according to a
second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart specifically showing the writing operation given in a step S4
of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart specifically showing the writing operation shown in a step S6
of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 8 is a conceptual view showing an example of a fire protection receiver in conventional
fire protection equipment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment:
[0014] FIG. 1 is the block diagram showing an embodiment of the fire protection receiver
system according to the present invention.
[0015] In this embodiment, a receiver R1 has a CPU (microcomputer) 11, which controls the
entire receiver R1 and the terminals (not shown) of controlled equipment, etc. connected
thereto, a ROM 21, wherein a program for controlling the receiver R1 and the terminals
connected thereto is stored, a random access memory (RAM) 22, which is used as a working
area, a display unit 31, which displays a fire district, an automatic test location,
etc. and which includes LEDs, liquid crystal, etc., an interface 32 for the display
unit 31, a control unit 41 composed mainly of switches, an interface 42 for the control
unit 41, a printer 51, an interface 52 for the printer 51, and an interface 61 for
terminals, including fire detectors, transmitters, and smoke controllers. Stored in
the ROM 21 is a program related to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.
[0016] The receiver R1 further has an EEPROM 71 for storing set data and a connector 81
for disconnectably connecting an IC card 82 to data buses (shown by solid lines) and
address buses (shown by dashed lines) in the receiver R1. The IC card 82 is inserted
into an inserting port 80, which is provided in a front plate of the receiver R1,
the inserting port being normally plugged with a cover (not shown). The inserting
port 80, however, may not be provided with a cover.
[0017] The EEPROM 71 is a nonvolatile memory, which stores various types of set data such
as the interlock data showing the interlock relationship between the fire detectors
and controlled equipment, the data on the correspondence between terminal addresses
and the locations, where the terminals are installed, display data shown on the display
unit 31 of the fire protection receiver R1, and receiver function data showing the
functions of the fire protection receiver R1, and it stores at least one type of set
data composed of such data as the interlock data, correspondence data, display data,
and receiver function data.
[0018] The interlock data showing the interlock relationship between the fire detectors
and controlled equipment works, for example, in the following manner; when smoke controllers
are considered as the controlled equipment, if the first fire detector through the
third fire detector detect a fire, then the first smoke controller is interlocked,
or if the fourth fire detector through the sixth fire detector detect a fire, then
the second smoker controller is interlocked. The display data shown on the display
unit 31 of the fire protection receiver R1 includes the data indicating the fact that
a fire has broken out and the location where the fire has broken out, which is typically
represented by a message "The conference room on the first floor is on fire," and
the data showing a menu giving choices of testing, maintenance, interlock cutoff,
data list, guide list, etc. The receiver function data showing the functions of the
fire protection receiver R1 includes the data indicating the functions such as fire
alarm retransmission.
[0019] The CPU 11 and the ROM 21 are examples of the reading means for reading data from
the IC card 82 when the power of the fire protection receiver is turned ON. The IC
card 82 is an example of a nonvolatile memory pack, wherein at least one set datum
among the aforesaid interlock data, correspondence data, display data, and receiver
function data is stored. The CPU 11 and the ROM 21 are also examples of the first
writing means for writing the data, which has been read from the IC card 82, to the
EEPROM 71.
[0020] The operation of the embodiment described above will now be described.
[0021] FIG. 2 is the flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment.
[0022] First, the power switch of the receiver R1 is turned ON (step S1). At this time,
if the IC card 82 is not connected to the connector 81 (step S2), then initialization
is carried out in accordance with the then contents stored in the EEPROM 71 (step
S4). Fire monitoring is performed, display is given on the display unit 31 according
to the set data stored in the EEPROM 71, and terminals are controlled (step S5).
[0023] If a change of partition or the like is made at a site, wherein fire protection equipment
is installed, then it is necessary to update the set data according to the new partition
or the like. For this purpose, the set data for updating is written to the IC card
82 at a service center or a factory or the like. The IC card 82 is sent to the site.
At the power of the receiver R1 is turned OFF, the IC card 82 is attached to the connector
81 of the receiver R1, and the power switch is turned back ON to actuate the power.
[0024] In this case, since the power switch of the receiver R1 is turned ON (step S1) and
the IC card 82 has been connected to the connector 81 (step S2), the set data for
updating stored in the IC card 82 is read, and the read set data for updating is transferred
to and stored in the EEPROM 71 (step S3). Initialization is performed in accordance
with the new contents stored in the EEPROM 71 (step S4), fire monitoring is carried
out, display is given on the display unit 31 according to the new set data stored
in the EEPROM 71, and the terminals are controlled (step S5).
[0025] In the above embodiment, updating the set data such as the interlock data, correspondence
data, display data, and receiver function data can be accomplished simply by attaching
the IC card 82, which stores the set data for updating, to the connector 81 and turning
the power ON. Hence, even a person, who is not familiar with the ROM 21, can securely
update the set data such as the interlock data. Moreover, the set data can be updated
more easily since there is no need to use care not to break the pins of the ROM as
it used to.
[0026] FIG. 3 is the flowchart showing another operation of the above embodiment. The configuration
of the fire protection receiver is identical to that shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] In this embodiment, a step S11, wherein it is determined whether the IC card has
been read after it is determined that the IC card is connected in the step S2 of the
flowchart shown in FIG. 2, and a step S12, wherein it is recorded that the read data
has been written to the EEPROM 71 after that, are added to the flowchart of FIG. 2.
[0028] More specifically, storing the information, which tells that the data of the IC card
82 has been written (read), in the RAM 22 in the receiver R1 (step S12) after the
data for updating stored in the IC card 82 is written to the EEPROM 71 (step S3) allows
initialization (step S4) to be carried out directly after checking from the RAM 22
that the data has been read (step S11) if the IC card 82, which has been read, is
left connected (if the receiver R1 requiring no data change is actuated), thus omitting
wasteful double writing. The IC card 82, from which the set data thereof has been
read, may be removed from the connector 81 or it may be left connected. After the
IC card 82 is removed, the information in the RAM 22, which has been read, may be
cleared. Alternatively, the information, which has been read, may be written to the
IC card 82 instead of writing the information, which has been read, to the RAM 22
in the receiver R1.
[0029] An entering means composed of an entering key, check switches, etc. (not shown) is
provided in the control unit 41 beforehand. The status of the reading having been
finished is indicated on the display unit 31 or printed by the printer 51, and an
operator visually confirms it, then operates the aforesaid check switch, thereby storing
the read (written) information in the RAM 22 or the like.
[0030] In the case the operation shown in FIG. 3, whether the information has been read
is determined from the contents written to the RAM 22 and, according to the determination
result, the set data of the IC card 82 is transferred to the EEPROM 71. In the step
S11 of FIG. 3, for example, before reading the information, the contents of the IC
card 82 are compared with the contents of the EEPROM 71, and if both the contents
are the same, then updating is not implemented. This also makes it possible to omit
wasteful writing. In this case, the step S12, wherein the state of the reading having
been finished is written to the RAM 22 or the like, is unnecessary.
Second Embodiment:
[0031] FIG. 4 is the block diagram showing another embodiment of the fire protection receiver
system according to the present invention.
[0032] In the fire protection receiver R1 of FIG. 4, the current set data stored in the
EEPROM is written to the IC card and the set data for updating is created according
to that data, then the set data for updating is transferred from the IC card to the
EEPROM by writing it thereto. In the case of this embodiment, two cards are used;
one is a write-only IC card 82w exclusively used for writing the current set data
stored in the EEPROM 71 and the other is a read-only IC card 82r, which stores set
data for updating. Other basic structure or the like of the receiver R1 is almost
the same as that shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] The CPU 11 and the ROM 21 are the examples of the reading means for reading data
from the read-only IC card 82r and the first writing means for writing the data read
from the read-only IC card 82r to the EEPROM 71 and the second writing means for writing
the set data of the EEPROM 71 before updating to the write-only IC card 82w.
[0034] The operation of the above embodiment will now be explained.
[0035] FIG. 5 is the flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment described above.
[0036] First, the power switch of the receiver R1 is turned ON (step S1). At this time,
if the IC card is not connected to the connector 81 (step S2), then initialization
is carried out in accordance with the then contents stored in the EEPROM 71 (step
S7). Then fire monitoring is performed, display is given on the display unit 31 according
to the set data stored in the EEPROM 71, and terminals are controlled (step S8).
[0037] If a change of partition or the like is made at a site, wherein fire protection equipment
is installed, then it is necessary to update the set data according to the new partition
or the like. For this purpose, the write-only IC card 82w is connected to the connector
81 of the receiver R1 and the set data currently stored in the EEPROM 71 is written
to the IC card, which is then sent to a service center, factory, etc. More specifically,
the power of the receiver R1 is turned OFF, the write-only IC card 82w is attached
to the connector 81 of the receiver R1, and the power switch is turned ON to start
the power (step S1). At this time, when the CPU 11 confirms that the IC card is connected
(step S2), the CPU 11 reads an attribute area 82wa of the IC card 82w; when it confirms
that the write-only IC card 82w is connected (step S3), it reads the set data stored
in the EEPROM 71 and the read data is written to the write-only IC card 82w (step
S4).
[0038] The write-only IC card 82w is removed from the connector 81 and sent to a service
center, for instance. At the service center, the contents stored in the write-only
IC card 82w is read and the current set data is displayed on a display (not shown).
Referring to the displayed set data and the information on the new partition, new
set data is created and the set data for updating is written to the read-only IC card
82r, which is sent to the site.
[0039] At the site, the power of the receiver R1 is turned OFF, the read-only IC card 82r
received from the service center is attached to the connector 81, and the power switch
is turned back ON to start the power (step S1). If the CPU 11 confirms that the IC
card has been connected to the connector 81, the attribute area 82ra of the read-only
IC card 82r has been read, and the read-only IC card 82r has been connected (steps
S2, S3, and S5), then it reads the set data for updating stored in the read-only IC
card 82r, and transfers the read set data for updating to and stores in the EEPROM
71 (step S6). Then, initialization is implemented in accordance with the new contents
stored in the EEPROM 71 (step S7), fire monitoring is carried out, display is given
on the display unit 31 according to the new set data stored in the EEPROM 71, and
the terminals are controlled (step S8).
[0040] FIG. 6 is the flowchart, which specifically shows the writing operation given in
the step S4 of FIG. 5.
[0041] When the CPU 11 confirms that the write-only IC card 82w is connected to the connector
81 (step S3), it sets a function k of the number of counts to 0 (step S41), reads
the set data from the EEPROM 71 (step S42), and writes the read set data to the write-only
IC card 82w (step S43). In the next step, the CPU 11 reads the set data written to
the write-only IC card 82w (step S44) and compares it with the set data of the EEPROM
71 (step S45). If they coincide with each other, the CPU 11 decides that the transfer
has been completed and it tells that the transfer of the set data has been completed
by indicating to that effect on the display unit 31 (step S46), then it goes back
to normal processing. If, however, the data of the write-only IC card 82w does not
coincide with the data of the EEPROM 71, then the CPU repeats the processing from
the step S42 through the step S45 for a predetermined number of times K (step S48),
and it indicates that the set data has been improperly transferred by displaying to
that effect on the display unit 31 (step S49) before it goes back to normal processing.
This makes it possible to check that the set data of the EEPROM 71 has securely been
transferred to the write-only IC card 82w.
[0042] FIG. 7 is the flowchart, which specifically shows the writing operation shown in
the step S6 of FIG. 5.
[0043] If the CPU 11 confirms that the read-only IC card 82r is connected to the connector
81 (step S5), then it sets the function k of the number of counts to 0 (step S61),
reads the set data for updating from the read-only IC card 82r (step S62), and writes
the read set data to the EEPROM 71 (step S63), thereby updating the set data. In the
next step, the CPU 11 reads the updated set data stored in the EEPROM 71 (step S64)
and compares the read set data with the set data of the read-only IC card 82r (step
S65). If they coincide with each other, then the CPU 11 decides that the updating
has been completed and it tells that the updating has been completed by indicating
to that effect on the display unit 31 (step S66) before it goes back to normal processing.
If, however, the data of the EEPROM 71 does not coincide with the data of the read-only
IC card 82r, then the CPU repeats the processing from the step S62 through the step
S65 for a predetermined number of times K (step S68), then it indicates that the set
data has been improperly updated by displaying to that effect on the display unit
31 (step S69) before it goes back to normal processing. This makes it possible to
check that the set data of the read-only IC card 82r has securely been transferred
to the EEPROM 71 and updated. If improper updating occurs, then the set data in question
may be printed out using the printer 51 instead of displaying it on the display unit
31, thus allowing the cause of the incomplete updating to be identified. When the
control unit 41 is provided with a check switch (not illustrated) and if incomplete
updating takes place, then the check switch may be pressed to proceed to the step
S7 shown in FIG. 5.
[0044] In this embodiment, as in the case of the preceding embodiment, the set data can
be updated easily by a person, who does not know about the ROM. Moreover, since the
set data stored in the EEPROM 71 is written to the write-only IC card 82w, the set
data before updating can be checked at a service center, allowing the editing to be
performed at the service center by referring to the set data before updating. Thus,
the set data can be updated in accordance with actual circumstances.
[0045] The write-only IC card 82w and the read-only IC card 82r may be provided with marking
on the surfaces thereof or may be designed differently so that they can be visually
distinguished.
[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the write-only IC card 82w and the read-only IC
card 82r are prepared so that no beginner accidentally confuses them (or no set data
for updating, which has been written at the service center is accidentally erased
before updating is completed). Alternatively, the write-only IC card 82w and the read-only
IC card 82r may be combined into a single IC card so that writing and reading can
be performed using only one card.
[0047] Further, in the embodiments described above, the IC cards 82, 82w and 82r are electrically
connected to the connector 81. Alternatively, however, the buses connected to the
CPU 11 may be electromagnetically or optically connected to the IC cards via a prescribed
interface (not shown). Such electromagnetic or optical connection enables the set
data to be transmitted without the IC cards being in contact, permitting even more
convenient updating of the set data.
[0048] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, data is written to the IC card and
data is read from the IC card when the power of the fire protection receiver R1 is
turned ON; alternatively, however, a write starting switch and a read starting switch
(not illustrated) may be provided on the control unit 41, for example, of the receiver
R1 so that data may be written to the IC card and data may be read from the IC card
in accordance with a predetermined actuating operation such as turning the starting
switches ON, without the power being involved.
[0049] In the above embodiments, the IC cards are used as the examples of memory packs;
however, there are other examples of memory packs, including an IC board, wherein
the IC is mounted on a substrate but not enclosed in a case, and an optical card.
Further, the embodiments discussed above use the EEPROM 71 as the erasable nonvolatile
memory; however, a RAM or the like equipped with a backup power supply may be used
as the erasable nonvolatile memory in place of the EEPROM 71.
[0050] Further alternatively, the status of the set data stored in the EEPROM 71 having
been written to the write-only IC card 82w and the status of the set data for updating
stored in the read-only IC card 82r having been written to the EEPROM 71 may be written
to the individual IC cards or in a predetermined memory in the receiver R1 or may
be displayed on a display unit in the receiver R1.
[0051] The fire protection receiver and the fire protection receiver system according to
the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, but the
scope thereof is based on the scope defined by the attached claims.
[0052] Thus, according to the present invention, a person, who is not familiar with the
ROM, can update set data such as interlock relationship data securely and moreover,
the updating work is easy.
1. A fire protection receiver, which carries out general control over a fire detector
and controlled equipment actuated interlocked with the fire detector and which provides
display thereof, said fire protection receiver comprising:
an erasable nonvolatile memory, wherein set data for control and display are stored;
a reading means, which reads said set data for updating from a memory pack, wherein
said set data for updating set data of the erasable nonvolatile memory is stored,
when power of said fire protection receiver is turned ON or predetermined reading
is started; and
a first writing means for writing said set data for updating, which has been read
from said memory pack, to said erasable nonvolatile memory.
2. A fire protection receiver according to claim 1, further comprising a displaying means
and a data updating completion writing means for storing a status of the set data
for updating of said memory pack having been written to said erasable nonvolatile
memory in the memory pack or in a predetermined memory in the receiver or for displaying
it on said displaying means.
3. A fire protection receiver according to claim 1, further comprising a second writing
means for writing the set data stored in said erasable nonvolatile memory to the memory
pack.
4. A fire protection receiver according to claim 3, further comprising a displaying means
and a data writing completion writing means for storing the status of said set data
stored in said erasable nonvolatile memory having been written to said memory pack
in said memory pack or in a predetermined memory in the receiver or for displaying
it on said displaying means.
5. A fire protection receiver according to claim 3, further comprising a displaying means
and a data updating completion writing means for storing the status of the set data
for updating of said memory pack having been written to said erasable nonvolatile
memory in said memory pack or in a predetermined memory in the receiver or for displaying
it on said displaying means.
6. A fire protection receiver according to claim 1, wherein the set data stored in said
erasable nonvolatile memory includes at least one set datum out of interlock data
showing the interlock relationship between said fire detector and controlled equipment,
data on correspondence between a terminal address and a place where the terminals
is installed, display data to be shown on a display unit of the fire protection receiver,
and receiver function data showing the functions of the fire protection receiver.
7. A fire protection receiver system comprising a fire protection receiver, which carries
out general control over a fire detector and controlled equipment actuated interlocking
therewith and which provides display thereof, and a portable storing means, which
is used for updating the data set in the fire protection receiver and which is disconnectably
connected to said fire protection receiver;
said fire protection receiver comprising an erasable nonvolatile memory, wherein
set data for control and display is stored, a reading means, which reads set data
from said portable storing means when the power of the fire protection receiver is
turned ON or predetermined reading is started, and a first writing means for writing
the set data, which has been read from said portable storing means, to said erasable
nonvolatile memory; and
said portable storing means comprising at least one memory pack for storing set
data to update the set data of said erasable nonvolatile memory.
8. A fire protection receiver system according to claim 7, wherein said fire protection
receiver further comprises a second writing means for writing the set data stored
in said erasable nonvolatile memory to said portable storing means.
9. A fire protection receiver system according to claim 8, wherein said portable storing
means consists of a memory pack, whereto the set data stored in said erasable nonvolatile
memory is written and the set data for updating the set data of said nonvolatile memory
is written.
10. A fire protection receiver system according to claim 8, wherein said portable storing
means comprises a write-only memory pack for storing said set data stored in said
erasable nonvolatile memory and a read-only memory pack, wherein set data for updating
the set data of said nonvolatile memory is stored; and
said fire protection receiver reads said set data stored in said erasable nonvolatile
memory and writes it to said write-only memory pack if said write-only memory pack
is connected, while it reads said set data for updating from said read-only memory
pack and writes it to said erasable nonvolatile memory if said read-only memory pack
is connected.
11. A fire protection receiver system according to claim 10, wherein said write-only memory
pack and read-only memory pack include attribute areas indicating that they are the
write-only memory pack and the read-only memory pack, respectively.
12. A fire protection receiver system according to claim 11, wherein said write-only memory
pack and said read-only memory pack are visually distinguishable.
13. A fire protection receiver system according to claim 7, wherein said memory pack is
comprised of an IC card, IC board or an optical card.