Control system and transmission method

Abstract

 In the control system, the units each have inherent ID information allocated thereto and the transmission message includes at least address information of an addressee and an operation code. The operation code is calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee. For example, the operation code is calculated in the form of a checksum of at least said address information of said addressee and said ID information of said addressee. Such a control system is capable of significantly enhancing security in exchange of information, when it is carried out between units using a transmission message.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a control system and a transmission method, and more particularly to a control system and a transmission method which are suitable for a disaster preventing system or the like.

[0002] A control system for a disaster preventing system or the like which is conventionally known in the art is constructed in such a manner as shown in Fig. 12 by way of example. More specifically, the control system shown in Fig. 12 includes a controller unit U₁ and various units to be controlled (hereinafter referred to as "controlled units") U₂ to U_n commonly connected to the controller unit U₁. In such a control system, a transmission message based on a communication control protocol is used for exchange of information between the controller unit U₁ and the respective controlled units U₂ to U_n.

[0003] A transmission message used for such a control system is constructed as shown in Fig. 13(a) by way of example. More particularly, the transmission message is constituted by a header, an address (an address of an addressee), a command, data, and a checksum. The checksum is added to the transmission message for the purpose of enhancing reliability in communication of the transmission message. It may be calculated by the following expression (1):

wherein EXOR indicates an exclusive OR.

[0004] When the transmission message shown in Fig. 13(a) is used, the controlled units which are units on a receive side (hereinafter referred to as "receive side units") each compare an address set in itself with the address contained in the transmission message or the address of the addressee. As a result, when both are coincident with each other, the latter address is judged to be a transmission message for the controlled unit itself, so that the controlled unit takes in it and then carries out processing thereof depending on a command contained in the transmission message.

[0005] Alternatively, a transmission message shown in Fig. 13(b) may be substituted for that shown in Fig. 13(a). The transmission message shown in Fig. 13(b) includes type data in addition to a transmission message of such a type as shown in Fig. 13(a).

[0006] In this instance, the checksum is calculated by operation using the following expression (2):

[0007] When the transmission message shown in Fig. 13(b) is used, the controlled units or the receive side units each compare an address set in itself with an address contained in the transmission message or an address of the addressee. As a result, when both are coincident with each other, the controlled unit judges that the latter address is a transmission message addressed to itself. Also, it judges whether or not the transmission message is necessary, on the basis of type data in the transmission message. As a result, only when it is judged to be necessary, the controlled unit takes in the transmission message, to thereby carry out processing depending on a command contained in the transmission message.

[0008] In each of the transmission messages of Figs. 13(a) and 13(b), the commands include, for example, "a command for collecting data from the controlled units (receive side units)", "a command for sending a control signal which provides the controlled units (receive side units) with predetermined information (for example, an alarm)", "a command for carrying out automatic test of the controlled units (receive side units)" or the like. In this instance, when the command contained in the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ is "a command for collecting data from the controlled units", it is not required that the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ contains data. In this case, the controlled unit by which the transmission message has been taken in is adapted to return data collected according to the command of the transmission message such as, for example, data on fire detection to the controller unit U₁.

[0009] Also, when the command contained in the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ is "a command for sending a control signal which provides the controlled units (receive side units) with predetermined information (for example, an alarm)" or "a command for carrying out automatic test of the controlled units (receive side units)", it is required that the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ contains "a control signal (control data)which provides the controlled units (receive side units) with predetermined information (for example, an alarm)" or "test control data for carrying out automatic test of the controlled units (receive side unit)" as data therefor. In this instance, data in the transmission message are employed or taken in by the controlled units and then subject to processing in the controlled unit according to the command in the transmission message and on the basis of the data contained in the transmission message. Then, the controlled unit returns data on a result of the processing to the controller unit U₁. The data on a result of the processing include, for example, data to the effect that an alarm has been displayed and data on a test result.

[0010] Thus, it will be noted that the transmission message has data added thereto as required. Therefore, addition of data thereto is not necessarily carried out. When data are not contained in the transmission message, <Data> are excluded from calculation of the checksum by each of the expressions (1) and (2) described above.

[0011] When the transmission message of the type shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b) is used, conditions under which the controlled unit (receive side unit) confirms whether or not the transmission message is addressed to itself are limited to only the address of the addressee contained in the transmission message. This causes the prior art to fail to satisfactorily increase security in exchange of information between the units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing disadvantage of the prior art.

[0013] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a control system which is capable of enhancing security in exchange of information between units when the exchange is to be carried out by means of a transmission message.

[0014] There is also a need to provide a transmission method which is capable of enhancing security in exchange of information between units when the exchange is to be carried out by means of a transmission message.

[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a control system for carrying out exchange of information by means of a transmission message between a plurality of units is provided. The units each have inherent ID information allocated thereto and the transmission message includes at least address information of an addressee and an operation code, wherein the operation code is calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation code is calculated in the form of a checksum of at least the address information of the addressee and the ID information of the addressee.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the units each are provided with a non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory of each of the units has ID information which is allocated for each of the units set therein.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-volatile memory of each of the units is a one-time non-volatile memory. The one-time non-volatile memory is constructed so as to permit writing of the ID information thereto only one time.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the transmission message is transmitted from a unit of an addresser to a unit of the addressee, the unit of the addressee compares an operation code in the transmission message received thereby with its own ID information to judge whether or not it is a transmission message addressed thereto.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ID information allocated to each of the units is set to be the same between the units which are intended to carry out exchange of information by means of the transmission message.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a transmission method is provided which is adapted to carry out exchange of information by a transmission message between units. The transmission method includes the steps of allocating inherent ID information to each of the units and incorporating at least address information of an addressee and an operation code into the transmission message when the transmission message is to be transmitted from a unit of an addresser to a unit of the addressee. The operation code is calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmission method further includes the steps of letting the unit of the addressee judge whether or not address information in the transmission message received thereby is coincident with its own address when the transmission message is transmitted from the unit of the addresser to the unit of the addressee and letting the unit of the addressee compare an operation code contained in the transmission message received thereby with its own ID information to judge whether or not its own ID information is designated one, whereby when it is judged that the address information is coincident with the address of the unit of the addressee and the ID information of the unit of the addressee is designated one, the transmission message is judged to be a transmission message addressed to the unit of the addressee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings; wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing an embodiment of a control system according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing one example of the control system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing another example of the control system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a modification of the control system of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a controller unit;

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a controlled unit;

Fig. 7 is a view showing an address and ID information set in each of units U₁ to U_n in the control system of Fig. 2 by way of example;

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a disaster preventing system obtained by realizing a control system according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a fire control panel incorporated in the disaster preventing system of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a repeater panel incorporated in the disaster preventing system of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an analog-type sensor incorporated in the disaster preventing system of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing a conventional control system which may be realized in the form of a disaster preventing system or the like; and

Figs. 13(a) and 13(b) each are a view showing a format of a transmission message by way of example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Now, the preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Referring first to Fig. 1, an embodiment of a control system according to the present invention is illustrated. A control system of the illustrated embodiment is constructed so as to permit a plurality of units U₁ to U_n to carry out mutual exchange of information through transmission lines. The units U₁ to U_n may be mutually homogeneous. For example, the units U₁ to U_n each may be constructed so as to function as a controller unit for each of the remaining units, as well as a controlled unit for each of the remaining units. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 12 or described hereinafter, the units U₁ to U_n may be so constructed that one of them (for example, the unit U₁) acts as a controller unit and another part of the units (for example, each of the units U₂ to U_n) acts as a controlled unit for the controller unit U₁.

[0026] In either case, exchange of information among or between the units U₁ to U_n is carried out using a transmission message based on a communication control protocol. The transmission message to be used in the illustrated embodiment may be constructed in substantially the same manner as shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b). More particularly, a transmission message of the type shown in Fig. 13(a) is constituted of a header, an address of an addressee, a command, data and a checksum. A transmission message of the type shown in Fig. 13(b) includes type data in addition to the transmission message of the type shown in Fig. 13(a).

[0027] The checksum is added to the transmission message for the purpose of enhancing or increasing reliability in communication of the transmission message. In this embodiment, the checksum is calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee. More specifically, when the transmission message used is of such a type as shown in Fig. 13(a), the checksum may be calculated by operation using the following expression (3):

wherein EXOR indicates an exclusive OR.

[0028] When the transmission message used is of such a type as shown in Fig. 13(b) is used, the checksum may be calculated by operation using the following expression (4):

wherein EXOR indicates an exclusive OR.

[0029] In each of the checksums, the ID information may include, for example, a code peculiar to a manufacturer of the units, a code indicating an agency, a code required for enhancing security in exchange of information, or the like.

[0030] Thus, this embodiment principally or basically employs a transmission message of the type similar to that shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b), however, the checksum has the ID information of the addressee added thereto or embedded therein while considering it; so that a receive side unit (a unit of the addressee) may use the checksum to judge whether or not ID information coincident with its own ID information is designated. Thus, the transmission message may be taken in only by the receive side unit which has an address coincident with the address of the addressee contained in the transmission massage and possesses ID information coincident with the ID information embedded in the checksum.

[0031] In other words, when the receive side unit does not include ID information identical with that embedded in the checksum although it includes an address coincident with the address of the addressee contained in the transmission message, it fails to take in the transmission message. This highly enhances or increases security in exchange of the transmission message between the units.

[0032] This embodiment permits the transmission message to be principally or basically constructed in substantially the same manner as shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b) even when ID information is further considered. Thus, the transmission message is formed into the same length as that of the type shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b). This permits the transmission message to be kept from being increased in length, to thereby effectively prevent a deterioration in transmission efficiency of the transmission message due to addition of the ID information thereto.

[0033] Also, the control system shown in Fig. 1 permits units maximum in number of addresses which correspond in number to ID information to be connected to a single transmission line.

[0034] Referring now to Fig. 2, one example of the control system shown in Fig. 1 is illustrated. A control system shown in Fig 2 is so constructed that a part of units, for example, a unit U₁ acts as a controller unit and another part thereof, for example, each of units U₂ to U_n acts as a controlled unit. Thus, the control system shown in Fig. 2 includes one such controller unit U₁ and a plurality of the controlled units U₂ to U_n commonly connected to a transmission line 3 as in the control system shown in Fig. 12, so that exchange of information by a transmission message may be carried out between the single controller U₁ and each of the controlled units U₂ to U_n.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows another example of the control system shown in Fig. 1. A control system of Fig. 3 is likewise constructed so that a part of units acts as a controller unit and another part thereof acts as a controlled unit. More specifically, a single controller unit U_i1 and a plurality of controlled units U_i2 to U_in in a combination are commonly connected to a transmission line 3. The transmission line 3 also has another combination of a controller unit U_j1 and a plurality of controlled units U_j2 to U_jm connected thereto. Thus, the control system shown in Fig. 3 permits exchange of information by means of a transmission message to be carried out between the single controller unit U_i1 and each of the controlled units U_i2 to U_in in one combination, as well as exchange of information by means of a transmission message to be carried out between the single controller unit U_j1 and each of the controlled units U_j2 to U_jm in another combination.

[0036] In the control system of Fig. 3, the controller unit U_i1 and a plurality of the controlled units U_i2 to U_in are connected in the lump to the transmission line 3 and likewise the controller unit U_j1 and a plurality of the controlled units U_j2 to U_jm are connected in the lump to the transmission line 3. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, it may be so constructed that the controller unit U_i1, a plurality of the controlled units U_i2 to U_in, the controller unit U_j1, a plurality of the controlled units U_j2 to U_jm are connected to the transmission line 3 in any random manner.

[0037] The controller units U₁, U_i1 and U_j1 respectively shown in Figs. 2 to 4 each may be constructed in such a manner as shown in Fig. 5. The controller of Fig. 5 represented by, for example, the controller unit U₁ generally includes a central processing unit 11, a memory section 12, a console section 13, a display section 14 and a communication control section 15. The memory section 12 may be constituted of, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The memory section 12 has a program for the central processing unit 11, ID information allocated to the controller unit U₁ and the like stored therein. The program for the central processing unit 11, when the control system is, for example, a disaster preventing system, may be a processing program required for disaster preventing control, a processing program required for carrying out monitor and control of the controlled units, or the like. The display section 14 is adapted to display a fire alarm or the like, when the control system is, for example, a disaster preventing system and a disaster such as, for example, fire or the like is detected in any of the controlled units.

[0038] The communication control section 15 is constructed so as to carry out communication of information through the transmission line 3 between the communication control section 15 and the controlled units, as well as control of the communication. When the communication control section 15 is to transmit information to the controlled units, it produces a transmission message of such a type as shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b) which has a checksum in which ID information for a controlled unit of an addressee is embedded. Then, the communication control section 15 transmits it to the controlled unit. Also, the communication control section 15, when the controlled unit returns the transmission message to the communication control section 15 after the communication control section 15 transmits the transmission message to the controlled unit, receives the returned transmission message to give information contained in the transmission message to the central processing unit 11. This results in the central processing unit 11 carrying out predetermined processing. For example, when fire detection data or the like are contained in the transmission message returned from the controlled unit, the central processing unit 11 carries out fire alarm processing or the like.

[0039] The controlled units U₂ to U_n ,U_i2 to U_in, and U_j2 to U_jm respectively shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 may be constructed as shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, each of the controlled units represented by, for example, the controlled unit U₂ generally includes a transmission interface section 21, a memory section 22, a sensor 23, a signal processing circuit 24, a unique address setting section 25, an address comparison section 26, a checksum operation section 27, an error detection section 28, an AND circuit 29 and a command discriminating seciton 30.

[0040] The transmission interface section 21 functions to carry out exchange of information between the transmission interface section 21 and the controller unit U₁. Thus, the transmission interface section 21, when it receives a transmission message from the controller unit U₁, provides the address comparison section 26, command discriminating seciton 30, signal processing circuit 24 and checksum operation section 27 with an address, a command, data and a checksum each contained in the transmission message, respectively. Also, the transmission interface section 21, when it is to return information (return data) to the controller unit U₁, produces a transmission message of such a type as shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b) which has a checksum in which ID information for the controller unit U₁ is embedded. The transmission message may be, for example, a transmission message having a checksum calculated according to an expression (5) described hereinafter. Then, the transmission interface section 21 transmits the thus-produced transmission message to the controller unit U₁. It is not necessarily required that the transmission message to be transmitted from the controlled unit to the controller unit U₁ is prepared as shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b). For example, the transmission message to be transmitted from the controlled unit to the controller unit U₁ may be the transmission message of Fig. 13(a) or 13(b) except that it is not necessarily required to contain an address (an address for the controller unit U₁) and a command.

[0041] The memory section 22 of the controlled unit may be constituted of a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, a fuse memory or the like. The memory section 22 is previously stored therein with ID information allocated to the controlled unit U₂. The unique address setting section 25 has an address inherent(unique) to the controlled unit U₂ preset therein. The address comparison section 26, when the transmission message is transmitted from the controller unit U₁ through the transmission line 3 to the controlled unit U₂, carries out comparison between an address of an addressee contained in the transmission message and the address set in the unique address setting section 25. As a result, when both addresses are identical with each other, the address comparison section 26 outputs a logical value "1".

[0042] The checksum operation section 27 takes an exclusive OR (EXOR) between the checksum contained in the transmission message and ID information stored in the memory section 22 of the controlled unit U₂, when it receives the transmission message. When results of the exclusive OR are all "0", it is judged that ID information embedded in the checksum of the transmission message and the ID information stored in the memory section 22 of the controlled unit U₂ are identical with each other. In this instance, the error detection section 28, when the above-described results of the exclusive OR from the checksum operation section 27 are all "0", judges that there is no error or that the ID information embedded in the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ is coincident with the ID information of the controlled unit U₂, resulting in outputting "1".

[0043] The checksum operation section 27, when data are returned from the receive side unit U₂ to the controller unit U₁, carries out calculation of the checksum using the ID information from the memory section 22 of the receive side unit U₂, the address information set in the unique address setting section 25 and the data for return according to, for example, the following expression (5):

wherein EXOR indicates an exclusive OR.

[0044] The command discriminating section 30 is adapted to identify a command contained in the transmission message when it receives the transmission message. For this purpose, when an output of the address comparison section 26 is "1", an output of the error detection section 28 is "1" and an output of the AND circuit 29 is "1"; the command discriminating section 30 functions to identify the command to provide it with the signal processing circuit 24, which executes the command.

[0045] The commands contained in the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ include, for example, "a command for collecting data from the sensor 23", "a command for providing the sensor 23 with a control signal for permitting it to display predetermined information (for example, an alarm)", "a command for carrying out automatic testing of the sensor 23" or the like. When the command contained in the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ is "the command for collecting data from the sensor 23", the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ is not required to contain any data therein. In this instance, the signal processing circuit 24 of the controlled unit which has taken in the transmission message takes in or collects data from the sensor 23 according to the command identified by the command discriminating section 30 and then returns the collected data through the transmission interface section 21 to the controller unit U₁ while using such a transmission format as described above. The data from the sensor 23 are in the form of analog data when the sensor 23 is of the analog type and in the form of digital data when it is of the digital type.

[0046] When the command contained in the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ is "the command for providing the sensor 23 with a control signal for permitting it to display predetermined information (for example, an alarm)" or "the command for carrying out automatic testing of the sensor 23", the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ is required to contain "a control signal (control data) for displaying the alarm" or "test control data for carrying out automatic test of the sensor 23" as data therefor. In this instance, the data contained in the transmission message are taken in by the signal processing circuit 24 of the controlled unit and then outputted in the form of a control output signal DO to the sensor 23 according to the command identified by the command discriminating section 30. This results in processing operation being carried out in the sensor 23 on the basis of the thus-outputted control output signal DO. As a result, the sensor 23 outputs data indicating results of the processing to the signal processing circuit 24. The data outputted from the sensor 23 are in the form of analog data AI when the sensor 23 is of the analog type and in the form of digital data DI when it is of the on-off type. The signal processing circuit 24 takes in or collects the data outputted from the sensor 23 and then returns the collected data through the transmission interface section 21 to the controller unit U₁ while using such a transmission format as described above.

[0047] Referring now to Fig. 7, an address and ID information set in each of the units U₁ to U_n in the control system of Fig. 1 represented by, for example, the control system of Fig. 2 are illustrated. The controller unit U₁, when it transmits the transmission message to each of the controlled units U₂ to U_n, transmits it in consideration of an address and ID information for a controlled unit. For example, in Fig. 7, supposing that ID information for one of the controlled units, for example, that of the controlled unit U₃ is not regular (and more specifically, supposing that ID information for each of the units U₁, U₂ and U₄ to U_n is ID information (for example, "01") properly set by, for example, a regular manufacturer or user, whereas ID information set in the unit U₃ is, for example, "02" which is set by an irregular manufacturer or user different from the regular manufacturer or user described above and which is different from the ID information "01"), the transmission message from the controller unit U₁ (the transmission message in which the regular ID information is considered) may be taken in by the units U₂ and U₄ to U_n (and more specifically, of the units U₂ and U₄ to U_n, the unit having its own address coincident with the address contained in the transmission message), but cannot be taken in by the unit U₃ different in ID information. This permits only the regular unit (the unit having the regular ID information set therein) to take in the transmission message (or execute the command) and keeps the unit which does not have the regular ID information set therein from taking in the transmission message (or executing the command). Thus, the control system of the illustrated embodiment highly enhances security in exchange of information.

[0048] Also, when a plurality of the controller units U_i1 and U_j1 are connected to the single transmission line 3 to permit exchange of information to be carried out only between the controller unit U_i1 and a plurality of the controlled units U_i2 to U_in and permit exchange of information to be carried out only between the controller unit U_j1 and a plurality of the controlled units U_j2 to U_jm as shown in Fig. 3 or 4; the same ID information, for example, "01" can be set in the controller unit U_i1 and plural controlled units U_i2 to U_in Also, ID information, for example, "02" which is different from the ID information ("01") set in the controller unit U_i1 and plural controlled units U_i2 to U_in can be set in the controller unit U_j1 and plural controlled units U_j2 to U_jm.

[0049] In this instance, the transmission message from the single controller unit U_i1 may have the ID number "01" which is allocated to the controlled units U_i2 to U_in set as an ID number therefor. This permits the transmission message from the controller unit U_i1 to be taken in only any one of the controlled units U_i2 to U_in and keeps from being taken in by the other controller unit U_j1 and controlled units U_j2 to U_jm.

[0050] Similarly, the transmission message from the single controller unit U_j1 may have the ID number "02" which is allocated to the controlled units U_j2 to U_jm set as an ID number therefor. This permits the transmission message from the controller unit U_j1 to be taken in only any one of the controlled units U_j2 to U_jm and keeps from being taken in by the other controller unit U_i1 and controlled units U_i2 to U_in.

[0051] This results in security being ensured between the controller unit U_i1 and the plural controlled units U_i2 to U_in and likewise security being ensured between the controller unit U_j1 and the plural controlled units U_j2 to U_jm.

[0052] Thus, in the system shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the ID information is considered in the transmission message to enhance security in exchange of information between the units. This permits the illustrated embodiment to exhibit significant advantages. For example, the above-described ID information is assigned as customer's data to a sensor in which a transmission function for mass production is incorporated, so that a customer's controller may be restricted to only communication with an approved sensor, to thereby ensure reliability of a whole system. This, when any coarse sensor is connected to the controller, effectively prevents exchange of information between the coarse sensor and the controller.

[0053] Now, the manner of operation of the control system of the illustrated embodiment thus constructed will be described hereinafter. First, operation of the control system constructed as shown in Fig. 2 will be described.

[0054] In Fig. 2, it is supposed that an address and ID information of each of the units U₁ to U_n are set as shown in Fig. 7. More particularly, in Fig. 7, addresses of the units U₁ to U_n are set to be different from each other. Also, ID information is set to be "01" in each of the units U₁, U₂ and U₄ to U_n and "02" in the unit U₃ which is different from "01".

[0055] In Figs. 2 and 7, when the controller unit U₁ is to let the controlled unit U₂ carry out predetermined processing by way of example, the controller unit U₁ prepares a transmission message addressed to the controlled unit U₂. More specifically, the transmission message prepared includes a header, an address (#0002) of the controlled unit U₂, a command, data as required, and a checksum in which ID information "01" is embedded. Then, the transmission message is outputted through the communication control section 15 to the transmission line 3.

[0056] The controlled units U₂ to U_n connected to the transmission line 3 each receive the transmission message transmitted from the controller unit U₁ through the transmission line 3 thereto and then judges whether or not the address (#0002) contained in the transmission message is coincident with a unique address set in itself and whether or not the ID information ("01") in the checksum is coincident with ID information set in itself. In the present situation, of the controlled units U₂ to U_n, only the controlled unit U₂ has an address coincident with the address (#0002) and also has ID information coincident with the ID information "01", so that the transmission message is taken or collected in by only the controlled unit U₂, resulting in processing indicated by the command of the transmission message being executed in the controlled unit U₂.

[0057] Results of the processing in the controlled unit U₂ may be returned in the form of a transmission message from the transmission interface 21 through the transmission line 3 to the controller unit U₁. More particularly, the controlled unit U₂ carries out processing according to the transmission message from the controller unit U₁; so that when data are inputted from the sensor 23 of the controlled unit U₂ to the signal processing circuit 24, the signal processing circuit 24 gives the return data to the checksum operation section 27. Then, the checksum operation section 27 calculates a checksum constituted by the ID information "01" of the controller unit U₁, the address (#0001) of the controller unit U₁ and the return data according to, for example, the expression (5). Results of the calculation are sent to the transmission interface 21, so that the transmission interface 21 prepares a tramsmission message including a checksum (in which the ID information "01" of the controller unit U₁ is embedded) from the checksum operation section 27 as well as the address (#0001) of the controller unit U₁ and the return data, and returns this transmission message through the transmission line to the controller unit U₁.

[0058] On the contrary, supposing that the controller unit U₁ prepares a transmission message addressed to, for example, the controlled unit U₃, the controller unit U₁ prepares a transmission message constituted by a header, an address (#0003) of the controlled unit U₂, a command, data as required, and a checksum in which ID information "01" is embedded. Then, the transmission message thus prepared is outputted through the communication control section 15 to the transmission line 3.

[0059] The controlled units U₂ to U_n connected to the transmission line 3 each receive the transmission message transmitted from the controller unit U₁ through the transmission line 3 thereto and then judges whether or not the address (#0003) contained in the transmission message is coincident with a unique address set in itself and whether or not the ID information ("01") in the checksum is coincident with ID information set in itself. In the present situation, of the controlled units U₂ to U_n, only the controlled unit U₃ has an address coincident with the address (#0003). However, the controlled unit U₃ has ID information of "02" rather than "01", which is not coincident with the ID information "01", so that the controlled unit U₃ fails to take in the transmission message. This effectively prevents the information from the controller unit U₁ from being taken in by the controlled unit U₃ of irregular ID information. In this instance, the transmission message is not returned to the controller unit U₁, so that the controller unit U₁ may judge that the controlled unit U₃ of the address #0003 is not regular.

[0060] The processing operation has been described with reference to the control system constructed in such a manner as shown in Fig. 2. However, the processing operation described above may be effectively applied to the control system constructed as shown in Fig. 3 or 4.

[0061] In each of the above-described constructions of the illustrated embodiment, the exclusive OR (EXOR) is used for operation of the checksum and operation as to coincidence of the ID information. However, each of the operations is not restricted to the exclusive OR (EXOR). Any other suitable rule such as addition and subtraction of data or the like may be employed for this purpose.

[0062] Also, in each of the above-described constructions, the same ID information (for example, "01") is set in the units between which exchange of information is allowed. Alternatively, ID information of types different from each other may be set in the units between which exchange of information is allowed. In this instance, it is required to previously recognize (confirm) ID information for each of the units between which exchange of information is allowed.

[0063] Thus, the illustrated embodiment permits the checksum of the transmission message to be properly recognized and only contents of a message of proper ID information to be taken in and processed by the controller unit, resulting in processing efficiency being significantly increased. Therefore, only a proper message contributes to exchange of information between the controller unit and the controlled unit, to thereby improve processing efficiency in each of the controller unit and controlled units.

[0064] Further, in each of the above-described constructions, the transmission message contains the checksum. In this case, the checksum may be taken as an operation code in a broad sense. In other words, the checksum can be used as one of the various aspects of the operation code. Thus, the checksum as employed in the constructions described above may be used as the operation code. Alternatively, an initial value for a generative polynomial for cyclic redundancy check (CRC), or any other suitable code may be used as the operation code. For example, the ID information per se may be used as the operation code.

[0065] In other words, the control system of the illustrated embodiment permits exchange of message to be carried out between the units by means of the transmission message. In the illustrated embodiment, it is merely required that the units each have an inherent ID information assigned thereto and the transmission message contains at least the address information of the addressee, the command and the operation code, and the operation code is calculated on the basis of at least the ID information of the addressee (or the ID information of the addressee is embedded in the operation code).

[0066] Further, in the control system of the illustrated embodiment, the checksum of at least the address information of the addressee, the command and the ID information of the addressee may be used as the operation code. Alternatively, the ID information of the addressee per se may be used as the operation code.

[0067] In addition, in each of the above-described constructions, the memory sections 12 and 22 of the units each may be constituted by a non-volatile memory. In particular, the non-volatile memory for each of the units may be preferably constructed so as to permit writing of the ID information only one time. More particularly, a memory which permits writing of the non-volatile memory only one time (a one-time non-volatile memory) is preferably used as the non-volatile memory because it further enhances security in exchange of information.

[0068] Referring now to Fig. 8, a disaster preventing system obtained by realizing the control system of the present invention is illustrated. The disaster preventing system, as shown in Fig. 8, includes a fire control panel 51, as well as repeater panels (in the illustrated example, three repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3) connected through main transmission lines 53-1 and secondary transmission lines 53-2 to the fire control panel 51. Also, the repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3 have analog-type sensors and/or line modules connected thereto through transmission lines 56-1 to 56-3, respectively. For example, the repeater panel 52-2 has analog-type sensors AS₁ to AS₄ and a line module 54 connected thereto through the transmission line 56-2. Also, in Fig. 8, the line module 54 has on-off sensors DS₁ to DS₂ connected thereto through a transmission line 57.

[0069] The fire control panel 51, the repeater panels (represented by the repeater panel 52-2 by way of example), and the analog-type sensors (represented by the analog-type sensor AS₁ by way of example) may be constructed as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, respectively. The fire control panel 51, as shown in Fig. 9, includes a CPU 61 for controlling the whole fire control panel 51, a ROM 62 having a control program for the CPU 61 and the like stored therein, a RAM 63 acting as a work area for the CPU 61, an EEPROM 64 in which ID information of the fire control panel 51 and the like are set, a display section 65, a console section 66, and a transmit-receive section 67 for permitting transmit-receive (or exchange) of information to be carried out between the transmit-receive section 67 and the repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3.

[0070] Each of the repeater panels (represented by the repeater panel 52-2 by way example), as shown in Fig. 10, includes a CPU 71 for controlling the whole repeater panel, a ROM 72 having a control program for the CPU 71 stored therein, a RAM 73 functioning as a work area for the CPU 71, an EEPROM 74 having ID information of the repeater panel 52-2 and the like set therein, a transmit-receive section 77 for permitting transmit-receive (or exchange) of information to be carried out between the transmit-receive section 77 and the fire control panel 51 and remaining repeater panels 52-1 and 52-3, a transmit-receive section 78 for permitting transmit-receive (or exchange) of information to be carried out between the transmit-receive section 78 and the analog-type sensor and/or line module.

[0071] Each of the analog-type sensors (represented by the analog-type sensor AS₁ by way of example), as shown in Fig. 11, includes a CPU 81 for controlling the whole analog-type sensor AS₁, a ROM 82 having a control program for the CPU 81 and the like stored therein, a RAM 83 functioning as a work area for the CPU 81, an EEPROM 84 having ID information for the analog-type sensor AS₁ and the like set therein, a transmit-receive section 87 for permitting transmit-receive (or exchange) of information to be carried out between the transmit-receive section 87 and the repeater panel 52-2, and a detection section (or sensor) 88.

[0072] All of fire monitoring treatments take place through the repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3. Also, the fire control panel 51 generally controls information obtained from each of the repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3. More particularly, the disaster preventing system shown in Fig. 8 is so constructed that a plurality of R-type systems are connected to each other through LANs (or is constructed into a distributed-type system). The system permits the fire control panel 51 to set an address with respect to each of the repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3. The repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3 each permit an address to be set in the analog-type sensor and line module connected thereto.

[0073] Thus, the system shown in Figs. 8 to 11 is constructed in the form of a distributed processing system. When the present invention is applied to such a system, the fire control panel 51 may be taken or act as the controller unit U₁ in Fig. 2 and the repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3 may act as the controlled units U₂ to U₄ with respect to the fire control panel 51 (U₁). Also, the repeater panels 52-1, 52-2 and 52-3 may be taken as such controller units U_i1, U_j1 and U_k1 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively, and the analog-type sensors and line modules connected thereto may be taken as the controlled units U_i2 to U_in, U_j2 to U_jm and U_k2 to U_kp, respectively.

[0074] More specifically, for example, supposing that ID information "01" is set in the fire control panel 51(U₁), ID informations "02" to "04" are set in the repeater panels 52-1 to 52-3 (U₂ (U_i1) to U₄ (U_k1)), respectively, and ID information "06" is set in, for example, the analog-type sensor AS₁ (U_j2); fire-monitoring is carried out by the repeater panel 52-2 (U₃ (U_j1)) of which ID information is "03" and a fire test is carried out by the repeater panel (U₂ (U_i1)) of which ID information is "02", so that only results thereof may be returned to the fire control panel 51 (U₁). This permits a reduction in load on the fire control panel and repeater panels.

[0075] In the above description with reference to Figs. 2 to 11, a part (for example, unit U₁) of the units U₁ to U_n is constituted by the controller unit and another part thereof (for example, each of the units U₂ to U_n ) acts as the controlled units with respect to the controller unit U₁. Alternatively, as described above, the units U₁ to U_n may be homogeneous. For example, the units U₁ to U_n each may be constructed so as to act as a controller unit with respect to the remaining units and exhibit a function as a controlled unit with respect to the remaining units. In this instance, the units U₁ to U_n may be constructed into a combination between the construction shown in Fig. 5 and that shown in Fig. 6.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission message is constructed so as to contain the command as shown in Fig. 13(a) or 13(b). However, the transmission message is not necessarily required to contain the command. The command may be removed or omitted from the transmission message as required.

[0077] Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the control system is realized in the form of a disaster preventing system. However, realization of the illustrated embodiment is not limited to such a disaster preventing system. For example, it may be realized in the form of any other suitable system such as a crime preventing system or the like.

[0078] As can be seen from the foregoing, the control system of the present invention is adapted to carry out exchange of information by means of a transmission message between a plurality of units. The units each have inherent ID information allocated thereto and the transmission message includes at least address information of an addressee and an operation code, wherein the operation code is calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee. Also, when the transmission message is transmitted from a unit of an addresser to a unit of the addressee, the unit of the addressee compares an operation code in the transmission message received thereby with its own ID information to judge whether or not it is a transmission message addressed thereto. Thus, the present invention, when exchange of information between the units is carried out by means of the transmission message, permits security in exchange of information to be increased. Also, the present invention permits a length of the transmission message to be equal to that of the conventional transmission message also when ID information is considered for the transmission message. Thus, the present invention keeps a length of the transmission message from being increased, to thereby prevent a deterioration in transmission efficiency due to addition of ID information.

[0079] Also, in the present invention, the units each may be provided with a non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory of each of the units may be a one-time non-volatile memory which is constructed so as to permit writing of the ID information thereto only one time. Such construction further enhances security in exchange of information.

[0080] Further, the transmission method of the present invention which is adapted to carry out exchange of information by a transmission message between units includes the steps of allocating inherent ID information to each of the units and incorporating at least address information of an addressee and an operation code into the transmission message when the transmission message is to be transmitted from a unit of an addresser to a unit of the addressee, wherein the operation code is calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee. The transmission method may also include the steps of letting the unit of the addressee judge whether or not address information in the transmission message received thereby is coincident with its own address when the transmission message is transmitted from the unit of the addresser to the unit of the addressee and letting the unit of the addressee compare an operation code contained in the transmission message received thereby with its own ID information to judge whether or not its own ID information is designated one; so that when it is judged that the address information is coincident with the address of the unit of the addressee and the ID information of the unit of the addressee is designated one, the transmission message is judged to be a transmission message addressed to the unit of the addressee. Thus, the present invention, when exchange of information is carried out between the units by means of the transmission message, significantly enhances security in exchange of information and the like. In addition, the present invention permits a length of the transmission message to be equal to that of the conventional transmission message also when ID information is considered for the transmission message. Thus, the present invention keeps a length of the transmission message from being increased, to thereby prevent a deterioration in transmission efficiency due to addition of ID information.

[0081] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with a certain degree of particularity with reference to the drawings, obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A control system for carrying out exchange of information by means of a transmission message between a plurality of units, wherein

said units each have inherent ID information allocated thereto; and

said transmission message includes at least address information of an addressee and an operation code;

said operation code being calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee.

2. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said operation code is calculated in the form of a checksum of at least said address information of said addressee and said ID information of said addressee.

3. A control system as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said units each are provided with a non-volatile memory;
   said non-volatile memory of each of said units having ID information which is allocated for each of said units set therein.

4. A control system as defined in claim 3, wherein said non-volatile memory of each of said units is a one-time non-volatile memory;
   said one-time non-volatile memory being constructed so as to permit writing of said ID information thereto only one time.

5. A control system as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein when said transmission message is transmitted from a unit of an addresser to a unit of the addressee, the unit of the addressee compares an operation code in the transmission message received thereby with its own ID information to judge whether or not it is a transmission message addressed thereto.

6. A control system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ID information allocated to each of said units is set to be the same between the units which are intended to carry out exchange of information by means of the transmission message.

7. A transmission method for carrying out exchange of information by a transmission message between units, comprising the steps of:

allocating inherent ID information to each of said units; and

incorporating at least address information of an addressee and an operation code into said transmission message when the transmission message is to be transmitted from a unit of an addresser to a unit of the addressee;

said operation code being calculated in consideration of at least ID information of the addressee.

8. A transmission method as defined in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

letting the unit of the addressee judge whether or not address information in the transmission message received thereby is coincident with its own address when said transmission message is transmitted from the unit of the addresser to the unit of the addressee; and

letting the unit of the addressee compare an operation code contained in the transmission message received thereby with its own ID information to judge whether or not its own ID information is designated one;

whereby when it is judged that the address information is coincident with the address of the unit of the addressee and the ID information of the unit of the addressee is designated one, said transmission message is judged to be a transmission message addressed to the unit of the addressee.

Drawing