WO2003025874A1 - Alarm system - Google Patents
Alarm system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003025874A1 WO2003025874A1 PCT/GB2002/004239 GB0204239W WO03025874A1 WO 2003025874 A1 WO2003025874 A1 WO 2003025874A1 GB 0204239 W GB0204239 W GB 0204239W WO 03025874 A1 WO03025874 A1 WO 03025874A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- message
- messages
- sounding
- alarm system
- alarm
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B3/00—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
- G08B3/10—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an alarm system which reproduces spoken messages. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alarm system whereby different messages can be reproduced according to the location of the device or the situation. It is particularly, but not exclusively, related to a fire alarm system. SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART
- Sounding devices which reproduce a spoken message are well known. These messages may be pre-recorded and stored, often in digital format, either in the device itself or a central system, or broadcast live across a system. However, in order to be able to change the message during an emergency situation or to provide multiple functions by selecting different messages for different situations, it is necessary to have a number of messages stored and the selection determined by electrical wire connections, switches or data signals.
- the present invention proposes an alarm system with a control means that is capable of selecting any one of a plurality of stored messages for each of the sounding devices connected to it, downloading the message (s) to the respective memory (memories) of the respective sounding device (s), and causing one or more of those sounding devices to reproduce the message downloaded to it e.g. on the detection of an alarm input.
- the control means may download to the or each sounding device a default message, or select for each sounding device a message according to a default alarm condition and download it to the memory of that sounding device.
- the control means may have permanently stored message data therein or may be connected to a separate, but local, message store. Additionally, it may download message data from a remote message store (e.g. from a web-based source via the internet) and store it on the local message store (which may be internal to, or separate from but connected to the control means) . This downloading to the local message store could for example be carried out manually during commissioning of the alarm system. Once the relevant message data has been downloaded to the local message store, the control means can then use the downloaded message data to program individual devices connected to the circuit.
- the ability to communicate individually between a control system and individual devices is known, and is usually achieved by allocating an address to each device by switch selection or similar means. This is the case, for example, in fire detectors communicating the status of a fire to a control panel.
- the present invention uses these addressable techniques to identify each sounding device and download ⁇ the necessary message data to each sounding device. Once the data has been downloaded to the device, it can be reproduced when the device receives operating instructions, such as an appropriate instruction or data signal.
- each sounding device is able to download data at the same time as reproducing a message, thus avoiding delays in message reproduction, or a silent period, when, for example, the message needs to be changed during an alarm condition.
- Each sounding device must be capable of storing at
- the device In order to be capable of downloading one message whilst another is being reproduced, the device must be capable of storing at least two downloaded messages.
- the device may store more than two messages, and a new message is only downloaded if it is not currently stored. However, the more messages a device is capable of storing, the more expensive the device will be to manufacture.
- the control means of the alarm system may initially only send instructions on which message is to be broadcast by each sounding device or group of sounding devices. If any of the sounding • devices do not have the appropriate message currently stored in their memory, it is downloaded from the local message store. This may be as a result of those devices returning an error signal; the control means then causes the appropriate message (s) to be downloaded to those devices, or the individual sounding devices may request the appropriate message from the message store themselves. Alternatively, when an alarm condition is determined, the control means may determine (e.g. by reference to data stored in a memory device) those .
- the network that connects the devices to the control system or panel may be a dedicated network or it may also connect to other devices such as detectors or alarm points.
- the network may also be comprised of more than one sub-network, each of which connects to a group of sounding and/or detection devices.
- a further aspect of the present invention may provide a method of controlling an alarm system comprising storing a plurality of messages (which may be spoken messages) ; determining at least one alarm condition; selecting one of said messages for each of a plurality of sounding devices, according to at least one said alarm condition; downloading the respective selected message to each sounding device; and, on the basis of one or more alarm inputs, causing at least one of said sounding devices to reproduce a downloaded message.
- the one or more alarm inputs will also determine an alarm condition, which may be different from that according to which the messages to be downloaded were selected. An exception to this is the initial set- up during which a default alarm condition may be determined and the appropriate messages downloaded to the appropriate sounding devices.
- the present invention may also provide for changing, whe ⁇ e appropriate, the message to be broadcast from each sounding device, even whilst the device is reproducing a first downloaded message, and downloading a second message to that device, even whilst the device is reproducing a first downloaded message.
- Another aspect of the present invention may provide an alarm system comprising: means for storing a plurality of messages; a plurality of sounding devices, each being adapted to store and reproduce any one of said messages; a controller connected to said sounding devices, the controller being adapted: i) to determine at least one alarm condition ii) to select a respective one of said messages for each sounding device according to said alarm condition, iii) to cause each selected message to be downloaded to the corresponding sounding device, iv) to cause at least one of said sounding devices to reproduce the message which is downloaded thereto.
- the messages are preferably spoken messages (this applies to all aspects of the invention) . Further aspects of the invention are defined by the claims .
- Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an alarm system according to the present invention
- Fig. 2 is schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an alarm system according to the present invention
- Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a sounding device for use in the present invention.
- Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a message controller for use in the present invention.
- Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a combined detection and alarm system according to the present invention.
- FIG. 1 A first embodiment of an alarm system according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. It comprises a plurality of sounding devices 10, connected by communication/control lines or wires 40 in a network (the network shown is a loop, but other network arrangements are possible) . Activation of the network and determination of the alarm condition are controlled by alarm control panel 50 and/or the message controller 55. These units may be separate, with the alarm control panel 50 being, for example, a conventional fire alarm control panel or an addressable fire alarm control panel, as cur ⁇ ently used in this field, and the message controller 55 being, for example, that shown in Fig. 4. In the case that they are separate, the message controller and the control panel will be connected together and one of them will be connected to the network.
- the alarm control panel 50 being, for example, a conventional fire alarm control panel or an addressable fire alarm control panel, as cur ⁇ ently used in this field
- the message controller 55 being, for example, that shown in Fig. 4. In the case that they are separate, the message controller and the control panel will be
- message controller and control panel units 50, 55 may be combined into a dedicated control panel as shown in Fig. 1.
- the control panel may have additional networks of detection devices, such as smoke detectors, heat rise detectors or alarm points, or of sounders, which may be sounders according to the present invention, or conventional devices.
- the activation of the network and the determination of the alarm condition is controlled according to one or more inputs to the control panel, such as a fire detection system or user input.
- the control panel 50 and message controller 55 determine which message is to be downloaded to the memory of and/or broadcast by each sounding device 10 or group of sounding devices.
- the alarm conditions may include partial or phased evacuation schemes or a set of evacuation directions dependent on the location of the fire or even to provide messages in different languages in different areas.
- the control panel 50 and message controller 55 may only send instructions on which message is to be broadcast by each sounding device 10 or group of sounding devices, and if any of the sounding devices do not have that message currently stored, it is downloaded from local message store 70.
- the control panel 50 may determine (e.g. by reference to data stored in a memory device) those sounding devices where the message according to the present alarm condition differs from the message (s) currently stored in the sounding device, and cause the appropriate messages to be downloaded to those devices.
- Messages are stored in the local message store 70, which may be an integral part of message controller 55 or, as shown in Fig. 1, a separate unit connected to the message controller 55.
- Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention where the local message store 70 is capable of downloading messages from a site remote from the alarm system (i.e. from a remote message store 90). If a messuage is required that is not currently stored in the message controller 55, the controller may download the message from the remote e.g. web-based source 90 via internet interface 80. Generally downloading of messages to the local message store 70 (which may be internal to the message controller 55 or provided as a separate unit as shown in Fig 2) is carried out via the message controller 55. Downloading will be carried out when required, e.g.
- Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a sounding device that may be used in the present invention.
- Message downloads and alarm condition signals are received in data communication unit 13, which can also provide feedback to the alarm control system regarding, for example, the successful download of a message, or the current alarm status of the sounding device.
- Messages are stored in data storage 12 in digital format, according to instructions from CPU 11, which also determines, according to the alarm condition, which message is to be reproduced. When a message is to be reproduced, the appropriate stored digital message is selected. That digital message is converted to an analogue signal in digital-to-analogue converter 16, amplified by amplifier 15 and reproduced by transducer 14.
- Power for the sounding device may be internal (e.g. batteries or capacitors) or external, or a combination of both as, for example, in many standard emergency devices, or fed from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) .
- external power input 18 feeds voltage regulator 17, which also allows change-over to an internal emergency source when external power is not available. It is also possible that the data may be communicated to and from the device by superposition on the power line.
- Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a message controller 55 that may be used in the present invention. As described above in relation to the first embodiment of the alarm system, the message controller 55 may be an integrated part of, or a separate unit from, control panel 50.
- Messages are stored in a local message store 70. Messages may be downloaded to the local message store 70 fro ⁇ f remote message store 90 via internet interface 80.
- the local message store 70 may comprise one or more modules of random access memory (RAM) read only memory (ROM) or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) .
- Storage memory 70 may be a separate unit from message controller 55 or integral as shown in Fig. 4. Additional messages may be recorded and stored in storage memory 70 using microphone 65 and live voice recording module 60 or downloaded via the internet interface 80.
- control unit 56 Instructions and control information is received from the control panel by input interface 58 and passed to control unit 56.
- the control unit 56 executes the selection and downloading of messages from storage memory 54 to the relevant sounder devices.
- Messages which are to be downloaded from the local message store 70 to sounding devices are passed through output interface 57 to the network of communication/control lines linking the sounding devices.
- the message controller 55 may have a separate power supply 59.
- This power supply may take any of the forms usually used for emergency devices, such as a combination of mains supply and backup batteries/capacitors or a separate feed from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) .
- UPS uninterruptible power supply
- ' / ' Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of an alarm system according to the present invention.
- This system integrates sounding devices 10 and detection devices 20, of the kind found in prior art alarm systems, such as smoke detectors, heat-rise detectors and alarm points. Sounding and detection devices may or may not be co- located, but are all connected to the same network of communication/control lines.
- the network shown in Fig. 5 is a simple loop, but other network arrangements are possible.
- alarm control panel 50 and the message controller 55 Activation of the network and determination of the alarm condition are controlled by alarm control panel 50 and the message controller 55. These units may be separate, with the alarm control panel 50 being, for example, a conventional fire alarm control panel or an addressable fire alarm control panel, as ' currently used in this field, and the message controller 55 being, for example, that shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively these units may combined into a dedicated control panel as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.
- the activation of the network and the determination of the alarm condition is controlled according to one or more external inputs, such as a fire detection system or user input at the control panel.
- control panel 50 and message controller 55 may only send instructions on which message is to be broadcast by each sounding device 10 or group of sounding devices, and if any of the sounding devices do not have that message currently stored in their memory, it is downloaded from message store 70. This may be as a result of those devices returning an error signal; the control panel 50 then causing the appropriate message (s) to be download to those devices, or the individual sounding devices may request the appropriate message from message store 70 themselves.
- the control panel 50 may determine (e.g. by reference to data stored in a memory device) those sounding devices where the message according to the present alarm condition differs from the message currently stored, and cause the appropriate messages to be downloaded to those devices.
- Messages are stored in local message store 70, which may be an integral part of message controller 55 or, as shown in Fig. 5, a separate, but connected unit.
- the local message store may be updated or additional messages may be added thereto by downloading from a remote message store 90 via an internet interface 80 or by use of an audio input device (not shown) .
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0407961A GB2396470A (en) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-09-17 | Alarm system |
EP02767649A EP1428186A1 (en) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-09-17 | Alarm system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0122395.7 | 2001-09-17 | ||
GB0122395A GB0122395D0 (en) | 2001-09-17 | 2001-09-17 | Alarm system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2003025874A1 true WO2003025874A1 (en) | 2003-03-27 |
Family
ID=9922202
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2002/004239 WO2003025874A1 (en) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-09-17 | Alarm system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1428186A1 (en) |
GB (3) | GB0122395D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003025874A1 (en) |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4914705A (en) * | 1986-09-03 | 1990-04-03 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Voice message announcing method and system for plant |
GB2225661A (en) * | 1988-11-28 | 1990-06-06 | Millbank Electronics Group Lim | Emergency evacuation system |
US5576685A (en) * | 1992-01-29 | 1996-11-19 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho | Sound generation apparatus responsive to environmental conditions for use in a public space |
EP0806750A1 (en) * | 1996-05-10 | 1997-11-12 | General Signal Corporation | Audio communication system for a life safety network |
US6097289A (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2000-08-01 | Forward Safety Systems Inc. | Intelligent speaker controller for a fire alarm system |
GB2362490A (en) * | 2000-05-15 | 2001-11-21 | Glt Exports Ltd | Audio alarm system |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4531114A (en) * | 1982-05-06 | 1985-07-23 | Safety Intelligence Systems | Intelligent fire safety system |
WO1990001759A1 (en) * | 1988-08-12 | 1990-02-22 | Pioneer Data, Inc. | Smoke detector with voice alert |
US5349338A (en) * | 1993-02-02 | 1994-09-20 | Routman Brent E | Fire detector and alarm system |
SE9300964D0 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1993-03-23 | Jan Ruus | ALARM SYSTEM |
US5654690A (en) * | 1993-12-13 | 1997-08-05 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Fire alarm system |
US5936515A (en) * | 1998-04-15 | 1999-08-10 | General Signal Corporation | Field programmable voice message device and programming device |
-
2001
- 2001-09-17 GB GB0122395A patent/GB0122395D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-09-17 GB GB0407961A patent/GB2396470A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-09-17 GB GB0221478A patent/GB2381636B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-09-17 WO PCT/GB2002/004239 patent/WO2003025874A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-09-17 EP EP02767649A patent/EP1428186A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4914705A (en) * | 1986-09-03 | 1990-04-03 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Voice message announcing method and system for plant |
GB2225661A (en) * | 1988-11-28 | 1990-06-06 | Millbank Electronics Group Lim | Emergency evacuation system |
US5576685A (en) * | 1992-01-29 | 1996-11-19 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho | Sound generation apparatus responsive to environmental conditions for use in a public space |
EP0806750A1 (en) * | 1996-05-10 | 1997-11-12 | General Signal Corporation | Audio communication system for a life safety network |
US6097289A (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2000-08-01 | Forward Safety Systems Inc. | Intelligent speaker controller for a fire alarm system |
GB2362490A (en) * | 2000-05-15 | 2001-11-21 | Glt Exports Ltd | Audio alarm system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1428186A1 (en) | 2004-06-16 |
GB2381636B (en) | 2004-01-28 |
GB2396470A (en) | 2004-06-23 |
GB0221478D0 (en) | 2002-10-23 |
GB0122395D0 (en) | 2001-11-07 |
GB0407961D0 (en) | 2004-05-12 |
GB2381636A (en) | 2003-05-07 |
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