DE69616120T2 - Reception management system for digital signals from electronic devices capable of learning the detector configuration, especially for alarm systems - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a reception/administration or management system for digital signals coming from electronic devices, which can be used in particular for alarm systems.

The alarm systems in question, whether they are systems for protection against intruders or for technical protection (fire alarm, gas leak alarm, water leak alarm), generally comprise an electronic control and/or regulation unit (hereinafter referred to by the more common term "central unit"), alarm devices (for example sirens, horns, flashing lights), sensors specific to the system installed, telephone diallers, stabilised power supplies which take voltage from the electrical power supply network, release or disconnection devices, actuation devices or drive devices for motor units.

In recent years, such alarm systems have been installed with increasing frequency, using digital type connecting cables (hereinafter referred to as "bus") for the necessary connections. whose main function is to transmit data and signals from device to device within the system.

In detail, the installer must divide the area monitored by the alarm system into several zones, whereby each zone can be removed from monitoring independently of the other zones.

Such a configuration is normally realised with conventional digital signal reception/management systems by connecting the central unit to one or more electrical networks made up of sensor elements, other electronic devices for auxiliary functions and sound signalling devices (which are activated in the event of a fire) in a star-shaped connection pattern using specially designed point-to-point lines, i.e. one line per zone.

In the reception/management system for digital signals based on bus connection technology, the individual sensor element is suitably configured by adjusting or setting specially provided adjustment means with which the sensor element is equipped (for example by operating "DIP" switches, rotary selector switches, resistors).

EP-A-0485878 discloses a system according to the preamble of claim 1. Each sensor element is defined as belonging to a well-defined zone, and a unique association is established between the sensor element and the zone to which it belongs (“zone of membership”).

Similarly, the sensor elements can already contain their own, unique code when delivered to identify the zone to which they belong.

The link between code and belonging zone is then established in the central unit using suitable application software commands.

One of the main drawbacks of the digital signal reception/management system of the type disclosed above is a lack of flexibility in terms of connections and equipment installation. The sensor element connected to the connection line of a specific zone can only be reassigned to another zone via a direct electrical connection to the corresponding peripheral unit,

In systems based on zone configuration obtained locally (i.e. carried out directly on the sensor element), the main problem is that the installer must be provided with complete information regarding the operations to be performed, with the resulting and inevitable possibilities for errors in system setting (due to misunderstandings, information errors, absence of personnel) and long implementation times.

In addition, the secrecy of these operations cannot be guaranteed.

Systems based on programming the central unit avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages, but the difficulty of associating the codes (which define the sensor elements) with the zones to which they belong remains; moreover, in this case, expertise and care are required to carry out the code association operations, which results in long waiting times and a high probability of errors.

The object of the invention is to provide a digital signal reception/management system capable of learning the zone configuration data, which can solve the problems set out above, providing the various electronic zone devices as a coordinated and flexible whole and an administration or management methodology therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a digital signal reception/management system capable of learning the zone configuration data using standard electrical and electronic engineering, communication techniques and unique electrical solutions, thereby making it possible to reduce the volume and size of the interconnection cabling and to install and integrate the devices with a high degree of flexibility, while at the same time achieving greater functionality of the code/zone link and higher learning accuracy than the prior art solution.

Last but not least, it is an object of the invention to provide a reception/management system for digital signals which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured without having to resort to complicated or expensive techniques.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a reception and management system for digital signals coming from electronic devices, in particular for use in alarm systems, according to claim 1.

Advantageously, the digital signal reception and management system according to the invention uses a single two-wire digital bus to which the central unit, the electronic devices, sound signaling devices and zone actuation devices are connected.

In particular, the use of a single two-wire digital bus to connect the electronic devices of an alarm system makes it possible to significantly reduce the amount of interconnection cabling and to achieve flexibility in the installation of the devices, which can be assigned to different zones of the system without the need to be electrically connected to the corresponding interconnection line.

The system can be expanded within the limits of the bus capacity, whereby it is sufficient to access the two bus wires at any point along the line in order to install additional electronic devices.

Furthermore, no zone assignment operations need to be performed on the individual electronic device, thus avoiding wasted time and the possibility of errors.

Finally, within the central unit, the association of each electronic device with its associated zone is carried out automatically; the installer only has to select the learning status operating mode and the zone associations.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure and the accompanying drawings, which are merely explanatory, illustrative and non-limiting in nature; in the drawings:

- - Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an alarm system based on a reception/management system for digital signals coming from electronic devices and having the capability of learning the zone configuration data in accordance with the present invention;

- - Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the central unit provided in the alarm system of Fig. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

- - Fig. 3 is a block diagram of one of the sensor elements connected to other electronic auxiliary devices of the alarm system of Fig. 1, in accordance with the present invention.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1, according to which the reference number (60) designates the alarm system as a whole, the system comprising: a power supply unit (20) which feeds the system with a direct voltage which is in the range of 20 to 30 volts and which is arranged in a modular housing for flush mounting in accordance with the applicable DIN regulations and is connected on the one hand to the power distribution network (10) and on the other hand, via a connecting line (19), to a two-wire bus (18); sensor elements (40) attached to other electronic auxiliary devices, actuating devices and motor units and connected to the bus (18) via connecting lines (19), for detecting and transmitting data and information via digital signals in exchange with a central unit (30) of the system (60); a central unit (30) which is connected to the bus (18) via one of the connecting lines (19) and is intended to code the sensor elements (40) assigned to the various zones and to learn the links; devices (50) for sound signaling which are connected to the bus (18) via a connecting line (19) and are activated in the event of an alarm in response to a command issued by the central unit (30).

The central unit (30), the sensor elements (40) connected to the electronic auxiliary devices, the actuating devices and the motor units, the power supply unit (20) and the sound signalling devices (50) are all provided with terminals or connectors for connection to the two-wire bus (18) via the cables (19), as well as with mechanical elements for attachment to frames/supports used to accommodate electrical devices in civil applications in a modular design for flush mounting.

Referring now to Fig. 2, wherein reference numeral (21) designates an electronic device adapted to receive an identification code (typically an IR wavelength sensitive LED diode), wherein reference numeral (22) designates a visual alarm indicator, wherein reference numeral (23) designates a visual indicator indicating the system operating state in which the alarm system (60) is (i.e. on/off), wherein reference numeral (24) designates visual indicators indicating an enabled or selected zone in the learning mode, and wherein reference numerals (26) designate push buttons used to enable a zone and to select the zone in the learning mode.

The reference number (27) denotes a push button which activates the learning mode and other auxiliary functions, the reference number (28) denotes an optical indicator which signals that the power supply through the power supply network is connected, the reference number (29) denotes an optical indicator for tamper alarm, the reference number (31) denotes an optical indicator for technical alarm, the reference number (32) denotes an optical indicator for the learning mode or test mode, the reference number (33) denotes an optical indicator for the identification code programming mode.

The reference numeral (34) indicates an enable pushbutton used to enable the programming of the identification codes to be sent to the various electronic devices belonging to the system (60) and configured into selection zones.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3, wherein the reference numeral (41) designates the electronic/optoelectronic circuit of the sensor element (in particular a motion detector), wherein the reference numeral (42) designates a digital memory element (which is a programmable memory or a read-only buffer memory), wherein the reference numeral (43) designates an LED diode for visually signaling the operating state of the sensor element (40), wherein reference numeral (46) denotes a push button used to send or request the identification codes, wherein reference numeral (47) denotes an electronic interface circuit connected to the two-wire bus (18) to send and/or receive digital signals.

All devices described above are connected via connecting lines (19b) to a microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) which controls the overall operation of the sensor element (40) of Fig. 1.

The step of associating each sensor element (40) with a zone consists in placing the central unit (30) in a certain learning mode during which the acoustic signaling devices (50) are disabled.

During this period, the zone to which the individual sensor elements (40) forming part of the system (60) are to be linked is selected by pressing the push buttons (26) for zone release and selection in learning mode.

Suitable optical indicators (22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33) (typically LED diodes) provide an optical display of the selection and the learning operating state of the central unit (30).

The installer then (physically) grasps each sensor element (40) that is to be linked to the zones of the system and presses a push button (46) that is mechanically protected inside the sensor element (40) in order to send an identification code to the central unit (30).

The central unit (30) associates the device identification code with the selected zone and stores the data in a digital storage element (42) (which may be either a non-volatile or buffered memory).

The installer repeats the procedure described above for all the devices to be associated with the current zone and then selects another zone by pressing the push-button (26) on the central unit (30); the procedure then continues as described for all the zone devices that the operator wishes to enable.

Instead of pressing the push button (46), the transmission of the identification code can be triggered, following a reset operation of the microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44), via the physical connection of the sensor element (40) and/or the electronic devices associated with it to the two-wire bus (18) and the resulting supply of energy (possibly after a previous shutdown).

Other alternative procedures (variants) to the above-mentioned modalities for the selection and assignment of identification codes are: a manual actuation of the push button (46) or the connection to the two-wire bus (18) can cause the individual device to transmit the request for an identification code to the central unit (30).

The central unit (30) then sends a specific identification code which the device stores in its memory element (42) together with the indication of the zone of membership or even without such an indication.

The central unit (30) can now optionally store the linking procedure of the generated identification code and the selected zone; such a storage process always takes place in the memory element (42).

The above description makes clear the characteristics and features of the reception/management system for digital signals coming from electronic devices according to the invention, which is used for learning the zone configuration data is capable of doing so - and the advantages of the system also become clear.

These are particularly represented by:

- - Flexibility in the installation of system devices;

- no zone assignment operations on individual devices necessary; this results in time savings and a lower probability of errors;

- - Automation of the linking procedure in the central unit with the resulting simplification of the processes of selecting the learning operating mode and the zone.

Claims (7)

1. A system for receiving and managing digital signals coming from electronic devices of the type used in alarm systems (60) and capable of learning zone configuration data, comprising: - at least one electrical network connection unit (20) which is designed to connect to the power distribution network (10); - a plurality of sensor elements (40) connected to other electronic auxiliary devices and enabling and disabling devices and actuating and driving devices, each of the sensor elements (40) being provided with its own univocal identification code or being configured locally by means of devices provided on the same sensor element (40) so that the element (40) can be assigned to a zone of the alarm system (60) which is controlled and/or regulated by the reception/management system; - an electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) which receives data from the sensor elements (40) and controls the system by Assigning the identification code of each sensor element (40) to the zone is managed by application software commands; - a plurality of sound signaling devices (50) which are activated in response to an alarm event occurring, wherein the power supply unit (20), the sensor elements (40) and the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) are connected via a plurality of connecting lines (19) to a single two-wire bus (18) which ensures the transmission of electrical energy and digital data between the control and/or regulating unit (30) and all sensor elements (40), wherein the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) presets the sensor elements (40) to a state of selection of at least one zone of the alarm system (60) which is controlled and/or regulated by the reception/management system and to a learning state for learning the assignment of the identification code of at least one of the sensor elements (40) to the selected zone, characterized in that the sound-signaling devices (50) are also placed on the same two-wire bus (18) as the sensor elements (40). 2. Digital signal reception and management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) is pre-activated in a state of selection of at least one zone of the alarm system (60) of the system and a programming state, so that following digital signals coming from the two-wire bus (18), the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) generates the identification codes designed for the associated sensor elements (40), accompanied or not by a signal providing an indication of the selected zone. 3. Digital signal reception and management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) comprises at least one receiving device (21), a plurality of push buttons (26, 27) for the selection (26) of at least one zone of the alarm system (60) and for learning (27) the association between the identification codes and the selected zone, a plurality of means (22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32) for visually signaling the selection (24) of the zone, the learning (32) of the association between identification codes and the selected zone, the alarm situations (22, 29, 31), the switching on of the system (23), the presence of electrical energy (28) on the electrical power distribution network (10). 4. Reception and management system for digital signals according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor elements (40) comprise a microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) to which an optoelectronic circuit (41), a non-volatile or buffered memory element (42), a visual signaling device (43), a push button (46) with which at least one identification code can be sent to the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30), an electronic interface circuit (47) for transmitting and receiving the digital signals on the two-wire bus (T8), an electronic circuit (48) for resetting the microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) and for supplying energy via the two-wire bus (18) are connected via a multiple connecting lines (19b). 5. Reception and management system for digital signals according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor elements (40) are suitable for sending at least one identification code to the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) after the sensor elements (40) have been physically are connected to the two-wire bus (18), wherein the sensor elements (40) comprise a microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) to which an optoelectronic circuit (41), a non-volatile or buffered memory element (42), a visual signaling device (43), an electronic interface circuit (47) with the two-wire bus (18) for transmitting and receiving digital signals on the two-wire bus (18), an electronic circuit (48) which resets the microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) and for supplying energy to the sensor elements (40) via the two-wire bus (18) are connected via a plurality of connecting lines (19b). 6. Reception and management system for digital signals according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor elements (40) comprise a microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) with which an optoelectronic circuit (41) can be connected via a multiple connecting lines (19b), a visual signaling device (43), a push button (46) with which digital signals for requesting at least one identification code can be sent to the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30), an electronic circuit (47) which forms an interface with the two-wire bus (18) for transmitting and receiving the digital signals on the two-wire bus (18), an electronic circuit (48) for resetting the microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) and for supplying energy via the two-wire bus (18), a non-volatile or buffered memory element (42) for Storing the digital signals which may or may not be accompanied by a signal providing an indication of the selected zone. 7. Digital signal reception and management system according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor elements (40) are suitable for transmitting digital signals for requesting at least one identification code to the electronic control and/or regulating unit (30) during a time interval following a physical connection of the sensor element (40) to the two-wire bus (18), the sensor elements (40) comprising a microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) to which an optoelectronic circuit (41) is connected via a plurality of connecting lines (19b), a visual signalling device (43), an electronic circuit which forms an interface (47) with the two-wire bus (18) for transmitting and receiving the digital signals on the two-wire bus (18), an electronic circuit (48) which resets the microelectronic control and/or regulating unit (44) and supplies the sensor element (40) with energy via the two-wire bus (18), a non-volatile or buffered memory element (42) for storing the digital signals which are accompanied or not by a signal which is an indication of the selected area.