Patent Description:
<CIT> (hereinafter referred to as "Document <NUM>") describes a wireless disaster protection system. In the wireless disaster protection system of Document <NUM>, an uplink radio signal from a wireless detector is relayed by a radio wave relay, and the uplink radio signal is received by a wireless reception relay. With the radio wave relay, slave node ID of another radio wave relay and/or wireless detector compatible with a prescribed network tree-structure is registered. The radio wave relay relays the received uplink radio signal when transmission source ID of the uplink radio signal thus received matches the slave node ID registered with the radio wave relay.

In the case of a relay such as the wireless reception relay or the radio wave relay described in Document <NUM>, a plurality of types of devices (detectors) compliant with different communication protocols cannot be registered. Therefore, the relay is still susceptible to an improvement in convenience.

<CIT> discloses a fire alarm system comprising a sensor, a fire receiver that monitors and controls the sensor and a plurality of repeaters that are interposed between the sensor and the fire receiver and that form a plurality of communication hierarchies and relay the wireless signal. The fire alarm system performs a fire notification process in which the wireless signal regarding a fire transmitted from the sensor is transmitted from a lower device to a higher device in the communication hierarchies, and in the fire notification process, when the device to which the wireless signal regarding a fire is to be transmitted is the repeater, the repeaters transmit the wireless signal regarding a fire to the repeater to which the wireless signal is to be transmitted, and then activate a receiving function for a predetermined time to perform the receiving process, a continuous receive slot for activating a receive function for said predetermined time period. The continuous reception slot is previously set with a plurality of areas for wireless signals according to the type of signal, wherein a radio signal regarding a fire, which is transmitted by the destination repeater specifying the relay destination of the destination repeater as a transmission destination, is received in a receiving area of the radio signal.

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present disclosure is to improve convenience.

A relay, a control method and a program according to the present invention are defined in independent claims <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Preferred embodiments are defined in dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

A preferable embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that components common in the embodiment described below are denoted by the same reference signs, and duplicate description thereof may be omitted. The embodiment described below is a mere example of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment may be modified variously depending on design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure is achieved. The drawings to be referred to in the following description of the embodiment are all schematic representations. That is to say, the ratio of the dimensions (including thicknesses) of respective constituent elements illustrated on the drawings does not always reflect their actual dimensional ratio.

As shown in <FIG>, a relay <NUM> of the present embodiment is applied to a disaster protection system <NUM>. The disaster protection system <NUM> is a system for coping with an abnormality (e.g., a disaster) in a facility <NUM> such as an office building. As used in the present disclosure, "disaster protection" includes, for example, prevention of damage by a disaster such as a fire from spreading, prevention of a disaster such as a fire, restoration from the disaster, or the like. As used in the present disclosure, "disaster" may include, for example, a fire, gas leakage, earthquake, and water immersion.

The disaster protection system <NUM> of the present embodiment is configured as an automatic fire alarm system to be introduced into, in particular, the facility <NUM>. When, for example, detecting the presence of a fire, the automatic fire alarm system notifies a user or the like in the facility <NUM> of the presence of the fire. The facility <NUM> may be a theater, a movie theater, a public assembly hall, a recreation hall, a complex facility, a restaurant, a department store, a school, a hotel, an inn, a hospital, a nursing home, a kindergarten, a library, a museum, an art museum, a underground mall, a station, an airport, or a multiple dwelling house, or the like other than the office building.

As shown in <FIG>, the disaster protection system <NUM> includes a receiver (a control panel) <NUM> and a plurality of detectors <NUM> in addition to the relay <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> is installed in the facility <NUM>. The plurality of detectors <NUM> are installed in different places in the facility <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> includes a sensor <NUM> (see <FIG>) configured to detect a specific physical quantity regarding an abnormality in the facility <NUM>. The specific physical quantity detected by the sensor <NUM> is, for example, a physical quantity regarding a fire as the abnormality in the facility <NUM>. That is, each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> is a fire detector.

Each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> senses, based on the physical quantity detected by the sensor <NUM>, the presence of a fire, for example, when the magnitude or the change amount (change amount per unit time) of the physical quantity thus detected exceeds a prescribed threshold. Each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> transmits a fire signal (a signal notifying of the presence of a fire) to the receiver <NUM> when sensing the presence of the fire.

Each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> is either a first detector <NUM> or a second detector <NUM>. The first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are different from each other in terms of a communication protocol. Each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> communicates with the receiver <NUM>. Here, each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> communicates with the receiver <NUM> via the relay <NUM>. That is, the relay <NUM> relays communication between the receiver <NUM> and the plurality of detectors <NUM>. Each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> transmits the fire signal to the receiver <NUM> by the communication.

As shown in <FIG>, the relay <NUM> includes a communication unit (a first communication unit) <NUM> and a registration processor <NUM>.

The first communication unit <NUM> communicates with the plurality of detectors <NUM> which have been registered with a storage <NUM>. The first communication unit <NUM> is configured to communicate with both the first detector(s) <NUM> and the second detector(s) <NUM>.

The registration processor <NUM> performs a registration process of registering the plurality of detectors <NUM> with the storage <NUM>. The registration processor <NUM> registers each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> with the storage <NUM> such that the plurality of detectors <NUM> are sorted according to whether each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> is the first detector <NUM> or the second detector <NUM>.

In the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, both the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> which are different from each other in terms of the communication protocol are registrable. This enables convenience (user-friendliness) to be improved.

Moreover, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> is registered such that the plurality of detectors <NUM> are sorted according to whether each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> is the first detector <NUM> or the second detector <NUM>, and therefore, the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> are registered while distinguished from each other. Therefore, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, a registrable number of detectors <NUM> (registration upper limit) can be increased as compared with the case where the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> are registered without being distinguished from each other, which will be described later in detail. This enables the convenience to be further improved.

A detailed configuration of the disaster protection system <NUM> including the relay <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the disaster protection system <NUM> includes the receiver <NUM>, the detectors <NUM>, and the relay <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> and the relay <NUM> are connected via a transmission line L1 which is of a two-wire type. The receiver <NUM> and the relay <NUM> perform wired communication via the transmission line L1. The relay <NUM> and the detector <NUM> perform wireless communication via a radio wave.

As shown in <FIG>, the disaster protection system <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a plurality of (in the example in <FIG>, three) relays <NUM>. Moreover, the relays <NUM> and the plurality of detectors <NUM> are arranged such that each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> can wirelessly communicate with a corresponding one of the relays <NUM>.

The plurality of relays <NUM> are arranged in a distributed manner, for example, on different floors of the facility <NUM>. In the example in <FIG>, in an area A1 of a first floor (ground floor) of the facility <NUM>, one (first) relay <NUM> of the plurality of relays <NUM> and a plurality of (three) detectors <NUM> which wirelessly communicate with the first relay <NUM> are arranged. In the area A1 of the first floor, all of the three detectors <NUM> are first detectors <NUM>. Moreover, in the example in <FIG>, in an area A2 of a second floor of the facility <NUM>, another (second) relay <NUM> of the plurality of relays <NUM> and a plurality of (three) detectors <NUM> which wirelessly communicate with the second relay <NUM> are disposed. In the area A2 of the second floor, all the three detectors <NUM> are second detectors <NUM>. Further, in the example in <FIG>, in an area A3 of a third floor of the facility <NUM>, still another (third) relay <NUM> of the plurality of relays <NUM> and a plurality of (three) detectors <NUM> which wirelessly communicate with the third relay <NUM> are disposed. In the area A3, two of the three detectors <NUM> are first detectors <NUM> and one of the three detectors <NUM> is a second detector <NUM>.

The plurality of relays <NUM> use respective channels different from each other to wirelessly communicate with the detectors <NUM>. Thus, each detector <NUM> wirelessly communicates with only a corresponding relay <NUM> of the plurality of relays <NUM>.

In the following description, of the plurality of relays <NUM> and the plurality of detectors <NUM> included in the disaster protection system <NUM>, one relay <NUM> and a plurality of detectors <NUM> which wirelessly communicate with the one relay <NUM> are referred to as a "communication system <NUM>", and description is given focusing on one communication system <NUM>. In the example in <FIG>, the disaster protection system <NUM> includes three communication systems <NUM>.

Note that although not shown in the figure, the disaster protection system <NUM> further includes, for example, a transmitter, notification devices (regional acoustic devices, light warning devices, emergency broadcasting devices), and an emergency call system. Moreover, the disaster protection system <NUM> may further include a wired detector configured to perform wired communication with the relay <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each detector <NUM> includes the sensor <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, an operating unit <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> detects a specific physical quantity regarding an abnormality (a fire) in the facility <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is, for example, a heat sensor, a smoke sensor, an infrared sensor, or an ultraviolet sensor. The specific physical quantity detected by the sensor <NUM> is, for example, heat (temperature), smoke (fine particle) concentration, ultraviolet intensity, or infrared intensity. That is, the detector <NUM> may be a so-called heat detector in which the sensor <NUM> includes a heat sensor to sense heat (a temperature rise) caused by a fire. The detector <NUM> may be a so-called smoke detector in which the sensor <NUM> includes a smoke sensor to sense smoke or a fine burned product caused by a fire. The detector <NUM> may be a so-called flame detector in which the sensor <NUM> includes an infrared sensor or an ultraviolet sensor and is configured to sense a flame caused by a fire. The detector <NUM> may be a so-called complex detector including two or more types of sensors <NUM>, for example, a heat sensor and a smoke sensor each configured to detect a physical quantity. Note that the detector <NUM> may further include a sensor <NUM> for sensing an abnormality in the facility other than the fire, such as a gas leakage, earthquake, water immersion or the like.

The communication unit <NUM> includes a communication interface for wireless communication with an external device (the relay <NUM> or another detector <NUM>). The communication unit <NUM> includes an antenna, a communication circuit, and the like.

The storage <NUM> stores various pieces of information. The storage <NUM> is semiconductor memory such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Note that the storage <NUM> is not limited to the semiconductor memory but may be, for example, a hard disk drive. The storage <NUM> may also be used as memory of the processor <NUM>. The storage <NUM> stores, for example, identification information on the detector <NUM>.

The operating unit <NUM> receives an operation input given by a user. The operating unit <NUM> includes, for example, an operation button to be operated by the user. The operation button includes a registration button for requesting the relay <NUM> to do registration.

The processor <NUM> may be implemented by, for example, a computer system including one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memory elements. The one or more processors execute one or more programs stored in the one or more memory elements, thereby functioning as the processor <NUM>. Here, the program(s) is stored in the memory element(s) of the processor <NUM> in advance but may be provided over a telecommunications network such as the Internet or may be provided as a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card storing the program(s).

The processor <NUM> controls operation of the detector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> includes a determination processor <NUM>, a communication processor <NUM>, and a request processor <NUM>. The determination processor <NUM>, the communication processor <NUM>, and the request processor <NUM> represent functions implemented by the processor <NUM>.

The determination processor <NUM> determines, based on the physical quantity (or change amount of the physical quantity) detected by the sensor <NUM>, whether or not an abnormality (fire) has occurred. The determination processor <NUM> compares the physical quantity thus detected with a threshold, and if the physical quantity is greater than the threshold, the determination processor <NUM> determines that the abnormality (fire) has occurred.

When the determination processor <NUM> determines that the abnormality (fire) has occurred, the communication processor <NUM> wirelessly transmits a fire signal (a signal notifying of the presence of the fire) from the communication unit <NUM>. The fire signal includes the identification information on the detector <NUM>.

The request processor <NUM> performs a process for requesting the relay <NUM> to do the registration of the detector <NUM>. For example, when the registration button of the operating unit <NUM> is pressed, the request processor <NUM> causes the communication unit <NUM> to wirelessly transmit a signal (registration request) which requests the registration. The registration request includes the identification information on the detector <NUM>. Moreover, the registration request includes device information on the detector <NUM> (e.g., information representing whether the detector <NUM> is a heat detector, a smoke detector, a flame detector, or a complex detector).

As described above, each detector <NUM> is either the first detector <NUM> or the second detector <NUM>. For example, the first detector <NUM> may be a "new type" detector, and the second detector <NUM> may be an "old type" detector. The first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are different from each other in terms of, at least, a communication protocol for wireless communication by the communication unit <NUM>. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, a communication protocol in accordance with which the first detector <NUM> performs wireless communication via the communication unit <NUM> is referred to also as a "first communication protocol", and a communication protocol in accordance with which the second detector <NUM> performs wireless communication via the communication unit <NUM> is referred to also as a "second communication protocol".

In the disaster protection system <NUM> of the present embodiment, data traffic per unit time of the communication in accordance with the first communication protocol is lower than data traffic per unit time of the communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. Therefore, the first detector <NUM> can communicate with the relay <NUM> at a higher speed than the second detector <NUM>.

The first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> may have the same configuration except for the communication protocol or may include different components. For example, the first detector <NUM> may have a function which the second detector <NUM> does not have. In the present embodiment, the first detector <NUM> has a multi-hop communication function as the function which the second detector <NUM> does not have. For example, when the detectors <NUM> included in the communication system <NUM> are all first detectors <NUM> (see the area A1 of the first floor in <FIG>), a mesh-type network is configured in the communication system <NUM>. On the other hand, when the communication system <NUM> includes one or more second detectors <NUM> (see the area A2 of the second floor and the area A3 of the third floor of <FIG>), a star-type network in which the relay <NUM> serves as a hub is configured in the communication system <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the receiver <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, an operating unit <NUM>, a voice input <NUM>, a sound output <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> includes a communication interface for wired communication, and the communication interface is connected to the transmission line L1. The communication unit <NUM> is connected to the plurality of relays <NUM> via the transmission line L1. The receiver <NUM> may include a communication interface for wired or wireless communication, and the communication interface is connected to, for example, an external server.

The display unit <NUM> includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel display, an indicator, or a <NUM>-segment display. The display unit <NUM> is configured to display various pieces of information. The display unit <NUM> displays, for example, a place in a facility <NUM> where a detector <NUM> which has transmitted a fire signal to the receiver <NUM> is installed, and information regarding the fire signal.

The operating unit <NUM> includes various devices for receiving the input operations given by a user (an administrator of the facility <NUM>) of the disaster protection system <NUM>. The operating unit <NUM> includes, for example, various switches (button switches, dip switches, etc.) and a touch panel integrated with the display of the display unit <NUM>.

The voice input <NUM> receives an input of a sound of a surrounding environment. The voice input <NUM> includes, for example, a microphone and receives an input of a voice of a user (an administrator of the facility <NUM>) of the disaster protection system <NUM>. The voice input to the voice input <NUM> is output, for example, from a loudspeaker of the emergency broadcasting devices installed in various places in the facility <NUM>.

The sound output <NUM> includes, for example, a loudspeaker and outputs various sounds. The sound output <NUM> outputs, for example, an artificial voice, a beep, or the like stored in memory in response to reception of the fire signal from a detector <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> controls operation of the receiver <NUM>. The processor <NUM> controls operation of the communication unit <NUM>, the display unit <NUM>, the operating unit <NUM>, the voice input <NUM>, and the sound output <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be implemented by, for example, a computer system including one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memory elements. The one or more processors execute one or more programs stored in the one or more memory elements, thereby functioning as the processor <NUM>. Here, the program(s) is stored in the memory element(s) of the processor <NUM> in advance but may be provided over a telecommunications network such as the Internet or may be provided as a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card storing the program(s).

As shown in <FIG>, the relay <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> (see <FIG>), the first communication unit <NUM>, a second communication unit <NUM>, the storage <NUM>, an operating unit <NUM>, a presentation unit <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> holds the first communication unit <NUM>, the second communication unit <NUM>, the storage <NUM>, the operating unit <NUM>, the presentation unit <NUM>, and the processor <NUM>.

The first communication unit <NUM> includes a communication interface for wireless communication with the external device (detector <NUM>). The first communication unit <NUM> includes an antenna, a communication circuit, and the like.

The second communication unit <NUM> includes a communication interface for wired communication, and the communication interface is connected to the transmission line L1. The second communication unit <NUM> is connected to the receiver <NUM> via the transmission line L1.

The storage <NUM> stores various pieces of information. The storage <NUM> is semiconductor memory such as ROM, RAM, or EEPROM. Note that the storage <NUM> is not limited to the semiconductor memory but may be, for example, a hard disk drive. The storage <NUM> may be used also as memory of the processor <NUM>.

The storage <NUM> includes an area (registration area) for storing pieces of information on the detectors <NUM> which have been registered. In the registration area, pieces of registration information on a plurality of detectors <NUM> are registrable. In the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, pieces of registration information on <NUM> detectors <NUM> at maximum are registrable in the registration area.

As shown in <FIG>, the storage <NUM> of the relay <NUM> stores, in the registration area, pieces of information (registration information) on the plurality of detectors <NUM> in the form of a list <NUM>. That is, in the relay <NUM>, both the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are registered on one list <NUM> included in a single storage <NUM>. This enables the proportion of the registration area in the storage <NUM> to be reduced.

In the example shown in <FIG>, a plurality of (five) first detectors <NUM> and a plurality of (four) second detectors <NUM> have been registered on the list <NUM> on which <NUM> detectors <NUM> are registrable at maximum. Note that in <FIG>, the plurality of (five) first detectors <NUM> which have been registered on the list <NUM> are distinguished from each other by symbols "Ax (x is an integer greater than or equal to <NUM>)" added thereto. Moreover, the plurality of (four) second detectors <NUM> which have been registered on the list <NUM> are distinguished from each other by symbols "By (y is an integer greater than or equal to <NUM>)" added thereto.

The operating unit <NUM> receives an operation input given by a user. The operating unit <NUM> includes, for example, an operation switch to which an operation is given by a user. The operation switch includes a changeover switch for switching the operation mode of the processor <NUM> between a registration mode and a normal mode.

The presentation unit <NUM> presents information to a user. The presentation unit <NUM> may include at least one of, for example, a light emission part (e.g., LED) configured to present the information to the user by light, a sound output (e.g., a loudspeaker) configured to present the information to the user by voice, or a display unit (e.g., a display) configured to present the information to the user by displaying a character or diagram.

The processor <NUM> controls operation of the relay <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> includes a switching processor <NUM>, a normal mode processor <NUM>, the registration processor <NUM>, an identification processor <NUM>, a decision processor <NUM>, an announcement processor <NUM>, a setting processor <NUM>, and a confirmation processor <NUM>. The switching processor <NUM>, the normal mode processor <NUM>, the registration processor <NUM>, the identification processor <NUM>, the decision processor <NUM>, the announcement processor <NUM>, the setting processor <NUM>, and the confirmation processor <NUM> represent functions implemented by the processor <NUM>.

The switching processor <NUM> performs a switching process of switching the processor <NUM> between operation modes. The switching processor <NUM> switches the operation mode of the processor <NUM> between the registration mode and the normal mode in accordance with an operation given to the changeover switch by a user. The registration mode is a mode for registering the detectors <NUM> with the relay <NUM>. The normal mode is a mode for performing wireless communication with the detectors <NUM> thus registered to transfer, to the receiver <NUM>, a fire signal transmitted from one of the detectors <NUM> when detecting the occurrence of an abnormality (disaster) in the facility <NUM>, thereby providing disaster protection. Of the functions of the processor <NUM>, the normal mode processor <NUM> is a function which operates in the normal mode of the processor <NUM>. Of the functions of the processor <NUM>, the functions of the registration processor <NUM>, the identification processor <NUM>, the decision processor <NUM>, the announcement processor <NUM>, and the setting processor <NUM> are functions which operate in the registration mode of the processor <NUM>. Of the functions of the processor <NUM>, the confirmation processor <NUM> is a function which operates at the time of switching from the registration mode to the normal mode.

The normal mode processor <NUM> controls the operation of the relay <NUM> in the normal mode. For example, the normal mode processor <NUM> causes the first communication unit <NUM> to receive a fire signal from one of the detectors <NUM> which have been registered, and the normal mode processor <NUM> causes the second communication unit <NUM> to transmit the fire signal to the receiver <NUM>. The normal mode processor <NUM> causes, regularly, or in response to a request from the receiver <NUM>, the first communication unit <NUM> to transmit a confirmation signal as an alive check signal to each detector <NUM>, and the normal mode processor <NUM> causes the first communication unit <NUM> to receive a response signal from each detector <NUM>.

The registration processor <NUM> performs a registration process of registering the detectors <NUM> with the storage <NUM> (registration area). In the relay <NUM>, in response to the reception of a registration request from a detector <NUM> in the registration mode, the decision processor <NUM> decides whether or not registering the detector <NUM> be possible. If the decision processor <NUM> decides that the registering of the detector <NUM> be possible, the registration processor <NUM> performs the registration process of the detector <NUM>. Note that if the decision processor <NUM> decides that the registering of the detector <NUM> be impossible, the registration processor <NUM> forgoes the registration process. Moreover, the registration processor <NUM> forgoes the registration process also when the registration processor <NUM> receives the registration request from the detector <NUM> in the normal mode.

The registration processor <NUM> stores the registration information on the detector <NUM> in the storage <NUM> (registration area), thereby registering the detector <NUM>. The registration information includes identification information and device information on the detector <NUM> which are included in the registration request, a registration date, and the like. The registration date includes the date, the month, and the year when the detector <NUM> is registered with the storage <NUM>. Moreover, when the registration processor <NUM> registers the registration information, the registration processor <NUM> transmits a signal (registration acceptance) representing acceptance of the registration from the first communication unit <NUM> to the detector <NUM>. The registration acceptance may include information on the registration number in the list <NUM> (see <FIG>) on which the detector <NUM> has been registered.

As described above, the registration processor <NUM> registers detectors <NUM> with the storage <NUM> by distinguishing whether each of the detectors <NUM> is the first detectors <NUM> or the second detectors <NUM>. When the registration processor <NUM> performs the registration process of a detector <NUM>, the registration processor <NUM> registers the detector <NUM> such that whether the detector <NUM> is the first detector <NUM> or the second detector <NUM> is distinguishable.

Moreover, the registration processor <NUM> registers each of the plurality of detectors <NUM> with the storage <NUM> in the registration process such that the plurality of detectors <NUM> are sorted according to whether a detector in question <NUM> is the first detectors <NUM> or the second detectors <NUM>. That is, the registration processor <NUM> registers the plurality of detectors <NUM> such that a group of the first detectors <NUM> and a group of the second detectors <NUM> are separated from each other in the registration area of the storage <NUM> (e.g., area(s) in which the first detectors <NUM> are registered and area(s) in which the second detectors <NUM> are registered are not mixed with each other).

In particular, for the detectors <NUM> used in the disaster protection system <NUM>, the second detectors <NUM> which are of old-type are assumed to eventually be replaced with the first detectors <NUM> which are of new type. In such a case, registering the detectors such that the detectors are sorted according to whether a detector in question is the first detectors <NUM> or the second detectors <NUM> in advance facilitates a replacement process.

In the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, the registration processor <NUM> causes the pieces of information (registration information) on the first detectors <NUM> to be stored in order from one end (first end) of the list <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the pieces of information (registration information) on the second detectors <NUM> to be stored in order from the other end (second end) of the list <NUM> in the registration process. This enables the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> to be registered on the one list <NUM> while they are sorted.

Referring to the example shown in <FIG>, a further detailed description will be given. The registration processor <NUM> registers the first detectors <NUM> in order from the last (32nd) field of the list <NUM>. Moreover, the registration processor <NUM> registers the second detectors <NUM> in order from the first (1st) field of the list <NUM>. In a registration state shown in <FIG>, if the registration processor <NUM> receives a registration request newly given by a first detector <NUM> which has not registered, the registration processor <NUM> registers the first detector <NUM> in a 27th field of the list <NUM>. Further, in the registration state shown in <FIG>, if the registration processor <NUM> receives a registration request newly given by a second detector <NUM> which has not registered, the registration processor <NUM> registers the second detector <NUM> in a 5th field of the list <NUM>.

The registration processor <NUM> further performs a deletion process of a detector <NUM> which has been registered. For example, when the registration processor <NUM> receives a signal (deletion request) requesting deletion of the registration from the detector <NUM> which has been registered in the registration mode, the registration processor <NUM> deletes the registration information on the detector <NUM> from the registration area (the list <NUM>) of the storage <NUM>. Thus, the field of the detector <NUM> which has been deleted from the list <NUM> enters a "null" state. In particular, deleting the registration of a first detector <NUM>, other than a first detector <NUM> which has last been registered, of the plurality of first detectors <NUM> (e.g., deleting the first detector <NUM> denoted by "A3" in the example shown in <FIG>) leaves an "empty space" in an area in which first detectors <NUM> are registered on the list <NUM>. In this case, to eliminate the empty space, the registration processor <NUM> may shift, in terms of the registration number, first detector(s) <NUM> which have been registered. For example, when the first detector <NUM> denoted by "A3" in the example shown in <FIG> is deleted and thus the field of the registration number "<NUM>" enters the "null" state, the registration processor <NUM> may move the registration information on the first detector <NUM> denoted by "A4" to the field of the registration number "<NUM>" and then move the registration information on the first detector <NUM> denoted by "A5" to the field of the registration number "<NUM>". The same applies to the case of the deletion process of the second detector <NUM>.

The identification processor <NUM> performs an identification process. In the identification process, the identification processor <NUM> identifies the number of first detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> and the number of second detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM>. The identification processor <NUM> identifies, based on the list <NUM> of the storage <NUM>, the number of first detectors <NUM> which have been registered and the number of second detectors <NUM> which have been registered. In the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, the registered number of first detectors <NUM> is easily identifiable based on a boundary between a field in which a first detector <NUM> has been registered and a column which is "null" in the list <NUM>, except for the case of registration up to the registration upper limit (i.e., except for the case where <NUM> detectors have been registered). Moreover, based on a boundary between a field in which a second detector <NUM> has been registered and a column which is "null" in the list <NUM>, the registered number of second detectors <NUM> is easily identifiable. That is, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, even when the storage <NUM> includes no storage area dedicated for storing the registered number of first detectors <NUM> and the registered number of second detectors <NUM>, the number of first detectors <NUM> which have been registered and the number of second detectors <NUM> which have been registered are easily identifiable. However, this should not be construed as limiting, but the storage <NUM> may include a storage area dedicated for storing the registered number of first detectors <NUM> and the registered number of second detectors <NUM> (storage area for the number of detectors), and based on information stored in the storage area for the number of detectors, the identification processor <NUM> may identify the registered number of first detectors <NUM> and the registered number of second detectors <NUM>.

The decision processor <NUM> decides whether or not further registering a detector <NUM> be possible. The decision processor <NUM> decides, based on the registered number of detectors <NUM>, whether or not the further registering of the detector <NUM> be possible. As used herein, "the registered number" is the number of detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> and is the sum of the number of first detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> and the number of second detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM>.

Specifically, the decision processor <NUM> performs a decision process (first decision process). In the first decision process, the decision processor <NUM> decides, based on the number of first detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> and the number of second detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM>, whether or not the registered number have reached the registration upper limit. As used in the present disclosure, the "registration upper limit" is an upper limit of the number of detectors <NUM> registrable with the storage <NUM> of the relay <NUM>. In the first decision process, the decision processor <NUM> decides, based on the registered number of first detectors <NUM> and the registered number of second detectors <NUM> identified by the identification processor <NUM>, whether or not the registered number have reached the registration upper limit. The decision processor <NUM> performs the first decision process, for example, each time the registration of a new detector <NUM> is completed.

Here, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, the registration upper limit changes in accordance with the number of second detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> (list <NUM>). This is because data traffic per unit time of communication with the second detector <NUM> in accordance with the second communication protocol is higher than data traffic per unit time of communication with the first detector <NUM> in accordance with the first communication protocol, and an increased number of second detectors <NUM> compresses an available communication capacity per unit time (the amount of data transmittable and receivable per unit time) of the first communication unit <NUM>. <FIG> shows an example of a registration number table <NUM> showing the relationship of the number (registrable number) of first detectors <NUM> which are registrable to the number (registered number) of second detectors <NUM> which have been registered. In the example shown in <FIG>, when the registered number of second detectors <NUM> is <NUM> or less, a total of up to <NUM> detectors <NUM> are registrable. On the other hand, when the registered number of second detectors <NUM> exceeds <NUM>, the registration upper limit decreases, as the registered number of the second detectors <NUM> increases. Note that in the example shown in <FIG>, it is not possible to register <NUM> or more second detectors <NUM>. In sum, the processor <NUM> includes the setting processor <NUM> configured to perform a setting process of setting the registration upper limit. In the setting process, the setting processor <NUM> changes the registration upper limit in accordance with the number of second detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM>. The setting processor <NUM> changes, with reference to the registration number table <NUM> in <FIG>, the registration upper limit in accordance with the number of second detectors <NUM> which have been registered.

The decision processor <NUM> decides, in the first decision process, for example, whether or not a combination of the registered number of first detectors <NUM> and the registered number of second detectors <NUM> correspond to any of rows in the registration number table <NUM> in <FIG>, and if the combination corresponds to one of the rows, the decision processor <NUM> decides that the registered number have reached the registration upper limit.

The decision processor <NUM> performs the first decision process, thereby suppressing a larger number of detectors <NUM> than the registration upper limit from being registered, and, for example, the return of registration (reregistration) can be prevented.

Moreover, the decision processor <NUM> performs a decision process (second decision process). In the second decision process, when registration of a new detector <NUM> is requested, the decision processor <NUM> decides whether or not the registered number exceed the registration upper limit if the new detector <NUM> is registered. The decision processor <NUM> performs the second decision process, for example, each time registration is newly requested by a detector <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, for example, when registration is requested by a new detector <NUM> in a state where two second detectors <NUM> and <NUM> first detectors <NUM> have been registered, the decision processor <NUM> decides that the registered number (<NUM> devices) exceed the registration upper limit (<NUM> devices) in each case where the new detector <NUM> is the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM>. In another example, when registration is requested by a second detector <NUM> in a state where <NUM> second detectors <NUM> and <NUM> first detectors <NUM> have been registered, the decision processor <NUM> decide that the registered number will exceed the registration upper limit because if the second detector <NUM> were newly registered, the registered number would exceed the registration upper limit (<NUM> devices) for the case where <NUM> second detectors <NUM> be registered. In contrast, for example, when registration is requested by a first detector <NUM> in the state where <NUM> second detectors <NUM> and <NUM> first detectors <NUM> have been registered, the decision processor <NUM> decide that the registered number should not exceed the registration upper limit because even when the first detector <NUM> is newly registered, the registered number does not exceed the registration upper limit (<NUM> devices) for the case where <NUM> second detectors <NUM> be registered.

The decision processor <NUM> performs the second decision process, thereby suppressing a larger number of detectors <NUM> than the registration upper limit from being registered, and, for example, return of registration (reregistration) can be prevented.

Note that the decision processor <NUM> may decide, further based on information other than the registered number of detectors <NUM>, whether or not further registering a detector <NUM> be possible. For example, when receiving a registration request from a detector <NUM> which has already been registered with the storage <NUM>, the decision processor <NUM> may decide that the registering of the detector <NUM> be impossible. Moreover, when reception signal strength is less than or equal to a threshold, the decision processor <NUM> may decide that the registering of the detector <NUM> be impossible. Moreover when the decision processor <NUM> communicates with another relay <NUM> and finds that the detector <NUM> has been registered with this another relay <NUM>, the decision processor <NUM> may decide that the registering of the detector <NUM> be impossible.

When it is decided that further registering a detector <NUM> be impossible, the announcement processor <NUM> performs an announcement process. Specifically, the announcement processor <NUM> performs the announcement process when it is decided by the decision processor <NUM> (in the first decision process) that the registered number have reached the registration upper limit. Moreover, the announcement processor <NUM> performs the announcement process when it is decided by the decision processor <NUM> (in the second decision process) that the registered number exceed the registration upper limit.

The announcement processor <NUM> controls the presentation unit <NUM> included in the relay <NUM> to cause the presentation unit <NUM> to present, to a user, that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit. In other words, the presentation unit <NUM> presents prescribed information (that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit) to a user in accordance with the announcement process performed by the announcement processor <NUM>. For example, the notification processor <NUM> may turn on any of a plurality of light emission parts included in the presentation unit <NUM>, thereby causing the presentation unit <NUM> to present, to a user, that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit. The announcement processor <NUM> may cause, for example, a loudspeaker of the presentation unit <NUM> to output that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit by voice (e.g., messages such as "the registered number has reached the upper limit", or "this detector cannot be registered"). The announcement processor <NUM> may cause, for example, a display of the presentation unit <NUM> to display that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit. Since the relay <NUM> presents, to a user, that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit, the user can immediately deal with a situation.

Moreover, the announcement process may include a transmission process of transmitting a signal for causing another device to announce the prescribed information (that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit). That is, the announcement processor <NUM> performs a transmission process of transmitting a signal for causing another device to announce the prescribed information. The another device may be, for example, the receiver <NUM> or a detector <NUM>. However, this should not be construed as limiting, but the another device may be, for example, an information appliance (a smartphone, a laptop computer, etc.) which a user carries or, a server. Since the another device presents, to a user, that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit or that the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit, the user can immediately deal with a situation.

The confirmation processor <NUM> performs a confirmation of communication with detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> when the registration mode is switched to the normal mode. In the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, when the detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> include at least one second detector <NUM>, the confirmation processor <NUM> confirms that direct wireless communication (with a hop count of <NUM>) is possible with all the detectors <NUM> which have been registered. When the detectors <NUM> registered with the storage <NUM> are all first detectors <NUM>, the confirmation processor <NUM> causes the plurality of detectors <NUM> (first detectors <NUM>) to perform a route search to confirm that wireless communication is possible with all the detectors <NUM> by multi-hop communication.

Thus, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, both the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> which are different from the first detectors <NUM> in terms of the communication protocol can be registered. This enables convenience to be improved.

Moreover, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, both the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> are registered on a single list <NUM>, and therefore, the proportion of the registration area occupying the storage <NUM> can be reduced. This enables convenience to be further improved.

Moreover, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, the plurality of detectors <NUM> are sorted according to whether each of the detectors <NUM> is the first detector <NUM> or the second detector <NUM>, and thereby, the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> are registered while distinguished from each other. Here, in a relay of a comparative example in which the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> are registered without being distinguished from each other, the registration upper limit of the detectors <NUM> is limited to the registrable number of second detectors <NUM> (in the example shown in <FIG>, <NUM>). In contrast, in the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment, the first detectors <NUM> and the second detectors <NUM> are registered while distinguished from each other, thereby increasing the registration upper limit of the detectors <NUM> as compared with the relay of the comparative example. This enables convenience to be further improved.

Operation of the relay <NUM> of the present embodiment at the time of registering a detector <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

When the processor <NUM> of the relay <NUM> transitions to the registration mode in response to an operation given to a changeover switch (ST1), the processor <NUM> waits for a registration request from a detector <NUM> (ST2).

In the registration mode, when receiving the registration request from the detector <NUM> (ST2: Yes), the processor <NUM> decides whether the detector <NUM> which has transmitted the registration request be the first detector <NUM> or the second detector <NUM> (ST3).

If the detector <NUM> is the first detector <NUM> (ST3: Yes), the processor <NUM> (decision processor <NUM>) decides whether or not the registered number exceed the registration upper limit if the first detector <NUM> is newly registered (ST4). If the registered number does not exceed the registration upper limit (ST4: No), the processor <NUM> (registration processor <NUM>) registers the first detector <NUM> in a "null" field closest to the first end (in the example shown in <FIG>, the lower end) in the list <NUM> (ST5) and transmits a registration acceptance to the first detector <NUM>. After the registration, the processor <NUM> (decision processor <NUM>) decides whether or not the registered number have reached the registration upper limit (ST6). If the registered number has not reached the registration upper limit (ST6: No), the processor <NUM> proceeds to step ST13. In contrast, if the registered number has reached the registration upper limit (ST6: Yes), the processor <NUM> announce that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit (ST7) and proceeds to step ST13. Note that in step ST4, if the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit (ST4: Yes), the processor <NUM> announces that the registration is impossible (ST8) without registering the first detector <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> proceeds to step ST13.

In step ST3, if the detector <NUM> is the second detector <NUM> (ST3: No), the processor <NUM> (decision processor <NUM>) decides whether or not the registered number exceed the registration upper limit if the second detector <NUM> is newly registered (ST9). If the registered number does not exceed the registration upper limit (ST9: No), the processor <NUM> (registration processor <NUM>) registers the second detector <NUM> in a "null" column closest to the second end (in the example shown in <FIG>, the upper end) in the list <NUM> (ST10) and transmits a registration acceptance to the second detector <NUM>. After the registration, the processor <NUM> (decision processor <NUM>) decides whether or not the registered number have reached the registration upper limit (ST11). If the registered number has not reached the registration upper limit (ST11: No), the processor <NUM> proceeds to step ST13. In contrast, if the registered number has reached the registration upper limit (ST11: Yes), the processor <NUM> announces that the registered number has reached the registration upper limit (ST12) and proceeds to step ST13. Note that in step ST9, if the registered number exceeds the registration upper limit (ST9: Yes), the processor <NUM> announces that the registration is impossible (ST8) without registering the second detector <NUM> and proceeds to step ST13.

In step ST13, the processor <NUM> decides whether or not an operation have been given to the changeover switch, and if no operation has been given (ST13: No), the processor <NUM> continues operating in the registration mode, returns to step ST2, and waits for a registration request.

If the operation has been given to the changeover switch (ST13: Yes), the processor <NUM> switches the operation mode from the registration mode to the normal mode and confirms that communication with all the detectors <NUM> which have been registered is possible (ST14). When the detectors <NUM> which have been registered include at least one second detector <NUM>, the processor <NUM> (confirmation processor <NUM>) confirms that direct wireless communication is possible with all the detectors <NUM>. When the detectors <NUM> which have been registered are all first detectors <NUM>, the processor <NUM> (confirmation processor <NUM>) confirms that wireless communication is possible with all the detectors <NUM> by multi-hop communication. Note that if communication with one or more detectors <NUM> is impossible in step ST14, the relay <NUM> may notify a user that the communication is impossible with one or more detectors <NUM>.

Note that the flowchart shown in <FIG> is a mere example, and the order of steps may accordingly be changed, or a process(es) may accordingly be added or deleted.

For example, the processor <NUM> may give any announcement even when the registered number has not reached the registration upper limit in step ST6 or ST11 (ST6: No, ST11: No). Examples of the announcement include an audio output or display of information (e.g., a message saying that "X more devices can be registered if the devices are new type detectors, and Y more devices can be registered if the devices are old type detectors") representing the remaining registrable number of detectors.

The above-described embodiment is a mere example of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment may be modified variously depending on design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure is achieved. Variations of the above-described embodiment will be described below. Any of the variations to be described below may be combined as appropriate.

Each of the processor <NUM> of the receiver <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the detector <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> of the relay <NUM> of the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system may include a processor and a memory as principal hardware components thereof. The processor executes a program stored in the memory of the computer system, thereby implementing a function as each of the processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the present disclosure. The program may be stored in advance in the memory of the computer system. Alternatively, the program may also be downloaded over a telecommunications network or be distributed after having been recorded in some non-transitory storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disc, or a hard disk drive, any of which is readable for the computer system. The processor of the computer system may be made up of a single or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). As used herein, the "integrated circuit" such as an IC or an LSI is called by a different name depending on the degree of integration thereof. Examples of the integrated circuits include a system LSI, a very-large-scale integrated circuit (VLSI), and an ultra-large-scale integrated circuit (ULSI). Optionally, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to be programmed after an LSI has been fabricated or a reconfigurable logic device allowing the connections or circuit sections inside of an LSI to be reconfigured may also be adopted as the processor. Those electronic circuits may be either integrated together on a single chip or distributed on multiple chips, whichever is appropriate. Those multiple chips may be integrated together in a single device or distributed in multiple devices without limitation. As used herein, the "computer system" includes a microcontroller including one or more processors and one or more memory elements. Thus, the microcontroller may also be implemented as a single or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

Also, in the embodiment described above, the plurality of functions of each of the processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are aggregated together in a single housing. However, this is not an essential configuration for each of the processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Alternatively, those constituent elements of each of the processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be distributed in multiple different housings. Conversely, the plurality of functions of each of the processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be aggregated together in a single housing. Still alternatively, at least some functions of each of the processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be implemented as a cloud computing system, for example.

In a variation, the processor <NUM> of the detector <NUM> does not have to include the determination processor <NUM>. In this case, for example, the receiver <NUM> may have a function as the determination processor <NUM>, the detector <NUM> may transmit a physical quantity detected by the sensor <NUM> to the receiver <NUM> via the relay <NUM>, and the receiver <NUM> may determine, based on the physical quantity thus received, the occurrence of an abnormality (e.g., a fire).

In a variation, the detector <NUM> may include a notifier configured to give notification when an abnormality (fire) occurs. The notifier may include, for example, a light emission part, such as an LED, and/or a loudspeaker, and based on an instruction from the processor <NUM>, notification of the occurrence of an abnormality (fire) may be given by light and/or sound.

In a variation, the receiver <NUM> and the relay <NUM> may be configured to perform wireless communication via a radio wave.

In a variation, when the relay <NUM> receives a registration request from a detector <NUM> in the normal mode, the relay <NUM> may perform the announcement process.

Claim 1:
A relay (<NUM>) configured to relay communication between a receiver (<NUM>) and a plurality of detectors (<NUM>), the relay (<NUM>) comprising:
a storage (<NUM>);
a communication unit (<NUM>) configured to communicate with the plurality of detectors (<NUM>) which have been registered with the storage (<NUM>); and
a registration processor (<NUM>) configured to perform a registration process of registering the plurality of detectors (<NUM>) with the storage (<NUM>),
wherein the relay (<NUM>) is characterized by
the registration processor (<NUM>) registering each of the plurality of detectors (<NUM>) with the storage (<NUM>) such that the plurality of detectors (<NUM>) is sorted according to whether each of the plurality of detectors (<NUM>) is a first detector (<NUM>) or a second detector (<NUM>) different from the first detector (<NUM>) in terms of a communication protocol, and such that whether each of the plurality of detectors (<NUM>) is a first detector (<NUM>) or a second detector (<NUM>) is distinguishable wherein the data traffic per unit time of communication in accordance with the communication protocol of a second detector is higher than the data traffic per unit time of communication in accordance with the communication protocol of a first detector; and
wherein the relay further comprises
a decision processor (<NUM>) configured to decide, based on a number of the first detectors (<NUM>) which have been registered with the storage (<NUM>) and a number of the second detectors (<NUM>) which have been registered with the storage (<NUM>), whether or not a registered number have reached a registration upper limit, the registered number being a number of the plurality of detectors (<NUM>) registered with the storage (<NUM>), and
a setting processor (<NUM>) configured to set the registration upper limit, wherein
the setting processor (<NUM>) is configured to change the registration upper limit in accordance with the number of the second detectors (<NUM>) which have been registered with the storage (<NUM>).