JP2004129594A - Apparatus for detecting rat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus capable of detecting migration pathways of invaded rats and accurately detecting the numbers of the rats. <P>SOLUTION: The region of the apparatus is divided into a first region (11) including a gateway (20) of rats, second and third regions (12 and 13) and a fourth region (14) by two boundary-setting straight lines (a and b) mutually crossing the region. A first and second sensors (30A and 30B) having two light-projecting parts and light receiving parts are arranged on both sides of two boundary-setting straight lines and the first light-projecting part is set so that light from the first light-projecting part becomes a first region side. Signals of two sensors are received by a discrimination means (40) to discriminate a migration region of rats and the signal of the sensor is determined so as to be effective only when movement of rats from the first region to second or third region is discriminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mouse detection device, and more particularly to a device capable of accurately detecting the number of intruded mice.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when storing rice and cereals in a warehouse, there is a concern that the mouse may be damaged without taking any measures.
[0003]
Conventionally, various methods have been proposed for detecting rats with various sensors such as optical sensors, infrared sensors, and piezoelectric sensors, and exterminating rats by giving them stimuli to avoid them, such as sound, vibration, ultrasonic waves, electric shock, and drugs. Has been put to practical use.
[0004]
However, with a conventional sensor, when a mouse reciprocates in front of, above, or below the sensor, one mouse is detected as a plurality of mice, and it is impossible to determine whether the above-described extermination method is really effective.
[0005]
On the other hand, when the intrusion of the mouse is detected by the sensor, the sensor signal is invalidated for a certain period of time, for example, 10 to 60 seconds, and the sensor signal is made valid after a certain period of time. A mouse detection device that counts has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 2811545
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the device described in the above-mentioned conventional publication, there is a problem that even if the next mouse enters during a certain period of time in which the sensor signal is invalid, the detection is not performed at all.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mouse detection device capable of accurately detecting the number of intruding mice.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, a mouse detection device according to the present invention is a device for detecting intrusion of a mouse into a predetermined area, each of which has a first and a second light emitting unit and a first and a second light receiving unit, A region to be detected is divided into four small regions by two boundary setting lines intersecting each other, and a small region including an expected mouse entrance / exit is a first region, and two small regions adjacent to the first region. Are defined as second and third regions, and the remaining small region is defined as a fourth region, two light projecting portions and two light receiving portions are opposed to each other at both end portions of the two boundary setting straight lines and the first region. A first and a second sensor for detecting passage of a mouse between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, wherein the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are provided on the first area side, and signals of the two sensors; To determine the mouse movement area, and to move the mouse from the first area to the second or third area. A judging means for validating the signal of the sensor only when it is judged, and further comprising a.
[0010]
One of the features of the present invention is that a pair of two sensor lights, an area is divided into first to fourth areas by two pairs of sensor lights, and a second area adjacent to a first area including an entrance and exit of a mouse is provided. Alternatively, the sensor signal is made valid only when the movement of the mouse to the third area is detected.
[0011]
The moving direction of the mouse can be determined by knowing which of the light from the first light projecting unit and the light from the second light projecting unit was blocked first.
[0012]
Further, since the second and third regions are adjacent to the first region and the remaining region is the fourth region, when the mouse moves from the first region to the second or third region, the second region Alternatively, as long as the mouse does not return from the third area to the first area, it can be determined that one mouse is moving in the area.
[0013]
Therefore, the discriminating means performs the second light projection after the light from the first and second light projecting units of one of the two sensors is blocked for the first time and the light from the first light projecting unit is blocked. When the light from the light unit is blocked, it can be determined that the mouse has moved from the first area to the second or third area.
[0014]
Further, the determination means is a block after the light from the first and second light projecting units of one of the two sensors is blocked at least once, and the light from the second light projecting unit is After the light is blocked, when the light from the first light projecting unit is blocked, the movement of the mouse from the second or third area to the first area can be determined.
[0015]
Therefore, even if the mouse moves within the area and traverses the sensor light many times, there is no risk of erroneously detecting one mouse as a plurality of mice, and accurate detection can be performed.
[0016]
Any sensor may be used as long as it is an optical sensor. For example, a laser light sensor having a high directivity of light can be used.
[0017]
Further, when a plurality of mice are present in the area, it is preferable to detect the movement path of the mouse and to determine the small area where the mouse is present, in order to accurately detect the number of mice without error. Therefore, as shown in the following first embodiment, the determination may be made by a program process (see FIG. 6), but since the program may be complicated, the determination can be made mechanically. It can also be configured as follows.
[0018]
That is, two third sensors are further provided, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of each of the two third sensors project and receive light along two boundary setting straight lines in the fourth region. The determination means determines that the mouse has moved from the fourth area to the second or third area or from the second or third area to the fourth area when the light of the third sensor is blocked. It can also be configured to do so.
[0019]
Further, even if a sensor is provided for each boundary line of the adjacent small areas among the four small areas, the area where the mouse is located can be determined. That is, the mouse detection device according to the present invention is a device that detects the invasion of a mouse into a predetermined area, each of which has a first and a second light emitting unit and a first and a second light receiving unit, The area to be detected is divided into four small areas, the small area including the entrance of the expected mouse is the first area, the two small areas adjacent to the first area are the second and third areas, and the remaining areas are the remaining areas. When the small area is set as the fourth area, two light emitting parts and a light receiving part are provided opposite to each other at both ends of the boundary line of the adjacent small area, and a mouse between the light emitting part and the light receiving part is formed. The first to fourth sensors for detecting passage and the movement area of the mouse are determined by receiving signals from the four sensors, and the movement of the mouse from the first area to the second or third area is determined. Determining means for validating the signal of the sensor only when the detection is performed.
[0020]
The mouse detection device according to the present invention may be used only for mouse detection. When used together with a mouse control device that generates vibration, light, sound, ultrasonic waves, electric shock, or other stimuli, the mouse control effect is large.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on specific examples. 1 to 6 show a preferred embodiment of a mouse detection device according to the present invention. In the figure, the floor surface in the storage warehouse is divided into four small areas by boundary setting straight lines a and b which are orthogonal to each other, and a small area including an expected mouse doorway 20 is a first area 11, a first area 11. Two small areas adjacent to the area 11 are second and third areas 12 and 13, and the remaining small area is a fourth area 14.
[0022]
In this example, the boundary setting straight lines a and b are set so that the first region 11 is small, the second and third regions 12 and 13 are medium, and the fourth region 14 is very large.
[0023]
The sensors 30A and 30B include a laser projector 31, a laser receiver 32, a known projector 33 that emits laser light from the laser projector 31, and a light receiver that receives a signal from the laser receiver 32 and outputs a pulse-like sensor signal s. The laser light emitter 31 is provided with two light emitting parts, and the laser light receiver 32 is provided with two light receiving parts.
[0024]
The laser projector 31 and the laser receiver 32 are installed at both ends of the boundary setting straight lines a and b so as to face each other. In this example, the light projecting unit on the first area 11 side is a first light projecting unit, and the other light projecting unit is a second light projecting unit.
[0025]
In this example, the sensor 30A provided on the boundary setting line a is the first sensor, and the sensor 30B provided on the boundary setting line b is the second sensor.
[0026]
The signal s of the first and second sensors 30A and 30B is input to the microcomputer 40. The microcomputer 40 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. An arithmetic processing program is stored in the ROM, and the CPU executes arithmetic processing of a mouse moving area according to the arithmetic processing program. The microcomputer may have another configuration.
[0027]
This CPU functionally comprises a discriminating means, and basically outputs signals from the sensors 30A and 30B only when it is discriminated that the mouse passes from the first area 11 to the second or third area 12 or 13. Output as valid.
[0028]
If a mouse now enters the storage warehouse through the doorway 20, the mouse is in the first area 11.
[0029]
When the mouse moves from the first area 11 to the second area 12, the mouse passes between the laser projector 31 and the laser receiver 32 of the first sensor 30A, and blocks the laser beam. At that time, the laser light from the first light emitting unit is cut off first, and the laser light from the second light emitting unit is cut off later. Conversely, when the mouse moves from the second area 12 to the first area 11, the mouse first blocks the laser light from the second light emitting part of the laser projector 31 of the first sensor 30A, The laser beam from the light projecting section is cut off with a delay.
[0030]
When the mouse moves from the first area 11 to the third area 13, the mouse passes between the laser projector 31 and the laser receiver 32 of the second sensor 30B, and blocks the laser light. At that time, the laser light from the first light emitting unit is cut off first, and the laser light from the second light emitting unit is cut off later. Conversely, when the mouse moves from the third area 13 to the first area 11, the mouse first blocks the laser light from the second light emitting section of the laser projector 31 of the second sensor 30B, and The laser beam from the light projecting section is cut off with a delay.
[0031]
When the mouse moves from the second area 12 to the fourth area 14, the mouse first shuts off the laser light from the first light emitting part of the second sensor 30B, and The laser beam is cut off with a delay. Conversely, when the mouse moves from the fourth region 14 to the second region 12, the mouse blocks the laser light from the second light emitting portion of the second sensor 30B first, and Cut off the laser light with a delay.
[0032]
Further, when the mouse moves from the third region 13 to the fourth region 14, the mouse blocks the laser light from the first light emitting portion of the first sensor 30A first, and the second light from the second light emitting portion. The laser beam is cut off with a delay. Conversely, when the mouse moves from the fourth area 14 to the third area 13, the mouse blocks the laser light from the second light emitting part of the first sensor 30A first, and Cut off the laser light with a delay.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 3, the microcomputer 40 determines which of the regions 11 to 14 and the first and second sensors 30A and 30B has detected the movement of the mouse before the mouse blocks the laser beam, and The destination area of the mouse is determined from the condition of which of the laser beams from the second light emitting unit was blocked first, and the mouse is moved from the first area 11 to the second or third area 12, 13. The signal s of the sensor is output as valid only when the movement is determined.
[0034]
The microcomputer 40 determines that the mouse has left the entrance 20 when the movement of the mouse from the second or third area 12, 13 to the first area 11 is determined.
[0035]
Next, the arithmetic processing of the microcomputer 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the processing of the CPU of the microcomputer 40 is started, the sensor signal s is acquired (step S10), and it is determined whether the sensor signal s is the signal of the first sensor 30A or the signal of the second sensor 30B (step S11). .
[0036]
If a mouse is detected by the first sensor 30A, it is determined from the value n of the counter whether the first sensor 30A has detected the first mouse (step S12). In the first case, it is determined whether or not the light from the first light emitting unit of the laser projector 31 has been blocked first (step S13), and if the light from the first light emitting unit has been blocked first. It is determined that the mouse has moved from the first area 11 to the second area 12, the area where the mouse is currently stored is stored as the second area 12 (step S14), and the sensor signal s is output as valid ( In step S15, the counter value n is incremented by 1 (step S16).
[0037]
Next, when the mouse moves from the second area 12 to the fourth area 14, the laser light of the second sensor 30B is cut off, and at this time, the light from the first light emitting unit is cut off first, and Since the counter n is not 0, it is determined that the mouse in the second area 12 has moved, and the area where the mouse is currently located is stored as the fourth area 14 (steps S10, S11, S27, S32 to S36). .
[0038]
When the mouse moves from the fourth area 14 to the third area 13, the laser light of the first sensor 30A is cut off, but the light from the second light emitting unit is cut off first, and the counter n is turned off. Since it is not 0, it can be determined that the mouse in the fourth area 13 has moved, and the area where the mouse is currently located is stored as the third area 13 (steps S10, S11, S17, S22, S23). ).
[0039]
When the mouse returns from the second area 12 to the first area 11, the laser light of the first sensor 30A is cut off, but the light from the second light emitting unit is cut off first, and Since the counter n is not 0, it can be determined that the mouse in the second area 12 has moved, the area where the mouse is currently located is stored as the first area 11, and the mouse exits from the entrance. Since it is highly probable that it has been determined that the counter value has been determined, the counter value n is cleared to 0 (steps S10, S11, S17, S18, S24 to S26).
[0040]
On the other hand, when the first mouse is detected by the second sensor 30B, after the counter value n is determined (step S27), it is determined whether the light from the first light emitting unit of the laser projector 31 has been cut off first. It is determined whether or not the mouse has moved from the first area 11 to the third area 13 if the light from the first light emitting unit is interrupted first (step S28). The area where the mouse is currently located is stored as the third area 13 (step S29), the sensor signal s is output as valid (step S30), and the counter value n is incremented by 1 (step S31). .
[0041]
Next, when the mouse moves from the third area 13 to the fourth area 14, the laser light of the first sensor 30A is cut off, and at this time, the light from the first light emitting unit is cut off first, Moreover, since the counter n is not 0, it is determined that the mouse in the third area 13 has moved, and the area where the mouse is currently located is stored as the fourth area 14 (steps S10, S11, S12 S17 to S21). .
[0042]
When the mouse moves from the fourth area 14 to the second area 12, the laser light of the second sensor 30B is cut off, but the light from the second light emitting unit is cut off first, and the counter n is turned off. Since it is not 0, it can be determined that the mouse in the fourth area 13 has moved, and the area where the mouse is currently located is stored as the second area 12 (steps S10, S11, S27, S37, S38). ).
[0043]
When the mouse returns from the third area 13 to the first area 11, the laser light of the second sensor 30B is cut off, but the light from the second light emitting unit is cut off first, and Since the counter n is not 0, it can be determined that the mouse in the third area 13 has moved, and the area where the mouse is currently located is stored as the first area 11, and the mouse has left the doorway. Since there is a high possibility of being judged, the counter value n is cleared to 0 (steps S10, S11, S27, S32, S33, S39 to S40).
[0044]
By the way, when two or more mice intrude into the first area 11 one after another and move to the second or third areas 12, 13, one mouse runs around the warehouse in a short time. Since it is practically impossible to cut off the first and second sensors 30A and 30B first from the laser beam of the first light emitting portion within a short time, the second or more mouse has entered. Thus, the CPU of the microcomputer 40 counts up the value m of the mouse counter by 1 and stores the movement area of the second mouse.
[0045]
In addition, when a mouse enters the warehouse and moves, unless it is a special situation such as being surprised by the noise, the subsequent mouse has a trailing property that the mouse moves after the previous mouse moves. Therefore, when the first mouse moves from the first area 11 to the second area 12, the second mouse also has a strong tendency to move to the second area 12.
[0046]
Therefore, when the second mouse enters the first area 11, when the first mouse moves to the second area 12, the second mouse also moves to the second area 12. The CPU executes the arithmetic processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the moving area is also determined and stored for the second mouse.
[0047]
However, if one mouse is in the third area 13 and another mouse moves from the fourth area 14 to the second area 12, two mice can be obtained only from the signal of the second sensor 30B. The mouse cannot be distinguished, and there is a risk that the mouse in the third area 13 is erroneously determined to have moved to the first area 11.
[0048]
In this example, when the basic arithmetic processing of FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed once, the second arithmetic processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed. When this process is started, it is determined whether the value m of the mouse counter is 2 or more (step S50). If it is 2 or more, the basic arithmetic process immediately before the start of the second arithmetic process is performed. It is determined whether or not the sensor signal captured in step 1 is the first sensor 30A (step S51). In the case of the first sensor 30A, the movement from the second area 12 to the first area 11 and the fourth sensor 30A are performed. Since the movement from the area 14 to the third area 13 cannot be distinguished, the movement to the third area 13 is determined, and it is stored that one mouse has moved to the third area 13 (steps S52 and S53). Then, the processing returns to the basic arithmetic processing.
[0049]
Further, in the case of the second sensor 30B, the movement from the third area 12 to the first area 11 and the movement from the fourth area 14 to the second area 12 cannot be distinguished from each other. 12, it is stored that one mouse has moved to the second area 12 (steps S56 and S57), and the process returns to the basic arithmetic processing.
[0050]
Next, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed between the previous sensor signal and the current sensor signal (step S54). This predetermined time is obtained from the number of mice, the speed at which the mouse normally moves on the floor of the warehouse, and the size of the warehouse. If there is no mouse signal within a certain time, one mouse exits through the entrance 20. Since it is possible that the mouse has moved out of the place different from the entrance 20, it is possible to judge that the mouse movement area is incorrect and has moved to the first area 11. Is rewritten to the first area 11 and the process is terminated (step S55). Thus, a plurality of mice can be accurately detected.
[0051]
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment, in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. In this example, two third sensors 30C are provided along the boundary setting straight lines a and b in the fourth region 14, and the third sensor 30C has a laser projector 33 having one light projecting unit. And a laser light receiving section 34 having one light receiving section is provided to face each other.
[0052]
In this example, when the laser light of the first sensor 30A is cut off and the laser light of the third sensor 30C is cut off at the same time, the movement from the second area 12 to the first area 11 is performed, It can be determined that the movement is from the area 14 to the third area 13. Similarly, when the laser light of the second sensor 30B is cut off and the laser light of the third sensor 30C is cut off at the same time, the movement from the third area 13 to the first area 11 is not performed, and the fourth It can be determined that the movement is from the area 14 to the second area 12.
[0053]
Therefore, when the CPU of the microcomputer further performs the above-described arithmetic processing in the basic arithmetic processing, the current positions of a plurality of mice can be accurately detected without errors.
[0054]
FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment, in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. In this example, four first to fourth sensors 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D are provided along the boundaries in the first to fourth regions 11 to 14, and each of the sensors 30A to 30D is provided. A laser projector 31 having two light projecting units and a laser light receiving unit 32 having two light receiving units are provided.
[0055]
The arithmetic processing used for mouse detection is almost the same as in FIGS. However, in this example, since the sensors 30A to 30D are provided for each of the first to fourth regions, the movement of the mouse between the regions 11 to 14 can be accurately detected without error.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a preferred embodiment of a mouse detection device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a region movement and a sensor signal output in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a half part of a flow of a basic calculation process in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a flow following the flow of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of a second calculation process in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 1st area | region 12 2nd area | region 13 3rd area 14 4th area | region 30A 1st sensor 30B 2nd sensor 31 Laser emitter 32 Laser receiver 40 Microcomputer (discrimination means)

Claims (5)

In a device for detecting the intrusion of a mouse into a predetermined area,
Each has first and second light projecting parts and first and second light receiving parts, and the area to be detected is expected to be divided into four small areas by two boundary setting straight lines intersecting each other. When the small area including the entrance of the mouse is the first area, the two small areas adjacent to the first area are the second and third areas, and the remaining small area is the fourth area, the two areas are the same. Two light projecting portions and a light receiving portion are provided at both ends of the boundary setting straight line so as to face each other and the first light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are on the first region side. First and second sensors for detecting the passage of a mouse between
The movement area of the mouse is determined by receiving the signals of the two sensors, and the determination is made that the signal of the sensor is valid only when the movement of the mouse from the first area to the second or third area is determined. Means,
A mouse detection device comprising: a mouse; The discriminating means may be configured such that the light from the first and second light projecting units of one of the two sensors is blocked for the first time, and the second signal after the light from the first light projecting unit is blocked. The mouse detection device according to claim 1, wherein when the light from the light projecting unit is blocked, the mouse is determined to be moving from the first region to the second or third region. The discriminating means may be a block after the light from the first and second light projecting units of one of the two sensors is blocked at least once, and the light from the second light projecting unit may be used. 3. The mouse according to claim 1, wherein when the light from the first light projecting unit is blocked after the light is blocked, the mouse is determined to move from the second or third region to the first region. 4. Detection device. The third sensor further includes two third sensors, each of which emits and receives light along two boundary-setting straight lines in the fourth region. On the other hand,
The said determination means determines that the mouse moved from the fourth area to the second or third area or from the second or third area to the fourth area when the light of the third sensor was blocked. 4. The mouse detection device according to any one of claims 3 to 3. In a device for detecting the intrusion of a mouse into a predetermined area,
Each has a first and a second light projecting part and a first and a second light receiving part, and divides an area to be detected into four small areas, and includes a small area including an entrance and exit of an expected mouse in a first area. When two small areas adjacent to the area and the first area are defined as a second area and a third area, and the remaining small area is defined as a fourth area, two light projecting units are provided at both ends of a boundary line of the adjacent small area. And a first to fourth sensors, wherein the first and fourth sensors are provided to face each other, and detect the passage of a mouse between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.
The movement area of the mouse is determined by receiving the signals of the four sensors, and the determination is made that the signal of the sensor is valid only when the movement of the mouse from the first area to the second or third area is determined. Means,
A mouse detection device comprising: a mouse;

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