WO2007046155A1

WO2007046155A1 - Plant communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2007046155A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/022659
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kozaburo Takenaka; Shinichiro Abe; Kyuichi Shibasaki
Original assignee: Takenaka Garden Afforestation Inc.
Priority date: 2005-10-20
Filing date: 2005-12-09
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: JP2007110960A; JP3833237B1

Abstract

To achieve communication with a plant certainly and practically. The plant communication device comprises a first electrode (40) attached to any one of a plant (10), gardening soil (20) and a container (30), a high frequency power supply (50) for applying a high frequency voltage to the first electrode (40), a second electrode (60) for grounding the ground side of the high frequency power supply (50), a detection means (70a) connected between the second electrode (60) and the high frequency power supply (50), and a load control means (80) for operating a load (90), wherein the detection means (70a) detects a variation in returning current between when a human body approaches or touches the plant (10) and when the human body does not, and the load control means (80) operates the load (90) when the human body approaches or touches the plant (10).

Description

Plant communication equipment

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a plant communication device for communication by a human being touching a plant directly, and in particular, the approach or contact of the human body becomes a switching operation to cause a load to perform a predetermined operation. Thus, the present invention relates to a plant communication device that makes it possible to produce an effect as if the plant is responding to human actions.

Background art

[0002] In an urban space where buildings such as buildings are prone, the effects of plants planted on sidewalks and open spaces on humans are greater than expected. For example, the ability to heal has been attracting attention in the past, and just looking at the plant makes the emotions stable and relaxed, reduces fear and anger, and makes it easier to get tired There is a mental effect of becoming. In addition, such changes may reduce blood pressure, relax muscles, increase alpha waves on the electroencephalogram, decrease heart rate, etc., and have the effect of relaxing the mind and body.

In recent years, there has been a movement to actively take in plants in homes, offices, stores, etc., in anticipation of such mental and physical effects.

[0003] By the way, such mental and physical effects are received through vision among human senses. That is, the effect is acquired by seeing a plant.

However, human beings try to communicate by touching what they feel close by simply looking. In other words, it tries to confirm the existence of the other party not only visually but also through tactile sense.

However, if the target is a plant, it does not change its appearance in response to external stimuli, except for some parts. In other words, even if plants are moved by human hands, they do not react by themselves. For this reason, human-powered communication has become one-sided, and it has been considered that the mental and physical effects of this contact cannot be obtained. [0004] In view of this, a technique has been proposed in which a change caused by a plant in response to an external stimulus can be sensed by human senses and communication with the plant can be achieved (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9271263). See the official gazette.) O

This technology focuses on the fact that the biopotential changes inside a plant when it receives an external force stimulus, detects the change in the biopotential, and uses this as a trigger to operate loads such as LEDs and buzzers. .

According to such a technique, contact with a plant by a human becomes an external stimulus, and the bioelectric potential in the plant changes, and based on this, a predetermined operation can be performed on the load. For this reason, human beings can grasp the movement of the load, which is a change in the plant caused by touching himself, by visual perception or the like, and thereby communicate with the plant. Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, the above-described conventional technology is not specifically or objectively constructed to such an extent that a so-called person skilled in the art can repeatedly and continuously obtain the desired technical effect. Therefore, it must be called an incomplete invention.

In order to confirm and prove this point, the applicant tried to implement a “dialogue system with plants” according to the contents disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Specifically, the procedure was as follows. First, potted plants were prepared, electrodes were attached to the bottom and middle of the stem, and an attempt was made to measure the potential generated between the electrodes. Using a high-amplification differential amplifier, induction from the commercial AC power 100V line was reduced, and the signal was observed with an oscilloscope. And while this observation is being made, people approach the plant and

V, or repeatedly touched and released.

As a result, the waveform observed with the oscilloscope was only the 50 Hz waveform of the commercial AC power supply, and no signal that appeared to be a biopotential was observed.

[0006] As the cause, the following may be considered.

Induction of AC power is occurring in the leaves of the whole plant, and the induced current i flows along the stem, and the distribution capacity between the pot and the ground. As a result, an induced voltage of e = ir is generated between both electrodes. This allows the differential amplifier to The effect used is lost.

[0007] In addition, there are two to three nodes between the two electrodes, and there are two to three leaves, so it induces to the lower electrode rather than the potential to induce to the upper electrode. The potential becomes larger and the difference is amplified as an input to the amplifier, and only the waveform of the AC power supply can be observed.

Here, in order to prevent electromagnetic induction, it is conceivable to cover the entire system with a good conductive metal, that is, to provide a shield. In this way, the induced current flows outside the shield and to the ground, so it is not induced by the plant.

However, this prevents the shield from disturbing humans from touching the plant, and the inside cannot be seen, so the purpose of communication cannot be achieved.

[0009] For this reason, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, even if a human touches a plant and the bioelectric potential changes, it is obstructed by the induced current of the AC power source in an open space in the room. It was concluded that it was very difficult to observe.

This conclusion means that, although the technology described in Patent Document 1 lists a solution (constituent requirement of the invention), the target technical effect cannot be achieved with only that method. Is. The conclusion also means that the objectives can clearly not be achieved with the indicated solutions alone.

Therefore, in order to surely realize the purpose of communicating with plants, it has been disclosed in Patent Document 1 that it is required to provide a new technology.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plant communication apparatus that can reliably and practically realize communication with a plant.

Means for solving the problem

[0011] In order to achieve this object, the plant communication device of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects an electrical change that occurs inside or outside the plant, and performs a predetermined operation on the load when the electrical change is detected. The load communication means includes a load control means, and the detection means is configured to detect an electrical change that occurs inside or outside the plant when a human body approaches or contacts the plant. When the plant communication device has such a configuration, when the human body approaches or comes into contact with the plant, the detection means can detect an electrical change caused by the approach or contact, and the load control means When an electrical change is detected, the load can be operated. Here, for humans, it can be recognized that the operation of the load was caused by the person approaching or touching the plant. In other words, humans can be understood as plants responding to their own actions of approaching or touching. It can be understood that this does not end with a one-sided intentional expression of contact or contact by humans, but the plant also operates the load in response to the intentional expression, and also displays the intention itself. Therefore, the plant communication apparatus of the present invention can surely and practically realize communication for expressing intentions between humans and plants.

[0013] The plant communication device of the present invention includes a first electrode attached to one or more of a plant, a soil, and a container, and an AC power source that applies an AC voltage to the first electrode, and is detected. The means is configured to detect an electrical change generated in or near the plant, or in or near the human body when the human body approaches or comes into contact with the plant.

[0014] When the plant communication device has such a configuration, the capacitance between each of the plant, the soil, the container, the human body, the ground, the AC power source, and the like is “non-contact or approach” non-contact between the human body and the plant. The operation of the load can be controlled by utilizing the fact that the electrostatic induction current that flows between each of them changes based on this change. This makes it possible to operate the load when a human touches the plant, and to realize reliable and practical communication between the human and the plant.

[0015] It should be noted that the detection of an electrical change includes a case of directly detecting an electrical change that occurs in or near a plant or in or near a human body, and a case of detecting it indirectly. Here, the case of directly detecting means, for example, the case of detecting a change in electrostatic induction current in the above example. This is a force in which the change in the electrostatic induction current is an electrical change that occurs in or near the human body.

On the other hand, the case of detecting indirectly refers to the case of detecting a return current flowing from the ground to the high-frequency power source through the second electrode, for example. This is because the return current is an electric quantity that changes as the electric quantity called capacitance changes in the vicinity of the human body or plant. It is.

[0016] Further, the plant communication device of the present invention includes a second electrode for grounding a ground side terminal of the AC power supply, and the detection means is connected between the AC power supply and the second electrode, and the AC power supply It is configured to detect that the current flowing between the second electrode and the second electrode changes based on the approach or contact between the human body and the plant.

[0017] When the plant communication device has such a configuration, the current flowing from the second electrode to the AC power supply changes depending on the contact between the human body and the plant, non-contact, approach, or non-contact. Can operate the load. As a result, when a human touches a plant, a communication in which the plant operates in response to the response can be realized reliably and practically.

The second electrode in the present invention includes a case where the ground side terminal of the AC power supply is directly grounded and a case where the ground side terminal is grounded via an detecting means (indirect grounding).

[0018] Also, in the plant communication device of the present invention, the detection means detects a current flowing between the AC power source and the second electrode, and a voltage generated in the detection resistor by detecting the current The amplifier rectifies the voltage rectified by the diode, amplifies the voltage rectified by the diode, and outputs the amplified voltage as compared with the amplified voltage of the amplifier power and a threshold voltage indicating a predetermined voltage value. A voltage comparator that outputs a control signal based on the comparison result, and the load control means is configured to cause the load to perform a predetermined operation based on the control signal of the voltage comparator power.

[0019] When the plant communication device has such a configuration, it is possible to detect a change in the current flowing between the second electrode and the AC power supply, and to reliably operate the load based on this detection.

Note that outputting the control signal based on the comparison result between the amplified voltage and the threshold voltage includes outputting the control signal when the amplified voltage is higher than the threshold voltage.

[0020] Further, in the plant communication device of the present invention, the detection means delays the amplified voltage from the amplifier for a predetermined time, and outputs the delayed voltage as a delay voltage, and the amplified voltage from the amplifier by a predetermined amount. The voltage comparator compares the delay voltage with the attenuation voltage and based on the result of this comparison. The control signal is output.

[0021] If the plant communication device has such a configuration, it automatically follows changes in the detection signal level due to temperature changes, changes in the moisture content of the plants, and fluctuations in the power supply voltage, and the operation state is highly stable. can do.

The voltages compared by the voltage comparator are a delayed voltage delayed by a predetermined time by the signal delay circuit and an attenuated voltage attenuated by a predetermined amount by the attenuating resistor. These delay voltage and attenuation voltage are both processed (changed) of the amplified voltage (detection voltage) output from the amplifier.

[0022] The attenuation voltage is a signal obtained by reducing the voltage value of the detection voltage. For this reason, as with the detection voltage, the voltage value increases when the human body approaches or contacts the plant. Then, the attenuation voltage is adjusted using the attenuation resistor so that the detection voltage is about halfway between the voltage when it rises and the voltage when it rises. As a result, in a steady state (when the human body is in contact with or in contact with the plant), the voltage comparator is turned off, and when this decay voltage becomes higher than the detection voltage (the human body approaches the plant). Or when in contact) the voltage comparator can be turned on.

On the other hand, the delay voltage is a signal obtained by delaying the detection voltage for a predetermined time. For this reason, the delay voltage follows the detection voltage with a predetermined time difference.

This tracking means that the same voltage as the detection voltage is output even after a predetermined time, and if the voltage value of the detection voltage fluctuates, the delay voltage also fluctuates by the same fluctuation. . Here, the part of the delay voltage that overlaps the detection voltage (attenuation voltage) is the force that follows the threshold (boundary line) that turns the voltage comparator ON and OFF. It means that it fluctuates with fluctuations.

For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently follow slow changes such as temperature changes and moisture content of plants, and the switching operating point is always kept at a constant rate of the detection voltage, enabling highly stable switching to be performed. .

[0024] In the plant communication device of the present invention, the detection means includes a bridge circuit and a fluctuation detection circuit, and the bridge circuit includes a first side and a second side adjacent to the first side, The AC power supply has a third side adjacent to the second side and a fourth side adjacent to the third side. Connected between the connection point of the first side and the second side of the bridge circuit and the connection point of the third side and the fourth side, and the first side contains the capacitance of the container to the ground. The variation detection circuit is configured to detect a variation in voltage generated at the connection point between the second side and the third side of the bridge circuit.

[0025] If the plant communication device has such a configuration, even when the detection means is configured by a bridge circuit, an electrical change caused by the human body approaching or contacting the plant is detected, and based on this detection. The load can be operated.

The invention's effect

[0026] As described above, according to the present invention, when the human body approaches or comes into contact with a plant, the detection means can detect an electrical change caused based on the approach or contact, and the load control means includes: When the electrical change is detected, the load can be operated. For this reason, it can be understood that human touch is not only one-sided, but the plant also responds to the intention and shows the intention by operating the load. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and practically realize communication that expresses intentions between humans and plants.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a plant communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of detection means in the plant communication device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform when a return current is detected in the current detection resistor of the detection means.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform obtained by rectifying a voltage generated by a current detection resistor.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform obtained by amplifying the voltage shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing a change with time of a signal output from the relay driver.

FIG. 7 is an external front view showing a state of a plant to which a load is attached.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of detection means in the plant communication device of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 9] Changes in delay voltage, attenuation voltage, and control voltage over time in the detection circuit shown in Figure 8 FIG.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a plant communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a plant communication device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] [First embodiment]

First, a first embodiment of the plant communication device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the plant communication apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0030] As shown in the figure, the plant communication device la includes a plant 10, a soil 20, a container 30, a first electrode 40, a high-frequency power source 50, a second electrode 60, and a detection means 70a. The load control means 80 and the load 90 are provided.

As the plant 10, any conventionally known suitable plant can be used, and it is not limited to a specific type.

The soil 20 is the soil for planting the plant 10. The soil 20 includes soil in which soil and fertilizer are mixed according to the plant 10 to be cultivated, such as culture soil and improvement soil. Further, the soil 20 includes red jade soil, kanuma soil, humus soil, pearlite, etc., which are blended with culture soil. The land 20 is not limited to a specific type.

[0031] The container 30 is a container for storing the soil 20, and specifically includes, for example, a pot or a planter. The container 30 can contain stones, gravel and the like together with the soil 20, and plants 10 are planted there.

The shape of the container 30 is not particularly limited!

In addition, the material can be made of any material such as charcoal, unglazed, plastic, earthenware, glass, paper, stone, wood.

As shown in Fig. 1, the container 30 should be placed on a table and placed in a position where the floor surface is separated by placing a plastic plate or the like to maintain sufficient electrical insulation from the floor surface. Is desirable. The first electrode 40 is attached to one or more of the plant 10, the soil 20, and the container 30, and is connected to the voltage application side terminal of the high frequency power supply 50. The first electrode 40 can be formed of, for example, a conductive material.

A high frequency power source (AC power source) 50 applies a high frequency voltage to the first electrode 40. The high frequency power supply 50 can output a high frequency of, for example, a frequency of 50 kHz and a voltage of 10V. Here, the frequency is set to 50 kHz because the frequency is set sufficiently higher to eliminate interference from 50 Hz of the commercial power supply.

[0033] The second electrode 60 is attached to a ground plate 61 (for example, an aluminum foil) placed on the floor surface. The second electrode 60 is connected to the ground-side terminal of the high-frequency power supply 50 via the detection means 70a.

The ground plate 61 does not have to be installed on the floor.

Application to grounding via the internal capacitance of the 0 and load 90 power supply may be applied.

[0034] The detection means 70a is connected between the ground-side terminal of the high-frequency power source 50 and the second electrode 60, and detects an electrical change that occurs between the high-frequency power source 50 and the second electrode 60. Specifically, a return current flowing from the ground to the high frequency power supply 50 through the electrostatic capacitance Cg between the ground plate 61 and the ground is detected.

A specific circuit configuration of the detection means 70a is shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the detecting means 70a includes a current detecting resistor R1, a detecting diode D1, a small-capacitance capacitor C1, a gain adjusting variable resistor R2, an amplifier A1, and a voltage comparator. A2.

Here, the current detection resistor (detection resistor) R1 detects the return current.

The voltage V generated across this resistor R1 by this detection is shown in Fig. 3.

R1

become. That is, when the human body is not approaching or in contact with the plant 10, the waveform has a small amplitude ((a) in the figure), while when the human body is approaching or in contact with the plant 10, the waveform has a large amplitude (the same figure). (b)).

The resistance value of the current detection resistor R1 can be set to 10 kΩ, for example.

[0037] The detection diode D1 rectifies the voltage V detected by the current detection resistor R1. The voltage V across this detection diode Dl is as shown in FIG. Ie people

D1

The voltage when the body approaches or comes into contact with the plant 10 (Fig. (BZ2)) is larger than the voltage when the body is not approaching or in contact (Fig. (AZ2)).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the voltage V is rectified by the detection diode D1, but the rectification is not limited to half-wave rectification.

R1

. That is, since the purpose here is to convert the detected AC signal into DC, the means for rectification may be full-wave rectification, voltage doubler rectification, bridge rectification, or the like.

[0038] The coupling-use small-capacitance capacitor C1 is a capacitor that passes only a high frequency, and prevents the DC component obtained by rectification by the detection diode D1 from returning to the current detection resistor R1. Smooth the voltage V.

D1

[0039] The gain adjusting variable resistor R2 adjusts the gain of the amplifier A1. By providing this variable resistor R2 for gain adjustment, (a, 2) 'at the voltage V output from the amplifier A1

A1

And (bZ2) 'can be adjusted so that the reference voltage (threshold voltage) Vs is between (see Fig. 5).

The amplifier A1 amplifies the voltage V according to the gain adjusted by the gain adjusting variable resistor R2 and outputs the amplified voltage V.

Dl A1

The reference voltage Vs is the amplified voltage V when the human body is not approaching or touching the plant 10.

Use the one with A1 stored in memory.

The voltage comparator A2 compares the reference voltage Vs with the amplified voltage V from the amplifier A1. This

A1

Figure 5 shows the voltage waveforms compared.

As a result of comparison, when the amplified voltage V is higher than the reference voltage Vs, that is, the amplified voltage V is

Al A1

When (b / 2) ', the control signal V is output from the voltage comparator A2.

A2

On the other hand, when the amplified voltage V is lower than the reference voltage Vs, that is, the amplified voltage V is (aZ2)

Al Al

When,, the control signal V is not output from the voltage comparator A2.

A2

[0041] The load control means 80 is means for controlling the operation of the load 90 based on a control signal from the detection means 70a, and includes a relay driver 81 and a relay 82.

The relay driver 81 operates the relay 72 based on the control signal V from the voltage comparator A2.

A2

Adjust the work time. The operation of this relay driver 81 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, when the relay driver 81 receives the control signal V, the relay driver 81 starts outputting the operation control signal ((s) in the figure), and the predetermined time (T) is reached.

A2

The operation control signal continues to be output until the time has elapsed. Then, after a predetermined time τ has elapsed ((e) in the figure), the output of the operation control signal is stopped.

The relay 82 applies the voltage from the power source to the load 90 while the operation control signal is sent from the relay driver 81.

[0042] The load 90 is an electrical component that performs a certain operation by applying a predetermined voltage.

As this load 90, for example, an output that can be sensed by human senses such as an audible output and a visible output can be used.

Here, specific examples of the audible output include, for example, a sound imitating a message from the plant 10, a recording medium recording a human or animal voice, a wind sound, a water sound, etc., or a synthesized sound by electronic technology. Stuff, musical instrument sounds and music, buzzer and chime stuff, electronic music box stuff, SL sounds and ship whistles.

[0043] On the other hand, specific examples of visible output include, for example, light emitting diodes, miniature light bulbs, and other light emitters that are appropriately arranged and all or part of them are turned on or blinking, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, and the like. Examples include those that display still images or moving images on the display device.

Furthermore, it is desirable to install these loads 90 integrally with the plant. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, an illumination cord with LED or other light emitters attached at almost equal intervals is attached to a branch or leaf so as to spread over almost the entire plant 10, and this is flashed. A speaker can be attached to the trunk of the phone to output sound.

[0044] Further, the load 90 is not limited to one, and a plurality of loads 90 can be provided. Here, when a plurality of loads 90 are provided, they may be of the same type or different types. They can also be provided in close proximity or in spaced locations. Further, signals can be transmitted and received between the load 90 and the load 90 by wire or wirelessly. In this case, a device that outputs (transmits) a signal to one load 90 can be provided, and a device that inputs (receives) the signal to another load 90 can be provided. Next, the operation of the plant communication device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the capacitance between the plant 10 (leaves) and the human body (hand) is Chl, the capacitance between the container 30 and the human body (torso) is Csb, and the container 30 Let Csg be the capacitance between the ground plate 61, Cbg be the capacitance between the human body and the ground (GND), and Cg be the capacitance between the ground and the ground plate 61.

The high frequency power supply 50 is activated, and a high frequency voltage VM is applied from the high frequency power supply 50 to the first electrode 40.

When the human body is not approaching or in contact with the plant 10, the detection means 70a detects the base voltage (voltage a in FIG. 3).

[0047] Thereafter, when the human body approaches or comes into contact with the plant 10, an electrostatic induction current flows through the human body via the electrostatic capacitance Chi between the plant 10 (leaf) and the human body (hand), and this further increases the human body. It flows into the ground through the capacitance Cbg.

Then, the ground force also returns to the high-frequency power source 50 through the electrostatic capacitance Cg between the ground plate 61 and the ground, and current flows.

[0048] In the current detection resistor R1 of the detection means 70a, a return current is detected and a voltage V is generated.

R1. The voltage V is shown in Fig. 3 when the human body is not approaching or touching the plant 10.

R1

As shown as voltage a, the waveform has a small amplitude. On the other hand, when the human body is approaching or in contact with the plant 10, the waveform has a large amplitude as shown as voltage b in FIG. In other words, the voltage b is larger than the voltage a.

The V is rectified by the detection diode D1 and smoothed by the small capacitor C1 (

R1

(See Figure 4). The voltage V after rectification is adjusted by the variable resistor R2 for gain adjustment.

D1

Based on the gain, it is amplified by amplifier A1 and output as amplified voltage V.

A1

[0049] In the voltage comparator A2, the amplified voltage V from the amplifier A1 is compared with the reference voltage Vs (

A1

(See Figure 5). Here, when the amplified voltage V is higher than the reference voltage Vs, the voltage comparator A

A1

Control signal V is output from 2. On the other hand, the amplified voltage V is lower than the reference voltage Vs.

A2 A1

In this case, the control signal V is not output from the voltage comparator A2.

A2

[0050] The control signal V output from the voltage comparator A2 is a relay driver of the load control means 80. 81 and sent to the operation control signal curry 82 along with the input of the control signal V

In the A2 relay 82, the power supply voltage is applied to the load 90 while the operation control signal is sent from the relay driver 81 (T in FIG. 6). As a result, the load 90 performs a predetermined operation.

[0051] As described above, the plant communication device according to the present embodiment uses the fact that when the human body approaches or comes into contact with a plant, the value of the return current flowing into the second electrode force high-frequency power source changes, and thus the load is changed. The operation can be controlled ONZOFF.

Here, the return current changes because the circuit configuration for flowing the electrostatic induction current (return current) differs depending on whether the human body is approaching or in contact with the plant. is there.

[0052] For example, the circuit configuration when the human body is not approaching or in contact with the plant is as follows: high frequency power source 50 -first electrode 40 -container 30 -capacitance Csg—earth plate 61—second electrode 60—detector Stage 70a—High frequency power supply 50.

On the other hand, the circuit configuration when the human body is approaching or in contact with the plant is the same as the circuit configuration described above, and the first electrode 40 Plant 10 Capacitance Chi—Human body capacitance Cbg Capacitance Cg—Ground plate 61 This is a circuit configuration with the added path. In this case, the capacitance Csb also affects.

[0053] Since the circuit configurations for flowing the electrostatic induction current (return current) are different in this way, the detection means has different values depending on whether or not the human body is approaching or contacting the plant. The return current can be detected. As a result, the detection means can reliably detect that a human has approached or contacted the plant and operate the load.

Therefore, by using the plant communication device of this embodiment, communication between a human and a plant can be realized reliably and practically.

[0054] [Second Embodiment]

Next, a second embodiment of the plant communication device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This figure is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the detecting means in the plant communication apparatus of the present embodiment. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the detection means. That is, in the first embodiment, the voltage comparator of the detection means is configured to compare the output signal of the amplifier A1 and the reference signal, whereas in this embodiment, the voltage comparator is a delay signal (amplifier). A signal obtained by delaying the output signal of a predetermined time) and an attenuation signal (a signal obtained by quantitatively attenuating the output signal of the amplifier) are compared. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Therefore, in FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0055] The plant communication device lb of the present embodiment includes a plant 10, a soil 20, a container 30, a first electrode 40, a detection means 70b, a load control means 80, and a load 90.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the detection means 70b includes a current detection resistor R1, a detection diode D1, a small-capacitance capacitor C1, a gain adjusting variable resistor R2, an amplifier A1, a variable It has a resistor R3, a signal delay circuit 71, and a voltage comparator A2.

[0056] In the variable resistor (attenuating resistor) R3, one of the included resistors is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier A1, and the other is grounded. The regulated voltage output terminal to which the movable piece sliding on the resistor is connected is connected to the discrimination signal input terminal key of the voltage comparator A2.

This variable resistor R3 provides a predetermined amount of the amplified voltage V from the amplifier A1 (in this embodiment,

A1

(1 to 10% of the voltage value of the amplification voltage V)

A1

Output as decay signal (attenuation voltage). Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the attenuation signal indicates the voltage value in the steady state (the state where the human body approaches or contacts the plant 10) and the detection state (the human body approaches or contacts the plant 10). The steady state of the detection signal (the signal from which the amplifier A1 power was also output, but the delayed voltage (the signal output from the signal delay circuit 71)) in the voltage comparator A2) Attenuating resistor R3 is used to adjust the voltage value at. As a result, the voltage value in the steady state in the detection signal becomes a threshold value, and the voltage comparator A2 is turned off in the steady state, while the voltage comparator A2 can be turned on in the detected state. .

Note that the rate of attenuation in the variable resistor R3 is that the human body approaches or contacts the plant 10. Although stable operation is performed by adjusting the detection voltage to the middle of the time, it is not limited to the above range (about 1 to 10% of the voltage value of the amplification voltage V).

A1

[0057] The signal delay circuit 71 has a signal input side connected to the output terminal of the amplifier A1, and a signal output side connected to the discrimination reference input terminal i of the voltage comparator A2.

The signal delay circuit 71 receives the amplified voltage V output from the amplifier A1 and receives the amplified voltage V.

A1

A predetermined delay amount is given to the amplified voltage V and output as a delay voltage (delay signal).

A1

As the signal delay circuit 71, a delay circuit using CR discharge can be used. The time constant can be set to 0.2 seconds, for example. As a result, the signal that has passed through the signal delay circuit 71 follows the detection signal with a predetermined delay time difference (for example, 0.2 seconds).

In this way, since the delay voltage is the state immediately before the detection signal itself, it sufficiently follows slow changes such as temperature changes and the moisture content of plants, and the switching operation point is always constant. The ratio is kept low, and highly stable switching can be performed.

[0059] The voltage comparator A2 inputs and compares the attenuated voltage from the variable resistor R3 and the delayed voltage from the signal delay circuit 71, and a control signal V (output) indicating the result of this comparison and determination. The

A2

Send to load control means 80 relay driver 81.

Specifically, a control signal V as shown in FIG. 9 is output. That is, the human body is a plant 1

A2

When it is not close to or in contact with 0, the decay voltage shows a value lower than the delay voltage. In this case, the control signal V is not output. On the other hand, the human body is approaching or touching the plant 10.

A2

In this case, the attenuation voltage is higher than the delay voltage, and in this case, the control signal V is

A2 Output with a constant voltage value.

[0060] The load control means 80 operates the load 90 based on the control signal V from the detection means 70b.

A2

It is a means to control the work.

The configuration of the load control means 80 can be the same as the configuration of the load control means 80 in the first embodiment. In other words, when a control signal V indicating a predetermined voltage value is input,

A2

The race driver 81 sends an operation control signal to the relay 82.

In the relay 82, while the operation control signal is sent from the relay driver 81 (T in FIG. 6), the voltage of the power source is applied to the load 90. As a result, the load 90 performs a predetermined operation. Next, the operation of the plant communication device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Adjust the variable resistor R2 in advance. This adjustment is adjusted so that the signal level is in the middle of the range where amplifier A1 and voltage comparator A2 operate well.

[0062] After that, when the human body approaches or comes into contact with the plant 10, an electrostatic induction current flows through the human body via the electrostatic capacitance Chi between the plant 10 (leaf) and the human body (hand), and this further increases the human body. It flows into the ground through the capacitance Cbg.

[0063] In the current detection resistor R1 of the detection means 70a, a return current is detected and a voltage V is generated.

R1

D1

A1

[0064] In the signal delay circuit 71, the amplified voltage V from the amplifier A1 is input, and this amplified voltage is input.

A1

Is given a delay amount of a predetermined time, and this is output as a delay voltage.

In addition, the variable resistor R3 attenuates the amplified voltage V from the amplifier A1 by a predetermined amount.

A1

Is output as an attenuation voltage.

Then, the voltage comparator A2 inputs and compares the delay voltage from the signal delay circuit 71 and the attenuation voltage from the variable resistor R3 (see FIG. 9). Here, when the attenuation voltage is lower than the delay voltage, the control signal V is not output from the voltage comparator A2. Meanwhile, decaying electricity When the voltage is higher than the delay voltage, the control signal V is output from the voltage comparator A2.

A2

[0065] The control signal V output from the voltage comparator A2 is a relay driver of the load control means 80.

A2

81 and sent to the operation control signal curry 82 along with the input of the control signal V

[0066] As described above, according to the plant communication device of the present embodiment, even when the detection means is configured by a bridge circuit, the load is operated by reliably detecting that the human body has approached or contacted the plant. Can be made.

In particular, the plant communication device according to the present embodiment uses a signal obtained by delaying a detected signal without fixing the switching level by a slight time difference as a reference comparison voltage in the voltage comparator A2, thereby changing the temperature change and the moisture content of the plant. The operating state is highly stabilized by automatically following changes in the detection signal level due to changes in power supply and power supply voltage.

[0067] [Third embodiment]

Next, a third embodiment of the plant communication device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The figure is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the plant communication apparatus of the present embodiment. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the detection means. That is, in the first embodiment, the return current is detected by the detection resistor, the detection voltage is rectified by the detection diode, amplified by the amplifier, and the change of the return current is detected by the voltage comparator. In contrast to the configuration in which the load is operated by a relay or the like, in this embodiment, the configuration is such that a change in the return current is detected by a bridge circuit. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Therefore, in FIG. 10, the same components as those in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 10, the plant communication device lc of the present embodiment includes a plant 10, a soil 20, a container 30, a first electrode 40, a detection means 70c, a load control means 80, With load 90 It has.

Here, the detection means 70c has a bridge circuit 72 (CR AC bridge circuit).

[0069] The bridge circuit 72 includes a first side in which the capacitance Cs of the container 30 is incorporated, a second side to which the resistor Rcl is connected, a third side to which the resistor Rc2 is connected, and a fixed standard. The capacitor has a fourth side to which the capacitor Cc 1 is connected.

The equilibrium condition of the bridge circuit 72 is Ccl′Rc2 = Cs′Rcl.

Since there are changes depending on the number and size of plants, either the resistance Rcl or Rc2 can be balanced with a variable resistor to suppress the base current.

[0070] In the bridge circuit 72, the connection point between the first side and the second side is dl2, the connection point between the second side and the third side is d23, and the connection point between the third side and the fourth side. Is d34, and the connection point between the fourth and first sides is d41.

Furthermore, the AC power source S is connected between the point dl2 and the point d34.

The point dl2 is connected to the first electrode 40, the point d23 is connected to the load control means 80, and the point d41 is grounded.

The load control means (variation detection circuit) 80 detects a variation in the voltage e generated at a point d23 that is a connection point between the second side and the third side of the bridge circuit 72.

The configuration of the load control means 80 can be the same as the configuration of the load control means 80 in the first embodiment. That is, the control signal V in the first embodiment is changed to the voltage e.

Corresponding to A2, when the voltage e fluctuates (generates) and this voltage e is input, the relay driver 81 sends an operation control signal to the relay 82.

In the relay 82, while the operation control signal is sent from the relay driver 81 (T in FIG. 6), the voltage of the power source is applied to the load 90. As a result, the load 90 performs a predetermined operation.

Next, the operation of the plant communication device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the human body is not approaching or in contact with the plant 10, the bridge circuit 72 is in an equilibrium state, and the voltage e is 0 at the point d23. For this reason, the load control means 80 does not operate, and the load 90 does not operate.

[0073] On the other hand, when the human body approaches or comes into contact with the plant 10, it is between the human body (hand) and the plant 10 (leaf). The capacitance Ch is added to Cs, and the equilibrium state of the bridge circuit 72 is lost. As a result, the voltage e appears as an unbalanced voltage, which becomes the contact detection voltage, and the load 90 is operated by the control of the load control means 80.

[0074] As described above, according to the plant communication device of the present embodiment, even when the detection means is configured by a bridge circuit, it is possible to reliably detect that the human body has approached or contacted the plant and operate the load. Can be made.

In particular, since the plant communication device of this embodiment is configured by a bridge circuit, it is possible to extract a change that does not include a base current, that is, a voltage due to close contact with the hand, and switching due to a change in power supply voltage or ambient temperature. Minor changes in the operating point can be ignored.

[0075] As described above, the force S described for the preferred embodiment of the plant communication device of the present invention, the plant communication device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are made within the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that is possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the plant, the first electrode, the second electrode, the high-frequency power supply, the detection means, the load control means, the load, etc. are provided, but each is limited to one. It is possible to have more than one each.

[0076] The plant communication apparatus of the present invention may be an arbitrary combination of the plant communication apparatuses in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment.

Industrial applicability

[0077] The present invention is an invention in which a load is operated by a human body approaching or contacting a plant. Therefore, when the load is electrical decoration (LED, etc.), the plant decoration device is a voice output device. It can be used for an output control device in the case of a drive, a drive control device in the case where a load is a motor.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A plant communication device comprising a detecting means for detecting an electrical change occurring inside or outside a plant and a load control means for causing a load to perform a predetermined operation when the electrical change is detected. And

The detection means detects an electrical change that occurs inside or outside the plant when a human body approaches or contacts the plant.

A plant communication device characterized by that.

[2] a first electrode attached to one or more of a plant, soil, or container;

An AC power supply for applying an AC voltage to the first electrode;

The detection means detects an electrical change generated in or near the plant, or in or near the human body when the human body approaches or comes into contact with the plant. The plant communication device described.

[3] A second electrode for grounding the ground side terminal of the AC power supply is provided,

The detection means is connected between the AC power source and the second electrode, and a current flowing between the AC power source and the second electrode is brought into contact or contact between the human body and the plant. Detecting changes based on

The plant communication device according to claim 2, wherein

[4] The detection means includes

A detection resistor for detecting a current flowing between the AC power supply and the second electrode; a diode for rectifying a voltage generated in the detection resistor by the detection of the current; and a voltage rectified by the diode The amplifier compares the amplified voltage of the amplifier and the threshold voltage indicating a predetermined voltage value, and outputs a control signal based on the comparison result. And

The load control means causes the load to perform a predetermined operation based on a control signal of the voltage comparator force.

The plant communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

[5] The detection means includes

The amplification voltage of the amplifier force is delayed for a predetermined time and output as a delay voltage. A signal delay circuit;

Attenuating resistor that attenuates the amplified voltage from the amplifier by a predetermined amount and outputs the attenuated voltage as an attenuated voltage;

The voltage comparator compares the delay voltage with the decay voltage and outputs the control signal based on the result of the comparison

The plant communication device according to claim 4, wherein

The detection means includes a bridge circuit and a fluctuation detection circuit,

The bridge circuit is

A first side, a second side adjacent to the first side, a third side adjacent to the second side, and a fourth side adjacent to the third side,

The AC power source is

Connected between a connection point of the first side and the second side of the bridge circuit and a connection point of the third side and the fourth side;

The first side includes a ground capacitance of the container;

The fluctuation detection circuit is

Detects voltage fluctuations that occur at the connection point between the second side and the third side of the bridge circuit.

The plant communication device according to claim 2, wherein