JP2007101431A - Human body detector and controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a human body detector capable of detecting the position and the conditions of the human body, using a single sensor. <P>SOLUTION: This human body detector is provided with the sensor 11 for outputting a signal of a level, in response to a distance to the human body; an advance and retraction detecting part 3 for detecting the motion of the human body at a first position, by comparing an output signal from the sensor 11 with a prescribed level of the signal, in response to the motion of the human body in the first position having a prescribed distance from the sensor 11; and a seating detecting part 2 for detecting the presence of the human body in the second position, by comparing the output signal from the sensor 11 at a prescribed level of signal, in response to a motion of the human body in a second position that is nearer to the sensor 11 than the first position. The advance and retraction detecting part 3 detects the approach of the human body to the sensor 11, after passing through the first position from a point more distant from the first position, and detects that the human body has separated to a distant side while passing over the first position, when detecting the separation from the second position, after the seating detecting part 2 detects the arrival of the human body to the second position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a human body detection device that detects the position and state of a human body, and a control device that uses the human body detection device.

  With the automation of toilet facilities, it is desired to appropriately determine the position and state of the human body in the toilet (toilet room; washroom). Conventionally, a distance measuring sensor using infrared light or a pyroelectric thermal sensor is used as a device for detecting the position of a human body.

  However, a sensor using infrared light has a problem that it is easily affected by dirt on the sensor portion. Further, when a distance measuring sensor is used, there is a problem that a plurality of sensors are required because a distance measuring range with one sensor is limited. In the case of using a pyroelectric thermal sensor, the pyroelectric thermal sensor detects only the movement of the human body, and therefore has a problem that it must be used in combination with another type of sensor such as a distance measuring sensor.

  Accordingly, a human body detection device using a microwave sensor has been developed (for example, Patent Document 1). The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects the position of a human body using signals obtained from microwave sensors provided at two locations. By using the microwave for the sensor, it is possible to remove the influence due to the contamination of the sensor portion.

Patent Document 2 describes a technology that includes a microwave sensor and a signal processing unit that amplifies a signal output from the microwave sensor, and the gain of the signal processing unit is variable depending on the strength of the signal. .
JP 2001-343466 A JP 2001-349942 A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the position of the user is specified based on the principle of triangulation, a plurality of sensors are required. If multiple sensors are used, the device will not function correctly if one of them malfunctions or fails. In addition, adjustment of a plurality of sensors is complicated, and if any of the sensors is deviated, a large error occurs in the measurement value as a whole. For this reason, problems such as the opening / closing of the toilet lid and the timing of washing are shifted.

  In the method of knowing the position of the human body in the toilet from the transition of the signal strength obtained using the conventional microwave Doppler sensor, the movement of a minute part such as shaking a hand at a stationary position is detected only by detecting the strength of the signal. It may be determined that the user has moved away, and erroneous detection may occur. Further, when the body is moved in small increments at the sitting position, it may be erroneously determined that the body has moved.

  The same problem is not limited to the toilet system, and is common in the case where the position or state of a human body or an object is detected and various controls are performed according to the detected position / state.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a human body detection device that can correctly detect the position of a human body with one sensor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can appropriately detect the position of a human body in a toilet and appropriately output a control signal to each control target.

In order to achieve the above object, a human body detection device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a human body detection device for detecting the position of a human body,
A sensor that outputs a signal of a level corresponding to the distance from the human body when the human body is moving;
By comparing the output signal of the sensor with the output signal of a predetermined level of the sensor according to the movement of the human body at the first position at a predetermined distance from the sensor, the movement of the human body at the first position is Advancing / retreating detecting means,
By comparing the output signal of the sensor with an output signal of a predetermined level of the sensor in response to the movement of the human body at a second position closer to the sensor than the first position, the human body is at the second position. Seating detection means for detecting whether or not the
With
The advance / retreat detecting means includes:
Detecting that the human body approaches the sensor through the first position from a distance farther than the first position;
After the seating detection means detects the arrival of the human body at the second position, the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the first position when detecting the separation of the human body from the second position. Detect that
It is characterized by that.

  The sensor may be a Doppler sensor.

  Furthermore, the advancing / retreating detecting means does not detect a movement faster than a predetermined speed of the human body by discarding a signal having a level equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency among the output signals of the sensor.

The advance / retreat detecting means includes:
By detecting that the seating detection means has reached the second position of the human body, detection of the human body moving away from the sensor beyond the first position is suppressed,
Preferably, when the seating detection unit detects the separation of the human body from the second position, it is possible to detect that the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the first position.

  The seating detection means stops detecting a signal exceeding a predetermined output level of the sensor when a human body is present at the second position, and then continuously outputs a signal below the predetermined output level for a predetermined number of times. When detected, it may be determined that the human body is separated from the second position.

  The advancing / retreating detecting means stops detecting a signal exceeding a predetermined output level of the sensor according to the movement of the human body at the first position, and then continuously outputs a signal below the predetermined output level for a predetermined number of times. When detected, it may be detected that the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the first position.

The human body detection device is a device that detects the position of the user in the toilet,
The advance / retreat detecting means is set with a predetermined output level with the user's entry position as the first position,
The seating detection means is set to a predetermined output level with the user's seating position as the second position, and after the seating detection means detects the arrival of the human body at the seating position, When a separation from the seating position is detected, it may be detected that the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the entrance position.

Means for defining a space in which the human body can move substantially only in a one-dimensional direction;
The sensor may be configured to output a signal corresponding to the position of the human body in a direction substantially parallel to the moving direction of the human body in the space.

The control device according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A sensor that outputs a signal of a level corresponding to the distance from the human body when the human body is moving;
By comparing the output signal of the sensor with the output signal of a predetermined level of the sensor according to the movement of the human body at the first position at a predetermined distance from the sensor, the movement of the human body at the first position is Advancing / retreating detecting means,
By comparing the output signal of the sensor with an output signal of a predetermined level of the sensor in response to the movement of the human body at a second position closer to the sensor than the first position, the human body is at the second position. Seating detection means for detecting whether or not the
With
The advance / retreat detecting means is
Detecting that the human body approaches the sensor through the first position from a distance farther than the first position;
After the seating detection means detects the arrival of the human body at the second position, the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the first position when detecting the separation of the human body from the second position. Detect that
A human body detection device;
Control means for outputting a control signal to an electronic device in accordance with output signals of the advance / retreat detection means and the seating detection means of the human body detection device;
It is characterized by providing.

According to the human body detection device of the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect the state of movement of the human body and the stationary position.
The present invention can provide a control device that can appropriately detect the position and state of a human body particularly in a toilet and appropriately output a control signal to each control target.

  The human body detection device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a case where the human body detection device 1 is applied to a toilet system as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 30 according to the present embodiment includes a human body detection device 1, a control unit 20, a toilet lid opening / closing device 21, a toilet lid fixing device 22, and a cleaning device 23 that are controlled by the toilet system. It is composed of The human body detection device 1 includes a microwave Doppler sensor 11 (hereinafter also referred to as a sensor 11), a seating detection unit 2 and an advance / retreat detection unit 3 indicated by a broken line range.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the toilet in which the human body detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed. The microwave Doppler sensor 11 is used until the user opens the door 51 in the toilet (dressing room) 52 shown in a plan view in FIG. 2, enters from the vicinity of the line a, and sits in the vicinity of the line d. This is to detect the movement of the user from the state of sitting in the vicinity of d to the time when the door 51 is opened and the user leaves the room.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the microwave Doppler sensor. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the microwave Doppler sensor 11 includes a signal source 111, a patch antenna 112, a directional coupler 113, a mixer 114, and the like.

  The patch antenna 112 is attached to the wall surface (which may be front or back) of the water storage tank 54 in the toilet 52 shown in FIG. That is, since the inside of the toilet 52 is relatively narrow, the movement of the user is substantially a one-dimensional movement between the entrance and the toilet 53, but the patch antenna 112 is directed in the direction of the flow of the user. Are arranged so as to radiate microwaves on the flow line. The other member may be configured integrally with the patch antenna 112, or may be installed at another location and connected to the patch antenna 112 via a signal line.

  The microwave output from the signal source 111 is, for example, an unmodulated carrier signal, and is radiated toward the entrance of the toilet 52 via the directional coupler 113 and the patch antenna 112. The radiated microwave is reflected by an arbitrary object and reaches the patch antenna 112. The reflected microwave (hereinafter referred to as reflected wave) is received by the patch antenna 112, demultiplexed by the directional coupler 113, and input to the mixer 114. The mixer 114 mixes the reflected wave and the radiation microwave, and outputs a signal (Doppler signal) having a frequency corresponding to the difference between the frequencies. The signal output from the mixer 114 is amplified by the amplifier 115 and output.

  As is generally known, when an object reflecting a microwave is moving, the frequency of the reflected wave is shifted according to the moving speed by the Doppler effect. For this reason, when there is no movement in the toilet 52, the output signal of the mixer 114 becomes 0 level. On the other hand, when the user moves or operates in the toilet 52, a signal is output from the mixer 114. The level of the signal output from the mixer 114 corresponds to the intensity of the reflected wave. Therefore, in general, the larger the user is near the water storage tank 54 to which the patch antenna 112 is fixed, the smaller the user gets away from the water storage tank 54 and the closer to the door 51.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the configuration of the human body detection device 1 will be described. The seating detection unit 2 includes an amplifier 12a that amplifies the output signal of the sensor 11, comparators 13a and 13b, counters 14a and 14b, a timer 15a, and an RS flip-flop 16a. The advance / retreat detecting unit 3 includes an amplifier 12b that amplifies the output signal of the sensor 11, comparators 13c and 13d, counters 14c and 14d, a timer 15b, and an RS flip-flop 16b.

  From the microwave Doppler sensor 11, a Doppler signal having a frequency difference between the transmission wave and the reflected wave is input to the amplifier 12a. Since the amplifier 12a of the seating detection unit 2 amplifies a Doppler frequency signal due to a reflected wave from a human body at a seating position close to the sensor 11, the amplification factor is relatively small (for example, 10 times). The Doppler signals amplified by the amplifier 12a are respectively compared with predetermined voltage values by the comparators 13a and 13b, and a significant level (“1” in positive logic) is output when the voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage. The comparator 13a outputs “1” when the voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Va, and the comparator 13b outputs “1” when the voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Vb.

  The voltage Va is set to a value larger than the voltage Vb. The voltage Va is set to output “1” in the case of the level of the Doppler signal due to the reflected wave from the human body on the line d (location E: sitting position) shown in FIG. The voltage Vb is set to output “1” when the voltage Vb is equal to or higher than the level of the Doppler signal due to the reflected wave from the human body between the line b and the line c shown in FIG.

  The output of the comparator 13a is counted by the counter 14a. When a predetermined number is counted, the counter 14a outputs a set signal to the RS flip-flop 16a. The predetermined number of the counters 14a is set to be shorter than the time until sitting, and longer than the time exceeding Va due to an operation that instantaneously crosses the line d in FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the influence of a case where a part of the human body instantaneously reaches the line d in FIG. 2 or noise that temporarily increases the intensity of the reflected wave.

  The output of the comparator 13b is counted by the counter 14b. When the predetermined number is counted, the counter 14b outputs a reset signal to the RS flip-flop 16a. The predetermined number of counters 14b is set to such a time that the level of the Doppler signal happens to drop from the seated state, and it is not erroneously detected that it has left during that time. The output signal of the comparator 13a is input to the reset terminal of the counter 14b. Since the counter 14b is reset while the output of the comparator 13a is present, the output signal of the comparator 13b is not counted up by the counter 14b.

  The output of the comparator 13a is also input to the timer 15a, and the timer 15a is started. The timer 15a outputs a reset signal to the counter 14a when a predetermined time elapses. The predetermined time of the timer 15a is set longer than the period of the signal periodically output from the comparator 13a when the Doppler signal (amplitude thereof) amplified by the amplifier 12a is equal to or greater than Va. Therefore, the counter 14a outputs a set signal when there is a predetermined number of outputs stably from the comparator 13a.

  The RS flip-flop 16a is set by the set signal of the counter 14a and outputs a seating signal. The RS flip-flop 16a is reset by the reset signal of the counter 14b and stops the seating signal.

  In the advance / retreat detector 3, the Doppler signal of the sensor 11 is input to the amplifier 12b. The amplifier 12b of the advance / retreat detecting unit 3 amplifies a Doppler frequency signal due to a reflected wave from the human body at a position near the door 51 far from the sensor 11, so that the amplification factor is relatively large (for example, 100 times). The Doppler signals amplified by the amplifier 12b are respectively compared with predetermined voltage values by the comparators 13c and 13d, and a significant level (“1” in positive logic) is output when the voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage. The comparator 13c outputs “1” when the voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Vc, and the comparator 13d outputs “1” when the voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage Vd.

  The voltage Vc is set to a value larger than the voltage Vd. When the voltage Vc is equal to or higher than the level of the Doppler signal due to the reflected wave from the human body in the position between the door 51 of the toilet 52 and the toilet 53, for example, in the vicinity of the line a (location B) shown in FIG. Is set to The voltage Vd is set to output “1” in the case of the location A shown in FIG.

  The output of the comparator 13c is counted by the counter 14c. When a predetermined number is counted, the counter 14c outputs a set signal to the RS flip-flop 16b. The predetermined number of the counters 14c is shorter than the time for the user to enter the toilet 52 and move from the line b to the line c in FIG. 2, and the operation or reflection state that instantaneously crosses the line b in FIG. It is set longer than the time when the voltage Vc is exceeded due to fluctuation. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the influence of noise or the like in which a part of the human body instantaneously reaches the line b in FIG. 2 or the intensity of the reflected wave due to an object outside the toilet 52 temporarily increases.

  The output of the comparator 13d is counted by the counter 14d. When the predetermined number is counted, the counter 14d outputs a reset signal to the RS flip-flop 16b. The predetermined number of the counter 14d is set to such a time that the level of the Doppler signal happens to drop from the state between the location C and the location D in FIG. The output of the comparator 13c is input to the reset terminal of the counter 14d. Since the counter 14d is reset while the output of the comparator 13c is present, the output of the comparator 13d is not counted up by the counter 14d.

  The output of the comparator 13c is also input to the timer 15b, and the timer 15b is started (restarted). The timer 15b outputs a reset signal to the counter 14c when a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time of the timer 15b is set longer than the period of the signal periodically output from the comparator 13b when the Doppler signal (amplitude thereof) amplified by the amplifier 12b is equal to or higher than Vc. Therefore, the counter 14c outputs a set signal when there is a predetermined number of outputs stably from the comparator 13c.

  The RS flip-flop 16b is set by the set signal of the counter 14c and outputs an entry signal. The RS flip-flop 16b is reset by the reset signal of the counter 14d and stops the entry signal.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration when the human body detection device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured with an electronic circuit. In FIG. 4, the microwave Doppler sensor 11 is omitted. The upper half circuit of FIG. 4 is the seating detection unit 2, and the lower half circuit is the advance / retreat detection unit 3. The output signal of the sensor 11 is input from the input terminal 11a and input to the amplifiers 12a and 12b.

  In the circuit of the human body detection device 1 in FIG. 4, the output of the amplifier 12 b is input to the comparators 13 c and 13 d via the low pass filter 17. The low-pass filter 17 outputs only signals having a frequency equal to or less than a frequency (about 33 Hz in the case of a 10 GHz microwave) corresponding to a moving speed (for example, 50 cm / second or less) in the toilet 52 to the comparators 13c and 13d. Since a high-frequency Doppler signal is blocked by the low-pass filter 17 as in the case where a person performs an operation such as shaking hands in the toilet 52, a malfunction can be prevented.

  Each of the comparators 13a to 13d is H (high) when the signal level of the Doppler signal amplified by the amplifier 12a or 12b exceeds the reference levels Va, Vb, Vc, and Vd supplied to the inverting input terminal (−). When the signal does not exceed the High level signal, an L (Low) level signal is output. The reference levels Va to Vd are different in the comparators 13a to 13d, respectively, and have a relationship of Va> Vb> Vc> Vd. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the outputs of the comparators 13 a to 13 d and the human body detection device 1 and the position of the human body in the toilet 52.

  The comparator 13a compares the signal level of the Doppler signal from the amplifier 12a with the reference level Va supplied to the inverting input terminal (−). The reference level Va cannot detect that the user is moving or moving in the place D (near the line c) in the toilet 52 shown in FIG. 2, but the user can sit on the toilet seat or It is set to a level at which it can detect that it is standing up and sitting away. As shown in FIG. 5, the comparator 13 a outputs an H level signal when in the location E in FIG. 2 (particularly when performing a sitting / separating operation). Since the user moves slightly even when sitting, a Doppler signal is output at a low frequency.

  The comparator 13b compares the signal level of the signal from the amplifier 12 with the reference level Vb supplied to the inverting input terminal (−). The reference level Vb cannot detect that the user is moving or operating at a location C in the toilet 52 (near the line b), but the user is not able to detect the location D in the toilet 52 (on the line c). It is set to a level at which it is possible to detect movement or movement in the vicinity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the comparator 13b generally performs a sitting / seating operation when the user moves (walks) to the place D (near the line c) of the toilet 52 shown in FIG. When performing, an H level signal is output.

  The comparator 13c compares the signal level of the signal from the amplifier 12b with the reference level Vc supplied to the inverting input terminal (−). The reference level Vc cannot detect that the user is moving or operating near the place B (line a) in the toilet 52, but the user is not able to detect the place C (near the line b) in the toilet 52. ) Is set to a level at which it is possible to detect movement or movement. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user moves (walks) at the location C (near line b) of the toilet 52 shown in FIG. 2, the comparator 13c moves to location D (near line c). When walking (walking), a signal of H level is output when a sitting / seating operation is performed.

  The comparator 13d compares the signal level of the signal from the amplifier 12b with the reference level Vd supplied to the inverting input terminal (−). The reference level Vd is set to a level at which it can be detected that the user has entered the toilet 52 and is moving or performing some operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the comparator 13d is generally located near the location C (line b) when the user moves (walks) near the location B (line a) of the toilet 52 shown in FIG. When moving (walking) at, when moving (walking) to the vicinity of the location D (line c), and when performing a sitting / seating operation, an H level signal is output.

  In the human body detection device 1 of FIG. 4, the output (Q) of the RS flip-flop 16 a of the seating detection unit 2 is input to the reset terminal (R) of the RS flip-flop 16 b of the advance / retreat detection unit 3. When seating is detected, entry / exit is not detected. In the seated state, even if the user shakes his / her hand, it will not be detected as if he / she has left.

  The inverted output (Q) of the RS flip-flop 16a of the seating detection unit 2 is input to the set terminal (S) of the RS flip-flop 16b of the advance / retreat detection unit 3. When the seating signal is stopped, the approach signal becomes H level, and the exit can be detected. The relationship between the approach output 19 of the advance / retreat detection unit 3 and the seating output 18 of the seating detection unit 2 and the position of the human body in the toilet 52 is shown in FIG.

  Using the approach signal and the seating signal of the human body detection device 1, for example, the toilet system can be controlled as shown in the control in the lowermost column of FIG. For example, when the entry signal becomes H, the toilet lid 55 is opened, and when the seating signal becomes H, the toilet lid 55 is locked. When the seating signal is stopped (L), the toilet lid 55 is unlocked, and when the entry signal is stopped (L), the toilet lid 55 is closed. At the same time, the cleaning device 23 may be controlled. For example, when the entry signal becomes H, water is allowed to flow in the toilet bowl 53 to prevent dirt from adhering to the inside, and when the seating signal is L, the butt washing is prevented from operating. You can do that.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration when the human body detection device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured by a microcomputer. In FIG. 8, the microwave Doppler sensor 11 is omitted. 8 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs arithmetic control, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores computer programs, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores data during operation of the CPU. , An input / output unit, and a timer.

  The outputs of the comparators 13a to 13d are input to the input / output unit of the microcomputer 25. The functions of the counters 14a to 14d, the timers 15a and 15b, and the RS flip-flops 16a and 16b are realized by the microcomputer 25 and a built-in computer program. The approach signal and the seating signal are output from the input / output unit of the microcomputer 25, driven by a transistor, and output as the approach signal 19 and the seating signal 18 to the control unit 20 (see FIG. 1).

  Next, the operation of the human body detection device 1 in FIG. 4 or 8 will be described with reference to the drawings. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the human body detection device 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the human body detection device 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the timers 15a and 15b with respect to the interrupt. In FIG. 6, the counters 13a to 13d are represented by counters A, B, C, and D, respectively. Timers 15a and 15b are represented by timers A and B, respectively.

  As described above, a Doppler signal corresponding to the user's operation at each position in the toilet 52 is input from the sensor 11 to the amplifiers 12a and 12b, compared with each level by the comparators 13a to 13d, and the respective comparison results are output. Is done. When the outputs of the comparators 13a to 13d are significant, a signal having a frequency of the Doppler signal is output. The outputs of the comparators 13a to 13d are read according to the frequency of the Doppler signal (step S1). In the circuit of FIG. 4, it means that the output waveforms of the comparators 13a to 13d are input to the clocks (CLK) of the counters 14a to 14d.

  In the initial state of the human body detection device 1, the values of the counters 14a to 14d are 0, and the timers 15a and 15b are reset and stopped. Further, the RS flip-flops 16a and 16b are cleared and the seating signal and the entry signal are stopped.

  When the output of the comparator 13a (comparator A in FIG. 6) is significant (step S2; Yes), the counter 14a (counter A in FIG. 6) is added, and the counter 14b (counter B in FIG. 6) is reset (see FIG. 6). Set the counter value to 0). Then, the timer 15a (timer A in FIG. 6) is restarted (step S6). Independent of the operation of FIG. 6, the timer A generates an interrupt signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after being activated. When the timer A interrupt signal is generated (FIG. 7A), the counter A is reset (step S30).

  It is determined whether or not the counter A has a predetermined value (step S7). If the counter A has reached the predetermined value (step S7; Yes), the counter A is reset, the state variable is set to the seating state, and the seating signal Is output (step S8). In the human body detection device 1 of FIG. 2, the RS flip-flop 16a is set. When already in the seating state, it is not necessary to set the seating state again to output the seating signal, but the operation may be performed in an overlapping manner. If the counter A has not yet reached the predetermined value (step S7; No), the processing is terminated as it is (the next comparator output is read).

  When the output of the comparator A is not significant (step S2; No) and the output of the comparator 13b (comparator B in FIG. 6) is significant (step S3; Yes), the counter B is added (step S9). It is determined whether or not the counter B has a predetermined value (step S10). If the counter B has reached a predetermined value (step S10; Yes), it is further determined whether or not the state variable is a seated state (step S11). ). If it is in the seating state (step S11; Yes), the state variable is set to the ingress state and the seating signal is stopped (step S12). In the human body detection device 1 in FIG. 2, the RS flip-flop 16a is reset.

  If the counter B does not reach the predetermined value (step S10; No), or if it is not in the seated state (step S11; No), the process ends as it is. Since the counter B is reset while the output of the comparator A is significant (step S6), the seating signal is not stopped.

When the output of the comparator B is not significant (step S3; No) and the output of the comparator 13c (comparator C in FIG. 6) is significant (step S4; Yes), the counter 14c (counter C in FIG. 6) is added. , The counter 14d (counter D in FIG. 6) is reset. Then, the timer 15b (timer B in FIG. 6) is restarted (step S13). Independent of the operation of FIG. 6, the timer B generates an interrupt signal when a certain time has elapsed after being activated. When the timer B interrupt signal is generated (FIG. 7B), the counter C is reset (step S31).

  It is determined whether or not the counter C has a predetermined value (step S14). If the counter C has reached the predetermined value (step S14; Yes), the counter C is reset (step S15), and the state variable is in an empty room state. It is determined whether or not there is (step S16). If it is an empty room state (step S16; Yes), the state variable is set to the entry state, and an entry signal is output (step S17). In the human body detection device 1 of FIG. 2, the RS flip-flop 16b is set. If the counter C does not reach the predetermined value (step S14; No), or if the counter C is not in an empty room state (entering state or seating state; step S16; No), the process ends.

  When the output of the comparator C is not significant (step S4; No) and the output of the comparator 13d (comparator D in FIG. 6) is significant (step S5; Yes), the counter 14d (counter D in FIG. 6) is added. (Step S18). It is determined whether or not the counter D has a predetermined value (step S19). If the counter D has reached the predetermined value (step S19; Yes), it is further determined whether or not the state variable is in the entering state (step S20). ). When it is an approach state (step S20; Yes), a state variable is set to an empty room state, and an approach signal is stopped (step S21). In the human body detection device 1 in FIG. 2, the RS flip-flop 16b is reset.

  When the counter D does not reach the predetermined value (step S19; No), or when the counter D is not in the entering state (step S20; No), the process ends. While the output of the comparator C is significant, the counter D is reset (step S13), so the entry signal is not stopped.

  The above operation is repeated for each output of the comparator (in the period of the Doppler signal). As a result, for example, an output as shown in the entry and seating column of FIG. 5 can be obtained with certainty.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect the state of movement of the human body and the stationary position. According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably monitor the state of the human body in the toilet 52 using one microwave Doppler sensor, and at the same time, when a person performs an operation such as shaking his / her hand in the toilet 52, a malfunction occurs. Can be prevented. Based on the position of the human body determined in this manner, the current situation of the user can be appropriately determined and used for controlling the toilet lid 55 and flushing. In addition, since the microwave Doppler sensor can be hermetically sealed in a casing other than metal, a chemical-resistant structure and a waterproof structure can be provided, and high reliability can be ensured. In addition, the degree of freedom of the position where the sensor is attached is higher than that of an optical element, and the structure can be made such that the sensor portion cannot be seen from the outside, so that the design is excellent.

  In addition, the hardware configuration and the flowchart described above are merely examples, and can be arbitrarily changed and modified. In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the signal output from the microwave Doppler sensor 11 is processed by the comparator or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the output of the microwave Doppler sensor 11 is amplified by the amplifiers 12a and 12b. Thereafter, it may be converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter, and the user's position or the like may be determined by digital processing by the microcomputer 25.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the microwave sensor is used as the sensor for detecting the position and motion of the human body has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the human body such as an ultrasonic Doppler sensor moves. In some cases, a sensor of a type that outputs a signal having a level corresponding to the position (distance) can be widely used. However, since the ultrasonic sensor cannot pass through an object, it is desirable to arrange the ultrasonic sensor at a position where the human body can be seen.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a Western-style toilet 53 is installed in a standard-sized toilet 52 has been described. However, in the case of a large-sized toilet or a Japanese-style toilet, the same processing is possible. is there. In such a case, a level value corresponding to the toilet and a predetermined number of counters may be set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the state of the human body is determined and the control signal of the opening / closing device of the toilet lid 55, the cleaning device, etc. is output has been described as an example. A configuration in which not only the lid but also the toilet seat is opened and closed, a deodorizing device, a cooling / heating device in the toilet, lighting, and the like, can be connected to various devices to output a control signal.

  The present invention is not limited to toilets, and can be applied to devices that require different control signals depending on the positions and states of people, animals, and objects.

  That is, the present invention is widely applicable not only to determining the position and state of a user in a toilet, but also to detecting the position of a human body and the like, and in particular, the flow line is one-dimensional, that is, almost all humans, animals, and objects are present. When moving only in a one-dimensional direction, it is suitable for determining the position and state thereof. In this case, it is desirable to install the microwave sensor so that the detection object is irradiated with the radiation wave with the radiation direction of the radiation wave from the microwave sensor parallel to the flow line. For example, the present invention can be applied to the determination of the position and state of a human body in a room that defines a relatively narrow and long (elongated) space such as a corridor.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the human body detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the toilet in which the human body detection device concerning an embodiment of the invention was installed. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the microwave sensor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the example of a circuit structure at the time of comprising the human body detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention with an electronic circuit. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the output of a comparator and a human body detection apparatus, and the position of the human body in a toilet. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the human body detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for timer interruption in the human body detection device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of a circuit structure at the time of comprising the human body detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention with a microcomputer.

Explanation of symbols

1 Human body detection device
2 Seating detection unit
3 Retreat detection part
11 Microwave Doppler Sensor 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d Comparator 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Counter
15a, 15b timer
16a, 16b RS flip-flop
20 Control unit

Claims (9)

A human body detection device for detecting the position of a human body,
A sensor that outputs a signal of a level corresponding to the distance from the human body when the human body is moving;
By comparing the output signal of the sensor with the output signal of a predetermined level of the sensor according to the movement of the human body at the first position at a predetermined distance from the sensor, the movement of the human body at the first position is Advancing / retreating detecting means,
By comparing the output signal of the sensor with an output signal of a predetermined level of the sensor in response to the movement of the human body at a second position closer to the sensor than the first position, the human body is at the second position. Seating detection means for detecting whether or not the
With
The advance / retreat detecting means is
Detecting that the human body approaches the sensor through the first position from a distance farther than the first position;
After the seating detection means detects the arrival of the human body at the second position, the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the first position when detecting the separation of the human body from the second position. Detect that
A human body detection device characterized by that.   The human body detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a Doppler sensor.   The said advancing / retreating detecting means does not detect a motion faster than a predetermined speed of the human body by discarding a signal having a level equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency among the output signals of the sensor. Human body detection device. The advance / retreat detecting means is
By detecting that the seating detection means has reached the second position of the human body, detection of the human body moving away from the sensor beyond the first position is suppressed,
By detecting the separation of the human body from the second position by the seating detection means, it is possible to detect that the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the first position.
The human body detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the human body detection device is characterized in that:   After the seating detection means no longer detects a signal exceeding a predetermined output level of the sensor when a human body is present at the second position, a signal equal to or lower than the predetermined output level continues for a predetermined number of times. The human body detection device according to claim 1, wherein when detected, the human body is determined to be separated from the second position.   After the advance / retreat detection unit stops detecting a signal exceeding the predetermined output level of the sensor according to the movement of the human body at the first position, the signal below the predetermined output level is continuously output a predetermined number of times. 6. The human body detection device according to claim 1, wherein when it is detected, it is detected that the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the first position. 7. The human body detection device is a device that detects the position of the user in the toilet,
The advance / retreat detecting means is set with a predetermined output level with the user's entry position as the first position,
The seating detection means is set to a predetermined output level with the user's seating position as the second position, and after the seating detection means detects the arrival of the human body at the seating position, When detecting a separation from the seating position, it detects that the human body moves away from the sensor beyond the entrance position,
The human body detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the human body detection device is a human body detection device. Means for defining a space in which the human body can move substantially only in a one-dimensional direction;
The sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the human body in a direction substantially parallel to the moving direction of the human body in the space;
The human body detection device according to claim 1, wherein the human body detection device is a human body detection device. The human body detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Control means for outputting a control signal to an electronic device in accordance with output signals of the advance / retreat detection means and the seating detection means of the human body detection device;
A control device comprising:

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