JP2014120046A - Sensor device and communication device system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase accuracy of the counted number in a device for detecting human actions by using an infrared ray and counting the number of actions.SOLUTION: A sensor device (20) comprises sensor means (22) for detecting a temperature change by infrared-ray irradiation and outputting a detection signal, and count means (21) for updating a number value of a counter on the basis of the detection signal. The count means is especially configured so as not to update the number value of the counter when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time from the output of the detection signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a sensor device and a communication device system that detect an action of a living body such as a human and count the number of times of the action.

  As this type of device, for example, a device that smoothes signals from each of a plurality of sensors based on a pre-defined reaction definition and outputs a determination result relating to a living action determined based on the smoothed signal Has been proposed. Here, it is described that even if the detection by the sensor is performed twice per second, it is counted as one time (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-145820 A

  However, the above-described background art has a technical problem that the accuracy of the counted number may not be sufficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, for example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor device and a communication device system that can improve the accuracy of the number of times counted.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the sensor device according to claim 1 is a sensor unit that detects a temperature change due to infrared irradiation and outputs a detection signal, and a count that updates a numerical value of a counter based on the detection signal. The counting means does not update the numerical value of the counter when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after the detection signal is output.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the communication device system according to claim 4 is a communication device system including a sensor device and a telephone device that can communicate with each other by wireless communication, and the sensor device has a temperature by infrared irradiation. Sensor means for detecting a change and outputting a detection signal; counting means for updating a numerical value of a counter based on the detection signal; and communication means for transmitting a counter signal indicating the numerical value of the counter to the telephone device The counting means does not update the value of the counter when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after the detection signal is output, and the telephone device A storage means for storing a numerical value indicated by the signal; a numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time when the counter signal is received; A signal indicating a numerical value obtained from the numerical value previously stored in the memory means is transmitted to a communication terminal different from the communication device system, and the numerical value stored in the storage means is determined by the counter signal received this time And a control means for updating to the indicated numerical value.

  The effect | action and other gain of this invention are clarified from the form for implementing demonstrated below.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus system which concerns on an Example. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the sensor apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the sensor apparatus which concerns on a comparative example.

(Embodiment of sensor device)
The sensor device according to the embodiment includes sensor means for detecting a temperature change due to infrared irradiation and outputting a detection signal, and count means for updating a counter value based on the detection signal. In particular, the counting means does not update the counter value when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after the detection signal is output.

  For example, sensor means such as a pyroelectric sensor detects a temperature change caused by infrared irradiation and outputs a detection signal. Since various known modes can be applied to the method for detecting a temperature change due to infrared irradiation, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  For example, the counting means including a memory, a processor, etc. updates the numerical value of the counter based on the detection signal. In principle, the count means updates the value of the counter (for example, increases “1”) each time a detection signal is output. However, the count means is configured not to update the counter value when another detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after one detection signal is output.

  According to the inventor's research, the following matters have been found. That is, for example, when detecting a human with a sensor using infrared rays, a temperature change occurs due to human movement, so if one person repeatedly moves or stops within the range of the sensor, Each time the sensor reacts, it may be determined that, for example, a plurality of people have passed in front of the sensor even though they are alone.

  By the way, in order to watch an elderly person living alone from a remote location, a system including a sensor using infrared rays is used. In this case, for example, a sensor is installed in a toilet, and the number of times the sensor detects a temperature change may be regarded as the number of times an elderly person uses the toilet. However, as described above, if the movement or stoppage is repeated within a short time within the range of the sensor, the reliability of the number of times the detected toilet is used may be lowered.

  However, this embodiment is configured such that the counter value is not updated when another detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after one detection signal is output. For this reason, for example, even if a human repeatedly moves or stops in a short time within the range of the sensor, it is possible to prevent the counter value from increasing unintentionally. Therefore, according to the sensor device of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the number of times counted based on the output of the sensor using infrared rays.

  Here, the “predetermined time” is a time for determining whether or not to update the counter value based on the detection signal from the sensor means, and is set in advance as a fixed value or a variable value according to some physical quantity or parameter. ing. Such “predetermined time” is obtained by empirically or experimentally or by simulation, for example, by estimating the relationship between the human action at the location where the sensor is installed and the time required for the action, and It may be set based on.

  One aspect of the sensor device according to the embodiment further includes a communication unit that transmits a counter signal indicating a numerical value of the counter to another device different from the sensor device.

  According to this aspect, the sensor device can be applied to, for example, a system for remotely monitoring an elderly person living alone, which is very advantageous in practice.

  In another aspect of the sensor device according to the embodiment, the sensor device further includes setting means capable of changing the predetermined time.

  According to this aspect, the predetermined time can be appropriately set according to the place where the sensor is installed and the like, which is very advantageous in practice.

(Embodiment of communication device system)
The communication device system according to the embodiment includes a sensor device and a telephone device that can communicate with each other by wireless communication.

  A sensor device detects a temperature change caused by infrared irradiation and outputs a detection signal, a count unit for updating a counter value based on the detection signal, and a counter signal indicating the counter value as a telephone device. And a communication means for transmitting to. In particular, the counting means does not update the counter value when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after the detection signal is output.

  The telephone device stores the numerical value indicated by the counter signal, and when the counter signal is received, the numerical value obtained from the numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time and the numerical value previously stored in the storage means And a control means for updating the numerical value stored in the storage means to the numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time.

  For example, a storage unit such as a nonvolatile memory stores a numerical value indicated by a counter signal transmitted from the sensor device.

  For example, when receiving a counter signal transmitted from the sensor device, the control means including a memory and a processor is obtained from the numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time and the numerical value previously stored in the storage means. The numerical value is transmitted to a communication terminal different from the communication system. Note that “the numerical value obtained from the counter signal received this time and the numerical value previously stored in the storage means” is, for example, the numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time and the previous storage in the storage means. And a difference value from the numerical value.

  The control means further updates the numerical value stored in the storage means to a numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time.

  The numerical value indicated by the counter signal transmitted from the sensor device is, for example, the same as the sensor device according to the above-described embodiment. It is a numerical value. Therefore, according to the communication apparatus system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the number of times counted based on the output of the sensor using infrared rays.

  An embodiment according to a sensor device and a communication device system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the case where the communication apparatus system 1 is applied to a system for remotely monitoring an elderly person living alone (hereinafter referred to as “a watching system” as appropriate) will be described as an example.

  In the monitoring system, in general, a sensor using infrared rays is installed at a place that is used once a day for living such as a toilet. And information, such as the frequency | count of the temperature change detected by this sensor, is transmitted to communication terminals, such as a relative who lives away from the elderly who are watching over, via the parent machine which becomes a pair with a sensor. Therefore, the owner of the communication terminal can confirm the safety of the person being watched over by confirming the information transmitted to the communication terminal.

  First, the configuration of a communication apparatus system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device system according to an embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a communication device system 1 includes a parent device 10 as an example of a “telephone device” according to the present invention, and a wireless slave device 20 as an example of a “sensor device” according to the present invention. ing. The base unit 10 is installed in the living room of the target person's residence, for example. On the other hand, the wireless slave device 20 is installed, for example, in a toilet in the residence of the person being watched over.

  The base unit 10 is connected to an antenna ANT, for example, a main control unit 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory 12 such as a nonvolatile memory, an operation unit 13 such as a touch panel and operation buttons, and the like. A wireless unit 14 capable of performing wireless communication and a line control 15 for controlling a line used for wireless communication, for example, are configured.

  The wireless slave device 20 is connected to a main control unit 21 such as a CPU, an infrared sensor 22 such as a pyroelectric sensor, an operation unit 23 such as a touch panel and operation buttons, and an antenna ANT. And a wireless unit 24 capable of performing wireless communication.

  The sensor 22 is configured to sense infrared rays emitted from an object. And when a temperature change generate | occur | produces, it is comprised so that a detection signal may be output. In other words, if no temperature change occurs, no detection signal is output from the sensor 22.

  The main control unit 21 updates the numerical value of a counter (not shown) based on the detection signal output from the sensor 22. The main control unit 21 also transmits a counter signal indicating the counter value to the parent device 10 via the wireless unit 24.

  The main control unit 11 of the base unit 10 receives the numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time and the numerical value indicated by the counter signal stored in the memory 12 when the previous counter signal was received via the wireless unit 14. Based on the above, the total number of times that the person to be watched enters the place where the wireless slave device 10 is installed between the time when the counter signal is received and the time when the current counter signal is received is obtained.

  Thereafter, the main control unit 11 notifies the external communication terminal set in advance via the operation unit 13 of the information indicating the obtained cumulative number of times. The main control unit 11 further updates the numerical value stored in the memory 12 to a numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time.

  The external communication terminal is, for example, a telephone or a personal computer. In the operation unit 13, for example, a telephone number, a FAX number, a mail address, etc. can be set. When the external communication terminal is a telephone and a telephone number is set as information related to the telephone, base unit 10 notifies the number of times obtained based on the counter signal, for example, by synthesized sound.

  The operation unit 13 can also set a notification time to the external communication terminal. In this case, the wireless slave device 20 transmits a counter signal to the parent device 10 according to the set notification time. Furthermore, the operation unit 13 may be configured so that the previous notification content can be confirmed by the user operating the steering unit 13.

  The main control unit 21 of the wireless slave device 20 particularly sets the counter value when the detection signal is output again from the sensor 22 within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the detection signal is output from the sensor 22. Is configured not to update. The predetermined time can be set via the operation unit 13 of the wireless slave unit 20.

  Here, the effect of the above feature of the main controller 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the sensor device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the sensor device according to the comparative example.

  When the watching target person enters the place where the wireless slave device 20 is installed, the watching target person does not always stay in the same position. Then, a temperature change occurs due to the operation of the person being watched over, and detection signals are frequently output from the sensor 22. If the number of times the detection signal is output from the sensor 22 is set to be the number of times of entry to the place where the wireless slave device 20 of the person to be watched is installed, an unnaturally large number of times of entry to the external communication terminal. There is a risk of being notified.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the detection signal is intermittently output at intervals of a few seconds (for example, about 0.5 seconds), the number of times the detection signal is output is the number of times of entry. If set, even if the person to be watched enters the place where the wireless slave device 20 is installed only once, the number of times of entry becomes seven.

  However, in this embodiment, as described above, the main control unit 21 of the wireless slave device 20 does not update the counter value when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after the detection signal is output once. It is configured as follows.

  Specifically, for example, in FIG. 2, when the detection signal 1 (see “Detection 1” in FIG. 2) is output, the main controller 21 increases the counter value by “1”. However, even if the detection signal 2 (see “Detection 2” in FIG. 2) is output within a predetermined time after the detection signal 1 is output, the counter value is not updated by the main control unit 21. Therefore, even in the case shown in FIG. 2, if the time between the detection signals (see “Detection 1” to “Detection 7” in FIG. 2) is within a predetermined time, the number of times of entry is one. .

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, the number of times of entry is counted at intervals of a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). For this reason, even if a detection signal is output a plurality of times within a predetermined time, the number of times of entry is one. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the detection signal continues to be output for a predetermined time, even if the person to be watched enters only once at the place where the wireless slave device 20 is installed, the number of times of entry is four. It will be times.

  Thus, according to the communication device system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the communication device system is applied to the watching system, the accuracy of the number of times of entry can be improved.

  Note that the operation unit 13 of the wireless slave device 20 is configured such that, for example, the wireless slave device 20 is registered in the master device 10 so that the wireless slave device 20 and the master device 10 can communicate with each other. The test signal from 20 can be transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the main controller 21 of the wireless slave unit 20 counts the number of times of entry, so that the processing load on the master unit 10 can be reduced, which is very advantageous in practice.

  The “main control unit 11”, “memory 12”, “main control unit 12”, “sensor 22”, “operation unit 23”, and “wireless unit 24” according to the present embodiment are respectively “control” according to the present invention. Means ”,“ storage means ”,“ counting means ”,“ sensor means ”,“ setting means ”, and“ communication means ”.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. A communication device system is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication apparatus system, 10 ... Master unit, 11, 21 ... Main control part, 12 ... Memory, 13, 23 ... Operation part, 14, 24 ... Radio | wireless part, 15 ... Circuit control, 20 ... Wireless cordless handset, 22 ... Sensor

Claims (4)

Sensor means for detecting a temperature change caused by infrared irradiation and outputting a detection signal;
Counting means for updating the value of the counter based on the detection signal;
With
The counting device does not update the value of the counter when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after the detection signal is output.   The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that transmits a counter signal indicating a numerical value of the counter to another device different from the sensor device.   The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising setting means capable of changing the predetermined time. A communication device system including a sensor device and a telephone device that can communicate with each other by wireless communication,
The sensor device includes:
Sensor means for detecting a temperature change caused by infrared irradiation and outputting a detection signal;
Counting means for updating the value of the counter based on the detection signal;
Communication means for transmitting a counter signal indicating the value of the counter to the telephone device;
Have
The counting means does not update the numerical value of the counter when the detection signal is output again within a predetermined time after the detection signal is output,
The telephone device
Storage means for storing a numerical value indicated by the counter signal;
When receiving the counter signal, a communication terminal that is different from the communication apparatus system in a signal indicating a numerical value obtained from the numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time and the numerical value previously stored in the storage means Control means for updating the numerical value stored in the storage means to the numerical value indicated by the counter signal received this time,
A communication device system comprising:

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