JP2020200698A - Water discharge control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water discharge control device capable of accurately drawing a specified amount of water into a pot or the like.SOLUTION: The water discharge control device comprises: a water discharge part 11; a water discharge switching part 21 that switches between water discharge and water cutoff of a water discharge part 11; an object detection part 23 that detects whether there is an object in a water discharge area T of the water discharge part 11 or there is no object in the water discharge area T; an instruction amount acquisition part 24 that acquires an instruction amount instructed by a user; a water discharge amount acquisition part 25 that separately acquires a water discharge amount of the water discharge part 11 when there is an object and the water discharge amount of the water discharge part when there is no object; and a control part 26 that controls the water discharge switching part 21 to stop the water discharge of the water discharge part 11 when the water discharge amount when there is an object reaches the instruction amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a water discharge control device.

Conventionally, there is known a water discharge control device capable of quantitative water discharge that automatically stops when a set amount of water is discharged. For example, in the water discharge control device described in Patent Document 1 below, water discharge is started when a desired water discharge amount is determined by the water amount setting mechanism and the set switch is pressed. The amount of water discharged is measured from the time when the amount of water discharged is started, and when the amount of water discharged reaches the desired amount of water discharged, the water is stopped. According to this water discharge control device, when a desired water discharge amount is instructed after placing a pot or the like under the spout, the instructed amount of water is drawn into the pot or the like.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-19480

However, with the above configuration, it may be difficult to accurately draw the specified amount of water into a pot or the like. That is, for example, when the user instructs the desired amount of water to be discharged and then a pot or the like is placed under the water discharge port. In such a case, water discharge is started before the user puts the pot or the like, and the water is stopped when the water discharge amount reaches the specified amount. Therefore, the amount of water drawn into the pot will be less than the indicated amount. This is also the case when the user places a pot or the like under the spout and starts normal spouting, and then instructs the desired spouting amount. In such a case, water discharge is started before the user instructs the water discharge amount, and the desired amount is discharged after the instruction. Therefore, the amount of water drawn into the pot will be larger than the indicated amount.

The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water discharge control device capable of accurately pumping an instructed amount of water into a pot or the like.

The water discharge control device of the present invention has a water discharge unit, a water discharge switching unit that switches between water discharge and water stoppage of the water discharge unit, and an object having an object in the water discharge region of the water discharge unit or an object having no object in the water discharge region. An object detection unit that detects whether or not there is a state, an instruction amount acquisition unit that acquires an instruction amount instructed by the user, a water discharge amount of the water discharge unit when the object is in a state, and a case where the object is in a stateless state. The water discharge amount acquisition unit that acquires the water discharge amount separately from the water discharge amount of the above, and the water discharge switching unit that stops the water discharge when the water discharge amount reaches the indicated amount in the state of having an object are controlled. It has a control unit.

Block diagram showing a configuration example of the water discharge control device according to the first embodiment Flow chart showing an operation example of the water discharge control device Block diagram showing a configuration example of the water discharge control device in the second embodiment Flow chart showing an operation example of the water discharge control device Block diagram showing a configuration example of the water discharge control device according to the third embodiment Block diagram showing a configuration example of the water discharge control device according to the fourth embodiment

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown below.
<Example 1>
Hereinafter, Example 1 embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The water discharge control device 10 in this embodiment is provided in a place where water is used, such as a kitchen. As shown in FIG. 1, the water discharge control device 10 includes a water discharge unit 11, a water discharge switching unit 21, and a water discharge switching control unit 22 that controls the water discharge switching unit 21. The water discharge switching control unit 22 includes an object detection unit 23, an instruction amount acquisition unit 24, a water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, and a control unit 26.

The water discharge switching unit 21 is a solenoid valve that switches between water discharge and water stop of the water discharge unit 11. The object detection unit 23 detects whether there is an object in the water discharge region T of the water discharge unit 11 or there is no object in the water discharge region T. The instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires a desired water discharge amount (instruction amount) instructed by the user to the instruction receiving unit 15. The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 separately acquires the water discharge amount of the water discharge unit 11 when there is an object and the water discharge amount when there is no object. The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 discharges water when the object is present, and the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops when the object is not present. To control. The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops when the amount of water discharged in the state of having an object reaches the indicated amount.

The water discharge unit 11 includes a water discharge pipe 12 having a water discharge port. The water discharge pipe 12 is installed, for example, in a counter around the sink in the kitchen. A sensor 13 for holding a hand is provided on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe 12 on the tip end side. The hand-holding sensor 13 detects the hand held by the user. When the hand-holding sensor 13 detects the hand, water discharge is started. This water discharge continues even if the hand-holding sensor 13 does not detect the hand. When the sensor 13 for holding the hand detects the hand again while the water discharge unit 11 is discharging water, the water is stopped.

The object detection unit 23 has a non-contact type sensor 14 provided in the water discharge unit 11. The sensor 14 is provided on the lower surface of the water discharge pipe 12 on the tip end side. The sensor 14 detects whether or not there is an object to be detected (object) such as a user's hand or an article in a predetermined detection area, and when the sensor 14 detects the object to be detected, water discharge is started. This water discharge is continued while the sensor 14 detects the object to be detected, and is stopped when the sensor 14 stops detecting the object to be detected.

The object detection unit 23 detects the state in which the sensor 14 detects the object to be detected as a state in which an object exists in the water discharge region T of the water discharge unit 11 (object presence state). The object detection unit 23 detects a state in which the sensor 14 does not detect an object to be detected as a state in which there is no object in the water discharge region T (no object state). That is, the water discharge region T in this embodiment is the detection region of the sensor 14. The object detection unit 23 outputs the detection result to the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 and the control unit 26.

The instruction amount acquisition unit 24 has an instruction receiving unit 15 for instructing the amount of water discharged desired by the user. The instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount instructed by the user to the instruction receiving unit 15. The instruction receiving unit 15 is a switch, a microphone, or the like. The instruction receiving unit 15 is not limited to a switch, a microphone, or the like, and may be a device such as a smartphone. In this case, the recipe may be downloaded to a device such as a smartphone, and the amount of water indicated in the ingredients of the recipe may be transmitted to the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 via, for example, a wireless communication line. The instruction amount acquisition unit 24 outputs the acquired instruction amount to the control unit 26.

The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 has an impeller type flow meter (not shown). The amount of water discharged from the water discharge unit 11 is constantly measured by a flow meter. The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount measured by the flow meter when there is an object, and does not acquire the water discharge amount measured by the flow meter when there is no object. The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 outputs the acquired water discharge amount to the control unit 26.

The control unit 26 compares the instruction amount from the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 with the water discharge amount from the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, and when the water discharge amount reaches the instruction amount, the water discharge switch is switched so that the water discharge unit 11 stops. The unit 21 is controlled.

Next, the operation of the water discharge control device 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The water discharge control device 10 repeats the operation from the start to the end of FIG. 2 from the end to the start.

First, a case where a fixed amount of water is discharged by automatic water discharge by the sensor 14 will be described. When the water discharge control device 10 starts the control, it determines whether or not the user has instructed the water discharge amount (step S100). When it is determined that the user has instructed the water discharge amount, the water discharge control device 10 is in the quantitative water discharge state, and the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount (step S101). Next, the water discharge control device 10 determines whether or not the object detection unit 23 has detected that the object is in the presence state (whether or not the sensor 14 has detected the object to be detected) (step S102). The object detection unit 23 detects that there is an object, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is in a state of acquiring the water discharge amount measured by the flow meter (step S103). Further, the control unit 26 is in a state of determining whether or not the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is equal to or greater than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 (step S104). When the automatic water discharge by the sensor 14 is started (step S105) and the water discharge amount measured by the flow meter in step S104 exceeds the indicated amount, the water discharge control device 10 is no longer in the quantitative water discharge state, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 has acquired it. The water discharge amount is set to zero and reset (step S106). The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops water (step S107). After the water discharge unit 11 has stopped water, the water discharge control device 10 determines whether or not the object detection unit 23 has detected that the object is present (whether or not the sensor 14 has detected the object to be detected). (Step S113). When the object detection unit 23 detects that there is no object, the operation of the water discharge control device 10 ends.

Next, a case of quantitative water discharge by automatic water discharge by hand holding operation will be described. When the water discharge control device 10 starts the control, it determines whether or not the user has instructed the water discharge amount (step S100). When it is determined that the user has instructed the water discharge amount, the water discharge control device 10 is in the quantitative water discharge state, and the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount (step S101). Next, the water discharge control device 10 determines whether or not the object detection unit 23 has detected that the object is present (whether or not the sensor 14 has detected the object to be detected) (step S102). The object detection unit 23 detects that there is no object. Next, the water discharge control device 10 determines whether or not it is in a quantitative water discharge state (step S108). When the water discharge control device 10 determines that the water discharge control device 10 is in the quantitative water discharge state, the water discharge control device 10 determines whether or not the hand-holding sensor detects the hand (step S109). When the hand holding sensor 13 detects a hand, if the state of the water spouting unit 11 at that time is not the water spouting state by the hand holding operation, the water spouting state is set by the hand holding operation (step S110). When the water spouting unit 11 is in the water spouting state by the hand holding operation, the water is stopped by the hand holding operation (step S111). Further, when the hand-holding sensor does not detect the hand, the water discharge control device 10 determines whether or not the water discharge unit 11 is in the water discharge state by the hand-holding operation (step S112). In the case of water discharge by hand holding operation (Yes in step S110 or step 112), since the object detection unit 23 has not detected that the object is in the object state in step S102, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount. do not do. Therefore, the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 in step S104 does not exceed the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24, and the water discharge state by the hand holding operation continues (step S105). After that, when the object detection unit 23 detects that the object exists in step S102, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount measured by the flow meter (step S103). Further, the control unit 26 determines whether or not the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is equal to or greater than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 (step S104). When the amount of water discharged measured by the flow meter exceeds the indicated amount, the water discharge control device 10 is no longer in the quantitative water discharge state, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 resets the acquired water discharge amount to zero (step S106). The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops water (step S107). When the water is stopped by the hand holding operation (No in step S111 or step S112), the control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops water (step S107).

As described above, even if the water discharge control device 10 determines that the user has instructed the water discharge amount in step S100, the object detection unit 23 does not detect that the object is in the state of being present in step S102. The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 does not acquire the water discharge amount.

The water discharge control device 10 determines that the user has instructed the water discharge amount in step S100, and when the object detection unit 23 detects that the object is in an object state in step S102, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount. To do. In step S104, the object detection unit 23 in step S102 is in a state where the control unit 26 determines that the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is not equal to or greater than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24. When it is detected that there is no object, the water discharge control device 10 is in the quantitative water discharge state in step S108, so the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is not reset to zero. Then, when the object detection unit 23 again detects that the object is in the state of being in the object state in step 102, the control unit 26 in step S104 adds the water discharge amount acquired later to the water discharge amount acquired earlier. , It is determined whether or not the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 has acquired the instruction amount or more.

Further, even if the water discharge control device 10 determines in step S100 that the user does not instruct the water discharge amount, if the object detection unit 23 detects that the object is in the state of being in the object state in step S102, the water discharge amount acquisition unit Reference numeral 25 denotes a state of acquiring the amount of water discharged measured by the flow meter (step S103). Then, when the automatic water discharge by the sensor 14 is started (step S105), the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount measured by the flow meter. After that, when it is determined in step S100 that the user has instructed the water discharge amount, the water discharge control device 10 is in the quantitative water discharge state, the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount (step S101), and the control unit 26 , It is determined whether or not the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is equal to or larger than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 (step S104).

Further, the water discharge control device 10 determines that the user does not instruct the water discharge amount in step S100, detects that the object detection unit 23 is in an object state in step S102, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 detects the water discharge amount. When the object detection unit 23 detects that there is no object in step 102, the water discharge control device 10 is not in the quantitative water discharge state in step S108, so that the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 has acquired the acquired water discharge amount. Is set to zero and reset (step S114).

Next, an example of a specific operation of the water discharge control device 10 in this embodiment will be described.
First, a case will be described in which an object such as a pot is placed in a sink or the like and then the amount of water discharged is instructed in order to quantitatively discharge water to an object such as a pot. When an object is placed in a sink or the like, the sensor 14 detects the object and starts water discharge. Alternatively, when a hand is held over the hand-holding sensor 13 to start spouting water and an object is placed on a sink or the like, the sensor 14 detects the object. By starting water discharge with the hand-held sensor 13, it is possible to prevent the side surface of the object from being discharged and getting wet.

When the sensor 14 detects an object, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount. The amount of water discharged by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 coincides with the amount of water discharged to the object. When the user instructs the instruction receiving unit 15 to discharge water, the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount. The control unit 26 compares the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 with the indicated amount, and when the water discharge amount and the indicated amount match, the water discharge unit 11 is stopped. As a result, the amount of water specified by the user is drawn into the object.

Next, a case where an object such as a pot is placed in a sink or the like after instructing the amount of water to be discharged in order to quantitatively discharge water to an object such as a pot will be described. When the user instructs the instruction receiving unit 15 to discharge water, the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount. When the user places an object on the sink or the like, the sensor 14 detects the object and starts spouting water. Alternatively, when an object is placed on a sink or the like after holding a hand over the hand-holding sensor 13 to start spouting water, the sensor 14 detects the object. When the sensor 14 detects an object, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount. The amount of water discharged by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 coincides with the amount of water discharged to the object. The control unit 26 compares the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 with the indicated amount, and when the water discharge amount and the indicated amount match, the water discharge unit 11 is stopped. As a result, the amount of water specified by the user is drawn into the object.

Next, the actions and effects of the examples configured as described above will be described.
The water discharge control device 10 of the present embodiment includes a water discharge unit 11, a water discharge switching unit 21, an object detection unit 23, an instruction amount acquisition unit 24, a water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, and a control unit 26. There is. The water discharge switching unit 21 switches between water discharge and water stop of the water discharge unit 11. The object detection unit 23 detects whether there is an object in the water discharge region T of the water discharge unit 11 or there is no object in the water discharge region T. The instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount instructed by the user. The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 separately acquires the water discharge amount of the water discharge unit 11 when there is an object and the water discharge amount when there is no object. The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 discharges water when the object is present, and the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops when the object is not present. To control. The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops when the amount of water discharged in the state of having an object reaches the indicated amount.

According to this configuration, when the user instructs the amount of water to be discharged and then places an object such as a pot under the spout, the water spouting unit 11 starts spouting water when the pot or the like is placed, and the pot When the amount of water discharged in the state where the object is placed is acquired and the amount of water discharged reaches the indicated amount, the water discharge unit 11 stops. Therefore, the amount of water drawn into a pot or the like is the indicated amount. In addition, when the user places a pot or the like under the spout to start normal spouting and then instructs the amount of water to be spouted, the spouting amount is acquired from the time when the normal spouting is started, and the spouting amount is obtained. When it reaches the indicated amount, the water discharge unit 11 stops water. Therefore, the amount of water drawn into a pot or the like is the indicated amount. Therefore, the specified amount of water can be accurately drawn into a pot or the like.

Further, the object detection unit 23 has a non-contact type sensor 14 provided in the water discharge unit 11, and detects when the sensor 14 detects an object to be detected as an object presence state, and the sensor 14 detects the object to be detected. When it is not detected, it is detected as an objectless state. According to this configuration, it is possible to improve the usability because it is detected whether the object is in the state of being present or the state of being in an object is not in contact with the water discharge unit 11 or the like.

<Example 2>
Next, the water discharge control device 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
In the water discharge control device 30 of this embodiment, the object detection unit 23 has an image pickup unit 31 that captures an image of the water surrounding space in which the water discharge unit 11 is installed, and detects whether the object is in the state of being present or not in the state of the object from the image. This is different from the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Similar to the first embodiment, the water discharge control device 30 of this embodiment includes a water discharge unit 11, a water discharge switching unit 21, and a water discharge switching control unit 22 that controls the water discharge switching unit 21. The water discharge switching control unit 22 includes an object extraction unit 32, a water discharge region extraction unit 33, an object detection unit 23, a water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, an instruction amount acquisition unit 24, and a control unit 26.

The water discharge switching unit 21 is an electric valve driven by an actuator using a motor. The object extraction unit 32 extracts an object from the image. The water discharge region extraction unit 33 extracts the water discharge region T of the water discharge unit 11 from the image. Similar to the first embodiment, the object detection unit 23 detects whether there is an object in the water discharge region T of the water discharge unit 11 or an object is not in the water discharge region T. The instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the instruction amount instructed by the user to the instruction receiving unit 15 as in the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 separately acquires the water discharge amount when there is an object and the water discharge amount when there is no object. The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 discharges water when the object is present, and the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops when the object is not present. To control. Similar to the first embodiment, the control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops when the amount of water discharged in the state of having an object reaches the indicated amount.

The imaging unit 31 is arranged above the kitchen (for example, the ceiling of the kitchen, the lower surface of the upper cabinet, etc.). The imaging unit 31 is installed so as to image the space below. The image pickup unit 31 acquires image data of the water surrounding space in which the water discharge unit 11 is installed. The water-related space is a space including the water discharge portion 11, and is a space provided with water-related equipment such as a sink. The imaging unit 31 captures, for example, a region wider than the sink (such as an region including the sink and the stove). The image pickup unit 31 transmits the image information of the captured image to the object extraction unit 32 and the water discharge region extraction unit 33 via, for example, a wireless communication line. The imaging unit 31 may capture a moving image or a still image. Further, the imaging unit 31 may capture a color image or a black-and-white image.

The water discharge region extraction unit 33 detects the position of the water discharge port of the water discharge unit 11 from the image captured by the image pickup unit 31, and extracts the region including the water discharge port as the water discharge region T. The water discharge region T in the second embodiment is a region slightly larger than the region where water actually falls. The water discharge region extraction unit 33 extracts the position and size of the water discharge region T in the image based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 31 and the extraction result of the water discharge region T. The position of the water discharge area T may be, for example, coordinates indicating a position near the center of the water discharge area T, or may be a coordinate group indicating the outer circumference of the water discharge area T. The water discharge region extraction unit 33 outputs the extraction result of the position and size of the water discharge region T to the object detection unit 23.

When the object is captured in the image captured by the imaging unit 31, the object extraction unit 32 extracts the object from the image. The object extraction unit 32 performs edge detection based on the difference in brightness in the image data captured by the image pickup unit 31, for example, and extracts various objects captured in the image. Specifically, the object detection unit 23 fits various rectangular frames (cells) into the image, and when the difference in brightness outside the frame is small as compared with the inside of the frame, the object is placed in the frame. An object is extracted from the image by determining that it exists and extracting a frame.

The object extraction unit 32 extracts the position of the object in the image based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 31 and the extraction result of the object. The position of the object may be, for example, coordinates indicating a position near the center of the object, or may be a coordinate group indicating the outer circumference of the object. The object extraction unit 32 outputs the extraction result of the object to the object detection unit 23.

The object detection unit 23 determines whether the object is in the water discharge region T or not, depending on whether the object extracted by the water discharge region extraction unit 33 and the object extraction unit 32 and the water discharge region T have a predetermined positional relationship. It is detected whether there is no object in the water discharge region T and there is no object. When the object and the water discharge area T are in a predetermined positional relationship, it is expected that the object and the water discharge area T are arranged when the user arranges the object in the water discharge area T in order to draw water to the object. It is when there is a positional relationship to be done. For example, when the object and the water discharge area T are viewed from above in the vertical direction, a part of the object and a part of the water discharge area T overlap, or one whole of the object or the water discharge area T is on the other. For example, when it is included. The object detection unit 23 outputs the detection result to the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25.

Similar to the first embodiment, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount when there is an object, and does not acquire the water discharge amount when there is no object. The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 outputs the acquired water discharge amount to the control unit 26.

Similar to the first embodiment, the control unit 26 compares the instruction amount from the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 with the water discharge amount from the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, and when the water discharge amount reaches the instruction amount, the water discharge unit 11 stops. The water discharge switching unit 21 is controlled so as to make water.

Next, the operation of the water discharge control device 30 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The water discharge control device 30 repeats the operation from the start to the end of FIG. 4 from the end to the start.
First, the imaging unit 31 captures an image of the space around the water (step S200).
Next, the water discharge region extraction unit 33 extracts the water discharge region T from the image (step S201). Further, the object extraction unit 32 extracts an object from the image (step S202). The order in which steps S201 and S202 are performed may be reversed.

The object detection unit 23 detects whether the object is in a non-state or an object-existing state based on the extraction result of the water discharge region T by the water discharge region extraction unit 33 and the extraction result of the object by the object extraction unit 32 (step S203).

The water discharge control device 30 determines whether or not there is an instruction of the water discharge amount from the user (step S210). When the user gives an instruction on the amount of water discharged, the water discharge control device 30 is in the state of quantitative water discharge, and the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the indicated amount (step S204). The water discharge control device 30 determines whether or not the object detection unit 23 has detected that the object is in the presence state (step S211). When the object detection unit 23 is in the state of having an object, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount (step S205). The control unit 26 determines whether or not the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is equal to or greater than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 (step S206). The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops when the water discharge amount reaches the indicated amount (step S207). The control unit 26 continues water discharge when the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is not equal to or greater than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24 (step S214).

When the object detection unit 23 detects that there is no object in step S211, the water discharge control device 30 determines whether or not it is in a quantitative water discharge state (step S212). When it is determined that the water discharge control device 30 is not in the quantitative water discharge state, the water discharge control device 30 resets the acquired water discharge amount to zero (step S208). The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops water (step S207).

When the object detection unit 23 detects that there is no object in step S211 and the water discharge control device 30 is in the quantitative water discharge state, the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is acquired by the indicated amount acquisition unit 24. It is determined whether or not the amount exceeds the indicated amount (step S213). When the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is equal to or greater than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24, the water discharge control device 30 is not in the quantitative water discharge state, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount. The water discharge amount is set to zero and reset (step S209), and the control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops water (step S207). On the other hand, when the water discharge amount acquired by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 is not equal to or greater than the instruction amount acquired by the instruction amount acquisition unit 24, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 keeps the water discharge control device 30 in the quantitative water discharge state. The control unit 26 controls the water discharge switching unit 21 so that the water discharge unit 11 stops the water without reducing the acquired water discharge amount to zero (step S207). After that, when the object detection unit 23 again detects that the object is in the state of being present in step S211, the control unit 26 adds the amount of water discharged later acquired to the amount of water discharged earlier in step S206. Determines whether or not is equal to or greater than the indicated amount acquired by the indicated amount acquisition unit 24.

Next, the actions and effects of the examples configured as described above will be described.
Similar to the first embodiment, the water discharge control device 30 of this embodiment includes a water discharge unit 11, a water discharge switching unit 21, an object detection unit 23, an instruction amount acquisition unit 24, a water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, and a control unit 26. And have. As a result, as in the case of the first embodiment, when the user indicates the amount of water to be discharged and then an object such as a pot is placed under the spout, or when the pot or the like is placed under the spout to discharge normal water. When the amount of water to be discharged is specified after the start, the amount of water drawn into the pot or the like becomes the specified amount. Therefore, the specified amount of water can be accurately drawn into a pot or the like.

In addition, the object detection unit 23 has an image pickup unit 31 that captures an image of the water surrounding space in which the water discharge unit 11 is installed, and detects whether the object is in the presence state or the object is not in the state from the image. According to this configuration, the design of the water discharge unit 11 can be improved as compared with the case where the sensor 14 is provided in the water discharge unit 11. Further, when an object such as a pot is placed on the sink, the object may not be detected by the sensor 14 if the depth dimension of the sink is large or the height dimension of the object is small. In such a case, it is necessary to hold the hand over the sensor 13 for holding the hand to discharge water, but in this embodiment, since the pot is imaged in the image, the sensor 13 for holding the hand does not need to be held. Water can be discharged automatically.

<Example 3>
Next, the water discharge control device 40 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The water discharge control device 40 of the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the object detection unit 41 distinguishes between a human hand and an article and detects whether the object is in an object state or an object-free state. The same components as those in the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Similar to the second embodiment, the water discharge control device 40 of the present embodiment includes a water discharge unit 11, a water discharge switching unit 21, and a water discharge switching control unit 22 that controls the water discharge switching unit 21. The water discharge switching control unit 22 includes an object extraction unit 42, a water discharge region extraction unit 33, an object detection unit 41, a water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, an instruction amount acquisition unit 24, and a control unit 26.

The object extraction unit 42 extracts an object from the image captured by the image pickup unit 31, and extracts the object by distinguishing between a human hand and an article. Similar to the second embodiment, the object extraction unit 42 performs edge detection based on, for example, the difference in brightness in the image data, and detects various objects captured in the image. The object extraction unit 42 distinguishes an object detected from an image into a human hand and an article by, for example, the following method. The object extraction unit 42 compares the image of the hand stored in the storage unit (not shown in advance) with the image of the object detected in the image captured by the image pickup unit 31. The storage unit stores in advance images captured by the hand under various shooting conditions (imaging angle, lighting, etc.). When the image of the hand stored in the storage unit and the image of the object detected in the captured image satisfy predetermined similar conditions, it is determined that the image of the object is a hand, and another object. The image of is judged to be a product, and the hand and the product are distinguished.

The object extraction unit 42 has a product extraction unit 43 that calculates the position of the product in the image based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 31 and the detection result of the product output by the object extraction unit 42. The position of the article may be, for example, coordinates indicating a position near the center of the article, or may be a coordinate group indicating the outer circumference of the article. The product extraction unit 43 outputs the product extraction result to the object detection unit 41 as the object extraction result.

Similar to the second embodiment, the object detection unit 41 has an object in the water discharge area T or an object without an object in the water discharge area T, depending on whether the object and the water discharge area T have a predetermined positional relationship. Detects whether it is in a stateless state. The object at this time does not include a human hand. That is, the object at this time includes only supplies. Therefore, even if the hand and the water discharge region T are in a predetermined positional relationship, it is detected that there is no object. The object detection unit 41 outputs the detection result to the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25.
Similar to the first embodiment, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 separately acquires the water discharge amount of the water discharge unit 11 when there is an object and the water discharge amount when there is no object.

Next, a specific operation in the case of quantitatively discharging water (hot water) heated to a desired temperature to an object such as a pot by using the water discharge control device 40 of this embodiment will be described.
The user brings his / her hand close to the water discharge unit 11 to start automatic water discharge, and instructs the instruction receiving unit 15 to discharge water. The object extraction unit 42 determines that the object is a hand. Therefore, the object detection unit 41 detects that there is no object, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 does not acquire the water discharge amount. After confirming that the temperature of the water discharged from the water discharge unit 11 has risen to a desired temperature, the user places an article such as a pot in a sink or the like. Then, the object extraction unit 42 determines that the object is an article. Therefore, the object detection unit 41 detects that there is an object, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount. The amount of water discharged by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 matches the amount of hot water discharged into the product. When the water discharge amount and the indicated amount match, the control unit 26 stops the water discharge unit 11. As a result, the amount of hot water specified by the user is drawn into the product. The indicated amount may be instructed at any timing as long as the amount of water discharged reaches the indicated amount.

Next, the actions and effects of the examples configured as described above will be described.
In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the object detection unit 23 has an image pickup unit 31 that captures an image of the space around the water in which the water discharge unit 11 is installed, and whether the object is in an object state or an objectless state is determined from the image. Since it is detected, the design of the water discharge unit 11 can be improved as compared with the case where the sensor 14 is provided in the water discharge unit 11.

In addition, the water discharge control device 40 of this embodiment has an object extraction unit 42 that distinguishes and extracts a human hand and an article from an image. The object detection unit 41 distinguishes between a human hand and an object and detects whether the object is in a state with an object or a state without an object. The water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount by distinguishing between the case where the object is an article and the case where the object is a human hand. According to this configuration, for example, when an object is replaced with a product from a human hand while the water discharge unit 11 is discharging water, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 discharges water from the time when the human hand is replaced with the product. Since the amount of water is obtained separately, it is possible to more accurately measure the amount of water drawn into a pot or other item.

<Example 4>
Next, the water discharge control device 50 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The water discharge control device 50 of the present embodiment is an embodiment in that the object detection unit 51 detects a case where a human hand is stationary at a position deviated from directly below the water discharge port by a predetermined distance as an object existence state. It is different from 3. The same components as those in the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Similar to the third embodiment, the water discharge control device 50 of this embodiment includes a water discharge unit 11, a water discharge switching unit 21, and a water discharge switching control unit 22 that controls the water discharge switching unit 21. The water discharge switching control unit 22 includes an object extraction unit 42, a water discharge region extraction unit 33, an object detection unit 51, a water discharge amount acquisition unit 25, an instruction amount acquisition unit 24, and a control unit 26.

Similar to the third embodiment, the object extraction unit 42 extracts the human hand and the article separately from the image. Similar to the third embodiment, the object extraction unit 42 calculates the position of the product in the image based on the image captured by the imaging unit 31 and the detection result of the product output by the object extraction unit 42. have. The product extraction unit 43 outputs the product extraction result to the object detection unit 51.

The object extraction unit 42 has a hand extraction unit 53 that calculates the position of the hand in the image based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 31 and the hand detection result output by the object extraction unit 42. .. The position of the hand may be, for example, coordinates indicating a position near the center of the hand, or may be a coordinate group indicating the outer circumference of the hand. The hand extraction unit 53 outputs the hand extraction result to the object detection unit 51.

The water discharge area extraction unit 33 has a water discharge port extraction unit 52 that extracts the position of the water discharge port. The spout extraction unit 52 calculates the position of the spout of the water spout 11 detected from the image captured by the imaging unit 31. The position of the spout may be, for example, coordinates indicating a position near the center of the spout, or may be a coordinate group indicating the outer circumference of the spout. The spout extraction unit 52 outputs the position of the extracted spout to the object detection unit 51.

Similar to the third embodiment, the object detection unit 51 has an object in the water discharge area T or an object without an object in the water discharge area T, depending on whether or not the article and the water discharge area T have a predetermined positional relationship. Detects whether it is in a stateless state.

In addition, the object detection unit 51 determines that the hand is stationary at a position deviated by a predetermined distance from directly below the spout based on the extraction result of the hand extraction unit 53 and the extraction result of the spout extraction unit 52. It is detected as an object-free state when the object is present or not (when the distance between the hand and the spout is not a predetermined distance or the hand is moving). The state of having an object based on the extraction result of the hand extraction unit 53 assumes that the hand is grasping an article such as a transparent cup and trying to discharge water to the transparent article.

The position where the object detection unit 51 is deviated from directly below the spout by a predetermined distance means that, for example, when the object is placed directly under the spout to draw water into a transparent article, a hand is placed on the spout. It is a positional relationship that is expected to be achieved. For example, when the hand and the spout are viewed from above in the vertical direction, the position of the hand is shifted in the horizontal direction by the dimension of the radius (half of the total width) of the product from the position of the spout.

The objectless state based on the extraction result of the hand extraction unit 53 assumes that the hand is not holding the product, or the hand is holding the product but is not trying to discharge water to the product. The object detection unit 51 outputs the detection result to the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25.
Similar to the third embodiment, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 separately acquires the water discharge amount of the water discharge unit 11 when there is an object and the water discharge amount when there is no object.

Next, a specific operation in the case of quantitatively discharging water to an article such as a transparent cup by using the water discharge control device 50 of this embodiment will be described.
The user grasps the transparent article, positions the article below the spout, and instructs the instruction receiving unit 15 to discharge the amount of water. The object extraction unit 42 extracts the hand from the image and outputs the hand extraction result to the object detection unit 51. The spout extraction unit 52 extracts the position of the spout from the image and outputs the extraction result of the spout to the object detection unit 51. Based on the extraction result of the object extraction unit 42 and the extraction result of the spout extraction unit 52, the object detection unit 51 detects that the object is in the state of being present because the distance between the hand and the spout is a predetermined distance. .. As a result, the control unit 26 starts the water discharge unit 11, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount. The amount of water discharged by the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 corresponds to the amount of water discharged into the transparent article. When the water discharge amount and the indicated amount match, the control unit 26 stops the water discharge unit 11. As a result, the amount of water specified by the user is drawn into the transparent product. The indicated amount may be instructed at any timing as long as the amount of water discharged reaches the indicated amount.

Next, the actions and effects of the examples configured as described above will be described.
In this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the object detection unit 51 has an image pickup unit 31 that captures an image of the water surrounding space in which the water discharge unit 11 is installed, and whether the object is in an object state or an objectless state is determined from the image. Since it is detected, the design of the water discharge unit 11 can be improved as compared with the case where the sensor 14 is provided in the water discharge unit 11.

In addition, it has an object extraction unit 42 that distinguishes and extracts a human hand and an article from an image, and an object detection unit 51 distinguishes between a human hand and an object and detects whether the object is in an object state or an object-free state. , When the position of the hand satisfies a predetermined condition, it is detected as an object state, and when it is not, it is detected as an objectless state. Here, the transparent object may not be extracted by the object extraction unit 42, but according to this embodiment, the object extraction unit 42 extracts the hand holding the object and detects the state of the object. As a result, it is possible to reliably discharge a fixed amount of water to a transparent object.

<Other Examples>
The present invention is not limited to the examples described by the above description and drawings, and for example, the following examples are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the timing at which the user instructs the indicated amount is specifically illustrated, but the timing at which the user instructs the indicated amount is the amount of water discharged from the water discharge portion (the object is pumped). Any timing may be used as long as the amount of water) has not reached the indicated amount.
(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the user instructs the indicated amount only once until the quantitative water discharge is completed has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user has a plurality of times until the quantitative water discharge is completed. The indicated amount may be instructed, and in that case, for example, the last instructed indicated amount may be used as a valid indicated amount.
(3) In the above embodiment, the water discharge amount acquisition unit 25 acquires the water discharge amount measured by the flow meter when the object is in the state, and the discharge measured by the flow meter when the object is not in the state. The amount of water is not acquired, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the water discharge amount acquisition unit may acquire both the amount of water discharged when there is an object and the amount of water discharged when there is no object. In this case, the control unit may distinguish between the amount of water discharged when the object is in the state and the amount of water discharged when the object is not in the state, and compare the amount of water discharged when the object is in the state and the indicated amount.
(4) In the first embodiment, the water discharge switching unit 21 is an electromagnetic valve, and in the second to fourth embodiments, the water discharge switching unit 21 is a motor-driven electric valve. Either can be used.
(5) In the third embodiment, it has been explained that the object extraction unit 42 does not output the extraction result of the object when the object is a hand, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the object extraction unit is limited to when the object is a hand. You may output the extraction result of the object of. In this case, the object detection unit may detect the object as a stateless state when the object is a hand, and as an object state when the object is an article.

T ... Water discharge area 10, 30, 40, 50 ... Water discharge control device 11 ... Water discharge unit 14 ... Sensor 21 ... Water discharge switching unit 23, 41, 51 ... Object detection unit 24 ... Instruction amount acquisition unit 25 ... Water discharge amount acquisition unit 26 ... Control unit 31 ... Imaging unit 42 ... Object extraction unit

Claims (4)

Water spouting part and
A water discharge switching unit that switches between water discharge and water stoppage of the water discharge unit,
An object detection unit that detects whether an object exists in the water discharge region of the water discharge region or an object does not exist in the water discharge region.
The instruction amount acquisition unit that acquires the instruction amount instructed by the user,
A water discharge amount acquisition unit that distinguishes and acquires the water discharge amount of the water discharge unit when the object is in a state and the water discharge amount when the object is not in a state.
A water discharge control device having a control unit that controls the water discharge switching unit so that the water discharge unit stops when the water discharge amount reaches the indicated amount in the state of having an object. The object detection unit has a non-contact type sensor provided in the water discharge unit, and detects when the sensor detects an object to be detected as the object presence state, and the sensor does not detect the object to be detected. The water discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein the time is detected as the stateless state of the object. The water discharge unit according to claim 1, wherein the object detection unit has an image pickup unit that captures an image of the space around the water in which the water discharge unit is installed, and detects whether the object is in the presence state or the object is not in the state from the image. Control device. It has an object extraction unit that distinguishes and detects human hands and supplies from the image.
The object detection unit distinguishes between the person's hand and the article and detects whether the object is in the state or the object is not in the state.
The water discharge control device according to claim 3, wherein the water discharge amount acquisition unit acquires the water discharge amount by distinguishing between the case where the object is the article and the case where the object is the hand of the person.

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