JP2588879Y2 - Object detection device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an object detecting apparatus, and more particularly, to projecting light onto an object such as a human body and detecting the presence or absence of the object by detecting the reflected light reflected by the projected light. It relates to a device for detecting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an object detecting apparatus for detecting an object by using reflection of infrared light has been widely used in various fields of consumer and industry.

In such an object detecting device, first, infrared light is projected from a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode. If there is any object such as a human body in the space where the infrared light is projected, the light projected from the light emitting element is reflected on the object. The presence or absence of an object is detected by detecting the reflected light with a light receiving element such as a photodiode. That is, when the light receiving element detects the reflected light, it is determined that an object is present, and when the reflected light is not detected, it is determined that the object is not present.

As a power source of such an object detection device,
Commercial power or batteries are used. When a battery is used as a power supply, it is common to use a battery having a long battery life such as a lithium battery and to suppress the consumption of the battery by intermittently emitting light from a light emitting element at a constant cycle. As a result, the battery life is made as long as possible and the trouble of replacing the battery is reduced.

[0005]

In the above object detecting apparatus, infrared light generated by some external factor acts as a disturbance (hereinafter referred to as disturbance light), and accurate object detection may not be performed. .

The reason is that the light receiving element only outputs a detection signal when infrared light of a predetermined wavelength is received, and the received infrared light is reflected by the projected light from the light emitting element. This is because it does not have a function of determining whether the light is reflected light or disturbance light reflected on the object.

Therefore, when the wavelength of the disturbance light matches the wavelength of the projection light of the light emitting element, it can be determined whether an object actually exists or the disturbance light is generated. That is, accurate object detection cannot be performed.

Incidentally, there are the following types of disturbance light. 1) Light from sunlight and incandescent lamps Light from sunlight and incandescent lamps is continuous disturbance light having a constant intensity.

2) Remote control of electronic equipment A remote control using infrared light generates random disturbance light. 3) Lightning and welding sparks Lightning and welding sparks generate sudden disturbance light.

4) Light from a general fluorescent lamp Since a general fluorescent lamp is lit at a commercial frequency (50/60 [Hz]), disturbance light is generated at the same cycle as the commercial frequency.

5) Inverter fluorescent lamp light In the inverter fluorescent lamp, 30 [KH] is controlled by inverter control.
Since the lighting frequency is set to be equal to or less than Z] or equal to or more than 45 [KHz], disturbance light is generated in the same cycle as the lighting frequency.

The inverter fluorescent lamp has a characteristic that the lighting frequency gradually rises from the time the power is turned on to the time the lighting is stabilized and reaches a steady state. The maker defines a standard for the lighting frequency in the steady state, but does not specify a standard for how the lighting frequency rises. Therefore, even if inverter fluorescent lamps of the same manufacturer and of the same standard are used, there is an individual difference in how the lighting frequency rises. Therefore, when two or more inverter fluorescent lamps are installed close to each other, a shift in the lighting frequency of each inverter fluorescent lamp causes a “beat”, and disturbance light is generated in the same cycle as the “beat”.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the steady state of the two inverter fluorescent lamps A and B (10 minutes after the power is turned on).
Are 30 KHz, but the rising of the lighting frequency after the power is turned on differs.

Here, the lighting frequency of the inverter fluorescent lamp A at the time point t after the power is turned on is changed to f1 [K
HZ], and the lighting frequency of the inverter fluorescent lamp B is set to f2 [KH
Z], the respective lighting frequencies f1, f2 [KHZ]
The difference f3 (= f1-f2) [KHz] is the frequency of the "beat". Accordingly, the frequency f3 [K
[HZ], the disturbance light is generated at the same cycle.

Normally, the frequency f3 of this "beat" [KH
Z] varies in the range of about 2 to 10 [KHz]. still,
FIG. 11 shows the case where only two inverter fluorescent lamps are used, or when three or more inverter fluorescent lamps are installed close to each other, two or more “beats” occur.

Meanwhile, in an object detection device in which a light-emitting element emits light intermittently at a constant cycle by using a battery as a power source, disturbance light due to the “beat” of such a plurality of inverter fluorescent lamps has a great influence.

This is because, as described above, the frequency of the "buzz" changes in the range of 2 to 10 [KHz] over about 10 minutes. This is because the period of the “beat” and the period of the light emission always have a common divisor, regardless of the setting.

As described above, the fact that the "beat" cycle and the light emission cycle always have a common divisor means that the disturbance light due to the "beat" and the light emission timing of the light emitting element always coincide with each other.

Therefore, in a place where a plurality of inverter fluorescent lamps are installed, even if the lighting frequency in the steady state of each inverter fluorescent lamp is the same, lighting is stable after the power supply of the inverter fluorescent lamp is turned on. Until the steady state is reached (that is, until the "beat" disappears)
This means that accurate object detection cannot be performed.

If the lighting frequency of each inverter fluorescent lamp in the steady state is different, for example, when inverter fluorescent lamps of different manufacturers are mixed, even if the lighting of each inverter fluorescent lamp is stable, there is no "beat". Instead, object detection is always inaccurate.

Further, when disturbance light due to other causes such as the above 1) to 4) simultaneously occurs in addition to disturbance light due to the inverter fluorescent lamp, accurate object detection becomes more difficult.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an object detection device capable of accurately detecting an object even if any disturbance light is generated. It is in.

[0023]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the first invention is to project light from a light emitting element,
In an object detection device that detects an object by detecting the reflected light of the projection light hitting the object by a light receiving element, before the light emitting element projects light,
When the light receiving element detects light, the light receiving element detects light.
Wait until the light is no longer detected
When the light- emitting element emits light a plurality of times at random time intervals, and when the light-receiving element receives the reflected light more than a predetermined number of times for the light emission of the light-emitting element a plurality of times, The gist of the invention is to provide a control determination device that determines that an object is present and determines that no object is present when light is received only a predetermined number of times or less.

In the second invention, light is emitted from a light emitting element.
And receives the reflected light reflected from the object
An object that detects an object by detecting with an optical element
In an object detection device that repeats the detection operation,
When the light receiving element detects the light before the element emits the light
Waits until the light receiving element stops detecting light, and then detects light.
When the light is no longer emitted, project light from the light emitting element.
The light emitting element to emit light multiple times at random time intervals,
The previous object detection operation determined that an object was present
In this case, in the object detection operation this time,
The light receiving element receives the reflected light from the light for a first set number of times or more.
When light is received upward, it is determined that an object is present, and the first
If light is received only below the set number of
It is determined that there is no object in the previous object detection operation.
If it is determined that there is no
For the light emission of the element multiple times, the reflected light is
The object is not present when the light is received for the second set number of times or more.
Is determined to be less than the second set number of times,
Equipped with a control determination device that determines that no object exists
And the second set number is set to a value larger than the first set number.
As its gist that the content has.

The third invention is based on the first and second considerations.
In addition, the control determination device may be configured such that the light emitting element emits light.
When the light receiving element detects light before emitting light,
Is detected for more than a predetermined time,
The gist of the present invention is to stop the light emission of the light emitting element twice .

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

In the first to third inventions , the light emitting element emits light a plurality of times at random time intervals. Therefore, if the number of times of light emission of the light emitting element is appropriately set with respect to the disturbance light generated at a constant cycle, the light emission of the light emitting element and the disturbance light do not completely match. Then, the control determination device determines that the object is present when the light receiving element receives the reflected light of the projection light of the light emitting element a predetermined number of times or more. As a result, when disturbance light is generated at a fixed cycle, the light receiving element cannot receive light more than a predetermined number of times, and the disturbance light is mistaken as reflected light from the object even though the object does not exist. Is gone.

In particular, in the first invention , when the light receiving element detects the light before the light emitting element projects the light, the control decision is made.
The determination device determines that the light is not the projection light of the light emitting element but the disturbance light generated for some reason. Then, the control determination device waits until the light receiving element no longer detects light (that is, until the disturbance light disappears), and when no light is detected (that is, when the disturbance light disappears), projects the light from the light emitting element. Let it. Therefore, since light is projected from the light emitting element when there is no disturbance light, the object can be detected without being affected by the disturbance light.

In the second invention , when it is determined that an object is present in the previous object detection operation, it is easy to determine that the object is present this time.
When it is determined that no object exists in the previous object detection operation, it is easy to determine that no object exists this time. Therefore, once the presence of an object is detected, even if a little disturbance light occurs thereafter, it is determined that the object is present in the subsequent object detection operation. Also,
Once the absence of the object is detected, even if a little disturbance light is generated thereafter, it is determined that the object does not exist in the subsequent object detection operation.
As a result, even if some disturbance light is generated, the determination of the object detection operation does not change every time.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. What
In addition, the morning glory indicates a flush urinal for boys.

FIG. 2 shows the mounting state of the morning glory 1 of this embodiment. The morning glory 1 is attached to the front side of the wall surface 2 of the washroom, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 4 is connected to a water supply pipe 3 connected to the morning glory 1. When the electromagnetic on-off valve 4 is opened, washing water is supplied from the water supply pipe 3 to the morning glory 1. Conversely, when the electromagnetic on-off valve 4 is closed, the supply of the washing water from the water supply pipe 3 to the morning glory 1 is shut off.

The control box 5 has a wall 2 slightly above the morning glory 1.
Of the control box 5 is attached to the wall 2
It is exposed to. A human detection sensor 6 including a light emitting element 6a and a light receiving element 6b is provided on the front plate 5a.
Inside, a controller 7 and a battery 8 are provided.

The light emitting element 6a is composed of a light emitting diode and emits infrared light having a preset wavelength. The light receiving element 6b is composed of a photodiode or a phototransistor, and outputs a detection signal only when infrared light having the same wavelength as the light projected from the light emitting element 6a is received.

FIG. 1 shows an electric block circuit of the automatic cleaning control device of this embodiment. The lithium battery 8 supplies power to a constant voltage circuit 20 and a valve drive circuit 21 in the controller 7.

The constant voltage circuit 20 is composed of a three-terminal regulator, and includes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer) 22 in the controller 7, a light emission drive circuit 23,
A stable DC voltage is supplied to each of the switching circuits 24.

The microcomputer 22 has a central processing unit (CP)
U), a read-only memory (ROM) storing a control program, a readable and writable memory (RAM) for temporarily storing a result of a human detection operation described later, and an input / output interface. Then, the microcomputer 22 outputs the command signal S to the switching circuit 24 for a certain period of time every 0.7 seconds, and
The light emission signal F is output to 3.

The valve drive circuit 21 opens and closes the solenoid on-off valve 4 composed of a self-holding solenoid valve based on a command signal from the microcomputer 22. That is, each time the valve drive circuit 21 outputs a pulse-like timing signal, the electromagnetic on-off valve 4
The open / close state is switched, and when the timing signal is not output, the previous open / close state is held as it is.

The switching circuit 24 is turned on / off based on a command signal S from the microcomputer 22. The switching circuit 24 is turned on when the constant voltage circuit 20 is turned on.
Is supplied to the light receiving circuit 25, and the power supply to the light receiving circuit 25 is cut off when the power is off. Light receiving circuit 25
Becomes operable only when power is supplied from the switching circuit 24. Since the command signal S from the microcomputer 22 is output for a fixed time every 0.7 seconds, the switching circuit 24 also supplies power to the light receiving circuit 25 for a certain time every 0.7 seconds. Therefore, the light receiving circuit 25 is turned on for a fixed time at 0.7-second intervals, and becomes operable.

The light receiving circuit 25 amplifies the detection signal of the light receiving element 6b and outputs it as a light receiving signal R to the microcomputer 22.
The light receiving element 6b outputs a detection signal in the same manner regardless of whether reflected light of the light projected from the light emitting element 6a is received or disturbance light having the same wavelength as the light projected from the light emitting element 6a. Therefore, the light receiving circuit 25 similarly outputs the light receiving signal R regardless of whether the light reflected by the light emitted from the light emitting element 6a is received or the disturbance light having the same wavelength as the light projected from the light emitting element 6a.

The light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F from the microcomputer 22. Next, the morning glory 1 in the present embodiment configured as described above.
Action to detect if a person is standing in front of
The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1, the microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S to the switching circuit 24. Therefore, the switching circuit 24 turns on and supplies power to the light receiving circuit 25. Then, the light receiving circuit 25 is turned on and becomes operable. Then, the process proceeds to S2.

In S2, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F. Then, the process proceeds to S3.

In S3, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25. That is, when a person is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the projection light from the light emitting element 6a reflects on the person. Then, the light receiving element 6b detects the reflected light and outputs a detection signal, and the light receiving circuit 25 outputs a light receiving signal R obtained by amplifying the detection signal.

When no person stands in front of the morning glory 1, the light projected from the light emitting element 6a is not reflected and the light receiving element 6a is not reflected.
b does not output a detection signal because reflected light cannot be detected.
Therefore, the light receiving circuit 25 does not output the light receiving signal R.

If the light receiving signal R is output, S
To S4, and if not output, to S5.
, The microcomputer 22 waits until 5 msec elapses.
After the elapse of msec, the process proceeds to S6.

In S6, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23, as in S2. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F. Then, the process proceeds to S7.

In S7, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25, as in S3. That is, when a person is standing in front of morning glory 1, light receiving circuit 25 outputs light receiving signal R. Also,
When no person stands before morning glory 1, light receiving circuit 25 does not output light receiving signal R. If the light receiving signal R has been output, the process proceeds to S8. If the light receiving signal R has not been output, the process proceeds to S5. In S8, the microcomputer 22 waits until 7 msec elapses, and after 7 msec elapses, proceeds to S9.

In S9, the microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23, similarly to S2. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F. Then, the process proceeds to S10.

In S10, similarly to S3, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25. That is, when a person is standing in front of morning glory 1, light receiving circuit 25 outputs light receiving signal R. If no person is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the light receiving circuit 25
Does not output the light receiving signal R. If the light receiving signal R has been output, the process proceeds to S11.
In step S11, the microcomputer 22 determines that a person is standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines “human detection”, and stores the determination result in the RAM. Then, control goes to a step S12.

On the other hand, in S5, the microcomputer 22 determines that no person is standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines "non-human detection", and stores the determination result in the RAM. And S12
Move to.

In S12, the microcomputer 22 stops outputting the command signal S to the switching circuit 24. Therefore, the switching circuit 24 is turned off, and the light receiving circuit 25 is turned off.
Cut off the power supply to the Then, the power of the light receiving circuit 25 is turned off and the operation stops. Then, the process returns to S1.

As described above, in this embodiment, the light emitting element 6a emits light not only intermittently at a constant cycle of 0.7 seconds but also at one to three times in one cycle.

The light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is set to 5 msec between the first and second times and 7 msec between the second and third times. Here, since “5” and “7” do not have a common divisor, the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a also has no common divisor.

Only when the light receiving element 6b receives all three times of the light emission of the light emitting element 6a three times, it is determined that a person is standing in front of the morning glory 1 (that is, "human detection"). I do. That is, if the light receiving element 6b does not receive light even once for three times of light emission of the light emitting element 6a, it is determined that no person is standing in front of the morning glory 1 (that is, "person not detected").

Therefore, as described above, when a plurality of inverter fluorescent lamps are installed close to each other, a shift in the lighting frequency of each inverter fluorescent lamp causes a “beat”, and disturbance occurs at the same cycle as the “beat”. Even when light is generated, the disturbance light does not completely match the light emission of the light emitting element 6a.

That is, even if the frequency of the "beat" changes in the range of 2 to 10 [KHz] over about 10 minutes,
The rate of the change is determined by the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a (5 msec, 7 msec).
msec). In other words, it can be said that the period of the "beat" is constant from the viewpoint of the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a.

Therefore, if the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is set so as not to have a common divisor, even if both the first light emission and the second light emission of the light emitting element 6a coincide with the disturbance light due to the "beat". The third light emission of the light emitting element 6a rarely coincides with disturbance light due to "beat".

As a result, the disturbance light due to the “beat” does not completely match the light emission of the light emitting element 6a three times.
It is possible to detect the presence of a person without being affected by disturbance light due to a “beat”.

Incidentally, since the light receiving circuit 25 becomes operable every 0.7 seconds, the above routine is repeated every 0.7 seconds. That is, the determination result of “human detection” or “non-human detection” is stored in the RAM in the microcomputer 22 for each routine.

Then, as shown in FIG.
If the determination result of “human detection” continues twice after the determination result of “”, the microcomputer 22 determines that the person standing in front of the morning glory 1 is going to add a small business.

This is because even if a person crosses the front of the morning glory 1, a determination result of "human detection" may occur only once. That is, if the determination result of “human detection” is repeated twice, the number of persons standing in front of morning glory 1 is 0.
This means that the user has stopped for more than 7 seconds, which means that he is not just crossing the front of the morning glory 1, but is trying to add a small amount of work.

Then, the microcomputer 22 controls the valve drive circuit 21 to open the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 4 for a certain period of time to supply a certain amount of washing water from the water supply pipe 3 to the morning glory 1.
Wash morning glory 1. As a result, it is possible to comfortably add small items and to make the morning glory 1 difficult to stain.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, when the determination result of “human detection” is followed by the determination result of “non-human detection” twice, the microcomputer 22 determines that the person who has completed the small use has a morning glory. It is determined that the person has left before 1.

This is because, even when the body of the person shakes during the small use, a determination result of "non-detection of the person" may occur only once. In other words, if the result of the determination of “people not detected” is repeated twice, there is no person for more than 0.7 seconds in front of morning glory 1, and it can be surely confirmed that the person who has completed the small work has left. That is.

Then, the microcomputer 22 controls the valve drive circuit 21 to open the electromagnetic on-off valve 4 for a certain period of time to supply a certain amount of washing water from the water supply pipe 3 to the morning glory 1.
Wash morning glory 1.

As described above, in the morning glory 1 automatic cleaning control device, when a person who intends to add a small task stands in front of the morning glory 1, the morning glory 1 is washed (hereinafter, referred to as a pre-cleaning process), and the small task is added. When the finished person leaves before the morning glory 1, the morning glory 1 is cleaned again (hereinafter, referred to as a post-cleaning process).

The present embodiment may be implemented with the following changes. 1) The light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is not 5 msec and 7 msec, but is set to an appropriate time having no common divisor.

2) The maximum number of times of light emission of the light emitting element 6a in one cycle is set to an arbitrary number of three or more. Also in this case, the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is set to an appropriate time that does not have a common divisor. Only when the light receiving element 6b receives the light emission of the light emitting element 6a every time is determined as “human detection”,
If the light-receiving element 6b cannot receive the light emission of the light-emitting element 6a even once, it is determined that "the person is not detected".

(Second Embodiment) Next , a second embodiment will be described.

The configuration of the present embodiment is completely the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the operation of the microcomputer 22 is different. Therefore, the configuration of the present embodiment has the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The microcomputer 22 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment (switching circuit 24 for a fixed time at 0.7 second intervals).
In addition to outputting the command signal S to the light-emitting drive circuit 23 and outputting a light-emitting signal F to the light-emitting drive circuit 23), a random number having an appropriate predetermined number of digits is generated. In the ROM in the microcomputer 22, an arbitrary numerical value having the same digit number as the generated random number and data of an appropriate time corresponding to the numerical value (hereinafter, referred to as time data) are stored in a table in advance. Further, the microcomputer 22 checks the generated random number against a table set in the ROM (hereinafter referred to as a ROM table) and selects time data corresponding to the random number. Then, the microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission signal F based on the obtained time data.

Hereinafter, the human detecting operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in S21, the microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S to the switching circuit 24. Therefore, the switching circuit 24 turns on and supplies power to the light receiving circuit 25. Then, the light receiving circuit 25 is turned on and becomes operable. Then, the process proceeds to S22.

In S22, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F. Then, control goes to a step S23.

In S23, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25. That is, when a person is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the projection light from the light emitting element 6a reflects on the person.
Then, the light receiving element 6b detects the reflected light and outputs a detection signal, and the light receiving circuit 25 outputs a light receiving signal R obtained by amplifying the detection signal.

When no person stands in front of the morning glory 1, the light projected from the light emitting element 6a is not reflected, and the light receiving element 6a is not reflected.
b does not output a detection signal because reflected light cannot be detected.
Therefore, the light receiving circuit 25 does not output the light receiving signal R.

If the light receiving signal R is output, S
The microcomputer 22 generates a random number having an appropriate number of digits set in advance in S24, in which the process proceeds to S25. Then, control goes to a step S26.

In S26, the microcomputer 22 checks the generated random number against the ROM table and selects time data corresponding to the numerical value of the random number. Then, control goes to a step S27. In S27, the microcomputer 22 waits until the time corresponding to the selected time data elapses, and proceeds to S28 when the time elapses.

In S28, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23, as in S22. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F. Then, control goes to a step S29.

In S29, similarly to S23, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25. That is, when a person is standing in front of morning glory 1, light receiving circuit 25 outputs light receiving signal R. If no person is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the light receiving circuit 25
Does not output the light receiving signal R. If the light receiving signal R has been output, the process proceeds to S30, and if not, the process proceeds to S30.
In S30, which proceeds to S25, the microcomputer 22 determines in S24
Similarly, a random number having an appropriate number of digits set in advance is generated. Then, control goes to a step S31.

In step S31, the microcomputer 22 compares the generated random number with the ROM table and selects time data corresponding to the numerical value of the random number, as in step S26. And
Move to S27.

In S32, similarly to S27, the microcomputer 22 waits until the time corresponding to the selected time data elapses, and proceeds to S33 when the time elapses. In S33, the microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23, as in S22. Then, the light emission drive circuit 2
Reference numeral 3 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F. Then, control goes to a step S34.

In S34, the microcomputer 22 determines whether the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25, as in S23. That is, when a person is standing in front of morning glory 1, light receiving circuit 25 outputs light receiving signal R. If no person is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the light receiving circuit 25
Does not output the light receiving signal R. Then, if the light receiving signal R is output, the process proceeds to S35, and if not, the process proceeds to S35.
25, the microcomputer 22 determines that the morning glory 1
Is determined to be "human detection" as a person stands in front of, and the determination result is stored in the RAM. Then, control goes to a step S36.

On the other hand, in S25, the microcomputer 22 determines that a person is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines that “person is not detected”, and stores the determination result in the RAM. And S36
Move to.

In S36, the microcomputer 22 stops outputting the command signal S to the switching circuit 24. Therefore, the switching circuit 24 is turned off, and the light receiving circuit 25 is turned off.
Cut off the power supply to the Then, the power of the light receiving circuit 25 is turned off and the operation stops. Then, the process returns to S21.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the light emitting element 6a emits light one to three times in one cycle in addition to intermittently emitting light at 0.7 seconds. This is the same as the first embodiment. However, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is not determined in advance.

That is, in this embodiment, instead of setting the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a in advance, a random number is generated for each light emission, and the random number is compared with the ROM table to determine the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a. Has been selected. Therefore, the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a of this embodiment is random based on the generated random numbers.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, even if both the first light emission and the second light emission of the light emitting element 6a coincide with the disturbance light due to the "beat", the third light emission of the light emitting element 6a "beats". It is unlikely that the light will match the disturbance light.

As a result, the disturbance light due to the “beat” does not completely match the light emission of the light emitting element 6a three times.
It is possible to detect the presence of a person without being affected by disturbance light due to a “beat”.

The determination as to whether or not a person standing in front of morning glory 1 is going to add a small task and whether or not a person who has finished adding small tasks has left before morning glory 1 are described in the following. The description is omitted because it is the same as in the first embodiment.
Also, the pre-cleaning process and the post-cleaning process are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the maximum value of the number of light emission in one cycle of the light emitting element 6a may be set to an arbitrary number of three or more. Also in this case, "human detection" is determined only when the light receiving element 6b receives the light emission of the light emitting element 6a every time. When the light receiving element 6b cannot receive the light emission of the light emitting element 6a even once, "human non-detection" is performed. Is determined.

Third Embodiment Next , a third embodiment will be described.

The configuration of the present embodiment is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the operation of the microcomputer 22 is different. Therefore, the configuration of the present embodiment has the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The microcomputer 22 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment (switching circuit 24 for a fixed time at 0.7 second intervals).
In addition to outputting the command signal S to the light emission driving circuit 23 and the light emission signal F), a counting operation is performed.

Hereinafter, the human detection operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are a main routine, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is a subroutine of a counting process.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, first, in S41, the microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S to the switching circuit 24. Therefore, the switching circuit 24 turns on and supplies power to the light receiving circuit 25. Then, the light receiving circuit 25 is turned on and becomes operable. Then, control goes to a step S42.

In S42, the microcomputer 22 returns the count value to "0" to start the counting operation. Then, control goes to a step S43. In S43, the process proceeds to a subroutine of the counting process.

That is, as shown in FIG.
In 1, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission signal F. And
The process moves to S72.

In S72, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25. That is, when a person is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the projection light from the light emitting element 6a reflects on the person.
Then, the light receiving element 6b detects the reflected light and outputs a detection signal, and the light receiving circuit 25 outputs a light receiving signal R obtained by amplifying the detection signal.

When no person stands in front of the morning glory 1, the light projected from the light emitting element 6a is not reflected and the light receiving element 6a is not reflected.
b does not output a detection signal because reflected light cannot be detected.
Therefore, the light receiving circuit 25 does not output the light receiving signal R.

If the light receiving signal R has been output, the process proceeds to S73, and if not, the process proceeds to S44 of the main routine. At S73, the microcomputer 22 increments the count value. Then, in S44, which proceeds to S44 of the main routine, the microcomputer 22
Waits until 2 msec elapses, and after 2 msec elapses, proceeds to S45.

In S45, the flow shifts to a subroutine of a counting process. When the counting process is completed, the process proceeds to S46 of the main routine. In S46, the microcomputer 22 waits until 5 msec has elapsed, and after 5 msec has elapsed, shifts to S47.

In S47, the flow shifts to a subroutine of a counting process. When the counting process is completed, the process proceeds to S48 of the main routine. In S48, the microcomputer 22 waits until 3 msec has elapsed, and after 3 msec has elapsed, shifts to S49.

In S49, the flow shifts to a subroutine of a counting process. When the counting process is completed, the process proceeds to S50 of the main routine. In S50, the microcomputer 22 waits until 11 msec elapses, and proceeds to S51 after elapse of 3 msec.

At S51, the flow shifts to a subroutine of a counting process. When the counting process is completed, the process proceeds to S52 of the main routine. In S52, if the result of the previous human detection operation stored in the RAM in the microcomputer 22 is "human detection", the flow proceeds to S53, and if "human non-detection", the flow proceeds to S54.

That is, the main routine of this human detection operation is repeated every 0.7 seconds. Then, as described later, a determination result of “human detection” or “non-human detection” is stored in the RAM for each routine. Therefore, the determination result of the previous main routine stored in the RAM is referred to.

In S53, if the count value is "2" or less, the flow shifts to S55, and if "3" or more, the flow shifts to S56. In S55, the microcomputer 22 determines that no person is standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines that “person is not detected”, and stores the determination result in the RAM. Then, control goes to a step S57.

On the other hand, in S56, the microcomputer 22 determines that a person is standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines that “ human detection ” has been performed .
The result of the determination is stored in the RAM. Then, control goes to a step S57.

In S57, the microcomputer 22 stops outputting the command signal S to the switching circuit 24. Therefore, the switching circuit 24 is turned off, and the light receiving circuit 25 is turned off.
Cut off the power supply to the Then, the power of the light receiving circuit 25 is turned off and the operation stops. Then, the process returns to S41.

On the other hand, in S54, if the count value is "5", the flow shifts to S58; if not, S5.
Move to 9. In S58, the microcomputer 22 sets the morning glory 1
Is determined to be "human detection" as a person stands in front of, and the determination result is stored in the RAM. Then, control goes to a step S57.

On the other hand, in S59, the microcomputer 22 determines that a person is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines “non-detection”, and stores the determination result in the RAM. And S57
Move to.

As described above, in this embodiment, the light emitting element 6a emits light intermittently at a constant cycle of 0.7 seconds and emits light five times in one cycle. The light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is 2 msec between the first and second times, 5 msec between the second and third times, 3 msec between the third and fourth times, and 11 msec between the fourth and fifth times. Each is determined. Here, “2” “5” “3” “1”
Since "1" does not have a common divisor, the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a does not have a common divisor. Then, each time the light receiving element 6b receives light, the microcomputer 22 increments the count value.

Subsequently, when the result of the previous determination of the main routine is "human detection", if the count value is "2" or less, it is determined that "no human detection", and if the count value is "3" or more, "human detection" is detected. Is determined.

That is, if the result of the previous determination is "human detection", and if the light receiving element 6b can receive no more than two times with respect to five light emissions of the light emitting element 6a, this time it is "human non-detection". It is determined that there is, and if the light receiving element 6b can receive light three times or more, it is also determined that the detection is “human detection”.

If the result of the previous main routine is "non-human detection", if the count value is "5", it is determined that "human detection" has been performed. If the count value is not "5", "human detection" has been performed. Not detected "is determined.

That is, the result of the previous determination is “no-person detected”.
In this case, if the light receiving element 6b can receive all five times of the five light emission of the light emitting element 6a, it is determined to be "human detection" this time. If the light receiving element 6b cannot receive the light even once, this time Is also determined to be “non-human detection”.

Therefore, when the previous determination result is “human detection”, the present determination result is also likely to be “human detection”, and when the previous determination result is “non-human detection”, the current determination result is also “human detection”. It is easy to be "non-detected". In other words, "hysteresis" is added to the human detection operation.

As described above, in this embodiment, the light emitting element 6a emits light five times, and the light emission interval is determined so as not to have a common divisor.
The presence of a person can be detected without being affected by disturbance light caused by the light.

In addition, by adding "hysteresis" to the human detection operation, once the determination result of "human detection" comes out, even if a little disturbance light occurs for some reason thereafter, the subsequent human detection operation Then, the determination of "human detection" will be continued. Further, once the determination result of “human non-detection” is obtained, even if a little disturbance light is generated thereafter, the determination of “human non-detection” is continued in the subsequent human detection operation.

Therefore, even if some disturbance light is generated, the determination result of the human detection operation does not differ every time, and a stable determination result can be obtained. Even when the operation of the light emission drive circuit 23 and the light reception circuit 25 is unstable, a stable determination result can be obtained.

The determination as to whether or not a person standing in front of morning glory 1 is going to add a small business and whether or not a person who has finished adding small business has left before morning glory 1 is described in the following. The description is omitted because it is the same as in the first embodiment.
Also, the pre-cleaning process and the post-cleaning process are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next , a fourth embodiment will be described.

The configuration of this embodiment and the main routine of the human detection operation (FIGS. 8 and 9) are exactly the same as those of the fourth embodiment, except for the subroutine of the counting process. Therefore, the description of the configuration of this embodiment and the main routine of the human detection operation will be omitted, and only the subroutine of the counting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in S81, the microcomputer 22 starts a time counting operation. Then, control goes to a step S82. S82
, The microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25. That is, since the light emitting element 6a does not emit light at this time, when the light receiving signal R is output, it is understood that the light receiving signal R is caused by disturbance light. When the light receiving signal R is not output, it is understood that no disturbance light is generated. If the light receiving signal R has been output, the process proceeds to S83, and if not, the process proceeds to S84. In S83, the microcomputer 22 determines whether 5 msec has elapsed since the start of the time counting operation in S81. . And 5
If msec has not elapsed, the process returns to S82, and if it has elapsed, the process proceeds to S85.

In S85, the microcomputer 22 stops the timing operation. Then, the subroutine of the counting process is completed, and the process proceeds to the main routine. That is, when the disturbance light is continuously generated for 5 msec or more, it is determined that it is impossible to detect a person, and the light emitting element 6a is not allowed to emit light.

On the other hand, in S84, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 generates the light emitting element 6a based on the light emission signal F.
To emit light. Then, control goes to a step S86.

In S86, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the light receiving signal R is output from the light receiving circuit 25. That is, when a person is standing in front of morning glory 1, light receiving circuit 25 outputs light receiving signal R. When no person stands before morning glory 1, light receiving circuit 25 does not output light receiving signal R. If the light receiving signal R has been output, the process proceeds to S87. If the light receiving signal R has not been output, the subroutine of the counting process ends, and the process proceeds to the main routine.

In S87, the microcomputer 22 increments the count value. Then, the subroutine of the counting process is completed, and the process proceeds to the main routine. As described above, in this embodiment, before the light emitting element 6a emits light, it is detected whether the light receiving element 6b is receiving light.
Then, if the light receiving element 6b receives light despite the light emitting element 6a not emitting light, it is determined that there is disturbance light. If the light receiving element 6b is not receiving light, it is determined that there is no disturbance light.

If there is no disturbance light, the light emitting element 6a is made to emit light, and the count value is incremented according to the presence or absence of the reflected light as in the third embodiment. On the other hand, if there is disturbance light, it is detected whether or not the disturbance light lasts for 5 msec or more. If the disturbance light continues, it is determined that it is impossible to detect a person, the light emitting element 6a is not caused to emit light, and the count value is incremented. do not do. If the disturbance light disappears within 5 msec, the light emitting element 6a emits light at the same time as the disturbance light disappears, and the count value is incremented according to the presence or absence of the reflected light in the same manner as in the third embodiment.

Therefore, the light emitting element 6a emits light only when there is no disturbance light.
It is not affected. Further, since the light emitting element 6a emits light only when there is no disturbance light, the consumption of the battery 8 can be suppressed, and the battery life is prolonged, so that the trouble of replacing the battery can be reduced.

In addition, as in the third embodiment, the light emitting element 6
Light emission of a is intermittently performed at a constant cycle of 0.7 seconds, and light emission is performed five times in one cycle. The light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is 2 msec between the first and second times, 5 msec between the second and third times, 3 msec between the third and fourth times, and 11 msec between the fourth and fifth times. Each is determined. Here, “2” “5” “3” “1”
Since "1" does not have a common divisor, the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a does not have a common divisor.

The microcomputer 22 increments the count value each time the light receiving element 6b receives light. Subsequently, if the result of the previous main routine is “human detection”, if the count value is “2” or less, it is determined to be “non-human detection”, and if the count value is “3” or more, it is determined to be “human detection”. I do.

That is, if the result of the previous determination is "human detection", if the light-receiving element 6b can receive no more than two times for five times of light emission of the light-emitting element 6a, this time is "human non-detection". It is determined that there is, and if the light receiving element 6b can receive light three times or more, it is also determined that the detection is “human detection”.

When the result of the previous main routine is "non-human detection", if the count value is "5", "human detection" is determined, and if the count value is not "5", "human detection" is determined. Not detected "is determined.

That is, the result of the previous determination is “no-person detected”.
In this case, if the light receiving element 6b can receive all five times of the five light emission of the light emitting element 6a, it is determined to be "human detection" this time. If the light receiving element 6b cannot receive the light even once, this time Is also determined to be “non-human detection”.

Therefore, when the previous determination result is “human detection”, the present determination result is also likely to be “human detection”, and when the previous determination result is “non-human detection”, the current determination result is also It is easy to be "non-detected". In other words, "hysteresis" is added to the human detection operation.

As described above, in this embodiment, the light emitting element 6a emits light five times, and the light emission interval is determined so as not to have a common divisor. Can be detected.

In addition, by adding "hysteresis" to the human detection operation, once the determination result of "human detection" comes out, even if a little disturbance light occurs for some reason thereafter, the subsequent human detection operation Then, the determination of "human detection" will be continued. In addition, once the determination result of “non-detection of human” is obtained, even if a little disturbance light occurs thereafter, the determination of “non-detection of human” is continued in the subsequent human detection operation.

Therefore, even if some disturbance light occurs, the determination result of the human detection operation does not differ every time, and a stable determination result can be obtained. Even when the operation of the light emission drive circuit 23 and the light reception circuit 25 is unstable, a stable determination result can be obtained.

The present embodiment may be implemented with the following changes. 1) Even if the disturbance light continues for 5 msec or more, the light emitting element 6a is made to emit light at the same time as the disturbance light disappears, instead of determining that "person is not detected". Then, after the determination result of either “human detection” or “non-human detection” is obtained, the microcomputer 22 outputs the command signal S 0.7 seconds later.
Is output.

That is, when there is no disturbance light, the command signal S is output every 0.7 seconds as in the above embodiment, but when the disturbance light continues, the command signal S is output at intervals. Is no longer constant.

2) In S83, it is determined whether 5 msec has elapsed since the start of the timing operation in S81, but the time is not 5 msec but a predetermined appropriate time.

Further, the fourth and third embodiments may be implemented with the following changes. 1) The light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is set to an appropriate time that does not have a common divisor, instead of 2, 5, 3, 11 msec.

2) The number of times of light emission of the light emitting element 6a in one cycle is set to an arbitrary number of 6 or more. Also in this case, the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a is set to an appropriate time that does not have a common divisor.

3) Instead of causing the microcomputer 22 to perform a count operation, a count circuit is provided as a peripheral circuit of the microcomputer 22, and the count circuit performs the count operation. 4) Similar to the second embodiment, instead of determining the light emission interval of the light emitting element 6a in advance, a random number is generated for each light emission, and the random number is compared with the ROM table to thereby determine the light emitting element 6a.
The light emission interval of a is selected.

Further, each of the above embodiments may be implemented, for example, as follows. 1) The interval at which the command signal S is output from the microcomputer 22 is
Set an appropriate time instead of 0.7 seconds. That is, the light emission cycle of the light emitting element 6a is appropriately set.

2) The pre-cleaning process is performed even if the determination result of "human detection" is found only once after the determination result of "human detection". The post-cleaning process is performed even when the determination result of “human detection” is once after the determination result of “human detection”.

3) Instead of causing the microcomputer 22 to perform a timekeeping operation, a timer circuit is provided as a peripheral circuit of the microcomputer 22 and the timer circuit performs the timekeeping operation. 4) Replace the microcomputer 22 with an external device such as a personal computer.

5) The light emission signal F is a plurality of pulses having an appropriate duty different from the lighting frequency of the inverter fluorescent lamp and having an arbitrary duty. For example, the light emission signal F is constituted by ten pulses of 38 KHz and a duty of 50%.

6) The battery 8 is replaced with a DC power supply, and power is supplied from a commercial power supply. 7) Use visible light or ultraviolet light instead of infrared light. That is, the light emitting element 6a projects visible light or ultraviolet light instead of infrared light, and the light receiving element 6b receives the projected light and outputs a detection signal.

8) Use ultrasonic waves instead of light. That is, the light emitting element 6a is replaced with an ultrasonic speaker, and the light receiving element 6b is replaced with an ultrasonic microphone. Further, the circuit configurations of the light receiving circuit 25 and the light emitting circuit 23 are appropriately changed. Then, a sound wave reflected from the ultrasonic speaker from the ultrasonic speaker hits the object is detected by the ultrasonic microphone.

9) The present invention is embodied not only in the morning glory 1 but also in an automatic washing control device for various sanitary appliances such as a sink. 10) Not only automatic cleaning control device in sanitary ware,
The present invention is embodied in other object detection devices such as automatic doors and FA devices.

[0153]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to provide an object detection device capable of accurately detecting an object regardless of any disturbance light. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric block circuit diagram showing an automatic cleaning control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a partially cutaway side view showing an attached state of a men's flush urinal of one embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of a pre-cleaning process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of the post-cleaning process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a main routine of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main routine of the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a subroutine of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of how a lighting frequency of an inverter fluorescent lamp rises.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6a: light emitting element, 6b: light receiving element, 22: control determining device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01V 9/04 E03D 5/10

Claims (3)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A light is projected from a light emitting element (6a), and reflected light reflected by the projected light hitting an object is received by a light receiving element (6a).
In the object detection device configured to detect an object by performing the detection in step b), before the light emitting element (6a) projects light, the light receiving element (6) is detected.
If b) detects light, the light receiving element (6b) detects the light.
Wait until no more light is emitted
The light emitting element (6a) emits light a plurality of times at random time intervals by projecting light from the child (6a), and the light reflected from the light emitting element (6a) is reflected by the light emitting element (6a) a plurality of times. A control determining device (22) is provided which determines that an object is present when (6b) receives light more than a predetermined number of times, and determines that there is no object when receiving light less than the predetermined number of times. An object detection device, characterized in that: 2. Light is projected from a light emitting element (6a), and reflected light reflected by the projected light hitting an object is received by a light receiving element (6a).
object detection for detecting an object by detecting by b)
In the object detection device that repeatedly performs the output operation, before the light emitting element (6a) projects light, the light receiving element (6
If b) detects light, wait until the light receiving element (6b) no longer detects light, and when no light is detected, emit light from the light emitting element (6a). several times to emit light at a random time interval, the last
In the object detection operation of
In this case, in the current object detection operation, a plurality of light emitting elements (6a)
The light receiving element (6b) receives the reflected light from the
Object is present when light is received more than 1 set number of times
And if light is received only below the first set number of times,
It is determined that the body does not exist, and in the previous object detection operation
If it is determined that no object exists, the current object detection
In operation, for light emission of the light emitting element (6a) a plurality of times,
The light receiving element (6b) receives the reflected light more than a second set number of times.
When illuminated, it is determined that an object is present, and the second setting
No object is present when receiving light less than the specified number of times
An object detection device comprising: a control determination device (22) for determining that the second set number is larger than the first set number . 3. The light-emitting device according to claim 2 , wherein
Before the element (6a) projects light , the light receiving element (6
b) When the light is detected, the light is detected for a predetermined time or more.
If the light-emitting element (6a) is detected continuously,
3. The object according to claim 1, wherein the light emission of said object is stopped.
Detection device.