JP4389413B2 - Automatic water supply method in water basin using artificial retina sensor and automatic water supply mechanism in water basin using artificial retina sensor - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic water supply method in a water washer using a novel artificial retina sensor in which water is supplied to a flushing device such as a faucet or a hand-washer by an artificial retina sensor, and an automatic in a water washer using an artificial retina sensor. It relates to the water supply mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 19 shows a conventional handwasher 102 that performs automatic water supply using a light reflection system. In FIG. 19, the sensor unit 103 is generated by a light projecting unit (not shown) for irradiating the user U with light (for example, infrared rays or near infrared rays) L ₁ and reflected from the user U. and a light receiving means for receiving the reflected light L ₂ (not shown). Then, making it possible to supply water from the water discharge pipe 102a of the reflected light L ₂ reflected from the user U is placed on the mounting surface portion 101 of the washbasin 100 the hand washer 102 by being received by said light receiving means Yes.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Meanwhile, since the light L ₁ is set light emitting means to face the wash ball 104 washbasins 100, the wash basin 100 having, for example, shallow wash ball 104 of a metal such as stainless steel, reflected from the user U If the equivalent light from the other reflected light L ₂ that is incident on the light receiving unit, there is a risk of sensing by mistake.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned matters, and an object of the present invention is to use an automatic water supply method and an artificial retina sensor in a water washer using an artificial retina sensor that can reliably catch the user of the water washer. It is to provide an automatic water supply mechanism in a water basin.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides the number of dot changes in two consecutive acquired images that are acquired by visually recognizing a user of a flushing device such as a faucet or a hand-washing device using an artificial retina sensor. The movement of the user of the washing machine is captured by the number of changes in the dots, the lower limit and the upper limit of the change that can be discharged from the unused state , and the lower limit of the number of changes in the dot that is determined to be in use The water supply operation and water stop operation of the water washer are controlled.
From another viewpoint, the present invention calculates the number of dot changes in two consecutive acquired images that are obtained by visually recognizing a user of a flushing device such as a faucet or hand-washing device using an artificial retina sensor. Then, the movement of the user of the water washer is captured by the number of changes in the dots, the lower and upper limits of the change that can be discharged from the non-use state , and the lower limit of the number of changes in the dots that are judged to be in use are determined . The artificial retina sensor is characterized in that the water supply operation and the water stop operation of the artificial retina sensor are controlled, and the visual field area of the artificial retina sensor includes only a water discharge area where water is discharged from the flushing device. To provide an automatic water supply method in a flushing machine. In other words, by setting the visual field area of the artificial retina sensor so that the input image captured by the artificial retina sensor does not include the area where water does not come from the water washer, unnecessary information is saved, and the recognition target obtained by the artificial retina sensor accordingly. The image (acquired image) can be made clear, the movement of the hand located on the line where water is discharged from the water washer can be accurately determined, and the prevention of malfunction can be ensured.
[0006]
Furthermore, the present invention provides a flushing device such as a faucet or a hand-washing device, an artificial retinal sensor that visually recognizes a user of the flushing device, and two consecutive sheets obtained based on the output of the artificial retinal sensor. Calculates the number of dot changes in the acquired image, captures the user 's movements based on the number of dot changes, and changes the lower and upper limits of changes that can be discharged from a non-use state and changes in dots that are determined to be in use And a controller that controls a water supply operation and a water stop operation of the water washer by setting a lower limit of the number .
Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, it is obtained based on a flushing device such as a faucet or a hand-washing device, an artificial retina sensor that visually recognizes a user of the flushing device, and an output of the artificial retina sensor. Calculate the number of dot changes in two consecutive acquired images, capture the movement of the user of the water washer by the number of dot changes, and lower and upper limits of change that can be discharged from the unused state and A control unit that controls a water supply operation and a water stop operation of the water washer by setting a lower limit of the number of dot changes to be determined, and a visual field region of the artificial retina sensor is only a water discharge region in which water is discharged from the water washer An automatic water supply mechanism in a water washer using an artificial retina sensor characterized by comprising Also in this case, by omitting useless information, the recognition target image (acquired image) can be clarified, and the movement of the hand located on the line where water is discharged can be accurately determined. As a result, it helps to prevent malfunction.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
1 to 14 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0008]
1 and 3, the automatic water supply mechanism mainly includes a hand-washing machine 1, one artificial retina sensor 2, and a control unit 3 that controls the water supply operation of the hand-washing machine 1 based on the output of the artificial retina sensor 2. Become.
[0009]
Further, the hand-washing device 1 includes a wash basin 1 a including a wash bowl 4 and a horizontal mounting surface portion 5, and a faucet body provided with a water discharge pipe 6 installed on the horizontal mounting surface portion 5. The wash bowl 4 is white. The water discharge pipe 6 is installed so as to be inclined by a predetermined angle θ (θ is an acute angle) from the vertical surface N perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the horizontal mounting surface portion 5 toward the wash ball 4 toward the wash ball 4. 6b is a water outlet.
[0010]
On the other hand, the artificial retina sensor 2 has a camera function, and an input image captured by the artificial retina sensor 2 through a sensing window 9 (described later) is a visual field region m as shown in FIGS. It is attached to the front surface part 6a of the water discharge pipe 6 so that it may come from. 2, 3, and 4 show the visual field area m of the artificial retina sensor 2, FIGS. 2 and 3 show the height direction (T direction) from the bottom g of the wash ball 4 of the wash stand 1 a. 4 shows the width in the left-right direction (W direction) of the washstand 1a. The range along the T direction of the visual field area m is from the bottom g of the wash ball 4 to the position of the height h. Further, in FIG. 4, M ₁ is a water discharge area, the user in this area M ₁ is close as possible to spout 6b while holding out a hand, the water from the water discharge port 6b to the water discharge. M ₂ and M ₃ each indicate a non-water discharge region. In this embodiment, the artificial retina sensor 2 has a number of pixels (number of dots) of 1024 (32 × 32).
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 2, the artificial retina sensor 2 includes a wide-angle lens 7 having a circular shape when viewed from the front, a light-receiving element array 8 positioned immediately below the wide-angle lens, and a front surface positioned immediately above the wide-angle lens. It is mainly composed of a circular sensing window 9. The light receiving element array 8 is square in a front view and is formed on the surface of the circuit board 11 placed on the base 10. In this embodiment, for example, 1024 light receiving elements correspond to a 32 × 32 image plate. Is disposed on the circuit board 11. That is, in this embodiment, the 32 × 32 image plate is constituted by the light receiving element array 8, the circuit board 11, and the base 10. Further, 12 is a cover body that covers the periphery of the sensing window 9, and 13 is a ring-shaped waterproof packing.
[0012]
That is, in order to expand the visual field area of the artificial retina sensor 2 as much as possible, in this embodiment, the wide-angle lens 7 is provided above the light receiving element array 8. The wide-angle lens 7 sets the visual field area m so as to include not only the water discharge area M ₁ but also the non-water discharge areas M ₂ and M ₃ .
[0013]
6 to 9 are input images captured by the artificial retina sensor 2.
[0014]
FIG. 6 is an input image of the surface 4 a of the wash ball 4 and shows the drain hole 4 c of the wash ball 4. Moreover, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 is an input image when the user U of the water washer 1 who is a user of the water washer is washing hands. FIG. 9 is an input image of the surface 4a of the wash ball 4 in which the foreign matter Z other than the hand of the user U is shown.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 3 includes a microcomputer 15, a memory 16 including two memory units 16 a and 16 b, an electromagnetic valve 17 that controls the water discharge / water stop operation of the water discharge pipe 6, and the electromagnetic valve 17 includes a solenoid valve drive circuit 18 that controls the drive, a drive power supply 21 of the control unit 3, an alarm display circuit 19 that displays a drop in the power supply voltage of the drive power supply 21, and a low voltage circuit / voltage monitor circuit 20. Has been.
[0016]
Hereinafter, the process of processing the input image captured by the artificial retina sensor 2 will be described. The input video will be described by taking the input video A in FIG. 7 as an example.
[0017]
10, (1) an input image A is input to the microcomputer 15 as an output image A ′ from the artificial retina sensor 2.
[0018]
(2) In the microcomputer 15, the output image A ′ is optimized, and as a result, a recognition target image is acquired. For example, when binarization processing (monochrome processing) is performed as the optimization processing, a recognition target image A ″ (see FIG. 12) as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. As will be described later, a black display indicates that an object is present, and a white display indicates that no object is present.
[0019]
(3) This recognition target image (hereinafter referred to as an acquired image) A ″ is stored in the memory 16 from the microcomputer 15.
[0020]
Similarly, the input video B of FIG. 6 is also processed by the microcomputer 15 as an acquired image B ″ (see FIG. 11). Similarly, the input video C in FIG. 8 is also processed into the acquired image C ″. Further, the input video D in FIG. 9 is also processed into the acquired image D ″.
[0021]
Next, the acquired images A ″, B ″, C ″, D ″ and the like are processed by a recognition algorithm using the memory 16. The input images A, B, C, D, etc. are obtained in a 32 × 32 image version.
[0022]
Here, the procedure of processing by the recognition algorithm will be described with the acquired image B ″, the acquired image A ″, and the acquired image C ″ as an example.
[0023]
As described above, FIGS. 11 and 10 (FIG. 12) show the acquired images B ″ and A ″ of the input video B and the input video A, respectively.
[0024]
In FIG. 5, the user U goes to the water washer 1 for hand-washing (see step 100). First, in step 101, the acquired image B ″ when the user U is not washing his hands is stored in the memory unit 16a.
[0025]
Subsequently, an acquired image A ″ obtained by the user U putting his hand on the wash ball 4 for hand washing is acquired, and the acquired image A ″ is stored in the memory unit 16b (see step 102).
[0026]
Subsequently, in step 103, the memory units 16a and 16b are referred to extract the change number a of dots constituting the image. That is, in the memory 16, the acquired image B ″ stored earlier in time is compared with the acquired image A ″ stored later, and only the one having the dot change (difference) is extracted. as a result, obtaining a change image S ₁ indicating a dot change as shown in FIG. 13.
[0027]
For example, in FIG. 11, the dot d ₁ displayed in black shown in the acquired image B ″ acquired earlier is also shown in the acquired image A ″ (see FIG. 12) acquired later. from the change in the image S _1, and the position p of the dots d ₁ is present (see FIG. 13) is white display, it can be seen that there has been no change.
[0028]
On the other hand, since the dot d ₂ displayed in black (see FIG. 12) shown in the acquired image A ″ was not in the corresponding position in the acquired image B ″ (see FIG. 11), the change in the image S _1, remains dot d ₂ are black display.
[0029]
And, in this invention, the number of dot changes (a) that is recognized by the change image S ₁ is judged whether or not within a predetermined range is configured (step 104 see) as. For example, the upper limit of the dot change number a is set to 960, and the lower limit is set to 128.
[0030]
That is, when it is determined in step 104 that the dot change number a is within this range, the microcomputer 15 transmits a valve opening signal for opening the electromagnetic valve 17 to the electromagnetic valve driving circuit 18 to send the water discharge pipe 6. (See Step 105).
[0031]
(1) In this case, the acquired image B ″ stored before the acquired image A ″ is deleted, and the acquired image A ″ is moved from the memory unit 16b to the empty memory unit 16a ( Step 106).
[0032]
Subsequently, the acquired image C ″ acquired later in time than the acquired image A ″ is stored in the empty memory unit 16b (see step 107).
[0033]
Subsequently, as in the case of Step 103, the memory units 16a and 16b are referred to extract the change number a of dots constituting the image (see Step 108). That is, in the memory 16, as a result of comparing the acquired image A ″ stored earlier in time with the acquired image C ″ stored later, and extracting only the position where the dot change occurred, obtaining a change image S ₂ showing a dot change as shown in FIG. 14.
[0034]
That is, FIG. 14 shows a comparison between two acquired images A ″ and C ″ to be detected while using a hand-washing machine, and there was a dot change in the acquired images A ″ and C ″. shows the change image S ₂ excised only.
[0035]
In this embodiment, when the number of dots changes a is 64 or more in the change image S ₂ excised determined that during use (see step 109), it corresponds to the acquisition of continue to acquire image C '' subsequent image. When the dot change number a is less than 64, the microcomputer 15 transmits a valve closing signal for closing the electromagnetic valve 17 to the electromagnetic valve driving circuit 18 (see step 110). Then, the process returns to step 105.
[0036]
(2) By the way, if it is determined in step 104 that the dot change number a is outside the above range, the acquired image B ″ stored before the acquired image A ″ is deleted and becomes empty. The acquired image A ″ is moved from the memory unit 16b to the memory unit 16a (see step 111). Then, the process returns to step 102.
[0037]
In this way, the wash basin is obtained by calculating the change in the number of dots of two consecutive acquired images B ″, A ″, A ″, and C ″ and capturing the movement of the sensing object based on the difference. A sensing method independent of one color can be provided.
[0038]
In step 104, it is determined whether or not the water can be discharged from the non-use state (the closed state of the electromagnetic valve 17). That is, when the solenoid valve 17 is in the closed state, the dot change number a is sent to the solenoid valve 17 when a ≧ 128. However, the upper limit value of the dot change number a is set to 960. This is because the sensing control is performed visually. In other words, the ambient brightness greatly affects the usage environment. For example, in the case of indoors, it is necessary to give an upper limit to the recognition value based on the dot change number a in consideration that the illumination has been turned off. Thereby, it is possible to avoid malfunction due to lighting on / off.
[0039]
Of course, the number of light receiving elements used in the present invention is not limited to 1024.
[0040]
Figures 15-18 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention set the viewing area m 'to include only the water discharge area M ₁ by using a converging lens 30. 15 to 18, the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 14 are the same or equivalent.
[0041]
15 to 18, the artificial retina sensor 2 ′ has a converging lens 30 between the narrow-angle lens 7 ′ and the light receiving element array 8.
[0042]
The converging lens 30, the W width of the viewing area m of the above embodiments 1 with narrowed to include only the water discharge area M _1, further the T direction in the viewing area m 'the height of the 1 It has a function of making it higher than the visual field area m of the embodiment. The range along the T direction of the visual field area m ′ is from the bottom g of the wash bowl 4 to the position of the height H (> h). The width direction of the left and right viewing area m '(W direction) contains only water discharge area M _1. As a result, the image image I in the visual field m ′ visible from the sensing window 9 is as shown in FIG. That is, the converging lens 30 narrow-angle lens 7 'and by installing between the light receiving element array 8, the viewing area m' together with possible to increase the height direction (T direction) to include only the water discharge area M ₁ The viewing area m ′ is vertically long.
[0043]
On the other hand, the narrow-angle lens 7 ′ is provided in order to narrow the visual field area m ′ of the artificial retina sensor 2 ′ as much as possible. Then, the narrow-angle lens 7 'and the result of combining the convergent lens 30, the artificial retina sensor 2 through the sensing window 9' becomes the input video A ₁ capture is showed in Figure 18.
[0044]
In FIG. 18, (1) the input video A ₁ is input to the microcomputer 15 as an output image A ₁ ′ from the artificial retina sensor 2 ′. (2) In the microcomputer 15, the output image A ₁ ′ is optimized, and as a result, a recognition target image A ₁ ″ is obtained.
[0045]
In this embodiment, since the the 'viewing area m of' artificial retina sensor 2 does not include a non-water discharge area M _2, M _3, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary information from the non-water discharge area M _2, M _3. Therefore, the recognition target image (acquired image) A ₁ ″ obtained by the artificial retina sensor 2 ′ can be made clear, and the movement of the user's U hand in the water discharge region M ₁ can be accurately determined, thereby causing a malfunction. Can be reliably prevented.
[0046]
In addition, this invention is applicable not only to a hand-washing machine but other water washing machines, such as a faucet toilet.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
In this invention, the automatic water supply method in the water washer using the artificial retina sensor which can catch the user of a water washer reliably, and the automatic water supply mechanism in the water washer using the artificial retina sensor can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration explanatory view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an artificial retina sensor in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a range in a height direction of a visual field region of the artificial retina sensor in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the width in the left-right direction of the visual field area of the artificial retina sensor in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an automatic water supply process in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an input image of the surface of the wash ball in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an input image when the user of the water washer is washing hands in the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing an input image when the user of the water basin in the embodiment is washing hands.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an input image of the surface of the wash bowl in which foreign objects other than the user's hand are shown in the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a configuration explanatory diagram illustrating a process of processing input video in the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an acquired image in the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram similarly showing an acquired image in the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change image obtained by extracting the number of dot changes in two consecutive acquired images when shifting from a non-use state to a use state.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a change image in which the number of dot changes in two consecutive acquired images in use is extracted.
FIG. 15 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an artificial retina sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a range in a height direction of a visual field area of the artificial retina sensor in the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the width in the left-right direction of the visual field area of the artificial retina sensor in the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a process of processing input video in the second embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a view showing a conventional water supply operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hand-washing machine, 2 ... Artificial retina sensor, 3 ... Control part.

Claims (4)

Calculates the number of change continuous two pieces of acquired image dots obtained by visually recognize the user of the washing device of faucet toilet and wash, etc. The artificial retina sensor, washing unit by the number of changes that dot The lower limit and upper limit of the change that can be discharged from a non-use state and the lower limit of the number of dot changes that are determined to be in use are determined to control the water supply operation and the water stop operation of the water washer An automatic water supply method in a water washer using an artificial retina sensor characterized by the above. Calculates the number of change continuous two pieces of acquired image dots obtained by visually recognize the user of the washing device of faucet toilet and wash, etc. The artificial retina sensor, washing unit by the number of changes that dot The lower limit and upper limit of the change that can be discharged from a non-use state and the lower limit of the number of dot changes that are determined to be in use are determined to control the water supply operation and the water stop operation of the water washer In addition, the visual field area of the artificial retina sensor includes only a water discharge area in which water is discharged from the water wash apparatus. A flushing device such as a faucet or hand-washer, an artificial retinal sensor that visually recognizes the user of the flushing device, and a change in dots in two consecutive acquired images obtained based on the output of the artificial retinal sensor It calculates the number of capture the movement of a user of the washing unit by the number of changes that dot, defines the lower limit change of the number of dots to determine that in the lower and upper limits and the use of changes may I spouted from an unused state An automatic water supply mechanism in a water washer using an artificial retina sensor, comprising: a controller for controlling a water supply operation and a water stop operation of the water washer . A flushing device such as a faucet or hand-washer, an artificial retinal sensor that visually recognizes the user of the flushing device, and a change in dots in two consecutive acquired images obtained based on the output of the artificial retinal sensor It calculates the number of capture the movement of a user of the washing unit by the number of changes that dot, defines the lower limit change of the number of dots to determine that in the lower and upper limits and the use of changes may I spouted from an unused state And a controller for controlling the water supply operation and the water stop operation of the water washer , and further, the visual field region of the artificial retina sensor is configured to include only a water discharge region for discharging water from the water washer. Automatic water supply mechanism in a water washer using an artificial retina sensor.

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