JP4937015B2 - Small animal detection apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a small animal detection apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a small animal such as a mouse.

Conventionally, a mouse detection device for detecting that a small animal such as a mouse is moving on a floor in a specific area, for example, a specific place, has been used. Such a mouse detection device is generally small so that it does not take up as much space as possible. For example, it detects a moving mouse using a photoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, or the like. . However, in such a mouse detection device, for example, when the mouse reciprocates in the detection range of the sensor, the sensor may operate a plurality of times for one mouse. Further, when a human enters the detection range, this may be detected, and it cannot be said that the mouse is accurately detected. Therefore, it has a mouse sensor that detects the mouse at the height of the mouse activity range and a human sensor that detects the mouse at the height of the human activity range. There has been proposed a mouse detection device that detects a mouse based on the time interval. In such a mouse detection device, once a mouse detection signal is received, the mouse detection signal received during a certain period of time thereafter is not counted as a new mouse even if the mouse detection signal is received as the same mouse. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-309544 A

  However, in the mouse detection device 1 shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the human sensor detects infrared rays upward, while the mouse sensor detects infrared rays from a direction parallel to the ground. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 6A, it can be determined that a person has passed, and in the case shown in FIG. 6B, it can be determined that the mouse has passed, In the case of (c), the mouse sensor outputs a detection signal, but the human sensor does not output the detection signal, so that it is determined that the mouse has passed though the person has passed. was there. That is, when a person moves within a certain distance from the mouse detection device, it may be recognized that the mouse has moved.

  Moreover, the mouse | mouth detection apparatus shown by patent document 1 is provided with one infrared sensor as a mouse | mouth sensor. However, a general infrared sensor may malfunction due to the influence of wind, vibration, dust, water droplets, or disturbance noise such as electromagnetic waves, and the above-described mouse detection device causes such malfunction. It is recognized that the mouse has been detected. As described above, the mouse detection device described above may not be able to accurately detect the mouse.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and provides a small animal detection device that detects a small animal such as a mouse with higher accuracy.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention uses a direction inclined downward from the horizontal direction as a detection range, a plurality of small animal sensors that output a small animal detection signal when an object is detected in the detection range, and a detection range of the small animal sensor A human sensor that outputs a human detection signal when an object is detected above, a small animal detection signal output by the small animal sensor, and a detection signal receiving means that receives a detection signal of the human detection signal output by the human sensor; A first elapsed time that is a time obtained by measuring a predetermined elapsed time from the time when the detection signal is received, and a predetermined elapsed time from the time that the small animal detection signal received from each of the plurality of small animal sensors is received. A second elapsed time that is the measured time, and there is a time point that overlaps in all of the plurality of second elapsed times, and the plurality of second elapsed times. When it is determined that the first elapsed time does not overlap a small animal detection device, characterized in that it comprises a count signal output means for outputting a small animal count signal.

  The present invention is the above-described small animal detection device comprising a counter that receives a small animal count signal, stores the number of times the small animal count signal is received, and an output unit that outputs the number of times the counter stores the number. .

  The present invention provides a step of outputting a small animal detection signal when an object is detected in the detection range with a direction in which a plurality of small animal sensors are inclined downward from the horizontal direction, and a human sensor is detected from the detection range of the small animal sensor. A step of outputting a human detection signal when an object is detected above, a step of receiving a detection signal of a small animal detection signal output from the small animal sensor and a human detection signal output from the human sensor by the detection signal receiving means; From the time when the count signal output means receives the first elapsed time, which is a time obtained by measuring a predetermined elapsed time from the time when the human detection signal is received, and the small animal detection signal received from each of the plurality of small animal sensors. A second elapsed time that is a time when a predetermined elapsed time is measured, and there is a point in time that overlaps in all of the plurality of second elapsed times, If such a second elapsed time and the first elapsed time is judged not to overlap a small animal detection method characterized by comprising the step of outputting a small animal count signal.

As described above, according to the present invention, the detection range is limited to the vicinity of the own device by tilting the small animal sensor downward, so the vicinity is moved without detecting a person moving far away. It is possible to provide a small animal detection device capable of detecting only small animals.
Further, by providing a plurality of small animal sensors, even when a detection signal is output to one small animal sensor due to a malfunction, it is more malfunctioning by determining whether another small animal sensor has output a detection signal. It is possible to provide a small animal detection device capable of determining whether or not.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the small animal detection apparatus according to the present embodiment. Since the small animal detection device according to the present embodiment assumes that the detection target is a mouse, it will be described below as a mouse detection device.

  FIG. 1A is a front view of the mouse detection apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The mouse detection apparatus 10 includes a human sensor 100 in the upper part and a first mouse sensor 201 and a second mouse sensor 202 in the lower part. The human sensor 100, the first mouse sensor 201, and the second mouse sensor 202 are, for example, dual element type infrared sensors. In addition, the human sensor 100 may use, for example, a Fresnel lens to narrow the detection range using infrared rays.

  FIG. 1B is a side view of the mouse detection apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The human sensor 100 provided at the upper part of the front surface of the mouse detection device 10 is inclined upward, and detects the intrusion of a person with the upward direction as a detection range. The first mouse sensor 201 and the second mouse sensor 202 provided at the lower part of the front surface of the mouse detection device 10 are set in a detection range with a direction inclined downward with respect to a direction horizontal to the floor surface as a detection range. When an object is detected, a small animal detection signal is output. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the angle between the floor surface and the front surface of the mouse detection device 10 is θ, the inclination angle of θ is 90 degrees or less (for example, 83 degrees). The mouse sensor provided on the front surface of the mouse detection device 10 has a detection range in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the mouse detection device 10. The inclination accuracy θ may be freely set so that the detection range is within a preset range (for example, 2 meters). In addition, the side of the mouse detection device 10 includes, for example, a human sensor LED 11, a first mouse sensor LED 12, a second mouse sensor LED 13, a battery warning LED 14, and a display unit 600.

For example, the human sensor LED 11 is a light emitting diode (LED) and emits light when receiving a human detection signal from the human sensor 100. Similarly, the first mouse sensor LED 12 is a light emitting diode that emits light when a mouse detection signal is received from the first mouse sensor 201. Similarly, the second mouse sensor LED 13 is a light emitting diode that emits light when a mouse detection signal is received from the second mouse sensor 202. The battery warning LED 14 is, for example, a light emitting diode that emits light to indicate that the remaining voltage of the battery decreases when the mouse detection device 10 is operated by the battery.
The display unit 600 is a screen display unit made of, for example, liquid crystal, which numerically indicates how many mice have been detected. The counter reset switch 15 is a button for resetting a numerical value displayed on the display unit 600 and returning it to 0 (zero), for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mouse detection apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
The mouse detection apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a human sensor 100, a first mouse sensor 201, a second mouse sensor 202, a detection signal receiving unit 300, a count signal output unit 400, a counter 500, a display, Part 600.

  The human sensor 100 includes, for example, an infrared sensor, and outputs a human detection signal when an infrared ray detects that an object (for example, a human torso) has entered the detection range. The first mouse sensor 201 includes an infrared sensor, and outputs a first mouse detection signal when an infrared ray detects that an object (for example, a mouse or a human foot) has entered the detection range. . Similar to the first mouse sensor 201, the second mouse sensor 202 includes an infrared sensor, and outputs a second mouse detection signal when an infrared ray detects that an object has entered the detection range.

The detection signal receiving unit 300 receives detection signals output from the human sensor 100, the first mouse sensor 201, and the second mouse sensor 202.
The count signal output unit 400 performs a mouse detection determination process for determining whether or not a mouse has been detected based on the detection signal received by the detection signal receiving unit 300, and determines that the mouse has been detected. Is output. The mouse detection determination process will be described later.

When the counter 500 receives the mouse count signal from the count signal output unit 400, the counter 500 stores the number of times of reception. For example, the counter 500 stores a count value that is information indicating a value of 0 (zero) in advance, and when a mouse count signal is received from the count signal output unit 400, 1 is added to the count value, and the count value Remember as.
The display unit 600 is an output unit that outputs the count value stored in the counter 500 so as to be perceptible to humans. That is, in the present embodiment, the display unit 600 is a screen display unit using a liquid crystal screen, but may be configured to output a count value by voice or the like.

Next, the above-described mouse detection determination process performed by the count signal output unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a detection signal received by the detection signal receiving unit 300 and a time chart when the count signal output unit 400 outputs a count signal.
The count signal output unit 400 has a first elapsed time (for example, 10 seconds; for example, 10 seconds, which is a predetermined elapsed time from the time when the first mouse detection signal received from the first mouse sensor 201 is received. T201-1, T201-2, T201-3) and a second elapsed time which is a predetermined elapsed time from the time when the second mouse detection signal is received from the second mouse sensor 202 (for example, 10 3 (T202-1 and T202-2 in FIG. 3) and a third elapsed time (for example, 20 seconds, which is a predetermined elapsed time from the time when the human detection signal is received from the human sensor 100). T101-1, T101-2, T101-3, T101-4), the first elapsed time or the second elapsed time, and the third elapsed time do not overlap, and the first Elapsed time and second When the elapsed time are overlapped, and outputs a small animal count signal.

  Specifically, for example, FIG. 3 shows an example in which the detection signal receiving unit 300 receives a human detection signal, a first mouse detection signal, and a second mouse detection signal, with a time difference. Has been. In FIG. 3, time is assumed to flow to the right. Further, FIG. 3 shows an example of timing at which the count signal output unit 400 outputs a count signal based on the detection signal described above.

In FIG. 3A, the third elapsed time from when the count signal output unit 400 received the human detection signal is indicated by T101-1 and T101-2. The first elapsed time after receiving the detection signal is indicated by T201-1, and the second elapsed time after receiving the second mouse detection signal is indicated by T202-1. Yes.
Here, since the elapsed times of T101-1, T201-1, and T202-1 overlap, the count signal output unit 400 determines that the person who has passed the vicinity of the mouse detection apparatus 10 is a person, and counts. No signal is output.

In FIG. 3B, the first elapsed time since the count signal output unit 400 has not received the human detection signal and has received the first mouse detection signal is indicated by T201-2. The time chart when the second mouse detection signal is not received is shown.
Here, since the first mouse detection signal is received, but the second mouse detection signal is not received, the first mouse detection signal is received from the first mouse sensor 201 due to some malfunction. It is determined that the mouse has not passed, and no count signal is output. This is because such a case is considered to be a case where the infrared sensor malfunctions due to the influence of wind, vibration, dust, water droplets, etc., or disturbance noise such as electromagnetic waves.

In FIG. 3C, the third elapsed time after the count signal output unit 400 receives the human detection signal is indicated by T101-3 and T101-4. The first elapsed time since receiving the detection signal is indicated by T201-3, and the second elapsed time after receiving the second mouse detection signal is indicated by T202-2. Yes.
Here, since T201-3 and T202-2 overlap and the elapsed times of T101-3 or T101-4 and T201-3 and T202-2 do not overlap, the count signal output unit 400 detects the mouse. It is determined that the mouse has passed in the vicinity of the device 10, and a count signal is output. For example, the count signal is output for 500 milliseconds.

Next, the mouse determination processing logic for performing the above-described mouse detection determination processing will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the mouse detection apparatus 10 repeats the following mouse detection determination process while the power is on. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the mouse detection determination process.
When the power of the mouse detection apparatus 10 is turned on, the count signal output unit 400 starts a mouse detection determination process (step S1).

  First, the count signal output unit 400 determines whether or not a person detection signal has been received (step S2). If it is determined that the person detection signal has been received, the count signal output unit 400 does nothing for a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) (step S10). This is because even if one person enters the detection range, it does not become a new intrusion when it stays within the detection range for several seconds. This is because an infrared sensor generally requires a certain period of time to operate once again after being operated once. The count signal output unit 400 further performs a human detection signal detection determination process shown as step S2 after 20 seconds have elapsed in step S10.

  If the count signal output unit 400 does not receive the human detection signal in step S2, the count signal output unit 400 determines whether or not the first mouse detection signal has been received (step S3). If the count signal output unit 400 has not detected the first mouse detection signal, the count signal output unit 400 returns to the process of step S2. On the other hand, if the count signal output unit 400 receives the first mouse detection signal, the count signal output unit 400 determines whether or not to receive the second mouse detection signal within a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) ( Step S4).

  If the second mouse detection signal is not detected in step S4, the count signal output unit 400 does nothing for a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) (step S11). Then, the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, when receiving the second mouse detection signal, the count signal output unit 400 determines whether or not to receive the human detection signal within a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) (step S5). .

  In step S5, when the count signal output unit 400 detects a human detection signal, the count signal output unit 400 returns to the process of step S2. On the other hand, if the count signal output unit 400 receives the human detection signal in step S5, the count signal output unit 400 outputs a mouse count signal (step S6). Thus, the count signal output unit 400 performs the mouse detection determination process (step S7).

Next, the above-described mouse detection determination process will be described with reference to FIG.
The count signal output unit 400 starts a mouse determination process (step S1). If the detection signal receiving unit 300 receives a human detection signal in step S2, the process proceeds to step S10 and waits for 20 seconds (period T101-3). And if it returns to step S2 and a person detection signal is not received, it will progress to step S3 from step S2. When the detection signal receiving unit 300 receives the first mouse detection signal, the count signal output unit 400 measures a period of 10 seconds from that point (period T201-3).

  In step S4, when the detection signal receiving unit 300 receives the second mouse detection signal within the period of T201-3, the count signal output unit 400 measures a period of 10 seconds from that point (T202). -2 period). If the detection signal receiving unit 300 does not detect a human detection signal within the period of T202-2 (step S5), the count signal output unit 400 outputs a count signal (step S6).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect a mouse with higher accuracy than in the prior art. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 5A, the human sensor and the mouse sensor output detection signals, and it can be determined that the person who has passed the vicinity is a person. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 5B, only the mouse sensor outputs a detection signal, and it can be determined that the mouse has passed the vicinity. In the case shown in FIG. 5C, neither the human sensor nor the mouse sensor outputs a detection signal, and a person who has passed far away is not erroneously determined to be a mouse.

  Further, since a plurality of mouse sensors are provided, the detection accuracy can be improved even when an infrared sensor having a malfunction is used.

  Note that a small animal detection is performed by recording a program for realizing the function of the processing unit in the present invention on a computer-readable recording medium, causing the computer system to read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. May be. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer system” includes a WWW system having a homepage providing environment (or display environment). The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the small animal detection apparatus by this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mouse | mouth detection apparatus by this embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the time when the mouse | mouth detection apparatus by this embodiment outputs a detection signal. It is a flowchart which shows the mouse | mouth detection determination process by this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the mouse detection by this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the mouse | mouth detection by a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

10 Mouse detection device 11 Human sensor LED
12 First mouse sensor LED
13 Second mouse sensor LED
14 Battery warning LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Counter reset switch 100 Human sensor 201 1st mouse sensor 202 2nd mouse sensor 300 Detection signal receiving part 400 Count signal output part 500 Counter 600 Display part

Claims (3)

A plurality of small animal sensors that output a small animal detection signal when an object is detected in the detection range, with a direction inclined downward from the horizontal direction as a detection range;
A human sensor that outputs a human detection signal when an object is detected above the detection range of the small animal sensor;
Detection signal receiving means for receiving a detection signal of a small animal detection signal output by the small animal sensor and a human detection signal output by the human sensor;
The first elapsed time, which is a time obtained by measuring a predetermined elapsed time from the time when the human detection signal is received, and the predetermined time from the time when the small animal detection signal received from each of the plurality of small animal sensors is received. A second elapsed time that is a time when the elapsed time is measured, and there is a time point that overlaps in all of the plurality of second elapsed times, and a plurality of the second elapsed time and the first A count signal output means for outputting a small animal count signal when it is determined that the elapsed time does not overlap;
A small animal detection device comprising: A counter that receives the small animal count signal and stores the number of times the small animal count signal is received;
The small animal detection device according to claim 1, further comprising: an output unit configured to output the number of times that the counter stores. A step of outputting a small animal detection signal when an object is detected in the detection range, with a plurality of small animal sensors detecting a direction inclined downward from the horizontal direction as a detection range;
A step of outputting a human detection signal when the human sensor detects an object above a detection range of the small animal sensor;
A step of receiving a detection signal of a small animal detection signal output by the small animal sensor and a human detection signal output by the human sensor;
The count signal output means has received a first elapsed time that is a time obtained by measuring a predetermined elapsed time from the time when the person detection signal is received, and a small animal detection signal received from each of the plurality of small animal sensors. A second elapsed time that is a time obtained by measuring a predetermined elapsed time from the time, and there is a time that overlaps in all of the plurality of second elapsed times, and a plurality of the second elapsed times Outputting a small animal count signal when it is determined that the time does not overlap the first elapsed time; and
A small animal detection method comprising:

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