JP7001921B2 - Dirt detector and air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a dirt detector and an air conditioning system for detecting the progress of dirt.

As a device for detecting the progress of dirt, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the technique of Patent Document 1, an image of a filter is acquired, binarization processing is performed on each pixel constituting the image, the binarized image is divided into predetermined blocks, and data related to the blocks are used. Find the diagnostic value.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-29066

By the way, at the time of photographing an object, there may be a situation where the target range of the object is not uniformly irradiated with light. In this case, the captured image does not accurately reflect the state of dirt. Then, the diagnostic value obtained by using the binary processed image may not accurately reflect the progress of the stain. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dirt detection device and an air conditioning system capable of accurately detecting the progress of dirt.

The dirt detection device that solves this problem is a dirt detection device that detects dirt on an object, and includes a control unit that acquires a photographed image of the object, and the control unit is a photographed image of the object. The degree of progress of the stain is calculated based on the color component.

The surface of the object has a unique color. The change in the color component of the object indicates the progress of stains. Further, the color component itself does not change depending on the intensity of the light that illuminates the object. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the progress of dirt can be accurately detected.

In the stain detection device, the control unit calculates the hue of the pixels constituting the captured image of the object, and based on the area of the region within the predetermined hue range in the target range of the captured image, the stain is removed. Calculate the degree of progress.

The stain has a hue in a predetermined hue range. In the object, the extent of the region within a predetermined hue range indicates the degree of stain progress. According to the above configuration, since these things are used, the progress of dirt can be accurately calculated.

In the stain detection device, the control unit calculates a hue for the pixels constituting the captured image of the object, and is within a predetermined hue range in the area of the target range of the captured image and the target range of the captured image. The degree of progress of the stain is calculated based on the area ratio with the area of the region.

The stain has a hue in a predetermined hue range. In the object, the ratio of the area of the range having a predetermined hue to the area of the target range indicates the degree of stain progress. According to the above configuration, since these things are used, the progress of dirt can be accurately calculated.

In the dirt detection device, when the progress of the dirt exceeds the threshold value, the control unit notifies the external device of information about the dirt of the object.
According to this configuration, it informs that the dirt has become large. Therefore, the user who receives this can deal with the dirt.

In the stain detection device, the control unit stores the acquisition time of the captured image of the object and the progress of the stain based on the captured image at the acquisition time, and the acquisition time and the progress of the stain are stored. From the relationship with the above, the threshold value exceeding time when the stain progress exceeds the threshold value is calculated, and the threshold value exceeding time is output to the external device 16. According to this configuration, the time when the dirt exceeds the threshold value is notified. Therefore, the user who receives this output can easily make a plan for dealing with dirt.

In the dirt detection device, the object is any one of a drain pan of an air conditioner, a tank for dehumidifying / humidifying water, a filter, and a heat exchanger.
According to this configuration, the progress of dirt can be accurately detected in the drain pan of the air conditioner, the dehumidifying / humidifying water tank, the filter, and the heat exchanger.

An air conditioning system that solves this problem includes any of the above dirt detection devices. According to this configuration, the progress of dirt can be accurately detected.

Schematic diagram of the air conditioning system. Top view of the internal structure of the indoor unit. Side view of the internal structure of the indoor unit. The figure which shows the range of adhesion dirt and turbidity in a color wheel. The figure which shows the photographed image. The figure which shows the mask. Illustration of a photographed image with masks superimposed. The figure which shows the matching of the template photographed image and the photographed image. The figure which shows the relationship between a template mask and a mask. Illustration of the captured image converted to emphasized color. A graph showing changes in dirt.

Hereinafter, the dirt detection device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
The dirt detection device 1 detects dirt on the object 2. The stains in this embodiment include at least one of adherent stains and water turbidity. In the detection of stains, there are cases where adhered stains are detected, cases where turbidity is detected, and cases where adhered stains and turbidity are detected without distinction.

A suitable example of the object 2 for dirt detection is a container for storing water and a device to which water easily adheres. For example, the object 2 for dirt detection includes the drain pan 26 of the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 20, the drain pan of the outdoor unit, the heat exchanger 23 of the indoor unit 21, the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, the dehumidifying / humidifying water tank, and the dehumidifying / humidifying water tank. , The filter of the air conditioner 20. In the present embodiment, the dirt detection device 1 detects dirt on the drain pan 26 of the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 20. In the present embodiment, the object 2 is the drain pan 26.

The dirt detection device 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 acquires the captured image 40 of the object 2. The control unit 10 calculates the degree of progress of stains based on the color component of the captured image 40 of the object 2.

The control unit 10 includes an acquisition unit 11 that acquires a captured image 40 of the object 2, and a calculation unit 12 that calculates the degree of stain progress based on the color component of the captured image 40 of the object 2. The acquisition unit 11 is connected to the camera 30. The acquisition unit 11 and the calculation unit 12 may be housed in a case and packaged as one device, and as described below, the acquisition unit 11 and the calculation unit 12 are connected to the network N. , Each installation location may be dispersed. The components of the control unit 10 according to the present embodiment are distributed over the network N.

The acquisition unit 11 is provided on the air conditioner 20 itself or around the air conditioner 20.
The acquisition unit 11 acquires the captured image 40 sent from the camera 30 and stores the captured image 40. The acquisition unit 11 holds the object 2 or the identification information of the device including the object 2. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 holds the identification information of the air conditioner 20. Preferably, the acquisition unit 11 holds the object 2 or the position information of the device including the object 2. The location information includes the location (latitude and longitude, or address) of the object 2. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 holds the position information of the air conditioner 20 provided with the drain pan 26. More preferably, the acquisition unit 11 holds usage information of the device including the object 2. The usage information is information on the usage of the room in which the object 2 is installed, and includes, for example, the type of store. The acquisition unit 11 acquires identification information, position information, and usage information by an input operation. The acquisition unit 11 is connected to the communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 may be a component of the control unit 10.

The communication unit 13 controls communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the calculation unit 12. The communication unit 13 outputs the captured image 40 held in the acquisition unit 11 to the calculation unit 12 based on the internal command and the external command. Preferably, the communication unit 13 outputs at least one of the identification information, the position information, and the usage information held in the acquisition unit 11 to the calculation unit 12 based on the internal command and the external command. The internal command is a command formed at a preset time. For example, the internal command is formed by the internal circuit of the communication unit 13 when a predetermined condition (for example, the reception sensitivity is higher than the predetermined value in the radio) is satisfied, or is formed periodically. The external command is a command based on a request from the calculation unit 12 of the cloud server 15. The communication unit 13 and the acquisition unit 11 may be housed in one case.

The installation location of the calculation unit 12 is not limited as long as information can be obtained from the acquisition unit 11. For example, the calculation unit 12 is provided in the cloud server 15 connected to the network N.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dirt detection device 1 may be a component of the air conditioning system S. For example, the air conditioner system S includes a dirt detection device 1 and an air conditioner 20. The air conditioner 20 is connected to the network N via the communication unit 13 of the control unit 10 of the dirt detection device 1.

The air conditioner 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the internal structure of the indoor unit 21 as seen by removing the upper wall of the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 20. FIG. 3 is a side view of the internal structure of the indoor unit 21 as seen by removing the side wall of the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 20.

The model of the air conditioner 20 subject to the dirt inspection is not limited. For example, a ceiling-embedded air conditioner 20 is subject to a dirt inspection. The indoor unit 21 of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner 20 requires time and effort for internal inspection. Therefore, camera monitoring of the indoor unit 21 of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner 20 contributes to improvement of maintenance work efficiency. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 20 which is a ceiling-embedded type and is connected to the duct behind the ceiling will be described. The indoor unit 21 is connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe. The indoor unit 21 is installed behind the ceiling.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor unit 21 is arranged under the air conditioning control unit 22, the heat exchanger 23, the fan 24, the fan motor 25 for rotating the fan 24, and the heat exchanger 23. The drain pan 26 is provided with a drain pump 27 for discharging the water in the drain pan 26, and a case 28 having a suction port 28a and an outlet 28b. The color of the wall of the drain pan 26 is preferably a color in which stains are conspicuous. The color of the wall of the drain pan 26 is preferably white or a color close to white.

The case 28 is provided with an inspection lid 28c for inspecting the inside of the case 28. The inspection lid 28c is provided near the drain pan 26 and the drain pump 27. The camera 30 is attached to the inside of the inspection lid 28c. The camera 30 is attached to the inspection lid 28c so that at least a part of the bottom of the drain pan 26 is photographed.

The camera 30 includes a shooting unit 31 and a shooting control unit 32 (see FIG. 1). The photographing unit 31 photographs a part of the drain pan 26 at a timing controlled by the photographing control unit 32 to form a captured image 40.

In one example, the photographing unit 31 photographs the drain pan 26 under the condition of a still water surface. The photographing control unit 32 determines whether or not the condition of the still water surface state is satisfied. The still water surface state indicates a state in which the water surface in the drain pan 26 does not move. The photographing control unit 32 determines whether or not the surface is still water, among the changes in the captured image 40 obtained by the operation of the drain pump 27, the rotation of the fan 24, and the comparison of the plurality of continuously captured images 40. , Determined by at least one. The shooting control unit 32 issues a shooting instruction to the shooting unit 31 when the condition of the still water surface state is satisfied. For example, the photographing control unit 32 determines the condition of the still water surface state when detecting the adhered dirt.

In another example, the photographing unit 31 photographs the drain pan 26 under the condition of running water. The photographing control unit 32 determines whether or not the condition of the running water state is satisfied. The running water state indicates a state in which the water in the drain pan 26 moves. The photographing control unit 32 determines whether or not the water is flowing based on at least one of the operation of the drain pump 27 and the change of the captured image 40 obtained by comparing the plurality of continuously captured images 40. do. When the condition of running water is satisfied, the shooting control unit 32 issues a shooting instruction to the shooting unit 31. For example, when the imaging control unit 32 detects turbidity as dirt, the imaging control unit 32 determines the condition of the running water state.

The shooting control unit 32 controls the shooting timing as described above. Further, the shooting control unit 32 transmits the shooting image 40 formed by the shooting unit 31 to the acquisition unit 11. The photographing control unit 32 transmits the captured image 40 to the acquisition unit 11 based on the internal command. The internal command is a preset command.

The captured image 40 is transmitted to the calculation unit 12 as follows. The captured image 40 formed by the photographing unit 31 of the camera 30 is output to the acquisition unit 11 and stored in the storage unit 11a of the acquisition unit 11. The captured image 40 stored in the acquisition unit 11 is transmitted to the calculation unit 12 of the cloud server 15 via the network N by an internal command or an external command of the communication unit 13.

The calculation unit 12 of the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The calculation unit 12 quantifies the dirt on the object 2 at the user's command or at a predetermined timing. Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the hue for each pixel constituting the captured image 40 of the drain pan 26. When the captured image 40 is an image formed by the RGB format, the calculation unit 12 converts the captured image 40 based on the conversion formula from the RGB format to the HSV format, and determines the hue (H) value for each pixel. obtain.

The dirt on the drain pan 26 will be described. Analyzing the hue of the stain on the drain pan 26, the stain has a reddish yellow-green color (hue 10-30) or green (hue 30-60). The hue of the stain is in the range of 10 or more and 60 or less. The adhered stain is green or a color around green, and the hue of the adhered stain is in the range of 30 or more and 60 or less. The turbidity is yellowish green, which is close to red, and the hue of the turbidity is in the range of 10 or more and less than 30. The hue of the adhered stains and turbidity of the drain pan 26 is different from the hue of the wall of the drain pan 26. Therefore, stains on the drain pan 26 can be detected based on the hue. Further, since the hue of the adhered stain and the hue of the turbidity are different, the adhered stain and the turbidity can be discriminated by the hue.

In order to accurately detect the dirt on the drain pan 26, it is preferable that the target range 40a for which the dirt is detected is set in the captured image 40. The captured image 40 may include a part of the heat exchanger 23 and a part of the drain pump 27. In this case, the area where the heat exchanger 23 and the drain pump 27 are removed from the captured image 40 is set as the target range 40a for detecting dirt. The target range 40a is preset. The calculation unit 12 detects dirt in the target range 40a.

An example of setting the target range 40a will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a photographed image 40. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mask 41. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a photographed image 40 on which the mask 41 is superimposed. In FIG. 7, the dark dot region indicates the adhered dirt region, and the light dot region indicates the turbid region. In the captured image 40 of FIG. 7, it is not possible to clearly distinguish between the area of adhered stains and the area of thin dots visually. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing matching between the template captured image 43 and the captured image 40. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the template mask 42 and the mask 41.

The calculation unit 12 holds a mask 41 for overlaying the captured image 40. The area other than the target range 40a of the photographed image 40 on the mask 41 is black without hue. In the mask 41, the inside of the target range 40a of the captured image 40 is transparent. The captured image 40 on which the mask 41 is superimposed is black except for the target range 40a. Since the hues of black cannot be associated with each other, the area of the black portion is 0 when the hue area is calculated with respect to the captured image 40. Therefore, when the calculation unit 12 calculates the area of each hue in the entire captured image 40 on which the mask 41 is superimposed, as a result, the area of each hue within the target range 40a of the captured image 40 is calculated. By using the mask 41 in this way, it becomes easy to calculate the area of each hue in the target range 40a of the captured image 40.

The calculation unit 12 holds a template captured image 43 prepared in advance for each model of the air conditioner 20 and a template mask 42 prepared in advance for each model of the air conditioner 20. Even if the model of the air conditioner 20 is the same, the position of the drain pan 26 in the captured image 40 differs depending on the mounting variation of the camera 30. Therefore, it is preferable to use a mask 41 matched to the drain pan 26 of each air conditioner 20 in order to accurately detect the dirt with respect to the drain pan 26 that is the target of dirt detection. For example, the calculation unit 12 matches the feature points of the template captured image 43 with the feature points of the captured image 40 targeted for stain detection (see FIG. 8), and forms a projective transformation matrix based on the matching result. do. The calculation unit 12 forms the mask 41 by transforming the template mask 42 by the formed projective transformation matrix (see FIG. 9).

The formation of the captured image 40 for display will be described with reference to FIG. 10.
When determining the necessity of maintenance, the captured image 40 of the drain pan 26 may be used. However, the shadow portion of the captured image 40 is blackish and it is difficult to grasp the presence of dirt. For this reason, the captured image 40 is image-processed so that stains can be easily visually recognized. The following is an example of image processing of the captured image 40.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the target range 40a of the photographed image 40 among the photographed images 40 converted into the HSV format, the calculation unit 12 sets the region specified as the adhered stain and the region specified as the turbidity. The enhanced image 44 is formed by converting the enhanced color into an easily recognizable enhanced color. In one example, the region RA identified as adherent stain is blue, the region RB identified as turbidity is light blue, and the region RC other than adherent stain and turbidity is red in the target range 40a. When the captured image 40 of the drain pan 26 is displayed on the display device, the calculation unit 12 displays the enhanced image 44 converted into the enhanced color together with the raw captured image 40 or in place of the raw captured image 40. ..

The calculation unit 12 calculates the degree of progress of dirt as follows. In one example, dirt progression is assessed by enlargement of the dirty area.
(A) In the first example, the calculation unit 12 calculates the degree of stain progress based on the area of the region within the predetermined hue range in the target range 40a of the captured image 40. Specifically, the calculation unit 12 forms a mask 41 suitable for the captured image 40 based on the template mask 42 as described above. The calculation unit 12 calculates the area of the region within the predetermined hue range in the target range 40a based on the captured image 40 on which the mask 41 is superimposed. For example, when calculating the area of adhered stains, the calculation unit 12 counts the number of pixels having a hue of 30 or more and 60 or less with respect to the captured image 40 on which the mask 41 is superimposed, thereby counting the area of the adhered stains. Ask for. When calculating the area of turbidity, the calculation unit 12 obtains the area of turbidity by counting the number of pixels having a hue of 10 or more and less than 30 with respect to the captured image 40 on which the mask 41 is superimposed. Further, the calculation unit 12 may calculate the total of the area of adhered dirt and the area of turbidity as the area of dirt. The calculation unit 12 outputs the area of dirt as the degree of progress of dirt. The calculation unit 12 may output the area of the adhered dirt as the "progress of the adhered dirt", or the calculation unit 12 may output the area of the turbidity as the "progress of the turbidity".

(B) In the second example, the calculation unit 12 is based on the area ratio of the area of the target range 40a of the captured image 40 to the area of the region within the predetermined hue range in the target range 40a of the captured image 40. Calculate the degree of dirt progress. In this case, the stain progress is shown as a percentage. When the stain progress is 100%, it indicates that the stain is the most advanced.

With reference to FIG. 11, changes in the adhered stains on the drain pan 26 will be described.
The dirt on the drain pan 26 increases with the passage of time. During the cooling period, the water accumulated in the drain pan 26 is discharged by the drain pump 27. At that time, dirt is also discharged, but some dirt is not discharged and accumulates, and the dirt on the drain pan 26 gradually progresses. During the period when cooling is not performed, the drain pump 27 may not operate due to a small amount of water accumulated in the drain pan 26, so that the drain pan 26 is gradually contaminated. In this way, the dirt on the drain pan 26 increases on a yearly basis. However, since it is not easy to inspect the inside of the drain pan 26, it is preferable to notify the dirt as follows.

When the degree of progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A, the calculation unit 12 notifies the external device 16 of information regarding the dirt of the drain pan 26. In the case of the above (a), the threshold value A is a predetermined area. In the case of (b) above, the threshold value A is a predetermined area ratio (for example, 50%).

In one example, the calculation unit 12 acquires the captured image 40 from the acquisition unit 11 on a regular basis (for example, on a predetermined day). When the captured image 40 is acquired, the calculation unit 12 calculates the degree of progress of dirt and determines whether or not the degree of progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A. When the result is that the degree of progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A, the calculation unit 12 notifies the external device 16 of the content in which the degree of progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A (hereinafter, “notification item”).

In another example, the captured image 40 is input to the calculation unit 12 by the user. In this case, the calculation unit 12 calculates the progress of dirt when the captured image 40 is input, and determines whether or not the progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A. When the progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A, the calculation unit 12 displays the content (notification item) in which the progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A on the display device (an example of the external device 16) (an example of notification). )do.

Preferably, the calculation unit 12 notifies the external device 16 of the information of the object 2 to be inspected for dirt together with the notification items. In the present embodiment, the calculation unit 12 notifies the external device 16 of the content in which the degree of progress of contamination exceeds the threshold value A and the identification information, position information, and application information of the air conditioner 20. By receiving the identification information, the location information, and the usage information, the user can grasp the model, installation location, and usage of the air conditioner 20, so that the maintenance method can be examined in advance.

The external device 16 is, for example, a user terminal that can be connected to the network N. User terminals include mobile phones, notebook-type personal computers, personal computers, and tablet-type personal computers.

Further, the calculation unit 12 may have the following functions. The calculation unit 12 stores the acquisition time of the captured image 40 of the object 2 and the progress of dirt based on the captured image 40 at the acquisition time. The calculation unit 12 calculates the threshold value exceeding time TA in which the degree of dirt progress exceeds the threshold value B from the relationship between the acquisition time and the degree of dirt progress, and outputs the threshold value exceeding time TA to the external device 16. Here, the acquisition time indicates the time taken by the camera 30.

An example of calculating the threshold value exceeding time TA will be described with reference to FIG.
The calculation unit 12 periodically acquires the captured images 40 from the acquisition unit 11, or collectively acquires a plurality of captured images 40 captured on different days. The calculation unit 12 calculates the degree of progress of dirt from the captured image 40. Further, the calculation unit 12 calculates the relationship between the acquisition time of the captured image 40 and the degree of progress of dirt by regression calculation. For example, the progress of dirt with respect to the acquisition time is approximated by a linear expression or an exponential function. Based on the approximate expression thus obtained (see the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 11), the time when the degree of progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value B is calculated as the threshold value exceeding time TA. Further, the calculation unit 12 outputs the threshold value exceeding time TA to the external device 16.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the stain detection device 1 discriminates between stains and portions other than stains by color components. Since the color of the stain is a characteristic unique to the stain and not found in other parts, the stain can be accurately detected. Further, since the color (hue) of the stain does not change depending on the intensity of the light irradiating the object 2, even if the intensity of the light may differ depending on the shooting time, the stain portion can be accurately detected. ..

The effect of this embodiment will be described.
(1) The dirt detection device 1 includes a control unit 10 for acquiring a captured image 40 of the object 2. The control unit 10 calculates the degree of progress of stains based on the color component of the captured image 40 of the object 2. Here, the color component may be a specific color. For example, the control unit 10 may use only green, dark green, and yellowish green as color components.

The surface of the object 2 has a unique color. The change in the color component of the object 2 indicates the progress of stains. Further, the color component itself does not change depending on the intensity of the light illuminating the object 2. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the progress of dirt can be accurately detected.

(2) In the stain detection device 1, the control unit 10 calculates the hue of the pixels constituting the captured image 40 of the object 2, and is based on the area of the region within the predetermined hue range in the target range 40a of the captured image 40. And calculate the progress of dirt.

The stain has a hue in a predetermined hue range. In the object 2, the spread of the region within the predetermined hue range indicates the degree of progress of the stain. According to the above configuration, since these things are used, the progress of dirt can be accurately calculated.

(3) The control unit 10 calculates the hue of the pixels constituting the captured image 40 of the object 2, and is within the predetermined hue range in the area of the target range 40a of the captured image 40 and the target range 40a of the captured image 40. The degree of dirt progress is calculated based on the area ratio with the area of the area.

The stain has a hue in a predetermined hue range. In the object 2, the ratio of the area of the range having a predetermined hue to the area of the target range 40a indicates the degree of progress of stains. According to the above configuration, since these things are used, the progress of dirt can be accurately calculated.

(4) When the progress of dirt exceeds the threshold value A, the control unit 10 notifies the external device 16 of information about the dirt of the object 2.
According to this configuration, it informs that the dirt has become large. Therefore, the user who receives this can deal with the dirt.

(5) The control unit 10 stores the acquisition time of the captured image 40 of the object 2 and the progress of the stain based on the captured image 40 at the acquisition time, and the stain is determined from the relationship between the acquisition time and the progress of the stain. The threshold value exceeding time when the progress exceeds the threshold value B is calculated, and the threshold value exceeding time is output to the external device 16. According to this configuration, the time when the dirt exceeds the threshold value B is notified. Therefore, the user who receives this output can easily make a plan for dealing with dirt.

(6) The object 2 is the drain pan 26 of the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 20. In another example, the object 2 is at least one of the drain pan 26 of the indoor unit 21, the dehumidifying / humidifying water tank, the filter, the heat exchanger 23 of the indoor unit 21, and the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit. According to this configuration, the progress of dirt can be accurately detected in the drain pan of the air conditioner 20, the dehumidifying / humidifying water tank, the filter, and the heat exchanger.

<Modification example>
In addition to the above embodiments, the stain detection device 1 of the present disclosure may be a combination of, for example, the following modifications and at least two modifications that do not contradict each other.

The calculation unit 12 may be configured as follows. The calculation unit 12 is configured to be available to a plurality of users. Specifically, the calculation unit 12 is capable of communicating with a plurality of objects 2 and is capable of communicating with a plurality of user terminals. The calculation unit 12 holds an address book for managing information transmission between the plurality of objects 2 and the plurality of user terminals. The address book associates the identification number of the air conditioner 20 with the user terminal of the user of the air conditioner 20 related to this identification number. When the calculation unit 12 acquires the captured image 40 of the object 2, the shooting time, and the identification number from the acquisition unit 11 and calculates the progress of the stain and the notification item, the calculation unit 12 refers to the address book and stains. The progress and notification items of are output to the user terminal.

The acquisition unit 11 and the control unit 10 of the dirt detection device 1 may be configured as one unit. Such a dirt detection device 1 is arranged near the air conditioner 20. In this case, the dirt detection device 1 may directly communicate with the external device 16 (for example, the user terminal) without going through the network N.

The calculation unit 12 of the dirt detection device 1 may be provided in an external device 16 (for example, a user terminal). The calculation unit 12 may be composed of an application installed in the external device 16 and a calculation circuit in the external device 16.

The acquisition unit 11 and the calculation unit 12 of the dirt detection device 1 may be provided in an external device 16 (for example, a user terminal). For example, a personal computer is provided with an acquisition unit 11 and a calculation unit 12. In this case, the acquisition unit 11 is configured as a reading device or a communication device for the recording medium. The calculation unit 12 may be composed of an application and a calculation circuit. The personal computer acquires the captured image 40 by the input operation of the user.

Although the embodiments of the present device have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications of the form and details are possible without departing from the purpose and scope of the present device described in the claims. ..

S Air conditioning system A Threshold 1 Dirt detection device 2 Object 10 Control unit 16 External device 20 Air conditioner 23 Heat exchanger 26 Drain pan 40 Photographed image 40a Target range

Claims (5)

A dirt detection device (1) that detects dirt on an object (2).
A control unit (10) for acquiring a captured image (40) of the object (2) is provided.
The control unit (10)
The hue is calculated for the pixels constituting the captured image (40) of the object (2), and the hue is calculated.
The degree of progress of adhered stains is calculated based on the first area of the region within the first predetermined hue range in the target range (40a) of the photographed image (40).
The degree of turbidity is calculated or the degree of turbidity progress is calculated based on the second area of the region within the second predetermined hue range in the target range (40a) of the captured image (40).
The stain progress is calculated based on the sum of the first area and the second area in the target range (40a) of the photographed image (40).
The first predetermined hue range is a hue range preset so as to correspond to the hue of adhered stains .
The second predetermined hue range is a hue range preset so as to correspond to a turbid hue .
The object (2) is a drain pan (26) of an air conditioner (20) or a tank for dehumidifying / humidifying water.
Dirt detection device. A dirt detection device (1) that detects dirt on an object (2).
A control unit (10) for acquiring a captured image (40) of the object (2) is provided.
The control unit (10)
The hue is calculated for the pixels constituting the captured image (40) of the object (2), and the hue is calculated.
Based on the area ratio of the area of the target range (40a) of the captured image (40) to the first area of the region within the first predetermined hue range in the target range (40a) of the captured image (40). Calculate the progress of adhered dirt ,
Based on the area ratio of the area of the target range (40a) of the captured image (40) to the second area of the region within the second predetermined hue range in the target range (40a) of the captured image (40). Calculate the degree of turbidity or
The stain progress is calculated based on the area ratio of the area of the target range (40a) of the photographed image (40) to the total area of the first area and the second area.
The first predetermined hue range is a hue range preset so as to correspond to the hue of adhered stains .
The second predetermined hue range is a hue range preset so as to correspond to a turbid hue.
The object (2) is a drain pan (26) of an air conditioner (20) or a tank for dehumidifying / humidifying water.
Dirt detection device. When the progress of the adhered dirt, the progress of the turbidity, or the progress of the dirt exceeds the threshold value (A), the control unit (10) provides information on the dirt of the object (2) to the external device (10). The dirt detection device according to claim 1 or 2, which is notified to 16). The control unit (10) stores the acquisition time of the captured image (40) of the object (2) and the progress of the adhered stain based on the captured image (40) at the acquisition time, and the acquisition. From the relationship between the time and the progress of the adhered dirt, the threshold exceeding time when the progress of the adhered dirt exceeds the threshold value is calculated, and the threshold exceeding time is output to the external device (16).
The control unit (10) stores the acquisition time of the captured image (40) of the object (2) and the turbidity progress degree based on the captured image (40) at the acquisition time, and the acquisition time and the acquisition time. From the relationship with the turbidity progress, the threshold exceeding time when the turbidity progress exceeds the threshold value is calculated, and the threshold exceeding time is output to the external device (16), or
The control unit (10) stores the acquisition time of the captured image (40) of the object (2) and the stain progress degree based on the captured image (40) at the acquisition time, and the acquisition time and the acquisition time. From the relationship with the stain progress, the threshold exceeding time when the stain progress exceeds the threshold is calculated, and the threshold exceeding time is output to the external device (16).
The dirt detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An air conditioning system comprising the dirt detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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