JPH07303289A - On-vehicle infrared remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an on-vehicle infrared ray remote controller which can be operated without danger even while driving a vehicle. CONSTITUTION:The controller is provided with an infrared array sensor 8 consisting of plural infrared ray detecting elements 3 by disposing in the state of a two-dimensional array, a picture extraction device 12 analyzing an infrared ray to be detected by the infrared ray array sensor 8 so as to extract at least one of the movement and the shape of the hand 9 of a human body in the detection area of the infrared ray array sensor 8, a signal discrimination device 13 conducting signal judgement by collating the extraction result of the picture extraction device 12 with signal data which is previously given based on the behavior form of at least one of the movement and the shape of the hand 9, and a remote controller 14 conducting remote-control corresponding to the judgement signal of the signal judgement device 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted infrared remote control device used for a car audio device, a car air conditioner device and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 8, a car audio device 1 is provided in the vicinity of a driver's seat 20 of an automobile. When operating such a car audio device 1, the car audio device 1 shown in FIG. As shown, the driver etc.
The operation is performed by directly operating the operation buttons or the like, or by operating a wired or wireless remote control (remote control) 21 as shown in FIG.

[0003]

However, when the driver directly operates the operation buttons of the car audio device 1, the car audio is located at a position different from the position directly in front of the driver's seat while the driver is driving the automobile. It is very dangerous and problematic to operate the car audio device 1 by checking the position of the operation button of the device 1. Further, when operating the car audio device 1 by operating the remote controller 21, it is possible to operate the car audio device 1 while keeping the remote controller 21 at hand, and thus the operating buttons of the car audio device 1 can be directly operated during driving. Although it is easier to operate the car audio device 1 even while driving compared to the case where it is carried out, when searching for the main body of the remote controller 21 while driving, the remote controller 21 is groped for searching, and there is a problem that it is dangerous as above. .

Further, in any of the operations, when the operation is performed at night, it becomes much more difficult to confirm the operation buttons of the car audio device 1 and the remote controller 21 as compared with the daytime operation, It was very dangerous to operate the car audio device 1 by checking the operation buttons of the car audio device 1 and the remote control 21 while driving at night. In addition to the car audio device 1, when the driver operates an on-vehicle device such as a car air conditioner while driving, there is a problem similar to the above.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its object is to cause danger even if a driver operates a vehicle audio device such as a car audio device while driving. An object is to provide an in-vehicle infrared remote control device that can be operated without any operation.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is constructed as follows. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an infrared array sensor including a plurality of infrared detection elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, and infrared rays detected by the infrared array sensor are analyzed to detect an infrared array sensor in a detection area. An image extraction device for extracting at least one of the movement of the human hand and the shape of the hand, and a signal given in advance as the extraction result of the image extraction device based on the behavior form of at least one of the movement of the hand and the shape of the hand. It is characterized in that a signal determination device for performing signal determination by collating with data and a remote control device for performing remote control operation in response to a determination signal of the signal determination device are provided.

The second aspect of the present invention is an infrared array sensor comprising a plurality of infrared detecting elements arranged in a two-dimensional array and an infrared array sensor which analyzes infrared rays detected by the infrared array sensor. An image extraction device that extracts at least one of the movement of the human hand and the shape of the hand in the detection region, and an extraction result of the image extraction device is given in advance based on the behavior form of at least one of the movement of the hand and the shape of the hand. A signal judging device for making a signal judgment by comparing with the signal data stored therein, a remote controller starting device for starting a remote controller corresponding to a judgment signal of the signal judging device, and the signal judging device after the remote controller is started by the remote controller starting device. And a remote control device for performing a remote control operation in response to the determination signal.

[0008]

In the present invention having the above-described structure, the infrared rays emitted from the human hand are detected by the respective infrared ray detecting elements of the infrared ray array sensor, and the movement of the human hand and the hand in the detection area of the infrared ray array sensor are detected by the image extracting device. At least one of the shapes is extracted, and the signal determination device compares the extraction result of the image extraction device with the signal data given in advance based on the behavior form of at least one of the hand movement and the hand shape to determine the signal. Then, the remote controller operates the remote controller in response to the determination signal from the signal determining device.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given to the same names as those in the conventional example, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Figure 2
Is the first infrared remote control device for vehicle according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of this in-vehicle infrared remote control device. The in-vehicle infrared remote control device of this embodiment is the car audio device 1 and is provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat of the automobile as in the conventional car audio device 1. This embodiment is different from the conventional example in that a car audio device 1 is provided with a pyroelectric two-dimensional infrared array sensor 8 with a built-in chopper (not shown) as shown in FIG. Due to
For example, the infrared rays emitted from the hand 9 of a human body such as a driver are detected, and the car audio device 1 is remote-controlled based on the detection signal of the infrared array sensor 8. The car audio device 1 of this embodiment is also provided with operation buttons similar to those of the conventional example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the infrared array sensor 8
Is formed by arranging a plurality of infrared detecting elements 3 in a two-dimensional array, has an infrared transmitting lens 18 such as a Fresnel lens, and the infrared array sensor 8 within 50 cm in front of the car audio device 1. When the human hand is placed in the detection area 6 of the infrared ray and the infrared rays (radiation light) naturally emitted from the human hand 9 enter the infrared transmitting lens 18 as shown by the dotted line in the figure, the infrared transmitting lens 18 causes The radiant light is collected and an infrared image is formed on the detection portion of each infrared detection element 3 of the infrared array sensor 8. For example, when the human hand 9 is placed at the position A ′ of the detection area 6, the infrared image of the human hand 9 is projected on the position of the infrared detection element 3A of the infrared array sensor 8. When the hand 9 having the shape as shown in FIG. 2 is placed in the detection area 6 of the infrared array sensor 8,
The infrared image of the hand 9 is formed on the infrared detection element 3a as shown by the hatched portion in (a).

As shown in FIG. 1, the infrared array sensor 8
An infrared analysis device 23, a remote control activation device 24, and a remote control device 14 are connected to the infrared analysis device 23. The infrared analysis device 23 includes a signal amplification means 10, an A / D converter 11, an image extraction device 12, and a signal determination device. Have 13. The signal amplification means 12 amplifies a signal of infrared intensity detected by each infrared detection element 3 of the infrared array sensor 8, and amplifies the signal of each infrared detection element 3 and applies it to the A / D converter 11. A / D converter 11
Is for converting an analog signal added from the signal amplifying means into a digital signal, and the converted digital signal is added to the image extracting device 12.

The image extraction device 12 receives the signal from the A / D converter 11 and extracts the shape of the human hand 9 in the detection area 6 of the infrared array sensor 8. The shape of the human hand 9 is extracted by performing signal processing by binarizing or level-discriminating the signal of each infrared detection element 3,
For example, a hand 9 having a shape as shown in FIG. 2 is arranged in the detection area 6 of the infrared detection element 3, and the infrared detection element 3a in the shaded portion of FIG. 4A detects infrared rays from the hand 9. At some times, the shape of the hand 9 is extracted based on the infrared intensity value detected by the infrared detection element 3a, and the extraction result is added to the signal determination device 13.

The signal determination device 13 has a memory unit (not shown), and the memory unit previously stores signal data for remote control activation and remote control operation based on the behavior of the shape of the hand, for example, as shown in FIG. Is given by the data as shown in (a) to (e) of FIG.
The extraction result of the image extraction device 12 is collated with the signal data input to the memory unit, and the extraction result is shown in FIG.
When the shape of the hand 9 is as shown in FIG. 5, the signal determination of “remote control activation” is performed, and when the extraction result is the shape of the hand 9 as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, “play” or “fast forward” is performed.
The signal determination of the remote control operation as described above is performed. For example, the extraction result is determined by the hand 9 as shown in FIG.
The signal determination is performed such as “reproduction” when the shape is “No”, and “fast forward” when the extraction result is the shape of the hand 9 as shown in FIG. Then, when the signal determination device 13 makes a remote control activation signal determination, it adds the remote control activation signal determination result to the remote control activation device 24, and when it makes a remote control operation signal determination, the remote control such as "play" or "fast forward". The operation signal determination result is added to the remote control device 14.

The remote controller starting device 24 receives the remote controller starting signal judgment result of the signal judging device 13 and carries out the remote controller starting in response to the remote controller starting judgment signal.
The remote controller is activated in response to the remote controller activation determination result, and a remote controller activation signal is added to the remote controller device 14.

The remote control device 14 receives the remote control activation signal from the remote control activation device 24 and, after the remote control activation of the remote control activation device 24, performs remote control operation according to the remote control operation signal determination result from the signal determination device 13. When a remote control activation signal is added from the remote control activation device 24 and a remote control operation determination result based on the signal data of FIGS. 5A to 5D is added from the signal determination device 13, the determination is made. Corresponding to the signal, for example,
When the signal judgment result of “reproduction” is added from the signal judgment device 13, the cassette tape of the car audio device 1 is reproduced, and the remote control of the car audio device 1 is started.

The remote control device 14 is provided with a remote control activation / operation confirmation device (not shown), which receives a remote control activation signal from the remote control activation device 24 and, for example, The buzzer sounds five times, and when the signal judgment result judged by the signal judgment device 13 is received, for example, when the signal judgment result of "reproduction" is added from the signal judgment device 13, the buzzer sounds once and the signal judgment device 13 When a signal determination result of'fast forward 'is added from, the buzzer sounds twice, so that the signal determination result of the signal determination device 13 can be known to the remote controller operator such as the driver, and the operator can use the buzzer or the like. By taking action based on the notified result, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the remote control operation of the car audio device 1.

This embodiment is constructed as described above,
Next, the operation will be described. When an operator such as a driver holds his / her hand 9 in the detection area 6 of the infrared array sensor 8 of the car audio device 1 and takes it in the shape of a fist, the infrared array sensor 8 detects the infrared rays emitted from the hand 9. The infrared detection signal detected by the infrared array sensor 8 is amplified by the signal amplifying means 10 to be an A / D converter.
Digitally converted by 11 and added to the image extraction device 12.

Then, the image extracting device 12 analyzes the infrared intensity detected by each infrared detecting element 3 of the infrared array sensor 8 and, for example, as shown in FIG.
The shape of the hand 9 is extracted, and the extraction result is added to the signal determination device 13. Then, the signal determination device 13 receives the extraction result of the image extraction device 12, and activates the remote controller and operates the remote controller corresponding to the shape of the hand 9 as shown in FIG. 5, which is input in the memory unit (not shown) in advance. Signal data and image extraction device
Compared with the extraction result added from 12 and (b) of FIG.
When the extraction result as shown in FIG. 5 is added, the signal determination device 13 adds the signal determination result of'remote control activation 'shown in FIG. 5E to the remote control activation device 24.

The remote control activation device 24 receives the remote control activation determination result from the signal determination device 13 and activates the remote control. The remote control activation signal is added to the remote control device 14, and the remote control device 14 receives the remote control activation signal. A remote control activation / operation confirmation device (not shown) notifies the operator that the remote control has been activated.

Further, for example, when the operator wants to reproduce the cassette tape of the car audio device 1, after the remote control is activated, as shown in FIG. When it is desired to perform fast-forwarding, if the shape of the hand 9 is changed in accordance with the remote control activation operation desired by the operator, as shown in FIG. 5B, the index finger and the middle finger are extended. , The shape of the hand 9 is similar to the above, and the image extracting device 12
And the extraction result is added to the signal determination device 13.

Then, in the signal judging device 13, for example, as shown in FIG.
When an extraction result as shown in (a) of is added,
The signal determination device 13 is'playback 'as shown in FIG.
Such a signal determination is performed, and the determination result of the remote control operation signal is added to the remote control device 14, and similarly, the signal determination result such as “fast forward” determined according to the shape of the hand 9 is added to the remote control device 14.

The remote control device 14 receives the determination signal of the remote control operation, and after the remote control activation of the remote control activation device 24, a signal determination result of the signal determination device 13 by a remote control activation / operation confirmation device (not shown). Is notified to the operator by a buzzer, and remote control operations such as reproduction, fast forward, rewind, and stop are performed corresponding to the signal determination of the signal determination device 13, and the remote control operation desired by the operator is performed.

According to this embodiment, if the operator carries his or her hand 9 in the detection area 6 of the infrared array sensor 8 by the above operation, the infrared array sensor 8 detects the infrared rays emitted from the hand 9. Then, based on the infrared detection result detected by the infrared array sensor 8, the shape of the hand 9 is extracted by the image extracting device 12, and the signal determining device 13 activates the remote controller and operates the remote controller based on the extraction result of the image extracting device 12. Signal determination for the signal determination device 13
Since the remote controller starting device 24 starts the remote controller and the remote controller 14 operates the remote controller based on the signal determination of the infrared array sensor, the operator selects the infrared array sensor depending on how he / she wants to operate the car audio device 1. 8
The remote control operation of the car audio device 1 can be easily performed only by changing the shape of the hand 9 arranged in the detection area 6 of FIG.

When performing such an operation, the operator can perform the operation without looking at the operation buttons or the like of the car audio device 1 as in the conventional case. There is no danger in going, and the car audio device 1 can be operated while driving safely. Moreover, since the infrared array sensor 8 can detect the infrared rays from the human hand 9 even at night, it can be operated at night as in the daytime, and the car can be operated safely at night. The audio device 1 can be operated.

Further, according to the present embodiment, remote control activation /
An operation confirmation device (not shown) is provided, and the signal determination device 13 determines the signal determination result determined by the signal determination device 13 in order to notify the operator of the signal determination result by the buzzer before starting the remote control and operating the remote control. When the result of the signal determination is different from the operation desired by the operator, it is possible to deal with the operation again, so that the malfunction of the remote control operation can be prevented.

FIG. 6 shows an operation mode example of the second embodiment of the vehicle-mounted infrared remote control device of the present invention. Second
The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the image extracting device 12 extracts the movement of the hand 9 in the second embodiment, and the car audio device 1 detects by the infrared array sensor 8. The remote control operation is performed by the movement of the hand 9 of the human body. In the first embodiment described above, the remote controller is activated when the hand 9 in the shape of a clenched fist is placed in the detection area 6 of the infrared array sensor 8. However, in the present embodiment, FIG. As shown in e), the palm of the hand 9 is placed in the detection area 6 of the infrared array sensor 8, the palm shape is placed in the image extracting device 12, and the remote control is activated when 3 seconds or more has elapsed. Has become.

In the memory section (not shown) of the signal judging device 13 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the hand 9 placed in the detection area 6 of the infrared array sensor 8 is placed on the lower side. When it is moved, the remote control operation of "mode selection" is performed, and when the hand 9 is moved to the right side, the remote control operation of "change of compact disk (CD)" is performed as shown in FIG. Signal data for performing remote control operation of the car audio device 1 based on the behavior form of the movement of the hand 9 is input.

Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the infrared ray array sensor 8 detects the infrared rays from the hand 9 and the palm shape of the hand 9 is extracted, and the remote controller starting device 24 operates 3 seconds or more after the extraction. When the remote control is activated, and then the hand 9 is moved to the lower side, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the movement of the hand 9 is extracted by the image extracting device 12, and the extraction result is obtained. In addition to the signal judging device 13, the signal judging device 13 compares the extraction result with the signal data given to the memory unit based on the behavior form of the movement of the hand 9 as shown in FIG. The remote control device 14 operates the remote control based on the determination signal of the signal determination device 13, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in the first embodiment, the remote control activation such as reproduction and fast-forwarding is performed according to the number of extended fingers among the fingers of the hand 9, and in the second embodiment, the hand 9 is set to the lower side. Although the mode selection is performed when moving and the CD is changed when moving the hand 9 to the right side, the remote control activation and remote control operation methods corresponding to the shape of the hand 9 and the movement of the hand 9 are particularly The signal determination device 13 is not limited to the above, is appropriately set, and is given to the signal determination device 13 in advance.
The signal determination device by comparing the signal data given based on the behavioral form of at least one of the hand movement and the hand shape given in advance to the extraction result of the image extraction device 12.
The signal determination may be performed by 13, and remote control activation and remote control operation may be performed.

That is, in the first embodiment, the remote control activation and remote control operation can be performed by the shape of the hand 9, and in the second embodiment, the remote control activation and remote control operation can be performed by the movement of the hand 9. However, the remote control activation and the remote control operation may be performed based on both the movement of the hand and the shape of the hand 9.

In the above embodiment, the remote controller activation / operation confirmation device is provided to notify the operator of the result determined by the signal determination device 13 by the buzzer. However, instead of the buzzer, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used. ) May be turned on, and the remote controller activation / operation confirmation device can be omitted.

Further, the number of infrared detecting elements 3 provided in the infrared array sensor 8 is not particularly limited and may be set appropriately, and the infrared detecting elements 3 are not necessarily adjacent to each other as in the above embodiment. The matching infrared detection elements 3 are not necessarily arranged in contact with each other and arranged in a two-dimensional array. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, adjacent infrared detection elements 3 are arranged with a space therebetween. I don't mind.

Further, although the infrared array sensor 8 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor in the above embodiment, the infrared array sensor may be another infrared sensor such as a thermopile or a bolometer.

Further, in the above embodiment, the remote controller starting device 24 is provided and the remote controller is operated by the remote controller 14 after the remote controller starting of the remote controller starting device 24, but the remote controller starting device 24 may be omitted. Good. However, if it is possible to perform both remote control activation and remote control operation depending on at least one of the movement form of the hand 9 and the shape of the hand 9, for example, remote control activation is performed by the operation button of the car audio device 1. The car audio device 1 can be operated more safely as compared with the case where only the movement of the hand 9 is performed.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the in-vehicle infrared remote control device is the car audio device 1. However, the in-vehicle infrared remote control device of the present invention is not limited to the car audio device. It is also applied to the equipment for use.

[0036]

According to the present invention, the infrared ray from the hand of the human body is detected by the infrared array sensor, and at least one of the movement and the shape of the hand of the human body in the detection area of the infrared array sensor is extracted by the image extracting device. Then, the signal determination device performs signal determination by collating the signal data given based on at least one behavior form of the hand movement and the hand shape with the extraction result of the image extraction device in advance, and the determination is performed. Since the remote control device operates the remote control in response to the signal, the operator of the device brings his or her hand to the detection area of the infrared array sensor, and the hand corresponding to the signal data given in advance. By indicating at least one of the behavior of the movement of the hand and the shape of the hand, it becomes possible to easily perform the remote control operation of the device.

When performing such an operation, it is possible to easily perform the operation without visually checking the device side as in the conventional case. Therefore, such an operation is performed during operation. However, there is no danger, and it becomes possible to operate the remote control while driving the car safely. Moreover, since infrared rays can be detected from the hand by the infrared array sensor at night as in the daytime, the above operations can be performed at night as in the daytime, and the vehicle can be safely driven in the same manner. You can operate the remote control while driving.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an in-vehicle infrared remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing both the car audio device 1 and the hand 9 for operating the car audio device 1 of the first embodiment of the vehicle-mounted infrared remote control device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an infrared array sensor 8 and a detection region 6 thereof in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state example in which the shape of the hand 9 is detected by the infrared array sensor 8 of the first embodiment of the vehicle-mounted infrared remote control device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing signal data for remote control activation and remote control operation based on the shape of the hand 9 in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing signal data of remote control activation and remote control operation based on movement of the hand 9 in the second embodiment of the in-vehicle infrared remote control device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of the arrangement state of the infrared detection element 3 of another embodiment of the in-vehicle infrared remote control device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of operating the conventional vehicle-mounted car audio device 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Car Audio Device 3, 3a Infrared Detector 6 Detection Area 8 Infrared Array Sensor 9 Hand 12 Image Extractor 13 Signal Judgment Device 14 Remote Control Device 24 Remote Control Activation Device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An infrared array sensor comprising a plurality of infrared detecting elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, and infrared rays detected by the infrared array sensor are analyzed to detect the infrared rays of the human body in the detection area of the infrared array sensor. An image extraction device for extracting at least one of motion and hand shape, and an extraction result of the image extraction device is collated with signal data given in advance based on at least one behavior form of hand motion and hand shape. An in-vehicle infrared remote control device, comprising: a signal determination device for performing signal determination by means of a remote control device and a remote control device for performing remote control operation in response to a determination signal from the signal determination device. 2. An infrared array sensor having a plurality of infrared detection elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, and infrared rays detected by the infrared array sensor are analyzed to analyze the infrared rays of the infrared array sensor and the human hand in the detection area of the infrared array sensor. An image extraction device for extracting at least one of motion and hand shape, and an extraction result of the image extraction device is collated with signal data given in advance based on at least one behavior form of hand motion and hand shape. A signal determining device for performing signal determination by using the signal determining device, a remote control starting device that activates the remote controller in response to the determining signal of the signal determining device, and a determination signal of the signal determining device after starting the remote control of the remote controller starting device. An in-vehicle infrared remote control device comprising a remote control device for remote control operation.