JPH1096787A - Human body detecting device for apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent cleaning at using time, and quickly start detection of a new entrance by judging the existence of use of an apparatus after an entrance of the human body is detected, and changing a confirming period by a judging result. SOLUTION: A human body detecting device 4 is installed on the inside of an upper front wall of a ceramic urinal 2. The human body detecting device 4 emits a microwave 8 at a constant angle toward the front of the urinal 2 from an antenna, and receives a microwave 10 reflected from a user 6 by the antenna. Speed at which the user 6 approaches or goes away from the human body detecting device 4 is found from a difference in a frequency between the microwaves 8 and 10 by applying a Doppler effect. Therefore, the human body detecting device 4 judges the existence of use of the urinal 2 from existing time of the user 6, and when it is used, after detecting leaving long in confirming time, the urinal 2 is cleaned, and detection of a new entrance is started. When it is not used, after detecting leaving short in confirming time, detection of a new entrance is started without cleaning the urinal 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for detecting a departure after a predetermined confirmation period when a predetermined signal whose value changes in accordance with the presence of a human body becomes a value indicating that the human body has left the predetermined area. The present invention relates to a human body detection device of a device that performs the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a human body detecting device for detecting that a human body has left a predetermined area has been known as shown in JP-B-3-60980.

In this apparatus, when a human body is detected, a rising signal is output from the human body detector to perform preliminary cleaning of the urinal, and when no human body is detected, a falling signal is output from the human body detector. The urine is output to perform the main cleaning of the urinal, and the following processing is performed inside the human body detector based on, for example, infrared rays.

That is, when the detected value of the infrared ray becomes equal to or more than a threshold value indicating that the human body is present in the predetermined area,
When the continuation time reaches a predetermined confirmation time, entry detection is performed and a rising signal is output. When the duration becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, the same processing is performed, leaving detection is performed and a falling signal is output.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case indicated by -60980, even if the vehicle simply passes through the predetermined area without using a small area, it does not detect the departure until the confirmation time has elapsed, so that the next intruder entering the predetermined area can enter. Detection start was delayed.

If the detection of the approach is delayed in this way,
Taking 60980 as an example, there is a problem that the start of the preliminary cleaning before using the urinal is delayed, and the function of forming a water film before using the urinal is impaired.

In order to prevent this, it is only necessary to shorten the confirmation time. However, if the infrared detection value temporarily drops due to a change in the posture of the human body during small use, the departure is detected by mistake, and There was a problem that the main wash was performed after using the toilet.

According to the present invention, when no device is used, such as when the vehicle simply passes through a predetermined area, departure detection is quickly performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a human body detection device for a device capable of reliably performing detection.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects The apparatus for detecting a human body of a device according to the present invention detects a human body entering a predetermined area and then determines whether or not the device is used. A confirmation period changing means that changes the confirmation period according to the judgment result of the means is provided, so if the equipment is used, the confirmation time is shortened and the departure detection is performed quickly, so that new entry The detection process can be started quickly.

When no device is used, the departure detection can be performed reliably by extending the confirmation time.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the judging means can be configured to judge whether or not the device is used according to the existence time of the human body in the predetermined area.

Further, when the present invention is applied to a urinal that cleans a urinal at the time of departure detection after use of a urinal, if a urinal is used, the urinal is washed after the detection of the departure with a long confirmation time. Then, when the next entry detection process is started and no urinal is used, the next entry detection process can be started without performing urinal cleaning after the leaving detection with a short confirmation time.

With this configuration, when a urinal is used, it is possible to reliably detect the user leaving and prevent a problem that washing is performed during use of the urinal, and there is no urinal used. In such a case, it is possible to prevent a problem that the entry detection processing for the next user is delayed by detecting the user's leaving quickly.

The urine flow may be determined by detecting the urine flow using a sensor.
In particular, it is preferable to make a determination based on the existence time of a human body in a predetermined area.

This is because the urinal is used while standing in front of the urinal, and such determination makes the determination more accurate than using a sensor or the like.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the urinal human body detecting apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a human body detecting device 4 is mounted inside an upper front wall of a ceramic urinal 2. Since the user 6 cannot see the human body detection device 4, the urinal 2 looks good.

The human body detection device 4 emits microwaves 8 from the antenna toward the front of the urinal 2 at a fixed angle, and receives the microwaves 10 reflected from the user 6 to the antenna.
The difference ΔF between the frequencies of the two microwaves 8 and 9 is called a Doppler frequency, and is expressed by the following equation as is well known. ΔF = 2 · Fs · (v / c)

Here, Fs is the frequency of the emitted microwave 8 (for example, 10 GHz), v is the walking speed of the user 6 approaching or leaving the human body detecting device 4 (that is, the urinal 2), and c is the speed of light. is there. When a microwave of 10 GHz is used, the Doppler frequency ΔF is observed in a range of about 5 to 200 Hz according to the walking speed v.

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the human body detecting device 4, the output of which is connected to a valve controller 14 for driving or controlling a valve 12 for flowing or stopping water in the urinal 2. ing.

The human body detecting device 4 includes a sensor 16, a DC amplifier 18, an AC amplifier 20, and a microcomputer 2
The sensor 16 mixes the received reflected microwave 10 and the emitted microwave 8 to extract a Doppler signal V _DPL having the above-described Doppler frequency ΔF.

The Doppler signal V _DPL extracted from the sensor 16 is input to the DC amplifier 18 and the AC amplifier 20 at the same time, and the output V of the DC amplifier 18 and the AC amplifier 20 is output.
_DC and _VAC are input to the microcomputer 22.

The microcomputer 22, output _V DC of both _amplifier, by processing _{V AC,} detects the user's urinal, announce its detection signal to the valve controller 14.

The valve controller 14 controls the valve 12 based on the detection signal from the microcomputer 22 so that the washing water flows at the start and end of the small use of the user.

FIG. 3 shows a DC amplifier 18 and an AC amplifier 20.
The following shows a specific circuit. DC amplifier 18 receives a DC offset level _{V DC0} from the microcomputer 22, the Doppler signal _{V DPL} from the sensor 16, DC
The offset level V _DC0 is subtracted, and the difference signal Δ
V is amplified and output to the microcomputer 22.

The AC amplifier 20 has a characteristic of a low-pass removing filter, removes a low-frequency component (substantial DC component) from the Doppler signal _VDPL from the sensor 16, and removes a remaining middle-high frequency component (substantially DC component). , And outputs the amplified signal to the microcomputer 22.

FIG. 4 shows waveform examples of V _DC and V _AC .
The upper part is _VAC , and the lower part is _VDC . In this waveform example, the user 6 approaches the urinal 2 from the front, and after urinal use, the urinal 2
It was observed when she left from the front sideways.

[0028] As can be seen from this waveform, at the time of the unmanned has been settled to the almost 0V V _DC also V _AC also both, during the approach of the people, V _DC for approaching at a greater movement speed V _AC also both high frequency The component appears remarkably, and the amplitude increases.

[0029] During urination, because you are either user 6 moves slowly or almost stationary in the last urinal, appeared frequency components of the medium a small amplitude in V _AC, large amplitude in V _DC A low-frequency component or a DC component having a large level appears remarkably. Thus during urination _is the _{V DC} and _{V AC} shows a distinctly different waveforms.

At the time of departure, in this example, since the user 6 has departed in the horizontal direction, the frequency is slightly increased as compared with the waveform at the time of small use, but the waveform shifts to the unmanned state at a stretch with the waveform not much different. ing. If the user 6 leaves behind instead of in the lateral direction, a waveform in which the high-frequency component appears remarkably and the amplitude decreases is observed, as if the waveform at the time of approach was reversed in time. You.

As described above, first, the level of _VDC can be used for detecting the user 6 of the urinal 2. That is, depending on the level (or amplitude) of _VDC ,
It can be determined whether or not the person is unmanned, or whether or not the user 6 is present immediately before the urinal 2.

Further, the second, the change in V _AC amplitude and frequency can be utilized to move other words approach or retreat of the user 6.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a monitoring area set on the front of the urinal 2. Two large and small areas 24 and 26 are set on the front of the urinal 2.

The smaller area (hereinafter referred to as a small area) 26 is an area immediately before the urinal 2 and is a place where the user 6 stands while using the urinal. The larger area (hereinafter referred to as the large area) 24 is recognized as being very likely to use the urinal 2 if there are people in this area, and conversely, if there are no people in this area. This is an area where it is substantially recognized that there is no person using the urinal 2 (that is, an unmanned state).

FIG. 6 shows V _{TH2 of the} threshold V _TH1 used to determine whether or not there is a person in the large and small areas 24 and 26 based on the level of the DC amplified signal _VDC .
In FIG. 6, the DC amplified signal _VDC is shown as a waveform oscillating around 0 V (although it is strictly about 1.3 V) because the DC offset level _VDC0 is subtracted.

The first threshold V _TH1 is a threshold for determining the presence or absence of a person in the large area 24. That is, when the amplitude of the DC amplifying signal _{V DC} is less than the first threshold value _{V TH1} is presumed unattended, when greater than the first threshold value _{V TH1} is presumed to humans is in a large area 24. Second threshold V
_TH2 is a threshold for determining the presence or absence of a person in the small area 26. That is, the amplitude of the DC amplified signal _VDC is equal to the second
When it is smaller than the threshold V _TH1 , it is estimated that no person is in the small area 26, and when it is larger than the second threshold V _TH1, it is estimated that there is a person in the small area 26.

In this embodiment, the above two threshold values V
_The microcomputer 22 uses _TH1 and _VTH2.
Performs three types of determination processing, namely, an approach determination, a small-use determination, and a leaving determination. FIGS. 7 to 9 show the flow of the processing of the entry judgment, the small use judgment and the leaving judgment, respectively.

The approach determination shown in FIG. 7 is for detecting that a person has entered the large area 24. In the entry determination, first, it is checked whether or not the level of the DC amplified signal _VDC has _{exceeded a} first threshold value _VTH1 (S1). As a result, if it does not exceed it, it is presumed that it is unmanned. During that time, the check in step S1 is repeated periodically (for example, at intervals of 5 ms). DC amplified signal _VDC is _equal to first threshold V
_{If TH1} is exceeded, it is recognized that a person has entered the large area 24 (S2), and the process proceeds to the small use determination shown in FIG. 8 (S3).

The small use determination shown in FIG. 8 is for detecting the presence of a person in the small area 26. In this small use determination, first, the level of the DC amplified signal _VDC is set to the second threshold V
_It is checked whether _TH2 has been _exceeded (S11). As a result, when it does not exceed, since the person detected in the previous approach determination has not yet entered the small area 26 and there is a possibility that a mere person may pass, the process immediately proceeds to the exit determination (S1).
4). When the level of the DC amplified signal _VDC is _equal to the second threshold V _TH2
Is exceeded, it is recognized that a person is in the small area 26 (S12), and the human body detection signal which is the output signal of the microcomputer 22 is turned on (S13). In response to the turn-on of the human body sensing signal, the valve controller 14
2 is opened for a certain time and the washing water is allowed to flow. After the human body sensing signal is turned on, the process enters the leaving determination shown in FIG.

The departure determination shown in FIG. 9 detects that a person has left the large area 24 and has become unmanned. In the departure determination, first, it is checked whether or not a predetermined Z seconds have elapsed since the transition to the departure determination (S21).

This check is performed, for example, at intervals of 5 ms.
The C-amplified signal _VDC is compared with the first threshold value V _TH1, and the DC-amplified signal _VDC is continuously changed to the first threshold N times (= Z / 0.05).
Checking whether or not the threshold value _VTH1 or less is performed is performed.

Here, Z seconds are, for example, a time of about several seconds, and Z seconds are determined after moving to the leaving judgment (that is, after detecting the entry of a person into the small area 26 by the small use judgment). Before the elapse, it is considered that there is a sufficient possibility that the person detected in the small use determination may simply pass without using the small use.
After the elapse of seconds, it is considered that the possibility of passing is low and the possibility that a person is doing small use is high.

Therefore, if the result of step S21 is within Z seconds, in consideration of the possibility that another person will enter immediately after the passing person, the leaving determination should be completed in a short time. It is checked whether or not the level of the DC amplified signal _VDC is less than or equal to the first threshold value V _{TH1 for a} predetermined relatively short time S seconds (1.92 s) (S22). If so, it is next checked whether the human body sensing signal is on (S23).

As a result, if the human body detection signal is on,
It is recognized that the person who has been in the small area 26 has left the large area 24 (that is, has become unmanned) (S24), and the human body sensing signal is turned off (S25). In response to the turning off of the human body sensing signal, the valve controller 14 opens the valve 12 for a certain period of time to flush the washing water. After turning off the human body sensing signal, the process returns to the entry determination (S26).

When the human body detection signal is off at step S23, it is presumed that the person detected in the entry determination is merely a passer-by (ie, has become unmanned), and the process returns to the entry determination (S26). ).

If the result of step S22 is negative, it is next checked whether or not the human body detection signal is on (S27). If the human body detection signal is on, the person enters the small area 26. Since it is estimated that there is, step S21 is repeated again. On the other hand, if the human body detection signal is off, it is presumed that the person is outside the small area 26 but inside the large area 24, and the process again proceeds to the small use determination (S28).

Returning to step S21, after the elapse of Z seconds, the level of the DC amplified signal _VDC is changed to the second level for a predetermined comparatively long time L seconds (3.2 seconds) in order to reliably perform the departure determination. It is checked whether the state is equal to or lower than one threshold value V _TH1 (S29), and according to the check result, step S30 is performed.
Alternatively, the process proceeds to S31. The details of the processing after steps S30 and S31 are the same as the details of the processing after steps S23 and S27, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The above embodiment is intended to use the level of the V _DC, it may be applied to those utilizing the change in V _AC amplitude and frequency.

The present invention can be applied not only to a device using microwaves but also to a human body detecting device using an infrared sensor or the like.

Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the detection of a user of a urinal but also to the detection of an object for various other uses.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a urinal human body detection device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a specific example of a human body detection device.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a DC amplifier 18 and an AC amplifier 20;

Figure 4 is a waveform diagram of a DC amplifier the signal _{V DC} and AC amplifier signal _{V AC}

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing two monitoring areas installed in front of the urinal 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing thresholds V _TH1 and V _TH2 used for recognizing whether or not a person is present in the two monitoring areas;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an entry determination.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a small use determination.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of leaving determination.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 urinal 4 human body detection device 8 launch microwave 10 reflected microwave 24 large area 26 small area

Claims (3)

[Claims] When a predetermined signal whose value changes according to the presence state of the human body becomes a value indicating that the human body has left the predetermined area after detecting the entry of the human body into the predetermined area,
After a predetermined confirmation period, in the human body detection device of the device that detects the departure of the human body from the predetermined area, after the entry detection, a determination unit that determines whether there is use of the device in the predetermined area, A human body detection device for a device, comprising: a confirmation period changing unit that changes the confirmation period according to a result of the judgment by the judgment unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determining means determines whether or not the apparatus has been used in accordance with the time of existence of the human body in the predetermined area. apparatus 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a urinal, and said control means performs cleaning of said urinal after said departure is detected.