KR20150022449A - Apparatus for detecting container and method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container sensing device and a container sensing method. A container sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention senses whether a container is placed on a preset target position or not. The container sensing method includes a reference value setting step of setting a reference value corresponding to the distance between a sensor and the target position; a waiting step of outputting sensing signals using the sensor and waiting an input of the sensing signals returned by being reflected by the surface of the container; a sensing signal inputting step of comparing the amplitude of the sensing signals with the reference value when the sensing signals are inputted to the sensor; and a container sensing step of determining that the container is placed on the target position when the amplitude of the sensing signals is within an error range of the reference value.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a container detecting apparatus and a container detecting method.

The present invention relates to a container sensing device and a container sensing method, and more particularly, to a container sensing device and a container sensing method capable of confirming presence or absence of a container by setting different reference values according to the types of containers.

Recently, the use of water purifiers in various spaces including homes has been rapidly spreading in order to effectively obtain clean purified drinking water. A water purifier is a device for filtering natural water such as tap water or ground water (hereinafter referred to as "raw water"), and filters raw water through several filters to remove foreign matter or harmful substances contained in the raw water Thereby providing drinking water.

In the case of a typical water purifier, it is necessary for the user to mechanically press the switch or touch the electronic switch in order to extract the water. In this case, a phenomenon such as splashing of water may occur, and it is inconvenient to press the switch until a desired amount of water is supplied. Recently, for convenience of the user, a water purifier having an automatic extraction function for automatically leaving a predetermined amount of water by pressing only an extraction button has been widely used. However, in this case, the user may additionally perform operations such as pressing an extraction button There is a need. That is, there is a demand for a technique capable of performing a desired watering operation while minimizing the operation of the user.

The present invention is to provide a container sensing device and a container sensing method capable of confirming the presence or absence of a container by setting different reference values according to the types of containers.

A container sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a container sensing method for sensing whether a container is present at a predetermined target position and includes a reference value setting unit for setting a reference value corresponding to a distance from the sensing sensor to the target position Setting step; A waiting step of outputting a sensing signal using the sensing sensor and waiting for input of the sensing signal reflected from the surface of the container; A sensing signal input step of, when the sensing signal is input to the sensing sensor, comparing the magnitude of the sensing signal with the reference value; And a container sensing step of determining that the container exists at the target position if the size of the sensing signal is within the error range of the reference value.

Here, the reference value setting step may change the operation mode of the container sensing apparatus to the reference value range setting mode, and may set the reference value according to the input of the user.

Wherein the reference value setting step includes: changing an operation mode of the container sensing apparatus to a reference value setting mode; Positioning the container to be used at the target position; And setting a magnitude of the input sensed signal as a reference value for the container when the sensed signal is input to the sensed sensor.

Here, the reference value setting step may measure the magnitude of the sensing signal for each of the plurality of containers, calculate an average value of the sensed signals, and set the average value as the reference value.

Wherein the reference value setting step sets the maximum threshold value to an upper limit of the error range if the maximum value of the error range exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold value and if the minimum value of the error range is less than a predetermined minimum threshold value, The minimum limit value can be set to the lower limit of the error range.

The container sensing method may further include a sensing sensor checking step of comparing the sensing signal with the reference value to check whether the sensing sensor operates normally.

Here, the sensing sensor checking step may include a confirming mode entering step of changing the sensing mode to a checking mode for checking whether the sensing sensor operates normally or not; A reference container position process for positioning the reference container at the target position; A sensing process in which the sensing sensor receives the sensing signal reflected back from the surface of the reference container; And an abnormality determination process of determining that the detection sensor operates normally if the magnitude of the input sensed signal is within a predetermined normal range with respect to the reference container.

Here, the abnormality determination process may determine that the detection sensor operates abnormally and output an alarm if the size of the detection signal is out of the normal range.

A container sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a container sensing apparatus for sensing whether a container exists at a predetermined target position and is provided at a lower portion of an extraction port for discharging fluid, part; A sensor for outputting a sensing signal and receiving the sensing signal reflected from the surface of the container; And a control unit for determining whether or not the container exists in the target position in the normal operation mode, determining whether the detection sensor operates normally in the abnormal determination mode, and setting the standard value range in the standard value setting mode have.

In addition, the means for solving the above-mentioned problems are not all enumerating the features of the present invention. The various features of the present invention and the advantages and effects thereof will be more fully understood by reference to the following specific embodiments.

According to the container sensing apparatus and the container sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the presence or absence of the container can be determined by setting different reference values according to the types of containers, so that accurate container sensing is possible even for containers having different surface characteristics Do.

According to the container sensing apparatus and the container sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to check whether the sensing sensor for detecting the container is malfunctioning, thereby preventing malfunction or malfunction of the sensing sensor, It is possible to respond quickly.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a container sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a graph illustrating the operation of the sensing sensor of the container sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are schematic views illustrating reference value setting for a container sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating a container sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings.

In addition, in the entire specification, when a part is referred to as being 'connected' to another part, it may be referred to as 'indirectly connected' not only with 'directly connected' . Also, to "include" an element means that it may include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated otherwise.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a container sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a container sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sensing sensor 2, a tray unit 4, and a control unit 5.

Hereinafter, a container sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The tray part 4 may be provided under the extraction port 1 for discharging the fluid and the container 3 may be positioned in the tray part 4. [ That is, the user can place the container 3 on the tray 4 in order to receive the fluid discharged from the extraction port 1. Since the container 3 can be placed at an arbitrary position on the tray 4, the fluid discharged from the extraction port 1 is supplied to the container 3 according to the position of the container 3, Or leaking out of the container 3 may occur. Therefore, the container sensing apparatus can detect the presence or absence of the container 3 at the position where the container 3 can receive the fluid from the extraction port 1, that is, whether the container 3 exists at a predetermined target position And it is possible to open the extraction port 1 to supply the fluid only when the container 3 is present at the target position.

Since the distance to the container 3 can be determined using the sensing sensor 2, the container sensing device can measure the distance between the sensing sensor 2 and the container 3, It is possible to confirm whether or not it exists at a predetermined target position. That is, the sensing sensor 2 outputs a sensing signal for sensing the distance to the container 3, and outputs the sensing signal, which is reflected from the surface of the container 3 and inputted to the sensing sensor 2, And the position of the container 3 can be determined based on the magnitude of the input sensed signal.

For example, the sensing sensor 2 may utilize infrared rays as the sensing signal, and may output a voltage value corresponding to the intensity of the infrared ray reflected from the container 3 and returned. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance from the sensing sensor 2 to the distance of 10 cm may increase in proportion to the magnitude of the voltage value output from the sensing sensor 2 as it moves away from the sensing sensor 2 , And the magnitude of the voltage value may gradually decrease in inverse proportion as the distance further increases after 10 cm. In this case, it is possible to measure the distance from the detection sensor 2 to the container 3 within a distance range of 10 cm. Therefore, if the extraction port 1 is present at a distance of 5 cm from the detection sensor 2, the detection range of the extraction port 1 is determined from the detection sensor 2 A position 6 to 7 cm away from the target position can be set as the target position. When the container 3 is positioned at the target position, the fluid discharged from the extraction port 1 can be stably supplied into the container 3.

 It is also possible to measure the distance to the container 3 directly from the sensing sensor 2 but the sensing sensor 2 transmits the measured magnitude of the sensed signal to the control unit 5, It is possible to determine the presence or the position of the container 3 by using the magnitude of the sensing signal.

Also, according to another embodiment, it is also possible to utilize the detection sensor 2 in which the voltage value becomes smaller as the distance from the container 3 increases.

The control unit 5 can perform different control operations according to the set operation mode. The operation mode of the container sensing device may be set by a user, and the user may switch the operation mode through an interface unit provided in the container sensing device.

The operation mode may include a normal operation mode, an abnormality determination mode, and a reference value setting mode. Specifically, in the normal operation mode, it is possible to determine whether or not the container 3 exists at the target position. In the abnormal determination mode, it is possible to determine whether the sensing sensor 2 is operating normally. In the reference value setting mode, a reference value for determining that the container 3 is present at the target position can be set.

First, in the normal operation mode, it is possible to perform an operation of checking whether the container 3 exists at a predetermined target position by using the sensing sensor 2 as described above.

That is, the reference value corresponding to the target position may be preset in the controller 5, and the size of the sensing sensor measured by the sensing sensor 2 may be compared with the reference value, It is possible to confirm whether or not it exists at the target position.

The control unit 5 may open the extraction port 1 to supply the fluid to the container 3 when the container 3 is determined to be present at the target position, A confirmation buzzer, a display device, or the like may be output to confirm that the target position is in the target position.

On the contrary, if it is determined that the container 3 is not present at the target position, the extraction port 1 may be closed or closed so as not to supply the fluid.

At this time, it is possible to output the absence of the container 3 at the target position through a notification sound, a confirmation lamp, a display device, or the like. In particular, when it is determined that the container 3 is detected, A warning sound or the like may be output to alert the user.

The abnormality determination mode is for confirming whether the detection sensor 2 is operating normally, and the user can prepare the abnormality determination mode by first positioning the predetermined reference container at the target position. Thereafter, when the sensing sensor 2 provides the magnitude of the sensing signal reflected from the reference container to the controller 5, the controller 5 controls the magnitude of the sensed signal 2) is operating normally.

When the sensing sensor 2 operates normally and a predetermined reference container having a preset reflectance and thickness is located at the target position, May be stored in advance. That is, if the sensing sensor 2 operates normally, the magnitude of the sensing signal reflected from the reference container is included in the normal range stored in the controller 5. Therefore, the control unit 5 can check whether the detection sensor 2 is operating normally by comparing the magnitude of the detection signal inputted in the abnormal determination mode with the normal range.

If the size of the sensed signal is included in the normal range, the sensing sensor 2 can be determined to be operating normally, and the sensing sensor 2 can be operated through a buzzer, a confirmation lamp, It is possible to inform the user of the normal operation.

On the other hand, when the magnitude of the sensing signal deviates from the normal range, the sensing sensor 2 can be determined to operate abnormally, and the sensing signal can be detected by the sensing sensor 2 It is possible to notify the user of the abnormality.

The reference value setting mode can set a reference value for determining that the container 3 is present at the target position. The type of the container 3 used by the user may be various, and the surface characteristics such as the reflectance of each container may be different from each other. For example, if a paper cup and a stainless steel cup are placed in the same position, the magnitude of the sensed signal reflected from each paper cup and the stainless steel cup will be different from each other.

3 shows the positions of the containers 3a, 3b and 3c having different surface characteristics, such as the paper cup and the stainless steel cup, at which the sensing signals of the same size are input to the sensing sensor 2 will be. In the case of the container 3a, the detection signal corresponding to the reference value is inputted to the detection sensor 2 in the vertical lower part of the extraction port 1, but in case of the container 3b, the detection signal corresponding to the reference value Is inputted to the detection sensor (2). In the case of the container 3c, the magnitude of the sensing signal corresponding to the reference value is inputted before the extraction port 1 is opened.

3, even if sensing signals of the same size are input to the sensing sensor 2, each of the containers 3a, 3b, and 3c may exist at different positions, It is necessary to change the reference value depending on the type of the container 3a, 3b, or 3c.

In one embodiment of setting the reference value according to the container, the control unit 5 may set the reference value according to the input of the user. In this case, the user can directly set the reference value of the sensing signal according to the type of each container. For example, selecting one of the plurality of reference values provided by the container sensing device as the reference value for the container It is possible. That is, the container sensing apparatus may provide reference value ranges corresponding to (a) to (c) of FIG. 4, and may allow the user to select any one of the reference value ranges. Therefore, the user who mainly uses the container 3a can set the reference value of the sensing signal from 2.0v to 2.6v, and when the container 3b is mainly used, the reference value of the sensing signal can be set to 2.3v to 2.9v. Also, when the container 3c is mainly used, 1.7v to 2.3v can be set as the reference value of the sensing signal. The larger the distance between the sensing sensor 2 and the container, the greater the magnitude of the sensing signal input to the sensing sensor 2, so that the reference value can be selected as described above.

According to another embodiment, after the user enters the reference value setting mode, if the user places a container to be used at the target position, the controller 5 stores the magnitude of the sensing signal measured by the sensing sensor 2 And can be set to the reference value.

Further, when the user uses a container having a plurality of mutually different surface characteristics, it is possible to position each container at the target position and input the magnitude of the sensing signal for each container, The magnitude of the input sensed signal may be averaged to be set as the reference value.

In addition, since the distance from the detection sensor 2 to the extraction port 1 can be known in advance, a point exceeding the distance from the detection sensor 2 to the extraction port 1 is set as a limit point of the container detection device . That is, if the container is detected after the limit, it is not considered, and malfunction due to container detection after the limit can be prevented.

Although not shown, there may be various types of water treatment apparatuses including the container sensing apparatus. Here, the water treatment apparatus may be collectively referred to as a water purifier, a functional water heater, a water heater, a water cooler, an ice maker, and a device having a combination of at least a part of these functions.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a container sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a container sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a sensing sensor checking step S10, a reference value setting step S20, a waiting step S30, a sensing signal inputting step S40, Step S50.

Hereinafter, a container sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the detection sensor checking step (S10), it is possible to check whether the detection sensor operates normally by comparing the size of the detection signal with the reference value. That is, through the sensing sensor checking step (S10), it is possible to confirm in advance whether or not the sensing sensor for sensing the position of the container is normally operated before the container sensing is started.

6, the sensing sensor checking step S10 includes a checking mode entry step S11, a reference container position step S12, a sensing step S13, and an abnormality determining step S14, as shown in FIG. 6 .

First, in the confirming mode entering step S11, the checking mode can be changed to a confirming mode for checking whether the sensing sensor is operating normally. That is, the container sensing apparatus operating in the normal operation mode can be switched to the confirmation mode for confirming whether the sensing sensor is normally operated through the confirmation mode entry process (S11).

Thereafter, the reference container can be positioned at the target position through the reference container position process S12. The target position corresponds to a position at which the container can receive the fluid discharged from the extraction port, and the reference container may be a container having a predetermined surface property such as predetermined reflectivity, thickness, and the like. Here, the reference container may be provided with the container sensing device.

In the sensing step S13, the sensing sensor may output a sensing signal to the reference container, and the sensing signal reflected from the surface of the reference container may be received through the sensing sensor.

In the abnormality determination process (S14), the magnitude of the input sensed signal is compared with a predetermined normal range, and if the magnitude of the sensed signal is within the normal range, it can be determined that the sensing sensor operates normally. Here, when the magnitude of the sensing signal is out of the normal range, it can be determined that the sensing sensor is abnormal, and an alarm can be output to inform the user.

Here, the embodiment in which the sensing sensor checking step S10 is performed first has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to perform the sensing sensor checking step S10 during the waiting step S30.

If it is confirmed through the detection sensor checking step (S10) that there is no abnormality in the detection sensor, a reference value for detecting the container can be set. That is, the reference value corresponding to the distance from the detection sensor to the target position can be set through the reference value setting step (S20). When the detection signal corresponding to the reference value is input to the detection sensor, it can be determined that the container is located at the target position. Therefore, the reference value setting is important for accurate container detection.

According to an embodiment, the reference value setting step (S20) may change the operation mode of the container sensing apparatus to the reference value setting mode and set the reference value according to the input of the user. That is, the user can directly set the reference value of the sensing signal according to the type of each container. For example, when the user selects the type of container, a preset reference value corresponding to the type of each container is selected It is possible.

According to another embodiment, the reference value setting step (S20) may change the operation mode of the container sensing apparatus to the reference value setting mode, and then place the container to be used at the target position. Thereafter, when the sensing signal output from the sensing sensor is reflected from the container and input to the sensing sensor, the magnitude of the sensing signal may be set as a reference value for the container.

Here, it is also possible to measure the magnitude of the sensing signal for each of the plurality of containers, calculate an average value of the measured magnitude of the sensing signal, and then set the average value as the reference value.

In addition, the reference value setting step S30 may set the maximum threshold value to the upper limit of the error range if the maximum value of the error range set for the reference value exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold value. Likewise, if the minimum value of the error range is less than a predetermined minimum threshold value, the minimum threshold value can be set to the lower limit of the error range. In order to prevent malfunction due to vessel detection in the region exceeding the maximum limit value and the minimum limit value by preventing the container from being detected when the container is detected in an area exceeding the maximum limit value and the minimum limit value range to be.

When the sensing sensor operates normally and the setting of the reference value is completed, it is possible to perform container sensing to check whether the container exists at the target position.

The waiting step S30 may output a sensing signal using the sensing sensor and wait for the sensing signal to be reflected back from the surface of the container. The output of the sensing signal may be performed every predetermined period, and power saving control may be applied for power saving. For example, if there is no additional container detection until a predetermined time elapses from the time when the container is finally detected, the output period of the detection signal may be set to be relatively long, Such as controlling the user's access or setting the output period of the sensing signal to be relatively short when the illuminance around the container sensing device is detected to be higher than a certain level.

In the sensing signal input step S40, when the sensing signal is input to the sensing sensor, the sensing signal size may be compared with the reference value. In a sensing step S50, If it is confirmed that the container is included in the error range, it can be determined that the container exists at the target position. If it is determined that the container exists at the target position, the extraction port may be opened to supply fluid to the container. If it is determined that the container is not present at the target position, .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1: extraction port 2: detection sensor
3: container (container) 4: tray portion
5:
S10: Detection sensor check step S11: Confirmation mode entry process
S12: Reference vessel position process S13: Sensing process
S14: abnormality judgment process S20: reference value setting step
S30: standby step S40: detection signal input step
S50: container sensing step

Claims (9)

A container sensing method for sensing whether a container exists at a predetermined target position,
A reference value setting step of setting a reference value corresponding to a distance from the detection sensor to the target position;
A waiting step of outputting a sensing signal using the sensing sensor and waiting for input of the sensing signal reflected from the surface of the container;
A sensing signal input step of, when the sensing signal is input to the sensing sensor, comparing the magnitude of the sensing signal with the reference value; And
And a container sensing step of determining that the container exists at the target position if the size of the sensing signal is within an error range of the reference value.
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference value setting step
Changing a reference value setting mode for setting the reference value, and setting the reference value according to a user's input.
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference value setting step
Changing a reference value setting mode for setting the reference value;
Positioning the container to be used at the target position; And
And setting the magnitude of the input sensed signal as a reference value for the container when the sensing signal is input to the sensing sensor.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the reference value setting step
Measuring a magnitude of the sensing signal for each of the plurality of containers, calculating an average value of the sensed signals, and setting the average value as the reference value.
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference value setting step
If the maximum value of the error range exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold value, sets the maximum threshold value to an upper limit of the error range, and if the minimum value of the error range is less than a predetermined minimum threshold value, Of the container.
The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a sensing sensor check step of comparing the magnitude of the sensing signal with the reference value to determine whether the sensing sensor operates normally.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sensing sensor check step
A confirming mode entering step of changing a confirming mode for confirming whether the detecting sensor is normally operated;
A reference container position process for positioning the reference container at the target position;
A sensing process in which the sensing sensor receives the sensing signal reflected back from the surface of the reference container; And
And an abnormality determining step of determining that the sensing sensor operates normally if the magnitude of the input sensed signal is within a predetermined normal range with respect to the reference container.
8. The method according to claim 7,
And when the magnitude of the sensing signal is out of the normal range, it is determined that the sensing sensor is operating abnormally and an alarm is output.
A container sensing apparatus for sensing whether a container exists at a predetermined target position,
A tray portion provided at a lower portion of an extraction port for discharging the fluid, wherein the tray portion is located;
A sensor for outputting a sensing signal and receiving the sensing signal reflected from the surface of the container; And
And a control unit for determining whether the container exists in the target position in a normal operation mode, determining whether the sensing sensor operates normally in an abnormality determination mode, and setting the reference value in a standard value setting mode.

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