KR20210007505A - Arcificial intelligence air treating apparatus and the controlling method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air treatment device, and more specifically, to an air treatment device which treats air to purify the air or supplies moisture to the air to humidify the air. According to one embodiment of the present invention, provided are a method for controlling the air treatment device and the air treatment device which comprises: a camera unit generating video information for sensing a pet; a calculation unit sensing the pet through the video information and estimating a living area of the pet; an air treatment unit having a filter unit filtering foreign substances in the introduced air to treat the air; a driving unit sucking the air from the outside to supply the air to the air treatment unit and discharging the air to the outside; and a processor controlling the driving unit to discharge the air toward the living area estimated by the calculation unit to perform a pet mode.

Description

Artificial intelligence air treating apparatus and the controlling method of the same}

The present invention relates to an air processor, and more particularly, to an air processor that purifies air by processing air or supplies moisture to air to humidify it.

The air handler includes an air purifier for supplying clean air by treating air in a limited space such as a home or office to remove foreign substances, odors, dust or fine dust from the air, and a humidifier that supplies moisture to the air and humidifies it. can do.

In recent years, user requirements for air quality have been very high. That is, an air processor that performs both an air cleaning function and a humidification function is provided to control not only clean air but also appropriate humidity.

Basically, such an air handler can be regarded as a device that sucks air outside the air handler, that is, indoors, and supplies the processed air to the outside of the air handler. In this case, various types of filters may be provided to filter fine dust, dust, or foreign substances in the air, and functions of purifying air in various forms through water, electrolysis, or chemical substances may be mounted. In addition, in addition to the filter function, a humidification function for supplying moisture to the air may also be installed.

In recent years, many air handlers that have a dust sensor mounted and capable of increasing the air treatment intensity and air volume according to the detected dust concentration have become popular. That is, the air processor is optimally operated according to the amount of dust, so that the user can use the air processor more conveniently and easily.

However, although the filter of the air handler is gradually evolving to detect and process even fine dust, it is not easy to detect relatively large foreign substances such as pet hair.

Recently, the number of users with pets in the home is increasing rapidly. Therefore, the filter may be clogged due to the pet's hair, and thus, there may be a problem in that the air handler does not perform optimal air treatment.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier capable of optimally performing air treatment when a user and a pet live together indoors.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier capable of estimating a living area of a pet and providing the processed air to the living area.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is intended to provide an air processor capable of optimally controlling the intensity of air cleanliness, air volume, and wind direction according to the degree of the activity amount by estimating the motion or activity amount of the pet through a vision sensor.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is intended to provide an air handler having a pet mode that automatically operates by detecting a pet together with an automatic mode that operates automatically based on the amount of dust.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air processor through which a user can easily select an automatic mode and a pet mode according to an environment.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air processor capable of automatically switching a driving mode between an automatic mode and a pet mode.

Through an embodiment of the present invention, it is intended to provide an air handler capable of minimizing the load by minimizing detection and analysis of pets.

In order to realize the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a camera unit for generating image information (vision information) to detect a pet; An operation unit that detects a pet through the image information (vision information) and estimates a living area of the pet; An air treatment unit for processing air, including a filter unit for filtering foreign substances from the introduced air; A driving unit that sucks air from the outside, supplies it to the air processing unit, and discharges the air to the outside; Further, it is possible to provide an air processor including a processor for performing a pet mode by controlling the driving unit to discharge air toward the living area estimated by the operation unit and a control method thereof.

The driving unit may include a fan motor capable of generating a flow of air and being driven to vary the amount of air.

The driving unit may include a wind direction motor that can be driven to vary the air discharge direction (wind direction).

The air treatment unit may include an air treatment device that is driven to remove or separate foreign substances, dust, fine dust, or odor molecules from the air by electric drive. The air treatment unit may include a humidifying device that supplies moisture to the air by electric drive.

The air handler may include a dust sensor for sensing a concentration of dust in the air and a control panel for providing a user interface.

The calculation unit may be provided to estimate an activity amount or an accumulated activity amount of the pet through the image information.

The control panel may be provided with a display unit that visually displays the detected activity amount or accumulated activity amount of the pet.

The control panel may be provided with a display unit that displays the replacement or cleaning time of the filter unit based on the detected activity amount or accumulated activity amount of the pet.

It is preferable that the control panel includes a driving mode selector provided to allow a user to select any one of a plurality of driving modes.

The plurality of driving modes may include the pet mode and an automatic mode in which the air cleaning intensity and the air volume are varied according to the dust concentration detected by the dust sensor.

In the automatic mode, it is preferable that the air discharge direction (wind direction) is continuously or periodically changed.

When the pet mode is activated, the processor may control the driving unit differently according to the degree of the activity amount.

When the amount of activity is low, the processor may control the pet mode by switching to an automatic mode in which an air cleaning intensity and an air volume are differently controlled based on a dust concentration detected by the dust sensor.

When the activity amount is low, the processor may stop the operation of the air cleaning unit and the driving unit. That is, air circulation and air cleaning functions may be stopped while power is applied.

When the activity amount is high, the processor may control a wind direction toward the living area while the air cleanliness intensity and air volume are relatively high. For example, when the air cleanliness intensity and the air volume are each provided at three levels of intensity, it can be operated at a strong level.

When the activity amount is medium, the processor may control the air cleanliness intensity and air volume so that the wind direction is directed toward the living area in a relatively low state. For example, when the air cleanliness intensity and the air volume are each provided at three levels of intensity, it may be operated in an intermediate or weak stage.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a dust detection sensor and a processor for performing operation in an automatic mode that automatically controls the air volume and the air treatment intensity according to the dust concentration detected by the dust sensor are provided. An air processor comprising: a camera unit for generating image information to detect a pet; A calculation unit that detects a pet through the image information and estimates a living area and activity amount of the pet; An air treatment unit for processing air, including a filter unit for filtering foreign substances from the introduced air; And a driving unit that sucks air from the outside, supplies it to the air processing unit, and discharges the air to the outside, and the processor includes: when the estimated activity amount is greater than or equal to a preset value during the automatic mode operation, the estimated life An air processor and a control method thereof, characterized in that the operation is performed by switching to a pet mode that discharges air toward the area, may be provided.

In the automatic mode driving, when the estimated activity amount is smaller than a preset value or classified as the lowest level, it is preferable to control to continue the automatic mode driving.

The estimated activity amount is classified into upper and lower, upper, middle, or 4 or more, and the air treatment intensity and air volume may be controlled to increase as the classification of the estimated activity amount increases.

When the switching operation to the pet mode is finished, it is preferable that the automatic mode operation is resumed.

In the automatic mode, the wind direction is controlled to change continuously or periodically in the maximum range that can be changed, and in the pet mode, the wind direction is fixed or continuously or periodically changed within a range corresponding to the estimated living area. This is desirable.

The driving in the automatic mode and the pet mode differ from each other in factors that determine the air volume and the intensity of air cleaning. In the automatic mode, the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor is used as a factor, and in the pet mode, the amount of activity of the detected and estimated pet can be used as a factor.

Further, in the driving in the automatic mode and the pet mode, wind direction control may be performed differently from each other. In the automatic mode, the wind direction is determined and controlled in all possible areas, and in the pet mode, the wind direction is determined and controlled in a specific area. Therefore, it can be said that the area to which air is directly supplied in the automatic mode is larger than the area to which air is directly supplied in the pet mode.

Features in the above-described embodiments may be implemented in combination in other embodiments as long as they are not contradictory or exclusive.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air purifier capable of estimating a living area of a pet and providing the processed air to the living area.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air processor capable of optimally controlling the air cleaning intensity, air volume, and wind direction according to the degree of the activity amount by estimating the motion, activity amount, or cumulative activity amount of the pet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air processor having an automatic mode that automatically operates based on the amount of dust and a pet mode that automatically operates by detecting a pet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air processor in which a user can easily select an automatic mode and a pet mode according to an environment.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air processor capable of automatically switching a driving mode between an automatic mode and a pet mode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air handler capable of minimizing the load by minimizing the pet detection, the pet's motion or activity amount detection and analysis.

Through an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to estimate the degree of hair loss through detection of the amount of activity and motion of the pet, and provide an air handler capable of effectively presenting a filter cleaning or replacement cycle based on the estimated accumulated activity amount. have.

1 shows the external appearance of an air treatment machine applicable to an example of the present invention,
2 shows a control configuration of an air processor according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a diagram showing a user interface of an air handler according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 shows a control flow of the air processor according to an embodiment of the present invention,
5 shows a control flow of an air processor according to another embodiment of the present invention,
6 shows an example of a control method in a pet mode in the air processor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows the appearance of an air purifier applicable to an embodiment of the present invention as an example of an air handler.

The air handler 10 includes a case 20 forming an external shape, and the case may be formed in various shapes.

For example, a small-capacity air handler may be provided with either the upper case 22 or the lower case 23, and the large-capacity air handler is formed in a form in which the upper case 22 and the lower case 23 are stacked. Can be.

The case 20 may include a discharge case 21, and the discharge case 21 may be provided to be movable in the upper case 22 or the lower case 23.

The upper case 22 and/or the lower case 23 may be provided with an inlet 40 through which air is introduced from the outside, and the discharge case 21 has a discharge port 50 through which air is discharged to the outside. It can be provided. In many cases, air may be introduced from the lower portion of the air handler 10 and air may be discharged from the upper portion.

The air introduced into the air processor through the inlet 40 is treated through the air treatment unit and then discharged through the discharge port 50. Accordingly, a fan motor for generating a flow of air, a wind direction motor for varying a discharge direction of air, and an air treatment unit for processing air may be provided inside the case 20.

The filter unit, fan motor, wind direction motor, and air treatment unit will be described later.

The case 20 may be provided with a control panel 30 for a user interface (UI). 1 shows an example in which the control panel 30 is provided in the discharge case 21. As described above, since the shape and shape of the case of the air handler can be changed in a wide variety, the position of the control panel 30 can be changed. However, it would be desirable that the control panel 30 is located on the front upper part of the case 20 so that the user can access and operate easily.

FIG. 1 shows an air purifier provided so that the discharge case 21 rotates 360 degrees with respect to the upper case 22. That is, it can be said that the variable range of wind direction is 360 degrees. Of course, when the shape of the case 20 is not a cylindrical shape but a square shape, the wind direction variable range may be varied by approximately 180 degrees.

The air handler according to the present embodiment may include a camera 110. The camera 110 may be provided to generate image information by photographing indoors. Therefore, the camera is preferably provided on the front surface of the case 20.

In the case of the cylindrical case 20, it may not be easy to identify the front surface of the case. In this case, by displaying a manufacturer logo or the like on the case 20, the front surface of the case 20 may be identified through this.

1 shows an example in which the camera 110 is provided on the front surface of the upper case 110. The camera 110 may be provided on the control panel 30 or the discharge case 21. That is, as long as it is a position where an indoor area can be most effectively photographed in front of the air handler, a camera may be provided in any part of the air handler.

Hereinafter, a control configuration of the air processor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail through FIG. 2.

The camera unit 100 may include the camera 110 and the camera control unit 120. The camera controller 120 communicates with the main processor 300 of the air processor and may control the operation of the camera 110. The camera unit 100 provides image information photographed indoors to the operation unit 200.

The operation unit 200 performs a function of processing and analyzing the image information provided from the camera unit 100.

The calculation unit 200 may include a pet detection unit 210 that detects a pet through image information. That is, it may be provided to detect a pet through the motion, size, and position of the object within the image information.

The operation unit 200 may include an area detection unit 220 that detects a living area of a pet. That is, it may be provided to distinguish the living area and the non-living area through the detected movement position and path of the pet.

The operation unit 200 may include an activity amount detection unit 230 that detects an activity amount of a pet. That is, it may be provided to detect the amount of activity of the pet through the detected movement speed and movement range of the pet. For example, it is possible to detect a pet's slow walking and running, and the pet's stretching or shaking the body may be distinguished and detected. In particular, the motion of shaking the body of the pet can be referred to as a fluttering motion. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the degree of fluttering by detecting the fluttering motion and estimating the degree and frequency of the fluttering motion. The tracking of the degree of fluttering can be increased by cumulative activity.

Here, the pet detection unit 210, the area detection unit 220, and the activity level detection unit 230 may be implemented through modules that are separated from each other, and may be implemented through any one module.

The pet detection, area detection, and activity level detection may be implemented by artificial intelligence logic, and an estimated result is output through image information.

The operation unit 200 may include a control signal generation unit 240 that generates an output result of the detection units 210, 220, and 230 as a control signal. The control signal generator may generate a control signal according to whether a pet is detected, estimated area information, and estimated activity amount information, and transmit it to the main processor 300.

Through such a control signal, the main processor may determine whether the pet is detected, whether the pet's living area corresponds to which of the entire areas, and the amount of activity of the pet. The activity amount may include a real-time activity amount and may include an accumulated activity amount.

The main processor basically controls the operation of the air processor based on a user input through a user interface (UI) 35. The user interface will be described later.

In order for the air processor to process air, a drive unit, that is, a fan motor 60 for sucking and discharging external air must be provided. Since the intake and discharge of air are simultaneously performed through the driving of the fan motor 60, it may be referred to as a circulation fan motor. As the RPM of the fan motor 60 increases, the amount of air circulation may vary. That is, the amount of air discharged or air may vary.

Here, an increase in the air volume may be related to the intensity of air treatment. In other words, the greater the amount of air inhaled and discharged, the greater the amount of air to be processed. Therefore, as the amount of air to be treated increases, the intensity of air treatment must also increase.

It is preferable that the air discharge direction is variable. That is, it is preferable that not only the left-right variable but also the vertical variable are performed. This can be said to supply the evenly treated air to the room. To this end, a wind direction motor 70 may be provided. The wind direction motor 70 may change the position of the discharge port itself, or may change the discharge direction (wind direction) by moving the discharge grill.

The air treatment unit may include an air treatment unit 80. The air treatment unit 80 may basically include a filter 81. The filter may be provided in the form of a mesh, and may be provided to pass the filtered air by physically filtering dust or fine dust in the air. In general, the filter 81 is provided to filter when air passes through itself in a physical configuration, so it may not be a separate electric configuration.

The filter 81 may be regarded as the most basic configuration for air treatment. Filtering efficiency may be significantly lowered when a large amount of contaminants is filtered out of the mesh. Therefore, it is necessary to replace or clean the filter regularly or periodically.

In a general use environment, the replacement or cleaning timing of the filter 81 may be suggested or guided by the manufacturer. For example, replacement or cleaning of the filter may be suggested every 2-3 months in a continuous use environment.

However, such a use environment is based on a general indoor environment, and in particular, a use environment with a lot of pet hair is not premised. It can be said that pet hair is relatively large in size than the dust or fine dust that is filtered. Therefore, the efficiency of the filter inevitably decreases when the pet's hair is caught on the filter. Therefore, in an environment living indoors with pets, there is a need for a way to effectively manage the replacement or replacement timing of filters. In this embodiment, it is possible to propose a method for effectively managing the replacement or replacement timing of the filter through the pet mode. This will be described later.

The air treatment unit 80 may include an air cleaning unit 82. An air cleaning unit may be provided to effectively filter or remove odor molecules, dust, or fine dust in the air through electrolysis or water circulation.

The air cleaning unit 82 may be referred to as a configuration for purifying air through electric driving. Accordingly, whether or not to be driven directly through the control of the processor 300, the driving intensity, that is, the air cleaning intensity may be controlled to vary.

When the amount of dust is large through the dust sensor 400, it is preferable that the intensity of air cleaning is increased. That is, it is to clean the air by effectively removing a lot of dust in a short time. Conversely, when the amount of dust is small, it is preferable that the intensity of air cleaning is lowered. This is because the air cleaning efficiency is inevitably reduced. Here, as described above, the dust sensor 400 generally cannot detect bulky contaminants such as pet hair. Therefore, since the dust sensor 400 cannot detect the increase or decrease of the pet's hair, a separate countermeasure is required. In this embodiment, through the camera unit and the operation unit, it is possible to provide an air handler capable of actively responding to the hair of a pet that cannot be detected by the dust sensor. This will be described later.

The air treatment unit 80 may include a humidification unit 83. The humidifying unit 83 may generate moisture through ultrasonic vibration or heating. In addition, the humidifying unit 83 may be forcibly humidified by increasing the contact area between water and air. Accordingly, the humidifying unit 83 may also be referred to as an electric configuration in which driving is actively controlled through the processor 300.

The air handler according to the present embodiment may be a humidifier provided with the humidifying unit 83 and not provided with the air purifying unit 82. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment may be an air purifier provided with the air cleaner 82 without the humidifying part 83. The air processor according to the present embodiment may be a humidifier and air purifier in which both the humidifying unit 83 and the air purifying unit 82 are provided.

Hereinafter, a user interface (UI) of the air processor according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. For convenience, since the UI is provided on the control panel, the control panel and the UI will be described with the same reference numeral 35. The illustrated UI may be referred to as the UI of the air purifier to which the humidification function is not applied. As described above, the illustrated UI may be appropriately modified as the detailed configuration of the air treatment unit 80 is changed.

The user interface 30 may include a power input unit 38. The power input unit 38 may be selected by a user to input power of the air processor, and when power is input, the air processor may be operated in a basically set operation mode. Of course, the air processor may be operated by the user selecting the operation mode after power is applied. The power input unit 38 may be provided in the form of a button.

The user interface 30 may include various input units 39.

The input unit 39 may include a driving mode input unit 39a. A plurality of driving modes may be provided, and a current driving mode may be changed according to the selection of the driving mode input unit. The operation mode input unit 39a may be provided in the form of a button. Driving mode display units 33 and 34 for displaying the driving mode input through the driving mode input unit 39a may be provided.

As described above, in the air processor, the control factors may be the intensity of air treatment, the direction of air, and the amount of air in the air treatment unit 80. The driving mode is that these control factors are automatically controlled irrespective of the user's input. In addition, the user can manually select these control factors. In other words, it can be possible to select an option. Accordingly, a plurality of option selection units 39b, 39c, and 39d may be provided so that the user selects each control factor. For example, a selection unit 39b capable of changing the intensity of air cleaning, a selection unit 39c capable of changing the intensity of the air volume, and a selection unit 39d capable of changing the wind direction may be provided.

When the user selects a specific driving mode and selects the option selector, the option selected by the option selector may be reflected in the specific driving mode to perform driving.

The operation mode may include an automatic mode. The automatic mode may be referred to as a mode in which the air handler automatically operates based on the amount of dust detected through the dust sensor 400. In other words, it can be said to be a mode in which the air volume, wind direction and air treatment intensity are automatically set and operated. For example, when the amount of dust increases, the air volume and the intensity of air treatment are set to increase, and when the amount of dust decreases, the air volume and the intensity of air treatment are set to decrease.

The wind direction in automatic mode can be changed continuously or periodically in the maximum variable range. In the air processor that is variable 360 degrees left and right, the wind direction motor 70 may be driven and controlled so that the wind direction is changed 360 degrees. In an air processor that is variable 180 degrees left and right, the wind direction motor 70 may be driven and controlled so that the wind direction is changed 180 degrees. In the automatic mode, the indoor air must be cleaned evenly, so it is preferable that the wind direction is varied in the maximum variable range.

In the automatic mode (auto mode), if the air cleanliness intensity is strongly selected through the option selection unit 39b, the air cleanliness intensity can always be strongly operated during the automatic mode operation. Similarly, the wind direction and air volume can be set differently by the option selector.

The user interface 30 may include a selection unit 39e for checking a dust state and a selection unit 39f for setting a reservation.

When the user presses the dust selector 39e, the current amount of dust detected by the dust sensor may be displayed through the dust display unit 31. 32). Whether dust or fine dust and their amount (number) can be displayed respectively. Whether or not odor particles are detected may also be indicated.

When the user selects the dust selector 39e, the current state of air can be intuitively and easily grasped through the information displayed on the dust display unit 31.

The user may set the bedtime as an example of a specific time through the reservation selection unit 39f. By selecting a reservation time, the operation of the air purifier can be controlled to minimize operating noise at this time.

The display unit may include mode display units 33 and 34 that display the currently selected driving mode.

The display unit may include a clean display unit 35 that displays the current level of air cleanliness step by step and/or displays whether the cleanliness level is automatically operated.

The display unit may include an activity amount display unit 36 that displays the level of the activity amount or the accumulated activity amount of the pet in stages. The activity amount display unit 36 may display the current or real-time activity amount of the pet when driving in the pet mode. In addition, the activity amount display unit 36 may display the accumulated activity amount of the pet when driving in a mode other than the pet mode driving or when the driving is stopped (while power is applied).

Here, the cumulative activity amount of the pet may be related to the replacement or cleaning time of the filter. That is, if the accumulated activity amount of the pet is large during a short period of time, it may mean that a lot of pet hair is hung inside the filter. Therefore, when the level of the cumulative activity level is high, it can be said to indicate that the replacement or cleaning time of the filter has arrived.

Accordingly, the user can intuitively and easily grasp the replacement timing of the filter through the display of the display unit, in particular, the activity amount display unit 36 of the pet.

When the filter is separated from the case 20, the accumulation of the activity amount may be initialized. Accordingly, when the filter is removed and then reinstalled to replace or clean the filter, the accumulated activity amount may be initialized and displayed, so that the user can intuitively and easily check whether the filter replacement and cleaning are completed.

The plurality of driving modes may include an automatic mode, and may include a pet mode differentiated from the automatic mode. In addition, it may include a strong mode in which the intensity of air cleanliness and air volume are strongly driven, and a general mode in which the intensity of air cleanliness and air volume are weakly operated. These strong and normal modes can be said to be automatically operated through a certain pattern or setting logic regardless of the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor.

As described above, the automatic mode can be said to be a mode in which the air volume and the cleanliness intensity are automatically variably controlled based on the amount of dust detected through the fine dust sensor when there is no option selection by the option selector. At this time, the wind direction will be continuously or periodically changed and operated to supply air in the maximum variable range. That is, it will not be controlled to supply air to a specific area or a specific range within the maximum range.

Of course, even in the strong mode and the normal mode, when there is no option selection by the option selector, the wind direction will be continuously or periodically changed in order to supply air in a variable maximum range.

However, in the pet mode in the air processor according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the wind direction is actively controlled. That is, the driving of the wind direction motor 70 may be actively controlled so that air is supplied to the detected pet activity area.

Here, the detected or estimated active area may be covered without changing the wind direction. In this case, in the pet mode, the processor may control the driving of the wind direction motor 60 so that the wind direction does not change. Of course, the driving of the wind direction motor may be controlled so that the wind direction is first directed toward the active area, and then the driving of the wind direction motor may be controlled so that the wind direction is maintained.

Also, the detected or estimated active area may be covered by changing the wind direction to some extent. Of course, the area of activity will be limited to a partial range smaller than the maximum wind direction range. In this case, in the pet mode, the processor may control the wind direction motor 60 to change the wind direction so that the wind volume periodically or continuously varies within a range corresponding to the active area.

Here, it is preferable for the following reasons to focus the wind direction on the detected or estimated active area of the pet.

In the pet's active area, it can be said that the pet's hair scatters a lot. It can also be said to be an area with a lot of dust scattering due to pet activity.

Therefore, by concentrating the air supply to the active area, the scattered dust can flow and flow into the air handler. Through this, air treatment can be performed more efficiently.

In addition, pet fur is heavier and bulkier than dust. Therefore, if the air supply is concentrated in the active area, it can be said that the pet's hair is concentrated in the corner of the room and the distance to the air handler is increased. That is, it is possible to some extent prevent the pet's hair from entering the air handler. In addition, it may be easier for the user to clean the pet's fur by allowing the pet's fur to be concentrated in some corners of the active area.

The air handler according to the present embodiment may detect the activity area and the amount of activity of the pet. In other words, it is possible to detect the degree of activity. It can be said that as the amount of activity increases, the scattering of dust and hair increases. Therefore, it is possible to increase the intensity of air cleaning and the intensity of the air volume according to the degree of the activity amount. This means supplying more air to the active area. Therefore, not only the wind direction control but also the air volume and the degree of air cleanliness are differently controlled, so that air pollution and hair scattering problems by pets can be effectively solved.

Meanwhile, the pet mode and the automatic mode are separate driving modes and may be exclusively selected through the driving mode selection unit 39a. In contrast, the pet mode may be performed during automatic mode driving.

That is, the pet mode is not provided for the user to select through the driving mode selection unit 39a, but may be automatically performed.

For example, when the automatic mode is selected and a pet is detected while driving, driving may be switched from the automatic mode to the pet mode. In particular, when the level of the activity amount of the detected pet is greater than or equal to a set value, driving may be switched to the pet mode.

After driving in the pet mode for a set time, it can be switched back to the automatic mode to drive. If a pet is no longer detected while driving in the pet mode, it can be switched back to the automatic mode to drive.

In this case, even if the user does not manually select the pet mode, the pet mode can be automatically performed, so that use may be more convenient. However, in this case, it is preferable that the user can grasp that the pet mode is performed when necessary. To this end, it would be desirable to display to the user that the air handler is operating in the pet mode through the activity amount display unit 36 or through another display unit as described above.

Hereinafter, a control method of an air processor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

In the present embodiment, the pet mode may be separately provided in the air processor, and may be provided separately from other driving modes among the plurality of driving modes.

When power is applied and the pet mode is selected or activated is determined (S20), image information or vision information is generated and acquired (S30) through the camera unit 100 may be performed. The main processor 300 may control the camera drive through the camera controller 120. The camera 110 photographs an indoor space and generates image information or vision information.

The generated and acquired image information or vision information may be analyzed (S40) through the operation unit 200.

The analysis step (S40) may include a step of recognizing or detecting a pet, and such recognition or detection may be evolved through learning.

The analyzing step (S40) may include analyzing the location information of the detected pet. That is, the step of estimating the active area of the pet from the entire area recognized through image information or vision information may be performed.

This analysis step (S40) may include analyzing information on the amount of activity of the pet. That is, the step of estimating information such as the behavior of the pet, the degree of movement, and the speed of movement through image information or vision information may be performed. Through this, the level of activity can be estimated. In addition, it is possible to estimate the degree of cumulative activity.

After the analysis step (S40) is finished, an operation (S50) of the air processor may be performed based on the analyzed information.

The specific driving logic in the pet mode will be described later.

While driving in the pet mode, a step (S60) of informing the user of information on replacement or cleaning of a filter may be performed based on the analyzed information.

The pet mode may be continuously performed before changing to another driving mode and as long as power is not released.

Meanwhile, the air processor may be connected to an external server in communication. For example, it may be communicated with an external server through Wi-Fi.

The air processor may transmit the acquired image information or vision information to the external server. The external server can identify the type of pet based on the information provided. The identification of the kind of such pet can be performed through artificial intelligence learning through vision information.

When the artificial intelligence module is installed in the air processor, the type of pet can be identified through the vision information in the air processor itself. Of course, even in this case, the type of pet may be more accurately identified by the artificial intelligence module installed in the server.

It can be said that the identification of the type of pet is related to information about the moulting period. It is possible to operate the air handler more effectively by using the information of the specific pet and its molting time.

In this embodiment, it can be seen that the generation and acquisition of image information or vision information through the camera unit, and analysis of the information can be performed only when the user selects the pet mode. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize unnecessary load on the air handler by allowing these steps to be performed only when necessary.

Hereinafter, a control method of an air handler according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. It is similar to the above-described embodiment, except that the relationship between the automatic mode and the pet mode is switched.

In the present embodiment, the pet mode may be referred to as a mode that is automatically performed when necessary, not a mode separately selected by the user. For example, it may be said that the pet mode is performed only when necessary while the automatic mode is performed.

This is because the automatic mode is a driving mode that the user selects the most, and it is necessary to automatically operate the air handler for not only the degree of dust but also the influence of pets.

First, when power is applied and the air processor starts operation (S100), it may be determined whether or not in the automatic mode (S110).

In the automatic mode, the air volume and air quality are automatically adjusted and operated based on the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor. In addition, the wind direction can be controlled to be variable in a maximum variable range. Detailed driving logic in the automatic mode may be the same as described above.

During the automatic mode driving, image information acquisition (S130) and pet position analysis (S130) may be performed. These steps may be the same as in the above-described embodiment.

Based on the information analyzed or estimated in the analysis step, it may be determined whether the pet mode driving is necessary. That is, it may be determined whether to switch driving from the automatic mode to the pet mode. When switching is not necessary, the driving is continued in the automatic mode, and when switching is necessary, the driving is switched to the pet mode and performed.

When the driving is switched to the pet mode, the driving is controlled to the pet mode (S160). This may be the same control as in the above-described driving control (S50). Similarly, the filter notification (S170) step is also the same.

The pet mode may be performed for a set time. After the set time has elapsed, the pet mode may be switched back to the automatic mode.

In this embodiment, it can be seen that generation and acquisition of image information or vision information through the camera unit, and analysis of information can be performed only when the user selects the automatic mode and the automatic mode is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize unnecessary load on the air handler by allowing these steps to be performed only when necessary.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the pet mode may be performed regardless of the user and the selection. Therefore, the user can use the air handler more easily. However, it is preferable to perform a notification step to the user through the display unit so that the user can more easily grasp the replacement or replacement timing of the filter through the execution of the pet mode and the pet mode.

The operation of the air handler in the pet mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

As shown, in the pet mode, the air handler may be operated to have different strengths according to the estimated amount of activity of the pet.

The level of activity may be determined by being divided into a plurality of stages, and may be divided into two stages, three stages, or four or more stages. 6 shows an example in which the level of activity is divided into three stages for convenience.

The intensity of air cleaning and the intensity of the air volume may be set and operated to increase as the amount of activity increases.

In pet mode, the air handler may not work during the least active phase. That is, while continuously detecting the pet, the fan motor, the wind direction motor, and the driving of the air processing unit may be stopped.

As described above, the difference between the pet mode and the automatic mode may be referred to as the control of the wind direction. In a stage in which the activity amount is least in the pet mode, the operation of the air handler may be controlled by switching to the auto mode. Of course, the step of continuously detecting the pets while being driven by switching to the auto mode may be performed.

In this case, the air volume, the air volume, and the air cleaning intensity may be controlled to vary based on the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor. Consequently, at this time, the air handler may be operated in a pet mode or substantially an automatic mode.

It is preferable to control the wind direction in the pet activity area in the stage where the activity level is greater than the stage in which the activity is the smallest. In addition, it is desirable to increase the intensity of air cleanliness and air volume as the amount of activity increases.

Here, in the step (including the step in which the activity is not detected) in the smallest amount of activity in the pet mode, the step of detecting the pet may be continuously or repeatedly performed. However, in order to prevent an increase in the load of the air handler, it is preferable that these steps are performed at predetermined time intervals.

However, in the pet mode, it is desirable to continuously detect the pet in the stage where the activity amount is greater than the stage in which the activity is the smallest. This is because in this case, it is more necessary to effectively cope with the influence of the pet rather than an increase in the load of the air handler.

Hereinafter, a method of detecting a pet and estimating a living area through image information or vision information will be described in detail.

Through the acquired image information or vision information, it is possible to detect a moving pet. That is, the pet can be detected through the change in the location of the object. And through the degree of position change, the behavior and activity of the pet can be estimated.

First, through image information or vision information, the air processor can distinguish distance steps such as near, medium, and long distances, and through this, the size and movement distance of the object can be calculated. In addition, it is possible to calculate the left and right positions as well as the perspective position of the object in the entire area. The cumulative result of such object detection can be input into a well-known deep neural network (DNN) based spatial detection algorithm. This algorithm is being used as a core model for deep learning.

Through such deep learning, it is possible to estimate the active area in the entire area. That is, deep learning may be performed using pet detection data as an input factor and an active area (living area) as an output factor. By concentrating the wind direction in the estimated activity area, it is possible to effectively minimize the influence of pets and effectively perform air treatment. In other words, according to the air processor according to the present embodiment, the active area of the pet is estimated and output through an artificial intelligence algorithm, and based on this, the wind direction is concentrated to the active area to minimize the influence of the pet. Air treatment can be carried out.

10: air handler 20: case
30: user interfacer (control panel) 40: suction unit
50: discharge unit 110: camera

Claims (17)

A camera unit for generating image information to detect a pet;
A calculation unit that detects a pet through the image information and estimates a living area of the pet;
An air treatment unit for processing air, including a filter unit for filtering foreign substances from the introduced air;
A driving unit that sucks air from the outside, supplies it to the air processing unit, and discharges the air to the outside; And
And a processor configured to perform a pet mode by controlling the driving unit to discharge air toward the living area estimated by the calculation unit. The method of claim 1,
An air handler comprising a dust sensor that detects the concentration of dust in the air and a control panel that provides a user interface. The method of claim 2,
And the calculation unit is provided to estimate an activity amount or an accumulated activity amount of the pet through the image information. The method of claim 3,
And a display unit for visually displaying the detected activity amount or accumulated activity amount of the pet on the control panel. The method of claim 3,
And a display unit for displaying the replacement or cleaning time of the filter unit based on the detected activity amount or accumulated activity amount of the pet on the control panel. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
And a driving mode selection unit provided on the control panel to allow a user to select any one of a plurality of driving modes. The method of claim 6,
The plurality of driving modes include the pet mode and an automatic mode in which the air cleaning intensity and the air volume are varied according to the dust concentration detected by the dust sensor. The method of claim 7,
In the automatic mode, the air processor, characterized in that the discharge direction (wind direction) of the air is continuously or periodically changed. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The processor, when activating the pet mode, controls the driving unit differently according to a degree of the amount of activity. The method of claim 9,
The processor, when the activity amount is low, converts the pet mode to an automatic mode in which the air cleaning intensity and the amount of air are differently controlled based on the dust concentration detected by the dust sensor to control the pet mode. The method of claim 9,
The processor, when the activity amount is low, to stop the operation of the air cleaning unit and the driving unit. The method of claim 9,
The processor, when the amount of activity is high, controls the wind direction toward the living area while the air cleanliness intensity and the air volume are strong. The method of claim 9,
And the processor, when the activity amount is medium, controls the wind direction toward the living area while the air cleanliness intensity and air volume are weak. An air processor comprising a dust detection sensor and a processor that operates in an automatic mode for automatically controlling an air volume and an air treatment intensity according to a dust concentration detected by the dust sensor,
A camera unit for generating image information to detect a pet;
A calculation unit that detects a pet through the image information and estimates a living area and activity amount of the pet;
An air treatment unit that processes (cleans/humidifies) air, including a filter unit that filters foreign substances from the introduced air; And
Including a driving unit that sucks air from the outside and supplies it to the air treatment unit, and discharges the air to the outside,
And the processor performs driving by switching to a pet mode for discharging air toward the estimated living area when the estimated activity amount is equal to or greater than a preset value during the automatic mode operation. The method of claim 14,
The estimated activity amount is classified into top and bottom, top, middle, or 4 or more, and the air treatment intensity and the air volume are controlled to increase as the classification of the estimated activity amount increases. The method of claim 15,
When the conversion operation to the pet mode is terminated, the automatic mode operation is resumed. The method of claim 15,
In the automatic mode, the wind direction is controlled to change continuously or periodically in the maximum range that can be changed,
In the pet mode, the wind direction is fixed or controlled to change continuously or periodically within a range corresponding to the estimated living area.

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