TWI812420B - Sterilizing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A sterilizing device and method are provided. The device includes a sensor, a light sterilizer, and a processor. The sensor is configured to generate a spatial state information of a sterilization area. The processor is electrically connected to the sensor and the light sterilizer. The processor receives the spatial state information from the sensor. The processor analyzes the spatial state information to determine a type of the illuminated object in the sterilization area. The processor controls the light sterilizer to execute one of a plurality of sterilizing modes for the sterilization area based on the type of the illuminated object.

Description

Antibacterial devices and methods

The present invention relates to an antibacterial device and method. Specifically, the present invention relates to a bacteriostatic device and method for executing a corresponding bacteriostatic mode based on sensing the status of a bacteriostatic zone.

In the prior art, antibacterial devices can usually only perform fixed antibacterial operations, or the user needs to operate the antibacterial device by himself.

However, in such a situation, the antibacterial device cannot flexibly execute different antibacterial mechanisms according to the differences in the objects in the antibacterial area. Even when foreign objects/non-antibacterial target objects are mistakenly placed in the antibacterial area, The antibacterial device will still activate the photosterilizer, speeding up the replacement cycle and cost of the photosterilizer in the antibacterial device.

In view of this, how to provide a technology that can detect the status of a bacteriostatic zone based on sensing and execute the corresponding bacteriostatic mode is an urgent goal for the industry.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a bacteriostatic device. The bacteriostatic device includes a sensor, a light sterilizer and a processor. The sensor is used to generate spatial status information of a bacteriostatic zone. The processor is electrically connected to the sensor and the light sterilizer. The processor receives the space status information from the sensor. The processor analyzes the spatial status information to determine the type of illuminated object in the antibacterial area. The processor controls the light sterilizer to execute one of a plurality of bacteriostatic modes for the bacteriostatic area based on the type of the illuminated object.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a bacteriostatic method for a bacteriostatic device. The bacteriostatic method includes the following steps: analyzing a space state information generated by a sensor to determine a bacteriostatic device. A type of illuminated object in the bacterial area, wherein the spatial state information corresponds to the antibacterial area; and based on the type of illuminated object, control a light sterilizer to execute one of a plurality of antibacterial modes for the antibacterial area.

The antibacterial technology (including at least devices and methods) provided by the present disclosure generates spatial status information of the antibacterial area through sensors, and the processor analyzes the spatial status information to determine an illuminated object in the antibacterial area. Kind. In addition, based on the type of the illuminated object, the processor controls the light sterilizer to execute a bacteriostatic mode corresponding to the type of the illuminated object in the bacteriostatic area. The antibacterial technology provided in this disclosure can execute different antibacterial mechanisms (such as different antibacterial times, multiple irradiations of different parts, etc.) according to the differences in sensed objects being illuminated, or not start the antibacterial operation to improve Antibacterial efficiency and reduce unnecessary cost losses.

The following describes the detailed technology and implementation of the present disclosure in conjunction with the drawings, so that those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can understand the technical features of the claimed disclosure.

The following will explain the antibacterial device and method provided by the present disclosure through implementation modes. However, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure to be implemented in any environment, application or method as described in these embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments is only for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure and is not used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that in the following embodiments and drawings, elements not directly related to the disclosure have been omitted and not shown, and the size of each element and the size ratio between elements are only for illustration and are not intended to limit the disclosure. range.

The first embodiment of the present invention is a bacteriostatic device 1, and the schematic diagram of the device structure is depicted in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the antibacterial device 1 includes a sensor 21, a light sterilizer 23 and a processor (not shown in the figure).

In this embodiment, the processor is electrically connected to the sensor 21 and the light sterilizer 23, and the processor can be disposed anywhere in the bacteriostatic device 1 (for example: the internal space of the casing of the bacteriostatic device 1) or Is placed on a surface/external location. It should be noted that the processor can be various processing units, central processing units (Central Processing Units; CPUs), microprocessors, or other computing devices known to those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this invention belongs.

It should be noted that the sensor 21 may be a microwave sensor that measures the distance between the sensor and the object to be measured based on the time difference between signal emission and return. For example, the sensor 21 may be a sensor with a time of flight (ToF) function. In this embodiment, the sensor 21 can be used to sense the spatial status information of a spatial area (ie, antibacterial area).

It should be noted that the light sterilizer 23 is a sterilization device that can emit a light source to perform sterilization function on a space (ie, antibacterial area). In some embodiments, the light sterilizer 23 can be implemented as an ultraviolet light sterilizer that emits an ultraviolet light source. In some embodiments, the light sterilizer 23 may be ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 254 nm (nanometer).

For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 2 , which illustrates a schematic diagram of the antibacterial device 1 from another angle. As shown in Figure 2, the sensor 21 can generate spatial status information of a bacteriostatic zone 201.

It should be noted that the antibacterial area 201 is a space where the antibacterial device 1 performs corresponding antibacterial operations. For example, when the antibacterial device 1 has an antibacterial mode corresponding to the antibacterial hand of a user (for example: performing ultraviolet light irradiation on the front of the hand for 5 seconds and the back of the hand for 5 seconds), the user can Insert your hand into the bacteriostatic area 201 of the bacteriostatic device 1 to perform bacteriostasis.

It should be noted that Figures 1 and 2 are only convenient examples, and the present invention does not limit the device appearance of the antibacterial device 1 and the content of the antibacterial area. In some embodiments, the bacteriostatic area 201 of the bacteriostatic device 1 may not only be located in a closed area (that is, located within the enclosure of the bacteriostatic device 1 shell), but may be located in a In an open area (that is, outside the enclosure of the antibacterial device 1 shell).

In some embodiments, the bacteriostatic zone 201 can be set based on the capability range and actual needs of the sensor 21 and the photosterilizer 23 .

For ease of understanding, Figure 3 illustrates another implementation of the antibacterial device 1 . As shown in Figure 3, the antibacterial device 1 can be implemented as a long and standing casing. The sensor 21 and the light sterilizer 23 of the antibacterial device 1 are set at a higher position, and the detection function of the sensor 21 is used. The measurement range and the sterilization ability of the light sterilizer 23 define the bacteriostatic area 201, depending on the scale and actual needs of the bacteriostatic device 1.

It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the number of sensors 21 and light sterilizers 23 included in the antibacterial device 1. The antibacterial device 1 can include multiple sensors 21 and multiple light sterilizers 23 at the same time, so as to The combination to form a wider antibacterial area 201 depends on the scale and actual needs of the antibacterial device 1 .

In this embodiment, the processor of the antibacterial device 1 receives the space status information from the sensor 21 . Then, the processor analyzes the spatial status information to determine the type of object illuminated in the antibacterial area 201 .

For example, the processor can calculate the edge contour of the object currently located in the antibacterial area 201 through spatial state information (such as depth information in space) to determine the type of object illuminated in the antibacterial area 201 .

In some embodiments, the sensor 21 can transmit the distance information of each position in the space sensed in a time interval to the processor.

It should be noted that the distance information of each position in the space can be calculated based on the sensor 21 measuring the distance between the sensor and the object to be measured based on the time difference between signal emission and return.

For example, the sensor 21 can transmit signals to 10 sensing points in the space (for example, each corner of the antibacterial area 201) to measure the distance value between each sensing point and the sensor 21 (i.e. , distance information), when an object enters the space (for example: the user extends his hand into the space), because the signal emitted by the sensor 21 is blocked by the object, the sensor 21 will be partially Or the distance values of all sensing points will decrease (that is, the sensed distance value becomes the distance from the object to the sensor 21 ).

Specifically, the spatial state information generated by the sensor 21 includes a plurality of time information and a plurality of distance information corresponding to a plurality of positions. The processor analyzes the time information and the distance information corresponding to the positions to determine the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area 201 .

Finally, the processor controls the light sterilizer 23 to execute one of a plurality of antibacterial modes on the antibacterial area 201 based on the type of the illuminated object.

In some embodiments, the bacteriostatic device 1 can pre-store a plurality of target objects expected to be bacteriostatic and corresponding bacteriostatic modes suitable for the target objects. Specifically, the antibacterial device 1 may further include a storage (not shown in the figure) for storing a plurality of target object types and antibacterial modes corresponding to the target object types.

In some embodiments, the antibacterial device 1 may further include an alarm (not shown in the figure). When the processor determines that the illuminated object type cannot correspond to one of the target object types, it controls the warning device to issue a warning signal.

In some embodiments, the bacteriostatic device 1 may further include a light-emitting element (not shown in the figure), and the processor executes an operation progress of the first bacteriostatic mode on the bacteriostatic area 201 based on the light sterilizer 23 (For example: what percentage of the cycle corresponding to the antibacterial mode has been executed), control the display brightness, color or length of one of the light-emitting elements.

In some embodiments, in order to prevent the light sterilizer 23 from being accidentally activated when foreign matter appears in the bacteriostatic area 201, the processor can decide whether to activate the light sterilizer 23 based on changes in the illuminated object within a preset time.

It should be noted that the antibacterial device 1 can determine whether the object in the antibacterial area 201 is a fixed object or a moving object by analyzing the changes of the illuminated object within a preset time. Specifically, when the processor determines that the change in distance information of the object within a preset time is less than a threshold, it means that a fixed foreign object may appear in the antibacterial area 201 . When the processor determines that the distance information change of the object within the preset time is greater than a threshold value, it means that the object appearing in the antibacterial area 201 may be a moving object (for example: when the user's hand reaches into the antibacterial area 201 shaking slightly). It should be understood that the antibacterial device 1 can set a corresponding preset time according to the type and characteristics of the antibacterial target object.

For example, if the user puts his hand into the antibacterial area 201, when the antibacterial device 1 detects that an object appears in the antibacterial area 201 and the object shakes slightly (for example, the hand shakes slightly), it starts The photosterilizer 23 performs bacteriostasis. In addition, if a foreign object invades the bacteriostatic area 201 and the bacteriostatic device 1 detects that an object appears in the bacteriostatic area 201 and the object is stationary (for example: a foreign object is placed in the space), the photosterilizer 23 will not be activated for suppression. bacteria.

Taking the aforementioned user's hand into the antibacterial area 201 as an example, specifically, when a plurality of first positions among the positions (for example: the position of the user's hand sensed by the signal emitted by the sensor 21) The corresponding distance information is less than a preset distance (that is, part of the distance information corresponding to the original antibacterial area 201 changes, and it is detected that the object enters the antibacterial area 201), and the corresponding distance information of the first positions When the change of the distance information within a preset time is not less than a threshold value, the processor starts the light sterilizer 23 . In some embodiments, the preset distance may be set to the distance value from which the sensor 21 transmits a signal to each corner of the antibacterial area 201 .

Taking the aforementioned fixed foreign matter invading the antibacterial area 201 as an example, in some embodiments, when a plurality of second positions among the positions (for example, the position where the foreign matter is sensed by the sensor 21 transmitting a signal) corresponds to The distance information is less than a preset distance (that is, part of the distance information corresponding to the original antibacterial area 201 changes, and it is detected that the object enters the antibacterial area 201), and the distance information corresponding to the second positions When the change in a preset time is less than a threshold value, the processor does not activate the light sterilizer 23 . It should be understood that the antibacterial device 1 can set a corresponding preset distance according to the type and characteristics of the antibacterial target object.

In some embodiments, in order to save resource consumption, the processor may only start the operation of determining the type of object after determining that there is an object in the antibacterial area 201 . Specifically, the processor first determines whether there is an illuminated object in the antibacterial area 201 based on the spatial state information. Then, when the processor determines that the illuminated object exists in the antibacterial area 201, it determines the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area 201. Finally, based on the type of the illuminated object, the processor controls the light sterilizer 23 to execute the antibacterial mode corresponding to the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area 201 .

In some embodiments, the antibacterial device 1 stores a plurality of target object types and corresponding antibacterial modes. Each of the antibacterial modes corresponds to an operation time and a cycle setting.

For example, the antibacterial mode can set one hand antibacterial operation to include two cycles, and each cycle requires the execution of a three-stage cycle. The three-stage cycle is to inhibit bacteria on the front of the hand for 5 seconds and pause for 1 second (the antibacterial device 1 can sound a prompt to remind the user to turn over their hands, or temporarily turn off the light to remind the user to turn over their hands) and the back of hands to inhibit bacteria for 5 seconds.

Specifically, the first antibacterial mode corresponds to a first operating time and a first cycle setting, and the first cycle setting includes a plurality of cycle strokes. When the processor determines that the illuminated object corresponds to one of the cyclic processes, the light sterilizer is started to operate the first operating time. Each of the cyclic strokes corresponds to a flip angle corresponding to the illuminated object.

For example, when the target object type is a hand, the light sterilizer 23 can be activated to irradiate the front, side, and back of the hand for 5 seconds each in the antibacterial mode (that is, after irradiating the front of the hand for 5 seconds, notify the user to turn it over 90 Turn it to the side and illuminate it for 5 seconds, notify the user to turn it 90 degrees to the back and illuminate it for 5 seconds).

For another example, when the target object type is the lower half of the human body (for example: please refer to Figure 3, the user is standing in the antibacterial area 201 for antibacterial treatment), the antibacterial device 1 can activate the light sterilizer 23 to irradiate the user The front side for 10 seconds, and then the user is notified to turn 90 degrees to the back side for another 10 seconds.

For another example, when the target object is a mobile phone, the light sterilizer 23 can be activated to illuminate the front, right side, back and left side of the mobile phone case in antibacterial mode for 5 seconds each (ie, turn it 90 degrees each time).

Specifically, the processor determines whether the illuminated object type corresponds to a first target object type among a plurality of target object types, wherein the first target object type corresponds to a first antibacterial mode. Then, when the processor determines that the illuminated object type corresponds to the first target object type, the light sterilizer 23 is controlled to execute the first bacteriostatic mode on the bacteriostatic area.

In some embodiments, when the processor determines that the illuminated object type cannot correspond to one of the target object types (ie, a target object that is not executing the antibacterial mode), the processor will stop starting the light sterilizer 23 or Control the warning device to send out a warning signal (for example: warning through sound or light).

In some implementations, the processor can also set the sensing distance of the sensor 21 based on different target object types (for example, a longer sensing distance is set for larger target objects, and a longer sensing distance is set for smaller target objects. Set a shorter sensing distance). Specifically, based on the antibacterial modes, the processor sets the sensing distance of the sensor 21 in one of the antibacterial areas 201 corresponding to each of the target object types.

As can be seen from the above description, the antibacterial device 1 provided by the present disclosure generates spatial state information of the antibacterial area 201 through the sensor 21, and the processor analyzes the spatial state information to determine whether one of the antibacterial areas 201 is illuminated. Object type. In addition, based on the type of the illuminated object, the processor controls the light sterilizer 23 to execute the antibacterial mode corresponding to the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area 201 . The antibacterial technology provided in this disclosure can execute different antibacterial mechanisms (such as different antibacterial times, multiple irradiations of different parts, etc.) according to the differences in sensed objects being illuminated, or not start the antibacterial operation to improve Antibacterial efficiency and reduce unnecessary cost losses.

The second embodiment of the present disclosure is a bacteriostatic method, the flow chart of which is depicted in Figure 4 . The antibacterial method 400 is suitable for an antibacterial device, such as the antibacterial device 1 described in the first embodiment. The antibacterial device includes a sensor, a photosterilizer and a processor, such as the sensor 21, photosterilizer 23 and processor described in the first embodiment). The antibacterial method 400 executes the corresponding antibacterial mode through steps S401 to S403.

In step S401, the processor analyzes a spatial state information generated by a sensor to determine the type of an illuminated object in a bacteriostatic area, where the spatial state information corresponds to the bacteriostatic area. Next, in step S403, the processor controls a light sterilizer to execute one of a plurality of antibacterial modes on the antibacterial area based on the type of the illuminated object.

In some embodiments, the spatial state information generated by the sensor includes a plurality of time information and a plurality of distance information corresponding to a plurality of positions, and the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: analyzing the time The information and the distance information corresponding to the positions are used to determine the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area.

In some embodiments, the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: when the distance information corresponding to a plurality of first positions among the positions is less than a preset distance, and the distance information corresponding to the first positions When the change of the equidistant information at a preset time is not less than a threshold value, the processor starts the light sterilizer.

In some embodiments, the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: when the distance information corresponding to a plurality of second positions among the positions is less than a preset distance, and the distance information corresponding to the second positions When the change of the equidistant information within a preset time is less than a threshold value, the processor does not activate the light sterilizer.

In some embodiments, the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: based on the spatial state information, determine whether there is an illuminated object in the antibacterial area; only when it is determined that the illuminated object exists in the antibacterial area, determine whether the illuminated object is present in the antibacterial area. The type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area; and based on the type of the illuminated object, control the light sterilizer to execute the antibacterial mode corresponding to the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area.

In some embodiments, the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: determining whether the illuminated object type corresponds to a first target object type among a plurality of target object types, wherein the first target object type corresponds to a first target object type. a bacteriostatic mode; and when it is determined that the type of the illuminated object corresponds to the first target object type, control the light sterilizer to execute the first bacteriostatic mode on the bacteriostatic area.

In some embodiments, the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: when the processor determines that the illuminated object type cannot correspond to one of the target object types, stop starting the light sterilizer or control to issue a warning signal .

In some embodiments, the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: based on the antibacterial modes, setting the sensing distance of the sensor in the antibacterial zone corresponding to each of the target object types.

In some embodiments, each of the bacteriostatic modes corresponds to an operation time and a cycle setting.

In some embodiments, the first antibacterial mode corresponds to a first operating time and a first cycle setting, and the first cycle setting includes a plurality of cycle strokes, and the antibacterial method 400 further includes the following steps: when When it is determined that the illuminated object corresponds to one of the cyclic strokes, the light sterilizer is started to operate the first operation time; wherein each of the cyclic strokes corresponds to a flip angle corresponding to the illuminated object.

In addition to the above steps, the second embodiment can also perform all operations and steps of the antibacterial device 1 described in the first embodiment, has the same functions, and achieves the same technical effects. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this disclosure belongs can directly understand how the second embodiment performs these operations and steps based on the above-mentioned first embodiment, has the same functions, and achieves the same technical effects, so no further description is given.

It should be noted that in the patent specification and patent application scope of this disclosure, certain terms (including: position, target object type, antibacterial mode, operation time, cycle setting, etc.) are preceded by "first" or "third." "2", the "first" or "second" are only used to distinguish different terms. For example: "First" and "Second" in the first position and the second position are only used to indicate the positions during different operations.

In summary, the antibacterial technology (including at least devices and methods) provided by the present disclosure generates spatial status information of the antibacterial area through sensors, and the processor analyzes the spatial status information to determine the antibacterial area. One of the types of objects being illuminated. In addition, based on the type of the illuminated object, the processor controls the light sterilizer to execute a bacteriostatic mode corresponding to the type of the illuminated object in the bacteriostatic area. The antibacterial technology provided in this disclosure can execute different antibacterial mechanisms (such as different antibacterial times, multiple irradiations of different parts, etc.) according to the differences in sensed objects being illuminated, or not start the antibacterial operation to improve Antibacterial efficiency and reduce unnecessary cost losses.

The above-mentioned implementation modes are only used to illustrate some implementation aspects of the present disclosure and to explain the technical features of the present disclosure, but are not used to limit the protection scope and scope of the present disclosure. Any changes or equivalence arrangements that can be easily accomplished by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this disclosure belongs fall within the scope claimed by this disclosure, and the scope of rights protection of this disclosure shall be subject to the scope of the patent application.

1: Antibacterial device

21: Sensor

23:Light sterilizer

201: Antibacterial zone

400: Antibacterial methods

S401, S403: steps

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram depicting the antibacterial device of the first embodiment; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram depicting the antibacterial device of the first embodiment from another angle; Figure 3 depicts an implementation of a bacteriostatic device in certain embodiments; and Figure 4 is a partial flow chart depicting the antibacterial method of the second embodiment.

Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date and number) without Overseas storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number) without

400: Antibacterial methods

S401, S403: steps

Claims (10)

A bacteriostatic device, including: a sensor for generating spatial status information of a bacteriostatic zone; a light sterilizer; and a processor electrically connected to the sensor and the light sterilizer, and Perform the following operations: receive the space status information from the sensor; analyze the space status information to determine the type of illuminated object in the antibacterial area; and based on the type of the illuminated object, control the light sterilizer to respond to the The bacterium area executes one of a plurality of bacteriostatic modes; wherein the processor further performs the following operations: based on the spatial status information, determines whether there is an illuminated object in the bacteriostatic area; when it is determined that the illuminated object exists in the bacteriostatic area When an object is detected, the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area is determined; and based on the type of the illuminated object, the light sterilizer is controlled to execute the antibacterial mode corresponding to the type of the illuminated object in the antibacterial area. The antibacterial device of claim 1, wherein the spatial state information generated by the sensor includes a plurality of time information and a plurality of distance information corresponding to a plurality of positions, and the processor further performs the following operations: analysis Such time information and such distance information corresponding to such locations, To determine the type of illuminated object in the antibacterial area. The antibacterial device as described in claim 2, wherein when the equidistance information corresponding to a plurality of first positions among the positions is less than a preset distance, and the equidistance information corresponding to the first positions is within When the change of a preset time is not less than a threshold value, the processor starts the light sterilizer. The antibacterial device as described in claim 2, wherein when the equidistance information corresponding to a plurality of second positions among the positions is less than a preset distance, and the equidistance information corresponding to the second positions is within When the change of a preset time is less than a threshold value, the processor does not activate the light sterilizer. The antibacterial device of claim 1, wherein the processor further performs the following operations: determining whether the illuminated object type corresponds to a first target object type among a plurality of target object types, wherein the first target object type corresponding to a first bacteriostatic mode; and when it is determined that the illuminated object type corresponds to the first target object type, control the light sterilizer to execute the first bacteriostatic mode on the bacteriostatic area. The antibacterial device of claim 5, wherein the processor further performs the following operations: when the processor determines that the illuminated object type cannot correspond to one of the target object types, stop starting the light sterilizer or control Send a Warning signs. The antibacterial device of claim 1, wherein the processor further performs the following operations: based on the antibacterial modes, setting the sensor to correspond to a sensing distance of each of the plurality of target object types in the antibacterial zone. . The antibacterial device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the antibacterial modes corresponds to an operation time and a cycle setting. The antibacterial device of claim 8, wherein the first antibacterial mode corresponds to a first operating time and a first cycle setting, and the first cycle setting includes a plurality of cycle strokes, and the processor further executes the following Operation: When it is determined that the illuminated object corresponds to one of the cyclic strokes, the light sterilizer is started to operate the first operation time; wherein each of the cyclic strokes corresponds to one of the flips corresponding to the illuminated object angle. A bacteriostatic method for a bacteriostatic device. The bacteriostatic method includes the following steps: analyzing a space status information generated by a sensor to determine the type of an illuminated object in a bacteriostatic area, wherein the space The status information corresponds to the bacteriostatic zone; and Based on the type of the illuminated object, a light sterilizer is controlled to execute one of a plurality of antibacterial modes on the antibacterial area.