JPH08338879A - Object detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable getting long life with low power consumption by providing with a means capable of detecting a detection object in a specific direction, an operation period alteration means for shortening the operation period with a function control means and an output generation means and the like for outputting an alarming signal. CONSTITUTION: A detection device 1 is capable of detecting in plurality of directions. A memory means 2 stores the detection data D1 to D5 and the like output by the detection device 1. A comparison circuit 4 generates a detection signal. A function period alteration circuit 5 shortens the functional period. In an alarm signal generation circuit 6, whether a specific condition such as an invader surely exists is fulfilled or not is judged by the detection output signal of the comparison circuit 4 or a detection function signal output from the detection device 1 to a terminal S7 and the alarm signal is output to a terminal AS. Here, only when there is a possibility of existence of the detection object, detailed detection is conducted to surely detect the object and unnecessary detection operation is not conducted and thus, power saving is possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an object detecting device used for detecting a human body in a night crime prevention system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a human body detecting device used in a crime prevention system that detects an intruder in a room where no one is present at night and notifies the security company or police, for example, a plurality of detecting devices are arranged in different directions. Then, it operates at regular time intervals to save power, and when the output of these detection devices is different from the normal state, it is judged that there is an intruder, and an alarm signal is generated to notify the security company etc. Those that do are adopted.

[0003]

However, for example, when the detection device is operated at a slow cycle (for example, every one second), if an intruder passes the detection range of the detection device when the detection device is not operating. However, there is a problem that an intruder may not be detected, and reliability for crime prevention is reduced.

Therefore, conventionally, even when there is no object such as a person or an animal to be detected, the detection device has to be operated at a short interval assuming that the object moves, which results in a large power consumption. Had.

Further, in a detection device which emits infrared light and detects the reflected light, the life of the light emitting element is short because of the large number of times of light emission, and periodic maintenance is required, which is troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an object detecting device of low power consumption and long life.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a detection means capable of detecting a detection target in a specific direction, an operation control means for operating the detection means at a desired cycle, and the detection means detect the detection target. In this case, the operation control means changes the operation cycle of the detection means to shorten the operation cycle of the detection means, and a warning signal when the detection means continuously detects the detection target during the detection operation in the shortened cycle. The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing an output generating means for outputting.

Then, the storage means for storing the detection result of the detection means is compared with the stored detection result and the current detection result of the detection means, and when the two results are different,
The operation cycle changing means shortens the operation cycle of the detection means by the operation control means when the detection signal is output, and the output generation means includes a detection output generation means for outputting a detection signal. It is preferable that the warning signal is output when the detection signal is continuously output during the detection operation in the shortened cycle.

The detection means detects a detection target in a plurality of different directions, and the operation cycle changing means shortens the operation cycle when the detection target is detected in at least one direction. Is desirable.

Then, the storage means for storing the detection result of each direction of the detection means is compared with the current detection result in the corresponding direction of each of the stored detection results, and at least one of them is compared. It is desirable to include a detection signal generating means for generating a detection signal indicating object detection when the result is different.

It is preferable that the illuminance detecting means for detecting the brightness of the surroundings is provided, and the operation of the detecting means is started when the illuminance detecting means detects a dark state.

Further, it is desirable that the detecting means measures the distance to the object to be detected.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a detection device which constitutes a detection means capable of detecting in a plurality of directions. For example, an infrared sensor which emits infrared rays and detects reflected light from an object by a position detection element (PSD) or the like. It is possible to use a plurality of devices arranged in different directions, or a device in which an infrared sensor capable of detecting only a predetermined direction is mechanically moved to change the direction. In this example, as the detection device 1, a device capable of simultaneously detecting five directions is used, and each detection result (data representing the distance to the detected object) is Dn (n is an integer of 1 to 5). The detection device 1 starts a detection operation by using a signal input from a terminal S6 described below as a trigger, outputs a detection operation signal from the terminal S7, and stops the output of the detection operation signal when the detection is completed.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a memory circuit which constitutes a memory means, and RA
Detection data D1 which is composed of M etc. and is output by the detection device 1
Memorize D5 and the like.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a setting means for performing initial setting, which starts the detection operation of the detection device 1 by the output signal from the terminal S1 and also detects a plurality of directions detected by the detection device 1 by the output signal from the terminal S2. The detection data D1 to D5 representing the distance to the object is stored in the storage circuit 2. More specifically, the setting means 3 includes a switch 3a and a signal generating circuit 3b. When the switch 3a is turned on, the signal generating circuit 3b outputs a signal from the terminal S1 to start the operation of the detection device 1. Then, a signal for storing the detection data in the storage circuit 2 and a signal indicating that the storage operation is completed are sequentially generated from the terminals S2 and S3. In this example, the data stored in the storage circuit 2 is Mn (n is an integer of 1 to 5).

Reference numeral 4 is a comparison circuit which constitutes detection output generating means, and outputs detection data D1 to D5 of the detection device 1 and stored data M1 to M5 previously stored in the storage circuit 2, that is, the detection device 1. The initial detection data D1 to D5 are compared for each direction, and when the detection data Dn is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount or more than the storage data Mn, a detection signal is output to the terminal Cn (n is an integer of 1 to 5). . Normally, if there is an intruder, the detection data will be small, but depending on the type of the detection device, the detection data may change to a larger one depending on the color or reflectance of the clothes or helmet of the intruder. In this example, in consideration of this, the detection data D
The detection signal is output even when n is larger than the stored data Mn by a predetermined value or more. When the switch 3a is turned off, all the detection signals are turned off, and the detection device 1
The detection operation of is stopped. This is because the device is not operated at nighttime when the vehicle is patrolled, or when the store is opened or when the store is opened, and an erroneous signal is not output. The five detection signals are input to the OR circuit OR2, and the terminals C1 to C5
An output is generated at the terminal S4 when at least one of the detection signals from the outputs is output.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation cycle changing circuit which constitutes an operation cycle changing means, and when there is no output from the terminal S4, that is, when the detection result of each direction of the detecting device 1 is stored in the storage circuit 2, the operation is started. When there is no difference from the detection data in each direction of a predetermined value or more, a trigger signal for detecting the detection device 1 is output to the terminal S5 at a relatively slow cycle Ts. When there is an output from the terminal S4, that is, the detection device 1
Even if one of the detection results of each direction is different from the detection data stored in the storage circuit 2 in each direction at the start of the operation by a predetermined value or more, the detection device 1 can detect the movement of the object at a fast cycle Tf. A trigger signal for performing detection is output to the terminal S5.

The terminals S1 and S5 are input to the OR circuit OR1 which constitutes the operation control means, and the OR circuit OR1 is used.
The detection of the detection device 1 is started according to the output of 1.

Reference numeral 6 is a warning signal generating circuit which constitutes an output generating means, and it is determined that there is a certain intruder by the detection output signal of the comparison circuit 4 or the detection operation signal output from the detection device 1 to the terminal S7. It is determined whether or not the condition of is satisfied and a warning signal is output to the terminal AS. The predetermined condition is, for example, when the output of the OR circuit OR2 is "1" and the detection device 1 starts detection in the fast cycle Tf and then a signal in the same direction of the comparison circuit 4 (for example, output to the terminal C3). Signal is output four times, or the detection signal is output three times within a fixed time in different directions.

2 and 3 are layout diagrams of the room for explaining the operation of the present invention. 2 and 3,
M is the object detection device of the present invention, D is the door of the room R, and T1, T2, and T3 are objects such as shelves and safes placed in the room R. Now, the detection device 1 is in the Ln direction (n
Is an integer from 1 to 5), that is, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5
It is set so that the simultaneous detection of the five predetermined directions can be performed. Incidentally, it is desirable to set these directions in a direction in which it is highly likely that an intruder for the purpose of theft such as a door, a shelf for storing valuables, a safe, or the like will stop or stand still. The switch 3a is separated from the object detection device M and installed near the door D outside the room R. FIG. 3 shows a case where an object (intruder) TX has entered the room in the state of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a timing chart for each signal of FIG. In FIG. 4, S1 to S8 indicate the output levels of the respective terminals of FIG. 1, and the signals output to the respective terminals change from off to on with the passage of time, and then change in a pulse-like manner. When the signal output to that terminal (for example, terminal S7) is S7a, S7b, S
7c ... Suffix is added to the display, and it is also referred to as pulse S7a in the following description.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 4.

In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the switch 3a is operated from off to on with the room R unattended and the door D closed after the work. In FIG. 4, time t1
When the switch 3a is switched from OFF to ON (Fig. 4
(A)), the pulse S1a is output from the signal generating circuit 3b of the setting means 3 for performing the initial setting (FIG. 4 (b)).
The pulse S1a is input to the OR circuit OR1, and its output pulse S6a (FIG. 4 (g)) causes the detection device 1 to start the detection operation in each of the five predetermined directions L1 to L5. During the detection operation, the detection apparatus 1 outputs a pulse S7a as a detection operation signal (FIG. 4 (c)). When the detection is completed and the pulse S7a is turned off, the pulse S
2a is output (FIG. 4D), the detection data Dn (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in each direction is output to the memory circuit 2 and the data Mn (n = 1, 2, 3) is output. 4, 5). Therefore, when the detector 1 starts to operate, the memory circuit 2 has the first point T1a of the object T1 and the point R of the room R.
distance values M1, M2, M3, M4 to the point a, the point T2a of the object T2, the point T3a of the object T3, and the point Da of the door D,
M5 is stored respectively.

When the storage operation is finished and the output of the pulse S2a is finished, the pulse S3a is generated at the time t2 (FIG. 4 (e)). In this state, the detection signal of the comparison circuit 4 is output from any terminal. Since it is not present, the terminal S4 is "0". When the pulse S3a is output, the operation cycle conversion circuit 5 outputs the pulse S5b and then outputs the trigger pulse like the pulses S5b and S5c at a predetermined relatively slow cycle Ts (eg, every second) (see FIG. Four
(F)). This signal is pulsed S through the OR circuit OR1.
Detection device 1 as 6b, S6c, and S6d (FIG. 4 (g))
Is triggered to detect an intruder in the room R by detecting each direction in the cycle Ts. During the detection operation, the signal pulses S7b, S7c, S7 indicating that the detection device 1 is in the detection operation.
d ... is output. When the detection by the detection device 1 is completed, the comparison circuit 4, that is, the pulses S7a, S7b ...
Each time the output of is finished, the detection data Dn in each direction that is output and the detection data M stored in the storage circuit 2 are immediately output.
n is compared for each direction. That is, the detection data D1 and the storage data M1, the detection data D2 and the storage data M2, and thereafter the detection data D5 and the storage data M5 are similarly compared.
Normally, if there is no intruder, the detection data Dn of the detection device 1
Since the stored data Mn is almost the same, the detection signal is not output from the terminal Cn, and the terminal S4 remains "0".

FIG. 3 shows a case where an object (intruder) TX enters the room R, cannot be detected in the directions L5 and L4, and stands still in front of the object T2. If this state starts at time t3 as shown in FIG. 4 (j), the detection result in the L3 direction becomes smaller than the normal value by a predetermined amount or more in the detection operation triggered by the pulse S6d in FIG. 4 (g). The comparison circuit 4 outputs the detection operation signal S7d (see FIG. 4).
(C)), at time t4, the detection signal is output to the terminal C3. Therefore, the terminal S4 becomes "1" via the OR circuit OR2 (FIG. 4 (h)), and from this time, the detection cycle setting means 5 has a fast cycle Tf (for example, 0.05 seconds) as shown in FIG. 4 (f). Each time), a trigger pulse is output as in S5e to S5j. If the intruder is stationary in the L3 direction, the alarm signal generation circuit 6 confirms the detection signal input from the terminal C3, counts the detection operation signal, and outputs the signal at time t5 as shown in FIG. 4 (C). Fourth pulse S from S7e
The alarm signal S8 is turned on at 7 g (FIG. 4 (i)).

Here, in order to detect the pulse of the fourth detection operation signal after the terminal S4 becomes "1", the intruder can detect the maximum range of 0.05 × 5 = 0.25 seconds in the L3 direction. The probability of detecting an intruder is significantly increased as long as the user is in.

Incidentally, FIG. 4 shows a case where the switch 3a is turned off at time t6. When the switch 3a is turned off, all the detection signals are turned off, that is, "0", and the detection operation of the detection device 1 is stopped. However, when the warning signal S8a is generated, there is a possibility that an intruder may still be present inside the room R, so this is continuously output.

Although it is determined by the alarm signal generation circuit 6 that the intruder is surely present, other signals may be used instead of the input signal shown in FIG. 1 or the alarm signal may be output. The conditions to be performed are not limited to the above.

In the above embodiment, since the detection device 1 has a detection error, the comparison circuit 4 may perform the comparison in consideration of the detection error of the detection device 1. That is, at the time of initial setting, if the distance data in the L3 direction stored in the storage circuit 2 is 1.2 m, for example, the comparison circuit 4 detects the detection data of the detection device 1 by a predetermined value, ie, the detection data of the detection device 1. If the total error is 5%, the value obtained by subtracting it is 1.
The output signal Cn is output when the length is 04 m or less.

Further, in the above embodiment, at the time of initial setting, detection is performed only once and the detection result is stored in the storage circuit 2. However, detection is performed several times to minimize the error. The average value may be stored.

The switch 3a may be arranged in the apparatus M. In this case, since the start of the initial setting is delayed until the person who leaves the room R last operates the switch 3a and then leaves the room R and closes the door, a timer is provided in the signal generating circuit 3b of the setting means 3 to set the switch 3a. The initial setting may be started after a predetermined time has elapsed after closing.

As described above, only when there is a possibility that the detection target exists, detailed detection can be performed to reliably detect the object, and when there is little possibility that the detection target exists, an unnecessary detection operation is performed. Since there is no power saving. More specifically, since the operation time of the detection sensor is usually several ms to several tens ms, the slower the cycle is, the lower the power consumption is, and according to the present invention, the operation may normally be performed in the slow cycle. Therefore, low power consumption is possible. Further, since the operation is performed at a slow cycle, the number of times of operation of the detection device is reduced, and in the detection device which emits infrared rays and detects the reflected light
The number of times of light emission is reduced, the life of the light emitting element is extended, periodic maintenance is unnecessary, and a long-life object detection device can be provided.

Since the detection characteristics of the detection means used can be canceled by comparing the outputs of the same detection means at different times, a good detection operation can be performed.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In a company, a store, or the like, the illumination is often turned off when it is usually unattended, and this is detected and used as a substitute for the switch 3a. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of this circuit. 5, the same symbols as those in FIG. 1 represent the same elements.

In FIG. 5, PD is a photodiode, and 53a amplifies the output of the photodiode to determine the ambient brightness and outputs "0" when it is bright, and outputs "1" when it becomes dark. Is an illuminance detection means. When the output of the terminal S9 is turned on, 53b performs the same process as the switch 3a is closed in the first embodiment. That is, a pulse is output to the terminals S1, S2, and S3 to detect each direction, and the detection data is stored in the storage circuit 2.
In the storage circuit 2, the initial state is automatically set by turning off the light by the employee or employee who returns home last. Also, if the lights are turned on when the night watch is patroled, the terminal S
Since the output to 9 is "0", the same processing as that in which the switch 3a is opened in the first embodiment is performed. That is, all the detection signals become "0" and the detection operation of the detection device 1 is stopped. However, when the warning signal S8a is output, this is continuously output as it is.

Hereinafter, the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch 3a of the setting means 3 is separated from the apparatus M and installed outside the room R. However, in this embodiment, the illuminance detection means 53a.
Is the device M if the brightness in the room R can be detected.
It may be installed separately in the room R or may be incorporated in the apparatus M.

As described above, since the detection can be automatically executed according to the turning off of the illumination, it is possible to prevent forgetting to turn on the operation switch.

In the above embodiment, the detection device 1 is arranged such that a plurality of detection sensors are arranged in different directions to perform the detection operation at the same time, but the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made. That is, a plurality of detection sensors may be arranged in different directions, and the detection operation may be performed in a time-divisional manner (sequentially). It is also possible to move it to a position such that it is detected when it is in a desired direction. Further, although the detection direction is set to 5 in the above embodiment, the number of directions can be freely set.

[0040]

According to the present invention, when the detection means detects the detection target, the operation cycle of the detection means is shortened, and when the detection means continuously detects the detection target during the detection operation in this shortened cycle. Since a warning signal is output to, a detailed detection can be performed only when there is a possibility that a detection target is present, and an object can be detected with certainty. Since it is not performed, power saving can be achieved.

Specifically, since the operating time of the detection sensor is usually several ms to several tens of ms, the slower the cycle is, the lower the power consumption is. Therefore, according to the present invention, the operation can be normally performed in the slow cycle. Since it is sufficient, low power consumption can be achieved. Further, since the operation is performed at a slow cycle, the number of times of operation of the detection device is reduced, and in a detection device that emits infrared light and detects the reflected light, the number of times of light emission is reduced, the life of the light emitting element is extended, It is possible to provide a long-life object detection device without requiring special maintenance.

Then, the storage means for storing the detection result of the detection means is compared with the stored detection result and the current detection result of the detection means, and when the both results are different, the detection signal is output. If the output generating means is provided, in addition to the above effects, the detection characteristics of the detecting means used can be canceled by comparing the outputs of the same detecting means at different times, so that a good detecting operation is performed. be able to.

By detecting the detection object in a plurality of different directions and shortening the operation cycle of the detection means when the detection object is detected in at least one direction, it is possible to detect an object in a wide range.

Further, if an illuminance detecting means for detecting the brightness of the surroundings is provided, and the operation of the detecting means is started when the illuminance detecting means detects a dark state, for example, when the light is turned off. By doing so, it is possible to automatically detect and prevent forgetting to turn on the operation switch.

Further, if the initialization is detected by detecting that the light is turned off, the operation becomes simple.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of a room for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of a room for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 detection means 2 storage means 4 detection output generation means 5 operation cycle changing means 53a illuminance detection means 6 output generation means OR1 operation control means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A detection means capable of detecting a detection target in a specific direction, an operation control means for operating the detection means in a desired cycle, and an operation control means for detecting the detection target when the detection means detects the detection target. An operation cycle changing means for shortening the operation cycle of the detection means, and an output generation means for outputting a warning signal when the detection means continuously detects the detection target during the detection operation in the shortened cycle. An object detection device characterized by being provided. 2. The storage means for storing the detection result of the detection means according to claim 1, the stored detection result and the current detection result of the detection means are compared, and when both results are different, The operation cycle changing means shortens the operation cycle of the detection means by the operation control means when the detection signal is output, and the output generation means includes a detection output generation means for outputting a detection signal. Is an object detection device which outputs a warning signal when the detection signal is continuously output during the detection operation in the shortened cycle. 3. The detection means according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects a detection target in a plurality of different directions, and the operation cycle changing means performs the operation when the detection target is detected in at least one direction. An object detection device characterized by shortening a cycle. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the storage means for storing the detection results of the detection means in each direction are compared with the current detection results in the corresponding direction for each of the stored detection results. An object detection device, comprising: a detection signal generating unit that generates a detection signal indicating object detection when either one of the comparison results is different. 5. The illuminance detecting means for detecting ambient brightness according to claim 1 or 2, and when the illuminance detecting means detects a dark state, starts the operation of the detecting means. Object detection device characterized by. 6. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means measures a distance to a detection target.