JP2016038183A - Air conditioner and air conditioning operation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

An image is detected with high accuracy without being affected by illumination or sunlight in an air-conditioned room, and air-conditioning control is performed based on the image detection result. An air conditioner A includes an imaging unit 120 arranged to image an air-conditioned room, and an image detection unit 141 that executes an image detection process using image data 125 captured by the imaging unit 120. The visible light attenuation filter 181 that can be disposed in front of the imaging unit 120 and attenuates light in the visible light band, the arithmetic processing unit 145 that calculates the air conditioning operation setting according to the imaging result of the imaging unit 120, and the air conditioner A And a drive control unit 146 for driving and controlling a load 160 indicating motors. Moreover, the air conditioner A may be provided with the near-infrared irradiation means 130 which irradiates near infrared rays. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an air conditioner.

  An imaging device of a camera for receiving visible light is formed so that sensitivity is high in the visible light band and sensitivity is reduced in an infrared band having a wavelength larger than that of visible light. However, it is known that the sensitivity of the image sensor with respect to near infrared rays is not zero and can receive near infrared rays. In addition, a camera usually has a configuration that attenuates a wavelength band larger than visible light by installing a built-in filter that attenuates infrared rays between a lens and an image sensor.

  In Patent Document 1, an air conditioner equipped with a camera equipped with an image sensor capable of detecting visible light and near infrared light transmits the near infrared light through the characteristics of a built-in filter installed between the lens and the image sensor. A technique is disclosed in which, by changing to characteristics, the shape, position, and the like of an imaging target are correctly acquired even in a dark environment, and air conditioning control is performed based on the acquired information.

JP 2011-220612 A

  However, when an image of a human body or an object is detected using the technique described in Patent Document 1, color accuracy deteriorates due to the fact that not only visible light but also near infrared light is always incident, so that accurate image detection can be performed in a bright environment. There is a risk that it cannot be done. That is, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, “the first purpose is to perform optimal air conditioning control according to the indoor environment even in a dark environment without using a plurality of cameras (paragraph 0007)”. There is a possibility that the accuracy of image detection in a bright environment is lowered.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for detecting an image with high accuracy without being affected by illumination or sunlight in an air-conditioned room and performing air-conditioning control based on the image detection result.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes an imaging unit arranged to image an air-conditioned room and a visible range that can be arranged closer to the imaging range than the imaging unit and attenuates light in the visible light band. An air conditioner including an optical attenuation filter and an air conditioning operation control unit that controls an air conditioning operation according to an imaging result of the imaging unit is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect an image with high accuracy and to control the air conditioning based on the image detection result without being affected by illumination or sunlight in the air-conditioned room.

It is a front view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner, an outdoor unit, and a remote control. It is a sectional side view of an indoor unit. It is a figure which shows the example of a function with which an air conditioner is provided. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a visible light attenuation | damping filter and an imaging means, (a) represents the case where the visible light attenuation | damping filter is arrange | positioned in front of an imaging means, (b) is an imaging means imaging | photography means. It represents the case where it is placed outside the range. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the monolithic structure filter comprised with a visible light attenuation | damping filter and an infrared attenuation filter, and an imaging means, (a) represents the case where the visible light attenuation | damping filter is arrange | positioned in front of an imaging means, ( b) represents a case where an infrared attenuation filter is disposed in front of the imaging means. It is a figure which shows the example of a detection of the human body and object by an image detection part, (a) represents an example of an evaluation image, (b) represents an example of detecting a human body from an evaluation image, (c) represents an object from an evaluation image This represents an example of detecting. It is a figure which shows the estimation method of the distance to a human body and an object, (a) represents the distance at the time of seeing from a side surface, (b) represents the distance in a captured image. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which carries out an air-conditioning driving | operation based on an image detection result, (a) represents a captured image, (b) represents an example of a human body detection result, (c) represents an example of an object detection result. (D) represents an example of an image obtained by combining both the human body and the object detection results, (e) represents an example of air-conditioning control when viewed from above, and (f) is viewed from the side. An example of the air conditioning control is shown. It is a figure which shows the structural example at the time of connecting a visible light attenuation | damping filter drive means to a camera board | substrate, and mounting a near-infrared irradiation means on a camera board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the structural example at the time of connecting a visible light attenuation | damping filter drive means and a near-infrared irradiation means to a camera board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the structural example at the time of connecting a visible light attenuation | damping filter drive means to a control board, and mounting a near-infrared irradiation means on a control board. It is a figure which shows the structural example at the time of connecting a visible light attenuation | damping filter drive means and a near-infrared irradiation means to a control board. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a near-infrared projector, (a) represents the case where an optical lens or a diffusing material is used, (b) represents the case where another optical lens or a diffusing material is used, (c) is This shows the case where a reflector is used. It is a figure which shows an example of the irradiation range of a near-infrared light projector at the time of setting it as the structure which an imaging means rotates. It is a figure which shows an example in the case of fixedly installing a near-infrared projector. It is a figure which shows the case where an imaging means is rotated and it images when irradiating near infrared rays using the near-infrared projector shown in FIG. 15, (a) represents the figure seen from the top, (b) is from the front The figure which looked is represented, (c) represents an overhead view. It is a figure which shows the example of a processing flow of air-conditioning operation control.

  Here, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

<Air conditioner>
First, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner A includes an indoor unit 100, an outdoor unit 200, and a remote controller Re. The indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe (not shown), and the air-conditioned room in which the indoor unit 100 is installed is air-conditioned by a known refrigerant cycle. The indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 transmit and receive information to and from each other via a communication cable (not shown).

  The remote controller Re is operated by a user and transmits an infrared signal to the remote controller transmission / reception unit Q of the indoor unit 100. The information included in the infrared signal is a command such as an operation request, a change in set temperature, a timer setting, an operation mode change, or a stop request. The air conditioner A performs air conditioning operations such as cooling, heating, and dehumidification based on the received infrared signal. In addition, data such as room temperature information, humidity information, and electricity bill information is transmitted from the remote control transmission / reception unit Q of the indoor unit 100 to the remote control Re.

In addition, an imaging unit 120 and a near-infrared projector 131 are installed in the lower part of the center in the left-right direction of the front panel 106 of the indoor unit 100.
Note that the installation positions of the near-infrared projector 131 and the imaging unit 120 are not limited to those in FIG. 1, and depend on the detection method and detection target of the image detection unit 141 (see FIG. 3) described later, the performance of the imaging unit 120, and the like. As appropriate.
In FIG. 1, the near-infrared projector 131 is described as being mounted at one place, but may be distributed on the indoor unit 100 and arranged at a plurality of places.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the indoor unit 100.
The housing base 101 houses internal structures such as the indoor heat exchanger 102, the blower fan 103, and the filter 108.
The indoor heat exchanger 102 has a plurality of heat transfer tubes 102a, heats the air taken into the indoor unit 100 by the blower fan 103 with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 102a, and heats the air. It is configured to cool. The heat transfer tube 102a communicates with the refrigerant pipe (not shown) and constitutes a part of a known refrigerant cycle (not shown).

The left and right wind direction plates 104 are driven by a left and right wind direction plate motor (wind direction plate motor 163 shown in FIG. 3) with a pivot shaft provided in the lower portion as a fulcrum according to an instruction from an arithmetic processing unit 145 (see FIG. 3) described later. It is rotated.
The vertical wind direction plate 105 follows the instruction from the arithmetic processing unit 145 (see FIG. 3) to be described later, and the vertical wind direction plate motor (wind direction plate motor 163 shown in FIG. 3) is provided with the pivot shafts provided at both ends as fulcrums. It is rotated by.

The front panel 106 is installed so as to cover the front surface of the indoor unit 100, and is configured to be rotatable by a front panel motor about the lower end. Incidentally, you may comprise the front panel 106 as what is fixed to a lower end.
The blower fan 103 rotates to take in indoor air through the air suction port 107 and the filter 108, and guides the air heat-exchanged by the indoor heat exchanger 102 to the blowout air passage 109a. Further, the air guided to the blowout air passage 109a is adjusted in air direction by the left and right airflow direction plates 104 and the vertical airflow direction plate 105, and is sent to the outside from the air blowing port 109b to air-condition the air-conditioned room.

The image pickup means 120 is installed so as to face downward by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction from the mounting position of the image pickup means 120, and can appropriately image the air-conditioned room in which the indoor unit 100 is installed. However, the detailed mounting position and angle of the imaging unit 120 may be set according to the specification and application of the air conditioner A, and the configuration is not limited.
In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that the structure of the air conditioner A shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is an example which concerns on this embodiment to the last.

(Function of the air conditioner)
FIG. 3 shows an example of functions provided in the air conditioner A. As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner A includes an imaging unit 120, a control unit 140, a load 160, a sensor 170, a visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180, and a visible light attenuation filter 181. Note that the near infrared irradiation means (infrared irradiation means) 130, the infrared attenuation filter driving means 182, the infrared attenuation filter 183, the infrared ultraviolet attenuation filter 183a, the ultraviolet attenuation filter driving means 184, and the ultraviolet attenuation filter, which are indicated by broken lines in FIG. 185 is appropriately provided according to the specifications of the air conditioner A or as necessary.

First, a function example of the imaging unit 120 will be described with reference to FIG. The imaging unit 120 has a function of imaging the air-conditioned room.
The imaging unit 120 mainly includes an optical lens 121, an imaging element 122, an AD (analog / digital) conversion unit 123, and a signal processing unit 124.
The optical lens 121 has a function of forming an optical image of the subject on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 122 by changing the magnification of the light flux from the subject or adjusting the aperture and focus for adjusting the amount of received light. Have.

The image sensor 122 is configured by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, or the like, photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject formed on the light receiving surface, and obtains an obtained image signal. It has a function of outputting to the AD conversion unit 123. The image sensor 122 is formed so that the sensitivity is high in the visible light band and the sensitivity is lowered in the infrared band having a wavelength larger than that of the visible light. However, it is known that the sensitivity of the image sensor with respect to near infrared rays is not zero and can receive near infrared rays.
Therefore, in the commercially available image pickup means 120, a built-in filter that attenuates light in the visible light band and near-infrared region and ultraviolet region wavelengths before and after the band is arranged between the image pickup element 122 and the optical lens 121. The structure which suppresses the influence of the infrared rays and ultraviolet rays with respect to a captured image is taken.

  The AD conversion unit 123 has a function of digitally converting the imaging signal to generate a digital imaging signal and outputting the digital imaging signal to the signal processing unit 124. Further, the AD conversion unit 123 may be configured to perform image correction such as color tone and luminance of the digital imaging signal together.

  The signal processing unit 124 receives the imaging parameter 126 from the control unit 140, executes predetermined signal processing on the received digital imaging signal to generate image data 125, and generates the generated image data 125 by the control unit 140. It has a function of outputting to the image detection unit 141.

Next, a function example of the control unit 140 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 140 has a function of receiving the image data 125 from the imaging unit 120, detecting a human body, an object, and a floor plan from the image data 125, and executing air conditioning control based on the detection result.
The control unit 140 performs overall control of the operation of the air conditioner A according to the image data 125 input from the imaging unit 120, the command signal input from the remote controller Re, the sensor output input from the sensor 170, and the like. As a result, detailed operation control is executed.
The control unit 140 includes an image detection unit 141, a calculation processing unit (air conditioning operation control unit) 145, a drive control unit (air conditioning operation control unit) 146, and a storage unit 150.

  The image detection unit 141 has a function of executing various types of image processing on the image data 125 received from the imaging unit 120. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the image detection unit 141 includes a human body detection unit 142, an object detection unit 143, and a floor plan detection unit 144 is illustrated. The human body detection unit 142 performs processing for detecting a human body and position such as a human head, chest, arms, and legs. The object detection unit 143 executes processing for detecting the shape and position of an object in the air-conditioned room. The floor plan detection unit 144 executes a process of estimating the floor plan of the air-conditioned room by detecting the distance to the wall of the room and the position of the corner of the wall. The detailed processing contents of the units 142 to 144 will be described later.

The arithmetic processing unit 145 has a function of acquiring sensor information from the sensor 170, acquiring a command signal from the remote controller Re, and calculating an air conditioning operation setting. In addition to the calculated air conditioning operation setting, the arithmetic processing unit 145 acquires detection data (image detection result information 831 shown in FIG. 9) from the image detection unit 141 such as the position of the occupant and the shape and position of the object. The air conditioning operation setting is corrected based on the detection data.
The detection data is only information such as the position and activity amount of the occupants, and information such as the shape and position of the detected object, distance information, etc., and image information that a person can visually grasp as an image. Does not contain. This not only reduces the amount of data held in the storage unit 150 but also prevents the image data 125 from being taken out of the control unit 140, thus protecting the privacy of the occupants in the air-conditioned room. Can be realized.

  The drive control unit 146 has a function of outputting a drive signal for driving the load 160 to the load 160 based on the air conditioning operation setting calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 145.

  The storage unit 150 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The program stored in the ROM is read out by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and expanded in the RAM, and the functions of the units 141, 145, and 146 of the control unit 140 are realized.

  The load 160 is, for example, a blower fan motor 161 provided in the indoor unit 100, a compressor motor 162 provided in the outdoor unit 200, a vertical wind direction plate 105 (see FIG. 2), and a wind direction plate that controls the left and right wind direction plate 104 (see FIG. 2). Motor 163 or the like. These loads 160 are controlled based on a drive signal input from the drive control unit 146 of the control unit 140.

  The sensor 170 is, for example, a thermopile temperature sensor, an illuminance sensor, an activity amount detection sensor using a Fresnel lens, and an infrared sensor. The sensor 170 outputs the acquired sensor information to the arithmetic processing unit 145. In addition, even if the sensor 170 is provided in the air conditioner A main body, it may be provided in the position away from the main body.

The visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180 has a function of executing a process of arranging the visible light attenuation filter 181 on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 and a process of arranging the visible light attenuation filter 181 outside the imaging range of the imaging unit 120.
The visible light attenuation filter driving means 180 is driven by a motor provided in the air conditioner A, for example, in accordance with a drive signal of the control means 140 of the air conditioner A, and can move the visible light attenuation filter 181. It has become a structure.
The visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180 arranges the visible light attenuation filter 181 on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 when the control unit 140 determines that the brightness of the air-conditioned room is equal to or higher than the predetermined brightness. To be controlled.
In addition, the visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180 can detect the position of the visible light attenuation filter 181 when, for example, a stepping motor is used.
The position of the visible light attenuation filter 181 may be detected by a method of detecting the position of the visible light attenuation filter 181 from the captured image of the imaging unit 120.

The visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed on the front surface (imaging target side) of the imaging device 120, and is configured by an optical filter or a resin material that attenuates light in the visible light band and transmits near infrared rays. The optical filter or the resin material is processed into a shape that follows the design on the front surface of the imaging unit 120, for example, and is configured to match the design on the exterior of the air conditioner A.
When a resin material that attenuates visible light is used as the visible light attenuating filter 181, the resin material may have a shape that conforms to the appearance of the imaging unit 120, and may be used as a protective cover for the imaging unit 120.
When the built-in filter for attenuating the infrared band and the ultraviolet band provided in the imaging unit 120 is eliminated, there is a possibility that the influence of ultraviolet rays will occur. Therefore, tuning may be performed so that the visible light attenuation filter 181 includes an ultraviolet attenuation function and transmits only light in the infrared band.

  Here, the positional relationship between the visible light attenuation filter 181 and the imaging unit 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. 4A shows a case where the visible light attenuation filter 181 is installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the visible light attenuation filter 181 is arranged outside the imaging range of the imaging unit 120. Represents.

  In FIG. 4A, since the visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed on the front surface (imaging target side) of the imaging unit 120, visible light is attenuated, but near infrared light is transmitted. It is known that the image sensor 122 has high sensitivity in the visible light band and is not zero in sensitivity to near infrared rays. Therefore, by using the visible light attenuation filter 181, it is possible to capture near-infrared light more clearly by attenuating light in the visible light band from light entering the image sensor 122 of the imaging unit 120. Accurate image detection processing can be executed.

  In FIG. 4B, since the visible light attenuation filter 181 is removed from the front surface of the imaging unit 120 (arranged outside the imaging range), visible light and near-infrared light enter the imaging unit 120.

  However, it is considered that the sensitivity of the image sensor 122 to near infrared rays is lower than the sensitivity to visible light. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 4A, it is assumed that an image captured by the imaging unit 120 becomes dark. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the exposure setting or image processing of the image sensor 122. This adjustment is preferably performed in accordance with the characteristics of the visible light attenuation filter 181 and the performance of the imaging unit 120.

  Further, the visible light attenuation filter 181 preferably has a characteristic of attenuating not only the visible light band but also ultraviolet rays. The attenuation characteristic of ultraviolet rays may be set so as to suppress the influence of ultraviolet rays on the image data 125 so that the image detecting process can be performed correctly from the image data 125 of the image captured by the imaging unit 120.

Further, when the visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed in front of the imaging unit 120, it is preferably installed at a position that covers the entire imaging range of the imaging unit 120. The reason for this is that the boundary portion of the visible light attenuation filter 181 and the structural parts related to the visible light attenuation filter 181 that cause noise in the captured image of the imaging unit 120 are not reflected on the captured image. This is because an extra process such as reduction can be omitted.
Further, when the visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed outside the imaging range of the imaging unit 120, the visible light attenuation filter 181 and the structural components related to the visible light attenuation filter 181 do not enter the imaging range of the imaging unit 120. It is preferable to make it.

Returning to FIG. 3, the near-infrared irradiation means 130 controls a near-infrared projector 131 (see FIG. 1) that emits near-infrared rays and an irradiation direction of the near-infrared projector 131 and also controls on / off of irradiation. 826 (see FIG. 9). The near-infrared projector 131 is, for example, a near-infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) (infrared light-emitting element), and has a function of irradiating the imaging range of the imaging unit 120 with near-infrared rays.
When the imaging unit 120 is configured to rotate (pan) and image the entire air-conditioned room, (i) near infrared rays only in an area that needs to be imaged so as to synchronize with the imaging direction of the imaging unit 120. (Ii) One or a plurality of near-infrared projectors 131 are arranged so as to irradiate the entire imaging area.

The infrared attenuation filter driving unit 182 has a function of arranging the infrared attenuation filter 183 or the infrared ultraviolet attenuation filter 183a on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 or outside the imaging range.
The infrared attenuation filter 183 is an optical filter that attenuates infrared rays and transmits visible light, and is made of glass or a resin material. The infrared ultraviolet attenuation filter 183a is an optical filter having a characteristic of causing the infrared attenuation filter 183 to attenuate ultraviolet rays, and is composed of a crow or a resin material.

The ultraviolet attenuation filter driving unit 184 has a function of arranging the ultraviolet attenuation filter 185 on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 or out of the imaging range.
The ultraviolet attenuation filter 185 is an optical filter that attenuates ultraviolet rays, and is made of glass or a resin material.

<Outline of image detection processing of an image captured using a visible light attenuation filter>
Next, image detection processing of an image captured using the visible light attenuation filter 181 will be described.
In general, in an environment where the air conditioner A is used, near infrared rays are emitted along with light in a visible light band emitted from a light source such as an illuminator or sunlight.
The air conditioner A has a configuration in which the visible light attenuation filter 181 is arranged on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 and can be imaged. Therefore, the imaging unit 120 of the air conditioner A attenuates the light in the visible light band in a room environment in which the illuminator is lit, in an environment where sunlight is present, or in both environments, and thus is clearer. It is possible to acquire a near infrared image. The near-infrared image is not limited to an image that captures only pure near-infrared light, but may be an image that includes some visible light band other than near-infrared light or light in other bands. That is, it is only necessary to contain a relatively large amount of near infrared rays.

  For example, when the illuminator in the air-conditioned room irradiates light on the object to be imaged from a direction different from the shooting direction of the image capturing unit 120, the shadow of the object due to visible light is generated. The shadow of this object may interfere with image detection. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the influence of shadows by irradiating near-infrared rays from a near-infrared projector 131 (see FIG. 1) provided in the air conditioner A. The combination of the presence / absence of the visible light attenuation filter 181 and the presence / absence of near-infrared irradiation from the near-infrared projector 131 depends on the specification of the air conditioner A, the environment in the air-conditioned room, or the detection target or combination. It only has to be set.

  When the image sensor 122 is an image sensor having sensitivity to visible light, it is assumed that the near infrared illuminance cannot be sufficiently obtained even when the built-in filter in the image sensor 122 is eliminated. Therefore, when the visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed in front of the imaging unit 120, it is assumed that a sufficient illuminance cannot be obtained. This is because the near-infrared light may also be attenuated by the visible light attenuation filter 181. In that case, a process of increasing the intensity of near infrared rays emitted from the near infrared projector 131 provided in the air conditioner A, or a process of changing the visible light attenuation filter 181 to an object having a low attenuation factor in the near infrared band. It is necessary to improve the near-infrared illuminance. Alternatively, the brightness of the acquired image can be ensured by adjusting the shutter speed of the image sensor 122, adjusting the gain, or changing the image sensor 122 to a larger object.

  The image sensor 122 configured to capture the visible light band generally measures the light intensity of three colors of red, green, and blue, and forms a matrix so that the data becomes one dot on the image information. Data is generated from the output of the red, green, and blue photosensors arranged in. The color of the object is determined by the wavelength absorbed by the target object in the visible light region wavelength. For example, a blue object absorbs light having a wavelength in the red to green band and reflects light having a blue wavelength, so that the color of the object appears blue. However, since the near-infrared light has a wavelength different from that of the visible light band, the image acquired when the near-infrared light is irradiated differs from the color of the object, depending on the near-infrared absorption and reflectance of the object. Expressed in different colors or brightness. However, the degree of the difference in color tone or luminance varies depending on the difference in the built-in filter characteristics of the image sensor 122.

  When an object is detected from a captured image captured by the imaging unit 120, a boundary on the screen is derived from a difference in color tone or luminance, and the object is detected by detecting this as a contour. For this reason, when the object to be imaged is an object having a different color such as a pattern or a pattern, the pattern or the pattern may be erroneously detected as a boundary of the contour. When an image of an air-conditioned room is captured, objects such as carpets, flooring, wallpaper, etc. that may cause disturbances in image detection due to patterns and patterns are used for the same object, so the near infrared absorption rate, reflection The rate is almost the same. That is, in the air conditioner A, the visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed in front of the imaging unit 120 during imaging to receive near-infrared rays, so that it is not easily affected by the pattern or pattern of an object that causes disturbance in image processing. It is said. In other words, by imaging with near infrared rays, it is possible to detect an object having a pattern or a pattern that originally becomes a disturbance when performing image detection as long as the same material is the same color.

<Combined use of infrared attenuation filter or ultraviolet attenuation filter>
In the case where the built-in filter that attenuates one or both of infrared rays and ultraviolet rays provided in the imaging element 122 is eliminated, the influence of the infrared rays and / or ultraviolet rays on the color tone, contrast, and the like of the captured image is affected. Unacceptable cases may occur. At this time, it is preferable to pick up an image by arranging an optical filter having the same characteristics as the built-in filter in front of the image pickup means 120. Further, when imaging is performed while irradiating near infrared rays, or when the visible light attenuation filter 181 is arranged in front of the imaging means 120 and imaging is performed, imaging with near infrared rays is possible by removing the built-in filter of the imaging element 122. To. That is, when performing image detection, by eliminating the built-in filter built in the image sensor 122, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of image detection due to a change in the color tone of the captured image. .

  In the present embodiment, an optical filter having a characteristic of attenuating one or both of infrared rays and ultraviolet rays is not used at the same time as the visible light attenuation filter 181. Therefore, in the air conditioner A using the visible light attenuation filter 181, the optical filter is configured in an integrated shape side by side with the visible light attenuation filter 181, and the arrangement position is moved by the visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180. May be. However, the said optical filter and mechanism should just be set suitably according to the specification of the air conditioner A, and do not limit the structure of this invention.

Here, the positional relationship between the integral structure filter 186 configured integrally with the visible light attenuation filter 181 and the infrared attenuation filter 183 and the imaging unit 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. To do. 5A shows a case where the visible light attenuation filter 181 is arranged on the front surface of the imaging unit 120, and FIG. 5B shows a case where the infrared attenuation filter 183 is arranged on the front surface of the imaging unit 120.
The integral filter 186 is configured by connecting a visible light attenuation filter 181 and an infrared attenuation filter 183 side by side.

FIG. 5A shows a state in which the visible light attenuation filter 181 in the monolithic filter 186 is disposed on the front surface of the imaging device 120. Visible light is attenuated, but near infrared light is transmitted.
FIG. 5B shows a state in which the infrared attenuation filter 183 in the monolithic filter 186 is disposed on the front surface of the imaging device 120. Visible light is transmitted, but infrared light is attenuated. However, near infrared rays may be transmitted.

<Human body detection and object detection>
Next, an example of human body and object detection by the image detection unit 141 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C (see FIG. 3 as appropriate). 6A shows an example of an evaluation image, FIG. 6B shows an example of detecting a human body from the evaluation image, and FIG. 6C shows an example of detecting an object from the evaluation image. Yes.

  The air conditioner A can capture an image under a plurality of conditions including a combination of whether or not the visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed in front of the imaging unit 120 and whether or not the near infrared irradiation unit 130 irradiates near infrared rays. It has a simple configuration. Therefore, the air conditioner A can capture an image capable of highly accurate image detection by changing the imaging method according to the indoor environment in the air-conditioned room detected by the air conditioner A and the imaging target. it can.

  FIG. 6A illustrates an evaluation image that is an object of image detection processing in the image detection unit 141. In the evaluation image, an object 300 that is a desk, an object 301 that is a chair, and a human body 400 are shown.

FIG. 6B shows an image when the face 410 of the human body 400 is detected from the evaluation image shown in FIG.
The imaging unit 120 arranges the visible light attenuation filter 181 in front of the imaging unit 120 and images the outline, limbs, and the like of the human body 400 with near infrared rays. On the near-infrared image, the reflectance and absorption rate of the near-infrared ray of the human body 400 are almost the same, so that the color tone and luminance are almost the same, so that image detection can be performed.

  When detecting the human body 400 from the image data 125 acquired from the imaging unit 120, the human body detection unit 142 of the control unit 140 uses a method of detecting a human body based on the contour of the human body. In this method, a case where an object similar to the shape of a human body is erroneously detected as a human body is assumed. Therefore, the human body detection unit 142 can perform accurate detection by using other image detection in combination with, for example, face detection, individual detection, or processing for estimating gender and age from human face parts and skin. It becomes. In addition, the human body detection unit 142 can detect a human movement by continuously detecting the human body.

The distance from the indoor unit 100 to the human body 400 can be calculated from the angle of view of the imaging unit 120 and the position where the floor surface is captured in the captured image. Specifically, it demonstrates using FIG. 5 (a) and FIG.5 (b). FIG. 5A represents the distance when viewed from the side, and FIG. 5B represents the distance in the captured image.
In FIG. 5A, if the height from the floor surface of the indoor unit 100 and the angle of view α of the imaging unit 120 are known, positions L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 indicating the distance from the indoor unit 100 are indicated. Can be marked. Then, the relationship between the positions L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 and the angle overlooking the distance between the positions from the imaging unit 120 is obtained.
Next, in FIG. 5B, the lengths of the depths of the floor surface shown in the captured image are distributed so as to be proportional to the angle overlooking the distance between the positions, so that the positions L2, L3, L4. , L5.
That is, the distance can be calculated from the position where the human body 400 or the objects 300 and 301 are in contact with the floor surface.

  Returning to FIG. 6B, the human body detection unit 142 can obtain a lot of information by combining the detection results of the body detection and the face detection. For example, the human body detection unit 142 can also estimate the distance to the human body 400 from the size of the body and the size of the face in the image captured by the imaging unit 120. In addition, as another method, the human body detection unit 142 may make the face or body of the human body 400 near the air conditioner A appear larger and the face or body of the human body 400 farther away from the air conditioner A appear smaller. May be used.

The human body detection unit 142 can detect the amount of activity by capturing not only the position of the human body 400 in the air-conditioned room but also its temporal change. The air conditioner A can improve the comfort in the air-conditioned room by reflecting this amount of activity in the air conditioning operation setting. Specifically, the human body detection unit 142 calculates a sensory temperature corresponding to the activity amount of the human body 400 based on the detection result of the activity amount of the human body 400 in the air-conditioned room, and calculates the calculated sensory temperature to the arithmetic processing unit. By outputting to 145, it can be reflected in the air-conditioning operation setting.
However, the processing method of the human body detection unit 142 is an example, and the detection method of the human body 400 may be selected according to the specifications of the air conditioner A.

Next, the case where the objects 310 and 311 are detected will be described with reference to FIG.
The imaging unit 120 arranges the visible light attenuation filter 181 on the front surface of the imaging unit 120, and images furniture, walls in the air-conditioned room, and the like with near infrared rays. Even if the objects are visually different colors, the near-infrared reflectance is close to the near-infrared image on the near-infrared image, so that the color tone and brightness are almost the same, so that image detection can be performed.
For example, a case where the right half is a brown towel and the left half is a creamy two-color towel will be described. When detection is performed in a visible light environment, since there are two colors, the boundary between these colors is erroneously detected as the boundary between objects. Therefore, it is erroneously detected that there are two objects. On the other hand, on the image picked up with near infrared rays, the towel has the same color and the same brightness because the right half and the left half are the same material, so that it can be detected as one object. By matching the coordinates of an object detected in an image capturing visible light and an image capturing near-infrared light, a towel that is erroneously detected as two objects on a visible light image can be detected as one object. Can be recognized correctly.

The object detection unit 143 detects the outline of the object from the image data 125 acquired from the imaging unit 120 and detects the objects 310 and 311. Further, the object detection unit 143 can estimate the size of the object, the distance from the indoor unit 100 to the object, the shape, and the like from the positions of the detected objects 310 and 311 as in the case of human body detection.
In addition, the object detection unit 143 may perform shape analysis such as calculation of the center of gravity position and the complexity of the shape from the contour of the detected object. However, the object detection unit 143 may perform various image detections using these calculation results and analysis results according to the specifications of the air conditioner A.
The object detection unit 143 can use well-known software that detects the shape of an object from the image data 125.

  Next, the flow of processing for performing an air conditioning operation based on the image detection result will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E. To do. 8A shows an example of the captured image, FIG. 8B shows an example of the detection result of the human body, FIG. 8C shows an example of the detection result of the object, and FIG. 8D shows the human body. FIG. 8E shows an example of the air conditioning control when viewed from above, and FIG. 8F shows the air conditioning control when viewed from the side. An example is shown.

FIG. 8A shows an example of a captured image. A human body 401 and an object 302 exist in the air-conditioned room.
In FIG. 8B, the human body detection unit 142 detects the face part 411 and the body part 412 of the human body 401. In addition, when detecting the position of the human body 401 and the extremities of the human body 401 from the captured image shown in FIG. 8, when using a process for detecting the color of the human skin, a near-infrared ray or a visible light attenuation filter is used. If 181 is arranged on the front surface of the imaging means 120, it will be difficult to detect the color correctly. Therefore, it is preferable to take an image without using near-infrared radiation and without using the visible light attenuation filter 181. The human body detection unit 142 detects the human body 401 for each of the image captured in the visible light environment and the image captured near-infrared when using the process of detecting the color of the human skin, and uses the detection results of both. Thus, the human body 401 can be detected with higher accuracy.

In FIG. 8C, the object detection unit 143 detects the outer shape 312 of the object 302. When an object is detected, as described above, the influence of the shadow of the handle or pattern of the object or the illumination in the room may be a disturbance. In this case, a higher-precision object can be obtained by irradiating near-infrared rays with the near-infrared irradiating means 130 for imaging or by arranging the visible light attenuation filter 181 in front of the imaging means 120 for imaging. Can be detected. In addition, when the illuminance in the air-conditioned room is low, it is possible to perform image detection under low illuminance by irradiating near infrared rays from the near infrared irradiation means 130. Further, when the room illuminance is high, the imaging unit 120 has a strong sensitivity in the visible light band, so that the visible light attenuation filter 181 is disposed in front of the imaging unit 120 to perform image detection using a near-infrared image. It can be carried out.
As another example, the position of a person is detected from an image captured with visible light, and an area where the occupant has a high occupancy frequency is detected from the frequency at which the position is detected. Then, the object may be detected with higher accuracy by irradiating near infrared light around an area where no person is detected to detect the object.

  In FIG. 8D, the image detection unit 141 generates an image in which the detected face part 411 and body part 412 of the human body 401 and the outer shape 312 of the object 302 are combined.

  FIG. 8E shows the positional relationship between the human body 401 and the object 302 and a state in which the wind direction is changed by air conditioning control when viewed from above. Initially, the wind was sent in the W1 direction, which is the central direction of the air-conditioned room, but after the image detection process, the wind is sent in the detected W2 direction of the human body 401.

  Further, FIG. 8F shows a state in which the wind direction is changed by air conditioning control and the positional relationship between the human body 401 and the object 302 when viewed from the side. Initially, the wind was sent in the W1 direction, which is the central direction of the air-conditioned room, but after the image detection process, the wind is sent in the detected W2 direction of the human body 401.

That is, in the processing flow shown in FIGS. 8B to 8D, the image detection unit 141 represents the detected positions of the human body 401 and the object 302 by the position coordinates in the air-conditioned room, and calculates the coordinate values. To the unit 145. Then, in the processing flow shown in FIGS. 8E to 8F, the arithmetic processing unit 145 calculates the air conditioning operation setting using the coordinate positions of the human body 401 and the object 302 acquired from the image detection unit 141.
Note that the imaging conditions combining the presence / absence of the visible light attenuation filter 181 and the presence / absence of the near-infrared irradiation means 130 are appropriate according to the specifications of the image processing software used, the detection target, and the product specifications of the air conditioner A. Should be set. Moreover, since the air conditioner A of this embodiment can be imaged on several imaging conditions, it can improve detection accuracy by adding various processes according to the image detection software with which the air conditioner A is equipped. .

<Example of implementation>
Here, an example of the mounting form will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 (see FIG. 3 as appropriate).
FIG. 9 shows a configuration example when the visible light attenuation filter driving means is connected to the camera substrate and the near infrared irradiation means is mounted on the camera substrate. FIG. 10 shows a configuration example when the visible light attenuation filter driving unit and the near infrared irradiation unit are connected to the camera substrate. FIG. 11 shows a configuration example when the visible light attenuation filter driving means is connected to the control board and the near infrared irradiation means is mounted on the control board. FIG. 12 shows a configuration example when the visible light attenuation filter driving unit and the near infrared irradiation unit are connected to the control board.
9 to 12, the same functions as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(When the visible light attenuation filter driving means is connected to the camera board and the near infrared irradiation means is mounted on the camera board)
FIG. 9 shows software in which the control means 140 executes various image detection processes using the control board 800 on which the main microcomputer 801 for controlling the operation of the air conditioner A is mounted and the image data 125 output from the imaging means 120. The camera microcomputer 811, the imaging means 120, the near-infrared irradiation circuit 826, and the camera substrate 810 on which the near-infrared projector 131 is mounted are shown. The visible light attenuation filter driving means 180 for arranging the visible light attenuation filter 181, the infrared attenuation filter driving means 182 for arranging the infrared attenuation filter 183 or the infrared ultraviolet attenuation filter 183 a, and the ultraviolet attenuation filter driving means 184 for arranging the ultraviolet attenuation filter 185. Are connected to the camera substrate 810.

  Here, the near infrared irradiation circuit 826 has a function of transmitting an instruction to cause the near infrared projector 131 to emit near infrared light. Note that the near infrared irradiation circuit 826 does not have a function of driving the direction of the near infrared projector 131. This is because the imaging means 120 and the near-infrared projector 131 are mounted on the camera board 810, and therefore the orientation of the imaging means 120 and the near-infrared projector 131 changes in synchronization if the orientation of the camera board 810 is changed. is there.

  By dividing the control means 140 into the main microcomputer 801 and the camera microcomputer 811, it is possible to configure the control means 140 at a lower cost than when a single microcomputer is used. This is because the camera microcomputer 811 operates image processing software that requires a relatively fast calculation process, whereas the main microcomputer 801 controls the drive portion of the air conditioner A that requires a relatively slow calculation process. Because it is good. Since the processing speeds of the camera microcomputer 811 and the main microcomputer 801 are different, the information communication between the main microcomputer 801 and the camera microcomputer 811 is serial communication, and only the detection result by image detection is transmitted from the camera microcomputer 811 to the main microcomputer 801. The load on the main microcomputer 801 is suppressed by reducing the amount of information to be communicated.

  Further, the storage means 150 shown in FIG. 3 is provided separately for each of the main microcomputer 801 and the camera microcomputer 811. The main microcomputer 801 includes a storage unit 150b, and the camera microcomputer 811 includes a storage unit 150a.

  In the case where the visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180 is connected to the camera substrate 810, the processing for arranging and imaging the visible light attenuation filter 181 on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 is executed according to a command signal from the camera microcomputer 811. Is done.

  When the main microcomputer 801 changes the imaging settings of the imaging unit 120, for example, settings such as shutter speed, white balance, and contrast, and image processing on the camera substrate 810, the imaging request information 830 is changed to the camera microcomputer 811. Send to. Further, the camera microcomputer 811 transmits the image detection result information 831 to the main microcomputer 801. At that time, the main microcomputer 801 and the camera microcomputer 811 execute transmission / reception of information in synchronization with each other.

Further, when the near-infrared irradiation circuit 826 and the near-infrared projector 131 are mounted on the camera substrate 810, the near-infrared irradiation can be always performed in the photographing direction of the imaging unit 120. You can narrow the range. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange a plurality of LEDs covering all directions, and a mechanism for driving the near-infrared projector 131 in the imaging direction of the imaging means 120 is not required, so that it can be configured at low cost.
Further, when the near-infrared irradiation circuit 826 and the near-infrared projector 131 are mounted on the camera substrate 810, lead wires are not necessary, and costs can be reduced. Further, the near-infrared projector 131 can be directly driven by the camera microcomputer 811 via the near-infrared irradiation circuit 826, and it is easy to synchronize imaging and near-infrared irradiation, and shorten the near-infrared irradiation time. It is possible to shorten the photographing time at the time of near infrared irradiation.

  At this time, when the LED is used for the near-infrared projector 131, the lifetime of the LED is extended by shortening the irradiation time of the near-infrared ray per time. Moreover, since the influence of the heat generation of the LED can be reduced, the current value corresponding to the reduction can be increased. In the LED, the current value and the light emission intensity are proportional to each other, so that the number of LEDs corresponding to the reduction can be suppressed by increasing the light emission intensity of each LED. Further, the near-infrared projector 131 can be made smaller while suppressing the price.

(When visible light attenuation filter driving means and near infrared irradiation means are connected to the camera board)
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example when the visible light attenuation filter driving unit and the near infrared irradiation unit are connected to the camera substrate. The configuration of FIG. 10 is different from the configuration of FIG. 9 in that the near-infrared irradiation circuit 826 and the near-infrared projector 131 in FIG. 9 are replaced with the near-infrared irradiation means 130, and the near-infrared irradiation means 130 is replaced with the camera substrate 810. Is connected. Therefore, the different points will be described below.

When the near-infrared irradiation means 130 is connected to the camera substrate 810, the near-infrared irradiation means 130 can be directly driven by the camera microcomputer 811, and it is easy to synchronize imaging and near-infrared irradiation, shorten the near-infrared irradiation time, and near-infrared It is possible to shorten the photographing time during irradiation.
At this time, when the LED is used for the near-infrared projector 131, the lifetime of the LED is extended by shortening the irradiation time of the near-infrared ray per time. Moreover, since the influence of the heat generation of the LED can be reduced, the current value corresponding to the reduction can be increased. In the LED, the current value and the light emission intensity are proportional to each other, so that the number of LEDs corresponding to the reduction can be suppressed by increasing the light emission intensity of each LED. Further, the near-infrared projector 131 can be made smaller while suppressing the price.
Further, by arranging the camera substrate 810 and the near-infrared projector 131 close to each other, the lead wire can be shortened and the cost can be reduced.

(When visible light attenuating filter driving means is connected to the control board, and near infrared irradiation means is mounted on the control board)
FIG. 11 shows a configuration example when the visible light attenuation filter driving means is connected to the control board and the near infrared irradiation means is mounted on the control board. The configuration of FIG. 11 is different from the configuration of FIG. 10 in that the near infrared irradiation unit 130 of FIG. 10 is mounted on the control board 800, and the visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180, the infrared attenuation filter driving unit 182 and the ultraviolet attenuation filter. That is, the driving means 184 is connected to the control board 800. Therefore, the different points will be described below.

  When the visible light attenuation filter driving means 180 is connected to the control board 800 and the visible light attenuation filter 181 is placed on the front surface of the imaging means 120 and imaging is performed, the visible light attenuation filter driving means 180 is controlled by the control board 800. The main microcomputer 801 is driven. Further, the visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180 may be driven in accordance with the image detection result information 831 received from the camera substrate 810. When the visible light attenuation filter 181 is arranged in front of the imaging unit 120 and imaging is performed, when changing the control of image processing or the like on the camera substrate 810, the main microcomputer 801 of the control substrate 800 changes to the camera substrate 810. Imaging request information 830 is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 811.

Mounting the near-infrared irradiation means 130 on the control board 800 eliminates the harness, the module substrate, etc., and makes the structure cheaper than when the near-infrared irradiation means 130 is produced as a single module. Is possible.
When it is difficult to rotate the control board 800 itself, a plurality of LEDs having different irradiation directions are prepared in advance, and only LEDs that are directed in a necessary direction are turned on to realize low current and long life.

(When visible light attenuation filter driving means and near infrared irradiation means are connected to the control board)
FIG. 12 shows a configuration example when the visible light attenuation filter driving unit and the near infrared irradiation unit are connected to the control board. The configuration of FIG. 12 is different from the configuration of FIG. 11 in that the near infrared irradiation means 130 is connected to the control board 800. Therefore, the different points will be described below.

When the camera substrate 810 is rotatable, when the near-infrared irradiation unit 130 is connected to the control board 800 on which the main microcomputer 801 is mounted, the camera is compared with when the near-infrared irradiation unit 130 is connected to the camera substrate 810. It is possible to reduce the number of lead wires connected to the substrate 810 by the near infrared irradiation means 130 minutes.
Further, when the camera substrate 810 is rotatable, when the near-infrared irradiation means 130 is connected to the control substrate 800 on which the main microcomputer 801 is mounted, the near-infrared LED mounting space or the LED module connection on the camera substrate 810. Therefore, the camera substrate 810 can be made smaller.
Then, by reducing the size of the camera substrate 810, it is possible to ensure the rotation of the imaging unit 120. Furthermore, since the number of harnesses connected to the rotating camera substrate 810 is reduced, troubles such as disconnection of the lead wire during rotation of the imaging means 120 can be avoided.

(Near infrared projector)
FIGS. 13A, 13 </ b> B, and 13 </ b> C are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the near-infrared projector 131.
The near-infrared projector 500a shown in FIG. 13A is a case where the near-infrared light emitted from the LED 502 installed on the pedestal 501 has directivity using an optical lens such as a condenser lens 503 or a diffusing material. It is. Near-infrared rays emitted by the near-infrared projector 500a are represented by a gray area L.

  The near-infrared projector 500b shown in FIG. 13B is a case where the near-infrared light emitted from the LED 502 installed on the pedestal 501 is given a loose directivity using an optical lens or a diffusing material such as the diffusion sheet 504. It is. Near-infrared rays emitted by the near-infrared projector 500b are represented by a gray area L.

  A near-infrared projector 500c shown in FIG. 13C is a case where the near-infrared rays emitted from the LED 502 installed on the pedestal 501 are provided with directivity by configuring a reflector 505 on the outer periphery of the LED 502 line. Near-infrared rays emitted by the near-infrared projector 500c are represented by a gray area L.

  It is preferable that the type of the near-infrared projector 131 is appropriately selected so as to match the content of the control of the air conditioner A so that the near-infrared ray can be irradiated to a predetermined range. Moreover, in order to prevent the near infrared rays to be irradiated from being erroneously detected as the boundary of the object at the time of image detection, the contour of the irradiation range of the near infrared rays and the characteristics of the condenser lens 503 used in the near infrared projector 131 are used. It is preferable not to generate near-infrared shading that occurs depending on the light source.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an irradiation range of the near-infrared projector 131 when the imaging unit 120 is configured to rotate.
The angle of view of the imaging unit 120 is assumed to be a camera imaging viewing angle α. When the imaging means 120 mounted on the indoor unit 100 is rotated by the camera substrate driving angle θ, the range imaged by the camera imaging viewing angle α is shown in FIG. On the other hand, the near-infrared projector 131 emits near-infrared rays at a near-infrared irradiation angle β. For example, when the near-infrared projector 131 rotates the near-infrared projector angle Φ and emits near-infrared rays, the emitted near-infrared rays fall within the range of the camera imaging viewing angle α as shown in FIG. It will fit.

FIG. 15 shows an example when the near-infrared projector 131 is fixedly installed.
As shown in FIG. 15, the near-infrared projector 131 is configured by arranging near-infrared LEDs 502 on three surfaces of a square column base 501 having a trapezoidal (or quadrangular) bottom surface. FIG. 15 shows a case where two near-infrared LEDs 502 are arranged on one surface of the pedestal 501, but the number is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.
The angle γ represents the LED installation angle. In addition, the angles β1, β2, and β3 represent near infrared irradiation angles.
For example, the near-infrared projector 131 shown in FIG. 14 can irradiate near-infrared rays in a range of 180 degrees as a whole when the angle γ is 60 degrees and the angles β1, β2, and β3 are 60 degrees.
In FIG. 15, the case of irradiation in three directions has been described. For example, near infrared LEDs 502 are arranged on four sides of a pentagonal pedestal having a pentagonal bottom surface, or a triangular prism pedestal having a triangular bottom surface is provided. The near-infrared LED 502 may be arranged on the two surfaces.

  FIG. 16 shows a case where imaging is performed by rotating the imaging unit 120 while irradiating near infrared rays using the near infrared projector 131 shown in FIG. FIG. 16A shows a view seen from above, FIG. 16B shows a view seen from the front, and FIG. 16C shows an overhead view.

The imaging unit 120 captures an image of the air-conditioned room while the near-infrared irradiation unit 130 irradiates the room to be air-conditioned in accordance with the indoor environment.
Near-infrared light has a wavelength longer than that of light in the visible light band and cannot be recognized by the human eye, but the imaging unit 120 can detect near-infrared light. Therefore, it is possible to acquire a near-infrared image in the air-conditioned room by imaging with the imaging unit 120 while irradiating the near-infrared radiation from the near-infrared irradiation unit 130.

  FIG. 16A shows that the near-infrared irradiation angles β1, β2, and β3 are larger than the respective camera imaging viewing angles α1, α2, and α3, and the near-infrared irradiation angles β1 and β2 are overlapped. And β3 are overlapped to represent a state of imaging.

  In FIG. 16B, the range indicated by reference numeral 601 represents the range irradiated by the near infrared irradiation angle β1. A range indicated by reference numeral 602 represents a range irradiated by the near infrared irradiation angle β2. A range indicated by reference numeral 603 represents a range irradiated by the near infrared irradiation angle β3. Reference numeral 604 represents the entire camera imaging range.

FIG. 16C shows a range in the height direction between the camera imaging viewing angle αh in the height direction and the near-infrared irradiation angle βh in the height direction. Also in the height direction, the near-infrared irradiation angle βh is set to be larger than the camera imaging viewing angle αh.
By doing in this way, the imaging means 120 can capture a near-infrared image in the air-conditioned room.

Since the air conditioner A includes the near-infrared projector 131, imaging can be performed by irradiating near-infrared rays even at night when the air-conditioned room is dark. Further, at this time, near infrared rays cannot be caught with the naked eye, so there is no discomfort for the occupants.
Further, when an image detection method for detecting the contour of an object from an image captured without irradiating near infrared rays is used, there is a problem that the shadow of the object is erroneously detected as the contour of the object. When light is emitted from a direction different from the shooting direction, the image captured by the imaging unit 120 includes a shadow of the object to be imaged. On the other hand, by irradiating near-infrared light from the near-infrared projector 131 and imaging through the visible light attenuation filter 181, it is possible to prevent the shadow of an object caused by the irradiated near-infrared from being reflected in the imaging unit 120. . That is, it is possible to reduce false detection of image detection due to the shadow of an object by irradiating near infrared rays.

When it is assumed that only the influence of the shadow of the object is reduced, an illuminator that emits visible light is arranged to erase the shadow, and the effect of reducing the influence of the shadow can be produced by lighting the illuminator during imaging. However, since the light of the illuminator in the visible light band can be caught by the human eye and the comfort of the occupants is impaired, the use of the illuminator is not preferable. The air conditioner A has a method of irradiating near infrared rays that cannot be captured by the human eye, and has a configuration that does not give an uncomfortable feeling to the occupants during imaging while suppressing erroneous detection due to shadows. Yes.
In addition, when detecting various human bodies and objects by executing various image detection processes from image data 125 captured in an environment that irradiates near infrared rays, the image detection software to be used is an environment that does not irradiate near infrared rays. The image detection software being used may be used as it is. In addition, the image detection software may be modified so that dedicated software that can perform image detection processing specialized for near-infrared images can be adapted to image detection processing for visible light images, depending on the object detection target and imaging conditions. The settings can be changed as appropriate.

<Example of air-conditioning operation control according to the image detection result>
The air conditioner A includes the imaging unit 120, the visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180, the visible light attenuation filter 181, and the image detection unit 141, thereby performing an air conditioning operation based on detection results of various image detections. it can. In addition, the air conditioner A includes the near-infrared irradiation unit 130, so that it can execute air-conditioning control using image detection utilizing near-infrared characteristics in addition to normal image detection. For example, the air conditioner A detects the position of the human body and the amount of activity from the captured image, detects furniture from the captured image at the time of near infrared irradiation, and avoids furniture based on the detection result in an area where a person is present. By blowing the temperature-adjusted air, it is possible to efficiently execute the air conditioning control in the air-conditioned room.
The ventilation control of the air conditioner A is performed by arbitrarily driving the upper and lower wind direction plates 105 and the left and right wind direction plates 104 that perform the wind direction control, and the blower fan motor 161 that adjusts the air volume and the wind speed according to the specifications.

(First air conditioning operation control example)
For example, at 2:00 pm, the indoor fluorescent lamp is lit and sunlight enters from the outside of the window. When the outside air temperature is -1 ° C and the room temperature is 8 ° C, the heater is operated at the heating 22 ° C setting. An example of the control when started (see FIG. 3 as appropriate) will be described.

(1) The human body detection unit 142 of the image detection unit 141 receives the image data 125 from the imaging unit 120, performs image detection, and executes processing for detecting a position where a person is present. At this time, the imaging unit 120 captures the visible light attenuation filter 181 in the state where the visible light attenuation filter 181 is installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 or in the state where it is not installed, and outputs the image data 125 to the image detection unit 141. To do.
(2) After a predetermined time, the imaging unit 120 captures an image with the visible light attenuation filter 181 installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 based on an instruction (imaging request information 830) from the arithmetic processing unit 145. Data 125 is output to the image detection unit 141. Then, the object detection unit 143 of the image detection unit 141 executes processing for detecting the position and shape of the object from the received image data 125.
(3) The arithmetic processing unit 145 calculates the air-conditioning operation setting for blowing air while avoiding the object based on the position, shape, and position of the person (image detection result information 831) detected by the image detection unit 141, The calculation result is output to the drive control unit 146.
(4) Based on the calculation result received from the arithmetic processing unit 145, the drive control unit 146 efficiently air-conditions by blowing warm air while avoiding an object.

(Second air conditioning operation control example)
For example, when sunlight enters the air-conditioned room at 2:00 pm, the control when the operation is started with the heating set at 22 ° C. when the outside air temperature is −1 ° C. and the room temperature is 8 ° C. will be described as an example. This second air conditioning operation control example is different from the first air conditioning operation control example in that sunlight is incident from one direction and shadows are particularly easily generated.

(1) The human body detection unit 142 of the image detection unit 141 receives the image data 125 from the imaging unit 120, performs image detection, and executes processing for detecting a position where a person is present. At this time, the imaging unit 120 captures the visible light attenuation filter 181 in the state where the visible light attenuation filter 181 is installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 or in the state where it is not installed, and outputs the image data 125 to the image detection unit 141. To do.
(2a) After a predetermined time, the imaging unit 120 irradiates near infrared rays with the visible light attenuation filter 181 installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 based on an instruction (imaging request information 830) from the arithmetic processing unit 145. The image is taken while irradiating near infrared rays from the means 130, and the image data 125 is output to the image detection unit 141. Then, the object detection unit 143 of the image detection unit 141 executes processing for detecting the position and shape of the object from the received image data 125.
(3) The arithmetic processing unit 145 calculates the air-conditioning operation setting for blowing air while avoiding the object based on the position, shape, and position of the person (image detection result information 831) detected by the image detection unit 141, The calculation result is output to the drive control unit 146.
(4) Based on the calculation result received from the arithmetic processing unit 145, the drive control unit 146 efficiently air-conditions by blowing warm air while avoiding an object.

  The second air conditioning operation control example is different from the first air conditioning operation control example in (2a) in that the near infrared irradiation unit 130 is used to capture an image while irradiating near infrared light. And the influence of the shadow in an image detection process can be suppressed by irradiating near infrared rays.

(Example of processing flow for air-conditioning operation control)
Next, an example of a processing flow of air conditioning operation control will be described with reference to FIG. 17 (see FIG. 3 as appropriate).
In step S1701, the imaging unit 120 captures an image. Specifically, the imaging unit 120 images the visible light attenuation filter 181 in one or both of a state where the visible light attenuation filter 181 is installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 and a state where it is not installed. Then, the imaging unit 120 outputs the captured image data 125 to the image detection unit 141.

  In step S <b> 1702, the human body detection unit 142 of the image detection unit 141 performs image detection using the image data 125 received from the imaging unit 120 and executes a process of detecting a position where a person is present.

  In step S <b> 1703, the visible light attenuation filter driving unit 180 installs the visible light attenuation filter 181 on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 based on an instruction from the arithmetic processing unit 145.

  In step S1704, the arithmetic processing unit 145 determines whether to irradiate near infrared rays. Note that even if this determination is performed by the arithmetic processing unit 145 with reference to information on the presence or absence of near-infrared irradiation preset in the air conditioner A via the remote controller Re, the brightness of the image captured in step S1701 and the like You may do it based on. If it is determined to irradiate near infrared rays, the process proceeds to step S1705. If it is determined not to irradiate near infrared rays, the process proceeds to step S1706.

  In step S <b> 1705, the near infrared irradiation unit 130 irradiates near infrared light from the near infrared projector 131.

  In step S1706, the imaging unit 120 captures an image. Then, the imaging unit 120 outputs the captured image data 125 to the image detection unit 141.

  In step S1707, the object detection unit 143 of the image detection unit 141 executes processing for detecting the position and shape of the object from the received image data 125.

  In step S1708, the arithmetic processing unit 145 calculates an air conditioning operation setting for blowing air while avoiding the object, using the position, shape, and position of the object detected by the image detection unit 141. Then, the arithmetic processing unit 145 outputs the calculation result to the drive control unit 146.

  In step S1709, the drive control unit 146 performs air conditioning operation control by blowing air at an adjusted temperature based on the calculation result received from the arithmetic processing unit 145. Then, the process ends.

As described above, the air conditioner A according to the present embodiment performs the image detection process using the imaging unit 120 arranged to image the air-conditioned room and the image data 125 captured by the imaging unit 120. The image detection unit 141 that performs the visible light attenuation filter 181 that can be disposed in front of the imaging unit 120 and attenuates the visible light band, the arithmetic processing unit 145 that calculates the air conditioning operation setting according to the imaging result of the imaging unit 120, and the air A drive control unit 146 that drives and controls a load 160 indicating the motors of the harmony machine A. Moreover, the air conditioner A may be provided with the near-infrared irradiation means 130 which irradiates near infrared rays.
First, the imaging unit 120 captures the visible light attenuation filter 181 in either or both of the state where the visible light attenuation filter 181 is installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120 and the state where it is not installed, and outputs the image data 125 to the image detection unit 141. . Next, the image detection unit 141 performs image detection using the image data 125 received from the imaging unit 120 and executes processing for detecting a position where a person is present. After a predetermined time, the imaging unit 120 captures the image data 125 based on an instruction (imaging request information 830) from the arithmetic processing unit 145 with the visible light attenuation filter 181 installed on the front surface of the imaging unit 120. The image is output to the image detection unit 141. Then, the image detection unit 141 executes processing for detecting the position and shape of the object from the received image data 125. Next, the arithmetic processing unit 145 uses the position, shape, and position of the object detected by the image detection unit 141 to calculate an air-conditioning operation setting for blowing air while avoiding the object, and calculates the calculation result as the drive control unit 146. Output to. The drive control unit 146 performs air conditioning efficiently by blowing air at an adjusted temperature based on the calculation result received from the arithmetic processing unit 145.
In this way, the air conditioner A can detect an image with high accuracy without being affected by illumination or sunlight in the air-conditioned room, and can control the air-conditioning based on the image detection result.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 120 may use a commercially available module device that performs signal processing on the analog output of the imaging element 122 and outputs the image data 125 as a digital signal. Further, in this case, a configuration for reading and using parameters such as correction when performing imaging from the control unit 140 is necessary.

  The imaging unit 120 of the present embodiment uses, for example, an optical filter that appropriately suppresses the near-infrared band wavelength attenuation rate, or eliminates a built-in filter that attenuates light in the ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelength range. Thus, the near-infrared region as well as the visible light band can be received. However, an optical filter that attenuates light of wavelengths in the ultraviolet and near-infrared bands only attenuates ultraviolet and near-infrared light and does not completely block it. Therefore, in the specification of the air conditioner A of the present embodiment, when the amount of near-infrared light received can be secured in the imaging unit 120, the wavelength attenuation rate in the near-infrared region is changed or the optical filter is discarded. No treatment is necessary. That is, the imaging unit 120 included in the air conditioner A may be selected according to the design specifications of the imaging unit 120, the product specifications of the air conditioner A, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the case where near infrared rays are used has been described. However, near infrared rays may be read as medium infrared rays and far infrared rays, and medium infrared rays or far infrared rays may be used.

In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, Various modifications are included. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to one having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of an embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another modification, and the configuration of another modification can be added to the configuration of an embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of the embodiment.
The functions of the imaging unit 120 and the control unit 140 may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of them, for example, with an integrated circuit. Each function of the main microcomputer 801 and the camera microcomputer 811 may be realized by software by interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function by the processor. Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing each function is stored in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). be able to.
In addition, the control lines and information lines are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all the control lines and information lines on the product are necessarily shown. In practice, it may be considered that almost all configurations are connected to each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Indoor unit 120 Imaging means 121 Optical lens 122 Imaging element 123 AD conversion part 124 Signal processing part 130 Near-infrared irradiation means (infrared irradiation means)
131, 500a, 500b, 500c Near-infrared projector 140 Control unit 141 Image detection unit 142 Human body detection unit 143 Object detection unit 144 Floor plan detection unit 145 Arithmetic processing unit (air conditioning operation control unit)
146 Drive control unit (air conditioning operation control means)
150, 150a, 150b Storage means 160 Load 161 Blower fan motor 162 Compressor motor 163 Motor for wind direction plate 170 Sensor 180 Visible light attenuating filter driving means 181 Visible light attenuating filter 182 Infrared attenuating filter driving means 183 Infrared attenuating filter 183a Infrared ultraviolet attenuating Filter 184 Ultraviolet attenuation filter driving means 185 Ultraviolet attenuation filter 186 Monolithic filter 310, 311, 312 Detected object 400, 401 Person 410, 411 Detected face 412 Detected person 501 Base 502 Near-infrared LED (infrared light emitting element) )
503, 504 Optical lens, diffuser 505 Reflector 800 Control board 801 Main microcomputer 810 Camera board 811 Camera microcomputer A Air conditioner

Claims (12)

Imaging means arranged to image the air-conditioned room;
A visible light attenuation filter that can be disposed in front of the imaging means and attenuates the visible light band;
Air-conditioning operation control means for controlling the air-conditioning operation according to the imaging result of the imaging means;
An air conditioner comprising: Visible light attenuating filter driving means for executing a process of arranging the visible light attenuating filter in front of the imaging means and a process of arranging the visible light attenuating filter outside the imaging range of the imaging means is further provided. The air conditioner according to claim 1. The imaging means under the conditions of both the case where the visible light attenuation filter is arranged outside the imaging range of the imaging means and the case where the visible light attenuation filter is arranged in front of the imaging means, respectively. The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that causes the air-conditioned room to take an image.   The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising an infrared irradiation unit configured to include an infrared light emitting element arranged to irradiate infrared rays into the air-conditioned room. When the visible light attenuation filter is disposed in front of the imaging means,
The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes the infrared irradiation unit to irradiate the air-conditioned room with infrared rays during photographing.   When it is determined that the air-conditioned room has a predetermined brightness or more, the control unit causes the visible light attenuation filter driving unit to arrange the visible light attenuation filter in front of the imaging unit. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 5. An infrared attenuating filter that can be disposed in front of the imaging means and attenuates infrared rays;
The infrared attenuation filter driving means for executing the process of arranging the infrared attenuation filter in front of the imaging means and the process of arranging the infrared attenuation filter outside the imaging range of the imaging means. The air conditioner as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6. The infrared attenuating filter and the visible light attenuating filter comprise a monolithic filter having a structure that is connected side by side,
The control means moves the monolithic structure filter to the visible light attenuation filter driving means, and arranges either the visible light attenuation filter or the infrared attenuation filter in front of the imaging means. Item 8. The air conditioner according to Item 7. An ultraviolet attenuating filter that can be installed in front of the imaging means and attenuates ultraviolet rays;
Ultraviolet attenuation filter driving means for executing the process of arranging the ultraviolet attenuation filter on the front surface of the imaging means and the process of arranging the ultraviolet attenuation filter outside the imaging range of the imaging means;
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the infrared attenuating filter is formed to have a characteristic of attenuating ultraviolet rays.   The control means causes the visible light attenuation filter driving means to place the visible light attenuation filter on the front surface of the imaging means, and causes the infrared attenuation filter driving means to place the infrared attenuation filter outside the imaging range of the imaging means. Processing, or processing that causes the visible light attenuation filter driving means to place the visible light attenuation filter outside the imaging range of the imaging means, and causes the infrared attenuation filter driving means to place the infrared attenuation filter in front of the imaging means. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the air conditioner is executed. An air conditioning operation control method for an air conditioner that performs air conditioning operation control in an air-conditioned room,
The air conditioner
Imaging means arranged to image the air-conditioned room;
A visible light attenuation filter that can be disposed in front of the imaging means and attenuates the visible light band;
Control means for causing the imaging means to image the air-conditioned room and executing image detection processing;
Air-conditioning operation control means for controlling the air-conditioning operation according to the imaging result of the imaging means;
With
A first imaging step in which the imaging means images;
A human body detecting step in which the control means performs image detection using the image data imaged in the first imaging step and detects a position where a person is present;
A second imaging step in which the imaging means captures an image in a state where the visible light attenuation filter is installed in front of the imaging means;
An object detection step in which the control means executes a process of detecting the position and shape of the object from the image data imaged in the second imaging step;
The air-conditioning operation control means calculates an air-conditioning operation setting for blowing air while avoiding an object, using the position and shape of the object detected by the object detection step and the position of the person detected by the human body detection step. Configuration steps,
An air conditioning operation control method, wherein the air conditioning operation control means executes a step of executing air conditioning operation control based on the result calculated by the air conditioning operation setting step.