Object detection device, object detection method, object detection program, and program recording medium
The detection unit with adjustable threshold distances in multiple regions addresses the inaccuracies in conventional proximity sensors by enabling precise hand movement detection and reducing false positives.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PIONEER IP
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Conventional proximity sensors have issues with accurate detection of hand movements when the hand is not equidistant from the sensors, leading to false detections when the threshold distance is increased to accommodate non-equidistant movements.
A detection unit with multiple detection regions adjusts the threshold distance for adjacent regions based on the detected movement of an object, setting longer distances for regions along the object's path to prevent false detections.
The solution allows for accurate detection of hand movements and effectively prevents false detections in unnecessary positions, enhancing the precision of object detection.
Smart Images
Figure 2026123169000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of object detection devices, object detection methods, object detection programs, and program recording media. More specifically, it belongs to the technical field of an object detection device and an object detection method that detect an object by including a detection unit having a plurality of detection regions, as well as a program for the object detection device and a program recording medium on which the program is recorded.
Background Art
[0002] For example, when operating an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, considering that the interior of the vehicle is not spacious and driving safety, etc., the movement of a person's hand is detected by a so-called proximity sensor such as an infrared sensor, and the in-vehicle device is controlled according to the detected content. Examples of the in-vehicle device in this case include a navigation device, an audio device, and the like.
[0003] More specifically, conventionally, for example, a plurality of proximity sensors are arranged in a row, and while shielding a person's hand from the arranged proximity sensors, each proximity sensor detects that the hand has moved in the arranged direction, thereby causing a specific operation pre-associated with the movement to be executed.
[0004] In addition, as another example showing the configuration of a conventional proximity sensor, there is, for example, a proximity sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.
[0005] Generally speaking, when a person holds their hand over something and moves it, for example, from side to side, the hand movement tends to be in an arc shape with the person's body as the center. For example, when trying to operate the in-vehicle device by detecting hand movement with a proximity sensor, if a person is positioned diagonally to the proximity sensor and moves their hand from that diagonal direction, the movement tends to be one that gradually moves away from the proximity sensor. Also, if a person is positioned directly in front of the proximity sensor and moves their hand from that position, the movement tends to be one that moves from a far position → near position → far position from the proximity sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-212145 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0007] However, in conventional proximity sensors, the threshold distance used to detect a human hand was the same for each of the proximity sensors in a row. Therefore, there was a problem in that accurate detection was only possible in unnatural situations, such as moving a hand while maintaining an equidistant distance from the row of proximity sensors.
[0008] On the other hand, as mentioned above, when detecting the presence of a hand moving along a trajectory that is not equidistant from the arranged proximity sensors, increasing the threshold distance to detect a hand at a greater distance leads to the problem of mistakenly detecting hands that are not intended to be detected.
[0009] Therefore, this application has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one example of the problems it addresses is to provide an object detection device and object detection method that can appropriately detect an object in response to the movement of an object such as a person's hand, and can effectively prevent false detection when the object is in a position where detection is unnecessary, as well as a program for the object detection device and a program on which the program is recorded. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 comprises a detection unit having a plurality of detection regions that detect an object when the distance to the object becomes less than or equal to a threshold distance, and a setting means that, when the object is detected in a first region of the plurality of detection regions, sets the threshold distance of the other detection regions, which are arranged linearly along the direction of movement of the object, to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region.
[0011] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 8 is an object detection method to be performed in an object detection device having a detection unit that has a plurality of detection regions that detect an object when the distance to the object becomes less than or equal to a threshold distance, the method comprising a setting step of setting the threshold distance of the other detection regions, which are arranged linearly along the direction of movement of the object, to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region when the object is detected in the first region of the plurality of detection regions.
[0012] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 9 provides a computer included in an object detection device that has a detection unit having a plurality of detection regions that detect an object when the distance to the object becomes less than or equal to a threshold distance, and when the object is detected in the first of the plurality of detection regions, the computer functions as a setting means that sets the threshold distance of the other detection regions, which are arranged linearly along the direction of movement of the object, to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region.
[0013] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 10 is such that the object detection program described in claim 9 is recorded in a way that it can be read by the computer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0014] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an object detection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] The following are block diagrams and the like showing the general configuration of the proximity sensor according to the first embodiment, where (a) is the block diagram and (b) is a diagram illustrating the detection area. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the detection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the detection process according to the first embodiment, where (a) is the explanatory diagram (i) and (b) is the explanatory diagram (ii). [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the detection process related to the first modified example, where (a) is the explanatory diagram (i) and (b) is the explanatory diagram (ii). [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the detection process related to the second modified example, where (a) is the explanatory diagram (i) and (b) is the explanatory diagram (ii). [Figure 7] The following are block diagrams and the like showing the general configuration of the proximity sensor according to the second embodiment, where (a) is the block diagram and (b) is a diagram illustrating the detection area. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0015] Next, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an object detection device according to an embodiment.
[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the object detection device S according to this embodiment is composed of a plurality of detection means 1, 1 and a setting means 10.
[0017] In this configuration, each detection means 1 has a detection area for spatially detecting the object H, and when the distance to the object H within the corresponding detection area becomes equal to or less than the threshold distance, it detects that the object H exists within the detection area. Then, when it is detected that the object H exists within one detection area, the setting means 10 sets the threshold distance for the other detection areas to the threshold distance corresponding to the movement of the object H (the movement indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 1) preset for the plurality of detection areas. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 1, for example, when it is detected that the object H exists within the detection area of the detection means 1 at the top in FIG. 1, the setting means 10 sets the threshold distance for the detection areas of the other detection means 1 to the threshold distance corresponding to the downward movement of the object H, in accordance with the preset downward movement of the object H in FIG. 1.
[0018] As described above, according to the operation of the object detection device S according to the embodiment, when the presence of the object H is detected within one detection area, the threshold distance for the other detection areas is changed to the threshold distance corresponding to the preset movement of the object H. Therefore, the object H can be appropriately detected corresponding to the movement, and it is possible to effectively prevent the erroneous detection of the object H at a position where detection is unnecessary.
Example
[0019] Next, specific examples corresponding to the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. Each of the examples described below is an example in which the present application is applied to a proximity sensor that detects the movement of a human hand as an object.
[0020] (1) First Example First, the first embodiment corresponding to the embodiment will be described using Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the proximity sensor according to the first embodiment, Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the detection process according to the first embodiment, and Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the detection process according to the first embodiment. In Figure 2, the same component number as the component in the object detection device S according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is used for each component in the embodiment corresponding to each component in the object detection device S.
[0021] As shown in Figure 2(a), the proximity sensor S1 according to the first embodiment is a proximity sensor that detects a human hand as an object using infrared light. A proximity sensor that uses ultrasound for detection is also appropriate as an embodiment. Specifically, the proximity sensor S1 according to the first embodiment is composed of a first light-emitting unit 1A1 and a second light-emitting unit 1A2 that alternately emit infrared light for detection in a time-division manner, a light-receiving unit 1B that receives infrared light that is alternately emitted from the first light-emitting unit 1A1 and the second light-emitting unit 1A2 and reflected by an object H, a sensor driver 10 as an example of setting means according to the embodiment that drives the first light-emitting unit 1A1, the second light-emitting unit 1A2 and the light-receiving unit 1B and sets the threshold distance according to the first embodiment, and a CPU 20 as an example of output means according to the present application that outputs a predetermined command corresponding to the detection result of the hand movement state by the proximity sensor S1 according to the first embodiment. In this case, the first light-emitting unit 1A1 is one example of the detection means 1 according to the embodiment, and the second light-emitting unit 1A2 is another example of the detection means 1 according to the embodiment.
[0022] In this configuration, the first light-emitting unit 1A1, the second light-emitting unit 1A2, and the light-receiving unit 1B are specifically arranged on a planar base B, as shown in Figure 2(b). With this arrangement, the first light-emitting unit 1A1 and the light-receiving unit 1B form a detection area A1 as a proximity sensor S1, and the light-receiving unit 1B and the second light-emitting unit 1A2 form a detection area A2 as a proximity sensor S1. At this time, as described above, the sensor driver 10 emits infrared light for detection alternately from the first light-emitting unit 1A1 and the second light-emitting unit 1A2 in a time-division manner. The sensor driver 10, which also drives the light-receiving unit 1B, detects whether or not infrared light has been received by the light-receiving unit 1B at timings corresponding to the emission timings of the first light-emitting unit 1A1 and the second light-emitting unit 1A2, thereby detecting whether the hand to be detected is located in detection area A1 or detection area A2 (i.e., whether or not the hand is moving in the left-right direction).
[0023] Here, as illustrated in Figure 2(b), detection area A1 and detection area A2 are formed so that a portion of each overlaps. Therefore, for example, area A illustrated in Figure 2(b) is an area where a hand can be detected by the first light-emitting unit 1A1 and the light-receiving unit 1B in Figure 2(b), and area C illustrated in Figure 2(b) is an area where a hand can be detected by the second light-emitting unit 1A2 and the light-receiving unit 1B in Figure 2(b). And the central area B in Figure 2(b) is an area where a hand can be detected by the first light-emitting unit 1A1, the second light-emitting unit 1A2 and the light-receiving unit 1B. Thus, the front surfaces of the first light-emitting unit 1A1, the second light-emitting unit 1A2 and the light-receiving unit 1B are divided into three areas A to C, and for each of these areas, whether or not a hand is present is detected separately. Specifically, using a threshold distance set for each of regions A through C, the system detects whether a hand is located closer to the base B on which the first light-emitting unit 1A1 is positioned than the threshold distance for each region. This hand detection operation for each region will be described in detail later. When a hand is detected to be closer to the threshold distance in each of regions A through C, the sensor driver 10 outputs a detection signal to the CPU 20 indicating that the hand has been detected. Based on this detection signal, the CPU 20 outputs, for example, a command corresponding to the position and movement of the detected hand.
[0024] Next, the operation of the proximity sensor S1 according to the first embodiment will be specifically explained using Figures 2 to 4. In each embodiment described below, if the proximity sensor S1 according to the embodiment is located on the right side as viewed from a person, it will detect, for example, a movement of the right hand from area A to area C in a sweeping motion (a so-called wiping motion) (see, for example, Figure 4(a)). If the proximity sensor S1 according to the embodiment is located on the left side as viewed from a person, it will detect, for example, a movement of the left hand from area C to area A in a sweeping motion (see, for example, Figure 4(b)).
[0025] In the proximity sensor S1 according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, the sensor driver 10 sets three threshold distances for each of the regions A to C illustrated in Figure 2(b). At this time, the first threshold distance is set to be the closest to the base B, followed by the second threshold distance, and then the third threshold distance, with the distance from the base B increasing in that order. This threshold distance data may be stored non-volatilely within the sensor driver 10, or it may be configured so that the sensor driver 10 reads data that is stored non-volatilely in the CPU 20. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 4, the interval between the second threshold distance and the third threshold distance is set to be longer than the interval between the first threshold distance and the second threshold distance. In each region, if there is a reaction indicating the presence of a hand at a position closer to the base B than any of the threshold distances, this is detected by the sensor driver 10.
[0026] In this state, the sensor driver 10 monitors whether the power to the proximity sensor S1 has been turned on, as shown in Figure 3 (step S1). If the power is not turned on during the monitoring in step S1 (step S1; NO), the sensor driver 10 continues monitoring. On the other hand, if the power is turned on during the monitoring in step S1 (step S1; YES), the sensor driver 10 drives the first light-emitting unit 1A1, the second light-emitting unit 1A2, and the light-receiving unit 1B (step S2), and further checks whether there is a reaction indicating the presence of hand H in any of the regions A to C (step S3). If there is no reaction in any of the regions during the check in step S3 (step S3; NO), the sensor driver 10 continues to monitor the reaction.
[0027] Here, more specifically regarding the verification operation in step S3, for example, when the sensor driver 10 receives infrared light from the first light receiving unit 1A1 at the light receiving unit 1B, the received light intensity (or amount of received light) is stored in a memory (not shown) for a predetermined period of time that is longer than the time from the time of receiving the light until the second light emitting unit 1A2 starts to emit light, and shorter than the time until the first light receiving unit 1A1 starts to emit light again. At this time, the received light intensity when the infrared light from the first light receiving unit 1A1 is received at the light receiving unit 1B will be simply referred to as the first received light intensity below. Similarly, when the infrared light from the second light emitting unit 1A2 is received at the light receiving unit 1B, the received light intensity (or amount of received light) is stored in the above memory (separate from the first received light intensity) for a predetermined period of time that is longer than the time from the time of receiving the light until the first light emitting unit 1A1 starts to emit light, and shorter than the time until the second light emitting unit 1A2 starts to emit light again. At this time, the received light intensity when the infrared light from the second light-emitting unit 1A2 is received by the light-receiving unit 1B will be hereinafter simply referred to as the second received light intensity. Then, at the timing of step S3, if the stored first received light intensity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value corresponding to one of the threshold distances set for area A (i.e., the hand is located closer to the proximity sensor S1 than one of the threshold distances set for area A), and the second received light intensity is zero or close to zero, then it is detected that a hand is in area A. On the other hand, if the stored second received light intensity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value corresponding to one of the threshold distances set for area C (i.e., the hand is located closer to the proximity sensor S1 than one of the threshold distances set for area C), and the first received light intensity is zero or close to zero, then it is detected that a hand is in area C. Furthermore, if both the first received light intensity and the second received light intensity are greater than or equal to a predetermined value corresponding to one of the threshold distances set for area B (i.e., the hand is located closer to the proximity sensor S1 than one of the threshold distances set for area B), then it is detected that a hand is in area B.
[0028] Then, if the confirmation in step S3 above results in a reaction indicating the presence of hand H in any region (step S3; YES), the sensor driver 10 then determines whether the reaction is due to hand H being located closer than the first threshold distance within region A (step S4). In the determination in step S4, if the reaction is due to hand H being located closer than the first threshold distance within region A (step S4; YES), then hand H is located closer to base B than the first threshold distance in region A as illustrated in Figure 4(a) at that time. Next, the sensor driver 10 switches the threshold distance in region B to the second threshold distance after a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination in step S4 was "YES", and determines whether hand H is located closer than the second threshold distance within region B (step S5). The predetermined time in this case is, for example, a predetermined time determined experimentally or empirically (the same applies to the processing in steps S6, S10 and S11 below). In the determination of step S5, if hand H is located in region B at a position closer than the second threshold distance (step S5; YES), then hand H is located in region B as illustrated in Figure 4(a) at that time, closer to base B than the second threshold distance. Next, the sensor driver 10 switches the threshold distance in region C to the third threshold distance after a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination of step S5 was "YES", and determines whether hand H is located in region C at a position closer than the third threshold distance (step S6). In the determination of step S6, if hand H is located in region C at a position closer than the third threshold distance (step S6; YES), then hand H is located in region C as illustrated in Figure 4(a) at that time, closer to base B than the third threshold distance. If all of the determinations from step S4 to step S6 are "YES", then as a result, hand H has moved away from base B and toward region C, as illustrated by the solid arrow in Figure 4(a). The sensor driver 10 then determines that hand H has moved from area A to area C (following the trajectory shown by the solid arrow in Figure 4(a)) as illustrated in Figure 4(a) (step S7), and outputs the determination result to the CPU 20.As a result, the CPU 20 performs processing such as outputting a predetermined command that is pre-associated with the movement of hand H from area A to area C. After that, the sensor driver 10 determines whether or not the power of the proximity sensor S1 has been turned off (step S8). If the power is not turned off in the determination in step S8 (step S8; NO), the sensor driver 10 proceeds to monitoring in step S3. On the other hand, if the power is turned off in the determination in step S8 (step S8; YES), the sensor driver 10 terminates the detection process according to the first embodiment.
[0029] Furthermore, if, in the determination in step S5, hand H is not located within area B at a distance closer than the second threshold distance (step S5; NO), or if, in the determination in step S6, hand H is not located within area C at a distance closer than the third threshold distance (step S6; NO), then it is determined that hand H has moved away from proximity sensor S1. In these cases, the sensor driver 10 returns to step S3 to monitor the response.
[0030] On the other hand, in the determination in step S4, if the reaction confirmed in step S3 is not due to the presence of hand H in region A at a position closer than the first threshold distance (step S4; NO), the sensor driver 10 then determines whether the reaction is due to the presence of hand H in region C at a position closer than the first threshold distance (step S9). In the determination in step S9, if it is due to the presence of hand H in region C at a position closer than the first threshold distance (step S9; YES), then hand H is at that point in region C as illustrated in Figure 4(b) at a position closer to base B than the first threshold distance. Therefore, the sensor driver 10 then switches the threshold distance in region B to the second threshold distance after a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination in step S9 was "YES", and determines whether hand H is in region B at a position closer than the second threshold distance (step S10). In the determination of step S10, if hand H is located in region B at a position closer than the second threshold distance (step S10; YES), then hand H is located in region B as illustrated in Figure 4(b) at that time, closer to base B than the second threshold distance. Next, the sensor driver 10 switches the threshold distance in region A to the third threshold distance after a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination of step S10 was "YES", and determines whether hand H is located in region A at a position closer than the third threshold distance (step S11). In the determination of step S11, if hand H is located in region A at a position closer than the third threshold distance (step S11; YES), then hand H is located in region A as illustrated in Figure 4(b) at that time, closer to base B than the third threshold distance. If all of the determinations from step S9 to step S11 are "YES", then as a result, hand H has moved away from base B and toward region A, as illustrated by the solid arrow in Figure 4(b). The sensor driver 10 then determines that hand H has moved from region C to region A (following the trajectory shown by the solid arrow in Figure 4(b)) as illustrated in Figure 4(b) (step S12), and outputs the determination result to the CPU 20.As a result, the CPU 20 performs processing such as outputting a predetermined command that is pre-associated with the movement of hand H from area C to area A. After that, the sensor driver 10 proceeds to the determination in step 8 above.
[0031] Furthermore, if, in the determination in step S9, hand H is not located within region C at a distance closer than the first threshold distance (step S9; NO), the sensor driver 10 returns to step S3 to monitor the response. Also, if, in the determination in step S10, hand H is not located within region B at a distance closer than the second threshold distance (step S10; NO), or if, in the determination in step S11, hand H is not located within region A at a distance closer than the third threshold distance (step S11; NO), it means that hand H has moved away from the proximity sensor S1. In these cases, the sensor driver 10 returns to step S3 to monitor the response.
[0032] As explained above, according to the detection process of the first embodiment, for example, when the presence of a hand H is detected in region A, the threshold distance for the other regions B and C is changed to a threshold distance corresponding to a predetermined movement of the hand H in relation to regions A to C (i.e., a wiping motion by the hand H in the first embodiment). This allows for appropriate detection of the hand H in response to movement and effectively prevents false detection of a hand H in a location where detection is not required.
[0033] Furthermore, the first light-emitting unit 1A1 and the second light-emitting unit 1A2 and the light-receiving unit 1B are arranged in a straight line, and the movement of the hand H is a predetermined wipe operation along the positions of regions A to C arranged in a straight line. When it is detected that the hand H is in region A (or region C; the same applies hereinafter), the threshold distance for regions B and C (or region A) arranged in the direction of the wipe operation is set to be longer than the threshold distance for region A (or C). This allows for more appropriate detection of the hand H in response to the wipe operation and more effectively prevents false detection of the hand H in a position where detection is not required.
[0034] Furthermore, the CPU 20 outputs commands corresponding to the detected hand H movements, so for example, it is possible to accurately detect the movements of hand H and control other devices.
[0035] Furthermore, the first embodiment described above can be applied in various ways.
[0036] For example, as shown in the first modified example illustrated in Figure 5, the threshold distance for the central region B is fixed at the first threshold distance, and further, in accordance with the wiping motion of hand H, the threshold distance for region C only (in the case of the wiping motion illustrated in Figure 5(a)) or the threshold distance for region A only (in the case of the wiping motion illustrated in Figure 5(b)) can be configured to be the third threshold distance. In this case, as illustrated in Figure 5(a), the threshold distance for region A and the threshold distance for region B will each be the first threshold distance. As illustrated in Figure 5(b), the threshold distance for region C and the threshold distance for region B will each be the first threshold distance.
[0037] In the first modified example described above using Figure 5, the threshold distance for the central region B is kept constant, which reduces the number of regions for which a threshold distance is set, thereby reducing the processing load on the sensor driver 10.
[0038] Furthermore, even when the threshold distance for the central region B is kept constant, as shown in the second modified example illustrated in Figure 6, the threshold distance for the central region B is kept constant at the second threshold distance, and during the waiting period before detecting the presence of hand H, the threshold distances for region A and region C are set to a first threshold distance, which is shorter than the second threshold distance. Then, in accordance with the default wipe operation, for example, corresponding to the wipe operation illustrated in Figure 6(a), when the presence of hand H is detected in regions A and B, the threshold distance for region C can be configured to be a third threshold distance, which is longer than the second threshold distance for region B. Alternatively, for example, corresponding to the wipe operation illustrated in Figure 6(b), when the presence of hand H is detected in regions C and B, the threshold distance for region A can be configured to be a third threshold distance, which is longer than the second threshold distance for region B.
[0039] In the second modified example described above using Figure 6, the threshold distance for region A and region C are set as a first threshold distance, which is shorter than the second threshold distance for region B, during standby. Furthermore, when the presence of a hand H is detected in region A (region C; the same applies hereafter) and region B, the threshold distance for region C (region A) is set to a third threshold distance, which is longer than the second threshold distance for region B. This reduces the processing load on the sensor driver 10, allows for more appropriate detection of a hand H in response to a wipe operation, and more effectively prevents false detection of a hand H in a position where detection is not required.
[0040] (2) Second Example Next, a second embodiment, which is another embodiment corresponding to the embodiment, will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the proximity sensor according to the second embodiment. In Figure 7, the same component numbers as those used for each component in the embodiment of the object detection device S shown in Figure 1 are used for each component in the embodiment of the object detection device S shown in Figure 1.
[0041] In the first embodiment described above, a proximity sensor S1 was described in which a first light-emitting unit 1A1, a second light-emitting unit 1A2, and a light-receiving unit 1B form three regions A to C. In contrast, the proximity sensor according to the second embodiment forms three regions A to C similar to the first embodiment by comprising two sets of one set of light-emitting unit and two sets of light-receiving unit.
[0042] That is, as shown in Figure 7(a), the proximity sensor S2 according to the second embodiment comprises a light-emitting unit 1A and a light-emitting unit 2A that emit infrared light for detection, a light-receiving unit 1B provided adjacent to the light-emitting unit 1A, a light-receiving unit 2B provided adjacent to the light-emitting unit 2A, a sensor driver 10 that drives the light-emitting unit 1A and the light-receiving unit 1B and sets the threshold distance according to the second embodiment, a sensor driver 11 that drives the light-emitting unit 2A and the light-receiving unit 2B and sets the threshold distance according to the second embodiment, and a CPU 20 that outputs, for example, a predetermined command corresponding to the movement state of the hand H by the proximity sensor S2 according to the second embodiment.
[0043] In this configuration, the light-emitting unit 1A and the light-receiving unit 1B are specifically installed in adjacent positions as shown in Figure 7(b), and the light-emitting unit 2A and the light-receiving unit 2B are also installed in adjacent positions, and these are arranged on a planar base B. With this arrangement, the light-emitting unit 1A and the light-receiving unit 1B form a detection area A1 as a proximity sensor S2, and the light-emitting unit 2A and the light-receiving unit 2B form a detection area A2 as a proximity sensor S2. As illustrated in Figure 7(b), the detection areas A1 and A2 are formed to partially overlap, similar to the first embodiment. Thus, in the proximity sensor S2 according to the second embodiment, areas A to C are formed, similar to the proximity sensor S1 according to the first embodiment. The respective sensor drivers 10 and 11 control the threshold distance for each area to correspond to a predetermined wiping motion by the hand H, similar to the first embodiment, and output a detection signal to the CPU 20 that matches the movement of the hand H. The CPU 20 then outputs, for example, a command corresponding to the detected position and movement of the hand H, based on the detection signal, similar to the first embodiment.
[0044] The detection process according to the second embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the detection process according to the first embodiment.
[0045] In the above embodiments, we have described a case where the hand H performs a wipe operation, moving away from the base B in one direction (see Figures 4 to 6). In contrast, it is also possible to configure the system to detect the movement of the hand H as it moves in an arc shape relative to the base B within a plane including the base B (i.e., for example, the hand H approaches from outside the detection area A1 and its presence is detected by proximity sensor S1 or proximity sensor S2, and then the hand H moves away from the detection area A2, crossing the front of proximity sensor S1 or proximity sensor S2). In this case, the threshold distances corresponding to areas A and C, respectively, will be set to be longer than the threshold distance for area B. Even in this case, by setting the threshold distance to match the arc-shaped movement of the hand H, false detection of the hand H can be prevented more reliably.
[0046] Furthermore, while the above embodiments describe the detection of the presence of a hand H without contact using infrared light, the present invention can also be applied to cases where hand (finger) movement is detected using a touch sensor other than a resistive touch sensor. In this case, the same effects as in the embodiments can be achieved by varying the threshold value for detecting finger contact for each predetermined area of the touch sensor in accordance with the expected finger movement.
[0047] Furthermore, it is possible to record a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in Figure 3 on a recording medium such as a flexible disk or hard disk, or to obtain it via a network such as the Internet, and then read and execute it on a general-purpose microcomputer, thereby making the microcomputer function as the sensor driver 10 and CPU 20 according to the embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0048] 1. Detection means 1A, 2A light-emitting section 1A1 First light-emitting section 1A2 Second light-emitting section 1B, 2B light receiving section 10. Configuration method (sensor driver) 11 Sensor Driver 20 CPU S Object detection device H Object (hand) S1, S2 proximity sensors A1, A2 detection area
Claims
1. A detection unit having multiple detection regions that detect each object when the distance to the object falls below a threshold distance, A setting means for setting the threshold distance of other detection regions arranged linearly along the direction of movement of the object to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region when the object is detected in the first region of the plurality of detection regions, An object detection device characterized by comprising the following features.
2. In the object detection device according to claim 1, The setting means is, When the object is detected in the first region, the threshold distance of the third region, which is the detection region located on the side of the direction of motion of the object relative to the first region, is set to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region. An object detection device characterized in that the threshold distance of the second region, which is the detection region located between the first region and the third region, is set to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region and shorter than the threshold distance of the third region.
3. In the object detection device according to claim 2, An object detection device characterized in that the first region, the second region, and the third region are arranged in a straight line along a predetermined direction of movement of the object.
4. In the object detection device according to claim 2 or claim 3, The setting means is characterized by keeping the threshold distance of the second region constant.
5. In the object detection device according to claim 2 or claim 3, The setting means is, Before detecting the object, the threshold distance of the first region and the threshold distance of the third region are set to be shorter than the threshold distance of the second region, Furthermore, the object detection device is characterized in that, when an object is detected in the first and second regions, the threshold distance of the third region is set to be longer than the threshold distance of the second region.
6. In the object detection device according to claim 1, The movement of the object is a predetermined arc-shaped movement along the position of the detection area. The object detection device is characterized in that, when an object is detected in a first region among the plurality of detection regions, the setting means sets the threshold distance of the second region, which is a detection region located on the side of the direction of motion of the object relative to the first region, to be shorter than the threshold distance of the first region, and sets the threshold distance of the third region, which is a detection region located on the side of the direction of motion of the object relative to the second region, to be longer than the threshold distance of the second region.
7. In the object detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An object detection device further comprising output means for outputting output information corresponding to the movement based on the detection results in each of the aforementioned detection regions.
8. An object detection method performed in an object detection device equipped with a detection unit having a plurality of detection regions that detect each object when the distance to the object becomes less than or equal to a threshold distance, An object detection method characterized by including a setting step of setting the threshold distance of other detection regions arranged linearly along the direction of movement of the object to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region when the object is detected in the first region of the plurality of detection regions.
9. An object detection program characterized in that a computer included in an object detection device, which has a detection unit having a plurality of detection regions that detect an object when the distance to the object falls below a threshold distance, functions as a setting means to set the threshold distance of the other detection regions, which are arranged linearly along the direction of movement of the object, to be longer than the threshold distance of the first region when the object is detected in the first region of the plurality of detection regions.
10. A program recording medium characterized in that the object detection program described in claim 9 is recorded in a manner readable by the computer.