Sensor information aggregation device and method

Abstract

To obtain a reliability determination function and an information processing function according to an abnormality detection result of a sensor.SOLUTION: A sensor information aggregation device 1 comprises: a sensor information storage part 15 for storing the information of a correspondence relationship between a measurement range of infrared radiation array sensors 2-1 to 2-N for detecting a temperature of an objective space 4, and an area for partitioning the objective space 4; a human detection part 11 for creating human detection information on the basis of the temperature of the objective space 4 which is obtained by the infrared radiation array sensors 2-1 to 2-N; a sensor abnormality detection part 12 for detecting abnormalities of the infrared radiation array sensors 2-1 to 2-N; a state information output part 13 for outputting sensor state information on the basis of a detection result of the sensor abnormality detection part 12; and an information processing part 14 for applying processing which is set in advance according to the sensor state information to the human detection information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor information aggregation apparatus and method for aggregating information obtained by a plurality of sensors.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an infrared array sensor system for estimating the position and number of occupants has been put into practical use (see Non-Patent Document 1). In this infrared array sensor system, the position of a person is specified from information on the surface temperature of the floor obtained by a plurality of infrared array sensors, and the number of people or presence / absence information summarized for each control area of the position information is provided to control devices for air conditioning and lighting.

[0003] In the infrared array sensor system, when a malfunction occurs in at least one of the plurality of infrared array sensors, the position information of people in the area measured by that infrared array sensor is less reliable. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to detect abnormalities for each sensor belonging to a control area and to be able to determine the reliability of the position information on the control device side. Also, when there is an abnormality in the infrared array sensor, it is desirable to process the estimated number of occupants or presence / absence information from the measurement results of the infrared array sensor in accordance with the on-site operation policy.

[0004] In the conventional infrared array sensor system, information from each sensor is integrated by a sensor information aggregation apparatus, but the conventional sensor information aggregation apparatus does not have a reliability determination function or information processing function according to the abnormality detection results of the infrared array sensors as described above.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a sensor information aggregation device and method capable of realizing a reliability determination function and an information processing function according to the abnormal detection result of a sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The sensor information aggregation device of the present invention includes a sensor information storage unit configured to store in advance information on the correspondence relationship between the measurement range of each sensor that acquires information regarding the presence / absence of a person in a target space and an area that divides the target space, a person detection unit configured to detect the position of a person based on information on the target space obtained by a plurality of the sensors and generate person detection information for each area, a sensor abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality of each sensor, a state information output unit configured to output sensor state information for each area and each sensor based on a detection result by the sensor abnormality detection unit, and an information processing unit configured to perform a predetermined process on the person detection information according to the sensor state information. When the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the pre-set information processing type is set to correction output, as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs, the human detection information based only on the sensors without abnormalities in the area is output; when the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to fixed output, the information pre-determined as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs is output; when the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to non-output, the human detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs is not output; when the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to previous value retention, the human detection information output immediately before is output as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs. It is characterized by the above.

[0008] Also, the sensor information aggregation device of the present invention It includes a sensor information storage unit configured to pre-store information on the correspondence between the measurement ranges of each sensor for obtaining information on the presence / absence of people in the target space and the areas dividing the target space, a human detection unit configured to detect the position of a person based on the information on the target space obtained by a plurality of the sensors and generate human detection information for each area, a sensor abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality of each sensor, a status information output unit configured to output sensor status information for each area and each sensor based on the detection result by the sensor abnormality detection unit, and an information processing unit configured to perform a pre-determined process on the human detection information according to the sensor status information. The state information output unit calculates, for each area, the total degree of influence of the sensors in which an abnormality has occurred on the person detection information, and outputs the sensor state information indicating a sensor abnormality when the calculated value exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is characterized by the above. Also, in one configuration example of the sensor information aggregation device of the present invention, the plurality of sensors are infrared array sensors each configured to detect the temperature of the target space.

[0009] In addition, the sensor information aggregation method of the present invention includes: a first step of detecting the position of a person based on information obtained by a plurality of sensors that acquire information related to the presence / absence of a person in a target space, and generating person detection information for each area that divides the target space; a second step of detecting an abnormality in each sensor; a third step of outputting sensor status information for each area and each sensor based on the detection result of the second step; and a fourth step of performing a predetermined process on the person detection information according to the sensor status information. Note that, in the fourth step, when the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the pre-set information processing type is set to corrected output, the human detection information of only the sensors without abnormalities in the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs is output as the human detection information of the area where the abnormality has occurred; when the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to fixed output, information determined in advance is output as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs; when the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to non-output, the human detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs is not output; and when the sensor status information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to previous value retention, the human detection information output immediately before is output as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs. This step is included. It is characterized by the above.

[0010] In addition, the sensor information aggregation method of the present invention It includes a first step of detecting the position of a person based on information obtained by a plurality of sensors that acquire information regarding the presence / absence of a person in a target space and generating human detection information for each area that divides the target space, a second step of detecting an abnormality of each sensor, a third step of outputting sensor status information for each area and each sensor based on the detection result of the second step, and a fourth step of performing a predetermined process on the human detection information according to the sensor status information. The third step includes a step of calculating, for each area, the total degree of influence of the sensors in which an abnormality has occurred on the person detection information, and outputting the sensor status information indicating a sensor abnormality when the calculated value exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is characterized by the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, since an abnormality in a sensor is detected and sensor status information is output, the reliability of the person detection information can be determined based on the sensor status information. Further, in the present invention, when there is an abnormality in the sensor, the person detection information can be processed according to the operation policy at the site.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sensor information aggregation device of an infrared array sensor system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensor information aggregation device 1 includes a temperature acquisition unit 10, a human detection unit 11, a sensor abnormality detection unit 12, a state information output unit 13, an information processing unit 14, and a sensor information storage unit 15.

[0014] The sensor information aggregation device 1 is connected to a plurality of infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-N (N is an integer of 2 or more) via a communication line 3.

[0015] The infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-N are respectively arranged on the ceiling or wall of the target space 4, and detect the temperature of the floor surface of the target space 4 as information related to the presence / absence of a person in the target space 4. The infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-N each have a structure in which a plurality of infrared sensor chips are laid out in a plane. Each infrared sensor chip can measure the infrared rays emitted from an object at a distance and thereby obtain the temperature.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the measurement range of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-N. Here, it is assumed that the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 are installed on the ceiling 40 of the target space 4 at equal intervals in a grid pattern. Each of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 has a square measurement range 20-1 to 20-8 within the plane of the floor 41 of the target space 4.

[0017] The target space 4 is divided into a plurality of areas. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the target space 4 is divided into an area 5-1 and an area 5-2. Areas 5-1 and 5-2 are units of space where the air-conditioning control equipment and lighting control equipment connected to the sensor information aggregation device of this embodiment perform individual control of air-conditioning and lighting.

[0018] Each of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 belongs to at least one area and measures the temperature of the floor surface of the area to which it belongs. For example, the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-3 and 2-5 to 2-7 belong to Area 5-1 (at least a part of the measurement ranges 20-1 to 20-3 and 20-5 to 20-7 is within Area 5-1). Also, the infrared array sensors 2-3, 2-4, 2-7, and 2-8 belong to Area 5-2 (at least a part of the measurement ranges 20-3, 20-4, 20-7, and 20-8 is within Area 5-2). The sensor information storage unit 15 stores in advance information on the correspondence between the measurement ranges 20-1 to 20-8 of each of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 and Areas 5-1 and 5-2 as described above.

[0019] Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the sensor information aggregation device 1 of this embodiment. The temperature acquisition unit 10 of the sensor information aggregation device 1 acquires the temperatures measured by the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 for each of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 and for each sensor chip of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 (step S100 in Figure 3).

[0020] The person detection unit 11 of the sensor information aggregation device 1 detects the position of a person based on the temperature distribution of the floor surface of the target space 4 measured by the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8, and generates person detection information including at least one of the presence / absence information of a person and the number of persons for each of Areas 5-1 and 5-2 (step S101 in Figure 3).

[0021] As described above, the information on the correspondence between the measurement ranges 20-1 to 20-8 of each infrared array sensor 2-1 to 2-8 and the areas 5-1 and 5-2 is stored in the sensor information storage unit 15. Therefore, it is possible to generate human detection information for each of the areas 5-1 and 5-2 based on the information stored in the sensor information storage unit 15. Methods for estimating the presence / absence and number of people are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-80619, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-204922, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-8692, etc.

[0022] On the other hand, the sensor abnormality detection unit 12 of the sensor information aggregation device 1 detects abnormalities in each of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 (step S102 in FIG. 3). The sensor abnormality detection unit 12 determines that the infrared array sensor is abnormal, for example, when the temperature detected by the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 is higher than a predetermined upper limit value or lower than a predetermined lower limit value.

[0023] Next, the state information output unit 13 of the sensor information aggregation device 1 outputs the sensor state information of each of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 for each of the areas 5-1 and 5-2 and for each of the infrared array sensors 2-1 to 2-8 based on the detection result by the sensor abnormality detection unit 12 (step S103 in FIG. 3).

[0024] For example, the state information output unit 13 outputs the identification number of the infrared array sensor in which an abnormality has occurred as the sensor state information for each of the areas 5-1 and 5-2, or outputs the number of infrared array sensors in which an abnormality has occurred as the sensor state information for each of the areas 5-1 and 5-2, or outputs the ratio of the number of infrared array sensors in which an abnormality has occurred to the total number of infrared array sensors in the area as the sensor state information for each of the areas 5-1 and 5-2.

[0025] In addition, the state information output unit 13 may calculate, for each area, the sum Σxij of the influence degrees of the infrared array sensors in which an abnormality has occurred on the human detection information for each area. The influence degree xij of the infrared array sensor on the human detection information for each area (i is the number of the sensor belonging to the area, and j is the number of the area) is predetermined. This influence degree xij is determined based on, for example, the area of the measurement range of the infrared array sensor belonging to the area, and is stored in the sensor information storage unit 15.

[0026] For example, as in the example of FIG. 2, the influence degrees x11, x21, x51, x61 of the infrared array sensors 2-1, 2-2, 2-5, 2-6 whose entire measurement ranges 20-1, 20-2, 20-5, 20-6 are within area 5-1 on the human detection information of area 5-1 are set to 1. Also, the influence degrees x31, x71 of the infrared array sensors 2-3, 2-7, of which 25% of the measurement ranges 20-3, 20-7 are within area 5-1, on the human detection information of area 5-1 are set to 0.25. Also, the influence degrees x42, x82 of the infrared array sensors 2-4, 2-8 whose entire measurement ranges 20-4, 20-8 are within area 5-2 on the human detection information of area 5-2 are set to 1. Also, the influence degrees x32, x72 of the infrared array sensors 2-3, 2-7, of which 75% of the measurement ranges 20-3, 20-7 are within area 5-2, on the human detection information of area 5-2 are set to 0.75.

[0027] The state information output unit 13 adds the influence degree xij of the infrared array sensor in which an abnormality has occurred for each area. Then, when the sum Σxij of the influence degrees xij for each area exceeds a predetermined threshold value y, the state information output unit 13 determines that an abnormality has occurred. The state information output unit 13 outputs this determination result as sensor state information for each of areas 5-1 and 5-2.

[0028] Next, the information processing unit 14 of the sensor information aggregation device 1 performs a predetermined process on the human detection information according to the sensor state information output from the state information output unit 13 (step S104 in FIG. 3).

[0029] When the sensor status information indicates an abnormality in the infrared array sensor, the information processing unit 14 performs information processing based on the previously set information processing type. Here, information processing may be performed when the number of infrared array sensors with an abnormality in the area exceeds the threshold number, or when the ratio of the number of infrared array sensors with an abnormality exceeds the threshold ratio, or when it is determined to be abnormal based on the sum Σxij of the influence degrees xij for each area, or information processing may be performed even if there is even one infrared array sensor with an abnormality in the area.

[0030] As information processing types, there are, for example, four types: corrected output, fixed output, non-output, and previous value holding. The information processing type is set in advance according to the operation policy of air conditioning and lighting in the target space 4.

[0031] When the information processing type is set to corrected output, the information processing unit 14 outputs, as the human detection information for the area to which the infrared array sensor with an abnormality belongs, the human detection information based only on the infrared array sensors without an abnormality in the area to the control devices of equipment such as air conditioners and lighting. In this case, the human detection information may be generated for each of the areas 5-1 and 5-2 based on the temperature distribution of the floor surface of the target space 4 measured by the infrared array sensors without an abnormality.

[0032] When the information processing type is set to fixed output, the information processing unit 14 outputs, as the human detection information for the area to which the infrared array sensor with an abnormality belongs, predetermined information to the control devices of equipment such as air conditioners and lighting. Specifically, the information processing unit 14 outputs a fixed number of people for the area to which the infrared array sensor with an abnormality belongs, or outputs presence / absence information indicating the presence of a person, or outputs presence / absence information indicating absence. Thereby, the air conditioning and lighting in the area to which the infrared array sensor with an abnormality belongs can be controlled to a predetermined state.

[0033] When the information processing type is set to non-output, the information processing unit 14 does not output the human detection information of the area to which the infrared array sensor in which an abnormality has occurred belongs. By not outputting the human detection information, it becomes possible for control devices of equipment such as air conditioners and lighting to detect an abnormality.

[0034] When the information processing type is set to previous value retention, the information processing unit 14 outputs the human detection information output immediately before to the control device of equipment such as an air conditioner and lighting as the human detection information of the area to which the infrared array sensor in which an abnormality has occurred belongs. As a result, the air conditioner and lighting in the area to which the infrared array sensor in which an abnormality has occurred belongs are maintained in the previous state.

[0035] The sensor information aggregation device 1 performs the processes of steps S100 to S104 at regular intervals until, for example, the control of the air conditioner and lighting ends (YES in step S105 of FIG. 3). As described above, in the present embodiment, since an abnormality of the infrared array sensor belonging to the area is detected and the sensor state information is output, it is possible to determine the reliability of the human detection information based on the sensor state information. Further, in the present embodiment, when there is an abnormality in the infrared array sensor, the human detection information can be processed according to the operation policy at the site.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the infrared array sensor system has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the infrared array sensor system and is applicable to a sensor system that detects the presence / absence of a person by other sensors.

[0037] The sensor information aggregation device 1 described in the present embodiment can be realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device, and an interface, and a program that controls these hardware resources. A configuration example of this computer is shown in FIG. 4. The computer includes a CPU 200, a storage device 201, and an interface device (I / F) 202.

[0038] To I / F202, for example, an infrared array sensor, a control device, or the like is connected. In such a computer, a program for realizing the sensor information aggregation method of the present invention is stored in the storage device 201. The CPU 200 executes the processes described in this embodiment according to the program stored in the storage device 201.

Industrial Applicability

[0039] The present invention can be applied to a technique for integrating information of a plurality of sensors.

Explanation of Signs

[0040] 1... Sensor information aggregation device, 2-1 to 2-N... Infrared array sensors, 3... Communication line, 10... Temperature acquisition unit, 11... Human detection unit, 12... Sensor abnormality detection unit, 13... Status information output unit, 14... Information processing unit, 15... Sensor information storage unit.

Claims

1. A sensor information storage unit configured to pre-store information on the correspondence between the measurement range of each sensor that acquires information regarding the presence / absence of people in the target space and the area that divides the target space; A person detection unit configured to detect the position of a person based on information on the target space obtained by a plurality of the sensors and generate person detection information for each area; A sensor abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality in each sensor; A state information output unit configured to output sensor state information for each area and each sensor based on the detection result by the sensor abnormality detection unit; An information processing unit configured to perform a predetermined process on the person detection information according to the sensor state information, and comprising: When the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and a preset information processing type is set to corrected output, the information processing unit outputs, as the person detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs, the person detection information obtained only by the sensors without an abnormality in the area. When the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to fixed output, the information processing unit outputs predetermined information as the person detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs. When the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to non-output, the information processing unit does not output the person detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs. When the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to previous value retention, the information processing unit outputs the person detection information output immediately before as the person detection information of the area to which the sensor with the abnormality belongs. A sensor information aggregation device characterized by the above.

2. A sensor information storage unit configured to pre-store information on the correspondence between the measurement range of each sensor that acquires information regarding the presence / absence of people in the target space and the area that divides the target space; A person detection unit configured to detect the position of a person based on information on the target space obtained by a plurality of the sensors and generate person detection information for each area; A sensor abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality in each sensor; A state information output unit configured to output sensor state information for each area and each sensor based on the detection result by the sensor abnormality detection unit; An information processing unit configured to perform a predetermined process on the person detection information according to the sensor state information, and comprising: The state information output unit calculates, for each area, the total degree of influence of sensors in which an abnormality has occurred on the human detection information, and outputs the sensor state information indicating a sensor abnormality when the calculated value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A sensor information aggregation device characterized by the above.

3. In the sensor information aggregation device according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of sensors are infrared array sensors each configured to detect the temperature of the target space. A sensor information aggregation device characterized by the above.

4. A first step of detecting the position of a person based on information obtained by a plurality of sensors that acquire information related to the presence / absence of a person in a target space, and generating human detection information for each area that divides the target space; A second step of detecting an abnormality in each sensor; A third step of outputting sensor state information for each area and each sensor based on the detection result of the second step; A fourth step of performing a predetermined process on the human detection information according to the sensor state information, In the fourth step, when the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the preset information processing type is set to corrected output, as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor in which the abnormality has occurred belongs, output the human detection information by only the sensors in which no abnormality has occurred in the area; when the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to fixed output, output predetermined information as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor in which the abnormality has occurred belongs; when the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to non-output, output no human detection information of the area to which the sensor in which the abnormality has occurred belongs; when the sensor state information indicates an abnormality of the sensor and the information processing type is set to previous value retention, output the human detection information output immediately before as the human detection information of the area to which the sensor in which the abnormality has occurred belongs. A sensor information aggregation method characterized by including the steps.

5. A first step of detecting the position of a person based on information obtained by a plurality of sensors that acquire information related to the presence / absence of a person in a target space, and generating human detection information for each area that divides the target space; A second step of detecting an abnormality in each sensor; A third step of outputting sensor state information for each area and each sensor based on the detection result of the second step; A fourth step of performing a predetermined process on the human detection information according to the sensor state information is included. The third step includes calculating, for each area, the total degree of influence of the sensors in which an abnormality has occurred on the human detection information, and outputting the sensor state information indicating a sensor abnormality when the calculated value exceeds a predetermined threshold. A sensor information aggregation method characterized by including this.

6. In the sensor information aggregation method according to claim 4 or 5, The plurality of sensors are infrared array sensors each configured to detect the temperature of the target space. A sensor information aggregation method characterized by this.

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