Condition monitoring device and condition monitoring method

Abstract

This state monitoring device comprises: a distance profile acquisition unit (11) for acquiring a distance profile, the distance profile being information indicating motion in a target region including motion resulting from shaking of each part of an object that is within the target region and that generates motion, from a relationship between a distance from a radio wave sensor (2) to the object, generated on the basis of a detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor (2), and a power value corresponding to the distance, the radio wave sensor (2) detecting the object on the basis of a reflected wave resulting from a radio wave radiated toward the target region being reflected by the object; and a living body determination unit (12) that determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body on the basis of a time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit (11).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a state monitoring device and a state monitoring method for an area to be monitored (hereinafter referred to as a "target area"). [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for determining whether an object is a living body such as a person or a non-living body such as baggage, based on a detection level when an object is detected by a radio wave sensor. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle monitoring device that includes a sensor that outputs millimeter wave radio waves toward the interior of a vehicle and detects the millimeter wave reflected by objects inside the vehicle, such as passengers or luggage, and a determination unit that determines the type of object inside the vehicle based on the detection level of the millimeter wave reflected by the sensor, and the determination unit determines whether the object inside the vehicle is a child or luggage based on the tendency of changes in the detection level of the millimeter wave reflected by the sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-182340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The detection level of a radio wave sensor, such as a millimeter wave, depends on the size of the object that reflects the radio waves. The detection level of a reflected wave from an object may also vary depending on the part of the object from which the reflected wave originates. For example, when an object with a certain volume, such as a coat, is shaken and moves, the radio wave sensor will detect the object, but depending on the part of the object, the change in the detection level of the reflected wave is expected to be small, just like with a living body. Conventional technologies such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 do not take this into consideration, and therefore have the problem of the possibility of incorrectly determining whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor is a living or non-living object.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a condition monitoring device that reduces erroneous determinations of whether an object in a target area detected by a radio wave sensor is living or non-living. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The condition monitoring device according to the present disclosure includes a radio wave sensor that detects an object that is moving based on a radio wave that is emitted toward a target area and reflected by the object within the target area, and a distance from the radio wave sensor to the object that is generated based on a detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor. and, corresponding to the distance, Based on signal components due to object movement Power Value and, The apparatus is equipped with a distance profile acquisition unit that acquires a distance profile, which is information indicating movement in the target area, including movement due to shaking of each part of the object, based on the relationship between the distance profile and the object, and a living body determination unit that determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a condition monitoring device can reduce erroneous determinations of whether an object in a target area detected by a radio wave sensor is a living or non-living object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a state monitoring device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the concept of a distance profile in the first embodiment. [Figure 3]10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining fluctuations in power values ​​when the target is a person and when the target is an object, which are shown in a distance profile. [Figure 4] 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams for explaining an example of a determination method for determining object shaking by the biometric determination unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a distance profile when an object having a portion where shaking is difficult to settle is detected. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the state monitoring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of object shaking determination processing by the living body determination unit in step ST2 of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the abandonment alarm device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the state monitoring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a state monitoring device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the state monitoring device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of object shaking determination processing by the living body determination unit in step ST2a of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a state monitoring device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the concept of a Doppler signal in the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a steep peak that appears in a Doppler signal in the third embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the state monitoring device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] 17 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of object shaking determination processing by the living body determination unit in step ST2b of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a condition monitoring device in which it is determined whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor is a living or non-living object based on a distance profile, frequency information, and a Doppler signal. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a condition monitoring device when determining whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor is a living or non-living object based on a distance profile, frequency information, and a Doppler signal. [Figure 20] 20 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of object shaking determination processing by the living body determination unit in step ST2c of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] This figure shows an example configuration in which a status monitoring device is connected to an abandonment alarm device as well as an intrusion alarm device and a seat control device, and the biometric assessment result is output to the abandonment alarm device as well as the intrusion alarm device and seat control device. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the intrusion alarm device. [Figure 23] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the seat control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the present disclosure, a status monitoring device monitors the status of an area to be monitored (hereinafter referred to as a "target area"). In the present disclosure, the status of the target area refers to the status of whether or not a "living body" such as a person is present in the target area. The condition monitoring device monitors the target area as described above by determining whether an object (hereinafter referred to as "target object") in the target area detected by the radio wave sensor is a "living object" such as a person, or a "non-living object" such as luggage.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the radio wave sensor is assumed to be a millimeter wave radar. Millimeter-wave radar excels at detecting extremely minute movements, and is expected to be useful for non-contact vital signs sensing (detecting breathing or heart rate). Based on the detection results of an object by millimeter-wave radar, it is useful to determine whether the object is a "living object" or a "non-living object." However, millimeter-wave radar detects moving objects as targets, i.e., objects. For example, even if a "non-living" object within the target area is shaken due to a cause that causes shaking (hereinafter referred to as "shaking cause"), such as a door in the target area being closed or other external factors, millimeter-wave radar will still detect the object. When determining whether an object is a "living object" or a "non-living object" based on the detection results of the object by millimeter-wave radar, there is a possibility that an object that has experienced movement (vibration) due to a vibration-causing factor may be erroneously determined to be a "living object" even though it is actually a "non-living object." In particular, for example, when movement occurs in an object with a certain volume, some parts of the object may have difficulty in stopping the movement. If the object is determined to be a "living object" or a "non-living object" based on the movement of these parts that are difficult to stop, the movement may be erroneously determined to be a "living object," and as a result, the object may be erroneously determined to be a "living object."

[0011] On the other hand, there is a big difference between "living things" and "non-living things" in terms of whether or not they "move spontaneously and steadily." The condition monitoring device focuses on this point and determines whether the object is a "living object" or a "non-living object" by observing the time-series fluctuations in the movement in the target area. In the following first embodiment, the target area is assumed to be the interior of a vehicle, for example. That is, for example, the state monitoring device determines whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor in the vehicle interior is a "living object" or a "non-living object."

[0012] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment. The status monitoring device 1 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle (not shown), and is connected to a radio wave sensor 2 and an abandoned vehicle alarm device 3.

[0013] The radio wave sensor 2 detects an object, that is, a target object, inside the vehicle compartment. The radio wave sensor 2 acquires a reflected wave that is a radio wave that is emitted toward the vehicle interior and reflected by an object in the vehicle interior. The radio wave sensor 2 is equipped with, for example, an antenna with wide-angle directivity, and is installed inside the vehicle interior so that radio waves are irradiated onto objects that may be present inside the vehicle interior.

[0014] The radio wave sensor 2 is a general radio wave sensor that detects an object, and an example of a method for detecting an object using the radio wave sensor 2 will be described below. There are various modulation methods for the sensing signal of the radio wave sensor 2, but here we will explain an example in which the FM-CW (Frequency Modulation - Continuous Wave) method, which is often used for automotive applications, is applied as the modulation method. The radio wave sensor 2 includes a radio wave transmitting / receiving unit (not shown) that periodically generates an FM signal (called a chirp wave) whose frequency increases and decreases. The radio wave transmitting / receiving unit amplifies the signal power to obtain the power necessary for radiating radio waves, and radiates the radio waves into the space inside the vehicle via a transmitting antenna (not shown). When the radio waves radiated into the vehicle interior space reach an object within the range of the radio wave transmission / reception unit, a portion of the radio waves is reflected by the surface of the object and returns to the radio wave transmission / reception unit. Here, the object is, for example, an occupant in the vehicle interior, luggage placed in the vehicle interior, or a vehicle structure, or any other object that reflects radio waves.

[0015] The radio wave transmitting and receiving unit receives radio waves (reflected waves) reflected from the surface of the object via a receiving antenna (not shown). The radio wave transmitting and receiving unit receives an FM reception signal, which is the same as the FM transmission signal. The reception signal is input to the radio wave transmitting and receiving unit with a time lag corresponding to the time it takes for the radio wave to reach the target and return. The radio wave transmitting and receiving unit extracts the frequency difference between the frequency of the generated FM signal and the frequency of the received signal, and generates an intermediate frequency (IF) signal having the frequency difference. An A / D converter (not shown) included in the radio wave sensor 2 converts the intermediate frequency signal from an analog signal to a digital signal.

[0016] A signal processing unit (not shown) of the radio wave sensor 2 extracts moving objects based on the digital signal. The technology by which the signal processing unit extracts moving objects is a well-known technology, so a detailed description will be omitted. The signal processing unit extracts signal components due to the movement of the object from the digital signal using a well-known method. The movement detected by the signal processing unit here includes body movement such as chest movement due to breathing, and movement due to shaking inside the vehicle cabin. The signal processing unit performs frequency analysis on the digital signal to extract information such as the position, speed, and signal strength of a moving object (hereinafter referred to as "sensor information"). The signal processing unit can extract the sensor information based on various known methods or procedures, such as Fourier transform (FFT), integration processing, peak extraction, and beamforming. The signal processing unit also generates a distance profile using a known method of applying FFT to the digital signal (so-called distance FFT processing).

[0017] Here, the distance profile generated by the radio wave sensor 2 will be described. In the first embodiment, the distance profile is information that indicates movement in a target area based on the relationship between the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the target and the power value corresponding to that distance, generated based on the detection result of the target detected by the radio wave sensor 2. The movement in the target area includes movement due to shaking of each part of the target.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the distance profile in the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the distance profile is indicated by "P." As shown in FIG. 2, the distance profile can be represented by a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the moving object detected by the radio wave sensor 2, and the vertical axis represents the power value corresponding to that distance. 2, the interior of the vehicle corresponding to the distance in the distance profile is shown as viewed from the left side in the direction of travel of the vehicle, with the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 being aligned with the distance in the distance profile. Here, as an example, the radio wave sensor 2 is provided on an overhead console (not shown) in the vehicle interior, and emits radio waves from the overhead console toward the interior of the vehicle. Also, the vehicle interior has three rows of seats, and an object (an object or person experiencing shaking) is present on the second-row seat.

[0019] A distance profile is generated for each cycle in which the radio wave sensor 2 emits radio waves toward the interior of the vehicle and receives reflected waves from objects. In other words, a distance profile is generated based on the detection results of all objects detected within the vehicle. For convenience, in FIG. 2, three distance profiles (shown as PV1, PV2, and PV3 from the oldest to the newest in time series) are shown overlapping each other in a time series. 2 is a distance profile that, for convenience, roughly indicates the overall trend of the power values ​​corresponding to the distance from the radio wave sensor 2. Since the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the target changes depending on the movement of the target, strictly speaking, the overall waveform of the power values ​​on the distance profile may change for each distance profile.

[0020] For example, if an object or a person is present on a seat in the vehicle and the object or person moves, the radio wave sensor 2 detects this. Note that, for example, if shaking occurs in the vehicle, the object moves with the shaking. The person also moves with the shaking. However, even if no shaking occurs, the person moves spontaneously and steadily due to breathing, etc. The radio wave sensor 2 receives a wave reflected from an object, and the power value of the reflected wave varies with the movement of the object. The distance profile can represent power values ​​that vary with the movement of the object.

[0021] Here, the fluctuations in power values ​​that appear in the distance profile will be explained separately for the cases where the target is a person and the case where the target is an object. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the fluctuation in power value when the target is a person and the fluctuation in power value when the target is an object, which are shown in the distance profile. Figure 3 shows the power values ​​of the reflected waves that fluctuate with the movement of people and objects, as they appear in the time-series distance profile from when shaking occurs inside the vehicle and causes objects to move until the shaking stops. In Figure 3, for the sake of convenience, people and objects are shown separately, and the fluctuations in power values ​​are shown for each. However, as mentioned above, in the distance profile, the power values ​​based on the movement of people and the power values ​​based on the movement of objects are expressed together.

[0022] In Figure 3, the dotted line indicates the fluctuation in power value due to human movement, i.e., the fluctuation in power value due to human movement when the target object is a person, and the dashed-dotted line indicates the fluctuation in power value due to object movement, i.e., the fluctuation in power value due to object movement when the target object is an object. As shown in Figure 3, if the target is an object, a certain level of power is detected immediately after the shaking occurs, but the power value based on the movement of the object (object) that appears in the distance profile then decreases. This is because the amount of shaking of the object attenuates over time. More specifically, in a time-series distance profile, the waveform of the power values ​​attenuates overall over time. Note that in the first embodiment, "the waveform of the power values ​​attenuates overall over time" means that the waveform of the power values ​​tends to attenuate overall over time. For example, even if there is a momentary increase in the power value corresponding to a certain distance on a certain distance profile that is larger than the power value corresponding to the same distance on the previous distance profile, if it can be said that the waveform of the power values ​​is attenuating overall, then it is considered that the waveform of the power values ​​tends to attenuate overall over time.

[0023] In contrast, when the object is a person, the power value based on the object (person)'s (person's) movement that appears in the distance profile fluctuates steadily with time after the occurrence of the shaking, due to spontaneous and steady movements such as body movement or breathing movement, and the power value waveform as a whole does not decrease as when the object is an object, even with time after the occurrence of the shaking. Note that, for convenience, the minute fluctuations in the power value based on the person's body movement, breathing movement, etc. are not shown in Figure 3. In this way, it is possible to distinguish whether the object for which a power value is observed is a person or an object from the time series fluctuation of the power value in the distance profile. In other words, it is possible to distinguish whether the power value observed is due to the movement of a person or the movement (shaking) of an object from the time series fluctuation of the power value in the distance profile. In the following embodiment 1, the movement of an object due to shaking is also referred to as "object shaking."

[0024] The radio wave sensor 2 generates the distance profile as described above and outputs it to the condition monitoring device 1. The status monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment uses the distance profile acquired from the radio wave sensor 2 to determine whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body.

[0025] An example of the configuration of the state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the condition monitoring device 1 includes a distance profile acquisition unit 11 and a living body determination unit 12.

[0026] The distance profile acquisition unit 11 acquires the distance profile output from the radio wave sensor 2 . The distance profile acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired distance profile to the biometric determination unit 12.

[0027] The living body determination unit 12 determines whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11. In the first embodiment, the determination by the biometric determination unit 12 of whether an object is a living or non-living object based on the distance profile is also referred to as “object shaking determination.” In object shaking determination, the biometric determination unit 12 determines whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living or non-living object, in other words, whether the movement of the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a body movement or respiratory movement by a person, or a movement due to shaking of an object that is not supposed to move itself, i.e., object shaking.

[0028] The biometric determination unit 12 stores, for example, the distance profiles acquired from the distance profile acquisition unit 11 in a time series in a storage unit (not shown). For example, the distance profile acquisition unit 11 may store, in a time series, the distance profiles acquired from the radio wave sensor 2 in the storage unit. The biometric determination unit 12 acquires the time series distance profiles from the storage unit. The biometric determination unit 12 performs object shaking determination based on a time-series distance profile for a preset period (hereinafter referred to as a "first determination period"). The first determination period is set by an administrator or the like to, for example, 5 to 6 seconds. Generally, the respiratory rate of an adult is 12 to 20 bpm, and 5 to 6 seconds of observation can capture at least one cycle of respiratory movement. That is, in the distance profile, it is assumed that the waveform of the power value fluctuates between 5 and 6 seconds in association with movements such as the person's respiratory movement. Conversely, if the waveform of the power value does not fluctuate between 5 and 6 seconds in the distance profile, it is assumed that the power value is not associated with movements such as the person's respiratory movement; in other words, it is assumed that it is due to object shaking. In this way, by performing object shaking determination based on, for example, a time-series distance profile of 5 to 6 seconds, the living body determination unit 12 can accurately determine whether the target is a living body or a non-living body. This is merely an example, and the length of the time-series distance profile over which the biometric determination unit 12 performs object shaking determination can be set as appropriate. In other words, the length of the first determination period can be set as appropriate.

[0029] The details of the object shaking determination by the biometric determination unit 12 will be described below using an example.

[0030] <Example of object sway judgment (1)> For example, the biometric determination unit 12 determines whether the target object is a living or non-living object based on whether the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile decays over time within the first determination period, or more specifically, whether it only decays. The living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is non-living when the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period. Note that when the power value corresponding to a certain distance attenuates over time, the living body determination unit 12 considers that the waveform of the power value in the distance profile attenuates overall over time. On the other hand, if the power value of the reflected wave corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile fluctuates, i.e., increases and decreases, within the first determination period, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is a living body.

[0031] FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the above-mentioned "Object shaking determination example (1)", which is an example of a determination method for object shaking determination by the biometric determination unit 12 in the first embodiment. For convenience, FIG. 4A shows the time-series distance profile (distance profile at times t1, t2, . . . ) in the first determination period superimposed. The biometric determination unit 12 performs the shaking determination from the power value in each distance profile corresponding to the distance "R", for example.

[0032] For example, in each distance profile in the time series for the first determination period, the power value corresponding to the distance "R" decays over time. In this way, when the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the distance profile in the time series simply decays over time within the first determination period, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is non-living. FIG. 4A shows an example in which the liveness determination unit 12 determines whether an object is alive or non-live based on a power value corresponding to one distance "R." The liveness determination unit 12 sets one distance "R" as, for example, the distance at which the largest power value is detected in the distance profile at the oldest time (i.e., t1 in this case). If the object at which the power value is detected is an object, focusing on the power value of the largest reflected wave suggests that the amount of attenuation of the power value increases over time, in other words, as the shaking subsides. By focusing on the distance at which the largest power value is detected and observing the power value of the reflected wave at that distance, the liveness determination unit 12 can more accurately determine whether an object is alive or non-live.

[0033] <Example of object sway judgment (2)> For example, the biometric determination unit 12 may determine whether an object is biometric or non-biometric based on whether the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as the "attenuation determination condition"). The attenuation determination conditions are set, for example, as the following condition (1) or condition (2). The attenuation determination conditions are set in advance by, for example, an administrator, and are stored in a location that can be referenced by the living body determination unit 12, such as a buffer (not shown) of the living body determination unit 12. ·Conditions (1) The gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the distance profiles adjacent in time series is equal to or less than a preset threshold value (hereinafter referred to as the "gradient determination threshold value"). ·Condition(2) The gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in a plurality of distance profiles spaced apart by a predetermined interval (hereinafter referred to as the "gradient determination interval") is equal to or less than the gradient determination threshold value.

[0034] If the attenuation determination condition is satisfied, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is a non-living body. On the other hand, if the attenuation determination condition is not satisfied, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is a living body.

[0035] 4B and 4C are diagrams for explaining the above-mentioned "Object shaking determination example (2)", which is an example of a determination method for object shaking determination by the biometric determination unit 12 in the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of object sway determination by the biometric determination unit 12 when the attenuation determination condition is the above-mentioned condition (1), and FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of object sway determination by the biometric determination unit 12 when the attenuation determination condition is the above-mentioned condition (2).

[0036] For example, when the attenuation determination condition is the above condition (1), the living body determination unit 12 extracts a power value corresponding to a certain distance from a plurality of time-series distance profiles (distance profiles at times t1, t2, ...) in the first determination period. Then, the living body determination unit 12 generates a graph with the extracted power value on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis (see FIG. 4B). In FIG. 4B, the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the distance profile at t1 is indicated as Pt1, the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the distance profile at t2 is indicated as Pt2, and the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the distance profile at t3 is indicated as Pt3.

[0037] The living body determination unit 12 compares the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the adjacent distance profiles from the generated graph with a gradient determination threshold value. In the example of FIG. 4B , the living body determination unit 12 compares the gradient of the attenuation from Pt1 to Pt2, in other words, the slope of the line connecting Pt1 and Pt2 in the graph, with a gradient determination threshold. If the gradient of the attenuation from Pt1 to Pt2 is equal to or less than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the attenuation determination condition is met and the object is a non-living body. Note that if the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to a certain distance is equal to or less than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 considers that the waveform of the power value in the distance profile is attenuating overall over time. If the gradient of the attenuation from Pt1 to Pt2 is greater than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the attenuation determination condition is not met and the object is a living body. For example, the living body determination unit 12 may compare the gradient of attenuation from Pt2 to Pt3, in other words, the slope of the line connecting Pt2 and Pt3 in the graph, with a gradient determination threshold. If the gradient of attenuation from Pt2 to Pt3 is equal to or less than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the attenuation determination condition is met and the object is a non-living body. If the gradient of attenuation from Pt2 to Pt3 is greater than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the attenuation determination condition is not met and the object is a living body.

[0038] For example, when the attenuation determination condition is the above condition (2), similarly to when the attenuation determination condition is the above condition (1), the living body determination unit 12 extracts a power value corresponding to a certain distance from a plurality of time-series distance profiles (distance profiles at times t1, t2, ...) in the first determination period. Then, the living body determination unit 12 generates a graph with the extracted power value of the reflected wave on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis (see FIG. 4C). In FIG. 4C, the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the distance profile at t1 is indicated as Pt1, the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the distance profile at t2 is indicated as Pt2, and the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the distance profile at t3 is indicated as Pt3. However, when the attenuation determination condition is the above condition (2), the biometric determination unit 12 compares the gradient of attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in a plurality of distance profiles spaced apart by the gradient determination interval from the generated graph with the gradient determination threshold. Here, it is assumed that the gradient determination interval is set to an interval equal to or longer than the time required to acquire at least three time-series distance profiles.

[0039] In the example of FIG. 4C, the living body determination unit 12 compares, for example, the gradient of the attenuation from Pt1 to Pt3, in other words, the slope of the line connecting Pt1 and Pt3 in the graph, with a gradient determination threshold value. If the gradient of attenuation from Pt1 to Pt3 is equal to or less than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the attenuation determination condition is met and the object is a non-living body. Note that if the gradient of attenuation of power values ​​corresponding to a certain distance is equal to or less than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 considers that the waveform of power values ​​in the distance profile is attenuating overall over time. If the gradient of attenuation from Pt1 to Pt3 is greater than the gradient determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the attenuation determination condition is not met and the object is a living body. When the attenuation determination condition is the above condition (2), the living body determination unit 12 performs the object shaking determination based on the power value corresponding to a certain distance in the distance profile at a fixed time interval. Therefore, when the living body determination unit 12 performs the object shaking determination based on the above condition (2), it is expected that the object shaking determination will be robust against slight movements.

[0040] The biometric determination unit 12 may perform the object shaking determination by combining the above condition (1) or the above condition (2). For example, the living body determination unit 12 may determine that the attenuation determination condition is met and the object is non-living if the gradient of attenuation from Pt1 to Pt2 is less than or equal to the gradient determination threshold and the gradient of attenuation from Pt1 to Pt3 is less than or equal to the gradient determination threshold.

[0041] In the above example, the biometric determination unit 12 determines whether an object is shaking based on a power value corresponding to one distance, but this is just one example, and the biometric determination unit 12 may also determine whether an object is shaking based on power values ​​corresponding to multiple distances in each distance profile. For example, the biometric determination unit 12 may determine whether the target object is biometric or non-biometric based on whether or not the power values ​​corresponding to multiple distances in each distance profile all decay over time within the first determination period.

[0042] In this way, in the first embodiment, the living body determining unit 12 determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile. An advantage of using a distance profile to determine whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living or non-living object is that the attenuation of movement (shaking) of an object having a certain volume can be captured with high accuracy. An object having a certain volume is assumed to be an object that is about two to three times larger than the person requiring care, or even larger, including, for example, a coat.

[0043] For example, suppose a car door is closed and shaking occurs inside a vehicle with a coat hanging on a hanger and the hanger suspended from an assist grip. In this case, in the distance profile, there will be a difference between the attenuation rate of the power value corresponding to the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the area around the coat hanger (such as the contact point with the hanger hook) and the attenuation rate of the power value corresponding to the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the bottom of the coat. This is because, even for the same coat, the area around the hanger will tend to settle down, while the bottom of the coat will tend to settle down. The distance profile shows the movement within the vehicle cabin as a function of the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the court, including the movement due to the shaking of each part of the court, and the power value. That is, the distance profile shows the relationship between the distance and the power value corresponding to the area around the coat hanger, and the relationship between the distance and the power value corresponding to the hem of the coat. In other words, by using the distance profile, even if there are parts of the object that are difficult to settle over time and are difficult to distinguish from human movement, the liveness determination unit 12 can determine that the coat is non-living based on the attenuation of the power value in the parts that are easy to settle over time. The liveness determination unit 12 can reduce the chance of misjudging the coat as living.

[0044] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a distance profile when an object having a portion where shaking is difficult to settle is detected. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a distance profile showing the relationship between the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to each part of a coat hanging on a hanger suspended from an assist grip inside the vehicle as described above and the power value. For ease of understanding, FIG. 5A also illustrates the court. In addition, for convenience, FIG. 5A shows overlapping distance profiles in time series (shown as PV1a, PV2a, and PV3a from the most recent in time series). 5A, for example, the power value corresponding to the distance corresponding to the portion of the coat around the hanger where the swaying tends to settle over time in the distance profile attenuates significantly over time. On the other hand, the power value of the reflected wave corresponding to the distance corresponding to the bottom of the coat where the swaying tends to stay down over time in the distance profile attenuates less over time than the power value of the reflected wave corresponding to the portion around the hanger.

[0045] In the conventional technology described above, if the position of the coat is determined to be any position on the hem of the coat and the detection level of the reflected waves of the radio wave sensor at that hem is used to determine whether the object, which is the coat, is a living body or a non-living body, there is a possibility that the object will be mistakenly determined to be a living body that is constantly moving due to the low amount of attenuation. In contrast, in the condition monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the living body determination unit 12 determines whether an object is living or non-living based on a time-series distance profile. If at least a portion of the distance profile shows an attenuation of the power value corresponding to the distance of the object from the radio wave sensor 2 over time, the living body determination unit 12 can determine that the movement of the object is object shaking, i.e., that the object is non-living. This allows the condition monitoring device 1 to reduce erroneous determinations of whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor is living or non-living.

[0046] It should be noted that each part of a living body moves from the head to the feet. Therefore, in the distance profile, the power values ​​corresponding to the distances corresponding to each part of the living body do not simply attenuate. It is estimated that the waveforms of the power values ​​corresponding to the distances corresponding to each part of the living body fluctuate in at least a part of the distance profile. In this way, in the distance profile, there is a difference between a living body and a non-living body in whether the waveforms of the power values ​​corresponding to the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 simply attenuate or not. The living body determination unit 12 performs object shaking determination using the distance profile, thereby reducing erroneous determinations of whether an object is a living body or a non-living body.

[0047] In the above example, the object is a court, but this is merely an example. The same can be said for an object such as a golf bag that stores golf clubs. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state in which a golf bag containing golf clubs is placed on the seat surface of a seat in a vehicle interior. In a golf bag such as that shown in Fig. 5B, the portion opposite the seat is difficult to stop shaking, whereas the portion on the seat side is easy to stop shaking. In this case, the power value corresponding to the distance corresponding to the portion of the golf bag on the seat side, where the swinging of the golf bag tends to settle over time, on the distance profile, attenuates significantly over time. On the other hand, the power value corresponding to the distance corresponding to the portion of the golf bag opposite the seat, where the swinging of the golf bag tends to settle over time, attenuates less over time than the power value of the reflected wave corresponding to the portion on the seat side. By using the distance profile to determine whether an object is shaking, the living body determination unit 12 can reduce the chance of erroneously determining that the object is a living body, even if the object is, for example, a golf bag as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0048] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. When the living body determination unit 12 determines whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body, it outputs the determination result (hereinafter referred to as the “state determination result”) to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the abandonment alarm device 3 includes an abandonment detection unit 31 and an output control unit 32. When the status monitoring device 1 determines that there is a living body in the vehicle cabin, the abandonment detection unit 31 detects whether a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle cabin. The abandonment detection unit 31 can determine whether the status monitoring device 1 has determined that there is a living body in the vehicle cabin based on the status determination result output from the status monitoring device 1. When the status monitoring device 1 outputs a status determination result indicating that the object is a living body, the abandonment detection unit 31 determines that the status monitoring device 1 has determined that there is a living body in the vehicle cabin. When the status monitoring device 1 outputs a status determination result indicating that the object is a non-living body, or when the status monitoring device 1 does not output a status determination result, the abandonment detection unit 31 determines that the status monitoring device 1 did not determine that there is a living body in the vehicle cabin. In the first embodiment, the term "person requiring assistance" refers to a living body, such as an infant, that has a physique that makes it difficult for it to leave the target area, in this case the vehicle interior, by itself if left there. Note that in the first embodiment, living bodies such as pets are also included in the term "person requiring assistance."

[0050] The abandonment detection unit 31 detects whether a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle cabin, for example, based on the reflected power value, position, vibration frequency, or speed of the object and preset conditions (hereinafter referred to as "abandonment determination conditions"). For example, the abandonment detection unit 31 acquires sensor information from the radio wave sensor 2 and extracts the reflected power value, position, vibration frequency, or speed of the object based on the sensor information. The radio wave sensor 2 can also calculate the vibration frequency of the object based on the reflected waves. Note that the arrow from the radio wave sensor 2 to the abandonment detection unit 31 is omitted in FIG. 1. For example, the abandonment detection unit 31 may extract the reflected power value and position of the object based on a distance profile. In this case, in the status monitoring device 1, the living body determination unit 12 outputs the distance profile together with the status determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0051] The abandonment determination conditions are set in advance by an administrator or the like, and are stored in a buffer (not shown) of the abandonment detection unit 31 or the like. The abandonment determination conditions include, for example, the following conditions (1a) to (4a). Condition (1a) "If the reflected power value is below a preset threshold, the person requires assistance." ·Condition (2a) "If the person is in the driver's seat, they are an adult (not someone requiring assistance)." ·Condition (3a) "If the vibration frequency is above a preset threshold, the person requires assistance" ·Condition (4a) "If the speed is below a preset threshold, assistance is required." Regarding condition (1a), people requiring care generally have smaller reflected power values ​​than adults. Regarding condition (2a), it is not normally expected that a person requiring assistance will be sitting in the driver's seat. Regarding condition (3a), people who require assistance generally move less than adults. Regarding condition (4a), people who require assistance generally move at a slower speed than adults. The abandonment detection unit 31 may detect whether or not a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle compartment by combining the above-mentioned conditions (1a) to (4a).

[0052] The abandonment detection unit 31 may also detect whether or not a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle compartment by other methods. For example, the abandonment detection unit 31 may detect whether a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle cabin based on information on the reflected power value, position, vibration frequency, or speed of the object and a trained model (hereinafter referred to as a "machine learning model"). The machine learning model is a model that receives information on the reflected power value, position, vibration frequency, or speed of the object as input and outputs information indicating whether a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle cabin, and is stored in advance in a buffer or the like of the abandonment detection unit 31. The abandonment detection unit 31 may detect whether a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle cabin using a known method for detecting whether abandonment has occurred within a target area based on sensor information.

[0053] In the first embodiment, when the state monitoring device 1 determines that a living body is present in the vehicle compartment, the abandonment detection unit 31 detects whether or not the living body is a person requiring assistance. As described above, the status monitoring device 1 reduces the chance of erroneously determining that a non-living object having a portion that is difficult to stop shaking is a living object. In other words, the abandonment detection unit 31 can obtain a status determination result indicating that a living object is present in the vehicle cabin as highly accurate information. As a result, the abandonment detection unit 31 can accurately detect whether or not an object has been left in the vehicle cabin. Conversely, the condition monitoring device 1 can reduce the chance of mistakenly determining that an object is a living organism when, for example, an object is shaking inside the vehicle cabin, and as a result, the abandonment detection unit 31 can reduce the chance of mistakenly detecting that an object is abandoned when an object is shaking inside the vehicle cabin.

[0054] The abandonment detection unit 31 outputs to the output control unit 32 a detection result of whether or not a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle compartment (hereinafter referred to as an “abandonment detection result”).

[0055] The output control unit 32 controls the output of an alarm to an output device (not shown) based on the abandonment detection result output from the abandonment detection unit 31. In detail, for example, when the abandonment detection unit 31 outputs an abandonment detection result indicating that a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle cabin, the output control unit 32 outputs alarm output control information to cause the output device to output an alarm. The output device may be, for example, a mobile terminal carried by the vehicle owner, an audio output device such as a speaker provided in a navigation device (not shown) installed in the vehicle, or a display device such as a display. When the output device is an audio output device, the output control unit 32 outputs, for example, alarm output control information for causing the audio output device to output an alarm sound. For example, by causing the audio output device mounted on the vehicle to output an alarm, the abandonment alarm device 3 can notify people around the vehicle that an abandoned person has been left inside the vehicle. When the output device is a display device, the output control unit 32 outputs, for example, warning output control information for displaying a warning message on the display device. For example, by displaying a warning message on a display device provided on a mobile terminal carried by the vehicle owner, the vehicle abandonment warning device 3 can notify the vehicle owner that an object has been abandoned in the vehicle interior.

[0056] The operation of the state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment. The state monitoring device 1 starts the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 when power is supplied to the state monitoring device 1, for example, when the vehicle's power is turned on. The status monitoring device 1 repeats the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, for example, until the power is no longer turned on.

[0057] The distance profile acquisition unit 11 acquires the distance profile output from the radio wave sensor 2 (step ST1). The distance profile acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired distance profile to the biometric determination unit 12.

[0058] The living body determination unit 12 performs object shaking determination to determine whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 in step ST1 (step ST2). The living body determination unit 12 outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of the object shaking determination process by the living body determination unit 12 in step ST2 of FIG. The living body determination unit 12 determines whether or not a power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile is attenuating with the passage of time within the first determination period (step ST21). In step ST21, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile decays over time within the first determination period (if "YES" in step ST21), the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is non-living (step ST22). The living body determination unit 12 outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3. On the other hand, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile does not simply attenuate in step ST21 (if "NO" in step ST21), in other words, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile fluctuates within the first determination period, the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is a living body (step ST23). The living body determination unit 12 outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0060] In step ST21 described above, the living body determination unit 12 may determine whether or not the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile satisfies the attenuation determination condition. In this case, if it is determined in step ST21 that the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance satisfies the attenuation determination condition (if "YES" in step ST21), the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is a non-living body (step ST22) and outputs the status determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3. If it is determined in step ST21 that the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance does not satisfy the attenuation determination condition (if "NO" in step ST21), the living body determination unit 12 determines that the object is a living body (step ST23) and outputs the status determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0061] In the above description, the state monitoring device 1 is assumed to start the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 when power is turned on as a trigger. However, this is only one example, and the condition monitoring device 1 may start the operation shown in the flowchart of Figure 6 when a cause of shaking occurs in the vehicle cabin, such as when a vehicle door is opened or closed, when a vehicle door is locked, or when the vehicle engine is turned on. For example, the control unit (not shown) of the state monitoring device 1 acquires information that a door has been opened or closed or information that a vehicle door has been locked from a door sensor provided on the door, and when the door has been opened or closed or when the door has been locked, outputs an operation start instruction to the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the biometric determination unit 12. This causes the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the biometric determination unit 12 of the state monitoring device 1 to start the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. For example, in the flowchart of Fig. 6, a step (step ST0) in which the control unit determines that a shaking-causing factor has occurred may be added before step ST1. If the control unit determines in step ST0 that a shaking-causing factor has occurred (in the case of "YES" in step ST0), the operation of the status monitoring device 1 proceeds to step ST1. If the control unit determines that a shaking-causing factor has not occurred (in the case of "NO" in step ST0), the operation of the status monitoring device 1 ends the processing. In this case, the trigger for starting the flowchart of Fig. 6 may be the power-on of the status monitoring device 1.

[0062] By having the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the living body determination unit 12 operate when a shaking factor occurs, the state monitoring device 1 operates in a situation where shaking is likely to occur in the vehicle cabin. This makes it easier for the state monitoring device 1 to improve the accuracy of shaking determination. In other words, the state monitoring device 1 can further reduce erroneous determinations of whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body. Regardless of whether a shaking-causing factor has occurred or not, the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the living body determination unit 12 start operating when the power is turned on as a trigger, which allows the status monitoring device 1 to reduce erroneous determinations of whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body.At the same time, the status monitoring device 1 can improve the accuracy of determining whether a living body is present in the vehicle cabin.

[0063] The operation of the abandoned vehicle alarm device 3 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the abandonment alarm device 3 according to the first embodiment. The abandonment alarm device 3 starts the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 when the abandonment alarm device 3 is powered on, for example, by the power of the vehicle being turned on. The abandoned vehicle alarm device 3 repeats the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 until, for example, the power is no longer turned on.

[0064] The abandonment detection unit 31 determines whether or not the state monitoring device 1 has determined that there is a living body in the vehicle compartment, based on the state determination result output from the state monitoring device 1 (step ST31).

[0065] If the status monitoring device 1 determines in step ST31 that a living body is present in the vehicle cabin (if "YES" in step ST31), the abandonment detection unit 31 detects whether a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the vehicle cabin (step ST32). The abandonment detection unit 31 outputs the abandonment detection result to the output control unit 32.

[0066] The output control unit 32 controls the output of an alarm to the output device based on the abandonment detection result output from the abandonment detection unit 31 in step ST32 (step ST33).

[0067] If, in step ST31, the status monitoring device 1 determines that there is no living body in the vehicle cabin (if "NO" in step ST31), in other words, if the status monitoring device 1 determines that there is no living body in the vehicle cabin, or if the status monitoring device 1 does not output a status determination result, the abandonment alarm device 3 terminates the operation shown in the flowchart of Figure 8.

[0068] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the functions of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the living body determination unit 12, and a control unit (not shown) are realized by the processing circuit 1001. That is, the status monitoring device 1 includes the processing circuit 1001 for performing control to determine whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body. The processing circuit 1001 may be dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. 9A, or may be a processor 1004 that executes a program stored in memory as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0069] When the processing circuit 1001 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 1001 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0070] When the processing circuit is the processor 1004, the functions of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the biometric determination unit 12, and the control unit (not shown) are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 1005. The processor 1004 executes the functions of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the biometric determination unit 12, and the control unit (not shown) by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 1005. That is, the status monitoring device 1 includes the memory 1005 for storing a program that, when executed by the processor 1004, results in the execution of the processes of steps ST1 to ST2 in FIG. 6 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 1005 causes a computer to execute the procedures or methods of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the biometric determination unit 12, and the control unit (not shown). Here, memory 1005 refers to, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.

[0071] It should be noted that the functions of distance profile acquisition unit 11, biometric determination unit 12, and a control unit (not shown) may be partially realized by dedicated hardware and partially realized by software or firmware. For example, the function of distance profile acquisition unit 11 may be realized by processing circuit 1001 as dedicated hardware, and the functions of biometric determination unit 12 and a control unit (not shown) may be realized by processor 1004 reading and executing a program stored in memory 1005. The storage unit (not shown) is configured, for example, by a memory. The status monitoring device 1 also includes a device such as a radio wave sensor 2 or an abandoned vehicle alarm device 3, an input interface device 1002 for wired or wireless communication, and an output interface device 1003.

[0072] The hardware configuration of the abandonment alarm device 3 according to the first embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the status monitoring device 1 described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, and therefore is not shown in the drawings. In the first embodiment, the functions of the abandonment detection unit 31 and the output control unit 32 are realized by the processing circuit 1001. That is, the abandonment alarm device 3 includes the processing circuit 1001 for detecting that a person requiring assistance has been abandoned in the vehicle interior and for controlling the output of an alarm. The processing circuit 1001 may be dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. 9A, or may be a processor 1004 that executes a program stored in a memory 1005 as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0073] The processing circuit 1001 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 1005, thereby performing the functions of the abandonment detection unit 31 and the output control unit 32. That is, the abandonment alarm device 3 includes the memory 1005 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 1001, results in the execution of steps ST31 to ST33 in Fig. 8 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 1005 causes a computer to execute the processing procedures or methods of the abandonment detection unit 31 and the output control unit 32. The abandoned vehicle alarm device 3 includes an input interface device 1002 and an output interface device 1003 that perform wired or wireless communication with the status monitoring device 1 or a device such as an output device (not shown).

[0074] In the first embodiment, the abandonment alarm device 3 includes the abandonment detection unit 31. However, this is merely an example. For example, the status monitoring device 1 may include the abandonment detection unit 31.

[0075] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the state monitoring device 1 is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, but this is merely an example. For example, a part or all of the distance profile acquisition unit 11 or the biometric determination unit 12 may be provided in a server (not shown), and the system may be configured by the in-vehicle device and the server. In the first embodiment, the abandoned vehicle warning device 3 is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, but this is merely an example. For example, the abandoned vehicle detection unit 31 or the output control unit 32 may be partly or entirely provided in a server (not shown), and the system may be configured by the in-vehicle device and the server.

[0076] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the target area is the interior of the vehicle, but this is merely an example. The target area is not limited to the interior of a vehicle, but may be the interior of a moving object other than a vehicle, such as the interior of an airplane or a train. Furthermore, the target area is not limited to the interior of a moving object, but may be the interior of a room, for example. When the target area is the interior of a room, factors that cause shaking include the room door being closed or the air conditioner being turned on. For example, when the air conditioner is turned on, clothes hanging on hangers in the room will shake due to the wind from the air conditioner. The state monitoring device 1 uses the distance profile to determine whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living or non-living object. For example, when there is no one in the room but the curtains are shaking, the state monitoring device 1 can reduce the chance of misjudging the shaking curtains detected by the radio wave sensor 2 as a living object. In other words, the state monitoring device 1 can reduce the chance of misjudging the shaking curtains as human movement and thus the presence of a living object in the room.

[0077] As described above, according to embodiment 1, the condition monitoring device 1 is configured to include a radio wave sensor 2 that detects objects that are moving based on reflected waves of radio waves emitted toward a target area and reflected by an object (target object) within the target area, a distance profile acquisition unit 11 that acquires a distance profile, which is information indicating movement in the target area, including movement due to shaking of each part of the object, based on the relationship between the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the object and the power value corresponding to that distance, generated based on the detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2, and a living body determination unit 12 that determines whether the object is living or non-living based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11. Therefore, the status monitoring device 1 can reduce erroneous determinations as to whether an object in a target area detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the abandonment detection unit 31 detects whether a person requiring assistance has been left behind in the target area based on the determination result by the living body determination unit 12 as to whether an object (target object) is a living body or a non-living body. More specifically, when the status monitoring device 1 determines that there is a living body in the vehicle cabin, the abandonment detection unit 31 detects whether the living body is a person requiring assistance. This allows the abandonment detection unit 31 to accurately detect whether a person has been left behind in the vehicle cabin. The status monitoring device 1 can reduce the chance of, for example, falsely determining that an object is shaking in the vehicle cabin as a living body, and as a result, the abandonment detection unit 31 can reduce the chance of falsely detecting that a person has been left behind when there is shaking in the vehicle cabin. In the field of abandoned body detection, reducing excessive alarms is an important factor from the viewpoint of usability. For example, it is easy to imagine that an object will shake due to the impact of closing a door. If the radio wave sensor 2 detects the movement of a non-living body due to the object shaking, this may lead to excessive alarms for an object being abandoned in the vehicle cabin. In contrast, in the first embodiment, as described above, when the status monitoring device 1 determines that a living body is present in the vehicle cabin, the abandoned body detection unit 31 detects whether the living body is a person requiring assistance. This allows the status monitoring device 1 to contribute to reducing excessive alarms.

[0079] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the status monitoring device uses a distance profile to determine whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor is a living body or a non-living body. In the second embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which a status monitoring device determines whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor is a living or non-living object by using information about the vibration frequency of the object in addition to the distance profile.

[0080] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a state monitoring device 1a according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the status monitoring device 1 a is connected to a radio wave sensor 2 and an abandoned vehicle alarm device 3 . In the second embodiment, the status monitoring device 1a, the radio wave sensor 2, and the abandoned vehicle alarm device 3 are mounted on, for example, a vehicle (not shown).

[0081] In FIG. 10, the same components as those of the state monitoring device 1 described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The condition monitoring device 1a according to the second embodiment differs from the condition monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13. Furthermore, in the condition monitoring device 1a according to the second embodiment, the specific operation of the living body determination unit 12a is different from the specific operation of the living body determination unit 12 in the condition monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0082] The radio wave sensor 2 has a function to calculate the vibration frequency in addition to the distance profile. Specifically, in the radio wave sensor 2, the signal processing unit has a function to generate a distance profile and to calculate the vibration frequency of the detected object as a detection result of the detected object. The signal processing unit calculates the vibration frequency of the object using, for example, a known breathing detection method. The known breathing detection method can observe the distance fluctuation between the radio wave sensor 2 and the body surface that occurs due to the movement of the human body surface accompanying breathing. The distance fluctuation appears in the phase difference between multiple received signals. By using a similar method, the signal processing unit can observe the vibration of the object and calculate the vibration frequency. The signal processing unit generates information related to the calculated frequency of the object (hereinafter referred to as "frequency information"). The frequency information includes information related to the position of the detected object (the distance from the radio wave sensor 2 to the object) and information about the frequency. In the second embodiment, the radio wave sensor 2 outputs a distance profile and frequency information to the condition monitoring device 1a. The condition monitoring device 1a then acquires the frequency information in addition to the distance profile and determines whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living organism or a non-living organism.

[0083] The frequency information acquisition unit 13 acquires frequency information from the radio wave sensor 2 . The vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13 outputs the acquired vibration frequency information to the living body determination unit 12a.

[0084] The living body determination unit 12a performs object sway determination to determine whether the target object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 13. Specifically, the biometric determination unit 12a determines whether or not a power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 attenuates over time within the first determination period, and whether or not the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period satisfies a preset condition (hereinafter referred to as the "first vibration condition") based on the vibration frequency information acquired by the vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13. Whether or not the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period satisfies the first vibration condition specifically means whether or not the vibration frequency of the object at any time point during the first determination period satisfies the first vibration condition. The first vibration condition is set as follows: "The vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as the "breathing determination threshold"), or the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as the "lower threshold for breathing determination")." If the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period, the living body determination unit 12a determines that the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body. On the other hand, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile does not simply attenuate over time within the first determination period, the living body determination unit 12a determines that the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body. However, if the vibration frequency of the object satisfies the first vibration condition at any time during the first determination period—in other words, if the vibration frequency of the object is equal to or greater than the breathing detection threshold or less than the breathing detection lower threshold—the living body determination unit 12a determines that the object is a non-living body without waiting for the end of the first determination period. For example, if the vibration frequency of the object is equal to or greater than the breathing detection threshold at any time during the first determination period, the living body determination unit 12a may subsequently determine whether the vibration frequency of the object is less than the breathing detection threshold, and if the vibration frequency of the object is less than the breathing detection threshold, determine that the object is a living body without waiting for the end of the first determination period. Also, for example, if the vibration frequency of the object is less than the breathing detection lower threshold at any time during the first determination period, the living body determination unit 12a may subsequently determine whether the vibration frequency of the object is greater than or equal to the breathing detection lower threshold, and if the vibration frequency of the object is greater than or equal to the breathing detection lower threshold, determine that the object is a living body without waiting for the end of the first determination period.

[0085] The breathing determination threshold and the lower breathing determination threshold are set in advance by an administrator or the like, and are stored in a buffer (not shown) or the like of the living body determination unit 12a. The breathing determination threshold is set to, for example, the upper limit of the estimated breathing rate of a person. Generally, the human respiratory rate is considered to be approximately 15 bpm (adult) to 40 bpm (newborn), so the administrator or the like may set the breathing determination threshold to, for example, 40 bpm. Although swaying is a periodic movement like breathing, its period is clearly faster than breathing. For example, suppose there is an object hanging from a string (hereinafter referred to as a "hanging object") in the interior of a vehicle, such as a hanging air freshener, a hanging toy, or the slider of a zipper. In this case, if the swinging motion of the hanging object is considered to be a pendulum motion, the vibration frequency of the hanging object when it swings is thought to easily exceed 40 bpm. For example, even if the length of the string is 0.4 m, the vibration frequency of the hanging object will be 47 bpm. Based on the vibration frequency information, the biometric determination unit 12a determines whether the vibration frequency of the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is equal to or greater than the threshold for determining breathing, and if the vibration frequency of the object is equal to or greater than the threshold for determining breathing, i.e., if the vibration frequency of the object is clearly greater than the breathing rate of a person, it can be determined that the movement of the object is object shaking. The lower limit threshold for respiration determination is set to, for example, the lower limit of the value expected as the respiration rate of a person. The administrator or the like sets the lower threshold for breathing determination to, for example, a frequency value that indicates a slow movement that is not possible for a human breathing rate. For example, when a large object such as a court is suspended and swinging, the frequency of the court is thought to be slow compared to the breathing rate of a person.

[0086] The details of the method by which the biometric determination unit 12a determines whether or not a power value corresponding to at least one distance in a time-series distance profile has attenuated over time within the first determination period are the same as the method by which the biometric determination unit 12 determines whether or not a power value corresponding to at least one distance in a time-series distance profile has attenuated over time within the first determination period, which has already been described in embodiment 1, and therefore redundant description will be omitted.

[0087] Instead of the above-mentioned determination method, the living body determination unit 12a may determine that the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body, for example, if the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 satisfies the attenuation determination condition, or if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information satisfies the first vibration condition. The details of the method by which the biometric determination unit 12a determines whether the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in a time-series distance profile satisfies the attenuation determination condition are the same as the method by the biometric determination unit 12, already described in embodiment 1, by which the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in a time-series distance profile satisfies the attenuation determination condition, so duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0088] As described above, in the second embodiment, the living body determining unit 12a determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile and the vibration frequency information. The advantage of the biometric determination unit 12a using frequency information in addition to the distance profile to determine whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living or non-living object is that it can more accurately determine, for relatively small objects that are the same size as or smaller than a small child, including water in a plastic bottle or polyethylene container, whether the movement (swaying) of the object is due to bodily movement or breathing movement by a person, or movement due to the swaying of an object that is not supposed to move itself, i.e., object swaying. It is estimated that the vibration frequency of a relatively small object is fast. For example, when water in a typical 40 cm square plastic container is shaking, it is estimated that the vibration frequency is 100 bpm or more. The biometric determination unit 12a uses the vibration frequency information together with the distance profile to determine whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is alive or non-living, thereby improving the accuracy of determining whether an object is alive or non-living, especially for relatively small objects, compared to when only the distance profile is used.

[0089] In order to capture fast vibrations, a certain sampling period is required. In the radio wave sensor 2, the signal transmission interval (for example, in the case of the FM-CW method, the transmission interval of an FM signal (chirp wave)) corresponds to the sampling period. Therefore, it is effective for the biometric determination unit 12a to use the vibration frequency information if the signal transmission interval by the radio wave sensor 2 is determined after determining in advance how much vibration to capture. Therefore, for example, in the condition monitoring device 1a, the living body determination unit 12a may be able to control the interval at which the radio wave sensor 2 transmits a signal, in other words, the interval at which the radio wave sensor 2 emits radio waves.

[0090] The configuration example of the abandonment alarm device 3 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration example of the abandonment alarm device 3 according to the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the abandonment detection unit 31 of the abandonment alarm device 3 may extract, for example, the vibration frequency of the object from the vibration frequency information. In this case, in the state monitoring device 1a, the living body determination unit 12a outputs the vibration frequency information together with the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0091] The operation of the state monitoring device 1a according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the state monitoring device 1a according to the second embodiment. The trigger for starting the operation of the state monitoring device 1a may be the same as the trigger for starting the operation of the state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted. Regarding the processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 11, processing that has the same specific content as the processing already explained using the flowchart of Figure 6 in embodiment 1 will be assigned the same step numbers as in the flowchart of Figure 6 and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0092] The frequency information acquisition unit 13 acquires frequency information from the radio wave sensor 2 (step ST1a). The vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13 outputs the acquired vibration frequency information to the living body determination unit 12a.

[0093] The living body determination unit 12a performs object sway determination to determine whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 in step ST1 and the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 13 in step ST1a (step ST2a). The living body determination unit 12a outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0094] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of the object shaking determination process by the living body determination unit 12a in step ST2a of FIG.

[0095] The living body determination unit 12a determines whether or not a power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period or satisfies a first shaking condition (step ST21a). In step ST21a, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period (if "YES" in step ST21a), the living body determination unit 12a determines that the object is non-living (step ST22). In step ST21a, if the vibration frequency of the object satisfies the first vibration condition during the first determination period (if "YES" in step ST21a), the living body determination unit 12a determines that the object is non-living without waiting until the first determination period ends (step ST22). The living body determination unit 12a outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0096] On the other hand, in step ST21a, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile does not simply attenuate, in other words, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance fluctuates within the first determination period, and the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information does not satisfy the first vibration condition (if "NO" in step ST21a), the living body determination unit 12a determines that the object is a living body (step ST23). The living body determination unit 12a outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3. For example, if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is equal to or greater than the breathing determination threshold and then becomes less than the breathing determination threshold, the living body determination unit 12a may determine "NO" in step ST21a and determine that the object is a living body without waiting for the first determination period to end. Furthermore, for example, if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period becomes less than the lower threshold for respiration determination, and then the vibration frequency of the object becomes equal to or greater than the lower threshold for respiration determination, the living body determination unit 12a may determine that the object is a living body, without waiting until the end of the first determination period.

[0097] In step ST21a described above, the living body determination unit 12a may determine whether or not the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile satisfies the attenuation determination condition. In this case, if it is determined in step ST21a that the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance satisfies the attenuation judgment condition, or that the vibration frequency of the object during the first judgment period based on the vibration frequency information satisfies the first vibration condition (if "YES" in step ST21a), the living body judgment unit 12a judges that the object is non-living (step ST22) and outputs the status judgment result to the abandonment alarm device 3. In step ST21a, if it is determined that the gradient of the attenuation of the power value of the reflected wave corresponding to at least one distance does not satisfy the attenuation judgment condition, and if it is determined that the vibration frequency of the object during the first judgment period based on the vibration frequency information does not satisfy the first shaking condition (if "NO" in step ST21a), if the vibration frequency of the object during the first judgment period becomes greater than or equal to the breathing judgment threshold and then becomes less than the breathing judgment threshold, or if the vibration frequency of the object during the first judgment period becomes less than the breathing judgment lower limit threshold and then becomes greater than or equal to the breathing judgment lower limit threshold, the living body judgment unit 12a judges that the object is a living body (step ST23) and outputs the status judgment result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0098] In the above description, the processing of step ST1 and the processing of step ST1a are performed in parallel in the operation shown in the flowchart of Fig. 11, but this is merely an example. For example, the processing of step ST1a may be performed after the processing of step ST1, or the processing of step ST1 may be performed after the processing of step ST1a. It is sufficient that the processing of step ST1 and the processing of step ST1a are performed before the processing of step ST2a is performed.

[0099] The hardware configuration of the state monitoring device 1a according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B in the first embodiment, and therefore is not shown in the drawings. In the second embodiment, the functions of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13, the living body determination unit 12a, and a control unit (not shown) are realized by the processing circuit 1001. That is, the condition monitoring device 1a includes the processing circuit 1001 for performing control to determine whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body. The processing circuit 1001 may be dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. 9A, or may be a processor 1004 that executes a program stored in memory as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0100] The processing circuit 1001 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 1005, thereby executing the functions of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13, the biometric determination unit 12a, and a control unit (not shown). That is, the condition monitoring device 1a includes a memory 1005 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 1001, results in the execution of step ST1 and steps ST1a to ST2a in Fig. 11 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 1005 causes a computer to execute the processing procedures or methods of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13, the biometric determination unit 12a, and a control unit (not shown). The status monitoring device 1a includes a device such as a radio wave sensor 2 or an abandoned vehicle alarm device 3, an input interface device 1002 for wired or wireless communication, and an output interface device 1003.

[0101] In the second embodiment, the abandonment alarm device 3 includes the abandonment detection unit 31. However, this is merely an example. For example, the status monitoring device 1a may include the abandonment detection unit 31.

[0102] In the second embodiment, the state monitoring device 1a is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, but this is merely an example. For example, the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13, the biometric determination unit 12a, and some or all of the control unit (not shown) may be provided in a server (not shown), and the system may be formed by the in-vehicle device and the server.

[0103] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the target area is the interior of the vehicle, but this is merely an example. The target area is not limited to the interior of a vehicle, but may be, for example, the interior of an airplane, a train, or any other interior of a moving object other than a vehicle. Furthermore, the target area is not limited to the interior of a moving object, but may be, for example, the interior of a room.

[0104] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the condition monitoring device 1a includes a distance profile acquisition unit 11 that acquires a distance profile, and a frequency information acquisition unit 13 that acquires frequency information regarding the vibration frequency of an object generated based on the detection results of the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2, and the living body determination unit 12a is configured to determine whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 13. Therefore, the status monitoring device 1a can reduce erroneous determinations as to whether an object in a target area detected by the radio wave sensor is a living organism or a non-living organism.

[0105] Embodiment 3 In the third embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which a status monitoring device uses a Doppler signal in addition to a distance profile to determine whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor is a living body or a non-living body.

[0106] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a state monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the status monitoring device 1b is connected to the radio wave sensor 2 and the abandoned vehicle alarm device 3. In the third embodiment, the status monitoring device 1b, the radio wave sensor 2, and the abandoned vehicle alarm device 3 are mounted on, for example, a vehicle (not shown).

[0107] The radio wave sensor 2 has a function of generating a Doppler signal in addition to a distance profile. Specifically, in the radio wave sensor 2, the signal processing unit has a function of generating a distance profile and generating a Doppler signal as a detection result of a detected object. The signal processing unit can generate a Doppler signal by compressing the distance direction of a range-Doppler map (a two-dimensional graph with distance on the horizontal axis and velocity on the vertical axis) obtained by applying an FFT (so-called Doppler FFT) in the hit direction to multiple distance profiles generated by so-called distance FFT processing. Compression in the distance direction refers to reducing the information of the range-Doppler map to only information in the velocity direction through processing such as averaging in the distance direction or adding in the distance direction.

[0108] Here, the Doppler signal generated by the radio wave sensor 2 will be described. In the third embodiment, as described above, the Doppler signal is information that indicates movement in a target area based on the relationship between the speed and power value of an object, i.e., a target object, generated based on the detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2. The movement in the target area includes movement due to the shaking of each part of the object. A Doppler signal is a signal whose power value tends to fluctuate according to the magnitude of the movement of an object.

[0109] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the Doppler signal in the third embodiment. In FIG. 14, the speed of movement of an object and the corresponding fluctuation in power value that appear in the Doppler signal will be explained separately for the cases where the object is a person and the case where the object is an object. FIG. 14 shows the speed of a person's movement and the corresponding fluctuating power value, as well as the speed of an object's movement and the corresponding fluctuating power value, which appear in the time-series Doppler signal from when shaking occurs inside the vehicle and causes objects to move until the shaking stops. For ease of explanation, FIG. 14 shows the fluctuations in power values ​​for people and objects separately, but in the Doppler signal, the power values ​​based on the speed of movement of people and the power values ​​based on the speed of movement of objects are expressed together.

[0110] In Figure 14, the dotted line indicates the fluctuation in power value due to human movement, i.e., the fluctuation in power value corresponding to the speed of human movement when the target object is a person, and the dashed-dotted line indicates the fluctuation in power value due to the movement of an object, i.e., the fluctuation in power value corresponding to the speed of object movement when the target object is an object. As shown in Figure 14, if the target is an object, a certain level of power is detected immediately after the occurrence of shaking, but thereafter the power value based on the speed of the object's (object's) movement, which appears in the Doppler signal, decreases overall. This is because the amount of shaking of the object attenuates over time. As the amplitude of the object's vibration decreases, the power value in the Doppler signal decreases. More specifically, in a time-series Doppler signal, the waveform of the power values ​​attenuates overall over time. Note that in the third embodiment, "the waveform of the power values ​​attenuates overall over time" means that the waveform of the power values ​​tends to attenuate overall over time. For example, even if there is a momentary increase in the power value corresponding to a certain speed in a certain Doppler signal compared to the power value corresponding to the same speed in the previous Doppler signal, if it can be said that the waveform of the power values ​​is attenuating overall, then it is considered that the waveform of the power values ​​tends to attenuate overall over time.

[0111] In contrast, when the object is a person, the power value based on the speed of the object's (person's) movement that appears in the Doppler signal in accordance with spontaneous, steady movements such as body movement or breathing movement fluctuates steadily even after the tremor has occurred, and the waveform of the power value does not generally decrease over time as it does when the object is an object. Note that, for convenience, Figure 14 does not show the minute fluctuations in the power value based on the person's body movement, breathing movement, etc.

[0112] In this way, it is possible to distinguish whether the object for which the power value is observed is a person or an object from the time-series fluctuation of the power value in the Doppler signal.

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, in the case of object shaking, a characteristic peak, more specifically a steep peak (indicated by a ▼ in FIG. 14) and its harmonics (components that are integer multiples of the fundamental wave) appear on the Doppler signal at a point that corresponds to the period of the shaking. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a steep peak that appears in a Doppler signal in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a peak whose half width is equal to or less than a predetermined value is defined as a steep peak. As shown in Figure 14, when the object is an object, the power value at the speed where a steep peak appears decays over time. Note that a similar peak also appears when respiratory movement is observed, but because respiratory movement continues steadily, the power value at the speed where the peak appears does not simply decay over time. In this way, when a steep peak appears on the Doppler signal, it is possible to determine whether or not there is sway by tracking the power change at that point over time.

[0114] The radio wave sensor 2 generates the Doppler signal as described above and outputs it to the condition monitoring device 1b together with a distance profile. A status monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment uses the Doppler signal in addition to the distance profile acquired from the radio wave sensor 2 to determine whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living organism or a non-living organism.

[0115] An example of the configuration of the state monitoring device 1b will be described. In FIG. 13, the same components as those of the state monitoring device 1 described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The condition monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment differs from the condition monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a Doppler signal acquisition unit 14. Furthermore, in the condition monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment, the specific operation of the living body determination unit 12b is different from the specific operation of the living body determination unit 12 in the condition monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0116] The Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 acquires the Doppler signal from the radio wave sensor 2 . The Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 outputs the acquired Doppler signal to the living body determination unit 12b.

[0117] The living body determination unit 12b performs object sway determination to determine whether the target object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14. The living body determination unit 12b stores, for example, the Doppler signals acquired from the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 in a time series in a storage unit. For example, the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 may store, in a time series, the Doppler signals acquired from the radio wave sensor 2 in a storage unit. The living body determination unit 12b acquires the time series Doppler signals from the storage unit.

[0118] The details of the object shaking determination by the biometric determination unit 12b will be described using an example. For example, the living body determination unit 12b determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on whether the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period, and whether the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the time-series Doppler signal during the first determination period satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as the "second shaking condition").

[0119] The second shaking condition is set to a condition such as the following second shaking condition (1) or second shaking condition (2). The second shaking condition is set in advance by, for example, an administrator, and is stored in a location that can be referenced by the living body determination unit 12b, such as a buffer (not shown) of the living body determination unit 12b. Second shaking condition (1) In the time-series Doppler signal, the overall trend of the power value corresponding to the velocity of the object during the first determination period attenuates over time. Second shaking condition (2) In the time series Doppler signal, peaks in the power value corresponding to the velocity of the object during the first determination period appear periodically, and the power value of the peaks gradually decreases.

[0120] The living body determination unit 12b determines that the object is non-living if, in the time-series distance profile, the power value corresponding to at least one distance attenuates over time within the first determination period, or if, in the time-series Doppler signal, the power value corresponding to the object's speed during the first determination period satisfies the second fluctuation condition.On the other hand, the living body determination unit 12b determines that the object is non-living if, in the time-series distance profile, the power value corresponding to at least one distance does not simply attenuate over time within the first determination period, or if, in the time-series Doppler signal, the power value corresponding to the object's speed during the first determination period satisfies the second fluctuation condition.

[0121] In addition, the method used by the biometric determination unit 12b to determine whether a power value corresponding to at least one distance in a time-series distance profile is attenuating over time within the first determination period is similar to the method used by the biometric determination unit 12 to determine whether a power value corresponding to at least one distance in a time-series distance profile is attenuating over time within the first determination period, as described in embodiment 1, and therefore redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0122] As described above, in the third embodiment, the living body determining unit 12b determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile and the time-series Doppler signal. The advantage of the biometric determination unit 12b using the Doppler signal in addition to the distance profile to determine whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living or non-living object is that, like the advantage of using frequency information, it is possible to more accurately determine, for relatively small objects, whether the movement (vibration) of the object is due to bodily movement or respiratory movement by a person, or movement due to the vibration of an object that is not supposed to move itself, i.e., object sway.

[0123] The configuration example of the abandonment alarm device 3 according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration example of the abandonment alarm device 3 according to the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted. In the third embodiment, the abandonment detection unit 31 of the abandonment alarm device 3 may extract, for example, the speed of the object from the Doppler signal. In this case, in the state monitoring device 1b, the living body determination unit 12b outputs the Doppler signal together with the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0124] The operation of the state monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the state monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment. The trigger for starting operation of the state monitoring device 1b may be the same as the trigger for starting operation of the state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted. Regarding the processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 16, processing that has the same specific content as the processing already explained using the flowchart of Figure 6 in embodiment 1 will be assigned the same step numbers as in the flowchart of Figure 6 and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0125] The Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 acquires a Doppler signal from the radio wave sensor 2 (step ST1b). The Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 outputs the acquired Doppler signal to the living body determination unit 12b.

[0126] The living body determination unit 12b performs object sway determination to determine whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 in step ST1 and the time-series frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 13 in step ST1b (step ST2b). The living body determination unit 12b outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0127] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of the object shaking determination process by the living body determination unit 12b in step ST2b of FIG.

[0128] The biometric determination unit 12b determines whether the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period, or whether the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the time-series Doppler signal during the first determination period satisfies the second shaking condition (step ST21b). In step ST21b, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period, or if the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the time-series Doppler signal during the first determination period satisfies the second shaking condition (if "YES" in step ST21b), the living body determination unit 12b determines that the object is non-living (step ST22). The living body determination unit 12b outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3. On the other hand, in step ST21b, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile does not simply attenuate, in other words, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance within the first determination period fluctuates, and the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the time-series Doppler signal during the first determination period does not satisfy the second shaking condition (if "NO" in step ST21b), the living body determination unit 12b determines that the object is a living body (step ST23). The living body determination unit 12b outputs the state determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0129] In step ST21b described above, the living body determination unit 12b may determine whether or not the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile satisfies the attenuation determination condition. In this case, if it is determined in step ST21b that the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance satisfies the attenuation determination condition, or that the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the first determination period in the time-series Doppler signal satisfies the second shaking condition (if "YES" in step ST21b), the living body determination unit 12b determines that the object is a non-living body (step ST22) and outputs the status determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3. If it is determined in step ST21b that the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one distance does not satisfy the attenuation determination condition, and that the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the first determination period in the time-series Doppler signal does not satisfy the second shaking condition (if "NO" in step ST21b), the living body determination unit 12b determines that the object is a living body (step ST23) and outputs the status determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0130] In the above description, the processing of step ST1 and the processing of step ST1b are performed in parallel in the operation shown in the flowchart of Fig. 16, but this is merely an example. For example, the processing of step ST1b may be performed after the processing of step ST1, or the processing of step ST1 may be performed after the processing of step ST1b. It is sufficient that the processing of step ST1 and the processing of step ST1b are performed before the processing of step ST2b is performed.

[0131] The hardware configuration of the state monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown in the first embodiment using FIGS. 9A and 9B, and therefore is not shown in the drawings. In the third embodiment, the functions of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, the living body determination unit 12b, and a control unit (not shown) are realized by the processing circuit 1001. That is, the condition monitoring device 1b includes the processing circuit 1001 for performing control to determine whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body. The processing circuit 1001 may be dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. 9A, or may be a processor 1004 that executes a program stored in memory as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0132] The processing circuit 1001 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 1005, thereby executing the functions of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, the living body determination unit 12b, and a control unit (not shown). That is, the condition monitoring device 1b includes a memory 1005 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 1001, results in the execution of step ST1 and steps ST1b to ST2b in FIG. 16 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 1005 causes a computer to execute the processing procedures or methods of the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, the living body determination unit 12b, and a control unit (not shown). The status monitoring device 1b includes a device such as a radio wave sensor 2 or an abandoned vehicle alarm device 3, an input interface device 1002 for performing wired or wireless communication, and an output interface device 1003.

[0133] In the third embodiment, the abandonment alarm device 3 includes the abandonment detection unit 31. However, this is merely an example. For example, the status monitoring device 1b may include the abandonment detection unit 31.

[0134] In the third embodiment, the state monitoring device 1b is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, but this is merely an example. For example, the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, the biometric determination unit 12b, and some or all of the control unit (not shown) may be provided in a server (not shown), and the system may be formed by the in-vehicle device and the server.

[0135] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the target area is the interior of the vehicle, but this is merely an example. The target area is not limited to the interior of a vehicle, but may be, for example, the interior of an airplane, a train, or any other interior of a moving object other than a vehicle. Furthermore, the target area is not limited to the interior of a moving object, but may be, for example, the interior of a room.

[0136] As described above, according to embodiment 3, the condition monitoring device 1b includes a distance profile acquisition unit 11 that acquires a distance profile, and a Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 that acquires a Doppler signal, which is information indicating movement in a target area including movement due to shaking of each part of the object, based on the relationship between the object's speed and power value, generated based on the detection result of the object (target object) detected by the radio wave sensor 2, and the living body determination unit 12b is configured to determine whether the object is living or non-living based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 and the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14. Therefore, the state monitoring device 1b can reduce erroneous determinations as to whether an object in a target area detected by the radio wave sensor is a living organism or a non-living organism.

[0137] The configuration of the state monitoring device 1a according to the second embodiment and the configuration of the state monitoring device 1b according to the third embodiment may be applied to the configuration of the state monitoring device 1 according to the first embodiment. That is, the condition monitoring device may determine whether the object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living organism or a non-living organism based on the distance profile, the frequency information, and the Doppler signal.

[0138] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a status monitoring device 1c in a case where it is determined whether an object detected by a radio wave sensor 2 is a living body or a non-living body based on a distance profile, frequency information, and a Doppler signal. Regarding the configuration example of the status monitoring device 1c shown in Figure 18, configuration examples similar to those of the status monitoring devices 1, 1a, and 1b already explained using Figures 1, 10, and 13 in embodiments 1 to 3 will be assigned the same symbols and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0139] In the condition monitoring device 1c, the living body determination unit 12c determines whether the target object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 13, and the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14. In detail, the living body determination unit 12c determines that the object is non-living body if, in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the power value corresponding to at least one distance attenuates over time within the first determination period, if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information acquired by the vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13 satisfies a first vibration condition, or if, in the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, the power value corresponding to the speed of the object during the first determination period satisfies a second vibration condition. The living body determination unit 12c determines that the object is a living body if, in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the power value corresponding to at least one distance does not simply attenuate over time within the first determination period, if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information acquired by the vibration frequency information acquisition unit 13 does not satisfy the first vibration condition, and if, in the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, the power value corresponding to the speed of the object during the first determination period does not satisfy the second vibration condition. The living body determination unit 12c may determine that the object is a living body, for example, when the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is equal to or greater than the breathing determination threshold and then becomes less than the breathing determination threshold, or when the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is less than the breathing determination lower limit threshold and then becomes equal to or greater than the breathing determination lower limit threshold, and when the power value corresponding to the speed of the object during the first determination period in the time series Doppler signals acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 does not satisfy the second shaking condition.

[0140] FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the condition monitoring device 1c when determining whether an object detected by the radio wave sensor 2 is a living or non-living object based on the distance profile, frequency information, and Doppler signal. The trigger for starting operation of the state monitoring device 1c may be the same as the trigger for starting operation of the state monitoring devices 1, 1a, and 1b according to the first to third embodiments, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0141] Regarding the processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 19, if the specific content is the same as the processing already explained in embodiment 1 using the flowchart of Figure 6, the processing already explained in embodiment 2 using the flowchart of Figure 11, or the processing already explained in embodiment 3 using the flowchart of Figure 16, the same step numbers as in the flowchart of Figure 6, the flowchart of Figure 11, or the flowchart of Figure 16 will be assigned, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0142] The living body determination unit 12c determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11 in step ST1, the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 13 in step ST1a, and the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 in step ST1b (step ST2c).

[0143] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining details of an example of the object shaking determination process by the living body determination unit 12c in step ST2c of FIG.

[0144] The biometric determination unit 12c determines whether the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period, whether the vibration frequency of the object in the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information satisfies the first vibration condition, or whether the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the time-series Doppler signal in the first determination period satisfies the second vibration condition (step ST21c). In step ST21c, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile attenuates over time within the first determination period, if the vibration frequency of the object in the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information satisfies the first vibration condition, or if the power value corresponding to the speed of the object in the time-series Doppler signal in the first determination period satisfies the second vibration condition (if "YES" in step ST21c), the living body determination unit 12c determines that the object is non-living (step ST22). The living body determination unit 12c outputs the status determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3.

[0145] On the other hand, in step ST21a, if the power value corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile does not simply attenuate, in other words, the power value corresponding to at least one distance fluctuates within the first determination period, the frequency of the object in the first determination period based on the frequency information does not satisfy the first vibration condition, and the power value corresponding to the object's speed in the first determination period in the time-series Doppler signal does not satisfy the second vibration condition (if "NO" in step ST21c), the living body determination unit 12c determines that the object is a living body (step ST23). The living body determination unit 12c outputs the status determination result to the abandonment alarm device 3. In step ST21c, the living body determination unit 12c may determine that the object is a living body, for example, if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is equal to or greater than the breathing determination threshold and then becomes less than the breathing determination threshold, or if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is less than the breathing determination lower limit threshold and then becomes equal to or greater than the breathing determination lower limit threshold, and if the power value corresponding to the speed of the object during the first determination period in the time series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14 does not satisfy the second shaking condition.

[0146] As described above, even if the condition monitoring device 1c is configured to include a distance profile acquisition unit 11, a frequency information acquisition unit 13, and a Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, and the living body determination unit 12c determines whether an object is living or non-living based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit 11, the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 13, and the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit 14, the condition monitoring device 1c can reduce erroneous determinations of whether an object in the target area detected by the radio wave sensor is living or non-living.

[0147] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, the status monitoring devices 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c are configured to output the biometric determination results to the abandonment alarm device 3, but the output destination of the biometric determination results by the status monitoring devices 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c is not limited to the abandonment alarm device 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the status monitoring device 1 may be connected to an intrusion alarm device 4 and a seat control device 5 in addition to an abandonment alarm device 3, and the biometric assessment result may be output to the intrusion alarm device 4 and the seat control device 5 in addition to the abandonment alarm device 3. 21, the intrusion alarm device 4 includes, for example, an intrusion detection unit 41 and an output control unit 42. The seat control device 5 includes, for example, a seating position detection unit 51 and an output control unit 52.

[0148] In the intrusion alarm device 4, the intrusion detection unit 41 detects whether or not an intrusion has occurred into the target area based on the living body determination result and sensor information output from the status monitoring device 1. When the status monitoring device 1 determines that a living body is present in the target area, the intrusion detection unit 41 detects whether or not an intrusion has occurred into the target area based on the sensor information. The intrusion detection unit 41 may detect whether or not an intrusion has occurred into the target area using a known intrusion detection technology based on the object detection result by the radio wave sensor 2. For example, when the intrusion detection unit 41 detects that an intrusion into the target area has occurred, the output control unit 52 controls the output of an alarm to the output device.

[0149] In the seat control device 5, the seating position detection unit 51 detects the seating position of a person in the target area based on the living body determination result and sensor information output from the status monitoring device 1. When the status monitoring device 1 determines that a living body is present in the target area, the seating position detection unit 51 detects the seating position of the person in the target area based on the sensor information. The seating position detection unit 51 may detect the seating position of the person in the target area using a known seating position detection technology based on the object detection result by the radio wave sensor 2. The output control unit 52 controls the seat belt based on, for example, the seat position of a person in the target area detected by the seat position detection unit 51. Specifically, the output control unit 52 outputs control information for controlling the seat belt to a seat belt sensor (not shown).

[0150] In the process of detecting whether or not a person has entered a target area, or in the process of detecting a seating position in the target area, if a shaking factor occurs, such as the reaction force from a door being closed or the influence of wind, a non-living object may shake within the target area, and the shaking of the object may be mistakenly detected as the movement of a living body. As a result, for example, a false alarm may occur. The intrusion alarm device 4 and the seat control device 5 are configured to perform intrusion detection processing or seating position detection processing when it is determined that a living organism is present within the target area based on the living organism determination results output from the status monitoring devices 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c, thereby reducing the chance of misdetecting object swaying as living organism movement, as described above. For example, in the field of intrusion detection, reducing excessive alarms is an important factor from the viewpoint of usability. In the first to third embodiments, when the status monitoring device 1, 1a, 1b, 1c determines that a living organism is present in the target area, the abandonment detection unit 31 detects whether or not there has been an intrusion into the target area, and thus the status monitoring device 1, 1a, 1b, 1c can contribute to reducing excessive alarms. Furthermore, when the intrusion alarm device 4 and the seat control device 5 determine that a living body is present within the target area based on the living body determination result output from the status monitoring devices 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c, they detect the seating position and perform seat belt control processing, thereby allowing the status monitoring devices 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c to contribute to reducing unnecessary seat belt control.

[0151] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the intrusion alarm device 4. If the state monitoring device 1 determines that a living body is present in the target area ("YES" in step ST41), the intrusion detection unit 41 detects whether an intrusion into the target area has occurred (step ST42). The intrusion detection unit 41 outputs the detection result indicating whether or not an intrusion into the target area has occurred to the output control unit 42, and the output control unit 42 controls the output of an alarm to the output device (step ST43). If the state monitoring device 1 determines that no living body is present in the target area ("NO" in step ST41), the intrusion alarm device 4 ends the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0152] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the seat control device 5. If the state monitoring device 1 determines that a living body is present in the target area (YES in step ST51), the seating position detection unit 51 detects the seating position of the person in the target area (step ST52). The seating position detection unit 51 outputs the detection result of the seating position of the person in the target area to the output control unit 52, and the output control unit 52 outputs control information for controlling the seat belt (step ST53). If the state monitoring device 1 determines that there is no living body in the vehicle compartment ("NO" in step ST51), the seat control device 5 ends the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0153] The configuration example shown in Figure 21 is an example in which an abandonment alarm device 3, an intrusion alarm device 4, and a seat control device 5 are connected to the status monitoring device 1 of embodiment 1, but this is just one example. In Figure 21, the configuration example of the status monitoring device 1 may be the configuration example of the status monitoring device 1a according to embodiment 2 (see Figure 10), the configuration example of the status monitoring device 1b according to embodiment 3 (see Figure 13), or the configuration example of the status monitoring device 1c shown in Figure 18. 21, the status monitoring device 1 is connected to the abandonment alarm device 3, the intrusion alarm device 4, and the seat control device 5, but this is just one example. For example, the status monitoring device 1 may be connected to any one or two of the abandonment alarm device 3, the intrusion alarm device 4, and the seat control device 5.

[0154] The hardware configurations of the intrusion alarm device 4 and the seat control device 5 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, and therefore are not shown. In the intrusion alarm device 4, the functions of the intrusion detection unit 41 and the output control unit 42 are realized by a processing circuit 1001. That is, the intrusion alarm device 4 includes the processing circuit 1001 for detecting an intrusion into a target area and controlling the output of an alarm. In the seat control device 5, the functions of the seating position detection unit 51 and the output control unit 52 are realized by the processing circuit 1001. That is, the seat control device 5 includes the processing circuit 1001 for detecting the seating position of a person in the target area and controlling the seat belt. The processing circuit 1001 may be dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. 9A, or may be a processor 1004 that executes a program stored in a memory 1005 as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0155] In the intrusion alarm device 4, the processing circuit 1001 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 1005, thereby performing the functions of the intrusion detection unit 41 and the output control unit 42. That is, the intrusion alarm device 4 includes the memory 1005 for storing a program which, when executed by the processing circuit 1001, results in the execution of steps ST41 to ST43 in Fig. 22 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 1005 causes a computer to execute the processing procedures or methods of the intrusion detection unit 41 and the output control unit 42. In the seat control device 5, the processing circuit 1001 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 1005, thereby performing the functions of the seating position detection unit 51 and the output control unit 52. That is, the seat control device 5 includes the memory 1005 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 1001, results in the execution of steps ST51 to ST53 in Fig. 23 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 1005 causes a computer to execute the processing procedures or methods of the seating position detection unit 51 and the output control unit 52.

[0156] In the first to third embodiments, the state monitoring devices 1, 1a, and 1b may have a function of acquiring sensor information including a digital signal from the radio wave sensor 2 and generating a distance profile. In the second embodiment, the state monitoring device 1a may have a function of acquiring sensor information including a digital signal from the radio wave sensor 2 and generating frequency information. In the third embodiment, the status monitoring device 1b may have a function of acquiring sensor information including a digital signal from the radio wave sensor 2 and generating a Doppler signal.

[0157] Furthermore, in the above embodiments 1 to 3, even when there are multiple objects in the target area, the condition monitoring devices 1, 1a, and 1b can determine whether a living organism is present among the multiple objects based on whether there is any living organism movement among the movements of the multiple objects. Even when a plurality of objects includes both living and non-living objects, the state monitoring devices 1, 1a, and 1b can determine whether or not a living object is included among the plurality of objects. For example, if an infant or the like is awake and moving their arms or legs, it is assumed that the body movements of the infant or the like will be greater than the movements caused by the swaying of an object. In this case, the state monitoring devices 1, 1a, 1b can determine, using the method described in the first to third embodiments above, that the power value of the reflected wave corresponding to at least one distance in the time-series distance profile fluctuates within the first determination period, i.e., rises and attenuates, and can determine that the object is a living organism. For example, if an infant or the like is asleep and only the chest and abdomen are moving, the movement caused by the swaying of the object may be greater than the movement of the infant or the like. However, even in this case, after a certain period of time has passed, the movement caused by the swaying of the object will attenuate and eventually stop. For example, if an administrator or the like sets the first determination period to a length that is expected to allow the swaying of the object to subside sufficiently even if it does occur, the status monitoring device 1, 1a, 1b can determine that the object contains a living organism even in such a situation.

[0158] It should be noted that the embodiments may be freely combined, or any of the components in each embodiment may be modified, or any of the components in each embodiment may be omitted. [Industrial Applicability]

[0159] The condition monitoring device according to the present disclosure reduces erroneous determinations as to whether an object in a target area detected by a radio wave sensor is a living or non-living object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c status monitoring device, 11 distance profile acquisition unit, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c biometric determination unit, 13 vibration frequency information acquisition unit, 14 Doppler signal acquisition unit, 2 radio wave sensor, 3 abandonment alarm device, 31 abandonment detection unit, 32 output control unit, 4 intrusion alarm device, 41 intrusion detection unit, 42 output control unit, 5 seat control device, 51 seating position detection unit, 52 output control unit, 1001 processing circuit, 1002 input interface device, 1003 output interface device, 1004 processor, 1005 memory.

Claims

1. a distance profile acquisition unit that acquires a distance profile, which is information indicating movement in the target area, including movement due to shaking of each part of the object, based on the relationship between the distance from the radio wave sensor to the object and the power value based on the signal component due to the movement of the object corresponding to the distance, generated based on the detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor that detects the object that is moving based on the reflected wave of the radio wave emitted toward the target area and reflected by the object within the target area; a living body determination unit that determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit; A condition monitoring device comprising:

2. The biometric determination unit When the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit attenuates over time within a first determination period, the object is determined to be the non-living body.

2. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1.

3. The biometric determination unit If a gradient of attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit satisfies an attenuation determination condition, the object is determined to be the non-living body.

3. The condition monitoring device according to claim 2.

4. The biometric determination unit When the gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances in the distance profiles adjacent in time series is equal to or less than a gradient determination threshold, it is determined that the attenuation determination condition is satisfied.

4. The condition monitoring device according to claim 3.

5. The biometric determination unit When a gradient of the attenuation of the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances in a plurality of distance profiles spaced apart by a gradient determination interval is equal to or less than a gradient determination threshold, it is determined that the attenuation determination condition is satisfied.

4. The condition monitoring device according to claim 3.

6. The biometric determination unit When the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances fluctuates within a first determination period in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit, the object is determined to be the living body.

6. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the condition monitoring device is a state monitoring device.

7. a frequency information acquisition unit that acquires frequency information related to the frequency of the object, the frequency information being generated based on a detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor; The living body determination unit determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit and the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit.

2. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1.

8. The biometric determination unit If the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit attenuates over time within a first determination period, or if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information acquired by the vibration frequency information acquisition unit satisfies a first vibration condition, the object is determined to be the non-living body.

8. The condition monitoring device according to claim 7.

9. The biometric determination unit If the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is equal to or greater than a breathing determination threshold, or if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period is less than a breathing determination lower limit threshold, it is determined that the first shaking condition is satisfied.

9. The condition monitoring device according to claim 8.

10. a Doppler signal acquisition unit that acquires a Doppler signal, which is information indicating a movement in the target area, including a movement due to shaking of each part of the object, based on a relationship between the speed of the object and the power value, generated based on a detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor; The living body determination unit determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit and the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit.

2. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1.

11. The biometric determination unit If the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit attenuates over time within a first determination period, or if the power value corresponding to the velocity of the object in the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit satisfies a second shaking condition, the object is determined to be the non-living body.

11. The condition monitoring device according to claim 10.

12. The biometric determination unit If the power value corresponding to the velocity of the object during the first determination period attenuates over time in the time-series Doppler signal, it is determined that the second shaking condition is satisfied.

12. The condition monitoring device according to claim 11.

13. The biometric determination unit When peaks in the power value corresponding to the velocity of the object during the first determination period periodically appear in the time series Doppler signal and the power value of the peaks gradually decreases, it is determined that the second shaking condition is satisfied.

12. The condition monitoring device according to claim 11.

14. a frequency information acquisition unit that acquires frequency information regarding the frequency of the object, the frequency information being generated based on a detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor; a Doppler signal acquisition unit that acquires a Doppler signal, which is information indicating a movement in the target area, including a movement due to shaking of each part of the object, based on a relationship between the speed of the object and the power value, generated based on a detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor; The living body determination unit determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit, the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit, and the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit.

2. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1.

15. The biometric determination unit If, in the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit, the power value corresponding to at least one of the distances attenuates over time within a first determination period, if the vibration frequency of the object during the first determination period based on the vibration frequency information acquired by the vibration frequency information acquisition unit satisfies a first vibration condition, or if, in the time-series Doppler signal acquired by the Doppler signal acquisition unit, the power value corresponding to the velocity of the object during the first determination period satisfies a second vibration condition, the object is determined to be a non-living body.

15. The condition monitoring device according to claim 14.

16. The biometric determination unit The radio wave sensor controls the interval at which the radio wave is emitted.

15. The condition monitoring device according to claim 7 or 14.

17. and an abandonment detection unit that detects whether a person requiring care has been abandoned in the target area based on a determination result by the living body determination unit as to whether the object is the living body or the non-living body and sensor information related to the object detected by the radio wave sensor.

15. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1, 7, 10, or 14.

18. and an intrusion detection unit that detects whether an intrusion into the target area has occurred based on a determination result by the living body determination unit as to whether the object is the living body or the non-living body and sensor information regarding the object detected by the radio wave sensor.

15. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1, 7, 10, or 14.

19. and a seating position detection unit that detects a seating position of a person in the target area based on a determination result by the biometric determination unit as to whether the object is the biometric or non-bimetric object and sensor information related to the object detected by the radio wave sensor.

15. The condition monitoring device according to claim 1, 7, 10, or 14.

20. a distance profile acquisition unit acquires a distance profile, which is information indicating movement in the target area, including movement due to shaking of each part of the object, based on the relationship between the distance from the radio wave sensor to the object and the power value based on the signal component due to the movement of the object, generated based on the detection result of the object detected by the radio wave sensor, which detects the object that is moving based on the reflected wave of the radio wave emitted toward the target area and reflected by the object within the target area; a step in which a living body determination unit determines whether the object is a living body or a non-living body based on the time-series distance profile acquired by the distance profile acquisition unit; A condition monitoring method comprising:

Images