Methods for operating ToF sensor elements, use of ToF sensor elements, sanitary equipment, and computer programs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a ToF sensor element (1) for identifying a person within an application area (2) of a sanitary device (3), comprising at least the steps of: providing a ToF sensor element (1) with at least one sensor (4,5) and at least one transmitter diode (12) operable by a control unit (6), and selectively activating the at least one sensor (4,5) or the at least one transmitter diode (12) to deactivate or reduce unnecessary functions of the ToF sensor element (1). Furthermore, a use of the ToF sensor element, a sanitary device and a computer program are presented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a ToF sensor element, the use of a ToF sensor element, a sanitary device, and a computer program.

[0002] An electrically operable sanitary plumbing fixture equipped with a presence sensor having a large reception range and another sensor having a small range is known. In this case, the presence sensor having a large reception range is configured to shift an electronic control unit from a sleep mode to a working mode when the presence of a user is detected. In this case, a sensor having a small range can be operated via the control unit, and the plumbing fixture can be switched according to the situation.

[0003] When a sensor having a small range, for example a so-called ToF sensor (ToF = Time of Flight), is assembled in a plumbing fixture, for example, it is often desired that this sensor is not connected to a power supply but is operated by a battery or a storage battery. However, since such a battery or storage battery has only a limited lifespan or must be recharged after a predetermined time, it is desirable and advantageous to keep power consumption as small as possible so as not to cause the need to replace the plumbing fixture overly frequently.

[0004] Also, basically, it is conceivable that a sensor having a small range is operated via a battery or a storage battery. Such a sensor having a small range may basically be incorporated in a plumbing fixture. However, it is also possible that a sensor having a small range is arranged, not in the vicinity of the plumbing fixture, but, for example, near a door or on the ceiling of an entrance area, in a further grasping area of the sanitary device.

[0005] When a sensor with a small reach performs a predetermined detection, this sensor can switch the motion sensor from standby mode to operating mode. That is, the motion sensor is in standby mode when no user is present and can wait until the user reaches a further detection area of ​​the sanitary device. If a user is present, this user is first detected by the sensor with a small reach. Then, the corresponding signal from the sensor with a small reach causes the motion sensor to switch to operating mode, where it can detect whether the user also appears within the first spatial area. If a user is still present, the motion sensor can trigger a switching process in which the sanitary device is activated or at least enabled for operation, such as turning on a washing unit or faucet or enabling it for operation, thereby allowing water to be released or switched on.

[0006] However, ToF sensors require a significant amount of energy for battery applications to perform continuous measurements. Therefore, strategies to reduce energy demand are necessary.

[0007] Starting from this, the object of the present invention is to solve, at least in part, the problems described in the prior art. In particular, it is desirable to provide a technically simple solution that enables energy-efficient and reliable monitoring and / or operation of sanitary equipment.

[0008] These challenges are addressed by the methods, uses, sanitary devices, and computer programs described in each independent claim. Advantageous developments are described in each dependent claim. Each feature described in the claims is combinable with respect to any technically significant form and can be further refined by features described in the specification. The present invention is illustrated particularly with reference to the drawings, and further embodiments are also presented.

[0009] To address the above problem, a method for operating a ToF sensor element to identify a person within the usage area of ​​a sanitary device, wherein at least, The steps include: preparing a ToF sensor element comprising at least one sensor and at least one transmitting diode that can be operated by a control unit; - A step of selectively activating at least one sensor or at least one transmitting diode to deactivate or reduce unwanted functions of the ToF sensor element. Methods including this contribute.

[0010] This method is used to identify a person within the usage area of ​​a sanitary device. The sanitary device may be, for example, a plumbing fixture such as a faucet, shower, or bathtub. Therefore, the usage area specifically refers to the (predetermined) surrounding area adjacent to or around the sanitary device, where the sanitary device is switched to a ready-to-use state and / or (the water supply) is activated when a person (e.g., a person's hand) enters.

[0011] The identification of human entry into these usage areas is performed automatically here by at least one ToF sensor element. Multiple ToF sensor elements may be provided (connected to each other as an array). Preferably, exactly one or a single ToF sensor element is provided for the identification of a person within the usage area of ​​the sanitary equipment.

[0012] ToF sensor elements enable the non-contact detection of the presence of physical objects and people, or the measurement of distances to them. ToF sensor elements measure distance to a target object by temporally detecting the round-trip travel of photons from the sensor to the object or person, or vice versa. ToF sensor elements can be configured to include an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and single-photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs). ToF sensor elements can implement multiple distance mode functions, such as three, for example, close-range, intermediate, and short-range modes. ToF sensor elements can perform distance measurements with a resolution of, for example, 1 mm (millimeter), using a digital I control terminal, which is also used for the sensor's control. 2 It can notify a higher-level control unit via the C interface.

[0013] ToF sensor elements are essentially one-dimensional. While individual ToF sensor elements cannot identify the direction of a one-handed gesture, they can identify simple gestures such as one / two taps (moving the hand downwards to touch the ToF sensor element) and / or one / two wipes (moving the hand through the detection area of ​​the ToF sensor element). Multiple ToF sensors can also be interconnected to detect gestures and motion in multiple dimensions.

[0014] At least one ToF sensor element is coupled to or applied to a sanitary device such that its detection area substantially coincides with a predetermined usage area, or that the detection area is at least partially covered.

[0015] Since sanitary equipment is often used only occasionally or sporadically, and full monitoring by such ToF sensor elements can sometimes result in undesirably high energy consumption, it is proposed herein to deactivate the functions and / or components of the ToF sensor element (e.g., for sleep mode) at least temporarily. In this way, it is possible to significantly reduce the energy demand of the ToF sensor element over a long period of time.

[0016] Here, for example, a ToF sensor element can be configured to selectively narrow its detection area (either temporarily or after a predetermined time). To achieve this, for example, a command can be used to switch off individual SPADs (sensors) within an array of ToF sensor elements. If a proximity sensor's SPAD array contains, for example, 256 photodiodes in a 16x16 array, this type of command can activate each square or rectangular portion of the array (but possibly at least a 4x4 array). By reducing the number of active sensors, the detection area of ​​the ToF sensor element is reduced, and consequently, the usable area detected by the ToF sensor element is narrowed.

[0017] "Selectively adjustable" means that the sensors of the ToF sensor element can be switched off / on individually by commands via a control unit (and possibly via appropriately pre-installed software, for example, using external data queries and / or external switches), and / or the operation of each sensor can be enabled by different drive signals or drive currents.

[0018] In other words, this means that a (complete) ToF measurement is performed only when an object or person is present within the detection area, depending on the circumstances. The (initial or preliminary) identification of whether or not something is present within the detection area is performed in a way that requires very little energy. This identification can be performed by the same ToF sensor element and can ultimately be used for the (complete) ToF measurement as well. Generally, a ToF sensor element consists of a sensor complex of a number of individual sensors (e.g., SPADs) and individual transmitting diodes (e.g., VCSELs, IR diodes, or laser diodes). For example, by being able to select the set of individual sensors used, and / or by being able to adjust the current duration, current intensity, and / or pulse pattern of the transmitting diodes (externally), only individual functions (measurements) can be performed, thereby enabling operation with less energy. Thus, with little energy, it is possible to first identify whether or not something is present within the detection area (e.g., during sleep operation), and then, after the activation of other components and / or measurement methods (functions), the operation itself can be performed (in wake-up operation).

[0019] At least one function of the ToF sensor element can be continuously deactivated when it is installed in a sanitary device. Thus, functions that are not continuously required can be switched off via a control unit by command, for example, taking into account the environmental conditions and / or expected usage intensity at the time of installation of the ToF sensor element. This enables continuous energy-saving operation of the ToF sensor element (in sleep and wake-up modes).

[0020] Thus, the "distance measurement" function, which is deactivated at least temporarily (especially during sleep mode), is considered to be in a capacity-saving state. Therefore, the distance to the ToF sensor element cannot be calculated using this deactivated function.

[0021] Further means of saving energy can be found in adjusting or setting the number of sensors that are activated in different ways.

[0022] Another means is obtained if the operation of at least one transmitting diode is adjusted using current duration, current intensity and / or pulse pattern so that it can maintain its (reduced) function over a set time with a lower energy requirement.

[0023] With regard to the range of functions that can be selectively activated or deactivated for a ToF sensor element (and / or sensor), the current charge state of the battery of the ToF sensor element can be taken into consideration. This is especially true when the ToF sensor element is supplied with electrical energy exclusively via a battery. When the charge state exceeds a first threshold, at least one other function can be activated. When the charge state falls below a second threshold, which may differ from the first threshold, at least one other function can be deactivated.

[0024] In particular, it is proposed that a reduced functional range of the ToF sensor element is provided during sleep operation, and the full functional range of the ToF sensor element is provided during wake-up operation.

[0025] In another embodiment, the use of a ToF sensor element comprising at least one selectively adjustable sensor is proposed for energy-efficient identification of a person within the service area of ​​a sanitary device. In particular, the use is proposed for performing the identification of a person within the service area of ​​a sanitary device solely by one or more ToF sensor elements. Further features of the use can be fully referenced in the description of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a sanitary device having a usage area monitored by at least one ToF sensor element provided with at least one sensor is proposed. In this case, the sensor is selectively operable by a control unit, and in this case, the ToF sensor element is connected (exclusively) to (at least one) battery. For further features of the sanitary device, reference can be made in full to the description of another aspect of the present invention. The sanitary device can be configured to execute the method proposed herein. The method proposed herein can be executed using the sanitary device disclosed herein.

[0027] Another aspect relates to a computer program comprising instructions for causing a sanitary device to execute the method steps described herein. For further features of the computer program, reference can be made in full to the description of another aspect of the present invention.

[0028] The use of the ToF sensor element is provided especially for the detection of a person in the vicinity of a washbasin, urinal or toilet. Based on energy problems, a plurality of solutions enabling battery operation are presented.

[0029] The present invention and the technical environment will be explained in detail below in accordance with the appended drawings. It should be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the factual content shown in the figures and combine them with other components and other findings in this specification. Note that the figures, especially the scales shown, are only schematic.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] A diagram showing a sanitary device provided with a ToF sensor element. ​​​​​​Figure 1 shows a sanitary device 3 equipped with a single ToF sensor element 1. In this case, the sanitary device 3 is configured in the form of a sanitary water supply system, which can, for example, dispense water onto a washbasin positioned forward. The ToF sensor element 1 is positioned so that it can monitor a designated usage area 2 of the sanitary device 3 and, in particular, identify when a person (or object) enters the usage area 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the sanitary device 3 equipped with the ToF sensor element 1 is (solely) powered by a battery 7.

[0032] Figure 2 is used to illustrate a possible structure of the ToF sensor element 1 suitable for implementing the method proposed herein. The ToF sensor element 1 has a housing having an internal space defined, for example, by a partially transparent panel 9. The internal space houses a plurality of sensors 4,5 (e.g., SPADs) and (individual) transmitting diodes 12 (e.g., VCSELs, IR diodes, or laser diodes). Light emitted from the transmitting diodes 12 can be reflected at various interfaces (e.g., the panel 9) and / or by objects 8 in the detection area outside the ToF sensor element 1. The reflected beam is detectable by a plurality of sensors, where, for example, the first sensor 4 is located further away from the transmitting diode 12 than the second sensor 5. The number or position of the sensors 4,5 used is selectable, and / or the current duration, current intensity, and / or optionally the pulse pattern of the transmitting diode 12 are adjustable. In this way, individual functions (F1, F2, or measurement) can be performed or deactivated as needed via the control unit 6, which may be powered solely by the battery 7, thereby enabling low-energy operation.

[0033] Therefore, this specification presents solutions that at least partially address the problems described in the prior art. In particular, it presents technically simple solutions that enable energy-efficient and reliable monitoring and / or operation of sanitary equipment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1 ToF sensor element 2 Usage area 3 Sanitary equipment 4. First sensor 5. Second sensor 6. Control Unit 7 Batteries 8 objects 9 panels 10 Transmitters 11 Drive Track 12 Transmitting diodes

Claims

1. A method for operating a ToF sensor element (1) to identify a person within the usage area (2) of a sanitary device (3), comprising at least, The steps include: preparing a ToF sensor element (1) which comprises a plurality of sensors (4, 5) that can be operated by a control unit (6) and at least one transmitting diode (12), and which is connected to at least one battery (7); A step of reducing the functionality of the ToF sensor element (1) by selectively activating at least one sensor (4, 5) or at least one transmitting diode (12) to deactivate unnecessary functions, comprising the steps of taking into account the current charge state of the battery (7) of the ToF sensor element (1), activating at least one function when the charge state exceeds a first threshold, and deactivating at least one function when the charge state falls below a second threshold, A method for reducing the functionality of the ToF sensor element (1) by deactivating unnecessary functions, wherein selectively activating the at least one sensor (4, 5) or the at least one transmitting diode (12) includes selecting the sensor (4, 5) to be used, and deactivating the distance measuring function.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one function of the ToF sensor element (1) is permanently deactivated when it is placed in the sanitary device (3).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the number of sensors (4, 5) to be activated is adjusted.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation of the transmitting diode (12) is adjusted by current duration, current intensity, or pulse pattern.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a reduced functional range of the ToF sensor element (1) is provided during sleep operation, and the full functional range of the ToF sensor element (1) is provided during wake-up operation.

6. The system has a usable area (2) that can be monitored by at least one ToF sensor element (1) equipped with multiple sensors (4, 5) that can be selectively operated using a control unit (6), The ToF sensor element (1) is connected to the battery (7), The control unit (6) selectively activates at least one sensor (4, 5) or at least one transmitting diode (12) to reduce the functionality of the ToF sensor element (1) by deactivating unnecessary functions, taking into consideration the current charge state of the battery (7) of the ToF sensor element (1). If the charge state exceeds a first threshold, at least one function is activated, and if the charge state falls below a second threshold, at least one function is deactivated. When reducing the functionality of the ToF sensor element (1) by deactivating unnecessary functions, selectively activating the at least one sensor (4, 5) or the at least one transmitting diode (12) includes selecting the sensor (4, 5) to be used, and deactivating the distance measurement function. Sanitary equipment (3).

7. A computer program comprising instructions for causing the sanitary apparatus (3) according to claim 6 to perform a method step according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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