JP4701384B2 - Biological detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological detection device, and more particularly, to a biological detection device that can improve detection performance when a living organism is detected using a microwave.

  In recent years, in the fields of agriculture and horticulture, techniques for nondestructive detection of insect pests that eat seedlings have been studied.

  As one of such techniques, the present inventor has continued research on a technique for detecting a pest that moves in the ground using microwaves.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a margin existing in a part of a building or other structure, for example, a wall, a floor, or a ceiling, using such a microwave.
Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-512178

  However, there has been a problem that the detection performance is not sufficient simply by applying the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a technique for detecting pests moving in the ground.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, and when detecting organisms, such as a pest, using a microwave, it enables it to improve the detection performance.

A first biological detection apparatus of the present invention is a biological detection apparatus that detects a living thing existing in a measurement target, and transmits a microwave as a transmission signal to the measurement target, and a result of the transmission signal reflected by the living thing. The obtained reflected wave is received as a received signal, the received signal is subjected to quadrature detection based on the phase difference between the transmitted signal and the received signal, and the resulting first and second signals that are 90 degrees out of phase with each other And a third signal whose phase is shifted by 180 degrees with respect to the first signal out of the first signal and the second signal output from the microwave transmitting / receiving means. , Generating a fourth signal that is a difference signal between the first signal and the second signal, generating a fifth signal that is a difference signal between the third signal and the second signal, A signal satisfying a predetermined condition of the signal and the fifth signal is Noise processing means for selecting and outputting as a post-noise processing signal after processing is performed on noise superimposed on the first signal and the second signal output from the microwave transmitting / receiving means, and noise processing means And a detecting means for detecting the presence of a living thing using the noise-processed signal output from.

  The predetermined condition for selecting the noise-processed signal can be a condition that the level of the predetermined attribute indicating the characteristic of the signal is the minimum.

  The noise processing means further outputs each of the first signal and the second signal from which the fourth signal is generated before outputting the fourth signal or the fifth signal selected as the noise-processed signal. Or a process of regenerating the fourth signal or the fifth signal multiple times after adjusting the gain of the third signal and the second signal of the fifth signal, respectively, The fourth signal or the fifth signal having the minimum level of the predetermined attribute among the plurality of the regenerated and fourth signals or the fifth signal is output as the noise-processed signal. Can be.

  A plurality of microwave transmission / reception means are provided, and the noise processing means corresponds to the first signal and the second signal output from each of the plurality of microwave transmission / reception means, The output and the detection means can detect the presence of a living thing using at least one of a plurality of noise-processed signals.

  Presenting means for presenting the detection result of the detecting means can be further provided.

  The presenting means can present the detection result by displaying an image including the detection result.

  The presenting means can present the detection result by outputting a sound indicating the detection result.

  The presenting means includes one or more LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and the detection result can be presented by changing a lighting pattern of one or more LEDs.

  The measurement object itself or an object in which the measurement object is located is arranged on a surface substantially perpendicular to the predetermined axis among the surfaces of the rotary table that rotates around a predetermined axis, and the rotation of the rotary table is rotated. When stopped, the vibration level of the turntable is detected using the noise-processed signal output from the noise processing means, and the operation of the detection means is prohibited while the vibration level exceeds a predetermined level. When the value becomes below a predetermined level, the prohibition of the operation of the detecting means can be canceled.

In the biological detection apparatus of the present invention, a microwave is transmitted as a transmission signal to a measurement target in which a living organism exists, and a reflected wave obtained as a result of reflection of the transmission signal by a living organism is received as a reception signal. The received signal is subjected to quadrature detection based on the phase difference from the received signal, and as a result, a first signal and a second signal that are 90 degrees out of phase with each other are obtained. Next, a third signal whose phase is shifted by 180 degrees with respect to the first signal is generated , a fourth signal that is a difference signal between the first signal and the second signal is generated, A fifth signal that is a difference signal between the signal and the second signal is generated. Next, after the signal that satisfies the predetermined condition of the fourth signal and the fifth signal is processed with respect to the noise superimposed on the first signal and the second signal, Selected as a signal after noise processing. Then, the presence of a living organism is detected using the signal after noise processing.

  The second biological detection apparatus of the present invention is a biological detection apparatus that detects a living organism present in a measurement target, and transmits a microwave as a transmission signal to the measurement target, and the transmission signal is reflected by the living organism. The obtained reflected wave is received as a received signal, the received signal is subjected to quadrature detection based on the phase difference between the transmitted signal and the received signal, and the resulting first and second signals that are 90 degrees out of phase with each other And a noise processing means for processing the noise superimposed on the first signal and the second signal output from the microwave transmitting / receiving means to output as a noise-processed signal; Detection means for detecting the presence of a living thing using the noise-processed signal output from the noise processing means, the noise processing means; and a phase control means for making the phase of the first signal different by 180 degrees The signal switching means for selectively outputting the first signal or the signal from the phase control means, and the signal calculation means for superimposing the second signal and the signal from the signal switching means, the signal switching means, It is characterized in that the switching is performed so as to reduce the noise component contained in the signal output from the noise processing means.

  The signal calculation means further includes variable gain amplification means for reducing the noise component contained in the signal output from the noise control processing means by controlling the amplitude of at least one of the signals supplied to the signal calculation means. Can be.

  It further comprises a gantry for placing the measurement object in a rotatable or movable state, and a detection means for detecting that the measurement object has been rotated or moved by a predetermined amount, and outputs from the noise processing means in response to a signal from the detection means The vibration level accompanying the rotation or movement of the measurement target can be detected based on the noise-processed signal, and detection of a living organism existing in the measurement target can be started corresponding to the detected vibration level.

  In the second biological detection apparatus of the present invention, a microwave is transmitted as a transmission signal to a measurement object, a reflected wave obtained as a result of reflection of the transmission signal by a living organism is received as a reception signal, and the transmission signal and reception are received. The received signal is subjected to quadrature detection based on the phase difference from the signal, and the resulting first and second signals that are 90 degrees different from each other are output, and the output first signal and second signal are output. The noise superimposed on the signal is processed and output as a noise-processed signal, and the presence of an organism is detected using the output noise-processed signal. Since the signal after noise processing is generated, the phase of the first signal is made 180 degrees different, and the first signal or the signal whose phase is made 180 degrees different is selectively output. At that time, the first signal or the signal whose phase is different by 180 degrees is switched so that the noise component contained in the signal is reduced and output. Then, the selected and output signal and the second signal are superimposed, and as a result, a noise-processed signal is obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a living organism can be detected using a microwave. In particular, the detection performance can be improved.

  The inventor has analyzed a factor that causes the above-described conventional problem, and based on the analysis result, invented a biological detection apparatus that can solve the conventional problem.

  Therefore, before describing the embodiment of the present invention, the analysis result, that is, the factor causing the conventional problem will be described.

  The outline of the principle of detecting underground pests using a microwave sensor is as follows. That is, a part of the microwave output from the microwave sensor invades (transmits) into the ground and is reflected by the pests moving in the ground, and the reflected wave is received by the microwave sensor. The Then, the insect pest is detected based on the received reflected wave.

  Thus, a part of the microwaves output from the microwave sensor is reflected on the ground surface, and the rest is transmitted into the ground. In this case, since the electric conductivity, dielectric constant, magnetic permeability, and the like are different between the atmosphere and the ground, the microwave transmitted through the ground is attenuated when propagating through the ground. Such attenuation when the microwave propagates in the ground or the like is hereinafter referred to as propagation attenuation or transmission attenuation.

  Therefore, when detecting a pest in the ground using a microwave sensor, the detection performance is deteriorated compared to the case of detecting an insect in the atmosphere due to this transmission attenuation. Furthermore, since this transmission attenuation depends on the moisture in the ground and the frequency of the microwave output from the microwave sensor, the detection performance is further deteriorated depending on the state of moisture in the ground and the frequency of the microwave. Will do. This will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

  Fig. 1 shows the frequency and attenuation of the microwave output from the microwave sensor when the moisture content of the vegetable cultivation soil is 20 [%], 30 [%], 40 [%], and 50 [%]. An example of the relationship with the constant α is shown.

  In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents the frequency [GHz] of the microwave output from the microwave sensor. The vertical axis shows the attenuation constant α at a depth of 6 cm in vegetable cultivation soil. The attenuation constant α is a value indicating the degree of microwave transmission attenuation. That is, the greater the attenuation constant α, the greater the degree of microwave transmission attenuation. In addition, each of the lines L20, L30, L40, and L50 represents the microwave frequency and the attenuation constant α for each of the moisture contents 20 [%], 30 [%], 40 [%], and 50 [%]. Shows the relationship.

  The moisture content 50 [%] is substantially equal to the moisture content of the cultivated soil sold in the store, that is, the cultivated soil packed in a bag. Alternatively, the moisture content of 50 [%] is substantially equal to the moisture content of the cultivated soil when a human determines that the entire plant pot containing the cultivated soil is impregnated with moisture. On the other hand, the moisture content 20 [%] is almost equal to the moisture content of the cultivated soil when a human judges that the entire plant pot in which the cultivated soil is put is dry.

  As can be easily seen from FIG. 1, the damping constant α increases as the water content increases. Moreover, the attenuation constant α increases as the frequency of the microwave increases.

  As described above, an increase in the attenuation constant α means an increase in the degree of microwave transmission attenuation. Therefore, the increase in the attenuation constant α means that the reception level in the case where the microwave transmitted through the ground is reflected by the insect pest and the resultant reflected wave is received by the microwave sensor is reduced. means.

  Specifically, for example, for each of the moisture content of the culture soil 20 [%], 30 [%], 40 [%], and 50 [%], the reflection position of the microwave output from the microwave sensor, That is, FIG. 2 shows an example of the relationship between the depth from the ground surface where the pests are present and the reception level of the reflected wave.

  In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the depth [cm] from the ground surface where the insect pests exist. However, pests are considered to be cylinders with a diameter of 1 mm and a height of 15 mm. The frequency of the microwave is 7.8 [GHz]. The vertical axis shows the reception level [dB when the microwave transmitted through the ground is reflected by the pests present at the depth (horizontal axis) and the resulting reflected wave is received by the microwave sensor. ] Is shown. In addition, each of the lines LL20, LL30, LL40, and LL50 shows the relationship between the depth and the reception level for each of the moisture contents 20 [%], 30 [%], 40 [%], and 50 [%]. Yes.

  As can be easily seen from FIG. 2, the higher the moisture content, the lower the reception level. Further, the reception level decreases as the position of the insect pest in the ground, that is, the depth increases.

  By the way, the limit level of the reception level at which pests can be detected depends on the noise level of the entire detection apparatus (system) including the microwave sensor. That is, the limit level of the reception level at which pests can be detected is approximately equal to the noise level of the entire detection device. Therefore, when the reception level is lower than the noise level of the entire detection device, the detection of insect pests becomes virtually impossible.

  Such a noise level of the entire detection device can be obtained by so-called return / loss sensitivity measurement, but here it is assumed to be −75 [dB] for simplicity of explanation. In this case, in the example of FIG. 2, when a microwave with a frequency of 7.8 [GHz] is output from the microwave sensor, the depth of the insect pests existing in the ground with a moisture content of 20 [%] Only pests existing above about 6.5 [cm] can be detected, and pests existing below about 6.5 [cm] cannot be detected.

  Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 2, when the moisture content in the ground reaches 50 [%], only the pests that are above the depth of about 3 [cm] among the pests existing in the ground. Can be detected, and pests existing below a depth of about 3 cm cannot be detected.

  Here, if the depth at which pests can be detected, that is, the detection range, is one of the detection performances of the detection device, the detection performance deteriorates as the moisture content in the ground increases.

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technique for detecting a margin existing in a part of a building or other structure, for example, a wall, a floor, or a ceiling, and is detected by such a moisture content in the ground. The fact that the range is influenced is not particularly taken into consideration, and as a result, the technique for improving the detection performance of the detection range is not disclosed. This is one of the factors that cause the above-described conventional problems.

  In addition, it can be said that one of the detection performances of the detection device is how small the size of the pest can be detected, in other words, the minimum size of the pest that can be detected. In the present specification, the minimum size of a pest that can be detected is referred to as resolution for convenience.

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, resolution is not particularly taken into consideration, and as a result, no disclosure is suggested about a technique for improving detection performance called resolution. This is also one of the factors that cause the above-described conventional problems.

  Therefore, the inventor of the present invention can solve the conventional problems by thinking as follows, that is, a detection range (detectable depth) and resolution (minimum detectable size). We invented a technique to improve the detection performance.

  That is, as described above, the attenuation coefficient α can be lowered by lowering the frequency of the microwave output from the microwave sensor. Accordingly, if the moisture content is the same and the depth is the same, the reception is possible. You can also raise the level. Therefore, by reducing the frequency of the microwave, it is possible to widen the detection range (increase the detectable depth), that is, increase the detection performance of the detection range.

  However, basically, the lower the frequency of the microwave, the worse the resolution becomes (the minimum size of detectable insect pests increases). In addition, the size of a pest here refers to a cross-sectional area of a portion that reflects radio waves such as microwaves in the pest. For this reason, if the frequency of the microwave is lowered unnecessarily, the minimum size of the pests that can be detected becomes larger than the actual size. That is, the detection performance of resolution is lowered. As a result, it may be difficult to detect the pests themselves.

  Thus, even if the microwave frequency is simply lowered, the detection performance of the detection range can be improved, but the detection performance of the resolution is lowered.

  Conversely, if the microwave frequency is simply increased, the detection performance of the detection range is lowered, although the detection performance of the resolution can be improved.

  Therefore, as in the conventional technique of Patent Document 1 or the like, if the microwave frequency is unnecessarily determined without balancing the detection range and the resolution, at least of the detection performance such as the detection range and the resolution. On the other hand, the detection performance often does not reach a level that is sufficiently satisfactory for the measurer (user who uses the detection apparatus), that is, the conventional problem described above occurs.

  The present inventor has thought as described above, and based on the idea, invented the following first method capable of solving the conventional problems.

  That is, the first method is to appropriately determine the microwave frequency so that both the detection range and the resolution can be maintained at a predetermined level or higher, and the microwave of the appropriate frequency is obtained from the microwave sensor. This is a technique of outputting. In other words, the minimum required detection range and resolution are determined as specifications first, and the detection range and resolution are balanced within the range that satisfies the specifications while considering the moisture content of the ground where pests are present. The first technique is to appropriately determine the frequency of the microwave while outputting the microwave having the appropriate frequency from the microwave sensor.

  By applying the first method, it is possible to solve the above-described conventional problems, that is, to improve the detection performance when detecting a pest using a microwave sensor.

  However, the highest level of detection performance when the first method is applied also depends on the noise level of the entire detection apparatus including the microwave sensor. That is, the highest level of detection performance is determined by the noise level of the entire detection device. In other words, the microwave frequency is appropriately determined so that the level of detection performance is as close as possible to the highest level determined by the noise level of the entire detection device, and the microwave of the appropriate frequency is extracted from the microwave sensor. The method of outputting is the first method.

  Therefore, the present inventors have invented the following second method in order to further increase the highest level of detection performance itself.

  That is, the microwave sensor transmits a microwave toward the ground as a transmission signal, receives a reflected wave obtained as a result of reflection of the transmission signal by a pest, as a reception signal, and orthogonally detects the reception signal. Thus, two signals whose phases are different from each other by 90 degrees (hereinafter, these two signals are collectively referred to as a quadrature detection output signal) are output.

  In this case, the noise component superimposed on the quadrature detection output signal is an in-phase component or a reverse phase component (180 degrees (= π) phase of one of the two signals constituting the quadrature detection output signal). Component). This fact was discovered by the present inventor through the research described in [Background Art].

  In addition, the noise said here is the noise which generate | occur | produces in a microwave sensor, a circuit, etc. among the whole detection apparatus, Comprising: The noise of a frequency band of several Hz is pointed out. Therefore, “clutter” in the radar field, that is, noise generated by vibration or vibration of the microwave sensor or the like due to external force is not included in the noise referred to here.

  Therefore, the present inventor has invented the second method comprising the following first to third steps based on the found fact.

  That is, the first step is a third signal whose phase is shifted by 180 degrees (= π) with respect to the first signal of the first signal and the second signal constituting the quadrature detection output signal. And a fourth signal is generated from the first signal and the second signal according to a predetermined generation technique, and a fifth signal is generated from the third signal and the second signal according to the predetermined generation technique. This is a process of generating.

  The predetermined generation method is not particularly limited, and for example, a generation method of generating a difference signal between two signals can be employed.

  The second step refers to a signal that satisfies a predetermined condition among the fourth signal and the fifth signal generated in the first step, with respect to noise superimposed on the quadrature detection output signal. This is a process of selecting a signal after processing (hereinafter referred to as a signal after noise processing).

  The predetermined condition is not particularly limited, and for example, a condition that the level of the attribute indicating the feature of the signal is minimum can be employed. These attributes include signal amplitude, effective value, average value, and the like.

  In the third step, the noise-processed signal selected in the second step or a signal generated based on the noise-processed signal is used for measurement (detection) of the presence or absence of pests. This is a step of outputting as a detection determination signal.

  How the signal generated based on the signal after noise processing is generated, that is, the generation method is not particularly limited. For example, the signal based on the signal after noise processing is as follows. Can also be generated.

  That is, for example, when the fourth signal is selected as the signal after the noise processing by the second step, the detection device can detect each of the first signal and the second signal from which the fourth signal is generated. After the gain is adjusted again, the process of regenerating the fourth signal is repeated a plurality of times. Then, the detection device selects the fourth signal having the minimum level of the predetermined attribute from among the plurality of regenerated fourth signals. The signal selected in this way, that is, the fourth signal having the minimum level of the predetermined attribute is an example of a signal generated based on the signal after the noise processing.

  Similarly, for example, when the fifth signal is selected as the signal after the noise processing in the second step, the detection apparatus performs each of the third signal and the second signal from which the fifth signal is generated. Then, the process of regenerating the fifth signal is repeated a plurality of times. Then, the detection apparatus selects the fifth signal having the minimum level of the predetermined attribute from among the plurality of regenerated fifth signals. The signal thus selected, that is, the fifth signal having the minimum level of the predetermined attribute is an example of a signal generated based on the signal after the noise processing.

  In the above-described example, the pests present in the ground are the detection targets. However, the detection target of at least one of the first method and the second method is not limited to the above-described example. Any organism that can move in the wave traveling direction or in the opposite direction may be used. The movement in the traveling direction or the reverse direction of the microwave refers to a movement in which, when the movement is represented by a vector, the vector can be at least decomposed into components in the traveling direction or the reverse direction of the microwave. That is, the detection target may be a living organism that can move in at least one direction (not only in the parallel direction but also in the oblique direction) other than the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the microwave.

  In addition, the size of the organism that is the detection target of at least one of the first method and the second method is, for example, a size of about 10 [mm] in length here. A size smaller than the wavelength λ is sufficient. That is, by applying the first method and the second method well, it is possible to easily detect a living organism having a body length of less than 10 mm. Alternatively, for example, it is possible to easily detect an organism having a body length larger than 10 [mm], such as a larva of a long-horned beetle having a body length of about 30 [mm].

  Moreover, although the detection target itself is a living organism as described above, the transmission target of the transmission signal (microwave) of the microwave sensor, that is, the target measured by the microwave to detect the presence or absence of the living organism is A space in which the organism can exist, specifically, for example, a portion (space) filled with soil in a flower pot. Therefore, hereinafter, such a space, or soil filling the space is referred to as a measurement object. Further, an object in which a measurement target (such as soil) is inherent, specifically, for example, a flower pot or the like is referred to as a measurement target.

  Thus, in the present specification, a living organism that is a detection target and a measurement target or a measurement target are clearly distinguished.

  Next, referring to the drawings after FIG. 3, an embodiment of a biological detection device to which the first and second methods of the present invention are applied, that is, a biological detection device to which the present invention is applied. explain.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a biological detection apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the biological detection device includes the microwave sensor 1 to the electromagnetic shield 13. Note that each of the microwave sensor 1 to the electromagnetic shield 13 may be configured by hardware alone, software alone, or hardware and software as long as it can be configured. You may comprise with the combination.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the measurement object 21 including at least the living thing 22 is arranged on the turntable 12. In the present embodiment, the measurement object 21 is a flower pot, and the soil (a space filled with the soil) placed in the flower pot is an inspection object, and the body length is in the soil. Assume that one or more pests of about 10 mm are included. That is, there are many cases where a plurality of insect pests exist in the measurement object 21, but in the example of FIG. 3, only one of the plurality of insect pests is illustrated as a living thing 22.

  The microwave sensor 1 transmits, as a transmission signal vt, a microwave having a frequency specified by the main control unit 8 toward the measurement target 21, and reception obtained as a result of the transmission signal vt being reflected by the living thing 22 or the like. A signal vr is received. Then, the microwave sensor 1 performs quadrature detection of the reception signal vr based on, for example, the phase difference between the transmission signal vt and the reception signal vr, and the quadrature detection output signals obtained as a result, that is, the phases differ from each other by 90 degrees. An orthogonal detection output signal composed of two signals vi and vq is output to the amplification / filter unit 2. Further details of the microwave sensor 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Note that the polarization of the microwave that is the transmission signal vt of the microwave sensor 1 is not particularly limited. For example, in this embodiment, elliptical polarization is adopted. This elliptical polarization naturally includes circular polarization and linear polarization. That is, as the microwave polarization that is the transmission signal vt of the microwave sensor 1, circular polarization or vertical polarization can be employed. In other words, microwave polarization suitable for the shape of the living thing 22 may be employed.

  Based on the control of the main control unit 8, the amplification / filter unit 2, as its name suggests, gains for each of the two signals vi and vq constituting the quadrature detection output signal from the microwave sensor 1. An amplification process for amplifying the signal and a filter process for passing a component of, for example, about 0.1 to 1 [Hz] are performed, and two signals I and Q obtained as a result are output to the noise processing determination unit 3.

  The noise processing determination unit 3 determines whether to perform noise processing on the two signals I and Q based on the control of the main control unit 8. This determination condition is not particularly limited, but here, for example, when the effective values of the two signals I and Q exceed a predetermined threshold, it is determined that noise processing is not performed, and the predetermined threshold In the following cases, it is assumed that a condition for determining that noise processing is to be performed is employed. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined threshold value is stored in the determination criterion storage unit 9.

  That is, when the voltage levels of the two signals I and Q exceed twice the voltage level of the noise, detection determination described later is performed even if noise processing is not performed on the two signals I and Q. Based on the two signals I and Q (based on the signal vn generated from the two signals I and Q in the example of FIG. 3), the processing unit 6 easily determines whether or not the living thing 22 is present. Can do. Therefore, in such a case, noise processing becomes unnecessary.

  On the other hand, when the voltage level of the two signals I and Q is two times or less than the voltage level of the noise, the signal indicating the movement of the organism 22 of the two signals I and Q is buried in the noise. If the noise processing is not performed on the two signals I and Q, the detection determination processing unit 6 determines whether or not the organism 22 is present based on the two signals I and Q. It becomes difficult to do. Therefore, in such a case, noise processing is necessary.

  For this reason, the noise detection determination unit 3 is provided in the biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG.

  When it is determined that noise processing is not necessary, the noise processing determination unit 3 supplies two signals I and Q to the calculation unit 4. On the other hand, when it is determined that noise processing is necessary, the noise processing determination unit 3 supplies two signals I and Q to the noise processing unit 5.

  When the two signals I and Q are supplied from the noise processing determination unit 3, that is, when the noise processing determination unit 3 determines that noise processing is unnecessary, the calculation unit 4 controls the main control unit 8. Based on the above, a predetermined calculation using the two signals I and Q is performed. Then, the calculation unit 4 performs a filtering process to pass a component of, for example, about 0.1 to 1 [Hz] on the signal obtained as a result of the calculation, and supplies the signal vn obtained as a result to the detection determination processing unit 6. To do.

  The signal vn is a signal used for determination of the presence / absence of the organism 22 (detection of the organism 22). Therefore, hereinafter, the signal vn is referred to as a detection determination signal vn.

  When the noise processing determination unit 3 receives two signals I and Q, that is, when the noise processing determination unit 3 determines that noise processing is necessary, the noise processing unit 5 Based on the control, the signal vm from which the noise superimposed on the quadrature detection output signal is reduced or removed is generated using the two signals I and Q, and the signal vm is output to the detection determination processing unit 6. . Further, as will be described later, the signal vm may be provided to the main control unit 8 or to the audio output unit 31 of the presentation unit 7.

  Thus, as will be described later, the signal vm is a signal used for determining the presence / absence of the organism 22 (detection of the organism 22). Further, the presence / absence determination of the living thing 22 is performed by the detection determination processing unit 6 as described later, or by a person (user or the like) who listens to the sound indicating the signal vm output from the sound output unit 31. Is called. Further, when the signal vm is used for the determination of the presence / absence of the living thing 22 as described above, as described later, a process for reducing or removing the noise superimposed on the quadrature detection output signal has already been performed. It has been subjected. Therefore, hereinafter, the signal vm provided to the detection determination processing unit 6 or the audio output unit 31 is particularly referred to as a detection determination signal vm after noise processing.

  In other words, the noise processing unit 5 executes processing corresponding to the above-described second method of the present invention based on the control of the main control unit 8. That is, the detection determination signal vm after noise processing refers to the signal after noise processing referred to in the second method of the present invention. Therefore, the generation method of the detection determination signal vm after noise processing is not particularly limited as long as it is a generation method based on the second method of the present invention. However, a specific example of the generation method will be described later with reference to FIGS. Further further details of the noise processing unit 5 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

  Based on the control of the main control unit 8, the detection determination processing unit 6 determines the detection determination signal vn supplied from the calculation unit 4 or the detection determination signal vm after noise processing supplied from the noise processing unit 5, and the determination By comparing with a predetermined determination criterion stored in the reference storage unit 9, it is determined whether or not an organism such as the organism 22 exists in the measurement object 21. That is, the detection determination processing unit 6 detects an organism such as the organism 22.

  Specifically, for example, here, the transmission signal vt and the reception signal vr from the microwave sensor 1 are represented by functions vt (t) and vr (t) of the time t, respectively, and the microwave that is the transmission signal vt. F [Hz], each frequency is ω (= 2πf), the average distance from the microwave sensor 1 to the creature 22 is R0 [m], and the progress of the transmission signal vt of the movement of the creature 22 Let r (t) be a function of time t indicating the component in the direction (the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 3). In this case, the functions vt (t) and vr (t) are expressed by the following equations (1) and (2), respectively.

vt (t) = Vt exp (jωt + θ0) (1)
vr (t) = Vt exp [j {ω (t−τ) + θ0}] (2)
In Expressions (1) and (2), τ is expressed by the following Expression (3), and θ0 indicates an initial phase. In the following formula (3), c represents the speed of light [m / sec].
τ = 2 {R0 + r (t)} / c (3)

  In this case, if the signals vi and vq constituting the quadrature detection output signal of the microwave sensor 1 are also expressed by the functions vi (t) and vq (t) of the time t, the functions vi (t) and vq Each of (t) is represented by each of the following formulas (4) and (5).

vi (t) ≒ Vt0 + Vr0 cos (ωτ) (4)
vq (t) ≒ Vt1 + Vr1 sin (ωτ) (5)

  Here, it is assumed that the signals I and Q output from the amplification / filter unit 2 are also expressed by functions I (t) and Q (t) of time t, respectively. In this case, although not shown in the equation, the functions I (t) and Q (t) are respectively the functions vi (t) and vq (t) shown in the equations (4) and (5), respectively. Each of them is subjected to the amplification process and the filter process described above by the amplification / filter unit 2. As is clear from the equations (3) to (5), the functions vi (t) and vq (t) both include a function r (t) indicating the movement of the organism 22. Accordingly, each of the functions I (t) and Q (t) includes the function r (t) indicating the movement of the living thing 22.

  Further, here, it is assumed that the detection determination signal vm after noise processing supplied from the noise processing unit 5 to the detection determination processing unit 6 is also expressed by a function vm (t) of time t. In this case, the function vm (t) is generated from the functions I (t) and Q (t) as described above for the explanation of the noise processing unit 5 although not shown in the equation. Therefore, the function vm (t) also includes a function r (t) indicating the movement of the living thing 22.

  Similarly, the detection determination signal vn supplied from the calculation unit 4 to the detection determination processing unit 6 is also expressed by a function vn (t) of time t. In this case, the function vn (t) is generated from the functions I (t) and Q (t) as described above for the explanation of the calculation unit 4 although not shown in the equation. Accordingly, the function vn (t) also includes a function r (t) indicating the movement of the living thing 22.

  Accordingly, the detection determination processing unit 6 analyzes the time transition of the function vn (t) or the function vm (t), that is, the waveform of the detection determination signal vn or the detection determination signal vm after noise processing, thereby obtaining the function. It becomes possible to detect (determine) the presence or absence of the organism 22 that moves as indicated by r (t).

  When the detection determination processing unit 6 detects (determines) the presence / absence of the living thing 22 in this manner, the detection result (determination result of the presence / absence of the living thing 22) is converted into a signal in a predetermined form, and the presenting unit 7 is output.

  Specifically, for example, the detection determination processing unit 6 can generate a message “the pest is present” or “the pest is not present” as the detection result.

  In this case, the detection determination processing unit 6 can convert this message into an audio signal and output the audio signal to the audio output unit 31 of the presentation unit 7. Thereby, the audio | voice output part 31 can output the audio | voice corresponding to this audio | voice signal (presentation). In other words, the voice output unit 31 can output a message “the pest is present” or “the pest is not present” as a voice.

  The detection determination processing unit 6 can convert the message into an image signal and output the image signal to the display 32 of the presentation unit 7. Accordingly, the display 32 displays an image corresponding to the image signal, that is, an image including text or an appropriate symbol indicating the content of the message “pest insect is present” or “no pest insect is present”. Can be displayed (presented).

  Further, the detection determination processing unit 6 converts this message into a command for causing the LED (Light Emitting Diode) 33 of the presenting unit 7 to emit light or a command for stopping the light emission, and these commands are converted into the LED 33 of the presenting unit 7. Can be output. Hereinafter, light emission of the LED is referred to as lighting, and a command for lighting is referred to as a lighting command. In addition, the stop of LED light emission is referred to as “extinguishment”, and a command to turn off the light is referred to as “extinguishing command”. That is, the LED 33 is turned on when a lighting command is received, and is turned off when a light-off command is received.

  Specifically, for example, “the insect pest is present” is associated with the first pattern among the plurality of patterns of turning on or off of the one or more LEDs 33, and the second pattern Assume that “no pests exist” is associated.

  In this case, the detection determination processing unit 6 generates a command for changing to the first pattern when the message “pest insect is present” is generated, and outputs the command to the LED 33 of the presenting unit 7. As a result, the one or more LEDs 33 can each be turned on or off according to the first pattern, thereby presenting a message that “a pest is present”.

  On the other hand, the detection determination processing unit 6 generates a command for changing to the second pattern when the message “no pests exist” is generated, and outputs the command to the LED 33 of the presenting unit 7. To do. As a result, the one or more LEDs 33 can be turned on or off according to the second pattern, respectively, to present a message “no pests are present”.

  In addition, the output form of the determination process result of the detection determination process part 6, ie, the presentation form by the presentation part 7, is not specifically limited to the message mentioned above. For example, the detection determination processing unit 6 is stored in the waveform (see FIGS. 9 to 11 described later) of the detection determination signal vm after noise processing supplied from the noise processing unit 5 or in the determination reference storage unit 9. An image including the determination criterion may be generated, and an image signal corresponding to the image may be output to the display 32. In this case, the display 32 can display (present) an image including the waveform of the detection determination signal vm after noise processing and the determination criterion stored in the determination criterion storage unit 9.

  Although details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the audio output unit 31 outputs the noise-detection detection determination signal vm output from the noise processing unit 5 or the calculation unit 4. The detected detection signal vn may be input as it is, and the noise detection detection signal vm or the detection determination signal vn may be converted into sound and output (presented) to the user. In this case, the user can easily determine whether or not a living thing such as the living thing 22 exists in the measurement target 21 based on the feature of the sound.

  The main control unit 8 controls the entire operation of the biological detection apparatus. That is, in the example of FIG. 3, the main control unit 8 controls the operations of the microwave sensor 1 to the rotation driving unit 11 based on the operation content of the operation unit 10 by the user or the judgment of itself.

  Specifically, for example, in step S21 of FIG. 14 to be described later, the main control unit 8 controls the operation of the microwave sensor 1 by executing part of the processing corresponding to the first method described above. Can do. Specifically, for example, the main control unit 8 can execute the following process as part of the process of step S21.

  That is, the main control unit 8 first determines the minimum detection range and resolution as specifications. Here, for example, the main control unit 8 positions half the thickness of the measuring object 21 in the horizontal direction in the left side of the surface of the measuring object 21 on the right side in FIG. Can be determined as the specification of the detection range. In addition, if the main control unit 8 is to detect a living thing 22 whose size is known, the main control unit 8 determines a resolution with a predetermined size equal to or smaller than the known size of the living thing 22 as “the minimum detectable size” as a specification. can do.

  Next, the main control unit 8 considers the moisture content of the soil (measurement target) in the flower pot that is the measurement target 21, and balances the detection range and resolution within a range that satisfies the specifications. The frequency of the transmission signal vt of the microwave sensor 1 is appropriately determined.

  The main control unit 8 sets the frequency thus determined as the frequency of the transmission signal vt of the microwave sensor 1. That is, the main control unit 8 instructs the microwave sensor 1 on the frequency of the transmission signal vt.

  Thereby, the microwave sensor 1 can transmit the transmission signal vt of the appropriate frequency instruct | indicated (set) by the main control part 8 with respect to the measuring object 21, as mentioned above.

  In this way, the main control unit 8 can perform control to vary the frequency of the transmission signal vt of the microwave sensor 1.

  For example, when the noise processing unit 5 is configured by hardware as shown in FIG. 7 described later, the main control unit 8 generates a detection determination signal vm after noise removal (hereinafter referred to as noise processing method). Also, the operations of the noise processing unit 5 and the detection determination processing unit 6 are controlled before and after the determination. Further details of the process of the main control unit 8 in this case will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, for example, when the noise processing determination unit 3 to the noise processing unit 5 are configured as software modules, the main control unit 8 controls each of these software modules so that the noise processing method of FIG. Execute the decision process. In other words, the main control unit 8 activates each of these software modules and executes control for causing a predetermined one of the software modules to execute each of the processes in each step of FIG.

  Further, for example, the main control unit 8 controls the operation of the rotation driving unit 11 by outputting a command (hereinafter referred to as a rotation command) for rotating the rotary table 12 to the rotation driving unit 11. The form of the rotation command is not particularly limited, and may be a command meaning “Rotate a predetermined angle” or a command meaning “Rotate a predetermined time”. For example, when the main control unit 8 further detects that the turntable 12 has rotated in accordance with the rotation command, the main control unit 8 instructs the rotation drive unit 11 to stop the rotation drive of the turntable 12 (hereinafter referred to as a stop command). ) Is output to control the operation of the rotation drive unit 11.

  The detection method for detecting that the turntable 12 has rotated in accordance with the rotation command is not particularly limited as long as it is a method corresponding to the rotation command.

  For example, when the main control unit 8 outputs a rotation command meaning “rotate by a predetermined angle”, the detection result of a sensor (position sensor) that detects the rotation angle of the turntable 12 is always or predetermined. The stop command can be output at the time when the detection result becomes a predetermined angle indicated by the rotation command. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the position sensor is arranged on the turntable 12 or the rotation drive unit 11 or in the vicinity thereof.

  Further, for example, when outputting a rotation command meaning “Rotate for a predetermined time”, the main control unit 8 starts measuring time using a timer or the like when the rotation command is output, A stop command can be output when the time is measured for a predetermined time indicated by the command. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the timer may be a timer built in the main control unit 8 or an external timer independent of the main control unit 8. However, in the following description, it is assumed that the main control unit 8 includes a timer.

  Further, for example, the main control unit 8 prohibits the operation of the microwave sensor 1 from the output of the rotation command to the output of the stop command, that is, while the turntable 12 is rotating (transmission signal vt The transmission of the microwave sensor 1 is canceled after the stop command is output or after a predetermined time has elapsed (after a predetermined time has been measured using the built-in timer). By performing (starting transmission of the transmission signal vt), the operation of the microwave sensor 1 is controlled. After that, as will be described in detail later, the main control unit 8 detects the vibration level of the turntable 12 using the signal vm from the noise processing unit 5, for example. For example, the main control unit 8 operates the detection determination processing unit 6 while the vibration level of the turntable 12 exceeds a predetermined threshold, that is, while the turntable 12 is vibrating. When the vibration level of the turntable 12 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, that is, when the turntable 12 is almost stationary, the prohibition of the operation of the detection determination processing unit 6 is canceled, thereby measuring the measurement object. The measurement for detecting whether or not the organism 22 exists in 21 can be started. In this way, the main control unit 8 controls the operation of the detection determination processing unit 6.

  Alternatively, for example, when the main control unit 8 outputs a stop command, the main control unit 8 starts measuring time using the built-in timer, and prohibits the operation of the detection determination processing unit 6 while starting timing, Measurement for detecting whether or not the organism 22 is present on the measurement object 21 may be started when the time is counted (when the built-in timer times out). In this case, detection of the vibration level of the turntable 12 is not necessary.

  As described above, in the determination criterion storage unit 9, the determination criterion used by the noise processing determination unit 3, that is, the determination criterion regarding the necessity of noise processing, the determination criterion used by the detection determination processing unit 6, A criterion for determining whether or not a living thing 22 or the like exists in the measurement target 21 is stored. These determination criteria are appropriately read out by the main control unit 8 as necessary.

  The operation unit 10 is operated by the user and supplies the operation content to the main control unit 8. That is, the user can input various information to the main control unit 8 by operating the operation unit 10. Specifically, for example, the user operates the operation unit 10 to input the minimum necessary detection range itself and resolution itself determined as the above-described specifications, or information that can specify them to the main control unit 8. The moisture content of the soil (measuring object) in the flower pot that is the measuring object 21 or information that can specify the moisture content can be input to the main control unit 8. Further, for example, the user can cause the main control unit 8 to input the above-described rotation command itself or various information necessary for generating the rotation command.

  The rotation drive unit 11 rotates the turntable 12 by a predetermined angle or a predetermined time in accordance with a rotation command from the main control unit 8. That is, the turntable 12 is perpendicular to the surface on which the measurement object 21 is arranged by the driving force generated by the rotation driving unit 11 (for example, torque generated by the motor when the rotation driving unit 11 includes a motor). It is rotated by a predetermined angle or a predetermined time around a predetermined axis parallel to (vertical direction in FIG. 3). As a result, the measurement object 21 (and thus the living thing 22) arranged on the turntable 12 also rotates about a predetermined angle or a predetermined time around the axis of the turntable 12.

  As described above, a sensor (position sensor) for detecting the rotation angle of the turntable 12 is provided in the rotation drive unit 11 or the turntable 12 or in the vicinity thereof as necessary.

  The electromagnetic shield 13 has a first function of preventing the transmission signal vt and the reception signal vr of the microwave sensor 1 from leaking to the outside, and a first function of preventing internal reflection (diffusion) of the transmission signal vt of the microwave sensor 1. The second function, that is, the second function of not including the reflected wave due to internal reflection in the received signal vr as much as possible.

  The electromagnetic shield 13 is not an essential component for this organism detection apparatus. In other words, according to the Japanese Radio Law, the use of microwaves is restricted because external leakage of microwaves causes troubles such as interference in the field of communications. Because of this restriction, the electromagnetic shield 13 is provided in the example of FIG.

  In other words, the frequency at which slight external leakage is permitted by the Japanese Radio Law, such as 2.45 GHz used by the so-called microwave oven, is used as the frequency of the transmission signal vt and the reception signal vr of the microwave sensor 1. Thus, the electromagnetic shield 13 can be omitted. It should be noted that there are guidelines for the purpose of protecting the human body because an excessive amount of external leakage of microwaves affects the human body. Therefore, when using a frequency for which slight external leakage is permitted by the Japanese Radio Law as the frequency of the transmission signal vt and the reception signal vr, the contents of this guideline should be considered.

  Further, for example, when this biological detection apparatus is used in a place outside Japan, the frequency within the range permitted at the place is used as the frequency of the transmission signal vt and the reception signal vr of the microwave sensor 1. Thus, the electromagnetic shield 13 can be omitted.

  However, in the following description, it is assumed that the electromagnetic shield 13 is provided.

  The form of the electromagnetic shield 13 is not particularly limited as long as it has the first function and the second function described above. Specifically, for example, the electromagnetic shield 13 is a box as shown in FIG. 4, that is, a box in which a radio wave absorber (not shown) is arranged on the entire inner peripheral wall. The jack base 41 on which it is fixedly installed, the measurement object 21 and the turntable 12 on which it is arranged, and the rotation drive unit 11 that rotates the turntable 12 can be configured as at least a box that can be accommodated.

  Incidentally, FIG. 4 shows an example of an external configuration of the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 4, as described above, the microwave sensor 1 is fixed by the jack base 41, and the measurement object 21 is disposed on the turntable 12. The turntable 12 is also configured as a jack stand as shown in FIG. Therefore, a user (measurer) or the like freely moves the jack portion of the jack base 41 and the rotary base 12 up and down, so that the microwave sensor 1 and the measurement object 21 in the vertical direction (vertical direction) in FIG. It is possible to easily fix the position of the above to an appropriate position.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the rotation drive unit 11 is configured to include a motor, and the turntable 12 is rotated by torque generated by the motor.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the amplification / filter unit 2 to the detection determination processing unit 6, the main control unit 8, and the determination reference storage unit 9 of the biological detection device of FIG. 3 are housed in the housing 42. Has been. One of the surfaces of the housing 42 is provided with a presentation unit 7, that is, an audio output unit 31 (more precisely, a speaker thereof), a display 32, and an LED 33, and is configured as a keyboard. An operation unit 10 is also arranged.

  In this case, when at least a part of the amplification / filter unit 2 to the detection determination processing unit 6, the main control unit 8, and the determination criterion storage unit 9 is configured by software, the software (program) is used. A computer to be executed is provided in the housing 42. As this computer, for example, by adopting a personal computer having the configuration shown in FIG. 18 described later, the housing 42 can be downsized. As a result, this biological detection device can be configured as a portable device, that is, a device that can be freely carried by a user (measurer) or the like.

  The outline of one configuration example of the biological detection apparatus to which the present invention is applied has been described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  Hereinafter, detection detection signals after noise processing from the microwave sensor 1, the noise processing unit 5, and the noise processing unit 5 among the functional components of the biological detection apparatuses of the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 are continued. Details of each of the audio output units 31 when the detection determination signal vn from the vm or the calculation unit 4 is supplied as it is will be described individually in that order.

  First, the details of the microwave sensor 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the microwave sensor 1. 6 shows a configuration example of the microwave sensor 1 different from that shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the microwave sensor 1 includes a microwave oscillator 51, a waveguide 52, an antenna 53, and a microwave quadrature detection unit 54.

  The microwave oscillator 51 is a microwave having a frequency (for example, 7.8 [GHZ]) set by the main control unit 8 in FIG. 3 in a predetermined frequency band (for example, 6 to 12 [GHZ] in the present embodiment). Oscillates the wave.

  The waveguide 52 propagates the microwave oscillated from the microwave oscillator 51 as a transmission signal vt in the left direction in FIG. 5, that is, in the direction toward the antenna 53 side. The waveguide 52 also propagates the reception signal vr received by the antenna 53 in the right direction in FIG. 5, that is, in the direction toward the microwave oscillator 51.

  The antenna 53 transmits the transmission signal vt propagated from the microwave oscillator 51 through the waveguide 52 to the measurement object 21. The antenna 53 also receives a reflected wave obtained as a result of the transmission signal vt being reflected by the organism 22 or the like as a reception signal vr.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the microwave quadrature detection unit 54 includes a diode 55 and a diode 56. In the diode 55, its anode is connected to a terminal 52 i in the waveguide 52, and its cathode is connected to a terminal 55 i that outputs the signal vi to the amplification / filter unit 2 in FIG. 3. In other words, the cathode of the diode 55 is configured as a terminal 55i. In the diode 56, the anode is connected to the terminal 52q at a position separated from the terminal 52i in the waveguide 52 by a distance of 1/8 (= λg / 8) of the wavelength λg in the waveguide 52. The cathode is connected to a terminal 56 q that outputs the signal vq to the amplification / filter unit 2. In other words, the cathode of the diode 56 is configured as a terminal 56q.

  Here, an outline of the operation of the microwave sensor 1 of the example of FIG. 5 will be described. That is, a standing wave based on the phase difference between the transmission signal vt and the reception signal vr propagating in the waveguide 52 is generated in the waveguide 52. Of the standing wave, a predetermined component, for example, an in-phase component of the transmission signal vt, is output as a signal vi from the terminal 55i which is the cathode of the diode 55, and 90 degrees (= π / 2) from the predetermined component. ), For example, a component whose phase is shifted by 90 degrees from the transmission signal vt is output as a signal vq from the terminal 56q which is the cathode of the diode 56.

  In contrast to the example of FIG. 5, in the example of FIG. 6, the microwave sensor 1 includes a microwave oscillator 61, a power divider 62, a circulator 63, an antenna 64, and an I / Q mixer 65. .

  The microwave oscillator 61 is set by the main control unit 8 in FIG. 3 in a predetermined frequency band (for example, 6 to 12 [GHZ] in the present embodiment), similarly to the microwave oscillator 51 in FIG. Oscillates microwaves with a frequency (for example, 7.8 [GHZ]).

  The power divider 62 distributes the microwaves oscillated from the microwave oscillator 61 and supplies each of the distributed microwaves to the circulator 63 and the I / Q mixer 65 as a transmission signal vt.

  The circulator 63 supplies the transmission signal vt supplied from the power divider 62 to the antenna 64. The circulator 63 also supplies the reception signal vr received by the antenna 64 to the I / Q mixer 65.

  The antenna 64 transmits the transmission signal vt oscillated from the microwave oscillator 61 and supplied via the power divider 62 and the circulator 63 to the measurement object 21. The antenna 64 also receives a reflected wave obtained as a result of the transmission signal vt being reflected by the living thing 22 or the like as a reception signal vr.

  The I / Q mixer 65 mixes (multiplies) the reception signal vr supplied from the antenna 64 via the circulator 63 and the transmission signal vt supplied from the microwave oscillator 61 via the power divider 62. Then, a beat signal having a component corresponding to the phase difference between the two is generated. The I / Q mixer 65 outputs a predetermined component of the beat signal, for example, the in-phase component of the transmission signal vt, to the amplification / filter unit 2 of FIG. A component whose phase is shifted by degrees (= π / 2), for example, a component whose phase is shifted by 90 degrees from the transmission signal vt is output to the amplification / filter unit 2 as a signal vq.

  Note that the outline of the operation of the microwave sensor 1 in the example of FIG. 6 is basically the same as that described above for the description of the I / Q mixer 65, that is, it is repeated. Is omitted.

  The details of the microwave sensor 1 have been described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  Next, the details of the noise processing unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example when the noise processing unit 5 is configured as hardware, and a functional configuration example of a portion of the main control unit 8 that controls the noise processing unit 5. .

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows at least noise processing of each software module when the noise processing determination unit 3 and the calculation unit 4 of FIG. 3 are configured as software modules in addition to the noise processing unit 5. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing (hereinafter referred to as noise processing method determination processing) performed by the determination unit 3 and the noise processing unit 5. The software module of the noise processing unit 5 has a function corresponding to a part that controls the noise processing unit 5 in the main control unit 8 in the example of FIG. 7, that is, a noise processing method determination mode / biology described later. It is assumed that functions corresponding to the detection determination mode switching unit 81 and the noise processing method determination unit 82 are also incorporated.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the noise processing unit 5 includes a polarity inversion unit 71 to a filter unit 76. The example in FIG. 7 is an example in which the noise processing unit 5 is configured as hardware, and thus the polarity inversion unit 71 to the filter unit 76 are also configured as hardware (circuits and the like).

  As described above, the signals vi and vq constituting the quadrature detection output signal from the microwave sensor 1 of FIG. 3 are subjected to predetermined processing by the amplification / filter unit 2 in the noise processing unit 5 and obtained as a result. The signals I and Q are supplied via the noise processing determination unit 3. Specifically, the signal I is supplied to the polarity inverting unit 71 and the input terminal IN + of the switching unit 72. The signal Q is supplied to the variable gain amplifier 74.

  The polarity inversion unit 71 inverts the polarity of the signal I, and a signal obtained as a result, that is, a signal whose phase is shifted by 180 degrees (= π) with respect to the signal I is input to the input terminal IN− of the switching unit 72 Supply.

  Hereinafter, a signal whose phase is shifted by 180 degrees (= π) with respect to the signal I is referred to as a signal I−. In addition, when comparing with the signal I−, the signal I is also particularly referred to as a signal I +.

  That is, the signal I− output from the polarity inverting unit 71 is input to the input terminal IN− of the switching unit 72. On the other hand, the signal I + is input to the input terminal IN + of the switching unit 72.

  The switching unit 72 switches the input to one of the input end IN + and the input end IN− based on an instruction from the I signal determination unit 92 of the main control unit 8. Then, when the input is switched to the input terminal IN +, the switching unit 72 supplies the signal I + to the variable gain amplifying unit 73 via the output terminal OUT. On the other hand, when the input is switched to the input terminal IN−, the switching unit 72 supplies the signal I− supplied from the polarity inverting unit 71 to the variable gain amplifying unit 73 via the output terminal OUT.

  In this way, the signal I + or the signal I− is supplied from the switching unit 72 to the variable gain amplification unit 73. The variable gain amplifying unit 73 amplifies the gain of the signal I + or the signal I− by the gain Gi determined by the gain determining unit 93 of the main control unit 8 and supplies a signal obtained as a result to the arithmetic unit 75.

  Hereinafter, a signal obtained by amplifying the gain of the signal I + by the gain Gi will be referred to as a signal (Gi × I +). Hereinafter, a signal obtained by amplifying the gain of the signal I− by the gain Gi will be referred to as a signal (Gi × I−). That is, the signal (Gi × I +) or the signal (Gi × I−) is supplied from the variable gain amplifier 73 to the calculator 75.

  The variable gain amplifying unit 74 amplifies the gain of the signal Q by the gain Gq determined by the gain determining unit 93 of the main control unit 8, and supplies a signal obtained as a result to the arithmetic unit 75.

  Hereinafter, a signal obtained by amplifying the gain of the signal Q by the gain Gq is referred to as a signal (Gq × Q). That is, the signal (Gq × Q) is supplied from the variable gain amplification unit 74 to the calculation unit 75.

  In this way, the signal (Gi × I +) or the signal (Gi × I−) is supplied from the variable gain amplifier 73 and the signal (Gq × Q) is supplied from the variable gain amplifier 74 to the arithmetic unit 75. The Therefore, the calculation unit 75 uses the signal (Gi × I +) or signal (Gi × I−) supplied from the variable gain amplification unit 73 and the signal (Gq × Q) supplied from the variable gain amplification unit 74. The signal obtained as a result of the calculation is supplied to the filter unit 76.

  The predetermined calculation executed by the calculation unit 75 includes a signal (Gi × I +) or a signal (Gi × I−) supplied from the variable gain amplification unit 73 and a signal (Gq × Q) supplied from the variable gain amplification unit 74. ) And is not particularly limited. However, in the present embodiment, the arithmetic unit 75 has the signal (Gq × Q) supplied from the variable gain amplifier 74 and the signal (Gi × I +) or signal (Gi ×) supplied from the variable gain amplifier 73. I−) is calculated, and a signal obtained as a result of the calculation, that is, a difference signal between the two signals is supplied to the filter unit 76.

  Hereinafter, a difference signal between the signal (Gq × Q) and the signal (Gi × I +) is referred to as a signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I). Hereinafter, a differential signal between the signal (Gq × Q) and the signal (Gi × I−) is referred to as a signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I). That is, in the present embodiment, the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) or the signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) is supplied from the calculation unit 75 to the filter unit 76.

  The filter unit 76 performs a filter process of passing a component of, for example, about 0.1 to 1 [Hz] with respect to the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) or the signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) supplied from the calculation unit 75. The signal vm obtained as a result is supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6 and the output signal storage unit 91 of the main control unit 8.

  As described above, when the signal vm is supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6, it is referred to as a detection determination signal vm after noise processing.

  Further, as described above, the signal vm may be supplied to the audio output unit 31 of FIG. 3 that is not shown in FIG. However, it is assumed that the signal vm is not supplied to the audio output unit 31 for simplicity of explanation only while various explanations are made with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

  In order to control the noise processing unit 5 having the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 8 in the example of FIG. 7 includes a noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81, and a noise A processing method determination unit 82 is provided.

  The noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 and the noise processing method determination unit 82 may be configured by software alone as long as they correspond to the implementation form of the main control unit 8, It may be configured by hardware alone or by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, for example, when the main control unit 8 is configured as a personal computer of FIG. 18 to be described later, the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 and the noise processing method determination unit 82 Each can be configured by software. However, in this case, the output signal accumulation unit 91 is configured as an area of a memory such as the storage unit 208 in FIG.

  As its name suggests, the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 selects one of the noise processing method determination mode and the biological detection determination mode as the operation mode of the biological detection device in the example of FIG. Switch to one.

  Specifically, the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 switches to the noise processing method determination mode before starting the measurement, and prohibits the operation of the detection determination processing unit 6. That is, when switching to the noise processing method determination mode, the detection determination processing unit 6 does not input the signal vm output from the filter unit 76. At this time, the noise processing method determination unit 82 uses this signal vm to determine the noise processing method, that is, the method for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing.

  That is, until the noise processing method is determined, it cannot be said that the signal vm output from the filter unit 76 has been subjected to noise processing. For this reason, in the present specification, the signal vm is detected for the first time after being processed for noise only after the signal vm is supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6 (actually, the signal vm is supplied to the other audio output unit 31). It is called. That is, in this specification, the signal vm output from the filter unit 76 is not referred to as the detection determination signal vm after noise processing until the noise processing method determination unit 82 finishes determining the noise processing method. Simply referred to as signal vm.

  Various processes executed by the noise processing method determination unit 82 to determine the noise processing method will be described later.

  Although details will be described later, when the determination of the noise processing method ends, the noise processing method determination unit 82 notifies the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 of the determination. Thereby, the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 switches the operation mode from the noise processing method determination mode to the biological detection determination mode, and cancels the prohibition of the operation of the detection determination processing unit 6. That is, when switched to the biological detection determination mode, the signal vm generated by the noise processing unit 5 in accordance with the noise processing method determined in the noise processing method determination mode is detected and processed as a detection determination signal vm after noise processing. Supplied to section 6.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the noise processing method determination unit 82 includes an output signal storage unit 91, an I signal determination unit 92, and a gain determination unit 93.

  The output signal accumulation unit 91 accumulates the signal vm output from the filter unit 76.

  It should be noted that the signal vm output from the filter unit 76 is more accurate than the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) or signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) output from the calculation unit 75. This is the signal after the filtering process is performed. However, hereinafter, for simplicity of explanation, the signal vm output from the filter unit 76 is simply regarded as a signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) or a signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I). That is, the output signal storage unit 91 can store a plurality of signals (Gq × Q−Gi × I) and signals (Gq × Q + Gi × I).

  The I signal determination unit 92 compares the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) stored in the output signal storage unit 91 with the signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I), and performs noise processing based on the comparison result. Any one of the signal I + and the signal I− is determined as a signal for generating the subsequent detection determination signal vm. The signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing is a signal used when the detection determination signal vm after noise processing is generated, as will be described later.

  Therefore, although details will be described later, the I signal determination unit 92 outputs at least one signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) and one signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) before the determination. A command for switching the input of the switching unit 72 at least once between the input terminal IN + and the input terminal IN− is output to the switching unit 72 for the purpose of storing in the storage unit 91.

  Further, after the determination, the I signal determination unit 92 inputs the input of the switching unit 72 and the determined signal of the signal I + and the signal I− of the input terminal IN + and the input terminal IN−. A command to switch to the one to be performed and to hold it as it is is output to the switching unit 72.

  The gain determination unit 93 is one of the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) and the signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) stored in the output signal storage unit 91, which is determined by the I signal determination unit 92. The gains Gq and Gi that give a predetermined level (such as an effective value) of the signal to the minimum level are determined as the gains Gq and Gi for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing. The generation gains Gq and Gi of the detection determination signal vm after noise processing mean gains Gq and Gi (level values thereof) used when the detection determination signal vm after noise processing is generated.

  For this reason, although details will be described later, the gain determination unit 93 is configured to appropriately update the respective level values of the gains Gq and Gi before the determination and use each of the updated level values. The gain amplifying unit 73 and the variable gain amplifying unit 74 are instructed (notified).

  After the determination, the gain determination unit 93 uses (holds) each of the determined level values of the gains Gq and Gi to indicate that each of the variable gain amplification unit 73 and the variable gain amplification unit 74. Instruct (notify).

  As described above, the noise processing method determination unit 82 determines one of the signal I + and the signal I− as a signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing, and also performs noise processing. The noise processing method is determined by determining the level values of the generation gains Gq and Gi of the subsequent detection determination signal vm. In other words, the noise processing method refers to a method for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing. In the present embodiment, the noise processing method is determined when in the noise processing method determination mode.

  When the noise processing method determination unit 82 determines the noise processing method in this manner, as described above, the noise processing method determination unit 82 notifies the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 that the determination of the noise processing method has ended. To do.

  Thereby, as described above, the operation mode is switched from the noise processing method determination mode to the biological detection determination mode, and the signal determined in the noise processing method determination mode among the signals I + and I− thereafter. And the level values of the gains Gq and Gi determined in the noise processing method determination mode are used to actually generate the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing.

  Next, an outline of operations of the noise processing unit 5 in the example of FIG. 7 and the main control unit 8 that controls the noise processing unit 5 will be described.

  That is, when the operation mode is switched to the noise processing method determination mode, the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 notifies the noise processing method determination unit 82 of the change and the detection determination processing unit 6. Is prohibited. That is, the signal vm output from the noise processing unit 5 is not input to the detection determination processing unit 6.

  When the gain determination unit 93 of the noise processing method determination unit 82 receives the notification that the mode has been switched to the noise processing method determination mode, the gain Gi and Gq level values are both set to 1, for example, and the set value of 1 is set. Utilization is instructed to the variable gain amplifying unit 73 and the variable gain amplifying unit 74.

  In addition, the I signal determination unit 92 supplies a command to the switching unit 72 to switch the input of the switching unit 72 at least once between the input terminal IN− and the input terminal IN +.

  As a result, the switching unit 72 switches the input between the input terminal IN− and the input terminal IN + at least once.

  That is, the variable gain amplifier 73 is supplied with at least one signal I− and at least one signal I +. In this case, since the gain determining unit 93 instructs to use 1 as the gain Gi, the variable gain amplifying unit 73 outputs at least one signal I− and at least one signal I + as they are. To supply.

  In this case, since the gain determination unit 93 instructs to use 1 as the gain Gq, the variable gain amplification unit 74 supplies the signal Q to the calculation unit 73 as it is.

  Therefore, the calculation unit 75 generates at least one signal (QI) and at least one signal (Q + I), and accumulates them in the output signal accumulation unit 91 via the filter unit 76 as the respective signals vm. To do. That is, at least one signal (Q-I) and at least one signal (Q + I) are accumulated in the output signal accumulation unit 91.

  Therefore, the I signal determination unit 92 compares the levels of predetermined attributes (such as effective values) of the signal (QI) stored in the output signal storage unit 91 and the signal (Q + I), and the level is smaller. The signal I + or the signal I− that is the signal generation source is determined as a signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing.

  That is, as described above, for example, the in-phase component or the anti-phase component of the signal I of the signals I and Q (the component whose phase is shifted by 180 degrees), that is, the component of the signal I + or the component of the signal I− Are superimposed. Therefore, when a lot of noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I + and not much noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I−, the signal (QI) and the signal (Q + I) of the signal (QI) The level of the predetermined attribute (such as effective value) is lower in QI), and the level of the predetermined attribute is higher in signal (Q + I). This means that when a lot of noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I +, the signal (QI) is further reduced or eliminated compared to the signal (Q + I). Means that. That is, when a lot of noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I +, it is preferable to determine the signal I + that is the generation source of the signal (QI) as the signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing. It is.

  On the other hand, when a lot of noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I- and not much noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I +, the signal (QI) and the signal (Q + I) The level of the predetermined attribute is smaller in the signal (Q + I), and the level of the predetermined attribute is higher in the signal (QI). This means that a lot of noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I-, and if the noise is not superimposed on the component of the signal I +, the signal (Q + I) is compared with the signal (QI). This means that the noise is further reduced or eliminated. That is, when a lot of noise is superimposed on the component of the signal I−, the signal I− that is the generation source of the signal (Q + I) is determined as the signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing. Is better.

  Therefore, the I signal determination unit 92 is a generator having a smaller level of a predetermined attribute (such as an effective value) of the signal (QI) and the signal (Q + I) accumulated in the output signal accumulation unit 91. A certain signal I + or signal I− is determined as a signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing.

  Next, when the signal I + is determined, for example, as the signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing, the I signal determination unit 92 switches the input of the switching unit 72 to the input terminal IN + and holds it as it is. Is output to the switching unit 72. Upon receiving this command, the switching unit 72 switches the input to the input terminal IN + and holds it as it is. Thereafter, the signal I + is supplied from the switching unit 72 to the variable gain amplifying unit 73.

  On the other hand, when the signal I- is determined as the signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing, for example, the signal I- is switched to the input terminal IN- A command to keep it as it is is output to the switching unit 72. In response to this command, the switching unit 72 switches the input to the input terminal IN− and holds it as it is. Thereafter, the signal I− from the polarity inverting unit 71 is supplied from the switching unit 72 to the variable gain amplifying unit 73.

  Note that the operations described above are basically the same regardless of whether the signal I + is determined or the signal I− is determined as a signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing. It becomes operation. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, only operations of the noise processing unit 5 and the noise processing method determination unit 82 when the signal I + is determined as a signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing will be described below. .

  In this case, the gain determination unit 93 updates the settings of the level values of the gains Gi and Gq as appropriate, and uses the updated setting values, the variable gain amplification unit 73, the variable gain amplification unit 74, and so on. To each of.

  In this way, each time the gain determination unit 93 updates the setting of the level values of the gains Gi and Gq, the calculation unit 75 uses the updated gains Gi and Gq to generate a signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) is generated and stored in the output signal storage unit 91 as a signal vm. That is, a plurality of signals (Gq × Q−Gi × I) are generated using the updated values of the gains Gi and Gq, respectively. The plurality of signals (Gq × Q−Gi × I) are accumulated in the output signal accumulation unit 91.

  Therefore, the gain determination unit 93 selects a signal having a minimum level of a predetermined attribute (such as an effective value) from among a plurality of signals (Gq × Q−Gi × I) stored in the output signal storage unit 91. Then, the gains Gq and Gi used to generate the selected signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) are determined as the generation gains Gq and Gi of the detection determination signal vm after noise processing. Among the plurality of signals (Gq × Q−Gi × I) accumulated in the output signal accumulation unit 91, the signal having the lowest attribute level is further reduced or eliminated compared to other signals. This is because the signal can be said to have been made.

  Then, the gain determining unit 93 instructs each of the variable gain amplifying unit 73 and the variable gain amplifying unit 74 to use the gains Gi and Gq determined in this way. Thereby, thereafter, the variable gain amplifying unit 73 and the variable gain amplifying unit 74 use the gains Gi and Gq determined in this way by the gain determining unit 93, respectively.

  The noise processing method is determined by the series of processes described above. Therefore, the noise processing method determination unit 82 notifies the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 that the determination of the noise processing method has ended.

  Thereby, the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit 81 switches the operation mode from the noise processing method determination mode to the biological detection determination mode, and cancels the prohibition of the operation of the detection determination processing unit 6.

  In this way, when the operation mode is switched to the biological detection determination mode, the I signal determination unit 92 of the noise processing method determination unit 82 uses the noise of the signal I + and the signal I− as the input of the switching unit 72. A command for holding the input terminal for inputting the one determined in the processing method determination mode, that is, a command for holding the input terminal IN + for inputting the signal I + in the above-described example is output to the switching unit 72.

  In response to this command, the switching unit 72 keeps the input at the input terminal IN +. Then, the signal I + is always supplied from the switching unit 72 to the variable gain amplification unit 73 in the biological detection determination mode.

  Further, the gain determination unit 93 outputs a command to use (hold) each of the gains Gi and Gq determined in the noise processing method determination mode to each of the variable gain amplification unit 73 and the variable gain amplification unit 74. . Thereby, in the biological detection determination mode, each of the variable gain amplification unit 73 and the variable gain amplification unit 74 always uses the gains Gi and Gq determined in the noise processing method determination mode.

  Therefore, in the biological detection determination mode, the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) generated according to the generation method determined in the noise processing method determination mode at all times, that is, the signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing The signal I + determined by the I signal determination unit 92 is used, and the gains Gq and Gi determined by the gain determination unit 93 are used as the gains Gq and Gi for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing. The signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) is output from the calculation unit 75. In the biological detection determination mode, this signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) is always supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6 through the filter unit 76 as a detection determination signal vm after noise processing.

  Then, as described above, the detection determination processing unit 6 determines the presence / absence of the organism 22 in FIG. 3 based on the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing (detects the organism 22).

  The noise processing unit 5 in the example of FIG. 7, that is, the noise processing unit 5 configured as hardware, and a part of the main control unit 8 that controls the noise processing unit 5 (in the example of FIG. 7, the noise processing method determination mode). The details of the organism detection determination mode switching unit 81 and the noise processing method determination unit 82) have been described.

  Incidentally, as described above, the noise processing unit 5 can be configured as hardware as in the example of FIG. 7, but can also be configured as software or a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, for example, when the main control unit 8 is configured by a personal computer or the like of FIG. 18 described later, the noise processing unit 5 may be configured as a software module executed by the main control unit 8. it can. This software module, for example, in addition to the functions corresponding to the polarity inversion unit 71 to the filter unit 76 constituting the noise processing unit 5 of the example of FIG. 7, the noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination of the example of FIG. The mode switching unit 81 and the noise processing method determination unit 82 can be configured to have functions corresponding to each other.

  The noise processing unit 5 configured as such a software module executes, for example, a part of the noise processing method determination process of FIG. 8 as a process executed when the operation mode is the above-described noise processing method determination mode. be able to. In addition, as described above, “part” is described in the noise processing method determination process of FIG. 8 in addition to at least one of the noise processing determination unit 3 and the calculation unit 4 configured as software modules. This is because the processing executed by the noise processing determination unit 3 is also included.

  Hereinafter, the noise processing method determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1, the noise processing determination unit 3 in FIG. 3 calculates the output signals I and Q (instantaneous values) of the amplification / filter unit 2 corresponding to the quadrature detection output signals (signals vi and vq) from the microwave sensor 1. Capture a pair.

  In step S2, the noise processing determination unit 3 determines whether or not N sets of signals I and Q (N is an integer value of 1 or more) have been captured.

  If it is determined in step S2 that N sets have not been captured, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the loop processing of steps S1 and S2 is repeatedly executed, and only N sets of signals I and Q are taken into the noise processing determination unit 3. Then, it is determined as YES in Step S2, and the process proceeds to Step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the noise processing determination unit 3 calculates an effective value I ′ of N signals I and an effective value Q ′ of N signals Q.

  Specifically, for example, the effective value I ′ of the N signals I is calculated according to the following equation (6). The effective value Q ′ of the N signals Q is calculated according to the following equation (7).

・・・（６）

・・・（７）

... (6)

... (7)

  In Expression (6), Ij indicates the jth (j is an instantaneous value) acquired signal j (j is an integer value from 1 to N), and Iave is N signals. The average value of I is shown. In Expression (7), Qj represents the j-th acquired signal Q (its instantaneous value), and Qave represents the average value of N signals Q.

  Next, in step S4, the noise processing determination unit 3 determines whether or not the effective values I ′ and Q ′ are equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (determination reference voltage Vr).

  The predetermined threshold value may be a predetermined value or may be a value calculated during the process of step S3.

  When it is determined in step S4 that the effective values I ′ and Q ′ are not less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (determination reference voltage Vr), that is, when it is determined that the effective values I ′ and Q ′ exceed the predetermined threshold In step S5, as described above, the noise processing determination unit 3 determines that noise processing is unnecessary, and the detection determination signal from the calculation unit 4 is used as the detection determination signal used by the detection determination processing unit 6. Determine vn. Thereby, the noise processing method determination process is completed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S4 that the effective values I ′ and Q ′ are equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold (determination reference voltage Vr), the noise processing determination unit 3 needs noise processing as described above. N sets of signals I and Q are supplied to the noise processing unit 5 so that the noise processing unit 5 determines the noise processing method. Thereby, a process progresses to step S6.

  That is, the processing after step S6 described below is processing corresponding to the operation (processing) of the noise processing unit 5 and the main control unit 8 in the example of FIG. 7 described above in the noise processing method determination mode. In other words, the noise processing unit 5 is determined as YES in the process of step S4. As a result, when N sets of signals I and Q are supplied from the noise processing determination unit 3, the operation mode is changed to noise processing. Switch to the method determination mode, and execute the processing from step S6.

  In step S6, the noise processing unit 5 calculates the difference effective value σ− and the addition effective value σ +.

  Specifically, for example, the differential effective value σ− is calculated according to the following equation (8). Further, the effective addition value σ + is calculated according to the following equation (9).

・・・（８）

・・・（９）

... (8)

... (9)

  In step S7, the noise processing unit 5 determines whether or not the difference effective value σ− is smaller than the addition effective value σ +.

  In step S7, the case where it is determined that the difference effective value σ− is smaller than the addition effective value σ + is a signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing, as described in the example of FIG. This corresponds to the case where the signal I + is determined. Therefore, in such a case, the following steps S8 and S9 are executed.

  That is, in step S8, the noise processing unit 5 calculates gains Gq and Gi that minimize the gain difference effective value gσ−.

  The gain difference effective value gσ− is expressed by the following equation (10).

・・・（１０）

... (10)

  That is, the noise processing unit 5 updates the level values of the gains Gi and Gq at least once, and calculates the right side of the equation (10) using the updated gains Gi and Gq for each update. Thus, the gain difference effective value gσ− is calculated. As a result, a plurality of gain difference effective values gσ− calculated using various gains Gi and Gq are obtained. Therefore, the noise processing unit 5 selects the gain difference effective value gσ− that takes the minimum value among the plurality of gain difference effective values gσ− and is used when calculating the selected gain difference effective value gσ−. The gains Gi and Gq are determined (calculated) as gains Gq and Gi that minimize the gain difference effective value gσ−.

  In step S9, the noise processing unit 5 uses a signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) generated by using the gains Gq and Gi calculated in the process of step S8 for detection determination after the noise processing. Determine the signal vm.

  As a result, the noise processing method determination process ends, and the operation mode of the biological detection apparatus is switched from the noise processing method determination mode to the biological detection determination mode.

  On the other hand, in step S7, it is determined that the difference effective value σ− is not smaller than the addition effective value σ +, that is, the addition effective value σ + is smaller than the difference effective value σ−. This corresponds to the case where the signal I− is determined as the signal for generating the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing, which is referred to in the example of FIG. 7 described above. Therefore, in such a case, the following steps S10 and S11 are executed.

  That is, in step S10, the noise processing unit 5 calculates gains Gq and Gi that minimize the gain addition effective value gσ +.

  The gain difference effective value gσ + is expressed by the following equation (11).

・・・（１１）

(11)

  That is, the noise processing unit 5 updates the level values of the gains Gi and Gq at least once, and calculates the right side of the expression (11) using the updated gains Gi and Gq for each update. Thus, the gain addition effective value gσ + is calculated. As a result, a plurality of gain addition effective values gσ + calculated using various gains Gi and Gq are obtained. Therefore, the noise processing unit 5 selects a gain addition effective value gσ + that takes the minimum value among the plurality of gain addition effective values gσ + and is used when calculating the selected gain addition effective value gσ +. The gains Gi and Gq are determined (calculated) as gains Gq and Gi that minimize the gain addition effective value gσ +.

  In step S11, the noise processing unit 5 uses a signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) generated using the gains Gq and Gi calculated in step S10 for detection determination after noise processing. Determine the signal vm.

  As a result, the noise processing method determination process ends, and the operation mode of the biological detection apparatus is switched from the noise processing method determination mode to the biological detection determination mode.

  When the noise processing method determination process in the example of FIG. 8 is executed in this manner, whether or not noise processing is necessary is determined, and when it is determined that noise processing is necessary, the noise processing method is further determined. It is determined. Then, the operation mode is switched from the noise processing method determination mode to the organism detection determination mode, and the following processing is executed.

  That is, for example, when it is determined that noise processing is unnecessary, in other words, in the case of the biological detection determination mode after it is determined NO in the processing of step S4 in FIG. 3 constantly supplies the signals I and Q to the arithmetic unit 4. Accordingly, as described above, the calculation unit 4 generates the detection determination signal vn from the signals I and Q and supplies the detection determination signal vn to the detection determination processing unit 6. Then, as described above, the detection determination processing unit 6 determines the presence / absence of the organism 22 in FIG. 3 based on the detection determination signal vn (detects the organism 22).

  On the other hand, for example, when it is determined that noise processing is necessary, in other words, in the case of the biological detection determination mode after it is determined YES in step S4 in FIG. The processing determination unit 3 constantly supplies the signals I and Q to the noise processing unit 5. Therefore, the noise processing unit 5 configured as a software module executes processing corresponding to the operation in the biological detection determination mode of the noise processing unit 5 illustrated in FIG. 7 configured as hardware.

  That is, in the biological detection determination mode, the noise processing unit 5 always performs the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) determined in the process of step S9 in FIG. 8 or the signal (Gq determined in the process of step S11). (× Q + Gi × I) is generated as a detection determination signal vm after noise processing and supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6.

  More precisely, a signal obtained as a result of performing the same filter processing as the filter unit 76 of FIG. 7 on the signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) or the signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) is noise. A detection determination signal vm after processing is generated and supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6.

  More specifically, for example, a signal vm as shown in FIG. 9 is supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6 as the detection determination signal vm after noise processing that is a signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I). . That is, FIG. 9 shows an example of the detection determination signal vm after actual noise processing that is a signal (Gq × Q−Gi × I) obtained from the actual signal I and the signal Q. However, FIG. 9 shows an example of the detection determination signal vm after actual noise processing when the organism 22 or the like is not present in the soil of the flower pot that is the measurement target 21.

  In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis indicates time [sec], and the vertical axis indicates the voltage level [Vpp] of each signal. Further, as a precondition, the microwave frequency of the microwave sensor 1 is 7.8 [GHz], and the transmission signal vt that is the microwave is transmitted from the vertically upward direction to the soil, unlike the example of FIG. The depth of the soil in the flower pot was 4.5 [cm], and the moisture content of the soil was 30 [%]. The above axes and the preconditions are the same in FIG. 10 described later.

  Further, for example, a signal vm as shown in FIG. 10 is supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6 as the detection determination signal vm after noise processing that is a signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I). That is, FIG. 10 shows an example of the detection determination signal vm after actual noise processing that is a signal (Gq × Q + Gi × I) obtained from the actual signal I and the signal Q. However, FIG. 10 shows an example of the detection determination signal vm after actual noise processing in the case where the living thing 22 or the like does not exist in the soil of the flower pot that is the measurement target 21, as in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that noise is remarkably reduced by the noise processing performed by the noise processing unit 5.

  Therefore, as described above, the detection determination processing unit 6 easily determines the presence / absence of the organism 22 in FIG. 3 based on the detection determination signal vm after such noise processing (detects the organism 22). be able to.

  That is, when the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing in the example of FIG. 9 or 10 is supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6, it is determined that the living thing 22 of FIG. 3 does not exist.

  On the other hand, for example, when the vm after the noise processing in the example of FIG. 11 is supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6, it is determined that the living thing 22 of FIG. 3 exists.

  That is, FIG. 11 shows an example of the detection determination signal vm after actual noise processing when the living thing 22 exists in the soil of the flower pot that is the measurement object 21. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents time [sec], and the vertical axis represents the voltage level [Vpp] of each signal. As a precondition, the microwave frequency of the microwave sensor 1 is 10.525 [GHz], and the transmission signal vt, which is the microwave, is 6.5 [cm] from the ground surface of the soil, unlike the example of FIG. A scarab beetle larva having a diameter of about 2 [mm] and a length of about 15 [mm] is transmitted from the ground surface into the soil at a depth of 3 [cm] from the ground surface. The soil water content was 0%.

  As described above, the noise processing unit 5 can execute processing corresponding to the above-described second method of the present invention, and therefore, of the noise superimposed on the quadrature detection output signal of the microwave sensor 1. It becomes possible to greatly reduce or eliminate the noise of the in-phase component or the anti-phase component of one of the signals vi and vq constituting the quadrature detection output signal. Specifically, the present inventor confirmed that the noise level of the whole biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 3 is substantially reduced by about 20 [dB] due to the noise reduction (removal) effect.

  Therefore, in the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 3, if the noise level of the whole when the noise processing unit 5 does not perform noise processing is −75 [dB], the noise processing unit 5 performs noise processing. By applying, it becomes possible to lower the overall noise level to about -95 [dB]. In this case, the same conditions as in the example of FIG. 2, that is, the microwave of 7.8 [GHz] is transmitted from the microwave sensor 1 toward the ground surface from the vertical direction, and has the same size as a cylinder with a diameter of 1 mm and a height of 15 mm. Under the condition that the living creature 22 is detected, for example, in the ground where the moisture content is 20 [%], if the noise processing unit 5 does not perform noise processing, the depth is higher than about 6.5 [cm]. Only the living creature 22 can be detected. On the other hand, when the noise processing unit 5 performs the noise processing, it becomes possible to detect even the living thing 22 that exists above about 11 [cm]. That is, it becomes possible to increase the maximum level of the detection range (lower the deepest position of the depth) of the detection capability.

  On the contrary, when the detection range may be left as it is, that is, when it is only necessary to detect organisms whose depth is higher than about 6.5 [cm], the noise processing unit 5 performs noise processing, The frequency of the microwave transmitted and received by the microwave sensor 1 can be made higher than 7.8 [GHz] (see FIG. 1 described above). That is, it becomes possible to increase the maximum level of resolution of the detection capability (to further reduce the minimum size of the detectable organism 22, that is, to detect a further smaller organism 22).

  The biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 3 includes a noise processing (reduction / removal) function by the noise processing unit 5 described above, and a noise processing function for noise caused by residual vibration in steps S26 and S27 of FIG. Only mounted.

  However, the biological detection apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the example of FIG. 3 and can take various forms. Of course, in addition to the two noise processing functions described above, It is also possible to easily mount a noise processing function with a different noise processing method. For example, as described above, “clutter” in the radar field is outside the processing range of the noise processing unit 5. Therefore, as a noise processing function for this “clutter”, although not shown in the figure, a noise processing function is further provided that detects shaking and vibration due to an external force using an acceleration sensor or the like, and reduces the “clutter” based on the detection result. 3 can be easily mounted on the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG.

  7, the gain of the signal I + or the signal I− is varied (the level value of the gain Gi is varied), and the gain of the signal Q is varied (gain). However, it is not essential to mount both the variable gain amplifying unit 73 and the variable gain amplifying unit 74 in the noise processing unit 5. Any one of the gain amplifying unit 73 and the variable gain amplifying unit 74 may be omitted. In this case, the gain of either signal I + or signal I- or signal Q is fixed at an appropriate level, and the other gain is variably adjusted to balance the amplitude level of signal vm. Just do it.

  Similarly, in the process of step S8 or S10 in the example of FIG. 8, both gains Gi and Gq are calculated. However, even if only one of the gains Gi and Gq is set as a fixed value, only the other is calculated. Good.

  The details of the noise processing unit 5 have been described above.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in the case where the detection determination signal vm after noise processing from the noise processing unit 5 in FIG. 3 or the detection determination signal vn from the calculation unit 4 is supplied as it is. Details of the audio output unit 31 will be described.

  However, hereinafter, for simplification of description, the audio output unit 31 will be described only when the detection processing signal vm after noise processing is supplied from the noise processing unit 5 of FIG. In the case where the detection determination signal vn is supplied from the calculation unit 4, the phrase “detection determination signal vm after noise processing” in the following description is simply replaced with “detection determination signal vn”. It is because it is good.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the audio output unit 31. FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the audio output unit 31 different from that shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the audio output unit 31 includes a V / F conversion unit 101, a low frequency amplification unit 102, and a speaker 103.

  The V / F conversion unit 101 performs a V / F conversion process for converting a voltage (Voltage) level indicating the amplitude level into a predetermined frequency (Frequency) on the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing, The resulting signal is supplied to the low frequency amplification unit 102.

  The low frequency amplification unit 102 amplifies the low frequency component of the signal supplied from the V / F conversion unit 101 and supplies the resulting signal to the speaker 103 as an audio signal.

  The speaker 103 outputs sound corresponding to the sound signal supplied from the low frequency amplifying unit 102.

  Accordingly, the user can easily determine whether or not a living thing such as the living thing 22 exists in the measurement target 21 in FIG. 3 based on the characteristics of the sound output from the speaker 103.

  In contrast to the example of FIG. 12, in the example of FIG. 13, the audio output unit 31 includes an oscillation unit 111, a mixer unit 112, a low-frequency amplification unit 113, and a speaker 114.

  The oscillation unit 111 oscillates a signal having a predetermined frequency (for example, 1.0 [kHZ] in the present embodiment).

  The mixer unit 112 mixes (multiplies) the detection determination signal vm after the noise processing and the signal oscillated by the oscillation unit 111, and supplies the resulting signal to the low frequency amplification unit 113.

  The low frequency amplification unit 113 amplifies the low frequency component of the signal supplied from the mixer unit 112 and supplies the resulting signal to the speaker 114 as an audio signal.

  The speaker 114 outputs sound corresponding to the sound signal supplied from the low frequency amplifying unit 113.

  Thereby, the user can easily determine whether or not a living thing such as the living thing 22 exists in the measurement target 21 in FIG. 3 based on the characteristics of the sound output from the speaker 114.

  Heretofore, an example of the functional configuration of the biological detection apparatus to which the present invention is applied has been described with reference to FIGS.

  An example of a measurement process for detecting whether or not the organism 22 or the like exists in the measurement object 21 among the processes executed by the biological detection apparatus having such a functional configuration, that is, the biological detection apparatus of FIG. This is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, an example of measurement processing executed by the biological detection apparatus of FIG. 3 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 21, the main control unit 8 performs initial setting of various parameters such as the microwave frequency of the microwave sensor 1.

  That is, although the details are as described above, processing corresponding to the first method of the present invention is executed as at least a part of the processing of step S21.

  In step S22, the main control unit 8 controls the noise processing determination unit 3 and the noise processing unit 5 to determine whether or not to perform noise processing. Determine the noise processing method. In other words, in step S22, the detection determination signal used by the detection determination processing unit 6 is the detection determination signal vn from the calculation unit 4, or for detection determination after noise processing from the noise processing unit 5. Whether it is the signal vm is determined, and if it is determined that it is the latter, a method for generating the detection determination signal vm after noise processing is further determined.

  Details of the processing in step S22 are as described above with reference to FIGS. That is, for example, when the noise processing unit 5 is configured by the hardware of the example of FIG. 7, the above-described description regarding the operation of the noise processing unit 5 and the main control unit 8 of the example of FIG. It is an example of the detail of the process of. For example, when the noise processing unit 5 or the like is configured by software, the noise processing method determination process shown in FIG. 8 is an example of details of the process in step S22.

  When the process in step S22 is completed, the main control unit 8 switches the operation mode to the organism detection determination mode, and advances the process to step S23.

  In step S <b> 23, the main control unit 8 controls the rotation driving unit 11 to rotate the turntable 12.

  In step S24, the main control unit 8 determines whether or not the turntable 12 has rotated by a predetermined angle.

  That is, in the measurement process of the example of FIG. 14, a process in which a rotation command meaning “rotate a predetermined angle” is output from the main control unit 8 to the rotation drive unit 11 is the process of step S23. ing. For this reason, in the process of step S24 after such a process of step S23, it is determined whether or not the rotation command has been executed, that is, whether or not the turntable 12 has rotated by a predetermined angle. . Accordingly, when a rotation command meaning “rotate for a predetermined time” is output from the main control unit 8 to the rotation drive unit 11 in the process of step S23, the subsequent process of step S24 is as follows. The process is “has a predetermined time passed?”.

  If it is determined in step S24 that the turntable 12 has not yet rotated by a predetermined angle, the process returns to step S23, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the loop process of steps S23 and S24 is repeatedly executed, and as a result, the turntable 12 continues to rotate. When the turntable 12 rotates by a predetermined angle, that is, as described above, when the main control unit 8 is notified that the detection angle of the position sensor not shown in FIG. 3 has reached the predetermined angle. In step S24, it is determined that the turntable 12 has rotated by a predetermined angle, and the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 25, the main control unit 8 controls the rotation driving unit 11 to stop the rotation of the turntable 12. That is, the main control unit 8 outputs a stop command to the rotation drive unit 11.

  As a result, the rotation of the turntable 12 is stopped. However, the turntable 12 is not stationary when the rotation is stopped, and continues to vibrate for a while after that. Hereinafter, such vibration after rotation stop is referred to as residual vibration. When the main control unit 8 has started measurement for detecting whether or not the living thing 22 is present in the measurement object 21 without the residual vibration of the turntable 12 being converged, the measurement object 21 is also As a result, the vibration due to the residual vibration is generated, and as a result, the noise due to the residual vibration is superimposed on the quadrature detection output signal (signal vi, vq) from the microwave sensor 1. As described above, the noise caused by the residual vibration is noise outside the processing range of the noise processing unit 5, so that the main control unit 8 is in a state where the residual vibration is almost converged, that is, the turntable 12 is substantially It is necessary to start the measurement in a stationary state.

  Therefore, in the example of FIG. 14, the main control unit 8 recognizes that the turntable 12 is almost stationary by repeatedly executing the following loop processing of steps S26 and S27.

  That is, in step S26, the main control unit 8 detects the residual vibration of the turntable 12. That is, as described above, the noise caused by the residual vibration is superimposed on the quadrature detection output signal (signal vi, vq) from the microwave sensor 1 and cannot be reduced or removed by the noise processing unit 5. Accordingly, at least a part of the noise caused by the residual vibration is also superimposed on the signal vm from the noise processing unit 5. Therefore, the main control unit 8 regards this signal vm as a signal indicating the residual vibration of the turntable 12 only during the period in which the loop processing of steps S26 and S27 is being performed. The level of a predetermined attribute (such as effective value or amplitude) for vm is regarded as the residual vibration level. In step S26, the main control unit 8 can detect the residual vibration of the turntable 12 based on the residual vibration level value (level value of a predetermined attribute). That is, when the residual vibration level value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the main control unit 8 can detect that the residual vibration of the turntable 12 has not yet converged.

  Therefore, in step S27, the main control unit 8 determines whether or not the residual vibration level value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. In this case, it is always determined as NO in step S27 until the residual vibration level value is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold value, that is, as long as the residual vibration level value exceeds the predetermined threshold value. The loop process with S27 is repeatedly executed.

  After that, when the turntable 12 is almost stationary, the level value of the residual vibration is also lower than the predetermined threshold value. Therefore, it is determined as YES in Step S27, and the process proceeds to Step S28.

  As described above, it can be said that the main control unit 8 repeatedly executing the loop processing of steps S26 and S27 is equivalent to removing or reducing noise due to residual vibration as a result. That is, in the example of FIG. 14, in addition to the noise processing by the noise processing unit 5, it can be said that noise processing as loop processing of steps S26 and S27 is being executed.

  In addition, the start timing of the process of step S26 is not specifically limited as mentioned above. Specifically, for example, the process of step S26 may be started immediately when the process of step S25 ends, that is, when the rotation of the turntable 12 stops in response to the stop command. Alternatively, for example, when the main control unit 8 outputs a stop command, the main control unit 8 may start time measurement using a built-in timer, and thereafter, may start the process of step S26 when time is measured for a predetermined time.

  Further, as described above, the main control unit 8 may execute the following process instead of the loop process of steps S26 and S27. That is, the main control unit 8 may start timing using a built-in timer when a stop command is output, and then may proceed to step S28 when timing is performed for a predetermined time.

  In any case, when the process proceeds to step S28, the main control unit 8 executes the following process. That is, in step S28, the main control unit 8 controls the detection determination processing unit 6 to detect the detection determination signal vn from the calculation unit 4 or the detection determination signal after noise processing from the noise processing unit 5. Based on vm, it is determined whether or not a living thing 22 or the like exists in the measurement object 21.

  The detection determination processing unit 6 converts the determination result of step S <b> 28 into a signal (audio signal or image signal) in a predetermined form, and provides it to the presentation unit 7. Thereby, a process progresses to step S29. In step S29, the presentation unit 7 presents the determination result of step S28 to the user. The form of presentation depends on the form of the signal supplied from the detection determination processing unit 6. For example, as described above, when an image signal or an audio signal indicating a predetermined message is supplied, the presenting unit 7 presents the predetermined message as an image or an audio. For example, when an image signal indicating an image as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is supplied, the presenting unit 7 displays (presents) the image as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 as it is.

  Also, the audio output unit 31 is configured as shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13, for example, and the detection determination signal vm after noise processing from the noise processing unit 5 and the detection determination signal vn from the calculation unit 4 are output as audio. When the signal is supplied to the unit 31 as it is, the process of step S28 is omitted, and the sound indicating the detection determination signal vn and the detection determination signal vm after noise processing is output as the process of step S29.

  Thus, when the determination result is presented in the process of step S29, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S <b> 30, the main control unit 8 determines whether or not the end of measurement is instructed.

  If it is determined in step S30 that the end of measurement has not been instructed yet, the process returns to step S23, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the turntable 12 is rotated again, and accordingly, the measurement surface of the measurement object 21 (the surface on which the transmission signal vt of the microwave sensor 1 is incident) is changed, and the living thing 22 exists in the measurement object 21. The measurement for determining whether or not is performed again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the end of measurement has been instructed, the measurement process ends.

  As described above, the biological detection apparatus having the functional configuration of FIG. 3 rotates the turntable 12 to change the measurement surface of the measurement object 21 arranged on the turntable 12. Thus, the measurement for determining whether or not the living thing 22 exists in the measurement object 21 can be performed a plurality of times. As a result, it is possible to prevent a false detection that the living organism 22 should actually exist but to detect that the living organism 22 does not exist, or the microwave sensor 1 of the living organism 22 should actually exist. As a result, it is possible to prevent a detection omission such as detecting that the transmission signal vt does not reach and as a result does not exist.

  That is, by changing the measurement surface of the measurement object 21, it becomes possible to prevent erroneous detection and detection omission. In this case, as the changing method, a method of rotating the turntable 12 in the example of FIG. 3 is adopted, but it is not limited to the example of FIG. 3 and any method can be adopted. Specifically, for example, a plurality of microwave sensors 1 are used to change the transmission signals vt of the plurality of microwave sensors 1 to each of a plurality of different surfaces of the measuring object 21 ( Hereinafter, it is also possible to employ a multiple microwave sensor technique).

  Note that the number of the microwave sensors 1 used when the multiple microwave sensor method is adopted is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more. However, in the following description, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that only two microwave sensors 1 are used. In this case, the biological detection apparatus employing the multiple microwave sensor technique can be configured to have the functional configuration shown in FIG. 15, for example. That is, FIG. 15 shows an example of a functional configuration different from that of FIG. 3 of the biological detection apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  In the biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to those in the biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 3, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  However, in the biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 15, there may be two portions corresponding to the biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. In such a case, one of the two corresponding parts is attached with a code with “A” added to the end of the code in the example of FIG. 3, and the other is shown in FIG. The code with “B” added to the end of the code is added to the code in the example. Specifically, for example, in the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 15, two microwave sensors corresponding to the microwave sensor 1 of the example of FIG. 3 are provided. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 15, one of the two microwave sensors is the microwave sensor 1A, and the other is the microwave sensor 1B.

  In FIG. 15, the detection determination processing unit 6 to the operation unit 10 are not shown.

  The biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 15 is provided with the two microwave sensors 1A and 1B as described above. Accordingly, the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 15 is provided with an amplification / filter unit 2A, a noise processing determination unit 3A, a calculation unit 4A, and a noise processing unit 5A for the microwave sensor 1A. ing. In addition, the biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 15 includes an amplification / filter unit 2B, a noise processing determination unit 3B, a calculation unit 4B, and a noise processing unit 5B for the microwave sensor 1B.

  Further, the detection determination processing unit 6 (not shown in FIG. 15) in the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 15 has basically the same function and configuration as that of the example of FIG. However, in the example of FIG. 15, the signal vMA from the noise processing unit 5A and the signal vmb from the noise processing unit 5B are supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6 as detection determination signals after noise processing. Similarly, a signal vnA from the calculation unit 4A and a signal vnB from the calculation unit 4B are supplied to the detection determination processing unit 6 as detection determination signals. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 15, the detection determination processing unit 6 determines whether or not the living thing 22 or the like exists in the measurement target 21 based on the signal vMA or the signal vnA, and based on the signal vmB or the signal vnB. Thus, it is determined whether or not the organism 22 or the like exists in the measurement target 21. In this case, the detection determination processing unit 6 in the example of FIG. 15 individually presents each of the determination result based on the signal vMA or the signal vnA and the determination result based on the signal vmb or the signal vnB (see FIG. Or a comprehensive determination result of a determination result based on the signal vMA or the signal vnA and a determination result based on the signal vmb or the signal vnB may be supplied to the presentation unit 7.

  Further, the main control unit 8 (not shown in FIG. 15) in the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 15 has basically the same function and configuration as that of the example of FIG. However, the main control unit 8 in the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 15 is not shown in FIG. 15, but the microwave sensors 1A and 1B, the amplification / filter units 2A and 2B, the noise processing determination units 3A and 3B, The respective operations of the calculation units 4A and 4B, the noise processing units 5A and 5B, and the detection determination processing unit 6 to the operation unit 10 are controlled.

  In the example of FIG. 15, the microwave sensor 1 </ b> A is disposed on a predetermined first surface side (right side in FIG. 15) of the side surfaces of the measurement object 21, and the microwave sensor 1 </ b> B is disposed on the measurement object 21. Is disposed on the second surface side (left side in FIG. 15) facing the first surface. That is, in the example of FIG. 15, the measurement object 21 has two measurement surfaces, the first surface and the second surface, and as described above, two measurement results for each of the two measurement surfaces. (Determination result of presence / absence of the organism 22) is obtained individually. For this reason, in the example of FIG. 15, a table 151 that does not rotate is provided instead of the turntable 12 of FIG. 3, and the measurement object 21 is disposed on the table 151. Thus, since the stand 151 does not rotate, the rotation drive part 11 of FIG. 3 is also omitted in the example of FIG.

  The other functional configuration of the biological detection apparatus in the example of FIG. 15 is the same as the corresponding functional configuration of FIG. 3, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The biological detection apparatus having the functional configuration of FIG. 15 sequentially executes the processes of steps S21, S22, S28, and S29 of FIG. 14 described above as the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1A in that order. As the measurement process by the wave sensor 1B, the above-described processes in steps S21, S22, S28, and S29 in FIG. 14 are sequentially performed in that order.

  However, in this case, the order of the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1A and the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1B is not particularly limited. That is, after the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1A is executed, the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1B may be executed, or vice versa, that is, after the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1B is executed, the microwave is executed. Measurement processing by the sensor 1A may be executed. Alternatively, the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1A and the measurement process by the microwave sensor 1B may be executed in parallel at substantially the same time.

  The realization form of the biological detection apparatus having the functional configuration of FIG. 15 can take various realization forms. Hereinafter, two examples of such various implementations will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. That is, FIG. 16 shows an example of an external configuration of the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. FIG. 17 shows an example of the configuration of the appearance of the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 15 that is different from FIG.

  16 and 17, the same reference numerals are given to the parts corresponding to those in the example of FIG. 4, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The implementation of the example of FIG. 16 is an implementation similar to the example of FIG. 4 described above. However, the example of FIG. 4 is a realization form of a biological detection apparatus having the functional configuration of FIG. 3, that is, a realization form of a biological detection apparatus using one microwave sensor 1. On the other hand, the example of FIG. 16 is a realization form of a biological detection apparatus having the functional configuration of FIG. 15, that is, a realization form of a biological detection apparatus using two microwave sensors 1A and 1B. is there.

  Specifically, in the example of FIG. 16, the microwave sensor 1A is fixed by a jack table 152A, the microwave sensor 1B is fixed by a jack table 152B, and the measurement object 21 is arranged on the table 151. This stand 151 is also configured as a jack stand, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the user (measurer) or the like freely moves the jack portions of the jack stands 152A and 152B and the rotary table 151 up and down, so that the microwave sensors 1A and 1B and the measurement object 21 are vertically moved (vertical) in FIG. The direction) can be easily fixed at an appropriate position.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the amplification / filter units 2A and 2B, the noise processing determination units 3A and 3B, the calculation units 4A and 4B, the noise processing units 5A and 5B, and the detection of the biological detection device of the example of FIG. The determination processing unit 6, the main control unit 8, and the determination reference storage unit 9 are accommodated in the housing 42.

  In this case, amplification / filter units 2A and 2B, noise processing determination units 3A and 3B, calculation units 4A and 4B, noise processing units 5A and 5B, detection determination processing unit 6, main control unit 8, and determination reference storage unit 9 When at least a part of them is composed of software, a computer that executes the software (program) is provided in the housing 42. As this computer, for example, by adopting a personal computer having the configuration shown in FIG. 18 to be described later, it is possible to reduce the size of the casing 42 as in the example of FIG. As a result, the biological detection apparatus of the example of FIG. 16 can be configured as a portable apparatus, that is, an apparatus that can be freely carried by a user (measurer) or the like.

  In contrast to the portable biological detection device of the example of FIG. 16, the biological detection device of the example of FIG. 17 is a stationary type.

  Specifically, in the example of FIG. 17, each of a plurality of measurement objects (only the measurement objects 21-1 to 21-3 are shown in FIG. 17) is a belt portion of the belt conveyor 161. Are sequentially conveyed. The microwave sensor 1A is fixed on a surface 162A of the belt conveyor 161 that protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the measurement object is conveyed (the direction from the diagonally lower left to the diagonally upper right in FIG. 17). The microwave sensor 1B is fixed on the surface 162B opposite to the surface 162A with the belt portion on which the measurement object is conveyed interposed therebetween. That is, the microwave sensor 1A is disposed on the surface 162A so that the transmission signal vtA can be transmitted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the measurement object is conveyed. On the other hand, the microwave sensor 1B can transmit the transmission signal vtB in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the measurement object is conveyed and in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the transmission signal vtA of the microwave sensor 1A. Are arranged on the surface 162B.

  When the biological detection sensor of the example of FIG. 17 is made to correspond to that of the example of FIG. 15, the belt conveyor 161 of FIG. 17 corresponds to the table 151 of FIG.

  Also in the example of FIG. 17, as in the example of FIG. 16, the amplification / filter units 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B, the noise processing determination units 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B, the arithmetic units 4 </ b> A and 4 </ b> B, The noise processing units 5A and 5B, the detection determination processing unit 6, the main control unit 8, and the determination reference storage unit 9 are housed in the housing 42.

  Accordingly, also in the example of FIG. 17, the amplification / filter units 2A and 2B, the noise processing determination units 3A and 3B, the calculation units 4A and 4B, the noise processing units 5A and 5B, the detection determination processing unit 6, the main control unit 8, and When at least a part of the determination criterion storage unit 9 is configured by software, a computer that executes the software (program) is provided in the housing 42. As this computer, for example, by adopting a personal computer having a configuration shown in FIG. 18 to be described later, it is possible to reduce the size of the casing 42 itself, as in the example of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 17, the electromagnetic shield 13 is not shown, but the electromagnetic shield 13 is configured by a net or the like, and one measurement object is positioned between the measurement positions (the microwave sensors 1A and 1B). In the example of FIG. 17, when transported to the position where the measurement object 21-2 is present), the net as the electromagnetic shield 13 is covered so as to cover the microwave sensors 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B and the measurement object. That's fine. Or you may install the electromagnetic shield 13 which covers the belt conveyor 161 whole or a part previously.

  By the way, the above-described series of processes (or a part of them) can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software.

  In this case, at least a part of the biological detection device having the functional configuration of FIG. 3 or FIG. 15 (for example, the main control unit 8 as described above) is configured as a personal computer having the configuration of FIG. Can do.

  In FIG. 18, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 executes various processes according to a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 or a program loaded from a storage unit 208 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. To do. The RAM 203 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 201 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via the bus 204. An input / output interface 205 is also connected to the bus 204.

  The input / output interface 205 includes an input unit 206 composed of a keyboard and a mouse, an output unit 207 composed of a display, a storage unit 208 composed of a hard disk, and a communication unit 209 composed of a modem and a terminal adapter. It is connected. The communication unit 209 performs communication processing with other devices via a network including the Internet (not shown).

  A drive 210 is also connected to the input / output interface 205 as necessary, and a removable recording medium 211 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately mounted and read from the removable recording medium 211. The computer program is installed in the storage unit 208 as necessary.

  When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software executes various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, a general-purpose personal computer is installed from a network or a recording medium.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the recording medium including such a program is a removable recording medium (package medium) 211 distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body, that is, the program is recorded. Magnetic disk (including floppy disk), optical disk (including compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), DVD (digital versatile disk)), magneto-optical disk (including MD (mini-disk)), or In addition to the removable recording medium 211 made of a semiconductor memory or the like, the recording medium provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance, for example, the ROM 202 or the storage unit 208 in which a program is recorded. Consists of hard disks included.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order, either in parallel or individually. The process to be executed is also included.

  Further, in the present specification, the system represents the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of processing devices and processing units. In other words, the above-described biological detection device can be regarded as a system including the microwave sensor 1 and various processing devices included in the housing 41.

  The biological detection apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not only applicable as a non-destructive detection apparatus for pests in the fields of agriculture and horticulture as described above. For example, biological activities (such as activities in insect soil) It can be applied as a device in various fields such as a device used for research in the academic field of researching.

It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the frequency of the transmission signal of a microwave sensor, and the attenuation constant (alpha) of vegetable cultivation soil in moisture content 20 [%] thru | or 50 [%]. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the reception level of the received signal of a microwave sensor in the moisture content 20 [%] thru | or 50 [%], and the cylindrical model which shows the insect pest which exists in vegetable cultivation soil. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structural example of the biological detection apparatus with which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the example of an external appearance structure of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of the microwave sensor of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example different from FIG. 5 of the microwave sensor of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. When the noise processing unit of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. 3 is configured by hardware, a detailed configuration example of the noise processing unit and a functional configuration example of a part that controls the noise processing unit of the main control unit FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a noise processing method determination process executed by the noise processing unit or the like when the noise processing unit or the like of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. 3 is configured by software. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an actual waveform of a detection determination signal vm after noise processing that is output from a noise processing unit of the biological detection device of FIG. 3 when no living organism is present in the measurement target of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is an example of an actual waveform of the detection determination signal vm after noise processing output from the noise processing unit of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. 3 when no living thing is present in the measurement object of FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an actual waveform of a detection determination signal vm after noise processing output from a noise processing unit of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. 3 when a living organism is present in the measurement target of FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of the audio | voice output part of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example different from FIG. 12 of the audio | voice output part of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the measurement process which the biological detection apparatus of FIG. 3 performs. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structural example different from FIG. 3 of the biological detection apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structural example of the biological detection apparatus of FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration example of the biological detection device of FIG. 15 different from FIG. 16. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the personal computer which comprises at least one part of the biological detection apparatus with which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 1A, 1B microwave sensor, 2, 2A, 2B amplification / filter unit, 3, 3A, 3B noise processing determination unit, 4, 4A, 4B operation unit, 5, 5A, 5B noise processing unit, 6 detection determination processing Part, 7 presentation part, 8 main control part, 9 judgment reference storage part, 10 operation part, 11 rotation drive part, 12 turntable, 13 electromagnetic shield, 21 measuring object 21 organism, 31 sound output part, 32 display, 33 LED, 42 housing, 71 polarity inversion unit, 72 switching unit, 73, 74 variable gain amplification unit, 75 arithmetic unit, 76 filter unit, 81 noise processing method determination mode / biological detection determination mode switching unit, 82 noise processing method determination unit 91 output signal storage unit, 92 I signal determination unit, 93 gain determination unit, 151 units

Claims (12)

In a biological detection device that detects a living organism present in a measurement target,
A microwave is transmitted as a transmission signal to the measurement object, a reflected wave obtained as a result of reflection of the transmission signal by the organism is received as a reception signal, and based on a phase difference between the transmission signal and the reception signal A microwave transmitting / receiving means for performing quadrature detection of the received signal and outputting a first signal and a second signal obtained as a result of a phase difference of 90 degrees;
Generating a third signal whose phase is shifted by 180 degrees with respect to the first signal of the first signal and the second signal output from the microwave transmitting / receiving means; A fourth signal that is a difference signal between the signal and the second signal is generated; a fifth signal that is a difference signal between the third signal and the second signal is generated; and A signal satisfying a predetermined condition of the signal and the fifth signal is processed with respect to noise superimposed on the first signal and the second signal output from the microwave transmitting / receiving means. Noise processing means for selecting and outputting as a post-noise processing signal after being applied,
A biological detection apparatus comprising: detection means for detecting the presence of the living thing using the noise-processed signal output from the noise processing means. The biological detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition for selecting the signal after noise processing is a condition that a level of a predetermined attribute indicating a characteristic of the signal is minimum. The noise processing means is
Before outputting the fourth signal or the fifth signal selected as the noise-processed signal,
Each gain of the first signal and the second signal from which the fourth signal is generated, or each of the third signal and the second signal from which the fifth signal is generated After the gain is adjusted again, the process of regenerating the fourth signal or the fifth signal is repeated a plurality of times,
Among the plurality of regenerated fourth signals or fifth signals, the fourth signal or the fifth signal having the minimum level of the predetermined attribute is used as the noise-processed signal. The biological detection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: A plurality of the microwave transmitting and receiving means,
The noise processing means outputs each of a plurality of noise-processed signals corresponding to the first signal and the second signal output from each of the plurality of microwave transmission / reception means,
The organism detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the presence of the organism using at least one of the plurality of noise-processed signals. The biological detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a presentation unit that presents a detection result of the detection unit. The biological detection apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the presenting unit presents the detection result by displaying an image including the detection result. The biological detection apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the presenting unit presents the detection result by outputting a sound indicating the detection result. Said presentation means comprises one or more LED (Light Emitting Diode), by changing one or more on or off of the pattern of the LED, according to claim 5, characterized in that presenting said detection result Biological detection equipment. The measurement object itself or an object in which the measurement object itself is located is disposed on a surface substantially perpendicular to the predetermined axis among the surfaces of a turntable that rotates about the predetermined axis.
When the turntable is rotated and the rotation stops, the vibration level of the turntable is detected using the post-noise processing signal output from the noise processing means, and the vibration level exceeds a predetermined level. 2. The living thing according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the detection unit is prohibited during the operation, and the prohibition of the operation of the detection unit is canceled when the vibration level is equal to or lower than the predetermined level. Detection device. In a biological detection device that detects a living organism present in a measurement target,
A microwave is transmitted as a transmission signal to the measurement object, a reflected wave obtained as a result of reflection of the transmission signal by the organism is received as a reception signal, and based on a phase difference between the transmission signal and the reception signal A microwave transmitting / receiving means for performing quadrature detection of the received signal and outputting a first signal and a second signal obtained as a result of a phase difference of 90 degrees;
Noise processing means for processing the noise superimposed on the first signal and the second signal output from the microwave transmitting / receiving means and outputting the processed signal as a noise-processed signal;
Comprising detection means for detecting the presence of the organism using the noise-processed signal output from the noise processing means;
The noise processing means includes phase control means for making the phase of the first signal different by 180 degrees;
Signal switching means for selectively outputting the first signal or the signal from the phase control means;
Comprising signal calculating means for superimposing the second signal and the signal from the signal switching means;
The biological detection apparatus, wherein the signal switching means is switched so as to reduce a noise component included in a signal output from the noise processing means. The signal calculation means includes a variable gain amplification means for reducing a noise component included in the signal output from the noise control processing means by controlling the amplitude of at least one signal supplied to the signal calculation means. The biological detection apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising: A gantry for arranging the measurement object in a rotatable or movable state;
Further comprising a detecting means for detecting that the measuring object has rotated or moved by a predetermined amount,
A vibration level associated with rotation or movement of the measurement object is detected based on the noise-processed signal output from the noise processing means in response to a signal from the detection means, and the vibration level corresponding to the detected vibration level is detected. 11. The organism detection apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein detection of an organism present in the measurement target is started.

Images