JP7206057B2 - Water discharge control device and water discharge control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water discharge control device and a water discharge control system .

With the recent development of action recognition technology that recognizes the intention of the action from the human action, the faucet is automatically controlled appropriately based on the human intention without the human being operating the faucet. System development is expected.
For example, a technique is disclosed in which a camera is installed at the tip of a water discharge pipe, a human hand washing action is determined from an image captured by the camera, and appropriate hand washing action is encouraged according to the situation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
In addition, the degree of contamination of the washing object put out to the tip of the faucet is detected from an image taken by a camera installed on the faucet so that the surroundings of the faucet are imaged, and depending on the detected degree of contamination, Techniques for controlling the flow rate and water pressure of water to be discharged, and the form of water discharge (such as straight water discharge or shower water discharge) have been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 5884554 JP 2015-148107 A

However, in order to provide the camera and the sensor at the tip of the water discharge pipe, etc., it is necessary to incorporate the camera and the sensor circuit into the faucet fitting including the water discharge port. In this case, a space for arranging the camera and the sensor circuit must be secured, which sometimes restricts the design of the faucet fitting.
Furthermore, in the case of using the conventional technique as described above, a camera, a sensor, or the like must be provided at the tip of the water discharge pipe or at the faucet. Therefore, when the water discharge pipe is splashed with water, water droplets may adhere to the lens of the camera or the sensor window. In addition, when the object to be washed is washed, there is a possibility that dirt such as splashes of the cleaning liquid from the object to be washed adheres to the camera lens or the sensor window. An image captured by a camera with a dirty lens becomes an unclear image, and if an attempt is made to determine whether the user is washing hands or the like based on the unclear image, the determination may be inaccurate. Also, if the sensor window becomes dirty, there is a possibility that the object to be detected is erroneously detected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water discharge control device capable of controlling water discharge according to detection results without incorporating a camera or sensor circuit into the faucet fitting. and to provide a water discharge control system .

In order to solve the above-described problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a visual symbol corresponding to a spouting operation, which is drawn by non-electronic means, based on image information of an image in which an imaging target area is captured. a graphic detection unit for detecting whether or not a visual symbol is present in the image based on information indicating luminance or color in the image information; and based on the image information and a detection result detected by the graphic detection unit. a coordinate extraction unit for extracting position coordinates indicating a display position of the visual symbol in the image; a target object detection unit for detecting a position of a target object to be detected in the image based on the image information; A water discharge control device, comprising: a control unit for controlling water discharge based on the display position of the visual symbol extracted by the coordinate extraction unit and the position of the target object detected by the target object detection unit. be.

Further, one embodiment of the present invention is the water discharge control device described above, and when the coordinate extraction unit detects the display position of the visual symbol , the control unit stores the display position of the visual symbol as position information. When the display position of the visual symbol is not detected by the coordinate extraction unit, the display position of the display unit stored in the position information storage unit is used to control water spouting.

Moreover, one embodiment of the present invention is the above-described water discharge control device, wherein the visual symbol can change the display position.

Further, one embodiment of the present invention is the water discharge control device described above, wherein the control unit controls the water discharge state including at least one of the type of water to be discharged and the form of water to be discharged.

Further, one embodiment of the present invention is a water discharge control system comprising: an imaging device that captures an image of an imaging target area; and the water discharge control device described above that acquires image information of the image captured by the imaging device. .

Also, one embodiment of the present invention is the water discharge control device described above, wherein the visual symbol is any one of a sticker, sticker, card, handwritten image, and photograph .

As described above, according to the present invention, water spouting can be controlled according to detection results without incorporating a camera or sensor circuit into the faucet fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the water discharge control system 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a graphic 401 according to the first embodiment; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the water discharge control system 1A which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of operation of water discharge control device 20A concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of operation of water discharge control device 20A concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of operation of water discharge control device 20A concerning a 2nd embodiment.

Hereinafter, a water discharge control system and a water discharge control device according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
First, the first embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a water discharge control system 1 according to the first embodiment. The water discharge control system 1 controls water discharge and water stop based on the image of the imaging target area 40 that is the area including the graphic 401 . A graphic 401 is, for example, a visual symbol (pictogram) corresponding to the operation of the water discharge state. Here, the figure 401 is an example of the "display section".

As shown in FIG. 1, a graphic 401 is, for example, an image showing a pictogram of a cup filled with water. A pictogram of a cup filled with water corresponds to, for example, a spouting state operation of spouting purified water.

A figure 401 is not an electronic component incorporating a touch sensor or an electronic circuit, but a member on which a visual symbol (pictogram) is drawn, such as a sticker, seal, card, or the like. In addition, although FIG. 1 illustrates the case where there is one figure 401 , there may be a plurality of figures 401 . The graphic 401 may be provided at any location suitable for manipulating the water discharge state, such as the wall or outer periphery of the sink, and the display position (hereinafter also simply referred to as “position”) is not fixed and can be changed according to the situation. The position may be changed accordingly. For example, when a small child uses a faucet, the graphic may be moved to a lower position.

The water discharge state is a state related to the water to be discharged, and includes the type of water to be discharged, the form of water to be discharged, and the water pressure, flow rate, temperature, and the like of the water to be discharged. Types of water to be spouted include, for example, raw water, purified water, and hot water. Forms of water to be discharged include, for example, straight water discharge and shower water discharge. In the following description, a case where the water discharge control system 1 controls water discharge and water stop will be described as an example. The type of water to be spouted may include so-called functional water such as purified hot water, carbonated water, sterilized water, and alkaline ionized water. In addition, the spouting state may include the temperature, water pressure, and amount of spouted water.

The water discharge control system 1 includes, for example, an imaging device 10 and a water discharge control device 20 . The water discharge control device 20 is connected to a solenoid valve 30 that starts or ends the water discharge of the water discharge pipe. The water discharge control system 1 controls water discharge and water stop of the water discharge pipe by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 30 .

The imaging device 10 is provided in a place where water is used, such as a kitchen, for example, and images an imaging target region 40 at predetermined time intervals. Here, the image of the imaging target region 40 captured by the imaging device 10 is an example of the "area image". The imaging device 10 images, for example, an area wider than the sink (for example, an area including the sink and the stove). The imaging device 10 is provided, for example, on the ceiling of a kitchen or on the outer surface of the bottom plate of a wall cabinet. When installed on the ceiling, a bulb-type camera that can be attached to lighting wiring fixtures can be used. In this case, the imaging device 10 operates with power supplied from the lighting wiring fixture. Moreover, in this case, the imaging device 10 is provided above the discharge pipe. In this case, the imaging device 10 is installed, for example, so that the area viewed from the upper side of the discharge pipe to the lower side becomes the imaging area. That is, the imaging device 10 captures an image of a region including the discharge pipe from a bird's-eye view of the discharge pipe.

The imaging device 10 also outputs image information of the captured image to the water discharge control device 20 . The imaging device 10 outputs the image information of the imaged image to the water discharge control device 20 via wireless communication lines, such as WiFi (Wi-Fi), for example. Note that the imaging device 10 may capture a moving image or may capture a still image. Also, the imaging device 10 may capture a color image or may capture a black-and-white image.

The water discharge control device 20 includes, for example, a target object detection unit 200, a graphic detection unit 201, a coordinate extraction unit 202, a coordinate extraction unit 203, and a coincidence detection unit 204. Here, the target object detection unit 200 and the coordinate extraction unit 202 are examples of the "target object detection unit". Also, the graphic detection unit 201 and the coordinate extraction unit 203 are examples of the "display detection unit". Also, the matching detection unit 204 is an example of a “control unit”.

The target object detection unit 200 detects whether or not the target object 400 is present in the image based on the image of the imaging target region 40 captured by the imaging device 10 . The target object 400 here is an object to be detected by the target object detection unit 200 , and is an object for manipulating the figure 401 . The target object is, for example, the part of a human hand that presses, touches, or points to the figure 401 .

The target object detection unit 200 extracts various objects captured in the image by performing edge detection, for example. The target object detection unit 200 performs edge detection, for example, based on the luminance difference in the image data. Specifically, the graphic detection unit 201 applies various rectangular frames (cells) to the image, and if there is a smaller luminance difference on the outer periphery of the frame than on the inside of the frame, an object is detected within the frame. The object is extracted from the image by determining that it exists and extracting its frame.

The target object detection unit 200 selects a portion of the target object 400 from the objects extracted from the image. For example, the target object detection unit 200 pre-stores images showing the shapes of various body parts such as hands, fingers, elbows, etc. back. The target object detection unit 200 scales the stored image of the hand and the image of the object extracted from the image captured by the imaging device 10 to the same size, and then compares the pixels of both images. do. The target object detection unit 200 determines that the object extracted from the images is the image of the target object 400 when both compared images satisfy a predetermined similarity condition. The predetermined similarity condition here is, for example, the case where the ratio of pixels in which the difference in color between pixels in both images is less than a predetermined threshold is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. The target object detection unit 200 outputs detection results to the coordinate extraction unit 202 .

The graphic detection unit 201 detects whether or not the graphic 401 is present in the image based on the image of the imaging target region 40 captured by the imaging device 10 .

The graphic detection unit 201 extracts various objects captured in the image by performing edge detection, for example. Then, the graphic detection unit 201 selects a graphic 401 from the objects extracted from the image. The graphic detection unit 201 stores, for example, a predetermined graphic 401 in advance in a graphic storage unit (not shown). The graphic detection unit 201 compares the stored graphic 401 with the image of the object extracted from the image captured by the imaging device 10, and detects the object extracted from the image when both images satisfy a predetermined similarity condition. is the figure 401 . The graphic detection unit 201 outputs detection results to the coordinate extraction unit 203 .

The coordinate extraction unit 202 extracts position coordinates indicating the position of the target object 400 based on the image captured by the imaging device 10 and the detection result output by the target object detection unit 200 . The position coordinates here may be a coordinate value (representative value) indicating a position near the center of the target object 400 , or may be a coordinate group indicating the outer periphery of the target object 400 . The coordinate extraction unit 202 outputs the position coordinates of the target object 400 in the extracted image to the coincidence detection unit 204 .

The coordinate extraction unit 203 extracts position coordinates indicating the position of the figure 401 in the image based on the image captured by the imaging device 10 and the detection result output by the figure detection unit 201 . The coordinate extraction unit 202 outputs the position coordinates of the figure 401 in the extracted image to the coincidence detection unit 204 .

The match detection unit 204 detects whether the position coordinates of the target object 400 extracted by the coordinate extraction unit 202 and the position coordinates of the figure 401 extracted by the coordinate extraction unit 203 match. For example, when the distance between the position coordinates of the target object 400 and the position coordinates of the graphic 401 is less than a predetermined threshold, the match detection unit 204 determines that the two position coordinates match. The predetermined threshold here may be arbitrarily set according to the position where the graphic 401 is installed.

Further, when the coincidence detection unit 204 determines that the position coordinates of the target object 400 and the position coordinates of the graphic match, it determines that an operation to open (or close) the electromagnetic valve 30 has been performed, and notifies that fact. The control information shown is output to the solenoid valve 30 .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a graphic 401 according to the first embodiment. Here, a graphic 401 used in the water discharge control system 1 (1A) will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2(a) is a graphic 401a corresponding to the operation of discharging raw water. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram 401b corresponding to the operations of showering raw water, straight raw water, and purified water, and water temperature adjustment. FIG. 2(c) is a graphic 401c corresponding to each of the raw water spouting operation and the purified water spouting operation. FIG. 2(d) is a push-button switch type graphic 401d corresponding to each of the raw water spouting operation and the clean water spouting operation. In addition, the "+ (plus)" symbol in the figures of FIGS. 3(a) to (d) corresponds to the operation of increasing the water temperature, and the "- (minus)" symbol corresponds to the operation of decreasing the water temperature.

As shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), the graphics 401 (graphics 401a to 401d) may be images corresponding to individual operation contents, or a comprehensive operation combining a plurality of operations. It may be an image associated with the content. That is, the graphic 401 may be arbitrarily provided according to the operable water discharge state in the water discharge pipe. Also, the graphic 401 may be arbitrarily selected according to the preferences and circumstances of the operator. For example, when a small child or an elderly person operates, the graphic 401 having a color or shape that is easily recognized by the eyes of a child or an elderly person may be used. In the figure 401, which is assumed to be operated by children and elderly people, the temperature of the hot water to be discharged is prevented from becoming too high, and the water pressure to be discharged is prevented from becoming too high. It is also possible to perform control suitable for the situation of the person who does it.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, the graphic 401 may include those having textures and shapes that allow the human hand to easily recognize the feeling of operation. By using such a graphic 401, it is possible to make the motion of operating the water discharge state feel more natural.

If a figure 401 as shown in FIG. 2 is to be realized by electronic parts incorporating a touch sensor and an electronic circuit, it is necessary to provide the electronic parts on the sink side. It is difficult to change the position of 401.
In the water discharge control system 1 of the present embodiment, the graphic 401 can be provided at any place within the range of the imaging target region 40, and the installation position of the graphic 401 can be freely changed. . Therefore, it is possible to customize so that the operation is easy according to the situation of the person who operates it.

Note that the graphic 401 is not limited to the example in FIG. 2, and may be arbitrarily selected by the operator. For example, the graphic 401 may be an image handwritten by an operating person, or may be an image of the operating person's family such as children, or a favorite photo. In this case, the graphic detection unit 201 causes the graphic storage unit (not shown) to store in advance the graphic 401 selected by the operator. As a result, the graphic detection unit 201 can detect an arbitrary graphic 401 selected by an operating person.

Here, the flow of the entire operation of the water discharge control device 20 will be described.
First, the water discharge control device 20 acquires image information of the image of the imaging target region 40 captured by the imaging device 10 . The water discharge control device 20 outputs the acquired image information to the target object detection section 200 and the graphic detection section 201 .
Next, the target object detection unit 200 detects whether or not the target object 400 is included in the image. The target object detection unit 200 outputs detection results to the coordinate extraction unit 202 . The coordinate extraction unit 202 extracts the position coordinates of the target object 400 and outputs the extracted position coordinates to the coincidence detection unit 204 .
Next, the graphic detection unit 201 detects whether or not the graphic 401 is included in the image. The graphic detection unit 201 outputs detection results to the coordinate extraction unit 203 . Coordinate extraction section 203 extracts the position coordinates of figure 401 and outputs the extracted position coordinates to coincidence detection section 204 .
The coincidence detection unit 204 controls water spouting by generating control information for opening and closing the solenoid valve 30 based on the position coordinates extracted by each of the coordinate extraction units 202 and 203 .

As described above, the water discharge control device 20 according to the first embodiment converts the image information of the region image in which the imaging target region 40 including the graphic 401 corresponding to the operation of the water discharge state, which is the state related to the water to be discharged, into the image information. a figure detection unit 201 for detecting a figure 401 in an area image based on the area image, a target object detection unit 200 for detecting a target object 400 based on the area image, the position of the figure 401 detected by the figure detection unit 201, and A matching detection unit 204 is provided for controlling the water spouting state based on the position of the target object 400 detected by the target object detection unit 200 . As a result, the water discharge control device 20 of the first embodiment recognizes whether or not a water discharge state operation has been performed according to the positional relationship with the target object 400 detected based on the area image, and starts water discharge. It is possible to control water discharge to start and stop. Therefore, water discharge can be controlled without incorporating a camera or a sensor circuit into the faucet fitting.

Further, in the water discharge control device 20 of the embodiment, the installation position of the graphic 401 can be changed. As a result, the water discharge control device 20 of the embodiment can place the graphic 401 at an arbitrary position according to the operable water discharge state and the situation of the operator. Moreover, since the graphic 401 does not require electrical connection, it is extremely easy to change the installation position.
Further, in the water discharge control device 20 of the embodiment, the water discharge state indicates at least one of the type of water to be discharged and the form of water to be discharged, and the type of water to be discharged is any of raw water, purified water, and hot water. There is, and the form of water to be discharged is either straight water or shower water. Thereby, the water discharge control device 20 of the embodiment can control the type of water to be discharged and the form of water to be discharged according to the operation.
In addition, the water discharge control system 1 of the embodiment includes an imaging device 10 that captures an area image including a figure corresponding to an operation in a water discharge state, which is a state related to water to be discharged, and image information of the area image captured by the imaging device 10. and a water discharge control device 20 that acquires the As a result, the water discharge control system 1 of the embodiment can control the water discharge based on the image captured by the imaging device 10. Therefore, the water discharge control system 1 can control the water discharge without incorporating a camera or a sensor circuit into the faucet fitting. can be done.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the water discharge control system 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that the installation position of the graphic 401 is stored. In the following, points different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the configurations having the same or similar functions as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a water discharge control system 1A according to the second embodiment. A water discharge control device 20A of the water discharge control system 1A includes a selection section 205 and a position information storage section 206 . Here, the selection unit 205 is an example of a “control unit”.

When the graphic detection unit 201 detects the graphic 401, the coordinate extraction unit 203 extracts the position coordinates of the graphic 401, stores the extracted position coordinates in the position information storage unit 206, and stores information indicating the extracted position coordinates. is output to the selection unit 205 . On the other hand, when the graphic detection unit 201 does not detect the graphic 401 , the coordinate extraction unit 203 outputs information indicating that the graphic 401 is not detected to the selection unit 205 .

Based on the information output from the coordinate extraction unit 203, the selection unit 205 selects either the position coordinates of the graphic 401 extracted by the coordinate extraction unit 203 or the position coordinates of the graphic 401 stored in the position information storage unit 206. to select. Specifically, when the coordinate extraction unit 203 extracts the position coordinates of the figure 401 , that is, when the figure detection unit 201 detects the figure 401 , the selection unit 205 selects the coordinates extracted by the coordinate extraction unit 203 . Select the position coordinates of the figure 401 . On the other hand, when the coordinate extraction unit 203 outputs information indicating that the graphic 401 is not detected, the selection unit 205 selects the position coordinates of the graphic 401 stored in the position information storage unit 206 . The selection unit 205 outputs the position coordinates of the selected figure 401 to the coincidence detection unit 204 .

The position information storage unit 206 stores information indicating the position coordinates of the figure 401 output by the coordinate extraction unit 203 .

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the water discharge control device 20A according to the second embodiment. Here, the flow of the entire operation of the water discharge control device 20A will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the water discharge control device 20A acquires image information of the image of the imaging target region 40 captured by the imaging device 10 (step S100). The water discharge control device 20A outputs the acquired image information to the target object detection section 200 and the graphic detection section 201 .
Next, the graphic detection unit 201 performs processing (graphic detection processing) for detecting whether or not the graphic 401 is included in the image (step S200). The graphic detection unit 201 outputs detection results to the coordinate extraction unit 203 .
Next, the coordinate extraction unit 203 extracts the position coordinates of the figure 401 and performs a process (graphic position storage process) for storing the extracted position coordinates in the position information storage unit 206 (step S300). The coordinate extraction unit 203 outputs the extracted position coordinates of the figure 401 to the selection unit 205 . When the graphic detection unit 201 does not detect the graphic 401 , the coordinate extraction unit 203 outputs information to that effect to the selection unit 205 .
Next, the target object detection unit 200 performs processing (operation detection processing) for detecting whether or not the image includes an operation on the graphic 401 (for example, the target object 400) (step S400). The target object detection unit 200 outputs detection results to the coordinate extraction unit 202 . The coordinate extraction unit 202 extracts the position coordinates of the target object 400 based on the detection result output by the target object detection unit 200 and outputs the extracted position coordinates to the coincidence detection unit 204 .
Then, the match detection unit 204 and the selection unit 205 store the result of the processing (operation detection processing) by the target object detection unit 200 and the position coordinates of the graphic 401 extracted by the coordinate extraction unit 203 (graphic position storage). processing) and the result of the detection processing of the graphic 401 by the graphic detection unit 201, determination processing of determining the water discharge state corresponding to the operation is performed (step S500).

In the above-described flowchart, the processing for detecting the graphic 401 (graphic detection processing) is performed first, and then the operation detection processing (operation detection processing) is performed. A process for detecting an operation (operation detection process) may be performed, and then a process for detecting the graphic 401 (graphic detection process) may be performed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the water discharge control device 20A according to the second embodiment. Here, the flow of the "figure position storing process" indicated by step S300 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the coordinate extraction unit 203 determines whether or not the graphic 401 is detected in the image captured by the imaging device 10 based on the detection result output from the graphic detection unit 201 (step S301).

When determining that the graphic 401 has been detected in the image, the coordinate extraction unit 203 extracts the position coordinates (position SP) of the graphic 401 (step S302).
Then, the coordinate extraction unit 203 stores the extracted position SP in the position information storage unit 206 (step S303).
On the other hand, when the coordinate extracting unit 203 determines in the process shown in step S301 that the figure 401 is not detected in the image, it performs the process shown in step S400.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the water discharge control device 20A according to the second embodiment. Here, the flow of determination processing indicated by step S500 will be described using FIG.

First, the target object detection unit 200 determines whether or not the target object 400 is detected from the image (step S501). When the operation is detected from the image, the coordinate extraction unit 202 extracts the position TP of the object (step S502). The coordinate extraction unit 202 outputs the extracted operation position TP to the coincidence detection unit 204 .
Next, the graphic detection unit 201 determines whether or not the graphic 401 is detected from the image (step S503).

When the figure 401 is detected from the image, the coordinate extraction unit 203 extracts the position coordinates (position SP) of the figure 401, and matches the extracted position coordinates (position SP) of the figure 401 via the selection unit 205. Output to the unit 204 .

On the other hand, if the graphic 401 is not detected from the image in the process shown in step S503, the selection unit 205 refers to the position information storage unit 206 and determines whether the position coordinates of the graphic 401 are stored (step S506). ).
When the position coordinates of the figure 401 are stored, the selection unit 205 outputs the position coordinates of the figure 401 stored in the position information storage unit 206 to the coincidence detection unit 204 (step S507).

The match detection unit 204 determines whether or not the position SP of the graphic 401 and the position TP of the operation match (step S504). Specifically, the match detection unit 204 determines whether the position coordinates of the position SP of the graphic 401 are within a predetermined range from the position coordinates of the operation position TP. When the position SP of the graphic 401 and the position TP of the operation match, the coincidence detection unit 204 determines the water discharge state based on the content of the operation shown in the graphic 401 and the operation performed on the graphic 401. is controlled (step S505). Then, the water discharge control device 20A returns to the process shown in step S100.

On the other hand, if no operation is detected from the image in the process shown in step S501, if the position coordinates of the figure 401 are not stored in the process shown in step S506, and if the position SP of the figure 401 and the position of the operation are detected in the process shown in step S504 If the position with TP does not match, the water discharge control device 20A returns to the process shown in step S100.

As described above, in the water discharge control device 20A of the second embodiment, when the graphic detection unit 201 detects the graphic 401, the coincidence detection unit 204 causes the selection unit 205 to transfer the position SP of the graphic 401 to the position information. The position SP of the figure 401 stored in the storage unit 206 and stored in the position information storage unit 206 when the figure is not detected by the figure detection unit 201 is used to control the spouting state.

When a person operates the graphic 401 , it is conceivable that the target object 400 is placed so as to overlap the graphic 401 . In this case, if the target object 400 exists between the graphic 401 and the imaging device 10, the graphic 401 is hidden by the target object 400 when viewed from the imaging device 10 in the direction of the graphic 401. A situation may occur in which all or part of the graphic 401 is not captured. In such a case, since all or part of the graphic 401 does not exist in the image, the graphic detection unit 201 cannot detect the graphic 401, and it may be determined that the graphic 401 does not exist in the image. obtain. Even in such a case, the water discharge control device 20A of the second embodiment can use the position SP of the graphic 401 stored in the position information storage unit 206 to control the water discharge state.

In the above description, the graphic 401 shown in FIG. 2 has been described as an example of the graphic 401 according to the first embodiment, but the graphic 401 shown in FIG. may be
Further, in at least one of the above-described embodiments, a case in which a person touches the graphic 401 to operate to control the water discharge state has been described as an example, but it is not limited to the graphic. In the water discharge control system 1 (1A), the water discharge state may be controlled when, for example, a person touches characters or photographs other than graphics.

All or part of the processing performed by the water discharge control devices 20 and 20A in the above-described embodiments may be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. It should be noted that the "computer system" referred to here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible discs, magneto-optical discs, ROMs and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard discs incorporated in computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" means a medium that dynamically retains a program for a short period of time, like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. It may also include something that holds the program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client in that case. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above, or may be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. It may be implemented using a programmable logic device such as FPGA.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design and the like are included within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

1 Water discharge control system 10 Imaging device 20 Water discharge control device 200 Target object detection unit 201 Figure detection unit 204 Match detection unit 205 Selection unit 206 Position information storage unit 30 Solenoid valve 40 Imaging target area 400 Target object 401 Figure

Claims (6)

Based on the image information of the image in which the imaging target area is imaged, whether or not the image includes a visual symbol corresponding to the operation of spouting water and drawn by non-electronic means is determined in the image information. a graphic detection unit that detects based on information indicating luminance or color ;
a coordinate extraction unit for detecting position coordinates indicating the display position of the visual symbol in the image based on the image information and the detection result detected by the graphic detection unit;
a target object detection unit that detects the position of a target object that is a detection target in the image based on the image information;
A water discharge control device, comprising: a control unit for controlling water discharge based on the display position of the visual symbol detected by the coordinate extraction unit and the position of the target object detected by the target object detection unit. . When the coordinate extraction unit detects the display position of the visual symbol, the control unit stores the display position of the visual symbol in the position information storage unit, and the coordinate extraction unit detects the display position of the visual symbol. 2. The water discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein, if not, the display position of the visual symbol stored in the position information storage unit is used to control water discharge. The water discharge control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a display position of the visual symbol can be changed. The water discharge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls a water discharge state including at least one of a type of water to be discharged and a form of water to be discharged. an imaging device that captures an image of an imaging target area;
A water discharge control system comprising: the water discharge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which acquires image information of an image captured by the imaging device. The water discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein the visual symbol is one of a sticker, sticker, card, handwritten image, and photograph.

Images