JP7611071B2 - Surveillance equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a monitoring device.

Patent document 1 discloses a monitoring device for monitoring a monitored object, the monitoring device comprising a casing, an imaging unit housed inside the casing, having an imaging lens and imaging the monitored object, and a cover body that covers the imaging lens in a direction along the optical axis of the imaging lens, is detachably attached to the casing, and transmits light that can be detected by the imaging unit.

JP 2016-004248 A

In conventional surveillance devices, when dirt (such as dust) adheres to the imaging lens of the imaging unit, it is necessary to clean it, but depending on the location where the surveillance device is attached, the imaging lens can be difficult to clean. In response to this, a removable cover body can be provided on the casing to cover the imaging lens, preventing dirt from adhering to the imaging lens, and the dirty cover body can be removed and cleaned. However, if the surveillance device is used without remembering to attach the cover body to the casing after removing and cleaning it, dirt will end up adhering to the imaging lens. This specification provides technology that can prevent dirt from adhering to the imaging lens in a surveillance device.

This specification discloses a monitoring device. The monitoring device may be installed to monitor a monitored object. The monitoring device may include a casing, an imaging unit that is housed inside the casing and has an imaging lens to image the monitored object, a first cover body that covers the imaging lens in a direction along the optical axis of the imaging lens and is detachably attached to the casing and transmits light that can be detected by the imaging unit, a second cover body that is provided inside the casing and is movable between a closed position that covers the imaging lens in a direction along the optical axis of the imaging lens and an open position that does not cover the imaging lens in a direction along the optical axis of the imaging lens, and an opening/closing mechanism that moves the second cover body between the closed position and the open position. The opening/closing mechanism may be configured to automatically move the second cover body from the open position to the closed position when the first cover body is removed from the casing.

In the above monitoring device, a second cover body is provided inside the casing, and even if the first cover body is removed, the imaging lens can be covered by the second cover body instead. Furthermore, in the above monitoring device, when the first cover body is removed, the second cover body can be automatically moved from an open position that does not cover the imaging lens to a closed position that covers the imaging lens by an opening and closing mechanism (e.g., a mechanism using a spring, a motor, etc.). This configuration makes it possible to prevent the monitoring device from being used in a state in which the imaging lens is not covered by the first cover body or the second cover body, and to prevent dirt from adhering to the imaging lens.

The opening/closing mechanism may be configured to automatically move the second cover body from the closed position to the open position when the first cover body is attached to the casing.

If the surveillance device is used after removing the first cover body and forgetting to attach it to the casing, dirt may adhere to the second cover body. With the above configuration, the second cover body automatically moves from a closed position that covers the imaging lens to an open position that does not cover the imaging lens in conjunction with the attachment of the first cover body to the casing, so even if dirt adheres to the second cover body, it is possible to prevent the second cover body from affecting imaging when the surveillance device is in use.

The monitoring device may further include a first cover body attachment/detachment detection means for detecting attachment/detachment of the first cover body from the casing, and a notification means. The notification means may be configured to notify that the first cover body is not attached to the casing if the first cover body attachment/detachment detection means detects that the first cover body is not attached to the casing when the imaging unit images the monitored object.

If the monitoring device is used after removing the first cover body and forgetting to attach it to the casing, dirt may adhere to the second cover body. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the second cover body due to forgetting to attach the first cover body.

The second cover body may be less transparent to the light detectable by the imaging unit than the first cover body. The first cover body attachment/detachment detection means may be configured to determine whether the first cover body is attached or not based on an image captured by the imaging unit.

The imaging unit images the monitored object through the first cover body if the first cover body is attached, and images the monitored object through the second cover body if the first cover body is not attached. According to the above configuration, the first cover body attachment/detachment detection means can determine whether the first cover body is attached by determining whether the cover body covering the imaging lens is the first cover body or the second cover body based on the captured image (e.g., the average brightness of the image, etc.). With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the first cover body is attached without providing a special mechanism for detecting the attachment/detachment of the first cover body.

The monitoring device may further include a cleaning unit that is provided within the casing and that slides against the second cover body to clean the second cover body when the second cover body moves between the closed position and the open position.

If the monitoring device is used after removing the first cover body and forgetting to attach it to the casing, dirt may adhere to the second cover body. With the above configuration, even if dirt adheres to the second cover body, the second cover body can be cleaned by the cleaning unit when the second cover body moves between the closed position and the open position.

The monitored object may include a cooking appliance. The monitoring device may be configured to capture an image of the cooking appliance from above.

When a monitoring device is placed above a cooking appliance, the monitoring device is easily soiled by oily smoke from the cooking appliance. With the above configuration, the first cover body or the second cover body can prevent dirt such as oily smoke from the cooking appliance from adhering to the imaging lens of the monitoring device.

The monitoring device may further include a light illuminator that irradiates the monitored object with light that can be detected by the imaging unit. When the first cover body is attached to the casing, the first cover body may cover the light illuminator in a direction along the optical axis of the light illuminator.

In the above configuration, the light illuminator can ensure the amount of light necessary for the imaging unit to capture an image of the monitored object, and can prevent dirt from adhering to the light illuminator when the monitoring device is in use.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a range hood 1 and a cooking appliance 100 according to a first embodiment. This is an enlarged view of the area where the camera 3 and the lighting unit 4 are located when the range hood 1 of Example 1 is viewed from below with the first cover body 21 attached to the casing 2. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 of the vicinity of the casing 2 in a state in which a first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2 in the range hood 1 according to the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the range hood 1 of Example 1 taken along the III-III section of FIG. 2 in the vicinity of the casing 2 immediately after the slide claw portion 20b has been slid from the state shown in FIG. 4 to a position where it does not cover the slit 2b. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the range hood 1 according to the first embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 in a state in which a first cover body 21 is removed from the casing 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 of the vicinity of the casing 2 in a state in which a first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2 in the range hood 1 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram of a range hood 1 and a cooking appliance 100 according to a first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a cooking device monitoring process executed by a control unit 5 of the range hood 1 according to the first embodiment. This is an enlarged view of the area where the camera 3 and the lighting unit 4 are located when the range hood 1 of Example 2 is viewed from below with the first cover body 21 attached to the casing 2. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the range hood 1 according to the second embodiment taken along the line X-X of FIG. 9 in a state in which a first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the range hood 1 according to the second embodiment taken along the line X-X of FIG. 9 in a state in which a first cover body 21 is removed from the casing 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a cooking device monitoring process executed by a control unit 5 of a range hood 1 according to a second embodiment.

Example 1
As shown in Fig. 1, the range hood 1 according to this embodiment functions as a monitoring device for monitoring a cooking appliance 100, which is an object to be monitored. The range hood 1 includes a casing 2, a camera 3, and a lighting unit 4. The cooking appliance 100 includes a stove burner 101 and an operation unit 102.

The stove burner 101 is disposed at the top of the cooking appliance 100. Cooking can be performed on the stove burner 101 by placing cooking utensils and the like thereon. The operation unit 102 is disposed at the front of the cooking appliance 100. The operation unit 102 can perform operations related to ignition, extinguishing, and flame adjustment on the stove burner 101. Note that the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction in this embodiment all refer to the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction as seen from the cooking appliance 100. For this reason, it should be noted that the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction in this embodiment are different from the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction as seen from a user standing in front of the cooking appliance 100 and using the cooking appliance 100.

In the range hood 1, the casing 2 is provided at the bottom of the range hood 1, facing the cooking appliance 100. The casing 2 houses a camera 3 and a lighting unit 4 inside. The camera 3 is disposed in the center of the casing 2 so as to capture an image of the cooking appliance 100 from above. The lighting units 4 are disposed on both sides of the camera 3 so as to illuminate the cooking appliance 100 from above.

The camera 3 can capture images of the surroundings of the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100, and can capture images of the cooking process on the burner 101 during cooking. The lighting unit 4 can irradiate light around the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100. By irradiating light from the lighting unit 4, a sufficient amount of light can be ensured when the camera 3 images the burner 101.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 2 covers all sides except the bottom of the camera 3 and the lighting unit 4. A first cover body 21 is attached to the bottom of the casing 2 so as to cover the camera 3 and the lighting unit 4. The camera lens 3a of the camera 3 and the lighting unit 4 are each positioned so that their optical axes face downward of the range hood 1.

When the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2, the camera lens 3a and the lighting unit 4 are covered by the casing 2 and the first cover body 21, preventing dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a and the lighting unit 4. In this embodiment, the first cover body 21 transmits visible light and does not interfere with imaging by the camera 3.

3, the range hood 1 further includes an opening/closing mechanism 20, a second cover body 22, and a cleaner 23. The casing 2 has a slit 2a on the rear surface through which the second cover body 22 can pass, and a slit 2b on the front surface through which the first cover body 21 can pass. The second cover body 22 is inserted into the slit 2a from the rear. When the first cover body 21 is inserted into the slit 2b from the front, the rear end of the first cover body 21 engages with the front end of the second cover body 22. The opening/closing mechanism 20 is composed of a torsion coil spring 20a and a slide claw portion 20b. One end of the torsion coil spring 20a is fixed to the range hood 1, and the other end is fixed to the second cover body 22. The torsion coil spring 20a biases the second cover body 22 in a direction that pushes the second cover body 22 from the rear toward the front. When the first cover body 21 is pushed from the front to the rear in a state where the rear end of the first cover body 21 is engaged with the front end of the second cover body 22, the second cover body 22 is also pushed from the front to the rear against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20a. The slide claw portion 20b is slidably attached to the outside of the front surface of the casing 2. As shown in FIG. 3, when the slide claw portion 20b is slid to a position where the slide claw portion 20b covers the slit 2b in a state where the first cover body 21 is inserted into the slit 2b up to the front end, the slide claw portion 20b abuts against the front end of the first cover body 21. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2, and the second cover body 22 is held in a position (open position) where it does not cover the camera lens 3a in the direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a. The cleaner 23 is arranged to abut against the lower surface of the second cover body 22 in the rear vicinity of the slit 2a. When the second cover body 22 moves in the front-rear direction, the underside of the second cover body 22 moves while sliding against the cleaner 23, allowing the cleaner 23 to clean the underside of the second cover body 22.

In the state shown in FIG. 3, the first cover body 21 that transmits visible light covers the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a. This makes it possible to capture images using the camera 3 while preventing dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a. Also, in the state shown in FIG. 3, the first cover body 21 that transmits visible light covers the illumination unit 4 in a direction along the optical axis of the illumination unit 4. This makes it possible to provide illumination using the illumination unit 4 while preventing dirt from adhering to the illumination unit 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the slide claw portion 20b is slid from the state shown in FIG. 3 to a position where it does not cover the slit 2b, the second cover body 22 and the first cover body 21 are pushed forward by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20a. Even in the state shown in FIG. 4, the first cover body 21 and the second cover body 22 move forward in an engaged state, so that the camera lens 3a is covered in the direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a by the first cover body 21 and the second cover body 22, and the illumination unit 4 is covered in the direction along the optical axis of the illumination unit 4, preventing dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a and the illumination unit 4. At this time, the second cover body 22 moves forward, so the underside of the second cover body 22 is cleaned by the cleaner 23.

The second cover body 22 has a stopper portion 22a that is wider than the slit 2a. Therefore, when the second cover body 22 and the first cover body 21 are further pushed forward from the state shown in FIG. 4, the first cover body 21 comes completely out of the slit 2b, and the stopper portion 22a of the second cover body 22 abuts against the rear surface of the casing 2, as shown in FIG. 5. In the state shown in FIG. 5, the first cover body 21 is removed from the casing 2, and the second cover body 22 is held in a position (closed position) that covers the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a. Also, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the second cover body 22 covers the illumination unit 4 in a direction along the optical axis of the illumination unit 4.

In this embodiment, the second cover body 22 transmits visible light, but transmits less visible light than the first cover body 21. Therefore, when the second cover body 22 is in the closed position, the camera 3 captures an image of the outside (such as the cooking appliance 100) through the second cover body 22. In this case, the average brightness of the image captured by the camera 3 is lower than when the image is captured through the first cover body 21. Note that even in the state shown in FIG. 5, the second cover body 22 prevents dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a and the lighting unit 4.

When attaching the first cover body 21 from the state shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 4, the first cover body 21 is inserted from the front of the slit 2b, and with the rear end of the first cover body 21 engaged with the front end of the second cover body 22, the first cover body 21 is pushed from the front to the rear. At this time, the second cover body 22 moves rearward, so that the underside of the second cover body 22 is cleaned by the cleaner 23.

From the state shown in FIG. 4, the first cover body 21 is further pushed from the front to the rear, and with the first cover body 21 inserted into the slit 2b up to its front end as shown in FIG. 3, the slide claw portion 20b is slid to a position where it covers the slit 2b, thereby attaching the first cover body 21 to the casing 2 and holding the second cover body 22 in the closed position.

The opening/closing mechanism 20 does not have to be composed of the torsion coil spring 20a and the sliding claw portion 20b, and may be composed of only the sliding claw portion 20b, for example, as shown in FIG. 6. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the optical axis of the camera lens 3a of the camera 3 faces rearward and downward, and the opening of the casing 2 is arranged tilted downward. In this case, when the first cover body 21 is removed, the second cover body 22 moves from the open position to the closed position due to its own weight.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cooking device 100 further includes a control unit 103, a notification unit 104, and a communication unit 105.

The control unit 103 is an electronic circuit unit composed of a CPU, memory, interface circuit, etc. (not shown). The control unit 103 can control the operation of the stove burner 101, the operation unit 102, the notification unit 104, and the communication unit 105. The control unit 103 executes various processes for operating the cooking device 100 according to various programs stored in the memory.

The notification unit 104 can display information about the operating state of the cooking device 100 and about warnings of dangers, etc. In particular, in this embodiment, the user can be notified of dangers and cautions by voice.

The communication unit 105 can communicate with the communication unit 8, which will be described later, by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The range hood 1 further includes a control unit 5, an image processing unit 6, an alarm unit 7, and a communication unit 8.

The control unit 5 is an electronic circuit unit composed of a CPU, memory, interface circuit, etc. (not shown). The control unit 5 can control the operation of the camera 3, the lighting unit 4, the image processing unit 6, the notification unit 7, and the communication unit 8. The control unit 5 executes various processes for operating the range hood 1 according to various programs stored in the memory. In particular, in this embodiment, the control unit 5 can execute the cooking appliance monitoring process described below.

The image processing unit 6 can perform image processing based on the image captured by the camera 3. In particular, in this embodiment, the image processing unit 6 can extract the average luminance value of the image data captured by the camera 3.

The notification unit 7 can display information about the operating state of the range hood 1 and about warnings of dangers, etc. In particular, in this embodiment, the notification unit 7 can notify the user of dangers and cautions by sound.

The communication unit 8 can communicate with the communication unit 105 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

The control unit 5 of the range hood 1 executes the cooking device monitoring process shown in FIG. 8.

In step 150, the control unit 5 determines whether or not information that an operation to turn on the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100 has been received by the communication unit 8. If step 150 is negative, step 150 is repeated. Here, the state in which step 150 is being repeated is regarded as the standby state of the range hood 1. If step 150 is positive, the process proceeds to step 151. Note that, as in this embodiment, in step 150, the control unit 5 may determine whether or not information that an operation to turn on the power to the cooking appliance 100 has been received by the communication unit 8, rather than determining whether or not information that an operation to turn on the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100 has been received by the communication unit 8.

In step 151, the control unit 5 turns on the lighting unit 4. The lighting unit 4 irradiates light around the stove burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100, thereby ensuring a sufficient amount of light when the camera 3 captures an image of the stove burner 101.

In step 152, the control unit 5 determines whether the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2. In this embodiment, the control unit 5 extracts the average brightness of the image based on the image captured by the camera 3 in the image processing unit 6, and determines that the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2 if the average brightness is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, and determines that the first cover body 21 is not attached to the casing 2 if the average brightness is less than the threshold value. Note that when the first cover body 21 is removed, the direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a is covered by the second cover body 22, which is less transparent to visible light, so the above threshold value is set to a value higher than the average brightness of the image captured when the second cover body 22 covers the camera lens 3a in the direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a.

If the determination in step 152 is negative, the process proceeds to step 153. In step 153, the control unit 5 causes the notification unit 7 to play a sound to inform the user that the camera 3 has been disabled. This makes it possible to make the user aware that the first cover body 21 has been left attached. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the second cover body 22 from becoming dirty when the cooking appliance 100 is used with the second cover body 22 covering the camera lens 3a. After step 153, the process returns to step 152.

If the determination in step 152 is positive, the process proceeds to step 154. In step 154, the control unit 5 causes the notification unit 7 to play back a sound indicating that the camera 3 is enabled. Note that the control unit 5 does not have to cause the notification unit 7 to play back a sound indicating that the camera 3 is enabled. In other words, the control unit 5 may omit step 154.

Then, the process proceeds to step 155, where the control unit 5 executes the main process. The main process here refers to a process related to monitoring the cooking appliance 100 using the image data captured by the camera 3, such as detecting the size of the cooking container, detecting the intrusion of an object, and instructing the cooking appliance 100 to adjust the heat depending on the monitoring results. Note that in the main process, the control unit 5 also constantly determines whether the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2, as in step 152, and if this determination is negative, executes a process of having the notification unit 7 play a sound to the effect that the camera 3 is disabled, as in step 153.

In the next step 156, the control unit 5 determines whether or not information that an operation to turn off the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100 has been received by the communication unit 8. If step 156 is negative, the process returns to the main process of step 155. If step 156 is positive, the process proceeds to step 157. In step 157, the control unit 5 turns off the lighting unit 4. Then, the process proceeds to step 150 and enters a standby state. Note that, as in this embodiment, in step 156, the control unit 5 may determine whether or not information that an operation to turn off the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100 has been received by the communication unit 8 has been received, rather than whether or not information that an operation to cut off the power supply to the cooking appliance 100 has been received by the communication unit 8.

Example 2
The range hood 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration substantially similar to that of the range hood 1 according to Example 1. Below, the range hood 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the range hood 1 according to Example 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the range hood 1 of this embodiment is further provided with a motor 24 inside the right side of the casing 2. The second cover body 22 is moved to the open position and the closed position by driving the motor 24. Also, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the range hood 1 of this embodiment is further provided with a microswitch 25 inside the front of the casing 2. The microswitch 25 is ON when the first cover body 21 is attached, and is OFF when the first cover body 21 is removed. The motor 24 and the microswitch 25 are each electrically connected to the control unit 5 (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the control unit 5 and the motor 24 constitute the opening and closing mechanism 20.

As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the outer surface of the second cover body 22 is a cylindrical surface, and the motor 24 is arranged so that the central axis of this cylindrical surface coincides with the rotation axis of the motor 24. The motor 24 rotates the second cover body 22 around the central axis of the cylindrical surface of the second cover body 22. The cleaner 23 is arranged inside the rear of the casing 2 so as to abut against the outer surface of the second cover body 22. When the second cover body 22 rotates and moves, the outer surface of the second cover body 22 moves while sliding against the cleaner 23, so that the cleaner 23 can clean the outer surface of the second cover body 22.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2, the microswitch 25 is ON and the second cover body 22 is in the open position. At this time, the first cover body 21, which transmits visible light, covers the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a, making it possible to capture images with the camera 3 while preventing dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a. Also, in the state shown in FIG. 10, the first cover body 21, which transmits visible light, covers the illumination unit 4 in a direction along the optical axis of the illumination unit 4, making it possible to provide illumination by the illumination unit 4 while preventing dirt from adhering to the illumination unit 4.

When the first cover body 21 is removed from the casing 2 from the state shown in FIG. 10 and the microswitch 25 is turned OFF, the control unit 5 (see FIG. 7) drives the motor 24 to move the second cover body 22 from the open position to the closed position, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 11. At this time, the second cover body 22 covers the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a, preventing dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a. Furthermore, by driving the motor 24, the second cover body 22 moves to the closed position while always sliding against the cleaner 23, so that the outer surface of the second cover body 22 is cleaned by the cleaner 23.

When the first cover body 21 is attached from the state shown in FIG. 11 and the microswitch 25 is turned ON, the control unit 5 (see FIG. 7) drives the motor 24 to move the second cover body 22 from the closed position to the open position, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 10. At this time, the first cover body 21 covers the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a, preventing dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a. Furthermore, by driving the motor 24, the second cover body 22 moves to the open position while always sliding against the cleaner 23, so that the outer surface of the second cover body 22 is cleaned by the cleaner 23.

In this embodiment, the control unit 5 of the range hood 1 executes the cooking device monitoring process shown in FIG. 12.

In step 150, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the communication unit 8 has received information that the operation to turn on the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100 has been performed. If step 150 is negative, step 150 is repeated. Here, the state in which step 150 is repeated is regarded as the standby state of the range hood 1. If step 150 is positive, the process proceeds to step 151. In step 151, the control unit 5 turns on the lighting unit 4. Note that, as in this embodiment, in step 150, the control unit 5 may determine whether or not the communication unit 8 has received information that the operation to turn on the cooking appliance 100 has been performed, rather than determining whether or not the communication unit 8 has received information that the operation to turn on the cooking appliance 100 has been performed.

In step 152, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2. In this embodiment, when the microswitch 25 is ON, the control unit 5 determines that the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2, and when the microswitch 25 is OFF, the control unit 5 determines that the first cover body 21 is not attached to the casing 2.

If the determination in step 152 is negative, the process proceeds to step 160. In step 160, if the second cover body 22 is in the open position, the control unit 5 drives the motor 24 to move the second cover body 22 to the closed position. Then, in step 153, the control unit 5 causes the notification unit 7 to play a sound to the effect that the camera 3 has been disabled. This makes it possible to make the user aware that the first cover body 21 has been left attached. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the second cover body 22 from becoming dirty when the cooking appliance 100 is used with the second cover body 22 covering the camera lens 3a. After step 153, the process returns to step 152.

If the determination in step 152 is positive, the process proceeds to step 161. In step 161, if the second cover body 22 is in the closed position, the control unit 5 drives the motor 24 to move the second cover body 22 to the open position. Then, in step 154, the control unit 5 causes the notification unit 7 to play a sound indicating that the camera 3 is enabled. Note that the control unit 5 does not need to cause the notification unit 7 to play a sound indicating that the camera 3 is enabled. In other words, the control unit 5 may omit step 154.

Then, the process proceeds to step 155, where the control unit 5 executes the main process. The main process here refers to a process related to monitoring the cooking appliance 100 using the image data captured by the camera 3, such as detecting the size of the cooking container, detecting the intrusion of an object, and instructing the cooking appliance 100 to adjust the heat depending on the monitoring results. In the main process, the control unit 5 also constantly determines whether the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2, as in step 152, and if this determination is negative, drives the motor 24 to move the second cover body 22 to the closed position, as in step S160, and executes a process of playing a sound by the notification unit 7 to the effect that the camera 3 is disabled, as in step S153.

In the next step 156, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the communication unit 8 has received information that an operation to turn off the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100 has been performed. If step 156 is negative, the process returns to the main process of step 155. If step 156 is positive, the process proceeds to step 157. In step 157, the control unit 5 turns off the lighting unit 4. Then, the process proceeds to step 150 and goes into a standby state. Note that, as in this embodiment, in step 156, the control unit 5 may determine whether or not the communication unit 8 has received information that an operation to cut off the power supply to the cooking appliance 100 has been performed, rather than determining whether or not the communication unit 8 has received information that an operation to turn off the burner 101 of the cooking appliance 100 has been performed.

(Modification)
The monitoring device is not limited to the range hood 1, and may be one that monitors an object to be monitored other than the cooking appliance 100, such as a person.

The cooking device 100 is not limited to one equipped with a stove burner 101, but may be an induction cooking device equipped with an induction heating coil, an electric cooking device, an oven, or other cooking device.

The camera 3 is not limited to one that detects and captures visible light, but may be one that detects and captures other detectable light, for example, an infrared camera.

The image processing unit 6 is not limited to extracting the average brightness of the image, but may be capable of performing general processing related to the image data captured by the camera 3.

The control unit 5 may extract information other than the average brightness of the image in the image processing unit 6 based on the data captured by the camera 3, and may determine whether or not the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2 based on the information other than the average brightness of the image extracted by the image processing unit 6.

The notification unit 7 is not limited to sound, but may be a buzzer sound, or may have a display unit and notify by display.

The first cover body 21 is not limited to one that transmits visible light, and can be modified as appropriate as long as it transmits light that can be detected by the camera 3.

The second cover body 22 may completely block visible light, or may be transparent enough that the camera 3 cannot capture images of the outside.

The range hood 1 does not have to be equipped with a cleaner 23.

As described above, in one or more embodiments, the range hood 1 is installed to monitor the cooking appliance 100. The range hood 1 includes a casing 2, a camera 3 that is housed inside the casing 2 and has a camera lens 3a for capturing an image of the cooking appliance 100, a first cover body 21 that covers the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a and is detachably attached to the casing 2 and transmits visible light that can be detected by the camera 3, a second cover body 22 that is provided inside the casing 2 and is movable between a closed position that covers the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a and an open position that does not cover the camera lens 3a in a direction along the optical axis of the camera lens 3a, and an opening/closing mechanism 20 that moves the second cover body 22 between the closed position and the open position. The opening/closing mechanism 20 is configured to automatically move the second cover body 22 from the open position to the closed position when the first cover body 21 is removed from the casing 2.

In the above-mentioned range hood 1, the second cover body 22 is provided in the casing 2, and even if the first cover body 21 is removed, the second cover body 22 can cover the camera lens 3a instead. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned range hood 1, when the first cover body 21 is removed, the opening/closing mechanism 20 can automatically move the second cover body 22 from an open position that does not cover the camera lens 3a to a closed position that covers the camera lens 3a. This configuration can prevent the range hood 1 from being used in a state in which the camera lens 3a is not covered by the first cover body 21 or the second cover body 22, and can prevent dirt from adhering to the camera lens 3a.

In one or more embodiments, the opening/closing mechanism 20 is configured to automatically move the second cover body 22 from the closed position to the open position when the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2.

In the above configuration, the second cover body 22 automatically moves from a closed position covering the camera lens 3a to an open position not covering the camera lens 3a in conjunction with the attachment of the first cover body 21 to the casing 2, preventing the second cover body 22 from affecting image capture when the range hood 1 is in use.

In one or more embodiments, the range hood 1 further includes a control unit 5 and an image processing unit 6 (or a microswitch 25) that detect the attachment or detachment of the first cover body 21 to the casing 2, and an alarm unit 7. The alarm unit 7 is configured to notify that the first cover body 21 is not attached to the casing 2 if the control unit 5 and the image processing unit 6 (or the microswitch 25) detect that the first cover body 21 is not attached to the casing 2 when the camera 3 captures an image of the cooking appliance 100.

If the range hood 1 is used after removing the first cover body 21 and forgetting to attach it to the casing 2, dirt may adhere to the second cover body 22. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the second cover body 22 due to forgetting to attach the first cover body 21.

In one or more embodiments, the second cover body 22 is less transparent to visible light detectable by the camera 3 than the first cover body 21. The control unit 5 and the image processing unit 6 are configured to determine whether or not the first cover body 21 is attached based on the image captured by the camera 3.

The camera 3 captures an image of the cooking appliance 100 through the first cover body 21 if the first cover body 21 is attached, and captures an image of the cooking appliance 100 through the second cover body 22 if the first cover body 21 is not attached. With the above configuration, the control unit 5 and the image processing unit 6 can determine whether the cover body covering the camera lens 3a is the first cover body 21 or the second cover body 22 based on the average brightness of the captured image, thereby determining whether the first cover body 21 is attached. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the first cover body 21 is attached without providing a special mechanism for detecting the attachment or detachment of the first cover body 21.

In one or more embodiments, the range hood 1 further includes a cleaner 23 that is provided within the casing 2 and that slides against the second cover body 22 to clean the second cover body 22 as the second cover body 22 moves between the closed position and the open position.

If the range hood 1 is used after removing the first cover body 21 and forgetting to attach it to the casing 2, dirt may adhere to the second cover body 22. With the above configuration, even if dirt adheres to the second cover body 22, the second cover body 22 can be cleaned by the cleaner 23 when the second cover body 22 moves between the closed position and the open position.

In one or more embodiments, the monitored object is a cooking appliance 100. The range hood 1 is configured to capture an image of the cooking appliance 100 from above.

When the monitoring device is placed above the cooking appliance 100, the range hood 1 is likely to become dirty due to the oily smoke from the cooking appliance 100. With the above configuration, the first cover body 21 or the second cover body 22 can prevent dirt such as oily smoke from the cooking appliance 100 from adhering to the camera lens 3a of the range hood 1.

In one or more embodiments, the range hood 1 further includes an illumination unit 4 that irradiates the cooking appliance 100 with visible light that can be detected by the camera 3. When the first cover body 21 is attached to the casing 2, it covers the illumination unit 4 in a direction along the optical axis of the illumination unit 4.

In the above configuration, the lighting unit 4 can ensure the amount of light required for the camera 3 to capture an image of the cooking appliance 100, and can also prevent dirt from adhering to the lighting unit 4 when the range hood 1 is in use.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, they are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings are technically useful either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

1: Range hood 2: Casing 2a, 2b: Slit 3: Camera 3a: Camera lens 4: Illumination unit 5: Control unit 6: Image processing unit 7: Notification unit 8: Communication unit 20: Opening/closing mechanism 20a: Torsion coil spring 20b: Slide claw unit 21: First cover body 22: Second cover body 22a: Stopper unit 23: Cleaner 24: Motor 25: Microswitch 100: Cooking device 101: Stove burner 102: Operation unit 103: Control unit 104: Notification unit 105: Communication unit

Claims (7)

A monitoring device installed to monitor a monitored object,
A casing;
an imaging unit that is housed inside the casing and has an imaging lens and captures an image of the monitored object;
a first cover body that covers the imaging lens in a direction along an optical axis of the imaging lens, is detachably attached to the casing, and transmits light that can be detected by the imaging unit;
a second cover body provided within the casing and movable between a closed position in which the second cover body covers the imaging lens in a direction along the optical axis of the imaging lens and an open position in which the second cover body does not cover the imaging lens in a direction along the optical axis of the imaging lens;
A monitoring device including an opening/closing mechanism that moves the second cover body between the closed position and the open position,
A monitoring device, wherein the opening/closing mechanism is configured to automatically move the second cover body from the open position to the closed position when the first cover body is removed from the casing. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing mechanism is configured to automatically move the second cover body from the closed position to the open position when the first cover body is attached to the casing. a first cover body attachment/detachment detection means for detecting attachment/detachment of the first cover body from the casing;
and a notification means,
The monitoring device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification means is configured to notify that the first cover body is not attached to the casing when the first cover body attachment/detachment detection means detects that the first cover body is not attached to the casing when the imaging unit images the monitored object. the second cover body is less likely to transmit the light detectable by the imaging unit than the first cover body;
4. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the first cover attachment/detachment detection means is configured to determine whether or not the first cover is attached based on the image captured by the imaging section. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cleaning unit provided within the casing, which comes into sliding contact with the second cover body to clean the second cover body when the second cover body moves between the closed position and the open position. The monitored object includes a cooking appliance,
The monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device is configured to capture an image of the cooking appliance from above. The monitoring device further includes a light irradiator that irradiates the object to be monitored with the light that can be detected by the imaging unit,
The monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the first cover body, when attached to the casing, covers the light irradiator in a direction along an optical axis of the light irradiator.

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