阅读说明：本技术 用于超声波饮水机的信号识别方法、装置及处理器 (Signal identification method and device for ultrasonic water dispenser and processor ) 是由 范志恒 魏中科 全永兵 陈蔚 于 2021-08-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明实施例提供一种用于超声波饮水机的信号识别方法、装置及处理器,属于电器领域。超声波饮水机包括多个超声波探头,上述信号识别方法包括：获取多个超声波探头检测的多个回波信号；确定多个回波信号中存在第一回波信号,其中第一回波信号在有效时间段内的波峰的幅值达到第一预设阈值；确定在多个回波信号中除第一回波信号之外的其他回波信号中存在第二回波信号,其中第二回波信号在有效时间段内的波峰的幅值达到第二预设阈值,第二预设阈值小于第一预设阈值；获取第一回波信号中的波峰对应的第一时间和第二回波信号中的波峰对应的第二时间；根据第一时间和第二时间对回波信号进行识别。采用本发明的方法可以提高识别准确率。(The embodiment of the invention provides a signal identification method, a signal identification device and a signal identification processor for an ultrasonic water dispenser, and belongs to the field of electric appliances. The ultrasonic water dispenser comprises a plurality of ultrasonic probes, and the signal identification method comprises the following steps: acquiring a plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes; determining that a first echo signal exists in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of a peak of the first echo signal in an effective time period reaches a first preset threshold; determining that a second echo signal exists in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in the effective time period reaches a second preset threshold value, and the second preset threshold value is smaller than the first preset threshold value; acquiring first time corresponding to a peak in the first echo signal and second time corresponding to a peak in the second echo signal; and identifying the echo signal according to the first time and the second time. The method of the invention can improve the identification accuracy.)

1. A signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser, wherein the ultrasonic water dispenser comprises a plurality of ultrasonic probes, and the signal identification method comprises the following steps:

acquiring a plurality of echo signals detected by the plurality of ultrasonic probes;

determining that a first echo signal exists in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of a peak of the first echo signal in a valid time period reaches a first preset threshold;

determining that a second echo signal exists in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in an effective time period reaches a second preset threshold value, and the second preset threshold value is smaller than the first preset threshold value;

acquiring a first time corresponding to a peak in the first echo signal and a second time corresponding to a peak in the second echo signal;

and identifying the echo signal according to the first time and the second time.

2. The signal identification method according to claim 1, wherein the identifying the echo signal according to the first time and the second time comprises:

determining an absolute value of a difference between the first time and the second time;

and under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is smaller than or equal to a preset difference threshold, determining that the echo signal is a normal signal.

3. The signal identification method according to claim 2, further comprising:

and determining the echo signal as an interference signal under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is greater than the preset difference threshold.

4. The signal identification method according to claim 1, further comprising:

and obtaining echo curves corresponding to the ultrasonic probes respectively according to the echo signals.

5. The signal identification method according to claim 2, wherein the normal signal includes a water intake appliance signal.

6. The signal identification method of claim 3, wherein the interference signal comprises an obstacle signal.

7. The signal identification method according to claim 2, further comprising:

identifying the echo signals for multiple times within a preset time period;

and judging whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the multiple recognition results.

8. The signal identification method according to claim 7, wherein the determining whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the results of the plurality of identifications comprises:

and determining the echo signal to be a normal signal under the condition that the results of the continuous preset times of identification are that the echo signal is a normal signal.

9. The signal identification method according to claim 7, wherein the determining whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the results of the plurality of identifications comprises:

and under the condition that the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signals are normal signals to the number of results of the multiple recognition reaches a preset ratio, determining that the echo signals are normal signals.

10. A processor, characterized in that the processor is configured to execute the signal recognition method for an ultrasonic water dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A signal identification device for an ultrasonic water dispenser is characterized by comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic probes; and

the processor of claim 10.

12. An ultrasonic water dispenser characterized by comprising the signal recognition device for an ultrasonic water dispenser according to claim 11.

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of electric appliances, in particular to a signal identification method, a signal identification device and a signal identification processor for an ultrasonic water dispenser.

Background

At present, the ultrasonic water dispenser is gradually widely applied due to the functions of automatic water outlet and water cut-off. The working principle of the ultrasonic water dispenser is that an ultrasonic probe transmits an ultrasonic signal and receives an echo signal transmitted back, and then height information or other information of a water taking appliance can be obtained through the echo signal, so that water outlet of the water dispenser is controlled.

However, when a user places a cup on the water receiving table, the cup may have a detection blind area due to the influences of the shape, the placement position, the radiation angle of the ultrasonic probe and the like, and the ultrasonic probe cannot detect an echo signal with sufficient energy intensity, so that the cup is identified to fail, that is, the detection fails, and the ultrasonic water dispenser cannot realize the functions of automatic water outlet and water cut-off. Therefore, the prior art has the problem of low identification accuracy.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention aims to provide a signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser, a signal identification device for the ultrasonic water dispenser, a processor and the ultrasonic water dispenser, and aims to solve the problem that the existing ultrasonic water dispenser is low in identification accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser, the ultrasonic water dispenser including a plurality of ultrasonic probes, the signal identification method including:

acquiring a plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes;

determining that a first echo signal exists in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of a peak of the first echo signal in an effective time period reaches a first preset threshold;

determining that a second echo signal exists in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in the effective time period reaches a second preset threshold value, and the second preset threshold value is smaller than the first preset threshold value;

acquiring first time corresponding to a peak in the first echo signal and second time corresponding to a peak in the second echo signal;

and identifying the echo signal according to the first time and the second time.

In an embodiment of the present invention, identifying an echo signal according to a first time and a second time includes: determining an absolute value of a difference between the first time and the second time; and under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is smaller than or equal to a preset difference threshold, determining the echo signal as a normal signal.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: and under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is larger than a preset difference threshold, determining the echo signal as an interference signal.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: and obtaining echo curves corresponding to the ultrasonic probes respectively according to the echo signals.

In an embodiment of the invention, the normal signal comprises a water intake appliance signal.

In an embodiment of the invention, the interfering signal comprises an obstacle signal.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: identifying the echo signals for multiple times within a preset time period; and judging whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the multiple recognition results.

In the embodiment of the present invention, determining whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the result of the multiple times of identification includes: and determining the echo signal as a normal signal under the condition that the results of the continuous preset times of identification are that the echo signal is a normal signal.

In the embodiment of the present invention, determining whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the result of the multiple times of identification includes: and under the condition that the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signals are normal signals to the number of results of the multiple recognition reaches a preset ratio, determining that the echo signals are normal signals.

A second aspect of the invention provides a processor configured to perform the above-described signal recognition method for an ultrasonic water dispenser.

The third aspect of the present invention provides a signal recognition device for an ultrasonic water dispenser, comprising: a plurality of ultrasonic probes; and the processor.

The invention provides an ultrasonic water dispenser, which comprises the signal identification device for the ultrasonic water dispenser.

According to the signal identification method for the ultrasonic water dispenser, a first echo signal is determined to exist in a plurality of echo signals by acquiring the plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the first echo signal in an effective time period reaches a first preset threshold, a second echo signal is further determined to exist in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in the effective time period reaches a second preset threshold, and the second preset threshold is smaller than the first preset threshold, so that a first time corresponding to the peak in the first echo signal and a second time corresponding to the peak in the second echo signal are acquired, and the echo signals are identified according to the first time and the second time. According to the method, the plurality of echo signals detected by the plurality of ultrasonic probes are obtained, after the first echo signal exists in the plurality of echo signals, the second echo signal exists is further determined by reducing the preset threshold value, the echo signals are identified according to the first echo signal and the second echo signal, the negative influence caused by a detection blind area can be reduced, the frequency of the event that normal signals are mistakenly judged to be interference signals is greatly reduced, the problem of failure in identification of the water taking appliance caused by the radiation angle of the ultrasonic probes, the shape and the placing position of the water taking appliance is solved, and the signal identification accuracy of the ultrasonic water dispenser is improved.

Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the embodiments of the invention without limiting the embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

fig. 1 schematically shows a flow chart of a signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of echo signal generation in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the division of the echo curve in the cup-free standby state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an echo curve in a scenario where a cupped echo peak is greater than a threshold value according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an echo curve in a scenario where a cupped echo peak is smaller than a threshold in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an echo curve incorporating multiple ultrasound probes in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 schematically shows a structural block diagram of a signal identification device for an ultrasonic water dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and explanation only, not limitation.

After a user places a cup on a water receiving table, if a probe cannot detect an echo signal with enough energy intensity, failure in cup identification can be caused, and the position where the cup is located is called as a detection blind area corresponding to the cup. In addition, the detection dead zone is also changed by the change of the radiation angle of the probe. The detection blind areas of different cups and different heights are different. Therefore, once the cup is placed in the detection blind area, the probe cannot detect a valid signal, so that the automatic water outlet and water cut-off functions cannot be completed, namely, the detection is failed generally. The control method of the patent minimizes the probability of failure, and through an algorithm and control logic, detection blind areas are minimized.

The present invention is applicable to echo signals of a plurality of probes (2 or more than 2), and the plurality of probes are provided to solve the blind zone, but the problem cannot be solved by an endless stack hardware method, so that the embodiment of the present invention uses a software method to further reduce the probability of failure under the same number of probes.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a flow chart of a signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, in the embodiment of the present invention, a signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser is provided, where the ultrasonic water dispenser includes a plurality of ultrasonic probes, and the signal identification method is described as being applied to a processor of the ultrasonic water dispenser, and the signal identification method may include the following steps:

step S102 is to acquire a plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes.

It is understood that the echo signal is a reflected signal received by the ultrasonic probe after the ultrasonic signal is emitted. Further, when the number of the ultrasonic probes is multiple, the multiple ultrasonic probes may sequentially emit ultrasonic signals, or may emit ultrasonic signals according to a preset sequence or a random sequence, and the ultrasonic probes may also receive echo signals during the process of emitting the ultrasonic signals.

Specifically, the processor may acquire a plurality of echo signals received by the plurality of ultrasonic probes, the number of the ultrasonic probes is not less than two, the specific number may be set according to an actual situation, and for example, the processor may acquire 3 echo signals detected by the 3 ultrasonic probes in real time. Further, the processor may acquire and store the echo signal when the ultrasonic probe receives the echo signal, or may acquire the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe within the preset time interval after the preset time interval, so as to perform subsequent processing on the echo signal.

Step S104, determining that a first echo signal exists in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of a peak of the first echo signal in the valid time period reaches a first preset threshold.

It is understood that the valid period is a time range in which the ultrasonic probe normally receives valid information such as an echo signal representing cup height information. Further, different ultrasonic probes are affected by the installation position or the radiation angle, and the effective time periods may be the same or different. The first echo signal is an echo signal in which the amplitude of a peak in the valid time period reaches a first preset threshold, that is, the echo signal includes two factors of time and amplitude (that is, energy intensity), and the first echo signal must satisfy two conditions: the time is in the effective time period and the amplitude is larger than or equal to a first preset threshold value. Further, the number of the first echo signals may be one or more. The first preset threshold is a preset amplitude threshold for distinguishing a normal signal (or a valid signal, such as a cup signal) from a disturbing signal (such as a water drop signal), i.e. the echo signal is regarded as a valid signal only when the amplitude of the echo signal is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, and is regarded as a disturbing signal otherwise.

Specifically, the processor may determine, according to the time and the amplitude of the multiple echo signals, whether an echo signal whose time and amplitude satisfy a condition (that is, the amplitude of a peak in the valid time period reaches a first preset threshold) exists in the multiple echo signals, that is, whether a first echo signal exists is determined, where the determination result is to determine that the first echo signal exists in the multiple echo signals, and the number of the first echo signals is not required, and may be one or multiple.

In some embodiments, the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe may represent an ultrasonic signal sent by the ultrasonic probe itself, and at this time, the echo signal is closer to the ultrasonic probe, and has stronger reflected energy and larger amplitude. In some embodiments, the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe is an echo signal containing valid information, for example, an echo signal reflected by an ultrasonic signal sent by the ultrasonic probe after contacting the cup of the water intake device. In some embodiments, the echo signal finally received by the ultrasonic probe is mainly an echo signal reflected by a tray on which a water container of the water dispenser is placed or a water receiving area of the water dispenser.

Step S106, determining that a second echo signal exists in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in the effective time period reaches a second preset threshold, and the second preset threshold is smaller than the first preset threshold.

It is understood that the second echo signal is an echo signal, except the first echo signal, in which the amplitude of the peak in the valid time period reaches a second preset threshold, that is, the second echo signal must satisfy the following condition: the time is within the effective time period, the amplitude is greater than or equal to a second preset threshold value, and the first echo signal is not included. It should be noted that the second preset threshold is smaller than the first preset threshold, and the specific value of the second preset threshold may be adjusted according to the actual situation, for example, the value may be reduced based on the first preset threshold to reach a suitable value, where the value is smaller than the first preset threshold. Further, the number of the second echo signals may be one or more.

Specifically, after determining that the first echo signal exists, the processor determines, by reducing the threshold, that a second echo signal exists in the echo signals other than the first echo signal, where an amplitude of a peak in the valid period of time reaches a second preset threshold (i.e., is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold), that is, a second echo signal exists in the echo signals other than the first echo signal, where the amplitude of the first echo signal reaches the first preset threshold, the amplitude of the second echo signal reaches the second preset threshold, and both signals are located in the valid period of time.

In one embodiment, the second preset threshold is smaller than the first preset threshold and larger than a prestored minimum preset threshold, where the minimum preset threshold is a preset lowest threshold for distinguishing the normal signal from the interference signal, that is, an echo signal with an amplitude lower than the minimum preset threshold may be determined to be the interference signal.

Step S108, a first time corresponding to the peak in the first echo signal and a second time corresponding to the peak in the second echo signal are obtained.

It can be understood that the first time is a time corresponding to a peak in the first echo signal, i.e. a time corresponding to an echo signal with the largest amplitude in the first echo signal. The second time is a time corresponding to a peak in the second echo signal, that is, a time corresponding to an echo signal with a maximum amplitude in the second echo signal.

Specifically, when the number of the first echo signals is multiple, the processor may determine that a time corresponding to an echo signal with a maximum amplitude in the first echo signals is a first time corresponding to a peak in the first echo signals, and similarly, when the number of the second echo signals is multiple, the processor may determine that a time corresponding to an echo signal with a maximum amplitude in the second echo signals is a second time corresponding to a peak in the second echo signals.

Further, in some embodiments, when the first echo signal or the second echo signal comes from two or more than two ultrasonic probes, correspondingly, a plurality of peaks in the first echo signal or the second echo signal also correspond to each other, and a plurality of first times or second times also correspond to each other, specifically, the corresponding peaks may be obtained according to a plurality of consecutive echo signals, so as to obtain the corresponding first times and second times.

In some embodiments, when the number of the first echo signals is one, the processor may determine that the time corresponding to the first echo signal is a first time corresponding to a peak in the first echo signal, and similarly, when the number of the second echo signals is one, the processor may determine that the time corresponding to the second echo signal is a second time corresponding to a peak in the second echo signal.

And step S110, identifying the echo signal according to the first time and the second time.

In particular, the processor may identify information represented by the plurality of echo signals based on a first time and a second time.

In some embodiments, the processor may compare the first time and the second time to identify the echo signal as a normal signal (e.g., a cup signal) or a jamming signal (e.g., an obstacle signal).

In some embodiments, the processor may query a pre-stored lookup table based on the specific values of the first time and the second time to identify the echo signal.

According to the signal identification method for the ultrasonic water dispenser, a first echo signal is determined to exist in a plurality of echo signals by acquiring the plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the first echo signal in an effective time period reaches a first preset threshold, a second echo signal is further determined to exist in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in the effective time period reaches a second preset threshold, and the second preset threshold is smaller than the first preset threshold, so that a first time corresponding to the peak in the first echo signal and a second time corresponding to the peak in the second echo signal are acquired, and the echo signals are identified according to the first time and the second time. According to the method, the plurality of echo signals detected by the plurality of ultrasonic probes are obtained, after the first echo signal exists in the plurality of echo signals, the second echo signal exists is further determined by reducing the preset threshold value, the echo signals are identified according to the first echo signal and the second echo signal, the negative influence caused by a detection blind area can be reduced, the frequency of the event that normal signals are mistakenly judged to be interference signals is greatly reduced, the problem of failure in identification of the water taking appliance caused by the radiation angle of the ultrasonic probes, the shape and the placing position of the water taking appliance is solved, and the signal identification accuracy of the ultrasonic water dispenser is improved.

In one embodiment, identifying the echo signal based on the first time and the second time comprises: determining an absolute value of a difference between the first time and the second time; and under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is smaller than or equal to a preset difference threshold, determining the echo signal as a normal signal.

It is understood that the preset difference threshold is a maximum threshold of an absolute value of a difference between the first time and the second time, which is preset, that is, when the difference between the first time and the second time is greater than the preset difference threshold, the echo signal may be determined as an interference signal, otherwise, the echo signal is determined as a normal signal.

Specifically, the processor may determine a difference between the first time and the second time, further determine an absolute value of the difference, and when the absolute value of the difference is smaller than or equal to a preset difference threshold, the processor may determine that the echo signal is a normal signal, such as a cup signal.

In one embodiment, the signal identification method for the ultrasonic water dispenser further comprises: and under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is larger than a preset difference threshold, determining the echo signal as an interference signal.

Specifically, when the absolute value of the difference between the first time and the second time is greater than a preset difference threshold, the processor may determine that the echo signal is an interference signal, such as a water drop.

In one embodiment, the signal identification method for the ultrasonic water dispenser further comprises: and obtaining echo curves corresponding to the ultrasonic probes respectively according to the echo signals.

Specifically, after obtaining a plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes, the processor may form a corresponding echo curve according to the echo signals detected by different ultrasonic probes, further perform signal identification or analysis according to the echo curve, determine that the echo signal is an interference signal or a normal signal, and if the echo signal is a normal signal, further obtain information such as cup height according to the echo curve.

In one embodiment, the normal signal includes a water intake appliance signal.

It is understood that the normal signal may include, but is not limited to, a water intake appliance signal, and that a water intake appliance may include containers of different shapes, heights, and cross-sections, such as a mug or cup.

In one embodiment, the interfering signal comprises an obstacle signal.

It is to be understood that the interfering signal may include, but is not limited to, an obstacle signal, which may include a human hand, a water bead, and other items.

In one embodiment, the signal identification method for the ultrasonic water dispenser further comprises: identifying the echo signals for multiple times within a preset time period; and judging whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the multiple recognition results.

It will be appreciated that the predetermined period of time is a preset period of time, for example, a user bringing the water intake appliance close to the drip station of the water dispenser until the water intake appliance is placed at the drip station for a period of time.

Specifically, the processor may acquire a plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes a plurality of times within a predetermined time period, that is, perform the signal identification process from step S102 to step S110 a plurality of times to obtain a plurality of identification results, and further determine whether the echo signals are normal signals according to the results of the plurality of identifications.

In the embodiment of the invention, the echo signal is identified for multiple times by setting the preset time period, and whether the echo signal is a normal signal is judged according to multiple identification results, so that the occurrence of misjudgment events can be further reduced.

In one embodiment, the determining whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the results of the multiple identifications includes: and determining the echo signal as a normal signal under the condition that the results of the continuous preset times of identification are that the echo signal is a normal signal.

Specifically, if the echo signal is a normal signal (e.g., a cup signal) as a result of the consecutive predetermined number of times (e.g., 3 consecutive times), the processor may determine that the echo signal is a normal signal. The specific numerical value of the preset times can be preset according to the actual situation.

Further, in some embodiments, in the case that the echo signal is an interference signal as a result of the recognition for the preset number of times, the echo signal is determined to be an interference signal.

Specifically, if the echo signal is an interference signal (e.g., water drop) as a result of the consecutive predetermined number of times (e.g., 4 consecutive times), the processor may determine that the echo signal is an interference signal. The specific numerical value of the preset times can be preset according to the actual situation.

In one embodiment, the determining whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the results of the multiple identifications includes: and under the condition that the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signals are normal signals to the number of results of the multiple recognition reaches a preset ratio, determining that the echo signals are normal signals.

Specifically, if the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signal is a normal signal to the number of results of the multiple identifications among the results of the multiple identifications reaches a preset ratio (for example, 70%), for example, among the results of 10 identifications, 8 identifications result in that the echo signal is a normal signal, and the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signal is a normal signal to the number of results of the multiple identifications is calculated to be 80%, where the ratio is greater than 70%, the processor may determine that the echo signal is a normal signal. The specific value of the preset ratio can be preset according to the actual situation.

Further, in some embodiments, in a case that a ratio of the number of results in which the echo signal is the interference signal to the number of results in which the echo signal is the interference signal in the results of the plurality of identifications reaches a preset ratio, the echo signal is determined to be the interference signal.

Specifically, if the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signals are interference signals to the number of results of the multiple identifications reaches a preset ratio (for example, 60%), for example, in the results of 10 identifications, 6 identifications result in that the echo signals are interference signals, and the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signals are interference signals to the number of results of the multiple identifications is calculated to be 60%, and the ratio reaches 60%, the processor may determine that the echo signals are interference signals. The specific value of the preset ratio can be preset according to the actual situation.

Understandably, the ultrasonic water dispenser must first reach the height of the cup to discharge water, and must first detect the echo signal of the height of the cup to reach the height of the cup. The echo signal of the cup height is directly influenced by the placement position of the cup. Therefore, fundamentally, the main factor determining the strength of the ultrasonic echo signal is how much energy signal returned from the cup opening can be received by the ultrasonic probe, and the energy signal reflected by the cup opening is different according to the placement position of the cup.

The occurrence of detection blindness is related to several factors: 1. the material of the cup. A material with low hardness (e.g., a plastic cup) will have a reduced ability to reflect sound waves at its surface, whereas a material with high hardness (e.g., a ceramic) will have a greater ability to reflect sound waves. 2. The radiation angle of the probe. Due to the technical problem, once the ultrasonic detection is made, only a fixed radiation angle is required, and dynamic change cannot be achieved. The angle of the common water dispenser is 45 degrees, so that a blind area is inevitably generated. 3. The shape of the cup mouth. Because the intensity of the echo signal is related to the amount of reflected energy, the shape of the cup mouth forms an included angle with the incident angle of the sound wave. Resulting in the divergence of the echo signal and only a small number of signals being received by the probe, which is too weak and the detection is ineffective, as shown in figure 2. 4. And setting a threshold value of the echo signal. Since ultrasonic waves are analog signals, echo signals thereof may jump within a certain range. In order to mask an interference signal, a threshold value Yh of the echo intensity is set. The peak intensity Yx > of the echo signal is identified as Yh.

In view of the above factors, factor 1, factor 2, and factor 3 are all unchangeable, and we can only further subdivide and optimize factor 4. The value of the threshold value Yh is a key factor, and the level of the threshold value Yh directly influences the distinguishing of the interference signal and the normal signal. The method of specific setting of the value thereof is not discussed here, assuming that the threshold value Yh is known. The normal identification algorithm is to regard an echo peak as a valid signal only if the intensity Yx > ═ Yh of the currently detected echo peak is detected, otherwise, the echo peak is considered as an interfering signal. As shown in fig. 3, f (x, y) is a finite echo curve, which is divided into three parts, i.e. a transmitting region, an echo region (receiving region), and a null region (bottom), wherein the echo region is also an active time period. In which the echo peak signal is valid only when the echo peak signal appears between the echo regions (x0, y0) to (x1, y1), and the value Yx > of the peak thereof is Yh, as shown in fig. 4.

However, due to the inherent characteristics of ultrasonic waves, a cup is always placed at a deviated position or the scattering of the surface is severe, so that the cup is placed in the cup, but the peak intensity Yx < Yh of the echo signal is shown in fig. 5, and the echo signal is regarded as an interference signal according to a common method. This then results in the inserted cup failing to discharge water, resulting in a failure of identification.

The invention proposes a new methodology for solving this problem, by adding more probes to obtain multiple sets of echo curves. And performing mutual comparison and judgment on the multiple groups of echo curves, matching an optimal solution strategy, and restoring the originally misjudged signals into normal signals capable of being identified.

In one embodiment, the signal identification method for the ultrasonic water dispenser is characterized in that firstly, a condition for triggering dynamic threshold adjustment is added, the condition can not be adjusted in any case, otherwise, the threshold setting is meaningless, and more interference problems are introduced. In one embodiment, we add multiple ultrasound probes (> 2) first, resulting in multiple sets of echo curves, as shown in fig. 6. For curves f (x0, y0) and f (x1, y1), we find the echo peaks of 1 cup at positions of f (x0 ═ 160, y0 ═ 1750) and f (x1 ═ 158, y1 ═ 1400), respectively. However, only if the peak intensity of f (x0, y0) reaches the threshold Yh, i.e., y0(1750) > Yh (1500), the condition that the echo signals are larger than the threshold in the two curves cannot be met. At this time, the dynamic identification algorithm can be triggered as long as one echo signal meets the condition. At this time, by traversing the echo curve of f (x1, y1), we also obtain a peak y1(1400) < Yh (1500) above x1 and 158. We first note the two peak X coordinates (X0, X1) of the two curves, where the height information of the cup can be calculated by time X.

Second, we compare the found cup height information of the two curves. Specifically, if | x0-x1| <Δx, Δ x is a preset difference threshold, the processor considers that both curves detect the same cup signal. The cup position signal measured only by f (x0) is stronger, while f (x1) is weaker due to the position or angle of the probe, cup. At this time, although the intensity of the echo signal does not reach the preset threshold, the echo signal can still be regarded as a valid cup signal, so that the possibility of misjudgment is further reduced, and the echo signal can be regarded as an interference signal.

Finally, we can also add the number of decisions of the cycle, for example if this condition triggered is detected several times within a specified time t and is a valid cup signal, then this is considered as the final valid signal, which further reduces the possibility of false decisions.

In the embodiment of the invention, the problem that weak signals cannot be identified due to the blind area of the cup can be solved, the influence of the blind area is reduced by setting a trigger mechanism and a control algorithm and dynamically adjusting the threshold value, so that the misjudgment probability is reduced, the signal types can be continuously subdivided in the space judged to be invalid signals, and the misjudgment probability is effectively reduced.

Fig. 7 schematically shows a structural block diagram of a signal identification device for an ultrasonic water dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 7, in an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a signal identification device for an ultrasonic water dispenser, including: a plurality of ultrasound probes 710 and a processor 720, wherein:

a processor 720 configured to: acquiring a plurality of echo signals detected by a plurality of ultrasonic probes 710; determining that a first echo signal exists in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of a peak of the first echo signal in an effective time period reaches a first preset threshold; determining that a second echo signal exists in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in the effective time period reaches a second preset threshold value, and the second preset threshold value is smaller than the first preset threshold value; acquiring first time corresponding to a peak in the first echo signal and second time corresponding to a peak in the second echo signal; and identifying the echo signal according to the first time and the second time.

According to the signal identification device for the ultrasonic water dispenser, a first echo signal is determined to exist in a plurality of echo signals by acquiring the plurality of echo signals detected by the plurality of ultrasonic probes, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the first echo signal in an effective time period reaches a first preset threshold, a second echo signal is further determined to exist in other echo signals except the first echo signal in the plurality of echo signals, wherein the amplitude of the peak of the second echo signal in the effective time period reaches a second preset threshold, and the second preset threshold is smaller than the first preset threshold, so that a first time corresponding to the peak in the first echo signal and a second time corresponding to the peak in the second echo signal are acquired, and the echo signals are identified according to the first time and the second time. The device is through obtaining a plurality of echo signals that a plurality of ultrasonic transducer detected, after confirming that there is first echo signal in a plurality of echo signals, further confirm to have the second echo signal through reducing and predetermine the threshold value, discern echo signal according to first echo signal and second echo signal, can reduce the negative effects that the detection blind area brought, the incident number of times that the normal signal was judged into interfering signal by mistake greatly reduced, the problem of the water intaking utensil discernment failure that the locating position leads to because ultrasonic transducer's radiation angle and water intaking utensil shape, the signal identification accuracy of ultrasonic water dispenser is improved.

In one embodiment, the processor 720 is further configured to: determining an absolute value of a difference between the first time and the second time; and under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is smaller than or equal to a preset difference threshold, determining the echo signal as a normal signal.

In one embodiment, the processor 720 is further configured to: and under the condition that the absolute value of the difference is larger than a preset difference threshold, determining the echo signal as an interference signal.

In one embodiment, the processor 720 is further configured to: and obtaining echo curves corresponding to the ultrasonic probes respectively according to the echo signals.

In one embodiment, the normal signal includes a water intake appliance signal.

In one embodiment, the interfering signal comprises an obstacle signal.

In one embodiment, the processor 720 is further configured to: identifying the echo signals for multiple times within a preset time period; and judging whether the echo signal is a normal signal according to the multiple recognition results.

In one embodiment, the processor 720 is further configured to: and determining the echo signal as a normal signal under the condition that the results of the continuous preset times of identification are that the echo signal is a normal signal.

In one embodiment, the processor 720 is further configured to: and under the condition that the ratio of the number of results of which the echo signals are normal signals to the number of results of the multiple recognition reaches a preset ratio, determining that the echo signals are normal signals.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a processor configured to execute the signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser according to the foregoing embodiments.

The embodiment of the invention provides an ultrasonic water dispenser which comprises a signal identification device for the ultrasonic water dispenser according to the embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a machine-readable storage medium, which stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute the signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser according to the above embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the signal identification method for an ultrasonic water dispenser according to the above embodiments.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

In a typical configuration, a computing device includes one or more processors (CPUs), input/output interfaces, network interfaces, and memory.

The memory may include forms of volatile memory in a computer readable medium, Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or non-volatile memory, such as Read Only Memory (ROM) or flash memory (flash RAM). The memory is an example of a computer-readable medium.

Computer-readable media, including both non-transitory and non-transitory, removable and non-removable media, may implement information storage by any method or technology. The information may be computer readable instructions, data structures, modules of a program, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, phase change memory (PRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), other types of Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Discs (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information that can be accessed by a computing device. As defined herein, a computer readable medium does not include a transitory computer readable medium such as a modulated data signal and a carrier wave.

It should also be noted that the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an … …" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

The above are merely examples of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of the claims of the present application.