JP2024122256A - Toilet System - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toilet system capable of properly estimating information regarding excrement.SOLUTION: A control unit extracts an area that is estimated as stool from the image information of multiple water seals obtained by the sensor and estimates the amount of the stool based on the size of the area that is estimated as extracted stool from the information of multiple images of the water seal. When the change in the size of the stool extracted from the second image information, which is the image information of the water seal obtained within a specified time or within a specified number of times after the first image information, is less than a specified value, the control unit executes control to estimate the quantity or properties of stool based on the second area based on the size of the stool extracted from the first image information of the water seal and the estimated first area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The disclosed embodiment relates to a toilet system.

Conventionally, toilet seat devices equipped with a detection device capable of detecting excrement discharged into a toilet bowl are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The detection device used in the toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1 has a light-emitting section capable of irradiating excrement with infrared light, and a light-receiving section capable of receiving light reflected from the excrement. It is possible to estimate the health condition of the user from information on the excrement detected by this detection device. In addition, the detection device is placed inside the toilet seat so that the user is not aware that their excrement is being detected.

JP 2018-146244 A

There is room for improvement in detecting excrement and accurately estimating information about it.

The disclosed embodiment aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a toilet system that accurately estimates information related to excrement.

A toilet system according to one aspect of an embodiment comprises a sensor that is positioned above the sealing water accumulated in the bowl portion of a toilet and acquires multiple image information of the sealing water in the bowl portion at a predetermined timing, and a control unit that controls the sensor.The control unit extracts an area estimated to be stool from the multiple image information of the sealing water obtained by the sensor, and estimates the amount of stool from the size of the area estimated to be stool extracted from the multiple image information of the sealing water.If the amount of change in the size of the second area estimated to be stool extracted from second image information, which is image information of the sealing water obtained within a predetermined time or within a predetermined number of times after the first image information, from the size of the first area estimated to be stool extracted from first image information, which is image information of the sealing water, is less than a predetermined value, the control unit executes control to estimate the amount or characteristics of stool based on the second area.
According to a toilet system of one aspect of the embodiment, the amount of stool is estimated based on the size of stool that is not moving or has little movement, so that stool that is falling or is moving unstably can be excluded from the detection target, and the amount or characteristics of the stool can be estimated more accurately.

In one aspect of an embodiment, a toilet system is provided with a sensor that is positioned above the sealing water accumulated in the bowl portion of the toilet and acquires multiple image information of the sealing water in the bowl portion at a predetermined timing, and a control unit that controls the sensor, and the control unit extracts an area estimated to be stool from the multiple image information of the sealing water obtained by the sensor, and estimates the amount of stool from the size of the area estimated to be stool extracted from the multiple image information of the sealing water, extracts the size of the area estimated to be stool extracted from the image information of the sealing water where the change amount is below a predetermined value within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of imaging attempts, and executes control to estimate the amount or characteristics of stool based on the extracted area estimated to be stool.
According to a toilet system according to one aspect of the embodiment, the amount of stool is estimated based on the size of stool that is not moving or has little movement, so that stool that is falling or is moving unstably can be excluded from the detection targets, and the amount of stool can be estimated more accurately.

In a toilet system according to one aspect of the embodiment, preferably, the control unit estimates the amount of stool based on the area estimated to be stool, and executes control to estimate the amount of stool that represents the amount of stool that is estimated to be the largest among the estimated amounts of stool.
According to a toilet system according to one aspect of the embodiment, the amount of stool is estimated based on the size of stool that has no or little movement, and the amount of stool that represents the amount of the largest stool among them is estimated, so that even if the stool is hidden in the drain trap within the water seal, the amount of stool can be prevented from being underestimated.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, a toilet system can be provided that accurately estimates information related to excrement.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a toilet system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image data captured by the excrement detection sensor.

Below, an embodiment of the toilet system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. Below, the process related to the calculation of information regarding the excrement excreted by the user performed by the toilet system 1 and the configuration for performing this process will be described, but first, the various configurations of the toilet system 1 that are the premise will be described.

<1. Configuration of the toilet system>
First, the configuration of a toilet system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet system according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet system 1 includes a toilet seat device 2 and an operating device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, a toilet bowl 7 is installed on a floor surface F in a toilet room R. In the following description, the direction facing the space of the toilet room R from the floor surface F is described as "up."

The toilet bowl 7 is, for example, a ceramic toilet bowl. The toilet bowl 7 is formed with a bowl portion 8. The bowl portion 8 is concave downwards and is the portion that receives the user's waste. The toilet bowl 7 is not limited to a floor-standing type as shown in the figure, and may be of any type as long as the toilet system 1 is applicable, such as a wall-mounted type. The toilet bowl 7 is provided with a rim portion 9 around the entire edge of the opening that faces the bowl portion 8. For example, a flush water tank that stores flush water may be installed near the toilet bowl 7 in the toilet room R, or a so-called tankless type in which no flush water tank is installed may be used.

For example, when a user operates a flushing operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R, a toilet flush is performed by supplying flush water to the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7. The flushing operation unit may be an operation lever or a touch operation on a toilet flushing object displayed on the operation device 10. Note that the flushing operation unit is not limited to an operation lever or the like that allows the toilet to be flushed manually by the user, but may also be one that allows the toilet to be flushed by a sensor that detects the user, such as a seating sensor.

The toilet seat device 2 is attached to the top of the toilet bowl 7, and comprises a main body 3, a toilet lid 4, a toilet seat 5, and a cleaning nozzle 6. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7, which is formed with a bowl portion 8 that receives excrement. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7 so that the cleaning nozzle 6 advances into the bowl portion 8 before spraying cleaning water. The toilet seat device 2 may be attached removably to the toilet bowl 7, or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet bowl 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat 5 is formed in a ring shape with an opening 50 in the center, and is positioned along the rim portion 9 so that it overlaps with the opening of the toilet bowl 7. A user sits on the toilet seat 5. The toilet seat 5 functions as a seating portion that supports the buttocks of the seated user. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 are each pivotally supported at one end by the main body portion 3, and are attached so that they can rotate (be opened and closed) around the pivot portion of the main body portion 3. The toilet lid 4 is attached to the toilet seat device 2 as necessary, and the toilet seat device 2 does not have to have a toilet lid 4.

The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for discharging water for cleaning. The cleaning nozzle 6 is capable of spraying cleaning water. The cleaning nozzle 6 is capable of spraying cleaning water toward the user. The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for cleaning the private parts. The cleaning nozzle 6 is configured to be movable forward and backward relative to the main body cover 30, which is the housing of the main body 3, by driving a driving source such as an electric motor (such as the nozzle motor 61 in FIG. 5). The cleaning nozzle 6 is also connected to a water source such as a water pipe (not shown). Then, when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in an advanced position (also called the "advanced position") relative to the main body cover 30, which is the housing of the main body 3, as shown in FIG. 1, it sprays water from the water source onto the user's body to clean the private parts.

In FIG. 1, the cleaning nozzle 6 is shown in the advanced position. The cleaning nozzle 6 may also be used to clean the inside of the toilet bowl 7 (bowl portion 8, etc.). The cleaning nozzle 6 may be used to be switchable between a private parts cleaning mode for cleaning the private parts of the user and a toilet bowl cleaning mode for spraying water inside the toilet bowl 7. For example, the cleaning nozzle 6 may be used to be switchable between the private parts cleaning mode and the toilet bowl cleaning mode according to the control by the toilet seat device 2.

The operating device 10 is provided in the toilet room R. The operating device 10 is provided in a position where it can be operated by a user. The operating device 10 is provided in a position where it can be operated when the user is seated on the toilet seat 5. In FIG. 1, the operating device 10 is provided on a wall surface W on the right side as seen from a user seated on the toilet seat 5. Note that the operating device 10 may be provided in various ways, not limited to a wall surface, as long as it is usable by a user seated on the toilet seat 5. For example, the operating device 10 may be provided integrally with the toilet seat device 2.

The operating device 10 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the toilet seat device 2 and the operating device 10 may be connected in any manner as long as they are able to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired connection or a wireless connection.

The operation device 10 accepts various operations from the user via a display surface (for example, a display screen 11) using, for example, a touch panel function. The operation device 10 may also include switches and buttons, and accept various operations via the switches and buttons. The display screen 11 is a display screen of a tablet terminal or the like realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various information. In other words, the operation device 10 accepts input from the user via the display screen 11 and also outputs to the user. At this time, the operation device 10 identifies which user who is registered in advance is the user. After that, the control unit 130 links the user information with information on excrement or information obtained by the information on excrement, which will be described later, and transmits the information to the user's terminal. At this time, information on the date and time when the information on excrement was obtained may also be transmitted to the user's terminal. The display screen 11 is a display device for displaying various information.

The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to stop control being performed by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to start the execution of local washing by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts an instruction from the user to the washing nozzle 6. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to cause the toilet seat device 2 to output a predetermined sound. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to perform a sterilization process to sterilize the washing nozzle 6 (see FIG. 1) of the toilet seat device 2 with disinfectant water. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to adjust the force of the water discharged during local washing by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to adjust the volume of the sound output by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to select a language when information regarding toilet use is displayed on the operation device 10 or output as audio.

For example, the operation device 10 may display an object that accepts the above-mentioned user's operation on the display screen 11, and execute various processes in response to the user's touching the displayed object. For example, the operation device 10 may have a switch, button, etc. that accepts the above-mentioned user's operation, and execute various processes in response to the user's touching the switch, button, etc. Note that the above is an example, and the operation device 10 may accept a user's operation to execute various processes.

The toilet system 1 calculates information about the excrement excreted by the user through various configurations and processes described below. The toilet system 1 may provide information to a terminal device such as a smartphone of the user based on the calculated information. The toilet system 1 may also provide information to an operating device 10 (or a display screen 11) of the toilet room R based on the calculated information.

2. Configuration of the toilet seat device
Next, the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid part 110 of the toilet seat device 2 is closed (also called a "closed state"). Also, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid part 110 of the toilet seat device 2 is removed.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the lid portion 110 is in the closed state, the excrement detection sensor 34 is hidden behind the lid portion 110. When the lid portion 110 is in the closed state, the lid portion 110 is located in front of the excrement detection sensor 34. In this way, the lid portion 110 is located in front of the excrement detection sensor 34 when in the closed state.

Also, FIG. 2 shows the cleaning nozzle 6 (see FIG. 1) in a position where it is stored inside the main body cover 30 (also called the "storage position"). As shown in FIG. 2, when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in the storage position, the nozzle lid 60 is closed and the cleaning nozzle 6 is hidden behind the nozzle lid 60. When cleaning is performed using the cleaning nozzle 6, the nozzle lid 60 opens and the cleaning nozzle 6 protrudes from the opening for the cleaning nozzle 6 in the main body cover 30, and the cleaning nozzle 6 transitions to an advanced state.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the lid 110 is removed, the excrement detection sensor (camera) 34 is exposed from the opening 31 of the main body cover 30. For example, when the lid 110 is open (also called the "open state"), as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 110 is not positioned in front of the excrement detection sensor 34. As a result, when the lid 110 is in the open state, the excrement detection sensor 34 is exposed. When the lid 110 is in the open state, the excrement detection sensor 34 is able to detect the swaying of the sealing water in the toilet bowl 7. The toilet seat device 2 does not need to have the lid 110. In this case, the toilet seat device 2 does not need to have the lid 110 and the actuator 111, and the excrement detection sensor 34 may be constantly exposed.

Here, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4, the hatched area in the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7 is filled with sealing water (water), and the sealing surface WS in FIG. 4 indicates the upper surface of the sealing water.

2 to 4 show an example of a configuration in which the toilet seat device 2 has the excrement detection sensor 34 disposed adjacent to the cleaning nozzle 6, but the excrement detection sensor 34 is not limited to being disposed adjacent to the cleaning nozzle 6 and may be disposed in various positions as long as the desired detection is possible. For example, the excrement detection sensor 34 is disposed in a position according to the detection mode of the sensor used, depending on the type of sensor used. FIG. 4 shows an example of the arrangement in which the excrement detection sensor 34 is a non-contact sensor, but for example, if the excrement detection sensor 34 is a contact sensor, the excrement detection sensor 34 may be disposed in a position in contact with the sealing water in the bowl portion 8 of the toilet seat 5. Examples of sensors used for the excrement detection sensor 34 will be described later.

3. Functional configuration of the toilet seat device
Next, the functional configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the toilet seat device 2 includes a human body detection sensor 32, a seating detection sensor 33, an excrement detection sensor 34, a control device 100, a nozzle motor 61, a cleaning nozzle 6, a solenoid valve 71, a lid unit 110, and an actuator 111. Note that Fig. 5 omits illustration of some of the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 described in Fig. 1 (such as the main body unit 3, the toilet seat 5, and the toilet bowl 7).

The configuration of the toilet seat device 2 shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the toilet seat device 2 can have any configuration. The human body detection sensor 32, seating detection sensor 33, waste detection sensor 34, control device 100, etc. are arranged in any location. For example, the waste detection sensor 34 is provided in the main body 3 of the toilet seat device 2. The toilet seat device 2 transmits and receives information to and from an information processing device such as the operating device 10 via a predetermined network (such as the Internet) in a wired or wireless manner using a communication device (such as the communication unit 101 of the control device 100 in FIG. 6).

The human body detection sensor 32 has a function of detecting a human body. For example, the human body detection sensor 32 is realized by a pyroelectric sensor using an infrared signal. For example, the human body detection sensor 32 may be realized by a μ (micro) wave sensor. Note that the above is just an example, and the human body detection sensor 32 is not limited to the above, and may detect the human body by various means. For example, the human body detection sensor 32 detects a person (such as a user) who has entered the toilet room R (see FIG. 1). The human body detection sensor 32 outputs a detection signal to the control device 100.

The seating detection sensor 33 has the function of detecting a person sitting on the toilet seat device 2. The seating detection sensor 33 detects when a user sits on the toilet seat 5. The seating detection sensor 33 can detect when the user sits on the toilet seat 5. The seating detection sensor 33 also functions as a leaving detection sensor that detects when the user leaves the toilet seat 5. The seating detection sensor 33 detects when the user is sitting on the toilet seat 5.

For example, the seating detection sensor 33 detects that a user has sat on the toilet seat 5 using a load sensor. For example, the seating detection sensor 33 may be an infrared light emitting/receiving distance measuring sensor, and may detect a human body near the toilet seat 5 just before the person (user) sits on the toilet seat 5, or the user sitting on the toilet seat 5. Note that the above is just one example, and the seating detection sensor 33 is not limited to the above, and may detect a person sitting on the toilet seat device 2 by various means. The seating detection sensor 33 outputs a seating detection signal to the control device 100.

The excrement detection sensor 34 is a sensor that captures an image of the sealing water in the bowl portion 8. The excrement detection sensor 34 can be of any configuration as long as it can detect the inside of the bowl portion 8. The excrement detection sensor 34 may be a non-contact type sensor. For example, FIG. 4 shows a case where the excrement detection sensor 34 is a non-contact type sensor. In this case, the excrement detection sensor 34 may not be a camera, but may be an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor (thermo camera), an ultrasonic sensor, or the like. The excrement detection sensor 34 may also be a contact type sensor. In this case, the excrement detection sensor 34 may be a float sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like. Note that the above is merely an example, and any type of sensor may be used as the excrement detection sensor 34 as long as it can detect the inside of the bowl portion 8. More preferably, a sensor in which detection elements are arranged in an array is desirable.

The control device 100 controls various components and processes. The control device 100 is a computer (information processing device) that executes various information processing such as calculating urination time and urine volume. The control device 100 determines the area likely to contain feces from image data obtained from the excrement detection sensor 34, which captures the sealed water in the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7.

The control device 100 also controls various components of the toilet system 1. The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111. The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 based on signals transmitted from the operating device 10.

The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61 based on a control instruction signal for local cleaning sent from the operation device 10. The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61 to advance and retract the cleaning nozzle 6. The control device 100 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 71.

The control device 100 controls the actuator 111 to open and close the lid portion 110. The control device 100 transmits control information to the actuator 111 to set the lid portion 110 in an open state. The control device 100 transmits control information to the actuator 111 to set the lid portion 110 in a closed state. The control device 100 controls the lid portion 110 to a closed state during periods when no detection is being performed by the excrement detection sensor 34, such as before the user uses the toilet 7.

The control device 100 transmits control information to the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 via a wired connection. The control device 100 may also transmit control information to the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 wirelessly. For example, when the control device 100 is configured as a separate device from the toilet seat device 2, it may transmit control information for the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 wirelessly to the toilet seat device 2. In this case, the control device of the toilet seat device 2 may control the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 based on the control information received.

The control device 100 controls the opening and closing operation of the lid part 110. The control device 100 opens the lid part 110 when the user starts using the toilet bowl 7 as detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33, and closes the lid part 110 when the user finishes using the toilet bowl 7 as detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33. The control device 100 also opens the lid part 110 when the seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has sat on the toilet seat 5, and closes the lid part 110 when the seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has left the toilet seat 5. For example, the control device 100 opens the lid part 110 when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that the user has entered the toilet room R, and closes the lid part 110 when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that the user has left the toilet room R.
Instead of the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating sensor 33, an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance (brightness) inside the bowl portion 8 may be provided, and the lid portion 110 may be opened when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or lower than a first predetermined value, and the lid portion 110 may be closed when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or lower than a second predetermined value. Alternatively, the lid portion 110 may be opened when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that a user is using the toilet, and light irradiation may be performed to irradiate light into the bowl portion 8 if the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor at that time is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. This makes it possible to detect urination while standing.

Note that the above-mentioned opening and closing of the lid portion 110 is merely an example, and the control device 100 may control the opening and closing of the lid portion 110 based on various information. The control device 100 may open the lid portion 110 when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that a user is approaching the toilet bowl 7. For example, the control device 100 may open the lid portion 110 when it detects that the user is located within a predetermined range (e.g., 50 cm) from the toilet bowl 7. The control device 100 also closes the lid portion 110 when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that the user has moved away from the toilet bowl 7. For example, the control device 100 closes the lid portion 110 when it detects that the user is located outside the predetermined range (e.g., 50 cm) from the toilet bowl 7.

The control device 100 closes the lid portion 110 in conjunction with an instruction from the user to the operating device 10 to operate the cleaning nozzle 6. The control device 100 closes the lid portion 110 in conjunction with the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6. The control device 100 controls the lid portion 110 based on the user's operation of the operating device 10, which controls the cleaning nozzle 6. The control device 100 detects the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6 (the nozzle advancing into the bowl portion 8) and controls the lid portion 110.

The control device 100 controls the lid portion 110 to open upward when placed on the toilet bowl 7. The control device 100 controls the lid portion 110 to be in a closed state when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in operation. The control device 100 controls the lid portion 110 to be in a closed state when the cleaning nozzle 6 arranged on the toilet bowl 7 is in operation.

The control device 100 may also control the excrement detection sensor 34. In this case, the excrement detection sensor 34 starts or stops detection according to the control of the control device 100. The control device 100 transmits control information to the excrement detection sensor 34 for controlling the start or end of detection by the excrement detection sensor 34. For example, when the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has started using the toilet 7, the control device 100 transmits control information to the excrement detection sensor 34 for causing the excrement detection sensor 34 to start detection. For example, when the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has stopped using the toilet 7, the control device 100 transmits control information to the excrement detection sensor 34 for causing the excrement detection sensor 34 to end detection.

The control device 100 also controls the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 as shown in FIG. 1. The control device 100 controls the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 based on a signal transmitted from the operation device 10. The control device 100 controls the toilet lid 4 based on a control instruction signal transmitted from the operation device 10 regarding opening and closing of the toilet lid. The control device 100 controls the toilet seat 5 based on a control instruction signal transmitted from the operation device 10 regarding opening and closing of the seat. The control device 100 transmits control information to the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 via a wired connection. The control device 100 may also transmit control information to the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 wirelessly.

The control device 100 determines whether the human body detection sensor 32 detects the entry of a user into the toilet room R. The control device 100 determines whether the human body detection sensor 32 detects the entry of a user into the toilet room R. The control device 100 determines whether the seating detection sensor 33 detects the user sitting down. The control device 100 determines whether the seating detection sensor 33 detects the user sitting down on the toilet seat 5.

The solenoid valve 71 functions as a valve that controls the flow of a fluid by electromagnetic means. The solenoid valve 71 switches between supplying and stopping tap water from a water supply pipe, for example. The solenoid valve 71 controls opening and closing in response to instructions from the control device 100.

The nozzle motor 61 is a drive source (motor) that drives the cleaning nozzle 6 to move forward and backward. The nozzle motor 61 controls the cleaning nozzle 6 to move forward and backward relative to the body cover 30 of the main body 3. The nozzle motor 61 controls the cleaning nozzle 6 to move forward and backward in response to instructions from the control device 100.

The lid 110 can be positioned in front of the excrement sensor 34 and functions as a lid. The lid 110 is preferably formed of a non-transparent material in order to reduce the possibility of the excrement sensor 34 being visible and to provide a configuration that takes into consideration the user's privacy. For example, the lid 110 may be formed in a non-transparent state by coloring. The lid 110 may have a non-transparent material (paint) applied to its surface. Note that the lid 110 is not limited to being non-transparent, and may be transparent. The lid 110 can transition between an open state and a closed state by an actuator 111, and can be positioned in front of the excrement sensor 34 or expose the excrement sensor 34.

The actuator 111 is a drive source (motor) that opens or closes the lid 110. The actuator 111 executes control to open or close the lid 110 in response to instructions from the control device 100. The actuator 111 closes the lid 110 when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in operation. The actuator 111 closes the lid 110 when the cleaning nozzle 6 disposed on the toilet bowl 7 is in operation.

5 shows an example of a configuration in which the toilet seat device 2 includes the control device 100, but the control device 100, the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, and the excrement detection sensor 34 may be configured as devices separate from the toilet seat device 2. For example, the control device 100 may be configured as a device separate from the toilet seat device 2. For example, the control device 100 may be a server device and may be located at a position away from the toilet seat device 2. In this case, the control device 100 communicates with each device such as the toilet seat device 2, the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, and the excrement detection sensor 34, and receives information necessary for calculating information related to excrement from each device. In addition, in this case, the toilet seat device 2 may have a configuration (control circuit, etc.) for controlling various components of the toilet seat device 2 such as the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111. Note that the above is only an example, and the toilet system 1 can adopt any device configuration as long as it is capable of performing the desired processing.

4. Functional configuration of the control device
The functional configuration of the control device will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 100 has a communication unit 101, a memory unit 120, and a control unit 130. The control device 100 may also have an input unit (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts various operations from an administrator of the control device 100, and a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display, etc.) that displays various information.

The communication unit 101 is realized, for example, by a communication circuit or the like. The communication unit 101 is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 101 is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as the operating device 10. Note that the communication unit 101 may be configured as a device (communication device) separate from the control device 100, and may be included in the toilet seat device 2.

The storage unit 120 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the storage unit 120 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by various information processing programs, etc.

The memory unit 120 according to the embodiment stores various information required for processing. The memory unit 120 stores various information acquired from other devices such as various sensors. For example, the memory unit 120 stores information related to a learning model (also simply referred to as a "model") used in processing. For example, the memory unit 120 stores a model used in the calculation processing of urination time. For example, the memory unit 120 stores various information (e.g., information related to thresholds) used in various information processing.

Returning to FIG. 6, the explanation will be continued. The control unit 130 is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) executing a program (for example, various information processing programs related to the present disclosure) stored inside the control device 100 using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 130 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, a measurement unit 132, a determination unit 133, a calculation unit 134, and an output unit 135, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below.

The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information. The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information from the storage unit 120. The acquisition unit 131 receives information from other devices. The acquisition unit 131 receives information detected by various sensors (detection information, image data, etc.) from the various sensors. The acquisition unit 131 receives information detected by each sensor (detection information, etc.) from each sensor, namely, the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, and the excrement detection sensor 34. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives an image related to the sealing water detected by the excrement detection sensor 34 from the excrement detection sensor 34. The acquisition unit 131 acquires information to be used for processing from the storage unit 120.

The measuring unit 132 performs various measurements. The measuring unit 132 performs various measurements using information stored in the memory unit 120. The measuring unit 132 identifies an area estimated to be feces in each image data acquired by the acquiring unit 131. For example, the measuring unit 132 uses learned data previously stored in the memory unit 120 in the image data to identify an area that is the same or similar to the color expected to be feces as an area estimated to be feces. Colors other than feces may be learned in advance, and an area of a color other than the learned color may be set as a feces area. The characteristics of the boundary between feces and other than feces may be learned, and an area estimated to be feces may be identified. The size of the area may be calculated after the process of identifying the area estimated to be feces, or the identification of the area estimated to be feces and the calculation of the size of the area may be performed in a single process using AI (artificial intelligence).

The determination unit 133 performs a determination process. The determination unit 133 performs a determination process using various information stored in the memory unit 120. The determination unit 133 performs a determination process using various information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 and information measured by the measurement unit 132. The determination unit 133 determines the user's excrement based on the detection result of the excrement detection sensor 34.

The determination unit 133 estimates and determines the amount of stool based on the amount of change in size of the area estimated to be stool extracted from multiple image data.

The determination unit 133 may perform shaking determination using any method. For example, the determination unit 133 may perform the determination based on whether a signal level threshold is exceeded or using AI. The determination unit 133 may perform the determination based on frequency analysis, image processing, machine learning, deep learning, etc.

The calculation unit 134 performs a calculation process. The calculation unit 134 performs a calculation process using various information stored in the memory unit 120. The calculation unit 134 performs a calculation process of information related to excrement or information related to health using various information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. The calculation unit 134 performs a calculation process of information related to excrement or information related to health based on the determination result by the determination unit 133.

The output unit 135 executes output processing to output various information. The output unit 135 functions as a transmission unit that transmits various information. The output unit 135 executes output processing by transmitting information to an external information processing device. The output unit 135 transmits information to an external information processing device. For example, the output unit 135 transmits various information to an administrator device such as a personal computer or smartphone used by an administrator. The output unit 135 may also execute output processing by transmitting information to the operation device 10 (or the display screen 11).

<5. Processing flow>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image data captured by the excrement detection sensor.
The excrement detection sensor 34 captures images at a predetermined time interval (e.g., 10 milliseconds) to obtain image data. Fig. 7(A) is an example of the obtained image data, which is image data in a state where there is no excrement in the sealing water. Thereafter, in the image data of Fig. 7(B) obtained within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of captures, if the measuring unit 132 obtains an area X estimated to be stool, the amount of change in the area estimated to be stool is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, so the determining unit 133 does not estimate or determine the amount of stool based on the area X estimated to be stool. This predetermined value may be extremely small. In other words, if there is even a slight change, the amount of stool may not be estimated or determined.

In the image data of FIG. 7(C) acquired within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of shots after FIG. 7(B), the area estimated to be stool by the measuring unit 132 has remained as area X with no change or has changed by less than a predetermined value, so the determining unit 133 estimates and determines the amount of stool based on area X estimated to be stool in the image data of FIG. 7(C). For example, if the area of area X is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value and less than a second predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "small". For example, if the area of area X is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value and less than a third predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "medium". For example, if the area of area X is equal to or greater than the third predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "large".

In the image data of FIG. 7(D) acquired within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of shots after FIG. 7(C), if the area estimated to be stool by the measurement unit 132 changes to area X+Y, the amount of change in the area estimated to be stool is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, so the determination unit 133 does not estimate or determine the amount of stool based on the area estimated to be stool X+Y.

In the image data of FIG. 7(E) acquired within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of shots after FIG. 7(D), the area estimated to be stool by the measurement unit 132 has remained the same as area X+Y, or has changed by an amount less than a predetermined value, so the determination unit 133 estimates and determines the amount of stool. For example, if the area of area X+Y is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value and less than a second predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "small." For example, if the area of area X+Y is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value and less than a third predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "medium." For example, if the area of area X+Y is equal to or greater than a third predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "large."

In the image data of FIG. 7(F) acquired within a specified time or within a specified number of shots after FIG. 7(E), if the area estimated to be stool by the measurement unit 132 changes to area X+Y+Z, the amount of change in the area estimated to be stool is equal to or greater than a specified value, so the determination unit 133 does not estimate or determine the amount of stool based on the area estimated to be stool X+Y+Z.

In the image data of FIG. 7(G) acquired within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of shots after FIG. 7(F), the area estimated to be stool by the measurement unit 132 has remained the area of the area X+Y+Z, with no change or the change amount being less than a predetermined value, so the determination unit 133 estimates and determines the amount of stool. For example, if the area of this area X+Y+Z is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value and less than a second predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "small." For example, if the area of this area X+Y+Z is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value and less than a third predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "medium." For example, if the area of this area X+Y+Z is equal to or greater than a third predetermined value, the amount of stool is determined to be "large."

In the image data of FIG. 7(H) acquired within a predetermined time or within a predetermined number of shots after FIG. 7(G), if the area estimated to be stool by the measurement unit 132 remains the area X+Y+Z with no change or the amount of change is less than a predetermined value, the determination unit 133 similarly estimates and determines the amount of stool.

After the measurements and judgments based on the various image data in FIG. 7 have been completed, the output unit 135 transmits the results of the estimation and judgment of the amount of stool carried out based on the area X+Y+Z estimated to be stool, which is the final remaining judgment result, to an external information processing device as the estimation and judgment result of the amount of stool representative of the current toilet excretion.
Alternatively, the output unit 135 transmits the result of estimating and determining the maximum amount of stool as the amount of stool representative of the current toilet excretion to an external information processing device. For example, if the determination result in area X is "small," the determination result in area X+Y is "medium," and the determination result in area X+Y+Z is "large," the output unit 135 transmits the result to an external information processing device, regarding the amount of stool representative of the current toilet excretion as "large."

For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned measurement and determination method. For example, in the image data of FIG. 7(C) acquired within a predetermined time or within a predetermined number of shots after FIG. 7(B), the area estimated to be stool by the measurement unit 132 has remained as area X with no change or has changed by an amount less than a predetermined value. Therefore, the determination unit 133 may estimate and determine the amount of stool based on area X estimated to be stool extracted from the image data of FIG. 7(B).

At this time, for example, it is possible to select the image data of the sealed water that has not changed within a specified time or a specified number of captures, without identifying the area estimated to be stool, and to extract the size of the area estimated to be stool from that image data, and estimate the amount of stool. At this time, the output unit 135 transmits the judgment result of the maximum amount of stool to an external information processing device as the estimation/judgment result of the amount of stool representative of the current toilet excretion. For example, if the judgment result in area X is "small," the judgment result in area X+Y is "medium," and the judgment result in area X+Y+Z is "large," the output unit 135 transmits the result to an external information processing device, regarding the amount of stool representative of the current toilet excretion as "large."

The control unit 130 may estimate and determine the shape of the stool, for example, hard stool or soft stool, based on the second area when the change in size between the first area estimated to be stool extracted from the first image information, which is image information of the sealing water, and the second area estimated to be stool extracted from the second image information, which is image information of the sealing water obtained within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times after the first image information, is less than a predetermined value. Also, the control unit 130 may extract the size of the area estimated to be stool extracted from the image information of the sealing water in which the change in size is less than a predetermined value within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times of imaging, and estimate and determine the shape of the stool based on the extracted area estimated to be stool.
That is, although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in which the amount of stool is determined, the shape of the stool, for example, whether it is hard or soft, may also be estimated and determined.

The above-described embodiments and variations can be combined as appropriate to the extent that they do not cause any inconsistencies in the processing content.

Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

1 Toilet system 2 Toilet seat device 32 Human body detection sensor 33 Sitting detection sensor 34 Excrement detection sensor (camera)
100 Control device 101 Communication unit 120 Storage unit 130 Control unit 131 Acquisition unit 132 Measurement unit 133 Determination unit 134 Calculation unit 135 Output unit R Toilet room

Claims (3)

A sensor is disposed above the sealing water accumulated in the bowl portion of the toilet, and acquires image information of a plurality of the sealing water in the bowl portion at a predetermined timing;
A control unit for controlling the sensor,
The control unit is
extracting an area estimated to be feces from the plurality of pieces of image information of the water seal obtained by the sensor;
The amount of stool is estimated from the size of the area estimated to be stool extracted from the image information of the plurality of water seals,
A toilet system characterized by executing control to estimate the amount or characteristics of stool based on the second area when the change in size of a first area estimated to be stool extracted from first image information, which is image information of the seal water, and a second area estimated to be stool extracted from second image information, which is image information of the seal water obtained within a specified time or within a specified number of times after the first image information, is less than a specified value. A sensor is disposed above the sealing water accumulated in the bowl portion of the toilet, and acquires image information of a plurality of the sealing water in the bowl portion at a predetermined timing;
A control unit for controlling the sensor,
The control unit is
extracting an area estimated to be feces from the plurality of pieces of image information of the water seal obtained by the sensor;
The amount of stool is estimated from the size of the area estimated to be stool extracted from the image information of the plurality of water seals,
extracting the size of the area estimated to be stool from the image information of the seal water in which the amount of change is equal to or less than a predetermined value within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times of imaging;
A toilet system characterized by: executing control to estimate the amount or properties of stool based on the extracted area estimated to be stool. The control unit is
The toilet system according to claim 2, characterized in that the amount of stool is estimated based on the area estimated to be stool, and a control is executed to estimate the amount of stool that represents the amount of stool that is estimated to be the largest among the estimated amounts of stool.