Toilet equipment

Abstract

This prevents causing discomfort to users who do not wish for automatic photography inside the toilet bowl. [Solution] The toilet device 1, 1A comprises a toilet seat positioned above the toilet bowl, an image sensor 44 for photographing the inside of the toilet bowl, and a control unit 311 that controls the image sensor 44 to execute an automatic shooting mode for automatically photographing the inside of the toilet bowl. When the control unit 311 obtains information indicating whether or not the user intends to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl, it switches between executing and stopping the automatic shooting mode based on the obtained information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet seat device provided with an image sensor. This toilet seat device automatically photographs the inside of the toilet bowl by means of the image sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, toilets are used by a plurality of users, and there may be users who do not wish to have the inside of the toilet bowl photographed. In such a case, if the inside of the toilet bowl is automatically photographed as in the toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk of causing discomfort to users who do not wish to have their photos taken.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to prevent discomfort from being given to users who do not wish to have the inside of the toilet bowl automatically photographed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a toilet device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a toilet seat disposed above a toilet bowl, an image sensor that photographs the inside of the toilet bowl, and a control unit that controls the image sensor to execute an automatic shooting mode in which the inside of the toilet bowl is automatically photographed. When the control unit acquires shooting intention information of a user indicating whether or not there is an intention to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl, based on the acquired shooting intention information, the control unit switches between execution and stop of the automatic shooting mode.

[0007] With this configuration, for example, if the information indicating the user does not intend to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl, the automatic shooting mode can be switched to stop, thereby preventing the inside of the toilet bowl from being automatically photographed and thus preventing discomfort to users who do not wish to be photographed.

[0008] In a toilet device according to a second aspect of the present invention, a stop instruction unit is provided to receive a stop instruction from the user, and the control unit switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped when the stop instruction unit receives a stop instruction while the automatic shooting mode is running.

[0009] With this configuration, even when automatic shooting mode is running, the user can switch to stopping automatic shooting mode by issuing a stop command. This improves usability for users who want to take pictures without requiring extra effort, while also respecting the privacy of users who do not wish to be photographed.

[0010] In a toilet device according to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit deletes images obtained by shooting before stopping when it switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped.

[0011] With this configuration, when the automatic shooting mode is switched from running to stopped, images taken before stopping are deleted, thus providing greater consideration for the privacy of users who do not wish to be photographed.

[0012] In a toilet device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a seat detection unit is provided to detect when a user sits on the toilet seat, and the control unit starts taking pictures in automatic shooting mode after a predetermined time has elapsed since the seat detection unit detected the user sitting on the seat, and if the stop instruction unit receives a stop instruction during the predetermined time, it switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped.

[0013] With this configuration, even if a user sitting on the toilet seat suddenly decides they no longer want to take pictures, the automatic shooting mode can be switched from running to stopped upon the user's command, thus further improving usability.

[0014] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the toilet device includes a shooting instruction unit that receives a shooting instruction from the user, and the control unit switches the automatic shooting mode from stopped to running when the shooting instruction unit receives a shooting instruction.

[0015] With this configuration, even if the automatic shooting mode is stopped, if the shooting instruction unit receives a shooting instruction, it will switch the automatic shooting mode from stopped to running, making it more convenient for users who suddenly want to take a picture. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent causing discomfort to users who do not wish for automatic photography inside the toilet bowl. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet room with toilet equipment installed. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the section II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the toilet system. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view showing an example of the operating device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of a toilet system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a front view showing a modified example of the operating device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the processing flow of a toilet system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in each drawing as much as possible, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0019] [First Embodiment] First, the toilet device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet room R in which the toilet device 1 is installed, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross-section of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the toilet device 1, FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of the operation device 7 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the toilet device 1.

[0020] [Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a toilet bowl 9 is installed on the floor surface F of the toilet room R. The toilet bowl 9 is a toilet, and has a toilet bowl 91 for receiving the feces of the user and a rim 92 erected around the toilet bowl 91. For example, when a cleaning operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R is operated by the user, cleaning water is supplied to the toilet bowl 91, and the toilet bowl 91 is cleaned and the feces are discharged from the toilet bowl 91. The cleaning operation unit can adopt various forms such as an operation lever provided in the toilet room R and a switch 70 provided in the operation device 7 described later.

[0021] The toilet device 1 is applied to this toilet bowl 9. The toilet device 1 includes a toilet seat device 2 and an operation device 7. In the following description, the front is referred to as "front", the rear as "rear", the left as "left", and the right as "right" when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 41 described later. Also, the vertical direction upward is referred to as "up" and the vertical direction downward is referred to as "down".

[0022] The toilet seat device 2 is attached to the upper part of the toilet bowl 9 and includes a main body 3, a toilet seat 41, a nozzle 42, and a toilet lid 43. The toilet seat device 2 may be detachably attached to the toilet bowl 9 or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet bowl 9.

[0023] The toilet seat 41 is the element on which the user sits when defecating, and its seating surface 41c supports the user's buttocks. The toilet seat 41 is annular in shape, and an opening 41a is formed in its center. The opening 41a opens the toilet bowl 91 when the toilet seat 41 is placed on the rim 92. The rear end of the toilet seat 41 is pivotally supported, so that the toilet seat 41 can rotate between a position where it is placed on the rim 92 and a position where it is separated from the rim 92 and opens the toilet bowl 91 widely.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the toilet seat 41 has a base plate 5 and a top plate 6. Both the base plate 5 and the top plate 6 are made of resin material. The inner peripheral edge 5a of the base plate 5 and the inner peripheral edge 6a of the top plate 6 are welded together, and the outer peripheral edge 5b of the base plate 5 and the outer peripheral edge 6b of the top plate 6 are welded together, thereby joining the base plate 5 and the top plate 6 to form the toilet seat 41. The central parts of the base plate 5 and the top plate 6 are spaced apart from each other, thereby creating an air gap 41b inside the toilet seat 41. In addition to this, the toilet seat 41 can also adopt various other forms, such as one in which ribs erected on the upper surface of the base plate 5 and ribs erected on the lower surface of the top plate 6 are welded together to join them.

[0025] When the toilet seat 41 is placed on the rim 92 of the toilet bowl 9, as shown in Figure 2, the base plate 5 is positioned such that a part of it faces the rim 92 in the vertical direction, while the other part is located above the toilet bowl 91. An opening 5c ​​is provided in this other part of the base plate 5. An image sensor 44 is provided in, for example, a gap 41b on the underside of the toilet seat 41, as an imaging unit that captures images of the inside of the toilet bowl 91 through this opening 5c. The image sensor 44 can capture images of objects within a field of view θ1 in a side view as shown in Figure 2. The configuration around the image sensor 44 will be described later.

[0026] The tabletop 6 is positioned so that its curved seating surface 41c faces upward. A heater 411 is attached to the underside of the tabletop 6. The heater 411 is an electric heating element that generates Joule heat when power is supplied.

[0027] The nozzle 42 shown in Figure 1 is used for cleaning the user's private parts. The nozzle 42 is configured to move in and out of the main body 3 into the toilet bowl 91 by an electric motor (not shown). When the nozzle 42 is positioned inside the toilet bowl 91, an electromagnetic valve (not shown) is opened, causing the nozzle 42 to discharge water towards the user's private parts.

[0028] The toilet lid 43 is pivotally supported at its rear end and is configured to rotate between a position that covers the toilet seat 41 and a position that leaves the toilet seat 41 open.

[0029] The operating device 7 operates the toilet seat device 2 and is installed, for example, on the wall of the toilet room R. The operating device 7 has multiple switches 70, each corresponding to one of the multiple operations of the toilet seat device 2. As shown in Figure 3, the operating device 7 further includes a communication unit 71 and a display unit 72. The communication unit 71 transmits and receives signals wirelessly with the communication unit 313 of the toilet seat device 2, which will be described later. The display unit 72 is a liquid crystal panel provided on the outer surface of the operating device 7 and displays various information.

[0030] Furthermore, similar to the operating device 7, the toilet seat device 2 may be remotely controlled by wireless communication with the toilet seat device 2 using a portable information terminal C1. This portable information terminal C1 may be, for example, a smartphone or tablet device owned by the user. However, the portable information terminal C1 is not limited to these, and may be any device that the user can carry.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, a control device 31 is located inside the main body 3 of the toilet seat device 2. The control device 31 is composed of analog circuits, a digital processor, or memory, and has a control unit 311, a storage unit 312, and a communication unit 313 as functional blocks. The control unit 311 performs various controls based on signals received by the control device 31 from the outside. The storage unit 312 stores various setting information and parameters. The communication unit 313 sends and receives signals to and from the outside of the toilet seat device 2, such as the user's mobile information terminal C1 or a cloud service C2.

[0032] Furthermore, the software modules incorporated into the control device 31 do not necessarily need to be divided into functional blocks as shown in Figure 3. In other words, the actual analog circuits and modules may be configured to perform the functions of multiple functional blocks as shown in Figure 3, or they may be further subdivided. The configuration of the control device 31 can be modified as appropriate by those skilled in the art, as long as it is configured to perform the processing described later.

[0033] The control device 31 is connected to the heater 411, nozzle 42, human body detection sensor 412 (which acts as a human body detection unit), seating detection sensor 413 (which acts as a seating detection unit), and image sensor 44 in a manner that allows it to transmit control signals. The human body detection sensor 412 detects a user (person) entering the toilet room R. The seating detection sensor 413 detects when a user sits on the toilet seat 41. The control device 31 can receive detection signals from these human body detection sensors 412 and seating detection sensors 413, and can also receive image signals from the image sensor 44.

[0034] <Example of operation> Based on the signal received from the seat detection sensor 413, the control unit 311 of the control device 31 determines that a user has sat on the toilet seat 41 and sends a control signal to the heater 411 (i.e., supplies power to the heater 411). As a result, the temperature of the top plate 6 rises due to the Joule heat generated by the heater 411, and the toilet seat 41 is heated.

[0035] Furthermore, when the user presses the switch 70 on the operating device 7 corresponding to the start of local washing, the communication unit 71 of the operating device 7 generates a signal corresponding to this switch 70 and transmits it wirelessly to the toilet seat device 2. The toilet seat device 2 receives this signal with the communication unit 313 of the control device 31, and the control device 31 transmits a control signal to, for example, the nozzle 42. Upon receiving the control signal, the nozzle 42 extends from the main body 3 into the toilet bowl 91 and discharges water supplied from the opened electromagnetic valve towards the user's private parts.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 311 of the control device 31 controls the image sensor 44 after or during the user's defecation to execute an automatic shooting mode that automatically photographs the inside of the toilet bowl 91 without any operation by the user (hereinafter referred to as "automatic shooting" as appropriate). In this automatic shooting mode, the inside of the toilet bowl 91 is photographed multiple times within a predetermined time period. The image sensor 44 transmits an image signal corresponding to the image of the inside of the toilet bowl 91 that has been photographed to the control device 31. Upon receiving the image signal, the control device 31 stores the image based on the image signal in the storage unit 312, and the control unit 311, based on a predetermined program, determines at least one of the following from the image based on the image signal: the presence or absence of stool, the color, shape, and amount of stool. The communication unit 313 of the control device 31 generates a signal corresponding to this determination result and transmits it to an external cloud service C2. Medical professionals can access this cloud service C2 to obtain the above determination result, thereby understanding the user's health condition and providing advice based on that.

[0037] <Prevention of discomfort> Toilet device 1 is designed to prevent causing discomfort to users who do not wish for automatic photography of the inside of the toilet bowl 91. This point will be explained below.

[0038] When the control unit 311 of the control device 31 acquires information indicating whether or not the user intends to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl 91, it switches the setting to execute or stop the automatic shooting mode based on the acquired information. As shown in Figure 4, the words "on" or "off" may be displayed on the display unit 72 of the operating device 7 so that the user can understand the state of the automatic shooting mode (on) or stopped (off). The information on the intention to photograph may also be acquired (received) by the communication unit 313 from, for example, a mobile information terminal C1 or a cloud service C2. Alternatively, the information on the intention to photograph may be acquired by the control unit 311 from a storage unit 312 provided in the main unit 3 or from the operating device 7.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, among the multiple switches 70 of the operating device 7, there is a stop instruction switch 701 which acts as a stop instruction unit to receive a stop instruction from the user, and a shooting instruction switch 702 which acts as a shooting instruction unit to receive a shooting instruction from the user. When the stop instruction switch 701 receives a stop instruction while the automatic shooting mode is running, i.e., when the stop instruction switch 701 is pressed, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped. Also, when the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped, it deletes the image obtained by shooting before stopping from the storage unit 312 of the control device 31. Also, when the shooting instruction switch 702 receives a shooting instruction, i.e., when the shooting instruction switch 702 is pressed, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode from stopped to running.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 311 starts taking pictures in automatic shooting mode after a predetermined time has elapsed since the seating detection sensor 413 detected a seating position. If the stop instruction switch 701 is pressed during this predetermined time, the control unit switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped.

[0041] The following example illustrates a series of processes designed to prevent user discomfort, using Figure 5 as a reference. Note that the series of processes shown in Figure 5 are repeated, for example, every few seconds.

[0042] (Step SP10) The control unit 311 determines, for example, whether the communication unit 313 has acquired information about the user's intention to take a photograph from the user's mobile information terminal C1. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP11; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP12.

[0043] (Step SP11) If the acquired information indicating the intention to photograph indicates an intention to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl 91, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode to "execute". If the acquired information indicating the intention to photograph indicates an intention not to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl 91, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode to "stop". Then the process proceeds to step SP12.

[0044] (Step SP12) The control unit 311 determines whether or not the stop instruction switch 701 has been pressed. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP13; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0045] (Step SP13) The control unit 311 sets the stop flag set in the storage unit 312 to ON. Then, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0046] (Step SP14) The control unit 311 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the stop flag was set to ON. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP15; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP16.

[0047] (Step SP15) The control unit 311 sets the stop flag to off. Then, the process proceeds to step SP16.

[0048] (Step SP16) The control unit 311 determines whether the seating detection sensor 413 has detected that the user is seated on the toilet seat 41. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP17; if the determination is negative, the series of processes shown in Figure 5 ends.

[0049] (Step SP17) The control unit 311 determines whether the automatic shooting mode is set to execute. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP18; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP19.

[0050] (Step SP18) The control unit 311 determines whether the stop flag is set to ON. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP19; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP20.

[0051] (Step SP19) The control unit 311 determines whether or not the shooting instruction switch 702 has been pressed. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP20; if the determination is negative, the series of processes shown in Figure 5 ends.

[0052] (Step SP20) The control unit 311 starts timing. Then, the process moves on to step SP21.

[0053] (Step SP21) The control unit 311 controls the image sensor 44 to turn on the illumination provided on the image sensor 44 in order to notify the user that shooting is about to begin. Then, the process proceeds to step SP22.

[0054] (Step SP22) The control unit 311 determines whether or not it has received a press operation of the stop instruction switch 701 by the user. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP26; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP22.

[0055] (Step SP23) The control unit 311 determines whether the time measured has elapsed beyond a predetermined waiting period. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP24; if the determination is negative, the process returns to step SP22.

[0056] (Step SP24) The control unit 311 controls the image sensor 44 to start automatic shooting, which automatically captures images of the inside of the toilet bowl 91. Then, the process moves on to step SP25.

[0057] (Step SP25) The control unit 311 determines whether or not it has received a press operation on the stop instruction switch 701. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP26; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP28.

[0058] (Step SP26) The control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode to permanent or temporary stop. Then, the process proceeds to step SP27.

[0059] (Step SP27) The control unit 311 deletes the images obtained during automatic shooting before switching the automatic shooting mode to stop. In other words, the control unit 311 deletes the images obtained at the start of shooting in step SP24. Then, the process moves on to the process in step SP29.

[0060] (Step SP28) If a negative result is obtained in step SP25, the control unit 311 determines the presence or absence of stool, as well as the characteristics of the stool, such as its color, shape, and quantity, from the image obtained by automatic capture. The communication unit 313 generates a signal corresponding to this determination result and transmits it to the external cloud service C2 or the mobile information terminal C1. Then, the process proceeds to step SP29.

[0061] (Step SP29) The control unit 311 controls the image sensor 44 to turn off the illumination provided on the image sensor 44. Then, the series of processes shown in Figure 5 are completed.

[0062] <Effects and Effects> With the above configuration, for example, if the information indicating the intention to photograph indicates that there is no intention to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl 91, the automatic shooting mode can be switched to stop, thereby preventing the inside of the toilet bowl 91 from being photographed automatically and thus preventing causing discomfort to users who do not wish to be photographed.

[0063] Furthermore, when the automatic shooting mode is running, the control unit 311 receives a stop instruction from the stop instruction switch 701 and switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped.

[0064] With this configuration, even when automatic shooting mode is running, the user can switch to stopping automatic shooting mode by issuing a stop command. This improves usability for users who want to take pictures without requiring extra effort, while also respecting the privacy of users who do not wish to be photographed.

[0065] Furthermore, when the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped, it deletes the images obtained during shooting before stopping.

[0066] With this configuration, when the automatic shooting mode is switched from running to stopped, images taken before stopping are deleted, thus providing greater consideration for the privacy of users who do not wish to be photographed.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 311 starts shooting in automatic shooting mode after a predetermined time has elapsed since the seating detection sensor 413 detected a seating position. If the stop instruction switch 701 receives a stop instruction during the predetermined time, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped.

[0068] With this configuration, even if a user sitting on the toilet seat 41 suddenly decides they no longer want to take pictures, the automatic shooting mode can be switched from running to stopped upon the user's instruction to stop, thus further improving usability.

[0069] Furthermore, when the shooting instruction switch 74 receives a shooting instruction, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode from stopped to running.

[0070] With this configuration, even if the automatic shooting mode is stopped, if the shooting instruction switch 74 receives a shooting instruction, the automatic shooting mode will switch from stopped to running, making it more convenient for users who suddenly want to take a picture.

[0071] [Second Embodiment] Next, the toilet device 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3, 6, and 7. Figure 6 is a front view showing a modified example of the operating device 7 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the processing flow of the toilet device 1A. In the toilet device 1A according to the second embodiment, the switch 70 provided on the operating device 7 and the processing flow of the toilet device 1A differ from those of the first embodiment. In the toilet device 1A according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0072] As shown in Figure 3, the toilet device 1A according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the toilet device 1 according to the first embodiment. However, as shown in Figure 6, the switches 70 of the operating device 7 in the toilet device 1A include an automatic shooting switch 703 and identification switches 704 to 707. The automatic shooting switch 703 is a switch for switching the execution and stopping of the automatic shooting mode. The identification switches 704 to 707 are switches for identifying the user. For example, identification switch 704 is a switch for identifying "father", identification switch 705 is a switch for identifying "mother", identification switch 705 is a switch for identifying "male", and identification switch 706 is a switch for identifying "female".

[0073] The following example illustrates a series of processes designed to prevent user discomfort, using Figure 7 as a reference. Note that the series of processes shown in Figure 7 are repeated, for example, every few seconds.

[0074] (Step SP50) The control unit 311 determines whether or not the identification switches 704 to 707 have been pressed. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP51; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP53.

[0075] (Step SP51) The control unit 311 obtains setting information from the storage unit 312 corresponding to the pressed identification switch among the identification switches 704 to 707. This setting information includes information indicating the user's intention to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl 91. Then, the process proceeds to step SP52.

[0076] (Step SP52) The control unit 311 makes various settings based on the acquired setting information. At this time, the control unit 311 switches between executing and stopping the automatic shooting mode based on the shooting intention information included in the acquired setting information. For example, if the shooting intention information corresponding to the identification switch 704 indicates that there is an intention to take a picture, and the identification switch 704 is pressed, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode to execute according to that shooting intention information. Also, if the shooting intention information corresponding to the identification switch 705 indicates that there is no intention to take a picture, and the identification switch 705 is pressed, the control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode to stop according to that shooting intention information. Then, the process moves on to step SP53.

[0077] (Step SP53) The control unit 311 determines whether or not the automatic shooting switch 703 has been pressed. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP54; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP55.

[0078] (Step SP54) The control unit 311 switches the automatic shooting mode to stop if it is currently running, and switches the automatic shooting mode to run if it is currently stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step SP55.

[0079] (Step SP55) The control unit 311 determines whether the seating detection sensor 413 has detected that the user is seated on the toilet seat 41. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP56; if the determination is negative, the series of processes shown in Figure 7 ends.

[0080] (Step SP56) The control unit 311 determines whether the automatic shooting mode is set to execute. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP57; if the determination is negative, the series of processes shown in Figure 7 ends.

[0081] (Step SP57) The control unit 311 controls the image sensor 44 to start automatic shooting, which automatically captures images of the inside of the toilet bowl 91. Then, the process moves on to step SP58.

[0082] (Step SP58) The communication unit 313 transmits the image obtained by automatic shooting to an external cloud service C2. The cloud service C2 analyzes the received image to determine the presence or absence of stool, its color, shape, quantity, and other characteristics of the stool, and notifies the user of the determination result.

[0083] <Effects and Effects> In the second embodiment, the control unit 311 can acquire the intention to take a picture via the identification switches 704 to 707. This reduces the effort required from the user compared to acquiring the intention to take a picture from an external source such as a mobile information terminal C1 or a cloud service C2, and allows the acquisition of the intention to take a picture even without an external communication environment.

[0084] [Differentiation] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, any modifications made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention.

[0085] For example, in the first embodiment, the operating device 7 was described as comprising a stop instruction switch 701 and a shooting instruction switch 702, but all or part of these switches may be omitted. Alternatively, the stop instruction switch 701 and the shooting instruction switch 702 may be applied to the toilet device 1A of the second embodiment. Furthermore, although the stop instruction unit was described as a stop instruction switch 701, it may also be a display unit 72, a mobile information terminal C1, or a cloud service C2. Similarly, although the shooting instruction unit was described as a shooting instruction switch 702, it may also be a display unit 72, a mobile information terminal C1, or a cloud service C2.

[0086] Furthermore, although the second embodiment described a case where the user is identified by identification switches 704-707, the user may also be identified by the user's method of operation or the content of the operation of the operating device 7. The operating device 7 may also function as a user identification device. For example, the operating device 7 identifies the user by personal authentication. The operating device 7 may also identify the user based on biometric information such as the user's fingerprints, veins, weight, or iris. Alternatively, the user may be identified by the portable information terminal C1 and the toilet device 1 communicating and the portable information terminal C1 or the toilet device 1A performing personal authentication of the user. Alternatively, the user may be identified by the toilet device 1A reading an identification card held by the user.

[0087] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control unit 312 was described as turning off the illumination of the image sensor 44 when automatic shooting is not performed. However, when automatic shooting is not performed, the control unit 312 may control a shielding member (not shown) provided on the toilet seat 41 to hide the lens portion of the image sensor 44, and when automatic shooting is performed, the control unit 312 may control a shielding member (not shown) provided on the toilet seat 41 to expose the lens portion of the image sensor 44. This further prevents causing discomfort to users who do not wish for automatic shooting of the inside of the toilet bowl 91.

[0088] Furthermore, although the first embodiment described the case where the image sensor 44 is provided on the underside of the toilet seat 41, it may also be provided in a location other than the underside of the toilet seat 41, such as the side of the toilet seat 41, or it may be provided in the toilet bowl 9, the operating device 7, the toilet room R, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1, 1A...Toilet device, 9...Toilet bowl, 41...Toilet seat, 44...Image sensor, 91...Toilet bowl, 311...Control unit, 413...Seating detection sensor (Seating detection unit), 701...Stop instruction switch (Stop instruction unit), 702...Shooting instruction switch (Shooting instruction unit)

Claims

1. The toilet seat is positioned above the toilet bowl, An image sensor for photographing the inside of the toilet bowl, The system includes a control unit that controls the image sensor to execute an automatic shooting mode that automatically photographs the inside of the toilet bowl, The toilet device is characterized in that, when the control unit acquires information indicating whether or not the user intends to photograph the inside of the toilet bowl, it switches between executing and stopping the automatic shooting mode based on the acquired information.

2. The system includes a stop instruction unit that receives a stop instruction from the user, The toilet device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit switches the automatic shooting mode from execution to stop when the stop instruction unit receives the stop instruction while the automatic shooting mode is being executed.

3. The toilet device according to claim 2, characterized in that when the control unit switches the automatic shooting mode from execution to stop, it deletes the image obtained by the shooting before stopping.

4. The toilet seat is equipped with a seating detection unit that detects when the user sits on the toilet seat, The toilet device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control unit starts taking pictures in the automatic shooting mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since the seating detection unit detected the seating, and if the stop instruction unit receives a stop instruction during the predetermined time, it switches the automatic shooting mode from running to stopped.

5. The system includes a shooting instruction unit that receives shooting instructions from the user, The toilet device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the control unit switches the automatic shooting mode from stop to run when the shooting instruction unit receives the shooting instruction.

Images