camera device

Abstract

A camera (1) for taking an image of excrement has a toilet (101) having a bowl portion, a sensing portion (2) including a camera sensor (21), the sensing portion (2) being set at an angle of view and a mounting position such that a detection area D1 of the excrement expected to fall into the bowl portion (101a) is at least included in a field of view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a camera device for photographing excrement. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, there has been a desire in elderly care facilities and other settings to objectively manage the excrement of those being cared for. To achieve this management, techniques have been proposed involving installing cameras to capture images of excrement on toilet bowls. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an excrement-capturing device that includes a plate mounted above and behind the toilet bowl, with a camera mechanism positioned opposite the toilet bowl on the plate.

[0003] However, the technology in Patent Document 1, because the camera mechanism is fixed in a way that is opposite to the toilet bowl, makes it difficult to include the excrement falling into the toilet bowl into the field of view of the camera mechanism, and further improvements are needed.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-126331 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a camera device that can include excrement falling into the toilet bowl within the angle of view.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a camera device for capturing images of excrement. The camera device includes a sensing unit mounted on the rim of a toilet having a bowl portion and an rim located at the upper part of the bowl portion. The sensing unit includes a camera sensor. The sensing unit is configured with a viewing angle and a mounting position such that a detection area is at least included in the field of view. The detection area is the area where the excrement is expected to fall onto the bowl portion.

[0009] According to the present invention, excrement falling into the toilet bowl can be included in the angle of view. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is an external view of a toilet that utilizes the camera device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of a sensor being installed in a toilet.

[0012] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows another example of a sensor being installed in a toilet.

[0013] Figure 4 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows another example of a sensor being installed in a toilet.

[0014] Figure 5 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows another example of a sensor being installed in a toilet.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an installation example in which the sensing unit of the comparative example of the present invention is installed in a toilet.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing other installation examples of the comparative example of the present invention where the sensing unit is installed in a toilet.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing other installation examples of the comparative example of the present invention where the sensing unit is installed in a toilet.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a camera device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the initialization process for setting values ​​in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the detection area setting process in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the markings that are placed on the toilet.

[0022] Figure 13 This is an explanatory diagram used to illustrate the installation process of the sensor unit.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing of a camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of the camera device according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The process of obtaining the present invention

[0027] Excretion history information, including the frequency and timing of urination, defecation, and flatulence, is crucial for understanding a person's health risks. This is especially important in elderly care facilities housing a large number of seniors prone to constipation, where objective recording of residents' excretion history is desirable to guide appropriate use of medications such as laxatives. However, with multiple residents in elderly care facilities, burdening caregivers with such record-keeping tasks is burdensome and difficult. Therefore, the inventors of this invention have researched a technology to automatically manage such excretion history information without human intervention.

[0028] To automatically generate such excretion history information, it is more effective to install a camera on the toilet, use the camera to photograph the excrement falling into the toilet bowl, and then analyze and store the obtained image data.

[0029] However, typical camera devices have a narrow 45-degree field of view. When installed on a toilet, excrement falling into the bowl may not be captured within the camera's field of view. Furthermore, while wide-angle cameras typically have a 60-degree field of view, even with such devices, it's difficult to capture excrement falling into the bowl. Therefore, when existing camera devices are installed on toilets, they cannot accurately detect the presence or type of excrement from the image data.

[0030] Furthermore, while an ultra-wide-angle camera might be able to capture the excrement falling into the toilet bowl, the field of view varies depending on the camera's installation location. Simply mounting an ultra-wide-angle camera on the toilet could result in either an excessively wide or insufficient field of view.

[0031] Here, the inventors of the present invention have come to the conclusion that by setting the viewing angle and installation position of the sensor in such a way that the detection area where the expected excrement falls into the toilet bowl is at least included in the field of view, the excrement falling into the toilet bowl can be included in the field of view, and thus the following embodiments of the present invention were conceived.

[0032] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a camera device for capturing images of excrement. The camera device includes a sensing unit mounted on the rim of a toilet having a bowl portion and an rim located at the upper part of the bowl portion. The sensing unit includes a camera sensor. The sensing unit is configured with a viewing angle and a mounting position such that a detection area is at least included in the field of view. The detection area is the area where the excrement is expected to fall onto the bowl portion.

[0033] Based on this configuration, since the sensor's viewing angle and mounting position are set in such a way that the detection area is at least included within the sensor's field of view, the sensor can bring excrement into the field of view. As a result, the presence or absence of defecation and the type of defecation can be detected with high precision from image data.

[0034] In the aforementioned camera device, the edge may have an opening. When viewed from above, assuming the opening is positioned on the centerline in the front-rear direction between the first and second intersection points as the first position, the first intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the front of the opening, and the second intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the front of the detection area, assuming the opening is positioned on the centerline between the third and fourth intersection points as the second position, the third intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the rear of the detection area, and the fourth intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the rear of the opening, the sensing unit sets the viewing angle and the mounting position in such a way that the first and second positions are included within the field of view.

[0035] Based on this configuration, the viewing angle and installation position of the sensor are set in such a way that the first position and the second position are included within the field of view. This allows for more reliable inclusion of excrement within the field of view.

[0036] In the aforementioned camera device, the first position may be the first intersection point, and the second position may be the fourth intersection point.

[0037] Based on this configuration, since the first position is the intersection of the center line and the front of the opening (i.e., the first intersection point), and the second position is the intersection of the center line and the rear of the opening (i.e., the fourth intersection point), most of the toilet bowl area can be included in the field of view. Therefore, excrement can be more reliably included in the field of view.

[0038] Alternatively, the camera device may be installed at a position diagonally behind the detection area, with a viewing angle of 83 degrees or more.

[0039] With the sensor installed diagonally behind and behind the detection area, an investigation of various toilets revealed that the required viewing angle to include most of the toilet bowl area is 83 degrees. In this configuration, because the viewing angle is greater than 83 degrees, installing the sensor diagonally behind and behind the detection area allows for the inclusion of most of the toilet bowl area within the viewing angle, thus enabling more reliable detection of excrement.

[0040] Furthermore, in a typical toilet design, when the toilet seat is placed over the bowl, it protrudes slightly towards the opening at a location slightly behind and to the rear of the bowl. Therefore, by positioning the sensor slightly behind and to the rear of the detection area, the user will not notice its presence.

[0041] The camera device may also be installed in front of or behind the detection area, with a viewing angle of 101 degrees or more.

[0042] With the sensor installed in front of or behind the detection area, an investigation of various toilets revealed that the required viewing angle to include most of the toilet bowl area within the field of view is 101 degrees. In this configuration, because the viewing angle is greater than 101 degrees, installing the sensor in front of or behind the detection area allows for the inclusion of most of the toilet bowl area within the field of view, enabling more reliable detection of excrement.

[0043] The camera device may also have a viewing angle of 105 degrees or more.

[0044] Regardless of the sensor's installation location, a survey of various toilets revealed that the required viewing angle to include most of the toilet bowl area is 105 degrees. In this configuration, because the viewing angle is greater than 105 degrees, most of the toilet bowl area can be included in the field of view regardless of the sensor's installation location, allowing for more reliable collection of excrement.

[0045] The camera device may also include a mounting section for detachably mounting the sensor to the toilet.

[0046] Based on this configuration, the sensor can be installed in any position on the toilet. Therefore, the sensor can be installed on an existing toilet later.

[0047] The camera device may also include a calibration execution unit, which performs the following actions: acquiring image data from the camera sensor of a mark placed at a specific location on the toilet; detecting the location of the mark from the acquired image data; and setting calibration of an area corresponding to the detection area in the image data based on the detected location.

[0048] According to this configuration, the location of the marker is detected from image data obtained by capturing the marker, and calibration is performed on the image data in a region corresponding to the detection area based on the detected location. Therefore, by setting a region corresponding to the detection area obtained through calibration for subsequently captured image data, the area where excrement appears can be quickly extracted from the image data. As a result, the presence and type of excrement can be accurately and quickly determined based on the detection area. Moreover, by storing only the image data within the detection area as excretion history information in memory, rather than the entire image data, memory capacity can be saved. Furthermore, by treating the detection area as the processing object for image processing, the processing burden can be reduced compared to treating the entire image data as the processing object for image processing.

[0049] The camera device may also include a gender determination unit, which detects the position of urine falling into the toilet bowl from the image data captured by the camera sensor, and determines the gender of the person excreting based on the detected position.

[0050] The point at which urine falls onto the urinal varies depending on gender. Based on this configuration, the point at which urine falls onto the urinal is detected from image data, and the gender of the person excreting is determined based on the detected point. Therefore, the gender of the person excreting can be determined. Consequently, excretion history information that correlates gender with image data can be generated.

[0051] In the aforementioned configuration, the gender determination unit may determine that the excreter is male if the landing position is in the first region, and female if the landing position is in the second region located behind the first region.

[0052] The point where urine falls onto the urinal is positioned further forward for men than for women. Based on this configuration, if the urine falls in the first area, the person excreting is identified as male; if the urine falls in the second area, which is located further back than the first area, the person excreting is identified as female. Therefore, the gender of the person excreting can be accurately determined.

[0053] In the aforementioned configuration, the gender determination unit may detect the seating position of the person excreting waste and change the first area and the second area based on the determination result.

[0054] Even among individuals of the same gender, the location of urine discharge can vary depending on their seating position. Based on this design, by establishing a first and second zone according to the seating position, appropriate first and second zones can be set according to the seating position, allowing for accurate determination of the individual's gender.

[0055] This invention can also be implemented as a program that causes a computer to execute the characteristic components included in the imaging device, or as a system that operates by means of such a program. Furthermore, needless to say, such a computer program can be distributed via a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or a communication network such as the Internet.

[0056] Furthermore, the embodiments described below are specific examples of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, constituent elements, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely specific examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Moreover, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, those not described in the independent claims representing the highest-level concept are described as arbitrary constituent elements. Furthermore, the contents of all embodiments can be combined arbitrarily.

[0057] First Implementation Method

[0058] Figure 1 This is an external view of a toilet 101 using the camera device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The toilet 101 is a flushing toilet. The toilet 101 includes a bowl portion 101a, a rim portion 101b, and an opening portion 101c. The rim portion 101b is located at the upper part of the toilet 101 and is a frame defining the opening portion 101c. The bowl portion 101a is a bowl-shaped component located below the rim portion 101b, used to receive feces and urine. A water collection portion 104 is located below the bowl portion 101a. The water collection portion 104 is a downwardly recessed, large-hole-shaped component used to collect water. Since the water in the water collection portion 104 may sometimes overflow its edge, in this embodiment, the water collection portion 104 refers to the portion excluding the water overflowing from the edge.

[0059] A drain outlet (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the water collection section 104. This drain outlet is connected to the sewer pipe, allowing feces and urine discharged into the toilet bowl section 101a to flow into the sewer pipe.

[0060] A toilet seat 102 is provided on the upper part of the toilet 101 for the user to sit on. The toilet seat 102 is installed on the toilet 101 in a manner that allows it to rotate freely about a rotation axis provided on the rear edge 101b. The user sits with the toilet seat 102 covering the toilet 101. A water tank 103 is provided at the rear of the toilet 101 to collect washing water for flushing feces and urine discharged into the toilet bowl 101a.

[0061] A cleaning rod 106 is rotatably mounted on the side wall of the water storage tank 103. When the cleaning rod 106 is rotated, the cleaning water in the water storage tank 103 is supplied to the toilet bowl 101a, allowing the feces and urine discharged into the toilet bowl 101a to flow into the sewer pipe through the drain outlet.

[0062] The camera device 1 includes a sensing unit 2, a processing unit 3, and a mounting unit 6. The sensing unit 2 is mounted on one end of the mounting unit 6, so that the sensing unit 2 is detachably mounted to the edge portion 101b. The mounting unit 6 is made of a flexible component such as resin, and is fixed to the edge portion 101b by clamping it from above.

[0063] The sensing unit 2 includes a housing 24. An image sensor 21 (see reference) is built inside the housing 24. Figure 9 An opening is provided on the main surface 24a of the housing 24 to guide light to the camera sensor 21. The sensor 2 is mounted on the edge 101b via the mounting part 6 such that the main surface 24a faces the inside of the edge 101b. Thus, the camera sensor 21 inside the housing 24 can capture images of the condition of the toilet bowl 101a.

[0064] The processing device 3 is disposed, for example, on the side wall of the water storage tank 105. The processing device 3 is communicatively connected to the sensing unit 2 via wired or wireless means. The processing device 3 acquires image data captured by the camera sensor 21 and determines whether defecation has occurred based on the acquired image data.

[0065] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of a sensor unit 2 being installed in a toilet 101. Figure 2 It shows a top-down view of Toilet 101. Furthermore, in Figure 2 The illustration of toilet seat 102 has been omitted. This is for... Figures 3 to 8 The same.

[0066] Assume the horizontal view angle of sensor 2 is θ1. Assume one of the two boundary lines defining view angle θ1 is L1 (first boundary line) and the other is L2 (second boundary line). The area enclosed by boundary lines L1 and L2 is the view field of sensor 2. Assume the centerline of opening 101c in the front-back direction is LC. Assume the front intersection point of opening 101c with centerline LC is P1 (first intersection point) and the rear intersection point is P2 (fourth intersection point). Assume the front intersection point of detection area D1 with centerline LC is P3 (second intersection point) and the rear intersection point is P4 (third intersection point). Assume the dimension of opening 101c in the front-back direction is LA and its dimension in the left-right direction is LB. Assume the centerline of the view is LD.

[0067] The outline of the opening 101c is approximately pentagonal in shape, with two curved points K1 and K2 at the rear and three curved points at the front.

[0068] The sensor 2 can use a standard viewing angle in the vertical direction, for example, 45 degrees. Specifically, the sensor 2 is installed on the toilet 101 such that the center line of the vertical viewing angle is tilted downward relative to the opening 101c by half the standard viewing angle (for example, 22.5 degrees).

[0069] exist Figure 2 In this example, the sensor 2 is installed diagonally behind the detection area D1. Specifically, the sensor 2 is installed at the bend point K1 on the left rear side of the outline of the opening 101c. However, this is just one example; the sensor 2 can also be installed at the bend point K2 on the right rear side of the outline of the opening 101c.

[0070] The detection area D1 is the area where excrement (feces) is expected to fall into the toilet bowl section 101a, and is, for example, a rectangular area that largely overlaps with the water accumulation section 104.

[0071] In order to capture the excrement discharged into the toilet bowl 101a, at least the detection area D1 needs to be within the viewing angle θ1. Preferably, most of the area of ​​the toilet bowl 101a needs to be within the viewing angle θ1. Therefore, in Figure 2 In the example, the viewpoint θ1 is set by having boundary line L1 pass through intersection point P1 and boundary line L2 pass through intersection point P2.

[0072] With the sensor 2 installed diagonally behind and behind the detection area D1, the viewing angle θ1 required for boundary line L1 to pass through intersection point P1 and boundary line L2 to pass through intersection point P2 was measured. Therefore, for a standard-sized toilet 101 with dimensions LA of 320mm to 350mm and LB of 290mm, the viewing angle θ1 is approximately 83 degrees. Specifically, for a toilet 101 with a dimension LA of 350mm, the viewing angle θ1 is 83.4 degrees. Therefore, in Figure 2 In this example, the viewing angle θ1 is set to 83.4 degrees. Furthermore, the viewing angle of the sensor 2 can be adjusted either by changing the viewing angle of the camera sensor 21 or by adjusting the opening provided in the housing 24.

[0073] The dimensions LA of the large-sized toilet 101 are 360mm to 380mm. In this case, a viewing angle θ1 of approximately 87 degrees is required so that boundary line L1 passes through intersection point P1 and boundary line L2 passes through intersection point P2. Therefore, in this embodiment, for the large-sized toilet 101, with the sensor 2 installed in the oblique rear direction of the detection area D1, the viewing angle θ1 is set to approximately 87 degrees.

[0074] As can be seen from the above, regardless of whether it is a standard size or a large size, when the sensor 2 is installed behind and diagonally behind the detection area D1, in order for the boundary line L1 to pass through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 to pass through the intersection point P2θ1, the viewing angle θ1 only needs to be 83.4 degrees or more. If a margin is taken into account, it can be 83 degrees or more.

[0075] When the toilet seat 102 covers the rim 101b, it often protrudes significantly towards the opening 101c around the bends K1 and K2, but not so much towards the opening 101c in front of the rim 101b. Furthermore, a spot cleaning device is sometimes placed around the intersection P2, making it difficult to install the sensor 2. Therefore, installing the sensor 2 diagonally behind and behind the detection area D1 has the advantages of easy installation and less noticeability to the user.

[0076] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows another example of the sensor 2 being installed in the toilet 101. Figure 3 In this example, sensor 2 is installed to the side of the detection area D1. Specifically, sensor 2 is installed at intersection point P7, which is the intersection of the center O of opening 101c, the straight line orthogonal to the center line LC, and the outline of opening 101c on the left side. However, this is just one example; sensor 2 could also be installed at intersection point P8 on the right side. Center O is, for example, the exact middle of the center line LC.

[0077] With the sensor 2 installed to the side of the detection area D1, the viewing angle required for boundary line L1 to pass through intersection point P1 and boundary line L2 to pass through intersection point P2 was measured. Therefore, for a standard-sized toilet 101, the viewing angle θ2 is 101 degrees. On the other hand, for a large-sized toilet 101, the viewing angle θ2 is 105 degrees. Thus, in this embodiment, with the sensor 2 installed to the side of the detection area D1, the viewing angle θ2 is set to 101 degrees for a standard-sized toilet 101 and to 105 degrees for a large-sized toilet 101.

[0078] Figure 4 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows another example of the sensor 2 being installed in the toilet 101. Figure 4 In this example, sensor 2 is installed behind the detection area D1. Specifically, sensor 2 is installed at the intersection P2. However, this is just one example; sensor 2 could also be installed at the intersection P1. Figure 4 In the example, the viewpoint θ2 is set to the same as... Figure 3The same value. That is, the viewing angle θ2 is set to 101 degrees for a standard-sized toilet 101 and to 105 degrees for a large-sized toilet 101. Thus, most of the area of ​​the toilet bowl 101a can be included within the viewing angle θ2.

[0079] Figure 5 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows another example of the sensor 2 being installed in the toilet 101. Figure 5 In this example, sensor 2 is mounted on a standard-sized toilet 101, and the viewing angle θ2 is set to 101 degrees. Furthermore, sensor 2 can also be used with… Figure 2 The situation is the same; it is installed diagonally behind and behind detection area D1. Figure 5 In the example, since the viewing angle θ2 is set to 101 degrees, it can be concluded that the intersection point P1 and the intersection point P2 are contained within the viewing angle θ2.

[0080] If reference Figures 2 to 5 It can be concluded that if the mounting position of the sensor 2 is changed on the contour of the opening 101c, the maximum angle of view of the sensor 2 required for the boundary line L1 to pass through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 to pass through the intersection point P2 is the case where the sensor 2 is mounted on the side of the detection area D1.

[0081] In summary, the relationship between the installation position of sensor 2 and the viewing angle of sensor 2 is as follows.

[0082] If the viewing angle of the sensor unit 2 is set to 105 degrees or more, positions P1 and P2 can be included in the viewing angle on both large-sized and standard-sized toilets 101, regardless of the installation position of the sensor unit 2.

[0083] If the viewing angle of the sensor unit 2 is set to 101 degrees or more, positions P1 and P2 can be included in the viewing angle of a standard-sized toilet 101, regardless of the installation position of the sensor unit 2.

[0084] If the viewing angle of the sensor unit 2 is set to 87 degrees or more, even if the sensor unit 2 is installed behind or diagonally behind the detection area D1, positions P1 and P2 can be included in the viewing angle in both large and standard-sized toilets 101.

[0085] If the viewing angle of the sensor unit 2 is set to 83 degrees or more, even if the sensor unit 2 is installed behind and diagonally behind the detection area D1 in a standard-sized toilet 101, positions P1 and P2 can be included in the viewing angle.

[0086] Therefore, by mounting the sensor 2 behind and diagonally behind the detection area D1, the viewing angle of the sensor 2 can be minimized.

[0087] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an installation example of the comparative example of the present invention, in which the sensor unit 2000 is installed in a toilet 101. The viewing angle θA of the sensor unit 2000 is a standard viewing angle, i.e., 45 degrees. Figure 6 In this example, the sensor 2000 is mounted to the side of the detection area D1. Since the viewing angle θ of the sensor 2000 is only 45 degrees, intersection points P1 and P2 are not located within the viewing angle θA. Furthermore, the boundary line L2 is located in front of intersection point P4. Therefore, in Figure 6 For example, not only is most of the toilet bowl section 101a not included in the viewing angle θA, but even the detection area D1 is not included.

[0088] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another installation example in which the comparative example sensor unit 2000 of the present invention is installed in a toilet 101. Figure 7 In this example, the sensor 2000 is mounted behind the detection area D1. The viewing angle θA of the sensor 2000 is only 45 degrees. Therefore, in Figure 7 For example, not only was most of the toilet bowl section 101a not included in the field of view θA, but even the detection area D1 was not included.

[0089] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another installation example in which the comparative example sensor unit 2000 of the present invention is installed in a toilet 101. Figure 8 In this example, the sensor 2000 is installed diagonally behind and behind the detection area D1. The viewing angle θA of the sensor 2000 is only 45 degrees. Therefore, the boundary line L2 passes through the inside of the detection area D1, and not only most of the toilet bowl section 101a, but also the detection area D1 itself is not included in the viewing angle θA.

[0090] As described above, the sensor unit 2000 of the comparative example cannot include the detection area D1 within the viewing angle θA. Therefore, it is highly likely that feces cannot be included within the viewing angle θA.

[0091] Figure 9 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a camera device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The camera device 1 includes... Figure 1 The sensor unit 2 and the processing device 3 are shown. The sensor unit 2 includes an image sensor 21 and a communication unit 22.

[0092] The camera sensor 21 captures color images with R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components at a predetermined frame rate, for example. The communication unit 22 is, for example, composed of a communication circuit that enables communication between the sensor 2 and the processing device 3 via a wireless or wired communication path. The wireless communication path uses a wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark). However, this is only one example; the wireless communication path can also use Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared communication. The wired communication path uses a wired LAN such as IEEE 802.3. The communication unit 22 transmits the image data captured by the camera sensor 21 to the processing device 3.

[0093] The processing device 3 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a communication unit 33, and an operation unit 34. The processor 31 is composed of circuits such as a CPU or an ASIC. The processor 31 includes a calibration execution part 311, an excrement judgment unit 312, and a judgment result output unit 313.

[0094] The calibration execution unit 311 performs the following: it acquires image data from the camera sensor 21 of a marker placed at a specific location on the toilet 101, detects the location of the marker from the acquired image data, and performs calibration in the area corresponding to the detection area D1 based on the detected location.

[0095] The detection area D1 is the area extracted from the image data as the processing object when determining whether excrement has fallen into the toilet bowl 101a and the type of excrement.

[0096] The excrement determination unit 312 performs image processing based on image data captured by the camera sensor 21 to determine whether there is excrement in the toilet bowl 101a and the type of excrement. Specifically, the excrement determination unit 312 performs the following processing.

[0097] First, the excrement judgment unit 312 extracts the detection area set by calibration from the image data and calculates the difference image data between the extracted detection area image data and the base image data.

[0098] Here, the base image data is generated, for example, based on image data of multiple toilet bowl sections 101a obtained by having the camera sensor 21 take multiple pictures of the toilet bowl section 101a in a state where there is no feces or urine. That is, the base image data is color image data of the detection area representing the default state of the toilet bowl section 101a without feces or urine. Therefore, by calculating the difference between the image data of the detection area taken during defecation or urination and the base image data, image data representing feces, urine, or foreign objects can be extracted.

[0099] Next, the excrement determination unit 312 calculates the RGB ratio, which is the ratio of each of the R, G, and B color components in the difference image data. Here, the RGB ratio is, for example, the ratio of the total brightness of the R component, the total brightness of the G component, and the total brightness of the B component in the difference image data.

[0100] Secondly, the excrement determination unit 312 calculates the distance between the calculated RGB ratio and the predetermined RGB ratio of feces. If the calculated distance is below a reference distance, it determines that there is feces in the toilet bowl 101a. Furthermore, the excrement determination unit 312 calculates the distance between the calculated RGB ratio and the predetermined RGB ratio of urine. If the calculated distance is below a reference distance, it determines that there is urine in the toilet bowl 101a. Further, in cases other than those described above, the excrement determination unit 312 determines that there is a foreign object in the toilet bowl 101a. Foreign objects may include, for example, disposable diapers.

[0101] The judgment result output unit 313 generates excretion history information based on the judgment result of the excrement judgment unit 312, and sends it to the server 5 via the communication unit 33. The excretion history information is information that corresponds information indicating an act of defecation or urination to date and time information indicating the date and time of the act. Furthermore, the excretion history information may also include image data used to detect excrement. In this case, only the detection area D1 defined within the image data may be included in the excretion history information.

[0102] The memory 32 is composed of a storage device such as flash memory. The memory 32 includes a firmware storage section 321 that stores the firmware of the processing device 3 and a setting value storage section 322 that stores the setting values ​​of the detection area D1.

[0103] The communication unit 33 is composed of a communication circuit that enables communicative connection between the processing device 3 and the sensing unit 2. Furthermore, the communication unit 33 also enables connection of the processing device 3 to a network 4, such as the Internet. The communication unit 33 sends the discharge history information to the server 5.

[0104] The operation unit 34 consists of one or more buttons, which are subject to various operations input by the user.

[0105] Next, the calibration process will be explained. The calibration procedure includes initialization of the set values ​​and setting of the detection area. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the initialization process for setting values ​​in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] The initialization process for the setpoint is performed before the setting process for the detection area. In step S1, the calibration execution unit 311 determines whether the operation unit 34 has received a specified operation to start the initialization process. If the specified operation has been received by the operation unit 34 (yes in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if the specified operation has not been received by the operation unit 34 (no in step S1), the process remains in standby mode in step S1.

[0107] In step S2, the calibration execution unit 311 writes the initial setting value of the detection area D1 stored in the firmware storage unit 321 into the setting value storage unit 322 as the setting value of the detection area D1.

[0108] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the setting process for the detection area D1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In step S11, the calibration execution unit 311 determines whether the operation unit 34 has received a specified operation to start the setting process for the detection area D1.

[0109] If the specified operation is received (yes in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12; if the specified operation is not received (no in step S11), the process remains in standby mode in step S11. Here, the specified operation for starting the setting process of the detection area D1 is, for example, pressing a specified button provided on the housing of the processing device 3 for a long time (e.g., more than 5 seconds).

[0110] In step S12, the calibration execution unit 311 acquires image data from the camera sensor 21.

[0111] In step S13, the calibration execution unit 311 detects the position of the mark M1 located at a predetermined location on the toilet 101 in the image data. The calibration execution unit 311 may detect the position using, for example, pattern recognition processing. Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the mark M1 configured on the toilet 101. The mark M1 is a sticker that is pre-attached by the user to the inner wall 101d of the rim 101b of the toilet 101 before calibration. Specifically, the mark M1 is affixed to the inner wall 101d when the sensor unit 2 is installed in the toilet 101. The user performing these operations can be either the end user or the person installing the sensor unit 2.

[0112] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation procedure of the sensor unit 2. First, the user installs the mounting part 6 onto the edge 101b, avoiding contact between the protrusion (not shown) on the bottom surface of the toilet seat 102 and the edge 101b, and then installs the sensor unit 2 onto the toilet 101.

[0113] Secondly, the user anticipates the detection area D1 within the toilet bowl section 101a. The detection area D1 is the area where feces are expected to fall. For example, the center P0 of the detection area D1 is located at or near the rear end of the water accumulation section 104, and the detection area D1 has the same size as the water accumulation section 104. However, this is just an example; the detection area D1 can be either larger or smaller than the water accumulation section 104. The user can, for example, refer to the detection area D1 illustrated in the installation manual of the sensor section 2 to anticipate the detection area D1.

[0114] Secondly, the user affixes the marker M1 at the intersection of the baseline LR and the inner wall 101d. The baseline LR guides light between the opening of the camera sensor 21, which is located in the housing 24 of the sensing unit 2, and the center P0 of the detection area D1. Figure 12 As shown, marker M1 is, for example, a cross shape. The user pastes marker M1 with the vertical lines pointing vertically and the horizontal lines pointing horizontally.

[0115] In step S14, the calibration execution unit 311 sets a position corresponding to the center PO of the detection area D1 at a predetermined distance away from the location where the mark M1 appears, within the image data. For example, the calibration execution unit 311 can set the position corresponding to the center PO at a predetermined distance away from the extension line below the vertical line of the cross-shaped mark M1 appearing in the image data. The predetermined distance can be, for example, a value predetermined based on the distance of the line segment imagined when projecting the line segment connecting the mark M1 and the center PO onto the imaging surface of the camera sensor 21.

[0116] In step S15, the calibration execution unit 311 sets a region corresponding to the detection region D1 in the image data, with the position corresponding to the center P0 as a reference. Here, the shape and size of the region corresponding to the detection region D1 are, for example, values ​​predetermined based on the size and shape of the detection region D1 as envisioned when the detection region D1 is projected onto the imaging surface of the camera sensor 21.

[0117] In step S16, the calibration execution unit 311 determines whether a region corresponding to the detection area D1 has been set. If a region corresponding to the detection area D1 has been set (yes in step S16), the calibration execution unit 311 rewrites the initial setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 322 with the setting value of the region corresponding to the detection area D1 (step S17). The setting value of the region corresponding to the detection area D1 includes, for example, coordinates representing the shape of the region corresponding to the detection area D1. On the other hand, if a region corresponding to the detection area D1 cannot be set (no in step S16), the calibration execution unit 311 does not rewrite the initial setting value (step S18). By performing the above steps, the calibration ends. Cases where a region corresponding to the detection area D1 cannot be set include, for example, the case where the marker M1 cannot be detected, the case where the position corresponding to the center P0 cannot be set in the image data, and the case where the region corresponding to the detection area D1 cannot be included in the image data.

[0118] Thus, with the camera device 1 according to the first embodiment, as described above, because the installation position and viewing angle of the sensor 2 are set, not only the detection area D1 but also most of the area of ​​the toilet bowl 101a can be included in the viewing angle of the sensor 2.

[0119] Second Implementation Method

[0120] The second implementation method determines the gender of the person excreting urine based on the location where the urine falls. Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the camera device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] The processor 31A of the processing unit 3A of the camera device 1A is in Figure 9 The processor 31 also includes a gender determination unit 314.

[0122] The gender determination unit 314 detects the position where urine falls into the toilet bowl 101a from the image data captured by the camera sensor 21, and determines the gender of the person excreting urine based on the detected position.

[0123] Here, the gender determination unit 314 can determine that the excreter is male if the detected landing position is in the first area, and determine that the excreter is female if the detected landing position is in the second area set further back than the first area.

[0124] In addition, the gender determination unit 314 can also detect the seat position of the person excreting and set the first area and the second area based on the determination result.

[0125] Figure 15This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing of the camera device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, it is assumed that... Figure 15 The flowchart is executed in parallel, with camera sensor 21 capturing image data at a predetermined frame rate. In step S31, gender determination unit 314 acquires sensing data for determining seating position. Here, image data captured by camera sensor 21 is used as sensing data.

[0126] In step S32, the gender determination unit 314 detects the seat position of the person excreting from the sensing data. Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of the camera device 1A according to the second embodiment. The seating position is shown in the diagram. Figure 16 The coordinate axis 1601 is shown below. For example, coordinate axis 1601 is a one-dimensional coordinate with the forward and backward direction as the length direction.

[0127] When using image data as sensing data, the seating position is detected using the following three methods. The first method is based on the position of the apex of the buttocks appearing in the image data. For example, the gender determination unit 314 performs image processing on the image data acquired when the person is sitting on the toilet seat 102 to detect the position of the apex of the buttocks in the image data. Here, the gender determination unit 314 can, for example, extract a region representing the buttocks from the image data based on the ratio of RGB color components, and detect the lower end of the outline of the extracted region as the position of the apex of the buttocks. Furthermore, the gender determination unit 314 can calculate the position on the coordinate axis 1601 corresponding to the position of the apex of the buttocks, and detect the seated position as the calculated position.

[0128] The second method involves detecting the position of the anus in the buttocks of the person excreting from image data and determining the seating position based on the detected position of the anus. For example, the gender determination unit 314 can detect the position of the anus in the buttocks from image data during excretion based on the starting position of the feces during excretion. Here, the gender determination unit 314 can extract the area of ​​feces during excretion from the image data and detect the upper position of the extracted area of ​​feces as the starting position of the feces. Furthermore, the gender determination unit 314 can calculate the position on the coordinate axis 1601 corresponding to the detected position of the anus in the buttocks and detect the seating position based on the calculated position.

[0129] The third method is a method of detecting the seating position based on the brightness of image data. When the person is sitting shallowly on the toilet seat 102, more external light enters the toilet bowl, resulting in brighter image data captured by the camera sensor 21. Conversely, when the person is sitting deeply on the toilet seat 102, less external light enters the toilet bowl, resulting in darker image data captured by the camera sensor 21. In other words, the seating position is related to the brightness within the toilet bowl 101a. This third method utilizes this relationship to detect the seating position.

[0130] For example, the gender determination unit 314 calculates the brightness of the image data acquired when the person excreting is seated on the toilet seat 102. For example, the gender determination unit 314 can calculate the brightness of the image data by using the average brightness of multiple pixels constituting the image data. The brightness of each pixel can, for example, be the average of the R, G, and B values ​​of each pixel. Furthermore, the gender determination unit 314 can detect the person excreting's seat position by referring to a chart that pre-correlates the brightness of the image data with the seat position, and using the seat position corresponding to the calculated brightness of the image data.

[0131] Alternatively, an illuminance sensor can be used to detect the seating position. As described in the third method, the seating position is correlated with the brightness within the toilet bowl 101a. Here, the gender determination unit 314 can determine the seating position corresponding to the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor within the toilet bowl 101a by referring to a graph that pre-correlates the relationship between the illuminance within the toilet bowl 101a and the seating position, and detect the determined seating position as the seating position of the person excreting waste. In this case, it is only necessary to install an illuminance sensor within the housing 24 of the sensing unit 2. Moreover, in this case, data representing the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor can be used as the sensing data.

[0132] In step S33, the gender determination unit 314 sets a region corresponding to the first region and the second region in the image data based on the detected seating position. Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram showing the first region D11 and the second region D12. The first region D11 is a rectangular area predetermined based on the assumed position where urine falls onto the urinal section 101a when a man urinates. The second region D12 is a rectangular area predetermined based on the assumed position where urine falls onto the urinal section 101a when a woman urinates. The position where male urine falls is forward than that of female urine. Therefore, the first region D11 is set to be further forward than the second region D12. In addition, when viewed from above the urinal section 101a, the first region D11 and the second region D12 have a shape that is symmetrical about the center line of the opening 101c. Furthermore, the shapes of the first region D11 and the second region D12 are not limited to rectangles and can also be circular.

[0133] If the first region D11 and the second region D12 are fixed, the location where urine falls may deviate from the first region D11 and the second region D12 depending on the seat position of the person excreting the urine. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first region D11 and the second region D12 are set at a predetermined position based on the seat position. For example, the first region D11 and the second region D12 can move forward as the seat position faces forward.

[0134] Furthermore, the regions corresponding to the first region D11 and the second region D12 set on the image data have predetermined sizes and shapes, which are predetermined based on the sizes and shapes of the first region D11 and the second region D12 as envisioned when the first region D11 and the second region D12 are projected onto the imaging surface of the camera sensor 21.

[0135] In step S34, the gender determination unit 314 detects whether urination has begun. Here, the gender determination unit 314 can monitor multiple image data captured by the camera sensor 21, and determine that urination has begun when an object exhibiting a parabolic change is detected in the image data.

[0136] If urination has begun (Yes in step S34), the gender determination unit 314 detects the position where the urine falls (step S36). Here, the gender determination unit 314 can monitor multiple image data captured by the camera sensor 21 and detect the position of the lower end of the parabolic object as the falling position.

[0137] On the other hand, if no urination is detected (No in step S34), the gender determination unit 314 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S35). If the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S35), it is considered that the person urinating has not performed an excretion, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S35), the process returns to step S34.

[0138] In step S37, the gender determination unit 314 determines whether the falling location is within the first region D11 (step S37). If the falling location is determined to be within the first region D11 (yes in step S37), the gender determination unit 314 determines that the excreter is male (step S39). On the other hand, if the falling location is not within the first region D11 (no in step S37), the gender determination unit 314 determines whether the falling location is within the second region D12 (step S38). If the falling location is determined to be within the second region D12 (yes in step S38), the gender determination unit 314 determines that the excreter is female (step S40). On the other hand, if the falling location is not within the second region D12 (no in step S38), the gender determination unit 314 terminates the process.

[0139] Thus, according to the camera device 1A of the second embodiment, the gender of the person discharging urine can be determined by detecting the location of urine drop from the image data.

[0140] Third Implementation Method

[0141] In the first implementation, such as Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the viewing angle and installation position of the sensor unit 2 are set so that intersection points P1 and P2 are included within the field of view of the sensor unit 2. In the third embodiment, in... Figure 13 The detection area D1 shown is constrained by being included within the field of view of the sensing unit 2, so that... Figure 2 The boundary line L1 is shown passing through position P5 on the center line LC between intersection point P1 and intersection point P3, and the boundary line L2 is shown passing through position P6 on the center line LC between intersection point P4 and intersection point P2, thus setting the viewing angle and installation position of the sensor unit 2.

[0142] Thus, in the third embodiment, under the constraint that the detection area is included within the field of view of the sensor unit 2, the viewing angle and installation position of the sensor unit 2 are set such that the boundary line L1 passes through position P5 and the boundary line L2 passes through position P6. Therefore, the detection area D1 can be included within the field of view with a smaller viewing angle.

[0143] Industrial availability

[0144] According to the present invention, since excrement can be included in the field of view, it has practical value in the field of excrement detection technology based on image data.

Claims

1. An imaging device for taking an image of excreta, characterized by have: A sensing unit, comprising a camera sensor, is installed on the rim of a toilet bowl having a bowl portion and an rim located on the upper part of the bowl portion. The sensor is configured with a viewing angle and installation position such that the detection area is at least included within the field of view, the detection area being the area where the excrement is expected to fall onto the toilet bowl. The camera device further includes: a calibration execution unit that performs the following: acquiring image data from the camera sensor of a marker placed at a specific location on the toilet; detecting the location of the marker from the acquired image data; and setting calibration of an area corresponding to the detection area in the image data based on the detected location.

2. The camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edge has an opening. Viewed from above, assuming the opening's position on the centerline in the front-rear direction between the first and second intersection points is designated as the first position, where the first intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the front of the opening, and the second intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the front of the detection area,... Assuming the designated position on the centerline between the third and fourth intersection points is the second position, the third intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the rear of the detection area, and the fourth intersection point is the intersection of the centerline with the rear of the opening. The sensing unit sets the viewing angle and the installation position in such a way that the first position and the second position are included in the field of view.

3. The camera device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first position is the first intersection point. The second position is the fourth intersection point.

4. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The installation position is located diagonally behind and behind the detection area. The viewing angle is above 83 degrees.

5. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The installation location is either in front of or behind the detection area. The viewing angle is above 101 degrees.

6. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The viewing angle is above 105 degrees.

7. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that... It also has: The mounting section allows the sensing unit to be detachably mounted onto the toilet.

8. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that... It also has: The gender determination unit detects the position where urine falls into the toilet bowl from the image data captured by the camera sensor, and determines the gender of the person excreting based on the detected position.

9. The camera device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The gender determination unit determines that the person excreting is male if the landing position is in the first area, and female if the landing position is in the second area located behind the first area.

10. The camera device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The gender determination unit detects the seat position of the person excreting and changes the first area and the second area based on the determination result.

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