Toilet seat set and toilet

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toilet seat with integrated sensors and a toilet equipped with such a toilet seat.

[0002] A generic toilet seat assembly is described in the document DE 10 2016 108 379 A1, which originates from the applicant. Such a toilet seat assembly has a toilet seat into which sensors are integrated for the direct or indirect recording of physiological or health-related parameters / characteristics of a user (hereinafter referred to as "user"). These parameters / characteristics are also referred to in the literature as vital signs. A docking station is provided to process the measured values ​​recorded by the sensors. The toilet seat assembly is attached to this docking station and contains a control unit for controlling the sensors and for recording the data recorded by the sensors. The technology box also has a communication interface via which the data can be transmitted to an evaluation unit, for example, a smartphone.This data can then be read out to inform the user or other interested parties.

[0003] The document US 10,292,658 B2 describes a toilet seat in which sensors are integrated to record blood pressure, stroke volume and blood oxygenation as well as other vital parameters, such as the weight and pulse of the user.

[0004] A similar concept is described in DE 10 2018 102 585 A1, in which sensors for detecting signals representative of body function (vital parameters) are also integrated into a toilet seat. These sensors can, for example, be electrodes for detecting potential differences, particularly for recording an ECG between the user's extremities, so that critical conditions such as atrial fibrillation can be detected.

[0005] Such medical toilet seats are optimized for the specific application area both in terms of sensors and the evaluation units for processing the measurement signals, although comprehensive monitoring of vital parameters and dynamic evaluation, taking into account even the latest analysis and therapy methods, is not possible.

[0006] The subsequently published DE 10 2021 130 834.8 describes an extremely advanced toilet seat assembly in which sensors, communication interfaces and evaluation / diagnostic units are integrated, via which the data recorded by the sensors can be evaluated and appropriate recommendations can be given to the user or third parties.

[0007] The sensors used are extremely complex, so that a considerable amount of effort is required to integrate these sensors into the toilet seat.

[0008] Further prior art can be found in EP 3 906 852 A1 and US 2018 / 0303466 A1.

[0009] In contrast, the invention is based on the object of creating a toilet seat and a toilet provided with such a toilet seat, which enables a comparatively simple evaluation / recording of vital parameters.

[0010] This problem is solved with regard to the toilet seat set by the features of patent claim 1 and with regard to the toilet by the features of the independent patent claim 7.

[0011] Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] The toilet seat according to the invention has devices for recording vital parameters and a technology box in which a control unit for controlling the devices is accommodated. The technology box further contains components for the individualized recording of data recorded by the devices, in particular vital parameters. The toilet seat according to the invention is further designed with a communication interface for receiving and transmitting data, wherein this communication interface is in data communication with an evaluation unit. This is preferably designed with a diagnostic unit that is designed to output information or recommendations to the user or to third parties depending on the processed data. According to the invention, one of the devices is a camera via which bowel movements or urine can be recorded.The camera is directed toward the base of a ceramic toilet bowl, allowing the detection of bowel movements and urine, and possibly even the flow rate of the urine stream, during use. Furthermore, the camera is integrated into the toilet seat, so the camera doesn't detract from the aesthetic appeal of the toilet seat, and it's also not apparent to third parties that the toilet seat is equipped with a camera. The camera is pressed into the toilet seat.

[0013] Such cameras are comparatively inexpensive and make it possible to draw conclusions about the user's health status through image analysis of stool and / or urine.

[0014] The camera is aimed towards the ceramic so that parts of the user's body are not captured.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the camera is inserted into a receptacle of the toilet seat.

[0016] A particularly simple positioning option is provided if the toilet seat fitting has two toilet seat joints, via which the toilet seat fitting can be connected to a ceramic.

[0017] Retrofitting existing toilet seats is possible if the camera is integrated into a back panel attached to the toilet seat. The evaluation unit is preferably equipped with image processing software for evaluating the image data.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the toilet seat is designed with an activation unit so that the camera can only be activated by the user or other authorized persons.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is further provided with sensors for detecting an ECG, body temperature, oxygen saturation in the blood, a pulse rate or the like.

[0020] The evaluation of the vital parameters and the data recorded via the camera is particularly reliable if the evaluation unit and / or the control unit has an input device for entering individual data of one or more users so that the recorded data can be assigned to the respective user.

[0021] It is preferred if the toilet seat is also equipped with a corresponding individual storage unit.

[0022] The input of this data and the data transmission between the individual interfaces of the system is preferably carried out wirelessly.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawing. It shows: Figure 1 a three-dimensional, highly simplified schematic representation of a toilet seat according to the invention.

[0024] Figure 1shows a schematic 3D view of a toilet seat assembly 1 supported on a ceramic 2. This toilet seat assembly 1 is hinged to a technology box 4 via a seat hinge assembly, which is anchored to the ceramic 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the toilet seat assembly has a toilet lid 6 and a toilet seat 8, with the latter integrating a sensor 10 that enables the measurement of vital parameters. In addition, the toilet seat 8, as shown in Figure 1 As indicated, the seat heater 12 or other functional elements can be used. The power supply for the seat heater 12 and the sensor system 10 is provided, for example, via a power source integrated into the technology box 4, such as a battery. Of course, the power supply can also be provided in the conventional manner via a 230V power supply.

[0025] The sensor system 10 is designed to record not only an ECG but also other vital parameters, such as pulse, body temperature, oxygen saturation, etc. Furthermore, an additional station, such as a Bluetooth scale 14, can be provided to record weight or other additional vital parameters. This additional station 14 is also connected to the technology box 4 or an evaluation unit 20, described in more detail below.

[0026] According to the invention, a camera 16 is further provided. This camera is oriented toward the bottom of the ceramic 2 such that the stool and urine, and possibly also the volume flow of the urine stream, can be recorded during use of the toilet.

[0027] This camera 16 can be designed, for example, as a photo camera or a film camera, allowing continuous or discontinuous recording of the excretions. The camera 16 is integrated into the toilet seat 8. The camera 16 is integrated when the seat is pressed. In a two-shell seat construction, the camera 16 can be inserted into the shell construction.

[0028] It is also conceivable that the camera 10 is arranged in the area of ​​the technology box 4, wherein the positioning is such that the viewing direction into the recording space of the ceramic is ensured.

[0029] The technology box 4 can be equipped with an evaluation unit for evaluating the image information. However, the technology box 4 also has a communication interface (discussed below) through which the image information is transmitted to an external evaluation unit. This integrated or external evaluation unit can be equipped with a diagnostic unit designed to create and evaluate the image information with regard to vital signs and parameters for defining the user's state of health. For example, this evaluation, possibly in combination with other sensors, can detect blood sugar irregularities, intestinal disorders, dehydration, other deficiencies, malnutrition, metabolic disorders, etc.

[0030] The toilet seat can also have a sensor to detect use of the toilet seat.

[0031] This makes it possible, for example, to only switch on the power supply when the toilet seat is in use. Furthermore, a display 18 can be provided to inform the user about the operating status or provide information about recorded vital parameters or diagnostic data.

[0032] The measurement signals recorded by the sensors 10 and the camera 16 can be transmitted via a radio module or by cable to the external evaluation unit 20, which in turn is connected to a cloud 21 or internet-based databases. Figure 1A variant is indicated in which the evaluation unit 20 is designed as a tablet that receives the measurement signals 22 via radio, for example, WLAN or Bluetooth, or via NFC technology or the like. This evaluation unit 20 then stores, for example, evaluation software implemented with AI, via which the measurement signals 22 are evaluated using the databases stored in the cloud 20 and then read out for the information of the user or other interested parties or a unit operating the toilet.

[0033] The combined use of the camera and other sensors enables a comprehensive check of vital parameters and thus the user's state of health.

[0034] The camera is preferably integrated in such a way that its presence is not detectable. Operational reliability and data security are optimized if the toilet seat assembly 1 is equipped with a device, such as a sensor, for detecting an individual user, so that the camera is only activated for specific users. Alternatively, an activation unit can be provided that must be specifically activated to activate the camera.

[0035] The camera is like in Figure 1 shown, integrated into the toilet seat 8.

[0036] A toilet seat with an integrated camera is revealed. List of reference symbols:

[0037] 1 WC seat 2 Ceramic / WC 4 Technology box 6 WC lid 8 WC seat 10 Sensors 12 Seat heating 14 Station 16 Camera 18 Display 20 Evaluation unit 21 Cloud 22 Measurement signal

Claims

1. Toilet seat set comprising devices for recording vital parameters or other data, the toilet seat set, wherein the toilet seat comprises a technology box (4) in which a control unit for controlling the devices and for individualized acquisition of the data acquired by the devices, in particular vital parameters, and a communication interface for receiving and sending data is accommodated, wherein the communication interface is in data connection with an evaluation unit (20), one of the devices is a camera (16) and the camera is arranged in the direction of a base of a ceramic (2), so that during use of the toilet the bowel movement and the urine, and possibly also the volume flow of the urine stream, can be acquired, characterized in that the camera (16) is integrated in a toilet seat (8) and the camera (16) is pressed with the toilet seat (8).

2. Toilet seat set according to claim 1, wherein the integrated or external evaluation unit (20) is performed with an image processing software.

3. Toilet seat set according to one of the preceding patent claims, having an activation unit for activating a camera function.

4. Toilet seat set according to one of the preceding patent claims, wherein the devices comprise sensors for acquiring an ECG, the body temperature, the oxygen saturation in the blood, a pulse rate or the like.

5. Toilet seat set according to one of the preceding patent claims, wherein the evaluation unit (20) and / or the control unit comprises an input device for entering individual data of one or more users.

6. Toilet seat set according to claim 5, comprising an individual memory for storing the resulting individual data of a user.

7. Toilet with a toilet seat set according to one of the preceding claims.