Radar device in a toilet to obtain physiological data from a user

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a radar device (100) comprising a housing (200), suitable for being positioned on the inner wall of a toilet bowl (106) and comprising a radar sensor (202), housed in the housing (200), and suitable for emitting radar waves towards the opening of the toilet bowl, in particular for measuring a physiological data point of a user's body. This physiological data point can be used to identify the user. The invention also relates to associated methods. Abstract figure: Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Radar device in a toilet for obtaining physiological data from a user

[0001] This description relates to methods for measuring physiological data of a user sitting on a toilet seat and methods for identifying a toilet user, as well as associated devices.

[0002] Measurement methods are applicable in the context of non-invasive physiological measurements in everyday life. Identification methods are particularly applicable in the context of urine analysis tests, especially at home, where it may be desirable to be able to identify the person who urinated in order to attribute the results of the urine analysis to the correct person, or even simply to trigger a urine analysis measurement, where it is preferable to identify the person who urinated to know whether or not to trigger a urine analysis measurement. State of the art

[0003] Obtaining physiological data allows us to know a person's state of health. In a longitudinal approach, the goal is to regularly obtain the same physiological data to measure its evolution over time. The non-invasive nature of a measurement is essential to ensure that the user takes measurements regularly.

[0004] Among non-invasive techniques, one can cite obtaining the heart rhythm by photoplethysmography (PPG), a ballistocardiogram (BCG) by radar, (insert previous arts here). One can also cite, in the context of toileting, data relating to the duration of urination or defecation.

[0005] The creation of new techniques and methods to obtain non-invasive physiological measurements is sought by all stakeholders, whether scientists, industrialists, doctors and patients / users.

[0006] Urine analysis is currently performed primarily in specialized laboratories or at home in a rather rudimentary manner. In both cases, the active participation of a person is required, whether a laboratory technician or the user themselves, to collect the urine sample: identifying the user presents no technical difficulty in these cases due to the active participation of the technician or the user. However, for regular monitoring of a user, this intervention proves costly and time-consuming.

[0007] Technological developments are making automated home testing possible. By automated, it is meant that user actions are reduced to a minimum. For example, documents WO2021 / 175909, WO2021 / 175944 and FR2101762 describes a self-contained urine collection device to be placed in the toilet at the user's home. The urine analysis measurement is non-invasive and requires no action from the user regarding urine collection.

[0008] One of the problems associated with this type of device, which automatically collects and analyzes urine, is attributing the measurement to a specific user urinating among a plurality of potential users, for example, among several people using the same toilet daily. There is therefore a need to be able to identify the user. The aforementioned documents describe some approaches, such as interaction with a button or Bluetooth recognition. The document "A mountable toilet system for personalized health monitoring via the analysis of excreta," Park et al., in Nature Biomedical Engineering (DOI: 10.1038 / s41551-020-0562-5), proposes several methods, such as a module for identifying fingerprints or anal prints.

[0009] These existing techniques have disadvantages: the need to have one's phone on oneself at the time of urination, the need to install a button, hygiene, invasion of the user's privacy, necessary interaction with the urine analyzer, etc.

[0010] It is desirable to have a measurement and identification system that does not have at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages. Summary of the invention

[0011] This description aims to propose a method and associated devices or systems that do not present at least one of the aforementioned difficulties. More specifically, this description proposes using a radar sensor positioned inside a toilet bowl and configured to emit radar waves and receive radar waves reflected by the body of a user sitting on the toilet. These reflected radar waves are processed to obtain physiological data about the user's body, referred to as RF (radio frequency) physiological data. The nature of this physiological data is diverse, as are its applications.

[0012] For example, the processing may consist of obtaining physiological data that is indicative of the user's state of health. In this case, the physiological data may relate to the heart, such as a heart rate, an inter-beat interval, a ballistocardiogram (from which the heart rate and inter-beat interval can be extracted), to respiration, or to the duration of sitting, to urination / defecation, etc.

[0013] Furthermore, physiological data can be used to identify the user sitting on the toilet. This identification allows for the assignment of data related to the urination / defecation (or the physiological data itself) to a user profile corresponding to that of the user sitting on the toilet seat.

[0014] Other identification methods can be associated, to attribute the physiological RF data to a given user profile.

[0015] The invention protected by this document is defined in the claims.

[0016] According to one aspect, the description relates to a method for determining physiological data of the body of a user sitting on a toilet bowl, the toilet bowl defining an opening at least partially obstructed by the user's body, the determination method being implemented by a radar sensor positioned inside the volume defined by the toilet bowl (for example, on a wall of the bowl), the determination method comprising: - the emission by the radar sensor of at least one radar signal, in the direction of the opening, - the reception by the radar sensor of a radar signal reflected by the user's body, - the processing of the received radar signal to determine a physiological data of the user's body.

[0017] In particular, radar signal processing includes determining the time evolution of the distance between the radar sensor and the user's body closing the aperture, known as the radial distance, and the physiological data is determined from this evolution (for example, from a derivative or vertex extraction or any other signal analysis).

[0018] The radar sensor typically includes a field of view at least partially included in the opening of the toilet bowl.

[0019] In one embodiment, the physiological data includes a ballistocardiogram of the user. The physiological data may include at least one of the following: the user's heart rate, the interval between two beats of a user's cardiac signal, the variability of the user's heart rate, or the respiratory rate. The ballistocardiogram makes it possible, in particular, to identify the seated user, for example, among a plurality of recorded user profiles.

[0020] In one embodiment, the physiological data relates to the respiratory rate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the emission of radar waves begins before the user sits on the toilet seat. Thus, the physiological data can include the duration of the user's sitting position on the toilet seat.

[0022] In one embodiment, the determination method includes a preliminary step, using a user presence detector, to detect the presence of a user (for example, sitting on the toilet seat (or about to sit down), the method comprising in response to said detection, a step of activating the radar sensor to implement the emission, reception and processing steps.

[0023] The radar sensor can operate per frame, each frame being generated by a plurality of chirps, and the transmission and reception steps being implemented for each chirp.

[0024] In particular, the radar sensor may be a Frequency Modulated Continuum Wave (FMCW) radar sensor, or the radar signal may be FMCW. The frequencies of the radar sensor may vary between 58 GHz and 63 GHz.

[0025] According to one aspect, the description relates to a method for identifying a user sitting on a toilet bowl, the identification method using a radar sensor positioned inside the volume defined by the toilet bowl and comprising: - a determination method such as described previously, - using physiological data, assigning a user profile to the seated user, for example from among a plurality of user profiles.

[0026] Following identification, the determined physiological data is typically associated with the assigned user profile.

[0027] According to one aspect, the description relates to a method for analyzing excreta (e.g., urine) from a user, comprising: - an identification method as described previously - obtaining excreta data (for example via urine collection from the user), - attribution (of excreta data to the identified user)

[0028] According to one aspect, the description also relates to a computer program comprising instructions capable of implementing a method described previously when the instructions are executed by a processor.

[0029] According to one aspect, the radar device includes a radar sensor capable of implementing a method as described above. More specifically, the radar device may include: - a housing, suitable for being positioned inside a toilet bowl, for example on an internal wall of a toilet bowl, - a radar sensor, housed in the casing, and capable of emitting radar waves towards the opening of the toilet bowl, the radar sensor being capable of implementing a method as described previously.

[0030] The radar sensor may be of the “Frequency Modulated Continuum Wave” type, FMCW.

[0031] The radar device typically includes a battery to power the or radar sensors. The housing can also be waterproof.

[0032] According to one aspect, the description also relates to a urine analysis device, comprising: - a radar device as described above, - a collection port on the casing to receive urine, - a test kit designed to analyze the urine received. Presentation of the figures

[0033] The following figures will help to clarify the invention: - [Fig. 1]: [Fig. 1] schematically presents a cross-sectional view of toilets equipped with a radar device according to one embodiment of the description, - [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] presents a more detailed view of the housing of a radar device associated with a urine analysis device, according to one embodiment of the description, - [Fig.3]: [Fig.3] schematically presents a view of the components of a radar device according to one embodiment of the description, as well as its ecosystem, - [Fig.4]: [Fig.4] schematically presents a more detailed view of the housing of a radar device associated with a urine analysis device, according to one embodiment of the description, - [Fig. 5]: [Fig. 5] shows a user sitting on a toilet equipped with a radar sensor. - [Fig.6]: [Fig.6] presents a graph representing the movement of the user's buttocks over time, and therefore here a ballistocardiogram, obtained by a radar sensor, as described previously. - [Fig.7]: [Fig.7] illustrates a derivative of the phase shift (which therefore represents a derivative of the displacement) and an extraction of the peaks of the derivative, - [Fig.8]: [Fig.8] illustrates a graph representing an electrocardiogram and a ballistocardiogram. - [Fig.9]: [Fig.9] represents a curve identical to that of [Fig.7], - [Fig. 10]: [Fig. 10] presents a diagram representing a measurement method according to one embodiment of the invention, - [Fig. 11]: [Fig. 11] presents a diagram representing a detection method according to an embodiment of the invention, coupled to a method for measuring excreta data, - [Fig. 12]: [Fig. 12] presents a diagram representing a measurement method according to an embodiment of the invention, with prior detection of urine, - [Fig. 13]: [Fig. 13] presents a schematic view of the placement of the radar sensor in the housing and / or in the toilet, and - [Fig. 14]: [Fig. 14] presents a schematic view of a urine analysis device incorporating the radar device, according to one embodiment of the description. Detailed description

[0034] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a measuring device 100, which will also be referred to as a radar device 100 hereafter, mounted in a toilet 102. As is known, the toilet 102 comprises a water tank 104, a toilet bowl 106 (hereafter referred to as bowl 106), optionally a seat 108 on which the user sits, and a lid 110. The bowl 106 includes a wall 112 defining an internal volume V and an opening O, typically surrounded by the seat 108. The wall 112 receives, in particular, urine, feces, and the flushed water.

[0035] When the user is seated on the seat 108 or the toilet bowl 106, his body, and in particular a posterior part, in particular his buttocks and his genitals, obstructs at least partially the opening O of the toilet bowl 106. We will henceforth refer to the user as "seated on the toilet bowl 106" for simplification (independently of the presence or not of a seat 108), to signify that the user has positioned his body, that is to say essentially his buttocks and genitals, at the level of the opening O.

[0036] The measuring device 100 is arranged in the basin 106, for example arranged on the wall 112 of the basin 106. More particularly, the radar device 100 is entirely received in the volume V of the basin 106, which allows it to be discreet.

[0037] The radar device 100 is designed to emit radar waves towards the opening O of the basin 106, where the user's body is located in a seated position, i.e., essentially their buttocks and genitals. More specifically, the radar device 100 is configured to receive radar waves reflected by the user's body blocking the opening O, i.e., essentially their buttocks, and to process these reflected radar waves in order to determine a physiological data point of the user's body (see [Fig. 5] shown later).

[0038] In the context of this description, physiological body data refers specifically to data relating to the user's body obtained using the radar device 100, for example, data relating to the user's bodily activity. For simplicity, this term will be used throughout the description as RF (radio frequency) physiological data.

[0039] Physiological data can be obtained before urination, during urination and / or after urination, depending on the case.

[0040] The radar device 100 makes it possible in particular to determine an evolution of a radial distance D(t) between the body (in particular buttocks and organs in the area, such as the abdominal strap, the pelvic floor, and the genital organs) of the user and the radar device 100 as a function of time, during the sitting phase. The causes of this change can be related to heartbeats, and the graph representing this change is then called a ballistocardiogram, or they can be related to the user's breathing.

[0041] This evolution relates to a seated phase, therefore with a seated user.

[0042] Other physiological data about the user can be obtained while the user is seated on the toilet. For example, data relating to excreta (urine, feces, perspiration, etc.) can be obtained by the measuring device 100 or other devices. This other physiological data will be referred to as excreta data. Methods for obtaining excreta data will be discussed.

[0043] In one embodiment, the radar device 100 can be positioned in the toilet 102 so as to be in the path of a stream of urine secreted by a user during urination, particularly when a user urinates while seated in the toilet. The position of the radar device 100 in the toilet is then suitable for any type of user, male or female, regardless of age. The user can then urinate in the toilet without worrying about the position of the radar device 100.

[0044] The positioning of the radar device 100 on the wall 112 of the bowl 106 also allows it to be positioned on the path of a flush from the reservoir 104. The radar device 100 can thus be rinsed when the flush is activated.

[0045] An attachment can be provided to hold the radar device 100 on the inner wall of the bowl 106: suction cup, magnet (with support glued to the wall), hook reaching the rim of the bowl 106, etc.

[0046] The radar device 100 is typically an Ondemm radar (“mmWave radar” in (English), which means that the radar emits millimeter waves, that is, the wavelength of the radar waves is on the order of a millimeter. The frequency covered is between a few GHz and a few hundred GHz. At this wavelength, the waves do not penetrate the user's skin, or only very superficially (on the order of a maximum of one millimeter).

[0047] Details on the radar device and its connectivity

[0048] The radar device 100 can communicate with a mobile terminal 114 (type smartphone) and / or an external server 116. In one embodiment, the radar device 100 communicates with the mobile terminal 114 (for example, directly via Bluetooth such as Bluetooth Low Energy) and the mobile terminal 114 communicates with the server 116 (via a cellular or Wi-Fi connection). In another embodiment, the radar device 100 can communicate directly with the server 116 via a cellular network.

[0049] With reference to [Fig. 2], the radar device 100 may include a housing 200 inside which a radar sensor 202 is positioned (shown schematically in dashed lines). The housing 200 is sized to be positioned in the toilet bowl 106 of the toilet 102. Due to its positioning in an area exposed to various liquids or solids, the housing 200 is watertight. In one embodiment, the housing 200 includes a collection orifice 204, suitable for receiving urine running down the housing 200. In this embodiment, the radar device 100 is part of a urine analysis device which notably includes the housing 200. The housing 200 may include a front shell 206 and a rear shell 208, which can be assembled and disassembled to allow access to the interior of the housing 200.The urine analysis device was described in documents WO2021 / 175909, WO2021 / 175944, WO2023 / 036805, WO2023 / 036806, WO2023 / 036808 and WO2023 / 036809 (publication numbers).

[0050] Figure 3 shows, in a schematic diagram 300, the components that the radar device 100 can comprise, and the general ecosystem. The radar device 100 includes a control circuit 302 with a processor 304, a memory 306, and an I / O (input / output) interface 308 configured to send and receive data from the control circuit 302. A communication module 310 can be provided to exchange data with an external terminal (for example, a smartphone). The communication module 310 can be a wireless module, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Emission, etc. The control circuit 302 can, in particular, communicate with the radar sensor 202 to send acquisition instructions and receive radar data for processing.

[0051] The radar device 100 may include a battery 312 which supplies the components with energy.

[0052] Memory 306 can store instructions which, when executed by processor 304, implement the method(s) of this description. The methods are preferably performed locally by processor 304 of the radar device 100. This allows feedback to the user without requiring a connection, particularly with an external terminal (such as a smartphone).

[0053] The radar device 100 can communicate, using the communication module 310 and a communication network 314, with an external mobile terminal 316, of the mobile terminal type ("smartphone"). The mobile terminal 316 includes a control circuit 318 with a processor 320, a memory 322, and an I / O interface 324 configured to send and receive data from the control circuit 302. The external terminal 316 further includes a user interface 326 for interacting with the user. The processor 320 and the memory 322 can implement an application that allows the external terminal 316 to communicate with the measuring device 100. The user interface 326 can notably display information to the user.

[0054] The radar device 100 can also communicate with a server 328, either directly via the communication network 314 or via the external terminal 316. The server 328 comprises a control circuit 330 with a processor 332, a memory 334, and an I / O interface 336 configured to send and receive data from the control circuit 302. The server 328 can store the measurements taken by the radar device 100 (cloud architecture). The server 328 can also perform data processing.

[0055] The communication network 314 can be heterogeneous: short-range wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), long-range wireless (cellular, etc.), wired (Ethernet, etc.).

[0056] Memory 322 and / or server 328 and / or external terminal 316 can store one or more user profiles comprising, for example, a unique identifier for the user, the user's gender and age, to which physiological data are associated, for example, RF physiological data or excreta data. Typically, the user profiles are centralized on server 328, from which they are downloaded by external terminal 316 and radar device 100.

[0057] Figure 4 describes in more detail an example of a radar sensor 202. The radar sensor 202 comprises a transmitter 402, a receiver 404, and control circuitry 406. The transmitter 402 includes at least one transmitting antenna Tx 408 and a wave generator 410. The receiver 404 includes at least one receiving antenna Rx 412. The control circuitry 406 includes, in particular, a processor 414 and a memory 416, for driving the transmitter 402 and processing the signals received by the receiver 404. The control circuitry 406 of the radar sensor 202 may be integrated or partially integrated with the control circuitry 302 of the radar device 100. The term "control circuitry 302, 406" will be used hereafter to refer to either one or the other.

[0058] The radar sensor 202 uses, in particular, the Doppler-Fizeau effect generated by a moving object to obtain, in particular, the speed of said object and / or the distance between said object and the radar sensor 202. The speed is said to be radial, because it is only the component of speed projected onto an axis connecting said object and the radar sensor 202. Similarly, we will speak of the radial distance D(t), because it is the distance along this axis.

[0059] The wave generator 410 and the Tx antenna generate electromagnetic waves wTx, emitted in the direction of a field of view (FoV), visible in [Fig. 5]. These electromagnetic waves are partially reflected by the obstacles they encounter, i.e., the user's body (especially the buttocks), and create An echo, represented by the wRx waves in [Fig. 5], is received by the Rx antenna 404. The control circuitry 302, 406 processes the echoes to generate radar data. The control circuitry 302, 406 can convert the analog signals generated by the wave generator 310 and received by the Rx antenna into digital signals. Filters, amplifiers, etc., are typically provided in the radar sensor 202.

[0060] The radar sensor 202 can be compact, on the order of a few centimeters, or even less than 1 cm. For example, the radar sensor 202 can be contained in a cube with dimensions of 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm.

[0061] The field of view (FoV) is typically a solid angle, which covers a volume of space from the radar sensor 202. The FoV is generally defined by two aperture angles. The axis of symmetry of each angle is called the radar axis.

[0062] In one embodiment, the radar sensor 202 comprises several transmitters 402 configured to transmit in different directions and / or to transmit several types of signals. Similarly, the control circuitry 302, 406 is configured to manage the transmission of several radar beams and / or several types of signals.

[0063] With reference to [Fig. 4], the radar sensor 202 can be a frequency-modulated continuous wave radar, or FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuum Wave), meaning that the radar sensor emits a frequency-modulated signal (a "chirp" in established terminology, a term that can be translated as "frequency sweep" in French, but the English term is commonly used). In other words, during the pulse, of duration T, the frequency of the emitted chirp varies over a range. Several modulations are possible: sawtooth modulation, triangular modulation, frequency-shift keying, step modulation, etc. The radar sensor can also be an ultra-wideband radar, or UWB (Ultra Wide Band). The UWB radar emits wave patterns of a few nanoseconds that are repeated. Studying the delays allows distances to be determined, and studying the variations in the delay allows velocities to be determined.

[0064] As previously stated, the radar sensor 202 is an Ondemm radar (mmWave radar), meaning that the radar emits millimeter waves, i.e., the wavelength of the radar waves is on the order of a millimeter. The frequency range is between a few GHz and a few hundred GHz, for example between 20 GHz and 200 GHz.

[0065] The radar sensor 202 can emit a succession of chirps, the succession being called a "frame" (translatable as "window" in French, but the English term is commonly used). In one embodiment, a frame comprises between 16 and 256 chirps, or even between 32 and 64 chirps (for example, 128 chirps). More specifically, a frame can be decomposed as follows: N.(PRT)=N.(t_chirp + t_pause), where PRT is the pulse repetition time, and t_chirp is the time In a chirp, t_pause is the pause time before the next chirp, and N is the number of chirps. The PRT can last between 300 and 500 iters. The pause can be 100 iters. A frame can therefore last a few milliseconds.

[0066] Frequency modulation allows the creation, after mixing the transmitted and received signals, filtering, etc., of a signal called an Intermediate Frequency Signal (IFS) whose frequencies are proportional to the radial distance of the objects emitting the echoes. A Fourier transform applied to this IFS highlights the frequencies and their associated distances. By analyzing the phase variations of the Fourier transforms on successive chirps, the Doppler frequencies, which are related to the object's velocity, can be identified, and the phase signal can be calculated. The radar sensor 202 can obtain the radial velocity and radial distance for each object.In particular, the 202 radar sensor can generate a "Distance-Doppler" map ("Range-Doppler" in common terminology), which represents the radial distance (on the x-axis figures, in m) and the speed of a moving object in the FoV field of view (on the y-axis figures, in m / s). A "Distance-Doppler" map can be calculated for each frame.

[0067] Within the frames, the "Distance-Doppler" map is obtained using FFTs ("fast fourier transforms") and their evolution between successive chirps. The "Distance-Doppler" maps are known and will not be described in further detail.

[0068] Using in particular chirps, the radar sensor 202 can also calculate a radial distance between itself and a moving object.

[0069] For example, after the Fourier transform, the signal comprises a real component, related to the distance, and an imaginary component, related to the phase of the signal. However, the phase of the signal is directly related to the radial distance, via the equation: A <e>=4IL CPR / X, where ACP is the phase difference, Il is π, CPR is the radial distance difference, and X is the wavelength of the signal. By sampling the phases, it is possible to obtain the delta R. By evaluating the phase changes between chirps, the phase evolution can be determined. Modulo a multiplication or division by the factor 4IL / X, knowing the phase evolution allows us to know the evolution of the radial distance, R. For example, the curve representing this evolution can represent a ballistocardiogram if the variations in the radial distance R are related to heartbeats.

[0070] The smaller the identifiable phase variation (i.e., the smaller the sampling), the better the accuracy of the radial distance variations. For example, the accuracy can reach 50 pm

[0071] A frame can last 20ms. Therefore, one hundred successive frames take 2s. More generally, in the case of an FMCW radar, a chirp can last between 30 and 200 ms.

[0072] In the illustrated examples in the description, the radar sensor 202 is an Infineon™ BGT60TR13C FMCW radar whose frequency can vary between 58 GHz and 63.5 GHz during a chirp. This range allows a bandwidth of more than 5 GHz, which ensures sufficient accuracy for the use described. Other frequency values ​​can be used, particularly around the values ​​described. This radar sensor includes three Rx antennas and one Tx antenna. In the illustrated example, the chirp includes sawtooth frequency modulation. In the example shown in [Fig. 5], the chirp frequency varies between 58 and 63 GHz, with a sampling rate of 100 kHz.

[0073] Arrangement of the radar sensor in the bowl

[0074] The radar device 100 is arranged in the bowl so that the field of view (FoV) of the radar sensor 202 is directed towards the bowl opening 106, meaning that a user sitting in the seat 108 is within the radar coverage, and in particular a part of their body (their buttocks and genitals, in addition to other areas). More precisely, the FoV includes a portion of the bowl opening, so as to transmit towards a part of the buttocks and / or genitals. In one embodiment, the FoV is contained within the bowl opening, so as to transmit as much as possible towards the buttocks.

[0075] The radar device 100 makes it possible to generate one or more RF physiological data relating to the user's body, via the reflection of radar waves by the user's body. This RF physiological data can be used as such, i.e., as an indicator of the user's health status or as a means of identifying the user sitting on the toilet seat.

[0076] Figure 5, already presented previously, illustrates a user 500 sitting on a basin 106. The radar device 100 is positioned in volume V of the basin 106, and the radar sensor 202 emits radar waves (referred to as wTx) towards the user's body (specifically the buttocks 502), which return reflected radar waves (referred to as wRX). The user's body will be referred to hereafter. The radar device 100 makes it possible to determine the radial distance D(t) between the body and the radar device 100, and in particular its evolution, even if minimal, over time. This radial distance D(t), or a data point relating to this radial distance D(t), can constitute the physiological RF data itself.

[0077] This emission and reception of radar waves can occur during the seated phase, before, during, or after urination. However, during urination, it is necessary to filter out the signals reflected by the urine stream. Nevertheless, since the body movement is coherent, the movement observed by the radar sensor 202 is pulsatile and coherent with the heart rate.

[0078] General description

[0079] As explained previously, the device 100 allows for the determination of the evolution of the radial distance D(t) of the seated user's body relative to the radar device 100. This distance D(t) can vary due to heartbeat and respiration. Analysis of this evolution makes it possible to determine a physiological RF data for the user's body. The analysis may include derivative calculations, extrema extraction, etc.

[0080] Detection of body movement (particularly of the buttocks) in a seated position

[0081] Several physiological phenomena cause very slight movements of the human body, independently of its will, which the radar device 100 is capable of detecting. Among these phenomena, we can cite the heart and respiration.

[0082] Radar wave ballistography

[0083] With each beat, the user's heart 504 pumps blood through the aorta, causing an upward recoil and thus a movement of the body along the illustrated Z-axis, passing approximately through the user's neck, heart, and buttocks. Given the user's seated position 500 and the positioning of the radar device 100 beneath the user 500, the radar device 100 is ideally positioned to measure the body's movement along the Z-axis: the projection of the user's buttock movements onto a radial axis to the radar device 100 is sufficiently representative. In other words, the angle between the buttock movement and the radial axis is small enough for the projection to retain sufficient information about the displacement.

[0084] The measurement of this movement is a ballistocardiogram, BCG, the acquisition of which using the radar device 100 has been described previously. The ballistocardiogram is considered a vital signal that allows the identification of characteristics of the user's vascular system.

[0085] Figure 6 represents a curve 600 illustrating on the ordinate a radial displacement in millimeters of the object reflecting the radar waves, i.e. the buttocks 502, as positioned 18 cm from the radar sensor, and the abscissa represents time in seconds. Phase 602 represents the ballistocardiogram of the user 500.

[0086] Thus, in one embodiment, the radar device 100 makes it possible to obtain a ballistocardiogram. By way of illustration, it can be observed that, in a phase 604 where there is no user on the toilet seat, the radar sensor 202 detects no movement, which results in a white signal. At the instant when the buttocks 502 of the user 500 appear, in a phase 606, the radar sensor 202 detects changes in movement that are outside its operating capacity, hence a very noisy signal (the rectangular white area corresponds to masking text integrated into the image). Finally, once the user 500 is seated on the toilet seat 106 and almost When stationary, the radar sensor 202 detects the movements of the user's buttocks caused by the ejection of blood by the heart: this is phase 602.

[0087] Indeed, by positioning the radar sensor 202, which is substantially aligned with the user's heart 504 and buttocks 502 when the user is in a seated position, the radar sensor 202 is ideally positioned to detect variations in movement along the Z-axis illustrated in [Fig. 5]. Thus, measuring a BCG using a radar device 100 located in the bowl makes it possible to obtain a high-quality BCG.

[0088] The ballistocardiogram shows, at the level of the envelope of the peaks, a variation which represents the respiratory rhythm.

[0089] In one embodiment, the physiological data RF is the ballistocardiogram itself, and / or any data extracted from this ballistocardiogram, such as heart rate, the interval between two beats (“interbeart interval”), heart rate variability (“heart rate variability, HRV”), or respiratory rate.

[0090] Figure 7 illustrates curves 700, including curve 702, which represents the derivative of the radar signal phase as a function of time (in seconds), i.e., up to a multiplicative factor, the derivative of the radial displacement of the body. The peaks in the dashed frame, represented by a small cross, represent the heart rate, as manifested by the movement of the buttocks. Figure 7 also shows curve 704, which represents the extraction of these peaks. The two ordinates are respectively normalized.

[0091] Figure 8 represents an ECG analysis (electrocardiogram), showing an ECG curve (802) and a radar signal curve (804) (the radar signal has been resampled to the ECG signal frequency, which has generated artifacts on the amplitude of the radar signal peaks and on the signals around 0), as a function of time (in seconds). This analysis demonstrates the detectability of heartbeats by radar ballistocardiam in the configuration of Figure 5.

[0092] Method of implementing respiratory rate

[0093] When a person breathes, the organs are compressed against the perineum, causing a slight displacement of the abdomen, pelvic floor, and even the abdominal girdle. Similar to the BCG vaccine, positioning the device 100 under the buttocks in the toilet is ideal for detecting variations in movement along the Z-axis illustrated in [Fig. 5].

[0094] Figure 9, similar to curve 702 in Figure 7, illustrates a curve 900 representing the derivative of the phase of the received radar signal as a function of time (in seconds), that is, up to a multiplicative factor, the derivative of the radial displacement of the body. The dashed frame illustrates a periodic displacement identifiable by the Radar signal. This movement corresponds to the respiratory rhythm, as manifested by the body's movement (particularly that of the aforementioned organs). It should be noted that this movement is observable independently of the movements generated by the heart (and visible on the ballistocardiogram, especially in the buttocks). In particular, since the curve represents a derivative of position (and therefore a velocity), it is possible to see on this curve 702 that the user inhales more rapidly than they exhale.

[0095] In one embodiment, the physiological data RF is the displacement curve itself or the derivative curve 702, or any data extracted from the displacement curve: respiratory rate or frequency, inspiratory or expiratory speed, respiratory hold phase, etc. We will refer to the data relating to the respiratory rate.

[0096] User sitting time

[0097] In one embodiment, the physiological data RF is the user's sitting time on the toilet seat. This sitting time can be determined in several ways: by obtaining radial distance variation data, or by another radar method that minimally detects the presence of a user (undifferentiated).

[0098] More specifically, the sitting time can be obtained in several ways: the total duration of an identifiable BCG signal or the time interval between the user detection phases, which correspond to the user movement phases 500 from the toilet bowl 106 (standing-sitting and sitting-standing).

[0099] However, these techniques require that the radar sensor 202 be activated before the user sits on the toilet bowl.

[0100] To this end, the radar sensor 202 can be activated during predefined periods such as those defined in application EP22315324.8 (and referred to as temporal analyzing windows). These periods can represent a few hours (less than 4 hours, for example) per day, so that the radar device 100 can send prospective waves every X seconds while maintaining sufficient battery life (X being between 1 and 10 seconds, or even between 1 and 5 seconds). These prospective waves can also be used to detect the presence of a user sitting on the toilet and thus urinating (see [Fig. 6] and the different phases described).

[0101] User identification with physiological RF data

[0102] One of the common problems related to connected objects and obtaining user data is attributing data obtained from measurements on a user to a user profile corresponding to that user. This problem is all the more important when the device in question can be used by several people, as is the case for radar devices. 100 when, for example, it is installed in the toilet of a dwelling inhabited by several people. In the case of this description, the problem lies in attributing the physiological RF data and / or excreta data to the user sitting on the toilet, who is the one who reflected the radar waves and / or emitted the excreta. Specifically, this involves attributing this data to a user profile corresponding to that of the seated user.

[0103] One of the roles of the RF physiological data may be to enable the identification of the seated user, so that said RF physiological data or excreta data can be attributed to the seated user.

[0104] The shape of a ballistrocardiogram, based on a single pattern (one pattern corresponding to one cardiac cycle), exhibits several characteristics that allow one person to be distinguished from another. For example, the distance between two peaks of a pattern, the amplitude of the pattern, the ratio between two peaks of a pattern, or any relevant combination. To obtain usable data, these characteristics can be averaged over several patterns, which also allows for the determination of heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), etc.

[0105] Indeed, all these characteristics depend on the anatomy or physiology of the person: condition of the heart, orientation of the heart, condition of the aorta (rigidity, shape, etc.) and of the vascular system, tissues, etc. Consequently, these parameters have an influence on the ballistrocardiogram.

[0106] The following documents detail how a user's ballistocardiogram can be used to identify them among other users, particularly by means of neural networks: - "Ballistocardiogram-based person identification using correlation analysis" by Hong Guo et al. - “Ballistocardiogram Based Identity Recognition: Towards Zero-Effort Health Monitoring in an Intemet-of-Things (loT) Environment”, by Javaid et al. In IEEE, - “Ballistocardiogram Based Person Identification and Authentication Using Recurrent Neural Networks”, by Zhang et al., in IEEE.

[0107] These documents have demonstrated the possibility of identifying users from ballistocardiograms obtained by load cells, but the principle is similar for a ballistocardiogram obtained by radar waves.

[0108] Similarly, identification can be carried out on the basis of breathing, in particular if two users whose user profiles are registered have different breathing patterns.

[0109] Other means of identification

[0110] In order to attribute the physiological data to a user profile corresponding to the seated user, other means of identification may be implemented.

[0111] In an embodiment described in detail in document EP23200144, the radar device 100 can further identify properties of the urine stream, these properties enabling, in particular, the identification of the user, notably by classifying the urine stream as belonging to a given user. The classification of a user can be, at a minimum, a classification by discrimination between male and female. In a heterosexual bigamous household where the only users of the radar device 100 are the man and the woman, this anatomical discrimination based on sex, during the seated phase, makes it possible to identify the user of the radar device 100. For this purpose, the radar sensor 202 can be the same as that used in this description or a radar sensor 202 with other transmitters and receivers.

[0112] Methods

[0113] Several different methods will be described in relation to Figures 10 and 11. In particular, a method for determining physiological data using the radar device 100 and an identification method using the radar device 1100 will be presented. These methods share common steps, but their purpose differs. The identification method 800 can be combined with a method for determining physiological data in order to assign the physiological data to a user.

[0114] Figure 10 illustrates the steps of a method for determining RF physiological data as previously presented in the various embodiments. The steps of the method can be implemented by the radar sensor 202 and in particular by the control circuitry 302, 406.

[0115] In a step 1002, the control circuitry drives the radar sensor 202 to emit signals. These signals are typically emitted towards the opening of the toilet bowl 106, i.e., towards the user's body, at least partially obstructing the opening O. In a step 1004, the control circuitry drives the radar sensor 202 to receive signals reflected from the user's body (typically the buttocks for BCG vaccination). In a step 1006, the control circuitry processes the reflected signals to determine a physiological RF data point for the user. In one embodiment, steps 1002, 1004, and 1006 are repeated to obtain continuous information. Examples of such processing have been described previously.For example, the control circuitry determines the time evolution of the radial distance D(t) between the body and the radar sensor 202, then the control circuitry determines the physiological RF data from this time evolution: as described previously, the RF data can be a ballistocardiogram (or any information from the latter), a . data relating to respiration, etc. In a step 1008, the control circuitry can then store the RF physiological data and send it to the server and / or the mobile terminal.

[0116] Figure 11 illustrates the steps of several variants 1100i, 1100ii, 1100iii of an identification method 1100. The steps can be implemented by the control circuitry 302, 406. Steps 1102, 1104, 1106 of method 800 are identical to steps 1002, 1004, 1006 of method 1000. In a step 1108, the control circuitry uses the physiological RF data to identify the user.

[0117] Identification can correspond to the assignment of a user profile to the seated user. This identification can be made from among a plurality of pre-existing user profiles stored at the level of server 116, 328 and / or radar device 100.

[0118] For example, when the physiological data RF is a ballistocardiogram or any data from the BCG, identification is possible according to the methods described above. In particular, identification is possible by choosing between two profiles, for which one or more BCGs are identified. In a first variant 1101), in a step 11101 following step 1108, the physiological data RF is assigned to the profile identified by means of the physiological data RF itself.

[0119] In both variants 1 lOOii and 1 lOOiii, a method for obtaining excreta data is implemented to obtain at least one data point from the excreta generated by the seated user. For example, the method for obtaining excreta data may include urine collection, and an excreta data point may be data relating to the user's urine (pH, hormone, etc.). The method for obtaining excreta data may be as described in the aforementioned patent documents.

[0120] In a second variant 1100ii), in a step 1110ii implemented temporally before, during, or after steps 1102 to 1108, a method for obtaining excreta data 1100ii is implemented to obtain at least one data point from the excreta generated by the seated user. In a step 1112ii, the excreta data point is assigned to the user profile identified in step 1108. In this way, the physiological data RF makes it possible to identify the user for whom excreta data points were obtained.

[0121] Identification can be performed according to one or more classification rules stored in the control circuitry to classify the physiological data. By identification, it is meant that the control circuitry can assign the physiological data and / or excreta data to a given user profile from among a plurality of user profiles stored in the control circuitry 302, 406.

[0122] In a third variant 1100iii) of method 1100, a method for obtaining excreta data 1110iii can be implemented in response to the identification step 1108. Thus, depending on the identification in step 1108, the The control circuitry may or may not implement a method for obtaining excreta data. For example, when identification step 1108 determines that the user matches a user profile for which excreta data is expected (e.g., a specific severity test for an athlete), the control circuitry triggers a method for obtaining excreta data. In this variant, the excreta data is assigned to the user profile identified in step 1108.

[0123] The identification step 1108 can be performed by the smartphone or the server, rather than by the control circuitry. Similarly, part of the processing step 1106 can be performed by the smartphone or the server. Since user detection can trigger a measurement, and urination lasts only a few seconds, it may be important for the classification step to be performed by the control circuitry of the radar device itself. Indeed, a round trip to the server requires a stable internet connection and immediate server availability. To implement an embedded algorithm, clustering without machine learning can be used.

[0124] User Detector

[0125] In order to trigger radar acquisition only when a user is seated on the toilet, for example to save battery power, the toilet can incorporate a user presence detector, particularly a seated user detector, which in one embodiment can be a urine detector 210. More specifically, the urine detector 210 can be mounted in the radar device 100. The urine detector 210 can include a temperature sensor 220 mounted in the housing 200, for example at the collection port 204. When urine at a temperature above 35°C flows onto the housing, the temperature sensor 220 will detect a sudden temperature increase. The urine detector 210 is then configured to associate this sudden temperature increase with the presence of a stream of urine onto the housing 200.

[0126] In another embodiment, the user presence detector can be a load cell or an optical sensor. This sensor can detect the presence of a user before urination, which can allow for the acquisition of physiological RF data over a longer period. Alternatively, the user presence sensor can be the radar device 100 itself, notably by sending forward waves, as described previously. These forward waves make it possible to detect a user before they sit down.

[0127] Figure 12 illustrates a method of activating the radar sensor 202. In a step 1202, the user presence detector detects a user who will sitting down or who is sitting (for example, the urine detector 210 detects the presence of a stream of urine). In a step 1204, in response to said detection, the control circuitry 302, 406 commands the radar sensor 202 to perform method 1000 or 1100.

[0128] In another embodiment, methods 1000 or 1100 can be triggered directly by the user by means of a command sent to the radar sensor 202, for example by means of a mobile terminal 114 and / or by a physical button arranged near the toilet and operable by the user when the user sits on the toilet seat.

[0129] Positioning of the radar sensor in the toilet

[0130] Fig. 13 illustrates various possible locations for the radar device 100 in the toilet bowl 106 and in particular the radar sensor 202 inside the housing 200.

[0131] In one embodiment, the radar sensor 202 is centered with respect to an axis of symmetry D of the housing 200; if the user centers the housing 200 on an axis of symmetry X of the toilet bowl 106, then the radar sensor 200 is centered with respect to the toilet.

[0132] In an embodiment not shown, the radar sensor 202 is off-center with respect to an axis of symmetry D of the housing 200; if the user centers the housing 200 on an axis of symmetry X of the toilet, then the radar sensor 200 is slightly off-center with respect to the toilet.

[0133] In one embodiment, the housing 200 is positioned at a distance from the X axis of symmetry of the toilet, that is to say, it is slightly offset to the right or to the left.

[0134] In the case of integration of the radar device with a urine analysis device, the housing 200 must be located under the urine stream, which requires positioning of the housing in the proximal part of the toilet bowl 206 and preferably near an axis of symmetry X of the toilet.

[0135] Integration of a radar sensor into an excreta analysis device

[0136] In one embodiment, the radar device 100 is integrated into an excreta analysis device, and more specifically a urine analysis device 1400. The urine analysis device was described in documents WO2021 / 175909, WO2021 / 175944, WO2023 / 036805, WO2023 / 036806, WO2023 / 036808, and WO2023 / 036809 (publication number). Identifying a seated user can be a preliminary step before initiating a urine analysis. Identifying the seated user also allows the analysis results to be attributed to the user profile corresponding to that of the seated user.

[0137] As illustrated in detail in [Fig. 14], the urine analysis device 1400 comprises a station 1402 and a cartridge 1404, removably mounted in the station 1402. The station 1402 includes, in particular, the housing 200 which, according to one embodiment a particular device, formed as an assembly of two half-shells. The housing 200 contains a test set. The test set is intended to analyze the urine received in the urine analysis device 100. The station 1402 further includes an annular housing 1406, inside the housing 200, arranged around a rotational axis A. The annular housing 1106 is configured to at least partially receive the cartridge 1104, which is rotatably mounted around the rotational axis A (once in position in the annular housing 212). The cartridge 1404 comprises a plurality of test supports incorporating a reagent, for example, a dry reagent, arranged along a circle or arc around the rotational axis A. In one embodiment, the test supports are test strips. The test supports are individually enclosed in a chamber

[0138] The annular housing 1406 typically extends over 360° and forms a groove configured to partially receive the cartridge 1104.

[0139] Station 1402 further includes the collection port 218, positioned, for example, on the rear shell in [Fig. 11]. The collection port 218 can receive urine flowing by gravity onto the outer surface of the housing 204. A drain port (not shown) is also included for draining the liquid from the device 1400.

[0140] In one embodiment, the housing 200 has a diameter, measured in the direction normal to axis A, between 50 mm and 150 mm, for example close to 100 mm.

[0141] The test assembly comprises a pump, an injector, and an analyzer, not shown in [Fig. 14]. The pump draws urine from the collection port 218, and then the injector injects the urine onto a test medium in the cartridge. The analyzer then obtains properties of the test medium after it has contacted the urine. The injector and the cartridge can move relative to each other so that the injector can pierce the chamber.< / e>

Claims

Demands

1. A method for identifying (1100) a user (500) sitting on a toilet bowl (106), the identification method using a radar sensor (202) positioned inside the volume (V) defined by the toilet bowl (106) and comprising: * a method for determining a physiological data point of the body of the user (500) sitting on a toilet bowl (106), the toilet bowl (106) defining an opening (O) at least partially obstructed by the user's body, the determination method being implemented by the radar sensor (202) positioned inside the volume (V) defined by the toilet bowl (106), the determination method (100) comprising: - the emission (1002) by the radar sensor (202) of at least one radar signal, in the direction of the opening (O), - the reception (1004) by the radar sensor (202) of a radar signal reflected by the user's body,- the processing (1006) of the received radar signal to determine a physiological data point of the user's body, * using the physiological data, the assignment (1108) of a user profile to the seated user, for example from among a plurality of user profiles.

2. Identification method (1100) according to claim 1, wherein the radar signal processing includes determining the time evolution of the distance (D(t)) between the radar sensor (202) and the user's body closing the aperture (O), referred to as the radial distance, and the physiological data is determined from this evolution.

3. Identification method (1100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the physiological data includes a user ballistocardiogram.

4. Identification method (1100) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the physiological data includes at least one of the following: user heart rate, interval between two beats of a user heart signal, user heart rate variability, respiratory rate.

5. Identification method (1100) according to claim 2, wherein the physiological data relates to the user's respiratory rate.

6. Identification method (1100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the emission (1002) starts before the user sits on the toilet bowl.

7. Identification method (1100) according to claim 6, wherein the physiological data includes a duration of the user sitting on the toilet bowl (106).

8. Identification method (1100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the radar sensor (202) comprises a field of view (FoV) at least partially included in the opening of the toilet bowl (106).

9. Identification method (1100) (1100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a preliminary step, using a user presence detector (210), of detecting the presence of a user, the method comprising in response to said detection, a step of activating the radar sensor (202) to implement the transmission, reception and processing steps.

10. Identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the determined physiological data is associated with the assigned user profile.

11. Method for analyzing excreta (812) of a user, comprising: - the identification method (1100ii, 1100iii) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, - obtaining excreta data (1100ii, 1100iii), - assigning (1112ii, 1112iii) the excreta data to the identified user

12. Computer program comprising instructions capable of implementing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 when the instructions are executed by a processor.

13. Radar device (100) comprising: - a housing (200), suitable for being positioned inside a toilet bowl (106), - a radar sensor (202), housed in the housing (200), and suitable for emitting radar waves towards the opening of the toilet bowl (106), the radar sensor (202) being suitable for implementing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. Urine analysis device (1400), comprising: - a radar device (100) according to claim 13, - a collection port (204) on the housing (200) to receive urine, - a test kit designed to analyze the urine received.

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