Position guidance system and urinal device

Abstract

To provide a position guidance system that enables users to easily determine whether they are in an appropriate position relative to a urinal.SOLUTION: A position guidance system 1 comprises a detector 3 for detecting a distance from a urinal 2 to a user, a notification unit 4, and a controller 5 for switching a notification state of the notification unit 4. When the user approaches the urinal 2, the controller 5 causes the notification unit 4 to notify that the user is in a prescribed area when the distance detected by the detector 3 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold for approach. When the user moves away from the urinal 2, the controller causes the notification unit 4 to notify that the user is not in the prescribed area when the distance detected by the detector 3 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold for separation. The predetermined threshold for separation is set larger than the predetermined threshold for approach.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a position guidance system and a urinal apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that guides a user to an appropriate position relative to a urinal. The system includes a detection unit that detects the distance between the urinal and the user, and multiple lamps. In the system, which of the multiple lamps to turn on is selected based on the magnitude relationship between the distance detected by the detection unit and a preset threshold value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-145650 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology described above, when the distance between the urinal and the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the first lamp is turned on, and when the distance between the urinal and the user falls below the predetermined threshold, the second lamp is turned on. Therefore, depending on the user's standing position, the lamp may frequently turn on and off in response to the user's movement of the upper body. In other words, in the conventional technology, it was sometimes difficult to determine whether the user was in the correct position from the illumination of the lamp.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a position guidance system and a urinal apparatus that enable a user to easily determine whether or not he or she is in an appropriate position relative to a urinal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A position guidance system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a system for guiding the position of a user relative to a urinal, and includes a detection unit that detects a distance to the user based on the urinal, a notification unit that notifies the user of the position, and a control unit that switches the notification state of the notification unit according to the distance detected by the detection unit. The control unit is configured to, when the user approaches the urinal, cause the notification unit to notify the user that the user is in a predetermined area when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold for approach, and to, when the user leaves the urinal, cause the notification unit to notify the user that the user is not in the predetermined area when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold for separation. The predetermined threshold for separation is set to be larger than the predetermined threshold for approach.

[0007] A position guidance system according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a system for guiding a user's position relative to a urinal, comprising: a detection unit that detects a distance to the user based on the urinal, a notification unit that notifies the user of the user's position, and a control unit that switches a notification state of the notification unit according to the distance detected by the detection unit. The control unit is configured to: when the user approaches the urinal, switch the notification state of the notification unit to a guidance state that guides the user to approach the urinal when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or less than a first threshold; further switch the notification state of the notification unit to another notification state that notifies the user that the user is in an appropriate position when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold; and when the user leaves the urinal, switch the notification state of the notification unit from the another notification state to the guidance state when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or greater than a third threshold that is larger than the second threshold.

[0008] A urinal apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the position guidance system according to the one aspect or another aspect, and the urinal. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure provides an advantage in that a user can easily determine whether or not he or she is in a proper position relative to a urinal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a urinal device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main part of the above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower part of the urinal device as viewed from behind. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the urinal device and a user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 1. One embodiment (urinal device) A urinal device 9 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] A urinal device 9 in one embodiment includes a urinal 2 and a position guidance system 1 that guides the position of a user relative to the urinal 2 (see Fig. 1, Fig. 6, etc.). A user relieves himself / herself by standing in front of the urinal 2, and the position guidance system 1 is configured to guide the user standing in front of the urinal 2 to an appropriate area in front of the urinal 2. The appropriate area here is an area in which urine splashing around the urinal 2 can be effectively prevented.

[0013] (urinal) The urinal 2 in one embodiment is a wall-hung urinal. The front-rear direction D1, the left-right direction D2, and the up-down direction D3 used in the following description are based on a state in which the urinal 2 is fixed to the surface of a vertical wall 81, as shown in FIG. 2 etc.

[0014] The front-to-back direction D1 is the horizontal direction in which the vertical wall 81 and the urinal 2 are aligned. The left-to-right direction D2 is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction D3 and the front-to-back direction D1. The front-to-back direction D1, the left-to-right direction D2, and the up-to-down direction D3 are perpendicular to each other. In the front-to-back direction D1, the direction in which the urinal 2 is positioned relative to the vertical wall 81 is the front, and the opposite direction is the rear.

[0015] The urinal 2 is molded using synthetic resin, but may be molded using another material such as ceramic.

[0016] The urinal 2 has a bowl portion 21 formed in a concave shape for receiving urine from a user, a water outlet portion 24 configured to eject water into the bowl portion 21, and a drainage portion 25 configured to drain water that has flowed down the bowl portion 21. The bowl portion 21 is formed long in the vertical direction as a whole, with the water outlet portion 24 provided above the bowl portion 21 and the drainage portion 25 provided at the lower end portion of the bowl portion 21. In one embodiment, the urinal 2 is provided with two water outlet portions 24 spaced apart in the left-right direction D2.

[0017] The bowl portion 21 has a curved shape that is concave overall toward the rear (i.e., in the direction in which the wall 81 is positioned relative to the urinal 2) so as to receive the user's urine and allow it to flow smoothly toward the drainage portion 25.

[0018] In addition, the urinal 2 integrally comprises left and right side walls 22 extending rearward from both end edges of the bowl portion 21 in the left-right direction D2, and a front wall 23 provided so as to hide the lower end portion of the bowl portion 21. The left and right side walls 22 and the front wall 23 are continuous with each other.

[0019] The upper part of the urinal 2 houses a device 27 for discharging water from the water outlet 24 (see FIG. 2). The device 27 includes a water supply path 241 that supplies water supplied through a stopcock 83 fixed to a wall 81 to the water outlet 24, and an electromagnetic valve and the like provided in the water supply path 241.

[0020] A drain trap 28 is connected to the bottom of the urinal 2. The drain trap 28 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. A drain pipe 85 is provided in the wall 81. The drain pipe 85 is located above the floor 87. The drain pipe 85 is connected in communication with the urinal 2 via the drain trap 28 and the intermediate unit 29.

[0021] Drain trap 28 integrally comprises U-shaped pipe section 281 that is connected to drain section 25 of bowl section 21 from below, and straight pipe section 282 that extends rearward from the downstream end of U-shaped pipe section 281. When drain trap 28 is connected to drain section 25, straight pipe section 282 slopes downward toward the downstream.

[0022] 5, the straight pipe section 282 constituting the downstream section of the drain trap 28 is supported by the reinforcing member 26. The reinforcing member 26 is a member that reinforces the urinal 2 molded using a resin sheet, and supports the straight pipe section 282 of the drain trap 28 while being fixed to the lower parts of the left and right side walls 22 of the urinal 2. The left and right ends of the reinforcing member 26 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 22 of the urinal 2 using, for example, an adhesive.

[0023] (Location Guidance System) As shown in Fig. 6 etc., the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment includes a detection unit 3, a notification unit 4, and a control unit 5. The detection unit 3, the notification unit 4, and the control unit 5 may each be incorporated into the urinal 2, or may be installed separately from the urinal 2. In the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment, the detection unit 3 is installed separately from the urinal 2, and the notification unit 4 and the control unit 5 are incorporated into the urinal 2.

[0024] (Detection unit) The detection unit 3 is configured to detect the distance to the user based on the urinal 2 (in the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment, the distance from the wall 81 on which the urinal 2 is hung to the user).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, the detection unit 3 is embedded in a portion of a wall 81 above the urinal 2 so as to detect the distance to a user positioned in front.

[0026] It should be noted that, as the distance to the user based on the urinal 2, it is also possible to detect the distance from the urinal 2 to the user, rather than detecting the distance from the wall 81 on which the urinal 2 is hung to the user. In this case, the detection unit 3 may be incorporated in the urinal 2, or may be installed separately from the detection unit 3.

[0027] In one embodiment of the urinal device 9, a radio wave sensor 31 is used in the detection unit 3. The radio wave sensor 31 is configured to detect the distance to a user using millimeter waves that have a high degree of directivity. The frequency of the millimeter waves used in the radio wave sensor 31 is, for example, 60 GHz, but the frequency may be any appropriate frequency within the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The type of sensor used in the detection unit 3 is not limited to the above, and for example, an infrared sensor may be used in the detection unit 3, or an ultrasonic sensor or laser sensor may be used in the detection unit 3.

[0028] (Notification Department) The notification unit 4 is configured to notify the user of the user's relative position with respect to the urinal 2. The notification from the notification unit 4 allows the user to know where he or she is with respect to the urinal 2. In one embodiment of the position guidance system 1, the notification unit 4 includes a light-emitting unit 41 and a light source unit 45 (see FIG. 4).

[0029] The light emitting unit 41 is provided in a portion of the urinal 2 that is above the bowl portion 21 of the urinal 2. More specifically, the light emitting unit 41 is provided at the upper end portion of the urinal 2.

[0030] The upper end of the urinal 2 has a flat upper end surface 201 facing upward, a front surface 202 located above the bowl portion 21, and a corner portion 204 (see Figures 1 and 3) connecting the upper end surface 201 and the front surface 202. The corner portion 204 has a convex curved surface that smoothly connects the upper end surface 201 and the front surface 202. The vertical cross section of the surface of the corner portion 204 is an arc-shaped cross section that bulges diagonally upward and forward.

[0031] The light-emitting unit 41 is provided at a corner 204 at the upper end of the urinal 2. A window hole 205 is formed through the corner 204 at the upper end of the urinal 2. The light-emitting unit 41 is composed of a light-transmitting member 415 inserted into the window hole 205. The surface of the member 415 is visible to the user through the window hole 205. In other words, the surface of the member 415 is the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit 41 that is provided so as to be visible to the user.

[0032] The light emitting unit 41 provided at the corner 204 at the top end of the urinal 2 is visible when the urinal 2 is viewed from the front, and is also visible when the urinal 2 is viewed from above. "Front view" here means when the urinal 2 is viewed from the front. "Planar view" means when the urinal 2 is viewed from above.

[0033] The light source unit 45 is configured to emit light for emitting light from the light emitting unit 41. As shown in FIG.

[0034] The light source unit 45 includes a light source 451 configured with, for example, a light emitting diode, a board 453 on which the light source 451 is mounted, and a cover 455 that covers the light source 451 and the board 453. The light source 451 is configured to emit light diagonally upward toward the front. The cover 455 is provided with a light transmitting portion 457. The light transmitting portion 457 is configured with a through hole provided in the cover 455, but the light transmitting portion 457 may be configured with a transparent member. The light transmitting portion 457 is located diagonally upward toward the front of the light source 451. Instead of the cover 455 being provided with the light transmitting portion 457, the entire cover 455 may be provided transparently.

[0035] A columnar light guide member 46 is disposed diagonally above the front of the light source unit 45. The light guide member 46 is located between the light source unit 45 and the light emitter 41, and is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source unit 45 to the light emitter 41. An end face 461 of the light guide member 46 faces the light transmitting portion 457 of the cover 455. It is preferable that the diameter of the end face 461 of the light guide member 46 is larger than the diameter of the light transmitting portion 457 of the cover 455. The light guide member 46 is formed integrally with a member 415 constituting the light emitter 41, but the light guide member 46 may be formed separately from the member 415.

[0036] In one embodiment of the urinal 2, light emitted from the light source unit 45 is transmitted to the light-emitting unit 41 through a light-guiding member 46 arranged diagonally above and in front of the light source unit 45, causing the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit 41, which is arranged so as to be visible in a planar view and a front view, to emit light.

[0037] (Control unit) The control unit 5 is configured to switch the notification state of the notification unit 4 according to the distance detected by the detection unit 3. As shown in Figure 6 etc., the control unit 5 is accommodated in the upper end part of the urinal 2.

[0038] The control unit 5 is configured to control the supply of electricity to the light source unit 45 in accordance with the distance to the user detected by the detection unit 3, switch the state in which light is emitted from the light source unit 45, and ultimately switch the light emission state of the light emitting unit 41.

[0039] The control unit 5 has a plurality of thresholds used for determining whether to switch the light emitting state of the light emitting unit 41 (i.e., switch the notification state of the notification unit 4). These thresholds include a first threshold T1, a second threshold T2, a third threshold T3, and a fourth threshold T4.

[0040] The first threshold T1 and the second threshold T2 are approach thresholds used when a user approaches the urinal 2. The second approach threshold T2 is set smaller than the first approach threshold T1. For example, the first threshold T1 is 44 cm, whereas the second threshold T2 is 22 cm.

[0041] The third threshold T3 and the fourth threshold T4 are distance thresholds used when a user moves away from the urinal 2. The fourth distance threshold T4 is set to be larger than the third distance threshold T3. For example, the third threshold T3 is 37 cm, whereas the fourth threshold T4 is 60 cm.

[0042] The control when a user approaches the urinal 2 from a far away area will be described.

[0043] When a user approaches from a far away area, the control unit 5 keeps the light source unit 45 from emitting light and keeps the light-emitting unit 41 in an off state until the distance detected by the detection unit 3 reaches the first threshold value T1 (see arrow A1). The off state of the light-emitting unit 41 is an alarm state indicating that a user is not near the urinal 2 (hereinafter, this is referred to as a "non-proximity alarm state").

[0044] When the distance detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the control unit 5 causes the light source unit 45 to intermittently irradiate light and blinks the light-emitting unit 41. The control unit 5 blinks the light-emitting unit 41 during the period from when the distance detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 until it reaches the second threshold value T2 (see arrow A2). The blinking state of the light-emitting unit 41 is an alert state (hereinafter, referred to as the "guidance state") that guides the user to move closer to the urinal 2.

[0045] Next, when the distance detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the second threshold value T2 (see arrow A3), the control unit 5 causes the light source unit 45 to continuously emit light, turning on the light-emitting unit 41. The turned-on state of the light-emitting unit 41 is a notification state that notifies the user that he or she is in a proper position with respect to the urinal 2 (hereinafter, this is referred to as the "proper notification state").

[0046] As described above, in the position guidance system 1 according to one embodiment, as the user approaches the urinal 2, the control unit 5 switches the light-emitting unit 41 from an off state to a flashing state, and then to a lit state. In other words, as the user approaches the urinal 2, and the distance detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the control unit 5 switches the notification state of the notification unit 4 from a non-proximity notification state to a guidance state. Furthermore, when the distance detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the second threshold value T2, the control unit 5 switches the notification state of the notification unit 4 from a guidance state to an appropriate notification state.

[0047] Next, the control when the user moves away from the area close to the urinal 2 will be described.

[0048] When a user moves away from the area close to the urinal 2, the control unit 5 keeps the light-emitting unit 41 on until the distance detected by the detection unit 3 reaches a third threshold T3 (see arrow B1). When the distance detected by the detection unit 3 reaches or exceeds the third threshold T3, the control unit 5 causes the light source unit 45 to intermittently irradiate light and blink the light-emitting unit 41. The control unit 5 blinks the light-emitting unit 41 until the distance detected by the detection unit 3 reaches or exceeds the third threshold T3 and reaches a fourth threshold T4 (see arrow B2).

[0049] Next, when the distance detected by detection unit 3 becomes equal to or greater than fourth threshold value T4 (see arrow B3), control unit 5 stops the emission of light from light source unit 45 and turns off light-emitting unit 41.

[0050] As described above, in the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment, as the user moves away from the urinal 2, the control unit 5 switches the light emitting unit 41 from a lit state to a blinking state, and then switches it to an off state. In other words, when the user moves away from a position close to the urinal 2 and the distance detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or greater than the third threshold value T3, the control unit 5 switches the notification state of the notification unit 4 from the appropriate notification state that was maintained until then to the guidance state. Furthermore, when the distance detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value T4, the control unit 5 switches the notification state of the notification unit 4 from the guidance state that was maintained until then to the non-proximity notification state.

[0051] Here, the third threshold T3 used to switch the alarm unit 4 from the appropriate alarm state to the guidance state when the user moves away from the urinal 2 is set to be 15 cm larger than the second threshold T2 used to switch the alarm unit 4 from the guidance state to the appropriate alarm state when the user approaches the urinal 2.

[0052] Therefore, in one embodiment of the position guidance system 1, even if a user approaches a urinal 2, and the notification unit 4 switches from the guidance state to the appropriate notification state, and then the user moves his or her upper body on the spot, a situation in which the notification unit 4 frequently switches between the guidance state and the appropriate notification state in response to this is suppressed.

[0053] In other words, if the third threshold T3 and the second threshold T2 are set to a common value, for example, when a user approaches the urinal 2 and the light emitting unit 41 switches from a flashing state to a lit state, if the user moves his / her upper body on the spot, the light emitting unit 41 may frequently switch between flashing and lighting in response to the movement, depending on the standing position. In contrast, in the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment, the third threshold T3 is set to be 15 cm larger than the second threshold T2, so that the situation in which the light emitting unit 41 frequently switches between flashing and lighting is suppressed. Note that the difference between the third threshold T3 and the second threshold T2 is not limited to 15 cm, and is preferably set within a range of, for example, 10 cm to 30 cm, or 12 cm to 25 cm.

[0054] Similarly, the fourth threshold T4 used to switch the alarm unit 4 from the guidance state to the non-proximity alarm state when the user moves away from the urinal 2 is set to be 16 cm larger than the first threshold T1 used to switch the alarm unit 4 from the non-proximity alarm state to the guidance state when the user approaches the urinal 2.

[0055] Therefore, in one embodiment of the position guidance system 1, even if a user approaches a urinal 2, and the alarm unit 4 switches from a non-proximity notification state to a guidance state, and then the user moves their upper body on the spot, a situation in which the alarm unit 4 reacts by frequently switching between the non-proximity notification state and the guidance state is suppressed.

[0056] In other words, if the fourth threshold T4 and the first threshold T1 are set to a common value, for example, when a user approaches the urinal 2 and the light emitting unit 41 switches from an off state to a flashing state, and then the user moves his or her upper body on the spot, the light emitting unit 41 may frequently switch between off and flashing depending on the standing position. In contrast, in the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment, the fourth threshold T4 is set to be 16 cm larger than the first threshold T1, so that the light emitting unit 41 is prevented from frequently switching between off and flashing. Note that the difference between the fourth threshold T4 and the first threshold T1 is not limited to 16 cm, and is preferably set within a range of, for example, 10 cm to 30 cm, or 12 cm to 25 cm.

[0057] (Action and effect) As described above, in the position guidance system 1 according to one embodiment, when a user approaches the urinal 2, the control unit 5 notifies the notification unit 4 that the user is in a predetermined area when the distance to the user detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined threshold for approach. The predetermined threshold for approach is the first threshold T1 or the second threshold T2. When the predetermined threshold for approach is the first threshold T1, the control unit 5 notifies the user that the user is in the guidance area by blinking the light emitting unit 41 included in the notification unit 4 when the distance to the user detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold T1. When the predetermined threshold for approach is the second threshold T2, the control unit 5 notifies the user that the user is in the appropriate area by lighting the light emitting unit 41 included in the notification unit 4 when the distance to the user detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or less than the second threshold T2.

[0058] When the user leaves the urinal 2, the control unit 5 notifies the notification unit 4 that the user is not in the predetermined area when the distance to the user detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold for separation. The predetermined threshold for separation is the third threshold T3 or the fourth threshold T4. When the predetermined threshold for separation is the third threshold T3, the control unit 5 notifies the user that the user is not in the appropriate area but in the guidance area by blinking the light emitting unit 41 included in the notification unit 4 when the distance to the user detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or greater than the third threshold T3. When the predetermined threshold for approach is the fourth threshold T4, the control unit 5 notifies the user that the user is not in the guidance area but in the non-proximity area by turning off the light emitting unit 41 included in the notification unit 4 when the distance to the user detected by the detection unit 3 becomes equal to or greater than the fourth threshold T4.

[0059] Moreover, in the position guidance system 1 according to one embodiment, the above-mentioned predetermined threshold for separation is set to be larger than the predetermined threshold for approach. When the predetermined area is a guidance area, the corresponding threshold for separation is the fourth threshold T4, the corresponding threshold for approach is the first threshold T1, and the fourth threshold T4 is set to be larger than the first threshold T1. When the predetermined area is a proper area, the corresponding threshold for separation is the third threshold T3, the corresponding threshold for approach is the second threshold T2, and the third threshold T3 is set to be larger than the second threshold T2.

[0060] Therefore, in one embodiment of the position guidance system 1, even if a user approaches the urinal 2, reaches a predetermined area (i.e., the guidance area or the appropriate area), and then moves his / her upper body on the spot, frequent switching of the light emission state of the light emitting unit 41 included in the notification unit 4 in response to the movement is suppressed. The user can easily determine whether or not he / she is in the appropriate position relative to the urinal 2 by checking the notification unit 4 configured to stably switch the light emission state.

[0061] 2. Variations The above embodiment is merely one embodiment of the position guiding system 1 and the urinal device 9 of the present disclosure, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of achieving similar operational effects. In the modifications listed below, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those in the above embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0062] For example, in one embodiment of the position guidance system 1, the area set based on the urinal 2 is divided into an appropriate area, an induction area, and a non-proximity area, but the form of division is not limited to this, and the area may be divided into areas different from the above areas.

[0063] In the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment, the notification unit 4 is configured to notify the user that he is in a predetermined area by emitting light, but the notification means is not limited to this, and may be configured to output at least one of sound, vibration, image, and text instead of or in addition to light emission to notify the user that he is in a predetermined area. In addition, the position guidance system 1 of one embodiment is configured to notify the user's location by switching the light-emitting unit 41 between off, blinking, and on, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to notify the user's location by switching the light-emitting color of the light-emitting unit 41, or by switching the brightness of the light-emitting unit 41, or by switching the blinking timing of the light-emitting unit 41.

[0064] In one embodiment of the position guidance system 1, the urinal 2 is a wall-mounted urinal, but is not limited to this and other types of urinals such as a floor-mounted urinal, a low-lip urinal, a cylindrical urinal, etc. can also be used.

[0065] 3. Summary As described above based on the embodiment and various modified examples, the position guidance system (1) of the first aspect is a system for guiding the position of a user relative to a urinal (2), and includes a detection unit (3) that detects the distance to the user based on the urinal (2), a notification unit (4) that notifies the user of the position, and a control unit (5) that switches the notification state of the notification unit (4) according to the distance detected by the detection unit (3). When the user approaches the urinal (2), the control unit (5) is configured to cause the notification unit (4) to notify the user that the user is in a predetermined area when the distance detected by the detection unit (3) becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value (T1; T2) for approach, and to cause the notification unit (4) to notify the user that the user is not in the above-mentioned predetermined area when the distance detected by the detection unit (3) becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value (T4; T3) for separation, when the user leaves the urinal (2). The predetermined threshold value for separation (T4; T3) is set to be greater than the predetermined threshold value for approach (T1; T2).

[0066] According to this embodiment, for example, even if a user approaches the urinal (2) and moves his / her upper body on the spot after reaching a predetermined area, frequent switching of the notification state of the notification unit (4) in response to the movement is suppressed, so that the user can easily determine whether or not he / she is in an appropriate position with respect to the urinal (2).

[0067] The position guidance system (1) of the second embodiment is a system for guiding the position of a user relative to a urinal (2), and includes a detection unit (3) that detects the distance to the user based on the urinal (2), an alarm unit (4) that notifies the user of the position of the user, and a control unit (5) that switches the alarm state of the alarm unit (4) depending on the distance detected by the detection unit (3). The control unit (5) is configured to switch the notification state of the notification unit (4) to a guidance state that guides the user to approach the urinal (2) when the distance detected by the detection unit (3) becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value (T1), and to switch the notification state of the notification unit (4) to another notification state that notifies the user that the user is in an appropriate position when the distance detected by the detection unit (3) becomes equal to or less than a second threshold value (T2) that is smaller than the first threshold value (T1), and to switch the notification state of the notification unit (4) from the other notification state to a guidance state when the user moves away from the urinal (2) when the distance detected by the detection unit (3) becomes equal to or more than a third threshold value (T3) that is larger than the second threshold value (T2).

[0068] According to this embodiment, for example, even if a user approaches the urinal (2) and moves his / her upper body on the spot after the notification state of the notification unit (4) has switched from the guidance state to another notification state, frequent switching of the notification state of the notification unit (4) in response to the movement is suppressed, so that the user can easily determine whether or not he / she is in an appropriate position with respect to the urinal (2).

[0069] In the position guidance system (1) of the third aspect, in the second aspect, the control unit (5) is configured to terminate the notification in the guidance state when the distance detected by the detection unit (3) becomes equal to or greater than a fourth threshold (T4) that is greater than the third threshold (T3) when the user moves away from the urinal (2). The fourth threshold (T4) is set to be greater than the first threshold (T1).

[0070] According to this embodiment, for example, even if a user approaches the urinal (2) and moves his / her upper body on the spot after the notification state of the notification unit (4) has been switched to the guidance state, frequent switching of the notification state of the notification unit (4) in response to the movement is suppressed, so that the user can easily determine whether or not he / she is in an appropriate position with respect to the urinal (2).

[0071] In the position guidance system (1) of the fourth aspect, in the second or third aspect, the notification unit (4) includes a light-emitting unit (41). The guidance state of the notification unit (4) is a state in which the light-emitting unit (41) blinks, and another notification state of the notification unit (4) is a state in which the light-emitting unit (41) is turned on.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the user can easily determine whether or not he or she is in an appropriate position relative to the urinal (2) by visually checking whether the light emitting portion (41) is flashing or lit.

[0073] In the position guidance system (1) of the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the detection unit (3) includes a radio wave sensor (31).

[0074] According to this embodiment, the user can be detected stably by using the radio wave sensor (31).

[0075] A urinal device (9) of a sixth aspect includes the position guidance system (1) of any one of the first to fifth aspects, and a urinal (2).

[0076] According to this embodiment, for example, even if a user approaches the urinal (2) and moves his / her upper body on the spot after reaching a predetermined area, frequent switching of the notification state of the notification unit (4) in response to the movement is suppressed, so that the user can easily determine whether or not he / she is in an appropriate position with respect to the urinal (2). [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Position Guidance System 2 Urinals 3. Detection section 31 Radio wave sensor 4. Notification Department 41 Light emitting part 5. Control section 9 Urinal device T1 First threshold T2 Second Threshold T3 Third threshold T4 Fourth threshold

Claims

1. 1. A system for guiding a user's position relative to a urinal, comprising: A detection unit that detects a distance to the user based on the urinal; A notification unit that notifies the user of the location of the user; a control unit that switches a notification state of the notification unit in response to the distance detected by the detection unit, The control unit is When the user approaches the urinal, when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold for approach, the notification unit notifies the user that the user is in a predetermined area; When the user leaves the urinal, when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold for separation, the notification unit is configured to notify that the user is not in the predetermined area, The predetermined threshold for separation is set to be greater than the predetermined threshold for approach. Position guidance system.

2. 1. A system for guiding a user's position relative to a urinal, comprising: A detection unit that detects a distance to the user based on the urinal; A notification unit that notifies the user of the location of the user; a control unit that switches a notification state of the notification unit in response to the distance detected by the detection unit, The control unit is When the user approaches the urinal, when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or less than a first threshold, the notification state of the notification unit is switched to a guidance state that guides the user to approach the urinal, and further, when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, the notification state of the notification unit is switched to another notification state that notifies the user that the user is in an appropriate position; When the user leaves the urinal, the notification state of the notification unit is switched from the other notification state to the guidance state when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or greater than a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value. Position guidance system.

3. The control unit is When the user leaves the urinal, the notification in the guidance state is terminated when the distance detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value that is greater than the third threshold value, The fourth threshold value is set to be greater than the first threshold value. The position guidance system of claim 2.

4. The notification unit includes a light emitting unit, The guidance state of the notification unit is a state in which the light-emitting unit blinks, The other notification state of the notification unit is a state in which the light-emitting unit is turned on.

4. The position guidance system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The detection unit includes a radio wave sensor.

3. The position guidance system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A position guidance system according to claim 1 or 2; The urinal, Urinal device.

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