Imaging device

Abstract

To set excrement dropped into a bowl part within an angle of view.SOLUTION: An imaging device 1 for capturing an image of excrement is installed on a toilet bowl 101 having a bowl part, and includes a sensor part 2 including an imaging sensor 21. In the sensor part 2, an angle of view and an attachment position are set so that a detection area D1 presumed to receive dropping excrement in the bowl part 101a is at least included in a visual field.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device for imaging excrement.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in nursing facilities and the like, there has been a demand for objectively managing the excrement of care recipients. For this management, a technique of attaching an imaging device for imaging excrement to a toilet bowl has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an excrement imaging device including a plate portion attached to the rear upper surface of a bowl portion, and an imaging means for imaging excrement is provided on the plate portion so as to face the bowl portion.

[0003] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the imaging means is fixed so as to face the bowl portion, it is difficult to include the excrement that has fallen into the bowl portion within the imaging angle of the imaging means, and further improvement is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging device capable of including excrement that has fallen into a bowl portion within an imaging angle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An imaging device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an imaging device that images an image of excrement, and is attached to an edge portion of a toilet bowl having a bowl portion and an edge portion located above the bowl portion, and includes a sensor unit including an imaging sensor. The sensor unit is set in terms of an imaging angle and an attachment position such that at least a detection area where the fall of the excrement onto the bowl portion is assumed is included within the field of view.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to include the excrement that has fallen onto the bowl portion within the imaging angle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (Background Leading to the Present Disclosure) Excretion history information indicating the number and time of excretion behaviors such as urination, defecation, and flatulence is important information for grasping a person's health risks. In particular, in nursing facilities that accommodate many elderly people who are prone to constipation, it is required to objectively record the excretion history information of the care recipients and appropriately administer drugs such as laxatives to the care recipients. However, since there are a large number of care recipients in nursing facilities, it is not easy to impose such a recording task of excretion history information on care staff because the burden on the care staff increases. Therefore, the present inventors are conducting research on a technology for automatically managing such excretion history information without human intervention.

[0010] In order to automatically generate such excretion history information, it is effective to install an imaging device on a toilet, image the excrement that has fallen into the bowl by the installed imaging device, and analyze and record the obtained image data.

[0011] However, the angle of view of a general imaging device is as narrow as 45 degrees. When such an imaging device is installed in a toilet bowl, there may be cases where excrement that has fallen into the bowl does not fit within the angle of view of the imaging device. Also, although the angle of view of an imaging device generally referred to as a wide-angle camera is 60 degrees, even when such an imaging device is installed, it is difficult to contain the excrement that has fallen into the bowl within the angle of view. Therefore, when a conventional imaging device is installed in a toilet bowl, it is impossible to accurately detect the presence and type of excrement from the image data.

[0012] Also, if an ultra-wide-angle imaging device is installed, it is possible to contain the excrement that has fallen into the bowl within the angle of view. However, since the angle of view capable of containing the excrement that has fallen into the bowl varies depending on the mounting position of the imaging device, simply attaching an ultra-wide-angle imaging device to the toilet bowl may also result in an excessive angle of view or an insufficient angle of view.

[0013] Therefore, the inventor has obtained the knowledge that by setting the angle of view and mounting position of the sensor unit so that at least the detection area where the fall of excrement into the bowl is assumed is included within the field of view, it is possible to contain the dropped objects excreted into the bowl within the angle of view, and has arrived at the following aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] An imaging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an imaging device that captures an image of excrement, and is attached to the edge of a toilet bowl having a bowl portion and an edge portion located above the bowl portion, and includes a sensor unit including an imaging sensor. The sensor unit has its angle of view and mounting position set so that at least the detection area where the fall of excrement into the bowl is assumed is included within the field of view.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the angle of view and mounting position of the sensor unit are set so that at least the detection area is included within the field of view of the sensor unit, it is possible to contain the excrement within the angle of view. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately detect the presence and type of feces from the image data.

[0016] In the imaging device, the edge portion has an opening. When looking at the opening from above, a predetermined position on the center line between a first intersection point which is the center line in the front-rear direction of the opening and an intersection point in front of the opening, and a second intersection point which is an intersection point between the center line and in front of the detection area is defined as a first position, and a predetermined position on the center line between a third intersection point which is the intersection point between the center line and behind the detection area and a fourth intersection point which is the intersection point between the center line and behind the opening is defined as a second position. Then, the sensor unit may have the angle of view and the mounting position set such that the first position and the second position are included in the field of view.

[0017] According to this configuration, the angle of view and the mounting position of the sensor unit are set such that the first position and the second position are included in the field of view. Thereby, it becomes possible to more reliably enclose excrement within the angle of view.

[0018] In the imaging device, the first position may be the first intersection point, and the second position may be the fourth intersection point.

[0019] According to this configuration, since the first position is the first intersection point which is the intersection point between the center line and in front of the opening, and the second position is the fourth intersection point which is the intersection point between the center line and behind the opening, most of the area of the bowl portion can be enclosed within the angle of view. Thereby, excrement can be more reliably enclosed within the angle of view.

[0020] In the imaging device, the mounting position may be a position diagonally rearward behind the detection area, and the angle of view may be 83 degrees or more.

[0021] When the sensor unit is mounted diagonally rearward behind the detection area, when investigating the angle of view necessary to enclose most of the area of the bowl portion within the angle of view for various toilets, it was found to be 83 degrees. In this configuration, since the angle of view is 83 degrees or more, when the sensor unit is mounted diagonally rearward behind the detection area, most of the area of the bowl portion can be enclosed within the angle of view, and excrement can be more reliably enclosed within the angle of view.

[0022] In addition, when the toilet seat covers the bowl portion, it is common for the toilet seat to protrude toward the opening side at a position diagonally rearward of the rear of the bowl portion. Therefore, by setting the mounting position of the sensor unit at a diagonally rearward position behind the detection area, it is possible to make it difficult for the defecator to notice the presence of the sensor unit.

[0023] In the above imaging device, the mounting position may be a position in front of or behind the detection area.

[0024] When the sensor unit is mounted in front of or behind the detection area, the angle of view required to include most of the area of the bowl portion within the field of view was examined for various toilets, and it was found to be 101 degrees. In this configuration, since the angle of view is 101 degrees or more, when the sensor unit is mounted in front of or behind the detection area, most of the area of the bowl portion can be included within the angle of view, and excrement can be more reliably included within the angle of view.

[0025] In the above imaging device, the angle of view may be 105 degrees or more.

[0026] Regardless of the mounting position of the sensor unit, the angle of view required to include most of the area of the bowl portion within the field of view was examined for various toilets, and it was found to be 105 degrees. In this configuration, since the angle of view is 105 degrees or more, regardless of the mounting position of the sensor unit, most of the area of the bowl portion can be included within the angle of view, and excrement can be more reliably included within the angle of view.

[0027] The above imaging device may further include a mounting portion for removably mounting the sensor unit to the toilet.

[0028] According to this configuration, the sensor unit can be mounted at an arbitrary position with respect to the toilet. Therefore, the sensor unit can be retrofitted to an existing toilet.

[0029] In the above imaging device, it may further include a calibration execution unit that acquires image data obtained by imaging a mark provided at a specific position of the toilet from the imaging sensor, detects the appearance position of the mark from the acquired image data, and executes calibration to set, in the image data, a region corresponding to the detection area based on the detected appearance position.

[0030] According to this configuration, calibration is executed to detect the appearance position of the mark from the image data obtained by imaging the mark and set, in the image data, a region corresponding to the detection area based on the detected appearance position. Therefore, by setting the region corresponding to the detection area obtained by calibration in the image data captured later, the region where excrement appears can be quickly extracted from the image data. As a result, the presence and type of excrement can be accurately and quickly determined based on the detection area. In addition, by storing the image data within the detection area instead of the entire image data as excretion history information in the memory, it is possible to save the memory capacity. Furthermore, by setting the detection area as the processing target for image processing, the processing burden can be reduced compared to the case where the entire image data is the processing target.

[0031] In the above imaging device, it may further include a gender determination unit that detects the falling position of urine onto the bowl part from the image data captured by the imaging sensor and determines the gender of the excretor based on the detected falling position.

[0032] The falling position of urine onto the bowl part differs depending on gender. According to this configuration, the falling position of urine onto the bowl part is detected from the image data, and the gender of the excretor is determined based on the falling position. Therefore, the gender of the excretor can be specified. As a result, excretion history information in which gender and image data are associated can be generated.

[0033] In the above configuration, when the dropping position is located in the first region, the gender determination unit may determine that the excretor is male, and when the dropping position is located in a second region provided behind the first region, the gender determination unit may determine that the excretor is female.

[0034] The dropping position of urine into the bowl part is more forward for males than for females. According to this configuration, when the dropping position is located in the first region, the excretor is determined to be male, and when the dropping position is located in the second region provided behind the first region, the excretor is determined to be female. Therefore, the gender of the excretor can be accurately determined.

[0035] In the above configuration, the gender determination unit may detect the seating position of the excretor and change the first region and the second region based on the determination result.

[0036] Even for excretors of the same gender, the dropping position of urine varies according to the seating position. According to this configuration, since the first region and the second region are set based on the seating position, appropriate first and second regions can be set according to the seating position, and the gender of the excretor can be accurately determined.

[0037] The present disclosure can also be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute each characteristic configuration included in such an imaging device, or as a system that operates according to this program. Needless to say, such a computer program can be distributed via a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a communication network such as the Internet.

[0038] Note that all the embodiments described below show specific examples of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest-level concept are described as optional components. Also, in all embodiments, the respective contents can be combined with each other.

[0039] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an external view of a toilet 101 to which an imaging device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is applied. The toilet 101 is a washlet toilet. The toilet 101 includes a bowl portion 101a, a rim portion 101b, and an opening portion 101c. The rim portion 101b is located at the upper part of the toilet 101 and is a frame body that defines the opening portion 101c. The bowl portion 101a is a bowl-shaped member located below the rim portion 101b and receives feces and urine. A water reservoir portion 104 is located below the bowl portion 101a. The water reservoir portion 104 is a hole-shaped member that is deeply recessed downward and stores water. Since the water in the water reservoir portion 104 may overflow from the edge of the water reservoir portion 104, in the present embodiment, the water reservoir portion 104 excludes the portion of the water reservoir that overflows from the edge.

[0040] A drain port (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the water reservoir portion 104. This drain port communicates with a sewer pipe and flows the feces and urine excreted into the bowl portion 101a to the sewer pipe.

[0041] A toilet seat 102 for the user to sit on is provided at the upper part of the toilet 101. The toilet seat 102 is rotatably attached to the toilet 101 around a rotation axis provided at the rear rim portion 101b. The user sits with the toilet seat 102 covering the toilet 101. A water storage tank 103 for storing washing water for flowing the feces and urine excreted into the bowl portion 101a is provided behind the toilet 101.

[0042] A cleaning lever 106 is rotatably attached to the side wall of the water storage tank 103. When the cleaning lever 106 is rotated, the cleaning water in the water storage tank 103 is supplied to the bowl portion 101a, and the feces and urine discharged into the bowl portion 101a flow into the sewer pipe through the drain port.

[0043] The imaging device 1 includes a sensor unit 2, a processing device 3, and a mounting unit 6. One end of the mounting unit 6 is attached with the sensor unit 2, and the sensor unit 2 is removably attached to the edge portion 101b. The mounting unit 6 is composed of a flexible member such as resin, etc., and is fixed to the edge portion 101b by clamping the edge portion 101b from above.

[0044] The sensor unit 2 includes a housing 24. An imaging sensor 21 (see FIG. 9) is built into the housing 24. An opening for guiding light to the imaging sensor 21 is provided on the main surface 24a of the housing 24. The sensor unit 2 is attached to the edge portion 101b by the mounting unit 6 such that the main surface 24a faces the inside of the edge portion 101b. Thereby, the imaging sensor 21 inside the housing 24 can image the situation of the bowl portion 101a.

[0045] The processing device 3 is arranged on, for example, the side wall of the water storage tank 103. The processing device 3 is communicably connected to the sensor unit 2 by wire or wirelessly. The processing device 3 acquires the image data imaged by the imaging sensor 21, and determines the presence or absence of defecation based on the acquired image data.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of attaching the sensor unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 to the toilet 101. In FIG. 2, the toilet 101 viewed from above is shown. Also, in FIG. 2, the toilet seat 102 is omitted from the illustration. The same applies to FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0047] Let the horizontal angular field of view of the sensor unit 2 be θ1. Of the two boundary lines that define the angular field of view θ1, one boundary line is designated as L1 (the first boundary line), and the other boundary line is designated as L2 (the second boundary line). The region sandwiched between the boundary line L1 and the boundary line L2 is the field of view of the sensor unit 2. Let the center line in the front-rear direction of the opening 101c be LC. Of the two intersection points between the opening 101c and the center line LC, the front intersection point is designated as P1 (the first intersection point), and the rear intersection point is designated as P2 (the fourth intersection point). Of the two intersection points between the detection area D1 and the center line LC, the front intersection point is designated as P3 (the second intersection point), and the rear intersection point is designated as P4 (the third intersection point). Let the dimension in the front-rear direction of the opening 101c be LA, and the dimension in the left-right direction be LB. Let the center line of the angular field of view be LD.

[0048] The contour of the opening 101c has two bending points K1 and K2 at the rear and three bending points at the front, and is approximately pentagonal.

[0049] For the vertical angular field of view of the sensor unit 2, for example, a standard angular field of view can be adopted, for example, 45 degrees. Specifically, the sensor unit 2 is attached to the toilet 101 such that the center line of the vertical angular field of view is inclined downward by an angular field of view that is half of the standard angular field of view (for example, 22.5 degrees) with respect to the opening 101c.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 2, the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1. Specifically, the sensor unit 2 is attached at the location of the bending point K1 on the left rear side of the contour of the opening 101c. Note that this is just an example, and the sensor unit 2 may be attached at the location of the bending point K2 on the right rear side of the contour of the opening 101c.

[0051] The detection area D1 is a region where the fall of excrement (feces) into the bowl portion 101a is assumed, and is, for example, a rectangular region that largely overlaps with the water reservoir portion 104.

[0052] In order to image the excrement discharged into the bowl portion 101a, it is required that at least the detection area D1 is within the viewing angle θ1. More preferably, it is required that most of the area of the bowl portion 101a is within the viewing angle θ1. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 2, the viewing angle θ1 is set such that the boundary line L1 passes through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 passes through the intersection point P2.

[0053] When the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1, the viewing angle θ1 required for the boundary line L1 to pass through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 to pass through the intersection point P2 was measured. Then, in the toilet bowl 101 with a standard size where the dimension LA is 320 mm to 350 mm and the dimension LB is 290 mm, the viewing angle θ1 was about 83 degrees. Specifically, in the toilet bowl 101 with the dimension LA of 350 mm, the viewing angle θ1 was 83.4 degrees. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 2, the viewing angle θ1 is set to 83.4 degrees. Note that the viewing angle of the sensor unit 2 may be realized by adjusting the viewing angle of the imaging sensor 21, or may be realized by adjusting the opening provided in the housing 24.

[0054] The dimension LA of the large-sized toilet bowl 101 is 360 mm to 380 mm. In this case, in order for the boundary line L1 to pass through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 to pass through the intersection point P2, a viewing angle θ1 of about 87 degrees is required. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the sensor unit 2 is attached in the diagonally rearward direction behind the detection area D1 in the large-sized toilet bowl 101, the viewing angle θ1 is set to about 87 degrees.

[0055] From the above, regardless of the standard size and the large size, when the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1, in order for the boundary line L1 to pass through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 to pass through the intersection point P2, it can be seen that the viewing angle θ1 only needs to be 83.4 degrees or more, and 83 degrees or more considering the margin.

[0056] When the toilet seat 102 is placed on the edge portion 101b, it often has a form that protrudes significantly toward the opening 101c around the bending points K1 and K2 and does not protrude as much toward the opening 101c in front of the edge portion 101b. Also, around the intersection point P2, the local cleaning device may be arranged, and it is difficult to attach the sensor unit 2. Therefore, when the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally backward behind the detection area D1, there are advantages such as the attachment of the sensor unit 2 becoming easier and the sensor unit 2 being less noticeable to the excreter.

[0057] Figure 3 is a view showing another attachment example of the sensor unit 2 to the toilet bowl 101 shown in Figure 1. In the example of Figure 3, the sensor unit 2 is attached to the side of the detection area D1. Specifically, the sensor unit 2 is attached at the location of the intersection point P7 on the left side between the straight line orthogonal to the center line LC and the contour of the opening 101c at the center O of the opening 101c. Note that this is an example, and the sensor unit 2 may be attached at the location of the intersection point P8 on the right side. The center O is, for example, at the middle position of the center line LC.

[0058] When the sensor unit 2 is attached to the side of the detection area D1, the angular range required for the boundary line L1 to pass through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 to pass through the intersection point P2 was measured. Then, for the standard-sized toilet bowl 101, the angular range θ2 was 101 degrees. On the other hand, for the large-sized toilet bowl 101, the angular range θ2 was 105 degrees. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the sensor unit 2 is provided on the side of the detection area D1, the angular range θ2 is set to 101 degrees for the standard-sized toilet bowl 101 and the angular range θ2 is set to 105 degrees for the large-sized toilet bowl 101.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing yet another example of attaching the sensor unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 to the toilet bowl 101. In the example of FIG. 4, the sensor unit 2 is attached behind the detection area D1. Specifically, the sensor unit 2 is attached at the location of the intersection point P2. Note that this is just an example, and the sensor unit 2 may be attached at the location of the intersection point P1. In the example of FIG. 4, the angular field θ2 is set to the same value as in FIG. 3. That is, in the standard-sized toilet bowl 101, the angular field θ2 is set to 101 degrees, and in the large-sized toilet bowl 101, the angular field θ2 is set to 105 degrees. Thereby, most of the area of the bowl portion 101a can be included within the angular field θ2.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing yet another example of attaching the sensor unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 to the toilet bowl 101. In the example of FIG. 5, the sensor unit 2 is attached to the standard-sized toilet bowl 101, and the angular field θ2 is set to 101 degrees. Also, the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1, similar to the case of FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 5, since the angular field θ2 is set to 101 degrees, it can be seen that the intersection point P1 and the intersection point P2 are included within the angular field θ2.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, when changing the attachment position of the sensor unit 2 on the contour of the opening 101c, since the boundary line L1 passes through the intersection point P1 and the boundary line L2 passes through the intersection point P2, it can be seen that the maximum value of the angular field of the sensor unit 2 required is when the sensor unit 2 is attached to the side of the detection area D1.

[0062] From the above, the relationship between the attachment position of the sensor unit 2 and the angular field of the sensor unit 2 is as follows.

[0063] If the angular field of the sensor unit 2 is set to 105 degrees or more, in both the large-sized and standard-sized toilet bowls 101, regardless of the attachment position of the sensor unit 2, the positions P1 and P2 can be included within the angular field.

[0064] If the angular field of the sensor unit 2 is set to 101 degrees or more, in the standard-sized toilet bowl 101, regardless of the attachment position of the sensor unit 2, the positions P1 and P2 can be included within the angular field.

[0065] If the angular field of view of the sensor unit 2 is set to 87 degrees or more, in the large-sized and standard-sized toilets 101, even if the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1, the positions P1 and P2 can be accommodated within the angular field of view.

[0066]

[0066] If the angular field of view of the sensor unit 2 is set to 83 degrees or more, in the standard-sized toilet 101, even if the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1, the positions P1 and P2 can be accommodated within the angular field of view.

[0067]

[0067] Therefore, when the sensor unit 2 is attached diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1, the angular field of view of the sensor unit 2 can be minimized.

[0068]

[0068] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of attaching the sensor unit 2000 to the toilet 101 in a comparative example of the present disclosure. The angular field of view θA of the sensor unit 2000 is 45 degrees, which is the standard angular field of view. In the example of FIG. 6, the sensor unit 2000 is attached to the side of the detection area D1. Since the sensor unit 2000 has only an angular field of view θA of 45 degrees, the intersection points P1 and P2 are not located within the angular field of view θA. Further, the boundary line L2 is located in front of the intersection point P4. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6, not only most of the region of the bowl portion 101a but also the detection area D1 cannot be included within the angular field of view θA.

[0069]

[0069] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of attaching the sensor unit 2000 to the toilet 101 in a comparative example of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 7, the sensor unit 2000 is attached behind the detection area D1. The sensor unit 2000 has only an angular field of view θA of 45 degrees. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 7, not only most of the region of the bowl portion 101a but also the detection area D1 cannot be accommodated within the angular field of view θA.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing yet another mounting example of the sensor unit 2000 to the toilet bowl 101 in the comparative example of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 8, the sensor unit 2000 is mounted diagonally rearward behind the detection area D1. The sensor unit 2000 has a viewing angle θA of only 45 degrees. Therefore, the boundary line L2 passes inside the detection area D1, and most of the area of the bowl portion 101a as well as the detection area D1 cannot be contained within the viewing angle θA.

[0071] From the above, in the sensor unit 2000 of the comparative example, the detection area D1 cannot be contained within the viewing angle θA. Therefore, there is a high possibility that feces cannot be contained within the viewing angle θA.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the imaging device 1 in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The imaging device 1 includes the sensor unit 2 and the processing device 3 shown in FIG. 1. The sensor unit 2 includes an imaging sensor 21 and a communication unit 22.

[0073] The imaging sensor 21 captures, for example, a color image having color components of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) at a predetermined frame rate. The communication unit 22 is configured by, for example, a communication circuit that enables the sensor unit 2 to communicate with the processing device 3 via a wireless or wired communication path. As the wireless communication path, a wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark) is adopted. However, this is an example, and the wireless communication path may adopt Bluetooth (registered trademark) and infrared communication, etc. As the wired communication path, a wired LAN such as IEEE802.3 is adopted. The communication unit 22 transmits the image data captured by the imaging sensor 21 to the processing device 3.

[0074] The processing device 3 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a communication unit 33, and an operation unit 34. The processor 31 is configured by an electric circuit such as a CPU or an ASIC, for example. The processor 31 includes a calibration execution unit 311, an excrement determination unit 312, and a determination result output unit 313.

[0075] The calibration execution unit 311 acquires, from the imaging sensor 21, image data obtained by imaging a mark provided at a specific position of the toilet 101, detects the appearance position of the mark from the acquired image data, and performs calibration to set, in the image data, a region corresponding to the detection area D1 based on the detected appearance position.

[0076] The detection area D1 is an area extracted from the image data to be processed when determining the presence and type of excrement that has fallen into the bowl portion 101a.

[0077] The excrement determination unit 312 performs image processing to determine the presence and type of excrement in the bowl portion 101a based on the image data captured by the imaging sensor 21. Specifically, the excrement determination unit 312 performs the following processing.

[0078] First, the excrement determination unit 312 extracts the detection area set by calibration from the image data, and calculates difference image data between the image data of the extracted detection area and the base image data.

[0079] Here, the base image data is generated based on, for example, a plurality of image data of the bowl portion 101a obtained by the imaging sensor 21 imaging the state of the bowl portion 101a when no excrement (both feces and urine) is present multiple times. That is, the base image data is color image data of the detection area indicating the default state of the bowl portion 101a when no excrement (both feces and urine) is present. Therefore, by taking the difference between the image data of the detection area captured during defecation or urination and the base image data, image data indicating feces, urine, or foreign matter can be extracted.

[0080] Next, the excrement determination unit 312 calculates an RGB ratio, which is the ratio of the respective color components of R, G, and B in the difference image data. Here, the RGB ratio is, for example, the ratio of the total luminance value of the R component, the total luminance value of the G component, and the total luminance value of the B component in the difference image data.

[0081] Next, the excrement determination unit 312 calculates the distance between the calculated RGB ratio and the RGB ratio of feces determined in advance. If the calculated distance is equal to or less than the reference distance, it is determined that there is feces in the bowl part 101a. Further, the excrement determination unit 312 calculates the distance between the calculated RGB ratio and the RGB ratio of urine determined in advance. If the calculated distance is equal to or less than the reference distance, it is determined that there is urine in the bowl part 101a. Furthermore, in other cases, the excrement determination unit 312 determines that there is a foreign object in the bowl part 101a. The foreign object is, for example, a disposable diaper or the like.

[0082] Based on the determination result by the excrement determination unit 312, the determination result output unit 313 generates excretion history information and transmits it to the server 5 via the communication unit 33. The excretion history information is information in which information indicating an excretion act, which indicates that feces or urine has been excreted, and date and time information indicating the date and time when the excretion act was performed are associated with each other. Furthermore, the excretion history information may include the image data used for the detection of excrement. In this case, only the area of the detection area D1 set in the image data may be included in the excretion history information.

[0083] The memory 32 is composed of a storage device such as a flash memory. The memory 32 includes a firmware storage unit 321 that stores the firmware of the processing device 3 and a set value storage unit 322 that stores the set value of the detection area D1.

[0084] The communication unit 33 is composed of a communication circuit having a function for communicably connecting the processing device 3 to the sensor unit 2. Further, the communication unit 33 has a function for connecting the processing device 3 to the network 4. The network 4 is, for example, the Internet. The communication unit 33 transmits the excretion history information to the server 5.

[0085] The operation unit 34 is composed of one or more buttons and receives various operations input by the user.

[0086] Next, calibration will be described. For calibration, an initialization process of set values and a setting process of a detection area are executed. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the initialization process of set values in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0087] The initialization process of set values is performed prior to the setting process of the detection area. In step S1, the calibration execution unit 311 determines whether a predetermined operation for starting the initialization process has been received by the operation unit 34. If a predetermined operation has been received by the operation unit 34 (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if a predetermined operation has not been received by the operation unit 34 (NO in step S1), the process waits at step S1.

[0088] In step S2, the calibration execution unit 311 writes the initial set value of the detection area D1 stored in the firmware storage unit 321 as the set value of the detection area D1 into the set value storage unit 322.

[0089] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the setting process of the detection area D1 in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. In step S11, the calibration execution unit 311 determines whether a predetermined operation for starting the setting process of the detection area D1 has been received by the operation unit 34.

[0090] If a predetermined operation has been received (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. If a predetermined operation has not been received (NO in step S11), the process waits at step S11. Here, as the predetermined operation for starting the setting process of the detection area D1, for example, an operation of long-pressing (for example, 5 seconds or more) a predetermined button provided on the housing of the processing device 3 is adopted.

[0091] In step S12, the calibration execution unit 311 acquires image data from the imaging sensor 21.

[0092] In step S13, the calibration execution unit 311 detects the appearance position on the image data of the mark M1 located at a predetermined position of the toilet 101. The calibration execution unit 311 may detect the appearance position by using, for example, pattern recognition processing or the like. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the mark M1 disposed on the toilet 101. The mark M1 is composed of a seal and is attached in advance by the user to the inner wall 101d of the edge portion 101b of the toilet 101 prior to calibration. Specifically, the mark M1 is attached to the inner wall 101d when the sensor unit 2 is attached to the toilet 101. The user who performs these operations may be an end user or a worker who installs the sensor unit 2.

[0093] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the attachment operation of the sensor unit 2. First, the user attaches the attachment portion 6 to the edge portion 101b so as to avoid the contact position with the edge portion of the protrusion (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of the toilet seat 102, and attaches the sensor unit 2 to the toilet 101.

[0094] Next, the user assumes a detection area D1 in the bowl portion 101a. The detection area D1 is an area where the fall of feces is assumed. For example, the center P0 of the detection area D1 is located at the rear end or near the rear end of the water reservoir portion 104 and has a size similar to that of the water reservoir portion 104. However, this is only an example, and the detection area D1 may have a size larger or smaller than that of the water reservoir portion 104. The user may assume the detection area D1 with reference to the detection area D1 illustrated in the attachment manual of the sensor unit 2, for example.

[0095] Next, the user attaches the mark M1 to the intersection of the reference line LR passing between the opening that guides light to the imaging sensor 21 provided on the housing 24 of the sensor unit 2 and the center P0 of the detection area D1 and the inner wall 101d. As shown in FIG. 12, the mark M1 is, for example, in a cross shape. The user attaches the mark M1 so that the vertical line of the cross-shaped mark M1 faces the vertical direction and the horizontal line faces the horizontal direction.

[0096] In step S14, the calibration execution unit 311 sets, in the image data, a position corresponding to the center P0 of the detection area D1 at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the appearance position of the mark M1 in a predetermined direction. For example, the calibration execution unit 311 may set the position corresponding to the center P0 at a position that is a predetermined distance away on the lower extension line of the vertical line of the cross-shaped mark M1 appearing in the image data. The predetermined distance is, for example, a value predetermined based on the distance of the line segment assumed when the line segment connecting the mark M1 and the center P0 is projected onto the imaging surface of the imaging sensor 21.

[0097] In step S15, the calibration execution unit 311 sets, in the image data, an area corresponding to the detection area D1 based on the position corresponding to the center P0. Here, the shape and size of the area corresponding to the detection area D1 are, for example, values predetermined based on the size and shape of the detection area D1 assumed when the detection area D1 is projected onto the imaging surface of the imaging sensor 21.

[0098] In step S16, the calibration execution unit 311 determines whether or not the area corresponding to the detection area D1 can be set. If the area corresponding to the detection area D1 can be set (YES in step S16), the calibration execution unit 311 rewrites the initial setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 322 with the set value of the area corresponding to the detection area D1 (step S17). The set value of the area corresponding to the detection area D1 includes, for example, coordinates indicating the shape of the area corresponding to the detection area D1. On the other hand, if the area corresponding to the detection area D1 cannot be set (NO in step S16), the calibration execution unit 311 does not rewrite the initial setting value (step S18). Thus, the calibration is completed. Cases where the area corresponding to the detection area D1 cannot be set include, for example, cases where the mark M1 cannot be detected, cases where the position corresponding to the center P0 cannot be set in the image data, and cases where the area corresponding to the detection area D1 does not fit within the image data.

[0099] Thus, according to the imaging device 1 in Embodiment 1, since the mounting position of the sensor unit 2 and the angle of view are set as described above, it is possible to include not only the detection area D1 but also most of the area of the bowl portion 101a within the angle of view of the sensor unit 2.

[0100] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 determines the gender of the excretor from the urine dropping position. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the imaging device 1A in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0101] The processor 31A of the processing device 3A of the imaging device 1A further includes a gender determination unit 314 with respect to the processor 31 in FIG. 9.

[0102] The gender determination unit 314 detects the dropping position of urine onto the bowl portion 101a from the image data captured by the imaging sensor 21, and determines the gender of the excretor based on the detected dropping position.

[0103] Here, when the detected dropping position is located in the first region, the gender determination unit 314 may determine that the excretor is male, and when the dropping position is located in the second region provided behind the first region, the gender determination unit 314 may determine that the excretor is female.

[0104] Furthermore, the gender determination unit 314 may detect the seating position of the excretor and set the first region and the second region based on the determination result.

[0105] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the imaging device 1A in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. It is assumed that the imaging sensor 21 captures image data at a predetermined frame rate in parallel with the flowchart in FIG. 15. In step S31, the gender determination unit 314 acquires sensing data used for determining the seating position. Here, the image data captured by the imaging sensor 21 is adopted as the sensing data.

[0106] In step S32, the gender determination unit 314 detects the seating position of the excretor from the sensing data. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the processing of the imaging device 1A in the second embodiment. The seating position is represented using the coordinate axis 1601 shown in FIG. 16. The coordinate axis 1601 is, for example, a one-dimensional coordinate with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction.

[0107] When using image data as the sensing data, the seating position is detected by the following three methods. The first method is a method of detecting the seating position based on the position of the apex of the buttocks that appears in the image data. For example, the gender determination unit 314 performs image processing on the image data acquired when the excretor sits on the toilet seat 102, and detects the position of the apex of the buttocks on the image data. Here, the gender determination unit 314 may extract the region indicating the buttocks from the image data based on, for example, the ratio of the RGB color components, and detect the lower end on the contour line of the extracted region as the position of the apex of the buttocks. Then, the gender determination unit 314 may calculate the position on the coordinate axis 1601 corresponding to the position of the apex of the buttocks, and detect the calculated position as the seating position.

[0108] The second method is a method of detecting the position of the anus of the excretor from the image data and detecting the seating position based on the detected position of the anus. For example, the gender determination unit 314 may detect the position of the anus based on the position of the starting point of the stool during excretion from the image data during excretion. Here, the gender determination unit 314 may extract the region of the stool during excretion from the image data, and detect the position of the upper end of the extracted stool region as the position of the starting point of the stool. Then, the gender determination unit 314 may calculate the position on the coordinate axis 1601 corresponding to the detected position of the anus, and detect the calculated position as the seating position.

[0109] The third method is a method of detecting the seating position based on the brightness of the image data. When the excreter sits lightly on the toilet seat 102, a lot of external light enters the bowl part, so the image data captured by the imaging sensor 21 becomes brighter. On the other hand, when the excreter sits deeply on the toilet seat 102, the external light entering the bowl part decreases, so the image data captured by the imaging sensor 21 becomes darker. That is, there is a correlation between the seating position and the brightness in the bowl part 101a. Utilizing this, the third method is to detect the seating position.

[0110] For example, the gender determination unit 314 obtains the luminance of the image data acquired when the excreter sits on the toilet seat 102. For example, the gender determination unit 314 may calculate the average value of the luminances of a plurality of pixels constituting the image data as the luminance of the image data. As the luminance of each pixel, for example, the average value of the R, G, and B values of each pixel can be adopted. Then, the gender determination unit 314 may detect the seating position corresponding to the calculated luminance of the image data as the seating position of the excreter by referring to a table in which the luminance of the image data and the seating position are associated in advance.

[0111] Note that the seating position may be detected using an illuminance sensor. As described in the third method, there is a correlation between the seating position and the brightness in the bowl part 101a. Therefore, the gender determination unit 314 refers to a table in which the relationship between the illuminance in the bowl part 101a and the seating position is associated in advance, specifies the seating position corresponding to the illuminance in the bowl part 101a detected by the illuminance sensor, and may detect the specified seating position as the seating position of the excreter. In this case, an illuminance sensor may be provided in the housing 24 of the sensor unit 2. Also, in this case, data indicating the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is adopted as the sensing data.

[0112] In step S33, the gender determination unit 314 sets regions corresponding to the first region and the second region in the image data based on the detected seating position. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the first region D11 and the second region D12. The first region D11 is a rectangular region predetermined based on a position on the bowl portion 101a where urine is assumed to fall when a male urinates. The second region D12 is a rectangular region predetermined based on a position on the bowl portion 101a where urine is assumed to fall when a female urinates. The urine fall position is located more forward for a male than for a female. Therefore, the first region D11 is set more forward than the second region D12. Note that the first region D11 and the second region D12 have a symmetric shape with respect to the center line of the opening 101c when viewed from above the bowl portion 101a. Note that the shapes of the first region D11 and the second region D12 are not limited to rectangular shapes and may be circular shapes.

[0113] If the first region D11 and the second region D12 are fixed, the urine fall position may deviate from the first region D11 and the second region D12 according to the seating position of the excretor. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first region D11 and D12 are set at predetermined positions according to the seating position. For example, the first region D11 and the second region D12 are shifted forward as the seating position moves forward.

[0114] Note that the regions corresponding to the first region D11 and the second region D12 set on the image data have predetermined sizes and shapes based on the sizes and shapes of the first region D11 and the second region D12 assumed when the first region D11 and the second region D12 are projected onto the imaging surface of the imaging sensor 21.

[0115] In step S34, the gender determination unit 314 detects whether urine excretion has started. Here, the gender determination unit 314 may monitor a plurality of pieces of image data captured by the imaging sensor 21 and determine that urine excretion has started when an object that changes in a parabolic shape is detected in the image data.

[0116] When it is detected that the excretion of urine has started (YES in step S34), the gender determination unit 314 detects the falling position of the urine (step S36). Here, the gender determination unit 314 may monitor a plurality of image data captured by the imaging sensor 21 and detect the lower end position of the object that is converted into a parabolic shape as the falling position.

[0117] On the other hand, when the start of urine excretion is not detected (NO in step S34), the gender determination unit 314 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S35). When the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S35), the process is terminated assuming that no excretion act has been performed by the excretor. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S35), the process returns to step S34.

[0118] In step S37, the gender determination unit 314 determines whether or not the falling position is located within the first region D11 (step S37). When it is determined that the falling position is located within the first region D11 (YES in step S37), the gender determination unit 314 determines that the excretor is male (step S39). On the other hand, when the falling position is not located in the first region D11 (NO in step S37), the gender determination unit 314 determines whether or not the falling position is located in the second region D12 (step S38). When it is determined that the falling position is located in the second region D12 (YES in step S38), the gender determination unit 314 determines that the excretor is female (step S40). On the other hand, when it is determined that the falling position is not located in the second region D12 (NO in step S38), the gender determination unit 314 ends the process.

[0119] As described above, according to the imaging device 1A in the second embodiment, by detecting the falling position of urine from the image data, the gender of the excretor can be determined.

[0120] (Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the angular field of view and the mounting position of the sensor unit 2 were set so that the intersection points P1 and P2 were within the field of view of the sensor unit 2. In Embodiment 3, under the constraint that the detection area D1 shown in FIG. 13 is included in the field of view of the sensor unit 2, the boundary line L1 shown in FIG. 2 passes through the position P5 on the center line LC between the intersection point P1 and the intersection point P3, and the boundary line L2 passes through the position P6 on the center line LC between the intersection point P4 and the intersection point P2. The angular field of view and the mounting position of the sensor unit 2 are set accordingly.

[0121] Thus, in Embodiment 3, under the constraint that the detection area is included in the field of view of the sensor unit 2, the angular field of view and the mounting position of the sensor unit 2 are set so that the boundary line L1 passes through the position P5 and the boundary line L2 passes through the position P6. Therefore, the detection area D1 can be included in the field of view with a smaller angular field of view.

Industrial Applicability

[0122] According to the present disclosure, since excrement can be contained within the angular field of view, it is useful in the technical field of detecting excrement based on image data.

Explanation of Signs

[0123] 1: Imaging device 2: Sensor unit 3: Processing device 4: Network 5: Server 6: Mounting part 21: Imaging sensor 22: Communication part 31: Processor 32: Memory 33: Communication part 34: Operation part 101: Toilet 101a: Bowl part 101b: Rim part 101c: Opening 102: Toilet seat 104: Water reservoir part 311: Calibration execution part 312: Excrement Judgment Unit 313: Judgment Result Output Unit 314: Gender Judgment Unit 321: Firmware Memory Unit 322: Set Value Memory Unit D1: Detection Area D11: First Area D12: Second Area L1: Boundary Line L2: Boundary Line LC: Center Line M1: Mark

Claims

1. An imaging device that is attached to a toilet bowl and captures an image of excrement, A sensor unit including an image sensor, The sensor unit has an angle of view and an attachment position set so that a detection area in which the excrement is expected to fall into the bowl of the toilet is included within the field of view, detecting a seating position of the excretor using image data detected by the imaging sensor; Imaging device.

2. Image data is collected when a person sits on the toilet seat, Extracting a region showing the buttocks from the image data; The lower end of the contour of the extracted area is detected as the position of the apex of the buttocks. Calculating a position on a coordinate axis corresponding to the position of the vertex of the buttocks; The calculated position is detected as the seating position. The imaging device according to claim 1.

3. Detecting the position of the anus based on the position of the origin of the feces in the middle of excretion from the image data during excretion; Calculate the position on the coordinate axis that corresponds to the detected anus position, The calculated position is detected as the seating position. The imaging device according to claim 1.

4. detecting a seating position based on the brightness of the image data; The imaging device according to claim 1.

Images