Nocturia frequency estimation device, urinary frequency estimation device, toilet system, and toilet system control method

Abstract

To properly estimate urinary frequency.SOLUTION: A nocturia frequency estimation device according to an embodiment includes data storage means for storing urination data acquired based on urination of a toilet user in a toilet device, and frequency of urination estimation means for estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means. The urination data includes urination information related to a urine volume or a urine flow rate acquired based on a state change in a bowl portion of the toilet device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a nocturia estimation device, a frequent urination estimation device, a toilet system, and a control method for a toilet system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies for managing and providing information related to the health of users have been provided. For example, a health management system that can provide more personalized prediction results for individual users has been provided (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above-described conventional technologies have room for improvement. For example, in the above-described conventional technologies, in order to grasp the health state of a user (a person to be managed) who is the target of health management, it is necessary to access a medical information database having the medical information of the user. When the medical information of the person (user) who is the management target cannot be obtained, it is difficult to grasp the health state of that person (user). Thus, there is room for improvement in the above-described conventional technologies from the viewpoint of information used to grasp a person's health state. Therefore, for example, it is desired to appropriately estimate a person's health state such as nocturia using information obtained from a person's daily life.

[0005] An object of the disclosed embodiments is to provide a nocturia estimation device, a frequent urination estimation device, a toilet system, and a control method for a toilet system that can appropriately estimate frequent urination.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes data storage means for storing micturition data obtained based on the micturition of a toilet user with respect to a toilet device, and frequency of micturition estimation means for estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the micturition data stored by the data storage means, wherein the micturition data includes micturition information regarding urine volume or urine flow rate obtained based on a change in the state within the bowl portion of the toilet device.

[0007] According to the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, nocturia can be easily estimated based on the urine volume or urine flow rate estimated from the change in the state within the bowl. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia. For example, the change in the state within the bowl portion is obtained by detection by a sensor. Note that the sensor includes an optical sensor such as a camera which is an image sensor, a thermosensor for detecting temperature, an ultrasonic sensor for detecting distance, a radio wave sensor, and the like. By using a sensor suitable for detecting information used for estimating nocturia, various information indicating the change in the state within the bowl portion such as information on the sway of the seal water, information on sound, and information on the change in the state occurring in the seal water on the trap portion side can be obtained by the detection of the sensor. Further, the information on the sway of the seal water is, for example, at least one piece of information such as the magnitude in the height direction of the sway, the time during which the sway of the seal water occurs, the vertical width of the wave generated on the water surface of the seal water, the interval between the waves on the water surface of the seal water, the amount of bubbles generated on the water surface of the seal water, the size of the region of the sway of the seal water, the shape of the wave generated on the water surface of the seal water, or optical data or temperature data obtained from such information. Further, the information regarding urine is, for example, at least one piece of information such as urine volume per unit time, total urine volume, and micturition time. Further, the information obtained from the information regarding urine corresponds to, for example, at least one piece of information such as the interval (frequency) of using the toilet obtained from the information regarding urine, the integrated value of the urine volume per day, health information, and the amount of body water.

[0008] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the micturition data includes other micturition information having at least one piece of information such as micturition time, micturition frequency, or micturition rate.

[0009] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can enhance the estimation accuracy of nocturia. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0010] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the state change in the bowl part includes a state change in the internal space of the bowl part above the water seal formed on the bottom side of the bowl part or a state change in the water seal.

[0011] As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately detect the state change in the bowl. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0012] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the urination information includes information obtained based on a state change in the water seal on the bowl part side.

[0013] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can easily estimate nocturia from the state change in the water seal on the bowl side. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0014] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet device has a trap part that forms a water seal on the bottom side of the bowl part, and the urination information includes information obtained based on a state change in the water seal on the trap part side.

[0015] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can easily estimate nocturia from the state change in the water seal on the trap side. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0016] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the urination information is information obtained by detecting a change in the state of the water seal on the trap part side by a radio wave sensor, and the detection range of the radio wave sensor is set in a region including the apex part of the trap part, and the radio wave sensor is characterized by detecting a change in the state of the water seal based on the overflow of water from the apex part of the trap part.

[0017] This enables the radio wave sensor to detect changes in the state of the water seal with high accuracy. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0018] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the urination information includes information obtained by detecting a change in the state of the water seal formed on the bottom side of the bowl part side by a radio wave sensor or an optical sensor.

[0019] This enables the detection of changes in the state of the water seal with high accuracy. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0020] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the urination information is characterized by including information obtained by the detection of a sound sensor.

[0021] This enables the nocturia estimation device to estimate nocturia using the change in the state inside the bowl part including sound information. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0022] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the change in the state inside the bowl part is characterized by including at least one of a change in humidity, a change in temperature, and a change in the component of gas accompanying urination.

[0023] This enables the nocturia estimation device to improve the estimation accuracy of nocturia due to changes in humidity and the like accompanying urination. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0024] In a nocturia estimation device according to an aspect of the embodiment, the urination information includes information obtained based on a change in the state of the urine seal caused by urination, excluding the change in the state of the urine seal caused by defecation.

[0025] Accordingly, the nocturia estimation device can improve the estimation accuracy of nocturia by excluding defecation information. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0026] In a nocturia estimation device according to an aspect of the embodiment, the frequency of urination estimation means estimates nocturia based on the amount of urine or urine flow per night, or the average amount of urine or average urine flow at night, using the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and the other urination information.

[0027] Accordingly, the nocturia estimation device can further improve the estimation accuracy of nocturia by the nocturnal urination information. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0028] In a nocturia estimation device according to an aspect of the embodiment, the frequency of urination estimation means estimates nocturia based on the urination data of the day and night specified by the urination information and the other urination information.

[0029] Accordingly, the nocturia estimation device can further improve the estimation accuracy of nocturia from the tendencies of the day and night. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0030] In a nocturia estimation device according to an aspect of the embodiment, the frequency of urination estimation means estimates nocturia based on the amount of urine or urine flow per day and the amount of urine or urine flow per night.

[0031] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can further improve the estimation accuracy of nocturia based on the daytime and nighttime trends. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0032] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the frequency of urination estimation means estimates nocturia based on the average urine volume or average urine flow rate during the day and the average urine volume or average urine flow rate at night.

[0033] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can further improve the estimation accuracy of nocturia based on the daytime and nighttime trends. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0034] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, when there are multiple urinations at night and the relationship between the urine volume or urine flow rate per urination and the interval between urination times satisfies a predetermined condition, the frequency of urination estimation means uses the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and the other urination information to estimate nocturia.

[0035] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can further improve the estimation accuracy of nocturia from the nocturnal urination interval and each urination situation. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0036] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the frequency of urination estimation means reserves the estimation of the state of nocturia when the number of urination times is less than or equal to a predetermined number based on the urination data.

[0037] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can suppress making an incorrect estimation regarding nocturia by reserving the estimation of the state of nocturia when the number of urination times is less than or equal to a predetermined number. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0038] The nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment further includes notification means for notifying predetermined destination(s) of highlight information indicating the health status of a toilet user based on the urination data within a predetermined period including the latest urination data, and when the number of urinations based on the urination data is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the notification means does not notify the highlight information to the predetermined destination(s).

[0039] Accordingly, the nocturia estimation device can suppress unnecessary notifications while notifying the highlight information indicating the health status of the toilet user to the predetermined destination(s). Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately provide information regarding health conditions such as nocturia.

[0040] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the notification means notifies the predetermined destination(s) of recommendation information for improving the health status of the toilet user based on the urination data within a predetermined period including the latest urination data, and when the number of urinations based on the urination data is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the notification means does not notify the recommendation information to the predetermined destination(s).

[0041] Accordingly, the nocturia estimation device can suppress unnecessary notifications while notifying the recommendation information for improving the health status of the toilet user to the predetermined destination(s). Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately provide information regarding health conditions such as nocturia.

[0042] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the notification means is characterized by notifying the predetermined destination(s) of the next recommendation information generated based on predetermined input information regarding the recommendation information received by the toilet user.

[0043] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can provide a notification according to the toilet user by notifying recommended information generated based on feedback from the toilet user to a predetermined destination. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately provide information regarding health conditions such as nocturia.

[0044] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the nocturia estimation device further includes a swelling estimation means for estimating the swelling state of the toilet user based on the urination data, and the swelling estimation means estimates the swelling state based on the urination data in a first period indicating a period before going to bed, and the frequent urination estimation means estimates the presence or absence of nocturia when the urine output in the first period is smaller than a predetermined amount.

[0045] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate both swelling and nocturia by estimating the swelling state based on the urination data in the first period indicating the period before going to bed and estimating the presence or absence of nocturia when the urine output in the first period is smaller than a predetermined amount. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0046] In the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the frequent urination estimation means is characterized in that when the urine output is larger than a predetermined amount, it is estimated as a state of nocturia.

[0047] As a result, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia by estimating the state of nocturia when the urine output is larger than a predetermined amount. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0048] The nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes data storage means for storing micturition data acquired based on the micturition of a toilet user with respect to the toilet device, and micturition frequency estimation means for estimating nocturia or diurnal frequency of the toilet user based on the micturition data stored by the data storage means, wherein the micturition data includes micturition information regarding the urine volume or urine flow rate acquired based on a change in the state within the bowl portion of the toilet device.

[0049] According to the nocturia estimation device according to one aspect of the embodiment, nocturia or diurnal frequency can be easily estimated based on the urine volume or urine flow rate estimated from the change in the state within the bowl. Therefore, the nocturia estimation device can appropriately estimate the frequency of urination.

[0050] The toilet system according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a toilet device, data storage means for storing micturition data acquired based on the micturition of a toilet user with respect to the toilet device, and micturition frequency estimation means for estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the micturition data stored by the data storage means, wherein the micturition data includes micturition information regarding the urine volume or urine flow rate acquired based on a change in the state within the bowl portion of the toilet device.

[0051] According to the toilet system according to one aspect of the embodiment, nocturia can be easily estimated based on the urine volume or urine flow rate estimated from the change in the state within the bowl. Therefore, the toilet system can appropriately estimate nocturia.

[0052] A control method for a toilet system according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a toilet device, a data storage means for storing urination data acquired based on urination of a toilet user with respect to the toilet device, and a frequent urination estimation means for estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means. The control method for the toilet system includes: a first step of acquiring urination data based on urination of a toilet user with respect to the toilet device; a second step of storing the urination data acquired in the first step in the data storage means; and a third step of estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means. In the third step, nocturia is estimated based on the urination data including urination information regarding the amount of urine or urine flow rate acquired based on a change in the state within the bowl portion of the toilet device.

[0053] According to the control method for a toilet system according to an aspect of the embodiment, nocturia can be easily estimated based on the amount of urine or urine flow rate estimated from the change in the state within the bowl. Therefore, the control method for the toilet system can appropriately estimate nocturia.

Effect of the Invention

[0054] According to an aspect of the embodiment, frequent urination can be appropriately estimated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0055]

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[0056] Hereinafter, embodiments of the toilet system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. Hereinafter, the processing executed by the toilet system 1 and the configuration for performing the processing will be described. First, various configurations such as the toilet system which is a prerequisite will be described.

[0057] <1. First Embodiment> <1-1. Configuration and Processing Outline of Toilet System> First, the configuration and processing outline of the toilet system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration and processing outline of the toilet system according to the first embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet system 1 includes a sensor device 12, a nocturia estimation device 13, and a toilet device 20. The nocturia estimation device 13 is communicably connected to the sensor device 12 and acquires various information used for processing from the sensor device 12. For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 is communicably connected to the sensor device 12 by wire or wirelessly via a predetermined network (for example, the Internet or the like). Further, when the nocturia estimation device 13 acquires information from the toilet device 20, it may be communicably connected to the toilet device 20 by wire or wirelessly via a predetermined network.

[0059] Note that the toilet system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and any configuration can be adopted. For example, the toilet system 1 may not include the sensor device 12. Further, the toilet system 1 may include a plurality of sensor devices 12, a plurality of nocturia estimation devices 13, and a plurality of toilet devices 20.

[0060] The sensor device 12 is a device that detects various information used for processing. The sensor device 12 detects a change in the state inside the bowl portion 8 of the toilet device 20. The change in the state inside the bowl portion 8 includes a change in the internal space of the bowl portion 8 above the water seal formed on the bottom side of the bowl portion 8, or a change in the state of the water seal.

[0061] For example, the sensor device 12 detects a change in the state inside the bowl portion 8 including the shaking of the water seal or the change in the situation of the upper space of the water seal. For example, the sensor device 12 detects at least one of the space inside the bowl portion 8 of the toilet device 20, the shaking of the water seal, and the change in the state regarding the water seal. The sensor device 12 provides the detected information to the nocturia estimation device 13. For example, the sensor device 12 transmits the detected information to the nocturia estimation device 13.

[0062] In FIG. 1, the sensor device 12 may detect a change in the state in the space inside the bowl portion 8 of the toilet device 20, the water seal WT formed in the region including the bottom side of the bowl portion 8, the region in the drain pipe 81 on the side opposite to the bottom side of the bowl portion 8, and the like. For example, the sensor device 12 may detect a change in the state in the detection range including at least one of the regions AR1, AR2, and AR3 in FIG. 1. Thus, information used for estimating a health state such as nocturia is collected from various objects.

[0063] For example, the sensor device 12 is a sound sensor (sound detection sensor) that detects sound, an image sensor (line sensor, camera, etc.) that captures images such as still images or videos, a temperature sensor that detects temperature, a humidity sensor that detects humidity, a radio wave sensor that detects radio waves, and the like. For example, the sensor device 12 may be a shake detection sensor 34, a sound detection sensor 34A, an optical sensor 34B, a camera 36, a radio wave sensor 200, etc., which will be described later.

[0064] For example, when the sensor device 12 is a radio wave sensor such as the radio wave sensor 200, the detection range of the sensor device 12 which is a radio wave sensor is set to an area including the apex of the trap portion. In this case, the sensor device 12 which is a radio wave sensor detects a change in the state of water sealing based on the overflow of water from the apex of the trap portion, the details of which will be described later. Note that the above is only an example, and the sensor device 12 can adopt any sensor as long as it can detect information used by the nocturia estimation device 13 for estimation processing, and is not limited to the above.

[0065] For example, the sensor device 12 may be a moving body detection means such as a motion sensor that detects the urination posture or body movement of the toilet user. In this case, the sensor device 12 as the moving body detection means may be arranged in the toilet room R (see FIG. 4) or the like. Further, the sensor device 12 as the moving body detection means may be mounted on a terminal device (terminal) such as a smartphone carried by the toilet user, and the terminal device may transmit the detected information to the nocturia estimation device 13.

[0066] In addition, the terminal device carried by the toilet user may have a position sensor that detects the position, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor. For example, the terminal device carried by the toilet user may transmit information indicating the detected position to the nocturia estimation device 13. Thereby, the nocturia estimation device 13 receives, as external data, information indicating the position of the terminal device carried by the toilet user, that is, the position of the toilet user. Note that the terminal device carried by the toilet user is not limited to a position sensor such as a GPS sensor, and may acquire information indicating the position by any method. For example, the terminal device carried by the toilet user may acquire information indicating a position estimated based on a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0067] The nocturia estimation device 13 is a computer (information processing device) that provides services related to the health status of people such as nocturia. The nocturia estimation device 13 estimates frequency of urination such as nocturia or diurnal enuresis. For example, when the nocturia estimation device 13 estimates frequency of urination related to diurnal enuresis, the nocturia estimation device may be read as a frequency of urination estimation device. The nocturia estimation device 13 executes an estimation process for estimating the nocturia of the toilet user based on urination data acquired based on the urination of the toilet user (simply referred to as "user"). The nocturia estimation device 13 estimates the nocturia of the toilet user based on urination data acquired based on the urination of the toilet user with respect to the toilet device 20. For example, the urination data includes urination information regarding the urine volume or urine flow rate acquired based on the change in the state within the bowl portion 8 of the toilet device 20.

[0068] Here, urine volume and urine flow rate are common in terms of the amount of urine excreted by the user. However, urine volume is an index representing the amount of urine excreted by the user, and urine flow rate is an index representing the strength (momentum) of urine when it is excreted by the user. For example, if the amount of urine excreted by the user is the same, even if the urine volume is the same, different urine flow rates will result if the strength (momentum) of urine when it is excreted by the user is different. For example, even if the amount of urine excreted by the user is the same, the shorter the time until the excretion of that amount of urine is completed, the larger the urine flow rate, and the longer the time until the excretion of that amount of urine is completed, the smaller the urine flow rate. For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 calculates the urine flow rate (= urine volume / urination time) by dividing the urine volume of the user's urination by the time required for the urination (urination time). Note that when focusing only on the aspect of the amount of urine excreted by the user and using urine volume and urine flow rate without particularly distinguishing them, urine flow rate may be read as urine volume, or urine volume may be read as urine flow rate.

[0069] For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 may be the control device 100 or the like described later. Note that the above is only an example, and the nocturia estimation device 13 may be any device as long as the estimation process is detectable. For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 may be a server device such as a cloud server.

[0070] The toilet device 20 is a device used for the excretion of a toilet user. In FIG. 1, the toilet device 20 includes a toilet bowl 7 having a bowl portion 8 and a toilet seat 5 for the user to sit on when excreting using the toilet bowl 7. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is only an example, and any sensor can be adopted as long as the toilet device 20 has a toilet bowl 7 having a bowl portion 8.

[0071] In addition, in FIG. 1, the sensor device 12 is illustrated at a position separated from the toilet device 20 in order to show the device configuration. However, the sensor device 12 is arranged at a position where the information can be detected by the toilet device 20 in order to detect the desired information. The sensor device 12 may be arranged inside the toilet device 20. In this case, the toilet device 20 may include the sensor device 12. Further, the nocturia estimation device 13 may be arranged inside the toilet device 20. In this case, the toilet device 20 may include the nocturia estimation device 13.

[0072] Hereinafter, the processing outline shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. In FIG. 1, the sensor device 12 detects a change in the state inside the bowl portion 8 of the toilet device 20 (step S1). For example, the sensor device 12 detects a change in the state inside the bowl portion 8 with respect to a detection range including at least one of the regions AR1, AR2, and AR3 in FIG. 1.

[0073] The nocturia estimation device 13 acquires the information detected by the sensor device 12 from the sensor device 12 (step S2). For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 acquires urination data from the sensor device 12. In this case, the nocturia estimation device 13 stores the urination data acquired from the sensor device 12 in the data storage means 14. For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 may generate urination data based on the information acquired from the sensor device 12. For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 generates urination data based on the urination information acquired from the sensor device 12. In this case, the nocturia estimation device 13 stores the urination data generated based on the information acquired from the sensor device 12 in the data storage means 14.

[0074] Then, the nocturia estimation device 13 estimates the nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored in the data storage means 14 (step S3). For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 estimates the nocturia of the toilet user who uses the toilet device 20 based on the urination data stored in the data storage means 14. For example, the nocturia estimation device 13, based on the urination data stored in the data storage means 14, if the urine volume per time at night (for example, between 22:00 and 6:00) or the average urine volume at night meets the criteria for nocturia, it may be estimated that the toilet user has nocturia. Note that the above-described processing is merely an example, and the nocturia estimation device 13 may estimate whether the toilet user has nocturia by any processing using the urination data.

[0075] By the above-described processing, the toilet system 1 can appropriately estimate nocturia. Thereby, the toilet system 1 can estimate the health condition based on the urination situation, for example, in toilets for houses or elderly facilities. In this way, the toilet system 1 measures the urine volume, urine flow rate, etc. based on the state change of the bowel part caused by urination, and can estimate nocturia based on the measurement results of the urine volume, urine flow rate, etc.

[0076] In addition, the nocturia estimation device 13 may perform various information processes not limited to the estimation of nocturia as described above. For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 may estimate the state of swelling (also simply referred to as "swelling"). For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 may estimate prostate hyperplasia.

[0077] For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 may perform processing related to the evaluation of at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hyperplasia, such as classification of at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hyperplasia. The nocturia estimation device 13 generates, as information related to the evaluation of at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hyperplasia for the toilet user, a classification related to at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hyperplasia for the toilet user based on the estimation result of at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hyperplasia.

[0078] For example, the nocturia estimation device 13 may provide information regarding at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate enlargement, such as notifications regarding at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate enlargement. The nocturia estimation device 13 notifies a predetermined destination of the estimation result of at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate enlargement.

[0079] <1-2. Functional Configuration of Nocturia Estimation Device> The functional configuration of the nocturia estimation device will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the nocturia estimation device 13 includes a data storage unit 14, a frequent urination estimation unit 15, a swelling estimation unit 16, a prostate enlargement estimation unit 17, an evaluation unit 18, and a notification unit 19. Note that when the nocturia estimation device 13 does not perform the estimation of swelling, it may not include the swelling estimation unit 16. Further, when the nocturia estimation device 13 does not perform the estimation of prostate enlargement, it may not include the prostate enlargement estimation unit 17. Additionally, the nocturia estimation device 13 may have an input unit (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) for receiving various operations from the administrator of the nocturia estimation device 13 or the like, and a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display, etc.) for displaying various information. Also, the nocturia estimation device 13 may have communication means for communicating with other devices.

[0080] The communication means is realized by, for example, a communication circuit or the like. The communication means is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly and performs information transmission and reception with an external information processing device. For example, the communication means is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly and performs information transmission and reception with other devices such as the sensor device 12. For example, the communication means may be the communication unit 101 described later.

[0081] The data storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the data storage unit 14 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by various information processing programs and the like.

[0082] The data storage means 14 according to the embodiment stores various information necessary for processing. The data storage means 14 stores various information acquired from other devices such as various sensors. For example, the data storage means 14 stores micturition data acquired based on the micturition of a toilet user with respect to the toilet device 20.

[0083] For example, the micturition data includes micturition information regarding the urine volume or urine flow rate acquired based on the state change in the bowl portion 8 of the toilet device 20. For example, the micturition data includes other micturition information having at least one piece of information such as the micturition time, the number of micturitions, or the micturition frequency.

[0084] For example, the micturition information includes information obtained based on the state change of the water seal on the bowl portion 8 side. For example, the micturition information includes information obtained based on the state change of the water seal on the trap portion side. For example, the micturition information is information obtained by detecting the state change of the water seal on the trap portion side by a radio wave sensor.

[0085] For example, the micturition information includes information obtained by detection of a sound sensor. The state change in the bowl portion 8 includes at least one state change among the humidity change, temperature change, and gas component change accompanying micturition. For example, the micturition information includes information obtained based on the state change of the water seal caused by micturition, excluding the state change of the water seal caused by defecation. For example, the micturition information includes information obtained by detecting the state change of the water seal formed on the bottom side of the bowl portion 8 side by a radio wave sensor or an optical sensor.

[0086] For example, the data storage means 14 stores information regarding the actions and states of the toilet user in the toilet. For example, the data storage means 14 stores data obtained from the analysis of information collected by detection of the sensor device 12 or the like. The data storage means 14 stores information regarding the urination of the toilet user. The data storage means 14 stores the history information of the urination of the toilet user. For example, the data storage means 14 stores the number of urinations, the urine volume, the urination time, and the urination date and time (urination time). Further, the data storage means 14 stores information regarding the defecation of the toilet user. The data storage means 14 stores the history information of the defecation of the toilet user. For example, the data storage means 14 stores the number of defecations, the feces volume, the defecation time, and the defecation date and time (defecation time).

[0087] For example, the data storage means 14 stores data based on the detection of the sensor device 12. For example, the data storage means 14 stores data acquired by the frequent urination estimation means 15. The data storage means 14 stores information used by the frequent urination estimation means 15 for the estimation process. For example, the data storage means 14 stores data acquired by the swelling estimation means 16. The data storage means 14 stores information used by the swelling estimation means 16 for the estimation process. For example, the data storage means 14 stores data acquired by the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17. The data storage means 14 stores information used by the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 for the estimation process. The data storage means 14 stores information used by the evaluation means 18 for the process. The data storage means 14 stores information used by the notification means 19 for the information providing process.

[0088] For example, the data storage means 14 stores information regarding urination during the daytime (for example, between 6 o'clock and 22 o'clock). For example, the data storage means 14 stores daytime urination data. For example, the data storage means 14 stores the urine volume or urine flow rate per urination during the daytime. For example, the data storage means 14 stores the average urine volume or average urine flow rate during the daytime.

[0089] For example, the data storage means 14 stores information regarding nighttime urination. For example, the data storage means 14 stores nighttime urination data. For example, the data storage means 14 stores the urine volume or urine flow rate per occurrence at night. For example, the data storage means 14 stores the average urine volume or average urine flow rate at night.

[0090] Note that the data storage means 14 is not limited to the above, and may store various information according to the purpose. For example, the data storage means 14 stores information indicating the location where the toilet device 20 is disposed. For example, the data storage means 14 stores information indicating the location of the facility (such as the home of the toilet user, etc.) where the toilet device 20 is disposed. For example, the data storage means 14 stores various information regarding the toilet user as external data. For example, the data storage means 14 stores attribute information indicating attributes such as the age and gender of the toilet user. For example, the data storage means 14 stores behavior information indicating the behavior of the toilet user. For example, the data storage means 14 stores location information indicating the location of the toilet user. For example, when there are a plurality of toilet users (users), the data storage means 14 stores the information of the toilet user in association with information for identifying the toilet user (such as a user ID, etc.).

[0091] Also, for example, the data storage means 14 may be the storage unit 120 described later. For example, the data storage means 14 may store the information stored by the storage unit 120 described later.

[0092] Each part that executes information processing such as the frequent urination estimation means 15, the swelling estimation means 16, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17, the evaluation means 18, and the notification means 19 (also referred to as the "information processing part") is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc., when a program stored inside the nocturia estimation device 13 (for example, programs for various information processing according to the present disclosure, etc.) is executed with a RAM or the like as a work area. Further, the information processing part such as the frequent urination estimation means 15, the swelling estimation means 16, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17, the evaluation means 18, and the notification means 19 is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0093] The frequent urination estimation means 15 executes an estimation process for estimating various information related to the health of the toilet user. The frequent urination estimation means 15 executes an estimation process for estimating the nocturia of the toilet user. The frequent urination estimation means 15 executes the above-described estimation process.

[0094] The frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates the nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data in the data storage means 14. The frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates the nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means 14. The frequent urination estimation means 15 uses the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and other urination information, and estimates the nocturia based on the urine volume or urine flow rate per time at night, or the average urine volume or average urine flow rate at night.

[0095] The frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates the nocturia based on the diurnal and nocturnal urination data specified by the urination information and other urination information. The frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates the nocturia based on the urine volume or urine flow rate per time during the day and the urine volume or urine flow rate per time at night.

[0096] The frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates nocturia based on the average urine volume or average urine flow rate during the day and the average urine volume or average urine flow rate at night. The frequent urination estimation means 15 uses the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and other urination information, and when there are multiple urinations at night and the relationship between the urine volume or urine flow rate per urination and the interval between urination times satisfies a predetermined condition, it estimates nocturia.

[0097] The frequent urination estimation means 15 may generate urination data by analyzing the information collected by the detection of the sensor device 12. In this case, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates nocturia using the urination data generated from the information collected by the detection of the sensor device 12. For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates nocturia using urination information regarding the urine volume or urine flow rate and other urination information including at least one of the information on the urination time, the number of urinations, or the urination frequency.

[0098] For example, when the comparison result between the urine volume per urination during the day of the toilet user and the urine volume per urination at night of the toilet user satisfies a predetermined condition, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates that the toilet user has nocturia. For example, when the difference between the urine volume per urination during the day of the toilet user and the urine volume per urination at night of the toilet user is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates that the toilet user has nocturia.

[0099] For example, when the comparison result between the average urine volume during the day of the toilet user and the average urine volume at night of the toilet user satisfies a predetermined condition, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates that the toilet user has nocturia. For example, when the difference between the average urine volume during the day of the toilet user and the average urine volume at night of the toilet user is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates that the toilet user has nocturia.

[0100] For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 specifies (generates) nocturnal urination information using urination information related to urine volume or urine flow rate and other urination information including at least one of the information on urination time, urination frequency, or urination rate. For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 refers to the nocturnal urination information of the toilet user, and when the toilet user has multiple urinations at night and the relationship between the urine volume per urination of the toilet user and the interval of urination time satisfies a predetermined condition, it is estimated that the toilet user has nocturnal frequent urination. For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates that the toilet user has nocturnal frequent urination when the toilet user has multiple urinations at night and the value calculated from the urine volume per urination of the toilet user and the interval of urination time satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0101] For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates the presence or absence of nocturnal frequent urination when the urine volume in the first period indicating the period before bedtime is less than a predetermined amount. For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates that it is nocturnal frequent urination when the urine volume in the first period indicating the period before bedtime is less than a predetermined amount. For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates the state of nocturnal frequent urination when the urine volume is more than a predetermined amount.

[0102] The frequent urination estimation means 15 may estimate various types of frequent urination for the toilet user, not limited to nocturnal frequent urination. For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 may estimate the daytime frequent urination of the toilet user during the daytime such as during the day (periods other than at night), but the details will be described later. For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 may estimate the frequent urination (frequent urination at bedtime) of the toilet user during the time zone when the toilet user is in bed. For example, when the bedtime in the toilet user's lifestyle pattern is not at night, the frequent urination estimation means 15 may estimate the frequent urination at bedtime for that user. Here, the bedtime as used herein is, for example, the period from when the toilet user tries to go to bed until getting up (the time zone during sleep). When the frequent urination estimation means 15 estimates the frequent urination of the toilet user during the time zone when the toilet user is in bed, it may estimate the frequent urination of the toilet user by the process in the case of estimating nocturnal frequent urination.

[0103] For example, the frequent urination estimation means 15 may estimate the frequent urination of the toilet user during the time period when the toilet user is asleep by replacing the night in the process for nocturia with the bedtime and performing the same process as in the case of estimating nocturia. Also, when using information other than bedtime, the frequent urination estimation means 15 may estimate the frequent urination of the toilet user during the time period when the toilet user is asleep by replacing the night in the process for nocturia with the bedtime and the daytime with other than bedtime and performing the same process as in the case of estimating nocturia.

[0104] The swelling estimation means 16 executes an estimation process for estimating various information related to the health of the toilet user. The swelling estimation means 16 executes an estimation process for estimating the swelling of the toilet user. The swelling estimation means 16 executes the above-described estimation process related to swelling.

[0105] The swelling estimation means 16 estimates the swelling of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means 14. The swelling estimation means 16 estimates that the user is in a swollen state when the integrated value of the urine volume over a predetermined time is less than a predetermined value. The swelling estimation means 16 estimates that the user is in a swollen state when the urine volume in a predetermined time including night or sleep time is more than a predetermined value. The swelling estimation means 16 estimates that the user is in a swollen state when the posture or body movement of the toilet user is not detected for a predetermined time or the state change is equal to or less than a predetermined value by the moving body detection means.

[0106] The swelling estimation means 16 may have a first estimation mode for estimating that the user is in a swollen state when the integrated value of the urine volume over a predetermined time is less than a predetermined value and a second estimation mode for estimating that the user is in a swollen state when the urine volume in a predetermined time including night or sleep period is more than a predetermined value. In this case, the swelling estimation means 16 may adopt the result of the second estimation mode when the results of the first estimation mode and the second estimation mode are different. Also, for example, the swelling estimation means 16 may change the threshold value used in the first estimation mode or the second estimation mode when the results of the first estimation mode and the second estimation mode are different.

[0107] The swelling estimation means 16 reserves estimating the swelling state when the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the urination data. The swelling estimation means 16 estimates the swelling state based on the urination data in a first period indicating the period before going to bed.

[0108] Note that a predetermined time (period) such as the first period can be arbitrarily set. For example, the predetermined time may be set based on the division of the time zone of one day (24 hours). For example, the predetermined time may be set based on time zones such as morning (for example, between 3:00 and 9:00), daytime (for example, between 9:00 and 15:00), evening (for example, between 15:00 and 21:00), and night (for example, between 21:00 and 3:00). Note that the above division of the time zone of one day (24 hours) is only an example, and the division of the time zone of one day (24 hours) is not limited to the above. For example, any division such as night (for example, between 22:00 and 6:00) and non-night (for example, between 6:00 and 22:00) may be used. For example, when the integrated value of the urine volume of urination at the time when the toilet user is in the space (for example, a house, etc.) where the toilet device 20 is provided is less than a predetermined value, the swelling estimation means 16 estimates that the toilet user is in a swollen state.

[0109] For example, when the integrated value of the urine volume of a toilet user during sleep is less than a first reference value, the swelling estimation means 16 estimates that the toilet user is in a swollen state. For example, when the integrated value of the urine volume of a toilet user during non-sleep time (activity time) is less than a second reference value, the swelling estimation means 16 estimates that the toilet user is in a swollen state. For example, the swelling estimation means 16 obtains, in an arbitrary manner, life pattern information including at least one of information indicating the sleep time (period of sleep) of the toilet user or information indicating the awake period (activity time) of the toilet user. For example, the swelling estimation means 16 may obtain the life pattern information of the toilet user from the terminal device of the toilet user. In this case, the terminal device of the toilet user may transmit to the swelling estimation means 16 the life pattern information generated based on the information collected by the input of the toilet user or the detection of the mounted sensor. Note that the above-described processing is merely an example, and the swelling estimation means 16 may estimate whether or not the toilet user has swelling by any processing using the urine discharge data.

[0110] The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 executes an estimation process for estimating the prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user. The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 executes the above-described estimation process regarding prostate hypertrophy. The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 estimates the state of prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user based on the urine discharge data stored by the data storage means 14. The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 estimates the state of prostate hypertrophy when the urine volume is equal to or more than a predetermined amount and the average urine flow rate or the maximum urine flow rate is less than the predetermined amount.

[0111] When the gender information received by the receiving means (for example, the communication means) of the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 is male, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 notifies the notification means 19 of the estimation result via the notification means 19. In this case, the communication means of the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 functions as a receiving means for receiving the gender information of the toilet user. When the gender information received by the receiving means of the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 is female, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 notifies, via the notification means 19, the notification means 19 that prostate hypertrophy cannot be estimated.

[0112] The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 estimates the state of prostate hypertrophy based on the urination data and the detection results of the moving body detection means. The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 estimates the state of prostate hypertrophy based on the urination data and the urination characteristics by age of the toilet user.

[0113] The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 has a first estimation mode for estimating the state of prostate hypertrophy based on the urination data of the first period including the latest urination record, and a second estimation mode for estimating the state of prostate hypertrophy based on the urination data of the second period longer than the first period. The prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 reserves estimating the state of prostate hypertrophy when the number of urinations is less than or equal to a predetermined number based on the urination data.

[0114] The evaluation means 18 executes an evaluation process for evaluating various information related to the health of the toilet user. The evaluation means 18 executes an evaluation process for evaluating at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user. The evaluation means 18 executes an evaluation process related to at least one of the above-mentioned frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy. For example, the evaluation means 18 is a frequent urination evaluation means for classifying the frequent urination of the toilet user based on the estimation result of the frequent urination estimation means 15. The evaluation means 18 estimates, based on the estimation result of the frequent urination estimation means 15, which of a plurality of classifications (such as causes) including sleep-related, urine trouble, swelling, etc. the frequent urination of the toilet user belongs to.

[0115] The notification means 19 executes a notification process for notifying various information related to the health of the toilet user. The notification means 19 executes a process of transmitting information related to at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user to another information processing device such as the terminal device of the toilet user. The notification means 19 executes a notification process related to at least one of the above-mentioned frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy.

[0116] The notification means 19 notifies a predetermined destination of highlight information (topic information) indicating the health status of the toilet user based on the urination data within a predetermined period including the latest urination data. For example, when it is estimated that the user has frequent urination such as nocturia, the notification means 19 transmits highlight information indicating that the toilet user is estimated to have frequent urination such as nocturia to the terminal device of the toilet user.

[0117] Note that the above information is only an example, and any information indicating the health status of the toilet user can be adopted as the highlight information. Also, when the number of urinations is less than or equal to a predetermined number based on the urination data, the notification means 19 does not notify the predetermined destination of the highlight information. For example, when the number of urinations of the toilet user is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the notification means 19 does not transmit the highlight information to the terminal device of the toilet user.

[0118] The notification means 19 notifies a predetermined destination of recommendation information (recommended information) for improving the health status of the toilet user based on the urination data within a predetermined period including the latest urination data. For example, when it is estimated that the user has frequent urination such as nocturia, the notification means 19 transmits, to the terminal device of the toilet user, recommendation information for improving frequent urination such as nocturia, such as information indicating a lifestyle pattern for improving frequent urination such as nocturia.

[0119] Note that the above information is only an example, and any information for improving the health status of the toilet user can be adopted as the recommendation information. Also, when the number of urinations is less than or equal to a predetermined number based on the urination data, the notification means 19 does not notify the predetermined destination of the recommendation information. For example, when the number of urinations of the toilet user is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the notification means 19 does not transmit the recommendation information to the terminal device of the toilet user.

[0120] The notification means 19 notifies a predetermined destination of the next recommendation information generated based on predetermined input information regarding the recommendation information received by the toilet user. For example, the notification means 19 may receive, as feedback, information indicating the behavior (reaction) of the toilet user with respect to the recommendation information, and notify the toilet user of the recommendation information suitable for the toilet user based on the received feedback. For example, when the toilet user acts (reacts) with respect to the recommendation information for improving frequent urination such as nocturia, the notification means 19 may notify the toilet user of more detailed information for improving frequent urination such as nocturia as the next recommendation information.

[0121] For example, when the input information (behavior information) of the toilet user indicating that the toilet user has performed an operation of selecting the recommendation information with respect to the recommendation information is acquired, the notification means 19 may generate information obtained by making the recommendation information more detailed, and transmit the generated information to the terminal device of the toilet user as the next recommendation information. For example, when the input information (behavior information) of the toilet user indicating that the toilet user has performed a search using a keyword related to the recommendation information is acquired, the notification means 19 may generate information obtained by making the recommendation information more detailed, and transmit the generated information to the terminal device of the toilet user as the next recommendation information.

[0122] Note that the above processing is merely an example, and the notification means 19 may determine the next recommendation information for the toilet user according to the behavior (reaction) of the toilet user with respect to the recommendation information, and provide it to the toilet user.

[0123] For example, the information processing units such as the frequent urination estimation means 15, the swelling estimation means 16, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17, the evaluation means 18, and the notification means 19 may be the control unit 130 described later. For example, the information processing units such as the frequent urination estimation means 15, the swelling estimation means 16, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17, the evaluation means 18, and the notification means 19 may execute the processing executed by the control unit 130 described later.

[0124] <1-3. Flow of processing> From here, several examples of frequent urination estimation processing will be described. Note that descriptions of the same points as those described elsewhere will be omitted as appropriate.

[0125] <1-3-1. Example of nocturia estimation processing> First, an example of the nocturia estimation processing flow executed by the toilet system will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the nocturia estimation processing executed by the toilet system. For example, the urination data used by the toilet system 1 includes, as urination records, information on the user name, date / time, and urine volume. Further, the urination data may include information such as urine flow rate and excretion posture.

[0126] Hereinafter, the case where the user U1 is the subject of the estimation processing (toilet user) will be described as an example. Also, although the toilet system 1 will be described as the processing entity, the following processing may be performed by any of the devices such as the sensor device 12, the nocturia estimation device 13, and the toilet device 20 according to the device configuration included in the toilet system 1.

[0127] The toilet system 1 starts the processing shown in FIG. 2 at a predetermined timing such as a predetermined time (e.g., 24:00, 12:00, etc.). In FIG. 2, the toilet system 1 acquires the data of the day (step S1001). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the urination data of the user U1 for the day corresponding to the start time of the processing. Note that the day may be any day as long as it corresponds to the start time of the processing. For example, when the processing starts at 24:00, the day may be the day before the day at the processing time.

[0128] If there is a diuretic medication (step S1002: Yes), the toilet system 1 estimates that there is an effect of the diuretic (step S1003). For example, when the toilet system 1 has acquired information that the user U1 is taking a drug with a diuretic effect, the toilet system 1 determines that there is a diuretic medication (medication) for the user U1 and estimates that the user U1 is affected by the diuretic.

[0129] The toilet system 1 records the urination history (step S1004). For example, the toilet system 1 records the urination data of the day as the urination history in the data storage means 14. In addition, when the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 is affected by a diuretic, it may record the urination data of the day as the urination history together with information indicating that the user U1 is affected by the diuretic.

[0130] When there is no diuretic medication (step S1002: No), the toilet system 1 refers to the data before going to bed (step S1005). For example, when the toilet system 1 has not acquired information that the user U1 is taking a drug with a diuretic effect, it acquires the urination data of the user U1 before going to bed.

[0131] When the integrated urine volume is not small (step S1006: No), the toilet system 1 estimates that there is no swelling problem (step S1007). For example, when the integrated urine volume of the user U1 (for example, the total urine volume of the day) is equal to or greater than the threshold value for before going to bed, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has no swelling problem. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1004 and records the urination history.

[0132] When the integrated urine volume is small (step S1006: Yes), the toilet system 1 executes the process of estimating the swelling state (step S1008). For example, when the integrated urine volume of the user U1 (for example, the total urine volume of the day) is less than the threshold value for before going to bed, the toilet system 1 executes the swelling estimation process as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described later. Note that the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 are merely examples, and the toilet system 1 may execute the process of estimating the swelling state by various processes, not limited to the processes shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the processes as shown in the following steps S1009 to S1018 in the nocturia estimation mode.

[0133] The toilet system 1 refers to the bedtime - wake - up data (step S1009). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the urination data of the user U1 from going to bed to waking up during a predetermined period. Hereinafter, a case where the predetermined period is one week will be described as an example, but the predetermined period is not limited to one week, and any period such as two weeks or one month can be set.

[0134] If the toilet system 1 determines that the number of urinations is not more than once (step S1010: No), it estimates that the user does not have nocturia (step S1011). For example, if the user U1 has not urinated from going to bed to waking up on the current day, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 does not have nocturia. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1004 and records the urination history.

[0135] If the toilet system 1 determines that the number of urinations is more than once (step S1010: Yes), it branches the process according to whether the case of having urinated more than once is three or more times a week (step S1012). For example, if the user U1 has urinated from going to bed to waking up on the current day, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the case of the user U1 having urinated from going to bed to waking up during one week is three or more times.

[0136] If the case of having urinated more than once is less than three times a week (step S1012: No), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the integrated urine volume is large (step S1013). For example, if the case of the user U1 having urinated from going to bed to waking up during one week is less than three times, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the integrated urine volume of the user U1 (for example, the total urine volume of the current day) is equal to or more than the threshold value for bedtime.

[0137] When the integrated urine volume is not large (step S1013: No), the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1011 and estimates that it is not nocturia. For example, if the integrated urine volume during which user U1 is sleeping on the current day (e.g., the total urine volume of the current day) is less than the threshold value for bedtime, the toilet system 1 estimates that user U1 does not have nocturia. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1004 and records the urination history.

[0138] When the integrated urine volume is large (step S1013: Yes), the toilet system 1 estimates that it is nocturia (step S1014). For example, if the integrated urine volume during which user U1 is sleeping on the current day (e.g., the total urine volume of the current day) is greater than or equal to the threshold value for bedtime, the toilet system 1 estimates that user U1 has nocturia related to swelling. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1004 and records the urination history.

[0139] When the case where there is urination one or more times is three or more times a week (step S1012: Yes), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the sleep is light (step S1015). For example, if the case where user U1 urinates between going to bed and getting up in a week is three or more times, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether user U1's sleep is light.

[0140] For example, the toilet system 1 acquires data during user U1's sleep (also referred to as "sleep data") from a sensor (such as a sleep sensor) that detects the state of user U1 during sleep, and uses the acquired sleep data to determine whether user U1's sleep is light. For example, the toilet system 1 may acquire sleep data of user U1 from a terminal device equipped with a sleep sensor such as user U1's smartphone. Note that the above is only an example, and the toilet system 1 may determine whether user U1's sleep is light using various information. If the sleep time of user U1 is less than a predetermined time, the toilet system 1 may determine that user U1's sleep is light.

[0141] When the toilet system 1 determines that the user is not a light sleeper (step S1015: No), it branches the process according to whether the number of urinations is two or more (step S1016). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that the user U1 is not a light sleeper on the current day, it branches the process according to whether the user U1 urinates two or more times while in bed on the current day.

[0142] When the number of urinations is not two or more (step S1016: No), the toilet system 1 executes the processes after step S1013. For example, when the user U1 does not urinate two or more times while in bed on the current day, the toilet system 1 executes the processes after step S1013.

[0143] When the number of urinations is two or more (step S1016: Yes), the toilet system 1 presumes that it is nocturia (step S1017). For example, when the user U1 urinates two or more times while in bed on the current day, the toilet system 1 presumes that the user U1 has nocturia related to urinary problems. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1004 and records the urination history.

[0144] When the user is a light sleeper (step S1015: Yes), the toilet system 1 presumes that it is nocturia (step S1018). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that the user U1 is a light sleeper on the current day, it presumes that the user U1 has nocturia during sleep. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1004 and records the urination history.

[0145] <1-3-2. Example of Edema Estimation Process> Hereinafter, an example of the edema estimation process flow executed by the toilet system will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet system.

[0146] In FIG. 3, the toilet system 1 determines whether the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, was at home (step S11). For example, the toilet system 1 determines whether the user U1 was at the home (residence) of the user U1. Note that as long as it is the space where the toilet device 20 is arranged, it may be any space such as an elderly care facility, not limited to a home.

[0147] For example, the toilet system 1 uses external data based on GPS or the like to determine whether the user U1 was at home. For example, if the position of the user U1 detected by GPS or the like is within a predetermined range from the position of the home of the user U1, the toilet system 1 determines that the user U1 was at home.

[0148] Note that the above is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 may appropriately use various information to determine whether the user U1 was at home. For example, the toilet system 1 may determine whether the user U1 was at home based on the information input by the user U1. Further, when the toilet system 1 performs processing using the urination data outside the home of the user U1, it may perform the processing from step S12 and subsequent steps without performing the determination in step S11. That is, the toilet system 1 may perform processing using any information as long as it is processable, and for example, perform processing using at least one of the urination at the home of the user U1 and the urination outside the home of the user U1.

[0149] When the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is not at home (step S11: No), the toilet system 1 ends the determination and ends the processing. For example, when the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is not at home, the toilet system 1 ends the processing without performing the estimation process.

[0150] When the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is at home (step S11: Yes), the toilet system 1 determines whether it is evening (step S12). For example, when the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is at home, the toilet system 1 determines whether the time at that point is evening (for example, from 16:00 to 19:00, etc.). Note that evening is just an example and is not limited to evening. For example, when the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is at home, the toilet system 1 may determine whether it is within a predetermined time period, which is, for example, the period for collecting data used in the process.

[0151] When it is not evening (step S12: No), the toilet system 1 determines whether it is bedtime (step S13). When the time at that point is not evening, the toilet system 1 determines whether it is within the bedtime of the user U1. For example, when the time at that point is not evening, the toilet system 1 determines whether the time at that point is within the bedtime (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00, etc.) set by the user U1.

[0152] When it is outside the bedtime (step S13: No), the toilet system 1 ends the determination and ends the process. On the other hand, when it is within the bedtime (step S13: Yes), the toilet system 1 proceeds to the process of step S20, presumes that there is a suspicion of bloating, and performs the processes after step S21 shown in FIG. 4. For example, since the toilet system 1 cannot presume that the user U1 is not bloated, it presumes that there is a suspicion of bloating and performs the processes after step S21.

[0153] When it is evening (step S12: Yes), the toilet system 1 determines whether there is urination (step S14). For example, when the time at that point is evening, the toilet system 1 determines whether the user U1 has urinated. Note that the criteria in step S14 may be changed according to whether it is a weekday or a holiday, or may be changed according to the season (such as whether it is summer or winter).

[0154] When there is no urination (step S14: No), the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S13. On the other hand, when there is urination (step S14: Yes), the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the accumulated amount of urination in a day (simply referred to as "accumulated amount") (step S15). For example, when there is urination by the user U1, the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the comparison between the accumulated amount of the user U1 in a day and a value indicating a reference.

[0155] When the accumulated amount in a day exceeds the past reference amount (step S15: exceeding the past reference amount), the toilet system 1 presumes OK (no problem) (step S16) and performs the processes after step S21 shown in FIG. 4. For example, when the accumulated amount of the user U1 in a day exceeds the reference amount based on the past accumulated amount (average value, etc.) of the user U1 in a day, for the user U1, it is tentatively presumed that there is no problem, and the processes after step S21 are performed.

[0156] When the accumulated amount in a day is less than the past reference amount (step S15: not reaching the reference), the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the accumulated amount at the same time in the past (step S17). For example, when the accumulated amount in a day is less than the past reference amount, the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the comparison between the accumulated amount of the user U1 at that time (time) and the average urine volume. For example, the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the comparison between the accumulated amount of the user U1 at that time (time) and the average value (average urine volume) of the accumulated amounts at the same time in the past.

[0157] When the accumulated amount of the user U1 at that time (time) is equal to or less than the average value (average urine volume) of the accumulated amounts at the same time in the past (step S17: equal to or less than), an alert is displayed (step S18), and the process of step S19 is performed. For example, when the accumulated amount of the user U1 at that time (time) is less than the average value (average urine volume) of the accumulated amounts at the same time in the past, the toilet system 1 transmits alert information indicating that there may be a swelling of the user U1's urination (such as a slow urination pace, etc.) to the terminal device of the user U1 and causes the terminal device of the user U1 to display the alert information.

[0158] On the other hand, when the integrated amount of user U1 at that time (time) is equal to or greater than the average value (average urine volume) of the integrated amounts at the same time in the past (step S17: equal to or greater than the average urine volume), the toilet system 1 determines whether it is the scheduled bedtime (step S19).

[0159] If the toilet system 1 is not the scheduled bedtime (step S19: No), it returns to step S14 and repeats the process. On the other hand, if the toilet system 1 is the scheduled bedtime (step S19: Yes), it presumes that there is a suspicion of swelling (step S20) and performs the processes after step S21 shown in FIG. 4. For example, when the toilet system 1 reaches the scheduled bedtime without satisfying the criteria of step S15, it presumes that there is a suspicion of swelling in user U1 and performs the processes after step S21.

[0160] The toilet system 1 acquires information indicating bedtime (step S21). For example, when user U1 goes to bed, the toilet system 1 receives information indicating bedtime from the terminal device of user U1 or the like. Note that the process of step S21 may not be performed.

[0161] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is urination until waking up (step S22). For example, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is urination until user U1 wakes up using the urination data collected for user U1.

[0162] When there is no urination until waking up (step S22: no), the toilet system 1 presumes that there is no problem (step S23) and executes the process of step S27. For example, when there is no urination until the user U1 wakes up, the toilet system 1 presumes that there is no problem with the user U1 regarding bloating. Thus, even when there is a suspicion of bloating in step S20, if there is urination until waking up, the toilet system 1 presumes that there is no problem (no bloating) regarding bloating and presumes that it is not in a bloated state. That is, when the results of the first presumption mode, which is the presumption mode of bloating suspicion, and the second presumption mode, which is the presumption mode of bloating, are different, the toilet system 1 adopts the result of the second presumption mode.

[0163] When there is urination until waking up (step S22: yes), the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the integrated amount of urination until waking up (step S24). For example, when there is urination until the user U1 wakes up, the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on a comparison between the integrated amount of the user U1's urination during the time from the start of bedtime to waking up (bedtime) on that day and a threshold value based on the average value of the integrated amount of urination at past bedtimes.

[0164] When the integrated amount at the bedtime of that day exceeds the threshold value (for example, the average of the integrated amount of urination at past bedtimes) (step S24: more than average), the toilet system 1 issues a bloating alert (step S25) and executes the process of step S27. For example, when the integrated amount at the bedtime of the user U1 on that day is more than the past average, the toilet system 1 presumes that the user U1 is in a bloated state and performs the process of step S27. The threshold value in step S24 may be corrected based on any information. For example, the threshold value in step S24 may be corrected based on external information such as the user U1's medication (medical history), diet, exercise, bathing, etc. Note that the above is only an example, and the toilet system 1 may perform various processes using external information. Also, when the toilet system 1 acquires external information indicating that the user U1 is taking medication, it may execute the process of step S27 without issuing the bloating alert in step S25.

[0165] On the one hand, when the integrated amount at the bedtime of the day is equal to or less than a threshold value (for example, the average of the integrated amount of urination at past bedtimes) in the toilet system 1 (step S24: below average), the nocturia estimation algorithm is executed (step S26), and the process of step S27 is executed. For example, when the integrated amount at the bedtime of the day of the user U1 is below the past average in the toilet system 1, the process of estimating nocturia for the user U1 is executed in parallel, and the process of step S27 is performed. Note that the toilet system 1 may perform step S27 without executing the process of step S26.

[0166] Then, the toilet system 1 updates the reference data (step S27). For example, the toilet system 1 updates the reference data regarding before bedtime and after bedtime. For example, the toilet system 1 updates the urination data for the user U1 by adding the collected urination data of the user U1 as past urination data. For example, the toilet system 1 updates the reference data regarding before bedtime of the user U1 and updates the reference data regarding after bedtime of the user U1.

[0167] For example, the toilet system 1 may update the reference data based on external information such as the medication (medical history), diet, exercise, and bathing of the user U1. For example, the toilet system 1 updates the criteria, threshold values, etc. used in steps S15, S17, S24, etc. For example, when the toilet system 1 estimates that there is suspicion in the first estimation mode which is the estimation mode of swelling suspicion and estimates that there is no problem in the second estimation mode which is the estimation mode of swelling, the criteria in the first estimation mode are lowered. In this case, the toilet system 1 changes, for example, the threshold value, reference value, etc. used in the first estimation mode in the direction of loosening, that is, so that it is less likely to be estimated that there is swelling suspicion in the first estimation mode.

[0168] Note that the above-described flowchart is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 may perform the process according to an arbitrary flow as long as it is possible to estimate the swelling of the toilet user.

[0169] <1-3-3. Example of frequent urination estimation processing> Note that the toilet system may perform frequent urination estimation processing not limited to nocturia. An example of the frequent urination estimation processing flow executed by the toilet system will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the frequent urination estimation processing executed by the toilet system. Note that descriptions of the same points as those described in FIG. 2 and the like will be omitted as appropriate.

[0170] The toilet system 1 starts the processing shown in FIG. 5 at a predetermined timing such as a predetermined time (for example, 24:00, 12:00, etc.). In FIG. 5, the toilet system 1 acquires the data of the day (step S1101).

[0171] When there is no medication (step S1102: Yes), the toilet system 1 executes the processing after step S1106. For example, when the toilet system 1 has not acquired information that the user U1 is taking medicine, the toilet system 1 executes the processing after step S1106.

[0172] When there is medication (step S1102: No), the toilet system 1 branches the processing according to whether there is a diuretic effect (step S1103). For example, when the toilet system 1 has acquired information that the user U1 is taking medicine, the toilet system 1 branches the processing according to whether the medicine has a diuretic effect.

[0173] When there is no diuretic effect (step S1103: No), the toilet system 1 executes the processing after step S1106. For example, when the medicine taken by the user U1 has no diuretic effect, the toilet system 1 executes the processing after step S1106.

[0174] When the toilet system 1 has a diuretic effect (step S1103: Yes), it records the medication information (step S1104). For example, the toilet system 1 records information about the medication taken by the user U1 as medication information in the data storage means 14. Note that the toilet system 1 may record the medication information of the user U1 in association with data such as the urine output data of the day, i.e., the data of the day when the medication was taken.

[0175] Also, the toilet system 1 records the urination history (step S1105). For example, the toilet system 1 records the urine output data of the day as the urination history in the data storage means 14. Note that when there is medication information of the user U1, the toilet system 1 may record the medication information of the user U1 in association with the urine output data of the day as the urination history.

[0176] The toilet system 1 refers to the data during sleep (step S1106). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the urine output data of the user U1 from going to bed to getting up during a predetermined period. Hereinafter, the case where the predetermined period is one week will be described as an example, but the predetermined period is not limited to one week, and any period such as two weeks or one month can be set.

[0177] When the toilet system 1 does not have urination one or more times (step S1107: No), it presumes that there is no problem (step S1108). For example, if the user U1 does not urinate from going to bed to getting up on the day, the toilet system 1 presumes that the user U1 does not have nocturia.

[0178] Then, the toilet system 1 records the nocturnal urination estimation information (step S1116). For example, the toilet system 1 records the estimation result regarding the presumed nocturia of the user U1 as the nocturnal urination estimation information in the data storage means 14.

[0179] When the toilet system 1 has urinated one or more times (step S1107: Yes), the process branches according to whether the case of urinating one or more times is three or more times a week (step S1109). For example, when the user U1 urinates between going to bed and waking up on the same day, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the case of the user U1 urinating between going to bed and waking up in one week is three or more times.

[0180] When the case of urinating one or more times is not three or more times a week (step S1109: No), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the accumulated urine volume is large (step S1110). For example, when the case of the user U1 urinating between going to bed and waking up in one week is less than three times, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the accumulated urine volume of the user U1 (for example, the total urine volume of the day) is equal to or greater than the threshold value for bedtime.

[0181] When the accumulated urine volume is not large (step S1110: No), the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1108 and presumes that there is no problem. For example, when the accumulated urine volume (for example, the total urine volume of the day) of the user U1 during bedtime on the same day is less than the threshold value for bedtime, the toilet system 1 presumes that the user U1 does not have nocturia. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1116 and records the nocturnal urination estimation information.

[0182] When the integrated urine volume is large (step S1110: Yes), the toilet system 1 executes the swelling estimation process (step S1111). For example, when the integrated urine volume of the user U1 (e.g., the total urine volume of the day) is equal to or greater than the threshold value for bedtime, the toilet system 1 executes the swelling estimation process as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described above. Note that the processes in FIGS. 3 and 4 are merely examples, and the toilet system 1 may execute the swelling estimation process not only by the processes shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 but also by various processes. When it is estimated by the swelling estimation that the user U1 is in a swollen state, the toilet system 1 estimates that it is nocturia related to swelling. Note that when the integrated urine volume is large, the toilet system 1 may estimate nocturia regardless of the swelling estimation result. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1116 and records the nocturnal urination estimation information.

[0183] When the case where urination occurs one or more times is three or more times a week (step S1109: Yes), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the sleep is light (step S1112). For example, when the case where the user U1 urinates between going to bed and getting up in one week is three or more times, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the sleep of the user U1 is light.

[0184] When the sleep is not light (step S1112: No), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the urination is two or more times (step S1113). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that the sleep of the user U1 on the current day is not light, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the user U1 urinates two or more times while sleeping on the current day.

[0185] When the urination is not two or more times (step S1113: No), the toilet system 1 executes the processes after step S1110. For example, when the user U1 does not urinate two or more times while sleeping on the current day, the toilet system 1 executes the processes after step S1110.

[0186] When the number of urinations is two or more (step S1113: Yes), the toilet system 1 estimates that it is nocturia (step S1114). For example, when the user U1 urinates two or more times during sleep on the current day, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has nocturia related to urinary problems. For example, when the user U1 urinates two or more times during sleep on the current day, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has nocturia due to overactive bladder, reduced bladder capacity, etc. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1116 and records the nocturnal urination estimation information.

[0187] When the sleep is light (step S1112: Yes), the toilet system 1 estimates that it is nocturia (step S1115). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that the sleep of the user U1 on the current day is light, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has sleep-related nocturia. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1116 and records the nocturnal urination estimation information. After the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1116, it executes the processes after step S1117.

[0188] The toilet system 1 refers to the data during waking up (step S1117). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the urination data of the user U1 during waking up, that is, when not sleeping, within a predetermined period. Hereinafter, the case where the predetermined period is one week will be described as an example, but the predetermined period is not limited to one week, and any period such as two weeks or one month can be set.

[0189] When the number of urinations is not more than eight (step S1118: No), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the urination interval is short (step S1119). For example, when the user U1 urinates eight or more times during waking up on the current day, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the urination interval of the user U1 during waking up within one week is short (for example, the urination interval may be within one hour).

[0190] When the toilet system 1 determines that the urination interval is not short (step S1119: No), it assumes that there is no problem (step S1120). For example, if the urination interval during the waking hours of user U1 on the current day is not short, the toilet system 1 assumes that user U1 does not have daytime frequent urination.

[0191] Then, the toilet system 1 records the daytime urination estimation information (step S1129). For example, the toilet system 1 records the estimation result regarding daytime frequent urination estimated for user U1 as daytime urine estimation information in the data storage means 14. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1105 and records the urination history.

[0192] When the toilet system 1 determines that the urination interval is short (step S1119: Yes), it branches the process according to whether the amount of urine per urination is small or not (step S1121). For example, if the urination interval during the waking hours of user U1 on the current day is short, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the amount of urine per urination during the waking hours of user U1 on the current day is less than the threshold value for the amount.

[0193] When the amount of urine per urination is not small (step S1121: No), the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1120 and assumes that there is no problem. For example, if the amount of urine per urination during the waking hours of user U1 on the current day is equal to or greater than the threshold value for the amount, the toilet system 1 assumes that user U1 does not have daytime frequent urination. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1129 and records the daytime urination estimation information. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1105 and records the urination history.

[0194] When the amount of urine per urination is small (step S1121: Yes), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the stress value is high or not (step S1122). For example, if the amount of urine per urination during the waking hours of user U1 on the current day is less than the threshold value for the amount, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the stress value is high or not.

[0195] For example, the toilet system 1 acquires stress data (also referred to as "stress data") of the user U1 from a sensor (such as a stress sensor) that detects information regarding the stress value of the user U1, and determines whether the stress value of the user U1 is high based on a comparison between the stress value of the user U1 estimated (calculated) using the acquired stress data and a threshold value for stress. For example, the toilet system 1 may acquire the stress data of the user U1 from a terminal device equipped with a stress sensor such as the smartphone of the user U1. Note that the above is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 may estimate (calculate) the stress value of the user U1 using various information. For example, the toilet system 1 may conduct a questionnaire regarding stress such as a stress check for the user U1, and estimate the stress value of the user U1 based on the result of the user U1's response to the questionnaire.

[0196] When the stress value is high (step S1122: Yes), the toilet system 1 estimates that it is frequent urination (step S1123). For example, when the stress value of the user U1 on the current day is equal to or higher than the threshold value for stress, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has psychogenic daytime frequent urination. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1129 and records the daytime urination estimation information. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1105 and records the urination history.

[0197] When the stress value is not high (step S1122: No), the toilet system 1 estimates that there is a urinary problem (step S1124). For example, when the stress value of the user U1 on the current day is less than the threshold value for stress, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has a urinary problem such as overactive bladder or cystitis. Note that when the stress value of the user U1 on the current day is less than the threshold value for stress, the toilet system 1 may estimate that it is daytime frequent urination. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1129 and records the daytime urination estimation information. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1105 and records the urination history.

[0198] When the number of urinations of the toilet system 1 is 8 or more times (step S1118: Yes), the process is branched according to whether the integrated urine volume is large or not (step S1125). For example, when the number of cases where the user U1 urinates from going to bed to waking up in a week is less than 3 times, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the integrated urine volume of the user U1 (for example, the total urine volume of the day) is equal to or greater than the threshold value for waking up.

[0199] When the integrated urine volume is not large (step S1125: No), the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the urine flow rate is small or not (step S1126). For example, when the integrated urine volume (for example, the total urine volume of the day) of the user U1 while waking up is less than the threshold value for waking up, the toilet system 1 branches the process according to whether the urine flow rate of the user U1 (for example, the average of the urine flow rates of the day) is equal to or greater than the threshold value for the flow rate.

[0200] When the urine flow rate is not small (step S1126: No), the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1124 and estimates that there is a urine problem. For example, when the average value of the urine flow rate of the user U1 on the day is equal to or greater than the threshold value for the flow rate, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has a urine problem such as overactive bladder or cystitis. Note that when the average value of the urine flow rate of the user U1 on the day is equal to or greater than the threshold value for the flow rate, the toilet system 1 may estimate that it is frequent urination during the day. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1129 and records the estimated information on daytime urination. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1105 and records the urination history.

[0201] When the urine flow rate is low (step S1126: Yes), the toilet system 1 executes a prostate hypertrophy estimation process (step S1127). For example, when the average value of the urine flow rate of the user U1 on the current day is less than the threshold value for the flow rate, the toilet system 1 executes a prostate hypertrophy estimation process as shown in FIG. 6 described later. Note that the process in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 may execute the prostate hypertrophy estimation process by various processes, not limited to the process shown in FIG. 6. Also, when the average value of the urine flow rate of the user U1 on the current day is less than the threshold value for the flow rate, the toilet system 1 may estimate that it is daytime frequent urination due to bladder compression. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1129 and records the daytime urination estimation information. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1105 and records the urination history.

[0202] When the integrated urine volume is large (step S1125: Yes), the toilet system 1 estimates that it is frequent urination (step S1128). For example, when the integrated urine volume (e.g., the total urine volume of the current day) of the user U1 while awake is equal to or greater than the threshold value for waking up, the toilet system 1 estimates that the user U1 has polyuria-induced daytime frequent urination. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1129 and records the daytime urination estimation information. Then, the toilet system 1 executes the process of step S1105 and records the urination history.

[0203] <1-3-4. Example of Prostate Hypertrophy Estimation Process> Hereinafter, an example of the prostate hypertrophy estimation process flow executed by the toilet system will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet system. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the information used in the process by the toilet system.

[0204] In FIG. 6, the toilet system 1 determines whether the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is male (step S31). For example, the toilet system 1 determines whether the user U1 is male using information about the user U1. Note that the determination in step S31 shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the determination in step S31 may be any determination as long as it is a determination as to whether the subject can be estimated for benign prostatic hyperplasia. For example, the determination in step S31 may be whether the toilet user who is the subject of the estimation process wishes to have an estimation of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

[0205] If the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is not male (step S31: No), the toilet system 1 ends the determination and ends the process. For example, if the user U1 is not male or the like and the estimation process for benign prostatic hyperplasia is not possible, the toilet system 1 ends the process without performing the estimation process.

[0206] If the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is male (step S31: Yes), the toilet system 1 determines whether urination has occurred (step S32). For example, when the user U1, who is the subject of the estimation process, is male, the toilet system 1 determines whether urination has been performed by the user U1.

[0207] When there is no urination (step S32: No), the toilet system 1 ends the determination and ends the process. On the other hand, when there is urination (step S32: Yes), the toilet system 1 performs a recent comparison on the urine flow rate (step S33). For example, when there is urination, the toilet system 1 performs a comparison using, for example, the most recent urine flow rate such as that urination. For example, the toilet system 1 performs a comparison using the most recent urine flow rate of the user U1 and the reference for recent comparison. For example, the toilet system 1 performs the comparison in the same posture. For example, the toilet system 1 may perform the comparison based on whether it is in the standing position or the sitting position. For example, when the most recent urination is performed in the standing position, the toilet system 1 performs a comparison using the reference corresponding to urination in the standing position. For example, when the most recent urination is performed in the sitting position, the toilet system 1 performs a comparison using the reference corresponding to urination in the sitting position.

[0208] For example, the toilet system 1 may perform a comparison with the average of the same generation. For example, the toilet system 1 may perform a comparison with the average of the same generation as the subject of the estimation process (toilet user) using the information as shown in the data DT1 of FIG. 7. The vertical axis of the data DT1 corresponds to the flow rate, and the horizontal axis corresponds to the passage of time. Note that any index related to the flow rate can be adopted for the vertical axis of the data DT1, and for example, any index such as the maximum urine flow rate, average flow rate, average flow velocity, etc. can be adopted. For example, when the user U1 is in his or her 50s, the toilet system 1 may perform a comparison with the average of people in their 50s.

[0209] The second horizontal line from the bottom in the data DT1 of FIG. 7 indicates the lower limit (minimum value) of the average urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1, and the top horizontal line in the data DT1 indicates the upper limit (maximum value) of the average urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1. That is, the range between the second horizontal line from the bottom and the top horizontal line in the data DT1 of FIG. 7 indicates the range of the average urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1.

[0210] Also, the bottom horizontal line in the data DT1 of FIG. 7 indicates the lower limit (minimum value) of the urine flow rate of the user U1 in the most recent period, and the second horizontal line from the top in the data DT1 indicates the upper limit (maximum value) of the urine flow rate of the user U1 in the most recent period. That is, the range between the bottom horizontal line and the second horizontal line from the top in the data DT1 of FIG. 7 indicates the range of the urine flow rate of the user U1 in the most recent period. Also, the vertical double-headed arrow corresponding to each date in the data DT1 indicates the range of the urine flow rate of the user U1 on each date.

[0211] For example, when the average value of the urine flow rate of the user U1 in the most recent period is within the range of the average urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1, the toilet system 1 may presumptively determine that the possibility of the prostate of the user U1 is low in the short term.

[0212] When the most recent urine flow rate is less than the same as in the past (step S33: less than the same), the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the urine volume (step S34). For example, when the most recent urine flow rate of the user U1 is less than the average value (average urine flow rate) of the urine flow rate of the past user U1, the toilet system 1 makes a determination based on the urine volume.

[0213] When the urine volume is less than the average urine volume (step S34: less), the toilet system 1 records that information (step S35), ends the determination, and ends the process. For example, when the most recent urine volume of the user U1 is less than the average value (average urine volume) of the urine volume of the past user U1, the toilet system 1 registers the collected urine discharge data of the user U1 in the data storage means 14 and ends the process.

[0214] When the urine volume is equal to or more than the average urine volume (step S34: equal to or more), the toilet system 1 determines whether it is continuous (step S36). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines two or more times in a row that the most recent urine volume of the user U1 is equal to or more than the average value (average urine volume) of the urine volume of the past user U1, it determines that it is continuous. Note that the number of times (reference value) used for determining whether it is continuous is not limited to two times and may be three or more times.

[0215] When the toilet system 1 is continuous (step S36: Yes), it performs an alert display (step S37) and performs the process of step S38. For example, when the toilet system 1 determines two or more times in a row that the most recent urine volume of the user U1 is equal to or greater than the average value (average urine volume) of the past urine volumes of the user U1, it estimates that there is a possibility of prostate hypertrophy in the user U1 in the short term. For example, when the toilet system 1 is continuous, it evaluates (classifies) the user U1 as a subject who may have prostate hypertrophy in the short term. Then, the toilet system 1 transmits alert information indicating that there may be prostate hypertrophy in the short term to the terminal device of the user U1 and causes the terminal device of the user U1 to display the alert information.

[0216] When the toilet system 1 is not continuous (step S36: No), it performs the process of step S38. For example, when the toilet system 1 is not continuous, it evaluates (classifies) the user U1 as a subject who has no possibility of prostate hypertrophy in the short term. The toilet system 1 performs a long-term comparison (step S38). For example, the toilet system 1 performs the comparison in the same posture. For example, the toilet system 1 may perform the comparison based on whether the subject of the estimation process (toilet user) is standing or sitting. For example, when the subject of the estimation process (toilet user) often urinates while standing, the toilet system 1 performs a comparison using the criteria corresponding to urination while standing. For example, when the subject of the estimation process (toilet user) often sits, the toilet system 1 performs a comparison using the criteria corresponding to urination while sitting.

[0217] For example, the toilet system 1 may perform a comparison with the average of the same generation. For example, the toilet system 1 may perform a comparison with the average of the same generation as the subject of the estimation process (toilet user) using the information shown in the data DT2 of FIG. 7. The vertical axis of the data DT2 corresponds to the flow rate, and the horizontal axis corresponds to the passage of time. Note that any index related to the flow rate can be adopted for the vertical axis of the data DT2, and for example, any index such as the maximum urine flow rate, average flow rate, average flow velocity, etc. can be adopted. For example, when the user U1 is in his or her 50s, the toilet system 1 may perform a comparison with the average of people in their 50s.

[0218] The horizontal line below the hatched rectangle in the data DT2 of FIG. 7 indicates the urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1 after a long period (e.g., 3 years) has passed, and the horizontal line above the hatched rectangle indicates the urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1 before a long period (e.g., 3 years) has passed. That is, in the data DT2 of FIG. 7, for the same generation (50s) as the user U1, it shows that the urine flow rate decreases from the upper side to the lower side of the hatched rectangle in response to the passage of a long period (e.g., 3 years).

[0219] Also, the lower dashed-dotted line in the data DT2 of FIG. 7 indicates the urine flow rate of the user U1 after a long period (e.g., 3 years) has passed, and the upper dashed-dotted line indicates the urine flow rate of the user U1 before a long period (e.g., 3 years) has passed. That is, in the data DT2 of FIG. 7, it shows that the urine flow rate of the user U1 has decreased from the upper dashed-dotted line to the lower dashed-dotted line in response to the passage of a long period (e.g., 3 years). Also, the vertical double-headed arrow corresponding to the passage of time in the data DT2 indicates the range of the urine flow rate of the user U1 in each period.

[0220] For example, if the decrease in the urine flow rate of the user U1 is greater than the decrease in the urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1, the toilet system 1 may presume that there is a high possibility of the prostate of the user U1 in the long term. For example, if the decrease in the urine flow rate of the user U1 is smaller than the decrease in the urine flow rate of the same generation (50s) as the user U1, the toilet system 1 may presume that the possibility of the prostate of the user U1 is low in the long term.

[0221] When the reduction width is small (step S38: small reduction width), the toilet system 1 estimates a long-term stay (for example, low possibility of prostate) (step S39). For example, when the reduction width is small, the toilet system 1 evaluates (classifies) the user U1 as a subject with no long-term possibility of prostate hyperplasia. On the other hand, when the reduction width is large (step S38: large reduction width), the toilet system 1 notifies caution information (step S40). For example, when the reduction width is large, the toilet system 1 evaluates (classifies) the user U1 as a subject with a long-term possibility of prostate hyperplasia. For example, when the reduction width of the urine flow rate of the user U1 is larger than the reduction width of the urine flow rate of users of the same generation (in their 50s) as the user U1, it is estimated that the user U1 may have a prostate in the long term. Then, the toilet system 1 transmits caution information indicating that the user U1 may have prostate hyperplasia in the long term to the terminal device of the user U1 and causes the terminal device of the user U1 to display the caution information. For example, the toilet system 1 may classify the subject into any one of four combinations (classifications) of the presence or absence of short-term possibility of prostate hyperplasia and the presence or absence of long-term possibility of prostate hyperplasia, and evaluate (classify) the subject for prostate hyperplasia based on the classification. For example, the toilet system 1 may evaluate a subject with no possibility of prostate hyperplasia both short-term and long-term as having the lowest possibility of prostate hyperplasia, and evaluate a subject with a possibility of prostate hyperplasia both short-term and long-term as having the highest possibility of prostate hyperplasia.

[0222] Note that the above-described flowchart is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 may perform processing according to any flow as long as it can estimate the prostate hyperplasia of the toilet user.

[0223] Hereinafter, on the premise of the above-described configuration and processing, specific processing examples according to the sensors used will be described as the second to fifth embodiments. For example, the second and third embodiments show examples of using a shake detection sensor, the fourth embodiment shows an example of using a sound sensor, and the fifth embodiment shows an example of using a radio wave sensor. In each of the embodiments described below, descriptions of the same points as those described in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0224] <2. Second Embodiment> <2-1. Configuration of Toilet System> First, the configuration of the toilet system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet system according to the second embodiment.

[0225] As shown in FIG. 8, the toilet system 1 includes a toilet seat device 2 and an operation device 10. As shown in FIG. 8, a toilet bowl 7 is installed on the floor surface F in the toilet room R. Hereinafter, the direction facing the space in the toilet room R from the floor surface F will be described as upward.

[0226] The toilet bowl 7 is, for example, a ceramic toilet bowl. A bowl portion 8 is formed in the toilet bowl 7. The bowl portion 8 has a downwardly concave shape and is a part for receiving the user's excrement. Note that the toilet bowl 7 is not limited to the floor-mounted type as shown in the figure, and may be of any type as long as the toilet system 1 can be applied, such as a wall-mounted type. A rim portion 9 is provided over the entire circumference of the end of the opening facing the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7. In the toilet room R, for example, a cleaning water tank for storing cleaning water may be installed near the toilet bowl 7, or a so-called tankless type without a cleaning water tank may also be used.

[0227] For example, when a cleaning operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R for cleaning is operated by the user, toilet bowl cleaning is performed by supplying cleaning water to the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7. The cleaning operation unit may be an operation lever or a touch operation on a toilet bowl cleaning object displayed on the operation device 10. Note that the cleaning operation unit is not limited to one that causes toilet bowl cleaning by manual operation of the user such as an operation lever, and may also be one that causes toilet bowl cleaning by detecting the human body of a sensor such as a seating sensor that detects the user.

[0228] The toilet seat device 2 is attached to the upper part of the toilet bowl 7 and includes a main body part 3, a toilet lid 4, a toilet seat 5, and a cleaning nozzle 6. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on the upper part of the toilet bowl 7 in which a bowl part 8 for receiving excrement is formed. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on the upper part of the toilet bowl 7 so that the cleaning nozzle 6 advances into the bowl part 8 before spraying cleaning water. Note that the toilet seat device 2 may be detachably attached to the toilet bowl 7 or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet bowl 7.

[0229] As shown in FIG. 8, the toilet seat 5 is formed in an annular shape having an opening 50 at the center and is disposed at a position overlapping the opening of the toilet bowl 7 along the rim part 9. The toilet seat 5 is where the user sits. The toilet seat 5 functions as a seating part that supports the buttocks of the seated user. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, one end of each of the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 is pivotally supported by the main body part 3 and is attached so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) about the pivot part of the main body part 3. Note that the toilet lid 4 may be attached to the toilet seat device 2 as necessary, and the toilet seat device 2 may not have the toilet lid 4.

[0230] The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for discharging cleaning water. The cleaning nozzle 6 can spray cleaning water. The cleaning nozzle 6 can spray cleaning water toward the user. The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for local cleaning. The cleaning nozzle 6 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the main body cover 30 which is the housing of the main body part 3 by the drive of a drive source such as an electric motor (nozzle motor 61 etc. in FIG. 12). Also, the cleaning nozzle 6 is connected to a water source such as a water supply pipe (not shown). Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in a position advanced with respect to the main body cover 30 which is the housing of the main body part 3 (also referred to as the "advanced position"), water from the water source is sprayed onto the user's body to clean the local area.

[0231] FIG. 8 shows a state where the cleaning nozzle 6 is in the extended position. Note that the cleaning nozzle 6 may also be shared for cleaning inside the toilet 7 (such as the bowl portion 8, etc.). The cleaning nozzle 6 may be used so as to be switchable between a local cleaning mode for cleaning the user's local area and a toilet cleaning mode for sprinkling water into the toilet 7. For example, the cleaning nozzle 6 may be used so as to be switchable between the local cleaning mode and the toilet cleaning mode according to the control by the toilet seat device 2.

[0232] The operation device 10 is provided in the toilet room R. The operation device 10 is provided at a position where the user can operate it. The operation device 10 is provided at a position where the user can operate it when the user sits on the toilet seat 5. In FIG. 8, the operation device 10 is arranged on the right side wall surface W as seen from the user sitting on the toilet seat 5. Note that the operation device 10 may be arranged in various manners as long as it can be used by the user sitting on the toilet seat 5, not limited to the wall surface. For example, the operation device 10 may be provided integrally with the toilet seat device 2.

[0233] The operation device 10 is communicably connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network, either wired or wirelessly. For example, as long as the toilet seat device 2 and the operation device 10 can transmit and receive information, any connection may be used, and they may be communicably connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0234] The operating device 10 receives various operations from the user via a display surface (e.g., the display screen 11) by means of, for example, a touch panel function. Further, the operating device 10 may be provided with switches and buttons, and receive various operations by means of the switches, buttons, etc. The display screen 11 is a display screen of a tablet terminal or the like realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various information. That is, the operating device 10 receives the input from the user by means of the display screen 11 and also performs output to the user. At this time, the operating device 10 identifies which user the user is who has been registered in advance. Later, the control unit 130 associates the user information with the information regarding the excrement described later or the information obtained from the information regarding the excrement, and transmits it to the user's terminal. At this time, the date and time information when the information regarding the excrement was acquired may be transmitted to the user's terminal together. The display screen 11 is a display device for displaying various information.

[0235] The operating device 10 receives the user's operation for stopping the control being executed by the toilet seat device 2. The operating device 10 receives the user's operation for starting the execution of local cleaning by the toilet seat device 2. The operating device 10 receives the instruction from the user to the cleaning nozzle 6. The operating device 10 receives the user's operation for causing the toilet seat device 2 to output a predetermined sound. The operating device 10 receives the user's operation for performing a sterilization process for sterilizing the cleaning nozzle 6 (see FIG. 8) of the toilet seat device 2 with bactericidal water. The operating device 10 receives the user's operation for adjusting the momentum of the water discharge during local cleaning by the toilet seat device 2. The operating device 10 receives the user's operation for adjusting the volume of the sound output by the toilet seat device 2. The operating device 10 receives the user's operation for selecting the language when displaying or voice-outputting the information regarding the use of the toilet on the operating device 10.

[0236] For example, the operation device 10 may display an object that receives the above-described user operation on the display screen 11 and execute various processes according to the user's contact with the displayed object. For example, the operation device 10 may have a switch, a button, or the like that receives the above-described user operation, and execute various processes according to the user's contact with the switch, the button, or the like. Note that the above is an example, and the operation device 10 may receive an operation by the user who executes various processes.

[0237] The toilet system 1 estimates nocturia of a user (toilet user) by various configurations and processes described later. The toilet system 1 may provide information to a terminal device such as a user's smartphone based on the estimated information. Further, the toilet system 1 may provide information to the operation device 10 (or the display screen 11) of the toilet room R based on the calculated information.

[0238] <2-2. Configuration of the toilet seat device> Next, the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the second embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows a case where the lid portion 110 of the toilet seat device 2 is closed (also referred to as a "closed state"). FIG. 10 shows a state where the lid portion 110 of the toilet seat device 2 is removed.

[0239] As shown in FIG. 9, in the closed state of the lid portion 110, the shake detection sensor 34 is hidden behind the lid portion 110. In the closed state of the lid portion 110, the lid portion 110 is positioned in front of the shake detection sensor 34. Thus, the lid portion 110 is positioned in front of the shake detection sensor 34 in the closed state.

[0240] Further, FIG. 9 shows a state where the cleaning nozzle 6 (see FIG. 8) is in a position where it is housed inside the main body cover 30 (also referred to as the “housing position”). As shown in FIG. 9, when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in the housing position, the nozzle lid 60 is closed, and the cleaning nozzle 6 is hidden behind the nozzle lid 60. When cleaning is performed by the cleaning nozzle 6, the nozzle lid 60 opens, and the cleaning nozzle 6 protrudes from the opening for the cleaning nozzle 6 of the main body cover 30, and the cleaning nozzle 6 shifts to the extended state.

[0241] As shown in FIG. 10, when the lid portion 110 is removed, the shake detection sensor 34 is exposed from the opening 31 of the main body cover 30. For example, in a state where the lid portion 110 is open (also referred to as the “open state”), as shown in FIG. 10, the lid portion 110 is not positioned in front of the shake detection sensor 34. Thus, in the open state of the lid portion 110, the shake detection sensor 34 is exposed. In the open state of the lid portion 110, the shake detection sensor 34 can detect the shake of the water seal in the toilet bowl 7. Note that the toilet seat device 2 may not have the lid portion 110. In this case, the toilet seat device 2 does not have the lid portion 110 and the actuator 111, and the shake detection sensor 34 may be in a constantly exposed state.

[0242] Here, with reference to FIG. 11, an example of detecting a shake by the shake detection sensor 34 will be described. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 11, it shows that the water seal (water) is filled in the hatched portion in the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7, and the water seal surface WS in FIG. 11 indicates the upper surface of the water seal.

[0243] In the example of FIG. 11, the lid portion 110 is in the open state position, and the shake detection sensor 34 is exposed. The shake detection sensor 34 detects the shake of the water seal surface WS of the water seal in the toilet bowl 7. The detection range DA1 in FIG. 11 indicates the range detected by the shake detection sensor 34. With such a configuration, the toilet system 1 can detect the shake of the water seal by the shake detection sensor 34. Note that the detection range DA1 shown in FIG. 11 is only an example, and as long as at least a part of the shake of the water seal surface WS can be detected, any arrangement of the shake detection sensor 34 can be adopted.

[0244] In FIGS. 9 to 11, the toilet seat device 2 is shown as an example having a configuration in which a shake detection sensor 34 is arranged at a position adjacent to the cleaning nozzle 6. However, the shake detection sensor 34 is not limited to the position adjacent to the cleaning nozzle 6, and may be arranged at various positions as long as desired detection is possible. For example, the shake detection sensor 34 is arranged at a position corresponding to the detection mode of the sensor according to the type of sensor used. FIG. 11 shows an example of the arrangement when the shake detection sensor 34 is a non-contact type sensor. For example, when the shake detection sensor 34 is a contact type sensor, the shake detection sensor 34 may be arranged at a position where it contacts the water seal in the bowl portion 8 of the toilet seat 5. Examples of the sensor used for the shake detection sensor 34 will be described later.

[0245] <2-3. Functional Configuration of Toilet Seat Device> Next, the functional configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the toilet seat device 2 includes a human body detection sensor 32, a seating detection sensor 33, a shake detection sensor 34, a control device 100, a nozzle motor 61, a cleaning nozzle 6, a solenoid valve 71, a lid portion 110, and an actuator 111. In FIG. 12, illustration of a part of the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 (such as the main body portion 3, the toilet seat 5, the toilet bowl 7, etc.) described in FIG. 8 is omitted.

[0246] Also, the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 shown in FIG. 12 is merely an example, and the toilet seat device 2 can adopt any configuration. The human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, the shake detection sensor 34, the control device 100, etc. are arranged at arbitrary locations. For example, the shake detection sensor 34 is provided in the main body portion 3 of the toilet seat device 2. The toilet seat device 2 transmits and receives information to and from an information processing device such as an operation device 10, either wired or wirelessly, via a predetermined network (such as the Internet) by means of a communication device (for example, the communication unit 101 of the control device 100 in FIG. 13).

[0247] The human body detection sensor 32 has a function of detecting the human body. For example, the human body detection sensor 32 is realized by a pyroelectric sensor using an infrared signal or the like. For example, the human body detection sensor 32 may be realized by a μ (micro) wave sensor or the like. Note that the above is an example, and the human body detection sensor 32 is not limited to the above, and the human body may be detected by various means. For example, the human body detection sensor 32 detects a person (such as a user) who enters the toilet room R (see FIG. 8). The human body detection sensor 32 outputs a detection signal to the control device 100.

[0248] The seating detection sensor 33 has a function of detecting the seating of a person on the toilet seat device 2. The seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has seated on the toilet seat 5. The seating detection sensor 33 can detect the seating of the user on the toilet seat 5. The seating detection sensor 33 also functions as a standing-up detection sensor that detects the standing-up of the user from the toilet seat 5. The seating detection sensor 33 detects the seating state of the user on the toilet seat 5.

[0249] For example, the seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has seated on the toilet seat 5 by a load sensor. For example, the seating detection sensor 33 is an infrared transmission / reception type distance measurement sensor, and may detect a human body existing near the toilet seat 5 immediately before a person (user) seats on the toilet seat 5 or the user who has seated on the toilet seat 5. Note that the above is an example, and the seating detection sensor 33 is not limited to the above, and the seating of a person on the toilet seat device 2 may be detected by various means. The seating detection sensor 33 outputs a seating detection signal to the control device 100.

[0250] The shake detection sensor 34 is a sensor that detects shaking. The shake detection sensor 34 detects the shaking of the water seal in the toilet 7. The shake detection sensor 34 can adopt any configuration as long as it can detect the desired shaking. The shake detection sensor 34 may be a non-contact sensor. For example, in FIG. 11, a case where the shake detection sensor 34 is a non-contact sensor is shown. In this case, the shake detection sensor 34 may be a camera, a line sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like. Also, the shake detection sensor 34 may be a contact sensor. In this case, the shake detection sensor 34 may be a float sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like. Note that the above is only an example, and any sensor may be used for the shake detection sensor 34 as long as it can detect the desired shaking.

[0251] Further, when the toilet system 1 detects the presence or absence of defecation, the shake detection sensor 34 may function as defecation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of defecation. For example, when imaging means such as a camera or a line sensor is used for the shake detection sensor 34, the shake detection sensor 34 may function as defecation detection means. Note that the toilet system 1 may have defecation detection means separately from the shake detection sensor 34. In this case, the toilet system 1 may have imaging means for imaging the inside of the bowl portion 8 as defecation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of defecation. For example, the defecation detection means may be a line sensor arranged to face the inside of the bowl portion 8, and may detect falling objects such as excrement falling inside the bowl portion 8. Also, the defecation detection means may be a camera arranged to face the water seal inside the bowl portion 8, and may detect falling objects such as excrement that has landed on the water seal.

[0252] The control device 100 controls various components and processes. The control device 100 is a computer (information processing device) that executes various information processes such as calculating the time when the user urinates (urination time) and the amount of urine excreted by the user (urine volume). The control device 100 calculates the urination time based on the shaking of the sealing surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7 that receives excrement. For example, the control device 100 calculates the urination time based on the time during which the sealing surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7 that receives excrement shakes by a predetermined value or more. The control device 100 calculates the total urine volume based on the calculated urination time and the urine volume per unit time (also referred to as "unit urine volume") stored in the storage unit.

[0253] In addition, the control device 100 controls various components of the toilet system 1. The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111. The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 based on the signal transmitted from the operation device 10.

[0254] The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61 based on the control instruction signal regarding local cleaning transmitted from the operation device 10. The control device 100 controls the nozzle motor 61 to move the cleaning nozzle 6 forward and backward. The control device 100 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 71.

[0255] The control device 100 controls the actuator 111 to open and close the lid portion 110. The control device 100 transmits control information for opening the lid portion 110 to the actuator 111. The control device 100 transmits control information for closing the lid portion 110 to the actuator 111. The control device 100 controls the lid portion 110 to be in the closed state when detection by the shaking detection sensor 34 is not being performed, such as before the user uses the toilet bowl 7.

[0256] The control device 100 transmits control information to the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 by wire. Note that the control device 100 may transmit control information to the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 wirelessly. For example, when the control device 100 is configured as a separate device from the toilet seat device 2, it may transmit the control information of the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 to the toilet seat device 2 wirelessly. In this case, the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111 may be controlled based on the control information received by the control device of the toilet seat device 2.

[0257] The control device 100 controls the opening and closing operation of the lid 110. When the use of the toilet 7 by the user detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33 starts, the control device 100 opens the lid 110, and when the use of the toilet 7 by the user detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33 ends, the control device 100 closes the lid 110. Also, when the seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has seated on the toilet seat 5, the control device 100 opens the lid 110, and when the seating detection sensor 33 detects that the user has left the toilet seat 5, the control device 100 closes the lid 110. For example, when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that the user has entered the toilet room R, the control device 100 opens the lid 110, and when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that the user has left the toilet room R, the control device 100 closes the lid 110.

[0258] Note that the opening and closing of the lid 110 described above are only examples, and the control device 100 may perform the opening and closing control of the lid 110 based on various information. When the human body detection sensor 32 detects that the user is approaching the toilet 7, the control device 100 may open the lid 110. For example, when it is detected that the user is located within a predetermined range (such as 50 cm) from the toilet 7, the control device 100 may open the lid 110. Also, when the human body detection sensor 32 detects that the user is moving away from the toilet 7, the control device 100 closes the lid 110. For example, when it is detected that the user is located outside a predetermined range (such as 50 cm) from the toilet 7, the control device 100 closes the lid 110.

[0259] The control device 100 closes the lid 110 in conjunction with an instruction by the user to operate the cleaning nozzle 6 on the operating device 10. The control device 100 closes the lid 110 in conjunction with the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6. The control device 100 controls the lid 110 starting from the user's operation on the operating device 10 that controls the cleaning nozzle 6. The control device 100 detects the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6 (the advancement of the nozzle into the bowl portion 8) and controls the lid 110.

[0260] The control device 100 controls to open the lid 110 upward when placed on the toilet 7. The control device 100 controls to keep the lid 110 in a closed state during the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6. The control device 100 controls to keep the lid 110 in a closed state during the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6 disposed on the toilet 7.

[0261] Also, the control device 100 may control the shake detection sensor 34. In this case, the shake detection sensor 34 starts or stops detection according to the control by the control device 100. The control device 100 transmits control information for controlling the start and end of detection by the shake detection sensor 34 to the shake detection sensor 34. For example, when the start of use of the toilet 7 by the user is detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33, the control device 100 transmits control information for starting detection to the shake detection sensor 34. For example, when the end of use of the toilet 7 by the user is detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33, the control device 100 transmits control information for ending detection to the shake detection sensor 34.

[0262] In addition, the control device 100 controls the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 as shown in FIG. 8. The control device 100 controls the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 based on the signals transmitted from the operation device 10. The control device 100 controls the toilet lid 4 based on the control instruction signal regarding the opening and closing of the toilet lid transmitted from the operation device 10. The control device 100 controls the toilet seat 5 based on the control instruction signal regarding the opening and closing of the seating part transmitted from the operation device 10. The control device 100 transmits control information to the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 by wire. Note that the control device 100 may transmit control information to the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 wirelessly.

[0263] The control device 100 determines whether or not the entry of the user is detected by the human body detection sensor 32. The control device 100 determines whether or not the entry of the user into the toilet room R is detected by the human body detection sensor 32. The control device 100 determines whether or not the seating of the user is detected by the seating detection sensor 33. The control device 100 determines whether or not the seating of the user on the toilet seat 5 is detected by the seating detection sensor 33.

[0264] The solenoid valve 71 has the function of a valve that controls the flow of fluid by an electromagnetic method. The solenoid valve 71 switches, for example, the supply and stop of tap water from the water supply pipe. The solenoid valve 71 executes opening and closing control in response to an instruction from the control device 100.

[0265] The nozzle motor 61 is a drive source (motor) that drives the cleaning nozzle 6 forward and backward. The nozzle motor 61 executes control to move the cleaning nozzle 6 forward and backward with respect to the main body cover 30 of the main body 3. The nozzle motor 61 executes control to move the cleaning nozzle 6 forward and backward in response to an instruction from the control device 100.

[0266] The lid portion 110 can be positioned in front of the shake detection sensor 34 and functions as a lid. The lid portion 110 is preferably formed of a non-transparent material in order to reduce the possibility of the shake detection sensor 34 being visually recognized and to consider the privacy of the user. For example, the lid portion 110 may be formed in a non-transparent state by coloring. The lid portion 110 may have a non-transparent material (paint) applied to its surface. Note that the lid portion 110 is not limited to a non-transparent configuration and may be transparent. The lid portion 110 can be transitioned between an open state and a closed state by the actuator 111, and can be positioned in front of the shake detection sensor 34 or expose the shake detection sensor 34.

[0267] The actuator 111 is a drive source (motor) that opens and closes the lid portion 110. The actuator 111 executes control to open or close the lid portion 110 according to an instruction from the control device 100. The actuator 111 closes the lid portion 110 during the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6. The actuator 111 closes the lid portion 110 during the operation of the cleaning nozzle 6 disposed in the toilet bowl 7.

[0268] In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, a configuration in which the control device 100 and the like are included in the toilet seat device 2 is shown as an example. However, the control device 100, the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, the shake detection sensor 34, etc. may be configured as separate devices from the toilet seat device 2. For example, the control device 100 may be configured as a separate device from the toilet seat device 2. For example, the control device 100 may be a server device and may be disposed at a position separated from the toilet seat device 2. In this case, the control device 100 communicates with each device such as the toilet seat device 2, the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, and the shake detection sensor 34, and receives information necessary for calculating the urination time and urine volume from each device. Also, in this case, the toilet seat device 2 may have a configuration (control circuit, etc.) for controlling various configurations of the toilet seat device 2 such as the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111. Note that the above is only an example, and the toilet system 1 can adopt any device configuration as long as the desired processing is possible.

[0269] <2-4. Functional Configuration of the Control Device> Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the control device will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device according to the second embodiment.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 13, the control device 100 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. Note that the control device 100 may have an input unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that receives various operations from an administrator or the like of the control device 100, and a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display, etc.) that displays various information.

[0271] The communication unit 101 is realized by, for example, a communication circuit or the like. The communication unit 101 is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 101 is connected to a predetermined network by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as the operation device 10. Note that the communication unit 101 may be configured as a separate device (communication device) from the control device 100 and may be provided in the toilet seat device 2.

[0272] The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the storage unit 120 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data and the like used by various information processing programs and the like.

[0273] The storage unit 120 according to the second embodiment stores various information necessary for processing. The storage unit 120 stores various information acquired from other devices such as various sensors. For example, the storage unit 120 stores information related to a learning model (also simply referred to as a "model") used for processing. For example, the storage unit 120 stores a model used for the calculation process of the urination time. For example, the storage unit 120 stores various information (for example, information related to a threshold value) used in various information processing. Also, for example, the storage unit 120 according to the second embodiment stores the information stored in the above-described data storage means 14.

[0274] The control unit 130 according to the second embodiment is realized, for example, when a program stored inside the control device 100 (for example, programs for various information processes according to the present disclosure, etc.) is executed using a RAM or the like as a work area by a CPU, a GPU, or the like. Further, the control unit 130 is realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA, for example.

[0275] As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 130 includes an acquisition unit 131, a measurement unit 132, a determination unit 133, an estimation unit 134, and an output unit 135, and realizes or executes the functions and operations of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 13, and any other configuration may be used as long as it can perform the information processing described later. For example, the control unit 130 according to the second embodiment executes the processes executed by the information processing units such as the frequent urination estimation means 15, the swelling estimation means 16, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17, the evaluation means 18, and the notification means 19 described above.

[0276] The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information. The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information from the storage unit 120. The acquisition unit 131 receives information from other devices. The acquisition unit 131 receives information (detected information, etc.) detected by various sensors from the various sensors. The acquisition unit 131 receives information (detected information, etc.) detected by each of the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, and the shaking detection sensor 34 from each of the sensors. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives information regarding the shaking detected by the shaking detection sensor 34 from the shaking detection sensor 34.

[0277] For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives various information regarding the toilet user as external data. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives attribute information indicating attributes such as the age and gender of the toilet user. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives gender information indicating the gender of the toilet user as attribute information from the terminal device of the toilet user. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives action information indicating the action of the toilet user. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives position information indicating the position of the toilet user. The acquisition unit 131 acquires information used for processing from the storage unit 120.

[0278] The measurement unit 132 performs various measurements. The measurement unit 132 performs various measurements using the information stored in the storage unit 120. The measurement unit 132 measures the detection time by the sensor. The measurement unit 132 measures the time (detection time) during which detection is performed by the shake detection sensor 34 using the information detected by the shake detection sensor 34.

[0279] The measurement unit 132 measures the shake of the water seal surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7 using the information detected by the shake detection sensor 34. When a person approaches the toilet bowl 7, the measurement unit 132 measures the reference shake of the water seal surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7. The measurement unit 132 measures the shake of the water seal surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7 based on the difference from the reference shake.

[0280] The determination unit 133 performs determination processing. The determination unit 133 performs determination processing using various information stored in the storage unit 120. The determination unit 133 performs determination processing using various information acquired by the acquisition unit 131.

[0281] The determination unit 133 determines the cause of the water seal shake of the toilet bowl 7 based on the detection result by the shake detection sensor 34. The determination unit 133 classifies the water seal shake of the toilet bowl 7 based on the detection result by the shake detection sensor 34. The determination unit 133 determines which object causes the water seal shake of the toilet bowl 7 based on the detection result by the shake detection sensor 34.

[0282] The determination unit 133 determines the fall (water landing) of an object onto the water seal of the toilet bowl 7 based on the detection result of the shake detection sensor 34. The determination unit 133 determines the object that has landed on the water seal of the toilet bowl 7 based on the detection result of the shake detection sensor 34. The determination unit 133 determines the excrement of the user based on the detection result of the shake detection sensor 34.

[0283] For example, the determination unit 133 classifies a plurality of types of shaking, including the first type of shaking caused by feces, the second type of shaking caused by urine, and the third type of shaking caused by both feces and urine. For example, the determination unit 133 classifies whether the shaking detected by the shaking detection sensor 34 is caused by feces, urine, or both feces and urine.

[0284] The determination unit 133 may perform the shaking determination by any method. For example, the determination unit 133 may perform the shaking determination by exceeding a signal level threshold or by AI (artificial intelligence). The determination unit 133 may perform the shaking determination by frequency analysis, image processing, machine learning, Deep Learning, or the like.

[0285] For example, the determination unit 133 determines the shaking using techniques related to AI. For example, the determination unit 133 may determine the shaking using a model (also referred to as a "shaking determination model") generated by machine learning. In this case, the shaking determination model is learned by teacher data indicating classification judgments in advance. This teacher data includes a plurality of combinations of shaking information of the sealed water and labels (correct answer information) indicating the type of shaking corresponding to the shaking information. The type referred to here indicates, for example, an object that caused the shaking, such as feces, urine, or both feces and urine. For example, the teacher data includes a plurality of combinations of shaking information such as the shaking information SW1 to SW3 in FIG. 16 and labels (correct answer information) indicating an object (such as feces, urine, or both feces and urine) that landed (fell) on the sealed water when the shaking corresponding to the shaking information occurred in the sealed water.

[0286] The shake determination model is a model that takes shake information as input and outputs information indicating the type of shake corresponding to the input shake information. For example, the shake determination model is learned to output information on the label (type of shake) corresponding to the input shake information when the shake information is input. The learning of the shake determination model is performed by appropriately using various methods related to so-called supervised learning. In this case, the shake determination model is stored in the storage unit 120, and the determination unit 133 may determine the shake using the shake determination model stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the control device 100 may perform a learning process to generate a shake determination model. Note that the above is only an example, and the determination unit 133 may determine the shake by appropriately using various information.

[0287] Also, the determination unit 133 may determine the presence or absence of defecation (stool) based on the information detected by the stool detection means. The determination unit 133 may use the information detected by the stool detection means such as the shake detection sensor 34 to determine whether the user is excreting stool. The determination unit 133 determines the presence or absence of defecation based on the image captured by the stool detection means. Note that the determination of the presence or absence of defecation above is only an example, and when determining the presence or absence of defecation, the determination unit 133 may appropriately use various information to determine the presence or absence of defecation.

[0288] The estimation unit 134 according to the second embodiment functions as a frequent urination estimation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 estimates the nocturia of the toilet user by the same process as the frequent urination estimation means 15 according to the first embodiment.

[0289] The estimation unit 134 estimates the nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means 14. The estimation unit 134 estimates the nocturia based on the urine volume or urine flow rate per time at night, or the average urine volume or average urine flow rate at night, using the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and other urination information.

[0290] The estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia based on the urination information and the daytime and nighttime urination data specified by other urination information. The estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia based on the urine volume or urine flow rate per daytime urination and the urine volume or urine flow rate per nighttime urination.

[0291] The estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia based on the average urine volume or average urine flow rate during the daytime and the average urine volume or average urine flow rate during the nighttime. The estimation unit 134 uses the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and other urination information, and when there are multiple urinations at night and the relationship between the urine volume or urine flow rate per urination and the interval between urination times satisfies a predetermined condition, it estimates nocturia.

[0292] The estimation unit 134 performs a calculation process. The estimation unit 134 performs a calculation process using various information stored in the storage unit 120. The estimation unit 134 performs a calculation process using various information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. The estimation unit 134 calculates the urination time based on the determination result by the determination unit 133.

[0293] The estimation unit 134 calculates the urination time based on the time during which the water sealing surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7 receiving the excrement shakes by a predetermined value or more. The estimation unit 134 calculates the total urine volume based on the calculated urination time and the urine volume per unit time stored in the storage unit 120.

[0294] The estimation unit 134 classifies the calculated total urine volume into one of a plurality of levels. The estimation unit 134 categorizes the total urine volume into one of the levels of "large", "medium", and "small". For example, when the total urine volume is less than the first threshold value, the estimation unit 134 classifies the total urine volume into the level of "small". For example, when the total urine volume is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the estimation unit 134 classifies the total urine volume into the level of "medium". For example, when the total urine volume is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the estimation unit 134 classifies the total urine volume into the level of "large".

[0295] The estimation unit 134 calculates the time of the shaking corresponding to the second type of shaking or the third type of shaking as the urination time. When a large shaking exceeding a predetermined threshold occurs in the shaking of the water seal surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7, the estimation unit 134 excludes the time of the large shaking and calculates the urination time. When defecation is detected by the defecation detection means capable of detecting the presence or absence of defecation, the estimation unit 134 excludes the time of the shaking assumed to be defecation and calculates the urination time.

[0296] For example, the estimation unit 134 registers information on excreta such as urine volume and urination time obtained by the above-described processing in the storage unit 120 in association with time information (date and time, time zone, period, etc.) regarding the time when the information was obtained. For example, the estimation unit 134 executes processing using the information on excreta obtained and the time information corresponding to the information. Through such processing, the estimation unit 134 estimates information used for estimating nocturia.

[0297] The estimation unit 134 according to the second embodiment may function as swelling estimation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 estimates the swelling of the toilet user by the same processing as the swelling estimation means 16 according to the first embodiment.

[0298] The estimation unit 134 according to the second embodiment may function as prostate hypertrophy estimation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 estimates the prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user by the same processing as the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 according to the first embodiment.

[0299] The estimation unit 134 according to the second embodiment functions as evaluation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 executes processing related to the evaluation of at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user by the same processing as the evaluation means 18 according to the first embodiment.

[0300] Based on at least one estimation result of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy, the estimation unit 134 functions as swelling evaluation means for classifying at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user into a predetermined level.

[0301] The output unit 135 according to the second embodiment functions as a notification means. For example, the output unit 135 executes information providing processing regarding at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user by the same processing as the notification means 19 according to the first embodiment.

[0302] The output unit 135 notifies a predetermined destination of highlight information indicating the health state of the toilet user based on the urination data in a predetermined period including the latest urination data. When the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the urination data, the output unit 135 does not notify the highlight information to the predetermined destination.

[0303] The output unit 135 notifies a predetermined destination of recommendation information for improving the health state of the toilet user based on the urination data in a predetermined period including the latest urination data. When the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the urination data, the output unit 135 does not notify the recommendation information to the predetermined destination. The output unit 135 notifies a predetermined destination of the next recommendation information generated based on predetermined input information regarding the recommendation information received by the toilet user.

[0304] The output unit 135 executes output processing for outputting various information. The output unit 135 functions as a transmission unit that transmits various information. The output unit 135 executes output processing by transmitting information to an external information processing device. The output unit 135 transmits information to an external information processing device. For example, the output unit 135 transmits various information to a manager device such as a personal computer or a smartphone used by the manager. Also, the output unit 135 may execute output processing by transmitting information to the operation device 10 (or the display screen 11).

[0305] The output unit 135 transmits information indicating the urination time calculated by the estimation unit 134. The output unit 135 transmits information indicating the urine volume calculated by the estimation unit 134. The output unit 135 outputs information indicating any one of "large", "medium", and "small" indicating the total urine volume (level) categorized by the estimation unit 134. The output unit 135 transmits information indicating the level of the total urine volume.

[0306] The output unit 135 outputs information regarding the health condition of the user estimated by the estimation unit 134. The output unit 135 outputs information regarding nocturia estimated by the estimation unit 134. The output unit 135 transmits information regarding the health condition of the user such as nocturia estimated by the estimation unit 134.

[0307] The output unit 135 notifies the user of information regarding the health condition of the user (toilet user). The output unit 135 transmits information regarding the health condition of the user to a terminal device such as a smartphone used by the user.

[0308] <2-5. Flow of processing> Hereinafter, the processing flow executed by the toilet system will be described. The toilet system 1 executes the following first process and second process. The toilet system 1 may execute either the first process or the second process. Hereinafter, the toilet system 1 will be described as the processing subject, but the first process and the second process may be executed by any device such as the control device 100 and various sensors such as the shake detection sensor 34 according to the device configuration included in the toilet system 1.

[0309] <2-5-1. First process> First, a processing example shown in FIG. 14 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the processing executed by the toilet system. Specifically, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the first process for calculating the urination time and urine volume.

[0310] In FIG. 14, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement start trigger (step S101). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user, it determines that there is a measurement start trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement start trigger (step S101: No), it repeats the process of step S101.

[0311] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement start trigger (step S101: Yes), it sets "t = 0" (step S102). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user and determines that there is a measurement start trigger, it initializes the value of the urination score t for counting the urination time to 0.

[0312] Then, the toilet system 1 acquires the initial state (step S103). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the initial state as the shaking of the seal water detected by the shaking detection sensor 34 at that time (before the user starts urinating).

[0313] The toilet system 1 performs measurement (step S104). For example, the toilet system 1 measures the shaking of the seal water by the shaking detection sensor 34. Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference from the initial state (step S105). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference between the shaking of the seal water measured in step S104 and the initial state acquired in step S103.

[0314] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is shaking of the seal water (step S106). For example, when the difference calculated in step S105 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the toilet system 1 determines that there is shaking of the seal water due to the fall (water landing) of an object into the seal water. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no shaking of the seal water (step S106: No), it returns to step S104 and repeats the process.

[0315] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is shaking of the seal water (step S106: Yes), it determines whether the shaking of the seal water is due to the shaking of feces (step S107). For example, when the difference calculated in step S105 causes the input model (shaking determination model) to output information indicating feces, the toilet system 1 determines that the seal water is shaken only by feces. That is, when the model outputs information indicating feces, the toilet system 1 determines that the user excreted only feces. When the toilet system 1 determines that the shaking of the seal water is due to the shaking of only feces (step S107: Yes), it makes an end determination in step S112.

[0316] When the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal shake is not the shake of feces (step S107: No), it determines whether the water seal shake is the shake of urine (step S108). For example, when the difference calculated in step S105 is input and the model outputs information indicating urine, the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal is shaken only by urine. That is, when the model outputs information indicating urine, the toilet system 1 determines that the user excreted only urine. When the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal shake is the shake of only urine (step S108: Yes), it sets "t = t + 1" (step S109). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal is shaken by urine, it increases the value of the urination score t by 1. Then, the toilet system 1 makes an end determination in step S112.

[0317] When the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal shake is not the shake of only urine (step S108: No), it determines whether the water seal shake is the shake of feces and urine (step S110). For example, when the difference calculated in step S105 is input and the model outputs information indicating feces and urine, the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal is shaken by both feces and urine. That is, when the model outputs information indicating feces and urine, the toilet system 1 determines that the user excreted both feces and urine. When the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal shake is the shake of feces and urine (step S110: Yes), it sets "t = t + 1" (step S111). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that the water seal is shaken by feces and urine, it increases the value of the urination score t by 1. Then, the toilet system 1 makes an end determination in step S112.

[0318] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement end trigger (step S112). For example, when it is detected that the user has finished using the toilet 7, the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement end trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement end trigger (step S112: No), it returns to step S104 and repeats the process.

[0319] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement end trigger (step S112: Yes), it calculates the total urination time (step S113). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time based on the value of the urination score t obtained by counting the urination time. For example, when the unit of the urination score t corresponds to seconds, the toilet system 1 calculates the number of seconds of the value of the urination score t as the total urination time. In this case, when the urination score t is "5", the toilet system 1 calculates that the total urination time is 5 seconds. The toilet system 1 calculates it as the total urination time using a function (urination time calculation function) that takes the urination score t as input and outputs the total urination time. In this case, when the urination score t is "5", the toilet system 1 may input "5" into the urination time calculation function and regard the value output by the urination time calculation function as the total urination time.

[0320] Then, the toilet system 1 estimates the urine volume (step S114). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume using the total urination time calculated in step S113. The toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume by multiplying the calculated urination time by the urine volume per unit time (unit urine volume) stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the unit urine volume may be set to any value within the range of, for example, 20 to 30 (ml / second). The unit urine volume may be set for each gender. For example, for women, the unit urine volume may be set to any value within the range of, for example, 10 to 50 (ml / second). Also, for men, the unit urine volume may be set to any value within the range of, for example, 10 to 30 (ml / second). Note that the above is only an example, and the unit urine volume is not limited to the above and may be set to any value.

[0321] <2-5-2. Second Process> Next, the processing example shown in FIG. 15 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet system. Specifically, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the second process of calculating the urination time and the urine volume. Note that descriptions of the same points as in FIG. 14 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0322] In FIG. 15, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement start trigger (step S201). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user, it determines that there is a measurement start trigger. If the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement start trigger (step S201: No), it repeats the process of step S201.

[0323] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement start trigger (step S201: Yes), it sets "t = 0" (step S202). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user and determines that there is a measurement start trigger, it initializes the value of the urination score t that counts the urination time to 0.

[0324] Then, the toilet system 1 acquires the initial state (step S203). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the shaking of the sealing water detected by the shaking detection sensor 34 at that time (before the user starts urination) as the initial state.

[0325] The toilet system 1 performs measurement (step S204). For example, the toilet system 1 measures the shaking of the sealing water with the shaking detection sensor 34. Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference from the initial state (step S205). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference between the shaking of the sealing water measured in step S204 and the initial state acquired in step S203.

[0326] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is shaking of the sealing water (step S206). For example, when the difference calculated in step S205 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the toilet system 1 determines that there is shaking of the sealing water due to the fall (water landing) of an object on the sealing water. If the toilet system 1 determines that there is no shaking of the sealing water (step S206: No), it returns to step S204 to repeat the process.

[0327] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is water seal shaking (step S206: Yes), it acquires shaking information (step S207). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that there is water seal shaking, it acquires the differential information as the shaking information.

[0328] Then, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement end trigger (step S208). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects that the use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user has ended, it determines that there is a measurement end trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement end trigger (step S208: No), it returns to step S204 and repeats the process.

[0329] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement end trigger (step S208: Yes), it executes shaking information processing (step S209). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects that the use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user has ended and determines that there is a measurement end trigger, it executes shaking information processing. For example, the toilet system 1 processes the shaking information so as not to include large shaking in urination. In this case, the toilet system 1 excludes the shaking information with a difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value from the shaking information used for calculating the urination time.

[0330] Note that the above-described shaking information processing is only an example, and the toilet system 1 may acquire the shaking information used for calculating the urination time using various information. When there is feces, the toilet system 1 processes the shaking information so as not to include the shaking of the feces in urination. In this case, the toilet system 1 excludes, for example, the shaking information corresponding to the time when the presence of feces is detected by another detection means of the feces detection means from the shaking information used for calculating the urination time.

[0331] Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time (step S210). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time based on the shaking information after the process of step S209. For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the sum of the times corresponding to the shaking information after the process of step S209 as the total urination time. In this case, if the total period during which the shaking information after the process of step S209 is detected is 5 seconds, the toilet system 1 calculates that the total urination time is 5 seconds.

[0332] Then, the toilet system 1 estimates the urine volume (step S211). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume using the total urination time calculated in step S210. The toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume by multiplying the calculated urination time by the urine volume per unit time (unit urine volume) stored in the storage unit 120.

[0333] <2-6. Relationship between the object and the shaking> From here, the relationship between the object and the shaking will be described. Specifically, the relationship between the object falling into the water seal of the toilet bowl 7 of the toilet system 1 and the shaking will be described.

[0334] <2-6-1. Relationship between excrement and shaking> First, an example of the relationship between excrement and shaking (the waveform of the water surface) will be described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between excrement and shaking. In FIG. 16, information on three types of shaking corresponding to each of only feces, only urine, and both feces and urine (feces + urine) is shown.

[0335] The shaking information SW1 to SW3 shown in FIG. 16 indicates the shaking information corresponding to each of the three types. For example, the shaking information SW1 to SW3 shown in FIG. 16 indicates the shaking information corresponding to the difference from the initial state.

[0336] For example, the shaking information SW1 corresponds to the difference from the initial state for the shaking of the first type (excrement only), removes the shaking that occurs other than excrement, and indicates the shaking information of the water seal shaking that occurs only in excrement. As shown in FIG. 16, for the first type (excrement only), the falling speed is slow and the frequency is low. Also, for the first type (excrement only), the falling mass is large, the amplitude is greatly attenuated, and the duration is short.

[0337] For example, the shaking information SW2 corresponds to the difference from the initial state for the shaking of the second type (urine only), removes the shaking that occurs other than urine, and indicates the shaking information of the water seal shaking that occurs only in urine. As shown in FIG. 16, for the second type (urine only), the falling speed is fast and the frequency is high. Also, for the second type (urine only), the falling mass is small, the amplitude is small, and the duration is long.

[0338] For example, the shaking information SW3 corresponds to the difference from the initial state for the shaking of the third type (excrement and urine), removes the shaking that occurs other than excrement and urine, and indicates the shaking information of the water seal shaking that occurs in both excrement and urine. As shown in FIG. 16, for the third type (excrement and urine), the frequency becomes the composite frequency (for example, the composite frequency of the shaking information SW1 and the shaking information SW2), and there is amplitude variation other than simple attenuation.

[0339] <Relationship between objects other than excrement and shaking> Next, an example of the relationship between an object other than excrement and shaking (the waveform of the water surface) will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between an object other than excrement and shaking. Specifically, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between toilet paper (also simply referred to as "paper"), which is an object other than excrement, and shaking.

[0340] The shaking information SW4 shown in FIG. 17 indicates the shaking information of the fourth type of shaking, which is the shaking caused by paper. For example, the shaking information SW4 shown in FIG. 17 indicates the shaking information corresponding to the difference from the initial state. For example, the shaking information SW4 corresponds to the difference from the initial state for the shaking of the fourth type (paper only), removes the shaking that occurs outside the paper, and indicates the shaking information of the shaking of the water seal that occurs only on the paper. As shown in FIG. 17, the fourth type (paper only) has a slow falling speed and a low frequency. Also, the fourth type (paper only) has a small falling mass, a small amplitude, attenuation, and a short duration.

[0341] <2-7. Relationship between the user and the urine discharge direction> Here, several patterns of the relationship between the user and the urine discharge direction will be exemplified with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the user and the urine discharge direction. Specifically, FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing that the water landing position of urine varies depending on the posture during excretion. FIG. 18 shows three urine discharge patterns: the first pattern PT1, the second pattern PT2, and the third pattern PT3, and the arrows in each pattern indicate the main urine discharge directions.

[0342] For example, the first pattern PT1 in FIG. 18 corresponds to the pattern in which a female urinates in a sitting position, and the urine discharge directions mainly include the direction of directly landing on the water seal and the direction towards the inner peripheral surface of the bowl part. Also, the second pattern PT2 in FIG. 18 corresponds to the pattern in which a male urinates in a sitting position, and the urine discharge directions mainly include the direction towards the inner peripheral surface of the bowl part. Also, the third pattern PT3 in FIG. 18 corresponds to the pattern in which a male urinates in a standing position, and the urine discharge directions mainly include the direction towards the inside of the bowl part, but there is a large variation. Thus, when the user urinates, even if the urine discharge direction varies depending on the gender, posture, etc., in the toilet system 1, since the shaking of the water seal is the detection target, the urine discharge time can be appropriately calculated.

[0343] <2-8. Overall overview> From here, the overall outline of the configuration and processing of the toilet system 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the outline of the configuration and processing of the toilet system. Note that descriptions of the same points as those described above will be omitted as appropriate. For example, various types of sensors can be adopted for the shaking detection sensor 34. Also, for the shaking determination (urination determination) executed by the toilet system 1, any method can be adopted.

[0344] As shown in FIG. 19, shaking caused by a ventilation fan, opening and closing of a door, etc. can be a noise factor, but the toilet system 1 can appropriately remove the noise factor by calculating the difference from the initial state. In the toilet system 1, for operation control, as the start trigger, the start of sitting, the operation of the measurement start button, etc. may be used. Also, in the toilet system 1, for operation control, as the end trigger, the operation of the cleaning button, the elapse of a predetermined time in a state without shaking, the detection of paper dropping, the measurement end button, etc. may be used.

[0345] Also, in the toilet system 1, any corresponding action may be taken when there is paper. For example, the toilet system 1 may exclude the measurement target when there is paper. Also, the toilet system 1 may acquire (calculate) the difference after the paper has dropped when there is paper. Also, the toilet system 1 may perform processes such as removing or sinking the paper when there is paper. In this case, the toilet system 1 may control the cleaning nozzle 6 and discharge water onto the paper to remove or sink the paper.

[0346] Also, in the toilet system 1, when detecting the shaking of urine, it does not perform an operation that becomes noise of the water sealing shaking. When the toilet system 1 detects the shaking of urine, it may not execute the cleaning of the toilet bowl 7 or the local cleaning. The toilet system 1 may not perform the measurement during the operation of the local cleaning, or may end the measurement when the local cleaning operation is performed. Also, as described above, the toilet system 1 categorizes and outputs the total urine volume as "large", "medium", or "small".

[0347] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between information related to shaking and urine flow rate (urinary flow rate), that is, the amount of urine discharged per unit time. For example, when the magnitude of the displacement amount in the height direction, which is the height of the shake (wave), is greater than a predetermined value as information related to the shake of the water seal, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "large", and when the magnitude of the displacement amount in the height direction, which is the height of the shake (wave), is less than the predetermined value, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "small". Also, for example, as information related to the shake of the water seal, when the interval between the waves, which are the shakes, is greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "small", and when the interval between the waves, which are the shakes, is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "large". Also, for example, as information related to the shake of the water seal, when the amount of bubbles in the water seal is greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "large", and when the amount of bubbles in the water seal is less than the predetermined value, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "small". Also, for example, as information related to the shake of the water seal, when the uniformity of the shape of the shake is high, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "small", and when the uniformity of the shape of the shake is low, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "large". Also, for example, as information related to the shake of the water seal, when the generation area of the shake is an area equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "small", and when the generation area of the shake is an area greater than the predetermined value, the control unit 130 estimates that the urine flow rate is "large". The control unit 130 controls to display on the external terminal the urine flow rate, which is the obtained information related to the urine, or the total urine volume obtained by integrating a predetermined value estimated as the general urination time for the urine flow rate.

[0348] <3. Third Embodiment> FIG. 21 is a side sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet device according to a third embodiment. In the present embodiment, a camera 36 is used as a shake detection sensor. The camera 36 starts imaging at predetermined intervals using the detection by the seat detection sensor 33 as a trigger. The imaging area of the camera 36 includes the water seal accumulated in the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7, and acquires image data of the water seal at predetermined intervals. More preferably, the imaging area of the camera 36 is set so as to include the front side of the center in the front-rear direction of the water seal in the detection range, which is preferable for detecting various shakes of the water seal. In the present embodiment, when the user sits on the toilet seat, the direction from the buttocks to the toes is defined as the front.

[0349] FIG. 22(A) is an image of the water seal during urination taken by the camera 36. FIG. 22(B) is an image of the water seal (before urination) immediately after the user sits down taken by the camera 36. FIG. 21(C) is data showing the difference (change amount) between the image of FIG. 22(A) and FIG. 22(B) in a white area. Note that the white area in FIG. 22(C) is an area where the change amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and specifically, for example, an area where the change amount of the luminance is 10 or more. As shown in FIG. 23, this difference analysis is executed every time an image is acquired at a predetermined timing. Based on the white area in Fig. 22(C), the control unit 130 estimates the presence or absence of feces, the presence or absence of urine, and information regarding urine. For example, when the area of the continuous white area is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value, the control unit 130 determines that it is the sway (change) of the water seal due to feces and determines that feces have fallen. For example, when the area of the continuous white area is smaller than the first predetermined value, the control unit 130 determines that urine, rather than feces, has been discharged. At this time, when the total area of the white area is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value in a predetermined area including the front of the toilet bowl, the control unit 130 determines that the urine flow rate is large, and when the total area of the white area is smaller than the second predetermined value in a predetermined area including the front of the toilet bowl, the control unit 130 determines that the urine flow rate is small. Then, each time the control unit 130 acquires an image at a predetermined timing, it controls to display the largest value among the urine flow rates obtained by the execution as the representative urine flow rate on the external terminal. Also, at this time, the control unit 130 determines the urination time by integrating the time during which the total area of the white area is greater than or equal to a third predetermined value. Then, the control unit 130 estimates the total urine volume by integrating the determined urine flow rate and urination time. The control unit 130 controls to display the urine flow rate, urination time, and total urine volume, which are the obtained information regarding urine, on the external terminal.

[0350] As shown in Fig. 24, it is not limited to comparing the image of the water seal during urination captured by the camera 36 with the image of the water seal immediately after the user sits down (before urination) captured by the camera 36. It is also possible to compare the image data of the water seal acquired by the sensor with the image data acquired immediately before acquiring the image data, and extract the white area as shown in Fig. 22(C). By doing so, it is possible to grasp the change taking into account the time information of the sway of the water seal in real time and perform a more accurate determination. Note that it may be compared not only with the immediately previous image but also, for example, with the image two before.

[0351] Figs. 25 to 27 are diagrams showing the relationship between the pattern of the sway of the water seal stored in the control unit 130 and the urine flow rate. For example, as shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the control unit 130 stores in advance the relationship between the pattern of the shaking of the water seal and the urine flow rate for each state of the water seal (presence or absence of feces, presence or absence of paper, size and shape if there is feces or paper in the water seal, position within the water seal, whether the feces or paper got wet in the water seal at the moment of wetting, or whether they already existed, etc.) and the state of urination (wetting position, etc.). Then, it selects the water seal and the pattern of the shaking of the water seal that are most similar to the image data of the water seal captured at a predetermined timing, and may determine information about urine (presence or absence of urination, urine volume, etc.) therefrom. The control unit 130 extracts characteristic values related to the shaking of the water seal, such as the shape of the shaking of the water seal and the presence or absence of bubbles, as the pattern of the shaking of the water seal, and determines information about urine based on the characteristic values. Note that the relationship between the pre-stored pattern of the water seal and the urine flow rate and the characteristic values related to the shaking of the water seal may be derived by machine learning such as AI. If the pattern of the shaking of the water seal is used to derive information about urine, the information about urine may be directly derived from the image data obtained by the camera without extracting the characteristic amount of the shaking.

[0352] In the toilet system 1, the sensor for detecting urine and the sensor for detecting feces have been described as the same sensor. However, for example, the sensor for detecting feces may be provided separately from the sensor for detecting urine. The sensor for detecting feces may be an optical sensor such as a line sensor, or a sensor that indirectly detects feces by detecting the gas during defecation with a gas sensor. At this time, when feces are detected, urine measurement or determination may not be performed. Specifically, for example, the control unit 130 is controlled not to use the information related to the shaking of the water seal obtained during the period when feces are detected for urine determination. This can improve the accuracy of urine determination. Alternatively, at this time, the control unit 130 may correct the information related to the shaking of the water seal obtained during the period when feces are detected and control it to be used for urine determination. This can improve the accuracy of urine determination.

[0353] In the toilet system 1, the detection of the seating detection sensor 33 is used as a trigger for starting the imaging of the camera 36. For example, an illuminance sensor may be provided in the toilet seat device 2, and when the illuminance in the bowl portion 8 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value, or when the time during which the illuminance in the bowl portion 8 remains equal to or lower than the predetermined value continues for a predetermined time, it may be assumed that there is seating, and this may be used as a trigger for starting the imaging of the camera 36.

[0354] In the toilet system 1, the detection of the seating detection sensor 33 is used as a trigger for starting the imaging of the camera 36. However, for example, even without the detection of the seating detection sensor 33, a signal for detecting that the user is in front of the toilet 7, such as a signal indicating the presence or absence of the user by a human body detection sensor, a signal indicating the opening or closing of the door by a door sensor provided on the door of the toilet room where the toilet 7 is installed, or a signal for detecting that the toilet lid of the toilet 7 has been opened, may be used as a trigger for starting the imaging of the camera 36. By this, it becomes possible to image standing urination. At this time, the imaging of the camera 36 may be performed as a standing urination imaging mode different from the imaging start by the detection of the seating detection sensor 33. The control unit 130, in the standing urination detection mode, for example, unlike the normal imaging mode, determines that it is urine instead of feces even when the information regarding the shaking of urine is large (such as a large displacement amount in the height direction of the shaking or a narrow interval between the waves of the shaking). That is, for example, the control unit 130 determines that it is urine even when information on the shaking of the sealing water, which is determined to be feces in the normal imaging mode, is obtained.

[0355] In the toilet system 1, the imaging is terminated triggered by the end of the detection of seating by the seating detection sensor 33. However, it is not limited thereto, and the imaging may be terminated when the cleaning operation of the cleaning nozzle installed in the toilet seat device 2 or the cleaning operation of the bowl portion 8 is executed.

[0356] In the control unit 130 of the toilet system 1, the presence or absence of urination, the urine flow rate, urination time, and total urine volume at that time were estimated and presented. However, for example, the frequency of urination may be notified. Further, based on at least one piece of information among the urine flow rate, urination time, and total urine volume and information regarding the frequency of urination, the control unit 130 may control to execute an alarm notification to a display unit such as the user's terminal or the administrator's PC terminal. For example, when the control unit 130 obtains at least one piece of information such as a low urine flow rate, a short urination time, or a small total urine volume, and information such as a low frequency of urination or a short interval between urinations, it may control to execute an alarm notification to a display unit such as the user's terminal or the administrator's PC terminal. At this time, on the display unit, the user (excretor) can input excretion information such as "incontinence information" or "information on urination at another toilet" from the outside, and the control unit 130 may correct the alarm notification conditions for whether to issue an alarm notification based on this excretion information.

[0357] As described above, the toilet system 1 estimates information on excretions such as information on urine using an arbitrary sensor. From this, several specific examples of the above-described processes and concepts will be described below. Note that for processes described with the toilet system 1 as the processing subject and processes where the processing subject is not explicitly stated, any device included in the toilet system 1 may perform the process as long as it is processable by the control device 100, various sensors, etc., according to the device configuration included in the toilet system 1.

[0358] As shown in FIG. 28, the toilet system 1 detects waves generated on the water surface of the sealed water and estimates (acquires) information on urine such as the urine volume based on the detection result. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the behavior of waves. For example, FIG. 28 shows an example of the change in the distance between the sensor and the water surface (liquid surface) of the sealed water at the viewing point A (horizontal view) shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the detection mode of the behavior of waves.

[0359] Note that the sensor mentioned here can be any of the sensors such as the shake detection sensor 34 and the camera 36 described above, and its installation position can also be arbitrarily arranged as long as the desired detection is possible. For example, in Fig. 29, a case where the shake detection sensor 34 is provided as the sensor as in Fig. 11 is illustrated as an example, but the sensor is not limited to the shake detection sensor 34 and can be any sensor such as the camera 36, and is arranged at a position where the desired detection is possible. The vertical axis in Fig. 28 corresponds to the distance between the sensor and the water surface of the sealed water (also referred to as the "liquid surface"), and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. In Fig. 28, for example, the change in the distance between the sensor and the water surface of the sealed water is shown with the position of the water surface of the sealed water in a predetermined state (for example, a state without shaking) as the reference "0".

[0360] The toilet system 1 may calculate (acquire) a representative value (representative value of the sensor-liquid surface distance) indicating the distance between the sensor and the water surface of the sealed water (also referred to as the "liquid surface") based on the detection by the sensor. In the example shown in Fig. 28, for example, the representative value may be any of the minimum value, average value, median value (frequently occurring value), and maximum value within a predetermined time. The toilet system 1 detects the distance (in the direction of gravity) from the sensor to the wave, and estimates information about urine such as urine volume from the displacement thereof.

[0361] For example, the toilet system 1 estimates (calculates) the urine volume from the representative value of the sensor-liquid surface distance using a conversion formula based on the relationship shown in Fig. 30. Fig. 30 is a diagram showing an example of conversion to urine volume. For example, Fig. 30 is a graph corresponding to the conversion formula of the acquired information and urine volume. Note that the relationship shown in Fig. 30 is only an example, and the toilet system 1 may estimate information about urine such as urine volume using any information.

[0362] The toilet system 1 may detect the boundary position between the wave and the bowl part 8 (also referred to as "pottery"), and estimate (acquire) information regarding urine such as urine volume from the displacement thereof. For example, the toilet system 1 may estimate information regarding urine such as urine volume based on the information of the boundary position between the wave and the bowl part 8 (pottery) as shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the boundary position between the wave and the bowl part. For example, the schematic diagram of the upper toilet in FIG. 31 shows the boundary position between the wave generated on the water surface of the water seal and the pottery. The thick line in the schematic diagram in FIG. 31 indicates the boundary position of the wave generated on the water surface of the water seal. Thus, the schematic diagram in FIG. 31 shows the positional relationship between the toilet and the water seal (the shaking part).

[0363] Also, for example, the lower graph in FIG. 31 shows information corresponding to the conversion formula between the acquired information and the urine volume. For example, the toilet system 1 estimates (calculates) the urine volume from the boundary position between the wave and the pottery using a conversion formula based on the relationship shown in the lower graph of FIG. 31.

[0364] Also, the toilet system 1 may acquire the initial state in any manner. For example, the toilet system 1 may acquire the initial state at the timing as shown in FIG. 32. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the initial state acquisition timing. The waveforms in FIG. 32 correspond to each process of body detection, selection of the seating or measurement start button, pre-washing·pre-mist (for example, mist (water) is sprayed on the surface of the bowl part 8), toilet bowl cleaning, sensor measurement (urine measurement), and sensor measurement (reference state acquisition) from top to bottom. For example, in FIG. 32, the horizontal direction of the waveform corresponds to the passage of time, and the rising part (period) of the waveform corresponds to the period during which the process corresponding to the waveform is executed. As shown in FIG. 32, the initial state serving as the reference state is acquired during the period before the start of sensor measurement (urine measurement).

[0365] For example, the toilet system 1 may determine the initial state during the period from body detection to the start of measurement. For example, the initial state may be any one of the minimum value, average value, median value, and maximum value of the shaking of the water seal during the corresponding period.

[0366] In this way, the initial state is acquired during a period (also referred to as the "target period") that includes at least a part of the period during which the waveform rises in FIG. 32 (also referred to as the "acquisition candidate period"). The period hatched in FIG. 32 (also referred to as the "influence period") corresponds to a period during which pre-washing, pre-mist, etc. are executed and the water surface can be shaken. Therefore, the toilet system 1 may acquire the initial state with the period obtained by excluding the influence period from the acquisition candidate period as the target period. That is, the toilet system 1 may acquire the initial state excluding the influence period.

[0367] Also, as described above, the shaking determination model is learned to take shaking information as an input and output any information such as the type of shaking corresponding to the input shaking information. For example, the shaking determination model is learned to output information on the label corresponding to the input shaking information and information on the amount of excrement corresponding to the input shaking information when the shaking information is input. For example, the shaking determination model is learned to output information on the label corresponding to the input shaking information and information on the amount of urine corresponding to the input shaking information when the shaking information is input.

[0368] For example, the shaking determination model is learned to output information indicating the level of the amount of urine corresponding to the input shaking information when the shaking information is input. For example, the shaking determination model is learned to output information indicating the level of the amount of urine corresponding to the input shaking information and showing it in four levels: small, medium, large, and none when the shaking information is input. Note that the information on the amount of urine output by the shaking determination model is not limited to four levels, and may be three levels or less, five levels or more, or a specific numerical value indicating the amount of urine.

[0369] For example, the toilet system 1 acquires information as shown in FIG. 33. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the distance between the sensor and the water surface. The vertical axis in FIG. 33 corresponds to the distance between the sensor and the water surface of the sealed water, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. For example, the toilet system 1 may detect the distance from an image captured by a sensor such as a camera. In this case, the toilet system 1 may determine (estimate) a location (position) with a high luminance as a location (position) with a short distance. As described above, the sensor is not limited to an image sensor that captures an image, and any sensor may be used as long as information indicating the distance between the sensor and the water surface can be acquired. For example, a distance measuring sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor may be used.

[0370] For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the information shown in FIG. 34 from the information shown in FIG. 33. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of shake determination and urine volume. For example, the toilet system 1 acquires information as shown in FIG. 34 using a shake determination model that outputs information on the label and urine volume. FIG. 34 shows that it is determined that there is no excrement from 0 to 2 seconds and from 13 to 15 seconds, and it is determined that an excretion act such as urination has been performed between 2 and 13 seconds. That is, in FIG. 34, the toilet system 1 estimates the urination time to be 11 seconds. Note that the toilet system 1 is not limited to using the shake determination model as long as it can acquire the information shown in FIG. 34, and may acquire the information shown in FIG. 34 using any information.

[0371] For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the information shown in FIG. 35 from the information shown in FIG. 34. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of calculating the total urine volume. The vertical axis in FIG. 35 corresponds to the urine volume per unit time (urine flow rate), and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. For example, the toilet system 1 plots points indicating the urine volume per unit time for a period excluding the period (7 to 9 seconds) in which feces are included in the determination among the information shown in FIG. 34. Note that the process shown in FIG. 35 is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 may also plot points based on the determination result for the 7 to 9 seconds.

[0372] Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the area of the region surrounded by the line connecting those points and the horizontal axis, and calculates the total urine volume from the area. In FIG. 35, the toilet system 1 calculates the area of the region indicated by hatching, and calculates the total urine volume by converting the area into urine volume. In this way, the toilet system 1 may accumulate the states determined from the shaking and calculate the total urine volume.

[0373] The toilet system 1 may have a relationship between shaking and urine flow rate in advance. For example, the toilet system 1 may store information as shown in FIG. 36, for example, in the storage unit 120. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between shaking and urine volume. For example, FIG. 36 is information showing the correspondence between each level of urine volume and a numerical value indicating a specific amount. In this case, the toilet system 1 may calculate the total urine volume, for example, as 220 mL, by converting and accumulating the level at each time into a numerical value indicating a specific amount based on the information shown in FIG. 36.

[0374] Also, for example, the toilet system 1 may store information as shown in FIG. 37, for example, in the storage unit 120. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between shaking and urine volume. For example, FIG. 37 is information showing the correspondence between each level of urine volume and a numerical value corresponding to the area. In this case, the toilet system 1 calculates the area by converting and accumulating the level at each time into a numerical value corresponding to the area based on the information shown in FIG. 37. For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the area as 22.

[0375] Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urine volume from the calculated area. For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urine volume using the calculated area and a conversion formula based on the relationship as shown in FIG. 38. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the area and the total urine volume. For example, FIG. 38 shows an example of a calibration curve for calculating the total urine volume from the area. For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urine volume as 220 mL from the calculated area "22".

[0376] Note that the toilet system 1 may provide (display) information using any of the acquired information. For example, the toilet system 1 may perform a step display such as large, medium, or small instead of a numerical display.

[0377] In addition, the toilet system 1 may calculate the total excrement amount using the information on the water level difference as shown in FIG. 39. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of the calculation of the total excrement amount. Note that the description of the same points as those described above will be omitted as appropriate. For example, the total excrement amount referred to here is the amount of excrement including urine and feces.

[0378] For example, the toilet system 1 detects the stationary states before and after the shaking caused by urine. In FIG. 39, the toilet system 1 detects the stationary states before and after the shaking caused by urine as 0 to 2 seconds and 13 to 15 seconds.

[0379] Then, the toilet system 1 detects the total excrement amount from the water level difference before and after. In FIG. 39, the toilet system 1 uses, for example, the difference between the water level at 2 seconds and the water level at 13 seconds as the water level difference before and after, and detects the total excrement amount from the water level difference before and after. In this case, the toilet system 1 may calculate the total excrement amount using a conversion formula based on the relationship between the water level difference and the value indicating the amount such as the total excrement amount. For example, the toilet system 1 converts the water level difference to calculate a value indicating the amount, and calculates the calculated value indicating the amount as the total excrement amount.

[0380] In addition, when calculating the total urine amount, the toilet system 1 may subtract the information on the time when the shaking caused by feces occurs to calculate the total urine amount. In FIG. 39, the toilet system 1 may subtract the information corresponding to 7 to 9 seconds when the shaking caused by feces occurs to calculate the total urine amount. For example, the toilet system 1 may perform any of the following: subtracting the same amount uniformly for the time when the shaking caused by feces occurs, determining the feces amount from the shaking and subtracting it, or not calculating the total urine amount assuming the presence of feces. In this way, the toilet system 1 may subtract the information on the time when the shaking caused by feces occurs to calculate the total urine amount.

[0381] Note that the above is only an example. For example, the toilet system 1 may use the information of a two-dimensional image. The toilet system 1 determines the presence and amount of excrement using the information on the sway of the water seal in the two-dimensional image of the toilet bowl 7 viewed from above in plan view. The toilet system 1 determines the presence and amount of excrement using the information on the sway of the water seal in the two-dimensional image obtained by imaging the bowl portion 8 from above. For example, the toilet system 1 determines the presence and amount of excrement based on the pattern (ripples) of the water seal surface in the two-dimensional image obtained by imaging the bowl portion 8 from above.

[0382] For example, when a two-dimensional image is input as the sway information, the toilet system 1 uses a sway determination model that outputs information on the label corresponding to the input sway information and the amount of urine, and obtains information as shown in FIG. 40. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example when a two-dimensional image is used.

[0383] In FIG. 40, the sway determination model is trained to output information indicating three levels of small, medium, and large, corresponding to the level of the amount of urine corresponding to the input sway information when the sway information is input. Note that the information on the amount of urine output by the sway determination model is not limited to three levels, and may be two levels or four or more levels as described above, or may be a specific numerical value indicating the amount of urine.

[0384] FIG. 40 shows that between 0 and 9 seconds, it is determined that there is no excrement from 0 to 1 second and from 8 to 9 seconds, and it is determined that an excretion act such as urination has occurred during the other periods. That is, in FIG. 40, the toilet system 1 estimates the urination time to be 7 seconds. Note that the toilet system 1 may obtain the information as shown in FIG. 40 using any information, not limited to the case of using the sway determination model, as long as it can obtain the information as shown in FIG. 40.

[0385] For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the information shown in FIG. 41 from the information as shown in FIG. 40. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of the calculation of the total urine volume. The vertical axis of FIG. 41 corresponds to the urine volume per unit time (urine flow rate), and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. For example, the toilet system 1 plots points indicating the urine volume per unit time during the period as shown in FIG. 40.

[0386] Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the area of the region surrounded by the line connecting those points and the horizontal axis. For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the area as 8. Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urine volume from the calculated area.

[0387] The toilet system 1 may have a relationship between the area and the urine flow rate in advance. For example, the toilet system 1 may store information as shown in FIG. 42, for example, in the storage unit 120. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the area and the total urine volume. FIG. 42 is information showing the correspondence relationship between the area and the level indicating the total urine volume. For example, FIG. 42 shows an example of conversion from the area to the total urine volume. In FIG. 42, the case where the level of the total urine volume is shown in four levels of 0, small, medium, and large is described as an example, but the information on the total urine volume is not limited to the four levels, and may be three levels or less or five levels or more, or may be a specific numerical value indicating the total urine volume. In FIG. 42, for example, when the area is "3", it corresponds to both the area "less than 5" and the area "less than 20". In this case, the toilet system 1 determines that it corresponds to the area "less than 5" with the smaller area, and calculates the total urine volume corresponding to the area "3" as "small". In FIG. 42, the area "less than 5" may be the area "1 or more and less than 5", and the area "less than 20" may be the area "5 or more and less than 20".

[0388] For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urine volume based on the area and the relationship as shown in FIG. 42. In FIG. 42, the toilet system 1 refers to the information showing the correspondence relationship, and calculates the total urine volume "medium" corresponding to the area "less than 20" (that is, 5 or more and less than 20) to which the calculated area "8" corresponds, as the total urine volume corresponding to the calculated area "8".

[0389] As described above, the detection range DA1 is not limited to the range shown in FIG. 11 and may be any range. For example, the detection range DA1 may include the surface of the bowl portion 8 (ceramic surface). For example, the detection range DA1 may include the surface of the bowl portion 8 outside the water sealing surface WS in a state where the water sealing surface WS is not shaking (stationary state). Then, the toilet system 1 acquires information indicating the region where shaking occurs corresponding to the region with water sealing, including the surface of the bowl portion 8 (ceramic surface) in the detection range DA1, and calculates information related to urine such as urine volume using the acquired information.

[0390] For example, the detection range DA1 may be a range as shown in FIG. 43. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of the detection range. For example, the schematic diagram of the upper toilet in FIG. 43 is a side sectional view showing the outline of the configuration of the toilet seat device for showing the detection range. Thus, in FIG. 43, in order to illustrate an example of the detection range DA1, other configurations are shown in a simplified manner.

[0391] As shown in FIG. 43, the detection range DA1 may include the surface of the bowl portion 8. For example, the detection range DA1 may be a range capable of detecting changes in the boundary between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) due to shaking on the water sealing surface WS. In FIG. 43, a case where the detection range DA1 includes both ends (front and rear) of the boundary between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) is shown, but the detection range DA1 can be set to any range as long as the information necessary for processing can be acquired. For example, if the information of at least one end of the boundary between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) is available for processing, the detection range DA1 may be any range including at least one end side of the boundary between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics).

[0392] Also, for example, the lower graph in FIG. 43 shows the relationship between the detection range DA1 and the water sealing surface WS. In the lower graph of FIG. 43, the position X t1 corresponds to one end (front end) of the detection range DA1, and the position X t2 corresponds to the other end (rear end) of the detection range DA1.

[0393] In the lower graph of FIG. 43, the position X WS1corresponds to one end (front end) of the water-sealing surface WS. That is, position X WS1 corresponds to the boundary on one end side (front end side) between the water-sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics).

[0394] Also, in the lower graph of Fig. 43, position X WS2 corresponds to the other end (rear end) of the water-sealing surface WS. That is, position X WS2 corresponds to the boundary on the other end side (rear end side) between the water-sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics).

[0395] The straight-line part in the lower graph of Fig. 43 corresponds to the bowl portion 8 (ceramics). That is, in the lower graph of Fig. 43, position X t1 and position X WS1 correspond to one side (front side) of the bowl portion 8 (ceramics). In the lower graph of Fig. 43, position X t2 and position X WS2 correspond to the other side (rear side) of the bowl portion 8 (ceramics).

[0396] The wavy-line part in the lower graph of Fig. 43 corresponds to the water-sealing surface WS. That is, in the lower graph of Fig. 43, the interval between position X WS1 and position X WS2 corresponds to the water-sealing surface WS. Note that Fig. 43 shows a state where urination is not in progress, for example, the state after urination, and shows a state where the sway of the water-sealing surface WS is small.

[0397] When the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) is included in the detection range DA1, the information obtained after urination is as shown in Fig. 44. Fig. 44 is a diagram showing an example of the sway after urination. Note that descriptions of the same points as those explained in Fig. 43 and the like are omitted as appropriate.

[0398] The upper graph in Fig. 44 (also referred to as the "first graph") shows an example of the information obtained in the reference (default) state corresponding to the reference state (initial state, etc.). In Fig. 44, position X WS1 corresponds to the boundary on one end side (front end side) between the water-sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) in the reference (default) state. Also, in Fig. 44, position X WS2corresponds to the boundary on the rear end side (rear end side) between the water sealing surface WS in the reference (default) state and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics).

[0399] The central graph in Fig. 44 (also referred to as the "second graph") shows an example of information obtained when the urine output is small. The difference δWs in the central graph (second graph) in Fig. 44 is the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) on one end side (front end side) between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) in the second graph and the position X in the first graph WS1 and the difference between the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) on the rear end side (rear end side) between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) in the second graph and the position X WS2 in the first graph. In the central graph (second graph) in Fig. 44, since the urine output is small and the fluctuation of the water sealing surface WS is small, the value of the difference δWs becomes small. Note that the example shown in Fig. 44 is a conceptual diagram for showing that the boundary changes due to the fluctuation of the water sealing surface, and the values of the difference δWs on both sides (left and right) in each graph may be different.

[0400] The lower graph in Fig. 44 (also referred to as the "third graph") shows an example of information obtained when the urine output is large. The difference δWs in the lower graph (third graph) in Fig. 44 is the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) on one end side (front end side) between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) in the third graph and the position X WS1 and the difference between the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) on the rear end side (rear end side) between the water sealing surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) in the third graph and the position X WS2 in the first graph. In the lower graph (third graph) in Fig. 44, since the urine output is large and the fluctuation of the water sealing surface WS is large, the value of the difference δWs becomes large.

[0401] The detection range DA1 shown in FIG. 45 is the same as the detection range DA1 shown in FIG. 43. The lower graph in FIG. 45 shows the state during urination, indicating a state where the fluctuation of the water seal surface WS is large. When the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) is included in the detection range DA1, the information obtained during urination becomes the information as shown in FIG. 46. FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of the fluctuation during urination. Note that descriptions of the same points as those described in FIGS. 43 and 44 etc. will be omitted as appropriate.

[0402] The upper graph (first graph) in FIG. 46 shows an example of the information obtained in the reference (default) state corresponding to the reference state (initial state etc.). The middle graph (also referred to as the second graph) in FIG. 46 shows an example of the information obtained when the urine volume is small. The difference δWs of the middle graph (second graph) in FIG. 46 is the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) between the water seal surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) on one end side (front end side) in the second graph and the position X WS1 in the first graph, and the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) between the water seal surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) on the rear end side (rear end side) in the second graph and the position X WS2 in the first graph. In the middle graph (second graph) in FIG. 46, since the urine volume is small and the fluctuation of the water seal surface WS is small, the value of the difference δWs becomes small.

[0403] The lower graph (third graph) in FIG. 46 shows an example of the information obtained when the urine volume is large. The difference δWs of the lower graph (third graph) in FIG. 46 is the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) between the water seal surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) on one end side (front end side) in the third graph and the position X WS1 in the first graph, and the boundary (position indicated by the dashed line) between the water seal surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) on the rear end side (rear end side) in the third graph and the position X WS2 in the first graph. In the lower graph (third graph) in FIG. 46, since the urine volume is large and the fluctuation of the water seal surface WS is large, the value of the difference δWs becomes large. Thus, in the information obtained in the state during urination, the waves are large and the momentum is strong.

[0404] Also, for example, the detection range DA1 may be a range as shown in FIG. 47. FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an example of a detection mode. Note that descriptions of the same points as those described in FIGS. 43 to 46 and the like will be omitted as appropriate.

[0405] In FIG. 47, the detection range DA1 is a range from the position (viewpoint) of viewing the toilet bowl 7 from above in plan view, and includes the water seal surface WS and the surface of the bowl portion 8. Note that also in this case, as described above, if there is information on at least one end of the boundary between the water seal surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics), and it is possible to perform processing, the detection range DA1 may be any range including at least one end side of the boundary between the water seal surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics). In this case, the toilet system 1 estimates information regarding excrement such as the amount of urine using a two-dimensional image obtained by imaging the detection range DA1 shown in FIG. 47. For example, the toilet system 1 estimates information regarding excrement such as the amount of urine based on the change in the area occupied by the water seal surface WS in the two-dimensional image.

[0406] When the detection range DA1 is as shown in FIG. 47, the information obtained after urination is, for example, information as shown in FIG. 48. FIG. 48 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between detection and the amount of urine.

[0407] The upper image (also referred to as the "first image") in FIG. 48 shows an example of information obtained in a reference (default) state corresponding to a reference state (initial state, etc.). The hatched elliptical portion in the image of FIG. 48 corresponds to the water seal surface WS, and the other portions (peripheral portions) correspond to the surface of the bowl portion 8 and the like.

[0408] The left dotted line in FIG. 48 corresponds to one end (front end) of the water seal surface WS in the reference (default) state. That is, the left dotted line in FIG. 48 corresponds to the boundary on one end side (front end side) between the water seal surface WS and the bowl portion 8 (ceramics) in the reference (default) state.

[0409] Also, the right dotted line in FIG. 48 corresponds to the other end (rear end) of the water-sealing surface WS in the reference (default) state. That is, the right dotted line in FIG. 48 corresponds to the boundary on the rear end side between the water-sealing surface WS and the bowl part 8 (ceramics) in the reference (default) state.

[0410] The central image (also referred to as the "second image") in FIG. 48 shows an example of information obtained when the urine volume is small. In the central image (second image) in FIG. 48, since the urine volume is small and the fluctuation of the water-sealing surface WS is small, the increase amount of the water-sealing surface WS from the reference (default) state (the increase amount in the left-right direction in FIG. 48) becomes small.

[0411] The lower image (also referred to as the "third image") in FIG. 48 shows an example of information obtained when the urine volume is large. In the lower image (third image) in FIG. 48, since the urine volume is large and the fluctuation of the water-sealing surface WS is large, the increase amount of the water-sealing surface WS from the reference (default) state (the increase amount in the left-right direction in FIG. 48) becomes large.

[0412] The toilet system 1 executes the above-described processing. For example, the toilet system 1 detects the boundary line between the water-sealing surface WS, which is the water surface of the water seal, and the surface of the bowl part 8 based on the change state of the output of the sensor, and acquires information regarding urine. The toilet system 1 sets the range in which the state change exceeds a predetermined value as the water-sealing surface WS, and acquires information regarding urine based on the change of the range.

[0413] The toilet system 1 acquires information about urine based on the information of the shaking of the water seal and the information of the water level change of the water seal. For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the shaking information of the water seal based on the displacement amount of the boundary position between the edge of the upper surface of the water seal (such as the water seal surface WS) in the bowl portion 8 and the upper surface of the bowl portion 8. The toilet system 1 detects the shaking information of the water seal based on the displacement amount of the vertical distance between the wave generated in the water seal and the sensor. The toilet system 1 acquires the shaking information of the water seal except for the fluctuation of the water seal due to the pre-washing treatment of the surface of the bowl portion 8. The toilet system 1 acquires the shaking information of the water seal based on the state of the water seal before the user uses the toilet. For example, the state of the water seal is a predetermined water level, the boundary position between the edge of the upper surface of the water seal (such as the water seal surface WS) in the bowl portion 8 and the surface of the bowl portion 8, etc.

[0414] The control unit 130 of the toilet system 1 controls the amount of washing water supplied to the bowl portion 8 based on the information of the shaking of the water seal. The control unit 130 estimates the information of the excrement including the information about the urine discharged by the user based on the information of the shaking of the water seal obtained by the sensor, and executes the control to present the information of the excrement or the information obtained from the information of the excrement to the user. The sensor has a predetermined detection range in the bowl portion 8 including at least the water seal. The control unit 130 estimates the information of the excrement based on the output of the sensor corresponding to the bowl portion 8.

[0415] <4. Fourth Embodiment> Next, a configuration example using a sound detection sensor (also referred to as a "sound sensor") will be described below as the fourth embodiment. Note that since the external configuration of the toilet system 1 according to the fourth embodiment using the sound sensor is the same as that of the toilet system 1 according to the second embodiment when the lid portion 110 is in the closed state, the illustration and detailed description are omitted.

[0416] <4-1. Configuration of the Toilet Seat Device> Next, the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 49. FIG. 49 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the fourth embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 49 shows a state in which the lid portion 110 of the toilet seat device 2 is removed. In the toilet seat device 2 according to the fourth embodiment, descriptions of the same points as those in the toilet seat device 2 according to the second embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0417] In the closed state of the lid portion 110, the sound detection sensor 34A is hidden behind the lid portion 110 (see FIG. 9). In the closed state of the lid portion 110, the lid portion 110 is positioned in front of the sound detection sensor 34A. Thus, the lid portion 110 is positioned in front of the sound detection sensor 34A in the closed state.

[0418] As shown in FIG. 49, when the lid portion 110 is removed, the sound detection sensor 34A is exposed from the opening 31 of the main body cover 30. For example, in the state where the lid portion 110 is open (open state), as shown in FIG. 49, the lid portion 110 is not positioned in front of the sound detection sensor 34A. Thereby, in the open state of the lid portion 110, the sound detection sensor 34A is exposed. In the open state of the lid portion 110, the sound detection sensor 34A can detect the sound in the toilet bowl 7. Note that the toilet seat device 2 may not have the lid portion 110. In this case, the toilet seat device 2 does not have the lid portion 110 and the actuator 111, and the sound detection sensor 34A may be in a state of being always exposed.

[0419] As shown in FIG. 49, the sound detection sensor 34A is arranged with the detection portion for detecting sound facing the opening 31 of the main body cover 30. For example, the sound detection sensor 34A is arranged above the bowl portion 8 or inside the bowl portion 8. Further, a sound insulation wall 341 is provided in the main body cover 30 at a position surrounding the sound detection sensor 34A. Thereby, the toilet system 1 can suppress the sound detection sensor 34A from detecting the sound generated in the main body cover 30, and the sound detection sensor 34A can accurately detect the sound in the toilet bowl 7.

[0420] Here, an example of sound detection by the sound detection sensor 34A will be described with reference to FIG. 50. FIG. 50 is a side sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the fourth embodiment. For example, FIG. 50 shows the position of the lid portion 110 when the sound detection sensor 34A is in the sound detection mode. As shown in FIG. 50, when the sound detection sensor 34A is in the sound detection mode, the lid portion 110 is positioned above the detection direction of the sound detection sensor 34A. Thereby, the lid portion 110 functions as a sound insulation wall that suppresses sound collection from above the sound detection sensor 34A when the sound detection sensor 34A is in the sound detection mode. In this way, the toilet system 1 operates so that a sound insulation wall that suppresses sound collection from above the sound detection sensor 34A is provided when the sound detection sensor 34A is in the sound detection mode.

[0421] In the example of FIG. 50, the lid portion 110 is in the open position, and the sound detection sensor 34A is exposed. The sound detection sensor 34A detects the sound inside the toilet bowl 7. That is, the sound detection sensor 34A detects the sound on the surface of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7. The detection range DA1 in FIG. 50 indicates the range detected by the sound detection sensor 34A. With such a configuration, the toilet system 1 can detect the sound inside the toilet bowl 7 by the sound detection sensor 34A. Note that the detection range DA1 shown in FIG. 50 is merely an example, and the arrangement of the sound detection sensor 34A can be any arrangement as long as at least a part of the sound inside the toilet bowl 7 can be detected.

[0422] In FIGS. 49 and 50, the toilet seat device 2 is shown as an example in which the sound detection sensor 34A is arranged at a position adjacent to the cleaning nozzle 6. However, the sound detection sensor 34A is not limited to the position adjacent to the cleaning nozzle 6, and may be arranged at various positions as long as desired detection is possible. For example, the sound detection sensor 34A is arranged at a position corresponding to the detection mode of the sensor according to the type of sensor used.

[0423] <4-2. Functional Configuration of Toilet Seat Device> Next, the functional configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 51. FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 51, the toilet seat device 2 includes a human body detection sensor 32, a seating detection sensor 33, a sound detection sensor 34A, a control device 100, a nozzle motor 61, a cleaning nozzle 6, a solenoid valve 71, a lid portion 110, and an actuator 111. In FIG. 51, illustration of a part of the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 (such as the main body portion 3, the toilet seat 5, the toilet bowl 7, etc.) described in FIG. 8 is omitted.

[0424] Also, the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 shown in FIG. 51 is merely an example, and the toilet seat device 2 can adopt any configuration. The human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, the sound detection sensor 34A, the control device 100, etc. can be arranged at arbitrary positions. For example, the sound detection sensor 34A is provided in the main body portion 3 of the toilet seat device 2. The toilet seat device 2 performs information transmission and reception with an information processing device such as the operation device 10 via a predetermined network (such as the Internet) by wire or wirelessly through a communication device (for example, the communication unit 101 of the control device 100).

[0425] The sound detection sensor 34A is a sensor that detects sound. The sound detection sensor 34A detects the sound inside the toilet bowl 7. For example, the sound detection sensor 34A detects the sound around the water seal of the toilet bowl 7. The sound detection sensor 34A enters the sound detection mode according to human body detection. For example, the sound detection sensor 34A enters the sound detection mode according to the human body detection by the human body detection sensor 32. For example, the sound detection sensor 34A is in the sound detection mode while a person is detected by the human body detection sensor 32, and is in a mode where sound is not detected (stop mode) while a person is not detected by the human body detection sensor 32. The sound detection sensor 34A can adopt any configuration as long as it can detect a desired sound.

[0426] The sound detection sensor 34A is a microphone. For example, it is desirable that the sound detection sensor 34A be a unidirectional (cardioid) microphone. Note that the above is only an example, and any sensor may be used for the sound detection sensor 34A as long as it can detect a desired sound. Also, the toilet system 1 may have a sensor for detecting sound inside the main body 3, a sound output device (speaker) for outputting sound, etc., which will be described later.

[0427] Also, when the toilet system 1 detects the presence or absence of defecation, the toilet system 1 may have defecation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of defecation. For example, the toilet system 1 may have imaging means for imaging the inside of the bowl portion 8 as defecation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of defecation. For example, the defecation detection means may be a line sensor disposed facing the inside of the bowl portion 8, and may detect falling objects such as excrement falling inside the bowl portion 8. Also, the defecation detection means may be a camera disposed facing the water seal inside the bowl portion 8, and may detect falling objects such as excrement that has landed on the water seal. Note that the sound detection sensor 34A may function as defecation detection means.

[0428] The control device 100 controls various configurations and processes. The control device 100 is a computer (information processing device) that executes various information processes such as calculating the urination time and urine volume. The control device 100 calculates the urination time based on the sound inside the toilet bowl 7 that receives excrement. For example, the control device 100 calculates the urination time based on the time when a sound corresponding to urine is detected. The control device 100 calculates the total urine volume based on the calculated urination time and the urine volume per unit time (unit urine volume) stored in the storage unit. Note that in the control device 100 according to the fourth embodiment, descriptions of the same points as those in the control device 100 according to the second embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0429] Before the user uses the toilet 7 or when the sound detection sensor 34A is not detecting, for example, the control device 100 controls the lid 110 to be in the closed state. Also, the control device 100 may control the sound detection sensor 34A. In this case, the sound detection sensor 34A starts or stops detection according to the control by the control device 100. The control device 100 transmits control information for controlling the start and end of detection by the sound detection sensor 34A to the sound detection sensor 34A. For example, when the start of use of the toilet 7 by the user is detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33, the control device 100 transmits control information for starting detection to the sound detection sensor 34A. For example, when the end of use of the toilet 7 by the user is detected by the human body detection sensor 32 or the seating detection sensor 33, the control device 100 transmits control information for ending detection to the sound detection sensor 34A.

[0430] The lid 110 can be positioned in front of the sound detection sensor 34A and functions as a lid. The lid 110 is preferably formed of a non-transparent material in order to reduce the possibility of the sound detection sensor 34A being visible and to consider the privacy of the user. For example, the lid 110 may be formed in a non-transparent state by coloring. A non-transparent material (paint) may be applied to the surface of the lid 110. Note that the lid 110 is not limited to a non-transparent configuration and may be transparent. The lid 110 can be transitioned between an open state and a closed state by the actuator 111, and can be positioned in front of the sound detection sensor 34A or expose the sound detection sensor 34A.

[0431] In the configuration shown in FIG. 51, as an example, the toilet seat device 2 includes a control device 100 and the like. However, the control device 100, the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, the sound detection sensor 34A, etc. may be configured as separate devices from the toilet seat device 2. For example, the control device 100 may be configured as a separate device from the toilet seat device 2. For example, the control device 100 may be a server device and may be arranged at a position separated from the toilet seat device 2. In this case, the control device 100 communicates with each device such as the toilet seat device 2, the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, and the sound detection sensor 34A, and receives information necessary for calculating the urination time and urine volume from each device. Also, in this case, the toilet seat device 2 may have a configuration (control circuit, etc.) for controlling various components of the toilet seat device 2 such as the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the actuator 111. Note that the above is only an example, and the toilet system 1 can adopt any device configuration as long as the desired processing is possible.

[0432] <4-3. Functional Configuration of Control Device> Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the control device according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Note that since the functional block diagram of the control device 100 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the control device 100 according to the second embodiment, the illustration is omitted and the differences from the control device 100 according to the second embodiment will be mainly described.

[0433] The control device 100 according to the fourth embodiment includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0434] The storage unit 120 according to the fourth embodiment stores various information necessary for processing. The storage unit 120 stores various information acquired from other devices such as various sensors. For example, the storage unit 120 stores information regarding a learning model (model) used for processing. For example, the storage unit 120 stores a model used for the calculation process of the urination time. For example, the storage unit 120 stores various information (e.g., information regarding thresholds) used in various information processes.

[0435] The storage unit 120 stores information used to determine the time when the user starts urination (also referred to as the "urination start time") and the time when the user finishes urination (also referred to as the "urination end time"). It stores various numerical values (threshold values) such as a first predetermined value, a second predetermined value, a third predetermined value, and a fourth predetermined value. The storage unit 120 stores various numerical values (threshold values) such as the first predetermined value, the second predetermined value, the third predetermined value, and the fourth predetermined value used to determine the urination start time and the urination end time. Note that various numerical values such as the first predetermined value, the second predetermined value, the third predetermined value, and the fourth predetermined value can be set to arbitrary values. Also, for example, the storage unit 120 according to the fourth embodiment stores the information stored by the above-described data storage means 14.

[0436] The control unit 130 according to the fourth embodiment includes an acquisition unit 131, a measurement unit 132, a determination unit 133, an estimation unit 134, and an output unit 135, and realizes or executes the functions and operations of information processing described below. For example, the control unit 130 according to the fourth embodiment executes the processes executed by the information processing units such as the frequent urination estimation means 15, the swelling estimation means 16, the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17, the evaluation means 18, and the notification means 19 described above.

[0437] The acquisition unit 131 according to the fourth embodiment acquires various information in the same manner as the acquisition unit 131 according to the second embodiment. The acquisition unit 131 receives information (detection information, etc.) detected by each of the sensors of the human body detection sensor 32, the seating detection sensor 33, and the sound detection sensor 34A from each sensor. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives information regarding the sound detected by the sound detection sensor 34A from the sound detection sensor 34A. The acquisition unit 131 acquires information used for processing from the storage unit 120.

[0438] The measurement unit 132 according to the fourth embodiment performs various measurements in the same manner as the measurement unit 132 according to the second embodiment. The measurement unit 132 measures the time (detection time) during which detection is being performed by the sound detection sensor 34A using the information detected by the sound detection sensor 34A.

[0439] The measurement unit 132 measures the sound inside the toilet bowl 7 using the information detected by the sound detection sensor 34A. The measurement unit 132 measures the time during which sound is generated inside the toilet bowl 7 using the information detected by the sound detection sensor 34A. The measurement unit 132 measures the time during which sound corresponding to urine is generated using the information detected by the sound detection sensor 34A.

[0440] The determination unit 133 according to the fourth embodiment performs determination processing in the same manner as the determination unit 133 according to the second embodiment.

[0441] The determination unit 133 may determine the cause of the sound generation based on the detection result by the sound detection sensor 34A. The determination unit 133 classifies the cause of the sound generation based on the detection result by the sound detection sensor 34A. The determination unit 133 determines which object causes the sound generation based on the detection result by the sound detection sensor 34A. The determination unit 133 determines the user's excrement based on the detection result of the sound detection sensor 34A.

[0442] For example, the determination unit 133 classifies a plurality of types of sounds including the first type of sound caused by feces, the second type of sound caused by urine, and the third type of sound caused by both feces and urine. For example, the determination unit 133 classifies whether the sound detected by the sound detection sensor 34A is caused by feces, urine, or both feces and urine.

[0443] The determination unit 133 may perform sound determination by any method. For example, the determination unit 133 may perform sound determination by exceeding a signal level threshold or by AI (artificial intelligence). The determination unit 133 may perform sound determination by frequency analysis, image processing, machine learning, Deep Learning, etc.

[0444] For example, the determination unit 133 determines sound using technologies related to AI. For example, the determination unit 133 may determine sound using a model (also referred to as a "sound determination model") generated by machine learning. In this case, the sound determination model is learned by teacher data indicating classification judgments in advance. This teacher data includes a plurality of combinations of sound information and a label (correct answer information) indicating the type of sound corresponding to the sound information. The type referred to here indicates, for example, an object that caused the sound, such as feces, urine, or both feces and urine.

[0445] The sound determination model is a model that takes sound information as input and outputs information indicating the type of sound corresponding to the input sound information. For example, the sound determination model is learned to output information of a label (type of sound) corresponding to the input sound information when the sound information is input. The learning of the sound determination model is performed by appropriately using various methods related to so-called supervised learning. In this case, the sound determination model is stored in the storage unit 120, and the determination unit 133 may determine sound using the sound determination model stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the control device 100 may perform learning processing to generate a sound determination model. Note that the above is only an example, and the determination unit 133 may determine sound by appropriately using various information.

[0446] Also, the determination unit 133 may determine the presence or absence of defecation (feces) based on the information detected by the defecation detection means. The determination unit 133 may use the information detected by defecation detection means such as the sound detection sensor 34A to determine whether the user is excreting feces. The determination unit 133 determines the presence or absence of defecation based on an image captured by the defecation detection means. Note that the determination of the presence or absence of defecation above is only an example, and when the determination unit 133 determines the presence or absence of defecation, it may appropriately use various information to determine the presence or absence of defecation.

[0447] The estimation unit 134 according to the fourth embodiment functions as frequent urination estimation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 estimates the nocturnal frequent urination of the toilet user by the same process as the frequent urination estimation means 15 according to the first embodiment.

[0448] The estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means 14. The estimation unit 134 uses the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and other urination information, and estimates nocturia based on the urine volume or urine flow rate per nocturnal urination, or the average urine volume or average urine flow rate at night.

[0449] The estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia based on the daytime and nocturnal urination data specified by the urination information and other urination information. The estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia based on the urine volume or urine flow rate per daytime urination and the urine volume or urine flow rate per nocturnal urination.

[0450] The estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia based on the average urine volume or average urine flow rate during the day and the average urine volume or average urine flow rate at night. The estimation unit 134 uses the nocturnal urination information specified by the urination information and other urination information. When there are multiple urinations at night and the relationship between the urine volume or urine flow rate per urination and the interval of urination times satisfies a predetermined condition, the estimation unit 134 estimates nocturia.

[0451] The estimation unit 134 according to the fourth embodiment performs various processes such as calculation processes in the same manner as the estimation unit 134 according to the second embodiment.

[0452] The estimation unit 134 calculates the urination time based on the time when the sound corresponding to urine is detected among the sounds in the bowl part of the toilet detected by the sound detection sensor 34A. The estimation unit 134 calculates the total urine volume based on the calculated urination time and the urine volume per unit time stored in the storage unit 120.

[0453] When the estimation unit 134 detects cleaning based on the cleaning sound stored in the storage unit 120, it performs control not to adopt the sound information of the cleaning. When the estimation unit 134 detects the operation of the dummy sound device based on the sound generated by the dummy sound device stored in the storage unit 120, it performs control not to adopt the sound information of the dummy sound device. When the estimation unit 134 detects the operation of the local cleaning device (such as the cleaning nozzle 6) based on the sound generated during the operation of the local cleaning device stored in the storage unit 120, it performs control not to adopt the sound information of the local cleaning device.

[0454] The estimation unit 134 calculates the urination time as the time of the sound corresponding to the second type of sound or the third type of sound. When a sound greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold occurs among the sounds detected by the sound detection sensor 34A, the estimation unit 134 excludes the time of the large sound and calculates the urination time. When defecation is detected by the defecation detection means capable of detecting the presence or absence of defecation, the estimation unit 134 excludes the time of the sound assumed to be feces and calculates the urination time.

[0455] For example, the estimation unit 134 registers the information on excreta such as the urine volume and urination time obtained by the above-described processing in the storage unit 120 in association with the time information (date and time, time zone, period, etc.) related to the time when the information was obtained. For example, the estimation unit 134 executes processing using the obtained information on excreta and the time information corresponding to the information. Through such processing, the estimation unit 134 estimates the information used for estimating nocturia.

[0456] The estimation unit 134 according to the fourth embodiment functions as swelling estimation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 estimates the swelling of the toilet user by the same processing as the swelling estimation means 16 according to the first embodiment.

[0457] The estimation unit 134 according to the fourth embodiment functions as prostate hypertrophy estimation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 estimates the prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user by the same processing as the prostate hypertrophy estimation means 17 according to the first embodiment.

[0458] The estimation unit 134 according to the fourth embodiment functions as an evaluation means. For example, the estimation unit 134 executes processing related to the evaluation of at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user by the same processing as the evaluation means 18 according to the first embodiment.

[0459] Based on at least one estimation result of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy, the estimation unit 134 functions as a swelling evaluation means for classifying at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user into a predetermined level.

[0460] The output unit 135 according to the fourth embodiment functions as a notification means. For example, the output unit 135 executes information providing processing related to at least one of frequent urination, swelling, and prostate hypertrophy of the toilet user by the same processing as the notification means 19 according to the first embodiment.

[0461] The output unit 135 notifies a predetermined destination of highlight information indicating the health status of the toilet user based on the urination data in a predetermined period including the latest urination data. When the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the urination data, the output unit 135 does not notify the highlight information to the predetermined destination.

[0462] The output unit 135 notifies a predetermined destination of recommendation information for improving the health status of the toilet user based on the urination data in a predetermined period including the latest urination data. When the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the urination data, the output unit 135 does not notify the recommendation information to the predetermined destination. The output unit 135 notifies a predetermined destination of the next recommendation information generated based on predetermined input information for the recommendation information received by the toilet user.

[0463] The output unit 135 according to the fourth embodiment executes an output process for outputting various information, similarly to the output unit 135 according to the second embodiment.

[0464] <4-4. Example of calculating excretion time> Here, an example of calculating the excretion time will be described with reference to FIG. 52. FIG. 52 is a diagram showing an example of calculating the excretion time. For example, FIG. 52 is a diagram showing an example of sound generation in the toilet to be detected. The chart GR1 in FIG. 52 shows an example of the waveform of the sound detected in the toilet 7 where urination has occurred. In FIG. 52, the vertical axis represents the amplitude (voltage), that is, the loudness of the sound, and the horizontal axis represents time.

[0465] In FIG. 52, as shown in the chart GR1, for the sound detected by the sound detection sensor 34A, at time t 1 an amplitude exceeding a predetermined threshold value (Δs) is detected. In FIG. 52, as shown in the chart GR1, at time t 1 ~t 2 during a predetermined time, an amplitude exceeding Δs is detected. And in FIG. 52, as shown in the chart GR1, for the sound detected by the sound detection sensor 34A, a period during which an amplitude exceeding Δs is not detected continues for a predetermined time at time t 2 Thereby, based on the sound for which an amplitude exceeding Δs is detected, the control device 100 calculates the time between time t 1 and time t 2 as the excretion time (urination time).

[0466] <4-5. Flow of processing> Hereinafter, the processing flow executed by the toilet system will be described. The toilet system 1 executes the following third processing, fourth processing, and fifth processing. The toilet system 1 may execute any of the third to fifth processing. Hereinafter, the toilet system 1 will be described as the processing subject, but the third to fifth processing may be performed by any device such as the control device 100 and various sensors such as the sound detection sensor 34A according to the device configuration included in the toilet system 1.

[0467] <4-5-1. Third processing> First, an example of the processing shown in FIG. 53 will be described. FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the processing executed by the toilet system. Specifically, FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the third processing for calculating the urination time and urine volume.

[0468] In FIG. 53, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement start trigger (step S301). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user, it determines that there is a measurement start trigger. If the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement start trigger (step S301: No), it repeats the process of step S301.

[0469] If the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement start trigger (step S301: Yes), it sets "t = 0" (step S302). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user and determines that there is a measurement start trigger, it initializes the value of the urination score t for counting the urination time to 0.

[0470] Then, the toilet system 1 acquires the initial state (step S303). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the sound in the toilet bowl 7 detected by the sound detection sensor 34A at that time (before the user starts urination) as the initial state.

[0471] The toilet system 1 starts the measurement (step S304). For example, the toilet system 1 starts measuring the sound in the toilet bowl 7 by the sound detection sensor 34A. Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference from the initial state (step S305). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference between the sound measured in step S304 and the initial state acquired in step S303.

[0472] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is sound (step S306). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects a sound corresponding to urine, it determines that there is sound. If the toilet system 1 determines that there is no sound (step S306: No), it performs the process of step S311.

[0473] If the toilet system 1 determines that there is sound (step S306: Yes), "ts = t" 1Set it to "」" (step S307). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that there is a sound corresponding to urine, the time t when the sound corresponding to urine starts to be detected 1 is set as the urine start time ts.

[0474] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is no sound (step S308). For example, when the toilet system 1 no longer detects the sound corresponding to urine, it determines that there is no sound. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no sound (step S308: No), the process of step S308 is repeated.

[0475] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a sound (step S308: Yes), set it to "te = t 2 」" (step S309). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that there is no sound, the time t when the sound corresponding to urine is no longer detected 2 is set as the urine end time te.

[0476] Then, the toilet system 1 sets it to "t = t + (te - ts)" (step S310). For example, the toilet system 1 adds the value obtained by subtracting the urine start time ts from the urine end time te to the urine score t.

[0477] Then, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement end trigger (step S311). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects that the use of the toilet 7 by the user has ended, it determines that there is a measurement end trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement end trigger (step S311: No), it returns to step S305 and repeats the process.

[0478] When it is determined that there is a measurement end trigger (step S311: Yes), the toilet system 1 ends the measurement (step S312). Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time (step S313). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time based on the value of the urination score t obtained by counting the urination time. For example, when the unit of the urination score t corresponds to seconds, the toilet system 1 calculates the number of seconds of the value of the urination score t as the total urination time. In this case, when the urination score t is "5", the toilet system 1 calculates that the total urination time is 5 seconds. The toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time using a function (urination time calculation function) that takes the urination score t as input and outputs the total urination time. In this case, when the urination score t is "5", the toilet system 1 may input "5" into the urination time calculation function and regard the value output by the urination time calculation function as the total urination time.

[0479] Then, the toilet system 1 estimates the urine volume (step S314). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume using the total urination time calculated in step S313. The toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume by multiplying the calculated urination time by the urine volume per unit time (unit urine volume) stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the unit urine volume may be set to any value within the range of, for example, 20 to 30 (ml / second). The unit urine volume may be set for each gender. For example, for women, the unit urine volume may be set to any value within the range of, for example, 10 to 50 (ml / second). Also, for men, the unit urine volume may be set to any value within the range of, for example, 10 to 30 (ml / second). Note that the above is only an example, and the unit urine volume is not limited to the above and may be set to any value.

[0480] <4-5-2. Fourth Process> Next, a processing example shown in FIG. 54 will be described. FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet system. Specifically, FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the fourth process of calculating the urination time and the urine volume. Note that descriptions of the same points as in FIG. 53 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0481] In FIG. 54, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement start trigger (step S401). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user, it determines that there is a measurement start trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement start trigger (step S401: No), it repeats the process of step S401.

[0482] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement start trigger (step S401: Yes), it sets "t = 0" (step S402). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user and determines that there is a measurement start trigger, it initializes the value of the urination score t for counting the urination time to 0.

[0483] Then, the toilet system 1 acquires the initial state (step S403). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the sound in the toilet bowl 7 detected by the sound detection sensor 34A at that time (before the user starts urinating) as the initial state.

[0484] The toilet system 1 starts the measurement (step S404). For example, the toilet system 1 starts measuring the sound in the toilet bowl 7 with the sound detection sensor 34A. Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference from the initial state (step S405). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference between the sound measured in step S404 and the initial state acquired in step S403.

[0485] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is sound (step S406). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects a sound corresponding to urine, it determines that there is sound. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no sound (step S406: No), it performs the process of step S408.

[0486] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a sound (step S406: Yes), it sets "t = t + 1" (step S407). For example, when the toilet system 1 determines that there is a sound corresponding to urine, it increases the value of the urination score t by 1.

[0487] Then, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement end trigger (step S408). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects that the use of the toilet 7 by the user has ended, it determines that there is a measurement end trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement end trigger (step S408: No), it returns to step S405 and repeats the process.

[0488] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement end trigger (step S408: Yes), it ends the measurement (step S409). Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time (step S410). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time based on the value of the urination score t obtained by counting the urination time. For example, when the unit of the urination score t corresponds to seconds, the toilet system 1 calculates the number of seconds of the value of the urination score t as the total urination time. In this case, when the urination score t is "5", the toilet system 1 calculates that the total urination time is 5 seconds.

[0489] Then, the toilet system 1 estimates the urine volume (step S411). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume using the total urination time calculated in step S410. The toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume by multiplying the calculated urination time by the urine volume per unit time (unit urine volume) stored in the storage unit 120.

[0490] <4-5-3. Fifth Process> Next, a processing example shown in FIG. 55 will be described. FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet system. Specifically, FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the fifth process of calculating the urination time and the urine volume. Note that descriptions of the same points as in FIGS. 53 and 54 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0491] In FIG. 55, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement start trigger (step S501). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user, it determines that there is a measurement start trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement start trigger (step S501: No), it repeats the process of step S501.

[0492] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement start trigger (step S501: Yes), it sets "t = 0" (step S502). For example, when the toilet system 1 detects the start of use of the toilet bowl 7 by the user and determines that there is a measurement start trigger, it initializes the value of the urination score t for counting the urination time to 0.

[0493] Then, the toilet system 1 acquires the initial state (step S503). For example, the toilet system 1 acquires the sound in the toilet bowl 7 detected by the sound detection sensor 34A at that time (before the user starts urination) as the initial state.

[0494] The toilet system 1 starts the measurement (step S504). For example, the toilet system 1 starts measuring the sound in the toilet bowl 7 by the sound detection sensor 34A. Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference from the initial state (step S505). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the difference between the sound measured in step S504 and the initial state acquired in step S503.

[0495] The toilet system 1 determines whether there is sound (step S506). For example, when the difference calculated in step S505 is not 0, the toilet system 1 determines that there is sound. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no sound (step S506: No), it performs the process of step S508.

[0496] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is sound (step S506: Yes), it acquires sound information (step S507). For example, when the difference calculated in step S505 is not zero, the toilet system 1 acquires the difference information as sound information.

[0497] Then, the toilet system 1 determines whether there is a measurement end trigger (step S508). For example, when it is detected that the user has finished using the toilet 7, the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement end trigger. When the toilet system 1 determines that there is no measurement end trigger (step S508: No), it returns to step S505 and repeats the process.

[0498] When the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement end trigger (step S508: Yes), it ends the measurement (step S509). Then, the toilet system 1 executes sound information processing (step S510). For example, when it is detected that the user has finished using the toilet 7 and the toilet system 1 determines that there is a measurement end trigger, it executes sound information processing. For example, the toilet system 1 processes the sound information so as not to include the cleaning sound in urination. In this case, the toilet system 1 excludes the sound information corresponding to the cleaning sound from the sound information used for calculating the urination time.

[0499] Note that the above-described sound information processing is only an example, and the toilet system 1 may acquire the sound information used for calculating the urination time using various information. For example, the toilet system 1 processes the sound information so as not to include the sound emitted by the sound simulation device in urination. In this case, the toilet system 1 excludes the sound information corresponding to the sound simulation device from the sound information used for calculating the urination time. For example, the toilet system 1 processes the sound information so as not to include the local cleaning operation sound in urination. In this case, the toilet system 1 excludes the sound information corresponding to the local cleaning operation sound from the sound information used for calculating the urination time.

[0500] Then, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time (step S511). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the total urination time based on the value of the urination score t obtained by counting the urination time. For example, when the unit of the urination score t corresponds to seconds, the toilet system 1 calculates the number of seconds of the value of the urination score t as the total urination time. In this case, when the urination score t is "5", the toilet system 1 calculates that the total urination time is 5 seconds.

[0501] Then, the toilet system 1 estimates the urine volume (step S512). For example, the toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume using the total urination time calculated in step S511. The toilet system 1 calculates the urine volume by multiplying the calculated urination time by the urine volume per unit time (unit urine volume) stored in the storage unit 120.

[0502] <4-6. Example using multiple sound detection sensors> In the above example, the case where the toilet system 1 uses one sound detection sensor 34A has been described as an example. However, the toilet system 1 may use a plurality of sound detection sensors for calculating the urination time. In this regard, an example using two sound detection sensors will be described below as an example. Note that descriptions of the same points as those described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0503] <4-6-1. Configuration example using multiple sound detection sensors> First, an example of the sound generation of urine during falling will be described with reference to FIG. 56. FIG. 56 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration using a plurality of sound detection sensors. Note that only the configurations necessary for the description are shown in FIG. 56, and configurations such as the nozzle lid 60 are omitted from the illustration.

[0504] In the example of FIG. 56, the toilet system 1 includes two sensors, a first sound detection sensor 34A0 and a second sound detection sensor 34A2, and a sound output device 350. The first sound detection sensor 34A0 is a first microphone that detects sounds around the water seal of the toilet bowl 7. For example, the first sound detection sensor 34A0 may be the above-described sound detection sensor 34A. The second sound detection sensor 34A2 is a second microphone that acquires sounds other than those around the water seal of the toilet bowl 7. For example, the second sound detection sensor 34A2 is preferably an omnidirectional microphone.

[0505] Also, the sound output device 350 is a speaker that outputs a sound that cancels out the sound other than the sound around the water seal of the toilet bowl 7 acquired by the second sound detection sensor 34A2. As shown in FIG. 56, the sound output device 350 is exposed from the opening 31a of the main body cover 30. Note that a lid that can be opened and closed may be provided at the opening 31a in the same manner as the lid portion 110. In this case, the toilet seat device 2 may include an openable and closable lid and an actuator that opens and closes the lid. Note that the lid and the actuator corresponding to the opening 31a have the same configuration as the lid portion 110 and the actuator 111 described above, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0506] As described above, in FIG. 56, the toilet system 1 is shown as an example in which it includes a sound output device 350 for outputting a sound (canceling sound) that cancels out the sound detected by the second sound detection sensor 34A2. However, in the toilet system 1, the sound detected by the second sound detection sensor 34A2 may be removed from the sound information by information processing. In this case, the toilet system 1 does not include the sound output device 350, and the control device 100 removes the sound detected by the second sound detection sensor 34A2 from the sound information by information processing.

[0507] <4-6-2. Example...

Claims

1. a data storage means for storing urination data obtained based on urination of a toilet user in the toilet device; a frequency urination estimation means for estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means; Equipped with The urination data includes urination information regarding a urine volume or a urine flow rate obtained based on a state change in a bowl portion of the toilet device. A nocturia frequency estimation device.

2. The urination data includes other urination information having at least one of information on urination time, urination frequency, or urination frequency. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

3. The state change in the bowl portion includes a state change in the internal space of the bowl portion above the sealing water formed on the bottom side of the bowl portion, or a state change in the sealing water. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

4. The urination information includes information obtained based on a change in state of the sealing water on the bowl portion side. The nocturnal urination predicting device according to claim 3 .

5. The toilet device has a trap portion that forms a water seal on the bottom side of the bowl portion, The urination information includes information obtained based on a change in state of the sealing water on the trap portion side. The nocturnal urination predicting device according to claim 3 .

6. The urination information is information obtained by detecting a change in the state of the water seal on the trap portion side by an electromagnetic wave sensor, The detection range of the radio wave sensor is set to an area including the apex of the trap portion, and the radio wave sensor detects a change in the state of the seal water based on overflow from the apex of the trap portion. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 5 .

7. The urination information includes information obtained by detecting a change in the state of the water seal formed on the bottom side of the bowl portion by a radio wave sensor or an optical sensor. The nocturnal urination predicting device according to claim 3 .

8. The urination information includes information obtained by detection by a sound sensor. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

9. The state change in the bowl portion includes at least one state change among a humidity change, a temperature change, and a gas composition change caused by urination. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

10. The urination information includes information obtained based on a change in the state of the water seal caused by urination, excluding a change in the state of the water seal caused by defecation. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

11. The frequent urination estimation means estimates nocturnal frequent urination based on the urine volume or urine flow rate per night, or the average urine volume or average urine flow rate per night, using the nighttime urination information specified by the urination information and the other urination information. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 2 .

12. The frequent urination estimation means estimates nocturnal frequent urination based on daytime and nighttime urination data specified by the urination information and the other urination information. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 2 .

13. The frequent urination estimation means estimates nocturnal frequent urination based on the daytime urine volume or urine flow rate and the nighttime urine volume or urine flow rate. The nocturia frequency estimation device according to claim 12.

14. The frequent urination estimation means estimates nocturnal frequent urination based on an average daytime urine volume or average urine flow rate and an average nighttime urine volume or average nighttime urine flow rate. The nocturia frequency estimation device according to claim 12.

15. The frequent urination estimation means estimates nocturnal frequent urination when there are multiple urinations during the night and the relationship between the urine volume or urine flow rate per urination and the interval between urination times satisfies a predetermined condition, using the nighttime urination information specified by the urination information and the other urination information. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 2 .

16. The frequent urination estimation means refrains from estimating a nocturia state when the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times based on the urination data. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

17. a notification means for notifying a predetermined destination of highlight information indicating the health condition of the toilet user based on the urination data for a predetermined period including the latest urination data; Further equipped with When the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the urination data, the notification means does not notify the specified destination of the highlight information. The nocturia frequency estimation device according to claim 16.

18. the notification means notifies the predetermined destination of recommendation information for improving the health condition of the toilet user based on the urination data for a predetermined period including the latest urination data; When the number of urinations is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the urination data, the notification means does not notify the recommendation information to a predetermined destination. The nocturia frequency estimation device according to claim 17.

19. The notification means notifies the predetermined destination of next recommendation information generated based on predetermined input information in response to the recommendation information received by the toilet user. The nocturia frequency estimation device according to claim 18.

20. a swelling estimation means for estimating a state of swelling of the toilet user based on the urination data; Further equipped with The swelling estimation means estimates a state of swelling based on the urination data in a first period indicating a period before going to bed, The frequent urination estimation means estimates the presence or absence of nocturia when the amount of urine voided in the first period is smaller than a predetermined amount. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

21. The frequent urination estimation means estimates the state of nocturia when the amount of urination is greater than a predetermined amount. The nocturnal frequency urination estimation device according to claim 1 .

22. a data storage means for storing urination data obtained based on urination of a toilet user in the toilet device; a frequency of urination estimation means for estimating nocturnal or daytime frequency of urination of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means; Equipped with The urination data includes urination information regarding a urine volume or a urine flow rate obtained based on a state change in a bowl portion of the toilet device. A frequent urination estimation device.

23. A toilet device; a data storage means for storing urination data obtained based on urination of a toilet user in the toilet device; a frequency urination estimation means for estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means; Equipped with The urination data includes urination information regarding a urine volume or a urine flow rate obtained based on a state change in a bowl portion of the toilet device. A toilet system comprising:

24. A control method for a toilet system including a toilet device, a data storage means for storing urination data acquired based on urination of a toilet user in the toilet device, and a frequent urination estimation means for estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means, comprising: a first step of acquiring urination data based on urination of a toilet user on the toilet device; A second step of storing the urination data acquired in the first step in a data storage means; A third step of estimating nocturia of the toilet user based on the urination data stored by the data storage means; Including, In the third step, nocturia is estimated based on the urination data including urination information related to a urine volume or a urine flow rate obtained based on a state change in a bowl portion of the toilet device.

13. A method for controlling a toilet system comprising:

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