Consumables management system and consumables management method

Abstract

To provide a consumables management system easy to use.SOLUTION: A consumables management system comprises: a detecting section that detects use of a toilet basin installed on a booth in a toilet room; a storage section that stores use information of the toilet basin detected by the detecting section; a control section that calculates a paper usage estimation value at the booth based on the use information and paper usage actual-result information of paper consumed in the toilet room; and an information providing section that provides information based on the paper usage estimation value calculated by the control section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD Aspects of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for managing consumables. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A consumables management system for managing the inventory of consumables used in public facilities and the like is known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-125143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The consumables management system disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the daily replenishment quantity to be input, which may be time-consuming.

[0005] The aspects of the present invention have been made based on the recognition of such problems, and have an object to provide an easy-to-use consumables management system and consumables management method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention is a consumables management system comprising a detection unit that detects the usage of a toilet bowl installed in a booth in a toilet room, a memory unit that stores usage information of the toilet bowl detected by the detection unit, a control unit that calculates an estimated paper usage value in the booth based on the usage information and actual paper usage information of paper consumed in the toilet room, and an information provision unit that provides information based on the estimated paper usage value calculated by the control unit.

[0007] This consumables management system estimates the amount of paper used in the booth based on toilet usage information and actual paper usage information, and provides this information. This reduces errors in the estimated paper usage, allowing for the provision of information on the appropriate replenishment amount.

[0008] The second invention is a consumables management system according to the first invention, characterized in that the control unit calculates the estimated paper usage value based on the usage information, the actual paper usage information, and paper usage conditions.

[0009] This consumables management system uses paper usage conditions to calculate an estimated value of paper usage, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimated value, and as a result, providing more appropriate information on replenishment quantities.

[0010] A third invention is a consumables management system according to the first invention, characterized in that the control unit classifies a predetermined period into multiple groups and calculates the estimated paper usage value for each of the multiple groups.

[0011] This consumables management system can calculate estimated values ​​based on trends, such as weekdays and holidays, and provide information on paper replenishment quantities that are appropriate for those trends, thereby helping to prevent paper shortages and theft.

[0012] A fourth invention is a consumables management system according to the first invention, characterized in that the information providing unit provides the difference between the reference number of pieces of paper to be installed in the booth and the estimated amount of paper usage.

[0013] This consumables management system provides information on the standard number of papers and the difference from the trend, so it is possible to understand how much the replenishment amount needs to be increased or decreased based on the current trend, or whether it is fine to leave it as is.

[0014] The fifth invention is a consumables management method characterized by including a paper usage calculation step of estimating and calculating the amount of paper used in a day based on actual information on paper usage in a toilet room over a specified period and information on toilet bowl usage over the specified period.

[0015] According to this method for managing consumables, an estimated amount of paper used can be known, so that plans for replenishing or purchasing paper can be made efficiently.

[0016] A sixth invention is a consumables management method according to the fifth invention, characterized in that the usage information includes the number of times the toilet bowl is used, and the paper usage calculation process includes a first process of calculating the amount of paper used per use based on the actual paper usage information and the total number of times the toilet bowl in the toilet room is used, and a second process of calculating the amount of paper used per day based on the amount of paper used per use and the number of times the toilet bowl is used per day.

[0017] According to this consumables management method, the amount of paper used in one day is calculated, so that plans for paper replenishment and purchases can be made efficiently.

[0018] The seventh invention is a consumables management method according to the fifth invention, characterized in that the usage information includes the number of times the toilet is used and the proportion of uses for the toilet, and the paper usage calculation process includes a first process of correcting the number of times the toilet is used to the number of times it is used for defecation based on the number of times the toilet is used, the proportion of uses for the toilet, and the ratio of paper usage for defecation or urination, a second process of calculating the amount of paper used per use based on the actual paper usage information and the number of times it is used for defecation, and a third process of calculating the amount of paper used per day based on the amount of paper used per use and the number of times it is used for defecation.

[0019] According to this consumables management method, the amount of paper usage is calculated based on the purpose of use of the toilet and the paper usage ratio, so that an estimated value of the amount of paper usage can be calculated with greater accuracy.

[0020] The eighth invention is a consumables management method according to the seventh invention, characterized in that the toilet rooms have a men's toilet room and a women's toilet room, and the correction calculation of the number of defecation uses in the men's toilet room calculated in the first step is performed such that the paper usage ratio differs between men and women.

[0021] According to this consumables management method, even if a building has both men's and women's restrooms, it is possible to accurately calculate an estimated value of paper usage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to aspects of the present invention, an easy-to-use consumables management system and consumables management method are provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a consumables management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a consumables management system including a plurality of toilet rooms, a management device, and an information providing unit. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a paper usage calculation process of a consumables management method executed by a control unit of the management device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing usage information of toilets in each booth stored in the storage unit of the management device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing classifications of uses of toilets stored in the storage unit of the management device. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing the number of times each booth is used per day calculated as the number of times per woman's defecation purpose. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing the calculation of the required amount of paper for each booth per day. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the number of papers required at each booth on weekdays, holidays, and event days. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the display of the number of papers required for each booth and the number of times they will be replenished according to the first modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the maximum required number of toilet papers for each toilet room is collectively displayed according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a consumables management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a consumables management system including a plurality of toilet rooms, a management device, and an information providing unit.

[0025] The consumables management system 1 manages, for example, toilet paper (hereinafter referred to as paper) in each booth 10-12 installed in each toilet room (women's toilet room TR1 and men's toilet room TR2) in a building. Each booth 10-12 is equipped with a toilet bowl 10a-12a, respectively.

[0026] The consumables management system 1 includes a management device 40 connected to the women's restroom TR1 and the men's restroom TR2 via a network 30, and an information provider 50 connected to the management device 40 via the network 30. In this example, the women's restroom TR1 is provided with two booths 10 and 11. Meanwhile, the men's restroom TR2 is provided with one booth 12. The women's restroom TR1 and the men's restroom TR2 are also provided with sinks, hand dryers, etc. (neither of which are shown). The men's restroom TR2 is also provided with a urinal (not shown).

[0027] A detection unit 15 is provided in each of the booths 10-12. The detection unit 15 detects the use of the toilets 10a-12a installed in each of the booths 10-12. The detection unit 15 is, for example, a human body detection sensor (sitting detection sensor) that detects users sitting on the toilets 10a-12a. The detection unit 15 detects the number of times a user has sat on the toilets 10a-12a, and, as necessary, the detection unit 15 detects the length of time the user has sat on the toilets 10a-12a. The usage information of the toilets 10a-12a is sent to the management device 40 via the network device 20.

[0028] A network device 20 is provided in each of the women's restroom TR1 and the men's restroom TR2. The network device 20 is a gateway that converts protocols. Note that the network device 20 is not limited to a gateway and may be any communication device that can communicate with the outside.

[0029] The network device 20 transmits a plurality of pieces of device information relating to the usage status of the toilets 10a-12a of each of the booths 10-12, whether maintenance is required, and the like, as well as information about the booths 10-12, including the usage status of each of the booths 10-12, to the management device 40 via the network 30. In this way, the network device 20 is connected to the plurality of booths 10-12, and transmits device information about each of the booths 10-12 to the management device 40. The network device 20 also receives various command signals transmitted from the management device 40 and transmits them to the devices in each of the booths 10-12.

[0030] The network 30 is, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), and connects the network devices 20 and the information providing unit 50 via a management device 40. The network 30 may connect the management device 40 and the information providing unit 50, and the management device 40 and the network devices 20, via a wired or wireless connection, or may be a combination of a wired and wireless connection. The network 30 may be any network that enables communication between the network devices 20, the management device 40, and the information providing unit 50.

[0031] The management device 40 is installed at a location away from the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2. The management device 40 is, for example, a cloud server, and is connected to the information provider 50 via the network 30 to manage information about the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2. The management device 40 may also be installed inside the building.

[0032] The management device 40 manages a plurality of toilet rooms (women's toilet room TR1 and men's toilet room TR2) within the building. The management device 40 has a first communication unit 42, a second communication unit 44, and a control unit 46. The management device 40 acquires usage information of the toilet bowls 10a-12a from each of the booths 10-12, and calculates an estimated paper usage amount for each of the booths 10-12.

[0033] The first communication unit 42 receives command signals transmitted from the network devices 20 in each of the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2. The first communication unit 42 also transmits command signals to the network devices 20. That is, the first communication unit 42 and the network devices 20 communicate bidirectionally. The first communication unit 42 is controlled by the control unit 46.

[0034] The second communication unit 44 receives a command signal transmitted from the information providing unit 50. The second communication unit 44 also transmits a command signal to the information providing unit 50. That is, the second communication unit 44 and the information providing unit 50 communicate bidirectionally. The second communication unit 44 is controlled by the control unit 46.

[0035] The control unit 46 controls the operation of the first communication unit 42 and the second communication unit 44. The control unit 46 stores, for example, command signals transmitted from the network device 20 (such as usage information on the toilet bowls 10a-12a and information on the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2) and command signals transmitted from the information providing unit 50 (such as cleaning information) in the storage unit 47. The control unit 46 also causes the first communication unit 42 to transmit command signals to the network device 20 and the second communication unit 44 to transmit command signals to the information providing unit 50.

[0036] The control unit 46 acquires (receives) from each of the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2 the usage information of the toilet stools 10a to 12a of each of the booths 10 to 12. The control unit 46 then stores the acquired usage information in the storage unit 47 in association with the date and time.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 46 calculates an estimated paper usage amount for each booth 10-12 based on the usage information of the toilets 10a-12a. The control unit 46 causes the second communication unit 44 to transmit the calculated estimated paper usage amount to the information providing unit 50.

[0038] The information providing unit 50 is an administrator terminal, such as a mobile terminal 50a or a PC terminal 50b, owned by an administrator who manages the women's restroom TR1 and the men's restroom TR2. The information providing unit 50 is connected to the management device 40 via the network 30.

[0039] The manager can, for example, connect to the management device 40 to obtain (view) various information about the toilet bowls 10a-12a installed in the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2. The manager can also operate the information providing unit 50 to output various command signals from the management device 40 to the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2. Note that the mobile terminal 50a is only required to be capable of displaying various information about the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2, and is not limited to being owned by the manager, but may also be owned by a cleaner. The mobile terminal 50a and PC terminal 50b may also be capable of communicating with each other.

[0040] In this way, the consumables management system 1 connects the women's restroom TR1 and the men's restroom TR2 to the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing the administrator to centrally manage the usage status and maintenance needs of the restrooms TR1 and TR2. This allows the administrator to grasp information about each of the restrooms TR1 and TR2 from a location away from them.

[0041] If there is a shortage of paper in each of the booths 10-12, it may cause inconvenience to users of the restrooms TR1 and TR2. On the other hand, if more paper than necessary is stored in each of the booths 10-12, there is a risk of the paper being stolen. Furthermore, the amount of paper used varies depending on the layout of each of the booths 10-12, whether it is a weekday, a holiday, an event day, etc. Therefore, it may be difficult for the administrator to determine the appropriate timing for replenishing paper and when to purchase paper.

[0042] Therefore, the control unit 46 of the management device 40 calculates an estimated paper usage value for each of the booths 10-12. The control unit 46 calculates an estimated paper usage value for the booths 10-12 based on the usage information for the toilet bowls 10a-12a detected by the detection unit 15 and the actual paper usage information for the paper consumed in the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2. The information providing unit 50 then provides information based on the estimated paper usage value calculated by the control unit 46. This allows the manager to know when to replenish or purchase paper.

[0043] The paper usage calculation process executed by the control unit 46 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 8. The control unit 46 acquires usage information for the toilets 10a-12a of the booths 10-12 within a predetermined period of time. Then, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the control unit 46 calculates an estimated paper usage value.

[0044] In this example, the predetermined period is one month from N month 1st to N month 31st. For ease of explanation, it will be assumed that there are no holidays in N month. Furthermore, N month 31st is an event day when more people than usual visit the building. An event day can be, for example, when the total number of times the toilets 10a-12a in booths 10-12 are used exceeds a predetermined number.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a paper usage calculation process of the consumables management method executed by the control unit of the management device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage information of the toilets in each booth stored in the storage unit of the management device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing classifications of toilet usage purposes stored in the storage unit of the management device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the number of times each booth is used per day calculated as the number of times per woman's defecation purpose. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the calculation of the required amount of paper for each booth per day. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the number of papers required at each booth on weekdays, holidays, and event days.

[0046] The control processing program shown in Fig. 3 is stored in advance in the storage unit 47 of the management device 40. The control processing program shown in Fig. 3 is executed, for example, in response to an instruction from the information providing unit 50 to the management device 40. Note that in Fig. 3, each step is indicated by "S", and for example, "step 1" is indicated by "S1".

[0047] In S1, usage information for the toilets in each booth is acquired. That is, the control unit 46 acquires the usage information for the toilets 10a-12a detected by the detection unit 15 of each of the booths 10-12. The control unit 46 stores the acquired usage information for the toilets 10a-12a in the memory unit 47 on a daily basis (for example, from midnight to midnight).

[0048] The table shown in Fig. 4 shows the number of times A that the toilets 10a to 12a have been used over a one-month period, stored in the memory unit 47. The number of times A that the toilets 10a to 12a have been used is counted as one time, for example, when the detection unit 15 detects that a person has sat on the toilet 10a to 12a and then left the toilet.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, for example, on the 1st day of month N, booth 10 in the women's restroom TR1 is used 10 times and booth 11 is used 20 times, and booth 12 in the men's restroom TR2 is used 5 times. In this example, for ease of explanation, it is assumed that booth 10 is used 10 times, booth 11 is used 20 times, and booth 12 is used 5 times on all weekdays.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 46 sets a day as an event day if the total number of times booths 10-12 are used in one day is equal to or exceeds a threshold number of times (for example, 70 times). On the weekday of N month 31st, booth 10 and booth 11 in the women's restroom TR1 are used 40 times, and booth 12 in the men's restroom TR2 is used 20 times. Therefore, on N month 31st, the total number of times booths 10-12 are used is 100, and the day is set as an event day. Furthermore, it is assumed that there are no users of booths 10-12 on holidays (Saturday and Sunday).

[0051] In S2, a calculation is performed to determine the purpose of use (defecation or urination). When a man uses toilet 12a, the purpose of use is determined to be defecation. On the other hand, when a woman uses toilet 10a or 11a, the purpose is determined to be defecation or urination. The amount of paper used differs between men and women. Also, even for women, the amount of paper used differs between when using the toilet for defecation and when using the toilet for urination.

[0052] Therefore, the control unit 46 measures the duration that the detection unit 15 remains seated on the toilet bowls 10a, 11a, and determines whether the toilet bowls 10a, 11a in the women's toilet room TR1 are being used for defecation or urination.

[0053] The control unit 46 acquires the number of uses A of the toilets 10a, 11a shown in Figure 4 as usage information for the toilets 10a, 11a, as well as the sitting time at the toilets 10a, 11a. This sitting time is detected by the detection unit 15. The control unit 46 determines that all (100%) uses of the toilet 12a in the booth 12 of the men's toilet room TR2 are used to defecate. Therefore, the men's toilet room TR2 is omitted from Figure 5. In other words, the number of uses A of the toilet 12a in the booth 12 shown in Figure 4 are all determined to be used to defecate. The detection unit 15 may also measure the sitting time at the toilet 12a in the men's toilet room TR2.

[0054] The control unit 46 determines that a seating time on the toilet stools 10a, 11a is for urination if it is less than one minute, and determines that a seating time of one minute or more is for defecation if it is one minute or more. The threshold seating time (one minute in this example) is pre-stored in the memory unit 47. As shown in Figure 5, for example, on the first day of month N, of the 30 uses of the toilets 10a, 11a, 27 were for less than one minute and three were for one minute or more. For ease of explanation, the same number of uses is used on other weekdays. On the event day of month N, the 31st, of the 80 uses of the toilets 10a, 11a, 72 were for less than one minute and eight were for one minute or more.

[0055] The control unit 46 calculates the ratio of urination (sitting for less than one minute) to defecation (sitting for one minute or more) among the number of times the toilets 10a, 11a are used for urination during a predetermined period (between the 1st and 31st of month N). As shown in FIG. 5, of the 740 times the toilets 10a, 11a are used for urination, there are 666 times and the number of times the toilets are used for defecation is 74 times. The control unit 46 calculates that of the number of times the toilets 10a, 11a are used for defecation, the defecation usage ratio B1 = (74 / 740) x 100 = 10% and the urination usage ratio B2 = (666 / 740) x 100 = 90%. The calculated ratio of defecation to urination is stored in the memory unit 47.

[0056] In S3, the number of times each booth is used per day is calculated as the number of times per day for defecation by women. Here, the storage unit 47 pre-stores paper usage conditions. The paper usage conditions are the ratio of paper usage between men and women, and the ratio of paper usage between defecation and urination for women. These paper usage ratios are derived, for example, from market research.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the paper usage ratio for women using the toilet is "0.41" for women using the toilet and "0.89" for men using the toilet, assuming that the ratio for women using the toilet is "1." In other words, the paper usage ratio for women using the toilet is C1 = 1, the paper usage ratio for women using the toilet is C2 = 0.41, and the paper usage ratio for men using the toilet is C3 = 0.89.

[0058] Using the ratio of defecation and urination usage calculated in S2 and the paper usage ratio, the control unit 46 corrects the actual number of uses A of the toilets 10a-12a calculated in S1 to the number of uses E1, E2 when a woman uses the toilet for defecation. Figure 6 shows the corrected number of uses E1, E2 when a woman uses the toilet for defecation.

[0059] The corrected and calculated number of uses E1 for booths 10 and 11 in the women's restroom TR1 and the corrected and calculated number of uses E2 for booth 12 in the men's restroom TR2 are calculated using the following formulas 1 and 2. Formulas 1 and 2 are stored in advance in the memory unit 47.

[0060]

number

[0061]

number

[0062] For example, the number of times E1 booth 10 was used on the 1st day of month N is (10 x 10% x 1) + (10 x 90% x 0.41) = 4.69 ≒ 5. The number of times E1 booth 11 was used is (20 x 10% x 1) + (20 x 90% x 0.41) = 9.38 ≒ 9. Furthermore, the number of times E2 booth 12 was used on the 1st day of month N is (5 x 100% x 0.89) = 4.45 ≒ 4. The control unit 46 calculates the corrected numbers of times E1 and E2 booths 10-12 were used on each day. Steps S2 and S3 constitute the first step of the paper usage calculation process.

[0063] In S4, the paper usage record information is acquired. That is, the manager operates the information providing unit 50 to transmit the total number of paper rolls used in the women's restroom TR1 and the men's restroom TR2 to the management device 40. The control unit 46 of the management device 40 stores the received total number of paper rolls in the memory unit 47. In this example, it is assumed that 55 rolls of paper were used in the women's restroom TR1 and the men's restroom TR2 in month N. The control unit 46 stores "55 rolls" in the memory unit 47 as the paper usage record information.

[0064] In S5, the amount of paper used per defecation by a woman is calculated. First, the control unit 46 calculates the corrected number of defecation uses in one month. That is, the control unit 46 calculates the total number of times for one month of the corrected numbers of uses E1 and E2 calculated in S3. As shown in FIG. 6, in this example, the total number of times for one month is 465.

[0065] Then, as shown in Figure 7, the control unit 46 calculates the amount of paper used per defecation by a female. In this example, "paper used per defecation by a female = monthly usage / number of times toilet is used per month = 55 / 465 = 0.12". S5 constitutes the second step of the paper usage calculation process.

[0066] In S6, the required daily quantity of paper F (number of rolls) for each booth is calculated. The control unit 46 calculates the required daily quantity of paper F (estimated value) for each booth by multiplying the "amount of paper used per defecation by a woman" by the "corrected number of times each booth is used E1, E2." Note that the required daily quantity of paper F for each booth is rounded up to prevent a paper shortage.

[0067] For example, the required quantity of paper F for booth 10 on the 1st day of month N is 0.12 x 5 = 0.6 ≒ 1. The required quantity of paper F for booth 11 is 0.12 x 9 = 1.08 ≒ 2. Furthermore, the required quantity of paper F for booth 12 on the 1st day of month N is 0.12 x 4 = 0.48 ≒ 1. The control unit 46 calculates the required quantity of paper F for each of booths 10 to 12 on each day. S6 constitutes the third step of the paper usage calculation process.

[0068] In S7, the estimated amount of paper used is transmitted. That is, the control unit 46 transmits the calculated required amount of paper F from the second communication unit 44 to the information providing unit 50, and the process ends.

[0069] The information providing unit 50 displays the results of the required paper quantity F shown in FIG. 7, for example. From this, it can be seen that, for example, booth 10 requires one unit of paper on weekdays and zero units on holidays. It can also be seen that booth 10 requires three units of paper on the event day, the 31st of month N. Therefore, the manager can refer to this and create a paper replenishment management plan for each of booths 10-12 for the next month and beyond.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, when replenishing paper in the morning, the administrator can confirm that if two rolls of paper are installed in booth 10, the required amount for the day is sufficient. This prevents the paper installed in each of booths 10-12 from running short, and also eliminates the need to store more paper than necessary in each of booths 10-12.

[0071] 8, the control unit 46 may classify a predetermined period into multiple groups and calculate an estimated paper usage amount (required paper quantity F) for each of the multiple groups. In this example, the days are classified into three groups: weekdays, holidays, and event days. If there is variation in the required paper quantity F within each group, the control unit 46 selects and calculates the largest amount.

[0072] For example, when the administrator selects multiple group classification on the information providing unit 50, the information providing unit 50 switches the display screen from the table shown in Fig. 7 to the table shown in Fig. 8. This simplifies the table displayed on the information providing unit 50, making it easier to recognize the number of papers required for each group. Note that the information providing unit 50 may be configured to be able to switch and display the information shown in Figs. 4 to 8 at the administrator's selection.

[0073] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the display of the number of papers required for each booth and the number of times of replenishment according to the first modified example. As shown in FIG. 9, the information providing unit 50 may provide the difference between the reference number of papers installed in the booth and the estimated amount of paper used.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 9, in the first modified example, the women's restroom TR1 has eight booths (large 1 to large 8), and the men's restroom TR2 has four booths (large 9 to large 12). The amount of paper required at each booth is classified according to weekdays, holidays, and event days.

[0075] The administrator inputs the standard number of paper rolls (number of rolls) to be installed in each booth from the information providing unit 50. The control unit 46 stores the input standard number of paper rolls in the memory unit 47. The control unit 46 then calculates the number of times paper needs to be replenished for each classified group. In other words, the control unit 46 calculates how many times a day paper needs to be replenished in the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2.

[0076] As shown in Figure 9, for example, on an event day, the maximum number of paper rolls required in the women's restroom TR1 is 7 (booths: large 1, 3, 5, 7). The control unit 46 calculates "number of times paper rolls are replenished = maximum number of paper rolls required (7) / standard number of paper rolls (2) = 3.5 ≒ 4." The control unit 46 performs the same calculation on weekdays, holidays, and in the men's restroom TR2.

[0077] The control unit 46 transmits the calculated number of times paper has been replenished from the second communication unit 44 to the information providing unit 50. The information providing unit 50 displays the received number of times paper has been replenished. As shown in FIG. 9, the information providing unit 50 displays, for example, "With the current two units installed, four replenishments are required" or "The current two units installed are sufficient." This allows the manager to know how many times a day they need to replenish paper in toilet rooms TR1 and TR2.

[0078] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the maximum required number of toilet papers for each toilet room is collectively displayed according to the second modified example. In the first modified example shown in Fig. 9, the number of toilet papers required per day for each booth is displayed. However, as in the second modified example shown in Fig. 10, the control unit 46 may select the maximum number of toilet papers required for each of the toilet rooms TR1 and TR2 for each group such as weekdays, holidays, and event days, and display this number on the information providing unit 50.

[0079] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which a female toilet room TR1 and a male toilet room TR2 are provided in a building. However, for example, the control unit 46 may execute the paper usage calculation process only in the female toilet room TR1 or only in the male toilet room TR2.

[0080] For example, if only the men's restroom TR2 is used, the toilet bowl's use will be 100% for defecation, so the correction calculation described above does not need to be performed. That is, the paper usage calculation process only needs to include a first step of calculating the amount of paper usage per use based on the paper usage record information and the total number of uses of the toilet bowls in the men's restroom TR2, and a second step of calculating the amount of paper usage per day based on the amount of paper usage per use and the number of times the toilet bowl is used per day. In this way, once the control unit 46 has calculated the amount of paper usage per toilet use, it can calculate an estimated amount of paper usage for each booth in the men's restroom TR2.

[0081] In such cases, it is sufficient for the detection unit 15 to detect the number of times the toilet is used, and it is not necessary to detect the time spent sitting on the toilet. In other words, the detection unit 15 is not limited to detecting sitting on the toilet, but may also detect, for example, the flushing of the toilet or the operation of a remote control for flushing the toilet.

[0082] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the detection unit 15 uses the time spent sitting on the toilet to determine the purpose of a woman's use of the toilet. However, for example, the detection unit 15 may detect the operation of the small flush button and the large flush button on the toilet flush remote control to determine the purpose of a woman's use of the toilet.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the paper usage calculation process is executed by the control unit 46 of the management device 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the paper usage calculation process may be executed by the control unit of the information provider unit 50 or the control unit of the toilet room, for example.

[0084] Embodiments may include the following features. (Configuration 1) a detection unit that detects the use of a toilet bowl installed in a booth in a toilet room; a storage unit that stores the toilet usage information detected by the detection unit; a control unit that calculates an estimated paper usage amount in the booth based on the usage information and actual paper usage information of paper consumed in the toilet room; an information providing unit that provides information based on the estimated paper usage amount calculated by the control unit; A consumables management system comprising: (Configuration 2) 2. The consumables management system according to configuration 1, wherein the control unit calculates the estimated paper usage amount based on the usage information, the paper usage record information, and paper usage conditions. (Configuration 3) 3. The consumables management system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit classifies a predetermined period into a plurality of groups and calculates the estimated paper usage amount for each of the plurality of groups. (Configuration 4) The consumables management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the information providing unit provides the difference between a reference number of pieces of paper installed in the booth and the estimated amount of paper used. (Configuration 5) A consumables management method characterized by comprising a paper usage calculation step of estimating and calculating the amount of paper used in a day based on actual information on paper usage in a toilet room over a specified period and information on toilet bowl usage over the specified period. (Configuration 6) The usage information includes the number of times the toilet bowl has been used, The paper usage calculation step includes: a first step of calculating the amount of paper used per use based on the paper usage record information and the total number of times the toilet bowl in the toilet room is used; a second step of calculating the amount of paper used per day based on the amount of paper used per use and the number of times the toilet is used per day; 6. The consumables management method according to claim 5, further comprising: (Configuration 7) The usage information includes the number of times the toilet bowl is used and the ratio of uses of the toilet bowl, The paper usage calculation step includes: A first step of correcting the number of times the toilet is used to the number of times it is used for defecation based on the number of times the toilet is used, the ratio of the uses, and the ratio of paper usage for defecation or urination; a second step of calculating the amount of paper used per use based on the paper use amount record information and the number of times of use for defecation; A third step of calculating the amount of paper used per day based on the amount of paper used per time and the number of times of defecation; 6. The consumables management method according to claim 5, further comprising: (Configuration 8) The toilet rooms include a men's toilet room and a women's toilet room, The consumables management method according to configuration 7, characterized in that the correction calculation of the number of defecation uses in the men's toilet room calculated in the first step is performed when the paper usage ratio differs between men and women.

[0085] The above describes embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, and arrangement of each element of the consumables management system and consumables management method are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Consumables management system Booths 10-12 10a~12a Toilet bowl 15 Detector 20 Network Equipment 30 Network 40 Management device 42 First Communications Department 44 Second Communications Department 46 Control Unit 47 Memory section 50 Information provision department 50a Mobile Device 50b PC terminal TR1 Women's Toilet TR2 Men's restroom

Claims

1. a detection unit that detects the use of a toilet bowl installed in a booth in a toilet room; a storage unit that stores the toilet usage information detected by the detection unit; a control unit that calculates an estimated paper usage amount in the booth based on the usage information and actual paper usage information of paper consumed in the toilet room; an information providing unit that provides information based on the estimated paper usage amount calculated by the control unit; A consumables management system comprising:

2. The consumables management system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit calculates the estimated paper usage amount based on the usage information, the paper usage record information, and paper usage conditions.

3. The consumables management system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit classifies a predetermined period into a plurality of groups and calculates the estimated paper usage amount for each of the plurality of groups.

4. The consumables management system according to claim 1 , wherein the information providing unit provides a difference between a reference number of papers installed in the booth and the estimated amount of paper used.

5. A consumables management method characterized by including a paper usage calculation step of estimating and calculating the amount of paper used in a day based on actual paper usage information for a toilet room over a specified period and toilet bowl usage information over the specified period.

6. The usage information includes the number of times the toilet bowl has been used, The paper usage calculation step includes: a first step of calculating the amount of paper used per use based on the paper usage record information and the total number of times the toilet bowl in the toilet room is used; a second step of calculating the amount of paper used per day based on the amount of paper used per use and the number of times the toilet is used per day; The consumables management method according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. The usage information includes the number of times the toilet bowl is used and the ratio of uses of the toilet bowl, The paper usage calculation step includes: A first step of correcting the number of times the toilet is used to the number of times it is used for defecation based on the number of times the toilet is used, the ratio of the uses, and the ratio of paper usage for defecation or urination; a second step of calculating the amount of paper used per use based on the paper use amount record information and the number of times of use for defecation; a third step of calculating the amount of paper used per day based on the amount of paper used per time and the number of times of defecation; The consumables management method according to claim 5, further comprising:

8. The toilet rooms include a men's toilet room and a women's toilet room, 8. The consumables management method according to claim 7, wherein the correction calculation of the number of defecation uses in the men's toilet room calculated in the first step is performed when the paper usage ratio differs between men and women.

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