Excretion information management system

Abstract

To provide an excretion information management system capable of displaying information on excretion so as to be comparable with the information of other people.SOLUTION: An excretion information management system according to an embodiment that collects and manages information on human excretion comprises: a storage part that stores at least one of a time of defecation, a shape of a stool, a color of the stool, an amount of the stool, the time required for the defecation, a predetermined parameter based on a smell during the defecation, and a time interval between defecation actions, as individual defecation data; and a display part that displays defecation data, wherein the individual defecation data stored in the storage part is collected for a plurality of persons, and at least two or more of the defecation data of the plurality of persons, the defecation data of an individual, and the information shown in a manner of comparing the defecation data of the plurality of persons and the defecation data of the individual are displayed together on the display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to an excretion information management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for automatically detecting the properties and volume of feces (hereinafter also referred to as "stool") and the presence of blood on the feces, and displaying the detection results, in order to aid in health management (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also a health information management system that grasps the health status of a group from the acquired data on stool properties (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-146244 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6689501 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has room for improvement in terms of displaying information related to excretion. For example, the above-mentioned conventional technology displays detection results for the person to whom the display is provided, but the person viewing the display cannot compare the results with those of other people, and therefore cannot understand, for example, whether their own feces or excretory behavior is normal or different from that of other people. Therefore, there is room for improvement in displaying information appropriate for the user.

[0005] An object of the disclosed embodiment is to provide an excretion information management system that displays information about excretion so that it can be compared with other people. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment is an excretion information management system that collects and manages information related to human excretion, and has a memory unit that stores at least one of the following as individual defecation data: time of defecation, shape of stool, color of stool, amount of stool, time required for defecation, predetermined parameters based on the odor at the time of defecation, and time interval between defecation acts; and a display unit that displays defecation data.The system collects individual defecation data stored in the memory unit for multiple individuals, and displays on the display unit at least two or more of the defecation data of multiple individuals, the individual's defecation data, and information showing a comparison between the defecation data of multiple individuals and the individual's defecation data.

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the excretion information management system displays the defecation data of multiple people together with the defecation data of an individual, allowing the viewer to compare their own personal data with the data of others. This allows the excretion information management system to display information about excretion in a manner that allows comparison with others. The excretion information management system allows users to compare stool characteristics and defecation behavior (smell-based parameters and time) with others, which previously had no clear standards and were difficult to compare with oneself. While there are indicators for ideal stool characteristics, such as a banana-like shape and a light color, it is unclear how many people have stools with such characteristics or whether one's stool is better than others'. Since stool characteristics generally vary depending on age and gender, simply striving for an ideal state often leaves people uncertain about their own health status and leads to anxiety about their own health. Knowing one's position relative to others is useful for health management. For example, those who are better than others can maintain motivation to maintain good condition. Those who are at the same level as others can feel a sense of security. Furthermore, those who are worse than others can increase their awareness of improving their health.

[0008] Many people pay close attention to their intestinal environment, but they rarely have the opportunity to compare the quality of their stool with others, a marker of whether their intestinal environment is healthy or not. Stool condition varies with age and gender. Women tend to have weaker abdominal muscles, resulting in a weaker ability to excrete. Similarly, as people get older, their ability to excrete weakens, leading to constipation and an increase in hard stool. As people age, the number of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria decreases and the number of harmful bacteria increases, leading to a deterioration of the intestinal environment. It is commonly believed that stool becomes harder and darker in color. However, in general, almost no one looks at other people's stool. Due to a high degree of privacy, people do not actively share their own waste with others. This can lead to anxiety about whether their waste is normal. There are no general values ​​(standard values) for waste data, like height and weight. Therefore, it is difficult to know whether your stool is different from others'. However, with the excretion information management system, by displaying the defecation data of multiple people together with personal defecation data, people who view the display can compare their own personal data with the data of others, which can be useful for health management.

[0009] In one aspect of the embodiment, the excretion information management system compares the defecation data of multiple people with the defecation data of an individual by linking the defecation data of the individual to information on the individual's attributes and storing the information in the memory unit, aggregating the collected data by attribute, and displaying the information on the display unit in a manner that compares the defecation data of multiple people that match the individual's attributes with the individual's defecation data.

[0010] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the excretion information management system compiles data by attribute and displays the defecation data of an individual in a manner that compares it with the defecation data of multiple people who match the individual's attributes. For example, this allows the information to be displayed in a comparative manner for other people who match the attributes of the person to whom the information is provided. This allows the excretion information management system to display information about excretion so that it can be compared with other people who match the individual's attributes. For example, stool condition varies depending on age and gender. Therefore, the excretion information management system compares data by age and gender, allowing the individual's condition to be more accurately understood.

[0011] The excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment displays, on the display unit, information obtained by processing an individual's defecation data for a predetermined period into a representative value in a comparative manner.

[0012] Stool condition is easily affected by diet and other factors, and a single bowel movement alone will produce specific data. Therefore, according to one aspect of the embodiment, the excretion information management system displays information on the display unit in a comparative manner, whereby an individual's average stool condition can be compared, enabling appropriate comparisons. The representative value referred to here may be any value that represents the target data group, such as the average value, mode, or median. The information processed into the representative value may be, for example, the most frequently occurring information in the target period, the median value of the range of values ​​occurring in the target period, information averaged over the target period, or information averaged over the target period excluding outliers. In other words, the averaged information processed into the representative value may be any information that represents the target data group.

[0013] The excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment stores an individual's defecation data in the storage unit in an anonymized state.

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the excretion information management system stores an individual's defecation data in an anonymized state, so that the collected defecation data, which is private information, is not linked to information that can identify an individual (e.g., name, address, etc.). This allows the excretion information management system to provide appropriate services while taking private information into consideration.

[0015] The excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment has a detection unit that detects at least one of the following: time of defecation, shape of stool, color of stool, amount of stool, time required for defecation, a predetermined parameter based on the smell at the time of defecation, and time interval between defecation acts, and automatically stores the defecation data detected by the detection unit in the memory unit.

[0016] According to the excretion information management system of one aspect of the embodiment, data can be acquired automatically, making input easy and eliminating variations in input between individuals, and enabling highly reliable recording of data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to one aspect of the embodiment, information about excretion can be displayed so as to be comparable with other people. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration inside a toilet room. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the excretion information management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a defecation information database according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart illustrating the relationship between the detections. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of defecation data. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information display. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an excretion information management system according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for acquiring data. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart illustrating the relationship between the detections. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the shape of stool. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the shape of stool. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the color of stool. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the color of stool. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the amount of stool. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the amount of stool. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the time required for excretion. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the time required for excretion. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the odor of stool. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the odor of stool. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to the excretion interval. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a display relating to excretion intervals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the excretion information management system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0020] <1. Embodiment> The excretion information management system according to each embodiment described below manages excretion information related to the user's excretion based on information detected by a sensor. In the following example, a case will be described in which a camera 302 (two-dimensional image sensor) and a gas sensor unit 350 are used as the detection unit (sensor). Note that the excretion information management system 1 may use any sensor other than the camera 302 as long as it can detect at least one of the following: time of defecation, shape of stool, color of stool, amount of stool, time required for excretion, a predetermined parameter based on the odor during excretion, and time interval between excretory acts; this will be described later.

[0021] <1-1. Structure of the excretion information management system> The configuration of the excretion information management system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration inside a toilet room. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the excretion information management system according to the embodiment.

[0022] First, an example of the configuration inside a toilet room R common to all embodiments of the excretion information management system 1 will be described using Fig. 1. Hereinafter, the configuration inside the toilet room R shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be collectively referred to as a toilet system TS. As shown in Fig. 1, a Western-style toilet bowl (hereinafter referred to as "toilet bowl") 7 is installed on a floor surface F in the toilet room R. In the following, the direction facing the interior of the toilet room R from the floor surface F will be described as "up." A toilet seat device 2 is provided above the toilet bowl 7.

[0023] The toilet bowl 7 is made of, for example, ceramic. The toilet bowl 7 is formed with a bowl portion 8. The bowl portion 8 is concave downwards and is the portion that receives the user's excrement. The toilet bowl 7 is not limited to a floor-standing type as shown in the figure, and may be of any type, such as a wall-mounted type, as long as the toilet system TS is applicable. The toilet bowl 7 is provided with a rim portion 9 around the entire edge of the opening that faces the bowl portion 8. In the toilet room R, for example, a flush water tank that stores flush water may be installed near the toilet bowl 7, or a so-called tankless type may be used in which no flush water tank is installed.

[0024] For example, when a user operates a flushing operation unit (not shown) for flushing provided in the toilet room R, a toilet flush is performed by supplying flush water to the bowl 8 of the toilet 7. The flushing operation unit may be an operation lever or a touch operation on a toilet flushing object displayed on the operation device 10. Note that the flushing operation unit is not limited to an operation lever or the like that causes the toilet to be flushed manually by the user, but may also be one that causes the toilet to be flushed when a sensor that detects the user, such as the seat sensor 301, detects the human body.

[0025] The toilet seat device 2 is attached to the top of the toilet bowl 7 and comprises a main body 3, a toilet lid 4, a toilet seat 5, and a flushing nozzle 6. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7, which is formed with a bowl 8 that receives excrement. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7 so that the flushing nozzle 6 advances into the bowl 8 before spraying flushing water. The toilet seat device 2 may be attached detachably to the toilet bowl 7, or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet bowl 7.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat 5 is formed in an annular shape with an opening 50 in the center, and is positioned along the rim portion 9 so as to overlap the opening of the toilet bowl 7. A user sits on the toilet seat 5. The toilet seat 5 functions as a seating portion that supports the buttocks of the seated user. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 are each pivotally supported at one end by the main body portion 3, and are attached so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) around the pivotal portion of the main body portion 3. The toilet lid 4 is attached to the toilet seat device 2 as needed, and the toilet seat device 2 does not necessarily have to have a toilet lid 4.

[0027] The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for discharging water for cleaning. The cleaning nozzle 6 is capable of spraying cleaning water. The cleaning nozzle 6 is capable of spraying cleaning water toward the user. The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for cleaning private parts. The cleaning nozzle 6 is configured to be able to advance and retreat relative to the main body cover 30, which is the housing of the main body 3, by driving a driving source such as an electric motor (such as the nozzle motor 61 in FIG. 4). The cleaning nozzle 6 is also connected to a water source such as a water pipe (not shown). When the cleaning nozzle 6 is in an advanced position relative to the main body cover 30, which is the housing of the main body 3 (hereinafter also referred to as the "advanced position"), as shown in FIG. 1, it sprays water from the water source onto the user's body to clean the private parts.

[0028] 1 shows the cleaning nozzle 6 in the advanced position. The cleaning nozzle 6 may also be used to clean the inside of the toilet bowl 7 (bowl portion 8, etc.). The cleaning nozzle 6 may be used to be switchable between a private parts cleaning mode for cleaning the private parts of the user and a toilet bowl cleaning mode for spraying water inside the toilet bowl 7. For example, the cleaning nozzle 6 may be used to be switchable between the private parts cleaning mode and the toilet bowl cleaning mode according to the control by the control unit 23 of the toilet seat device 2 (see FIG. 4).

[0029] The operating device 10 is provided in the toilet room R. The operating device 10 is provided in a position where it can be operated by a user. The operating device 10 is provided in a position where it can be operated by a user when seated on the toilet seat 5. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the operating device 10 is provided on a wall surface W on the right side as seen from a user seated on the toilet seat 5. Note that the operating device 10 may be provided in various ways, not just on a wall surface, as long as it is usable by a user seated on the toilet seat 5. For example, the operating device 10 may be provided integrally with the toilet seat apparatus 2.

[0030] An example of sensor placement will now be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the toilet seat 5 in a raised position to illustrate the placement of the sensors, with the toilet lid 4 removed and the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5 opposite the surface on which the user sits (seating surface).

[0031] 2 shows a state in which the cleaning nozzle 6 (see FIG. 1) is in a position where it is stored inside the main body cover 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the "storage position"). As shown in FIG. 2, when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in the storage position, the nozzle lid 60 is closed, and the cleaning nozzle 6 is hidden behind the nozzle lid 60. When cleaning is performed using the cleaning nozzle 6, the nozzle lid 60 is opened and the cleaning nozzle 6 protrudes from the opening in the main body cover 30 (the opening covered by the nozzle lid 60 in the closed state in FIG. 2), and the cleaning nozzle 6 transitions to an advanced state.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2 , a seating sensor 301 and a camera 302, which are sensors used in the excretion information management system 1, are arranged on the back surface 51 side of the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 may be detachable from the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5, or may be fixed to the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 may be included in the configuration of the toilet seat device 2. In addition, the camera 302 may be detachable from the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5, or may be fixed to the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5. The camera 302 may be included in the configuration of the toilet seat device 2.

[0033] Note that seat sensor 301 may use any detection method and may be placed in any location as long as it can detect a user sitting on toilet seat 5. For example, if seat sensor 301 is an infrared or μ (microwave) distance sensor that detects a user sitting on toilet seat 5 by distance, seat sensor 301 may be placed in a position that detects a person's feet from the side of toilet bowl 7 or in a position that detects a person's back from a tank attached to toilet bowl 7. For example, if seat sensor 301 detects a person's feet from the side of toilet bowl 7, seat sensor 301 may be placed near the outer periphery of toilet bowl 7 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, if seat sensor 301 detects a person's back from a tank attached to toilet bowl 7, seat sensor 301 may be placed on the outer periphery of the tank provided at the rear of toilet bowl 7 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, if seat sensor 301 is a distance sensor that detects a user sitting on toilet seat by distance, seat sensor 301 may be placed around the periphery of toilet bowl 7. For example, if seat sensor 301 detects sitting by distance, it may be placed on the ceiling of toilet room R. Or, for example, if seat sensor 301 is a contact switch and detects sinking of the toilet seat due to sitting, seat sensor 301 may be placed on the pivot support part of toilet seat 5. Or, for example, if seat sensor 301 is a load sensor and detects sitting by the weight on the toilet seat, seat sensor 301 may be placed on the underside of toilet seat 5, on the surface that comes into contact with toilet bowl 7. Also, camera 302 may be placed anywhere as long as it can detect feces excreted in toilet bowl 7.

[0034] 2, the gas sensor unit 350 is disposed within the opening 31 of the main body 3. For example, the gas sensor unit 350 is disposed in an internal space that communicates with the opening 31 of the main body 3. The gas sensor unit 350 may be disposed in any manner as long as it can detect parameters based on the odor of stool in the toilet bowl 7. The gas sensor unit 350 may be included in the configuration of the toilet seat apparatus 2. The gas sensor unit 350 may also be a device that can be disposed separately from the toilet seat apparatus 2. For example, the gas sensor unit 350 may be disposed outside the toilet seat apparatus 2. For example, the gas sensor unit 350 may be attached to a tank or the like attached to the toilet bowl 7. The gas sensor unit 350 detects the presence and concentration of odor components such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and ammonia as odor-based parameters.

[0035] 3, the excretion information management system 1 includes a toilet system TS including a toilet seat device 2, an operating device 10, a seating sensor 301, a camera 302, and a gas sensor unit 350, a user terminal 200, and a server device 400. The excretion information management system 1 may include multiple toilet systems TS, multiple user terminals 200, and multiple server devices 400. The case where multiple toilet systems TS are included will be described later.

[0036] The toilet seat device 2 is a device placed in a toilet room R. The toilet seat device 2 communicates with each device of the toilet system TS (the operating device 10, the seating sensor 301, the camera 302, and the gas sensor unit 350), the user terminal 200, and the server device 400.

[0037] The toilet seat device 2 performs a process (personal identification) to acquire information for identifying a user who defecates using the toilet bowl 7 in the toilet room R. For example, the toilet seat device 2 acquires information for identifying a user who defecates using the toilet bowl 7 by communicating with a user terminal 200 owned by the user or by the user operating the operating device 10, and performs personal identification of the user. For example, the toilet seat device 2 communicates with the user terminal 200 owned by the user and receives a user ID (also simply referred to as "ID"), which is user identification information for identifying the user, from the user terminal 200. Note that the toilet seat device 2 may use any method to identify a user as long as it is possible to identify a user who defecates using the toilet bowl 7 in the toilet room R.

[0038] Furthermore, the toilet seat device 2 manages the acquired user identification information and excretion information (defecation information) related to the detected excretion (defecation) in association with each other. For example, the toilet seat device 2 associates the acquired user identification information with the excretion information (defecation information) and transmits them to the server device 400. The server device 400 associates the received excretion information with the received user identification information and registers them in the storage unit 420. Furthermore, the toilet seat device 2 may associate the user identification information and the excretion information (defecation information) with toilet seat identification information (toilet seat identification information) for identifying the toilet seat device 2 and transmit them to the server device 400. In this case, the server device 400 associates the received excretion information with information indicating a location (for example, home, school, etc.) corresponding to the toilet seat identification information with the received user identification information and registers them in the storage unit 420. Furthermore, the toilet seat device 2 may associate the user identification information and the excretion information (defecation information) with information indicating the location (position information) of the toilet seat device 2 and transmit them to the server device 400. In this case, the server device 400 associates the received user identification information with the received excretion information and position information, and registers them in the storage unit 420. Details of the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described later.

[0039] The operation device 10 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with it via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the operation device 10 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with it via a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the toilet seat device 2 and the operation device 10 may be connected in any manner as long as they are able to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other via a wired or wireless connection so as to be able to communicate with each other. For example, the operation device 10 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection.

[0040] The operation device 10 receives various operations from the user via a display surface (for example, a display screen 11) using, for example, a touch panel function. The operation device 10 may also be provided with switches and buttons, and may receive various operations via the switches, buttons, etc. The display screen 11 is, for example, the display screen of a tablet terminal or the like realized by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc., and is a display device for displaying various information. In other words, the operation device 10 receives input from the user via the display screen 11 and also outputs information to the user. The display screen 11 is a display device for displaying various information.

[0041] The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to stop a control being executed by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to start private parts washing by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's instruction to the cleaning nozzle 6. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to cause the toilet seat device 2 to output a predetermined sound. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to perform a sterilization process to sterilize the cleaning nozzle 6 (see FIG. 1) of the toilet seat device 2 with disinfectant water. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to adjust the force of water spray during private parts washing by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to adjust the volume of the sound output by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to select a language when information regarding toilet usage is displayed on the operation device 10 or output as audio.

[0042] For example, the operation device 10 may display the above-described object that accepts the user's operation on the display screen 11, and execute various processes in response to the user's touch on the displayed object. For example, the operation device 10 may have a switch, button, etc. that accepts the above-described user's operation, and execute various processes in response to the user's touch on the switch, button, etc. Note that the above is just an example, and the operation device 10 may also accept a user's operation that executes various processes.

[0043] The seating sensor 301 has a function of detecting a person sitting on the toilet seat device 2. The seating sensor 301 detects that a user has sat (seated) on the toilet bowl 7. The seating sensor 301 can detect that the user is sitting on the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 also functions as a seat-leaving detection sensor that detects that the user has left the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 detects the seated state of the user on the toilet seat 5.

[0044] The seating sensor 301 is, for example, a switch that switches ON / OFF depending on the weight of a user sitting on the toilet seat 5. When the user sits on the toilet seat 5 and the toilet seat 5 sinks, the seating sensor 301 is switched on, thereby detecting that the user is sitting on the toilet bowl 7.

[0045] The above is just an example, and the seating sensor 301 may detect a person sitting on the toilet seat device 2 by various means other than the above. The seating sensor 301 transmits a seating detection signal to the toilet seat device 2.

[0046] The seating sensor 301 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the seating sensor 301 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with it by a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the toilet seat device 2 and the seating sensor 301 may be connected in any manner as long as they are able to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other wired or wirelessly. For example, the seating sensor 301 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other wired or wirelessly.

[0047] Camera 302 functions as a detector that detects defecation by capturing images of the inside of toilet bowl 7. Camera 302 is a camera that captures images and generates two-dimensional images. For example, camera 302 has an area sensor (two-dimensional image sensor) in which a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor is arranged in a planar (two-dimensional) pattern.

[0048] Camera 302 photographs the water seal portion of toilet bowl 7 (for example, the portion of bowl 8 where water seal collects). Camera 302 is placed on underside 51 of toilet seat 5 in a position and orientation that allows it to detect (image) the water seal portion of toilet bowl 7. For example, camera 302 is mounted on toilet seat 5 so that it is directed toward the water seal portion of toilet bowl 7 when toilet seat 5 is down (when a user is seated on toilet seat 5 and able to defecate). Camera 302 may be placed in any manner as long as it can detect (image) the water seal portion of toilet bowl 7. Camera 302 may be placed in any location as long as it can image the water seal portion of toilet bowl 7. Camera 302 may take still images or may take moving images. Camera 302 may be positioned to image (detect) feces as it falls. If the inside of the toilet becomes dark when a user sits on the toilet seat and it is not possible to image the area with sufficient light, a light source (light-emitting unit) may be provided.

[0049] The camera 302 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the camera 302 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with it via a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the toilet seat device 2 and the camera 302 may be connected in any manner as long as they are able to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other wired or wirelessly. For example, the camera 302 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other wired or wirelessly.

[0050] The gas sensor unit 350 has a fan 351, an odor sensor 352, etc., and functions as a sensor that detects odors. Note that the gas sensor unit 350 is not limited to the fan 351 and the odor sensor 352, and also has components necessary for performing desired processing, such as a communication circuit.

[0051] Fan 351 is used to suck gas inside toilet bowl 7 (bowl portion 8). Fan 351 sucks gas inside toilet bowl 7 (bowl portion 8) through opening 31 into the internal space of main body 3 in which odor sensor 352 is arranged.

[0052] Odor sensor 352 is disposed in the internal space of main body 3 and detects gas drawn in by fan 351 through opening 31 (on the toilet bowl 7 side). A semiconductor gas sensor, an electrochemical sensor, or the like is used for odor sensor 352. For example, odor sensor 352 detects the presence and concentration of odor components such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and ammonia as parameters.

[0053] There may be multiple odor sensors 352. For example, the multiple odor sensors 352 may include a sensor that measures odorless gas. Odorless gas components include hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, etc. The multiple odor sensors 352 may include a semiconductor gas sensor, an optical sensor such as an NDIR gas sensor that performs detection by non-dispersive infrared absorption, etc., as a sensor that measures odorless gas. The above is merely an example, and the odor sensor 352 may include sensors that detect various components depending on the components (parameters) to be detected.

[0054] The gas sensor unit 350 is connected to the toilet seat apparatus 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the gas sensor unit 350 may be connected to the toilet seat apparatus 2 so as to be able to communicate with it via a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the toilet seat apparatus 2 and the gas sensor unit 350 may be connected in any manner as long as they are able to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other wired or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with each other. For example, the gas sensor unit 350 may be connected to the toilet seat apparatus 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other wired or wirelessly. The gas sensor unit 350 has a communication function realized by a communication circuit or the like, and transmits information related to the detected odor to the toilet seat apparatus 2. For example, the gas sensor unit 350 transmits an output value output in response to the detection of gas to the toilet seat apparatus 2 as information related to the detected odor.

[0055] Note that various sensors other than the camera 302 and gas sensor unit 350 may be used as long as they can detect at least one of the following: time of defecation, shape of the stool, color of the stool, amount of the stool, time required for defecation, a predetermined parameter based on the odor during defecation, and time interval between defecation acts. For example, a water level sensor may be used. In this case, the water level sensor detects defecation by detecting a change in the water level in the water seal of the toilet bowl 7. Alternatively, a radiation thermometer may be used. In this case, the radiation thermometer detects defecation by receiving infrared rays emitted from the defecation and detecting the radiation temperature.

[0056] Alternatively, for example, a line sensor that captures one-dimensional images may be used, as will be described later. Alternatively, an ultrasonic sensor may be used. In this case, the ultrasonic sensor detects defecation by emitting ultrasonic waves toward the defecation and receiving waves (ultrasound) reflected from the defecation. Note that the above is merely an example, and any sensor may be used as long as it can detect at least one of the following: time of defecation, shape of the defecation, color of the defecation, amount of defecation, time required for defecation, a predetermined parameter based on the odor during defecation, and time interval between defecation acts.

[0057] The user terminal 200 functions as a display unit (display device) that displays various information (excretion information) related to the user's excretion, such as defecation data (excretion data). The user terminal 200 receives information indicating the defecation data from the toilet seat device 2 and displays the received information indicating the defecation data. For example, the user terminal 200 displays the defecation data in chronological order by the date and time of excretion.

[0058] For example, the user terminal 200 is a user terminal (computer) used by a user. The user terminal 200 is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet terminal, or a notebook PC (Personal Computer). For example, the user terminal 200 is communicably connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N, either wired or wirelessly. For example, the user terminal 200 may be communicably connected to the toilet seat device 2 by a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0059] The user terminal 200 transmits and receives information to and from the toilet seat device 2 and the server device 400. For example, the user terminal 200 receives information related to the user's excretion from the server device 400 and displays the received information. For example, the user terminal 200 receives content indicating the user's defecation data from the server device 400 and displays the received content.

[0060] The user terminal 200 may also have a sensor (position sensor) that detects the position of the user terminal 200. For example, the user terminal 200 may have a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor and detect the position of the user terminal 200 (user). For example, the user terminal 200 acquires information on the excretion site using the GPS function. The user terminal 200 may also acquire position information of the base station with which it is communicating, or position information of the user terminal 200 (user) estimated using WiFi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity) radio waves.

[0061] The user terminal 200 displays defecation data. The user terminal 200 displays defecation data of multiple people together with the individual's defecation data. The user terminal 200 displays defecation data of multiple people matching the individual's attributes in a manner that compares the individual's defecation data. The user terminal 200 displays information in which the individual's defecation data has been processed into a representative value in a manner that compares the information. For example, the user terminal 200 displays information in which the individual's defecation data over a predetermined period has been averaged for comparison. The user terminal 200 also displays at least two types of defecation data: defecation data of multiple people, individual's defecation data, and a comparison result between the defecation data of multiple people and the individual's defecation data.

[0062] The server device 400 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200 via a predetermined network (network N) such as the Internet in a wired or wireless manner so as to be able to communicate with them. Note that the server device 400 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200 in any manner as long as it is possible to send and receive information, and may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200 in a wired or wireless manner so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0063] The server device 400 collects individual defecation data for multiple individuals and stores it in the storage unit 420. The server device 400 associates the individual defecation data with information on the individual's attributes and stores it in the storage unit 420, and aggregates the collected data for each attribute. The server device 400 stores the individual defecation data in an anonymized state in the storage unit 420. The server device 400 automatically stores defecation data detected by a detection unit (sensor) in the storage unit 420.

[0064] The server device 400 may have any configuration and arrangement as long as it can communicate with the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200 and perform processing. For example, the server device 400 may be a portable terminal (device) such as a laptop computer that can be carried by an administrator of the excretion information management system 1. The server device 400 may also be placed in the toilet room R.

[0065] It should be noted that the above is merely an example, and the excretion information management system 1 can employ any device configuration as long as it can realize the desired processing. For example, the operation device 10 may function as a display unit that displays defecation data. Furthermore, both the operation device 10 and the user terminal 200 may be included in the excretion information management system 1 as devices that function as display units. Furthermore, sensors (detection units) such as the camera 302 included in the excretion information management system 1 may be included in the toilet seat device 2. It should be noted that the above system configuration is merely an example, and the excretion information management system 1 may have any system configuration as long as it can realize the desired processing.

[0066] Furthermore, the excretion information management system 1 may also include sensors other than the seating sensor 301, the camera 302, and the gas sensor unit 350. For example, the excretion information management system 1 may also include a human body detection sensor. The human body detection sensor has a function of detecting a human body. For example, the human body detection sensor is realized by a pyroelectric sensor using an infrared signal. For example, the human body detection sensor may be realized by a μ (microwave) wave sensor. Note that the above is just an example, and the human body detection sensor is not limited to the above and may detect a human body by various means. For example, the human body detection sensor detects a person (such as a user) who has entered the toilet room R (see FIG. 1). The human body detection sensor transmits a detection signal to the toilet seat device 2.

[0067] <1-2. Functional configuration of the toilet seat device> Next, the functional configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the toilet seat device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a control unit 23, a solenoid valve 71, a nozzle motor 61, and a flushing nozzle 6. For example, the communication unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the control unit 23 are provided in the main body 3 of the toilet seat device 2. Note that Fig. 4 omits illustration of some of the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 described in Fig. 1 (such as the main body 3, toilet seat 5, and toilet bowl 7).

[0068] The communication unit 21 is realized by, for example, a communication device, a communication circuit, etc. The communication unit 21 is connected to a network N (see FIG. 3) by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 21 transmits and receives information to and from the operation device 10, the seating sensor 301, the camera 302, the gas sensor unit 350, the user terminal 200, the server device 400, etc.

[0069] The communication unit 21 communicates with the server device 400 under the control of the control unit 23. The communication unit 21 transmits excretion information obtained by detection by the camera 302 to the server device 400. The communication unit 21 transmits excretion information obtained by detection by the gas sensor unit 350 to the server device 400. The communication unit 21 also receives operation information indicating an operation by the user from the operating device 10.

[0070] The storage unit 22 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 storage unit 22 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by a program for determining stool properties, etc. The storage unit 22 stores various information such as information detected by the detection unit, and stores various information used in the determination process.

[0071] The memory unit 420 stores various information used in the determination process related to stool, such as the properties of stool. For example, the memory unit 420 stores thresholds used in the determination process related to stool. For example, the memory unit 420 stores various models (determination models) used in the determination related to stool. For example, the memory unit 420 stores various determination models used to determine the shape, color, amount, etc. of stool. The memory unit 22 stores information related to the measured time. The memory unit 22 stores information indicating the time required for defecation. Note that the above is merely an example, and the memory unit 22 stores various information related to stool.

[0072] The control unit 23 may be, for example, a control device that controls various configurations and processes. The control unit 23 is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) executing a program (for example, a program for determining stool characteristics, etc., as disclosed herein) stored inside the toilet seat device 2 using a RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 23 is also realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0073] 4, control unit 23 has an acquisition unit 231, a clock unit 232, and a request unit 233, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of control unit 23 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and may be any other configuration as long as it performs the information processing described below.

[0074] The acquisition unit 231 acquires information. The acquisition unit 231 acquires various types of information from the storage unit 22. The acquisition unit 231 acquires detection information from the detection unit (sensor). The acquisition unit 231 receives information indicating detection by the seat sensor 301 from the seat sensor 301. The acquisition unit 231 receives information indicating detection by the camera 302 from the camera 302. The acquisition unit 231 receives information indicating detection by the gas sensor unit 350 from the gas sensor unit 350. The acquisition unit 231 receives various types of information indicating user operations, etc. from the operating device 10. The acquisition unit 231 stores the received various types of information in the storage unit 22.

[0075] The clock unit 232 acquires the time related to defecation. The clock unit 232 acquires the date and time when the excretion act was performed. The clock unit 232 acquires information indicating the date and time of excretion (date and time information). The clock unit 232 generates excretion information based on information detected by the sensor. The clock unit 232 transmits information to the server device 400 via the communication unit 21. For example, the clock unit 232 transmits excretion information of a user who uses the toilet seat device 2 to the server device 400. The clock unit 232 measures the time required for the user to defecate based on the information detected by the sensor. The clock unit 232 measures the time required for defecation.

[0076] The clock unit 232 detects the time. The clock unit 232 measures the time when the seating sensor 301 detects that the user has sat down. The clock unit 232 measures the time when the camera 302 first detects feces. The clock unit 232 acquires the time required for excretion, which is the difference between the time when the seating sensor 301 detects that the user has sat down and the time when the camera 302 first detects feces. For example, the clock unit 232 may measure the time required for excretion in chronological order for each defecation act. The clock unit 232 measures defecation over time based on detection by the camera 302.

[0077] The clock unit 232 functions as a determination unit that performs various determination processes. The clock unit 232 performs the determination process using information detected by the camera 302. The clock unit 232 performs the determination process using information stored in the storage unit 22. The clock unit 232 determines whether feces are included in the image captured by the camera 302. The clock unit 232 uses image recognition technology to determine whether feces are included in the image.

[0078] For example, the clock unit 232 receives an image as input and determines whether or not the image contains feces using a model (feces determination model) that outputs information (score) indicating whether or not the input image contains feces. In this case, the clock unit 232 compares the score output by the feces determination model to which the image is input with a threshold (first threshold), and determines that the image contains feces if the score is equal to or greater than the first threshold. Furthermore, the clock unit 232 compares the score output by the feces determination model to which the image is input with the first threshold, and determines that the image does not contain feces if the score is less than the first threshold. Note that the above is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may determine whether or not an image contains feces using various information as appropriate.

[0079] Furthermore, the clock unit 232 determines the amount of stool based on the image captured by the camera 302. For example, the clock unit 232 determines the amount of stool based on the proportion of stool in the image. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool using a score output by a stool determination model. The clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool as "very small" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image is input is equal to or greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold. The second threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the first threshold. The clock unit 232 may also determine the amount of stool as "small" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image is input is equal to or greater than a second threshold and less than a third threshold. The third threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the second threshold.

[0080] Furthermore, the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool to be "medium" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image has been input is equal to or greater than a third threshold and less than a fourth threshold. The fourth threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the third threshold. Furthermore, the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool to be "large" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image has been input is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold and less than a fifth threshold. The fifth threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the fourth threshold. Furthermore, the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool to be "very large" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image has been input is equal to or greater than a fifth threshold. Note that the above five-level determination is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool using various information as appropriate.

[0081] The clock unit 232 determines the properties of the stool from the detection results of the sensor. The clock unit 232 determines the properties of the user's stool by appropriately using various technologies that detect the properties of stool using optical methods. The clock unit 232 determines the properties of the stool corresponding to the stool image based on the stool image. For example, the clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine the shape (also simply referred to as "shape") of the stool corresponding to the stool image. The clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the shape of the stool corresponding to the stool image is one of multiple shape-based levels. For example, the clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the shape of the stool corresponding to the stool image is round, hard, cracked, banana-shaped, soft (semi-paste-like), muddy, or watery.

[0082] The clock unit 232 determines the shape of the stool from the detection results of the camera 302. The clock unit 232 determines the shape of the user's stool by appropriately using various techniques for detecting the shape of the stool using optical methods. The clock unit 232 determines whether the shape of the stool is round, hard, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, or watery by appropriately using various techniques for classifying the shape of the stool. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine (judge) the shape of the stool based on various information (feature amounts) such as the length of the stool image in the falling direction and the number of stool pieces (lumps).

[0083] The clock unit 232 may determine the shape of stool using AI (artificial intelligence) technology. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine the shape of stool using a learning model (shape determination model) generated by machine learning. In this case, the shape determination model is trained in advance using training data indicating classification judgments. This training data includes multiple combinations of stool images and labels (correct answer information) indicating the shape of the clumps (stool) contained in the stool images (either round, hard, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, or watery). For example, the shape determination model is a model that receives a stool image as input and outputs information indicating the shape of the clumps (stool) contained in the input stool image. For example, the shape determination model is trained to output label information (stool shape) corresponding to the input stool image when a stool image is input. The shape determination model is trained using various techniques related to so-called supervised learning, as appropriate. In this case, the shape determination model is stored in the memory unit 22, and the clock unit 232 may determine the shape of stool using the shape determination model stored in the memory unit 22. For example, the toilet seat device 2 may perform a learning process and generate a shape determination model. Note that the above is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may determine the shape of the stool using various information as appropriate. Also, the seven levels of round, ticking, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, and watery are merely examples of shapes, and the clock unit 232 may determine other shapes, or may determine the shape to six levels or less. Also, although an example has been shown here in which the shape of the stool is determined to be one of multiple levels, this is not limiting, and if multiple stool shapes are included in a single excretion act, multiple stool shapes may be determined.

[0084] Furthermore, for example, the clock unit 232 uses a stool image to determine the color of the stool corresponding to the stool image. The clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the color of the stool corresponding to the stool image is one of a plurality of color-based levels. For example, the clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the color of the stool corresponding to the stool image is one of yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, and dark dark brown.

[0085] The clock unit 232 determines the color of the stool from the detection result by the camera 302. The clock unit 232 determines the color of the user's stool by appropriately using various technologies for detecting the color of stool by optical methods. The clock unit 232 determines whether the color of the stool is yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, or dark dark brown by appropriately using various technologies related to classifying the color of stool. For example, the clock unit 232 determines (judges) the color of the stool based on various information (feature amounts) such as the brightness and lightness of the color image (RGB).

[0086] The clock unit 232 may determine the color of stool using AI (artificial intelligence) technology. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine the color of stool using a learning model (color judgment model) generated by machine learning. In this case, the color judgment model is trained in advance using training data indicating classification judgments. This training data includes multiple combinations of stool images and labels (correct answer information) indicating the color of the mass (stool) contained in the stool image (yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, or dark brown). For example, the color judgment model is a model that receives a stool image as input and outputs information indicating the color of the mass (stool) contained in the input stool image. For example, the color judgment model is trained to output label information (stool color) corresponding to the input stool image when a stool image is input. The color judgment model is trained using various techniques related to so-called supervised learning, as appropriate. In this case, the color judgment model is stored in the memory unit 22, and the clock unit 232 may determine the color of stool using the color judgment model stored in the memory unit 22. For example, the toilet seat device 2 may perform a learning process and generate a color determination model. Note that the above is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may determine the color of stool using various information as appropriate. Furthermore, the six levels of yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, and dark brown described above are merely examples of colors, and the clock unit 232 may determine other shapes or may determine five levels or less. Furthermore, although an example of determining whether the color of stool is one of multiple levels has been shown here, this is not limiting, and if multiple colors of stool are included in a single excretion act, multiple colors of stool may be determined.

[0087] The clock unit 232 performs a determination process using information detected by the gas sensor unit 350. The clock unit 232 determines the odor at the time of excretion by the user. The clock unit 232 determines the odor at the time of excretion using information detected by the gas sensor unit 350 on the date and time when the presence of feces was determined in the detection results by the camera 302. The clock unit 232 determines the odor of the user's excrement (feces) using the information on the odor detected by the gas sensor unit 350. The clock unit 232 determines the odor of the feces from the detection results by the gas sensor unit 350. The clock unit 232 determines the odor of the user's feces based on the presence or absence and concentration of odorous components detected by the gas sensor unit 350 as predetermined odor parameters, or the ratio of the concentration of odorous components to odorless (odorless gas) components. The clock unit 232 uses various odor classification technologies as appropriate to determine whether the odor of the feces is no odor, not odorous, slightly odorous, odorous, or very odorous. Note that the odor determination may also be made on dates and times other than when the presence of feces is determined based on the detection results by the camera 302, that is, when only gas comes out of the body (in the case of a fart).

[0088] The clock unit 232 may determine the odor of stool using AI (artificial intelligence) technology. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine the odor of stool using a learning model (odor determination model) generated by machine learning. In this case, the odor determination model is trained in advance using training data that indicates classification judgments. This training data includes multiple combinations of output values ​​from the gas sensor unit 350 and labels (correct answer information) that indicate the odor corresponding to the output value of the gas sensor unit 350 (one of no odor, no odor, slight odor, odor, and very odor). For example, the odor determination model is a model that receives the output value of the gas sensor unit 350 as input and outputs information indicating the odor of the gas corresponding to the input output value of the gas sensor unit 350. For example, when an output value of the gas sensor unit 350 is input, the odor determination model is trained to output information on the label (gas odor) that corresponds to the input output value of the gas sensor unit 350. The odor determination model is trained using various techniques related to so-called supervised learning, as appropriate. In this case, the odor determination model may be stored in the storage unit 22, and the clock unit 232 may determine the odor of stool using the odor determination model stored in the storage unit 22. For example, the toilet seat device 2 may perform a learning process to generate the odor determination model.

[0089] Note that the above is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may determine the odor of stool using various information as appropriate. Furthermore, the above-mentioned five levels of odorless, not odorous, slightly odorous, odorous, and very odorous are merely an example of odors, and the clock unit 232 may determine the type of odor (strong odor components) or may determine it in four levels or less. Note that the clock unit 232 may determine (classify) the odor using various processes other than the above, as long as the desired classification of odors is possible. Furthermore, the various determination processes described above may be performed by the server device 400. In this case, the information used in the above-mentioned determination processes and the functions of the determination processes are possessed by the server device 400, and the toilet seat device 2 transmits information detected by the camera 302 and the gas sensor unit 350 to the server device 400.

[0090] The request unit 233 requests the server device 400 to register the excretion information of the detected user. The request unit 233 requests the server device 400 to register the excretion information by transmitting the excretion information to the server device 400 via the communication unit 21. The request unit 233 requests the server device 400 to register the excretion information as information of the user identified by the user identification information by transmitting the excretion information to the server device 400 together with the user identification information.

[0091] The control unit 23 also controls the nozzle motor 61 and the solenoid valve 71. The control unit 23 controls the nozzle motor 61 and the solenoid valve 71 based on a signal transmitted from the operation device 10. The control unit 23 controls the nozzle motor 61 based on a control instruction signal related to local cleaning transmitted from the operation device 10. The control unit 23 controls the nozzle motor 61 to advance and retract the cleaning nozzle 6. The control unit 23 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 71. The control unit 23 transmits control information for controlling the camera 302 to the camera 302. The control unit 23 transmits control information for controlling the gas sensor unit 350 to the gas sensor unit 350.

[0092] The control unit 23 also controls the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 as shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 23 controls the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 based on signals transmitted from the operating device 10. The control unit 23 controls the toilet lid 4 based on control instruction signals regarding the opening and closing of the toilet lid transmitted from the operating device 10. The control unit 23 controls the toilet seat 5 based on control instruction signals regarding the opening and closing of the seat transmitted from the operating device 10. The control unit 23 transmits control information to the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 via a wired connection. The control unit 23 may also transmit control information to the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 wirelessly.

[0093] The control unit 23 determines whether or not the seating sensor 301 detects that a user is seated on the toilet seat 5. The control unit 23 determines whether or not the seating sensor 301 detects that a user is seated on the toilet seat 5. The control unit 23 has various components such as a calculation unit that executes calculations related to the above-mentioned control, a memory unit, etc.

[0094] The solenoid valve 71 functions as a valve that electromagnetically controls the flow of a fluid. The solenoid valve 71 switches the supply and stop of tap water from a water supply pipe, for example. The solenoid valve 71 controls opening and closing in response to instructions from the control unit 23.

[0095] The nozzle motor 61 is a drive source (motor) that drives the cleaning nozzle 6 to advance and retract. The nozzle motor 61 controls the cleaning nozzle 6 to advance and retract relative to the main body cover 30 of the main body 3. The nozzle motor 61 controls the cleaning nozzle 6 to advance and retract in accordance with instructions from the control unit 23.

[0096] <1-3. Functional configuration of server device> Next, the functional configuration of the server device will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device according to the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of server device 400, which is an example of the server device.

[0097] 5, the server device 400 includes a communication unit 410, a storage unit 420, and a control unit 430. The server device 400 may also include an input unit (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts various operations from an administrator of the server device 400, and a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display, etc.) that displays various information.

[0098] The communication unit 410 is realized by, for example, a communication circuit or the like. The communication unit 410 is connected to a network N (see FIG. 3) by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 410 transmits and receives information to and from the toilet seat device 2, the user terminal 200, etc. For example, the communication unit 410 transmits information (content) indicating defecation data to the user terminal 200.

[0099] The storage unit 420 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disk. For example, the storage unit 420 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by a management program that manages excretion information and a generation program that generates information such as content to be provided. The storage unit 420 according to the embodiment has a defecation information database 421, as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in the defecation information database 421, the storage unit 420 stores, as individual defecation data, at least one of the following: time of defecation, shape of stool, color of stool, amount of stool, time required for defecation, a predetermined parameter based on the odor during defecation, and time interval between defecation acts. Note that the storage unit 420 stores various information, not limited to the defecation information database 421.

[0100] The defecation information database according to the embodiment stores various information related to the defecation of the user. For example, the defecation information database stores the defecation history of the user. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the defecation information database according to the embodiment. The defecation information database shown in FIG. 6 includes items such as "ID," "gender," "age," "date," "time," "shape," "color," "amount," "excretion time," "smell," and "interval."

[0101] "ID" indicates identification information for identifying a user. In this way, in the excretion information management system 1, each user is managed by an anonymous ID, rather than by their real name.

[0102] "Gender" indicates the gender of the user identified by the ID. "Age" indicates the age of the user identified by the ID. "Age" may be information indicating a generation, such as 20s or 30s. In addition, the defecation information database 421 may manage the year of birth, and the server device 400 may convert this into "age."

[0103] "Date" indicates the date (day) on which the excretory act occurred. "Time" indicates the time (hour) on which the excretory act occurred.

[0104] "Shape" indicates the shape of the obtained stool. For "shape," classification results into multiple shapes such as "round," "hard," "cracked," "banana-shaped," "soft," "mud-like," and "watery" are registered. Note that the above is just an example, and "shape" is not limited to the above, and information indicating various shapes may be registered.

[0105] "Color" indicates the color of the acquired stool. For example, for "color," classification results into multiple colors such as "yellow," "light ochre," "ochre," "brown," "dark brown," and "dark brown" are registered. For example, the colors become darker in the order of "yellow," "light ochre," "ochre," "brown," "dark brown," and "dark brown," with "dark brown" being the darkest color of stool. Note that the above is merely an example, and "color" is not limited to the above, and information indicating various colors may be registered.

[0106] "Amount" indicates the amount of stool obtained. For example, the "amount" is registered as a classification into multiple amounts such as "very large," "large," "medium," "small," and "very small." For example, the amount decreases in order of "very large," "large," "normal," "small," and "very small," with "very small" being the smallest amount of stool. Note that the above is merely an example, and the "amount" is not limited to the above, and information indicating various amounts may be registered.

[0107] "Excretion time" indicates the time required for excretion. For example, "excretion time" indicates the time from when the user sits down until defecation occurs.

[0108] "Odor" indicates the amount of feces obtained. For example, "Odor" is registered as a classification result into multiple odor intensities, such as "no odor," "not odorous," "slight odorous," "smelly," and "very odorous." For example, the odor is stronger in the order of "no odor," "not odorous," "slight odorous," "smelly," and "very odorous," with "very odorous" indicating the strongest odor. Note that the above is merely an example, and "odor" is not limited to the above, and information indicating various odors may be registered.

[0109] "Interval" indicates the interval (time) between excretion. For example, "excretion time" indicates the time interval from the previous (immediately preceding) excretion date and time.

[0110] In the example of Figure 6, the attributes of the user identified by ID "AAA" (hereinafter also referred to as "user AAA") are gender "female" and age "52 years old." Also, for the user identified by ID "AAA" (user AAA), excretion information of an excretion act that took place at 7:15 on January 5th and excretion information of an excretion act that took place at 7:30 on January 7th, etc., are registered.

[0111] For example, for an excretion act that took place at 7:30 on January 7th, the shape was banana-shaped, the color was dark brown, the amount was small, the excretion time was 35 seconds, there was a slight odor, and the interval was 48 hours and 15 minutes (2 days and 15 minutes). For example, the interval "48 hours and 15 minutes" indicates the difference between the previous excretion date and time "January 5th, 7:15" and the current excretion date and time "January 7th, 7:30". The server device 400 calculates the interval "48 hours and 15 minutes" by calculating the difference between the previous excretion date and time "January 5th, 7:15" and the current excretion date and time "January 7th, 7:30".

[0112] For example, the excretion that took place at 7:15 on January 5th was banana-shaped, yellow in color, large in volume, lasted 20 seconds, had no odor, and occurred 23 hours and 52 minutes apart.

[0113] Note that the defecation information database 421 is not limited to the above and may store various types of information depending on the purpose. As described above, the defecation information database 421 in FIG. 6 stores the defecation information of multiple users. For example, the defecation information database 421 may store stool images as defecation information. The defecation information database 421 stores information about the stool corresponding to the stool image in association with the stool image. The defecation information database 421 stores the judgment results (shape, color, amount, odor, etc.) of the stool corresponding to the stool image in association with the stool image. The defecation information database 421 stores information such as the properties of the stool corresponding to the stool image and the amount of the stool corresponding to the stool image. The defecation information database 421 may also store, in association with the stool image, information identifying the date and time the stool image was acquired and the user who excreted the stool corresponding to the stool image. The defecation information database 421 may also store, as personal attributes, the residential area and weight. The defecation information database 421 may store information on the location of defecation as defecation data.

[0114] The control unit 430 is realized, for example, by a CPU, a GPU, or the like executing a program (for example, a management program or a generation program according to the present disclosure) stored inside the server device 400 using a RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 430 is also realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0115] 5, control unit 430 has reception unit 431, registration unit 432, and provision unit 433, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of control unit 430 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, and other configurations may be used as long as they perform the information processing described below.

[0116] The reception unit 431 receives information. The reception unit 431 receives information to be stored in the memory unit 420. The reception unit 431 receives information manually input by the user. The reception unit 431 receives information input by the user operating the user terminal 200. The reception unit 431 receives input of defecation data to be added to and registered in the defecation information database 421. The reception unit 431 receives input of defecation data of excretion on a toilet other than the toilet 7 of the toilet system TS. The reception unit 431 receives, from the user terminal 200, input of defecation data that the user manually inputs into the user terminal 200. The reception unit 431 receives manual input of defecation data of the user's excretion on a toilet other than the toilet 7 of the toilet system TS. All of the information received by the reception unit 431 may be manually input by the user.

[0117] The reception unit 431 also functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information. The reception unit 431 acquires various types of information from the storage unit 420. The reception unit 431 receives various types of information from the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200. The reception unit 431 receives information related to feces from the toilet seat device 2. The reception unit 431 receives defecation data from the toilet seat device 2. The reception unit 431 receives the defecation data of the user together with an ID that identifies the user from the toilet seat device 2. The reception unit 431 receives feces images (data) from the toilet seat device 2. The reception unit 431 is provided in the toilet seat device 2 that is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7 in which the bowl portion 8 that receives excrement is formed, and acquires feces images based on information from the camera 302 to detect feces. The reception unit 431 stores the acquired feces images in the defecation information database 421.

[0118] The registration unit 432 performs a process of registering various types of information. The registration unit 432 registers excretion information (defecation data) acquired from the toilet seat device 2. The registration unit 432 stores the excretion information in the storage unit 420. For example, the registration unit 432 registers the excretion information in the defecation information database 421 in association with the user identification information.

[0119] The registration unit 432 registers the information received by the reception unit 431 in the storage unit 420. The registration unit 432 stores defecation data (defecation records) of manual excretion on a toilet other than the toilet 7, which is received by the reception unit 431, in the defecation information database 421. The registration unit 432 automatically stores defecation data including excretion information detected by various sensors (detection units) and date and time information of excretion acquired by the clock unit 232 in the defecation information database 421. The registration unit 432 stores information on the position of the toilet together with the defecation data in the defecation information database 421.

[0120] The providing unit 433 provides information. The providing unit 433 transmits information to an external information processing device via the communication unit 410. For example, the providing unit 433 transmits various information to the user terminal 200 or the toilet seat device 2. The providing unit 433 transmits the defecation data stored in the storage unit 420 to the user terminal 200, etc.

[0121] The providing unit 433 functions as a generating unit that performs a process of generating various types of information. The providing unit 433 generates content indicating defecation data to be displayed on the user terminal 200. The providing unit 433 generates a screen (content) indicating the defecation data. For example, the providing unit 433 generates content (image information) to be provided to the user terminal 200 by appropriately using various technologies related to image generation, image processing, etc. For example, the providing unit 433 generates a screen (image information) to be provided to the user terminal 200 by appropriately using various technologies such as Java (registered trademark). Note that the providing unit 433 may generate content (image information) to be provided to the user terminal 200 based on the format of CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript (registered trademark), or HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Furthermore, for example, the providing unit 433 may generate content in various formats such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), and PNG (Portable Network Graphics).

[0122] The providing unit 433 generates information that combines the defecation data of multiple people and the defecation data of an individual. The providing unit 433 generates information that compares the defecation data of multiple people who match the attributes of the individual with the defecation data of the individual. The providing unit 433 generates information that compares information obtained by processing the defecation data of an individual into a representative value. For example, the providing unit 433 generates information that compares information obtained by averaging the defecation data of an individual over a predetermined period. The providing unit 433 transmits the generated content to the user terminal 200, etc. For example, the providing unit 433 generates content including graphs such as those shown in FIGS. 14 to 25, and transmits the generated content to the user terminal 200.

[0123] <1-4. Control flow example> An example of a control flow based on sensors will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart showing the relationship between detections.

[0124] Waveform LN1 in Fig. 7 indicates the detection result of the seating detection sensor (seat sensor 301) detecting a user sitting on the toilet seat 5. Waveform LN2 in Fig. 7 indicates the detection result of the amount of feces based on the image captured by camera 302. Note that the eight rectangles arranged in chronological order in Fig. 7 are images (images) of the water seal part inside the toilet bowl 7 captured at the corresponding times.

[0125] 7, as shown in waveform LN1, at time t1, seat sensor 301 detects that a user is sitting on the toilet seat 5. For example, at time t1, the detection result of seat sensor 301 changes from "OFF", which indicates that no seating on the toilet seat 5 has been detected, to "ON", which indicates that seating on the toilet seat 5 has been detected.

[0126] Also, as shown in waveform LN1, at time t4, the seat sensor 301 detects that the user has left the toilet seat 5. For example, at time t4, the detection result of the seat sensor 301 changes from "ON", which indicates that seating on the toilet seat 5 has been detected, to "OFF", which indicates that seating on the toilet seat 5 is no longer detected. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, the user leaves the toilet (e.g., toilet room R) after time t4. Note that the detection MD, which indicates a drop in the middle of the waveform LN1, indicates that the seat sensor 301 has turned OFF (chattering) due to the user adjusting their sitting position on the toilet seat 5, etc. The toilet seat device 2 determines that the user continues to sit when the detection MD switches from ON to OFF and from OFF to ON in a short time (e.g., about 1 to 5 seconds).

[0127] In the waveform LN2, an example is shown in which the amount of stool detected is detected in four levels: "none," "small," "medium," and "large." Note that the four levels shown in FIG. 7 are merely an example, and the number of levels may be three or less, or five or more. For example, the waveform LN2 may have two levels: "none," which indicates that stool has not been detected, and "yes," which indicates that stool has been detected. For example, the waveform LN2 may have three levels: "none," which indicates that stool has not been detected, "after excretion," which indicates that stool has been detected but there is no change in the image, and "during excretion," which is the other level.

[0128] As shown by waveform LN2, immediately after time t2, one stool is included in the image captured by camera 302, and the user's defecation is detected. As a result, the toilet seat device 2 detects the amount of stool as "small" and determines that the user's first defecation occurred at time t2.

[0129] Furthermore, as shown in waveform LN2, between times t2 and t3, new feces are added to the image captured by camera 302, and two feces are included, detecting the user's defecation. As a result, the toilet seat device 2 detects the amount of feces as "large" and determines that the user has defecate a second time. After that, there is no change in the amount of feces. As a result, the toilet seat device 2 determines that time t3 is the timing of the user's final defecation, and determines that the user's defecation has ended at time t3.

[0130] The toilet seat device 2 obtains the time from when the user sits down to when the first bowel movement occurs. The toilet seat device 2 obtains the time required for excretion from the difference between time t1 and time t2. That is, the toilet seat device 2 obtains the period TM1 from time t1 to time t2 as the time required for the user to excrete. The toilet seat device 2 also obtains the period TM2 from time t2 to time t3 as the time from the start to the end of excretion. The toilet seat device 2 also obtains the period TM3 from time t3 to time t4 as the time from the end of excretion to when the user leaves the toilet.

[0131] <1-5. Example of bowel movement data> An example of a user's defecation data will now be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of defecation data. The defecation data shown in Figure 8 shows defecation data relating to one defecation event by user AAA. The defecation event performed by a user identified by personal ID "AAA" (user AAA) at 7:30 on January 7th shows that the shape was normal (banana-shaped), the color was dark brown, the amount was small, the defecation time was 35 seconds, there was a slight odor, and the interval was 48 hours and 15 minutes.

[0132] <1-6. Information display example> An example of information display will now be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information display. Specifically, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display showing the ratio of users for each excretion time. In the following display example, user AAA is the information recipient ("you" in the diagram), and the display on the user terminal 200 used by user AAA will be described as an example.

[0133] For example, the server device 400 acquires the excretion time of each user from the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 may divide the excretion time into predetermined time intervals (e.g., 30 minutes), and for a certain user, determine the most frequent excretion time among the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) among the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as the excretion time of that user. For example, if the most frequent excretion time among the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) among the defecation data for user AAA stored in the defecation information database 421 is between 8:00 and 8:29, the server device 400 determines the excretion time of user AAA to be "8:00 (to 8:29)." The server device 400 determines the excretion times for all users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421. Then, the server device 400 calculates the ratio of users at each time by dividing the number of users who have each time as their excretion time by the total number of users.

[0134] The server device 400 then generates the graph GR1 shown in FIG. 9 using the calculated proportion of users at each time. The horizontal axis of the graph GR1 indicates the excretion time, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion of users (%). The curve RT1 in the graph GR1 indicates the proportion of users at each time. Also, the bar BR1 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR1 indicates the proportion of users at 8 o'clock, which is the time when you, user AAA, belong. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR1 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0135] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR1, displays graph GR1. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users who excrete at each time. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR1 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users at 8 o'clock, as indicated by bar BR1.

[0136] The display of the excretion time may be at any time interval, such as in 1-minute or 5-minute increments. It may also be displayed as numerical data (continuous values) without intervals. The method for determining the excretion time for a specified period may be the average value, trimmed average value, or median value within the specified period.

[0137] <2. Modifications> In the above example, an example using the camera 302 (two-dimensional image sensor) was shown, but the sensor (detection unit) is not limited to a two-dimensional image sensor and may be various sensors. For example, the sensor (detection unit) may be a line sensor (one-dimensional image sensor), and the detection unit may perform detection based on one-dimensional images of dropping feces taken over time. This point will be described below. Note that in the excretion information management system 1A according to the modified example, explanations of the same points as those of the excretion information management system 1 according to the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0138] <2-1. Configuration of the excretion information management system> The configuration of the excretion information management system according to the modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the excretion information management system according to the modified example. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors according to the modified example.

[0139] 15, the excretion information management system 1A includes a toilet system TS including a toilet seat device 2, an operating device 10, a seating sensor 301, an optical unit 100, and a gas sensor unit 350, a user terminal 200, and a server device 400. As such, the excretion information management system 1A differs from the excretion information management system 1 in that the excretion information management system 1A includes the optical unit 100 instead of the camera 302.

[0140] An example of sensor placement will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the toilet seat 5 in a raised state to illustrate the placement of the sensors, with the toilet lid 4 removed and the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5 opposite the surface on which the user sits (seating surface).

[0141] As shown in FIG. 11 , the optical unit 100, which is a sensor used in the excretion information management system 1A, is disposed inside the main body cover 30 at a position and orientation that allows it to detect feces falling inside the toilet bowl 7. For example, the optical unit 100 is provided at a position that is exposed through the opening 32 with its directionality facing inside the toilet bowl 7. Note that the optical unit 100 may be disposed in any manner as long as it is capable of detecting feces falling inside the toilet bowl 7. The optical unit 100 may be included in the configuration of the toilet seat device 2. For example, the optical unit 100 may be disposed on the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5, similar to the camera 302 shown in FIG. 2 .

[0142] The optical unit 100 functions as a detector that detects defecation over time by irradiating light onto the feces using the light-emitting unit 120 and receiving the light reflected from the feces using the light-receiving unit 130. The light-emitting unit 120 and the light-receiving unit 130 of the optical unit 100 are exposed through the opening 32 of the main body cover 30. The light-emitting unit 120 can irradiate light toward the excrement in the toilet bowl 7, and the light-receiving unit 130 can receive light reflected from the excrement in the toilet bowl 7.

[0143] The optical unit 100 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the optical unit 100 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with it via a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The toilet seat device 2 and the optical unit 100 may be connected in any manner so long as they are able to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other wired or wirelessly. For example, the optical unit 100 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other wired or wirelessly. Details of the optical unit 100 will be described later.

[0144] The toilet seat device 2 according to the modified example determines the properties of stool from a stool image, similar to the toilet seat device 2 according to the embodiment. The toilet seat device 2 has an opening 32 in the main body cover 30 for disposing the optical unit 100. If the optical unit 100 is disposed on the toilet seat 5 or the like, the toilet seat device 2 does not need to have the opening 32.

[0145] The toilet seat device 2 according to the modified example acquires an image (feces image) of the feces excreted by the user by photographing the feces as they fall inside the toilet bowl 7. The communication unit 21 according to the modified example, like the communication unit 21 according to the embodiment, transmits the user's feces data together with identification information (ID) that identifies the user to the server device 400. The storage unit 22 according to the modified example stores various types of information like the storage unit 22 according to the embodiment.

[0146] The control unit 23 according to the modified example performs various processes based on detection by the optical unit 100. The clock unit 232 according to the modified example measures defecation over time based on detection by the optical unit 100. The clock unit 232 performs various determination processes. The clock unit 232 generates a two-dimensional image (feces image) from the one-dimensional image detected by the optical unit 100, and performs determination processes using the generated feces image.

[0147] For example, the clock unit 232 generates a stool image based on information detected by the optical unit 100. The clock unit 232 generates a two-dimensional image by arranging in time series multiple one-dimensional data (linear still images), which is data acquired over time at predetermined time intervals by the light receiving unit 130, which has a line sensor (light receiving element) with multiple elements arranged in a straight line. For example, the clock unit 232 generates a two-dimensional stool image based on the one-dimensional image detected by the optical unit 100, as will be explained in Figure 12. Note that the processing using the two-dimensional stool image is similar to the processing in the toilet seat device 2 according to the embodiment, and therefore detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0148] The control unit 23 controls the optical unit 100. The control unit 23 controls the optical unit 100 based on a signal transmitted from the operation device 10. The control unit 23 transmits control information to the optical unit 100 for controlling the turning on and off of the light emitting unit 120.

[0149] The control unit 23 transmits control information for controlling the function of the electronic shutter of the light receiving unit 130 to the optical unit 100. The electronic shutter of the light receiving unit 130 is a shutter type that reads out exposure by electronically controlling a light receiving element (image sensor), unlike a mechanical shutter such as a so-called lens shutter. In other words, the electronic shutter of the light receiving unit 130 is a so-called electronic shutter or electronically controlled shutter. The control unit 23 transmits control information to the nozzle motor 61, the solenoid valve 71, and the optical unit 100 via wires. The control unit 23 may also transmit control information to the optical unit 100 wirelessly.

[0150] The control unit 23 causes the optical unit 100 to emit light and receive light. The control unit 23 controls the optical unit 100 to cause the light emitting unit 120 to emit light and the light receiving unit 130 to receive light. The control unit 23 causes the optical unit 100 to emit light and receive light during the period when the seating sensor 301 detects that a user is sitting on the toilet seat 5.

[0151] The control unit 23 controls the emission of light by the light-emitting unit 120. The control unit 23 controls the application of electricity to the light-emitting element of the light-emitting unit 120 and the application of voltage to the light-receiving element. The control unit 23 performs light-receiving control, sending a control instruction to open the electronic shutter to the light-receiving element and energizing the light-emitting element of the light-emitting unit 120, thereby enabling reception of light reflected from the stool. The control unit 23 controls the interval between the start of execution of one light-receiving control and the execution of the next light-receiving control to any time (e.g., 0.2 milliseconds or more) within the range in which control processing is possible. Note that the above is merely an example, and the control mode by the control unit 23 may be any mode as long as the optical unit 100 is capable of desired light emission and reception. Furthermore, when the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 120 is in one wavelength band, the light from the light-emitting unit 120 does not need to be flashed in accordance with the light-receiving control, and may be emitted continuously. Furthermore, when a color light receiving element as described below is used, even if the light emitted from the light emitting unit 120 is in a plurality of wavelength bands, the light may be emitted continuously.

[0152] Here, a description will be given of an example of the configuration of the control unit 23. The control unit 23 has an AD converter, an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a first memory.

[0153] The AD Converter is a so-called A / D converter (analog-digital conversion circuit) and has an A / D conversion function that converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The AD Converter may be an analog-digital conversion circuit. For example, the AD Converter converts analog data received (detected) by the light receiving unit 130 into digital data. The AD Converter may convert analog data from which a predetermined range of data has been deleted into digital data. For example, the AD Converter may leave only data corresponding to pixels in a predetermined range (e.g., a predetermined central range) and delete data corresponding to pixels in the remaining range. Note that when a dedicated sensor such as a line sensor with a pixel count set for excrement detection is used as the light receiving element, the AD Converter converts all of the analog data into digital data without deleting the data in the predetermined range.

[0154] The arithmetic processing device is realized by various means such as a CPU or a microcomputer, and executes various processes. For example, the arithmetic processing device executes various processes using digital data converted by an AD converter. The arithmetic processing device executes various processes using programs stored in a ROM (for example, various programs related to detection processes such as a stool detection program and a stool condition determination program). For example, the arithmetic processing device is realized by executing the programs stored in a ROM using a temporarily used storage area or the like within the arithmetic processing device as a working area.

[0155] The arithmetic processing unit analyzes the data. The arithmetic processing unit analyzes the data temporarily stored in the first memory. The arithmetic processing unit transfers the data received by the light receiving unit 130 to the first memory, and analyzes and deletes the data stored in the first memory.

[0156] The ROM stores various programs related to feces detection processing, such as a feces detection program.

[0157] The first memory is an internal memory (storage device) that temporarily stores various data. The first memory stores data received by the light receiving unit 130. The first memory stores digital data converted by the AD converter. For example, the first memory is an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). Note that the first memory is not limited to an SRAM, and other RAMs (Random Access Memories) such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or ROMs capable of high-speed processing, such as PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), may also be used.

[0158] The first memory stores data under the control of the arithmetic processing unit. For example, the first memory may be a storage device with a storage capacity of 96 kilobytes, 512 kilobytes, or the like. The data received by the light receiving unit 130 and temporarily stored in the first memory includes raw data (analog data) detected by the light receiving unit 130 and data processed by A / D conversion (digital data).

[0159] The above-described configuration of the control unit 23 is merely an example, and the control unit 23 may have any configuration as long as it is capable of performing the desired processing. The toilet seat device 2 also has a second memory. The toilet seat device 2 stores data acquired by the control unit 23 in the second memory.

[0160] For example, the second memory is an external memory (storage device) that stores various data. The second memory stores digital data acquired from the control unit 23. For example, the second memory may be an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The second memory may be various storage devices (memories) such as an SD (Secure Digital) card memory or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

[0161] The second memory can transfer the data stored in the first memory. The second memory has a larger storage area than the first memory. For example, the second memory may be a storage device with a larger storage capacity than the first memory, such as 4 gigabytes. The data stored in the second memory may be transmitted to an external device. The excretion information management system 1 may wirelessly transmit the data stored in the second memory to an external device, such as a terminal device used by the user, using a communication device or the like of the toilet seat device 2.

[0162] The second memory may be provided either inside or outside the toilet seat device 2. For example, the second memory may be a MicroSD card inside the toilet seat device 2, or may be an external memory that is outside the toilet seat device 2 and communicates with the toilet seat device 2 via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like. In this case, the arithmetic processing device transfers data temporarily stored in the first memory to the second memory, which is an external memory having a larger storage area than the first memory, by communicating with the second memory. The communication between the second memory and the toilet seat device 2 is not limited to Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and may be communication using various communication standards, such as ZigBee (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0163] The optical unit 100 includes a light-emitting unit 120 and a light-receiving unit 130. The optical unit 100 functions as a detection unit (detection device) having a light-receiving element in which multiple elements are arranged in a line to detect dropping feces.

[0164] The light-emitting unit 120 emits light. The light-emitting unit 120 has a light-emitting element that emits light. The light-emitting unit 120 emits light onto excrement excreted by the user. The light-emitting unit 120 emits light onto stool excreted by the user. The light-emitting unit 120 emits light onto stool as it falls.

[0165] The light-emitting unit 120 is provided with a light-emitting element that emits light. The light-emitting unit 120 is provided with a light-emitting element that emits light forward. The light-emitting unit 120 is provided with a light-emitting element that emits light forward toward excrement excreted by the user. For example, the light-emitting element is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Note that the light-emitting element is not limited to an LED, and various elements may be used.

[0166] The light-emitting unit 120 emits light forward. The light-emitting unit 120 emits light forward toward the stool excreted by the user. The light-emitting unit 120 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. The light-emitting unit 120 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light. The light-emitting unit 120 emits light toward the falling stool excreted by the user. The light-emitting unit 120 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light of different wavelengths. Note that the above is merely an example, and any configuration can be adopted for the number and wavelength of the light-emitting elements of the light-emitting unit 120 as long as the desired light emission is possible.

[0167] The light receiving unit 130 receives light. The light receiving unit 130 has a lens 131 and a light receiving element that receives light. The light receiving unit 130 receives light that is reflected from excrement in response to light irradiated by the light emitting unit 120. The light receiving unit 130 receives light that is reflected from stool in response to light irradiated by the light emitting unit 120. The light receiving unit 130 receives light that is reflected from falling stool in response to light irradiated by the light emitting unit 120.

[0168] The light receiving unit 130 is provided with a light receiving element that receives light. The light receiving unit 130 has a light receiving element in which a plurality of elements are arranged in a line to detect dropping feces. For example, the light receiving element is a line sensor. For example, the light receiving element is a line sensor in which CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensors are arranged in a line. Note that the light receiving element is not limited to a line sensor (one-dimensional image sensor), and various types of sensors such as an area sensor (two-dimensional image sensor) may also be used.

[0169] The light receiving unit 130 includes a lens 131 for collecting light in front of the light receiving element. A case is provided around the light receiving element, which is a cover for preventing light from entering from any direction other than the front of the light receiving element. A case is provided around the light receiving element, which is a cover for preventing light other than that passing through the lens 131 arranged in front from entering the light receiving element. A case is provided around the light receiving element, which is a cover for preventing light from entering from the side of the light receiving element.

[0170] The case functions as an incident suppression cover that blocks or attenuates light coming from other than the front of the light receiving element. The case is colored in a color that reflects less light, such as black, to prevent light reflected from the case itself from entering the light receiving element. Note that various materials, such as resin, may be used for the case as long as it can be formed into the desired shape. The light receiving unit 130 receives light reflected from the stool in response to the light irradiated by the light emitting unit 120. The light receiving unit 130 receives light reflected from the falling stool in response to the light irradiated by the light emitting unit 120. The light receiving unit 130 receives light reflected from the stool in response to the light irradiated by the light emitting unit 120.

[0171] <2-2. How to obtain stool image data> Here, specific operations of a method for acquiring stool images (data) will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a method for acquiring data. Explanations of points similar to those described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0172] Each element shown in Fig. 12 will be described. Object OB1 schematically shows feces (excrement) to be detected (measured). Light receiving device PD is a light receiving unit 130 having a light receiving element such as a line sensor.

[0173] The light emitting device LE is a light emitting unit 120 having a light emitting element. For simplicity of explanation, Fig. 12 illustrates an example in which the light emitting device LE emits light of one wavelength, but the light emitting device LE may emit light of different wavelengths.

[0174] The example in Figure 12 conceptually illustrates the process of irradiating a falling object OB1 with light from a light-emitting device LE and acquiring (generating) a stool image (two-dimensional image) based on the light reception results from a light-receiving device PD. The dotted line extending from the light-emitting device LE to the object OB1 schematically illustrates the light being irradiated from the light-emitting device LE to the object OB1, and the dotted line extending from the object OB1 to the light-receiving device PD schematically illustrates the light reflected from the object OB1 and received by the light-receiving device PD. Furthermore, the rectangular frame overlapping the object OB1 schematically illustrates the range (one-dimensional) of the object OB1 detected by the corresponding light emission and reception.

[0175] In the example of Fig. 12, scene SN1 conceptually illustrates the process of illuminating a falling object OB1 with light from a light-emitting device LE and receiving the light by a light-receiving device PD at time t1. The data acquired in scene SN1 (time t1) corresponds to a one-dimensional image PI1 among the two-dimensional images EI. That is, by emitting and receiving light in scene SN1 (time t1), the toilet seat device 2 acquires (detects) the one-dimensional image PI1.

[0176] Furthermore, the data acquired at time t2 corresponds to one-dimensional image PI2 of the two-dimensional image EI. That is, the toilet seat device 2 acquires (detects) one-dimensional image PI2 by emitting and receiving light at time t2. The data at time t2 is data acquired following the data at time t1. Therefore, the toilet seat device 2 generates the two-dimensional image EI by arranging the one-dimensional image PI2 next to the one-dimensional image PI1.

[0177] Also, the scene SNi is i The process of irradiating a falling object OB1 with light from a light emitting device LE and receiving the light by a light receiving device PD is conceptually shown in FIG. i ) corresponds to a one-dimensional image PIi of the two-dimensional image EI. That is, the data acquired at the scene SNi (time t i ) and receives light, the toilet seat device 2 acquires (detects) a one-dimensional image PIi.

[0178] Also, the scene SNj is j The process of irradiating a falling object OB1 with light from a light emitting device LE and receiving the light by a light receiving device PD is conceptually shown in FIG. j ) corresponds to a one-dimensional image PIj of a two-dimensional image EI. That is, the data acquired at a scene SNj (time t j ) and receives light, the toilet seat device 2 acquires (detects) a one-dimensional image PIj.

[0179] The toilet seat device 2 generates a two-dimensional image (stool information) by arranging the one-dimensional images (light reception data) in the order of time when they were acquired. In Fig. 12, the toilet seat device 2 generates a two-dimensional image EI by arranging the one-dimensional images PI1, PI2..., PIi..., PIj... in this order.

[0180] In the above example, the case where light is emitted at one wavelength has been described as an example, but when light is emitted at multiple wavelengths, the toilet seat device 2 generates stool information (two-dimensional image) by arranging in chronological order the data (one-dimensional images) acquired over time for each emitted wavelength. In this regard, the case where light is emitted and received by three light-emitting elements that irradiate light at three different wavelengths will be described as an example.

[0181] In this case, the toilet seat device 2 generates a two-dimensional image corresponding to the first light-emitting element by arranging in chronological order the light-receiving data (one-dimensional image) obtained by emitting light from a light-emitting element that emits light of a first wavelength (also referred to as a "first light-emitting element"). For example, the toilet seat device 2 generates stool information (first two-dimensional image) corresponding to the first wavelength by arranging in chronological order the light-receiving data (one-dimensional image) obtained by emitting light of a first wavelength, such as 590 nm.

[0182] Furthermore, the toilet seat device 2 generates a two-dimensional image corresponding to the second light-emitting element by arranging in chronological order the light reception data (one-dimensional image) obtained by emitting light from a light-emitting element that emits light of a second wavelength (also referred to as a "second light-emitting element"). For example, the toilet seat device 2 generates stool information (second two-dimensional image) corresponding to the second wavelength by arranging in chronological order the light reception data (one-dimensional image) obtained by emitting light of a second wavelength such as 670 nm.

[0183] Furthermore, the toilet seat device 2 generates a two-dimensional image corresponding to the third light-emitting element by arranging in chronological order the light reception data (one-dimensional images) obtained by emitting light from a light-emitting element that emits light of a third wavelength (also referred to as the "third light-emitting element"). For example, the toilet seat device 2 generates stool information (third two-dimensional image) corresponding to the third wavelength by arranging in chronological order the light reception data (one-dimensional images) obtained by emitting light of a third wavelength such as 870 nm.

[0184] In this way, the toilet seat device 2 can obtain a color image by generating two-dimensional images for each of the three wavelengths corresponding to the first light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element, and the third light-emitting element. For example, the toilet seat device 2 may generate a color image by combining the first two-dimensional image, the second two-dimensional image, and the third two-dimensional image described above. Also, the light-receiving element of the light-receiving unit 130, such as a line sensor, may be a color light-receiving element, and light-emitting elements of multiple colors may be irradiated simultaneously, and the color of the reflected light may be detected by the light-receiving unit, thereby generating a color image.

[0185] <2-3. Control flow example> An example of a control flow based on a sensor will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart showing the relationship between detections. Note that explanations of points similar to Fig. 7 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0186] 13 shows the detection result of the seating detection sensor (seat sensor 301) detecting that a user is sitting on the toilet seat 5. Furthermore, waveform LN12 in FIG.

[0187] 13, as shown in waveform LN11, at time t11, the seating sensor 301 detects that the user is sitting on the toilet seat 5. For example, at time t11, the detection result of the seating sensor 301 changes from "OFF", which indicates that no seating on the toilet seat 5 has been detected, to "ON", which indicates that seating on the toilet seat 5 has been detected.

[0188] Also, as shown by waveform LN11, at time t14, the seat sensor 301 detects that the user has left the toilet seat 5. For example, at time t14, the detection result of the seat sensor 301 changes from "ON", which indicates that a user is seated on the toilet seat 5, to "OFF", which indicates that a user is no longer seated on the toilet seat 5. That is, in the example of FIG. 13, the user leaves the toilet (e.g., toilet room R) after time t14.

[0189] Waveform LN12 shows the detection result based on the image (line data) captured by optical unit 100 in two stages: "No stool" indicating that no stool has been detected, and "Stool present" indicating that stool has been detected.

[0190] As shown in waveform LN12, at time t12, the status changes from "no feces," indicating that no feces have been detected, to "feces present," indicating that feces have been detected, and the user's defecation is detected. As a result, the toilet seat device 2 determines that the user's first defecation occurred at time t12.

[0191] Furthermore, as shown in waveform LN12, the "no stool" state, which indicates that no stool has been detected, continues after time t13. As a result, the toilet seat device 2 determines that time t13 is the timing of the user's last defecation, and determines that the user's defecation has ended at time t13. In the example of FIG. 13, the toilet seat device 2 determines that three defecations have occurred between time t12 and time t33. This example shows a case where three defecations occur in one defecation act, but the toilet seat device 2 determines the timing of the user's last defecation, and can also determine cases where the user defecates once or multiple times in one defecation act.

[0192] The toilet seat device 2 obtains the time from when the user sits down to when the first bowel movement occurs. The toilet seat device 2 obtains the time required for excretion from the difference between time t11 and time t12. That is, the toilet seat device 2 obtains the period TM1 from time t11 to time t12 as the time required for the user to excrete. The toilet seat device 2 also obtains the period TM2 from time t12 to time t13 as the time from the start to the end of excretion. The toilet seat device 2 also obtains the period TM3 from time t13 to time t14 as the time from the end of excretion to when the user leaves the toilet.

[0193] <3. Display example> Next, an example of the display of defecation data by the user terminal 200 will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 25. Figs. 14 to 25 show examples of displaying defecation data by type, such as stool shape, color, amount, time, odor, and excretion interval (interval from the previous time). Figs. 14 to 25 show bar graphs as an example of the display form of defecation data. Note that the display form of defecation data is not limited to bar graphs, and may be other types of graphs such as line graphs, pie charts, radar charts, and bubble charts in which the size of the circles indicates the number of counts for each shape, or text information, or a display form in which a plurality of these are displayed. Note that when the graphs GR11 to GR22 shown in Figs. 14 to 25 are described without distinction, they will be collectively referred to as "graphs GR."

[0194] 14 to 25, the user AAA is the information recipient ("you" in the figures), and the display on the user terminal 200 used by the user AAA is described as an example. Each graph GR is generated by the server device 400 and displayed by the user terminal 200. For example, the server device 400 generates the graph GR11 shown in FIG. 14 using the user's defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421. Then, the server device 400 transmits information (contents) including the graph GR11 shown in FIG. 14 to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives the information (contents) including the graph GR11 shown in FIG. 14 from the server device 400. Then, the user terminal 200 displays the information (contents) including the graph GR11 shown in FIG. 14.

[0195] <3-1. Example of stool shape display> First, an example of displaying stool shape (form) will be described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 are diagrams showing an example of displaying stool shape. Specifically, Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each stool shape for all users. Also, Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each stool shape for users who fit the user attributes to which the user to be displayed belongs.

[0196] First, an example of processing for all users will be described with reference to FIG. 14. For example, the server device 400 acquires the stool shape of each user from the defecation information database 421. For a certain user, the server device 400 may determine the stool shape that occurs most frequently in the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) among the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as the stool shape of that user. For example, if the stool shape that occurs most frequently in the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) among the defecation data for user AAA stored in the defecation information database 421 is hard, the server device 400 determines the stool shape of user AAA to be "hard." For all users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421, the server device 400 determines the stool shape that occurs most frequently in the defecation data for the predetermined period for each individual, and tally the results for all users. Then, the server device 400 calculates the percentage of users that fall under each stool type by dividing the total number of stool types of all users by the total number of users.

[0197] The server device 400 then generates a graph GR11 shown in FIG. 14 using the calculated percentage of users who fall into each stool shape. The horizontal axis of the graph GR11 indicates the stool shape, and the vertical axis indicates the percentage of users (%). The multiple bars in the graph GR11 indicate the percentage of users who fall into each stool shape. In addition, the bar BR11 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR11 indicates the percentage of users who fall into the "hard" stool shape, which you, user AAA, belong to. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR11 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0198] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR11, displays graph GR11. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the stool shape. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR11 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with the "hard" stool shape indicated by bar BR11.

[0199] The information displayed on the graph GR is not limited to the information displayed on the graph GR11 and may include various other information. For example, a bar corresponding to a desired (ideal) stool shape among multiple bar graphs (bars) may be marked. In this case, the server device 400 stores information indicating the ideal shape for each type, such as predetermined parameters based on stool shape, color, amount, time, and odor, and the excretion interval (the interval from the previous time), in the storage unit 420, and identifies the ideal shape for each type using the stored information indicating the ideal. For example, the server device 400 may mark a banana-shaped bar in the graph GR11, which is the ideal shape, with a mark indicating, for example, "ideal." The user terminal 200 may then display the graph GR11 in which a mark is added to the bar (center bar) corresponding to the banana-shaped bar, which is the ideal shape. This allows the user AAA to recognize the ideal shape of stool. Alternatively, for example, the user may set a target shape in advance, and a mark may be added to the bar corresponding to the target among multiple bar graphs (bars). This allows user AAA to recognize the distribution of all users, his / her own goals, and the current situation.

[0200] Next, an example of processing when targeting only users who correspond to the user attribute "female in her 50s" to which user AAA belongs (hereinafter also referred to as "attribute-corresponding users") will be described with reference to Figure 15. For example, the server device 400 acquires the stool shapes of attribute-corresponding users from the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 identifies users whose age corresponds to "female in her 50s" and whose gender corresponds to "female" from the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as attribute-corresponding users, and acquires the stool shapes of the identified attribute-corresponding users.

[0201] If the most frequent stool shape in the defecation data for user AAA for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) among the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 is hard, the server device 400 determines the stool shape of user AAA to be "hard." For attribute-matching users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421, the server device 400 determines the most frequent stool shape in the defecation data for each individual for a predetermined period, and tally this for all attribute-matching users. The server device 400 then calculates the proportion of users corresponding to each stool shape by dividing the number of stool shapes for all attribute-matching users that have been tallied by the number of all attribute-matching users.

[0202] Then, the server device 400 generates a graph GR12 shown in FIG. 15 using the calculated proportion of users that fall under each stool shape. The horizontal axis of the graph GR12 indicates the stool shape, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion of users (%). Multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR12 indicate the proportion of users that fall under each stool shape. In addition, the bar BR12 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR12 indicates the proportion of users that fall under the "hard" stool shape, which you, user AAA, belong to. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR12 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0203] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR12, displays graph GR12. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same user attributes as user AAA who have the same stool shape. Furthermore, the excretion information management system 1 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with the "hard" stool shape indicated by bar BR12, by using an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR12.

[0204] <3-2. Example of stool color display> Next, an example of displaying stool colors will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 are diagrams showing an example of displaying stool colors. Specifically, Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each stool color for all users. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each stool color for users who match the user attributes to which the user to be displayed belongs. Note that explanations of the same points as those in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 above will be omitted.

[0205] First, an example of processing for all users will be described with reference to Figure 16. For example, the server device 400 acquires the stool color of each user from the defecation information database 421. If the most frequent stool color in the defecation data for user AAA for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) stored in the defecation information database 421 is dark brown, the server device 400 determines the stool color of user AAA to be "dark brown." Similarly, the server device 400 determines the stool color for each user whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421.

[0206] The server device 400 generates a graph GR13 shown in FIG. 16 using the proportion of users corresponding to each stool color. The horizontal axis of the graph GR13 indicates the stool color, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion of users (%). Multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR13 indicate the proportion of users corresponding to each stool color. In addition, the bar BR13 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR13 indicates the proportion of users whose stool color is "dark brown," which includes you, user AAA. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR13 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0207] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR13, displays graph GR13. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same stool color. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR13 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with the "dark brown" stool color indicated by bar BR13.

[0208] Next, an example of processing when only users (attribute-matching users) who correspond to the user attribute "female in her 50s" to which user AAA belongs are targeted will be described with reference to Figure 17. For example, the server device 400 acquires the stool color of the attribute-matching users from the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 identifies users whose age corresponds to "female in her 50s" and whose gender corresponds to "female" from the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as attribute-matching users, and acquires the stool color of the identified attribute-matching users.

[0209] The server device 400 determines and tally the stool color for the attribute-matching users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 then calculates the percentage of users corresponding to each stool color by dividing the number of stool colors for all the attribute-matching users that have been tallied by the total number of attribute-matching users.

[0210] Then, the server device 400 generates a graph GR14 shown in FIG. 17 using the calculated proportion of users whose stool corresponds to each stool color. The horizontal axis of the graph GR14 indicates the stool color, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion of users (%). Multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR14 indicate the proportion of users whose stool corresponds to each stool color. In addition, the bar BR14 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR14 indicates the proportion of users whose stool color is "dark brown," which includes you, user AAA. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR14 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0211] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR14, displays graph GR14. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same user attributes as user AAA who have the same stool color. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR14 allows user AAA, the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users whose stool color is "dark brown," as indicated by bar BR14.

[0212] <3-3. Example of stool volume display> Next, an example of displaying the amount of stool will be described with reference to Fig. 18 and Fig. 19. Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 are diagrams showing an example of displaying the amount of stool. Specifically, Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each amount of stool for all users. Also, Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each amount of stool for users who match the user attributes to which the user to be displayed belongs. Note that explanations of the same points as those in Figs. 14 to 17 above will be omitted.

[0213] First, an example of processing when all users are the target will be described using Figure 18. For example, the server device 400 acquires the amount of stool for each user from the defecation information database 421. For user AAA, if the average daily amount of stool in the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) stored in the defecation information database 421 is low, the server device 400 determines the amount of stool for user AAA to be "low." Similarly, the server device 400 determines the amount of stool for each user whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421.

[0214] The server device 400 generates graph GR15 shown in FIG. 18 using the proportion of users who fall into each stool volume category. The horizontal axis of graph GR15 indicates the stool volume, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion of users (%). Multiple bar graphs (bars) in graph GR15 indicate the proportion of users who fall into each stool volume category. In addition, bar BR15 pointed to by an arrow labeled "you" in graph GR15 indicates the proportion of users who fall into the "low stool volume" category, which includes you, user AAA. The server device 400 transmits graph GR15 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0215] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR15, displays graph GR15. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with low stool volume. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR15 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with low stool volume indicated by bar BR15.

[0216] Next, an example of processing when only users (attribute-matching users) corresponding to the user attribute "female in her 50s" to which user AAA belongs are targeted will be described with reference to Figure 19. For example, the server device 400 acquires the amount of stool of attribute-matching users from the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 identifies users whose age corresponds to "female in her 50s" and whose gender corresponds to "female" from the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as attribute-matching users, and acquires the amount of stool of the identified attribute-matching users.

[0217] The server device 400 determines and tally the amount of stool for the attribute-matching users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 then calculates the proportion of users corresponding to each amount of stool by dividing the number of stool amounts for all the attribute-matching users that have been tallied by the number of all the attribute-matching users.

[0218] The server device 400 then generates graph GR16 shown in FIG. 19 using the calculated percentage of users corresponding to each stool volume. The horizontal axis of graph GR16 indicates the stool volume, and the vertical axis indicates the percentage of users (%). Multiple bar graphs (bars) in graph GR16 indicate the percentage of users corresponding to each stool volume. Also, bar BR16 pointed to by an arrow labeled "you" in graph GR16 indicates the percentage of users in the "low stool volume" category, to which you, user AAA, belong. The server device 400 transmits graph GR16 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0219] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR16, displays graph GR16. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same user attributes as user AAA who have a large amount of stool. Furthermore, the excretion information management system 1 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with a "small" amount of stool, as indicated by bar BR16, by using an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR16.

[0220] <3-4. Example of excretion time display> Next, an example of displaying the time required for excretion (also referred to as "excretion time") will be described with reference to Figs. 20 and 21. Figs. 20 and 21 are diagrams showing an example of displaying the time required for excretion. Specifically, Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of the time required for each excretion for all users. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of the time required for each excretion for users corresponding to the user attributes to which the user to be displayed belongs. In Figs. 20 and 21, the server device 400 tally up the excretion time based on time ranges separated by a predetermined length (for example, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, etc.), but the time ranges can be set arbitrarily (for example, 1 second intervals, 5 second intervals, etc.). Note that explanations of the same points as those in Figs. 14 to 19 above will be omitted.

[0221] First, an example of processing for all users will be described with reference to Figure 20. For example, the server device 400 acquires the excretion time of each user from the defecation information database 421. If the average value of the excretion time in the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) for user AAA stored in the defecation information database 421 is in the 40 second range, the server device 400 determines the excretion time of user AAA to be "40 seconds." Similarly, the server device 400 determines the excretion time for each user whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421.

[0222] The server device 400 generates a graph GR17 shown in FIG. 20 using the proportion of users who fall into each excretion time. The horizontal axis of the graph GR17 indicates the excretion time, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion of users (%). Multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR17 indicate the proportion of users who fall into each excretion time. In addition, the bar BR17 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR17 indicates the proportion of users who fall into the excretion time "40 seconds", which includes you, user AAA. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR17 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0223] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR17, displays graph GR17. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same excretion time. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR17 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with an excretion time of "40 seconds" as indicated by bar BR17.

[0224] Next, an example of processing when only users (attribute-matching users) corresponding to the user attribute "female in her 50s" to which user AAA belongs are targeted will be described with reference to Figure 21. For example, the server device 400 acquires the excretion times of attribute-matching users from the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 identifies users whose age corresponds to "female in her 50s" and whose gender corresponds to "female" from the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as attribute-matching users, and acquires the excretion times of the identified attribute-matching users.

[0225] The server device 400 determines and tally the excretion times for the attribute-matching users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421. Then, the server device 400 calculates the proportion of users corresponding to each excretion time by dividing the number of excretion times of all the attribute-matching users that have been tallied by the number of all the attribute-matching users.

[0226] The server device 400 then generates a graph GR18 shown in FIG. 21 using the calculated proportion of users that fall into each excretion time. The horizontal axis of the graph GR18 indicates the excretion time, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion (%) of users. Multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR18 indicate the proportion of users that fall into each excretion time. In addition, the bar BR18 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR18 indicates the proportion of users who fall into the excretion time "40 seconds," which includes you, user AAA. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR18 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0227] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR18, displays graph GR18. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same user attributes as user AAA who have the same excretion time. Furthermore, the excretion information management system 1 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with an excretion time of "40 seconds" as indicated by bar BR18, by using an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR18.

[0228] <3-5. Example of fecal odor display> Next, an example of a display of stool odor will be described using Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 are diagrams showing an example of a display related to stool odor. Specifically, Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display showing the proportion of each stool odor for all users. Furthermore, Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display showing the proportion of each stool odor for users who fit the user attributes to which the user to be displayed belongs. Note that explanations of the same points as in Figs. 14 to 21 above will be omitted.

[0229] First, an example of processing when all users are the target will be described using Figure 22. For example, the server device 400 obtains the stool odor of each user from the defecation information database 421. For user AAA, if the most frequent stool odor among the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) stored in the defecation information database 421 is not odorous, the server device 400 determines the stool odor of user AAA to be "not odorous." Similarly, the server device 400 determines the stool odor for each user whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421.

[0230] The server device 400 generates a graph GR19 shown in FIG. 22 using the percentage of users who fall under each stool odor. The horizontal axis of the graph GR19 indicates the stool odor, and the vertical axis indicates the percentage of users (%). The multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR19 indicate the percentage of users who fall under each stool odor. In addition, the bar BR19 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR19 indicates the percentage of users who, as the user AAA, fall under the category of "not smelly" stool odor. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR19 to the user terminal 200 used by the user AAA.

[0231] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR19, displays graph GR19. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with smelly stool. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR19 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users whose stool odor is "not smelly," as indicated by bar BR19.

[0232] Next, an example of processing when only users (attribute-matching users) who correspond to the user attribute "female in her 50s" to which user AAA belongs are targeted will be described using Figure 23. For example, the server device 400 acquires the stool odor of attribute-matching users from the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 identifies users whose age corresponds to "female in her 50s" and whose gender corresponds to "female" from the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as attribute-matching users, and acquires the stool odor of the identified attribute-matching users.

[0233] The server device 400 determines and tally the stool odors for the attribute-matching users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 then calculates the percentage of users who match each stool odor by dividing the number of stool odors for all the attribute-matching users that have been tallied by the total number of attribute-matching users.

[0234] The server device 400 then generates the graph GR20 shown in FIG. 23 using the calculated percentage of users who fall under each stool odor. The horizontal axis of the graph GR20 indicates the stool odor, and the vertical axis indicates the percentage of users (%). The multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR20 indicate the percentage of users who fall under each stool odor. In addition, the bar BR20 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR20 indicates the percentage of users who, as the user AAA, fall under the category of "not smelly" stool odor. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR20 to the user terminal 200 used by the user AAA.

[0235] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR20, displays graph GR20. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same user attributes as user AAA who have smelly stool. Furthermore, the excretion information management system 1 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users whose stool odor is "not smelly," as indicated by bar BR20, by using an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR20.

[0236] <3-6. Example of display of excretion interval> Next, an example of displaying excretion intervals (interval from the previous time) will be described with reference to Figs. 24 and 25. Figs. 24 and 25 are diagrams showing an example of displaying excretion intervals. Specifically, Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each excretion interval for all users. Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the proportion of each excretion interval for users who match the user attributes to which the user to be displayed belongs. In Figs. 24 and 25, the server device 400 tallyes excretion intervals based on time ranges separated by predetermined intervals (e.g., three or more times a day, twice a day, etc.), but the intervals can be set arbitrarily (e.g., every 12 hours, once every 1.5 days, etc.). Note that explanations of the same points as those in Figs. 14 to 23 above will be omitted.

[0237] First, an example of processing for all users will be described using Figure 24. For example, the server device 400 acquires the defecation interval of each user from the defecation information database 421. For user AAA, if the trimmed mean (e.g., the mean excluding the top 5% and bottom 5%) of the defecation intervals in the defecation data for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent week or month) stored in the defecation information database 421 is greater than 24 hours and less than or equal to 48 hours, the server device 400 determines the defecation interval for user AAA to be "every two days." Similarly, the server device 400 determines the defecation interval for each user whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421.

[0238] The server device 400 generates a graph GR21 shown in FIG. 24 using the proportion of users who fall into each excretion interval. The horizontal axis of the graph GR21 indicates the excretion interval, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion (%) of users. Multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR21 indicate the proportion of users who fall into each excretion interval. In addition, the bar BR21 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR21 indicates the proportion of users who fall into the excretion interval "every two days," which includes you, user AAA. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR21 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0239] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR21, displays graph GR21. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same excretion interval. Furthermore, in the excretion information management system 1, an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR21 allows user AAA, who is the recipient of the information, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with an excretion interval of "every two days" indicated by bar BR21.

[0240] Next, an example of processing when only users (attribute-matching users) corresponding to the user attribute "female in her 50s" to which user AAA belongs are targeted will be described with reference to Figure 25. For example, the server device 400 acquires the defecation intervals of attribute-matching users from the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 identifies users whose age corresponds to "female in her 50s" and whose gender corresponds to "female" from the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 as attribute-matching users, and acquires the defecation intervals of the identified attribute-matching users.

[0241] The server device 400 determines and tally the excretion intervals for the attribute-matching users whose defecation data is stored in the defecation information database 421. The server device 400 then calculates the proportion of users who fall into each excretion interval by dividing the number of excretion intervals for all attribute-matching users that have been counted by the total number of attribute-matching users.

[0242] The server device 400 then generates a graph GR22 shown in FIG. 25 using the calculated proportion of users that fall into each excretion interval. The horizontal axis of the graph GR22 indicates the excretion interval, and the vertical axis indicates the proportion (%) of users. Multiple bar graphs (bars) in the graph GR22 indicate the proportion of users that fall into each excretion interval. In addition, the bar BR22 pointed to by the arrow labeled "you" in the graph GR22 indicates the proportion of users with an excretion interval of "every two days," to which you, user AAA, belong. The server device 400 transmits the graph GR22 to the user terminal 200 used by user AAA.

[0243] The user terminal 200 of user AAA, which has received graph GR22, displays graph GR22. This allows user AAA to recognize the proportion of users with the same user attributes as user AAA who have the same excretion interval. Furthermore, the excretion information management system 1 allows user AAA, who is the information recipient, to recognize that he or she belongs to the group of users with the excretion interval of "every two days" indicated by bar BR22, by using an arrow labeled "you" pointing at bar BR22.

[0244] The above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0245] The user attributes may be residential area or weight. For example, if residential areas differ greatly, the food culture will differ, and the characteristics of the stool will also differ. Therefore, defecation data may be displayed for each residential area. For example, if weight differs greatly, the amount of food eaten will also differ. Furthermore, the intestinal flora of obese people and thin people will differ, and the characteristics of the stool will also differ. Therefore, defecation data may be displayed for each weight.

[0246] When a user ID, which is user identification information, is registered in the defecation information database 421, the attribute information of the user may be registered together as user information.

[0247] The predetermined period for aggregating the defecation data stored in the defecation information database 421 is set to the most recent one week or one month from the date and time of measurement, but it is not limited to this and may be a single defecation, a day, or a year. Also, the user can change the predetermined period for aggregating by operating the user terminal 200, thereby changing the display period.

[0248] The range of users to be compiled in the defecation information database 421 is not limited, and may be all users of the excretion information management system, or a range may be set. For example, the database may be targeted at employees of a single company. In this case, users themselves can know their own position among employees of a single company. Also, for example, the database may be targeted at users in a specific residential area.

[0249] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, examples have been described in which defecation data is automatically input, but all defecation records may be input manually by the user himself / herself. In this case, after the user has defecates, the user can visually or olfactory check the stool and input the defecation data by operating the user terminal 200 himself / herself.

[0250] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0251] R Toilet Room 1. Excretion information management system 2 Toilet seat device 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 231 Acquisition Department 232 Clock section 233 Request part 3 Main body 30 Main unit cover 31 Aperture 4 Toilet lid 5 toilet seats 6 Cleaning nozzle 60 Nozzle Cover 7 Western-style toilet (toilet) 71 Solenoid valve 8 Bowl 9 Rim 10 Operating device 11 Display screen 200 user terminals 301 Seat sensor 302 Camera 350 Gas Sensor Unit 351 fans 352 Odor Sensor 400 Server device 410 Communications Department 420 Storage section 421 Defecation Information Database 430 Control Unit 431 Reception Department 432 Registration Department 433 Providing Department

Claims

1. An excretion information management system that collects and manages information related to human excretion, A detection unit that detects defecation data including at least one of predetermined parameters based on the shape of the stool, the color of the stool, the amount of stool, and the odor at the time of excretion, A storage unit that stores identification information and personal attribute information for identifying the acquired individual, linked to the aforementioned defecation data, A display unit that displays bowel movement data and It has, The aforementioned display unit is Based on the defecation data of multiple individuals stored in the memory unit, the following information is displayed together: information showing the distribution of the defecation data within a group corresponding to a specific attribute; information showing where the defecation data of a specific individual identified by the identification information is located within the distribution; and information showing the ideal state, which is pre-set in accordance with the specific attribute, as an indicator of the defecation data that the group should aim for. A waste disposal information management system characterized by the following features.

2. Regarding the information shown in a manner that compares the bowel movement data of multiple people with the individual's bowel movement data, the individual's attribute information is linked to the individual's bowel movement data and stored in the storage unit, the collected data is aggregated by attribute, and the information is displayed on the display unit in a manner that compares the bowel movement data of multiple people that match the individual's attributes with the individual's bowel movement data. The excretion information management system according to feature 1.

3. The information is displayed on the display unit in a manner that compares information processed using representative values ​​from an individual's bowel movement data over a predetermined period. The excretion information management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described above.

4. The individual's bowel movement data is stored in the storage unit in an anonymized state. The excretion information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A detection unit that detects at least one of the following: the time of defecation, the shape of the stool, the color of the stool, the amount of stool, the time required for defecation, predetermined parameters based on the odor at the time of defecation, and the time interval of the defecation act. It has, The defecation data detected by the detection unit is automatically stored in the storage unit. The excretion information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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