Toilet system

Abstract

To provide a toilet system which is highly convenient in daily life.SOLUTION: A toilet device includes a toilet seat on which a user is seated, a skin gas sensor provided on the toilet seat and configured to detect skin gas released from skin of the user seated on the toilet seat, a controller configured to estimate a metabolic state or a fatigue state of the user based on a detection result of the skin gas sensor, and a notifier configured to notify an estimation result of the controller. The skin gas sensor is provided in the hollow portion to be positioned lower than the upper surface of the seating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention relate generally to toilet systems. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique for detecting biological gases to grasp a person's health condition is known (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-107829 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The biological gas detection device described in Patent Document 1 is portable, and therefore requires the user to hold the detection unit close to the skin for a certain period of time, which may make it inconvenient.

[0005] The aspects of the present invention have been made based on the recognition of such problems, and have an object to provide a toilet system that is highly convenient for everyday use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a toilet system comprising: a toilet device having a toilet seat on which a user sits; a skin gas sensor provided on the toilet seat for detecting skin gases emitted from the skin of the user seated on the toilet seat; a control unit for estimating the metabolic state or fatigue state of the user based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor; and an alarm unit for notifying the estimation results of the control unit; wherein the toilet seat has a seating portion on which the user sits, a bottom portion facing the seating portion, and a recessed portion recessed from the seating portion toward the bottom, and the skin gas sensor is located below the top surface of the seating portion and provided in the recessed portion.

[0007] This toilet system allows the user's metabolic state or fatigue state to be estimated by detecting skin gases emitted from the user's skin. The depression is sealed when the user sits on the toilet seat. This allows the skin gas sensor to detect skin gases filling the depression while reducing the influence of noise gases other than the gases emitted from the skin. This makes the toilet system highly convenient for everyday use.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a toilet system according to the first aspect, further comprising a seating sensor provided in the toilet device that detects when the user is sitting on the toilet seat, and the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor detected while the user is sitting on the toilet seat.

[0009] According to this toilet system, the metabolic state or fatigue state of the user can be estimated with higher accuracy based on the detection results obtained while the user is seated on the toilet seat.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is a toilet system according to the second aspect, characterized in that the control unit sets a reference value for the skin gas sensor in response to the detection of sitting by the seating sensor, and calculates the amount of skin gas based on the amount of change in the detection result of the skin gas sensor relative to the reference value.

[0011] According to this toilet system, a reference value is set in response to detection of a user sitting, thereby reducing the influence of noise gases that are always present.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a toilet system according to the third aspect, characterized in that the control unit sets the output value of the skin gas sensor at the time when the seating sensor detects seating as the reference value.

[0013] According to this toilet system, a reference value can be set when the user is seated and the amount of skin gas can be calculated, thereby reducing the influence of noise gases.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a toilet system characterized in that, in the first aspect, the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state by comparing the amount of skin gas with a threshold value.

[0015] This toilet system can estimate the user's metabolic state or fatigue state based on the amount of skin gas.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the toilet system of the first aspect, characterized in that the skin gas sensor is a semiconductor gas sensor.

[0017] This toilet system allows for efficient detection of skin gases using a semiconductor gas sensor. Furthermore, semiconductor gas sensors are inexpensive and highly durable, which reduces the cost of the toilet system.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a toilet system in accordance with the first aspect, further comprising a humidity sensor for measuring humidity, and wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor and the detection results of the humidity sensor.

[0019] This toilet system can accurately estimate the metabolic state or fatigue state of a user, taking into account the influence of humidity.

[0020] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a toilet system according to the first aspect, further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring temperature, and wherein the control unit estimates the health condition based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor and the detection results of the temperature sensor.

[0021] This toilet system can accurately estimate the metabolic state or fatigue state of a user, taking into account the influence of temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to aspects of the present invention, a toilet system that is highly convenient for everyday use is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet unit of a toilet system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat and a skin gas sensor. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet seat and the skin gas sensor in FIG. 1, as viewed from the direction of arrow AA. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a series of flows of actions of a user using a toilet unit and a control process for estimating a metabolic state. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing an example of a transition of an output value of a skin gas sensor. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing an example of a calibration curve when calculating a gas amount. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a modified example. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing an example of a calibration curve when calculating a gas amount. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas control process executed by a control unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state of sickness estimated by a control unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing the toilet seat and the blood flow sensor. [Figure 15] 10 is a flow diagram for determining whether to perform a skin gas and blood flow control treatment or a skin gas control treatment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas and blood flow control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 17] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a detection result of a blood flow sensor displayed on a notification unit of an information terminal. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state of sickness estimated by a control unit. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat and a skin gas sensor. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas and stool property control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the feces sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the control unit estimates mental stress; [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where the control unit estimates physical stress. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the control unit estimates that the state of stool is derived from food. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the control unit has estimated the state to be normal; [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process of the toilet system according to the 2-2 embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30]FIG. 10 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat, a skin gas sensor, and a blood flow sensor. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas and blood flow control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 33] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a detection result of a blood flow sensor displayed on a notification unit of an information terminal. FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a total stress state displayed on a notification unit of an information terminal. [Figure 35] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas control process executed by a control unit. [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an intestinal state estimated by the control unit. [Figure 39] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to embodiment 4-2 of the present invention. [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat, a skin gas sensor, and a defecation gas sensor. [Figure 41] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas and defecation gas control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the defecation gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an intestinal state estimated by the control unit. [Figure 44] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a 5-1 embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 45] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas and blood flow control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 46]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 47] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a detection result of a blood flow sensor displayed on a notification unit of an information terminal. FIG. [Figure 48] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a body fat burning state estimated by the control unit. [Figure 49] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a body fat burning state estimated by the control unit. [Figure 50] 10 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process of the toilet system according to the 5-2 embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 51] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a 6-1 embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 52] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a skin gas control process executed by a control unit. [Figure 53] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the skin gas control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 54] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 55] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a female cycle estimated by the control unit. [Figure 56] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a female cycle estimated by the control unit. [Figure 57] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to embodiment 6-2 of the present invention. [Figure 58] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat, a skin gas sensor, and a body temperature sensor. [Figure 59] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas and body temperature control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 60] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the body temperature sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. [Figure 61] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a female cycle estimated by the control unit. [Figure 62] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a female cycle estimated by the control unit. [Figure 63] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a 7-1 embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 64] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas control process executed by a control unit. [Figure 65] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 66] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the amount of bifidobacteria estimated by the control unit. [Figure 67] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the amount of bifidobacteria estimated by the control unit. [Figure 68] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a 7-2 embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 69] 10 is a flowchart showing a skin gas and defecation gas control process executed by the control unit. [Figure 70] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the defecation gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. [Figure 71] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the amount of bifidobacteria estimated by the control unit. [Figure 72] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the amount of bifidobacteria estimated by the control unit. [Figure 73] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user's health condition displayed on a notification unit of an information terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. The toilet system according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of estimating a user's metabolic state or fatigue state (health state) when the user uses the toilet device. The metabolic state may be, for example, a state of intoxication, a state of the intestines, or a female menstrual cycle. The fatigue state may be, for example, a state of stress. Note that the health state does not include blood sugar levels.

[0025] The first embodiment describes a case where a user's state of intoxication is estimated. The second and third embodiments describe a case where a user's stress state is estimated. The fourth embodiment describes a case where a user's intestinal state is estimated. The fifth embodiment describes a case where a user's body fat burning state is estimated. The sixth embodiment describes a case where a user's female menstrual state is estimated. The seventh embodiment describes a case where a user's bifidobacteria amount state is estimated. Note that in each embodiment, for example, those included in the first embodiment are described as embodiment 1-1 and embodiment 1-2.

[0026] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 18. In the first embodiment, the metabolic state (drunkenness state) of a user U is estimated. (1-1 embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet unit of a toilet system according to a 1-1 embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat and the skin gas sensor. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet seat and the skin gas sensor in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow AA.

[0027] The toilet system 100 estimates the metabolic state of a user U. The toilet system 100 includes a toilet unit 2, an information terminal 60, and a management device 70. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet unit 2 includes a toilet device 10 and a skin gas sensor 40. The toilet device 10 is installed in a toilet room. The toilet device 10 includes a toilet bowl 11, a casing 12, a toilet seat 20, and a toilet lid 30. The toilet bowl 11 is a so-called seated toilet bowl. The toilet bowl 11 has a concave bowl portion 11a that is recessed downward. The toilet bowl 11 receives excrement such as urine and feces from the user U in the bowl portion 11a.

[0028] In this specification, the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left side," and "right side" refer to directions as seen by a user U sitting on the toilet seat 20 with their back to the open toilet lid 30.

[0029] The casing 12 is installed on top of the toilet bowl 11. The casing 12 may be attached integrally to the toilet bowl 11, or may be detachably attached to the toilet bowl 11. The casing 12 houses a plurality of functional parts for operating the functions of the toilet unit 2. The functional parts include, for example, an opening / closing unit that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat 20 and the toilet lid 30, a toilet seat heating unit that controls the temperature of the toilet seat 20, a private parts washing unit that cleans private parts of the human body, a deodorizing unit that reduces odorous components, and a communication unit that can communicate with a remote control, an information terminal 60, and the like. These functional parts are provided as needed. The casing 12 also houses a control unit 15 that controls these functional parts and a memory unit 17 that stores information about the functional parts.

[0030] The toilet seat 20 has an outer edge curved to match the external shape of the toilet bowl 11, and is pivotally supported relative to the casing 12. The toilet seat 20 has an opening 20a that penetrates into the bowl portion 11a. As shown in FIG. 1, this example shows a so-called O-shaped toilet seat 20 with the opening 20a formed in the center of the toilet seat 20. The toilet seat 20 is not limited to an O-shape and may be U-shaped or the like. A user U can defecate into the bowl portion 11a while sitting on the toilet seat 20. The toilet seat 20 has a seating portion 21 on which the user U sits, a bottom portion 22 facing the seating portion 21, and a recessed portion 23 recessed from the seating portion 21 toward the bottom portion 22.

[0031] Seating section 21 forms the upper surface of toilet seat 20 when toilet seat 20 is placed on toilet bowl 11 in the closed state, and is the part on which user U sits. Bottom section 22 faces the top surface of toilet bowl 11 in the vertical direction when closed. A heater wire and a heat insulating material are provided inside toilet seat 20 to keep seating section 21 warm. Also provided inside toilet seat 20 is a skin gas sensor 40, which will be described later.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the recessed portion 23 is provided inside the toilet seat 20. The recessed portion 23 is provided in a portion of the toilet seat 20 that is located below the thigh U1 of a user U seated on the seating portion 21. As shown in FIG. 1, in this example, the recessed portion 23 is provided to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the toilet seat 20. In other words, the recessed portion 23 is located below the left thigh U1 of a user U seated on the toilet seat 20. Note that the recessed portion 23 may also be provided to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the toilet seat 20.

[0033] Recess 23 has sidewall 23a extending from seat 21 toward bottom 22, and undersurface 23b connecting the lower ends of sidewall 23a. The upper side of recess 23 is covered by seat 21. That is, recess 23 is located on the undersurface 21b side of seat 21, and forms space S that is surrounded above, below, in front, behind, left, and right sides. Skin gas sensor 40 is provided in this space S.

[0034] The seat 21 has a through-hole 24 that penetrates from the upper surface 21a to the lower surface 21b at a position corresponding to the recess 23. The through-hole 24 connects the space S to the outside of the toilet seat 20. The through-hole 24 serves as a gas flow path that guides skin gas G emitted from the thighs U1 of a user U seated on the seat 21 into the space S of the recess 23. Here, skin gas refers to gas containing volatile components that is emitted from the surface of a person's body. The emission pathways of skin gas can be classified into surface-reaction-derived pathways, in which components of sweat and sebum interact with resident bacteria and are emitted from the skin surface; skin gland-derived pathways, in which components in blood volatilize and are emitted directly from the skin; and blood-derived pathways, in which components in blood volatilize and are emitted directly from the skin. In this example, blood-derived skin gas is the target. The through-hole 24 may be provided with a filter (not shown) that allows gas to pass through but blocks liquid from passing through. This can prevent water and the like from entering the inside of the recessed portion 23.

[0035] The toilet lid 30 is pivotally supported on the casing 12. When closed, the toilet lid 30 covers the toilet seat 20. The toilet lid 30 is provided as needed and can be omitted.

[0036] The skin gas sensor 40 is provided in the toilet device 10 and detects skin gas G emitted from the skin of the user U. The skin gas sensor 40 detects skin gas G derived from the blood of the user U. The skin gas sensor 40 can be, for example, a semiconductor gas sensor, an electrochemical sensor, a gas heat transfer sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, a catalytic combustion sensor, an optical sensor, a carbon nanotube sensor, a graphene sensor, an optical fiber sensor, a thin-film sensor, a MEMS thermal conduction sensor, a micro thermoelectric sensor, an electromotive force change sensor, a gas chromatography measurement sensor, or a VOC (volatile organic compound) sensor. In this example, the skin gas sensor 40 is a semiconductor gas sensor. The semiconductor gas sensor includes a catalyst made of a metal oxide film containing tin oxide or the like. The semiconductor gas sensor detects reducing gases by heating the catalyst and electrically detecting the change in resistance of the catalyst due to an oxidation-reduction reaction between oxygen adsorbed on the catalyst surface and the reducing gas.

[0037] Skin gas sensor 40 is provided on toilet seat 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, skin gas sensor 40 is located below upper surface 21a of seating portion 21 and provided in recess 23. That is, skin gas sensor 40 is provided in recess 23 without contacting thigh U1 of user U. Skin gas G emitted from thigh U1 of user U flows into space S through through-hole 24. Skin gas sensor 40 detects skin gas G that has filled space S. The detection results of skin gas sensor 40 are transmitted to management device 70 via information terminal 60, which will be described later. Management device 70 estimates the metabolic state of user U based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0038] The seating sensor 45 detects whether the user U sits on or leaves the toilet seat 20. The seating sensor 45 is a contact sensor such as a tactile switch, electrostatic sensor, or strain sensor provided on the toilet seat 20. The seating sensor 45 may also be a pyroelectric sensor or distance sensor (infrared sensor) provided on the casing 12. The detection result of the seating sensor 45 is transmitted to the management device 70 via the information terminal 60 described below. The seating sensor 45 is provided as needed.

[0039] Control unit 15 is provided inside casing 12. Control unit 15 is connected to skin gas sensor 40 and seating sensor 45. Control unit 15 transmits the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and seating sensor 45 to information terminal 60 via a communication unit (not shown). Control unit 15 also controls the operation of functional units provided inside casing 12. Note that the control of the functional units may be performed by a control unit separate from control unit 15.

[0040] Memory unit 17 stores information on skin gas sensor 40, information on seating sensor 45, and information on the functional units. Information on skin gas sensor 40 includes the detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Information on seating sensor 45 includes the detection results of seating sensor 45. Memory unit 17 also stores a program for controlling the operation of the functional units. Control unit 15 operates the functional units based on the program stored in memory unit 17.

[0041] The information terminal 60 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal owned by the user U. However, the information terminal 60 is not limited to these and may be any terminal usable by the user U, such as a PC terminal. The information terminal 60 may be, for example, a remote control for operating the functional units of the toilet device 10. The information terminal 60 has a control unit 60a and a notification unit 60b.

[0042] The information terminal 60 is directly connected to the toilet device 10 via wireless communication. The information terminal 60 is capable of communicating with the toilet device 10 according to a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). The information terminal 60 is also connected to the management device 70 via a network (e.g., the Internet). The information terminal 60 transmits various pieces of information transmitted from the toilet device 10 to the management device 70. The information terminal 60 also transmits various pieces of information transmitted from the management device 70 to the toilet device 10.

[0043] A program (application software) for using the toilet system 100 is installed in the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a operates the toilet system 100 based on the program. The control unit 60a also causes the notification unit 60b to notify various pieces of information transmitted from the toilet device 10 and the management device 70. The notification unit 60b is, for example, a display screen that displays various pieces of information. The notification unit 60b may also be an audio output unit that notifies various pieces of information by voice. The notification unit 60b notifies the results of the metabolic state estimation performed by the control unit 70a of the management device 70.

[0044] The management device 70 is installed at a location away from the toilet room. The management device 70 is, for example, a cloud server, and is connected to the information terminal 60 via a network. The management device 70 may be installed in a building in which the toilet room is installed. The management device 70 has a control unit 70a and a storage unit 70b.

[0045] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the detection result of the skin gas sensor 40. The storage unit 70b stores a skin gas control processing program for estimating the metabolic state of the user U.

[0046] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a series of flows of the behavior of a user who uses the toilet unit and the control process for estimating the metabolic state.

[0047] First, after entering the toilet, the user U performs personal authentication using the information terminal 60. The user U, for example, starts up application software on the information terminal 60, and performs personal authentication between the user U and the toilet device 10. Note that any method may be used to perform personal authentication of the user U who has entered the toilet, as long as it is possible to perform personal authentication of the user U.

[0048] Furthermore, the toilet system 100 obtains consent from the user U to skin gas detection. For example, the toilet system 100 obtains consent from the user U to skin gas detection by the user U operating the information terminal 60. Note that the toilet system 100 may obtain consent from the user U to skin gas detection by any method. When consent from the user U is obtained, the toilet system 100 becomes available for use.

[0049] Thereafter, when user U sits on toilet seat 20, sensor detection is performed by skin gas sensor 40. That is, skin gas sensor 40 detects skin gas G emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 to information terminal 60. In addition, information terminal 60 transmits the received detection result to management device 70 together with the user's unique identification information.

[0050] When user U leaves toilet seat 20, sensor detection by skin gas sensor 40 ends. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the end of detection by skin gas sensor 40 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 also transmits the end of detection together with the user's unique identification information to management device 70. Note that control unit 15 of toilet device 10 may transmit the detection results while user U was sitting on toilet seat 20 to information terminal 60 together after user U leaves toilet seat 20.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the transition of the output value of the skin gas sensor. FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of a calibration curve for calculating the amount of gas.

[0052] Control unit 70a of management device 70 estimates the metabolic state of user U from the detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Storage unit 70b of management device 70 stores a calibration curve showing the relationship between known gas amounts and the output values ​​of skin gas sensor 40. Control unit 70a sets a reference value for skin gas sensor 40 in response to seating detection by seating sensor 45, and calculates the amount of skin gas E based on the amount of change (difference) in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 relative to the reference value.

[0053] 6, control unit 70a sets the output value of skin gas sensor 40 at the time when user U sits on toilet seat 20 as reference value A1. Control unit 70a then calculates difference value ΔA (amount of change) between reference value A1 and maximum output value A2 of skin gas sensor 40 detected while user U is seated on toilet seat 20. Control unit 70a may also set the output value output a predetermined time before or after user U sits on toilet seat 20 as reference value A1.

[0054] It should be noted that skin gas from the user U who last used the toilet device 10 may remain in the recess 23. Therefore, the control unit 70a may determine that it is not possible to estimate the metabolic state if the reference value A1 of the skin gas sensor 40 detected when the user U sat on the toilet seat 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0055] 7, the control unit 70a calculates the amount E of the skin gas G (hereinafter referred to as the gas amount E) by applying the calculated difference value ΔA to the calibration curve stored in the storage unit 70b. The gas amount E is, for example, a diffusion flux. The metabolic state of the user U may be estimated from the concentration of the skin gas G.

[0056] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amount E. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amount E and the estimated result of the metabolic state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amount E and the estimated result of the metabolic state. The user U can recognize his or her own metabolic state by checking the notification unit 60b.

[0057] The output value of skin gas sensor 40 may change due to the influence of humidity and temperature. Therefore, toilet system 101 according to a modified example corrects the detection result (output value) of skin gas sensor 40 based on the humidity and temperature around toilet device 10. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a toilet system according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of a calibration curve for calculating the amount of gas.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, the toilet system 101 includes a humidity sensor 55 and a temperature sensor 56. Either the humidity sensor 55 or the temperature sensor 56 may be provided, or both may be provided. The humidity sensor 55 and the temperature sensor 56 are provided, for example, in the recess 23 of the toilet seat 20. The humidity sensor 55 and the temperature sensor 56 may also be provided in the casing 12 or the toilet lid 30. The humidity sensor 55 and the temperature sensor 56 may also be provided in a recess other than the recess 23 provided in the toilet seat 20. The detection results of the humidity sensor 55 and the temperature sensor 56 are transmitted to the management device 70 via the information terminal 60.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 9 , the control unit 70a of the management device 70 corrects the calibration curve (shown by the solid line) by shifting it upward or downward, for example, as indicated by the two-dot chain line or the one-dot chain line, based on the detection results of the humidity sensor 55 and the temperature sensor 56. The control unit 70a applies the difference value ΔA to the corrected calibration curve to calculate the gas amount Ea and the gas amount Eb. The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amounts Ea and Eb. That is, the control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the humidity sensor 55. The control unit 70a also estimates the metabolic state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the temperature sensor 56. This allows the metabolic state of the user U to be accurately estimated.

[0060] Next, the skin gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The control unit 70a estimates the drunkenness state of the user U based on the amount of ethanol gas and acetaldehyde gas emitted from the skin of the user U. The control unit 70a can estimate the drunkenness state of the user U based on the amount of ethanol gas and acetaldehyde gas emitted from the skin of the user U. The blood concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde change depending on the amount of alcohol consumed by the user U. The amounts of ethanol gas and acetaldehyde gas emitted from the skin also change depending on the concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde in the blood. The control unit 70a estimates the drunkenness state of the user U based on changes in the amount of ethanol gas and acetaldehyde gas. In this example, the skin gas sensor 40 detects ethanol gas.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 10 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0062] Here, the user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 100. This initial setting is to store in the memory unit 70b as an initial value the amount of ethanol gas that is emitted from the skin of the user U when the user U has not drunk alcohol (a normal state in which there is no alcohol remaining in the body).

[0063] After user U is personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to input initial settings and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects ethanol gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U seated on toilet seat 20. In this case, through-hole 24 of toilet seat 20 is blocked by user U's thigh U1 when he or she is seated. Therefore, gases other than skin gas G are prevented from entering depression 23 from the air. This allows skin gas sensor 40 to efficiently detect ethanol gas emitted from user U.

[0064] The control unit 15 of the toilet device 10 transmits the output value of the skin gas sensor 40 to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of the skin gas sensor 40 as initial setting information together with the user's unique identification information to the management device 70 via the Internet.

[0065] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores gas amount E calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 in memory unit 70b as an initial value. Control unit 70a stores a value five times this initial value as first threshold E1, a value ten times this initial value as second threshold E2, and a value fifteen times this initial value as third threshold E3 in memory unit 70b. The initial value and first to third thresholds E1 to E3 are stored in memory unit 70b in association with user-specific identification information. The initial value may be a single detection result of skin gas sensor 40 detected with the initial settings, or may be an average of multiple detection results of skin gas sensor 40 detected with the initial settings. The first to third thresholds E1 to E3 may be values ​​previously stored in memory unit 70b.

[0066] When the initial values ​​and first to third thresholds E1 to E3 are stored in memory unit 70b in the initial setting, control unit 70a estimates user U's current level of drunkenness based on S101 to S108 of Fig. 10. That is, skin gas sensor 40 detects ethanol gas while seating sensor 45 detects seating on toilet seat 20. Control unit 70a estimates user U's drunkenness state based on the amount E of ethanol gas detected.

[0067] In S101, the amount E of ethanol gas is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the amount E of gas from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires first to third thresholds E1 to E3 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated amount E of gas in storage unit 70b.

[0068] In the next step S102, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the first threshold value E1. If the result of step S102 is "NO," that is, if the gas amount E is determined to be less than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if the result of step S102 is "YES," that is, if the gas amount E is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0069] In S103, it is estimated that the user is not sick. That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is less than five times the initial value of the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the user is "not sick" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a no-sickness signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the no-sickness signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0070] In S104, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the second threshold value E2 (E≧E2). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the second threshold value E2. If S104 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the second threshold value E2, the process proceeds to S105. On the other hand, if S104 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the second threshold value E2, the process proceeds to S106.

[0071] In S105, the user is estimated to be tipsy. That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is 5 times or more and less than 10 times the initial value of the user U, the control unit 70a estimates the user to be "tipsy" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a tipsy signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the tipsy signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0072] In S106, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the third threshold value E3 (E≧E3). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the third threshold value E3. If S106 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the third threshold value E3, the process proceeds to S107. On the other hand, if S106 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the third threshold value E3, the process proceeds to S108.

[0073] In S107, the user is presumed to be intoxicated. That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is 10 times or more and less than 15 times the initial value of the user U, the control unit 70a presumes the user to be "intoxicated" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits an intoxication signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the intoxication signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the result of the presumption in the memory unit 70b.

[0074] In S108, the user is presumed to be deeply drunk. That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is 15 times or more the initial value of the user U, the control unit 70a presumes the user to be "deeply drunk" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a drunk signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the drunk signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the result of the presumption in the memory unit 70b.

[0075] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state of sickness estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are cases where drunkenness is estimated in S107 in FIG.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 11, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays, for example, the amount E of ethanol gas emitted from the user U. The notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current gas amount E and the initial value of the user U's gas amount (the amount of gas when the user U is not drinking alcohol). In the example of FIG. 11, it is displayed that the amount E of ethanol gas currently emitted from the user U is 11 times the initial value. The notification unit 60b may display the gas concentration, or may display a skin gas score in which the gas amount or gas concentration is replaced with a score (point).

[0077] Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 may display only the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40, or may display the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as well as the previous detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 may also display changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 11, notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 displays a line indicating the initial value of user U along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 over a one-week period.

[0078] Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 can display, for example, the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 12, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays the state of intoxication of the user U. The state of intoxication is classified into not intoxicated, tipsy, intoxicated, and completely drunk. In the example of FIG. 12, the notification unit 60b displays the state of intoxication as a sickness state score. The sickness state score is a value calculated based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40. The sickness state score ranges, for example, from 0 to 40 points for not intoxicated, from 41 to 60 points for tipsy, from 61 to 80 points for intoxicated, and from 81 to 100 points for completely drunk. In the example of FIG. 12, the sickness state score is 70 points, and it is displayed that the current estimation result is intoxicated.

[0080] The notification unit 60b also displays a recommendation for the currently estimated state of drunkenness. For example, the notification unit 60b displays a recommendation such as "You seem to have drunk a lot of alcohol. Drink some water." This recommendation is displayed based on, for example, the drunkenness state score or a past drunken state. Furthermore, the notification unit 60b may display a previously estimated drunkenness state and a comparison with the past drunken state. This allows the user U to understand the progress of his or her drunken state.

[0081] Furthermore, if it is estimated in S103 in Fig. 10 that the user U is not drunk, the notification unit 60b displays that the user is not drunk (normal state). If it is estimated in S105 in Fig. 10 that the user is tipsy, the notification unit 60b displays that the user is tipsy. If it is estimated in S108 in Fig. 10 that the user U is deeply drunk, the notification unit 60b displays that the user is deeply drunk. This allows the user U to recognize his or her current state of intoxication when using the toilet device 10.

[0082] The effects of the toilet system 100 will be described below. The toilet system 100 estimates the state of sickness of the user U based on the detection result of the skin gas sensor 40 provided in the toilet device 10. The notification unit 60b then notifies the state of sickness estimated by the control unit 70a. This allows the user U to check their own health condition (state of sickness) when using the toilet device 10 in their daily lives.

[0083] Control unit 70a estimates the state of sickness of user U based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 detected while user U is seated on toilet seat 20. This allows user U to confirm his or her state of sickness simply by sitting on toilet seat 20.

[0084] Skin gas sensor 40 also detects ethanol gas emitted from thigh U1, which has few sweat glands. This allows control unit 70a to accurately estimate the state of intoxication. Skin gas sensor 40 is also provided in recess 23 provided in toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 can efficiently detect ethanol gas that fills space S within recess 23.

[0085] (First and second embodiments) Next, a toilet system 110 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 18. In the first embodiment, the state of intoxication of a user U is estimated based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing the toilet seat and the blood flow sensor.

[0086] Blood flow sensor 53 is provided on toilet seat 20, similar to skin gas sensor 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 , blood flow sensor 53 is provided in recess 25, located below upper surface 21a of seating portion 21. Recess 25 is provided in a different position from recess 23, for example. Like recess 23, recess 25 has side wall 25a and lower surface 25b. Blood flow sensor 53 may be provided in recess 23 together with skin gas sensor 40.

[0087] The blood flow sensor 53 is provided on the underside 21b of the seating portion 21. The blood flow sensor 53 detects the blood flow of the user U while in contact with the thigh U1 of the user U seated on the toilet seat 20. The blood flow sensor 53 may also detect the blood flow of the user U without making contact with the user U. The blood flow sensor 53 is an optical sensor that detects the blood flow of the user U seated on the toilet seat 20, for example, using visible light or a laser. The blood flow sensor 53 irradiates light toward the thigh U1 of the user U, reflects it off the blood flow of the user U, and detects the reflected light.

[0088] The detection results of blood flow sensor 53 are transmitted to management device 70 via information terminal 60. Control unit 70a of management device 70 calculates the blood flow velocity from the detection results of blood flow sensor 53. Control unit 70a estimates the state of intoxication of user U based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53.

[0089] Next, the relationship between the user U's state of intoxication due to alcohol and the user U's blood flow rate will be explained. Blood flow rate increases as blood vessels temporarily expand due to alcohol intake. Thereafter, blood flow rate decreases as the amount of water in the blood decreases due to the diuretic effect of alcohol and the function of the circulatory system decreases. Therefore, the toilet system 110 estimates the user U's state of intoxication from the past (for example, the previous day) based on the ethanol gas emitted from the user U's skin and the blood flow.

[0090] 15 to 17, a case where a state of drunkenness is estimated using skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53. The detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53 make it possible to estimate a state of drunkenness from the past (for example, several hours ago). The control process shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is pre-stored in memory unit 70b of management device 70.

[0091] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram for determining whether to perform skin gas and blood flow control treatment or skin gas control treatment. In S111, it is determined whether a confirmation signal for confirming a past state of sickness has been received. That is, the control unit 70a determines whether a confirmation signal for confirming a past state of sickness (for example, six hours ago) has been received from the information terminal 60. This confirmation signal is based on an operation of the information terminal 60 by the user U.

[0092] When user U performs personal authentication using information terminal 60, he / she performs an operation to send a confirmation signal. If user U wants to check his / her current state of sickness, he / she performs an operation without a confirmation signal. On the other hand, if user U wants to check his / her state of sickness from a predetermined time ago (for example, six hours ago), he / she performs an operation with a confirmation signal.

[0093] If S111 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that a signal confirming the past state of sickness has been received, the process proceeds to S112. On the other hand, if S111 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that a signal confirming the past state of sickness has not been received, the process proceeds to S113.

[0094] In S112, the control unit 70a executes the skin gas and blood flow control process. That is, the control unit 70a executes the skin gas and blood flow control process based on Fig. 16 to estimate the state of intoxication due to drinking alcohol, for example, six hours ago, and then ends the process.

[0095] In S113, the control unit 70a executes the skin gas control process, which is to say, the control unit 70a executes the skin gas control process based on Fig. 10 to estimate the current state of sickness, and then ends the process.

[0096] Next, the skin gas and blood flow control process executed in S112 in Fig. 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. The storage unit 70b stores fourth to sixth thresholds E4 to E6 calculated from the initial values ​​of the user U. Here, if a predetermined time (e.g., six hours) has passed since drinking alcohol, the ethanol concentration in the user U's blood will be lower than immediately after drinking alcohol. Therefore, in order to estimate the user U's past state of intoxication, the fourth threshold E4 is set to a value equal to or less than the first threshold E1 in Fig. 10.

[0097] The memory unit 70b also stores a threshold value V1 for comparison with the blood flow velocity V of the user U. The threshold value V1 is set at initial setting. The threshold value V1 is calculated from an initial value that is the blood flow velocity when the user U is not drinking alcohol. The threshold value V1 is, for example, 5% lower than the initial value. The initial value may be a single detection result by the blood flow sensor 53 detected at initial setting, or may be an average of multiple detection results by the blood flow sensor 53 detected at initial setting. The fourth to sixth threshold values ​​E4 to E6 and the threshold value V1 may be values ​​that are stored in advance in the memory unit 70b.

[0098] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the skin gas and blood flow control process executed by the control unit. In S121, the amount E of ethanol gas and the blood flow velocity V are calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also calculates the blood flow velocity V from the output value of blood flow sensor 53 transmitted from information terminal 60.

[0099] The control unit 70a also acquires fourth to sixth threshold values ​​E4 to E6 for the same identification information as the user-specific identification information transmitted from the information terminal 60. The fourth threshold value E4 is equal to or less than the first threshold value E1 in FIG. 10. In other words, the fourth threshold value E4 is equal to or less than five times the initial value of the user U. The control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E and blood flow velocity V in the memory unit 70b.

[0100] In the next step S122, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value E4 (E≧E4). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the fourth threshold value E4. If the result of step S122 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the fourth threshold value E4, the process proceeds to step S123. On the other hand, if the result of step S122 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value E4, the process proceeds to step S124.

[0101] In S123, it is estimated that the user is not sick. That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is less than the fourth threshold E4, the control unit 70a estimates that the state of sickness, for example, six hours ago, was "not sick," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a no-sickness signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the no-sickness signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0102] In S124, it is determined whether the blood flow velocity V has decreased by a threshold value V1 or more. That is, the control unit 70a compares the blood flow velocity V calculated this time with the threshold value V1. The control unit 70a determines to what extent the blood flow velocity V of the user U has decreased. If the result of S124 is "NO", that is, if it is determined that the blood flow velocity V has not decreased by a threshold value V1 or more, the process proceeds to S125. On the other hand, if the result of S124 is "YES", that is, if it is determined that the blood flow velocity V has decreased by a threshold value V1 or more, the process proceeds to S126.

[0103] In S125, it is estimated that the user is not intoxicated. That is, even if the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold E4, if the blood flow velocity V has not decreased by equal to or greater than the threshold V1, the control unit 70a determines that the estimation of the user's previous state of intoxication based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 was incorrect, and the process ends. In such a case, it is estimated that the gas detected by the skin gas sensor 40 was not ethanol gas emitted from the user U's skin, but alcohol adhering to the user U's clothing or the toilet seat 20, for example.

[0104] The control unit 70a transmits a no-sickness signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the no-sickness signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the storage unit 70b.

[0105] In S126, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than a fifth threshold value E5 (E≧E5). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the fifth threshold value E5. The fifth threshold value E5 is greater than the fourth threshold value E4. If S126 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the fifth threshold value E5, the process proceeds to S127. On the other hand, if S126 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the fifth threshold value E5, the process proceeds to S128.

[0106] In S127, it is estimated that the user is tipsy. That is, the control unit 70a estimates that the user's state a predetermined time ago (for example, six hours ago) was "tipsy," and the process ends. The control unit 70a also transmits a tipsy signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the tipsy signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0107] In S128, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than a sixth threshold value E6 (E≧E6). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the sixth threshold value E6. The sixth threshold value E6 is greater than the fifth threshold value E5. If S128 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the sixth threshold value E6, the process proceeds to S129. On the other hand, if S128 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the sixth threshold value E6, the process proceeds to S130.

[0108] In S129, it is estimated that the user is intoxicated. That is, the control unit 70a estimates that the user's state a predetermined time ago (for example, six hours ago) was "intoxicated," and the process ends. The control unit 70a also transmits an intoxication signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the intoxication signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0109] In S130, the user is inferred to be deeply drunk. That is, the control unit 70a infers that the user's state a predetermined time ago (for example, six hours ago) was "drunken," and the process ends. The control unit 70a then transmits a drunk signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 then issues a notification based on the drunk signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a then stores the inference result in the memory unit 70b.

[0110] Next, a description will be given of the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60. The notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 notifies about skin gas, blood flow velocity, and state of sickness. The display of skin gas is similar to that shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the blood flow sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state of sickness estimated by the control unit.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 17, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays, for example, the blood flow velocity V of the user U. The notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current blood flow velocity V and the initial value of the blood flow velocity of the user U (the blood flow velocity when the user U is not drinking alcohol). In the example of FIG. 17, it is displayed that the blood flow velocity V detected from the user U this time is 13% lower than the initial value. The notification unit 60b may display the blood flow velocity, or may display a blood flow score in which the blood flow velocity is replaced with a score (point).

[0112] As shown in FIG. 18, notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 displays the state of intoxication of user U. The state of intoxication is classified into not intoxicated, tipsy, intoxicated, and completely drunk. In the example of FIG. 18, notification unit 60b displays the state of intoxication as a sickness state score. The sickness state score is a value calculated based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53. The sickness state score may range, for example, from 0 to 40 points for not intoxicated, 41 to 60 points for tipsy, 61 to 80 points for intoxicated, and 81 to 100 points for completely drunk. The sickness state score increases, for example, when the amount E of ethanol gas is large and the blood flow velocity V is slow. In the example of FIG. 18, the sickness state score is 70 points, and the estimated state of intoxication from a predetermined time ago is displayed as intoxication.

[0113] The notification unit 60b also displays a recommendation for the currently estimated state of drunkenness. For example, the notification unit 60b displays a recommendation such as, "It seems you've been drinking more than usual. Why not try taking a day off from drinking?" This recommendation is displayed based on, for example, the drunkenness state score or a past drunken state. Furthermore, the notification unit 60b may display a previously estimated drunkenness state and a comparison with the past drunken state. This allows the user U to understand the progress of his or her drunken state.

[0114] 16, if it is estimated that the user U is not drunk, the notification unit 60b displays a message indicating that the user U was not drunk (normal). If it is estimated that the user U is not drunk in S125 of FIG. 16, the notification unit 60b displays a message indicating that the user U was not drunk, even though the amount E of ethanol gas is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold E4. In this case, the notification unit 60b may display a message indicating that the high amount E of ethanol gas may be due to alcohol noise on the clothes or toilet seat. If it is estimated that the user U is tipsy in S127 of FIG. 16, the notification unit 60b displays a message indicating that the user U was tipsy. If it is estimated that the user U is deeply drunk in S130 of FIG. 16, the notification unit 60b displays a message indicating that the user U was deeply drunk. This allows the user U to recognize his or her state of intoxication while drinking alcohol a predetermined time prior (e.g., six hours prior) when using the toilet device 10.

[0115] The effects of the toilet system 110 will be described below. The toilet system 110 estimates the state of sickness of the user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the blood flow sensor 53 provided in the toilet device 10. The notification unit 60b then notifies the state of sickness estimated by the control unit 70a. This allows the user U to check their own state of sickness when using the toilet device 10 in their daily lives.

[0116] Control unit 70a estimates the state of sickness of user U based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53 detected while user U is seated on toilet seat 20. This allows user U to confirm his or her state of sickness simply by sitting on toilet seat 20.

[0117] Skin gas sensor 40 also detects ethanol gas emitted from thigh U1, which has few sweat glands. This allows control unit 70a to accurately estimate the state of intoxication. Skin gas sensor 40 is also provided in recess 23 provided in toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 can efficiently detect ethanol gas that fills space S within recess 23.

[0118] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 19 to Fig. 28. In the second embodiment, the fatigue state (stress state) of a user U is estimated.

[0119] (2-1 embodiment) FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the 2-1 embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat and the skin gas sensor. The toilet system 200 estimates the fatigue state of a user U. The toilet system 200 includes a toilet unit 2, an information terminal 60, and a management device 70. The toilet unit 2 includes a toilet device 10, a skin gas sensor 40, and a feces sensor 51.

[0120] The stool sensor 51 is provided inside the casing 12. The stool sensor 51 has, for example, a light-emitting unit that irradiates light toward the stool and a light-receiving unit that receives light reflected from the stool, and detects the presence or absence of stool and its condition. The light-emitting unit is, for example, a light-emitting element such as an LED. The light-receiving unit has a lens and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element is, for example, formed by a line sensor or area sensor in which CCD sensors or CMOS sensors are arranged. The light-receiving unit may also be configured to have a spectroscopic function such as a spectral filter. The detection results of the stool sensor 51 are transmitted to the management device 70 via the information terminal 60.

[0121] Control unit 15 is provided inside casing 12. Control unit 15 is connected to skin gas sensor 40, seating sensor 45, and feces sensor 51. Control unit 15 transmits the detection results of skin gas sensor 40, seating sensor 45, and feces sensor 51 to information terminal 60 via a communication unit (not shown). Control unit 15 also controls the operation of functional units provided inside casing 12. Note that the control of the functional units may be performed by a control unit separate from control unit 15.

[0122] Memory unit 17 stores information on skin gas sensor 40, seat sensor 45, feces sensor 51, and functional unit information. Skin gas sensor 40 information includes the detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Seat sensor 45 information includes the detection results of seat sensor 45. Feces sensor 51 information includes the detection results of feces sensor 51. Memory unit 17 also stores a program for controlling the operation of the functional units. Control unit 15 operates the functional units based on the program stored in memory unit 17.

[0123] The control unit 70a of the management device 70 estimates the fatigue state of the user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of the stool sensor 51. The memory unit 70b stores a program for skin gas and stool property control processing for estimating the fatigue state of the user U.

[0124] The control unit 70a calculates the amount E of skin gas G (hereinafter referred to as gas amount E) by applying the calculated difference value to a calibration curve stored in the memory unit 70b. The gas amount E is, for example, a diffusion flux. The fatigue state of the user U may be estimated from the concentration of skin gas G.

[0125] The control unit 70a also calculates the condition of the stool from the detection result of the stool sensor 51. The condition of the stool is, for example, a stool property Bs based on the Bristol scale. That is, the control unit 70a calculates whether the detected stool is hard stool (rabbit feces), hard stool, slightly hard stool, normal stool, slightly soft stool, muddy stool, or watery stool.

[0126] The control unit 70a estimates the fatigue state of the user U based on the calculated gas amount E and stool properties Bs. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amount E, stool properties Bs, and the estimated results of the fatigue state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amount E, stool properties Bs, and estimated results of the fatigue state. The user U can recognize his or her own fatigue state by checking the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimated results of the gas amount E, stool properties Bs, and fatigue state in the memory unit 70b.

[0127] Next, the skin gas and stool condition control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to Fig. 21. The control unit 70a estimates a stress state as the fatigue state of the user U. The stress state includes mental stress and physical stress. Mental stress is, for example, stress felt by the mind of the user U. Physical stress is, for example, stress felt by the body of the user U, such as muscle fatigue.

[0128] The control unit 70a can estimate the stress state based on the amount of ammonia gas emitted from the user U's skin and the characteristics of the stool. Ammonia is mainly produced in the intestines through the breakdown of proteins and transported to the liver via the blood. Ammonia is metabolized to urea in the liver and excreted from the body. In this case, when a person feels mental fatigue and their autonomic nervous system is disturbed, liver function declines. As a result, the urea metabolism of ammonia does not progress, and the ammonia concentration in the blood increases. Ammonia is highly volatile, so it evaporates from the blood and is emitted from the body surface. Note that the control unit 70a may estimate the stress state using, for example, dimethyl trisulfide or allyl mercaptan, rather than ammonia gas. On the other hand, when a person feels mental fatigue or their autonomic nervous system is disturbed, their stool becomes watery or hard.

[0129] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the skin gas and stool property control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 21 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0130] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 200. This initial setting is to store the amount of ammonia gas emitted from the skin of the user U as an initial value in the memory unit 70b. Note that the initial setting is preferably performed when the user U is not feeling fatigue (stress).

[0131] After user U is personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to input initial settings and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects ammonia gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U seated on toilet seat 20. In this case, through-hole 24 of toilet seat 20 is blocked by user U's thigh U1 when he or she is seated. Therefore, gases other than skin gas G are prevented from entering depression 23 from the air. This allows skin gas sensor 40 to efficiently detect ammonia gas emitted from user U.

[0132] The control unit 15 of the toilet device 10 transmits the output value of the skin gas sensor 40 to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of the skin gas sensor 40 as initial setting information together with the user's unique identification information to the management device 70 via the Internet.

[0133] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores gas amount E calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 in memory unit 70b as an initial value. Control unit 70a stores this initial value as threshold Ex in memory unit 70b. Note that threshold Ex may be calculated based on the initial value. The initial value and threshold Ex are stored in memory unit 70b in association with identification information unique to the user. The initial value may be the result of a single detection by skin gas sensor 40 detected at initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results by skin gas sensor 40 detected at initial settings. Threshold Ex may be a value previously stored in memory unit 70b.

[0134] When the initial values ​​and threshold value Ex are stored in memory unit 70b in the initial setting, control unit 70a estimates user U's fatigue state (stress state) based on S201 to S211 of FIG. 21. That is, skin gas sensor 40 detects ammonia gas while seat sensor 45 detects seating on toilet seat 20. Stool sensor 51 detects stool excreted in toilet bowl 11. Control unit 70a estimates user U's fatigue state based on the detected amount E of ammonia gas and stool property Bs. Note that stool property Bs may use the property of the currently excreted stool, or the property of the stool excreted by user U in the past (for example, the previous time).

[0135] In S201, it is determined whether or not feces have been detected. That is, the control unit 70a determines whether or not the feces sensor 51 has detected the presence of feces (whether or not the user U has excreted feces). If it is determined "YES" in S201, that is, that feces have been detected, the process proceeds to S202. On the other hand, if it is determined "NO" in S201, that is, that feces have not been detected, the process proceeds to S203.

[0136] In S202, the stool property Bs is calculated. That is, the control unit 70a calculates the property of the stool excreted this time based on the detection result of the stool sensor 51. The control unit 70a stores the calculated stool property Bs in the memory unit 70b, linking it to the user's unique identification information and the date and time of detection.

[0137] In S203, the past stool condition Bs is acquired. That is, if the user U has not excreted, the control unit 70a acquires the stool condition Bs of the user U calculated in the past (previous time) from the storage unit 70b.

[0138] In the next step S204, the amount E of ammonia gas is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the amount E of gas from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires threshold Ex of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated amount E of gas in memory unit 70b.

[0139] In S205, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex (E≧Ex). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the threshold value Ex. If S205 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex, the process proceeds to S206. On the other hand, if S205 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value Ex, the process proceeds to S209.

[0140] In S206, it is determined whether the stool condition Bs satisfies a predetermined condition. This predetermined condition is an undesirable state of the stool condition Bs. The predetermined condition is, for example, hard stool or watery stool. The predetermined condition may also include hard stool and muddy stool. The control unit 70a determines whether the stool condition Bs calculated in S202 or the stool condition Bs acquired in S203 is hard stool or watery stool.

[0141] If S206 returns "YES," i.e., if it is determined that the stool condition Bs satisfies the predetermined conditions, the process proceeds to S207. On the other hand, if S206 returns "NO," i.e., if it is determined that the stool condition Bs does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, the process proceeds to S208.

[0142] In S207, it is estimated that mental stress is present. That is, if the currently calculated ammonia gas amount E is large (greater than or equal to the threshold value Ex) and the stool condition Bs is poor (hard stool or watery stool), the control unit 70a estimates that mental stress is present and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a mental stress signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the mental stress signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0143] In S208, it is estimated that physical stress is present. That is, even if the currently calculated amount of ammonia gas E is large (greater than or equal to the threshold value Ex), if the stool condition Bs is good (for example, normal stool), the control unit 70a estimates that physical stress is present and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a physical stress signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the physical stress signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0144] In S209, it is determined whether or not the stool condition Bs satisfies a predetermined condition. In S209, the same control process as in S206 is executed. Then, if S209 returns "YES", that is, if it is determined that the stool condition Bs satisfies the predetermined condition, the process proceeds to S210. On the other hand, if S209 returns "NO", that is, if it is determined that the stool condition Bs does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the process proceeds to S211.

[0145] In S210, it is estimated that the cause is dietary (no mental stress or physical stress). That is, if the currently calculated amount of ammonia gas E is small (less than the threshold Ex) but the stool condition Bs is poor (hard stool or watery stool), the control unit 70a estimates that the mental stress and physical stress are low but the cause of the poor stool condition is dietary-derived by the user U, and the process ends. The control unit 70a also transmits a food-derived signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the food-derived signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0146] In S211, it is estimated to be normal. That is, if the currently calculated ammonia gas amount E is small (less than the threshold value Ex) and the stool condition Bs is good (for example, normal stool), the control unit 70a estimates it to be normal and ends the process. Furthermore, the control unit 70a transmits a normal signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the normal signal from the notification unit 60b. Furthermore, the control unit 70a stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0147] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the feces sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the control unit estimates mental stress. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where the control unit estimates physical stress. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the control unit estimates that the state of the stool is of dietary origin. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where the control unit has estimated the state to be normal.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 22, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays, for example, the amount E of ammonia gas emitted from the user U. The notification unit 60b may also display a comparison between the current gas amount E and the initial value of the gas amount of the user U. As shown in FIG. 22, the notification unit 60b displays that the skin gas score, which is calculated by converting the current amount E of ammonia gas emitted from the user U into a score (point), is 70 points. For example, the skin gas score is 0 to 50 points, which represents "low: no stress," and 51 to 100 points, which represents "high: stress." The notification unit 60b may also display the amount of ammonia gas or the gas concentration.

[0149] Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 may display only the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40, or may display the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as well as the previous detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 may also display changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 22, notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 displays a line indicating the initial value of user U along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 over a one-week period.

[0150] Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 can display, for example, the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 23, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays the stool condition of the user U. Stool conditions are classified into seven stages, ranging from hard stool to watery stool. In the example of FIG. 23, the notification unit 60b displays that the stool condition is watery stool. The notification unit 60b can display the detection results of the stool sensor 51, for example, on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. This allows the user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of the stool sensor 51.

[0152] As shown in Fig. 24, when notification unit 60b receives a mental stress signal (estimated as "Mental stress present" in S207 in Fig. 21), it notifies that mental stress is present. In the example of Fig. 24, notification unit 60b displays that mental stress is high and a stress score calculated from the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and stool sensor 51. The stress score is calculated based on, for example, the amount of ammonia gas E and stool properties Bs. For example, the stress score increases as the amount of ammonia gas E increases.

[0153] The notification unit 60b also notifies the user of suggestions that can help alleviate mental stress. For example, the notification unit 60b notifies the user of suggestions that encourage exercise or sleep in order to alleviate mental stress. In the example of FIG. 24, the notification unit 60b displays, "Have you been feeling tired lately? Your stress score is high. Try to get enough sleep." By checking the notification unit 60b, the user U can recognize that he or she is experiencing (high) mental stress and how to relieve the mental stress.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 25, when notification unit 60b receives a physical stress signal (estimated as "physical stress present" in S208 in FIG. 21), it notifies that physical stress is present. In the example of FIG. 25, notification unit 60b displays that the physical stress is high and a stress score calculated from the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and stool sensor 51. The stress score is calculated based on, for example, the amount of ammonia gas E and the stool properties Bs. For example, the stress score increases as the amount of ammonia gas E increases.

[0155] The notification unit 60b also notifies the user of suggestions that can help alleviate physical stress. For example, the notification unit 60b may notify the user of suggestions that encourage taking a bath or getting a massage to relieve physical stress. In the example of FIG. 25, the notification unit 60b displays, "You appear tired. A massage can relieve your physical fatigue." By checking the notification unit 60b, the user U can recognize that he or she has (high) physical stress and how to relieve the physical stress.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 26, when notification unit 60b receives a food-derived signal (estimated as "food-derived" in S210 in FIG. 21), it notifies that the poor stool condition Bs is caused by food. In the example of FIG. 26, notification unit 60b displays that stress is relatively low and a stress score calculated from the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and feces sensor 51. The stress score is calculated based on, for example, the amount of ammonia gas E and stool condition Bs. The stress score increases, for example, when the amount of ammonia gas E is high.

[0157] The notification unit 60b also notifies the user of recommendations for normalizing the stool condition Bs. The notification unit 60b notifies, for example, recommendations for improving dietary habits in order to alleviate the deterioration of the stool condition Bs. In the example of FIG. 26, the notification unit 60b displays, "You're managing your stress well. <Dietary Habits Warning> Have your eating habits been irregular lately? Try to eat a balanced diet slowly." By checking the notification unit 60b, the user U can recognize that he or she has no (low) mental stress and physical stress and can recognize ways to alleviate the deterioration of the stool condition Bs.

[0158] As shown in Fig. 27, when notification unit 60b receives a normal signal (estimated as "normal" in S211 in Fig. 21), it notifies that the condition is normal. In the example of Fig. 27, notification unit 60b displays that stress is low and a stress score calculated from the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and stool sensor 51. The stress score is calculated based on, for example, the amount of ammonia gas E and the stool condition Bs. The stress score increases, for example, when the amount of ammonia gas E is high.

[0159] The notification unit 60b also notifies the user of a recommendation for maintaining a normal state. In the example of Fig. 27, the notification unit 60b displays, "You're doing well. Keep going like this." By checking the notification unit 60b, the user U can recognize that he or she is not under mental or physical stress and that the stool condition Bs is good.

[0160] The effects of the toilet system 200 will be described below. The toilet system 200 estimates the fatigue state of the user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the feces sensor 51 provided in the toilet device 10. The notification unit 60b then notifies the user U of the fatigue state estimated by the control unit 70a.

[0161] That is, the control unit 70a estimates whether the user U is experiencing mental stress (mental fatigue) and physical stress (muscular fatigue) based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40. The control unit 70a then estimates whether the user U is experiencing mental stress (mental fatigue) or physical stress (muscular fatigue) based on the stool condition Bs of the user U. This allows the user U to understand the state of fatigue. Furthermore, the user U can also check their state of fatigue when using the toilet device 10 in their daily lives.

[0162] The skin gas sensor 40 detects ammonia gas. The toilet system 200 can estimate the fatigue state of the user U based on the ammonia gas emitted from the skin.

[0163] The control unit 70a calculates the amount E of skin gas based on the detection result of the skin gas sensor 40. The toilet system 200 can estimate the level of fatigue state of the user U based on the amount E of skin gas.

[0164] The control unit 70a calculates the properties of the stool based on the detection results of the stool sensor 51. By detecting the properties of the stool, the toilet system 200 can estimate the fatigue state in more detail.

[0165] The control unit 70a estimates that the user U is experiencing mental stress when the amount of skin gas E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex and the state of the stool satisfies a predetermined condition. The toilet system 200 can estimate mental stress, which is part of the fatigue state, based on the amount of skin gas E and the state of the stool.

[0166] The control unit 70a estimates that the user U is experiencing physical stress when the amount of skin gas E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex and the state of the stool does not satisfy a predetermined condition. The toilet system 200 can estimate the physical stress component of the fatigue state based on the amount of skin gas E and the state of the stool.

[0167] If the amount of skin gas E is less than the threshold value Ex and the state of the stool satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 70a estimates that the user U is not under mental or physical stress and that the cause of the state of the stool is due to the diet of the user U. Based on the amount of skin gas E and the state of the stool, the toilet system 200 can estimate that the cause of the poor stool quality is not mental or physical stress but rather due to the diet.

[0168] The toilet system 200 further includes a memory unit 70b that stores the detection results of the stool sensor 51, and when the stool sensor 51 does not detect stool, the control unit 70a estimates the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the past detection results of the stool sensor 51 stored in the memory unit 70b. Even when the user U does not excrete stool, the toilet system 200 can estimate the fatigue state using the past stool detection results.

[0169] The notification unit 60b notifies the user U of the advice regarding the fatigue state, thereby enabling the user U to deal with the estimated fatigue state.

[0170] When it is estimated that the user U is under mental stress, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a suggestion that will lead to the alleviation of the mental stress. This allows the user U to recognize how to relieve the mental stress.

[0171] Skin gas sensor 40 is provided in recess 23, located below upper surface 21a of seating portion 21. This allows skin gas sensor 40 to efficiently detect ammonia gas that fills space S within recess 23.

[0172] The control unit 70a estimates the fatigue state of the user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of the feces sensor 51 detected while the user U is seated on the toilet seat 20. This allows the toilet system 200 to accurately estimate the fatigue state of the user U.

[0173] (2-2 embodiment) In the above-described embodiment 2-1, an example was described in which the stress state of user U was estimated based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of stool sensor 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as in embodiment 2-2, control unit 70a may estimate the stress state of user U based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0174] FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process of the toilet system according to the 2-2 embodiment of the present invention. The control process shown in FIG. 28 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0175] In S221, the amount E of ammonia gas is calculated. The control process of S221 is the same as that of S204 in FIG. 21. In the next S222, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex (E≧Ex). The control process of S222 is the same as that of S205 in FIG. 21. Then, if S222 returns "YES", that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex, the process proceeds to S223. On the other hand, if S222 returns "NO", that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value Ex, the process proceeds to S224.

[0176] In S223, it is estimated that stress is present. That is, if the currently calculated ammonia gas amount E is large (greater than or equal to the threshold value Ex), the control unit 70a estimates that stress is present and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a stress signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the stress signal from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0177] In S224, it is estimated that there is no stress (normal). That is, if the currently calculated ammonia gas amount E is small (less than the threshold value Ex), the control unit 70a estimates that there is no stress and ends the process. Furthermore, the control unit 70a transmits a no-stress signal to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the no-stress signal from the notification unit 60b. Furthermore, the control unit 70a stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0178] The control unit 70a detects the skin gas (ammonia gas) to estimate whether the user U is stressed. The notification unit 60b then notifies the result of the estimation by the control unit 70a. This allows the user U to understand his or her own state of fatigue (stress state). Furthermore, the user U can also check his or her state of fatigue when using the toilet device 10 in daily life.

[0179] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 29 to Fig. 34. In the third embodiment, the fatigue state (stress state) of a user U is estimated.

[0180] (Third embodiment) FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on the toilet seat, the skin gas sensor, and the blood flow sensor. The toilet system 300 estimates the fatigue state of a user U. The toilet system 300 includes a toilet unit 2, an information terminal 60, and a management device 70. The toilet unit 2 includes a toilet device 10, a skin gas sensor 40, and a blood flow sensor 53.

[0181] The control unit 70a calculates the heart rate variability from the detection result of the blood flow sensor 53. The control unit 70a calculates the heart rate variability H of the user U, for example, by frequency analysis.

[0182] The control unit 70a estimates the fatigue state of the user U based on the calculated gas amount E and heart rate variability H. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amount E, heart rate variability H, and the estimated fatigue state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amount E, heart rate variability H, and estimated fatigue state. The user U can recognize his or her own fatigue state by checking the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimated gas amount E, heart rate variability H, and fatigue state in the memory unit 70b.

[0183] Next, the skin gas and blood flow control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to Fig. 31. The control unit 70a estimates a mental stress state as the fatigue state of the user U. The mental stress state includes chronic stress, acute stress, and total stress calculated from the chronic stress and acute stress.

[0184] The control unit 70a can estimate chronic stress based on the amount of ammonia gas emitted from the skin of the user U. Ammonia is produced mainly in the intestines through the breakdown of proteins and is transported to the liver via the blood. Ammonia is metabolized into urea in the liver and excreted from the body. In this case, when a person feels mental fatigue and their autonomic nervous system becomes disturbed, liver function declines. This results in a slowdown in the urea metabolism of ammonia, and the ammonia concentration in the blood increases. Ammonia is highly volatile, so it evaporates from the blood and is emitted from the body surface.

[0185] The control unit 70a determines the acute stress state by calculating the heart rate, heart rate variability, cardiopulmonary function, body water percentage, metabolism, etc. from blood flow information such as the flow rate, flow velocity, red blood cell count, and oxygen saturation detected by the blood flow sensor 53. In this example, the control unit 70a estimates acute stress based on the heart rate variability of the user U. Heart rate variability decreases when a person feels mental fatigue or the like and their autonomic nervous system becomes disturbed.

[0186] FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the skin gas and blood flow control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 31 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0187] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 300. This initial setting is to store the amount of ammonia gas emitted from the skin of the user U as an initial value in the memory unit 70b. Note that the initial setting is preferably performed when the user U is not feeling fatigue (stress).

[0188] After user U is personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to input initial settings and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects ammonia gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U seated on toilet seat 20. In this case, through-hole 24 of toilet seat 20 is blocked by user U's thigh U1 when he or she is seated. Therefore, gases other than skin gas G are prevented from entering depression 23 from the air. This allows skin gas sensor 40 to efficiently detect ammonia gas emitted from user U.

[0189] The control unit 15 of the toilet device 10 transmits the output value of the skin gas sensor 40 to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of the skin gas sensor 40 as initial setting information together with the user's unique identification information to the management device 70 via the Internet.

[0190] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores gas amount E calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 in memory unit 70b as an initial value. Control unit 70a stores this initial value as threshold Ex in memory unit 70b. Note that threshold Ex may be calculated based on the initial value. The initial value and threshold Ex are stored in memory unit 70b in association with identification information unique to the user. The initial value may be the result of a single detection by skin gas sensor 40 detected at initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results by skin gas sensor 40 detected at initial settings. Threshold Ex may be a value previously stored in memory unit 70b.

[0191] The memory unit 70b also stores a heart rate variability threshold Hx in advance. The threshold Hx is an arbitrary value used to determine the level of acute stress. The threshold Ex may be calculated, for example, based on the average or median of the heart rate variability of the user U. The threshold Hx may also be calculated from the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 detected at the initial setting, similar to the threshold Ex of the gas amount E.

[0192] When the initial settings are made, control unit 70a estimates user U's fatigue state (mental stress state) based on S301 to S309 of Fig. 31. That is, skin gas sensor 40 detects ammonia gas while seating sensor 45 detects user U's seating on toilet seat 20. Blood flow sensor 53 detects user U's blood flow while seating sensor 45 detects user U's seating on toilet seat 20. Control unit 70a estimates user U's mental stress state based on the detected amount E of ammonia gas and heart rate variability H.

[0193] In S301, the amount E of ammonia gas is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the amount E of gas from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires threshold Ex of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated amount E of gas in memory unit 70b.

[0194] In the next S302, the heartbeat fluctuation H is calculated. That is, the control unit 70a calculates the heartbeat fluctuation H from the output value of the blood flow sensor 53 transmitted from the information terminal 60. Further, the control unit 70a acquires the threshold value Hx stored in the storage unit 70b. Further, the control unit 70a stores the calculated heartbeat fluctuation H in the storage unit 70b.

[0195] In S303, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex (E≧Ex). The control unit 70a compares the gas amount E calculated this time with the threshold value Ex. And when it is determined as "YES" in S303, that is, when the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex, the process proceeds to S304. On the other hand, when it is determined as "NO" in S303, that is, when the gas amount E is less than the threshold value Ex, the process proceeds to S307.

[0196] In S304, it is determined whether the heartbeat fluctuation H is less than the threshold value Hx (H<Hx). That is, the control unit 70a compares the heartbeat fluctuation H calculated this time with the threshold value Hx. And when it is determined as "YES" in S304, that is, when the heartbeat fluctuation H is less than the threshold value Hx, the process proceeds to S305. On the other hand, when it is determined as "NO" in S304, that is, when the heartbeat fluctuation H is equal to or greater than the threshold value Hx, the process proceeds to S306.

[0197] In S305, it is estimated that the overall stress is "high", the chronic stress is "high", and the acute stress is "high". That is, the control unit 70a estimates that the chronic stress is "high" when the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex. Further, the control unit 70a estimates that the acute stress is "high" when the heartbeat fluctuation H calculated this time is less than the threshold value Hx. Then, the control unit 70a calculates the overall stress "high" from the chronic stress "high" and the acute stress "high", and ends. Further, the control unit 70a transmits a first signal based on the overall stress "high", the chronic stress "high", and the acute stress "high" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 gives a notification based on the first signal from the notification unit 60b. Further, the control unit 70a stores the estimation result in the storage unit 70b.

[0198] In S306, it is estimated that the overall stress is "medium", the chronic stress is "high", and the acute stress is "low". That is, when the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ex, the control unit 70a estimates that the chronic stress is "high". Also, when the heartbeat fluctuation H calculated this time is equal to or greater than the threshold value Hx, the control unit 70a estimates that the acute stress is "low". Then, the control unit 70a calculates the overall stress "medium" from the chronic stress "high" and the acute stress "low", and ends. Also, the control unit 70a transmits a second signal based on the overall stress "medium", the chronic stress "high", and the acute stress "low" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 gives an alert based on the second signal from the alert unit 60b. Also, the control unit 70a stores the estimation result in the storage unit 70b.

[0199] In S307, it is determined whether the heartbeat fluctuation H is less than the threshold value Hx (H < Hx). The control process of S307 is the same as the control process of S304. When "YES" is determined in S307, that is, when it is determined that the heartbeat fluctuation H is less than the threshold value Hx, the process proceeds to S308. On the other hand, when "NO" is determined in S307, that is, when it is determined that the heartbeat fluctuation H is equal to or greater than the threshold value Hx, the process proceeds to S309.

[0200] In S308, it is estimated that the overall stress is "medium", the chronic stress is "low", and the acute stress is "high". That is, when the gas amount E calculated this time is less than the threshold value Ex, the control unit 70a estimates that the chronic stress is "low". Also, when the heartbeat fluctuation H calculated this time is less than the threshold value Hx, the control unit 70a estimates that the acute stress is "high". Then, the control unit 70a calculates the overall stress "medium" from the chronic stress "low" and the acute stress "high", and ends. Also, the control unit 70a transmits a third signal based on the overall stress "medium", the chronic stress "low", and the acute stress "high" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 gives an alert based on the third signal from the alert unit 60b. Also, the control unit 70a stores the estimation result in the storage unit 70b.

[0201] In S309, the control unit 70a estimates the total stress as "low," the chronic stress as "low," and the acute stress as "low." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than the threshold value Ex, the control unit 70a estimates the chronic stress as "low." Furthermore, if the currently calculated heart rate variability H is equal to or greater than the threshold value Hx, the control unit 70a estimates the acute stress as "low." The control unit 70a then calculates the total stress as "low" from the chronic stress "low" and acute stress "low," and ends the process. Furthermore, the control unit 70a transmits a fourth signal based on the total stress "low," chronic stress "low," and acute stress "low" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the fourth signal from the notification unit 60b. Furthermore, the control unit 70a stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0202] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the blood flow sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the state of total stress displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. The examples shown in FIGS. 32 to 34 are cases where the total stress is estimated to be "medium," the chronic stress is estimated to be "low," and the acute stress is estimated to be "high" in S308 in FIG.

[0203] 32, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays the chronic stress score estimated from, for example, the amount E of ammonia gas emitted from the user U. The notification unit 60b displays that the chronic stress score, calculated by converting the amount E of ammonia gas currently emitted from the user U into a score, is 50 points.

[0204] The chronic stress score is calculated, for example, based on a threshold value Ex. For example, the greater the gas amount E is relative to the threshold value Ex, the higher the chronic stress score, and the smaller the gas amount E is relative to the threshold value Ex, the lower the chronic stress score. For example, a chronic stress score of 0 to 50 points is "low" and a chronic stress score of 51 to 100 points is "high." The notification unit 60b may also display the amount and concentration of ammonia gas. The notification unit 60b may also display a comparison between the current gas amount E and the initial value of the gas amount for the user U.

[0205] Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 may display only the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40, or may display the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as well as the previous detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 may also display changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 32, notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 displays a line indicating the initial value of user U along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 over a one-week period.

[0206] Notification unit 60b of information terminal 60 can display the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, for example. Notification unit 60b may also display the past average chronic stress score. This allows user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0207] 33, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays, for example, an acute stress score estimated from the heart rate variability H of the user U. The notification unit 60b displays that the acute stress score, which is calculated by converting the currently detected heart rate variability H of the user U into a score, is 75 points.

[0208] The acute stress score is calculated, for example, based on a threshold value Hx. For example, the smaller the heart rate variability H is compared to the threshold value Hx, the higher the acute stress score, and the larger the heart rate variability H is compared to the threshold value Hx, the lower the acute stress score. For example, 0 to 50 points are considered "low" and 51 to 100 points are considered "high." The notification unit 60b may display the heart rate variability. The notification unit 60b may also display a comparison between the current heart rate variability H and the initial value of the heart rate variability.

[0209] The notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 may display only the current detection result of the blood flow sensor 53, or may display the current detection result of the blood flow sensor 53 as well as the previous detection results of the blood flow sensor 53. The notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 may also display changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 include scatter plots and bar graphs. A moving average line or a median may be displayed in a diagram or graph showing changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53. In the example of FIG. 33, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 over a one-week period in the form of a bar graph, and also displays a line indicating the initial value of user U.

[0210] The notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 can display the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53, for example, on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. The notification unit 60b may also display the past average acute stress score. This allows the user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 34, the notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 displays a total stress score calculated from, for example, the chronic stress estimated from the gas amount E of the user U and the acute stress estimated from the heart rate variability H. The total stress score is, for example, the average value of the chronic stress score and the acute stress score. Note that the total stress score may be weighted towards either the chronic stress score or the acute stress score. For example, a total stress score ranging from 0 to 30 points is "low," 31 to 69 points is "medium," and 70 to 100 points is "high."

[0212] The notification unit 60b notifies the user of suggestions for dealing with the mental stress state. For example, if the overall stress score is "high" or "medium," the notification unit 60b determines that the user is under mental stress and notifies the user of suggestions for alleviating the mental stress state. As shown in FIG. 34, the notification unit 60b displays suggestions such as, "Have you been feeling tired lately? Why not refresh yourself by stretching or listening to music to relieve acute stress?"

[0213] When the total stress is "high," the chronic stress is "high," and the acute stress is "high" (in the case of S305), the notification unit 60b displays, for example, "You seem to be somewhat stressed. Why not try listening to music to change your mood?", "Have you been feeling tired lately? Stretching is effective for refreshing your mind and body.", "Your stress score is high. Why not try changing your living environment?", "You seem tired. Why not try to maintain a regular lifestyle.", etc. Furthermore, when the total stress is "medium," the chronic stress is "high," and the acute stress is "low" (in the case of S306), the notification unit 60b displays, for example, "Your stress score is high. Why not try changing your living environment?", "You seem tired. Why not try to maintain a regular lifestyle.", etc.

[0214] Furthermore, when the total stress is "medium," the chronic stress is "low," and the acute stress is "high" (in the case of S308), the notification unit 60b displays, for example, "You seem to be somewhat stressed. Why not try listening to music to change your mood," or "Have you been feeling tired lately? Stretching is effective for refreshing your mind and body." Furthermore, when the total stress is "low," the chronic stress is "low," and the acute stress is "low" (in the case of S309), the notification unit 60b displays, for example, "You're doing well. Keep up the same lifestyle behavior," or "You're doing a good job of managing your stress. Keep it up."

[0215] Furthermore, the notification unit 60b may display a comparison of the total stress estimated in the past and the past total stress, or may display an average value. This allows the user U to understand the progress of their total stress state. The notification unit 60b may also display the total stress, chronic stress, and acute stress states together.

[0216] The effects of the toilet system 300 will be described below. The toilet system 300 estimates the mental stress state of the user based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 provided in the toilet device 10 and the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 provided in the toilet device 10. The notification unit 60b then notifies the user of the mental stress estimated by the control unit 70a. This allows the user U to check their mental stress state when using the toilet device 10 in their daily lives.

[0217] Control unit 70a estimates the level of chronic stress based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40, estimates the level of acute stress based on the detection results of blood flow sensor 53, and estimates total stress from the levels of chronic stress and acute stress. This allows user U to recognize his or her own mental stress state in detail.

[0218] Skin gas sensor 40 detects ammonia gas. Controller 70a calculates the amount E of skin gas based on the detection result of skin gas sensor 40. The amount E of ammonia gas emitted from user U can be used to accurately estimate the chronic stress of user U.

[0219] The control unit 70a calculates the heart rate variability H based on the detection result of the blood flow sensor 53. The heart rate variability H of the user U allows the acute stress of the user U to be estimated with high accuracy.

[0220] The notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation for the mental stress state. Furthermore, when the notification unit 60b estimates that the mental stress state is high, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation that will lead to easing the mental stress state. This allows the user U to recognize how to relieve the mental stress.

[0221] Skin gas sensor 40 is provided in recess 23, located below upper surface 21a of seating portion 21. This allows skin gas sensor 40 to efficiently detect ammonia gas that fills space S within recess 23.

[0222] The blood flow sensor 53 is provided in the recess 25 of the toilet seat 20. This allows the blood flow sensor 53 to efficiently detect the blood flow in the thigh U1 of the user U.

[0223] The control unit 70a estimates the mental stress state of the user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 while the user U is seated on the toilet seat 20. This allows the toilet system 300 to accurately estimate the mental stress state of the user U seated on the toilet seat 20.

[0224] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 35 to Fig. 43. In the fourth embodiment, the metabolic state (intestinal state) of a user U is estimated.

[0225] (4-1 embodiment) FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the 4-1 embodiment of the present invention. The toilet system 400 estimates the metabolic state of a user U. The toilet system 400 includes a toilet unit 2, an information terminal 60, and a management device 70. The toilet unit 2 includes a toilet device 10 and a skin gas sensor 40.

[0226] The skin gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 36. The control unit 70a estimates the intestinal condition as the metabolic state of the user U. When the intestinal condition is good, it is believed that there are many beneficial bacteria in the intestines. When there are many beneficial bacteria in the intestines, nutrients are fermented, and short-chain fatty acids such as acetic acid increase. After being absorbed from the digestive tract, acetic acid dissolves in the blood (Shinji Fukuda, "Another Organ: Approaching the Function of the Intestinal Microbiota: The Importance of Metabolic Product-Mediated Interactions Between the Host and the Intestinal Microbiota," Chemistry and Biology, 2014, Vol. 52, No. 9, pp. 565-567), volatilizes from the blood, and dissipates from the user U's skin (body surface) (Yoshika Sekine, "Trace Biogases Emitted from Human Skin and the Clinical Environment," Clinical Environmental Medicine, 2016, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 69-75). Therefore, when the intestinal condition is good, the concentration of acetic acid in the blood is high, and the amount of acetic acid gas dissipated from the skin is thought to be large. From this, the control unit 70a can estimate the intestinal condition of the user U based on the amount of acetic acid gas.

[0227] FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 36 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0228] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 400. This initial setting is to store an initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas that is emitted from the skin of the user U in the memory unit 70b.

[0229] After user U has been personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to instruct initial setup and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects acetic acid gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U sitting on toilet seat 20. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the output value of skin gas sensor 40 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of skin gas sensor 40 as initial setup information together with the user's unique identification information to management device 70 via the Internet.

[0230] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores the amount E of acetic acid gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 as an initial value in memory unit 70b. Control unit 70a stores the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas as threshold value E1 in memory unit 70b. The initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas and threshold value E1 are stored in memory unit 70b in association with the user's unique identification information. The initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas may be the result of a single detection performed by skin gas sensor 40 in the initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results performed by skin gas sensor 40 in the initial settings. Threshold value E1 may be a value previously stored in memory unit 70b.

[0231] When the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas and the threshold value E1 are stored in the storage unit 70b in the initial setting, the control unit 70a estimates the intestinal condition of the user U based on S401 to S404 of FIG.

[0232] In S401, the amount E of acetic acid gas (gas amount E) is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires threshold value E1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E in memory unit 70b.

[0233] In the next step S402, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the threshold value E1. If the result of step S402 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if the result of step S402 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0234] In S403, it is estimated that the intestinal environment is in a "good" state. That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the intestinal environment is in a "good" state, and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the intestinal environment is in a "good" state to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the intestinal environment is in a "good" state from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0235] In S404, it is estimated that the state is "poor intestinal environment". That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is less than the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "poor intestinal environment" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment". The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0236] The control unit 70a may estimate a change in the intestinal environment based on the amount of acetic acid gas E. For example, the control unit 70a may estimate that the "intestinal environment is improving" when the amount of acetic acid gas E is more than twice the initial amount of acetic acid gas, estimate that the "intestinal environment is not changing" when the amount of acetic acid gas E is more than once but less than twice the initial amount of acetic acid gas, and estimate that the "intestinal environment is worsening" when the amount of acetic acid gas E is less than the initial amount of acetic acid gas.

[0237] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the intestinal state estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 are for cases where the intestinal environment is estimated to be in a "good" state in S403 in FIG.

[0238] As shown in FIG. 37, notification unit 60b displays, for example, the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as a skin gas score. The skin gas score is calculated based on, for example, the amount of acetic acid gas. In the example of FIG. 37, the skin gas score is set to be higher as the amount of acetic acid gas increases. The skin gas score may be calculated based on, for example, the concentration of acetic acid gas. The skin gas score may be calculated based on, for example, the output value of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current skin gas score and the initial skin gas score. In the example of FIG. 37, it is displayed that the current skin gas score is 2.1 times the initial skin gas score. Notification unit 60b may display the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as the amount of acetic acid gas or the concentration of acetic acid gas.

[0239] Notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40, or may display the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as well as the previous detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 37, notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of user U's skin gas score along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 over a one-week period.

[0240] Notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0241] As shown in FIG. 38, notification unit 60b displays the intestinal condition estimation result. In the example of FIG. 38, "Your intestinal environment is good" is displayed. Notification unit 60b may display the intestinal condition estimation result as a score. In the example of FIG. 38, notification unit 60b displays the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 (skin gas score) along with the intestinal condition estimation result.

[0242] The notification unit 60b may display only the current intestinal condition estimation result, or may display the current intestinal condition estimation result as well as the previous intestinal condition estimation results. The notification unit 60b may also display changes in the intestinal condition estimation result in a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the intestinal condition estimation result include scatter plots and bar graphs. A moving average line or median may be displayed in the diagram or graph showing changes in the intestinal condition estimation result.

[0243] The notification unit 60b can display the intestinal condition estimation result, for example, on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. This allows the user U to understand the change in the intestinal condition estimation result over time. Therefore, the user U can look back on the effects of foods, supplements, etc. that he or she tried as part of activities to improve the intestinal condition (so-called "intestinal activity").

[0244] 36, if it is estimated that the intestinal environment is in a "bad" state, the notification unit 60b displays that the intestinal environment is in a "bad" state. This allows the user U to recognize the state of his or her intestinal environment when using the toilet device 10.

[0245] As shown in Fig. 38, the notification unit 60b may notify a recommendation for the intestinal condition along with the intestinal condition. In the example of Fig. 38, the notification unit 60b displays that the intestinal environment is in a "good" state and notifies the recommendation, "Continue to take care of your intestinal health!" For example, when the notification unit 60b estimates that the intestinal environment is in a "poor" state in S404 in Fig. 36, the notification unit 60b displays that the intestinal environment is in a "poor" state and notifies the recommendation, "Eat foods that are high in dietary fiber!"

[0246] (4-2 embodiment) Next, a toilet system 410 according to embodiment 4-2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 39 to 43. The toilet system 410 estimates the intestinal condition of a user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of the fecal gas sensor 52. FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the 4-2 embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 40 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat, the skin gas sensor, and the defecation gas sensor. As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the toilet system 410 is the same as the toilet system 400 except that the toilet unit 2 further includes a fecal gas sensor 52.

[0247] The defecation gas sensor 52 is provided in the toilet apparatus 10 and detects defecation gas. Defecation gas is gas released when the user U defecates. The defecation gas includes fecal gas emitted from the feces excreted in the toilet apparatus 10 (bowl portion 11a of the toilet 11) and flatulence gas discharged from the anus of the user U. The defecation gas sensor 52 detects, for example, gas derived from good bacteria as defecation gas. Examples of gas derived from good bacteria include hydrogen gas, methane gas, and carbon dioxide gas. The defecation gas sensor 52 may also detect, for example, gas derived from bad bacteria as defecation gas. Examples of gas derived from bad bacteria include hydrogen sulfide gas and methanethiol (methyl mercaptan) gas. The defecation gas sensor 52 can be, for example, a semiconductor gas sensor, an electrochemical sensor, a gas heat transfer sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, a catalytic combustion sensor, an optical sensor, a carbon nanotube sensor, a graphene sensor, an optical fiber sensor, a thin film sensor, a MEMS thermal conduction sensor, a micro thermoelectric sensor, an electromotive force change sensor, a gas chromatography measurement sensor, a VOC (volatile organic compound) sensor, etc. The defecation gas sensor 52 is connected to the control unit 15.

[0248] The defecation gas sensor 52 is provided inside the casing 12. The defecation gas sensor 52 is provided in the exhaust passage (not shown) of the deodorizing unit. When it is detected that the user U is seated, a fan (not shown) provided in the exhaust passage is activated, causing defecation gas to flow into the exhaust passage from a defecation gas intake hole (not shown) provided in the casing 12. The defecation gas sensor 52 detects defecation gas that has filled the exhaust passage. When it is detected that the user U has left the seat, the operation of the fan stops. In other words, the defecation gas sensor 52 detects defecation gas while the user is seated. The detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 is transmitted to the management device 70 via the information terminal 60. The management device 70 estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the detection result of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52.

[0249] Similar to the toilet system 400, the toilet system 410 obtains consent from the user U for skin gas detection and fecal gas detection. When the user U sits on the toilet seat 20, sensor detection is performed by the skin gas sensor 40 and the fecal gas sensor 52. The detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the fecal gas sensor 52 are transmitted to the management device 70 via the information terminal 60.

[0250] The control unit 70a calculates the amount of defecation gas F (hereinafter referred to as gas amount F) in the same manner as calculating the amount E of skin gas G (gas amount E). The control unit 70a calculates the difference between the output value of the defecation gas sensor 52 detected when the user U is seated on the toilet seat 20 and the maximum output value of the defecation gas sensor 52 detected while the user U is seated on the toilet seat 20. The control unit 70a calculates the gas amount F by applying the calculated difference to a calibration curve stored in the memory unit 70b. The gas amount F is, for example, the diffusion flux. The metabolic state of the user U may be estimated from the concentration of defecation gas.

[0251] There is a possibility that fecal gas from the user U who previously used the toilet device 10 may remain in the exhaust passage. Therefore, the control unit 70a may determine that it is not possible to estimate the metabolic state if the output value of the fecal gas sensor 52 detected when the user U sits on the toilet seat 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0252] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amounts E and F. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amounts E and F and the estimated results of the metabolic state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amounts E and F and the estimated results of the metabolic state. The user U can recognize his or her own metabolic state by checking the notification unit 60b.

[0253] Next, the skin gas and defecation gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 41. The control unit 70a estimates the intestinal condition as the metabolic state of the user U. As described above, when the intestinal condition is good, there are many beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which leads to a high concentration of acetic acid in the blood and a large amount of acetic acid gas emitted from the skin. Furthermore, when there are many beneficial bacteria in the intestines, there is an increase in short-chain fatty acids, and the decomposition products of short-chain fatty acids, hydrogen gas, methane gas, and carbon dioxide gas, are increased. Therefore, when there are more beneficial bacteria in the intestines, the amounts of hydrogen gas, methane gas, and carbon dioxide gas contained in defecation gas are thought to increase. Similarly, when the intestinal condition is bad, there are many harmful bacteria in the intestines. When there are more harmful bacteria in the intestines, nutrients decay, causing an increase in hydrogen sulfide gas and methanethiol (methyl mercaptan) gas. Therefore, when there are more harmful bacteria in the intestines, the amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas and methanethiol (methyl mercaptan) gas contained in defecation gas are thought to increase. From these facts, the control unit 70a can estimate the intestinal condition of the user U based on the amount of acetic acid gas and the amount of defecation gas. In this example, the defecation gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from beneficial bacteria.

[0254] FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the skin gas and defecation gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 41 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0255] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 410. This initial setting stores the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas emitted from the user U's skin and the initial value of the amount of fecal gas in the memory unit 70b.

[0256] After user U has been personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to input initial setting instructions and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects acetic acid gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U seated on toilet seat 20. Defecation gas sensor 52 detects defecation gas. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the output values ​​of skin gas sensor 40 and defecation gas sensor 52 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 transmits the received output values ​​of skin gas sensor 40 and defecation gas sensor 52 as initial setting information, together with the user's unique identification information, to management device 70 via the Internet.

[0257] The control unit 70a of the management device 70 stores the amount of acetic acid gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of the skin gas sensor 40 and the amount of defecation gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of the defecation gas sensor 52 as initial values ​​in the memory unit 70b. The control unit 70a stores the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas as a threshold E1 and the initial value of the amount of defecation gas as a threshold F1 in the memory unit 70b. The initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas, threshold E1, the initial value of the amount of defecation gas, and threshold F1 are stored in the memory unit 70b in association with the user's unique identification information. The initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas may be the result of a single detection by the skin gas sensor 40 detected at the initial setting, or may be the average of multiple detection results by the skin gas sensor 40 detected at the initial setting. The initial value of the amount of defecation gas may be the result of a single detection by the defecation gas sensor 52 detected at the initial setting, or may be the average of multiple detection results by the defecation gas sensor 52 detected at the initial setting. The threshold value E1 and the threshold value F1 may be values ​​that are stored in advance in the storage unit 70b.

[0258] When the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas, the threshold value E1, the initial value of the amount of fecal gas, and the threshold value F1 are stored in the memory unit 70b in the initial setting, the control unit 70a estimates the intestinal condition of the user U based on S411 to S421 of Figure 41.

[0259] In S411, it is determined whether or not the defecation gas sensor 52 has detected defecation gas. If S411 returns "YES," i.e., if it is determined that the defecation gas sensor 52 has detected defecation gas, the process proceeds to S412. On the other hand, if S411 returns "NO," i.e., if it is determined that the defecation gas sensor 52 has not detected defecation gas, the process proceeds to S413.

[0260] In S412, the amount of defecation gas F (gas volume F) is calculated. That is, when the defecation gas sensor 52 detects defecation gas, the control unit 70a calculates the gas volume F from the output value of the defecation gas sensor 52 transmitted from the information terminal 60. The control unit 70a also acquires a threshold value F1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from the information terminal 60. The control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas volume F in the memory unit 70b.

[0261] In S413, the control unit 70a acquires the past amount of defecation gas F. That is, when the defecation gas sensor 52 does not detect defecation gas, the control unit 70a acquires the past (e.g., previous) amount of defecation gas F stored in the memory unit 70b. In addition, the control unit 70a acquires a threshold value F1 of identification information that is the same as the user's unique identification information transmitted from the information terminal 60.

[0262] In the next step S414, the amount E of acetic acid gas (gas amount E) is calculated. That is, the control unit 70a calculates the gas amount E from the output value of the skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from the information terminal 60. The control unit 70a also acquires a threshold value E1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from the information terminal 60. The control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E in the memory unit 70b.

[0263] Next, in S415, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the threshold value E1. If the result of S415 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S416. On the other hand, if the result of S415 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S419.

[0264] In S416, it is determined whether the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1 (F≧F1). The control unit 70a compares the gas amount F with the threshold value F1. If the result of S416 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S417. On the other hand, if the result of S416 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S418.

[0265] In S417, it is estimated that the state is "good intestinal environment due to bifidobacteria." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas for the user U and the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the initial value of the amount of fecal gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "good intestinal environment due to bifidobacteria," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "good intestinal environment due to bifidobacteria" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the state is "good intestinal environment due to bifidobacteria." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0266] In S418, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "poor intestinal environment, and acetic acid gas is increasing due to causes other than the intestinal environment." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is equal to or greater than the initial value of the user U's acetic acid gas amount and the gas amount F is less than the initial value of the user U's fecal gas amount, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "poor intestinal environment, and acetic acid gas is increasing due to causes other than the intestinal environment," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment, and acetic acid gas is increasing due to causes other than the intestinal environment" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment, and acetic acid gas is increasing due to causes other than the intestinal environment." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b. Causes other than the intestinal environment include, for example, sweat.

[0267] In S419, it is determined whether the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1 (F≧F1). The control unit 70a compares the gas amount F with the threshold value F1. If the determination in S419 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S420. On the other hand, if the determination in S419 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S421.

[0268] In S420, it is estimated that the state is "good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas for the user U and the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the initial value of the amount of fecal gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the state is "good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b. Examples of intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria include lactic acid bacteria.

[0269] In S421, it is estimated that the state is "poor intestinal environment." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is less than the initial value of the amount of acetic acid gas of the user U and the gas amount F is less than the initial value of the amount of fecal gas of the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "poor intestinal environment" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0270] The control unit 70a may make the determination using a plurality of thresholds in S415, S416, and S419. By the control unit 70a making the determination using a plurality of thresholds, the intestinal condition can be estimated in stages.

[0271] 41, the example in which the fecal gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from good bacteria has been described, but the fecal gas sensor 52 may also detect gas derived from bad bacteria. In this case, in S416 and S419, it is determined whether the gas amount F is equal to or less than the threshold value F1 (F≦F1). If S416 returns "YES," i.e., the gas amount F is equal to or less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S417. On the other hand, if S416 returns "NO," i.e., the gas amount F exceeds the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S418. If S419 returns "YES," i.e., the gas amount F is equal to or less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S420. On the other hand, if S419 returns "NO," i.e., the gas amount F exceeds the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S421.

[0272] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the defecation gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the intestinal state estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 are cases where it is estimated in S417 in FIG. 41 that the intestinal environment is in a good state due to bifidobacteria.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 42, the notification unit 60b displays, for example, the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 as a defecation gas score. The defecation gas score is calculated, for example, based on the amount of defecation gas. In the example of FIG. 42, the defecation gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from good bacteria, so the defecation gas score is set to be higher as the amount of defecation gas increases. If the defecation gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from bad bacteria, the defecation gas score is set to be higher as the amount of defecation gas decreases. The defecation gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the concentration of defecation gas. The defecation gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the output value of the defecation gas sensor 52. The notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current defecation gas score and the initial defecation gas score. In the example of FIG. 42, it is displayed that the current defecation gas score is 2.4 times the initial defecation gas score. The notification unit 60b may display the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 as the amount of defecation gas or the concentration of defecation gas.

[0274] The notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52, or may display the current detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 as well as the previous detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52. The notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 42, the notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of the defecation gas score of user U, along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 over a one-week period.

[0275] The notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing the user U to understand the change over time in the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52.

[0276] As shown in FIG. 43, notification unit 60b displays the intestinal condition estimation result. In the example of FIG. 43, "The intestinal environment is good due to bifidobacteria" is displayed. Notification unit 60b may display the intestinal condition estimation result as a score. In the example of FIG. 43, notification unit 60b displays the intestinal condition estimation result, as well as the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 (skin gas score) and the detection result of fecal gas sensor 52 (fecal gas score).

[0277] Furthermore, if it is estimated in S418 in FIG. 41 that the state is "poor intestinal environment, and acetic acid gas is increasing due to causes other than the intestinal environment," the notification unit 60b will display a message indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment, and acetic acid gas is increasing due to causes other than the intestinal environment." If it is estimated in S420 in FIG. 41 that the state is "good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria," the notification unit 60b will display a message indicating that the state is "good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria." If it is estimated in S421 in FIG. 41 that the state is "poor intestinal environment," the notification unit 60b will display a message indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment." This allows the user U to recognize his or her intestinal condition when using the toilet device 10.

[0278] The notification unit 60b may notify a recommendation for the intestinal condition along with the intestinal condition. In the example of Fig. 43, it displays that the intestinal environment is in a good state due to bifidobacteria, and notifies the recommendation, "Continue your intestinal health!" For example, when it is estimated that the intestinal environment is in a bad state in S421 of Fig. 41, the notification unit 60b displays that the intestinal environment is in a bad state, and notifies the recommendation, "Try various intestinal health activities!"

[0279] The effects of the toilet systems 400 and 410 will be described below. When the intestinal condition is good, it is thought that there are many beneficial bacteria in the intestines. When there are many beneficial bacteria in the intestines, nutrients are fermented, and short-chain fatty acids such as acetic acid increase. Acetic acid is broken down to carbon dioxide, so detecting carbon dioxide can estimate the intestinal condition. However, carbon dioxide is not only produced when acetic acid produced by intestinal bacteria is broken down, but also when other carboxylic acids (such as propionic acid) are broken down. Therefore, the carbon dioxide concentration of gases produced during defecation does not necessarily correlate with the amount of acetic acid contained in the stool. Therefore, estimating intestinal condition based on the carbon dioxide concentration of gases produced during defecation may result in poor accuracy.

[0280] In contrast, in toilet systems 400 and 410, controller 70a estimates the intestinal condition based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40, thereby enabling accurate estimation of the intestinal condition.

[0281] Furthermore, in the toilet system 410, the control unit 70a estimates the intestinal condition based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of the fecal gas sensor 52, thereby enabling more accurate estimation of the intestinal condition.

[0282] Furthermore, in the toilet system 410, if the defecation gas sensor 52 does not detect defecation gas, the control unit 70a estimates the intestinal condition based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the past detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 stored in the memory unit 70b, thereby enabling the intestinal condition to be estimated with high accuracy even if the defecation gas sensor 52 does not detect defecation gas.

[0283] Furthermore, in the toilet systems 400 and 410, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation regarding the intestinal condition, thereby urging the user U to take appropriate measures according to the intestinal condition.

[0284] In addition, in the toilet systems 400 and 410, the skin gas sensor 40 is located below the upper surface 21a of the seating portion 21 and is provided in the recessed portion 23, thereby enabling efficient detection of the skin gas G that fills the recessed portion 23 (space S).

[0285] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 44 to 50. In the fifth embodiment, the metabolic state (body fat burning state) of a user U is estimated.

[0286] (5-1 embodiment) FIG. 44 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the 5-1 embodiment of the present invention. The toilet system 500 estimates the metabolic state of a user U. The toilet system 500 includes a toilet unit 2, an information terminal 60, and a management device 70. The toilet unit 2 includes a toilet device 10, a skin gas sensor 40, and a blood flow sensor 53.

[0287] The control unit 70a calculates the amount E of skin gas G (hereinafter referred to as gas amount E) by applying the calculated difference value to a calibration curve stored in the memory unit 70b. The gas amount E is, for example, a diffusion flux. The metabolic state of the user U may be estimated from the concentration of skin gas G. The control unit 70a calculates the heart rate from the output value of the blood flow sensor 53 detected when the user U is seated on the toilet seat 20, for example.

[0288] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amount E and heart rate. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amount E, the calculated heart rate, and the estimated result of the metabolic state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amount E, heart rate, and estimated result of the metabolic state. The user U can recognize his or her own metabolic state by checking the notification unit 60b.

[0289] Next, the skin gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 45. The control unit 70a estimates the body fat burning state of the user U as the metabolic state of the user U. It is known that acetone increases when body fat is easily burned. Acetone dissolves in the blood, volatilizes from the blood, and dissipates from the skin (body surface) of the user U. Therefore, when body fat is easily burned, the acetone concentration in the blood increases, and the amount of acetone gas dissipated from the skin is thought to increase. Furthermore, when exercising, blood vessels expand and blood flow becomes smoother, increasing the heart rate, blood flow volume, and blood flow velocity. From these facts, the control unit 70a can estimate the body fat burning state of the user U based on blood flow information such as the amount of acetone gas and heart rate.

[0290] FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 45 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0291] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 500. This initial setting is to store the initial value of the amount of acetone gas emitted from the user U's skin and the initial value of the user U's heart rate in the memory unit 70b.

[0292] After user U has been personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to input initial setting instructions and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects acetone gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U sitting on toilet seat 20. Blood flow sensor 53 detects the blood flow of user U sitting on toilet seat 20. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the output value of skin gas sensor 40 and the output value of blood flow sensor 53 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of skin gas sensor 40 and the output value of blood flow sensor 53 as initial setting information to management device 70 via the Internet, together with the user's unique identification information.

[0293] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores, as initial values, in memory unit 70b, the amount of acetone gas E calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 and the heart rate H calculated from the output value of blood flow sensor 53. Control unit 70a stores, in memory unit 70b, a value 1.5 times the initial value of the amount of acetone gas as threshold E1 and a value 1.3 times the initial value of the heart rate as threshold H1. The initial value of the amount of acetone gas, threshold E1, initial value of the heart rate, and threshold H1 are stored in memory unit 70b in association with the user's unique identification information. The initial value of the amount of acetone gas may be the result of a single detection performed by skin gas sensor 40 in the initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results performed by skin gas sensor 40 in the initial settings. Threshold E1 may be a value previously stored in memory unit 70b. The initial value of the heart rate may be a result of one detection performed by the blood flow sensor 53 in the initial setting, or may be an average of multiple detection results performed by the blood flow sensor 53 in the initial setting. The threshold value H1 may be a value stored in advance in the storage unit 70b.

[0294] When the initial value of the amount of acetone gas, the threshold value E1, the initial value of the heart rate, and the threshold value H1 are stored in the memory unit 70b in the initial setting, the control unit 70a estimates the body fat burning state of the user U based on S501 to S505 of Figure 45.

[0295] In S501, the amount of acetone gas E (gas amount E) and the heart rate H are calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60, and calculates the heart rate H from the output value of blood flow sensor 53 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires thresholds E1 and H1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E and the calculated heart rate H in storage unit 70b.

[0296] Next, in S502, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the threshold value E1. If the result of S502 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S503. On the other hand, if the result of S502 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S505.

[0297] Next, in S503, it is determined whether the heart rate H is equal to or greater than the threshold value H1 (H≧H1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated heart rate H with the threshold value H1. If the result of S503 is "YES", that is, if it is determined that the heart rate H is equal to or greater than the threshold value H1, the process proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if the result of S503 is "NO", that is, if it is determined that the heart rate H is less than the threshold value H1, the process proceeds to S505.

[0298] In S504, the control unit 70a estimates that the user is in a state where "body fat is easily burned through exercise." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is equal to or greater than 1.5 times the initial value of the amount of acetone gas for the user U and the currently calculated heart rate H is equal to or greater than 1.3 times the initial value of the user U's heart rate, the control unit 70a estimates that the user is in a state where "body fat is easily burned through exercise," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the user is in a state where "body fat is easily burned through exercise" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification from the notification unit 60b based on the signal indicating that the user is in a state where "body fat is easily burned through exercise." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0299] In S505, the control unit 70a estimates that the user U is in a state where "body fat is difficult to burn through exercise." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than 1.5 times the initial value of the amount of acetone gas for the user U, or if the currently calculated heart rate H is less than 1.3 times the initial value of the user U's heart rate, the control unit 70a estimates that the user U is in a state where "body fat is difficult to burn through exercise," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the user U is in a state where "body fat is difficult to burn through exercise" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 then issues a notification from the notification unit 60b based on the signal indicating that the user U is in a state where "body fat is difficult to burn through exercise." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b. The state where "body fat is difficult to burn through exercise" includes, for example, a state where "body fat is easily burned due to starvation." In a state where "body fat is easily burned due to starvation," for example, body fat is not easily burned even when exercising.

[0300] The control unit 70a may make the determination using a plurality of thresholds in S502 and S503. By the control unit 70a making the determination using a plurality of thresholds, the body fat burning state can be estimated in stages.

[0301] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the blood flow sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. 48 and 49 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the body fat burning state estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in FIGS. 46, 47, 48, and 49 are cases where it is estimated in S505 in FIG. 45 that the state is "hard to burn body fat through exercise."

[0302] As shown in FIG. 46, notification unit 60b displays, for example, the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as a skin gas score. The skin gas score is calculated based on, for example, the amount of acetone gas. In the example of FIG. 46, the skin gas score is set to be higher as the amount of acetone gas increases. The skin gas score may be calculated based on, for example, the concentration of acetone gas. The skin gas score may be calculated based on, for example, the output value of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current skin gas score and the initial skin gas score. In the example of FIG. 46, it is displayed that the current skin gas score is 1.3 times the initial skin gas score. Notification unit 60b may display the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as the amount of acetone gas or the concentration of acetone gas.

[0303] Notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40, or may display the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as well as the previous detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 46, notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of user U's skin gas score along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 over the course of a day.

[0304] Notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0305] 47, the notification unit 60b may display the detection result of the blood flow sensor 53 as a heart rate, for example. The notification unit 60b may also display a comparison between the current heart rate and the initial heart rate. In the example of FIG. 47, it is displayed that the current heart rate is 18% higher than the initial heart rate. The notification unit 60b may display the detection result of the blood flow sensor 53 as a blood flow amount or a blood flow velocity.

[0306] The notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of the blood flow sensor 53, or may display the current detection result of the blood flow sensor 53 as well as the previous detection results of the blood flow sensor 53. The notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 include scatter plots and bar graphs. A moving average line or a median may be displayed in a diagram or graph showing changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53. In the example of FIG. 47, the notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of the heart rate of the user U together with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 over the course of a day.

[0307] The notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing the user U to understand changes in the detection results of the blood flow sensor 53 over time.

[0308] As shown in Figures 48 and 49, notification unit 60b displays, for example, the estimated result of the body fat burning state as a body fat burning score. The body fat burning score is calculated, for example, based on the body fat burning state. In the examples of Figures 48 and 49, the body fat burning score is set to be higher the easier it is to burn body fat through exercise. In the example of Figure 48, the body fat burning score is calculated based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53. In the example of Figure 49, a body fat burning score of 45 points is displayed. A body fat burning score of 45 points means that the state is such that "body fat is difficult to burn through exercise."

[0309] The notification unit 60b may display only the current estimation result of the body fat burning state, or may display the previous estimation results of the body fat burning state in addition to the current estimation result of the body fat burning state. The notification unit 60b may also display changes in the estimation result of the body fat burning state in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the estimation result of the body fat burning state include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the estimation result of the body fat burning state may also display moving averages or medians. In the examples of Figures 48 and 49, the notification unit 60b displays a scatter plot showing changes in the estimation result of the body fat burning state over a day.

[0310] The notification unit 60b can display the estimated result of the body fat burning state, for example, on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. This allows the user U to understand the change in the estimated result of the body fat burning state over time. Therefore, the user U can reflect on their diet and training, for example, by timing their meals or which exercises are most efficient at burning fat.

[0311] 45, when it is estimated that the state is "body fat is easily burned through exercise", the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "body fat is easily burned through exercise". This allows the user U to recognize his or her own body fat burning state when using the toilet apparatus 10.

[0312] The notification unit 60b may notify the current estimation result (body fat burning state) along with a recommendation for the current estimation result (body fat burning state). In the example of FIG. 48, the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "hard to burn body fat through exercise" and notifies the recommendation that "Your exercise method is not suitable, so try a different exercise method!" For example, if the notification unit 60b estimates that the state is "easy to burn body fat through exercise" in S504 in FIG. 45, it displays that the state is "easy to burn body fat through exercise" and notifies the recommendation that "Your exercise method is suitable, so continue!"

[0313] The notification unit 60b may notify a recommendation for the estimation result (body fat burning state) for the predetermined period, along with the estimation result (body fat burning state) for the predetermined period stored in the memory unit 70b. In the example of FIG. 49, the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "hard to burn body fat through exercise" and notifies the recommendation, "You're not getting enough exercise this week. Let's exercise!" For example, if the notification unit 60b estimates that the state is "easy to burn body fat through exercise" in S504 of FIG. 45, it displays that the state is "easy to burn body fat through exercise" and notifies the recommendation, "Your most recent exercise method doesn't suit you, so try a different exercise!"

[0314] The effects of the toilet system 500 will be described below. Acetone is produced not only during exercise but also during starvation. Therefore, even if the amount of acetone contained in skin gas is the same, the state of body fat burning may differ. Therefore, estimating the state of body fat burning based solely on the amount of acetone contained in skin gas may result in poor accuracy.

[0315] In contrast, in the toilet system 500, the control unit 70a estimates the body fat burning state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the blood flow sensor 53, thereby enabling the body fat burning state to be estimated with high accuracy.

[0316] In addition, in the toilet system 500, the control unit 70a can estimate whether the user U is in a state in which body fat is likely to be burned through exercise based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the blood flow sensor 53, thereby estimating the body fat burning state when the user U exercises.

[0317] Furthermore, in the toilet system 500, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation regarding the body fat burning state, thereby urging the user U to take appropriate measures according to the body fat burning state.

[0318] Furthermore, in the toilet system 500, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of the estimated results for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit 70b, thereby enabling the user U to grasp the body fat burning state for the past predetermined period.

[0319] Furthermore, in the toilet system 500, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation regarding the body fat burning state for a predetermined period, thereby urging the user U to take appropriate measures according to the body fat burning state for the past predetermined period.

[0320] Furthermore, in the toilet system 500, the skin gas sensor 40 is located below the upper surface 21a of the seating portion 21 and is provided in the recessed portion 23, thereby enabling efficient detection of the skin gas G that fills the recessed portion 23 (space S).

[0321] (5-2 embodiment) In the above-described embodiment 5-1, an example was described in which the body fat burning state of user U was estimated based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and blood flow sensor 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, as in embodiment 5-2, control unit 70a may estimate the body fat burning state of user U based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0322] FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process of the toilet system according to the 5-2 embodiment of the present invention. The control process shown in FIG. 50 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0323] In S511, the amount E of acetone gas (gas amount E) is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires threshold value E1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E in storage unit 70b.

[0324] In the next step S512, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control process of S512 is the same as that of S502 in FIG. 45. If the result of S512 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S513. On the other hand, if the result of S512 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S514.

[0325] In S513, it is estimated that the state is one in which body fat is easily burned. That is, if the acetone gas amount E calculated this time is large (greater than or equal to threshold value E1), the control unit 70a estimates that the state is one in which body fat is easily burned, and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is one in which body fat is easily burned to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the state is one in which body fat is easily burned from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the storage unit 70b.

[0326] In S514, it is estimated that the state is one in which it is difficult to burn body fat. That is, if the amount of acetone gas E calculated this time is small (less than the threshold value E1), the control unit 70a estimates that the state is one in which it is difficult to burn body fat, and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is one in which it is difficult to burn body fat to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that the state is one in which it is difficult to burn body fat from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0327] The control unit 70a estimates the body fat burning state of the user U by detecting the skin gas (acetone gas). The notification unit 60b then notifies the estimation result of the control unit 70a. This allows the user U to understand his or her own metabolic state (body fat burning state). Furthermore, the user U can also check his or her metabolic state when using the toilet device 10 in daily life.

[0328] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 51 to 62. In the sixth embodiment, the metabolic state (female cycle) of a user U is estimated.

[0329] (6-1 embodiment) FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the 6-1 embodiment of the present invention.

[0330] The toilet system 600 estimates the metabolic state of a user U. The toilet system 600 includes a toilet unit 2, an information terminal 60, and a management device 70. The toilet unit 2 includes a toilet device 10 and a skin gas sensor 40.

[0331] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amount E. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amount E and the estimated result of the metabolic state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amount E and the estimated result of the metabolic state. The user U can recognize his or her own metabolic state by checking the notification unit 60b.

[0332] Next, the skin gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 52. The control unit 70a estimates the female cycle of the user U as the metabolic state of the user U. The female cycle is the so-called menstrual cycle. Estimating the female cycle includes, for example, estimating at least one of the follicular phase, luteal phase, menstrual phase, and ovulation day. It is known that at a certain female cycle, lactone, 1-hexanol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid, ethyl mercaptan, and the like are produced by female hormones (Yoshika Sekine, Influence of Ingestion of Lactulose on γ-Lactones Emanating from Human Skin Surface, Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3930 and Volatile organic compounds from human skin as biomarkers of menstruation phase and severity of premenstrual syndrome: An exploratory pilot study, Cell Press, 2023). Lactone, 1-hexanol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid, and ethyl mercaptan dissolve in the blood, volatilize from the blood, and dissipate from the skin (body surface) of user U. Therefore, during a given female cycle, the concentrations of lactone, 1-hexanol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid, and ethyl mercaptan in the blood increase, leading to increased amounts of lactone gas, 1-hexanol gas, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid gas, and ethyl mercaptan gas dissipating from the skin. Therefore, control unit 70a can estimate user U's female cycle based on the amounts of lactone gas, 1-hexanol gas, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid gas, and ethyl mercaptan gas. In this example, skin gas sensor 40 detects lactone gas. The number of carbon atoms in the lactone gas detected by skin gas sensor 40 is, for example, 6 to 11.

[0333] FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing an example of a skin gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 52 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0334] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 600. This initial setting is performed by storing an initial value for the amount of lactone gas emitted from the user U's skin in the memory unit 70b. In the initial setting, for example, the amount of lactone gas when the user U is in her menstrual period is stored as the initial value for the amount of lactone gas. At this time, the user U inputs her menstrual period. The user U can determine whether she is in her menstrual period based on the presence or absence of bleeding, for example.

[0335] After user U is personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to instruct initial setup and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects lactone gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U sitting on toilet seat 20. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the output value of skin gas sensor 40 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of skin gas sensor 40 as initial setup information together with the user's unique identification information to management device 70 via the Internet.

[0336] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores the amount E of lactone gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 in memory unit 70b as an initial value. Control unit 70a stores a value twice the initial value of the amount of lactone gas in memory unit 70b as a first threshold E1. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas and first threshold E1 are stored in memory unit 70b in association with the user's unique identification information. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas may be the result of a single detection performed by skin gas sensor 40 in the initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results performed by skin gas sensor 40 in the initial settings. First threshold E1 may be a value previously stored in memory unit 70b.

[0337] When the initial value of the amount of lactone gas and the first threshold value E1 are stored in the memory unit 70b in the initial setting, the control unit 70a estimates the female menstrual cycle of the user U based on S601 to S604 of FIG.

[0338] In S601, the amount E of lactone gas is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the amount E of gas from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires a first threshold value E1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated amount E of gas in memory unit 70b.

[0339] Next, in S602, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the first threshold value E1. If S602 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S603. On the other hand, if S602 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S604.

[0340] In S603, it is estimated that "it is the follicular phase." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than twice the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for user U, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the follicular phase" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0341] In S604, it is estimated that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than twice the initial value of the amount of lactone gas of the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0342] Next, another example of the skin gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing another example of the skin gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 53 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0343] In the example of FIG. 53, in the initial setting, an initial value of the amount of lactone gas, a first threshold value E1, and a second threshold value E2 are stored in the memory unit 70b. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas and the first threshold value E1 are the same as those in the example of FIG. 52. The second threshold value E2 is four times the initial value of the amount of lactone gas. The second threshold value E2 is a value greater than the first threshold value E1. The second threshold value E2 may be a value previously stored in the memory unit 70b.

[0344] When the initial value of the amount of lactone gas, the first threshold E1, and the second threshold E2 are stored in the memory unit 70b in the initial setting, the control unit 70a estimates the female menstrual cycle of the user U based on S611 to S616 of Figure 53.

[0345] In S611, the amount E of lactone gas (gas amount E) is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires first threshold value E1 and second threshold value E2 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E in memory unit 70b.

[0346] Next, in S612, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the first threshold value E1. If the result of S612 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S613. On the other hand, if the result of S612 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S616.

[0347] In S613, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the second threshold value E2 (E≧E2). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the second threshold value E2. If S613 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the second threshold value E2, the process proceeds to S614. On the other hand, if S613 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the second threshold value E2, the process proceeds to S615.

[0348] In S614, it is estimated that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is four times or more the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0349] In S615, it is estimated that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than two times but less than four times the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0350] In S616, it is estimated that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than twice the initial value of the amount of lactone gas of the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the luteal phase or menstruation period." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0351] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. 55 and 56 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a female cycle estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 are cases where it is estimated in S615 in FIG. 53 that "it is the follicular phase and tomorrow is not the ovulation day." The example shown in FIG. 56 is a case where it is estimated in S614 in FIG. 53 that "it is the follicular phase and tomorrow is the ovulation day."

[0352] As shown in FIG. 54, notification unit 60b displays, for example, the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as a skin gas score. The skin gas score is calculated, for example, based on the amount of lactone gas. In the example of FIG. 54, the skin gas score is set to be higher as the amount of lactone gas increases. The skin gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the concentration of lactone gas. The skin gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the output value of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current skin gas score and the initial skin gas score. In the example of FIG. 54, it is displayed that the current skin gas score is 2.3 times the initial skin gas score. Note that notification unit 60b may display the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as the amount of lactone gas or the concentration of lactone gas.

[0353] Notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40, or may display the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as well as the previous detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 54, notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of user U's skin gas score along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 over a one-week period.

[0354] Notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0355] 55 and 56, the notification unit 60b displays, for example, the estimated result of the female cycle. The female cycle is classified into "currently in the follicular phase and tomorrow will be the ovulation day," "currently in the follicular phase and tomorrow will not be the ovulation day," and "currently in the luteal phase or menstrual phase." In the example of FIG. 55, the notification unit 60b displays "currently in the follicular phase and tomorrow will not be the ovulation day." In the example of FIG. 56, the notification unit 60b displays "currently in the follicular phase and tomorrow will be the ovulation day."

[0356] 53, when it is estimated that "it is the luteal phase or the menstrual period," the notification unit 60b displays "it is the luteal phase or the menstrual period." This allows the user U to recognize her own female cycle when using the toilet device 10.

[0357] The notification unit 60b may notify, along with the current estimation result (female cycle), a recommendation for the current estimation result (female cycle). In the example of FIG. 55, the notification unit 60b displays that "You are in the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the day of ovulation," and notifies the recommendation, "Your mind and body are stable. Try starting something new or going out on the weekend!" In the example of FIG. 56, the notification unit 60b displays that "You are in the follicular phase, and tomorrow is the day of ovulation," and notifies the recommendation, "Perfect for trying to get pregnant!" For example, if the notification unit 60b estimates that "You are in the luteal phase or menstrual phase" in S616 of FIG. 53, it displays that "You are in the luteal phase or menstrual phase," and notifies the recommendation, "Your mind and body will be unstable. Spend time in a relaxing environment! If you experience menstrual pain, take it easy and rest!"

[0358] (6-2 embodiment) Next, a toilet system 610 according to embodiment 6-2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 57 to 62. The toilet system 610 estimates the female menstrual cycle of a user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of the body temperature sensor 54. FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to embodiment 6-2 of the present invention. FIG. 58 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a user seated on a toilet seat, the skin gas sensor, and the body temperature sensor. As shown in FIGS. 57 and 58, the toilet system 610 is the same as the toilet system 600 except that the toilet unit 2 further includes a body temperature sensor 54 .

[0359] The body temperature sensor 54 is provided in the toilet device 10 and detects the body temperature of the user U. The body temperature sensor 54 is connected to the control unit 15.

[0360] Body temperature sensor 54 is provided on toilet seat 20. When body temperature sensor 54 detects that user U is seated, body temperature sensor 54 detects the body temperature of user U. That is, body temperature sensor 54 detects the body temperature of user U while seated. The detection result of body temperature sensor 54 is transmitted to management device 70 via information terminal 60. Management device 70 estimates the metabolic state of user U based on the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 and the detection result of body temperature sensor 54.

[0361] Similar to toilet system 600, toilet system 610 obtains user U's consent to skin gas detection and body temperature detection. When user U sits on toilet seat 20, sensor detection is performed by skin gas sensor 40 and body temperature sensor 54. The detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and body temperature sensor 54 are transmitted to management device 70 via information terminal 60. Control unit 70a of management device 70 calculates body temperature T from the output value of body temperature sensor 54.

[0362] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amount E and body temperature T. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amount E, body temperature T, and the estimated result of the metabolic state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amount E, body temperature T, and the estimated result of the metabolic state. The user U can recognize his or her own metabolic state by checking the notification unit 60b.

[0363] Next, the skin gas and body temperature control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 59. The control unit 70a estimates the female cycle as the metabolic state of the user U. As described above, during a given female cycle, the concentrations of lactone, 1-hexanol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid, ethyl mercaptan, and other substances in the blood are thought to be high, leading to increased amounts of lactone gas, 1-hexanol gas, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid gas, and ethyl mercaptan gas emitted from the skin. Furthermore, after ovulation, body temperature tends to rise due to the action of the female hormone progesterone. Therefore, body temperature during the luteal phase immediately after ovulation tends to be higher than, for example, body temperature during the menstrual period. Based on these factors, the control unit 70a can estimate the female cycle of the user U based on the body temperature and the amounts of any of lactone gas, 1-hexanol gas, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid gas, and ethyl mercaptan gas. In this example, the skin gas sensor 40 detects lactone gas. The number of carbon atoms in lactone gas detected by skin gas sensor 40 is, for example, 6 to 11.

[0364] FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing the skin gas and body temperature control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 59 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0365] Before using the toilet system 610, the user U performs an initial setting. This initial setting is performed by storing an initial value for the amount of lactone gas emitted from the user U's skin and an initial value for body temperature in the memory unit 70b. In the initial setting, for example, the amount of lactone gas when the user U is in her menstrual period is stored as the initial value for the amount of lactone gas. In the initial setting, for example, the body temperature when the user U is in her menstrual period is stored as the initial value for the body temperature.

[0366] After user U has been personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to input initial setting instructions and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects lactone gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U sitting on toilet seat 20. Body temperature sensor 54 detects the body temperature of user U. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the output value of skin gas sensor 40 and the output value of body temperature sensor 54 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of skin gas sensor 40 and the output value of body temperature sensor 54 as initial setting information to management device 70 via the Internet, together with the user's unique identification information.

[0367] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores the amount of lactone gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 and the body temperature calculated from the output value of body temperature sensor 54 as initial values ​​in memory unit 70b. Control unit 70a stores a value twice the initial value of the amount of lactone gas as a first threshold E1, a value four times the initial value of the amount of lactone gas as a second threshold E2, and an initial value of the body temperature as a threshold T1 in memory unit 70b. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas, first threshold E1, second threshold E2, initial value of the body temperature, and threshold T1 are stored in memory unit 70b in association with the user's unique identification information. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas may be the result of a single detection by skin gas sensor 40 detected at the initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results by skin gas sensor 40 detected at the initial settings. The initial value of the body temperature may be the result of a single detection by body temperature sensor 54 detected at the initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results by body temperature sensor 54 detected at the initial settings. The first threshold E1, the second threshold E2, and the threshold T1 may be values ​​stored in advance in the storage unit 70b.

[0368] When the initial value of the amount of lactone gas, the first threshold E1, the second threshold E2, the initial value of body temperature, and the threshold T1 are stored in the memory unit 70b in the initial setting, the control unit 70a estimates the female menstrual cycle of the user U based on S621 to S628 of Figure 59.

[0369] In S621, the amount E of lactone gas (gas amount E) and the body temperature T are calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates the gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60, and calculates the body temperature T from the output value of body temperature sensor 54 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires first threshold E1, second threshold E2, and threshold T1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E and body temperature T in memory unit 70b.

[0370] Next, in S622, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the first threshold value E1. If S622 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S623. On the other hand, if S622 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the first threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S626.

[0371] In S623, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the second threshold value E2 (E≧E2). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the second threshold value E2. If S623 returns "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the second threshold value E2, the process proceeds to S624. On the other hand, if S623 returns "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the second threshold value E2, the process proceeds to S625.

[0372] In S624, it is estimated that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than four times the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow will be the ovulation day" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0373] In S625, it is estimated that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than two times but less than four times the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the follicular phase, and tomorrow is not the ovulation day" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0374] In S626, it is determined whether the body temperature T exceeds the threshold value T1 (T>T1). The control unit 70a compares the body temperature T calculated this time with the threshold value T1. If the result of S626 is "YES", that is, if it is determined that the body temperature T exceeds the threshold value T1, the process proceeds to S627. On the other hand, if the result of S626 is "NO", that is, if it is determined that the body temperature T is equal to or less than the threshold value T1, the process proceeds to S628.

[0375] In S627, it is estimated that "the user is in the luteal phase." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than twice the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U and the body temperature T exceeds the initial body temperature, the control unit 70a estimates that "the user is in the luteal phase" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "the user is in the luteal phase" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "the user is in the luteal phase" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0376] In S628, it is estimated that "it is the menstrual period." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than twice the initial value of the amount of lactone gas of the user U and the body temperature T is equal to or lower than the initial body temperature, the control unit 70a estimates that "it is the menstrual period" and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that "it is the menstrual period" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating that "it is the menstrual period" from the notification unit 60b. The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0377] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 60 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the body temperature sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. 61 and 62 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a female cycle estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in FIGS. 60 and 61 are cases where it is estimated that "it is in the luteal phase" in S627 in FIG. 59. The example shown in FIG. 62 is a case where it is estimated in S628 in FIG. 59 that "it is the menstrual period."

[0378] As shown in Fig. 60, the notification unit 60b displays, for example, the detection result of the body temperature sensor 54. The notification unit 60b may also display a comparison between the current body temperature and the initial body temperature. In the example of Fig. 60, it is displayed that the current body temperature is 0.4°C higher than the initial body temperature.

[0379] The notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of the body temperature sensor 54, or may display the current detection result of the body temperature sensor 54 as well as the previous detection results of the body temperature sensor 54. The notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of the body temperature sensor 54 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the body temperature sensor 54 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the body temperature sensor 54 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of Figure 60, the notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of user U's body temperature along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of the body temperature sensor 54 over a one-week period.

[0380] The notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection result of the body temperature sensor 54 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing the user U to understand changes in the detection result of the body temperature sensor 54 over time.

[0381] In the example of Fig. 61, the notification section 60b displays "It is the luteal phase." In the example of Fig. 62, the notification section 60b displays "It is the menstrual period."

[0382] Furthermore, if it is estimated in S624 in Fig. 59 that "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow will be the ovulation day," then the notification unit 60b will display "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow will be the ovulation day." If it is estimated in S625 in Fig. 59 that "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow will not be the ovulation day," then the notification unit 60b will display "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow will not be the ovulation day." This allows the user U to recognize her own female cycle when using the toilet apparatus 10.

[0383] The notification unit 60b may notify, along with the female cycle, of recommendations regarding the female cycle. In the example of FIG. 61, the notification unit 60b displays that "you are in the luteal phase" and notifies the recommendation, "your mind and body will become unstable. Spend time in a relaxing environment!" In the example of FIG. 62, the notification unit 60b displays that "you are in the menstrual period" and notifies the recommendation, "if you experience menstrual pain, do not push yourself and take it easy!" Furthermore, for example, if it is estimated in S624 of FIG. 59 that "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow is the day of ovulation," the notification unit 60b displays that "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow is the day of ovulation" and notifies the recommendation, "perfect for trying to get pregnant!" For example, if it is estimated in S625 in Figure 59 that "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow is not the ovulation day," the notification unit 60b will display that "you are in the follicular phase and tomorrow is not the ovulation day," and will also notify with the suggestion that "you are feeling stable both physically and mentally. Try starting something new or going out on the weekend!"

[0384] The effects of the toilet systems 600 and 610 will be described below. Basal body temperature changes not only with the female cycle but also with physical condition. Therefore, even if basal body temperature changes, it is not necessarily due to the female cycle. Therefore, estimating the female cycle based solely on basal body temperature may result in poor accuracy.

[0385] In contrast, in toilet systems 600 and 610, control unit 70a estimates the female cycle based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40, thereby enabling accurate estimation of the female cycle.

[0386] Furthermore, in toilet systems 600 and 610, skin gas sensor 40 detects at least one of lactone gas, 1-hexanol gas, 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid gas, and ethyl mercaptan gas, thereby enabling more accurate estimation of the female menstrual cycle.

[0387] Furthermore, in toilet system 610, control unit 70a estimates the female cycle based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 and body temperature sensor 54, thereby enabling more accurate estimation of the female cycle.

[0388] Furthermore, in the toilet systems 600 and 610, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation regarding the female cycle, thereby encouraging the user U to take appropriate measures according to the female cycle.

[0389] Furthermore, in the toilet systems 600 and 610, the skin gas sensor 40 is located below the upper surface of the seat 21 and provided in the recess 23, thereby enabling efficient detection of the skin gas G that fills the recess 23 (space S).

[0390] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 63 to 72. In the seventh embodiment, the metabolic state (state of the amount of bifidobacteria) of a user U is estimated.

[0391] (7-1 embodiment) FIG. 63 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to the 7-1 embodiment of the present invention.

[0392] The toilet system 700 estimates the metabolic state of a user U. The toilet system 700 includes a toilet unit 2, an information terminal 60, and a management device 70. The toilet unit 2 includes a toilet device 10 and a skin gas sensor 40.

[0393] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amount E. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amount E and the estimated result of the metabolic state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amount E and the estimated result of the metabolic state. The user U can recognize his or her own metabolic state by checking the notification unit 60b.

[0394] Next, the skin gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 64. The control unit 70a estimates the amount of bifidobacteria in the intestines of the user U as the metabolic state of the user U. It is known that an increase in bifidobacteria in the intestines increases lactone (Yoshika Sekine, Influence of Ingestion of Lactulose on γ-Lactones Emanating from Human Skin Surface, Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3930). After being absorbed from the digestive tract, lactone dissolves in the blood, volatilizes from the blood, and is emitted from the skin (body surface) of the user U. Therefore, when there are many bifidobacteria, the concentration of lactone in the blood increases, and the amount of lactone gas emitted from the skin is thought to increase. Therefore, the control unit 70a can estimate the amount of bifidobacteria in the user U based on the amount of lactone gas. The number of carbon atoms in lactone gas detected by the skin gas sensor 40 is, for example, 6 to 11.

[0395] FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing the skin gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 64 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0396] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 700. This initial setting is to store an initial value of the amount of lactone gas that is emitted from the skin of the user U in the memory unit 70b.

[0397] After user U is personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to instruct initial setup and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects lactone gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U sitting on toilet seat 20. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the output value of skin gas sensor 40 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 transmits the received output value of skin gas sensor 40 as initial setup information together with the user's unique identification information to management device 70 via the Internet.

[0398] Control unit 70a of management device 70 stores the amount E of lactone gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60 as an initial value in memory unit 70b. Control unit 70a stores the initial value of the amount of lactone gas as threshold value E1 in memory unit 70b. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas and threshold value E1 are stored in memory unit 70b in association with the user's unique identification information. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas may be the result of a single detection by skin gas sensor 40 performed under initial settings, or may be the average of multiple detection results by skin gas sensor 40 performed under initial settings. Threshold value E1 may be a value previously stored in memory unit 70b.

[0399] When the initial value of the amount of lactone gas and the threshold value E1 are stored in the storage unit 70b in the initial setting, the amount of bifidobacteria in the user U is estimated by the control unit 70a based on S701 to S704 in FIG.

[0400] In S701, the amount E of lactone gas (gas amount E) is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires threshold value E1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E in memory unit 70b.

[0401] In the next step S702, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the threshold value E1. If the result of step S702 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to step S703. On the other hand, if the result of step S702 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0402] In S703, it is estimated that the state is "high in bifidobacteria." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is equal to or greater than the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "high in bifidobacteria," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "high in bifidobacteria" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification from the notification unit 60b based on the signal indicating that the state is "high in bifidobacteria." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0403] In S704, it is estimated that the state is "low in bifidobacteria." That is, if the gas amount E calculated this time is less than the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "low in bifidobacteria," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "low in bifidobacteria" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification from the notification unit 60b based on the signal indicating that the state is "low in bifidobacteria." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0404] The control unit 70a may estimate a change in the amount of bifidobacteria based on the amount of lactone gas E. For example, the control unit 70a may estimate that "the amount of bifidobacteria is increasing" when the amount of lactone gas E is more than twice the initial amount of lactone gas, that "the amount of bifidobacteria is not changing" when the amount of lactone gas E is more than once but less than twice the initial amount of lactone gas, and that "the amount of bifidobacteria is decreasing" when the amount of lactone gas E is less than the initial amount of lactone gas.

[0405] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 65 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the skin gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. 66 and 67 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the amount of bifidobacteria estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in Figures 65, 66, and 67 are cases where it is estimated in S703 in Figure 64 that there are "a lot of bifidobacteria."

[0406] As shown in FIG. 65, notification unit 60b displays, for example, the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as a skin gas score. The skin gas score is calculated, for example, based on the amount of lactone gas. In the example of FIG. 65, the skin gas score is set to be higher as the amount of lactone gas increases. The skin gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the concentration of lactone gas. The skin gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the output value of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current skin gas score and the initial skin gas score. In the example of FIG. 65, it is displayed that the current skin gas score is 2.1 times the initial skin gas score. Notification unit 60b may display the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as the amount of lactone gas or the concentration of lactone gas.

[0407] Notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40, or may display the current detection result of skin gas sensor 40 as well as the previous detection results of skin gas sensor 40. Notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 65, notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of user U's skin gas score along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 over a one-week period.

[0408] Notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing user U to understand changes over time in the detection results of skin gas sensor 40.

[0409] As shown in FIGS. 66 and 67, notification unit 60b displays the estimated amount of bifidobacteria. In the example of FIG. 66, "There is a lot of bifidobacteria" is displayed. In the example of FIG. 67, "The amount of bifidobacteria is on the rise this week" is displayed. Notification unit 60b may display the estimated amount of bifidobacteria as a score. In the examples of FIGS. 66 and 67, notification unit 60b displays the detection result of skin gas sensor 40 (skin gas score) along with the estimated amount of bifidobacteria.

[0410] The notification unit 60b may display only the current estimation result of the amount of bifidobacteria, or may display the previous estimation results of the amount of bifidobacteria in addition to the current estimation result of the amount of bifidobacteria. The notification unit 60b may also display changes in the estimation result of the amount of bifidobacteria in a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the estimation result of the amount of bifidobacteria include scatter plots and bar graphs. A moving average line or a median may be displayed in the diagram or graph showing changes in the estimation result of the amount of bifidobacteria.

[0411] The notification unit 60b can display the estimated amount of bifidobacteria, for example, on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. This allows the user U to understand the change over time in the estimated amount of bifidobacteria. Therefore, the user U can look back on the effects of foods, supplements, etc. that he or she has tried as part of activities to improve the amount of bifidobacteria (so-called "intestinal health").

[0412] 64, when it is estimated that the state is "low in bifidobacteria," the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "low in bifidobacteria." This allows the user U to recognize the amount of bifidobacteria in his or her own state when using the toilet device 10.

[0413] The notification unit 60b may notify the current estimation result (amount of bifidobacteria) along with a recommendation for the current estimation result (amount of bifidobacteria). In the example of Fig. 66, the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "high in bifidobacteria" and notifies the recommendation "Continue to take care of your intestinal health!". For example, when the state is estimated to be "low in bifidobacteria" in S704 in Fig. 64, the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "low in bifidobacteria" and notifies the recommendation "Eat foods that increase bifidobacteria!"

[0414] The notification unit 60b may notify a recommendation for the estimation result (amount of bifidobacteria) for the predetermined period of time stored in the memory unit 70b. In the example of Fig. 67, the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "high in bifidobacteria" and notifies the recommendation "Continue to take care of your intestinal health!". For example, if the state is estimated to be "low in bifidobacteria" in S704 in Fig. 64, the notification unit 60b displays that the state is "low in bifidobacteria" and notifies the recommendation "Eat foods that increase bifidobacteria!"

[0415] (7-2 embodiment) Next, a toilet system 710 according to embodiment 7-2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 68 to 72. The toilet system 710 estimates the amount of bifidobacteria in a user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the fecal gas sensor 52. FIG. 68 is a block diagram showing a communication system of the toilet system according to embodiment 7-2 of the present invention. 68, the toilet system 710 is the same as the toilet system 700, except that the toilet unit 2 further includes a fecal gas sensor 52. The fecal gas sensor 52 has the same configuration as the fecal gas sensor 52 of the fourth embodiment. The management device 70 estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the fecal gas sensor 52.

[0416] The control unit 70a estimates the metabolic state of the user U based on the calculated gas amounts E and F. The control unit 70a transmits the calculated gas amounts E and F and the estimated results of the metabolic state of the user U to the information terminal 60. The control unit 60a of the information terminal 60 causes the notification unit 60b to notify the received gas amounts E and F and the estimated results of the metabolic state. The user U can recognize his or her own metabolic state by checking the notification unit 60b.

[0417] Next, the skin gas and fecal gas control process executed by the control unit 70a will be described with reference to FIG. 69. The control unit 70a estimates the amount of bifidobacteria as the metabolic state of the user U. As described above, when there are many bifidobacteria, the lactone concentration in the blood increases, and the amount of lactone gas emitted from the skin increases. Furthermore, when there are many beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria in the intestines, the amount of short-chain fatty acids increases, and the amounts of hydrogen gas, methane gas, and carbon dioxide gas, which are decomposition products of short-chain fatty acids, increase. Therefore, when there are many beneficial bacteria, the amounts of hydrogen gas, methane gas, and carbon dioxide gas contained in fecal gas increase. Similarly, when there are few beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria in the intestines, the amount of harmful bacteria in the intestines is likely to be high. When there are many harmful bacteria in the intestines, nutrients decay, causing an increase in hydrogen sulfide gas and methanethiol (methyl mercaptan) gas. Therefore, when there are many harmful bacteria in the intestines, the amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas and methanethiol (methyl mercaptan) gas contained in fecal gas increase. From these facts, the control unit 70a can estimate the amount of bifidobacteria in the user U based on the amount of lactone gas and the amount of fecal gas. In this example, the fecal gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from beneficial bacteria. The number of carbon atoms in the lactone gas detected by the skin gas sensor 40 is, for example, 6 to 11.

[0418] FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing the skin gas and defecation gas control process executed by the control unit. The control process shown in FIG. 69 is stored in advance in the storage unit 70b of the management device 70.

[0419] The user U performs an initial setting before using the toilet system 710. This initial setting is to store the initial value of the amount of lactone gas emitted from the user U's skin and the initial value of the amount of fecal gas in the memory unit 70b.

[0420] After user U is personally authenticated using information terminal 60, he or she operates information terminal 60 to input initial setting instructions and sits on toilet seat 20. Skin gas sensor 40 detects lactone gas emitted from the skin (thigh U1) of user U seated on toilet seat 20. Defecation gas sensor 52 detects defecation gas. Control unit 15 of toilet device 10 transmits the output values ​​of skin gas sensor 40 and defecation gas sensor 52 to information terminal 60. Information terminal 60 transmits the received output values ​​of skin gas sensor 40 and defecation gas sensor 52 as initial setting information, together with the user's unique identification information, to management device 70 via the Internet.

[0421] The control unit 70a of the management device 70 stores the amount of lactone gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of skin gas sensor 40 and the amount of defecation gas calculated from the output value (difference value) of defecation gas sensor 52, which are transmitted from the information terminal 60, as initial values ​​in the memory unit 70b. The control unit 70a stores the initial value of the amount of lactone gas as a threshold E1 and the initial value of the amount of defecation gas as a threshold F1 in the memory unit 70b. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas, threshold E1, initial value of the amount of defecation gas, and threshold F1 are stored in the memory unit 70b in association with the user's unique identification information. The initial value of the amount of lactone gas may be the result of a single detection by skin gas sensor 40 detected at the initial setting, or may be the average of multiple detection results by skin gas sensor 40 detected at the initial setting. The initial value of the amount of defecation gas may be the result of a single detection by defecation gas sensor 52 detected at the initial setting, or may be the average of multiple detection results by defecation gas sensor 52 detected at the initial setting. The threshold value E1 and the threshold value F1 may be values ​​that are stored in advance in the storage unit 70b.

[0422] When the initial value of the amount of lactone gas, threshold value E1, initial value of the amount of fecal gas, and threshold value F1 are stored in the memory unit 70b in the initial setting, the control unit 70a estimates the amount of bifidobacteria in user U based on S711 to S721 of Figure 69.

[0423] In S711, it is determined whether or not the defecation gas sensor 52 has detected defecation gas. If S711 returns "YES," i.e., if it is determined that the defecation gas sensor 52 has detected defecation gas, the process proceeds to S712. On the other hand, if S711 returns "NO," i.e., if it is determined that the defecation gas sensor 52 has not detected defecation gas, the process proceeds to S713.

[0424] In S712, the amount of defecation gas F (gas volume F) is calculated. That is, when the defecation gas sensor 52 detects defecation gas, the control unit 70a calculates the gas volume F from the output value of the defecation gas sensor 52 transmitted from the information terminal 60. The control unit 70a also acquires a threshold value F1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from the information terminal 60. The control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas volume F in the memory unit 70b.

[0425] In S713, the control unit 70a acquires the amount of past defecation gas F. That is, when the defecation gas sensor 52 does not detect defecation gas, the control unit 70a acquires the amount of past defecation gas F stored in the memory unit 70b. The control unit 70a also acquires a threshold value F1 of identification information that is the same as the user's unique identification information transmitted from the information terminal 60.

[0426] In the next step S714, the amount E of lactone gas (gas amount E) is calculated. That is, control unit 70a calculates gas amount E from the output value of skin gas sensor 40 transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also acquires threshold value E1 of identification information that is the same as the user-specific identification information transmitted from information terminal 60. Control unit 70a also stores the calculated gas amount E in memory unit 70b.

[0427] Next, in S715, it is determined whether the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1 (E≧E1). The control unit 70a compares the currently calculated gas amount E with the threshold value E1. If the result of S715 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is equal to or greater than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S716. On the other hand, if the result of S715 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount E is less than the threshold value E1, the process proceeds to S719.

[0428] In S716, it is determined whether the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1 (F≧F1). The control unit 70a compares the gas amount F with the threshold value F1. If the determination in S716 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S717. On the other hand, if the determination in S716 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S718.

[0429] In S717, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "high in bifidobacteria, and the bifidobacteria provide a good intestinal environment." That is, if the currently calculated gas volume E is equal to or greater than the initial value of the user U's lactone gas volume and the gas volume F is equal to or greater than the initial value of the user U's fecal gas volume, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "high in bifidobacteria, and the bifidobacteria provide a good intestinal environment," and the process ends. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "high in bifidobacteria, and the bifidobacteria provide a good intestinal environment" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification from the notification unit 60b based on the signal indicating that the state is "high in bifidobacteria, and the bifidobacteria provide a good intestinal environment." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0430] In S718, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "low in bifidobacteria, lactone gas has increased due to causes other than bifidobacteria, and the intestinal environment is poor." That is, if the currently calculated gas volume E is equal to or greater than the initial value of the user U's lactone gas volume and the gas volume F is less than the initial value of the user U's fecal gas volume, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "low in bifidobacteria, lactone gas has increased due to causes other than bifidobacteria, and the intestinal environment is poor," and the process ends. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "low in bifidobacteria, lactone gas has increased due to causes other than bifidobacteria, and the intestinal environment is poor" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification from the notification unit 60b based on the signal indicating that the state is "low in bifidobacteria, lactone gas has increased due to causes other than bifidobacteria, and the intestinal environment is poor." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b. Causes other than bifidobacteria include, for example, the female cycle.

[0431] In S719, it is determined whether the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1 (F≧F1). The control unit 70a compares the gas amount F with the threshold value F1. If the determination in S719 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is equal to or greater than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S720. On the other hand, if the determination in S719 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the gas amount F is less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S721.

[0432] In S720, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "good intestinal environment with few bifidobacteria and intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria." That is, if the currently calculated gas volume E is less than the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U and the gas volume F is equal to or greater than the initial value of the amount of fecal gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "good intestinal environment with few bifidobacteria and intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating the state of "good intestinal environment with few bifidobacteria and intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification based on the signal indicating the state of "good intestinal environment with few bifidobacteria and intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b. Examples of intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria include lactic acid bacteria.

[0433] In S721, it is estimated that the state is "low in bifidobacteria and poor intestinal environment." That is, if the currently calculated gas amount E is less than the initial value of the amount of lactone gas for the user U and the gas amount F is less than the initial value of the amount of fecal gas for the user U, the control unit 70a estimates that the state is "low in bifidobacteria and poor intestinal environment," and ends the process. The control unit 70a also transmits a signal indicating that the state is "low in bifidobacteria and poor intestinal environment" to the information terminal 60. The information terminal 60 issues a notification from the notification unit 60b based on the signal indicating that the state is "low in bifidobacteria and poor intestinal environment." The control unit 70a also stores the estimation result in the memory unit 70b.

[0434] The control unit 70a may make the determination using a plurality of thresholds in S715, S716, and S719. By the control unit 70a making the determination using a plurality of thresholds, the amount of bifidobacteria and the intestinal environment can be estimated in stages.

[0435] 69, the example in which the fecal gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from good bacteria has been described. However, the fecal gas sensor 52 may also detect gas derived from bad bacteria. In this case, in S716 and S719, it is determined whether the gas amount F is equal to or less than the threshold value F1 (F≦F1). If S716 returns "YES," i.e., the gas amount F is equal to or less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S717. On the other hand, if S716 returns "NO," i.e., the gas amount F exceeds the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S718. If S719 returns "YES," i.e., the gas amount F is equal to or less than the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S720. On the other hand, if S719 returns "NO," i.e., the gas amount F exceeds the threshold value F1, the process proceeds to S721.

[0436] Next, the content notified by the notifying unit 60b of the information terminal 60 will be described. FIG. 70 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result of the defecation gas sensor displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. 71 and 72 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the amount of bifidobacteria estimated by the control unit. The examples shown in Figs. 70 to 72 are cases where it is estimated in S717 in Fig. 69 that "there are many bifidobacteria and the bifidobacteria make the intestinal environment good."

[0437] As shown in FIG. 70, the notification unit 60b displays, for example, the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 as a defecation gas score. The defecation gas score is calculated, for example, based on the amount of defecation gas. In the example of FIG. 70, the defecation gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from good bacteria, so the defecation gas score is set to be higher as the amount of defecation gas increases. If the defecation gas sensor 52 detects gas derived from bad bacteria, the defecation gas score is set to be higher as the amount of defecation gas decreases. The defecation gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the concentration of defecation gas. The defecation gas score may be calculated, for example, based on the output value of the defecation gas sensor 52. The notification unit 60b may display a comparison between the current defecation gas score and the initial defecation gas score. In the example of FIG. 70, it is displayed that the current defecation gas score is 2.4 times the initial defecation gas score. The notification unit 60b may display the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 as the amount of defecation gas or the concentration of defecation gas.

[0438] The notification unit 60b may display only the current detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52, or may display the current detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 as well as the previous detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52. The notification unit 60b may also display changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 in the form of a diagram or graph. Examples of diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 include scatter plots and bar graphs. Diagrams and graphs showing changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 may also display moving averages or medians. In the example of FIG. 70, the notification unit 60b displays a line indicating the initial value of the defecation gas score of user U, along with a scatter plot showing changes in the detection results of the defecation gas sensor 52 over a one-week period.

[0439] The notification unit 60b can display, for example, the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52 on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, allowing the user U to understand the change over time in the detection result of the defecation gas sensor 52.

[0440] As shown in Figures 71 and 72, notification unit 60b displays the estimated amount of bifidobacteria. In the example of Figure 71, "There is a lot of bifidobacteria" is displayed. In the example of Figure 72, "The amount of bifidobacteria is on the rise this week" is displayed. Notification unit 60b may display the estimated amount of bifidobacteria as a score. In the examples of Figures 71 and 72, notification unit 60b displays the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 (skin gas score) and fecal gas sensor 52 (fecal gas score) along with the estimated amount of bifidobacteria.

[0441] Furthermore, if it is estimated in S718 in FIG. 69 that the state is "poor intestinal environment due to a low number of bifidobacteria and an increase in lactone gas due to causes other than bifidobacteria," the notification unit 60b will display a message indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment due to a low number of bifidobacteria and an increase in lactone gas due to causes other than bifidobacteria." If it is estimated in S720 in FIG. 69 that the state is "good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria," the notification unit 60b will display a message indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment due to a low number of bifidobacteria and an increase in lactone gas due to causes other than bifidobacteria." If it is estimated in S721 in FIG. 69 that the state is "poor intestinal environment due to a low number of bifidobacteria and an increase in intestinal environment," the notification unit 60b will display a message indicating that the state is "poor intestinal environment due to a low number of bifidobacteria." This allows the user U to recognize his or her own amount of bifidobacteria when using the toilet device 10.

[0442] The notification unit 60b may notify, along with the amount of bifidobacteria, a recommendation for the amount of bifidobacteria. In the example of FIG. 71, the state "high in bifidobacteria, and a good intestinal environment due to the bifidobacteria" is displayed, and the recommendation "Continue taking care of your intestines!" is displayed. In the example of FIG. 72, the state "high in bifidobacteria, and a good intestinal environment due to the bifidobacteria" is displayed, and the recommendation "Continue taking care of your intestines!" is displayed. For example, if the notification unit 60b estimates in S720 of FIG. 69 that the state is "low in bifidobacteria, and a good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria," the notification unit 60b displays the state "low in bifidobacteria, and a good intestinal environment due to intestinal bacteria other than bifidobacteria" and notifies the recommendation "If you want to increase bifidobacteria, choose foods that are suitable for bifidobacteria!" For example, if it is estimated at S721 in Figure 69 that the state is "low in bifidobacteria and poor intestinal environment," the notification unit 60b will display that the state is "low in bifidobacteria and poor intestinal environment" and will notify the recommendation "Start taking care of your intestines!"

[0443] The notification unit 60b may notify a recommendation for the current estimation result (amount of bifidobacteria) along with the current estimation result (amount of bifidobacteria), or may notify a recommendation for the estimation result (amount of bifidobacteria) for a predetermined period along with the estimation result (amount of bifidobacteria) for a predetermined period stored in the memory unit 70b.

[0444] The effects of the toilet systems 700 and 710 will be described below. When there are many bifidobacteria in the intestines, nutrients are fermented and hydrogen gas increases. Therefore, the amount of bifidobacteria can be estimated by detecting hydrogen gas. However, hydrogen gas is not only produced by bifidobacteria, but also by other intestinal bacteria (e.g., lactic acid bacteria). Therefore, the concentration of hydrogen gas in excretory gas does not necessarily correlate with the amount of bifidobacteria in the intestines. Therefore, estimating the amount of bifidobacteria based on the concentration of hydrogen gas in excretory gas may result in poor accuracy.

[0445] In contrast, in toilet systems 700 and 710, control unit 70a estimates the amount of bifidobacteria based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40, thereby enabling the amount of bifidobacteria to be estimated with high accuracy.

[0446] Furthermore, in the toilet system 710, the control unit estimates the amount of bifidobacteria based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor and the fecal gas sensor, thereby enabling more accurate estimation of the amount of bifidobacteria.

[0447] Furthermore, in the toilet system 710, if the fecal gas sensor 52 does not detect fecal gas, the control unit 70a estimates the amount of bifidobacteria based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the past detection results of the fecal gas sensor 52 stored in the memory unit 70b, thereby enabling the amount of bifidobacteria to be estimated with high accuracy even if the fecal gas sensor 52 does not detect fecal gas.

[0448] Furthermore, in the toilet systems 700 and 710, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation regarding the amount of bifidobacteria, thereby urging the user U to take appropriate measures according to the amount of bifidobacteria.

[0449] Furthermore, in the toilet systems 700 and 710, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of the estimated results for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit 70b, thereby enabling the user U to grasp the amount of bifidobacteria for the past predetermined period.

[0450] Furthermore, in the toilet systems 700 and 710, the notification unit 60b notifies the user U of a recommendation regarding the amount of bifidobacteria over a predetermined period, thereby urging the user U to take appropriate measures according to the amount of bifidobacteria over a past predetermined period.

[0451] Furthermore, in the toilet systems 700 and 710, the skin gas sensor 40 is located below the upper surface 21a of the seating portion 21 and is provided in the recessed portion 23, thereby enabling efficient detection of the skin gas G that fills the recessed portion 23 (space S).

[0452] As described above, the toilet system according to the embodiments of the present invention is capable of estimating the metabolic state or fatigue state (health state) of the user U when the user U uses the toilet device 10. The toilet systems 100-710 according to the first to seventh embodiments may be implemented as a single system, or multiple systems may be implemented together. For example, skin gas sensors 40 that can detect different skin gases may be provided on the toilet seat 20. By providing multiple toilet systems 100-710, the user U can recognize various aspects of his or her health state (metabolic state and fatigue state) when using the toilet device 10.

[0453] FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the health condition of the user displayed on the notification unit of the information terminal. The notification unit 60b of the information terminal 60 collectively displays the health status of the user U. In this example, the notification unit 60b collectively displays the state of alcohol consumption, fatigue (stress), intestinal environment, fat burning level, and female hormones. The alcohol consumption is estimated by the toilet systems 100, 101, and 110 according to the first embodiment. Fatigue (stress) is estimated by the toilet system 200 according to the second embodiment or the toilet system 300 according to the third embodiment. The intestinal environment is estimated by the toilet systems 400 and 410 according to the fourth embodiment or the toilet systems 700 and 710 according to the seventh embodiment. The fat burning level is estimated by the toilet system 500 according to the fifth embodiment. The female menstrual cycle is estimated by the toilet systems 600 and 610 according to the sixth embodiment.

[0454] The notification unit 60b displays the health condition of the user U as a health score. The health score is, for example, the average value of the scores for alcohol consumption, fatigue (stress), intestinal environment, fat burning rate, and female hormones. For example, the health score increases as the health condition of the user U improves.

[0455] The notification unit 60b also displays graphs of alcohol consumption, fatigue (stress), intestinal environment, fat burning level, and female hormones. Alcohol consumption is "good" when "not drunk" and becomes "bad" as the user approaches "deeply drunk." Fatigue (stress) is "good" when "low stress" and becomes "bad" as the user approaches "high stress." The intestinal environment is "good" when "the intestinal environment is good" and becomes "bad" as the user approaches "poor intestinal environment." The fat burning level is "good" when "fat is easily burned" and becomes "bad" as the user approaches "fat is difficult to burn." Female hormones are "good" when "the menstrual cycle is regular" and become "bad" as the user approaches "the menstrual cycle is irregular." The control unit 70a, for example, compares the actual start date of the menstrual period entered by the user U via the information terminal 60 with the estimated start date of the next menstrual period to determine whether the menstrual cycle is regular or irregular.

[0456] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the metabolic state or fatigue state of user U is estimated based on the detection results of skin gas sensor 40 provided in toilet device 10. In this case, there is a risk that the gas derived from the excrement excreted into toilet device 10 and the skin gas will have the same components. For example, ammonia gas is also emitted from urine. In such a case, there is a risk that skin gas sensor 40 will detect gas emitted from the excrement excreted into toilet device 10 (toilet bowl 11).

[0457] Therefore, the toilet system may further include an excrement gas sensor that detects gases emitted from excrement excreted into the toilet device 10. The control unit 70a then corrects the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the detection results of the excrement gas sensor. The excrement gas sensor is provided, for example, inside the casing 12, and detects urine gas emitted from urine excreted into the toilet device 10, feces gas emitted from feces, and flatulence gas. The detection results of the excrement gas sensor are transmitted to the control unit 70a.

[0458] The control unit 70a calculates the amount of excrement gas emitted from excrement by applying the detection result of the excrement gas sensor to a calibration curve stored in the memory unit 70b, for example. The control unit 70a then compares the calculated amount of excrement gas with the amount of skin gas E and corrects the amount of skin gas E. This allows the metabolic state or fatigue state of the user U to be estimated more accurately.

[0459] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the metabolic state or fatigue state of the user U is estimated by the control unit 70a of the management device 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the metabolic state or fatigue state of the user U may be estimated by the control unit 15 of the toilet device 10 or the control unit 60a of the information terminal 60, for example.

[0460] In the above-described embodiment, the management device 70 and the information terminal 60 are communicatively connected via a network. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the toilet device 10 and the management device 70 may be communicatively connected via a network. In other words, the detection results of the skin gas sensor 40 and the like may be transmitted to the management device 70 without going through the information terminal 60.

[0461] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a metabolic state or a fatigue state is estimated based on the amount of skin gas detected while seating on toilet seat 20 is detected by seating sensor 45. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, seating sensor 45 may not be provided. In this case, for example, a metabolic state or a fatigue state may be estimated based on the amount of skin gas detected for a predetermined time period from when user U is personally authenticated (or until personal authentication is canceled).

[0462] Embodiments may include the following features.

[0463] (Configuration 1) a toilet device having a toilet seat on which a user sits; a skin gas sensor provided on the toilet seat for detecting skin gas emitted from the skin of the user seated on the toilet seat; a control unit that estimates a metabolic state or a fatigue state of the user based on a detection result of the skin gas sensor; a notification unit that notifies the estimation result of the control unit, The toilet seat is a seating section on which the user sits; a bottom portion facing the seating portion; a recessed portion recessed from the seating portion toward the bottom portion; and The toilet system is characterized in that the skin gas sensor is located below the upper surface of the seat and is provided in the recess. (Configuration 2) The toilet device further includes a seat sensor that detects whether the user is sitting on the toilet seat. The toilet system of configuration 1, wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor detected while the user is seated on the toilet seat. (Configuration 3) The toilet system described in configuration 2 is characterized in that the control unit sets a reference value for the skin gas sensor in response to the detection of sitting by the seating sensor, and calculates the amount of skin gas based on the amount of change in the detection result of the skin gas sensor relative to the reference value. (Configuration 4) The toilet system according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein the control unit sets the output value of the skin gas sensor at the time when the seating sensor detects a seated person as the reference value. (Configuration 5) The toilet system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state by comparing the amount of skin gas with a threshold value. (Configuration 6) 6. The toilet system according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the skin gas sensor is a semiconductor gas sensor. (Configuration 7) Further comprising a humidity sensor for measuring humidity; The toilet system of any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor and the detection results of the humidity sensor. (Configuration 8) Further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature, The toilet system of any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor and the detection results of the temperature sensor.

[0464] The above describes embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, arrangement, installation form, etc. of each element of a toilet system are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0465] 2 Toilet Unit 10 Toilet equipment 11 Toilet 11a Bowl section 12 Casing 15 Control Unit 17 Memory section 20 toilet seats 20a opening 21 Seating area 21a Top surface 21b Bottom side 22 Bottom 23, 25 recessed part 23a, 25a side wall part 23b, 25b Bottom part 24 through holes 30 toilet lid 40 Skin gas sensor 45 Seat sensor 51 Feces sensor 52 Defecation gas sensor 53 Blood flow sensor 54 Body Temperature Sensor 55 Humidity Sensor 56 Temperature Sensor 60 Information terminal 60a Control section 60b Notification Department 70 Management device 70a Control section 70b Storage section 100, 101, 110, 200, 300, 400, 410, 500, 600, 610, 700, 710 Toilet Systems G Skin gas S space U User U1 thigh

Claims

1. a toilet device having a toilet seat on which a user sits; a skin gas sensor provided on the toilet seat for detecting skin gas emitted from the skin of the user seated on the toilet seat; a control unit that estimates a metabolic state or a fatigue state of the user based on a detection result of the skin gas sensor; a notification unit that notifies the estimation result of the control unit, The toilet seat is a seating section on which the user sits; a bottom portion facing the seating portion; a recessed portion recessed from the seating portion toward the bottom portion; and The toilet system is characterized in that the skin gas sensor is located below the upper surface of the seat and is provided in the recess.

2. The toilet device further includes a seat sensor that detects whether the user is sitting on the toilet seat. The toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor detected while the user is seated on the toilet seat.

3. The toilet system described in claim 2, characterized in that the control unit sets a reference value for the skin gas sensor in response to the detection of sitting by the seat sensor, and calculates the amount of skin gas based on the amount of change in the detection result of the skin gas sensor relative to the reference value.

4. 4. The toilet system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit sets the reference value as an output value of the skin gas sensor at a time when the seating sensor detects a seated person.

5. The toilet system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state by comparing the amount of skin gas with a threshold value.

6. 2. The toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the skin gas sensor is a semiconductor gas sensor.

7. Further comprising a humidity sensor for measuring humidity; The toilet system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor and the detection results of the humidity sensor.

8. Further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature, The toilet system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit estimates the metabolic state or the fatigue state based on the detection results of the skin gas sensor and the detection results of the temperature sensor.

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